Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest condolences to the families of IBWC U.S. Commissioner Carlos Marin, IWBC Mexican Commissioner Arturo Herrera, Executive Director of the Rio Grande Council of Governments Jake Brisbin, Jr., and pilot Matthew Peter Juneau. These four men were tragically killed in a plane crash.

I had the privilege of working with Commissioners Marin and Herrera on numerous issues affecting south Texas. They were strong advocates of continued cooperation between the United States and Mexico. Their service to the IBWC was matched by their dedication to improving the quality of life between the two nations.

I will keep the families in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.

I rise in support of this bill before us today. I would like to thank Chairman Skelton and of course my good friend, Ranking Member Duncan Hunter. I value his friendship. We have traveled many places around the world visiting our troops and looking at their needs. Thank you for your leadership, and I value your friendship, Duncan.

I yield.

I thank the gentleman.

I also want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) for his help in bringing together this excellent bill. And I would like to thank my staff because they did a heck of a good job meeting with Senate staff and many other committees before bringing this bill to the House floor.

I am proud to say this bill focuses on restoring the readiness of our military. However, there is much work to be done. Significant investments will need to be made in the upcoming years by Congress and the next administration or we will risk breaking our forces.

This bill continues the work of the Armed Services Committee to restore readiness by authorizing $154 billion for operations, maintenance and training, and $25 billion for military construction. And $8.6 billion for the Army and $1.8 billion for the Marine Corps was authorized for the repair and replacement of equipment.

To address depot workloads following equipment reset, the bill requires the Department of Defense to contract for an independent assessment of the depot capability that will be needed in the future.

The bill takes positive steps to restrain the Department of Defense's increased reliance on the use of contractors to perform critical functions, including development of a single definition of ``inherently governmental,'' development of policies on personal conflicts of interest, and limits on personal service contracts.

We continue to take steps to look out for our deployed civilian employees by lifting limits on premium pay and allowing them to voluntarily sign up for additional life insurance.

But I am concerned that the bill does not address the Department of Defense's aggressive use of public-private competitions.

I ask my colleagues to support this bill. It is a very good bill.

Madam Speaker, I want to say thank you to both Chairman Bordallo and my good friend from Alaska (Mr. Young) who have had an opportunity to spend time in my district.

Today I rise in support of H.R. 4828, the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park Boundary Expansion and Redesignation Act of 2008. The battle of Resaca de la Palma--fought in 1846 in what is now the city of Brownsville, Texas--marked one of the early victories in the United States-Mexican War for the American forces.

General Zachary Taylor, who would later become the 12th President of the United States, was a very notable participant in this battle.

The United States troops suffered 45 men dead and 228 wounded; Mexican forces counted 169 dead and 228 wounded.

H.R. 4828 will expand the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site, currently under the National Park Service, to include the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield site.

The bill will preserve the battlefield site, support education and special events there, and develop an interpretive trail with exhibits, living history programs, and other community gatherings.

The site will also conserve the increasingly rare Rio Grande delta landscape and protect native chaparral, prairie and brush, and native species. It used to be more than 100 acres, but now it has been reduced to 34 aches of land, so we need to preserve this site.

Though the battle at Resaca de la Palma was fought by two warring nations, it is historically significant because it is unique to the south Texas border culture. More than just a relic of the past, the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield is a vast, outdoor classroom that preserves a vital piece of our Nation's history.

My hope is that scholars, historians, and everyday citizens will learn and appreciate the sacrifice of all those who perished here on this battlefield.

A coalition of local groups, community leaders, and private citizens has done a tremendous job in maintaining the Resaca de la Palma. I wish to thank them for their hard work and dedication in preserving an important piece of our Nation's history.

But it is now vital for the site to have full support and resources that only the National Park Service can provide. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

And I thank you and Chairman Young and Chairman Bordallo for supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6899, the Comprehensive American Energy and Consumer Protection Act.

I appreciate the hard work that the sponsors of the bill--Chairmen Dingell, Rahall, and Miller and my fellow Texan, Chairman Green--have put into crafting this legislation.

They considered different viewpoints and different approaches to the energy issue and came together in an inclusive manner that will lead us down the right path.

We have heard from our constituents, time and time again, that we need to become more energy independent and we need to produce more of our energy supply domestically.

We have heard from our constituents, time and time again, that we need to invest in the future and develop alternative energy resources, such as wind and solar power.

We have heard from our constituents, time and time again, that we need to provide tax credits so that our businesses have the incentive and opportunity to produce more energy.

And, we have heard from our constituents, time and time again, that we need to act on lowering the price at the pump, which is adversely affecting many south Texas families, farmers, and small businesses.

We can look forward to a balanced plan that expands both conventional and renewable energy resources. It will provide for new domestic drilling opportunities, both off shore and on land. It will release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It will spur companies and businesses to do more research and more exploration. It reforms the way royalties are paid between the Government and the oil companies. It provides incentives to conserve our energy use and raise energy efficiency standards.

This legislation is a compromise. It directs us in the right direction towards energy independence. My colleagues have called for an all of the above approach when it comes to the energy issue. I believe we have accomplished that.

Mr. Speaker, as everybody knows, the Gulf Coast has been battered by numerous hurricanes this summer, including Dolly, Gustav and, this past weekend, Ike. Let us keep those affected by these storms, as well as our local and State officials, our brave search and rescue workers and our first responders, in our thoughts and prayers.

On behalf of my colleagues, many who are back home, serving their constituents during this time of need, please join me in observing a moment of silence for those who lost their lives all along the Gulf Coast in these storms.

Madam Speaker, today we mark the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and remember the thousands of innocent men, women and children who lost their lives on that day, and we extend our sympathies to their families, friends, and loved ones.

We also honor the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of those first responders, law enforcement personnel, volunteers, and others who aided the innocent victims, in many cases sacrificed their own lives.

My personal experiences that day are vivid: going to a press conference in the Capitol at 9:30, moving fast to get out of the building when we saw the reports of smoke at the Pentagon. I went to the Pentagon two days later to thank the emergency workers and was touched by their resolve and strength to rescue their fellow citizens.

Over the last seven years, our Nation worked tirelessly to improve our Nation's security and to protect our people. We thank our men and women who serve in the military and put their lives on the line every day to ensure that we never have to relive those tragic events ever again.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Alma Ortiz, a teacher of U.S. government and economics at Homer Hanna High School in Brownsville, TX.

Ms. Ortiz was selected to the House Fellows Program here in Washington, D.C., which provides an opportunity for teachers to learn more about government and improve their knowledge of Congress. Only twelve participants were selected from around the country.

Those teachers will then take their experiences and apply them to their lesson plans back home.

It is dedicated teachers like Ms. Ortiz who will ensure our students have a better understanding of government. She already has made a positive impact on her students, fellow teachers, and school administrators with her work ethic and enthusiasm.

It is important for our students to be engaged in the civic process. They are our future leaders and a key understanding of government, as well as an appreciation for history, is important for their success.

I congratulate Ms. Alma Ortiz on all her accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 562, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act.

This bill provides a long-awaited helping hand to many of our hard- working citizens, and I commend Chairman Barney Frank and my House colleagues for diligently working with the Senate and the administration to craft a bill that helps individuals and neighborhoods struggling with foreclosure, in addition to ensuring that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac remain on solid footing.

Owning one's own home is the epitome of the American Dream. Unfortunately, too many people have found themselves struggling after becoming trapped in complicated, poorly-explained mortgages with exploding interest rates. Already, I have received a call from a homeowner hoping this bill will help him refinance into a mortgage that won't eat up the bulk of his income. With gas prices rising, food prices rising, and wages stagnant, most homeowners just don't have the money to cover a mortgage payment that jumps by 30 or 50 percent.

According to the Center for Responsible Lending, one in 35 Texas homeowners could face foreclosure in the next 2 years--almost 1,400 of them in my district. While this bill won't help all those homeowners, it will help many. By providing an avenue for people to remain in their homes, paying an affordable mortgage, we help not only those individuals, but the neighborhoods that would otherwise be left to deal with abandoned and vacant homes.

As too many neighborhoods and cities are discovering, this housing crisis affects more people than just those who lose their homes. It affects their neighbors, whose property values are in decline as their neighborhoods empty out. It affects cities that must provide services yet are losing property tax revenues. Cities and towns are on the frontlines of this crisis, and this bill gives them an important tool to help neighborhoods recover, by allowing them to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes and resell them at cost. I applaud all my colleagues in the House for passing this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Ricardo Sanchez of Corpus Christi, TX on his retirement from the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority.

Ricardo has been an excellent public servant for the Coastal Bend and has dedicated his professional career to improve the transportation infrastructure of South Texas.

Ricardo has over 27 years of professional and managerial experience in public transportation. He started his career in public transportation with Houston Metro in 1983 and moved to the Corpus Christi RTA in 1986 to serve as Assistant to the General Manager.

During his tenure with the Corpus Christi RTA, Ricardo worked in varying and extensive capacities serving as Assistant to the General Manager for Contracts and Procurement; Director of Contracts and Materials Management; Director of Maintenance Services, and Director of Special Projects.

In May 2004, Ricardo was selected by the RTA Board of Directors to serve as Interim General Manager for the agency and later hired as the agency's General Manager.

Ricardo has been a productive member of the community, serving in numerous leadership posts such as Board Member of the National Archives and Historical Foundation of the American GI Forum, Vice-Chair of the Corpus Christi Arts and Cultural Commission, and President of the Houston Chapter Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans.

Ricardo and his wife, Carmen, have three wonderful daughters--Yliana, Marisa, Teresa--and have one grandchild, Andrea.

I congratulate Ricardo on his retirement and wish him and his family the best of luck during the next chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1291, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of one of our country's most prominent veterans and civil rights organizations--the American GI Forum.

Originally founded to assist Hispanic World War II veterans fight discrimination from the VA, the American GI Forum now advocates for numerous additional causes, including voting rights, job training, and better access to education.

This bill is special to me because it also commends the American GI Forum's founder, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, who hails from my hometown of Corpus Christi, TX. Dr. Garcia, himself a distinguished veteran, was one of the early leaders of the Hispanic civil rights movement.

Dr. Garcia served as an alternate ambassador to the United Nations in 1967, was appointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 1968, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom--the Nation's highest civilian honor--in 1984.

Dr. Garcia grew up in South Texas and hitchhiked 30 miles a day to go to school. He enrolled into the University of Texas Medical School which accepted only one Mexican-American student per year.

In addition to helping Hispanic veterans, Dr. Garcia also led the fight against ending discrimination against Hispanic students and brought attention to the poor conditions of migrant workers.

From working with Presidents on civil rights issues to providing medical services to those who couldn't pay, Dr. Garcia dedicated his life to bettering the lives of all. His legacy, through the American GI Forum, will always live on.

I congratulate the members of the American GI Forum for all their work as a beacon of hope for all veterans and citizens aspiring to improve the lives of those in their community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Calallen High School Wildcats for winning the 2008 Texas State 4A Baseball Championship.

The Wildcats' title marked their third of this decade. Calallen culminated their impressive run with a win over the Waxahachie Indians 11-1, a margin so large that the game ended in the fifth inning due to a ten run mercy rule. Catcher Patrick Frasier was named MVP, after going two for three with four RBI and two runs.

This win, however, represents the efforts of the entire team, which was made up of Matt Garza, Derek Hagy, Aaron Alaniz, Logan Verrett, Jeramie Marek, Bryden McClure, Brett Bell, Jake Huddleston, Kris Guerrero, Dustin Vaughan, Hunter Whetsel, Skyler Hoelscher, Patrick Frasier, Dustin Marrou, Travis Neslony, Will Reynolds, Tyler Denman, Roland Resendez, Jordan John, Dillon Denman, Chad Vanaman, Parker Dorsey, Collin Simpson, Adam Hoelscher, Richard Montemayor, Nick Ginn, Rick Salazar, and Robert Zastryzny, as well as Head Coach Steve Chapman and Assistant Coaches Joe Luis Lopez and Rudy Salinas.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Coach Chapman and the team, as well as the parents, teachers, and student boosters who worked so hard to propel their team to a historic season.

I especially want to congratulate the seniors on their graduation and best wishes on their future plans.

Playing for a high school team is always a rewarding experience--one that provides enduring lessons in teamwork and responsibility. These student athletes will carry the lessons they learned, both on the diamond and in the classroom, for the rest of their lives.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by my good friend from Oklahoma (Mr. Boren).

You know, the Canadian ambassador to the United States and some oil companies have expressed concern about the application of section 526 to petroleum derived from oil sands.

North American oil sands are vital to United States oil supplies. Oil sands represent approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. oil supply and are mixed in with fuel derived from other sources.

This amendment addresses the concerns that have been raised, while preserving the overall intent of section 526. Section 526 establishes a positive goal for future alternative fuels greenhouse gas emissions. This amendment clarifies section 526 while retaining the standards it sets for greenhouse gas emissions.

This amendment would simply provide an exception to section 526 by exempting contracts for generally available fuels that are not predominantly produced from nonconventional petroleum sources, thereby addressing the uncertainty regarding the presence of fuel from oil sands mixed with fuel from other sources in existing commercial processes. And my friends, all I can say is there's always a first time.

I'd like to compliment my friend for coming up with this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5658, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. The bill before us today reflects our concern about the continuing decline in the readiness posture of our Armed Forces.

And I would like to thank the ranking member of my subcommittee, Mr. Forbes from Virginia, for his help in bringing together this excellent bill. He played a very key role and was very instrumental in putting the readiness and military construction bill together. I would like to say thank you for a great job.

Also, Chairman Skelton.

And my good friend who is going to be retiring soon. Duncan, you and I have gone through a lot. Thank you for all the work that you've done, and we hope to continue on.

More than 6 years of continuous combat operations have strained readiness. This strain is manifesting itself in more aspects of our military forces. The bill authorizes $143 million for operation and maintenance. To address the readiness shortfalls in equipment, training, and maintenance, we have added $932 million to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Reserve operations and maintenance accounts.

In addition, we have added funds for Army training, pre-positioned stocks, and aircraft maintenance in our authorization of the fiscal year 2009 supplemental.

In response to the Defense Department's increasing reliance on contractor services, this bill requires a comprehensive analysis of what constitutes an ``inherently governmental function.'' It requires the Office of Management and Budget to develop a single definition that may be used consistently by all Federal agencies.

The bill includes provisions to address civilians deployed in combat zones. It gives DOD authority to extend the waiver of limitations on premium pay. It also asks for a thorough review of the medical policies and treatment procedures for civilians deployed to support military operations.

To address depot workloads following equipment reset, the bill requires the Department of Defense to contract for an independent assessment of the depot capability that will be needed in the future.

The bill takes several actions related to energy and environmental policy. It authorizes $80 million for energy conservation projects and updates installation energy reporting requirements.

For military construction, base realignment, and closure and family housing in fiscal year 2009, the bill authorizes more than $24 billion.

The bill includes several provisions related to BRAC. In the time since the 2005 BRAC Commission reported its recommendations, we have seen costs increase almost 50 percent and the savings have declined. If a future administration were to request a new round of closures, the BRAC process will need to be dramatically different. As such, this year's bill repeals the BRAC Commission and the process that arrived at the 2005 decisions. At the same time, we remain steadfast to completing the 2005 BRAC round on time, by September, 2011, and have fully funded the administration's request.

To address our alarm at finding our troops in run-drown and broken barracks, the bill directs that $500 million in the fiscal year 2009 supplemental be used to arrest the declining state of military facilities.

The bill also does many good things for South Texas, which I represent. I am pleased that the replacement of the main production facility at Corpus Christi Army Depot was authorized. Corpus Christi Army Depot is the cornerstone of aviation readiness for the Department of Defense. It is vital that the current outdated facility be replaced so that dedicated employees of Corpus Christi Army Depot can continue to deliver products to the military in the most efficient and timely manner.

I support H.R. 5658, and I am proud of what this bill does to restore strength to our military. This is a very responsible bill. However, I'm disappointed that our committee adopted an amendment to provide the Department of Defense funding for the southwest border wall. I hope that in the future, defense funding will not be used to build walls.

That said, this is a good bill. The chairman of the full committee and the ranking member have done an outstanding job.

Randy Forbes, thank you for your dedication and your input.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. L. Nathan Winters of Harlingen, TX, for receiving the Award of Distinction from the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas.

Mr. Winters has been a valuable member of our community and is known for his hard work and dedication to the Girl Scouts and numerous nonprofit organizations. When serving on the board of directors he was instrumental in acquiring Camp Bayview to serve girls all over South Texas. He also served as president of the Girl Scouts Tip of Texas Council, which later merged with the Paisano Council.

Not only is Mr. Winters dedicated to the advancement of the Girl Scouts, but he is also a remarkable husband, father, and grandfather.

The Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas serves more than 9,200 members in the 4-county area, including girls in low-income public schools, housing authorities, the Texas Migrant Council, and Boys and Girls Clubs.

We are now in an era where more women serve as leaders in our government, corporate board rooms, and communities. The Girl Scouts of America have done extraordinary work in molding young women into positions where they go on to achieve great things. Their mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who--as women, leaders, sisters, and mothers--will make the world a better place.

I commend the good work done by the Girl Scouts of America, and the Girls Scouts of Greater South Texas Council for awarding Mr. L. Nathan Winters their Award of Distinction.