Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this legislation. I first want to commend Chairman Upton and especially my longtime friend, Chairman Stearns, for bringing this important legislation to the floor this morning.

Mr. Chairman, I have read and heard for many years that almost 80 percent of small businesses fail within the first 5 years. Thousands of small businesses, many thousands, have failed over the last 10 or 20 years. Many of those would have made it if government had given them $100,000. Most of them would have succeeded or survived if the government had given them $1 million.

The government gave Solyndra $535 million, over half a billion dollars, and yet, they squandered it and failed, as we've heard today, in about 2 years. What a ridiculous scandal this is. And I'm grateful to Chairman Stearns for shedding so much light on this. And yet, unfortunately, it's only the tip of a very big iceberg.

Our friends on the other side frequently attack the oil industry on their subsidies; yet no industry in this Nation has received nearly as many subsidies, loans, or tax breaks as has the solar energy over the years. And yet the solar energy provides, even after all of these massive subsidies and loans and tax breaks, a little less than one percent of our total energy.

The government should not be picking winners and losers. I have nothing against solar energy if it can stand on its own feet, but it certainly cannot do so at this time. And so I rise in strong support for this legislation.

But I rise mainly to commend Chairman Stearns, with whom I've served for so many years. Unfortunately, he will not be returning in the next Congress, and I think this is a tremendous loss for this Nation. I've worked with him on many things. I have not seen any Member or known any Member of this Congress who has been more conscientious, who has worked harder, and who has tried to study legislation any more than he has. And I want to especially commend him.

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to congratulate East Tennessee Foundation in Knoxville, Tennessee, on obtaining its National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations accreditation from the Community Foundations National Standards Board.

East Tennessee Foundation is headed by my longtime friend Michael McClamroch.

Mike is one of the hardest working and finest men I know, and I am very proud of his leadership of East Tennessee Foundation and all the great work it does for East Tennessee.

In the United States, community foundations serve tens of thousands of donors, administer more than $40 billion in charitable funds, and address the core concerns of more than 700 communities and regions.

Achieving this accreditation is a rigorous process, demonstrating that East Tennessee Foundation has a commitment to the highest standards possible.

I want to again congratulate my friend, Mike McClamroch, and East Tennessee Foundation on receiving its National Standards accreditation and commend the foundation's dedicated service to East Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, later today, we will vote on H.R. 459, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2012. Because this legislation comes to us on the suspension calendar, it will require a two-thirds vote in favor of passage.

I rise today in support of a full audit of the Federal Reserve. I have thought for many years that there's too much secrecy and too much power vested in our Federal Reserve. This is an effort that I first joined in June of 1991, in the 102nd Congress, when I cosponsored a bill introduced by Congressman Phil Crane of Illinois to audit the Federal Reserve.

Even back then, before our most recent major financial recession, Congressman Crane's bill had 56 bipartisan cosponsors. That support has grown over the years, and in the 111th Congress, the last Congress, Congressman Ron Paul's ``audit the Fed'' bill gathered an overwhelming 320 cosponsors from both parties. Now that support, I believe, is at 270 in this Congress.

Thomas Jefferson was one of our Founding Fathers who was concerned about putting too much power into a central bank, and he wrote in a letter in 1816 ``that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies.'' That was not me; that was Thomas Jefferson.

Listen to what people are saying about this bill today from both ends of the political spectrum.

Matt Kibbe, president and CEO of Freedom Works, said:

Many economists have found that the central bank's loose

monetary policy played a major role in the current economic

crisis. It is more crucial than ever that the Federal

Reserve's monetary decisions be examined. Without a

comprehensive audit, we will never know how the Fed is

manipulating our money behind closed doors.

The National Taxpayers Union, one of our most respected organizations, said:

American taxpayers deserve to know more about the workings

of a government-sanctioned entity whose decisions directly

affect their economic livelihood.

Arnold Kling, an author and scholar at the Cato Institute, said:

If an audit were to uncover serious flaws and decisions

made by the Fed, it is difficult to see why we are better off

remaining ignorant of such flaws.

Journalist and columnist Rick Sanchez said:

For an entity that wields so much power, we know relatively

little about the Fed. Would you trust an unknown banker to

decide what happens with your paycheck every week? Why do we

accept this for our country?

And Brent Budowsky, a very liberal political opinion writer, wrote in support of an audit and said:

In my years of experience in politics, media, and business,

I have learned that secrecy is usually the enemy of common

sense, fairness, and sound policy.

Another liberal economist, the famous John Maynard Keynes, said this:

There is no subtler, no surer means of overturning the

existing basis of society than to debauch the currency.

And a very conservative--one of the most respected conservative economists, F.A. Hayek, said this:

When one studies the history of money, one cannot help

wondering why people should have put up for so long with

governments exercising an exclusive power over 2,000 years

that was regularly used to exploit and defraud them.

I have heard over the years, Mr. Speaker, people say that we need to have a Federal Reserve and a Federal Reserve system in order to prevent depressions and recessions. Well, that is certainly a very, very dumb statement to make because the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, and 16 years later,

in 1929, we started our greatest depression. I think we have had more recessions and more downturns in the economy since the Federal Reserve was created than we ever had in the entire history of our country before that system was created.

I'm not saying that it is a bad system or that it's wrong to have some type of Federal Reserve system, but it certainly is one that deserves more attention from the Congress. And surely, it is one that has too much secrecy and too much power in this day, and at least the Congress needs to look into it more than it has since that system and that board was created.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and of the underlying legislation, the so-called Affordable Care Act, which should be called the ``Unaffordable Care Act.'' Even if the President's plan were the best thing since sliced bread, we simply cannot afford it.

Both Medicare and Medicaid now cost many times more than what was estimated when they were first passed. Already, the estimate for the President's plan is double what it was just 1 year ago, and most of it will not be fully implemented until 2014 and some parts until 2016. And much of it is ``paid for'' by placing millions more onto the Medicaid rolls. This will cost all the States many billions they do not have.

The nonpartisan Congressional Quarterly estimated these additional Medicaid costs at $627 billion over the next 10 years. In addition, in June, the Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that increased taxes over the next 10 years just to cover the plan would be from $675 billion up to possibly as much as $804 billion. If these are lowball front-end estimates, as is typical, the health care plan will not work unless medical care is limited or restricted more and more each year.

In considering their votes on this legislation, on this so-called Affordable Care Act, I hope that my colleagues will consider these strong words by Dr. Milton R. Wolf, President Obama's cousin. He wrote this:

For the first time in the history of our Republic, our

government has demanded that every American, upon the

condition of breathing, be forced to enter a legal contract

with government-approved corporations. Not even King George

III dared impose such control. In truth, if a government can

force you to patronize companies of its choosing, the

fundamental relationship between the government and the

individual is irrevocably changed. If it is allowed to stand,

there will be no part of your life the government cannot

control, and no crony it cannot enrich with your money.

I urge the support for this rule and this underlying legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to a former chairman of our committee, a great Member of this body, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

(Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Chairwoman, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chairwoman, I rise in support of this amendment. This is a $110 million increase in spending, and it is simply too much under the circumstances.

I want to first of all, though, certainly commend Chairman Latham and all those who have worked on this bill because the material that has been provided to our office said that this bill overall contains a 7.1 percent decrease in funding, which I think is the biggest cut of any appropriations bill that we've dealt with so far. I also want to commend and salute the gentleman from Georgia for trying even harder to rein in spending, because I think almost everyone on both sides of the aisle knows that we have to reduce spending and we have to do more than we've been doing.

This $110 million increase is double the rate of inflation. The amendment by the gentleman from Georgia does not reduce the funding of this agency. It just holds it at the same level. We've cut our own budgets, Madam Chairwoman, for the last couple of years. We've tried to cut many other things. But megabillions have been poured into this program over the last 10 or 15 years. Even with the gentleman's amendment, this fund will still get $1.765 billion. I can tell you most people around the country think that's an awful lot of money.

I rise in support of this amendment. I certainly hope that if this amendment does not pass, that we will at least pass the much smaller cut in the gentleman's next amendment. But I think this is a good amendment.

We have to get serious about cutting spending when we're facing a national debt of over $16 trillion, which is going much higher and much faster. Unless we want this country to become a gigantic Greece and have the problems that we're seeing all over the world, then we've got to do more than we're doing.

So I rise in support of the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back that balance of my time.

Madam Chairwoman, I rise to raise a point of order against section 169C.

Madam Chairwoman, I raise a point of order against section 169C on page 56, lines 10 through 16. This section violates clause 2(b) of rule XXI. It changes existing law and therefore constitutes legislating on an appropriation bill in violation of House rules.

I would also note that the issue of when transit agencies can use Federal transit funds for operating expenses is part of conference negotiations on the highway bill, which hopefully will be resolved by the end of this week. The conference report will include a better, more targeted policy on this issue.

I request a ruling in favor of this point of order.

Mr. Speaker: Our Nation recently lost one of its most patriotic Americans, Mr. Charles M. ``Chuck'' Jones, on May 16, 2012. Chuck had been a close friend of mine for many, many years and was one of the finest men I have ever known.

Chuck joined the Navy as a teenager toward the end of World War II and continued his service for 22 years on troop ships and submarines. He served during the Korean Conflict and the 1962 Naval blockade involving the Cuban Missile Crisis, but his service to our Country did not stop here.

Later in his career, Chuck served as the Veterans Service Officer for Knox County, Tennessee, from 1985 to 2012. He was involved in various military organizations over the years and helped spearhead the movement to bring to our area what is now known as the Ben Atchley State Veterans Home, which opened in 2007. In fact, a road near the Veterans Home was renamed in his honor and will be known from hereafter as Chuck Jones Drive.

Along with his exemplary military career and outstanding work in our community, Chuck Jones had a profound impact on my staff and me personally. My Knoxville Office Manager, Jenny Stansberry, worked closely with Chuck on Veterans issues, and I echo her sentiments.

After his passing, she said:

I feel very fortunate to have worked so closely with a man

whom I admired tremendously. His accomplishments in serving

our Country are only outdone by the character and integrity

Chuck displayed every day of his life. I will miss our

working relationship, but more than that I will miss our

friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my Colleagues and other readers of the Record to join me in celebrating the remarkable life of Chuck Jones. He was truly a great American and I feel this Country is certainly a better place because of his life.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the kind words from the gentleman from Minnesota. He is correct in that I am very much committed to trying to produce and pass a good transportation bill in this Congress. When the gentleman's party was in control of the House and the Senate and the White House a couple of years ago, they couldn't, for various reasons, pass the bill. And I certainly hope we can in this Congress.

For the past 3\1/2\ years, about half the time when I've come to the floor I've had some Members on both sides come up to me and say, When are we going to pass a highway bill? And this is my 24th year in this body and I have been involved actively with all of those bills that the gentleman from Minnesota mentioned, all of which passed by overwhelming margins. And as he said, the last highway bill that was passed in 2005 passed with only 8 votes in opposition.

I agree and I think all of the people on our side of the aisle agree in principle with Mr. Walz's motion to instruct. We should focus our efforts on completing the conference report and delivering a bill to the President's desk before the surface transportation programs expire at the end of this month. Unfortunately, up until this moment, the Senate has not shown a sufficient willingness to address the House's top four priorities: streamlining project delivery; program consolidation; State funding flexibility; and equitable funding formulas not based on past earmarks.

When the average transportation project, Mr. Speaker, takes 15 years to complete, I cannot help but think there's something wrong with the current system. And as the gentleman from Minnesota mentioned, when the will is there, these projects can be completed in record time, such as the I 35 bridge in Minnesota after it collapsed.

Bureaucratic red tape is the main culprit, and much more must be done in the reauthorization bill to accelerate the process by which projects are approved. Every other developed nation is doing similar types of projects in a third or half the time that we are, and it is ridiculous that we are wasting so much money dragging these projects out for so many years. We can accomplish the goal of accelerating the process without harming the environment, but the Senate so far has shown more interest in catering to radical environmentalists than building infrastructure projects.

Program consolidation is another important reform that the House is pushing for in this bill. The Senate insists on including two new programs at the cost of $3 billion a year that would allow the administration to play politics with the funding that should go directly to the States. At a time when the highway trust fund is going broke, we should focus our limited transportation dollars on consolidating programs and eliminating wasteful programs, not creating new ones. Funding

flexibility for the States is critical to allowing the States to fund the most economically significant highway and bridge projects.

The Federal Government should not mandate that States spend their limited Federal aid funding on flower plantings and transportation museums and other questionable projects, while State budgets are squeezed to the breaking point. States need to be given flexibility. Some States need to spend more on bridge replacement. Some States need to spend more on crumbling highways. Some States have done more already on highway beautification and other enhancement-type projects and don't need to spend so much in that area as possibly some other States. States need to be given flexibility.

Most States have a backlog of crumbling bridges and highways needing to be rehabilitated. Why not allow them to focus their limited resources on the greatest needs in their State? The needs vary from State to State.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the funding formula for how Federal highway funding is distributed to States is based in part at least on the number of earmarks the States received in the last reauthorization bill. Funding formulas should be based on the most equitable factors that are part of a State's transportation system, not which Member of Congress fared the best in the last go around.

I hope these reasonable issues can be resolved before the end of the week.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), a leading member of our committee.

I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Southerland), a very active member of our committee.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford), who has been one of our lead negotiators on trying to come up with a transportation bill in our conference.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Cravaack), a very important member of our conference.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana, Dr. Bucshon, who has been a lead negotiator on our conference committee for the Republican side.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers on our side, so I will close by saying just a couple of things.

The last highway bill that passed with only eight dissenting votes, which has been mentioned here a couple of times tonight, was passed when the Republicans were in control of the Congress. I think that shows very clearly that the overwhelming majority of Republicans in the Congress supports highway bills and that we want to do one this year.

One of the main sticking points for us, one of the problems, is that in my almost quarter century in this body we've been talking about giving lip service to environmental streamlining all through those years, but we really never have accomplished anything. You've heard it said several times tonight that the Federal Highway Administration says the average highway project--and these are not transcontinental roads-- takes 15 years to build when all of these other developed nations are doing these projects in a third or in half the time that we are. We have got to do more with less during this time of budgetary constraints. We want to do these things because these are jobs that can't be outsourced to foreign countries. They are jobs that will be done here. They're important to this economy.

The Republicans believe that there is an important and legitimate role for the Federal Government in transportation projects. People in California use the airports in Texas and vice versa. People in New York sometimes drink the water in Florida and vice versa. People in Ohio sometimes drive on the highways in Tennessee and vice versa. All people benefit from lower prices when our ports operate efficiently.

All of the things that we deal with on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans believe in, and they want to see a good, legitimate--but not dictatorial--Federal role in those projects. We believe that the role of the States is very important, and we believe that the role of the local governments and the local people should be paramount because they know the needs of their States and of their localities better than almost anyone.

We are supportive of the gentleman from Minnesota, and we are supportive of his motion to instruct because our goal is the same as his in that we want to produce a good, conservative, reasonable transportation bill for this Nation, and we want to do it sooner rather than later.

We would like to do it within the next few days. Before we can do that--the other body does not control this process. They have to take into consideration what the House wants as well. That's what we're talking about.

With that, I support the motion to instruct by the gentleman from Minnesota, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, eighth grade students from Heritage Middle School in Maryville, Tennessee, recently visited Washington, DC.

Our office gave the students and chaperones a tour of the Capitol, and I received a very nice thank you letter from trip coordinator Patricia Russell and principal Steve Moser.

Along with the thank you note, I was also sent the enclosed four essays from some of the students on the trip. I was so impressed with these essays that I wanted them to be included in the Congressional Record.

I hope my Colleagues and other readers of the Record will take a few minutes to read the impressions of these 8th grade students about our Nation's Capital.

My American Appreciation

(By Anna Stout)

``In a mountain of despair, there is a stone of hope,''

said Martin Luther King Jr. I read this quote from the Martin

Luther King Jr. memorial. This was one of the most

significant moments on the whole Washington D.C. trip for me.

The trip to D.C. changed my whole of life. I use to take

every little thing for granted, like eating and the things I

owned. Going to the Holocaust Museum, the Lincoln memorial,

and the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial all increased my

appreciation for my American heritage.

The Holocaust Museum was probably the saddest, most moving

thing I've ever experienced. When you read about what

happened in books or on the internet you don't really

understand what happened. You kind of just think ``yeah

that's awful, hope it doesn't ever happen again'' but when

you see with your own eyes the actual happenings of what

Holocaust, it changes you forever. When I walked into the

room, and saw hundreds of pairs of shoes, I went into shock.

I just stood there and looked at how many there were. It took

me a few minutes before I started to look at the individual

shoes, the baby shoes, the shoes that were my size, and the

shoes that were bigger than my own foot. I was in such shock

it took me at least 5 minutes to move, and 10 to stop staring

at them all. That change how I look at everything. How I get

mad over having ``nothing to wear'' and they wore rags. Now

everything I do, a part of the Holocaust is in my thoughts.

I really liked the Lincoln memorial because Lincoln really

fought to keep our Nation together and without that, things

today would be way different. Most of us probably would even

be here. I use to think that Lincoln started the war to free

all the slaves, when really he started the war to keep our

united states together. Personally I think he was one of the

most successful, helpful presidents ever. And Im glad that

there is a memorial built in his honor. To remind the

generations to come, about all he did.

Last but not least, the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. I

really enjoyed going to this memorial, because I have a lot

of respect for Martin Luther King. I think what he did for

our nation was an amazing, and very brave thing. He stood up

and fought for what he believed in, but he did it peacefully.

That sets an amazing example for the people of our time. To

not have to use guns and war to solve things is a great

accomplishment. ``In a mountain of despair, there is a stone

of

hope.''--Martin Luther King Jr. I didn't quite get this at

first, until I started to think about it. What King means is,

the there is always a little bit of hope, even if the problem

is huge. To always cling to that piece of hope, and you will

overcome the problem.

Some of the reasons my appreciation for my American

heritage has increased is because of the Holocaust Museum,

the Lincoln Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Jr.

memorial. I am deeply grateful for being able to go on this

trip. I am so thankful for everyone that has done something

for our country, not just the things listed above. Without

these people and these events, we would not be here, and we

would not be America. Thank you everyone.

Washington D.C. Essay

(By Chloe Atchley)

`We the People of the United States . . .' Thomas Jefferson

wrote. I believe that as a citizen of the United States, we

should have pride in our country. On my trip to Washington

D.C., I grew a new appreciation and curiosity for my great

Nation. Three places I was able to visit that helped my

respect grow were the Arlington National Cemetery, the

Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.

The first place that helped me appreciate my Nation more

was the Arlington National Cemetery. In my opinion, what

shocked me the most was just how many graves there were. They

lined the fields and area for miles. Every single one of

those people served my country. Some of them died and

sacrificed themselves for it. This cemetery did a wonderful

job honoring those people, those heroes.

The second place that helped me appreciate my Nation more

was the Vietnam's Veteran Memorial. When I saw it, it was

dark, and I couldn't see how long it was. Walking along

beside it, I was surprised to find that it kept on going on

with me. There are 58,272 names on the wall today. It gave me

pride to be American knowing that every last one of those

people did their best to protect us and help others.

The last place that helped me appreciate my country more

was the Jefferson Memorial. Out of everything I saw and

visited, this was definitely one of my favorites. It was

quiet, peaceful, and reflective, just like how I think Thomas

Jefferson would have liked it. The sun was setting, and

reflected on the walls of the little dome beautifully. It

illuminated the excerpts from the Declaration of Independence

that were engraved everywhere. It was a reminder of how we

originally fought for our freedom, and of how my home began.

These are some of the places that increased my appreciation

for my American heritage. This trip was one of the best

experiences I have ever had. I hope everyone can stop to

remember the sacrifices made and the struggles conquered

through our history, and hold their head higher in

remembrance that they are an American.

Washington, DC Essay

(By Callie Effler)

Very few places make one more proud to be an American than

Washington, DC. I saw very many things in our nation's

capitol that I will remember for the rest of my life, but

several stuck out that made me feel even more blessed than I

already do to live in America. Three things and places in

particular that made me especially appreciate my American

heritage were the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, the National

Archives, and the flag that inspired the Star Spangled

Banner.

All of the monuments were breathtakingly beautiful, but the

Vietnam Veterans' Memorial didn't catch my eye for that

reason--it was that it had so many names. 58,795 brave men

and women were willing to pay the ultimate price to preserve

the freedom and safety that so many of us take for granted

today. These soldiers, nurses, and others who gave their

lives so that we in the United States and those in other

countries could be free are true heroes.

Another thing that made me prize my American heritage was

the National Archives. There, we saw many documents including

the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It made

me feel honored to have the opportunity to see the documents

that shaped our past, which led to my present, and will lead

to our future. In my opinion, these are some of the most

important documents in the world. They led to changes in not

only our country, but others as well.

Lastly, the flag that inspired our national anthem was the

most amazing thing I saw in Washington. I couldn't believe

that such a massive flag could even be made! It's colossal

size was accomplished by a woman and several teenage girls.

They made a flag--by hand--that survived battle and sparked a

poem that is now one of the most recognizable tunes in

history. Even then, Americans were making great things, both

physical items and ideas.

The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, National Archives, and the

Star-Spangled Banner are only three of the things I saw in

Washington, DC, that made me proud of my American heritage. I

think that everyone should have the opportunity to see the

things from the past that shaped their future. I will never

forget my 8th grade field trip, and will cherish all of the

things that make our country great.

Washington D.C.

(By Madison Jacobs)

Washington D.C. is located between Virginia and Maryland in

the District of Columbia. I believe that it is important to

know about your countries history in order to be able to do

the basic things adults do. This experience was breathtaking

and intriguing. I have learned several things while on this

trip but the three places that taught me a lot was The

National Archives, the Vietnam Memorial, and the Holocaust

Museum.

My first place visited that I really enjoyed and learned a

lot from was the National Archives. This acquaintance was

both enticing and captivating. Seeing the Declaration of

Independence, The Constitution, and the Bill of Rights I felt

astonished and proud to live in this country. It is

incredible to see that in 200 years these documents are still

around and we go by them today. I especially enjoyed looking

at all of the documents written so long ago.

The second place visited that I enjoyed and learned from

was the Vietnam Memorial. It gave me great pride in my

country but also at the same time it made me feel sad that

all of these wonderful men; fathers, sons, husbands, and

brothers lost their lives. This war lasted for 16 years.

During these years 58,000 people died fighting so that we

could all be free and giving their life for ours. The Vietnam

Memorial was very humbling to me. My lasting impression is

that I will always respect and honor those who fight and die

for our country.

My third place I visited that I learned from was the

Holocaust Museum. The Holocaust was a mass killing of Jews

and other civilians. The factors that contributed to this

were anti-Semitism and the rise of the Nazis. My most vivid

thing that I will always remember is the room with all of the

Jewish people's shoes. Also the smell of the shoes from the

leather was horrible. This will always stay in the back of my

mind. The Holocaust Museum really touched me with the fact

that millions of people died who were innocent and died for

what they believed in.

The National Archives, The Vietnam Memorial, and The

Holocaust Museum were the three places that we went to that

touched me the most. These places have affected our nation's

history in many different ways and they represent what

Americans are and what we stand for. I really enjoyed this

trio and would like to go back one day in the near future.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I had intended to or had considered offering an amendment again this year concerning the Federal Air Marshal Program. I offered an amendment last year to simply keep

the Federal air marshals at level funding. They were approaching almost $1 billion spending each year, and they've been given 10 straight years of increases.

This program, though, was called to my attention by an article that I read in USA Today in which they said that more air marshals had been arrested than had been arrests made by air marshals, and that they were spending approximately $200 million per arrest each year. I became convinced, because of that report and other reports, that this really was probably one of the most useless, needless agencies in the entire Federal Government. But I offered the amendment knowing that it's almost impossible to cut a law enforcement agency or an agency that can claim it's doing something toward aviation safety and security. So my amendment received a lot more votes than I expected but did not pass.

But at that time, Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Price assured me that they would look a little more closely at this program, and I feel that they have done so. So I rise to commend them and tell them that I appreciate the fact that they have taken an $86.5 million cut to this program. That is, frankly, more than I had planned to cut in the amendment that I offered last year.

I want to say that I am a really strong supporter of law enforcement--always have been and always will be--but when you take scarce law enforcement dollars that are especially needed for our local law enforcement people, who are the ones out there fighting the real crime that needs to be fought, then you're depriving the agencies that really need it when you give it to an agency like the Federal Air Marshal Program that is doing almost no good whatsoever for this country. Almost every Member in this Congress flies a couple of times each week; thus, we're doing the same thing that these Federal air marshals are doing. It's one of the softest, easiest jobs in the Federal Government just to fly back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

So I want to say that I appreciate the fact that Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Price have agreed to this $86.5 million cut. I wish it was a lot more, and I still think this agency needs to be eliminated, but I do appreciate the progress that's being made thus far. So I will not offer an amendment this year because I think at least we've started in the right direction on this program.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment Offered by Mr. Cravaack

Mr. Speaker, I wish today to honor one of the most well-known and selfless men in my District. Dr. Thomas Chafer Prince, Jr. passed away recently at the age of 85.

Dr. Prince was a well-known physician and surgeon in my District for 64 years, and he undoubtedly touched the lives of thousands of people in many positive ways.

He also served his country admirably in the Korean war in the United States Air Force and continued to fly throughout his life.

One of his favorite activities was to sing in a barbershop quartet called The Dignitaries, which was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

He was also a family man with a deep faith in God who studied biblical prophecy and was scheduled to preach at Harvest Christian Fellowship the week he passed away.

I offer my condolences to his wife, Gail; children, Thomas, III, Gayle, Gary, and Steven; nine grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and other readers of the Record to join me in celebrating the remarkable life of Dr. Thomas Chafer Prince, Jr.

I can think of no more fitting tribute to Dr. Prince than to request the proclamation by Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett honoring his life be reprinted into the Record.

A Proclamation on Behalf of the People of Knox County

By His Honor The Mayor Tim Burchett To Publicly Recognize

Mr. Speaker, I wish today to honor one of the kindest men I have ever Known.

Bill Housley passed away recently at the age of 78. He was longtime friend of mine who touched the lives of everyone he knew in many positive ways.

Bill spent many years in service to my District, serving as Director of Sales for the Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau, a member of the Knox County School Board for 12 years, and a volunteer to many community causes.

He also had a deep faith in God, and was an active member of Smithwood Baptist Church.

My District is home to the University of Tennessee, and I have always said the colors orange and white are just as patriotic in East Tennessee as the colors red, white, and blue.

Bill was a graduate of the University of Tennessee and one of the biggest Tennessee fans I knew. Bobby Denton, known by almost every Tennessee fan as the Voice of Neyland Stadium, was also very close to Bill. Bobby said on the news of Bill's passing, ``He loved East Tennessee, loved his family, and loved a good joke. Any time he came in the room he would light it up with laughter.''

Bill showed great courage during his illness and would try to cheer up people who came to see him even in his final days.

I too will always remember Bill fondly for his sense of humor and devotion to family and friends. He was a very patriotic American who loved his country and always showed great compassion to others.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my condolences to his wife, Carolyn; children, Dan and Cindy; and four grandchildren.

I urge my Colleagues and other readers of the Record to join me in celebrating the life Bill Housley. Our Nation is a better place because of his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to motorcycles and scooters as transportation options for many Americans.

On May 13, President Obama proclaimed May 15th through May 21st as National Transportation Week. In the proclamation the President recognized that our Nation needs a safer transportation network that will provide more transportation choices. As a Member of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus I would like to highlight one such choice and point out that two-wheeled vehicles can be transportation options for many Americans.

The Motorcycle Industry Council's most recent information estimates that 27 million Americans operated a motorcycle in 2009. Much of this use was primarily recreational; however, more and more Americans are choosing to ride to work, school, or to run errands.

In his proclamation the President called for ``. . . increased transportation options that cut commuting time, ease traffic congestion, reduce oil consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. . .'' Motorcycles and scooters are options that can help to meet all of these goals. Motorcycles and scooters also have the advantages of being much cheaper than cars or trucks as well as considerably easier to park--and a lot of fun to ride.

I own a scooter myself and enjoying riding when I have the opportunity to do so. I have also noticed that a majority of riders are in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and even alder.

Of course as more Americans choose two wheels we must be ever vigilant in promoting safe and responsible riding. I will take this opportunity once again to encourage all riders to ride responsibly by getting trained and licensed and obeying traffic laws. I would also like to remind all road users to be aware of motorcyclists, particularly as we move into the prime riding season in Tennessee and across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I wish today to honor a longtime friend and community servant from my District.

William Clark, Jr., or Bud as he was known by everyone, passed away recently at the age of 78.

Bud was born in Flint, Michigan, and lived most of his life in that state. Following business school at the University of Michigan, he went to work in the automobile industry and had a very successful career in management at General Motors.

East Tennessee--and my District in particular--has become one of the most popular places to move to in the entire country because of its incredible quality of life. I first met Bud when, like many others from his home state, he moved to Tennessee to retire.

Although he was not a Tennessean by birth, Bud quickly became more involved in the community than almost anyone I know. He undoubtedly touched the lives of hundreds of people in my District in many positive ways.

Bud became active in the American Legion Post 120 and 256, served in the Loudon County Veterans Honor Guard, the Loudon County Republican Party, the Piney Ruritan Club, the GM Club of Tellico Village, Friends of the Tellico Village Library and was a member of First Baptist Church of Tellico Village.

I have nothing but the highest respect and regard for anyone who serves this country in the Armed Forces, and Bud did so admirably during the Korean War from 1951 1953. He was a very patriotic American who loved this country very much.

I offer my condolences to Bud's wife of 34 years, Connie; daughters, Kim, Karin, Kris, and Keri; 5 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

Mr. Speaker, I will remember Bud Clark as a good family man with a deep faith in God. I urge my Colleagues and other readers of the Record to join me in recognizing the many contributions he made to my District. This Nation is a better place because of his service and example.