Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on the afternoon of June 18, 2008, I erroneously voted to override the President's veto on H.R. 6124, (roll call No. 417), the Food, Conservation and Energy Act. I intended to vote ``nay'' and sustain the President's veto.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: June 17, 2008: rollcall vote No. 414, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H.R. 2964--To amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to treat nonhuman primates as prohibited wildlife species under that Act, to make corrections in the provisions relating to captive wildlife offenses under that Act, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``nay''; rollcall vote No. 415, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H.R. 3702--Montana Cemetery Act of 2007--I would have voted ``aye''; rollcall vote No. 416, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H. Res. 1275--Honoring the life of Timothy John Russert, Jr., public servant, political analyst, and author--I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the St. Louis Kiwanis Club on their 90th anniversary. The St. Louis Kiwanis have been providing community service since 1918.

The Kiwanians have one common goal: To serve the children of the world. Kiwanis advocates this vision everyday by providing opportunities to serve for every member of a community through Service Leadership Programs. Through these opportunities, youth and young adults around the world become competent, capable, and compassionate leaders.

The St. Louis Kiwanis have served their community in many ways, including supporting local charitable organizations including, but not limited to: The Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis, Kiwanis Camp Wyman, Key Clubs, and the Kiwanis Children's Dental Foundation Mobile Clinic. They serve by providing manpower at local events and promoting other children's related causes.

The Kiwanis have reached out to their fellow citizens in need and, in the process, have enriched their own lives.

I want to congratulate and thank the St. Louis Kiwanis for the time and service they

dedicate to the Second District of Missouri and the people of the United States.

As America is becoming painfully aware, there has been a result of us not developing American energy. We have reports of police cars sitting idle because of the cost of gasoline; various assembly lines and automobile manufacturers closed down because of the fact that there's no demand for the type of vehicles that are being produced. We have a situation where parents have a hard time just putting enough gasoline in the tank to get the kids to school. And we have the AAA saying that the increase in motorists without gas has increased 15 percent.

Since Speaker Pelosi took office, gasoline prices have skyrocketed 71 percent. Now, I am an engineer. The good news is there's a solution to this. It's called American energy. We need to stop looking at the American energy as something that is an environmental hazard and rather look at it as an asset that we can develop.

The Democrats, year after year after year, 85 percent of the time, are voting against increasing supplies of American energy. We have to develop our own energy.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today on a subject that is of great deal of interest to the Army, and that is what's called the Future Combat Systems.

The Army has one basic modernization program, the only comprehensive modernization program that they've had in the last more than 30 years. So obviously this is of great interest to the Army, and the Army would like to see it funded at the level that it came across from the administration. And what we've done is we've cut over $200 million from Future Combat Systems. My amendment simply restores a portion, $100 million plus, of that $200 million cut.

Now the thing that we have to understand about this is this is a very complicated program. And next year, at least in theory, there is a ``go, no go,'' either we're going to support this program or we're going to cancel it, and there is no fallback position. So here we are, 1 year before the final decision, and what we're doing is one more time inflicting a death of 1,000 slashes. Now, last year we tried to just slit its throat with $800 million, but this year we're simply cutting it a little over $200 million. It seems to be a very bad time when we are just 1 year away from making the final decision, go or no go, to cut money from it.

Now, if there is one way that you want to make a scheduled slip, the best way to do it is cut money out because then you don't have as many people working on it, it causes delays in the program. So do we want to cause delays in the program? I think not.

The one question might be, well, how do you fund this extra $100 million? Well, we're getting the money from the same place where we got $1 billion. The committee took $1 billion earlier, so this is a small amount more.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton).

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, in accordance with House Republican Conference standards, and Clause 9 of Rule XXI, I submit the following member requests for the record regarding H.R. 5658, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2009.

Project: C-17A Globernaster aircraft

Account: Aircraft Procurement, Air Force

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The Boeing Company

Address of Requesting Entity: 1200 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209

Description of Request: Per Air Force Unfunded Priority List (UPL) #6, C-17 (+15 aircraft), $3.9B. procures 15 C-17s, keeping only active strategic airlift production line open. The C-17 is the world's most effective and flexible strategic/tactical airlifter. The C-17 has revolutionized the movement of troops and equipment into battle by allowing their delivery to parts of the world that was previously not accessible by conventional airlifters. Additional C-I7s are essential to the warfighter.

Project: Hyperspectral Imaging for Improved Force Protection (HYPER-

Thank you, Congressman Hunter, for yielding. Let me just take a moment to thank you also for your great leadership on this committee through the many years. What a fantastic teacher you've been to some of the newer members. I'm so thankful for your leadership, your patience.

And also the gentleman from Mr. Everett's district, Mr. Saxton, great leadership.

Then I would also like to say, Chairman Skelton, thank you very much. You make the people from Missouri proud for the way that you've continued the good tone of the committee. I think it was really a classy thing to name this bill after Congressman Hunter, and it just shows the quality of leadership that you've provided, and so I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, as well.

As the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Dr. Snyder has been doing a great job. We've had a chance to look into a number of different subjects, particularly progress in the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. This bill contains some of the things that we discovered particularly in the importance of Provincial Reconstruction Teams and the important work that's been done on that subcommittee.

I would just like to say that there's a lot of criticism of Congress. In fact, I think our popularity rating publicly is maybe not too good. But on the other hand, I think what the public would really like to see is they'd like to see us stop bickering and just plain solve some programs. I think this committee and the subcommittees have been largely a good example of that, and that's because of the tone of the leadership that we've seen.

As others have before, I have my opinions about how this bill could be improved, and there are several areas that I am concerned with. The first are the significant cuts to missile defense and particularly the missile defense that needs to be built in Poland and the Czech Republic. I believe that that missile defense is critical for the defense of our country from Iran and also some Western European nations from Iran.

I think it's the wrong time to be cutting missile defense. We have just had a very successful demonstration of this technology, as we shot down a rogue satellite that had a lot of hydrazine in the fuel tank, and we were able to get rid of that threat very effectively.

So aside from missile defense, there's one other area that I am distressed about, and that is the only comprehensive major Army modernization program in the last 30 or 40 years, which we now know as Future Combat System. That has also had a number of hundred million dollars removed from it. It's something we have discussed in committee. I think it's a wrong decision. Next year, we are going to make a go or no-go on this overall program, and to be continuing to slash and cut away at that budget, I think, is counterproductive.

This said, my only other complaint is there's just not enough money in this budget to fund defense the way I wish we could. But if there are constituents who would like to see people who are just rolling up their sleeves and solving problems, all they need to do is come to the authorizing committee of the Armed Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In the last little more than a year, gasoline prices have gone up $1.33 cents a gallon. That's a larger increase than what we've had over the previous 5 years before that. The Democrat leadership said that they had a plan at that time, this is a year ago, to keep the gas prices from going up. Yet the gas prices have gone up.

Now I don't think the American public wants us to bicker between parties. They want us to be solving problems. And I don't believe it's the Democrats' fault necessarily that the gas prices have gone up internationally. But what is a problem is that we're not dealing with the problem. What we should be talking about is how do we move off of our dependence on foreign oil to American energy? What we should be seeing would be movement in the direction, depending on which way people want to go, additional refinement capacity. There have been no new refineries built in over 30 years. Investment in new nuclear technology. Our nuclear technology is old, many, many years old. It's a good source of energy. The idea of getting liquid fuel from coal. We have tremendous coal resources. Shouldn't there be something being done in that area?

But nothing in any of these areas. A lack of a plan is unacceptable. It's not the Democrats' fault that gas prices go up, but it is a problem when we don't have a plan.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Robert Fraley who was a recent recipient of the National Academy of Sciences' Award for the Industrial Application of Science.

Every three years, the National Academy of Sciences recognizes one individual for original scientific work of both intrinsic scientific importance and with significant, beneficial applications in industry. This year, Dr. Fraley was honored with this important distinction for developing technologies that have enabled the production of the world's first transgenic crops. These modified plants have increased productivity, reduced chemical use, and profoundly changed global agriculture.

Since the 1980s, Dr. Fraley has been involved in agricultural biotechnology. Often referred to as the father of agricultural biotechnology, Dr. Fraley currently oversees Monsanto's integral crop and seed agribusiness biotechnology and research.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Fraley has contributed to various significant agricultural development activities including authoring more than 100 publications and patent applications relating to technical advances in agricultural biotechnology. In 1999, Dr. Fraley received the National Medal of Technology from President Clinton and was awarded the National Award for Agricultural Excellence in Science by the National Agri-Marketing Association in 1995. Dr. Fraley has also been awarded the Monsanto Edgar M. Queeny Award in recognition of the discovery, development and successful commercialization of Roundup Ready' crops as well as the Monsanto Thomas and Hochwalt Award for recognition of the advances made in basic research in plant biology.

Dr. Fraley is a shining example of the innovative ideas and great leadership that we have in Missouri. I thank Dr. Fraley for his service to the St. Louis community and beyond. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating him on this important honor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Principal Jill Ramsey and physical education teachers: Mr. Patrick Fine, Ms. Liesa Hartin, Mr. Mike Kaiser, and Mr. Steve Musial. Principal Jill Ramsey and the Chesterfield Elementary School has successfully renewed its STARS status. The criteria for STARS recognition is based on the National Standards for Physical Education, specifically, educationally and developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and teaching skills, adequate facilities and equipment that are safe and appropriate for the age and abilities of the students and that enable students to participate in the maximum amount of active time on task, and classes taught by certified physical educators.

A quality school physical education program is the foundation for helping all children develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence that promote lifelong physical activity. By improving the quality of school physical education programs across the country, we will have a direct effect on the health of America's children.

I want to thank the fine educators of Chesterfield Elementary School for their commitment to the health and education of our future generations and congratulate them on the successful renewal of their STARS status in 2008.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to welcome His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his first apostolic visit to the United States.

Since April 2005, Pope Benedict XVI has led the Roman Catholic Church admirably, he has served his church faithfully, and focused strongly on the dignity and importance of human life, particularly for those who are often ignored: the elderly, the disabled, and the unborn.

In his first papal visit to the United States of America, Pope Benedict will only be able to visit two cities, but citizens across the Nation, of all faiths and backgrounds, warmly welcome him to our country.

Pope Benedict stands for both truth in the face of relativism and peace and love in the face of violence and hate--it is these strengths that make Pope Benedict's voice and message one that all Americans, and all people around the world, should be eager to hear.

The theme of Pope Benedict's apostolic visit is ``Christ our Hope.'' In his latest Encyclical, Spe Salvi, Pope Benedict notes, ``. . . it is true that anyone who does not know God, even though he may entertain all kinds of hopes, is ultimately without hope, without the great hope that sustains the whole of life (cf. Eph 2:12). Man's great, true hope which holds firm in spite of all disappointments can only be God--God who has loved us and who continues to love us ``to the end,'' until all ``is accomplished'' (cf. Jn 13:1 and 19:30). Whoever is moved by love begins to perceive what ``life'' really is. . . . Life in its true sense is not something we have exclusively in or from ourselves: it is a relationship. And life in its totality is a relationship with him who is the source of life. If we are in relation with him who does not die, who is Life itself and Love itself, then we are in life. Then we ``live.' ''

May all of us, as Americans, be open to Pope Benedict's message of hope this week.

I welcome Pope Benedict XVI in this visit and hope he will return to our Nation again in the near future.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: March 4, 2008: rollcall vote No. 90, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 816--To provide for the release of certain land from the Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area in the State of Nevada and to grant a right-of-way across the released land for the construction and maintenance of a flood control project--I would have voted ``aye''; rollcall vote No. 89, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 1311--To direct of the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Alta-Hualapai Site to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, for the development of a cancer treatment facility--I would have voted ``aye''; rollcall vote No. 88, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 1143--To Authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, and for other purposes-- I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Greg Prestemon, of St. Charles, Missouri, as the 2008 Non-Profit Executive of the Year at the 3rd Annual Honors Program organized by the Saint Charles Business Magazine.

Since Greg's arrival at the Economic Development Center, EDC, in 1993, St. Charles County's population has grown from 232,360 to nearly 350,000 today. In fact, St. Charles County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Missouri.

As president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County, Greg has served 15 successful years at the helm of the Economic Development Center, which is also celebrating its 15-year anniversary of their small business incubator facility in St. Peters, Missouri.

Mr. Prestemon's nomination highlights the way that St. Charles County has grown and prospered, particularly through his work at the Economic Development Center and Partners for Progress.

During Greg's tenure, the accomplishments of the Economic Development Center include more than $100 million of business financing, the creation and retention of nearly 5,300 jobs, more than 150 business graduates and 500 jobs from the EDC incubation program. These accomplishments do not even include the thousands who have attended EDC business training events, and Greg's involvement in countless special projects such as workforce housing, health care and education initiatives and the road tax campaign.

I thank Greg for his service to the community. He is a shining example of the great leadership we have in Missouri and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on his nomination.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 966. It's fitting that this Congress is also considering the gentlelady from Texas', Mrs. Johnson's, resolution on the same day that we're celebrating National Engineers Week.

H. Res. 966 honors African American inventors, past and present, for their leadership, courage, and significant contributions to our national competitiveness. Three of the men we honor today were engineers; the fourth, a renowned biologist. Their contributions to our Nation are many; their drive to achieve success, often in the face of adversity, admirable; and their recognition today, highly deserved.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Garrett Augustus Morgan for the contributions he made to public safety with safety helmet, gas mask, and traffic signal inventions.

Ernest Everett Just's cellular work to help find a cure for sickle cell anemia and cancer helped him become one of the most well-respected scientists in his field.

Many of the roads we travel on in the D.C. area, including the Tidal Basin Bridge, the Whitehurst Freeway and much of the Baltimore- Washington Parkway, were designed by Archibald Alphonso Alexander.

Considered an expert in heat transfer, ventilation, and air conditioning, David Nelson Crosthwait, Jr., invented numerous practical heating devices. These include an improved boiler, thermostat control, and differential vacuum pump for larger buildings, such as Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

These men are role models for our next generation of scientists and engineers. This Congress, through America COMPETES, has made great strides to ensure that our Nation continues to attract the best and the brightest to these admirable and important careers.

I support H. Res. 966 and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 917. House Resolution 917 supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, which will be celebrated this year in just a few days, starting February 17.

The National Society of Professional Engineers established the first National Engineers Week in 1951. Through all of the next week, a wide range of activities are planned around the theme of ``Engineers Make a World of Difference'' in order to increase the understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers and to promote K-12 literacy in math and science. These activities will also highlight the contributions that engineers have made to our society.

Historically, Engineers Week is celebrated during the week of George Washington's actual birthday to honor his contributions to engineering as a military engineer and a land surveyor. As our Nation's first President, he put our Nation on the path toward technological advancements, invention and education.

We continue down that path today, which has grown exponentially into multiple and complex highways of innovation. It is our engineers, literally and figuratively, who build those highways and help keep us ahead of the innovation curve. From landing a man on the Moon to designing bags to carry our groceries, engineers play a role in nearly every facet of our lives.

Just a few weeks ago, the National Science Foundation released the 2008 Science and Engineering Indicators loaded with statistics on our Nation's engineering future. It's essential that we capitalize on opportunities such as National Engineers Week to raise awareness of the valuable work and contribution of engineers to society to attract young people of all ages to this rewarding profession.

I support the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, and I urge my colleagues to join me with their support.

With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I think it may be appropriate for me to add here a little interesting perspective that was not in the script today. It's an incident that occurred about 19-plus years ago. It seems like just the other day.

I had just been elected to be a State legislator in the State of Missouri, and I was very pleased and proud of that. No one in my family had ever run for political office or slid that far down the totem pole of life, but I was still looking forward to serving as a State representative. And the first thing on my agenda was to go to an early morning breakfast with other legislators. I got to the breakfast, but it was so early I was there just a little bit late. Just about the time I was sitting down at the table, one of the prominent legislators at the table said, You know, we ought to have a law against engineers serving in the legislature because they are just way too rational for the legislative process. And I was just taking my chair when somebody said, You're not an engineer, are you? And I said, Yes, I am.

So I'm thankful to be one of those seven or so engineers that serve here in the U.S. House. I do believe that there is always a use for the discipline of problem solving that engineering brings. So if there may be someone that's young and considering that career in engineering, I would advise them very strongly in favor of it, even though it involves a certain amount of suffering in undergraduate school.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

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