Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman for his time.

Some things have changed in this bill, but taxpayers will still be picking up the tab for Wall Street's party.

I was proud to stand together with a group of women from both sides of the aisle and ask for real reform, not a temporary fix. We still have no fundamental reform to Fannie and Freddie, nothing that resembles the amendments that I supported in 2005 and 2007 that would have avoided this debacle in the first place.

Instead of suspending mark-to-market, we are going to study the possibility of it. Instead of requiring Wall Street to purchase insurance on their mortgage-backed securities and work out of the problem, we are still bailing them out.

I am voting against this today because it is not the best bill, it is the quickest bill. Taxpayers for generations will pay for our haste, and there is no guarantee that they will ever see the benefits. We should not reward bad behavior. Wall Street won't have to learn its lesson, and we are not doing anything to keep them from running our economy into the ground again.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``no'' on this bill.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the strong opposition to the initial administration proposal has helped to force some very important changes such as the bipartisan oversight board, which is an online database that will allow greater oversight of the Secretary's actions, but this is still a bailout for Wall Street that will cost the average Colorado household thousands.

I simply cannot stomach transferring that kind of money from the middle class families to a bunch of Wall Street bankers whose avarice and greed put us in this situation in the first place. It's interesting that, when working families were being crushed by soaring energy prices this summer, Congress went on vacation. Yet, when Wall Street faced the consequences of its actions, we worked around the clock to help them. We should place the same priority on helping Main Street that we place on helping Wall Street.

Mr. Speaker, due to a traffic problem, I am a little bit late in getting into this Chamber to make comment on H.R. 3299, and I so much appreciate the opportunity.

That bill under consideration today provides for a boundary adjustment to the Roosevelt National Forest to correct an erroneous survey.

In May of 2006, a number of my constituents who live in the Crystal Lakes Subdivision in Larimer County, Colorado contacted my office after they received notice from the Forest Service that they were encroaching upon Federal property. You can imagine what a surprise this was to those folks. Many of those people who had purchased the land in the 1970s, improved it, built homes on it and had literally lived there for decades.

However, the Forest Service informed these homeowners that a survey that had been conducted in 2003 and in 2004 had found that the earlier survey that was conducted in 1975 was, indeed, inaccurate. This 1975 survey was privately commissioned and was used in the development of the Crystal Lakes Subdivision.

Thirty years after the property was originally developed, landowners have now been informed that the portions of the land they paid for and that they improved may actually be on Federal property. Even more, a number of these landowners were faced with the reality that their homes might be on Federal land.

The property owners bought this land and made the improvements all in good faith, and are now faced with an undue burden to deal with this mistake.

The only recourse for individuals whose homes are within the area of dispute is the Small Tracts Act. However, this requires homeowners to pay for this land a second time at current fair market value. Obviously, the land prices in this beautiful area have increased dramatically over the past three decades and this purchase would place an enormous financial burden on these homeowners. The uncertainty associated with this dispute has made it difficult for impacted property owners to sell their property. H.R. 3299 would remedy these problems by conveying without consideration the disputed areas to the impacted homeowners.

The 7 acres involved in this boundary dispute are a miniscule fraction of the 1.3 million acres of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest. Because this land has been cleared and it has been occupied, obviously, for a number of years, transferring it back to the Forest Service would not enhance the environment or the scenic attributes of the area. Additionally, H.R. 3299 would not in any way impact the integrity or affect the operation of the forest.

The landowners impacted by this boundary dispute need resolution and certainty. H.R. 3299 did that by allowing them to keep the land they purchased and improved.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Rahall and Congressman Young, as well as Chairman Grijalva and Mr. Bishop for moving this legislation through the Natural Resources Committee. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues of H.R. 3299.

Mr. Speaker, the Democrat no-energy bill before us today is an absolute travesty. The bill will permanently lock up the first 50 miles of coastline and keep the next 50 miles under lock and key until coastal States pass a law permitting production.

They don't have any incentive to do so, so it essentially locks up the first 100 miles of coastline where most of our resources are located. This bill does not share any royalty revenues with coastal States, giving them absolutely no incentive to approve production off their coast.

Under current policy, producing States receive royalties from offshore production. This bill does not provide funding for environmental restoration or a sustainable funding mechanism to develop alternative and renewable energy sources, which would decrease our dependence on foreign oil.

This bill includes an unworkable, renewable energy standard.

In States like mine, Colorado, we are well positioned to utilize renewables. Other States will be unable to meet this unrealistic hurdle, costing consumers untold increases.

Speaker Pelosi, you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. This is a travesty.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues. It's truly an honor to stand here tonight and pay gratitude to our World War II veterans. I was very proud to cosponsor this resolution honoring the USS Farenholt and her crew.

Radarman 1st Class Kenneth S. Buffington served on the Farenholt from 1942 to 1945. Kenneth was born and raised in Nebraska, and he lived on his family's farm until he joined the United States Navy. After the war, he became a plumber, and he has called Fort Collins, Colorado his home for the last 55 years. He will celebrate his 89th birthday in September.

Kenneth fought 11 battles aboard the Farenholt. The destroyer endured 12 credited engagements from Guadalcanal to Okinawa. When at battle stations, Kenneth helped man the guns to help defend his ship and crew mates and to ensure that the Fightin' F could engage the enemy on another day.

The Farenholt's accomplishments are many, as my colleagues have mentioned, including the repelling of Japanese air attacks, the bombardment of enemy positions, the supporting of carrier raids, and the performing of rescue operations as well as that of escort and patrol duty. In battle, the crewmen were often stretched to their limits, remaining at battle stations around the clock, sleeping little but doing their duty. The crew of the Farenholt suffered casualties, but they always fought courageously and greatly contributed to the success of the operations in which they took part.

Twice, the Farenholt was badly damaged by gunfire and by shell fire, but she survived to celebrate V-J Day, and was decommissioned in April of 1946.

It is my great privilege to represent Kenneth Buffington and his family, and I am proud to honor the USS Farenholt, her crew and all of our World War II veterans and their families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Richard Louden, a lifelong rancher, historian, and community servant.

Richard Louden was born in Branson, Colorado, on September 2, 1920, to R.D. ``Dick'' and Zita Louden. He graduated from Branson High School and shortly after earned an associate of arts degree from Trinidad Jr. College. He then earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Colorado and the University of Missouri.

When his country became involved in World War II, Louden served in the U.S. Signal Corps and Air Force. After the war, he returned to the family ranch and married Grace Wakefield. The couple had one child, their son Mack.

Richard's interest in history and his love for the high mesas and extensive prairies of his native land led him to a continuing study of southeastern Colorado. His articles on ranching and agriculture were published in the Arkansas Valley Journal, the Chronicle-News, Cattle Guard, and Colorado Magazine. In the 1950s, Richard joined the Colorado Archaeological Society, and went on to become its president. He was fundamental to the establishment of the Louden-Henritze Archaeology Museum, which bears his name. He also served as president of the Trinidad Historical Society, and as a founding member of the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art.

Mr. Louden was heavily involved in his son's school, and he served as president of the school board for 16 years. His knowledge and commitment to the community made him a respected figure on both the State and local level, resulting in his recognition with numerous honors by the organizations he served or impacted. These awards include the Colorado Board of Community Colleges Achievement and Service Award, the Chenoweth Award for Community Service, the Honored Alumni Award at Trinidad St. Jr. College, Kiwanis Citizen of the Year, and the Colorado Community College and Occupational Educational Alumni Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the memory of Richard Louden, who led a life of service to his family, his community, and to this country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Koshare Indian Dancers, who are celebrating 75 years of history and culture.

The Koshare Indian Dancers offered refuge, hope, and a spirit of camraderie to boys during Depression-era America. In 1933, a group of young boys from southeastern Colorado decided to study the heritage of their area. They formed an archaeology and Indian club where they could study the history, culture and artifacts of the lower Arkansas Valley. Soon, with the help of their young Scout master, J.F. ``Buck'' Burshears, they were meeting with elders representing both the Plains Indians and many different Pueblos across New Mexico and Arizona. The elders embraced the youthful enthusiasm of these boys, teaching them dances, songs, and many different aspects of the ways of their ancestors. Buck dubbed the new club Koshares, the Hopi word for ``clown'' or ``fun maker,'' and the Koshare Indian Dancers have been going strong ever since.

``The club grew beyond anything we ever thought it would be,'' said Dr. William Sisson. He and his friend Robert Inman held the first meeting of the Koshare Club. Soon it was an organization of hundreds of boys, who continued to pass on their knowledge from generation to generation. An important part of what they passed on was love for, and protection of, the land, living honestly and with integrity, and learning how to be a leader who embraces community service. That sense of service grew from a community focus to a nation-wide focus, as hundreds of Koshares served in every war in which the United States has fought since World War II.

``Doing those dances was demanding and required hard work,'' said one of the original organizers, Jimmy Taylor. ``The dances were important to learn, but it was more important what you took with you throughout your life from the experience. It gave young boys an outlet for their energy, gave them a sense of accomplishment, and it trained their minds to analyze and complete a project.'' Mr. Taylor went on to West Point and served his country during World War II with honors.

The loss of Koshares during World War II spurred their vast collection of art and artifacts. In memory of their fallen comrades, they originally bought three paintings. By continuing to gather pieces over the years, the Koshares amassed one of the most extensive collections of southwestern art and artifacts in the West.

Service remains a large part of the meaning of the organization. The Koshares continue to foster leadership skills and to provide an environment for young people to learn about the heritage of Southeastern Colorado. They also persist in sharing that heritage with others through their museum and performances. Boys, and now girls, benefit from the program, and the Arkansas Valley is richer because of the history and culture provided by the Koshare Indian Dancers. It is my distinct honor to recognize the Koshares and to wish them continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Albert ``Burt'' Carey Caswell, who for 22 years has been giving tours of our Capitol building.

Burt Caswell was born in Baltimore, MD, in 1953. He graduated from the University of Maryland and obtained a master's degree in education from Bowie State. Mr. Caswell went on to teach physical education, health, and science to K-6th graders in a private school in Washington, DC. He also served as the assistant lacrosse coach at the University of Maryland for 5 years.

In 1986, Mr. Caswell joined the Capitol Guide Service. Burt is well known by members and staff for the enthusiasm he brings to his work, and for his love for members of the United States military. For approximately 14 years, he has given personal Capitol tours to injured soldiers from Walter Reed Army Hospital. Several times each week, Burt picks up soldiers in the evenings to give them tours in his free time.

Another demonstration of Mr. Caswell's love for his country is his poetry. He has written numerous works on various patriotic themes. His poems pay homage to soldiers, Members of Congress, and the Capitol building. His eloquent tribute to Martin Luther King, titled ``A King Among Men,'' was printed in the Congressional Record in 2002.

Mr. Caswell's enthusiasm for the Capitol is an extension of his passion for life. He is the proud father of Jennifer Maxine Caswell, and according to him, ``The greatest thing in my life is my daughter.''

I want to thank Burt for 22 tears of service to our Capitol, and for his sacrificial love for the men and women of our armed services.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Loyd and Phyllis Musgrave, who are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

Loyd and Phyllis Musgrave grew up in southeastern Colorado. Both of their families were homesteaders, living in a small community about 25 miles south of Fort Morgan. They met as children, when attending Sunday school together in a one-room schoolhouse. Later, both attended Fort Morgan High School.

Phyllis laughingly recalls that Loyd proposed to her several times, but each time she told him ``I'll have to talk to my mother about that.'' When she finally did get around to speaking to her mom, he didn't bring up the subject again. She became impatient and decided to broach the subject herself ``Loyd has always teased me that I proposed to him,'' Phyllis says.

On May 27, 1938, only one day after Phyllis graduated from high school, they were married. Afterwards, they moved to a farm near Hoyt, Colorado, and by the late 1940s, they completed the house where they continue to live today.

Loyd and Phyllis have 2 sons, Jerard and Larry, who both live in Colorado, 6 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

Phyllis recalls all the fun that she and Loyd have had together over the years. ``We did a lot of traveling,'' she said, including trips to Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii. The only states they haven't explored are Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

The couple's life motto is Matthew 6:33: ``But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.'' They have always been active in their local church, and today they remain involved in Hoyt Community Sunday School.

I want to congratulate Loyd and Phyllis Musgrave on their 70 years of marriage, and to thank them for the blessing they have been to their family and community.

Thank you, Mr. Forbes, for your leadership on this issue.

As we ponder the importance of our spiritual heritage tonight, we need to remember that it's really central to the founding of America. We are reminded of this when we cite the Pledge of Allegiance at public events and in our children's classrooms. We all know that our Nation's motto is, ``In God We Trust,'' and that is printed on our currency, and it's really imprinted right here in the Capitol Building itself.

Christianity was not only important in American life during the periods of discovery, exploration, colonization, and growth, but it has also been incorporated and acknowledged in all three branches of our American government since its inception.

Our Founding Fathers firmly believed that America could not be built or governed without acknowledging that ``God rules in the affairs of men.''

John Quincy Adams once said, ``The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.'' It is in this religious tradition that our Nation has grown over the course of 300 years.

Our foundation of prayer has been a rock when the tides of freedom and peace were changing. America has not been immune to the devastation of war, and in the midst of intense trials and hardship, our leaders have always turned to God and prayer.

During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt not only led the Nation in a 6-minute prayer during D Day on June 6, 1944, but he also declared, ``If we will not prepare to give all that we have and all that we are to preserve Christian civilization in our land, we shall go to destruction.''

America's religious legacy must be preserved. If some in America continue to deny the importance of our spiritual heritage, our leaders and our citizens will no longer have this foundation to stand on as many have stood on for centuries.

I close with the words of former President Ronald Reagan: ``The lesson is clear that in the winning if freedom and in the living of life, the first step is prayer.''

Mr. Speaker, recently in my district of Colorado, I had an opportunity to talk to my constituents firsthand about the high cost of gasoline. I decided to go right to the gas station and go up and offer to pump my constituents' gas. Now, this is a very good way to get an honest opinion from someone who, quite frankly, is caught off guard to see a Member of Congress right there willing to pump their gas; and when I introduced myself, some of them recognized me, but others that don't, I introduce myself and I say, Would you like to talk to me about what is on your mind today? And almost to a person, they said, You mean besides the high cost of gasoline? And I knew, after spending a great deal of time at that gas station, that my constituents' number one concern is the high cost of gasoline.

They told me in various ways how its affecting their lives. I talked to one woman, Mr. Speaker, and she was telling me that she had to drive about 20 miles into Graley where she worked, and her fuel bill was getting so high that she literally thought about staying with relatives in town instead of driving the 20 miles each way to get home every night. It was putting such a financial burden on this lady. She was literally thinking about not going home every night but staying in town during the week and going home on the weekend.

I talked to another individual, and he at one time had a fleet of trucks that he operated. He had a trucking business. So he had firsthand knowledge about what the high cost of fuel is doing to the trucking industry. And as he and I stood there and talked, Mr. Speaker, we were remarking that when you go into stores in Colorado and around the Nation, there's an abundance of things on the shelves that we Americans can purchase and enjoy. But what most people don't think about is every one of those items was hauled in a truck. And truckers are experiencing a great deal of hardship lately with the high cost of fuel, and many of them are going out of business.

Now this gentleman that had the trucking business previously now has a trucking repair business, and he told me that the high cost of fuel had adversely affected this business that he had also.

I talked to another gentleman, and he works in Denver, Colorado, but drives from my district up there, and he was telling me that every week he is seeing the cost of gasoline go up and up and up, and he's thinking about how expensive his commute is becoming.

It is quite a burden on families. I talked to another individual that was

older, and he had an older car, and I would presume that he was on a fixed income, Mr. Speaker. And this gentleman doesn't have the opportunity to get another job and work and earn more income. He has this fixed income. As he sees the price of gasoline going up, the cost to heat his home going up, and he, like many other senior citizens, are very concerned about their future and what they're going to do.

I would like to yield time, as much time as she may consume, to the gentlelady from Virginia.

I thank the gentlelady. She has spoken very well about the impact on families with the high price of fuel and what we need to address those prices.

It's interesting, too, as we talk about families, we have schools. In my district, it's 7\1/2\ hours from one side of my district to the other. We have rural school districts, and buses have to travel long distances, and now schools are trying to ascertain how they're going to pay the high cost of fuel, and there are changes coming up.

When you look at schools, they're doing things like going to the 4- day week. They're changing. They think of the money they can save if they don't have to transport the kids and heat the buildings and do those things during the day. So when they look at the fuel price for transportation, they're thinking they're going to go to this 4-day week.

Sadly, it's impacting sports and schools, and we know that many times sports is what keeps students in schools, and it has such a good role to play in their life, but they're having to curtail their driving for this because they can't afford it anymore and they might drop programs.

So schools that even want to do field trips, and this is especially enriching for students who perhaps may be in

families where they can't afford to do many things, but these kids enjoy these school trips. These outings are very good for them, but schools are saying that students will have to pay for a fee for that or they will have to forgo their field trips.

This is having a huge impact on families and on schools.

I would like to yield now to the gentleman from Tennessee.

I would like to yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania now.

I thank the gentleman.

I would like to yield to the gentlelady from Virginia.

I thank you both for your expertise in this area and also Mr. Davis as he spoke this evening.

Mr. Peterson, your charts and the case that you presented tonight are very clear before the American people. We all have a desire to go to alternatives. We all want to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. You talked about that 40 percent. 60 percent of that comes from very unstable areas of the world, and we know that, and we want to lessen that dependence that we have on them and become energy-independent, but this is a long road. We have to start right now, right here today, for the American people who are suffering with the high cost of energy.

I would just challenge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. We talk about long-range planning. We always have to do long-range planning. We need to look at the big picture. Today are the solutions that the Republicans have come forth with--more domestic exploration. You have spoken so well, Mr. Peterson, to our Nation's being locked up, but nations around the world do energy exploration off their coasts in an environmentally sound way. There is no reason that America should not be doing that.

Look at the States like I am from, Colorado. There are abundant natural

resources that we have, and there are the technologies that are available now with oil shale, and there is the future we have on that. We need to get to work on that right away.

You and I have talked and all of us have talked this evening about the lack of refinery capacity and how we can look clear back to the 1970s. We have not had any refineries built since then. We need to get away from this failed policy and get real in this country about what we need to do.

When I was at the pump, when I was talking to those people in Greeley, Colorado the other day, I saw firsthand how this is affecting the middle class, people who have to drive back and forth to work. You know, they want to be able to take their children to the baseball games this summer. They want their kids to participate in these things and to enjoy their summer in Colorado, but they are very worried. My folks who are on fixed incomes are very concerned about how they are going to get back and forth to the grocery store and to the doctor and how they will run the errands that they need to do. We need to respond as Members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, to this crisis that is right here now before our middle class, and we need to bring forth these solutions that we have suggested tonight to bring down the cost of energy.

It is time for Congress to act, and every day that goes by that we do not enact sound policies that will allow us to do domestic exploration in an environmentally sound way--yes, move to alternatives, do these things that we need to do, increase refinery capacity--we are letting the American people down. I am standing tonight with my colleagues to say it is time to address this problem for the middle class and for the United States and to get on the road to energy independence but, in the here and now, to bring down the cost of energy.

Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 15 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, June 5, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.

I thank the gentleman. I applaud your hard work on this farm bill and Chairman Peterson's.

Every day we are reminded of our problems that we are facing because we rely on foreign nations for our energy supply. I believe that Americans ought to think about what happened with the pet food issue and realize that we need a safe and reliable food supply.

As we worked on this farm bill, we had demands from the Speaker of the House, we had demands from the White House. Serving in the minority there was the tension between my party and the other party in the Senate and the House. We had a great deal of difficulties to overcome. But I am proud today to say that I stand in support of this farm bill and urge my colleagues to join me in overriding this veto.

This farm bill increases funding to food banks that are seeing more and more people come in, needy people. It increases that funding by $1.2 billion. The farm bill increases dollars for conservation programs that are so important in this Nation. The farm bill increases investment in alternative energy research. Americans want to lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

When we are concerned at this time in our Nation about childhood obesity and diabetes, this farm bill increases dollars for nutrition programs for school children around the Nation. And, most importantly, it provides a safety net for rural America.

As we look at what Americans spend on their food supply, 10 percent of their disposable income, we are truly blessed in this world to have this safe, abundant food supply, and we want this to continue. Despite what has been said on this House floor today, this farm bill contains real reform, and we are moving in the right direction with that.

So, again, I urge my colleagues to join me as we override this President's veto.

Mr. Speaker, today we're going to be talking about the farm bill. There will be many criticisms of the farm bill, but I proudly stand in support of this farm bill. Rural America is looking to us to make sure that there is a safety net for agriculture in this country.

Reforms were asked for by our Speaker and by people on both sides of the aisle. This farm bill increases funding to food banks when they're suffering--dire need right now--it increases funding by $1.2 billion.

The farm bill increases funding to conservation programs. These programs are very important to people around the Nation. And we know that farmers are the very best stewards of the land. It provides incentives for them when they implement innovative soil and water conservation programs.

The farm bill increases investment in alternative energy research. We know that one of the number one concerns of America right now is that we lessen our dependence on foreign oil. But I believe the most important thing about this farm bill is that it does provide Americans with a safe and reliable food supply.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Sergeant Isaac Palomarez.

Mr. Palomarez served in the United States Army as a Sergeant and was assigned to the A Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Mr. Palomarez courageously died in combat May 9, 2008 in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I believe his service and commitment to our country most worthy of being preserved in the Congressional Record.

Isaac Palomarez was born April 14, 1982 and graduated from Loveland High School in 2001. Mr. Palomarez joined the Army in 2004, following in his father Candido's footsteps, who served in the Army in the 1960's.

Palomarez is survived by his parents Candido and Elma Palomarez and will be remembered as a loving son and loyal friend to many.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful for Mr. Palomarez's selfless service to our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing a man worthy of our honor, Mr. Isaac Palomarez.