Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize two innovative Delaware entrepreneurs, Tim Smith and Alan Cole, of Delmarva Digital, a leading web application software company based in Laurel, Delaware and serving the Mid-Atlantic Region.

The son of a United States Air Force veteran and a public school teacher, Tim Smith is the definition of success. Tim is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Delmarva Digital. But Tim Smith is more than just successful in business; he is also a devoted husband and a pillar in his community, contributing his time to charitable causes including traveling to developing countries to teach aspiring entrepreneurs how to achieve their dreams.

Alan Cole is the son of a State Police officer and a professor at Delaware Technical and Community College. He is a highly decorated combat veteran having served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As a Military Intelligence Officer with the National Security Administration, Alan held the highest security clearance that exists. Alan is a founder and Chief Technology Officer of Delmarva Digital, where he is the lead software and systems architect, network and security expert, and the manager of operations.

I am proud to join the Laurel Chamber of Commerce in recognizing exceptional Delaware entrepreneurs like Tim Smith and Alan Cole. I thank them for their hard work in business and for their dedication to their community.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize a great Delawarean, David W. Thomas, for his outstanding service to our great state. Dave was the United States Marshal for the District of Delaware from August 2002 until August 2010. As he moves on to future endeavors, I wish him the best of luck and pay tribute to his great accomplishments and steadfast service to our state.

Serving in the Delaware State Police from 1984 to 2002, Dave served as a road trooper before joining the Executive Protection Unit, responsible for the protection of the Governor and other dignitaries. During my time as Governor, I had the pleasure of getting to know Dave who proved himself to be a dedicated officer through his tireless dedication to the Executive Protection Unit and the state of Delaware. Dave quickly excelled throughout his career with the state police. His many other accomplishments include being elected Vice President of the National Governors Security Administration and serving as the Public Information Officer for the Delaware State Police. After an extraordinary career with the Delaware State Police, Dave was privileged to serve as the U.S. Marshal for the District of Delaware.

In his eight-year tenure as U.S. Marshal, Dave was tasked with many difficult duties including the transportation and housing of Federal prisoners, fugitive apprehension, and the security of Federal judges and U.S. Attorney's Office and staff. One of his more noteworthy accomplishments occurred in April 2009 when Dave led a Fugitive Safe Surrender initiative in which over a thousand individuals with outstanding warrants turned themselves in.

I am proud to represent a state where individuals like David W. Thomas reside. Delawareans will sorely miss his steadfast service to our great state. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize a great Delawarean, Tricia Roberts, a recipient of the Kathryn J.R. Swanson Public Service Award from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Tricia was given this prestigious award for her tireless dedication to keeping Delaware's roadways safe during her career with the Office of Highway Safety (OHS). I am honored that the GHSA has selected Tricia for this award as she is certainly well- deserving. I also wish Tricia all the best in her new found retirement.

Tricia joined the Delaware OHS as a community relations officer in 1989, while I was serving as Governor of Delaware. Through hard work and determination, Tricia quickly rose to director of OHS in 1994. During her time as director, Tricia led the charge to enact strong motor vehicle safety measures, such as the primary seat belt law, bicycle helmet law, and the repeat DUI offender legislation. After legislation was signed into law in 2000 to make a .08 blood alcohol level the standard in all 50 states, which I and others in the House of Representatives worked to pass, Tricia worked tirelessly for several years to toughen drunk driving laws in Delaware to meet federal requirements. Also a steadfast proponent of Checkpoint Strikeforce DUI prevention programs, Tricia was extremely dedicated to keeping impaired drivers off of Delaware's roads. Her innovative measures and dedication to highway safety has improved Delaware's roadways and undoubtedly ensured the safety of thousands.

I am proud to represent a state where individuals such as Tricia Roberts reside. I am extremely grateful for Tricia's efforts toward improving highway safety and I wish her all the best in retirement. It is individuals like Tricia that give Delaware the good name that it has.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute today to Janice Marvel, the incoming President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association (LADVFA).

President Marvel has been a life-long member of the Roxana Fire Company Auxiliary. Like many other members of the Auxiliary and Fire Departments, President Marvel's involvement in the volunteer fire service has been a family affair--with history both in Maryland and Delaware. It has been said that being part of the fire service is like being part of a family, and in Janice Marvel's case, this rings particularly true.

Prior to being elected to this new post, President Marvel served as President of the Auxiliary at Roxana having joined the Department in 1978. She and her husband Todd, who is the President of Roxana have dedicated their lives to their community and the volunteer fire service. I believe her worthy of the honor of holding the presidential office.

The LADVFA serves such an important function in our community, and to be as effective as possible, they must have dedicated and organized leaders. I have every confidence that President Marvel will provide the LADVFA the leadership it requires and is known for. I wish her the very best in her new role.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute today to Kevin Wilson, the outgoing President of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association (DVFA).

President Wilson's career began with the Clayton Fire Company in 1974 where he eventually became Chief and served on the Board of Directors. Throughout his distinguished career, President Wilson has served the community in a number of capacities. He is a past President of the Kent County Fire Chief's Association, the Kent County Volunteer Fireman's Association, and the Delaware State Fire Chief's Association. President Wilson retired from the Delaware State Police (DSP) after twenty years of service, and currently serves as a civilian investigator in the DSP Sex Offenders Unit.

As President of the DVFA, Kevin's strong leadership guided the organization through a tough economy. President Wilson worked tirelessly to ensure DVFA was properly funded and provided the same wonderful firefighting and emergency response that the DVFA is known for.

As President Wilson steps down I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for everything he has done for the DVFA and the State of Delaware.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute today to Lorraine Madden, the outgoing President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association (LADVFA).

President Madden has been a life-long member of the Bowers Fire Company Auxiliary. Like many other members of the Auxiliary and Fire Departments, President Madden's father was the Fire Chief, and her mother was President of the Auxiliary. Prior to being elected to this new post, President Madden served as President of the Auxiliary at Bowers and was also the President of the Auxiliary to the Kent County Volunteer Firemen's Association. Her record of service and leadership is commendable, and is a reflection of the organization itself.

When called to action during alarms, LADVFA assist the firemen by serving meals or snacks while the companies are fighting fires or assisting with other emergencies. The services they provide both the fireman and the community are invaluable.

The LADVFA serve such an important function in our community, and to be as effective as possible, they must have dedicated and organized leaders. President Madden has been exactly that over the past year and the State of Delaware and our nation are greatly indebted to her for all of her past and future hard work. Congratulations on a job well done!

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute today to Bill Tobin, the incoming President of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association (DVFA). President Tobin began his career in the DVFA as a mascot in the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company in 1959. In 1975 he moved to Lewes, where he joined the Lewes Volunteer Fire Department.

President Tobin's life has been dedicated to serving others. Along with his membership in the Lewes Fire Department, Bill served as President for the Georgetown American Legion Ambulance Company and later became active with the Memorial Volunteer Fire Department in Slaughter Beach. He has served Memorial well in the role of both Treasurer and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2000.

I commend President Tobin on his dedication to Delaware's volunteer fire service and tireless efforts on behalf of his community. DVFA is fortunate to have such a man filling this important role. I am confident that President Tobin's experience and leadership will help DVFA continue on the path of exceptional service for which they are known across our state.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize one of the great small businesses in the state of Delaware, Grotto Pizza, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. With over 18 locations throughout Delaware, Grotto Pizza has certainly put its stamp on our great state, not only as a successful restaurant, but as a community leader.

At the age of 17, Dominick Pulieri, with the help of his family opened the first Grotto Pizza in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in 1960. Starting from humble beginnings, Dominick worked tireless hours to produce a unique product for the community. His efforts paid off as only three years after the initial opening, Dominick opened a second location. With growing demand and statewide popularity, Grotto Pizza opened as a year-round restaurant in 1974. As they celebrate their 50th anniversary, Grotto Pizza now employs over 800 individuals year-round swelling to 1,300 in summer months. This is a testament to the strong leadership Dominick provided, great customer service and most importantly delicious food! Not only has Grotto Pizza been a successful small business, their community service and loyalty to the state of Delaware have been second to none.

Throughout its 50-year history, Grotto Pizza has been a strong and active member of Delaware's community. The restaurant sponsors over 700 organizations each year including schools, fire and police departments, and sports teams. However, Grotto Pizza is quick to lend a helping hand outside of Delaware as they have participated and sent aid to the tsunami and Katrina relief efforts, as well as recently contributing over $24,000 towards the earthquake relief in Haiti. Their many contributions to the local community and nation are strong examples of the positive impact a small business can make.

I am proud to represent a state where small businesses like Grotto Pizza reside. I consider Dominick Pulieri to be a friend of mine and I am proud of the many accomplishments that he and Grotto Pizza have had over the past 50 years. I wish them all the best as they celebrate this significant milestone.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize a great philanthropic Delawarean, James H. Gilliam, Sr., as he celebrates his 90th birthday. Jim Gilliam first came to Delaware in 1965 and was one of the only African Americans former Governor Russell Peterson allowed to break the curfew laws as a peacemaker during the Wilmington riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Jim went on to be a strong activist and is recognized as one of Delaware's finest community leaders.

Jim Gilliam was born in Baltimore, Maryland and received a B.A. in sociology from Morgan State University. He continued his education at Howard University School of Social Work where he earned his Masters in 1950. Jim Gilliam has had a long career of service not only to local communities, but to his country. He won medals of distinction, including the Bronze Star, serving as a captain in the United States Military, and at 40, he integrated the Maryland National Guard.

Jim's leadership skills and activism had an immediate impact when he came to the state of Delaware. He served as president and chairman of the board of Delaware's Community Housing Incorporated from 1974 to 1990, and served as a consultant on a variety of community issues. Jim was a two-term president of the National Association of Non-Profit Housing Organizations in the 1970's. Retiring in 1990, Jim's community activism did not end; a decade ago he founded the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. In just three years the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League won the National Urban League's highest honor, the Whitney M. Young Award, for advancing racial equality. This is a testament to Jim Gilliam's hard work and dedication to the local community.

Jim Gilliam has had a tremendous impact on Delawareans. His selfless service, positive attitude and determined work ethic have impacted countless people throughout our great state. I am honored to represent a state where individuals like Jim Gilliam reside, and I wish him a very happy 90th birthday.

Mr. Chairman, I seek recognition to present amendment No. 2.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today to urge support for amendment No. 2 to the CLEAR Act, which will help ensure that there is no delay in the development of ocean renewable energy resources, including offshore wind, under the MMS reorganization called for under title I.

The actions to reform MMS following the devastating oil spill are necessary and commendable.

While the new bureaus and office are focused on the critical task of transforming the agency into a more effective, transparent agency, this will require significant organizational and cultural alterations. Under this restructuring, it would be a great disappointment to lose ground in our efforts to prepare a workable comprehensive offshore energy plan for our Nation.

If we are serious about advancing new clean sources of power, which I sincerely hope we are, an important goal of the MMS reorganization must continue to facilitate, not hinder, the development of offshore renewable energy development in the waters of the United States.

For offshore renewable energy projects already underway, like the wind project off the coast of Delaware, progress must continue. While I continue to believe there is value in establishing a separate office for ocean renewable energy development, which we can perhaps continue to work on in our discussions with the Senate, this amendment would, at a minimum, ensure appropriate attention is paid to advancing ocean renewable energy development and protecting against bottlenecks that could result in unnecessary delays.

Offshore wind farms alone present a significant and rapidly growing source of emissions-free electrical power for our constituents. And recent Department of the Interior-U.S. Department of Energy reports confirm that winds off the coast of the United States are a promising source of clean, renewable electrical power.

My amendment is simple and calls attention to the need to ensure that targeted efforts to support offshore wind and renewable energy development continue without delay. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support its adoption.

I yield to the gentleman from West Virginia.

I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1538, condemning the July 11 terrorist attacks in Uganda, which claimed over 70 lives, including an American citizen, and Delawarean, Nate Henn.

Nate was in Uganda working as a volunteer for Invisible Children, a group dedicated to ending the practice of child soldiers in war. Nate left University of Delaware in 2008 and had been working with Invisible Children ever since. The tribes he worked with nicknamed him ``Oteka,'' which means ``The Strong One'' and from all the accounts of his work that I have read, he was more than deserving of that name.

This coordinated terrorist attack was both brutal and targeted, taking place in areas of Kampala where many Ugandans and others gathered to watch the World Cup games. This resolution rightfully calls on the administration to work with the international community to address the security threat emanating from Somali, particularly the al Shabaab terrorist network, which claimed responsibility for these vicious attacks. I am hopeful that we can work together with the international community to eliminate extremism and promote stability and peace in Somalia, and throughout the region.

As a cosponsor of H. Res. 1538, I strongly support this measure and urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the July 11 terrorist attacks and honoring the victims, particularly Nate Henn.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to support the DISCLOSE Act, legislation to boost transparency and accountability in U.S. elections.

The January, 5-4 Supreme Court decision in the Citizen's United v. FEC case allows for unprecedented corporate and union influence in our elections, overturning many years of banning these groups from spending their general treasury funds on political expenditures in Federal elections.

With the 2010 election season months away, it is imperative that we not let individual voices be drowned out by billions of dollars in special interest funds. For this reason, I am pleased to have worked with Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) on the bill before us today, the DISCLOSE Act.

Critics have argued that this legislation stifles free speech in election advertising, when in reality, under this bill, campaign advertisements will continue as before, only now, we will know who is spending money to air the ad. Opponents have also claimed that the bill gives special treatment to unions over corporations, yet the bill requires the same disclosure for both unions and corporations alike. I believe in protecting the right of every American to know who is behind the advertisements they see every campaign season, and under the disclosure requirements in this bill, they will know this information.

The DISCLOSE Act will require corporations and unions to disclose to the FEC and to the American people who is funding their campaign advertisements; and it also requires a CEO, Union Leader, or leader of any other covered organization, to ``stand by their ad'' and say they approve a campaign message, just like candidates are currently required.

I have worked to ensure all groups that seek to influence the outcome of elections--both unions and corporations--are equally subject to the same disclosure and disclaimer provisions set forth in this bill. As a longtime supporter of strengthening the nation's campaign finance laws, I remain deeply concerned with efforts to carve out exemptions from this requirement for certain groups, and continue to oppose creating loopholes that will weaken them. For this reason, I opposed the Manager's Amendment.

The DISCLOSE Act will help bring greater transparency to political advertising, and I encourage my colleagues to support passage of this important measure.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the DISCLOSE Act. I would like to thank Mr. Van Hollen and his office for their work on this as well.

I believe that this is relatively simple. I think that all of us in this country have a right to know who is putting forth ads for or against candidates as the campaigns run on. We do that as elected officials. The political parties do that. We also file all those who contribute money to us above certain amounts, and that I believe also should be done.

This act that we are trying to pass basically is one of transparency. You can call it DISCLOSE, whatever you wish; but it basically indicates that foreign corporations cannot spend dollars in U.S. elections, and Federal contractors cannot get involved. But those who can, the corporations, unions, not-for-profits, must disclose who is paying for it in terms of the CEO coming forward and major contributors being posted so that people know who is paying for it.

It does not limit what they can say. I do not believe it's in any way a violation of the First Amendment as has been stated here on repeated occasions.

I will be the first to tell you I do not like the manager's amendment that was in the rule with respect to the exemptions for certain entities--not because there's anything wrong with the entities--but my judgment is this should be applicable to everybody who would fall into these categories. Perhaps that will be fixed in the Senate.

But the bottom line is, this is a disclosure act so that the people of this country will know who is advertising. We've all been subjected to it. We've all seen these ads where you wonder just who is running that ad, and now we'll have a pretty good idea. I hope our body will support it.

Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize today the career of the Honorable State Representative William A. Oberle, Jr. A member of Delaware's General Assembly for over 34 years, Representative Oberle has served his constituents, his community and his state with genuine devotion, and his presence will be greatly missed.

For over three decades Bill has worked diligently as a representative of the 24th Representative District, ensuring that his constituents have had a strong voice in the General Assembly. I worked with Bill for eight years at Legislative Hall in Dover, Delaware and was able to witness first hand his steadfastness and spirit. Bill will leave behind an indelible legacy in the General Assembly--for his countless years of dedicated service and, most of all, for his outstanding commitment to the constituents whom he represented. His history of determination and resolve serves as a template for all public servants.

Bill holds the distinct title of the General Assembly's longest serving Republican ever, which he achieved through years of hard work, putting aside party differences and reaching across the aisle to arrive at policies which were most beneficial to his constituents and the state of Delaware. Over his career, Bill has been the champion of imperative legislation which brought much needed change to our state. A strong labor supporter, his work on the issues of neighborhood schooling, workers compensation, and the support he lent to various police forces have been efficacious in elevating Delaware's communities.

I am proud to have served with Bill for the eight years that I did, and pleased to have this opportunity to honor him on the occasion of his retirement from the Delaware House of Representatives. He has been unwavering in his mission to represent the 24th Representative District, and will be remembered for his countless contributions to his constituents, and the state of Delaware. Bill has had a terrific career of public service and I wish both him and his wife, Sally, the best on this momentous occasion.

Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize today the career and accomplishments of The Honorable State Representative Pamela Thornburg. As a member of Delaware's General Assembly for 10 years, Representative Thornburg has given much to her community and state while faithfully serving her constituents of the 29th District. Representative Thornburg is retiring after an admirable career in the General Assembly, and her presence in the State House will be greatly missed.

First elected to the State Legislature in 2000, Pam has successfully sponsored a number of high-profile laws and initiatives. A cornerstone of her legislative career was a 2007 law to reduce the number of false alarms from automated alarm systems. This visionary legislation sought to streamline emergency response by cutting down on the 99-percent false alarm rate which diverted and distracted essential emergency personnel.

As a State Representative for the 29th District and a member of the House's Agriculture Committee, Pam has worked tirelessly to defend Delaware's environmental interests. She is an agricultural advocate and a champion of preservation; she has ensured that countless acres of forestland have been protected, and, as further testament to her commitment, she also assisted in a separate initiative that secured permanent funding to preserve Delaware farmland from development.

Over her career, Pam has resolutely served the constituents of the 29th District, fighting for

their interests while ensuring their voices were heard in the State House. Pam has had an excellent career in public service, and I wish her the best of luck in her new position as Executive Director of the Delaware Farm Bureau.