Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010:

Name: Advanced Autonomous Robotic Inspections for Aging Aircraft

Bill #: H.R. 3326

Account: Operations & Maintenance, Air Force

Legal Name of requesting entity: Veracity Technology Solutions, LLC

Address of requesting entity: 2701 Liberty Parkway, Suite 311; Midwest City, OK 73110

Description: Provide an earmark of $1 million for the purposes of providing military aviation with an inspection system vehicle which will be utilized for the autonomous gathering of nondestructive inspection (NDI) data for the detection of corrosion and cracking on the KC-135 wing skins as well as other aging aircraft. This funding will allow Veracity Technology Solutions (VTS) to complete development and implement a precise and cost-effective autonomous vehicle that can provide these needed inspection results. This system will allow for condition assessment of aircraft structures, as well as continuous assessment through the historical comparison of previous and present inspection results. Currently the method for inspecting the wing skins of the KC-135 aircraft is with traditional NDI methods that are both antiquated and time consuming. Veracity, in collaboration with the Air Force have proven the ability to reduce the time of inspection on the KC-135 wing skin by a factor of 5X through the successful demonstration of a semi-autonomous automated inspection vehicle. With the addition of these congressional funds, Veracity will be able to implement a fully automated autonomous robotic vehicle that has the capability to inspect for corrosion as well as crack detection around fasteners. This system will allow maintenance personnel to set up the automated vehicle, perform the scan, analyze data real time, and perform visual inspection of fasteners which is currently not available to maintenance personnel. This system will decrease the maintenance downtime and unnecessary refurbishment of serviceable components. Without this system there is the increased risk of the catastrophic failure of these critical components. This project will provide a state-of-the-art NDI system and training that have the potential to decrease costs while assuring safety and airworthiness. This plan provides information regarding the development and deployment of two platforms. The first 60% of

the granted earmark funds will be utilized on the deployment of the Autonomous Robot with the Eddy Current and Ultrasonic Inspection capabilities. The remaining 40% will be utilized for the deployment of additional proof of project concept between the KC-135 program office and Veracity. These inspections will help eliminate the need for hazardous x-ray technology, reduce idle workers, due to the use of x- ray technology, reduce flow delays, and greatly improve efficiency. There are as many as 126 inspections on the KC-135 that are meeting these criteria according to Boeing and Air Force officials, which are expected to save more than $1.5 million annually. If this inspection were to be deployed fleet-wide the savings could grow to more than $55 million. These requirements are based upon US Air Force's needs for a more reliable and sensitive inspection system.

Name: Joint Fires and Effects Trainer System Enhancements

Bill #: H.R. 3326

Account: RDT&E, Army

Legal Name of requesting entity: Creative Technologies, Inc.

Address of requesting entity: 6255 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 716; Los Angeles, CA 90028

Description: Provide an earmark of $2,500,000 for the purpose of testing and developing a handheld interactive application that will develop the capability of the Artillery branch to export the JFETS Training capability to forces not located at Fort Sill, OK. The application of precision fires and effects is an essential capability not only in current theaters of war, but in virtually the entire spectrum of conflict for which US defense forces prepare. Live fire training cost and environmental impact are limiting factors in the volume and frequency of Soldier training in this domain. Virtual simulation training for Joint Fires and Effects is intended to mitigate these limitations, for both initial training and currency, by reducing total cost and increasing the total number of training repetitions Soldiers may experience. The Joint Fires and Effects Trainer System (JFETS) at the Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE), Fort Sill, Oklahoma has received funding to develop an excellent prototype; Joint Forces Command rates the JFETS Close Air Support Module as the best in existence. The current system design, however, limits throughput and, as a result, Instructors at the FCoE are unable to use the system to its fullest potential for their classes. Accordingly, the FCoE Fires Battle Lab in 2008 commissioned a study to increase throughput in the JFETS Open Terrain Module (OTM): a key venue for Call For Fire Training. The results of this study propose a technological enhancement that will allow a single Instructor to manage nine concurrent discrete call for fire training sessions in the OTM facility: an 800% increase in efficiency over the current configuration. While the underlying technology in the proposed solution is mature and sound, the question remains as to whether the enhancement will work as planned. In effect, there is a need to determine whether a single instructor will be able to manage nine concurrent sessions as predicted. Notwithstanding this increase in efficiency, the JFETS OTM will still be, relatively speaking, a scarce resource at the FCoE. Additionally, students will need to review training received on the OTM and other JFETS modules in the field after training in the school house. To maximize the value of Soldier training time in the JFETS, an interactive application is required to drill Soldiers in the five essential elements of accurate predictive fires to prepare them before they train in the immersive environment and reinforce that training once they leave. An extension to the JFETS suite of capabilities, the application will be designed to work on a variety of platforms. FCoE leadership has expressed interest in an application to work on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Smartphone or other portable platform in addition to a desktop computational environment.

Name: Tactical Metal Fabrication System (TACFAB)

Bill #: H.R. 3326

Account: RDT&E, Army

Legal Name of requesting entity: IMTEC

Address of requesting entity: IMTEC Plaza, 2401 North Commerce; Ardmore, OK 73401

Description: Provide an earmark of $1 million for TacFab. 63% will be used for a Shelterized Integration of a Low-End (TacFab) Capability. An additional 37% will be used for the Integration of Full-Up Deployable (TacFab) Capability. TacFab demonstrates a tactically mobile, rapid metal fabrication capability that will be a companion unit to the MPH to provide spare and replacement parts to our Warfighters in theater, and also as a stand-alone metal casting resource provided to domestic organic Army depots and industrial facilities in support of RESET activities. TacFab provides a containerized, mobile foundry to the U.S. Army, allowing deployed forces to produce spare and replacement parts in the field. This cuts the order time from weeks or months to 24 hours. The Army uses its Rapid Manufacturing System to provide deployed forces with critical spare and replacement parts to keep its tanks, helicopters, guns and other systems operating under the extreme wear and tear of battle. The system provides troops on the ground with parts that they would otherwise need to wait weeks or months for, if they were being ordered through the standard supply chain and shipped to the front. However, because the existing system does not include a mobile foundry, the system cannot address the need for cast parts, which make up a large percentage of needs. The Tactical Metal Fabrication (TacFab) System will provide a complementary capability to the RMS to cut the time required to produce parts by 90%.

Name: UAV/UAS Test Facility

Bill #: H.R. 3326

Account: RDT&E, DefenseWide

Legal Name of requesting entity: University Multispectral Labs

Address of requesting entity: 500 West South Avenue; Ponca City, OK 74601

Description: Provide an earmark of $3 million to advance the National Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/System (UAV/S) Test Facility initiated in FY2009. The test facility is located adjacent to restricted Fort Sill, Oklahoma airspace and established on behalf of the United States Special Operations Command. 68% is for material, engineering support, range equipment and renovations, and 32% is for further creation of high-technology jobs consisting of technicians, engineers and scientists. Facility will also support Army Fires Center of Excellence and foster a positive impact on the surrounding areas. The UML has a fully executed Memorandum of Agreement with the Garrison Commander supported by the Fort Sill Commanding General.

Name: Infrared Materials Laboratory

Bill #: H.R. 3326

Account: RDT&E, Navy

Legal Name of requesting entity: Amethyst Research Inc.

Address of requesting entity: 1405 4th Ave. NW, Box 345; Ardmore, OK 73401

Description: Provide an earmark of $3.5 million for advanced infrared systems development. Approximately 83% is for research, development, testing and evaluation; approximately 14% is for research equipment lease, and approximately 3% is for building lease. This project has the support of key officials within the Department of Defense and from U.S. suppliers of key defense-related technologies to the U.S. Government. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the ONR, RDTE, N account. While not required to do so, the State of Oklahoma and the host community City of Ardmore have committed non- federal dollars toward this national priority. The Infrared Materials Laboratories are overcoming the technical and financial barriers preventing the use of HgCdTe (Mercury Cadmium Telluride) on large- format Si (Silicon) substrate infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs) and also are resolving related DoD challenges of the highest national priority. This research, performed by a highly respected team of former NVESD, Oak Ridge National Lab, Sandia National Labs, General Electric, ONR, and USAF scientists at Amethyst Research Inc. as well as at collaborating research universities and DoD equipment manufacturers will: (1) dramatically lower the cost of high-performance IR devices for DoD applications, (2) create a stable, domestic supply of wafers for IRFPA fabrication at all major U.S. infrared houses, and (3) put superior technologies into the hands of the U.S. warfighter more quickly. DOD requirement for funds is: ``Passivation of Dislocation Defects by Hydrogenation for High Performance LWIR HgCdTe on Si''-- NVESD W15P7T-05-C-F401; ``Si Based Large Area Substrates for HgCdTe Infrared Detectors''--ARO W911 NF-06-0074; ``Defect Mapping of Wafers for Increasing Yield and Operability of Infrared Focal Plane Arrays''-- MDA, Pending; ``Passivation Technologies for Improved Operability and Radiation Hardness of VLWIR HgCdTe Focal Plane Arrays--MDA HQ006-07-C- 7705, B063-025-044. This program will eliminate complete DoD dependency on a single, foreign source for a key component of infrared sensors. Further, this program will reduce DoD's cost to acquire and deploy high-performance IRFPAs (including 3D LADAR technologies) and improve the ability of DoD assets to distinguish, track, and target well- camouflaged enemy assets in highly cluttered environments and in space. The goal of this program is to reduce by a factor of five (5) DoD's current --$200,000 cost per IRFPA. DoD estimates that the program's integral proprietary defect characterization system alone will result in taxpayer savings of $100,000,000 over 10 years. This effort is rooted in proprietary hydrogenation, wafer mapping and repair techniques that dramatically improve the operability and yield of infrared focal plane arrays used in military and homeland security applications. It will result in the production of large-area HgCdTe on Si wafer substrates and defect mapping and repair/mitigation on existing CdZnTe wafer substrates. The major U.S. infrared manufacturing houses are collaborating

with Amethyst Research Inc. on this effort. The President of the United States has determined that certain components of this program are of the highest national priority.

Mr. Speaker, since January, we've had a lot of talk about bipartisanship, and we've even had some of it. We had a partisan Democratic stimulus bill that created bipartisan debt and unemployment, but no bipartisan jobs. We had a partisan Democratic cap-and-trade bill that will create bipartisan higher energy prices, but no more bipartisan energy. And now we've got a partisan Democratic health care bill that will cost Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike their jobs and quality health care. Hopefully, Mr. Speaker, the Democratic majority will eventually create a bipartisan opposition that will stop their job-killing health care bill in its tracks.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Provision: Title I

Account: Interstate Maintenance Discretionary

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: 200 N.E. 21st Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $750,000. 100% of funds allocated will be used by ODOT to widen 1-35 to six lanes from the 1- 35/SH-9 West Interchange to North of Main Street.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Provision: Title I

Account: Surface Transportation Priorities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: 200 N.E. 21st Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000. 100% of funds allocated will be used by ODOT to reconstruct access for safety reasons from 1-44 and US-62 to Fort Sill Artillery Center.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Provision: Title I

Account: Buses & Bus Facilities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma Transit Association

Address of Requesting Entity: 1141 N. Robinson, Suite 101B Oklahoma City, OK 74820

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,400,000. 100% of funds allocated will be used to meet the vehicle needs for the two section 5307 systems in Oklahoma: CART/University of Oklahoma; and Lawton area Transit System.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Provision: Title II

Account: Economic Development Initiatives (EDI)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ada Public Works Authority

Address of Requesting Entity: 231 South Townsend Ada, OK 74820

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $400,000. 100% of funds allocated will be used to construct a 1 million gallon water storage tower.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Provision: Title II

Account: Economic Development Initiatives (EDI)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma City Community College

Address of Requesting Entity: 7777 South May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73159

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $200,000. 100% of funds allocated will be used to prepare the necessary asbestos abatement and remodeling and retrofitting of the space.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Provision: Title I

Account: Employment and Training Administration (ETA)--Training & Employment Services (TES)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma City Community College

Address of Requesting Entity: 7777 South May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73159

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $200,000. 100% of funds allocated will be used to pilot the Operation Servicemen Success Program. The goal of the program is to address the unique needs of military veteran students and equip them to successfully transition from military service to college and then to their civilian careers.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number; H.R. 3293

Provision: Title II

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

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Norman Regional Health System

Address of Requesting Entity: 901 North Porter St., Norman, OK 73071

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,715,000. Of the funds allocated $1,153,000.00 will be used for facilities; $412,000.00 will be used for fixtures and equipment, $150,000.00 will be used for communications and information technology by Norman Regional Health System (NRHS), a not-for-profit community health system in south central Oklahoma, for the modernization of the North Tower of the Porter Street Campus in Norman, Oklahoma.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Provision: Title II

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

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma City Community College

Address of Requesting Entity: 7777 South May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73159

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $250,000. 100% of funds allocated will be used to purchase an additional Human Patient Simulator for the Division of Health Professions at OCCC.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

BM Number: H.R. 3293

Provision: Title II

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

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

Address of Requesting Entity: 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $300,000. 100% of funds allocated will be used to purchase equipment for a new eight-story, state-of-the-art, Leed Gold Certified green research tower.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Provision: Title III

Account: Higher Education (includes FIPSE)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mid-America Christian University

Address of Requesting Entity: 3500 W 119th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73170

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $485,000. Of the funds allocated approximately: $28,954.50 will be used for program coordination; 130,707.50 will be used for Personal; $85,748.00 will be used for student support services; $67,706.00 will be used for technology upgrades and support; $94,769.00 will be used for community college expenses; $16,926.50 will be used for faculty recruitment;

$31,961.50 will be used for accelerated curriculum development; $28,297.00 will be used for alternative certification development.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Provision: Title IV

Account: Museums & Libraries

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Native American Cultural Center and Museum

Address of Requesting Entity: 900 North Broadway Ave., Oklahoma City,

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a woman that could teach us all a thing or two about love and compassion. Geraldine Martin is currently looking down on us from Heaven where last month she was reunited with the love of her life, Jesse, her husband of 63 years. A mother of four, grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of six, family was her first thought in the morning and last thought at night.

When complications from birth left her son Cecil with special needs, she became a crusader for children with challenges. From coaching Special Olympics for two decades to establishing the Power Shop, helping children meet and exceed their potential was a calling Geraldine gladly answered. A dedicated volunteer at the Bethel Assembly of God and a professional banker for nearly four decades, she retired as vice president of the First Bank and Trust of Velma, Oklahoma in 2003 to enjoy her family, her volunteer work, sewing, gardening and, of course, drinking coffee on her back porch.

Geraldine considered her legacy to be her family and today, on behalf of myself and the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Brady, we honor her and offer them our sincerest condolences. She leaves behind two daughters, Sharon Frame and her husband Larry of Oklahoma City, and Gail Clark and her husband Joe of Krum, Texas; two sons: Jesse Martin and his wife, Vicki, of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Cecil Ray Martin. She is also survived by three sisters: Betty Stanley and Margaret Tiemann, both of Goldthwaite, Texas, and Kay Nixon and her husband, Bill, of Anaheim, California, and one brother, Jackie Sherrill and his wife, Peggy, of Memphis, Tennessee. She will be especially missed by her nine wonderful grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and her many friends and admirers.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Geraldine Martin for showing us all how to live a great life and extend our greatest sympathy to her family.

Mr. Speaker, where are the jobs? Well, they certainly aren't in the Democrats' job-killing health care plan. At a time when America is suffering the worst recession in a generation, it's utterly irresponsible to propose a government takeover of our health care system and destroy millions of private sector jobs in the process.

Since the Democrats passed their stimulus package, more than 2 million American jobs have been lost, and the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, Dr. Christina Romer, has suggested that the tax hikes on businesses that will be required to pay for the Democratic health care plan will result in the loss of an additional 4.7 million jobs.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Democratic proposal will force drastic cuts in Medicare Advantage, causing millions of seniors to lose their coverage for prescription medicine, the cost of private health care will skyrocket, and the Lewin Group has estimated that nearly 114 million Americans will be forced out of their current private health care coverage and into government-run health care plans.

Mr. Speaker, the Democrats' job-killing health care proposal is the wrong prescription. It will cost millions of jobs. Americans need a second opinion.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3183--Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, for FY2010

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Provision: Title III

Account: DOE--EERE

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``The University of Oklahoma''

Address of Requesting Entity: 660 Parrington Oval, Norman OK 73019

Description of Request: Provide an earmark for $500,000.00 to develop technologies for improved, highly efficient processes for production of biomass-derived liquid fuels compatible with the existing fuels infrastructure. The specific initial research projects will focus on critical aspects of an integrated process for thermochemical/catalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to green gasoline and diesel, and chemicals--i.e., hydrocarbons compatible with the existing fuels and chemicals infrastructure. Such a process will make use of our State's agricultural resources to provide environmentally improved fuels that will significantly increase domestic fuel supplies to meet growing demand without increasing dependence on imported petroleum feedstocks.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Provision: Title III

Account: DOE--Fossil Energy R&D

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``The University of Oklahoma''

Address of Requesting Entity: 660 Parrington Oval, Norman OK 73019

Description of Request: Provide an earmark for $500,000.00 for new technology in the form of next generation microemulsion technology now exists to increase the production from these fields and recover as much as an additional 30 percent of this oil. By bringing this technology to the small, independent oil producers who produce most of our domestic onshore oil, we can significantly slow the decrease in US domestic oil production, reduce oil imports, improve the US balance of trade, and create tens of thousands of new, high paying jobs, without drilling in environmentally sensitive areas.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Provision: Title I

Account: Corps of Engineers--O&M

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Corps of Engineers

Address of Requesting Entity: 1645 South 101 East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74128

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $3,000,000.00 to fund the modernizing the 1976/78 Corps of Engineers Lake Texoma Master Plan, Environmental Impact Statement, and 1996 Shoreline Management Plan is critical to future regional development. Expedited federal funding to update these critical plans will greatly enable resolution of critical interstate and intrastate water use issues and effective and balanced planning, zoning and development around Lake Texoma. The updated Master and related plans will involve public and business participation and will be essential to manage future development and different interests in the Lake Texoma and surrounding areas.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Provision: Title I

Account: Corps of Engineers--Investigations

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma Water Resources board

Address of Requesting Entity: 3800 North Classen Blvd., OK 73118

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $300,000.00 to conduct a study. Area covers a 29 county area in southeast Oklahoma, including the Kiamichi River Basin and other tributaries of the Red River. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board signed the FCSA in July 2001, halted the study in 2002 due to a lack of State funds, but requested restarting the study and focusing the study on stream flows, habitat analysis and water supply. Study results will be integrated into the OK State Comprehensive Water Planning initiative.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Provision: Title I

Account: Corps of Engineers--Investigations

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma Water Resources board

Address of Requesting Entity: 3800 North Classen Blvd., OK 73118

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $250,000.00 to conduct a feasibility study to develop a Washita River Watershed management plan.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3170--Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 3170

Provision: Title V

Account: GSA--Operating Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation

Address of Requesting Entity: 620 N. Harvey, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, P.O. Box 323 Oklahoma City, OK 73101

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,000,000 to fund the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation's operation and maintenance cost associated with the Memorial Museum, as well as the execution of outreach and educational programs.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill to honor a great American and a great Oklahoman, Wayman Lawrence Tisdale. I would like to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for their work on the bill. As the gentlelady from the District of Columbia so aptly noted, Wayman Lawrence Tisdale was an all-star basketball player and a brilliant jazz musician. However, Tisdale was not only an exceptional athlete and musician, he brought a positive spirit to everything he did and should serve as a role model to all Americans. Even when he faced personal adversity, he maintained an optimistic attitude and brought joy to all of those surrounding him.

Wayman Tisdale was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the youngest of six children of a distinguished Baptist minister and a loving wife. At 6'9", Wayman excelled as a basketball player at Booker T. Washington High School where he was named Oklahoma's only McDonald's All American and was named Converse National High School Player of the Year. Though Tisdale had many scholarship offers, he chose to remain close to home and attend the University of Oklahoma.

After arriving at the University of Oklahoma, Tisdale quickly distinguished himself as one of the greatest basketball players the school has ever seen. In his 3-year college career, he received the honor of being named Big 8 Player of the Year in 1983, 1984, and 1985. Mr. Speaker, he was also named to the All American Team three times in 3 years while at the University of Oklahoma.

Tisdale averaged 25.6 points a game and 10.1 rebounds a contest during his career with the Sooners. He still holds Oklahoma career records for points and rebounds. Tisdale also owns the school's single- game scoring mark and career marks for points per game, field goals, and free throws attempted and made. Tisdale was a member of the gold medal U.S. Olympic team of 1984 and was the number two NBA draft pick in 1986. While in the NBA, Mr. Speaker, Wayman Tisdale played with the Indiana Pacers, the Sacramento Kings, and the Phoenix Suns scoring more than 12,800 points and pulling down more than 5,000 rebounds in a 12- year professional career. On November 22, 2009, Wayman Tisdale will be formally inducted into the National College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to a remarkable basketball career, Mr. Tisdale distinguished himself as a jazz musician. As the son of a Baptist minister, he became intrigued by the bass guitarists at his father's church and began teaching himself to play guitar and bass. He recorded and released eight albums of jazz, one of which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top 10; another one reached No. 4 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart.

In addition to his solo career, Tisdale also collaborated with some of the most popular musicians in smooth jazz, including solo artists Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Kirk Whalum, David Sanborn, Jonathan Butler, and Everette Harp. In 2002, Wayman received the distinction of the Bassist of the Year in the National Smooth Jazz Awards.

Though Tisdale was a remarkably talented basketball player and musician, it's perhaps his positive spirit that distinguished him above all else. Mr. Speaker, in my home State of Oklahoma, we are justly proud of Will Rogers who liked to say he never met a man he didn't like. Well, I can't testify as to whether that was true of Mr. Tisdale or not, but I'm certain that Mr. Tisdale never met a man who didn't like him.

Friends and relatives have noted that Wayman was also upbeat, had a remarkable ability to smile at everyone he met, even in the darkest circumstances. Former coaches and players have said that Tisdale was able to turn the national spotlight on the University of Oklahoma basketball program not only by his incredible talent on the court, but by his positive spirit and his sheer charisma as a player and as a person.

Our Governor, Governor Brad Henry, referred to him as ``one of the most inspirational people I have ever known.'' Fellow Olympic team member and close friend, Sam Perkins, said that Tisdale was ``a real friend who's got your back and would do just about anything for you.''

In 2007, Wayman Tisdale was diagnosed with bone cancer, which ultimately resulted in the removal of part of his leg. During this ordeal, Tisdale maintained a very positive spirit, which should serve as an example for all Americans and all people who struggle with hardship and disease. When referring to his battle with cancer, he said, ``You don't change because things come in your life. You get better because things come in your life.'' Tragically, Mr. Tisdale passed away due to complications from cancer on May 15, 2009.

Despite his personal struggles, Tisdale excelled at two separate careers. His strong spirit and the positive attitude that he brought to everything that he did should serve as an inspiration to everyone. It's only fitting that Congress should pay tribute to this outstanding American.

Again, I urge the passage of H. Res. 469.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Provision: Title I

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--Extension

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Oklahoma State University''

Address of Requesting Entity: 107 Whitehurst Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $209,000 to fund the Pilot Technology transfer services and engineering assistance to small, rural manufacturers with the goal of improving their profitability and enhancing the economy in rural communities. More specifically, 25 percent of these funds be used for Oklahoma State University's Corporate Extension office to fund the salary and benefits for one Applications Engineer, 25 percent of the funds would fund the Rural Enterprises Institute, and 50 percent of the funds would fund a companion program at Mississippi State University.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Provision: Title I

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--Special Research Grants

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Oklahoma State University''

Address of Requesting Entity: 107 Whitehurst Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $223,000 for the expanded Wheat Pasture project to develop science and technologies, uniquely adapted wheat varieties, decision-support economic models, and extension education programs to increase profitability of the many dual-purpose wheat enterprises (i.e. wheat grain and stocker cattle) in Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains and strengthen the economies of rural communities. More specifically, 60 percent will be used for staff salaries to conduct the program; 33 percent will be for the annual land lease where field trials are conducted; and 7 percent will be used for field supplies, vehicles and maintenance and other miscellaneous expenses.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Provision: Title I

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--Special Research Grants

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``City of Norman, Oklahoma''

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Oklahoma State University''

Address of Requesting Entity: 107 Whitehurst Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $177,000 for the Integrated Production Systems for Alternative Crops to develop and refine crop management techniques that enable environmentally sound and economically feasible production of alternative crops that will best utilize natural resources as they produce organically grown vegetable crops and crops for the bio-fuel industry. The research and educational program includes organic production practices, pest management strategies and weed control using organically approved practices and chemical agents. The work is conducted at the Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Lane, Oklahoma. All the funding will be used for the technician, researcher and student salaries needed to carry out the program.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2996, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 2996

Provision: Title I

Account: National Park Service--Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``National Park Service--Chickasaw National Recreation Area''

Address of Requesting Entity: 1008 West Second Street, Sulphur, OK

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for a design plan to construct a Visitor's Center at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The need for a Visitor's Center was identified in the recreation area's 1980 General Management Plan and 1994 Addendum to the 1980 General Management Plan. The Visitor's Center was previously budgeted for, but funds were reprogrammed for wildfire suppression. The Visitor's Center will provide those visiting the Chickasaw National Recreation Area a much needed centralized location where the Park Service may educate individuals on the ecosystems and history of the area. This will increase tourism to the recreation area, and thereby grow the local economy substantially.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Cole

Bill Number: H.R. 2996

Provision: Title II

Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lawton Ft. Sill Chamber of Commerce

Address of Requesting Entity: 9 SW ``C'' Avenue, Lawton, OK 73501

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for water and sewer line expansions at the Lawton Industrial Park, in Lawton, OK. The Comanche County Industrial Development Authority recently purchased an additional 480 acres immediately southwest of the present industrial park for purposes of expansion. Before this development can begin, water and sewer lines must be expanded to the property. The industrial park expansion will allow for more commercial expansion, thus creating jobs and aiding Lawton's economy. For this project, 80 percent of funds will be used for construction costs, 12 percent will be used for contingency, 6 percent will be for engineering costs and 2 percent will be used for inspections.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak against this flawed cap-and-trade, or rather, cap-and-tax legislation. There is no good time for a bad idea, Madam Speaker. This bad bill is nothing more or less than a national energy tax. The legislation will force American families to pay on average more than $3,000 a year in additional energy costs.

The majority would like us to believe that passing this legislation will benefit all Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Under this bill, energy-producing States like Oklahoma will be economically punished and devastated. Residents in rural areas who must commute long distances to work will be disproportionately affected. Rising fuel prices, coupled with rising home energy costs, will force people to make ever tougher choices. Many will face reduced living standards; spending less, saving less, and going without many of the items they need for a decent life.

Madam Speaker, for over 100 years, the people in my State and my district have worked hard to produce the energy that this country needs. Now that energy is going to be taxed. Taking away their choices, their jobs and their future just isn't bad policy. It is punitive, and it is shameful.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I must begin by expressing two reservations about the legislation in front of us. The first is the manner in which it arrived at the floor. Like my colleagues on my side, we're used to and treasure the idea that appropriations bills should come to this floor under an open rule so every Member can come forward and offer good suggestions, and the product can be improved. We didn't do that in this case, and I think that's regrettable. The bill would have been better; and frankly, I think the process a little less rancorous.

Second, I want to express my sentiments in agreement with Mr. Simpson about the spending levels here. There's a lot of good projects in this bill. But whether or not we can sustain them over the long term I think is a very legitimate question that we're going to have to wrestle with again and again in bill after bill.

Having said that, Madam Chairwoman, I'd like to balance my comments with three very positive observations about this product. The first is the process under which we arrived at a bill. I have to echo Mr. Simpson's appreciation for Chairman Dicks' wonderful cooperation and open process. Certainly the chairman and the ranking member worked together well. They included all of this, and I'm very grateful for that.

Second, I agree with the chairman and the ranking member's emphasis on the importance of water projects. I too represent many small communities that struggle to have sufficient revenue to actually build the water systems they need. That's an appropriate focus, and I am grateful for that. And finally, Madam Chairwoman, all too often in this body the First Americans have been the last Americans. That's certainly not the case in this bill. The chairman, in particular, deserves extraordinary credit for the effort and resources he's put behind Native American concerns in health care, law enforcement and education. I am personally very grateful for it. It's one of the best efforts we've seen certainly in over a decade.

In conclusion, Madam Chairwoman, I hope we can do a little bit better going forward in working on the spending and the prioritization. But I appreciate the process, and I'm confident we can improve this bill as we work it through.

Mr. Speaker, like many Americans, I cheered when CIA Director Leon Panetta recently defended the honor of his agency against unsubstantiated charges by the Speaker of the House that the CIA routinely lied to Americans and to the Congress of the United States.

Given those remarks, I was surprised to see his recent remarks about Vice President Cheney when he said, It's almost as if he wishes that this country would be attacked again in order to make his point.

Just as Mr. Panetta deserves an apology from the Speaker, Mr. Panetta owes one to the Vice President of the United States.

The Vice President was Vice President when this country was attacked. He and the President spent the next 7\1/2\ years making sure it didn't happen again. They deserve our thanks and our appreciation, not cheap shots and not questions about their motives when they address the critical issues before our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this conference report, and I do that with a heavy heart, quite frankly. When this measure was initially before us I supported it enthusiastically. And in my remarks I praised the President. I thought he'd made a tough decision and deserved bipartisan support. I praised the majority because they had brought us, I think, a very good and finely crafted bill. And frankly, I was proud of the minority because we stepped up unconditionally, supported the President, provided the votes that he needed to win and make a difference to have not just a bipartisan majority, but Republican votes that put us in the majority.

I felt like we dealt with the President and the administration in good faith. And frankly, I don't think, since that point, that faith has been reciprocated. Over the course of the process as this legislation's moved through, IMF funding has been added. It scores at $5 billion but it's a considerably greater amount of money that will be deployed.

We've had this issue with the photos. We've had the issue of detainees. And frankly, throughout that, there's been no effort to negotiate with our side of the aisle, which did provide the funding again, the votes needed to pass the original bill, you know, without condition. And frankly, it's almost as if there was assumption on the other side that we would either roll over or be blackmailed or be bullied into supporting the bill simply because of the military funding in it.

And I wonder whether or not, in retrospect, it was worth losing literally dozens and dozens of Republicans that were prepared to support this bill in a bipartisan fashion in order to add these other measures which could have, frankly, been brought to the floor on their own.

So I'm forced to urge the rejection of this conference report. I would hope that we could restore the military funding that was taken out. I would hope that we could strip the unrelated IMF funding, and I would hope that we

could practice once again the bipartisanship that led us to such an overwhelming success in the original bill. And if we go back to that method, I think that the President and the administration will be able to rely on continued bipartisan support in the tough decisions they have to make going forward.