Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the leadership and contributions of Jimmy Wayne to the State of Tennessee and the United States of America for his remarkable efforts to combat homelessness.

Jimmy Wayne began his ``Meet Me Halfway'' journey on January 1, 2010. He is in the midst of a 1,660-mile walk from Nashville, TN, to Phoenix, AZ, to raise awareness about the plight of the homeless youth in our country.

Being raised in a foster child system, Jimmy knows far too well the challenges and heartaches that go with being homeless. He grew up in multiple foster homes and periodically found himself homeless as a teen.

Luckily at age 16 he met Bea and Russell Costner who took him in and gave him a fresh start and a new lease on life. They gave him a place to stay but only if he agreed to ``meet them halfway,'' by following the rules of their house.

I wish to honor Jimmy for using his ``Meet Me Halfway'' campaign to not only raise awareness but to raise funds for organizations that benefit homeless youth including Nashville's Monroe Harding and Phoenix HomeBase Youth Services. Through these groups, essential services are continuously provided to the homeless, allowing so many who fought the same circumstances as Jimmy did growing up a chance for a more productive, healthy and self-sufficient life.

Madam Speaker, all people should educate themselves about the impact of homelessness on teens and children in their communities. It is my hope that individuals will help address the problem of homelessness in our country by volunteering and donating their time and/or money to the foster child and foster parent programs in their local community.

Thank you, Jimmy Wayne, for your work, and I look forward to congratulating you once you finish this campaign.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to praise two outstanding high schools in Tennessee's Seventh Congressional District. Collierville High and Houston High Schools, both in Shelby County, Tennessee, have been named by Newsweek magazine among America's top high schools. Only 6 percent of America's high schools make this list. This is an important accomplishment that comes because of hard and diligent work not just from students but faculty, staff, principals, from parents and from lots of participation from the community.

I congratulate Principals Leisa Justus of Houston and Tim Setterlund of Collierville, along with the faculty and most importantly the students of both schools for all the hard work that has led them to this important achievement.

Madam Speaker, affecting countless across the world, cancer strikes at the core of our lives, our health, our families, and our communities. Sometimes silent, sometimes ravaging, and often all- encompassing, cancer can take what we hold most dear: life. Events like Relay for Life allows communities to come together, tennis shoes laced, and fight against such an enemy.

The multi-purposed Relay for Life generates awareness, promotes outreach, supports recovery, and builds survivorship. In it's 26th year, Relay for Life is held across the country, in more than 600 communities internationally, and spans 21 countries.

I congratulate the participants of Williamson County's Relay for Life event. By honoring those who lost their battles with this horrific disease and celebrating those who have yet to cease in the struggle, your hopeful passion encourages us all. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the event's organizers, team captains, walkers, and all who still seek a cure.

Madam Speaker, for the past 48 years, members of this great government have taken pause to honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Remembering the sacrifice of their fallen brethren, the men and women of the 317th Military Police Battalion gathered to hold their annual Law Enforcement Memorial and Candlelight Vigil.

I am proud to join with them as they pay tribute to the last great offering of freedom given by thirty-eight United States Army soldiers, eight United States Air Force airmen, eight United States Navy sailors, five United States Marine Corp Marines, and four civilian police professionals. As the roll was called and Taps played, the 317th memorialized those who fulfilled their mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Bannering this event the words from Tacitus: ``In valor, there is hope.'' I ask my colleagues to join with me in thanking those who protect the liberties of this great Nation. May these words from ancient Rome remind us all of our duty to service, and may they offer us a light of gratitude for those whose service does not lead them home.

Thank you, and I want to thank the gentleman for yielding.

And my wonderful district that goes from Memphis to Nashville and all the way to the Kentucky border, of course, right now we're fighting floods, and so many of our residents have been, are suffering the adverse effects of all of those floods. And we remember them every day and want to let them know that we're thinking about them.

I'm glad that we're talking about the budget issue because budgets are to lay out the priorities of the Federal Government, and they're to define for our taxpayers and our constituents where this money is going to be spent. And as the gentleman just said, it is our responsibility. This is supposed to be done. Congress is charged with having control of the purse of the Federal Government, and we are to do this, as the gentleman said, by April 15 every year.

Now, what some of my constituents are asking me, as we talk about fiscal responsibility, is: Why aren't they doing a budget this year? What are they afraid of? And what is the reason that they would choose not to do a budget?

Because budgets are to outline those priorities, and they're to be a roadmap. And you know what is so interesting is so many of our constituents like following the budget process. When we send that link to the President's budget, when we send that link through our Blackburn Report to the budget document that the House has under consideration, they follow it, and they like to see where their taxpayer dollars are being spent.

I had one constituent who said, you know, I think this is so disrespectful of

the American taxpayer that they would, in their arrogance, say, Trust us. We don't have to do a budget document. Just trust us. We're going to keep spending. We're not going to curtail our spending. Just trust us.

And the American people are listening to that, and they're saying, You've got to be kidding.

As Mr. Jordan said, you know, families do this, small businesses, everybody's been tightening their belts. Our colleges, our universities, our counties and our cities, they're all doing their budget hearings right now, and they're perplexed that Congress would consider moving forward.

Now, the gentleman from Georgia talked a little bit about past spending. And I think as we talk about deficits and the debt, that the gentleman from Georgia and I probably agree that--and I know I certainly talked with President Bush and I think he did, too, many times. I felt that President Bush spent too much.

CBO says when you look at the years of Republican control from 1994 to 2006, our average annual deficit was about $104 billion per year. And then you go in, and the gentleman has the chart that shows what happened when there was Democrat control of Congress, the 3 years that they have had it, 2007, 2008, 2009.

Well, our $104 billion a year deficit, which was way too much--we should never have a deficit, or it should only be in extenuating circumstances. We all support a balanced budget. We support a balanced budget amendment. We support bringing that in, like the RSC did last year, having a balanced budget.

But when you look at the fact that $104 billion, as opposed to $1.11 trillion, which has been their average annual deficit, it causes people to say, My goodness. You mean our average annual deficit has become their monthly deficit?

Our average, under Republican control, the average annual deficit has become what now, under Democrat control, they are running in deficit averaging on a month. And I think that's what causes concern to people.

April, the deficit was four times what it was last year. These are numbers that cause people to say, Wait a minute. We have to put the brakes on. We are on the wrong track, and it is time for Washington to get its fiscal house in order.

You know, one of the things that I will ask when someone says, Well, we need to be spending more on this and we need to be spending more on that; people need to be paying more in taxes so that the Federal Government can spend more, is, Well, how much is enough when it comes to taxes? How much is ever going to be enough? How much spending is ever going to be enough?

And those are questions that, when you stop and think about it, is there ever going to be a time when those that want to spend taxpayer money get enough?

I think we would all agree, Washington does not have a revenue problem. Washington has a spending problem. And the way we begin to get the spending under control is to have a budget that is going to spend less. That is going to be the first step.

Now, the gentleman from Georgia had the charts, and he was talking about an estimated, I think it's $2.3 trillion in revenues and the $3.8 trillion in outlays, and that was the budget that the President had proposed.

And I ask the gentleman, do I have my figures correct? $2.3 trillion and change for the revenues and $3.8 trillion and change for the expenditures?

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

We know that since the time that that budget was presented to us we have passed a health care bill. And we know that last week even CBO came back and said guess what, we misfigured. We are going to change these projections. So already those expenditure and outlay projections are off because we have the trillion dollar-plus health care bill that we are going to be looking at.

That is something that certainly is on the minds of the taxpayers. They want to see the out of control spending stop. And I think that they are sending a message loud and clear. The focus should be on the economy. It should be on jobs. Constituents every day are saying, Where are the jobs? You have stimulated big government, but you haven't stimulated Main Street. Where are the jobs? And they are focused on the out of control spending from Washington on programs they do not want. And they know that not only they the taxpayer, we the people cannot afford, but the Federal Government cannot afford to be spending our money on those programs.

I yield back.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate Trace Adkins on receiving the Daughters of the American Revolution prestigious Medal of Honor award. In accepting, Trace will add his name next to previous Medal of Honor recipients; including former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Charlton Heston, former U.S. Senator Robert Dole, and fellow recording artist Miss Patti Page.

One of the most unique aspects of my service in the United Sates Congress is the opportunity to meet talented and dedicated professionals from across the great State of Tennessee. I have long believed the true greatness of our State and country does not lie in its government or institutions, but solely in the creativity, integrity, and passion of its people. We in Tennessee are fortunate to have one of these individuals who exemplify the volunteer spirit and strive to make our community and our country better every day.

Over the years, I have come to know Trace not just as an exceptional artist and performer, but to consider him both a friend and a valued resource. In talking with Trace, his undying love for our country and his genuine support of the brave men and women who currently serve or previously served in the military always stand out.

Earlier this year, Trace went to the Pentagon and received special permission for his heartfelt request to perform his song ``Til the Last Shot's Fired'' with the West Point Glee Club. At the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, this performance was not just the highlight of the night, but it allowed Trace to shine a spotlight on the Wounded Warrior Project which provides programs and services for severely injured service members as they transition back to civilian life.

President Ronald Reagan said that if we love our country we should also love our countrymen. One of the clearest examples of living daily these words is Trace Adkins. Whether it's through his successful musical career, his faith community, or other ventures, Trace carries in his heart the spirit of what makes America great. I join with his wife Rhonda and their five daughters in offering praise and thanks to Trace on this wonderful occasion. Please join me in congratulating Trace Adkins and his family on this well-deserved award.

Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today to honor Paramedic Bret Anderson for being selected as the Bartlett Fire Department's 2009 Firefighter of the Year.

Since joining the Bartlett Fire Department in 2006, Bret Anderson has been known around the fire station for his positive attitude, his compassion, and his high regard for patients which has brought peace and comfort to many in times of crisis. After learning the ropes as a rookie and a lot of hard work, Paramedic Anderson has established himself as one of the premier first responders in Shelby County. Paramedic Anderson has displayed this knowledge and skill through several high impact incidents over the past year where his expertise contributed to positive outcomes.

I am pleased to know that experienced first responders like Bret Anderson are hard at work each day keeping the citizens of Bartlett safe. With his broad knowledge of life saving techniques, many people are alive today due to his quick action and high regard for the people he is treating. Paramedic Anderson has my deep gratitude and respect as he continues to selflessly serve our community each day by providing swift medical treatment wherever lives are on the line.

Please join me in honoring Bret Anderson and wishing him and his wife Farrah and their two children Zack and Taylor the best on this well- deserved award.

Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today to honor Officer Steven Sones for being selected as the Bartlett Police Department's 2009 Officer of the Year.

The primary mission of the Bartlett, Tennessee Police Department is to protect and serve the citizens of the community. On April 23, 2009, Officer Steven Sones demonstrated his commitment to mission when he was called to the scene of a mentally disturbed suspect wielding two large kitchen knives and threatening harm to herself and others. As the hours of the intense standoff wore on, the suspect made an abrupt move as if she was going to stab herself. At the moment, the years of dedication, devotion, and training of Officer Sones leaped in as he was able to fire a non-lethal beanbag shot that temporarily disabled the suspect and allowed his fellow officers the opportunity to end the threatening situation without harm to all involved.

Officer Sones began his career with Bartlett Police Department in 2001 when he was hired as a jailer for the City. He stayed with the jail until he was selected as a Patrolman in December of 2004 and participates voluntarily in several special units within the Department. His work with the Crime Suppression Unit and the Special Response Team (S.R.T.) has earned him a reputation as one of the best rounded officers in the Department.

Please join me in honoring Steven Sones and wishing him and his wife, Elisha, and their two children Abby and Bryce, the best on this well- deserved award.

Madam Speaker, life is precious. While some vote, some pray, many others put all their efforts to their beliefs and work to offer women alternative choices to abortion. I am proud to join with organizations like the Hope Clinic for Women as they stand with women throughout Middle Tennessee. I especially congratulate Bob and Janie Yeager as they are honored tonight for their long-standing commitment to the Hope Clinic for Women, at the Hope for the Future Gala.

Rejoicing over birth, saddened through miscarriage, burdened by abortion, or excited for adoption, women facing these crucial moments in life find quality assistance and loving guidance at the Hope Clinic. For 26 years, the Hope Clinic has been a place, regardless of social standing, ability to pay, or religious affiliation, for women to receive free pregnancy tests, counseling, free ultrasounds, and medical care. Staff and volunteers don't simply stop with the health and wellbeing of the mother, they step in to provide formula, diapers, clothing, cribs, and strollers to the very least among us. Seeking to advocate total health for women struggling with Post Partum Depression, a partnership with St. Thomas Health Services began in 2008 as well.

With open doors and open hearts, the Hope Clinic is also a trusted voice, equipping Middle Tennessee's youth with information about abstinence, healthy life choices, and counseling programs.

Whether it's a safe place to call ``home'' for a woman carrying her child, or a sound clinic offering personal medical services regardless of ability to pay, the Hope Clinic for Women serves onsite over 2,000 clients each year, and reaches thousands more in the Middle Tennessee area. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the Hope Clinic for Women, and those who continue to support such worthy efforts, for protecting life through every stage.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes due to a natural disaster in my district. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

May 4, 2009.

Rollcall vote 243, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1307--Honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 244, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1213--Recognizing the need to improve the participation and performance of America's students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, supporting the ideals of National Lab Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 245, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1132--Honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States--I would have voted ``aye.''

May 5, 2010.

Rollcall vote 246, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1320--Attempted Terrorist Attack in Times Square on May 1, 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 247, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1272--Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 4, 1970, Kent State University shootings--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 248, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1301--Supporting the goals and ideals of National Train Day--I would have voted ``nay.''

May 6, 2010.

Rollcall vote 249, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Res. 1329-- Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5019) to provide for the establishment of the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 250, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1295--Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mothers Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 251, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H.R. 1722--Telework Improvements Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 252, on agreeing to the amendment--H.R. 5019--Barton of Texas Amendment No. 2--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 253, on agreeing to the amendment--H.R. 5019--Burgess of Texas Amendment No. 4--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 254, on motion to recommit with instructions--H.R. 5019--Home Star Energy Retrofit Act--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 255, on passage--H.R. 5019--Home Star Energy Retrofit Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Knoxville for yielding the time.

I rise today, and all of the people of Tennessee, so many of the families in my district have lost most or even all of what they had. Some have suffered loss of family members, and we express our sympathies to those families.

You know, homes are gone, businesses are wiped out, schools are flooded. School is even out for the year in some communities. Roads and bridges are absolutely washed away. And the road back for Tennessee is going to be a very long road. It is going to be difficult, also, but Tennesseans are undaunted.

I chose to stay in my district last week. All 15 of my counties are Federal disaster areas, and I wanted to make certain that my staff and I had the opportunity to get into those communities, into those counties, and to assess the needs and make certain that needs were being met.

This photo that I am showing you shows the extent of damage in one of the counties, Cheatham County, there in my district. But you know, it could have been taken over in Mr. Davis' district or Mr. Tanner's district or in Mr. Cooper's district. But it shows you what has happened with how roads are completely washed away. This is one of only hundreds and hundreds of roads that have been washed out by the storm. This one, you will see the road actually lies about 60 yards from the roadbed and where it originally was placed. The terrible force of the waters washed it out and onto the foundation of three homes that were completely washed away.

While the rain fell, neighbors stepped up to help neighbors, and those who had dry homes took people into those homes. And then, they started to get ready to rebuild. And what they are doing is forming purchasing pools to buy the supplies and help clear the homes and to rebuild those homes. I can't count the number of empty foundations that I saw across the district last week, or the skeletons of churches and homes and businesses that are now sitting on riverbanks.

I spoke to residents who have nothing, nothing at all, where their home used to be, some who have only parts of a foundation left. One resident was wearing only the clothes on his back. And he didn't talk about what his needs were or how great his loss was. What he talked about was rebuilding that community. And he talked about how he could replace material goods, but also about the richness of people helping people and coming together.

Our local governments, as Mr. Cooper was saying, the State of Tennessee and the Federal Government are responding. Aid that began to hit our urban areas around Nashville and Memphis is now making it out into the rural counties. The road back for those counties is going to be very difficult, but I commend those local elected officials for how they have stepped up, how they had a disaster plan and they also had an implementation plan, and they put it to work and responded in the appropriate way, being there to help all of their local citizens.

I commend FEMA and the administration for the aid that I know will eventually come to Tennessee and to our rural communities. And, most of all, I commend the families who once again have displayed why we are the Volunteer State.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Watkins College of Art, Design and Film as they celebrate their 125th anniversary.

What began as a vision to offer art education to the Mid-South community, came into being 125 years ago, emerging today as Watkins College of Art, Design and Film. Namesake of entrepreneur and philanthropist Samuel Watkins, Watkins College opened its doors in 1885 as Nashville Art Association and began to offer instruction in visual arts. Always one step ahead of the cultural needs of the 20th century, the school assisted immigrants in becoming active members of society, gave women opportunities to enter the workplace with confidence and skill, and offered returning servicemen completion of their high school degrees.

With approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in 1977, Watkins became a full college offering associate degrees in fine art and interior design. Adding the Watkins Film School in 1997, and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in photography, graphic design and fine art in 2007, Watkins College of Art, Design and Film continues to lead the way in artistic movements and education.

Watkins College offers hands-on curriculum, academic roots, and award-winning faculty. Alumni of Watkins College of Art, Design and Film go onto successful careers in their fields. Alumni hold LEED certifications, are small business owners, designers of sacred spaces, makers of film, leaders in their communities, and protectors of art. I am proud of my association with Watkins College and look forward to the many successes of the next 125 years.

I congratulate Watkins College on their rich and impactful history and ask my colleges to

join me in honoring Watkins College of Art, Design and Film on their 125th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating the Bolivar Central High School boy's basketball team for winning the 2010 Class AA State Championship.

Less than a year removed from the state semifinals, Bolivar Central High School faced off against their league rivals at Middle Tennessee State University on March 20, 2010 for the State championship. After hundreds of hours of practice and hard work the Tigers were rewarded as they secured the school's third Class AA state championship in a 72-62 win over Liberty.

This recognition reflects a dedication to practice, their teammates and their unrelenting commitment to excellence. The team building skills acquired by working together through the highs and lows of the season will benefit these young men for a lifetime of success.

Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking the parents, Coach Rick Rudesill, faculty of Bolivar Central High School and again congratulating the members of the 2010 State Championship team. I am sure this is not the last we will hear from this talented group of young men.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for his diligent work on this bill and also Mr. Stearns for his leadership as we worked through these issues in committee. And I do rise in support of the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act.

In committee, I highlighted the importance of listening to the engineers as we move forward on our spectrum inventory. And today I want to talk about the importance of this bill to the wireless industry. America's wireless industry is the undisputed world leader, and Mr. Stearns and Mr. Markey have both highlighted portions of that as we have played with our devices during Mr. Markey's remarks focusing on the innovations that have come our way.

Americans pay less per minute for the use of wireless services than users in Europe or Asia. And despite having just 7 percent of the global wireless subscribers, America's wireless companies serve more than 21 percent of global 3G subscribers. Handsets and applications that can be launched anywhere in the world routinely appear in the U.S. market first.

Unfortunately, our position in the global marketplace is not something that is guaranteed to us, and without careful attention to support the need of the growth of the wireless industry through the release of additional spectrum, we risk ceding that important leadership to nations that have already identified substantial swaths of spectrum that will be made available for commercial use. That is why the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act is so very important by providing a road map for policymakers regarding where we may find additional spectrum that can be used for wireless broadband services in the U.S. Enactment of H.R. 3125 will help ensure that the U.S. is in a position to match, and hopefully surpass, our trading partners by making additional spectrum available for commercial use.

I urge support of the legislation.

I would yield to the gentleman from Virginia and ask permission for the colloquy.

I thank the gentleman from Florida for the time.

And, Mr. Chairman, last month the Federal Communications Commission released its National Broadband Plan which contained some very ambitious recommendations with respect to spectrum availability. I would like to ask the subcommittee chairman his views on how the FCC should proceed on the inventory required by this bill and on the recommendations of the broadband plan. Is it the chairman's view that the inventory required by this bill should inform the FCC in its decision-making with respect to the potential reallocation of spectrum sought by the broadband plan?

Yes.

I thank the subcommittee chairman for his explanation, and I associate myself with his remarks. I share the chairman's expectation regarding the importance of collecting and analyzing the data in the spectrum inventory before making decisions about possible spectrum relocation.

I'd also like to a add my own expectation that the spectrum inventory will be thorough and scientific in order to serve as an accurate metric of our spectrum use.

I have one final question to ask the chairman. The broadband plan includes recommendations regarding reallocation of many of the frequencies currently used to provide broadcast television service. The plan recommends starting with voluntary measures to relocate broadcast stations to different frequencies; But it then hints that other, presumably involuntary, methods of relocating broadcast stations may be necessary.

My question, Mr. Chairman, is whether you believe that the FCC should engage in involuntary methods to move broadcasters to different frequencies in order to free up additional spectrum.

Yes.

I thank the chairman for his explanations.

Madam Speaker, it is so interesting to be a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives at this time. One of the things that makes it most interesting is the issues that we have to deal with, and it boils down to making choices: what are you going to support and what are you going to oppose.

The Republicans have supported health reform that would be patient centered. What we saw transpire in this House last weekend was a bill that is government centered and government first. There was a choice of how to move forward with health care, and decisions were made. The Democrat majority chose to put government at the top of health care decisions, government in charge of deciding what kind of health care you can access, what kind of insurance product you can buy, what will be available to buy by the time we get to the year 2013.

Those are not decisions that government should make. Those are decisions that should be made by individuals, by small businesses, by employers. And as our phones continue to ring as people find out more and more about the reconciliation bill, they say reconsider, pull the bill back and focus on the economy, focus on jobs and get this Nation on the right track.