Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute today to a remarkable woman and my former legislative director who passed away this past May following a five-year battle with ovarian cancer-- the ``amazing'' Grace Warren. Today would have been her birthday.

When I was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1980, I knew that Grace had served in key roles for my predecessor, Rep. Ray Roberts, and that she had worked on Capitol Hill for many years. I knew that her experience and knowledge would be valuable to the Fourth District of Texas, and she soon became an indispensable member of my staff as well as a good friend. Grace served as a legislative policy advisor and legislative director, specializing in health care issues along the way. At any time she could have translated her wealth of knowledge into a lucrative career in the private sector, but Grace chose to remain a dedicated and loyal public servant and a forceful advocate for good public policy.

When referencing Grace or introducing her, it was my custom to refer to her as ``Amazing Grace'' because she either always had an answer for any question--or she could find it. She was a wonderful mentor to other staff and was respected and admired by so many in Washington, D.C., not only for her policy expertise but also for her caring heart.

In 2005 Grace was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she responded to this challenge in characteristic style. She researched as much as possible about the disease, consulted experts and patients, and prepared for battle on both a personal and policy level. She became a spokesperson and resource for ovarian cancer research advocacy groups in South Carolina and at the federal level. At the same time, she fought her personal battle with this dread disease by enduring surgeries, chemotherapy, and relapses--but always with a deep and abiding faith in her Creator and an undaunted spirit. Those of us who knew Grace marveled at her dignity, courage, strength and ``amazing grace'' throughout this difficult time.

In 2005 the House passed H. Res. 444, the ``Gynecological Resolution for Advancement of Ovarian Cancer Education.'' The acronym for this bill is ``GRACE,'' for it was with Grace in mind that I introduced this bill in Congress. This resolution underscores the seriousness of ovarian cancer, which is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. To date, unfortunately, only a small percentage of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages. More research is needed to develop early detection tools, a reliable screening test, prevention methods, enhanced therapies--and a cure.

Grace would urge us to work toward this goal, and so I urge my colleagues to support funding for ovarian cancer research that will save countless lives today and in the future. And today I also ask my colleagues to join me in paying our last respects to this woman who dedicated her life to the betterment of this institution and to our Nation and who leaves a legacy of service that will be fondly remembered--Grace Warren.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, of course, to speak on H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act.

I would first like to thank the sponsor of the bill, Representative Giffords, and also Chairman Gordon, for working with our side of the aisle to address concerns and incorporating suggestions to the extent that you were able to. While we didn't come to an agreement on everything, we came to an agreement on a lot of things. But I do feel that we were given the opportunity to state our case and make our arguments. Unfortunately, the areas in which we were not able to reach an agreement remain of concern.

Let me start by saying that as a conference, we're supportive of solar energy, and we have so voted--most of the people on my side of the aisle. We certainly see the great potential it has to be a contributor of energy to our constituents. However, as already stated, there's some lingering concerns in the bill before us today.

First, the bill authorizes $2.25 billion over 5 years. This is not an insignificant amount, especially in our current financial climate. The question was raised during consideration of the bill in committee whether or not investment tax credits for solar energy, long-term incentives to develop renewable energy in general or an easing of burdensome regulations would be a better way to encourage the development and use of solar energy.

Solar energy has been on the forefront for over 30 years, and it still only makes up 1 percent of the 7 percent of the renewable energy consumed in the United States according to the Energy Information Administration.

This authorization, coupled with the requirement that the Secretary of Energy allocate at least 75 percent of funding to those solar research, development, and demonstration projects directed under the road map, leaves little flexibility for innovations that may be viable and yet not included as part of the road map.

Second, the bill directs, not requests, it directs the Secretary to spend at least 30 percent in 2012 and culminating with at least 75 percent in 2015. It could be as much as 100 percent on the research, development, and demonstration set forth by the road map committee.

Moreover, at least one-third of the committee must be made up of industry members who are explicitly exempted from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. And this act, as you know, was intended to require an open and transparent process. While I support the Department of Energy, the university, and industry collaboration in the area of solar research, development, and demonstration, the optics of this examination are that you now have a committee, half of whose membership could be industry, telling the Department of Energy where to direct taxpayer money into R&D that could benefit their own companies while not having to answer to anyone or defend their recommendation to the entity that was set up to oversee and to require open and transparent processes.

While I appreciate the inclusion at our suggestion of language dealing with potential conflicts of interests in regard to the road map committee membership, more transparency needs to be incorporated.

During the full committee markup, Republicans attempted to address concerns through amendments that would have reduced the authorization, given the Secretary of DOE some discretion as to how much funding should go to the road map recommendations.

We had some suggestions to sunset the road map committee in 2015. While these amendments were all voted down, I remain hopeful that these issues can be addressed as we move forward.

I would like to point out that the Department of Energy shares some of these same concerns with this bill, and it made the Science and Technology Committee aware of those concerns earlier this week. In particular, they expressed concerns with using the road map committee to direct DOE activities; the requirement of a percentage of funds to be used to support activities identified by the committee; the Federal Advisory Committee Act exemption for the committee; and potential conflicts of interest with the members of the committee.

I support research and development into solar energy technologies, but believe me, this bill has a lot of room for improvement.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), who is a cosponsor of the bill.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett).

Mr. Chairman, I have no more speakers at this time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

May I ask how much time we have under general debate and how many speakers Mr. Gordon has.

Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

I would yield to the chairman my time if he needs it. I may be more friendly to this bill than he thinks I am.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not necessarily opposed to all of them.

Mr. Chairman, the manager's amendment includes 14 separate amendments that were submitted to the Rules Committee. I am supportive of a number of the provisions, including those that promote solar demonstration projects on Federal lands and those that promote geographic diversity for members of the solar road map committee. Most of these amendments make minor changes, and I don't oppose those. I have some questions with a few of the provisions, which I hope the chairman might be able to speak to.

Mr. Hastings' amendment would fund community implementation of solar technologies, which I am not sure is an appropriate use of funds in the bill. Mr. Polis' amendment seems to be the attempt to study financial incentives available to convince people to use solar energy, but I am uncertain what he really seeks to accomplish.

Can the chairman shed some light on the need for this language and whether this is an appropriate use of funds in the bill?

Finally, Mr. Thompson's amendment that would use funding in the bill for demonstration projects to protect against solar technology equipment theft, I am concerned about the cost of this project and whether or not this is

an appropriate research and development project for the bill, it is a research and development project, and how big of a problem is this and what types of products are being stolen.

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

Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve my time.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, Dr. Broun's amendment is a fiscally conservative amendment that makes financial sense when our country is carrying a $1.4 trillion debt. Instead of authorizing a total of $2.25 billion, Dr. Broun's amendment would authorize $750 million, keeping the authorization level more in line with the incremental increases the solar program has been appropriated over the past several years, not to mention the $117.6 million that the program has already received in the stimulus bill. This could be the amendment that would make the bill more acceptable.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment seeks to ensure minority institutions are represented on the solar technology road map committee established in this bill. I certainly have no objections to this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would simply expand the types of technology the Energy Secretary can consider from solar thermal electric technology to solar thermal power technology and require the Secretary to include at least two solar thermal technology projects with thermal storage in the demonstration project funded under the bill. I see no problem with that, and I have no objection to the amendment.

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment although I am not opposed to it.

I yield the gentlelady 1 additional minute.

Mr. Chairman, although I am not opposed to the amendment, I do have some concerns about this amendment.

While I agree with its intent to help commercialize the technologies that come around as a result of solar technology research, I am concerned that we may not want to spend research dollars retooling and refurbishing manufacturing facilities, some of which may be represented on the Solar Roadmap Committee. That's my problem with it.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the

amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would require the Secretary to evaluate the potential to establish large solar facilities and evaluate the electrical grid, current, voltage, and energy storage requirements associated with large solar facilities, which I think this is a good time for.

We have no objection to this.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would simply include research on solar energy storage technology as eligible for funding under the research and development program established in the bill.

I have no objection to this amendment.

I yield back my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chairman, I have no objection to this amendment. It's a good amendment, as solar energy can be a large user of water, and we're looking at ways to reduce the use of water in all forms of energy production. I think it's a very good amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chairman, in light of the exemption from the Federal Advisory Committee Act in this bill for the road map committee, I think it's a good idea to make the draft road map available to the public for input. This will help shed additional light on the decisions of the road map committee. I would support the amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chairman, the amendment by this young man from New York would require the solar technology road map committee to submit an annual report to the Secretary of Energy and to the Congress of its activities over the prior 12-month period. I think he has a good amendment. I think this is a good-government amendment, and I support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I support the use of solar energy and would like to see it become a larger player in supplying the energy needs of our country and of the world. I also want to make it perfectly clear I support further research and development to help solar energy achieve this goal.

I also respect the author, Ms. Giffords, to the extent that I was the lone Republican to attend her field hearing in Arizona.

However, I still have some reservations about certain provisions of the bill, mainly in the cost and some of the restrictions that it places on the Department of Energy and the Secretary. For those who choose to vote against the bill, such a vote is not a vote against R&D into solar technologies. It's simply a vote against the way this bill wants to dictate how solar R&D should be done at the DOE.

With that said, I do plan to vote for the bill because I am so convinced of the value of even the slightest additional breakthrough solar energy-wise, and my observations of the very sincere and determined effort by the bill's author cause me to want to remain involved and hopefully continue to work with my colleagues to address our concern as the bill continues through the legislative process.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Would the gentleman yield?

Bart, I agree with you. I certainly want to pay tribute to Chuck Atkins.

He has been a loyal servant of this House. He is respected on both sides of the House. It has been a pleasure to work with him. I can say that he is really a man of integrity who led his staff admirably.

Part of the reason the Science and Technology Committee has such a bipartisan committee is because of staffers like Chuck Atkins who dedicated themselves to serving a cause greater than he felt himself to be. He served us in war and peace as a Vietnam veteran. He has a long history of serving our Nation, so it should come as no surprise he chose to come to Washington to give his services here.

Chuck, you are going to be missed. I hope you have a good retirement from the House of Representatives. Thanks to you for all you have done for the greatest good for the greatest number.

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009. It has the stated objective to develop technologies that improve efficiency and emissions of vehicles, reduces reliance on petroleum, and supports vehicle manufacturing in the United States. Among other things, it develops cost-effective vehicle technologies for wide-scale utilization, enhanced commercial and passenger vehicle performance, allows for greater consumer choice, shortens technology penetration times, ensures balance and diversity in Federal R&D investment, strengthens public-private R&D partnerships, and probably many other things.

I would like to thank Congressman Peters for the good job he did working with us and working with the Science

Committee on this bill, and for incorporating our suggestions and the suggestions of our chairman into his manager's amendment for ways to improve the bill during the full committee markup, including a provision in Title I that requires the Secretary to ensure that activities do not duplicate those of other programs within the Department of Energy or other relevant research agencies. In our country's tough financial situation, we want to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly and not being wasted or mismanaged as well.

The manager's amendment, agreed to in the full committee, included bipartisan language supportive of applied and basic research and development of hydrogen and natural gas vehicle technologies.

Congressman Teague offered an amendment that seemed to reiterate the spirit of comity, but it was unfortunately not made in order by a party-line vote at the Rules Committee hearing yesterday.

As I said during the full committee markup, the cost of the bill gives me some pause; but I understand the costs associated with the level, degree, and scope of the bill that deals with research, development, and commercial application activities on materials, technologies, and processes of not only passenger vehicles, but also medium- to heavy-duty commercial and transit vehicles, including long- haul class 8 truck and trailer platforms.

With that said, I plan to vote for an amendment that will be offered by Representative Broun of Georgia to reduce the authorization amount in the bill by $650 million.

The transportation sector uses 67.9 percent of the petroleum that is used in our country. If we want to reduce or wean our dependence on foreign sources of oil, we are going to need technological advances in the vehicles that Americans drive to help us reach that goal. The bill before us today will certainly help to achieve these advances.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).

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

Mr. Chairman, I'm glad to yield 3 more minutes to the gentleman, knowing of his interest in the RV industry, and his support.

Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

May I ask how much time I have? I continue to reserve, and I want to see if I might let the chairman have some of my time, if he needs it. He apparently has half a dozen or so other speakers over there.

I reserve the balance of my time

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).

Mr. Chair, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I rise to claim the time on the Gordon amendment.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I support the Gordon amendment with a caveat. I support the title II reporting requirement classification that the Secretary shall submit the annual report to Congress. In regards to the report requirement for title I, I would prefer the reporting language that is in Representative Broun's amendment as it's more comprehensive and mirrors the report language requirement in title II. Perhaps in conference, the two authors of the reporting amendments could agree to merge that language so that all bases are covered.

The third part of Mr. Gordon's amendment deals with striking ``heavy duty'' from the Nonroad Systems Pilot Program in section 204 in the bill and adding the word ``mobile'' so that we are now referring to nonroad mobile equipment. I understand that there is some concern that the term heavy duty has a different meaning in the nonroad world than it does in the on-road world. So I appreciate the addition of ``mobile'' in the section as well as Mr. Holt's upcoming amendment that would further clarify that the pilot program is intended to include agricultural and construction nonroad equipment.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

I have a speaker on the way. I don't believe he's here yet.

I would like to reserve my time. If you could take another 2 or 3 minutes to do whatever you want to do or say.

Well, first I appreciate your trip to Texas Monday, up and back. And I appreciate Mr. Broun's position on this. You know, we had amendments, and Mr. Broun's amendment, I believe, was voted down by a party vote when we had the hearing. I may be wrong on that. But he's here to support the position that he's taken. I'd like to have some time for him to at least talk about how the two could fit together when we head to conference or any of the conference committees.

I would ask unanimous consent that that be granted.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise as the designee for the amendment by the gentleman of Georgia (Mr. Broun).

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Broun, for his amendment.

(Mr. BROUN of Georgia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

I rise in support of the Broun amendment to reduce the authorization level in H.R. 3246. As I mentioned during the full committee markup, I have concerns over the amount of money being authorized in this bill; $2.43 billion over the 2010-2014 period, and $423 million after 2014, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The Broun amendment would reduce the multiyear authorization by $650 million. Where the bill authorizes an increase of $10 million over the previous fiscal year for sections 5(a) and 5(b), the Broun amendment keeps each fiscal year's authorization constant and removes the authorization for fiscal year 2014 in sections 5(a), (b) and (c).

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield Dr. Broun an additional 2 minutes.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Broun amendment. This amendment would require the Secretary to report to Congress on a yearly basis on the activities undertaken in the previous year under title I, such as active industry participants, efforts to recruit new participants, progress of the program in meeting goals and timelines, and a strategic plan for the funding of activities across agencies. This amendment allows the Congress and the public to monitor the success of activities in title I and to ensure that the money that is ultimately appropriated is being well spent.

Now, while I realize the Gordon amendment added a title I report, as I stated earlier, I would prefer the reporting language that is in Representative Broun's amendment, as it is more comprehensive and mirrors the report language requirement in title II.

I would again express my hope that, in conference, the two authors of the reporting amendments could agree to merge their language so that all bases are covered.

Mr. Chairman, though not opposed, I rise to claim the time on the Polis amendment.

I support the Polis amendment. The amendment would enable our constituents to continue driving the vehicles they currently own while taking advantage of

technology that would enable them to reduce their petroleum use perhaps faster than if they were to wait for a new vehicle to make its way from concept to showroom.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Posey amendment.

Mr. Posey's goal is to direct the Department of Energy to give the same consideration to demonstrating vehicles using fossil fuels that can achieve 70 miles per gallon or more as they are to alternatively fueled vehicles and hybrids. I support that.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank a member of my staff who is leaving us to move back to ``our'' home state of Texas. After earning a degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University, Chase Simmons came to Washington and spent the last 4 years here on Capitol Hill. He served as a Senior Staff Assistant for the Committee on Energy and Commerce and joined the Committee on Science and Technology in 2007 as our Committee Clerk. Chase first came to Capitol Hill in 2005 serving as an intern in my office.

Chase has worked hard to help me serve the people of the 4th District of Texas and assisted the Members of Congress serving on the Committee on Science and Technology.

I thank him for his efforts and wish him well in the future.

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 3165, the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009.

Wind energy has been and continues to be a very important part of the electricity-generating portfolio in this country, and in particular in my State of Texas, which I understand is the largest producer of wind energy in our country. However, the technology can be improved upon to make the wind turbines, systems and farms more efficient and more effective at producing energy.

Renewable energy from wind currently makes up almost 2 percent of the energy generated in this country, but industry experts believe that number can be as high as 20 percent. H.R. 3165 can help this country reach that goal.

The bill addresses the key research areas needed to expand our country's production of wind energy, and I thank Mr. Tonko for his work on this important renewable energy source and for working with both sides of the aisle to move this bill unanimously out of the Science Committee and before the House today.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith).

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

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

I rise today, of course, in support of House Resolution 447, recognizing the very remarkable contributions of the American Council of Engineering Companies for its 100 years of service to the engineering industry and to the Nation. ACEC is a large federation of 51 State and regional councils representing the great breadth of America's engineering industry. This includes one of the largest councils serving 325 firms in my home State of Texas.

ACEC represents more than 5,000 engineering firms that employ more than 500,000 engineers, architects, land surveyors, scientists and other specialists responsible for more than $100 billion of private and public works annually.

It's an effective and growing advocate for advancing the practice of consulting engineering and the promotion of private enterprise, working to further the business interests and opportunities of the world's most respected engineering companies, those that design and build the roads, the bridges, the subways and the airports, industrial facilities and water systems of America. These buildings and infrastructure have truly been the backbone of American commerce and industry during the last 100 years. The ACEC member companies that have helped to construct them will no doubt be on the front lines of the economic recovery that lies ahead of us.

I commend ACEC and its member companies and employees for the immeasurable service and contribution to the country.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 167, supporting the goals and ideals of National Aerospace Day, introduced by my good friend Representative Vern Ehlers and cosponsored by a number of leading Members from both sides of the aisle.

Domestic aerospace products, services and technologies underpin the Nation's quality of life, our security and economic vitality. These are fundamental to our ability to travel safely and conveniently throughout this country and the world. This enables our military to reach trouble spots quickly, to monitor those who wish to do us harm, and to accurately defeat imminent threats. Just as importantly, aerospace makes it possible for people and industries all across our country to quickly and inexpensively be part of our economic mainstream.

The capabilities made possible by aerospace products in outer space are just as extraordinary. These have enabled safely landing men on the Moon, sending satellites to all the planets in our solar system, landing a satellite on an asteroid, building a permanently inhabited space station, monitoring weather, measuring changes to our planet, and providing instant communications to all parts of the globe. Space applications have enriched our lives and our understanding of the universe.

The history of aerospace is long and storied, from the Wright Brothers, to the creation of the Federal National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics and NASA, to the vigorous industrial growth and technological innovation led by the likes of companies such as Rockwell, McDonald Douglas, Grumman, North American, Boeing, Pratt and Whitney, and Beechcraft. That list could go on and on. These companies and many, many others have led the world in innovation and engineering excellence. It is because of their talented researchers, their engineers and machinists that our country leads the world in the production of aerospace products.

Before closing, it bears repeating that aerospace products and services are one of the largest sources of export income in our balance of trade. Not only is aerospace a large source of domestic sales to our airplanes and our government, it is also an extraordinarily large source of foreign income.

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 167 designates September 16th as National Aerospace Day to highlight the industry's importance to our economy and our way of life and to remind Americans of the extraordinary achievements it has fostered and continues to provide. I urge all Members to support this very worthwhile bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 445, the Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2009, sponsored by my good friend, Congressman Sensenbrenner. H.R. 445 was originally introduced in the 110th Congress as H.R. 6323, where it passed out of the Committee on Science and Technology with bipartisan support and input from both sides of the aisle and was passed by the House of Representatives under suspension of the rules by voice vote.

I'm pleased that Mr. Sensenbrenner reintroduced his bill in this Congress that we're debating on the floor today. While most of the attention on hybrid vehicles has been focused on passenger cars, large, heavy duty hybrid trucks have received limited funds for Federal research and development programs. However, because trucks generally use much more fuel per year than passenger vehicles, the overall potential on satisfaction is very significant. The Environmental Protection Agency establishes that a typical delivery truck using a hydraulic hybrid system could save up to 1,000 gallons of fuel per year.

In light of the proposed savings in fuel use and resulting emissions reduction, the Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2009 aims to encourage the advancement of the needed technology to bring about these savings. The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for the development of advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.

These grants are awarded in two phases. In phase one, grant recipients are required to build or retrofit one or more advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles and to collect required data. In phase two, grant recipients are required to produce or retrofit 50 advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles, collect required data, and report on the results.

In addition, the bill directs the Secretary to conduct a study of alternative power train designs for use in advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles and, further, directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program through DOE's national laboratories to research and test the effects on the domestic electric power grid of the widespread use of plug-in hybrid vehicles,

including heavy duty plug-in hybrid trucks.

Again, I thank Congressman Sensenbrenner for introducing this bill, and Chairman Gordon for helping to advance it. I think it makes good sense and deserves passage.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Billie Ray Huddleston was born in Celina on August 23, 1929. His love for church, family, school and community continues even as he celebrates his 80th birthday.

Billie Ray has lived his entire life in Celina, where he attended Celina High School and graduated in 1946. He then attended North Texas State College, now known as the University of North Texas, and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science. He taught math for 10 years until deciding to farm full time, first with his father and then with his son, and continues to help his son and grandson as needed.

During his farming years, Billie Ray served on the Celina Cooperative Gin Board for 37 years. He has been a longtime director of the Collin County Farm Bureau and for six years served as a director of the Texas Farm Bureau. During part of this time he served on the Southern Farm Bureau Insurance Boards and continues to be involved in federal and state legislative affairs. He also served on the Project 2000 Committee for long-range planning to carry Texas Farm Bureau into the next century. He has been the recipient of many awards, including the Collin County Conservation Farmer of the Year, Denton Wise County Conservation Farmer of the Year, Collin County Farmer of the Year and the Collin County Farm Bureau Pioneer Award.

In 1955, Billie Ray married Jane Merritt and they have four children: Charles and his wife Sherry of Celina, Janet and her husband Randy of Celina, Laurie and her husband Russell of Waco, and Mike and his wife Ingrid of Keller. They are the grandparents of 11 beautiful grandchildren.

During the time his children were in the Celina schools he served for 13 years as a trustee of the Celina Independent School District. He was also a member of the Quarterback Club for many years, serving as captain in 1973.

His civic involvement includes serving on the Celina City Council for 2 terms during which the first Comprehensive Plan was formed, and recently he served on the committee for the current comprehensive plan which is in its final stages. Seeing the need for a public park, he was instrumental in securing the land and negotiating the purchase of more than 40 acres, where a wonderful park was dedicated in 2006 to the City of Celina. In 2002 he and his wife, Jane, were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chamber of Commerce ``in recognition of their continuous service and support.'' In July of 1976 he was recognized by The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Texas for his participation in celebrating the Bicentennial.

Billie Ray has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Celina since 1951 and has served as a deacon for 53 years. He has been such an important and influential member of the Celina community, and his many friends today join his family in wishing a wonderful 80th birthday to this great citizen, Billie Ray Huddleston.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of FY 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of FY 2010:

Account: RDTE, AF

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems

Address of Requesting Entity: 10001 Jack Finney Boulevard, Greenville, Texas 75403

Description of Request: I have secured $2,500,000 for the Rivet Joint Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) with L-3 Communications Integrated Systems. Funding for this project will fully implement the RC-l35 SOA, which will ensure full RIVET JOINT integration in the ISR Enterprise, thus meeting USAF/DoD/DNI requirements for making ISR data and information discoverable, accessible, and to enable information sharing. RIVET JOINT requires continuous, current access to other ISR nodes, databases, and special processing to accomplish current and projected missions. At the same time, the ISR Enterprise will benefit greatly from RC-135 provision of ISR services, both intra- and post- mission. This will be achieved by building on current ongoing RC-135 ground systems, extending the number and performance of ISR services available through these systems, and fully meeting USAF/DoD/ DNI SOA tenets. I certify that I do not have any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of FY 2010:

Account: RDTE, A

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Denison Industries

Address of Requesting Entity: 22 Fielder Street, Denison, Texas 75020

Description of Request: I have secured $2,000,000 for the Predictive Casting Process Modeling for Rapid Production of Critical Defense Components with Denison Industries. Funding for this project will develop and implement new casting technologies and materials that will give the Department of Defense lightweight alternatives and the lowest cost options for producing vehicles that can survive against many of today's threats. It will help reverse the trend of U.S. foundries closing or moving overseas by leading the transition of new technologies that will solidify manufacturing in America and secure high skilled jobs and growth markets. It will establish a working research facility to further educate the next generation of engineers. For an often fragmented industry, it will coordinate resources and funding and help assure a continued source of American casting producers for both the military and commercial applications. I certify that I do not have any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of FY 2010:

Account: RDTE, A

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Raytheon Company

Address of Requesting Entity: 2501 West University Drive, McKinney, Texas 75071

Description of Request: I have secured $2,000,000 for the Current Force common Active Protection System Radar with the Raytheon Company. Funding for this project will be used to integrate a critical FCS technology, the Active Protection System (APS), into the Army's Current Force combat vehicles. Vehicle survivability and protection of our Soldiers are paramount concerns for the Army, especially in ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army's Abrams, Bradley, and Stryker vehicle programs all have requirements for APS. Additional federal funding is warranted to meet these requirements and enhance force protection. I certify that I do not have any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of FY 2010:

Account: RDTE, N

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mustang Technology Group

Address of Requesting Entity: 400 West Bethany Drive, Suite 110, Allen, Texas 75013.

Description of Request: I have secured $1,000,000 for the Moving Target Indicator (MTI) Scout Radar with the Mustang Technology Group. The Navy lacks an all-weather airborne unmanned air vehicle (UAV) surveillance capability to detect and track high value targets that move, stop for a while, and then move again (Move Stop Move: MSM). Not having this capability allows suspected fast boat attackers to become untraceable when stopped within littoral regions and terrorists that stop and plant mines and IEDs along the shoreline to evade surveillance. Existing UAV radars possess a multi target track all- weather capability but do not have the ability to detect and track targets that move, stop, then move again. However, a new affordable Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) based radar is being developed for the Navy. The MTI Scout AESA radar hardware has been designed to support MSM and funding for this project will help develop, integrate, and test the MSM mode software. This radar capability offers the low lifecycle costs afforded by solid state reliability, has over twice the performance of similar systems, and is upgradeable with simple software updates. The light weight and low power of the MTI Scout radar make it ideal for many other airborne manned and unmanned surveillance platforms including the Predator, Fire Scout and MC-12W Adding the MSM function within the size, weight, and power of a UAV airborne platform will give field commanders a new lifesaving surveillance tool to win the global war on terror. I certify that I do not have any financial interest in this project.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288-- Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act 2010

Account: Surface Transportation Priorities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Federal Highway Administration

Address of Requesting Entity: 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293, Labor- HHS-Education Appropriations Act FY 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act FY2010

Account: Elementary & Secondary Education (includes FIE)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Communities In Schools--Northeast Texas c/o Northeast Texas Community College

Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 1307, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75456- 1307

Description of Request: I have secured $200,000 for the Communities In School of Northeast Texas with the Communities In Schools--Northeast Texas c/o Northeast. Communities In Schools of Northeast Texas (CIS- NETX), is part of a national stay-in school network. It delivers case management and non-case management services to public school students at risk of dropping out of school. CIS-NETX provides direct and indirect services to over 14,500 students and their families in over 33 elementary, middle and high school campuses in 11 school districts in six northeast Texas counties. CIS-NETX provides students and families with the following six components: supportive guidance and counseling; health and human services coordination, parent and family involvement; pre-employment/employment training and services, enrichment activities and experiences; and education enhancement. Funds for this project will be used to continue the recognized prevention program and would be used for program maintenance, expansion of current programs and replication in areas where no CIS is located. The benefits to those students and their families are numerous; better jobs, a more secure future and better opportunities. But the entire 4th District benefits by these services, as businesses have a more qualified pool of well-trained high school graduates as potential employees and the quality of life improves for the general populace when young people are educated. I certify that I do not have any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act FY2010

Account: Elementary & Secondary Education (includes FIE)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Community Health Services Agency

Address of Requesting Entity: 4500 Wesley Street, Greenville, Texas 75401

Description of Request: I have secured $300,000 for the Greenville Community Health Center Expansion with the Community Health Service Agency. Funds for this project will expand women's health services, prenatal care, deliveries, cancer screenings, women's health exams, and offer gynecological to thousands of women of the 4th District for the first time. CHSA operates a network of community health centers in north central Texas with five (5) medical sites and one (1) dental site located in the 4th District. CHSA serves more than 16,000 residents of the 4th District each year. I certify that I do not have any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act FY2010

Account: Museums and Libraries

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The University of Texas at Austin

Address of Requesting Entity: 1 University Station G2700, PO Box 7397, Austin TX 78713

Description of Request: I have secured $250,000 for the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum with the Center for American History. The Sam Rayburn Library and Museum, located in Bonham, Texas, is one of five divisions of the University's Center for American History. Funds for this project will expand educational and program services to more people, area educational organizations and traditionally underserved populations to meet the public education mission of the University of Texas at Austin and the Center for American History. The National Historic Landmark is the creation of the man who served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives longer than any other person: Sam Taliaferro Rayburn (1882-1961). Known affectionately as ``Mr. Sam'' by his friends and colleagues, Rayburn established the library and museum in 1957 as a tribute to the people of his district and for future generations. I certify that I do not have any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Bill Number: H.R. 3293, Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act FY 2010

Account: Elementary & Secondary Education (includes FIE)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Texas A&M University--Commerce

Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429

Description of Request: I have secured $100,000 for Improving STEM Skills for Rural Youth in Northeast Texas with Texas A&M University-- Commerce. This project focuses on enabling teachers and students to enhance their science, technology, education, engineering, and mathematics skills. The project includes three summer camps known as the X-Teems Academy and the Infinity Institute. Groups of students from rural districts who are typically underrepresented in STEM fields are identified to participate in this project. Funds for this project will allow students and teachers from the 4th District to participate in the education program designed to cultivate and/or develop affinity for math and science in rural middle and high school students and at the same time, equip teachers throughout the state with broader math and science teaching experiences in order to enhance their teaching in these critical areas. I certify that I do not have any financial interest in this project.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 607 which honors and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. This event marked an extraordinary achievement in the history of mankind as we explored beyond the bounds of our own world and landed upon another.

On May 25, 1961, in a speech to Congress, I remember hearing President John F. Kennedy set the goal of landing Americans on the Moon and then returning them safely to Earth. The space program and NASA were in their infancies. This was an audacious goal; but the point was not about accomplishing what was easy but that which was very difficult, that which was extremely hard.

Kennedy knew that inspiring our Nation to rise to this challenge would serve to organize and measure the very best of American capabilities. The Apollo program expanded on the knowledge and experience gained from the Mercury and Gemini human space flight programs as well as from precursor robotic and lunar exploration activities. Prior to Apollo 11, four Apollo missions were sent into space and around the Moon to gather data.

On July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 crew, consisting of Mission Commander Neil Armstrong, Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin, and Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, atop a Saturn 5 rocket that would carry them beyond the pull of Earth's gravity on their historic 4-day trip to the Moon. As they left the Earth, they did not know whether they would ever return. They were intrepid explorers, the Columbuses and Magellans of our generation, risking their lives to explore the unknown for all of us.

On July 20, 1969, after traveling 240,000 miles through space, the Apollo 11 crew successfully landed the Lunar Module Eagle on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. During that momentous event, millions of people in America and around the world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong took his famous first step and became the first person to walk on the surface of another celestial body.

The Apollo 11 Moon landing was the culmination of years' worth of experience, and the combined efforts of tens of thousands of engineers, scientists and other devoted individuals and organizations that were committed to accomplishing the task that had been set upon them 8 years earlier.

The very successful landing was one of the most significant and important events in the 20th century. It inspired an entire generation to strive toward great accomplishments in space, as well as on Earth. It resulted in the greatest increases in science and engineering enrollments at all of our colleges and universities. It continues to inspire new generations as we prepare to journey back to the Moon and beyond, to other destinations in our solar system.

Today as we celebrate the Apollo 11 mission and reflect on the future of our space program, we should reexamine the lessons learned from Apollo. America's economic, educational and technological strength can benefit from a clear, challenging and inspirational goal for human space exploration. It will take national leadership at all levels, and we need to adequately fund the endeavor. If we succeed, we will continue to lead the world in science and engineering enrollments at our colleges and in our universities, and our technology and industry will continue to be the envy of the world.

As President Kennedy knew, the difficult challenges of space exploration serve to organize and measure our abilities, but they also lead to unanticipated spinoffs in areas such as health care, materials science and microcomputing that can be harnessed for other pressing national needs. On this anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, I hope we heed the lessons of the past and push forward into the future.

I urge Members to fully support our Nation's space program. And I urge them to support House Resolution 607 celebrating and commemorating the 40th anniversary of this extraordinary achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 2729 to authorize the designation of National Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and for other purposes.

H.R. 2729, introduced by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan), authorizes six existing parks that are located within major eco-regions of the United States. These eco-regions cover more than half of the Nation. In some cases the research parks are the only ecological sanctuaries in the entire region. The parks provide secure settings for scientists to conduct research on a broad range of subjects, such as plant succession, biomass production, environmental behavior of radionuclides, cost and effectiveness of revegetation of disturbed lands, and thermal effects on freshwater ecosystems. The parks also provide rich environments for training researchers and introducing the public to ecological sciences.

The parks have been around in concept since 1969 and in reality, actually, since 1972, when the Atomic Energy Commission, the predecessor to the Department of Energy, established its first research park at the Savannah River site in South Carolina.

Under this bill, the Parks will continue to serve their intended purpose, but will now be able to do so under their own authorization.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Lujan for his work on this bill, and also the work of his staff.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.