Floor Statements

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

Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the National Institutes of

Health (NIH) and the important research it is doing. There are few investments the Federal Government makes that regularly pay dividends to the American taxpayer. The National Institutes of Health, the lead government agency tasked with preventing and curing diseases and disorders, is one such investment. NIH conducts biomedical research at its Maryland campus and also supports biomedical research at medical centers, independent research laboratories and colleges and universities across our country. I would like to highlight one example of research that NIH is supporting to improve our constituents' overall health and well-being through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Premature birth is a major public health priority for the United States and a major research priority for the NICHD. In 2003, one out of every eight infants was born premature--resulting in more than $18 billion in hospital expenditures. Premature infants are at high risk for a variety of disorders, including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and vision impairment.

The primary goal of prematurity research is to find a way to prevent births from occurring before an infant is strong enough to survive outside of the womb. Because women who have one premature birth are considered to be at high risk for another premature birth, NICHD investigators have focused their attention on trying to prevent premature birth among these high-risk women. Researchers in an NICHD funded Maternal-Fetal Medicine Network set out to test the use of a specific type of progesterone called 17P that the body makes to support pregnancy. The results were remarkable--for women who have a history of premature delivery that are carrying one baby, injections of 17P reduced premature birth by one-third. The results of this research are currently being translated into real world results as obstetricians across the country are putting them into practice with their patients. This research is a clear and important step towards achieving our goal of bringing healthy babies into the world.

This is just one example of how the research funded with taxpayer dollars at the NIH is improving the health and well-being of all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an amazing Idahoan, Steve Kicklighter, known to his listeners as KeKe Luv. In the name of Child Abuse Prevention, KeKe set out to break a world record and stay awake for 175 hours, and I'm proud to say KeKe accomplished this enormous goal.

KeKe is a disk jockey for Boise radio station KSAS-103.3 FM. With the support of his station, KeKe took on the microphone for 7 full days. He only received one 15 minute break every 8 hours, and he accomplished this feat without any caffeine. Why did he do this? The answer is simple, he wanted to create awareness of child abuse, and, like most people, he wants that abuse to end.

Over a year ago, KeKe learned of the death of 4-year-old Summer Phelps. Her tragic death was one of the worst cases of child abuse that the city of Spokane, Washington, has ever seen. A once-happy redheaded little girl moved into her father and step-mother's home, where she endured unimaginable abuse in the days leading up to her murder. KeKe's message is simple: it shouldn't hurt to be a child.

In honor of Child Abuse Prevention month, KeKe took on the challenge to stay awake for 7 straight days to help raise awareness. KSAS-103.3 FM passed out blue ribbons and promoted Boise's non-profit organization, Idaho's Heart.

Thank you to KeKe Luv, thank you to KSAS-103.3 FM, and thank you to all their fans who offered support. I am so proud of your accomplishment, and I believe because of your efforts, the city of Boise and the Nation are ready to take action to prevent and end child abuse.

I thank the gentleman from Washington for yielding.

I have known Doc Hastings since I came here in 1999. He has always been kind of a mentor of mine, because we come from adjacent States, and a lot of the issues we deal with are similar. So I have consulted with him and sought his advice on many of the issues that affect our two States. We have done things together. I have known that he has served on the Ethics Committee, has been an honorable member of the Ethics Committee.

In fact, at times, we have been out doing a variety of things, whether it is out to dinner or out playing golf or something together, and there is always a case before the Ethics Committee which sometimes is of interest to other Members of the House. And I have inquired of him, how is that going, what is going on there in that case, or whatever. Doc has never failed to look at me and say, I can't talk about that. He has always kept the confidentiality of that committee on everything that has proceeded before it, and I respect him for that, even though many of us would like to know what is going on behind the closed doors.

Now, I am not an attorney, but I will tell you, I have been, when I served in the Idaho legislature as Speaker of the House, I care an awful lot about the institution. That is some of the debates we are currently having between the administration and the legislative branch and the rights and privileges of the institution in maintaining the rights and privileges of this institution.

So I care deeply about this institution and its future. It is one of the reasons that I had a problem with the legislation that was proposed last night on the ethics reform. As I said, I am not an attorney. What I rely on, and all of us become specialists in some areas when we come here, things that interest us, but what I rely on is the advice of other people.

When it comes to the advice of the Ethics Committee and what they do and the role they play and the impact that the legislation that was presented to us last night has, the impact that would have on the way our Ethics Committee works and the ethics of the House, I thought the information that was presented by Doc Hastings was not only important, it was vital to me being able to make a decision. And I think that type of information, as the

gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren) said, is vital to the debate on any issue that comes before the House.

How can we deny Members opinions from people who are experts in the area, whether we agree with them or not? I might have read all that and said, you know, that is interesting; I hadn't thought about that, but I disagree with that. But Members rely on other people's and experts' opinions on issues that come before the House. We have not only a right, we have an obligation to have that information if we are going to make informed decisions about issues that come before us. And certainly the ethics of this House and how we proceed is an issue for this House to deal with.

So, to suggest that somehow the information that Doc Hastings gave to the Members of this House so that they could weigh it in making a decision on the legislation presented to us last night was vital.

I was very, very disappointed to read what I took to be a threatening letter from the chairwoman of the Ethics Committee suggesting that Mr. Hastings had done something improper. I can find nothing improper that he did. In fact, what he did I thought was advance the debate. We happened to lose that debate last night. That is okay. That is the way the process worked. But to suggest that Members shouldn't have that information is a joke. And to then put out a letter saying that Congressman Hastings did something wrong, as has been mentioned several times, stains the reputation of this good man, and he deserves an apology from the Chair. And to suggest that if this happened again the chairwoman would sanction him brings into question her objectivity in judging him in the future, particularly if an ethics charge were charged against him. I agree with those who suggest that it may have placed in jeopardy her position as chairwoman of the committee.

So, I think at the very least she owes this good man from Washington, who has served us and those Members that serve on the Ethics Committee, an apology, and I hope that she would be big enough to apologize.

I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for the time that he has served on the Ethics Committee. It is kind of a standard joke around here that, yes, I am on the Ethics Committee. Do you want to be on it, because it is not one of those thankful positions to serve on in this House.

I thank you for the time you have served on that committee. It is a service to all of us and to this institution.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of National TRIO Day, which was on February 23, 2008, and in support of this

important program and the positive influence it has on young people in our country.

Higher education is an important component of success in today's economy, as well as a valuable end in itself. A college education opens doors to exciting new job fields, new experiences, and a deeper understanding of the world. Yet many lower-income Americans face a multitude of obstacles when they consider furthering their education. Parental income is one of the top predictors of whether or not a child will succeed in college, and if he or she is the first in the family to pursue a college education, the challenges can seem insurmountable.

This is why I am a strong supporter of the TRIO programs, which were created to support Congress's commitment to providing educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic circumstance. TRIO programs help students exceed societal expectations and predictions by providing tutoring in college preparatory classes and help in navigating through the sometimes daunting maze of required forms and tests known as the college admission process.

Congress enacted the National TRIO Day in 1986 in order to increase awareness and support for the programs, as well as to recognize the achievements of the TRIO programs and their important role in advancing equal opportunity in post-secondary education. Congress declared National TRIO Day ``a day on which the nation is asked to turn its attention to the needs of disadvantaged youth and adults aspiring to improve their lives, to the investment necessary if they are to become contributing citizens of this country, and to the talent which will be wasted if that investment is not made.''

National TRIO Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate this investment in the lives of young people and in the future of our nation. It is also a National Day of Service, and on February 23'' the TRIO programs in my State commemorated the day by doing a wide range of service projects throughout their communities.

As co-chair of the TRIO Caucus, it is my goal to make people aware of this important program and the profound impact that it is having on the lives of students in my home State of Idaho and elsewhere. National TRIO Day gives us a valuable opportunity to recognize that impact and commit ourselves to ensuring that these programs can continue to change the lives of students for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to National Children's Dental Health Month. Each February, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. As a part of their awareness efforts, dentists and dental hygienists from across the country and in my home State of Idaho join together and volunteer their time to provide free care to children.

As a dentist, I understand the need for children to receive proper dental care. This includes going to the dentist regularly for check-ups and treatment when problems arise. Oral health is critical to a person's overall health and means more than healthy teeth. Research continues to show that many diseases and conditions show themselves in the mouth. For people who don't have access to dental care, oral disease is almost 100 percent inevitable--and almost 100 percent preventable.

This is particularly heartbreaking when it affects our children. Children with poor oral health can have problems eating, sleeping properly, paying attention in school and even smiling, because they suffer constant pain. Unfortunately, many of us don't realize the extent and severity of untreated dental disease in children.

In my State of Idaho, over 35 percent of children lack dental insurance. More than 25 percent of elementary school-aged children in Idaho suffer from untreated tooth decay. If the problems go untreated, a child will often end up in a hospital emergency or operating room, which costs far more than a trip to the dentist.

Hundreds of dentists and oral healthcare providers in Idaho and across the country donate their time and energy to help this cause, and I graciously thank them. While National Children's Dental Health Month will not solve the issues of access to oral healthcare by itself, it is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of oral health and provide care to our most important and vulnerable resource--our children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my constituents, the Jackson family, founders of the John William Jackson Fund.

Boise resident Bill Jackson established the John William Jackson fund seven years ago in honor of his son, John, who died in a rock climbing accident in Central Asia. John William Jackson was known as a free- spirited individual who was passionate about academics, performing arts and outdoor sports. He challenged both himself and those around him to believe in themselves. He pushed them to excel at all that they did and to reach for the stars.

In providing scholarships and activities through the Fund, Bill Jackson has honored his son's memory by continuing to encourage young people to be successful individuals who can make great things happen. Jackson received the nickname ``Action'' Jackson during his service in Vietnam, and he continues to live up to that nickname through his work with the Fund.

The Jackson Fund has supported youth rock-climbing programs at the YMCA. It has provided new musical instruments to Kuna Middle School, and it has given scholarships to needy students to attend a Boise State University music camp. Just as John Jackson made other people believe in their dreams, the Jackson Fund is giving them the assistance and support to make those dreams a reality.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the achievements and contributions of the John William Jackson Fund and am honored to represent the Jackson family in Congress. Across America, our constituents are donating their time and energy to make a difference in people's lives, and I appreciate the opportunity to highlight one family in my state that is doing just that.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ashley A. Foard, a dedicated and faithful public servant who devoted his life to Idaho and his country. Mr. Foard passed away last week at the age of 97.

Ashley A. Foard was committed to serving the people of the United States. After earning his law degree from the University of Chicago, Mr. Foard began his 37-year-long career with the Federal Government. During his years of exemplary civil service, he served as a law clerk for the Public Works Administration, the National Housing Agency, and the Housing and Home Finance Agency. Mr. Foard later served as Acting General Counsel for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, where his efforts helped shape the country's housing and urban development policies.

The extraordinary service that Mr. Foard showed was very apparent to his superiors and peers alike, earning him many awards, such as the Superior Accomplishment Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the Housing and Home Finance Agency. Included in his long list of accomplishments is the role he played in the planning and drafting of President Kennedy's Executive Order 11063, which ended racial discrimination in Federal housing programs and led directly to the elimination of legal segregation in housing throughout the United States. Mr. Foard also assisted the Agency for International Development in the planning and development of national housing programs for numerous foreign countries.

In 1969, Mr. Foard was once again recognized for his service with the Rockefeller Public Service Award from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. At his retirement, Mr. Foard was honored by Members of Congress and members of the President's cabinet. Mr. Foard's service did not end after retirement-- he was an active member in the Kiwanis Club and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees, and he produced two books and a number of shorter pieces about his life.

Mr. Foard was described by those around him as ``unassuming and modest to a fault'' and ``quietly devoting himself to the common good.'' He lived a life that mattered to his family, his community, and his country, and I am gratified to honor him today.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 968, on passage of H.R. 3678, the Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007, I was unavoidably detained and unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 849, the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, I was unavoidably detained and unable to vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, in accordance with House earmark reforms, I would like to place into the Record a listing of congressionally directed projects in my home State of Idaho that are contained within the report to the fiscal year 2008 Defense appropriations bill.

I'd like to take just a few minutes to describe why I supported these projects and why they are valuable to the Nation and its taxpayers.

The report contains $3 million for a technology entitled Vacuum Sampling Pathogen Collection and Concentration. Developed by Microbial- Vac Systems in Jerome, ID, the advanced ``Vacuum Pathogen'' collection and concentration systems are critical to continued advancement of the Department of Defense's applications for manual and robotic sample acquisition and traceability of biothreat agents in food safety and environmental settings. Expansion and centralization of facilities, manufacturing, distribution, and infrastructure support capabilities will provide improved and more economically feasible commercial production capacities, emergency supply storage and expanded quality control capabilities. These measures are critically needed to supply sufficient numbers of the sterilely packaged pathogen collection and rapid processing technology to fill military and civilian emergency immediate and long-term needs during pandemic outbreaks, hostile attacks and post-incident remediation/decontamination monitoring and verification procedures. Improved national defense and food security will be realized by initial second-generation technology development of precise sample location and traceability, robotic field collection and automated rapid processing interfacing capability development. This project has received Federal funding in previous fiscal years.

This project was requested by Microbial- Vac Systems in Jerome, ID.

The report contains $2 million for the Idaho Accelerator Center, IAC, at Idaho State University's, ISU's, Small Accelerators and Detection Systems for Defense Applications program. Ongoing work at IAC suggests that transportable accelerators can now be developed to actively identify suspected nuclear materials/packages in the field, neutralize biological/chemical agents when discovered, decontaminate areas where bio/chem agents may have been released, and detect explosives and contraband in a variety of challenging circumstances. The IAC and the ISU academic community, in collaboration with scientists and engineers from the private sector and national laboratories, has been involved in developing technology for the remote detection of hazardous materials and contraband for more than 15 years. Through these associations the IAC has devised non-intrusive means to identify the contents of containers of various kinds that may contain fissionable material, radioactive material, explosives, hazardous material--biological or chemical--and contraband--FREHC--for homeland and national security applications. This project has received Federal funding in previous fiscal years.

This project was requested by Idaho State University in Pocatello,

I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to you, Chairman DeLauro, Ranking Member Kingston, and both of your respective staffs for all of the hard work that has been put in this bill, a bill I expect to support.

I would like to address an issue of great importance not only to my constituents, but to the Nation's agricultural industry.

In 2006, the potato cyst nematode was discovered in our country for the first time on approximately 1,000 acres in eastern Idaho. PCN is one of the most destructive potato pests, and if left uncontrolled, can result in devastating crop losses of up to 80 percent.

This spring, the USDA, the Idaho Department of Agriculture began an aggressive eradication program. Due to the confined area and early detection of the infestation, we are optimistic that the eradication program will prove successful. However, the funding level designated for the potato cyst nematode in this bill falls short of the necessary funding levels to continue this eradication effort.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture recently recommended that this program be fully funded at $12.8 million. While I appreciate the constraints the House Agriculture Subcommittee has worked under, I hope that the chairwoman would work with me to try to find the necessary funds to fully fund this program.

I thank Chairman DeLauro.

Mr. Chairman, in accordance with House earmark reforms, I would like to place into the record a listing of Congressionally- directed projects in my home state of Idaho that are contained within the report to the FY08 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations bill.

I'd like to take just a few minutes to describe why I supported these projects and why they are valuable to the nation and its taxpayers.

First, the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) grants included below are targeted to our nation's Land Grant Colleges. In the case of Idaho, these funds are used by the University of Idaho to conduct research on a variety of crops important to the Pacific Northwest. I have also supported research in Washington and Oregon because their research is invaluable to my constituents as well.

In assessing the value of these requests, there are some important considerations that must be made. World labor standards and costs are far below those of the U.S. Our nation's farmers are subjected to far more stringent environmental regulations than those of many of our competitors. Input costs in the U.S. far surpass those of other nations. And energy prices, including farm diesel, are rising dramatically.

So how can a U.S. farmer remain competitive in a global market? He can do it by achieving greater productivity and efficiency, increased yields, and better defenses against diseases. These are the very things that agriculture research funding delivers for U.S. producers--and for U.S. consumers.

If you want to rely on foreign nations for our food in the way we rely on them for our oil, then by all means eliminate these important agriculture research programs. But if you believe, as I do, that maintaining a domestic capability to produce our food is a national security issue, then you ought to support these research programs and fight for their continuation.

The second entity that receives the bulk of these funds is the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) and its stations across rural America. In Idaho, these institutions are conducting vital research into some of our most important crops--sugar, potatoes, small fruits, and aquaculture. I encourage all of my colleagues to visit an ARS station to see firsthand the value of this research. If you do, you will learn that these researchers are doing amazing things with very limited budgets. These projects are usually small in terms of their funding, but the benefits that flow from that research cannot be measured in dollars alone.

Four of the projects below are funded through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The first program, Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) Detection and Eradication, provides funding that is critical to saving the potato industry, both in Idaho and across the nation. In August 2006, PCN was discovered in our country for the first time on approximately 1,000 acres in Eastern Idaho. PCN is a major pest of potato crops and is one of the most destructive and difficult pests to control. If left uncontrolled, this pest can result in devastating crop yield losses of up to 80 percent. Without this funding, the pest's significant risk of dispersion could lead to a devastating impact on our nation's agriculture production and exports.

The Greater Yellowstone Brucellosis funding is particularly critical to my home state of Idaho. Idaho recently regained its Brucellosis Class Free Status and these funds are critical to continuing a management plan that will allow Idaho to maintain brucellosis free status.

The Tri-State Predator control funding is hardly a handout to ranchers. The federal government forced wolf reintroduction on Idaho and other western states and it is duty-bound to pay for the deadly and gruesome impacts of this decision.

The funding for the Nez Perce Bio-Control Center will enable the Center to utilize organism-rearing technology to improve mass rearing capabilities for biological control organisms, thus providing long-term management of invasive weeds.

Another project on this list is the Idaho One-Plan. The Idaho One- Plan is a unique collaboration of agencies, industries, and associations dedicated to assisting Idaho farmers and ranchers in their continuing natural resource stewardship responsibilities. The program was developed jointly with state and federal resource agencies, the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension program, the Environmental Protection Agency, and local commodity groups. It's a successful program that has enormous value to not only the Idaho agriculture community and the environment, but to other states that might be interested in a similar collaborative process.

The final project is the Idaho Food Bank Facility Acquisition and Expansion Program. Currently, the Idaho Food Bank, located in Pocatello, Idaho, cannot process all of the donated food and often turns away delivery trucks and donations due to lack of space. An expansion of the food bank would allow more needy families in Eastern Idaho to utilize the food bank's services.

Mr. Chairman, any effort to remove these projects from the bill would not only result in zero savings to taxpayers, it would stop dead these important efforts to enhance and protect our nation's food supply.

I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list of Congressionally- directed projects in my region and an explanation of my support for them.

(1) $6,750,000 for APHIS Potato Cyst Nematode Detection and Eradication.

(2) $854,000 for CSREES Increasing Shelf Life of Agricultural Commodities (WA, OR, ID).

(3) $96,994 for ARS National Plant Germplasm Program--Aberdeen, ID.

(4) $628,843 for ARS Aquaculture--Barley Sustainable Feeds--Aberdeen,

Mr. Chairman, in accordance with House earmark reforms, I would like to place in the Record a listing of the congressionally directed projects in my home State of Idaho that are contained in the report of the FY08 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

I would like to take just a few minutes to describe why I supported these projects and why they are valuable to the Nation and its taxpayers.

The report contains $1,200,000 for the Idaho State Police to participate in the Criminal Information Sharing Alliance Network, CISAnet. CISAnet is a fully functional information-sharing network comprised of law enforcement agencies from 10 States, including Idaho. The program focuses on drug trafficking and border security issues. Sharing of criminal law enforcement information by and between these 10 States is vital to securing an area regarded as one of the most vulnerable to our Nation's security. These funds would enable Idaho to continue participating in CISAnet. This program has received Federal funding in previous fiscal years.

This project was requested by the Idaho State Police.

The report contains $800,000 for the Idaho Department of Corrections to participate in the National Consortium of Offender Management Systems, NCOMS, Sharing Software Development Project. NCOMS is a web- based system allowing States and governmental agencies to share offender information. NCOMS and the CIS system make it a reality to track offenders across State lines and beyond with the use of Extensible Markup Language, XML, global standards and partnerships across the law enforcement and corrections communities. Funding would be used to allow more government agencies and entities to effectively use the system and to modify the ``coding'' of the application to make it more modular, allowing organizations to implement pieces of the application as needed. This program has received Federal funding in previous fiscal years.

This project was requested by the Idaho Department of Corrections.

I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list of Congressionally directed projects in my district and an explanation of my support for them.

1. $1,200,000 for Criminal Information Sharing Alliance Network, CISAnet; Idaho State Police

2. $800,000 for National Consortium of Offender Management Systems, NCOMS, Sharing Software Development Project; Idaho Department of Corrections