Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today the House of Representatives will debate an emergency supplemental spending bill meant to provide needed resources to our military. It should only provide money for the brave men and women fighting terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect American families at home. It is, therefore, disappointing that the supplemental bill crafted by the Democratic leadership contains billions of dollars in nonemergency spending.

While there may be components of the bill that should be debated, this is not the time and certainly not the bill to be having those debates while our

troops are desperately in need of additional funding.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and our military leadership have told Congress that the money is vital to ensuring our troops have the resources they require to defeat terrorists overseas. Including billions of dollars in unrelated spending is a dangerous impediment. I hope my colleagues will instead support the clean supplemental bill introduced by Representative Jerry Lewis of California.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. Speaker, it has been 86 days since the Protect America Act expired, and the Democrat leadership refuses to bring a permanent extension to a vote. Our intelligence community has stated unequivocally that our ability to track and spy on potential enemies has been degraded.

The Senate passed a fair and commonsense extension to the Protect America Act months ago, and it has received vocal bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. That is why it is particularly disappointing that the Democrat leadership has failed to bring the bill to the floor. They refuse to do so because they know it will pass. For leadership to deny a vote on such an important piece of legislation, because they know it will pass, is an insult to the majority in this House who want to defeat terrorists overseas.

With each day, our intelligence community is being told to do their job without the tools and resources we can and should provide for them. This is unacceptable to keep American families at risk.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Madam Speaker, American men and women are on the front lines of the Global War on Terrorism defeating our enemies abroad so we do not have to face them here at home. Unfortunately, at home, Democrats are threatening to push through an emergency war supplemental spending bill, without committee consideration, that includes unrelated spending.

Funding for our troops should be priority number one. However, it is not the time nor the place to add additional spending on top of what our military has requested in an effort to push it through on the coattails of our bravest and brightest. If the majority wishes to increase spending on other programs unrelated to the Global War on Terrorism, then they should bring those requests up under regular order--not hidden in an emergency troop funding bill.

As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen has made it clear, this supplement spending bill is vital to our security. Without passage of the supplemental, our soldiers will stop getting their paychecks and our ability to equip our troops will be undermined.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to congratulate my longtime friend and former law partner Heath Preston Taylor and his wife Julie Hartley Taylor of Sandy Run, South Carolina, on the birth of their new baby boy. Cooper Addison Taylor was born on April 17, 2008, weighing 6 pounds and 5 ounces. Addison is an old family name. Cooper joins an older brother, Andrew Preston Taylor. He has been born into a loving home where he will be raised by parents who are devoted to his well-being and bright future.

I am so excited for this new addition to the Taylor family. I want to congratulate Cooper's grandparents George Preston Taylor and Judy Wilkes Taylor of Sandy Run, South Carolina, and Forrest Andrew Hartley, III, and Barbara Bickford Hartley of Atlanta, Georgia. Great grandmother is Gladys Taylor of Sandy Run, South Carolina. Among the happy aunts and uncles are my former law partner Henry H. Taylor and his wife Molly D. Taylor of West Columbia, South Carolina.

Madam Speaker, throughout our history, Americans have risen up to help our troops win wars--from merchants and storekeepers in the Revolutionary War to Rosie the Riveter in World War II. Today, that tradition continues, as average citizens directly support our troops in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

A non-profit charity called Troops Need You delivers resources our troops need--from medical supplies and equipment to school supplies and water purification systems, Troops Need You was founded by a military man himself, Major Eric Egland, an intelligence officer and former counter-terrorism operative who has served around the world, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. He knows what it takes to win.

Troops Need You has already mobilized over one thousand Americans, and is based on innovations so effective that they earned not only a partnership with General David Petraeus but even praise from the President of the United States himself.

We are at a critical point in Iraq, defeating the terrorists to deny them a safe haven to attack American families and our allies. Success requires more Americans to rise up and help our troops succeed. A great way to do that is through Troops Need You.

Madam Speaker, I wish to express my strong support for the Copper-Base Casting Technology Program, C-BCT, a program of great importance to the people of South Carolina, as well as the men and women serving in the United States military at home and overseas. The C-BCT program is a cooperative relationship between the copper industry and the Department of Defense, working to apply high- performance copper alloys in military applications.

Since it's inception in 2004, the C-BCT program has provided multiple, breakthrough technologies for defense and industrial systems that have benefits for all branches of the military. Advances include the design and creation of prototype high-efficiency induction motors using copper rotors. Copper rotors increase motor energy efficiency, lower manufacturing costs due to reductions in overall materials used, increase motor life, and reduce motor weight and size. C-BCT provides the military a technology that has produced crucial advances for the American war-fighter in land base, shipboard, and aerospace applications and has done so in a cost-effective manner.

I would like to recognize Daniel Gearing with the Defense Logistics Agency, DLA, for his support and oversight of the launching of C-BCT. In addition, Victor Champagne with the Army Research Lab, ARL, has begun advanced work to apply C-BCT in applications that advance the defense community requirements. The applications are driven by the need for higher efficiency, lighter weight, lower cost, environmentally friendly, and more reliable materials. Reduced weight, in particular, is a common goal for all weapon systems and logistics support items. With DLA and ARL's commitment to continue the success of C-BCT, advances to date may soon be brought to our service men and women serving overseas. Together with the Copper Development Association and the Advanced Technology Institute, these organizations are working to demonstrate and evaluate copper's ultimate potential for our military.

I recognize the crucial benefits that C-BCT offers both the domestic copper industry and the U.S. armed services as well as the successes of the current program and the critical nature of copper in most military applications.

Madam Speaker, Americans are paying the price at the pump for the inaction of this majority. Democrats promised

the American people 2 years ago last week that they had a plan to address rising gas prices. It appears that plan was nothing more than election year politics. That's a shame because right now, Americans are paying nearly $4 a gallon for gas. The effect of these rising prices is felt not just when we fill up our tank. We see the rising prices at the grocery store because our food is shipped in trucks all across this country.

The American people do not expect a quick fix, but they do expect us to work toward energy independence rather than simply pointing fingers and blame. We live in a global market and many nations are competing for oil. Let's start by promoting American alternative energy. Let's invest in American oil. Let's advance American energy exploration. The co-ops of America, led by National President Jack Wolfe, are leading the way.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize the non-governmental organization Severus Worldwide and the work they are doing on behalf of the health and well-being of the Iraqi people through their project, ``Operation Iraqi Healing.''

Prior to the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraqi citizens suffered from a humanitarian crisis perpetrated by a totalitarian dictatorship focused on preserving power rather than providing for the citizenry. Following the liberation of Iraq, remnants of that broken system and the emergence of destabilizing violence created a scenario where the Iraqi people are in dire need of medical supplies and medical facilities to support a healthy nation.

While the American military and our coalition partners have worked hard to help build an infrastructure in the face of ongoing violence, our efforts have been impeded by an enemy that targets Iraqi infrastructure and an Iraqi medical community that has not been fully engaged. Thankfully, private organizations are stepping up and providing invaluable assistance.

Severus Worldwide's ``Operation Iraqi Healing'' brings together Iraqi physicians and medical personnel along with civil affairs officers from both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps to provide the necessary funding and infrastructure to build, staff, and equip hospitals and clinics to serve the people of Iraq. This type of comprehensive strategy is needed, and I am grateful for Severus Worldwide's tremendous efforts on behalf of the Iraqi people.

The time to act is now. The success that can be achieved by strengthening the healthcare system of Iraq is two-fold. The people of Iraq will have the tools and resources to treat the sick and wounded. But, just as important, the stability that a strong and growing infrastructure can bring to this nation will be invaluable in helping the young democracy of Iraq flourish. The men and women of Severus Worldwide and the numerous other private and public organizations that have continued to contribute to a stable Iraq should be commended for their compassion.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment made in order under the rule.

Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

While I share the majority's commitment to ensuring workplace safety, I believe the underlying bill fails to provide for the most effective means to ensure that safety.

Currently, there are several initiatives concerning dust under way at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA. Since October, the agency has implemented a combustible dust National Emphasis Program. This agency has sent high hazard alert letters to over 30,000 businesses emphasizing the need to prevent dust from accumulating.

Most importantly, OSHA is in the midst of the investigation of the February disaster at the Imperial Sugar refinery. The Imperial Sugar refinery in Georgia is located in a community adjacent to the Second Congressional District of South Carolina, which I have the honor to represent.

Instead of undermining the progress of existing combustible dust safety efforts, this substitute requires the Department of Labor to gather all necessary information about the Imperial refinery explosion specifically, as well as the broader dust hazard being examined through the National Emphasis Program. Once that information has been gathered and analyzed, the Secretary of Labor will be able to determine whether and what type of combustible dust standard is necessary.

Should the Secretary determine that existing safety requirements can effectively protect against the combustible dust hazard, the Secretary will be required to report to Congress as to why no new regulatory framework is necessary. But if the National Emphasis Program and the results of the Imperial refinery investigation show that additional guidance and regulation are needed, this substitute requires OSHA to complete a rigorous regulatory process that includes all relevant stakeholders within a fixed time frame.

Our amendment will allow for the regulation to be completed expeditiously and thoroughly without circumventing the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Administrative Procedures Act and other laws and regulations that ensure effective Federal regulations.

We have heard concerns from OSHA that the underlying bill will be difficult to comply with and difficult to enforce. This leaves workers at risk. I have trust in my constituent, Monty Felix of Sandy Run, South Carolina, who is the National President of the American Composites Manufacturers Association, to promote safety. We need the expertise of successful manufacturers.

Our goal today should be to move forward with the most effective strategy to ensure a safe workplace. I believe this substitute achieves that goal, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this substitute.

I yield at this time to the ranking member from California (Mr. McKeon).

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I submit for the Record a letter dated April 29, 2008, from the OSHA Fairness Coalition, which is two dozen industry associations, relative to this issue.

OSHA Fairness Coalition,

April 29, 2008.

Madam Chairman, indeed, I would like to commend Chairman Miller and Congressman Barrow. I know that the intent is very positive to address a terrible tragedy that occurred in February at Port Wentworth with the Imperial refinery explosion.

I do want to point out that it has been stated that we do not have sufficient regulations relative to combustible dust, but that there are 17 standards addressing combustible dust which do apply, and would submit these for the Record.

Appendix A. Standards Addressing Combustible Dust

1910.272 Grain Handling.

1910.94 Ventilation Standard.

1910.22 Housekeeping.

1910.176 Housekeeping violations in storage areas.

1910.269 Housekeeping violations at coal-handling

operations.

1910.132 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

1910.119 Process Safety Management.

1910.307(b) Electrical Violations

1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks.

1910.252 Welding, cutting, and brazing.

1910.145 Warning Sign.

1910.1200 Hazard communication violations.

Subpart E--Means of Egress 1910.33-37

1910-156-157 Fire protection violations.

F1910.263 Bakery equipment violations.

1910. 265 Sawmill violations.

1928 Agriculture. The only provisions discussed in this

NEP which may be cited in connection with agricultural

operations are the hazard communication standard (see 29 CFR

1928.21) and the general duty clause. Industries in SIC 0723,

Crop Preparation Services for Market, Except Cotton Ginning,

listed in Appendix D, are engaged in agricultural operations.

Additionally, it has been stated that combustible dust maybe doesn't apply to some of the associations that are referenced in the letter that I previously handed in. I would like to point out that in fact it may appear that way, but just a few minutes ago I just met with members of the National Association of Home Builders. I am still a dues-paying member of the Greater Columbia Home Builders Association. And as we were discussing this bill with members who were visiting in my office, they expressed concern that they felt like that this could be negative toward the home building industry. So, indeed, it doesn't appear sometimes that things apply, but they do even where you wouldn't expect it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I would like to introduce appendix D, which are industries which may have combustible dust. And, indeed, Chairman Miller and myself are learning that there is a broad array of industries, dozens of them, that could be impacted by combustible dust and I believe that we are actually helping by bringing this to the attention of the American people.

Madam Chairman, I do urge my colleagues to support the amendment. The amendment is really, I believe, quite simple. It provides for a sequence of investigation, development of regulations, and promoting safety in the workplace.

I urge a positive vote on the amendment this evening.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, soldiers of the 218th Brigade Combat Team of the South Carolina Army National Guard, under the leadership of Brigadier General Bob Livingston, are successfully returning to South Carolina. For the past year they have been in Afghanistan as part of Task Force Phoenix working to build the Afghan military and police.

As a 28-year veteran of the 218th, I know firsthand of their competence and patriotism. These citizen soldiers have built one Afghan military battalion to be fully independent with 13 additional battalions to be operational by this summer. After overhauling the Afghani police forces to eliminate corruption, the 218th helped build an Afghan police force of 79,000.

Additionally, the 218th provided humanitarian relief, including the construction of schools, hospitals and roads. They conducted 200 medical assistance missions and delivered 300 tons of food and supplies to the 37,000 Afghans.

At this time, we also remember the fallen. Staff Sergeant James D. Bullard, Sergeant Shawn F. Hill and Sergeant Edward O. Philpot lost their lives during the year-long deployment. These patriots gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of American families by defeating terrorists overseas. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

In addition to the information provided above, the 218th Brigade Combat Team has had extraordinary success in working alongside the Afghan forces. During the past winter--a time when Taliban forces often regroup--soldiers from the 218th, along with Afghan soldiers, stayed in forwarding operating bases around Afghanistan and took the fight to the Taliban. This action kept the enemy from gathering strength.

Due to the commitment and professionalism of the men and women of the 218th, the Afghan army now has a reenlistment rate of 55 percent--more than double the 20 percent a year ago. The percentage of Afghan soldiers ready for duty has gone up from 55 percent to 85 percent. Their absent without leave percentage has dropped to eight percent, and they have 29,000 recruits that have completed basic training.

The Afghan police continue to grow in size and ability. As a sign of success, this winter the police were able to defend and hold their 364 district centers. This is something they have not been able to accomplish since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001.

I appreciate the above factual information provided by embedded reporter Chuck Crumbo from Kabul, Afghanistan, in The State of Columbia, South Carolina, on April 27, 2008.

Madam Speaker, last week, South Carolina honored a favorite son and patriot, Daniel Iradell Ross, Jr., of Blackville, South Carolina.

As a World War II veteran of the China-Burma-India Theatre, he championed a strong military to promote peace as State Commander of the American Legion. He courageously worked as a pioneer in the modem Republican Party establishing not only a two-party system in South Carolina but also the rise of Republicans from virtually no elected positions to majority status across the state.

In 1970, Mr. Ross chaired the campaign of legendary Greenville advertising executive Jim Henderson for Lieutenant Governor. Mr. Henderson was only the second Republican to run for the position in the 20th century.

In 1974, Mr. Ross co-chaired the campaign of oral surgeon Jim Edwards of Mount Pleasant for Governor with Julia Ravenel Dougherty of Charleston and William B. ``Rusty'' DePass, Jr., of Columbia as manager. Governor Edwards became the first Republican governor since 1876.

In 1980, as State Party Chairman, Mr. Ross was the Father of the First in the South Republican Presidential Primary. With the leadership of Executive Director Wayne Adams, the primary produced lists of new Republican recruits which fueled the Reagan Revolution with California Governor Ronald Reagan's victory in the primary, victory in the general election, and ultimate victory in the Cold War.

The following is the obituary as published by ``The State'', of Columbia, South Carolina on April 17, 2008:

Blackville.--Daniel Iradell Ross Jr., 84, died Tuesday,

April 15, 2008. Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April

19, 2008, in the Folk Funeral Home Chapel, Williston.

Interment will follow in Blackville Cemetery with military

honors accorded. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8

p.m. Friday, April 18 at the funeral home. Memorials may be

sent to American Legion Post #91, 5130 Reedy Branch Road,

Blackville, SC 29817; Blackville Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 365,

Blackville, SC 29817; University Library, Thomas Cooper

Library, USC, Columbia, SC 29208; or Ashleigh Place, 4435

Ashleigh Road, Blackville, SC 29817.

Born in Blackville, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs.

Daniel I Ross Sr. His wife, Jeanniene Prater Ross of

Johnsonville, preceded him in death. Ross graduated from the

University of South Carolina in 1943 with a degree in geology

and later achieved a master's degree from the University of

Texas. Ross was a proud American veteran, having honorably

served in the U.S. Army during WW II. He was devoted to

public service, serving in various political capacities in

both local and statewide positions for many years including

state commander and state chairman of the Republican Party.

He was also campaign chairman for former Governor James B.

Edwards. Ross is most remembered for his patriotism, his

service to others, and his generous spirit.

Survivors include: Helen Halford Barnes Ross, Dawn Ross

Hollingsworth, Lauren Hollingsworth, Jessa Hollingsworth,

Michael Hollingsworth; stepchildren: Bettis Richister,

Charlene Barrett, and Maree Shay; 9 stepgrandchildren, 22

stepgreat-grandchildren, and 6 stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Army Reserve. On this date, we should take a moment to honor their proud tradition of service and sacrifice.

The Reserve was first established by President Theodore Roosevelt on April 23, 1908, when he signed into law the Medical Reserve Corps. Four years later, the Regular Army Reserve was established, and they have gone on to duty and served in every major conflict operation of the last century. America's Army Reserve has served in both world wars, the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and in Iraq and Afghanistan as the central fronts of the global war on terrorism.

As a veteran of the Army Reserve, the 460th Replacement Detachment of Florence, South Carolina, and the 815th Personnel Service Company of Orangeburg, South Carolina, I wish to express my immense gratitude for the hard work and dedication of our Reserve soldiers. Our Nation is safer because of their sacrifice. The best way to protect American families is to defeat terrorism overseas.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. Speaker, the Democrat majority in this House has said they have a plan to lower gas prices and help make America more energy independent. Since January 2007, we have seen no plan but we have seen the price of gas go up over $1 per gallon.

Our outdated domestic refinery capacity, our dependence on foreign oil, and a growing global demand for oil are responsible for the increase in oil prices. So we need to target those issues. We need to build more refineries in the United States, promote all alternative energy sources, and tap unexplored oil and natural gas reserves, including ANWR. This majority wants to target the American taxpayer and raise taxes on American companies.

We need to stop turning our backs on the resources we have here at home and start reinvigorating our energy infrastructure. We need to start investing in American ingenuity and alternative fuels and stop trying to tax our way to energy independence while blaming American companies.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Madam Speaker, this week Silvio Berlusconi has been reelected as Prime Minister of Italy. His coalition won a strong majority in the Italian Parliament.

Prime Minister-elect Berlusconi, the conservative leader of the Forza Italia political party and the new People of Freedom party, had been a strong ally of the United States in his previous tenure as Prime Minister. No doubt his reelection will mean a strengthening of our partnership with the people of Italy who have so positively influenced American culture.

Berlusconi's election follows a growing line of European leaders, including Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, who have run on a platform of greater support for a strong alliance with America. Additional presidents promoting improved friendship with America have recently been elected in Indonesia, Serbia, Liberia, Peru, Korea and Russia.

America has earned admiration of most nations in the world, as identified yesterday by Pope Benedict XVI at the White House as he indicated America is the beacon of liberty and freedom.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Madam Speaker, tomorrow Pope Benedict XVI will make his first papal visit to the United States of America. This is an exciting time for America and the over 64 million American Catholics to celebrate the relationship between our Nation and The Vatican and our continued work towards peace and humanitarian needs around the world.

During his trip, the Pope will visit New York City and Washington, D.C., where he will attend Mass at Nationals Park and Yankee Stadium, visit the World Trade Center site, and attend ceremonies and meetings at the White House with President George W. Bush. As an extraordinary sign of respect, the President will welcome the Pope at Andrew's Air Force Base in Maryland and escort him to the White House. Pope Benedict is just the third Pope to visit the United States, and this visit marks the 25th meeting between a sitting President and a Pope.

On behalf of the citizens of the Second Congressional District of South Carolina, I welcome Pope Benedict to the United States. I hope his visit will be a positive reminder of the importance of our relationships.

In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September the 11th.

Welcome Michael McCrory Wilson, who was born on April 11, 2008, at Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia, South Carolina.