Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my heartiest congratulations to Mr. Craig Swallow, of the Green Valley High School. Mr. Swallow has been selected as a Semifinalist of the National Council of Economic Education (NCEE)/Nasdaq National Teaching Awards. This achievement recognizes high school teachers for their originality, creativity, and effectiveness in furthering students' awareness of financial markets, the process of capital formation, principles of investment, personal finance, entrepreneurship, and the operation of market economies.

This recognition, and Mr. Swallow's place among the twenty finest high school educators in this field, gives credit not only to this fine teacher's outstanding capabilities, but also his dedication, in equipping his students for success in a highly-competitive, economically-complex professional environment. This achievement demonstrates Green Valley High School's commitment to provide our students with the comprehensive and rigorous curricula that will ensure the achievement of their future goals.

Mr. Swallow's teaching abilities are an example to all parents, teachers, and students. By gaining this prestigious professional accolade, Mr. Swallow becomes an example of the potential towards which all teachers can strive as they impart the most beneficial forms of knowledge to our children. I am proud to represent teachers like Mr. Swallow, whose dedication and knowledge, guarantee the future success of Green Valley High School, Henderson, Clark County, and all of Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Boulder City Fire Department for obtaining a Class 2 Insurance Service Offices, ISO, rating. The ISO Class 2 rating is obtained by less than one percent of the fire departments in the country and is made possible by the dedication and skill of Boulder City Fire Chief Dean Molburg and the firemen of Boulder City.

As a former mayor of Boulder City, and its current Congressman, I am proud that Boulder City has been recognized for its excellent fire coverage. The courage and commitment to public service shown every day by Boulder City firefighters is an example for all of us. They, and all Nevada first responders, have my thanks and full support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Boulder City Fire Department for obtaining a Class 2 Insurance Service Offices (ISO) rating. The ISO Class 2 rating is obtained by less than one percent of the fire departments in the county and is made possible by the dedication and skill of Boulder City Fire Chief Dean Molburg and the firemen of Boulder City.

As a former Mayor of Boulder City, and its current Congressman, I am proud that Boulder City has been recognized for its excellent fire coverage. The courage and commitment to public service shown every day by Boulder City firefighters is an example for all of us. They, and all Nevada first responders, have my thanks and full support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the importance of renewable energy in America. America's energy consumption is at an all time high and rising. In order to address the imbalance between consumption and domestic production, one part of the solution is to continue the advances in research and development of renewable energy resources.

In my home state of Nevada, the sun shines more than 300 days out of the year. We are also blessed with an abundant amount of other renewable energy sources such as geothermal, wind and biomass. Nevada is a perfect laboratory for renewable energy research.

We also can boast that we have one of the top research centers in the country for renewable energy. Since the 1970's, The Desert Research Institute or DRI has been actively researching ways to put renewable resources to better use, especially for commercial use. In the past, DRI has conducted solar energy research by developing a facility where it was completely cooled and heated by solar energy.

At the present time, DRI scientists and engineers are developing a solar and wind powered system that produces hydrogen for a fuel cell with excess renewable energy so that continuous power can be provided for off-grid sites. These fuel cells also potentially would power hydrogen fuel cell cars. This technology is a cornerstone in President Bush's national energy plan.

Because the research being conducted in Nevada, it will not only have an impact in my home state, but will also impact all Americans in the long term from having a more secure and environmentally sustainable mix of energy sources.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the workers at the Ocean Spray Nevada plant for completing 1 million bottling hours without a single accident. This singular feat has been accomplished through the dedication and skill of every man and woman in the plant. One million hours equals 25,000 40-hour work weeks, and is a nearly impossible feat to accomplish. Every manufacturing plant in the United States and overseas can learn from the example provided by Plant Manager Paul Altmier and his entire team.

The Ocean Spray plant, located in Henderson, NV, was completed 9 years ago and employs roughly 200 people. This plant provides the western United States with cranberry juice and other beverages. I am honored to represent the workers at the plant on this occasion and look forward to their continued accomplishments in safety and excellence.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 113) recognizing the social problem of child abuse and neglect, and supporting efforts to enhance public awareness of the problem, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 113.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 113 offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).

House Resolution 113 recognizes the social problem of child abuse and neglect and supports efforts to enhance public awareness of child maltreatment. The resolution is timely and appropriate, as next week begins National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Every year, approximately 3 million reports of possible child abuse and neglect are made to child protective services. According to the most recent report, it is estimated that 63 percent of

victims suffered neglect, 19 percent were physically abused, and 10 percent were sexually abused in the year of 2000. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, 1,200 children died in that same year due to child maltreatment.

Child abuse and neglect have tragic social repercussions. Human and economic costs related to crime and delinquency, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and welfare dependency affect all citizens; and all citizens should seek to break this cycle and give victimized children hope for a brighter future.

This resolution also commends Child Help USA for its efforts on behalf of abused and neglected children throughout the United States. Child Help USA is one of the Nation's oldest and largest nonprofit organizations dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

Mr. Speaker, their mission is to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children.

Child Help USA has also created a National Day of Hope to be observed on April 2, 2003, to focus public awareness on child maltreatment.

National Day of Hope is a time for all Americans to remember the young victims of abuse and neglect by keeping them in their thoughts and prayers and encouraging community involvement to ensure that all appropriate resources are available to assist the abused and neglected children.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution is important and timely in that it draws attention to the need for more public awareness of the problem of child abuse and neglect and supports the goals and ideals of the National Day of Hope.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) for bringing this resolution forward and urge my colleagues to vote in support of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth), the distinguished author of this legislation.

(Mr. HAYWORTH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I applaud all the speakers this morning. We have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the HEALTH Act of 2003. This bill will be the first step towards curing the escalating medical liability costs.

The runaway litigation has forced a dozen States into near cardiac arrest, including my home State of Nevada. In Nevada medical liability costs have skyrocketed, forcing doctors to leave in droves. The trauma center in our top hospital had to shut its doors because there were not enough doctors to treat the patients. Just about every day you pick up the paper and you turn on the TV and there is another story about a pregnant woman or an emergency patient going into other States to have their babies delivered or emergency care treated. It is just one example.

In Las Vegas, Mr. Speaker, obstetrician Dr. Shelby Wilbourn packed up a 12-year practice and moved to Maine, where insurance rates are more affordable and doctors appear less likely to be sued.

Mr. Speaker, in order to remedy this, we must pass this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sam McGrandy and Chris Stemmer, Boulder City High School's Athletes of the Month. Sam and Chris won this award based on their outstanding academic, leadership, and athletic skills.

Sam McGrandy has played every position on the girls basketball team and served as team captain last year. She has also played for the Boulder City High volleyball team, and maintains a 3.7 average in school.

Chris Stemmer has played boys basketball for Boulder City for the last three years, and was selected to the All-Division Team last year. Chris has also competed in football and track for Boulder City High.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent each of these young athletes, and look forward to having the opportunity to honor these students on their future achievements.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to ask my distinguished colleague from California to engage in a colloquy.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman for bringing this important bill to the floor. I represent a State that has grown more than 75 percent since the 1990 census. As with many States, after the 9-11 catastrophe, Nevada saw an increase in the need for temporary assistance for needy families. Without the existing supplemental TANF program, Nevada and other growing States would not be able to meet their commitments.

I want to thank the gentleman for reauthorizing the supplemental grants and the contingency funds, and I would ask the chairman for his favorable consideration in the future for measures to prevent State population growth from outstripping available resources for needy families.

Mr. Speaker, spaceship Shuttle Pilot Commander William McCool, 41, a beloved father, husband, son and brother was a man who most of the world could only aspire and dream to become. Commander McCool spent his life in the service of his country and in the service of humanity. He dedicated his life to not only his family but to his dream of one day becoming an astronaut. McCool was an experienced Navy pilot with more then 2,800 hours in flight. He graduated second in his 1983 class at the Naval Academy, went on to test pilot school and became an astronaut in 1996. His excitement for space travel was solidified when on his first and last mission he exclaimed, ``there is so much more than what I ever expected, it's beyond imagination, until you actually get up and see it and experience it and feel it.''

The tragic loss of the Columbia Space Shuttle crew and their sacrifices will never be forgotten, not by William McCool's family, the families of the other crew members, and not by his countrymen. They were as gracious, courteous and giving in the last weeks of their lives as they were in all the other weeks.

William McCool will forever be remembered for his dedication and contributions to science. His adventurous and brave personality is what made this man into an American hero. The legacy of Commander McCool will vicariously live through the next generation of space explorers, for his bravery in the face of death will surely inspire others to pick up where he left off.

We thank you William McCool for your dedication and love of country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.