Floor Statements

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

House Concurrent Resolution 308 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service to be held Thursday, May 15, 2008, as was pointed out. The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service will pay tribute to the 191 officers killed in the line of duty during 2007 and years prior.

Since 1962, this ceremony, sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary, has honored fallen Federal, State, and local officers and their families.

This year will be the 28th time the memorial service has been held on the grounds of the Capitol. The events of National Police Week lead up to the annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service with honors for the fallen officers.

This year, National Police Week will run from Sunday, May 11, through Saturday, May 17, with events around the country and here in Washington, D.C. The families and colleagues of officers killed in duty will gather to remember and honor the men and women who protect our communities.

One of the fallen officers who will be recognized this year is Deputy Sheriff Charles Cook from Missouri. Deputy Cook served the Buchanan County Sheriffs Office honorably for 3 years before his death in the line of duty. It is entirely appropriate to honor on the floor of the House the service and sacrifice of Deputy Cook and the other officers who have lost their lives serving and protecting our communities and our country.

The service and the other events of National Police Week are valuable reminders of the sacrifices of many of our Nation's police officers and their families. I encourage my colleagues to attend the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, to pay tribute to the fallen officers, and recognize the individuals nationwide who put their lives at risk every day for the safety of our communities. I support the measure and would encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Resolution 444, Supporting National Aviation Technician Day, and honoring Charles Edward Taylor. This resolution was introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) in honor of aviation maintenance mechanics and their profession.

Day in and day out, aviation mechanics ensure the safety of the flying public. They are also critical for the safety of our Armed Forces aviation infrastructure. They keep our military aircraft flying and are key elements in ensuring their security.

The aviation mechanics creed embodies their professional philosophy. Words such as ``sacred,'' ``trust,'' ``judgment,'' and ``dignity'' are used to describe their duties and professionalism.

Our public confidence in aviation transportation is a direct result of their commitment to these ideals and the unwavering integrity of their work.

H. Res. 444 also rightly honors Charles Edward Taylor, who played a fundamental role in aviation history. In 1902, Mr. Taylor began work as a machinist in Dayton, Ohio for the Wright Cycle Company. In just 6 weeks, he built a 12 horsepower engine with only a metal lathe, a drill press, and hand tools. On December 17, 1903, his engine was used on the Wright brothers' first flying machine and propelled the world into controlled flight. Mr. Taylor's career lasted 60 years and earned him a place in aviation history. To this day, he is known as the father of aviation maintenance.

The Federal Aviation Administration's Charles Edward Taylor Master Mechanic Award is bestowed upon individuals who have over 50 years of experience in aviation maintenance and is truly an honor to receive.

Mr. Speaker, 45 States currently designate May 24 as Aviation Maintenance Technician Day. I encourage my Members to support this resolution to honor

the men and women of aviation maintenance and the life and memory of Charles Edward Taylor.

Mr. Speaker, I actually got to hear one of the very original Wright brothers engines, which was built by Mr. Taylor, at Oshkosh just a few years ago. There are still a couple of them that are existing today. They were actually built by hand, very crudely built, and I got an opportunity to hear one of them started up running. It was actually the third engine that he ever built, and it was absolutely a neat thing to see.

In my district I have one of the American Airlines overhaul bases which houses a lot of mechanics and aviation technicians who work on those aircraft, and from a base as large as that right down to some of our very small businesses, like Joe Rankin who runs an aviation shop in a little airport in Marionville, Missouri, those aviation mechanics are important to the entire industry.

Being a pilot myself, I know just how important good maintenance and those mechanics can be to your aircraft. It really is an honor to have the opportunity to be able to handle this bill for the minority side today. I thank the gentleman from California for his work on it. I think it truly says a lot about aviation mechanics and the reason we are honoring them.

Mr. Speaker, I introduced this resolution to provide the Members of this body the opportunity to express our common thanks and appreciation for our Nation's teachers.

Many people enter the teaching profession as a calling.

There are other jobs with much better pay, shorter hours and, often times, less hassle than teaching.

However, each year thousands of college graduates choose teaching as a profession, in no small part as the result of a personal experience they had with one of their own teachers.

National Teacher Appreciation Week is designed to provide a means for students, parents and entire communities to come together and participate in events and activities that show their appreciation for teachers.

Personally, I will be hosting an event in my district to recognize Alesia Hamilton, a first-grade teacher at Edison Elementary School in St. Joseph, Missouri who in accordance with the character and commitment that defines all teachers, has invited into her class as a student Mr. Alferd Williams, a 70-year-old man born into poverty who never had the opportunity to learn how to read, much less receive a formal education.

Each day, Alesia Hamilton works with Mr. Williams on reading assignments and other tasks that will ultimately help Alferd Williams earn his GED.

Mr. Speaker, what Alesia Hamilton is doing with Mr. Williams is just one example of what teachers do every day to improve the lives of not only their students but the people of our communities.

I appreciate my colleagues for the opportunity to offer this resolution on the floor of the House today.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Alferd Williams, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Williams, a sharecropper's son, who never got the chance to go to school, is now learning to read. Alferd is an inspiration to his teacher and classmates, and a prime example of someone setting their mind to accomplish a goal and then achieving success.

In 2006, Alferd joined a first-grade class at Edison Elementary School, to fulfill a promise he made to his mother and himself. That promise was that he would learn how to read. Mr. Williams is now in his second year at Edison Elementary School, and plans to stay in Ms. Alesia Hamilton's first-grade class until he completes his GED.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Alferd Williams, who is a true inspiration for all that know him, and all that have had the opportunity to hear of his inspirational story. Mr. Williams is living proof that with faith and persistence, you can achieve any goal. It is truly an honor to serve Mr. Williams in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize George Bayless, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Bayless was recently recognized by the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, for his innovation in developing fishing products.

George developed ENVIO-WEIGHTS material for fishing tackle and other weights out of a desire to reduce lead in the environment. This innovative product earned Mr. Bayless the recognition from the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Mr. Bayless is involved in many other endeavors, including efforts to provide a fishing experience to disabled veterans.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing George Bayless, whose innovations in fishing equipment have been truly exceptional. It is truly an honor to serve Mr. Bayless in the United States Congress.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Madam Chairman, I would first like to thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Chabot from the Small Business Committee for moving forward with this bill. This bill is critically important to small businesses and innovation in this country.

The SBA provides startup funding to small businesses in a variety of ways. One such program is the Small Business Innovative Research program, or SBIR, which allocates a specific percentage of Federal research and development grant monies to small business applicants. This program allows for cutting-edge innovative research that may not, in its earliest stages, attract funding from other sources. I strongly believe in the SBIR program and what it does for small businesses.

American innovation is what drives this country and economy. As Members of Congress, we need to create an environment that will keep American innovation at the forefront of the global market.

As a member of the Small Business Committee, I work to advocate on behalf of small businesses, and the passage of my amendment will have a tremendous impact on the success of those small firms.

My amendment addresses a problem that began in 2003. The Small Business Administration reversed a 20-year-old policy by ruling that small business companies that are majority venture capital backed could no longer compete for small business grants, regardless of how few employees a company may have. As a result, small businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire the investment capital necessary to start or grow their businesses. This jeopardizes the development of innovative treatments, therapies, and technologies.

Venture capital funding is critical to capital intensive industries. They provide the needed seed money to help get some of those innovative ideas off the ground. Without this investment, some of our most innovative ideas would never develop.

My amendment will restore majority venture capital backed small companies' eligibility so they can compete for SBIR grants and receive other small business assistance.

Small businesses are providing this country with the ideas and innovation that has become the identity of the United States. Without these thoughts and ideas, the United States will fall behind the rest of the world in innovations and breakthroughs.

Creating an environment that will keep American innovation in the forefront of the global market is a priority of this body, and I am very confident this amendment and bill will help us meet those goals.

My amendment simply makes a couple of technical corrections in title II of the bill which has the support of both the chairwoman and the ranking member of the Small Business Committee. Simply put, this amendment helps remove barriers to participation in the SBIR program.

I would like to thank the staffs of Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Chabot for all of their hard work on this issue. This bill and amendment have been a work in progress for over 3 years, and I appreciate all of the work they have done on my behalf. This is a very important issue to me, my constituents, and small businesses everywhere, and I am glad to see it before the House today.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the chairman; and that is correct.

Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the ranking member of the Small Business Committee, Mr. Chabot.

Does the gentlewoman have any more speakers?

Madam Chairman, I would just like to say to Ranking Member Ehlers that this is about small businesses, and we want to make sure that small businesses have the ability to compete, especially when it comes to highly technical fields. In many cases it is extraordinarily hard to get the capital that they need, and allowing small businesses to take advantage of venture capital companies is the way. But it is my every intention to direct this completely to small businesses.

Again, I appreciate the concerns and I very much thank the chairwoman and Ranking Member Chabot for working with me, and encourage my colleagues to support the amendment.

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

Madam Chairman, we don't have any problems with the amendment. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Chairman, I don't have any opposition.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Hazel Buckley, of Tarkio, Missouri. On April 8, 2008, after 20 years of service, Hazel retired as the Tarkio City Collector.

Hazel began her city collector position when the city had just started doing taxes on the computer instead of on paper. Through the 20 years that Hazel has been the city collector, she has worked under four mayors. Hazel is also the treasurer of the Tarkio Business and Professional Women, and is a member of the Atchison County Health Board and the Tarkio Community Garden Club.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Hazel Buckley, whose service to the Tarkio community has been truly exceptional. I wish Hazel the best in her retirement and it is an honor to serve her in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Taran Ray Winnie of Kearney, Missouri. Taran is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Taran has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Taran has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Taran Ray Winnie for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Andrew Fortin of Kansas City, Missouri. Andrew is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 260, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Andrew has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Andrew has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Andrew Fortin for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Zachary Webster Glazer of Kansas City, Missouri. Zachary is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 260, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Zachary has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Zachary has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Zachary Webster Glazer for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Derick Ray Bonner of Kearney, Missouri. Derick is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Derick has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Derick has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Derick Ray Bonner for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ian Micah Wright of Kearney, Missouri. Ian is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Ian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Ian has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ian Micah Wright for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Thomas Edward Price of Kearney, Missouri. Thomas is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Thomas has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Thomas has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Thomas Edward Price for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jason Michael Baur of Kearney, Missouri. Jason is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jason has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jason has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jason Michael Baur for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to recognize, the City of Rock Port, Missouri, the first community in the United States of America whose energy source is totally wind powered.

Rock Port, where Lewis and Clark camped in 1804, the county seat of Atchison County--named after United States Senator David Atchison--and the home of the annual Atchison County Fair, has come a long way to be the undisputed leader of energy innovation by becoming the first community in our Nation to be totally energy independent of foreign resources.

Named for the soil that it is built on, Loess Hills Wind Farm is located on agricultural lands within the city limits of Rock Port. The

four wind turbines that make up the Loess Hills Wind Farm will produce 16 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Rock Port will truly be the first community in America capable of meeting its entire annual electricity demands from wind power.

As a long standing supporter of wind energy, I am a proud to report the first 100 percent wind-powered community in the United States is in the Sixth Congressional District of Missouri.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the entire United States House of Representatives join me in celebrating with the City of Rock Port, Atchison County and the great State of Missouri in being the ``true'' leader for this Nation for energy independence.