Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, Rio Rancho, NM, is known as the City of Vision. It exists today because of the vision of countless citizens and public servants who are transforming a desert into a metropolis.

Toni Beatty had a particular kind of vision. While others imagined homes and businesses and roads, she imagined a community of readers and thinkers and dreamers.

When Toni moved to Rio Rancho in 1986, the town had just begun to grow into a city. She was hired to build a library system that would keep pace with the area's dramatic growth. As Rio Rancho has grown over the last two decades, Toni's libraries have grown with it. They have hosted art shows and horse fairs. They have exposed residents to ancient cultures and current events. And they have always reflected Toni's remarkable combination of intellectual curiosity and public spirit.

Now, Toni is leaving Rio Rancho to return to Mexico City. She leaves behind a community more developed in every way than the one she moved to 22 years ago. She also leaves behind a library system that would be the envy of any city. During her time in Rio Rancho, she recruited and trained a professional staff that will remember her ability and kindness long after she has left. Rio Rancho will miss her, but we wish her well as she begins the next chapter in her impressive career.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my opposition to H.R. 5349, which extends the Protect America Act. Last August, I joined 182 of my colleagues in opposing the Protect America Act. I opposed the PAA then because I felt it did not adequately protect our civil liberties from a continually over-reaching executive branch. The Bush administration has repeatedly tried, and with some degree of success, to extend its powers in ways that I believe encroach on our civil liberties. This legislation continues to allow these surveillance activities without providing adequate safeguards to protect Americans from this encroachment on their civil liberties.

The passage of the PAA was hasty and ill-conceived. Our intelligence community will not stop its activities should this bill expire. In fact, the PAA explicitly states that authorizations issued prior to its expiration would remain in effect until their expiration. Knowing that our Nation can continue to protect itself until more balanced legislation is passed, I can not support this extension.

Last November, the House took a stand and passed the RESTORE Act, a strong bill that gives our intelligence community the resources it needs to do its job, but also ensures that our Constitutionally guaranteed rights remain intact. Because the RESTORE Act was able to achieve all these purposes, I was able to support its passage. Because the PAA does not achieve this balance, I cannot agree to let it remain our rule of law. I continue to believe that we must have the best possible intelligence to protect our nation, but that it can be done in a manner that does not uproot the basic rights and principles guaranteed to us by our Founding Fathers. I look forward to working with my colleagues to build on the RESTORE Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to proudly introduce legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to some of the most valiant and courageous soldiers who have ever fought for our Nation--the troops who battled and were prisoners of war at Bataan during World War II.

Nearly seven decades ago, the United States responded to the attacks on Pearl Harbor by declaring war--and more than 5,000 miles away in the Philippines, thousands of American soldiers, many of whom were from my State of New Mexico, found themselves on the frontline of this global fight. For 4 months, in the face of overwhelming odds and without ready supplies or reinforcements, these troop fought and died for their Nation. Their efforts not only provided the U.S. with much needed stories of heroism during a dire, dark time of the war, their sacrifice also substantively provided much needed time for U.S. and Allied

commanders to regroup, plan, and prepare for the Pacific battle. Without these troops delaying the momentum of the enemy, the U.S. might not have fully recovered from the Pearl Harbor attack until much later.

After months of fighting and with his men starving and sick, on April 9, 1942, the commander of the troops at Bataan reluctantly surrendered. Shortly thereafter, nearly 12,000 American troops and 67,000 Filipino troops were forced to march through tropical heat and without food or water for days on end in what became known as the Bataan Death March. Many died during this time, and those who survived were subject to three years of mistreatment, malnutrition, sickness and captivity before being rescued and released near the end of the war.

For the State of New Mexico, this chapter of World War II is particularly near to our hearts. New Mexico's 200th and 515th Coast Artillery units served with significant honor during the battle of Bataan, earning the distinction of being the ``first to fire'' on the enemy on December 8, 1941. Many of the Americans captured and held as prisoners of war were from New Mexico, and of the 1,800 who left home to fight, half did not return. Further, nearly a third of those did return home after their tortuous 3 years of captivity died within a year, most often due to complications from health issues directly attributed to their time in the POW camps.

The 200th and 515th also are notable because they largely consisted of Hispanic soldiers, a group that at the time was often subject to discrimination in the military due simply to their ethnicity. Despite these barriers, they fought without hesitation, noting that they were as American as any other soldier who wore the uniform. They came from every corner of the State, from Farmington to Alamogordo, from Deming to Raton, and from Clovis to Gallup.

Many years ago, my father Stewart Udall wrote a book called Majestic Journey chronicling the early explorations of North America in the sixteenth century. He described the vision, the individualism, and the pioneering spirit of early Hispanic explorers, and I believe that like these explorers, the actions of the Bataan prisoners of war ``resonate through the annals of our history, and the imprint they left on our culture is both permanent and profound. They will add a special luster to our national story.''

Every year, thousands of people participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sand Missile Range in southern New Mexico. The 26.2 mile march not only marks the historical significance of the event, but reminds us of how many in New Mexico underwent the ordeals at Bataan. In AIbuquerque, stone columns rise from the ground at the Bataan Memorial Park, each of them bearing both the names of those who returned from Bataan and those who did not. In Santa Fe, the Military Museum bears the name of Bataan, reminding all who enter of the costs of war and the sacrifice made by our soldiers. And all across the country are similar memorials, keeping alive the memory of those who went through years of suffering at Bataan.

I want to thank the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Preservation League for their help on this legislation. Also, General Leo Marquez, General Edward Baca, General Melvyn Montano, General Gene Chavez, General Kenny Montoya, and New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Secretary John Garcia for their continued insistence that we honor the Bataan veterans.

Madam Speaker, we must never forget the sacrifice of our soldiers, particularly during times of war. We are reminded daily of the hardships and danger faced by the men and women currently fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Like the soldiers of Bataan, these brave troops fight for patriotism, for duty, and for country. I hope my colleagues will join me to honor the sacrifice of the soldiers at Bataan by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal.

Madam Speaker, a lot of brilliant economists have spent a lot of time over the last few weeks telling the American people what we already know: our economy needs help. The debate goes on over whether today's economic conditions will become an official recession, but most people aren't interested in official definitions. We want help now.

Fortunately, members of the New Direction Congress, meeting on a bipartisan basis, have developed an economic stimulus package that will get America moving again.

There's a lot to like about the proposed stimulus package.

The package provides support immediately. American families will receive help by June, in time to stop America's economic slide before we find ourselves mired in recession. This timely action is the result of a feeling in Congress that getting things done for the American people is more important than scoring political points.

The package will put money in the hands of working families who need it most. By helping families too poor to pay income tax, this proposal shows both compassion and common sense. We know that poor families are more likely to spend their rebate checks immediately, and that means more money flowing into our economy more rapidly.

And, finally, the package will not purchase short term growth at the expense of long term prosperity. This legislation does what must be done, but, more importantly, it does no more than is necessary. It contains no giveaways to any interest group, no pork barrel spending and no rushed changes in our tax code. The bill provides targeted, temporary stimulus. As a result, it will secure our present without burdening our future with debt.

But the package that we pass today is not perfect.

We have helped millions of families, but too many seniors still need our support. We have provided relief to millions of workers, but those who have seen their jobs disappear still face an uncertain future they did nothing to earn and can do little to change. We have provided temporary relief to millions of taxpayers, but we must renew the clean energy tax credits that give us hope for a stronger national economy and a more sustainable world.

Our work is not over.

We should celebrate today's accomplishment, but we must recognize that it is a first step, not a final one. Let's take the bipartisan spirit that has been kindled in the House and use it to do the work that remains to be done.

Madam Speaker, sail boat racers, mining companies and Henry Kissinger don't have much in common. But they share this: all have relied on the passion and ingenuity of Chuck Robinson.

Chuck has been finding solutions to tough problems for most of his 88 years. He has received more than 30 patents for ideas ranging from better ways to transport iron ore to better ways to build a sailboat. His ideas have made him a leader in business and government. Even his home displays Chuck's brilliance and commitment to his community. His home features the world's largest heating system in a private home. And after all these accomplishments, Chuck has not slowed down.

I rise today to honor Chuck for receiving New Mexico's first Visionary Designer Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes that Chuck has already put in a lifetime's worth of work tackling tough problems, but those who know him recognize that Chuck's work is far from over. I look forward to admiring Chuck's incredible abilities for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, the continuing tragic situation in Darfur is an attack on humanity and I believe that Congress, that the President, that the international community, and everyone concerned about their fellow men and women has a responsibility to work toward ending this genocide.

Local and State governments around this Nation are expressing their outrage over the ongoing genocide, as they should be. S. 2271 encourages these actions by allowing these governments to divest from companies that continue their financial ties with Sudan. As we support these communities as they take a stand, it is vital that the Federal Government do so as well. S. 2271 provides this support by barring Federal contracts with companies doing business with the Sudanese government.

Mr. Speaker, the United States must continue to play leadership role in protecting the civilians in Darfur and working towards a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. Too many lives have already been lost and this situation will continue to worsen unless we fulfill our commitment by supporting and strengthening the international mission in Darfur.

Mr. Speaker, the Heroes Earnings and Assistance and Relief Tax (HEART) Act of 2007 is an important piece of legislation that goes a long way toward helping the financial difficulties faced by American soldiers. This bill helps honor those who are serving so bravely during this time of war.

The HEART Act would make permanent the inclusion of combat pay as earned income, ensuring that soldiers' families receive much needed tax relief. It also would help thousands of veterans and their families to become homeowners through low-interest home loans, would support those small business employers who continue to pay National Guardsmen and Reservists when they are called to serve, and expands other tax credit and tax relief provisions to help ease any financial difficulties faced by these soldiers.

Those who answer the call of duty should be rewarded for their actions by being assured they will not be unduly and negatively affected due to their patriotism. I support this legislation and join the many veterans' organizations in encouraging its passage into law.

Madam Speaker, In 2002, we enacted the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act in an attempt to stabilize the economy following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and to protect against economic catastrophe should another attack occur. This important program is set to expire at the end of the year, and it is essential that we reauthorize TRIA.

The legislation before us is not the strong bill we passed in September or the compromise we passed last week, and it is not a perfect bill. It extends TRIA by only 7 years and does not include the strong new provisions that were included in the other bills we passed. However, this legislation does do one vital thing: it works to ensure the stability of our economy should another national crisis occur. For this very important reason, I support this legislation today but hope we can pass a stronger bill in the future.

Mr. Speaker, the men and women who put on the uniform of the National Guard have acted with extreme bravery and integrity. Through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, these soldiers have fought valiantly, without question and without reservations, and they embody the entire spirit of service.

In New Mexico, the National Guard has played an historic role in defending our Nation. Members of the New Mexico National Guard served as ``Rough Riders'' on San Juan Hill

with Teddy Roosevelt, served as prisoners of war at Bataan for horrendous years during World War II, and were deployed to Operation Desert Shield. Whether fighting during a time of war, assisting local and State law enforcement, or guarding our borders, New Mexico's National Guard stands ``ready to fight'' and accomplishes every mission it receives with distinction and with pride.

We in the House offer our unconditional support of these men and women, and I strongly support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with great disappointment that the intransigence of the President and the minority in the Senate has presented us with only bad options to fix the AMT. If we do nothing, this bad tax is going to affect families it was never supposed to affect. The bill forces us to choose between saddling middle class families in New Mexico with additional tax burdens under the AMT and saddling our grandchildren with debt because of the fiscal irresponsibility of past Congresses.

Twice this year the House has done right by middle class families, fixing the AMT and paying for the fix by closing two different tax loopholes that allow some of the wealthiest in the Nation avoid income taxes. The minority in the Senate, unfortunately, spurred by the President whom they continue to follow in lock-step, blocked both of those commonsense efforts because they don't represent the middle class.

So we find ourselves in the predicament we face today. I do not believe that middle class families in my state should be penalized for the poor choices and fiscal irresponsibility of the minority in the Senate and the stubbornness of the President, and I reluctantly support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, 2 days ago, this body passed an omnibus appropriations bill that, while limited in its priority only to the most basic domestic needs in this country due to the stubbornness of the President and Republicans in the Senate, funded over a half a trillion dollars for important programs that will help all Americans. Now, however, we are being asked to attach to that bill $70 billion in unchecked, unconditional, and unqualified spending for the war in Iraq. It is absolutely unacceptable that we continue to provide the President with funding without providing explicit requirements that he redeploy our troops from Iraq, bolster our diplomatic efforts throughout the Middle East, and engage other countries in the region in a political solution. For those reasons, I will be voting against this funding.

Our soldiers have acted with unquestionable bravery and patriotism in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have given their time, their devotion, and in some cases their lives. And it is time for them to come home. Yet, their military accomplishments are not being complemented with political or diplomatic accomplishments. The Iraqi government refuses to step up to the plate, move toward reconciliation, and unite the Iraqi people.

As we prepare to start a new year, it is expected for people to reflect on what has transpired from the past, learn from their mistakes and decide how they can improve in the future. This does not hold true for the President, who instead is blindly demanding unfettered war funds without demonstrating any plans for removing our troops from harm's way and turning Iraq over to the Iraqi people. We cannot and must not continue on this path.

Madam Speaker, when Terry Yates began hunting the ``Sin Nombre'' virus, it was a vague and threatening disease that public health professionals could neither understand nor control. Yates and his collaborators traced the virus to its sources, revealed how it works, and saved lives. Because of his resolve to demystify the deadly illness, today we know how to prevent and treat what is now commonly known as hantavirus.

Yates's accomplishment won him awards, but for him it was just the job he wanted to do. From his perch at the University of New Mexico, he devoted his remarkable intellect and

passion to saving lives and helping students live their dreams.

He loved the thrill of intellectual pursuit. Colleagues noticed that he preferred being out in the field, in hot pursuit of a new discovery. Back on campus, he helped build UNM and connect the university to its community, and he helped a new generation of scientists to get into the field.

As we honor his life and contributions today, our thoughts are with Terry's wife Patsy and their sons. He will be missed by the UNM community and all of us who benefited from his intellect and commitment to helping others.

Mr. Speaker, we stand today on the verge of a new energy horizon, one that promises a more secure America, an America with thousands upon thousands of new manufacturing and high- tech jobs, an America with lower and more stable energy prices, an America at long last responding to the threats of global warming. But this America will only be realized by ushering the legislation before us into law.

This bill reflects a bold vision, a vision to respond to many of the gravest threats facing our Nation, a vision befitting the United States Congress, the world's greatest deliberative body.

There is much to laud in this legislation. This bill would increase American energy independence, strengthen national security, lower energy costs, grow our economy, and create new jobs, reduce global warming. Now, the focus on the renewable electricity standard provision: a Federal RES is long overdue, and I thank you for your commitment to this provision. Thank you to my Democratic and Republican colleagues who joined me in offering this amendment in August and to the 220 Members who supported its passage.

In closing, I would like to remind my colleagues that we are not here to defend the status quo; we are here to lead. We are here to ensure America's standing as a model of ingenuity, creativity, cutting-edge thinking, and revolutionary ideas. Failing to usher this legislation into law I fear will threaten that standing.

The renewables revolution which we will be ushering in through this bill and the RES provision is good for business, it is good for the environment, and it is good for the security of our Nation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, today, we stand on the verge of a new energy horizon. One that promises a more secure America. An America with thousands upon thousands of new manufacturing and high-tech jobs. An America with lower and more stable energy prices. An America at long last responding to the threats of global warming.

But this America will only be realized by ushering the legislation before us today into law.

This legislation reflects a bold vision. A vision on the scope needed to respond to many of the gravest threats facing our Nation. A vision befitting the United States Congress, the world's greatest deliberative body.

There is much to laud in this legislation. The first increase in CAFE requirements in over 30 years, which will save American families an estimated $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump. An historic commitment to American biofuels that will fuel our cars and trucks.

And, of great importance to me and my constituents, the inclusion of a renewable electricity standard. An RES, as it is known, requires electric utilities to generate 15 percent of their electricity through renewable resources and energy efficiency measures.

I would like to thank the Speaker in particular for her commitment to this provision, the several colleagues who joined me in offering this as an amendment in August, and the 220 Members who supported its passage at that time.

Opponents of an RES claim that it would increase electricity costs for consumers. Study after study has shown the contrary. It has consistently been found that a strong Federal RES could actually save American consumers money. A recent study conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists found an RES would save consumers $13 billion to $18.1 billion on electricity and natural gas bills cumulatively by 2020. In March, the energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie projected that consumers would save more than $100 billion with an RES in place. They also found that with more diverse energy sources and a decrease in fossil fuel consumption, reduced demand for natural gas would lower prices by as much as 20 percent by 2026.

And while consumers are saving money, a Federal RES also helps make our Nation safer and less dependent on foreign sources of energy. Almost all new electricity generation in the last decade has been fueled by natural gas. The biggest sources for future natural gas supplies are Iran, Russia, and Qatar, which together hold 58 percent of the world's natural gas reserves. Increasing the production of domestic energy from biomass, solar, wind, and other renewable sources helps us reduce our dependence on foreign countries, thereby securing America's energy independence.

The requirements under this RES start modestly, and increase gradually. It includes many provisions both to help utilities meet the requirements, and to reward those utilities that meet the requirements ahead of schedule. It allows States, many of whom have moved far ahead on this issue, to have standards that are more rigorous. It has support from the business community, the labor community, the faith community, and the environmental community.

It is an idea, Madame Speaker--like all included in this legislation--whose time is long overdue.

My colleagues, we are not here to defend the status quo. We are here to lead. We are here to make the difficult decisions necessary to ensure America's continued standing as a model of ingenuity, creativity, cutting edge thinking, and revolutionary ideas. Failing to usher this legislation into law will, I fear, threaten that standing.

Passing this legislation today should not be considered one of the difficult decisions we have to make. And to those for whom it is a difficult decision, I urge you to join me and the millions of Americans across the country who recognize that the renewables revolution is good for business, is good for the environment, and is good for the security of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 3074, the FY08 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, but to voice my concerns over the lack of a provision omitted from the final conference report.

The Conference Report before us today addresses many of the problems facing Americans today. It helps to provide affordable housing for those Americans who need it most and modernizes our transportation infrastructure to enhance safety on our Nation's roads, our railways, and airplanes. This legislation also works to ensure the viability of mass transit operations throughout the Nation, all of which are necessary to reduce traffic congestion, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and reduce our contribution to global warming. This is a strong, essential bill, and I will be supporting its passage, but I would like to express one concern I have with the conference report.

As a way to provide Federal housing assistance to tribal members in a way that recognizes self-determination and self-government, Congress enacted the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and as part of it, the Indian Housing Block Grant, IHBG, program. This program provides an allocation of funds on a formula to help tribes address their housing needs. Beginning in 2000, the Census allowed respondents to claim that they are American Indian Alaska Native in combination with other racial groups, or AIAN only. In response, HUD shifted the basis for the needs portion of the IHBG distribution from single-race to multi-race.

This unilateral decision by HUD to change its distribution formula has adversely impacted many of our Nation's tribes, as there was a large shift in funding among NAHASDA recipients. Compounded with the little to no funding increases that Native American housing programs have received in the past several years, tribes and their housing entities have been left without the resources they need to provide housing services for their members. This year's House passed T-HUD appropriations bill recognized that this change has adversely impacted many Native American tribes. Additionally, it directed the GAO to conduct a study to analyze the impact of these funding changes and report its findings to Congress. Unfortunately, the Conference Report removed the language requiring the study.

One of the greatest challenges facing Native Americans is the lack of sufficient housing. Approximately 40 percent of on-reservation housing is considered inadequate--often overcrowded and lacking basic facilities, such as electricity and plumbing. The study requested by the House only asked the GAO to study the impact of funding changes on the housing needs of tribal communities, and I do not see how this study could do anything but help. We must have all information possible as we continue to address the need for adequate housing on tribal lands.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for H.R. 3773--the Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective (RESTORE) Act of 2007.

In August, Congress unfortunately passed the Protect America Act, a piece of legislation that allowed the surveillance activities of this Administration to go unchecked. Though I opposed that bill, the House was left little choice but to pass that flawed bill. While it is true that modernization of our foreign intelligence laws was necessary to meet the security and intelligence needs of this nation, the Protect America Act went beyond what was essential and instead allowed the continued infringement of American's civil liberties.

Thankfully, today we have before us a piece of legislation that gives the intelligence community the authority it needs to protect Americans while also protecting civil liberties that are the bedrock of our nation. This bill modernizes our foreign surveillance system and authorizes necessary funding for training, personnel and technology resources at DOJ, NSA and the FISA Court to expedite the FISA process. Additionally, it ensures that nothing inhibits lawful surveillance for the purpose of protecting the nation and the troops from threats posed by terrorists.

Also of great importance, unlike previous bills considered by the House, this bill includes vital checks and balances on the Administration. It prohibits warrantless surveillance of Americans and requires a court order before targeting Americans' phone calls or emails. It also requires a finding of probable cause before conducting surveillance on Americans abroad, which was not required under previous legislation. To ensure greater accountability, the legislation mandates audits on the

Administration's warrantless surveillance program and the communications collected under the program.

Most importantly, this legislation ensures that it is the courts and not the Administration that decides whether or not an American's communications are targeted. The bill requires the FISA Court to review targeting procedures to ensure that they are reasonably designed to protect Americans and target people outside the United States. It also requires the Court to review the Administration's compliance to ensure that when the government conducts electronic surveillance on Americans, it obtains traditional, individualized warrants from the FISA Court.

Mr. Speaker, for far too long this Administration has been able to extend its power and authority, often to the detriment and subversion of our nation's basic principles. Today, we are passing a bill that will finally curb the Administration's actions and restore a measure of accountability that has been sorely lacking for too long. For these reasons, I support the vitally necessary RESTORE Act.