Jon C. Porter

Madam Speaker, I would like to compliment our chairman and ranking member and other Members of this body who have worked very hard to try to help families and working individuals across the country.

I would like to talk a little bit about the State of Nevada and some of the challenges that we are facing. State economists today say that they expect that next year our unemployment rate in Nevada should rise to about 8.6 percent and stay there through 2010, a striking example of why we need to pass this legislation. As a Congress, we have failed to pass a comprehensive energy bill, which has caused us serious challenges in Nevada. But let me talk about some of the specifics.

Individuals are not traveling to Nevada as they used to, although now is the time to travel. We have some of the best bargains in the world. But I can assure you that because of the cost of living, the cost of fuel, with the highest foreclosure rate in the country in my district alone, we are having some major impacts occur on our families. We need to find a way to help these families immediately, and I applaud Congress for its actions today, for the relief package for millions of Americans. This is one more step to help those working families.

As I mentioned, we are facing serious economic challenges in Nevada. We have had three bank failures to date, and I have heard from numerous families over and over again and their neighbors and friends as to the impact of the bank foreclosures.

We need to find additional action. This is it. Again, I applaud my colleagues here in Congress for having the foresight, and to the chairman, I appreciate it.

Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to rise today to honor the life of

my good friend, Byron LaRue Miller, by entering his name in the Congressional Record, the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress since 1873. Today, I pay tribute to Byron LaRue Miller for his outstanding contributions to the Boulder City, Nevada community.

Byron had a long and successful career in the federal service, mostly in the electric power industry, but also at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Byron first started his long and illustrious career at the FDIC and subsequently worked at the Bonneville Power Administration before serving in the United States Navy for three years during World War II as a Lieutenant JG.

After serving his country in a time of war, Byron went on to serve in the Bureau of Reclamation (BLM) in Denver, and later Boulder City. While with the BLM, Byron truly distinguished himself, earning the Department of the Interior's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award in 1966. Byron then went on to work with Nevada Power Company, after leaving the BLM, from 1973 to 1983. During his tenure with the Nevada Power Company, Byron was well respected in the field as an authority on electric power marketing, transmission and system interconnection.

In addition to his professional successes, Byron was a dedicated community servant. Among Byron's many philanthropic pursuits were the Boulder City Hospital and Boulder City library, where he sat on the boards, as well as Lend A Hand and Grace Community Church. Byron was also an avid and dedicated Rotarian, serving a number of offices, and being inducted into the Rotary's Hall of Fame after 50 years of service.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor my good friend, Byron LaRue Miller. His dedication to community and serving his country are admirable and should serve as an example to us all. He will be long remembered in the Boulder City community for his hospitality and compassion.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2638--The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jon C. Porter

Bill Number: H.R. 2638--The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Army, RDTE account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southwest Gas

Address of Requesting Entity: 4300 W. Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,400,000 to complete funding to continue the stringent 10-ton GEDAC field tests at four military installations. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the Army, RDTE account.