Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Khojaly tragedy that occurred 19 years ago in Azerbaijan. Over the night from February 25th to February 26th, an unprecedented massacre was committed against the Azerbaijani people in the town of Khojaly.

Azerbaijan has been a longtime ally and friend of the United States. On Christmas Day in 1991, President George H.W. Bush announced the recognition of Azerbaijan independence along with other former Soviet Republics. Azerbaijan has been involved in NATO's Partnership for Peace program and has participated in U.S.-led military missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. During this time of unrest in the Middle East, the peaceful alliance with Azerbaijan is more important than ever.

Mr. Speaker, the tragedy of Khojaly was a grim and horrific event and I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the people of Azerbaijan on this tragic anniversary.

Madam Speaker, on the evening of December 17, 2010, hundreds of friends and colleagues, as well as state and local officials in southwest Germany, will gather to honor one of the most unique business leaders that that I have had the privilege to encounter--Wolfgang Herzog. He serves as the director of utility services for the city of Kaiserslautern, Germany. He has emerged as a leader in German programs designed to further promote and enhance critical host-nation relations with the huge American military components in the region. Kaiserslautern, a city whose U.S. military and business profile is so pronounced that it is now called The American City in Germany, is the home to nearly 55,000 Americans, making it the largest U.S. military outpost overseas.

The cooperation of the U.S. military with the leaders of the community is an essential component of overseas forces activities. It is the host-nation city that makes possible the logistical, social, cultural, and infrastructure that provide for workable and meaningful relations between our troops and the people of a foreign nation which surrounds them.

Over the last two decades Mr. Herzog has escorted numerous city officials and associates to Washington. He has met with multiple Senators and Representatives to profile the extent of Kaiserslautern's commitment to its American neighbors.

Mr. Herzog has also been welcomed at the Pentagon by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the Army and Air Force Chiefs of Staff. He has often worked with military staff in providing efficient energy services and protecting environmental standards.

Mr. Herzog has received tributes from senior American military leaders in Kaiserslautern. General Roger Brady, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe presented him with the Medal of Distinction. Army Major General Patricia McQuiston, Commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, decorated him with the Soaring Eagle Award.

The Lord Mayor of Kaiserslautern, Dr. Klaus Weichel and all of the residents of the region join with me in saying to Mr. Herzog: Ad Multos Annos!

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dominic ``Nick'' DiFrancesco, II, a constituent and friend, who, on August 25, 2010, held his last public meeting as a Dauphin County Commissioner. That public meeting marked the end of a lifetime of public service.

Nick's political career began in 1992, when he was elected as the youngest council president in the history of Highspire Borough. In

this capacity, Nick's priorities included improving roadways and rehabilitating the municipal buildings and public facilities. In 1996, Nick was elected as a Lower Swatara Township Commissioner, serving as the Chairman of the Lower Swatara Police Committee and as Secretary and Treasurer of the State Association of Township Commissioners. During this time Nick played an instrumental role in the formation of the Modem Transit Partnership.

Nick's service with the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners began with his election in November of 2003. He was overwhelmingly reelected to a second term four years later. As Vice-Chairman of the Board, Nick served as the oversight commissioner for many of the county's important functions. He successfully guided the complicated sale of the Spring Creek Health Care Rehabilitation Center, and directed the county's emergency response during numerous tragedies. During his tenure, Nick led the Wellness Committee, spearheaded the annual Ride to Work Day, and partnered with the Salvation Army to host their Red Kettle campaign during the holidays.

His leadership earned him and his fellow board members the ``Government Leader of the Year'' Award in 2006 from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. Nick also won the ``People's Choice'' for Public Servant of the Year by Harrisburg Magazine in 2008. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to collaborate with Nick on projects such as the Family Group Conferencing Center for the Dauphin County Social Services, modernizing the Harrisburg International Airport, and making improvements and upgrades to crucial roads and bridges throughout Dauphin County.

I would like to congratulate Nick DiFrancesco on his lifetime of public service and thank him for his outstanding citizenship in the community.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on H.R. 4785.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, the bill we are considering today, H.R. 4785, the Rural Energy Savings Program Act, will greatly benefit our rural residents. The agriculture provisions in this bill build on existing U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and will reduce energy consumption and, as a result, reduce energy costs in rural America.

Rural electric cooperatives estimate that the Rural Energy Savings Program Act has the potential to create between 20,000 and 40,000 jobs per year and will make loans available to between 1.1 and 1.6 million rural households, depending on the average consumer size. It is clear that this is a win-win proposition for our rural constituents and our rural economy.

This Act furthers the Agriculture Committee's commitment to expand renewable and alternative sources of power and discover new technologies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of existing power generation across rural America.

H.R. 4785 authorizes USDA's rural utility service to make interest- free loans to eligible entities. These entities will use these funds to make low-interest loans to rural consumers allowing them to implement energy-efficient measures on their property. Using the existing Rural Utilities Service structure, with the rural electric cooperatives as the delivery system, rural consumers can more quickly obtain the benefits of energy-efficient investments and ultimately decrease their energy bills.

Rural customers are facing increasing energy costs and rural electric cooperatives, which serve 42 million member owners across the country, are facing growing demand for electric power, yet are constrained from building new generation capacity.

The upfront costs to make energy-efficient upgrades are often beyond the reach of most consumers. This is true even if the costs can be recovered over time or a tax credit or a rebate would reduce the initial price. Additionally, consumers often lack the necessary knowledge about what technologies would be the most effective.

H.R. 4785 is an opportunity to meet these challenges and enact policy that we know will reduce energy costs and consumption and improve the quality of life in our rural communities.

I would like to thank Congressman Clyburn and Congressman Perriello for their hard work and dedication to improving energy efficiency and their support for the agriculture provisions within this Act.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly support the agriculture provisions contained in this Act and encourage its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), the distinguished majority whip.

(Mr. CLYBURN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina, the chairman of the Budget Committee, Mr. Spratt.

(Mr. SPRATT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Perriello).

Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, we know that rural cooperatives will need

to double generating capacity. Several reports, including one done by USDA, state it will take a 10-year capital requirement of $65.5 billion, $49.9 billion which would be for new generation, and this does not even take into consideration the $10 billion needed for transmission and the $3 billion to retrofit. So that would be a tremendous expense to consumers across rural America. Energy efficiency investment is the way we need to proceed, so I encourage adoption of the bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, the manager's amendment contains the following provisions: It prohibits entities with ongoing TARP obligations from participating in the program. It mandates that funds provided by the legislation must be used to supplement and not to supplant other energy efficiency funding. It says that no report has to be filed by the comptroller general regarding the extent to which funds provided by the legislation are used to support commercial or industrial energy measures. It prohibits any additions to direct spending with respect to the legislation. It forbids funds from being used to purchase personal property, including manufactured homes; but allows funds to be used for modifications to manufactured homes.

The manager's amendment prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from promulgating regulations regarding a

home labeling program. It also prohibits the wrongful use or diversion of program funds, as well as prohibits providing funds to any contractor who employs any person who has been convicted of, or pled guilty to, any form of sexual assault. Finally, it prohibits Federal employees from receiving loan funds if they have seriously delinquent tax debt, have received a payment in violation of LIHEAA, or have been officially disciplined for viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography on a Federal Government computer or while performing official Federal Government duties.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentlemen from North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas for their support of the manager's amendment, and encourage its passage.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

I rise today in support of H.R. 4173.

I serve as chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research. As such, we have jurisdiction over the institutions of the Farm Credit System that serve agriculture as well as rural communities across the country.

Over 20 years ago, the Agriculture Committee put in place a revised legislative and regulatory regime for the Farm Credit System that has successfully stood the test of time in ensuring that these institutions operate safe and sound.

Farm Credit System institutions are regulated and examined by a fully empowered independent regulatory agency, the Farm Credit Administration, which has the authority to shut down and liquidate a system institution that is not financially viable. In addition, the Farm Credit System is the only GSE that has a self-funded insurance program in place that was established to not only protect investors in farm credit debt securities against loss of their principal and interest, but also to protect taxpayers.

These are just a few of the reasons why the Agriculture Committee insisted that the institutions of the Farm Credit System not be subject to a number of the provisions of this legislation. They were not the cause of the problem, did not utilize TARP funds, and did not engage in abusive subprime lending. We have believed that this legislation should not do anything to disrupt this record of success.

Mr. Speaker, I now would like to enter into a colloquy with the chairman of the Agriculture Committee.

Mr. Chairman, the conference report includes compromise language that requires the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to consider exempting small banks, Farm Credit System institutions and credit unions from provisions requiring that all swaps be cleared. We understand that community banks, Farm Credit institutions and credit unions did not cause the financial crisis that precipitated this legislation. While the legislation places a special emphasis on institutions with less than $10 billion in assets, my reading of the language is that they should not in any way be viewed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a limit on the size of the institution that should be considered for an exemption.

Mr. Chairman, would you concur with this assessment?

I thank the chairman.

Madam Speaker, I wish to honor Dr. Edna Victoria Baehre for service as College President for HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. Dr. Baehre has been the longest serving President of HACC, having held the position for 13 years.

Dr. Baehre is a 1971 graduate of Paedagogishce Hochschule in Heidelburg, Germany and holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her dedication to education has been displayed throughout her life, having held executive positions at community colleges in Illinois and New York before accepting the position of President of HACC in 1997.

During her time at HACC, Dr. Baehre has led the institution through four successive strategic plans, and has laid the groundwork for a fifth. Her vision and leadership have aided the college in meeting the ever-changing and increasing demands for a trained and educated workforce within South-Central Pennsylvania. Dr. Baehre's contribution to the college is also displayed in the undergraduate student enrollment increase from 10,250 in 1997 to nearly 25,000 today. Additionally, 50,000 citizens are currently enrolled in non-credit programs, workforce training, and public safety training.

I congratulate Dr. Baehre on her achievements as President of HACC and for her contribution in aiding the college to expand both in numbers and in status. Her dedication and leadership are to be admired and celebrated, and I wish her the best of luck as she takes her new post as President of Napa Valley Community College.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 62) congratulating the outstanding professional public servants, both past and present, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. Con. Res. 62.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. Con. Res. 62, congratulating the outstanding professional public servants, both past and present, of the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

I am proud to say that Members on both sides of the aisle support this resolution. I join Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, Ranking Member Frank Lucas, and many of my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee in cosponsoring the House version of this resolution, which recognizes an important Federal agency that has helped our farmers and ranchers practice smart conservation on private land since its inception in 1935.

Established by Congress in response to the Dust Bowl disaster that devastated vast stretches of our land, the agency was originally known as the Soil Conservation Service. In 1994, the agency's name changed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service to more accurately reflect its role in protecting all natural resources, not only soil, but also air, water, plants, and animals.

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners at local levels, thus recognizing the diversity of the land in this country and the unique concerns in each region. In fact, you will find NRCS field offices in nearly every county in the Nation. NRCS helps local communities carry out thousands of conservation projects, which often translate into opportunities for job creation and increased investment in local communities.

Mr. Speaker, the United States depends as much today on productive soils and an abundant, high-quality water supply as we did 75 years ago. In fact, given the agricultural and environmental challenges we face, these programs are more important than ever. With this resolution we salute the NRCS professionals, both past and present, who have worked alongside America's local farmers and ranchers for 75 years to help preserve our essential natural resources.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and to join me in recognizing the great work of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker, and urge the passage of the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the inclusion of the Research & Development tax credit in H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010. The R&D tax credit is extremely important in providing funding to manufacturers and businesses for my district, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the entire country. The tax credit allows businesses, large and small, to develop new products and technology and in the process it creates millions of jobs. It has been renewed every year since its inception in 1986 and the current administration has proposed that the tax credit be made permanent.

In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever for businesses to explore every avenue of tax savings, especially ones that reward innovativeness and creativity in our manufacturers. H.R. 4213 has already passed the House and the Senate. Before it is reconciled and enacted into law, I again offer my support for the inclusion of the R&D tax credit.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Silberline Manufacturing Company, Inc. of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania which will celebrate its 65th anniversary on May 1, 2010. Silberline manufactures and sells metallic and special effect pigments, which are used

in paints, coatings, and plastics around the world.

Many of the items used in everyday life get their sparkle from Silberline, as key markets for the products include automotive coatings, consumer electronics such as cell phones, plastics, and inks and industrial arts.

Silberline has always been a family owned and operated business. When founded in 1945 by Mr. Ernest Scheller Sr., Silberline consisted of a single, small factory located in Stamford, Connecticut. Today, Silberline is a global business, headquartered in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania and includes four manufacturing facilities in the United States, as well as manufacturing in Europe and Asia. It has sales, technical support, and research and development in the United States and around the world. Silberline is known as a world leader in the industry, using science and technology to create, manufacture, and supply high quality pigments that have unique aesthetics, functionality, ease of use, and environmental friendliness.

Lisa Jane Scheller, Silberline's current President and CEO, is the granddaughter of founder Ernest Scheller. Ms. Scheller grew up in Tamaqua and in 1987 she joined Silberline as Data Processing Manager. She has been leading the company since 1997. It is her vision to see Silberline continue to grow and thrive while remaining committed to its seven core values--commitments to safety, employees, customers, environment, community, and continual improvement, all while conducting business with integrity around the world.

I congratulate Silberline on their 65 years of success and wish them the best of luck for the next 65.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dave Holley, a constituent and friend, who, on April 2, 2010, officially retired as General Manager of the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority. Dave began his public career in 1973, working for the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority as the Assistant Manager. Two years later, he was promoted to General Manager and has served in that position for the past 33 years.

Dave's dedication to bettering the communities of Schuylkill County led him to be active in state and national organizations. He served as Past President and Past Regional Director of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authority Association; Vice Chairman of the Water Utility Council of Pennsylvania; and Past Secretary and Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Section of the American Water Works Association.

Socially, Dave is an active member of the community in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He is current President of the AAA Schuylkill County Motor Club, the Schuylkill County Motor Club Insurance Agency, and the Schuylkill/Pottsville Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. He was the former President of the Pottsville Rotary Club and Pottsville Rotary Little League.

His work in the community and professionally has earned Dave the respect and recognition of his friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Numerous associations have honored Dave with awards for his dedicated service to municipal authorities in Pennsylvania and the water supply field. Athletic organizations have recognized him for his dedication to honoring scholar athletes and his citizenship. Dave was even inducted into the Pottsville Area School District's All Sports Hall of Fame.

I would like to congratulate Dave Holley on his retirement after 33 years as General Manager of the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority and thank him for his outstanding citizenship in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Craig Morgan, a constituent from my district, who is retiring as District Manager of the Schuylkill Conservation District after twenty-five years of service. Craig has always had an interest in the outdoors. As a boy, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and helping on his grandfather's farm. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in environmental resource management from Penn State University in 1977, Craig began his career with the Schuylkill Conservation District.

The Schuylkill Conservation District was formed in 1955 with an emphasis on soil conservation. Since becoming District Manager, Craig has expanded the conservation district's role to erosion and sediment control, watershed protection, environmental education, farmland preservation, and farm conservation planning.

One of the Schuylkill Conservation District's accomplishments under Craig's leadership is the farmland preservation and erosion and sediment control efforts around the Little Swatara Creek, ultimately preserving the down-stream Sweet Arrow Lake.

Acid mine drainage has traumatically impacted and sometimes destroyed the ecosystems of streams in part of my district. Under Craig's direction, the Schuylkill Conservation District has partnered with the Schuylkill Headwaters Association, and other watershed associations, to treat acid mine drainage and bring those streams back to life with plant life and fish.

Craig is also proud of the Schuylkill Conservation District's efforts to educate local students on the environment and the importance of conservation. In 1979, Craig ran Schuylkill County's first environthon, which combines in-class curriculum and outdoor training, helping students to learn more about aquatic ecology, forestry, soil and land use, wildlife, and current issues facing the environment.

Looking back on his twenty-five years as district director, Craig said, ``The job has been a challenge, but it's been a pleasure in doing good things and doing the right things. That's the reward. Seeing fish back in streams, seeing people at Sweet Arrow Lake. I am the type of person that wanted to do things right the first time so I didn't have to do them again.''

I would like to thank Craig Morgan for his twenty-five years of commitment to conserving and preserving Schuylkill County's waters, lands, and wildlife.

I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to our departed friend and colleague, Jack Murtha. Over 17 years ago, I heard Jack say that his great-grandmother told him he was put on this Earth to make a difference--and boy did he make a difference.

He loved his country and served it with distinction at many levels. He served in the United States Marine Corps stateside during the Korean War. When the Vietnam War broke out, he volunteered to go back and served in Vietnam and received two Purple Hearts.

He was the first Vietnam veteran elected to the United States Congress. He was the longest-serving Member in the history of the Congress from Pennsylvania to serve in the House of Representatives, and as Mr. Young mentioned during his remarks, he never forgot the men and women in uniform and made sure that they had the tools to do the job that they do so well. And our returning veterans as well, he was always at the forefront of making sure they had the proper care and treatment and visited them so many times at our military hospitals.

But he also cared so much about all of us. Everybody in this body has an example where Jack helped them. And he helped me so many times over the years, but there is just one that I want to share with everyone today.

After the redistricting of 2000 and after the 2002 election, I found myself serving in a district that was 60 percent new to me, and I inherited one of the best medical facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania--and actually in the entire country--the Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center. And after meeting with the leaders at the Penn State Milton facility and seeing the quality of care that they provide, he said, There's one thing that we're missing. We're missing a cancer research and treatment institute.

People that we serve, when they are diagnosed, all too often have to go to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh or Baltimore for care. We need to have a facility for literally millions of central Pennsylvanians, and we, Penn State, are willing to put up more than our fair share or more than the majority of the cost, but we are about $35 million short of getting there.

I went to see Jack. I brought him to Hershey. He looked around at the quality of care that was provided, made an agreement and said, it won't happen in 1 year or 2 years, but it will happen. We, the Federal Government, will be a partner and the people of central Pennsylvania no longer will have to travel to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh or Baltimore.

I am proud to say today that as a result of Jack's efforts and his desire to help me, we have the best quality cancer care in central Pennsylvania. All of us could cite incidents like that where Jack cared about Members and did things to affect the quality of life for their constituents.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go to Joyce and Donna and Patrick and John and so many of Jack's former staffers and current staffers that are with us today.

Jack, we miss you dearly.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Thank you.

First of all, Mr. Chairman, I would like to congratulate and thank Chairman Gordon and the gentleman from Nebraska for their hard work on this important piece of legislation. It has been tremendously successful all across the country and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in my congressional district.

Mr. Chairman, the purpose of my amendment is to allow river rescue associations to participate in the grant program under the Volunteer, Non-Fire Service EMS and Rescue Organizations section of the reauthorization.

Mr. Chairman, this situation was brought to my attention by Mr. Steve Ketterer of the Harrisburg River Rescue Association, which is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the largest city in my congressional district. It sits on the Susquehanna River, and the Harrisburg River Rescue Association does a tremendous job all year long, not just in flooding situations, performing rescue operations on the Susquehanna River. They have applied repeatedly to this program for a grant and have been determined to be ineligible. My amendment simply would make river rescue associations eligible under the Volunteer, Non- Fire Service EMS and Rescue Organizations section of the bill.

At the direction of the chairman and his staff, we have reached out and have had consultation with the International Association of Fire Fighters and the National Volunteer Fire Council. Both groups are satisfied with the amendment making river rescue eligible under the rescue organization section of the bill and felt it did not harm either the intention or the compromise of the bill. This would not take any funding from firefighters. This makes them eligible for funding under the EMS funding.

So I would encourage adoption of the amendment and reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington for yielding me the time.

I rise in strong support of House Resolution 754, Mr. Speaker, to honor and say ``thank you'' to the members of the Pennsylvania National Guard from the 56th Stryker Brigade on their return home from Iraq and ``a job well done.'' And I want to commend and thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and all the members of the Pennsylvania delegation for being cosponsors of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, during the deployment of the 56th Stryker Brigade, I had the opportunity to travel to Mississippi and Louisiana with Congressman Shuster, Congressman Gerlach and Congressman Dent, and then we had the opportunity, along with Congresswoman Dahlkemper, to travel over to Iraq to see our citizen-soldiers in action. And I can tell you that we, as members of the Pennsylvania delegation and the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are very proud of our

citizen-soldiers' performance, as I believe the entire country is.

They have returned home with the job well done. As a matter of fact, when we had the opportunity to be in Iraq and meet with General Odierno and General Jacoby and talk about the performance of General Wright's soldiers under the command of Colonel Ferraro, they expressed how proud they were as commanders in theater for the job that was well done.

The Pennsylvania National Guard is the only National Guard who hosts a Stryker Brigade. And, Mr. Speaker, that did not happen by a lottery held at the Pentagon. It happened because of the strong professionalism, the training and the work that this brigade has done previously in their deployment. They are the second-most deployed National Guard unit of any in the country. And the reason is because of the job that they do when they are asked and they are called upon to serve our country and to serve the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

During their deployment, they served with distinction. The awards that were granted to the 56th Stryker Brigade include four Bronze Star Medal for Valor, 10 Army Commendation Medal for Valor, 33 Purple Hearts, and unfortunately they had two tragic deaths during their deployment, Staff Sergeant Mark Baum and Specialist Chad Edmundson. And certainly our prayers and thoughts go out to the families of those two who made the supreme sacrifice during their deployment.

Again, as a member of the Pennsylvania delegation speaking in concert with the other members of the delegation and on behalf of this entire body, I want to congratulate and commend the 56th Stryker Brigade on their performance.