Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dorothy Whitehead of Indianola, Iowa, for her induction as the first swimmer into the Iowa Senior Olympics Hall of Fame.

Dorothy is a 73-year-old swimmer who swims four times a week at Simpson College in Indianola. She holds ten records in varying age groups for the 50, 100 and 200 yard backstroke. She regularly competes at the Senior Olympics, the Iowa Games and competed at the United States Masters Nationals this year. While in high school, Dorothy was involved in a serious car accident that ended her swimming career until she picked it back up again at the age of 45. Harold McCollum nominated Dorothy for the induction into the hall of fame. He was a close friend of her late husband, Ralph.

Dorothy has truly shown that you are never too old to pursue your passions, stay active, and be a successful competitor. I consider it an honor to represent Dorothy Whitehead in the United States Congress, and I wish her the best in her future years of swimming.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great achievement by the South Winneshiek Future Farmers of America (FFA) dairy judging team of Kari Lien and Jordan Hanson of Winneshiek County, Iowa. They were recently named the international champions at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The annual Royal Highland Show, which started in 1822, is a 4-day countryside festival and Scotland's biggest outdoor event. In addition to being named to the top dairy judging team, Kari Lien was named the individual champion. The four-member team of Kari, Jordan, Aaron Lien, and Carly Lyons advanced to the international competition before being split into two teams by the organizers.

The example set by Kari, Jordan, Aaron, and Carly demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication and determination. Their triumph is an honor that we all can admire and be proud of.

I am honored to represent the members of the South Winneshiek FFA dairy judging team and their adviser Dennis Bluhagen in the United States Congress. I know that my colleagues join me in congratulating them and wishing them continued success in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of Stephen Cleaners and the retirement of Don and Mickie Stephen, co- owners of Stephen Cleaners in Adel, Iowa.

Don began working with his father in the dry cleaning business in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1948. In 1958, Don and his wife Mickie moved to Adel and began Stephen Cleaners on the downtown courthouse square. Don and Mickie continued the business through many changes in business climate and innovations in wash-and-wear fashions. They have now passed the business down into good hands; their daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Randy Clark already have 25 years of their own business experience.

Don and Mickie Stephen have left a positive mark on the city of Adel and will be truly missed on Nile Kinnick Avenue. However, just as they have been doing since 1969, the Stephens will continue to camp out at and attend the annual Iowa State Fair, which is the only time of year they ever closed their store. I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending Don and Mickie for their service to their community and congratulating them on their retirement and over 60 happy years of marriage. I consider it an honor to represent Don and Mickie in Congress, and I wish them a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marilyn Allender of Jefferson, Iowa as a new inductee into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame for her outstanding service and dedication to 4-H.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees served either as club leaders, youth mentors, or financial supporters. These people must have demonstrated dedication, encouragement and commitment.

Marilyn Allender was a 7 year member of 4-H, a leader for 15 years, and has been a judge at all levels (local, achievement shows, county fairs and state fairs) for 55 years total, and she is still active within the program. She has participated at the county level by serving as a chaperone for several events, ranging from a local trip to Des Moines, to going along on the Washington, D.C. trip. In 2002, she received the Greene county 4-H Alumni Award for her many years of varied and extensive service to the program. A local spokesperson said this of Marilyn, ``Her positive, caring, and encouraging attitude helped youth to truly make the best better by achieving the very best that they are capable of.''

I congratulate Marilyn Allender on her well-deserved award, and I'm certain that she will continue to touch the lives of many people in her community and remain active in the 4-H club. It is a great honor to represent Marilyn in the United States Congress, and I wish her the best.

Madam Speaker, I wish to make the following disclosure in accordance with the new Republican Earmark Transparency Standards requiring Members to place a statement in the Congressional Record prior to a floor vote on a bill that includes earmarks they have requested, describing how the funds will be spent and justifying the use of federal taxpayer funds.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Latham.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Division C-- Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Account: Aircraft Procurement, Army Project Name: UH-60 Improved Communications (ARC 220) for the ARNG.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 400 Collins Rd., NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498.

Description of Request: To date, the Army National Guard has received 141 UH-60L helicopters from the regular Army without the ARC-220 radio system. The National Guard currently has funding of $3.9 million to outfit 85 of the 141 UH-60 helicopters that are missing the ARC-220 radio system, and the $1.6 million appropriation included in this bill will help outfit the remaining National Guard Helicopters. Mission and threat changes, as well as responding to emergencies and/or immediate medical evacuation calls, require the crew to have ability to communicate immediately and effectively over long distances (200 vs. the current 20 miles). The ARC-220 radio system is a formal Army Program of Record (POR) that is combat proven and currently being utilized by the U.S. Army in their AH-64s, UH-60s and CH-47s in combat. The ARC-220 is an essential combat-multiplier for long range voice, data and situational awareness to the flight crews and operational commanders. This lack of long-range communications reduces mission flexibility and increases risk to both the aircrew and soldiers being supported. Additionally, situations involving precautionary landings executed outside the current range of communications leave the aircrew with no immediate, effective means to communicate this situation with higher or adjacent forces for immediate assistance. Failing to fund long range communication will inhibit mission flexibility, decrease threat knowledge and limit emergency communications.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Latham.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Division C-- Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Army.

Project Name: Advanced Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) Training Systems.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Iowa State University.

Address of Requesting Entity: 1750 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA, 50010.

Description of Request: The Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC) located at Iowa State University, will develop three advanced software prototypes for LVC training that dramatically enhance the ability of a training officer to create efficient and effective training programs. Keeping up with the unique demands of urban combat and the ever-changing tactics of the insurgency in Iraq requires flexible and adaptive training systems that can be modified rapidly and deployed reliably and effectively in the field. The VRAC at Iowa State University has a scientific team leading research in the development of immersive virtual training environments. 50% of the funding will be used for equipment, 25% for salaries and benefits, and the remaining 25% will be used for software licenses, student tuition and other expenses.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Latham.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Division C-- Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Army.

Project Name: Battlefield Plastic Biodiesel.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Renewable Energy Group and General Atomics.

Address of Requesting Entity: Renewable Energy Group, 416 South Bell Avenue. Ames, IA 50010. General Atomics, 3550 General Atomics Ct. San Diego, CA 92121.

Description of Request: $1.6 million is provided in the bill to continue a 3-year partnership with the U.S. Army to develop a technology providing a cost effective way to recycle military plastic waste into a useable biodiesel fuel with enhanced energy yield, for use in field power generation and other applications. This technology has the potential to save taxpayers millions per month in military waste disposal costs, and enhance the viability of increased use of biodiesel by both the military and civilian sectors to achieve greater energy independence. The $1.6 million FY09 appropriation is needed to complete the development phase of this multi-year project and demonstrate the technology.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Latham.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Division C-- Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Army.

Project Name: New Vaccines to Fight Respiratory Infection.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Iowa State University.

Address of Requesting Entity: 1750 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA, 50010.

Description of Request: A team of researchers at Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center with expertise in biotechnology, bacterial genetics, pathogenomics, immunology and polymer chemistry has been formed to work on this project for the U.S. Army, in order to develop unique vaccine delivery vehicles that can be employed to combat a wide variety of respiratory pathogens threatening our military personnel. Such strategies also can be effective in combating agro-terrorism by protecting animals from airborne diseases. The project addresses needs identified in the President's Interagency Research and Development priorities related to Homeland Security and National Defense. $4 million is provided in the bill for FY09. 38% of the funding will be used for equipment, 25% for personnel costs, and the remaining funding is for laboratory studies and the necessary materials and supplies.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Latham.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Division C-- Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Army.

Project Name: Wireless Medical Monitoring System (WiMed).

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Athena GTX.

Address of Requesting Entity: 3630 SW 61st Street, Suite 395. Des Moines, IA 50321.

Description of Request: This WiMed project has gained extensive support from both U.S. and foreign military services since 2006. The U.S. Army and the National Trauma Institute are planning comprehensive clinical trials evaluation in 2008 and 2009 across numerous Level 1 Trauma Centers with core funding using this system. The purpose of the project

is to greatly improve casualty care in combat situations, where medics are unable to effectively monitor injured soldiers' conditions. Current medical triage monitors and vital signs data tracking tools are complex, heavy, and have numerous wires with bulky connections. WiMed prototypes have successfully demonstrated a comprehensive leap ahead in critical care by linking all patient care within the same wireless systems and platforms already in service. The $1.6 million provided in FY09 funding will accelerate comprehensive clinical evaluations and speed deployment to the troops. Once placed with a patient, WiMed can be kept on patients throughout triage and subsequent care. The self- contained WiMed works with standard blood pressure cuffs and a simple highly mobile forehead stick-on sensor, integrating pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, skin humidity, and electrocardiograms into a single unit. The patient's condition is also broadcast via Wi-Fi technology using common Windows-based software. 25% of the funding will be used for software and equipment upgrades, 20% for production design, 25% for certification testing, and the remaining 30% for manufacturing start-up.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Latham.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Division C-- Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Defense-Wide.

Project Name: HyperAcute Vaccine Development.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: BioProtection Systems Corporation.

Address of Requesting Entity: 2901 South Loop Drive, Suite 3360. Ames, IA 50010.

Description of Request: It is generally recognized and accepted by the Congress, the Administration and the Intelligence Community that Chemical/Biological attacks on The United States are not only possible, but likely. Although millions of dollars have been spent on Biological Defense over the past several years, only a handful of vaccines/ medications have been developed to counter known threats. Unfortunately, most have proven to be weak and impractical to administer because they require multiple doses for protection or treatment. Importantly, these vaccines would not protect against genetically engineered biological weapons, which are relatively easy to produce. BioProtection Systems Corporation will utilize its HyperAcute technology to (1) enhance current vaccines, making them more effective and practical for use, (2) generate vaccines for known threats where a vaccine does not exist, and (3) develop a vaccine platform for unknown agents. FY09 funding will continue the development program for a HyperAcute vaccine candidate selected by the Department of Defense to satisfy existing military requirements. The $2.4 million appropriation funds the second year in a three-year development plan. 50% of the funding will be used to improve existing HyperAccute vaccine technology through BSL-4 level pre-clinical testing to meet FDA efficacy standards for biodefense vaccines. The remaining funding will be used to develop and text test new vaccines based on this technology.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tom Latham.

Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Division C-- Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Defense-Wide. Project Name: Portable Rapid Bacterial Warfare Detection Unit.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 2901 S. Loop Drive, Suite 3300, Ames,

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kyle Baker, who was named the national champion in sheet metal fabrication at the 2008 Skills USA/VICA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kyle Baker is a senior at Jefferson-Scranton High School where he excelled in industrial technology class for the past two years. In 2007, he placed fourth in the same competition and was the Iowa state SkillsUSA/VICA champion the last two years. Kyle is the sixth student from Jefferson-Scranton High School to be a national champion in the last eight years.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. This organization serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually and served more than 9.6 million members since its founding in 1965.

I congratulate Kyle Baker on his well-deserved award, and I'm certain that he will continue to excel in all future endeavors. It is a great honor to represent Kyle, his parents, and his teachers in the United States Congress, and I wish him the best.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim McNeill, who was nominated and recognized as an ``Iowa Community Hero'' by the University of Iowa for his efforts in protecting the city of Adel from flood waters this summer.

The term ``community hero'' is defined by the person who is submitting the nomination form. In this case, Iowans can nominate their neighbor for helping move furniture to another level of a house, a volunteer who helped filled sand bags, or a member of the police and fire department. Jim is the police chief and is responsible for directing emergency operations within the city when the need arises. According to mayor Jim Peters, Chief McNeill ``is a tremendous asset to Adel. He is a calm, direct, and charismatic leader in all situations. His work ethic and leadership is a true definition of `community hero.' ''

I congratulate Jim McNeill on his well-deserved award, and I'm certain that he will continue to serve his community. It is a great honor to represent Jim in the United States Congress, and I wish him the best.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2008 Iowa Family Physician of the Year, Dr. Subhash Sahai of Webster City, Iowa. Subhash was selected for the honor by the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP).

Subhash began practicing medicine in January 1976 after receiving his medical degree from the University of Iowa and completing his residency at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines. He began his small practice in Webster City and was later joined by his wife, Dr. Sushma Sahai, and his brother, Dr. Anil Sahai. His practice grew and expanded over the years with the addition of other healthcare professionals and services. He is being honored for ``his distinguished qualities, recognized leadership in his profession and contribution to his community,'' according to Dr. Doug Martin, the president of the IAFP.

I consider it a great honor to represent Dr. Subhash Sahai in the United States Congress. The expertise he brings to Central Iowa is certainly valued and I wish Subhash the best as he continues serving Iowa and Webster City.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lynn Mitchell and to congratulate her on being honored as Iowa Class 2A District Coach of the Year.

Lynn Mitchell has been the girls' golf coach at West Marshall High School in State Center, Iowa since 1999, after serving as an assistant coach. Since that time, the team has won conference championships in 2005, 2007, and 2008 and they were also district champions in 2005, 2006, and 2008. She was awarded the Class 2A District Coach of the Year Award after she led the team to their first appearance at state golf after they won the regional competition.

I congratulate Lynn Mitchell on her well-deserved award. It is an honor to represent Lynn in the United States Congress, and I wish her the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this funding package, and to tell my colleagues that there is much in this measure that should be supported. I also want to say that we should not be put in the position of scrambling to complete a continuing resolution to keep the government from shutting down. This is no way to run a railroad.

Nevertheless, I want to say that I am pleased that we finally have a disaster funding title. My constituents will be appreciative. While this disaster money is a few months late, the citizens of Iowa will be pleased to know that funding assistance will finally get to them-- hopefully, by mid-October--about 4 or 5 months after the floods came.

I do want to say that I am pleased that we have included in this disaster portion of the package, over $100 million in FEMA Community Development Loans. These funds are very much needed by FEMA as they have said in the past so I was pleased that they were included as I had asked. These are monies that

can go to local governments to help offset losses in local utilities, for example.

I have heard some complaints about the dispersal rates for funding assistance from our earlier disaster measure. In some instances, those complaints are justified but we all know bureaucracies are slow. However, one of the reasons that some of the funding did not go forth is that there was no money to send.

As most of you know, I and my colleagues on both sides pushed for a disaster relief measure to be completed before we left for the August recess because I knew that the first relief title passed on the Iraq Supplemental this summer would not go very far. I also knew that if we did not pass another flood disaster measure before we left, it would be four or five months before my fellow Iowans and others in the Midwest would see any significant relief assistance.

Unfortunately, the majority leadership refused to address the needs of Iowa and other Midwestern flood states before the recess. In turn, that meant that no funds would be forthcoming until fall. That was the reason I pushed so hard to get a supplemental before the August recess.

Had we passed that supplemental disaster measure before August, and it would have been easy to do, funds would have already been put to use by now, and the recovery efforts would now be further along.

All of that being said, we do need to pass this package today because we have put ourselves in the position where we have squandered our time. I urge members to vote for the measure.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of Dr. Nancy Wilson, the director of the Buena Vista Marshalltown Center in Marshalltown, Iowa and to express my appreciation for her dedication and commitment to young adults in Iowa.

For the past 25 years, Dr. Wilson has contributed her time and talents to enriching the lives of her students and guiding the direction of the Marshalltown Center. When Dr. Wilson began, the center only had 10 students but has grown to over 200 students today.

Dr. Wilson's leadership in continuing education in the community of Marshalltown will be missed, but she leaves behind lasting contributions that will continue to help students advance their education and receive a college degree. I consider it an honor to represent Dr. Nancy Wilson in the United States Congress, and I wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of a Mason City, Iowa resident, Jason Thorson, in rescuing a young woman from Willow Creek.

On August 5, just after 9:30 p.m., Jason Thorson and a group of friends were walking to a convenience store when they noticed a young woman standing on the bridge, just staring at the water. When he came out of the store, it was apparent that the woman jumped off the bridge. Thorson ran to the north side of the bridge, through some weeds and into the water. The young woman was not breathing and he held her head out of the water until the Mason City Police Department and the Fire Department ambulance arrived. Although Thorson had never met the woman, he said, ``I just wanted to help her out. It was like a godsend that I was here and able to help.''

The diligent effort of this young man is a testament to the bravery and compassion of Iowans; willing to do whatever is necessary for a neighbor in need. I commend Jason Thorson for his heroism and cooperation. I am honored to represent him in the United States Congress, and I wish him health and happiness in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of Craig Rhodes, park officer and maintenance supervisor for the Marshall County Conservation Board, and to express my appreciation for his 37 years of public service to his community.

Craig began as a seasonal employee in the summers of 1969 and 1970 with the Marshall County Conservation Board. In 1971, he applied for a maintenance position that opened up and was offered the position. Craig kept the area parks, wildlife areas, prairies, river access sites and trails maintained for the public use. During his years at the Conservation Board, Craig's hard work has earned him respect and appreciation from citizens and visitors around the region.

I commend Craig Rhodes for his many years of loyalty and service to his fellow Iowans. It is an honor to represent Craig in the United States Congress, and I know my colleagues join me in wishing him a happy and healthy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Navy Commander David Asjes of Ames, Iowa as a recipient of a Bronze Star

Medal for his heroic achievements during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Bronze Star, the Department of Defense's fourth highest award given, is awarded to individuals for bravery, heroism, and meritorious service.

Commander Asjes earned the Bronze Star as a military personnel assigned individually for his expertise in coordinating air combat operations, organizing ground units and executing tactical air operations. Commander Asjes served in Iraq from October 13, 2007 to April 2, 2008. He has honorably served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years.

Commander Asjes' sacrifices, heroism and hard work illustrate the compassion and professionalism of America's troops. I commend Navy Commander David Asjes' courageousness and service to our great nation and consider it an honor to represent Commander Asjes and his family in the United States Congress. I know my colleagues join me in wishing him the best in his future service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize David Rehbein of Ames, Iowa, on being elected as the new national commander of The American Legion.

The American Legion is the United States' largest veterans organization. David is a member of the Ames Post No. 37. He is a U.S. Army veteran who served as an infantryman with the 4th and 1st Armored Divisions in Germany in 1970-1971. In July, David retired from the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory as a research metallurgist. He has served on the Iowa Commission on Veterans Affairs and represented Iowa on The American Legion's National Executive Committee.

I commend David Rehbein on his courageous service to our nation and for the many contributions he has made to the State of Iowa. I consider it an honor to represent David in the United States Congress, and I wish him the best serving in his new position.