Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Lawrence E. Trullinger who passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2006. Larry dedicated his life to serving his community as a civic leader and his efforts will provide all those engaged in a civic movement with a lasting model. Throughout my time in public office I came to know Larry and considered him a good friend within the Fresno community.

Mr. Trullinger was born on February 22, 1930 in Portland, Oregon. Throughout his life, he was a devoted member of the Democratic Party and he never shied away from lending a helping hand to further the party's cause. Mr. Trullinger had several leadership roles with California's Democratic Party, including serving as the president of the Democrats of North Orange County and the regional vice president of the California Democratic Council (CDC). After moving to Fresno, he served as the CDC's Executive Vice President and State Treasurer. Further, Mr. Trullinger contributed countless hours as statewide chair of CDC's Organizational Development Committee, Living Wage Initiative, Water Advisory Committee, Interfaith Alliance, Health Care for All and many other projects.

Mr. Trullinger is survived by his sons Steven and Mark; daughter, Laureen; and many grandchildren. Although Mr. Trullinger's passing brings sadness to his family, friends, and the community, he left a legacy as an advocate for the people that will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. George Sinopoli, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 30, 2006. Mr. Sinopoli lived a life of honor and sincere loyalty to those he cared for and to the causes for which he fought. He was an exemplary advocate within the entire State of California for Veterans' Rights.

Born on April 13, 1918, Mr. Sinopoli spent his childhood in both Fresno and Chicago Heights, Illinois. He returned to Fresno as a teen and lived there the remainder of his life. In 1942, Mr. Sinopoli enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, where he served as an airplane mechanic. His interest in airplanes flourished and through hard work and determination he proved that he qualified for flight training as a cadet. Mr. Sinopoli graduated as a pilot in 1943 and he immediately reported to his first assignment with the Troop Carrier Command. Upon completion of his service in the military, Mr. Sinopoli joined the workforce and embarked on his lifelong career with Jensen & Pilegard. After 54 years of dedicated service, Mr. Sinopoli retired from the company.

Aside from his commitments to his family and the workforce, Mr. Sinopoli was a longtime advocate for veterans in the Valley. In 1951 he joined the American Legion and held many offices in the organization, including: Post Commander of 594, District Commander, Department Commander of the State of California, and as an aide to the National Commander. He was also a life member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and AM-VETS. Further, Mr. Sinopoli was a member of the Elks Lodge and Chairman of the California Citizens Flag Alliance.

In 1964, Mr. Sinopoli's leadership efforts were recognized when he received the distinctive honor through his appointment, by then Governor Pat Brown, to the California Veterans Board. His extensive knowledge surrounding veterans' affairs allowed him to also serve on the California Veterans Board as Chairman for Governors Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown, Gray Davis, and most recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger. In addition to his responsibilities to the State Board, Mr. Sinopoli energetically supported assistance to the homeless veterans, as well as those placed in residence at the three California Veterans Homes. Lastly, he was a founding member of the Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation, a support group dedicated to build a veterans home in Fresno to serve all Valley veterans.

George Sinopoli is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Gloria Jean; son, Sam and his wife Judi; grandchildren, Anthony, Michael, Julie and Lauren; and sister, Louise.

Although his passing brings sadness to those whose life he touched, Mr. Sinopoli's

warm and compassionate personality which inspired those around him will be missed deeply and his life and his accomplishments will always be remembered.

Madam Speaker, America is less safe today than before 9/11 attacks. That is according to the National Intelligence Estimate that was leaked out over the weekend. According to the report, the war in Iraq is actually fueling terror worldwide, undermining our efforts to fight terrorism, and making Americans less safe at home and abroad.

This is the second report that questioned our efforts in Iraq, by the GAO. The GAO report asked three specific questions that, unfortunately, this do-nothing Congress should be asking if we had not abdicated our role.

First, what are the key political, economic, and security conditions that must be achieved for U.S. forces to begin to withdraw? Americans want to know.

Two, why have security conditions continued to deteriorate in Iraq even though Iraq has reached political milestones and increased the number of trained and equipped security forces? The American people want to know.

And, three, if existing U.S. political, economic, and security measures are not reducing the violence in Iraq, what measures, if any, does the administration propose to end the violence? The American people want to know.

It is time that we make Americans safer and fully implement the 9/11 recommendations. It is time for a new direction.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 483, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Bill Stone as the recipient of the 2006 Kings County Agriculturalist of the Year Award. With over 35 years of dedicated service to the Central Valley's agriculture industry and with demonstrated quality leadership, Mr. Stone is truly deserving of this recognition.

A native of Stratford, Mr. Stone moved to Lemoore when he was 9 years old. He graduated from Lemoore High School in 1964 and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1968. His earliest memories of farm life center on days spent playing out on the ranch with the kids who lived in the farm labor camp as well as working around the shop with his father and brother.

Today, Mr. Stone owns and operates Stone Land Company, nestled in the heart of the Central Valley. He credits his employees, some of who have worked for the company for over 40 years, in helping harvest cotton, garlic, onions, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, cantaloupe, wheat, barley, alfalfa and lettuce grown for seed across the 9,000 acre farm. Because Mr. Stone is committed to enhancing the quality of agriculture in the valley, he makes the extra effort to incorporate new technology on his farm. He has been actively involved in operating laser leveling, GPS guidance systems and yield monitoring equipment. He has also taken advantage of computers for bookkeeping and in tracking production. Further, Mr. Stone has worked closely with University Ag Extension programs in testing new products and equipment.

Aside from his commitments out on the farm, Mr. Stone is an outstanding member of the agricultural community. He currently serves as the Secretary of the San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton Growers Association, Chairman of the San Joaquin Valley Cotton Board, Director of the Ranchers Cotton Oil Company, Director of the California Cotton Growers Association and a Member of the CIAA Cotton Committee. In addition, Mr. Stone is a board member of Mary Immaculate Queen School, Director of the Beltwide Cotton Co-Op and Chairman of the California Garlic and Onion Research Advisory Board. In the past, Mr. Stone served as the Director of Calcot, Ltd. and the Chairman of Kingsburg Cotton Oil Company.

The Stone family has been an important part of California agriculture for over a century. It is for those reasons, that I extend my sincerest appreciation for Mr. Stone's dedication and service and offer my heartfelt congratulation for receiving the 2006 Kings County Agriculturalist of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the Evangelho Seed & Farm Store as the recipient of the 2006 Kings County Ag Support Business of the Year Award. For the past 25 years, Evangelho Feed & Farm Store has supplied essential farming products and services to the people of the Central Valley.

Rodney and Linda Evangelho opened the farm store on September 1, 1981. They started the business with the help and commitment of family members and three additional employees. The store provided seed to farmers and dairymen, as well as a small amount of cat and dog food to the folks of Kings County. Since then, the Evangelhos have seen their business flourish and they have opened a new pet and farm supply store. Today, they have a total of 13 employees and offer products for all types of animals to clothing and jewelry. In addition, the Evangelho Seed & Farm Store has become the Valley's one-stop shop for members of the 4-H and FFA and they have expanded their areas of service into Kings, Fresno, Tulare and Madera Counties.

The Evangelhos attribute their success to their customers, but it is their knowledge of the Valley's agricultural needs that keeps the business growing. Besides offering seminars for 4-H and FFA members, they are active with the Kings County Farm Bureau and the Dairy Herds Improvement Association. They have also been involved with the Education & Agriculture Foundation (EAT), which brings teachers from urban areas from Los Angeles County to the Bay Area to provide agricultural education for them to take back and share with their students. In addition to their commitments to the agricultural community, the Evangelho family is active in the Hanford Knights of Columbus, St. Peter's Church, Our Lady of Fatima in Laton and the Kings Guild.

Through years of hard work and dedication the Evangelho's investment in their business make them worthy of this recognition. They have managed to stand alone as a family-run and operated business among competitors and have served their local community in immense measures. It is for those reasons that I take great pride and honor in joining the Kings County community in commending the success of the Evangelho Seed & Farm Store and in wishing Rodney and Linda Evangelho continued success and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rIse today to honor and remember the life of Monsignor Francis G. Tasy. Monsignor Tasy brought great peace and happiness into the lives of the entire community of Kerman. A great loss to all those touched by his benevolence, he passed away on August 2, 2006.

Monsignor Francis G. Tasy was born on October 15, 1925 to Hungarian immigrants who moved to America in the first years of the 20th century. As a young boy at Our Lady of Hungary Parish in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Msgr. Tasy aspired to lead a devout life. He attended St. Charles College in Roland Park, Maryland and went on to complete his studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Catonsville. Monsignor Tasy was ordained on May 1, 1952.

Following his time at St. Patrick's Parish in Watsonville, California; Msgr. Tasy began his work in the Valley with two years at the Naval Weapons Testing Center at China Lake, followed by one year at St. Francis in Bakersfield. In 1957, he was assigned to St. Patrick's Parish in Kerman where he spent the next 26 years. During this time Msgr. Tasy worked tirelessly to transform a small farm church into a thriving Catholic community of active and faithful individuals. Many greatly valued his love for the church and respected his devotion to its success. The Costa Family has wonderful memories with Msgr Tasy in Kerman and his extraordinary efforts to reinvigorate that parish community. For his outstanding leadership and endless support for those in need, he will be forever remembered.

In 1983 Monsignor Tasy brought his goodwill to Reedley, California after accepting a transfer to the St. Anthony's Parish there. As he did in Kerman years earlier, Monsignor Tasy revitalized the faithful community in Reedley. Faced with a deteriorating church and fading Catholic community, he relied on his sound administration, conventional teaching and complete devotion to restore the church and the local grammar school, St. La Salle.

Monsignor Tasy was an excellent model of success, devotion, and commitment to the well-being of entire communities. He was exemplary in every way with a work ethic worthy of respect and admiration. For all that he accomplished, all that he worked tirelessly for, and all that he hoped for, we will always remember him with gratitude and appreciation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the rule, not due to the merits of the bill before us, but because I am compelled to call to attention the complete debacle that I think is existing at the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

I rise on behalf of my constituents in a small rural town in Mendota, California, to demand that the Federal Government stay true to its word, as a focus to the core of this issue, to focus on what I believe is smart budgeting in addressing the security demands that evolved with our country, as well as the Federal Government's commitment to make good on its commitments.

In May of 2000 the city of Mendota was approached by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to build a medium security Federal correctional institution. The local elected officials, the community leaders have been strong supporters of this project and proud to provide the public service to our country, which also has the effect of encouraging economic stimulus that this prison would create.

As you see here, over $100 million has already been spent on the facility. It is about 40 percent complete. This photograph was taken about a week ago.

The funding, though, is now in jeopardy. The administration has proposed a rescission of $57 million in fiscal year 2002 and 2004 that has jeopardized the entire completion of this project. Mendota's contract is set to expire in October of this year, which, in this case, is anticipated that any new contract that will have to be reissued will cost the Federal Government and our budget 20 percent in additional dollars.

Yet the Bush administration refuses the request to add additional dollars, dollars to complete this facility. The administration's approach to funding in this case, in my opinion, is penny-wise and pound foolish. There is no sound reasoning that would support cutting off the funding for the completion of this facility. We know what the issue is on the Federal level. We have, under the medium security facilities, currently over 37 percent over capacity throughout the country, 37 percent over capacity. The Federal Bureau of Prisons expects that they need to house 7,500 new Federal inmates annually.

In California, our institutional system is 89 percent over capacity, and the Department of Corrections expects an increase of over 4,000 inmates annually. This Mendota facility would provide 1,522 much-needed beds to help address this growing demand. The Federal Government has made a long-term commitment to construct and operate this facility.

To bring this project to a virtual halt would be unfair not only to the citizens of Mendota, who have over an 18 percent unemployment level, of which 42 percent of the population is living below the poverty line. The President would provide good jobs and a major boost to the very depressed local economy.

Now, when we talk about the administration's failure and their fiscal year irresponsibility to American taxpayers, I think this continues, when you begin to understand that the Bureau of Prisons proposes to begin the construction of two new facilities while they want to stop this one half completed. What sense does that make?

That is right, believe it or not, we have a half-built prison in California in the city of Mendota. It will cost the Federal Government $2 million a year to mothball this facility, to go in and to make sure that they flush the toilets and they do the other kinds of things necessary to keep it operational.

In closing, this is an untenable situation. It is an untenable situation for the city of Mendota. It is an embarrassment to this administration, which finds its credibility being shredded almost on a daily basis. It is clear that if the Bush administration refuses to provide the promised funding to this ongoing construction of this facility, this half-built facility will be standing proof to our administration's failure to keep its word and to honor its commitments.

Ladies and gentlemen, I urge that reconsideration be taken to this funding rescission and that, in fact, we offer good common sense as it relates to our Federal budget. It is not good fiscal responsibility to stop construction of a half-completed prison and begin the construction of two new facilities that have yet to be started.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. As you may know, some of you, earlier this year I introduced a bill, H.R. 5125, that would, in essence, require States to undertake planning for the siting of Indian gaming facilities, essentially developing a State master plan before a new class III gaming license could be granted.

We have 22 States in the Nation that allow for class III gaming. Currently, if you look at those 22 States, take a snapshot, there are 339 sovereign nations within those 22 States that could potentially have legalized gaming.

What happens in the experience that I have determined in California over the last 15 years is too often Indian tribes are at the mercy of shifting political winds in State government. Negotiating a tribal- State compact for the right to engage in class III gaming on their tribal lands is a process that is complicated by elections, changing attitudes towards the tribe, as well as an understanding that tribal gaming also can be a lucrative process and business, therefore, to the State.

This process I call, or dubbed, is frequently understood as ``let's make a deal'' time. We have had three Governors in California in the last 15 years that have engaged in that process.

My legislation would not prevent tribes from engaging in their application process or affect any of those that have already had approval of a compact. But what it would do is develop some common sense in terms how we look in the future for prospective gaming under class III licensing with the 22 States that have 339 sovereign nations that could, but yet do not have compacts, that would allow them to have class III gaming.

I think it is time that we learned from the lessons of the last 15 years and the 22 States across the country that do have class III gaming. Let us require the States to submit a master plan to the Secretary of the Interior so that we know how we will go forward prospectively as to the impact of that class III gaming.

Common sense tells us that this makes, I think, the best process for planning future gaming in this country. Although my legislation isn't a part of this bill, I continue to work with Members on both sides of the aisle to try to put forth an effort to develop a master plan for those States that, in fact, do have class III gaming.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Harris of Coalinga, CA, the recipient of the 2006 California State Fair Agriculturist of the Year Award.

John has been a lifelong farmer, businessman and Fresno County resident. He graduated from University of California, Davis, where he received a bachelor of science degree in agricultural production in 1965. He served as an officer in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 and returned to the family's farming operation in 1968.

Becoming a true icon for California agriculture, John Harris strived for excellence since day one at the family farm. Currently, he runs an extremely diversified company growing over a dozen crops, feeding approximately 200,000 cattle a year, which are processed at Harris Ranch and sold throughout the west. In addition to his farming and cattle business, John Harris oversees the well-known Harris Ranch Restaurant and Inn located in the outskirts of the city of Coalinga in west Fresno County. As an avid horse-racing supporter, John also manages a large thoroughbred breeding farm and racing stable. John Harris is committed to bringing acclamation to the California's thoroughbred horse-raising industry. Mr. Harris is certainly a man who exemplifies an extraordinary ability to embark on new endeavors and be very successful at bringing many projects to fruition.

Aside from his businessman talents, John is a strong philanthropic supporter of his community and region as a whole. He is a member of many local community boards and contributes immensely to local groups and organizations with various missions to enhance the quality of life of Valley residents. Some of these include the National Beef Board, the California Beef Council, the California Cattlemen's Association, and the Pacific Legal Foundation. Some of the community organizations he has contributed to include the Fresno Metropolitan Museum and the University of California at Davis, specifically the Veterinary School.

John Harris is a living legacy of what California agriculture should strive to be as an industry in order to coexist with other booming industries and our environment. He works hard to incorporate high technology innovations to his business practices to protect the air and the environment as much as possible. All the trucks used in his feedlot and meat packing plant run on biodiesel and both the feedlot and the meat-packing plant are state-of-the-art model buildings for the industry.

John Harris is a man of integrity, honesty and compassion. He genuinely cares for his community and is willing to share his vast knowledge with others. In addition, he and I share the same passion for the well-being of California's Central Valley. For this and so much more, I am honored to consider John Harris as a friend and certainly commend him for all his accomplishments and extend my most sincere congratulations for receiving this prestigious award from the California State Fair.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Pete G. Mehas, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Mehas is retiring at the end of his current term and his unwavering commitment to students and education will be missed, but never forgotten.

Like many others, I consider myself fortunate to count Pete Mehas as a friend and advisor. His life's work embodies the very basic values-- hard work, respect for people and family--that make it possible for a person to have a profound influence on others.

Pete Mehas was born, raised and educated in Fresno, California. Growing up he worked during the 40s and 50s for his father at the Fresno Malt Shop and the Athenian Restaurant. At age 19 Pete hitchhiked around the world on a personal odyssey of discovery and cultural exploration. Over the years, the call of family and his pride of heritage have drawn him back to his ancestral homeland, the magnificent Greek Islands. But Pete Mehas has always come back to the Central Valley where he spent his professional career advancing education on many fronts, in classrooms, boardrooms and the legislative halls of Sacramento and our nation's capitol.

During his career, Pete has been a teacher, a coach, a school principal, an associate district superintendent and a legislative advocate. His efforts on behalf of education have been driven by his often-stated belief that, ``Children are the living message we send to a time we will not see.'' His personal objective has always been to serve as a model of high values, coupled with strong character and love of country and to hopefully pass those standards on to the next generation.

Pete has never let his success go to his head. In fact, to this day he continues to visit classrooms to read to young students and encourage them to succeed. His utter lack of pretense has been a hallmark of his career and made it possible for him to inspire others and bring people together.

Elected four times to the position of Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Pete Mehas' well-documented career dedication to education has been recognized many times by others. He has participated in Presidential Education Summits on education, served as an education policy advisor to three California governors and held leadership positions in numerous education organizations and associations. Pete's many honors include being the first recipient in 1990 of the Fresno Public Education Fund's Gold Star Alumni Award. And his leadership has been praised by organizations as varied as the California Farm Bureau Federation and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers.

Beyond the honors that have come his way as his professional success multiplied over the years, Pete Mehas has always been devoted to his family. His mother Sylvia, his wife Demi, sisters Tula and Georgia and his daughters Alethea and Andreanna have enriched his life as only family can.

And though Pete Mehas has talked with world leaders, Presidents, Governors and business leaders, I know nothing compares to the loving sound he hears from his twin granddaughters, Andreanna and Isabella, when they whisper ``pappou'', Greek for ``grandpa'', in his ear.

Though he will soon retire as Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, there can be no uncertainty that Pete Mehas will continue to make a valuable contribution to his community, state and nation. Pete's future efforts will, I am sure, be reflective of his personal philosophy which is summed up so well in the words of his favorite songwriter, Jimmy Buffet, when he sings, ``Yesterdays are over my shoulder, so I can't look back for too long. There's just too much to see waiting in front of me, and I know that I just can't go wrong.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Ruth McKenry. She was an exemplary woman and a premier advocate for health care and the agriculture industry in the Valley. She passed away on June 2, 2006.

Ruth McKenry was a native of New York. She graduated from Bellevue School of Nursing in 1943 and became a U.S. Navy Nurse Corps Lt.j.g. serving from 1944 to 1946. Soon after being honorably discharged in 1946, she moved to California with her husband and worked as a registered nurse in various hospitals in the Central Valley.

Having raised four children, Mrs. McKenry was very knowledgable and experienced as a nurse. She worked for the Selma District Hospital Emergency Room, as well as at the Doctor's Hospital in Modesto, California, specializing in orthopedics, cardiology, surgery and as a relief supervisor. Furthermore, having an extensive background and a great understanding of the health care industry, Ruth was a long-time advocate for improving the health care system in the country. She was involved in the politics of the Valley and held several important positions in different organizations.

Ruth maintained an encompassing interest in the activities of her community. She served as a Brownie Girl Scout Leader, 4-H Leader, and as a volunteer for a local Well Baby Clinic. Additionally, her involvement in many vital agricultural groups and organizations left a mark on the people of the Valley. After retiring as a registered nurse, Ruth farmed grape vineyards and together with her husband, managed McKenry Farms in Kingsburg, California. Being a farmer herself, Ruth was strongly engrossed in the workings of the agricultural industry. She served as the State and Federal Legislative Chair and the Agricultural Labor Chair for the California Women for Agriculture (CWA). She also served as the Agricultural Labor Chair for the American Agri-Women (AAW) and for the Tulare County Farm Bureau.

Additionally, Ruth was involved with Women in Farm Economics and the California Farm Bureau Federation Agricultural Labor Committee. Many of her colleagues, especially in the CWA and AAW attest to her enthusiasm and her driving force in pushing for change in the agricultural labor industry, especially in providing farm workers access to necessary health care programs. Ruth once stated, ``My involvement in agricultural labor has given me an interest in affordable health care for the farm worker and both pre-natal and well baby care for his/her family. I am interested in the nation's rural areas [and] as an employer, access to affordable health care premiums is needed.''

The positions she held on agricultural labor committees gave her the chance to promote the changes that were necessary for the advancement of the agriculture industry. Her hard work was witnessed and admired by her colleagues, and in 1986, after, being nominated by her fellow CWA members, she was awarded the prestigious Leaven Award, the highest award an American Agri-Woman can receive. Her ability to work with and influence those around her, and multiply the effectiveness of the organization was testimony to the character she possessed which made her truly deserving of the Leaven Award. In addition, California State Assemblymember Bruce Bronzan nominated her as the Woman of the Year in 1991 for her outstanding contributions to her community.

Ruth McKenry was a prime example of a strong resilient woman. She lived a life of purpose and served as a role model, not just for the youth in the Valley, but for her peers and colleagues. She was devoted to her family and deeply involved in the life of her children and grandchildren. She was honored by those who worked beside her and by those whose lives she was able to change and touch throughout her lifetime. Ruth McKenry's life is a prime example of pure passion and loyalty and of genuine interest in agriculture, one of the most vital sectors of the Central Valley. She had an outstanding life and will always be looked up to by those who knew her.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and pay tribute to the life of George McKean. Mr. McKean was devoted to his family and to his hometown, Riverdale, where he was a prominent figure in agriculture, business and civic life. He passed away on May 18, 2006.

At a very young age, Mr. McKean became involved with their family's business, McKean's Grocery Store which they have owned for over 65 years. Aside from working at the grocery store, he was constantly involved in his community and has helped obtain services that were needed such as water, sewer, waste disposal and fire protection.

George played a significant role in his hometown's farming industry and its surrounding communities. He has had a longtime involvement in a farming operation in the Riverdale, Kings River and North Fork areas. Together with his brother, he owned and leased 970 acres of farmland of which one-third is in cotton and the rest with wheat, barley and alfalfa. He served as the Director of Ranchers Cotton Oil and spearheaded the formation of West Valley Cotton Growers Gin where he also served as President.

In addition to farming, Mr. McKean dedicated his attention to the water industry in his community. He served as the Division IV Director for the Kings River Conservation District from 1972-1995. Mr. McKean's term in the KRCD comprises many accomplishments including the formation of the Mid-Valley Water Authority, which he has chaired since 1982. George has given a significant consideration to water as he recognizes the need for a supplemental water supply for deficit areas such as his community. Mr. McKean was a strong advocate for the alleviation of chronic groundwater overdraft conditions in his region. He was a past chairman of the Kings River Conservation District and was a member of the Fresno County Water Advisory Committee.

Mr. McKean was an active proponent for water and farming but he has also served his country and his hometown of Riverdale in other significant ways. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard where he served his country from 1942 to 1945. He served local organizations such as Rodeo Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Fire Department, Public Utility District, and Elementary School Board of Trustees. For his outstanding efforts, the Riverdale Chamber of Commerce chose him as the Man of the Year in 1979. Furthermore, he served as the Director of Caruthers' Bank and as a Financial Chairman for Congressman Bernice Sisk.

Mr. McKean was preceded in death by Myrtle, his wife of 65 years; and his brother Archie. He is survived by his brother, Charles; his daughter Carol Copley and her husband Ron; his son George D. McKean II and his wife Linda; his daughter Debbie Ella and her husband Craig; his son Mark McKean and his wife Megan. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

George McKean devoted his life to his country, community and family where his dedication and love was unwavering. His zeal and commitment to advance his community will be missed, as well as an inspiration for us all. His life and his accomplishments will always be remembered.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I rise to support H.R. 4761. I would also like to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall for their efforts on this legislation.

This bill is an important step toward achieving the goal of further developing our domestic energy resources. We have for too long put vast oil and natural gas reserves off limits to exploration and production, as The Washington Post editorial stated this week.

Our domestic reserves are not limitless, and this is a first step. But we must take other steps, such as increasing conservation, developing an ethanol industry, and increasing CAFE standards if we are to make our country safer by cutting our reliance on foreign oil.

Despite the previous efforts of Congresses, our addiction to foreign oil, as the President stated, is greater today than ever before. That dependency is a threat to our national security, and we must address that threat.

I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the efforts of the author and my friend, Representative Charlie Melancon, on this legislation. It is clear that Congressmen Jindal and Melancon are putting the interests of their constituents and the American public first as opposed to the interests of partisan politics.

Please vote for H.R. 4761. I think it is a step in the right direction.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join tonight with my fellow Blue Dog, Congressman Mike Ross, the gentleman from Arkansas, who does an excellent job on behalf of representing his constituents from the great State of Arkansas.

Tonight, as a fellow Blue Dog member, I want to echo a number of the comments that Congressman Ross has made, because in that 12-point program that Congressman Ross will talk more about I believe lies solutions to the problems facing our Nation today, solutions that come to the heart of criteria and qualities that all Americans I think share. Those are accountability, competence and what kind of representation they want to see in their House of Representatives.

It does not matter what party you are a member of in this great Nation of ours. Accountability and competence are characteristics that Americans value throughout our great land.

In coming to the Congress as a new Member and becoming a fellow Blue Dog, we have had an opportunity to share and really spend a great deal of time in examining the challenges that our Nation finds itself in in getting its fiscal house in order.

Recently, the Blue Dogs, in consultation with a lot of research, uncovered an unpublicized Department of Treasury document that made a report that I think most Americans, unfortunately, are unaware of. This Department of Treasury, run by this administration, using the same tried and true accounting methods that every business in America uses, cast new light on the fiscal severity that our Nation is facing, what some would call a mess.

This Treasury report, filed by the Bush administration, reinforces what the Blue Dogs have been saying for years. One of the startling revelations of this 158-page report indicates by the admission of Secretary Snow that the U.S. deficit, as Congressman Ross said, under current accounting methods in 2005 was more than twice the amount that is being reported.

As a matter of fact, if you do not take into account, as Congressman Ross just stated, the Social Security surplus, our fiscal deficit, ladies and gentlemen, is over $700 billion today. And, yes, we pay the interest on that debt every day. But do not take my word for it. Look at the financial report of the United States Government, 2005.

Because it goes on to say that, in fact, in conjunction with the U.S. Comptroller, that there is no way we can get a clean audit from the books of most of our Federal agencies. Why? Because no one is being held accountable. Congressional leaders are not conducting the oversight hearings that we should do as a part of our responsibility as Members of Congress. And so, frankly, we do not know what the true state of our budget is, because so many of these agencies have not been able to provide the proper audits.

In a letter contained within this report, in this report, David Walker, the Comptroller General of the United States, explains that the model currently used by Government provides a potentially unrealistic and misleading picture of the Federal deficit, its overall performance, the financial conditions and what the future outlook will be for future generations of Americans to come.

The financial report makes it very clear that if we got into honest budgeting today, that in fact we would find ourselves with a much larger deficit than we have today. It goes beyond that to say that, in fact, if you looked at all 26 agencies in the Federal Government, that is on page 23 here, and you asked them for a clean fiscal audit, that over two-thirds of them would not be able to provide that clean fiscal audit.

That obviously is not the kind of condition that Americans want their Federal Government to be in. That is not the kind of operation and management that provides for the true fiscal

accountability and the competency. Competency. Remember, I said accountability and competency are characteristics that American taxpayers care about. They are values and characteristics that really make a difference.

So what we have today is not just a problem with accountability, but it is competence. It is not just the problems in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita with FEMA, but it deals with a budget deficit. It deals with a budget deficit that has been compounded by a trade deficit that has grown by 1,400 percent in the last 4 years.

In 1992, our trade deficit was over $36 billion. 2005, our trade deficit has grown to over $670 billion. Along with it, I might add, a lot of American jobs that have been exported overseas.

Let me close my comments, Mr. Speaker, by telling you that, as a new Member of Congress, I had served previously for 24 years in the California legislature. I think I did not come back here to Washington with any Pollyanna view of the world. But I also believe very passionately in representative democracy, when it works well and when it does not work.

I have just recently finished reading a book that I want to recommend to Americans back home. It is called Flight Club Politics. It is an accountability of what has occurred in the House of Representatives over the last 15, 20 years.

It did not begin with the Republicans. It involved the Democrats in the late 1980s and 1990s. And notwithstanding the Republican's efforts to pledge to reform the House in 1994 when they took over, the fact of the matter is, as the evolution of this, Flight Club Politics: How Partisanship is Poisoning the House of Representatives, has unfortunately, in my opinion, only multiplied the problems that we now have exist today.

We no longer have a system of checks and balances. Under the Republican leadership during the Clinton administration, there were over 1,000 subpoenas of the administration.

Now, one could argue that the Congress was doing its part to provide checks and balances. Unfortunately, by comparison, under the last 5 years, with the Republican administration, there has been less than 10 subpoenas requested of this administration to hold them accountable, regardless of what Department or agency you are talking about.

When you have a view of the world that the only legislation that we can bring to the floor of the House must first pass with a majority of the majority, you are taking away the opportunity to have true bipartisan solutions. And it is one of the reasons, I believe, why today in America one of the fastest growing views of voters in America is ``decline to state or independent.'' So regardless of what party one must be registered under, people more and more view themselves as independents.

What we have to do today and in the future is to restore bipartisanship to this Congress. The Blue Dogs believe in that. We have to reinforce the opportunities that we don't need a de facto parliamentary system, where there is less focus on checks and balances and one party basically runs the entire government. Those are among the many challenges that we face today.

My colleagues, I am proud to be a member of a group of moderate to conservative Democrats who frankly believe that we must first get our fiscal house in order. How do we do so? We do so with true accountability, we do so with competence in terms of how our Federal Government is run, and we do so by ensuring that our House restores the civility and bipartisan workmanship that is what our founding fathers had in mind.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back to my colleague and good friend, Mr. Ross.