Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a constituent of mine, Mrs. Andra Lyons, of Jacksonville, Alabama. Mrs. Lyons is a highly accomplished educator and was recently named Jacksonville High School's Teacher of the Year.

In 1982, Mrs. Lyons began her career as a teacher. After graduating from Jacksonville State University, Mrs. Lyons began teaching elementary school, a position she held for 15 years. She later began teaching middle school, and she currently teaches 8th grade science. As part of her career in education, Mrs. Lyons has also participated in the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative. According to her colleagues, Mrs. Lyons has been a dedicated and talented educator, who by applying new hands-on teaching methods to her classroom, has enriched her students' learning experiences. In recognition of her dedication to academic excellence, Mrs. Lyons' colleagues have named her Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Lyons has touched hundreds of young lives over the years, helping guide our future leaders toward success in life. I congratulate Mrs. Lyons for her dedication, and for receiving this important recognition.

Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion today for a constituent of mine--Mrs. Lucille Cochran's 100th birthday. Mrs. Cochran will gather with her friends and family to mark the occasion on February 9, 2007.

Lucille ``Mama Cill'' Cochran was born in Lee County, Alabama, where she resides today with her loving family and church community. ``Mama Cill'' credits long life to her faith and trust in God. This mother of 9, grandmother of 35, and great grandmother of 77, enjoys entertaining her family in her kitchen where she serves her Alabama nugget baked sweet potatoes and coffee.

Mrs. Cochran's vibrant personality and active life make her an important part of her community. In her own special way, she serves as a shining example for us all. On this special occasion, I salute this remarkable woman for her long life, and her dedication to family.

Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask for the attention of the House today to pay recognition to Judge Jack Hughes, a highly respected public servant who is retiring from 19 years of service. Currently, Judge Hughes presides as Circuit Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Anniston, Alabama.

Judge Hughes has served our nation in a number of important capacities. Prior to graduating from the Birmingham School of Law in 1983, Judge Hughes served our Nation in the United States Army, as well as in a law enforcement capacity at the Anniston Police Department. After earning his law degree, he has worked in both private practice and has served as the Presiding Judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, and Presiding Family Court Judge.

Our great Nation is made stronger by those who serve the common good. Jack Hughes has served his community and his Nation well, and for that we all extend to him our most hearty thanks. I salute Judge Hughes on this important occasion, and congratulate him on his service to the legal field and to our community.

Madam Speaker, Ms. Jaleesa Clements, a 16- year-old constituent of mine from Tuskegee, Alabama, tragically passed away recently.

According to those who knew her, Jaleesa was a highly intelligent young woman with a bright future. At school, she was recognized for her accomplishments as Miss Tuskegee Institute Middle School. Jaleesa had many talents, and also dedicated her time to serving in the Booker T. Washington High School Marching Aristocrats, where she served as the Majorette Captain. She was also a young woman with a strong faith, and contributed to her community by being an active member of St. James AME Church in Tuskegee, Alabama.

It is a tragedy indeed that a young person filled with such promise was taken from us at such an early age. She will be missed dearly. On this mournful occasion, I ask that we all remember Jaleesa, and pray for her loved ones, her family, and her community as they grieve for her passing.

Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask the attention of the House today to pay recognition to Judge Sam Monk who is retiring after 28 years of service. Judge Monk currently presides as Circuit Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Anniston, Alabama.

Judge Sam Monk graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1975. Prior to law school, Judge Monk served in the United States Army. Judge Monk has worked in both private practice and has served as Presiding Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit, Circuit Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit, and as District Judge for Calhoun and Cleburne Counties.

Judge Monk will officially retire on January 15, 2007, but a reception in his honor will be held on January 12, 2007 at the Calhoun County Courthouse.

I salute Judge Monk and congratulate him on his service to the legal field over the past 28 years. I wish him all the best on this important occasion.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), my friend and colleague.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The bill we consider today will streamline the procurement process of the Department of Homeland Security by implementing the SAFETY Act. The SAFETY Act was enacted in November 2002 as a part of the Homeland Security Act. At that time it was the intent of Congress to spur the development and deployment of innovative antiterrorism technologies. The act does this, in part, by limiting the liability exposure of companies that provide those technologies in the event of a terrorist attack.

Since the law was enacted, however, the number of applications to DHS for SAFETY Act protections has fallen well below expectations. Critics charged that this result is due to a number of factors, including the Department's slow evaluation and approval process, the understaffing in key DHS offices, and the lack of full coordination between the SAFETY Act office and the procurement office in the process at DHS.

To address those concerns, the Committee on Homeland Security included bipartisan provisions in the DHS authorization bill for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, but time ran out, and neither bill came to law.

Last summer DHS issued its final rule to implement the SAFETY Act. The Department revised the application kit to make it easier for companies to apply for SAFETY Act protection.

To review those materials and hear from the private sector, I cochaired a hearing in the Management, Integration and Oversight Subcommittee with the former Chairman Reichert and his subcommittee on September 13, 2006. We heard from the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the chief procurement officer at DHS.

We also heard from leading industry representatives, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Homeland Security and Defense Business Council, and the Professional Services Council. The feedback we received from industry about the revisions DHS made to the process was mostly positive. Progress has been made.

DHS reports a 100 percent increase in applications, from 14 to 28, over 1 year since the fourth quarter of 2005, but more can be done to further streamline and improve the SAFETY Act procurement process.

The bill we consider today continues our work from the 109th Congress and makes those improvements. First, the bill would ensure DHS has a sufficient number of properly trained analysts to review and prioritize antiterrorism technologies that could qualify for SAFETY Act designation.

Second, the bill would establish a formal coordination process within DHS and involve the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, the Under Secretary for Policy, the chief procurement officer and the general counsel.

And third, the bill would require that SAFETY Act issues are fully considered in advance of procurement by DHS of an antiterrorism technology.

This bill would improve implementation of the SAFETY Act so the private sector can do more to protect our Nation from terrorist attacks. I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, LCpl Cody Gordon Watson, 21, of Oxford, Alabama, died on December 6, 2006, in Iraq. Lance Corporal Watson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. His survivors include his mother and father Linda S. and Dennis B. Watson of Anniston, Alabama.

Lance Corporal Watson was known for his upbeat and dedicated spirit. Like all soldiers, he dutifully left behind his family and loved ones to serve our country overseas.

Words cannot express the sense of sadness we have for his family, and for the gratitude our country feels for his service. Lance Corporal Watson, like other brave men and women who have served in uniform, died serving not just the United States, but the entire cause of liberty. Indeed, he was a true American.

We will forever hold him closely in our hearts, and remember his sacrifice and that of his family as a remembrance of his bravery and willingness to serve our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask the attention of the House today to pay recognition to Judge Sam Monk who is retiring after 28 years of service. Judge Monk currently resides as Circuit Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Anniston, Alabama.

Judge Sam Monk graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1975. Prior to law school, Judge Monk served in the United States Army. Judge Monk has worked in both private practice and has served as Presiding Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit, Circuit Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit, and as District Judge for Calhoun and Cleburne Counties.

Judge Monk will officially retire on January 15, 2007, but a reception in his honor will be held on January 12, 2007, at the Calhoun County Courthouse.

I salute Judge Monk and congratulate him on his service to the legal field over the past 28 years. I wish him all the best on this important occasion.

Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask the attention of the House today to pay recognition to the 70th Anniversary of the Montgomery Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in Montgomery, Alabama. With nearly 425 members, this chapter remains focused and committed to public service and education in the community.

The Montgomery Alumnae Chapter was founded in 1937 on the campus of Alabama State University. Members will gather on Saturday, January 13, 2007, to observe the anniversary event with a luncheon and rededication ceremony. Throughout the decades, Delta Sigma Theta has been and remains committed to what is known as the Sororities Five Point Programmatic Thrust: Economic Development, Educational Development, Political Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health and International Awareness and Involvement.

I salute these women and their commitment to philanthropy and wish them the best on this milestone in their chapter. Congratulations to the Montgomery Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta on their 70th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask the attention of the House today to pay tribute to Mr. Clinton Kirk, a constituent of mine who has dedicated the past 20 years of his life to staying healthy and fit.

Mr. Kirk resides in Valley, Alabama, and is in his eighth decade of life. He is known around the area as ``The Walking Man.'' Kirk says when he began his walking in 1982, he would walk around 5 to 6 miles a day in the early morning. Over 20 years later, he says he now walks about 1 mile a day and says he attributes his good health to his walking habit. Amazingly, Mr. Kirk has walked over 50,000 miles since 1982, and began keeping a daily log of the distance he covers in 1986.

I salute Mr. Kirk for his continued efforts to exercise and stay healthy, and commend him at this milestone for serving as an example for us all to take care of ourselves and stay fit.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask the attention of the House today to pay recognition to the heroic actions of the entire staff at Jeanne Moore, Inc. Daycare in Montgomery, Alabama, and to specifically recognize the bravery of Ms. Jeanne Moore, Ms. Liberty Duke, Ms. Sharon Ware and Ms. Elaine Edwards.

On November 15th, powerful tornados swept through Alabama, including the City of Montgomery. Jeanne Moore, Inc. Daycare was in the path of one of those tornados and was destroyed while the children were on site. According to Jeanne Moore, one four year old described the terrifying experience as, ``my school was breaking in two . . .'' Responding quickly and professionally, the staff at the daycare did not flee, but made sure the children were safe and covered the children with their own bodies during the brunt of the storm.

According to news reports, Ms. Liberty Duke had two of her own children at the daycare when the storms hit. Instead of going to look for her children, she saved the ones closest to her knowing and trusting that the staff at Jeanne Moore, Inc. would take care of her own. She was right.

In addition, media reports said that Ms. Jeanne Moore recalls seeing other nearby citizens risking their lives when they realized what was happening. Moore said after the storm passed people were running from surrounding businesses to help pull children from the rubble.

Miraculously, no one died and only minor injuries were incurred.

I salute the heroes from that horrible day--everyday Alabamians working together to save innocent children. It is indeed a miracle that no lives were lost, and I hope we will all look to these brave Alabamians as role models for us all.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask the attention of the House today to pay recognition to the hard working people of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama, who are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the opening of their Lincoln plant on November 14, 2006.

In 2001, the Honda Motor Company chose Lincoln as the site of their new plant. Over the past five years Honda Manufacturing of Alabama has grown from an original capital investment of $400 million and employment of 2,000 associates to the current 4,500 associates and over $1.2 billion in capital investment today.

Honda has helped transform Talladega County's economy, as well bring a positive impact on local school and community philanthropic activities.

As further testament to the hard working Alabamians employed at Honda, on November 3rd the plant produced its millionth vehicle. The celebration of that milestone included a small ceremony at the plant involving associates to mark the special occasion.

I salute the people of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama for reaching these important milestones, and congratulate the entire company on their plant's fifth anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, Corporal Bradford Howard Payne, 24, of Montgomery, Alabama, died on October 6, 2006 in Iraq. Corporal Payne was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and according to initial reports was killed in combat operations against enemy forces. His survivors include his wife Erin; and his mother and father Carol and W.H. Payne of Pike Road, Alabama.

Corporal Payne was a loving husband and was on his third deployment remaining patriotic and wanting to serve his country. Like all soldiers, he dutifully left behind his family and loved ones to serve our country overseas.

Words cannot express the sense of sadness we have for his family, and for the gratitude our country feels for his service. Corporal Payne died serving not just the United States, but the entire cause of liberty, on a noble mission to help spread the cause of freedom in Iraq and liberate an oppressed people from tyrannical rule. He was a true American.

We will forever hold him closely in our hearts, and remember his sacrifice and that of his family as a remembrance of his bravery and willingness to serve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the House's remembrance on this mournful day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the pending Conference Report, and thank the Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Mr. Hal Rogers, for his work on this legislation.

I appreciate the fact that this bill includes important provisions that consolidate the Noble Training Center with the Center for Domestic Preparedness; establish a Homeland Security Education Program; and ensure financial accountability of the Secure Border Initiative, which is similar to a provision of my bill--H.R. 6162--that the House passed yesterday.

In addition, this bill includes funding to add 1,500 new Border Patrol agents. In 2004, Congress authorized 2,000 new agents be added each year. To date, the Border Patrol has added fewer than 2,000 new agents.

In May, the President announced that the Border Patrol will increase its ranks by 6,000 new agents by FY 2009. At the current pace, we will not meet this goal.

I look forward to working with Members of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to ensure that the Border Patrol will be able to make the President's goal a reality.

While I support the overall Conference Report, I am deeply concerned with one provision included by the other body.

This provision would require that all instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center--referred to as FLET-C--be Federal employees.

This is a terrible provision that could prevent Federal law enforcement agencies--not just DHS--from being able to quickly and cost-effectively train their officers and agents. Particularly in emergency circumstances; like we experienced immediately after the 9-11 terrorist attack.

OMB Director Rob Portman wrote to Congress on September 6th regarding DHS Appropriations and expressed his serious concern that this provision is too restrictive.

He wrote that by preventing public-private competition, the provision--quote: ``deprives the Department of the operational efficiencies to be gained by competition, and limits its ability to direct Federal resources to support other priorities.''

I have reviewed FLETC's course list and find it indefensible that anyone would advocate that only a Federal employee can efficiently and effectively teach some of these courses.

For example why is it that only a Federal employee can teach ``7 Habits of Highly Effective People,'' or ``Archeological Resources Protection,'' or ``Self Leadership Through Understanding Human Behavior?''

All of these are courses taught at FLETC facilities. All of these courses could very easily be taught by a State or local government official, a college professor, or a professional from the private sector.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the need for FLETC training has increased dramatically, and FLETC is under significant strain to meet these needs.

Should an emergency arise tomorrow, I am certain that this provision will make it impossible for the Department to be able to meet any surge in demand for training that might arise.

I urge my colleagues to consider the serious ramifications of this provision, and join me in working to lift this ban in the future to ensure our Federal law enforcement agencies can meet all their training needs.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6162) to require financial accountability with respect to certain contract actions related to the Secure Border Initiative of the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this bill, and to insert extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6162, the Secure Border Initiative Financial Accountability Act of 2006.

This bipartisan legislation will help to ensure that taxpayer funds dedicated to technologies to secure our Nation's borders are spent efficiently and effectively.

The ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Mr. Thompson, and I have worked for almost a year on this important bill.

Last November, I introduced H.R. 4284, the Secure Border Financial Accountability Act of 2005. I was pleased that Chairman King and Ranking Member Thompson were original cosponsors of that bill.

We also worked to include the language in the border security bill which the Committee on Homeland Security marked up on November 11, 2005. At that time, Mr. Thompson added a key funding trigger to ensure that the Inspector General had the necessary resources to respond quickly to major disasters.

This language ultimately was included in H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, which passed the House on December 16 of that same year. We again worked in a bipartisan manner to include this provision in H.R. 5814, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for 2007, which the Committee on Homeland Security reported favorably in July of this year.

But, why is this bill so important? The Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight, which I chair, has held three hearings over the past year and a half on the existing border technology program.

We found the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System, ISIS, and its remote video surveillance program, was plagued by mismanagement, operational problems and financial waste. On June 16, 2005, our committee heard from the GSA deputy inspector general that electronic surveillance equipment covered only 2 to 4 percent of the border and that over $200 million was paid by the Federal Government for poor, incomplete and never-delivered goods and services.

At our second hearing on December 16, 2005, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General testified that cameras and sensors were not integrated, oversight of contractor performance was ineffective, numerous poles and cameras were never installed along the border, and millions of program dollars remained unspent at the GSA.

Our third hearing on February 16, 2006, examined the disciplinary actions taken by the Department against employees responsible for these problems at ISIS to ensure that those employees would not be involved in any future border technology contracts.

Last Thursday, Secretary Chertoff announced the contract for the technology component of the Secure Border Initiative, known as SBInet. This is a 6-year, multi-billion dollar contract, and it is designed to establish a virtual fence across 6,000 miles of our borders through a mix of poles, cameras, ground-based radar, aircraft and other aerial platforms.

My subcommittee intends to hold a fourth hearing on November 15 to review the SBInet contract. The purpose of this bill is to prevent the same type of financial mismanagement of ISIS from taking place in SBInet.

Specifically, this bill directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to review each contract action related to the Department's Secure Border Initiative that is a contracting amount of $20 million or more. This contract review will determine whether each contract action fully complies with cost requirements, performance objectives, and timelines.

The bill further requires that the Homeland Security Inspector General report to the Secretary of Homeland Security on cost overruns, significant delays in contract execution, lack of rigorous contract management, insufficient financial oversight, and other high-risk business practices.

The Secretary of Homeland Security is then required to notify the Congress and take immediate steps to rectify the problems within 30 days.

To carry out this vigorous oversight, the bill includes a provision by Mr. Thompson that would authorize additional funds. SBInet will involve numerous large and small Federal contractors to implement the technology required to successfully secure our Nation's borders.

We look forward to working with the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, Mr. Tom Davis, in the coming months to ensure that we have the best oversight process in place to ensure SBInet is cost effective.

A ``yes'' vote on this legislation will send a strong message to the contractor and to the Department that Congress intends to ``hold their feet to the fire'' in fulfilling these contract requirements.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I think folks can take from the dialogue here today that this committee, this full committee, and particularly this Management Subcommittee that the gentleman from Florida and I are the ranking member and Chair of, are going to be vigorous in our oversight of these contracts going forward to ensure that we do not have future problems like we saw with ISIS and American Shield.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I would like to sum up by emphasizing that it is critically important for the Members to recognize that we need to put these kinds of accountability measures in place so that we can ensure that as we go forward with the massive expenditures we are going to make to secure our borders that we don't have a repeat of the waste, fraud, and abuse that we have seen in the past.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote for H.R. 6162.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.