Floor Statements

In December 2007, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) Board announced a $1.18 million grant to the Lee Company's Westbrook production facility for the development of a solar photovoltaic system. On Friday, June 27, 2008 the Lee Company will celebrate the returns on these investments: Connecticut's largest solar photovoltaic system at a manufacturing facility. I rise today to recognize this monumental achievement and commend the Lee Company and the CCEF's leadership with facilitating a greener Connecticut for current and future generations.

In 1948, the Lee Company was founded by Leighton Lee II in eastern Connecticut. Over the past six decades, the Lee Company has transformed the original Connecticut regional offices into a national presence. Today, the company remains one of the foremost developers and manufacturers of fluid control components for aerospace systems.

The CCEF was established by Connecticut's General Assembly in 2000. Since inception, the CCEF, administered by Connecticut Innovations, has invested millions of dollars in renewable energy projects throughout Connecticut, focusing on solar, biomass, wind, hydro, and wave power. In my district alone, the Fund has provided nearly $14 million in incentive grants for 207 alternative energy projects. Current operating renewable energy projects are estimated to generate 5 million kWh and eliminate over 4.1 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over the course of each year.

As important as the state's help was in this project, it was the vision and determination of the Lee Company that really made the project's exciting transformation of its energy system possible. The CCEF's incentive grant to the Lee Company, which covered half the cost of the 308-kilowatt photovoltaic system at the Westbrook production facility, is one of the largest in the state of Connecticut. Once operating, the photovoltaic system will provide 19 percent of the energy used at the facility. When the system is not in use, energy production credits will be deducted from the company's electric bill.

In addition to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions, these investments will generate new economic growth and opportunity. The Lee Company employs more than 100 individuals at the Westbrook production facility and more than 800 people throughout the state. These investments will allow for the continued growth of the company and expanded employment opportunities throughout Connecticut.

Madam Speaker, our Nation is at a critical turning point. For the strength of our economy and health of our environment, investments in clean, renewable energy are needed now more than ever. I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in recognizing these renewable energy achievements and supporting similar initiatives in their districts.

Madam Speaker, today, nearly 150 members of the 1109th Aviation

Classification Repair Activity Depot of the Connecticut National Guard are preparing for the unit's second deployment abroad to Iraq. Although my duties in Washington prevent me from joining the send-off ceremony today in Groton, I want the members of the 1109th AVCRAD, and their families, to know that all of Connecticut is proud of them and look forward to their safe return.

Connecticut's AVCRAD plays a critical role in supporting our military. The unit provides maintenance and logistics for aircraft and equipment help to 14 across the Northeast states and supports Connecticut's fleet of Black Hawk helicopters. Last year, I had the chance to visit their facility and see their operations up close. I walked away from that experience deeply impressed with the professionalism, skill and dedication they have for their mission.

Overseas deployment is not new to the AVCRAD. Yet, as we know all too well, any military deployment is hard not only on our men and women in uniform, but also on their families and loved ones waiting at home for them to return. In my visit last year, I was briefed by the unit's leadership about the scope and impact that this deployment will have not only on the unit as a whole, but also on the families of those preparing to deploy. As I did then, today I continue to offer my unconditional support and assistance to them and their families throughout the length of this deployment.

I am proud to represent the 1109th AVCRAD in Congress. I join Connecticut's Adjutant General, Major General Thaddeus Martin, the unit's commanding officer, Colonel Tom Boland, and the people of southeastern Connecticut in wishing the 1109th AVCARD good luck and eagerly awaiting their safe return.

Mr. Speaker, last week it was revealed that the Air Force made a serious mistake in comparing the costs of tanker aircraft proposals offered by Northrop Grumman/Airbus and Boeing.

When the Air Force awarded this $40 billion contract to Northrop Grumman/Airbus, it repeatedly said that the cost of the two planes was one of their top selection criteria. However this latest revelation, supported by both companies, undercuts the Air Force's assertion that they picked the most cost-effective aircraft and casts doubt on whether the two planes were evaluated fairly on the other criteria.

Take, for example, fuel usage. The Airbus tanker uses 24 percent more fuel than Boeing, about 400 gallons more per hour, and over 2 billion gallons of fuel each year. Yet the Air Force continues to claim that the Airbus tanker is the best value over the long term.

At a time of soaring fuel costs that calls into question whether the most cost-effective choice was made for our taxpayers and our airmen for a plane with a lifespan of 40 years, the selection of tanker aircraft will have far-reaching implications for our Nation's industrial base and our security. The Air Force must get it right and rebid this critical decision.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Marie Herbst on retirement after more than thirty-seven years of service to the citizens of East Windsor Connecticut as a State Senator, Mayor, Town Councilwoman, teacher, mother, wife, and role model.

Marie has been inspiring and leading people from the East Windsor/ Vernon area of Connecticut for her entire lifetime. Beginning as one of the most dedicated citizens of Vernon, she stood as an activist for her town's needs in the area of education. This commitment to the Vernon area was not limited to simple activism, as Marie saw the need to serve her constituents locally to ensure that her neighbors' voices were heard.

She was elected to the Board of Education, Town Council, and as Mayor of Vernon, and for over eight years as a State Senator representing her friends and neighbors in Hartford. She demonstrated further dedication to her fellow citizens after she left the Connecticut General Assembly to resume her position on the Town Council. In many ways, her return to local government was similar to former President John Quincy Adams decision to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives after leaving the White House.

As important as her loyalty to the citizens of East Windsor and Vernon were as a public servant, deeper than any other commitment was her passion for education. Offering her skills and dedication outside of her sizable family, Marie served honorably for over 37 years as an educator attesting to her selflessness and passion for the well-being of East Windsor, Connecticut's schoolchildren, both present and future. Countless students over that time have been inspired by Marie's passion and skill as a teacher and gone on to succeed in adult life. Marie was active to the last moment, even taking time to offer words of enduring wisdom to the recent graduates of East Windsor High School as the school's graduation speaker.

I ask that you please join with me in congratulating and commemorating the dedication and career of Mrs. Marie Herbst, a truly concerned, selfless citizen of eastern Connecticut.

Madam Speaker, the humanities have shaped nearly every aspect of our modern civilization, from our political and legal systems to architecture. Today, the proliferation of humanity fields remains as important as ever and the Connecticut Humanities Council has strived to preserve academic and cultural ideals in our community. This year, the Council celebrates its 35th anniversary.

For 35 years, the Connecticut Humanities Council has enriched our community academically and culturally and has provided greater insights into our Connecticut, and more broadly, American roots and values. Through ideology and practice, the Connecticut Humanities Council has also exemplified a public access objective. Since inception, the Council has derived public and private funds to support relevant and accessible humanities programs throughout our community, focusing on history and literature disciplines.

Programs sponsored by the Connecticut Humanities Council extend beyond the confines of museums, libraries, or any other academic institution. Programs like the family reading program, Motherread/ Fatherread, typify the extensions of broader values and life lessons in a meaningful and impactful setting. The Motherread/Fatherread program not only engages a lifelong love of reading and learning, but brings families closer together by encouraging parents to read with their children.

Madam Speaker, on this 35th anniversary, I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in recognizing the countless individuals and organizations that have brought the goals of the Council to fruition, by preserving our past and supporting the highest aspirations for our future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 300th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Killingly, Connecticut. Over the course of 2008, Killingly's residents have and will continue to celebrate 300 years of history.

Killingly's ability to adapt and to transform with modem advancements have been evident since early settlement. Although the original settlement was rooted in agriculture production, like other colonial towns, modem amenities such as taverns, blacksmith shops, grist and saw mills were prevalent. By the end of the 18th century, William Danielson developed a successful iron works and William Cundall created one of Connecticut's earliest woolen works. With these modem amenities and connection with the New England railroad network, Killingly soon grew to an industrial hub.

Over the past 300 years, Killingly has been the setting for momentous events as well as home and birthplace to many notable figures in American history. In 1750, Israel Proctor deeded his land to his servants, laying a progressive foundation for successive abolitionist, Henry Hammond, and an Underground Railroad network. In addition, Mary Dixon Kies, the first woman in the U.S. to receive a patent, and Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of Tiffany & Co., were both born and raised in Killingly.

Madam Speaker, for 300 years Killingly and its residents have adapted, endured, and thrived in light of significant pressures from changing local, national and international dynamics. On Saturday, May 31, 2008, I had the pleasure of participating in a tercentennial parade. The outpouring of support and warm wishes from Killingly citizens was truly telling of the strength and unity of this community. On this tercentennial, I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents with honoring and celebrating this 300th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, I was necessarily absent from House business as I celebrated the high school graduation of my son in Connecticut.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 367, H. Con Res 138, Supporting National Men's Health Week; voted ``yea'' on rollcall 368 H. Res 923, Recognizing the State of Minnesota's 150th Anniversary; and voted ``yea'' on rollcall 369, H. Res 1114, Supporting the goals and ideals of the Arbor Day Foundation and National Arbor Day. My vote would not have changed the outcome of any rollcall.

Just to follow up on the chairman's remarks, it sounds like crocodile tears to hear people talking about underfunding IDEA and title I when last December we had a chance to override the President's veto of the education spending bill, which would have put a serious commitment by this Chamber towards those programs which, indeed, have been underfunded for far too long, but unfortunately, too many Members on the other side of the aisle upheld the President's veto and broke, again, the promises to local communities to pay for Federal mandates.

We have a national challenge facing this country, a national energy challenge, national education challenge, and that's what this national bill is focusing on.

In Connecticut, the Eastern Connecticut State University Institute for Sustainable Energy did an inventory of school buildings a couple of years ago. They found that 90 percent of the buildings were constructed before 1978, completely energy inefficient. If we could get to an Energy Star rating of 50, which is a very modest rating, we would save 40 percent, not 20 percent, but 40 percent energy costs, which is precious dollars for local communities that are distressed and don't have a property tax base to pay for that kind of investment.

This program is focused with a title I formula to needy school districts. We're not just taking dollars and throwing them up in the air across the United States of America. We are helping the communities that need the help and can't afford to invest in green technology.

We have districts in my part of Connecticut, Quaker Hill Elementary School, that are making that type of investment, but we need to help the districts that can't afford to do it.

That's why, with a title I-based formula, this legislation will accomplish that task. I urge the Chamber's full support.

Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honor Elwood A.D. ``Woody'' Lechausse of Enfield, Connecticut, who passed away over the weekend at the West Haven VA Medical Center.

For nearly 35 years, Connecticut veterans could rely on Woody to be their staunchest advocate in the state house and here in Congress. A veteran himself, Woody served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1965, during which he served as a Sergeant in Izmir, Turkey, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division, and Quin Huon, South Vietnam with the 178th Signal (Spt) 39th Signal Battalion. He returned home to Connecticut and, fueled with his desire to improve the lives of all those who have served our nation, began a long and storied career as a rigorous and unyielding voice for improving our nation's treatment of our veterans.

As a member of several veterans service organizations, such as the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 82nd Airborne Division Association and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 120, Woody served in countless leadership roles on both the state and national levels. Although a fighter on behalf of all those who wore our nation's uniform, Woody was especially dedicated to addressing the difficulties faced by our disabled veterans and those who returned home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health challenges from their combat experience.

Woody served on numerous government agencies, boards and taskforces that helped make tangible improvements in the health care, support and commemoration of all our veterans. And for his work, he was continually honored at all levels, most recently by being permanently inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame in 2007.

I was honored to meet with Woody on numerous occasions both in Washington and Connecticut, and work with him closely on efforts to improve the quality of life for veterans in Connecticut and across the Nation. He was a trusted advisor to the members and staff of Connecticut's congressional delegation, and could always be relied on to help inform us of the needs of our veterans and help ``get the word out'' through his dialogue with veterans organizations and updates to his diverse and wide-ranging email list.

Madam Speaker, all of us in Connecticut have lost a friend, a mentor and an unmatched voice on behalf of our veterans. I ask all my colleagues to join me in expressing our sincere condolence to Woody's wife Kathryn, his sons James and Ralph, and all his friends and families during this difficult time. And, I urge all my colleagues to honor Woody's service to our nation and lifetime of advocacy on behalf of our Nation's veterans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 300th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Hebron, Connecticut. Throughout 2008, the town and its residents have and will continue to celebrate 300 years of rich history.

From its original settlement, agriculture production has supported the growth of the town as well as agriculture development and growth of neighboring communities. From colonial labors to modern agricultural machinery, cultivation of the land has remained an important economic and communal component of the town of Hebron. Hebron's agricultural history, reflecting on the distinct New England seasons, will be highlighted in the yearlong third centennial celebration.

This past March, residents enjoyed Maple Fest, which focused on a favorite New England winter harvest and culinary tradition. Families in Hebron and across the New England community joined in the festivities, which featured regional treats from local sugar houses. The sweet products of the maple trees were enjoyed in traditional to untraditional forms, from maple syrup to maple cotton candy. In the coming September, Hebron Harvest Fair will highlight the products of the New England fall harvest.

Three hundred years after incorporation, from its colonial origins through its modem evolution, Hebron represents the very best of a Connecticut and more broadly, small-town America. I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in honoring and celebrating Hebron's third centennial and welcome many more to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Girl Scouts of the towns of Vernon and Rockville, Connecticut. After years of hard work and dedication, young leaders from Troop 10141 and Troop 10735 have achieved the honor of the Bronze and Silver Girl Scout Awards.These young women have not only identified and investigated issues in their own communities, but they have taken the time to create, develop, and implement projects that address these areas of concern. These young women have selflessly given their time, knowledge and resources to their communities, and their work is truly deserving of this wonderful recognition.

These young women are truly the emerging community leaders of tomorrow. Andrea Notman, a Bronze Award recipient, orchestrated a winter clothing drive, while another recipient of the Bronze Award, Larissa Flynn, distributed paper grocery bags that were decorated in honor of Earth Day. Amy Eitelman and Jackie Ose, both Bronze Award recipients, collected recyclable materials and used the proceeds to purchase a willow tree to be planted in their community. Kathleen Hills, a Silver Award recipient, organized and ran a town wide Girl Scout fair while Emily Piro, another Silver Award recipient, helped to organize and manage a camping weekend for local Brownie Girl Scouts.

Jillian Eitelman, another Silver Award recipient, created the ``Green Angel Fund'' in memory of Diane Lloyd, a former troop leader. The fund offers support to leaders who wish to further their scouting knowledge. An additional Silver Award winner, Sarah Nolan, created a presentation about the history of Girl Scouting and delivered the presentation at several area meetings. Amiee Roberge, another Silver Award recipient, created care boxes of toiletries and toys and donated them to the residents at a local battered women and children's center. Alexandrea Banks, another Silver Award winner, helped to transform an old music room into a computer lab at the Saint Bernard School in Connecticut. Alexandrea also coordinated the creation of a preschool from a former house at this same school.

Cheyenne Sweeney, Shannon Lipe, Mary Leigh Enders, and Elizabeth Courtney, recipients of the Silver Award, researched, created, and distributed 1,200 brochures regarding breast cancer awareness. They also made and distributed 1,200 key rings with informational cards describing the sizes of tumors. Each of these diverse projects helped to address a specific need that these young women discovered within their own communities. These awards are a tribute to their hard work and perseverance, and I am honored to recognize them today.

The Girl Scouts and leaders of Troops 10141 and 10735 deserve the highest accolades for all of their enthusiasm and commitment to enriching the lives of those in their surrounding communities. Their display of social consciousness, personal conviction, and strong leadership is a tribute to the Girl Scout mission and the ideals that the organization encourages and promotes. It is a privilege to stand here today and applaud all of their hard work. I ask all my colleagues to join with me and the people of Connecticut in congratulating them for this honor.

Madam Speaker, on May 13, 2008, communities in Connecticut and around our Nation collectively clad in yellow, celebrated LiveSTRONG Day. LiveSTRONG Day is a day of national reflection, where cancer survivors and disease awareness are recognized in an effort to raise funds to support cancer research and education.

Over a decade ago, one of the world's greatest athletes, Lance Armstrong, was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Although his prognosis was grim, he overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to become a cancer survivor. With his disease in remission, he founded the LiveSTRONG Foundation, which has since connected communities around the Nation with the collective goal of promoting cancer research and education. The LiveSTRONG Day codifies the priorities of the foundation through national grassroots efforts.

In eastern Connecticut, LiveSTRONG Day was celebrated in a number of forms, from yellow fashions to a pickup game of hockey. Several years ago, my good friend and cancer survivor Nancy Brouillet gave me a LiveSTRONG wristband, which I am proud to wear and show my support for these efforts and broader efforts around the Nation. Through these simple acts, the eastern Connecticut community offered support to the cancer survivors in our community as well as raised awareness of the disease in our region.

Madam Speaker, cancer remains one of the widest sweeping diseases in the U.S. and around the world. Although much has been accomplished with disease research and treatment, our Nation must continue to invest and support comprehensive efforts to find a cure for the millions that continue to suffer from this disease. The LiveSTRONG Foundation and the priorities of the annual LiveSTRONG Day have served and will continue to serve an invaluable role with achieving these necessary objectives and I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in recognizing these contributions.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Hunter defense authorization bill, whose primary mission under the leadership of Chairman Skelton is to restore military readiness to America's Armed Forces. As has been stated earlier this evening, the bill focuses on investing in short-term readiness, with increased commitment and investment to reset the ground troops of this country as well as the National Guard. But as Mr. Hunter indicated in his opening remarks, it also looks over the horizon to deal with military readiness issues that are not being addressed and have been neglected for far too long.

One of those is the size of the American Navy. When the Bush administration took office in 2002, the size of America's Navy was 315 ships and submarines. It has declined to 276, and, shockingly, that number is going to in fact accelerate, because we are basically living off a legacy fleet that was built during the Reagan area.

Last year, I was proud to be part of an effort that turned around this decline. We invested $588 million in advance procurement to the Virginia class submarine program, the most successful shipbuilding program according to both the Navy and outside experts, and this year we continue that effort with Mr. Hunter's leadership on a motion at the committee to add to the Seapower Subcommittee's $300 million advance procurement. His motion, the Hunter-Courtney amendment, added $422 million, and we are now moving the Navy's shipbuilding schedule to two submarines a year starting in 2010 with this legislation.

The industrial base is ready for this challenge. We know that from again the testimony from both Virginia and Connecticut. My district is the home of the Electric Boat, which is, again, one of the most successful shipbuilders in the country in terms of the Virginia class program. The last submarine, the USS New Hampshire, was delivered with 1 million fewer man-hours in terms of production compared to the prior submarine that they built.

This investment which this legislation represents will allow this country to again be ready for long-term challenges. The world is changing, there are new maritime forces that are growing in different parts of the world, and I strongly urge support and passage of the Hunter defense authorization bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Strategic Petroleum Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act and I am pleased to be a cosponsor of H.R. 6022.

As I travel around eastern Connecticut, I am confronted with families, business owners, truckers, farmers and fishermen who are struggling to maintain their lives and livelihoods.

Rising oil and gasoline prices are choking our economy. Food and consumer goods are rising as fuel prices rise, bringing additional pain to many people across our country.

In my hometown of Vernon, CT, the price of a gallon of gasoline hit $3.99. I am now hearing that some older gasoline pumps throughout the country are not even programmed to go above $3.99.

The bill before us today is simple, straightforward and effective. Instead of continuing to add 70,000 barrels of oil per day to fill an already stocked Strategic Petroleum Reserve, SPR, H.R. 6022 would instead, put that oil on the market to ease supply and price. And we should absolutely not increase the fill rate to 76,000 barrels per day like what the Administration has planned for later this summer.

Petroleum economists expect that gasoline prices could decline by as much as 24 cents if we stopped filling the SPR now. The SPR is 97 percent full with over 700 million barrels of oil; in March 2003, when we went to war in Iraq, the SPR stood at 599 million barrels.

Diverting oil from the SPR is something that the President has done in the past. When he directed the Secretary to stop filling the SPR during the summer of 2006, he did so by saying, ``every little bit helps.'' At that time he further stipulated that the SPR was at a level that could weather any supply disruption during that summer. In 2006, the SPR stood at approximately 688 million barrels, less that what is there today.

I have written to President Bush several times asking him to divert oil from the SPR, but as yet, he has refused to heed my and my colleague's requests.

Our constituents need relief from rising oil prices and diverting oil from the SPR will achieve that goal. I urge my colleagues to support

Mr. Speaker, what a difference 6 weeks makes. On March 14, under Mr. Miller's leadership, the Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on the question of student loan availability. And at that time, Secretary Spellings from the Department of Education came in and said that the administration was merely ``monitoring the situation,'' and expressed some diffidence and confusion about whether or not in fact the Federal Government really had a role to play in terms of being lender of last resort.

During the last 6 weeks, what we have seen is the collapse of Bear Stearns, we have seen lenders withdrawing from the student loan market, and a clear signal that the subprime mortgage crisis is in fact extending to the student loan market. In Connecticut, the Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education Mike Meotti and the Director of Financial Aid at University of Connecticut, who I met with, confirmed the fact that they were seeing some withdrawal from the market and a need to step up their activity in terms of giving students more help as they enter a very challenging year, again, because of what is happening in the financial markets.

This legislation, which now the administration has come around in support of, will in fact strengthen the Direct Student Loan program and will confirm that the Federal Government will in fact be a lender of last resort so that it will make sure that, in August and September, students and families will not be running into difficulty and will in fact be able to go to college in the fall.

The Federal Government acted swiftly to help Bear Stearns, an investment bank which frankly morally and ethically didn't deserve the help. Millions of students, however, do. And this legislation, which will clearly confirm that the Federal Government has a role to play going into the summer months as students reach out to get financial assistance, that in fact the doors of colleges and universities will remain open.

I applaud Mr. Miller for his leadership going back to last March 14 and ensuring that passage of this bill will occur on a bipartisan basis.