Floor Statements

Thank you.

I would like to thank my good friend from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) the chairman of the Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, for his continued professionalism and all the hard work that has taken place behind the scenes to get this bill done. This is not an easy process and the legislation before us reflects many difficult decisions.

Once again, this bill places force-protection issues at the top of the priority list. It provides additional funds for the National Guard equipment account and the services' unfunded priority lists. And the changes that this bill makes in regards to body armor is long overdue and will provide better protection for our war fighters for years to come.

As I said during our oversight hearings and subcommittee markup, there is no doubt that this budget and the decisions that come along with it will fundamentally change the United States Air Force and Army.

I see two problems. First, the budget should not drive the strategy. The strategy should be set, then the funding requirements are laid out in the budget that follows. It appears to me that in many cases funding limitations in the FY 2010 budget top line were the sole driver in major policy decisions.

The second problem that I see is that instead of openly engaging the legislative branch on policy matters proposed for structure changes and the shifting requirements for major weapons platforms, the executive branch has chosen to lock us out of those debates and tie our hands by unveiling sweeping policy changes buried under the guise of a budget request.

A case in point is the joint cargo aircraft. I have asked witnesses in the Army, the Air Force, the Office of the Secretary of Defense: What has changed? Why is this mission being moved out of the Army and solely over to the Air Force, when not 4 months ago we received the Quadrennial Roles and Missions Review Report that stated, ``the option that provided most value to the joint force was to assign the C-27J to the Air Force and Army. ``

None of them have been able to answer the question, but all of them stated that there was no new study or analysis conducted that countered the existing plan or reduced the JROC recruit requirement for 78 joint cargo aircraft.

What has happened as a result of all this is that the Congress is now left to debate the puts and takes in the budget when there has been no vetting of the underlying threat assumptions policy or strategy. This body, not the executive branch, is charged with a constitutional mandate to raise and support armies and navies. I am extremely troubled that these decisions have been made in a vacuum and appear at least on the surface to be informed by nothing other than top-line budget pressures.

I want to be clear that my frustration is with the Department, not this bill. In fact, given the little information that we have received, I believe our Members on both sides of the aisle and our really excellent staff have done an amazing job. As I said on many occasions, the House Armed Services Committee has a long tradition of focusing on those issues that most impact and help our brave men and women in uniform. And I, like all our Members on both sides of the aisle, am very proud to be serving on this committee.

Finally I would like to briefly comment on the Army's Future Combat System. As we all know, the Secretary of Defense announced a decision to restructure the decision and terminate the Manned Ground Vehicles. Our committee has scrutinized the Future Combat System program in a bipartisan manner since 2004. We have consistently had concerns in regard to the survivability of the Manned Ground Vehicles, but we have never questioned the need for the Army to modernize and replace a combat vehicle fleet that is in excess of 30 years old.

The problem that I have is there is still much information that we need from OSD so that we can make informed decisions. As a result, we have been forced to make some very difficult decisions I would prefer to make with more information.

Again, on balance, this is a good bill, and I encourage all members to support it.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the FY10 National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 2647. The list is as follows:

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: Other Procurement, Army

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: AAI Corporation

Address of Requesting Entity: 124 Industry Lane, Hunt Valley, MD 21030-0126

Description of Request: Authorized $2.5 million to field Shadow TUAS Training Aids, Devices, Simulators, and Simulations (TADSS) for Army National Guard. The TADSS consists of Shadow Crew Trainers, Launcher Part-Task Trainers, Air Vehicle Part-Task Trainers, and Interactive Multimedia Instruction. Shadow crews have specific requirements to maintain their proficiency and readiness, and the TADSS will help fulfill their training needs. Army National Guard units are being activated

and deployed without any Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS) equipment or the means to sustain individual Aircrew Training Manual requirements and proficiency. The gap between ARNG unit activation and Shadow equipment fielding averages 30 months. Due to these differences, ARNG TUAS units require different TADSS than active units to attain and maintain readiness. Since the TUAS units have dual use (applicability in Homeland Defense and other state missions as well as combat), it is critical to maintain a high state of readiness at all times.

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: RDT&E, Army

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: AEPLOG, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 12800 Middlebrook Road Suite 108, Germantown, MD 20874

Description of Request: Authorized $ 7.5 million for research and development of the Autonomous Sustainment Cargo Container (ASCC), ``Sea Truck.'' The Sea Truck consists of a propulsion module and an optional bow module which attach directly to commercial cargo containers, allowing the deployment of these self-propelled support units from offshore logistics and commercial ships to the beach for sustainment operations. The Sea Truck supports the Army's need for low cost, logistics support equipment with critical distribution and sustainment capabilities. This project will provide actual field-test data to TRAC- LEE, allowing them to assess the desirability of the concept without computer modeling, scale modeling, water-tank testing, prototype design, development, and fabrication, and three years of development time. The ASCC system also addresses other current needs and concerns of logistics support such as high sea state deployment, Operations Other Than Warfare, personnel and materiel safety, reduced fuel usage, and reduced personnel requirements.

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: Other Procurement, Navy

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: American Technology Corporation

Address of Requesting Entity: 15378 Avenues of Science, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92128

Description of Request: Authorized $5.0 million for procurement of Long Range Acoustical Hailing Devices Anti Terrorism Force Protection Equipment for USN Assets and Facilities. The Long Range Acoustical Hailing Device (LRAD) is non-lethal, counter-personnel, long range hailing and warning device. LRAD's are capable of producing highly directional sound beams, allowing users to project warning tones and intelligible voice commands beyond small arms engagement range. The capability enables U.S. forces to more effectively determine the intent of a person, vessel, or vehicle, at a safe distance and potentially deter them prior to escalating to lethal force. LRAD provides a much needed capability for US Navy security personnel to effectively determine hostile intentions of potential terrorist vessels. LRAD provides tactical leaders with the time necessary to make measured and responsible escalation of force decisions.

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: RDT&E, Air Force

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fairchild Controls-

Address of Requesting Entity: 540 Highland Street, Frederick MD, 21701

Description of Request: Authorized $4.2 million for research and development of Adaptable Integrated Vapor Cycle based Environmental Control and Power System. Modern aircraft face increasing demand for electric power and cooling because of advanced sensors & weapons systems. Thermal challenges are further exacerbated by high engine fuel efficiency that reduces available fuel heat sink and low observable requirements that limit the use of ram air as a heat sink. Thermal challenge will increase by an order of magnitude for future air platforms. The proposed program will address many of the above challenges using a novel adaptable vapor cycle based environmental control system.

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: RDT&E, Defense Wide

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: General Dynamics Robotics Systems

Address of Requesting Entity: 1231 Tech Court, Westminster, MD 21157

Description of Request: Authorized $4.3 million for research and development of the Mobile Detection Assessment Response System Enhancements. MDARS robot autonomously performs random patrols, detects intruders, and determines the status of inventory, barriers, gates and locks using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Onboard sensors and real-time video allow remotely-housed human operators to see intruders or suspect activity as soon as the robot encounters it. There are no funds identified in the FY10 budget to support MDARS enhancements. DoD has identified a variety of enhancements that will expand the capabilities of the MDARS robotic vehicle to support force protection efforts. Requested funds would develop additional capabilities and procure one vehicle for force protection that detects intruders, and determines the status of inventory, barriers, gates and locks using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: RDT&E, Navy

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Information Control, LLC

Address of Requesting Entity: 17 S. Summit Ave., Suite 100, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Description of Request: Authorized $2.0 million for research and development of the Flexible Medical Solutions FlexMedPatch Program. This program will finalize developed micro- and nanotechnologies to save the military, thus taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in avoidable medical visits, save tens of millions of barrels of foreign oil, and create dozens of jobs in Maryland while improving access to healthcare and immediacy of lab results for patients and physicians. Most importantly, the medical readiness of military forces will be greatly enhanced as a direct result of the application of this process. This project increases ability to remotely triage injured war fighters in field, sea and air theater of operations; ability to monitor the health of trainees while undergoing dangerous training exercises; ability to create baseline individualized profiles on war fighters and their capacity to withstand pain, recover from injury, and endure prolonged and acute stress; ability to predict cancers, strokes, and heart attacks before they occur; and ability to continuously monitor forces for alcohol and drug use.

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: Other Procurement, Defense-wide

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: MPRI Training and Technology Group

Address of Requesting Entity: 7142 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia, MD 21046

Description of Request: Authorized $2.5 million for Basic Rifle/ Pistol Marksmanship for the US Army Reserve. Basic Rifle/Pistol Marksmanship for US Army Reserve (BRPM) training is included in the Army Marksmanship Training Strategy. Reserve Soldiers have the current requirement to maintain an annual level of proficiency in marksmanship in accordance with the Standards in Training Commission (STRAC) and the USAR's Small Arms Training Strategy. The BRPM program supports individual marksmanship training from initial entry training through advanced skill levels. The BRPM program is versatile and un-tethered allowing practice in different environments and locations creating realistic training scenarios. The BRPM program saves ammunition costs, travel time for training, is compatible with existing weapons of various calibers (M16, M4, M249, M240 and M9) and requires no modification to the weapon system. BRPM simulation can be used in concert with both standard U.S. military blank ammunition as well as BRPM specific lead free blank ammunition.

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: RDT&E, Navy

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Northrop Grumman

Address of Requesting Entity: 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 2300, Arlington, VA 22209

Description of Request: Authorized $5.0 million for Next Generation Shipboard Integrated Power: Fuel Efficiency and Advanced Capability Enhancer. Existing and future surface combatants and submarines require advanced propulsion and power system technologies to enhance fuel economy, lower system acquisition cost, and free up volume and weight for war fighting capability. Funding is requested to continue the development of a power dense Integrated Power System (IPS) and Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) technologies suitable for surface combatant and submarine propulsion, enhanced power generation, and power conversion. Power dense electric machines and power conversion solutions enable hybrid propulsion systems that save fuel and provide increased critical power for additional payload capabilities. These developments allow an advanced IPS or HED system to be incorporated in future and existing warships, including the re-started DDG51 line, DDG51 Modification, Ohio Replacement, and a future CG(X).

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: RDT&E, Air Force

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Proxy Aviation

Address of Requesting Entity: 12850 Middlebook Road, Germantown, MD 20874

Description of Request: Authorized $7.5 million for research and development of Multiple Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Cooperative Concentrated Observation and Engagement against a Common Ground Objective. There is an ongoing need in DoD to increase the number of (Information, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) ISR orbits provided by Unmanned Aircraft. This project increases effectiveness of the current fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) by enabling multiple UAVs and multiple sensors to cooperate in the same airspace with dynamic mission execution. Proxy Aviation Systems has developed and demonstrated the power of UAS cooperative engagement capability that can reduce the manpower and increase the mission effectiveness

of current UAS. The Universal Distributed Management System (UDMS) is a demo proven (TRL-6) autonomous command and control system that will enable up to twelve UAVs to operate simultaneously from a single ground station and perform complex tactical objectives. The upgrade of existing and future US Government UAVs with a Cooperative Engagement capability will significantly reduce the manning required to operate current UAV systems which will lower costs while increasing mission effectiveness

Bill Number: H.R. 2647

Account: RDT&E, Army

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Volvo Powertrain of North America

Address of Requesting Entity: 13302 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown,

I strongly encourage my colleagues to pass H.R. 2101, a much needed acquisition reform bill. This bill will help facilitate a strong national defense, while reining in out-of-control cost growth in the development of major weapons systems.

This bill is a result of an intensive, cooperative, and collaborative bipartisan and bicameral effort to improve and modernize the procurement and acquisition process for our Armed Forces.

I want to recognize in particular the efforts of Chairman Ike Skelton, Ranking Member John McHugh, and the members of the Defense Acquisition Reform Panel led by Chairman Robert Andrews and Ranking Member Mike Conaway.

Additionally, I would like to thank the unusually talented staff for their tireless work and contributions to this legislation.

H.R. 2101 is a much needed response to help minimize cost overruns and increase oversight and transparency in the way the Defense Department buys big-ticket weapons programs. I'm confident this legislation will provide a positive step forward for our military that will save taxpayers billions of dollars.

Moreover, this piece of legislation strategically addresses many of the issues I have long raised as concerns, including requirements creep, delivery delays, overly optimistic cost estimates, and the need for an independent broker to advise the military and Congress.

Two weeks ago during our HASC full committee hearing on Reform of Major Weapons Systems Acquisition, I posed a question before our distinguished panel of experienced acquisition experts regarding how they would weigh the causes of program cost overruns.

I asked them to record percentages based on what I called requirements creep, intentional underbidding, and, three, optimistic or incompetent cost estimating.

In short, what I took away from our expert panelists' answers was that fixing a broken defense acquisition system heavily lies with the requirements

process. I believe H.R. 2101 will help define requirements better upfront and establish a managed process for our military and defense contractors.

This bill will also address cost and schedule delays on programs early on. This bill will force the DOD to assess alternatives as soon as any major program starts going off track. Currently, this assessment is not required unless the program incurs a Nunn-McCurdy breach, which usually doesn't happen until a program is close to production.

Nunn-McCurdy has been a useful tool. It requires notification of Congress for programs that exceed cost estimates by 15 percent and termination of programs that exceed cost estimates by 25 percent unless certified by the Secretary of Defense that it's in our national security interest. H.R. 2101 provides tools and teeth to better manage and control costs of major programs from the very beginning.

Additionally, this bill elevates the importance and role of the independent cost estimator. This person gets to select the confidence level that all cost estimates will be developed to and also gets to develop his or her own cost estimate.

Further, the individual has to concur with the choice of the cost estimate made by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Technology and Logistics, AT&L, in creating a baseline budget for the program.

Lastly, I have been a longtime advocate of independent ``brokers'' to advise our talented military and the Congress. Under this bill, independent officials would be hired to assess defense acquisition performance. The idea would be that this individual does not report to the services or to AT&L. They would report to the Secretary and to Congress about whether the taxpayers are really getting value for their money under a program, or if there are other alternatives or requirement trades we should make.

This bill is very similar but not identical to legislation already passed by the Senate, S. 545, under the leadership of Senators Carl Levin and John McCain. There are some differences between the House and Senate bills. There is unified, bipartisan support for this House bill,

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring up the book One Second After, which was written by historian and novelist William R. Forstchen. It lays out a fact-based scenario of what life would be like after an EMP attack. I think that the American people should read this book. It tells the story of a ballistic missile EMP attack on our country. The weapon was launched from a ship off our shore, and then the ship was sunk so that there were no fingerprints. It was launched about 300 miles high over Nebraska, and it shut down our infrastructure country-wide. This book is a realistic assessment of what a really robust EMP lay-down could do to our country.

As a scientist and engineer now serving my 17th year on the House Armed Services Committee, I have studied the threat of EMP with the world's experts and it is real. I find it very disturbing that EMP is well understood and its capability is actively pursued by America's potential foes, but it is virtually unknown to the American public. Imagine a world where the only person you could talk to is the person next to you, the only way you could go anywhere is to walk and the electronic grid is destroyed. This is only the beginning of the impact from an EMP attack.

Glen Reynolds, who is a law professor at the University of Tennessee, a contributing editor at Popular Mechanics, and the author of various law review articles, writes as the editor of Instapundit.com how much he enjoyed the book and how he hopes that this book will draw attention to the threat of an EMP. I want to take this opportunity to share it with all of my colleagues.

``So I finished William Forstchen One Second After, and it's pretty good--sort of an Alas, Babylon for the 21st Century. Forstchen hopes to attract attention to the danger of an EMP attack, and I hope he does. I'm somewhat less positive about whether that will produce any actual, useful preparation.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 212, I intended to vote ``no.''

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. 1105, Omnibus Appropriations Act 2009.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Maryland Federal Services Fellows

Address of Requesting Entity: 2130 Mitchell Building, College Park,

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. 1105, Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Salaries and Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro Ecology

Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 169 124 Wry Narrows Dr, Queenstown, MD 21658

Description of Request: This program was $499,000 funding to be used for research that specifically addresses the recommendations contained in the Maryland Statewide Plan for Agricultural Policy and Resource Plan Ensuring a Sustainable Forest Future.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Conservation Operations

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Natural Resources Conservation Services

Address of Requesting Entity: 14th and Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250

Description of Request: Chesapeake Bay Activities. This program was funded $3,998,000. Since 2003 the AG. Appropriations bill has included an earmark for the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Although this earmark has previously not been in addition to state funds, the Task Force encourages the committee to make this request additive.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: National Institute of Standards and Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: UMBC Nano Center

Address of Requesting Entity: College Park, MD

Description of Request: Nanotechnology Research and Development. Funded $2,000,000 Develop ultrafast dynamics technologies with fundamentally expand the scope of nanotechnology. The funding would be used for research and technology.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Operations, Research and Facilities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Blue Crab Advanced Research Consortium at UMBI

Address of Requesting Entity: 701 East Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202

Description of Request: Blue Crab Research Funding $50,000. Funds research and aquaculture for restoring the blue crabs. The Blue Crab Advanced Research Consortium was created to address the sharp decline in Blue Crab harvests in the Chesapeake Bay.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Operations, Research and Facilities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

Address of Requesting Entity: 410 Severn Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403

Description of Request: Oyster Habitat Funding $4,600,000. This project would fund native oyster restoration in both Maryland and Virginia portions of the Chesapeake Bay.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: NOAA National Weather Service Operations, Research and Facilities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Maryland

Address of Requesting Entity: College Park Maryland 20742

Description of Request: Climate Impacts Funding $1,000,000 to advance and integrate all essential elements in climate change science, economics and policy, and bring the resulting models and tools to bear on issues of climate impacts and adaptation in the Mid Atlantic Region.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Operations, Research and Facilities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity:

Address of Requesting Entity:

Description of Request: Virginia Trawling Survey funding $150,000. Virginia Trawling Survey, this survey completed at Institute of Marine Science, provides the longest time series of fisheries monitoring data in the Chesapeake Bay.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Frederick County Sheriffs Department

Address of Requesting Entity: 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD 21701

Description of Request: Funding $500,000 Frederick County Sheriffs Office Automated Fingerprint Identification. Funding would be used for purchasing 10 handheld biometric identification units with mugshot capability and providing for an automated fingerprint, facial recognition and biometric identifiers.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Harford County Executive

Address of Requesting Entity: 220 S. Main St, Bel Air, MD

Description of Request: Public Safety Network Technology Upgrades Funded $365,000. Purchase and implement equipment designed to expand and enhance the capabilities of the Harford County Public Safety Network. The total cost is $1,454,242 and Harford County has committed $1,091,017 to support this project. By enhancing interoperability communications capabilities, Harford County can improve its ability to protect its resident's as well as public safety personnel.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Hagerstown, Office of City Administrator

Address of Requesting Entity: 1 East Franklin St., Hagerstown, MD 21740

Description of Request: Funding $300,000. City of Hagerstown drinking water system. The funding would replace the two transmission mains that provide service directly to Zone 1 and currently to the West End Reservoir.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: MRT-Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: MD Dept of Natural Resources

Address of Requesting Entity: 580 Taylor Ave Annapolis MD 21401

Description of Request: Funded $2,000,000 Continue efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers to design and build oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. Activities include construction of oyster bars and reeds, rehabilitation of existing marginal habitat and construction of oyster hatcheries.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: EERE-Other

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Frostburg State University

Address of Requesting Entity: Department of Physics and Engineering, Frostburg, MD

Description of Request: Funding $856,350 Construction of the Sustainable Energy Research Facility (SERF) Phase 2 will provide additional funding to finish the construction and allow purchase of research equipment and appointment of staff to study the effectiveness of sustainable energy in the Appalachia. SERF is a residential type green building.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Salaries and Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Hagerstown

Address of Requesting Entity: Hagerstown, MD

Description of Request: Funded $100,000. The program will offer assistance needed to develop minorities and women into successful business owners. The city developed the program to create opportunities and increase their number, magnitude and success rate. Hagerstown plans an aggressive outreach and support program designed to increase the number of minority and women owned businesses in the City.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Transportation, Planning, Research and Development

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Assistant Secretary of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 548 7201 Corporate Center Dr., Hanover, MD 21076

Description of Request: Funding $712,500. To continue work on the upgrading of 5.3 miles of I-70 Improvement, this project will address safety concerns and relieve congestion on a heavily traveled roadway.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Transportation Planning, Research and Development

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Assistant Secretary of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 548 7201 Corporate Center Dr. Hanover, MD 21076

Description of Request: Funding $95,000 Upgrade I-81 Improvements between the West Virginia and Pennsylvania state lines to improve safety and reduce congestion. This project will address safety concerns and relieve congestion on a heavily traveled roadway.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Transportation Planning, Research and Development

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Director of Economics Development City of Frederick

Address of Requesting Entity: 101 North Court Street, Frederick MD 21701

Description of Request: Funding $285,000 US 15 and Catoctin Mountain Highway Construction of a full grade separated urban diamond interchange at the intersection of US 15 and Catoctin Mountain Highway with Christophers Crossing/Monocacy Boulevard. This is on e of the primary access points to Fort Detrick.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Transportation Planning, Research and Development

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Hagerstown, City Engineer

Address of Requesting Entity: 1 E. Franklin St. Hagerstown, MD 21740

Description of Request: Funding $380,000 Eastern Boulevard Widening and grade separation from MD RT64 to Antietam Blvd. This will result in better traffic flow and will eliminate congestion at the current Eastern Blvd/North Ave/Potomac Street intersection

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Transportation Planning, Research and Development

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Board of County Commissioners of Washington Co., MD

Address of Requesting Entity: 100 W. Washington St. Hagerstown, MD 21740

Description of Request: Funding $95,000 Hagerstown Area Northeast By- Pass Project is to conduct a planned level analysis for he construction of the Hagerstown MD vicinity. This highway would connect to I-70 on the east and I-81 toward the north.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Frederick Community College and Carroll Community College

Address of Requesting Entity: 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702

Description of Request: Funding $143,000 used for construction of laboratories and classrooms, staff salaries and leasing costs. Howard, Frederick and Carroll Community Colleges are partnering with health providers to offer education in specific health care fields in Mt. Airy, Maryland. The facility would be know as the Mid-Maryland Community College Allied Healthcare Education Center.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Washington County Hospital

Address of Requesting Entity: 251 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown,

Mr. Speaker, I am going to speak from this side of the aisle because it is where Paul Sarbanes would have stood.

When I came here almost 17 years ago, I would see Senator Sarbanes at social functions with this very attractive brunette on his arm, and I said to myself: Paul married well, didn't he? Then Christine came to my office as an advocate for schools and teachers, and I was wowed. When she left, I said to myself: Paul not only married well, he married up. Then, one day, my wife, when I came home, told me that at a spouse's event that day she had talked to Christine and that Christine told her that they had decided to retire because, as she told my wife--and Mr. Speaker, I am going to have a little trouble with this--they wanted to retire while they could still both climb steps.

I regret very much that Christine had far too few years to climb those steps with Paul.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate and honor a young student from my district who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Maureen McCarrick of Myersville has been named one of the top honorees in Maryland by the 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia.

Ms. McCarrick is being recognized for co-founding a children's theatre troupe that stages performances every summer to benefit disabled and disadvantaged people in her community. What started as a show for neighbors and friends in the backyard, the production of the Kids Theatre grew over time with performances now taking place at a town pavilion and on a high school stage. In addition to canned food, the troupe has raised thousands of dollars through ticket sales to buy benefits for struggling families and individuals.

I believe it is vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution that Maureen has made. People of all ages need to think more about how we, as individual citizens, can work together at the local level to ensure the health and vitality of our towns and neighborhoods.

I heartily applaud Ms. McCarrick for her initiative in seeking to make her community a better place to live, and for the positive impact she has had on the lives of others. Her actions show that young Americans can--and do--play important roles in our communities, and that America's community spirit continues to hold tremendous promise for the future.

Young volunteers like Maureen are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate and honor a young student from my district who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Allison Harmon of Hampstead has been named a distinguished finalist by the 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia.

Ms. Harmon has been an active community volunteer, going back to the sixth grade. She has coordinated drives to collect school supplies, clothing, food and toys for the needy; tutored and mentored young students; volunteered at hospitals; and participated in many other service activities.

I believe it is vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution that Allison has made. People of all ages need to think more about how we, as individual citizens, can work together at the local level to ensure the health and vitality of our towns and neighborhoods.

I heartily applaud Ms. Harmon for her initiative in seeking to make her community a better place to live, and for the positive impact she has had on the lives of others. Her actions show that young Americans can--and do--play important roles in our communities, and that America's community spirit continues to hold tremendous promise for the future.

Young volunteers like Allison are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate and honor a young student from my district who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in his community. Travis Robinson of Taneytown has been named a distinguished finalist by the 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia.

Mr. Robinson is being recognized for raising nearly $10,000 in cash and food donations to support the Carroll County Food Sunday program. Upon learning that donations at the food pantry had been ruined by the high summer heat, Travis conducted a series of food drives in his community.

I believe it is vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution that Travis has made. People of all ages need to think more about how we, as individual citizens, can work together at the local level to ensure the health and vitality of our towns and neighborhoods.

I heartily applaud Mr. Robinson for his initiative in seeking to make his community a better place to live, and for the positive impact he has had on the lives of others. Travis' actions show that young Americans can and do play important roles in our communities, and that America's community spirit continues to hold tremendous promise for the future.

Young volunteers like Travis are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow.

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, FY 09 Defense Appropriations as part of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RTD&E Army Electronic Warfare Advanced Technology.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Thales Communication.

Address of Requesting Entity: 22616 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg,

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2638, FY 09 Defense Appropriations as part of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. The list is as follows:

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RTD&E Army Combat Vehicle and Automotive Advanced Technology.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Volvo Powertrain of North America.

Address of Requesting Entity: 13302 Pennsylvania Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742.

Description of Request: Funded $2.4 million to build, test, and evaluate up to five heavy tactical trucks with hybrid electric powertrain. The integrated hybrid drive system will be specifically tailored to the M915 line-haul tractor or other heavy trucks selected by the Army. The program's goal is to provide the military with more fuel efficient, cleaner and easily maintained heavy truck powertrain.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RDT&E Air Force.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Proxy Aviation Systems.

Address of Requesting Entity: 12850 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874.

Description of Request: Multiple UAS cooperative concentrated observation and engagement against a common ground objective. This program was funded $4.4 million to provide requirement for operational need from CENTAF for a UAS cooperative engagement capability and a standing objective requirement for Predator to operate up to eight air vehicles simultaneously from a single ground station. This will increases effectiveness of current fleet of UAVs by enabling multiple UAVs to cooperate in the same airspace and dynamic mission execution.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RTD&E Navy Shipboard System Component Development.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Address of Requesting Entity: 1840 Century Park East, Los Angeles, CA 90067-2199.

Description of Request: Power Dense Integrated Power System for CG(X) was funded $3.0 million to continue the development of a power dense integrated power system (IPS) suitable for surface combatant main power generation, distribution and conversion. These developments will facilitate removing 20% of existing system weight and cost, enabling a increase in combatant payload capacity. Contractor activity will be performed at Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Marine Systems at 7301 Sykesville Rd, Sykesville, MD 21784.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: Procurement, Defense-Wide.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Smiths Detection.

Address of Requesting Entity: 2208 Lakeside Blvd., Edgewood, MD 21400.

Description of Request: Joint Chemical Agent Detector Program was funded $4.0 million to provide advanced detection and warning, identification of contamination on personnel and equipment, and monitoring for presence of chemical warfare agent and toxic industrial chemical contamination. This project will ensure that Maryland National Guard and other guard units receive the latest chemical warfare agent and toxic industrial detector in their hands.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RTD&E Navy Advanced Submarine System Development.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Chesapeake Sciences Corporation.

Address of Requesting Entity: 1127B Benfield Blvd., Millersville, MD 21108.

Description of Request: Submarine Fatline Vector Sensor Towed Array was funded $800 thousand to provide the fabrication, assembly and test of a prototype 96-element vector sensor fatline submarine towed array. It would also include testing and data analysis to show that Vector Sensor towed arrays provide a cost effective means to achieve significant improvement in detection, fire control, and self-defense capabilities for our submarine fleet.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: Defense-Wide, RTD&E Microelectronic Technology Development and Support.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Address of Requesting Entity: 1580A W. Nursery Rd., Linthicum, MD 21090.

Description of Request: Scalable Topside Array Radar (STAR) Demonstrator funded for $800 thousand to develop and build a STAR to validate performance and reduce cost/risk of next generation surface ship radar systems. This program directly supports the Navy's plan for an aggressive radar competition to help reduce the cost of next generation platforms such as the CG(X) cruiser.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RTD&E Army Combat Vehicle and Automotive Advanced Technology.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Patrick Power Products, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 6679-C Santa Barbara Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075.

Description of Request: Rotary, Multi-Fuel, Auxiliary Power Unit Development Program was funded for $2.4 million to continue advancement of the company's auxiliary power unit technology to address the needs that the Army put forward. The RMF-APU development work has progressed to a point where the Army has accepted delivery of an RMF-APU from the company for fir check and demonstration in the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. The auxiliary power unit under consideration as a retrofit for the [Abrams] tank would reduce the Abram's battlefield fuel demand by as much as 50%. This would cut the Abrams daily fuel use in Iraq from $30 million to $15 million.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RTD&E Army Weapons and Munitions Advanced Technologies.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ATK.

Address of Requesting Entity: 5050 Lincoln Drive, Edina, MN 55436.

Description of Request: Advanced Fuzing Technologies was funded $3.6 million based on lessons learned in both Operation Enduring freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. These lessons highlighted the need for multi- purpose 105 mm and 120 mm tank ammunition to effectively engage a wide variety of targets other than enemy tanks. Multimode fuzing technologies are needed, including point-detonation with variable delay and enhanced airburst functionality at extended range. In order to address advanced 105mm and 120mm tank ammunitions requirements, funds are needed now to mature designs and support the evolution of these munitions.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RTD&E Navy Surface Combatant Combat System Engineering.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: DRS Power Technology.

Address of Requesting Entity: 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 201E, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Description of Request: DDG51 Class Permanent Magnet Hybrid Electric Propulsion System was funded $7.6 million to development hybrid propulsion drive for navy combatants. With the installation of hybrid electric drive, the hybrid motors will be operated for ship propulsion at speeds less than 13 kts and as a generator for propulsion-derived ship service electrical power at speeds of 13kts and above. The Navy RDT&E funds will design and build a hybrid electric drive prototype system for insertion and testing at the Navy Land Based test site. Development and demonstration of a prototype DDG51 hybrid electric drive system will enable fuel savings, return of investment, and warfighter advantages.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RDT&E Navy force Protection Advanced Technology.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: DRS Power and Control Technologies, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 4265 North 30th St., Milwaukee, WI 53216.

Description of Request: Solid state DC Protection System was funded $1.2 million to provide a solid state DC circuit breaker protection

prototype. All-electric propulsion Navy Combatant presents a strategic advantage in today's world of increasing fuel prices and reliance upon foreign oil. The SSDCP will result in 10,000 times lower fault energy which protects personnel and equipment, while reducing chance of fire. Additionally, it provides greater survivability and mission effectiveness and lower acquisition cost and lower lifetime maintenance costs.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638.

Account: RTD&E Army Military Engineering Advanced Technologies.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Convanta Energy.

Address of Requesting Entity: 40 Lane Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004.

Description of Request: Conversion of Municipal Solid Waste to Renewable Diesel was funded for $1.6 million to provide an assessment of commercially-available technologies and examine existing best practices for using municipal solid waste, and potentially other feedstocks, to create renewable diesel. This funding will also research and test catalytic and non-catalytic systems to convert organic materials into renewable diesel that meets stringent EPA requirements for low sulfur content, resulting in a cleaner burning fuel and added environmental benefits.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to suspend the rules and pass the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.

As ranking member of the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee, I applaud the efforts that Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member Hunter and Chairman Taylor have made to negotiate a final package with the Senate under extraordinarily constrained circumstances, the shortest conference in history, I think.

I want to thank the staff for their invaluable contributions. This bill does an excellent job of meeting the needs of our soldiers, sailors, aviators and marines.

The bill fully funds the next generation carrier, the next Virginia class submarine, and provides advanced procurement funding that would smooth the ramp for construction of two Virginia class submarines per year. This bill authorizes and fully funds two T-AKEs and two Littoral Combat Ships.

The bill would also provide advance procurement for a DDG-51 destroyer, which the Navy has testified would better meet their requirements. We have still provided sufficient funding for DDG-1000 to give the Navy options and flexibility for the procurement of surface combatants.

Additionally, the bill extends the House commitment to expand nuclear propulsion for shipbuilding. In addition to next generation cruisers, the bill would also require that future amphibious assault vessels include nuclear power.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate several of our colleagues who are retiring at the end of this Congress. Duncan Hunter, Jim Saxton and Terry Everett have my deepest respect and gratitude. Thank you for your dedication and service to our country and everything you have done for the men and women in uniform.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 6599, FY 09 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations.

Bill Number: H.R. 6599.

Account: Air National Guard/United States Air Force.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Air National Guard/A7 Programming Division.

Address of Requesting Entity: Maryland Air National Guard, Martin State Airport, Baltimore, Maryland.

Description of Request: Provide an earmark asking for $6,300,000 which was appropriated $7,900,000 to replace fire station and ASE facilities at Martin State Airport, Baltimore, MD. The fire station must be located such that it can support crash and fire rescue mission generated by flying operations and by the joint use agreement between the Air National Guard and Maryland Aviation Authority. The 175th Wing of the Air National Guard requires an adequately sized and properly operating fire station. Currently the base fire station is less than 50 percent of authorized use. This funding would provide construction for 21,100 square foot fire station complete with concrete foundation and floor slab, steel frame masonry walls with standing seam insulated metal roof or ``green'' roof, as well as, interior mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems.