Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, in July of this year, the President signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which enacted the first- ever renewable fuel standard in order for a portion of our Nation's fuel supply to be provided by renewable domestic fuels like ethanol from corn and biodiesel made from soybeans. This provision is an example of public policy that is moving in the right direction. For example, E-85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol fuel, is becoming more and more available in the Midwest and it costs less at the pump. Just this week in my southern Illinois district, E-85 was on average 22 cents cheaper than regular gasoline at the pump. In some cases, E-85 stayed below $2 per gallon.

The expanded use of renewable fuels like E-85 helps stretch domestic oil supply and decrease our reliance on foreign imports of oil. As we all know, no crude oil refineries have been built in the United States since 1976. During that time, close to 100 ethanol refineries have been built. It is my hope that this growth continues to happen. Renewable fuels are an environmentally friendly, domestic alternative fuel source that we can utilize to increase U.S. supply and decrease our reliance on foreign imports of oil.

Mr. Speaker, 1976 was a great year. We built our last refinery in this country, and I graduated from high school. That is too long for that to occur.

Our domestic demand for crude oil averages 21 million barrels a day. We refine only 17 million barrels a day. That means we import gasoline. People understand we have a dependence upon foreign oil. What they do not understand and find incredibly ridiculous is that we import refined product just making us more dependent on the industry.

This is a great piece of legislation, and anyone from coal country ought to support it. Coal to liquid, fisher trove technology developed during World War II is evident in production in South Africa today. What we have done in this bill is we have taken the definition of refinery and added coal to liquid, which means we can harvest the great coal reserves of this country. We can turn them into clean fuel and use that clean fuel to reduce our demand for foreign oil. We are also able to disburse our refinery assets around the country so we are not held hostage by having 47 percent of our refineries in hurricane alley.

This bill is a tremendous step forward in decreasing our reliance on foreign oil, new technology, diversifying our refinery portfolio, and I ask all of my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to address my friends and colleagues.

We have got a lot of good Members on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and I have great respect for my friends, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher), who come here with serious public policy concerns.

I want to speak on an issue they do not address, in fact, I think they roll back, which I think is critical to addressing the price spike, and that is boutique fuels. I will just give an example.

When I fly back home, I fill up in St. Louis. I fill up my vehicle in St. Louis, and then I drive across the river to my hometown in Collinsville, which is 30 minutes from the St. Louis airport, and then I drive up to Springfield, Illinois, which is the northern part of my district, probably 100, maybe 200 miles separation, I go through three different fuel markets. In other words, the unleaded gas I burn in St. Louis is not allowed to be purchased and bought in Illinois, and it is not allowed to be purchased and sold in Springfield, even though I am burning that fuel and driving back and forth. These environmental regulations on the boutique fuels really make sense.

What makes it more difficult is that when you have constrained refinery capacity and you have one refinery producing for one area of the country, when that refinery has a disruption or goes down, then there is no way you can get fuel in there unless you waive environmental regulations, which is what the bill allows us to do if there is a natural disaster or hurricane. It says we need to move fuel from St. Louis to Springfield, Illinois; Mr. President, you can waive those regulations.

So we should not discount the importance of addressing this boutique fuel. Boutique fuels, 48 to 58 different fuel brands around our country, will be pared down to six so that we can still meet the needs of the different regions of the country without holding us hostage.

I thank the chairman for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the North Intermediate Center of Education at Wabash Community School District #348 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois for their participation in International Walk to School Day on October 5, 2005.

Through their participation in International Walk to School Day, approximately 100 students from the North Intermediate Center of Education will learn about health, pedestrian safety, and physical activity, and will gain a sense of neighborhood and concern for the environment. These students will be joining students from all 50 States and 36 countries around the world in this exercise.

I am pleased to congratulate the students and teachers at the North Intermediate Center of Education for their participation in International Walk to School Day. I wish them much success in this endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Edwardsville Police Officer Charles Kohlberg.

Officer Kohlberg recently took heroic actions to save the life of 18- year-old Megan Few. Miss Few's airway became obstructed as she was eating lunch at Edwardsville High School. Officer Kohlberg applied the Heimlich maneuver and saved Miss Few's life.

Along with the Few family and the City of Edwardsville, I am pleased to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Officer Kohlberg for his heroic efforts. May God bless.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. Chairman, I will try to be brief.

The issue is we have fought this amendment before. There is a critical demand for natural gas in this country. The Coast Guard, as has already been stated, is already involved in this process. They establish access control measures. They establish security measures for cargo handling and delivery. They provide surveillance and monitoring. They ensure security communications. They create security incident procedures. They coordinate with local, State and Federal authorities to respond to security incidents, personnel training and drill requirements and identify a facility security officer who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the facility security plan. So the Coast Guard is already doing a lot of these intercoastal activities.

In addition to the U.S. Coast Guard, the LNG terminal safety and security are subjected to additional layers of Federal oversight. FERC and the Department of Transportation are responsible for exercising regulatory authority over LNG facilities.

This country can no longer continue down the route of saying we want to use energy, but we do not want any energy brought into this country. We just cannot. It kills our manufacturing base. We are no longer competitive.

Now we are paying $10 per million BTus for natural gas use, when our opponents, our competitors worldwide like Russia pay 95 cents. How can we compete? We have to have energy.

If we cannot drill in our own country, if we cannot explore, if you are going to put the whole Continental United States off limits, we have to import liquefied natural gas. We can do it. We have done it safely. We can do it economically.

The Coast Guard is involved. And to say that this is not an attempt to stop LNG facilities on the United States is just a false premise. I reject it.

Now we have had this amendment numerous times and tried to stop the development of LNG facilities during the energy bill. We have defeated it every time, and we are going to defeat it now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today again to remind my colleagues of the importance of passing a Medical Liability Reform bill on the floor of the House this week.

I would like to submit for the record and read a brief section of a news story from my district. These type of stories have become common in the media in my area over the past few years.

I quote, ``One doctor who has been treating patients in Bethalto for more than 20 years is moving his practice to another state.''

``The rate increases are forcing some doctors in Madison County to take their practices elsewhere. That is the case for Dr. Charles Sammis, who took over his father's practice 20 years ago.

``It would be so nice if I could stay here, but the way it is it is impossible.'' Dr. Sammis has been treating patients at his family practice in Godfrey for 20 years. Friday was his last day.

Dr. Sammis says the rising medical malpractice insurance rates in Madison County have forced him out. He is not alone. The whole Madison County area, I think there is maybe two or three left and everybody else has pretty much either retired or left.

Meantime, Dr. Sammis' departure has been especially hard on his patients. ``You have all been nice to me and I appreciate it,'' he is quoted as saying. Dr. Sammis and his family are moving to Wisconsin where he plans to open another practice.

I would urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 5 this week. To stay competitive in the global marketplace and keep jobs in America, we need to ensure that our health care delivery system is fully intact.

Bethalto Doctor Closes Office Due To Rising Medical Malpractice Rates

(By Erin O'Neill)

The debate continues over rising medical malpractice

insurance costs and who's to blame. Some doctors in Madison

County, Illinois say the jump in insurance premiums has

forced them to close their offices.

One doctor, who has been treating patients in Bethalto for

more than 20 years, is moving his practice to another state.

While medical malpractice is a problem all across the U.S.,

a recent report from the American Tort Reform Association

suggested its especially common in the Metro East. Some say

frivolous lawsuits are to blame, others say it is price

gouging by the insurance companies.

The rate increases are forcing some doctors in Madison

County to take their practices elsewhere. That's the case for

Dr. Charles Sammis, who took over his father's practice 20

years ago.

``It would be so nice if I could stay here, but the way it

is, it's impossible.'' Dr. Sammis has been treating patients

at his family practice in Godfrey for 20 years. Friday was

his last day.

Dr. Sammis says the rising medical malpractice insurance

rates in Madison County have forced him out. He's not alone,

``The whole Madison County area I think there's maybe two to

three left and everybody else has pretty much either retired

or left.''

Dr. Sammis says frivolous lawsuits are to blame. Not so,

says former Missouri Insurance Commissioner Jay Angoff, ``The

insurance companies are telling the doctors look over here

its their fault when it's the insurance companies

themselves.''

Angoff says malpractice rates have more than doubled in the

last five years, while the amount of money paid in claims

actually dropped, so he says lawsuits aren't the problem.

``So, there is no justification for premiums going up the way

they are. And, if I were a doctor in Illinois I would call

ISME up, that's a major malpractice insurer in Illinois, and

say `Why are my premiums going up when claim payments are

going down?'''

But Dr. Sammis still believes needless litigation is behind

the escalating costs and hopes tort reform is a solution. In

May, Illinois lawmakers approved a plan to cap lawsuit awards

in medical malpractice cases, but the bill remains on the

Governors desk. ``And we were hoping that our Governor would

sign the bill and he's still waiting on it. And I know

there's a lot of issues with that, but its getting very

difficult to practice medicine here right now.''

Meantime, Dr. Sammis' departure has been especially hard on

his patients, ``You've all been nice to me and I appreciate

it. ''

Bob Vieregge has been going to Dr. Sammis for 20 years, ``I

told him the other day I said I lost my wife and I lost my

priest and good friend and now I'm losing my doctor.''

Patient Mary Stanton says. ``We just wish him all the best of

everything where he's going.''

Angoff says insurance companies in both Illinois and

Missouri are notorious for very weak insurance regulation. He

says insurance companies can raise rates at will and the

insurance commissioner can't do anything about it. He says

the solution is for local doctors to rally behind legislation

that requires insurance companies to get the approval of the

commissioner before raising rates.

Meantime, Dr. Sammis and his family are moving to Wisconsin

where he plans to open another practice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the benefits of the Central American Free Trade Agreement to agricultural interests in my home State of Illinois.

As the number two soybean and soy products exporter, Illinois already sends approximately $50 million worth of soy products per year to CAFTA countries. The immediate duty-free access for some products and reductions in tariffs on others are expected to significantly improve opportunities for Illinois soybeans and their products.

Illinois corn farmers are the Nation's number two exporter of feed grains. U.S. corn exports to CAFTA countries will benefit from reduced tariffs and duty-free access for corn products. In total, CAFTA countries are already Illinois' 22nd largest export market, accounting for more than $211 million in exports in 2004. After the first year of CAFTA implementation, Illinois is expected to realize $79 million in increased output across all industries in the State and $24 million in increased employees earnings and nearly 700 new jobs created.

This historic agreement will eliminate tariffs and trade barriers and expand regional opportunities for the workers, manufacturers, consumers, farmers, and service providers of all the countries.

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, although I will not object to this resolution, but I want to claim the time to speak in support of this resolution.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution, with 29 other Members of Congress, that calls upon Russia to acknowledge the occupation and subsequent suffering of the Baltic people under Soviet control during the period of time of the secret Molotov Richenberg agreement.

The resolution comes to the floor in a timely manner. This week is Captive Nations Week, first declared so by the U.S. Congress on July 17, 1959 as a joint resolution against continuing Communist domination of the Baltic countries. President Bush has again declared this week Captive Nations Week and urges Americans to reaffirm their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice and self-determination. I can think of no better way to honor the memories of those who fought for freedom against Communist control than to pass this resolution.

During Communist occupation of the Baltics, hundreds of thousands of people were torn from their families and deported to Siberia, many never to be heard from again. No one can exactly be sure of the amount of those who died or fled Soviet control, but it has been estimated from 500,000 to 750,000 people. You cannot meet a person in these countries that did not have a family member or loved one who was not affected by these horrible practices. Russia has been unwavering in its nonrecognition of the mass deportations, tortures, and murders committed during the Soviet regime; a Soviet regime that was a Communist regime, not a supposedly more open Russian government that purports to be democratic today.

I feel, along with the 29 cosponsors of this resolution, that Russia needs to acknowledge the mistakes of the past so it can move forward and become a truthful State and, in turn, a stronger democracy. It is important that the United States join with our allies in the Baltics and stand for democracy and the rights of individuals to be protected everywhere. Democracy and freedom cannot exist without truth and transparency.

I would hope Russia would take a step towards this as a Nation by acknowledging the past, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution.

I also want to take the time to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde), the gentleman from California (Ranking Member Lantos), the gentleman from California (Chairman Gallegly), and the gentleman from Florida (Ranking Member Wexler) for allowing this to be moved in an expeditious manner.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Immaculate Conception Lithuanian Catholic Parish as it celebrates its 110th Anniversary on October 16, 2005. Since its founding in 1895, the Parish has been symbol of faith to the East St. Louis community.

The church was founded by Lithuanian immigrants after they fled religious bondage and famine occurring in Russia during the late 1800s. The first purely Lithuanian Catholic congregation was organized in 1885 in New York. Soon afterwards separate Lithuanian churches were built in other places like Immaculate Conception of East St. Louis in 1895.

The challenge of the Church is to be a constant light in a dark world and to bring resilience and hope to the people who need it most. Throughout these 110 years Immaculate Conception Lithuanian Catholic Parish has done just that. My family and I are proud to have attended mass at Immaculate Conception Lithuanian Catholic Parish.

My prayer is that God will continue to bless this small congregation and that they would remain a positive influence for the future of the Parish and the community of East St. Louis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to both congratulate and express my gratitude to the City of Trenton, Illinois for hosting the Illinois State Junior Legion Baseball Tournament for 2005.

American Legion baseball gives youth an opportunity to understand teamwork, discipline, and leadership through experience in the sport. It helps our youth build personal physical fitness and leadership skills. I am delighted to see the support City of Trenton is providing the youth of Illinois in hosting this tournament.

I welcome all those participating in the tournament to southern Illinois. I wish each of the teams the best as they participate in the 2005 Illinois State Junior Legion Baseball Tournament.

Mr. Chairman, I think a picture takes the place of a thousand words. This is what we get a chance to do with modernizing our lock and dams. We take one tow of 15 barges and we displace 870 tractor-trailer rigs on our Nation's highways. What this does is use the best means of transportation to get goods like coal, rock quarry goods, corn, and soybeans from New Orleans up to Chicago, or from Chicago down to New Orleans.

Now, if you want to take that same load up there now without the locks and dams, one load takes 870 tractor-trailer trucks. That is 870 trucks that are using diesel fuel. That is 870 trucks that are clogging our highways and our roads and our bridges. That is 870 trucks actually destroying or hurting the roadways that we spend a lot of money to build.

So there are a lot of important reasons why the corrections here in this bill are so critical. If we want an environmentally sound policy, we need to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, how do you haul corn, soybeans, fertilizer, petroleum products, coal and rock from Chicago, Illinois, to the port of New Orleans, or from the port of New Orleans up to Chicago, Illinois, without taking 870 tractor-trailer trucks over our highway system? That is 870 trucks that burn diesel fuel, 870 trucks that clog our interstate highway system, 870 trucks that made some of our roads less safe.

Mr. Speaker, you do it by the river, by the Mississippi River system. That is one of the best ways in which we can be an environmental steward, by getting all of these trucks off the road. That is one of the best ways that we can unclog our highway and transportation system. That is one of the best ways that we get a better return on investments and lower price fuels is by doing that.

The Water Resources Development Act, which we will take up on the floor this afternoon and tomorrow, is the best way to be a good environmental steward, energy security, and promote the well-being of all Americans. I ask Members support for passage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the co-chair of the Baltic Caucus to commend the work of the Lithuanian Kaimas Fund Project. The project provides children in rural areas of Lithuania with educational opportunities.

In just its third year, the project is having a positive impact on the lives of more than 2,000 young people in more than 60 rural villages across Lithuania. The Kaimas, which stands for countryside, Fund is a private-public partnership between the American Lithuanian Economic Development Council, the Lithuanian Ministry of Education and the Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and local non-governmental organizations who provide services to young people in Lithuania.

During a 2-week summer program, community centers throughout Lithuania will provide opportunities for youth to participate in educational and athletic activities, including computer training. Because the project is supported by contributions from American donors, the project also demonstrates the generosity of Americans and all the shared values between our two countries.

Most importantly, I would like to encourage the young people and leaders of the community centers who are participating in this program in Lithuania this summer; they are helping to strengthen the special friendship between Lithuania and America. They are also a vital part of the future of the special relationship that our two countries share.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Co-Chair of the Baltic Caucus to commend the work of the Lithuanian Kaimas Fund project. The project provides children in rural areas in Lithuania with educational opportunities. In just its third year, the project is having a positive impact on the lives of more than 2,000 young people in more than 60 rural villages across Lithuania. The Kaimas (``countryside'') Fund is a private-public partnership between the American Lithuanian Economic Development Council, the Lithuanian Ministry of Education, the Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, DC and local non-governmental organizations who provide services to young people in Lithuania.

During a two-week summer program, community centers in the Lithuanian regions of Akmenes, Anyksciai, Marijampole, Moletai, Ukmerge, Utena, Skuodas and Vilnius will provide opportunities for youth to participate in educational and athletic activities, including computer training. Because the project is supported by contributions from American donors, the project also demonstrates the generosity of Americans and the shared values between our countries.

I would specifically like to commend the work of Lithuanian Ambassador Vygaudas Usackas, and his wife Loreta, who established the Kaimas Fund in 2000, and the leading American supporters of this important initiative: Dr. Daiva Bajorunas and Stephen Sarnoff, Stanley Balzekas, Beverly Bridges, Dennis and Sally Garrison, Audrey and Martin Gruss, Joseph Krivickas, Cynthia Pasky, John Prunskis, George Ramonas and Eugene Rainis.

Most importantly, I would like to encourage the young people and leaders of the community centers who are participating in this program in Lithuania. This summer, you are helping to strengthen the special friendship between Lithuania and America. You are also a vital part of the future of the special relationship our countries share.