Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I submit the following:

Requesting Member: Congressman Robert E. Latta (OH-5).

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Provision: Title XXVI; Section 2601.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ohio National Guard.

Address of Requesting Entity: 2825 West Dublin Granville Road; Columbus, OH 43235.

Description of Request: The requested funds will be used to construct a two-story, 80- bed barracks facility at the Ohio Army National Guard's Camp Perry Training Site.

The firing ranges at the Ohio Army National Guard's Camp Perry Training Site have been operational for over 100 years. They are some of the finest known-distance firing ranges in the United States. In the past two years, the National Guard Bureau provided $1.5 million dollars to update the targeting systems and to rebuild the protective berms around the firing ranges. They recently completed construction on a ``shoot house'' at which our members may train urban warfare skills, and the base also features a high-tech shooting simulator.

There is great capability at Camp Perry, but the housing for National Guard members is entirely inadequate. The National Guard Bureau recently certified a shortage of nearly 600 bed spaces at Camp Perry, and much of the housing stock on Camp Perry is uninhabitable.

With the January 2007 change in the Department of Defense's policy on mobilization of the National Guard, and the corresponding increase in responsibility for training and certification, the Ohio National Guard will rely even more heavily on Camp Perry for individual weapons training and qualification. Providing sufficient bed space of habitable quality is critical. This project, which will replace a number of World War II-era hutments with a 100+ bed barracks, is an important first step.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay a very special tribute to one of the truly outstanding citizens from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District, Mrs. Sandra Barber, as she ends her tenure as Chairman of the Fulton County Republican Central an Executive Committees.

Over the past three decades, Sandra Barber has certainly been an indispensable asset to Republicans in Fulton County and the State of Ohio. Her strong commitment to conservative values and leadership has guided her 26 years as Chairman. Through her leadership, she has fostered healthy debate and democracy by leading the Party and representing the principles it embraces at the local, State, and national level. Without question, Mrs. Barber has given unselfishly of her time and talents in order to serve the interests of all Republicans across our Nation.

Mrs. Barber has served as county chairman for various Presidential campaigns including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and President George W. Bush, as well as her role as a delegate at the five national conventions. She has also served the Ohio Republican Party as a member of the State Central Committee in addition to involvement in numerous State and local races.

Sandra Barber embodies the spirit of American public service through her commitment as Fulton County Recorder and her community as well. Mrs. Barber has served the State of Ohio as Chairman of the Ohio Lottery Commission and as a member of the Ohio Recorders' Association. Locally, Mrs. Barber is a member of the Christ United Methodist Church, serving as a member of the chancel choir and church school teacher.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I would ask my colleagues of the 110th Congress to join me in honoring Sandra Barber. On the occasion of her retirement as Chairman of the Fulton County Central and Executive Committees, we thank her for her dedicated service and we wish her well in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's industrial revolution was powered by coal, and with the current state of our energy market, coal should receive the attention it deserves. It is an important energy source for our country.

Coal is the United States' most abundant and efficient fuel source, and we hold over one-quarter of the world's coal reserves. The energy content of the Nation's coal reserves exceeds that of all the world's known oil reserves. In my home State of Ohio, we have reserves that will last for 250 years.

Coal provides more than half the electricity consumed by Americans. And work is currently being done in my district to develop coal gasification, which is a process that increases the efficiency of coal within a closed system.

The current Democratic leadership in Congress refuses to invest money into the coal gasification process, while China at the same time is investing $24 billion into the same technology.

We must embrace all forms of energy to keep our economy and products competitive with the rest of the world.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, with no relief in sight for the American public as they continue to endure the costs

of skyrocketing energy costs, it's once again time to look at alternative sources to combat this problem.

China has plans to build 40 nuclear power plants in the next 15 years, investing approximately $50 billion in these reactors.

The United States has not licensed a nuclear power plant in 30 years, while the current congressional leadership refuses to even consider the notion of nuclear power as a viable alternative energy source.

Of course we don't have to leave my home State of Ohio to find additional ways to increase domestic energy production. In northwest Ohio, alternative energy is abundant with the only wind turbines in the State, solar panel production, and coal liquefaction technology all adding to our energy production.

Whether we look at other countries, or in our own backyard, we must embrace alternative energy sources as one way to reduce our dependency on Middle Eastern oil and combat skyrocketing energy prices.

Mr. Speaker, the United States is at a crucial point in terms of domestic energy production. With estimates that China and India combined will consume more energy than the United States by 2015, we must take a serious look at our domestic energy production and continue to reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

China's increasing offshore energy production to reduce its own dependence on foreign oil, growing their production an average of 15.3 percent per year with plans to make offshore production China's largest source of oil by doubling production by 2010.

The current congressional leadership opposes domestic offshore energy exploration and production, making America the only developed nation in the world to restrict access to offshore energy supplies.

China has invested $24 billion in coal liquefaction technology, while current congressional leadership continues to exclude coal from their energy policy, even though it is the most abundant and efficient fuel source found in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on about our energy crisis, but it's time for this Congress to get serious about our domestic energy production.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay a very special tribute to one of the truly outstanding individuals from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District, Mr. Norman Walker. On Friday, April 18. 2008, Norman Walker will retire after thirty years of service on the City of Defiance's Police Department.

Over the last three decades, Norman Walker has certainly been an indispensible asset to the City of Defiance and to the northwest Ohio law enforcement community. His strong commitment to sound principles and honest leadership has guided his nearly fifteen years of service as Chief of Police. Mr. Walker's commitment to the law enforcement creed of ``to serve and protect'' was instilled in him as he worked his way through every rank in the Defiance Police Department. Without question, Mr. Walker has given unselfishly of his time and talents in order that the citizens of the City of Defiance might have a safe community in which to work and raise their families.

Norman Walker embodies the spirit of American public service and through his workman-style approach put his vision for a modern rural police department into action to establish the City of Defiance's police department as it model for the region. His dedication to community-oriented policing has empowered not only his fellow officers, but community residents as well, to play an active role in their own safety and have a voice in how their police department can continually provide better service to the residents of Defiance, Ohio.

Madam Speaker, it has often been said that America succeeds due to the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of her citizens. It is evident that Mr. Walker has devoted himself to the preservation of a free and just society where the rule of law is respected by all who call this great land their home. For that, we owe him a debt of gratitude that mere words cannot sufficiently express.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I would ask my colleagues of the 110th Congress to join me in honoring Norman Walker. On the occasion of his retirement as the City of Defiance's Chief of Police, we thank him for his dedicated service and we wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, Mr. J. Russell Coffey passed away on December 20, 2007, at the age of 109, and Mr. Coffey was 1 of 3 surviving veterans of World War I. Mr. Coffey was a student at Ohio State University when the United States joined the war in 1917 and Mr. Coffey enlisted in the Army at the age of 20 and was honorably discharged on December 12, 1918, a month after the signing of the armistice.

Mr. Coffey played baseball and was a track sprinter while in college and received both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Ohio State University, as well as a doctorate degree in education from New York University. Mr. Coffey continued his interest in sports and teaching by officiating high school sports for many years while he taught junior high and high school students in Phelps, Kentucky, at the former Glenwood Junior High School in Findlay and at the former Findlay College. Mr. Coffey served as an instructor at Bowling Green State University from 1948 through 1969, primarily teaching physical education but also teaching archery, psychology, swimming, and driver's education. Mr. Coffey was the director of the university's graduate studies in health and physical education from 1952 to 1968. Mr. Coffey was an active member of the Bowling Green Rotary Club for more than 50 years, and he was named the ``oldest living Rotarian in the world'' by the club in 2004, and in later years, Mr. Coffey credited physical activity and a healthy diet for his longevity.

The House of Representatives honors the life of Mr. J. Russell Coffey for his dedication to public service as a veteran, teacher, and member of the community.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to stand before you today in support of House Resolution 916 honoring the contribution of Catholic schools to the education system of this country.

In Ohio, approximately 12 percent of school children are educated by private institutions with the vast majority going to Catholic schools. These schools provide the structure and value system that are important to their families as their children receive not only a quality education but a strong moral and social foundation.

Most importantly, the choice of a Catholic education allows children to have a religious bearing in their education. Many parents make great sacrifices for their children's education by sending them to Catholic school, because at the same time they are not only paying for that Catholic education, but they also have to pay taxes to the public schools.

I applaud the hard work and dedication of the staff at the Catholic schools, as well as the parents who seek this education for their child's betterment. I am pleased to support House Resolution 916 today and to support our Catholic schools in Ohio and across this great country.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2174 sponsored by Senators Voinovich and Brown to name the United States Post Office in Tiffin, Ohio, after Paul E. Gillmor.

I first met the Congressman when he began his public service career over 40 years ago. Congressman Gillmor admirably served as a State senator, as president of the Ohio senate, and also of course as a United States Congressman since 1989. Congressman Gillmor cared for the people of his district and was dedicated to serving them.

I was taught by my father who served in this Chamber for 30 years that a true public servant is an individual who sees how much they can give of themselves to the people they represent, and I truly believe that Paul did exactly that. I think it is a fitting tribute to name a United States Post Office in Tiffin, Ohio, in his honor.

He unselfishly gave of his time and energy to serve the citizens not only of the Second Senate District but also the Fifth Congressional District for over 40 years.

It is truly an honor for me to follow the Congressman who served in this seat. I ask that this body approve the naming of this post office in the name of Congressman Gillmor.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for allowing me a brief moment.

I want to thank Representative Regula. Representative Kaptur, thank you very much for your nice remarks. I really appreciate that. I know that my dad always enjoyed serving with you and riding on the plane back and forth from Toledo.

It's a great honor to be here today. I'll tell you, it's a humbling experience. Because of all the years when I was younger and Dad was in Congress here and being able to come onto this floor, I never dreamed there would be a day when I would be standing in this well to address the Members.

I just want to say this, that as we were walking here today from the Metro and walking between the Cannon and Longworth and looking up the street and seeing that dome of the Capitol Building, I understood how humbling of an experience this really is. I truly believe we are truly blessed to be one of 435 to represent such a great Nation.

I look forward to working with all of you in the future. And I just want to thank you very much for this ability to be here with you today, and also, Madam Speaker, again, for allowing me to speak. I really appreciate it. Thank you very much.