John E. Sweeney

Mr. Speaker, I have been on this committee since its inception 4 years ago. It is probably my most challenging duty here in Congress. It is one of my greatest honors, and I have to tell you, every year this appropriation measure is probably the steepest climb that we have because we know now that the threats we face, the challenges we face are enormous, and any arbitrary amount of money can't bring us to a place of perfection.

I want to salute the chairman for his great work. This is probably one of the best bills that you have been able to produce, Chairman, and they have all been pretty darn good, and so I really appreciate your leadership.

To Mr. Sabo, I wish you well. You have had a great career. It has been an honor, especially in these past 4 years, to serve with you and watch your leadership.

What I would like both of you to know is that our staffs here are some of the unsung heroes and I think the real patriots. They do incredible work. They listen, they study, and then they enact, and they enable us to do some of the good things we are doing here, and they have enabled us to make this Nation more secure.

The American people need to know this committee has served respectfully and greatly in a bipartisan fashion. For example, since 9/ 11, we have been able to provide almost $40 billion for first responders. In this report is an example: $662 million for the assistance of firefighter grant programs, $7 million more than the 2006 number was and $370 million more than what the President asked for.

We also found that balance by finding minimal security levels throughout the Nation that are satisfactory and, as well, made sure we had targeted money, $770 million, for the Urban Area Security Initiative. We do substantial work on ports, $4.34 billion; and $21 billion on the borders.

Mr. Chairman, I think you have really identified what those priorities are, and we have balanced them very well.

Finally, on WHTI, I just want to say that I think we have worked out a flexible compromise that will allow us to provide security and maintain our economic interests.

Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of the corresponding House legislation, I rise in strong support of S. 3613, a bill to designate the Post Office in Averill Park, NY, the Major George Quamo Post Office.

Major Quamo was a resident of my congressional district. He attended Averill Park High School, where he was the president of his class, and graduated with distinction in 1958. Less than 3 months later he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

After serving honorably in the Army for nearly 10 years, his life was cut tragically short in the Vietnam War, at the young age of 28.

Major Quamo commanded a team of the Army Special Forces, a group that led a number of covert missions during Vietnam Conflict. He was the youngest Major in Vietnam's Military Assistance Command.

When his helicopter crashed in the Vietnamese jungle, his remains were not discovered until 6 years later. He was returned to the U.S. and quietly buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Having saved over 14 soldier's lives and exhibiting legendary heroism, his accomplishments went unrecognized until recently. Major Quamo was awarded over 26 medals including the Distinguished Service Cross, 2 silver stars, a bronze star, the Legion of Merit and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Major Quamo served his country with extraordinary courage and was one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the Vietnam Conflict. I would be privileged and honored to name a post office in his memory to rest in his hometown to remind all of the residents in Averill Park of his exemplary valor and service to his country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Managers Amendment to H.R. 5835, the Veterans Identity and Credit Security Act of 2006.

Over the past 5 months, data security incidents at the Department of Veterans Affairs, State Department and Census Bureau have raised concern over the use of secure data at these and other Federal agencies.

The VA learned that an employee took home electronic records of 26.5 million veterans and 2.2 active-duty soldiers from the VA, which he was not authorized to do.

A hacker at the State Department gave thieves access to a finite amount of information, access to data and passwords.

The census bureau lost track of over 1,000 laptops, some of which contained sensitive personal information.

Americans secure information was put at extreme risk and raised concerns about data security in the Federal Government to a whole new level.

GAO reports released in July 2005 and again in March of 2006, revealed despite progress in implementing Federal requirements to protect information and systems, the 24 major Federal agencies' experienced continued pervasive weaknesses in information security policies and practices. Their flaws put Federal operations, citizens personal financial data and assets at risk of fraud, misuse, disclosure and destruction.

That is why I introduced H.R. 5820, the Federal Agency Data Privacy Protection Act, legislation that adds security measures to all Federal agencies data usage and administration. This manager's amendment includes a number of provisions included in my legislation.

It is important that we protect the sensitive information Americans provide to us so that we can assist them and we must provide the best possible responses to personal information being placed at risk. It is critical that we provide proper protections to individuals who may be affected by these thefts.

This amendment also extends the definition of what constitutes secure data so that we can provide the best protection for all personal information used by Federal agencies.

Americans place their trust in the Federal Government to protect the information they provide. In this age of technology, we have an obligation to protect that information and serve the people of this Nation. I urge my colleagues support on this amendment.