Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as Congress debates issues of vital importance to our Nation's education and defense, I would like to take a few minutes to say thank you to a well respected individual in the 4th District of Tennessee.

After spending over thirty plus years on the bench, as a General Sessions Part I Judge, Judge Jimmy Matthews decided to retire due to deteriorating health. Judge Matthews, a life-long resident of Maury County, Tennessee, will be sorely missed for his wisdom, courage, and determination to effectively serve the law and all it protects.

Matthews was Maury County's first lay judge and will be its last (a lay judge does not

hold a law degree). State law now requires all new judges to hold law degrees. To hold the position of judge without a law degree, while not unheard of is admirable and further demonstrates Matthews understanding and knowledge of the law.

It has been estimated that Judge Matthews along with his counterpart have overseen as many as 20,000 cases a year. His court has the responsibility of clearing these cases in a timely and efficient manner. Not an easy task, but Judge Matthew seemed to do it time and again.

Maury County and the American judicial system will never fail to notice the work of Judge Matthews. May God Bless Judge Matthews on his new journey.

I rise to offer a personal explanation. On Thursday, July 15, I was unavoidably absent for Rollcall No. 384, to table the appeal of the Ruling of the Chair.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``no''.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to extend my remarks on the record. The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) certainly is correct. This does not control smoking. I rise in opposition to this amendment.

I thank the Chairman and rise in strong opposition to this amendment that has the potential to devastate the rural tobacco farmers in Tennessee's Fourth Congressional District, which I have the privilege to represent.

Our great country got its first start, and in fact, market edge in the global economy thanks to tobacco growers. Tobacco was America's first true international cash crop, and helped establish America as the best agriculture country in the world at a time when the early settlers were struggling for survival. Unfortunately, in the last five years, we have seen quota cut by more than 50 percent, which has drastically decreased tobacco income and devastated our small farmers and growing communities. It is absolutely wrong that our tobacco farmers are being unfairly handicapped by the last remaining depression-era quota system and the availability of cheap farm labor in countries like Brazil and Turkey. Given this reality, it made perfect sense to vote on a Tobacco Buyout Provision in a bill that dealt directly with international business and markets.

I am also confused by the arguments that this will not help small farmers. The facts show otherwise. The average buyout payment, averaged over all 436,719 eligible individuals, is less than $4,400 per year. The average quota owner now only owns about 2,000 pounds of quota. The average acreage among all U.S. tobacco farms is only 7.5 acres. In my State of Tennessee the average tobacco farm is 4.4 acres. I wish it was more. I wish my small, rural farmers had more acreage, and more quota, and could still survive growing what was once the most valuable crop in the country, but because of the current system they can't.

Finally, the tobacco buyout is about creating new economic opportunities for communities that have been devastated by the quota system. 39,500 farming jobs have been lost due to changes in the tobacco sector. This buyout provision would bring $2.7 billion per year in additional economic activity to the six major tobacco states, and would create more than 26,000 new jobs. With the $65 million in total buyout payments for my constituents, we would see a net change in economic activity in my district roughly equal to $85 million. This is why I supported the tobacco buyout, and this is why I must strongly oppose this amendment.

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

I would like to encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 4218, the High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act of 2004, which the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) and I have introduced. I also want to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) for her work in developing this legislation.

H.R. 4218 amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991, which established a major Federal research and development program in computing and networking that now involves seven agencies and is funded at about $2 billion per year. This bill seeks to reverse a gradual weakening of the planning mechanisms for the research and development program established by the 1991 act.

High-performance computing and communications technology is key to the Nation's economic competitiveness and security, and it is important to prioritize and effectively coordinate activities among the performing agencies. This bill requires formal biennial reviews of the interagency program by the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee in order to provide outside advice for sharpening program priorities and improving program implementation.

H.R. 4218 also attempts to focus more effort by the interagency program on high-end computing. The key requirement is for the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop and maintain a roadmap for developing and deploying high-end systems necessary to ensure that the U.S. research community has sustained access to the most capable computing systems. In addition, NSF is explicitly required to provide for access by researchers to such computing systems. These requirements are designed to ensure the research community has access to the

most powerful computing systems in the world.

Mr. Speaker, the interagency research program launched in 1991, as I have said, has largely been a great success. It has helped provide the computing and networking infrastructure required to support leading- edge research and to drive technology information forward for the benefit of all of us and society at large.

H.R. 4218 will serve to strengthen the research program and deserves swift, favorable passage. Again, I ask my colleagues for their support of this bill.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to applaud the efforts of the chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert); the subcommittee chairman, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert); certainly the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the ranking member on the Committee on Science, for their work and effort in being sure this legislation came to the committee and then was presented today.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) and I are pleased to bring H.R. 4516, the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004, for consideration in the House today.

H.R. 4516 authorizes the Department of Energy to advance high-end computing, and the House Committee on Science has held several hearings that have emphasized its importance to achieve progress in many fields of science and engineering.

The gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) and I also introduced H.R. 4218 that we just considered to strengthen existing interagency planning and budgeting mechanisms for high-end computing.

In response to the needs for greater resource and focus, we have introduced this bill, H.R. 4516. This legislation focuses on activities at the Department of Energy, which has been a major player in the development of supercomputing since its earliest days.

Tennessee's Oak Ridge National Lab will lead a partnership supported by DOE to build the world's most powerful supercomputer by 2007. I am thrilled that the Center for Computational Science at Oak Ridge will soon be the new home of the word's largest and fastest computer.

H.R. 4516 authorizes research and development activities needed to develop future supercomputing systems and, equally important, provides for the sustained development and deployment of the most capable computing system for use by U.S. researchers for academia, industry, and Federal labs.

These computing systems will truly be national resources that will address important problems related to national security, economic competitiveness, health care, and environmental protection.

H.R. 4516 responds to an identified national need for Federal support of supercomputing. I commend this bill to my colleagues and ask for their support.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) and the Committee on Science for their work on developing and bringing this bill to the floor for the consideration of the members of the subcommittees of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am currently a cosponsor of H.R. 3800 and H.R. 4107. I ask unanimous consent to be removed as a cosponsor of these bills.

Mr. Speaker, the death of President Reagan, given his publicly known battle with Alzheimer's, did not come as a surprise to many. Still, those of us in the United States and around the world are greatly saddened by his departure and by our loss.

He was an indelible figure, known not only in American history, but known throughout world history. The man that helped bring about the end of the Cold War will always be praised for his eternal optimism, love of country, principle stance on issues, the eloquence in which he communicated with the Nation, and his abundant faith.

It is my firm belief that President Reagan saw the best in everyone. As with most Americans, Reagan understood America's greatness lies within its people. It is the character of the American people that has guided us through all the obstacles we have had to overcome. And we recently celebrated the American spirit during the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

President Reagan was perceived as a man guided by principles. No matter what side of the aisle we were on, we always knew where he stood. His legacy will be the challenge that he opened to bring about peace between two superpowers. His work can be best summed up by the English author Richard Adams: ``The thinker dies, but his thoughts are beyond the reach of destruction. Men are mortal, but ideas are immortal.''

The man of abundant faith in country, family, and God, Reagan embodied the American spirit. Even in knowing his time on Earth was nearing, he wrote: ``When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.''

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Reagan and their children at this difficult time. May God bless them, and may God bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, world renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, ``Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.'' These well articulated words embodies the core meaning of what Memorial Day symbolizes. If it was not for those individuals who banded together, many of us would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.

Citizens of Tennessee, the Volunteer State, have a long, storied history of military service

to our country. Many of its young have sacrificed themselves in the name of liberty, freedom, and patriotism. On courthouses and city halls across Tennessee, stone or bronze monuments list the names of the men and women who gave their life for this country. It is fitting that tribute be perpetually acknowledged to their ultimate sacrifice.

We must never lose touch with our traditions and history. Memorial Day is more than a three-day holiday weekend. It's about reconnecting with our past and being thankful for the freedom we all have today. We all must share in the loss of those brave patriots who have come and gone.

Mr. Speaker, I am going to read a poem written in honor of the wives of soldiers, specifically for Betty Calabrese whose husband, Master Sergeant Robert Calabrese, just returned from a tour in Iraq. The poem was written by Lt. Commander Don Flanagan, U.S. Navy, Retired.

One Soldier's Wife

If she could take the time today to sit and stare

She would find her emotions ranging from hope to despair So

long ago her life was filled with daily chores

With joys and sorrows in and out like revolving doors.

In the early years of serving his country she was so proud

And anyone can tell you she certainly said so out loud

As a member of the National Guard he was called up each year

When he went to Vietnam and Kosovo she was filled with

fear.

Fast forward to that terrible day in September 2001

She knew the dangers to him would increase one by one. The

talk of terrorists became much more intense

Until President Bush said that we would help the people of

Iraq in their defense.

Too soon the day came for him to go

And as a soldier's wife she knew the dangers would grow. The

military promise of a limited tour did not come true.

Time passed with no firm planning to do.

In mortal combat he has comrades to stand by his side But who

really there for his worried and burdened bride?

Although family and friends say that they understand

They do not know unless a spouse had to fight for this

land.

What does the war mean to you and me?

Only a distraction or an interruption of a program on TV.

Yet to her it is crying, despair, not knowing of a dead

soldier and who it might be. In spite of all she

rallied her church members to pray for all to return

safely.

Is there anything we can say or do but Just realize how

simple the challenges we go through. Let us now allow

her an extra fault or two

And most of all pray God to help her in all she must face and

do.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 154, on agreeing to H. Res. 622--Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, I was present on the House floor but failed to vote. Had I voted, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I compliment my colleague from Tennessee for the remarks he has just made. Having served in the Tennessee State legislature in both the House and the Senate, one of the issues that was debated and discussed so often in both of those chambers, in both the House and Senate in Tennessee, is how can we bring tax fairness from the Federal level to those of us who live in States that only fund education through a sales-tax-based revenue stream. Our Speaker of the Senate was so fond of saying, ``Uncle Sam taxes taxes.'' In fact, that is exactly what this Congress and what this Federal tax structure does to States who choose not to have an income tax. We tax taxes. That is certainly not what we intend, but that is the fact. We allow States who impose an income tax, either local or on the State level, on individuals who live in those States a deduction for the tax that they pay in State taxes to be deducted from the Federal income tax, but we do not allow those of us who live in States such as Tennessee who choose to manage their governments better, perhaps, than most by not imposing a tax on income.

In this Nation, we tax assets, a person's home. We tax purchases of food and clothing in the State that I live in and nonprescription drugs. Other States tax income. We have chosen not to do that. As a result of the tax bill that passed in 1986, you are imposing a tax on tax for those of us who choose to manage our States better, perhaps, than other States. I ask my colleagues to vote against the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Yes, in its present form, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, do we have opposition on the point of order? On the point of order, may I continue with my motion to recommit?

Mr. Speaker, I would ask the gentleman to reconsider his point of order on my offering of this amendment. My amendment increases the funds in the bill to the Senate-passed level of $318 billion, and I believe that the House should be allowed to vote on this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) to offer this motion to recommit.

The amendment increases highway and transit investment by $37.8 billion, a level of funding equal to the Senate/House-passed TEA 21 reauthorization bill, includes the Senate-passed Highway Trust Fund financing mechanisms, which includes no tax increases, and fully offsets these investments by cracking down on abusive corporate tax shelters, such as those enjoyed by Enron, and prevents American corporations from avoiding paying U.S. taxes by moving to a foreign country, and by extending customs user fees.

The amendment is paid for by drawing down from the highway trust fund and eliminating subsidies such as ethanol. We should continue to promote the use of ethanol, but we should keep the highway trust fund for truly highway-related activities.

A recent national survey found that transportation construction contractors hire employees within 3 weeks of obtaining a contract. Employees begin receiving paychecks within 2 weeks of hiring. In addition, this infrastructure investment will increase business productivity by reducing the costs of producing goods in virtually every industrial sector of our economy, which results in increased demand for labor, capital and raw materials and generally leads to lower product prices and increased sales.

Mr. Speaker, this investment will help create jobs for almost 3 million Americans who have lost their jobs in the last 3 years and will specifically help the more than 1 million unemployed construction workers. The number of unemployed private sector construction workers in 2003 averaged 810,000. The unemployment rate for these workers averaged 9.3 percent. We can invest in a future that our children and grandchildren will benefit from rather than continue to create debt for the future for our children.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Point of Order

No.

Mr. Speaker, I concede the point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

No, there are other changes and they have been cleared by the Parliamentarian.

One of the differences in this bill is that it changes the part where we would report back promptly changes in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a State by State chart of the total highway/transit investment increases and new jobs that would be created under this new motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, as a graduate from my hometown school, I traveled on an interstate called Interstate 40. It was about one-third finished. My grandchildren travel that today. With this bill, with this increase with this motion to recommit and the suggestion of increasing it to $318 billion, all of our children and grandchildren to come will have an infrastructure that will be the seed that is needed for economic growth and investment for the future.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, as the current Member of Congress representing Jack Daniel's and its employees, it is my honor to pay tribute to this Tennessee treasure.

Since 1863, in the spirit of George Washington, the father of the American distillery industry, the Jack Daniel's distillery, has produced the most popular Tennessee whiskey. Jack Daniel's has produced and responsibly brought a part of Tennessee heritage to millions of adult consumers in 135 countries around the world. Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey is the United States' number one exported distilled spirit.

Jack Daniel's, located in Moore County in the 4th Congressional District of Tennessee, has a long tradition of bringing friends and neighbors together. Furthermore, it has been a major source for employment and tourism revenue in Moore County and Lynchburg, Tennessee.

I would like to express the U.S. House of Representatives' heartfelt congratulations on the 100th anniversary of Jack Daniel's 1904 World's Fair Gold Medal.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to make a few presentations about TEA LU. Living in a rural area, it is obvious to me that as we see infrastructure and dollars that are being spent on roads, it is the fertilizer that drives economic development for many of the areas, especially rural areas throughout this country. I applaud this House in their effort to pass legislation that will provide funding for infrastructure that will eventually provide economic development for this Nation.

There are many who look at this bill and say, look at the jobs that will be created as we start building infrastructure. Well, it is more than just the jobs that will be provided as we build the infrastructure. It will be the jobs 50 years from now that my grandchildren or my unborn great grandchildren will have an opportunity for a job as well. Because, as I have observed, the interstate systems in Tennessee and throughout this Nation, as we build a system that provides transportation from coast to coast and border to border, we have seen economic development unsurpassed by any other country as a result of those dollars spent.

Now, as we look at this particular bill, certainly $275 billion sounds like a lot of money for 6 years. Unfortunately, I believe, and I think most of the folks that I represent believe, that that is too short, that it does not go fair enough. As a result of that, I, along with three other Members of the House, introduced an amendment that would enhance the dollars to at least the amount that the Senate approved, being $318 billion.

Some folks say, well, we can spend the money some other place. But there are no sections of our economy that produces the jobs at the same rate for the same dollars spent as infrastructure and development on our road systems and infrastructure of this country. As a result of that, I think that enhancing the dollars, increasing the amount, is a wise thing for those of us in Congress to do.

Because, Mr. Speaker, as we build infrastructure we provide the tools that will drive the economic engines of the future generations for now or decades from now. What we are doing, unfortunately, what we are doing today is not passing on an engine or the fertilizer for economic development; and, unfortunately, what my grandchildren will be receiving is huge debts, a $500 billion deficit in trade and a $500 billion deficit in our budget. At least this way, this Congress can do something for generations down the road, instead of taking away from them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Clarkrange High School Lady Buffaloes' for winning this year's Tennessee Class A basketball championship. This is the Lady Buffaloes seventh state title. In winning their seventh title they knocked off the defending state champions.

When people talk about this team you hear words like grit, determination, and cohesion. All three are part of the formula that makes a winner. Clarkrange residents can be proud of the accomplishments of the Lady Buffaloes, who last made it to the state championship in 1995.

The following are the members of the 2003-2004 state champion Lady Buffaloes: Coach Lamar Rogers, Jordan Ramsey, Miranda Cravens, Jaclyn Upchurch, Kari Jones, Michelle Snow, Amanda Beaty, Lindsay Parris, Diane Beaty, Kayla Crabtree, Ashley Jones, Jessica Green, Amy Miller, Brianna Pinson, and Nakeisha Cottle. As is the case in most team sports, cheerleaders are at the forefront of pumping passion and spirit into the crowd. Those assisting the Lady Buffaloes were: Coach Tinker LaRue, Heather Smith, Cassie Hoover, Nekedra Terry, Lauren Moody, Traci Ipock, Alicea Barnett, and Shelly Pack.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Lady Buffaloes and would like to express that the United States House of Representatives recognizes their accomplishment.