Rick Renzi

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding two earmarks I received as part of Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2638) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008:

1. Account: Operations and Procurement, Air Force (OP,AF).

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: DRS Electronic Warfare and Network Systems.

Address of Requesting Entity: 485 Cayuga Road, Buffalo, New York 14225.

Other Requestors: Reps. Berkley, Higgins and Sens. Reid, Schumer.

Description of Request: An appropriation would be used for the upgrade and modernization of three (3) remaining Unmanned Threat Emitters (UMTE) system located at the Nellis Test and Training Range (southern range 62/63) in Nevada. The upgrade of the UMTE systems takes advantage of mature electronic warfare threat simulation technology and will result in more realistic training, increased aircrew survivability while providing substantial O&M savings.

The current unmodified UMTE systems have shortcomings that negatively impact aircrew training and survivability. The upgrades to the systems modernize the technologies contained therein and provide reactive capabilities which resemble real world surface to air missile and anti- aircraft artillery threats. At the same time the systems are refurbished thus providing a life extension to the equipment, they are connected remotely to Range Control Centers to provide better control and less manpower (O&M savings) and the systems are mobilized to resemble the real threat mobility thereby allowing time sensitive reactions to them. The UMTE's at the Eielson AFB have undergone similar upgrades with connectivity to the control centers with great success within the Air Force. This program continues to take advantage of those advancements across the board with Air Force EW aircrew training and intends to finish the modernization plans for UMTE at Nellis. -

2. Account: Research, Development, Training, and Evaluation, Army (RDTE-A).

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southwest Gas Corporation.

Address of Requesting Entity: 5241 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas,

Madam Speaker, I submit the following:

Requesting Member: Congressman Rick Renzi.

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Account: Operation and Maintenance, Navy (OMN).

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

Address of Requesting Entity: U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, 2300 Wilson Blvd., North, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201.

Description of Request: The request is $300,000 for a program that is focused upon development of youth ages 11-17, serving almost 9,000 Sea Cadets managed by adult volunteers. The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps promotes interest and skill in seamanship and aviation and instills qualities that mold strong moral character in an anti-drug and anti- gang environment.

Summer training onboard Navy and Coast Guard ships and shore stations is a challenging training ground for developing self-confidence and self-discipline, promotion of high standards of conduct and performance and a sense of teamwork. Funds will be utilized to ``buy down'' the out-of-pocket expenses for training to $85 per week.

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps instills in every Cadet a sense of patriotism, courage and the foundation of personal honor. A significant percent of Cadets join the Armed Services often receiving accelerated advancement, or obtain commissions. The program has significance in assisting to promote the Navy and Coast Guard, particularly in those areas of the U.S where these Services have little presence, such as Ganado, Arizona, where there is a thriving Naval Sea Cadet Corps program. Accessions related to this program are a significant asset to the Services: Over 2,000 ex-Sea Cadets enlist annually and an average of over 10 percent of U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen are ex-Cadets.

Madam Speaker, today I want to recognize and honor the Town of Payson, Arizona, which is in my district. This year Payson will be celebrating its 125th anniversary October 3rd through the 7th.

This beautiful mountain village community is known for its natural beauty and deep history. Surrounded by the rich ponderosa pine Tonto National Forest, Payson is located in Gila County at the base of the 7,000 foot, 200 mile long Mogollon Rim, which defines the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Seven Rim Lakes are located in the vicinity, offering a wide array of outdoor recreation for residents and tourists to enjoy.

In 1882 community leaders surveyed the current town site of Payson, originally calling the settlement Green Valley. The town changed its name after constructing its post office. In 1884 then postmaster, Frank C. Hise, renamed the town in honor of the congressional chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Post Road, Senator Louis Edward Payson, who was instrumental in establishing the post office.

Payson will forever be linked to the American Old West. It was in 1884 that the town held its first rodeo, holding it every year since, earning the title of ``World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo.'' Author Zane Grey, who idealized the ruggedness of the Old West, used Payson and its surrounding areas for the backdrop and inspiration for some of his literary works, including ``Code of the West,'' ``Under the Tonto Rim,'' and ``To the Last Man.''

It was not until 1973 that Payson was incorporated, and since then it has grown to become a thriving community that anchors the area known as ``Rim Country.'' I would like to applaud Payson for all of its achievements, recognize its distinct history, and congratulate it on its 125th anniversary. This community serves as a beacon for all other burgeoning south Western communities to follow, and is home to a people of deep community spirit and fervent respect for their environment.