Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2906) to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to modify a provision relating to leases involving certain Indian tribes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as with the bill we just considered, the pending legislation would amend the long-term leasing act to allow several tribes, in this case located in Washington State, to issue leases for trust lands for terms not to exceed 99 years. As business opportunities and economic considerations

change over time, leases longer than what is allowed in current law are often necessary to facilitate economic development on trust lands.

In closing, this legislation would advance tribal sovereignty, promote job growth, and speed up business deals. I want to commend our colleague, Representative Adam Smith, who has pressed for passage of S. 2906.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 1061) to transfer certain land to the United States to be held in trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, to place land into trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1061, as amended, would transfer certain Federal and non-Federal land in the State of Washington to the Hoh Tribe to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe.

The Hoh Indian Tribe is located on the coast of Washington. Its coastline is situated such that it is subject to frequent flooding, preventing the sustainable use of this land by the tribe.

Due to this situation, the tribe has acquired approximately 420 acres of land from private sources to relocate its government offices and tribal members. The bill would place this newly acquired 420 acres of land into trust for the tribe and as well transfer approximately 37 acres of Federal land into trust for the tribe in order to connect the tribe's newly acquired lands to its current lands.

On June 28, 2010, the House passed this legislation under suspension of the rules by a vote of 347-0. The Senate made technical amendments to the bill to clarify that the land would be placed into trust in accordance with the Department of the Interior's regulations

for mandatory trust land acquisitions. The Senate then passed the legislation before us today by unanimous consent on September 29, 2010.

In closing, I would commend our colleague and my fellow classmate, Representative Norm Dicks of Washington, for his hard work and dedication to this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, I commend the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), the incoming ranking minority member of the House Appropriations Committee and my fellow classmate, a gentleman who has worked very hard on this legislation, and I now yield him such time as he may consume.

(Mr. DICKS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I am very honored now to yield 5 minutes to a very valued member of our Committee on Natural Resources and a colleague of ours who is no stranger to the effects of tsunamis among his people, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1609) to authorize a single fisheries cooperative for the Bering Sea Aleutian Islands longline catcher processor subsector, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

The pending legislation, the Catcher Processor Subsector Single Fishery Cooperative Act, was introduced by Senator Cantwell in August 2009. Subsequently, our colleague, Congressman Larsen from the State of Washington, introduced H.R. 3910 as companion legislation.

``Catch shares'' are a fisheries management tool in which the total amount of fishing quota is divided among a group of fishermen. This tool is used to manage several fisheries in waters off of Alaska. However, one particular fishery in this area, the Pacific cod longline catcher processors, is not managed using catch shares. S. 1609 authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to approve this fleet as a cooperative operating a catch share.

I commend our colleague, the gentleman from Washington, Mr. Rick Larsen, for his diligence. He has discussed this with me on numerous occasions and with members of our committee, and I commend his leadership on this legislation. I also recognize the efforts to bring the bill to the floor by my good friend and colleague from Alaska, Mr. Don Young. And I would note this measure is fully supported by the ranking member of our full committee, Doc Hastings of Washington.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1405) to redesignate the Longfellow National Historic Site, Massachusetts, as the ``Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site''.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the pending legislation would rename the Longfellow National Historic Site in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site to better reflect the many chapters of American history which unfolded at this historic home.

This bill is one of the last measures sponsored by the late Senator from Massachusetts, Edward M. Kennedy. Senator Kennedy was instrumental in securing the funds needed to preserve this national historic site, and it is fitting that we pass his legislation renaming a site which meant so much to him.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this small, final piece of a legislative legacy left to us by one of the true giants to ever serve in this Congress.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Before I respond to that, Mr. Speaker, I am going to yield 2 minutes to my colleague from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

I do want to extend my appreciation to the gentleman from Utah for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, this may very well be the last time that our Committee on Natural Resources will have bills on the floor of the House in this 111th Congress. I wish to take just a moment of personal reflection to thank, not only the gentleman from Utah, but my ranking member--the gentleman from the State of Washington, Doc Hastings, as well.

I talked to Mr. Hastings this morning. He is not sleepless in Seattle but is snowed in in Seattle and is unable to be here today, but I did want to acknowledge his position on our committee and wish him the best next year as he assumes the reins of leadership as chairman of our committee.

It has been, I think, a good couple of terms under my chairmanship. We have worked in a nonpartisan manner as much as feasible and as much as possible. On not every bill have we seen eye to eye, but we have respectfully agreed to disagree where we have disagreed.

I want to thank the members on the majority's side. My colleagues from all over this country and from the American territories have been very helpful in drafting important legislation that has fallen in line with our vital responsibilities as stewards of our public lands.

I also want to say a word of commendation to the staffs on both sides. We have brought numerous bills--I don't even have a final tally in front of me--to the floor of this House. Many are still languishing over in that other body. I commend the work of the staffs on both the majority's and the minority's sides and the manner in which they have worked cooperatively and in a bipartisan fashion over these 4 years that I have chaired this committee. In particular, the gentleman sitting to my right, Mr. Jim Zoia, has been with me over three decades. While we will move on to another committee in the next Congress, we will always remember our years on the Natural Resources Committee and our working so well with both sides.

So, again, I wish to express my appreciation to my ranking member, Doc Hastings, and to all the members of our committee--both Republican and especially my side, the Democratic side.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, Appalachia and Minnesota are losing a favorite son in the United States Congress when Jim Oberstar, my Chairman and my longtime dear colleague and friend, leaves early next year.

In southern West Virginia, we knew the importance of the agency he brought to life, the Economic Development Administration, and those that he fought to protect, side by side with me, like the Appalachian Regional Commission. Shepherding through the 2007 Water Resources Development Act, after a woeful seven-year delay, and overriding a presidential veto to get our water infrastructure projects back on track, was among his great recent accomplishments--again bringing essential assistance to West Virginia.

In the nineteenth century, we are told, it took a number of decades for our knowledge base to double in size. Now some estimates suggest our digital information doubles every day. While Jim is still a young man, it really doesn't matter in which century you worked with him, he knows his stuff, and almost all of yours.

That's the sheer force of intellect and determination that have led our Committee and our Nation to an unparalleled influence in the transportation world. His absence in crafting the next surface transportation bill will be missed, but his imprimatur will neither fade nor disappear. Quite the contrary, his lessons and sizable legend will guide us toward sound responsible investment for broader horizons.

Just as his contributions to transportation policy over the years live on in every aspect he touched through both his Chairmanship of the Aviation Subcommittee from 1989 to 1995 and as a powerful ranking member of the full Committee after that.

He also led one of the most successful parts of the Recovery package. His stewardship of the $64.1 billion for transportation and infrastructure investment in the Recovery Act got America moving again and got projects underway, with unprecedented accountability measures. Timely, transparent reporting, in plain black and white, clearly shows the tremendous impact of transportation spending and how it can be done in a short fashion. Hundreds of thousands of people are working today because of Jim Oberstar's leadership.

Even though Jim's career as a Congressional staffer under the tutelage of his mentor, John Blotnick, followed by his brilliant Congressional service, could fill far more than one person's career, Jim Oberstar has many more chapters to write in his life and all of us who know him, know that he will. His zest for living fully is only outweighed by his spirit to serve others. There is no question that Jim, my friend, as the poet wrote, is still ``strong of will, to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.'' Godspeed, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, America's courageous, hardworking coal miners have long provided the fuel that powers this Nation. And while doing so, they labor in some of the toughest, most dangerous work environments. For that reason, our Nation has long recognized its duty to ensure their health and safety on the job. God bless our Nation's coal miners.

This year has been a tragic one in our coalfields. We have, to date, lost 48 miners, and we witnessed the worst coal mine disaster in 40 years, already referenced on the floor, losing 29 young lives in one blast in my home county.

We have much work to do in our mine safety system, though I urge my colleagues not to paint the coal industry with too broad a brush. There are many coal companies with admirable safety records, with time and money devoted to keeping their miners safe. Several of them have worked diligently with myself and with Chairman Miller and the Education and Labor Committee to make improvements to this bill. They are models for the industry and employers everywhere.

I take this moment to salute the chairman of our Education and Labor Committee, George Miller, for the manner in which he has worked not only on this legislation but all previous coal mine health and safety legislation as well. Our coal miners, indeed, have a friend in George Miller from California.

However, just as surely as there are good actors that deserve our respect, we must recognize that the safety challenges of coal country will not end with the retirement of any one individual, one so-called ``Dark Lord.'' Unless we remain vigilant while miners labor in harm's way, another Voldemort will rise. We all--industry, government, labor-- share a responsibility to rein in those very few bad actors who would put profits before safety.

Critics of this legislation argue that it needs additional wordsmithing, that some provisions need tweaking or trimming out altogether, that we ought to await the results of the current UBB investigation; and I appreciate that perspective. But while many of these criticisms might provide an excuse to vote against the pending bill, none of them outweighs the plain and simple truth confronting this particular Member of Congress.

As the Representative of the district in which the UBB mine is located, I have 29 reasons why I must and why I will vote for this legislation. Indeed, there have been additional deaths since Upper Big Branch, but those individuals I will name: Carl Acord, Jason Atkins, Christopher Bell, Greg Brock, Kenny Chapman, Robert E. Clark, Cory Davis, Timmy Davis, Michael Elswick, William ``Bob'' Griffith, Steve Harrah, Dean Jones, Rick Lane, William Roosevelt Lynch, Joe Marcum, Ronald Lee Maynor, James ``Eddie'' Mooney, Adam Morgan, Rex Mullins, Josh Napper, Howard ``Boone'' Payne, Dillard ``Dewey'' Persinger, Joel ``Jody'' Price, Gary Quarles, Deward Scott, Benny Willingham, Ricky Workman.

I stood vigil with their families--the mothers, the fathers, their sisters, their brothers, their wives, children, and grandchildren. We waited together throughout those anguishing days in the aftermath of that devastating explosion that took these 29 brave individuals too early from this Earth. I prayed with them, I ate with them, and, in the end, I grieved with them. And if I voted against this legislation, my colleagues, that might have saved their loved ones, I could never again look them in the eyes.

Today I will cast my vote for this appropriately named Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act. And I will continue to work with my colleagues to address the needs of our coal miners and our coal industry in the weeks and months ahead. Those needs exist, and those needs need to be addressed, and we need to address them--all stakeholders that Chairman Miller has so well done--all stakeholders working together to, indeed, make our coal mines a safer place in which to work.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor and thank the greatest generation for their sacrifices at Pearl Harbor, 69 years ago. This day reminds us of the long-held valor of our service men and women throughout the generations since the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor.

On this day, we remember the many American lives lost on ``the day that lives in infamy,'' but, we also recall with great pride the courage and sacrifices of our greatest generation, who led us to victory in World War II. The patriotism they instilled in us continues today, in the hearts of our veterans and in the deeds and actions of our men and women in uniform.

In World War II, 233,985 West Virginians served in our military. Countless more American Patriots have answered the call to duty since. We are reminded today of the sacrifices our veterans made for our nation and the preservation of the liberties, freedoms and rights that we hold dear.

December 7, 1941, lives on in the minds of all Americans as one in which the nation came together in support of a common cause. I will continue to support our men and women currently in uniform as well as our veterans. With

over 177,000 veterans in West Virginia, nearly 53,000 in the Third District alone, and over 23 million in the United States, it is important that Veterans benefits and care be maintained here at home.

Pearl Harbor Day should be one of continued remembrance, with each remembrance serving as a renewed message of support for our military personnel at home and abroad.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1736, I move to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 4783) to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated, with the Senate amendments thereto, and I have a motion at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the matter under consideration.

Madam Speaker, today, we are considering a measure which will settle over a combined century of litigation. The bill will bring to closure some shameful acts undertaken by the United States, and it will allow several communities to move forward in rebuilding their communities and their trust in the United States.

With passage of this legislation, Congress will resolve six outstanding litigation matters consisting of two class action lawsuits and four water settlements. In addition, the bill includes the initial installment to fund another water settlement passed earlier this Congress.

First, claims by individual Indians for a historical accounting and mismanagement of individual Indian

money accounts in Cobell vs. Salazar will be resolved. After a century of mismanagement by the Federal Government, a class action lawsuit was initiated by individual Indians against the United States seeking redress for the mismanagement. This bill will provide $1.5 billion to be distributed to individual Indians and to pay administrative and attorneys' fees. An additional $1.9 billion will be used to fund a Trust Land Consolidation Fund so that highly fractionated lands may be repurchased and consolidated into single tribal ownership again. This will streamline administration of trust lands. After 14 years of litigation and several attempts by the parties to settle, the administration has brought an end to a problem first created by Congress over 120 years ago.

Second, discrimination claims by African American farmers against the United States will finally be settled. The settlement resolves claims by African American farmers who were denied loans based on racial discrimination.

Third, H.R. 4783 will resolve the water rights claims of seven tribes and pueblos in the States of Arizona, New Mexico and Montana, bringing to an end nearly a century of active litigation.

When tribes were moved to reservations, the Nation assumed a legal obligation that water should be supplied to meet the native people's needs. This legislation meets the Nation's legal commitments and provides water certainty to surrounding non-Indian regions, towns and industries, thereby allowing economies and jobs to continue to grow.

Water in the West is in short supply. After years of negotiating, the tribes have agreed in these settlements to an amount of water far less than what they were originally requesting. The tribes, States and local partners negotiated these water settlements, often in contentious proceedings, over many years. They are to be commended for sticking with the process and working together to find a mutually agreed upon solution.

Finally, H.R. 4783 would provide initial funding to the Reclamation Water Settlement Fund passed earlier this Congress. The settlement fund provides financial support that will be used to develop water supplies for the reservation. Many Navajo people today continue to haul water to meet their daily needs. It is time to provide this basic human right.

I am proud to say that we have been able to resolve these longstanding litigation matters without adding to the Federal deficit. The entire bill, with an estimated cost of approximately $5.4 billion, is fully paid for.

In closing, I think it is important to note that the House has already passed most of the various components of the bill before us today in this Congress, some even twice. This legislation has received the administration's full support.

Although the Crow Nation water settlement has not yet passed in the House of Representatives, the Water and Power Subcommittee has held a hearing on this measure. All concerns by the administration have been addressed and resolved. As a result, I support inclusion of the Crow Nation water settlement in this legislation. The Senate has finally acted. It is time that we do our part one last time and send this measure to the President.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished majority whip, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn).

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 1 minute to our distinguished majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Steny Hoyer.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time remains on both sides?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), a subcommittee chair and member of the Committee on Natural Resources who has been intimately and powerfully involved with these issues over a number of years.

Mr. Speaker, our Committee on the Judiciary has been very instrumental in the drafting of this legislation, especially in regard to the paid-for section.

I yield 6 minutes to the distinguished chairman of that committee, the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. John Conyers, and I ask unanimous consent that he control that time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield for a UC only to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

(Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich).

Mr. Speaker, I yield for a unanimous consent only to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah).

(Mr. FATTAH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee).

(Mr. INSLEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a valued member of our Committee on Natural Resources, the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).

Mr. Speaker, I yield for a UC only to the gentlelady from Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee.

(Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barrow).

May I have a time check, please, Mr. Speaker?

I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from Arizona (Mrs. Kirkpatrick), a member of our Committee on Natural Resources.

Mr. Speaker, to conclude debate on the majority's side, I yield all of the remaining time to the gentlelady from California, Ms. Maxine Waters.

(Ms. WATERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, this Thanksgiving, as we have since the first, Americans will set aside one day to focus on those blessings that have been granted to us.

For the roof over our heads, for the health of our families, for the food on our plates--no matter how simple the meal--for the hand that holds ours as we gather around the table, we will, on this one very American day, bow our heads in prayer and we will be truly thankful.

To me, the best of America is on display at Thanksgiving.

Here we stand, for example: we Americans, facing difficult times, with our economy sluggish, with far too many jobless, and far too many others worrying about the future of their own jobs. Yet, many of us will invite strangers to our tables, or donate food to shelters, or serve up turkey dinners at a local soup kitchen, and we will appreciate even more deeply, the grace of God that has spared us similar trials. Even many of those who are struggling, whose tables may be leaner than usual, will take the time to give of what they have so that others do not go hungry on this day.

Though that generosity, that neighborliness, the kindness, charity, and faithfulness come to the fore most prevalently on this one day of the year, I know--and all West Virginians know, that these qualities live on throughout the year in communities, large and small, urban and rural, throughout our State.

And, I believe that this Nation would be better off if more Americans followed the example set in our State and devoted a greater share of their year, each year, to practicing the kindness and generosity, as well as exercising the grit and determination that comprise the West Virginia character.

I am reminded of our Senator Byrd, who would have marked his 93rd birthday on November 20th, and his regular admonishment to West Virginians to hold on to those ``old values'' and to tap them for the betterment of the Nation. He would have taken to the Senate Floor in the days leading up to Thanksgiving to remind us all of our common history as Americans. He would have talked about the principles upon which this Nation was founded and urged us to set aside those petty differences that undermine our quest for the common good.

Oh, how we could use Senator Byrd's wisdom, his reasonableness, and his guidance today.

Our State has had more than its fair share of economic strife. But we hold tight to our faith and we marshal on, working hard side by side, to create a better future for ourselves and our children.

In the wake of natural disasters, West Virginians reach out to their neighbors to give whatever they can afford, and often more. It has never been the West Virginia way to turn our backs on those in need, and it has never been in the character of West Virginians to throw in the towel when things get tough.

So this Thanksgiving, as we pause to reflect on our blessings and to express our thanks to our Creator for all that we have, I hope that all Americans will also commit to exhibiting the spirit that surfaces on this day throughout the year ahead.

There is no challenge confronting us that we cannot overcome if we join forces and put old-fashioned American know-how to work.

Madam Speaker, for the last several decades multi-billion dollar trade deficits have continued to disadvantage American industries and manufacturing, and that means American jobs. Businesses, like the National Award Center, are working with employers and employees to promote critical economic priorities of higher productivity, more innovation and a strong, competitive work ethic. I commend these national priorities to all companies, organizations and related government agencies, federal, state and local which are trying to level the playing field for the United States in the global marketplace. I congratulate the National Award Center in its inaugural year.

Madam Speaker, on November 14, 1970, a plane carrying 75 Marshall University football players, their coaches, faithful supporters and friends crashed while attempting to land in Huntington, WV. On that cold, rain-filled and foggy night so many promising futures came to a sudden and tragic end.

On the night of this tragedy--known as the worst air disaster in American sports history, an entire community, our State and frankly our Nation were one in grief, but also one in believing that--from adversity--hope, growth and success can conquer all in the end.

In the forty years since these souls were taken from those they loved and who loved them, the Marshall community--friends and strangers, colleagues and competitors, icons and unknowns--have bonded together in hearts and minds.

On every anniversary of this tragedy we reflect on the tremendous loss, yet it is also a moment that renews promises and purpose and stirs hope in the human spirit.

In the words of Marshall University Alumni Association President William ``Mickey'' Jackson, a former Marshall Football player and assistant coach for the team in 1970, who was on a scouting trip and not with the team the night of the crash, ``It is very inspirational to remember, but very, very sad at the same time. When they place the wreath at the fountain and the water stops, my heart just stops beating.''

The themes of hope and rebirth are carried forward every year at Marshall University, beginning with turning on one simple, yet so symbolic fountain.

What has been learned from this tragic experience extends beyond those early hours of shock and disbelief. Two generations have been raised by the incredible power of the Marshall spirit--a strength, vitality, camaraderie and resolve that is reflected time and again. And as the story spreads, others receive solace and inspiration.

And today, we are stronger because of it--for, we are Marshall.

Madam Speaker, Jackie Withrow was an angel for the ages. She was Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony and Eleanor Roosevelt all rolled into one.

If the Almighty had to pick a day to open Heaven's Gates for Jackie, none could be mean more meaningful than Veteran's Day for no one cared more or worked harder for our veterans. One estimate credited Jackie with 27,500 hours of service to our veterans.

I am sure that number would pale in comparison to all she really did over her lifetime of dedication to our veterans, taking them to church services on Sundays and planning new ways to serve them at all hours.

Many people blaze trails, and Jackie accomplished that but made sure others were able to follow her.

Jackie was always known for breaking new ceilings for women. She cared about that, of course. But I think she and the women who supported her and followed in her footsteps were proudest of the issues on which they could command attention in their day, like health care. Health care was on Jackie's radar screen from the beginning--for our miners, our children, and those needing mental health services.

Senator Bill Wooton led the charge to make sure we would forever be reminded of her trailblazing leadership by appropriately naming a hospital for her.

Bill spoke of ``Mercy'' and ``Justice'' to describe Jackie's contributions to us. To those we must surely add, ``Commitment'' and ``Dedication.''

Her public service never wavered. Although she served in our state's legislature for a generation, her longest public service was as a good citizen and dependable neighbor.

Long out of office, Jackie continued opening doors of opportunity and opening the eyes of the rest of us. Always with a warm heart and determined will, Jackie Withrow changed our world for the better.

Jackie's lasting legacy to each of us was her fierce loyalty to what she believed in the most--the ``least'' of us, as Christ taught. And, we recall the loyalty of Ruth in the Old Testament as we celebrate Jackie's loyalty to those who needed her hand and hope the most:

Do not press me to leave you

or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go;

Where you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people and your God my God.

Where you die, I will die

There I will be buried.

May the Lord do thus and so to me

And more as well

If even death parts me from you!

Next to my family, Jackie was my earliest and strongest supporter. I will celebrate Jackie's life the rest of my days. I know countless others will never be far from her firm hand of friendship, her warm smile of compassion, and that ever present twinkle in her eye of figuring out how she was going to help.

My family and I offer Jackie's family and her many friends our thoughts and prayers, as we all celebrate this extraordinary woman's life.

Madam Speaker, Jackie Withrow was an angel for the ages. She was Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony and Eleanor Roosevelt all rolled into one.

If the Almighty had to pick a day to open Heaven's Gates for Jackie, none could be mean more meaningful than Veteran's Day for no one cared more or worked harder for our veterans. One estimate credited Jackie with 27,500 hours of service to our veterans.

I am sure that number would pale in comparison to all she really did over her lifetime of dedication to our veterans, taking them to church services on Sundays and planning new ways to serve them at all hours.

Many people blaze trails, and Jackie accomplished that but made sure others were able to follow her.

Jackie was always known for breaking new ceilings for women. She cared about that, of course. But I think she and the women who supported her and followed in her footsteps were proudest of the issues on which they could command attention in their day, like health care. Health care was on Jackie's radar screen from the beginning--for our miners, our children, and those needing mental health services.

Senator Bill Wooton led the charge to make sure we would forever be reminded of her trailblazing leadership by appropriately naming a hospital for her.

Bill spoke of ``Mercy'' and ``Justice'' to describe Jackie's contributions to us. To those we must surely add, ``Commitment'' and ``Dedication.''

Her public service never wavered. Although she served in our state's legislature for a generation, her longest public service was as a good citizen and dependable neighbor.

Long out of office, Jackie continued opening doors of opportunity and opening the eyes of the rest of us. Always with a warm heart and determined will, Jackie Withrow changed our world for the better.

Jackie's lasting legacy to each of us was her fierce loyalty to what she believed in the most--the ``least'' of us, as Christ taught. And, we recall the loyalty of Ruth in the Old Testament as we celebrate Jackie's loyalty to those who needed her hand and hope the most:

``Do not press me to leave you

or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go;

Where you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people and your God my God.

Where you die, I will die

There I will be buried.

May the Lord do thus and so to me

And more as well

If even death parts me from you!''

Next to my family, Jackie was my earliest and strongest supporter. I will celebrate Jackie's life the rest of my days. I know countless others will never be far from her firm hand of friendship, her warm smile of compassion, and that ever present twinkle in her eye of figuring out how she was going to help.

My family and I offer Jackie's family and her many friends our thoughts and prayers, as we all celebrate this extraordinary woman's life.

Madam Speaker, this morning, September 29, 2010, I was unavoidably delayed and not present to vote on the following bills:

(1) Republican Motion to Adjourn--Vote ``no'' on rollcall No. 545.

(2) Adjournment Resolution (H. Con. Res. 321)--To provide for the House to adjourn for the Autumn District Work Period--Vote ``yes'' on rollcall No. 546.

(3) Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule for H.R. 847--James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act; H.R. 2378-- Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act; and H.R. 2701--Intelligence Authorization Act (H. Res. 1674)--Vote ``yes'' on rollcall No. 547.

(4) H. Res. 1674--Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 847--James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act; H.R. 2378--Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act; and H.R. 2701--Intelligence Authorization Act--Vote ``yes'' on rollcall No. 548.

If present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all except the motion to adjourn.

Madam Speaker, the spark that long ignited our national economic engine has been the imagination, hard work and determination of Americans and American manufacturing. They are the creators of our Nation's economic strength, leadership and freedom.

American Manufacturing has long been the pride of our Nation, the foundation of our economic infrastructure and the core of our military might. It has been the driving force supporting generations of Americans in pursuit of the American dream to build a better life for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.

Today, U.S. manufacturing directly employs 14 million Americans and creates 8 million more jobs in other sectors. And, American manufacturing workers are the most productive workers in the world-- twice as productive

as workers in the next 10 leading manufacturing economies--contributing nearly 12 percent to our gross domestic product.

When we support American manufacturing, we not only help the bottom line, we support the American worker, and we create more American jobs. Equally as important is our ability to support our national defense and to sustain American infrastructure with American products.

We must go headlong into the fight to defend our Nation's economic and military security. We must rebuild our ailing industries and invest in our 21st century workforce.

There is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but we know the rules of supply and demand. We must tackle the issues head-on and fight tooth and nail to preserve American manufacturing and uphold every opportunity for Americans to have good paying jobs.

We are taking steps to right this ship and return America to a place of strength in manufacturing. Four ``Make It in America'' bills have already been signed into law to:

Close tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas.

Make it cheaper for U.S. companies to get the materials they need to manufacture goods.

Speed innovation by breaking the backlog of patents waiting for approval.

Unleash small business lending with $12 billion in small business tax cuts and new tools to help American small businesses export goods and compete abroad.

The Made in America legislation has the potential to assist manufacturing businesses throughout southern West Virginia. In my congressional district, we have nearly 13,000 people employed in manufacturing at 208 facilities. In 2009, the average U.S. manufacturing worker earned $70,666 annually, while the non- manufacturing worker earned $57,993 annually.

A poll for the Alliance for American Manufacturing showed large majorities believe manufacturing is the most important industry for our economy and national security, and support action to revive it. Two- thirds of Democrats, Republicans and Independents reject the view that ``high-tech'' and ``services'' industries can replace manufacturing in a strong U.S. economy. And, more than 75-percent of Americans support a national manufacturing strategy to make sure that economic, tax, labor and trade policies work together to help support manufacturing in the