Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5972, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to present the fiscal year 2013 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill to the House.

Before we get to the bill, I'd like to take a moment to congratulate my colleague and ranking member of this subcommittee, John Olver, for his many years of service. As many of you may know, Mr. Olver is retiring at the end of this Congress. I have to say he'll be sorely missed by all of us. This is a better bill because of his relentless quest for knowledge about its programs. I thank you, John Olver, for your service, not just to this institution, but to the Nation. Thank you very, very much. You're a great, great partner. You'll be missed.

The bill before the committee today is a balanced proposal on how to allocate $51.6 million among Federal housing and transportation programs across the Nation. Continuing our commitment to reduce government spending, our allocation is almost $4 billion below fiscal year 2012 and almost $2 billion below the President's request. The

bill also reflects the budget resolution that was passed by the House.

Mr. Chairman, we had to make some hard choices on funding levels for the agencies in this bill. We dedicated ourselves to this task while recognizing the serious fiscal constraints that the Nation faces. We also kept this bill largely free of authorizations, leaving that important work to the Transportation and Infrastructure and Financial Services Committees. We also rejected many new unauthorized programs that were proposed by the President. For transportation programs, this bill focuses on programs most critical to public safety and economic growth.

We fully fund FAA safety programs and provide $1 billion to advance the Next Generation of air traffic control. We also fund programs to support growth in commercial space and unmanned aerial systems, which will play key roles in keeping these U.S. industries on the global cutting edge. This bill rejects new fees on air passengers proposed by the President that would harm our economy at this time.

This bill funds highway and transit programs consistent with last year's levels but contingent upon reauthorization. Fortunately, Mr. Chairman, it appears that there's a positive movement on the transportation bill. Again this bill funds highways and transit consistent with last year's level but, again, contingent on reauthorization.

The bill cuts the Amtrak operating subsidy by $116 million below last year and does not fund the President's request for high-speed rail. However, the bill does provide $500 million in authorized funds to fix existing infrastructure on public passenger lines. This will immediately create jobs, as the CBO has scored it with an almost 80 percent outlay rate in the first year. We believe this is a better alternative to the administration's high-speed rail proposal.

For housing programs, this bill fully funds renewals of the section 8 vouchers, serving about 2.2 million families. We also provide $75 million for 10,000 new VASH vouchers. Those are for the homeless vets. We fully fund the budget request in that item. The bill matches the President's request for $8.7 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance. The CDBG is funded at a $3.4 billion level, and HOME is funded at $1.2 billion.

I'd like to close by saying we tried to be balanced in our approach with this bill, but we did reject broad, new, unauthorized programs requested by the President. We also do not include other authorizing provisions requested by other Members out of deference to the ongoing work of both the T&I and Financial Services Committees.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Chairman, I am proud to yield 5 minutes to the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers).

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

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

Mr. Chairman, again, I want to congratulate my good friend, Mr. Olver, and second what he said. The staff on both sides does an outstanding job for this subcommittee and for the country. It's a marvel to watch them work together and to come to this bill.

So with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. Chairman, we will be more than happy to accept the amendment.

I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, it takes $5 million from the DOT's Financial Management Capital account and puts it in Operations for Vehicle Safety. Let me say that there is no guarantee that DOT will use this money as the gentleman has talked about.

There's no dedication of funds here, obviously.

First, this would eliminate half of the funds the DOT has to make sure its financial systems are current. I don't need to tell anyone here how critical it is that DOT's financial systems, which govern the accurate disbursement of many billions of dollars each year, need to be kept in a good working state.

Second, this would increase the vehicle safety portion of NHTSA's operations. We're already giving this account $12 million more than last year, after it was frozen for the last 3 years straight. We simply don't need that additional increase.

Again, with these funds, there's no way to dedicate them to distracted driving.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I would urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I move to strike the last word.

Before yielding to the gentleman, just let me make a quick statement here.

Just so everybody knows, the increase that's in the bill is a simple increase for inflation to pay for costs such as the GSA rent and one extra compensable workday. Transportation is important to all parts and all people in America.

I just don't think this is the right cut to make in this kind of a bill. And I think we should always keep in mind that on our allocations, we have written the total appropriation bills to the 1028 number, rather than 1047. This bill already cuts about $4 billion under last year's funding level.

So with that, I stress my opposition to the amendment, and I would gladly yield to the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentlewoman's amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill and therefore it violates clause 2 of rule XXI.

The rule states, in pertinent part:

``An amendment to a general appropriation bill shall not be in order if changing existing law.'' The amendment gives affirmative direction in effect and imposes additional duties.

I ask for a ruling from the Chair.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

The Essential Air Service program ensures that small and rural communities have access to the national air transportation system. This program plays a key role in the economic development of many rural communities by ensuring that air service continues. Does the program need reform? Absolutely. That's why last year we capped the program to existing communities and have removed the requirement that larger and more expensive planes must be used in the program.

In addition, the authorizers instituted a $1,000 per passenger subsidy cap and limited participation in the program to communities that have more than 10 enplanements per day.

This amendment would be devastating to at least 150 rural communities. In places like Iowa, it plays an essential role as far as the economic development of those communities.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I urge defeat of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. Chairman, I must insist on my point of order.

The amendment proposes to amend portions of the bill that have not been read. The amendment may not be considered en bloc under clause 2(f) of rule XXI because the amendment does not propose to transfer funds among objects in the bill, as required by clause 2(f).

I ask for a ruling of the Chair.

I object.

If the gentleman would yield, I would just say that I would hope the authorizers come back with a robust number for you, and that we'll be happy to try to work with the gentleman.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

I appreciate the intent of the amendment of the gentleman from Iowa. The gentleman introduced legislation that would require States to enact harsher penalties for reckless drivers who pass stopped school buses, and this amendment complements that legislation and, I think, sends a very, very important message.

The legislation named in memory of the little girl the gentleman spoke about from Iowa who was killed so tragically, this is extremely important, I think, to raise the profile. I would hope that the authorizing committee in conference on the highway bill would take this into consideration and act on this very provision.

As a cosponsor of the act, I commend the gentleman's effort and would accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chair, I must oppose the gentleman's amendment. This would not allow the Federal Railroad Administration to hire additional safety inspectors and fully implement the risk reduction program.

These investments have a proven record in reducing the number of crashes on our Nation's railways.

While we appreciate the gentleman's concern over the debt, this is an arbitrary way to budget, and it negates months of work on this committee to try and determine the proper funding levels for these different functions. The bill already cuts $4 billion from 2012, which is a very fiscally responsible level, so I would urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman for his hard work in this area and for his efforts on the Transportation Committee.

Commuter railroads are an extremely important mode of transportation and are critical to many of our regional economies. I would be more than happy to work with the gentleman on ways to address the PTC funding issues as we go to conference and in the future.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chairwoman, I rise to oppose the gentleman's amendment.

This is a minor 1.3 percent increase over the prior year with all of the increase going to uncontrollable costs, such as additional compensable workday, rent and IT maintenance costs. Further, we've already rejected $66 million of funds for new activities requested in the President's budget.

This is also one mode where we shouldn't cut funds. The FTA staffing has increased only 19.7 percent over the last 20 years, yet FTA funding has increased by 129 percent, and the number of grants that FTA administers and oversees has increased 118 percent. I'm not sure cutting S&E funding is the right thing to do in an agency that oversees this much of the Federal funds. We're talking about 0.0005 percent, the full-time equivalent for every thousand dollars that the grants are doled out.

I thank the gentleman for his interest in reducing spending. I would say we've already cut $66 million, and I will oppose any effort to reduce FDA's oversightability.

Again, I would ask for a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

I would just accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.

This program was authorized just last year. The funds that are being cut here are for safety inspectors, and we've had explosions in Iowa.

The gentleman referred to very tragic pipeline explosions elsewhere around the country. We have seen a number of these explosion incidents. We simply cannot compromise safety in this regard. It's a small increase and consistent with the authorization that was just passed by this Congress.

I can tell you from personal experience, in a little town of Alexander, about 5 miles outside of town, it's been several years ago, but a pipeline exploded, and basically we had to evacuate about a 15- mile area, and it was a huge issue. Fortunately, no one was killed in that explosion.

But I'll just say that this is a very important function and that we need to have these inspectors. We need to have a focus on pipeline safety. And so again, I would recommend a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chairwoman, I accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairwoman, I rise in opposition to the gentlelady's amendment.

Madam Chairwoman, again, I oppose the gentlelady's amendment.

This bill provides $45 million for housing counseling--the same as last year and $45 million more than in fiscal year 2011.

HUD just reorganized into the new Office of Housing Counseling. I would say that before we give additional resources to HUD's Housing Counseling, we need to make sure HUD has the capability to effectively implement this program. I think they ought to be able to walk before they run here.

Housing Counseling agencies are still complaining of the painstaking bureaucracy involved in applying and receiving these funds. On the other hand, people could get housing counseling from many government sources, including NeighborWorks.

NeighborWorks gets funding out the door quickly, has extensive metrics ensuring the proper use of the funds. We increased NeighborWorks by $10 million over last year.

We need HUD to do this thing right. So until they can prove to us they could, taking funding from HUD's salaries and expenses would not be an effective use of government resources.

Again, Madam Chair, I would urge a ``no'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

I'm very pleased that you've read our comments about HUD and the management problems that they've had down there. Obviously, they've got a long way to go. They are making some real strides and improvement. We worked closely with the Secretary to try and have some management involved finally.

But this amendment arbitrarily cuts S&E budgets to the 2008 levels. Just so everybody knows, we have already reduced funding by over $14 million from last year in this account. We've met the budget resolution levels and cut overall in the bill almost $4 billion from last year's appropriated levels.

While, again, we really appreciate the concern over the debt, this is really an arbitrary way to budget, unfortunately, and negates the months of work the committee has done in determining proper levels as far as funding.

But, again, I would love to have you read, again, the committee's comments because it has been an extraordinary problem at the Department. Again, they are making progress, not fast enough for any of us, and we have already, in the bill, cut $14 million from last year.

So with that, Madam Chair, I would urge a ``no'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

Due to the hour of the evening, we will accept the amendment. We don't need a lot of discussion. We want to get on with the series of votes, so we will gladly accept the amendment.

Madam Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 18 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Seth Kleinwort of Madrid, Iowa for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank in scouting. Only about 5 percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout Award. The award is a performance-based achievement with high standards that have been well-maintained over the past century.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout is obligated to pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges, as well as completing an Eagle Project to benefit the community. Seth's project involved funding and erecting 21 flags on Memorial Day Weekend along Highway 17 to pay tribute to our nation's heroes. Seth completed this project while going above and beyond the required merit badges, earning a staggering total of 50 badges. The work ethic Seth has shown in his Eagle Project, and every other project leading up to his Eagle Scout rank, speaks volumes of his commitment to serving a cause greater than himself and assisting his community.

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young man and his supportive family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication and perseverance. I am honored to represent Seth and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating him in obtaining the Eagle Scout ranking, and will wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Brandon Theisen of Granger, Iowa for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank in scouting. Only about 5 percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout Award. The award is a performance-based achievement with high standards that have been well-maintained over the past century.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout is obligated to pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges, as well as completing an Eagle Project to benefit the community. Brandon's project involved a complete reinstallation of a retaining wall at Jester Park, which included removing an existing wall and constructing a new one. The work ethic Brandon has shown in his Eagle Project, and every other project leading up to his Eagle Scout rank, speaks volumes of his commitment to serving a cause greater than himself and assisting his community.

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young man and his supportive family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication and perseverance. I am honored to represent Brandon and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating him in obtaining the Eagle Scout ranking, and will wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Zachary Benjamin of Fort Dodge, Iowa for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank in scouting. Only about 5 percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout Award. The award is a performance-based achievement with high standards that have been well-maintained over the past century.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout is obligated to pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges, as well as completing an Eagle Project to benefit the community. Zachary's project involved creating a rock and rain garden at Kennedy Park in Webster County. Zachary completed this project while going above and beyond the required merit badges. The work ethic Zachary has shown in his Eagle Project, and every other project leading up to his Eagle Scout rank, speaks volumes of his commitment to serving a cause greater than himself and assisting his community.

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young man and his supportive family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. I am honored to represent Zachary and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating him in obtaining the Eagle Scout ranking, and will wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Chairman Aderholt, thank you very much.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 5855, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013, and I commend the chairman and the ranking member and the staff for doing a really excellent job of crafting a bill that both strengthens our security and reduces government spending.

I'm pleased the committee adopted an important amendment, which I cosponsored, which would waive Federal grant requirements to allow the retention of firefighters hired in our local communities. This is a critically important provision for maintaining response capabilities throughout the Nation.

I also want to highlight the fact that despite spending reductions elsewhere in the bill, we were fully funding FEMA's stated requirements for disaster relief, including flood-related grants. Congress has long recognized the Federal role in disaster relief and prevention efforts, since the first disaster relief bill was passed in 1803. The funding contained in the bill today is important because it continues the move away from ad hoc disaster legislation, and toward including relief in mitigation funding in our regular appropriations.

This assistance is vitally important for the safety net for communities at risk for natural disasters. Throughout the summer of 2011, I saw firsthand the flood damage along the Missouri River in western and southwestern Iowa and spoke with Iowans whose lives were disrupted by that disaster. The flood dealt serious damage to properties along the river and took a breathtaking toll of nearby communities. Hazard mitigation and other disaster assistance funding is absolutely necessary to help them rebound from this tragic flooding.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members of the House to support final passage of H.R. 5855.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mollie Emerson of Rockford, Iowa for being awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award.

The Gold Award is the highest award that a high school-aged Girl Scout can earn. This is an extremely prestigious honor as less than 6 percent of all Girl Scouts will attain the Gold Award's rigorous requirements.

To earn a Gold Award, a Girl Scout must complete a minimum of 80 hours towards a community project that is both memorable and lasting. For her project, Mollie redecorated patient rooms at doctor offices in her community to help patients feel more comfortable when visiting the doctor. The work ethic Mollie has shown to earn her Gold Award speaks volumes about her commitment to serving a cause greater than herself and assisting her community.

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young woman and her supportive family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication and perseverance. I am honored to represent Mollie and her family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating her in obtaining the Gold Award, and will wish her continued success in her future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the AbilityOne program, which in the last several years has helped more than 50,000 Americans who are blind or who have significant disabilities gain skills and training that ultimately led to gainful employment.

The AbilityOne program harnesses the purchasing power of the Federal Government to buy products and services from participating community- based nonprofit agencies that are dedicated to training and employing individuals with disabilities. This program affords Americans with disabilities the opportunity to acquire job skills and training, receive good wages and benefits, and gain greater independence and quality of life.

I am proud to acknowledge an important local partner of the AbilityOne program, Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa in Des Moines. It is one of 207 regional Goodwill organizations throughout North America and across the world. Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa has been serving Iowa communities since 1955 with a dedicated mission, a clear vision and a strong set of values to empower people with significant disabilities to achieve greater independence, education and employment. With the support of the AbilityOne program, Goodwill's training and job placement programs help clients and their families live more independently while allowing them to make positive contributions to their communities.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I strongly support the AbilityOne program and Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa in Des Moines. I also want to commend the dedication and commitment of President Marlyn McKeen and her staff for helping individuals who are blind or have a significant disability find employment opportunities. Their work helps people live fuller lives and become more active members of society. I also commend each AbilityOne employee who works every day to improve their lives and make our country a better place to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Des Moines- based law firm, Nyemaster Goode, for being named among our nation's Top 30 Employers by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. In earning this recognition, Nyemaster Goode is also nominated to receive the 2012 Freedom Award from the ESGR.

The ESGR is an agency within the Department of Defense that supports employers who facilitate career opportunities for members of the National Guard and Reserve. The Freedom Award is the DoD's highest recognition given to employers for ``exceptional support'' of Guard and Reserve employees. Nyemaster Goode is one of only 30 employers selected to be nominated for this award out of the staggering 3,236 nationwide nominations received this year. In September, up to 15 recipients will be announced and honored in Washington, D.C., at the 17th annual Freedom Award Ceremony. Since its establishment in 1996, only 160 employers have been honored with this prestigious award.

The honor that is bestowed on finalists of the Freedom Award is put best by the ESGR in stating, ``Employers named as finalists for the award distinguish themselves not only for adhering to the employment and reemployment rights of Guard and Reserve members, but for actively creating opportunities to assist and support the service of both Guard and Reserve employees and their families.'' Nyemaster Goode's unwavering support of our citizen warriors has truly placed the firm as a shining example to our nation's most prominent businesses.

Mr. Speaker, the commitment Nyemaster Goode has shown to the members of the Guard and Reserve is a testament to the respect Iowans share for our men and women in uniform. It is with great pride that I thank Nyemaster Goode for representing Iowa through their efforts, and I wish them luck in September. I trust my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating Nyemaster Goode for their remarkable achievement, as well as thanking all the members of the United States Armed Forces, at home and abroad, for their service and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Katie Jacobson of St. Charles, Iowa for being awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award.

The Gold Award is the highest award that a high school-aged Girl Scout can earn. This is an extremely prestigious honor as less than 6 percent of all Girl Scouts will attain the Gold Award's rigorous requirements.

To earn a Gold Award, a Girl Scout must complete a minimum of 80 hours towards a community project that is both memorable and lasting. For her project, Katie built habitats for the bats in her community that are losing their roosts to deterioration. The work ethic Katie has shown to earn her Gold Award speaks volumes about her commitment to serving a cause greater than herself and assisting her community.

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young woman and her supportive family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication and perseverance. I am honored to represent Katie and her family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating her in obtaining the Gold Award, and will wish her continued success in her future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Matthew Gibbons of Johnston, Iowa for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank in scouting. Only about five percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout Award. The award is a performance-based achievement with high standards that have been well-maintained over the past century.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout is obligated to pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges, as well as completing an Eagle Project to benefit the community. Matthew's project involved designing and completing a courtyard for St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church in Des Moines. The work ethic Matthew has shown in his Eagle Project, and every other project leading up to his Eagle Scout rank, speaks volumes of his commitment to serving a cause greater than himself and assisting his community.

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young man and his supportive family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication and perseverance which are core Iowa values. It's truly an honor to represent Iowa in the United States Congress and I know that all of my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating Matthew in obtaining the Eagle Scout ranking. I wish him continued success in his future education and career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of ``Farm Safety 4 Just Kids'' founder Marilyn Adams, and to express my appreciation for her dedication and commitment in her years of service to the young people of Iowa.

In 1986, Marilyn tragically lost her eleven-year-old son in a farm accident in rural Earlham, Iowa. In dealing with the tragedy, Marilyn saw an opportunity to spare other families from the pain her family had gone through and began Farm Safety 4 Just Kids one year later in 1987. Since founding FS4JK 25 years ago, Marilyn has seen her program educate over six million people across North America on farm safety. Over the course of 25 years, more than 35,600 volunteers have donated over 280,000 hours of their time to protect the lives of children in the farming community.

Today, FS4JK has more than 120 local chapters across both America and Canada that offer farm safety presentations in their communities. Last year alone, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids held more than 1,100 local events for a staggering 170,000 children. What Farm Safety 4 Just Kids has accomplished in the last quarter-century is nothing short of amazing. But those who know Marilyn won't be surprised to hear that she credits the program's remarkable success to the efforts of her family and her support network that have stood behind her since 1987.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Ms. Adams for her sincere devotion to positively impact the lives of others in her community, state, and country. Marilyn's commitment to a cause greater than herself is a testament to the high-quality character and unwavering work ethic instilled in Iowans. While Marilyn's daily contribution to FS4JK will surely be missed, she leaves behind an organization stronger than ever with a dedicated staff that are committed to its mission. I know I speak for all of my colleagues in the United States House in congratulating Marilyn, thanking her for her noble efforts, and wishing her a long, happy and healthy retirement as she enters this new chapter of her life.

Mr. Chair, because of limited funding resources, the Subcommittee was not able to provide funding, as requested by the Office of Juvenile Justice, for a needed evidence-based competitive juvenile justice demonstration grant program. This type of a program would allow for new, innovative practices that may well lead to comprehensive change which, in turn, would likely produce better outcomes in treating at-risk juveniles.

A number of Members requested that the Subcommittee consider amending the Administration request to provide, within existing levels of funding in this bill, competitive grant program funding for qualified non-profit, private youth and family service organizations that can provide an Integrated Continuum of treatment services and programs for at-risk youth and their families.

We believe this approach is still important because it is estimated that 70 percent of youth in the juvenile justice system suffer from mental health issues, substance abuse, and/or learning disabilities. Most of these juveniles require an integrated, comprehensive treatment in order to allow them to succeed within their peer groups and families, in school, on jobs, or in their communities. Just as important, the families of most at-risk juveniles also require services and treatment programs to ensure that a juvenile's home environment is addressed.

There is a wide range of existing national, regional and state-wide, nonprofit qualified youth and family serving organizations that can provide evidenced-based, integrated continuum treatment services and programs for at-risk juveniles and their families. However most, if not all, of the existing program funding opportunities only provide funding for limited services and treatments for at-risk juveniles. They do not allow, where necessary, services and treatment programs for the families of juveniles.

Using an integrated continuum is critical to providing programs and services (including mental health and drug treatment), for both juveniles and their families, that will result in juveniles being permanently returned to improved home environments and becoming productive citizens. Early evidence suggests that an integrated approach is preferable to isolated and limited programs, because the integrated approach shows more promising potential for keeping youth out of the juvenile justice system and avoiding further arrest and recidivism.

Mr. Chair, I hope we can work with you, through the process, as your bill moves forward, to see if we can find a way to dedicate some resources to this integrated continuum of comprehensive services and treatment programs for both at-risk juveniles and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Kayla De Weerd, a 14-year-old 4 H'er of Hull, Iowa, who has been named the state's top high school youth volunteer for 2012 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is our country's largest youth recognition program based entirely on volunteer community service. Since 1995, 345,000 American youths have participated in this program, with only 102 state honorees chosen each year. Kayla's path to this prestigious award began with her efforts through Reach Out Iowa, a federally funded grant that supports young people who benefit their local communities through service.

To accomplish this goal, Kayla started a nutrition and physical activity program at her junior high school. Kayla gave presentations to her fellow classmates warning of the dangers of obesity and how to live a responsible, healthy lifestyle to avoid the long-term consequences of inactivity. In addition to arming her peers in the fight against obesity, Kayla also educated others to effectively implement similar programs in more schools across her community. Kayla and her mother, Deb, traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this week to accept this great honor.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Miss De Weerd for her sincere dedication to positively impact the lives of others in her community and beyond. Kayla's commitment to a cause greater than herself is a testament to the high-quality character and unwavering work ethic instilled in Iowans both young and old. I know I speak for all of my colleagues in the United States Congress in congratulating Kayla, thanking her supportive family, and thanking all of those involved in this wonderful project for their life-changing efforts. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize six members of the Des Moines Police Department, Sergeant Michael McTaggart, Reserve Officer John Carter, and Senior Police Officers Colin Boone, Aaron Cawthorn, Jeremy Sprague, and Robin Swank, for being named Iowa's TOP COPS for 2012.

In the early morning of August 28th, 2011, these officers responded to a report of a car accident in Des Moines to find a vehicle on its side completely engulfed in flames. Inside the car, the cries for help of three teenage girls could be heard. Fighting jagged metal and fire hot enough to melt glass, Des Moines' finest didn't hesitate in risking their own lives to save the lives of the three trapped young girls. The quick action of these officers embodies the professionalism the Des Moines Police Department instills in its officers, but it's the selfless courage displayed immediately by these law enforcement professionals that truly makes this story inspiring. All six officers involved in the rescue were awarded the DMPD's highest honor, the Medal of Valor.

For their display of courage, the National Association of Police Organizations bestowed these officers with Iowa's 2012 TOP COP Honorable Mention award. This award is a tribute to outstanding law enforcement officers who display actions above and beyond the call of duty. Each year, TOP COPS are nominated nationwide by their fellow police officers, but only one case from each state is selected to

be honored with this award. Each state's TOP COPS are invited to an award ceremony in Washington D.C., which is attended by celebrities, politicians and members of the national law enforcement community alike to pay tribute to these local heroes.

Mr. Speaker, the extraordinary heroism displayed in the face of danger by these police officers is nothing short of awe-inspiring. These members of the Des Moines Police Department are a testament to the high quality of our state's law enforcement community. I know I speak for all of my colleagues in the United States Congress in congratulating Jeremy, Robin, Colin, Aaron, John and Michael, and thanking all of Iowa's police officers for their selfless efforts in protecting communities across our great state. Thank you.