Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Colonel Darrell E. Adams, for 27 years of exceptional service and dedication to the United States Air Force. He will be retiring from active duty on September 30, 2009.

In his most recent assignment, he served as the Chief of the Strategy and Assessments Division, Secretary of the Air Force, Directorate of Public Affairs.

Colonel Adams grew up in McIntosh, Alabama. He entered the Air Force in 1982 as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Alabama State University. Following undergraduate missile training, his operational assignments included duties as a Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile crew commander at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota and Ground Launched Cruise Missile crew commander at Florennes Air Base, Belgium, during the period of the Cold War.

Colonel Adams has served in a variety of staff and leadership positions both stateside and overseas. He has been a training officer, protocol officer, command and control officer at the wing and Headquarters level. Most notably, he was the on-duty Senior Controller at Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force when President George H.W. Bush directed the nuclear stand-down for B-52 bombers, tanker aircraft, and missiles in promoting peace and stability between the United States and the Soviet Union. He has been a squadron commander, deputy group commander; he has two assignments as a congressional liaison officer.

Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Adams served as the Chief of the Congressional Inquiries Division, Office of Legislative Liaison. He managed on behalf of the Department of the Air Force, all constituent inquiries from the White House, Office of the Vice President, Members of Congress and state and local governments. He also managed the Air Force Legislative Fellowship program where selected Air Force officers served as Congressional Fellows on Capitol Hill.

Over the past 4 years Colonel Adams escorted many Members of Congress on Congressional Delegations, in furtherance of their oversight responsibilities. He assisted me and Members of the U.S. House delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on multiple trips to Europe including Russia, Africa, and Afghanistan. The logistics of such trips are often complicated and require lengthy and detailed preparation. He always upheld the highest standards of professional conduct and his

thorough and efficient planning assured that these trips were a complete success. He will be missed.

I ask my Colleagues to join me in expressing our sincere thanks to Darrell, his wife Lisa, their daughter Regis, and their two sons Kalon and Jared, for their unwavering support of our country and the freedom we hold so dear. We congratulate Colonel Adams on the completion of an exemplary active-duty career and wish him well in the next phase of his life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the St. John Missionary Baptist Church congregation on the recent dedication of its rebuilt church, restored following a fire that tragically destroyed the building shortly after the church's 100th anniversary celebration in January of 2006.

At the beginning of the 20th century a group of men and women, former slaves and sons and daughters of slaves, began to congregate and conduct church services in Haywood County, Tennessee, which I am honored to represent in this chamber. The first church building of St. John Missionary Baptist Church was a small log building erected on land given to the congregation by Deacon Charlie Wilkerson and was known as simply St. John's ``across the river.''

On November 16, 1904, papers were drawn up to purchase 33 acres of land from W.H. Ford approximately one and a half miles from Dancyville, Tennessee. The deed was filed on January 20, 1906, with the church paying $425 for the land. Marion Sweet and William Graves served as master carpenters for the new structure, and they, along with the tireless effort of countless others, laid the foundation and built a frame structure that served as a place of worship for numerous years.

Throughout the 20th century, the congregation continued to grow in number as well as in presence within West Tennessee and became known throughout the area for its leadership, dedication to God and love of fellow man. The congregation continued to improve the structure of St. John Missionary Baptist Church with expanding facilities to aid in worship and assist with the growing number of congregants. The frame church was bricked in the late 1950's with additions and renovations through the latter portion of the 20th century.

Tragedy struck on September 20, 2006, when the building was destroyed by fire. Undeterred, the congregation held meetings at Raul's Funeral Home in Brownsville and soon began the process of rebuilding their historic church.

The congregation's ability to rebuild the church is both a testament to their dedication to worship as well as their commitment to what the church has represented to our community for more than 100 years. From their humble beginnings in a small log church building near the corner of Highway 76 South and the Qualls Road intersection to the beautiful church they have just restored, St. John Missionary Baptist Church has served as a symbol of hope, faith and devotion. We know that tradition will continue under the leadership of my friend and an outstanding public servant, Reverend Johnny W. Shaw.

Madam Speaker, we hope you and our colleagues will join me as we congratulate the St. John Missionary Baptist Church on the dedication of its new church, and thank members of the congregation for all they do to help West Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kelly Holmes, a long-time public servant who retired June 30 after many years as Madison County Fire Chief alongside his wife Willadene. Under Chief Homes' leadership, the Madison County Fire Department grew from a volunteer force with Army surplus equipment to 16 stations with 162 firefighters.

Kelly Holmes is a native of Bemis, Tennessee, and was raised in Madison County, which I am honored to represent in this chamber. After serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, Kelly returned home in 1955 to work at Consolidated Aluminum Corporation, where he worked for more than 20 years.

During that time, in 1958, Kelly helped organize the all-volunteer Madison County Fire Department to help protect our community. The following year, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and in 1963 assumed the role of Fire

Chief. He served in that position as a volunteer for 13 years; in 1976, the needs of Madison County had grown so much that the position of Fire Chief became a full-time, paid position.

In his more than 50 years with the Madison County Fire Department, Chief Holmes has served on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association and served from 1978 to 1980 as President of that association. He has received many awards, including the Good Conduct Medal, the Army's National Defense Service Medal, the Jackson Exchange Club's ``Man of the Year'' Award in 1975, and the First American Red Cross Humanitarian Service Award in 2005. In 1965, he appeared in ``Outstanding Young Men of America.'' Chief Holmes has also held various leadership roles at the Bemis United Methodist Church, to which he and his family belong.

Fire protection service to our community is important to the entire Holmes family. Kelly says ``his number one assistant'' is his wife, Willadene, who has also served the Madison County Fire Department for 50 years as a dispatcher and secretary. For 30 years, his son Ralph served the Jackson Fire Department, from which he retired as Batallion Chief, and spent his off days as Head of Maintenance and Captain for the Madison County Fire Department. Chief Holmes' grandson Joe has served 4 years with the Madison County Fire Department as a firefighter.

Among Chief Holmes' greatest moments of service was his leadership in responding to a 1978 train derailment and propane explosion in Waverly, Tennessee, that had killed several, including the local police and fire chiefs, and destroyed several city blocks. Chief Holmes and the firefighters serving with him put their lives on the line in a very precarious situation, knowing that a second propane car at the center of the fire could have exploded at any time. Tennesseans were grateful for the courage and dedication displayed by Chief Holmes and other responders.

Madam Speaker, I have long been proud to call Chief Kelly Holmes my friend. I thank you and our colleagues for joining me in expressing gratitude for his service protecting West Tennessee families and congratulating him on his retirement, which will allow him to spend time with his family and--in his words--``enjoy the country life.'' We wish him all the best.

Madam Speaker, during the period May 22-31, 2009, I led a bipartisan House delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) meetings in Oslo, Norway and to additional bi-lateral meetings in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. The co-chair of the NATO PA delegation is the Hon. John Shimkus. The delegation also included Representatives Jo Ann Emerson, Dennis Moore, John Boozman, Mike Ross, David Scott, Kendrick Meek, Jeff Miller, Ben Chandler, Mike Turner and staff. The NATO PA delegation had a highly successful trip in which a wide range of political, economic and security issues on NATO's agenda, as well as issues involving the U.S.-Finland and U.S.-Sweden bi-lateral relationships, were examined. Accompanying the delegation on the visits to Finland and Sweden was Mr. David Hobbs, Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, who provided invaluable assistance with respect to Finland and Sweden's participation in the NATO PA and issues related to their cooperation with NATO in numerous Alliance operations.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly consists of parliamentarians from all 28 NATO member states. The NATO PA provides a unique forum for elected officials to analyze and debate issues that the NATO leadership discusses in Brussels. In addition to the 28 member parliaments, parliamentarians from countries such as Russia, Georgia, Afghanistan, and others also participate in the sessions as associate states or observers. Through these sessions, delegates have the opportunity to learn first-hand the views and concerns that other countries have over the key security issues of the day. An invaluable aspect of the meetings is the chance to meet and come to know members of parliaments who play important roles in their own countries in shaping the security agenda that their governments pursue at NATO. These contacts can endure through a career, and can provide an invaluable private avenue for insights into each ally's particular views on an issue.

In early April, NATO celebrated its 60th anniversary at a summit in Strasbourg, France and Kehl, Germany. The key issues on the agenda of the Alliance included the broader issue of the future of NATO and more specific issues including relations with Russia, energy security, missile defense, the conflict in Afghanistan, and emerging challenges such as piracy and cyber security. Each of these issues was also on the NATO PA agenda in Oslo and many were vigorously debated by the parliamentarians. Relations with Russia and the new strategy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan were two of the issues that dominated the session. Many members of the Alliance questioned whether Russia has begun to implement an increasingly assertive security policy including efforts to intimidate neighboring states, through the threat of force. There was also concern expressed that Russia would continue to use its energy supplies as a political lever to influence European policy. It was clear from our meetings that not only the United States and NATO, but the European Union as well, are concerned about Moscow's posture on a variety of issues. And, while there were differences of opinion over how to structure future relations between NATO and Russia and the NATO PA and the Russian delegates to the Assembly, most felt that dialogue between NATO, the NATO PA, and Russia was important and should continue. Many delegates welcomed the U.S. commitment to a new, constructive relationship with Moscow and expressed hope that through those promising relations, Russia's attitude toward NATO could become more positive. On Afghanistan, there was continued support for the ISAF mission among the allies and a willingness to provide the additional civilian and financial support necessary for the reconstruction effort there. However, we did detect an undercurrent of concern among some allies that through the commitment of 21,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan and the replacement of U.S./ISAF Commander, General McKiernan, the process of the ``Americanization'' of the war was underway and that NATO could be pushed aside by the United States. Our delegation was clear that this is not the case and that NATO's role in Afghanistan continues to be a critical one that needs to be carried out in an effective and efficient manner.

Before the opening sessions of the Assembly's plenary the U.S. delegation received a detailed briefing from the new U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Ivo Daalder, who had been in his new role for four days. He prepared us for the nuances involved in some of the issues that would be debated during the NATO PA sessions, particularly regarding Russia and NATO's on-going role in Afghanistan. In addition to the briefing by Ambassador Daalder, we also had the opportunity to meet with the new Deputy Chief of Mission to NATO, Mr. John Heffern who represented the United States at the joint NATO PA/North Atlantic Council (NAC) session at the conclusion of the plenary. Another highlight was a private meeting our delegation held with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who was attending his last NATO Parliamentary Assembly session as Secretary General. He gave an overview of the most critical challenges confronting the alliance and thanked the U.S. delegation for its continued support for NATO. Later he addressed the NATO PA's plenary session. The Foreign Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg also addressed the plenary and spoke about the continued importance of the

Alliance and the need for a clear direction for NATO's future. The Assembly also received a mixed report on current conditions in Afghanistan from Mr. Kai Eide, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Mr. Eide stressed the need for a sustained commitment of assistance from the international community. We also heard comments from the Speakers of the Albanian and Croatian Parliaments on their nation's status as the newest members of the Alliance.

Over two days of the NATO PA session, intense meetings of the Assembly's committees took place. There are five NATO PA committees. In each, parliamentarians presented reports on issues before the Alliance. The reports were debated by all members of the committee who often made counter-arguments or suggestions for amending a report. Members of the U.S. delegation were present and active in each committee meeting.

The Political Committee heard two very interesting presentations. One on the future relevancy of NATO by Jonas Gahr Store, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway. A second presentation on Iran generated some interesting questions and debate. The Committee received presentations on three reports, one from our colleague, Mike Ross who was a rapporteur for a report on possible transatlantic cooperation on Pakistan. Mr. Ross's presentation was well received by the Committee. Other reports debated included ``Resetting Relations with Russia'' that featured several interesting comments from the Russian delegates, and ``NATO's relationship with Georgia'' that included a discussion on the recent Russia-Georgia conflict. There were still differences of opinion on who actually was responsible for starting the war in Georgia and how to deal with Georgia's aspirations for eventual membership in NATO.

The Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security is currently chaired by our colleague, Jo Ann Emerson. The Committee heard three interesting presentations. One covered civil-military relations in Afghanistan and another attempted to discuss how NATO could best communicate the importance of the Alliance and its missions to the general populations of the alliance members. There was also a very interesting presentation on the food-security nexus by Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program. The Committee then debated a report on the growing threat of piracy to regional and global security. Our colleague, David Scott, who had recently visited Somalia, offered several comments on the relationship between the unstable political and economic situation in Somalia and the growing use of Somalia as a base for pirate activity. A report on the current political situation in Moldova was also presented.

The Defense and Security Committee heard two reports on NATO's ongoing operations in Afghanistan, including a report by NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, Ambassador Fernando Gentilini. The Committee also received a report on the need for NATO to reinforce its mission of territorial defense. Our colleague John Shimkus countered the idea that Afghanistan was becoming an ``American'' war by pointing out that the United States' new Afghanistan/Pakistan strategy, which does include additional U.S. military forces, was developed in part with European input.

The Economics and Security Committee debated three reports, including one on food prices and their implications for security and another on energy production in Central Asia and its potential contribution to transatlantic energy security. The Committee also had a long discussion on a third report that addressed the global financial crisis and its impact on member nations. In that discussion, a number of members suggested that it would be useful to explore how the financial crisis was impinging on national defense budgets in allied countries. The Committee also heard presentations on the security aspects of food- related crises, global energy market trends, and managing defense budgets in times of global recession.

Finally, the Science and Technology Committee heard three reports, including one particularly interesting report on climate change and its relationship to national security. Another addressed the current efforts being used to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction. A third report provided a look at the resurgence of nuclear power as a source of clean energy.

On Tuesday, the final day of the plenary, the general assembly had the extraordinary opportunity to hear a presentation from the NATO Secretary General in his last address to the Assembly and to participate in a formal meeting with the North Atlantic Council (NAC) in which the Ambassadors to NATO of all 28 Alliance members answered questions from the delegates.

Madam Speaker, as you know, the NATO PA Plenary session also happened to be held over our own Memorial Day. For the members of the U.S. delegation, the highlight of our visit to Oslo was the opportunity to honor the men and women of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country. As it happened, a U.S. Navy warship was able to make a port call in Oslo that served as the venue for a Memorial Day observance. For that, I wish to thank Admiral Charles Leidig, Commander Ed Recavarren, Assistant U.S. Naval Attache in Oslo, the ship's Captain, Michael Feyedelem and the entire ship's crew for welcoming us aboard for the memorial service. I also wish to thank U.S. Ambassador to Norway, Benson Whitney, for hosting the reception for our delegation, the ship's crew, the Mayor of Oslo, and other dignitaries to share this special moment with us. The members of our delegation were also able to visit with sailors and marines whose stateside homes included many of the states represented by Members of our delegation.

In sum, Madam Speaker, the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Oslo was a success and as President of the Assembly, I took pride in the deliberations and participation of the delegates from all 28 members nations and our associate and observer members. For Members of the House or Senate interested in reading the Committee reports or presentations mentioned in this statement, they are all available on the NPA web site at www.nato-pa.int. I also want to take this opportunity to again thank U.S. Ambassador Whitney, our control officer, Auden McKernan, and all of the fine men and women of our embassy in Oslo for the wonderful job they did assisting the delegation.

Following the NATO PA plenary, the U.S. delegation traveled to Bergen, Norway. Norway was celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Norwegian submarine fleet and a U.S. submarine had visited Bergen as part of that celebration. The U.S. delegation was given a tour of the submarine and an informal briefing on the cooperation between the Norwegian and U.S. navies. The delegation would like to thank Commander Ed Recavarren, Scott Sommers, our Bergen control officer and U.S. Defense Attache in Oslo, Captain Russell Smith, for their assistance in making this visit a successful one.

After departing Norway, the delegation flew to Helsinki, Finland for bi-lateral meetings with government and parliamentary representatives. On Wednesday, after a country team briefing given by our Charge in Helsinki, Thaddeus Plosser, our Control Officer, Scott Brandon and other staff, we were hosted for a roundtable discussion by the Chairmen of the Committees of Foreign Affairs and Defense. Other committee members participated, including Johannes Koskinen, the Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament and head of Finland's delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The discussions covered a number of issues including Finland's carefully managed relationship with Russia. Finland and Russia share an 800 mile border, fought two wars, and experience close to 8 million border crossings each year. Russia is Finland's largest trading partner and primary energy supplier, including 100% of Finland's natural gas supplies. The Finns seem surprisingly at ease with their ``complex and unpredictable'' neighbor and do not see a ``Georgia-type'' threat from Russia.

The Finns pursue their security interests through the EU, Nordic defense cooperation with Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and through close cooperation with NATO. While there is growing support among some in the government for possible future NATO membership, the majority of the general public is not yet in favor of such a decision. Finland has been active in Afghanistan (currently 100 troops, soon to reach 200), and participates in the Swedish-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in northern Afghanistan. Other issues discussed included the current global economic and financial crisis which has hit Finland, climate change, and cooperation on issues involving the ``high north'' and the arctic.

Our delegation also held policy discussions with representatives of the government, including the Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the principle policy advisor to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Director of the Political Department in the MFA, the head of the office for North American affairs at the MFA, and the Deputy Director at the Ministry of Defense. Again, a wide range of issues including Russia, NATO, and the economy were discussed.

On May 28, our delegation traveled to Stockholm, Sweden for bi- lateral meetings. The visit to Sweden was also important as the Swedes will take over the rotating presidency of the European Union on July 1, 2009. We were met by U.S. Charge, Robert Silverman and control officer, Jonas Wechsler who briefed the delegation on relations between Sweden and the United States. That evening we were warmly welcomed at a reception at the Ambassador's residence that included guests from the government of Sweden, the Parliament, and others. Lively discussions followed on the new U.S. administration and its

views on transatlantic relations, the differences between the European and U.S. views of the world, the future role of NATO, relations with Russia, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The next day, the delegation met with Sten Tolgfors, the Minister of Defense for Sweden. The Minister briefed us on Sweden's global outlook, their participation with NATO in the Balkans and Afghanistan (they have 290 troops and lead a PRT in the north), Russia, and the reforms they have instituted within the defense establishment, including the decision to pursue an all-volunteer professional military (they, like the Finns, have a conscript military). Sweden, like Finland, does entertain the possibility of future NATO membership but the Minister told the delegation that currently the parliament is split on the idea and so it is not on the government's current agenda. The delegation then proceeded to a working lunch hosted by Ms. Karin Enstrom, head of the Swedish delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and attended by other parliamentarians. The discussion was lively and covered the entire spectrum of U.S.-Swedish relations. Following lunch, the delegation met with State Secretary Frank Belfrage from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions centered on Russia, Afghanistan, and Sweden's upcoming presidency of the European Union. One of Sweden's priorities will be climate change and preparing the EU's positions for the Copenhagen Conference on climate change that will be held in December. The Secretary expressed his hope that the United States and EU will work closely together on this issue and to help forge a consensus on the follow-on efforts to the Kyoto Climate agreement.

Madam Speaker, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly provides a unique opportunity for Members of Congress to engage in serious discussions on critical issues with our colleagues from other NATO member states, associate and observer states. I believe our delegation, and thus this Congress, benefits greatly from the information we exchange and the personalities we meet during these meetings. I look forward to our next NATO PA session in November in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In conclusion, I would like to again acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Embassy staffs in Oslo, Helsinki, and Stockholm, and the men and women of the U.S. Navy vessels we visited while in Norway. I especially want to thank our entire military escort group from the United States Air Force, including the pilots. Our diplomatic corps and military personnel provide a quiet but invaluable service in ensuring our safety and this group of diplomats, servicemen and women was no exception. I thank them for their hard work and their dedication to duty.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, which honors a long-time leader in our state, whose career has been distinguished and historic.

John Shelton Wilder was first elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 1958, and, in 1971, was chosen by his Senate colleagues to serve as Senate Speaker and Lt. Governor. He served in these capacities until 2006, making him the longest-serving leader of a state legislative body anywhere in this country. Because of his trademark bipartisanship and his insistence in wanting ``the Senate to be the Senate,'' the Tennessee State Senate accomplished many things under Lt. Governor Wilder's leadership.

I had the honor of serving alongside Lt. Governor Wilder in the General Assembly when I served in the Tennessee House of Representatives. During my time in this body, I have been honored to represent some of the same counties that Lt. Governor Wilder represented in the Tennessee Senate. I know firsthand how dedicated he has always been to serving the public and helping families in West Tennessee and across our state.

Madam Speaker, I hope you and our colleagues will join us in supporting this resolution to honor Lt. Gov. John S. Wilder--known to many of us in Tennessee simply as ``Governor Wilder''--for his long public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join our colleagues in honoring a very gifted leader and my friend, University of Tennessee Lady Vol Head Coach Pat Summitt. Earlier this year, Coach Summitt marked her 1000th victory, the first coach in women's or men's college basketball to reach that hallmark.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Coach Summitt over the years, and my chief of staff, Vickie Walling, is a long-time friend of Pat's, from their days together at the University of Tennessee-Martin, which I now have the honor of representing in this chamber. Summitt became the winningest coach in college basketball in 2005, passing Dean Smith's 879 career wins. You can imagine our Tennessee pride when, on February 5 of this year, the Lady Vols helped Pat achieve another hallmark: winning her 1000th game as head coach.

During Pat's time at UT, the Lady Vols have won eight NCAA titles, as well as 27 Southeastern Conference tournament and regular season championships and 28 consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament. Tennessee has produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans and 71 All- SEC performers.

As an alumnus of the University of Tennessee and of the UT basketball program, I understand the importance of the Lady Vols to the university and to our state. The talented women led by Coach Summitt not only demonstrate great athletic ability but also understand the importance of academic accomplishment; under Pat's leadership, the Lady Vols have a 100 percent graduation rate for those who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee.

Pat's continued dedication to the academic, athletic and personal growth of her players is a trademark of her coaching style and a testament to her tireless commitment to women's basketball and the well-rounded development of young women.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend Jimmy Duncan for introducing this resolution and giving us the opportunity to congratulate Pat Summitt on accomplishing this feat, recognize her outstanding career, and wish her and the Lady Vols all the best in their future successes.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica for bringing the FAA Reauthorization bill to the floor today. For the most part I am supportive of their efforts; however, I must express concern with a provision in this bill that would change the labor status of the employees of FedEx, a company based in Memphis, Tennessee, and important to our regional economy.

FedEx has been covered by provisions of the Railroad Labor Act for decades. I am disappointed that this legislation attempts to overturn these years of legislative and legal precedent by now putting FedEx under the National Labor Relations Act. FedEx was founded in 1973, and every court and agency to address the issue since then has found FedEx to be subject to the RLA, because national labor and transportation policy mandates that integrated, multi-modal transportation networks be subject to the processes of the RLA.

I do hope the Committee will consider my views and the views of those I represent in Tennessee, who depend on FedEx staying competitive. Because of the adverse effects this provision would have, I urge House conferees to eliminate this provision during its conference with the Senate. These provisions, which I oppose, should stand alone in separate legislation so all parties can come to the table and offer their ideas and concerns.

Mr Chair, the complexity of this issue requires further debate from all parties affected.

Madam Speaker, from April 2-9, 2009, in my capacity as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), I spoke at the 60th Anniversary Summit of NATO in Strasbourg/Kehl; chaired the NATO PA Standing Committee meeting and conducted bilateral meetings in Vilnius, Lithuania; traveled to Kiev, Ukraine and Tbilisi, Georgia on NATO PA Presidential visits; and addressed the EAPC Ambassadors in Brussels, Belgium. The Honorable Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), who chairs the NATO PA's Civil Dimension of Security Committee and serves on the Standing Committee of the NATO PA, and NATO PA Secretary General David Hobbs, joined and worked with me to make this a successful trip.

In the NATO PA, parliamentarians from NATO member and partner states gather to discuss NATO issues and as elected officials, have a close working relationship with the Alliance. In addition to my role as the Assembly's President, I chair the U.S. delegation to the NATO PA. The U.S. delegation is always bipartisan, actively and regularly participates in the NATO PA sessions, and several of our delegates hold elected offices within the Assembly. The NATO PA meetings afford an opportunity to sound out parliamentarians from allied states on public opinion, defense and foreign policy, and trends in strategic thinking. These meetings also allow us to come to know members of parliaments who play important roles in shaping the security agenda that their governments debate at NATO headquarters. These relationships can last a lifetime and enhance mutual understanding of issues in the different member countries.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 386, the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009, particularly language strengthening the provisions of the False Claims Act. At a time when the U.S. Government is spending hundreds of billions of dollars to jump start our faltering economy, we need to reassure the American people that we will have a ``zero tolerance'' approach to fraud. It is important that we honor taxpayer dollars as if they were our own.

In January of this year, the House passed H. Res. 40, which I sponsored. This resolution, now part of the House rules, requires each House committee to conduct at least three hearings a year on the topic of waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction. It puts in place a systematic mechanism for regular oversight.

S. 386 complements and parallels the intent of H. Res. 40, with key provisions to bolster the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act was first signed into law in 1863, as President Lincoln sought to combat fraud against the United States during the Civil War. It allows private individuals to bring lawsuits on behalf of the United States, in order to recover funds that were wrongfully obtained through fraud. In 1986, the statute was amended.

In the 20-plus years since the False Claims Act was last amended, however, many federal courts around the country have misinterpreted and weakened the statute, making it more difficult for private citizens and the government to expose and prosecute fraud against the United States. Today, as our country is in the midst of two wars and faces the worst economic crisis that most of us have ever lived through, fraud against the government is again on the rise; the time has come to strengthen the False Claims Act once more. S. 386 does just that.

Mr. Speaker, the False Claims Act is the Federal Government's most effective tool to combat fraud. At a time when additional government funds are exposed to potential fraud, the American taxpayers need to be assured that their money is not being mismanaged.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and reaffirm their commitment to the American taxpayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember our friend and former colleague William ``Bill'' Orton, who served with distinction in this chamber from 1991 to 1997. I had the great honor of serving alongside Bill and working closely with him in the early days of the Blue Dog Coalition.

During his time in this body and--before that, working in the executive branch--Bill proved himself to be thoughtful and honorable, and those of us who had the pleasure to serve with him know that he entered public service for the right reasons. He cared deeply about the future of this country and understood the importance of ensuring fiscal sustainability for the generations of Americans who come after us.

Betty Ann and I, along with many others in Congress and across our country, were deeply saddened to learn of Bill's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's wife Jacquelyn and their sons Will and Wesley during this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, we appreciate you and our colleagues joining us to remember Bill's service to our nation and offer our condolences to his family and to all Utahns.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend Garner ``Mack'' Goode, a long-time leader in West Tennessee, who is retiring this month after more than four decades on the Crockett County Election Commission and who continues to serve our area in many other capacities.

Governor Buford Ellington and the State Board of Election Supervisors first appointed Mack as a Democratic member the Commission of Elections for Crockett County in 1967. He has remained on the board for 41 years.

Mack is also Chairman of the Gibson Electric Membership Cooperative Board of Trustees, which is important to rural communities all across West Tennessee. Mack's family has been involved in West Tennessee farming for decades, and Mack continues to manage 900 acres of crops. He also spent 42 years at the Bank of Alamo, including in the position of President and CEO. Mack served for 15 years on the Crockett County Board of Education and nine years on the Alamo City School Board. He has also served as Alamo City Alderman, a member of the Alamo/Crockett County Rotary Club and a member of the Alamo Jaycees.

Mack has done a considerable amount of volunteer work in our area over the years, including 32 years with the Crockett County Rescue Squad and 26 years with the Alamo Fire Department. He has served on the Crockett County Emergency Management Board, as a Partner in Education for Alamo City School, as a supporter of various charitable organizations and as co-founder of the Mack and Mary June Goode ``Special Needs Fund for Alamo City School'' Foundation.

In between his community service and farming, Mack enjoys spending time with his wife Mary June Goode and their family. Their children are Bobby and Melinda Goode, and Reecha Black. Their grandchildren are Brandi and Rick Wilson, Garner and Rachel Goode, Jenna Black, Crockett Goode and Jessie Black. They have three great grandchildren, Lee Wilson, Mary Wilson and Luke Wilson. Mack is also an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer.

We know that as Mack will continue to be active in our community. His leadership and counsel will remain important to us as we work together to help increase industrial development in Crockett County and across rural West Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I hope you and our colleagues will join me as we thank Mack Goode for his long community service, congratulate him on his 41 years on the Crockett County Elections Commission and wish him and his family all the best.

Madam Speaker, from February 14-21, I led a bipartisan House delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly meetings in Brussels and with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, and to additional meetings at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, Austria, and the NATO School and Marshall Center for Security Studies in Germany. The co-chair of my delegation was the Hon. Jo Ann Emerson. In addition, Representatives John Boozman, Baron Hill, Carolyn McCarthy, Charlie Melancon, Jeff Miller (Brussels only), Dennis Moore, Mike Ross, and David Scott, and staff, worked to make this a highly successful trip during which we examined current NATO issues, above all NATO's engagement in Afghanistan, the alliance's evolving relations with Russia, and the effect of the global economic downturn on NATO operations.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) consists of members of parliament from the 26 NATO states, as well as members of parliament from candidate states Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia (or Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM), and other associated states such as Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine. Last fall, I had the honor of being elected to serve a two-year term as President of the Assembly. In this capacity, I preside over meetings during which delegates discuss and debate a range of issues of importance to the alliance. Delegates have the opportunity to listen to presentations by specialists from NATO and on NATO affairs, and to engage in discussion of the issues raised. An additional element of the meetings is the opportunity to meet and come to know members of parliaments who play important foreign-policy roles in their own countries. These responsibilities can include setting defense budgets and determining the operational restrictions placed on deployed forces. Some of the acquaintances made through the NATO PA can last the duration of a career and are invaluable for gaining insight into developments in allied states.

NATO will celebrate its 60th anniversary at a summit in Strasbourg, France and Kehl, Germany on April 3-4, 2009. Discussion during the NATO PA's February meetings were dominated by four key issues expected to be addressed at the April summit: NATO's stabilization mission in Afghanistan; its evolving relations with Russia; plans to draft a new NATO Strategic Concept; and the effects of the global economic downturn on national security and allied commitments to NATO. Our counterparts from NATO-member parliaments also expressed particular interest in the foreign policy goals of the 111th Congress and of the new U.S. Administration. As I will elaborate in a moment, my colleagues and I took the opportunity to respond to questions on these issues and to present our views on the current direction of U.S. foreign policy.

The key issue facing the alliance is NATO's effort to bring security and stability to Afghanistan. NATO has staked its reputation on accomplishing the Afghan mission by sending a sizeable force, extolling the alliance's capability for global reach, and expending resources to rebuild the political and economic structure of a country from which emanated the most devastating terrorist attack in western history. Failure in Afghanistan would likely call into question the future of the alliance. Approximately 55,100 troops from 39 countries currently serve in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), with NATO members providing the core of the force. The United States now contributes approximately 24,000 troops to ISAF. In February, President Obama announced that the United States will send an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan in the coming months. Forces from the United States, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK bear the brunt of the fighting. The inequity of burden-sharing in combat operations remains an important point of contention in the alliance, and is a factor in domestic opposition to the conflict apparent in states that contribute the most combat forces. Each of us on the delegation made an effort to urge our counterparts from NATO parliaments to support ISAF and to contribute the forces and resources necessary to stabilize Afghanistan. Our delegation also emphasized that success in Afghanistan will depend on more than just military efforts, and called on the alliance to develop a more comprehensive political strategy for the region that includes increased engagement in Pakistan.

Relations between NATO and Russia in 2008 reached their lowest point since the end of the Cold War. Russia vocally opposed U.S.-supported proposals to strengthen NATO ties with Georgia and Ukraine, and Moscow's opposition to a proposed U.S. missile defense installation in Poland and the Czech Republic has sparked contentious debate about the merits of the U.S. plans. Tensions between NATO and Russia escalated in the wake of Russia's August 2008 invasion of Georgia, after which the sides suspended formal ties in the NATO-Russia Council (NRC). Low-level cooperation between NATO and Russia resumed in January, and formal ties in the NRC could resume after the April summit. NATO members remain divided on how to manage relations with Russia. Our delegation contributed to a number of forceful discussions on the future of NATO- Russia relations and emphasized the importance of developing a unified approach toward Russia within the framework of a broader alliance policy toward the east.

Proposals for a new NATO Strategic Concept were a third topic of discussion at NATO PA meetings. NATO's current Strategic Concept was drafted in 1999 and a growing number of allied governments have called for the

creation of a new Strategic Concept that clarifies and updates the scope of NATO's activities. Such a document could address a number of important issues facing the alliance, including a possible streamlining of NATO decision-making and commitment to more equitable cost-sharing of missions; a clearer commitment to the missions of counter terrorism and counter proliferation, and possibly energy and cyber security; and a rationale for future enlargement. The April Summit's Declaration on Alliance Security could serve as a foundation and impetus for a new Strategic Concept that would be approved in 2010.

While in Brussels, our delegation met first with Ambassador Kurt Volker, the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO. He provided a briefing and responded to our questions on a wide range of issues including those I just outlined and NATO's ongoing peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. There followed three days of meetings of the NATO PA's Defense and Security, Political, and Economics and Security Committees. The meetings raised such issues as NATO's current political agenda, NATO's relations with the countries of Central Asia, NATO defense policy, and U.S. and European responses to the global financial crisis and economic downturn. At the request of our fellow NATO PA delegations, I presided over an open joint session of the NATO PA's Political, Defense and Security, and Economic and Security Committees during which members of the U.S. delegation presented views and answered questions on the foreign policy priorities of the 111th Congress and the Obama Administration. Representatives McCarthy and Ross each made forceful and provocative presentations during which they emphasized U.S. willingness to listen to its allies when determining the way forward in Afghanistan and in other key foreign policy areas. At the same time, they expressed their hope that allied countries would increase their commitments to NATO efforts across the globe. Representatives Emerson and McCarthy also gave comprehensive responses to numerous questions about the U.S. response to the current global economic downturn and the effect of the downturn on U.S. foreign policy. Many of our counterparts from allied nations expressed their hope that the new U.S. Administration would reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism and international diplomacy.

We also held meetings with officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels and at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. I had the opportunity to meet privately with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to discuss developments in Afghanistan and priorities for the upcoming April Summit. Half of the delegation then attended a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the alliance's governing body, comprised of representatives from the 26 member states. A range of issues--Russia, energy security, developments in the Arctic, and piracy in the Gulf of Aden among them--was discussed. We ended the day at NATO headquarters by meeting with U.S. General Karl Eikenberry, who is a member of NATO's Military Committee, and a former commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan. He briefed the delegation on NATO's mission in Afghanistan and highlighted the need to create a secure environment for upcoming Afghan national elections, to boost the capacity of the Afghan National Army and Afghan security forces, and to address the complexities of the political situation in Pakistan that is affecting Afghanistan's stability. The other half of the delegation visited SHAPE headquarters in Mons, where they received an insightful presentation on NATO military operations from NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General John Craddock. The group also toured NATO's Special Operations Forces Coordination Center.

The following day, our delegation attended a meeting of the NATO PA's Economics and Security Committee at the European Commission. At the Commission, we engaged in interesting and informative discussions on Europe's response to the financial crisis, the state of the transatlantic trade relationship, and European Union (EU) policy in the Caucuses and Central Asia. A highlight of the day was an exceptional presentation by the EU's Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Joaquin Almunia, who gave a lively presentation and concise overview of the consequences in Europe of the global financial crisis and of European proposals for an enhanced global response to the crisis. The delegation also met with the EU's Director General for Trade, David O'Sullivan, who outlined the principal points of controversy in transatlantic trade relations and the Doha round of trade talks.

The delegation then traveled to Paris for NATO PA meetings at the OECD. On the evening of our arrival in Paris, we held informative discussions with the Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in France, Mark Pekala, and several of his staff. French foreign policy priorities and the prospects for French reintegration into NATO's military command structure were key topics of interest. The delegation welcomed the possibility of France's full reintegration into NATO, which could lead to an enhancement of France's already significant commitments to allied operations. The following day, after a brief session with our Charge d'Affaires to the OECD and his staff, we attended sessions at the OECD and met with the OECD's Secretary General, Angel Gurria. The state of the world economy, the global financial crisis, and the International Energy Agency's Global Energy Outlook were key subjects of discussion. The OECD is playing a crucial role in monitoring global economic trends and national and multilateral responses to the financial crisis at a time when global economic security and national security issues are becoming inextricably linked.

That evening, we traveled to Vienna, Austria, for a day of meetings with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its Parliamentary Assembly. The 56-member OSCE is a key instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, and post- conflict rehabilitation in an area spanning from Vancouver, Canada to Vladivostok, Russia. As President of the NATO PA, I was invited to address the 320-member OSCE PA during its opening plenary session. Our delegation also held informative private meetings with the OSCE Chairwoman in Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, and the U.S. Charge d'Affaires to the OSCE, Kyle Scott. Two of the key topics of discussion were Russia's calls for a new European security framework and the future of the OSCE's monitoring mission in Georgia. Russia hopes to convene a European security conference later this year to discuss proposals for a reform of the European security architecture that some view as an attempt to weaken support for NATO. Members of our delegation made clear that while we are willing to engage in dialogue with Russia on all issues, we would staunchly oppose any effort to counter or exclude NATO from the discussions. In my address to the OSCE PA, I called for robust dialogue and cooperation between NATO and OSCE member states to ensure that the current global economic downturn does not spark nationalist and protectionist measures that could become a source of conflict between societies. I also called on international organizations such as the European Union and United Nations to enhance and better coordinate their development initiatives in Afghanistan. The effort in Afghanistan is neither only a NATO effort nor solely a military effort.

The following morning, we traveled to Munich, Germany for site visits and meetings at the NATO School in Oberammergau and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch- Partenkirchen. I am proud to report that ours was the first U.S. Congressional Delegation to visit the NATO School in its 56-year history. The NATO School is a U.S.-German bilateral institution that serves as NATO's premier operational-level education and training center. NATO School Commandant, Colonel James J. Tabak U.S.-MC and Deputy Commandant Colonel (G.S.) Enrico Werner DEU-AF briefed the delegation on the school's wide range of training and education programs for officers and civilians from NATO member states and partner countries. We were particularly impressed with one of the school's flagship programs that prepares NATO members deploying to serve in NATO's Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan. By building operational capacity and fostering collaboration between allied countries, the school plays a crucial role in preparing the United States and its allies to face the evolving security challenges of the 21st century. The delegation would especially like to recognize and thank all NATO member and partner nations who enable the NATO School to continue its mission by sending top training personnel on fully-funded rotations to the school.

The final stop on our trip was the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The Marshall Center is a German-American partnership dedicated to creating a more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions, promoting peaceful security cooperation, and enhancing partnerships among the nations of North America, Europe, and Eurasia. At the Center, we were welcomed by the Mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Lord Thomas Schmid, and the Center's Director, Dr. John Rose. Dr. Rose briefed the delegation on the Marshall Center's wide range of programs and activities. These include courses for government officials on security and terrorism studies and in-depth research projects on a broad array of security and governance issues. We then had a lively discussion with the Center's faculty members on issues including the future of U.S. and NATO relations with Russia to international counterterrorism efforts. A highlight of the discussions was an in-depth debate facilitated by Representative Scott on Russia's possible involvement in Kyrgyzstan's

recently announced decision to close the NATO supply base at Manas.

As always, members of the United States military contributed greatly to the success of this trip. The logistics of such a trip, compressed into a tight time frame, are complicated and require lengthy and detailed preparation. Our military escorts were from the Air Force's Legislative Liaison Office and the aircrew was from the 932nd Air Wing at Scott AFB, Illinois. They did an outstanding job, and I thank them for their hard work and dedication to duty.

I rise today in support of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I do so with a strong sense of responsibility and a heavy heart.

Throughout my career in this body, I have stood up to champion the cause of fiscal restraint. I have seen the majority in this House change two times; presidents of both parties come and go. In all that time, I have called on the powers that be not to spend more than we can afford, whether it be in the form of excessive spending or unaffordable tax cuts.

This is truly an economic and financial crisis unlike any we have ever seen, and it is forcing tough decisions unlike any we have ever faced. Economists from across the ideological spectrum believe that our nation is in the midst of an economic catastrophe that requires government action. The papers are filled with sobering stories: small and large businesses on the verge of collapse, massive layoffs, historic levels of unemployment and families unable to afford their homes. The numbers are grim: 3.6 million people out of work since this downturn started; in my district alone nearly 6,000 citizens have been laid off in the last 13 months. Eight counties in my district have an unemployment rate of over 10 percent, and all but one county's unemployment rate is considerably above the current national average of 7.2 percent.

Blame for this crisis can be found far and wide: greedy Wall Street giants, irresponsible lenders and consumers, and regulators that were asleep at the switch. I truly believe that without action our economy will get much worse, and our nation will enter a period of hardship not known since the Great Depression. Inaction is simply not an option.

The bill before us is not perfect. It contains spending measures that I believe may have merit but should be vetted through the regular appropriation process. But the perfect cannot be the enemy of the good in these serious times.

This legislation contains critical infrastructure spending that invests in communities, roads, waterways and needed technology upgrades in West Tennessee and across this great country. The stimulus package contains tax provisions that will provide relief for families living on the margins and businesses struggling to meet payroll. Under this legislation, in fact, 95 percent of Tennessean and American taxpayers will receive a tax cut. Most importantly though, it will help create and save 7,900 private sector jobs in my district. By putting people to work, we will put money

in the pockets of all Americans to reenergize the economy.

There is no doubt that this bill comes at a cost, one greater than the $787 billion price tag associated with it. Money will be borrowed and interest will have to be paid. Madam Speaker, as a fiscal conservative, that gives me great pause; I would not support this package if I did not believe that our country's future hung in the balance.

So I rise in support of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I know that the recovery will not be immediate, but without this package recovery may not be possible at all.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to help commemorate the 222nd year since the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The New Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jackson, Tennessee--which I am honored to represent in this chamber--is hosting a Founder's Day celebration, beginning today.

Pastor Sabrina Transou and Mr. Parrish Transou Sr. expect to share the event with parishioners from all across the country, including Presiding Prelate, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first female consecrated as Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I join Pastor Transou in welcoming Bishop McKenzie and their numerous other guests to West Tennessee.

The names of my dear friends Dr. Wesley McClure, President of Lane College, and Shirlene Mercer, who recently retired as our office's long-time Director of Constituent Services, have been submitted to Bishop McKenzie for the Legendary Award for outstanding service within the community. The award will be presented Friday evening. I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all that both of these individuals have done for our community.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues in the House join me in honoring the New Greater Bethel African Methodist as it begins this celebration of the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, our nation faces very grim challenges. Families in Tennessee and across the country are struggling to make ends meet, and thousands of workers are losing their jobs. There have been hundreds of job losses announced just this week in our district in West and Middle Tennessee.

It has become clear to many of us that inaction is not an option, and that we must work to help create jobs and rebuild our economy. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act addresses the immediate economic concerns of the American people and specifically Tennesseans.

This legislation could create or save more than 63,000 jobs in our state by the end of next year, according to analysis from independent economist Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com.

More than 95 percent of Tennessee taxpayers will receive direct tax relief--$500 for single filers and $1000 for joint-filers--in 2009 and 2010 as a result of this bill. Many students and parents will be eligible for additional tax credits to help pay for college so students are prepared to enter the job market. Thousands of Tennesseans have lost their jobs in recent months, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will ensure these hard-working men and women receive assistance while looking for new jobs.

To help create jobs, this legislation provides immediate tax cuts for Tennessee small businesses, including incentives to make the capital investments necessary for job growth. The bill allows employers unable to sustain their profits in today's difficult economic climate to recover some past tax payments to avoid closing their doors and laying off workers.

To further encourage job creation in our area, this legislation includes more than $760 million to invest in infrastructure in Tennessee, which could help us work on dozens of important economic development improvements in West and Middle Tennessee, such as road completions, bridge repairs and other transportation projects that fuel job creation and help us recruit new industry.

As we all know, high fuel prices over the past summer contributed in part to our economic downturn. This legislation includes energy tax credits and other provisions to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil sources--which many of us see as a national security issue--and diversify our country's energy sources to include alternative energy, such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy. This investment in our long-term energy future will also provide immediate and much-needed jobs in construction and engineering.

Tennessee faces one of the largest budget deficits in our state's history, which will lead to drastic reductions in the level of service to state taxpayers, including possible cuts in the important economic development investments that help create jobs. This legislation will help our state meet some of those needs for Tennesseans. The bill also expands local cities' and counties' access to tax credit bonds for investments in schools, infrastructure, conservation and job training.

At the request of those of us in the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, this bill no longer includes some provisions that many of us felt were unrelated to the immediate needs of our country's economy. In particular, we insisted that the House remove language funding contraceptives and new sod on the National Mall outside the U.S. Capitol Building. These expenditures were clearly not related to short- term economic growth and did not need to be addressed in legislation designed to address immediate needs.

The Blue Dog Coalition also saw this dialogue as an opportunity to talk with the new Administration about our country's fiscal situation. We have been assured that President Obama shares our commitment to long-term fiscal reform and will work with us to weed out waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in federal government spending after our country has begun to overcome these most extraordinary challenges.

In a letter to Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey and others, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag wrote that ``[p]utting the country back on the path of fiscal responsibility will mean tough choices and difficult trade-offs, but for the long-term health of our economy, the President believes that they must be made.'' I look forward to talking more with President Obama about these shared goals.

I realize that no member of this body--myself included--will be entirely pleased with this bill as we are voting on it today. After some improvements I discussed before and much reflection, however, I have come to the conclusion that this House must take action to help the American people meet the financial challenges facing them. For that reason, I rise to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and am optimistic that it will help save and create Tennessee jobs.