Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill that will significantly improve traffic safety and mobility in our national parks and other public recreational lands through increased funding and expanded authorities. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, the Transportation Infrastructure Improvements on Federal Lands Act of 2010.

Our national parks contain some of the most important and valuable historic, cultural, and natural treasures in our country. Millions of visitors flock to these parks every year. Yet safe access to and movement around these sites are compromised by severe and chronic underfunding and irrational provisions in current law.

The state of park transportation systems is deplorable. A recent assessment by the National Park Service, NPS, found that 90 percent of the park roads are in poor or fair condition. This compares with 14 percent for major rural roads in the overall federal-aid highways system. One person is killed or injured on a park road every 4.5 hours. If the National Park System were a State, it would rank 13th highest for road fatalities and injuries among all the States.

The NPS received $240 million in FY2010 through the Park Roads and Parkways program to build, repair, and rehabilitate roads and bridges, less than a third of what the NPS

estimates it needs to provide safe and efficient access for visitors. My legislation would double the annual funding to accelerate the retirement of the growing road repair backlog now estimated at $4.9 billion.

The poor state of park roads is not caused by insufficient funding alone. Under current law, Federal highway funds can be used for reconstruction and rehabilitation, but not for regular maintenance that would help extend the life of the roadway and preserve taxpayers' investment. Consequently, maintenance of roads and bridges is deferred until they have deteriorated to the point where they qualify for major rehabilitation or reconstruction, at far greater expense. Visitors are put at risk when they try to drive around potholes that pock our park roads. My legislation would make regular maintenance of park roads eligible for federal highway funding.

As our national parks become increasingly crowded, alternative transportation systems are being relied upon to a much greater extent to help move visitors around. Unfortunately, that program is also severely underfunded. A third major focus of my bill would raise the annual funding level for the Federal public lands transit program from the current $24 million to $100 million, with 60 percent of it being targeted for qualified projects in national parks.

Visitors from throughout our country and around the world are discovering the natural, cultural, and historic wonders that are embodied in our national parks. Their experience should not be diminished, and their safety certainly should not be placed at risk, while they visit our national parks. I urge you to join me in sponsoring this legislation to improve visitor safety and enjoyment of our parks through improved maintenance and management of its transportation systems.

Mr. Chair, I rise in reluctant opposition to H.R. 4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act.

Two weeks ago, I voted for a better bill, the Middle Class Tax Relief Act, which passed the House but was not taken up by the Senate. That bill would have extended tax cuts for middle class taxpayers, including about

323,000 lower- and middle-income families in my congressional district who make less than $200,000 (under $250,000 for joint filers).

The bill that is on the floor today extends tax cuts on all income levels, including the wealthiest Americans, costing $407.6 billion. Under this bill, the millionaires and billionaires can sleep soundly, secure in the knowledge that their tax cuts will continue for at least another two years, while the unemployed get relief for only 13 months. Economists predict that many millions will continue to be unemployed beyond the 13 months.

This deal is weighted so heavily toward the richest few that the unemployed only receive 7 percent of the total package. We must fight for a better deal.

But my biggest concern has to do with a threat to the solvency of Social Security contained in the legislation. The so-called ``payroll tax holiday'' in H.R. 4853 raids the Social Security Trust Fund. Anyone who cares about Social Security should be scared by this. This provision reduces the Social Security payroll tax and self-employment tax by two percentage points in 2011. Payroll taxes provide dedicated funding for the Social Security Trust Fund, which is completely separate from the General Fund. Under this bill, these Social Security funds will be repaid by $112 billion from the General Fund. But this ``one-time'' infusion from the General Fund puts us on a slippery slope. While this payroll tax holiday expires in one year, there is a serious question as to whether expiration will occur. We can expect a bill to extend this payroll tax holiday because any other outcome would be characterized as a tax increase. A permanent decrease in the Social Security payroll tax will put the Social Security Trust Fund in jeopardy. Republicans will be one step closer to their stated goal of privatizing and dismantling Social Security's safety net. If we want to put more money in the hands of families, we could look at cutting a check for families from the General Fund, but weakening the funding source for Social Security is too risky.

In Hawaii, Social Security benefits serve as a lifeline for 220,000 seniors, disabled people, and dependents. Thousands of my constituents have urged me to preserve Social Security, and I have consistently acted to do so. Earlier this year, I spoke on the House floor in support of preserving this bedrock promise to our nation's seniors and fighting Republicans' plans to privatize or reduce benefits. I also signed a letter to the Fiscal Commission urging that any plans to reduce the deficit make no cuts to Social Security or change the retirement age.

This bill truly is a raw deal for American seniors. One of my constituents in Hilo calls the proposal a ``bomb of a cut to Social Security taxes.'' A majority of Americans oppose cutting Social Security payroll funding and are willing to pay more so that they can be assured that they will get benefits when they retire or become disabled. I don't make pledges lightly, but I pledge that I will vote to return dedicated Social Security payroll tax funding should it be brought up for a vote next year.

Further, this legislation gives an estate tax giveaway to only 6,600 families in our entire country, giving them each an average additional tax cut of more than $1.5 million. According to the Tax Policy Center, the new tax would affect the smallest number of estates in any year since 1934. This tax giveaway to the richest families in the country will cost us more than $68 billion, adding to our deficit without creating jobs or strengthening our economy.

The Levin/Pomeroy Amendment makes the bill a bit fairer by taxing estates at the 2009 rate of 45 percent and covering estates over $3.5 million, not the $5 million in the Senate bill. This amendment would save $23 billion. Extending estate tax relief for two years at the 2009 rate provides Americans with some certainty for estate planning in a way that is much more reasonable and fair than that proposed by the Senate bill.

The key components of this bill that I strongly support include the extension of tax cuts for the middle class and the extension of unemployment insurance for Americans who lost their jobs because of this difficult economy. In addition to my recent vote on extending tax cuts for the middle class, I voted to extend unemployment benefits seven times this year alone.

We've had numerous opportunities to extend the tax cuts for the middle class and extend unemployment benefits. The majority of Republicans voted against these proposals time and again.

On balance, I cannot in good conscience vote for this bill in its present form. The $858 billion price tag and true cost of the bill--tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and the impact of the ``payroll tax holiday'' on Social Security--far outweigh the benefits. This bill is blackmail, holding the unemployed and middle class hostage to give a special deal to the millionaires and billionaires. We must fight for a better deal.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation unless we are able to vote on a bill that genuinely helps the working families that we are here to represent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2965, the ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' Repeal Act.

As an original cosponsor of the House versions of related legislation that was introduced in the 110th (2007-2008) and 111th (2009-2010) Congress, I strongly support this stand-alone measure, which would repeal the ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy that discriminates against military personnel based on their sexual orientation.

Enforcement of this policy has not only wasted millions of taxpayer dollars but has caused irreparable harm to our military by dismissing more than 12,000 well-trained and qualified members of the Armed Forces. If enacted, this legislation will strengthen our military and help protect our national security interests.

This past May, I voted for an amendment to the FY2011 defense authorization bill that would have repealed this policy. Unfortunately, the amendment and the underlying legislation passed the House only to languish in the Senate. Congress must finally repeal this law and replace it with a policy of inclusion and non-discrimination so that justice and equality can be restored for the gay and lesbian servicemembers fighting for our country.

Many of my constituents, including members of our military and veterans who served in our Armed Forces, have contacted me to express support for repealing ``don't ask, don't tell.'' I recently received an e-mail from a constituent who has been on active duty for over 20 years and wants this policy repealed so that his fellow soldiers can serve openly and honestly without having to worry about ``living a lie'' and continuing to suffer from bigotry.

This view is not only shared by nearly eight in 10 Americans but corresponds with findings from the recently released Defense Department's Comprehensive Review Working Group report. This report revealed that a large majority of troops were comfortable with the prospect of overturning longstanding restrictions on gays in uniform and expected that it would have little to no effect on their units. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have testified before Congress in support of this report's recommendations, urging Congress to vote to repeal the flawed ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy.

Repealing this policy will ensure that our men and women in uniform can serve our country with dignity and integrity and without fear of discrimination. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1377, which recognizes the accomplishments of a great American and a role model for the entire American Asian and Pacific Islander community-- Norman Yoshio Mineta.

Secretary Mineta's long list of accomplishments have and continue to be a source of great pride to the Asian American community. At a time when few Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders were visible in the public sector, Norm was elected to Congress and rose to become Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on which I currently serve. I am always happy to see his face among the many portraits of chairmen lining the walls of the committee room. He served as Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton and Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush.

I especially remember Norm's swearing in as Secretary of Commerce. I met Norm shortly after becoming Hawaii's Lieutenant Governor. We quickly became friends. I was so thrilled when I learned of his appointment as Secretary of Commerce that I flew up to Washington on very short notice to attend his swearing-in ceremony.

In addition to his more publicly acknowledged accomplishments, Norm is well recognized as a champion for ensuring the full participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in American life. He is an acknowledged leader in attaining redress for Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. As a child, his family was relocated to an internment camp so he understood well how the injustice, hardship, and humiliation of this shameful episode impacted the Japanese American community. As a member of Congress, he established the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), which remains active today.

We are all proud of Norm and thankful for all he did during his many years of public and private service. But I also want to say something about the man. He is a delight. Norm is a great storyteller; he has great comic timing and a wonderful sense of humor. I feel very lucky to call him friend.

Norman Mineta exemplifies the Japanese concept of gaman--to endure the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity. He was dealt a difficult hand in being uprooted with his family and forced to live behind barbed wire for the sin of being of Japanese ethnicity. But he has created a beautiful life full of accomplishment, the love of friends and family, and the knowledge that he has truly made a difference.

Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I rise to add my voice to those who are here to give thanks to our chairman, Jim Oberstar, for his extraordinary service to our Nation as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. I certainly count myself fortunate because as a new Member of Congress and a fledgling member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have the example of Jim Oberstar as my chairman.

I remember the first time I ever met Jim Oberstar. I was just taken with the breadth of his knowledge, his commitment, and he said to me that this committee, which is the largest in the House, is also one of the most bipartisan committees because everybody needs bridges, harbor, roads, airports. Very true.

I don't expect that I will ever be as knowledgeable or articulate on any subject as he is on all aspects of transportation policy, but it's good to aim high. Of course, at this point, it would be pretty much impossible for me to match his 47 years on the committee first as a clerk, next as an administrator, then as a Member, and finally, as an outstanding chairman.

Chairman Oberstar has been the clearest, strongest, and most vigorous advocate for restoring America's transportation and infrastructure system. He is recognized and admired in my State of Hawaii, one of the few chairmen--I hope that will change over time--who has come to the State of Hawaii to see for himself firsthand the challenges we face. But we admire him. We love him in Hawaii for his support of our first and only rail transit systems and for his understanding of the importance of keeping our vital infrastructure strong.

I recently met with the president and CEO of Hawaii's largest airline. And he reiterated what I hear from many business people in my State; that is, if there is one thing that government can do to help our economy, it is to help repair and improve and maintain our infrastructure. Mr. Chairman, you have been right on the money.

What will I remember most about Jim? I will remember his heartfelt stories about his father, a union mineworker. I'll remember our white- knuckled flight over the Honolulu rail route in a helicopter without doors. I'll remember how generous he's been with his time and guidance, from taking time out of his personal time in Hawaii to review infrastructure needs on Maui to joining me in a live video feed with infrastructure stakeholders in Hawaii. And I remember the flight we took over Maui. And we flew, Jim and his wife, Jean, his partner in life, over the open ocean from Lanai to Maui, and we looked down, and we saw the whales, and it was really something. And Jim, who knows everything about infrastructure, looked down on Maui Island and said, My gosh, you really are vulnerable to things like earthquakes because you are islands, and you just can't drive from one island to another. And that is why it is so important that Jim came to my State to see for himself, not just to intellectually realize, we are an island State and that I represent seven inhabited islands that I can only get to by air.

I will remember his intense interest in everything witnesses had to say during our T&I hearings. I will remember Chairman Oberstar, and I will certainly miss him. I strongly suspect that all the people of Minnesota, not just those of the 8th Congressional District, will miss him as well.

My very best to you, Jim, and to your wonderful wife Jean. Mahalo lui noa. Aloha.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Seniors Protection Act. I am an original cosponsor of this crucial legislation to provide Social Security recipients with a one-time $250 payment in 2011 to help seniors make ends meet. This bill is in response to the Social Security Administration's October announcement that there will be no automatic Cost-Of-Living-Adjustment next year for Social Security recipients because the trigger did not come into play because of the recession.

More than 160,000 seniors in Hawaii receive Social Security benefits. Over 1,000 of them took the time to write, e-mail, or call me to share their need for a COLA this year. In Hawaii and nationwide, seniors have seen their cost of living go up, whether in medical costs, uncovered prescription drug costs, or utility bills. Meanwhile, the recession that began under President George W. Bush has hit seniors' savings in pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s especially hard. The Seniors Protection Act will provide our seniors with a modest financial boost to help get by.

Nationwide, three out of every five seniors rely on Social Security for more than half of their income. The average retiree receives $14,000 in Social Security benefits. This bill's $250 payment will help seniors, veterans, railroad retirees and people with disabilities who receive Social Security.

In 1975, a majority Democratic Congress passed a law to automatically provide a cost-of-living increase for Social Security each year, using a formula based on inflation within the overall economy. For the first time in 30 years, as a result of the Bush Recession, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) was not high enough to trigger an automatic increase for 2010. Although our economy continues to recover, the formula will once again not provide an increase in 2011.

I support efforts to improve the Social Security COLA formula using the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Workers (CPI-E). In the meantime, the Seniors Protection Act before us today will provide a one-time payment of $250 in lieu of the 2011 increase.

The Seniors Protection Act currently has 158 Democratic cosponsors, but not one SINGLE Republican cosponsor. Instead, in recent months, leading House Republicans have called again for President George W. Bush's plan to privatize Social Security and leave seniors' hard-earned benefits up to the whims of the stock market.

I recently celebrated Social Security's 75th Birthday at an event at the Kapolei Branch of the Social Security Administration. As I said there and have said many times before, I will continue to fight to preserve Social Security benefits so seniors can help make ends meet.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5218, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2010.

Our Nation was founded on the powerful ideals of freedom and tolerance. These are values that still elude other nations to this day, which is why the American Dream endures in the minds of so many around the world. As an immigrant to this country myself, I know the power of that dream. That I could become a member of the People's House shows that the dream can come true.

The DREAM Act would provide conditional nonimmigrant status to a specific and narrow class of young individuals who must then meet tight program deadlines and rigorous requirements. Every person who is eligible for this status has already been in the United States and has been for many years. This bill allows them a path forward to making a real life for themselves in their home country, America.

The DREAM Act is supported by educators, religious leaders, and social service organizations from across the spectrum. I include for reprinting in the Congressional Record, a letter I have received from Papa Ola Lokahi, a non-profit organization that promotes the health and wellbeing of Native Hawaiians, in support of the bill. It is also worth noting that the Department of Defense's strategic plan recommends the enactment of the DREAM Act to help the military ``shape and maintain a mission-ready All Volunteer Force.''

I want to share the story of Mohammed Abdollahi, one of the first undocumented students to risk the possibility of deportation to illustrate the real life import of the bill before us today. Mohammed came to America from Iran as a three-year-old when his father was accepted for a Ph.D. program at the University of Michigan. But due to an error in the processing of an immigration form--the family paid $20 less than required--their application to stay in the U.S. was rejected. Mohammad, now 24 years old, is a product of the public education system of Michigan, graduating from both high school and community college in that state.

As a young gay man, Mohammed risked the possibility of deportation to a country where he knows neither the language nor the culture--and worse, where homosexuality is punished with torture and executions. He so strongly believes in the DREAM Act that he risks everything, including his very life, to ask that we, the Congress, support this bill.

There are thousands of young people, including in Hawaii, whose stories I have heard who came to this country as a young person and are now facing the nightmare of deportation.

I urge my colleagues to have the courage to do what is right for Mohammed and other high-achieving and patriotic students like him and vote for the DREAM Act.

Papa Ola Lokahi,

Honolulu, Hawaii, December 1, 2010.

Hon. Mazie Hirono,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Hirono: As leaders of the diverse Asian

American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, we write to

urge you to vote for the DREAM Act should this important

legislation come to the floor of the United States House of

Representatives. With Asian immigrants comprising roughly 40

percent of all immigrants, passage of the DREAM Act, as a

stepping stone towards comprehensive immigration reform, is a

top priority for the AAPI community.

The DREAM Act would create a path to legalization for

individuals without documentation who were brought to this

country as children, by no choice of their own, and have

since excelled in high school and chosen to serve in our

nation's armed forces or pursue higher education. The DREAM

Act is aptly named because it would allow these talented

individuals the opportunity to become citizens and fully

contribute to America.

Passage of this important legislation makes sense for

America's economy and our national defense. According to a

recent study conducted by UCLA, the combined income generated

by individuals who would be eligible for adjustment of status

under the DREAM Act would amount to $3.6 trillion over the

next 40 years. The Department of Defense acknowledges the

importance of the DREAM Act and lists passage of the bill as

pail of the Department's strategic plan in order to maintain

a mission-ready volunteer military.

More than the economic benefits of the DREAM Act, passing

this legislation is the right thing to do, There are an

estimated 65,000 students who graduate from high school every

year without legal immigration status--including many Asian

American and Pacific Islander students. In the University of

California system alone, approximately 40-44% of the

undocumented student population is AAPI. David Cho, a Korean-

American honor student and leader of the UCLA marching band,

who hopes to join the U.S. Air Force upon graduation, is just

one of the students who would benefit from the DREAM Act.

Steve Li, a Chinese-American nursing student from San

Francisco whose parents fled China to avoid that country's

one-child policy, faced imminent deportation until Senator

Feinstein introduced a private bill delaying his removal. A

college honor student who dreams of giving back to the U.S.

by becoming a doctor, Joanna Kim, also faces deportation and

the DREAM Act is her best hope for gaining legal status.

These young people embody our American values of hard work

and giving back to society.

Now is the best opportunity we have to pass the DREAM Act

and take one small step toward comprehensive immigration

reform. The DREAM Act is an excellent opportunity for

Congress to show voters they can, and will, work together to

fix our broken immigration system. These high- achieving

students deserve a chance to contribute fully to the U.S. and

pursue the American Dream. We urge you to vote for the DREAM

Act.

Sincerely,

Hardy Spoehr,

Executive Director.

Me ka oia `i` o,

Momi Imaikalani Fernandez,

Census Information Center and

Data & Information, Director.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Native Hawaiian Medicaid Coverage Act of 2010. This legislation is a companion to S. 52, which was introduced earlier this year by Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

This legislation would allow for 100 percent coverage under the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percent (FMAP) formula for Native Hawaiians who are Medicaid eligible and access care from Federally Qualified Health Centers or through the Native Hawaiian Health Care System.

Native Hawaiians, like American Indians and Alaska Natives, are an indigenous, native people. Currently, states receive a 100 percent FMAP reimbursement for health care services provided through Indian Health Services facilities. The bill I am introducing today would bring parity in the treatment of our country's Native peoples.

Congress has previously recognized the unique and historical relationship between the United States and the indigenous people of Hawaii. I ask for my colleagues' continued support for the health and wellbeing of Native Hawaiians.

I thank the gentlewoman from Maine for yielding me this time.

I rise in strong support of the rule and the bill we are voting on today, the Middle Class Tax Relief Act. This bill will help millions of Americans who are trying to make ends meet by providing them with sorely needed tax relief. The Middle Class Tax Relief Act permanently extends the tax cuts for middle class taxpayers so that individuals who make less than $200,000 a year, under $250,000 for joint filers, will get the tax relief they need. This legislation would help about 323,000 lower-and middle-income families in my congressional district alone.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have made it clear that they won't vote for this bill because it doesn't meet their highest priority--continuing the status quo of providing tax breaks for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. On the one hand, they claim to be concerned about reducing the $13.8 trillion national debt, opposing an extension of unemployment benefits for the nearly 2 million Americans who desperately need the assistance, including more than 4,000 in Hawaii. Not only is this reprehensible, it is bad math. A recent Labor Department report shows for every dollar spent on unemployment insurance, $2 are reinvested into the economy.

On the other hand, continuing tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, the richest 2 percent of Americans, would add a whooping $700 billion to our deficit over 10 years. These tax breaks would not trickle-down to create more jobs or help our economic recovery. In fact, they would add to our deficit. And, by the way, these richest taxpayers will also get the benefit of this tax relief in this bill for their first $200,000 of income. Why should this group of taxpayers then get an additional benefit that 98 percent of Americans will not.

Mr. Speaker, this is about fairness. We need to fight for working families and let the tax breaks for the wealthy expire so that they can start to pay their fair share of taxes. Today's vote on this bill will let the American people, the 98 percent who don't make $200,000 a year, including 323,000 families in Hawaii, know who is on their side fighting for them.

I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 589, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act, S. 3307, the largest Federal effort in 30 years to fight childhood obesity and hunger in Hawaii and nationwide. Our keiki's health is a crucial priority. I will vote to send this landmark child nutrition bill to President Obama for his signature.

We've seen the statistics. Hawaii faced a 15 percent increase in diabetes rates from 2005 to 2009, and 28.5 percent of youth in Hawaii ages 10-17 are obese. Meanwhile, 9.1 percent of Hawaii residents are ``food insecure,'' lacking consistent access to enough food for a healthy and productive life.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act will take crucial steps to fight childhood obesity. The new law will authorize a higher reimbursement rate for schools that serve healthier meals. This is the first reimbursement rate increase in 30 years. The law will apply the latest dietary guidelines to all food served in schools, keeping junk food and soda out of vending machines and the cafeteria. Over 100,000 Hawaii students participate in the Federal school lunch program.

I have visited school gardens at several schools in Hawaii, seeing firsthand how Farm-to-School programs can teach children about healthy eating as part of the curriculum. These programs can also help Hawaii farmers get their food into local schools. The new law includes $40 million in grants for Farm-to-School programs nationwide.

Hungry kids cannot learn. To fight child hunger, the new law will increase reimbursements for programs serving after-school, weekend, and summer meals. The law will also make it easier for schools to automatically enroll students in school lunch and breakfast programs using existing poverty data from Medicaid, foster care, Census, or the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. Currently, schools in many States require families to submit a cumbersome paper application form each year.

The new law also will fund school wellness policies to help schools promote nutrition and physical education. To help new mothers and our youngest children, the bill will support a healthier food packet for over 37,000 Hawaii participants in the Women, Infants and Children, WIC, program, integrating support for breastfeeding and the latest research on neonatal nutrition.

I want to acknowledge that this bill is not as strong as I or some of my constituents would have liked. As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I voted for a stronger version of the child nutrition bill that maintained Recovery Act support for SNAP, food stamp, benefits and included an innovative amendment to support plant- based and nondairy food in schools. The House bill also included my amendment to increase reimbursement rates for areas such as Hawaii that have higher food costs. I will continue fighting for these initiatives in the future, but the Senate bill before us today is our last, best hope to make crucial improvements in child nutrition this year. Next year's incoming House leadership has expressed clear opposition to these investments in child nutrition.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to surfing legend Andy Irons, who passed away suddenly on November 2 at the age of 32. A kama`aina from Hanalei on the island of Kauai, Andy Irons was one of the sport's most recognized athletes with three world championship titles, an accomplishment that no other male surfer from Hawaii has been able to achieve. In all, Andy won 32 professional surfing contests, including 20 elite Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour tides and four Triple Crown tides. Currently ranked 16th in the world, Andy remains the highest-ranked professional surfer from Hawaii.

Known for his powerful, fluid style and ability to excel in all types of surf conditions, Andy Irons was not only highly respected by surfers in Hawaii but also served as an ambassador for Hawaii and the sport as he competed in events all over the world. Andy always made it a point to mentor local surfers and promote the sport in Hawaii, including hosting the Irons Brothers Pine Trees Classic with his brother Bruce for up-and-coming surfers on Kauai over the past nine years.

Although he went on hiatus from competing professionally in 2008 and 2009, Andy made a comeback this year, winning the Billabong Pro Teahupoo in Tahiti in September. He was also expected to be a top contender in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing this month on the North Shore of Oahu, a three-event series that he won from 2002 to 2006.

Andy is survived by his wife, Lyndie, who is expecting their first child next month; father, Phil; mother, Danielle; and brother, Bruce. In addition to the thousands of people who paid tribute to Andy at a memorial ``paddle out'' service at Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kauai on November 14, thousands of fans, friends, and competitors around the world held similar memorials in solidarity.

Andy served as an inspiration to the people of Hawaii and to the surfing community around the world. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, one way we can create jobs, the number one concern for many of my constituents, is by developing clean-energy technologies and products made in America.

Hawaii, the most oil-dependent State in the country for our energy needs, is a prime locale for energy initiatives. Thanks to our $117 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy, a Hawaii company called First Wind is constructing a wind energy facility in Kahuku on Oahu's north shore. This will be the largest wind power facility on the island of Oahu.

The clean energy generated by this 30-megawatt facility will help Hawaii become more energy independent by powering up to 7,700 homes each year. In addition to creating about 200 construction jobs, the project also relies on American innovation and know-how by using wind turbines and batteries made by American manufacturers in Iowa and Texas.

I urge my colleagues to support legislation that will help innovative, homegrown companies develop clean, renewable energy technology and strengthen our competitiveness in domestic and overseas markets.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1654) expressing support for designation of the week of October 24, 2010, as ``Undergraduate Research Week,'' as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1654 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1654, which supports the designation of the week of April 11, 2011, as ``Undergraduate Research Week.'' The undergraduate students of our Nation's colleges and universities provide important research across many disciplines at over 600 colleges and universities each year.

Undergraduate research occurs in a number of fields, including arts and humanities, biology, chemistry, health sciences, geosciences, mathematics, computer science, physics and astronomy, psychology, social sciences, and many more. Students work with dedicated faculty mentors to produce important studies, findings, and reports that advance research in these fields.

Undergraduate research helps both individual students and the institutions they attend. Student researchers develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and an understanding of research methodology which helps to prepare them for graduate education and their future careers. For institutions of higher education, undergraduate research promotes an innovation-oriented culture, bolsters research capacities, and improves retention rates by engaging students in the campus community.

In my State, the University of Hawaii's system invests heavily in undergraduate research opportunities across its campuses. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet two outstanding students from the University of Hawaii who presented their scientific research posters at a Washington, D.C., awards ceremony. Haunani Kane from UH Manoa and Nakoa Goo from UH Hilo are native Hawaiian students who were award winners in the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program.

We know that increasing interest and participation among young people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics--the STEM disciplines--is crucial for the Nation's future economic competitiveness and for preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow. Undergraduate research in STEM fields offers students an opportunity to both become interested in careers in these areas and to learn important technical and research skills which prepare them for successful careers.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Holt for bringing this resolution forward.

Once again, I express my support for Undergraduate Research Week, which recognizes all of the important contributions of our undergraduate students to research at our Nation's colleges and universities. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1654.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and especially at this time, at a time when we need to be strengthening and enhancing our STEM education. I think that this is a very important resolution to focus our attention on those issues.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1652) expressing support for designation of the month of October 2010 as National Principals Month, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1652 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1652, celebrating National Principals Month, which was observed this October. With this resolution, we recognize the important roles principals play as leaders in our schools and in ensuring the best educational environment for our Nation's children.

Most of us can recall a principal who made a difference in our lives. He or she was the one who walked down the hall, knew everyone by name and asked about our day. They let us know when we were out of line and smiled with pride at our success.

Over the years, school leadership roles have broadened substantially to include increased emphasis on curriculum development, data analysis, and instructional leadership. They are tasked with complex problems such as facilitating systemic education reform while managing day-to- day school activities. Today, over 100,000 principals are supporting our Nation's students, teachers, and parents every day.

Since 1993, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and MetLife have partnered to applaud outstanding middle level and high school principals for demonstrated success in school leadership with their National Principal of the Year program.

I would like to congratulate 2010 National High School Principal of the Year Wes Taylor and Middle Level Principal of the Year Cathy Carnahan. Mr. Taylor serves as principal of Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia. He has overseen a 13 percent increase in graduation rates at Lowndes High School and across-the-board double-digit increases in pass rates on the Georgia standardized test. Mr. Taylor is well known for his emphasis on personalized classroom instruction which focuses on the strengths and needs of each student, despite a school attendance of nearly 3,000 students. I thank Mr. Taylor for his hard work and dedication to his school and for being the role model he is for high school principals nationwide.

Ms. Cathy Carnahan serves as principal at Duniway Middle School in McMinnville, Oregon. She has served at Duniway since 1993, including as assistant principal, emphasizing an atmosphere of faculty teamwork which has led to increased test scores, decreased referrals, and an impressive student attendance rate of 95 percent or higher. I thank Ms. Carnahan for her dedicated work and exemplary performance, and I congratulate her on her recognition.

Recently, I also had the privilege to meet Hawaii's State Principals of the Year for 2010. Darrel Galera serves as principal of Moanalua High School and won the 2010 Hawaii School Principal of the Year. Under Principal Galera's leadership, Moanalua High School now boasts a graduation rate of over 90 percent, well above the State and national average. Principal Galera is committed to helping his educators excel, and since 2002 he has hosted a statewide professional development conference at Moanalua.

Justin Mew serves as principal of Niu Valley Middle School and won Hawaii's 2010 Middle School Principal of the Year. Under his leadership, Niu Valley became Hawaii's first middle school to offer the advanced International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

Niu Valley also has a strong language immersion program, allowing students to learn Mandarin or Japanese. On a personal note, I also attended Niu Valley Middle School.

Great principals tremendously improve the outcomes of our Nation's youth and play a critical role in a school's success or failure. National Principals Month is an opportunity for us all to recognize this important role and to honor the work of all our Nation's principals.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for National Principals Month, and I hope this resolution serves as a thank you to our Nation's principals. I want to thank Representative Susan Davis for bringing this resolution to the floor and urge my colleagues to join me in support of House Resolution 1652.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the recognition of all of the hardworking principals throughout our country, and with that, I yield the balance of my time.