Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the publication Dan's Papers, celebrating its 50th anniversary as a purveyor of culture and a staple of community life on Eastern Long Island.

Dan's Papers was first published on July 1, 1960, by Dan Rattiner, who was at the time a junior at the University of Rochester. Dan's impetus for creating Dan's Papers stemmed from a desire to create a fun, light-hearted, and welcoming publication for tourists visiting Suffolk County, New York.

Gathering a devoted following, Dan's Papers was instrumental during a 1967 protest to prevent the U.S. Coast Guard from allowing the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse to fall victim to the eroding cliffs on which it is perched. Through the efforts organized by Dan's Papers, not only was the lighthouse saved, but the community was united in a common cause.

Dan worked individually for the first six summers of Dan's Papers, writing, editing, and crafting his newspaper to entertain residents and tourists alike. As populations grew and the demographics of the South Fork began to shift, so too did the scope of Dan's Papers, providing articles, editorials, and updates on the visitors and inhabitants of the East End.

Madam Speaker, Dan's Papers has played an important role in helping to promote the iconic culture of Long Island's South Fork and has personified the American spirit of creativity and community for five decades. I am proud to congratulate Dan's Papers on its 50th anniversary and join eastern Long Island in wishing the publication success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the coming Independence Day holiday, I note with sadness that more American teenagers are killed in auto accidents over the July 4 weekend than any other time of the year. From 1995 to 2006, over 76,000 Americans between 15 and 20 years of age died in motor vehicle crashes, an average of 122 teenage deaths per week.

Parents can't always be in the passenger seat; but we, as a Nation, can help our teens drive safely through graduated driver's license programs which allow young drivers time to develop their skill and road awareness before they receive a full unrestricted license. Graduated driver's license programs save lives. California saw a 40 percent drop in passenger deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving 16- year-old drivers in the first 3 years after adopting a graduated driver's license program, and other States have seen similar results.

I have introduced bipartisan legislation that would require States to introduce graduated driver's licenses informed by best practices from existing State programs, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I also urge all Americans, especially teenagers, to make an effort to drive safely this weekend.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express heartfelt best wishes on the occasion of the 90th birthday of Nicholas V. Martino, a man who exemplifies a life of hard work, service to his country, and close family ties. Mr. Martino worked for 40 years as a master mechanic for American Construction in Hartford, Connecticut. Now retired, he lives in Westhampton, New York with his daughter Anne Marie Spinner, his son-in-law Guy Spinner and their two children, Adam and Nicole. He enjoys spending time with them as well as with his daughter Janet Tyler, son-in-law Lee Tyler and their daughter Meredith.

Born in Hartford on June 8, 1920, Mr. Martino served from 1942 to 1946 in the Army Air Corps as a Tech Sergeant working on B-25's and B- 26's, both medium-sized bombers. The B-25 first gained fame as the bomber used in the 18 April 1942 raid in which sixteen B-25Bs attacked mainland Japan four months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The mission gave a much-needed lift in spirits to the Americans, and alarmed the Japanese who had believed their home islands were inviolable by enemy troops.

On September 30, 1950, he married Marie Candela who passed away in 1989. The couple had two daughters, Janet and Anne Marie. After his discharge from the Army, Mr. Martino continued a life-long interest in mechanics both at his job at American Construction and in his spare time. For years, he maintained a garage and truck filled with all kinds of tools for his many projects, and he still enjoys tinkering with hands-on projects with his son-in-law Guy.

I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Martino and wish him a happy 90th birthday as he celebrates with his family and friends.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the intellect and dedication of Sergeant Thomas L. Collins, a lifelong resident of East Hampton, New York, who received a medal and certificate of recognition from the British government for his service as a cryptologist during WWII. So secret was his work during the war, Sgt. Collins' invaluable contributions were not recognized and made public until the 1990s.

After distinguishing himself during training at Arlington Hall, the U.S. cryptography center, he was chosen to escort the Allies' most advanced code-breaking machine, the Dragon, to Britain in 1944. Sgt. Collins carried a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver at all times during his journey, a testament to the dangerous nature of his mission and the valuable cargo he guarded.

In October 1944, after landing in Scotland, he and the Dragon were transported by rail and truck to the renowned Allied cryptography center at Bletchley Park, and immediately put to use as Allied forces had their first battle on German soil, at Aachen. All told, Sgt. Collins used the Dragon to decode 143 Nazi messages. He was also instrumental in designing a successor to the original Dragon, which was credited with hastening the defeat of the Nazis by many weeks.

Madam Speaker, heroism has many faces, and the labors of dedicated code breakers hundreds of miles from the front lines saved many lives by providing our fighting forces the best intelligence available. Sgt. Collins is a living reminder of the varied contributions made by members of the Greatest Generation in defending freedom. I humbly join the British Government in honoring the wartime service of Sgt. Thomas L. Collins.

Madam Speaker, I rise today humbly and with profound sadness to mark the death of Army First Lieutenant Joseph Theinert, who was killed in action in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on June 4th.

A resident of Sag Harbor, in my Congressional district, Lt. Theinert graduated from Shelter Island High School in 2004. He distinguished himself in athletics, was Student Council president and was crowned king of his senior prom.

Deeply affected by the September 11th attacks, Lt. Theinert earned a BA degree from the University of Albany in 2008 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 2008 through the Siena College Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He had been deployed for one month in Afghanistan, attached to 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Lt. Theinert was leading his platoon on a mission in Kandahar Province when they came under hostile fire and were forced toward an area mined with IEDs, according to his commanding officer. He disabled one IED and started to disarm a second one when the trigger mechanism sounded; however, he was able to warn the twenty men under his command to get back before the device exploded. Lt. Theinert was the only soldier killed in the incident, and his final heroic and selfless act fulfilled the responsibility of an officer to keep his men safe and in the fight.

I offer my deepest condolences to Lt. Theinert's mother and stepfather, Chrystyna and Frank Kestler of Mattituck and Shelter Island; and to his father and stepmother, James and Cathy Theinert of Sag Harbor. I also join these closely-knit Peconic Bay communities in mourning the loss of a young citizen of enormous potential, and note with a heavy heart that two sons of the small village of Sag Harbor have made the supreme sacrifice since September 11th.

Madam Speaker, among Lt. Theinert's possessions, his family found a memory book entitled: ``My Life by Joseph Theinert.'' I read the noble sentiments he inscribed on its inside cover into the Record of this House, in the hope that others may draw inspiration from them, as I have:

The years of our youth that we will never forget.

When life was simple and all we knew was love.

The people in this book is why I choose to fight.

It is for them that I am willing to lay down my life.

There is nothing glorious about war, but I will go to it to

keep the people I love away from it.

9/11, Never Forget.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1353) supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student financial aid, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1353 into the Record.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1353, which expresses support for the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month.

This month is an important part of increasing awareness of the many financial aid options available to young people who are preparing to go to college. With the cost of college rising rapidly every year, it has become increasingly critical that students take full advantage of their options for financial aid, including those of grants, loans, and scholarships.

The passage of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, and of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 have all increased the amount of aid available and have improved access to student aid for millions of students and their families.

Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps students and their families get the information they need to make important decisions about financing their postsecondary education. High schools and colleges across the country celebrate Student Financial Aid Awareness Month by providing critical information, aid application deadlines, FAFSA application workshops, money management tips, advice on applying for scholarships, and student loan repayment options.

In 2008, 67 percent of students graduating from 4-year colleges and universities, or 1.4 million students, had student loan debt. The average debt level for these graduating seniors was $23,200 in 2008. With an increasing reliance on student debt to finance postsecondary education, it is important that students and their families have the information they need to make responsible borrowing decisions. Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps achieve this goal.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for celebrating Student Financial Aid Awareness Month at schools across this country and for all of the benefits this focused effort brings to help families across the country in their pursuits of higher education.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I join Dr. Roe in urging my colleagues to vote for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1169) honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1169 into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1169, which celebrates Rollins College for 125 years of service and leadership in higher education.

Rollins College was founded in 1885 by visionaries from New England who sought to bring liberal arts education to the State of Florida. Since then, Rollins has served as one of the leading liberal arts institutions in the South for undergraduate and graduate students alike.

The 70-acre Rollins campus sits along the sunny shores of Lake Virginia in the town of Winter Park, Florida. Rollins has an enrollment this year of over 2,500 undergraduate students and 700 graduate students, and has over 600 full-time faculty and staff.

The campus community offers a range of amenities and services, including the Annie Russell Theatre, the Knowles Memorial Chapel, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, and the Winter Park Institute. Situated just a few miles from Orlando, students have a vibrant community right in their backyard.

The students, faculty, and staff at Rollins exemplify its rich tradition and excellence in education. As one of the oldest colleges in the State of Florida, Rollins delivers graduates who are passionate about learning and are active leaders and participants in their respective communities. The college's 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio for undergraduates is one way that Rollins is able to offer an engaging academic experience to its student body.

Rollins has also been recognized as a national leader in community service, most notably for programs known as ``Service, Philanthropy, Activism, Rollins College,'' or SPARC, a Day of Community held during freshman orientation week. Over 600 first-year students and community volunteers engage with agencies across central Florida, focusing on disadvantaged youth and the environment.

This year, Rollins College will celebrate 125 years of providing outstanding education, a significant milestone in the college's history.

Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for Rollins College, and I thank Representative Grayson for bringing this bill forward. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the author of the resolution, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson).

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1161) honoring the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette University, the first Catholic university in the world to offer co-education as part of its regular undergraduate program.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1161 into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1161, which celebrates 100 years since Marquette University became the first Catholic university in the world to admit women as part of its regular undergraduate program.

Marquette University started as a dream of the Most Reverend Martin J. Henni, the first Catholic Bishop of Milwaukee. At the time of its establishment, Marquette University was Marquette College. It was a small liberal arts school for men named for the Reverend Jacques Marquette, a French missionary and explorer in North America. The school was founded in 1881 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order established in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola.

Only 30 years later, Marquette University became a more inclusive institution when it made the pioneering move to embrace coeducation. In 1909, Marquette University became the first Catholic university in the world to offer coeducation as part of its regular undergraduate program. This gallant move was led by the president of the college, Reverend James McCabe, S.J.

Just one year after becoming president of the school, Father McCabe saw the need to further the education of teachers, who were primarily females, in Catholic elementary and high schools. While father McCabe's significant action was met with opposition within the local Jesuit community, Marquette prepared to open the first summer session in 1909 in Catholic higher education and to permit women to study alongside men in their bachelor of arts program. Father McCabe's groundbreaking decision was the introduction of coeducation to Catholic higher education.

Since 1909, the role of women at Marquette University has changed dramatically. Marquette now has a student body where women make up more than half of the student population. In addition, seven of the 33 members of the board of trustees, 12 of the 27 members of the University Leadership Council, and 39 percent of the full-time faculty are female as well.

Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for House Resolution 1161 and congratulate Marquette University on this remarkable milestone. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the author of the resolution, the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).

Mr. Speaker, as a proud graduate myself of Jesuit College, I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1372) honoring the University of Georgia Graduate School on the occasion of its centennial.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1372 into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1372, honoring the University of Georgia Graduate School on the occasion of its centennial.

The University of Georgia's motto, ``to teach, to serve and to inquire into

the nature of things,'' has been guiding students at this outstanding institution for over 100 years. However, it was not until June of 1910 that the University of Georgia formalized its graduate education practice when it established its graduate school where students were offered an opportunity to continue their education.

Throughout these past 100 years, the graduate school has dedicated itself to becoming a leading educational institution and an outstanding academic and scientific research center. While the graduate school started off with a mere seven students in 1910, today there are more than 7,000 scholars in the program. The extraordinary and successful growth of the graduate school is a reflection of the great leadership of the first dean, William Henry Bocock, and today is represented by Dean Maureen Grasso.

As it approaches its centennial, the graduate school continues to offer its students excellence in education through more than 350 fields of study and innovative approaches to learning, including assistantships and fellowships for students across colleges and schools at the university, financial opportunities for thesis and dissertation writing, leadership development, study abroad and travel for academic presentations or data collection and professional development seminars.

Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for House Resolution 1372, and I congratulate the graduate school and Dean Grasso on 100 years of excellence in education. I wish the university continued success and urge my colleagues to support this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

I thank the chairman for yielding.

My amendment directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop reference materials, standards, instruments, and measurement methods for nanomaterials and derived products. My amendment also calls on the NIST to compile data to help us understand how the properties of nanomaterials correlate with environmental, health, and safety risks. We stand on the precipice of a new wave of scientific and technological advancement through the development of nanotechnology or controlling matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Advancements in this field have the potential to create new materials and devices with a vast range of applications, such as medicine, electronics, and energy production. I am proud to represent Brookhaven National Laboratory, where many of these breakthroughs have been discovered. However, nanotechnology raises many of the same issues as with any introduction of new technology, including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials. My amendment would ensure that we closely monitor how this new technology affects our health and safety.

Mr. Chairman, while we must do all we can to incentivize and nurture innovation and competitiveness, we must also balance and make consistent the commercialization of new technologies with our duty to protect and inform the public. My amendment, therefore, helps establish a commonsense roadmap for the development of nanotechnology standards. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and the underlying bill.

Let me also close by taking this opportunity to commend Chairman Gordon for his leadership on this issue and for a very distinguished career in Congress--a career that has reflected a firm commitment to American competitiveness.

Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart following the loss of Army Sergeant Jason A. Santora, who was killed this past Friday fighting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Santora was from Farmingville, New York, in my district of eastern Long Island. He graduated from Sachem High School in 2003 and joined the Army in 2006, becoming a member of the elite Army Rangers.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning. Although only 25 years old, he was serving his fourth tour of duty. He served two in Iraq and was 2 months into his second tour as a team leader in Afghanistan's Logar Province.

Sergeant Santora's unit was on a mission to target a compound believed to be a Taliban terror nest when it was ambushed from multiple directions by heavy machine-gun fire. He died of wounds sustained in that gunfire and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal. The commanding officer of the 75th Ranger Regiment honored his courage by describing Sergeant Santora as a warrior, a true patriot, and an absolute hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation.

Madam Speaker, during the difficult days ahead, my thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Santora's family--his father, Gary; his mother, Theresa; and his sister, Gina. On behalf of New York's First Congressional District, I thank Sergeant Santora for his service, his gallantry, and his selfless commitment. A grateful nation will always remember his sacrifice and honor his memory.

Let me start by thanking Chairman Oberstar for his unwavering commitment to clean water issues, and we also thank Chairwoman Johnson for her leadership.

Finally, let me thank my good friend, Congressman LoBiondo, for sponsoring this legislation with me. Congressman LoBiondo and I have worked together on several issues of mutual benefit to our constituents over the years. I think we have formed a very nice partnership.

To those of us on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it sometimes feels as if we are part of the last remaining bastion of bipartisanship in this institution, and I am always heartened by the way our committee works closely with each other to produce initiatives that improve our infrastructure, our environment, and the lives of the American people. I appreciate the way our committee has moved forward very quickly on this important legislation.

My district encompasses 300 miles of coastline and includes two of the 28 estuaries of national significance, the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay. I am very proud to represent some of this country's most popular and beautiful beaches and precious water bodies. Maintaining coastal estuarine health is an integral objective toward preserving the Nation's environment

and sustaining the economies of our coastal States.

The Clean Estuaries Act of 2010 reauthorizes the popular and highly effective National Estuary Program originally designated as section 320 of the Clean Water Act and makes four primary changes to the program.

First, the bill increases the accountability for approved estuary programs by requiring evaluation and updating management of their plans on a periodic basis. This requirement increases transparency and encourages adaptive management of the programs by incorporating evaluation results into the period management plan updates.

Secondly, approved programs must identify vulnerabilities and impacts due to climate change and prepare adaptation responses as well as raise public awareness of the issues facing the health of estuaries and performance measures and targets.

The third important improvement to the program is provisions to enhance Federal agency coordination. As many Federal agencies oversee activities that impact estuaries, our bill requires they participate in the management planning process and incorporate local priorities when practicable.

Finally, authorization is increased from $35 million to $50 million per year and requires that each program approved receive a minimum of $1.25 million. This increase in authorization allows the program to keep pace with inflation and provides for the entry of new programs into the NEP program where 38 sites have expressed interest in the past to become an approved program.

Our coastal areas support more than 28 million jobs in the United States, and commercial and recreational fishing in these areas generate roughly $185 billion in sales and support nearly 2 million jobs. In fact, estuaries produce more food per acre than the most productive farmland.

Approximately 75 percent of commercial fish species depend on coastal areas for their primary habitat, spawning grounds, and nursery areas. In my district, the Long Island Sound produces over $5.5 billion in revenue for State and local economies in the tourism, fishing, and boating industries each year.

Setting aside the obvious and vital role that estuaries play to environmental ecosystems, the economic benefits of estuaries alone are reason enough to improve upon the investments Congress has made on behalf of the American people. Estuaries are proven job creators and provide a rate of return rarely seen on Wall Street.

Let me once again thank Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, Chairwoman Johnson, Ranking Member Boozman, Congressman LoBiondo, and both majority and minority staffs for their hard work and dedication to this issue.

I hope my colleagues agree with the merits of this legislation. I ask for their vote today on H.R. 4715, the Clean Estuaries Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere condolences to the People of Poland and all Americans of Polish descent who are grieving in the wake of the tragic plane crash on April 10th in which President Lech Kaczynski and dozens of the country's top political and military leaders were killed.

One out of every four inhabitants of Riverhead, New York in the first Congressional district of New York claim Polish heritage. This thriving ethnic enclave has been a growing community devoted to family, religion, and tradition since the turn of the twentieth century.

After arriving in America, Polish families established family farms and villages throughout the East End of Long Island. Hard work enabled Riverhead's Polish Town to grow as new immigrants added their talents and skills to those of their neighbors, and the community's special character endures today.

Madam Speaker, Poland and the United States share a long history of mutual support. In this Congress, General Casimir Pulaski, legendary Polish commander of the American Cavalry during the Revolutionary War, was given our nation's highest honor as an Honorary Citizen. Just as General Pulaski supported America in our hour of need, today we stand with all who are suffering from this terrible loss and pledge our continued support of Poland and its people.

Madam Speaker, flying the friendly skies for a commercial passenger is about to get even more expensive. Adding insult to travel delays, fees for checked-in luggage, and taxes already added to airfares, Spirit Airlines announced last week that it will be the first to charge fees for carry-on bags.

I am introducing a bill this evening to block Spirit and any other airline from ever being allowed to impose this unfair and completely unnecessary carry-on tax. If Spirit has its way, this fee could cost every passenger up to $45 per item. Such nickel-and-diming the flying public has got to stop.

America should know that this tax would not pay for airport security or better infrastructure. One hundred percent of it would be kept by the airlines. If you are a family with young children or a senior who puts your medicine in a carry-on, this fee will hit you the hardest.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bill to spare Americans from yet another tax on flying and discourage other airlines from ever considering charging it.

Mr. Speaker, it has now been just 2 days since President Obama signed historic health care legislation into law, and it is already evident that the massive effort to frighten and mislead the American people is losing steam. Just since the bill passed, new polls indicate Americans see through the scare tactics and doomsday rhetoric and are growing in their enthusiasm about health care reform.

Had reform been the economic disaster it was portrayed to be, why then did the stock market climb nearly 200 points in the day since the law was enacted? In a town hall meeting I held on Monday, it was evident that my constituents are rejecting the misinformation campaigns that have surrounded our efforts for reform and are instead focusing on what the bill will do for them both in the short term and the long term.

The bill before us today is a huge step towards ensuring that Americans who get sick or injured can focus on their recovery rather than worrying about their coverage. Because of this legislation, my constituents are assured that they are in control of their own health care, not a government agency or a faceless insurance agency representative.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Senate for acting so quickly on this vital legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation.