Ray LaHood

Madam Speaker, during the last several years, I have had the honor and pleasure to work with the National Endowment for the Arts. I have been impressed with their energy, passion, and integrity in connection with their pursuit to bring arts excellence to America. I would like to discuss a few of the programs which have been so important to our communities and which were brought to us by the National Endowment for the Arts.

I'll start with Shakespeare in American Communities. Since its inception in 2003, the program has brought live, high quality Shakespeare performances to more than 2,000 communities in all 50 states. Sixty-five professional theater companies have participated in the largest tour of Shakespearean theater in American history. They have reached audiences of 1 million--focusing on high school students-- and have distributed 55,000 sets of exemplary educational materials-- free to any teacher.

Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation contest for high school students that was conducted in partnership with all 50 State arts agencies; 150,000 students were engaged in learning and reciting poetry and $50,000 was awarded annually in scholarship funds to winning students.

The NEA Jazz Masters program has expanded exponentially under the leadership of Chairman Dana Gioia. Designed to honor the best and most innovative jazz musicians and advocates, the Jazz Masters award has become the nation's highest honor in jazz. An NEA Jazz Masters on Tour commenced, and a curriculum was developed for high school teachers--NEA Jazz in the Schools--celebrating the story of jazz in a classroom- friendly format for music, civics, social studies, and U.S. history classes. The agency has produced a special commemorative recording of the music of 27 Jazz Masters, developed with National Public Radio a series of documentaries profiling honorees, and launched on public television the ``Legends of Jazz'' program--a series of conversations with Jazz Masters.

Through the American Masterpieces initiative, the Endowment has given grants to organizations to bring the best of our cultural and artistic legacy to Americans. Through this program they have supported the disciplines of visual arts, dance, musical theater, presenting choral music, and chamber music. State arts councils have shared in this program by supporting their indigenous master artists and art forms.

One program which we should be very proud of is the Big Read. Through this program--the largest project ever undertaken by the National Endowment for the Arts--the Endowment has given grants and educational materials to 533 communities to conduct community-wide reading programs centered around a great work of fiction chosen by the community. By reaching 96 percent of the country with Big Read events and activities, 2 million attendees have been introduced to great American literature.

Through its tireless effort, the National Endowment for the Arts has solidified its relationship with Congress and the American public. I would like to recognize all of the employees at the agency for their excellent work and commitment to the arts. In particular, I would like to commend the outstanding and tireless work performed by Chairman Dana Gioia and Senior Deputy Chairman Eileen Mason. Their leadership and enthusiasm and substantive work resulted in a renaissance era at the National Endowment for the Arts. I congratulate them for a job well done.

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. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009:

STEM Education Research Center: $5 million will be used to create dedicated health sciences research laboratories.

Account: General Provision.

Requesting Entity: Bradley University, 1501 West Bradley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61625.

3D2 Advanced Battery Technology: $4 million will be used for continued research on graphite foam lead acid batteries. These lighter weight and higher energy-dense battery systems would be used in military vehicles. The porous and conductive nature of the 3D2 plate enables more efficient and deeper discharges coupled with faster and more reliable recharges.

Agency/Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army; Combat Vehicle and Automotive Advanced Technology.

Requesting Entity: Firefly Energy, 5407 North University Street, Arbor Hall, Suite A, Peoria, IL 61614.

Pediatric Medication Administration Product and Training: $800,000 will be used to provide essential safe care technology and training for the proper medication administration by pediatric nurses at Walter Reed Medical Center and other Army hospitals, as well as in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan to guard against preventable adverse drug events.

Agency/Account: Defense Health Program; Procurement.

Requesting Entity: InformMed, 801 West Main Street, Peoria, IL 61606.

Advanced Trauma Training Course for the Illinois Army National Guard: $2.4 million will be used to continue to develop joint training opportunities for Rush University Medical Center, through the Department of Emergency Medicine, and the Illinois Army National Guard to address the issues of disaster preparedness. The Advanced Trauma Response training program is designed specifically to build medical readiness to respond to initial trauma in the field.

Agency/Account: Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard; Administration and Servicewide Activities.

Requesting Entity: Rush University Medical Center, 1653 West Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612.

Small Caliber Trace Charging Facilitization Program: $1.2 million will be used to maintain a flexible small caliber trace charging and bullet/cartridge assembly production line and have the manufacturing capabilities reside in North America to reduce delivery risk.

Agency/Account: Procurement of Ammunition, Army; Provision of Industrial Facilities.

Requesting Entity: General Dynamics, 6658 Route 148, Marion, IL 62959.

PGU-14 Army Piercing Incendiary, 30-mm Ammunition: $2.4 million will be used to procure 30-mm ammunition. The PGU-14 API has not been in production since the 1980s and the original prescribed shelf life was 15 years. Currently the United States Air Force recognizes that the PGU-14 API war stocks are in a critical status with the majority of the inventory unsafe for even emergency needs.

Agency/Account: Procurement of Ammunition, Air Force; Cartridges.

Requesting Entity: General Dynamics, 6658 Route 148, Marion, IL 62959.

25-mm High Explosive Air Burst Ammunition for Bradley Fighting Vehicles: $4.4 million will be used to develop much needed high explosive air burst 25-mm ammunition for Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

Agency/Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army; Tank and Medium Caliber Ammunition.

Requesting Entity: General Dynamics, 6658 Route 148, Marion, IL 62959.

Scorpion Low Cost Helmet Mounted Cueing and Information Display System: $4 million will be used to develop a low-cost helmet mounted display and cueing system for the Air National Guard.

Agency/Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force; A-10 Squadrons.

Requesting Entity: GENTEX, 1444 North Farnsworth Avenue, Suite 604, Aurora, IL 60505.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution, a similar resolution of which I introduced at the suggestion of the ranking member of the Rules Committee, David Dreier. He spoke to me about this and suggested that this type of resolution be considered by the House. I want to thank the majority leader for scheduling this resolution to commemorate and honor those who lost their lives in Beirut, Lebanon, during the bombing that took place.

I also want to thank my classmate and friend, Walter Jones, for his leadership in introducing this resolution. I rise today to honor the United States Marines and other servicemembers who were killed in the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983.

On this day at approximately 6:20 a.m., a delivery truck carrying explosives drove through the gates into one of the barracks buildings and the explosives were detonated. This day was the deadliest for the United States Marine Corps since the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II; 241 servicemen and women were killed and many others were wounded.

The servicemen and women serving in Beirut who were killed had been sent to serve as peacekeepers during the 15-year civil war in Lebanon. Throughout the time U.S. forces were in Lebanon, there were many instances in which American lives were lost. In April of 1983, a similar suicide bombing occurred at the United States Embassy killing 60 people, predominantly embassy staff and U.S. Marines. President Reagan called this act ``a vicious terrorist bombing'' and reiterated the United States' commitment to peace in the region. As a Nation, we would not let such actions deter us from our goal.

The fight against terrorism still continues today. Brave members of the Armed Forces risk their lives every day in an effort to bring an end to such attacks. While we take this time to honor those who were killed in Beirut, we also rededicate our country to the fight against terrorism. It is our hope that such despicable acts can be prevented, not only just in Lebanon but also in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and throughout the rest of the world. Progress has been made in Lebanon and progress towards peace will continue throughout the region.

Today the Members of the House of Representatives and the rest of the Nation join the families of these 241 fallen servicemembers to mourn their loss. We remember the courage of these Marines and other servicemembers who willingly put their lives on the line in order to serve their country and promote peace and security throughout the world. Our heartfelt prayers and sympathies go out to these families. Nearly 25 years after this terrible tragedy, we remember these brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

During the 14 years that I have had the privilege of serving in the House of Representatives, I have made 13 trips to Lebanon. During the first time that I went there, there was a travel ban: the airport was closed, people were restricted from traveling. We've made great progress in the last 14 years. Great progress.

A great deal of the credit really goes to the people and the leadership of the country but also to President Bush and Secretary Rice for taking a great deal of interest in this country and not being dissuaded by terrorist attacks and not being dissuaded by those who would have our men and women in harm's way. They have helped rebuild the country both politically and economically.

One of the saddest events that took place in the country 2 years ago was the assassination of the then Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. There is an investigation going on in that. He was a true leader in the country. Since that time, there has continued to be progress being made in the country.

As a matter of fact, President Bush will welcome the President of Lebanon tomorrow at the White House, the first time in the memory of many that the President of Lebanon will be coming to the United States and actually having a visit with President Bush and the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. This is an extraordinary event for the country of Lebanon, for the people of Lebanon, for those of us in this country who have worked very hard to develop the kind of relationship with their government and our government. We're delighted that the new President of Lebanon will be visiting Washington and visiting President Bush.

We've made progress, and we've made that progress through the great sacrifice of our men and women who serve in the Embassy in Lebanon and the men and women who sacrificed their lives during the time of the attack 25 years ago. So it's very fitting today that we not only recognize their families and those but we recognize the fact that our government leaders have reached out to this small country in a way that has enabled us to make great progress.

Moment of Silence

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if it would be possible as I conclude here if you would allow the House one moment of silence so we could say a quiet prayer for the 200-plus Marines and families who lost their lives.

I ask that the Chair allow for a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives during the bombing that took place in Lebanon 25 years ago.