Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Franklin Academy Huskies of Malone, New York, upon winning the 2008 New York State Girls Basketball Class A Championship. I am proud to represent the Huskies, who won Franklin Academy's first team state championship in their third consecutive final four appearance.

On March 15, 2008, the Franklin Academy Huskies won the New York State Class A Championship when they defeated the Honeoye Falls-Lima Cougars 43 to 41. In that game, the Huskies persevered and came from nine points behind in the second half to take the lead with 2:20 left on a three pointer by Tournament MVP and Class A Player of the Year Alyson Johnson, who led all scorers with 17 points and also had five rebounds. All Tournament and Second Team All State selection Haley Poupore added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Huskies while teammate Kelsey Johnson contributed seven points and four rebounds to the Huskies' total and received the Tournament Sportsmanship Award.

The Franklin Academy Huskies completed the 2008 season with a record of 25 and 3. They were coached by Class A Coach of the Year Mike Wescott and assistant coaches Greg Dumas, Dave Farden, and Shelley Skelly. Other team members were Maggie Aguglia, Stephanie Edwards, Brittany Flick, Erica Johnson, Monique LaFlesh, Ashley Marshall, Brittany Marshall, Meaghan Patterson, Abby Premo, and Emily Sharlow.

Accordingly, Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in extending congratulations to the Franklin Academy Huskies for winning the 2008 New York State Girls Basketball Class A Championship.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Massena Red Raiders upon winning the New York State Division I Boys Hockey Championship. I am proud to represent Massena and note that this is the fifth hockey championship the Red Raiders have won since 1980.

On March 9, 2008, the Massena Red Raiders won the New York State Division I Boys Hockey State Championship when they defeated the West Genesee Wildcats by a score of 3 to 2 in triple overtime. Joe Laffin gave the Red Raiders the lead at 4:44 into the first period and Massena maintained that lead until 3:13 into the third period, when West Genesee tied the game. Massena regained the lead with 4:54 left in regulation when Nathan Pichette scored a goal, which was assisted by Antonio O'Geen and Laffin. However, with 1:07 to play in the third period, West Genesee tied the score again and the game went into overtime. After nearly three periods of overtime and 22 saves by Massena goalie Kyle Anderson, Captain Mike Mailhot scored to give the Red Raiders the game and the state championship.

The Massena Red Raiders finished the season with a 23-4-1 record. In addition, Coach Joe Phillips was named the New York State Division I Boys Hockey Coach of the Year. The Red Raiders were also coached by assistant coach Tim Hayes; Bob Belile, Tim Belile and Louie Trevino were team managers and Anthony Viskovich was the statistician.

Other team members include Clay Allen, Remy Boprey, Allen Bourdon, Tim Doud, Pat George, Captain and First Team All State selection Matt Hatch, David Henrie, Brian Holcomb, Josh Holmes, Alex Kormanyos, Mike Lashomb, William Lint, John-Paul Mailhot, Kevin Morris, Evan Raymo, Conor Riley, Matt Supernault, Dan Tyo, Dustin Vice, Matt Viskovich, Captain and Honorable Mention All State selection Jacob Witkop, and Taylor Zappia. Accordingly, Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me to recognize the Massena Red Raiders for their significant accomplishment.

Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity today to honor LTG James L. Campbell for his long and distinguished service in the United States Army. I have had the privilege to know General Campbell since 1999 when he commanded the Army's famed 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum in my 23d Congressional District.

LTG James L. Campbell will officially retire from the United States Army on March 1, 2008, after more than 36 years of dedicated service to our Nation, culminating in his assignment as the 13th Director of the Army Staff. Throughout his career, General Campbell has personified the Army values of duty, integrity, and selfless service across the many missions the Army provides in defense of our Nation. Many of us on Capitol Hill have enjoyed the opportunity to work with General Campbell on a wide variety of Army issues and programs, and it is my privilege to recognize his many accomplishments.

Upon graduating from the University of Missouri in 1971 and completing the Reserve Officer's Training Corps program, General Campbell was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry. Since that time, he received two advanced degrees and served in a variety of command and staff assignments, leading men and women in peace and war in places like Somalia, Haiti, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. As the leader of a joint task force in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, General Campbell helped account for America's missing service personnel from the Vietnam war. For the past 3 years, General Campbell has served as Director of the Army Staff, responsible for synchronizing the day-to-day operations of America's 1.2 million-person Army. He has proven himself a tremendous wartime leader who has demonstrated unselfish devotion to our Nation and the soldiers he leads.

General Campbell has led the Army Staff during one of the most challenging periods in the Army's history. He directed the Army's efforts to transform and modernize the force and implement the largest Base Realignment and Closure in history all during a time of war. His efforts were instrumental in leading the staff through monumental change in the way the Army sustains, transforms, grows, and modernizes. This complex effort established standard organizational designs more relevant to current operational requirements and significantly increased the Army's capability to support Combatant Commanders.

Among his many awards and decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Indeed, through these varying assignments, Lieutenant General Campbell has provided outstanding leadership, advice, and sound professional judgment on numerous critical issues of enduring importance to the Army and our Nation. His actions and counsel were invaluable to Army leaders as they considered the impact of critically important issues.

Madam Speaker, it is with sincere admiration and appreciation that I pay tribute to General Campbell, his wife, Carol, and their two children, Scott and Casey, for the commitment, sacrifices, and contributions that they have made throughout his honorable military career. I thank General Campbell for his more than 36 years of dedicated and exceptional service and wish him many years of continued success and happiness.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, let me begin by admitting right up front, this is not a perfect approach, but it is by far the best approach that we have available to us. I want to echo the words of my friend who just spoke, the gentleman from New Jersey, and add my words of appreciation and deep compliments to the distinguished chairman of the full committee, Chairman Skelton, the distinguished ranking member, Chairman Hunter, the great staff on both sides, and all the members who have worked so very hard to bring this moment to reality.

Frankly, we are dealing with an issue that is a product of the challenge that did not begin in this House. It came through the general authorization process, a provision that started in the Senate, that, as we have heard here today, and I certainly endorse, we in concept all agree with. All of us believe that American citizens who have been aggrieved by any state sponsor of terrorism, including the previous Iraqi Government, deserve every possible means of redress available to them.

We believe that in the context of the challenge before us, this bill continues and preserves that right, and does it in a way that, most importantly, understands that the primary objective of this bill is bringing to those brave men and women in uniform who are serving so ably across this planet, particularly in theaters of conflict like Iraq and Afghanistan, the immediate added benefits that are derived from this piece of legislation.

The distinguished chairman could not be more correct in his observation that this is not just a good bill, it is bordering on a great bill. The pay increases, the increases in various benefits are something that we cannot put in jeopardy by choosing another course other than by voting for and feeling very positive about this piece of legislation.

Like all the speakers before, I join with them in hoping that each and every Member of this House will take advantage of this opportunity, rise to the challenge that has been presented to us, and vote ``aye,'' in the affirmative, for this legislation, and preserve the rights and lead a path toward justice that those aggrieved people of state sponsors of terrorism so richly deserve, and at the same time provide the wealth of benefits that are embodied in this great piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to the Chazy Central Rural School District's Eagles and the Lyme Central School District's Indians upon sharing the 2007 New York State Class D Girls Soccer Championship. This was the first State girls soccer championship in school history for both schools, which are located in my Upstate New York Congressional District.

On November 17, 2007, Chazy and Lyme became the New York State Class D Co-Champions when they played each other to a 0-0 tie after two overtime periods and 110 minutes. In the game, Lyme goalkeeper Alex Weston, who was named the tournament's outstanding goalkeeper, made 12 saves while Chazy's K.C. Olds set a State record with her 20th shutout of the season. Olds, who tied the Section VII career record with 37 1/2 shutouts, was also a Third Team All-State selection.

The Chazy Eagles finished their season at 23-1-1 under the tutelage of Coach Joe Dumoulin, who was named Class D Coach of the Year. Other members of the team included assistant coaches Saania Duprey, Karissa House, and Cory Thompson and players Brigid Daul, a two-time Third Team All-State selection; Liz Favreau; Jessica Garrant; Co-Captain Brittany Godreau; Heather Guay; Co-Captain Madelaine Guay, a two-time First Team All-Conference selection and a First Team All-State selection; Astrid Kempainen; Caitlyn Lapier; Devin Latremore; Jennifer Lavigne; Co- Captain Samantha Lavigne; Ali Mitchell; Megan Ryan; Victoria Reynolds, a Second Team All-State selection; Morgan Roussy; Marie Trombly; Shauni Trombly; and Gabby Weeden.

The Lyme Indians finished the season 22-1-1 under Coach Mary Guyette, who is set to retire after 20 years of coaching. Other members of the team included assistant coaches Ashley Barbour and Kristin Robbins; and players Jennifer Augustus; Morgan Bocciolatt; Meredith Borden; Jessica Brown; Tiffany Brown; Katrena Lane; Rachel Matraw; Jasmine Noll; Hilary Rust, a Second Team All North selection; Olivia Speno, a Second Team All North selection; Brittany Sharlow; Cortney Strasser; and Tiffany Wright. Of note, Nikkia Raso and Terra Towne were named CoMost Valuable Players of the Frontier League. In addition, Raso, a First Team All- State selection, was named Class D girls soccer Player of the Year by the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization while Towne was named Second Team All-State.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent the Chazy Eagles and the Lyme Indians girls soccer teams. Accordingly, I now ask my colleagues to join me in commending them for their hard work and accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chazy Central Rural School District Eagles upon winning the 2007 New York State Boys Soccer Class D Championship. Of note, this was the third state boys soccer championship in the last four years for Chazy, which is located in my upstate New York congressional district.

On November 18, 2007, the Eagles won the New York State Class D Championship when they defeated the Poland Tornadoes by a score of 1-0. In that game, Stetson Fields scored late in the second half after taking a pass from Co-Captain Jason Baker. Chazy, with a 14-2 shot advantage that pressured the Tornadoes' defense all game long, was then able to preserve their lead, with goalkeeper Jacob Beeman recording the shutout.

The Eagles completed the 2007 season with a record of 24-1-0 and with team Co-Captain Nolan Ryan as the holder of the state record for career goals; in his career, Ryan scored 173 goals, 59 assists, and 405 points. The Chazy Eagles were coached by Rob McAuliffe and assistant coaches Ian Brassard and Matt Devins; Brian Norcross is the Athletic Director. Other team members were scorekeeper Lindsey Seymour and players, Ben Baker, Jordan Barriere, Kenny Bulriss, Tyler Bulriss, Jonah Curtin, Tyson Duprey, Brad Hansen, Shea Howley, Steven LaBombard, Co-Captain Kyle LaFountain, Andrew LaPierre, Perry Latremore, Eric Martin, Nathan Racine, Kyle Reynolds, Kaleb Snide, Gaelan Trombley, and Chris Vliege. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to have the opportunity to recognize them for their significant accomplishment.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Like my colleague from Texas (Mr. Thornberry), I rise today in disappointment, and I congratulate the ranking member and the chairman. But in his opening comments, the chairman spoke about last week's NIE on Iran as the best of times; and, clearly, we all take heart in the possibility that Iran has put aside its program to develop nuclear power for weapons systems. It's an opening we need to vigorously pursue and cautiously monitor.

But I would argue, Mr. Speaker, this is hardly all good news because it also, in a less noted part of the report, talked about what we missed. It confirmed that they had an active program. It confirmed that that was going forward, and it confirmed that it happened without our knowledge, and many of the shortcomings that made that reality come about are contained in this bill.

There were a number of reasons for that failure, but some, sadly, are reflected starkly in this bill. And, indeed, for all of its good intentions, for all of its considerable effort, this legislation is sadly an example of high rhetoric that clouds stark reality.

As Mr. Thornberry and as the distinguished ranking member have said, there are a number of deficiencies,

things that threaten the viability of our intelligence services. In my opinion, most importantly, the failure again to provide adequate resources for human intelligence collection, whether we're talking about Iran or any other highly denied theater, it is that ability to get on the ground, to find the intelligence that would have helped us not have incorrect NIEs in places like Iran in the past and protect each and every American there.

As also has been noted, this bill really does fail to provide key surveillance authorities the kind of legislation authority that is necessary to streamline surveillance of foreign terrorist targets in foreign countries, again harkening up the issue that we're clouding the reality of today's world with high rhetoric and ideals.

On that point, let me make another observation. Mr. Thornberry spoke of not telegraphing our interrogation techniques to our enemy. I would disagree with Mr. Thornberry a little bit there in that I think we're not just telegraphing; we are actually giving them the entire playbook. None of us, none of us in this government, none of us in this Chamber support torture. We have made that clear. But to give the clear playbook to our enemies, those that would do the greatest harm, as we saw on September 11, through our interrogation techniques, I think, is a very unwise step to make.

For those reasons, I would urge we take this bill, defeat it here today and rework it in a way which better serves the interests of each and every American citizen.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I've said on occasions in the past in similar situations that it's always a source of great pride for those of us who have the honor and the opportunity to serve on the Personnel Subcommittee that when many Members come to the floor in support of both this and past authorization bills,

one of the things that they cite most often are those initiatives emanating out of the Personnel Subcommittee, and I think that's for a very good reason. Because all of us, certainly in this Congress, but particularly in the House Armed Services Committee, recognize that for all of the things that make this Nation great, particularly for all of those things that make our military the greatest that has ever walked the face of the Earth, the one irreplaceable component is those who wear the uniform and those who, of course, love and support them, their spouses, their children, their families. And in that regard, I want to add my words of thanks to, of course, the distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Missouri, our ranking member, Congressman Hunter, but also to Dr. Snyder, who started the year off as the chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee, who went on to other challenges and, fortunately for all of us, turned the reins over to the very able hands of the gentlelady from California (Mrs. Davis).

As in years past, Mr. Speaker, this bill is rich in provisions that recognize the value of our military men and women in service and the need to support them, and to enrich the quality of lives of both those individuals and, of course, their families. And I suspect you have heard today, and rightfully will continue to hear, Mr. Speaker, of all of those good things; 3.5 percent pay raise, one-half percent above what the President requested, and more importantly, over the past 9 years, the continuation of our effort to reduce that gap between civilian pay and military that started at 13.5 percent. And with this 3.5 percent, it will move it down to 3.4 percent. More needs to be done, but good progress.

It critically increases end strength, which is such an important component in the high pace of operations and personnel tempos. It increases the Army by 13,000, the Marine Corps by 9,000; again, work that needs to be continued, but a good step on such an important problem.

The report also contains important provisions of the bill that Dr. Snyder and I had the honor of helping to initiate, that was later picked up by the committee and so many others to round it into a great provision to respond to the disgraceful conditions that we all learned about at Walter Reed and end the frustration that exists between the DOD and veterans retirement and disabilities systems. And it includes as well several recommendations from the President's Commission on Care of America's Returning Wounded Warriors, better known as the Dole- Shalala Commission.

From active to Reserve, this is a great bill and it deserves all of our support.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 1143, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Healthy Air and Clean Water

Act. This legislation, drafted with the valued input and assistance from my constituents from the 23rd Congressional District of New York, is designed to combat four pollutants--mercury, carbon, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide--that are decimating our Nation's environment.

I have the distinct privilege of representing one of the largest congressional districts east of the Mississippi River. The district stretches from Lake Ontario on the west to Lake Champlain on the east, and is capped by the magnificent St. Lawrence River, with its famous Thousand Islands region. The district also includes the Adirondack Park, which is bigger than the Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks combined and is world-renowned for its pristine beauty.

The environmental beauty of the region is not only enjoyed by my northern and central New York constituents, it also supports a vibrant tourism industry, with many choosing to visit in order to partake in such activities as boating, hunting and sport fishing. In addition, downhill and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing are but a few of the winter activities associated with the region that has twice been home to the Winter Olympics.

The Healthy Air and Clean Water Act would require the reduction of 90 percent of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2011. The need for this legislation is clearly illustrated by the fact that, due to high levels of mercury contamination, everyone within New York State is now advised to eat no more than one meal per week comprised of fish taken from New York State waters. Sadly, women of childbearing age and young children have been warned not to eat any of six types of fish caught from 55 bodies of water within the Adirondack Park area. Frankly stated, Madam Speaker, this state of affairs is unacceptable.

Carbon emissions are a leading cause of global warming and thus a threat to our environment as well as the economy of my district and throughout the country. Thus, the Healthy Air and Clean Water Act would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent from the 2005 levels in the year 2050.

The bill also seeks to address acid rain, which is principally caused by the effects of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide. Specifically, by January 1, 2010, the bill would require nitrogen oxide and sulfuric dioxide emissions to be reduced to 75 percent of the levels that these pollutants reached in 1997. As a lifelong resident of New York's north country, I have seen firsthand the impact acid rain has had upon the Adirondack Park and its High Peaks region. In fact, I am alarmed by the vast area of the Adirondack Mountains that has been ravaged by this silent killer; close to 700 lakes and ponds in the Park are too acidic to support their native plant and aquatic wildlife.

It is important to note, Madam Speaker, that acid rain's impact is far from limited to the Adirondacks alone. In Virginia, thousands of miles of Appalachian trout streams are at risk of becoming chronically acidic and thus unable to support wild brook trout populations. In the southern Appalachians, acid rain is altering soil chemistry and leaching valuable nutrients from the soil. And in Vermont, acid rain has killed more than half of large-canopy red spruce in the Green Mountains and approximately one-quarter of large-canopy red spruce in the White Mountains. Sadly, acid rain is also reducing sugar maple trees in central and western Pennsylvania as well.

In response, the Healthy Air and Clean Water Act would authorize funding for the operation and modernization of a number of programs that monitor the impact these pollutants have on our environment. These include, but are not limited to, the Clean Air Status and Trends Network, the National Atmospheric Deposition Program National Trends Network, and the National Atmospheric Deposition Program Mercury Deposition Network. My bill would further require the Environmental Protection Agency to submit reports to Congress to identify objectives that protect sensitive regional ecosystems, including but not limited to the Adirondack, mid-Appalachian, Catskill, Rocky, and Southern Blue Ridge Mountain ranges and water bodies of the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Long Island Sound, and the Chesapeake Bay.

Madam Speaker, as is often the case with proposed legislation, some may argue that my bill goes too far, while others may claim that it does not go far enough. However, while Congress continues the important and needed debate in our quest to craft the perfect global warming legislation, our constituents and environment wait. We cannot allow the perfect to become the enemy of good. Similarly, we cannot afford to commit a sin of omission. If we do not begin to take action now, clean and viable healthy waters and forests might well become a distant memory. There are always tradeoffs in public policy and I firmly believe the benefits of acting in this instance far outweigh all potential costs, particularly those of inaction.

I'd like to include, for the record, two letters of support for my bill, one from The Adirondack Council and the other from the Adirondack Mountain Club.

We can see the impact these four pollutants are having upon our environment and our health. The Healthy Air and Clean Water Act would address and reduce that impact and I urge my colleagues to join with me as I work to enact it into law.

Adirondack Mountain Club,

October 10, 2007.

Re Healthy Air and Clean Water Act.

Hon. John McHugh

Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman McHugh: On behalf of the Adirondack

Mountain Club, ADK, we would like to take this opportunity to

express our strong support for your Healthy Air and Clean

Water Act. We believe that passage of this four-pollutant

bill is critical to achieving greater reductions in harmful

nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury and carbon dioxide

emissions.

ADK, a membership organization representing approximately

30,000 hikers, paddlers and cross-country skiers, advocates

for the protection and responsible use of New York's Forest

Preserve and other wild lands and waters.

We have a critical stake in the continued vitality of the

federal Clean Air Act to effectively reduce air pollution

from coal-fired electric generating facilities. Enforcement

of the Clean Air Act has already resulted in significant

reductions in air pollution emissions that are harmful to

human communities, aquatic life and forest ecosystems in the

Appalachians, Hudson Highlands, Catskills, Adirondacks and

White Mountains. However, more needs to be done and we

believe that your Healthy Air and Clean Water Act will lead

to even greater reductions in air pollution,

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide emissions have been scientifically linked to

global climate change. ADK is very pleased that the Healthy

Air and Clean Water Act would cut carbon emissions from coal-

burning power plants by 80 percent by 2050. Further, the

requirement that EPA establish a market-based carbon

emissions trading program by 2010 will provide an economic

incentive for power plants to reduce carbon emissions.

Climate change threatens the local economies of the

Adirondacks, Catskills and other areas that rely heavily on

winter sports, such as snowmobiling, downhill and cross-

country skiing and snowshoeing. Also, a study by the National

Wildlife Federation found that lower summer stream flows and

higher stream temperatures due to global warming could

significantly reduce habitat for brook trout and other cold-

water fish in New York.

As temperatures rise; the Adirondacks could be plagued by

tree-destroying pests such as the Sirex woodwasp, hemlock

woolly adelgid and Asian longhorned beetle.

We believe that the carbon dioxide cuts included in the

Healthy Air and Clean Water Act are critical to reducing the

impact of the many threats posed by global climate change.

Mercury

ADK also supports the legislation's proposed cuts for

hazardous mercury emissions. A 90 percent reduction in

mercury emissions by 2011 is critical to addressing the

devastating impacts of mercury on public health and wildlife.

A 2007 independent study by Charles Driscoll and the

Hubbard Brook Research Foundation estimated that mercury

emissions from US coal-fired power plants are responsible for

40 percent to 65 percent of mercury deposition in the

Northeast. Current levels of mercury deposition in the

Northeast are four to six times higher than the levels

recorded in 1900. Ninety-six percent of the lakes in the

Adirondack region and forty percent of the lakes in New

Hampshire and Vermont exceed the recommended EPA action level

for methyl mercury in fish. High mercury levels in fish from

six reservoirs in the Catskills have prompted advisories that

infants, children under the age of 15, and women of

childbearing age should not eat any fish from these

reservoirs. Further, mercury is present in two-thirds of

Adirondack loons at levels that negatively impact their

reproductive capacity, posing a significant risk to their

survival.

The Healthy Air and Clean Water Act, if enacted, would

significantly reduce harmful mercury emissions and penalize

those coal-fired electric generating facilities that do not

comply with the new standard. The legislation also requires

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate

regulations regarding monitoring systems to measure mercury

emissions. Monitoring systems are a critical component in

effectively enforcing the new mercury standards.

Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide

The Healthy Air and Clean Water Act will reduce nitrogen

oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants by 75

percent from 1997 levels by January of 2010. Such a reduction

is critical to reducing the scourge of acid rain and acid

deposition in New York.

As a result of acid rain, a. quarter of the lakes and ponds

in the Adirandacks have become too acidic to support aquatic

life. Acidic precipitation also depletes calcium from forest

soils, leaving sugar maple and red spruce trees more

vulnerable to insects and

winter kill. Since the 1960s, more than one half of the large

canopy red spruce in the Adirondack and Green Mountains and

one quarter of large canopy red spruce in the White Mountains

have died.

ADK strongly supports the legislation's provision closing

the existing loophole allowing old coal-burning power plants

that were grandfathered from the Clean Air Act to

continue operating without complying with the most recent

new source performance standards. The new standards must

be met either on the power plant's 30th birthday or within

five years after the enactment of the act. As you know,

the Adirondacks and other wild lands and waters in the

Northeast are located downwind of many of these

unremediated power plants whose emissions have damaged

lakes and forests in these regions, as mentioned above.

Further, ADK supports the legislation's balanced approach

to regulating nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide through

the use of market oriented mechanisms such as emissions

trading, auctions or other allocation methods in order to

achieve compliance with the emissions reduction

requirements.

Reports and Funding

ADK supports the legislation's requirement that the EPA

submit a report to Congress by 2010 identifying objectives to

protect sensitive regional ecosystems, such as the Adirondack

Mountains. By 2019, the EPA will have to determine if the

emissions reductions are sufficient to ensure that the

objectives contained in the report are met. If not, EPA will

have to promulgate regulations to ensure that said objectives

are met.

As mentioned above, the Adirondack Mountains and other wild

lands and waters in the Northeast have been seriously

impacted by air pollution emitted by coal-fired electric

generating power plants. The report and subsequent

regulations if needed will ensure that these sensitive areas

are better protected from the devastating effects of air

pollution.

The funding measures contained in the legislation are also

important. The authorization of funding for critical clean

air networks and programs such as the National Atmospheric

Deposition Program National Trends Network will provide

needed support for continued monitoring of air pollution and

its effect on the environment.

ADK strongly supports the Healthy Air and Clean Water Act.

We believe that, if enacted, it will lead to significant and

necessary reductions in nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide,

mercury, and carbon dioxide emissions.

We look forward to working with you and your staff as this

legislation advances through the legislative process.

Sincerely,

Neil F. Woodworth,

Executive Director.

Marisa Tedesco,

Conservation and Legislative Director.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss three bills I recently introduced that are designed to reduce the number of Americans who do not have access to health insurance. These three bills are designated H.R. 3515, the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2007; H.R. 3516, the Affordable Health Care for Americans Act of 2007; and H.R. 3517, the Long-Term Care Tax Reduction Act of 2007.

In 2006, approximately 47 million Americans, or 15.8 percent of the population, did not have health insurance coverage for the entire year. When people lack health insurance, they often find themselves lacking real access to health care, thus unnecessarily incur illnesses, emotional and physical pain, and costs. This is particularly the case with preventable or chronic conditions. In addition, when patients cannot pay for health services, the facilities that provide those services suffer financial losses, which have been estimated to be as high as $41 billion annually. As a result, some health care providers reduce or stop offering services while others may raise rates, thus reducing everyone's access to health care.

The average annual premium for self-only coverage in 2007 is $4,479 with the average premium for a family of four at $12,106. These premiums were 7.7 percent over the cost of the previous year's premiums and grew at a rate in excess of both wage gains and the growth in prices for goods and services. Nearly 60 percent of Americans receive health insurance through their employment, primarily because of the advantages available to employers and employees under our Nation's tax code.

To reduce the number of uninsured Americans, we need to help open doors for those who do not receive health insurance through their workplace and do not qualify for public programs. H.R. 3515, the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2007, and H.R. 3516, the Affordable Health Care for Americans Act are both designed to provide this assistance. Specifically, H.R. 3515 would allow eligible individuals a refundable credit against income tax for the purchase of private health insurance and H.R. 3516 would permit individuals to take an above-the-line tax deduction, whether or not they itemize, for all health insurance premiums paid during a tax year.

With regard to long-term care, this challenge currently constitutes a significant component of health care spending in the United States. In fact, of the $1.56 trillion spent on personal health care services in 2004, over $194 million or 12.5 percent was spent on long-term care services. Of that amount, nearly $37 billion was paid out-of-pocket by consumers.

There is no question that long-term care insurance is increasingly becoming a necessity as Americans are living longer. However, the expense of this coverage is a major obstacle to its purchase. Thus, I have introduced H.R. 3517, the Long-Term Care Tax Reduction Act of 2007, which would allow individuals to use their IRAs, as well as 401(k) and 403(b) plans, to purchase qualified long-term insurance using pre-tax dollars without penalty. If enacted, this measure may save the government money in the long run by reducing the more than $133 billion Medicaid and Medicare spend annually, while allowing Americans to preserve more of their retirement savings and their sense of independence.

Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to carefully consider these points as they review these three bills. In addition, I ask them to work with me to enact these measures during the 110th Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Land-In- Trust Public Hearing Act, which would require the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior to conduct at least one public hearing in the surrounding community before taking land into trust for an Indian tribe.

In April 2005, the Oneida Indian Nation (OIN) applied to the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to have 17,310 acres in Central New York taken into trust. These lands are located in Madison and Oneida counties, which I represent together with the gentleman from New York, Mr. Arcuri. In fact, I originally introduced similar legislation in the 109th Congress as H.R. 4634 with Mr. Arcuri's predecessor, Mr. Boehlert.

The land-in-trust process is complex and time-consuming. Moreover, its potential impacts on regulatory jurisdiction, property taxes, and special assessments are immense. However, current regulations do not require that the Department of the Interior conduct a public hearing in the area that would be most impacted by the loss of the jurisdiction over the land in question.

This is unfortunate, particularly given the potential consequences of a decision to take land into trust. Thus, very simply, this bill is designed to ensure that the hard-working men and women of areas, like my constituents in Madison and Oneida counties that are the subject to land-in-trust applications have an opportunity and forum to directly and personally provide their comments. It also would require the Department of the Interior to consider the input and statements received at that hearing in its decision-making process. While providing such an opportunity would certainly further the interests of justice and equity, it also would enhance the quality of the Department's decisions on land-in-trust applications.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3246, the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I was disappointed when the full House failed to adopt a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3246 on September 17. That said, I am pleased that the House is reconsidering the bill today.

As I have previously stated, H.R. 3246 is important to my constituents in Northern and Central New York because it would create the Northern Border Regional Commission to help further economic development. There is no question this assistance is needed. Specifically, in 2000, each of the counties I represent--Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, and St. Lawrence--had a median household income that was below the national median of $41,994. Moreover, seven of these counties had poverty rates in excess of the national rate of 12.4 percent, and three, Franklin, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties, had poverty rates in excess of 14 percent. Similarly, from 2004 to 2006, 8 of these counties had unemployment rates in excess of the national average.

I greatly appreciate the efforts of the Gentleman from Maine, Mr. Michaud, to move this measure one step closer to enactment. Since the 108th Congress, we have been working to enact legislation to create a Northern Border Regional Commission, and I look forward to working with him further to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 976, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007. As a strong supporter of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), I am pleased that the House is working to extend SCHIP beyond its upcoming September 30, 2007 expiration.

Importantly, the bill before the House today (H.R. 976) does not include many of the Medicare provisions that were included in H.R. 3162. Those provisions would have markedly reduced funding for my constituent seniors, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. Accordingly, I was compelled to vote against H.R. 3162, even though I have long supported the SCHIP program and its expansion.

H.R. 976 takes the approach set forth in legislation (H.R. 3269) introduced by the gentlewoman from New Mexico, Mrs. Wilson, which I cosponsored. Significantly, under this approach, approximately four million additional children will have access to health insurance through SCHIP and their coverage will not come at the expense of my constituent seniors and health care providers.

Madam Speaker, I was on a leave of absence for personal reasons on September 19 and 20. Consequently, I missed several rollcall votes. At this time, I wish to note that had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 884, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 885, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 890.