Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC) as it celebrates its 20th Anniversary. Since its founding in 1985, the Council has been successfully committed to its mission to foster and inspire young people to achieve their full leadership potential.

CYLC has directly impacted over 200,000 young men and women representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the American territories, and over 100 countries around the world since its founding. From the State of Illinois alone, more than 3,000 students have participated in at least one of the Council's dynamic programs. These scholars are well-rounded in their academic achievements and demonstrated leadership abilities.

The educational programs offered by the council create opportunities for leaders of all ages to have a unique experience with each program. Beginning with the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) and the National Young Leaders State Conference (NYLSC), students are challenged to understand their own leadership skills through the context of American history and self-evaluation. The National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) and the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC), provide outstanding young leaders of tomorrow the opportunity to meet the national and global leaders of today. During that time they explore, question, and discuss critical issues facing all of us.

The comprehensive curriculum focuses on learning through experience-- simulations, role playing, debate and, most importantly, personal interaction among students and today's leaders that fosters open dialog, new perspectives, and cultural exchanges. All of these elements combine to create an atmosphere of inspiration that energizes young men and women to return to their homes, communities, and schools with the tools and drive to be effective leaders both today and for many years to come. Please join me in congratulating the Congressional Youth Leadership Council on 20 years of positively impacting the lives of this nation's and the world's future leaders.

Mr. Chairman, I always enjoy following my colleague. He is very impassioned. He is just wrong on this.

The picture that the gentleman put up, he wants it offshore and wants it piped in. One of the most crazy things ever to happen to me is I am sitting in my office and the energy company comes in. They are excited about building an LNG facility in the Bahamas and they want to pipe this natural gas in to Florida.

Now, who gets the tax revenue from that facility? Not the United States. Who will get the jobs from that facility? Not the United States. Who is going to get energy security from that facility? Not the United States. Who has a problem with a pipeline underneath the ocean? We do.

I just cannot believe that we want to give up the jobs, the energy security, and the ability to have these facilities in the United States and put them in remote areas, many of them outside the continental United States.

If we want good jobs, we want lower prices, we want to help our farmers with lower fertilizer deals, we have to defeat this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) for yielding me this time and for his great work on this bill. It sounds like it is not the bill that I voted on, but I am very pleased to support it. There is no more important bill in my time here in Congress than the bill we are addressing today, and there is no more important bill for the State of Illinois than the bill we are addressing today. It makes all of the years of our work pay off because I think this time we will get it across the finish line because it meets the demands of the country. We have to diversify our energy portfolio. We can no longer rely on one fuel source, whether it is for electricity generation or to move our vehicles. We have to diversify our energy portfolio, and that is what this bill does.

This bill brings clean coal technology, strengthens nuclear power; and it actually helps renewable power in the aspect of wind power. It does great things for relicensing hydroelectric power. It helps expand the transmission grid and block the backlogs that helped cause the major blackout that we had 2 years ago. It addresses a diversified energy portfolio on fuels.

It brings renewable fuels to the forefront in this debate. Gasoline is $2.20, $2.30. Consumers can buy E-85 ethanol fuel for $1.65 a gallon. So what we have been doing in the past is working. This bill addresses the supply end, and it also addresses the demand end. We have to have a national energy policy. We can no longer allow the country to not have a plan.

I am excited about an opportunity to pass this bill on the floor tomorrow, move it to conference, and get it to the President's desk. I want to commend the bipartisan majority that passed it out of the committee, and commend the chairman for his work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial of the Village of Beckemeyer.

On this date, 100 years ago, April 14, 1905, the Village of Beckemeyer officially filed their charter to no longer be known as Buxton, but to, from then on out, go by the name of Beckemeyer.

Buxton was a way station on the Ohio and Mississippi railroad, and was situated four miles west of the county seat of Carlyle. It was laid out in lots by Zophar Case in 1866, and named Buxton in honor of Harvey P. Buxton, an attorney for the railroad, who lived in Carlyle.

On February 24th, 1905, voters rushed to the polls in a momentous vote that carried an overwhelming majority of 53 to 12, laying the official groundwork for the renaming. Many people at the time were worried that the vote would not hold because the vote was apparently held on an official holiday. That was a question for the lawyers to decide.

The vote held steady and the village was organized on this day 100 years ago by Mr. August Beckemeyer and many other prominent citizens of that place. Now and into the future, it will be known as the Village of Beckemeyer.

Here's to the Village of Beckemeyer and all who reside there.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Army Sgt. Kenneth L. Ridgley who was recently killed in action fighting for freedom in Mosul, Iraq.

Ridgley was a 30-year-old who grew up in Pearl, Mississippi. He graduated from East Richland High School in Olney, Illinois. He then went on to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He served as an Army sergeant assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was recently killed in action as a result of a combat related injury.

Sergeant Ridgley is survived by his wife, Charity Ridgley, of Steilacoom, Washington; a son, Dillon Ridgley; his father and mother, Clarence and Betty Richards, of Olney; a brother and his wife, Stan and Pam Richards, of Alhambra; and three sisters, Sonja Terry and her husband, Randy, of Willingford, Connecticut, Sher Richards and her husband, Steve Millett, of Columbus, Ohio, and Peggy Flauta and her husband, Rey, of Truckee, California I am proud of the service this young man gave to our country and the service his fellow troops perform everyday. Not enough can be said about Sergeamt Ridgley. It is troops like him that are risking their lives day in and day out to ensure our freedom here at home and to others throughout the rest of the world. I salute him and my best wishes go out to his family and all the troops fighting to ensure freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Army Specialist Jacob Palmatier who was recently killed in action fighting for freedom in Iraq.

Palmatier was a 29-year-old from Springfield, Illinois who served as an Army Specialist assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Benning, GA. Palmatier went to Springfield's Lutheran High School and later entered Illinois College, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English. He excelled in languages, learning to speak fluent Japanese as well as some Norwegian, Russian and French. He had been in Iraq for less than a month when he was killed outside of Baghdad by a roadside bomb.

Palmatier is survived by his wife Bridget of Rochester whom he married in 2003 and his parents David and Margaret Palmatier of Springfield. I am proud of the service this young man gave to our country and the service his fellow troops perform every day. Not enough can be said about Army Spc Palmatier. It is troops like him that are risking their lives day in and day out to ensure our freedom here at home and to others throughout the rest of the world. I salute him and my best wishes go out to his family and all the troops fighting to ensure freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I am a parent of a 5-year-old and I am a prude; so I guess I meet the gentleman from California's (Mr. Waxman) definition.

Willfully and intentionally, the use of public airwaves for indecent material or conduct, that is what we are addressing today. And I want to congratulate the committee, the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Barton); the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), ranking member; the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), ranking member; and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), for their good work. It is not easy, because we hear the debate, but it is very important.

The outcry of the Nation has been finally heard. This was the number one issue that my office was contacted on in the whole last Congress. Nothing raised the ire of the people in my district more than the indecent use of the public airwaves, and finally we are doing something about it.

But I do not want to lull the public into a false sense of security, because this is addressing only one venue, the public airwaves, the people of the broadcast communities free over-the-air TV, which is now a minority of the use of how people receive TV shows in their home. By far most people receive it through cable, direct satellite, we

are going to have cellular, it is over broadband. And do my colleagues know what this does to those venues? Nothing. Maybe it will exclude those broadcasters in their ability, but these other venues are still going to be held free, and I think that creates an unfair playing field, and I am concerned.

The local broadcasters in most of our districts do a fair and upright job. They understand the problem that the big broadcasters have imposed upon them. They are willing to accept these stringent standards and tighten their belts for the good of the public. But they are not going to be able to compete with billions of channels, with other types of broadcasters who are going to get away scot-free.

So I applaud the bill. I am excited about it. I lament the fact that it does not go far enough.

Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Page Board, it gives me great pleasure and pride to rise to congratulate our own House Page School for ranking first in the Nation among small-size schools in Advanced Placement U.S. History, based upon 2004 AP test scores.

The school of 72 students, all enrolled in a junior-year high school curriculum, had the highest percentage in its category of its total student population scoring three or higher out of a total five on the AP U.S. History examination, as reported in the College Board's 2005 Advanced Placement Report to the Nation.

This is a notable achievement for our Page Program. Because of the high demands of the Pages' work schedule, traditional AP courses are not offered at the school and Pages must therefore prepare for the AP exam on their own, assisted by an enhanced honors program with an emphasis on AP exam preparation. We should be justifiably proud of our House Pages who rise to attend classes at 6:45 a.m., after which they report to the House floor for a day's work helping the House of Representatives. For most all of them, this experience is their first long excursion away from home, family, and friends. That they have brought distinction to themselves and to their school is testament to their scholarly abilities, hard work, and dedication of their teachers.

I would like, Mr. Speaker, to recognize the Page School principal, Linda Miranda, our Government/U.S. History instructor, Ron Weitzel, the other school faculty, the Page Residence Hall staff, and the Chief Pages for creating and fostering a total learning environment that helped to make this achievement possible. A 200-year program, the Page Program is a venerable congressional institution that has grown and matured with the Congress. This achievement confirms that the Page Program is helping the young people who pass through it to meet the challenges of life ahead. We remain committed in the Program to not only provide a unique work experience, but continue the pursuit of academic excellence.

Mr. Speaker, 3 weeks ago, I was able to go to Amman, Jordan, with the Iraqi Women's Caucus to meet with candidates for the upcoming election. I have got a few e-mails from some of them since the election that I would like to share.

One wrote:

``My finger is still the color of ink and I'm not afraid. It is a shame to be afraid while others who couldn't walk on their legs, but they came to the ballot stations and voted and dipped their fingers in ink. I am very proud of my people. Yes, they suffered a lot and they wanted to end this suffering. The first step was their voting without fear.''

Another one said:

``We heard an explosion that was made by a suicide bomber, but I was very surprised and so proud when I saw other people who didn't yet vote go, `Ha ha ha. It is okay. The terrorists cannot prevent us from voting and we will vote after half an hour from this explosion.'''

Another one wrote saying:

``It is a great honor for us as candidates to represent this people which proved they were true living nation in spite of mass graves which was made by the last regime and terrorists. The Iraqis which I have the honor to be one of them were braver than their leaders.''

Finally, the last e-mail I received:

``It was a big day.''

To my friends, the candidates in the Iraq election, I am very proud of you. I am very proud of the Iraqi people. I, too, agree it was a very big day, not just for Iraq but for the world.

Mr. Speaker, the end of this week marks the completion of our first semester for the Page academic year and thus several of our House Pages will be leaving us. At the completion of my remarks, I am submitting a list of names of those pages that will be departing for home in the next few days.

Not only do I want to note the participation and service of these fine young people, but as the Chairman of the House Page Board, I want to thank them for their service and commitment to this Institution. They have served with distinction and should be commended for their contributions. They and their fellow classmates have served during a time of great historic events that have included the final weeks of session of the 108th Congress, Presidential and Congressional elections, the Opening of the 109th Congress, the meeting of the Electoral College and last week's Inauguration of President Bush. As well, this class have distinguished themselves through their public service and their fund raising for the Red Cross to help the victims of the recent Tsunami.

We are proud of you and wish you only the best in your future endeavors. Thank you.

2004 Fall Semester Pages

Erin Leigh Baker--NE; James L. Barnes, III--TN; Scott M.

Bengtson--MI; Jordan H. Blumenthal--FL; Mark Bracey-Sherman--

IL; Stephanie Ching--CA; Kate E. Collins--CA; Jonathan M.

Cowgil--MN; David A. Dazlich--CO; Christopher G. Doyle--NY;

David G. Duncan--GA; Maxwell W. Epstein--MD; Scott D.

Friedman--NY; Jenna C. Gaughan--MO; Ashley E. Gunn--MS; Sarah

M. Harley--SC; Kathryn A. Helin--NH; Laura J. Johnson--WI;

Jasma Phyllis Jones--MO; Dawn Marie Kling--PA; Johnathan D.

Kristan--WI.

Thomas Lane--TX; Madeleine Claire Parish--OK; Eugene Hee

Park--CA; Kimberly A. Peters--FL; Malorie Porter--OH; Melissa

L. Price--AL; Maxwell Jason Rabkin--NJ; Edwin A. Robinson,

Jr.--NY; Nicole Schuerch--PA; Elizabeth Shockey--OH;

Alexandra Sunseri--LA; Miles Edward Taylor--IN; Monique

Teixeira--CA; Maximilian D. C. Thompson--NY; Lynsey Nichole

Thornton--VA; Cassi Turner--TX; Wilfredo Antonio Velasco

Vargas--CA; Corey Walker--MD; Ashlee N. Wilkins--VA; Jaron A.

Zanerhaft--OK.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of 2LT Ryan Leduc who was recently killed in Rutbah, Iraq.

2LT Leduc was a 28 year old native of Pana, Illinois. He was killed on September 22nd in a non-combat related vehicle accident. Leduc was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.

2LT Leduc was a 1994 graduate of Pana High School, in Pana Illinois. Not enough can be said about the great sacrifice this man made for his country, he made the ultimate sacrifice. He is survived by his fiance, Megan McCabe; his mother, Nola Hector of Pana: and his father, David Leduc of Pana. My thoughts and prayers go out to his families and loved ones.

2LT Leduc gave his life in an effort to improve the lives of others. This sacrifice should never be forgotten. Leduc, along with so many other brave men and women, put their lives on the line day in and day out. My sincere thanks goes out to them all. God bless them, and may God continue to bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the South Central Middle School Falcon Baseball Team of Farina, Illinois.

The Falcons had an outstanding season this year, with a 16-6 record. They placed 1st in Conference and Regional tournaments and took 2nd place at the State Tournament.

The members of the Falcons are: Justin Armstrong, Seth Arnold, Kyle Bischoff, Tanner Bushue, Shane Donoho, Jacob Erwin, Ian King, Ryan Gesell, Tyler Gillet, Isaac Grapperhaus, Brock Johnson, Luke Kulesza, Kyle Monical, Travis Potter, Nathan Powless, Aaron Robb, Treavor Robbins, and Dylan Sill. The team is coached under the leadership of Stephen Phillips and Derick Vincent.

This exceptional group of seventh and eighth graders has shown great sportsmanship, teamwork, and stamina throughout their season. They have made their coaches, fans, and parents very proud.

Congratulations, Falcons, on a terrific year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Edwardsville Girls' Golf Team. The Tigers recently won their first state championship in golf, finishing their season with a perfect record. This outstanding southern Illinois sports team is the first girls' golf team south of the state capitol to capture a state title.

The Tigers' hard work and dedication to the sport this season has allowed them to capture this title. The Tigers performed twenty-three strokes better than all other teams in competition for the state title.

My congratulations go to the Edwardsville Tigers Girls' Golf Team and retiring Coach Gary Bair on an outstanding season!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Lance Corporal Aaron Clayton Pickering, who was recently killed during combat operations in the Al Anbar Province.

Lance Cpl. Pickering was a 20 year old native of Marion, Illinois. He died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Lance Cpl. Pickering was a 2003 graduate of Harrisburg High School, in Harrisburg, Illinois. He also lived several years in Marion Illinois. Not enough can be said about the great sacrifice this man made for his country, he made the ultimate sacrifice. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Carl and Teresa Pickering and his mother and stepfather, Sam and Lisa Short. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.

Lance Cpl. Pickering gave his life in an effort to improve the lives of others. This sacrifice should never be forgotten. Pickering, along with so many other brave men and women, put their lives on the line day in and day out. My sincere thanks goes out to them all. God bless them, and may God continue to bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) for arranging this. He does a lot of work for us throughout the State on transportation issues, but the gentleman's job is about to get a little harder with the departure of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) as the senior ranking member on a subcommittee and one whom we relied upon a lot in Illinois for advice and counsel and to help us fight the fights.

I can speak for the Speaker to thank Bill for his help on those major infrastructure projects in Illinois. To have such a strong ally on the Committee on Transportation and the Infrastructure on the other side of the aisle was critical to us in being able to have the success that we have.

As many people know, we speak from microphones arranged by Democrats on that side and Republicans on this side. Many times, as chairman of the Page Board, I go on the Democrat side as I am talking to the pages and addressing them. But I did not think anything could get the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) over on the Democratic side, and that is certainly a first, but Bill Lipinski did. So if there is ever a credit to Bill Lipinski, I think I just saw it tonight.

A lot of stuff has been said about Bill's election to Congress in 1983, serving as a City of Chicago alderman for 8 years and currently the longest-serving Democrat member of the Illinois delegation and has been a leader for Chicago but also for a branch of the Democratic Party, a conservative branch on ideologies and values that I have come to appreciate.

During Bill's 21 years in Congress, he worked tirelessly to rebuild the Nation's transportation infrastructure.

He has fought hard to maintain Illinois' status as a transportation hub. He has worked across party lines, an old Illinois tradition, to pass legislation that would be beneficial for the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. He was willing to go against his party leaders on issues that were important to him, and when push came to shove, Members always knew they could count on Bill to come through for Illinois.

His way of leadership is a dying breed, and he will be sorely missed by this body. It has been an honor to serve with him. In fact, one of the great benefits of coming to Washington is to meet the great leaders of our time and actually call them colleagues and friends and try to work to solve issues that are important to this Nation. I thank him for the friendship he has shown. He has teased and harassed me a lot, but I take that in the spirit given.

I want to take this time to thank Bill and his wife Rose Marie for their years of service to this Congress and to the State of Illinois. What I like most about Bill, and it was mentioned earlier, was his allegiance to support any baseball team that was playing the Cubs, even rooting for my St. Louis Cardinals at times. That is a true believer. He is a true White Sox fan. Too bad, I understand, that his son will not be carrying on that same tradition when he succeeds his father in the Third Congressional District.

The people of Chicago's south side should be proud to have had a man like Bill serving as their representative here in Congress, and we in Congress were proud to have him here. Thank you, Bill.