Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marine Corps Master Sergeant Brian J. Nelson as he is presented with the Purple Heart on December 19, 2012 in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

The Purple Heart, a military decoration awarded by the President, is reserved for members of the Armed Forces who have been injured by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy. It is one of the highest honors that our servicemen and women may receive. Sergeant Nelson was wounded by an improvised explosive device in Anbar Province, Iraq, on September 30, 2006. He was in the middle of serving his second tour of duty in Iraq at that time. However, this did not stop Sergeant Nelson from returning to active duty, as he deployed a third time to Afghanistan following his recovery. Sergeant Nelson's heroism and commitment to serving our country is truly remarkable, and throughout his military career he has served as an embodiment of real patriotism.

Sergeant Nelson is a native of Cape Cod, having grown up in Falmouth. Before graduating from Falmouth High School, he was selected to be captain of the both the school's cross country and track teams. He then received a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire in chemical engineering, an accomplishment that would later assist him during his tenure in the Armed Forces. For nearly a decade, Sergeant Nelson spent his summers as a lifeguard on the beaches of Falmouth and Dennis before enlisting in the Marine Corps in November of 2003. Two years later, he deployed from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq, and returned to that region the following year. After recovering from the injuries he sustained in 2006 and his promotion to Sergeant, he deployed for a third time from Camp Pendleton, California, to Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Here, Sergeant Nelson worked as a civil affairs development officer and as the coordinator in the experimental Poppyseed Biofuel Program. Since his return to the United States, Sergeant Nelson has been serving in the Marine Corps Combat Water Survival Instructor Course in Quantico, Virginia.

Sergeant Nelson has earned much recognition for his service to his country. In addition to the Purple Heart, Sergeant Nelson has also received three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and the Combat Action

Ribbon, and he has been selected to attend the Assessment and Selection Indoctrination Course for the Marine Corps Special Operations Command this January. Such accolades are truly fitting for a member of our Armed Services who has always shown the highest level of dedication to his country.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Marine Corps Master Sergeant Brian J. Nelson as he is awarded the Purple Heart. I thank my colleagues for joining me in recognition of this distinguished member of our Armed Services.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cape Cod Community College and Turning Mill Energy, Inc., as they enter into a unique partnership furthering green energy initiatives on Cape Cod.

Turning Mill Energy is a locally-owned small business that focuses on research and development in the renewable energy field. Having expanded from its roots as a telecommunications company, Turning Mill Energy has become an exemplar of a successful Cape Cod small business, employing only local Massachusetts citizens. After taking notice of Turning Mill Energy's success, Dr. John Cox, president of Cape Cod Community College, proposed a unique collaboration into which, he believed, the College and the company should enter. Under this proposal, Turning Mill Energy would be given space to continue their research and development with students, as well as the opportunity to design, install, and test new solar carports on the Cape Cod campus. In return, the College would see approximately a 20% reduction in its electricity expenses following the completion of these solar carports. The College and Turning Mill Energy will be officially unveiling these new solar carports together this December.

It is truly inspiring to see an educational institution collaborate with a private enterprise in order to advance the cause of renewable energy. Finding cleaner sources of energy should be a national priority, and I am proud that such important strides are being made on Cape Cod.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Cape Cod Community College and Turning Mill Energy, Inc., as they work together to support research and development of alternative sources of energy. I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the College and the company for supporting such an important research initiative, and in congratulating them upon the official unveiling of their hard work this December.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Plymouth Council on Aging as the organization opens its new Senior Center.

The Plymouth Council on Aging first opened its doors in July 1973 following the passage of the Older Americans Act, a landmark piece of legislation which allowed local communities to fund supportive services for their senior citizens. The Plymouth Senior Center was an instant success, and before long the organization began to see over 2,500 residents each month. The Center provided such vital services as health and wellness programs, legal assistance, community meals, and assistance with Social Security and Medicare benefits, to name a few. While the Council's board members were thrilled with this success, they realized that the organization was quickly outgrowing its facility on Court Street. After several decades of use, it became clear to both the Council's directors and its patrons that it was time to start planning a new facility that could better serve the needs of the town. Following more than a dozen years of working toward this goal, the Plymouth Council on Aging is proud to officially open its new facility this December.

This new Plymouth Senior Center will be better equipped to handle the needs of a large and diverse population of senior citizens. As Plymouth is home to more than 12,000 individuals over the age of sixty, this is certainly no easy task. The new building is conveniently situated next to Plymouth North High School, and students are excited to be able to more easily volunteer at the Senior Center. The Council on Aging will continue to provide many necessary services to Plymouth senior citizens, and all who are connected with this organization are excited to see its continued growth in the future.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking the Plymouth Council on Aging for its many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Plymouth. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing this accomplishment, and in congratulating the organization upon the opening of its new Senior Center.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Loraine Plumb as she celebrates her 100th birthday.

Loraine was born on December 4, 1912 in St. Paul, Minnesota to a proud family of Norwegian industrialists. She developed a love of teaching, and after graduating from the University of Minnesota and the graduate teaching program at Eastern Michigan University, she applied her training for 35 years teaching physical education and art in both Michigan and Minnesota.

In addition to countless children who passed through her classroom, Loraine has given her love to her two children, son Tracy Plumb and daughter Jeri Gardner Thompson. Her family and friends have referred to Loraine as a ``happy little bluebird flitting from fence post to fence post''--an apt description for a woman who has touched so many lives over the years.

Today Loraine enjoys her daily afternoon coffee with friends, and all of the laughter they have given her over the years. She does not attribute her longevity to any one thing except her overall happiness and joy. The Town of Plympton has recently recognized her as the oldest resident of the town, and she is proud to call it her home.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Loraine Plumb on this joyous occasion. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing her many more years of happiness and health.

Thank you, Ranking Member Thompson, for yielding your time and for your leadership on the Homeland Security Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5913, the Department of Homeland Security Accountability Act of 2012.

As the ranking member for the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigation, and Management, I was pleased to work with Chairman McCaul and serve as the original cosponsor of this measure.

I appreciate the bipartisan discussions that led to the introduction of the amended version we adopted at the subcommittee level, which is the version being considered today.

This bill goes to the heart of the subcommittee's mandate, which is to ensure the effective management of the Department of Homeland Security. Ensuring the effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security is not a partisan matter, and it should serve as a priority as it is essential to our security and safety in this country.

Since its inception, the Department of Homeland Security has faced significant management challenges, many of which stem from the very nature of its creation, which was transforming 22 legacy agencies into one cohesive, unified department. To its credit, the Department has come a long way since its inception, but more work remains to be done.

The consideration of this bill comes at a time when Congress is examining cost-saving and revenue-generating measures to reduce our deficit while ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens. There is no doubt that the Department is making positive strides and has clear plans in place to reduce duplicative efforts in the management area. For example, the Department's Efficiency Review Initiative, which was highlighted by Vice President Biden as a model for all Federal agencies, has resulted in more than $1 billion in DHS cost avoidances, including $180 million saved by consolidating duplicative software licensing agreements.

I am also pleased that the Secretary has advanced internal measures aimed at eliminating waste and fraud. Unfortunately, this does not change the fact that a number of DHS activities are still shared by other Federal agencies.

In March of 2011 and in February of 2012, the GAO identified six areas across DHS where overlap or potential unnecessary duplication exists. For example, when it comes to personnel background investigations, cybersecurity trainings, and the identification of fraudulent travel documents, the lines between multiple agencies remain blurred. Furthermore, despite its management strides, the Department has yet to fully address deficiencies in component operations that result in the wasting of funds. The Department's Federal Protective Service has received over $230 million from Federal agencies for risk assessments and security services, yet these agencies have not found the FPS's services adequate or satisfactory, so they perform their own assessments as well.

This bill will determine instances of waste and abuse through an independent advisory panel that will be

charged with two main responsibilities: to comprehensively assess the management structure and capabilities related to the Department and to make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of the Department. The legislation instructs the panel to examine five broad categories:

the efficiency and effectiveness of management structure and capabilities; whether unnecessary duplication exists; the extent to which management of key homeland security missions is centralized; waste and duplication.

Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan effort will comprise this panel's work through the course of this session, which has been extensive. I want to thank Chairman McCaul for his efforts in dealing with these issues. I want to thank him for the bipartisan cooperation that has been there on important issues of national security. I also want to thank the ranking member for yielding his time and for his leadership on the committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce as the organization celebrates its 126th Annual Meeting this year.

Founded in 1885, the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce today serves ten communities situated along the South Coast of Massachusetts. Those ten communities, in addition to the city of New Bedford, include Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, Wareham, and Westport. Over 210,000 Massachusetts residents are served by this Chamber as the organization guides local economic development, and encourages professional development among its members. The positive impact that the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce has had on Massachusetts' South Coast region over the course of its 126- year lifetime cannot be overstated, and I look forward to seeing the Chamber's continued success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce upon its 126th Annual Meeting and in thanking this organization for its years of service to the South Coast community. I am certain that the Chamber's and its member organizations' future will be bright.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce upon its fiftieth anniversary. The Chamber of Commerce plays an essential role in the Yarmouth community, connecting local businesses and offering visitors an insider's perspective on much of what this beautiful coastal town has to offer.

Founded in 1962, the Chamber of Commerce has grown to be comprised of nearly 400 members. From museums and charities to banks, churches, and seaside restaurants, the Chamber represents a diverse array of the organizations that help to give Yarmouth its unique character. Every day, these businesses provide vital services to Yarmouth's year-round residents and to its countless visitors. The many years of hard work by the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce have been essential in developing Yarmouth's vitality, a characteristic that draws so many to this beachside town every year.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, its leaders, and the hundreds of businesses and organizations for their years of service to the town of Yarmouth. I am certain that the Chamber's and its member organizations' futures will be bright.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Brian Rothschild on his receipt of the 2012 Prince Henry Society Award. On October 20, he will be recognized for his contributions to the maritime and fishing industries.

Dr. Rothschild has long dedicated his life in pursuit of better science and instruction. He

currently serves as Co-Director of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute at the School for Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

His contributions to the marine fisheries industry extend from studies of population dynamics and biological oceanography to fisheries management and natural resources policy. This is not the first time his expertise has been recognized. In 2004, he received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists and in 2008 he was recognized by The Standard-Times as the ``South Coast Man of the Year.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Dr. Rothschild on his receipt of the 2012 Prince Henry Society Award. We thank him for his role in marine sciences and eagerly anticipate his continued contributions to the field.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pocasset Community Club upon its centennial anniversary.

The Pocasset Community Club traces its roots to seventeen women who lived in the region over a century ago. Together, they formed a club to promote scholarly exchanges amongst themselves. These women had wanderlust for travel but had neither the economic means nor the opportunity to see the world. So, they decided to do the second best thing, and named their group ``The Travelers Club.'' The members would take turns presenting a report of a travel experience they would like to have, and would then discuss these destinations and the journeys necessary to get there. Before long, the club became quite popular in Pocasset, and it was no longer possible to meet in members' homes. The Travelers Club created a fund to erect their own building, starting the fund with just $25.90. By 1912, enough money had been saved, and the first Travelers Club meeting was held in the group's new building on October 3rd of that year.

In 1948, ownership of the building was transferred to a group of town residents who renamed it as the Pocasset Community Club. As more and more families moved to the area, the Club's popularity grew quickly. Saturday night dinners, dances for the local teenagers, and family movie nights ensured that the Club was a popular spot for the people of Pocasset. Travelers Club meetings continued to thrive, and other groups found their home in the building as well. Today, the Pocasset Village Association ensures that the original mission of the Community Club remains in place. The building continues to be a beloved location for the town, hosting Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts meetings, 4H events, and countless other town proceedings.

The Pocasset community will celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of its Community Club building by honoring the original founders of the Travelers Club, a group of courageous women who were certainly ahead of their time in establishing their own organization when women's suffrage was over a decade away. The many groups who have since then kept the Community Club an active location in Pocasset will also be remembered during this celebration.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the Pocasset Community Club upon its centennial anniversary, as well as the countless men and women whose work has made the Club a central fixture in the Pocasset community. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring these outstanding organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Bob Murray for his long and distinguished career helping families on Cape Cod.

For the past twenty-five years, Bob has been one of the Cape's strongest advocates for those who are in need of a home. He first became involved with helping the homeless when he was a small business owner and town selectman in Arlington, Massachusetts. Upon his retirement, Bob, like many in Massachusetts, chose to relocate to the Cape. Unlike most, however, his work did not end there. Instead, Bob chose to dedicate himself to helping those who are struggling with homelessness. When he found out that several local families were living in hotels, and threatened with losing even that form of shelter, he went into action, visiting every local pastor in the town of Harwich and raising money to help these families establish new homes. This grassroots initiative quickly grew into the Harwich Ecumenical Council for Housing, or HECH, an organization that has helped countless families since it was officially founded in 1990. Today, HECH's many responsibilities include the management of a portfolio of fifty-eight of its own rental units, one-to-one assistance with homeownership opportunities, and individual counseling. In addition, HECH founded The Children's Center of Harwich, a year-round childcare program that has proven to be an important resource for the area's working families.

Bob's compassion for those struggling with homelessness has reached nearly every corner of Cape Cod. In addition to being the president and founder of HECH, Bob was also a founding board member of the Family Pantry of Cape Cod, an organization that has provided food and clothing to those in need for nearly twenty-three years. He also founded the Falmouth Service Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts, a one-stop organization that provides housing opportunities, clothing, and community resources to local families. Nonprofits nationwide now turn to Bob for consulting, as his story is seen as a model of what can be accomplished when one is truly dedicated to helping others.

Residents of Cape Cod's shoreline know Bob as the man who loves to raise awareness for a good cause. For the past twenty years, Bob has organized the annual Housing with Love Walk on Cape Cod, leading others as they walk along the coast from Provincetown to Sandwich in order to raise awareness for the issues faced by the homeless. This year, Bob's organizations joined forces with several other local nonprofits, and over a quarter of a million dollars was raised for those in need. Known as an ``entrepreneur with a deep heart,'' Bob is well-loved by his friends and coworkers. He continues to work tirelessly with his wife, Judy, in ensuring that no family on Cape Cod faces the incredible hardship of homelessness.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Bob Murray for his extraordinary career in helping others. I am proud to call him my friend and I ask that my colleagues join me in

honoring all that he has done for the families of Cape Cod.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 300th anniversary of Pembroke, Massachusetts, a scenic and vibrant town in southeastern Massachusetts.

Native American tribes had wintered along the North River in modern day Pembroke and had called the region home for many generations by the time the area saw its first European settlers. These settlers, Englishmen Robert Barker and Dolor Davis, established their homes in the area of Herring Brook in 1650. The town of Pembroke was later incorporated in the year 1712.

This small town is known for its plentiful timber, water, and fish. In fact, the herring found in the town's ponds, streams and marshes were prized so much that in 1741 Pembroke began regulating the fishing of its waters. Herring are celebrated in Pembroke every year at the town's annual ``Grande Old Fish Fry.'' It is also home to rich woodland, providing timber for both residential and industrial use, and is especially known for its shipbuilding.

The five shipyards off the shores of the North River produced over one thousand ships between 1678 and 1871, including the Beaver, one of the ships used in the Boston Tea Party. Other notable ships that came out of these historic shipyards were the Columbia, the Bedford and the Maria. The Columbia, for which Columbia River is named, was the first ship to sail around the Cape of Good Hope. The Bedford was the first ship to sail into British waters with the American flag proudly hoisted upon its jack staff, while the Maria is depicted on the Pembroke town seal.

Throughout its storied history, the town of Pembroke has also been home to other industries such as agriculture and manufacturing. In the early 1900s, cranberry growers and poultry farmers became well established in the town. There were also rubber works, shoe box manufacturing companies and crate constructing companies located in Pembroke throughout the early 20th century.

Today, however, this South Shore town has grown into to a bustling suburban community that still maintains its rural charm, continuing to attract vacationers to its picturesque landscape.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the town of Pembroke and the entire Pembroke community on the celebration of their 300th anniversary. May this beautiful Massachusetts town flourish for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of the Quincy District Courthouse as the Francis X. Bellotti Courthouse.

Francis X. Bellotti is known for his more than sixty years of public service in the state of Massachusetts, and it is highly fitting that we dedicate the Quincy District Courthouse in his honor, as his long career began here. After graduating from Boston College Law School and passing the bar exam in 1952, Mr. Bellotti opened up his own law practice not too far from the courthouse that is now to be named for him. For the next ten years, Mr. Bellotti spent countless hours in that very courthouse, appearing hundreds of times for both civil and criminal cases.

In 1962, this career of public service brought Mr. Bellotti from the courthouse to the State House when he was elected lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In his later role as Attorney General of Massachusetts, Mr. Bellotti was well-loved by his many employees, and he received national praise and recognition for the changes that he brought to his office. In particular, Mr. Bellotti implemented a new merit-based hiring system, which soon became the model for countless other prosecutors throughout the nation. This innovation led the National Association of Attorneys General to award Mr. Bellotti with the Louis C. Wyman Award, and for the association's Consumer Protection Committee to elect him as their chairman in 1984.

Throughout his career, Mr. Bellotti has continuously proven himself to be a skilled attorney and a dedicated public servant for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He remains a celebrated public figure in our state's recent history, and I can think of no better way to honor a man who has given so much to Massachusetts.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the dedication of the Quincy District Courthouse in honor of Francis X. Bellotti. He is an extraordinary member of the Massachusetts community and his years of public service are an inspiration to us all. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing this dedication, and in congratulating Mr. Bellotti for his many years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mrs. Margaret Burns, a resident of my district in Pocasset, Massachusetts, as she celebrates her 100th birthday.

Margaret was born on September 29, 1912 in Braintree, Massachusetts. After finishing high school she went on to work at Armstrong Cork Flooring, now World Industries, as a secretary.

In 1953, Margaret, met the love of her life, Garrett Burns. Together they have raised two children, Tom and Carol, who gave them six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Margaret considers herself lucky for having been ``happily married for nearly sixty years.'' Some of her most memorable moments were with her husband at the Beacon Inn in New Hampshire where they would go for weekends.

In addition to spending time with her husband, Margaret was always involved with her children. She was a devoted attendee of Parent- Teacher Association meetings when her children were young. Today, she loves to cook for her many family gatherings, she enjoys weaving rugs, and she looks forward to the many bridge games she plays with her friends.

Margaret does not attribute her longevity to any one thing except her overall happiness. She makes sure to mention that her successful marriage has helped her to live a long and content life.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Margaret Burns on this joyous occasion. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing her many more years of happiness and health.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee as the organization celebrates its twenty- fifth year of service.

The Canoe River Advisory Committee, otherwise known as CRAAC, is comprised of representatives from the Massachusetts towns of Foxborough, Sharon, Mansfield, Easton, and Norton. Its many duties include educating the public about the benefits of preserving the beautiful Canoe River Aquifer, a wetland region that flows for nearly sixteen miles through these five towns, as well as emphasizing the importance of protecting the delicate ecosystem that is found within the region. Since CRAAC was formally created by the Massachusetts State Legislature in October of 1987, nearly forty individuals have served on the committee, ranging from town selectmen to local residents who care deeply about their local environment. Currently, each town sends three appointed members to the Committee, and these individuals work diligently to ensure that the aquifer--which provides the five towns with approximately half of their water supplies--remains viable and well-cared for. As this region has been declared an Area of Critical Environmental Concern by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and designated as a Sole Source Aquifer by the federal government, the work that this committee does to ensure its protection is essential.

Today, the work that CRAAC does to protect the Canoe River Aquifer ranges from advising municipal officials and residents on developmental impacts and conservation practices to sponsoring educational conferences and meetings. The committee is highly regarded by the people of Massachusetts, and it is seen as a statewide model for a volunteer-run regional environmental entity. I have witnessed CRAAC's success over the years, and I am confident that the committee will continue to serve as an example of what can be done at the local level to preserve the unique landscapes of Massachusetts.

Mr. Speaker, it brings me great joy to recognize the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee. I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking its members for all that they have done for their local environment, and in congratulating the Committee for twenty-five successful years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to reiterate my support for the wind production tax credit and the investment tax credit for offshore wind.

The production tax credit has encouraged nearly $20 billion in nationwide private investment annually over the last 5 years, while the ITC serves as the most fundamental Federal tax incentive for offshore wind development.

As we promote investments that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and serve as a central part in our fight against climate change, it's essential to remember the spillover of job creation and specialized expertise that will follow.

In Massachusetts, we've witnessed firsthand the critical economic development opportunities of renewable energy projects provided to our States. Our region has undergone an economic regeneration with the development of Cape Wind, the Nation's first offshore wind fund. From the Port of New Bedford, which will serve as the staging area for turbine assembly, to the ferry captains who will provide eco-tours of the turbines, few communities will not be benefited by this.

Massachusetts is already recognized as one of the top three States for clean energy. We're home to nearly 5,000 individual clean energy companies, and nearly 2 percent of all Massachusetts jobs are now in this field.

It's important, as we go forward, that we not let this void occur, and we fill it with jobs made in America.