Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the Ozark National Forest and offer my congratulations for a century of enriching the lives of all Americans.

A proclamation from President Theodore Roosevelt on March 6, 1908, dedicated the Ozark National Forest as the first federally protected stand of hardwoods in the U.S. 917,944 acres of land was set aside by President Roosevelt for the forest that currently covers more than one million acres, most of which is in Northwest Arkansas.

This great landscape is one prime example of why Arkansas is called the Natural State. The Ozark National Forest covers some of the region's most magnificent scenery. The Ozark National Forest is home to Mount Magazine, the tallest mountain in the state, as well as Blanchard Springs Caverns, a magnificent limestone cave system, and the only cave system featuring guided tours administered by the Forest Service.

I'm grateful for the efforts of all Forest Service employees, volunteers and sportsmen who serve as stewards in the preservation and management of this great land.

I thank my colleagues for passing this resolution to honor the 100th Anniversary of this great Arkansas treasure.

I rise in recognition of the success and achievements in the career of Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Mike Blevins. Mike has served the U.S. Marshal Service since 1979. His duties have taken him all across the country, with long terms in Arkansas and Texas. Since 1989, he has been the Chief Deputy of the Western District of Arkansas. During that time, he also served as the Acting Marshal for more than 2 years.

Since he has been in Arkansas, he has helped supervise numerous programs that have resulted in a record number of fugitive arrests. His hard work has earned him several awards, including the United States Marshal Service Distinguished Service Award in 2006.

I have had the privilege to work with Mike on many different projects; most recently, a successful effort to make Fort Smith, Arkansas, the home of the National U.S. Marshals Museum.

His dedication, persistence, and leadership are all admirable qualities. I appreciate his friendship and example. I am honored to have had the opportunity to have worked with such a great man, and thank him for his service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to congratulate drug courts in Arkansas and nationwide during National Drug Court Month. Over 2,100 drug courts in the United States provide an alternative to incarceration for non-violent, drug-addicted offenders by combining intense judicial supervision, comprehensive substance abuse and mental health treatment, random and frequent drug testing, incentives and sanctions, clinical case management and life skills services. The tireless efforts of the judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers, rehabilitation experts, child advocates, researchers, educators, law enforcement representatives, correctional representatives, pre-trial officers and probation officers that are involved in drug courts provide substance abusing offenders with the much-needed chance at long-term recovery and productive lifestyles.

I have seen firsthand the impact of the 40 operational drug courts in my state, where drug court programs have enhanced public safety, saved taxpayer dollars and, most importantly, saved lives. Nearly 1,000 people have graduated from the program according to state records and currently 1,600 people are enrolled all across the state.

For example, the Fifth Judicial District Drug Court in Russellville, Arkansas, has graduated 43 clients since it opened its doors in 2004. Four of these drug court graduates have received their college degrees and started careers. One client has even advanced into the position of general manager for his company. The Fifth Judicial District Drug Court has set up a dental plan for clients, along with a work placement assistance program. This drug court and its achievements are just a small example of what is happening in the numerous drug courts across the state of Arkansas. In addition, the efforts of people like Judge Mary Ann Gunn and the 4th Judicial District Drug Court have helped make the program a success in the Natural State. More than one thousand people have been treated through that program that has an 89 percent retention rate. Town Hall Meetings held by the group help to promote awareness and prevention of substance abuse in our families and schools.

As we face a growing population of drug-addicted offenders in the American justice system, we must expand our efforts to bring treatment to a larger number of those in need. According to a recent study by the Urban Research Institute's Justice Policy Center, approximately 1.5 million drug-involved offenders should be diverted to drug court, which would generate $32.3 billion in savings to American taxpayers. Armed with our existing research that drug courts work, reduce recidivism, and save lives, we must work on taking drug courts to scale. There is no greater opportunity for change in the American justice system and there is no greater opportunity to heal families and communities.

Again, congratulations to the dedicated drug court professionals and graduates from Arkansas and around the country on a job well done.

Thank you, Congressman Miller. Thank you, Congressman Walz. I always feel like he speaks with such authority when I am around him; I am always concerned he is going to ask me to do 10 pushups or something.

I rise in support of H.R. 3681, the Veterans Benefits Awareness Act. This simple, straightforward legislation authorizes VA to purchase advertising in national media outlets for the purpose of promoting awareness of veterans benefits.

When was the last time you saw the Super Bowl or other prime time recruiting advertisement for one of the military services? Now, when was the last time that you saw the Super Bowl or other prime time ad for veterans health care and benefits sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Probably never. It's one reason that many veterans and their dependents are not aware of the benefits due to them.

Over the years, Congress has authorized millions to improve outreach, and the results are disappointing. In spite of the additional funding, VA still relies on the public service announcements, pamphlets, meetings with small groups of veterans, and the one-on-one outreach to deliver its message to veterans. Unfortunately, PSAs are often most broadcast at times when few people are watching, and small groups and individual meetings are often difficult to arrange and are not very efficient.

Our veterans continue to tell us that they were not aware of the VA programs that would improve their lives. That is why I introduced H.R. 3681, the Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2008, which authorizes VA to purchase advertising in national media outlets for the purpose of promoting awareness of veterans benefits.

H.R. 3681 will provide VA with the authority to buy radio and TV time to ensure that veterans and their dependents are aware of health care options and benefits for education, disability compensation, nondisability pensions, training, loan guarantees, and survivors' programs.

I want to thank Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin for moving this bill, for her cooperation in working with the subcommittee; Chairman Filner, and Ranking Member Buyer for their support; and also to our staffs that worked so hard in preparing these bills. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3681.

Thank you, Mr. Buyer.

Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 3889 to determine whether the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program was meeting its goals of employment and independent living for disabled veterans.

To do that, my bill would require that the Department of Veterans Affairs conduct a 20-year longitudinal study of three cohorts of disabled veterans who participate in the VR&E Program during years 2009, 2011 and 2013. The data VA collects and reports to Congress will enable us to fine-tune the program to achieve higher rehabilitation rates and to provide the most appropriate education and training leading to full employment.

Mr. Speaker, the bill specifies 15 different data points that must be collected and authorizes VA to add any other data points they deem appropriate. With this information, I believe veterans who participate in voc rehab will be more successful in finding gainful employment over their working career.

This is a good bill that does not require offsets and will improve the lives of veterans, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3889, as amended.

I want to thank the Chair of my subcommittee, Ms. Herseth Sandlin, for her support and hard work. I also want to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer as always for bringing the bill forward. Again, I want to thank the staff on both sides for helping to prepare this.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of National Peace Officer Memorial Day and recognize the sacrifices and honorable service of law enforcement officers in Arkansas and throughout the country.

Their efforts were first honored with this special recognition in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week as National Police Week.

The law enforcement career path attracts many brave Americans. Today there are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving, which is the highest number ever.

With the honor of the badge also comes the possibility of anguish. On average a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty in the United States every 53 hours. Earlier this year, the Third District of Arkansas experienced the loss of an Arkansas State Trooper who sacrificed his life while on duty.

My appreciation for these Americans who help protect us every day is immeasurable. We must recognize and honor the efforts of these brave men and women not only this week, but all year long.

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

I enthusiastically support this resolution recognizing National Train Day. The ceremonial golden spike hammered on May 10, 1869, marked the completion of one of this Nation's greatest engineering masterpieces, and marked the birth of what would become the greatest rail network in the world.

The United States now has 140,000 miles of railroads, making up the transportation backbone of this Nation. These railroads are environmentally friendly, producing significantly less pollution than competing modes of transit. In fact, a train can haul one ton of freight 436 miles on one gallon of diesel fuel, and is three times cleaner than a truck. Furthermore, trains help alleviate congestion on our crowded highways. One train can take 280 trucks off the road.

The recently introduced Amtrak reauthorization, H.R. 6003, will make significant enhancements to Amtrak's growing business. The legislation will give Amtrak the funding it needs to continue improving its service while also creating innovative programs to enhance passenger rail service.

The State grants provision in the bill will give a greater say in how Federal funding is utilized for capital projects, and a private operator pilot program will increase innovation and competition in passenger rail service.

Additionally, H.R. 6003 includes a plan to create public-private partnerships to construct true high speed rail corridors all over the Nation. High-speed rail promises safe, fast and convenient service, all the while helping to alleviate aviation and highway congestion. I urge passage of H. Res. 1176.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I will continue to reserve my time.

I will continue to reserve my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I also want to urge adoption of this resolution. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Florida and the ranking member, Mr. Shuster, for bringing it forward. I also want to compliment them and their staffs for the hard work that they are pursuing now on the Amtrak reauthorization.

Again, I urge adoption.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of America's bravest, one of America's finest, Kyle Wilks from the Third District of Arkansas.

Kyle, a marine from Rogers, Arkansas, serving with the II Marine Expeditionary Force stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, died last week. He was in a convoy of 36 vehicles in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan when his vehicle was struck by an IED.

In 2004, Kyle entered the Marine Corps to help others. His devotion to his friends, his family, and his unit was selfless. The commitment Kyle showed his fellow soldiers and his country is something we can all be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, Kyle Wilks is a true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. I ask my colleagues to keep the Wilks' family and his friends in their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chairman, I want to thank my colleague from Texas for offering this amendment.

While this amendment makes some technical and clarifying changes to H.R. 2537, the Beach Protection Act of 2007, it also makes some improvements to the bill since the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure favorably reported the legislation in December.

This amendment will require the Environmental Protection Agency to validate and prioritize rapid testing methods by October, 2010; encourage local officials to make publicly available within 24 hours the results of water quality samples; reduces the amount a community may receive if it does not take corrective action when waters are out of compliance with water quality standards; and encourages State and local officials to adopt appropriate coastal and beach water quality standards.

I urge all Members to support the Johnson amendment.

Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

I move to strike the last word.

I think that the gentlelady from California has a very good amendment. We certainly support it.

I think that requiring the EPA to update the national list of beaches program to alert the public to beaches that had occurrences of pollution is an excellent idea. I think it's a good tool in Congress' toolbox, as we exercise oversight over the EPA's BEACH program.

So I would urge Members to support the amendment.

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

Madam Chairman, I am very excited the House is moving H.R. 2537, the Beach Protection Act of 2007. This is an example of the good we can accomplish when we are able to work in a bipartisan manner to address the Nation's water resources needs.

Beaches are an important part of American life. Our Nation has nearly 23,000 miles of ocean and Gulf shoreline along the continental United States, 5,500 miles of Great Lakes shorelines and 3.6 million miles of rivers and streams. Beaches are an important part of the coastal watershed, providing numerous recreational opportunities for millions of people, including fishing, boating, beachcombing, swimming, surfing, sunbathing and bird watching.

Each year, over 180 million people visit coastal waters for recreational purposes. This activity supports over 28 million jobs and leads to the investment of over $50 billion each year in goods and services. Public confidence in the quality of our Nation's water is important, not only to each citizen who swims, but also to the tourism and recreation industries that rely on safe and swimmable coastal waters.

To improve the public's confidence in the quality of our Nation's coastal waters and protect public health and safety, Congress passed the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000, commonly called the BEACH Act in the 106th Congress.

The BEACH Act aimed to limit and prevent human exposure to polluted coastal recreational waters by assisting States and local communities to implement beach monitoring, assessment and public notification programs. The act also called on States with coastal recreational waters to adopt pathogen-related water quality standards and directed EPA to conduct research and develop updated water quality criteria to protect human health. Under the BEACH Act, EPA has been making grants to States to help them implement programs to monitor beach water quality and notify the public if water quality standards for pathogens are not being met.

An important indicator of progress to date is the fact that all eligible States are now implementing the beach monitoring assessment and public notification provisions of the BEACH Act. The number of monitored beaches has increased from approximately 1,000 in 1997 to more than 3,500 in 2006.

In addition, EPA has strengthened water quality standards throughout all the coastal recreation waters in the United States. All 35 States and territories with coastal recreation waters now have water quality standards as protective of human health as EPA's water quality criteria. This is an increase from 11 States and territories in 2000.

Further, EPA has improved public access to data on beach advisories and closings by improving the agency's electronic beach data collection and delivery systems. Moreover, EPA has been conducting cutting edge research to support the development of new water quality criteria to protect human health from pathogens and new monitoring methods to more accurately and rapidly detect pathogen contamination in recreational waters.

Faster and better decisions are good for public health and good for the economy and beach communities. We are optimistic that this work will help State beach managers make the best decisions possible about keeping beaches open or placing them under advisory.

Although EPA and the States have made substantial progress in implementing the BEACH Act, there is important work left to do in the areas of monitoring, research and updating the existing water quality criteria.

Reauthorizing the BEACH Act will enable EPA and the States to complete the important work they have begun so they can better protect public health and safety and continue to improve the quality of our Nation's recreational coastal waters so important to the economies of our coastal communities.

H.R. 2537 passed the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a unanimous vote. I would like to thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Oberstar, and the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and especially a thank you to the ranking member, Mr. Mica, for all the hard work they have done put in to allow us to bring to you a consensus bill that enjoys strong bipartisan support.

I would also very much like to thank the staff. We have a bipartisan amendment that will be offered by Ms. Johnson at the appropriate time. It addresses technical and clarifying matters and other matters brought to the committee's attention since the committee filed its report.

I urge all Members to support the legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend from Texas (Mr. Conaway).

Madam Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).

Madam Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall).

(Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the ranking member of the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, Mr. Upton from Michigan.

I yield the gentleman an additional 20 seconds.

We have several, Madam Chairman, probably five or six.

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland).

Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson).

Madam Chairman, I yield a minute to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Drake).

Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Ms. Fallin) for 1\1/2\ minutes.

Madam Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett).

Madam Chairman, we don't have any additional speakers. I would urge support of H.R. 2537. I appreciate the hard work of the staffs on both sides in bringing this before Congress today. I appreciate the leadership of the individuals involved and would just urge that we adopt the bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I agree with Mr. Flake and Mr. Pence about the situation of needing to earmark responsibly. And certainly earmarking to protect vulnerable Members, in fact, anything of that certainly is not for the good of the country and the good of Congress or whatever.

I guess what I question is that in this particular amendment, in this particular bill, I think it is inappropriate. This program is a formula-based grants program that has not been earmarked in the past and there's no plans to earmark it in the future.

We are not talking about beach restoration. We are not talking about beach reclamation. We are talking about a bill that allows States, allows beaches, to monitor pathogens so that when a family from Arkansas goes to Florida or goes to South Carolina, wherever they go, and they pull up, that they can, with safety, get out and swim in the waters without it being a cesspool. I wish that more people would sneak an earmark in the night to protect their beach. Again, that is not going to happen with this bill. It is not the purpose of the bill.

So I would ask that we vote against this, and yet again I feel very strongly that what Mr. Pence is saying, what Mr. Flake is trying to do with his amendment is appropriate, but not in this particular vehicle. I don't think that it pertains at all.

Yes, sir.

I yield back.

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

I rise in support of House Resolution 909, and I join my colleagues in recognizes the valuable contribution and significant sacrifice that Haitians made as they joined the fight for American independence over two centuries ago.

In the fall of 1779, over 500 courageous men volunteered to cross the treacherous waters from Haiti to the U.S., to join our soldiers in the Siege of Savannah. This was no easy feat; yet these men were committed to fighting for America's liberty and independence.

Representing the largest contingent of soldiers of African descent to fight in the American Revolution, these Haitian troops bravely joined in our efforts, forging the friendship between the U.S. and Haiti that has only strengthened in the centuries that followed.

Sadly, such courage had a high price. More than 300 Haitians lost their lives in this battle. Last year, a monument to this glorious sacrifice was erected in Savannah, Georgia. The collaborative efforts of local officials in Georgia and the Haitian American Historical Society of Miami guided this project to completion.

Today, the Savannah monument stands as a tribute to those individual foreign volunteers who joined in the American Revolution and commemorates the historic bond between the U.S. and Haiti.

H. Res. 909 further commemorates Haiti's own struggle for independence and renunciation of slavery. What began as a slave revolt in 1791 ended with Haiti's own independence in 1804. And Haiti was the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to form a government led by the people of African descent and, remarkably, it was also the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to renounce slavery.

For this reason, I am proud to stand with my congressional colleagues in calling for the passage of this important resolution. Yet we must also recognize that there is more to be done.

Despite Haiti's early and historic commitment to democracy, the country continues to languish under the oppression of extreme poverty, disease, and violence. As a significant partner in the region, the U.S. must remain not only cognizant of Haiti's progress but also engaged in its development. We cannot be fully successful as a hemisphere without Haiti fulfilling its potential as a strong and vibrant nation.

I want to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) for introducing H. Res. 909 and am proud to join in the commemoration of such courageous individuals.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Florida's hard work and thoughtfulness in bringing this bill before the House, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Again, I appreciate the hard work of the gentleman from Florida in bringing this forward. I would urge my fellow Congressmen to vote ``yes'' on this very timely resolution, and having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lee Myung- Bak on his election as President of the Republic of Korea and to express appreciation for the many contributions of the Republic of Korea and Korean Americans towards strengthening and enlarging the U.S.-Korea alliance partnership.

On January 13, 1903 the first Korean immigrants arrived in the United States. On that day each year, now known as Korean American Day, we recognize and honor the economic, social, cultural and political contributions Korean-Americans have made to the United States over the last century. Korean-Americans have thrived in this country because of a shared belief in the importance of family life, individual responsibility, hard work and education.

Over the past 50 years we have seen the Republic of Korea emerge from colonial rule and the ravages of war to stand alongside the United States as a beacon of democracy, peace and security; prospering under a free market economy whilst upholding the rule of law. Over these 50 years the Republic of Korea has been a loyal and indispensable ally to the United States as we have worked at close quarters to combat those who would threaten these shared values.

In recent times we have seen this commitment through South Korean peacekeeping troops in Lebanon and Afghanistan, and the 650 South Korean military personnel serving alongside our soldiers in Iraq today, now the third largest partner in the coalition with $460 million pledged to the reconstruction effort. At the end of December last year, South Korea's National Assembly voted to extend the time of its commitment to provide troops for the War in Iraq. While some of our friends scale down their operations in Iraq, our South Korean friends have remained steadfast in the War on Terror, for which we are truly grateful.

In his farewell address to the Congress in 1951, one of Arkansas' greatest sons, General Douglas MacArthur, said this of the Republic of Korea: ``Of the nations of the world, Korea alone, up to now, is the sole one which has risked its all against communism. The magnificence of the courage and fortitude of the Korean people defies description.''

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the new President-Elect of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-Bak, and wish him well as he takes on the responsibility of working with the United States to tackle the challenges of the East Asian region, particularly the ongoing efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing and honoring the U.S.-Korea Alliance and the contribution of our South Korean friends to the global war on terror as we work towards ensuring the safety of our citizens.

We look forward to fostering our historic relationship under the new leadership of President Lee Myung-Bak.

Madam Speaker, I proudly rise with my Arkansas colleagues this morning to recognize a man who meant a great deal in my life and a great deal to those who are fans of college football and the University of Arkansas.

I rise to honor the legacy and career of Frank Broyles, the athletic director of the university and former head football coach who will end his 50-year run with the Razorbacks on December 31.

Frank Broyles is an icon in Arkansas and a legend in the world of collegiate athletics. His new mission, among other things, will be to educate Americans on caring for loved ones suffering with Alzheimer's.

The names of those associated with Coach Broyles are impressive: Jerry Jones, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Johnny Majors, Joe Gibbs, Raymond Berry, and the list goes on and on, all played or coached for Broyles over his career. He even teamed with the legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson for several years to bring the college games to our homes every weekend.

I will be forever proud to be a Razorback and to have had the opportunity to be one under Coach Broyles. I congratulate him on his career, and sincerely thank him for his service to the great State of Arkansas. And as we say in Arkansas, Wooo, Pig Sooey.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask unanimous consent to withdraw my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 1201.

Mr. Speaker, I rise solemnly this afternoon to memorialize one of my constituents who's been described as one who makes this country great. I rise to remember Army Specialist Matthew Kyle Reece of Jasper, who passed away in Iraq in December of 2007.

Kyle Reece was born in Harrison and went to school in Jasper and Alpena. He fished, played ball and prayed while growing up in Newton County. His name can be seen in the Alpena gym, marking two championship teams, and his name will long be remembered for the duty he performed on behalf of his country, his friends and his family.

Kyle was a grenadier in the 82nd Airborne who deeply cared for the men in his charge. He accepted his duty proudly, telling his 3-year-old daughter before he left that he had to go to Iraq so she and everyone else in the U.S. could remain free.

There's no way we can adequately thank Kyle, or his family, for his service. However, I will take to heart the words of his wife, Chauntelle, who urges that we not wait until a soldier dies before we honor him. Rather, we should shake their hands and thank them for all that they do for America.