E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 110 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 154 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2008 No. 14 House of Representatives The House met at 10:30 a.m. and was achieving justice, equality and fairness of this body. More people know about called to order by the Speaker pro tem- in our Nation. JOHN LEWIS because of his extraor- pore (Mr. ISRAEL). The former Gwendolyn Greene grew dinary leadership, but Gwen Britt was up in northeast Washington at a time f there by his side on Freedom Rides. when our Nation was failing to live up It is a testament to Gwen Britt’s hu- DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO to its promise of equal opportunity. mility and quiet confidence that she TEMPORE She knew the racial divisions that ex- never advertised her proud and very isted in this segregated city, in our The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- important civil rights work. fore the House the following commu- schools, in our stores, even in our As Maryland State Delegate Victor nication from the Speaker: parks. And so in 1960, as an 18-year-old stu- Ramirez of Prince George’s County re- WASHINGTON, DC, dent activist of Howard University, cently said, ‘‘She talked about the civil January 29, 2008. rights movement if you brought it up, I hereby appoint the Honorable STEVE Gwen and members of the District of ISRAEL to act as Speaker pro tempore on this Columbia’s non-violent action group but she was one of those people who day. decided to take a stand. She walked spoke softly but carried a big stick.’’ NANCY PELOSI, into the Montgomery County park, Since her passing, words of tribute Speaker of the House of Representatives. then segregated, and tried to climb have poured forth. Governor Martin f aboard a horse on a merry-go-round; O’Malley noted, ‘‘She was a leader long something that all of us today would MORNING-HOUR DEBATE before her years in the Senate.’’ How think is normal for any American, par- true that is. Lieutenant Governor An- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ticularly any young American. thony Brown called her a ‘‘principled, ant to the order of the House of Janu- Yet as the Washington Post reported, active and fair-minded voice for equal- ary 4, 2007, the Chair will now recog- the students’ actions, as innocent and ity.’’ nize Members from lists submitted by as unprovocative as they seem today, And Prince George’s County execu- the majority and minority leaders for sparked 5 days of protests, and Gwen tive Jack Johnson said she was ‘‘one of morning-hour debate. and other activists were arrested for the most honest people you ever met.’’ The Chair will alternate recognition trespassing, spat upon and harassed by And on The Washington Post’s Web between the parties, with each party counter-demonstrators. site, people who knew Gwen posted limited to 30 minutes and each Mem- This experience left Gwen words of sympathy and tribute. ber, other than the majority and mi- undeterred. In fact, it fortified her al- nority leaders and the minority whip, ready strong character, as well as her For example, Katey Boerner, the ex- limited to 5 minutes. determination to do what she knew in ecutive director of the Glen Echo Park The Chair recognizes the gentleman her mind and in her heart was right. Partnership for Arts and Culture, has Gwen took to heart Dr. King’s words, from Maryland (Mr. HOYER). said some, almost 50 years after the ‘‘Make a career of humanity, and you demonstration that occurred to open f will make a greater person of yourself, up Glen Echo’s amusements to people HONORING THE LIFE OF GWEN a greater Nation of your country and a of all colors, ‘‘We plan to include her BRITT finer world to live in.’’ So said Martin story of bravery and shepherding Luther King, Jr. change in our upcoming civil rights ex- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, today, Gwen Britt took that to heart. So she along with my colleagues from the hibition here at the park. We can now did make our Nation a finer place in treasure her memory for the amazing Maryland delegation, I want to take which to live. That experience in Glen story that was her life and the impact this opportunity to honor the life and Echo Park was only the beginning of that she had on so many through her legacy of a beloved figure from our Gwen’s civil rights work. State who passed into God’s hands on She left Howard University to join leadership.’’ January 12, State Senator Gwen Britt. the Freedom Riders who challenged Not surprisingly, Gwen Britt also Gwen lived a full, wonderful life. She Jim Crow laws in the South and in our made an important impact in the State was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, transportation system. And in 1961, she Senate after she was elected in 2002. legislator, a civil rights leader and a spent 40 days in a Mississippi jail for She rose to the position of deputy ma- friend. But she also was an inspiration, sitting in a whites-only train station. jority leader in 2007 and became an un- a woman of deep faith and conviction, JOHN LEWIS was one of Gwen Britt’s wavering voice for those who have felt with an unshakable commitment to friends. JOHN LEWIS, a hero, a Member the cold chill of exclusion.

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:20 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.000 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H482 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Carl Snowden, the director of civil stage company that has a small por- House Republicans united behind a rights in the State Attorney General’s tion of the arts for our local residents challenge for an earmark moratorium Office in Maryland, said this, ‘‘She saw to benefit from. and the establishment of a new select other groups that have historically There are so many people in the committee that would engage in the been locked out of the system: women, newspaper today that talked about kind of thoughtful analysis and hear- Latinos, gays. And she felt all of those what a figure she was. But the one that ings where we could truly change the left out had to have a place at the brought to my mind the most was a way we spend the people’s money. table.’’ woman by the name of Martha Winfrey When you are flying an airplane and Gwen Britt was a woman of extraor- of Westwood who worked as an usher at the gauges start to tell you something dinary character and courage, and all Music Hall, and she conveyed the kind is wrong with the engines, the first those she touched during her 66 years of kindness that Patricia Corbett had thing you do, Mr. Speaker, is put the on this earth, her beloved family; her that we don’t know about. At Christ- airplane on the ground. Then you get sons, who spoke so eloquently at her mas, she would hand envelopes to the under the hood and you figure out what funeral; her husband, who himself was ushers and say, ‘‘Just be quiet with is wrong. a Freedom Rider, who himself was a these.’’ She had the most prestigious Well, I have to tell you that the ex- great warrior and advocate for justice box at Music Hall, Box 5, and when it plosion of earmarks under Republican in the civil rights movement. got crowded, she’d say to Martha, ‘‘I control in the past years and the inclu- The State of Maryland and our Na- don’t need to sit here. Let somebody sion of hundreds of unexamined ear- tion have been enriched by her actions else sit here instead of me,’’ and she’d marks in last year’s omnibus bill, and her leadership, as a young person, stand out in the hall and listen to the dropped in at the last minute under the as a State Senator, as a neighbor, as a performance. color of darkness, are evidence that the friend. She didn’t like people to know how gauge lights are going off. Mr. Speaker, today I want to extend old she was. I’m going to be kind and We need to call a timeout, have a my condolences to Gwen’s husband of not tell you, since my own mother moratorium on earmark spending here 46 years, Travis; her two sons, Travis, never wanted anyone to know how old in the Congress while we can come to- Jr., and John; and all of her family and she was. But we were blessed for many gether, men and women, Republicans many friends. years to have Patricia Corbett be our and Democrats, and figure out how we We will miss her dearly, although we gracious benefactor. restore public confidence in the way we are comforted that her life and legacy It is said over $65 million from the spend the people’s money. Corbetts were given to enrich the lives will endure and that she now is at rest By challenging Speaker PELOSI and in God’s hands. of the citizens of greater Cincinnati. I the House majority to join us in ending Gwen will live as so many before, in was one of those citizens that benefited earmarks as usual in Washington, DC, the hearts and minds of those she im- not from just her generosity, but her House Republicans have thrown down pressed, of those she motivated, of kindness. I had the pleasure to meet the gauntlet of reform. her on several occasions. Her warm those she enriched. We will miss Sen- And I believe that while I still think smile, her gentle hand will be a lasting ator Gwen Britt, but our State, our our side should embrace an immediate memory. moratorium on earmarks and lead by community and our Nation have been A few weeks ago, we lost Joni example, I applaud my colleagues for made better by her life. Herschede, another friend of the arts. finding that common ground among f And now we’ve lost the Grande Dame. I Republicans wherein we can challenge, only hope that they are in heaven en- HONORING THE LIFE OF PATRICIA in a spirit of bipartisanship, our col- joying the harps of the angels and that A. CORBETT leagues to join us. they will continue to smile down on us The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Now, I still maintain nothing short in Cincinnati. ant to the order of the House of Janu- of a full moratorium followed by public ary 4, 2007, the gentlewoman from Ohio f hearings and reform will be sufficient (Mrs. SCHMIDT) is recognized during THE TIME FOR EARMARK REFORM to restore public confidence in congres- morning-hour debate for 5 minutes. HAS ARRIVED sional appropriations. Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, this The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- But as those debates have gone on, it morning when I woke up and read the ant to the order of the House of Janu- is amazing to me, Mr. Speaker, to look clips from Cincinnati’s The Enquirer, ary 4, 2007, the gentleman from Indiana at the morning headlines here in Wash- the headline said, ‘‘Cincinnati Philan- (Mr. PENCE) is recognized during morn- ington, DC. It shows you the difference thropist Dies.’’ It should have read, ing-hour debate for 5 minutes. between the Muncie Star Press and ‘‘Cincinnati’s Best Friend Dies.’’ We Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today newspapers out here. Earmarks are have lost a great friend of the arts, Pa- because the American people are tired page 1, the focus on the ‘‘President’s tricia Corbett. of spending-as-usual here in Wash- sudden severity is drawing bipartisan When we say the name Patricia ington, DC, especially when it comes to criticism.’’ Roll Call says, ‘‘Earmarks Corbett in Cincinnati, we don’t have to earmarking. Now, earmarking, for the Still Roil GOP,’’ and the Politico, not explain who she is. Her name appears uninitiated, is a process in Congress to be outdone, repeats the exact same on buildings: the University of Cin- which has expanded greatly over the headline: ‘‘Earmark Debate Roils GOP cinnati Performing Arts building, the last 15 years under Republican control Ranks.’’ Northern Kentucky Arts Performing of Congress and, as we saw last year, It is only in Washington, DC, where Center, Music Hall, Riverbend. And in under Democrat control of Congress. It one party engages in a vigorous debate a few short months, the Cincinnati is where Members of Congress often- about how we restore public confidence public schools new Performing Arts times, for perfectly meritorious and in the Federal budget process that the Center will again bear her name. honorable reasons, request specific focus then is on the debate of the party But it is not just the buildings that projects for their districts. But the that wants to bring about change be- she so actively got involved in and American people know that something cause the sound of silence from the helped build. It’s also what she did for has gone wrong with the Federal budg- Democrat majority is deafening. the arts itself. et process system, and the time for ear- Now, while Republicans are having a The opera, the symphony, the Pops, mark reform has arrived. vigorous debate, and I’m still one of the ballet, the May Festival all owe a This past weekend I’m pleased to re- the people that believes that our party deep gratitude to the financial support port, Mr. Speaker, that House Repub- should even go farther, that we should that this woman gave. Her generosity licans gathered in West Virginia and embrace a 1-year moratorium, I have to the arts went beyond the boundaries came together around a bipartisan advocated that among my colleagues of Cincinnati. challenge. We called on Speaker PELOSI and will continue to. But nevertheless, In my own local town that I grew up and House Democrats to join us in a it is remarkable to me that the Wash- in, Loveland, Ohio, we received a Patri- timeout on earmarking in Washington, ington press corps is more interested in cia Corbett award, and now we have a DC. discussions among Republicans who

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:20 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.002 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H483 have arrived at a consensus chal- of promise to others. For we place our ics that it embraces religious freedom. lenging the governing majority to join trust not in money nor in munitions, But China is secretly moving religious us in an earmark moratorium than but in the meaning You bring to Your believers to the dark, damp, hidden they are interested in the response of people, now and forever. hideaway of jail. the majority who hold the reins of Amen. China restricts all religious practice to state-sanctioned churches and cer- power. f I mean, headlines attest to a vig- tain places of worship. So Chinese orous debate among the minority and THE JOURNAL don’t dare pray or worship anywhere dead silence among the majority. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The else, or off to jail they go. That is what And I must tell you, it has to be frus- Chair has examined the Journal of the happened to Shi Weiham. trating, Mr. Speaker, to millions of last day’s proceedings and announces China’s religious tolerance is a public Americans who long for a Congress to the House his approval thereof. relations campaign draped in hypoc- that will put integrity and the restora- Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- risy. China arrests thousands of Chris- tion of public confidence in the Federal nal stands approved. tians, Muslims, and Buddhists each budget above partisan differences. year. f So I say to my colleagues on the As religion is being attacked across other side, what is your response to our PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE atheistic Communist China, we should recall Winston Churchill’s words about challenge for an immediate morato- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the rium on all earmark spending? What communism: ‘‘A communist is like a gentleman from Texas (Mr. CUELLAR) crocodile, when it opens its mouth, you will Speaker PELOSI and House Demo- come forward and lead the House in the cannot tell whether it is trying to crats decide at their conference retreat Pledge of Allegiance. this week? smile or preparing to eat you up.’’ The Mr. CUELLAR led the Pledge of Alle- Chinese crocodile is devouring reli- My hope is as our challenge sits now giance as follows: on the table and is met with stark si- gious freedom among its people. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the And that’s just the way it is. lence from the Democrats, that as your United States of America, and to the Repub- f party meets, Mr. Speaker, as you con- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, sider how we can restore public con- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. PERMANENT FIX FOR FISA fidence, that Democrats will join Re- f (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina publicans in an immediate earmark asked and was given permission to ad- SUPPORT ECONOMIC STIMULUS moratorium so we can put our fiscal dress the House for 1 minute and to re- PACKAGE house in order and restore public con- vise and extend his remarks.) fidence. (Mr. CUELLAR asked and was given Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. f permission to address the House for 1 Speaker, I rise today to call on the Democrat majority to pass a perma- RECESS minute and to revise and extend his re- marks.) nent fix to our Nation’s foreign surveil- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise lance law and give our intelligence ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair today to support the bipartisan eco- community the tools they need to pro- declares the House in recess until noon nomic stimulus plan that will help tect American families. today. strengthen our Nation’s economy and It has been 6 months since this body Accordingly (at 10 o’clock and 48 help millions of American taxpayers passed a temporary patch to the For- minutes a.m.), the House stood in re- and their families. eign Intelligence Surveillance Act. If cess until noon. In my congressional district, the me- Congress fails to pass a permanent fix, f dian household income is $36,000, and our Nation’s intelligence community will once again be limited in their abil- b 1200 those families face rising prices in util- ities, food, and health insurance, which ity to track terrorists and defeat their AFTER RECESS stretch their monthly budgets to near- efforts to murder Americans. In his State of the Union address last The recess having expired, the House ly the breaking point. night, President Bush reiterated to was called to order by the Speaker pro Also, nearly 39 percent of these Members of both parties that the time tempore (Mr. PASTOR) at noon. households are headed by single moth- to act is now. On this most important f ers living below the poverty level, who struggle to feed and clothe their chil- of issues, we owe it to the American PRAYER dren with limited budgets, as they are people not to put American families at the sole earners. risk. The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. We can all agree that the safety and The stimulus package will provide at Coughlin, offered the following prayer: well-being of our Nation’s families is least $900 to single mothers and their All-powerful and ever-living God, di- our utmost priority, so let’s work to- families, which helps alleviate their rect Your love and highest inspirations gether on an agreement that will en- burden. within us. sure that we meet the challenge of de- Mr. Speaker, I am glad to support the Congress stands today between days fending our Nation for the long term. bipartisan economic stimulus plan, and of retreat for both Republican and Our enemies will not hesitate to ex- I ask my colleagues on both sides of Democrat Members of the House. May ploit our intelligence loopholes. It is the aisle to join us today in supporting these days of reflection and planning imperative that we not give them that this legislation. be blessed with clarity of vision and opportunity. unified resolve. f In conclusion, God bless our troops, Filled with gratitude for the people THE CHINESE CROCODILE and we will never forget September and the many gifts bestowed upon this 11th. Nation, help them to be attuned not (Mr. POE asked and was given per- f only to the problems and questions of mission to address the House for 1 Your people, but empower them to minute and to revise and extend his re- DEMOCRATS REFORM EARMARK build upon their strengths and their marks.) PROCESS hopes for the future. Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, the Chinese (Mr. ARCURI asked and was given You alone can lift Your servants attack on the Christian faith con- permission to address the House for 1 above self-interest and fractured alli- tinues. For 60 days, the Chinese Gov- minute and to revise and extend his re- ances to create a renewed solidarity ernment has held Shi Weiham, a Chris- marks.) that will bring this Nation to unity and tian bookstore owner, in secret deten- Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, 7 years peace. tion for praying. into his Presidency, President Bush is Only by discerning such gifts within As China readies for the 2008 Summer finally urging reform of the earmark ourselves, Lord, can we bring the seed Olympics, it is trying to convince crit- process. He is a little late.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.004 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H484 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Congressional Democrats have al- EXTENDING PROTECT AMERICA House for 1 minute and to revise and ready begun reforming the earmark ACT UNNECESSARY extend his remarks.) process. We realized reform was nec- (Mr. HOLT asked and was given per- Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, essary after the number of earmarks in mission to address the House for 1 times are rough right now. Signs of appropriations bills skyrocketed under minute and to revise and extend his re- economic turmoil are multiplying, and the Republicans. You didn’t hear the marks.) we seem to be headed for, or already President complaining then. In fact, he Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, the House are in, a recession. Last week stock signed every appropriations bill that made a serious mistake last August markets around the world dropped pre- came to his desk. when it passed the Protect America cipitously, and only an emergency rate Democrats, in stark contrast, have Act. I opposed the legislation at the change by the Federal Reserve pre- led the way in bringing transparency time because it authorized a massive, vented them from falling even farther. and accountability to the earmark unregulated electronic fishing expedi- The people I represent in the Hudson process. We instituted a 1-year morato- tion, an approach guaranteed to en- Valley have been particularly hard hit. rium on earmarks in 2007 until a re- snare innocent Americans and a slop- Oil has passed the $100-a-barrel mark, formed process could be put into place. py, inefficient way to collect intel- making it more expensive than ever for We also adopted rules that provided for ligence. It lacks the basic standard of people to heat their homes and drive unprecedented transparency in ear- court review of the government’s ac- their cars. In suburban communities in marks and then significantly reduced tions. the Northeast, like the area I rep- the number of earmarks last year. If we have learned anything, it is resent, home heating bills are up by Mr. Speaker, House Democrats are when officials must establish before an more than 30 percent over last year. pleased to hear that the President is independent court that they know Expenses are rising; wages are stag- interested in reforming the earmark what they are doing when they collect nating. As a result, families struggle to process. The Bush White House re- communications, we get better intel- pay their everyday costs. Our debts in- quests and receives funding for hun- ligence than we do through indiscrimi- crease and investment in our future dreds of earmarks each year, and we nate collection and fishing expeditions. plummets. Congress must act quickly. I am look forward to working with the Extending the PAA is unnecessary proud that this Congress will pass leg- President to both limit and bring in- because existing orders issued under it islation today to stimulate the econ- creased transparency to the Presi- will continue for a year and are broad enough in scope to deal with any con- omy to help people and businesses, but dential and congressional earmarks. especially the working families who f tingencies that may arise. In November we passed in this body a need it most. HONORING ARMY SERGEANT JON good bill to replace the PAA. Congress f M. SCHOOLCRAFT III should never pass legislation under du- b 1215 (Mr. JORDAN of Ohio asked and was ress brought on by propaganda, misin- HEALTH CARE TAX DEDUCTION given permission to address the House formation, and fear-mongering. I urge for 1 minute and to revise and extend my colleagues to remember this when (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given his remarks.) we debate the topic today. permission to address the House for 1 Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I f minute and to revise and extend his re- rise today to honor the life and recog- marks.) PASS ECONOMIC STIMULUS Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, my col- nize the ultimate sacrifice of a brave PACKAGE Ohio soldier, Army Sergeant Jon Mi- leagues, last night while attending our chael ‘‘Mike’’ Schoolcraft III. (Mr. ALTMIRE asked and was given President’s final State of the Union, I Mike attended high school in permission to address the House for 1 was encouraged to hear him say: End- Wapakoneta and went on to study auto minute and to revise and extend his re- ing the bias in the Tax Code against body repair at the Apollo Career Center marks.) those who do not get their health in- Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, econo- in Lima. Teachers, coaches, family surance through their employer is one mists say the most important thing members, and friends all described reform that would put private coverage Congress can do to stimulate our strug- Mike as a remarkable, reliable, hard- within reach for millions, and I call on gling economy is to act quickly, and working young man who excelled at the Congress to pass this piece of legis- that is exactly what this House is every activity in which he was en- lation this year. going to do today. My colleagues, I’d like to draw your gaged. House leaders from both parties attention to the Health Care Tax De- In his time on this Earth, Mike had a worked with the President to craft the duction Act of 2007, a bill which I have positive impact on people in his life. bipartisan agreement that is before us. offered, and one that accomplishes this When he decided to join the military We came together, and by acting goal of insuring every American man, shortly after the September 11 attacks, quickly, we are hoping that our actions woman and child. This bill will allow he touched the life of every American spark our economy. individuals a tax deduction from gross family that lived under the blanket of The package is going to provide some income for health insurance premiums safety he helped provide. relief to middle-income families who and unreimbursed prescription drug ex- Mike Schoolcraft died on Saturday, have been left behind in many ways penses for themselves and their family. January 19, while serving America in over the last 7 years. This bill gives 117 I urge you to cosponsor this bill and support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In million Americans a tax rebate so they attack this problem with meaningful recognition of his valorous service, he can begin to breathe a little easier and responsible legislation. With this was posthumously promoted to ser- when paying their bills in the coming legislation, we can end the debate over geant. months. inefficient government-run health Mike is survived by his new wife, Equally important, this economic care. Amber, who lives in Hawaii. Mike’s package also gives tax breaks to small f mother, Cynthia, along with many businesses to help spur investment and friends and loving family members, job creation. FISA lives near his boyhood home. His fa- Mr. Speaker, economists said we need (Mr. PITTS asked and was given per- ther, Jon, lives in Indiana. to act fast, and that is what we did. mission to address the House for 1 Mike stood up and volunteered to Let’s get to work and pass this eco- minute and to revise and extend his re- serve this great country. He fought to nomic stimulus package today. marks.) promote freedom. He gave his life in f Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, in August defense of his family, his community, of last year, Congress passed the Pro- his State and his Nation. PASS ECONOMIC STIMULUS tect America Act to close a dangerous For this, each and every American PACKAGE loophole in our ability to collect intel- owes him and his family a great debt of (Mr. HALL of New York asked and ligence information on foreign targets gratitude. was given permission to address the in foreign countries.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.007 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H485 When this legislation expires on COMMUNICATION FROM ACTING The Clerk read the title of the bill. Thursday of this week, our intelligence CHIEF OF STAFF, HON. WILLIAM The text of the bill is as follows: community, responsible to collect in- J. JEFFERSON, MEMBER OF CON- H.R. 5140 telligence on terrorist enemies, will GRESS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- lose their eyes and ears. Congress has The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, stalled for 6 months to review the pol- fore the House the following commu- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. icy and come up with a solution to nication from Roberta Y. Hopkins, Act- bring FISA up to date with our 21st (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as ing Chief of Staff, the Honorable WIL- century technologies and give our in- the ‘‘Recovery Rebates and Economic Stim- LIAM J. JEFFERSON, Member of Con- telligence community the tools they ulus for the American People Act of 2008’’. gress: (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- need to fight terrorism. JANUARY 28, 2008. tents of this Act is as follows: Now the House wants to pass a 30-day Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. extension. The Senate can’t even agree Hon. NANCY PELOSI, Speaker, House of Representatives, TITLE I—RECOVERY REBATES AND IN- to that. Democrats in Congress want to Washington, DC. CENTIVES FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT empower judges and lawyers in their DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: This is to notify Sec. 101. 2008 recovery rebates for individ- discovery proceedings and frivolous you formally, pursuant to Rule VIII of the uals. lawsuits over intelligence needs. Rules of the House of Representatives, that I Sec. 102. Temporary increase in limitations The laws governing our intelligence have received a subpoena for testimony on expensing of certain depre- collection should not be dealt with in issued by the U.S. District Court for the ciable business assets. the same way one pays rent for an Eastern District of Virginia. Sec. 103. Special allowance for certain prop- apartment, month to month. We need After consultation with the Office of Gen- erty acquired during 2008. to pass legislation to permanently cre- eral Counsel, I have determined that compli- TITLE II—HOUSING GSE AND FHA LOAN ance with the subpoena is consistent with ate a solution that gives our intel- LIMITS the precedents and privileges of the House. Sec. 201. Temporary conforming loan limit ligence community the tools they need Sincerely, to fight terrorism that threatens the increase for Fannie Mae and ROBERTA Y. HOPKINS, Freddie Mac. security of every American. Acting Chief of Staff. Sec. 202. Temporary loan limit increase for f f FHA. VOTER ID MEDIA BIAS TITLE I—RECOVERY REBATES AND COMMUNICATION FROM DISTRICT INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was MANAGER, HON. WILLIAM J. JEF- SEC. 101. 2008 RECOVERY REBATES FOR INDIVID- given permission to address the House FERSON, MEMBER OF CONGRESS UALS. for 1 minute and to revise and extend The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6428 of the Inter- his remarks.) fore the House the following commu- nal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as follows: nication from Stephanie R. Butler, Dis- two-thirds of Americans say voters ‘‘SEC. 6428. 2008 RECOVERY REBATES FOR INDI- should be required to show photo iden- trict Manager, the Honorable WILLIAM VIDUALS. tification before voting, according to a J. JEFFERSON, Member of Congress: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an eligible new Fox 5-Washington Times-Ras- JANUARY 28, 2008. individual, there shall be allowed as a credit mussen survey. But not one major Hon. NANCY PELOSI, against the tax imposed by subtitle A for the first taxable year beginning in 2008 an newspaper, aside from the Washington Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. amount equal to the lesser of— Times, featured those poll results. DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: This is to notify ‘‘(1) net income tax liability, or Instead, the national media have por- you formally, pursuant to Rule VIII of the ‘‘(2) $600 ($1,200 in the case of a joint re- trayed the voter ID issue as unpopular Rules of the House of Representatives, that I turn). with voters. To the contrary, the new have received a subpoena for testimony ‘‘(b) SPECIAL RULES.— survey found strong bipartisan support issued by the U.S. District Court for the ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a taxpayer for voter ID, including 63 percent of Eastern District of Virginia. described in paragraph (2)— Democrats and Independents, as well as After consultation with the Office of Gen- ‘‘(A) the amount determined under sub- over three-fourths of Republicans. eral Counsel, I have determined that compli- section (a) shall not be less than $300 ($600 in Clearly, voter ID has broad support ance with the subpoena is consistent with the case of a joint return), and the precedents and privileges of the House. ‘‘(B) the amount determined under sub- among Americans. It’s unfortunate section (a) (after the application of subpara- you’ll never hear about it from the Sincerely, STEPHANIE R. BUTLER, graph (A)) shall be increased by the product major media. District Manager. of $300 multiplied by the number of quali- f fying children (within the meaning of sec- f tion 24(c)) of the taxpayer. COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF ‘‘(2) TAXPAYER DESCRIBED.—A taxpayer is MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE described in this paragraph if the taxpayer— ARMED SERVICES ‘‘(A) has earned income of at least $3,000, The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- or fore the House the following commu- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair ‘‘(B) has— nication from Paul Arcangeli, Profes- will postpone further proceedings ‘‘(i) net income tax liability which is great- er than zero, and sional Staff Member, House Committee today on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas ‘‘(ii) gross income which is greater than on Armed Services: the sum of the basic standard deduction plus and nays are ordered, or on which the COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, the exemption amount (twice the exemption HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, vote is objected to under clause 6 of amount in the case of a joint return). Washington, DC, January 28, 2008. rule XX. ‘‘(c) TREATMENT OF CREDIT.—The credit al- Hon. NANCY PELOSI, Record votes on postponed questions lowed by subsection (a) shall be treated as Speaker, House of Representatives, will be taken later today. allowed by subpart C of part IV of sub- Washington, DC. chapter A of chapter 1. DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: This is to notify f ‘‘(d) LIMITATION BASED ON ADJUSTED GROSS you formally, pursuant to Rule VIII of the RECOVERY REBATES AND ECO- INCOME.—The amount of the credit allowed by subsection (a) (determined without regard Rules of the House of Representatives, that I NOMIC STIMULUS FOR THE have received a subpoena for testimony to this subsection and subsection (f)) shall be issued by the U.S. District Court for the AMERICAN PEOPLE ACT OF 2008 reduced (but not below zero) by 5 percent of Eastern District of Virginia. Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to so much of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross in- After consultation with the Office of Gen- suspend the rules and pass the bill come as exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 in the case eral Counsel, I have determined that compli- (H.R. 5140) to provide economic stim- of a joint return). ance with the subpoena is consistent with ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sec- the precedents and privileges of the House. ulus through recovery rebates to indi- tion— Sincerely, viduals, incentives for business invest- ‘‘(1) NET INCOME TAX LIABILITY.—The term PAUL ARCANGELI, ment, and an increase in conforming ‘net income tax liability’ means the excess Professional Staff Member. and FHA loan limits. of—

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.010 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H486 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 ‘‘(A) the sum of the taxpayer’s regular tax not have a mirror code tax system in an SEC. 102. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN LIMITATIONS liability (within the meaning of section amount estimated by the Secretary of the ON EXPENSING OF CERTAIN DEPRE- 26(b)) and the tax imposed by section 55 for Treasury as being equal to the aggregate CIABLE BUSINESS ASSETS. the taxable year, over benefits that would have been provided to (a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section ‘‘(B) the credits allowed by part IV (other residents of such possession by reason of the 179 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (re- than section 24 and subpart C thereof) of sub- amendments made by this section if a mirror lating to limitations) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: chapter A of chapter 1. code tax system had been in effect in such ‘‘(7) INCREASE IN LIMITATIONS FOR 2008.—In ‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘eligi- possession. The preceding sentence shall not the case of any taxable year beginning in ble individual’ means any individual other apply with respect to any possession of the 2008— than— United States unless such possession has a ‘‘(A) the dollar limitation under paragraph ‘‘(A) any nonresident alien individual, plan, which has been approved by the Sec- (1) shall be $250,000, ‘‘(B) any individual with respect to whom a retary of the Treasury, under which such ‘‘(B) the dollar limitation under paragraph deduction under section 151 is allowable to possession will promptly distribute such pay- (2) shall be $800,000, and another taxpayer for a taxable year begin- ment to the residents of such possession. ‘‘(C) the amounts described in subpara- ning in the calendar year in which the indi- EFINITIONS AND SPECIAL RULES.— (3) D graphs (A) and (B) shall not be adjusted vidual’s taxable year begins, and (A) POSSESSION OF THE UNITED STATES.—For ‘‘(C) an estate or trust. under paragraph (5).’’. purposes of this subsection, the term ‘‘pos- (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment ‘‘(3) EARNED INCOME.—The term ‘earned in- session of the United States’’ includes the made by this section shall apply to taxable come’ has the meaning set forth in section Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Com- years beginning after December 31, 2007. 32(c)(2) except that— monwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. ‘‘(A) subclause (II) of subparagraph (B)(vi) SEC. 103. SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN (B) MIRROR CODE TAX SYSTEM.—For pur- PROPERTY ACQUIRED DURING 2008. thereof shall be applied by substituting ‘Jan- poses of this subsection, the term ‘‘mirror (a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (k) of section uary 1, 2009’ for ‘January 1, 2008’, and code tax system’’ means, with respect to any 168 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (re- ‘‘(B) such term shall not include net earn- possession of the United States, the income lating to special allowance for certain prop- ings from self-employment which are not tax system of such possession if the income erty acquired after September 10, 2001, and taken into account in computing taxable in- tax liability of the residents of such posses- before January 1, 2005) is amended— come. sion under such system is determined by ref- (1) by striking ‘‘September 10, 2001’’ each ‘‘(4) BASIC STANDARD DEDUCTION; EXEMPTION erence to the income tax laws of the United place it appears and inserting ‘‘December 31, AMOUNT.—The terms ‘basic standard deduc- States as if such possession were the United 2007’’, tion’ and ‘exemption amount’ shall have the States. (2) by striking ‘‘September 11, 2001’’ each same respective meanings as when used in (C) TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS.—For pur- place it appears and inserting ‘‘January 1, section 6012(a). poses of section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United 2008’’, ‘‘(f) COORDINATION WITH ADVANCE REFUNDS States Code, the payments under this sub- (3) by striking ‘‘January 1, 2005’’ each place OF CREDIT.— section shall be treated in the same manner it appears and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2009’’, ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amount of credit as a refund due from the credit allowed and which would (but for this paragraph) be al- under section 6428 of the Internal Revenue (4) by striking ‘‘January 1, 2006’’ each place lowable under this section shall be reduced Code of 1986 (as added by this section). it appears and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2010’’. (but not below zero) by the aggregate refunds (b) 50 PERCENT ALLOWANCE.—Subparagraph (c) APPROPRIATIONS TO CARRY OUT RECOV- and credits made or allowed to the taxpayer (A) of section 168(k)(1) of such Code is ERY REBATES.— under subsection (g). Any failure to so re- amended by striking ‘‘30 percent’’ and insert- (1) IN GENERAL.—The following sums are duce the credit shall be treated as arising ing ‘‘50 percent’’. out of a mathematical or clerical error and hereby appropriated, out of any money in (c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— assessed according to section 6213(b)(1). the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for (1) Subclause (I) of section 168(k)(2)(B)(i) of ‘‘(2) JOINT RETURNS.—In the case of a re- the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, to such Code is amended by striking ‘‘and (iii)’’ fund or credit made or allowed under sub- implement the provisions of this section (in- and inserting ‘‘(iii), and (iv)’’. section (g) with respect to a joint return, cluding the amendments made by this sec- (2) Subclause (IV) of section 168(k)(2)(B)(i) half of such refund or credit shall be treated tion): of such Code is amended by striking ‘‘clauses as having been made or allowed to each indi- (A) For an additional amount for ‘‘Depart- (ii) and (iii)’’ and inserting ‘‘clause (iii)’’. vidual filing such return. ment of the Treasury—Financial Manage- (3) Clause (i) of section 168(k)(2)(C) of such ‘‘(g) ADVANCE REFUNDS AND CREDITS.— ment Service—Salaries and Expenses’’, Code is amended by striking ‘‘and (iii)’’ and ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each individual who was $52,510,000, to remain available until Sep- inserting ‘‘, (iii), and (iv)’’. an eligible individual for such individual’s tember 30, 2009. (4) Clause (i) of section 168(k)(2)(F) of such first taxable year beginning in 2007 shall be (B) For an additional amount for ‘‘Depart- Code is amended by striking ‘‘$4,600’’ and in- treated as having made a payment against ment of the Treasury—Internal Revenue serting ‘‘$8,000’’. the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such first Service—Taxpayer Services’’, $48,920,000, to (5)(A) Subsection (k) of section 168 of such taxable year in an amount equal to the ad- remain available until September 30, 2009. Code is amended by striking paragraph (4). vance refund amount for such taxable year. (C) For an additional amount for ‘‘Depart- (B) Clause (iii) of section 168(k)(2)(D) of ‘‘(2) ADVANCE REFUND AMOUNT.—For pur- ment of the Treasury—Internal Revenue such Code is amended by striking the last poses of paragraph (1), the advance refund Service—Operations Support’’, $149,700,000, sentence. amount is the amount that would have been to remain available until September 30, 2009. (6) Paragraph (4) of section 168(l) of such allowed as a credit under this section for (2) REPORTS.—No later than 15 days after Code is amended by redesignating subpara- such first taxable year if this section (other enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the graphs (A), (B), and (C) as subparagraphs (B), than subsection (f) and this subsection) had Treasury shall submit a plan to the Commit- (C), and (D) and inserting before subpara- applied to such taxable year. tees on Appropriations of the House of Rep- graph (B) (as so redesignated) the following ‘‘(3) TIMING OF PAYMENTS.—The Secretary resentatives and the Senate detailing the ex- new subparagraph: shall, subject to the provisions of this title, pected use of the funds provided by this sub- ‘‘(A) BONUS DEPRECIATION PROPERTY UNDER refund or credit any overpayment attrib- section. Beginning 90 days after enactment SUBSECTION (K).—Such term shall not include utable to this section as rapidly as possible. of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury any property to which section 168(k) ap- No refund or credit shall be made or allowed shall submit a quarterly report to the Com- plies.’’. under this subsection after December 31, mittees on Appropriations of the House of (7) Paragraph (5) of section 168(l) of such 2008. Representatives and the Senate detailing the Code is amended— ‘‘(4) NO INTEREST.—No interest shall be al- actual expenditure of funds provided by this (A) by striking ‘‘September 10, 2001’’ in lowed on any overpayment attributable to subsection and the expected expenditure of subparagraph (A) and inserting ‘‘December this section.’’. such funds in the subsequent quarter. 31, 2007’’, and (b) TREATMENT OF POSSESSIONS.— (B) by striking ‘‘January 1, 2005’’ in sub- (d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— (1) MIRROR CODE POSSESSION.—The Sec- (1) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title paragraph (B) and inserting ‘‘January 1, retary of the Treasury shall make a payment 31, United States Code, is amended by insert- 2009’’. to each possession of the United States with ing ‘‘or 6428’’ after ‘‘section 35’’. (8) Subparagraph (D) of section 1400L(b)(2) a mirror code tax system in an amount equal (2) Paragraph (1) of section 1(i) of the In- of such Code is amended by striking ‘‘Janu- to the loss to that possession by reason of ternal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by ary 1, 2005’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2010’’. the amendments made by this section. Such striking subparagraph (D). (9) Paragraph (3) of section 1400N(d) of such amount shall be determined by the Secretary (3) The item relating to section 6428 in the Code is amended— of the Treasury based on information pro- table of sections for subchapter B of chapter (A) by striking ‘‘September 10, 2001’’ in vided by the government of the respective 65 of such Code is amended to read as fol- subparagraph (A) and inserting ‘‘December possession. lows: 31, 2007’’, and (2) OTHER POSSESSIONS.—The Secretary of (B) by striking ‘‘January 1, 2005’’ in sub- the Treasury shall make a payment to each ‘‘Sec. 6428. 2008 recovery rebates for individ- paragraph (B) and inserting ‘‘January 1, possession of the United States which does uals.’’. 2009’’.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.002 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H487 (10) Paragraph (6) of section 1400N(d) of mining performance with respect to any of dences, or with respect to residences located such Code is amended by adding at the end the housing goals established under section in any particular area or areas, to an the following new subparagraph: 1332, 1333, or 1334 of the Housing and Commu- amount that does not exceed the maximum ‘‘(E) EXCEPTION FOR BONUS DEPRECIATION nity Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4562– dollar amount then otherwise in effect pur- PROPERTY UNDER SECTION 168(K).—The term 4), and shall not be considered in deter- suant to subsection (a) for such size resi- ‘specified Gulf Opportunity Zone extension mining compliance with such goals pursuant dence, or for such area (if applicable), by not property’ shall not include any property to to section 1336 of such Act (12 U.S.C. 4566) more than $100,000. which section 168(k) applies.’’. and regulations, orders, or guidelines issued (c) PUBLICATION OF AREA MEDIAN PRICES (11) The heading for subsection (k) of sec- thereunder. AND LOAN LIMITS.—The Secretary of Housing tion 168 of such Code is amended— (e) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of and Urban Development shall publish the (A) by striking ‘‘SEPTEMBER 10, 2001’’ and the Congress that the securitization of mort- median house prices and mortgage principal inserting ‘‘DECEMBER 31, 2007’’, and gages by the Federal National Mortgage As- obligation limits, as revised pursuant to this (B) by striking ‘‘JANUARY 1, 2005’’ and in- sociation and the Federal Home Loan Mort- section, for all areas as soon as practicable, serting ‘‘JANUARY 1, 2009’’. gage Corporation plays an important role in but in no case more than 30 days after the (12) The heading for clause (ii) of section providing liquidity to the United States date of the enactment of this Act. With re- 168(k)(2)(B) of such Code is amended by strik- housing markets. Therefore, the Congress spect to existing areas for which the Sec- ing ‘‘PRE-JANUARY 1, 2005’’ and inserting ‘‘PRE- encourages the Federal National Mortgage retary has not established area median JANUARY 1, 2009’’. Association and the Federal Home Loan prices before such date of enactment, the (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments Mortgage Corporation to securitize mort- Secretary may rely on existing commercial made by this section shall apply to property gages acquired under the increased con- data in determining area median prices and placed in service after December 31, 2007, in forming loan limits established in this sec- calculating such revised principal obligation taxable years ending after such date. tion, to the extent that such securitizations limits. TITLE II—HOUSING GSE AND FHA LOAN can be effected in a timely and efficient The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- LIMITS manner that does not impose additional ant to the rule, the gentleman from costs for mortgages originated, purchased, or SEC. 201. TEMPORARY CONFORMING LOAN LIMIT securitized under the existing limits or New York (Mr. RANGEL) and the gen- INCREASE FOR FANNIE MAE AND tleman from Louisiana (Mr. MCCRERY) FREDDIE MAC. interfere with the goal of adding liquidity to each will control 20 minutes. (a) INCREASE OF HIGH COST AREAS LIMITS the market. FOR HOUSING GSES.—For mortgages origi- SEC. 202. TEMPORARY LOAN LIMIT INCREASE The Chair recognizes the gentleman nated during the period beginning on July 1, FOR FHA. from New York. 2007, and ending at the end of December 31, (a) INCREASE OF HIGH-COST AREA LIMIT.— Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask 2008: For mortgages for which the mortgagee has unanimous consent that we extend the (1) FANNIE MAE.—With respect to the Fed- issued credit approval for the borrower on or debate by 80 minutes, resulting in 2 eral National Mortgage Association, not- before December 31, 2008, subparagraph (A) of hours equally divided between both withstanding section 302(b)(2) of the Federal section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)(A)) shall be considered sides. National Mortgage Association Charter Act The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there (12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2)), the limitation on the (except for purposes of section 255(g) of such maximum original principal obligation of a Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z–20(g))) to require that a objection to the request of the gen- mortgage that may be purchased by the As- mortgage shall involve a principal obligation tleman from New York? sociation shall be the higher of— in an amount that does not exceed the lesser There was no objection. (A) the limitation for 2008 determined of— Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask under such section 302(b)(2) for a residence of (1) in the case of a 1-family residence, 125 unanimous consent to yield 20 minutes the applicable size; or percent of the median 1-family house price in of my time to be controlled by the the area, as determined by the Secretary; (B) 125 percent of the area median price for chairman of the Financial Services a residence of the applicable size, but in no and in the case of a 2-, 3-, or 4-family resi- Committee, Congressman BARNEY case to exceed 175 percent of the limitation dence, the percentage of such median price for 2008 determined under such section that bears the same ratio to such median FRANK of Massachusetts. 302(b)(2) for a residence of the applicable size. price as the dollar amount limitation deter- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there (2) FREDDIE MAC.—With respect to the Fed- mined for 2008 under section 305(a)(2) of the objection to the request of the gen- eral Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, not- Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation tleman from New York? withstanding section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)) for a 2-, 3-, or 4-fam- There was no objection. Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 ily residence, respectively, bears to the dol- Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I have U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)), the limitation on the max- lar amount limitation determined for 2008 asked the nonpartisan Joint Com- imum original principal obligation of a under such section for a 1-family residence; or mittee on Taxation to make available mortgage that may be purchased by the Cor- to the public a technical explanation of poration shall be the higher of— (2) 175 percent of the dollar amount limita- (A) the limitation determined for 2008 tion determined for 2008 under such section the provisions of H.R. 5140. The tech- under such section 305(a)(2) for a residence of 305(a)(2) for a residence of the applicable size nical explanation expresses the com- the applicable size; or (without regard to any authority to increase mittee’s understanding and legislative (B) 125 percent of the area median price for such limitation with respect to properties lo- intent behind this important legisla- a residence of the applicable size, but in no cated in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin tion. This explanation, document JCX– case to exceed 175 percent of the limitation Islands); 5–08, is currently available on the Joint determined for 2008 under such section except that the dollar amount limitation in Committee’s Web site. 305(a)(2) for a residence of the applicable size. effect under this subsection for any size resi- Mr. Speaker, I’ll reserve the balance (b) DETERMINATION OF LIMITS.—The areas dence for any area shall not be less than the and area median prices used for purposes of greater of (A) the dollar amount limitation of my time. the determinations under subsection (a) in effect under such section 203(b)(2) for the Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I ask shall be the areas and area median prices area on October 21, 1998; or (B) 65 percent of unanimous consent to allow the rank- used by the Secretary of Housing and Urban the dollar amount limitation determined for ing member of the Financial Services Development in determining the applicable 2008 under such section 305(a)(2) for a resi- Committee the ability to control 20 limits under section 202 of this title. dence of the applicable size. Any reference in minutes of the time on our side. (c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—A mortgage this subsection to dollar amount limitations The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there originated during the period referred to in in effect under section 305 (a)(2) of the Fed- objection to the request of the gen- subsection (a) that is eligible for purchase by eral Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act the Federal National Mortgage Association means such limitations as in effect without tleman from Louisiana? or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Cor- regard to any increase in such limitation There was no objection. poration pursuant to this section shall be el- pursuant to section 201 of this title. Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, we’re igible for such purchase for the duration of (b) DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY.—If the Sec- here this afternoon to discuss a matter the term of the mortgage, notwithstanding retary of Housing and Urban Development that the President, the Treasury De- that such purchase occurs after the expira- determines that market conditions warrant partment, former officials of the Clin- tion of such period. such an increase, the Secretary may, for the ton administration, all agree is ex- (d) EFFECT ON HOUSING GOALS.—Notwith- period that begins upon the date of the en- tremely important for the economic standing any other provision of law, mort- actment of this Act and ends at the end of gages purchased in accordance with the in- the date specified in subsection (a), increase health of the country. creased maximum original principal obliga- the maximum dollar amount limitation de- When we speak of the economic tion limitations determined pursuant to this termined pursuant to subsection (a) with re- health, Mr. Speaker, we are talking section shall not be considered in deter- spect to any particular size or sizes of resi- about not only the rate of GDP growth,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.002 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H488 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 not only the health of the financial age, and I assume that it will not devi- to meet their needs, but to know that markets, we’re talking about the im- ate substantially from what the leader- we did what we should have done, and pact on real people of a decline in the ship of this House has done. But I do that’s to provide them with the dignity country’s economic health; that means hope that it’s made abundantly clear and the means to continue to con- job losses, that means financial hard- that the House has done its responsi- tribute toward the economy of this ship for individuals and families. So bility, and that if there’s anything that great Nation of ours. the leadership, Mr. Speaker, of the impedes the Senate from complying to Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of House, Democratic and Republican, the mandate that the President has set my time. have worked hand in hand with the on our Congress, that they too have an Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I re- White House, the Treasury Depart- obligation to make the type of com- serve the balance of my time. ment, to craft a package that we can promises that’s necessary so that we Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would call an economic growth package, an can move forward. like at this time to recognize the ma- economic stimulus package. It doesn’t I also would like to add that some- jority whip from the sovereign State of matter to me what we call it. times it’s very difficult in being chair- South Carolina (Mr. CLYBURN) for 2 But it seems to me, Mr. Speaker, man of a committee that not only do minutes. that the weight of the evidence, if we we have partisan differences, but we Mr. CLYBURN. Thank you very listen to the opinions of respected have differences among my own party. much, Mr. RANGEL, for yielding me the economists, respected former officials time. b 1230 of the Treasury Department, current Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong members of the Treasury Department, And while we are reaching out to pro- support of this economic stimulus the weight of the evidence indicates to vide assistance to people who are suf- package, and I commend the House me, at least, that the downside of this fering economically, I cannot help but leadership on both sides of the aisle for Congress doing nothing right now is remind myself that these people were their efforts in quickly getting this im- much greater than any downside of our not selected out of any compassion of portant legislation to the floor. And doing something around the level that wanting to help the poor and those in while the deal may not be perfect— is being proposed by the leadership in need. very few, if any, are—it will go a long this House and the White House in this Indeed, the main reason that these way towards stimulating our economy package that we’re considering this people are targeted is because econo- while helping many Americans strug- afternoon. mists, conservative or liberal, agree gling to make ends meet. So, Mr. Speaker, I am eagerly await- that the assistance that we are giving Mr. Speaker, these are turbulent ing passage of this. I hope that the has to be timely, fast. It has to be tar- times for many working families: un- other body follows suit in an expedi- geted to people that are going to have employment numbers are up, and the tious manner, and that we can get this to spend the money, and it has to be housing market is down; energy costs package to the White House for the temporary so that we don’t do severe are rising, and stock values are falling. President’s signature. And we hope additional damage to the deficit. In short, Mr. Speaker, our economy that this will have the intended effect, I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that is underperforming, and the American which is to avert a recession, and to re- we are talking about the heart of people are looking to us for leadership. duce the downturn that everybody America, hardworking American mid- This measure seeks to stimulate agrees is underway right now. dle-class people that are now being tar- growth by helping businesses and Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of geted because they can’t afford to take workers. It extends tax rebates to 117 my time. care of their families. million families and offers write-offs to Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield Yes, they have to spend the money to small businesses to assist them in the myself such time as I may consume. put food on the table, put shoes on creation of much-needed jobs. This leg- First, I want to thank Mr. MCCRERY their kids’ feet, put clothing on their islation serves as an important first for getting his views and his willing- backs, to pay for shelter. And I submit step towards moving our economy in a ness to listen to mine, with both of us that we shouldn’t walk away from this new direction. understanding that, at the end of the House, because we give economic as- I encourage my colleagues to support day, that people are not concerned sistance, proud of the fact that mil- this legislation. The American people with our differences, but they are con- lions of people in this country find are looking for a new direction, and cerned about the United States Gov- themselves in that predicament and for this legislation provides just that. ernment responding to their needs. And that the Congress cannot be charged. Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I re- to that extent, of course, I want to And I do hope after we finish going serve the balance of my time. thank our Speaker in recognizing the through this bipartisan effort, which PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY legislative and political pressures as we have to do, that we might find some Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Par- she negotiated with using the skills of way to tell these people that we are liamentary inquiry. Is my under- Secretary of the Treasury Hank going to provide relief without consid- standing correct that, as the Chair of Paulson and working with the distin- ering a stimulus, but we are going to the Financial Services Committee, I guished minority leader in recognizing provide relief because it’s the right will control 20 minutes? that we were a part of trying to make thing to do. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- certain that the American people knew And no man and woman in this coun- tleman is correct, under the order of that we weren’t able to do everything try that works hard every day should the House by unanimous consent. that we wanted to do, but we did not have to be stigmatized that they can’t Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. ignore our obligations to come to- afford to provide a different type of Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes. gether with some type of a com- lifestyle for their family because they Mr. Speaker, what’s in this stimulus promise. And I think it was historic as can’t meet their obligations. package is, A, good; B, not enough. But we expanded to reach people who would And so I hope in the way we, in a bi- I believe it is important to move it. I have been ignored had it not been for partisan way, have cooperated with say ‘‘not enough’’ because the Com- changes that were made in how we get this administration, that they recog- mittee on Financial Services has been the money to people. nize that the Tax Code, which is tilted dealing particularly with the subprime So I want to thank the leadership of toward the wealthy and therefore sup- crisis and the troubles that’s gen- the House, but make it abundantly posed to create the jobs of the wealth erated. clear that all of us thought, at the for the middle class, didn’t work this We have in this stimulus package, by time that we agreed to this agreement, time. And maybe we can think in agreement between both sides here and that the Senate was prepared to accept terms of how we can bring more equity the administration, some things that our agreement without change. It’s my to the moneys that are available to dis- would be very helpful. There are fur- understanding now, as we talk, that posable income to those people who ther things that are important that are the Senate Finance Committee is work hard every day and not have to not in this package. No one should marking up their own stimulus pack- target them because of their inability think that because they’re not in this

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.014 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H489 package we are not going to go and tives were from some of the largest it, whether they spend it, whether they deal with them. banks and other lending institutions, pay down their bills, whether they in- As soon as this is done today, the insurance companies, in America. And vest as businesses will in new equip- staff of the Committee on Financial almost to the person they told me that ment, that it will all be good for Amer- Services will be working closely, we’ve they had been talking to businesses all ica. been in consultation with the Senate over the United States, and the mes- Hopefully, it will stimulate not only and others, on a broader set of meas- sage they continue to get from the ma- the economy but it will also prompt ures that will both diminish the eco- jority of those business leaders is our my colleagues to enact additional tax nomic problems that the subprime cri- business is good, we’re making the cuts in the future and make the Bush sis causes and also try to deal with the money, we are receiving new orders, we tax cuts that have worked so well per- distress that results. want to expand, we want to hire peo- manent. But let me talk today about what we ple, we want to invest in new equip- It is widely recognized that the trou- do. We increase in this bill loan limits ment, we want to invest in new tech- bled housing market is a significant for the FHA and for Fannie Mae and nology. But we’re holding back because contributor to the current downturn in Freddie Mac. We made a mistake at we hear that things are getting worse, our economy. It is not contributing to some point in public policy by setting we hear that things may get worse, our economy as it has in the past. We as a limit for those three agencies, we’re reading that in the newspaper, all know housing prices are down. This which deal with housing finance and fa- and we’re not sure. stimulus package includes several pro- cilitate housing finance, one flat na- So I believe that what we have here visions designed to address that lack of tionwide dollar limit. In fact, nothing in America today, and let’s not mini- liquidity, that weak market in certain in our economy varies in the pricing mize the problems. I’m going to speak segments of the mortgage market. The area as much as house prices, because about the housing market in a minute, bill increases, but only on a temporary houses are immobile. Automobile and as Chairman FRANK said, I’ll not basis, the loan limits that apply to prices, clothing prices, food prices, minimize the difficulties that we have mortgages that can be purchased by there are some regional variations; but in the housing market or subprime, but the housing GSEs, Fannie and Freddie, they tend to be closer. let me say to the Members, let’s not and by ensuring that the Federal Hous- House prices have a very great vari- talk ourselves and the American people ing Administration and those that are ation, for obvious reasons; and, in fact, into a recession. And I’m not saying insured by the Federal Housing Admin- the limits that have been set which that any of us are. This is not directed istration, most people refer to as FHA, were intended to prevent luxury hous- at any Member. I say it this way: I it will increase the size of those mort- ing from benefiting from these public want to encourage the Members and all gages and mortgages that they can in- or public/private programs in much of Americans to have confidence in this sure and offer. the country excludes not just luxury country, have confidence in our mar- Greater availability of higher-cost housing but housing for people of mod- ket, because I will tell you that people mortgages and FHA-insured loans will erate and middle incomes. in New York that are looking out there help get prospective homebuyers off Now, that’s always been a problem to in America are saying that a lot of the sidelines and into the housing mar- many of us, but recently it’s become businesses are good, they want to in- ket. We’re hearing that today from the part of an economic problem. The vest, they want to hire people. national Realtors. In those markets, mortgage market, we understand, has So part of what I think is so good there have been price declines. In some been suffering at the lower end, at the about this stimulus package is that I they have been particularly severe. subprime end, because people with believe it will encourage people to have This legislation will assist existing weaker credit were charged too much confidence. It will encourage people to homeowners to refinance loans that with, we should always note, a racial invest or spend. they’re struggling with. It will also and ethnic discriminatory factor; but, The Financial Services Committee, allow those who want to buy and are on in general, there was a problem there. as Chairman FRANK said, was respon- the sidelines now to begin making of- What we now face, and have for some sible for the housing portion of the fers and to restore our housing market. time, is a problem at the higher end. stimulus package, and I will direct b 1245 Because of the uncertainty in the some statements to those portions in a mortgage market, people are unwilling minute. The combined changes, I believe, will to invest. People are unwilling to buy Before I do, I want to add a few words help restore confidence to our econ- the mortgages. We have come to be de- in strong support of the tax cuts con- omy, and we need that confidence. The pendent, unhealthily so it seems to me, tained in this stimulus package, and higher GSE and FHA loan limits, like on the secondary market in which the they are tax cuts. The stimulus pack- the other provisions of the package, originators have to sell their loans. age that we’re considering today recog- are both targeted and temporary, they People will not now invest in buying nizes the basic economic reality that expire at the end of this year, thereby loans that are above the levels at getting money back in the hands of addressing the concerns of those who which the FHA, Fannie Mae, and people who earned it is the best way to fear that expanding the eligibility for Freddie Mac can provide assurance. help our economy. the GSEs and FHA loan products will Those levels are too low. The tax element of this package has unduly increase Federal housing sub- So what we do in this stimulus bill is been called a rebate, but in essence, it’s sidies. I share those concerns. to raise the levels of Fannie Mae, a tax cut, a tax cut for millions of low- While I would have preferred that the Freddie Mac and the FHA, not uni- and middle-income Americans, those increases be implemented as part of a formly but sensibly, as a percentage of who need it the most, those with a comprehensive GSE and FHA reform, median income with a cap. And that’s moderate income. I’m encouraged, very encouraged, by a very important piece in trying to I believe this will be immediate tax the commitments that Chairman unlock the mortgage market and get- relief for hardworking taxpayers, and FRANK and the chairman of the Senate ting money flowing again. the improvement into our economy Banking Committee have made to us Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of that always results from allowing tax- that achievement of those broader re- my time. payers to decide how their hard-earned forms in the GSEs and FHA are a pri- Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield money will be spent will be beneficial. ority for them, also, and that achieve- myself such time as I may consume. Some have said not all Americans ment of those broader reforms will be I rise in support of the bipartisan will spend this money. Some will save among the highest priorities of this economic stimulus package, and let me it. I think our answer to that ought to congressional session. I look forward to share with the Members a conversation be, yes, some will spend it, most econo- that important work. I had yesterday. mists tell us that the vast majority. As the GSEs purchase larger mort- I traveled to New York City, and Some will save it, but that’s their gages and take on more risk, it is in- there I met with 20 to 25 of the finan- choice, not our choice. That’s America. cumbent that this Congress produce cial leaders of our country. The execu- I am confident that whether they save legislation that creates a world-class

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.016 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H490 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 regulator for these enterprises and born that day, Thomas Vincent, on De- So, it’s important that this bill not fully protects U.S. taxpayers. We have cember 7 we had a meeting, a bipar- get overloaded. I have a full agenda of heard from both the Treasury Sec- tisan meeting with leaders from the things I would like to have in the pack- retary and the President about the business community, economists, lead- age, but we have to contain the price, need for this reform. This House has ers of industry, of labor, the academic and in doing so, you have to establish passed legislation making that reform community, people representing work- your priorities. And the priority we law. I urge my colleagues in the Senate ers in the diversity of our country, and had was to put $28 billion in the hands to follow our example. we talked about what we could do to of 35 million families who had never re- Let me close by saying the bottom head off a serious downturn in our ceived a rebate or a child tax credit be- line, I believe, is we must not only take economy. We knew from that meeting fore, and to do it quickly. That was our the measures we do today, which are that it would have to be timely, that priority. Because if you do, to do that, going to offer real solutions, but also we would need to act quickly; that it again, is true stimulus. All the other do whatever we can to increase and en- would have to be targeted, that it things, while worthy and important, courage optimism among Americans. would put money in the pockets of again, we made a decision, because That’s what we need. Hope has been hardworking Americans who would im- that’s where we could find our common mentioned very often in this Presi- mediately spend the money to meet ground. But if we heap too much on top dential campaign. Our message needs their needs, inject demand into the of that package, it will then take us to be to the American people that our economy to help create jobs; and it had deeply into debt. economy is strong. There are busi- to be temporary. The tax incentives in And PAYGO is important to us. And nesses that are ready to hire, ready to the package would have to be such that while in recession the PAYGO law al- invest, ready to buy new technology. they would have to be acted upon in lows for us to take certain initiatives, There is a legitimate reason for opti- this calendar year so that the full im- you don’t want to abuse that by again mism today, and we should promote pact could be felt for job creation and adding to the deficit for items in the that optimism. stimulus to the economy. Previous package that are not strictly timely, Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by stimulus packages have not had that. temporary, targeted or stimulus. commending President Bush, Chairman They had a 2-year period of time in So, I think we have a good product FRANK, Chairman RANGEL, Ranking which the incentives would work, and here. It’s all a compromise. It’s all Member MCCRERY, and all the Repub- therefore they lost impact. Previous about decisions and priorities that lican and Democratic leadership of the stimulus packages did not have a cap have to be established. But it also House for coming together so quickly on who received the rebate, or the tax speaks to the fact that we really do, for this stimulus package. There is cut as Mr. BACHUS calls it. And so, hopefully, we need to work in a bipar- hope for America. There is reason for therefore, a lot of money went into the tisan way, to have a very aggressive optimism. This package, I believe, will hands of people who never really spent initiative for job creation in our coun- contribute to that optimism and that it and injected it back into the econ- try. And we’ve already laid the frame- hope. omy. work for that in a bipartisan way. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of But this is timely. We’re acting very We’ve had overwhelming votes in this my time. quickly, not hastily, but quickly and Congress, for example, on SCHIP, ex- Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as we firmly in a disciplined way on a pack- panding health care to many more chil- move forward to pass this historic age that has as its one criterion for dren in America. Health care needs piece of legislation that has been re- anything that’s in the package, is it health-trained professionals at every quested of us, I am, indeed, honored to stimulus, is it stimulus, and does it aspect of the delivery of health care. yield 1 minute to our Speaker, who, on meet the test of enabling us to move in So, it creates good-paying jobs in December 9, called us together to de- a timely fashion, targeted and tem- America when you expand health care cide what we should be doing if, indeed, porary. accessibility to Americans. the economy was moving the way it I was pleased that, working with my Education, innovation, all of those has. Not only did she bring us together, colleague, Mr. BOEHNER, and with the are about keeping us competitive, but she brought Republicans and administration under the leadership of keeping us number one; again, creating Democrats together in dealing with the Secretary Paulson, that we were able good-paying jobs in America so that we administration in a way that some of to come to terms on how we would pro- prevail in the global marketplace. us never thought was possible. It’s a ceed. We could only do that because of And we talk about infrastructure, great honor for me to support and yield the extraordinary respect in which Mr. that we must have a package for re- 1 minute to our distinguished Speaker. RANGEL is held, and Mr. MCCRERY, and building our roads, our highways, mass Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman them working cooperatively as they transit, taking initiatives for new for his kind and generous remarks. I have for a while. We could only include projects as well, creating good-paying especially thank him for his tremen- in the package those features that re- jobs in America. And global warming. dous leadership, because under his lated to the subprime crisis because of We, as a generation and as a Congress, leadership we are able today to vote on the extraordinary reputation of the will be judged by posterity as to how something that is relevant to the lives distinguished chairman of the Finan- we deal with the issue of a global cli- of the American people. cial Services Committee, Mr. FRANK, mate crisis. This affords for us a whole I commend Leader BOEHNER for his understanding the terms under which new world of job opportunity where leadership as well. It has been a privi- we wanted to proceed, and respecting we’re all on the ground floor, largely, lege to work in a bipartisan way to his expertise in those areas and those where we go into urban America and help relieve the pain of the American of Mr. BACHUS as well. So, this has been our inner cities or we go into rural people. bipartisan in terms of committee, in America and create good-paying green For a long time now, homemakers, terms of working together over time, jobs that are new. homeowners, and hard workers across and bipartisan in terms of the leader- It’s about being entrepreneurial America have known that there is a ship working together a short time about this, to thinking in new and dif- problem in our economy. They’ve had a frame, benefiting from the work that ferent ways about how our decisions hard time making ends meet, living had gone before us. have to be seen in the light of ‘‘do they paycheck to paycheck, with rising It’s important in this package to create good-paying jobs in America.’’ costs for gasoline, for groceries, for have a level of discipline, because one So, again, while we stand ready to health care, you name it. American of the features that the economists, present a stimulus, if need be, we want families felt this pain early on, and business leaders, labor leaders, et to, in the long term, not that long they knew that our economy was fac- cetera, had told us in the course of all term but longer term than a stimulus, ing perhaps a serious downturn, but a these discussions is you don’t want to create jobs to avoid such a downturn downturn nonetheless. do anything in a stimulus package that and, in any event, raise the living On December 7, actually, I remember will hinder your ability to act in a re- standard of the American people. And because my seventh grandbaby was covery. so, whether it’s about this rebate and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.018 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H491 what it means to these hardworking tisan House leadership for quickly their own capital to expand and grow Americans who are facing rising costs coming to an agreement to stimulate the economy. and need help to live paycheck to pay- the economy through legislation that The last time our Nation was facing check, and I’m telling you, that’s not is timely, targeted, and temporary. a recession, I went to a small factory just the working poor, that is the mid- The bill before us today contains an in my district called Jacksonville In- dle class in America. This is a middle- important provision that I helped to dustries. They employed 21 people. class tax rebate bill. We call it the Re- craft as the chairman of the sub- They were an aluminum die cast busi- covery, Rebate and Economic Stimulus committee of jurisdiction. This reform ness. Because of competitive pressures, for the American People Act. It targets will temporarily increase the con- they were on the verge of laying off the middle class and those who aspire forming loan limits of Fannie Mae and two people. But because of the tax re- to it. And for that same middle class, Freddie Mac to enhance the liquidity lief passed by this Congress, particu- we must have an ongoing aggressive of several local mortgage markets. I larly expensing capital gains tax relief, initiative for job creation so that support this short-term change. they bought a new piece of equipment. across the board America’s families I would, however, also like to take And that new piece of equipment made have the confidence that they need. Be- the opportunity to encourage the Con- them more competitive, and instead of cause in a downturn, what you need is gress to expand the economic stimulus laying off two people, they hired two confidence. You need consumer con- plan to include cash benefits for those new people. fidence. You need confidence in the citizens whose only source of income is So, Mr. Speaker, I ask the question, markets. And as Mr. RANGEL always Social Security. Our Nation’s seniors surely middle-income families, I know tells me, a message of confidence is and disabled individuals are facing dif- they need help, but this package, I given to the American people when ficult economic times. For years these fear, is more akin to helping them pay Members of Congress can work with men and women have been forced to one month’s worth of credit card bills the administration in a bipartisan way survive on less and less, and their costs at a time when people are getting laid to put the American people first. continue to increase and their incomes off at the local factory when, instead, So, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I remain the same. what they really need to know is that thank Mr. FRANK, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. In my home State of Pennsylvania, their paycheck is preserved and that MCCRERY, and Mr. BACHUS, and to my home heating prices are up 19 percent they have opportunities to even grow colleagues, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. in the last year. Gas prices are up 86 that paycheck and that their employer VELA´ ZQUEZ, and CHARLIE RANGEL, percent in 5 years. Food prices con- again, for all their leadership in terms can become more competitive and give of the territories, which is a very im- tinue to rise. And seniors continue to them more opportunities to advance portant part of this legislation. struggle with high prescription drug and grow that paycheck. And, Mr. I think it’s a good day for us here. costs. Low-income senior citizens and Speaker, unfortunately those compo- And let’s hope that the Senate will disabled individuals are forced to make nents are sadly lacking. take its lead from us and be dis- terrible choices to try to cope with If we wanted those components in the ciplined, focused, fiscally responsible, these realities. These Americans need bill, the first thing we would do, Mr. and act in a timely, temporary, and cash rebates just as much as the indi- Speaker, is try to prevent all of these targeted way on behalf of meeting the viduals currently included in this stim- scheduled tax increases on families and needs of the American people. ulus bill. the economy that our friends on this Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Mr. Speaker, once again, I applaud side of the aisle have put in place. The minute to the distinguished gentleman the bipartisan effort that brought this second thing we would do, Mr. Speaker, from Wisconsin (Mr. SENSENBRENNER). economic stimulus package to the is try to make our business tax rate Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speak- floor. We should also work to ensure more competitive with our inter- er, I rise today in opposition to H.R. that our Nation’s seniors and disabled national competitors. We have the sec- 5140. individuals are included in this worth- ond highest corporate tax rate in the There is no question that our econ- while legislation. industrialized world. That’s what we omy is in trouble, and the best way Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, at this need to do. Congress can help fix it is to cut taxes. time I yield 3 minutes to the gen- Now, Mr. Speaker, many people here But this bill is too little and too late. tleman from Texas (Mr. HENSARLING). come with their theories. I come with Rather than sending checks that Mr. HENSARLING. I thank the gen- evidence. If you look early on in 2003, if won’t arrive until June, 5 months from tleman for yielding. you look to the Reagan administra- now, Congress can give the economy Mr. Speaker, I rise in unenthusiastic tion, the Kennedy administration, the immediate shot in the arm it needs support of this legislation. Perhaps it when you’re faced with a recession, by eliminating Federal income tax is a true sign of bipartisanship. I think lower marginal tax rates, lower capital withholding for a month or two. That if we were all honest with ourselves, we gains rates, and you will grow people’s would give wage earners a boost in would say there was much about this paychecks. That’s the economic growth their take-home pay next month, legislation that disappoints us; yet that we need. which they can spend or save or reduce most of us will support it. Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, the com- their debt. Individual income tax rates Mr. Speaker, my own personal dis- mittee has reported out a bill that re- could be adjusted so that taxpayers appointment is I see very little eco- duces corporate taxes from 35 percent won’t be hit when they file their 2008 nomic stimulus in this so-called eco- to 30.5. I’m not saying that we have all tax returns a year from now. nomic stimulus package. I see tax re- of the answers, but it does challenge Rather than telling the country that lief, income tax relief, for those who do the check’s in the mail in June, let’s do the administration to come forward ei- not pay income taxes. I see tax relief the right thing that will put money ther with support, opposition, or com- for middle-income families, which is into taxpayers’ pockets in the quickest promise. But I agree with the last very important, very important, Mr. and least bureaucratic way possible by speaker. Speaker, at a time when their pay- canceling Federal income tax with- Mr. Speaker, it’s my great honor to checks are squeezed with high energy holding for a limited period of time. yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. costs, with high food costs, and high Connecticut (Mr. LARSON), the vice Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the health care costs. But I don’t confuse chairman of our caucus, a leader in the chairman of the Subcommittee on Cap- temporary tax rebates with economic Democratic Party, a leader in the Con- ital Markets, a man who had a major growth. gress and in our country. role in our dealing with the structural Now, I did look closely, and there is Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I thank issues going forward, the gentleman some economic growth component of the chairman for those generous re- this legislation of which I approve. But from Pennsylvania (Mr. KANJORSKI). marks. ultimately, true growth doesn’t come Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend b 1300 from temporary tax rebates. It comes Speaker PELOSI and commend Leader Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise from allowing entrepreneurs and fami- BOEHNER for working together to bring to applaud the President and the bipar- lies and capitalists to actually have this package before us and working in

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.020 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H492 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 conjunction with the President. Speak- one, to a good-paying job. So by no Equally critical, this package is not er PELOSI, I think, was correct in means is this the only step we should tilted toward the high income to the reaching out to the President first take if we are to become truly com- extent that the President’s original through letter and then, of course, by petitive and create long-term job proposal was. Indeed, thanks to Speak- making sure that we could bring to fru- growth in this country. The Tax Code er PELOSI’s efforts, the package in- ition this important package. It continues to be a drag on families and cludes tax relief of up to $300 for 35 mil- wouldn’t happen, though, without the businesses. If we’re serious about put- lion working individuals who earn too leadership of CHARLIE RANGEL and JIM ting America on a growth track, we little to pay income taxes, a group that MCCRERY, who have epitomized in this must tackle substantive tax reform had been left out of the initial plan. Chamber what working together is all sooner rather than later. Further, the bill will temporarily raise about and the productive results that In 1960 America was home to 18 of the loan limits for the GSEs and the FHA, can come from that. world’s 20 largest corporations and which will allow these entities to play I am so pleased and honored to see their employees. By 1996, however, only an increased role in helping distressed that this package reaches out to 35 eight of the world’s largest companies homeowners across the country, espe- million people, 35 million Americans and their employees were based in cially in high-cost housing markets who would otherwise never know the America. This shouldn’t surprise us. like my home State of California. As benefits of a stimulus package and de- The United States has the second high- the lead sponsor of H.R. 1852, the Ex- bunks once and for all the myth that est corporate tax rate in the industri- panding American Homeownership Act they do not pay taxes. They pay the alized world. While the average rate is of 2007, I am pleased that the bill incor- most regressive of taxes. And, there- 31 percent, the U.S. rate is a whopping porates loan limit increases for loans fore, this is money that will help stim- 39 percent, exceeded only by Japan at written by the Federal Housing Admin- ulate this economy immediately. And, 40 percent. istration. The reforms in H.R. 1852 are again, I commend the leadership for So before we congratulate ourselves critical in addressing the current fore- coming up with this progressive ap- on this economic stimulus package, we closure crisis, and I look forward to en- proach. ought to address this jarring trend that suring enactment of other elements of We also recognize that there is much is far more dangerous to American this much-needed legislation. more that needs to be done as well. prosperity than next quarter’s eco- There are a few critical measures to Again, I want to commend our chair- nomic forecast. assist our Nation’s lowest income man, CHARLIE RANGEL, for recognizing I urge my colleagues to send this bill households, those who are most likely the kind of long-term stimulus that to the President as quickly as possible to inject any assistance they receive we’re going to need. and to begin to address long-term directly into the economy, that I am President Roosevelt said of another strategies such as regulatory relief, tax disappointed were left out of the final generation they had a ‘‘rendezvous reform, and expiring tax relief meas- stimulus package. with destiny.’’ For America today what ures for sustained job creation and eco- In particular, extension of Unemployment In- Mr. RANGEL understands and recog- nomic growth. surance benefits and a 10 percent increase in nizes is that we have a rendezvous with Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Food Stamp benefits would provide critical as- reality. It’s a reality that people face Speaker, I now yield 21⁄2 minutes to the sistance to the Nation’s poor families. More- every day when they stare across the Chair of the Housing Subcommittee of over, both could start injecting more consumer kitchen table and look at their spouses our committee, who has played a very purchasing power into the economy within 1 to and understand what’s happening to significant role and will be in a major 2 months, even faster than the planned rebate our economy. When you look at the na- role as we go forward in the necessary checks are likely to go out. A recent analysis tional debt, when you look at the trade next steps after this, the gentlewoman by Economy.com found that for each dollar imbalance, when you look at personal from California (Ms. WATERS). spent on extended Unemployment Insurance credit card debt, when you look at the Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker and Mem- benefits, $1.64 in increased economic activity college tuition debt that people are ex- bers, I first would like to thank all of would be generated and for each dollar in in- periencing, that’s what’s happening our leaders who were involved in the creased food stamp benefits, $1.73 in new with this middle-class crunch. That’s negotiations on this most important economic activity would be generated. This is why long-term investment in infra- stimulus package. Despite the fact substantial ‘‘bang-for-the buck’’ in fiscal stim- structure is so important. And, again, I there are some differences and some ulus. commend Mr. RANGEL and the entire things we would have liked to have Nonetheless, I recognize that Speaker body for pursuing it. seen differently, this was a good effort, PELOSI had to make some hard choices in ne- Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, at this and I think we all have to get behind gotiations with the Administration and our col- time I yield 2 minutes to a distin- this effort and move forward with it. leagues from across the aisle, who view ap- guished member of the Ways and I’m thankful for the work that the propriate economic stimulus very differently; Means Committee, the ranking mem- Speaker did in particular. therefore, I urge my colleagues to support this ber on the Health Subcommittee, the And I rise in support of the economic negotiated proposal. gentleman from Michigan (Mr. CAMP). stimulus package before us today. It is Mr. CAMP of Michigan. I thank the urgently needed in light of home fore- b 1315 gentleman for yielding. closure rates that are 70 percent above Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Mr. Speaker, Americans are increas- the same time last year. Labor Depart- minutes to the gentleman from Texas ingly concerned about the U.S. econ- ment figures show that a sharp slow- (Mr. NEUGEBAUER). omy, and in Michigan economy is the down in job creation actually took (Mr. NEUGEBAUER asked and was number one issue families worry about. place in December and the worst holi- given permission to revise and extend It’s critical for Congress to address this day season in over 5 years. his remarks.) issue and enact legislation that will en- Americans need help, and I applaud Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, I courage job growth, renew consumer Speaker PELOSI for working with the have some reservations about the effec- confidence, and spur new business in- administration and Minority Leader tiveness of this economic stimulus vestment today. We can’t afford to BOEHNER to provide it to them and package and its impact on our Federal wait and waste time loading up a bill quickly. This package will provide re- deficit; however, I am going to support with extra spending measures. bates to 117 million households, the it. One of the reasons I am going to The bill before us is a positive step kind of broad-based relief required to support this package is it takes an im- and one we should take. I want to help jump-start consumer spending and portant step toward providing more op- thank Chairman RANGEL and Ranking the economy. Individuals can look for- tions for homeowners and homebuyers Member MCCRERY and the leadership ward to up to $600 in tax relief, while in America. By temporarily increasing on both sides for bringing this bill for- married couples may get as much as the size of mortgages for our GSEs and ward today. However, I don’t know a $1,200 to meet their expenses, including FHAs, they will be able to purchase single American who prefers a tax re- skyrocketing costs of fueling their cars mortgages in high-cost areas across the bate, even a rebate as generous as this and heating their homes. country where some of those people

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.022 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H493 have been locked out of those par- and 2003 tax cut will get close to $28 lies, in fear of losing their homes, will ticular markets. billion of this tax cut. I enthusiasti- have new opportunity to refinance By bringing additional buyers into cally support that type of economic their mortgages and retain home- this marketplace and rather than leav- prosperity. ownership; and businesses will be re- ing them on the sidelines, we are going Like my colleague on the other side warded for making capital investments to help reduce housing inventories from Michigan, once we right this here in the domestic economy, which, that, as you know, have been increas- economy hopefully with this stimulus in turn, will jump-start spending and ing all across the country. Increasing package and interest rate cuts, we need create more good-paying jobs. these conforming loan limits for these to deal with long-term issues. On those This compromise was negotiated as a particular entities adds additional li- issues, how did we get here? In the last simple, clean, and targeted bill. It is quidity to a marketplace that is in dire 7 years, our debt went from $5.7 trillion the best that we can do that we can need of additional liquidity and will to $9.2 trillion. President Bush inher- pass quickly and accomplish our goal help provide additional mortgages ited 3 years in a row of surplus, to 6 of stimulating the economy in the near around the country. years in a row of deficit spending. term. I urge my colleagues to join me However, their taking this action is Health care costs went from $6,000 for a to vote for jobs, to vote for American not nearly enough. Congress has com- family of four to doubling to $12,000 for workers, and to vote for economic pleted important legislation that re- a family of four. College costs in- growth. forms FHA, and we must complete this creased by over $2,000 a year for a mid- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. legislation. We have passed legislation dle-class family. Energy costs went Speaker, I now yield 1 minute to the that brings reform to our GSEs. It’s from $1.39 a gallon to $3.07 a gallon. gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. BEAN), time for Congress to sign that legisla- So I look enthusiastically to debat- a member of the Financial Services tion as well. We need to do this with- ing long-term future economic chal- Committee, who has been particularly out siphoning important resources lenges the middle class have been feel- creative in trying to make sure that from these entities at a time where we ing. The reason this is so important is there are tax incentives in here that are going to be relying on them to help because we are reversing and beginning will help the business community play provide additional mortgages and li- to reverse the economic policies lead- its most productive role. quidity in the marketplace. ing, and have been the leading causes, Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today In order to increase the loan limits to middle-class squeeze: rising energy in support of H.R. 5140, the stimulus to have its full desired effects, we need costs; rising health care costs; rising package that will strengthen the eco- to also make sure that we increase the home values that shut out the middle nomic health of our businesses, our Na- portfolio caps of Freddie Mac and class; depleting savings rates in this tion, and the families we represent. Re- Fannie Mae. Congresswoman BEAN and country; and a median household in- cently, I introduced legislation to dou- I have introduced legislation to in- come that has shrunk by $1,000 in the ble the section 179 expense tax deduc- crease these caps, and I urge the ad- last 6 years, while in 2000, over the last tion, which allows small business own- ministration and Congress to act on 6 years leading into 2000, median in- ers to write off expenses immediately. I these immediately. This marketplace come rose by $6,000. am pleased that this meaningful tax in- is in need of liquidity, and by raising So in the long-term debate about this centive was included in the House the loan portfolio limits and the caps, country, we have got to come to the stimulus package, which encourages it will allow Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, rescue of middle-class families, and small businesses to increase invest- and FHA to come into the market and this stimulus package begins to do ment and hiring. help bring back additional robustness that. In my district, Chris Dahm, owner of in those markets. Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield Dahm Trucking in Woodstock, Illinois, In hindsight, we see that borrowers, lenders 11⁄2 minutes to the distinguished gen- is an example of how this will make a and investors made poor decisions. In Con- tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. difference. In 1980, Chris started his gress’ attempt to help stabilize this downturn ENGLISH), a ranking member on the company with one truck; 28 years we must avoid more poor decisions. Ways and Means Committee. later, he has a fleet of 33. His success, Congress must ensure that we cause no Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. I like small businesses across the coun- further harm as we facilitate bringing more li- thank the gentleman. try, is a cornerstone of our economy. quidity to the marketplace. Over the last couple of months I have However, over the last 3 months, his Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 watched with growing trepidation as business has declined and he has re- minutes to the gentleman from Illinois the economic news turned worse and duced the workweek for many of his (Mr. EMANUEL), the Chair of our Demo- increasingly in the market there were drivers. When I talked to Chris about cratic Caucus. No one has received uncertainties about the large tax in- this incentive, he said, ‘‘If something more creative ideas of how to improve creases being threatened from the like this came out, I’d go full speed.’’ this legislation than him. But I want other side of the aisle, and generally a Instead of stalling expansion plans, he to thank him publicly for his leader- sense of pessimism about the economy. would invest now. ship and directness toward this bipar- I came to the conclusion we needed to I commend our leadership and admin- tisan historic legislation. consider moving forward with a stim- istration in crafting this bipartisan Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I’d like ulus package. legislation and urge its swift passage. to thank my chairman. Today, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 While other speakers have noted say our Chamber has an opportunity to minutes to the gentleman from Indiana some of the shortcomings and their re- find common ground and rally, despite (Mr. PENCE). luctant support, I enthusiastically sup- our ideological differences, behind a Mr. PENCE. I thank the gentleman port this legislation. Unlike the 2001– short-term stimulus package that will for yielding. 2003 tax cuts, in 2001, 36 percent of the have limited utility but will provide One year into the liberal Democrat tax benefit went to folks earning more the ailing American economy with the majority in Congress, the economy is than $200,000 a year. In the 2003 tax cut, right incentives at exactly the right struggling. In the wake of more gov- 67 percent of the tax rebates and tax time. ernment spending, threats of tax in- refunds and tax cuts went to those Through bipartisan dialogue and creases, and energy legislation that did earning over $200,000 a year. In this agreement, we have been able to settle nothing to expand our access to domes- stimulus package, zero. The lion’s on a plan that will benefit both wage tic reserves, this massive American share of the tax rebate goes to people earners and job creators, encourage in- economy is slowing down. The time has earning between $40,000 and $80,000 a vestment, and put more money back in come for Congress to act to stimulate year. the pockets of America’s hardworking the economy and stave off the possi- I enthusiastically support the middle middle-class families. As a result of bility of a Democrat recession. This class of this country, and we are doing this plan, working Americans will have stimulus bill that will come to the it in this bill. Thirty-seven million access to extra cash to cushion in- floor today, while welcome, will not do Americans who were left out of the 2001 creased costs in food and energy; fami- enough to stimulate this economy.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.025 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H494 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Congress must do more. The Recovery, But, for all the stimulus package or the dot-com crash. There’s no ques- Rebate and Economic Stimulus Act is does, we must recognize it is a work in tion the housing downturn and future a shot in the arm for a patient in need progress, because there is unfinished credit crunch are real and serious, and of major surgery. business we must address in the com- we ought to look at every way to limit I will support this bill because I be- ing months. This package falls silent their impact, but not in any way that lieve the American people are over- on the plight of Americans who have prolongs those problems or creates an taxed. Putting money in the pockets of already lost their jobs in the economy, excuse for a spending spree that we American families is a good thing. I and this package does not address the cannot afford. never met a tax cut I didn’t like. But reforms needed to our unemployment Our goal as a government should be this one comes close. Showering the insurance programs to deal with the re- to do no harm. At this point, this pack- landscape with government rebates is ality of the modern-day workforce age accomplishes that. no way to truly strengthen the founda- competing in a global economy. b 1330 tions of a free market economy. If we Two-thirds of the people who pay un- In fact, incentives for small busi- are serious about bolstering this econ- employment insurance can’t draw ben- nesses I think will help create new omy and helping America’s working efits. People with part-time jobs can’t business investment in the economy, families, we must make the President’s draw benefits. Spouses whose husbands which keeps and creates jobs. And we tax cuts permanent and implement are transferred elsewhere and lose the should never miss an opportunity to other tax reform focused on capital for- second job the family has been depend- help families at all income levels to mation. ing on can’t draw benefits. Those are stretch their budgets, especially with Congress should do more. But this is the kinds of things that need to be prices so high. a small move in the right direction. done. But there’s nothing new today. In the end, we should remember that For families struggling to make a The gentleman from Indiana was a it is not Washington that creates jobs, mortgage payment or meet a college wonderful counterpoint. In 1935, when but rather a business climate that re- loan, for families ready to invest in a we passed the Social Security Act in wards rather than punishes Americans new car or a home, or for families sim- Congress, during the middle of the De- for working smarter, for succeeding, ply fighting to keep food on the table, pression, and unemployment insurance and developing the innovations that this relief is needed and welcomed. was right in the middle of it, the last our changing world demands. With this rebate, the American con- issue the Republicans fought in the Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. sumer will do their part to revive this United States Senate at the very end of Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- economy, but I challenge Congress and the bill was whether or not they should tlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. all of our colleagues in both parties to have unemployment insurance. The DELAURO), the member of the leader- do our part and demand that this legis- gentleman from Indiana would have fit ship who has had a major role in recog- lation ultimately include tax relief for beautifully in the Republican caucus in nizing the need for this package. the wage payer as well as for the wage the U.S. Senate in 1935. And that is Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, from earner. why we got rid of them. negative economic data on wages and Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would This is not a day for a victory lap. consumer prices, to a falling stock like to share with the gentleman from It’s a day when we begin to restore the market, there is almost no margin for Indiana the fact that we should blame faith of the American people in the error in today’s tight economy. We face the Congress for this because clearly ability of their government to act as an urgency and a moral obligation to we have had no leadership from the ex- an agent for positive change. This is get it right and ensure no American is ecutive branch. So I guess the blame the first day, but it must not be the forced to live in those margins. has to fall on us. For those who are last day, or we will fail the American This legislation represents a strong concerned about tax reform, we waited people when they need us most. But I bipartisan agreement on an economic 7 years, and we have got nothing. So ei- don’t want to see unemployment stimulus package that will begin to ther accept what we have got, or ask brought out here, married to the war provide financial relief and income se- the President to at least bring some- funding, like we had to accept when we curity to middle-class Americans most thing to the Congress. had the raise in the minimum wage. at risk in a prospective recession. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the This ought to stand on its own. We Building on our work to extend the gentleman from Washington (Mr. should stand behind the American child tax credit, and my belief that all MCDERMOTT), who is a subcommittee workers in their time of need. It hardworking low- and middle-income chairman of this committee, that has shouldn’t be mixed with a lot of other families should receive at least a par- fought hard for the creation of jobs but things. tial credit, this package will ensure has just as much compassion for those Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 that any family that pays taxes and who, through no fault of their own, minutes to the distinguished gen- earned at least $3,000 last year will get have lost their jobs. I publicly thank tleman from Texas (Mr. BRADY), a a $300 rebate per child. It is long past you for your service. member of the Ways and Means Com- time that we finally recognize that the (Mr. MCDERMOTT asked and was mittee. child tax credit should be available to given permission to revise and extend Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I all families, including those who serve his remarks.) don’t need much of an excuse to give in our military. Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, the people back their own tax money, espe- With the economy in so much dif- stimulus package before us today is a cially the way we spend it up here in ficulty, this is the right approach: im- call to arms for Congress to act on be- Washington. So I support this measure mediate, focused on those who need re- half of the American people. The Presi- and appreciate the leadership of Presi- sources, and who will spend it. Unlike dent waited too long and offered too dent Bush and the bipartisan way this previous efforts to stimulate the econ- little. While he spent months pre- came together. omy, this package is focused on the tending the economy was just fine, But let’s not hold a parade for our- middle class, and provides real, not Americans were losing their jobs, their selves just yet. While economic esti- token, relief. That includes $28 billion homes, and their confidence. mates vary, I am somewhat skeptical in tax relief for 35 million families who Last week, he apparently woke up, about how much impact this tiny pack- work but make too little to pay income noticed the problem, and, to her credit, age will have on America’s large and taxes, but they pay sales tax, FICA tax, Speaker PELOSI negotiated a stimulus complex economy. I hope it does. But I property taxes, families who otherwise package that, for the first time in 7 worry this yet may become more a po- would not have been included in this years, recognized our first responsi- litical stimulus package than a true recovery effort, more than 19 million of bility to the middle class and Amer- economic stimulus. them with children. ica’s vulnerable families. People earn- The truth is our economy is so strong To meet our obligation, boost our ing $200,000 a year don’t need a rebate and resilient that it bounces back and struggling economy, and provide real to weather the economic storm, but recovers quickly from major chal- assistance for middle-class Americans, people earning $20,000 do need one. lenges, whether it’s the attacks of 9/11 I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.027 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H495 Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield makes to the committee and the Con- gal aliens, are not supposed to get a 21⁄2 minutes to a member of the Ways gress. check. However, this is a 2007 1040 and Means Committee, the distin- Mr. LEVIN. Thank you, Mr. RANGEL, form, and if you look at it, you can guished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. for your kind words, and congratula- look around all over the place and see WELLER). tions to the bipartisan leadership that there is no box to check where it says Mr. WELLER of Illinois. I thank the has worked this out. I am a nonresident or illegal alien and gentleman from Louisiana for the op- Yesterday in this very place, the therefore am not eligible to receive portunity to speak. Of course, I come President said: ‘‘Our economy is under- this check. This thing is ripe for fraud, before this body today to stand in sup- going a period of uncertainty.’’ For because you send in a tax return pay- port of our bipartisan agreement put millions of people in this country, our ing no money and get a check. So there together by the President and our lead- economic difficulties are very, very will be opportunities for fraud. ership in an effort to boost our econ- certain indeed, and that is true of the Finally, fifth, it goes against all of omy. I do want to express to my chair- over 7 million who are unemployed. our long-term goals. We all sit in here man and my ranking member my dis- Economists agree that unemploy- on a bipartisan basis, particularly my appointment, however, that this prod- ment insurance is one of the most friends on the Democratic side have uct didn’t come through the com- stimulative approaches that can be un- talked about reducing the deficit and mittee, since I know we have good dertaken. Unemployment is rising sig- getting to a balanced budget. We have leaders, beginning with our chairman nificantly. In December, the total num- talked in this country that we don’t and ranking member, who have good ber of unemployed was 900,000 higher save enough. We talked in this country ideas; and I believe this product should than the same month in the prior year, that many times we need to invest have come through the committee with and long-term unemployment is now more, as some of our friends in some of committee action and committee twice as high as it was in the last re- the emerging markets are doing. input. But I do stand in support of cession. Almost a fifth of those who are We are sending completely the wrong what I feel is a good compromise. unemployed have been unemployed message here, a message which is don’t Under this plan, a family of four over 26 weeks, and in Michigan, 72,000 save, spend; a message for the govern- making $70,000 a year in the district I people will exhaust their jobless bene- ment which is don’t save, don’t bal- represent in Illinois will see an extra fits in the first half of this year. ance, but spend. We do need stimulus. $1,800 that they can use for family ex- In the past, the extensions of unem- We should be providing stimulus that penses, and that is a good thing, money ployment compensation have come too attacks the problem. If your leg hurts, that can be spent locally and creating late. The time for action on extension don’t do something to try and help local jobs. is here and now. your arm. Help your leg. Our leg hurts. I would like to focus on the compo- Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 The leg that hurts is credit and capital, nent that I feel is the centerpiece of minutes to the gentleman from Cali- and there is stimulus we could do that this stimulus package, which is the 50 fornia (Mr. CAMPBELL). would enhance the availability of cred- percent bonus depreciation, a mecha- Mr. CAMPBELL of California. I it and encourage the movement and in- nism that works. It should be called, thank the gentleman for yielding. vestment of capital. Unfortunately, rather than bonus depreciation, it I guess this afternoon I am going to this doesn’t do that. should be called the ‘‘invest in Amer- be a fairly lonely voice in opposition to Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. ican jobs component’’ of the stimulus this bipartisan agreement, and I hope Speaker, as I listened to my friend package. Because this extra 50 percent that my colleagues on both sides of the from California, I was struck as he ex- bonus depreciation goes to invest in aisle will listen as in the next 3 min- coriated the President’s program, that new computers and company equip- utes I present to you five reasons why in his metaphor he seemed to think the ment and assembly lines, manufac- I think we should not be passing this President can’t tell one body part from turing lines, they are going to get an bill. another, which is a troubling thing. extra 50 percent for depreciation pur- First of all, it is not really going to Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask poses. be stimulative. Look at what caused unanimous consent to have the remain- That is an incentive to invest in the problem that we are in right now. der of my time be controlled by the American jobs here in America, and This is a credit problem and a capital gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. that is why bonus depreciation is so problem. We got into this arguably be- LARSON). important. Because when we did it in cause people borrowed and spent too The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without 2003, it worked. You look at this chart much money. So what are we going to objection, the gentleman from Con- here; and when bonus depreciation was do? We are going to send people a necticut will control the time. passed into law, we saw an immediate check and say, spend it. Go buy a flat There was no objection. jump in demand for U.S. manufactured screen TV and save America. I just Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. goods. The law had an impact, and it don’t think that is the proper stimulus Speaker, I yield 1 minute to our very had a big impact. or the right way to go about this. distinguished majority leader, the gen- Now, I have heard reports today that Second, it is really wealth redistribu- tleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER). our friends in the Senate, the Senate tion. People who pay well over 50 per- Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman Finance Committee, according to re- cent of the taxes in this country get for yielding. ports, may be considering cutting in nothing, zero, nada. But yet a substan- Before the gentleman who spoke be- half the bonus depreciation. Well, in tial portion of this package will go to fore me leaves, I just wanted to make 2001, in the first Bush tax cut, we tried people who pay nothing in taxes. So we sure that we correct the record. He said 30 percent bonus depreciation back in call it a tax rebate, but people are we might go back to the deficits that this period of time; and as you can see going to get a rebate who paid nothing, we had prior to 9/11. I will remind the on the chart, it had a little bit of an and people who paid most of the taxes gentleman that this President inher- impact, not very much. will get nothing. ited a surplus and we had three surplus As the House and Senate work out Third, it increases the deficit. We years preceding the fiscal year 2001, our differences if we pass different leg- have had three years of decline in this and in fact the Clinton administration islation, I urge that we keep the 50 per- deficit. We are finally seeing perhaps ended up with a net surplus, the only cent bonus depreciation, again, the the end of these deficits. And now with President in our lifetimes to have done ‘‘invest in American jobs’’ provision this and everything going on, we are so. I know he misspoke and I knew that is in the stimulus act. looking at increasing it for the first what he meant, and I share his view on Mr. Speaker, I urge bipartisan sup- time in 4 years, maybe going back to a the deficits. port of this important legislation. deficit as much as $400 billion, which However, I am very supportive of this Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would gets us back almost to where we were package because uniquely deficits I like to yield 2 minutes to Mr. LEVIN of before 9/11. think are justified in the time when Michigan and congratulate him for the Fourth, I know that it says in there you have a crisis economically con- outstanding contribution that he that nonresident aliens, meaning ille- fronting you and you want to stimulate

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:20 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.030 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H496 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 the economy. That is in fact I think Americans to give them the help they also give our citizens confidence. I classic economics in many ways, and it need and at the same time stimulate think they will be pleased with the is what we hear almost every econo- the economy. That is what economists work we do this day. mist telling us, from conservative tell us we ought to be doing. Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield economists to liberal economists and Former Treasury Secretary Larry 21⁄2 minutes to a distinguished member in between. Summers told the New York Times last of the Ways and Means Committee, the Mr. Speaker, for several years the Friday about this stimulus package: gentleman from Virginia (Mr. CANTOR). American people have been confronting ‘‘It is a much-needed and very con- Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I, too, an economy that most working people structive step. It will provide some would like to congratulate the Speaker are not being advantaged by. We were confidence, but policy-making will and the leader for bringing this bill to told that if we adopted an economic need to be on standby, because more the floor with such expediency. I do policy in the early part of this adminis- may be needed.’’ That is obviously a hope this is the beginning of a year in tration that that would turn our econ- fact. We hope this will do the job, but which we can count on cooperation for omy around, grow jobs, stimulate we will be on alert to make sure that strong pro-growth fiscal policy. growth. In point of fact, of course, less we do not recede further. Now, there is not a person in here than one-third of the number of jobs I am pleased that this stimulus pack- who likes everything in this bill, and I that were created from 1993 to 2001 age adhered to the principles that certainly would be one who is counted have been created from 2001 to today, Democrats have stressed for weeks, that there are provisions in here I less than a third in the private sector, that an economic stimulus package be would rather not see. But I want to 6 million versus 20 million under Bill timely, targeted, and temporary. That focus on the provisions that I think Clinton. is not just an alliterative phrase that work, and they work because they will This prediction of economic well- rolls from your mouth relatively eas- point towards job creation. At the end being was not in fact true, and it is ily. It is a premise on which we have of the day, if we are talking about now abundantly clear that millions of based this package so it would be stim- stimulus, the best stimulus is a job. hardworking American families are ulus, so it would be temporary and not There are two provisions in here, one struggling and that the American econ- exacerbate long-term deficits, and which is the bonus depreciation and omy needs a strong shot in the arm. would be targeted to those people who the other, 179 small business expensing, I want to congratulate my friend need it and will help stimulate the which mean incentives for our entre- Hank Paulson, the Secretary of the economy. preneurs and our small businesses and Treasury. I want to congratulate the Democrats are particularly pleased large businesses to have cash come to Joint Economic Committee that pro- that under this package 35 million the bottom line to be able to create vided good statistics, our Budget Com- working families who would not other- more jobs. mittee and Ways and Means Committee wise have been helped will receive tax If we can imagine the entrepreneurs for the work they have done. I want to relief. My friend who spoke before me in our communities at home who are congratulate Mr. BOEHNER and Mr. spoke about transfer of wealth from dealing with the question of whether BLUNT for the leadership they have one to the other. We treat, unfortu- they can deal with an economic down- shown, and I certainly want to con- nately, 50 percent of America who pays turn or not, whether they have to let gratulate our Speaker, Speaker PELOSI, more FICA taxes than they do income off jobs or not, this is real relief to all of whom worked together tirelessly taxes, 50 percent of working Americans those entrepreneurs and those small to try to come to agreement. And I pay more FICA tax than they do in- businesses. That is why I am excited want to congratulate Mr. RANGEL and come tax, we treat them as if somehow about these provisions that will create Mr. MCCRERY, who in a bipartisan way they are not paying taxes. They pay jobs. worked together to try to get us to property taxes, franchise taxes, excise In response to some of the discussion where we are today. which has ensued on the floor here, I I think this is good news for the taxes, sales taxes. They pay a lot of want to say that unemployment insur- American public, because we are going taxes, and they are hurting. This is a ance and other things that may or may to vote in an overwhelmingly and bi- tight economy for them, and this bill not be what one is for, if we are talking partisan fashion to reach out to try to added 35 million additional Americans, stimulus, let’s call those what they get this economy moving and help a lot middle-income and lower-income work- are. Unemployment insurance exten- of Americans. ing Americans, with help. They will The number of Americans living in help stimulate the economy. sion of benefits are enhancing a safety poverty and the number of uninsured is This economic package also will ex- net. I don’t think any of us would say up by 5 million and 7 million respec- pand financing opportunities for Amer- that is stimulative because, frankly, it tively. Job growth has been icans in danger of losing their homes. I allows individuals a safety net while unimpressive. Foreclosures have hit congratulate Mr. FRANK for the ex- they are looking for a job. That is not record levels, and Americans all across traordinary leadership he has shown on stimulus for our economy. Long term I would like to see this this country are struggling with ex- this issue. The mortgage crisis obvi- House continue to focus on the uncer- ploding gasoline prices, higher grocery ously is squeezing many, many Ameri- tainty in the investment environment. bills, and increasing college and health cans and putting them in danger. Too My colleague from California was here care costs. many have already lost their homes, and many are in danger of losing their saying it is about capital, it is about b 1345 homes. the lack of investment going on. We Thus, I am very pleased that Mem- It also gives that business stimulus need to focus long term on lifting the bers on both sides of the aisle and the that is a concurrent partner of this cloud of uncertainty for the investors White House have come together in the stimulus package, not only giving peo- and families in this economy so they spirit of bipartisanship and good faith ple the opportunity to purchase but can count on the fact that their alloca- to produce the economic stimulus giving people the opportunity to ex- tion of capital from a risk-based stand- package that we will have the oppor- pand jobs, expand their businesses, and point is going to be rewarded, and that tunity to vote on today. grow our economy. means keeping cap gain dividend rates In particular, the Speaker, the mi- I commend it to both sides. I thank low, lowering corporate rates so that nority leader, Mr. BOEHNER, as I said, both sides for working on this. My we can reward those who take risks in and Treasury Secretary Paulson de- friend CHARLIE RANGEL said during the our economy to create jobs. serve great credit for their efforts. The course of these negotiations, he said Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker clearly, as someone who has that not only will the stimulus pack- Speaker, I am proud to yield to a dis- watched her work on this for the last 2 age through its economic impact give tinguished member of the Ways and weeks, I can tell you, she was indefati- confidence to our country, but the fact Means Committee, the gentleman from gable and focused, as was Mr. BOEHNER. that we have in a bipartisan way come Texas (Mr. DOGGETT) for 2 minutes. In short, this stimulus will put together and concluded that we can Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, while money in the hands of hardworking work together in time of challenge will the Bush Administration’s reaction to

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.033 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H497 the economic downturn was to con- Virginia, business is small business, today’s tax relief bill. But I believe we tinue whistling ‘‘Don’t Worry, Be and they are the job creators. It is crit- must do much more to truly foster Happy,’’ we were at work on a prompt ical that we provide them with the as- business certainty, economic expan- response. But today’s stimulus is far sistance that they need to keep their sion, and a prosperous America for less effective than it could have been businesses viable and growing. workers and their families. and should have been because those This agreement includes much-need- The doubled small business expensing who doubted that we needed to do any- ed incentives to encourage the invest- and bonus depreciation tax relief in thing insisted on supporting only ac- ment that creates jobs and seeks to this bill will help employers invest in tion that would give one of every $3 to maintain our Nation’s competitiveness. their businesses, retain the workers corporate America and would delay Lastly, I would like to talk about the they already have, and hire new em- until this summer giving any assist- long-overdue step toward modernizing ployees in 2008. ance to ordinary working families. the Federal Housing Administration to It would be even more beneficial if And now there is even an effort to provide support for Americans who are we were focused on permanent relief. add tax cut rebates to this bill for struggling in this current housing Even today, U.S. industry is looking 2 multi-millionaires. That is hardly crunch. This bill will make it easier for and 3 years down the road and making ‘‘stimulus’’ unless they decide to in- many Americans to refinance their investment plans based on the expecta- crease their tips to the butler or the mortgages and receive the support to tions of the massive Democrat tax in- limousine driver. do so. Yet while I am encouraged by creases. Absent predictable, low rates Although the risk of recession is very this step, we must continue to work to- on capital formation, tax increases will real and it requires a bipartisan re- wards more comprehensive FHA mod- take a toll on economic activity and sponse, let’s be very clear: this danger ernization to make sure that this pro- growth, meaning fewer jobs, lower did not result from any bipartisan gram continues to be the resource for wages and tougher times for families in cause. creditworthy borrowers that may not the future. Like the Republican mythology that qualify for conventional market loans. Such a hit to our economy would far tax cuts pay for themselves, this down- I look forward to continuing to work outweigh any static revenue loss we with the chairman and Ranking Mem- turn had its genesis in the wrong- would see from enacting big-picture ber BACHUS on this important issue, headed notion that markets can do no tax relief. and our colleagues in the other body, evil, whether the subject is environ- Mr. Speaker, we should also focus on to proceed with negotiations and mental protection or economic sta- putting our employers on an even tax produce a final product we can all sup- bility. They think the only desirable footing with countries around the action is for the government to get out port. Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. globe. Currently, the United States has of the way. Well, the Bush Administra- Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a member the second highest business tax rates tion got way out of the way, and as a of the committee who has been a hard among world market economies. result we had overzealous lending and worker on this, the gentleman from Mr. Speaker, if we are to encourage a sometimes fraud in the subprime mar- sound and prosperous American econ- Georgia (Mr. SCOTT). ket while the Bush Administration Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, omy tomorrow, we have to begin by stood by. we have had a great debate in here this planting the seeds of prosperity and We wouldn’t need a $150 billion stim- afternoon. What is on the American growth today. ulus today if they had done their job. people’s mind right now are two words: b 1400 Whatever we do here, it can still be a ‘‘quickly’’ and ‘‘now.’’ They want this Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam stimulus without letting go of the pay- economy turned around quickly and as-you-go rule and adding to our soar- Speaker, at this time, I am honored to now. recognize the preeminent authority on ing national debt. The best way to do that is in our smart growth in the Congress, and I Borrowing too much is what helped plans, getting money to the people who dare say this Nation, the gentleman create this Bush economic mess. Bor- will spend it quickly and now, extend- from Oregon, a distinguished member rowing even more can make it even ing the limits on our lending capacity of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. worse. Political expedience should not in FHA quickly and now, and in Fannie BLUMENAUER, for 2 minutes. trump sound fiscal policy. Mae and Freddie Mac. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Mr. Speaker, about 143 years ago, Mr. BLUMENAUER. I thank the gen- tleman from Alabama has 11⁄2 minutes. Abraham Lincoln, as well as Robert E. tleman for his kind words and for his The gentleman from Louisiana has 27 Lee, came before this Congress at the leadership on this issue. minutes. The gentleman from Con- end of the Civil War, and they said to I rise in support of this legislation, necticut has 20 minutes. The gen- this Congress: we need to move. It is but, frankly, we’ve waited too long to tleman from Massachusetts has 81⁄2 not incumbent upon us to complete get to this point. We have watched as minutes. this task, but neither are we free to de- this administration has exploded the Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, at this sist from doing all we possibly can national debt. We have watched the time I yield to the gentlewoman from quickly and now. growth in the gross domestic product West Virginia (Mrs. CAPITO) the bal- Those are the words that are tripping slow 35 percent in this administration ance of my time. off the tongues of the American people. over the previous one. Median incomes Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise We need to stop them from being put declined. The savings rates have gone today in support of the financial eco- out of their homes with foreclosures. negative, and the trade deficit has dou- nomic stimulus package we have before That is why we have the limits for bled. us. As we know, our economy has Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well Most important, they ignored the begun to slow after a robust growth pe- as for the FHA loans. symptoms of the subprime mortgage riod of 52 months. It is imperative that Americans want to be able to have markets, a failure to exercise reason- we act swiftly in a bipartisan manner. their jobs. You do that by stimulating able oversight. This legislation is an I congratulate the Speaker, the minor- the economy and putting the money in important first step towards rebal- ity leader, and the President for their the hands of the people who will spend ancing the equity. ability to work together and come it quickly and now. I commend the Speaker for targeting forth with this package. Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 aid for those who need it most. I appre- We have learned about tax rebates minutes to the distinguished gen- ciate what my friend from Massachu- for filers. I think this is good for fam- tleman from California (Mr. HERGER), a setts Mr. FRANK has focused on, to ily budgets. Furthermore, they are tar- member of the Ways and Means Com- make it easier for hard-pressed fami- geted to the low- and moderate-income mittee and ranking member on the lies to refinance their loans. I hope be- Americans who are most in need. I am Subcommittee on Trade. fore we get through this process that also pleased that this package includes Mr. HERGER. I thank the gentleman. we’ll be able to add to it unemploy- important tax incentives for small I commend the House leaders for ment and food stamp benefits, which business growth. In a State like West coming together in a bipartisan way on will have even more stimulative effect.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.035 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H498 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 After this bill, we need to deal with I support this economic stimulus costs more to live in a State like Con- issues of infrastructure, making sure package because American families are necticut than it does other parts of the that we don’t shut down our wind en- hurting and small business needs help country. ergy production tax credit, and deal and they need it now. With that being said, this is a good with bankruptcy equity so that home- Unlike the President, both Wall bill and worthy of all Members’ sup- owners get the same protections as Street and Main Street know that we port. people who speculated in property. need a bold new vision to ensure Amer- Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Last but not least, I hope that this is ica’s economic leadership is a global Speaker, it is my honor and privilege the beginning of real progress in Con- economy. to introduce the person in Congress gress that becomes a critical issue of Americans understand that we need who knows more about article I in the accountability on the campaign trail to reward companies that create jobs Constitution than anyone else, the dis- so that next year we won’t have to here at home, and we must stop giving tinguished gentleman from Kentucky make compromises that compromise American businesses incentives to (Mr. YARMUTH) for 1 minute. what we need to do for the American move our jobs overseas. We need to Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, family. once again be the place where entre- today we will pass a bipartisan eco- Mr. MCCRERY. Madam Speaker, I preneurs from around the world come nomic stimulus package that will help yield 11⁄2 minutes to the distinguished to live their dream. American families and jump-start our gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Madam Speaker, I urge my col- growing economy. MCHENRY). leagues to take the first step today by Throughout our great country, hard- Mr. MCHENRY. Madam Speaker, the giving families and small businesses a working citizens are making major basic principle of this economic stim- helping hand. I also ask my colleagues sacrifices to make ends meet, cutting ulus package I agree with, and that is to come together with the courage and back on winter clothes to pay for heat, allowing taxpayers to keep more of resolve to give America an economic scaling back groceries to pay for kids’ what they contribute to the govern- plan that ensures our children’s Amer- medical bills, or sacrificing college in ment in order to keep more of what ican Dreams. attempt to prevent mortgage fore- Mr. MCCRERY. Madam Speaker, I they earn so they can spend it for their closure. families and the communities. yield 2 minutes to the distinguished For 117 million families, 1.6 million Yesterday, the Speaker said that she gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. in Kentucky alone, rebate checks of SHAYS). estimates that each dollar of broad tax $600 per individual, $1,200 per couple Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I rise cuts leads to $1.26 in economic growth. and an additional $300 per child will be in support of the bipartisan economic Now, that’s a wonderful thing, 26 per- stimulus package. I believe we have in their mailboxes by as early as May. cent return on your investment for al- talked ourselves into a recession, and This is dramatic departure from the lowing people to keep what they earn. confidence in our economy is waning. old strategy in which leaders hoped tax That’s wonderful and that’s a very By passing this legislation, we are tak- breaks for billionaires would trickle good thing. Tax relief spurs economic ing an important step to lessen the im- down to the people who really needed growth. That is true. pact of an economic slowdown, but help. But we have to also go a step further there is more work to be done. Hope is a wonderful thing. But as the in this economic stimulus package. At I am pleased the legislation includes last 7 years have taught us, it is not ef- a time when people are concerned the bonus depreciation and section 179 fective fiscal policy for most Ameri- about high gas prices, rising costs of expensing provisions, which will en- cans. By targeting those who need health care, as well as keeping their courage companies and especially help, who we know without doubt will homes, we have to be acutely aware of small businesses to immediately pur- spend and invest and put money back helping them. And I think what we can chase new equipment and expand their in the economy, we aren’t depending on do as a Congress is go a step further in businesses. hope; we’re providing it. this stimulus package, one step fur- Allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie I urge my colleagues to join me in ther, and that is to take the rising Mac and the FHA to purchase larger providing that hope and jump-starting taxes, the tax increases that are on the loans gives needed flexibility to sup- the economy today. table and take them off the table. port sound lending in the 21st century. Mr. MCCRERY. Madam Speaker, I re- Look, we need to do a whole lot more The recent slump in the housing mar- serve the balance of my time. to keep this economy strong, to keep it ket has been a major factor in our cur- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. consistently strong. We need to make rent economic uncertainty, so it is ap- Madam Speaker, I’m now going to permanent the tax relief from 2001 and propriate we address home loans in the yield to the Chair of the Financial In- 2003. I think it would be immoral for stimulus package. In doing this, we in- stitution Subcommittee, who has been Washington politicians to take more crease the need for a new regulator of a very important part of our effort to out of people’s hard-earned incomes for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which I try and deal with this crisis, the gen- wasteful spending programs. And I am hopeful we will enact into law soon. tlewoman from New York (Mrs. think we have to go further. While this is a start, the bipartisan- MALONEY) for 1 minute. By taking that tax increase off the ship displayed in crafting this legisla- Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam table, we will help every kitchen table tion, which will have an impact in the Speaker, I would also like to yield 1 in America, for every middle-class fam- short term, must continue to develop minute as well to the distinguished ily in America. long-term solutions to address the in- lady from New York. Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. creased cost of energy, uncertainty The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Madam Speaker, I yield now 1 minute about future tax increases, and DEGETTE). The gentlewoman from New to a member of the Financial Services unsustainable growth in health insur- York is recognized for 2 minutes. Committee whose expertise in the ance costs. Only by tackling the issues Mrs. MALONEY of New York. I world of business and finance has been that impact the American people will thank the gentlemen for yielding the very helpful to us, the gentleman from we restore confidence in our economy. time, and I appreciate their leadership. Florida (Mr. MAHONEY). In closing, I am disappointed the Madam Speaker, today we will vote Mr. MAHONEY of Florida. Madam stimulus package being considered on an important bipartisan achieve- Speaker, the good news is the debate is today does not have a cost-of-living ment, an economic stimulus package over. The President, Congress, and the differential for regions. There are that is truly timely, temporary and American people all agree that the many residents of the Fourth Congres- targeted. Under the plan, more than 100 economy is in trouble and that the old sional District who make over $75,000 million families squeezed by the high cures that the Bush administration has but are struggling to keep up with edu- cost of basic living expenses will get a used to grow our economy have failed cation, energy, and health expenses in meaningful tax rebate, and it is tar- to provide working and middle-class our region. geted to those families most in need. Americans a better life and a secure fu- It would have been better if the legis- Millions of families can get help to ture. lation before us today recognized it avoid losing their homes, and small

VerDate Aug 31 2005 23:41 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.061 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H499 businesses can take advantage of tax However, while I support this legislation, I and the livelihoods of large numbers of Ameri- cuts that will help spur investment and would like to express my concern about some cans. During the third quarter of 2007, the Na- job creation. of this bill’s omissions. I requested and had tion’s home foreclosures doubled from the pre- This package will provide a boost to hoped that this legislation would include lan- vious year. This Democratic Congress is com- the economy by putting hundreds of guage declaring that it is the sense of Con- mitted to strengthening the housing market dollars into the hands of middle and gress that a moratorium of up to 90 days and stabilizing the economy, and we have lower income families who will gen- should be declared on all home foreclosures, passed important legislation to address this erate demand without the fear of ignit- and that it is the sense of Congress that the crisis. ing inflation. financial industry should allow for the recon- Because of the lack of regulation by the Our plan also temporarily raises the struction and reconfiguration of the mortgage Federal Government, many housing loans mortgage lending limits for FHA, loan market. were accompanied by fraud, predatory lend- Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to in- Madam Speaker, I would like to see the fol- ing, inadequate information and other failures crease affordable refinancing options lowing language included in the final legisla- of responsible marketing. With exceptionally for those facing foreclosure and to in- tion, agreed on by both Houses and signed high—and rising—foreclosure rates across the ject much needed liquidity into the into law by the President: country, homeowners all over America are los- housing markets. (i) It is the sense of Congress that a morato- ing their homes. Homeowners are surprised to I regret that many of the aspects of rium of up to 90 days should be declared on find out that their monthly payments are spik- the FHA reform were cut out of the all home foreclosures. ing and they are struggling to make these in- bill, and we hope to have them passed (ii) It is the sense of Congress that the fi- creasingly high payments. in the Senate. These efforts build on nancial industry should allow for the recon- The subprime mortgage crisis has impacted the hard work of Democrats in Con- struction and reconfiguration of the mortgage families and communities across the country. gress to help families stay in their loan market. Home foreclosure filings rose to 1.2 million in homes and to prevent other crises like It was my sincere hope, shared by many 2006, a 42 percent jump, due to rising mort- this from happening in the future. economists, that a temporary economic adjust- gage bills and a slowing housing market. Na- This package is an important first ment period would provide relief for millions of tionally, as many as 2.4 million subprime bor- step, but there is much more to do. We Americans, and that this added time would rowers have either lost their homes or could will keep fighting to restore the Amer- give them time to look for other resources. By lose them in the next few years. ican Dream and to help America’s delaying foreclosure, Congress would have In my home State of Texas, citizens are hardworking families. declared that millions of Americans deserve to feeling the impact of the looming financial cri- Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam make their payments, or to get their loans re- sis. In November 2007 alone, there were Speaker, at this time I yield the distin- structured before they lose their homes. Those 11,599 foreclosure filings in Texas. According guished lady from Texas, SHEILA JACK- who can keep paying would continue putting to the Center for Responsible Lending, in Har- SON-LEE, 1 minute. money back into our economy. Madam Speak- ris County alone 11,944 homes were lost from Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank er, we must act now to prevent what could be 2005 to 2006 through foreclosure on subprime the distinguished manager of this legis- a disaster for millions of Americans. loans. During the same time period, the aver- lation and vice chairman of our caucus. There are a number of additional proposals age home decreased $1,355 in total value. Madam Speaker, the United States, that I would like to see included in the final Madam Speaker, I firmly believe that this the American people asked us to act, economic stimulus package. I believe it should agreement should include a moratorium on and I’m proud today to rise and to sup- include a summer job program, aimed at help- foreclosures of at least 90 days on owner-oc- port the kind of stimulus that provides ing our Nation’s youth gain the crucial work cupied homes with subprime mortgages. Any opportunity not only for those who you experience and job skills that will allow them agreement should also include a rate freeze would expect or those who are argued to be competitive in today’s increasingly dif- on adjustable mortgages of at least 5 years or for, but the working men and women, ficult employment market. By working to pro- until the loan is converted into a fixed-rate middle-income Americans in my con- vide Americans with the skills they need to mortgage. The freeze on foreclosures would gressional district in Houston making successfully secure and keep employment, we give the housing market time to stabilize and less than $50,000, allowing them to get cannot only help both adults and youth to de- homeowners time to build equity. It is critical either $600 as a single person, $1,200 as velop their careers and to support themselves that we address this crisis. The Bush adminis- a family, and $300 as a married couple. and their families, but we can bolster the tration and the mortgage industry must reach The most important aspect is that whole economy by combating poverty and un- an agreement that matches the scale of the economists estimate that each dollar employment. problem. The U.S. Treasury Department has of broad tax cuts leads to $1.26 in eco- I would also like to see the extension and been pushing the mortgage industry to agree nomic growth. But I hope that we will expansion of several existent programs which to temporarily freeze interest rates for some look to the addition of food stamps, are already doing important work toward help- borrowers who took out loans with low teaser summer job programs, and extension of ing Americans. Under the strain of current fi- rates that will soon be resetting much higher. the unemployment. And we must have nancial circumstances, I believe that we must Madam Speaker, it is imperative that we ad- the language, I hope, in the final bill, a bolster these important programs. Madam dress the serious underlying housing issues sense of Congress that there should be Speaker, I call for the expansion of food faced by our Nation. Seventeen million house- a moratorium on foreclosures that are stamps and Medicaid programs, and for the holds, or one in seven, spend more than 50 happening in America today; 2.4 mil- extension of unemployment benefits. Given percent of their income on housing. On any lion foreclosures expected in this com- the current economic climate, I believe that is given night, approximately 750,000 men, ing year. It is imperative that we give our responsibility, as the leaders of our Nation, women, and children are homeless. Con- a sense that these individuals can re- to do all in our power to ensure that the most structing more affordable housing is necessary construct their loans and survive. vulnerable populations are protected. to help families who have lost their homes in This is a package that is needed for Madam Speaker, now is the time for innova- the subprime mortgage crisis or due to a fam- America. I ask my colleagues to sup- tive leadership and concerted action. Recent ily financial crisis, such as illness or job loss. port it. data shows economic growth is slowing, and In my home district in Houston, homelessness Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of many economic analysts predict a 50 percent remains a significant problem. Houston’s the Recovery Rebate and Economic Stimulus chance of recession. According to the Bureau homeless population increased to approxi- for the American People Act. I would like to of Labor Statistics, unemployment rose from mately 14,000 in 2005, before Hurricanes thank Speaker PELOSI for her leadership on 4.7 to 5.0 percent in November 2007 alone. Katrina and Rita, and hurricane evacuees re- this issue, as well as my colleagues on both This data, coupled with a struggling housing maining in the Houston area could result in sides of the aisle who have worked together to market and overall slowing economic growth, the homeless population increasing by some overcome partisan divisions to work together has caused a ‘‘credit crunch’’ that has reduced 23,000. Approximately 28 percent of homeless to stimulate our national economy. This legis- available funding and has caused rising prices Americans are veterans. lation will inject $145.9 billion into the econ- for housing and food. In August, I, in coordination with the Texas omy in 2008, over two-thirds of which will Over the past year, we have seen a crisis Department of Housing and Community Af- come in the form of tax rebate checks, given in subprime mortgage lending, which has fairs, hosted a workshop on the introductory directly to individuals and families. threatened the stability of the housing market concepts and considerations in applying for

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.040 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H500 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Housing Tax Credits in Texas. This workshop tinue to advocate for a 90-day moratorium on FRANK, and Speaker PELOSI all should was designed to create new incentives for de- home foreclosures to give financially troubled be acknowledged for the work. velopers to expand business opportunities in borrowers time to work with lenders and avoid I thank our friend from Hartford, housing development, as well as to generate losing their homes. I also believe we, together, Connecticut (Mr. LARSON) for giving a significant increase in the availability of low- must address the underlying infrastructure me time. income and affordable housing for the resi- problems plaguing our economy. However, I Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam dents of Houston and Harris County. I believe do believe today’s legislation will provide im- Speaker, at this time, I would like to that an increase in affordable housing and job portant benefits to millions of Americans, to recognize the gentlewoman from New opportunities will help reduce the high rates of the entire economy, and to our Nation as a Hampshire (Ms. SHEA-PORTER) for 1 homelessness among Houston residents. whole. I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- minute. Madam Speaker, today’s economic stimulus port of this legislation. Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Madam Speak- legislation will make important strides towards [Discussion Draft] er, the administration’s policies of the helping hardworking Americans who are strug- AMENDMENT TO H.R. ll past 7 years have led us to this point. gling with the high costs of gas, health care, OFFERED BY MS. JACKSON-LEE OF TEXAS The American people know that prices and groceries. By putting several hundred dol- At the appropriate place in the bill, insert have gone up for everything, from gro- lars directly into the hands of 117 million the following new section: ceries to heating oil to gasoline, while American families, this legislation will make SEC. ll. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING at the same time jobs are moving over- important strides toward invigorating our econ- HOME MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE seas, the housing market is in a crisis omy, giving money to those who will quickly MORATORIUM AND MARKET. and the economy is struggling. This is spend it, reinvesting this money in the Amer- It is the sense of the Congress that— what happens when there is no over- (1) a moratorium of up to 90 days should be sight for 7 long years and mismanage- ican economy. declared on all foreclosures on home mort- This bill provides broad-based relief for indi- gage loans; and ment is allowed to run rampant. viduals and families, valued at approximately (2) the financial industry should allow for I’m pleased that we did come to- $109 billion over 10 years. The packages in- the reconstruction and reconfiguration of gether in a bipartisan manner to cludes tax cuts for 117 million families, pro- the home mortgage loan market. produce this bill. Over 117 million viding up to $600 per individual, $1,200 per Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam American families will receive rebates married couple, and an additional $300 per Speaker, it is now my high honor to under this plan, including 600,000 in my child. On top of these recovery rebate checks, call upon the chairman of the Select own State of New Hampshire. which could be sent as early as mid-May, this Revenue Committee for the Ways and This bill also helps small businesses, legislation will provide unprecedented tax relief Means Committee, the distinguished which are at the heart of our Nation. It for working families, with $28 billion in tax re- gentleman from Springfield, Massachu- is a very good start, but we need to do more for senior citizens and for those lief for 35 million families who work but make setts (Mr. NEAL) for 2 minutes. too little to pay income taxes, who would Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam who receive Social Security. We need therefore otherwise not be included in this re- Speaker, I want to first congratulate to do more for families who need to covery effort. It is targeted to reach those who the Speaker and Chairman RANGEL and stay warm this winter. They are the need the relief the most: Of these 35 million Chairman FRANK for negotiating this most vulnerable members of our soci- working families, over 19 million are families economic stimulus bill which will pro- ety. They need help the most, and we with children. I support provisions in this legis- vide relief to working families and know they will put the money directly lation providing tax relief to middle-income businesses in these difficult times. into the economy. Americans, as well as those aspiring to the The bill provides $100 billion in tax We must continue to turn this Na- middle class, leaving out the wealthiest tax- relief to working families, targeting tion’s attention towards restoring a vi- payers. Nearly $50 billion of the rebate will go this relief to families that really need brant, robust middle class. Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam to those making less than $50,000. it. A family earning between 10 and Speaker, at this time it is an honor to Madam Speaker, family incomes and home $20,000 will see their taxes cut by 50 call upon the distinguished gentleman prices are down, even as the costs of health percent. For New England families fac- from Virginia (Mr. MORAN) for 11⁄2 min- care, energy, food, and education are on the ing rising energy bills, this is well- rise. Combined with the jump in mortgage utes. timed relief and cash in the hands of Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam foreclosures, the American economy is strug- those most likely to use it to spur on gling, with American families falling behind on Speaker, I thank my friend and vice- economic growth. Chair of our caucus for yielding me the their bills and consumer confidence hitting a 5- Like others, I believe we can and will time. year low. do more. But I’m a strong supporter of If his chairman, Mr. RANGEL, and Mr. This bill also contains some provisions to the legislation that’s in front of us and help families avoid foreclosure. It increases af- FRANK had had their druthers, not to urge its adoption. mention the Speaker, this would have fordable refinancing opportunities and liquidity Some have quibbled with the impact been a far better bill than it is today. in the housing market, increasing the Federal of this stimulus, but I believe this is It would have included the extension of Housing Administration loan limits to $729,750 how the Congress should respond in a unemployment insurance and food for 2008. This will expand affordable mortgage troubled economy. Abe Lincoln noted stamp benefits; it would have helped loan opportunities for families at risk of fore- that ‘‘The legitimate object of govern- out States with their Medicaid funding closure. Further, it includes a 1-year increase ment is to do for a community of peo- in loan limits for single family homes from crisis. ple whatever they need to have done, It would also have included home Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, enhancing but cannot do at all in their separate credit availability in the mortgage market. mortgage foreclosure mitigation which and individual capacities.’’ has had a tremendous impact upon While this legislation includes provisions in- Working families, businesses, home- thousands of families throughout the tended to provide a short-term ‘‘fix’’ to many of owners, and investors are hurting. This country. We know that a one-time pay- the economic difficulties our economy is cur- quick infusion of cash to low- and mid- ment of $600 will do nothing to help a rently facing, I do not believe that it addresses dle-income families, to small busi- family facing foreclosure, as some the long-term needs of our Nation. While nesses and large businesses where nec- 250,000 American families are expected short-term response is critical, we must not essary, making capital purchases, will to do every month this year. neglect infrastructure, energy independence, jump-start our economy in a quick and and innovation needs, without which we will The Bush White House insisted that efficient way. this mortgage foreclosure counseling not be able to establish a vibrant U.S. econ- Is it perfect? No. omy. I look forward to working with House Is it possible? Yes. be taken out over the objections of Mr. leadership, and with my fellow Members on Is there more work to be done? Cer- FRANK, and it is a darn shame when both sides of the aisle, to look to the future, tainly. We will come to that as well in this could have had such a positive im- and to build innovative and long-term solutions late winter and early spring. pact. to the underlying problems our economy The impact of home foreclosures isn’t faces. b 1415 limited to the lender and borrower, as Madam Speaker, this legislation is not per- This is good work and the leadership we so well know. They have a negative fect, but I believe it is an important step. I con- should be commended. Mr. RANGEL, Mr. impact on the entire community.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.039 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H501 The reality is that across this coun- these two bills and get a final product Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam try over the ensuing year there will be to the President immediately. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from nearly 45 million homes that will be A modernized FHA program will pro- Louisiana. foreclosed on. This will shrink the vide insurance so that more struggling At this time, I yield 1 minute to the local property tax base by $223 billion American homeowners can refinance distinguished gentleman from New this year as a result of the foreclosure their existing mortgages and keep York City, Mr. SERRANO, who is loved of home mortgages. And, yet, when we their homes. It will give first-time dearly by her citizens. Only Roberto look around at what has worked, we homebuyers a viable alternative to bad Clemente is respected more in his great find that one hotline, for example, is subprime loans. By providing Fannie City of New York. currently taking more than 1,000 calls and Freddie with a world-class regu- (Mr. SERRANO asked and was given a day preventing an estimated 200 fore- lator, we can infuse the housing mar- permission to revise and extend his re- closures by empowering borrowers with ket with liquidity so that more financ- marks.) the skills and education they need to ing is available for perspective home- Mr. SERRANO. I thank the gen- work out terms with their lenders and owners. tleman. I have no voice, but I have a to stay in their homes. In addition, we need to supply more lot of joy. This is a great day. That’s one of the things that this funding for housing counseling. Coun- This is the first time that a package this bill needs to be about. It needs to selors can help guide homeowners into of this kind has included so many poor be about extending unemployment in- a loan that best meets their budgets people and so many folks in the middle surance and the kind of helping hand and needs, steering them away from a class, but I especially want to thank to America’s working class that this situation that could lead to foreclosure the leadership on both sides for includ- party stands for. We are going to pass down the road. ing the Territories. This is the first the bill, but we could and should have Madam Speaker, it is critical to the time in the history of this country that done better. housing market and our economy that the people who live in the Territories Mr. MCCRERY. Madam Speaker, it is we finalize GSE and FHA reform and are treated as equal, as Americans as a pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the increase housing counseling. Adding li- they are, living under the American gentlelady from Illinois (Mrs. quidity and consumer confidence to the flag. BIGGERT), the ranking member on the flagging housing market can restore And where will they spend the Financial Institutions Subcommittee vigorous growth to our economy, and money? At the same retail stores that of the Financial Services Committee. we must do it without delay. we will be spending our money here in Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I And in the near term, I urge my col- this country. It’s the same economy; rise in support of this important bill leagues to support this economic stim- but for the first time, this Congress in and urge its swift passage. ulus package as a critical first step. a bipartisan way has accepted the fact I’m pleased that House leaders, both Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. that it is one economy and the Terri- Republican and Democrat, and the ad- Madam Speaker, I now yield 1 minute tories are as much a part of this Nation ministration have been able to come to a member of our committee who has as any other part, and I thank you for together quickly on a clean, targeted been very active in trying to deal with that. economic stimulus package. The bill housing and especially with the area of Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam promises to relieve the financial strain manufactured housing, which is such Speaker, it is my honor to now prevail on hardworking Americans while pro- an important part of our efforts to upon the distinguished gentlelady from viding a much-needed boost to the meet the housing needs, the gentleman Nevada (Ms. BERKLEY) for 2 minutes. economy and the housing market. Today, I want to highlight a few pro- from Indiana (Mr. DONNELLY). Ms. BERKLEY. I thank the gen- visions in the bill produced by the Fi- Mr. DONNELLY. Thank you, Mr. tleman from Connecticut. nancial Services Committee. These Chairman, for your leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- provisions increase the conforming I rise today in strong support of this port of this bipartisan stimulus pack- loan limits for both the Federal Hous- bipartisan economic stimulus package. age. This bill will provide tax relief for ing Administration and the GSEs, These are difficult times for working over 1 million Nevada families who will Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And families. From rising energy prices and receive an average rebate of over $800. what will this do? It will keep property health care costs, to mortgage con- With the unemployment rate in my values from falling further by tempo- cerns and a volatile job market, fami- State climbing above the national av- rarily permitting Fannie, Freddie and lies in my district are feeling the erage to a 5-year high of 5.8 percent, the FHA to help homeowners and buy- squeeze in almost every facet of their this timely support will help these ers finance and refinance mortgages in lives. families weather the financial storm high-cost areas like the City of Chi- This stimulus package before us is while they search for and find new em- cago. carefully crafted to provide immediate ployment. In short, it will help save the neigh- tax relief to working families, while I’m also especially supportive of the borhood. maximizing the benefit to the econ- provisions of the bill that address the These are important first steps; but omy. housing crisis. Unfortunately, my as the President indicated last night, It is estimated that 2.6 million mid- State of Nevada has the highest rate of there are additional steps that require dle-class Hoosier families will receive foreclosures in the country. The in- our full attention in the days to come $2.4 billion in tax relief. creased funding for mortgage coun- if we are to reinvigorate the economy. In addition, this stimulus package seling, along with new higher loan lim- We need to prevent a return of the also recognizes the important role that its for loans from Fannie Mae and marriage penalty, the death tax and small businesses play in creating jobs Freddie Mac and the FHA, will help the alternative minimum tax, along and strengthening our economy. The thousands of Nevadans avoid fore- with higher taxes on income dividends package doubles the amount small closure and keep their families in their and capital gains. We also need to send businesses can write off their taxes for homes. comprehensive FHA and GSE reform to new investments made in 2008, and it I urge my colleagues to support this the President. increases the number of small busi- bill. I thank the gentleman for giving During the last two Congresses, our nesses that are eligible for this basic me so much time. committee in the full House has passed tax relief. Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam bills to modernize the FHA and reform Madam Speaker, I’m proud to sup- Speaker, at this time, I would like to Fannie and Freddie, but these efforts port this stimulus package. prevail upon the gentleman from Colo- have yet to become law. The latest Mr. MCCRERY. Madam Speaker, we rado (Mr. PERLMUTTER) for 1 minute. FHA proposal was even rumored to be only have one remaining speaker to Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, part of the stimulus package, but it is close. So assuming that the gentleman I thank Mr. LARSON, and I want to not. from Connecticut has additional speak- thank the leadership on both sides of And that is why I urge my colleagues ers, I would ask that he be allowed to the aisle for working together, for the in the House and Senate to conference yield time. give and take that’s gone into this bill.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.069 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H502 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 I rise in support, but I do recognize they’re hearing is that things may get it doesn’t meet a real need in the econ- the complaints that Mr. CAMPBELL worse, there is a lack of confidence out omy. One of the innovations of recent raised in connection with this bill and there. I don’t believe that it is entirely times was securitization made possible this package. This is a short-term fix justified. by large pools of money, by great li- to some long-term fundamental eco- This country has challenges. This quidity that came from various places, nomic problems that we have in the economy has weaknesses, and we’ve not from depository funds, because country, but it gives us a chance now talked about those. But our underlying funds that are in depository institu- to focus mid term and long term on fundamental economic system and our tions are regulated. But a lot of money strategies and investments that will financial system is sound. And I hope was generated now, not by bank depos- strengthen our families and our Na- by us today joining together in a bipar- its, but in other ways. And we’ve also tion. These are strategies and invest- tisan way to pass this legislation we’ll got the ability, technically and in ments that will call for sacrifice on the be saying to the American people, your other ways, to sell off those loans. part of the Nation, as well as each one Congress has confidence in you and the The lender-borrower relationship of us as individuals. economy. that was at the core 30 years ago of We will get a chance now, I hope, in The SPEAKER pro tempore. The many transactions has been essentially future packages to look at the infra- Chair wishes to announce that the gen- diluted. And it turns out that those structure of this Nation in energy and tleman from Louisiana has 161⁄2 min- who thought they had a way to sub- transportation, but this today will give utes, the gentleman from Massachu- stitute for that missing lender-bor- 1 the shot in the arm this country needs setts has 4 ⁄2 minutes, and the gen- rower relationship were deluded. The and give us a chance to really plan for tleman from Connecticut has 8 min- relationship was diluted, but they were the future. utes. deluded in thinking that they had Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. MCCRERY. Madam Speaker, can these techniques that would allow I inquire from the gentleman from Madam Speaker, the argument has them to deal with it. been made that this is just a short- Connecticut how many speakers he has We are in a difficult situation today term fix, and that is what we hope it remaining. because the innovation and will be. We have both a short-term and Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Yes, we securitization, which has many advan- a long-term problem. would be prepared to close at this time. tages, was allowed to go forward with- A recession is, by definition, a spe- out adequate regulation, without peo- I don’t know whether the gentleman cific incident in the cycle, and what we from Massachusetts is going to close as ple knowing, literally, what they were are trying to do now is to respond to doing and what they were buying and well. So, with that, we would reserve what we believe and hope to be a spe- the balance of our time and be prepared what they were selling, and keeping cific, more short-term weakness. things off their balance sheets, and not to close. That’s why we are able to come to- Mr. MCCRERY. Madam Speaker, so being reserve requirements and not gether in a bipartisan way. being careful about what loans they am I to understand that the majority And partisanship is, I believe, a much bought. We have differences between has two remaining speakers, one from unfairly maligned concept. Partisan- the parties as to how to deal with Financial Services, one from Ways and ship is essential to a healthy democ- those, and we will continue to work on Means? racy. There has never been a self-gov- those. Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. That is erning polity in the history of the We, however, have a short-term, we correct. world, I believe, of any size where po- hope, shortfall that needs to be ad- Mr. MCCRERY. Very well. In that litical parties did not emerge, because dressed. And let me talk for a minute case, Madam Speaker, I would yield 2 large numbers of people trying to gov- for those who say, Well, what makes minutes to the gentleman from Ala- ern themselves need an organizing you think people are going to go out bama (Mr. BACHUS), the ranking mem- principle other than the authority of and spend more because of this? The ber of the Financial Services Com- the leadership. mittee, and then we will have one re- In America today, a division between purpose of a short-term stimulus like maining speaker to close. the two parties reflects serious, this is not to get people to spend more; Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, let thoughtful differences on how the pub- it is to help them not to spend less. me say this to the membership on both lic and private sectors should interact. We’re not talking about the need for a sides. I believe that we’ve come to- We’re a capitalist Nation and we’re all surge over the norm in consumer gether in a bipartisan way to pass this capitalists, but we differ. On the Re- spending. We are talking about a fiscal legislation today because we have con- publican side there is, I think, an un- crunch that faces many Americans, in fidence in America. We have confidence justified belief in the essential self-suf- response to which they will have to cut in the American people. We believe the ficiency of the capitalist system. back spending. And people are saying, American people have a right to have We believe, following many who have Oh, they’re going to buy flat screen confidence. done work on the technical ‘‘doctrine TVs, they’re going to do this and that. And I would say whether we’re Mem- of market failure,’’ market failure in We have, thanks to the leadership of bers or Americans, I would say to all of the economic sense, that the free mar- Speaker PELOSI, a bill before us that us, you have every reason to have con- ket is a great generator of wealth, but will send most of the individual money fidence in this country. You have every that to achieve the quality of life we to people who don’t have the option of reason to have confidence in the work- want, there must also be a vigorous saying, Well, I think I’ll buy another ers of this country, their innovative public sector that interacts with it. flat screen TV, but who need the ability and their ability to produce and That’s partly in expenditures, because money. Helping them avoid pain in compete in the world economy. You there are public goods that all of us their lives and damage to the economy have every reason to be confident in want that the private sector does not is the justification for this very nar- the American economic system. have the capacity to produce, public row, short-term stimulus. safety and transportation, and includ- Mr. MCCRERY. Madam Speaker, our b 1430 ing some compassion for those among closing speaker on the minority side is That’s the message that I heard in us who will not live minimally decent a gentleman who deserves much of the New York City from many institutions lives unless the rest of us show some of credit for the swiftness with which this that said they had money to loan. that compassion. stimulus package was brought to the There are companies out there who are There is also the need for regulation. floor. He deserves much of the credit making money, that want to hire peo- And the biggest single problem we face for the balancing of the interests of the ple, that want to build new plants, that today, I believe, is the consequence of majority and the minority that is con- want to expand, that want to buy too little regulation. It is possible to tained in this legislation. And he de- equipment, that want to invest in new overregulate, but it is possible to regu- serves much of the credit for the ma- technology, but because of what they late inadequately. jority and the minority leadership read in the paper, not because of their Innovation is very important, and in- being able to bring this bill forward to balance sheet, but because of what novation does not survive and grow if the floor today under suspension. So,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.062 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H503 it’s with a great deal of pleasure that I Now, having said that, we’ve got a well. And to my distinguished col- introduce our closing speaker, the re- longer term issue in terms of economic league from Massachusetts, whose elo- spected minority leader, Mr. BOEHNER, growth in America. Our economy, quence is only superceded by his wit and yield him as much time as he may frankly, has been very good over, real- and understanding of the parliamen- consume. ly, if you go back, over the last 15 tary process, he continues to amaze. Mr. BOEHNER. Let me thank my years we’ve had a very strong econ- But in getting philosophical, my colleague from Louisiana for his gen- omy. We’ve had a couple of slowdowns grandfather, Nolan, would say, in ex- erous words and thank all of my col- along the way, but when you look down plaining the difference in the free mar- leagues for the generous spirit that we the road, there are some clouds on the ket system, one thing has to apply, and find in the Chamber today. horizon that we ought to be concerned that’s Peter Finley Dunn’s reminder to I think that the bill that we have be- about. The idea that the tax relief that ‘‘trust everyone, but cut the cards.’’ fore us that embodies an agreement we put in place earlier this decade to And I think in coming together today, that Speaker PELOSI and I came to last help those who invest in our economy, that’s what we’ve seen is a cutting of week, along with the administration, is those who pay taxes on our economy, the cards. going to help middle-class families the fact that that tax relief was tem- But as we all know, this wouldn’t that are in a pinch. Their cost of living porary, it might come back, I think have happened without the great work is rising, whether it be the cost of causes a lot of investors to wonder of the distinguished chairman of the health insurance, the cost of gasoline, whether they should invest more in Ways and Means Committee, CHARLIE energy, and at a time when their sala- America’s economy. And so, making RANGEL, and again, the distinguished ries and their incomes aren’t rising. that tax relief permanent is a very im- gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. And I think that what the American portant part of our long-term economic MCCRERY). So, we’re sad to see him people want is they want solutions, so- growth. leave, but the partnership that the two lutions to the problems that we face in Secondly, corporations in America of them have had, as I’ve said earlier, our country. And I believe that the bi- pay taxes. And a lot of Members think exemplifies how the Chamber and how partisan measure that we have will, in corporations pay taxes. The entity committees should conduct them- fact, help give a short-term boost to pays taxes to the Federal Government, selves. our economy. It will put money in the but corporations don’t pay taxes, their Madam Speaker, Speaker PELOSI de- pockets of American families. It will customers and their employees pay serves so much credit for this, for first give businesses reasons to invest in taxes. And having a tax structure on reaching out to the President, and then new equipment, to maintain and hope- corporate America that gives them rea- working hand in glove with Mr. fully to expand their employment. son to wonder should they locate here BOEHNER to make sure that we were Is the bill perfect? No, it’s not per- or should they locate somewhere else, I able to bring this important legislation to the floor today. As Mr. RANGEL has fect. Republicans gave a little, the think, is, again, sending the wrong sig- outlined and Mr. HOYER as well, we Speaker gave a little, and at the end of nal. If we want people to invest in our made sure that this was simplistic in the day, we came to an agreement that economy, our corporate tax structure its approach to get money out in a I think represents what the American has to be competitive with those timely, targeted, and temporary man- people expect of us. They expect us to around the world. And today, it is not. ner. And I believe that we have been find ways to work together, not rea- And it needs to be done. sons to continue to fight with each The tax extenders that we’ve talked able to achieve those goals. other. And the bill that we have before about in the past, especially the re- b 1445 us is the way good legislation occurs. search and development tax credit that We further recognize, however, that I’ve said this many times before, if I gives companies a reason to invest in we have a rendezvous with reality, and look back over my career in Congress: research and development here in the the Ways and Means Committee and The bills that I remember most, the United States, is critical to our long- Mr. RANGEL are prepared, as we move most significant legislation that I’ve term success. And why that hasn’t been forward in this session and into the worked on, has always been done in a reauthorized as of yet is beyond me, next, to make sure that we’re address- bipartisan way, whether I was in the but I hope it will be reauthorized soon. ing the long-term concerns that we minority or in the majority. And I Madam Speaker, many Americans, in know this economy faces. want to thank Speaker PELOSI for her my view, correctly believe that Wash- With that, again, I would like to willingness to sit down and work to- ington is broken. I hope that this thank the staffs of the respective com- gether in a bipartisan way, in a con- agreement in this bipartisan bill that mittees who have worked tirelessly to structive way. I want to thank Sec- we will move today gives Americans make sure that this legislation was retary of the Treasury Paulson for some hope that we really can begin to able to come to the floor in as speedy their work in helping to facilitate this fix the problems, that we can begin to a manner as it possibly can and can agreement. And I look forward to this make sure that Washington works for only pray to God that the other body bill passing today and hopefully quick the American people. acts in as timely and targeted and tem- action in the Senate. And so, I’m glad to be here today. I’m porary fashion as we have dem- The sooner this happens and the glad to join with Speaker PELOSI and onstrated here. sooner we get this relief in the hands of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise the American people, the sooner they in hailing this agreement and moving today in strong support for this needed eco- can begin to do their job of being good it in a bipartisan way. And I am hope- nomic stimulus legislation. This bipartisan bill consumers and investing this money in ful that the Senate can move very will provide timely, targeted and temporary re- our economy. quickly. lief to American families suffering from the na- Some people say it won’t work, that Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam tional economic downturn and provide a shot it’s too little, it’s too late, and we Speaker, I rise to associate myself with in the arm to boost growth and avert a reces- shouldn’t be doing this. You know, I’ve the remarks of our distinguished Re- sion. thought about that. I’ve got concerns publican leader, Mr. BOEHNER, and I commend Speaker NANCY PELOSI, Minority about whether this package will, in thank him for the large role that he Leader JOHN BOEHNER, Treasury Secretary fact, work. But I’ve got bigger concerns played in putting this package to- Harry Paulson for working together across that if we do nothing, if we do nothing, gether. party lines to find common ground. As North we’re just asking for our economy to As he said in his remarks, the comity Carolina’s only member of the Democratic Ma- slow even further. And what that will that exists in this Chamber today is jority on the House Budget Committee, I have do to Federal revenues, what that will warming. President Roosevelt used to been working on a bipartisan basis to pass re- do to inflict pain on middle-class say that what we need in this Nation is sponsible legislation to respond to worsening American families, frankly, is unac- the warm courage of national unity. economic conditions. High energy prices, ceptable. So, I think it’s worth the And it’s great to see, on a day like mounting national debt, the crisis in the Na- chance and worth the opportunity for today, that we can all pull together. tion’s housing market and rising unemploy- us to do this economic growth package I think, again, Mr. BACHUS and Mr. ment levels have prompted calls for emer- and to do it now. FRANK deserve an awful lot of credit as gency legislation to arrest the decline in the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.048 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H504 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 economy and put us back on a path of sus- the brunt of an economic downturn. For exam- families and the American economy by allow- tainable growth. ple, I’m concerned that the minimum earnings ing millions of hard-working Americans to de- First, this economic trouble serves as a re- requirement of $3,000 leaves out the neediest. vote more resources to their children’s, or their minder of the importance of putting our Na- And we have a lot of reasons to be con- own, education, or to save for a home, retire- tion’s fiscal house in order to free America’s cerned about the plight of those in need. ment, or to start their own businesses. future generations from the crushing debt bur- Since the Bush administration took office in Another disturbing feature of H.R. 5140 is den they now face. Unfortunately, the record 2001, the median income is nearly 2 percent that, instead of taking the fiscally responsible of this current Administration is the trans- below its high in 2000, more than 5 million course and pairing the tax cuts with spending formation of record budget surplus projections have fallen into poverty for a total 37 million cuts, this bill simply adds to the national def- into record national debt and massive annual Americans living in poverty, and the unem- icit. Madam Speaker, unless Congress acts deficits without end. Although short-term defi- ployment rate has risen to 5 percent and is al- soon to reign in its excessive spending the cits can be useful to correct hurtful economic most double for African American males. American people will face confiscatory tax downswings, the current structural budget Congress must ensure that any relief it pro- rates or skyrocketing inflation. problems featuring perpetual debt and deficits vides to stem the downward slide reaches all Tax cuts by themselves will not restore hamstring our ability to invest in the future and Americans. long-term economic health unless and until build broad-based prosperity for hard-working We must assist those who are going to lose this body finally addresses the fundamental Americans. their homes in the mortgage foreclosure crisis. cause of our economic instability, which is This economic stimulus package will be ef- We must provide increased funding for food monetary policy. The inflationary policies of fective because it is targeted, timely and tem- stamps and FMAP Medicaid payments to the Federal Reserve are the root of the boom- porary. It will be targeted to families that need States. Finally we must make sure that unem- and-bust cycle that has plagued the American the money and can be expected to spend it ployment benefits are extended. economy for almost 75 years. The Federal quickly on necessities like food and clothing. It Madam Speaker, any economic relief we Reserve’s inflationary policies are also at the will be timely to yield the economic benefits provide will be a hollow victory if those most root of the steady decline in the American within the timeframe of the anticipated prob- in need are excluded. We must make certain people’s standard of living. A good step to- lem. And it will be temporary to prevent exac- that the gap between the haves and have nots ward monetary reform would be for Congress erbation of the fiscal imbalance and make our isn’t widened by our action here today. This is to pass my H.R. 2576, which repeals the Fed- economic problems worse. our solemn moral obligation. eral legal tender laws. This would allow people Specifically, H.R. 5140 will provide tax re- Mr. PAUL. Madame Speaker, I find it odd to use alternatives to Government-issued fiat bate checks to working people of up to $600 that H.R. 5140, a bill allegedly designed to money and thus protect themselves from Fed- for individuals and up to $1,200 for families, provide a stimulus for the anemic American eral Reserve-created inflation. as well as a $300 tax credit per dependent economy, contains provisions that could dam- One of the best things Congress could do child. This immediate infusion of cash will pro- age the economy and hurt American tax- for the American economy is to repeal, or at vide real relief to North Carolinians struggling payers. Specifically, the provisions increasing least reform, the misguided Sarbanes-Oxley to pay their bills. Economic experts tell us this the loan limitations of the Federal Housing Ad- law, particularly Section 404. Rushed through Congress in the wake of the Enron and action will help stimulate consumer spending ministration and the Government Sponsored WorldCom scandals in order to show that and spur economic growth across the board to Enterprises (e.g. Fannie Mae and Freddie Congress was ‘‘getting tough’’ on corporate mitigate the slowdown we are otherwise expe- Mac), will exacerbate the long-term problems crime, Sarbanes-Oxley imposes unreasonable riencing in the economy. Tax incentives to en- in the housing market, and may even lead to a future taxpayer bailout of the housing indus- costs on small businesses and entrepreneurs. courage business investment and help small A survey by Financial Executives Inter- try. The recent bursting of the housing bubble business weather this economic storm should national, an organization of chief financial offi- should have taught my colleagues the dangers also be included in a responsible package. I cers, put the average cost of compliance with of government polices that distort the market understand Governor Easley and others have Sarbanes-Oxley at $4.4 million, while the raised concerns about the impact of some of by diverting resources to housing, when those American Economics Association estimates the business tax provisions in this bill. At to- resources would be more efficiently used in Sarbanes-Oxley could cost American compa- day’s Budget Committee hearing, former other sectors of the economy. nies as much as $35 billion. Because of these Ironically, many of the same members who Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers sug- costs, many small businesses are delisting gested slight revisions to these provisions to insisted that upper income taxpayers be de- from United States stock exchanges. Accord- minimize any negative impact, and I support nied the tax rebates are enthusiastic cham- ing to a study by the prestigious Wharton modifications that will achieve that goal as the pions of the provisions in H.R. 5140 increasing Business School, the number of American process moves forward. I am hopeful the the FHA loan limit to $633,500 and the GSE companies delisting from public stock ex- House will pass this bill today and Congress loan limit to $729,750. This increase in the changes nearly tripled the year after Sar- can get a final version to the President to sign loan limits represents a generous taxpayer banes-Oxley became law, thus these compa- into law within the next few weeks. subsidy to high-income homeowners. nies are finding it more costly to attract the Over the longer term, Congress must invest A one-time ‘‘rebate’’ check, while it may pro- necessary capital to grow their business and in neglected priorities like school construction vide a temporary boost to many working create jobs. to put workers back on the job and improve American families struggling with the current In conclusion, Madam Speaker, H.R. 5140 our communities with better schools and downturn, is not going to provide the type of does not provide the kind of permanent, deep healthier learning environments. We must take sustained income growth necessary to restore tax relief that will protect long-term economic better care of our military families and vet- consumer confidence. In fact, history shows growth, and will actually compound the dam- erans returning from the wars in Iraq and Af- that when the Government forgoes serious tax age Congress has already done to the hous- ghanistan. We must expand quality health cuts in favor of one-time ‘‘rebates’’ most peo- ing market. Instead of pretending that we are care so working families no longer face eco- ple either save the money for a ‘‘rainy day’’ or addressing America’s economic problems via nomic ruin when a loved one gets sick. And use it to pay down some of their debt. temporary tax cuts, Congress should address we must continue to support our first respond- In addition, I am concerned that the 50 per- the fundamental problems of the American ers to keep our communities safe and secure. cent bonus depreciation and the increase in economy by pursuing serious monetary re- Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support for the amount of qualifying purchases that small form, spending cuts, and regulatory reform. this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my col- businesses can expense in the year they Congress should also provide real long-term leagues to join me in voting to pass it. bought their equipment will be of limited effec- tax relief to the American people by passing Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong tiveness because they are limited to 1 year. A legislation such as H.R. 5109 and H.R. 3664. support of the effort to prevent our economy more effective way to stimulate the economy Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise from sliding into recession. but I have strong would be to make the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts today to voice my strong support for the Re- reservations about any strategy that does not permanent. I also hope Congress considers covery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for take meaningful steps to help those in need. the long-term tax cuts contained in H.R. 5109, the American People Act, H.R. 5140. This im- Just last week, the House passed my reso- the Economic Growth Act. portant measure represents a bipartisan com- lution (H. Con. Res. 198) to cut poverty in half. Congress should also pass my Tax Free mitment to help hard-working Americans While this stimulus bill is a step in the right di- Tips Act (H.R. 3664), which makes tips ex- weather these turbulent economic times. rection, it’s also important to act on our words empt from Federal income and payroll taxes. Millions of Americans have been faced with by ensuring ‘‘the least among us’’ don’t bear Making tips tax-free will strengthen American the rising costs of energy, housing and health

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.024 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H505 care, which have taken a toll on the state of timely, targeted, and temporary. For a mo- impact of the subprime mortgage debacle, our our economy. In my home state of Rhode Is- ment, it appeared that Republicans and national economy continues to face the very land, the typical monthly housing payment is Democrats, progressives and conservatives, real possibility of imminent recession. over $2,200, making homeownership a dream economists and activists, could actually join in It is imperative that we act and act now and out of reach for too many. The situation for agreement that the best way to help all of us H.R. 5140 represents a bipartisan approach renters is not much better, as the average is to help the least of us. We were told that towards getting our economy moving. It would two-bedroom apartment in Rhode Island rents the most ‘‘bang for the buck’’ could be accom- provide more than 100 million Americans with for nearly $1,200 a month. Compounding the plished by increasing food stamps, expanding a recovery rebate; allow 300 million families to cost of housing are the skyrocketing costs of unemployment insurance, and providing addi- benefit from a $300 increase in the child tax energy, which rose 18.4 percent in 2007. Our tional Medicaid funding for States squeezed credit; help millions of Americans get the tools employment outlook is also discouraging. Ear- by the economic downturn. Somehow though, to avoid losing their homes and; provide small lier this month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics here we are a week or so later, and none of businesses with much needed tax cuts to spur announced that the national unemployment that is in this package. investment and job creation. rate has risen to a 2-year high of 5 percent. Never let it be said that the President, or his Madam Speaker, you and the entire House These harsh realities, combined with the Republican allies, was derailed from what he leadership are to be congratulated for the snowballing effects of the recent subprime wanted to do by common sense, economic work you have done in crafting this important lending crisis, have made it increasingly clear sense, or a sense of compassion. The Repub- bill. I urge my colleagues to support its adop- that our economy will face an even sharper licans have a way of seeing every bill that tion. downturn if we do not act soon. With that in comes before them as a vehicle for gifts to Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam mind, today we are taking swift and bipartisan their industry friends, and this stimulus is no Speaker, the economy needs our help right action to jump-start our Nation’s economy with different. So instead of more unemployment now. And it will need our help in the long-term a measure that is timely, targeted and tem- assistance for those who lost their jobs as a as well. The American people don’t need expert porary. result of this mismanaged economy, we get economic forecasts to tell them that our coun- This measure will quickly inject $150 billion bonus depreciation for industrial equipment. try and our economy are seriously off track. into our economy to revitalize our markets, in- Instead of more food stamps for families fac- They experience it every day—when their pay- crease consumer confidence, and protect ing record high energy and food costs, we checks shrink, when foreclosure signs go up against recession. Our package is targeted at raise the Section 179 Expensing cap. If you in their neighborhoods or even on their own low-income and middle-class Americans who don’t know what that is, believe me, it’s not home, and when friends and family members need assistance the most, providing rebates going to help you. receive pink slips. that will put money directly into their pockets, The refundable tax rebate will help average It’s clear that the economy needs help. The which will, in turn, stimulate our economy. I families, and that is why I support this bill. I bill before us today, the Recovery Rebates am particularly pleased that this package will commend the Speaker for making sure that and Economic Stimulus for the American Peo- provide relief to 35 million Americans who this rebate includes some of those who did not ple Act, offers an urgently-needed first step to work and contribute to payroll taxes, but make make enough to pay taxes last year. After all, boost the economy and help save jobs. too little to pay income tax. these people will do what we are asking them The economy may be complicated, but the Our measure will also temporarily increase to do with these rebates—spend the money to reasoning behind this bi-partisan bill is not. By the size of individual mortgages that Fannie stimulate the economy. putting money into the hands of low- and mid- Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase, offering Unfortunately, one important group was left dle-income families who will spend it quickly, help to those in need of affordable housing, out of this rebate. Millions of seniors receive we will inject demand back into the economy. particularly in high-cost areas like Rhode Is- their only income from Social Security. They While we can’t know for sure what the future land. Also included is a provision to allow the do not have enough ‘‘earned income’’ to re- holds for our economy, we know that we can Federal Housing Administration to insure a ceive the refund check, yet they are among make a difference if we pass this stimulus greater number of subprime loans so thou- our most vulnerable. At a time when we are package quickly. sands of Americans facing foreclosure may re- reaching out to accomplish the dual goals of I am very pleased that this package in- finance their mortgages with fairer terms. stimulating the economy and providing relief cludes unprecedented tax relief for 35 million Finally, I am pleased this package will help for those most adversely affected, this omis- American families who work hard every day to stimulate our Nation’s small businesses by sion is glaring. but earn too little to pay income taxes. Past allowing them to write off 50 percent of the I join my colleagues who call for a second economic relief packages, including the one cost of equipment the year it is purchased. package going forward that would address un- developed to respond to the 2001 recession, This important incentive—which expires at the employment, food stamps, Medicaid relief to did not benefit these families. But these fami- end of the year—will encourage growth and States, and would help our most vulnerable lies must be included to really help boost the help keep our small businesses strong. senior citizens. economy. This represents a very significant This measure solidifies our commitment to Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I change in policy thanks to pressure from revitalize our economy in a way that is timely, rise in strong support of H.R. 5140, the Eco- Speaker PELOSI and Democrats in Congress targeted, and temporary. I commend Speaker nomic Stimulus for the American People Act of and I applaud the Speaker for working so hard PELOSI for her leadership in negotiating this 2008. I especially want to congratulate you for to ensure that these families and workers significant bipartisan agreement, and I urge your strong leadership, in first reaching across were included in our package. my colleagues to support this measure. the isle here in the House, then working with Under this bill, a married couple with two Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, this stimulus the President to secure what I believe is a his- children and an annual income of $33,000 will package is a small dose of medicinal venom toric agreement that will bring much needed see a rebate of $1,450. A single parent with for an economy that has been bitten by the help to the American people as well as pro- an annual income of $20,000 and two children short-sighted, regressive policies pursued by vide a badly needed shot in the arm to our will see a rebate of $1,035. This financial as- the Bush Administration. While the administra- slowing economy. sistance will provide substantial relief to fami- tion pushed tax cuts for the rich and war with- I also want to express my sincerest thanks lies struggling with the rising costs of energy, out end through a rubber-stamp Congress, the to you on behalf of the five U.S. insular areas food, transportation, and other basics. President gutted and stifled the executive for insisting that our residents and economies Another important feature of our stimulus agencies that should have been reining in also receive a stimulus. Because of your plan is the help it provides to homeowners predatory lenders and regulating what became strong support, Americans in the territories will seeking to avoid foreclosure. The bill in- a financial house of cards. be treated no differently than Americans in the creases loan limits for single-family houses I support this package because we must do 50 States, under the bill. If you qualify for a re- from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from something to help American families. I am dis- bate in Rhode Island then you qualify for one $417,000 to $729,750 for 2008. appointed, however, at the failure to adopt the in the Virgin Islands. This increased loan limit will enable qualified common sense initiatives that all agree would Madam Speaker, H.R. 5140 is both timely homeowners with larger mortgages to refi- have the most effect. and badly needed. As you know, the American nance their mortgages, lower their monthly At this time of economic uncertainty, in economy is in serious peril and our constitu- payments, and avoid foreclosure. which those at the bottom feel pinched the ents are feeling the impact. Whether it is the In Contra Costa County, CA, where I live hardest, economists tell us that we must im- skyrocketing energy prices with gasoline cost- and which I am proud to represent in Con- plement relief in the form of stimulus that is ing more than $3 a gallon or the continuing gress, the median home price in 2006 was

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.029 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H506 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 more than $640,000. In Solano County, which Today’s legislation is just a start, but it companies—even if only on a temporary I also am proud to represent in Congress, the shows that this Democratic Congress is com- basis—because as other interest rates are price was nearly $490,000. Both prices are mitted to putting working families first—in good being cut, I wonder if credit card companies well above the current $417,000 limit. So, the times and in bad. will extend a reduced interest rate to con- change our bill makes will provide critical help I strongly urge the President to accept these sumers who are feeling the effects of high in- to untold numbers of families in my district and common-sense measures expected in the terest rates those companies are imposing. around the country who are struggling to hold Senate’s proposal as we move forward on the But the choice before us today is a simple onto their homes. stimulus package. one—whether the bill should be approved or Indeed, foreclosures in California sky- Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rejected. On that, I think the choice is clear rocketed in the fourth quarter of 2007, up 421 will vote for this bill because we must act to and the bill should be passed. percent compared with the fourth quarter of reduce the risk of a potentially deep recession, Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today 2006. This is an economic crisis that we must provide a measure of assistance to people in cautious support of the stimulus measure address, and our bill takes a strong first step most at risk from the economy’s troubles, and before us. This is an important first step. in that direction. encourage job-creating investments by the pri- However, it is the first step; it cannot be the We have a responsibility to do everything vate sector. But we must recognize that the last. I am particularly concerned that increases we can to limit the economic trouble that our bill’s scope is limited and it isn’t a full re- in Medicaid funding, food stamps and an ex- country is now facing. We have this responsi- sponse to the economy’s problems. tension in unemployment benefits are not a bility to American workers who could lose their Ironically, the bill’s limited scope reflects its part of the package to be considered by Con- jobs and to families that could lose their finan- best feature—the fact that it was developed gress today. cial security. through a bipartisan process producing a It is important to note that an extension of We also know that passing this legislation is broadly-supported compromise among the unemployment insurance is a tried and true only a first step. That’s because our economy leadership on both sides of the aisle and the mechanism for not only helping out families in faced fundamental problems well before the Administration. need, but also for infusing much needed cash housing bubble began to burst and the turmoil Like most compromises, it has short- into the economy. The Department of Labor, started in the credit markets. comings. For example, I think Congress which administers the program, has the ad- Indeed, ever since the end of the last reces- should recognize growing unemployment by ministrative framework and the know-how to sion in November 2001, the economy has providing extended unemployment-insurance get benefits to people quickly and efficiently. been growing. But the benefits of that growth coverage—and doing so now would reduce The IRS, on the other hand, does not have went mostly to corporate profits—not to work- the chance that action later will be too late to the same know-how. Moreover, the IRS will be ers’ paychecks. be fully effective. otherwise occupied; after all, it is tax season. Indeed, despite that economic growth, me- Still, as it comes before the House, this is All of this said, I am hopeful that negotia- dian family income last year was actually a good bill that is undeniably timely, appro- tions continue on next steps to strengthen our lower than it was before the 2001 recession. priately targeted, and—because it is tem- economy and to provide relief to working fami- Since 2001, the number of Americans living in porary—will not add excessively to the budget lies and would like to see the following items poverty has increased. So has the number of deficit. considered and ultimately included in any fur- Americans without health insurance. It provides for payments—technically treated ther measures brought before the House. These are long-term challenges that we as refundable tax credits—of up to $600 for an Given the decrease in nationwide job cre- must continue to address after we pass this individual and up to $1,200 for a married cou- ation and the growth of state unemployment short-term stimulus package. We have an obli- ple, plus $300 per child. It is estimated that rates an emergency extension of unemploy- gation not just to get the economy on the right some 117 million families will receive these ment compensation is critically important. track again, but also to create a stronger payments, including 35 million working fami- We also need a uniform increase in the economy that truly benefits all Americans for lies—including more than 19 million with chil- Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, simi- years and years to come. dren—that would not have qualified under the lar to that approved by Congress in 2003. An Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in original Administration proposal. Nearly $40 increase of this nature is one of the simplest, support of H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates billion in payments, which will phase out for fastest, and best ways to provide stimulus to and Economic Stimulus for the American Peo- people with incomes of $75,000 for a single states. ple Act. person and $150,000 for a married couple, will Making legislation similar to the National Af- For the last 7 years, powerful interests— go to families making less than $50,000. The fordable Housing Trust Fund part of the stim- whether its oil and gas companies, PHARMA, Treasury Department estimates a total of ulus package would provide much needed as- or the wealthiest Americans—have had their about $1.7 billion will go to 1,900,000 Colo- sistance to communities, of which there are day in Congress. rado households that will receive an average many in Michigan, that have been hardest hit Today, as the economy is on the brink of re- of $895 each. by the housing crisis. cession, we are finally providing relief to those In addition, the bill will temporarily double In addition, swift action is needed to assist who need it most—working families. the amount of new investments in plants and the over 2 million homeowners who, as a re- These tax rebates will put money back into equipment that small businesses can write off sult of the housing crisis, are predicted to face the pockets of Americans who are struggling their taxes and increase the number of busi- foreclosure over the next year. to make ends meet. I recently asked a young nesses eligible for this tax treatment. This will We need increased investment in schools, mother in my district how she would spend her provide an incentive with the potential to re- roads, water and sewer projects, and other rebate check. ‘‘Buy new clothes for my kids,’’ duce job losses and spur additional employ- public infrastructure projects that are ready to she said. ment. go, which will put people to work and build or While today’s package is a good start, As we all know, the housing market is one repair needed capital assets while pumping up checks in the mail are not enough. Just last of the most troubled parts of the economy. the economy. week, Methode Electronics announced that it The bill addresses that issue by providing a 1- In addition to stimulating the economy, we would close its Carthage plant—costing my year increase in Fannie Mae’s and Freddie must have a strategy to create good paying district an additional 850 jobs. This is the lat- Mac’s conforming loan limits—from $417,000 jobs and prepare a workforce in transition. As est example of how the Bush economy has to $729,750—as well as a permanent increase such, some of the top priorities for Congress failed average Americans and a stark re- in the Federal Housing Administration’s loan should be: minder that we need to do more for working limit, from $367,000 up to a maximum of To promote both health information tech- families. $729,750. It also includes provisions intended nology and increased availability of generic I am extremely supportive of the Senate to help people facing foreclosure to refinance pharmaceuticals, both of which have the po- proposal to extend unemployment benefits to their loans and get housing counseling that tential to streamline the U.S. healthcare sys- millions of Americans and strongly believe we may help them avoid that outcome. tem, reducing overall healthcare costs. must reauthorize the Trade Adjustment Assist- If the House was operating under a proce- In addition, the tax code should be amend- ance program to provide a safety net for work- dure that allowed amendments to be pro- ed to allow the Federal government to pay for ers who lose their jobs due to unfair trade. If posed, the bill might be improved. For exam- a portion of catastrophic healthcare costs. we are sincerely dedicated to stimulating the ple, I would have liked to address the problem Congress should support the development economy, we need to invest in our greatest of consumer credit card debt by changing and production of advanced technologies. economic asset—our workers. some of the predatory practices of credit card Such technologies also would aid in weaning

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.033 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H507 our country from its dependence on foreign oil stall and in turn use these new or upgraded believe it is the right time for economic inter- and are key to the American manufacturing in- resources. vention by this Congress. dustry’s ability to compete globally. All in all, Madam Speaker, I think we have This economic stimulus package put forth The House approved a complete overhaul taken some very sound steps here with this today is targeted, temporary, and timely. of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program bill. Much is at stake here, and we need to It will put hundreds of dollars into consumer last fall. We must expand the program to move with care and consideration. pockets and bring financial relief to millions of cover more workers. Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise working families. It will significantly expand the We must create a more level playing field in support of this stimulus package for the re- child tax credit. for U.S. businesses and workers by enforcing lief it provides over 117 million American fami- Madam Speaker, this package also seeks to trade agreements, ending the unfair trading lies and the timely boost it delivers our slowing help those in danger of losing their homes. practices of other nations, including currency economy. Americans across our Nation are being chal- manipulation, and knocking down unfair trade Let’s be clear: As a product of genuine bi- lenged daily by the mortgage crisis. barriers that discriminate against U.S. goods partisan compromise, this legislation does not By raising the FHA and GSE loan limits, this in foreign markets. contain everything one might have included in bill will inject much-needed liquidity into the Again, I commend leadership for acting a stimulus package. For example, I support— California housing market, and more impor- quickly and decisively in a bipartisan manner and I hope the President will accept—the Sen- tantly into the Sacramento region. It will allow struggling homeowners to get to bring this package to the floor. It is my hope ate’s proposal to extend the relief in this pack- out of bad loans and refinance into more af- we can continue to work together in an effort age to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. That being said, this legislation fordable loans. to stimulate the economy in a manner which This bill is an important first step. I am will benefit middle-class families and create a proposes to put $145 billion into the hands of those who will use it to strengthen our econ- proud that we were able to work quickly in a 21st century workforce. bipartisan fashion to start the process of re- Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I rise today omy, and it deserves our support today. The centerpiece of this package is tax relief lieving the economic strain being felt by fami- in support of the bill before us and consider it lies across this great country. a good mix of fiscal policy solutions. Others in the form of rebates of up to $600 for individ- uals and $1200 for married couples—with an Madam Speaker, I again want to thank our before me today have already described this Leadership for their hard work on this bill. It is legislation in some detail, so I’ll refrain from additional $300 available for every dependent child. Importantly, it extends relief to 35 million critical that we get our economy back on track. repeating what’s already been said. However, This stimulus package is a step in the right di- hard-working families who make too little to I think the approach agreed to by the adminis- rection. pay federal income taxes but do pay payroll, tration and House leaders from both parties is Mr. SPRATT. Madam Speaker, I rise in sup- prudent and responsible. It is no simple matter sales, property and other taxes. These rebates port of the fiscal stimulus package. to find an artful mix of fiscal policy solutions will generate $1.26 in economic activity for We face mounting evidence that the econ- that will stimulate the economy yet mitigate in- every dollar we put back into the economy. omy is faltering and in sectors like housing, The package before us also encourages flationary risks. clearly losing ground, and many Americans business investment by doubling the amount As this legislation moves on to the Senate are hurting as a result. Unemployment has small businesses can expense for capital in- for further consideration, the House and ad- spiked from 4.7 to 5.0 percent in one month; vestments made in 2008 and by allowing all ministration should be open to other ideas. retail sales actually fell in December by 0.4 businesses to immediately write off 50 percent There is much at stake and the other body percent from the prior month, and last week of depreciable plants and equipment pur- knows that we can always return to this issue the Federal Reserve made an emergency cut chased in 2008. Finally, it assists those facing if the results of this package need adjusting. of 75 basis points in the Fed funds rate, the foreclosure by increasing Federal Housing Ad- We have to recognize that we alone cannot largest such reduction in 25 years. Across the ministration, FHA, loan limits to $729,750 in solve an economic slow down. The Federal country, Americans are feeling the effects of a 2008, and it provides greater liquidity to the Reserve will play a major role by setting inter- slump in our economy, and if we want to avert mortgage market by temporarily increasing est rates and the costs of borrowing at levels or mitigate the effects of a recession, we need loan limits for single family homes at Fannie commensurate with economic conditions. So to act, and act now. Mae and Freddie Mac from $417,000 to a some restraint and caution is needed at times In hearings and discussions over the last 2 maximum of $729,750. like these. months, the consensus has emerged that fis- For this initiative to be meaningful, it must cal stimulus is needed to complement mone- This stimulus package uses a variety of fis- be timely. Therefore, while I agree with many cal policy tools—some that will have long term tary policy, and it needs to meet three criteria: of the additional elements being discussed by it needs to be timely, targeted, and temporary. benefits like accelerated depreciation, and oth- the Senate—such as an appropriate extension ers that will have a more immediate impact Timely means taking effect quickly to boost of unemployment insurance for those who the economy; targeted means getting dollars like recovery rebates. While we can debate need it—we must not let prolonged arguments into the hands of households more likely to the particulars and merits of exactly who is eli- over these items delay swift enactment of the spend it quickly; temporary means that it has gible and for what amount of rebate, history stimulus our economy so clearly needs. only a short-term impact on the Federal budg- shows us that programs like this do positively If additional steps prove necessary, we will et so that it does not add to our long-term fis- impact the economy as Americans pay down of course stand ready to act. But for today, I cal deficits. The package before us meets all debt or make modest purchases. urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle these criteria. Homebuilding is a major part of our econ- to support this bipartisan agreement. There is general agreement that the fiscal omy, and that industry sector employs many, Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today stimulus needs to be roughly 1 percent of many Americans. Housing starts this year are in strong support of the economic stimulus GDP. Two-thirds of this package goes to indi- forecast to be half of what they were in 2007, package. I want to congratulate our Leader- viduals and amounts to approximately $100 and the current stock of new and existing ship for working in a bipartisan manner to billion; one-third goes to business and homes on the market is increasing markedly. bring much-needed economic relief to all sec- amounts to about $50 billion to begin with, but Therefore, I am particularly pleased that the tors of our economy. since this stimulus comes in the form of accel- size of loans the Federal Housing Administra- Madam Speaker, our economy is on a erated depreciation, most of it will be recap- tion can insure is increasing, and the size of downturn. We are seeing gas prices, grocery tured over the life of the depreciable asset. If loans that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can prices, heating bills, and the price of consumer the two-thirds allocated to individual taxpayers purchase will be temporarily increased. This goods steadily increase. is spent and helps avert or mitigate a reces- will benefit homeowners who are in a The dollar has fallen to new alltime lows, sion, then it too may be recaptured to some subprime mortgage and struggling to make prompting inflation fears and the standing of extent, because a full-fledged recession could payments now or when their loan resets. our currency in the world market. add $150 to $300 billion to the budget’s bot- Finally, the accelerated depreciation sched- Our housing foreclosure rates continue to tom line, according to the Congressional ules included in this package are very impor- threaten the quality of life for our constituents. Budget Office. tant components. As businesses find it advan- In my hometown of Sacramento, the fore- This package is a practical step to boost the tageous to replace existing equipment or pur- closure rate is now the fourth highest in the economy, to bolster confidence, and to give a chase new goods for expansion purposes, the Nation, with 1 out of every 48 homeowners hand-up to millions of hard-working Ameri- effects of these decisions will be vast and burdened by this crisis last year. cans. As with any compromise, no one got ev- have a positive impact for those that manufac- Madam Speaker, as more and more Ameri- erything that he or she wanted in this pack- ture the equipment or goods, on those that in- cans are feeling insecure about their future, I age—but it is critical to get a bill enacted

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.037 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H508 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 quickly in order to help the economy and our gage crisis, with many families facing in- Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam people without undue delay. I could name sev- creased payments and foreclosures. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas eral features I would like to add or modify, and Over the years, many hard-working families and nays. there may be other aspects that we may need have been faced with a situation where they The yeas and nays were ordered. to address in later legislation, such as an ex- are either unable to own homes, or they are The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tension of unemployment insurance. If the forced to resort to risky loans that might impair ant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15- Senate adds that, and the administration con- their ability to keep their home. This is espe- minute vote on suspending the rules cedes, I will gladly vote for it. But moving cially true in high cost areas of the country, and passing H.R. 5140 will be followed quickly to boost our economy and fend off a like California, New York, Massachusetts, and by a 5-minute vote on suspending the recession matters most. Connecticut, where statutory loan limits have rules and adopting House Resolution I think the bill coming to the floor today is eliminated federal housing programs as an op- 933. likely to be the best agreement we can strike tion to purchase entry-level homes. The vote was taken by electronic de- with the Bush administration if we want stim- Under the current loan limits, FHA products vice, and there were—yeas 385, nays 35, ulus to come quickly and be effective. The have become unavailable for homebuyers in answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 10, as package clearly meets our criteria of being high cost areas of the country because the follows: timely, targeted, and having only a temporary maximum mortgage limit is lower than housing [Roll No. 25] cost to the budget. prices. Families who need and qualify for FHA YEAS—385 I urge its adoption. have been unable to participate in the pro- ˜ Abercrombie Crowley Hobson Mr. FORTUNO. Madam Speaker, I want to gram due to these geographic barriers. Ackerman Cuellar Hodes commend President Bush, Speaker PELOSI, The median home prices in high cost areas, Aderholt Culberson Hoekstra and Ranking Member BOEHNER for their bipar- like my district in southern California, is well Akin Cummings Holden tisan leadership in compromising on this eco- above the GSE conforming loan limit of Alexander Davis (AL) Holt Allen Davis (CA) Honda nomic stimulus package, and in their gen- $417,000. A starter home for a family in Los Altmire Davis (IL) Hooley erosity and sense of fairness in making these Angeles, for example, usually puts a buyer Andrews Davis (KY) Hoyer economic relief measures extensive to the into the so-called ‘‘jumbo’’ loan market. Jumbo Arcuri Davis, David Hulshof Baca Davis, Lincoln Inglis (SC) U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico. I also want to loan premiums add hundreds of dollars onto a Bachmann DeFazio Inslee take this opportunity to thank my colleague monthly payment for a fixed rate loan. Thus, Bachus DeGette Israel and friend, Congressman JOSE´ SERRANO. His many moderate income families have been Baldwin Delahunt Issa leadership and sense of fairness was key in priced out of a home loan by virtue of where Barrett (SC) DeLauro Jackson (IL) Barrow Dent Jackson-Lee our inclusion in the economic stimulus pack- they live and work. Bartlett (MD) Diaz-Balart, L. (TX) age. Housing experts predict that the number of Barton (TX) Diaz-Balart, M. Jefferson Puerto Rico is in dire need of this economic foreclosures that have occurred over the last Bean Dicks Johnson (GA) stimulus package. Although this measure is in- Becerra Dingell Johnson, E. B. year may double in the next 2 years as more Berkley Doggett Johnson, Sam tended to avert a potential recession in the adjustable rate mortgages with low introduc- Berman Donnelly Jones (NC) U.S. economy after several years of strong tory rates reset at significantly higher levels. Biggert Doolittle Jordan growth, Puerto Rico’s economy has been in a By increasing the conforming loan limits, Bilbray Doyle Kagen Bilirakis Drake Kanjorski recession for the last 2 years. Our economy is Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the FHA pro- Bishop (GA) Dreier Keller in a ‘‘perfect storm’’ scenario with recurring fis- gram will have the ability to put affordable Bishop (NY) Duncan Kennedy cal imbalances caused by uncontrolled gov- home purchases and refinancing options with- Bishop (UT) Edwards Kildee ernment expense, dramatic tax increases, and Blackburn Ehlers Kilpatrick in reach of more moderate-income families. Blumenauer Ellison Kind misguided economic development strategies Chairman FRANK and I have been working Blunt Ellsworth King (IA) of the local state administration, resulting in for many years to create affordable housing Boehner Emanuel King (NY) higher unemployment and reduced consumer opportunities for families across the country by Bonner Emerson Kirk Bono Mack Engel Klein (FL) confidence. increasing the conforming loan limits. Many Boozman English (PA) Kline (MN) Residents of Puerto Rico pay the same So- communities in America are being under- Boren Eshoo Knollenberg cial Security and Medicare payroll taxes as served by the GSEs and FHA, because home Boswell Etheridge Kucinich our fellow citizens in the States. Payroll taxes prices in these areas surpass the national loan Boucher Everett Kuhl (NY) Boustany Fallin LaHood are especially regressive in the case of Puerto limit. I am pleased we are addressing this dis- Boyda (KS) Farr Lamborn Rico since the per capita income on the island parity in the legislation before us today and Brady (PA) Fattah Lampson is only one-third the national average. hope that the Senate also supports this critical Brady (TX) Ferguson Langevin My constituents are hurting badly, so it is Braley (IA) Fortenberry Larsen (WA) change. Brown (SC) Fossella Larson (CT) imperative that the assistance that this eco- In addition to providing much needed liquid- Brown-Waite, Foxx Latham nomic stimulus package provides be chan- ity to the struggling mortgage market, increas- Ginny Frank (MA) LaTourette neled directly to those in need, the individual ing the conforming loan limit will make safe, Buchanan Franks (AZ) Latta Burton (IN) Frelinghuysen Lee taxpayers, and not to the state government conforming mortgage loans available for Butterfield Gallegly Levin that has repeatedly mismanaged our re- homebuyers across the country and reduce Buyer Garrett (NJ) Lewis (CA) sources. If at the end, this legislation provides aggressive lending practices that have contrib- Calvert Gerlach Lewis (GA) for the Secretary of the Treasury to make a Camp (MI) Giffords Lipinski uted to the current credit and housing crisis. Cannon Gilchrest LoBiondo block payment to the territorial governments, Foreclosure rates are rising with harmful ef- Cantor Gillibrand Loebsack including Puerto Rico, the Secretary must re- fects for borrowers, lenders, the neighborhood, Capito Gonzalez Lofgren, Zoe tain the capacity to guarantee our citizens that and our overall economy. As we continue to Capps Goodlatte Lowey Capuano Gordon Lucas they will receive their payments in a timely experience instability in the housing market, Cardoza Granger Lungren, Daniel fashion and for the correct amount. We are this important change will be essential for suc- Carnahan Graves E. not asking for special treatment, I am only cessful homeownership. There is no more im- Carney Green, Al Lynch asking that our workers be treated on the portant priority for Congress than helping to Carter Green, Gene Mack Castle Grijalva Mahoney (FL) same terms as their fellow citizens in the keep families in their homes. Castor Gutierrez Maloney (NY) States. Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Chabot Hall (NY) Manzullo Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of Chandler Hall (TX) Marchant Clarke Hare Markey Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 5140, the my time. Clay Harman Marshall much needed Economic Growth Package to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Cleaver Hastings (WA) Matheson address troubles in the mortgage marketplace. question is on the motion offered by Clyburn Hayes Matsui In the past year, we have witnessed signifi- the gentleman from New York (Mr. Cohen Heller McCarthy (CA) Cole (OK) Hensarling McCarthy (NY) cant upheaval in the U.S. housing markets. In- RANGEL) that the House suspend the Conaway Herger McCaul (TX) creased delinquencies and defaults among rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5140. Conyers Herseth Sandlin McCollum (MN) borrowers have contributed to turmoil in the The question was taken. Costa Higgins McCotter mortgage finance sector, which has affected The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Costello Hill McCrery Courtney Hinchey McDermott our entire economy. Many areas of the coun- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Cramer Hinojosa McGovern try have been heavily impacted by the mort- in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Crenshaw Hirono McHenry

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.020 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H509 McHugh Pryce (OH) Snyder Stated for: Hayes McCotter Ryan (WI) McIntyre Putnam Solis Heller McCrery Salazar McKeon Radanovich Souder Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Hensarling McGovern Sali McMorris Rahall Space No. 25, I was away due to a family emer- Herger McHenry Sa´ nchez, Linda Rodgers Ramstad Spratt gency. Had I been present, I would have Herseth Sandlin McHugh T. McNerney Rangel Stark voted ‘‘yea.’’ Higgins McIntyre Sanchez, Loretta McNulty Regula Stearns Hill McKeon Sarbanes Meek (FL) Rehberg Stupak Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Hinchey McMorris Saxton Meeks (NY) Reichert Sullivan Speaker, on rollcall No. 25, had I been Hinojosa Rodgers Schakowsky Melancon Renzi Sutton present I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ Hirono McNerney Schiff Mica Reyes Tanner Hobson McNulty Schmidt Michaud Reynolds Tauscher f Hodes Meek (FL) Schwartz Miller (FL) Richardson Terry Hoekstra Meeks (NY) Scott (GA) Miller (MI) Rodriguez Thompson (CA) COMMENDING LOUISIANA STATE Holden Melancon Scott (VA) Miller (NC) Rogers (AL) Thompson (MS) Holt Mica Sensenbrenner Miller, George Rogers (KY) Thornberry UNIVERSITY TIGERS FOOTBALL Honda Michaud Serrano Mitchell Rogers (MI) Tiahrt TEAM FOR WINNING 2007 BOWL Hooley Miller (FL) Sessions Mollohan Ros-Lehtinen Tiberi CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES NA- Hoyer Miller (MI) Sestak Moore (KS) Roskam Tierney Hulshof Miller (NC) Shadegg Moore (WI) Ross Towns TIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Hunter Miller, George Shays Moran (KS) Rothman Tsongas The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Inglis (SC) Mitchell Shea-Porter Moran (VA) Roybal-Allard Turner Inslee Mollohan Sherman Murphy (CT) Ruppersberger Udall (CO) finished business is the vote on the mo- Israel Moore (KS) Shimkus Murphy, Patrick Rush Udall (NM) tion to suspend the rules and agree to Issa Moore (WI) Shuler Murphy, Tim Ryan (OH) Upton the resolution, H. Res. 933, as amended, Jackson (IL) Moran (KS) Shuster Murtha Ryan (WI) Van Hollen on which the yeas and nays were or- Jackson-Lee Moran (VA) Skelton Musgrave Salazar Vela´ zquez (TX) Murphy (CT) Slaughter Myrick Sali Visclosky dered. Jefferson Murphy, Patrick Smith (NE) Nadler Sa´ nchez, Linda Walberg The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Johnson (GA) Murphy, Tim Smith (NJ) Napolitano T. Walden (OR) tion. Johnson (IL) Murtha Smith (TX) Neal (MA) Sarbanes Walsh (NY) Johnson, E. B. Musgrave Smith (WA) Neugebauer Saxton Walz (MN) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Johnson, Sam Myrick Snyder Nunes Schakowsky Wamp question is on the motion offered by Jones (NC) Nadler Solis Oberstar Schiff Waters the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Jordan Napolitano Souder Obey Schmidt Watson ALTMIRE) that the House suspend the Kagen Neal (MA) Spratt Olver Schwartz Watt Kanjorski Neugebauer Stark Ortiz Scott (GA) Waxman rules and agree to the resolution, H. Kaptur Nunes Stearns Pallone Scott (VA) Weiner Res. 933, as amended. Keller Oberstar Stupak Pascrell Serrano Welch (VT) This will be a 5-minute vote. Kennedy Obey Sullivan Pastor Sessions Weldon (FL) Kildee Olver Sutton Payne Sestak Weller The vote was taken by electronic de- Kilpatrick Ortiz Tancredo Pearce Shays Whitfield (KY) vice, and there were—yeas 409, nays 1, Kind Pallone Tanner Pelosi Shea-Porter Wilson (NM) answered ‘‘present’’ 4, not voting 16, as King (IA) Pascrell Tauscher Pence Sherman Wilson (OH) follows: King (NY) Pastor Taylor Perlmutter Shimkus Wilson (SC) Kingston Paul Terry Peterson (PA) Shuler Wittman (VA) [Roll No. 26] Kirk Payne Thompson (CA) Petri Shuster Wolf YEAS—409 Klein (FL) Pearce Thompson (MS) Pickering Sires Woolsey Kline (MN) Pence Thornberry Pitts Skelton Wu Abercrombie Butterfield Dicks Knollenberg Perlmutter Tiahrt Platts Slaughter Wynn Ackerman Buyer Dingell Kucinich Peterson (MN) Tiberi Pomeroy Smith (NE) Yarmuth Aderholt Calvert Doggett Kuhl (NY) Peterson (PA) Tierney Porter Smith (NJ) Young (AK) Akin Camp (MI) Donnelly LaHood Petri Towns Price (NC) Smith (TX) Young (FL) Alexander Campbell (CA) Doolittle Lamborn Pickering Tsongas Allen Cannon Drake Lampson Pitts Turner NAYS—35 Altmire Cantor Dreier Langevin Platts Udall (CO) Baird Forbes Price (GA) Andrews Capito Duncan Larsen (WA) Poe Udall (NM) Berry Gingrey Rohrabacher Arcuri Capps Edwards Larson (CT) Pomeroy Upton Baca Boyd (FL) Gohmert Royce Capuano Ehlers Latham Porter Van Hollen Bachmann Cardoza Ellison Broun (GA) Goode Sanchez, Loretta Latta Price (GA) Vela´ zquez Bachus Carney Ellsworth Burgess Hunter Sensenbrenner Lee Price (NC) Visclosky Baird Carter Emanuel Campbell (CA) Johnson (IL) Shadegg Levin Pryce (OH) Walberg Coble Kaptur Baker Castle Emerson Lewis (CA) Putnam Walden (OR) Smith (WA) Baldwin Castor Engel Cooper Kingston Tancredo Lewis (GA) Radanovich Walz (MN) Cubin Linder Barrett (SC) Chabot English (PA) Linder Rahall Wamp Taylor Davis, Tom Paul Barrow Chandler Eshoo Lipinski Ramstad Waters Westmoreland Deal (GA) Peterson (MN) Bartlett (MD) Clarke Etheridge LoBiondo Regula Watson Wexler Flake Poe Barton (TX) Clay Everett Loebsack Rehberg Watt Bean Cleaver Fallin Lofgren, Zoe Reichert Waxman ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Becerra Clyburn Farr Lowey Renzi Weiner Brown, Corrine Berkley Coble Fattah Lucas Reyes Welch (VT) Berman Cohen Ferguson Lungren, Daniel Reynolds Weldon (FL) NOT VOTING—10 Biggert Cole (OK) Flake E. Richardson Weller Baker Jones (OH) Simpson Bilbray Conaway Forbes Lynch Rodriguez Westmoreland Feeney Lantos Wasserman Bilirakis Conyers Fortenberry Mack Rogers (AL) Wexler Bishop (GA) Cooper Fossella Filner Lewis (KY) Schultz Mahoney (FL) Rogers (KY) Whitfield (KY) Hastings (FL) Miller, Gary Bishop (NY) Costa Foxx Maloney (NY) Rogers (MI) Wilson (NM) Bishop (UT) Costello Frank (MA) Manzullo Rohrabacher Wilson (OH) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Blackburn Courtney Franks (AZ) Marchant Ros-Lehtinen Wilson (SC) The SPEAKER pro tempore (during Blumenauer Cramer Frelinghuysen Markey Roskam Wittman (VA) Blunt Crenshaw Gallegly Marshall Ross Wolf the vote). Members are advised there Boehner Crowley Garrett (NJ) are 2 minutes remaining. Matheson Rothman Woolsey Bonner Cubin Gerlach Matsui Roybal-Allard Wu b 1511 Bono Mack Cuellar Giffords McCarthy (CA) Royce Wynn Boozman Culberson Gilchrest McCarthy (NY) Ruppersberger Yarmuth Mrs. CUBIN and Messrs. GINGREY Boren Cummings Gillibrand McCaul (TX) Rush Young (AK) and FORBES changed their vote from Boswell Davis (AL) Gohmert McCollum (MN) Ryan (OH) Young (FL) Boucher Davis (CA) Gonzalez ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Boustany Davis (IL) Goode NAYS—1 Messrs. PITTS, CARNAHAN, Boyd (FL) Davis (KY) Goodlatte Berry PEARCE and DELAHUNT changed Boyda (KS) Davis, David Gordon their vote from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Brady (PA) Davis, Lincoln Granger ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—4 Brady (TX) Davis, Tom Graves So (two-thirds being in the affirma- Braley (IA) Deal (GA) Green, Al Broun (GA) Space tive) the rules were suspended and the Brown (SC) DeFazio Green, Gene Gingrey Walsh (NY) Brown, Corrine DeGette Grijalva bill was passed. NOT VOTING—16 The result of the vote was announced Brown-Waite, Delahunt Gutierrez as above recorded. Ginny DeLauro Hall (NY) Carnahan Hastings (FL) LaTourette Buchanan Dent Hall (TX) Doyle Hastings (WA) Lewis (KY) A motion to reconsider was laid on Burgess Diaz-Balart, L. Hare Feeney Jones (OH) the table. Burton (IN) Diaz-Balart, M. Harman Filner Lantos

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.010 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H510 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 McDermott Simpson Schultz I further hope that we would all government requests for information Miller, Gary Sires Rangel Wasserman agree that we need to consider FISA following the terrorist attacks of Sep- reform responsibly, with the care it de- tember 11. Close to 40 frivolous law- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE serves, and to preserve the prerogatives suits against the telephone companies The SPEAKER pro tempore (during of the House to have our own voice already have been filed. These compa- the vote). Members are advised 2 min- heard. nies deserve our thanks, not a flurry of utes remain in this vote. This extension is not a vote on the meritless lawsuits. b 1520 temporary law that we have been liv- Terrorists have not placed an expira- ing under since August of last year, nor tion date on their plots to destroy the So (two-thirds being in the affirma- is it a vote against the temporary bill American way of life. Congress should tive) the rules were suspended and the or against what the Senate is working not put an expiration date on our intel- resolution, as amended, was agreed to. on. It is a vote for avoiding a headlong ligence community’s ability to protect The result of the vote was announced rush into possibly ill-conceived legisla- our Nation. as above recorded. tion. We should all be able to come to- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- A motion to reconsider was laid on gether on that, and I am confident that ance of my time. the table. we can. Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I am Stated for: Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- pleased to yield 21⁄2 minutes to the gen- Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall ance of my time. tlewoman from California (Ms. HAR- No. 26, I was away due to a family emer- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- MAN), the chairperson of the Sub- gency. Had I been present, I would have er, I yield myself such time as I may committee of Intelligence on Homeland voted ‘‘yea.’’ consume. Security and a veteran Member of the f Madam Speaker, I reluctantly sup- House on intelligence matters. port H.R. 5104, which extends the Pro- PROTECT AMERICA ACT OF 2007 b 1530 tect America Act for 2 weeks. EXTENSION Last year, the Director of National Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, I Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I Intelligence, Admiral McConnell, noti- thank the gentleman for yielding and move to suspend the rules and pass the fied Congress about a dangerous loop- commend him for his leadership. I also bill (H.R. 5104) to extend the Protect hole in our ability to collect intel- commend many on the other side, in- America Act of 2007 for 30 days, as ligence information overseas. Director cluding Mr. HOEKSTRA, for their devo- amended. McConnell estimated that the intel- tion to getting intelligence right. The Clerk read the title of the bill. ligence community was missing two- I hope we have bipartisan agreement The text of the bill is as follows: thirds of all overseas terrorist commu- on the subject before us. But, Madam H.R. 5104 nications. Congress passed the Protect Speaker, I feel compelled to correct the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- America Act last August to close this record. Last night in his State of the resentatives of the United States of America in loophole. Unfortunately, the legisla- Union address, the President said: ‘‘If Congress assembled, tion contained an arbitrary 6-month Congress does not act by Friday, our SECTION 1. 15-DAY EXTENSION OF THE PROTECT sunset and is currently set to expire ability to track terrorist threats would AMERICA ACT OF 2007. this Friday. be weakened and our citizens could be Section 6(c) of the Protect America Act of After 6 months of waiting, the Demo- in greater danger.’’ 2007 (Public Law 110–55; 121 Stat. 557; 50 cratic majority is now coming peril- As a Member who worries 24/7 about U.S.C. 1803 note) is amended by striking ‘‘180 terrorist threats against our country, I days’’ and inserting ‘‘195 days’’. ously close to threatening the safety of every American. But rather than pass a strongly object to that statement. It is The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- long-term fix to the terrorist loophole, inaccurate and yet again a bald-faced ant to the rule, the gentleman from the Democratic majority wants an- attempt to play the fear card and to Michigan (Mr. CONYERS) and the gen- other extension. The White House jam Congress into gutting a carefully tleman from Texas (Mr. SMITH) each promised to veto the 30-day extension crafted, three-decades old bipartisan will control 20 minutes. that the majority was going to bring to law called FISA, the Foreign Intel- The Chair recognizes the gentleman the floor yesterday. Today’s bill rep- ligence Surveillance Act. from Michigan. resents a compromise for only a 2-week FISA, Madam Speaker, does not ex- GENERAL LEAVE extension. pire on Friday. Only the hastily cob- Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I The truth is we do not need any tem- bled together Protect America Act ask unanimous consent that all Mem- porary extension. In fact, there is a bi- amendments to FISA expire on Friday. bers have 5 legislative days to revise partisan bill that we can and should This country will not go dark on Fri- and extend their remarks and include pass today. The Senate Intelligence day. Our government has aggressively extraneous material on the bill under Committee already has approved a bill used surveillance tools, and in the past consideration. to close the terrorist loophole and pro- year or so secured warrants in compli- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there vide liability protection to the tele- ance with FISA. Those warrants do not objection to the request of the gen- communication companies. That is expire on Friday. tleman from Michigan? being blocked by the Democratic ma- As for the claim that citizens will be There was no objection. jority. in greater danger, in my view actions Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I As the deadline draws near, the ur- that fail to follow the laws Congress yield myself such time as I may con- gent needs of the intelligence commu- passes and ignore the requirements of sume. nity must be addressed. This is no time the fourth amendment put our democ- Madam Speaker, the temporary For- for partisanship. This is a time for re- racy in grave danger. eign Intelligence Surveillance Act law sponsible action. Madam Speaker, security and liberty that we enacted in August as a stopgap Any bill must include two critical are not a zero-sum game. measure expires on Friday. We passed provisions. First, Congress has the re- In October, the House passed the RESTORE Act in November to pro- sponsibility to enact long-term legisla- thoughtful legislation, the RESTORE vide some FISA reform. The Senate is tion that allows intelligence officials Act, to replace the flawed Protect at this moment completing the action. to conduct surveillance on foreign tar- America Act. Once the Senate acts This extension will give us time to con- gets without a court order. A U.S. later this week and the House has had sider responsible FISA reform in both Army intelligence officer in Iraq adequate time to review documents Houses of the Congress while fully pre- should not have to contact a Federal concerning activities of telecommuni- serving current intelligence capabili- judge in Washington to conduct sur- cations firms, we should conference our ties while we do so. I hope that every- veillance on Iraqi insurgents. bill. Fifteen days is a good estimate of one would agree that this is the most Second, Congress must provide liabil- how long it will take to send a respon- responsible approach for protecting our ity protection to U.S. telecommuni- sible bill to the President. Let’s act re- freedom, as well as our security. cation companies that responded to sponsibly. Vote ‘‘aye.’’

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.013 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H511 Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- their way in a battle currently raging torney General Benjamin Civiletti have also er, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman in Congress.’’ called for immunizing the telecoms. On the other hand, People for the Amer- from Michigan (Mr. HOEKSTRA), who is [From the National Journal, Jan, 19, 2008] ican Way, like other liberal groups, argues the ranking member of the Select Com- HOLDING TELECOMS HOSTAGE: A RISKY GAME that immunity would ‘‘protect telecoms that mittee on Intelligence. (By Stuart Taylor, Jr.) knowingly violated law.’’ But the telecoms Mr. HOEKSTRA. Madam Speaker, did not violate the law—even if Bush did—ac- while I will not oppose this bill, even Suppose that the next big terrorist attack on our country comes two weeks after a new cording to an October 26, 2007, Senate Intel- though it has not gone through regular Democratic president has taken office. Si- ligence Committee report urging adoption of order in the committee process, I con- multaneous suicide bombings devastate 20 the immunity proposal as part of an impor- tinue to have serious reservations schools and shopping malls around the coun- tant bill updating FISA. about further putting off the critical try, killing 1,500 people. The intelligence The committee, after forcing the adminis- agencies believe that at least 20 more trained tration to show investigators the relevant issue of FISA modernization. I also presidential and Justice Department docu- have significant concern with the fail- jihadists, including American citizens, are in the United States planning follow-up at- ments, found that the record showed that the ure of the majority to ensure a long- telecoms ‘‘acted on a good-faith belief that term and effective solution to the crit- tacks. The president is told that the best hope of the president’s program, and their assist- ical problem of ensuring that our intel- stopping a second wave of attacks is to im- ance, was lawful.’’ Courts have for centuries ligence community has the tools that mediately wiretap as many calls and e-mails seen such a good-faith belief as grounds for it needs to detect and protect potential as possible from and to every private citizen immunizing from lawsuits private parties terrorists. who has been to Pakistan or Afghanistan that heed government officials’ requests for Last August, Congress acted on an since 1999. These hundreds of domestic wire- help in protecting public safety, especially in taps, with neither warrants nor probable emergencies. overwhelming bipartisan basis after And, in fact, hardly anyone in Congress cause to suspect any individual of terrorist months of prodding to pass the Protect thinks that the telecoms should (or will) be ties might well violate the Foreign Intel- America Act and close significant in- forced to pay huge damages to the plaintiffs, ligence Surveillance Act. who after all have suffered no real harm. So telligence gaps against foreign terror- The president nonetheless asks the major why are some senators, including Patrick ists in foreign countries. The failure to telephone companies to place the taps for 30 Leahy, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s clarify the authorities of our intel- days while the administration seeks congres- senior Democrat, fighting the immunity pro- ligence professionals on a long-term sional approval. He or she also assures the posal? telecoms in writing that the new attorney basis had clearly jeopardized America’s The real reasons are election-year pressure general has advised that the Constitution ability to detect and prevent potential from liberal groups and the hope that the empowers the president to temporarily over- terrorist attacks and to effectively col- lawsuits will force public disclosure of infor- ride FISA during such an emergency—a con- lect intelligence on foreign adversaries. mation embarrassing to the Bush Adminis- troversial theory never tested in court. The Protect America Act expires on tration. Leahy said in a press release that he Most Americans would want the telecoms opposed giving retroactive immunity to the Friday, February 1. This temporary ex- to say yes without hesitation. But the telecoms because that would reduce their in- tension will now push that date to Feb- telecoms would have reason to say no—or centives to protect privacy and ‘‘would ruary 15. While elements of surveil- delay for a few dangerous days to consult eliminate the courts as a check on the ille- lance under the Protect America Act their lawyers—if liberals and libertarians get gality of the warrantless wiretapping of their way in a battle currently raging in could have temporarily continued Americans that the administration secretly Congress. without an extension, the failure to act engaged in for almost six years.’’ permanently on the lapsing authorities The issue is whether to immunize these Leahy may well be right that some aspects still ultimately threatens the capabili- same telecoms retroactively, as President of the highly classified wiretapping program Bush and a bipartisan majority of the Senate were illegal. Indeed, Goldsmith, who took ties of the intelligence community to Select Committee on Intelligence (including react with speed and agility to new over the Justice Department’s Office of Chairman Jay Rockefeller IV) urge, from li- Legal Counsel in late 2003 and later touched threats and changing circumstances. ability for having said yes to Bush’s We cannot continue to make excuses. off the above-mentioned rebellion, has pub- warrantless surveillance program during the licly called the still-secret OLC surveillance We cannot continue to avoid our re- unprecedented national crisis precipitated memos that he inherited a ‘‘legal mess.’’ sponsibility to deal with this vital by the 9/11 attacks. In my own view, Bush’s decision to se- issue. National security should not be The telecoms face more than 40 class ac- cretly override FISA for a time immediately on a week-to-week lease. I think both tions seeking hundreds of billions of dollars after 9/11 was probably a lawful exercise of the President and Members on our side in damages for their roles in the Bush pro- his war powers. But his legal rationale be- gram, which they agreed to after being as- came weaker and weaker when he continued of the aisle have made clear that our sured that the attorney general had deemed patience with further delays to this to override the law for months and years the program lawful. without seeking congressional approval. vital legislation will be extremely lim- Allowing this litigation to continue would, It is one thing to say that the president ited. as a group of highly respected former Justice has inherent power to disregard an outdated Democrats have failed to do their job Department officials wrote in a joint letter law during an emergency in which imme- on this critical national security issue, to the Senate Judiciary Committee, diate action might save many lives. It is even after Speaker PELOSI boasted last ‘‘produce perverse incentives that risk dam- something else to say that the president can August that they would act as soon as age to our national security,’’ because ‘‘both secretly continue to disregard that law for telecommunications carriers and other cor- possible. Their partisanship on this several years without ever seeking to amend porations in the future will think twice be- it. (See my 1/28/06 column.) issue clearly has failed. A bipartisan fore assisting any agency of the intelligence But doubts about the legality of Bush’s ac- Senate solution, acceptable to the community seeking information.’’ tions are no justification for holding hostage President, has been available for This particular group includes Jack Gold- telecoms that relied on the administration’s weeks, but has been held up by liberal smith, James Comey, Patrick Philbin, and assurances of legality and were in no posi- activists over the issue of retroactive John Ashcroft. They (especially the first tion to second-guess its assertions that the liability for third parties who may three) won bipartisan applause for leading a surveillance program was essential to na- have helped the government to detect rebellion in 2004 against overreaching claims tional security. of power by Bush, who chose to secretly potential terrorists. Not, that is, unless we want to risk that override FISA not just for a few weeks but the telecoms, credit card companies, banks, Madam Speaker, columnist Stuart for years. airlines, hospitals, and other private compa- Taylor recently pointed out that hold- ‘‘Given our experiences,’’ the former offi- nies—whose cooperation is essential to find- ing the private sector hostage to ideo- cials wrote, ‘‘we can certainly understand ing terrorists before they strike—will balk logical extremism is a ‘‘risky game.’’ It that reasonable people may question and or delay when the next president seeks their is a risky game for our national secu- wish to probe the legal bases for such intel- help in an emergency. rity and may chill cooperation in fu- ligence activities.’’ But the proper forum is And to keep things in perspective, let’s re- ture emergencies. He wrote: ‘‘Most the congressional oversight process, they as- member that even if Bush did violate the Americans would want the telecoms to serted, not ‘‘a public lawsuit against private law, the terrorist groups targeted by his sur- companies that were asked to assist their veillance program have taken thousands of say yes without hesitation. But the nation.’’ American lives; that the program itself has telecoms would have reason to say no, Such leading Democrats as former Sen. apparently caused no serious harm to anyone or delay for a few dangerous days to Bob Kerrey, former Rep. (and 9/11 commis- (except terrorists); and that no evidence ex- consult their lawyers, if liberals get sion Co-Chair) Lee Hamilton, and former At- ists that Bush or anyone else has ever made

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:19 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.058 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H512 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 any improper use of any intercepted commu- permanent legislation to fully ensure again. And yet, in what I can call only nications. the protection of the American people in kindness misguided perfectionism, Opponents of immunity say that the and their civil rights. there are those here who would come telecoms have nothing to fear in court if they can show that they acted lawfully. And Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I am to the floor to criticize this bill, a 15- it does seem most unlikely that the telecoms pleased now to yield 3 minutes to the day extension. Now it is easy to do would ultimately lose; the lawsuits face huge distinguished gentleman from Ohio, that; it is harder to get a good law obstacles, including the state secrets privi- Mr. DENNIS KUCINICH. from both of these bodies at the same lege and doubts about the plaintiffs’ stand- Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I time, and that’s only what this com- ing to sue, as well as the strong evidence rise today in opposition to H.R. 5104, a mittee is trying to do this afternoon. that the telecoms acted lawfully. But even a remote risk of massive liability 30-day extension of the Protect Amer- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- for doing the right thing in the past might ica Act. ance of my time. deter some from doing the right thing in the When the Protect America Act was Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- future. And in the vast, interminable, unpre- passed by this body on August 4, 2007, I er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman dictable, often perverse meat grinder that voted against the legislation because it from California (Mr. ISSA), who is a high-stakes litigation has become in this gave legitimacy to the administra- member of both the Judiciary and In- country, victory in court would come only tion’s surveillance of Americans with- telligence Committees. after many years of expensive legal battles, uncertainty, downward pressure on stock out warrants. It is in the best interest Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, 1 minute prices, and publicity damaging to the of our Nation to allow this temporary is just the right amount of time to deal telecoms’ international business interests. law to expire and return to the perma- with an issue that is as simple as this: This prospect might drive them to accept a nent FISA law until this body can we cannot allow our enemies abroad to nuisance settlement that would yield mil- agree on legislation that protects our have secrets, and we must maintain lions of dollars for the plaintiffs’ lawyers and Constitution and upholds the civil lib- the secret of how we discover, uncover, very little for anyone else. Indeed, that’s erties of U.S. citizens. reveal, and react to their attempts to what many plaintiffs’ lawyers are hoping for. Some senators and others have proposed The FISA Court has ruled to prohibit hide their activities, including the at- ways to relieve the telecoms of monetary li- warrantless spying on Americans when tempt to kill Americans. That’s what ability while keeping the litigation alive to communications between foreign tar- this is all about. That’s what we are force a healthy public airing of information gets overseas are routed through the looking for within the next 15 days. I about what Bush and his aides did. One such U.S. The permanent FISA law leaves in am supportive of this bill because I proposal would have the government cover place mechanisms to monitor potential want to make sure that we cover these any damage awards; another would place a very low cap on any damages; a third would terrorist activity with the approval of two points. ask the FISA court to decide whether the the FISA Court. It is not enough to simply attack telecoms broke the law. Such expedients We cannot allow baseless claims of your enemy when he attacks you. We would be better than no protection at all. being soft on terror to drive this de- clearly have to know what he intends But they would not give the telecoms the fi- bate. Those who use fear to gain power to do, including when he communicates nality and the relief from litigation costs for themselves are in effect subverting with his operatives in America from that they want and deserve. our Constitution. overseas; and we very clearly need to In any event, it seems unlikely that any kind of litigation against the telecoms will We are at a moment in the history of not let our enemies, through discovery yield much new information about what this country where it is absolutely im- in more than 40 lawsuits leveled Bush and his aides did. The main reason is portant that Congress must not accept against all of our communications that any such evidence is probably inex- a false choice. We must defend Ameri- companies, uncover what they may or tricably intertwined with operational details cans and our Constitution from the may not have done. of the surveillance, which are highly (and politics of fear. We must demand that I want to make sure that we under- properly) classified. And lawsuits against the the President cease his attacks on our stand: it is not just what communica- government, which would be unaffected by immunizing the telecoms, would be a more civil liberties. tions companies may have done. We do logical vehicle for exposing whatever can I oppose this legislation, and I will not want our enemies to know what properly be exposed. oppose all future attempts by this body they may not have done. But the bottom line is that a remote to pass fear-provoking legislation that Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I am chance of exposing any Bush misconduct is sanctions oppression against the Amer- pleased to yield to the distinguished simply not a good enough reason to run even ican people. majority leader of the House of Rep- a small risk of losing potentially lifesaving When our Constitution was written resentatives, STENY HOYER, 1 minute. intelligence. And it’s simply unfair to hold hostage private companies that thought they and amended, the fourth amendment Mr. HOYER. I thank the distin- were helping to save lives and did nothing said: ‘‘The right of the people to be se- guished chairman for yielding. wrong. cure in their persons, houses, papers, I rise in support of this particular ex- Partisan political points and the non- and effects, against unreasonable tension. I do not rise and did not rise in existent rights of radical jihadists searches and seizures, shall not be vio- support of the underlying bill that we shouldn’t be more important than giv- lated, and no Warrants shall issue, but are extending. And I think the gen- ing the most effective tools to the in- upon probable cause, supported by tleman from Ohio raised some valid telligence community to detect and Oath or affirmation, and particularly points, as the chairman thinks he prevent attacks. As soon as the Senate describing the place to be searched, and raised valid points as well. passes this comprehensive bipartisan the persons or things to be seized.’’ But the issue here is really one of al- bill, the House should consider it im- This fourth amendment has been the lowing this body an opportunity to mediately in order to send a respon- bedrock of the freedoms that Ameri- pass a bill that speaks to the constitu- sible bill to the President as quickly as cans enjoy from a government that tional issues that have been raised, as possible. would use its power to go deeply into well as the substantive issues raised by There is bipartisan agreement that people’s private affairs. Mr. ISSA in what we all want to do: pro- Congress must act immediately to en- We must stand for our Constitution. tect America and Americans. sure a long-term effective solution that We must stand for the Bill of Rights. Today the House is voting on a 15-day empowers intelligence community pro- That is the purpose of my presence at extension, nothing more, nothing less. fessionals to act with speed and agility this very moment before this House. Before we do that, I want to remind my against foreign targets, provides retro- Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I colleagues that this body has already active liability protection for third yield myself such time as I may con- passed legislation to reauthorize FISA. parties who may have assisted the gov- sume. On November 15, 21⁄2 months ago, this ernment after 9/11, and ensures that Last August, a number of Members body passed the RESTORE Act, a bill court orders will continue to be re- with whom I agree lamented the fact that modernizes the technologically quired for any surveillance targeting that we got jammed by the other body outdated Foreign Intelligence Surveil- Americans. and the clock and ended up with a bad lance Act of 1978, gives the intelligence We should stop the bipartisan ob- law. Here I am again today trying to community the authority to intercept structionism and move forward with stop that same thing from happening critical foreign communications, and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.017 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H513 protects our fundamental constitu- administration, if it had any authoriza- Frankly, the bill we passed in Au- tional rights. tions, it needed to proceed on that for gust, the Protect America Act, is noth- The bill was skillfully assembled by fear that we might not extend this act. ing short of a legislative LASIK sur- two of our best chairmen, JOHN CON- I think we’ll do that today, so that fear gery. We had the head of the intel- YERS and SILVESTRE REYES. Those will not be realized. ligence services of the United States chairmen join me today in support of For those new threats that develop come to us and say we were blinded so this short-term extension for several after February 1, let us not forget that that we could not see over 60 percent of reasons. First, despite the body’s ef- the underlying statute still gives the the legitimate terrorist targets in the forts over 21⁄2 months ago, the Senate administration 3 days’ worth of emer- world because of an interpretation of has yet to complete its work on its own gency authority to immediately begin the law impacted by the new tech- FISA legislation. This week they failed surveillance without going to the nology; that is, the way communica- to get cloture on either alternative. We Court, no lesser court. The Court, by tions are transmitted. It was at his re- are going to await its bill and look for- the way, now has no backlog. quest that we looked at this. We did ward to an undoubtedly challenging, I encourage my colleagues to support that in August. We’ve opened our eyes. but productive, conference. This will this legislation. It is simply much like We’ve been able to look at those tar- take some time. a CR, which is not a judgment on the gets, those legitimate targets around Second, on the question of immunity, merits of a particular appropriation the world. And if we do not act today which the President has so highly tout- bill one way or the other. It is simply we will close our eyes once again. ed, our committees have been asking a judgment that the congressional will The fact of the matter is, the for 8 months to see the legal docu- ought to be done, that we ought to strangeness of this institution, of only ments pertaining to the President’s make our judgment based upon a con- allowing the Protect America Act for 6 terrorist surveillance program. And we ference report, with the Senate having months, then coming and saying, Well, have received 8 straight months of de- passed a bill, which it has been unable the new bill ought to be limited to 30 nials. The White House only offered yet to do. days, or 15 days, is really something we this access last Friday. It is reasonable So I urge my colleagues to support ought to examine. to conclude that for the committees to this bill, not because you support the Does anyone suggest that the threat carry out its own responsibilities and underlying bill, but because you share out there is a 6-month threat, a 15-day constitutional duties, it needs some with me and with Mr. CONYERS and Mr. threat, a 30-day threat? It is an almost time to do that. KUCINICH and Mr. ISSA and all the oth- permanent threat that we see out This afternoon, our Judiciary mem- ers who have dealt with this bill a con- there. We need legislation that will bers will be read-in to the program, and cern about protecting our country and give us certainty, that will allow us to only next week will they begin to di- protecting our Constitution. keep our eyes open, to gather the intel- gest the hefty stack of documents that, Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- ligence necessary to protect our home- in turn, will help them make a judg- er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman land. ment on what, if any, immunity is from California (Mr. LUNGREN), who is You can argue about the Iraq war all merited. My position has been that in a member of the Judiciary Committee you want. This goes to the essence of order to give immunity, we need to and the Homeland Security Com- protecting us against the terrorists know what we are giving immunity for mittee. who would bring the war to our shores, and what the justification for the ac- Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Cali- who have already brought the war to tions were. Again, we need time for fornia. Madam Speaker, first of all, let our shores. This goes to the effective- this important review. This extension me say I rise in support of this bill. Un- ness of the techniques that are used in gives us that time. fortunately, we are at this occasion today’s new technology. Finally, let me say to my colleagues where we have to have this short-term We were asked by Admiral McConnell that even if we were unable to do this extension. to do the job. We did the job in August, extension, and this is very important, But let me just say a couple of things with the exception of not giving the even if we were unable to do this exten- in response to what the majority leader protection to those communications sion, February 1 were to come and go said. In the first instance he said that companies who actually responded to a without any new legislation, no one if we don’t have the Protect America patriotic request to help in this fight. should fall victim to those fear-mon- Act, but we have the underlying bill, it For some reason, my friends on the gers who suggest that our intelligence will work well enough to deal with the other side believe in the reverse Good community could ‘‘go dark.’’ It would problems in an emergency situation. Samaritan act: Don’t help us; be wor- not. That is simply not the case. Unfortunately, that’s contradicted by ried. But bring your attorneys when The authorizations issued under the the head of our intelligence services. asked. Protect America Act are in effect for The reason we are here is because it Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, it is up to one full year. So any requests doesn’t work. with great pleasure I recognize a dis- that have been made and authorized up Secondly, the majority leader said tinguished member of the Judiciary to this point in time from August on the RESTORE Act, the so-called RE- Committee, ADAM SCHIFF of California, would be in effect at least through next STORE Act that we passed in Novem- for 2 minutes. July even if they had been authorized ber is a bill that we passed that should Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, last in August. The authorization issued take care of these problems. It is a bill year the President and the Director of under the Protect America Act will that does not work, and I will give you National Intelligence pushed for legis- help protect us to that extent. just one example of its difficulty. lation that would make it easier for This means that all of the surveil- In section 2(a)(2), treatment of inad- the NSA to collect intelligence on lance in effect today will remain in ef- vertent interceptions, it grants greater Americans and groups abroad. Among fect for least 6 more months. Even the protections to Osama bin Laden than it other things, the administration’s leg- administration’s own Assistant Attor- would to an American citizen heard in- islation would allow warrantless eaves- ney General for National Security, advertently in the United States. That dropping of virtually all communica- Kenneth Wainstein, acknowledged this, happens to be a fact. We’ve debated it tions of Americans with anyone out- saying that if the PAA were allowed to on this floor. Not a single person on side the U.S., so long as the govern- expire, intelligence officials would still that side of the aisle has been able to ment declared that the surveillance be able to continue eavesdropping on contradict that. And even the chair- was directed at people reasonably be- already approved targets for another man of the Constitutional Law Sub- lieved to be located outside the U.S. year. committee has come to me and said we I opposed the bill when it was consid- are right; a huge mistake was made. ered by the House and instead joined b 1545 And yet that was the bill that was with Chairman CONYERS and Chairman In fact, out of an abundance of cau- passed here and that we are told and REYES in support of a responsible alter- tion, last Thursday, when I announced the American people are being told native that would have met the needs the schedule for this week, I urged the needs to go forward. of the Director of National Intelligence

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.060 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H514 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 without compromising the privacy of munity is essential. We will lose our former chairman, now ranking member law-abiding Americans in ways that ability to do surveillance if we lose the of the National Security Sub- don’t improve our security. The pro- ability of the companies to cooperate committee of the Government Over- posal included robust oversight and with us. And this is not a trial lawyer’s sight and Reform Committee. He is audit provisions designed to determine issue; it’s a national security issue. also a senior Republican member of the the impact of these changes on Ameri- Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, we Homeland Security Committee as well. cans. Unfortunately, Congress was reserve our time at this point. Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, the forced hastily to pass the administra- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- Cold War is over and the world is a tion’s version before adjourning in Au- er, may I ask how much time remains more dangerous place. Our strategy is gust. Nonetheless, Congress provided on each side. no longer containment reaction and the law would sunset in 6 months to en- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- mutually assured destruction. That sure that modifications were quickly tleman from Texas has 8 minutes re- went out the window on September 11. made. maining. The gentleman from Michi- It is detection, prevention, preemption, Over 2 months ago the House re- gan has 91⁄2 minutes remaining. and, when necessary, even unilateral turned to this debate by passing the Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- action. RESTORE Act, legislation that up- er, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague As the 9/11 Commission points out, dated FISA, provided these effective from Texas (Mr. GOHMERT) who is the we are not combating terrorism as if surveillance tools while ensuring ro- ranking member of the Crime, Ter- it’s some ethereal being. We are con- bust oversight. Importantly, the RE- rorism, and Homeland Security Sub- fronting Islamists terrorists, real peo- STORE Act also provided protections committee of the Judiciary Com- ple who would do us harm. If you want to ensure that communications of U.S. mittee. to deal with the consequence of a ter- persons were not acquired without Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, it rorist attack, write a weak FISA law. some court involvement or supervision, seems what we’re experiencing here But if you want to detect and prevent provisions that were left out of the pro- and have been for the last 6 months is a terrorist act, write a law that works posal passed in August. just the eternal optimism. I love that and help insure the communication in- The other body has also drafted legis- in the Democratic majority. But it’s dustry works with us. lation aimed at modifying the bill that like the fellow that fell off the tall The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- passed out of the House in August to building and at each floor was heard to tleman from Michigan advises that he provide oversight and additional pro- say, ‘‘I’m doing okay so far.’’ The trou- is ready to close. tections. Unfortunately, they haven’t ble is, you’re going to have the day of Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- completed their work. Some very reckoning. And here we had the 6- er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman thoughtful proposals like that by Sen- month extension back August 4. Now, from Arizona (Mr. FRANKS). He is the ator DIANNE FEINSTEIN offer fresh ways we’ve heard the majority leader come ranking member of the Constitution, to break the impasse over some very in and say, Well, it was basically, in so Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Sub- difficult issues. The proposals that many words, it was the White House’s committee of the Judiciary Com- they are debating and attempting to fi- fault because they could have given us mittee. nalize have a number of notable depar- this information about the immunity 1600 tures from the House-passed version. of the companies, and that’s what’s b With the August bill set to expire in 3 held this up. But if you go back to Au- Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Madam days, it’s necessary for us to seek a gust 4 and the vote that did not have Speaker, jihadist terrorism is an exis- temporary extension in order to ensure the immunity in it, there were 41 tential threat to human peace. Our this House has a role in crafting its re- Democrats that voted for it and 181 Terrorist Surveillance Program is the vision. The impending deadlines neces- Democrats that voted against it and 9 most powerful tactical weapon we have sitate an extension, and I’m proud to didn’t vote. It was the Republicans against terrorists. If we knew where support that very modest extension. that passed this. It didn’t have any- every terrorist in the world was to- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- thing to do with immunity. It had to night, we could end the war on terror er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman do with one group wanted to make sure within weeks. Director of National In- from Iowa (Mr. KING), who is a distin- our intelligence protected us and had telligence, Mike McConnell, has re- guished member of the Judiciary Com- the tools they need, and the other was peatedly asked this body to update this mittee. more concerned about the rights of ter- critical tool, and he has been met only Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I rorists. with stalling from Democrats. rise in support of this 15-day extension Now, I would submit to you that this This tool only allows us to target to the FISA law, but I ask the ques- isn’t about 6 months. It’s not about 15 America’s enemies on foreign soil with tion, why are we here? And the reason days. We could put it off 30 days, an- electronic surveillance, and it con- we are here is because of a court deci- other 6 months, but the day of reck- tinues to protect those that are on for- sion that I think appropriately defined oning is coming. And our enemies that eign soil including, Madam Speaker, if the letter of the language in the 1978 want to destroy our way of life, they Osama bin Laden was in a hotel on FISA law. But because the technology don’t think in terms of 15 days, 30 days. Capitol Hill, we could not target his changes, that court decision was made. They think in terms of generations, phone or e-mail with electronic sur- And that opened up this can of worms, and they’ve got to be defeated. veillance without a FISA warrant. this Pandora’s box of who’s concerned So I understand and I appreciate my This continues to protect Americans. about whose civil liberties versus how dear friend, Mr. KUCINICH, and the con- And if we cannot pass this critical leg- we provide this balance in our intel- cerns about civil liberties. I’m con- islation in the day in which we live, we ligence. And I would point out that cerned about them, too. But when it in- not only fail our primary purpose as a this is a two-front war that we’re fight- volves, as this act does, a foreign ter- Congress; we fail the American people ing: One is in the Middle East, success- rorist on foreign soil, and I know the in future generations. fully I will add, and the other one is concern is, Well, what if they call an Madam Speaker, we need to pass the surveillance that protects us do- American citizen? And I’ll leave you this. mestically here at home and provides with this: I would submit to you, if Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- for our military to have the tools to your friends are getting calls from for- er, I yield myself the balance of the work with overseas. That is the highest eign terrorists on foreign soil, again, time. constitutional responsibility that we tell them to tell the terrorists not to The Senate Intelligence Committee have. We have congressional oversight. call them at home and they’ll be okay. has already approved a bipartisan bill We can look into this and see what’s We need to pass this. We need to give to replace the Protect America Act. It going on with the FISA law anyway, our intelligence the tools they need. contains important provisions to help but the effort to protect our retro- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- the intelligence committee gather for- active liability of those companies that er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman eign surveillance and provides liability cooperate with our intelligence com- from Connecticut (Mr. SHAYS). He is a protection to telecommunications

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.064 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H515 companies that assisted the govern- States.’’ Further, it does not provide for the In order to understand why I feel so strong- ment after the terrorist attacks on Fourth Amendment protection of American citi- ly, let me take a moment to outline some of 9/11. zens if they happen to be on the other end of the most abhorrent provisions in the bill we The Democratic majority has a duty the electronic communication where the sub- are considering extending: to end political gamesmanship with ject of surveillance is a non-citizen overseas. First, it allows the Attorney General to issue America’s national security and imme- We must remember that the original Foreign program warrants for international calls without diately pass legislation that gives our Intelligence Surveillance Act was passed in court review. This provision removes the FISA intelligence community the tools they 1978 as a result of the U.S. Senate investiga- court, which has overseen the process for 30 need to protect us. tions into the Federal government’s illegal spy- years and instead places the Attorney General Madam Speaker, given the rapidly ing on American citizens. Its purpose was to in charge of determining the legitimacy of sur- approaching Friday deadline, today I prevent the abuse of power from occurring in veillance. Needless to say, this is an enor- ask that my colleagues support a tem- the future by establishing guidelines and pre- mous responsibility and we must all question porary extension; but, of course, that’s scribing oversight to the process. It was de- the wisdom of placing so much authority on with the understanding that we come signed to protect citizens, not the government. the shoulders of one Administration official. back immediately and pass a good bill The effect seems to have been opposite of Secondly, it includes no provisions to pre- that is long term, that gives liability what was intended. These recent attempts to vent ‘‘reverse targeting,’’ the practice whereby protection to the telephone companies, ‘‘upgrade’’ FISA do not appear to be designed surveillance is conducted on a foreign person and that doesn’t force us to get a court to enhance protection of our civil liberties, but in order to hear their conversations with a per- order to listen to Osama bin Laden to make it easier for the government to spy on son in the United States who is the actual tar- when he makes a cell phone call from a us! get. Under the Protect America Act, these cave in Pakistan to initiate attacks on The only legitimate ‘‘upgrade’’ to the original conversations can be heard, recorded and the United States. FISA legislation would be to allow surveillance stored without a warrant. I hope that any bill that we consider of conversations that begin and end outside Lastly, the Protect America Act reduces the in the coming days will have those pro- the United States between non-U.S. citizens oversight capabilities of Congress by requiring visions in them. where the telephone call is routed through the the Attorney General to provide to Congress Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- United States. Technology and the global only the information the Justice Department ance of my time. communications market have led to more for- sees fit to report. This provision removes an Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I eign to foreign calls being routed through the important check upon America’s secret surveil- yield myself the balance of my time. United States. This adjustment would solve lance program. I rise, first, to thank the Members of the problems outlined by the administration Taken together, the Protect America Act the House for this very reasonable de- without violating the rights of U.S. citizens. represents a significant infringement on each bate, and I want to thank particularly While I would not oppose technical changes American’s civil liberties and allows for a po- my colleagues on the other side. Rank- in FISA that the intelligence community has in- tentially dangerous abuse of power by our dicated are necessary, Congress should not government. I urge each of my colleagues to ing Member SMITH has been excellent in helping us work out, as closely as we use this opportunity to chip away at even vote against its extension and allow the origi- can with reservations, nothing is per- more of our constitutional protections and civil nal FISA law to be reinstated. Doing so will liberties. I urge my colleagues to oppose this fect, but I appreciate the spirit with allow the Congress time to work on a bipar- and any legislation that violates the Fourth which he has come to the floor today. tisan update of the FISA and in the meantime The extension is not a vote for the Amendment of the Constitution. give the intelligence community the tools they Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise temporary law that we have been liv- require while also protecting the rights and lib- today in strong opposition to H.R. 5104. I do ing under since August. It is not a vote erties of all Americans. so because there is no reason to extend the Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I against the temporary bill or against Protect America Act. Should the Protect Amer- will reluctantly support this short extension of what the Senate is working on. It is a ica Act expire, our intelligence community will current law dealing with electronic surveillance vote only to avoid a head-long rush not be left in the ‘‘dark,’’ as some suggest. related to efforts to counter the threat of ter- into possibly ill-conceived legislation. Rather the FISA courts will simply return to rorism. And I think we have all been able to operating under the original FISA law, a law My support is reluctant because I did not come together on that. which protected the civil liberties of all Ameri- vote for the current law, which I think does not I’m grateful to our leadership and to cans while also granting the President the properly balance the need to counteract that the Members on the other side of the tools he needs to conduct an aggressive cam- threat with protection of Americans’ rights and aisle for the discussion that brings us paign against terror. liberties. But today I will support a brief exten- here this afternoon. As many of my colleagues have argued sion of that law—scheduled to expire in two Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposi- today, the original FISA law, which passed in days’ time—for several reasons. tion to the extension of the Protect America 1978 needs to be updated. It was passed to First, I do think the basic law in this area— Act of 2007 because the underlying legislation address surveillance concerns at a different the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or violates the U.S. Constitution. time in our Nation’s history, when some of the FISA—needs to be updated to respond to The mis-named Protect America Act allows technological strides we have made since, changes in technology, which was the purpose the U.S. government to monitor telephone were simply unimaginable. As a member of of the current, temporary law. calls and other electronic communications of the Intelligence Committee, I strongly support Last August, I voted for a bill (H.R. 3356) to American citizens without a warrant. This efforts by the Speaker and leaders of both provide such an update. Unfortunately, while clearly violates the Fourth Amendment, which parties to work together to update FISA. How- that bill was supported by a majority of the states: ever, I cannot in good conscience vote in House, it did not receive the two-thirds vote ‘‘The right of the people to be secure in their favor of a one-month extension of the Protect required by the procedure under which it was persons, houses, papers, and effects, against America Act. I cannot do so because the re- considered, and so was not adopted. Its de- unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not ality is that the Protect America Act does not feat resulted from the opposition of the Bush be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but make Americans any safer—rather it allows Administration—supported by all but 3 of our upon probable cause, supported by Oath or the Government to pursue an enormous and Republican colleagues—which was demand- affirmation, and particularly describing the untargeted collection of international commu- ing instead that the House approve a different place to be searched, and the persons or nications without court order or meaningful version. Regrettably, that tactic succeeded things to be seized.’’ oversight by either Congress or the courts. and the result was passage of the current law, The Protect America Act sidelines the FISA Furthermore, it is one of the most damaging which I did not support. Court system and places authority over foreign pieces of legislation against civil liberties I Then, last November, I again voted for a bill surveillance in the director of national intel- have seen in my eight years in the U.S. Con- to update FISA, H.R. 3773, the ‘‘Responsible ligence and the attorney general with little if gress. Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Re- any oversight. While proponents of this legisla- I feel so strongly that the Protect America viewed, and Effective’’ (or RESTORE) Act. tion have argued that the monitoring of Amer- Act is an affront to our values, that in my opin- That bill is not perfect, but as I said then I ican citizens would still require a court-issued ion it is in the best interest of all Americans did not insist on perfection because I thought warrant, the bill only requires that subjects be that this misguided bill be allowed to expire the House should act to correct the short- ‘‘reasonably believed to be outside the United rather than extended for even one more day. comings of the temporary law enacted last

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.070 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H516 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 year and because in my opinion the RE- that they needed. However, the legislation that arcana of electronic surveillance, is the prac- STORE Act would give the Administration the ultimately triumphed, and which this bill today tice where the government targets foreigners authority it says it needs to conduct surveil- would extend, is a disgrace to the United without a warrant while its actual purpose is to lance on terrorist targets while restoring many States constitution. By passing this bill today, collect information on certain U.S. persons. of the protections that the temporary law has we are compromising the Bill of Rights. We One of the major concerns that libertarians reduced. are telling Americans that no matter what your and classical conservatives, as well as pro- The House passed the RESTORE Act on business is, you are subject to the unscrupu- gressives and civil liberties organizations, November 15th, and we have been waiting for lous, undisciplined, irresponsible scrutiny of have with the PAA is that the understandable the Senate to act. President Bush has criti- the Attorney General and others without court temptation of national security agencies to en- cized the House-passed bill because it does intervention. gage in reverse targeting may be difficult to not grant retroactive immunity from lawsuits This is not the day to play politics. It is too resist in the absence of strong safeguards in for telecommunications companies that as- important to balance civil liberties along with the PAA to prevent it. sisted in the Administration’s secret surveil- the homeland security and the protection My amendment reduces even further any lance program without being compelled to do needs of America. I feel confident that the such temptation to resort to reverse targeting so by a warrant. As I said in November, I think House FISA Bill does do that. I am disheart- by requiring the Administration to obtain a reg- it might be appropriate to consider that, but ened by the other body for their failure to rec- ular, individualized FISA warrant whenever the not until the Bush Administration has re- ognize that we can secure America by secur- ‘‘real’’ target of the surveillance is a person in sponded to bipartisan requests for information ing the American people with fair security laws the United States. about the past activities of these companies and by giving them their civil liberties. I find The amendment achieves this objective by under the program. I have not been ready to the Senate language extremely troublesome, requiring the Administration to obtain a regular grant immunity for the companies’ past activi- and I am extremely disappointed that we could FISA warrant whenever a ‘‘significant purpose ties while we don’t know what those activities not reach common ground based on the origi- of an acquisition is to acquire the communica- were. nal language passed by this House. tions of a specific person reasonably believed Recently, the Administration has finally re- I would ask my colleagues to defeat this so to be located in the United States.’’ The cur- lented and is allowing appropriate review of that we can go back to the bill that protects rent language in the bill provides that a war- documents on this subject. But that review is the civil liberties of Americans and provides rant be obtained only when the Government not yet complete—and so the second reason homeland security. I ask my colleagues to ‘‘seeks to conduct electronic surveillance’’ of a I support this legislation is to allow the review support the Bill of Rights and National Secu- person reasonably believed to be located in to continue before Congress is required again rity. the United States. to act on this subject. This would not be nec- Had the Bush Administration and the Re- It was far from clear how the operative lan- essary if the Administration had not been so publican-dominated 109th Congress acted guage ‘‘seeks to’’ is to be interpreted. In con- resistant to the idea of properly informing Con- more responsibly in the 2 preceding years, we trast, the language used in my amendment, gress and providing the relevant information, would not be in the position of debating legis- ‘‘significant purpose,’’ is a term of art that has but now it is needed. lation that has such a profound impact on the long been a staple of FISA jurisprudence and Finally, because the Senate has been slow national security and on American values and thus is well known and readily applied by the to act, I think the current law should be ex- civil liberties in the crush of exigent cir- agencies, legal practitioners, and the FISA tended briefly to provide a reasonable oppor- cumstances. More often that not, it is true as Court. Thus, the Jackson-Lee Amendment tunity for any differences between the House- the saying goes that haste makes waste. provides a clearer, more objective, criterion for passed bill and whatever the Senate may ap- Madam Speaker, the legislation before us is the Administration to follow and the FISA court prove to be resolved through careful and thor- intended to fill a gap in the Nation’s intel- to enforce to prevent the practice of reverse ough discussion rather than in the kind of ex- ligence gathering capabilities identified by Di- targeting without a warrant, which all of us can aggerated haste that too often leads to unsat- rector of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, agree should not be permitted. isfactory results. by amending the Foreign Intelligence Surveil- First, I am prepared to accept temporarily Therefore, despite what I think are the very lance Act, FISA. But in reality it eviscerates obviating the need to obtain a court order for real flaws of the current, temporary law, I will the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution and foreign-to-foreign communications that pass support this measure to extend it for an addi- represents an unwarranted transfer of power through the United States. But I do insist upon tional 30 days. from the courts to the Executive Branch and a individual warrants, based on probable cause, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Justice Department led by an Attorney Gen- when surveillance is directed at people in the Speaker, I rise today with great concern to eral whose reputation for candor and integrity United States. H.R. 5104, to extend the Protect American Act is, to put it charitably, subject to considerable The Attorney General must still be required of 2007 for 30 days. I thank the distinguished doubt. to submit procedures for international surveil- chairman of the Judiciary Committee and I ap- Madam Speaker, FISA has served the Na- lance to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance plaud him for his consistent and impeccable tion well for nearly 30 years, placing electronic Court for approval, but the FISA Court should commitment to civil liberties and civil rights. surveillance inside the United States for for- not be allowed to issue a ‘‘basket warrant’’ Madam Speaker, this administration has the eign intelligence and counter-intelligence pur- without making individual determinations about legal responsibility to protect the American poses on a sound legal footing and I am far foreign surveillance. people. Let no one come to this floor and sug- from persuaded that it needs to be jettisoned There should be an initial 15-day emer- gest that what we are doing today is going to or substantially amended. But given the gency authority so that international surveil- save lives, because last year we passed legis- claimed exigent circumstances by the Admin- lance can begin while the warrants are being lation that indicated that foreign-to-foreign istration, let me briefly discuss some of the considered by the Court. And there must also communication had no barriers, no barriers for changes to FISA I am prepared to support on be congressional oversight, requiring the De- those who are seeking intelligence. a temporary basis, not to exceed 120 days. partment of Justice Inspector General to con- Yet when an American was involved, the Bill To give a detailed illustration of just how su- duct an audit every 60 days of U.S. person of Rights, the fourth amendment, civil liberties perior the RESTORE Act, which the House communications intercepted under these war- with the underpinnings, and therefore a court passed October, is to the ill-considered and rants, to be submitted to the Intelligence and intervened. Extending the Protect America Act hastily enacted Protect America Act, I wish to Judiciary Committees. Finally, as I have stat- for 30 days in the hopes that the Senate will take a few moments to discuss an important ed, this authority must be of short duration produce a version that we are satisfied with is improvement in the bill that was adopted in and must expire by its terms in 120 days. not a sufficient reason for violating the civil the full Judiciary Committee markup. In all candor, Madam Speaker, I must re- rights and liberties of the American people. The Jackson-Lee Amendment added during state my firm conviction that when it comes to Homeland security is not a Republican or a the markup made a constructive contribution the track record of this President’s warrantless Democratic issue. It is an issue for all Ameri- to the RESTORE Act by laying down a clear, surveillance programs, there is still nothing on cans—all of us. Not one of us who sang ‘‘God objective criterion for the Administration to fol- the public record about the nature and effec- Bless America’’ on the steps of this House will low and the FISA court to enforce in pre- tiveness of those programs, or the trust- allow anyone to undermine the security of venting reverse targeting. worthiness of this Administration, to indicate America. ‘‘Reverse targeting,’’ a concept well known that they require any legislative response, The original legislation offered by the House to members of this Committee but not so well other than to reaffirm the exclusivity of FISA Majority gave the Administration everything understood by those less steeped in the and insist that it be followed. This could have

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:19 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.043 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H517 been accomplished in the 109th Congress by call up House Resolution 940 and ask which to revise and extend their re- passing H.R. 5371, the ‘‘Lawful Intelligence for its immediate consideration. marks on House Resolution 940. and Surveillance of Terrorists in an Emer- The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there gency by NSA Act,’’ ‘‘LISTEN Act,’’ which I lows: objection to the request of the gen- have co-sponsored with the then Ranking H. RES. 940 tleman from California? Members of the Judiciary and Intelligence Resolved, That at any time after the adop- There was no objection. Committees, Mr. Conyers and Ms. HARMAN. tion of this resolution the Speaker may, pur- Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I The Bush administration has not complied suant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the yield myself as much time as I may with its legal obligation under the National Se- House resolved into the Committee of the consume. curity Act of 1947 to keep the Intelligence Whole House on the state of the Union for Madam Speaker, House Resolution consideration of the bill (H.R. 1528) to amend Committees ‘‘fully and currently informed’’ of the National Trails System Act to designate 940 provides for consideration of H.R. U.S. intelligence activities. Congress cannot the New England National Scenic Trail, and 1528, the New England National Scenic continue to rely on incomplete information for other purposes. The first reading of the Trail Designation Act, under a struc- from the Bush administration or revelations in bill shall be dispensed with. All points of tured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of the media. It must conduct a full and complete order against consideration of the bill are general debate, equally divided and inquiry into electronic surveillance in the waived except those arising under clause 9 or controlled by the chairman and rank- United States and related domestic activities 10 of rule XXI. General debate shall be con- ing member of the Committee on Nat- of the NSA, both those that occur within FISA fined to the bill and shall not exceed one ural Resources. The rule makes in hour equally divided and controlled by the and those that occur outside FISA. chairman and ranking minority member of order two Republican amendments sub- The inquiry must not be limited to the legal the Committee on Natural Resources. After mitted to the Rules Committee by the questions. It must include the operational de- general debate the bill shall be considered ranking member of the Subcommittee tails of each program of intelligence surveil- for amendment under the five-minute rule. It on National Parks, Forests and Public lance within the United States, including: (1) shall be in order to consider as an original Lands, Mr. BISHOP of Utah. The rule Who the NSA is targeting; (2) how it identifies bill for the purpose of amendment under the waives all points of order against con- its targets; (3) the information the program col- five-minute rule the amendment in the na- sideration of the bill except for clauses lects and disseminates; and most important; ture of a substitute recommended by the 9 and 10 of rule XXI. Finally, the rule Committee on Natural Resources now print- (4) whether the program advances national provides one motion to recommit, with security interests without unduly compromising ed in the bill. The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered or without instructions. the privacy rights of the American people. as read. All points of order against the com- Madam Speaker, the bill before us Given the unprecedented amount of infor- mittee amendment in the nature of a sub- today, H.R. 1528, amends the National mation Americans now transmit electronically stitute are waived except those arising under Trails System Act to designate most of and the post-9/11 loosening of regulations clause 10 of rule XXI. Notwithstanding the MMM Trail System as the New governing information sharing, the risk of inter- clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to the England National Scenic Trail. cepting and disseminating the communications committee amendment in the nature of a The MMM Trail System extends from of ordinary Americans is vastly increased, re- substitute shall be in order except those the Massachusetts border with New quiring more precise—not looser—standards, printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution. Each Hampshire through western Massachu- closer oversight, new mechanisms for mini- setts and Connecticut toward the Long mization, and limits on retention of inadvert- such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered Island Sound. The highly popular trail ently intercepted communications. only by a Member designated in the report, system has existed for over 50 years Madam Speaker, the legislation before us is shall be considered as read, shall be debat- and is predominantly managed and not necessary. The bill which a majority of the able for the time specified in the report maintained by volunteers. House voted to pass last year is more than equally divided and controlled by the pro- The trail system travels through im- sufficient to address the intelligence gathering ponent and an opponent, shall not be subject portant historical landmarks and har- to amendment, and shall not be subject to a deficiency identified by Director McConnell. bors a range of diverse ecosystems and That bill, H.R. 3356, provided ample amount demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All natural resources, including mountain of congressional authorization needed to en- summits, waterfalls, and critical habi- sure that our intelligence professionals have points of order against such amendments are waived except those arising under clause 9 or tats for endangered species. the tools that they need to protect our Nation, 10 of rule XXI. At the conclusion of consider- In a recent feasibility study, the Na- while also safeguarding the rights of law-abid- ation of the bill for amendment the Com- tional Park Service recommended that ing Americans. That is why I supported H.R. mittee shall rise and report the bill to the the trail system be designated as a na- 3356, but cannot support H.R. 5104. House with such amendments as may have tional scenic trail, with some adjust- I encourage my colleagues to join me in vot- been adopted. Any Member may demand a ments and rerouting for a total of 220 ing against the unwise and ill-considered reau- separate vote in the House on any amend- ment adopted in the Committee of the Whole miles. However, this study has been thorization of the Protect America Act of 2007. out since the spring of 2006; and while Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I to the bill or to the committee amendment no changes are expected, it has been yield back the balance of my time. in the nature of a substitute. The previous The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question shall be considered as ordered on trapped in a giant morass of bureau- the bill and amendments thereto to final cratic red tape that has not been final- question is on the motion offered by passage without intervening motion except the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. ized. one motion to recommit with or without in- H.R. 1528 is simply about cutting CONYERS) that the House suspend the structions. through this red tape and getting Fed- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5104, as SEC. 2. During consideration in the House amended. of H.R. 1528 pursuant to this resolution, not- eral recognition and administrative The question was taken; and (two- withstanding the operation of the previous support for a trail that is already ex- thirds being in the affirmative) the question, the Chair may postpone further tremely popular and well managed. rules were suspended and the bill, as consideration of the bill to such time as may H.R. 1528 includes specific language be designated by the Speaker. amended, was passed. protecting private property rights, and The title was amended so as to read: The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- landowner cooperation in the national ‘‘A Bill to extend the Protect America tleman from California (Mr. CARDOZA) scenic trail designation is entirely vol- Act of 2007 for 15 days.’’. is recognized for 1 hour. untary. All landowners affected by the A motion to reconsider was laid on Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, for trail have the opportunity to have the the table. the purpose of debate only, I yield the trail rerouted around their property. customary 30 minutes to the gen- f Furthermore, since no Federal land tleman from California (Mr. DREIER). is involved, Federal designation of the PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION All time yielded during consideration land has no impact on State or local OF H.R. 1528, NEW ENGLAND NA- of the rule is for debate only. laws currently in place, including those TIONAL SCENIC TRAIL DESIGNA- GENERAL LEAVE governing hunting, fishing, or trapping TION ACT Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I or local zoning or other land use issues. Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, by ask unanimous consent that all Mem- Madam Speaker, this designation is direction of the Committee on Rules, I bers have 5 legislative days within widely supported. It is supported by

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:19 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.046 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H518 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 the administration and the local com- left. We didn’t work today until noon; Now, Mr. FLAKE’s amendment would munities across New England, and it and we are in a position now, having have provided an opportunity to exam- has bipartisan congressional support, begun working so late, that we’re going ine this bill’s provision to direct un- including the Representatives of all af- into the night on this measure, which specified Federal dollars to two private fected districts in Connecticut and is a bill that initially, as I said, could entities. Now, did any Members have a Massachusetts. have been completely noncontroversial personal stake in these private groups, In closing, I’d like to thank Chair- and considered under suspension of the in these private entities? Did any Mem- man RAHALL, Chairman GRIJALVA, and rules. ber make a specific request on behalf of Mr. OLVER for their hard work in bring- But I will say, having looked now at these private entities? Mr. FLAKE’s ing this legislation to the floor today the measure, there are concerns that amendment would have helped to shed so we can ensure that America’s most have been raised. They are concerns a little sunlight on this provision be- treasured resources are protected for about private property rights and the fore we direct Federal taxpayer dollars future generations. threat of eminent domain. In fact, towards two private groups. But this Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- Madam Speaker, the State of New amendment was also rejected, Madam ance of my time. Hampshire opted out of the national Speaker, unfortunately, by the Rules Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I yield designation because of these concerns. Committee. myself as much time as I may con- The people of New Hampshire believe Shutting out this amendment is, to sume. that the trail running through their me, probably the most troubling of all. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given State is well managed and is in no need Obviously, the issue of private property permission to revise and extend his re- whatsoever of Federal intervention. rights and eminent domain that Mr. marks.) BISHOP has wanted to address and his b 1615 Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I’d four amendments that were denied is like to express my great appreciation But the other States involved would very, very troubling. But this issue of to my very good friend and Rules Com- like to move forward on the Federal completely preventing Members from mittee colleague, the gentleman from designation, so we are here late this the opportunity for sunshine and dis- Atwater, California, who so ably rep- afternoon to consider this. closure on what could have been a re- resents his constituents here, is begin- Now, as we proceed, we’ve simply quest by a Member for support for two ning his second session as a member of asked that the concerns that have been private organizations is very troubling. the Rules Committee, and I will say raised see the light of day on the House Now, Madam Speaker, I’ve got to say that it is great to welcome a fellow floor; as I said, these concerns as they that this issue itself gets right to the Californian to the Rules Committee. relate, first and foremost, with the heart of one of the biggest challenges But, Madam Speaker, at first blush issue of private property rights and that we faced under the Democratic one looks at this bill and it is, as I eminent domain. leadership in this place, and it is the think was really reflected in the gen- Unfortunately, while seven amend- inability or unwillingness to rein in tleman’s remarks, sort of innocuous ments were submitted to us in the wasteful earmarks. and noncontroversial. I mean, it’s a Rules Committee, only two were made Now, last week, we Republicans were pretty simple measure. New England in order, two out of seven amendments meeting in West Virginia, and we spent National Scenic Trail Designation Act, submitted. And unfortunately, con- a great deal of time talking about the who can be opposed to that? I mean, trary to the promise that was made at issue of earmarks when our Republican who could be concerned about that? the beginning of the 110th Congress by conference came together. And I’m It certainly wouldn’t be the first Speaker PELOSI that we would have a happy to say that, with a united front, time in the 110th Congress that we substitute made in order for legislation Republicans came together on this have had a measure brought up with a that’s considered, a substitute that was issue and we decided that we would call rule that could have very easily been proposed by Mr. BISHOP was, in fact, for a moratorium on earmarks, a mora- considered under suspension of the denied by the Rules Committee. And torium until a bipartisan committee rules. After all, today so far we have why? I mean, I ask about the time con- can formulate a proposal that eradi- under suspension of the rules passed a straints again. As I said, we didn’t cates waste, fraud, and abuse in the bill that provided a $150 billion eco- begin work today until noon. The earmark process. It’s the so-called nomic stimulus to our Nation’s econ- House convened at noon. Our most crit- Kingston-Wolf-Wamp legislation that omy, an issue which I’m very proud to ical business of the day, as I said, the has been put forward. say, as we all are, that saw the two stimulus bill and the FISA law, were Now, we offered to have a complete parties come together, working with considered under suspension of the ban on earmarks, and we challenged the White House in a bipartisan way to rules. So, why the rush for us to pro- our Democratic colleagues to join in make sure that we could have this eco- ceed with this New England Scenic with a bipartisan agreement to have a nomic stimulus package. And I hope Trails bill? moratorium on earmarks until such and pray that it mitigates the eco- There is really no practical reason time as this bipartisan committee can nomic challenges that our constituents why, Madam Speaker, now that we’ve come forward. Now, Madam Speaker, are facing in the future. decided to not take this up under sus- as I see you in the chair, as I see my And then, Madam Speaker, we move pension of the rules and have a debate, friend from Atwater, I suspect that ei- from there to consider the Foreign In- that we can’t engage in a little extra ther or both of you, and certainly a lot telligence Surveillance Act, an exten- debate to allow for the concerns to be of your Members, are going to be going sion of that, as we worked on the issue vetted. And if we can’t have an open on to your retreat. The Democratic of reform. And so here we’ve dealt with debate on the issue of scenic trails, Caucus is, I know, going for a meeting the economic stimulus and the Foreign then one’s got to ask, what issue will that will be taking place over the next Intelligence Surveillance Act, both we have an open debate on? I mean, few days. And it’s fun, but challenging, measures considered under suspension what hope is there for an open process and great to have an opportunity for of the rules, and now we have a rule for for the most significant and the most the two parties to work within their consideration of the New England Na- controversial issues if we can’t have it caucuses, your caucus, our conference, tional Scenic Trail Designation Act. on the New England National Scenic to deal with these issues. I think my point is that this is a Trail Designation Act? Well, I would just like to say that, measure that very easily could have Now, six amendments were submitted just as we did at our meeting last been considered under suspension of by our friend, former Rules Committee week, while far be it for me to be so the rules, and we understand that there colleague, Mr. BISHOP, addressing the presumptuous as to say I should set the is an attempt to fill the schedule and private property rights issue. Four agenda for the Democratic Caucus re- there were people who quipped about were rejected by the Rules Committee. treat, I would like to say that in light that last night up in the Rules Com- A seventh amendment was offered by of the offer that we made coming for- mittee. It is unfortunate. I know a Mr. FLAKE that would explicitly pre- ward as Republicans on this issue of number of other Members have already vent the use of earmarks in this bill. earmarks, I would recommend that in

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:19 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.072 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H519 light of the discussion that came here But in light of the fact that we are authority in H.R. 1528 for the National on the floor today on this issue, the here, denying the opportunity for us to Park Service to take land by eminent speech that was delivered last night address the issue of private property domain, nor does the Service have any from the President of the United rights and eminent domain, and the op- authority in local zoning issues that States in which he called for cutting in portunity for the kind of transparency might affect national scenic trails. half the number of earmarks saying and disclosure that everyone around Further, H.R. 1528 explicitly states that he would veto legislation if he here talks about on the issue of ear- that ‘‘the United States does not ac- didn’t see it cut in half, the request marks that would have come forward quire for trail any land or interest in that we have made on behalf of our in the amendment offered by our col- land without the consent of the constituents to say we should have this league, Mr. FLAKE, I’m going to en- owner.’’ In fact, this bill is an opt-in moratorium done in a bipartisan way, courage my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on bill; you have to agree to have your and we as Republicans are challenging the previous question so that we can land put into this act and used in this our Democratic colleagues to do that, I make that earmark reform proposal in way. would like to say that I hope very order. And if that is defeated, I will The second part of the gentleman’s much that Members at your retreat urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on the rule as we pro- statement with regard to earmarks, I’d would, rather than spending a lot of ceed with this. like to just refer the gentleman to the time on a number of other issues, I With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve committee report, page 7, the earmark would hope that you would put par- the balance of my time. statement. And in the committee re- tisanship aside and try to work, just as Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I port it states that ‘‘H.R. 1528 does not we did on this economic stimulus issue, thank the gentleman from California contain any congressional earmarks.’’ in a bipartisan way to recognize the for his kind words that he opened his This is an authorization bill, not an ap- very, very pressing need for earmark statement with. propriation bill. Further, the report reform and our proposal, which should, He mentioned throughout the state- states that it does not contain any lim- in fact, provide strong bipartisan sup- ment that we might not be here if we ited tax benefits or limited tariff bene- port. were under suspension. I feel that fits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) I will say, Madam Speaker, that the under suspension of the rules, we would of rule XXI.’’ It states that very clear- integrity and the effectiveness of this not be able to hear any of the debate ly in the committee report. body depends on our agreement to pro- that Mr. BISHOP is going to offer on his Finally, the bill does allow two pri- ceed with very, very important bipar- two amendments. So, we are actually, vate groups that manage the trail cur- tisan reform on this issue. It’s my hope in fact, allowing Mr. BISHOP to make rently, and this is the entire point of that my Democratic colleagues will his amendments before the House of the bill, to receive Federal technical use their upcoming retreat over the Representatives. assistance. And that is in the way of next few days as an opportunity to Mr. DREIER. Will the gentleman educational experience or technical as- urge their leadership to accept our pro- yield? sistance to manage the trail, not re- posal to make a bipartisan effort to Mr. CARDOZA. I will yield to the sources to manage the trail. tackle this very, very critical issue. gentleman. So, I would say that there is no ear- Today’s bill was perhaps a small but Mr. DREIER. I thank the gentleman mark whatsoever in this legislation. yet a significant opportunity to signal for yielding, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- a newfound commitment to open proc- I would simply say that I very much ance of my time. ess and meaningful earmark reform. appreciate his willingness to have Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I yield Unfortunately, today’s bill is a missed greater openness on this debate. And myself such time as I may consume. opportunity. I suspect that this meas- unfortunately, when the Rules Com- I would like to respond to my very ure will proceed. I don’t think that mittee met late yesterday afternoon, I dear friend from Atwater by saying a we’ll have the votes to defeat the pre- offered an amendment to have this con- few things. vious question, which I should say I’m sidered under an open amendment First, on this notion of Mr. BISHOP’s going to attempt to do, to defeat the process, and that was defeated. And I very able leadership position on the previous question so that we can make then made an attempt to offer this committee, my friend, who served with in order what I would describe as the under a modified open amendment great distinction in the California Marshall proposal, the proposal that process. State Legislature, knows very well has been put forward by one of our Mr. CARDOZA. Reclaiming my time, that the legislative process is an ongo- Democratic colleagues, Mr. MARSHALL, Madam Speaker, the gentleman did ing process, and people work on amend- which is basically identical to the make that offer in Rules. However, it ments, people work on legislation in Boehner proposal that we have on ear- should be noted that Mr. BISHOP is the committee. And the fact that Mr. mark reform, which will provide a ranking member of his subcommittee. BISHOP may have been working on greater degree of transparency, ac- He had an opportunity to amend this some of the amendments that he is countability, disclosure, and enforce- bill in committee. He did not choose to dealing with right now and did not ment on this issue, which unfortu- offer but one amendment in com- offer them in the committee should in nately is not there. mittee, is my understanding, and then no way deny him the right to represent So, when it comes to our attempt to he came to the Rules Committee at the his constituents and the American peo- defeat the previous question on this, last minute with seven amendments. ple with one of his brilliant, new, and what I will be offering is tantamount The Rules Committee is allowing two creative ideas that quite possibly de- to a bipartisan proposal for our col- amendments to be offered on the floor veloped from the markup to the Rules leagues as we seek to address this today. I think that’s a fair hearing for Committee and now to the floor. issue. the gentleman. So, I would argue that it is very im- So, again, I would say, Madam Mr. DREIER. Would the gentleman portant for us to do everything that we Speaker, if my colleagues had pro- further yield? can to ensure the most open amend- ceeded with this bill under a suspen- Mr. CARDOZA. The gentleman has ment process, which is what we were sion of the rules, you would not have his own time. promised at the beginning of this Con- had to listen to the speech I just deliv- Mr. DREIER. Well, I look forward to gress. ered because we would have done the yielding to you if you would ever like Second, Madam Speaker, I would say exact same things as we did on the $150 to ask. to my friend on this notion of the des- billion economic stimulus bill, and we Mr. CARDOZA. I would like to just ignation of earmarks, I will say that I would have done the exact same thing get through a few of my points, if I am particularly proud of the fact that as we did on the very important For- may. in the 109th Congress we dealt with eign Intelligence Surveillance Act re- The gentleman also brought up the stronger enforcement, we dealt with form measure, and albeit simply an ex- issue of whether or not this bill has the issue of earmark authorization, tax tension, the steps towards bringing any effect on eminent domain. And I bills, and appropriations bills. Now, I about reform. can tell you that there is absolutely no will recognize that the definition that

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:19 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.074 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H520 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 exists for earmarks in the 110th Con- Let me assume that I can just talk person is going to be adversely affected gress is not nearly as strong as the def- for a moment on a couple of amend- and does not wish to be adversely af- inition that was put into place in the ments that were not made in order. fected, his home, his farm, his property 109th Congress. Why? Because the gen- This trail covers the States of Massa- should be held inviolate, and we should tleman is trying to argue right now chusetts and Connecticut, but in re- respect that. And that was the purpose that there are no earmarks in this bill. ality the trail goes to New Hampshire, of one amendment that was ruled out Well, I would argue that in the 109th Massachusetts, Connecticut. Only two of order by the Rules Committee. Once Congress, based on the definition that of those States are proposed in this again, I don’t think it would have neg- we passed in this House and was imple- particular bill and then a process al- atively harmed the bill. In fact, I think mented, that this would have been con- lowed for New Hampshire to join later it would have moved the bill forward in sidered an earmark. on. One of the amendments simply a bipartisan manner. We will talk a great deal about the b 1630 said, why don’t you make the same process for all three States? It’s not an concept of takings. No one who has Now, I know that there is a lot of effort to slow anything down. It’s an talked about this bill wants takings to vagueness on this, but we do know the effort to try to be rational in the ap- take place, wants property taken from following: this is an authorization bill, proach to take place. I thought it was an individual. We have heard that be- and there are two private entities that a significant and simple and straight- fore. And yet in the attempt on the are the beneficiaries of this. The gen- forward amendment. committee staff’s part to protect indi- tleman may be absolutely right. It may One of the things we always talk viduals, there is a loophole. There is a be critically important to the New about is how important it is to have in- huge loophole that will result in con- England National Scenic Trail Des- formed citizens and an informed citi- tradictions coming into the future. ignation Act to have these items in zenry. We had, for this particular bill, Those are some of the things we tried there. It may be. Far be it from me to one specific property owner who did to put in order. And simply if you had say that they shouldn’t be there be- not wish her property to be included in taken that loophole out of the system cause I don’t know at this point. All the bill. At great expense to her, with and done what everyone says they want we’re arguing is that we should, in a great deal of study and effort coming to do, we would have had a bill that all fact, have the opportunity for our col- to Washington to lobby us, she was al- of us on this side of the aisle could league, Mr. FLAKE, who spent a great lowed by the committee to be exempt have stood up and said, yes, this is a deal of time dealing with the earmark from this trail boundary line. I appre- bill that we all had our input on and we issue, to come forward with his amend- ciate the committee’s doing it. It was are all prepared to move forward on the ment so that we could debate it. That’s appropriate to do so. It’s very positive bill. what we are hoping for. on the part of the Natural Resources It could have moved forward in the So I will say, Madam Speaker, that I Committee to do so. same bipartisan manner, hopefully believe that if we, as an institution, But the question that should be even a bigger bipartisan manner, than are serious about the issue of earmark brought to mind is, was she an isolated the other two emergency pieces of leg- reform, reining in wasteful Federal situation, or was she indicative of a islation we handled today, as well as spending, we should, in fact, in a bipar- greater problem? Indeed, if you look at the LSU resolution, which we also did tisan way, in a bipartisan way, proceed the record of the testimony, there are in a bipartisan way, except for the peo- with this moratorium until such time at least 40 other people that have the ple from Ohio. as the bipartisan committee can come same question, the same concerns, the Let me, at last, very briefly, re-echo back with a group of recommendations same approach. And so what we wanted what Mr. DREIER said about the Flake as to how we can again, in a bipartisan to do is to make sure in one of our amendment, the so-called earmark way, deal with this issue of earmark amendments that citizens were allowed amendment. By definition this bill reform. to be notified that they would be now does not have earmarks. That’s be- With that, Madam Speaker, I would included in what before had been a vol- cause the committee said it didn’t. By like to yield such time as he may con- untary trail system now into a feder- definition this bill doesn’t have a sume to my very good friend from ally mandated and regulated trail sys- PAYGO question, because the com- Utah, my former Rules Committee col- tem. mittee said it didn’t. But, indeed, right league (Mr. BISHOP). And this is not an onerous task. We after we had the State of the Union and Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- were told in committee that both the the President talked about earmarks er, I appreciate the opportunity in organizations that are currently man- and the Speaker talked about ear- being here and talking on this par- aging this, as well as States, had a marks, the minority talked about ear- ticular bill. This is a day when we have database of all the property owners in marks, we have the first authorization dealt with some emergency measures both Massachusetts and Connecticut, bill coming before us with two organi- in a very bipartisan way. I don’t know and they are already being mailed zations, the Appalachian Mountain if this is classified as an emergency yearly. What would be the problem in Club, the Connecticut Forest and Park measure, but it can be a bipartisan ap- including another paragraph in the Association, specifically mentioned as proach, too, depending on how we go yearly mailing saying, this is about to being eligible for grants given to them from here on out. happen to you and if you don’t like it, by the Federal Government, and then I am grateful to the Rules Committee this is the process you can use to ex- the language goes on and says ‘‘or for taking my six amendments and ap- empt yourself, or, even better, if you other groups,’’ I think ‘‘groups’’ or ‘‘as- proving two for the floor. This is a .333 do want to be part of it, this is the sociations.’’ Had you simply taken out batting average. It’s enough to get me process you could use to include your- the specific names of the two organiza- in the Hall of Fame. I’m at least above self and your property? tions and simply allowed it to be the the Mendoza line, and I appreciate your Once again, that’s not to stop the other groups, any group could apply for doing that for me. bill. It’s simply a matter of making these grants and the leadership in this However, there are some amend- sure that everyone is clearly informed particular one, it would have solved all ments that really are bad amendments of what is about to take place, because of the problem. And that’s what Mr. aimed at trying to scuttle a bill, aimed in the history of trails, in the history FLAKE was trying to say. It wouldn’t at putting shackles on the runner to of land issues in these United States, have prohibited them from being in the prohibit him or her from getting to the that has not always been the case, that management position on this trail, but finish line. The amendments that were every individual is informed of what is it would have simply made it a clear proposed by Representative FLAKE and happening to him before it takes place. and open process without giving an myself are not aimed to do that. They I don’t think, once again, that was an earmark to these two organizations. are aimed to take a bill and to improve onerous request. It was unfortunate. I That’s all that needs to be taken. a bill so they can be approved in a bi- think it simply indicates that we Once again, these amendments that partisan way and take a bill and make should value the individual in our leg- we presented were not in an effort to it even better. islation, that we should say if even one kill the bill, to slow it down, to make

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:19 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.075 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H521 sure it does not pass. They were in an Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I yield we all know, contained nearly 9,000 ear- effort to try to make sure that we took myself such time as I may consume as marks, including at least 150 earmarks some of the areas which we think are a we proceed with this debate on this au- that were air-dropped in the bill at the little rough, smoothed them over, and thorization and earmark process. last minute. gave us some protections for the future I will acknowledge that based on this Now, Madam Speaker, it’s not just that we could feel comfortable, as the new and, I believe, rather unfortunate Republicans as I was saying in my Republican side, in joining with our definition that is provided for ear- opening remarks who have taken note Democratic colleagues to move this marks, you have, in fact, seized a little of these earmark loopholes. Our col- bill forward and understand that many loophole in trying to determine that league from Georgia (Mr. MARSHALL) of the things we are concerned about, these are not earmarks. recently introduced a virtually iden- protecting the individual, protecting And I will tell you, Madam Speaker, tical rules change geared at closing the the process that we go through, to en- what that loophole consists of. Not a air-drop loophole as well as the amend- sure that those things are included in specific dollar amount. Now, Madam ments between the Houses loophole. the bill before it leaves this body. It Speaker, potentially this is even more would have been a chance to show real egregious. Why? Because without a spe- b 1645 bipartisan support for this concept cific dollar amount, we don’t know ex- Obviously, I believe it’s about time going forward. actly how much is going to be ex- for the Democratic majority to start Hopefully, we will still have some de- pended. And Mr. BISHOP has just given listening not only to concerns that are bate on the amendments that were me a copy of the proposed blueprint emerging from those of us who serve in made in order, maybe some other budget; and, Madam Speaker, what the minority, but from members of issues that we can once again show the that consists of is specific designation their own caucus on this issue as well. ability of this body to come together to these private entities. And in many Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous and make sure that a bill that every- ways, this is, as I said, more egregious consent that the text of the amend- one can support goes forward as op- than had a specific amount been put ment and extraneous material be in- posed to one that seems to be skewed into place, which would have required serted into the RECORD just prior to the in one direction or the other. this to have been considered as an ear- vote on the previous question. With that, I appreciate the time mark. being yielded to me. Madam Speaker, our quest is simply The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I for more transparency, accountability, objection to the request of the gen- yield myself such time as I may con- and disclosure of our constituents’ tleman from California? sume. hard-earned taxpayer dollars; and we There was no objection. I agree totally with one statement believe very strongly that that should, Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I urge that Mr. DREIER, my colleague and in fact, be the case. Now, everyone says my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on the pre- friend from California, said, and that is what I just said. Everyone says we vious question so that I can amend the that Mr. BISHOP often comes up with want more transparency, account- rule in order to restore accountability brilliant ideas. Today we are allowing ability, and disclosure. Everyone says and enforceability to House earmark two of those brilliant ideas to be de- that we want to be great stewards of rules. bated on the floor. the taxpayer dollars, those dollars of With that, I yield back the balance of With regard to some of the other my time. issues that were raised, I already read our hardworking constituents. The fact is what we have got here is something Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I into the RECORD the fact that the com- thank the gentleman for his debate mittee has certified that there are no that is potentially even worse than under the definition that you all have today. I disagree vehemently that his earmarks in this bill. Mr. BISHOP says, as an earmark. rendition of the earmark process is an well, there’s a potential to have grants accurate one. I don’t believe that last later on down the road. My under- So I will say that looking at this pro- posed blueprint budget makes it even Congress’s rules on earmarks were standing of grants is that they come stricter and more transparent than from the administration, not from Con- more imperative that we do everything within our power to proceed with mak- this Congress’s. In fact, I believe that gress. And if we start talking about the country knows that the earmark every grant that is given by the Fed- ing sure that we defeat the previous question and make in order the ear- process has gotten more transparent eral Government or the U.S. Govern- under the Democrats and that we have ment to the myriad of people who re- mark amendment that we are going to be offering, and I hope very much that far fewer earmarks in the current proc- ceive them throughout this country, ess than we had previously. I think that is a process that Congress has set my colleagues will join in doing that. Madam Speaker, I will be asking voters spoke about that in the last up for a number of years. That has election. never before been the definition of an Members to oppose the previous ques- tion, as I have said, so that I can I would just go on to say, Madam earmark, to my knowledge. So if that’s Speaker, that 40 years ago, the Na- the new definition of earmarks, that’s amend the rule to allow for consider- ation of H. Res. 479, the Boehner ear- tional Trails System Act was estab- news to me. lished to provide a system of trails for But I don’t believe, based on the com- mark enforcement rule changes. And outdoor recreation and the enjoyment mittee’s certification, what I have don’t fear, the amendment would not of scenic, historic, and naturally sig- heard, the testimony I have heard, prevent the House from considering the nificant areas. H.R. 1528 adheres to there are any earmarks in this bill. New England National Scenic Trail these very long-established values. It That is what has been reported in the Designation Act. It would merely allow ensures that the sweeping, natural report, and I believe that to be the the House to also consider the Boehner landscapes across New England remain case. earmark reform proposal. Secondly, as I have previously stated Over the first year of Democratic protected and untouched so they may as well, this bill is a voluntary measure control, we have learned that the ear- be enjoyed by our children and grand- where landowners have the absolute mark rule does not apply when consid- children for years to come. It deserves right to opt in or out. And so I can’t ering amendments between the Houses strong support by all Members on the see where there is coercion. There is as well as a myriad of other legislative floor today, and I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on agreement among the delegations in scenarios which were not contemplated the rule and a ‘‘yes’’ vote on the pre- the affected regions, our House col- when the new Democratic majority put vious question. leagues. through the so-called earmark reform The material previously referred to I believe that this is a good measure rules. These loopholes, as I was saying by Mr. DREIER of California is as fol- and it should go forward, and I would earlier, have prevented numerous ear- lows: encourage my colleagues to support marks from being challenged in the en- AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 940 the rule. ergy bill, the State Children’s Health OFFERED BY MR. DREIER OF CALIFORNIA Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- Insurance Program expansion legisla- At the end of the resolution, add the fol- ance of my time. tion, and the omnibus bill, which, as lowing:

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.077 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H522 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 SEC. 3. That immediately upon the adop- ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the de- XVIII, the Chair declares the House in tion of this resolution the House shall, with- mand for the previous question passes the the Committee of the Whole House on out intervention of any point of order, con- control of the resolution to the opposition’’ the state of the Union for the consider- sider the resolution (H. Res. 479) to amend in order to offer an amendment. On March ation of the bill, H.R. 1528. the Rules of the House of Representatives to 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- provide for enforcement of clause 9 of rule fered a rule resolution. The House defeated b 1649 XXI of the Rules of the House of Representa- the previous question and a member of the IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE tives. The resolution shall be considered as opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, read. The previous question shall be consid- asking who was entitled to recognition. Accordingly, the House resolved ered as ordered on the resolution and any Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R–Illinois) said: itself into the Committee of the Whole amendment thereto to final adoption with- ‘‘The previous question having been refused, House on the state of the Union for the out intervening motion or demand for divi- the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitz- consideration of the bill (H.R. 1528) to sion of the question except: (1) one hour of gerald, who had asked the gentleman to amend the National Trails System Act debate equally divided and controlled by the yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to to designate the New England National chairman and ranking minority member of the first recognition.’’ Scenic Trail, and for other purposes, the Committee on Rules; (2) the amendment Because the vote today may look bad for printed in section 4, if offered by Representa- the Democratic majority they will say ‘‘the with Mr. LYNCH in the chair. tive Boehner of Ohio or his designee, which vote on the previous question is simply a The Clerk read the title of the bill. shall be in order without intervention of any vote on whether to proceed to an immediate The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the point of order or demand for division of the vote on adopting the resolution . . . [and] rule, the bill is considered read the question, shall be considered as read and has no substantive legislative or policy im- first time. shall be separately debatable for forty min- plications whatsoever.’’ But that is not what The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. utes equally divided and controlled by the they have always said. Listen to the defini- GRIJALVA) and the gentleman from proponent and an opponent; and (3) one mo- tion of the previous question used in the Utah (Mr. BISHOP) each will control 30 tion to recommit with or without instruc- Floor Procedures Manual published by the minutes. tions. Rules Committee in the 109th Congress, SEC. 4. The amendment referred to in sec- (page 56). Here’s how the Rules Committee The Chair recognizes the gentleman tion 3 is as follows: described the rule using information from from Arizona. Strike all after ‘‘That’’ and insert the fol- Congressional Quarterly’s ‘‘American Con- Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I lowing: gressional Dictionary’’: ‘‘If the previous yield myself such time as I may con- (1) Clause 9(a) of rule XXI is amended by question is defeated, control of debate shifts sume. striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph (3), to the leading opposition member (usually H.R. 1528 amends the National Trails striking the period at the end of subpara- the minority Floor Manager) who then man- System Act to designate most of an ex- graph (4) and inserting ‘‘; or’’, and adding the ages an hour of debate and may offer a ger- isting trail system in Massachusetts following at the end: mane amendment to the pending business.’’ ‘‘(5) a Senate bill held at the desk, an Deschler’s Procedure in the U.S. House of and Connecticut as the New England amendment between the Houses, or an Representatives, the subchapter titled National Scenic Trail. In 2002, Congress amendment considered as adopted pursuant ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal directed the National Park Service to to an order of the House, unless the Majority to order the previous question on such a rule study this trail for potential addition Leader or his designee has caused a list of [a special rule reported from the Committee to the National Trails System. The congressional earmarks, limited tax bene- on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- draft study, completed in 2006, supports fits, and limited tariff benefits in the bill ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- designation of the trail, with some and amendments (and the name of any Mem- tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: Upon rejec- changes to the route to address land- ber, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who tion of the motion for the previous question submitted the request for each respective on a resolution reported from the Committee owner concerns. The administration item in such list) or a statement that the on Rules, control shifts to the Member lead- has testified that no major changes in proposition contains no congressional ear- ing the opposition to the previous question, the study are expected, and expressed marks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff who may offer a proper amendment or mo- support for the measure in testimony benefits to be printed in the Congressional tion and who controls the time for debate before the Natural Resources Com- Record prior to its consideration.’’. thereon.’’ mittee. (2) Clause 9(c) of rule XXI is amended to Clearly, the vote on the previous question The trail runs 220 miles through the read as follows: on a rule does have substantive policy impli- heart of Connecticut and Massachu- ‘‘(c) As disposition of a point of order cations. It is one of the only available tools under paragraph (a), the Chair shall put the for those who oppose the Democratic major- setts, past some of the most spectac- question of consideration with respect to the ity’s agenda and allows those with alter- ular vistas and landscapes in New Eng- proposition. The question of consideration native views the opportunity to offer an al- land. The trail offers some of the shall be debatable for 10 minutes by the ternative plan. world’s best opportunities to view vol- Member initiation the point of order and for Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I canic and glacial geology, including 10 minutes by an opponent, but shall other- yield back the balance of my time, and fossil and dinosaur footprints. The pro- wise be decided without intervening motion posed trail also fulfills another require- except one that the House adjourn.’’. I move the previous question on the resolution. ment of the National Trails System (The information contained herein was The previous question was ordered. Act by being close to population cen- provided by Democratic Minority on mul- The resolution was agreed to. ters. This trail has over 2 million peo- tiple occasions throughout the 109th Con- A motion to reconsider was laid on ple that live within 10 miles of the gress.) the table. route, and this accessibility makes the THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT f trail a wonderful recreational oppor- IT REALLY MEANS tunity. This vote, the vote on whether to order the GENERAL LEAVE The route of the trail crosses land previous question on a special rule, is not Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I owned by State and local governments merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- ask unanimous consent that all Mem- and by private landowners. No Federal dering the previous question is a vote bers may have 5 legislative days to re- land is involved. Local trails associa- against the Democratic majority agenda and vise and extend their remarks and in- tions have obtained permission from a vote to allow the opposition, at least for the moment, to offer an alternative plan. It clude extraneous materials on H.R. landowners allowing existing trails to is a vote about what the House should be de- 1528. cross their lands. If a landowner re- bating. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there quests that the association close the Mr. Clarence Cannon’s Precedents of the objection to the request of the gen- trail on his or her property, the asso- House of Representatives, (VI, 308–311) de- tleman from Arizona? ciation honors that request. The NPS scribes the vote on the previous question on There was no objection. study identified no need for direct Fed- the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the f eral trail ownership or direct Federal consideration of the subject before the House trail management. being made by the Member in charge.’’ To NEW ENGLAND NATIONAL SCENIC If H.R. 1528 is enacted, the role of the defeat the previous question is to give the TRAIL DESIGNATION ACT opposition a chance to decide the subject be- National Park Service in implementing fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the designation would be to provide ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that ant to House Resolution 940 and rule technical and financial assistance to

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.048 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H523 the existing trail partners, including tial of those lessons of history. It is They also took away his pension and State, tribal, regional and local agen- from those of us in the West who have legacy for his children, and, yes, I am cies, the Appalachian Mountain Club, had a sad experience dealing with Fed- mad about that. and the Connecticut Forest and Park eral issues on Federal land issues. So When this Congress passed the Clean Association. H.R. 1528 is cosponsored our good friends in the East have not Water Act, which has to be a wonderful by Members representing all the af- had that experience yet. act; no one would be opposed to the fected districts in Connecticut and The State of Massachusetts has a Clean Water Act, we did not intend to Massachusetts, and enjoys energetic grand total of 1.8 percent of its State take Gene and ruin his life. But be- support from the affected local commu- owned by the Federal Government. The cause the language was vague, we al- nities. State of Connecticut has a whopping .4 lowed government entities to interpret Mr. Chairman, this is a good bill, and percent of its State owned by the Fed- it their own way, and, in fact, we I want to commend my colleague from eral Government. Very little interface harmed that old gentleman. It’s not Massachusetts (Mr. OLVER) for his com- with the Federal Government, which what we intended to do. No one wanted mitment and leadership on this matter. may be one of the reasons why Mr. to do it, but, nonetheless, that citizen We support the passage of H.R. 1528, YOUNG of Alaska or Mr. HELLER of Ne- was harmed. and urge its adoption by the House vada, who stand up with concerns, We have already talked in the rule today. should be taken into consideration, be- debate over one citizen who wanted out Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance cause 90 percent of their State is owned of this trail system, and by the fact she of my time. by the Federal Government, or Mr. had enough money and time and deter- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, FLAKE of Arizona, with half of his mination, she was allowed to be ex- I yield myself such time as I may con- State, over half controlled by the Fed- empt from that. Whether that is iso- sume. eral Government, or 70 percent of my lated or indicative of a greater situa- I appreciate the opportunity to be State is controlled by the Federal Gov- tion is what we must be very careful of; here. I appreciate Mr. GRIJALVA as well ernment. And we have had, by sad ex- otherwise, our good intentions will ac- for joining me here on this particular perience, seen where well-meaning and tually harm and hurt individuals, bill. well-intentioned efforts on behalf of which is not what we should be doing. There are three types of trail bills the Federal Government have led to We did have testimony coming in of that the National Park Service has: some negative and unfortunate situa- other people who were in this same sit- historic, recreational, and scenic. This tions. uation in this same area. The govern- happens to be the last of those; a scenic I want to tell you one story in an ment should not be in the business of trail. We have not done one of those issue that is different than a trail set- harming people. We should be in the since 1983. It would seem that after 25 ting. I want to talk about Gene, an old business of protecting the little guy so years, one of the things we ought to be farmer, third-generation farmer, grow- that his home, his farm, his legacy is able to do is at least do it the right ing sugar beets, which, by definition, is neither harmed by anything that we way. a root crop and cannot grow in wet- will do. Too many irregularities with In the 107th Congress, a study was lands. Gene decided he would rent part government land have happened in the mandated on this particular trail and of his sugar beet land for alfalfa, and to past to say that we can do anything was not to go forward until the study make sure that the water, which was less than making sure that our lan- was completed, the environmental re- going from an irrigation pipe from the guage in these types of bills is specific view was completed. The study has not creek to his land, would get to the high and direct as to what we intend to be yet been completed. It is close to it, point, he allowed it to pool in the lower the net product. If we say we want to but not, which is, once again, one of point. save somebody’s property, we don’t the reasons we will be talking in a few One day, one of the Federal regu- want to take it, it must be specific and minutes about an amendment to say lators, given authority under a very direct and say that; otherwise, like we this should go into place once regular vague Federal law, came there and said had with the Clean Water Act, people order has taken place, the study has that land is obviously a wetland. Actu- can interpret it in a different way, and been completed, and then, appropriate ally, what he simply said is that the American citizens get harmed. to our rules to move forward at that Great Salt Lake is part of our inter- Mr. Chairman, under the pronounce- particular time. state commerce system, Logan Creek ment, the point that was made by Mr. This particular trail has been, since is part of it going into the Great Salt GRIJALVA at the very beginning of his 1931, done on a volunteer, local oper- Lake. Therefore, the irrigation pipe is motion, I would like to submit letters ation. People there have automatically part of the navigable waterways of the into the RECORD indicative of individ- authorized the use of their land, pri- United States, and the water is a wet- uals who have those same problems vate property, for trails. It has been land. dealing with the Federal Government. that way for over 70 years, has func- It didn’t matter that Gene was able It wasn’t intended for them to be tioned well, and it should be one of to get the Soil and Conservation Corps harmed, but they have been harmed those things of which we are extremely in there to prove the land was not con- and they have been harassed in like sit- proud in this country, that people can ducive to wetlands; didn’t matter that uations. actually come together and work to- once he stopped the irrigation pipe, the gether on a local area to do something water went away. In fact, that same that is good, without the heavy hand of regulator from the Federal Govern- b 1700 the Federal Government helping them ment threatened to throw him in jail if We have proposed several amend- along the way. We have had 70 years of he actually stopped that water from ments which in all sincerity if adopted experience with that. going into the navigable rivers, i.e., ir- would make us happy with this bill, Now, one of the things I’d like to rigation pipes of the United States. and we could support it in every sense talk about, because I am an old history The end result is that this old gen- of the word. teacher, is simply one of the things we tleman, who in his entire experience in One of the issues deals with the con- need to do as a Congress and as a peo- working with the Federal Government cept of hunting and gun rights. Long in ple is to learn the lessons of history. I never heard him utter one swear the 75-year-plus history of this trail, We obviously know the hackneyed cli- word, although I did on many occa- there has been a cooperative effort to che that if we don’t learn those lessons, sions, had his entire heritage regulated make sure that those rights were not we will repeat them. Or, as P.J. and controlled by, not taken, because infringed and that local ordinance and O’Rourke did a much better corollary, that means the Federal Government local concerns would be the dominant he who did not learn the lessons of his- would have had to pay him for it, in- factor. We want to make sure that that tory probably didn’t do well in English stead, they regulated and controlled it. is very clear in this bill. It is the intent or remedial math as well. They told him what he could or could of the sponsor, but we insist that the This Congress ought to do well in all not do. They took away not only his verbiage has to be specific to make of those, and one of those is the poten- heritage, but took away his pension. sure that that is never put into any

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.081 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H524 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 question or doubt by some future Con- along the Trail, they can and will interpret they sent a letter to my office a week after gress, some future regulator, some fu- this bill and its authority inappropriately to my son was born threatening eminent do- ture judge. bully landowners. main if I didn’t meet to negotiate imme- I am writing this letter because we are not We will have an amendment also to diately. Only a few weeks later a Maine typical landowners. On reflection, we were newspaper headline screamed that negotia- be presented to do exactly that, to fortunate to have a constellation of re- tions were off due to my baby’s ‘‘colic’’. You make sure that it is very clear that is sources, political capital, expertise, moral can imagine how a first time mother who our intent, that local law will take determination and luck that others would had left her chosen career and worked tire- precedence. not be likely to have. My family had another lessly in good faith throughout her preg- We have said before that we are con- business which financed us. Our long-stand- nancy would feel. cerned about a potential eminent do- ing relationship with a community which Today, six years after resolution, we are main loophole within this bill. We are supported us and wanted us to succeed en- still recovering from the personal toll the concerned about that, and at some abled us to undertake a grass roots campaign conflict took on us. I am just now starting to involving thousands of supporters. We were feel like the anger I developed as a result of time we will want to address that as we lucky that all of the Maine Congressional the Saddleback/NPS experience is starting to go through with this particular debate. Delegation were honest, hardworking, rep- leave me, and that I can begin to talk about APRIL 14, 2007. utable public servants who would listen to it without negative repercussions. Even so, I Re H.R. 1528. us, provide neutral environments conducive try not to talk about it or think about it and Chairman NICK RAHALL, to resolution, observe injustices, and ulti- I work to shield my 76 year old father from Ranking Member DON YOUNG, mately take action that achieved resolution. it. My husband and I are grateful the sense House Committee on Natural Resources. Ultimately, our problem was resolved by of betrayal and anger has finally left our CHAIRMEN RAHALL AND RANKING MEMBER Secretary Babbitt himself, who worked with house. YOUNG: My name is Katherine (Kitty) Breen ex-Senator Mitchell and Senators Snowe and The general public does not want to believe and I am writing to testify in opposition to Collins and Congressmen Baldacci and Allen. that NPS administrators are the bullies they H.R. 1528, the New England Trail Bill. Our case was resolved on the day Clinton left have shown themselves to be. But they are My family owned Saddleback Mountain office. and as our elected officials you need to know and Ski Area in Rangeley Maine. The Appa- In sum, we had not only luck, but tremen- that. Based on conversations with other land lachian Trail traversed over Saddleback dous resources and political pressure on our owners, I believe that a majority of land Mountain and bisected the mountain’s ski side. We cannot imagine any other single owners who have had to negotiate with the terrain. The negotiation between my family land owner having the financial resources, NPS have similarly devastating experiences and the NPS over what could have been a determination, intellectual capacity, polit- to share. simple land donation exceeded 20 years and ical capital or emotional/physical health to It is hard to come forward. We still have had a serious, long-term detrimental affect fight the NPS administrators who use unjust land at Saddleback, and fear that they will on my family, the ski area and the sur- tactics to achieve unintended program goals. retaliate. Other people will feel the same rounding community. Eventually, after mil- Following are a few examples of what we way. It is not in my family’s best interest to lions of dollars lost, countless hours of time consider unjust tactics: we experienced re- write this letter, I did not want to write this from our highest ranking state and federal peated attacks on our integrity, often by letter, but I feel a moral responsibility to my public officials, strained professional careers radio in our home town. My family has a country to do so. of an entire ‘‘at risk’’ community, and nega- deep and broad commitment to public serv- My family and the Western Region of tive health and financial repercussions for ice, so these attacks hurt. While our long- Maine had the benefit of an amazing con- my family members, the Saddleback Issue standing reputation protected us from these stellation of resources and good luck. I can not imagine such luck striking twice or that was resolved. For now. attacks, it was nonetheless hurtful and con- most land owners would be able to withstand I speak to you as someone who has been tinues to be so. Nothing has been unaffected: the indecent tactics employed by the current NPS classified as a ‘‘willing’’ seller. In re- my career, my husband’s career, my family’s NPS administration. Nor can I envision a ality, we were bullied, pressured, intimi- reputation. dated, threatened, ignored, played with and They also conducted biased ‘‘scientific’’ way that you can regulate against them once forced. In the end, we escaped, we are still studies and publicly vilified us regarding fi- you have empowered them. While I can sup- alive, financially solvent, and able to be nancial viability in order to justify our ex- port the creation of a multistate trail sys- grateful to those who helped us. Most land istence. With limited resources, we were tem, I cannot in any way support NPS or owners who deal with the NPS administra- placed in a position where we had to defend ATC involvement in such a cause. Please cre- tors are not as fortunate. For this reason, I ourselves and refute their studies instead of ate the Trails under the State regulators and feel a moral responsibility to speak out. being able to spend what time and resources under the guidance of state citizens with ac- I have previously submitted testimony on we did have growing the business. We were cess to State Government. Please join me in July 26, 2005 describing many of the legal de- shut out from public opportunities to set the opposing NE trail Bill H.R. 1528. tails and strategies devised by the NPS to record straight despite requests from a sit- Thank you, take more land than was legally allowed or ting U.S. Senator to allow us to do so. KITTY BREEN, intended by Congress. Let me just say here, The negative campaign conducted trashing Former Executive Vice that during the entire 23-year conflict, which Saddleback’s business viability continued to President and Chief began in 1978 and ended in 2001, my family have repercussions long after the settlement. Negotiator for was acting honorably and in good faith, try- When my father retired, it was very hard for Saddleback Moun- ing to donate the required land to secure a us to convince future owners of the moun- tain. permanent passageway for the Appalachian tain’s viability. There were stacks of inac- Trail. Many offers were put in writing, curate NPS studies showing otherwise and CHRIST THE REDEEMER countless face to face negotiations were held we had to disprove everything. Additionally, CATHOLIC CHURCH, (many which were observed or even facili- despite verbal agreements that the NPS Sterling, VA, May 18, 2007. tated by Senators Snowe and Collins and would not come back for more land once we Hon. DON YOUNG, their staff), thousands of citizens wrote let- had left, the NPS refused to put such a state- Hon. RON BISHOP, ters and a unanimous resolution passed by ment in writing. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and the state Senate urged acceptance of our do- In our experience, the NPS uses the Appa- Public Lands, House of Representatives, nation offers. And yet, inexplicably, the NPS lachian Trail Conference (ATC) to do the Washington, DC. not only refused to accept or seriously con- work they are legally prevented from doing. DEAR SIRS: Thank you for the opportunity sider our offers but in an increasingly in- The two work in inappropriate partnership to express my concerns regarding H.R. 1528, timidating manner, proceeded to bully and in this regard. In all negotiation sessions, which permits the Secretary of the Interior emotionally threaten us for more. the ATC presented scenarios on behalf of the to administer the New England National I am opposed to this Bill because in our ex- NPS, and were presented to us as rep- Scenic Trail consistent with the plan devel- perience, the authority you think you are resenting the NPS. But agreements forged oped by the National Park Service. granting the NPS, will not be what they will with the ATC were then retracted by the My concerns grow from my experience implement. They will find ways to interpret NPS. In this way they were able to squeeze with the National Park Service’s administra- that authority in ways unforseen by Con- more concessions out of us. tion of the Appalachian Trail while I was gress, to achieve goals Congress may even be Showing up to negotiation sessions with no Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of explicitly forbidding. In our specific case, decision making authority was another com- the Atonement when the National Park even when we were able to point out incon- mon tactic and any level playing field re- Service attempted to seize 118 acres of the sistent and incorrect intrepretations of quirements we requested were turned against Friar’s property through eminent domain. power, even when a sitting U.S. Senator us. For example, they refused to negotiate at BACKGROUND commanded them to behave, it became clear all if we required transcripts of the negotia- Graymoor, Garrison, New York has been that no one had the oversight or authority to tions and agreed upon outcomes. And after the headquarters of the Franciscan Friars of stop them. Based on our experience and refusing multiple invitations for negotiation the Atonement since 1899. The 420 acres pro- those of others with whom we have spoken during the nine months of my pregnancy, vides housing for friars, a homeless shelter—

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.083 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H525 St. Christopher’s Inn (operating since 1909), It was only with the active intervention of But in our wholesale embrace of this worship, a retreat ministry and a variety of Sen. Charles Schumer and the assistance of breathtaking new age of technology, other ministries and programs including pro- Representative Sue Kelly was this issue re- we sometimes have lost sight of the en- viding hospitality to Appalachian Trail solved to the satisfaction of the Friars and hikers. In the course of a year several thou- the National Park Service. during power of the natural world. sand persons come to Graymoor for shelter, One of the surprising things I learned dur- Back in the outdoors, one is once again spiritual renewal, to enjoy the natural beau- ing our negotiations with the National Park reminded of the sheer immensity and ty, to worship or for pastoral counseling. On Service was the fact the agreement for an the beauty of the world around us. Get- a typical weekend there may be 300 to 400 easement could not contain any provision in ting away from our cars, getting away visitors or several thousand. From the begin- which the U.S, government would agree not from our desks and laptops, thousands ning the Friars have always welcomed visi- to further use eminent domain. This cer- of New England residents every day tors and those seeking assistance. tainly leaves open the possibility of more take to the parks, to the trails, and to FIRST THREAT OF EMINENT DOMAIN disagreement in the future if the National our reserves to reconnect with the nat- The Friars permitted the Trail to cross the Park Service expands its mission regarding eastern portion of the property at Graymoor the Trail or switches its location once again. ural world that thrives quietly all in 1923 on a handshake agreement. Beginning Even though H.R. 1528 states, ‘‘The United around us. in 1980 the National Park Service requested States shall not acquire for the trail any I rise today in strong support of H.R. the trail be moved to the western portion of land or interest in land without the consent 1528, the New England Scenic Trail Graymoor, which directly borders the area in of the owner’’, the plan mandated by this bill Designation Act, because it will give which most of the previously mentioned does permit that. Also, efforts are being made to the states to claim the land by emi- thousands of more Americans, many of ministries and activities take place. For that whom reside in the Fifth District of reason, the friars resisted and preferred the nent domain before it would come under Trail remain in its original location, The Na- management of the Secretary of the Interior. Connecticut, access to one of the most tional Park Service threatened eminent do- I urge the Subcommittee on National beautiful natural resources throughout main. In 1984 the Friars reluctantly agreed Parks, Forests, and Public Land not to en- the Northeast. to grant an easement for 58 acres and the dorse this bill. The Metacomet-Monadnock- Thank you. trail was moved from the open and natural Mattabesett Trail, or the MMM Trail, Sincerely, eastern side of Graymoor to the more built- Rev. ARTHUR M. JOHNSON, S.A. runs some 220 miles from the southern up and busy western side. border of New Hampshire all the way SECOND THREAT OF EMINENT DOMAIN Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time. down to the Long Island Sound, from During 1980’s the Friars began to under- Royalston, Massachusetts, to Guilford, take needed and necessary upgrading and re- Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I ap- preciate the comments that the gen- Connecticut, cutting across the Farm- pairs of infrastructure. This was needed to ington Valley towns and the towns of continue St. Christopher’s Inn, to accommo- tleman from Utah, the ranking mem- date pilgrims and retreatants, and for St. ber of the subcommittee, made. There New Britain and Meriden in the Fifth Paul’s Friary in which the friars lived. The is a point of consistency, too. As we Congressional District of Connecticut. first project was the installation of a sewage talked about the effects, I thought we Now, this isn’t some secluded, inac- treatment plant and sewer system, Due to were talking about a trail bill, not a cessible trail. This gem runs right the fact that Graymoor is located on a farm bill, but the effects of the Federal through the heart of some of this dis- mountain, it was necessary to install a sew- trict’s most populous areas. More than age treatment pump. To house that pump, a Government on private land. I would suggest that part of the con- 2 million people live within 10 miles of shed was built, about the size of a shed you the MMM Trail, making it uniquely ac- would purchase for your lawnmower and gar- sistency would be to quit incentivizing den tools. One corner of that shed (maybe 15 extraction of mining claims and min- cessible as a recreational opportunity square feet at most) infringed upon the ease- ing rights on private property, that for hikers, for joggers, for picnickers, ment. that would be consistent. It would be and for everyone who loves the out- It was in this time period that the Na- consistent also to not have eminent do- doors. tional Park Service informed the friars that main and condemnation with regard to With this bill’s passage, the MMM it wanted to expand the easement from 58 road construction of Federal roads and Trail will become only the ninth scenic acres to 118 acres in order to protect the en- trail designated in the 40-year history vironment on both sides of the Appalachian energy corridors. I think that kind of Trail. The reasoning was its mission had ex- points out the fact that we are talking of the national trail system, joining panded from maintaining the Trail to pro- two different things here. We are talk- the likes of the Appalachian Trail and tecting its immediate environment and to ing about a trail that has already been the Continental Divide Trail through- protect any further infringement by the fri- through the process and the study and out the country as these national sce- ars as happened with the pump shed. that merits our support today. nic recognized trails. As Minister General of the Friars I was op- Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to Until now, the MMM Trail has been posed to this expanded easement because our maintained through the generosity of land on the western portion of Graymoor is the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. the area in which friars live, employees’ MURPHY). private donors, through natural preser- work, and ministries and programs take Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. vation groups and landowners who place. We considered the land to be holy and Chairman, I thank Chairman have allowed people to pass through to be used for the service of God, the Roman GRIJALVA, and thank you also to Chair- the trail of their own accord. With Fed- Catholic Church, and the thousands who man RAHALL and my good friend Mr. eral recognition, the trail will have ac- came for whatever reason. It was my respon- OLVER from Massachusetts for their cess to grants and to resources that sibility to make every effort to ensure that hard work and diligence in bringing will help with its maintenance, with its we would have the needed resources for fu- ture growth and use. To expand the ease- this bill to the House floor. The process preservation, and with public aware- ment could all too easily hamper our min- by which it comes to us started long ness. istries or future development. One example before I arrived here. The hundreds of thousands of Con- is that the proposed new easement would Mr. Chairman, in this digital age, our necticut and Massachusetts residents have bordered our sewage treatment plant, computers, our cell phones, our Black- who have enjoyed the MMM Trail over thus making any future upgrades almost im- Berrys, our PDAs, they have all col- the past half century will be joined by possible. As an aside, since that time the lapsed vast distances that for so long scores of new visitors coming to enjoy new St. Christopher’s Inn and the new infir- have defined our lives. Continents can its breathtaking vistas, its distinctive mary for the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement have been hooked up to the sew- now be bridged in seconds with just the flora and fauna, and its rich history. age treatment plant—my concerns weren’t touch of a button, and the miles of And those who have enjoyed the MMM just theoretical. Part of the area, if con- fiber optic cable running beneath our Trail in the past will now be assured fiscated by the National Park Service, was feet and the satellites orbiting miles that the trail will be protected for fu- also used for parking. We offered the Na- above our heads have helped make our ture generations, while ensuring that tional Park Service the opportunity to modern world seem much smaller and the trail is actively maintained and switch back the Trail to the original setting, much more compact. The idea of send- cared for for all. still undeveloped, so that not only the Trail could be maintained but that there would a ing a physical letter through the mail Perhaps the most important backers natural environment for it. The National now seems charmingly outdated in an of this trail are the thousands of na- Park Service refused this option and threat- age where communication is measured ture lovers who have hiked and enjoyed ened to proceed with eminent domain. at the speed of light. the MMM Trail for decades. Just today,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.074 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H526 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Adam Moore, the director of the Con- January 28, 2008. with the Massachusetts Department of Con- necticut Forest and Park Association, Congressman CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY, servation and Recreation can be brought to wrote me. He said: ‘‘It’s thrilling to me Cannon House Office Building, fruition. Thank you for your continued lead- to think that this beautiful trail that I Washington, DC. ership on this issue. DEAR CONGRESSMAN MURPHY: On behalf of Sincerely, once hiked with my father could now the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, M. JODI RELL, become a scenic trail. I recall dangling I am writing to express our strong support Governor. my legs off the rocks of Mt. Pisgah in for H.R. 1528, the New England National Sce- Durham while my father pointed out nic Trail Designation Act. This bill would DEAR SIRS: The Avon Land Trust strongly the gold building in Hartford some designate the Metacomet and Mattabesett supports H.R. 1528, the New England Scenic miles away gleaming in the distance. It Trails in Connecticut, and the Metacomet- Trail Designation Act, because open space is so inspiring to think that this trail Monadnock Trail in Massachusetts, as the preservation is an increasingly important New England National Scenic Trail. We issue in Connecticut and scenic trail des- in my home community could merit strongly support this legislation as it would national status and recognition and ignation conserves open space and promotes greatly enhance the opportunities for the the use of that space. Hiking is a low cost, that people will be able to enjoy it for stewardship of these trails while leaving the low key recreation that gets the public, espe- years to come.’’ fundamental, voluntary nature of this trail cially families, outside to see nature first- Mr. Chairman, I would like to submit system intact. hand. at the conclusion of my remarks sev- The Connecticut Forest & Park Associa- As more land is developed in Connecticut, tion established the Metacomet and eral such testimonials for the RECORD. habitat is reduced but trail systems protect Mattabesett Trails in Connecticut in 1931, Mr. Chairman, as chairman of the wildlife corridors crucial to many species. and our volunteers have maintained them as This particular trail system is located on Congressional Land Conservation Cau- open-to-the-public hiking trails ever since. cus and a representative of the thou- ridge line, which helps preserve the appear- The Association would still maintain these ance of these highly visible geological fea- sands of Connecticut residents who lie trails in Connecticut if designation occurs. tures in the Farmington Valley. along the MMM Trail, who have en- With funding and assistance that could come Regards, from National Scenic Trail designation, we joyed it for years and will enjoy it for ROBERT BRECKINRIDGE, years to come, I hope that the House would be better able to work closely with President, Avon Land Trust. will join me in recognizing and pro- landowners and towns, post signs, construct trailhead kiosks and parking areas and im- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, tecting this beloved trail for future prove the condition of the trail for owners I yield such time as he may consume to generations. I urge my colleagues to and for the walking public. Furthermore, we the ranking member of the Natural Re- vote in favor of H.R. 1528 and join me believe that National Scenic Trail designa- sources Committee, the gentleman in the near future for a hike through tion would enhance the prospects for willing from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG). the beautiful hills of New England. seller land conservation along the trails. I further note that the primary goal of the (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was SIMSBURY LAND TRUST, National Trails System Act states that given permission to revise and extend Simsbury, CT, January 21, 2008. ‘‘trails be established primarily . . . near the his remarks.) Representative CHRISTOPHER MURPHY, urban areas of the nation.’’ With two million Cannon House Office Building, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- people living within ten miles of this trail, Washington, DC man, first let me thank the ranking the proposed New England National Scenic DEAR REPRESENTATIVE MURPHY: We want member of the subcommittee for his Trail certainly meets this goal, perhaps bet- to thank you for your time and comments excellent presentation on this legisla- ter than any other National Scenic Trail. January 12 at the Avon Community Center. Thank you very much for your support of tion, and, yes, the chairman, too. It is easy to start thinking of our local chal- the New England National Scenic Trail Des- There is just a matter of a difference of lenges in a vacuum and it is useful to have ignation Act. opinion. an opportunity like your visit provided to sit Sincerely, Again, the majority on that side is down with others and to look at the bigger ADAM R. MOORE, more interested in creating recreation picture. We also appreciate your offer to help Executive Director. should we think your office could be of as- and amusement opportunities than cre- ating jobs and affordable energy. It is sistance in working with federal programs. I STATE OF CONNECTICUT, ironic to me that one of the States, in actually plan to send some ideas and a re- EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS, quest this winter. Hartford, CT, January 29, 2008. fact both of the States, named in this In the meantime, we wanted to get this Congressman CHRISTOPHER MURPHY, bill, none of their Representatives or thanks to you and also to respond to your Cannon House Office Building, their Senators have ever voted for any comments regarding the New England Scenic Washington, DC. energy development, not one time. And Trail Designation Act and recognition of the DEAR CONGRESSMAN MURPHY: I am writing consequently, they are paying, their MMM Trail. We could not agree more with to express my support for the New England constituents, a tremendous price for you that this is vitally important. As you National Scenic Trail Designation Act. know, the MMM Trail runs through Amending the National Trail System Act to energy they are consuming. Simsbury as well as other Farmington Val- designate the Monadnock, Metacomet and Just last week, the Boston Globe ley towns. It is the most heavily used trail in Mattabesett (MMM) Trail System as the New published a story that said: ‘‘Massa- this town as well as in neighboring towns. It England National Scenic Trail, will generate chusetts manufacturers pay the high- is easily accessible to the Greater Hartford the necessary increased levels of attention est electricity prices in the Conti- area, it has spectacular views of both the and resources to ensure the long-term viabil- nental United States,’’ thus discour- Farmington River Valley to the west and the ity of the MMM Trail System. I believe that Connecticut Valley to the east and it is rug- aging industry coming into the State. this designation is an important step in pre- In fact, it is leaving. ged enough to be both physically and intel- serving the unique character and quality of lectually challenging. life that we enjoy in our states. A 200-year-old paper mill in Lee, Mas- Over many years the State of Connecticut, The 825 mile MMM trail system forms a sachusetts, was shut down because of towns and land trusts along the trail have backbone supporting our state’s ecological, high energy costs, a loss of 160 jobs. acquired large sections of the ridge over historic, scenic and economic resources. Now, some of these workers may get an which the trail runs. However, there are still More than two million people live within ten opportunity to be retrained to cut important sections that all of us continue to miles of the trail system. As development brush on the trail we are trying to set work on. We know well from experience continues to change our landscape, unpro- aside today. Of course, that pays the along this trail as well as others that trails tected portions of the MMM Trail System are under continual pressure as development continually experience increasing pressures. minimum wage. along the hillsides crowds out this historical The Connecticut Forest & Park Association It is ironic to me that this was all use. This trail is a regional and national established the Metacomet and Mattabesett caused by a lack of action in this Con- treasure that gets heavy public use by local Trails in Connecticut in 1931, and through gress. New England needs energy; and residents and visitors alike. National scenic the hard work of volunteers and the good if I can remind this body, and good designation will be a valuable tool and will will of private landowners, these trails have morning, Mr. and Mrs. America, that is be a great help in assisting regional efforts remained open to the public but are greatly our number one problem in this coun- to maintain this resource for years to come. at risk. The legislation will help to protect try today, is energy. That side of the Thanks again for your recent visit. this regional treasure for generations to Sincerely, come. aisle, not only the side of the aisle in RICHARD A. DAVIS, I am confident that the MMM Feasibility the House but also in that other body, President. Study’s goals we identified in collaboration now because of you, we are importing—

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.084 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H527 ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN This bill today is a trail that people People are extremely excited who The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will say they need and they want. But I live in the area that will be affected by please direct his remarks to the Chair. suggest, respectfully, if you don’t ad- this trail. Again, I think it will be a Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. In what line? dress the energy bill, you will never be wonderful step forward for New Eng- What did I say wrong? able to have anybody walk on it. You land. And as CHRIS said, reconnecting The CHAIRMAN. While speaking in might as well make your highways into with its terrific natural beauty and the second person. The gentleman trails, because you won’t be able to run natural heritage. pointed to the other side. your trains, your planes, your auto- Four of the towns which this trail Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I will point to mobiles, or your ships. goes through touch Connecticut’s Sec- you next time. And that is the economy of this ond District. Suffield, Durham, We are importing 12 million barrels a country. That is the economy of this Haddam and Madison, at various points day from our enemies, thanks to you; country. If you can’t move product to on the map that Congressman MURPHY 12 million barrels a day, at $100 a bar- and from, if you don’t have the energy presented, are part of the national sce- rel. Mr. and Mrs. America, remember, within your factories to produce those nic trail. $1.2 billion a day we are sending over- products and hire the people, you don’t This is a system, to sort of get back seas because of the majority not sup- have an economy. You don’t have an to the bill before us today and maybe porting energy development. That is economy. You don’t have an America. away from some of the global issues $438 billion a year that we are sending You don’t have freedom. You don’t which were just discussed, it was a sys- overseas, to not our friends, but to our have the Nation of the United States of tem created in 1968. Twenty-three enemies, the Chavezes, and to the America. trails have been given designation by Iraqis, the Kuwaitis, Saudi Arabia, We were made great because we had a Congress during the last 40 years in a and, yes, a little bit to Russia, because source of energy. We were made great very nonintrusive way with no damage we don’t have the courage to develop because we had hydro and we had fossil done to people’s property rights, but in our oil and our fossil fuels in this coun- fuels, the coal that drove our steel a way that is a partnership relation- try, thanks to the majority. mills and produced the greatest war ship between the Federal Government And we just voted on a stimulus bill machine to stop World War II in his- and local landowners and communities. today. Big deal. If you are taking that tory. We used our coal because we It is my understanding that the Gov- up, $438 billion a year, we are imposing needed it. We had it and we did it. Not ernor of the State of Connecticut, Gov- a $1,460 tax on every man, woman, and today. You can’t do it. ernor Rell, a Republican, is supporting child in America every year because So, as I say, Mr. Chairman, this Con- a letter in support of the legislation. I the majority will not support energy gress has a tremendous responsibility think that is indicative of the feeling legislation. Oh, you are going to sup- and you are not living up to it. You of the communities that are touched port a trail today, taking taxpayer dol- passed an energy bill that produced by it, certainly in the State of Con- lars again for recreation, but you will nothing but hot air. Nothing. Con- necticut, and particularly by the pri- not support energy in this country. servation, yes, we are all for that. But vate, nonprofit Connecticut Forest and And this Congress, especially the ma- it had no production in that bill of any Park Association, which Mr. BISHOP jority side, has never, ever supported source of energy. And yet we say we gave great praise to, and they deserve energy production in this country of passed an energy bill. it for the work that they have done any type, nuclear, even wind power, It will come back. It will haunt you. over the many years. and certainly not fossil fuels. And some day down the line your But I think it is important that when That is what is wrong with this Na- grandchildren and all those around you tion today. We are bleeding the econ- we talk about the work that they did, and their grandchildren will say, what they are vigorous advocates and sup- omy from our bodies to support over- was Congress thinking about? The seas countries for fossil fuels which we porters of this legislation because they greatest Nation in the world, the great- see it as consistent with the mission have on our shores, on our shores and est Nation in the world became a third- off our shores. We are disallowed from that they have carried out for 75 years, class country. The greatest Nation in to keep the trail accessible to families, developing the Rocky Mountains. We the world, because we didn’t produce are disallowed from drilling off the to individuals from all over the world. our energy. We didn’t provide for the They deserve, I think, the biggest cred- coast of California. We are disallowed future generations. from even drilling off the coast of Alas- it for their support for this legislation And for those that don’t agree with over the last few years. ka. And, of course, the majority will me, thank God these words are going Finally, I want to say in response to never support opening ANWR, which down. And some day along those lines the prior speaker, the Members of the has 39 billion barrels available for they will say, you know, the gentleman U.S. Senate from the State of Con- America. from Alaska had a point that they necticut did support production of new And for those out there, my col- should have listened to, but they did sources of energy in the energy bill leagues, every time you fill your gas not. It is too bad they didn’t, because which was sent to the Senate. Produc- tanks, it doesn’t hurt you too bad. But we are where we are today, not the de- tion tax credits for geothermal wind Mr. and Mrs. America as they go to mocracy that they were then and not and solar were paid for by taking away work are being taxed by you. The stim- the greatest Nation in the world, in tax breaks for oil companies. Unfortu- ulus package, everybody might get fact a third-class country. nately, the opposition party in the $1,000. But remember, everybody is Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I Senate stripped those critical, impor- going to be taxed this year $1,460, every yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from tant, necessary changes that our coun- man, woman, and child in America, be- Connecticut (Mr. COURTNEY), a cospon- try is yearning for. We in the North- cause this Congress on the majority sor of this legislation. side doesn’t have the courage, the cour- east are as committed as any part of age nor the wisdom, to develop nec- b 1715 the country in terms of the need to essary energy in this country which we Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Chairman, I transform our energy system so we will have. want to start by first of all thanking have a thriving economy that will be I ask you, when are you going to Chairman GRIJALVA who during this there for our children and our grand- wake up? When is this body, and even 110th Congress has shown that he is a children. the Presidential election that is going true friend of the State of Connecticut Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, forth today, I don’t hear anybody talk- with his advocacy on the 8-Mile River I would like to talk about one other po- ing about developing energy sources. I bill and now for the MMM Scenic Trail tential problem with this particular hear about conservation and light bill. bill. It is not really a problem, but it is bulbs made in China and filled with I also want to recognize Congressman a concern that needs to be addressed in mercury. Wait until you try to dispose OLVER for his hard work on this issue, some particular way. of those, Mr. and Mrs. America, and see and Congressman MURPHY and the We have talked a great deal over the what happens. I say shame on us. other cosponsors of this legislation. past year about the concept of PAYGO.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.086 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H528 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 This bill does not have a PAYGO con- beauty, wildlife, and outdoor recre- sachusetts. The Connecticut Forest cern; the committee said it did not be- ation. and Park Association in fact is a pri- cause it does not specifically appro- Now we have the opportunity to vate nonprofit organization which con- priate money. However, it does author- make good on that great promise, tracts with the State of Connecticut to ize the use of money, and in the bottom every step of the way along the 190- run the trail systems in all of their line from what people would be saying mile MMM trail system as it winds public parks, so it is a very reputable at the kitchen table, it costs money. through 39 communities in central organization which has been there for a This bill will actually cost $2 million. Connecticut and Massachusetts. long time and has a huge number of Not a huge sum, kind of a rounding The trail route, which has been in ex- volunteers who work on it, and it error in our government, but it is still istence for over half a century, hosts works closely with the State of Con- $2 million. The money is not having to numerous scenic features and historic necticut. I want to recognize and thank be offset under PAYGO earmarking ac- sites. But more than that, this unique the many volunteers and staff of these counting rules. However, it is still trail passes through some of the most organizations who have worked dili- money that has to be spent, and it has densely populated parts of the country, gently to help develop this initiative. to come from somewhere else. 2 million people live within 10 miles of Because of their effort, every Member Where it will come from is the Parks the trail, and offers users exceptional through whose district this trail sys- Department budget which will then recreational opportunity near urban tem passes supports this legislation. take it from other projects. It is one of areas. In the case of Massachusetts, the Ap- the spinoff effects every time we add a That is why this legislation is so palachian Mountain Club has over time new measure that the Parks Depart- critical. By protecting against increas- been sort of a sponsor for the trail ment has to administer, has to pay for ing pressures from residential subdivi- within Massachusetts, the old vol- and has to run. That is one of the con- sion growth, national scenic trail des- untary trail, not only this trail but cepts that we have. ignation will provide an opportunity other trails within Massachusetts. In I mention that simply because we for long-term viability. Massachusetts, the land passes through have crying needs in the Parks Depart- It will offer residents safe, healthy at least four substantial State parks or ment today. I would like to mention recreation options free of smog, con- State forests so that much of the land specifically this building. It is not in gestion, and stress. In an age when we is already publicly owned by the State my district; it is Mr. MATHESON’s dis- are constantly trying to combat sprawl of Massachusetts, but there are connec- trict in my State. But it is a brilliant in our communities, we need to recog- tions between those publicly owned building at Dinosaur National Monu- nize that these kinds of projects are a pieces of land and there are visitor cen- ment. I went there with my kids. I real investment in our communities ters and park facilities and so on at a have been there before several times and in community spirit alike. I urge a rather convenient distance for hiking with other kids. It is a wonderful op- ‘‘yes’’ vote. purposes, for day hikes or overnight portunity for people to see bones ex- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, camp-type hikes along the way. posed in the mountainside itself. It is a I reserve the balance of my time. Now, I understand that some Mem- great learning experience with one Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, at bers have expressed concerns that this problem: it is condemned. And we don’t this time I would like to yield to the bill will infringe upon landowner rights have the money in the parks system to sponsor of this legislation, the gen- and allow the National Park Service to fund it, to fix it. tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. seize lands through eminent domain. This is one of those issues here. It is OLVER) such time as he may consume. Well, the Federal Government does not only $2 million for this trail. It is only Mr. OLVER. Mr. Chairman, I am not own any land anywhere in the area a little more administrative responsi- quite sure how long my voice will hold that the trail is intended to go, fol- bility and a little bit more land. But out, so I will probably be fairly short. lowing the old voluntary trail, and the problem we have is it comes from I just want to commend the chair- then some additional territory that has somewhere. It comes from these types man of the full committee, Chairman to be worked out by the Connecticut of problems, these types of issues and RAHALL, and the chairman of the sub- Forest and Parks Association in order determinations that need to be made. committee, Chairman GRIJALVA, and to reach the Long Island Sound. There Even though it doesn’t have to be off- thank them for all of their great work is no expectation of there being any set by PAYGO rules, it has to be funded in bringing this bill to the floor. Federal land there. It was never in- somewhere and that is going to come The New England Scenic Trail Des- tended there would be federally owned out from other needs that are in the ignation Act is a product of almost a land. Whatever protection of the land Park Service that will continue to be decade of cooperation between the would be held by the Park Association minimized as we expand the assets that Massachusetts delegation and the Con- or on behalf of the State of Con- this government has and we expand the necticut delegation, and both delega- necticut. And in Massachusetts, the programs that the Parks Department tions have changed over that period of same thing is basically true. actually has to run. time, the National Park Service, the No one wants to establish Federal Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance Appalachian Mountain Club, the Con- ownership of a corridor. In recognition of my time. necticut Forest and Park Association of that, in the legislation we added the Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I and a lot of local communities and in- language: ‘‘The United States shall not yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman dividuals. acquire for the trail any land or inter- from Connecticut (Ms. DELAURO). The bill designates major portions of est in land without the consent of the Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Chairman, I am an older, voluntary Metacomet-Monad- owner.’’ delighted to rise in support of H.R. nock-Mattabesett trail system as a na- Yet the argument keeps coming back 1528, the New England Scenic Trail tional scenic trail. Now, I have hiked that that doesn’t protect people. Well, Designation Act, which would des- every mile of the old voluntary system maybe the language of the motion to ignate portions of the Metacomet-Mo- through Massachusetts; and while recommit will satisfy that. I think it is nadnock-Mattabesett, or the MMM some segments are very well protected, completely redundant with what is al- Trail System, as a national scenic other sections have suffered serious en- ready there and certainly in total trail. croachment. National scenic trail des- keeping with the intent not to have I commend Representative OLVER for ignation will provide an opportunity any Federal ownership of land in that his leadership on this issue, and I for long-term preservation for future area. thank him for bringing the entire re- generations. The blueprint for the management of gion together to make this happen. Currently, the MMM trail system is the trail specifically states that all ex- This is a simple commitment to act administered by local nonprofit organi- isting landowner uses and rights, in- as responsible stewards of our natural zations: the Connecticut Forest and cluding hunting, fishing, timber man- resources. We have an obligation to our Park Association in Connecticut and agement and other recreational activi- communities and to generations that the Appalachian Mountain Club ties, will continue to be at the discre- follow to preserve our Nation’s scenic through its Berkshire Chapter in Mas- tion of the landowners.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.088 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H529 Throughout the process, protection THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHU- beautiful trails and footpaths. Volun- of private property has been of the ut- SETTS, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EN- teers and private landowners have en- most concern, and I believe we can ac- ERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AF- joyed these lands and maintained commodate the concerns of all land- FAIRS, them. This legislation would not Boston, MA, January 28, 2008. owners and continue to provide a sce- Hon. RAUL GRIJALVA, change that relationship. nic, protected path for public use as Chairman, Subcommittee on Natural Parks, For- This bill also protects private land- the New England National Scenic ests, and Public Lands, Committee on Nat- owners by prohibiting the National Trail. There is wide support for this ural Resources, Washington, DC. Park Service from taking any land by designation. I would submit for the Hon. ROB BISHOP eminent domain. The park service has RECORD a March 25, 2007, Boston Globe Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Natural no authority on local zoning issues editorial and a letter of support from Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, Com- that might affect national scenic mittee on Natural Resources, Washington, the Massachusetts Secretary of the Ex- trails. DC. H.R. 1528 provides the resources and ecutive Office of Energy and Environ- DEAR CHAIRMAN GRIJALVA AND RANKING mental Affairs, Ian Bowles. MEMBER BISHOP: On behalf of the Common- knowledge of the National Park Serv- wealth of Massachusetts, I write to ask for ice and the National Scenic Trail Sys- [From the Boston Globe, March 25, 2007] your support of H.R. 1528, the New England tem for the long-term upkeep of this FROM MONADNOCK TO THE SOUND Scenic Trail Designation Act, which would important trail and extends Federal designate the Metacomet Monadnock recognition to trails that have existed Home to some of the most spectacular sec- Mattabesett (MMM) Trail System as a Na- for over half a century. tions of the Appalachian Trail, New England tional Scenic Trail. My colleagues in the West often could gain a new interstate hiking trail that Under H.R. 1528, the newly established New criticize those of us from the East for is closer to the region’s population centers. England National Scenic Trail would extend U.S. Representative John Olver of Amherst approximately 220 miles, from northern Mas- wanting to increase public lands at the filed a bill this month to create a New Eng- sachusetts through Connecticut, incor- expense of private ownership. This does land National Scenic Trail that could one porating most of the MMM Trail System and not do that. day stretch from Mount Monadnock in New hosting an array of classic New England sce- In Connecticut, more than 2 million Hampshire to the Long Island Sound at Guil- nic landscapes and historic sites. In Massa- people live within 10 miles of the trail ford, CT. chusetts, the MMM Trail is one of our most system. Among the pressures of indus- For 190 miles of the 220-mile distance, the significant and threatened long-distance trialization that we see in the East, trail would roughly follow the route through trails and greenways, linking and connecting H.R. 1528 is an opportunity to protect vital state parks and other public lands and the Connecticut River Valley of the existing landscapes.’’ this precious resource for future gen- Monadnock, Metacomet, and Mattabesett By designating the MMM Trail System a erations and protect it for all of those trail system in Massachusetts and Con- National Scenic Trail, the National Park in this country, not just those nearby. necticut. The principal addition would be a Service would provide important leadership I ask my colleagues to support pro- 14-mile spur from the southern end of the and support to the public and private land- tection of this regional treasure, and I Mattabesett in Connecticut to the shoreline owners who host the trail and the dedicated in Guilford. urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on H.R. 1528. volunteers who sustain it. Importantly, the Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, at The state of New Hampshire chose not to bill represents the culmination of years of this time I yield 2 minutes to the dis- join Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the outreach and discussion with local land- tinguished gentleman from Con- U.S. Department of the Interior in the feasi- owners and other interested parties, with all bility study for the new trail, but Olver’s bill owners afforded the opportunity to have the necticut (Mr. LARSON). would encourage Interior to work with New trail rerouted at their request. (Mr. LARSON of Connecticut asked Hampshire and private and public organiza- In designating the MMM Trail a National and was given permission to revise and tions in that state to include the stretch Scenic Trail, Congress would be providing a extend his remarks.) from Royalton, Mass., to Monadnock’s 3,165- significant boost to local efforts to further Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. foot summit in the national scenic trail. Na- the trail’s long-term viability, and a great Chairman, I thank the gentleman from tionwide, there are already eight such trails, service to the hundreds taking advantage of Arizona for his leadership, and I rise in including the Appalachian and the Pacific this wonderful resource. I urge your support strong support of this legislation. Crest. for this important effort. But I especially want to commend Sincerely, Within 10 miles of the new trail live 2 mil- IAN BOWLES. Congressman OLVER for his dedication lion people. Many already use—and do main- and hard work. I think most people in tenance work on—the existing stretches. At b 1730 this Chamber recognize JOHN OLVER as a time when young people, in particular, It’s my hope that H.R. 1528 will es- somewhat of an academician and some- need more recreational opportunities to ward off the health problems of obesity, the tablish permanent protection for this one who certainly knows the workings national scenic trail designation should in- unique and majestic land and ensure of the Appropriations Committee, but crease the path’s popularity. It should also that future generations will be able to few probably know that he’s an avid help protect it from development pressures. enjoy a great national treasure. hiker. And next to Henry David Tho- Much of the trail is on state forest or park Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, reau, from Massachusetts, probably is lands near the river valley’s farms, forests, I yield 21⁄2 minutes to the gentleman as close and akin to nature as anyone tobacco barns, and towns. from Connecticut (Mr. SHAYS), one of in the United States Congress. And so Monadnock itself has 40 miles of main- the cosponsors of the bill. Hopefully by this is something that he has worked tained foot trails and is considered to be the the end of this day we can accept some on a long period of time, at least since second-most-frequently hiked summit in the amendments that would make all of us I’ve been in the United States Con- world, after Japan’s Mount Fuji. Three of happy with this particular bill. gress, and I want to commend him for the Massachusetts peaks on the new trail in- Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I rise clude Mount Grace, Mount Holyoke, and his hard work, and especially commend Mount Tom. The new trail includes a wide candidly as the only Republican in all CHRIS MURPHY from Connecticut as range of natural habitats and is close to of New England to support H.R. 1528, well for his work in this district. more than 50 registered village historic dis- the New England Scenic Trail Designa- I’m proud to say that this trail runs tricts. Hikers could pass over volcanic, sedi- tion Act, and thank Congressman all the way through from Massachu- mentary, and glacial rock and observe fossils OLVER for bringing this legislation to setts to the Sound, and the Governor of and dinosaur footprints. the floor. the State of Connecticut has fully en- The goal of planners is that the scenic trail H.R. 1528 would designate portions of dorsed this matter, and it impacts the will have a single trail blazing system, but the existing Metacomet-Monadnock- communities in my district of East with few through hikers, since overnight Mattabesett Trail System for a na- Granby, Bloomfield, West Hartford, camping would be permitted in only a lim- tional and scenic trail. For over 50 Southington, Berlin, Middleton. More ited number of locations. Of course, decades years the States of Massachusetts and than 2 million people, as you’ve heard ago planners of the Appalachian Trail did not envision through hikers for its 2,175-mile my home State of Connecticut have other members come to the floor and length, either. Congress should designate the partnered with the Appalachian Moun- enumerate, are going to be fortunate path as a new national scenic trail and let tain Club and the Connecticut Forest enough to share the values that we de- the walking public decide how best to use it. and Park Association to manage these rive from going out and hiking and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.090 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H530 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 being able to be part of this unbeliev- what we fear, and I know we do not Given the popularity of the existing trail and able MMM Trail that will be provided want that to be the concept taking the support for a federal designation, it is sur- for our constituents and citizens. So I place. What we need is very succinct prising that anyone would oppose H.R. 1528. stand in strong support of this bill and and crystal clear language that said In our view, such opposition is based on a thank Mr. OLVER again, and again, that no land will be accepted by the misunderstanding of this legislation. kudos to CHRIS MURPHY for his hard Federal Government if any of it was In the first place, the bill is based on a Na- work making sure that this came to taken by the concept of eminent do- tional Park Service study that found no need— the floor. main. So whether the Federal Govern- let me repeat—no need, for direct Federal trail Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, ment tries to use eminent domain or ownership or direct Federal trail management. I wish to address one last element of whether the State and local govern- The trail will be managed by state and local this particular bill. As I’ve said, it is ment uses eminent domain and then groups under cooperative agreements with the my hope that with some of the amend- the State becomes the willing seller to National Park Service. ments that can be passed or added, give it to the Federal Government, Further, the bill itself expressly states, and I some modification, this can be a very, that will not be a way our citizens will quote: ‘‘The United States shall not acquire for very good bipartisan bill. be treated in this trails system. That the trail any land or interest in land without the There is one concern I have that I language is important to me. I think consent of the owner.’’ want to specifically address, and it’s it’s important to our side. That is what It is perfectly clear that this bill does not been talked around the edges by every- I talked about in the protection of the threaten property rights. In fact, the trails one, but it is the concept of eminent little guy who may not even know this groups who have managed this trail network domain. I have said before, in the origi- is going to be imposed upon him. In for half a century or more have gone out of nal remarks, that oftentimes as a gov- this post-Kelo decision world, those their way to avoid those conflicts. There is no ernment we do things not intending to kinds of concepts become important. If Federal land involved, and no Federal acquisi- actually harm people, but that’s the this issue was to be solved, it would be tion anticipated. net result. And unless we are crystal one of the things that I think would I strongly support this bill, and I want to take clear on the language that what we in- solve any other kind of acrimonious de- this opportunity to thank the bill’s sponsor, tend to do is what will happen, that bate that would go forward. A couple of Representative OLVER, for his hard work on sometimes, down the road, tends to be issues. This is one of the key ones. It’s the legislation, as well as his nine cosponsors the net result, and I want to try to one of the important ones. And I bring from Connecticut and Massachusetts. avoid this in this particular trail situa- that up because I know the language In the end, this is about providing Federal tion. was put in there to prohibit the Fed- recognition and support to local, non-profit, The National Park Service is unique eral Government from using eminent volunteer organizations who want nothing in that it does have condemnation domain, but there is still a loophole, so more than to help people take an enjoyable power. This is an amendment to the the Federal Government could end up walk through the woods. I urge my colleagues National Trails System Act. The con- with land that had been condemned by to support H.R. 1528. demnation power within that act is not the second party, which would be the Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in modified in any way. The language is State and the local governments. We strong support of H.R. 1528, the New England there. It stays. It’s not terminated. It’s should be very crystal clear that we do National Scenic Trail Designation Act. This im- not finished in some particular way. not wish to do that. portant legislation would amend the National It is the intent, I assume, and I be- One of the amendments proposed to Trails System Act of 1968 to designate a 220- lieve of the sponsor of this legislation, the Rules Committee said specifically mile long National Scenic Trail through Massa- that condemnation would not be used that no land would be taken that had chusetts and Connecticut. Designation as a on any of the private lands within this been acquired through eminent do- National Scenic Trail will allow this important trails system. I think he’s very sincere main. That’s one of our concepts. regional trail system to be supported, main- and legitimate in that. That is our ef- That’s one of the principles. That’s tained, and protected at the highest possible fort as well. But the text of the bill, one, I think, of the elements that I level. the amendment to the total act, is not think is significant. The bulk of this new trail would be com- crystal clear as to that point. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- prised of the existing Metacomet-Monadnock- What they have tried to do in the ance of my time. Mattabesett trail system—a 190-mile trail route text of this bill is say that land, if it’s Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, it’s a through 39 communities in Massachusetts and going to be taken over by the park good piece of legislation, well crafted, Connecticut. This important regional recreation service, would have to come from will- well worked. Many of the doomsday system has been in existence for more than ing sellers. That is an effort to try and scenarios we’ve heard about condemna- fifty years and winds its way from the border stop the Federal Government from tion have no relationship to this legis- of Massachusetts and New Hampshire using the condemnation power to take lation. I would urge its adoption. through western Massachusetts and into Con- over land. Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in necticut. The problem is, though, is the defini- strong support of H.R. 1528, introduced by our Designating this trail system as a National tion of ‘‘willing seller’’ sometimes gets friend and colleague, Representative JOHN Scenic Trail will ensure that future generations murky as time goes on, and what is OLVER. of New Englanders will be able to fully enjoy specifically not allowed in the bill, or This is a straightforward bill which would en- the tremendous beauty of these trails and take not solved, not clearly stated in the hance the protection and interpretation of a advantage of their many recreational opportu- bill is what I call the loophole. It’s that network of trails that have been in existence nities. Right now, more than 2 million people even though the Federal Government for more than 50 years. This trail system is ex- live within 10 miles of the Metacomet-Monad- would have to buy from only willing tremely popular and is managed and main- nock-Mattabesett trail system. As a result, this sellers, State and local governments tained by an enthusiastic army of volunteers. designation will not only allow millions of peo- would not. State and local govern- The route that would be added to the Na- ple to have access to the trail system but also ments could condemn the property, and tional Trails System carries hikers through the ensure that it will be properly preserved from then they could become the willing heart of Massachusetts and Connecticut, past the threats and pressures of development and seller. And as the act encourages the scenic vistas, unique geological formations, di- encroachment. National Park Service to accept or ac- nosaur footprints, and rare plants and animals. H.R. 1528 requires that the Secretary of the quire property, that is a way around The trail provides recreation and relaxation for Interior administer the trail consistent with the the concept of what we’re talking visitors from near and far, and valued open recommendations of the National Scenic Trail about. And I don’t think that’s what space for the many communities along the Feasibility Study and Environmental Assess- the sponsor intended. I’m not trying to way. ment that was conducted by the Department put words in his mouth. Clearly, by the H.R. 1528 has strong, bipartisan support of the Interior. The legislation also ensures testimony in front of the committee, I and is important not only to the people of that no land can be incorporated into the trail don’t think that’s what he intended. I Massachusetts and Connecticut but also to system without the consent of the landowner, don’t think that’s what the committee visitors from around the world wishing to expe- and I am pleased that the Administration has intended to see happen. I know that is rience the beauty of New England on foot. testified in support of this important legislation.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:06 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.091 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H531 This National Scenic Trail designation would SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. report; by a Member designated in the provide for increased cooperation between This Act may be cited as the ‘‘New England report; shall be considered read; shall communities, citizens and the Department of National Scenic Trail Designation Act’’. be debatable for the time specified in Interior to conserve these special routes and SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. the report, equally divided and con- Section 5(a) of the National Trails System Act expand the recreational opportunities of this (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)) is amended by adding at the trolled by the proponent and an oppo- New England treasure. I urge passage of the end the following: nent of the amendment; shall not be bill. ‘‘(ll) NEW ENGLAND NATIONAL SCENIC subject to an amendment; and shall not Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, TRAIL.—The New England National Scenic be subject to a demand for division of as a cosponsor of the New England Scenic Trail, a continuous trail extending approxi- the question. Trail Designation Act, I rise in strong support mately 220 miles from the border of New Hamp- AMENDMENT NO. 1 OFFERED BY MR. BISHOP OF shire in the town of Royalston, Massachusetts of this very important bill. UTAH Connecticut is proud to be home to part of to Long Island Sound in the town of Guilford, Connecticut, as generally depicted on the map The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail titled ‘New England National Scenic Trail Pro- consider amendment No. 1 printed in System, a beautiful nature trail that runs 190 posed Route’, numbered T06–80,000, and dated House Report 110–519. miles from Massachusetts through Connecticut October 2007. The map shall be on file and Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, to the Long Island Sound. First established in available for public inspection in the appro- I offer an amendment. 1931, the 700-mile long Blue-Blazed trail net- priate offices of the National Park Service. The The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- work in Connecticut join the Metacomet-Mo- Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with ignate the amendment. nadnock trail system in Massachusetts, a trail Federal, State, tribal, regional, and local agen- The text of the amendment is as fol- laid in the late 1950s. The trail is a vital part cies, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Con- necticut Forest and Park Association, and other lows: of the natural beauty and recreational activity organizations, shall administer the trail con- Amendment No. 1 offered by Mr. BISHOP of of the First Congressional District of Con- sistent with the recommendations of the draft Utah: necticut, as well as the other parts of the state report titled the ‘Metacomet Monadnock At the end of the bill, add the following and neighboring Massachusetts. This distinc- Mattabesset Trail System National Scenic Trail new section: tive trail passes through one of the most Feasibility Study and Environmental Assess- SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. densely populated parts of the country—2 mil- ment’, prepared by the National Park Service, This Act shall be effective on the date that lion people live within 10 miles of the trail. and dated Spring 2006. The United States shall the Secretary issues a final National Scenic In 2001, the Connecticut Department of En- not acquire for the trail any land or interest in Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental vironmental Protection designated the land without the consent of the owner.’’. Assessment for the New England National Scenic Trail. Metacomet Ridge System—part of the trail SEC. 3. MANAGEMENT. The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter in this system—as an official state greenway. The The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall use the Resolution 940, the gentleman from ridge system contains a ‘‘spine’’ of traprock Trail Management Blueprint described in the Utah (Mr. BISHOP) and a Member op- ridges, providing a habitat for various types of draft report titled the ‘‘Metacomet Monadnock plants and animals. These living things that Mattabesett Trail System National Scenic Trail posed each will control 5 minutes. call the ridge home and add to its beauty are Feasibility Study and Environmental Assess- The Chair recognizes the gentleman not protected from residential development ment’’, prepared by the National Park Service, from Utah. pressures, and while seventeen towns in Con- and dated Spring 2006, as the framework for Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, necticut have signed a compact to work to- management and administration of the New I have every intention of saving the England National Scenic Trail. Additional or committee some time on this par- wards protecting the ridge system the trail more detailed plans for administration, manage- merits Federal protection. ticular amendment. It is, I think, very ment, protection, access, maintenance, or devel- straightforward. In December of 2002, the President signed opment of the trail may be developed consistent the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail with the Trail Management Blueprint, and as In the 107th Congress a bill was Study Act into law, which directed the National approved by the Secretary. passed that said there would be a Park Service to study the trail to determine if SEC. 4. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. study, a feasibility study based on this the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail The Secretary is authorized to enter into coop- project. The gentleman from Massa- should be included in the National Trail Sys- erative agreements with the Commonwealth of chusetts was the author of that piece tem. In April of 2006, the study recommended Massachusetts (and its political subdivisions), of legislation. the State of Connecticut (and its political sub- Bottom line is the feasibility study its inclusion. This legislation before us today divisions), the Appalachian Mountain Club, the urges the implementation of the study’s rec- has yet to be completed, period. This is Connecticut Forest and Park Association, and simply a concept of regular order. ommendations, while protecting land owners. other regional, local, and private organizations The bill protects the trail system against en- deemed necessary and desirable to accomplish What this says is that this trail will croachment by residential growth, but prohibits cooperative trail administrative, management, not be slowed down, but it will be en- the government from seizing private land and protection objectives consistent with the acted once we have gone through the through eminent domain. Trail Management Blueprint. An agreement process outlined before, regular order, Mr. Chairman, designation of the New Eng- under this section may include provisions for and the feasibility study is finalized land Scenic Trail would be an important step limited financial assistance to encourage par- and presented. Then the trail would ac- ticipation in the planning, acquisition, protec- towards preserving the 190-mile long trail and tually be enacted. It’s an effort to try tion, operation, development, or maintenance of and maintain the standards and the its natural and recreational value for years to the trail. process that we have established be- come. I urge my colleagues to join me in en- SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL TRAIL SEGMENTS. suring the environmental preservation of the Pursuant to section 6 of the National Trails fore. Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail by System Act, the Secretary is encouraged to work With that, actually, Mr. Chairman, I supporting the underlying bill. with the State of New Hampshire and appro- will yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I priate local and private organizations to include Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I rise yield back the balance of my time. that portion of the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in opposition to the amendment. The CHAIRMAN. All time for general in New Hampshire (which lies between The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman debate has expired. Royalston, Massachusetts and Jaffrey, New from Arizona is recognized for 5 min- Hampshire) as a component of the New England utes. Pursuant to the rule, the amendment National Scenic Trail. Inclusion of this segment, in the nature of a substitute printed in as well as other potential side or connecting Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, this the bill shall be considered as an origi- trails, is contingent upon written application to draft report that I’m holding is enti- nal bill for the purpose of the amend- the Secretary by appropriate State and local ju- tled The National Scenic Trail Feasi- ment under the 5-minute rule and shall risdictions and a finding by the Secretary that bility Study and Environmental As- be considered read. trail management and administration is con- sessment. The text of the committee amend- sistent with the Trail Management Blueprint. Like many products of the Federal ment is as follows: The CHAIRMAN. No amendment to Government, it’s lengthy and com- H.R. 1528 the committee amendment is in order plicated. But let’s be perfectly clear. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- except those printed in House Report We’re not waiting for a separate envi- resentatives of the United States of America in 110–519. Each amendment may be of- ronmental assessment. It’s all done and Congress assembled, fered only in the order printed in the it’s all in here.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.053 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H532 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Even though it’s labeled a draft re- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, Federal Government, the Park Service, port, the National Park Service doesn’t I offer an amendment. to gain land in the future in this trail do drafts like a high school assignment The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- system. Once the Park Service has does drafts. This is a 75-page bound ignate the amendment. gained control of that land, then Park document, eight full color fold-out The text of the amendment is as fol- Service rules and regulations which maps. It draws on more than 90 lows: limit and restrict hunting rights and sources, from books on dinosaur foot- Amendment No. 2 offered by Mr. BISHOP of gun rights would take precedence over prints to books on the pioneers who Utah: it. first set foot on those trails, from Page 3, line 6, insert ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ There is also a unique concern that scholarly histories of the ancient Earth before ‘‘The Secretary’’. none of us really know the answer to. If to histories of the small communities Page 3, after line 17, insert the following: the National Park Service is the ad- (b) APPLICATION OF CERTAIN STATE AND along the trail. This study is done. ministrator of these lands, do they ac- LOCAL LAWS.—Notwithstanding subsection In reality, the process of changing tually have the ability of imposing the the study from a draft into a final re- (a), all designated and future designated lands within the New England National Sce- rules and regulations on these lands, port is a bureaucratic one; it is not a nic Trail, including all Federal lands, shall whether they own it or not, which is substantive one, which makes this be exclusively governed by relevant State something that today we may know amendment dilatory, at best, and not a and local laws regarding hunting, fishing, the answer, but you cannot predict substantive one. and the possession or use of a weapon (in- what will happen in the future with The draft study was completed in Au- cluding concealed weapons), trap, or net. some legislator, some judge, some ad- gust of 2006. It has been under review at The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House ministrator somewhere along the line; the Department of the Interior for 17 Resolution 940, the gentleman from and as I said very early in a concept of months. The National Park Service Utah (Mr. BISHOP) and a Member op- tells us that it needs approximately this particular bill, often times the posed each will control 5 minutes. Federal Government does things, and one dozen signatures from various Inte- The Chair recognizes the gentleman rior officials in order to be considered we don’t intend to hurt people but we from Utah. end up hurting people. final. That’s all we’re waiting for. Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, In effect, therefore, the amendment What this amendment clearly says is this particular amendment is one of could have us abdicate our authority that along this trail we will protect the key concerns that we do have with and responsibility to designate trails what has historically been done for the this bill, that if it were solved would go and pass that authority over to the last 70 years. But whether the Federal a long way to satisfying our concerns Secretary, so that whenever he and the Government, the Park Service, in par- various Deputy Assistant Secretaries with this particular bill. ticular, has administrative control or at Interior get around to signing off on It is one of the unique concepts that whether they access and acquire land the study, then the trail would be des- a power has been given to the National in the future, that local ordinances will ignated. Such an abdication would not Park Service that is not given to the take precedence, that local ordinance lead to a better study; it would just Bureau of Land Management or to the on hunting rights, on gun rights, on lead to delay. National Forest Service to regulate fishing rights, will be what will take It might be different, Mr. Chairman, gun laws and hunting laws within their precedence in this particular situation. if my good friend from Utah could jurisdiction, even if it violates some- This to us is important. We want it point out something that is lacking in thing that the local government in to be crystal clear. But what I think this study, if he wanted to wait be- that jurisdiction would like to imply, everyone intends in this trail is in re- cause he felt the analysis of the af- something that happens to be different. ality what happens both now and in the fected environment on pages 61 and 62 This trail, as we said, has been future. were not entirely complete, or if he around for over 70 years, very effi- Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance was contending that the book The In- ciently and very effectively on private of my time. dian Tribes of North America by John and state lands. And the argument that Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I rise R. Swanton and the Smithsonian Insti- we made is that there is no reason that in opposition to the amendment. tution Press should not have been re- you should deny Park Service author- The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman lied on in this study. ity to curtail these activities because from Arizona is recognized for 5 min- That is not the case, Mr. Chairman. they’re not going to get these activi- utes. The work of the study is done. The ad- ties or they’re not going to get control Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, let ministration came before the National of the land. me just say that this amendment is Parks, Forest and Public Lands Sub- The problem is that there is a unique completely unnecessary. The trail committee in May and testified they do history on this trail of voluntary co- crosses State land that is State-owned, not anticipate any substantive changes operation. That is not necessarily the local, and the property of willing pri- to this document and that they support same thing that takes place once the vate landowners. That’s all. State and the designation. Federal Government takes ownership local hunting and fishing laws clearly Congress has, in this study, more or the Federal Government takes ad- govern all of these lands. than sufficient documentation to es- ministrative control of this particular What’s more, this amendment refers tablish this trail. There is no reason to trail. to ‘‘all designated and future des- delay this designation. Only if you sim- The Park Service does have the au- ignated land within the New England ply oppose the trail, then that would be thority to change the rules of local National Scenic Trail, including all the reason for delay. government. This is the language Federal lands.’’ Mr. Chairman, it’s not the role of the that’s given in the bill. It is not modi- Mr. Chairman, once again, there are Secretary of the Interior to designate fied by this particular act. Even no Federal lands involved here. trail. It’s the role of this Congress, and though the intent may not be as we So in addition to being unnecessary, we should get on with it. I urge a ‘‘no’’ have heard to have the Federal Govern- the amendment is drafted and applies vote on this amendment. ment take over property in this land, it to land that does not exist. b 1745 is the intent of the management plan Secondly, we are perplexed as to why Mr. Chairman, I yield back my time. that is there. we would single out State and local The CHAIRMAN. The question is on If you look at the management plan, laws on hunting and fishing and the the amendment offered by the gen- it talks about a blueprint for rec- possession or use of a weapon, trap, or tleman from Utah (Mr. BISHOP). ommendations to utilize restrictive net. Why would we state that these The amendment was rejected. zoning, height restrictions, land acqui- laws, which, as I have already said, ob- AMENDMENT NO. 2 OFFERED BY MR. BISHOP OF sition easements, et cetera, et cetera, viously apply to the lands along the UTAH going through all sorts of other con- trail, why would we state that these The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to cepts. laws apply but not mention other consider amendment No. 2 printed in This simply means this: this legisla- equally applicable State and local House Report 110–519. tion authorizes and encourages the laws.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.095 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H533 The amendment could legitimately The SPEAKER pro tempore. The cumstance in the future, many of cause someone to wonder, because we Clerk will report the motion to recom- which we cannot predict. It would be mention only these activities, are mit. nice if everyone was simply wonderful other State and local laws somehow The Clerk read as follows: and courteous, but that’s not the way rendered inactive by this bill? Mr. Bishop of Utah moves to recommit the the real world is. We have to make pre- A Federal trail designation does not bill H.R. 1528 to the Committee on Natural dictions and plans for the future to preempt State and local laws. But this Resources with instructions to report the protect individuals. amendment might make some believe same back to the House forthwith with the This bill says the Federal Govern- that it does. following amendment: ment may not acquire land from any- Page 3, line 4, strike ‘‘owner.’’ and insert thing other than a willing seller, but it This amendment is not intended to ‘‘owner. The Secretary may not use eminent solve what I believe is a real problem. domain to acquire land for the trail and may also says they cannot accept land that It’s, rather, an attempt to inject a not accept any land that was acquired has been condemned, regardless of made-up issue into a simple, straight- through the use of eminent domain for inclu- whether it comes from a willing seller. forward trail designation. In the end, sion in the trail.’’. It prohibits State and local govern- this amendment really only confuses The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- ments from doing an end-run from the the issue. tleman from Utah is recognized for 5 purpose of this act and protects private Having said that, however, if the lan- minutes. property. guage makes Mr. BISHOP comfortable Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- We told you before that one person enough to support this legislation, we er, as we said at the very beginning of was able to come here and say I don’t are willing to consider it. We do not be- the discussion of this entire bill, there want my property part of this bill be- lieve that it is needed or really even are some amendments that are made in cause she had the financial resources helpful. It will burden the bill, despite an effort to slow down a bill or stop it and the time to come down here to its redundancy, only slightly; and in from coming to passage. This is not Washington to lobby. She’s exempt. the spirit of bipartisanship, we accept one of those. That is why you will no- That’s right, it’s fair. It’s the right Mr. BISHOP’s language. tice very carefully the verbiage here is thing to do. The committee should be Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- ‘‘forthwith.’’ We want to try and fix commended for that. ance of my time. the bill so it can go on with its process, The question is, are there others in Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Chairman, not send it back to committee. like circumstances? And in the com- I yield back the balance of my time. What I have in front of me here is the mittee testimony there are. What we The CHAIRMAN. The question is on poster of the language that you find in just put in by unanimous consent, the amendment offered by the gen- the Trail Act itself. What we are debat- there are, and that is the concern. Our tleman from Utah (Mr. BISHOP). ing is not the Trail Act. It’s simply an concern has to be for the little guy The amendment was agreed to. amendment to the Trail Act, and in the whose home, whose property, whose The CHAIRMAN. The question is on act itself it says the appropriate Sec- heritage, whose farm may be put in the committee amendment in the na- retary may utilize condemnation to ac- danger by an overzealous local govern- ment that uses condemnation power to ture of a substitute, as amended. quire private property without the con- The committee amendment in the try and expand the scope of this par- sent of the owner. nature of a substitute, as amended, was That is the language about which we ticular trail. agreed to. object. It would be nice if at some time 1800 The CHAIRMAN. Under the rule, the b we could actually go in and attack this Committee rises. It is possible. And the language Accordingly, the Committee rose; language and perhaps solve the prob- should be crystal clear that that may lem once and for all forever. But as the and the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. LO- not be what we do. That may not be time is right now, this condemnation RETTA SANCHEZ) having assumed the our concept. power is still in the act. It’s still in the chair, Mr. LYNCH, Chairman of the If only one individual is harmed by Committee of the Whole House on the bill. It’s still in the act. It is still out this act because we do not close every State of the Union, reported that that there as a potential and a possibility. potential loophole, that is one indi- Committee, having had under consider- We do not believe that the sponsor ever vidual too many. Our goal should be, ation the bill (H.R. 1528) to amend the intended this to be the way of things. and must be, to ensure that wherever a But the bottom line is the National National Trails System Act to des- possibility of a loophole exists, we will Park Service still has the ability of ignate the New England National Sce- close that loophole, and that we will condemning. The Federal Government nic Trail, and for other purposes, pur- make sure that every potential to save still has the ability of condemning. As suant to House Resolution 940, he re- somebody’s property will be there, and we said before, the committee, the ported the bill back to the House with that no opportunity to do a laundering sponsor, tried to solve that problem by an amendment adopted by the Com- of land and make an end run around saying land will only be taken from a mittee of the Whole. the purposes and goals of this bill will The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under willing seller. That may deal, hope- be there. the rule, the previous question is or- fully, with the Federal Government as- The language in the motion to com- dered. pect, but the Federal Government has mit is crystal clear, that no land may Is a separate vote demanded on any to take the land from a willing dealer, be taken by any level of government amendment to the amendment re- but it also leaves a loophole for some for any reason to be used in this trail. ported from the Committee of the other entity to do condemnation pow- In our post-Kelo world, it is important Whole? If not, the question is on the ers. The State or local government that we make sure that every word in amendment. could still condemn property, and then this bill make sense; it is clear, it is The amendment was agreed to. they would become the willing seller precise, it is our goal, it is our purpose. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The who could offer this land to the Federal That’s what this does. It solves this question is on the engrossment and Government. problem. And it solves it in a way that third reading of the bill. Please remember, the Federal Gov- makes this a very, very good bill. With- The bill was ordered to be engrossed ernment is empowered in this act and out it, it’s a huge loophole that could and read a third time, and was read the bill to acquire property. They are en- be used to harm people in the future. third time. couraged to acquire property coming We can never do that. MOTION TO RECOMMIT OFFERED BY MR. BISHOP from a willing seller. I don’t have a Madam Speaker, whatever time I OF UTAH problem with that, if the willing seller don’t have, I yield back. Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- is truly a willing seller. Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I er, I offer a motion to recommit. And so the motion to recommit tries rise in opposition to the motion to re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the to cover every potential in the future, commit. gentleman opposed to the bill? with once again the concept being that The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Unfortunately, you want to make sure that individuals tleman from Arizona is recognized for 5 without this, yes. will always be protected in every cir- minutes.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.097 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, we there can be no Federal acquisition of Paul Rogers (MI) Sullivan Pearce Rohrabacher Tancredo accepted a motion on hunting and fish- land here. Nobody wants Federal acqui- Pence Ros-Lehtinen Terry ing that was consistent with State laws sition of land. There might well be Peterson (PA) Roskam Thornberry because that seemed to be the most community acquisition of a corridor Petri Royce Tiahrt pressing issue in the discussion and de- somewhere along the way over time, Pickering Ryan (WI) Turner Pitts Sali Upton bate over this legislation. Now we have but there is to be no Federal ownership Platts Schmidt Walberg a motion to recommit that tries to of any of that land. Poe Sensenbrenner Walden (OR) solve a problem already dealt with I hope the matter will be opposed and Porter Sessions Walsh (NY) Price (GA) Shadegg Wamp which is easily and simply dealt with we will not adopt this amendment. Ramstad Shays Weldon (FL) with the underlying legislation. This is finding a solution where there Regula Shimkus Weller The bill specifically prohibits con- is no problem. Rehberg Shuster Whitfield (KY) demnation, so there is no legitimate Reichert Smith (NE) Wilson (SC) Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I Renzi Smith (NJ) Wittman (VA) concern regarding private property urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on the motion to re- Reynolds Smith (TX) Wolf rights. There is no legitimate reason to commit. Rogers (AL) Souder Young (AK) say the same thing over and over Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Rogers (KY) Stearns Young (FL) again. But now we’re in a whole other ance of my time. NAYS—205 realm. We’re in a conspiracy theory, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Abercrombie Harman Ortiz Federal bogeyman kind of discussion objection, the previous question is or- Ackerman Higgins Pallone where proponents of the bill say, Well, dered on the motion to recommit. Allen Hill Pascrell sure, you have stopped Federal con- Baca Hinchey Pastor There was no objection. Baird Hinojosa Payne demnation, but what about our dooms- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Baldwin Hirono Perlmutter day scenario where the Feds and a question is on the motion to recommit. Bean Hodes Peterson (MN) State or a locality team up in some se- The question was taken; and the Becerra Holden Pomeroy cret plan to have the State condemn Berman Holt Price (NC) Speaker pro tempore announced that Bishop (GA) Honda Rahall the land and then give it to the Feds. the noes appeared to have it. Bishop (NY) Hooley Rangel We better stop that scenario as well. Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- Blumenauer Hoyer Reyes The point of the matter is that this Boren Inslee Richardson er, I object to the vote on the ground motion is about usurping local control Boswell Israel Rodriguez that a quorum is not present and make Boyd (FL) Jackson (IL) Ross and, indeed, giving it to the Federal the point of order that a quorum is not Boyda (KS) Jackson-Lee Rothman Government. I want to say enough is Brady (PA) (TX) Roybal-Allard present. enough. At what point have we gone far Braley (IA) Jefferson Ruppersberger The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- Brown, Corrine Johnson (GA) Rush enough to deal with any legitimate dently a quorum is not present. Butterfield Johnson, E. B. Ryan (OH) problem? The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- Capps Kagen Salazar Supporters of this amendment and Capuano Kanjorski Sa´ nchez, Linda the motion see condemnation under sent Members. Cardoza Kaptur T. Carnahan Kennedy Sanchez, Loretta every rock and around every corner, Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, the Chair will reduce to 5 minutes the min- Castor Kildee Sarbanes and there could never be enough lan- Chandler Kilpatrick Schakowsky guage in this bill or any other bill to imum time for any electronic vote on Clarke Kind Schiff satisfy them. the question of passage. Clay Klein (FL) Schwartz The vote was taken by electronic de- Cleaver Kucinich Scott (GA) Even worse, proponents of this lan- Clyburn Langevin Scott (VA) guage know full well that neither this vice, and there were—yeas 183, nays Cohen Larsen (WA) Serrano motion nor anything else we do here in 205, not voting 42, as follows: Conyers Larson (CT) Sestak [Roll No. 27] Cooper Lee Shea-Porter Congress can stop States from exer- Costa Levin Sherman cising their condemnation authority. YEAS—183 Costello Lewis (GA) Shuler Here we have a motion that is both Aderholt Crenshaw Johnson (IL) Courtney Loebsack Sires completely unnecessary and com- Akin Cubin Johnson, Sam Cramer Lofgren, Zoe Skelton Crowley Lowey Smith (WA) pletely ineffective. There is no con- Alexander Culberson Jones (NC) Altmire Davis (KY) Jordan Cuellar Lynch Snyder demnation under this bill. Proponents Arcuri Davis, David King (IA) Cummings Mahoney (FL) Solis of this motion need to move on. Bachmann Dent King (NY) Davis (AL) Maloney (NY) Space Bachus Doolittle Kingston Davis (CA) Markey Spratt I urge defeat of the motion to recom- Davis (IL) Matheson Stark mit. Barrett (SC) Drake Kirk Barrow Dreier Kline (MN) Davis, Lincoln Matsui Stupak Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- Bartlett (MD) Duncan Knollenberg DeGette McCarthy (NY) Sutton tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Barton (TX) Ehlers Kuhl (NY) Delahunt McDermott Tanner DeLauro McGovern Tauscher OLVER). Berkley Emerson LaHood Biggert English (PA) Lamborn Dicks McNerney Taylor Mr. OLVER. I thank the gentleman Bilbray Ferguson Lampson Dingell McNulty Thompson (CA) for yielding. Bilirakis Flake Latham Doggett Meek (FL) Thompson (MS) I guess I thought that the problem Bishop (UT) Forbes Latta Donnelly Meeks (NY) Tierney Edwards Melancon Towns was that the devil was the Federal Blackburn Fossella Lewis (CA) Blunt Foxx Linder Ellison Michaud Tsongas Government here and that we wanted Boehner Franks (AZ) LoBiondo Ellsworth Miller (NC) Udall (NM) to make certain that there was no way Bonner Frelinghuysen Lucas Emanuel Miller, George Van Hollen ´ Bono Mack Gallegly Lungren, Daniel Engel Mitchell Velazquez for them to issue eminent domain, and Eshoo Mollohan Visclosky the language of this bill, in relation to Boozman Garrett (NJ) E. Boustany Gerlach Mack Etheridge Moore (KS) Walz (MN) this trail, is quite clear on that point. Brady (TX) Gingrey Manzullo Farr Moore (WI) Waters In fact, it would appear that now we’re Broun (GA) Gohmert Marshall Fattah Moran (VA) Watson Frank (MA) Murphy (CT) Watt trying to solve a problem which isn’t Brown (SC) Goode McCarthy (CA) Brown-Waite, Goodlatte McCaul (TX) Giffords Murphy, Patrick Waxman there, which just is an order of mag- Ginny Granger McCotter Gillibrand Murtha Weiner nitude somewhere farther away in con- Buchanan Graves McHenry Gonzalez Nadler Welch (VT) Burgess Green, Gene McHugh Gordon Napolitano Wexler cept, that somehow the local commu- Green, Al Neal (MA) Wilson (OH) nities or the State is going to issue Burton (IN) Hall (NY) McIntyre Buyer Hall (TX) McKeon Grijalva Oberstar Woolsey eminent domain and then pass the land Camp (MI) Hayes McMorris Gutierrez Obey Wu to the Federal Government in some Campbell (CA) Heller Rodgers Hare Olver Yarmuth sort of manner. That really surprises Cannon Hensarling Mica Cantor Herger Miller (FL) NOT VOTING—42 me as there is nothing in the intent of Capito Herseth Sandlin Miller (MI) Andrews Deal (GA) Feeney this anywhere along the way to do such Carney Hobson Moran (KS) Baker DeFazio Filner a thing. Castle Hoekstra Murphy, Tim Berry Diaz-Balart, L. Fortenberry I think we have solved the problem Chabot Hulshof Musgrave Boucher Diaz-Balart, M. Gilchrest Coble Hunter Myrick Calvert Doyle Hastings (FL) as much as it needs to be solved with Cole (OK) Inglis (SC) Neugebauer Carter Everett Hastings (WA) the language which is in the bill, that Conaway Issa Nunes Davis, Tom Fallin Jones (OH)

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.100 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H535 Keller Miller, Gary Udall (CO) Kaptur Murphy, Patrick Shea-Porter DeFazio Jones (OH) Rodriguez Lantos Pryce (OH) Wasserman Kennedy Murphy, Tim Sherman Diaz-Balart, L. Keller Ros-Lehtinen LaTourette Putnam Schultz Kildee Murtha Shuler Diaz-Balart, M. Lantos Saxton Lewis (KY) Radanovich Westmoreland Kilpatrick Nadler Sires Doyle LaTourette Sestak Lipinski Saxton Wilson (NM) Kind Napolitano Skelton Everett Lewis (KY) Simpson Marchant Simpson Wynn King (NY) Neal (MA) Slaughter Fallin Lipinski Tiberi McCollum (MN) Slaughter Kirk Oberstar Smith (NJ) Feeney Marchant Udall (CO) McCrery Tiberi Klein (FL) Obey Smith (TX) Filner McCollum (MN) Wasserman Knollenberg Olver Smith (WA) Fortenberry McCrery Schultz b 1829 Kucinich Ortiz Snyder Gilchrest Miller, Gary Weldon (FL) LaHood Pallone Solis Gillibrand Pryce (OH) Westmoreland Ms. HOOLEY, Ms. MOORE of Wis- Lampson Pascrell Space Hastings (FL) Putnam Wilson (NM) consin, and Messrs. JACKSON of Illi- Langevin Pastor Spratt Hastings (WA) Radanovich Wynn Larsen (WA) Payne nois, MICHAUD, MAHONEY of Florida, Stark b 1837 Larson (CT) Perlmutter Stupak BRALEY of Iowa, KENNEDY, MEEK of Latham Peterson (MN) Sutton Mr. RAMSTAD changed his vote Lee Peterson (PA) Florida, CARDOZA and OBERSTAR Tanner Levin Pickering from ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to Tauscher Lewis (GA) Pitts Taylor So the bill was passed. ‘‘nay.’’ LoBiondo Platts Terry The result of the vote was announced Messrs. MILLER of Florida, MORAN Loebsack Pomeroy Lofgren, Zoe Price (NC) Thompson (CA) as above recorded. of Kansas, ALTMIRE and WALSH of Thompson (MS) New York changed their vote from Lowey Rahall A motion to reconsider was laid on Lucas Ramstad Tiahrt the table. ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Tierney Lynch Rangel Stated for: So the motion to recommit was re- Mahoney (FL) Regula Towns jected. Maloney (NY) Reichert Tsongas Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Markey Reyes Turner No. 28, I was away due to a family emer- The result of the vote was announced Udall (NM) Marshall Richardson gency. Had I been present, I would have as above recorded. Matheson Rogers (MI) Upton Stated against: Matsui Ross Van Hollen voted ‘‘aye.’’ Vela´ zquez Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall McCarthy (NY) Rothman Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, be- McDermott Roybal-Allard Visclosky cause I was unavoidably detained, I was un- No. 27, I was away due to a family emer- Walsh (NY) McGovern Ruppersberger able to cast a vote on rollcall 28. Had I been gency. Had I been present, I would have McIntyre Rush Walz (MN) voted ‘‘nay.’’ McNerney Ryan (OH) Waters present, I would have voted ‘‘aye’’ on Final McNulty Salazar Watson Passage of H.R. 1528. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, on roll- Meek (FL) Sa´ nchez, Linda Watt call No. 27, had I been present, I would have Meeks (NY) T. Waxman f voted ‘‘nay.’’ Melancon Sanchez, Loretta Weiner PERSONAL EXPLANATION The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Michaud Sarbanes Welch (VT) Miller (MI) Schakowsky Weller Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, due question is on the passage of the bill. Miller (NC) Schiff Wexler to events scheduled in my district, I will miss The question was taken; and the Miller, George Schmidt Whitfield (KY) votes on January 29, 2008. Please let the Speaker pro tempore announced that Mitchell Schwartz Wilson (OH) Wittman (VA) RECORD reflect that had I been present, my the ayes appeared to have it. Mollohan Scott (GA) Moore (KS) Scott (VA) Wolf vote would have reflected the following: RECORDED VOTE Moore (WI) Serrano Woolsey H.R. 5140 Recovery Rebates and Economic Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I Moran (VA) Sessions Wu Murphy (CT) Shays Yarmuth Stimulus for the American People Act of demand a recorded vote. 2008—‘‘yea.’’ A recorded vote was ordered. NOES—122 H.R. 1528 New England National Scenic The SPEAKER pro tempore. This Aderholt Flake McMorris Trail Designation Act—‘‘aye.’’ will be a 5-minute vote. Akin Forbes Rodgers H.R. 933 Commending the Louisiana State The vote was taken by electronic de- Alexander Fossella Mica Bachmann Foxx Miller (FL) University Tigers Football Team—‘‘yea.’’ vice, and there were—ayes 261, noes 122, Barrett (SC) Franks (AZ) Moran (KS) f not voting 47, as follows: Bartlett (MD) Garrett (NJ) Musgrave [Roll No. 28] Barton (TX) Gingrey Myrick LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM Biggert Gohmert Neugebauer AYES—261 Bilbray Goode Nunes (Mr. BLUNT asked and was given Abercrombie Cleaver Gallegly Bilirakis Goodlatte Paul permission to address the House for 1 Ackerman Clyburn Gerlach Bishop (UT) Graves Pearce minute.) Allen Cohen Giffords Blackburn Hall (TX) Pence Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I would Altmire Conyers Gonzalez Boehner Hayes Petri Arcuri Cooper Gordon Bonner Heller Poe yield to my friend from Maryland, the Baca Costa Granger Bono Mack Hensarling Porter majority leader, for information about Boustany Bachus Costello Green, Al Herger Price (GA) the schedule. Broun (GA) Rehberg Baird Courtney Green, Gene Hoekstra Brown (SC) Renzi Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman Baldwin Cramer Grijalva Hulshof Brown-Waite, Reynolds Barrow Crowley Gutierrez Hunter for yielding. Ginny Rogers (AL) Bean Cuellar Hall (NY) Issa The schedule for the week of Feb- Burgess Rogers (KY) Becerra Cummings Hare Johnson, Sam Burton (IN) Rohrabacher ruary 4 is attenuated, to some degree Berkley Davis (AL) Harman Jones (NC) Berman Davis (CA) Herseth Sandlin Buyer Roskam obviously, by the 22 States that have a Camp (MI) Jordan Royce Bishop (GA) Davis (IL) Higgins King (IA) primary on February 5. Both Demo- Bishop (NY) Davis, Lincoln Hill Campbell (CA) Ryan (WI) crats and Republicans obviously will be Cannon Kingston Sali Blumenauer DeGette Hinchey Kline (MN) involved in those to one degree or an- Blunt Delahunt Hinojosa Cantor Sensenbrenner Capito Kuhl (NY) Shadegg other. Monday and Tuesday the House Boozman DeLauro Hirono Lamborn Boren Dent Hobson Chabot Shimkus Latta is not, therefore, in session. Boswell Dicks Hodes Coble Shuster Lewis (CA) On Wednesday, the House will meet Boucher Dingell Holden Cole (OK) Smith (NE) Linder Boyd (FL) Doggett Holt Conaway Souder at 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes Lungren, Daniel Brady (PA) Donnelly Honda Crenshaw Stearns will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. On E. Brady (TX) Edwards Hooley Cubin Sullivan Mack Thursday and Friday, the House will Braley (IA) Ehlers Hoyer Culberson Tancredo Manzullo meet at 10 a.m. We will consider sev- Brown, Corrine Ellison Inglis (SC) Davis (KY) Thornberry McCarthy (CA) Buchanan Ellsworth Inslee Davis, David Walberg eral bills under suspension of the rules. Butterfield Emanuel Israel Doolittle McCaul (TX) Walden (OR) A list of those bills will be announced McCotter Capps Engel Jackson (IL) Drake Wamp by the close of business this week. In Capuano English (PA) Jackson-Lee Dreier McHenry Wilson (SC) Carnahan Eshoo (TX) Duncan McHugh Young (AK) addition, we will consider H.R. 4137, the Carney Etheridge Jefferson Emerson McKeon Young (FL) College Opportunity and Affordability Castle Farr Johnson (GA) NOT VOTING—47 Act. Castor Fattah Johnson (IL) That is the schedule. Of course, I will Chandler Ferguson Johnson, E. B. Andrews Boyda (KS) Carter Clarke Frank (MA) Kagen Baker Calvert Davis, Tom tell my friend that we obviously have a Clay Frelinghuysen Kanjorski Berry Cardoza Deal (GA) couple of bills that we passed today

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.066 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H536 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 that we want to see move as quickly as to conference, or whatever option. But So I believe that second paragraph, possible, and if we could move those we need them to take some action. We while I don’t disagree with his specula- next week, we would certainly try to are hopeful they will take some action tion, I disagree with his conclusion in do so. soon. the sense that I think that the Govern- Thank you for yielding. I met, along with other members of ment, the NSA or another agency, Mr. BLUNT. I thank the gentleman the leadership on our side of the aisle, could in fact act within that 72 hours for that information. I am wondering, just a short time ago, informed them and get approval from the FISA Court if those bills don’t materialize, is it that we had passed by vote an exten- for its actions. And, as the gentleman still an option for Friday, if those bills sion of 15 days, urged them to move as knows, the FISA Court rarely, if ever, don’t materialize, since we don’t have quickly as they could. The leader indi- and I don’t know of an incident off the any scheduled work for Thursday and cated to me that he was hopeful that top of my head where they have dis- Friday, are we committed for Friday to they would be able to address that this approved an action that was taken and be a definite day here? Is that still week. I think he is going to be talking stopped it at that point in time. going to be an option as the week de- to the Republican leader to see what So, I think the risk is minimal, be- velops? possibly could get 60 votes to move cause I think the old law, while, yes, I will yield. something to the floor and through they have to go to the court, and very Mr. HOYER. We only have, as you consideration. But I am unable to tell frankly, this is why it was created, to know, essentially 2 days and the you what we are going to do until such be a check and balance on what might evening of Wednesday, because we time as the Senate acts. As you and I be, and I don’t allege that this is hap- come in Wednesday at 6:30. So I am re- have discussed, you have been there. pening, but certainly it was a check on luctant to give away Friday, given on Mr. BLUNT. I appreciate that. I do arbitrary and capricious action by this side we have worked so hard to get hope we can find a permanent solution those in the Government. I happen to done in a relatively quick fashion, I here. I think that the 2 weeks is impor- think that check and balance is an ap- think quick fashion, not relatively, on tant. I also think it’s important that propriate one; although, under the our stimulus package. So I do not want that law not be allowed to expire, statute we passed, we gave broader au- to speculate on giving that day away which made this 2 weeks a significant thority, blanket authority, as you at this point in time, nor do I want to development. At the same time, the know. speculate that we will give the day question of immunity hasn’t been ad- But we are hopeful, as you are, that away. If we do not have work to do, ob- dressed, and I don’t think we can con- the Senate will act, that we be able to viously we will not require Members to tinue to put that question off. go to conference. We need to deal with be here. the immunity issue, which is the dif- b 1845 Mr. BLUNT. I appreciate that, and I ference between the two Houses, al- also appreciate the work we all did this I did notice last week when we dis- though they haven’t passed a bill, but week on the stimulus package, to see cussed this, an article that I hadn’t the bill that passed out of the Intel- that it is sent over on the timeframe seen yet, and my good friend the ma- ligence Committee did give retroactive that we have all discussed. As you jority leader read from that article to immunity. That is controversial. mentioned in your remarks on the me a section that indicated that the And we have just got, as I told you, floor today, a timely, a targeted, and a work was in progress could keep on in the documentation last Friday that we temporary bill has to meet all of those progress for a long time. That was in have been asking for an opportunity to things. Timely and temporary both the New York Times on January 23. review to determine, A, the justifica- have to mean that we get this done in There was another paragraph that I tion for the action of the telecom com- a quick way. I am hoping that we can surmised at the time might be there, panies and the actions for which immu- work with our friends on the other side but was there, that said ‘‘There is nity is being sought. We think that is of the building and get that done. risk,’’ according to this assistant At- appropriate for us to know before we The other thing that we worked to- torney General Mr. Weinstein, act. gether on this week was to get an ex- Weinstein said, ‘‘the officials would not But in any event, I did inform, as I tension until the middle of February be able to use their broadened author- told you, the leader that we had acted, on the Foreign Intelligence Surveil- ity to identify and focus on new sus- and indicated to him I hope that they lance Act as it is currently in place, pects and would have to revert to the would act as soon as possible so that and has been since the first of August. more restrictive pre-August standards we could resolve this in conference. I am hopeful that we don’t run up to if they wanted to eavesdrop on some- Mr. BLUNT. I thank the gentleman the deadline again in this 15-day oppor- one.’’ for those views. I know that the major- tunity that we have. I am wondering if Those pre-August standards were, in ity is going to have their planning re- the gentleman has any thoughts as to my view, troublesome. I hope we don’t treat for the rest of this week. Hope- what we might be able to do even next revert to them, but we can’t put the fully our staff is already and will con- week on that bill. immunity issue off forever, and I am tinue to go through these documents I would yield. going to do everything I can, as I be- that we were concerned we hadn’t had, Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman lieve the majority leader is inclined to or the majority was concerned we for yielding. do as well, to encourage the Senate to hadn’t had earlier, and look at those. He and I share that concern, of move this process along so we can I would suggest that the penetrating course. As I indicated, and he well bring it to some conclusion. analysis in one paragraph probably knows, we passed a bill on November 16 I yield. doesn’t totally go away from the indi- of last year, which means that was 21⁄2 Mr. HOYER. I thank my friend for vidual who was given so much credit in months ago that we passed a bill. We yielding, and I do want to comment, the next paragraph. have been waiting for the Senate to because our perspectives are somewhat The only thing I would say about the pass a bill. They have two bills, as you different on the risks that would be FISA Court, I would really say two know: one out of their Intelligence created by failure to act or not have an things. I missed some of this debate Committee, one out of the Judiciary extension, so we would be operating, as today, as you might be able to tell, be- Committee. They have been unable to you pointed out, under the old FISA cause of another commitment I had to reach compromise. Two days ago, they statute. be off the floor as we were debating had votes on cloture and did not re- Very frankly, the good news is that this. ceive that, either for the extension or the backlog that confronted the court The FISA Court, I believe, in 1978 was for essentially the Intelligence bill. now no longer exists. created for domestic cases. That is As a result, we are very frankly in, as Secondly, as you know, under the old maybe an underlying difference here in you well know as well as anybody, we law, the 72-hour period in which the the way we view this. And the backlog are waiting on the Senate to pass a bill Government could take action and I would submit would develop again so that either our bill, we can send then get sanction of the court after the pretty quickly. It might not be a prob- that to the President; their bill, send it fact is in the law. lem for 2 days; it might not even be a

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.105 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H537 problem for a week. But that backlog Missouri, a Vice President and Presi- Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I want to of every case from all over the world dent, Margaret Truman grew up in pol- rise to follow up on the announcement that suddenly wound up going to the itics. She was a good friend, and I know that my good friend Mr. SKELTON from FISA Court because of changes in tech- others in this House who knew her con- Missouri just made. nology quickly gets the FISA Court to sidered her a friend as well. Of course, all Missourians are proud where a 72-hour problem is a big prob- Margaret was an accomplished of President Truman and his family. He lem because they just can’t deal with woman in her own right, but she also was a man of great humility. In fact, it. revered her father’s memory. In this one day recently in Washington I hap- I would yield. very Chamber in 1984 a Joint Session of pened to be driving by, on Connecticut Mr. HOYER. I would agree with that. Congress was convened to honor the Avenue, the small apartment that he I think we solved the technological 100th anniversary of President Tru- and Margaret and Mrs. Truman lived in problem in the bill we passed. Very man’s birth. As chairman of that when he was Vice President and for I frankly, the only problem that I think event, I worked with Margaret closely think the first 3 days of his Presidency. the administration would have with and was grateful for her participation Not the grandeur that anybody would our bill which we passed through the as a speaker. expect, but something that the Tru- House would be the immunity issue. I also had the honor of being with mans, a family who actually never The technological issue I think is ad- Margaret on the first day that the Tru- lived in a house that they owned for dressed by the blanket approval by the man Home in Independence, Missouri, most of Margaret Truman’s life, appre- court. Although the court has to ap- was opened to the public as a museum ciated. prove certain objects and processes, it in the National Park Service system. I I was just sharing with Mr. SKELTON does not, as you know, need to approve will never forget watching her sign the the memory of Margaret Truman when specific instances of intercepts or spe- guest book in her own home that day. we recommissioned the Battleship Mis- cific targets of intercept. Margaret Truman Daniel was a great souri when it went back into active So, from that standpoint, I think our American and, as an independent-mind- duty in 1985 or 1986, and I had the honor bill solved that problem. But our bill ed woman, was truly her father’s at the recommissioning dinner in San has not been enacted so the techno- daughter. Francisco to introduce Margaret Tru- logical issue of where the communica- I know my colleagues join me in ex- man, who had been the principal spon- tion now goes through a U.S. switch, pressing this body’s deepest condo- sor of the ship the first time when her that is the technological difference lences to the family of Margaret Tru- father was in the Senate. now, and then goes back out, that man Daniel, including her three sur- By that point in the evening, about needs to be addressed. It was addressed viving sons, Clifton, Harrison, and every speaker had pronounced the in our legislation, but the legislation Thomas. name of our State differently. Some needs to pass. said ‘‘Missouri,’’ some said ‘‘Missoura,’’ Mr. BLUNT. Well, I agree, and I in- f and I made a couple of comments about tend to work to see that it passes so PROVIDING RELIEF FOR AMERI- that. And Margaret Truman got up and this works in the best possible way. I CANS THROUGH THE ECONOMIC she said, ‘‘It is ‘Missoura.’ My father hope we take maximum advantage of STIMULUS PACKAGE always said ‘Missoura.’ My family al- this 15 or 16 days that we have now (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked ways said ‘Missoura.’ I was there when given ourselves to look at the informa- and was given permission to address this ship was commissioned. We com- tion to try to do what we can to see the House for 1 minute.) missioned it the ‘Battleship Missoura,’ that we come up with a permanent so- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. and that should settle it.’’ lution that deals with both the techno- Speaker, today on the floor of the But she was a lady that led an inter- logical questions and the question of House the Members had to address a esting life, the truly adored daughter immunity for people who may have number of crises that this Nation is of her father, and she saw politics the helped the government in a way that facing. It is interesting that we face way that very few people do. I appre- they now somehow could be held in delay and, if you will, obstruction on ciate her life and her family. legal limbo for until we have addressed many of the issues that the American f this. I hope we do, and I pledge myself people want us to be engaged in. to work with you and others to see I am hoping that the economic stim- HONORING SENATOR GWENDOLYN that we get that done. ulus package will move as quickly as BRITT f possible, and when it comes back in its (Mr. VAN HOLLEN asked and was DISPENSING WITH CALENDAR final form from the Senate and con- given permission to address the House WEDNESDAY BUSINESS ON ference, that we will be assured that for 1 minute and to revise and extend WEDNESDAY NEXT the individuals who are disabled and on his remarks.) Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, the Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Social Security also get a rebate, and civil rights movement was full of he- unanimous consent that the business that we have the sense of the Congress roes whose names we know and many in order under the Calendar Wednesday language that a moratorium should be whose names we will never know de- rule be dispensed with on Wednesday in place for all of those individuals sub- spite the depth of their sacrifice. next. ject to subprime loans or on the brink The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. of foreclosure and losing their homes. Just recently, this Nation remem- bered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., JOHNSON of Georgia). Is there objection We must forge a pathway for the finan- to the request of the gentleman from cial industry to begin to allow people whose good works are known to our Maryland? to reconstruct their loans. Nation and to the world. There was no objection. Lastly, we voted today to extend Today I am honored to remember and FISA. The bill that we passed out of celebrate the life of another extraor- f the Judiciary Committee under JOHN dinary civil rights leader who helped ANNOUNCING THE PASSING OF CONYERS’ leadership is a good bill. I stand up against injustice in our Na- MARGARET TRUMAN DANIEL voted reluctantly for the extension, tion. (Mr. SKELTON asked and was given but we must pass a bill that protects State Senator Gwendolyn Britt permission to address the House for 1 civil rights and protects the national passed away recently, but she left be- minute.) security of America. hind an extraordinary legacy. She first Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is f stood up against racial segregation not with great sadness that I announce to in Montgomery, Alabama, but in Mont- the House that Margaret Truman Dan- TRIBUTE TO THE LATE gomery County, Maryland, at Glen iel, the daughter of our 33rd President, MARGARET TRUMAN DANIEL Echo Park, just a 20-minute drive from Harry S. Truman, passed away today. (Mr. BLUNT asked and was given this Capitol. As the daughter of a Jackson County permission to address the House for 1 It was a hot summer evening in June judge, a United States Senator from minute.) 1960. Glen Echo Park was segregated at

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.106 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H538 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 the time, and Gwendolyn Britt, an Af- Gwen Britt never shied away from standing toward stimulating our economy. rican American, purchased a ticket to up for those who could not stand up for them- Speaker PELOSI deserves incredible ride on the carousel. She was arrested selves. She went about her life’s work with credit for negotiating the inclusion of a that day, and her case went to the Su- quiet dignity and humility, accomplishing so refundable tax rebate that will be de- preme Court of this country. It was the much for so many. Many who have benefited livered to anyone earning $3,000 or first of many brave acts in standing up from Senator Britt’s work never knew of her more and the inclusion of a $300 per- against injustice by Gwendolyn Britt, a courageous stands on behalf of justice and child rebate. Again, this is a good person who changed our community equality. Many never knew that this brave start. and changed our country. woman, this woman who rarely sought the Yet there are millions of Americans The civil rights movement was full of he- limelight, made such a profound difference in who will not benefit from this current roes, some whose names we all know, and so many lives. stimulus package because they do not many whose names we never learned despite Senator Gwen Britt was dedicated to doing file income taxes. Any American who the depth of their sacrifice. what was right. She serves as an inspiration has exhausted or will exhaust their un- Just recently we remembered Dr. Martin Lu- to us all to fight for what is right regardless of employment will not receive the help ther King, whose name and accomplishments the consequences. they need. States struggling with high- have become well known as part of our coun- Webster’s defines ‘‘courage’’ as mental or er health care costs will be forced to try’s history. And we know the story of Mrs. moral strength to venture, persevere, and balance their budgets on the backs of Rosa Parks, who showed courage when oth- withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. In Gwen low-income individuals because there ers were silent. Britt, this word is personified. is no Medicaid assistance included in Today, I am honored to remember and cele- My heartfelt condolences go to Travis Britt, this package. And most importantly, a brate the life of another extraordinary civil Gwen Britt’s devoted husband and partner, temporary extension of the food stamp rights leader, a woman who, like Dr. King and and to their two sons, Travis, Jr. and John. program is sorely missing from this Mrs. Parks, never sought credit for her ac- Our country thanks you for sharing your wife economic stimulus package. tions, but only sought to do what was right. and mother with us so that she could make a Experts across the political and ideo- She was only 18 years old when the world difference in our lives. logical spectrum agree that we must first met Gwendolyn Greene. It was a hot f develop a plan that helps the most vul- summer evening in June 1960 when Gwen- nerable people and households and that dolyn Greene, a student at Howard University b 1900 allows currency to flow. Former entered Glen Echo Park. At that time, blacks SPECIAL ORDERS Reagan economic adviser, Martin Feld- were not allowed to enter that amusement stein; former Clinton Treasury Sec- park. This park, incidentally, is within 20 min- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under retary, Lawrence Summers; the Con- utes of the floor on which I am speaking, just the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- gressional Budget Office; economists at outside the District of Columbia in Mont- uary 18, 2007, and under a previous Goldman Sachs; and the chief econo- gomery County, Maryland. order of the House, the following Mem- mist at Moodys.com all agree that food Ms. Greene joined a small group of young bers will be recognized for 5 minutes stamps give the biggest bang for the people at the gates of this popular local park, each. buck and should be part of an economic determined to introduce freedom and equality f stimulus. through desegregation to Montgomery County, ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE According to the Congressional Budg- Maryland. et Office: ‘‘The vast majority of food Gwen Greene chose to stand up. Despite The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a stamp benefits are spent extremely the fear these young people felt, despite all of previous order of the House, the gen- rapidly. And because food stamp recipi- the turmoil they knew would arise from their il- tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. ents have low income and few assets, legal action, they entered Glen Echo Park. MCGOVERN) is recognized for 5 minutes. most of any additional benefits would Gwen bought a ticket for the merry-go-round, Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, our probably be spent quickly.’’ and bravely and boldly sat upon a spotted economy is at a crossroads. Low- and Administrative costs of such an in- horse, refusing to move until arrested. middle-income families are struggling crease are negligible, meaning that the At that very moment, this young woman to make ends meet. Rising food, en- majority of this stimulus will go di- chose to effect change. She didn’t take the ergy, and housing prices combined with rectly into the economy. A 10 percent easy way out; she didn’t stick with what was slow job creation and lower wages are temporary increase in food stamps comfortable and safe. Not even after a trip to straining our economy. The Federal would result in an increase of almost 50 jail and the United States Supreme Court—not Reserve continues to act, but it is clear cents per day per person or $14 per even after again being arrested, this time in that Congress must enact a temporary, month in the food stamp benefit. That Jackson, Mississippi, and spending 40 days in targeted, and timely economic stim- may not seem like much, but an extra jail for refusing to leave a ‘‘whites-only’’ wait- ulus package. The American economy 50 cents a day can make the world of ing room at a train station—would she be dis- needs a quick stimulus, and low- and difference for someone struggling to suaded from taking her fight for equal rights middle-income Americans need swift feed themselves. around the Nation as a Freedom Rider. action as our economy works through More importantly, a temporary in- Gwen Greene later married, became Gwen these difficult times. crease in food stamp benefits would Britt, and the mother of two sons. She worked I rise to commend the bipartisan generate $1.73 in economic activity for for the telephone company for many years. leadership of Speaker PELOSI and Lead- every dollar in cost, and we know that But the effect of her action at Glen Echo and er BOEHNER who, along with President a temporary increase in food stamps as a Freedom Rider was not lost on her. As Bush, crafted an economic stimulus can be delivered quickly and will be she said many years later, ‘‘I became deter- package that will not only provide the spent right away. mined to do what I could to make a person’s assistance our economy needs, but also Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan eco- life better.’’ will provide a helping hand to the nomic stimulus package is not perfect. And, throughout her life, that’s what she American families currently struggling But as I said earlier, it is a good first tried to do, eventually culminating in her elec- with the slowing economy. step. The Senate has a chance to make tion to the Maryland State Senate in 2002. It is refreshing to see Republicans some improvements in this bill, most There, she quickly became a leader on issues and Democrats come together and put notably targeted and temporary in- that matter, such as education, health care, partisanship aside and develop this creases in food stamps and unemploy- and civil rights. As one of the State senators critical legislation together. The ment insurance. I, for one, hope the in my congressional district, I was pleased to American people should be proud of United States Senate acts responsibly work in partnership with her on issues and this effort, and I am pleased to have by including these important programs projects that benefited our constituents and supported this important first step ear- in their version of the stimulus pack- our State. At every meeting, I was inspired by lier today. age. the courtesy with which she treated everyone Mr. Speaker, while important, the It is critical that this stimulus pack- and the collaborative spirit she brought to stimulus package this House voted on age move quickly, but it is just as crit- every issue. today is simply a first step in the road ical that it include stimulus that jump-

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It is the right thing to do Every conflict and battle our Nation has ever State Department but by the State of for our economy, and it is the right faced can be traced to our commitment to this Texas through the Texas Department thing to do for the millions of low-in- core self-evident truth. It has made us the of Public Safety. come Americans who will not benefit beacon of hope for the entire world. It is who Mr. Speaker, I would like to read just from this stimulus package as it is cur- we are. a portion of this into the RECORD. Here rently written. And yet today, Mr. Speaker, in this body we is what it says. Texas Department of Public Safety dated today: ‘‘Due to the f fail to honor that commitment. We fail our sworn oath and our God-given responsibility increased rising level of violence in SUNSET MEMORIAL as we broke faith with nearly 4,000 innocent Mexico—which is attributed to drug The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a American babies who died without the protec- cartels, violent criminal organizations, previous order of the House, the gen- tion we should have been given them. and increased presence of military per- tleman from Arizona (Mr. FRANKS) is And so for them in this moment, Mr. Speak- sonnel in some Mexican border commu- recognized for 5 minutes. er, without yielding my time, I would invite nities—it is recommended that persons Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, be- anyone inclined to join me for a moment of si- be discouraged from traveling to Mexi- cause the end of the hour grows close, I lence on their behalf. can border towns, particularly those would now come before this body with a sun- Mr. Speaker, I believe that this discussion that have recently been scenes of gang- set memorial. We intend to repeat this from tonight presents this Congress and the Amer- related violent activity. These commu- time to time to chronicle the loss of life by ican people with two destiny questions. nities include Nuevo Laredo, Mata- abortion on demand in this country. The first that all of us must ask ourselves is moros, Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Miguel Mr. Speaker, it is January 29, 2008, in the very simple: Does abortion really kill a baby? Aleman, and Ciudad Juarez.’’ Mr. Speaker, you see, the Texas De- land of the free and the home of the brave, If the answer to that question is ‘‘yes,’’ there partment of Public Safety has issued and before the sun sets today in America, al- is a second destiny question that inevitably fol- an advisory for Americans: don’t go to most 4,000 more defenseless unborn children lows. And it is this, Mr. Speaker: Will we allow these border towns because of the vio- were killed by abortion on demand just today. ourselves to be dragged by those who have lence. And the reason the violence has Exactly 35 years today, the tragic judicial lost their way into a darkness where the light increased specifically has to do with fiat called Roe v. Wade was handed down. of human compassion has gone out and the what happened in Rio Bravo which is Since then, the very foundation of this Nation predatory survival of the fittest prevails over has been stained by the blood of almost 50 across the Rio Grande River from humanity? Or will America embrace her des- Texas. The Rio Bravo mayor last million children. Mr. Speaker, that is more than tiny to lead the world to cherish and honor the 16,000 times the number of innocent lives lost month was gunned down while leaving God-given miracle of each human life? a restaurant, along with two other on September 11. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that every Each of the 4,000 children that we lost politicians. The Mexican Government baby comes with a message, that God has not sent in troops to help quell the vio- today had at least four things in common. yet despaired of mankind. And I mourn that They were each just little babies who had lence. But 5 days ago, local police in those 4,000 messages sent to us today will several Mexican border towns, specifi- done nothing wrong to anyone. And each one never be heard. Mr. Speaker, I also have not of them died a nameless and lonely death. cally Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and yet despaired. Because tonight maybe some- Reynosa, were relieved of their duties And each of their mothers, whether she real- one new, maybe even someone in this Con- by the federal Government because of izes it immediately or not, will never be the gress, who heard this sunset memorial will fi- their alleged links to drug cartels, spe- same. And all the gifts that these children nally realize that abortion really does kill a cifically the gulf drug cartel. might have brought to humanity are now lost baby, that it hurts mothers more than anyone What that means, Mr. Speaker, now forever. else, and that nearly 50 million dead children on the Mexican border, bordering Mr. Speaker, those noble heroes lying in in America is enough. And that America is Texas, there are 6,000 Mexican troops frozen silence out in Arlington National Ceme- great enough to find a better way than abor- stationed there. They are stationed tery did not die so America could shred her tion on demand. from Matamoros to Miguel Aleman. own Constitution, as well as her own children, So tonight, Mr. Speaker, may we each re- Now, Matamoros is the border town by the millions. It seems that we are never mind ourselves that our own days in this sun- across from Brownsville, Texas. quite so eloquent as when we decry the geno- shine of life are numbered and that all too Brownsville is on the furthest eastern cidal crimes of past generations, those who al- soon each of us will walk from these Cham- tip of Texas. Brownsville is a big com- lowed their courts to strip the black man and bers for the very last time. munity, and across the river is Mata- the Jew of their constitutional personhood, and And if it should be that this Congress is al- moros. And Miguel Aleman is 100 miles then proceeded to murderously desecrate mil- lowed to convene on another day yet to come, upriver across the river from Roma, lions of these, God’s own children. may that be the day that we hear the cries of Texas. There is violence in these border Yet even in the full glare of such tragedy, the unborn at last. May that be the day we towns. this generation clings to blindness and invin- find the humanity, the courage, and the will to Many people don’t understand what a cible ignorance while history repeats itself and embrace together our human and our constitu- border town is. A border town is a town our own genocide mercilessly annihilates the tional duty to protect the least of these, our on the American border and has an- most helpless of all victims to date, those yet tiny American brothers and sisters, from this other town very similar to it on the unborn. murderous scourge upon our Nation called Mexican border. And both of these Perhaps it is important for those of us in this abortion on demand. towns, being border towns, border each Chamber to remind ourselves again of why we This is a sunset memorial, Mr. Speaker. It is other separated only by the border be- are really all here. January 29, 2008, in the land of free and the tween Mexico and the United States. Thomas Jefferson said, ‘‘The care of human home of the brave. The State Department has already life and its happiness and not its destruction is f issued a travel alert for Mexico because the chief and only object of good govern- of the violence that occurs there. But ment.’’ ALL IS NOT QUIET ON THE now the State of Texas finds a need to Mr. Speaker, protecting the lives of our in- SOUTHERN FRONT warn all citizens, especially law en- nocent citizens and their constitutional rights is The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a forcement officials, of the problems. why we are all here. It is our sworn oath. The previous order of the House, the gen- Mr. Speaker, the open-border crowd phrase in the 14th amendment capsulizes our tleman from Texas (Mr. POE) is recog- denies this violence occurs on our entire Constitution. It says: ‘‘No state shall de- nized for 5 minutes. southern front. I have been down to the prive any person of life, liberty, or property Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, Iran, Somalia, Texas-Mexico border now 13 times, and without due process of law.’’ Syria, Colombia, Afghanistan, and Iraq I have talked to the local people who

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Of two federal agents. The Los Zetas, an orga- ticularly those that have recently been course they say those things, in my nized cell of the Gulf Cartel, had previously scenes of violent gang-related activity. In opinion, because they want that open threatened the former mayor’s life and at- addition, there exists a possibility that Los border for that travel back and forth tempted a prior assassination, prompting the Zetas and Cartel members may cross the bor- between Mexico and the United States government to assign bodyguards. In re- der into Texas. Tactical operations, such as because of money, because of com- sponse to the assassination, the Mexican increased police patrols, should be initiated merce, because of that greed that so government immediately mobilized approxi- in high-profile and high-visibility areas— many people have; and they deny the mately 500 soldiers, federal police, and sup- such as points of entry and between points of port personnel in order to conduct entry—to discourage cross-border incursions. fact that the border needs to be secure. counterdrug operations in the state of If any contact is made with suspected Los We live in denial sometimes that Tamaulipas. The focus of the operation was Zetas or cartel members, an INT–7 form there is a border war that is existing. on the cities of Matamoros, Rio Bravo, and should be completed and forwarded to the It is a violent border war. It is a border Miguel Aleman, just south of Roma, Texas, Texas Intelligence Center. war between drug cartels and crimi- and Reynosa, Mexico. Law enforcement officials are encouraged nals, and many of those people don’t On Monday, January 7, 2008, members of to remain vigilant and report any suspicious just stay on the Mexican side. the Mexico Federal Preventive Police (PFP) incidents to the Texas Intelligence Center. When Sheriff Rick Flores was here in were patrolling Colonia Cuauhte´moc in Rio f Bravo when they observed a 2005 Chevrolet Congress and testified before Congress, Suburban occupied by heavily armed men. WHERE’S W? he is the sheriff in Webb County, The officers attempted a traffic stop that re- Texas, he said we are naive to believe The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a sulted in shots being fired at the officers previous order of the House, the gentle- that the border problem only will be on from the Suburban. A gun battle ensued, and the Mexican side. He is the sheriff in additional officers and a contingent of the woman from California (Ms. WOOLSEY) Laredo. Across the river is Nuevo La- Mexican army responded. Three gunmen is recognized for 5 minutes. redo. That is basically a ghost town were killed and ten others were arrested, in- Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, last now controlled by the drug cartels; and cluding three U.S. citizens, one of whom was night this House was host to the Presi- from Texas. those criminals, they will come to the dent for his final State of the Union ad- On January 23, 2008, local police in the bor- dress. Like all past Presidential American side as well. der cities of Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Sigi Gonzales, the sheriff in Zapata speeches in this Chamber, it was his- Reynosa, Mexico, were relieved of their du- toric. But this time it may have been County, he told me that the drug car- ties as army troops disarmed the officers and tels and the criminals, they have bet- searched for evidence that might show links historic because of what it did not ter equipment, they have more equip- to drug traffickers. Eleven men were ar- achieve and what it left unfinished. ment, they have better money, and rested by federal police in Nuevo Laredo, in- Forget all of the unfulfilled commit- they have more people involved in cluding four police officers, who were said to ments on education, health care, envi- be operatives for the Gulf Cartel. doing what they want to do than we ronmental conservation, employment, President Calderon has sent approximately energy efficiency, worker protections have in protecting the dignity of the 6,000 military troops and federal police to United States. and immigration. Let’s just look at the areas that extend from Matamoros—which is record on foreign policy. The state of And to illustrate how violent it is on across the border from Brownsville, Texas— the border, Mr. Speaker, I want to read westward to Miguel Aleman, which is across that union? Dismal. you one more portion of this report: the border from Roma, Texas. Mexican mili- Upon taking office in 2001, this ad- There currently exists a U.S. Depart- tary and federal police personnel have also ministration promised a new kind of ment of State travel alert for Mexico. been sent to the city of Jua´ rez. A similar op- international engagement, one based Fort Bliss officials announced Satur- eration was conducted last year in Tijuana on partnerships and regional alliances. when violence erupted there, with more than We didn’t exactly get what we bar- day that travel to Juarez has been de- 3,500 soldiers and federal officers sent to the clared off limits for U.S. military. gained for, unfortunately. And the re- city. cent administration tour through the In other words, Fort Bliss, the United Over the past weekend, a total of five peo- States Army, they can go to Iraq, they ple were either shot or beaten to death in Middle East just about summed it up. can go to Afghanistan, but they can’t separate incidents in Jua´ rez. This comes on Remember those children’s books, go to Juarez right across the river be- the heels of approximately 30 persons in ‘‘Where’s Waldo?’’ We had a case of cause it is too dangerous. Jua´ rez being murdered since the beginning of ‘‘Where’s W?’’ Let’s start our tour in Mr. Speaker, there is a border war the year, including 17 law enforcement per- Israel and the Palestinian-controlled sonnel, as well as the recent attempted as- lands. taking place on the southern border. sassination of a Chihuahua State Police All is not quiet on the southern border, After nearly two terms of ignoring Commander Fernando Lozano Sandoval. the real crisis in the region, the admin- and we need to understand that this is Commander Sandoval is currently hospital- a tremendous problem and our govern- ized in El Paso’s Thomason Hospital under istration tried to make a last-ditch ef- ment needs to get into action and pro- tight security. An alleged ‘‘hit list’’ of Mexi- fort at a peace agreement: first by tect Americans from this invasion. can law enforcement was also discovered hosting a summit, one that wasn’t ex- And that’s just the way it is. near Chihuahua state offices over the week- pected to achieve anything, and then end. by a visit to the region. No ideals were BORDER TRAVEL ADVISORY There currently exists a U.S. Department outlined, no real road map was SUMMARY of State travel alert for Mexico with a date sketched out. To be generous, it was a Due to the rising level of violence in Mex- to expire of April 15, 2008. Fort Bliss officials half-hearted effort. It greatly saddens ico—which is attributed to drug cartels, vio- also announced Saturday that travel to lent criminal organizations, and increased Jua´ rez has been declared off-limits for U.S. me, Mr. Speaker, that such an impor- presence of military personnel in some Mexi- military personnel. tant opportunity was squandered. The can border communities—it is recommended In addition to the travel advisory, law en- Israeli and Palestinian people deserve that persons be discouraged from traveling forcement officials should be aware of the more. They deserve a chance to at least to Mexican border towns, particularly those possibility that violent criminals and cartel hope for peace. that have recently been scenes of gang-re- members may seek to enter Texas in an at- Next stop on the Where’s W? trip, Ku- lated violent activity. These communities tempt to escape Mexican military and law wait and Bahrain. In Bahrain, the po- include Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Reynosa, enforcement operations. As some persons litical opposition faces arrest, tor- Rio Bravo, Miguel Aleman, and Ciudad seek refuge in Texas, their enemies may plan Jua´ rez. The increased levels of violence in to conduct raids or hits on them here. The turers are granted immunity, and a recent weeks and potential for additional vi- most significant violent criminals in the re- woman must go before family, not civil olence suggest that an advisory against trav- gion are members of the Gulf Cartel or their courts, family to fight back against vi- eling to these communities is warranted. violent enforcers, Los Zetas. olence and abuse.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.111 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H541 In Kuwait, the world saw how Ku- CONGRATULATING THE RICHLAND tleman from Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS) waiti justice is carried out when al- SPRINGS COYOTES SIX-MAN is recognized for 5 minutes. Azmi was hanged inside the Interior FOOTBALL TEAM ON THEIR (Mr. CUMMINGS addressed the Ministry complex in Kuwait City on STATE AND NATIONAL CHAM- House. His remarks will appear here- December 21. PIONSHIPS after in the Extensions of Remarks.) Next stop, the United Arab Emirates. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a f This is the land where noncitizens are previous order of the House, the gen- a subclass of people. They have very tleman from Texas (Mr. CONAWAY) is SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS few rights. They face huge obstacles recognized for 5 minutes. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a and discrimination. Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise previous order of the House, the gentle- Oh, and another thing, women can’t today to congratulate the students and woman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) is rec- families of the Richland Springs Coy- pass on citizenship to their children ognized for 5 minutes. ote football team for winning the 2007 unless their husband is a citizen. What Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, the re- does that mean? It often means insur- Texas Division I Six-Man Football Championship and the Six-Man Illus- cent shocks to the global economy and mountable barriers to education and U.S. financial institutions have re- employment. trated National Championship poll. Six-man football has been a part of vealed a major new source of invest- Now we are on the home stretch. ment in the U.S. economy called Sov- Where in the world is W? Texas history for almost 70 years, and today there are over 160 public and pri- ereign Wealth Funds. These funds are vate schools fielding teams. For many the surplus savings of our trading com- b 1915 small towns in Texas’ 11th Congres- petitors from foreign countries and Saudi Arabia. The country with the sional District, six-man football is sim- have been key in bailing out major choke hold on international energy ply a way of life. It is no different in U.S. corporations like CitiGroup, Mer- markets, the homeland of the majority Richland Springs, where the Coyotes rill Lynch, Blackstone, and so many of the 9/11 terrorists, the land where carry on the best traditions of Texas others that have made terrible deci- women cannot legally drive a car yet. football every fall weekend. sions and played with the people’s Sure, there is a proposal on the table Before a crowd of 5,000 cheering fans money to abandon. Three billion dol- to give women this right, but I in San Angelo’s Bobcat Stadium, the lars was invested by the Chinese, for wouldn’t hold my breath. Coyotes played the Rule Bobcats in a example, just in the Blackstone Group. rematch of last year’s championship. It Put into perspective, the Chinese How did the United States President was an exciting game that was close Government, and I underline ‘‘govern- clearly demand the rights of all Saudi through the first three quarters, but in ment,’’ is projected to have more than people? By walking hand in hand with the end the Coyotes simply outran the $3 trillion by 2010 that can be used to members of the Saudi royal family. Bobcats and won the game 98–54. buy our stocks, bonds, real estate, and That sounds like a strange negotiating Throughout their 2007 campaign, the entire corporations. They’re just get- tactic to me. Coyotes went a perfect 14–0 and ting started. Put into context, the Gov- And the final stop on this regional outscored their opponents 1,015–225. ernment of China will soon have tour, Egypt. Let’s just look at what This victory secured the Coyotes enough investment monies to buy 51 Amnesty International has to say their third State championship in 4 percent; that is absolute control of about Egypt. We have longstanding years and cemented their reputation as more than 40 percent of all the U.S.- concerns on systematic torture, deaths the Nation’s best six-man football based corporations whose stock is list- of prisoners in custody, unfair trials, team. With this national champion- ed on the New York Stock Exchange. arrests of prisoners of conscience for ship, they become only one of two Think about that. The Government of their political and religious beliefs or teams to have earned three national China literally could buy half of all the for their sexual orientation, wide use of championships. During this run, the stock listed on the New York Stock administrative detention and long- Coyotes have gone an unbelievable 56– Exchange. And that’s only China. term detention without trial, and use 1. Many people in this Nation and in of the death penalty. As I look ahead to next summer, the this Congress would strongly oppose This, Mr. Speaker, was a tour of Coyotes will lose five seniors. I wish the 29 returning students the best of having the United States Government wasted opportunity and flagrant dis- buy control of two out of every five regard for the most basic human luck in continuing the outstanding success that the Richland Springs six- companies listed there. It would be rights. called socialism. But how will we react So what will the President’s legacy man football team has achieved. I’d like to commend Coach Burkhart, if the Chinese Government buys those be in the Middle East? What is the Coach Ethridge, Coach Dodson and same companies, which is, my friends, state of that union? Not good. Not good Coach Rogers for their hard work in underway? at all. preparing, training, and coaching their Already we see China, Kuwait, Nor- We have a seemingly endless occupa- teams to the championship. way, and other nations buying major tion of Iraq destabilizing the region. Finally, I’d like to extend my per- stakes in our banks and in investment Osama bin Laden is still missing. We sonal congratulations to Mark Wil- houses, institutions that exert enor- have the rise of the Taliban in Afghani- liams, Haustin Burkhart, Stephen mous political and economic influence stan. Fowler, Neil McMillan, Shelby Smith, in our Nation and world. Can we trust Opportunity after opportunity for re- Joe Tomlinson, Nigel Bates, Mitchell that those investments are purely for gional stability has been squandered Jacobson, Andrew Fowler, Tyler economic returns? and our standing in the region is em- Etheridge, Riche Daniels, Brennen Secretary of the Treasury Paulson barrassingly low. But know this: This McGinty, Elbert Thomas, Khalid has repeatedly stated that this admin- Congress will continue to demand an Khatib, Patrick Couch, Randy Couch, istration has no interest in knowing end to the occupation of Iraq and a re- Daniel Barrett, Tommy Hollon, Abra- the details of such investments by sov- turn to sensible and sustainable poli- ham Ahumada, Branch Vancourt, Ste- ereign wealth funds. The present panic cies in the Middle East. We will not phen Thornhill, Franky Soto, C.J. in our banks and financial institutions stand by while the clock runs out on Finke, Dean King, David Greenwood, to secure capital to offset their mort- this administration. and Ryan Soto for winning both of gage and credit card debacles may in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a their 2007 championships. These young duce the heads of those corporations to previous order of the House, the gen- men have proven themselves to be good take bailouts on virtually any terms. tleman from California (Mr. ROHR- sportsmen, able competitors and fine But we must be wiser. A head-in-the- ABACHER) is recognized for 5 minutes. athletes. sand ostrich policy by the United (Mr. ROHRABACHER addressed the f States Government is simply not ac- House. His remarks will appear here- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ceptable. Indeed, it is reckless, and it after in the Extensions of Remarks.) previous order of the House, the gen- threatens national security.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.112 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H542 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 At a minimum, Congress and the And also I wish to place in the One new authority in the order is a provi- American people need to know the de- RECORD and will end, Mr. Speaker, with sion strengthening so-called ‘‘mitigation tails of those transactions. Thus, for- a January 25 Wall Street Journal arti- agreements’’ between companies. The agree- eign governments investing in U.S. ments are designed to reduce the national se- cle, ‘‘Lobbyists Smoothed the Way for curity risks as a condition for committee or companies through these funds should a Spate of Foreign Deals,’’ which goes presidential approval. be required to make public their activi- into heavy analysis of the $37 billion of The order states that companies involved ties here, just as we require of public stakes in Wall Street financial institu- in a U.S.-foreign transaction ‘‘in extraor- companies in the United States. Sun- tions, the bedrock of our financial sys- dinary circumstances’’ can be required to shine, as always, is good public policy. tem, by selling these growing sovereign state they will comply with a mitigation And if disclosure turns away invest- wealth funds. agreement. ment, then the obvious question is CFIUS currently is reviewing a proposed [From the Washington Times, Jan. 24, 2008] merger between the telecommunications what was the real goal of those funds. TREASURY GETS NEW CFIUS AUTHORITY equipment manufacturer 3Com and China’s Simultaneously, Congress needs to (By Bill Gertz) Huawei Technology, a company linked in the seriously consider whether limits President Bush yesterday signed a new ex- past to illegal international activities, in- should be placed on foreign invest- ecutive order on foreign investment that cluding violations of U.N. sanctions on Iraq ments in critical U.S. industries. Ger- gives the Treasury secretary, instead of the and industrial espionage against U.S. and many, Japan, Korea, and China all do. president, key power to authorize or reject Japanese firms. U.S. officials said a review by the DNI’s of- They understand that foreign economic purchases of U.S. companies by foreign buy- fice determined the Huawei purchase, control brings with it foreign political ers. The president said the order bolsters re- through the Boston-based Bain Capital Part- involvement in internal affairs. ners, would undermine U.S. national secu- In sum, sovereign wealth funds are a cently passed legislation by ensuring the Treasury-led Committee on Foreign Invest- rity. large and growing influence in the 3Com manufacturers computer intrusion- ment in the United States (CFIUS) ‘‘will re- global economy and inside the United detection equipment used by the Pentagon, view carefully the national security con- whose networks are a frequent target of Chi- States. They have the potential to buy cerns, if any, raised by certain foreign in- absolute control of a significant por- nese military computer attacks. vestments into the United States.’’ Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. tion of the United States’ economy, At the same time, Mr. Bush said, the order recused himself from CFIUS’ 3Com-Huawei and that is under way. For the present, recognizes ‘‘that our openness is vital to our review because his former company, Gold- prosperity and security.’’ we need full disclosure about their U.S. man Sachs, is a paid adviser to 3Com. holdings and intentions. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Simultaneously, we need to quickly Chertoff said his agency is ‘‘happy with the [From the Wall Street Journal, Jan. 25, 2008] and seriously think about what limits final order.’’ ‘‘I think it creates a process that will LOBBYISTS SMOOTHED THE WAY FOR A SPATE and controls the American people, achieve the dual objectives of promoting in- OF FOREIGN DEALS through their government, should vestment but making sure we don’t com- (By Bob Davis and Dennis K. Berman) place on such investments. promise our national security,’’ Mr. Chertoff WASHINGTON.—Two years ago, the U.S. Strangely, last week, President Bush said from Switzerland. Congress pressured the Arab emirate of signed an executive order transferring The legislation and order are a result of a Dubai to back out of a deal to manage U.S. his power to the Treasury Department bid in 2006 by United Arabs Emirates-based ports. Today, governments in the Persian to authorize or reject such foreign Dubai Ports World to take over operation of Gulf, China and Singapore have snapped up takeovers of American companies. But six U.S. ports. $37 billion of stakes in Wall Street, the bed- officials from the Department of De- CFIUS approved the purchase but it later rock of the U.S. financial system. Law- was canceled under pressure from Congress makers and the White House are welcoming fense, Department of Justice, and De- over concerns that terrorists might infil- the cash, and there is hardly a peep from the partment of Homeland Security ob- trate U.S. ports through the company. Crit- public. jected to the order over the past few ics questioned the deal because two of the This is no accident. The warm reception months saying it served business inter- September 11, 2001, hijackers were UAE na- reflects millions of dollars in shrewd lob- ests over national security interests. It tionals, and the Persian Gulf state was used bying by both overseas governments and allows Wall Street to gain an edge at as a financial base for al Qaeda. their Wall Street targets—aided by Wash- the expense of national security. This Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, New York Demo- ington veterans from both parties, including Congress should not allow that. Eco- crat and a key sponsor of the CFIUS-reform big-time Republican fund-raiser and lobbyist law, called the new order a positive step. Wayne Berman. Also easing the way: The in- nomic and national security should go ‘‘I remain confident that the Treasury De- vestments have been carefully designed to hand in hand. We cannot allow lax reg- partment intends to follow the law as I avoid triggering close U.S. government over- ulation of foreign involvement in our wrote it, and have received assurances that sight. economy, and we cannot allow our in- the department is already adhering to the Clearly, U.S. financial firms that have debtedness to foreign interests to con- new reforms,’’ she said. been deeply weakened by the credit crisis, tinue to mount. The order outlines more clearly the role of including Citigroup Inc. and Merrill Lynch & I would like to place two articles in the director of national intelligence (DNI) in Co., need the cash. Meanwhile, investment the RECORD tonight, one from the providing CFIUS with threat assessments pools funded by foreign governments, called Washington Times on January 24, enti- posed by a foreign purchase and adds a re- sovereign-wealth funds, have trillions to in- quirement for the DNI to assess ‘‘potential vest. Some American politicians, though sus- tled, ‘‘Treasury Gets New CFIUS Au- consequences’’ of a foreign deal involving a picious of foreign governments, deem it sui- thority.’’ U.S. company. cidal to oppose aid to battered financial This is the entity at Treasury that However, a comparison of the new order companies. reviews these deals. And it talks about with a draft order from October—which was ‘‘What would the average American say if how CFIUS is reviewing a proposed opposed by U.S. national security officials— Citigroup is faced with the choice of 10,000 merger between the telecommuni- shows that CFIUS will continue to be domi- layoffs or more foreign investments?’’ asks cations equipment manufacturer 3Com nated by pro-business elements of the gov- New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, and China’s Huawei Technology Cor- ernment. who played a central role in killing the poration, a company linked in the past As late as last month, national security of- Dubai port deal but has applauded recent for- ficials from the Homeland Security, Justice eign investment. to illegal international activities in- and Defense departments expressed concern But by making investment by foreign gov- cluding violations of U.N. sanctions on the order was being co-opted by pro-business ernments seem routine, Washington may be Iraq and industrial espionage against officials at Treasury, Commerce and other ushering in a fundamental change to the the United States and Japanese firms. trade agencies. U.S. economy without assessing the longer- The Boston-based Bain Capital Part- A memorandum from the three national term implications. Some economists warn ners would undermine U.S. national se- security agencies obtained by The Wash- that the stakes could provide autocratic gov- curity, and this is one of the groups ington Times called for tightening the draft ernments an important say in how U.S. com- that’s handling this. order’s national security provisions to ‘‘ac- panies do business, or give them access to curately reflect pro-security interests.’’ sensitive information or technology. Those Interestingly, Treasury Secretary The final order released by the White familiar with the deals’ governmental review Henry Paulson recused himself from House yesterday removed a provision that processes say military officials worry that a this particular review because his would have required the committee to ‘‘mon- foreign government, especially China, may former company, Goldman Sachs, is a itor the effects of foreign investment in the be able to coax an executive into turning paid advisor to 3Com. United States.’’ over secrets.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.115 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H543 Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence ment funds from South Korea and Kuwait, for Responsive Politics. Banks and securities Summers counsels caution. ‘‘There should be say people involved with negotiations. firms are also the largest industry contribu- a very strong presumption in favor of allow- A senior official at China Investment tors to members of the Senate Banking Com- ing willing buyers to take noncontrolling Corp., which has about $200 billion in assets mittee and House Financial Services Com- stakes in companies,’’ Mr. Summers says. including a $3 billion stake in private-equity mittee, which can review investments in ‘‘However, it’s imaginable that government- firm Blackstone Group LP, says it doesn’t Wall Street firms. Sen. Schumer is a member related entities [investing in the U.S.] will want to play an active role in corporate gov- of the Senate Banking Committee. be motivated to strengthen their national ernance. ‘‘We don’t even want to take the Wall Street and the U.A.E. thought they economies, make political points, reward or kind of stand of someone like Calpers,’’ had turned the corner by spring 2007 when punish competitors or suppliers, or extract which is the California state pension fund, another Dubai-owned company, Dubai Aero- know-how.’’ the official said. ‘‘We don’t have enough peo- space Enterprise Ltd., bought two firms that Sovereign-wealth funds, meanwhile, con- ple, and we can’t send directors out to watch owned small U.S. airports and maintenance tinue to seek opportunities. Thursday at the companies. facilities that serviced some navy transport- World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzer- Behind Washington’s acceptance of large- plane engines. The Dubai firm pledged to land, Qatar’s prime minister said the oil-rich scale foreign investments lies a well-funded submit to government security reviews and sheikdom’s investment arm wants to invest lobbying campaign, spurred when Congress submit its employees for security screening. $15 billion in European and U.S. banks. objected to government-owned Dubai Ports It also thoroughly briefed lawmakers on the ‘‘We’re looking at buying stakes in 10 or 12 World’s investment in a U.S. port operator. deal. It ran into no obstacles on Capital Hill. blue-chip banks,’’ Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem The United Arab Emirates—a federation of ‘‘I call the strategy, ‘wearing your under- Al Thani told Zawya Dow Jones. ‘‘But we seven ministates including Dubai and Abu wear on the outside,’’’ says one of Dubai will start small.’’ Dhabi—was seared by the accusation that an Aerospace’s Washington lobbyists, Joel In nearly every case, American financial Arab government-owned company couldn’t Johnson, a former Clinton White House com- companies are escaping detailed U.S. govern- be trusted to protect U.S. ports against ter- munications adviser. ‘‘We have to show ev- ment review by limiting the size of stakes rorists. Last year, the U.A.E. launched a erybody everything—no secrets, no sur- they sell to government investment funds. three-year, $15 million Washington lobbying prises.’’ The multiagency Committee on Foreign In- campaign, the U.S.-Emirates Alliance, to The deal that provided a blueprint for the vestment in the U.S., led by the U.S. Treas- burnish its reputation. current wave of foreign investments was Chi- ury, can recommend that the president block The alliance, headed by former Hillary na’s $3 billion stake in Blackstone Group’s foreign acquisitions on national-security Clinton campaign aide Richard Mintz, re- initial public offering, announced last May. grounds. Congress also can block deals by cruited about two dozen businesses to form a In helping to gain congressional approval for pressuring companies or by passing legisla- support group. It contributed $140,000 to a the deal, lobbyist Mr. Berman emerged as a tion. prominent Washington think tank, the Cen- key strategist. Under CFIUS rules, a passive stake—one in ter for Strategic and International Studies, Mr. Berman, a Commerce Department offi- which investors don’t seek to influence a to start a ‘‘Gulf Roundtable’’ discussion se- cial in the administration of George H.W. company’s behavior—is presumed not to pose ries. It also forged alliances with prominent Bush, has been one of the Republican Party’s national-security problems. Neither is a Jewish groups by persuading the U.A.E. to most adept fund-raisers, bringing in more small voting stake, usually of less than 10%. clear the way for U.S. travelers whose pass- than $100,000 for President George W. Bush in 2000 and more than $300,000 in 2004. Mr. Ber- During the recent string of deals, financial ports had Israeli visas; such travelers some- man cultivates a range of contacts with companies whose investments have met times had been turned away by U.A.E. cus- salon-style dinners at his home with his those requirements have notified CFIUS and toms agents, Jewish groups said. wife, Lea, who was Laura Bush’s social sec- haven’t had to go through 30-day initial re- Such openness has it limits, though. In retary. He is now a fund-raiser for Sen. John views. June 2007, the Abu Dhabi Investment Au- A backlash could still develop if the funds thority, the world’s largest sovereign-wealth McCain’s presidential bid. Blackstone asked Mr. Berman, a longtime throw their weight around in U.S. compa- fund, with an estimated $875 billion in assets, lobbyist for companies in the financial in- nies. The government reserves the right to hired public-relations firm Burson- dustry, to help smooth the way in Congress examine an investment even after the deal Marsteller for $800,000 for an initial eight- for China to buy a piece of the private-equity closes. month contract to improve communications. firm. A minority stake made sense to both When the U.S. economy was riding high in But it still has no press department or press sides: Blackstone wanted to boost its pres- 2004, sovereign money was sometimes kits. It forbids its Washington representa- ence in China. China, which was in the proc- shunned. Dubai’s Istithmar investment fund tive, James Lake, to talk to the media. ess of setting up China Investment Corp., was viewed warily in New York when it went Even as the Dubai port controversy wanted to show it could become a trusted in- hunting for real estate. In part, that is be- spurred sovereign investors to engage in a vestor in top U.S. firms. cause sellers worried that Istithmar’s gov- charm offensive, it led lawmakers to re-ex- Mr. Berman pointed out that offering a ernment ownership would lend the company amine laws governing the Committee on For- board seat, or a stake of more than 10%, sovereign immunity, insulating it from law- eign Investment in the U.S. Some proposed would invite government review. Ultimately, suits if it reneged on a contract. (As a com- to vastly expand the definition of invest- the two sides agreed on a stake of as much as mercial arm of the government, it wouldn’t ments that could pose a threat to national 9.9% and passive investment. ‘‘Our intention have been immune.) security. Both foreign firms and U.S. banks was not to arouse too much sensation in any Now Wall Street is thirsting for new cap- lobbied fiercely in response, pressing to keep way,’’ says the senior China Investment ital, preferably in huge amounts and deliver- the reviews narrow enough to encourage for- Corp. executive. able at a moment’s notice. Sovereign-wealth eign investment. Mr. Berman says the goal wasn’t to get funds look like an oasis. These government- Their lobbying largely succeeded. The Fi- around the rules but to work within them. funded pools have about $2.8 trillion in as- nancial Services Forum, which represents ‘‘Policy considerations didn’t drive the spe- sets, which Morgan Stanley estimates could the 20 largest U.S. financial firms, focused on cifics of the deal,’’ says Mr. Berman. ‘‘Policy grow to $12 trillion by 2015 as Middle Eastern Sen. Schumer, a frequent Wall Street ally. In considerations informed the deal.’’ funds bulk up on oil receipts and Asian ones one April 2006 session, a dozen CEOs, includ- Blackstone executives briefed several expand from trade surpluses. ing then-Goldman Sachs CEO Henry dozen lawmakers, with the firm’s chief exec- ‘‘You can’t have a $9 trillion debt and huge Paulson, who is now U.S. Treasury Sec- utive, Stephen Schwarzman, sitting in on trade deficit and not expect at some point retary, told the senator about the impor- some sessions. Stiff opposition came from you’ll have to square accounts,’’ says David tance of open investment. A participant says Sen. James Webb, a first-term Virginia Dem- Rubenstein, CEO of Washington-based pri- Sen. Schumer described the Dubai port con- ocrat. Sen. Webb wrote a novel published in vate-equity firm Carlyle Group. Foreign sav- troversy as an ‘‘anomaly.’’ Since then, ex- 1991, ‘‘Something to Die For,’’ in which ings have to go somewhere, he says: ‘‘Better ecutives from top financial firms have con- Japan uses its financial muscle to gain influ- that it come to the U.S. than anywhere sulted with Sen. Schumer when foreign firms ence in Washington. The senator worries Bei- else.’’ (An Abu Dhabi fund, Mubadala Devel- seek to buy stakes and regularly win his en- jing could do the same. opment Corp., has a 7.5% stake in Carlyle.) dorsement. Mr. Webb wanted the China investment As the U.S. financial crisis deepened over Sen. Schumer says the executives assure deal delayed so regulators could examine the summer, sovereign-wealth funds became him that foreign investors will have ‘‘not whether Blackstone’s stake in a semicon- a favorite of capital-short Wall Street firms. just virtually no control, but virtually no in- ductor company posed national-security That is because state funds presumably have fluence.’’ problems. One of Mr. Berman’s partners an incentive to be passive investors, to avoid Compared with the ports industry, the fi- pointed out that the firm produced off-the- raising objections to their stakes. Domestic nancial sector speaks with an outsize mega- shelf chips. Sen. Webb withdrew his objec- investors, on the other hand, might demand phone in Congress. In the 2006 election cycle, tions to the deal, though he remains skep- a bigger say or board seats for a similar-size commercial banks and securities firms, and tical of sovereign investors. stake. As it sought its most recent cash infu- their employees, contributed $96.3 million to Mr. Berman’s firm, Ogilvy Government Re- sion of $6.6 billion, Merrill Lynch turned congressional campaigns—32 times as much lations, a unit of WPP Group PLC, billed away possible investments from U.S. hedge as the sea-transport industry, which includes Blackstone $3.9 million in 2007 for the work funds in favor of investments from govern- ports, according to the nonpartisan Center on the investment, tax and other issues.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.087 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Other deals followed, similarly structured tleman from Georgia (Mr. GINGREY) is others, love of family, love of country to avoid raising congressional uproar. Two recognized for 5 minutes. but, most important, love of God. other Berman clients, Carlyle Group and Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I would These are not only excellent principles Citigroup, negotiated investments with sov- like to take time this evening to ad- ereign-wealth funds—both marked by passive for rearing children, Mr. Speaker, but stakes and no board seats—and faced no re- dress the House of Representatives re- also a good recipe for the initiatives we sistance. Mr. Berman says he didn’t lead garding a very important person, some- continue to work on here in the 110th strategizing in either deal. one who has meant so much to me Congress. Citigroup and Merrill Lynch, in their most throughout my life. My mother, Ms. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge the recent round of capital-raising, included U.S. Helen Gingrey, turns 90 years old Feb- House to use the examples of Helen investors, including New Jersey’s Division of ruary 8, 2008. Investment, giving politicians even more Cecelia Gannon Gingrey and all won- reason to support the deals. ‘‘The princi- Mr. Speaker, I know that you and derful mothers like her to set an agen- pality of New Jersey’’ is now buying stakes Members of the House of Representa- da that emphasizes and supports our in Citigroup and Merrill Lynch, jokes Demo- tives will want to join me tonight in Nation’s greatest treasure, the Amer- cratic Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, saying ‘‘Happy 90th birthday, Mom.’’ ican family. who heads the House Financial Services It’s important in this day and age for f Committee. children to grow up in a strong family Other sovereign-wealth funds have turned environment like the one that my par- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a to Washington experts for advice. Former previous order of the House, the gen- New York Fed Chairman William ents provided for me. And I would hope that throughout my tenure here rep- tleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is McDonough, a vice chairman of Merrill recognized for 5 minutes. Lynch, is also a member of the international resenting the 11th Congressional Dis- board of advisers of Temasek Holdings Pte. trict of Georgia that I’ll always be (Mr. DEFAZIO addressed the House. Ltd. of Singapore. Temasek has stakes in aware of how my actions will affect the His remarks will appear hereafter in Merrill Lynch as well as British banks American families who are, after all, the Extensions of Remarks.) Barclays PLC and Standard Chartered PLC. f Former Senate Banking Committee Chair- the backbone of this Nation. man Phil Gramm, now an adviser to Sen. My mother has had a great life, and STATUS REPORT ON CURRENT McCain, is vice chairman of investment she’s been a blessing to both her com- LEVELS OF ON-BUDGET SPEND- banking at UBS AG of Switzerland, which munity and to her family. She is the ING AND REVENUES FOR FISCAL sold a stake to another Singapore govern- daughter of Irish and Scotch immi- YEARS 2007 AND 2008 AND THE 5- ment investment fund. He says he talks reg- grants, John Gannon and Ellen Heron. ularly with sovereign-wealth funds who seek YEAR PERIOD FY 2008 THROUGH She was born in New York City in 1918, FY 2012 his advice on dealing with Washington. where she grew up with her three sis- U.S. financial firms say the welcoming at- ters, Peggy, Mary and Catherine, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a titude of the U.S. Treasury has also helped. previous order of the House, the gen- Essentially, the Treasury and other industri- brother, Dan. Raised in Manhattan, she alized nations have subcontracted some of met and, after a 10-month courtship, tleman from South Carolina (Mr. the most difficult questions concerning sov- she married my dad when she was 20 SPRATT) is recognized for 5 minutes. ereign-wealth funds to the International years old. Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I am transmitting Monetary Fund. In particular, the IMF is James Franklin Gingrey was a native a status report on the current levels of on- trying to persuade the funds to adopt vol- of Aiken County, South Carolina. He budget spending and revenues for fiscal years untary codes to act for commercial, rather 2007 and 2008 and for the 5-year period of than political, reasons. and his two brothers and a sister, Presidential candidates have widely ig- struggled in childhood after their fiscal years 2008 through 2012. This report is nored sovereign-wealth funds’ investments. mother died in childbirth at age 25. necessary to facilitate the application of sec- Democrat Hillary Clinton, alone among top Dad came to New York at age 16 and tions 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budg- contenders for the White House, has ad- near poverty with little means of sup- et Act and sections 204, 206, and 207 of S. dressed their downsides. ‘‘Globalization was port. God did not bless him with mate- Con. Res. 21, the Concurrent Resolution on supposed to mean declining state owner- the Budget for Fiscal Year 2008. ship,’’ she said in an interview. ‘‘But these rial things, but allowed him, by pure sovereign-wealth funds point in the opposite chance, to meet the love of his life, The term ‘‘current level’’ refers to the direction.’’ She wants to go beyond the IMF Helen Cecelia Gannon, my mom. amounts of spending and revenues estimated efforts and look into a ‘‘regulatory frame- Jimmy and Helen became husband and for each fiscal year based on laws enacted or work’’ for the investments. wife in 1938, and they remained to- awaiting the President’s signature. Banking Committee Chairman Christopher gether for 44 years until his death. The first table in the report compares the Dodd said on Wednesday that his committee current levels of total budget authority, outlays, would be ‘‘examining’’ sovereign-wealth-fund After Dad finished high school in the investments. So far, the only congressional New York City Night program, my par- and revenues with the aggregate levels set by hearing on the funds was held by Indiana ents, with a 1-year-old son, William, S. Con. Res. 21. This comparison is needed Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh. ‘‘No one wants Bill, my brother, moved back to South to enforce section 311(a) of the Budget Act, to rock the boat,’’ Sen. Bayh says, because Carolina and settled in Edgefield. Soon which creates a point of order against meas- flagship financial institutions need the cash. the family unit grew to five, as my ures that would breach the budget resolution’s Still, he is skeptical of the sovereign aggregate levels. money. ‘‘If you had unfettered U.S. govern- brother James and I were born in near- ment investments in markets, you’d have by Augusta, Georgia. The second table compares the current lev- people throwing around words like social- My dad left this world 28 years ago els of discretionary appropriations for fiscal ism,’’ says Sen. Bayh. ‘‘With foreign govern- having worked side by side with my year 2008 with the ‘‘section 302(b)’’ suballoca- ment investments, the silence is deafening mom in a number of labor-intensive tions of discretionary budget authority and out- on all sides.’’ small businesses. These included, Mr. lays among Appropriations subcommittees. f Speaker, a used car lot, a curb service The comparison is needed to enforce section The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a drive-in restaurant, a package shop, 302(f) of the Budget Act because the point of previous order of the House, the gen- and finally a ‘‘Mom and Pop’’ motel. order under that section applies to measures tleman from North Carolina (Mr. They never had a chance to attend col- that would breach the applicable section JONES) is recognized for 5 minutes. lege, but by the sweat of their brow, 302(b) suballocation. (Mr. JONES of North Carolina ad- they gave that opportunity to their The third table compares the current levels dressed the House. His remarks will ap- three sons. To my knowledge, there of budget authority and outlays for each au- pear hereafter in the Extensions of Re- were no welfare checks, food stamps or thorizing committee with the ‘‘section 302(a)’’ marks.) Medicaid program to lighten their allocations made under S. Con. Res. 21 for f load. fiscal years 2007 and 2008 and fiscal years b 1930 Mr. Speaker, as I honor my mother 2008 through 2012. This comparison is need- today, I want to thank her for a loving ed to enforce section 302(f) of the Budget Act, HONORING HELEN GANNON parenthood and for instilling in my which creates a point of order against meas- GINGREY ON HER 90TH BIRTHDAY brothers and me the principles of hard ures that would breach the section 302(a) allo- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a work, good education, personal respon- cation of new budget authority for the com- previous order of the House, the gen- sibility, respect for the diversity of mittee that reported the measure.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.089 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H545 The fourth table gives the current level for REPORT TO THE SPEAKER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON THE $21,615 million (if not already included in the fiscal years 2009 and 2010 for accounts iden- BUDGET—STATUS OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 CON- current level estimate) would cause FY 2008 tified for advance appropriations under section GRESSIONAL BUDGET ADOPTED IN SENATE CONCUR- budget authority to exceed the appropriate 206 of S. Con. Res. 21. This list is needed to RENT RESOLUTION 21—Continued level set by S. Con. Res. 21. enforce section 206 of the budget resolution, [Reflecting action completed as of January 23, 2008—On-budget amounts, OUTLAYS which creates a point of order against appro- in millions of dollars] Enactment of measures providing new out- priation bills that contain advance appropria- Fiscal year— lays for FY 2008 in excess of $12,570 million tions that: (i) are not identified in the statement (if not already included in the current level 2007 2008 2 2008–2012 of managers; or (ii) would cause the aggre- estimate) would cause FY 2008 outlays to ex- gate amount of such appropriations to exceed Revenues ...... 1,900,340 2,016,859 11,141,734 ceed the appropriate level set by S. Con. Res. the level specified in the resolution. Curent Level: 21. Budget authority ...... 2,250,680 2,333,106 1 Outlays ...... 2,263,759 2,346,261 1 REPORT TO THE SPEAKER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON THE Revenues ...... 1,904,516 2,000,661 11,267,618 REVENUES Current Level over (+)/under BUDGET—STATUS OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 CON- (-) Appropriate Level: Enactment of measures resulting in any GRESSIONAL BUDGET ADOPTED IN SENATE CONCUR- Budget authority ...... 0 -21,615 1 revenue reduction for FY 2008 (if not already Outlays ...... 0 -12,570 1 RENT RESOLUTION 21 Revenues ...... 4,176 -16,198 125,884 included in the current level estimate) would [Reflecting action completed as of January 23, 2008—On-budget amounts, cause FY 2008 revenue to fall further below in millions of dollars] 1 Not applicable because annual appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2009 the appropriate level set by S. Con. Res. 21. through 2012 will not be considered until, future sessions of Congress. 2 Current aggregates do no include spending covered by section Enactment of measures resulting in rev- Fiscal year— 207(d)(1)(E) (overseas deployments and related activities). The section has enue reduction for the period of fiscal years not been triggered to date in Appropriations action. 2007 2008 2 2008–2012 2008 through 2012 in excess of $125,884 million BUDGET AUTHORITY (if not already included in the current level Appropriate Level: Budget authority ...... 2,250,680 2,354,721 1 Enactment of measures providing new estimate) would cause revenues to fall below Outlays ...... 2,263,759 2,358,831 1 budget authority for FY 2008 in excess of the appropriate levels set by S. Con. Res. 21. DISCRETIONARY APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 COMPARISON OF CURRENT LEVEL WITH APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE 302(a) ALLOCATION AND APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE 302(b) SUBALLOCATIONS [In millions of dollars]

302(b) suballocations as of Jan. Current level reflecting action Current level minus Appropriations Subcommittee 23, 2008 (H. Rpt. 110–236) completed as of Jan. 23, 2008 suballocations BA OT BA OT BA OT

Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA ...... 18,817 20,027 18,093 19,528 ¥724 ¥499 Commerce, Justice, Science ...... 53,551 55,318 51,803 53,441 ¥1,748 ¥1,877 Defense ...... 459,332 475,980 459,332 475,164 0 ¥816 Energy and Water Development ...... 31,603 32,774 30,888 32,340 ¥715 ¥434 Financial Services and General Government ...... 21,434 21,665 20,599 20,903 ¥835 ¥762 Homeland Security ...... 36,262 38,247 34,852 38,028 ¥1,410 ¥219 Interior, Environment ...... 27,598 28,513 26,555 28,052 ¥1,043 ¥461 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education ...... 151,748 148,174 144,841 146,292 ¥6,907 ¥1,882 Legislative Branch ...... 4,024 4,042 3,970 4,008 ¥54 ¥34 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs ...... 64,745 54,832 60,213 52,232 ¥4,532 ¥2,600 State, Foreign Operations ...... 34,243 33,351 32,800 32,841 ¥1,443 ¥510 Transportation, HUD ...... 50,738 114,528 48,821 114,270 ¥1,917 ¥258 Unassigned (full committee allowance) ...... 0 1,646 0 0 0 ¥1,646 Subtotal (Appropriations allocations) ...... 954,095 1,029,097 932,767 1,017,099 ¥21,328 ¥11,998 Reduction for non-inclusion of program integrity initiatives (sec 207(d) of S. Con. Res. 21) ...... ¥1,042 ¥699 0 0 1,042 699 Total (Section 302(a) Allocation) ...... 953,053 1,028,398 932,767 1,017,099 ¥20,286 ¥11,299

DIRECT SPENDING LEGISLATION—COMPARISON OF CURRENT LEVEL WITH AUTHORIZING COMMITTEE 302(a) ALLOCATIONS FOR RESOLUTION CHANGES REFLECTING ACTION COMPLETED AS OF JANUARY 23, 2008 [Fiscal years, in millions of dollars]

2007 2008 2008–2012 total House Committee BA Outlays BA Outlays BA Outlays

Agriculture: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Armed Services:1 Allocation ...... 0 0 ¥56 ¥81 ¥139 ¥427 Current Level ...... 0 0 ¥6 ¥31 271 ¥17 Difference ...... 0 0 50 50 410 410 Education and Labor: Allocation ...... ¥4,877 ¥4,886 ¥288 ¥977 5,042 4,175 Current Level ...... ¥4,877 ¥4,886 ¥288 ¥977 5,042 4,175 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Energy and Commerce: Allocation ...... ¥1 ¥1 1,571 1,567 2,285 2,272 Current Level ...... ¥1 ¥1 1,568 1,562 2,205 2,187 Difference ...... 0 0 ¥3 ¥5 ¥80 ¥85 Financial Services: Allocation ...... 0 0 200 200 3,100 3,100 Current Level ...... 0 0 200 200 3,100 3,100 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Foreign Affairs: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Homeland Security: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 ¥425 0 ¥500 Difference ...... 0 0 0 ¥425 0 ¥500 House Administration: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Judiciary: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Natural Resources: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Oversight and Government Reform: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.091 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H546 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 DIRECT SPENDING LEGISLATION—COMPARISON OF CURRENT LEVEL WITH AUTHORIZING COMMITTEE 302(a) ALLOCATIONS FOR RESOLUTION CHANGES REFLECTING ACTION COMPLETED AS OF JANUARY 23, 2008—Continued [Fiscal years, in millions of dollars]

2007 2008 2008–2012 total House Committee BA Outlays BA Outlays BA Outlays

Current Level ...... 0 0 ¥2 ¥2 ¥14 ¥14 Difference ...... 0 0 ¥2 ¥2 ¥14 ¥14 Science and Technology: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Small Business: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transportation and Infrastructure: Allocation ...... 0 0 128 0 1,567 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 2 ¥10 36 ¥63 Difference ...... 0 0 ¥126 ¥10 ¥1,531 ¥63 Veterans’ Affairs: Allocation ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Level ...... 0 0 0 0 ¥10 ¥10 Difference ...... 0 0 0 0 ¥10 ¥10 Ways and Means: Allocation ...... 0 0 2,830 4,029 ¥1,814 ¥1,814 Current Level ...... 0 0 2,843 4,042 ¥1,778 ¥1,778 Difference ...... 0 0 13 13 36 36 1 Both current level and allocation reflect pending National Defense Authorization Bill. FY2009 AND 2010 ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS UNDER the fiscal year 2008 budget and is current ment Implementation Act (Public Law 110– SECTION 206 OF S. CON. RES. 21 through January 23, 2008. This report is sub- 138); Energy Independence and Security Act mitted under section 308(b) and in aid of sec- [Budget authority in millions of dollars] of 2007 (Public Law 110–140); Mortgage For- tion 311 of the Congressional Budget Act, as giveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 (Public Law amended. 2009 2010 110–142); A bill to amend title 39, United The estimates of budget authority, out- Appropriate Level ...... 25,558 25,558 lays, and revenues are consistent with the States Code, to extend the authority of the Enacted advances: United States Postal Service to issue a Accounts Identified for Advances: technical and economic assumptions of S. Corporation for Public Broadcasting ... 400 420 Con Res. 21, the Concurrent Resolution on semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer Employment and Training Administra- the Budget for Fiscal Year 2008, as approved research (Public Law 110–150); Terrorism tion ...... 2463 0 Education for the Disadvantaged ...... 7935 0 by the Senate and the House of Representa- Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization School Improvement ...... 1435 0 tives. Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–160); Consolidated Children and Family Services (Head Pursuant to section 204(b) of S. Con. Res. Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110– Start) ...... 1389 0 21, provisions designated as emergency re- Special Education ...... 6856 0 161); Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007 quirements are exempt from enforcement of Vocational and Adult Education ...... 791 0 (Public Law 110–166); Medicare, Medicaid, Payment to Postal Service ...... 89 0 the budget resolution. As a result, the en- Section 8 Renewals ...... 4158 0 closed current level report excludes these and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (Public Law Other Advances: 110–173); and OPEN Government Act of 2007 Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan amounts (see footnote 1 of the report), Guarantee ...... 42 0 Since my last letter to you, dated October (Public Law 110–175). 24, 2007, the Congress has cleared and the In addition, the Congress has cleared the U.S. CONGRESS, President has signed the following acts that National Defense Authorization Act—for Fis- CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, affect budget authority, outlays, or revenues cal Year 2008 (H.R. 4986) for the President’s Washington, DC, January 29, 2008. for fiscal year 2008: Water Resources Devel- signature, Hon. JOHN M. SPRATT, Jr., opment Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–114); De- Sincerely, Chairman, Committee on the Budget, House of partment of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008 ROBERT A. SUNSHINE Representatives Washington, DC. (Public Law 110–116); Fair Treatment for Ex- (For Peter R. Orszag, Director). DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The enclosed report perienced Pilots Act (Public Law 110–135); shows the effects of Congressional action on United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agree- Enclosure. FISCAL YEAR 2008 HOUSE CURRENT LEVEL REPORT AS OF JANUARY 23, 2008

Budget authority Outlays Revenues

Enacted in previous sessions: Revenues ...... n.a. n.a. 2,050,796 Permanents and other spending legislation ...... 1,450,532 1,390,611 n.a. Appropriation legislation ...... 0 419,269 n.a. Offsetting receipts ...... ¥575,635 ¥575,635 n.a. Total, enacted in previous sessions ...... 874,897 1,234,245 2,050,796

Enacted this Congress: Authorizing Legislation: An act to extend the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until February 29, 2008 (P.L. 110–42) ...... 0 0 ¥41 A bill to provide for the extension of Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) and the Abstinence Education Program through the end of fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes (P.L. 110–48) ...... 96 99 0 A joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes (P.L. 110–52) ...... 0 0 ¥2 Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–53) ...... 0 ¥425 0 College Cost Reduction and Access Act (P.L. 110–84) ...... ¥326 ¥992 0 Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–85) ...... ¥3 ¥3 0 An act to extend the trade adjustment assistance program under the Trade Act of 1974 for 3 months (P.L. 110–89) ...... 9 9 0 TMA, Abstinence Education, and QI Programs Extension Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–90) ...... 815 804 0 Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–114) ...... ¥1 ¥1 0 Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act (P.L. 110–135) ...... 0 ¥9 0 United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (P.L. 110–138) ...... 4 4 ¥20 Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–140) ...... 66 64 1,016 Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–142) ...... 0 0 ¥162 A bill to amend title 39, United States Code, to extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research (P.L. 110–150) ...... 0 ¥2 0 Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–160) ...... 200 200 O Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–166) ...... 0 0 ¥50,593 Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–173) ...... 3,465 4,644 0 OPEN Government Act of 2007 (P.L. 110–175) ...... ¥2 ¥2 0 Total, authorization legislation enacted in this Congress ...... 4,323 4,390 ¥49,802

Appropriation Acts: U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (P.L. 110–28) 1 ...... 1 42 ¥335 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110–116) 1 ...... 459,550 311,596 0 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110–161) 1 ...... 1,041,512 831,744 0 Total, appropriation acts enacted in this Congress: ...... 1,501,063 1,143,382 ¥335

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.094 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H547 FISCAL YEAR 2008 HOUSE CURRENT LEVEL REPORT AS OF JANUARY 23, 2008—Continued

Budget authority Outlays Revenues

Pased, pending signature: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 4986) ...... ¥6 ¥31 2 Entitlements and mandatories: Budget resolution estimates of appropriated entitlements and other mandatory programs ...... ¥47,171 ¥35,725 0 Total Current Level 1,2 ...... 2,333,106 2,346,261 2,000,661 Total Budget Resolution 3 ...... 2,500,489 2,474,575 2,016,859 Adjustment to the budget resolution for emergency requirements 4 ...... ¥606 ¥49,900 n.a. Adjustment to the budget resolution pursuant to section 207(d)(1)(E) 5 ...... ¥145,162 ¥65,754 n.a. Adjusted Budget Resolution ...... 2,354,721 2,358,831 2,016,859 Current Level Over Adjusted Budget Resolution ...... n.a. n.a. n.a. Current Level Under Adjusted Budget Resolution ...... 21,615 12,570 16,198 Memorandum: Revenues, 2008–2012: House Current Level ...... n.a. n.a. 11,267,618 House Budget Resolution ...... n.a. n.a. 11,141,734 Adjusted Budget Resolution ...... n.a. n.a. 11,141,734 Current Level Over Adjusted Budget Resolution ...... n.a. n.a. 125,884 Current Level Under Adjusted Budget Resolution ...... n.a. n.a. n.a. Note: n.a. = not applicable; P.L. = Public Law. SOURCE: Congressional Budget Office. 1 Pursuant to section 204(b) of S. Con. Res. 21, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2008, provisions designated as emergency requirements are exempt from enforcement of the budget resolution. The amounts so designated for fiscal year 2008, which are not included in the current level totals, are as follows: Budget au- thority Outlays Revenues

U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (P.L. 110–28) ...... 605 48,639 n.a. An act making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes (P.L. 110–92) ...... 5,200 1,024 n.a. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110–116) ...... 11,630 1,047 ...... Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110–116B) ...... 6,400 1,369 n.a. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110–161) ...... 81,125 40,568 n.a.

Total, enacted emergency requirements ...... 104,960 92,647 n.a. 2 For purposes of enforcing section 311 of the Congressional Budget Act in the House, the budget resolution does not include budget authority, outlays, or revenues for off-budget amounts. As a result, current level excludes these items. 3 Periodically, the House Committee on the Budget revises the totals in S. Con. Res. 21, pursuant to various provisions of the resolution: Budget au- thority Outlays Revenues

Original Budget Resolution ...... 2,496,028 2,469,636 2,015,858 Revisions: To reflect the difference between the assumed and actual nonemergency supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2007 (section 207(f)) ...... 1 1 ¥17 For extension of the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) program (section 320(c)) ...... 96 99 0 For the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (section 306(b)) ...... ¥176 ¥842 0 Extension of the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) program (section 320(c)) (updated to reflect final scoring) ...... 815 804 0 For the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (section 302) ...... ¥6 ¥31 2 For the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007 (section 308(b)(1)) ...... 66 64 1,016 For the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision & Extension Act of 2007 (section 310) ...... 200 200 0 For changes in the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (sections 301, 304(a), 320(a)(c)) ...... 3,465 4,644 0

Revised Budget Resolution ...... 2,500,489 2,474,575 2,016,859 4 S. Con. Res. 21 assumed $606 million in budget authority and $49,990 million in outlays from emergency supplemental appropriations. Such emergency amounts are exempt from the enforcement of the budget resolution. Since current level totals exclude the emergency requirements enacted in P.L. 110–28 (see footnote 1 above), budget authority and outlay totals specified in the budget resolution also have been reduced (by the amounts assumed for emergency supple- mental appropriations) for purposes of comparison. 5 Section 207(d)(1)(E) of S. Con. Res. 21 assumed $145,162 million in budget authority and $65,754 million in outlays for overseas deployment and related activities. Because action to date has not triggered this provision, the House Committee on the Budget has directed that these amounts be excluded from the budget resolution aggregates in the current level report.

HONORING THE AUGUSTA METRO and military communities. Furthermore, the IRAQ ASSESSMENT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE chamber promotes business while working The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a carefully to protect Augusta’s natural environ- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- previous order of the House, the gen- ment. The chamber works with State and Fed- uary 18, 2007, the gentlewoman from tleman from Georgia (Mr. BROUN) is eral agencies to minimize the impact eco- Tennessee (Mrs. BLACKBURN) is recog- recognized for 5 minutes. nomic development has on the environment. nized for 60 minutes as the designee of Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today Such a diligent organization is to be com- the minority leader. I rise to honor and pay tribute to a non-profit mended for its efforts. The Augusta Metro Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, as community organization in my 10th Congres- Chamber of Commerce is an investment in the we begin to talk about our national se- sional District of Georgia. present and future well-being of the Augusta curity and our troops and the surge and The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce community. As it celebrates a centennial mile- the success of that and why our troops is celebrating more than 100 years of dedi- stone, may this chamber of commerce con- choose to defend this great Nation, I cated service to Augusta, Georgia’s economic tinue steadfast in its work to ensure Augusta’s want to stop and just join Mr. GINGREY development. Founded in 1905, the chamber continued competitiveness in our domestic in congratulating his mother on her has grown to include more than 1,100 mem- and global economies. 90th birthday. Certainly, Helen Cecelia bers. The chamber and its members provide f Gingrey sounds like the type of woman citizens with a strong business environment The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a that truly takes a leadership role, first that increases employment, retail trade and previous order of the House, the gen- of all, in her family and role models commerce, and industrial growth in Augusta. tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) that leadership and how to carry that The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is recognized for 5 minutes. out in how to encourage children to has worked to promote a prosperous future for (Mr. PALLONE addressed the House. dream big dreams and have great ad- all Augustans through legislative efforts and His remarks will appear hereafter in ventures in their life and to desire through networking programs, such as Women the Extensions of Remarks.) that. in Business, Leadership Augusta, and the f That is something you learn at a Chamber Business Academy. The chamber The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a mother’s knee. That is something you promotes healthy and productive workforces previous order of the House, the gen- see role modeled by parents, and Mr. through its nationally-recognized Drugs Don’t tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) is Speaker, that is something that we Work program. recognized for 5 minutes. need to keep in mind as we are here on The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce (Mr. BURTON of Indiana addressed the floor of the House in this body, as is also committed to being a good neighbor, the House. His remarks will appear we make decisions about how our Na- with committees designated to serve as liai- hereafter in the Extensions of Re- tion moves forward in this 21st cen- sons between businesses and local educators marks.) tury.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA7.097 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 We need to remember that there are troops mentioned to us on our trip was, want to prove in Iraq. They’re all over future generations that are relying on We are fighting every day. We are in a the map, but if you look at trend lines us to be certain that this Nation stays war. And we are winning significant over time, you begin to see a story tak- secure. There are future generations battles every single day. And we want ing shape, and that is the story that that are looking to us that go every the American people to know we are began to take shape in April of last single day and say, what will my to- fighting. We are giving it our all, and year, perhaps a little reinforced in morrow be like? Is my community yes, indeed, we are winning every day. June of last year, July of last year. going to be secure? What is America Now, Mr. Speaker, I think it’s impor- My most recent trip to Iraq, my sixth going to look like when I am 20, when tant for us to realize that a lot of trip, I wasn’t sure what I was going to I’m 30, when I get ready to retire? times, success comes in odd ways. find because when you picked up the We would do well to be mindful of Progress comes in unexpected ways. papers, the data points were scattered that every single day as we make deci- And it is not just on a trajectory where all over the place, but little by little, sions that affect America’s families every day is better and better and bet- the story came out. And about a week and realize, yes, indeed, those families ter. We take a few steps forward, we after I was there in July, the New York are our greatest treasure. Those pre- take a few steps back. We take a few Times finally broke the story, hey, cious minds of those precious children more steps forward, we take a little there’s a war we just might win going are indeed what we are to be protecting step back. But when you add it up, you on in the country of Iraq, written by and be certain that they have the abil- are trending the right direction. two individuals who, quite frankly, ity to dream those big dreams. That is certainly what we have seen aren’t always on the side of the Presi- So to Dr. GINGREY’s mom, Helen in the success of the surge. We have dent of the United States, so it seems, Gingrey, happy birthday. We all con- seen every major news outlet declare it in their writings in the New York gratulate you, and we are so pleased a success. The American people know Times. The New York Times itself is that we live in a free Nation and we that it is a success. And our troops are not always on the same page as the can stand on the floor of this House to be commended for that success. Cer- President in a lot of foreign policy and celebrate those birthdays and join tainly, the President was right in mak- issues, but there it was in black and your son in wishing you happy birth- ing that commendation last night. white for all to see. day and many, many more. As I said a moment ago, Dr. BURGESS Now, I went to Iraq in July of 2007. I Mr. Speaker, I recently did return from Texas who’s been to Iraq six very much wanted to go because I from a trip to Afghanistan and Iraq to times wants to join us and share his knew that the surge had started. I visit with our troops. And tonight I impressions of what he saw on the knew that General Petraeus had com- want to spend some time talking about ground in Iraq, and I yield to the gen- mitted to come back and present data what has been going on in Iraq and the tleman from Texas. to Congress in September of 2007 to Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank success that we have seen there, the talk about the success, or lack thereof, the gentlelady from Tennessee for success that our troops have brought to of the additional reinforcements that yielding to me. bear on Iraq and on the environment It is kind of ironic. We were here on were sent into the country of Iraq. And that is there. the floor of this House last night. The I knew that this House, I knew myself Just about 3 weeks ago, we had the 1- House was full, Members on both sides. as a Member of this House, was going year anniversary of the surge, and ev- We heard the President deliver his to have to come to some decisions or eryone had a lot to say about that final State of the Union address, and of some conclusions, if it’s working it or surge and a lot to say about how suc- course, as is typical for a State of the it’s not working; if it’s not working, we cessful they thought it would or would Union address, he touched on subjects will have to rethink the strategy. not be. I think, Mr. Speaker, it’s very near and far, went through the domes- So it was an important trip for me to easy for us to be Monday morning tic agenda, went through the foreign take because I knew on every other quarterbacks or armchair quarterbacks agenda. trip that I had taken to Iraq what I saw and to always have our opinion of how When he got to talking about the on the ground bore no resemblance to we think these things are going to conditions on the ground in Iraq, I what I was seeing on my television work out. don’t know about the gentlelady from screens on CNN and CBS and the The 101st is in my district in Ten- Tennessee, but I was just absolutely evening news and the morning shows. nessee. We also have the National struck by the scene in this House when You have to go and look at it for your- Guardsmen from our State that have he commended the troops for the ac- selves to be able to understand what is been deployed, Reservists who have tivities and the success that they had happening. been deployed, and we would always achieved on the ground. One-half of the You know it’s not an easy job. It was say we need to be listening to the House stood up and applauded; the a brief war, but it’s been a long hard troops that are in the field and the other half sat on their hands. slog to get to where we are today, and commanders that are there on the And Mr. Speaker, I don’t know if history will have to decide whether the ground. there’s been another time in American investment in time, the investment in We saw a change about a year ago. history when America goes to war, lives, the investment in families who The change was in the form of the sends their sons and daughters to war, are deprived of their loved ones during surge. The implementation of that America is winning the war, and it’s these long deployments, history will surge was carried out by General David become something we don’t want to decide the accuracy of the words that Petraeus. He was joined by Ambassador talk about. There’s other things that we speak tonight. Crocker as they moved forward with command our attention now, and we’ll But I will tell you from the strength the preparations and the implementa- go on to other things. of that last trip in July and what I tion of that surge, and we have seen re- The gentlelady was right, it was a have seen reported since that time, I sults. year ago that we stood on the floor of have to believe that this country going Over the December and January pe- this House and debated for hour after forward is going to be in far better riod of time, we had the opportunity to hour after hour on the efficacy of send- shape in 10 years’, 20 years’, 30 years’ visit, and I am pleased to be joined to- ing additional troops to Iraq. We were time because we have an Iraq that has night by my colleague from Texas (Mr. told by the majority leader over in the an opportunity now to be a stable part- BURGESS) who has been on the ground Senate, the Democratic majority lead- ner in a quest for peace in the Middle in Iraq several times, I think six times er, that the war was lost; there was no East, as opposed to a haven and an out- he has been to visit our troops in Iraq. need to send additional men because we post for continued terrorism in that And he wanted to join me tonight for a had already made the decision in the part of the world. few minutes and talk about what he Senate, or the other body in the Cap- In July of 2006, I took a trip to Iraq. saw and give a firsthand account of itol of the United States, that the war Peter Chiarelli on that trip said, you what he saw. was over and the war was indeed lost. know, it’s funny, I don’t know want to I’m so pleased that he has chosen to The gentlelady’s right, you can pick make of it, but in a part of the country join us because one of the things our data points to prove whatever you of Iraq that is very, very dangerous, al

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.120 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H549 Anbar province, a city called Ramadi, walking through their streets. I’m sure And I would simply point out that at we don’t know what to make of it but for them it was a sight that they had the very edge of the photograph here, some insurgents that were in the hos- not seen too often. But again, you see and I had forgotten this, we see a pital yesterday turned over all of their on the faces of these young men, these brightly colored garment set that arms to our soldiers, and we’ll just are not faces that are suspicious, these looks like it would be appropriate for a have to wait and see what develops. In are not faces that are fearful, these are woman to wear. I saw more women on fact, he asked me not to talk about it faces that are smiling. They were, in this trip to Iraq than I can recall see- when I got back in July of 2006 because, fact, glad to see us. And I found out a ing at any other trip where I had been again, he was not sure what that few minutes later why they were glad through the country. And it was, to meant. to see us; they were hoping that we had me, reassuring that the female mem- July of 2007, fast forward to that a pen or a quarter. They had appar- bers of Iraqi society felt comfortable time. We got off the C–130 in Baghdad ently been well coached by our ma- enough to travel out to the shops on a International Airport, get on the heli- rines. Their school was going to start Saturday morning and be with their copters and are immediately taken to in a few weeks, and because they would husbands and their children, as you so Ramadi. Ramadi, that was too dan- be attending their classes, they were eloquently point out, as commerce was gerous a place to travel to a year be- anxious to know if we had a writing in- breaking out all over on the streets of fore, was our first stop. We met Gen- strument that we might part with that Ramadi. eral Gaston of the 2nd Marine Expedi- they could have. Again, I just want to show another tionary Force there on the ground in Mrs. BLACKBURN. If the gentleman picture of some children. These guys Ramadi. Ramadi is a city about the will yield. were pretty curious as to what was size of Ft. Worth. Ft. Worth, Texas, is Mr. BURGESS. I’ll be happy to yield. going on with all of these strange folks Mrs. BLACKBURN. I would like to the largest city in my district back that had shown up and were walking put that photo back up, if you do not home. It was the provincial capital of through town. Again, you can see in mind. the resurgent caliphate as established the background some additional Now, I think it is significant that brightly colored wares for sale. This by al Qaeda in western Iraq. you’re talking about Ramadi, which is The reality, though, was that things fellow turned out to be fairly inquisi- in al Anbar Province. And you’re talk- tive. And he had a keen interest, again, had changed enormously over that past ing about a photo that was made dur- year and in ways that, quite honestly, in writing instruments that I want to ing the summer, July 14, 2007, which is assume that’s because his school was had not been reported in the press back the photo stamp date that is there on here at home. Again, I didn’t know starting up in a few weeks’ time. the photo. And if I am picking all of What has been described as ‘‘The what I was going to find when I went this up, it looks like tools and imple- there, but I have to tell you the job Anbar Awakening,’’ we heard the ments that are hanging in the ceiling President reference it last night, began that was done by the Marines in the of the shop, and plastic buckets, rubber 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, the in the city of Ramadi where the Sunnis buckets, and probably some plastic began to recognize, you know, these job that was done by the troops on the hampers that are there. And when I ground on these long deployments that guys from al Qaeda; they’re actually was in Iraq, I noticed that there was not our friends. They refer to the they were undertaking, the job was lots of produce that was also being sold truly phenomenal. Americans as occupiers, but maybe it’s in some of the shops. the al Qaeda guys that are actually the A year before I would not have been But one of the things that is of inter- occupiers. And we do believe that at able to travel to the city of Ramadi. est to me is the photo that you’re some point the Americans want to go Now, not only could I travel to the city showing indicates to us that we do home, but we can’t say the same for of Ramadi, after the briefing, after the have import and export that is taking our friends in al Qaeda. And the Sunni endless Power Point that the military place, and we do have commerce that is sheiks, the tribal leaders in the towns, always gives you when you go over taking place. And so, as you were on rapidly turned it. And to hear it be de- there, we got in vehicles and drove to that street in Ramadi, how many shops scribed by our marines and our soldiers downtown Ramadi. did you see; do you remember a num- there, it literally turned on a few b 1945 ber? How many were lining the street? And how far did you drive from the weeks’ time, some rather intense fight- I’ve got to tell you, I was a little con- base into town to begin to see this type ing as the surge began to mount its full cerned; General Gaston, are you sure of commerce and the happy kids that reinforcement, and then suddenly that it’s okay for us to go to downtown are obviously learning how to do a lit- things changed dramatically for the Ramadi? Last year, General Chiarelli tle bit of retail merchant work there? better. said it’s kind of dangerous out there. I yield back to the gentleman. And for me, on this trip, the one He said, ‘‘Let’s go.’’ Mr. BURGESS. Well, I’ll be honest, I thing that I saw that was different We drove downtown. It was a Satur- don’t remember the number of shops. from any other trip that I had taken day morning, early on a Saturday There were many. Perhaps on the side over there on the ground, now, we can morning. We drove to the market. It street that we were on, at least a dozen criticize the Baghdad government, and looked like a market any other place on one side, and then a similar number both sides of the aisle I know will do in the Middle East. There was a lot of on the other side. that with regularity, I may do so be- activity. In fact, there were the typical Mrs. BLACKBURN. If the gentleman fore this night is over, but the local po- sights and sounds of a city that has, will yield, a dozen shops in any of our litical shift that’s taking place on the perhaps, seen better days. They were towns in our districts is a pretty good ground in Iraq, the county commis- working on some sewer pipes. There number of shops. So, we’ve got a lot of sioners, the city councilmen, the may- was, in fact, a little bit of construction commerce that is beginning to take ors that are doing the kinds of work going on. place there. And I yield back. that you want your local government But this photograph was taken last Mr. BURGESS. And of course I do to do, you know, quite honestly, I go July 17th in the city of Ramadi. This need to make the point that this was home every weekend and the people are shows the shops. I don’t know where all an area that just a few months before happy to see me. But if there’s a prob- this stuff came from. If this was an had seen some of the most intense lem at home, most of the time they’re American market, I would assume all fighting. And many of the buildings at not going to call their Congressman; this stuff came from China. I’m not the front of the street, well, let’s just they’ll call their mayor, they’ll call sure where it was made. But all of put it this way, a JDAM doesn’t do their county commissioner, or they’ll these wares were for sale, and there anything for your drive-up appeal. And call their county administrator or was shop after shop after shop lined up there were several buildings that obvi- their county judge because those are and down either side of the street. ously had suffered the scars of war. But the folks that are closest to the people, You can see the faces of the young as you went a little further down the and it’s up to them to deliver for their men there; a little bit of curiosity, all street, you began to come upon scenes constituents, the same conditions we of these Americans showing up and such as this. have here in our districts back home.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.121 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H550 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 The local political shift really is about the establishment of commerce close attention to meeting the needs of what, to me, is the fundamental build- and how he witnessed this firsthand those troops. ing block of the return of civil society, with shops that were open. As he said, Now, quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, I a civil society that had been so badly one little side street where they went will tell you, I do not think it is help- damaged under the years of Saddam, a there were about 12 shops that were on ful to this situation that we debated civil society that has been so badly that. And indeed, these are more like over 30 different resolutions about Iraq damaged by the war and then the in- stalls that we would have at one of our and timelines and withdrawals and try- surgency that followed is now begin- swap meets or flea markets. But as you ing to micromanage what is taking ning to take hold. And it is very effec- can see, they’re full of kids that are place on the ground because there has tive. happy, that are playing, that are en- been a swing and a shift. We have Now, the question remains, will the joying being around the normalcy of a transitioned from 2.5 years of increases central government in Baghdad re- life. They are full of commerce and in violence with more than 24 weeks of spond to the needs of those local offi- goods, items that are coming in for a steady decline. cials with enough dispatch that they sale. We even saw soft drinks, Coca- Now, Dr. BURGESS mentioned, when are, in fact, bolstered and supported by Cola. In Afghanistan, we saw cell we go to Iraq, and I want to clarify one the central government in Baghdad? It phones that were being sold. So, in this thing here before I move on, this week is sometimes startling to me to think region of the world, the commerce that I had the opportunity to visit with the that a government so young can al- is there on the ground. Tennessee Marine Family Association, ready have such an entrenched bu- And in talking about Iraq, the gen- and what a wonderful, wonderful group reaucracy that is slow to act. But nev- tleman mentioned the local stability. of moms and dads and brothers and sis- ertheless, we hear some stories coming And indeed, that was something we had ters and marines who have retired from out that there is more and more of this the opportunity to witness, also, and active duty. And I enjoyed my time type of activity occurring. But again, we’re pleased to see that. We had a with them tremendously. And one of the stability at the local level was visit to Urbil in Kurdistan, had the op- them said, you know, tell me, when something that I don’t think I can tell portunity to go to the home of the you go to Iraq, why do you go? And are you that I had witnessed on any of the Prime Minister of Kurdistan. We drove you taking the troops’ time away from five previous trips through that coun- to that home. Mr. Speaker, I want to work in the field? And I said no, we go try. All of those trips more dealt with be certain that everyone realizes what because we are asked to go, especially the security that our forces were estab- I just said. We drove to the home of the those of us that have posts. As I’ve lishing. Now we see the security that is Prime Minister of Kurdistan for lunch said, Fort Campbell, the 101st is in my actually being established by the Iraqis and joined him where he thanked us district, and they invite us and ask us themselves. profusely for all that the U.S. Armed to come and see how they are carrying They had a job fair, I understand, in Forces have done for that region, not out their mission and experience that this part of town about a week before only in the past few years, but for the firsthand with them. and hired everything that showed up. decade prior. b 2000 And there were a lot of people that While we were in Iraq, we had the op- But as Dr. BURGESS said, when we came. The jobs were fairly labor inten- portunity to go to the home of Deputy make those trips, we have the power sive. Again, there had been a lot of Prime Minister Barzani, to his home in points and we have the briefings from bombing in the city. There was a lot of the Green Zone to meet with him. And the commanders on the ground and we concrete littering the street that had I will tell you, we visited with him have the opportunity while we are to be picked up. The reinforcing steel about how hopeful we had experienced there to hold a town hall meeting, if that was embedded in the concrete had the mood of the people. There is a you will, with our troops that are de- to be broken out or dissected out. sense of hope that things are getting ployed and are carrying out this mis- There were several groups of men that better, that there is a return to nor- sion. So I have put some of that endless were straightening out this rebar to malcy in their everyday life, and how power point onto some charts that I use as reconstruction projects. But encouraging to us it was to witness would like to share with those who are again, the work was going on. And the this hopefulness. watching us this evening. mood, this was July in western Iraq, His comment to us was, we know The first chart that I’m going to it’s 10 o’clock in the morning and prob- that sometimes people get frustrated show you is one that comes from our ably already 125 degrees, but the mood with us, but do not give up this mis- commanders there in Iraq, and it shows of the people was truly something that sion. Do not give up on this mission be- their assessment of al Qaeda Iraq. And I will always remember because they cause things are trending the right di- many times people will see AQI, that were doing for themselves the types of rection. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, it’s all is, the abbreviation for al Qaeda Iraq, things that free people want to do for important components in winning, in and where they were when the surge themselves. And it was a wonderful having Iraq be a nation that can func- began last year. And you can see the feeling. And you know the soldiers tion with some predictability, stability dark red areas. It shows where they could feel it, too, when they walk and self-governance. were operating, and the pink areas through these towns. It is also important because, as we show what were their transit routes. The ability to give to these young look at defeating terrorists who want And you can see how in the city of men a life ahead of them that they to defeat us, it is important that we Baghdad where they were operating, wouldn’t have had, they would have win the war of ideas. And the photos and then as you look at the country been conscripted into Saddam’s army that Dr. BURGESS shared with us, the you can see where they were transiting and fought a war at someplace or young men in those photos, we have to in and out of the country and then other; they now have a life ahead of win the war of ideas with them to where they were holding their primary them that really, quite honestly, their reach them, to make certain that over areas of operation. Again, the pink parents dared not hope for them and the next decade, as they begin an adult shading is their transit areas, and the now it is brought to them courtesy of life, that they make a choice to live in red is where they were operational and the United States Marines, United freedom rather than choosing a life where they were working. And the States Army. under a dictator. inset is Baghdad and what we saw in I yield back to the gentlelady from Indeed, our job is also to make cer- Baghdad and how that looked before Tennessee, and I want to thank her for tain that our troops have what they the surge began. allowing me to participate in the dis- need to do their job. And that is a re- Now I want to move to the second cussion this evening. sponsibility of this House, as the Presi- chart and show you what this looks Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gen- dent said last night. And certainly, as like today. This is what Iraq looks like tleman for yielding back the time. And we are in the midst of a swing, a dra- today. And, again, this is not my chart. I am so pleased to see these pictures. matic swing, if you will, in the momen- This is a chart from our commanders And I appreciate so much his participa- tum in Iraq, especially on the security on the ground in Iraq. This is their as- tion in this, and the conversation situation, it is imperative that we pay sessment.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.123 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H551 So, Mr. Speaker, to the American flag. It was the capital of the caliphate, at Fort Campbell we have seen some people that are watching this tonight, and that is where they were going to losses recently, and we just continue to I will simply say this is the chart that put down roots, if you will. What we hold those families close. And we are is your commanders’ assessment of saw happen in al Anbar province during grateful, so grateful, to them for their where al Qaeda is as of December 2007. the surge, I think, is just nothing short service, for their sacrifice, and we And, of course, al Qaeda is still a of remarkable, and the photos that grieve with them in those losses. And threat. Of course, they are still there. you’ve just seen from the streets of we know that over the course of the But as you can see, by looking at the Ramadi and the commerce that was year we have seen a dramatic decrease pink areas and the red areas, this has taking place and the difference that in those losses. been diminished. They have been the surge has made there. Basically, Now, chart number six, the Iraqi ci- pushed out of the urban centers, look the citizens of Ramadi and al Anbar vilian deaths attributed to violence, at the inset, with Baghdad. You can see province said we are sick and tired of these have dropped significantly. And where they have been squeezed down this. We do not want al Qaeda Iraq to you can see in December 2006, where we and where they have been moved to be running the show in our town. So were at about 3,000 and then where we and how much smaller their area of op- they joined with the Iraqi troops and are way down, well under 1,000 by the eration is and how much smaller their the U.S. troops, and they literally time we get to December 2007. So this transit area is. They know that the threw al Qaeda out. shows us how security is improving. Iraqi people, the Iraqi forces, and the So many of the experts tell us that Ethnosectarian violence has dropped by about 85 percent. All of these are U.S. Armed Forces and our coalition this is the first place that the Arab the right type trend. And it shows how forces mean business on this. people have stood up to their own and Look at the map of the entire coun- have rejected, openly rejected, al things are moving a little bit at a time, try. When you can see their egress, in- Qaeda and have defeated al Qaeda. And moving in the right direction. We know there are no guarantees. gress with the surrounding countries, I think that that is significant. And, This is tough. Our military men and and then see the pockets where al Mr. Speaker, I believe and I certainly women know that they are fighting Qaeda Iraq is still operational. So they am hopeful in believing that we are and winning every day. But, Mr. have been pushed out of many of the going to see other areas follow the lead Speaker, I will tell you they do know urban areas, and they have been moved that al Anbar has set. that they are seeing some successes, Now, we have seen some other effects over into some of the isolated rural that security is improving, and that of that team effort over the past year, areas. they are seeing some success with eco- I want to touch base too on our and I want to move on to a couple of nomic issues. And I want to give you troops’ contribution to this because it other charts. Now, this is the overall just a couple of examples of these. has been significant. Our U.S. Armed attack trends, Iraq attack trends; and I had made a comment as we were Forces and the 30,000 that went in for it shows you what has happened, if you leaving Baghdad the other night, and it the surge made a marked difference. look from December 2006, and where was in the evening; so you could see And I think there is, of course, the your attacks were in December 2006, the lights in Baghdad. I had been going physical strength that our troops with over 5,000, and then you go up into in and out to visit our troops since brought to this, the firepower, if you April and May where they reach their 2003, and for the first time it really will, and the training and the strength height, and then you can see where looked like a city. You could see the and the determination. There are no they have dropped down, less than half, lights on all over the city and cars better forces on the face of the Earth and the reduction that is there. It is driving on the streets. You could see than the U.S. military. And we also actually down about 60 percent by the outdoor restaurants. You could see have to recognize the Iraqis and the time you get to December 2007. That is colorful awnings. You could see fruit force that they brought to bear on this. the difference that the surge has made. stands and market areas. And it really When we talk about the surge, some- From December 2006, where you’re up was beginning to look like a city. And times many of us think only in terms above 5,000 attacks and then coming I did a little checking to see what kind of the 30,000 of our troops that have led down where you have seen that number of success stories we could find with the way in this fight. What we have to drop by about 60 percent. That’s the the work that USAID and some of our realize also is that we have 110,000 Iraqi difference that the surge has made in organizations are providing to the area troops that have lent their power to the overall attacks. to see that commerce stand up and this effort, 110,000. They were joined in Well, let’s look at the IED explo- that sense of normalcy return. So let this effort by 70,000 local citizens. sions. This is something that our con- me tell you a quick little story, Mr. Dr. BURGESS mentioned earlier the stituents always ask us about because Speaker, and I think this is great. local stability, and there is a reason for they hear so much about the explosive We love success stories. We love it that. You had 70,000 Iraqi citizens that devices and the way these IEDs and when we have someone who by their basically banded together in what we these IED systems are developed and bootstraps pulls themselves up and re- would call a ‘‘neighborhood watch,’’ set up and the way those explosions are alizes a wonderful dream of having a and they decided to take things into carried out. business or building a company. We as their own hands and to take responsi- You can see, if you go in here and Americans love that entrepreneurial bility. And in many of these areas in you look at December 2006, where they spirit. And I loved this story of Amhed the surge the Iraqi troops would lead. are. They move up in June to a high of who is in the Mansour neighborhood in They were coached. They were trained. about 1,700, and then take a look over Baghdad, and he was able to get a $2,500 They were supported in so many ways here, about 700 in December. And there microgrant. Now, I know many of our by our U.S. military and by our coali- you go from beginning to the end of constituents may have been reading in tion forces. And the local Iraqi citizen surge, the year of the surge, and what the paper about some of the micro- groups would work with those military you have seen. It is almost as if you grants and the microbusinesses that forces, those combined forces. So to- have al Qaeda jumping in here and say- are going into Iraq and other countries gether you had 180,000 Iraqis working ing we’re not going to let them get the also to help entrepreneurs start these with our 30,000 U.S. troops that have best of us. They give it a shot, and then businesses. made this surge successful and have in June look how every single month Well, Amhed used his grant to buy changed that map so that it looks you’re dropping. And that’s the dif- chest freezer shelves and an awning to today like it does, with al Qaeda being ference that a year of the surge has open a store. And the store is now self- moved into some isolated areas and made. sufficient. It is supporting him and his with more of the country being able to Let’s move on to another figure on family. He now is a merchant with his function with a sense of normalcy. this chart, the killed-in-action figure. store, his produce store, on a corner Now, we’ve already talked a little bit And as we look at this chart and we see there in the Mansour neighborhood in about al Anbar province and the suc- the dramatic drop that is here, Mr. Baghdad. And it came about because cess that was there because that is Speaker, we feel so deeply for the fami- there was a grant that helped him to where al Qaeda Iraq had planted its lies that have experienced a loss, and get that store in place.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.124 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H552 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 Now, this is important, Mr. Speaker, The law has gone through their par- every single day, who honor the legacy because you wouldn’t go take out a liament, and it has passed. It was of freedom every single day by the way loan and you wouldn’t be approved for passed with Shiite sponsorship, which that they choose to carry out their job that loan if there was not the ability to is significant. We have also seen some and by the way they choose to rep- put things in place and begin to see key Sunni political blocks return to resent this great Nation. some success in that neighborhood. parliament, to return to their work to f b 2015 be a part of the process. Those are very encouraging steps. LEAVE OF ABSENCE Well, we also have another one, a They are steps in the right direction. By unanimous consent, leave of ab- juice merchant, that used a USAID Certainly, the success of the surge has microfinance grant and opened a juice sence was granted to: allowed the ability for this to take Mr. WYNN (at the request of Mr. factory in Baghdad. There’s lots of place. We have also seen the Iraqi Gov- pomegranate juice and orange juice HOYER) for today after 6 p.m. ernment has developed and is working Mr. BARTON of Texas (at the request and the different juices they are begin- on an ambitious budget. We are cer- of Mr. BOEHNER) for today after 7 p.m. ning to manufacture and bottle and tainly hoping that they are going to do on account of attending a funeral. sell. This juice factory in Baghdad, the same thing as they work through with a microfinance grant from our this current year. We have seen some f USAID, has created 24 full-time jobs in encouraging signs of critical power SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED Baghdad. That one little grant. And sharing arrangements within the Iraqi By unanimous consent, permission to that gentleman is now making that Government. Their Prime Minister, address the House, following the legis- juice. Of course, I said, well, I hope Nouri Maliki, is apparently more will- lative program and any special orders that Ahmed is one of the customers of ing to share power with the three-per- heretofore entered, was granted to: the juice factory and selling that juice son presidency council, which rep- (The following Members (at the re- in his store on the corner, his produce resents each of the major sects in Iraq. quest of Ms. WOOLSEY) to revise and ex- store on the corner. So that is another sign that is very en- tend their remarks and include extra- Now, I know that there are some who couraging to us. want to say that the security improve- Anybody who is a serious and objec- neous material:) ments aren’t meaningful because we tive observer can say that the surge Mr. MCGOVERN, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. CUMMINGS, for 5 minutes, today. are not seeing enough political has worked. They admit that. We know Ms. WOOLSEY, for 5 minutes, today. progress in Iraq. I will tell you that, that we are going to face more debate Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. and I think we all agree, that that po- in the coming year over the length and Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. litical progress has not moved forward nature and the size of our mission in Mr. SPRATT, for 5 minutes, today. as quickly as we would like to. But we Iraq. I would encourage all of my col- Mr. PALLONE, for 5 minutes, today. were reminded last week as we visited leagues to take the success of the surge (The following Members (at the re- with Ambassador Crocker and General to heart and to be certain that they are quest of Mr. GINGREY) to revise and ex- Petraeus that the Washington clock not trying to snatch a defeat from the tend their remarks and include extra- and the Baghdad clock move at dif- jaws of victory, but that they are being neous material:) ferent speeds. You know, I guess that fair to our troops, that they are recog- Mr. ROHRABACHER, for 5 minutes, as impatient as many times as we are, nizing the success that these troops today. we do have to realize this is a country have given us in the surge, and that Mr. CONAWAY, for 5 minutes, today. that was under a dictator, a very bru- they are taking time to commend and Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, tal dictator for over three decades. thank the troops and the commanders today. We are beginning to see some very that are on the ground. Mr. GINGREY, for 5 minutes, today. encouraging signs of political progress, I think it’s fair to say, Mr. Speaker, Mr. BROUN of Georgia, for 5 minutes, and I think this year is going to be a that we all, I know I certainly appre- today. year when we see some more of that. ciate those troops and their families, f Just over a week ago, the Iraqi Par- and I appreciate having the oppor- liament did pass what was for them a tunity to support them and to let them ADJOURNMENT very difficult law. They have taken a know how much I appreciate having Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, pur- long time to look at de-Ba’athification that opportunity to support them and suant to House Concurrent Resolution reform, and that was passed. It has also to honor them and to honor their 279, 110th Congress, I move that the been difficult for them to address that families. My hope is that as we go House do now adjourn. central question of how the Iraqi peo- through 2008 and as we look at our leg- The motion was agreed to; accord- ple are going to deal with their past islative agenda, Mr. Speaker, I hope ingly (at 8 o’clock and 20 minutes and with the legacy of Saddam Hus- that the work of this body will honor p.m.), the House adjourned until sein. hthose men and women who honor us Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at 2 p.m. EXPENDITURE REPORTS CONCERNING OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL Reports concerning the foreign currencies and U.S. dollars utilized for Speaker-Authorized Official Travel during the fourth quarters of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, pursuant to Public Law 95–384 are as follows: REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, HON. FRANK R. WOLF, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN JAN. 1 AND JAN. 9, 2008

Date Per diem 1 Transportation Other purposes Total U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency 2 currency 2 currency 2 currency 2

Hon. Frank R. Wolf ...... 1/1 United States ...... 3 9,544.00 ...... 9,544.00 1 /2 1 /2 Kuwait ...... 1 /2 1 /3 Iraq ...... 1 /3 1 /4 Kuwait ...... 4 164.00 ...... 164.00 1 /5 1 /6 Jordan ...... 291.00 ...... 291.00 1 /6 1 /9 Israel ...... 2,095.00 ...... 2,095.00 1/9 ...... United States ...... Committee total ...... 5 2,550.00 ...... 9,544.00 ...... 12,094.00 1 Per diem constitutes lodging and meals. 2 If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended. 3 Total cost of all commercial flights. 4 Hotel bill paid directly from fund site. 5 Returned $500.00 to U.S. Treasury via cashiers check. FRANK R. WOLF, Chairman, Jan. 22, 2008.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 8634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA7.125 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H553 REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, DANIEL F. SCANDLING, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN JAN. 1 AND JAN. 9, 2008

Date Per diem 1 Transportation Other purposes Total U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency 2 currency 2 currency 2 currency 2

Daniel Scandling ...... 1/1 United States ...... 3 9,544.00 ...... 9,544.00 1 /2 1 /2 Kuwait ...... 1 /2 1 /3 Iraq ...... 1 /3 1 /4 Kuwait ...... 4 164.00 ...... 164.00 1 /5 1 /6 Jordan ...... 291.00 ...... 291.00 1 /6 1 /9 Israel ...... 2,095.00 ...... 2,095.00 1/9 ...... United States ......

Committee total ...... 5 2,550.00 ...... 9,544.00 ...... 12,094.00 1 Per diem constitutes lodging and meals. 2 If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended. 3 Total cost of all commercial flights. 4 Hotel bill paid directly from fund site. 5 Returned $500.00 to U.S. Treasury via cashiers check. DANIEL SCANDLING, Jan. 22, 2008.

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON RULES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN OCT. 1 AND DEC. 31, 2007

Date Per diem 1 Transportation Other purposes Total U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency 2 currency 2 currency 2 currency 2

Hon. Betty Sutton ...... 10/05 10/07 Qatar ...... 220.00 ...... 238.00 ...... 458.00 10/07 10/08 Jordan ...... 137.00 ...... 142.00 ...... 279.00 10/08 10/09 Germany ...... 174.00 ...... 49.00 ...... 223.00 Hon. David Dreier ...... 11/26 11/27 Czech Republic ...... 153.00 ...... 153.00 11/27 11/28 India ...... 536.00 ...... 536.00 11/28 11/28 Afghanistan ...... 75.00 ...... 75.00 11/29 11/30 Pakistan ...... 339.00 ...... 339.00 11/30 12/03 India ...... 1,608.00 ...... 1,608.00 12/03 12/04 Hungary ...... 131.00 ...... 131.00 Brad Smith ...... 11 /26 11/27 Czech Republic ...... 153.00 ...... 153.00 11/27 11/28 India ...... 536.00 ...... 536.00 11/28 11/28 Afghanistan ...... 75.00 ...... 75.00 11/29 11/30 Pakistan ...... 339.00 ...... 339.00 11/30 12/03 India ...... 1,608.00 ...... 1,608.00 12/03 12/04 Hungary ...... 131.00 ...... 131.00 Rachel Lehman ...... 11/26 11/27 Czech Republic ...... 153.00 ...... 153.00 11/27 11/28 India ...... 536.00 ...... 536.00 11/28 11/28 Afghanistan ...... 75.00 ...... 75.00 11/29 11/30 Pakistan ...... 339.00 ...... 339.00 11/30 12/03 India ...... 1,608.00 ...... 1,608.00 12/03 12/04 Hungary ...... 131.00 ...... 131.00 David Goldenberg ...... 12/14 12/21 Israel ...... 1,602.00 ...... 7,594.28 ...... 3 660.00 ...... 9,856.28

Committee total ...... 10,659.00 ...... 7,594.28 ...... 1,089.00 ...... 19,342.28 1 Per diem constitutes lodging and meals. 2 If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended. 3 Lodging. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER, Chairman, Jan. 23, 2008.

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN OCT. 1 AND DEC. 31, 2007

Date Per diem 1 Transportation Other purposes Total U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency 2 currency 2 currency 2 currency 2

Ken Kellner ...... 11/01 11/05 Bahrain ...... 10,343.00 ...... 10,991.00

Committee total ...... 10,343.00 ...... 10,991.00 1 Per diem constitutes lodging and meals. 2 If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES, Chairman, Jan. 16, 2008.

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN OCT. 1 AND DEC. 31, 2007

Date Per diem 1 Transportation Other purposes Total U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency 2 currency 2 currency 2 currency 2

HOUSE COMMITTEES Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. ◊ 1 Per diem constitutes lodging and meals. 2 If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended. BOB FILNER, Chairman, Jan. 15, 2008.

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Date Per diem 1 Transportation Other purposes Total U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency 2 currency 2 currency 2 currency 2

HOUSE COMMITTEES Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. ◊ 1 Per diem constitutes lodging and meals. 2 If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended. MAX BAUCUS, Chairman, Jan. 14, 2008.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, 3, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to final rule — Dependents’ Educational Assist- ETC. the Committee on Energy and Commerce. ance (RIN: 2900-AM72) received January 4, 5172. A letter from the Principal Deputy 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive Associate Administrator, Environmental Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. communications were taken from the Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- 5180. A letter from the Director of Regula- Speaker’s table and referred as follows: cy’s final rule — Michigan: Final Authoriza- tions Management (00REG), Department of 5164. A letter from the Principal Deputy tion of State Hazardous Waste Management Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Depart- Associate Administrator, Environmental Program Revision [Docket No. EPA-R05- ment’s final rule — Education: Approval of Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- RCRA-2007-0722; FRL-8514-1] received Janu- Accredited Courses for VA Education Bene- cy’s final rule — Difenoconazole; Pesticide ary 3, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); fits (RIN: 2900-AM80) received January 4, Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0541; FRL-8343- to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the 5] received January 3, 2008, pursuant to 5 5173. A letter from the Principal Deputy Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ag- Associate Administrator, Environmental 5181. A letter from the Director of Regula- riculture. Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- tions Management, Department of Veterans 5165. A letter from the Principal Deputy cy’s final rule — Revisions to Consolidated Affairs, transmitting the Department’s final Associate Administrator, Environmental Federal Air Rule; Correction [EPA-HQ-OAR- rule — VA Acquisition Regulation: Plain Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- 2007-0429; FRL-8511-7] (RIN: 2060-A045) re- Language Rewrite (RIN: 2900-AK78) received cy’s final rule — Fluroxypyr; Pesticide Tol- ceived December 21, 2007, pursuant to 5 January 4, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. erance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0114; FRL-8343-2] U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on En- 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Veterans’ received December 21, 2007, pursuant to 5 ergy and Commerce. Affairs. 5182. A letter from the Acting SSA Regula- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ag- 5174. A letter from the Principal Deputy tions Officer, Social Security Administra- riculture. Associate Administrator, Environmental tion, transmitting the Administration’s final 5166. A letter from the Principal Deputy Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- rule — Privacy and Disclosure of Official Associate Administrator, Environmental cy’s final rule — Regulation of Oil-Bearing Records and Information [Docket No. SSA- Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- Hazardous Secondary Materials From the 2007-0067] (RIN: 0960-AG14) received December cy’s final rule — Dimethenamid; Pesticide Petroleum Refining Industry Processed in a 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0116; FRL-8342- Gasification System to Produce Synthesis the Committee on Ways and Means. 7] received December 21, 2007, pursuant to 5 Gas [RCRA-2002: FRL-8511-5] (RIN: 2050-AE78) U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ag- received December 21, 2007, pursuant to 5 f riculture. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on En- REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON 5167. A letter from the Director, Defense ergy and Commerce. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Procurement and Acquisition Policy, De- 5175. A letter from the Acting Director Of- partment of Defense, transmitting the De- fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of partment’s final rule — Defense Federal Ac- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- committees were delivered to the Clerk quisition Regulation Supplement; Lead Sys- tion, transmitting the Administration’s final for printing and reference to the proper tem Integrators [DFARS Case 2006-D051] rule — Fisheries of the Northeastern United calendar, as follows: (RIN: 0750-AF80) received December 21, 2007, States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Commer- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts: Committee pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- cial Quota Harvested for New York [Docket on Financial Services. H.R. 3521. A bill to im- mittee on Armed Services. No. 061020273-7001-03] (RIN: 0648-XD45) re- prove the Operating Fund for public housing 5168. A letter from the Counsel for Legisla- ceived December 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 of the Department of Housing and Urban De- tion and Regulations, Department of Hous- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Nat- velopment; with an amendment (Rept. 110– ing and Urban Development, transmitting ural Resources. 521). Referred to the Committee of the Whole the Department’s final rule — Project-Based 5176. A letter from the Acting Director Of- House on the State of the Union. Voucher Rents for Units Receiving Low-In- fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- come Housing Tax Credits [Docket No. FR- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- DISCHARGE OF COMMITTEE 5034-F-02] (RIN: 2577-AC62) received Decem- tion, transmitting the Administration’s final Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XII the ber 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); rule — Fisheries of the Northeastern United Committee on Energy and Commerce to the Committee on Financial Services. States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota discharged from further consideration. 5169. A letter from the Director, Office of Transfer [Docket No. 061109296-7009-02] (RIN: H.R. 2830 referred to the Committee of Legislative Affairs, Department of the 0648-XD65) received December 20, 2007, pursu- the Whole House on the State of the Treasury, transmitting the Department’s ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee Union. final rule — Identity Theft Red Flags and on Natural Resources. Address Discrepancies Under the Fair and 5177. A letter from the Acting Director Of- f Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS [Docket ID OCC-2007-0017] (RIN: 1557-AC87) tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- received December 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 tion, transmitting the Administration’s final Under clause 2 of rule XII, public U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Fi- rule — Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Salm- bills and resolutions were introduced nancial Services. on Fisheries; Inseason Orders (RIN: 0648- and severally referred, as follows: 5170. A letter from the General Counsel, XD05) received December 20, 2007, pursuant By Mr. RAHALL (for himself, Mrs. National Credit Union Administration, to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on CAPITO, and Mr. MOLLOHAN): transmitting the Administration’s final rule Natural Resources. H.R. 5151. A bill to designate as wilderness — Purchase, Sale, and Pledge of Eligible Ob- 5178. A letter from the Secretary, Federal additional National Forest System lands in ligations (RIN: 3133-AD37) received December Maritime Commission, Federal Maritime the Monongahela National Forest in the 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to Commission, transmitting the Commission’s State of West Virginia, and for other pur- the Committee on Financial Services. final rule — Amendment to Regulations Gov- poses; to the Committee on Natural Re- 5171. A letter from the Principal Deputy erning the Filing of Proof of Financial Re- sources, and in addition to the Committee on Associate Administrator, Environmental sponsibility [Docket No. 07-06] (RIN: 3072- Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- AC33) received January 4, 2008, pursuant to 5 determined by the Speaker, in each case for cy’s final rule — Approval and Promulgation U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on consideration of such provisions as fall with- of Air Quality Implementation Plans; West Transportation and Infrastructure. in the jurisdiction of the committee con- Virginia; Section 110(a)(1) 8-Hour Ozone 5179. A letter from the Director of Regula- cerned. Maintenance Plan and Amendments to the 1- tions Management, Office of Regulation Pol- By Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mr. KLEIN of Hour Ozone Maintenance Plan [EPA-R03- icy & Management, VA, Department of Vet- Florida, Mr. CROWLEY, and Ms. BERK- OAR-2007-0215; FRL-8513-8] received January erans Affairs, transmitting the Department’s LEY):

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H.R. 5152. A bill to authorize assistance for H.R. 5159. A bill to establish the Office of Mr. PUTNAM, Mr. WELDON of Florida, ethnic and religious minorities in Russia, the Capitol Visitor Center within the Office Mr. MAHONEY of Florida, Mr. MILLER Ukraine, and Belarus; to the Committee on of the Architect of the Capitol, headed by of Florida, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. Foreign Affairs. the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Serv- BILIRAKIS, Mr. FEENEY, Ms. ROS- By Mr. KANJORSKI: ices, to provide for the effective management LEHTINEN, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART H.R. 5153. A bill to increase temporarily and administration of the Capitol Visitor of Florida, Mr. MACK, Mr. BUCHANAN, the conforming loan limits of the Federal Center, and for other purposes; to the Com- Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. National Mortgage Association and the Fed- mittee on House Administration, and in ad- STEARNS, Mr. MICA, Ms. WASSERMAN eral Home Loan Mortgage Corporation in dition to the Committee on Rules, for a pe- SCHULTZ, Ms. CASTOR, Mr. KLEIN of certain areas, enhance mortgage market li- riod to be subsequently determined by the Florida, and Mr. WEXLER): quidity, and for other purposes; to the Com- Speaker, in each case for consideration of H.R. 5168. A bill to designate the facility of mittee on Financial Services. such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- the United States Postal Service located at By Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA: tion of the committee concerned. 19101 Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville, Flor- H.R. 5154. A bill to condition further in- By Mr. KIND (for himself and Mr. ida, as the ‘‘Cody Grater Post Office Build- creases in the minimum wage applicable to HULSHOF): ing’’; to the Committee on Oversight and American Samoa and the Commonwealth of H.R. 5160. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Government Reform. the Northern Mariana Islands on a deter- enue Code of 1986 to encourage retirement By Mr. CANTOR: mination by the Secretary of Labor that savings by modifying requirements with re- H.R. 5169. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- such increases will not have an adverse im- spect to employer-established IRAs, and for enue Code of 1986 to reduce marginal income pact on the economies of American Samoa other purposes; to the Committee on Ways tax rates on corporations; to the Committee and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mar- and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means. iana Islands; to the Committee on Education on Education and Labor, for a period to be By Mr. CARNEY (for himself and Mr. and Labor. subsequently determined by the Speaker, in THOMPSON of Mississippi): By Ms. SHEA-PORTER: each case for consideration of such provi- H.R. 5170. A bill to amend the Homeland H.R. 5155. A bill to amend title 38, United sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the Security Act of 2002 to provide for a privacy States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of committee concerned. official within each component of the De- Veterans Affairs from collecting certain By Mr. WU: partment of Homeland Security, and for debts to the United States in the case of vet- H.R. 5161. A bill to provide for the estab- other purposes; to the Committee on Home- erans who die as a result of a service-con- lishment of Green Transportation Infrastruc- land Security. nected disability incurred or aggravated on ture Research and Technology Transfer Cen- By Mr. COSTA (for himself and Mr. RA- active duty in a combat zone, and for other ters, and for other purpose; to the Com- HALL): purposes; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- H.R. 5171. A bill to reauthorize and amend fairs. ture, and in addition to the Committee on the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992; By Mr. CLAY (for himself and Mr. Science and Technology, for a period to be to the Committee on Natural Resources. WAMP): subsequently determined by the Speaker, in By Mr. DONNELLY (for himself, Mr. H.R. 5156. A bill to require a study of the each case for consideration of such provi- SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. ELLS- feasibility of establishing the John Lewis sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the WORTH, and Mr. BUCHANAN): Civil Rights Trail System, and for other pur- committee concerned. H.R. 5172. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- poses; to the Committee on Natural Re- By Mr. BRADY of Texas: enue Code of 1986 to provide recovery rebates sources. H.R. 5162. A bill to suspend temporarily the to certain individuals receiving social secu- By Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts (for duty on a certain chemical used in the pro- rity benefits; to the Committee on Ways and himself, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. FILNER, duction of textiles; to the Committee on Means. Ms. CLARKE, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. BOU- Ways and Means. By Mr. ELLISON (for himself, Mr. COO- CHER, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. GUTIERREZ, By Mr. BRADY of Texas: PER, Mr. DUNCAN, Ms. MCCOLLUM of Mr. TIERNEY, Ms. NORTON, Mr. H.R. 5163. A bill to suspend temporarily the Minnesota, Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. WALZ DEFAZIO, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. duty on a certain chemical that is used for of Minnesota, Mr. PETERSON of Min- CUMMINGS, Mr. FARR, Mr. ABER- dyeing apparel home textiles; to the Com- nesota, Mr. CUMMINGS, and Mr. OBER- CROMBIE, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, mittee on Ways and Means. STAR): Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Ms. By Mr. BRADY of Texas: H.R. 5173. A bill to temporarily delay appli- WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. H.R. 5164. A bill to suspend temporarily the cation of proposed changes to Medicaid pay- BUTTERFIELD, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, duty on a certain chemical that is used for ment rules for case management and tar- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. HIN- dyeing apparel home textiles; to the Com- geted case management services; to the CHEY, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. KUCINICH, mittee on Ways and Means. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Ms. LEE, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. By Mr. BRADY of Texas: By Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania (for COHEN, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. OLVER, H.R. 5165. A bill to extend the temporary himself, Mr. POMEROY, Mr. SMITH of Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. HARE, Mr. suspension of duty on 4-Anilino-3-nitro-N- New Jersey, and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN): ELLISON, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Cali- phenylbenzenesulphonamide; to the Com- H.R. 5174. A bill to amend title XVIII of the fornia, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. mittee on Ways and Means. Social Security Act to continue the ability VAN HOLLEN, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. By Mr. BRADY of Texas: of hospitals to supply a needed workforce of HONDA, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. WAXMAN, H.R. 5166. A bill to suspend temporarily the nurses and allied health professionals by pre- Mr. WYNN, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. LAN- duty on Naphthalenedisulfonic acid; to the serving funding for hospital operated nursing TOS, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Committee on Ways and Means. and allied health education programs; to the Mr. BERMAN, Mr. STARK, Mr. AL By Mr. BRALEY of Iowa (for himself, Committee on Ways and Means. GREEN of Texas, Mr. PAUL, Ms. WOOL- Mr. CONYERS, Mr. FRANK of Massa- By Ms. FOXX (for herself, Mr. LINDER, SEY, Mr. WATT, Mr. CLAY, Ms. LINDA chusetts, Mr. SESTAK, Mr. HARE, Ms. Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. T. SA´ NCHEZ of California, Mr. PAYNE, SUTTON, Mr. SARBANES, Mr. KAGEN, BURTON of Indiana, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. JOHNSON of Ms. HIRONO, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. Mr. WELDON of Florida, Mr. KING- Georgia, Ms. HIRONO, Ms. SLAUGHTER, HALL of New York, Mr. WELCH of STON, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. DOO- Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. MATHESON, Mr. Vermont, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. LITTLE, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, SNYDER, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. WALZ of Minnesota, Mr. PERLMUTTER, Mr. PENCE, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, NADLER, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. CARNAHAN, Mr. Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. PAUL, Mr. FLAKE, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. BARTLETT of Mary- JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. RUSH, and California, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. MUR- land, and Mrs. CUBIN): Mr. LEWIS of Georgia): PHY of Connecticut, Ms. LEE, Ms. H.R. 5175. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- H.R. 5157. A bill to amend the Higher Edu- CASTOR, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, enue Code of 1986 to repeal the withholding cation Act of 1965 to repeal the provisions Mr. ELLISON, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. JOHN- of income and social security taxes; to the prohibiting persons convicted of drug of- SON of Georgia, Mr. MORAN of Vir- Committee on Ways and Means. fenses from receiving student financial as- ginia, and Ms. HOOLEY): By Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas (for sistance; to the Committee on Education and H.R. 5167. A bill to amend the National De- himself and Mr. TIM MURPHY of Penn- Labor. fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 sylvania): By Mr. BOSWELL: to remove the authority of the President to H.R. 5176. A bill to amend the Public H.R. 5158. A bill to direct the United States waive certain provisions; to the Committee Health Service Act with respect to mental Postal Service to designate a single, unique on the Judiciary. health services; to the Committee on Energy ZIP Code for Windsor Heights, Iowa; to the By Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Flor- and Commerce. Committee on Oversight and Government ida (for herself, Mr. YOUNG of Florida, By Mr. GRIJALVA: Reform. Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. MARIO H.R. 5177. A bill to provide for a land ex- By Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania (for DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. BOYD of change involving certain Bureau of Land himself and Mr. EHLERS): Florida, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. KELLER, Management lands in Pima County, Arizona,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:49 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L29JA7.100 H29JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE H556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 29, 2008 for the purpose of consolidating Federal land ments Trust Fund; to the Committee on Ag- limeter; to the Committee on Ways and ownership within the Las Cienegas National riculture. Means. Conservation Area, and for other purposes; By Mr. MILLER of Florida: By Mrs. TAUSCHER: to the Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 5190. A bill to suspend temporarily the H.R. 5204. A bill to suspend temporarily the By Mr. GRIJALVA (for himself, Ms. duty on certain acrylic fiber tow; to the duty on fork-style optical sensor with spe- JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. DAVIS of Committee on Ways and Means. cial vacuum application, 2.5 meter-long Illinois, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. SCOTT of Vir- By Mr. PAUL: cable, stainless steel casing and sheath ma- ginia, and Ms. CLARKE): H.R. 5191. A bill to prohibit the use of Fed- terial; to the Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 5178. A bill to enhance public safety eral funds to carry out the highway project By Mrs. TAUSCHER: by improving the reintegration of youth of- known as the ‘‘Trans-Texas Corridor’’; to the H.R. 5205. A bill to suspend temporarily the fenders into the families and communities to Committee on Transportation and Infra- duty on cathode drive unit includes 89-Kilo- which they are returning; to the Committee structure. watt Gearmotor, synchronous belt, stainless on the Judiciary, and in addition to the By Ms. PRYCE of Ohio (for herself and steel bearing housing, bearings, stainless Committees on Education and Labor, and Mr. MURTHA): steel drive shaft, cooling water lead-through, Energy and Commerce, for a period to be H.R. 5192. A bill to improve the palliative stainless steel driveflange connection, rub- subsequently determined by the Speaker, in and end-of-life care provided to children with ber seals, PEEK high performance plastic, each case for consideration of such provi- life-threatening conditions, and for other insulators, water fittings and metric stain- sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the purposes; to the Committee on Energy and less steel hardware; to the Committee on committee concerned. Commerce, and in addition to the Committee Ways and Means. By Mr. HOLT (for himself, Mr. on Ways and Means, for a period to be subse- By Mrs. TAUSCHER: HINOJOSA, Mr. EHLERS, and Mr. MAR- quently determined by the Speaker, in each H.R. 5206. A bill to suspend temporarily the KEY): case for consideration of such provisions as duty on Steel Ball Bearing, 62 millimeters H.R. 5179. A bill to establish in the Depart- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee outside diameter x 30 millimeters inside di- ment of Education an Assistant Secretary concerned. ameter x 16 millimeters width; to the Com- for International and Foreign Language Edu- By Mr. RUSH (for himself, Mrs. mittee on Ways and Means. cation and an Office of International and MALONEY of New York, Mr. By Mrs. TAUSCHER: Foreign Language Education; to the Com- BLUMENAUER, Mr. GUTIERREZ, and Ms. H.R. 5207. A bill to suspend temporarily the mittee on Education and Labor. JACKSON-LEE of Texas): duty on Gas Flow Control Valve, 500 milli- By Mr. LOEBSACK (for himself, Mr. H.R. 5193. A bill to award a congressional liters minimum; to the Committee on Ways BOSWELL, and Mr. BRALEY of Iowa): gold medal to Barry C. Scheck and to Peter and Means. H.R. 5180. A bill making supplemental ap- Neufeld in recognition of their outstanding By Mrs. TAUSCHER: propriations for fiscal year 2008 for the De- service to the Nation and to justice as co- H.R. 5208. A bill to suspend temporarily the partment of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memo- founders and co-directors of the Innocence duty on 1.25 inch Stainless Steel Tee Pipe rial Justice Assistance Grant program; to Project; to the Committee on Financial Fitting; to the Committee on Ways and the Committee on Appropriations, and in ad- Services. Means. dition to the Committee on the Budget, for a By Mrs. TAUSCHER: By Mrs. TAUSCHER: period to be subsequently determined by the H.R. 5194. A bill to extend the temporary H.R. 5209. A bill to suspend temporarily the Speaker, in each case for consideration of suspension of duty on Clethodim; to the duty on Pressure Hose with red jacket, 42 such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Committee on Ways and Means. millimeters outside diameter x 32 millime- tion of the committee concerned. By Mrs. TAUSCHER: ters inside diameter; to the Committee on By Mrs. MALONEY of New York (for H.R. 5195. A bill to suspend temporarily the Ways and Means. herself, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. MCNULTY, duty on Red 30-kilovolt high-frequency By Mrs. TAUSCHER: Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Ms. WOOL- cable, 30 square millimeters; to the Com- H.R. 5210. A bill to suspend temporarily the SEY, and Mr. ABERCROMBIE): mittee on Ways and Means. duty on Black NBR rubber O-ring, 3150 milli- H.R. 5181. A bill to amend the Public By Mrs. TAUSCHER: meters diameter, 9896 millimeters circum- Health Service Act to establish a program of H.R. 5196. A bill to suspend temporarily the ference; to the Committee on Ways and research regarding the risks posed by the duty on UNITRONIC LIYCY-type 350-volt Means. presence of dioxin, synthetic fibers, and Multi-conductor copper cable, PVC By Mrs. TAUSCHER: other additives in feminine hygiene prod- (Polyvinylcarbonate) insulation, 8.9 milli- H.R. 5211. A bill to suspend temporarily the ucts, and to establish a program for the col- meter diamer; to the Committee on Ways duty on stainless steel Hose Barb, 88.5 milli- lection and analysis of data on toxic shock and Means. meters length x 34 millimeters diameter; to syndrome; to the Committee on Energy and By Mrs. TAUSCHER: the Committee on Ways and Means. Commerce. H.R. 5197. A bill to suspend temporarily the By Mrs. TAUSCHER: By Mrs. MALONEY of New York: duty on White plastic mounting flange, 286 H.R. 5212. A bill to suspend temporarily the H.R. 5182. A bill to suspend temporarily the millimeter diameter, 45 millimeter thick- duty on Gas Flow Control Valve 100 milli- duty on cyclopentadecanolide; to the Com- ness; to the Committee on Ways and Means. liters minimum; to the Committee on Ways mittee on Ways and Means. By Mrs. TAUSCHER: and Means. By Mrs. MALONEY of New York: H.R. 5198. A bill to suspend temporarily the By Mrs. TAUSCHER: H.R. 5183. A bill to extend the temporary duty on Cathode high voltage connector; to H.R. 5213. A bill to suspend temporarily the suspension of duty on cis-3-Hexen-1-ol; to the the Committee on Ways and Means. duty on Mounting Fixture, 230 millimeters Committee on Ways and Means. By Mrs. TAUSCHER: length x 150 millimeters width x 12 millime- By Mrs. MALONEY of New York: H.R. 5199. A bill to suspend temporarily the ters thick; to the Committee on Ways and H.R. 5184. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Stainless steel Vaccuum Feed- Means. duty on 2-methyl-3-(3,4 methylenedioxy- Through for optical sensor, 41 millimeter di- By Mrs. TAUSCHER: phenyl) propanal; to the Committee on Ways ameter, MANSKE part number 43935/2; to the H.R. 5214. A bill to suspend temporarily the and Means. Committee on Ways and Means. duty on feedthrough with housing 125 milli- By Mrs. MALONEY of New York: By Mrs. TAUSCHER: meters long, Housing mounting flange 180 H.R. 5185. A bill to extend the temporary H.R. 5200. A bill to suspend temporarily the millimeters outside diameter x 20 millime- suspension of duty on polytetramethylene duty on fiber optic amplifier type ILVS 19/4 ters thick; to the Committee on Ways and ether glycol; to the Committee on Ways and with metal housing; to the Committee on Means. Means. Ways and Means. By Mrs. TAUSCHER: By Mrs. MALONEY of New York: By Mrs. TAUSCHER: H.R. 5215. A bill to suspend temporarily the H.R. 5186. A bill to extend the temporary H.R. 5201. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on coupling assembly with 2 steel hubs suspension of duty on magnesium zinc alu- duty on single light optical sensor, stainless with 32 millimeter outside diameter, 18 mil- minum hydroxide carbonate hydrate; to the steel casing, 0.5 meter-long, 2.2 millimeter limeter inside diameter, and a white plastic Committee on Ways and Means. diameter cable; to the Committee on Ways sleeve with 46 millimeter outside diameter By Mrs. MALONEY of New York: and Means. and 28 millimeter width; to the Committee H.R. 5187. A bill to extend the temporary By Mrs. TAUSCHER: on Ways and Means. suspension of duty on Magnesium aluminum H.R. 5202. A bill to suspend temporarily the By Mr. UDALL of Colorado: hydroxide carbonate hydrate; to the Com- duty on optical fiber sensor, consisting of a H.R. 5216. A bill to promote as a renewable mittee on Ways and Means. 10 millimeter diameter lens built in an M14 energy source the use of biomass removed By Mrs. MALONEY of New York: screw feedthrough with 10-meter long fiber from forest lands in connection with haz- H.R. 5188. A bill to extend the temporary optic cable of 2.2 millimeter diameter; to the ardous fuel reduction projects on certain suspension of duty on C12-18 alkenes; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Federal land, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mrs. TAUSCHER: Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. MEEK of Florida: H.R. 5203. A bill to suspend temporarily the By Mr. UDALL of Colorado: H.R. 5189. A bill to establish the Orange duty on 2.5-Kilowatt drive motor, Flange di- H.R. 5217. A bill to direct the Adminis- Juice Promotion and Production Improve- ameter 160 millimeter, shaft diameter 30 mil- trator of the Small Business Administration

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to conduct a demonstration program to raise birth of the United States space exploration Mr. BERRY, Ms. TSONGAS, Mr. HIG- awareness about telework among small busi- program; to the Committee on Science and GINS, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. YOUNG of Alas- ness employers, and to encourage such em- Technology. ka, Mr. REYNOLDS, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ- ployers to offer telework options to employ- By Mr. KUHL of New York (for himself BALART of Florida, Mr. DONNELLY, ees, and for other purposes; to the Com- and Mr. ARCURI): Mr. ARCURI, Mr. KUHL of New York, mittee on Small Business. H. Res. 946. A resolution recognizing the Mr. SOUDER, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. LANTOS, By Mr. UDALL of Colorado (for himself Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Cen- Mr. LOEBSACK, Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. and Mr. FILNER): ter on its 75th anniversary; to the Com- SIRES, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. SHIMKUS, H.R. 5218. A bill to promote fire-safe com- mittee on Veterans’ Affairs. Mr. WALDEN of Oregon, Mr. GARRETT munities, and for other purposes; to the By Mr. ROYCE (for himself, Mr. LAN- of New Jersey, Mr. DAVIS of Ken- Committee on Transportation and Infra- TOS, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. tucky, Mr. KIRK, Ms. MOORE of Wis- structure, and in addition to the Committees FALEOMAVAEGA, Ms. WATSON, Mr. consin, Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. BUR- Mr. REYES, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. Science and Technology, for a period to be TON of Indiana, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. subsequently determined by the Speaker, in PAYNE, Mr. FOSSELLA, Mr. ACKER- SERRANO, Mr. RUSH, Mr. HOLT, Ms. each case for consideration of such provi- MAN, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. CASTOR, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. MEEKS ISRAEL, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. committee concerned. of New York, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. HONDA, LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee, Ms. By Mr. WEINER: Mr. MCCOTTER, and Mr. MORAN of WOOLSEY, Mr. LANGEVIN, Ms. NORTON, H.R. 5219. A bill to authorize appropria- Virginia): Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. tions for the seafood inspection regime of the H. Res. 947. A resolution congratulating REICHERT, Mr. REHBERG, Mr. DANIEL Food and Drug Administration; to the Com- Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the Presi- E. LUNGREN of California, Mr. mittee on Agriculture. dency of the Republic of Korea and wishing ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. HARE, By Mr. WU (for himself, Mr. him well during his time of transition and Mr. CHANDLER, Mr. WILSON of Ohio, BLUMENAUER, Mr. DEFAZIO, Ms. his inauguration on February 25, 2008; to the Ms. WATSON, Mr. KIND, Mr. MEEKS of HOOLEY, and Mr. WALDEN of Oregon): Committee on Foreign Affairs. New York, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. HALL of H.R. 5220. A bill to designate the facility of By Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas (for herself, New York, Mr. THOMPSON of Mis- the United States Postal Service located at Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Mr. TIAHRT, sissippi, Mr. FATTAH, Ms. KILPATRICK, 3800 SW. 185th Avenue in Beaverton, Oregon, and Mr. MORAN of Kansas): Mr. BISHOP of New York, Ms. BERK- H. Res. 948. A resolution congratulating as the ‘‘Major Arthur Chin Post Office Build- LEY, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. the University of Kansas (‘‘KU’’) football ing’’; to the Committee on Oversight and ACKERMAN, Mr. KILDEE, Mrs. DAVIS of team for winning the 2008 FedEx Orange Government Reform. California, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. CAPUANO, Bowl and having the most successful year in By Mr. AKIN (for himself and Mr. Mr. FOSSELLA, Mr. SMITH of New Jer- program history; to the Committee on Edu- CLEAVER): sey, Mr. PUTNAM, and Ms. GRANGER): H. Con. Res. 284. Concurrent resolution en- cation and Labor. H. Res. 952. A resolution expressing the couraging the President to proclaim 2008 as By Mr. BROUN of Georgia (for himself, sense of the House of Representatives that ‘‘The National Year of the Bible‘‘; to the Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, and there should be established a National Committee on Oversight and Government Mr. BARROW): Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers Reform. H. Res. 949. A resolution recognizing and in the United States; to the Committee on By Mr. KANJORSKI (for himself, Mrs. commending the 100th Anniversary of the Oversight and Government Reform. CAPITO, Mr. WILSON of Ohio, Mr. Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce; to the By Mr. KNOLLENBERG: ALTMIRE, Mr. MURTHA, Mr. CARNEY, Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Res. 953. A resolution expressing the Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania, By Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida: sense of the House of Representatives that Mr. CHANDLER, Mr. PETERSON of H. Res. 950. A resolution recognizing the all Americans should participate in a mo- Pennsylvania, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of 19th annual ‘‘Zora Neale Hurston Festival of ment of silence to reflect upon the service California, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. GER- the Arts and Humanities‘‘ which will be held and sacrifice of members of the United LACH, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. from January 26, 2008, to February 3, 2008; to States Armed Forces both at home and WOLF, and Mr. SPACE): the Committee on Oversight and Govern- abroad; to the Committee on Armed Serv- H. Con. Res. 285. Concurrent resolution ex- ment Reform. ices. pressing the sense of the Congress that a By Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey (for By Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California postage stamp should be issued honoring the himself, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. HENSARLING, (for herself, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. Nation’s coal miners; to the Committee on and Ms. BERKLEY): GRIJALVA, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. Oversight and Government Reform. H. Res. 951. A resolution condemning the KING of Iowa, Mr. THOMPSON of Mis- By Mr. MORAN of Virginia (for him- ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on sissippi, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of self, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. TOM Israeli civilians, and for other purposes; to California, Mr. KING of New York, DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. REYES, Ms. GIFFORDS, Mr. CAR- MEEKS of New York, Mr. WOLF, Mr. By Mr. KLEIN of Florida (for himself, NEY, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CLAY, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. Mr. ROSKAM, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. DAVIS of Ala- KILPATRICK, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, TOWNS, Mr. HOLDEN, Mrs. bama, Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Mr. RUSH, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, GILLIBRAND, Mr. ROSS, Mr. MCINTYRE, California, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. KELLER, GALLEGLY, Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. PENCE, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. Mr. SHULER, Mr. COHEN, Mr. MCGOV- Mr. BERMAN, Mr. HILL, Mr. SHULER, MARKEY, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. ERN, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. ALTMIRE, Mr. Mr. WALZ of Minnesota, Mr. SPACE, SHAYS, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. AL EHLERS, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. ELLSWORTH, Mr. JOHNSON of ´ GREEN of Texas, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. Mr. BACA, Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of Georgia, Mr. HALL of New York, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. WATT, Mr. ELLISON, California, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. SESTAK, MAHONEY of Florida, Mr. BRALEY of Mr. PALLONE, Mr. JOHNSON of Geor- Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, Mr. LAMPSON, Iowa, Mr. DONNELLY, and Mrs. BOYDA gia, Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, Mr. SCOTT Ms. BORDALLO, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. of Kansas): of Georgia, Ms. WATSON, Ms. SLAUGH- INSLEE, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mrs. H. Res. 954. A resolution honoring the life TER, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Mr. BOYDA of Kansas, Mr. SKELTON, Mr. of senior Border Patrol agent Luis A. KUCINICH, Mr. ROSS, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. LORETTA Aguilar, who lost his life in the line of duty Mr. CARDOZA, Mr. SERRANO, and Mr. SANCHEZ of California, Mr. FILNER, near Yuma, Arizona, on January 19, 2008; to MCGOVERN): Mr. ROTHMAN, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, the Committee on Homeland Security. Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. SAR- H. Con. Res. 286. Concurrent resolution ex- MEMORIALS pressing the sense of Congress that Earl BANES, Mr. WALZ of Minnesota, Mr. Lloyd should be recognized and honored for ETHERIDGE, Mr. MAHONEY of Florida, Under clause 3 of rule XII, memorials breaking the color barrier and becoming the Mr. CLEAVER, Ms. WASSERMAN were presented and referred as follows: first African American to play in the Na- SCHULTZ, Mr. LYNCH, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. 225. The SPEAKER presented a memorial tional Basketball Association League 58 ALLEN, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. WYNN, Ms. of the Legislature of the State of Alaska, rel- years ago; to the Committee on Oversight MCCOLLUM of Minnesota, Mr. HONDA, ative to House Joint Resolution No. 11 urg- and Government Reform. Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. HILL, Mr. AL ing the Congress of the United States to take By Mr. UDALL of Colorado (for him- GREEN of Texas, Mr. FARR, Mr. VAN action to honor the sovereignty of the indi- self, Mr. GORDON, Mr. HALL of Texas, HOLLEN, Mr. MATHESON, Mr. MOORE vidual states to regulate and command the Mr. FEENEY, and Mr. LAMPSON): of Kansas, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, National Guard of the states; to the Com- H. Con. Res. 287. Concurrent resolution Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. MITCH- mittee on Armed Services. celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ELL, Mr. KAGEN, Mr. WU, Mr. 226. Also, a memorial of the House of Rep- United States Explorer I satellite, the MCNERNEY, Mr. CARNEY, Mr. GORDON, resentatives of the Commonwealth of Penn- world’s first scientific spacecraft, and the Mr. WELCH of Vermont, Mrs. CAPPS, sylvania, relative to House Resolution No.

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447 expressing support for the Children’s H.R. 1102: Mr. SMITH of Washington. H.R. 3622: Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. Health Insurance Program Reauthorization H.R. 1223: Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. CLEAVER, and Mr. Act of 2007 and urging the Congress of the H.R. 1232: Mr. REHBERG. WEXLER. United States to override the veto; to the H.R. 1390: Mr. WU. H.R. 3689: Mr. GONZALEZ and Ms. BALDWIN. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 1419: Mr. WEXLER. H.R. 3697: Mr. WEXLER. 227. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the H.R. 1428: Mrs. CAPITO. H.R. 3717: Mr. KAGEN. State of Michigan, relative to Senate Reso- H.R. 1444: Mrs. LOWEY. H.R. 3735: Mr. RAMSTAD. lution No. 131 requesting the Congressional H.R. 1456: Mr. SIRES. H.R. 3750: Mr. MARSHALL. Joint Committee on the Library to approve H.R. 1497: Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. H.R. 3797: Mr. SESTAK, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of the replacement of Michigan’s statue of H.R. 1540: Mrs. BLACKBURN. California, Ms. GIFFORDS, and Mr. ALTMIRE. Zachariah Chandler with an image of Presi- H.R. 1553: Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. H.R. 3815: MS. RICHARDSON. dent Gerald R. Ford as part of the National H.R. 1584: Ms. MATSUI and Mr. RADANOVICH. H.R. 3819: Mr. DONNELLY, Mr. ENGLISH of Statuary Hall collection; to the Committee H.R. 1589: Mrs. CAPITO. Pennsylvania, and Ms. MATSUI. on House Administration. H.R. 1609: Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Cali- H.R. 3825: Mr. BURGESS, Mr. FOSSELLA, Ms. 228. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of fornia, Mr. REYES, and Mr. WHITFIELD of PRYCE of Ohio, Mrs. CAPITO, and Mr. the State of Alaska, relative to Senate Joint Kentucky. MCHUGH. Resolution No. 6 urging the Congress of the H.R. 1610: Mr. HASTINGS of Washington, Mr. H.R. 3846: Mr. WEXLER, Mr. GONZALEZ, and United States to defeat H.R. 39, titled ‘‘To REYNOLDS, and Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. MEEKS of New York. preserve the Arctic coastal plain of the Arc- H.R. 1621: Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. H.R. 3852: Mr. LATTA. tic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, as wil- H.R. 1653: Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. SESTAK, H.R. 3899: Mr. GOODE. derness in recognition of its extraordinary and Mr. MICHAUD. H.R. 3934: Mr. ALTMIRE and Mrs. natural ecosystems and for the permanent H.R. 1691; Mr. WEXLER. NAPOLITANO. good of present and future generations of H.R. 1738: Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. H.R. 3980: Mr. MCGOVERN. Americans’’; to the Committee on Natural H.R. 1742: Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. ROSKAM, H.R. 4044: Mr. WOLF. Resources. and Mr. MORAN of Virginia. H.R. 4061: Mr. EHLERS. 229. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of H.R. 1748: Mr. MANZULLO. H.R. 4063: Mr. VAN HOLLEN. the State of Alaska, relative to House Joint H.R. 1772: Mr. ELLSWORTH. H.R. 4088: Mr. KINGSTON. Resolution No. 21 urging the Congress of the H.R. 1789: Mr. GOODLATTE. H.R. 4105: Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. United States to enact legislation to require H.R. 1801: Mr. DOGGETT. H.R. 4125: Mr. POE. congressional approval before an area in the H.R. 1818: Mrs. CAPITO. H.R. 4126: Mr. DAVIS of Alabama, Mr. United States may be considered for an H.R. 1829: Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Flor- BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. ALLEN, and Mr. international designation; to the Committee ida. HERGER. H.R. 4236: Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. on Natural Resources. H.R. 1843: Mr. LOBIONDO. 230. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of H.R. 1881: Mr. KING of New York. SCOTT of Georgia, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. UDALL of the State of Alaska, relative to House Joint H.R. 1953: Mr. ELLISON and Mr. JACKSON of New Mexico, and Mr. HILL. H.R. 4244: Mr. NUNES. Resolution No. 17 encouraging Coeur Alaska, Illinois. H.R. 4318: Mr. BOYD of Florida. Inc., to pursue all legal options to resolve H.R. 1956: Ms. RICHARDSON. H.R. 4355: Mr. ALEXANDER, Ms. WATERS, the issues presented in Southeast Alaska H.R. 1964: Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. and Mr. SHIMKUS. Conservation Council v. United States Army H.R. 1965: Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. H.R. 4461: Mr. PERLMUTTER. Corps of Engineers on behalf of itself and H.R. 1975: Ms. MATSUI. H.R. 4464: Mr. ADERHOLT, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. consistent with the state’s efforts to enforce H.R. 2032: Mr. ELLISON. GARRETT of New Jersey, Ms. FALLIN, Mr. its rights as a state over its resources; to the H.R. 2045: Mr. WEXLER and Ms. LINDA T. ´ SMITH of Nebraska, Mr. BACHUS, Mrs. EMER- Committee on the Judiciary. SANCHEZ of California. H.R. 2049: Mr. ISRAEL. SON, Mr. SESSIONS, and Mr. FORBES. f H.R. 2054: Mr. SIMPSON. H.R. 4544: Mr. HINOJOSA. PRIVATE BILLS AND H.R. 2091: Mr. MOORE of Kansas. H.R. 4651: Mr. GRIJALVA. RESOLUTIONS H.R. 2188: Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. H.R. 4833: Mr. SERRANO and Mr. PASTOR. H.R. 2267: Mr. SESTAK and Mr. HOLDEN. H.R. 4838: Mr. GARY G. MILLER of Cali- Under clause 3 of rule XII, H.R. 2353: Ms. CLARKE. fornia, Mr. SMITH of Nebraska, and Ms. Mr. REYES introduced a bill (H.R. 5221) for H.R. 2464: Mr. WAMP. ESHOO. the relief of Kumi Iizuka-Barcena; which was H.R. 2495: Mr. MICHAUD and Mr. PATRICK H.R. 4841: Mr. CALVERT. referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. H.R. 4915: Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina H.R. 2510: Mr. HALL of Texas. and Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. f H.R. 2580: Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. H.R. 4930: Mr. YOUNG of Florida, Mr. BAR- ADDITIONAL SPONSORS H.R. 2596: Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. RETT of South Carolina, Mr. LOBIONDO, and H.R. 2604: Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. SHUSTER. Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 2611: Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. H.R. 5032: Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. were added to public bills and resolu- H.R. 2676: Mr. KING of New York. FORTENBERRY, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, tions as follows: H.R. 2685: Mr. MAHONEY of Florida. Mr. LINDER, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. H.R. 181: Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of H.R. 2686: Mr. MAHONEY of Florida. SOUDER, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. PITTS, Mr. Texas. H.R. 2702: Mr. COURTNEY. LAMBORN, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. BROUN of Georgia, H.R. 197: Mr. ELLSWORTH. H.R. 2708: Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. FORBES, Mr. GOODE, and Mr. RENZI. H.R. 241: Mr. GOODLATTE, Mr. GOHMERT, H.R. 2711: Mr. PORTER. H.R. 5035: Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. FRANKs of Arizona, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. H.R. 2712: Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. H.R. 5036: Mr. GORDON, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. PENCE, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. HERGER, Mr. H.R. 2734: Mrs. BONO Mack and Mr. ALTMIRE, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of THORNBERRY, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. DAVID MCKEON. Texas, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Ms. DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. BARTLETT of Mary- H.R. 2802: Mr. DELAHUNT. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. WYNN, Ms. WOOL- land, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. H.R. 2840: Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. SEY, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. PITTS, and Mr. BURGESS. H.R. 3014: Mr. NADLER. PALLONE, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Ms. KIL- H.R. 281: Mr. THOMPSON of California. H.R. 3016: Mr. UDALL of Colorado. PATRICK, Mr. COOPER, and Mr. JACKSON of Il- H.R. 550: Mr. PORTER. H.R. 3051: Mrs. MUSGRAVE. linois. H.R. 551: Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. H.R. 3057: Mr. HINOJOSA. H.R. 5056: Mr. WELCH of Vermont. H.R. 583: Mr. SESTAK. H.R. 3182: Mr. MORAN of Virginia. H.R. 5057: Mr. KILDEE, Mr. SMITH of Wash- H.R. 585: Mrs. LOWEY. H.R. 3185: Mr. MICHAUD. ington, and Mr. BERMAN. H.R. 621: Mr. LOBIONDO. H.R. 3232: Mr. BILBRAY, Mr. MORAN of Vir- H.R. 5058: Mr. HARE, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. H.R. 648: Mrs. CUBIN and Mr. HOLDEN. ginia, and Mrs. CAPITO. MCNERNEY, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Ms. H.R. 685: Mr. ROSS, Mr. BURGESS, and Mr. H.R. 3298: Mr. FORTUN˜ O and Mr. KUCINICH. LEE, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. SESTAK, Ms. WOOL- MARCHANT. H.R. 3314: Mr. RANGEL. SEY, and Mr. FARR. H.R. 706: Mr. CONYERS. H.R. 3363: Mr. SMITH of Nebraska and Mr. H.R. 5060: Mr. MILLER of North Carolina H.R. 821: Mr. GONZALEZ. KIND. and Mr. CHANDLER. H.R. 871: Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. H.R. 3378: Mr. HONDA, Mr. MORAN of Vir- H.R. 5087: Mr. SHULER, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. H.R. 891: Ms. CLARKE, Ms. LORETTA ginia, and Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. KAGEN, and Mr. DEFAZIO. SANCHEZ of California, and Mr. CALVERT. H.R. 3439: Mr. SESTAK and Mr. DAVIS of Illi- H.R. 5105: Mr. HELLER. H.R. 913: Mr. BACHUS. nois. H.R. 5109: Mr. BARTON of Texas, Mr. BISHOP H.R. 946: Mr. COHEN. H.R. 3547: Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. of Utah, Mr. GOODE, Mr. JONES of North H.R. 1000: Mr. DICKS. H.R. 3609: Mr. SARBANES and Mr. DAVIS of Carolina, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. H.R. 1017: Ms. WATERS and Ms. LINDA T. Illinois. NEUGEBAUER, Mr. RADANOVICH, Mr. SENSEN- SA´ NCHEZ of California. H.R. 3616: Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. BRENNER, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr.

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MCCOTTER, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. DEAL of Geor- BILBRAY, Mr. BROUN of Georgia, Mr. 207. Also, a petition of the San Francisco gia, and Mr. FOSSELLA. GINGREY, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Board of Supervisors, California, relative to H.R. 5124: Mr. SAXTON, Mr. GRAVES, Mr. Mr. ROSS, and Mr. MATHESON. Resolution No. 569-07 urging neighboring na- BILBRAY, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. COBLE, Mrs. H. Res. 929: Mrs. MYRICK. tions and major investors to defense peaceful MYRICK, and Mr. MARCHANT. H. Res. 930: Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. LARSEN of pro-democracy demonstrators in Burma; to H.R. 5132: Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Washington, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. SPACE, Mrs. the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H.R. 5143: Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Cali- DRAKE, Mr. REICHERT, and Mr. PETERSON of 208. Also, a petition of the Legislature of fornia, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. SIRES, Mr. PASTOR, Minnesota. Rockland County, New York, relative to Res- ´ H. Res. 931: Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. REICHERT, Ms. VELAZQUEZ, Mr. REYES, and Mr. BACA. olution No. 584 requesting that the United H.J. Res. 6: Mr. DENT. Mr. GOODLATTE, Mr. GOODE, Mr. KUHL of New States Postal Service issue a postal stamp H.J. Res. 67: Mr. MARSHALL. York, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of honoring Helen Hayes, October 10, 1900 — H. Con. Res. 32: Mr. YOUNG of Florida, Mrs. Texas, Mrs. DRAKE, Mr. ISSA, Mr. STUPAK, March 17, 1993; to the Committee on Over- MCMORRIS RODGERS, and Mr. MITCHELL. and Mr. HALL of Texas. sight and Government Reform. H. Con. Res. 40: Mr. STUPAK. H. Res. 939: Mr. KIRK, Mrs. MYRICK, and Mr. H. Con. Res. 70: Mrs. DAVIS of California ROHRABACHER. 209. Also, a petition of the City Council of and Ms. BALDWIN. H. Res. 943: Mr. CHANDLER, Ms. WOOLSEY, Santa Rosa, California, relative to Resolu- H. Con. Res. 244: Mr. REYES, Mr. GARY G. and Mr. HONDA. tion No. 26998 recommending impeachment MILLER of California, and Mr. HOLDEN. H. Res. 944: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. of President George W. Bush and Vice Presi- H. Con. Res. 263: Mr. NUNES, Mr. SMITH of H. Res. 945: Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN and Mr. dent Richard Cheney; to the Committee on Nebraska, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. LUCAS, Mr. ROSS. the Judiciary. TIBERI, Mr. LATTA, Mr. BARTLETT of Mary- PETITIONS, ETC. 210. Also, a petition of the Legislature of land, Mr. HASTINGS of Washington, Mr. Ulster County, New York, relative to Resolu- FOSSELLA, Mr. REICHERT, Mr. ROYCE, and Mr. Under clause 3 of rule XII, petitions tion No. 392 urging the Congress of the PETRI. and papers were laid on the clerk’s United States to create a Select Committee H. Con. Res. 267: Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Mr. desk and referred as follows: to investigate the Presidential Administra- COLE of Oklahoma, and Mr. LATOURETTE. 203. The SPEAKER presented a petition of tion and to make recommendations regard- H. Con. Res. 278: Mr. CALVERT, Mr. the City Council of New Orleans, Louisiana, ing grounds for possible impeachment; to the FOSSELLA, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, relative to Resolution No. R-07-530 urging Committee on the Judiciary. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. the Congress of the United States to appro- 211. Also, a petition of the Miami-Dade WU, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. BOSWELL, priate funds for 3,000 Permenent Supportive County Board of County Commissioners, and Ms. WATSON. Housing subsidies for the hurricane — dev- Florida, relative to Resolution No. R-1246-07 H. Con. Res. 280: Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. astated areas of Louisiana; to the Committee urging the Congress of the United States to GUTIERREZ, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. on Financial Services. reinstate the federal assault weapons ban; to FATTAH, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. WATSON, Ms. SUT- 204. Also, a petition of the San Francisco the Committee on the Judiciary. TON, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. Board of Supervisors, California, relative to DAVIS of Alabama, and Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of 212. Also, a petition of the Miami-Dade Resolution No. 641-07 urging the Federal California. County Board of County Commissioners, Government to impose stricter relations on H. Res. 102: Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Florida, relative to Resolution No. R-1264-07 International Ship Traffic and supporting H. Res. 373: Mr. CROWLEY and Mr. ROYCE. urging the Florida Legislature to designate H. Res. 530: Mr. MARKEY. the Marine Vessel Emissions Reducation Act NW 7th Avenue from NW 35th Street to 79th H. Res. 556: Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky and Mr. of 2007; to the Committee on Energy and Street as Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Avenue; COLE of Oklahoma. Commerce. to the Committee on Transportation and In- H. Res. 758: Mr. LAMBORN. 205. Also, a petition of the Legislature of frastructure. H. Res. 783: Mr. ADERHOLT. Rockland County, New York, relative to Res- olution No. 574 requesting the Congress of 213. Also, a petition of the Miami-Dade H. Res. 792: Mrs. LOWEY. County Board of County Commissioners, H. Res. 796: Mr. KUHL of New York. the United States support ratification of the Florida, relative to Resolution No. R-1245-07 H. Res. 821: Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. United Nations Convention on the Rights of urging the Florida Legislature to increase H. Res. 834: Ms. GIFFORDS. the Child; to the Committee on Foreign Af- the penalties and fines for dog and other ani- H. Res. 848: Mr. PRICE of North Carolina fairs. mal fighting; jointly to the Committees on and Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. 206. Also, a petition of the San Francisco Agriculture and the Judiciary. H. Res. 868: Mr. WEXLER. Board of Supervisors, California, relative to H. Res. 881: Mr. HOEKSTRA. Resolution No. 594-07 urging Speaker Nancy 214. Also, a petition of the Senate of the H. Res. 892: Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Pelosi to continue support and immediately Associated Students of the Univeristy of Ne- Mr. GORDON, and Mr. RAHALL. schedule a vote on H.R. 106, which reaffirms vada, relative to a resolution petitioning the H. Res. 896: Mr. FARR. the proper recognition of the Armenian Congress of the United States to pass the H. Res. 917: Ms. HOOLEY, Ms. ESHOO, Mrs. Genocide; to the Committee on Foreign Af- DREAM Act; jointly to the Committees on MYRICK, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. fairs. Education and Labor and the Judiciary.

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Vol. 154 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2008 No. 14 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was U.S. SENATE, who were left out of what has taken called to order by the Honorable JON PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, place in the House. There will be unem- TESTER, a Senator from the State of Washington, DC, January 29, 2008. ployment benefits. A number of States Montana. To the Senate: are in very difficult shape in that re- Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby gard. They have some other things PRAYER appoint the Honorable JON TESTER, a Sen- dealing with the business package, and The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- ator from the State of Montana, to perform I am told that advocacy groups like fered the following prayer: the duties of the Chair. very much what is in the Senate pack- Let us pray. ROBERT C. BYRD, age. But we will work through this and Eternal Spirit, the giver of every President pro tempore. try to get something done very quickly good and perfect gift, we are sinful peo- Mr. TESTER thereupon assumed the so that, if there are changes made, we ple seeking salvation. We are lost peo- chair as Acting President pro tempore. can do a very quick conference and get ple seeking direction. We are doubting f it to the President. That is an impor- people seeking faith. Teach us, O God, tant issue. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY the way of salvation. Show us the path LEADER f to meaningful life. Reveal to us the FISA steps of faith. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Today, use the Members of this body pore. The majority leader is recog- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I want ev- to fulfill Your purposes. Quicken their nized. eryone—especially my Republican col- hearts and purify their minds. Broaden f leagues and especially the people in the White House—to listen to what I am their concerns and strengthen their SCHEDULE commitments. Show them duties left going to say. FISA, if we don’t do undone, remind them of vows unkept, Mr. REID. Mr. President, we will something on it today, will expire. It and reveal to them tasks unattended. have morning business for 1 hour after will be out of business. The House is Lead them, Father, through this sea- the two leaders make any statements going out of session tonight, so unless son of challenge to a deeper experience they might make. As to what we do we get to them the 30-day extension we with You. Then send them from Your after that will take a conversation have tried to move forward five or six presence to be Your instruments of with the Republican leader, and we will times, unless we have an extension of good in our world. do that when we finish our statements. 18 months, a year, 2 weeks, whatever We pray in the Name of Him who is We have a number of things that are the Republicans think is appropriate— our hope for years to come. Amen. pending: the FISA legislation, Indian if they think nothing is appropriate— health, and we have another matter I then the full brunt of this law expiring f want to complete, an energy bill. We is on their shoulders because it is vir- have an agreement as to how to finish tually legislatively impossible to get PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE that, and we will move to one of those, anything done today. Remember, the The Honorable JON TESTER led the more than likely, today. House has already done what they are Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: f going to do. If we took what the Intel- ligence Committee passed, which is I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the STIMULUS PACKAGE United States of America, and to the Repub- likely not going to happen, we would lic for which it stands, one nation under God, Mr. REID. Mr. President, the Finance have to have a conference with the indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Committee on a bipartisan basis has House. They are going out of session worked up what they feel is something tonight. They are out of town on f they are going to bring before the full Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. committee tomorrow, and that will So unless we do something today, the APPOINTMENT OF ACTING take place—we will get their take on bill is not going to be enacted and the PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE the stimulus package tomorrow. We legislation we passed last August will The PRESIDING OFFICER. The have all seen the press today. Everyone expire. clerk will please read a communication knows the Senate is going to put their Now, the orders that have been to the Senate from the President pro mark on the stimulus package. We feel sought and accomplished during the tempore (Mr. BYRD). what will be done will be very stimula- time since last August will still be in The assistant legislative clerk read tive to the economy. It includes, as I effect, and, of course, there will be an the following letter: understand it, some 20 million seniors opportunity under the old FISA law to

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

S403

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VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S404 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 work on an emergency basis for new intelligence capabilities will be de- a debate on the immunity provisions things they want to do. graded once the Protect America Act and see if the Senate and the House are We want to maintain the ability to expires. That is why we need to reau- willing to give retroactive immunity. go after the bad people. We believe thorize FISA in such a way that we re- In the bill my distinguished colleague, there is a necessity for intercepting tain its full—its full—terror-fighting the Republican leader, talked about telephone conversations between peo- force. The Senate Intelligence Commit- that came from the Intelligence Com- ple who are trying to do bad things. We tee’s version does just that. That is the mittee, that is in that bill. That is in think it should be within the constitu- Rockefeller-Bond bipartisan proposal their bill that came from committee. tional framework, and we believe that that came out of committee 13 to 2. What the House has done doesn’t have is what the Intelligence Committee Senate Republicans stand ready to fin- it in there. So why don’t we have a de- and the Judiciary Committee have ish that good work the committee did bate on that issue and just extend the done. But I again say, without getting and the administration began. law? We will extend it until there is a into any details, unless we do some- We have proposed a list of several new President. We are fine—we are thing today, unless someone can ex- amendments to our colleagues on the happy to do that—so that we get off plain to me how we can pass something other side that could receive votes. I this: We can’t do the targets. Why here in a matter of a few hours, how we know those discussions are ongoing, don’t we just extend it for a period of can have a conference with the House and hopefully we can begin to have time, and then our side will agree to in a matter of a few hours and then some votes. But we do not have the try to work out something legisla- bring those two conference reports to time to rebuild amendment by amend- tively so that we can have a real nice the House and the Senate in a few ment a Judiciary Committee version debate on retroactive immunity. hours—I say that is legislatively im- that a bipartisan majority of the Sen- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, will the possible. ate has already defeated. It wouldn’t majority leader yield for a question? So I am saying again to my Repub- become law even if we passed it. Mr. REID. I am happy to yield. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would lican colleagues: Agree to some exten- Now, Republicans are ready to pro- like to ask the Senator if he could sion of time or the burden of this legis- vide a short-term extension of the Pro- recap for me two votes that I think are lation not passing is on your shoulders tect America Act to keep the Senate significant. There was a vote taken as because we have had no attempt to leg- focused on the importance of this crit- to whether the Judiciary Committee islate. We have not had the oppor- ical terror-fighting tool. But after 10 version would be accepted. A cloture tunity to offer amendments, let alone months of waiting, we do not need— vote was taken, if I am not mistaken, vote on them. and the country cannot afford—an- and it was defeated. If I am not mis- Our goal is to provide the intel- other month of delay. taken, that was last week. And if I am ligence community with all of the legal We await the response of our Demo- not mistaken as well, yesterday, when tools it needs, while protecting the pri- cratic colleagues to our amendment Senator MCCONNELL offered a cloture vacy of law-abiding Americans. So I proposal, and those discussions, as I in- motion to promote his point of view, dicated, are going forward, and we look would hope that in the next hour or so, there were only 48 votes in support of forward to finishing the job in a way we can work something out before the it out of the 60 that were necessary—4 that allows our intelligence profes- House leaves town or nothing will have from our side of the aisle, 44 from the sionals to keep us safe from harm. been accomplished. Republican side. f I yield the floor. It seems to me we need to put our The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- heads together to work this out. Ex- RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY pore. The majority leader is recog- tending this law so that there is no LEADER nized. damage or hazard to our country is a Mr. REID. Mr. President, we under- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- reasonable way to do this. We now have stand the implication of the legislation pore. The Republican leader is recog- reached a point where amendments that is now in effect and will expire nized. may be considered and voted on, and Thursday. We understand that. We un- f then we will be in a spot where we can derstand there are new targets our in- pass a version in the Senate, send it to FISA telligence officials may want to go conference, and work out our dif- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, we after. We understand that. But I re- ferences. But I can’t understand how have known we needed to get the FISA peat: Using the words of my friend, the the President and the Republican lead- law extended for 6 months—6 months. I Republican leader, once it expires, if it er can come to the floor and blame us have also heard it suggested that some- expires, it is on the shoulders of the for the expiration of the law if we are how, little or no harm would be done if White House and the Republicans in offering an extension of the law and the law were allowed to expire. Well, the Senate. We have attempted to work they keep refusing. that is simply incorrect. The ability to through this, and we have been willing Mr. REID. Mr. President, I say to my go after new targets would be elimi- to extend this law for an extended pe- friend, the distinguished Senator from nated with the expiration of this bill in riod of time. We have been willing to Illinois, I personally have been to the 3 days. So here we are with 3 days to extend the law for a limited period of floor and offered on many occasions to go, and I gather from listening to my time. extend the time. We could all see the good friend on the other side, the very I think what this all boils down to is train wreck coming, and we believed real possibility is that there is at least that we should extend the law for a that it was necessary to extend this some willingness on the part of some long period of time because the only law. on the other side to just let the law ex- issue—there are other issues, of course, I don’t know—I say very positively to pire. but the main issue is whether there my friend from Illinois and everyone Now, contrary to what some are say- will be retroactive immunity for the who can hear me—I don’t know if we ing, the expiration of this important phone companies. That is what it all can work anything out on these antiterrorist tool has serious con- boils down to—whether there is going amendments. I don’t know. On the title sequences; that is, if we don’t get this to be retroactive immunity to the I aspect of it, one Senator has six job done, the notion that somehow it phone companies. Some of us don’t amendments. I am sure—he has always doesn’t make any difference is cer- think that is appropriate; others think been a reasonable person—he wouldn’t tainly not true. Let me say again: Once it is appropriate. have to offer that many. He has always it expires, intelligence officials will no So why don’t we extend this law for been very good about time agreements. longer be able to gather intelligence on an extended period of time? That way, But there are 10 or 12 amendments to new—new—foreign terrorist targets. the new targets could be sought if, in title I. Then there are three we have The terrorists are not going to stop fact, they are out there—and we all be- with title II dealing with some form of planning new attacks just because we lieve there are some, and that is nec- immunity. stop monitoring their activities. Our essary to be done—and then set up a But I repeat to my friend, Democrats enemies are watching. They know our time. We will agree to a time and have believe the program should continue.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S405 We are willing to say, OK, let it con- until this week? It seems to me this leader just indicated are the key issues tinue as it is now in effect. A lot of delay has occurred because the other relating to this bill. Hopefully, during people don’t like that. We are saying side has blocked the ability to offer the course of the day, we will be able to go ahead and let it continue. Certainly, amendments. Had we offered amend- come together and have the votes on there could be a significant majority of ments, we would have probably been the key amendments and move for- Senators—Democrats and Repub- done with that at this point. ward. licans—who will support that. And the I say that there is not anyone in the The President, of course, is not going issue is immunity. Senate I am aware of—no one—who to sign a lengthy extension or a 30-day I reverse the question and ask my doesn’t believe we ought to extend this extension. Any hope that we will ex- friend from Illinois, should we not have FISA law. Nobody is in that position. tend existing law without dealing with a nice debate on immunity and find out Isn’t that the reason for the delay and the retroactive liability issue is a how the Congress feels about what the the reason we have not moved for- waste of energy and time. That isn’t President feels is important? That is ward—that we were blocked when the going to happen. So we are going to how this country has worked for all Senator from Kentucky filed his clo- focus on this bill and, hopefully, find a these years. So extend this and do it ture motion? way to go forward and let the Senate until we have a new President—Demo- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I say to my work its will. crat or Republican, man or woman, friend, you were at the meeting with If the House chooses to leave tonight, whoever it might be—and in the mean- me just from 9 to shortly before the I find that a highly irresponsible act— time have a decision made as to wheth- hour of 10 o’clock. A person who is right before the expiration of this very er there should be retroactive immu- heavily involved in this legislation, the important law. There isn’t anything nity. distinguished Senator from Wisconsin, more important that we are doing Mr. DORGAN. Will the Senator yield RUSS FEINGOLD, said this legislation right now, with the possible exception for a question? should be extended. He has, on many of trying to figure out a way of going Mr. REID. I will, but let my friend occasions, voiced his opinion on what forward to stimulate our economy and from Illinois answer that question is wrong with the way we passed this prevent an extensive slowdown, than first. legislation in August, and he has been getting the homeland protected. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I say to very strong in his comments about how A key ingredient in securing that the majority leader, it appears now this law could be improved. Every protection, we know, is getting this that the Senate has to work its will. Democrat in our caucus believes this FISA law right and getting it passed— When the Judiciary Committee pro- law should be extended. I don’t like to not some kind of short-term extension. posal was suggested, it didn’t pass. speak for everybody, but Senator FEIN- The terrorists are not going to take a When the Senator from Kentucky of- GOLD believes the law should be ex- vacation for a few weeks or for 6 fered his cloture motion for his side, it tended because it is the right thing to months or next year; they are going to didn’t even have a majority vote. It do. I cannot imagine why we have had be around for a while. We need to get had 48 votes in support, let alone the 60 all the difficulty we have had in ex- this right and do it now, and today is a that were required. I don’t think we tending this law. On a number of occa- good day to get started. can expect to impose our will on this sions, we have said if the law expires, it I yield the floor. body. The Senate has to work its will. is not our fault. Mr. REID. Mr. President, if this law We could have considered a lot of Now I am happy to yield to my friend is so good and we are able to, in the amendments in the time we have lost from Kentucky. words of the Republican leader, ‘‘get so far in debate. Mr. MCCONNELL. I thank my good new targets,’’ why don’t we extend the I say to the majority leader, how can friend. law? I don’t understand why we are not we be held responsible for this law ex- Mr. President, he indicated that the doing that. piring if it is the Republicans who op- principal issue we are sparring over is I tell everyone again that it is legis- posed extending the law? You have of- the question of immunity from litiga- latively impossible to do anything as it fered repeatedly to let them extend the tion for communications companies relates to this legislation, as far as law. They have said no. that cooperated in protecting our coun- passing it today. It is impossible. We Mr. REID. Mr. President, I say to my try. I am sure the majority leader have a number of amendments that friend, let’s extend it for any period of knows that yesterday my side offered have to be handled. It is going to take time, although I think that for each to his side a vote on the Dodd-Feingold a matter of quite a few hours. We can day it should be a longer period of amendment related to that issue, and a do it in 1 day, I think. Remember, we time. vote on the Specter-Whitehouse have to have everybody agree to that, Mr. MCCONNELL. Will the majority amendment related to that issue, and all 100 Senators. Then the House has to leader yield for a question? that package was rejected. agree to what we do or we have to Mr. REID. I will after I have yielded Mr. REID. Yes. I say to my friends, agree to what they do or work out a to the Senator from North Dakota. If there are also other amendments. We compromise in conference. That cannot anyone thinks we are going to come to talked about title I, and there are a be done tonight. This is the last day we an immediate agreement on all these number of amendments. I think we can have to legislate. If we don’t legislate amendments, we have overused the reduce those on that side to maybe today, we are going to move on to term ‘‘run the traps,’’ but the Repub- eight. They would all be short time something else in a few minutes, be- licans are not going to agree to all of limits. They would also make sure the cause there is no agreement on FISA— the amendments the Democrats want record reflects that we believe they to extend it. I think that is unfortu- to offer. I will respond to my friend should be majority votes, not 60-vote nate. Having said it so many times al- from North Dakota. margins. ready—and I am tired of hearing my- Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, this is a Mr. MCCONNELL. Is the majority self say it—if the law expires, Demo- complicated and certainly an impor- leader yielding the floor? crats have no blame whatsoever. tant issue. It seems to me that it takes Mr. REID. Yes, I am happy to. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, let two sides to compromise. One of the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, this me wrap it up for myself by saying things I am curious about, as I listened is the kind of discussion, of course, that we will be staying on this bill. We to this and to the Senator from Ken- that the Senate is witnessing that will not leave this bill. tucky, the minority leader said we are typically occurs between the majority Secondly, this is a bipartisan com- ready to move forward. He said he is leader and myself and managers of the promise that came out of the Intel- disappointed in the delays. Isn’t it the amendments. To sum it up, this is the ligence Committee by a vote of 13 to 2, case, however, that last week, when kind of legislative finger-pointing that the Rockefeller-Bond bipartisan bill, the cloture motion was filed by the turns the public off. But it is the way which is supported by the President of Senator from Kentucky, they decided in which we go forward. the United States. That is the Senate at that point to block everything else We had discussions yesterday about at its best—a bipartisan bill. The Presi- and stop everything from happening voting on the very issues the majority dent is willing to sign it. Our effort

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S406 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 here is to get it to him for his signa- interest. Those who oppose this are sin- the hook—who is it we are giving im- ture. He awaits our action. cere in their concern; they just happen munity to and why should it be retro- I yield the floor. to be wrong. Needless hurdles will be active? This has already been noted a Mr. REID. Mr. President, this bill is created for our Government in the ob- number of times, but I think it bears not a bipartisan bill. The bill that taining and utilizing of valuable intel- repeating. came out of the Intelligence Com- ligence to keep America safe. So I want Retroactive immunity is necessary mittee is bipartisan, but understand it to see us address this issue head on and not only to protect companies that co- was concurrently referred to the Intel- come together and send the President a operated in good faith at the request of ligence Committee and the Judiciary bill that he can and will sign. our President during the time of the Committee. They both have jurisdic- The President spoke about this last most serious domestic crisis our coun- tion over this legislation. We cannot night in his State of the Union Mes- try has ever faced, but it was done to pick and choose what the President sage. He wants to get this matter re- ensure our national secrets regarding likes. We have a situation here where solved, and he wants a bill on his desk. intelligence methods remained classi- the Judiciary Committee is entitled to We owe it to the military and the intel- fied and are not disclosed in public be heard. That is what they are asking ligence community to equip them with through the civil court process. In for—to be heard. They demand that the tools they need to protect our citi- other words, it is not just about pro- and it is appropriate. zens and carry out their duties effec- viding immunity to those who helped f tively. at the time it was needed, but it is also Throughout our history, Americans to ensure that as we go forward, we are RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME have always been concerned about the not going to have an O.J. Simpson-type The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- proper balance between security and trial, with television cameras blaring pore. Under the previous order, leader- freedom. Those concerned about the with information being disclosed. We ship time is reserved. power of Government and trampling on know things do not keep. We know our f the rights of free citizens are right to enemies are capable of getting the in- insist on maintaining the individual formation because it will be in the New MORNING BUSINESS liberties granted to us by the Constitu- York Times. The fact is, we want to The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- tion, especially during a time of crisis. keep our methods and sources secret pore. Under the previous order, there The bill we are considering is precisely and confidential, and this is a very im- will be a period of morning business for concerned with maintaining and keep- portant part of this immunity idea. up to 1 hour, with Senators permitted ing a proper balance of those protec- If you want accountability for the ex- to speak therein for up to 10 minutes tions. ecutive branch, we have a constitu- each, with the time equally divided, This is a bipartisan bill. It was re- tional system of checks and balances, with the Republican leader controlling ported out of the Intelligence Com- and leaving aside the President’s au- the first half and the majority leader mittee by a vote of 13 to 2. It is a mod- thority under article II, we are exer- controlling the final half. ern update that is designed to keep our cising congressional oversight in pass- The Senator from Florida is recog- technological edge and to effectively ing S. 2248, and we, along with the nized. implement the goals of the original FISA Court, are certainly going to be f FISA law passed in 1978. This bill is the able to pay close attention to how we product of the careful consideration of FISA select intelligence going forward. Members of both sides of the aisle on As far as letting bad actors off the Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, I the Intelligence Committee—those best hook is concerned, S. 2248 provides ret- wish to talk about the very important informed about these matters, who roactive immunity from civil litigation issue relating to foreign intelligence have the most knowledge about the if a series of conditions are met. The surveillance. I want to talk about it means and methods by which we gather assistance was provided in connection not in the sense of who gets to be intelligence. Those Members recognize with intelligence activity authorized blamed if something happens. I believe a need to modernize the way our intel- by the President between September that on something of this magnitude, ligence is collected and the need to 11, 2001, and January 17, 2007, and was the American people are pretty tired of share information that is vital to ter- designed to detect or prevent terrorist the blame game: We would have done rorist communications, whether these attacks against the United States. this, but if you didn’t do that, we communications be on a cell phone, by What is wrong with that? The assist- blame you; and if this happens, you get e-mail, or in person. This bill is for the ance was also to be provided in re- to blame us. I think the time of blame- American intelligence services to be sponse to a written request, a directive casting has well passed. The fact is able to timely develop intelligence from the Attorney General or other in- that the laws that grant the Govern- without having to wait for a court telligence community head indicating ment the authority to use the re- order. In other words, if a terrorist the activity had been authorized by the sources we have in order to stay in- group such as al-Qaida calls a sleeper President and determined to be legal. formed of what our enemies are seek- cell within our borders, this would en- To me, it is a good idea to give these ing to do to us are outdated and need sure that our Government can protect folks the kind of immunity that will to be modernized and put up to date our citizens, the specific procedure for allow them to continue to cooperate, with our current technology. We are surveillance, and it ensures that the that will say to them: The next time fighting a modern war against a mod- independent FISA Court is fully in- there is a vital emergency where your ern enemy. The tools we have to fight formed of every step in the process. cooperation is needed, we didn’t stick that war are out of date. One of the The bill also has a provision to pro- you with the bill, we didn’t allow the only ways we are able to expose and tect those who have assisted us and the courts to go wild. We protected you be- stop terrorist plots before they unfold intelligence community in gathering cause you protected America. To me, is through the provisions accorded information that was absolutely vital that seems only fair and only right. under FISA. to our national security. Fortunately, I hope we can get through the par- Some of my colleagues have ex- we have had full cooperation from a tisan morass that always seems to en- pressed an understandable concern number of telecommunications compa- tangle us. I hope we can find a way we about the current FISA reauthoriza- nies in providing our intelligence offi- can pull together something of this tion, and whether it would improperly cials with accessing and obtaining in- magnitude and importance, which is invade the civil liberties of our citi- formation from foreign terrorists. about the national security of our zens. After 2 years of public debate on As we look at this issue—and the ma- country—it is about the intelligence the broad issues of FISA, and after re- jority leader says this issue is the big needs of our intelligence community— viewing the current legislation, I be- sticking point, so let me talk about and that we can come together in a lieve those concerns are unwarranted. that specifically, that this retroactive timely fashion, craft this bill, take the This issue transcends the stance of immunity for telecommunications bill the Senate Intelligence Committee either political party or any partisan companies allows bad actors to get off passed on a bipartisan 13-to-2 vote, put

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S407 it up for a vote, let’s take the amend- I have some ideas. I think every titlement spending. This is an issue ments that are available, move it for- Member of the Senate has some ideas. that is beginning to get the country’s ward, get a vote, and get a bill to the But maybe we should recognize the attention, and it should have the coun- President that he can sign. American people would like to see us try’s attention. It certainly has mine. I yield the floor. act and act promptly and act deci- What do we mean by entitlement The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- sively. spending? We mean 40 percent of the pore. The Senator from Tennessee. Someone has said the Senate wishes budget is Social Security, Medicare, Mr. ALEXANDER. Will the Chair to speak on the issue. I know very well and Medicaid, and it goes up automati- kindly let me know when I have used 8 none of us is guilty, usually, of having cally every year. Over the next 10 minutes? an unexpressed thought. We love to years, the annual growth of Social Se- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- speak. But one way for us to speak is curity is predicted to be about 6 per- pore. The Senator will be notified. to say to the House of Representatives: cent, according to the Congressional f Madam Speaker, and to the House Budget Office, Medicare about 7.2 per- STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS itself, we agree with you. We think cent, Medicaid about 8 percent. Enti- Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, your package is simple, temporary, tlement spending and interest on the last night the President spoke to the targeted, and a good idea. And to the debt is 60 percent of every dollar we Nation in his State of the Union Ad- President: Mr. President, each of us spend. Another 20 percent is defense, dress. It is one of the great traditions might have written the package a little the war and other necessary actions to of American Government. One of the differently, but we agree with you and defend ourselves, and 19 percent is ev- most interesting parts of this spectator we are ready to pass it before the end erything else. sport is to watch and see who stands up of next week. The ‘‘everything else’’ was flat last on which issue when the President I would like to write it differently, year. The Congressional Budget Office talks or who is sitting by whom. It is but I like the idea that it goes mostly says the ‘‘everything else’’—that is, well watched across our country, and it to taxpayers, that it is family friendly, parks and roads and many of the items is a sign of respect to the Presidency as that it gives incentives to small busi- Americans believe Government ought an institution. ness, and that it temporarily helps to be doing—that is going to go up The President was in a good mood. It with housing. about 2 percent annually over the next was his eighth such address. He was re- I believe it is important for our Gov- 10 years, according to the Congres- flective, but he was decisive. He looked ernment, particularly at this moment, sional Budget Office. Our defense goes ahead. He talked about the issues fac- to send a strong message that we will up 3 percent annually, and entitlement ing our country. He did his job, and he take the action appropriate to keep the spending goes up 7 or 8 percent. challenged us to do ours. economy strong and that we are capa- Senator GREGG and Senator BOND The President devoted a good deal of ble of functioning as a Government and have pointed out to us—they are the time to the progress of the war in Iraq, working in bipartisan ways to deal heads of our Budget Committee—that and we devoted a good deal of time with real issues. we pretty soon are going to be faced today to making sure we have a strong The American people are tired of with an absolutely impossible situation system of intelligence to protect our- petty politics. They are tired of play- that will require massive cuts in bene- selves from terrorists. So I wish to pen politics on the Senate floor. They fits, massive tax increases that the net comment on what the President talked do not believe they elected us to stick worth even of this great country will about at home, because a great deal of our fingers in the eyes of the Demo- not be able to pay, and that every year what President Bush said last night crats or the Democrats to stick their we wait, we risk another problem. The was that as important as our role is in fingers in our eyes. We have a good ex- President said do something about it. the world, as important as the long- ample of our leadership working to- He challenged us to do it, and Senator term fight against terrorism is, we gether with the President, and as one GREGG and Senator BOND have a pro- have work to do at home, and we need Senator, my recommendation is we posal to do that. We should act on it to roll up our sleeves and get busy. support what the President and the this year. This is a Presidential year. Many of House of Representatives is about to That is not all there is to holding the pundits are saying, some politi- do. down spending. The President men- cians even: The Congress will get noth- The President said we should get to tioned earmarks. There are too many ing done. We Republicans believe there work this year to make sure every earmarks. They are not as transparent is no excuse for taking a year off, given American can have access to health as they ought to be. That is a smaller the number of serious issues facing our care insurance. At our Republican con- part of the budget. It is our constitu- country. Let me mention a few the ference last week, that was the first tional responsibility to deal with ear- President discussed last night. item on our agenda, and I believe it is marks, but we should do that our- To begin with, the American econ- fair for me to say virtually every single selves. We should begin that this year. omy. The President acknowledged that Republican Senator believes every We could pass a 2-year budget plan, as strong as our economy is, 52 quar- American should be insured and is such as Senator DOMENICI and Senator ters of growing jobs, it has taken a ready to go to work this year to help LIEBERMAN and Senator FEINGOLD at downward turn, and we need to take make that possible. various times have proposed, and Sen- appropriate action to help it continue The President talked about his plan, ator SESSIONS, Senator ISAKSON. That to produce more jobs. That means steps which he talked about last year, to would give us oversight to repeal rules that are temporary, targeted, and that redo our Tax Code so dollars would be and regulations every other year. So grow the economy and not the Govern- available to American families to buy there are three ways to get a handle on ment. at least a basic health care policy that Federal spending. The President has agreed with the they wouldn’t lose when they change Senator HUTCHISON and Senator Speaker of the House and the Repub- jobs. BINGAMAN have been leaders, as well as lican leader of the House on a simple We have had a number of Senators on others here, on keeping good jobs from package that is aimed to do that: re- this side—Senator BURR, Senator going overseas. We passed the America bates for individuals, most of whom CORKER, Senator COBURN, for example, COMPETES Act last year, and the pay taxes, and incentives to small busi- Senator BENNETT who has authored a President challenged us to fund it this nesses to create new jobs. It is a simple bill with Senator WYDEN, which has year. He is right about that. idea. significant bipartisan support. We are Finally, President Bush mentioned Speaking as one Senator, I do not be- all ready to go to work this year. We something that is close to my heart. lieve we can afford to let this economic believe we should start this year to He called it the Pell grants for kids. I growth package, which should pass the help make sure every American is in- remember being in a visit with him a House today, become a Christmas tree sured. couple years ago, and he said to me: We in the Senate for everyone’s favorite Runaway Federal spending. The have to do something about inner-city idea for spending taxpayers’ dollars. President talked about controlling en- children who cannot afford to go to

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S408 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 good schools. Why don’t we have Pell Mr. BOEHNER, and the President of the What I mean by that is, the Foreign grants for kids? I said: Mr. President, I United States have come together and Intelligence Surveillance Act is vital had a hearing on that idea last month. said: We have come up with a bipar- to our national security. It is vital He looked at me and said: I thought it tisan package to stimulate our econ- that we continue to be able to listen to was my idea. I said: Mr. President, it is omy; to make sure, if it is possible, foreign terrorists who are commu- your idea. Any idea the President has that we avoid a recession that puts nicating with each other, plotting and is his idea, but he had it before anyone many Americans out of work and hurts planning future terrorist attacks on suggested it to him. them in an economic and personal way. our homeland and on our troops in Iraq The idea is very simple. We take this That was a very welcome message and Afghanistan and around the world. brilliant idea that Congress has in- that I heard and the public heard, and Rather than pass legislation that vented over the last 50 years of giving I think it was a hopeful one. I, for one, would address that, we passed a patch money directly to college students hoped it would signal some kind of new in October for 6 months, which expired which they can spend at any institu- period of cooperation in light of the in December. So we passed another 1- tion of education of their choice—pub- fact that, frankly, what we had been month extension. And now we find our- lic, private, nonprofit, Catholic, Jew- doing was not working very well, as selves with our backs up against the ish, the University of Tennessee, Notre evidenced by one of the historic lows in wall with this Protect America Act ex- Dame, National Auto Diesel College. congressional approval ratings as a re- tension expiring February 1. And I was As long as it is accredited, they can go sult of the dysfunction in the Senate, discouraged to hear the majority lead- there, and it especially helps those and Congress as a whole, last year. er say this morning that it was impos- with less money. Let’s try that with By that I mean you will recall we sible to pass a reauthorization of the the poorest children. didn’t pass but 1 of the 12 appropria- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Sixteen years ago, when I was Edu- tions bills on a timely basis by the end What he suggested is that we need cation Secretary, the first President of the fiscal year last year, so we had another patch for 1 month, or a short Bush proposed a GI bill for kids. Much to roll everything into a big Omnibus period of time, without addressing the the same idea. It was the largest provi- appropriations bill. Some say ‘‘omi- primary issues that need to be voted sion in his budget, half a billion dollars nous’’ appropriations bill, and I think on. The Senator from Florida, Mr. MARTINEZ, talked about the civil liabil- that year, to give poor kids access to that is an apt description. It was chock ity immunity for the telecoms that some of the same educational opportu- full of earmarks and things that people may have cooperated with the United nities others had. hadn’t had adequate time to scrutinize, I proposed, in a Pell grants for kids States Government at the highest lev- much less to debate and shine the sun- els based on a request from the Presi- version, that we give every child, the light of public scrutiny on. So I would middle- and low-income children—that dent of the United States, the Com- hope we would learn from the dysfunc- mander in Chief, during a time of war, is 60 percent of them all $500 for after- tion of last year and we would look to school programs or other programs. and the certification by the Attorney the example of bipartisan cooperation General that what they were being The President has advanced the idea. as evidenced by the House of Rep- President Bush has painted a strong asked to do was legal and, in fact, nec- resentatives and the White House on essary for us to protect ourselves agenda for America this year. He has the economic stimulus. said let’s give a boost to the economy, against another attack, such as the one Of course, it wasn’t limited just to we suffered in Washington and in New let’s begin to give every American appropriations last year. We saw basi- health insurance, let’s control entitle- York on September 11, 2001. cally a standstill, after 36 votes on We know if this law expires without ment spending, let’s fund programs to Iraq, on nonbinding resolutions calling keep good jobs here, and let’s give poor our addressing all aspects of the For- for unilateral withdrawal. Finally, we eign Intelligence Surveillance Act, our children an opportunity to go to more passed, at the very end of last year, a of the better schools. He has challenged intelligence officials will be literally $70 billion emergency appropriations so blind and deaf to the important intel- us to go to work. We are ready to go to that our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq work. We are ready to get results, ligence that will allow us to detect and would get the support we owe them as deter future attacks against American which means working across the aisle a moral obligation, as a sign of our in a bipartisan way. citizens. In fact, last summer the Di- commitment to support the troops, to rector of National Intelligence told us I yield the floor. protect our national security interests. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- we were missing about two-thirds of But it took us a long time and a lot of pore. The Senator from Texas. the communications between foreign Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, may I hot air to finally get there. terrorists that were necessary to pro- Then, of course, there was the alter- inquire how much time remains on our tect our country. That is why we native minimum tax, which, true to side? passed the Protect America Act. So The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- form, people said: Well, let’s tax the why in the world we would get bogged pore. There is 11 minutes remaining. rich. Originally, it was designed to tax down in the same sort of bickering and Mr. CORNYN. I appreciate that, Mr. 155 taxpayers. Last year, it affected 6 partisan divide rather than come to- President. million people. And if we hadn’t acted, gether to solve this in a bipartisan which we finally did at the end of last f fashion, frankly, escapes me. year, it would have affected 23 million As was pointed out earlier, this very BIPARTISANSHIP middle American taxpayers. Thank same legislation passed in the Intel- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, when I goodness we were finally able to get ligence Committee by a vote of 13 to 2. came to Washington about 5 years ago, the work done, that was our responsi- That is a bipartisan supermajority, a colleague of mine said: Welcome to bility, but not, frankly, in good form sponsored by the chairman, the Demo- Washington, DC. It is about 8 square last year. crat, Senator ROCKEFELLER, and the miles of logic-free environment, where So it is with some hope that we find vice chairman, Senator BOND, a Repub- perception is reality. ourselves learning from that experi- lican. So with that kind of bipartisan I always chuckled when he would say ence last year and the low approval support for a product that the Director that, and I have repeated it myself a ratings that they brought. My hope of National Intelligence and the leader- few times to audiences back home in was this early sign of bipartisan co- ship of our defense community tell us Texas because I think it, unfortu- operation on the economic stimulus they need in order to continue to pro- nately, has a grain of truth to it. One package would sort of start a new tect America against attacks, why is it reason I think people chuckle at that, trend. Unfortunately, on a matter that impossible for us to pass this legisla- and maybe groan a little bit inside really is fundamental to our responsi- tion? I don’t know of any other expla- when Washington is described that bility—I think our first responsibility: nation than just downright stubborn- way, is because we send out such con- to keep America and Americans safe— ness. And, frankly, it is the kind that tradictory messages at the same time. we find ourselves falling back into the represents a sort of reminder of the bad The Speaker of the House of Rep- old bad habits of dysfunction once habits of the past that I had hoped we resentatives and the Republican leader, again. would have learned from and change.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S409 Frankly, if the definition of insanity BIPARTISAN COOPERATION cause if not, they will filibuster every is doing the same thing over and over Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I have amendment and then complain nothing again and expecting a different out- listened with great interest this morn- is getting done. No, it does not make come, what is happening on FISA is in- ing. It has been fascinating for me to sense, I would say to my friend. sane because we are resorting to the see a party block access to making Now, I didn’t come to talk about same old bad habits and not reaching progress in the Congress and then sev- that, but let me talk a moment about out and solving this problem, which is eral days later come and complain that this issue of the economy. This is a dis- very real and very urgent. progress hasn’t been made. That is a cussion about starting the engine, or Let me say a word about the econ- Byzantine approach to legislating. getting the engine working on this ship omy. I mentioned the economic stim- I do agree, however, that we don’t of state so that we move the country ulus package that was negotiated be- want bad habits to exist here. And even forward. It is about jobs and expanding tween the Democrat Speaker of the though I am honored to serve in this opportunities for the American people House and the Republican leader and place, I have often called this the place because when the economy contracts, the representative of the President, of 100 bad habits, which would include people run into trouble. Secretary Paulson. I find myself in myself, of course. It is hard to get They are the ones who get laid off, agreement with the remarks made ear- things done in this place, but I am not the folks who are working in plants lier by Mr. ALEXANDER, the Senator suggesting one side or the other side is and working at the bottom for min- from Tennessee. While there are parts all wrong. imum wage. They are the ones who lose of that agreement that I, frankly, don’t I am reminded of Ogden Nash’s poem: ground during an economic contrac- like all that much, given the nature of He drinks because she scolds, he thinks. tion. the legislative process, I think it rep- She scolds because he drinks, she thinks. resents a compromise. And looking at Neither will admit what is really true: He is Well, it used to be on the old auto- some of the proposals coming out of a drunk; she is a shrew. mobiles, when you started an engine, the Senate, to add additional costly I understand both sides bear respon- you had to crank it. And then we went programs to grow the size of Govern- sibility for difficulty from time to from a crank to a starter, so you push ment, which invariably will either time, but let me say this: On this issue a button or turn a key. Well, some peo- raise taxes or will send the IOU down of FISA, it strains credibility for a ple think our economy is simple as to our children and grandchildren to party that says: You may not move; we that. It is not, of course. A large com- pay by way of expanding the deficit, I will block you. We insist that we get 60 ponent of our economy is people’s con- am beginning to think the bipartisan votes on every amendment. Every fidence. If they are confident in the fu- package out of the House of Represent- amendment has to have 60 votes, other- ture, they do the things that represent atives represents a better alternative wise we filibuster. If that is the case, that confidence—they make that pur- than I have seen so far discussed here we don’t make progress. And I don’t chase, they buy a washer and dryer if in the Senate. think you can say: Well, we are going they need it, they buy a car, they take The last thing we should be doing is to object to progress, and then we will a trip. In doing so, because they are using this national challenge to our complain that progress isn’t made. confident about the future, they ex- economy—a great risk of seeing people That makes no sense to me. pand the economy. If they lack con- put out of work and seeing them suffer I don’t know of anybody in this fidence in the future, they do exactly economically—and taking chances on Chamber who doesn’t want the FISA the opposite—they defer the purchase growing the size of Government or rais- amendments to be extended and re- of that piece of equipment for their ing taxes or passing the debt down to solved. Let’s do that and get it done. home, they defer the purchase of the our children by growing the size of Let’s have a little cooperation. But co- car, they defer the trip—and the econ- Government and expanding the size of operation takes two parties, and it is omy contracts. this package in order to satisfy an indi- long past the time to do that. As I have We have a problem with this econ- vidual or group of Senators’ desire to said, we have had a lot of bad habits in omy for a lot of reasons. I have de- add pet projects on to that stimulus this legislation. scribed some of them on the floor of package. So I hope we will act in a bi- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, would the the Senate recently. But the Federal partisan fashion to support the House- Senator entertain a question? Reserve Board recognized that problem Mr. DORGAN. Let me ask unanimous negotiated legislation, a bipartisan and took a very bold action—three- consent that my time be extended, package, just like the Intelligence quarters of a percent interest rate however, for the minute or so the Sen- Committee product is a bipartisan cut—and likely will do more in the ator wishes to inquire. package, and just like we acted at the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- next couple of days. The impression is end of last year, after a lot of dilly-dal- pore. Without objection, it is so or- that we also should do something lying and a lot of delay, to finally pass, dered. called a stimulus package; that is, in a bipartisan way, legislation that Mr. BOND. I would just ask my good stimulus with respect to fiscal policy. I appropriated emergency funding for friend if he doesn’t agree the Intel- do not object to that. In fact, I think our troops, that protected middle-class ligence Committee bills have to pass we probably have to do that because a taxpayers from a tax they were never with 60 votes? I believe the Protect whole lot of what is going on in the intended to pay in the first place—the America Act passed with 60 votes. The market these days is about psychology. alternative minimum tax—and the leader said in December it made sense I have indicated this before. I have other business that we finally did after to have all votes at 60-vote margins, called the field of economics psy- so many months of delay at the end of and would he not expect that the Sen- chology pumped up by helium. I think last year. ate Intelligence Committee bill, which that is a pretty adequate description of My hope, Mr. President, is that we I support, will have to get 60 votes? what it is. People think it is science. It will not punish those who cooperate And if so, does it not make sense to is not. It is a circumstance in which we with the United States Government in have 60 votes to pass all amendments? know very little about the way this a time of war to help us listen to the Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, it cer- economy works. We do have more sta- conversations of foreign terrorists by tainly does not make sense. In fact, ex- bilizers in the economy than we did refusing to pass this important piece of actly the opposite. That is nonsense, to decades ago, so we have been able to legislation because it sends the wrong bring a bill to the floor and say: Look, even out a bit some of the recessions message that if you don’t cooperate, regular order would be to bring up and the downturns. All of that has been you can basically make America blind amendments. If a majority of the Sen- helpful. We may be in a recession now. and deaf to our enemies. That is a dan- ators agree with them, those amend- No one knows. We probably will not ger to all of us. ments are approved. But we don’t like know that until we see it in the rear- Mr. President, I yield the floor. regular order. Let’s decide every view mirror. But if we do a stimulus The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- amendment that shall be brought up package on fiscal policy—and I think pore. The Senator from North Dakota. shall have to have 60 votes. Why? Be- that is a reasonable thing to do—I do

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He talks about South Finance Committee chairman is talk- country such as Afghanistan. Fly into Carolina, where there is a long stretch ing about makes a lot of sense. If you Tegucigalpa and then drive in a car to of grievously neglected rural schools are going to do a stimulus package and Juticalpa in Honduras, take a look at that has been dubbed ‘‘the corridor of you are going to provide some kind of the road, and ask yourself about infra- shame.’’ You know, I have been in rebate, make sure you include senior structure investment. Or go to Haiti those kinds of schools. I have been in citizens, many of whom are living on and land at Port-au-Prince, travel schools where kids were going to lower incomes. They are the ones who across the island to Jacmel, and con- school in parts of the building that are going to spend it. They are the ones sider for a moment what infrastructure were condemned that were 100 years who are going to contribute to addi- means to a country. The fact is, you fly old, where sewer gas was coming up tional purchasing power in the econ- over Nicaragua and look down, and you back through some of the rooms and omy. So you should not leave out the do not see many roads because they do they could no longer use those rooms. millions of senior citizens if you are not have much of an infrastructure. We have all seen those things. This going to do a stimulus package. I sup- Then fly from any of those countries country has to do better. And we can port including senior citizens in that back to our country, come into an air- do better if we put together the kinds stimulus package. port, get in a vehicle and drive down of infrastructure investment banks and You know, the President and a cou- the road, and then think about infra- the capital budget, and advance this ple of my colleagues just said: Well, structure and what we have built over country’s interests by building this you cannot change it. The House did it. a long period of time that makes us country. The President wants it. You cannot proud of this country and allows this I want to make one final point. We change it. They come here, and they al- country to expand and grow and create were told this morning that the Presi- ways suggest that this is like a loose opportunity. Then take a look at what dent is going to ask for another $70 bil- thread on a cheap sweater: you pull the has happened recently. This country lion for Iraq and Afghanistan. That is head of the thread, and the arms fall stopped investing in infrastructure in on top of the $196 billion he asked for off. That is not the case at all. any significant way. Our infrastructure The House did its version of a stim- last year in this fiscal year that we are is crumbling, in desperate disrepair. ulus package. We should do ours. We in now. That is $16 billion a month, $4 Big bridges fall down, and highways are have some better ideas. But we ought billion a week. He wants another $70 crumbling. The fact is, we have schools to get it done quickly, and we ought to billion. That will take us well over resolve it with the House and send it to that are in shameful condition in this two-thirds of a trillion dollars. I ask the President. Extending unemploy- country, water programs that are des- the question: Is it not time we started ment benefits is something we always perately needed for water treatment investing some at home? It is not time do in an economic downturn, and we that are waiting for money to do it. we started taking care of things here Now, when the Federal Government should do it again, in my judgment. at home? The sky is the limit for these But let me say that in a stimulus buys this highlighter pen for me—at kinds of investments. package that is brought to the floor of my office, we have a supply of This morning, my colleagues were the Senate that does not have a cap on highlighter pens—this is expensed. talking about fiscal responsibility. Not who is going to get the rebates makes Now, anybody who takes accounting one penny of the war costs has been no sense at all. And there is talk about understands you expense something on paid for. The President has insisted that, that we will get a stimulus pack- day one. But the fact is, when we spend that we send soldiers to war and we age and have no cap on the rebate. We $200 million building a piece of high- spend this money and charge it to fu- are going to send Bill Gates a $500 way or invest $500 million in an air- ture generations. They will fight the check to see if we can stimulate the port, we expense that as well. No other war and come back and inherit this economy a little bit. That makes no enterprise that I am aware of in this debt. That is not fiscally responsible sense. You have to have a cap. This country—none—will do what the Fed- either. How about suggesting there is a ought to go to middle income and eral Government does and say: When priority here at home for investing in lower income families. They are ones you spend on infrastructure something this country, expanding opportunity in who will spend it and the ones who will that will last 50 and 100 years for this this country, and taking care of things be able to give a jump-start to this country, you have to expense it on the that have been too long neglected? economy, to the extent the stimulus first day. We need a capital budget. We So I wanted to say that in the con- package actually does that. But as I need an infrastructure investment text of this discussion we will have said, psychologically I think we have a bank. We need a whole series of things about the stimulus program. It is im- responsibility to use fiscal policy to do that represents a second step so that portant, but what is much more impor- something in this general direction. we can in the longer term invest in and tant is for ourselves to have a longer Now, the Senator from Connecticut expand opportunities in this country view of investing in this country and just came to the floor, and he has been through infrastructure investment. expanding opportunity in this country working on something I am very inter- It is about jobs; it is about having by making this the kind of place we are ested in; that is, infrastructure invest- pride in your country; it is about in- proud of. ment. If we just do a short-term stim- vesting in your country in the kinds of The folks who came before us did ulus of 1 percent of the economy and things that allow economic progress. I that. They had some real vision. that is all, we are not going to give don’t want people to come out here and Dwight Eisenhower said: Let’s build an this economy the kind of boost or give say: Let’s do this stimulus and, boy, interstate from coast to coast. That the investment to this country that it that will fix things. This is putting a would not happen under some of the needs. We need a second step, and the little patch on something here; it is folks who exist in this Chamber these second step ought to be the big step, not going to fix things. It is something days. It just would not. But what a and we ought to take a look at what is we should do, but if we do not do some- boon to this country, to connect Amer- going on in the infrastructure of this thing much bolder, do something with ica with interstate highways. So we country. much greater consequence in the can do a lot better, and must if we are My colleague has a bill, the Dodd- longer term, that invests in this coun- interested in the long-term well-being Hagel bill, that I think makes a lot of try’s future, we will have missed a very of this country. sense. We had a meeting on that on substantial opportunity. I yield the floor. Friday, a rather lengthy meeting with In the New York Times this morning, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- a lot of people. Here is the situation. there is an op-ed piece by Bob Herbert pore. The Senator from Connecticut.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S411 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, first of all, I wish to focus my talk this morning rise, as consumers find themselves in- let me thank my colleague, Senator about the stimulus package and eco- creasingly unable to tap the equity in DORGAN, for his statement this morn- nomic issues. I know the FISA bill is their homes to help pay down credit ing. I wish to follow with very similar going to come up again. I have some card and other bills. Lastly, inflation remarks. He and I have been good strong feelings, as my colleagues know, increased by 4.1 percent last year, the friends for a long time and have about the retroactive immunity in that largest increase in 17 years. This is worked together on a lot of issues over bill. But I was stunned last evening as what the President called a period of the years. I just want to underscore I sat and listened to the State of the ‘‘economic uncertainty.’’ what he said this morning about the Union. I have been to a lot of them You have record numbers and statis- importance of the stimulus package over the years. Last night, when the tics pointing to the difficulty our Na- and the importance of additional ideas Presiding Officer and I walked he asked tion is in economically, and we hardly that will allow us to get moving again. me how many. When I said the number, heard any mention of it at all last I am grateful to hear about the arti- it stunned me in a way, how many I night. The inflation that we are experi- cle this morning that was very gra- have been involved in. I was elected to encing, is driven mainly by the rising cious in talking about the bill that the House in 1974 and went to my first cost of energy—oil is at $100 a barrel— Senator CHUCK HAGEL and I have one in January of 1975, with Gerald and there was hardly a reference to worked on, along with others, includ- Ford giving his State of the Union. I that last evening. It costs $100 for a ing former Senators Warren Rudman have been to every one since. I have barrel of oil, and I do not recall a word and Bob Kerrey, the Center for Stra- not missed one over the last three dec- being spoken, except about energy tegic and International Studies, John ades. independence and to try to get there. Hamry, Felix Rohatyn, Bernard There have been some great ones and Food and health care costs have gone Schwartz and other leaders. I am de- others less than great. Last evening, up as well. Industrial production is lighted that the Chamber of Commerce put aside whether you like the rhetoric falling. And we have been hem- as well as major labor unions have en- or not, what surprised me is that here orrhaging jobs in the manufacturing dorsed this bill which we spent 21⁄2 we are in a nation where, by everyone’s sector. Our economy is clearly facing years putting together, including estimation, we are either in a recession more than uncertainty; it is facing sig- spending a lot of time with people in or about to enter one, we have eco- nificant challenges to our Nation’s fu- the investment community about ways nomic data that indicate this country ture economic growth and prosperity. in which we can attract private capital The most important step we could to public infrastructure. So I appre- is in deeper trouble economically than we have been in in years, and there was take right now is, of course, to act to ciate immensely Senator DORGAN restore consumer and investor con- hosting the meeting last Friday that hardly any reference to our economic fidence. Unlike past recessions and brought a lot of these people together. problems whatsoever other than a slowdowns, the epicenter of this eco- Our plan here, I say to him, is to talk paragraph or so about a stimulus pack- with our leaders, the Democratic lead- age. nomic crisis is the housing crisis; and So the elephant in the room, if you the epicenter of the housing crisis is er as well as, I hope, Senator MCCON- the foreclosure crisis. Housing starts NELL, the Republican leader. This do not mind using that animal anal- ought to be a major issue. If we can ogy, the elephant in the room in the are at their lowest level in more than bring the Chamber of Commerce and State of the Union was, of course, the a quarter of a century. Home prices de- organized labor together around a bill, state of the union is in tough shape clined last year nationwide by 6 per- this is a vehicle which ought to deserve economically. We are in desperate cent, and are expected to decline again the attention of this body. shape in many ways. this year. This would be the first time I know there is a growing interest in What is beyond ironic is that we since the Great Depression that the the House as well about it for all of the would have a President of the United country will have had two consecutive reasons Senator DORGAN has men- States talking about the condition of years where home prices have dropped tioned. The economic implications are our union, and here is a major problem and the President calls this a period of huge, and the necessity grows by the that is the subject of headlines every ‘‘economic uncertainty.’’ hour. But it even goes beyond eco- day across the Nation, and there are This crisis stems above all from the nomic terms because there is sym- hardly any references to it at all. So virtual collapse, as I said a moment bolism in a nation building and work- we were gathered last evening to talk ago, of the housing market. That col- ing. about where we are and what we need lapse was triggered by what Secretary In talking to Bob Herbert yesterday, to do in the coming days, and there is Paulson has rightly and properly I mentioned that even during the Civil hardly a passing reference to the eco- called—and I commend him for it— War, President Lincoln insisted that nomic condition our country is in. ‘‘bad lending practices.’’ Those are his the work on the Capitol, the very The President called this a period of words, not mine. These are lending building which we are in here this ‘‘economic uncertainty.’’ I think those practices that no sensible banker morning, would continue; that it was were the words he used. While I agree would ever engage in. Reckless, care- important, despite that there were ob- we are certainly in an uncertain pe- less, and sometimes unscrupulous ac- vious demands to provide the resources riod, to put it mildly, what we know tors in the mortgage lending industry to prevail in the great conflict between with some certainty is that the current essentially allowed loans to be made North and South, that the country see economic situation is more than mere- that they knew hard-working, law- that this project, to build a national ly a slowdown or a downturn; it is even abiding borrowers would never, ever be capitol representing the entire coun- more than a mere recession or near re- able to repay when the fully indexed try, would go forward. Obviously, there cession. Instead, I think it is a crisis of price kicked in. And they engaged in were jobs that were important in that confidence among consumers and in- practices that the Federal Reserve and construction. But more important than vestors. Consumers are fearful of bor- the Bush administration did absolutely the jobs, even, was the symbolism of a rowing and spending, investors are nothing to effectively stop. nation at work. fearful of lending. Financial trans- As a result, foreclosures are at record So I am looking forward to the op- actions which generate new businesses levels, the value of people’s homes is portunity to take this idea of a major and new jobs are shrinking in number declining, and the tax base for State infrastructure proposal and hopefully and size by the hour in this country. and local governments is shrinking. attract some broad-based attention to The incoming economic data shows A year ago, I chaired the first Hous- it. how serious this problem is. Yesterday ing hearing in the Congress on the sub- My colleague RON WYDEN from Or- the Commerce Department reported ject of predatory lending. I talked then egon has a proposal as well. We are that the sale of new homes fell again in about the possibility that more than 2 hoping to bring them together. He has December, reaching a 12-year low. Re- million Americans would lose their a little different perspective but one tail sales were down and unemploy- homes as a result of such lending prac- that I think can be added to our pro- ment was up significantly in December. tices. I know there were those who posal. Credit card delinquencies are on the scoffed when I mentioned the number

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S412 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 of 2 million almost a year ago, but no no small task, but it is critically im- end of last year. I want to acknowledge one is scoffing now. Today, foreclosure portant to putting people to work and the assistance of the majority leader, rates are at record levels. Estimates modernizing the economy for future Senator REID, and Senator SCHUMER of are that foreclosures will continue to generations. As I said, I have worked New York who were very helpful in get- climb for most of this year, dip briefly, with my colleague, Senator HAGEL, in ting that legislation adopted on the and then begin to rise again when in- introducing legislation to authorize a floor with the kind of overwhelming terest rate resets kick in. National Infrastructure Bank to ad- numbers I mentioned a moment ago. The catalyst of the current economic dress some of these challenges, and I I remain dedicated to making this crisis is, as I said a moment ago, the look forward to working with him and happen. I have spoken with Chairman housing crisis. And the face of the others in this Chamber to do that. BARNEY FRANK of the House as late as housing crisis is the foreclosure crisis. I do not want to overload the stim- last evening. We had breakfast to- Therefore, in my view, any short-term ulus and I realize it is important we gether a week ago to talk about how stimulus package should include meas- act quickly or the value of the package this bill can get done as part of this ures that will address the causes and gets lost. Even if it does not include all stimulus package. These are good and symptoms of the foreclosure crisis head the things I wish to see in it, it is im- needed steps, but we must, I think, go on, as well as trying to provide some portant we move expeditiously or the farther. I think this is where Senator immediate relief for those who are value of the timing of it, I think, could DORGAN’s remarks come in. If we limit dealing directly with this problem. be lost on us altogether. It is impor- it to a short-term stimulus package, I want to indicate at the outset I am tant we consider some of those sugges- and assume that is going to achieve the very supportive of the work done by tions that are being made on a tem- desired results, I think you are missing Speaker PELOSI in the House along porary basis. I look forward to working the point and that explains why we with JOHN BOEHNER, the Republican with our colleagues to try to add some have had some negative reaction to the leader, and other Members over there additions to the stimulus package. But, short-term program. who have worked on this. I thank them hopefully, we can do it in a timely It has to be followed on—whether you for what they have done to formulate call it a second or third tranche or ef- fashion. outlines of a stimulus package that the Specifically, with respect to housing, fort here—but we need to follow the administration could support. Senator because this is an area where, again, if short-term effort with some longer BAUCUS, my good friend from Montana we are just dealing with people’s prob- term decisions and proposals that can and the chairman of the Finance Com- lems and not the problem that caused go a long way to restoring that sense of mittee, Senator HARKIN, Senator KEN- the problems, then I think we are miss- confidence and optimism beyond the NEDY and others have expressed some ing a critical point. I want to pick up short-term injection of confidence that important views regarding unemploy- is needed if we are going to see our on some of the things BYRON DORGAN ment insurance, food stamps, low-in- economy improve and opportunities talked about a moment ago. Let me come energy assistance, and other im- improve in this century. add that I am pleased to note there portant programs. The work of the President and the We may not accommodate all of were elements in the proposed House Congress to right our Nation’s eco- those priority programs, but they bring package that address the housing mar- nomic ship will not end with the enact- up a good point; and that is, histori- ket issues; namely, a temporary in- ment of a stimulus package. On the cally you want to make sure resources crease in the conforming loan limits contrary, it will have barely begun. get into the hands of the people who for the GSEs, and also for the FHA pro- There are other important measures are feeling the pinch. For people who gram. we can and should take to address the I think we ought to be talking about still have choices, there may be less problems in the housing market, and I jumbo loans in this area. One of the than the desired impact by providing a want to briefly address two of them, if tax break for people in that category, concerns in the current crisis is that of I can. as opposed to those who are at the low- market liquidity. If you want to get li- In the short term, we need to in- income levels, who are tremendously quidity into this market, then you crease funding for the community de- strapped, that they are provided some have to have loan limits that can reach velopment block grant, CDBG, pro- relief. So I am confident when the Sen- amounts that truly make a difference, gram. The CDBG program has been a ate works its will, there will be some even if for only 12 months. very successful program all across the So my hope is the administration— additions to the stimulus package, I country for many years, and in my however this will work—will set those think, in the unemployment area, cer- view, it can do an awful lot to assist in tainly, and possibly in low-income en- loan limits to create the desired im- foreclosure mitigation. It is a tried and ergy assistance, and in some food pact that we are trying to reach, and true program. We should use it to di- stamp areas as well. that is, injecting liquidity into the rect, I would suggest, some $10 billion In addition to the problems in our housing market. Increasing these loan to local governments to renovate and housing market, we also have tremen- limits will help restore confidence and resell the foreclosed and abandoned dous challenges and opportunities with liquidity into the housing market, homes that are decimating many com- respect to our Nation’s aging infra- where interest rates have skyrocketed munities. structure. for nonconforming loans due to the The mayor of Bridgeport, CT, was in In the short term we need to include current problems. These steps will also my office last week. He was a newly funding for States and localities to allow millions of middle-class Ameri- elected mayor last fall. He told me in start projects that are already ready to cans who live in areas of the country the city of Bridgeport—which is a city go, including existing highway and where the value of an average house is of a little less than 100,000—he is look- transit maintenance projects and other far above the existing conforming loan ing at 6,000 foreclosed homes in his infrastructure projects that can be limits to participate and reap the bene- city. That is 6,000 homes in a city of done quickly. There are a long list of fits from having a conforming loan. So less than 100,000 residents. Needless to highway and transit projects that are I would urge these additional loan lim- say, even for those homes that are cur- important to creating jobs today and its to deal with the problems in the rent with their mortgage and in no to strengthening our Nation’s eco- jumbo loan market, at least for a year, danger of foreclosure, the value of nomic future. These projects will boost be considered. those homes, and every home, in that employment in the construction and I have supported both of these meas- city will be adversely affected. Even if manufacturing sectors, which are those ures and have also worked very closely there were only 1,000 foreclosed homes that have been hardest hit in the re- with my ranking member on the Bank- it would be a huge number. Imagine if cent economic downturn. I intend to ing Committee, Senator SHELBY, to it is six times that in one city in my work for and support an immediate in- draft and pass a more broad FHA mod- State, which is the most affluent State vestment in transit, highway and other ernization bill. That legislation passed in many ways in the country, what it infrastructure projects. this body 93 to 1. We spent a lot of time must be like in many other cities In the long term we need to renew drafting that bill, and getting strong throughout my State and the country and reinvent our infrastructure. This is bipartisan support for it back at the as a whole.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S413 I do not know the numbers in Hart- work, I think you actually have a pro- that occurred as a result of those in- ford and Waterbury and other cities, gram that has little or no cost to it. vestments. The rural electrification and smaller cities, but 6,000 fore- What you have done is stabilized these programs that brought electrification closures in Bridgeport is a huge num- neighborhoods and allowed people to to rural areas in the country made a ber. These are not speculator homes. stay in their homes. While everyone huge difference to people and to our na- This is not Las Vegas or Florida or Ari- suffers to some degree, it also allows us tion. zona. These are single-family homes to preserve people’s ability to remain So we invite our colleagues to look that people are living in, and the idea in these neighborhoods, remain in their at these ideas on how we can expand that 6,000 people and families in that homes. our efforts to meet our infrastructure city would be adversely affected ought As I said, this was done during the needs. It really is an issue that de- to cause all of us great pause to ask Great Depression very successfully mands the attention of this body. So I what can we do creatively and imagi- back a number of years ago, at little or offer that idea as well. natively to help out. no cost to the Government. Under this In conclusion, I think the package The CDBG program has been very concept, no one gets bailed out. Every- the President and House leaders have useful over the years in providing may- one shares in the pain of the housing laid out is a good one. I think it can be ors and county supervisors and others bust. But at the same time, a market- expanded on, and it addresses some of across the country some help in this based mechanism is established that the critical areas. More needs to be area. I think it would be a smart short- can restore confidence to lenders and done. If we don’t follow up on the stim- term effort. investors, and give innocent home- ulus package with some of these other Foreclosed and abandoned homes are owners a chance to save their homes. ideas, I think we will have missed a devastating—again, I am preaching to In the longer term and this is the significant not only opportunity, but I the choir as we all know this—to com- last point I want to make, we need to think an important moment in our his- munities around the country. They end predatory lending practices. I in- tory to restore that confidence and op- lead to a cycle of disinvestment and troduced a bill in the fall that will timism people are looking for. crime in neighborhoods. All of the crack down on these practices. Again, I yield the floor. commensurate problems that emerge there will be ideas that our colleagues f with abandoned properties hardly need will bring to this debate. I do not claim EXTENSION OF MORNING to be articulated again this morning. we have captured all the wisdom in BUSINESS We all understand it. The property val- this area. But clearly we want to send Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unan- ues and property tax bases all suffer, a message that some of these practices imous consent that the period for thereby leading to service cuts and fur- cannot go on any longer. My hope is we morning business be extended for 30 ther disinvestment. So CDBG money will get some strong support again minutes, with the time equally divided. could provide, I think, some very valu- from across the political divides in the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- able resources for these communities. country. Fifteen of our colleagues have pore. Without objection, it is so or- Again, we are talking about $10 billion. already cosponsored the bill, and oth- dered. It is not insignificant, but if we think ers are welcome to do the same. The Senator from Georgia is recog- about the potential good it could do, I In addition to the problems in our nized. think it would be a worthwhile invest- housing market, we also have tremen- f ment. dous challenges and opportunities with Let me mention another idea. I want respect to our Nation’s aging infra- TRIP TO IRAQ to thank the American Enterprise In- structure. Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I rise stitute and the Center for American Again, I thank the Chamber of Com- in morning business to discuss a recent Progress that wrote an op-ed piece on merce and I thank the labor unions trip I made about 2 weeks ago to Iraq. this idea. It is an idea that comes out who are supporting my bill. I thank It was a trip I made, as I have every of both conservative and liberal to BYRON DORGAN, people such as Felix year since I have been in the Senate, to moderate think tanks about what to do Rohatyn, Bernard Schwartz, CSIS, and visit Iraq, to visit firsthand with Geor- about foreclosed properties, where you others for spending the last 21⁄2 years gia troops on duty, Georgia troops who have people living in their homes. This with Warren Rudman, CHUCK HAGEL, are there standing guard for America, is about a need for a temporary appa- myself, and Bob Kerrey in putting to- as well as to interact with the Iraqi ratus to mitigate foreclosures. gether this proposal of an infrastruc- Government—the Kurds, the Sunnis, I am working with a proposal to cre- ture bank. the Shias—and rank-and-file Iraqi peo- ate what is called the Homeownership Again, the estimates are that we ple to measure the progress of our ef- Preservation Corporation, which was need $1.5 trillion just to bring our in- fort in Iraq but, more importantly, the tried actually in the 1930s and worked frastructure up to current levels. Our progress of the Iraqis themselves. rather well under similar cir- infrastructure is declining and deterio- I am delighted to be able to come and cumstances. Very basically, this pro- rating literally as we speak. The defi- give a very unbiased and, hopefully, posal would allow for the purchase of nition of infrastructure has changed as unvarnished and very plain recitation very distressed mortgages either in de- well. It is not just the physical infra- of the remarkable changes that have fault or about to go in default. These structure but human infrastructure as taken place in that country. We all are single-family homes with people well. The FAA system is in deep need know a year ago in this body we had se- living in them. Again, it is not housing of modernization, or we are going to rious debate over the fate of our effort speculators that we are talking about face some tragedies if we don’t under- in Iraq. There were calls for us to with- here. stand how important that piece is. draw. There were declarations that we What you have already going on is, There are a wide variety of issues that had lost. There were other challenges there are people actually going out need to be addressed with infrastruc- that were brought forward. But finally, buying some of these loans in the hopes ture. Throughout history I think we though difficult, the decision by the they will restore it and sell it at some have all understood the value, eco- President to commit to an increase of point down the road. The Homeowner- nomically, to our country that has troops for the surge and follow the ship Preservation Corporation idea come from investing in infrastructure. anti-insurgency plan of General would allow us, in effect, to form a cor- Bob Herbert’s article this morning very Petraeus and put General Petraeus in poration to do this: buy them at dis- generously talks about the bill CHUCK charge finally became a reality. counted rates, so the lender gets a HAGEL and I have introduced. He talks About midyear on the ground in Iraq haircut, but there is still someone pay- historically about the great canal sys- the deployment was complete and they ing the note. You get a fixed rate deal, tems in the Midwest that opened up op- began exercising the plan. so the homeowner stays in it under portunities for New York, and obvi- Let me try and give an idea of what terms they can afford to stay in, so you ously, the interstate highway system Iraq today is like compared to Iraq 1 do not have your neighborhoods dete- under the Eisenhower administration, year ago. When I landed at the Bagh- riorating. If it works as well as it could and the incredible economic expansion dad Airport, for the first time I drove

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But here- past, whatever differences we may have out to Kuwait City to a Sheraton Hotel tofore you could never have gone into had, the young men and women of the when darkness fell in Baghdad because downtown Baghdad as we did on this United States of America have per- it was so dark. Twice during the course trip. Twice we ran into local Iraqis: formed magnificently. General of the visit we got outside of the Green once two Sunnis who joined the awak- Petraeus has lived up to every single Zone and into a Chevy Suburban in one ening movement and the CLCs who promise of hope we had for him. case, and into an MRAP in another were taking up arms to guard the se- In the name and in the memory of case, and went out on two excursions. I cured market to see to it that no ter- the tragic loss of life in Iraq, Georgia would like to talk about them for a rorist or insurgent could come in and soldiers such as Diego Rincon, LTG second. do damage, and then twice to refugee Noah Harris, SGT Mike Stokely, and The first was in an MRAP. I have to families who over 2 years ago had left the other 119, the sacrifice they have pause here and pay great tribute to Baghdad and Gazaria with no intention made has not been in vain, and we are Senator BIDEN. About 18 months ago, of ever returning, but now, because of on the doorstep, hopefully, of building Senator BIDEN led the charge in this its relative security, they returned. and of helping to have created a democ- body for us to fund the MRAPs to try The second trip was made by Chevy racy that will last and endure in the and do away with the tragic loss of life Suburban—not by armored tank or not Middle East. Hopefully, it will be the that was taking place through IEDs on by MRAP—and we left the Green Zone first step of many to accomplish the the ground and on the roads in Iraq and and went through Baghdad to the gov- hope of peace, freedom, and liberty in Baghdad. ernment building where we met with that we in this country so often take There is no question in this body that Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish leaders. For for granted but the rest of the world the most strident voice in favor of that the first time in my annual trips back cherishes. funding and that commitment was the there, the talk was substantive and the So the President was right last night Senator from Delaware. Today, the sol- inference on the part of the leadership in his State of the Union speech. We diers of the United States of America was that things were getting ready to have made great progress. There is and of Iraq and of our coalition part- get better. As all of us know, on work left to be done, but there is light ners ride in the new MRAP vehicles, debaathification and reconciliation, at the end of the tunnel, and it is not which are remarkable. General things have started to happen. a locomotive. It is the light of hope, Petraeus told me at the dinner I had As the President acknowledged in his liberty, and peace and freedom because with him that in the first five hits speech last night, they will be hap- of the sacrifice and the endurance of where an IED exploded under an pening in terms of sharing the oil reve- the fine young men and women in the MRAP, there was not a single scratch nues and eventually a hydrocarbon law U.S. military serving in harm’s way of an American serviceman. I know a for the entire country. today in Iraq. week ago we lost our first serviceman My point in bringing this story to the Mr. President, I yield the floor. in an MRAP, but that serviceman was Senate and telling it firsthand is the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. the gunner above the turret at the progress the President described last CASEY). The Senator from Vermont is time he was hit. It has a 100-percent night is real. It is tangible. Things are recognized. record in terms of those inside of the changing in Iraq, and they are chang- Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask MRAP when moving the troops. It is a ing for the better for the Iraqis and for unanimous consent to speak as in marvelous transformation and a great us. We have brought back two groups, morning business. testament to this body, Republican and and as the President said, we will bring The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Democrat alike, to rise to the occasion back five more without replacing them objection, it is so ordered. to see to it that when our men and this year. Our troop level will be going f women are threatened, if there is a down. We are going from a combat con- technique, if there is a technology, if frontation to an oversight role in THE ECONOMY there is engineering sufficient to bring terms of helping and providing logis- Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, last about a new product, we will do it, and tics to the Iraqis. night I listened intently to President we will fund it. We did it on the MRAP, Have the Iraqis responded? Think Bush’s State of the Union speech, and, and today our soldiers are safer and about this: Remember about 6 months frankly, I had a hard time under- our efforts stronger. ago when the Prime Minister of Great standing what country the President I rode in one of those MRAPs to a Britain said they were pulling the Brit- was talking about and what reality he neighborhood known as Gazaria. ish troops out of Basra, and the Amer- was talking about. Certainly, if the Gazaria was the neighborhood that was ican press wrote about another failure: State of the Union refers to what is completely destroyed 21⁄2 years ago. I One of our partners was leaving, so happening to the shrinking middle went to a market that had about 20 what were we going to do. Nobody has class of this country and how we as a shops, of which about half were open, written about Basra since then because people are doing, the President had al- and traveled with a squad headed by a here is what happened: All the Brits most nothing to say that rang true. In lieutenant colonel who was making who left were replaced by Iraqis—not fact, last night’s speech just reminds microgrants and microloans and meas- by Americans, not by coalition forces. many of us how far removed from the uring the progress of previous loans Have you read about damage or prob- reality of ordinary life this President is that had been made to Iraqis who were lems in Basra? No, you haven’t because and how little he and his administra- reopening their stores. Senator the army has performed magnifi- tion know about what is going on in CORNYN, Senator COBURN, and myself cently—the Iraqi Army. the lives of millions and millions of stood in a bakery and ate an Iraqi-type Today we read of reports in Mosul, people in cities and towns across this of flatbread and drank tea in a market and we mourn the tragedy of the loss of country. that had been totally destroyed and U.S. soldiers, but in that big attack In my view, the President’s speech unoccupied for 21⁄2 years. We went to an going on against one of the last strong- was lacking not just for what he said auto repair shop where two brothers holds left of the insurgents of al-Qaida, but, perhaps more importantly, for had reopened the shop and were begin- the spear of that attack, the point of what he didn’t say. Somehow, Presi- ning to do repairs and had bought a that attack was all Iraqi soldiers. I had dent Bush forgot to mention some of generator to provide them with reli- the privilege to meet with Iraqi gen- the results of his failed economic poli- able, continuous electricity. These are erals who, for the first time, see them- cies and how they have impacted the microloans made by the United States selves energized, see themselves fully lives of ordinary people. So let me take

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S415 a moment, therefore, to review the has been in office, have lost their pen- buying their groceries with credit record the President refused to talk sions—the promises that were made to cards. They don’t have the cash to buy about last night. them for their retirement years—and the food they need. They are going into Since George W. Bush took office in about half of American workers in the debt to buy groceries. And our friends 2001, nearly 5 million Americans have private sector have no pension cov- in the credit card industry are then slipped out of the middle class and into erage whatsoever. I didn’t hear much charging them 25 or 30 percent interest poverty. These are mostly low-income from the President about that. rates for the groceries they are buying working people whose wages have not What I did hear is the President’s on credit. kept up with inflation. These are peo- rhetoric about ‘‘Social Security re- For some reason, last night in his ple all across the country who are try- form,’’ which are code words for the State of the Union Address, the Presi- ing to make it on $6 or $7 an hour with- privatization of Social Security. At a dent also neglected to mention that out any health insurance, desperately time when seniors are facing more and home foreclosures are the highest on trying to keep their families above more insecurity than they have seen record, turning the American dream of water. These are, by the way, parents for a very long time, privatizing Social homeownership into an American and kids in Pennsylvania and in Security is the last thing this country nightmare for millions of our fellow Vermont who are now flocking to needs. citizens. emergency food banks because they Last night, President Bush once simply don’t have the income to buy again pushed for more unfettered free The reason I am raising these issues the food they need in the United States trade agreements, despite the fact that is because if we as a Senate, as a gov- of America in 2008. It might have been since he has been in office the annual ernment, do not talk about and discuss a sign of decency on the part of the trade deficit has more than doubled, the reality of life in this country for President to at least recognize that re- and over 3 million manufacturing the vast majority of the people, if we ality which is impacting so many of jobs—good-paying jobs—in this country do not understand what is going on in our people, and the reality that hunger have been lost. It astounds me that, de- the cities and towns across our Nation, in America is actually going up. spite the horrendous record of these then it will be virtually impossible for Since George W. Bush has been in of- unfettered trade agreements—NAFTA, us to formulate the public policies we fice, median household income for CAFTA, and permanent normal trade need to transform our economy so that working-age Americans has declined by relations—we have a President who it begins to work well for all of the almost $2,500. That is a lot of money. says: Look, we have failed year after people and not just the wealthiest peo- Also, overall median household income year, we have lost millions of good- ple on top. has gone down by nearly $1,000. This is paying jobs, our trade deficit is soar- Also, we do not do this enough. It is the shrinking middle class, and maybe ing, and do you know what the answer important to take a look at what is as people are working longer hours for is? We need more of this failed trade going on in our country compared to lower wages, maybe as people are policy. In my own small State of what is going on in many other indus- working 50 or 60 hours a week trying to Vermont, never one of the great manu- trialized nations. Very often, I hear bring in enough money for their fami- facturing States in this country, we people on the Senate floor say we are lies to pay the bills, maybe the Presi- have lost, since the President has been the wealthiest and the greatest Nation dent might have said a few words to President, 10,000 manufacturing jobs— in the world. We are all of these things. them that he understands the reality 25 percent of the total or one out of Let’s look at some of the facts as they are experiencing. Maybe he might four manufacturing jobs. And Presi- they apply to the lives of ordinary peo- have said to the young people of our dent Bush says we need more ple. What country in the industrialized country that he is concerned if we outsourcing; we need corporations to world has, by far, the highest rate of don’t turn around our economy, for the throw more American workers out on childhood poverty, where one out of first time in the modern history of this the street so they can run to China and five children are living in poverty? Is it country their generation will have a pay people 50 cents an hour there, and France, Germany, or the U.K.? No. It is lower standard of living than their par- then bring the products back into this the United States of America. One out ents; maybe just a few words to those country. of five children in this country live in young people so they know he knows Last night, President Bush did say a poverty. And shock of all shocks, we what is going on in their lives. word about gas prices going up. But he end up having the highest rate of incar- But I didn’t hear that. I didn’t hear did forget to tell us that since he has ceration—putting people behind bars— that at all. been President the price of gas at the of any other country on Earth. If you Mr. President, since George W. Bush pump, and home heating oil, has more think there is not a correlation be- has been in office, 8.6 million Ameri- than doubled. For whatever reason, he tween those two factors, I would cans have lost their health insurance, also forgot to tell us that, year after strongly disagree with you. and we are now up to 47 million Ameri- year, while Americans are paying out- Unfortunately, the U.S. today has cans without any health insurance rageous prices for oil and gas, the oil the highest infant mortality rate of whatsoever. Meanwhile, health insur- companies are enjoying record-break- any major country on Earth, the high- ance premiums have increased during ing profits. I didn’t hear him mention est overall poverty rate, the largest Bush’s tenure by 78 percent—a huge in- anything about that, not one word. crease in the cost of health care. A couple of years ago, for example, gap between the rich and the poor, and Last night, while the President gave ExxonMobil—which has enjoyed huge we are the only major country in the us his usual rhetoric about all of the profits while Americans are paying world not to provide health care to all virtues of free market health care, he $3.15 for a gallon of gas at the pump— of their its people as a right of citizen- somehow forgot to tell us why we gave a $398 million retirement package ship. spend almost twice as much per capita for its former CEO, Mr. Lee Raymond. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- on health care as any other nation, and And our people are paying $3.15 for a ator’s time has expired. why we are the only major country on gallon of gas. The President forgot to Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask Earth without a national health care talk about that. unanimous consent that the period for program guaranteeing health care to Also, I found it interesting that morning business be extended until all people. The President didn’t even President Bush neglected to discuss 12:30 p.m., with the time equally di- tell us why he vetoed legislation that that for the first time since the Great vided. Depression the personal savings rate in would expand health insurance to mil- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without this country is below zero. This means lions more children; just the usual objection, it is so ordered. rhetoric about free market health care, that because of the dire economic con- which is failing us every single day. ditions facing so many of our people, Mr. SANDERS. With that, I yield the During his remarks last night, some- we as a people are actually spending floor. how President Bush neglected to men- more money than we are earning. In The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tion that 3 million workers, since he fact, today, millions of Americans are ator from Idaho is recognized.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S416 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY waste are stored at this national lab- Part of that uncertainty is the unwill- AMENDMENTS ACT oratory. Most of this waste was gen- ingness of this Congress to get on with Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I come to erated from defense and from our the issue of siting a deep geologic re- the floor to speak about a piece of leg- Navy’s nuclear program. In fact, one of pository, getting the licensing process islation that has been introduced by the most successful programs ever in over, dealing with reprocessing, and our colleague, Senator JIM INHOFE, of the history of the world has been our truly bringing our arms around the Oklahoma, S. 2551. It is entitled the naval vessels powered by nuclear reac- issue of the waste stream. Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act tion. All of the waste from those reac- Mid-America, a large utility in the of 2008. tors over the years has been stored at Midwest that has recently acquired The reason I do this is multiple in Idaho. utilities in Idaho and adjoining States the issue of nuclear energy today and Idaho was the premier training loca- or at least utilities that feed part of the management of the waste stream tion for our men and women in the nu- Idaho’s electricity, made the decision that flows from not only current nu- clear Navy to come and learn how to that they would attempt to build a nu- clear reactors operating in our energy manage and operate nuclear reactors in clear reactor in my State of Idaho. portfolio, but, of course, the growth of our nuclear Navy. We also have waste They looked all over the country and generating capability through nuclear from West Valley in New York, and decided Idaho was the preferable loca- reaction as it relates to all that is other locations, because Idaho has been tion based on their needs and their going on out there from the creation of the recipient of that waste. But I must need to load their service area and be- the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the 30- say that as a result of that, the Federal cause they thought the climate was ap- plus reactors that are on the drawing Government signed an agreement with propriate in Idaho. They studied it. boards today, and the opportunity to Idaho some years ago that all of that They spent millions of dollars looking see new reactors built in our country waste would go to Yucca Mountain by at that possibility. They determined to supplement and build our energy 2035, or to a deep geologic repository this past week they would not move base, and the issue of how we handle other than the State of Idaho, where it forward. Why? Because even under the the waste. is now stored in dry storage and in wet most favorable conditions and in pos- As most Senators know, Yucca storage. sibly the most favorable State, they Mountain, a permanent deep geologic There is no other disposable option found the uncertainty and the expense repository in Nevada, has become in- for our Navy’s high-level waste. Be- was still too great. creasingly controversial over the years cause of the configuration of the waste, Who is Mid-America? It is an asset of largely because of the delegation from of those reactor fuel rods, they cannot Berkshire Hathaway. It is an asset of Nevada and the antinuclear folks, but be reprocessed. So they, unlike the Warren Buffett, probably one of the also the reality of reprocessing and commercial reactor spent fuel rods, deepest pockets in the world. Yet they still finding a permanent repository for have to go into a permanent home and and their studies, with due diligence, nuclear waste. I strongly support permanent waste. Idaho, South Caro- determined they would not move for- Yucca Mountain. I believe we need a lina, and the State of Washington are ward after millions of dollars were deep geologic repository, whether it is all relying on Yucca Mountain for per- spent. for the current waste that is in storage manent disposal of this waste. It was all based on cost and uncer- at most of our reactors or whether it is So it is critical that this Senate, this tainty, and part of that uncertainty for the refined waste that would come Government, doesn’t put aside the rests right here in the Senate and with from a reprocessing stream. So for a issue of Yucca Mountain, but that we a Congress that will not in a clear, few moments today I thought I would deal with it in a forthright way, that clean, decisive way say: We are going share with fellow Senators a legacy we recognize there is truly a need for to deal with the issue of the waste that most don’t realize but I find ex- some geologic storage of our types of stream as the rest of the component tremely important in this overall de- waste, especially our military waste pieces that we put together to build a bate of a nuclear renaissance and Con- that, in many instances, is stored in true nuclear renaissance in this coun- gress getting real and honest about South Carolina, Washington, and my try. It is critical we move forward. how we handle a waste stream, instead State of Idaho. This legislation, S. 2551, speaks to that of the political football that some As I said in my opening comments, point. It speaks to that long-term im- would like it to be and, therefore, cre- since we passed the Energy Policy Act portance. ate the uncertainty that results from of 2005, and we began to streamline the I cosponsored legislation this past that. process to bring a new design construc- year that Senator DOMENICI and I in- In my State of Idaho, I have a na- tion concept on line and grant guaran- troduced that dealt with the kinds of tional laboratory. The State of Idaho tees for the construction of nuclear re- issues that are dealt with in S. 2551. hosts one of our Nation’s premier en- actors for commercial electrical pro- These two bills, the Domenici-Craig ergy laboratories, known as the INL, duction, there has been what many call bill, now the Inhofe-Craig-and-others Idaho National Laboratory. It started a renaissance as it relates to the possi- bill, would allow Yucca Mountain to in 1949. It started for the sole purpose bility of pouring concrete to actually open on a predictable timeline, replac- of a national reactor testing site, build new reactors. ing, as I have said, the uncertainty. where reactors would be built and test- Certainly, the debate of climate And it protects the citizens of Idaho, ed before they went into commercial change, the emission of greenhouse South Carolina, and 30 other States use or, at this time and place, mostly gases has caused us to recognize the that are currently storing nuclear ma- military use and for national security need for what we call baseloading of terials. purposes. So a site that was started in our electrical system with large units Nuclear energy, nuclear power clear- 1949 actually saw by 1951 the lighting of of production that are nonemitting. ly remains our best and brightest op- the first light bulb ever lit in America And, of course, at this time, tech- tion in the near term as it relates to a by nuclear reaction. That site today is nology says the only one that is out sustainable, nonemitting source of en- now a museum, so dedicated by Presi- there in that high-capacity way would ergy for our country. Clearly, this Con- dent Lyndon Johnson. Many people be a nuclear reactor. That is also clear- gress should not, and to date has not, have come to see the first reactor ever ly what has fed the growth, the desire stood in the way of building that ren- built to light the first light bulb ever to develop, the licensing process that is aissance from the policies passed in lit by nuclear reaction in this country. underway, the design concepts, the at- 2005, to the guarantees we are offering, Since that time, 52 test reactors have tempt to locate new reactors at cur- to the new licensing process the Nu- been built onsite at the Idaho National rent sites and facilities. clear Regulatory Commission is now in Laboratory. Idaho is also, therefore, Something happened in my State of the final stages of developing. The only the home of something else—the legacy Idaho this past week that tells me and piece left undone is the issue of waste of nuclear reactors. Three hundred should tell the world there is still a stream, and it is critically important metric tons of spent nuclear material great deal of uncertainty out there as we deal with it. If we do not, if we were and 4,000 metric tons of high-level it relates to siting a nuclear reactor. to put a blight on the potential growth

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S417 of nuclear energy, here is what could ECONOMIC STIMULUS of which, in an economic slowdown, is happen. From 1995 to 2006, nuclear Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I wished to pursue classic economic policy, power helped us avoid emitting more to rise to talk a little bit about the which is to stimulate demand during a than 8 million metric tons of carbon di- proposed stimulus package which is time of economic slowdown in order to oxide into the atmosphere. Many working its way through the Congress stimulate the economy, generally. States have started to say no to coal and has been agreed to between the That is a ‘‘black letter’’ rule of how and yes to nuclear power or other President and the Speaker of the you try to abate the economic slow- forms of clean energy. But other than House. down. The question is: Will it work? nuclear power, they are limited, and First, I congratulate the Speaker, Will what has been put on the table clearly we should not be saying no. the Republican leader of the House, make sense and will it work? Our economy, our growth, future jobs and the President, especially Secretary Remember the last time we did this— for this country, the vitality of our Paulson, for sitting down and trying to with what is known as the tax rebate, economic leadership in the world is reach a bipartisan understanding as to which are not tax rebates because most tied to available energy, abundant en- how we move forward in what is obvi- of the people getting these don’t pay ergy, and reasonable cost energy. We ously a very tentative economic time. taxes, it is an income transfer—we know today the one source of energy We know in this Nation we are con- were coming off a period of surplus, the that answers all those charges is nu- fronting some very serious issues, most only time of surplus in the last 30 years clear. of them brought on by a bubble in the we have had as a Federal government. Yucca Mountain remains a key piece credit markets relative to lending for We had 3 years of surplus, and we felt of all of that picture. That is why Sen- housing construction. As happens with we had cash in the till to rebate or to ator INHOFE has introduced the legisla- a classic bubble—and this is a classic pay out. Now we don’t have the sur- tion, why I am a cosponsor of it. I cer- bubble—when it bursts, when, in other plus. In fact, we have a deficit. It is not tainly encourage all my colleagues to words, the underlying security and the a huge deficit but still a deficit. It has look through clear glasses at this issue people responsible for paying back the been coming down over the last few because we have to deal with the waste debt cannot do that because money has years, which is the good news. But it stream in a responsible fashion. We been lent to people who are not in a po- does mean any stimulus package we need to do so in a way that is accept- sition to repay their loans and the se- pursue is going to have a debt effect. able to the industry and acceptable to curity under that debt has not been In other words, we are going to have the American people. able to be maintained to reinstate the to borrow the money in order to pay it The efforts that have been put forth value of that debt, when that happens, out to people through this tax rebate from day one in the examination of the that not only affects the loans, the im- or basic payment process. So who ends geology, the development of the core mediate loans that are impacted, but it up paying it? Well, our children are tunnel at Yucca Mountain—all those leads to a further contraction in the going to pay the cost of this stimulus stages are there for the public to see. marketplace. package, and it is going to be because The licensing process is now underway, I have been through this a number of it is a debt-compounding event. In which is the next step. Let’s don’t arbi- times in my experience, and it always other words, if the package represented trarily and politically step into the seems to happen the same way with today is to be $150 billion in cost over middle of it and mess it up. loans which turned out to be not well its lifetime, which is supposedly con- made being called, and they are then I must tell you the frustration I have fined to this year, that debt that you followed by the people who lent the had listening to Presidential can- have to borrow to pay the $150 billion money and the capital markets having didates out on the road. If you want will have interest earned on it. So after to contract in order to basically build the endorsement of a single State, you 10 years, that becomes $200 billion in back up their capital positions. So peo- are against Yucca Mountain and that debt because it won’t be paid back over ple who actually have good loans find single State was Nevada. This is a na- 10 years and our children and our chil- that they cannot get credit extended tional issue; it is not a local issue. This dren’s children will have to pay the further and it feeds on itself and you is Federal land properly handled, prop- burden of that. start to see a slowdown. That appears So basically we are saying to our erly researched, and it can be properly to be the type of issue which we may be children, some of whom haven’t even developed in a safe way for all Ameri- confronting as a Nation, where we started earning money yet, we are cans and for our future. That is what know we have a huge subprime prob- going to give you a $200 billion bill for this legislation speaks to. lem. It is very big. We know that may this stimulus package we are going to I am pleased to be a cosponsor with lead to a further contraction. In fact, put in place over the next 6 months. So Senator INHOFE. He introduced it in a we are already seeing that. if we are going to do something such as timely fashion. Clearly, in the course We know also, ironically, in this that, which is fairly significant, we of this year, it is something that needs market, what happened was a lot of better make sure the stimulus package to be debated; it is something with those loans were syndicated out and works; that it actually stimulates the which we need to deal. This adminis- then they were put in synthetic instru- economy; that it actually does retard tration has moved forward as quickly ments and actually multiplied their the slowing of forces slowing down the and responsibly as they could, and the impact and we ended up with an in- economy and, hopefully, reenergize it. licensing process is certainly some- verted pyramid. We have one little The proposals which we have on the thing that needs to be completed in the loan with inadequate capital which table and came from the House break overall effort of the renaissance of nu- can’t be paid back, and then you have into two basic approaches: First is a clear power in our country and that a pyramid with the way that loan is pure consumption approach, where you form of generation as an important op- chopped up and can’t be sold. So it is basically give people of middle and low tion in our mix of energy sources for exaggerated in size. So this is a big incomes in this country—I think it is this Nation for now and into the fu- issue for us as a nation. The question is $80,000 of individual or $175,000 of joint ture. how to address it. income—a tax rebate of $600 to $1,200. I yield the floor, and I suggest the ab- Well, first off, I congratulate the Fed That is a payment. It is structured in a sence of a quorum. because the Fed has stepped up. I wish way that some people who don’t pay The PRESIDING OFFICER. The they had stepped up earlier, but they taxes will actually get the payment. clerk will call the roll. have stepped up and reduced rates and, The theory is they will take that The legislative clerk proceeded to as a result, that should create more li- money and they will go and spend the call the roll. quidity in the market. The second is money and, as a result, the economy Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I ask fiscal policy, and that is where the will see a boost. unanimous consent that the order for President’s proposal, working with the There are two problems with this the quorum call be rescinded. Speaker of the House and the Repub- theory we need to address, however. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without lican leader, has come forward. It is First, under the present structure of objection, it is so ordered. called a stimulus package, the purpose our Internal Revenue Service, the CBO,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S418 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 which is a fair arbiter—they do not event. We are going to allow people to make it regional. If one region has 6 have prejudice in this debate—the CBO expense capital purchases, versus de- percent unemployment, then you give has testified—the Congressional Budg- preciate, over a number of years. We them the extended unemployment in- et Office—that the IRS—and they have are going to allow people bonus depre- surance. If one region doesn’t have 6 consulted with the IRS on this—the In- ciation. Both of those are probably percent unemployment, you don’t give ternal Revenue Service cannot get good tax policies from the standpoint them the extended insurance. these checks out before midsummer, of strengthening our economy over the We are also talking about, on our probably, or late June at the earliest. long run because they make the econ- side of the aisle, adding food stamps, CBO has further testified that the ac- omy more efficient. It means some adding FMAP, adding LIHEAP, adding tual economic impact of people spend- small businessperson will be able to go infrastructure, and adding State and ing this money, these rebates, these out and buy a machine which makes local tax deductibility. All this has payments, will probably not occur their business more efficient, and as a been thrown out by other Members on until the late third quarter, early result of being more efficient, it makes our side of the aisle. State and local fourth quarter of this year. Interest- the American economy stronger. So aid. It is making it a grab bag of ingly enough, Dr. Orsak, the head of yes, that is good policy, but it will everybody’s ideas of whom they want CBO, has also testified—and again this have very little stimulus effect on the to take care of and whom they want to is a fair arbiter—that the slow period, underlying economy. attract in terms of political support or the period when you need stimulus, is So the concern is the House package what is important to say to supporters the next two quarters or the next two- may not have the stimulus it claims to or a group of people they think are im- and-a-half quarters. And he has said, have and may end up being a debt portant as their constituencies. quite simply, that because of the limi- event which our children will have to And that makes no sense at all. tations within the IRS, this rebate repay. What concerns me even more, First, it is going to slow this package probably would not help those quar- though, is what is being talked about dramatically if you do that. Second, ters. in the Senate. We are talking about you are not going to improve stimulus So that should be a concern to us. taking the House package and signifi- activities around here by doing that. The money may not end up coming cantly bidding it up. The House pack- So I would hope we would not proceed into people’s hands—taxpayers or non- age bothers me to begin with, but to that way. taxpayers—to be able to be used in the bid it up in the Senate is a mistake. I have a lot of problems with the ini- timeframe when it is going to be most We are talking about expanding the tial package. I do congratulate the needed. rebate to everybody. Now, that will White House. I do congratulate Speak- In fact, toward the third quarter of have absolutely no stimulus effect, in er PELOSI and Congressman BOEHNER this year and into the fourth quarter of my opinion. To say that high-income for putting together a package and for this year, it is again the testimony of individuals or people with joint in- recognizing the need. the CBO Director that the cuts the Fed comes over $100,000 should get a stim- I have big reservations as to whether has put in place, the 3⁄4-percent prime ulus, should get a $500 payment—first it is the most useful package from the cut, is going to cause the economy to off, they probably don’t need it; and, standpoint of stimulus, but it appears, react to that cut in a positive way, secondly, they do not need it if we are in light of what the Senate is now talk- hopefully, and that will occur in the going to borrow from their children; ing about, to be the high watermark. third and fourth quarter mostly. So and, thirdly, they are probably going Maybe we should take the House pack- you could actually end up with two to save it, which is great in the long age and pass it and acknowledge the events on top of each other acting as a run but has no immediate stimulus ef- fact that we have done something. stimulus at the same time when we no fect. The biggest impact of this event is longer need a stimulus. So we need to Secondly, there is a proposal to in- very obvious; it is psychological. It is a be concerned about that. That is of clude an extension of unemployment big price to pay for a psychological concern. compensation benefits—unemployment event, $150 billion, which adds up to The second problem which this pro- insurance. Well, that would make sense $200 billion over 10 years to our chil- posal has—of taking a large amount of if we were in a recessionary event, but dren. That is the big impact, that the cash and putting it on the table for right now the national unemployment American people and the world can see people—is that, again, it may not stim- rate is about 5.1, 5.2 percent, which is the Congress and the President can ulate our economy. In other words, if deemed full employment. Anything be- work together to address what we see somebody goes out with their $600 re- tween 5 and 5.5 percent is historically a as an economic slowdown, even though bate and they buy a television made in full-employment situation. what we are proposing probably will China or they buy an iPod made in There are pockets of communities not have the effects we hope it will Vietnam—I don’t know if that is where around this country which have higher have in the short term. iPods are made—or if they buy a wash- unemployment, no question about it. But we should not aggravate this ing machine made somewhere else—if But to put out a nationwide extension problem by significantly increasing the the product isn’t actually physically of unemployment insurance for an ad- lack of focus of the package by throw- produced here—then, basically, you are ditional year, which is what is being ing in all these other ideas, by expand- not stimulating our economy, you are talked about, or for an additional 6 ing the rebate to high-income individ- stimulating the economy where the months, which is also being talked uals, by extending unemployment in- product is produced. Since the assump- about, that creates an incentive, in a surance in areas where there is basi- tion is most of these dollars will be full-employment economy, to not co- cally full employment. Literally, the spent on consumable items or will be operate, to not go out and find jobs. It House package becomes the high wa- used to pay down credit cards, which has the opposite effect. It is intuitively termark. I thought I would never say has no stimulus effect at all—theoreti- obvious that has a perverse impact on that, but that is the way it looks right cally, if it is spent on consumable what you want in the area of human re- now from the Senate activity. items and, for example, is apparel or action, which is to go and find a job, if So I wished to make those points be- consumable goods which are manufac- the jobs are available. Jobs in a 5-per- cause I think we may have to have an tured overseas, then the stimulative ef- cent economy are available. open discussion of what goes on around fect for the United States is extremely So any unemployment extension here, but we also have to have expe- limited, only at the margin. Again, should be tied to a trigger, and that dited activity. I do not want to slow it this was testified to by the Director of trigger should be set at what has been down. CBO. the historical levels of what is deemed I do want to make the points that if So these are two concerns with this to be recessionary, or a significant we start throwing all this baggage idea of infusing money into the pack- slowdown, which is around 6 or 7 per- under the bill, we will probably set the age. The second part of the package cent, so you don’t extend unemploy- train in the wrong direction. says: Well, we are going to do an inven- ment insurance unless you hit that I appreciate the courtesy of the Chair tory of basically a business incentive level of unemployment. You can also and I yield the floor.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S419 RECESS kids and grandkids and great- with a couple of kids and you are work- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under grandkids and on and on will have to ing—maybe you are in a temporary the previous order, the Senate stands pay for—so that people here can buy a layoff now with the economic turn- in recess until 2:15 p.m. consumer good made in China, and down, but let’s say while you were Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:32 p.m., send the money to China. So whose working you saved a little bit of money recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassem- stimulus is this? Is it for our country for that rainy day. We are always tell- bled when called to order by the Pre- or is it for China? So people really ing people to save money. It is good for siding Officer (Mr. CARPER). rightfully question it. you. It is good for your future. So The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Now, they have heard that maybe we maybe they saved a little bit of money. ator from New Jersey. are going to send a check to everybody Well, if they saved over $2,000, they do regardless of income, that Bill Gates— not get food stamps. That is the same f and God bless him; he is always the level it was in 1977. If it had kept pace EXTENSION OF MORNING foil, I guess, for the wealthiest in our with inflation, the asset level today BUSINESS country—and people of that magnitude would be about $6,000. So we have had Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I of income would actually get a check. that erosion now for 30 years. We have ask unanimous consent that the period I have to believe people are beyond had 11 years of an erosion of the stand- for morning business be extended for 2 laughing about this now. I have to be- ard deduction, which is, without get- hours, with the time equally divided. lieve the citizens of this country are ting into the nitty-gritty of how it The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there scratching their heads and wondering works, just a standard deduction for a objection? just what are we doing. family on food stamps, taking into ac- Hearing none, it is so ordered. What I heard from my constituents count certain factors that comes out to Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I in Iowa is that if you really want to do be a deduction of about $130 a month. suggest the absence of a quorum. something in terms of the economy, That is at the level it was 11 years ago. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The first of all, you take care of those who It hasn’t changed. It was frozen at that clerk will call the roll. are hurt the most, those at the bottom, level in 1996. The assistant legislative clerk pro- and then you take and you invest The childcare deduction is now ceeded to call the roll. money in the economic well-being of capped at $175, and it has been that Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I this country. way for 11 years. There has been no in- ask unanimous consent that the order So the more I talked to people about crease in the childcare deduction, even for the quorum call be rescinded. this issue, it became very clear to me though we know childcare costs more The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without that what we should be focusing on in money today than it did 11 years ago. objection, it is so ordered. the stimulus package—not what the So we have had great erosions. Couple Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I White House has said and not even that with the fact that since 2000, the ask unanimous consent that any what the House said. I was not part of number of people on food stamps in quorum time be equally divided. that agreement. I was not invited to this country has gone from 16 million The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without those talks or anything else. It was to 26 million. objection, it is so ordered. only done by the Speaker of the House, So while the economy may have been Mr. LAUTENBERG. I suggest the ab- I guess, and the minority leader of the good for some people over the last 5 or sence of a quorum. House and the President. Well, there 6 years, it was good for people at the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The are 100 Senators here, too, and we rep- top. But if the economy was so darn clerk will call the roll. resent people. It would seem to me we good over the last several years, why The assistant legislative clerk pro- should have some input into what this did we go from 16 million on food ceeded to call the roll. ‘‘stimulus package’’ is. stamps to 26 million on food stamps? Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask So it is clear to me that just taking Because for those at the bottom, the unanimous consent that the order for a bunch of money we borrowed from economy was not very good; thus, the the quorum call be rescinded. China—which our kids and grandkids widening gap between the rich and the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without have to pay back—and giving it in a poor in this country. objection, it is so ordered. check to everyone, just throwing it out So it would seem to make sense, if we Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I under- there, is just throwing money at the are going to have some kind of ‘‘stim- stand we are in a period of morning problem. How many times have we ulus package,’’ the first rule would be business. heard around here: Don’t just throw do no harm, and then target it so that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, we money at the problem. So if we have an it is effective. Ask the economists. are, for roughly 2 hours. economic slowdown, let’s target—let’s They all say the best bang for the buck f target—what it is we are going to put is when you put it in food stamps. So our money into. here is our opportunity, both to have STIMULUS PACKAGE Now, first, you want to ask the le- some multiplier effects and to help Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I gitimate question of, if you are going stimulate the economy and do what thought I would take a few moments to to spend a dollar, what gives you the really is morally right, what we should talk about this stimulus package that most economic activity? What rolls have done a long time ago, and that is is sort of maybe making its way around the most in the economy? What to make sure the people at the bottom through the Congress. has the largest multiplier effect? Well, don’t keep falling through the safety I was in my home State of Iowa this the Economic Research Service, the nets. weekend, and a lot of people came up Moody’s have all said that the biggest So I say, I don’t know what the Fi- to me, from various walks of life, ques- bang for the buck we could get is in nance Committee is going to do. This is tioning whether we had lost all our food stamps—either a 1.73 or a 1.84 mul- not in their jurisdiction. I understand. sanity around here in terms of this tiplier effect. It means for every $1 you They can’t do anything about food stimulus bill. put in, you are getting $1.84 more in stamps; that is not in their jurisdic- Well, as I probed and asked ques- economic activity. That is the highest. tion. But when that bill comes up, and tions, it seemed everyone thought this It dwarfs everything else. Here is a way when we get it to the floor, I want ev- idea of just sending a check out to ev- we can actually do something about eryone to be aware that we are going erybody—when we are borrowing the the economy, target money and help to have an amendment—and I will have money from our kids and grandkids—to those who need help the most. an amendment on food stamps—to put do it did not seem to make much sense, We have had a constant erosion in a significant amount of money into especially if some of that so-called food stamps, a 30-year erosion in the food stamps, about a 20-percent in- stimulus money is used to buy a flat- asset level. The asset level right now crease in food stamps for the next year. screen TV made in China. for a person who qualifies for food That gives us 12 months. So we borrow money from China, we stamps in this country is $2,000. In Now, why 12 months rather than 6 go into more debt to them—which our other words, if you are a single parent months or 7 months or 8 months? Well,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S420 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 first of all, we have a farm bill in which the time these checks would get out who knows where else. That is just not both the House and the Senate ad- they are talking about, you would have the best thing for our long-term econ- dressed some of these longstanding people starting to go to work. omy and not for what we want to do in problems in the food stamp structure. I The benefits of putting money into this country. don’t know when that farm bill is an infrastructure project are multiple. So, once again, it seems as though we going to get passed. The President has There are multiple benefits. First of look for short-term solutions to long- threatened to veto it. We will get it all, the work is done locally. You can’t term problems. Our long-term prob- done sometime. Sooner or later we will outsource it to India or China. Obvi- lems are the infrastructure of this get this farm bill done—hopefully, in ously, if you are going to build a country and the fact that we don’t the next month or so. But then the schoolhouse, you have to hire people have a good job base for people in this changes that have to take place to locally to do it. So the work is done lo- country—long-term problems. We are change the system so we can begin to cally. importing more and more and more increase the asset level, take the cap Secondly, almost all of the materials from overseas. I listened to the Presi- off of the childcare deduction, and then used in any kind of infrastructure dent last night in his State of the take a standard deduction and factor in project, whether it is cement or rein- Union message when he talked about inflation for that, that takes time. We forcing rods or whether it is carpeting how exports are up. He didn’t mention will not get it done right away. I think or doors or windows or lights, heating how much more imports were up over it would be the height of cruelty to say and air-conditioning systems, exports. He just didn’t even mention to people who need this food and who drywall—you name it—almost all of that. We are in hock to China up to our need food stamps that we are going to that is made in America. Maybe not all eyeballs, and it is getting worse not increase it for 6 months and then we of it, but the vast majority of it is better. So we are going to send every- are going to take it away. Now, at made in this country. So the ripple ef- body $500 and tell them to go spend least if you get a rebate—as I said, I fect throughout our economy is great some money on things probably made am not in favor of all of these checks when you do an infrastructure project. in China. going out, but if you are going to get a You put people to work. Most of the So, again, I don’t think we ought to check, you can save it for a rainy day materials and stuff you buy are Amer- roll over. I don’t think we ought to or you can do something like that. But ican made. block anything. But I think we ought with food stamps, you can’t do that. So Third, once you do this, you have to come up with a package that does if you get food stamps, and we say, OK, something of lasting good to our econ- something for our economy. The things we will increase your food stamps, you omy, something that helps the free en- I just outlined I think will do more for can buy a little better protein, you can terprise system function better. our economy than sending everybody a eat a little bit better for 6 months, and When our roads and highways are $300, $500, or maybe a $1,200 check. then we are going to cut it off. plugged up with traffic and it can’t Lastly, I see there is some talk about Keep in mind that right now, under move, that hurts business. When we sending everybody a check—no income our Food Stamp Program, the amount don’t have adequate clean water and limit. Well, I thought the income lim- of money a person gets per meal on sewer systems for communities, busi- its in the House were too high: $75,000, food stamps is $1—$1—$1. Have you ever nesses can’t locate and, therefore, oper- $150,000 for a couple, so you could get tried eating a meal for a dollar? Try it ate efficiently. When we don’t have the up to 1,200 bucks. I just don’t think sometime. best schools in America with the best that is logical, and I don’t think it is So what we are talking about is not facilities, the high-speed hookups to healthy. I don’t think it is good for our lavish living. We are talking about giv- the Internet, when we don’t have country. I don’t think it is good for the ing people just the basic necessities. schools which are the jewel of a neigh- long-term health of our economy. So, again, this is our chance to do borhood—the best thing that kids So I hope we can work together in a something that is morally right and at would ever see in their activities dur- bipartisan atmosphere to come up with the same time target our help in stim- ing the week would be the school—not a package that is not just throwing ulating the economy. the mall, not the theater, not the money at the problem but targets it, Second only to that would be increas- sports arena but their school. What if and targets it to those areas that will ing unemployment benefits. People that was the nicest thing in every be effective in putting people back to who have been unemployed for a long neighborhood? I tend to think that work, helping people at the bottom of time need to have it extended, to have would help our teachers to teach bet- the ladder, and providing for the long- their unemployment benefits extended. ter, our recruitment of teachers, and term economic underpinning of our That also has a big multiplier effect. give kids more incentive to study. But country. Also, close on the heels of that in it provides a lasting benefit for this Mr. President, I yield the floor. terms of benefiting the economy is the country. So mark me down as one who The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- money that we use to build our infra- is—I am just more than a little cau- ator from Maine is recognized. structure; that is, the roads and the tious and maybe a little bit more con- f bridges, the school buildings, the sewer servative on this idea of sending every- and water systems, government build- body a check. I think people would be FISA ings. It would be things like commu- better off and our economy would be Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise nity development block grants that we better off if we did those three things: today as a member of the Select Com- put out to our cities and communities Do something on the food side for the mittee on Intelligence to discuss the to do construction projects. people who are hardest hit in our econ- pending legislation to modernize the So it seems to me, again, if we are omy, extend unemployment benefits, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act going to put money out there, this is and put a slug of money into infra- that was originally passed in 1978. At what we ought to be doing. We have structure. the outset of my remarks I would like billions of dollars of construction that That is what we ought to tell Presi- to first express my sincerest apprecia- is needed to be done in this country on dent Bush. That is what we ought to tion to the chairman of the committee, school buildings, classrooms, bridges— tell the White House. That is our pro- Senator ROCKEFELLER, and the vice need I mention Minnesota—highways. gram. That is the Democrats’ program chair, Senator BOND, for their excep- Our highway system is falling apart, for this country: to put people back to tional leadership in working in a con- that great interstate highway system work, not just to send everybody a certed, cooperative manner to shepherd that we built, and I worked on when I check, but let’s give everybody a job. the Intelligence Committee bill was in high school, well over a half a Let’s give them jobs out there that will through the legislative process in a century old. Keep in mind when it was build our country. The multiplier ef- strong, bipartisan manner. built, we didn’t have the truck traffic fect on that is enormous. But if you are As my colleagues know, the act is set then that we have today. So we need to just going to send somebody a check, to expire on February 1—less than a put money into the infrastructure. that is it. They might just tend to buy week from now. It is imperative that Those jobs are ready to go by May. By something made in China or Japan or Congress pass legislation reflecting the

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Congress with firm resolve to ensure that the in- backdrop to FISA reauthorization. wisely employed a 6-month sunset to telligence community possesses the Prior to December 2005, only the party ensure that the shortcomings of this tools and the legal authority that is re- leaders in both the House and the Sen- temporary law could be explored at quired to prevent future terrorist at- ate, and the chairmen and ranking length and properly corrected. The bill tacks on our soil. Yet in the wake of members of those Houses’ respective before the Senate today is a product of years of controversy surrounding the Intelligence Committees—the so-called that 4-month deliberation, and given Terrorist Surveillance Program, we all gang of eight—had any knowledge that all that I have just outlined, clearly must be mindful of our duties to up- warrantless surveillance was occurring the time has now come to take precise hold the constitutional protections as on U.S. soil with neither court ap- and concrete action. old as this Republic. I do not believe proval nor congressional authorization. The Intelligence Committee has been these goals are mutually exclusive. Once the program came to light, the guided by its vast expertise in over- The Foreign Intelligence Surveil- administration asserted it had the seeing American intelligence oper- lance Act, commonly known as FISA, legal authority to conduct such sur- ations, and this proposal sorts out the establishes a distinct system of laws veillance anyway, citing considerably confusion of the past several years and and regulations for the Government’s tenuous interpretations of both article replaces legal gray areas with clear ability to legally conduct national se- II of the Constitution and the 2002 au- bright line rules. Central to this revi- curity-related surveillance of commu- thorization for the use of military sion is the role of the FISA Court—a nications. The Intelligence Committee force in Iraq. critical step in this process, as the proposal, which was reported out on a This was not the power-sharing con- courts must play a prominent role strong 13-to-2 bipartisan vote, does not struct between the three branches of whenever fourth amendment concerns present the ideal solution to the urgent Government under which FISA had op- are at stake. matter before us, underscoring the dif- erated for nearly three decades. Rath- The bill rightly maintains the rule ficulties and complexities that are pre- er, this was a unilateral exercise of ex- that no court order is required when sented by the question of intelligence ecutive branch authority to the exclu- targeting communications abroad, and surveillance. However, it is a marked sion of the other two. The use of un- clarifies that this remains the case improvement over the Protect America checked executive power was neither even if, for example, a foreign-to-for- Act and represents the collective how the Framers of the Constitution eign e-mail transits a server located on agreement of 13 of the 15 members of nor the framers of FISA intended this U.S. soil. However, the bill would, the Intelligence Committee, both Re- matter to be addressed. going forward, allow for so-called ‘‘um- publicans and Democrats. I appreciate Accordingly, less than 2 months brella surveillance’’ only under the fol- the disparate views that many of my later, I, along with Senators DeWine, lowing conditions: First, it may be con- colleagues on both sides of this aisle HAGEL, and GRAHAM, introduced the ducted for 1 year. Secondly, the DNI espouse, but in the end, the Senate Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006, and the Attorney General must certify must work to achieve its will and to which called for strict legislative over- that such operations would target only find the common ground that is so es- sight and judicial review of the pro- those individuals reasonably believed sential on this issue for our Nation’s gram. A number of colleagues joined to be outside of the United States. security. For Congress to be relevant, the effort with a variety of additional Third, the FISA Court must receive it must ultimately come to a legisla- proposals to both exert congressional and approve the minimization proce- tive resolution and conclusion. oversight, as well as to modernize The underlying premise of FISA rec- dures to ensure that any ‘‘inadvertent FISA; and the administration, bowing ognizes that obtaining a standard collection’’ is promptly destroyed. to this collective congressional pres- search warrant through a typical Fed- More importantly, where the target sure, finally permitted full access to eral or State court is not appropriate is located within the United States, or the NSA program by members and staff when dealing with sensitive security where the target is a U.S. citizen or a of both Intelligence Committees. Con- operations and highly classified infor- permanent resident anywhere in the gressional leverage also led the Attor- mation. In creating separate legal world, the bill now requires that a war- ney General this past January to sub- mechanisms for such matters, FISA rant first be obtained from the FISA mit the terrorist surveillance program has, for nearly 30 years, relied upon the Court. The FISA Court—only the FISA to the requirements of FISA, including rulings of the special Foreign Intel- Court—will have the authority to de- appropriate review of Stateside surveil- ligence Surveillance Court and contin- termine that there is probable cause to lance requests by the Foreign Intel- uous congressional oversight in ensur- believe that the U.S. person in question ligence Surveillance Court. At the time ing that fourth amendment protections is an agent of a foreign power. Only this was viewed as a step toward some against unreasonable searches and sei- then may a warrant be issued, and only restoration of the rule of law and con- zures are respected. Although FISA is then may targeted surveillance com- stitutional principles, and FISA reform and remains an indispensable tool in mence. This is a strong and substantial efforts focused on modernizing the the war on terror, it was written al- improvement over the provisions of the statute for technological purposes. most 30 years ago—long before the Protect America Act. Yet, as noted in the Intelligence name ‘‘al-Qaida’’ rang with any signifi- It is noteworthy that this bill, if Committee’s report on the FISA cance—and it has begun to show its passed, would recognize for the first Amendments Act of 2007, age. time ever the right of a U.S. citizen or FISA was enacted before cell phones, At the end of May 2007 . . . attention was permanent resident to be free from before e-mail, and before the Internet, drawn to a ruling of the FISA court . . . that warrantless surveillance by the U.S. the DNI later described as significantly di- Government even when such person is all of which are used today by hundreds verting NSA analysts from their counterter- of millions of people across the globe. rorism mission to provide information to the abroad. As our colleague Senator Unfortunately, those numbers include Court. In late July, the DNI informed Con- WYDEN said in the Washington Post on terrorists who are using these tools for gress that the decision . . . had led to de- December 10, this is a change that was planning, training, and coordination of graded capabilities in the face of a height- contemplated back in 1978 but which their operations. Put simply, FISA’s ened terrorist threat environment. never received the attention necessary technology-centered provisions do not FISA reform efforts quickly shifted from Congress to become law. correspond to the systems and apparati to addressing this gap. Congress re- Finally, the bill authorizes the in- that are used in communications sponded this past August by passing spectors general of the Department of

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It further subsequent lawsuits could have drastic and minimization procedures—adding modernizes FISA so that its terms future consequences. another independent check to ensure apply rationally to today’s technology, This position has been asserted by that the agencies charged with imple- and streamlines procedures to ensure former Attorney General John menting the program are in fact com- that the men and women in our intel- Ashcroft and former Deputy Attorney plying with the court order and mini- ligence community can maximize their General James Comey, both of whom mizing any information that was inad- focus on detecting threats to our home- had well-documented misgivings about vertently collected. land. It does all of this while employ- the administration’s approach to sur- This is not to say that the Judiciary ing the Intelligence Committee’s tech- veillance. This view is also held by the Committee substitute was not superior nical expertise to avoid any unintended distinguished chairman of the Intel- in some regards. For example, it con- consequences. ligence Committee, who on October 31 tained far stronger language asserting I wish to focus the remainder of my of this year wrote in the Washington that the FISA Court and the Federal remarks on what has become the Post that the telecom lawsuits are Criminal Code are the exclusive means flashpoint of controversy—whether to ‘‘unfair and unwise. As the operational by which the U.S. Government may grant retroactive immunity to the nu- details of the program remain highly conduct surveillance, counteracting al- merous telecommunications companies classified, the companies are prevented legations by the administration that who have been sued for allegedly pro- from defending themselves in court. the 2002 authorization of the use of viding private customer information to And if we require them to face a moun- military force against Iraq provided an the Government in violation of the tain of lawsuits, we risk losing their alternate statutory authority. law. I believe that this narrow, limited support in the future’’—a development To be clear, the Intelligence Com- grant of immunity is a proper course of that Chairman ROCKEFELLER assessed mittee bill does state that such a re- action for these reasons: would be ‘‘devastating to the intel- striction applies to ‘‘electronic surveil- First, it is critical to note and under- ligence community, the Justice De- lance.’’ In fact, I felt strongly about stand that a grant of immunity to partment and military officials who this provision, and that is why I joined telecom providers for assisting the are hunting down our enemies.’’ other colleagues on the Intelligence Government is not a novel concept, but The immunity provision in this bill is narrow and limited. First, it is only Committee in submitting additional rather a longstanding component of ex- retroactive. It clearly delineates what comments regarding this provision— isting law. Specifically, the Federal types of surveillance require a search specifically that FISA is the exclusive Criminal Code already states that ‘‘no warrant from the FISA Court and what means by which the U.S. Government cause of action shall lie in any court types do not. The very fact that the may conduct surveillance. Yet the Ju- against any provider . . . for providing FISA Court will be involved contrasts diciary Committee bill took this one information, facilities, or assistance’’ starkly with the ‘‘gray area’’ under step further, expanding exclusivity to to the Federal Government in con- which the Terrorist Surveillance Pro- cover any ‘‘communications or commu- ducting electronic surveillance if the gram had operated prior to January of nications information,’’ a broader term company is presented with either a court order or a certification signed by this year. This clarity will thus also meant to reach even those communica- make it clear as to whether a telecom the Attorney General stating that ‘‘no tions not covered under the more nar- company is complying with a lawful re- warrant or court order is required by rowly defined category of ‘‘electronic quest and thus whether it will be enti- law, that all statutory requirements surveillance.’’ tled to statutory immunity. Yet, on balance, the Intelligence have been met, and that the specific as- As the Intelligence Committee report Committee legislation reflects the sistance is required.’’ underscored, the action the committee Why, then, must the bill before us committee’s expertise in this field, and proposes should be understood by the contain an immunity provision for it presents a bipartisan approach for executive branch and provided as a communications firms? The answer is restoring order to the state of the law one-time response to an unparalleled that they are unable to invoke it be- surrounding Government surveillance. national experience in the midst of cause the very existence of whether a As the Intelligence Committee report which representations were made that particular company—or any company— noted, the committee held seven hear- assistance to the Government was au- ings in 2007 on these issues, received did or did not participate in any al- thorized and lawful. numerous classified briefings, pro- leged surveillance has been designated In doing so, the underlying legisla- pounded and received answers to nu- as a state secret by the U.S. Govern- tion acts prospectively to guard merous written questions, and con- ment. This places the telecom compa- against any future infringements of ducted extensive interviews with sev- nies in a Catch–22 scenario: if, hypo- constitutional liberties that might eral attorneys in the executive branch thetically, a company did assist the occur. By contrast, striking title II who were involved in the review of the Government, it cannot reveal that fact will accomplish nothing constructive President’s program. In addition, the under the State Secrets Doctrine, and in the future. To the contrary, as I in- committee received formal testimony thus cannot claim the benefit of immu- dicated, it may be counterproductive from the companies alleged to have nity; conversely, if a company did not by discouraging future cooperation by participated in the program and re- provide any alleged assistance, it still private entities. viewed correspondence that was pro- cannot demonstrate that fact to con- Second, the bill only grants immu- vided to private sector entities con- clusively dismiss the lawsuit, again be- nity for civil lawsuits. It would not cerning the President’s program. cause of the mandates of the State Se- provide amnesty to anyone—the tele- The committee secured IG reports crets Doctrine. In the 40-plus active communications companies, Govern- and the orders and opinions issued by lawsuits, defendant telecom companies ment officials or any other party—who the FISA Court following the shift of are in a ‘‘no-win situation.’’ engaged in any potential criminal activity to the judicial supervision of To those who may ask why Congress wrongdoing. Should any criminal alle- the FISA Court and invited comments should concern itself with addressing gations arise against telecommuni- from experts on national security law these pending lawsuits, I would answer cations officers, Government officials and civil liberties. The committee also that the credibility and effectiveness of or others, such investigations would examined extensive testimony given America’s intelligence community de- not be prevented by this provision. before other committees in the last pends upon it. Particularly in the wake Nothing in this bill is intended to af- several years and visited the NSA, of the devastating attacks of Sep- fect any of the pending suits against carefully scrutinizing the program’s tember 11, 2001, any American company the Government or individual Govern- implementation. that, when reportedly presented with ment officials. The underlying committee bill vests proper certification, assisted the Gov- Third, this provision does not make significant authority—and rightfully ernment in a matter of national secu- any determination as to whether the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S423 program in question was legal. It only that lineup to be the next Democratic that is uncertain. It is very certain. grants the telecommunications car- speaker? The lives of Americans, the perilous riers immunity if the Attorney General Mr. INHOFE. May I ask how long Mr. and traumatic economy they are living certifies those carriers cooperated with WEBB, the junior Senator from Vir- through is not uncertain or vague or intelligence activities designed to de- ginia, wishes to speak? foggy. It is very certain. The cost of ev- tect or prevent a terrorist attack and Mr. CASEY. Ten minutes. erything in the life of a family is going that such a request was made in writ- Mr. INHOFE. I amend my request through the roof, and we have to make ing and with the assertion that the pro- that it be, first, Senator CASEY for 15 sure we respond to that situation. gram was authorized by the President minutes, Senator WEBB for 10 minutes, I argue that word ‘‘uncertainty’’ does and determined to be lawful. and myself for 35 minutes in morning apply when it comes to the war in Iraq Finally, this bill provides the fairest business. in terms of our policy. I would argue to course of action for addressing corpora- This is the new request: I ask unani- the President what is uncertain, if tions that, when presented with an ur- mous consent that the junior Senator there is uncertainty out there in our gent official request at a critical period from Pennsylvania, Mr. CASEY, be rec- land, it is about the war in Iraq. Uncer- for our Nation’s security, acted in a pa- ognized for up to 15 minutes, after tainty, frankly, about what our plan is triotic manner and provided assistance which I will be recognized for up to 35 in Iraq and what is this administration in defending this Nation. These compa- minutes, and then the Senator from and this Congress doing to deal with nies were assured that their coopera- Virginia, Mr. WEBB, will be recognized this war in Iraq. That is where the un- tion was not only legal but necessary for up to 10 minutes in morning busi- certainty is. I think the reality of the and essential because of their unique ness. economy is very certain for American technical capabilities. Also note that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without families. the President initially authorized the objection, it is so ordered. While the headlines about Iraq have NSA program in the early days and The Senator from Pennsylvania is all but vanished from the front pages weeks after the September 11 attacks, recognized for up to 15 minutes. and television screens and the adminis- attacks that shocked our Nation and Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I thank tration continues to divert attention forced us to quickly react and adjust to the Senator from Oklahoma for work- elsewhere, we have a fundamental obli- the new reality of the 21st century, ing through that unanimous consent gation as elected representatives of the where terrorism was occurring in our agreement. American people to continue to focus own backyard. If a telecommunications f on the war until we change the policy company was approached by Govern- and bring our troops home. ment officials asking for assistance in IRAQ We marked the first year anniversary warding off another terrorist attack Mr. CASEY. I rise today to speak of the President’s decision to initiate a and those Government officials pro- about the war in Iraq. There is a lot of troop escalation in Iraq, and we are duced a document stating the Presi- talk in this Chamber and across this coming upon the fifth anniversary of dent had authorized that specific activ- town and across the country about our the invasion of Iraq. ity and that activity was regarded as economy, and that is justifiable. But Last night, in his State of the Union legal, could we say the company acted we have to remember that in the midst Address, the President described the unreasonably in complying with this of a difficult economy in America, surge in very positive terms. Make no request? there is a lot to talk about and to work mistake about it—we all know this— In the interest of protecting our Na- on to respond to that. We still have a our soldiers have succeeded in their tion in this new environment of the war in Iraq to worry about, to debate, mission with bravery and heroism and 21st century and bringing stability and and to take action on. I don’t think we violence in many parts of Iraq is, in certainty to the men and women who can lose sight of a war that grinds on fact, down. Yet despite all that, despite are in our intelligence community as without end in Iraq. all that effort, despite all that work, they carry out their very vital and This war does burden our troops, ob- Iraq today is still not a secure nation, critical missions in defending and pre- viously, with repeated and prolonged and it will not be secure until its lead- serving our freedoms at home, I urge deployments and, in fact, drains our ers can leave the Green Zone without passage of FISA reform that is bipar- national resources. The war hampers fear of assassination. It will not be se- tisan, that respects an active balance our efforts in places such as Afghani- cure until they can leave the Green among all branches of Government, stan and Pakistan, the real frontlines Zone without fear of suicide bombings. that will establish a key role for the in the global struggle against Islamic It will not be secure until its own na- courts going forward in evaluating sur- terrorism and extremism. tional Army and police forces can veillance measures in the United So we must ask ourselves at least a stand up and protect all of Iraq’s peo- States and against U.S. persons abroad couple of questions when it comes to ple without regard to ethnicity or and that we will allow the intelligence the war in Iraq. There are many, but creed. community to devote its full efforts to there are at least a few I can think of. In assessing whether the surge has fighting and winning the war on terror. What are we in the Congress doing worked, we should pay attention to the I yield the floor. about this war today, this week, this President’s words from a year ago. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. month, and in the months ahead, even President Bush declared in January PRYOR). The Senator from Oklahoma. as we struggle to deal with a difficult 2007, when he first announced the f economy? surge: ORDER OF PROCEDURE The second question might be: When Iraqis will gain confidence in their leaders Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, there is will the Iraqi Government start serious and the government will have the breathing confusion as to the order of the speak- discussions on national reconciliation? space it needs to make progress in other crit- ical areas. ers. I ask unanimous consent that the Third, how will we know when we junior Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. have achieved our objectives in Iraq? Those are the President’s words. So CASEY, be recognized for up to 15 min- How will we know that? let’s judge this issue by his words. utes, in morning business, to be fol- Finally, and I think the most com- Judged by those standards enunciated lowed by me, to be recognized for up to pelling question is: When will our by the President, we can only conclude 35 minutes in morning business. troops come home? the surge has not worked, if that is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Last night, the President spoke what the objective was. I add to that, objection? about a number of topics, and one was when I was in Iraq in August and I Mr. CASEY. Reserving the right to the economy. One of the first words the talked with Ambassador Crocker about object. President said with regard to the econ- the terminology used by this adminis- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- omy, he talked about a time of uncer- tration with regard to the war, because ator is recognized. tainty. Mr. President—President Bush I said sometimes the terminology is Mr. CASEY. Will the Senator modify I mean—I disagree. With regard to the way off and misleading, he said: The his request to add Senator WEBB to economy, this is not about something way I judge what is happening here is

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Accord- Based upon what Ambassador Crock- cant U.S. troop levels in Iraq for at ingly, security assurances must be extended with great care and only in the context of er said and based upon what the Presi- least 10 years—10 years—if not longer. broad bipartisan agreement that such assur- dent said, if we measure what is hap- He seeks to negotiate a long-term stra- ances serve our abiding national interest. pening now against those standards, tegic agreement with the Iraqi Govern- Such assurances, if legally binding, are gen- the surge has not worked, based upon ment that would commit the United erally made in the context of a formal treaty those assertions by the Ambassador States to providing security assurances subject to the advice and consent of the U.S. and by the President. to the Iraqi Government against exter- Senate but in any case cannot be made with- The troop escalation did not prompt nal aggression—an unprecedented com- out Congressional authorization. the Iraqi Government to make the hard Our unease is heightened by remarks made mitment that could embroil the United on November 26th by General Douglas Lute, choices or to meet the benchmarks laid States in a future regional conflict or the Assistant to the President for Iraq and out by the administration. As General even a full-scale Iraqi civil war. The Afghanistan, that Congressional input is not Petraeus told me in that same meeting President’s senior aides have proposed foreseen. General Lute was quoted as assert- this past summer in Baghdad, the war that such an agreement would need to ing at a White House press briefing, ‘‘We in Iraq can only be won politically, not be ratified by the Iraqi Parliament— don’t anticipate now that these negotiations militarily, and he said that on the pub- the Iraqi Parliament—and bypass the will lead to the status of a formal treaty lic record as well. But on national rec- U.S. Congress. That is unacceptable to which would then bring us to formal negotia- onciliation, oil sharing, and other key tions or formal inputs from the Congress.’’ It me and I think to anyone in this body is unacceptable for your Administration to issues where Iraqis must forge agree- and to the American people, and it is unilaterally fashion a long-term relationship ment in order to allow U.S. forces to why five other Members of this body with Iraq without the full and comprehen- eventually withdraw, we do not see joined me in December in sending a let- sive participation of Congress from the very nearly enough progress. In fact, the ter to the President stating that the start of such negotiations. evidence of substantial progress is very Congress must be a full and coequal We look forward to learning more details bleak. partner in extending such long-term as the Administration commences negotia- tions with the Iraqi government on the con- We heard recently about things that commitments. have been happening in Iraq. Although tours of long-term political, economic, and Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- security ties between our two nations. We the Iraqi Parliament passed a sent to have printed in the RECORD my trust you agree that the proposed extension debaathification measure this past letter of December 6, 2007, to the Presi- of longterm U.S. security commitments to a month, it is unclear how far the legis- dent. nation in a critical region of the world re- lation will go toward addressing Sunni There being no objection, the mate- quires the full participation and consent of concerns, since serious disagreements rial was ordered to be printed in the the Congress as a co-equal branch of our gov- ernment. exist on the law’s implementation. RECORD, as follows: Sincerely, Some contend that former Baathists U.S. SENATE, ROBERT P. CASEY, JR., will still be barred from important Washington, DC, December 6, 2007. ROBERT C. BYRD, ministries such as Justice, Interior, President GEORGE W. BUSH, EDWARD M. KENNEDY, The White House, and Defense. JIM WEBB, Washington, DC. As has often occurred in the past, HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: We write you today once again the Iraqi political leader- CARL LEVIN, regarding the ‘‘Declaration of Principles’’ ship has chosen to avoid the hard United States Senators. agreed upon last week between the United choices and instead kick the can down States and Iraq outlining the broad scope of Mr. CASEY. We now learn that the the road, ensuring further bloodshed discussions to be held over the next six President, in signing the Department and national fragmentation in the in- months to institutionalize long term U.S.- of Defense authorization bill into law terim. Iraqi cooperation in the political, economic, yesterday, has once again taken the We all know how long this war has and security realms. It is our understanding opportunity to issue another infamous endured. It has endured longer than the that these discussions seek to produce a signing statement, imposing his own strategic framework agreement, no later war we know as World War II. It is interpretation of a law over the clear longer than that war, with over 3,900 than July 31, 2008, to help define ‘‘a long-term relationship of cooperation and friendship as intent of the Congress. dead, 178 Pennsylvanians, the number two fully sovereign and independent states Let’s not forget that this important of wounded in Pennsylvania is about with common interests’’. legislation has been needlessly delayed 1,200 or more; across the country, The future of American policy towards for weeks because the President want- 28,000. Our military forces have done Iraq, especially in regard to the issues of ed to defer to concerns of the Iraqi everything we have asked of them. U.S. troop levels, permanent U.S. military Government over compensation for They have matched the bravery and bases, and future security commitments, has U.S. victims of Saddam Hussein’s acts success in every way possible of those generated strong debate among the Amer- of terrorism. Let me repeat that. A great American warriors who preceded ican people and their elected representa- tives. Agreements between our two countries critical pay raise for our troops was de- them in past conflicts. But our troops, relating to these issues must involve the full layed because a foreign government the best fighting men and women in participation and consent of the Congress as raised concerns with this White House. the world, cannot force a foreign gov- a co-equal branch of the U.S. government. In signing the Department of Defense ernment to be stable, they cannot force Furthermore, the future U.S. presence in authorization bill into law, the Presi- the Iraqi national police to put aside Iraq is a central issue in the current Presi- dent declared his right to ignore—ig- their deep-seated sectarianism and cor- dential campaign. We believe a security com- nore—several important provisions, in- ruption, and they cannot force Iraqi mitment that obligates the United States to cluding the establishment of an impor- political leaders to want progress as go to war on behalf of the Government of tant special commission to review war- Iraq at this time is not in America’s long- much as our troops do and as much as term national security interest and does not time contracting. This provision was the Iraqi people deserve. reflect the will of the American people. Com- an initiative of the Senate Democratic We have much to do to make mitments made during the final year of your freshmen class, led by Senators WEBB progress. But here is what is happening Presidency should not unduly or artificially and MCCASKILL. The President also de- lately. This is a very important point, constrain your successor when it comes to clared his right to ignore a provision and I conclude with it. The President is Iraq. prohibiting funding for U.S. military showing every sign that he intends, in In particular, we want to convey our bases or installations in Iraq that fa- the waning days of his administration, strong concern regarding any commitments cilitate ‘‘permanent station’’ of U.S. to lock the United States and, in par- made by the United States with respect to American security assurances to Iraq to help troops in Iraq. ticular, to lock our fighting men and deter and defend against foreign aggression Let me say that again in plain lan- women into a long-term strategic com- or other violations of Iraq’s territorial integ- guage. This provision sought to pre- mitment in Iraq without consultation rity. Security assurances, once made, cannot vent the United States from estab- with the elected representatives of the be easily rolled back without incurring a lishing permanent bases in Iraq, and

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First of all, if we look back during year I was in the House of Representa- Yet this signing statement issued by the 1990s, there was this euphoric atti- tives, I was attending a House Armed the President yesterday is the clearest tude that the Cold War was over and Services Committee hearing, and in signal yet that the administration we no longer needed a national defense that committee hearing an expert wit- wants to hold this option in reserve. system. So during the 1990s, during the ness said: Ten years from now, we will This is exactly the wrong signal to Clinton administration, we started no longer need ground troops in Amer- send both to the Iraqi Government and decimating the system. And I have the ica. its neighbors in the region and to oth- documentation here because a lot of Of course, we saw what happened in ers as well. people don’t understand this. Kosovo and Bosnia, and we knew that Permanent U.S. military bases gives If you would take what happened in was wrong. So I said: Since we can’t a blank check to an Iraqi government the first year, or the last year of the tell where we are going to be 10 years that has shown no evidence that it is previous administration over the first from now, and there is a lead time in ready to step up and take full responsi- year the Clintons had control of the preparing for war or a contingency, bility for what happens in Iraq. Perma- budget, and if we had taken a flat what is the answer to this thing? We nent U.S. military bases feeds the prop- amount to determine how much we don’t know if we are going to have the aganda of our enemies, who argue that were going to be spending on defending best strike vehicles or lift vehicles or the U.S. invasion in 2003 was carried America, then draw a straight line and the best artillery pieces. out to secure access to Iraq’s oil and only add into that the inflation—in He said: I have made a study of that, establish a strategic beachhead for the other words, that is what it would be if and you are asking the right person, U.S. military in the region. Permanent we didn’t do anything else—well, the because in the average year, for the 100 U.S. military bases means U.S. troops budget that came from the White years of the 20th century, we spent 5.7 will be in Iraq for years to come, ensur- House is this red line down here. If you percent of our GDP on defense. At the ing that the great strain on the Amer- take the difference between the red end of the 1990s, it went down to 2.7 ican military will continue indefi- line and what would have been a flat percent. nitely. budget, it is $412 billion. In other I said: Down to 2.7 percent. Where Finally, and I will conclude with words, $412 billion came out of our de- should it be? this, we have a lot on our plate this fense system. However, the good news He said: We don’t know for sure but year to deal with. We have the econ- was that Congress looked at that and somewhere in excess of 4 percent, prob- omy to deal with and so many other said that is too big of a cut, so they in- ably 41⁄2 percent, which is still less than difficult issues, but the war in Iraq tervened and raised President Clinton’s it was for the previous several hundred continues to be a central foreign policy budget up to this brown line in the years. challenge faced by the President, by middle. So what was inherited by this That was kind of interesting to me the Congress, and by the Nation. When President was an amount $313 billion because when you look right now, how this President departs office after 8 less than it would have been if it had many people in America realize there years, he should not—should not—com- just been a static amount. are some things we have that are not mit our soldiers and our Nation to 10 Now, that would have been bad as good as some of our potential adver- more years—10 more years—if not enough—and I have always contended saries? longer, and hundreds of billions of dol- we have to make that the No. 1 pri- I would say that one of my heroes lars, if not more, spent on the war in ority in America: to defend America— prior to the time he was Chief of the Iraq. but to make it worse, on 9/11 we went Air Force was GEN John Jumper. Gen- Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I to war, and then we were pushed into a eral Jumper stood up and said pub- suggest the absence of a quorum. situation of going into and liberating licly—in 1998, I believe it was—he said: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Iraq, and all of a sudden, people started Now the Russians are making a strike clerk will call the roll. standing on the floor of the Senate and vehicle that is better than our best, The legislative clerk proceeded to saying things like: Well, how in the and he talked about the SU–27s and the call the roll. world could this President be getting SU–30s. Our best were the F–15s and the Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask into deficits, how could he be spending F–16s. That was a shocking statement. unanimous consent that the order for so much, and all of this. This is the So we started working on the F–22 and the quorum call be rescinded. reason: because we started off $313 bil- the F–35, the Joint Strike Fighter. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without lion less than during the time period of Right now, the best piece of artillery objection, it is so ordered. the previous administration. That is we have in our arsenal is World War II Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, it is my the seriousness of it. technology. It is a Paladin. It is some- understanding, under a previous unani- Now, I say that just because I recall thing where you have to get out after mous consent request, that I would be so well the confirmation hearings for every shot and swab the breech the way recognized for up to 35 minutes. the Secretary of Defense, Secretary you did back in World War II. So now The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is Rumsfeld. During his confirmation we are stepping ahead. But this has all correct. hearings, they were making statements happened during this administration, f at that time about what were they where we now have the new FCS—Fu- going to do with the problems that ture Combat System—that is going to THE THIRD REASON were there and that we are under- revolutionize, for the first time in Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I don’t funded in the military, that our mod- probably 40 years, how we fight battles. very often do this, but I am going to ernization program has gone sideways, I only say that because this is some- make a presentation today, and I our force strength is not what it should thing we are going to have to contend would like to give it a title, and the be, and what should we do about that. with in the future, and it also paints a title is ‘‘The Third Reason.’’ The sub- This was all live on TV. pretty good picture as to where we title very likely could be ‘‘The third During the confirmation hearing— were when this thing happened on 9/11. reason we are winning in Iraq, and we and I was on the Senate Armed Serv- I would like to suggest there are should be in Iraq.’’ ices Committee—I said: Mr. Rumsfeld, three reasons we went into Iraq. The I have to say that I have had occa- we have a problem I see as very seri- liberation of Iraq is the first one, and sion to be there many times, and there ous, and that is you are going to get all that is called to my mind now because is no doubt in my mind and, I don’t of your generals around you, we are I had an experience—you will enjoy doubt, in many people’s minds that we going to get all these smart people, and this, I say to my good friend from Ar- are actually winning in Iraq. But be- they are going to be asked what are we kansas, who is occupying the chair—

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I looked out to the audience Based on information from the U.S. could see very clearly that we believed when giving a talk, and there were a Army Special Forces, operators who things might be getting a little better, lot of my heroes, among them Alex- led the attack said: It is indeed more but they were not as better as we ander Haig, who was previously Sec- than plausible that al-Qaida members hoped. Let’s fast-forward to May of retary of State under Ronald Reagan. trained in that particular training 2007. He told the story of Saddam Hussein, camp. I returned to Iraq and visited that in 1991—and this is right after the That is in Sargat. The Green Berets Ramadi, Fallujah, Baghdad, and some first Persian Gulf war—we had what we discovered, among the dead in Sargat, of the other areas. And this is after the called the first freedom flight into Ku- foreign ID cards, airline ticket re- surge. The surge took place in Janu- wait. Now, it was so early in the end of ceipts, visas, passports from Yemen, ary. So this was in May; this was 3 the war that the Iraqis did not know Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Tu- months later. So Ramadi went from the war was over, and they were still nisia, Morocco, Iran, and many other being controlled by al-Qaida and hailed burning the fields down there, the oil- places. as their capital. We might remember fields, and all of a sudden, day would At Salman Pak, it was a facility this. About 15 months ago they had a turn into night as the wind shifted and south of Baghdad, and we have a num- news conference over there where they smoke went back and forth. ber of videos and computer disks, docu- said that Ramadi was going to become It wasn’t all Republicans, I might ments, and other materials, including the capital of terrorism in the world, add. Tony Cuello, who at that time was explicit jihadist propaganda, which re- the world capital. the majority whip in the House of Rep- vealed terrorist training footage, and Well, by May of 2007 it was under total control, totally secure not by resentatives, was there also. the targets were clearly Americans. Anyway, we had an occasion to go to The foreign Arabs were being trained U.S. troops but by the Iraqi security Kuwait, and one of the persons on that as hijackers of airplanes. That is inter- forces. The neighborhood security trip was then the Ambassador from Ku- esting. They had a fuselage of an old watch programs were working. It was wait to the United States, a man of no- Boeing 707 on the ground in Salman kind of like the programs we have in this country. We have a neighborhood bility, and he had his daughter, who Pak, where they were training terror- watch program, and they go out and was around 8 years old, with him. They ists to hijack airplanes. they look and see what they can do to wanted to go see what their home Now, we have no way of knowing make things more peaceful. looked like in the Persian Gulf. So we whether those were the perpetrators of And you have heard the stories of the crime that took place on 9/11, but went there, only to find out that Sad- how they would go out and they would very likely that could have been the dam Hussein had been using that home take an orange spray can, and they case. Now, the bottom line, though, is as a headquarters. We went up to, I would draw circles around the the second reason for the liberation of think it was the little girl’s bedroom, undetonated IEDs. This was going on, or one of the bedrooms, and found that Iraq was to do away with all of the and it seemed to be going very well. it had been used as a torture chamber. training camps, the four specific train- That is the first time that I realized— There were body parts strewn around ing camps that I am talking about, and I am kind of a slow learner—I realized the room, stuffed into walls, and hor- we did that. that the leaders in Iraq were not the So I would like, before getting into rible things had been going on. A little political leaders but the religious lead- reason No. 3, to kind of compare what boy had his ear cut off because he was ers, the clerics and the Imams. caught with a little tiny American flag is going on from a perspective that Prior to the surge, the average—we within sight. most of you guys probably have not had intelligence people there—the av- We talked about the horrible atroc- heard; that is, I have had occasion to erage of the messages that were in the ities going on and personally witnessed be in what we call CENTCOM and Afri- mosques on a weekly basis were 80 to 85 some stories of individuals, people who ca—that is where the major problems percent anti-American. Since April were sentenced to a torturous death by are—some 19 times. And let’s go back there had not been any anti-American Saddam Hussein. Many of them would and kind of compare the last three vis- messages. beg that their body be eased into a vat its there—not the last three but three The joint security stations seemed to of acid head first so that they would be of the last visits. be going very well there. That was able to die quicker than feet first. One was before the surge. It was June where, instead of going back, our We saw the fact that the weddings, of 2006. And that was in the wake of troops going back into the Green Zone any weddings that were taking place Zarqawi’s death. We remember that so in Baghdad after they were out on a out in the streets at the time of Sad- well. The Iraqis were operating under a raid or doing their work on a mission, dam Hussein, they would raid the wed- 6-month-old parliament. Al-Qaida con- they would instead go to some of the dings, they would kill the people, rape tinued to challenge coalition forces homes of the Iraqi security forces and the girls, and bury them alive. We saw throughout Iraq. Things were not going actually bed down with them, they de- mass graves, hundreds of people had all that well, but the coalition forces veloped personal, intimate relation- been buried alive or tortured to death. did launch 200 raids against al-Qaida ships with them. I guess what I would say is, the first and cleared out some of the strong- The burden sharing was increasing. reason we went to Iraq, as I think we holds. Fallujah came under the control of the would go anywhere, our country would But I had occasion to talk to Defense Iraqi brigade. And that was an area go anywhere, is to aid a country that Minister Jasim. And in visiting with that we might recall where our Ma- had this type of Holocaust-type of him, we talked about the current situa- rines went World-War-II style door to atrocities taking place. So that was tion in Iraq. And he felt it could be door. the first reason was to end Saddam done. It could be done—our people In Anbar, it changed from the center Hussein’s regime of torture. It was suc- would be able to be trained over a pe- of violence to a success story. In Bagh- cessful. We did it. riod of time with proper training to dad, the sectarian murders decreased The second reason was because Iraq take care of this. And we talked about by 30 percent, and joint security sta- was a major terrorist-training area. some of these things that our press tions stood up forming deep relation- There are four areas where they talked about back in the United ships between the coalition forces and trained. You know about Samara and States. the Iraqis. It was referred to by Gen- Ramadi because people now realize— He said the big conflict between eral Petraeus as ‘‘brotherhood of the they are pretty familiar with that. But Sunnis and the Shias was mostly a close fight.’’

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Why is it the American people do not October, then it dropped down again in These organizations are clearly placing understand what we are doing? Why do November. So I guess what we are say- their political agenda ahead of the best they not like us? Why is it the media ing is, if they cannot print something interests of the United States and par- do not like us? bad because nothing bad is happening ticularly the men and the women who I can remember LTC Tim Ryan. He there, they do not print anything at are in uniform. said, as I have here: all. So let’s just for a minute set Iraq aside and look at Iran. Beyond the ob- The inaccurate picture they paint has dis- Well, I returned to Iraq on August 30, torted the world view of the daily realities in and the surge continued its success. I vious consequences that would befall Iraq. The result is a further erosion of inter- traveled to the Contingency Operating an Iraq without U.S. support, lack of a national support for the United States’ ef- Base Speicher in Tikrit and to the Pa- secure and stable Iraq means insta- forts there, and a strengthening of the insur- trol Base Murray south of Baghdad and bility in the Middle East; namely, an gents’ resolve and recruiting efforts while visited Ambassador Crocker and Gen- unimpeded rogue Iran. A crippled Iraq weakening our own. Through their incom- will create a power vacuum. Remember eral Petraeus. And so, again, the same plete, uninformed and unbalanced reporting, what Ahmadinejad said on August 28, changes that took place 3 months later many members of the media covering the 2007. war in Iraq are aiding and abetting the were taking place and were much bet- Soon, we will see a huge power vacuum in enemy. ter. Less than half of the al-Qaida lead- the region. Of course, we are prepared to fill Well, that is what I heard from many ers who were in Baghdad when the the gap, with the help of neighbors and re- of them, but this is one that we can ac- surge began were still there. There was gional friends like Saudi Arabia, and with tually quote. a 75-percent reduction in religious and the help of the Iraqi nation. Well, that is something that is ethnic killings in the capital, double Maybe it was good that was said be- changing. I think we saw a few months the seizure of insurgents’ weapons, and cause people know what kind of person after I returned from that trip, two of a rise in the number of al-Qaida killed he is, and they know he was prepared the journalists—one was Michael and captured. and wanting to fill the gap, a gap, a O’Hanlon, the other Kenneth Pollack— So, you know, the surge knocked out vacuum that is not there now. wrote an op-ed piece in the New York some six media cells which make it Arab nations in the region have ex- Times, and this was actually above the harder for al-Qaida to spread their pressed their concern about Iran and fold on the front page, to let you know. propaganda. Anbar’s incidents and at- are eager to contain the growing Ira- If you want to look it up on your Web tacks were down from 40 a day to less nian power. The world knows what Iran site, it was July 30, 2007. than 10 a day. Economic growth, you is capable of. The world has seen their They said things such as: Troop mo- heard what Katie Couric said about the aggression. rale is high, and they had confidence in markets. I was in the same crowded BG Jimmy Cash, U.S. Air Force re- General Petraeus and his strategy. Ci- markets. They were selling fresh food tired, former command director inside vilian fatality rates were down roughly like normal times. the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, that was 1987 to 1989. He was the only person a third since the surge began. Streets The large hospital project in the who could initiate a nuclear attack in Baghdad were slowly coming back to Sunni Triangle is back on track. The after advising the sitting President of a life with stores and shoppers and so Iraqi Army is performing very well. missile launch by our enemies and our forth. American troop levels in Mosul The Iraqi citizens formed a grassroots movement called the Concerned Citi- need to respond. now numbered only in the hundreds No political or civilian had more from where they were before. More zens League. Baghdad returned to normalcy. Lit- knowledge about day-to-day military Iraqi units are well integrated in terms actions around the world. He said—and of ethnicity and religion. And, keep in tle kiddie pools, the lawns that were cared for, amusement parks and mar- this is a quote. This is BG Jimmy Cash: mind, these were statements that were I watched Iran and Iraq shoot missiles at made and were in the New York Times, kets, and the surge provided security. Security allowed the local population each other every day, and all day long, for which has not really been a bastion of months, they killed hundreds of thousands of support for the President or the war. and governments to stand up. Basic ec- their own people. . . . They were fighting for But here is another one. I happened onomics has taken root. Iraqis are control of the Middle East. to see this one September 2, 2007. Bob spending money on Iraqi projects. Iran’s nuclear work continues, in- Schieffer had an interview televised Now that is the good news. Here is cluding the enrichment of uranium, with Katie Couric. Katie Couric is an- the bad news. General Petraeus, after which could easily be used as part of a other one who has never been a sup- all of his success, the far left had nuclear weapons program. I think we porter of the President. And they said crossed the line—I think we all remem- all understand that. this. This is a quote now. She was re- ber this—when a full-page ad, paid for In the last 2 years, Iran has contin- sponding to questions. by moveon.org, besmirched the motives ued developing ballistic missile tech- and the honor of our No. 1 commander Well, I was surprised, you know, after I nology, launching missiles over 2,000 went to eastern Baghdad. I was taken to the on the ground in Iraq, General kilometers. Coalition forces have inter- Allawi market which is near Haifa street— Petraeus. cepted Iranian arms shipments in Iraq, Remember, they called him General Which several of us have been to— including materials that are used to ‘‘Betrayus.’’ I supported Senator which was the scene of a very bloody gun make explosively formed penetrators— LIEBERMAN’s condemnation of battle back in January, and, you know, the that is EFPs—which are the most dead- market seemed to be thriving, and there moveon.org’s attempt at character as- ly of IEDs, which are being used were a lot of people out and about, a lot of sassination, as well as Senator against our American troops. family-owned businesses and vegetable CORNYN’s resolution. Senator CORNYN’s Coalition forces have also detained stalls, and so you do see signs of life that resolution stood behind General Iranian agents in Iraq. On January 7, seem to be normal. . . . The situation is im- Petraeus. And there were 28 Senators Iranian gunboats—we remember that, proving. in this Chamber who supported how they were harassing some of our That was not me. That was not Sen- moveon.org, an act, I am sure, will be U.S. warships at the time. ator JIM INHOFE who has always been remembered. Iran has now turned their attention supporting this effort. That was Katie While no American is above scrutiny, to the only other threat to their domi- Couric. this was clearly a calculated move on nance—freedom-loving nations Before giving the press too much the part of this organization to under- throughout the globe. The world can- credit, though, let me suggest to you mine the noble efforts of this patriot to not afford to have Iran in control of that if you look at this chart—this is execute the duties that we in the Con- the Middle East.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S428 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 So Iraq remains as the critical link. doing today. We were seeking a con- Why stand we here idle? What is it that Iraq is at a decisive turning point in stitution. That is what Iraq is trying to gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is their journey toward democracy. The do. We were seeking democracy. We life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be pur- were seeking freedom. Iraq is seeking chased at the price of chains and slavery? surge has created opportunities that Forbid it, Almighty God!—I know not what the Iraqi people have not taken for the same things we were seeking some course others may take; but as for me— 230 years ago. granted. The ‘‘awakening’’ is spreading Said Patrick Henry— from Al Anbar Province to Diyala The Iraqis are watching us. They are give me liberty or give me death! Province. I saw it coming years ago. risking their lives, the same as we were Years ago, I can remember going, as risking our lives some 230 years ago. I I guess what I am saying is, the Iraqi freedom fighters are not unlike what many of my colleagues had, from place think of that first election that took we were some 200 years ago. Wouldn’t to place in Iraq—long before the place up in Fallujah, when the Iraqi se- it be great if we were to provide the in- surge—seeing that our troops, when curity forces were going—knowing spiration for them that our forefathers they would receive goods from home, they were going to be shot at, but they were willing to do that—to go vote. Re- provided for us? such as cookies and candies, and they That is what is happening right now. would take their packages and repack- member the purple fingers. That is what was taking place. We are winning. We are doing the right age them in small packages and throw thing. them out to these kids way out in the I would have to say this: We went through the same thing in this coun- I yield the floor. countryside, and the kids would wave The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- American flags. That was out there. We try. I have always said one of the best speeches made was Ronald Reagan’s ator from Virginia. knew that success was taking place. f The once turbulent and violent Al ‘‘Rendezvous With Destiny,’’ when he Anbar Province is returning to Iraqi talked about the Cuban who trying to GI BILL control—Iraqi control, not our control. escape Castro’s Cuba. As his ship Mr. WEBB. Mr. President, I wish to The Government of Iraq enacted The washed up on the shore of Florida, a raise two issues briefly to the Members Justice and Accountability Act—that lady was there and said—and he was of our body today. law—on January 12, showing real talking about the atrocities of Castro’s The first is, if we look back at the progress toward former baathist rec- Cuba—and she said: I guess we in this State of the Union speech last night, onciliation. country don’t know how lucky we are. the President, toward the end of his Al-Qaida is a spent force in Iraq. It is He said: How lucky you are? We are the speech, talked about those who have retreating to the Horn of Africa. ones who are lucky because we had a been serving since 9/11—the same indi- Speaking of Africa, I have had occa- place to escape to. viduals my colleague from Oklahoma sion to be in Djibouti in the Horn of Af- I would have to say that the first rea- has been talking about for the last 35 rica. I have to say this with some de- son was to end the murderous regime minutes. The President said, at one gree of pride—this picture you are see- of Saddam Hussein. The second reason point: was to shut down the terrorist training ing in the Chamber now is of a little We must keep faith with all who have girl who was actually found as a little camps. The third is they are doing ex- risked life and limb so that we might live in orphan girl who was 3 days old, south actly what we did 230 years ago. freedom and peace. Over the past 7 years, we When you stop and think about the of Djibouti. My wife Kay and I are have increased funding for veterans by more message and the inspiration we had blessed with 20 kids and grandkids. Our than 95 percent. As we increase funding, we from our forefathers, and when you must also reform our veterans system to daughter had nothing but boys, so she stop and think about the message that meet the needs of a new war and a new gen- has now adopted this little girl, and was given when a tall redhead stood be- eration. that little girl is my granddaughter. fore the House of Burgesses and made a Unfortunately, what the President Some good things are happening over speech for them at that time—and it is did not speak about in his remarks last there. But I have to say that looking at certainly for us today, and certainly night was probably the most important the squeeze that is taking place in the for Iraq today—he said: benefit we can be offering to people Middle East, a lot of the terrorist ac- They tell us, sir, that we are weak— who have served our country since 9/11; tivity is going down into the Horn of and that is, a GI bill that would give Africa. The occupier of the chair is This is exactly what they have been saying to the Iraqis. them the same sort of educational ben- fully aware that we—both sitting on efits as those who served during World the Senate Armed Services Committee, They tell us, sir, that we are weak—unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But War II. we are very proud of the fact that we when shall we be stronger? Will it be the We have heard so many people on are setting up and helping the Africans next week or the next year? Will it be when this floor and in the administration, in set up African brigades. we are totally disarmed . . . ? Shall we gath- their speeches, talk about how this is Syria has ceased supporting foreign er strength by irresolution and inaction? the next greatest generation. We hear fighters in Iraq. The Saudis are crack- Shall we acquire the means of effectual re- people lionizing the service they have ing down on supporters of Islamic ter- sistance by lying supinely on our backs, and given since 9/11, and I am one of those rorists in their own country. Iran is hugging the delusive phantom of hope . . . ? who is a great admirer of those young isolated. The world must remain fo- [W]e are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature has men and women who have stepped for- cused and steady. placed in our power. . . . armed in the holy ward and served since then. But when Iraq is an example to the world of cause of liberty, and in such a country as they leave the military, they have an how to reject terror and confront those that which we possess, are invincible by any educational package that was designed who practice it. It is not going unno- force which our enemy can send against us. in peacetime as a recruitment incen- ticed. Political leaders see this. The Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles tive in the 1980s and does not allow world sees now that little kids are not alone. them to move forward toward truly a being tortured to death in Iraq. Girls This is important. first-class future. are now going to school instead of . . . we shall not fight our battles alone. Here are a couple of examples for being raped and murdered. No more There is a just God who presides over the you: mass graves, no more vats of acid. And destinies of nations; and who will raise up When people came back from World the butcher, Saddam Hussein, is dead. friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, War II—those veterans—8 million of sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the Yes, we are doing a difficult thing, vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides. . . .if them were able to take advantage of a but we are doing the right thing. Just we were base enough to desire it, it is now GI bill that paid all their tuition, as Americans always try to do the too late to retire from the contest. There is bought their books, and gave them a right thing, we are doing the right no retreat but in submission and slavery! monthly stipend to the school of their thing there. But think of it for a Our chains are forged. choice. minute. Isn’t Iraq trying to do what we Some would say that we should re- For instance, Senator LAUTENBERG, were trying to do 230 years ago? We treat, we should leave. But that man who is a cosponsor of my GI bill legis- were seeking a parliament at that time stood before the House of Burgesses lation, S. 22, was able to go to Colum- 230 years ago, and that is what Iraq is and said: bia on a full boat. Today, that would

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S429 cost $46,874 a year. Our average veteran Senator MCCASKILL and I jointly intro- So we don’t quite know what the ad- coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan is duced last year and were able to get ministration intends with this sort of able to receive about $6,000 a year embodied in the National Defense Au- language, but I want all my colleagues under this Montgomery GI bill that is thorization Act. to be aware of it and to be aware that in place. That is about 12.8 percent of This is a very important piece of leg- it potentially is an impingement on the what it would take for our veterans islation. It will put into place an inde- rights of the legislative body, in effect today to be able to go to Columbia. pendent, bipartisan commission that saying the President has the authority Senator WARNER, my senior col- has a 2-year sunset date on it—jointly to ignore a law that has now passed, a league from Virginia, was able to take picked, jointly selected by Democrats law he has now signed. advantage of two GI bills. He was able and Republicans in the Senate and in So we are going to go forward with to go to Washington and Lee Univer- the House and from the administra- this Commission. We are going to work sity for his undergraduate degree, and tion—a commission filled with experts, with the administration, we hope, to then he was able to go to the Univer- not Senators sitting around or political set it up. We are going to move as rap- sity of Virginia Law School—full boat. people sitting around, to examine the idly as we can because the clock is Today, the Montgomery GI bill would wartime contracting that has taken ticking in terms of statute of limita- pay about 14 percent of what it would place since our invasion of Iraq, par- tions on some of the charges that take to go to the Washington and Lee ticularly, also looking at Afghanistan, might be filed. I hope the people of this University, and about 13 percent of and trying to bring accountability to country understand we want to do this what it would take to go to the UVA the broad range of fraud, waste, and for the good of the American people; Law School. abuse that we all know has occurred that we have a responsibility to make I emphasize that I am standing here during that period. sure the Nation’s purse strings have as a full beneficiary of Uncle Sam. Now, to my surprise, when the Presi- been properly taken care of and that After I was wounded in Vietnam and dent signed this legislation yesterday, we are acting as the stewards of Amer- left the Marine Corps, I was able to go he issued a signing statement along ica’s taxpayers. to Georgetown Law School, with my with it saying this, with respect to this Again, if someone in the administra- tuition paid for, my books bought, and wartime contracting commission, that: tion would like to explain to us what a monthly stipend. Today’s Mont- This wartime contracting commission pur- their constitutional issue is with a gomery GI bill would pay about 11.6 ports to impose requirements that could in- hibit the President’s ability to carry out his piece of legislation the President has percent of that. constitutional obligations to take care that signed, we would be happy to hear that. I think it is time for all of us in the the laws be faithfully executed to protect na- In the meantime, we are moving for- political process, who like to use the tional security, to supervise the executive ward with this Commission. It is vi- words of praise—rightfully earned by branch, and to execute his authority as Com- tally important to accountability in the people on these battlefields—to mander in Chief. the Government. I am very proud to talk the talk and then walk the walk. He goes on to say that: have been a sponsor of it, and we are Let’s get them a GI bill that truly al- The executive branch shall construe such marching forward. lows them a first-class future. We have provisions in a manner consistent with the I yield the floor. a majority—an overwhelming major- constitutional authority of the President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ity—of my Senate colleagues on the In other words, the President of the ator from Michigan is recognized. Democratic side who are cosponsors of United States, who has been in charge Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask this legislation. I am truly hopeful peo- of the conduct of this war, and whose unanimous consent to proceed for 5 ple on the other side of the aisle will administration has been in charge of minutes as in morning business. understand this is not a political meas- executing these contracts—supervising The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ure; it is a measure of respect, and it is them, making sure that they meet the ator has that right. an earned benefit. requirements of fairness in the law, is We are giving this year $18.2 billion now saying that he believes a legisla- f worth of educational grants to people tive body can enact a law that he can DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT in this country purely based on their choose to ignore basically because he Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, first, let economic status. Certainly we can af- says it would interfere with his respon- me commend Senator WEBB for the ford to pay for a meaningful GI bill for sibility as Commander in Chief to su- leadership on the issue he talked these young men and women who have pervise a war. I am totally at a loss. I about. I am going to speak very briefly been serving since 9/11. am totally amazed to see this kind of on that same issue—the signing of the The senior Senator from Alaska men- language as it respects this legislation. statement by the President yester- tioned, during the Christmas break, The Commission was put into place day—but before I do that, I wish to that we are spending approximately $15 with broad bipartisan support and bi- commend him and the other sponsors billion a month in Iraq and Afghani- cameral support by both the House and of this legislation. It is critically need- stan. We could fund this GI bill for 1 the Senate, the idea being to study sys- ed. It is long overdue. But for the lead- week of what it would cost for us to temic problems—the same sorts of ership of Senator WEBB and a few other run the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. things this President, I would think, Senators, we would not have had that Unlike a lot of other comparisons that would want to root out. Its historic provision in the bill which was finally are made on this floor, this is a direct precedent comes from the Truman signed yesterday. comparison because a GI bill is a cost Committee that took place during Yesterday, the President did sign of war. World War II, when then-Senator Harry I urge my colleagues to get behind it. Truman wanted to look at wartime into law the National Defense Author- Let’s get this done early in this session fraud, waste, and abuse so we could get ization Act, which is essentially the before we go into the political season, a proper handle on the Federal spend- same bill the President vetoed last and get these young men and women ing that was going into mobilization month. In his signing statement, the the benefits they not only deserve but and into the projects that were being President identified a few provisions of they have earned. put on line during World War II. We the act and stated that they: Purport to impose requirements that could f certainly didn’t see President Franklin Roosevelt trying to say the Truman inhibit the President’s ability to carry out COMMISSION ON WARTIME Committee’s work was going to inter- his constitutional obligations. CONTRACTING fere with his ability to conduct World The President’s statement went on to Mr. WEBB. Mr. President, the second War II. To the contrary, the President, say that: issue I wish to mention today regards during that war, saw this was the type The executive branch shall construe such the National Defense Authorization of thing he needed in order to bring the provisions in a manner consistent with the Act, which the President signed into right sort of supervision and the right constitutional authority of the President. law yesterday. In that act was a com- sort of accountability that might The specific provisions the President mission on wartime contracting, which eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. cited relate to a commission to study

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S430 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 and submit reports to Congress on war- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without must first obtain a court order to con- time contracting in Iraq and Afghani- objection, it is so ordered. duct surveillance against individuals stan. He cited a provision that en- Mr. LEVIN. I note the absence of a located within the United States. What hances the protections from reprisal quorum. we are seeking to do in this legislation for contractor employees who disclose The PRESIDING OFFICER. The is to give our intelligence community evidence of waste, fraud or abuse on clerk will call the roll. the ability to collect information with- Department of Defense contracts. He The legislative clerk proceeded to out a court order from people who are objected—or at least raised a ques- call the roll. planning attacks against the United tion—about a requirement for offices Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask States and located outside the United within the intelligence community to unanimous consent that the order for States. It is those individuals whom we respond to written requests from the the quorum call be rescinded. seek to gather information from and chairman or ranking member of the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. prohibit from having the capability to Armed Services Committees for intel- SALAZAR). Without objection, it is so kill and harm Americans. This legisla- ligence assessments, reports, estimates ordered. tion is a crucial piece in the puzzle to or legal opinions within 45 days, unless Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, is it in enable the intelligence community to the President asserts a privilege pursu- order for me to make a comment as in gather information from these individ- ant to the Constitution of the United morning business at this time? uals. States; and he also made reference to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- This particular piece of legislation at least a limitation on the use of ate is in a period of morning business. has been debated in the Intelligence funds appropriated pursuant to the act (The remarks of Mr. STEVENS per- Committee for 10 months and was to establish a military base or installa- taining to the submission of S. Res. 433 voted out of the Intelligence Com- tion for the permanent stationing of are printed in today’s RECORD under mittee on a very bipartisan vote of 13 U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq or to exer- ‘‘Submitted Resolutions.’’) to 2. I actually voted against several of cise U.S. control of the oil resources of Mr. STEVENS. I suggest the absence the amendments offered in the Intel- Iraq. of a quorum. ligence Committee. But at the end of Now, I understand the President’s The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the day, even though some of the statement did not say these specific clerk will call the roll. amendments I voted against were ac- provisions or any other provisions of The bill clerk proceeded to call the cepted and were included in the bill, I the act are unlawful, nor that the exec- roll. believed it was such an important piece utive branch would not implement Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I of legislation and put such necessary these provisions. I also understand ask unanimous consent that the order power and authority into the hands of similar statements have been included for the quorum call be rescinded. the intelligence community that I in signing statements on a number of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without voted to support it. I commend my vice chairman, Sen- laws by this President and that those objection, it is so ordered. ator BOND, who is on the floor with me statements did not result in the refusal f now, for his leadership. I would simply to enforce the law as written. FISA ask the vice chairman: We started de- Nevertheless, I believe it is impor- bate on this bill on the Senate floor in tant to come to the floor as the chair- Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I come to the floor this afternoon to talk December, have been debating this bill man of the Armed Services Committee this week, as well as last week. Where to express the view that Congress has a for a minute about the pending FISA legislation. are we? What is the holdup in passing right to expect the administration will this critical legislation? What is the faithfully implement all the provisions As a member of the Senate Intel- ligence Committee, I have been very problem? Why can’t the Senate give of the National Defense Authorization our intelligence community the tools Act of 2008—not just the ones the Presi- pleased to be a part of the bipartisan process in which Chairman ROCKE- they need to protect Americans? dent happens to agree with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- As I noted at the outset, the Presi- FELLER and Vice Chairman BOND have crafted a very delicate, a very sen- ator from Missouri is recognized. dent vetoed an earlier version of this Mr. BOND. Mr. President, if I may re- sitive, yet important piece of legisla- act which contained the same specific spond to my colleague from Georgia, tion. Probably the most important provisions he singled out in his signing who is a very valuable member of the piece of legislation that the Intel- statement yesterday. The President did Intelligence Committee and who brings ligence Committee has dealt with over not choose to exercise his veto over expertise from the other body and who those provisions and, as a result, they the last several months or even years. has been a valuable contributor, when have not changed in any way whatso- Certainly, it is one of the most impor- we passed the FISA bill in what is ever in the version of the bill the Presi- tant pieces of legislation to come to called the Protect America Act in Au- dent chose to sign. With his signature, the floor of this body this year. gust, everybody agreed that it should these provisions become the law of the This FISA legislation gives tools to be 60 votes because this is a very im- land. Congress and the American peo- our intelligence community which portant but very controversial bill that ple have a right to expect the adminis- allow our brave men and women—who has to be adopted by 60 votes. Thus, we tration will now faithfully carry them stand at the forefront today of the war have asked that amendments to this out. on terrorism in every part of the bill be considered under a 60-vote rule. I note the absence of a quorum. world—to gather information from It is very common in this Senate to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. those who are plotting, planning, and demand 60 votes to be sure it is a non- WEBB). The clerk will call the roll. scheming to kill and harm Americans. partisan bill. So far, we have not been The legislative clerk proceeded to The tools with which the intelligence able—although we have provided sev- call the roll. community seeks to get in this par- eral alternatives to our friends on the Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask ticular instance deal with their ability other side—to get a clear way of going unanimous consent that the order for to gather information, primarily forward. So that is why we are stuck, the quorum call be rescinded. through what we refer to as electronic waiting to find a reasonable manner of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without surveillance, from terrorists, or bad proceeding. objection, it is so ordered. guys, who are overseas communicating I would ask my colleague if, in fact, f to other individuals who are also over- he feels we had adequate contact with, seas. There is no question that in order interaction, and advice from the intel- EXTENSION OF MORNING for our intelligence or law enforcement ligence community and whether it is BUSINESS officials to be able to gather informa- important to have the advice and as- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask tion from communications of persons sistance of those who are experts in unanimous consent that morning busi- located within the United States, it is and know the operations of electronic ness be extended for 90 minutes, with necessary that they first obtain a court surveillance, to have a role in our the time equally divided. order. Let’s make that very clear. We drafting of the legislation.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S431 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I Very good debate on both sides of the Senator from Missouri that this is the would respond to the vice chairman, issues. Sometimes, there were Demo- first time these protections have been the Senator from Missouri, that with- crats arguing with Democrats, other enacted. This bill also prohibits reverse out question, under his leadership and times Republicans were arguing with targeting. the leadership of Senator ROCKE- Republicans, but that is the nature of This is the first time in the history FELLER, the chairman, we have re- the Intelligence Committee. It oper- of our intelligence community that a ceived important input and had dia- ates in a bipartisan fashion to make FISA court order for U.S. persons is re- logue with the intelligence community sure we look at every aspect—legal, quired regardless of where that indi- throughout the drafting stages of this technical, as well as practical—to vidual is located. So if a U.S. citizen legislation. We not only had the top make sure we get it right. As the vice who goes abroad is an agent of a for- leadership, including the DNI, the Di- chairman knows and has been working eign power or a terrorist seeking to rector of the NSA, the head of the CIA, to correct, some of the amendments communicate, our intelligence commu- and folks from the FBI in to testify be- adopted in committee were well inten- nity must first get a court order before fore the Intelligence Committee, but tioned but harmful to our collectors. they can conduct any electronic sur- also every member of the Senate Intel- With the input of the intelligence com- veillance, irrespective of whether that ligence Committee has had the oppor- munity the manager’s amendment has person is inside the United States or tunity to visit these agencies and see been able to correct those unintended outside. For the first time in the his- firsthand where and how this informa- consequences while preserving the in- tory of our intelligence operations, this tion is gathered. We have had the op- tent of the amendments. In this in- will be the case. So the added protec- portunity to see firsthand the methods stance, I think we did get it right tions of the fourth amendment, which our intelligence community uses and through engaging with our intelligence normally are not needed for a person the professionalism they exhibit. All of experts. located outside the United States, are this is very highly classified. Our com- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, would the applied in this particular piece of legis- mittee deals with all of this informa- Senator from Georgia say that this bill lation. Mr. BOND. Mr. President, my col- tion in a very sensitive and classified not only enables the intelligence com- league mentioned reverse targeting. I manner. But the fact is, we have had munity to move forward, but it pro- would ask him, after debate on both testimony and firsthand accounts from vides additional protections for Ameri- sides and suggestions from both sides, top to bottom—from the individuals cans, for their privacy and constitu- did we not also include an express pro- who physically gather the information tional rights? I would ask him if he hibition of reverse targeting, as well as all the way to the top leadership. Mem- thinks those amendments have been in- providing court review, as he has stat- bers of the committee on both sides of corporated in the legislation before us ed, of minimization, acquisition, and the aisle have asked tough questions to and what he thinks the final product of certification procedures? I would ask the individuals who have presented tes- the Intelligence Committee is as a re- him if reverse targeting is prohibited timony before the committee. Every- sult. Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I and what reverse targeting really body had the opportunity to have a means. free and open dialog and debate with thank the Senator for his question. I would simply say that, again, there is Mr. CHAMBLISS. Again, I thank the those individuals. vice chairman for his question. The Again, based upon what our intel- just no doubt this legislation goes be- yond the Protect America Act and the issue of reverse targeting is directly ligence experts had to say, this legisla- addressed in the bill—it is prohibited tion was crafted and debated within current FISA statute to protect Ameri- can’s privacy and constitutional rights. explicitly. Reverse targeting refers to the committee. Without question, the hypothetical situation where our there was ample opportunity for every After all the discussion, after all the testimony that was presented, after all intelligence community targets a for- member to inquire of all of those in the the debate that took place within the eigner overseas solely to get a U.S. per- intelligence community of why we confines of the Senate Intelligence sons’ communications between that need this legislation, why it is so criti- Committee, we found that for 25 years, foreign person and a U.S. person. The cally important, where we would be the members of the intelligence com- targeting of the foreign person is al- without it, and why we need it to make munity have been able to conduct sur- lowed without a court order. The tar- sure we are able to stop those individ- veillance against Americans overseas geting of a person located in the U.S. is uals who seek to do harm to Americans without a court order. I would point not allowed unless a court order is first around the world. out that they did this in a professional obtained. So if someone in the intel- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I would manner and reduced the risk of com- ligence community targeted a for- ask the Senator from Georgia further promising American’s privacy through eigner with the intent to listen in on why it is so important to have the in- established minimization procedures. the U.S. citizen, that is reverse tar- telligence community operatives and Since FISA’s original enactment, the geting. This is prohibited in this legis- lawyers involved in drafting the meas- intelligence community has used mini- lation. Again, this is the first time we ure. We had several good ideas offered mization procedures to ensure that the have seen that protection put in the in the committee that turned out not information being gathered from statute. to be workable. I would ask my col- Americans was necessary foreign intel- So as a lawyer still recovering from league why he thinks it is important to ligence information and from individ- practicing law sometimes, I think, it is have the direct involvement by the in- uals who are foreign agents. This legis- the first time that I can remember in telligence community experts as to lation subjects this type of surveillance all of my years since my days of con- how to craft not only the legislation to a court order, providing new protec- stitutional law at law school where the but amendments to it. tions for Americans. United States applies fourth amend- Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I One purpose of FISA reform was to ment rights to individuals who are out- would respond to the distinguished ensure that the ultimate and final lan- side of the United States. Senator from Missouri that without guage we came up with would provide Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I would question, it is necessary, from a legal additional privacy protections to ask my colleague—he just talked about standpoint and from a practical stand- American citizens, both inside the the new protections for U.S. persons point, to get testimony and advice United States as well as outside the overseas: prohibition of reverse tar- from the legal experts and our opera- United States. geting, court review of acquisition, tors in the intelligence community to Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I would minimization, and certification proce- make sure there are no unintended ask, isn’t this the first time any of the dures. consequences that come out of the FISA bills—even the predecessor FISA Now, some have said we just ought to final product from the Intelligence bill or the Protect America Act—have extend the Protect America Act. As a Committee. included privacy protections for Amer- sponsor of the Protect America Act, I As the Senator will recall, we had icans overseas? thought it was pretty good. But if we some very heated debates on a couple Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I were simply to extend the Protect of amendments within the committee. would respond to the distinguished America Act, would that not

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S432 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 eliminate or at least delay any of the hamper our intelligence community. something about health care or about additional protections against reverse And on this critical, sensitive, most other issues? We will have to tell them targeting, providing court review, and important piece of legislation, for us to we don’t have 60 votes. preventing reverse targeting of U.S. pass an amendment without a 60-vote Mr. BOND. Mr. President, if that was persons? requirement really makes no sense at a question—and I assume it was a ques- Mr. CHAMBLISS. Again, Mr. Presi- all. tion—let me say that requiring 60 votes dent, I respond to the vice chairman I think all of us would certainly be is something which has occurred fre- that reverse targeting is not prohibited remiss and derelict in our duties if we quently in previous years, when this under the Protect America Act. It is a didn’t insist on a 60-vote requirement. side had the majority and the other procedure that some allege could occur Mr. DURBIN. Will the Senator yield side was in the minority. We found under the Protect America Act, but for a question? that it was very difficult to pass legis- which is clearly prohibited under this Mr. BOND. Of course. lation without 60 votes. Thus, we have act. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, is the seen that practice before. Anybody who is concerned about ex- Senator proposing to change the Sen- But this is not an ordinary piece of tending and protecting the rights of in- ate rules that all amendments will now legislation. Had we dealt with this in a dividuals ought to be a lot more con- take 60 votes? Is that the proposal be- timely fashion, this could have been cerned about getting this bill enacted fore the Senate? handled on a different basis. But the into law than they should be about ex- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, if I may re- Director of National Intelligence, tending the Protect America Act. So spond, as my friend from Georgia whom I will refer to as the DNI, sub- this is one of those situations where it pointed out, in order to pass very im- mitted to the Intelligence Committee, is totally unexplainable to me for portant legislation such as this, it has in April, a measure that he felt was someone to say: I don’t think we ought been the practice in this body to re- necessary to modernize FISA. That bill to pass this law because it doesn’t go quire 60 votes, and as my colleague was not brought up. The DNI testified far enough, when it goes further than from Georgia just said, the farm bill in person before the committee in open current law and the Protect America passed with 60 votes on the amend- hearing in May. Despite my request, no Act which we already have voted for. ments. When we passed the Protect legislation was developed in the com- Now there is an attempt being made to America Act, we had to get 60 votes. mittee. The DNI came before the Sen- extend the Protect America Act for an This bill could be enacted into law ate in closed session, in a confidential additional period of time. and will undoubtedly have to have 60 room, in July of this year, to say how Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I ask my votes to be signed by the President. I important it was. No bill came out of colleague why it has taken so long to say to my distinguished colleague from the Intelligence Committee. So the get us to this point when the Protect Illinois, if there are changes made with DNI proposed a short-term fix, which I America Act expires on February 1? less than a 60-vote margin, if they de- brought to the floor on his behalf at Mr. CHAMBLISS. As the Senator has stroy the ability of the intelligence the end of July, the first of August, and said on the floor over the last several community to operate the collection we were able to pass the bill, but we days, we are ready to pass this bill to- system as we have prescribed, then had to pass on a 60-vote basis. night if our friends on the other side of that bill will never be signed into law. When there are very important pieces the aisle will simply get together with We would have to start all over again, of legislation, with strong feelings on us and let us vote it up or down. and we would thus be leaving our intel- both sides—as my colleague from Geor- When it comes to the issue of 60 ligence community without the tools gia has pointed out, he handled a very votes, I have only been in this body for to protect us. important and difficult farm bill— 5 years, but I cannot think of one sin- We are not saying we are changing those measures had to have 60 votes. gle major piece of legislation that I the rules of procedure. We are fol- Now, the fact is, we could have a have seen on the floor of the Senate lowing the practice that has been bunch of simple majority votes, and during those 5 years that didn’t require adopted in this Senate. there are many we can take on a sim- 60 votes for all major amendments. I Mr. DURBIN. If the Senator will fur- ple majority. But if there are amend- was the manager of the farm bill re- ther yield, I am new here; I have only ments which, if adopted, would prevent cently. That is a long way away from been here 11 years. So I am trying to the bill from being passed and signed this sophisticated piece of legislation, learn a little about how this works. I into law, as a practical matter, it but every major amendment we had re- recall that somehow the Republic sur- makes sense to have a 60-vote margin. quired 60 votes. That was the most re- vived and the Nation did well, we kept We are waiting for a response to the cent, large piece of legislation we have our armies in the field and built our offers we have made to the other side had on the floor. So every time we have highways and passed our bills, and we because, frankly, February 1 is coming. a major bill, a 60-vote requirement is did that for a long period of time with- I hope we will agree on it. I understand reasonable and is going to be called for. out requiring 60 votes on every amend- the House is sending us a 15-day exten- I think for us not to have it in this par- ment. Then there came this age of the sion. I say to my friend from Illinois ticular situation would be extremely filibuster, where the Republican minor- that I hope we can adopt the 15-day ex- unusual. ity last year had 62 filibusters, break- tension and a collaborative agreement Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I might ing a record in the Senate. Well, to between the two sides on how we are ask, isn’t there a danger that if there is stop the filibuster, you need 60 votes. going to proceed to finish this bill. an amendment not subject to the 60- So now I assume what the Senator is I see the distinguished assistant ma- vote point of order, it is possible, with suggesting is that we are in a new age jority leader has some information. I various Senators absent, that we could in the Senate, and it is going to take 60 am happy to yield to him for that. adopt, perhaps, on a 47-to-46 vote, an votes for everything. If that is the pro- f amendment that would make it impos- posal, I suggest a rules change. Let’s sible for the intelligence collection re- get on with it and find out if there are EXTENSION OF MORNING quired by the intelligence community enough votes here to make that the BUSINESS to go forward, and if such were adopt- rule. If it is going to be the age of fili- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask ed, what would happen to the legisla- busters again this year, the public unanimous consent that the period for tion? won’t like it much. We were in the mi- morning business be extended until 6:30 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, if I nority not that long ago. p.m., with the time equally divided. may respond, the Senator is exactly But if that is your goal, if you want The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without right. If we did not have a 60-vote re- to make this a 60-vote requirement, it objection, it is so ordered. quirement on amendments, or dealing is a different Senate, and it will be, un- f with any issue in this bill, then it is fortunately, adding to the frustration possible that we could adopt amend- many people have when they look at ORDER OF BUSINESS ments, by less than a majority of the Washington and say: Why don’t you Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I an- Members of the Senate, which could pass something, or why don’t you do nounce to the membership that there

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S433 will be no further rollcall votes during communications just happen to pass surveilled by foreign governments today’s session. through the United States on wire overseas, but at least they can remain Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank the communications networks. confident that if they are not working assistant majority leader for advising This strange interference with the in- for a foreign power as a spy or ter- us that we won’t have to continue the telligence community’s and, indeed, rorist, their own Government will not frenetic pace of voting this evening. I the President’s authority to conduct be listening to their conversations. look forward to working with him. He foreign intelligence activities appears The last area that merits discussion is a pleasure to work with. Maybe to- to arise from an overabundant concern on the issue of FISA’s original intent is morrow we will be able to go forward. about the ‘‘rights’’ of persons in the the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance I was going to offer some thoughts on United States whose communications Court. We refer to it as the FISC. Ac- the intent of FISA, but I will defer to are incidentally collected when they cording to section 103 of FISA, the my colleague from Georgia if he has talk to terrorists overseas. FISC was established as a special court further points he wishes to raise. It is odd that we are creating a new with nationwide jurisdiction to ‘‘hear Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I law in this area that departs from the applications for and grant orders ap- am happy to yield to the vice chairman original construct of FISA because in proving electronic surveillance any- if he has prepared comments he intends the international surveillance realm, where within the United States.’’ That to make. If I have something to supple- there have been no significant abuses is it. ment that, I will do so. of the intelligence community’s ability As evidenced by the application and f to collect overseas foreign intelligence. order requirements in FISA, each ap- Unfortunately, two factors have com- plication is for a ‘‘specific target’’ for FISA pelled us to make these changes to the significant purpose of obtaining Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank my FISA. First, we need to ensure that the foreign intelligence information. colleague from Georgia. I thought critical intelligence gaps identified by The court was originally structured maybe, if anybody is still listening, we the DNI last year do not reappear. so its seven judges would provide geo- would talk a little bit about the intent The Protect America Act effectively graphical diversity. The post-9/11 ex- of the Foreign Intelligence Surveil- closed those gaps last summer, but pansion of the FISC from 7 to 11 judges lance Act. I hope maybe we can clarify there was bipartisan agreement that enhanced that diversity. Judges are some of the misunderstandings. we could improve on its provisions, es- nominated by the chief judge of their First, I believe that when the distin- pecially in the area of carrier liability circuit to promote ideological balance guished Senator from California, a val- protection, and that is what our com- on the FISC. ued member of the committee, Mrs. mittee did. It was clearly recognized that only FEINSTEIN, spoke on the origins of Second, this legislation is also re- one or two judges would be in Wash- FISA, she correctly noted that it was quired because we must address the ington, DC, on a rotating basis at any created, at least in part, in response to practical reality that electronic com- given time. This was intended to dis- the disclosed abuses of domestic na- munications service providers are now courage judge shopping and make it tional security surveillance. However, insisting on a formal process to compel unlikely that an application for the ex- as the legislative history makes clear, cooperation in the foreign arena in tension of an order would be heard by FISA was never intended to regulate order to obtain prospective liability the same judge who granted the origi- the acquisition of the contents of inter- protection similar to that enjoyed for nal order. national or foreign communications domestic intelligence and criminal The FISC was never envisioned as a where the contents are acquired by in- wiretaps. That is why the carrier li- court that would or should handle pro- tentionally targeting a particular ability protection and prospective li- tracted litigation. It possesses neither known U.S. person who is in the United ability protection provisions of this the staff nor the facilities to preside States. bill are so important. over such litigation. Moreover, it is The legislative history states: Another area where we are departing very likely that such prolonged litiga- This bill does not afford protections to from the original intent of FISA is the tion would interfere with the main U.S. persons who are abroad, nor does it reg- targeting of U.S. persons abroad. FISA, business of the FISC, which is to en- ulate the acquisition of the contents of as passed in 1978, left the targeting of sure the timely review and approval of international communications of U.S. per- American citizens abroad to the Presi- individual operational FISA applica- sons who are in the United States, where the dent’s Executive order applicable to tions for court orders. contents are acquired unintentionally. The the intelligence community and the Committee does not believe this bill is the We need to remember that the FISC appropriate vehicle for addressing this area. procedures approved by the Attorney was set up to review domestic elec- The standards and procedures for overseas General. In this legislation for the first tronic surveillance and later physical surveillance may have to be different than time in history, we build into the FISA searches, an area that has numerous those provided in this bill for electronic sur- new laws that govern the targeting of parallels to the similar reviews con- veillance within the United States, or tar- U.S. persons overseas who are agents, ducted by district court judges when geted against U.S. persons who are in the officers or employees of foreign powers they are asked to authorize criminal United States. when a significant purpose of the ac- wiretaps. As I mentioned previously, In essence, then, FISA, as originally quisition is to obtain foreign intel- even the FISC has acknowledged its drafted, was a domestic foreign intel- ligence information. lack of expertise in the foreign-tar- ligence surveillance act. Congress was These new procedures are sometimes geting context, which is, they say, bet- concerned about targeting persons in- referred to as 2.5 procedures because ter left to the executive branch. side the United States with intercep- they are based in part upon section 2.5 The Court’s recent opinion in the tions conducted inside the United of Executive Order 12333, which has case of In re: Motion for Release of States. long governed the electronic surveil- Court Records stated: The FISA Act amendments legisla- lance of U.S. persons overseas by re- . . . even if a typical FISA judge had more tion we are considering today is a very quiring the approval of the Attorney expertise in national security matters than a different animal, and it could be better General based upon a finding of prob- typical district court judge, that expertise characterized as an international for- able cause that the target is a foreign would still not equal that of the Executive eign intelligence surveillance act. The power or agent of a foreign power. Branch, which is constitutionally entrusted bill is concerned mainly with targeting These 2.5 changes were part of the with protecting the national security. persons outside the United States when overall bipartisan compromise and now We should be very hesitant to dis- interception might occur inside the require prior court review by the For- regard the Court’s own assessment of United States. What do I mean by eign Intelligence Surveillance Court of its competency in the overseas intel- that? The legislation will regulate how all surveillance conducted by the U.S. ligence realm, especially given the the President may conduct electronic Government targeting U.S. persons original intent of FISA. I urge all my surveillance of foreign terrorists oper- overseas. Americans will still be on colleagues to be mindful of the Court’s ating in foreign countries when their their own with respect to being own words as we consider some of the

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And having worked on court to determine the good faith of What we are up against, frankly, is an those economic issues, which I hope we those providers who allegedly assisted unwillingness on the part of the Repub- are able to do in a bipartisan fashion, the Government with the Terrorist lican minority to allow us to move for- then we will have the opportunity, Surveillance Program. As examples, ward to get to final passage of this bill hopefully, to work on the other legisla- amendment Nos. 3919 and 3858. in a way that would consider relevant tion that addresses the longer term se- In conclusion, I offer these observa- and germane amendments that would curity needs of America. tions mainly to ensure the record re- make it better, in a way that would ad- In that long-term economic set of flect the legislation departs from dress the absolute need to protect the issues I believe we have to address, we FISA’s original intent in a deliberate cherished civil liberties of Americans. have to, first of all, get the farm bill and carefully tailored manner. While Those are the kinds of amendments which garnered, I believe, 82 votes in there are some practical consider- with which we ought to be dealing. But the Senate, across the finish line so we ations, including a desire for a strong instead, we are faced with a filibuster. can guarantee the food security of bipartisan bill, that have driven the I hope we can act on this legislation America for generations to come. It is need for this legislation, we should be and then move on to the urgent needs the best farm bill, in my view, that has extremely careful about adding new or the people of America have brought us come out of this Senate Chamber, out changing existing provisions in the bill here to work on, on their behalf. We of Congress for a long time. I think my that could negatively impact the oper- heard the President last night talk Republican and Democratic colleagues ational effectiveness of our intelligence about the economic issues that face would agree with that characterization community or provide unwarranted America. of the farm bill. protection to overseas terrorists and In my view, when I look at my State We need to move beyond the farm bill spies. of Colorado, I believe the economy is to also address other long-term eco- Mr. President, I will not propound a skating on very thin ice. We see it in a nomic issues that face us. We must ad- unanimous consent request now, but I lot of different ways. We see it in rising dress the issue of the clean energy fu- advise my colleagues that if we cannot gas prices. We see it in the extraor- ture for America. Yes, we can celebrate reach agreement, I will ask unanimous dinary health care costs people have to the fact that we came together in a bi- consent that all amendments to the pay. We see it with respect to the hous- partisan way to pass the Energy bill ing crisis we are facing in my State FISA bill be brought up and decided at which the President signed in Decem- and across America. a 60-vote threshold so we can move for- ber, that we did a lot to move forward When I think about my State, maybe ward on this important legislation. I with efficiency and transportation and am not making that request now. I it is a small State in comparison to the great States of New Jersey, New York, how we use electricity and other en- alert my colleagues on the other side of ergy in our homes and buildings, a very the aisle, I hope that will not be nec- and others, but there are 5 million peo- ple in my State who I believe are very significant step forward in embracing essary, but we have not had a response the new future with biofuels for Amer- to our proposal on how we move for- concerned with what is happening with housing in Colorado. That is because 1 ica with the quintupling of the renew- ward. We have been at this a week now, able fuel standards, and we took some and we only have, at best, two full out of every 376 homes today in the steps to start dealing with the issue of working weeks before we go on recess. State of Colorado is in foreclosure. If 1 global warming by putting carbon se- We must get this bill done, sent to the out of 376 homes is in foreclosure questration in that bill. But there is a House, conferenced, and passed before today, I would venture that probably 90 lot more to be done on energy because we leave for the President’s Day recess. percent of the homes in Colorado have what is missing in that bill, and still Failure to do so could leave our intel- seen a very significant decline in their missing today, is a jet engine that will ligence community without the tools value over the last 2 years. power us into the 21st century clean they need and, thus, America without So, yes, the people of America are energy economy, because the legisla- the protection it needs. very nervous about what is happening I yield the floor. with the economy, and it is our respon- tion we passed out of the Finance Com- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. sibility, therefore, to move forward mittee was one vote short to get to the MENENDEZ). The Senator from Colo- with an economic stimulus package 60 votes to stop the filibuster that was rado. that will address that economic uncer- underway. We need to turn back to the energy f tainty. I am hopeful that with the lead- ership of Senator BAUCUS and Senator legislation so we can build that long- ADDRESSING THE ISSUES GRASSLEY and my colleagues on the Fi- term economic security for America. Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, when nance Committee, we will be able to We also have to deal with the hous- we looked back at the work of this get to a markup of legislation that can ing crisis. We will deal perhaps with it Chamber at the end of 2007, we saw this reach the floor of the Senate tomorrow in some minor ways when we deal with Chamber coming together in a bipar- evening, perhaps the next day, that the stimulus package, but there are tisan way to garner what was 82 votes will be that jump-start to the economy other pieces of legislation which a for the passage of the 2007 farm bill. It we need. number of committees have been work- is an example of Republicans and There is broad agreement on what ing on to try to deal with the housing Democrats working together to address that legislation will do. It will put crisis. So we need to deal with both the a fundamental need of America, and money into the pockets of the con- short-term and the long-term economic that is the issue of food security. sumers of America so it can help stim- challenges we face here in America, Last night, we heard the President of ulate the economy. It will create ini- and yet we are wrapped around the axle the United States address the Nation tiatives for small businesses, which are in terms of moving forward on this on the state of the Union, in which one so much of the economic engine of FISA bill because the Republican mi- of the things he talked about was the America, to go out and invest in equip- nority has taken the view that we can importance of moving forward with an ment and growth so we can create jobs simply stall, stall, stall until the time economic stimulus package. That eco- for people of this country. runs out. nomic stimulus package, which has We will move forward with a package I think we ought to be working in been negotiated at least with the that will also include extending unem- good faith, consider the amendments House of Representatives on a bipar- ployment benefits and also include in that many of my colleagues have tisan basis, is another example of when that making sure 20 million seniors brought to this floor and which are people are willing to work together, we who were left out of the House stim- being prevented from being considered can actually get some business done. ulus package are also included. so we can then get a FISA bill passed

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S435 and we can move forward with the eco- in New York, Washington, and Penn- manner that overstepped the authori- nomic issues that we need to so ur- sylvania brought the spectre of ter- ties that Congress had provided under gently address. rorism to our front door. In many law. It hid the fact that it could target I will continue to speak more specifi- ways, the innocence of America was Americans for surveillance without a cally about FISA and some of the very lost on that day. warrant. There was no mention to the important work that both Chairman But September 11 is not the only ter- American people that their commu- ROCKEFELLER and Vice Chairman BOND rorist attack that we or our allies have nications could be spied upon without a have put together in this legislation, as endured in recent years. In 2002, a warrant or without any other kind of well as the work of Chairman LEAHY bombing in Bali killed 202 people and protection from the courts. It hid the and Senator SPECTER on the Judiciary wounded 209. In 2004—this is after 9/11— fact that it was grabbing more power Committee, and I probably have an- the bombs on the trains in Madrid for the executive branch than our other 10 minutes or so to go on the gen- killed 191 people and wounded over Founding Fathers would have ever eral legislation in support of the bill 2,000 people. And in 2005, we saw the at- thought wise in their quest to protect and moving forward with it, but be- tacks on London’s underground com- the civil liberties and freedoms of cause we are at this impasse, because muter train, killing 52 and injuring 700. America. we are wrapped around the axle, it I could go on with a list of violent in- We need to move, in my view, beyond seems to me a timeout is what would cidents that have been caused because the thinking that characterized the make sense for us then to be able to of terrorism around the world. The formation of this unlawful terrorist turn our attention, to pivot over to the State Department reports that the surveillance program within the execu- economic issues which we have to ad- number of incidents of terrorism world- tive branch, and we have indeed made wide has grown dramatically in recent dress and which the President asked us some progress together in moving for- years. Between 2005 and 2006, the num- to address last night. ward in a new direction. We have con- ber of incidents rose from 11,153 to In that regard, Mr. President, I ask solidated the information that our in- 14,338. Three-fourths of those inci- unanimous consent that the Senate telligence agencies collect, we have im- dents—that is three-fourths of 14,338 proceed to the immediate consider- plemented the recommendations of the incidents—resulted in death, injury, or ation of Calendar No. 564, S. 2556; the 9/11 Commission in this Congress, we kidnapping. All told, terrorism has bill be read a third time and passed; have created the Department of Home- claimed the lives of more than 74,000 and the motion to reconsider be laid land Security, and we are now ready to people around the world in only the upon the table with no intervening ac- bring FISA up to date with our tech- year 2006. That is 74,000 people, most of tion or debate. nology in the threats we face. them innocent members of our human The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Over the last few days, the adminis- race, who have been killed by the objection? tration has presented the American scourge of terrorism around the world. Mr. BOND. Reserving the right to ob- Americans understand that our intel- people with a false dichotomy. They ject, I thank my colleague for his cour- ligence and surveillance capabilities claim we have to choose between pro- tesy and for his attention and his in- are absolutely essential to preventing tecting our national security on the terest in this subject. these types of attacks. Our Govern- one hand and protecting our civil lib- As I had previously stated, we have ment needs to have the power and the erties. That is a false dichotomy. As a to get this bill done to replace the Pro- tools to listen in on those who are plot- former attorney general, I can tell you tect America Act. I believe the House ting an attack on the United States that we can do both. We can have a has passed or is considering passing a and our interests. They need to be able surveillance program that gives our 15-day extension, which I think is long to monitor the e-mails of a terrorist law enforcement the tools it needs to enough, and on behalf of our side, I suspect. They need to be able to track protect America and at the same time must object to this unanimous consent people, and they need to be able to we can make sure that we are pro- request. track those vital networks. They need tecting the civil liberties of the citi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- to be able to respond quickly and deci- zens of our country. tion is heard. sively on information that is collected The bill before us places some simple The Senator from Colorado. to make sure that we protect the inno- but highly effective safeguards on the Mr. SALAZAR. I thank my friend cent from harm. Government’s surveillance program, from Missouri, and I look forward to Americans want a government that and we should be thankful for this leg- the leadership that was shown by the can and will fulfill its primary respon- islation in that regard. These safe- Intelligence Committee in terms of sibility—the responsibility of keeping guards will in no way impede our ef- Senators ROCKEFELLER and BOND bring- its citizens safe from attack. But we forts to defeat the terrorist networks ing Republicans and Democrats to- also want to make sure we have a gov- and prevent attacks on Americans. If gether to fashion the legislation that is ernment that will not abuse the power an intelligence agency gets actionable before us. entrusted in it. We want a government information, it can establish surveil- In addition to that, I think we have that honors the rule of law and upholds lance immediately; no waiting for a an opportunity to work with Senator the cherished values of our Constitu- warrant, no redtape, no delay. The LEAHY and the members of the Judici- tion. We want a government that pro- agency will simply have to seek a ret- ary Committee to figure out the best tects the privacy of law-abiding citi- roactive warrant once surveillance has way of moving forward to achieve the zens, and we want a government that is begun. ultimate goal, which is to make sure worthy of respect, not fear. Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- we are protecting America. So I very Without a doubt, the events of Sep- sent to continue as in morning busi- much look forward to working with my tember 11 demanded an expansion of ness for an additional 5 minutes. good friend from Missouri and getting our intelligence-gathering capabilities. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without that done. We needed to take emergency action to objection, it is so ordered. I don’t think any Member in this ensure the security of Americans over Mr. SALAZAR. I thank the Chair. Chamber would argue the fact that we the short term. But rather than work The bill before us places some simple need to update and extend FISA. The within the authorities provided by Con- but highly effective safeguards on the technologies available, surveillance gress, the President and then-Attorney Government’s surveillance program. methods that are now being used, and General John Ashcroft built their own These safeguards will in no way impede the threats that we face have changed program—the terrorist surveillance our efforts to defeat the terrorist net- dramatically since Congress first en- program—out of the view of Congress, works and prevent attacks on Ameri- acted FISA a long time ago—in 1978. out of the view of the public, in the cans. I want to highlight a few provi- Think of the attacks of the last years. darkness, and without oversight of the sions of the bill that the Intelligence September 11 illustrated in the most courts. They built it on their own Committee reported, and which are at tragic and bloody and horrible way the based on some assumed authority. the center of our debate this week. great threat that extremist groups can The administration hid the fact that These provisions require the FISA pose to the United States. The attacks it was implementing its program in a Court and Congress to play a greater

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I coasts, secure our safety nets, and end require the FISA Court to review the hope the Members of this Chamber can the war in Iraq. administration’s procedures for deter- put the rhetoric and threats aside and For Ohioans, the future is about mining that the targeted surveillance move forward to assure that America change. Let’s say you are driving down is reasonably believed to be outside the is, in fact, protected, both in terms of the road. You notice that the signs, United States. Second, the FISA Court threats against them in violence from mile markers, exit signs, billboards as must review the procedures for mini- terrorists and at the same time that we huge as houses are telling you that you mizing the identities of and informa- protect their civil liberties. are going in the wrong direction: Signs tion about Americans incidentally de- I hope we can pass the FISA bill saying wages stagnating, signs saying tected during the surveillance of for- soon. I hope the President will do what U.S. jobs being shipped overseas, a eign targets. Third, the court must ap- is right and sign it. housing crisis deepening, health care prove or disapprove the targeting of The Senator from Alaska. costs soaring, increased dependance on Americans overseas under this new au- (The remarks of Senator MURKOWSKI foreign oil, product safety unsure, no thority on an individual basis, based on pertaining to the introduction of S. end to the war in Iraq. The longer you its review of whether there is probable 2570 are printed in today’s RECORD stay on the road, the worse things get. cause to believe the person is an agent under ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills So you hit the gas pedal and head of a foreign power. Fourth, the bill in- and Joint Resolutions.’’) further down that road. If you drive cludes a 6-year sunset to allow Con- Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I down the road, the wrong road, long gress to evaluate how the new authori- suggest the absence of a quorum. enough, does it become the right one? ties are carried out, and to ensure The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Of course not. You do not proudly log abuses do not occur before authorities clerk will call the roll. more miles on the wrong road. You are extended further. The threats and The assistant legislative clerk pro- change direction. If there is one thing you can say technologies are changing so fast that ceeded to call the roll. about the administration and its sup- Congress will need to update the legis- Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask porters in Congress it is that they are lation during that time. unanimous consent that the order for consistent. They consistently answer Finally, the bill requires the intel- the quorum call be rescinded. to the wealthiest Americans and to the ligence community to conduct an an- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without largest corporations and pay lipservice nual review and requires detailed semi- objection, it is so ordered. Mr. BROWN. I ask unanimous con- to the rest of the population. annual reports to be submitted to the Think about last night. The Presi- sent to address the Senate as in morn- House and Senate Intelligence and Ju- dent said 116 million people—if we ex- ing business for 15 minutes. diciary Committees concerning collec- tend the tax cuts, 116 million people The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tions authorized under the bill, includ- will get tax cuts averaging $1,800 a per- objection, it is so ordered. ing instances of noncompliance. son. These provisions represent a dra- Mr. BROWN. I thank Senator MUR- Does the President really say—does matic improvement to our Nation’s KOWSKI for her work. There is abso- that really say what the tax cuts international surveillance program, lutely a need for that legislation. I ap- mean? It is a very small number of peo- and I am pleased they are the founda- preciate what she has done. ple getting huge tax cuts, and tens and tion of the bill. But we can do more to f tens and tens of millions of Americans strengthen the bill and do better to en- ECONOMIC STIMULUS are getting almost nothing. force the rule of law. Does he say it that way? Does he tell I support Senator CARDIN’s amend- Mr. BROWN. Last night we heard a the American people that is what it is? ment, which I cosponsored, to have a 4- vision that the President of the United Of course not. He says the average year sunset for the bill rather than 6 States was standing in the Chamber of American will average $1,800 from the years. If we learn of problems in the the House of Representatives speaking tax cuts. Simply, that is very mis- program, if the technologies continue to all of us. He talked about how best leading. We have seen that on tax pol- to change or if the threat changes, we to proceed during times of clear eco- icy over and over and over in this ad- should have the opportunity to change nomic crisis, job loss, health care, en- ministration. the law. ergy costs soaring, threats to our do- Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I won- Over the coming days, we will also mestic safety nets, and a war in Iraq der if the Senator would yield for a debate how to handle the question of with no end in sight. question. immunity for companies that partici- When news media people asked me Mr. BROWN. I will yield to the Sen- pated in the warrantless surveillance what I thought about the speech, one of ator. program from 2001 until 2007. the things I said was I wished the Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I was In my view, if a company was know- President could have sat in on some of going to inquire of the Senator from ingly acting in violation of existing the meetings that I had as I traveled Ohio if he found, as I did last night, it law, the courts should review their ac- Ohio in the last year, my State. I had very unusual to have the entire State tions to determine if there was wrong- about 80 roundtable meetings of 15, 20, of the Union Address talking about the doing. If, however, the Attorney Gen- 25 people in a community where for an economic difficulties in our country eral or an intelligence agency ap- hour and a half I would ask them ques- and the need for a stimulus plan and so proached that company, and the com- tions about their communities, about on without ever mentioning the real pany clearly tried to follow the law and their problems. In every corner of the root causes at all of what has put us in act in good faith, it should not be held State, I heard from veterans and first this position: For example, a $700 bil- liable. responders, from farmers, from people lion, going to an $800 billion-a-year That is why I am cosponsoring Sen- running small businesses, from teach- trade deficit; a fiscal policy budget def- ator FEINSTEIN’s amendment which es- ers, from students, from community icit that is going to require us to bor- tablishes an independent process for re- leaders, from mothers and fathers. I row $600 billion in this fiscal year, just viewing whether a company should re- wish the President had been able to that combination is $1.3 trillion in red ceive immunity. Under this amend- hear some of this because people clear- ink, 10 percent of our GDP in 1 year. ment, the FISA Court would follow a ly want to hear their Government is fi- You know, the fact is, everyone in three-step process for determining nally committed to change and to the world, including American citizens, whether a lawsuit has merit. fighting for the middle class. look at that and understand that is so Senator FEINSTEIN has proposed a They want to hear that the economic far off the track there is no way that smart and fair solution to this very dif- policies of the last 7 years, policies works.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S437 I support a stimulus package. I think the budget deficit is only $300 billion, $4 billion a week for Iraq and Afghani- it is fine to do for psychological pur- $275 billion. It is not. Take a look at stan, to replenish the military ac- poses. But I am wondering if the Sen- the budget policy and find out how counts for that purpose. Now we are ator from Ohio wonders, as I do, why much we are going to increase the debt told he is going to send another $70 bil- the President does not even seem to in this year. The debt is going to in- lion on top of that. That takes us to recognize the underlying causes of the crease by $600 billion on the budget close to three-quarters of a trillion economic difficulty in our country. side and $700 to $800 billion on the that will have been spent, none of it Mr. BROWN. I appreciate the com- trade side. That is $1.3 trillion off the paid for, all of it requested by this ments from the Senator from North track in one single year, 10 percent of President as an emergency so it didn’t Dakota, who understands probably bet- our economic output. The fact is, that have to be paid for. You look at that ter than anybody in this body what is unsustainable and is going to run and you say to yourself: We have so this trade deficit means, what this this country’s economy into a ditch. If much that needs doing, including not trade policy means. And what is amaz- we are going fix it, we have to diagnose just on the budget side getting our act ing is the President does not look at it. This President hasn’t come close to together but on the trade side, stand- the $800 billion trade deficit. even acknowledging the difficulty on ing up for our country’s interests, de- When I came to the Congress in 1992, those two issues, fiscal policy and manding fair trade, and, on the invest- it was $38 billion. Now it is over $800 trade policy, let alone the issue of the ment side, investing in infrastructure, billion. scandal of the subprime loan which is all these things. The President’s father once said $1 regulators falling asleep or unbeliev- Last night it was almost as if the billion in trade deficits translates into able hedge fund speculation outside of President was oblivious to the funda- the loss of 13,000 jobs. Now it is $800 bil- the view of regulators because they mental causes of the economic dif- lion, and the President did not address don’t want to be regulated. ficulty. This is a great economic en- that. But what he did say is: Let’s do Would the Senator from Ohio agree gine we have, but the fact is, it needs more of this. He said: We need a trade that these are the underlying causes of some work. It doesn’t need somebody agreement with Columbia, we need a concern about this economy? to polish it with a rag and hum a nice trade agreement with Panama, we need Mr. BROWN. Absolutely. I remember tune. It needs real work to get this en- a trade agreement with South Korea. back in the early 1990s, we were con- gine going again. The American people And it just makes me incredulous that cerned about the twin deficits, the are innovative, great workers. It is an the President cannot look at what has trade deficit and the budget deficit. We inspired country in which we live. That happened and say: Wait a second, let’s had a budget deficit then of about $300 is why we have progressed the way we do a timeout. Let’s do no further trade billion a year and a trade deficit, as the have over 200 years. But the American agreements. Let’s go back, as the Sen- Presiding Officer knows—who joined people need something to work with. ator from North Dakota, Mr. DORGAN, me in voting against NAFTA a decade We need to invest in working people. has suggested, and let’s have bench- ago—of under $100 billion. We consid- We need to have faith in working peo- marks. Let’s look at what NAFTA did ered that a serious problem. Today, ple. Instead what we have done is to our country, look at what CAFTA President Bush doesn’t recognize that pulled the rug out from under working has done to our country, look at what this trade deficit means anything. To families. trade with China has done to the mid- the contrary, he says, it seems to be I have used so many examples in the dle class. working. Let’s do more of it. Senate, and my friend from Ohio knows The President totally missed that. At Again, I go back to what his father all of them because a good number of the same time, the President said: said, that a billion dollars in trade def- them come from the State of Ohio, Let’s do more tax cuts for the wealthi- icit translates into 13,000 lost jobs. You Huffy bicycles and Etch A Sketch and est 1 percent at the expense of the mid- can see how it does. Because a billion so many examples, all those jobs now dle class and drive up these budget dollars in trade deficit means we are in China that used to be in Ohio. deficits. So we have trade deficits of buying a billion dollars, we are import- One of my favorites is to talk about $800 billion, plus we have budget defi- ing a billion dollars more than we are Fig Newton cookies. The National Bis- cits of about $1 billion a day. And that selling, and that means we are manu- cuit Company, NABISCO, took Fig is fundamentally the biggest problem facturing less because we are not mak- Newton cookies from New Jersey to with our economy, as you suggest. ing it ourselves. If we manufacture Mexico. Why? They could find some- Mr. DORGAN. I agree with that anal- less, it means thousands of Ohioans or body who would shovel fig paste appar- ysis. I sat in that Chamber last North Dakotans or New Jerseyans are ently at a much lower cost than it cost evening. A joint session is always a finding they are not working at $12 or to pay somebody to shovel fig paste in wonderful privilege, to hear the Presi- $15 or $20 an hour. If those plants lay New Jersey. If you want to buy some dent give the State of the Union Ad- off workers, communities get less tax Mexican food, buy Fig Newton cookies, dress. I was thinking, everyone is sit- dollars, police, firemen and teachers made in Mexico, still called the Na- ting here in dark suits and pretty well are laid off. It undercuts the economic tional Biscuit Company, except it isn’t dressed up for a big occasion. Not one vitality of the community and the pub- so national anymore. Now they are person in that Chamber is going to lic safety. It undercuts the ability of made in Mexico. have their job lost because it was our schools to educate our children. It That is one example of a hundred, a shipped overseas someplace in search is clearly a downward spiral that is thousand, a million we could give and of cheap labor. Nobody in this Cham- only accelerated when we pass a trade have. It is the question of whether this ber, nobody in the Senate has ever lost agreement with Colombia and with country is going to stand up for its their job because somebody decided to Peru and Panama and another trade workers and whether we are going to outsource it to China for 30 cents an agreement with South Korea. have the courage not just to stand up hour labor. Mr. DORGAN. The fact is, it is not for workers in fair trade agreements A lot of working people have to come something I enjoy doing, to talk about but whether we are also going to put on home at the end of the day and say: the difficulties. I would like to talk track fiscal policy, trade policy, regu- Honey, I was given notice today. I lost about the opportunities for this coun- latory authority in a way that gives my job because they found somebody try. We will not get to the opportuni- people confidence about the future of halfway around the world who will do ties until we decide we are going to this economy and jobs and oppor- it for 20 cents an hour. They told me I start taking care of some things here tunity. can’t compete with that. Our family at home. Mr. BROWN. When I hear Senator can’t live on that. This President, in this past fiscal DORGAN talk about this, I think about Just talking about the trade piece of year, the one we are in right now, sent 20 years from now, 15 years from now. this, the President completely ignores us a request for $196 billion of emer- We are going to look back on this time, that. There ought to be a summit gency money and said: I want it put on and we will think: What were they meeting at this point, if you have $1.3 top of the debt. Don’t pay for it. Add it thinking when they changed the laws trillion of red ink in 1 year. They say to the debt. That is $16 billion a month, to allow so many cheap imports from

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The result is pushing jeopardizing our national security, the eventually their wages went up and we down standards in the United States, security of our family farms in North began to enrich all sections of the moving jobs from the United States Dakota and Ohio and small businesses country. overseas, a hemorrhaging trade deficit and manufacturers in New Jersey and We are not doing that with China. We that is dangerous for our country’s in- all over the country? We are going to are not doing that with our trade pol- terests, $2 billion a day every day that look back and think: Why did we let icy. That is why I was so disappointed we import more than we export. The corporations lobby this Congress so that last night the President said: We largest export from the United States that they changed the rules so that it want a new trade agreement with Co- by volume is wastepaper to Asia. Think made sense for these companies, in lombia. We want one with South of that. terms of their bottom line, in terms of Korea. We want one with Panama. In- My point is simple. I appreciate the their profits, to go to China instead of stead of going in the right direction, work the Senator from Ohio and others have done on this issue. We have to put manufacturing in Galion or Toledo or we are changing our trade policy and this country on track. I am for trade Youngstown, OH? moving in a different direction. Imagine instead if we as a nation de- Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, the and plenty of it. But I demand and in- cided we were going to have a Marshall Senator and I are working on a piece of sist that we stand up for this country’s plan or go to the Moon kind of plan on legislation we intend to introduce that interests and demand fair trade. We alternative energy, that we changed would establish benchmarks for trade have to bring this trade deficit down. our trade law and our tax law and we agreements. We had a $1.5 billion trade That is putting dramatic amounts of began through biomass, through pro- surplus with Mexico. We did a trade money in the hands of the Chinese and duction of wind turbines and solar pan- agreement. Guess what. We turned that Japanese and others. Don’t be sur- els. Imagine if we set out to remake surplus into a huge deficit, a giant def- prised when you open the paper to find our energy policy and our country’s in- icit, $60 billion to $70 billion a year. So out what they have purchased next, dustrial base by changing trade law, by we turned a surplus into a deficit, one of our major investment banking changing tax law. We clearly still do shipped a lot of U.S. jobs to Mexico. companies, you name it. We to have fix this. I know the Sen- the best R&D in the world on all kinds What we need is a trade agreement ator from Ohio came here with a state- of scientific research and medical re- with benchmarks and accountability. ment and I interrupted him, but what I search. But so often we do the R&D Is this trade agreement meeting the wanted to do was to say, I was very here, which is good for the economy objectives we developed for our coun- surprised last night to sit in the State and good for creating jobs, but then try? After all, we are stewards of our of the Union Address and hear talk most of the production is shipped off- country. We want our country to do about a stimulus and hear talk about shore. So what good is that for our well. Yes, we want to lift others. We the economy and not even hear one country, when we develop the research, want to it be a more prosperous world. whisper about the real vulnerabilities we do the research and development But first we want this country to do of this economy—a trade deficit out of and then send it offshore? well. control, reckless fiscal policy, com- The Senator mentioned the Ohio Art Wouldn’t it be the height of irony, an bined with adding $1.3 trillion in debt, Company. That sort of tells the story. unbelievable perversion, if we passed a 10 percent of the GDP in 1 year, and It is a company in northwest Ohio ‘‘stimulus package,’’ and we borrow the then regulators asleep and apparently right in the corner where Indiana and money from China to put money in the applauded for being asleep, while we Ohio intersect with Michigan. They hands of American families who can have unregulated hedge funds, lever- make something that most of us knew take it to Wal-Mart and buy a Radio aged transactions, $43 trillion of no- as children called Etch A Sketch. Flyer little red wagon made in China. tional value, something most people About 7 or 8 years ago—I was in Bryan We borrow the money from China, give can’t understand, notional value, cred- a couple months ago talking to an ex- to it an American consumer who goes it default swaps. Sounds like a foreign ecutive of Ohio Art Company. Seven or to Wal-Mart to buy a Chinese wagon. I language. There is $43 trillion of no- eight years ago a major U.S. retailer say Radio Flyer because that is one of tional value out there in credit default went to them and said: We want to sell those great American brands. Almost swaps. There is a totally unregulated your product in our stores for less every child in this country has hooked hedge fund industry with derivatives. money, for under $10. The only option a ride on a Radio Flyer, either theirs or There are a lot of things we need to that Ohio Art Company had was to stop their neighbor’s. Do you know how care about and we need to fix. The Sen- most of its production in Ohio and Radio Flyer got its name? It was an ator from Ohio is absolutely right in move its production overseas. Every immigrant who came to Chicago, IL, talking about it on the floor of the job that was moved to China meant and decided to start trying to make Senate tonight. I deeply appreciate his less money for the Bryan Police De- some wagons. He made a few of them. willingness to let me interrupt him for partment, less money for the Williams Everybody liked them. He was a guy a couple minutes because these are County government, less money for who came to our country and was so very important issues for our country. public schools, less money paid into pleased with being able to come to our Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I thank Medicare, less money paid into Social country. He liked two things. He loved the Senator from North Dakota. He Security. It made us poor as a nation. airplanes and somehow he liked Mar- told the story about the immigrant At the same time, those products coni and the radio. So he decided he who settled in Chicago. That may have moved to China. But it lifted the living was going to put Radio Flyer on the been a story from a different era, but standards there because wages are so side of the little red wagon, and it we still in so many ways are a nation low. The Chinese wink and nod at best began. For 110 years, they built Radio of tinkerers and inventors, entre- at any kind of environmental rules or Flyer little red wagons in America, the preneurs and scientists—a nation that worker safety rules. We have done lit- dream of this immigrant innovator. still leads the world in brain power in tle to lift up. They don’t make them here anymore. terms of figuring out new products, Senator DORGAN and I want more They are all made in China. They new ways of doing things, new services. trade but a different set of rules. In- closed their doors, went in search of The problem is, there has been a dis- stead of lifting workers up so Mexican cheap labor. connect between that and production workers would be buying American It is interesting that when we talk and job growth and job creation. products and we would be buying Mexi- about this, some will listen and say: That is why the President’s speech can products back and forth the way The guy from Ohio, the fellow from last night, to me, was so disappointing,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S439 that he has asked for more tax cuts for us. As Director of National Intelligence Recognizing the gravity of the situa- the wealthiest Americans, tax cuts Michael McConnell said, the PAA has tion, the bipartisan Senate Intelligence that, frankly—usually, these tax cuts ‘‘allowed us to obtain significant in- Committee voted 13 to 2 to include ret- to the wealthiest Americans are at the sight into terrorist planning.’’ To allow roactive immunity in its bill. This expense of the middle class. He has such a vital antiterror tool to lapse at overwhelming vote came after the asked for more trade agreements while this time would be the ultimate dere- committee reviewed the classified doc- our trade deficit explodes year after liction of duty. uments on which these companies re- year after year. The United States must remain vigi- lied. The committee ultimately con- As Senator DORGAN suggested, we lant against a terror threat that is real cluded that the Government ‘‘cannot know what we need to do as a nation. and constant. The National Intel- obtain the intelligence it needs with- We know what we need to do with tax ligence Estimate on ‘‘The Terrorist out assistance from [telecommuni- policy to serve the middle class. We Threat to the US Homeland,’’ released cations] companies.’’ know what we need to do with trade just 6 months ago, concluded that this Protecting the corporate good citi- policy to serve the middle class. country will face a ‘‘persistent and zens who answered the call to assist Even though the President wants to evolving’’ terrorist threat over the our intelligence community during a stay the course, wants to continue the next 3 years, particularly from Islamic time of great danger to this country is same direction, I think there is change terrorist groups and cells like al-Qaida. the right thing to do. Anything short afoot in this country. People want No person in America is unfamiliar of full immunity for those companies change. People want to strengthen with the capabilities and determina- that, at the Government’s request, on again the middle class and strengthen tion of such terrorist groups, and the written assurance that such action our communities in New Jersey and Americans trust us to make the right had been authorized by the President Rhode Island—Senator WHITEHOUSE is decisions to protect them and their and deemed lawful, would undermine in the Chamber, too—and in my State children. Without making permanent the security of the United States is of Ohio, from Lima to Zanesville and changes to FISA to ensure the fast and simply unacceptable. from Dayton to Warren. effective intercept of foreign intel- The carefully crafted, bipartisan Sen- I thank you, Mr. President, for your ligence information, little else we do ate Intelligence Committee bill pro- tects privacy interests without under- time and again exhort Americans to will matter. look down the road for a new trade pol- Retroactive immunity is in the best mining our intelligence community’s icy, a new tax policy that helps to interest of this Nation’s security and ability to do its vitally important job. The bill was approved by a vote of 13 to build the middle class. must be included in FISA moderniza- 2 after careful consideration of com- tion, as it was in the Intelligence Com- f plicated issues and classified docu- mittee bill. Following the attacks of FISA ments. It will allow our intelligence September 11, 2001, President Bush au- professionals to continue collecting Mr. COBURN. Mr. President, at the thorized the National Security Agency foreign intelligence against foreign end of this week, Americans may find to intercept international communica- themselves at greater risk of a ter- targets located outside the United tions into and out of the United States States without requiring prior court rorist attack when the Protect Amer- of persons linked to al-Qaida or related ica Act expires on February 1. On that approval. This is consistent with the terrorist organizations. The adminis- intent of the legislators who enacted date, we will be forced to revert to the tration’s obvious and stated purpose of antiquated 1978 Foreign Intelligence FISA in 1978 and represents no change this authorization was to ‘‘establish an in the way that the NSA has always Surveillance Act, or FISA, to monitor early warning system to detect and the communications of suspected ter- conducted foreign surveillance. prevent another catastrophic terrorist In so doing, the bill will also con- rorists, unless this Congress moves attack on the United States.’’ There- tinue to protect the civil liberties of quickly to make permanent changes to fore, the administration made requests Americans in this country, surveil- that law. It is therefore critical for for telecom companies to cooperate lance of whom has always required Congress to enact permanent mod- with its intelligence activities. The prior court approval. Nothing we are ernizations to FISA so that our intel- companies complied with the govern- considering in the Senate today would ligence officials will have every tool ment’s request for help, relying on alter that. In the event that commu- they need to monitor the communica- written assurance from the executive nication from a U.S. person is inadvert- tions of terrorists who seek to destroy branch that their actions were both ently intercepted, the intelligence the United States. necessary and legal. community uses ‘‘minimization proce- The consequences of allowing the Now these companies face multibil- dures’’ to suppress the data. The result Protect America Act to lapse could be lion dollar lawsuits challenging their is that the communication is never deadly. The PAA was passed last Au- actions. Such lawsuits not only create used or shared. These procedures have gust to modernize FISA so that the potentially staggering liability for the been used effectively for 30 years and statute could do in practice what it companies, they also create the risk will remain in place after permanent was always intended to do—govern cer- that sensitive details about our intel- FISA changes are enacted. tain foreign intelligence surveillance ligence sources and methods will be re- Enacting permanent modernizations activities directed at persons in the vealed through discovery. Moreover, to FISA is one of the most important United States, without inadvertently failing to protect those who cooperate duties the Senate will undertake this burdening those activities directed at with the Government to thwart ter- year. We have known for 6 months that persons overseas. FISA, however, has rorist activity will undermine the will- the Protect America Act would expire not kept up with technological ad- ingness of others to cooperate in the on February 1 and have no excuse for vances that have been made since 1978. future. A powerful op-ed authored last not getting this done correctly before As a result, prior to the PAA, intel- October by former Attorneys General that date. The stakes in this debate ligence officers were often forced to ob- Benjamin Civiletti, Dick Thornburgh, could not be higher. Although the de- tain a court order before beginning sur- and William Webster, said it best: tails can be complicated, the basic veillance against a terrorist or other The government alone cannot protect us issue is pretty simple. As Andy McCar- foreign target located in another coun- from the threats we face today. We must thy said in a recent piece for the Na- try. This unnecessary and burdensome have the help of all our citizens. There will tional Review Online, ‘‘Osama bin requirement caused U.S. intelligence be times when the lives of thousands of Laden doesn’t need to apply to a sharia agencies to lose about two-thirds of Americans will depend on whether corpora- court before blowing up an American their ability to collect communica- tions such as airlines or banks are willing to embassy; the president shouldn’t need lend assistance. If we do not treat companies tions intelligence against al-Qaida. fairly when they respond to assurances from to apply to a federal court to try to Thankfully, the Protect America Act the highest levels of the government that stop him.’’ helped to close the inexcusable gap their help is legal and essential for saving Unfortunately, I was unable to make that left this country blind to the lives, then we will be radically reducing our it back to town in time for the two clo- plans our enemies were making against society’s capacity to defend itself. ture votes that were held yesterday.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 Had I been here, I would have voted for Nationally, foreclosures jumped 79 Mayor Earl Russell, Kentucky has cloture on Rockefeller amendment No. percent in 2007. grown to the honorable State it is 3911, the Intelligence Committee’s One of America’s largest lenders, today. Inhabiting the western coal field FISA bill, and against cloture on Reid Countrywide, just reported that one region of the State, Hartford has been amendment No. 3918, to temporarily out of every three subprime loans is contributing to the Commonwealth for extend the Protect America Act. now delinquent. 200 years and has planned a celebration I suggest the absence of a quorum. And this is affecting not just the in honor of this. Because of the contin- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The families who may lose their homes— ued contribution of the citizens of clerk will call the roll. but their neighbors who are seeing Hartford to the betterment of their The assistant legislative clerk pro- property values drop, and all of us who town, county and the Commonwealth, I ceeded to call the roll. are faced with the collateral damage of ask my colleagues to join me in cele- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- a badly damaged housing market. brating with them today for 200 years imous consent that the order for the We call on President Bush to work of dedication. quorum call be rescinded. with us to solve this and other eco- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. nomic problems. f WHITEHOUSE.) Without objection, it is We need to provide tax incentives for THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT OF so ordered. companies to invest in renewable en- 2007 f ergy. This will create jobs, save con- Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise sumers money, and protect our air. MORNING BUSINESS today to speak about the need for hate America’s infrastructure is crum- crimes legislation. Each Congress, Sen- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- bling. We saw it in the bridge collapse. ator KENNEDY and I introduce hate imous consent that we now proceed to Investing in our infrastructure will not crimes legislation that would strength- a period of morning business, with Sen- only strengthen our communities, it en and add new categories to current ators permitted to speak therein for up will strengthen our economy by cre- hate crimes law, sending a signal that to 10 minutes each. ating good-paying jobs. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without For every $10 billion we spend on in- violence of any kind is unacceptable in objection, it is so ordered. frastructure, we create 47,500 new jobs. our society. Likewise, each Congress I have come to the floor to highlight a f And for every $10 million capital in- separate hate crime that has occurred ECONOMY AND FORECLOSURES vestment in public transportation, we create $30 million in sales for busi- in our country. Mr. REID. Mr. President, last night, nesses. On January 14, 2008, 63-year-old President Bush spoke of the bipartisan Instead of cutting funding for com- Baljeet Singh was parking his car out- effort we’ve seen to put together an munity block grants and the Consumer side a Sikh temple in Queens, NY, economic stimulus package. Credit Council in his budget, the Presi- when David Wood, 36, approached him. I have joined this chorus of praise. It dent should sit down with us to come Wood reportedly shouted: ‘‘Arab, go is important for us to remember that up with real long-term solutions. back to your country’’ before phys- despite our differences, we can find With less than a year to go in his ically attacking Singh. Wood contin- common ground in pursuit of common term, we can still come together to ued to hurl epithets as he beat Singh, good. solve these problems and get America’s allegedly without provocation. Singh, The stimulus package is in markup economy working again. whose family has attended the tem- today in the Finance Committee. I am ple—known as a gurdwara—for over 12 f confident that Chairman BAUCUS and years, sustained a broken nose and jaw, Senator GRASSLEY will send a bill to CITY OF HARTFORD, KENTUCKY, both of which may require surgery. the floor that all 100 Senators can CELEBRATES 200 YEARS Wood, who lives near the temple and proudly support. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I allegedly has a history of harassing its We all agree that with our economy wish today to honor a long respected members, has been charged with sec- ailing, homeowners struggling and en- community in the great Common- ond-degree assault as a hate crime, sec- ergy prices rising, this short-term wealth of Kentucky, the city of Hart- ond and third degree assault, and sec- stimulus plan will help working Ameri- ford, which on February 3, 2008, will ond-degree aggravated harassment. cans make ends meet. celebrate 200 years of establishment in I believe that the Government’s first But I think we also all agree that the Commonwealth. duty is to defend its citizens, to defend this is only the first step. A short-term Since February 3, 1808, the great city them against the harms that come out solution will help, but we must create of Hartford has been a part of my great of hate. Federal laws intended to pro- long-term solutions that will treat the State. After an act of the legislature of tect individuals from heinous and vio- cause rather than the symptoms. President Bush suggested last night the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Hart- lent crimes motivated by hate are woe- that this could be accomplished with ford was formally established on 400 fully inadequate. This legislation more tax cuts for the wealthy. acres of land around Rough River, in would better equip the Government to We strongly disagree. No one won- the county of Ohio, occupying the land fulfill its most important obligation by dering if they can make their next of the late Gabriel Madison. The city protecting new groups of people as well mortgage payment or whether they can humbly began governing with a group as better protecting citizens already afford to retire believes that more tax of seven trustees overseeing the town covered under deficient laws. I believe cuts for the rich will solve this prob- and has since grown to a population of that by passing this legislation and lem. over 2,000 outstanding citizens and has changing current law, we can change This morning, the Reno Gazette developed into the administrative cen- hearts and minds as well. Journal reported that home fore- ter for Ohio County, becoming the f county seat. Now, great leadership closures in Washoe County—the Reno JUSTICE area of Nevada—skyrocketed 614 per- comes from Mayor Earl Russell, who cent in 2007 from the year before. proudly carries on the tradition of his Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to This pain isn’t just felt in one area or family of governing in Hartford. speak about justice. neighborhood. Foreclosures have risen As proclaimed in Hartford’s town slo- Today, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in all parts of the Truckee Meadows. gan, this honored town is home to in coordination with the Targum One realtor said: ‘‘2,000 happy people and a few sore- Shlishi Foundation, is conducting Op- It’s ridiculous. I’m up to 22 right now. A heads.’’ These ‘‘soreheads and happy eration: Last Chance, a final effort to year ago, I had zero. I have potentially an- people’’ strenuously work to promote bring the most guilty Nazis to justice other 50 homes not foreclosed on yet but are civic pride and generate the enthu- before they die. The perpetrators of the on the brink. And that’s just me. siasm needed to accomplish future Holocaust must not be allowed to cheat Experts say this crisis in Reno, goals throughout their city. their deserved fate. throughout Nevada, and all over Amer- Due to the enthusiasm from citizens The uniqueness of the Holocaust ica is going growing worse. like these and great leadership from crime lies not wholly in its number of

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Even in a century where so much It is now almost 63 years since the end listing in the Army. He then went on to blood was shed—in China, Russia, Afri- of World War II. Every week, Nazi study law at Mercer University law ca, and the Middle East—the Holocaust criminals are passing away, 80 and 90- school in Macon, GA, before heading stands alone. For the victims of the year-old men escaping the long arm of back to live and work in his hometown Holocaust were chosen not based on justice. Many of the host countries in in Liberty County, GA. any threat to the state, real or imagi- which they reside are grateful for this The community was always at the nary. Indeed, some victims had served quiet end, avoiding uncomfortable center of Sid’s life. He was chairman of with distinction in the German Army legal proceedings and revisiting old the Liberty County Cancer Society, a during the First World War, and many specters from the past. member of the Lions Club, the Masonic had then given their lives for their But the easy way is almost never the Lodge and the American Legion, as country. They were chosen instead right way. In these later days, it is in- well as an honorary member of the simply for who they were, one of the cumbent on all of us to help finish the Georgia Sheriff’s Association. He was most ancient peoples to grace this task Simon Wiesenthal began decades also a committed elder at the First Earth, and one which has never before ago. In view of the dwindling time Presbyterian Church, to which he gave come so perilously close to utter obliv- available, the center launched Oper- not only his time, but also his legal ex- ion. ation Last Chance in 2002, which is pertise. Historians have argued for years aimed at finding Nazi fugitives in the The Senate has passed H.R. 3470, a about why and how the Holocaust oc- Baltic states, Poland, Romania, Ger- bill naming the post office in curred. But for the survivors, and even many, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary. Hinesville, GA, as the Sidney ‘Sid’ more for victims, that question is en- There is much work to do: the opening Flowers Post Office Building. It will tirely secondary. There is only the re- of the Soviet archives since 1991 offers stand as a reminder of one man’s ex- ality of the crime and the ongoing a magnificent opportunity to identify ceptional contribution to his commu- quest for justice. some of the most guilty Nazis, pre- nity. We can argue about which Nazi orga- viously hidden behind the Iron Curtain. f nizations are the most culpable and Operation Last Chance is fittingly which were relatively ignorant. As the named, after a final opportunity to HONORING WILLIE HENSLEY Nuremburg war crimes trials showed, bring those remaining Nazis to earthly Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I all Germans are not guilty, and not all justice before they meet eternal jus- rise today to join in a colloquy with are innocent. In some cases, the line tice. To date Wiesenthal Center has fellow Alaska Senator TED STEVENS to blurs slightly. But that does not mean identified nearly 500 war crimes sus- honor a giant of the Alaska Native the line does not exist because some— pects, 99 of whom have been turned rights and Native corporation move- many, perhaps all—are certainly over to prosecutors. Operation Last ment, and an individual who has served guilty. The Einsatzgruppen. The con- Chance primarily focuses on offering his State and Nation for decades with centration camp guards. The SS. The rewards for the location and arrest of great distinction, Mr. Willie bureaucrats who signed off on orders such criminals as Dr. Sandor Kepiro, a ‘‘Iggiagruk’’ Hensley. with little thought of the immense Hungarian police official; Milivoj Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I too crime which they were committing. Asner, a police chief in fascist Croatia; rise to join Senator MURKOWSKI in hon- For these people, there can be no am- Charles—Karoly—Zentai, a fascist Cro- oring a personal friend and long-time nesty. There can be no looking away. atian city governor; Erna Wallisch, a political colleague, Willie Hensley. He There must be justice. German concentration camp guard; and soon will be retiring after spending the Unfortunately, after the war, many many others; and Dr. Aribeit Heim was last 10 years representing the Alyeska of the guilty scattered to the four cor- nicknamed ‘‘Dr. Death’’ for the med- Pipeline Service Co. in Washington, ners of the earth. Some, like Klaus ical murders and torture he inflicted DC, the pipeline that brings Alaska’s Barbie, fled to South America. Others on hundreds of concentration camp in- North Slope oil to the rest of the Na- remained in Germany, Austria, and the mates. He is at large, and his where- tion. Immediately prior to that job, he Balkans, where successor governments abouts unknown. Finding him, and was Alaska’s Commissioner of Com- to the Axis gradually lost interest in prosecuting all of the wanted Nazi merce and Economic Development, prosecution. Many fled to the United criminals, is a task of the utmost under the administration of former States, which had only finished fight- moral importance. Alaska Governor Tony Knowles. He ing the Nazi threat when it faced a re- The roadblocks are many, and the also has served on important State surgent Soviet threat. The Cold War di- shortcuts few. This late hour demands commissions under both Democratic verted, partially, the Western govern- that the U.S. Government make every and Republican governors. ments from bringing Nazi killers to effort to help with Operation Last Besides leading Alaska’s State de- justice. Living in homes across the Chance. I call upon the President and partment responsible for tourism and United States and Europe, working at Secretary Rice to make it clear to our seafood marketing, international normal jobs and raising families, the European and South American allies trade, insurance, banking and securi- most culpable killers may have that we will not tolerate footdragging ties, and occupational licensing, he thought they escaped a reckoning. on extradition orders, deportation, and also was a director of the Alaska Per- And, for a time, they did. The Govern- criminal indictments. We will not tol- manent Fund Corporation, the Alaska ment was certainly not looking for erate the easy way. We demand that Railroad Corporation, and the Alaska them. But one man was. One man had they commit the resources of the U.S. Industrial Development Authority himself been a prisoner in those ter- Government to this cause that our de- under Democratic Governors, and rible camps and had seen firsthand the scendents will not look back on us and chairman of the Capitol Site Selection horrors perpetrated there. say: In the end, they did too little. In Committee and the chairman of the Simon Wiesenthal began searching the end, they turned away. Land Claims Task Force under Repub- for Nazis and documenting the crimes f lican Governors Jay Hammond and of them after World War II, and contin- Walter Hickel. ued for many years. The Simon JOHN SIDNEY ‘SID’ FLOWERS POST Ms. MURKOWSKI. And before then, Wiesenthal Center was founded in 1977 OFFICE BUILDING as Senator STEVENS well knows, since and has an impressive track record of Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I rise he too served in the Alaska State Leg- combating modern bigotry and anti- before you today to pay tribute to Sid- islature at that time, Mr. Hensley

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Faye, she has a lot of good works she small village about 40 miles north of Ms. MURKOWSKI. I understand that will still do, and, with God’s help, a lot the Arctic Circle. He and his family Mr. Hensley has recently completed his of great times our family will share to- lived in the Noatak River delta where first book, a memoir entitled, ‘‘50 Miles gether. they lived by subsistence hunting, fish- from tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska Thank you, Aunt Faye, for all you ing and trapping. While home schooled and the Real People,’’ which will be have done to make Stamford, and the through the Harrison Chilbowee Acad- published later this year. rest of the world, a better place, and emy, he studied for 2 years at the Uni- Mr. Hensley, who joined Alyeska for all you have meant to all of us who versity of Alaska in Fairbanks before Pipeline Corp. years after Alaska’s are blessed to be your family and receiving his B.A. degree in political Prince William Sound oil spill, has friends. science with a minor in economics in worked tirelessly for the past decade to f 1966 from George Washington Univer- guarantee that Alaska’s oil has flowed sity. He then conducted postgraduate south without serious incident and ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS studies in law at the University of New without environmental damage or Mexico. harm to the wildlife that is so impor- CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVER- It was in 1966 that he wrote a paper tant to Alaskans’ way of life. He has SARY OF THE PORT OF STOCK- in a constitutional law course entitled, worked tirelessly for the benefit of TON ‘‘What Rights to Land Have the Alaska Alaska and all Alaskans. While he ∑ Natives: The Primary Issue.’’ The clearly has earned his retirement, Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my paper covered the background of public Alaskans know that Willie will stay in- colleagues to join me in celebrating land issues in Alaska and forcefully volved in issues that are vital for the the 75th anniversary of the Port of made the case for Alaska Native claims economic betterment of his native Stockton, the second busiest inland to aboriginal lands, that coming 7 State. I and I am sure Senator STEVENS port on the west coast. years after Alaska had won statehood. can’t thank him enough for all of his During the Gold Rush, the city of The paper, which laid out steps Alaska efforts, his wisdom and wise counsel Stockton was an important seaport be- Natives should take to win their land and his dedication to making Alaska a cause it was the farthest point upriver claims, became an important underpin- better place. ships could travel. In the early 20th ning of the Alaska Native rights move- Mr. STEVENS. I too wish him well century, Stockton became a vital hub ment that culminated in passage of the and know that all Members of the Sen- for farm equipment that transformed Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ate join us and all Alaskans in wishing the San Joaquin Valley from a pri- in 1971. The Act provided Alaska Na- him the very best in all his future en- marily wheat-growing region to the tives with 44 million acres of Alaska deavors. Nation’s most diverse and productive agricultural region. and nearly $1 billion in funds and ce- f mented Mr. Hensley’s reputation as When it became apparent that the one of the most capable young Native TRIBUTE TO FAYE MANGER San Joaquin River was too shallow to leaders of Alaska. Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. President, I accommodate the increasingly large Mr. STEVENS. As Senator MUR- come to the floor today to celebrate ships that supplied the region’s grow- KOWSKI knows, while Mr. Hensley en- the 85th birthday of a truly extraor- ing demand for farm equipment, the tered the Alaska Legislature in 1967, he dinary woman, my Aunt Faye. first dredging contracts for the Stock- also was a founder of the NANA Re- Throughout her life, Faye Manger ton Deep Water Channel were awarded gional Corporation, one of the 13 Alas- has been committed to philanthropy in 1930. The port of Stockton officially ka Native regional corporations formed and community service. She estab- opened in 1933. by the 1971 Native Claims Act. He lished deep roots in Stamford, CT, Today, the Port of Stockton proc- served as a director of the corporation where she and her late husband; my esses more than 6 million tons of cargo for the first 20 years during its forma- Uncle Ben, a successful business entre- annually. The port trades with more tive period, and ended his career at preneur, established the B.L. Manger than 55 countries, from Canada to New NANA as president. While at NANA, he Foundation. The foundation, which Zealand, and from Thailand to Trini- directed its involvement in the oilfield Faye has continued since Ben’s un- dad. It supports over 4,500 jobs in the service industry, most notably in envi- timely death in 1995, has supported nu- region, accounting for more than $170 ronmental services and drilling ven- merous Jewish charitable, educational, million in annual income. tures. He also was a guiding force in and cultural causes. It has also donated In recent years, the Port of Stockton NANA’s development of the Red Dog money to advance medical research. has made a commitment to implement lead and zinc mine—the world’s largest In addition to her work with the a program for environmentally friendly lead and zinc mine. While at NANA he foundation, Faye is involved in syna- port operations. Through its Delta En- also was a founder of the nonprofit gogue and community activities in vironmental Enhancement Program, Manillaq Corp., the regional nonprofit Stamford. She has received numerous the port has planted the seeds for sus- corporation that represented the tribes awards and honors for her commitment tained, long-term changes that will in northwest Alaska and that has been to charities throughout the United help protect the air, water, soil, and the leader in improving health care and States and Israel. During World War II, wildlife that are part of the precious social services for 11 villages in an area Faye served her country in the Wom- Delta waterways. nearly the size of the State of West en’s Army Corps at Fort Monmouth, The success of the Port of Stockton Virginia. NJ. is made possible by the dedication of While at NANA, Mr. Hensley also Aside from all of her great works, scores of hard-working people who served in the formation of the Alaska Faye is a loving mother, grandmother work together to make sure that its Federation of Natives, the umbrella or- and aunt. Faye’s and Ben’s humani- operations go smoothly. Every person ganization that represents the hopes tarian spirit can be seen in their four who has lent a helping hand over the and aspirations of all Native Alaskans, children—Joyce, Marc, Renee, and Ste- years can take great pride in knowing and served as the AFN’s executive di- ven. All four have taken an active role that their support and hard work has rector, president and cochairman. In in charitable activities. In fact, on No- resulted in the continued growth and 1979, partially for his pioneering work vember 28, Faye and her children were success of the Port of Stockton. in Native rights, he was named as one honored by the American Committee I congratulate the Port of Stockton of the young leaders of America by for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Je- on its 75th anniversary and wish its

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S443 staff and supporters a bright future and doubtedly welcome Coach Pelini at Me- Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- continued success.∑ morial Stadium with an NCAA-record nounced that the House has passed the f 290th consecutive sellout for his first following bill, in which it requests the home game on August 30, 2008. Husker concurrence of the Senate: TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR PRATT fans’ optimism has been renewed with H.R. 5104. An act to extend the Protect ∑ Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, today I the hiring of Coach Pelini, who we hope America Act of 2007 for 15 days. honor the memory of Arthur Pratt, a will build our program back to its f friend and distinguished Hoosier who glory days, which were marked not dedicated his life to helping the less only by athletic success on the field, MEASURES REFERRED fortunate among us. While I am sad- but also academic success in the class- The following bills were read the first dened by Arthur passing, I continue to room. and the second times by unanimous be inspired by his legacy of selfless I joined many of my fellow consent, and referred as indicated: service. Cornhusker fans on January 7, 2008, in H.R. 3913. An act to amend the Inter- Among his many remarkable endeav- celebrating the 38–24 victory of Lou- national Center Act to authorize the lease or ors, Arthur will be remembered by isiana State University, LSU, over sublease of certain property described in many in the Indianapolis community Ohio State University in the Bowl such Act to an entity other than a foreign government or international organization if for the work that he did counseling in- Championship Series National Cham- pionship Game. Our partisanship was certain conditions are met; to the Com- mates as they worked to address addic- mittee on Foreign Relations. tion to alcohol and drugs. The program directed more at LSU’s then-defensive H.R. 4240. An act to designate the facility that Arthur created to facilitate these coordinator, Bo Pelini, than it was for of the United States Postal Service located efforts, Life Effectiveness Training, the team itself. Although Coach Pelini at 10799 West Alameda Avenue in Lakewood, has worked in the Marion County Jail had already been hired as Nebraska’s Colorado, as the ‘‘Felix Sparks Post Office for more than 35 years and has since new head coach, he honorably chose to Building’’; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. expanded to other counties across Indi- finish his commitment at LSU. Coach Pelini and the Tigers came ana. f through as champions, further encour- On July 14, 2001, I joined Arthur at MEASURES READ THE FIRST TIME aging Nebraska fans everywhere that Christ Church Cathedral to celebrate the Big Red can return to national The following bill was read the first his important leadership of the Life Ef- prominence under our new leader. We time: fectiveness Training program. Joining look forward enthusiastically to the H.R. 5140. An act to provide economic stim- Arthur were community leaders who annual Red/White Spring Game and the ulus through recovery rebates to individuals, had witnessed the success of Arthur’s start of the fall collegiate football sea- incentives for business investment, and an leadership, including members of the son. On behalf of my fellow Huskers, I increase in conforming and FHA loan limits. religious community and law enforce- welcome Coach Bo Pelini with a re- f ment and government officials. sounding, ‘‘Go Big Red!’’ or perhaps, EXECUTIVE AND OTHER It was my great honor to work close- even more appropriately, ‘‘Bo Big COMMUNICATIONS ly with Arthur to pass the Jail Based Red!’’∑ Substance Abuse Treatment Act as The following communications were f part of the 21st Century Department of laid before the Senate, together with Justice Appropriations Authorization MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE accompanying papers, reports, and doc- Act in 2002. This legislation makes At 2:18 p.m., a message from the uments, and were referred as indicated: available additional resources to pro- House of Representatives, delivered by EC–4804. A communication from the Prin- grams like Life Effectiveness Training Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, cipal Deputy, Office of the Under Secretary as they work with inmates to address announced that the House has passed of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), trans- mitting, pursuant to law, the Department’s their substance abuse issues. Not only the following bills, in which it requests Annual Category Rating Report for calendar has this approach reduced recidivism the concurrence of the Senate: year 2006; to the Committee on Armed Serv- by up to 64 percent, but it has given H.R. 3913. An act to amend the Inter- ices. countless Hoosiers a new opportunity national Center Act to authorize the lease or EC–4805. A communication from the Direc- to turn away from crime and commit sublease of certain property described in tor, Defense Procurement and Acquisition themselves to becoming productive, such Act to an entity other than a foreign Policy, Department of Defense, transmit- government or international organization if ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- law-abiding members of the commu- certain conditions are met. nity. titled ‘‘Research and Development Contract H.R. 4140. An act to designate the Port An- Type Determination’’ (DFARS Case 2006– While I know that this is a difficult geles Federal Building in Port Angeles, D053) received on January 24, 2008; to the time for Arthur’s family and many Washington, as the ‘‘Richard B. Anderson Committee on Armed Services. friends, my thoughts are with his wife Federal Building’’. EC–4806. A communication from the Assist- Amal and their children and grand- H.R. 4240. An act to designate the facility ant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and children as they remember and cele- of the United States Postal Service located Environment), transmitting, pursuant to at 10799 West Alameda Avenue in Lakewood, law, a report relative to the results of a pub- brate his life of service and leader- Colorado, as the ‘‘Felix Sparks Post Office ship.∑ lic-private competition at the Fleet Readi- Building’’. ness Center; to the Committee on Armed f The message also announced that the Services. IN RECOGNITION OF BO PELINI House has passed the following bill, EC–4807. A communication from the Under without amendment: Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Tech- ∑ Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. Presi- S. 2110. An act to designate the facility of nology and Logistics), transmitting, pursu- dent, with the Senate having recon- the United States Postal Service located at ant to law, a report relative to the purchases vened after the recess, I start the new 427 North Street in Taft, California, as the made by the Department from foreign enti- year by rising to recognize Bo Pelini, ‘‘Larry S. Pierce Post Office’’. ties; to the Committee on Armed Services. the new head coach of the University of EC–4808. A communication from the Under At 3:53 p.m., a message from the Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Tech- Nebraska Cornhuskers’ football team. nology and Logistics), transmitting, pursu- The University of Nebraska at Lin- House of Representatives, delivered by Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, ant to law, a report relative to space-avail- coln, my alma mater, has a proud and able transportation; to the Committee on distinguished record in National Colle- announced that the House has passed Armed Services. giate Athletic Association, NCAA, the following bill, in which it requests EC–4809. A communication from the Assist- football, including 5 National Cham- the concurrence of the Senate: ant Secretary for Export Administration, pionships, 3 Heisman Trophies, 8 H.R. 5140. An act to provide economic stim- Bureau of Industry and Security, Depart- Outland Trophies, 93 Academic All- ulus through recovery rebates to individuals, ment of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant incentives for business investment, and an to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Revi- Americans, and other impressive increase in conforming and FHA loan limits. sions and Technical Corrections to the Ex- records and awards. port Administration Regulations and the De- Nebraskans statewide are united be- At 4:31 p.m., a message from the fense Priorities and Allocations System Reg- hind their Cornhuskers and will un- House of Representatives, delivered by ulation’’ (RIN0694–AE15) received on January

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S444 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 24, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- on January 24, 2008; to the Committee on En- EC–4831. A communication from the Pro- ing, and Urban Affairs. vironment and Public Works. gram Manager, Centers for Disease Control EC–4810. A communication from the Chief EC–4821. A communication from the Direc- and Prevention, Department of Health and Counsel, Federal Emergency Management tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to Agency, Department of Homeland Security, ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Interstate transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled Shipment of Etiologic Agents’’ (RIN0920– a rule entitled ‘‘Final Flood Elevation Deter- ‘‘State Operating Permit Programs; Ohio; AA19) received on January 24, 2008; to the minations; Correction’’ (44 CFR Part 67) re- Revisions to the Acid Rain Regulations’’ Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and ceived on January 24, 2008; to the Committee (FRL No. 8521–3) received on January 24, 2008; Pensions. on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. to the Committee on Environment and Pub- EC–4832. A communication from the White EC–4811. A communication from the Sec- lic Works. House Liaison, Department of Health and retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- EC–4822. A communication from the Direc- Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to ant to law, a six-month periodic report on tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- law, the report of a nomination and dis- the national emergency that was declared in ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, continuation of service in an acting role for Executive Order 13348 with respect to the pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled the position of Director of the Indian Health former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor; to ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Service, received on January 24, 2008; to the the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Implementation Plans; Connecticut; State Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Urban Affairs. Implementation Plan Revision to Implement Pensions. EC–4812. A communication from the Chief the Clean Air Interstate Rule’’ (FRL No. EC–4833. A communication from the Direc- Counsel, Federal Emergency Management 8517–4) received on January 24, 2008; to the tor, National Science Foundation, transmit- Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Committee on Environment and Public ting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the Foundation’s competitive sourcing ef- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Works. forts during fiscal year 2007; to the Com- a rule entitled ‘‘Final Flood Elevation Deter- EC–4823. A communication from the Direc- mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and minations’’ (72 FR 73656) received on January tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, Pensions. 24, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- EC–4834. A communication from the Attor- ing, and Urban Affairs. pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality ney, Office of Assistant General Counsel for EC–4813. A communication from the Chief Legislation and Regulatory Law, Depart- Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Implementation Plans; Maine; Ozone Main- tenance Plan’’ (FRL No. 8522–1) received on ment of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to Agency, Department of Homeland Security, law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Workplace transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of January 24, 2008; to the Committee on Envi- ronment and Public Works. Substance Abuse Program at DOE Sites’’ a rule entitled ‘‘Final Flood Elevation Deter- (RIN1992–AA38) received on January 24, 2008; minations’’ (72 FR 73653) received on January EC–4824. A communication from the Direc- tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- to the Committee on Health, Education, 24, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, Labor, and Pensions. ing, and Urban Affairs. pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled EC–4835. A communication from the Direc- EC–4814. A communication from the Sec- tor of Regulations, Veterans Benefits Admin- retary, Division of Corporation Finance, Se- ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Michigan; Oxides of istration, Department of Veterans Affairs, curities and Exchange Commission, trans- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule Nitrogen Regulations, Phase II’’ (FRL No. 8519–4) received on January 24, 2008; to the a rule entitled ‘‘Veterans Education: Incor- entitled ‘‘Electronic Shareholder Forums’’ Committee on Environment and Public poration of Miscellaneous Statutory Provi- (RIN3235–AJ92) received on January 24, 2008; sions’’ (RIN2900–AL28) received on January Works. to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and EC–4825. A communication from the Chief 24, 2008; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- Urban Affairs. of the Publications and Regulations Branch, fairs. EC–4815. A communication from the Sec- EC–4836. A communication from the Dep- Internal Revenue Service, Department of the retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- uty General Counsel and Designated Report- Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the ant to law, a six-month periodic report on ing Official, Office of National Drug Control report of a rule entitled ‘‘Applicable Federal Policy, Executive Office of the President, the national emergency declared in Execu- Rates—February 2008’’ (Rev. Rul. 2008–9) re- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of tive Order 13396 with respect to Cote d’Ivoire; ceived on January 24, 2008; to the Committee action on a nomination for the position of to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and on Finance. Deputy Director of National Drug Control Urban Affairs. EC–4826. A communication from the Chief Policy, received on January 24, 2008; to the EC–4816. A communication from the Assist- of the Publications and Regulations Branch, ant Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting, Committee on the Judiciary. Internal Revenue Service, Department of the EC–4837. A communication from the Acting pursuant to law, a report relative to the De- Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the partment’s competitive sourcing efforts dur- Director, Trade and Development Agency, report of a rule entitled ‘‘Intermediary transmitting, pursuant to law, the Agency’s ing fiscal year 2007; to the Committee on Transaction Tax Shelter’’ (Notice 2008–20) re- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Annual Report for fiscal year 2007; to the ceived on January 24, 2008; to the Committee Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- EC–4817. A communication from the Dep- on Finance. uty Assistant General Counsel, Pipeline and ernmental Affairs. EC–4827. A communication from the Chief EC–4838. A communication from the Com- Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Department of Transportation, transmitting, missioner, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the transmitting, pursuant to law, the Semi- pursuant to law, the report of action on a Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the annual Report of the Administration’s In- nomination for the position of Adminis- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Application of Sec- spector General for the period of April 1, trator, received on January 24, 2008; to the tion 338 to Insurance Companies’’ ((RIN1545– 2007, through September 30, 2007; to the Com- Committee on Commerce, Science, and BF02) (TD9377)) received on January 24, 2008; mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- Transportation. to the Committee on Finance. mental Affairs. EC–4818. A communication from the Liai- EC–4828. A communication from the Regu- EC–4839. A communication from the Direc- son, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, lations Officer, Social Security Administra- tor, Office of Personnel Management, trans- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- mitting, pursuant to law, the annual report a rule entitled ‘‘Mandatory Reliability port of a rule entitled ‘‘Suspension of New of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council Standards for Critical Infrastructure Protec- Claims to the Federal Reviewing Official for fiscal year 2007; to the Committee on tion’’ (Docket No. RM06–22–000) received on Level’’ (RIN0960-AG53) received on January Homeland Security and Governmental Af- January 24, 2008; to the Committee on En- 24, 2008; to the Committee on Finance. fairs. ergy and Natural Resources. EC–4829. A communication from the Assist- EC–4840. A communication from the Direc- EC–4819. A communication from the Direc- ant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, tor, Office of Management and Budget, Exec- tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- Department of State, transmitting, pursuant utive Office of the President, transmitting, ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Visas: pursuant to law, a report relative to pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the unvouchered expenditures; to the Committee ‘‘National Emission Standards for Hazardous Immigration and Nationality Act’’ (22 CFR on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Air Pollutants for Iron and Steel Foundries’’ Par 41) received on January 24, 2008; to the fairs. ((RIN2060–AM85)(FRL No. 8522–4)) received on Committee on Foreign Relations. EC–4841. A communication from the Sec- January 24, 2008; to the Committee on Envi- EC–4830. A communication from the Assist- retary of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant ronment and Public Works. ant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, to law, the Semiannual Report of the De- EC–4820. A communication from the Direc- Department of State, transmitting, pursuant partment’s Inspector General for the period tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- to law, the certification of a proposed manu- of April 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007; ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, facturing license agreement for the export of to the Committee on Homeland Security and pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled defense articles to Colombia to support the Governmental Affairs. ‘‘Massachusetts: Final Authorization of manufacture of the SP2022 SigPro semi-auto- EC–4842. A communication from the Sec- State Hazardous Waste Management Pro- matic pistol; to the Committee on Foreign retary, American Battle Monuments Com- gram Revisions’’ (FRL No. 8521–8) received Relations. mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the

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Commission’s annual report for fiscal year preleasing, leasing, and related activities in S. 507 2007; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea Planning At the request of Mr. CONRAD, the rity and Governmental Affairs. Areas unless certain conditions are met; to name of the Senator from Maryland EC–4843. A communication from the In- the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- (Ms. MIKULSKI) was added as a cospon- spector General, Railroad Retirement Board, sources. transmitting, pursuant to law, a Semiannual By Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mrs. DOLE, sor of S. 507, a bill to amend title XVIII Report relative to the Board’s activities and Mr. TESTER, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. of the Social Security Act to provide accomplishments during the period of April WYDEN, Ms. CANTWELL, Ms. for reimbursement of certified midwife 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007; to the STABENOW, and Mr. OBAMA): services and to provide for more equi- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- S. 2569. A bill to amend the Public Health table reimbursement rates for certified ernmental Affairs. Service Act to authorize the Director of the nurse-midwife services. EC–4844. A communication from the Presi- National Cancer Institute to make grants for S. 582 dent, James Madison Memorial Fellowship the discovery and validation of biomarkers Foundation, transmitting, pursuant to law, for use in risk stratification for, and the At the request of Mr. SMITH, the the Foundation’s annual report; to the Com- early detection and screening of, ovarian name of the Senator from Kentucky mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- cancer; to the Committee on Health, Edu- (Mr. BUNNING) was added as a cosponsor mental Affairs. cation, Labor, and Pensions. of S. 582, a bill to amend the Internal EC–4845. A communication from the Execu- By Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Revenue Code of 1986 to classify auto- tive Director, Consumer Product Safety Mr. STEVENS): matic fire sprinkler systems as 5-year S. 2570. A bill to amend title II of the So- Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, property for purposes of depreciation. a report relative to the Commission’s com- cial Security Act to authorize waivers by the petitive sourcing efforts during fiscal year Commissioner of Social Security of the 5- S. 911 2007; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- month waiting period for entitlement to ben- At the request of Mr. REED, the rity and Governmental Affairs. efits based on disability in cases in which the names of the Senator from Nebraska EC–4846. A communication from the Direc- Commissioner determines that such waiting (Mr. NELSON), the Senator from North period would cause undue hardship to termi- tor, National Gallery of Art, transmitting, Carolina (Mrs. DOLE) and the Senator pursuant to law, an annual report relative to nally ill beneficiaries; to the Committee on from Kansas (Mr. BROWNBACK) were the Gallery’s competitive sourcing efforts Finance. during fiscal year 2007; to the Committee on By Mr. HARKIN (for himself and Mr. added as cosponsors of S. 911, a bill to Homeland Security and Governmental Af- CHAMBLISS): amend the Public Health Service Act fairs. S. 2571. A bill to make technical correc- to advance medical research and treat- EC–4847. A communication from the Acting tions to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, ments into pediatric cancers, ensure Secretary, Smithsonian Institution, trans- and Rodenticide Act; considered and passed. patients and families have access to mitting, pursuant to law, an annual report f the current treatments and informa- relative to the Institution’s competitive SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND tion regarding pediatric cancers, estab- sourcing efforts during fiscal year 2007; to lish a population-based national child- the Committee on Homeland Security and SENATE RESOLUTIONS Governmental Affairs. hood cancer database, and promote The following concurrent resolutions public awareness of pediatric cancers. f and Senate resolutions were read, and S. 958 referred (or acted upon), as indicated: INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND At the request of Mr. SESSIONS, the By Mr. STEVENS (for himself and Ms. JOINT RESOLUTIONS name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. MURKOWSKI): The following bills and joint resolu- S. Res. 433. A resolution honoring the ROBERTS) was added as a cosponsor of tions were introduced, read the first brave men and women of the United States S. 958, a bill to establish an adolescent and second times by unanimous con- Coast Guard whose tireless work, dedication, literacy program. sent, and referred as indicated: and selfless service to the United States have S. 1018 led to more than 1 million lives saved over By Mr. LUGAR: At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the the course of its long and storied 217-year S. 2562. A bill to authorize the extension of history; considered and agreed to. name of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade By Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. BAU- BAYH) was added as a cosponsor of S. relations treatment) to the products of CUS, Mr. KERRY, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. 1018, a bill to address security risks Kazakhstan; to the Committee on Finance. GRASSLEY, Mr. SPECTER, Mr. CORNYN, posed by global climate change and for By Mr. LUGAR: Mr. DOMENICI, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. S. 2563. A bill to authorize the extension of other purposes. SALAZAR, Mr. CASEY, and Mr. LAU- nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade S. 1177 TENBERG): relations treatment) to the products of Azer- S. Res. 434. A resolution designating the At the request of Mr. CARPER, the baijan; to the Committee on Finance. week of February 10-16, 2008, as ‘‘National name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. By Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself and Drug Prevention and Education Week’’; to WYDEN) was added as a cosponsor of S. Ms. COLLINS): the Committee on the Judiciary. 1177, a bill to amend the Clean Air Act S. 2564. A bill to make certain reforms with By Mr. VITTER (for himself and Ms. respect to the Government Accountability to establish a national uniform mul- LANDRIEU): Office, and for other purposes; to the Com- tiple air pollutant regulatory program S. Res. 435. A resolution recognizing the mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- for the electric generating sector. goals of Catholic Schools Week and honoring mental Affairs. the valuable contributions of Catholic S. 1794 By Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. schools in the United States; considered and At the request of Mr. BAYH, the name SUNUNU, and Mr. SPECTER): agreed to. of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. S. 2565. A bill to establish an awards mech- By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself and Mr. anism to honor exceptional acts of bravery LIEBERMAN) was added as a cosponsor SMITH): in the line of duty by Federal law enforce- of S. 1794, a bill to amend the Federal S. Res. 436. A resolution designating the ment officers; to the Committee on the Judi- Direct Loan Program to provide that week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, ciary. as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’; con- interest shall not accrue on Federal Di- By Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mr. sidered and agreed to. rect Loans for active duty service GREGG, Mr. ALLARD, Mr. CHAMBLISS, members and their spouses. and Mr. CRAIG): f S. 1991 S. 2566. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS enue Code of 1986 to provide a Federal in- At the request of Mr. BUNNING, the come tax credit for certain home purchases; S. 22 name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. to the Committee on Finance. At the request of Mr. WEBB, the name VOINOVICH) was added as a cosponsor of By Mr. BURR: of the Senator from Arkansas (Mrs. S. 1991, a bill to authorize the Sec- S. 2567. A bill to provide Federal reim- LINCOLN) was added as a cosponsor of S. retary of the Interior to conduct a bursement to State and local governments 22, a bill to amend title 38, United study to determine the suitability and for a limited sales, use, and retailers’ occu- States Code, to establish a program of feasibility of extending the Lewis and pation tax holiday; to the Committee on Fi- nance. educational assistance for members of Clark National Historic Trail to in- By Mr. KERRY: the Armed Forces who serve in the clude additional sites associated with S. 2568. A bill to amend the Outer Conti- Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, the preparation and return phases of nental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit and for other purposes. the expedition, and for other purposes.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S446 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 S. 2063 S. 2555 S. 2562. A bill to authorize the exten- At the request of Mr. GREGG, the At the request of Mrs. BOXER, the sion of nondiscriminatory treatment names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. name of the Senator from Delaware (normal trade relations treatment) to CRAIG) and the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. BIDEN) was added as a cosponsor of the products of Kazakhstan; to the (Mr. COLEMAN) were added as cospon- S. 2555, a bill to permit California and Committee on Finance. sors of S. 2063, a bill to establish a Bi- other States to effectively control Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise partisan Task Force for Responsible greenhouse gas emissions from motor today to introduce legislation designed Fiscal Action, to assure the economic vehicles, and for other purposes. to extend permanent normal trade re- security of the United States, and to S. RES. 252 lations to Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is expand future prosperity and growth At the request of Mr. BOND, the name still subject to the provisions of the for all Americans. of the Senator from Nebraska (Mr. Jackson-Vanik amendment to the S. 2115 HAGEL) was added as a cosponsor of S. Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions na- At the request of Mr. CARDIN, the Res. 252, a resolution recognizing the tions for failure to comply with free- name of the Senator from New York increasingly mutually beneficial rela- dom of emigration requirements. This (Mr. SCHUMER) was added as a cospon- tionship between the United States of bill would repeal permanently the ap- sor of S. 2115, a bill to amend title America and the Republic of Indonesia. plication of Jackson-Vanik to XVIII of the Social Security Act to ex- S. RES. 429 Kazakhstan. tend for 6 months the eligibility period At the request of Mrs. DOLE, the In the post-Cold-War era, Kazakhstan for the ‘‘Welcome to Medicare’’ phys- name of the Senator from Connecticut has demonstrated a commitment to ical examination and to provide for the (Mr. DODD) was added as a cosponsor of meet these requirements, and in addi- coverage and waiver of cost-sharing for S. Res. 429, a resolution honoring the tion, has expressed a strong desire to preventive services under the Medicare brave men and women of the United abide by free market principles and program. States Coast Guard whose tireless good governance. Since 1992, S. 2146 work, dedication, and commitment to Kazakhstan has been certified annually At the request of Mr. CARPER, the protecting the United States have led as meeting the Jackson-Vanik require- name of the Senator from Oklahoma to the confiscation of over 350,000 ments. This legislation would make (Mr. INHOFE) was added as a cosponsor pounds of cocaine at sea during 2007. this trade relationship permanent and, of S. 2146, a bill to authorize the Ad- S. RES. 431 in so doing, stimulate further market ministrator of the Environmental Pro- At the request of Mr. FEINGOLD, the reforms and encourage a commitment tection Agency to accept, as part of a names of the Senator from Michigan to safeguarding individual liberties. settlement, diesel emission reduction (Ms. STABENOW) and the Senator from Supplemental Environmental Projects, Minnesota (Ms. KLOBUCHAR) were added The U.S. has a long record of co- and for other purposes. as cosponsors of S. Res. 431, a resolu- operation with Kazakhstan through the S. 2366 tion calling for a peaceful resolution to Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduc- At the request of Mr. VITTER, the the current electoral crisis in Kenya. tion. Kazakhstan inherited the fourth largest nuclear arsenal in the world name of the Senator from North Caro- S. RES. 432 with the fall of the Soviet Union. lina (Mr. BURR) was added as a cospon- At the request of Mr. BIDEN, the Through the Nunn-Lugar Program the sor of S. 2366, a bill to provide immi- names of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. United States has assisted Kazakhstan gration reform by securing America’s BROWNBACK), the Senator from Michi- in eliminating this deadly arsenal and borders, clarifying and enforcing exist- gan (Mr. LEVIN) and the Senator from joining the Nonproliferation Treaty as ing laws, and enabling a practical Wisconsin (Mr. FEINGOLD) were added a nonnuclear state. verification program. as cosponsors of S. Res. 432, a resolu- S. 2396 tion urging the international commu- Earlier this month, a team of Amer- At the request of Mr. HATCH, the nity to provide the United Nations-Af- ican scientists working under the name of the Senator from Minnesota rican Union Mission in Sudan with es- Nunn-Lugar Program quietly entered (Mr. COLEMAN) was added as a cospon- sential tactical and utility helicopters. Kazakhstan in sub-zero temperatures sor of S. 2396, a bill to amend title XI AMENDMENT NO. 3900 to begin the careful packaging of bu- of the Social Security Act to mod- At the request of Mr. SANDERS, the bonic and pneumonic plague samples in ernize the quality improvement organi- names of the Senator from Michigan accordance with international safety zation (QIO) program. (Ms. STABENOW), the Senator from New standards for the transport of dan- S. 2405 York (Mr. SCHUMER), the Senator from gerous biological materials. I am At the request of Mr. SANDERS, the Oregon (Mr. SMITH), the Senator from pleased to inform my Senate col- name of the Senator from Florida (Mr. Minnesota (Mr. COLEMAN), the Senator leagues that the samples have been NELSON) was added as a cosponsor of S. from Minnesota (Ms. KLOBUCHAR), the safely transported on a U.S. Air Force 2405, a bill to provide additional appro- Senator from New Jersey (Mr. LAUTEN- C–17 cargo plane to the U.S. Centers for priations for payments under section BERG), the Senator from Arkansas Disease Control and Prevention in Fort 2604(e) of the Low-Income Home En- (Mrs. LINCOLN) and the Senator from Collins, Colorado. It marked the suc- ergy Assistance Act of 1981. Washington (Mrs. MURRAY) were added cessful completion of a 5-year negotia- S. 2439 as cosponsors of amendment No. 3900 tion to secure, transport and develop a At the request of Mr. MENENDEZ, the proposed to S. 1200, a bill to amend the research program for the pathogens. name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Indian Health Care Improvement Act Cooperative research by American DURBIN) was added as a cosponsor of S. to revise and extend the Act. and Kazakhstani scientists will develop 2439, a bill to require the National Inci- AMENDMENT NO. 3919 prevention and cure possibilities for dent Based Reporting System, the Uni- At the request of Mrs. FEINSTEIN, the this deadly plague. It provides new form Crime Reporting Program, and name of the Senator from Colorado hope for places where the disease is the Law Enforcement National Data (Mr. SALAZAR) was added as a cospon- naturally occurring and helps deter the Exchange Program to list cruelty to sor of amendment No. 3919 intended to plague’s use as a bio-terror weapon. As animals as a separate offense category. be proposed to S. 2248, an original bill many may know, Plague is a highly le- S. 2543 to amend the Foreign Intelligence Sur- thal disease spread from rodents to hu- At the request of Mr. ENSIGN, the veillance Act of 1978, to modernize and mans by fleas. It caused the Black name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. streamline the provisions of that Act, Death which swept across Europe in SMITH) was added as a cosponsor of S. and for other purposes. the 14th century. It is estimated that 2543, a bill to amend title 18, United f 20–30 million Europeans died—perhaps States Code, to prohibit taking minors as much as half of the continent’s pop- across State lines in circumvention of STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED ulation at the time. An estimated 75 laws requiring the involvement of par- BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS million people worldwide died from the ents in abortion decisions. By Mr. LUGAR: Black Plague.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S447 Kazakhstani and American plague By Mr. LUGAR: baijan’s energy infrastructure with experts will conduct joint research on S. 2563. A bill to authorize the exten- Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. I en- the samples at Federal labs in Fort sion of nondiscriminatory treatment couraged continued progress on rap- Collins, CO. They will develop ad- (normal trade relations treatment) to prochement between Governments in vanced diagnostics and treatments for the products of Azerbaijan; to the Com- Baku and Ashgabat. I heard encour- plague. This cooperative public health mittee on Finance. aging statements toward improved re- research funded through the U.S. De- Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise lations and cooperation on energy in partment Health and Human Services today to introduce legislation designed both Ashgabat and Baku. It is clear Biotechnology Engagement Program to extend permanent normal trade re- that there is willingness for progress. will yield valuable scientific insights lations to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is Integrating some oil and gas produc- into a potentially devastating disease, still subject to the provisions of the tion in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan which is endemic throughout Central Jackson-Vanik amendment to the would diversify export routes for those Asia. The aim of such cooperation is to Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions na- countries and import sources for Euro- improve the protection of Kazakhstani tions for failure to comply with free- pean nations. Successful integration of and global populations against a natu- dom of emigration requirements. This such trans-Caspian transport routes is rally occurring disease that could also bill would repeal permanently the ap- a vital contribution to international be exploited by terrorists. plication of Jackson-Vanik to Azer- peace and security. In some countries U.S. strategic and economic interests baijan. oil and gas revenues are a curse, lead- intersect in Central Asia. With Russia In the post-Cold-War era, Azerbaijan ing to corruption and conflict. Two to the north and Iran and Afghanistan allows its citizens the right and oppor- years ago President Aliyev pledged to to the south, energy-rich Central Asia tunity to emigrate and has dem- me that Azerbaijan would follow the is at the frontline of American na- onstrated a commitment to meet these Norway model in managing its oil and tional security priorities. We have tre- requirements. In addition, Azerbaijan gas revenues. As reflected by the State mendous opportunities in the region, has expressed a strong desire to abide Oil Fund of Azerbaijan’s receipt in 2007 but it will take time and consistent by free market principles and good gov- of the United Nations Public Service high-level effort to build constructive ernance. Since 1992, Azerbaijan has relationships. This region needs to Award, it is now on a path of trans- been certified annually as meeting the parency and is investing for develop- have a much higher priority on Amer- Jackson-Vanik requirements. This leg- ica’s foreign policy agenda. In ment today and for future generations. islation would make this trade rela- I am hopeful that progress in Azer- Kazakhstan, we have a record of 15 tionship permanent and, in doing so, years of collaboration on weapons de- baijan will continue and other emerg- stimulate further market reforms and struction through the Nunn-Lugar pro- ing countries learn from Azerbaijan’s encourage its continued commitment gram. This is a solid foundation on example. to safeguarding individual liberties. which to continue building our rela- One of the areas where we can deepen The U.S. has a long record of co- U.S.-Azerbaijan relations is bilateral tionship. operation with Azerbaijan through the I recently traveled to Kazakhstan trade. In light of its adherence to free- Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduc- and met with senior government offi- dom of emigration requirements, com- tion. Through the Nunn-Lugar Pro- cials and discussed opportunities for pliance with threat reduction and un- gram the U.S. has assisted Azerbaijan expanding cooperation with the United wavering cooperation in the production in safely securing dangerous stockpiles States, including energy security. In and delivery of energy supplies, the my conversations with Kazakh leaders of deadly pathogens and infectious dis- products of Azerbaijan should not be I encouraged the government to pursue eases and improving its ability to subject to the sanctions of Jackson- trans-Caspian transportation options interdict weapons and materials of Vanik. The U.S. must remain com- for oil and gas. At the current time, mass destruction. In 2005 the Nunn- mitted and engaged in assisting Azer- Kazakhstan relies almost exclusively Lugar Program in close coordination baijan in pursuing democratic and upon Russia to transport oil and gas to with Government of Azerbaijan trans- human rights reforms. The Govern- world markets. In turn, Russia has oc- ported 124 samples of 62 unique strains ment in Baku still has important work casionally demonstrated willingness to of plague, anthrax, cholera, and other to do in these critical areas, including use its control over these supplies for dangerous diseases from Baku to the in the area of media freedom and free- political gain at the expense of our Eu- U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Pathol- dom of assembly. I discussed the ongo- ropean allies. Opening trans-Caspian ogy in Washington, DC. These strains ing democratic reforms with President export routes will dilute Russia’s con- were collected over many years from Aliyev during my visit and was assured trol over energy supplies. Likewise, environmental, human, and animal that they are proceeding. Azerbaijan having multiple export options will re- sources in Azerbaijan. The strains will faces an important Presidential elec- inforce the political independence of be studied in joint research programs tion this October. The support and en- Kazakhstan. I was pleased that Kazakh with the U.S. Department of Defense couragement of the U.S. and the inter- officials indicated a willingness to and Azerbaijan medical researchers. national community will be key to en- work with the U.S. and their neighbors Earlier this month I traveled to Azer- couraging the Government of Azer- on these issues. baijan and met with President Aliyev baijan to hold free and fair elections. There are areas in which Kazakhstan and the First Lady of Azerbaijan. We The permanent waiver of Jackson- needs to continue to improve. These in- had an interesting discussion on the Vanik and establishment of permanent clude market access, democratic and important role Azerbaijan is playing in normal trade relations will be the foun- human rights reforms. The U.S. must energy recovery and transportation. It dation on which further progress in a remain committed to assisting is a tribute to Azerbaijan that they are burgeoning economic and energy part- Kazakhstan in pursuing these reforms. using their energy resources to the nership can be made. The government in Astana still has im- benefit of global security. Building I am hopeful that my colleagues will portant work to do in these critical pipelines and opening energy produc- join me in supporting this important areas. The permanent waiver of Jack- tion to foreign markets requires dif- legislation. It is essential that we act son-Vanik and establishment of perma- ficult foreign policy decisionmaking. promptly to bolster this important re- nent normal trade relations will be the Azerbaijan is located in a tough neigh- lationship and promote stability in foundation on which further progress borhood, and countries there are under this region. in a burgeoning partnership can be tremendous pressure to keep their dis- made. tance from the U.S. I thanked Presi- By Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. I am hopeful that my colleagues will dent Aliyev for taking concrete steps SUNUNU, and Mr. SPECTER): join me in supporting this important to affirm his country’s strategic part- S. 2565. A bill to establish an awards legislation. It is essential that we act nership with the U.S. mechanism to honor exceptional acts promptly to bolster this burgeoning de- I discussed at length with the Presi- of bravery in the line of duty by Fed- mocracy and promote stability and in dent and members of his Government eral law enforcement officers; to the this region. the possibility of connecting Azer- Committee on the Judiciary.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S448 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, the Fed- the list of symptoms women are The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- eral Law Enforcement Congressional warned to look out for are merely ator from Alaska is recognized. Badge of Bravery Act of 2007 estab- whispers about the dangers of this Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I lishes an award to honor exceptional deadly disease. rise this afternoon to discuss legisla- acts of bravery in the line of duty by There is currently no effective tion that I have introduced that will Federal law enforcement officers. This screening test available for ovarian fix an inequity in the Social Security bipartisan bill is cosponsored by Sen- cancer and the disease is difficult to disability insurance system. This in- ators ARLEN SPECTER and JOHN SUNUNU identify because symptoms are easily equity rises from Federal law that and it is supported by the Federal Law misdiagnosed. Without an effective places an arbitrary 5-month waiting Enforcement Officers Association screening test most women who have period on when an individual who has along with other law enforcement ovarian cancer are diagnosed too late been diagnosed with a terminal illness groups. to be saved. is eligible for disability compensation An ‘‘ABC Nightly News’’ series last A woman’s chance of surviving ovar- provided through Social Security bene- November reported that 2007 may turn ian cancer is considerably greater if fits. out to be one of the deadliest years in she is diagnosed early. When ovarian Currently, under title II of the Social history for law enforcement officers. cander is diagnosed early, more than 93 Security Act, Federal law requires a 5- That sour prediction has come to pass. percent of women survive longer than 5 month waiting period from when the The National Law Enforcement Offi- years. Unfortunately, 4 out of 5 ovarian patient is diagnosed until the dis- cers Memorial Fund—which commemo- cancer cases in the U.S. are diagnosed ability benefits begin. Monthly cash rates the service and sacrifice of law in the later stages, when a woman’s benefits, about $980 on average, will be enforcement officers and helps promote chance of surviving that long drops to provided to the disabled individual to law enforcement safety—found that of- about 30 percent. help offset medical or any other ex- ficer deaths were up sharply nation- Though only one in 69 women will penses and will also help diminish the wide last year. There were 194 fatali- face ovarian cancer, this disease ranks financial hardships that are faced by ties—34 percent more than the year be- fifth in cancer deaths among women those workers. fore. and causes more deaths than any other The monthly cash benefits that are Unfortunately, with crime on the rise cancer of the female reproductive sys- available to the individuals can help around the country the increase in fall- tem. In the last year alone, the Na- not only offset the medical or other ex- en officers should be no surprise. The tional Cancer Institute, (NCI), esti- penses, but they can really help to di- FBI’s Uniform Crime Report for 2006— mated there were 15,280 deaths from minish financial hardships that are the gold standard of crime reports in ovarian cancer in the U.S. faced by the workers, by the families, our country—must be taken seriously. Developing the tools to detect ovar- who really may have very little or of- Murders were up 1.9 percent on top of ian cancer early is critical to improv- tentimes no resources to fall back upon the previous year’s increases—these ing the rate of survival for women during the early months of a disability. were the largest increases in 15 years. struck by this disease—that is why this This legislation came about as a re- What’s more, violent crime rose 1.9 per- legislation is so necessary. sult of a telephone call received in my Specifically, the Ovarian Cancer Bio- cent. Anchorage office to the head of my marker Research Act would authorize Clearly, our Federal law enforcement constituent services. She received a NCI to make grants for public or non- officers are doing their jobs in an envi- call from a constituent in Alaska by profit entities to establish research ronment more fraught with danger the name of Robert James. He indi- centers focused on ovarian cancer bio- than ever. Police departments around cated he had been diagnosed in Novem- markers. Biomarkers are biochemical the country are scrambling in an arms ber with stage 4 lung cancer, and he features within the body that can be race to match the firepower of the bad was given, at that time, 3 to 6 months used to measure the progress of a dis- guys. In my view, we should give spe- to live. He called my office asking for ease and predict the effects of treat- cial recognition to those Federal law help. enforcement officers who are going ment. This legislation also authorizes He wanted to know how, as someone above and beyond to protect us in this funding for a national clinical trial who had just been diagnosed with a ter- kind of environment. that will enroll at-risk women in a minal illness, he might be eligible for With this bill Congress can continue study to determine the clinical utility disability compensation provided its support of the brave men and of using these validated ovarian cancer through Social Security benefits. women law enforcement officers who biomarkers. risk their lives every day making sure I urge my colleagues to join me as And so my constituent service direc- our communities are safe. I hope this well as the Society of Gynecologic tor, after listening to his story, went bill will be accepted by the full Senate. Oncologists, the American College of through everything to try to figure out Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the a way to help this individual, only to By Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mrs. Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and learn that the process, the law as it DOLE, Mr. TESTER, Mrs. MUR- the American College of Surgeons in sets out now, provides for a 5-month RAY, Mr. WYDEN, Ms. CANTWELL supporting the Ovarian Cancer Bio- waiting period. Ms. STABENOW, and Mr. OBAMA): marker Research Act of 2008. Although Mr. James has insurance S. 2569. A bill to amend the Public This legislation is of vital impor- coverage through his employer, he is Health Service Act to authorize the Di- tance to the health of thousands of unable to work because of his dis- rector of the National Cancer Institute women across our Nation. I look for- ability. He is going to incur thousands to make grants for the discovery and ward to working with my colleagues to of dollars, probably hundreds of thou- validation of biomarkers for use in risk pass this critical investment in the sands of dollars in medical bills be- stratification for, and the early detec- fight against ovarian cancer. cause of this arbitrary 5-month waiting tion and screening of, ovarian cancer; period. to the Committee on Health, Edu- By Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself If he had only been given the oppor- cation, Labor, and Pensions. and Mr. STEVENS): tunity to demonstrate his case for fi- Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I S. 2570. A bill to amend title II of the nancial hardship to the Social Security am joined by my colleagues Senators Social Security Act to authorize waiv- Commissioner, he and his family may DOLE, TESTER, MURRAY, WYDEN, CANT- ers by the Commissioner of Social Se- have qualified for this cash benefit off- WELL, STABENOW, and OBAMA to intro- curity of the 5-month waiting period set. What my legislation would do is duce the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker for entitlement to benefits based on give the Social Security Commissioner Research Act of 2008—legislation that disability in cases in which the Com- the ability to waive the 5-month wait- supports the research of early detec- missioner determines that such wait- ing period on a case-by-case basis for tion and screening of ovarian cancer ing period would cause undue hardship terminally ill individuals who would For many years, ovarian cancer has to terminally ill beneficiaries; to the have to demonstrate the financial been called the ‘‘silent killer’’ because Committee on Finance. hardship.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S449 In Mr. James’s case, as I indicated, kan history, providing lifesaving medical Whereas the overall rate of current illegal he is employed, works for the cargo de- treatment to native villages along its coasts, drug use among persons aged 12 or older is 8.3 partment of a major airline in Alaska, protecting its fisheries resources, and coura- percent, which has remained stable since but he would have to demonstrate geously rescuing those who face peril on the 2002; seas; Whereas ecstasy (methylenedioxymeth- there is financial hardship as a con- Whereas, in 2007 the men and women of the amphetamine, or MDMA) use among high sequence of this terminal diagnosis. United States Coast Guard stationed in Alas- school age youth has been rising since 2004; It makes you wonder why this 5- ka valiantly responded to 696 calls for assist- Whereas, while methamphetamine use is month period. The capriciousness of a ance and saved the lives of 463 mariners in down among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, 5-month waiting period is evidenced by distress; many counties across the country still re- looking at the legislative history. In Whereas, the actions of Petty Officer Wil- port that methamphetamine is a serious 1972, the House Ways and Means Com- lard L. Milam personify the proud history of drug problem; mittee report sought to reduce the courage and public service of the United Whereas 25 percent of youth in the 10th States Coast Guard on the 10th of February, grade reported the use of marijuana during waiting period from at that time 6 2007, when, on a pitch-black winter morning, the past year; months to 5 months. At the time the Petty Officer Milam launched aboard a Coast Whereas youth who first smoke marijuana Senate Finance Committee was push- Guard HH–65 helicopter in near-zero visi- under the age of 14 are more than 5 times as ing for a shorter period. They were bility to locate the source of a distress signal likely to abuse drugs in adulthood; pushing for a 4-month period. approximately 50 miles southwest in Whereas nearly 6 percent of 12th graders So back in 1972, you had a 6-month Makushin Bay, Alaska; have used over-the-counter cough and cold period. Some wanted it to go to 4 Whereas, Petty Officer Milam bravely de- medications in the past year for the purpose months. Eventually they agreed upon a ployed into storm tossed, 40-degree seas and of getting high; 5-month waiting period. But it begs the swam to a life raft to find four survivors Whereas Vicodin remains one of the most hypothermic and soaked in unprotected commonly abused drugs among 12th graders, question: Should it be 4 months, 5 clothing; with 1 in 10 reporting nonmedical use within months? Should it only be 1 month? Whereas, Petty Officer Milam heroically the past year; My legislation would give the Social overcame exhaustion and hypothermia to Whereas teenagers’ and parents’ lack of Security Commissioner the discretion pull each survivor from a life raft and assist understanding of the potential harms of to waive the waiting period if the ter- them through the raging seas, placing them these powerful medicines makes it even minally ill individual can demonstrate into a rescue basket to be hoisted into the more critical to raise public awareness about a financial hardship. This will alleviate rescue helicopter; the dangers associated with their non-med- the financial burden or help to offset Whereas, Petty Officer Milam’s courageous ical use; the financial burden of a terminal ill- rescue off the coast of Alaska has earned him Whereas the rates of use for any illegal the 2007 Coast Guard Foundation Award for drug are directly related to the perception of ness on the disabled individuals and Heroism and the 2007 Captain Frank harm and social disapproval; their families and will also provide for Erickson Aviation Rescue Award; Whereas more than 20 years of research has a financial offset for paying medical Whereas, through extraordinary team- demonstrated that prevention interventions, bills after he or she is deceased. work, airmanship, and courage, the crew of designed and tested to reduce risk and en- I would ask that in honor of my con- the Coast Guard rescue helicopter saved four hance protective factors, can help children stituent, Mr. JONES, my colleagues sup- lives from the treacherous Bearing Sea: Now, at every step along their developmental port this bill because there are people therefore, be it path, from early childhood into young adult- who become disabled. We know they Resolved, That the Senate— hood; (1) honors the heroic accomplishments of Whereas prevention efforts should be flexi- are unable to work. They need that Petty Officer Willard Milam, who rep- ble enough to address and prevent local prob- monthly support to help offset the resented the finest traditions of the United lems before they become national trends; costs of their terminal illness. States Coast Guard during the dramatic res- Whereas research has demonstrated that For this reason, it is imperative that cue of four survivors from the treacherous there are 4 major targets of prevention: the Social Security Commissioner have Bering Sea; and youth, parents, schools (including colleges that ability on a case-by-case basis to (2) honors the United States Coast Guard, and universities), and communities and so- make a determination for disability America’s lifesavers and guardians of the cial environments that must be reinforced by benefits. Mr. James’s chemotherapy sea, for its unflinching determination and each other to have the greatest effect in de- proud 217-year history of maritime search terring the consequences of drug use; costs, we understand, are about be- and rescue resulting in over 1 million lives Whereas a comprehensive blend of individ- tween $10,000 and $15,000 per monthly saved; and ually and environmentally focused efforts session, and this does not include the (3) recognizes the tireless work, dedication, must be adopted and a variety of strategies other medical bills he is facing. and commitment of Coast Guard men and must be implemented across multiple sectors I ask my colleagues to join me in women, many of them stationed in Alaska, of a community to reduce drug use; supporting this legislation so that Rob- far away from family and friends, who com- Whereas community anti-drug coalitions ert James and Americans like Mr. mit themselves every day to executing this are an essential component of any drug pre- James have the ability to qualify for noble mission hundreds of miles from our vention and education campaign because they are data driven, know their community disability benefits to offset these cost- shores with honor, respect, and devotion to duty. epidemiology, and are capable of under- ly expenses without having to complete standing and implementing the multi-sector f an arbitrary 5-month waiting period. interventions required to reduce the avail- f SENATE RESOLUTION 434—DESIG- ability and use of drugs; NATING THE WEEK OF FEB- Whereas community anti-drug coalitions SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS RUARY 10–16, 2008, AS ‘‘NATIONAL help to change community norms, laws, poli- DRUG PREVENTION AND EDU- cies, regulations, and procedures to create an CATION WEEK’’ environment that discourages the use of SENATE RESOLUTION 433—HON- drugs; ORING THE BRAVE MEN AND Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. BAUCUS, Whereas school-based prevention programs WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. KERRY, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. GRASS- should be part of a comprehensive commu- COAST GUARD WHOSE TIRELESS LEY, Mr. SPECTER, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. nity wide approach to deal with drug use; WORK, DEDICATION, AND SELF- DOMENICI, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. SALAZAR, Whereas the more successful we are at gen- LESS SERVICE TO THE UNITED Mr. CASEY, and Mr. LAUTENBERG) sub- eral prevention of drug use in younger ado- STATES HAVE LED TO MORE mitted the following resolution; which lescents, the less we will have to deal with was referred to the Committee on the the concomitant economic and societal con- THAN 1 MILLION LIVES SAVED sequences of their use; OVER THE COURSE OF ITS LONG Judiciary: Whereas the total economic cost of drug, AND STORIED 217-YEAR HISTORY S. RES. 434 alcohol, and tobacco abuse in the United Mr. STEVENS (for himself and Ms. Whereas recent survey data suggests that States is more than $500,000,000,000; MURKOWSKI) submitted the following illegal drug use among youth has declined by Whereas the savings per dollar spent on resolution; which was considered and 24 percent since 2001; substance abuse prevention rather than on Whereas, despite the reduction in drug use substance abuse treatment are substantial, agreed to: among youth, the number of 8th, 10th, and and can range from $2.00 to $20.00; S. RES. 433 12th graders who use drugs remains too high Whereas there will always be new and Whereas, since 1867 the United States and the rates of prescription and over-the- emerging drug trends that require additional Coast Guard has been a vital piece of Alas- counter drug abuse are alarming; prevention and education efforts;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S450 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 Whereas preventing drug use before it be- cational achievement and increased Research has shown that if you can gins and educating the public about the dan- risk of illegal activity and crime. keep a child drug free until they turn gers of drug use is a critical component of One critical component of stemming 20, chances are very slim that they will what must be a consistent and comprehen- drug use is prevention. Over 20 years of ever try or become addicted to drugs. sive effort to stunt and decrease drug use research has demonstrated that pre- rates throughout the country; and This is why it is essential to maintain Whereas thousands of community anti- vention intervention, designed and a coherent antidrug message that be- drug coalition leaders and community based tested to reduce risk and enhance pro- gins early in adolescence and continues substance abuse prevention, treatment, and tective factors, can help children at throughout the growing years. Such an education specialists come to Washington, every step along their developmental effort must engage professionals, par- D.C. to receive state-of-the-art technical as- path, from early childhood into young ents, communities, and young people. sistance, training, and education on drug adulthood. The more successful we are While the Federal Government has a prevention at the Community Anti-Drug Co- at general prevention of drug use in role to play in supporting these activi- alition of America’s Annual National Lead- younger adolescents, the less we will ties, local, community-based initia- ership Forum in February: Now, therefore, be it have to deal with the concomitant eco- tives are better able to target specific Resolved, That the Senate— nomic and societal consequences of concerns and respond to them flexibly. (1) designates the week of February 10–16, their use-including the more than $500 Local community antidrug coalitions 2008, as ‘‘National Drug Prevention and Edu- billion in societal costs associated with are our first line of defense against the cation Week’’; and drug and alcohol use. Community anti- scourge of drug abuse. Each commu- (2) urges communities, schools, parents, drug coalitions provide the flexibility nity is different from the other, and and youth to engage in, and carry out, appro- needed to effectively address the local each community antidrug coalition is priate prevention and education activities needs of their communities. tailored to meet the specific antidrug and programs to reduce and stop drug use be- needs of its community. For example, I fore it starts. Coalitions of local leaders, including parents, teachers, religious leaders, formed the Face It Together, FIT, Coa- Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President. Today I local law enforcement officials, youth, lition in an effort to combat drug use rise to introduce an important resolu- and business leaders have the power to in Iowa. My goal with FIT is to bring tion designating the week of February reduce the demand for drugs, and we to the same table parents, educators, 10–16, 2008 as National Drug Prevention must support their efforts and applaud businesses, religious leaders, law en- and Education Week. While we have them for their outstanding work on forcement officials, health care pro- made progress in curbing the rate of il- these issues. viders, youth groups, and members of legal drug use among teens in this During the week of February 10–16, the media to promote new ways of country, there remains a great deal of thousands of community anti-drug coa- thinking about how to reach and edu- work to be done. Key components of lition leaders and community based cate Iowans about the dangers of drug staying on top of emerging drug substance abuse prevention, treatment, abuse. With everyone working to- threats and lowering the overall rate of and education specialists will come to gether, we will make a difference in drug use in this country are prevention Washington, DC to receive state-of-the- our communities. Moreover, together and education. These efforts start at art technical assistance, training, and we can build healthy children, healthy the local level and this resolution en- education on drug prevention at the families, healthy communities, and a courages communities, schools, par- Community Anti-Drug Coalition of healthy future for society at large. ents, and youth to engage in and carry America’s Annual National Leadership Community antidrug coalitions out community-based prevention and Forum. I applaud these community would not be able to succeed in fight- education activities and programs to leaders—and prevention and treatment ing drug abuse without the support of reduce and stop drug use before it professionals around the Nation—for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions starts. their tireless efforts to curb drug use in of America, CADCA. CADCA works to We have come a long way in com- our country and, in recognition of strengthen the ability of new and exist- bating drug use in this country, in these efforts I have introduced this res- ing community coalitions to build safe, large part because of the good work of olution to designate the week of Feb- healthy, and drug-free communities so many talented professionals in the ruary 10–16, 2008 as National Drug Pre- and helps provide vital funding to local prevention and treatment fields. How- vention and Education Week. coalitions through the Drug Free Com- ever, the rates of illegal drug use f munities grant program. among teens and adults remains too Since the inception of the Drug Free high. The overall rate of current illegal NATIONAL DRUG PREVENTION Communities grant program over 1,300 drug use among persons aged 12 or AND EDUCATION WEEK community coalitions have received older is 8.3 percent, which has re- Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am grants nationwide. There have been 43 mained stable since 2002. Moreover, the pleased to join my colleague, Senator coalitions in my State of Iowa that well-known Monitoring the Future sur- BIDEN, in cosponsoring a resolution to have received grants to provide crucial vey found ‘‘a clear pattern of gradually designate the week of February 10–16, assistance to combat the abuse of alco- rising use [of ecstasy] in the upper 2008, as National Drug Prevention and hol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. These grades’’ over the past couple of years. Education Month. Although recent sur- coalitions have been successful in Thus, as the data shows, clearly we vey data compiled by the Substance tracking the use of illegal drugs in have got a lot of work left to do. Abuse and Mental Health Services Ad- their communities, starting after- The threat of illegal drugs is not our ministration shows illegal drug use school and summer programs for kids, only concern. Newly released data among youth has declined by 24 per- holding community events and town- shows that abuse of prescription and cent since 2001, the number of teens hall meetings, and uniting all sectors over-the-counter medicines is a huge abusing prescription and over-the- of the community to fight drug abuse. problem that has not declined in recent counter medicines has rapidly in- I believe that we have a moral obliga- years. One in ten 12th graders has re- creased. Kids are turning to these dan- tion to ensure that our young people ported non-medical use of the powerful gerous drugs because they are easily have a chance to grow up without painkiller Vicodin within the past year accessible and widely used. Many of us being accosted by drug dealers at every and abuse rates of other powerful nar- do not realize that our left-over pre- turn, whether on TV, in the movies, or cotics are similarly troubling. scriptions and cold medicines are just on the way to school. We need, as a Abuse of over-the-counter drugs has as addictive and dangerous as meth or country, to create a strong moral con- also become concerning, with nearly 6 heroin when not properly used. This is text to help our kids know how to percent of 12th graders having used why we must continue our efforts to make the right choices. They need to over-the-counter cough and cold medi- inform the public about the dangers of know how to say ‘‘no.’’ They need to cations in the past year for the purpose these and other drugs. We must con- know that saying ‘‘no’’ is OK. They of getting high. These problems don’t tinue to do all we can to prevent our need to know that saying ‘‘no’’ to simply pose serious health risks, but kids from falling into a vicious cycle of drugs is the right thing to do, not just they are also closely linked to low edu- drug abuse and dependence. the safe thing or the healthier thing

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S451 but the right thing. I urge my col- Whereas students face myriad challenges SA 3969. Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Ms. leagues to join us in passing this reso- every day, including peer pressure, depres- SNOWE, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SMITH, Mr. SCHUMER, lution to show our ongoing support for sion, the deployment of family members to Ms. COLLINS, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. KERRY, Ms. community antidrug coalitions that serve in conflicts overseas, and school vio- CANTWELL, Mrs. MURRAY, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. lence; OBAMA, Mrs. CLINTON, and Ms. STABENOW) work to eliminate drug abuse through- Whereas school counselors are usually the submitted an amendment intended to be pro- out the Nation. only professionals in a school building who posed to amendment SA 3911 proposed by Mr. f are trained in both education and mental ROCKEFELLER (for himself and Mr. BOND) to health matters; the bill S. 2248, to amend the Foreign Intel- SENATE RESOLUTION 435—RECOG- Whereas the roles and responsibilities of ligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to mod- NIZING THE GOALS OF CATHOLIC school counselors are often misunderstood, ernize and streamline the provisions of that SCHOOLS WEEK AND HONORING and the school counselor position is often Act, and for other purposes; which was or- THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS among the first to be eliminated in order to dered to lie on the table. OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE meet budgetary constraints; SA 3970. Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Ms. UNITED STATES Whereas the national average ratio of stu- SNOWE, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SMITH, Mr. SCHUMER, dents to school counselors of 476-to-1 is al- Ms. COLLINS, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. KERRY, Ms. Mr. VITTER (for himself and Ms. most twice the 250-to-1 ratio recommended CANTWELL, Mrs. MURRAY, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. LANDRIEU) submitted the following res- by the American School Counselor Associa- OBAMA, Mrs. CLINTON, and Ms. STABENOW) olution; which was considered and tion, the American Counseling Association, submitted an amendment intended to be pro- agreed to: the American Medical Association, the posed to amendment SA 3918 proposed by Mr. American Psychological Association, and REID to the bill S. 2248, supra; which was or- S. RES. 435 other organizations; and dered to lie on the table. Whereas Catholic schools in the Whereas the celebration of National SA 3971. Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Ms. United States have received inter- School Counseling Week would increase SNOWE, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SMITH, Mr. SCHUMER, national acclaim for academic excel- awareness of the important and necessary Ms. COLLINS, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. KERRY, Ms. lence while providing students with role school counselors play in the lives of CANTWELL, Mrs. MURRAY, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. lessons that extend far beyond the students in the United States: Now, there- OBAMA, Mrs. CLINTON, and Ms. STABENOW) classroom; fore, be it submitted an amendment intended to be pro- Resolved, That the Senate— Whereas Catholic schools present a posed by him to the bill S. 2556, to extend the (1) designates the week of February 4 provisions of the Protect America Act of 2007 broad curriculum that emphasizes the through February 8, 2008, as ‘‘National for an additional 30 days; which was ordered lifelong development of moral, intellec- School Counseling Week’’; and to lie on the table. tual, physical, and social values in the (2) encourages the people of the United young people of the United States; States to observe the week with appropriate f Whereas Catholic schools in the ceremonies and activities that promote United States today educate 2,363,220 awareness of the role school counselors per- TEXT OF AMENDMENTS students and maintain a student-to- form in the school and the community at large in preparing students for fulfilling SA 3960.Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, teacher ratio of 15 to 1; lives as contributing members of society. Mr. KERRY, and Mr. MENENDEZ) sub- (2) commends Catholic schools, stu- f mitted an amendment intended to be dents, parents, and teachers across the proposed to amendment SA 3911 pro- AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND United States for their ongoing con- posed by Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself PROPOSED tributions to education, and for the and Mr. BOND) to the bill S. 2248, to vital role they play in promoting and SA 3960. Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. amend the Foreign Intelligence Sur- ensuring a brighter, stronger future for KERRY, and Mr. MENENDEZ) submitted an veillance Act of 1978, to modernize and the United States. amendment intended to be proposed to streamline the provisions of that Act, amendment SA 3911 proposed by Mr. ROCKE- f FELLER (for himself and Mr. BOND) to the bill and for other purposes; which was or- SENATE RESOLUTION 436—DESIG- S. 2248, to amend the Foreign Intelligence dered to lie on the table; as follows: NATING THE WEEK OF FEB- Surveillance Act of 1978, to modernize and On page 6, line 13, strike ‘‘and’’ and all that RUARY 4 THROUGH FEBRUARY 8, streamline the provisions of that Act, and follows through page 10, line 5, and insert the for other purposes; which was ordered to lie 2008, AS ‘‘NATIONAL SCHOOL following: on the table. ‘‘(4) shall not intentionally acquire any COUNSELING WEEK’’ SA 3961. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- communication as to which the sender and Mrs. MURRAY (for herself and Mr. ment intended to be proposed by him to the all intended recipients are known at the bill S. 2483, to authorize certain programs SMITH) submitted the following resolu- time of the acquisition to be located in the and activities in the Forest Service, the De- United States; and tion; which was considered and agreed partment of the Interior, and the Depart- to: ‘‘(5) shall be conducted in a manner con- ment of Energy, and for other purposes; sistent with the fourth amendment to the S. RES. 436 which was ordered to lie on the table. Constitution of the United States. Whereas the American School Counselor SA 3962. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- ‘‘(c) CONDUCT OF ACQUISITION.—An acquisi- Association has declared the week of Feb- ment intended to be proposed by him to the tion authorized under subsection (a) may be ruary 4 through February 8, 2008, as ‘‘Na- bill S. 2483, supra; which was ordered to lie conducted only in accordance with— tional School Counseling Week’’; on the table. ‘‘(1) a certification made by the Attorney SA 3963. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- Whereas the Senate has recognized the im- General and the Director of National Intel- ment intended to be proposed by him to the portance of school counseling through the ligence pursuant to subsection (f); and bill S. 2483, supra; which was ordered to lie inclusion of elementary and secondary ‘‘(2) the targeting and minimization proce- on the table. school counseling programs in the reauthor- SA 3964. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- dures required pursuant to subsections (d) ization of the Elementary and Secondary ment intended to be proposed by him to the and (e). Education Act of 1965; bill S. 2483, supra; which was ordered to lie ‘‘(d) TARGETING PROCEDURES.— Whereas school counselors have long advo- on the table. ‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT TO ADOPT.—The Attor- cated that the education system of the SA 3965. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- ney General, in consultation with the Direc- United States must leave no child behind ment intended to be proposed by him to the tor of National Intelligence, shall adopt tar- and must provide opportunities for every bill S. 2483, supra; which was ordered to lie geting procedures that are reasonably de- student; on the table. signed to ensure that any acquisition au- Whereas personal and social growth results SA 3966. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- thorized under subsection (a) is limited to in increased academic achievement; ment intended to be proposed by him to the targeting persons reasonably believed to be Whereas school counselors help develop bill S. 2483, supra; which was ordered to lie located outside the United States and does well-rounded students by guiding them on the table. not result in the intentional acquisition of through their academic, personal, social, and SA 3967. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- any communication as to which the sender career development; ment intended to be proposed by him to the and all intended recipients are known at the Whereas school counselors have been in- bill S. 2483, supra; which was ordered to lie time of the acquisition to be located in the strumental in helping students, teachers, on the table. United States. and parents deal with the trauma that was SA 3968. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- ‘‘(2) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—The procedures re- inflicted upon them by hurricanes Katrina, ment intended to be proposed by him to the ferred to in paragraph (1) shall be subject to Rita, and Wilma, and other recent natural bill S. 2483, supra; which was ordered to lie judicial review pursuant to subsection (h). disasters; on the table. ‘‘(e) MINIMIZATION PROCEDURES.—

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‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT TO ADOPT.—The Attor- ‘‘(II) have been approved by, or will be sub- (B) the estimated costs to the Federal Gov- ney General, in consultation with the Direc- mitted in not more than 5 days for approval ernment of the maintenance backlog of each tor of National Intelligence, shall adopt, con- by, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Federal agency, to be— sistent with the requirements of section Court pursuant to subsection (h); (i) organized in categories comprised of 101(h) or section 301(4), minimization proce- ‘‘(vi) the acquisition involves obtaining the buildings and structures; and dures for acquisitions authorized under sub- foreign intelligence information from or (ii) expressed as an aggregate cost. section (a). with the assistance of an electronic commu- (c) USE OF EXISTING ANNUAL REPORTS.—An ‘‘(2) PERSONS IN THE UNITED STATES.—The nication service provider; and annual report required under subsection (a) minimization procedures required by this ‘‘(vii) the acquisition does not constitute may be comprised of any annual report relat- subsection shall require the destruction, electronic surveillance, as limited by section ing to the management of Federal real prop- upon recognition, of any communication as 701; and erty that is published by a Federal agency. to which the sender and all intended recipi- ents are known to be located in the United SA 3961. Mr. COBURN submitted an SA 3962. Mr. COBURN submitted an States, a person has a reasonable expecta- amendment intended to be proposed by amendment intended to be proposed by tion of privacy, and a warrant would be re- him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize cer- him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize cer- quired for law enforcement purposes, unless tain programs and activities in the tain programs and activities in the the Attorney General determines that the Forest Service, the Department of the Forest Service, the Department of the communication indicates a threat of death Interior, and the Department of En- or serious bodily harm to any person. Interior, and the Department of En- ergy, and for other purposes; which was ‘‘(3) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—The minimization ergy, and for other purposes; which was procedures required by this subsection shall ordered to lie on the table; as follows: ordered to lie on the table; as follows: be subject to judicial review pursuant to sub- At the end, add the following: At the end, add the following: section (h). TITLE IX—MISCELLANEOUS TITLE IX—MISCELLANEOUS ‘‘(f) CERTIFICATION.— SEC. 901 ANNUAL REPORT RELATING TO LAND SEC. 901. WRITTEN CONSENT REQUIREMENT. ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— OWNED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. (a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsections (b) ‘‘(A) REQUIREMENT.—Subject to subpara- (a) ANNUAL REPORT.— and (c), the Department of the Interior, the graph (B), prior to the initiation of an acqui- (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), Department of Energy, and the Forest Serv- sition authorized under subsection (a), the not later than May 15, 2009, and annually ice, acting individually or in coordination, Attorney General and the Director of Na- thereafter, the Director of the Office of Man- shall not assume control of any parcel of tional Intelligence shall provide, under oath, agement and Budget (referred to in this sec- land located in a State unless the owner of a written certification, as described in this tion as the ‘‘Director’’) shall ensure that a the parcel of land voluntarily provides to the subsection. report that contains the information de- appropriate Federal agency written consent ‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—If the Attorney General scribed in subsection (b) is posted on a pub- to sell, exchange, or otherwise convey to the and the Director of National Intelligence de- licly available website. Federal agency the parcel of land. termine that immediate action by the Gov- (2) EXTENSION RELATING TO CERTAIN SEG- (b) NATIONAL EMERGENCIES.—The require- ernment is required and time does not per- MENT OF REPORT.—With respect to the date ment described in subsection (a) shall not mit the preparation of a certification under on which the first annual report is required apply in the case of a national emergency, as this subsection prior to the initiation of an to be posted under paragraph (1), if the Di- determined by the President. acquisition, the Attorney General and the rector determines that an additional period (c) PRIVATE LANDOWNERS.—The require- Director of National Intelligence shall pre- of time is required to gather the information ment described in subsection (a) shall not pare such certification, including such deter- required under subsection (b)(3)(B), the Di- apply in the case of an exchange between a mination, as soon as possible but in no event rector may— private landowner and the Federal Govern- more than 168 hours after such determina- (A) as of the date described in paragraph ment of a parcel of land. tion is made. (1), post each segment of information re- ‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A certification made quired under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)(A) of SA 3963. Mr. COBURN submitted an under this subsection shall— subsection (b); and amendment intended to be proposed by ‘‘(A) attest that— (B) as of May 15, 2010, post the segment of him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize cer- ‘‘(i) there are reasonable procedures in information required under subsection tain programs and activities in the place for determining that the acquisition (b)(3)(B). Forest Service, the Department of the authorized under subsection (a) is targeted (b) REQUIRED INFORMATION.—An annual re- Interior, and the Department of En- at persons reasonably believed to be located port described in subsection (a) shall con- outside the United States and that such pro- tain, for the period covered by the report— ergy, and for other purposes; which was cedures have been approved by, or will be (1) a description of the total quantity of— ordered to lie on the table; as follows: submitted in not more than 5 days for ap- (A) land located within the jurisdiction of At the end, add the following: proval by, the Foreign Intelligence Surveil- the United States, to be expressed in acres; TITLE IX—MISCELLANEOUS lance Court pursuant to subsection (h); (B) the land described in subparagraph (A) SEC. 901. REQUIREMENT OF APPROVAL OF CER- ‘‘(ii) there are reasonable procedures in that is owned by the Federal Government, to TAIN CITIZENS. place for determining that the acquisition be expressed— (a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsections (b) authorized under subsection (a) does not re- (i) in acres; and and (c), the Department of the Interior, the sult in the intentional acquisition of any (ii) as a percentage of the quantity de- Department of Energy, and the Forest Serv- communication as to which the sender and scribed in subparagraph (A); and ice, acting individually or in coordination, all intended recipients are known at the (C) the land described in subparagraph (B) shall not assume control of any parcel of time of the acquisition to be located in the that is located in each State, to be ex- land located in a State unless the citizens of United States, and that such procedures pressed, with respect to each State— each political subdivision of the State in have been approved by, or will be submitted (i) in acres; and which a portion of the parcel of land is lo- in not more than 5 days for approval by, the (ii) as a percentage of the quantity de- cated approve the assumption of control by a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court pur- scribed in subparagraph (B); referendum. suant to subsection (h); (2) a description of the total annual cost to (b) NATIONAL EMERGENCIES.—The require- ‘‘(iii) the procedures referred to in clauses the Federal Government for maintaining all ment described in subsection (a) shall not (i) and (ii) are consistent with the require- parcels of administrative land and all admin- apply in the case of a national emergency, as ments of the fourth amendment to the Con- istrative buildings or structures under the determined by the President. stitution of the United States and do not jurisdiction of each Federal agency; and (c) PRIVATE LANDOWNERS.—The require- permit the intentional targeting of any per- (3) a list and detailed summary of— ment described in subsection (a) shall not son who is known at the time of acquisition (A) with respect to each Federal agency— apply in the case of an exchange between a to be located in the United States or the in- (i) the number of unused or vacant assets; private landowner and the Federal Govern- tentional acquisition of any communication (ii) the replacement value for each unused ment of a parcel of land. as to which the sender and all intended re- or vacant asset; (d) DURATION OF APPROVAL.— cipients are known at the time of acquisition (iii) the total operating costs for each un- (1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a parcel of to be located in the United States; used or vacant asset; and land described in subsection (a), the approval ‘‘(iv) a significant purpose of the acquisi- (iv) the length of time that each type of of the citizens of each political subdivision tion is to obtain foreign intelligence infor- asset described in clause (i) has been unused in which a portion of the parcel of land is lo- mation; or vacant, organized in categories comprised cated terminates on the date that is 10 years ‘‘(v) the minimization procedures to be of periods of— after the date on which the citizens of each used with respect to such acquisition— (I) not more than 1 year; political subdivision approve the control of ‘‘(I) meet the definition of minimization (II) not less than 1, but not more than 2, the parcel of land by the Department of the procedures under section 101(h) or section years; and Interior, the Department of Energy, or the 301(4); and (III) not less than 2 years; and Forest Service under that subsection.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S453 (2) RENEWAL OF APPROVAL.—With respect SA 3966. Mr. COBURN submitted an (2) the possession of the firearm is in com- to a parcel of land described in subsection amendment intended to be proposed by pliance with the law of the State in which (a), the Department of the Interior, the De- him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize cer- the unit of the National Park System or the partment of Energy, or the Forest Service, tain programs and activities in the National Wildlife Refuge System is located. as applicable, may renew, by referendum, the approval of the citizens of each political sub- Forest Service, the Department of the SA 3968. Mr. COBURN submitted an division in which a portion of the parcel of Interior, and the Department of En- amendment intended to be proposed by land is located. ergy, and for other purposes; which was him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize cer- ordered to lie on the table; as follows: tain programs and activities in the SA 3964. Mr. COBURN submitted an At the end, add the following: Forest Service, the Department of the amendment intended to be proposed by TITLE IX—DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN Interior, and the Department of En- him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize cer- FUNDS ergy, and for other purposes; which was tain programs and activities in the SEC. 901 CANDIDATE ASSET DISPOSITION LIST. ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Forest Service, the Department of the For fiscal year 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter, amounts made available to be On page 98, between lines 18 and 19, insert Interior, and the Department of En- the following: ergy, and for other purposes; which was used by the Director of the National Park Subtitle I—Miscellaneous ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Service to dispose of assets described in the candidate asset disposition list of the Na- SEC. 381. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO STUDIES On page 172, between lines 16 and 17, insert tional Park Service shall be equal to 1 per- AND COMMISSIONS. the following: cent of, and derived by transfer from, all (a) RECOMMENDATIONS.— Subtitle G—Notification and Consent Re- amounts made available to carry out Titles (1) DEFINITION OF COST-NEUTRAL.—In this quirements Relating to National Heritage I, II, III and IV of this Act for each such fis- subsection, the term ‘‘cost-neutral’’ means Areas cal year. an outcome that does not require an increase SEC. 491. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT. or decrease in spending by the Federal Gov- The Secretary of the Interior shall not ap- SA 3967. Mr. COBURN submitted an ernment. prove a management plan for a National Her- amendment intended to be proposed by (2) COST-NEUTRAL REQUIREMENT.—Each rec- itage Area designated by this title unless the him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize cer- ommendation contained in a study carried local coordinating entity of the proposed Na- tain programs and activities in the out in accordance with subtitle C, or made tional Heritage Area provides written notifi- Forest Service, the Department of the by a commission established under, or cation through the United States mail of the Interior, and the Department of En- amended by, subtitle D, shall result in an outcome that will— designation to each individual who resides, ergy, and for other purposes; which was or owns property that is located, in the pro- (A) be cost-neutral; or posed National Heritage Area. ordered to lie on the table; as follows: (B) result in a net reduction of costs to the SEC. 492. WRITTEN CONSENT REQUIREMENT. At the end, add the following: Federal Government. With respect to each National Heritage TITLE IX—MISCELLANEOUS (b) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—An individual Area designated by this title, no employee of SEC. 901. USE OF FIREARMS IN UNITS OF THE NA- who is selected to contribute to a study car- the National Park Service or member of the TIONAL PARK SYSTEM AND THE NA- ried out in accordance with subtitle C, or to local coordinating entity of the National TIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM. serve as a member of a commission estab- Heritage Area (including any designee of the (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— lished under, or amended by, subtitle D, National Park Service or the local coordi- (1) the second amendment to the Constitu- shall not have a financial conflict of interest nating entity) may enter a parcel of private tion provides that ‘‘the right of the people to with respect to the subject matter of the property located in the proposed National keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed’’; commission or the study. Heritage Area without the written consent (2) section 2.4(a)(1) of title 36, Code of Fed- (c) PUBLIC ACCESS.— of the owner of the parcel of property. eral Regulations, provides that ‘‘except as (1) IN GENERAL.—The proceedings relating otherwise provided in this section and parts to each study carried out in accordance with SA 3965. Mr. COBURN submitted an 7 (special regulations) and 13 (Alaska regula- subtitle C, and of each commission estab- amendment intended to be proposed by tions), the following are prohibited: (i) Pos- lished under, or amended by, subtitle D, sessing a weapon, trap or net (ii) Carrying a shall be open to the public. him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize cer- weapon, trap or net (iii) Using a weapon, (2) MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.—The minutes tain programs and activities in the trap or net’’; of each proceeding described in paragraph (1) Forest Service, the Department of the (3) section 27.42 of title 50, Code of Federal shall be made available on the public website Interior, and the Department of En- Regulations, provides that, except in special of an appropriate Federal agency in a search- ergy, and for other purposes; which was circumstances, citizens of the United States able, electronic format. ordered to lie on the table; as follows: may not ‘‘possess, use, or transport firearms (d) TERMINATION.—Each study carried out in accordance with subtitle C, and each com- On page 172, between lines 16 and 17, insert on national wildlife refuges’’ of the United mission established under, or amended by, the following: States Fish and Wildlife Service; (4) the regulations described in paragraphs subtitle D, shall terminate not later than 5 Subtitle G—Condition for Effective Date of (2) and (3) prevent individuals complying years after the date of enactment of this Certain Sections Relating to Designation of with Federal and State laws from exercising Act. Certain National Heritage Areas the second amendment rights of the individ- SEC. 491 CERTIFICATION BY PRESIDENT. uals while at units of— SA 3969. Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Each designation made by sections 403, 423, (A) the National Park System; and Ms. SNOWE, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SMITH, Mr. and 443 shall not take effect until the date (B) the National Wildlife Refuge System; SCHUMER, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. KENNEDY, on which the President certifies that— (5) the existence of different laws relating Mr. KERRY, Ms. CANTWELL, Mrs. MUR- (1) the designation of each proposed Na- to the transportation and possession of fire- RAY, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. OBAMA, Mrs. tional Heritage Area by this title will not arms at different units of the National Park CLINTON, and Ms. STABENOW) submitted cause an adverse impact on— System and the National Wildlife Refuge (A) agricultural or livestock production System entraps law-abiding gun owners an amendment intended to be proposed within the proposed National Heritage Area; while at units of the National Park System to amendment SA 3911 proposed by Mr. (B) energy exploration and production and the National Wildlife Refuge System; ROCKEFELLER (for himself and Mr. within the proposed National Heritage Area; and BOND) to the bill S. 2248, to amend the (C) critical infrastructure located within (6) the Federal laws should make it clear Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act the proposed National Heritage Area, includ- that the second amendment rights of an indi- of 1978, to modernize and streamline ing the placement and maintenance of— vidual at a unit of the National Park System the provisions of that Act, and for (i) electric transmission and distribution or the National Wildlife Refuge System other purposes; which was ordered to lines (including related infrastructure); and should not be infringed. (ii) natural gas pipelines (including related (b) PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUALS lie on the table; as follows: infrastructure); and TO BEAR ARMS IN UNITS OF THE NATIONAL At the end of title III, insert the following: (D) the affordability of housing; and PARK SYSTEM AND THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE SEC. 3ll. LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSIST- (2) with respect to each State in which REFUGE SYSTEM.—The Secretary of the Inte- ANCE PROGRAM. there is located a proposed National Heritage rior shall not promulgate or enforce any reg- (a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to Area that is designated by this title, the ulation that prohibits an individual from be appropriated, and there are appropriated, total deferred maintenance backlog of the possessing a firearm in any unit of the Na- out of any money in the Treasury not other- State is an amount not greater than tional Park System or the National Wildlife wise appropriated— $50,000,000, as reported by the Director of the Refuge System if— (1) $400,000,000 (to remain available until National Park Service to the Federal Ac- (1) the individual is not otherwise prohib- expended) for making payments under sub- counting Standards Advisory Board. ited by law from possessing the firearm; and sections (a) through (d) of section 2604 of the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S454 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623(e)), not- A bill (S. 2571) to make technical correc- 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623); and withstanding the designation requirement of tions to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, (2) $400,000,000 (to remain available until section 2602(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 8621(e)). and Rodenticide Act. expended) for making payments under sec- (b) DESIGNATION.—Any amount provided There being no objection, the Senate tion 2604(e) of the Low-Income Home Energy under subsection (a) is designated as an proceeded to consider the bill. Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623(e)), not- emergency requirement and necessary to Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent withstanding the designation requirement of meet emergency needs pursuant to sub- section 2602(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 8621(e)). sections (a) and (b) of section 204 of S. Con. the bill be read three times and passed; (b) DESIGNATION.—Any amount provided Res. 21 (110th Congress), the concurrent reso- the motion to reconsider be laid upon under subsection (a) is designated as an lution on the budget for fiscal year 2008. the table; that there be no intervening emergency requirement and necessary to action or debate; that any statements f meet emergency needs pursuant to sub- be printed in the RECORD. sections (a) and (b) of section 204 of S. Con. AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Res. 21 (110th Congress), the concurrent reso- MEET objection, it is so ordered. lution on the budget for fiscal year 2008. The bill (S. 2571) was ordered to be COMMITTEE ON FINANCE engrossed for a third reading, was read SA 3970. Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Mr. WEBB. Mr. President, I ask the third time, and passed, as follows: Ms. SNOWE, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SMITH, Mr. unanimous consent that the Com- S. 2571 SCHUMER, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. KENNEDY, mittee on Finance be authorized to Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Mr. KERRY, Ms. CANTWELL, Mrs. MUR- meet during the session of the Senate resentatives of the United States of America in RAY, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. OBAMA, Mrs. on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at 10 Congress assembled, CLINTON, and Ms. STABENOW) submitted a.m., in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate SECTION 1. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE an amendment intended to be proposed Office Building, in order to hear testi- FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE, to amendment SA 3918 proposed by Mr. mony regarding the nomination of AND RODENTICIDE ACT. REID to the bill S. 2248, to amend the Douglas H. Shulman to be Commis- (a) PESTICIDE REGISTRATION SERVICE Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act sioner of Internal Revenue. FEES.—Section 33 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. of 1978, to modernize and streamline The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 136w–8) is amended— the provisions of that Act, and for objection, it is so ordered. (1) in subsection (b)(7)— other purposes; which was ordered to COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS (A) in subparagraph (D)— lie on the table; as follows: Mr. WEBB. Mr. President, I ask (i) by striking clause (i) and inserting the At the end of the matter proposed to be in- unanimous consent that the Com- following: serted, insert the following: mittee on Foreign Relations be author- ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may exempt from, or waive a portion of, the reg- SEC. ll. LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSIST- ized to meet during the session of the ANCE PROGRAM. istration service fee for an application for Senate on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at (a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to minor uses for a pesticide.’’; and be appropriated, and there are appropriated, 4 p.m. in order to hold a working coffee (ii) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘or exemp- out of any money in the Treasury not other- with Stephen Smith, Foreign Minister tion’’ after ‘‘waiver’’; and wise appropriated— of Australia. (B) in subparagraph (E)— (1) $400,000,000 (to remain available until The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking expended) for making payments under sub- objection, it is so ordered. ‘‘WAIVER’’ and inserting ‘‘EXEMPTION’’; sections (a) through (d) of section 2604 of the (ii) by striking ‘‘waive the registration Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of f service fee for an application’’ and inserting 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623); and PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR ‘‘exempt an application from the registra- (2) $400,000,000 (to remain available until tion service fee’’; and expended) for making payments under sec- Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask (iii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘waiver’’ and tion 2604(e) of the Low-Income Home Energy unanimous consent that the privilege inserting ‘‘exemption’’; and Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623(e)), not- of the floor be extended to Colin Jones, (2) in subsection (m)(2), by striking ‘‘2008’’ withstanding the designation requirement of a fellow with my office, for the dura- each place it appears and inserting ‘‘2012’’. section 2602(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 8621(e)). (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments tion of my speech today. made by subsection (a) take effect on Octo- (b) DESIGNATION.—Any amount provided The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without under subsection (a) is designated as an ber 1, 2007. objection, it is so ordered. emergency requirement and necessary to f meet emergency needs pursuant to sub- Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask sections (a) and (b) of section 204 of S. Con. unanimous consent that David Walker, HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN Res. 21 (110th Congress), the concurrent reso- a fellow, be given the privilege of the OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD lution on the budget for fiscal year 2008. floor for this legislative day. Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without we now proceed to S. Res. 433. SA 3971. Mr. SANDERS (for himself, objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Ms. SNOWE, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SMITH, Mr. f clerk will report the bill by title. SCHUMER, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. KENNEDY, The legislative clerk read as follows: Mr. KERRY, Ms. CANTWELL, Mrs. MUR- VITIATION OF ORDER—H.R. 5140 A resolution (S. Res. 433) honoring the RAY, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. OBAMA, Mrs. Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent brave men and women of the U.S. Coast CLINTON, and Ms. STABENOW) submitted that the adoption of the motion to pro- Guard whose tireless work, dedication, and an amendment intended to be proposed selfless service to the United States have led ceed to H.R. 5140, the economic stim- to more than 1 million lives saved over the by him to the bill S. 2556, to extend the ulus package, not displace any pending provisions of the Protect America Act course of its long and storied 217-year his- measures. tory. of 2007 for an additional 30 days; which The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without was ordered to lie on the table; as fol- There being no objection, the Senate objection, it is so ordered. proceeded to consider the resolution. lows: Mr. REID. Mr. President, the unani- At the end, insert the following: Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I have mous consent I just asked for, I would come to the floor to speak to the Sen- SEC. lll. LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSIST- ask that that be withdrawn. ANCE PROGRAM. ate about the heroic actions of PO Wil- (a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without lard Milam, a U.S. Coast Guard rescue be appropriated, and there are appropriated, objection, it is so ordered. swimmer who serves our Nation in Ko- out of any money in the Treasury not other- f diak, AK. wise appropriated— I hope many Senators have seen the (1) $400,000,000 (to remain available until MAKING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS film ‘‘The Guardian.’’ Really, I do be- expended) for making payments under sub- Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent lieve it was Willard Milam who in- sections (a) through (d) of section 2604 of the that the Senate proceed to the consid- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of spired the preparation of that movie, 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623); and eration of S. 2571. and I want to tell the Senate about his (2) $400,000,000 (to remain available until The PRESIDING OFFICER. The actions. expended) for making payments under sec- clerk will report the bill by title. Shortly after midnight on February tion 2604(e) of the Low-Income Home Energy The legislative clerk read as follows: 10, 2007, the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S455 Coordination Center in Juneau, AK, re- He told me personally that the next (2) honors the United States Coast ceived an emergency beacon from a time he awoke he was in the clinic at Guard, America’s lifesavers and guardians of fishing vessel. The vessel was the Illu- Dutch Harbor, AK, wrapped in blankets the sea, for its unflinching determination sion. and surrounded by heat lamps. As a and proud 217-year history of maritime Like so many of our brave Coast search and rescue resulting in over 1 million matter of fact, he told me he was in lives saved; and Guard men and women, Petty Officer bed for a period of hours, and they told (3) recognizes the tireless work, dedica- Milam and his crew of four launched in him his boat was leaving, so he just got tion, and commitment of Coast Guard men a Coast Guard rescue helicopter to in- himself up and went back to the dock and women, many of them stationed in Alas- vestigate the source of the distress sig- and went onboard the boat. This man is ka, far away from family and friends, who nal they had received, undaunted by a one of the most courageous men I have commit themselves every day to executing howling 50-mile-an-hour wind and ever met in my life. this noble mission hundreds of miles from heavy rain and near zero visibility. When we consider the Coast Guard as our shores with honor, respect, and devotion to duty. When the aircrew arrived on the the guardian of our last frontier, I am scene, they realized that the crew of proud to tell the Senate that fellow f the fishing vessel had abandoned their Alaskans recognize him as a man who CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK ship and climbed into a life raft, which has dedicated his life to public service. was being tossed, at that time, in the Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- Petty Officer Milam’s heroic actions imous consent we proceed to the con- treacherous Bering Sea. Petty Officer personify the selfless public service Milam readied himself to be hoisted sideration of S. Res. 435. representative of U.S. Coast Guard men The PRESIDING OFFICER. The down into the 40-degree temperature and women who are stationed around clerk will report the resolution by seas below. the globe and represent us so well. As soon as Petty Officer Milam en- title. Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent The legislative clerk read as follows: tered the water, he swam to the life that the resolution be agreed to, the raft and found four survivors. They A resolution (S. Res. 435) recognizing the preamble be agreed to, the motions to goals of Catholic Schools Week and honoring were hypothermic and in shock and un- reconsider be laid upon the table. the valuable contributions of Catholic protected from the elements. They did The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Schools in the United States. not have any survival equipment on. objection, it is so ordered. There being no objection, the Senate One by one, Petty Officer Milam pulled The resolution (S. Res. 433) was proceeded to consider the resolution. the survivors out of the life raft and agreed to. Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent took them and swam with them over to The preamble was agreed to. that the resolution be agreed to, the a rescue basket that had been lowered The resolution, with its preamble, preamble be agreed to, the motions to through the darkness from the heli- reads as follows: reconsider be laid upon the table. copter that was hovering above them. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without After loading the first two survivors S. RES. 433 Whereas, since 1867 the United States objection, it is so ordered. into the rescue basket, Petty Officer The resolution (S. Res. 435) was Milam could begin to feel the frigid Coast Guard has been a vital piece of Alas- kan history, providing lifesaving medical agreed to. water flowing into his own suit. He treatment to native villages along its coasts, The preamble was agreed to. told me it had, unfortunately, hung up protecting its fisheries resources, and coura- The resolution, with its preamble, on the edge of the life raft and par- geously rescuing those who face peril on the reads as follows: tially unzipped and that water was fill- seas; S. RES. 435 ing into his survival suit. But he had to Whereas, in 2007 the men and women of the Whereas Catholic schools in the United United States Coast Guard stationed in Alas- fight the debilitating effects of the cold States have received international acclaim ka valiantly responded to 696 calls for assist- and struggle against exhaustion in for academic excellence while providing, stu- ance and saved the lives of 463 mariners in order to continue to swim the third dents with lessons that extend far beyond distress; survivor from the life raft to the rescue the classroom; Whereas, the actions of Petty Officer Wil- Whereas Catholic schools present a broad basket. lard L. Milam personify the proud history of While the third survivor was being curriculum that emphasizes the lifelong de- courage and public service of the United velopment of moral, intellectual, physical, lifted toward the spotlights of the res- States Coast Guard on the 10th of February, cue helicopter, Petty Officer Milam— and social values in the young people of the 2007, when, on a pitch-black winter morning, United States; his legs now numb with cold—realized Petty Officer Milam launched aboard a Coast Whereas Catholic schools in the United that the life raft, with one survivor Guard HH-65 helicopter in near-zero visi- States today educate 2,363,220 students and still onboard, had drifted too far for bility to locate the source of a distress signal maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 15 to him to reach under its current condi- approximately 50 miles southwest in 1; tion. So he signaled for an emergency Makushin Bay, Alaska; Whereas the faculty members of Catholic pickup, and he was hoisted back into Whereas, Petty Officer Milam bravely de- schools teach a highly diverse body of stu- ployed into storm tossed, 40-degree seas and dents; the helicopter. swam to a life raft to find four survivors Once inside the helicopter, he became Whereas the graduation rate for all Catho- hypothermic and soaked in unprotected lic school students is 95 percent; aware of the fact that the crew had clothing; Whereas 83 percent of Catholic high school only enough fuel to remain on the Whereas, Petty Officer Milam heroically graduates go on to college; scene for 15 minutes more. But Petty overcame exhaustion and hypothermia to Whereas Catholic schools produce students Officer Milam courageously asked to be pull each survivor from a life raft and assist strongly dedicated to their faith, values, lowered back into the sea, now over the them through the raging seas, placing them families, and communities by providing an top of this survivor, to try and save into a rescue basket to be hoisted into the intellectually stimulating environment rich that last remaining survivor. rescue helicopter; in spiritual character and moral develop- Upon entering the water, Petty Offi- Whereas, Petty Officer Milam’s courageous ment; and rescue off the coast of Alaska has earned him Whereas in the 1972 pastoral message con- cer Milam pulled the last survivor, who the 2007 Coast Guard Foundation Award for cerning Catholic education, the National. was now very combative because of the Heroism and the 2007 Captain Frank Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, ‘‘Edu- fear of the circumstances—he was near- Erickson Aviation Rescue Award; cation is one of the most important ways by ly drowning—he was forced to drag this Whereas, through extraordinary team- which the Church fulfills its commitment to person from the life raft through the work, airmanship, and courage, the crew of the dignity of the person and building of storm back into this rescue basket. the Coast Guard rescue helicopter saved four community. Community is central to edu- With the last survivor in the rescue lives from the treacherous Bearing Sea: Now, cation ministry, both as a necessary condi- helicopter, Petty Officer Milam drifted therefore, be it tion and an ardently desired goal. The edu- into a stage of unconsciousness as the Resolved, That the Senate— cational efforts of the Church, therefore, aircrew lowered the rescue basket di- (1) honors the heroic accomplishments of must be directed to forming persons-in-com- Petty Officer Willard Milam, who rep- munity; for the education of the individual rectly back to him. He was still in the resented the finest traditions of the United Christian is important. not only to his soli- water. Miraculously, Petty Officer States Coast Guard during the dramatic res- tary destiny, but also the destinies of the Milam was able to climb inside that cue of four survivors from the treacherous many communities in which he lives.’’: Now, basket and was hoisted to safety. Bering Sea; and therefore, be it

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S456 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 2008 Resolved. That the Senate— and the school counselor position is often Whereas, through robust interagency (1) recognizes the goals of Catholic Schools among the first to be eliminated in order to teamwork, collaboration with international Week, an event cosponsored by the National meet budgetary constraints; partners, and ever more effective tools and Catholic Educational Association and the Whereas the national average ratio of stu- tactics, the Coast Guard has removed more United States Conference of Catholic dents to school counselors of 476-to-1 is al- than 2,000,000 pounds of cocaine during the Bishops that recognizes the vital contribu- most twice the 250-to-1 ratio recommended past 10 years and will continue to tighten the tions of thousands of Catholic elementary by the American School Counselor Associa- web of detection and interdiction at sea; and and secondary schools in the United States; tion, the American Counseling Association, Whereas the men and women of the Coast and the American Medical Association, the Guard who, while away from family and hun- (2) commemds Catholic schools, students, American Psychological Association, and dreds of miles from our shores, execute this parents, and teachers across the United other organizations; and dangerous mission, as well as other vital States for their ongoing contributions to Whereas the celebration of National maritime safety, security, and environ- education, and for the vital role they play in School Counseling Week would increase mental protection missions, with quiet dedi- promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger awareness of the important and necessary cation and without need of public recogni- future for the United States. role school counselors play in the lives of tion, continue to display selfless service in f students in the United States: Now, there- protecting the Nation and the American peo- fore, be it ple: Now, therefore, be it NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING Resolved, That the Senate— Resolved, That the Senate— WEEK (1) designates the week of February 4 (1) honors the United States Coast Guard, through February 8, 2008, as ‘‘National with its proud 217-year legacy of maritime Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent School Counseling Week’’; and law enforcement and border protection, that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 436. (2) encourages the people of the United along with the brave men and women whose The PRESIDING OFFICER. The States to observe the week with appropriate efforts clearly demonstrate the honor, re- clerk will report the resolution by ceremonies and activities that promote spect, and devotion to duty that ensure the title. awareness of the role school counselors per- parents of the United States can sleep sound- The legislative clerk read as follows: form in the school and the community at ly knowing the Coast Guard is on patrol; and large in preparing students for fulfilling (2) recognizes the tireless work, dedication, A resolution (S. Res. 436) designating the lives as contributing members of society. and commitment that have allowed the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008 Coast Guard to confiscate over 350,000 pounds as ‘‘National School Counseling Week.’’ f of cocaine at sea in 2007. HONORING THE UNITED STATES There being no objection, the Senate f proceeded to consider the resolution. COAST GUARD PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent CURRENT ELECTORAL CRISIS IN that the resolution and preamble be that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 429. KENYA agreed to en bloc, the motion to recon- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sider be laid on the table, and any clerk will report the resolution by Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent statements relating to this matter be title. that the Committee on Foreign Rela- printed in the RECORD with no inter- The legislative clerk read as follows: tions be discharged from further con- vening action or debate. A resolution (S. Res. 429) honoring the sideration of S. Res. 431 and the Senate The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without brave men and women of the United States proceed to that matter. objection, it is so ordered. Coast Guard whose tireless work, dedication, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The resolution (S. Res. 436) was and commitment to protecting the United objection, it is so ordered. The clerk agreed to. States have led to the confiscation of over will report the resolution by title. The preamble was agreed to. 350,000 pounds of cocaine at sea during 2007. The legislative clerk read as follows: The resolution, with its preamble, There being no objection, the Senate A resolution (S. Res. 431) calling for a reads as follows: proceeded to consider the resolution. peaceful resolution to the current electoral S. RES. 436 Mr. REID. Mr. President, I watch The crisis in Kenya. Weather Channel sometimes, and they Whereas the American School Counselor There being no objection, the Senate Association has declared the week of Feb- have these pieces on what the Coast proceeded to consider the resolution. ruary 4 through February 8, 2008, as ‘‘Na- Guard does in violent seas. The Chair, Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent tional School Counseling Week’’; being from Rhode Island, probably that the resolution be agreed to, the Whereas the Senate has recognized the im- doesn’t appreciate it as much as I do, preamble be agreed to, the motions to portance of school counseling through the being from the desert, but the Coast reconsider be laid on the table, there be inclusion of elementary and secondary Guard rides some rough seas. So they no intervening action or debate, and school counseling programs in the reauthor- are entitled to this resolution tonight. that any statements relating to this ization of the Elementary and Secondary I ask unanimous consent that the Education Act of 1965; matter be printed in the RECORD. Whereas school counselors have long advo- resolution be agreed to, the preamble The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without cated that the education system of the be agreed to, and the motions to recon- objection, it is so ordered. United States must leave no child behind sider be laid on the table. The resolution (S. Res. 431) was and must provide opportunities for every The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without agreed to. student; objection, it is so ordered. The preamble was agreed to. Whereas personal and social growth results The resolution (S. Res. 429) was The resolution, with its preamble, in increased academic achievement; agreed to. reads as follows: Whereas school counselors help develop The preamble was agreed to. S. RES. 431 well-rounded students by guiding them The resolution, with its preamble, through their academic, personal, social, and reads as follows: Whereas on December 27, 2007, Kenyan citi- career development; zens went peacefully to the polls to elect a Whereas school counselors have been in- S. RES. 429 new parliament and a new President and sig- strumental in helping students, teachers, Whereas the estimated import value of the naled their commitment to democracy by and parents deal with the trauma that was 350,000 pounds of cocaine confiscated by the turning out in large numbers, and in some inflicted upon them by hurricanes Katrina, United States Coast Guard in 2007 is more instances waiting in long lines to vote; Rita, and Wilma, and other recent natural than $4,700,000,000, or nearly 1⁄2 of the Coast Whereas election observers reported seri- disasters; Guard’s annual budget; ous irregularities and a lack of transparency Whereas students face myriad challenges Whereas the Coast Guard’s at-sea drug that, combined with the implausibility of every day, including peer pressure, depres- interdictions are making a difference in the the margin of victory, and the swearing in of sion, the deployment of family members to lives of United States citizens, as evidenced the Party of National Unity presidential serve in conflicts overseas, and school vio- by the reduced supply of cocaine in more candidate Mwai Kibaki with undue haste, all lence; than 35 major cities throughout the United serve to undermine the credibility of the Whereas school counselors are usually the States; presidential election results; only professionals in a school building who Whereas keeping illegal drugs from reach- Whereas the Government of Kenya imposed are trained in both education and mental ing our shores, where they undermine Amer- a ban on live media broadcasts that day, and health matters; ican values and threaten families, schools, shortly after the election results were an- Whereas the roles and responsibilities of and communities, continues to be an impor- nounced, in contravention of Kenyan law, school counselors are often misunderstood, tant national priority; the Government also announced a blanket

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:44 Mar 27, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\RECFILES\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S457 ban on public assembly and gave police the (7) calls for those who are found guilty of UNANIMOUS CONSENT authority to use lethal force; committing human rights violations to be AGREEMENT—H.R. 5140 Whereas subsequent to declaring Mr. held accountable for their actions; Kibaki the winner, the head of the Election (8) calls for an immediate end to the re- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I now ask Commission of Kenya (ECK) stated that he strictions on the media, and on the rights of unanimous consent that the adoption did not know who won the presidential elec- peaceful assembly and association; of a motion to proceed to H.R. 5140, the tion; (9) condemns threats to civil society lead- economic stimulus package, not dis- Whereas in the aftermath of the election ers and human rights activists who are place any pending measures. announcement, significant violence began working towards a peaceful, just, and equi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and continues to flare; table political solution to the current elec- objection, it is so ordered. Whereas on January 1, 2008, 4 commis- toral crisis; sioners on the ECK issued a statement which (10) holds all political actors in Kenya re- f sponsible for the safety and security of civil called for a judicial review and tallying of ORDER OF BUSINESS the vote; society leaders and human rights advocates; Whereas the head of the European Union (11) calls on the international community, Mr. REID. Mr. President, let me say Election Observation Mission stated that United Nations aid organizations, and all that we are going to work real hard to- ‘‘[l]ack of transparency, as well as a number neighboring countries to provide assistance morrow and the next day to get a lot of of verified irregularities . . . cast doubt on the to Kenyan refugees who have fled in search work done. We have so much to do. accuracy of the results of the presidential of greater security; (12) encourages others in the international This is a relatively short work period. election as announced by the ECK’’ and We have the stimulus package. We called for an international audit of the re- community to work together and use all dip- sults; lomatic means at their disposal to persuade have foreign intelligence that we have Whereas the Attorney General of Kenya relevant political actors to commit to a to do. We have a lands bill from the En- has called for an independent investigation peaceful resolution to the current crisis; and ergy Committee. We have an agree- of the tallying of votes and for the votes to (13) urges the President of the United ment to move forward on that. We be retallied; States to— would like to finish the Indian health Whereas observers from the East African (A) support diplomatic efforts to facilitate bill, if we can. We have a lot to do. a dialogue between leaders of the Party of Community have called for an investigation That being the case, we are going to into irregularities during the tallying proc- National Unity, the Orange Democratic Movement, and other relevant actors; have to have a vote this coming Mon- ess and for those responsible for such irreg- day. We are going to do it later rather ularities to be held accountable; (B) consider the imposition of personal Whereas some estimates indicate that at sanctions, including a travel ban and asset than earlier, but we are going to have least 700 people have died and as many as freeze on leaders in the Party of National to work on Tuesday. Tuesday is Super 250,000 have been displaced as a result of this Unity, the Orange Democratic Movement, Tuesday. I had talked to the Repub- violence, which continues; and other relevant actors who refuse to en- lican leader earlier hoping we could Whereas the economic cost to Kenya of the gage in meaningful dialogue to end the cur- work something out, that we would not rent crisis; and violence and civil unrest in the wake of the (C) conduct a review of current United have to be in. Certainly, it is no one’s disputed polls is estimated at $1,000,000,000; States aid to Kenya for the purpose of re- fault, even though there is a lot of fin- Whereas the Assistant Secretary of State stricting all nonessential assistance to ger pointing going on. But we were not for African Affairs traveled to Nairobi in an Kenya, unless all parties are able to estab- able to get much work done yesterday attempt to mediate between the 2 leading lish a peaceful, political resolution to the presidential candidates and has stated that and today. So losing those 2 days, I do current crisis, which is credible with the ‘‘serious flaws in the vote tallying process not see any alternative. Kenyan people. damaged the credibility of the process’’ and I know a number of people would like that the United States should not ‘‘conduct to go home on Super Tuesday, but they business as usual’’ in Kenya; and f can vote absentee, and I think the Whereas Kenya has been a valuable stra- country will survive without Senators tegic, political, diplomatic, and economic EXTENSION OF THE PROTECT being there on election day. I hope ev- partner to those in the subregion, region, AMERICA ACT OF 2007 eryone here understands we have a lim- and to the United States and has been 1 of ited amount of time to do a lot of the major recipients of United States foreign Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- work. assistance in sub-Saharan Africa for decades: imous consent that the Senate proceed Now, therefore, be it to the consideration of H.R. 5104, a 15- f Resolved, That the Senate— day FISA extension, received from the MEASURE READ THE FIRST (1) commends the Kenyan people for their House earlier today; that the bill be TIME—H.R. 5140 commitment to democracy and respect for read a third time, passed, and the mo- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I under- the democratic process, as evidenced by the tion to reconsider be laid upon the stand that H.R. 5140 is now here and at high voter turnout and peaceful voting on table; that any statements relating to election day; the desk. this matter be printed in the RECORD. (2) strongly condemns the violence in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Kenya; The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ator is correct. (3) urges all politicians and political par- objection, it is so ordered. Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for its ties to immediately desist from the reactiva- The bill (H.R. 5104) was ordered to be first reading. tion, support, and use of militia organiza- read a third time, was read the third The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tions that are ethnic-based or otherwise con- time, and passed. stituted; clerk will report the bill by title. (4) calls on the 2 leading presidential can- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I appreciate The legislative clerk read as follows: didates to— the cooperation of my colleagues, espe- A bill (H.R. 5140) to provide economic stim- (A) engage in an internationally brokered cially Senator MCCONNELL. We are ulus through recovery rebates to individuals, dialogue, which results in a new political going to do our very best to have an incentives for business investment, and an dispensation that is supported by Kenyan agreement shortly so we can move to increase in conforming and FHA loan limits. civil society; and finish Senate action on this. There has Mr. REID. I ask, Mr. President, that (B) respect the will of the Kenyan people; been a lot of time spent on this by a lot further work on this matter be termi- (5) simultaneously— (A) supports a call for electoral justice in of people—people in the Intelligence nated now, so I object to its second Kenya, including a thorough and credible Committee, Democrats and Repub- reading. independent audit of election results with licans; members of the Judiciary Com- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- the possibility, depending on what is discov- mittee, Democrats and Republicans. tion is heard. ered, of a recount or retallying of votes, or a There is an effort to try to resolve f rerun of the presidential elections within a this. We have had a number of good specified time period; and meetings today. This will allow us to ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, (B) encourages any political settlement to JANUARY 30, 2008 take into account these recommendations; do that. Our goal is to get it done (6) calls on Kenyan security forces to re- quickly so we can get it to the House Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- frain from use of excessive force and respect and complete a conference prior to the imous consent that when the Senate the human rights of Kenyan citizens; 15 days being extended. completes its business today, it stand

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one or two staffers in their Member’s district in 2002 and 2007 he was named Federal Lab- f July, or to arrange for such a visit to another oratory Consortium Technology Transfer De- Member’s district. partment of Defense Director of the Year. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2007 CON- Participants are selected by a committee Most recently, his organization, the Edgewood GRESS-BUNDESTAG/BUNDESRAT composed of personnel from the Bureau of Chemical Biological Center, was selected as EXCHANGE Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Depart- the Army Laboratory of the Year in 2007. ment of State and past participants of the ex- Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me HON. NANCY PELOSI change. today to honor Joseph H. ‘‘Jim’’ Zarzycki. His OF CALIFORNIA Members of the House and Senate who legacy as a brilliant engineer will be forever IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES would like a member of their staff to apply for remembered in his service to our domestic participation in this year’s program should di- agencies as well as our armed forces. It is Tuesday, January 29, 2008 rect them to submit a re´sume´ and cover letter with great pride that I congratulate Jim Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, since 1983, in which they state their qualifications, the Zarzycki on his exemplary career in chemical the U.S. Congress and the German Bundes- contributions they can make to a successful and biological defense. tag and Bundesrat have conducted an annual program and some assurances of their ability f exchange program for staff members from to participate during the time stated. both countries. The program gives profes- Applications may be sent to the Office of EXAMINATION OF VOTE ON H. sional staff the opportunity to observe and Interparliamentary Affairs, HB–28, the Capitol, RES. 847 learn about each other’s political institutions by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2008. and interact on issues of mutual interest. f HON. RUSH D. HOLT A staff delegation from the U.S. Congress A TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH H. (JIM) OF NEW JERSEY will be selected to visit Germany from May 23 ZARZYCKI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to June 1 of this year. During this 10 day ex- change, the delegation will attend meetings Tuesday, January 29, 2008 with Bundestag/Bundesrat members, Bundes- HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, one of the rea- tag and Bundesrat party staff members, and OF MARYLAND sons the United States of America has re- representatives of numerous political, busi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mained for more than two centuries a model ness, academic, and media agencies. Partici- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 to the world is the constitutional promise of the pants also will be hosted by a Bundestag Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I first amendment: ‘‘Congress shall make no law member during a district visit. rise before you today to honor Joseph H. respecting the establishment of religion, or A comparable delegation of German staff ‘‘Jim’’ Zarzycki, director of the Edgewood prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’’ members will visit the United States for 10 Chemical Biological Center at Aberdeen Prov- I did not vote against H. Res. 847, but I days July 12–20. They will attend similar ing Grounds. Graduating with honors in chem- strongly believe it should never have been meetings here in Washington and visit the dis- ical engineering in 1969 from the New Jersey brought to the floor of the House of Rep- tricts of Members of Congress. The U.S. dele- Institute of Technology, Joseph Zarzycki went resentatives. It is appropriate for Congress to gation is expected to facilitate these meetings. on to earn a master’s degree in industrial en- address moral and ethical issues of societal The Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat Ex- gineering from Texas A&M University in 1970. import, but not issues of religious import. Con- change is highly regarded in Germany and the He is also a graduate of the Defense Systems gress should not legislate on whether Jesus is United States, and is one of several exchange Management College’s Program Management peoples’ ‘‘savior’’ or whether Christmas sym- programs sponsored by public and private in- Course and holds a master’s degree in public bolizes ‘‘God’s redemption and mercy.’’ De- stitutions in the United States and Germany to administration from Harvard’s John F. Ken- spite some good phrases, H. Res. 847 was in- foster better understanding of the politics and nedy School of Government. He is a licensed appropriate legislation that deserved neither a policies of both countries. This exchange is professional engineer in Maryland and New ‘‘yes’’ nor a ‘‘no.’’ I voted present, as I have funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bu- Jersey. occasionally done for legislation that I believe reau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Jim has over 25 years of leadership in pub- should never have been brought forward. The U.S. delegation should consist of expe- lic and private organizations dealing with toxic Those of us who practice our deeply held rienced and accomplished Hill staff who can and hazardous materials. He has worked in religious beliefs are able to worship more free- contribute to the success of the exchange on the Army’s Chemical Demilitarization and In- ly than anywhere else in the world because of both sides of the Atlantic. The Bundestag re- stallation Program, as well as the Army Chem- this important protection that our founders in- ciprocates by sending senior staff profes- ical Systems Laboratory, now the Edgewood stalled so wisely. My Christian religious faith sionals to the United States. Chemical Biological Center. Throughout most not only supports my entire life and dedication Applicants should have a demonstrable in- of the 1990s, Jim worked in the environmental to service; it also leads me often to speak out terest in events in Europe. Applicants need consulting industry, directing the functions of on religious tolerance in the world. not be working in the field of foreign affairs, al- waste management locations across the na- Some people have noted that earlier this though such a background can be helpful. The tion. year I had voted to honor the Muslim observ- composite U.S. delegation should exhibit a In 1998, Jim returned to government service ance of Ramadan and then recently refused to range of expertise in issues of mutual concern as the director of the Edgewood Chemical Bio- vote to honor Christmas. That is not really to the United States and Germany such as, logical Center at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. true. In October I voted in favor of a resolution but not limited to, trade, security, the environ- There he has directed the efforts of over 1,600 that at the time of the Muslim Ramadan ex- ment, economic development, health care, scientists, engineers, and technicians working pressed ‘‘friendship’’ and ‘‘respect’’ for Mus- and other social policy issues. This year’s del- in the areas of chemical and biological de- lims and commended Muslims who reject ‘‘ha- egation should be familiar with transatlantic re- fense, smoke obscurants, and non-lethal tred’’ and ‘‘bigotry’’ and who present Islam as lations within the context of recent world weapons technologies. He also manages tech- supporting ‘‘tolerance and full civil and political events. nology development efforts in support of sev- rights.’’ That was a message of societal and In addition, U.S. participants are expected to eral important national security programs in- political import, not religious, and different in help plan and implement the program for the cluding chemical demilitarization, the chemical tone and content from the recent resolution Bundestag/Bundesrat staff members when and biological warfare treaties, and chemical celebrating Christmas. they visit the United States. Participants are and biological counterterrorism. That is the way I see it, and when it comes expected to assist in planning topical meetings Jim is a recipient of the 2002 Presidential to votes on the floor of the House, I call them in Washington, and are encouraged to host Rank meritorious Executive Award. In both as I see them. I trust my constituents will see

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.000 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E92 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 it as a thoughtful and conscientious vote, even member that our efforts in space exploration the interests of the common good. I look for- if they disagree with it. have inspired generations of our young people ward to working with a president and a Con- f to pursue careers in science and engineering. gress that understands the vital role of a little In addition, it is clear that the scientific and en- government regulation and intervention. I am CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVER- gineering advances of the U.S. space program entering Mr. FRANK’s Op-Ed into the RECORD SARY OF THE U.S. EXPLORER I have yielded dividends that have helped pro- so that our colleagues, and interested Ameri- SATELLITE AND THE BIRTH OF mote America’s technological preeminence in cans, can consider what lies ahead for our THE UNITED STATES’ SPACE EX- the world as well as foster economic growth country if we do not carefully examine how we PLORATION PROGRAM here at home. arrived in the current situation. As we look forward to the next 50 years in [From the Financial Times, Jan. 14, 2008] HON. MARK UDALL space exploration and utilization, it is impor- WHY AMERICA NEEDS A LITTLE LESS LAISSEZ- OF COLORADO tant that Congress continue to support science FAIRE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and engineering educators and programs that (By Barney Frank) Tuesday, January 29, 2008 will help prepare the men and women who will As we prepare for this autumn’s election, Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, lead the United States in pushing back the the results are in on America’s 30-year exper- today I am introducing a resolution to cele- frontiers of space exploration in coming years. iment with radical economic deregulation. Income inequality has risen to levels not brate the 50th anniversary of the launch of the In closing, I think that America’s space pro- gram has been a vital contributor to the na- seen since the 1920s and the collapse of the U.S. Explorer I satellite, and the birth of the unregulated portion of the mortgage and sec- United States’ space exploration program. I tion’s well being and standing in the world, as ondary markets threatens the health of the am pleased that Chairman BART GORDON, well as to significant scientific and techno- overall economy. Ranking Member RALPH HALL, Rep. TOM logical advances over the last five decades. It These two economic failures will be major FEENEY, and Rep. NICK LAMPSON have joined is fitting and proper that we pause to celebrate issues in the forthcoming presidential elec- me as original cosponsors and I thank them and honor the anniversary of Explorer I and tion and, importantly, there is an emerging Democratic consensus standing in sharp con- for their support. the birth of the U.S. space program—and to rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of a robust trast to the laisser faire Republican ap- On January 31, 1958, the United States proach. successfully launched its first satellite into and vital space program over the next 50 There are two central elements of this con- space and began a 50-year journey of explo- years. sensus. Democrats believe that government’s ration and achievement in space that con- I hope that all Members will join me and my role as regulator is essential in maintaining tinues to this day. cosponsors in supporting this resolution. confidence in the integrity and fairness of Yet the launch of Explorer I was not just a f markets, and we believe that economic ‘‘photo-op’’. Explorer I carried a scientific pack- growth alone is not enough to reverse unac- age that included a cosmic ray detector and RECOGNIZING JAMES JOHNSON ceptable levels of income inequality. In the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis, credit marked the first ever use of a satellite to carry markets round the world contracted sharply out scientific research in outer space. Because HON. SAM GRAVES in response to concerns among market par- of that detector, developed by Dr. James Van OF MISSOURI ticipants about the value of exotic and Allen of the University of Iowa, the United IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES opaque securities being offered in largely un- States made a significant discovery about the Tuesday, January 29, 2008 regulated secondary markets. This stag- Earth’s environment—namely, the discovery of gering implosion and its damaging and wide- regions of energetic charged particles trapped Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly spread reverberations make it clear that a in the Earth’s magnetic field—later referred to pause to recognize James Johnson of Chil- mature capitalist economy is as likely to suffer from too little regulation as from too as the Van Allen radiation belts. licothe, Missouri. On February 3, 2008, James will retire as Chief Executive Officer of the much. In addition, Explorer I was the first in a suc- With respect to income inequality, since cession of small scientific spacecraft that con- Hendrick Medical Center in Chillicothe, Mis- the end of the last recession—a period of tinue to be an integral component of the U.S. souri. steady economic growth—average earnings space science program and an invaluable Jim joined Hendrick Medical Center in 1998 for the vast majority of workers have fallen training ground for young scientists and engi- as Chief Executive Officer and brings more in real terms. During this period, after-tax neers. than 35 years of health care experience to his incomes of the top 1 per cent nearly doubled. In light of all that, I ask my colleagues in position. While in Chillicothe Jim has been ac- Whether because of globalisation, tech- tive in many community organizations as a nology or other factors, it is clear that mar- Congress to join me in extending our profound ket forces have produced too much inequal- thanks and appreciation for the contributions leader, a volunteer and a board member. He ity and government has not adequately used of the late Dr. James Van Allen and his team was president of Rotary, Habitat for Humanity its capacity to mitigate the impact of these as well as those of the individuals at the Jet and the YMCA and is the current president of forces. Propulsion Laboratory and the Army Ballistic the Livingston County Community Foundation. Conservatives have long argued that gov- Missile Agency who made possible the suc- Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join ernment efforts to address these issues would cess of Explorer I and the birth of our space me in recognizing James Johnson, whose damage the economy. They are, of course, program. dedication to Hendrick Medical Center and the the same people who predicted that there Since the launch of Explorer I, the U.S. city of Chillicothe has been truly inspirational. would be an economic disaster after Bill Clinton and the Democratic Congress raised space program has maintained a record of I wish James and his family the best of luck marginal tax rates in 1993, and who opposed high aspirations and remarkable accomplish- in the future and I am honored to serve him other tax increases on upper-income people. ments. America sent the first astronauts to the in the United States Congress. Economic growth in the ensuing years was Moon and has launched robotic probes to f among the strongest in the postwar era. It is study each of the planets in the solar system now clear that growth in the private sector as well as the Earth’s Moon. Moreover, Amer- WHY AMERICA NEEDS A LITTLE is consistent with a far greater variation in ican spacecraft have helped investigate the or- LESS LAISSEZ-FAIRE many aspects of public policy—including igin and structure of the universe and the for- taxation and regulation—than conservatives claim. In fact, appropriate intervention with mation of galaxies and stars—including our HON. JIM McDERMOTT respect to prudential market regulation is own Sun. Finally, our space program has de- OF WASHINGTON necessary to promote growth, and its ab- livered significant benefits to our citizens IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sence—as we have learned—can retard it. As recently as a year ago, one often heard through communications and weather sat- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 ellites, navigational and positioning systems, the argument that U.S. financial activity and remote sensing satellites that have helped Mr. MCDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, a re- would migrate offshore unless we moved to increase our understanding of the Earth and cent Op-Ed written by the Honorable BARNEY further deregulate markets. There is little evidence to support this claim. In fact, it is FRANK, Chairman of the House Committee on its environment and our ability to manage our now clear that what has been migrating to resources. Financial Services, appeared in the Financial the rest of the world are the problems associ- All in all, it has been an exciting half-century Times. Mr. FRANK, I believe, succinctly de- ated with securities based on bad loans— of U.S. human and robotic space exploration. scribes the challenges that face Federal policy often originated by unregulated institutions As we honor Explorer I and the birth of the makers and a new American president. Too in the U.S. Banks in the UK and Germany U.S. space program, it is appropriate to re- often these days, the market fails to protect were forced to close, either as a result of

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The market did its job with great effi- Larry Magid. The Electric Factory now fea- About 25 years ago Mary Lu also began an ciency in exploiting the benefits of tures a variety of musical genres including annual fundraiser for the children of St. securitisation but government failed to heavy metal, rap, and rock and continues to Gertrude’s Parish in Far Rockaway, the com- make good on its responsibilities. The fail- hold philanthropic events ever year. munity where the Plunketts presently reside. ure of regulation to keep pace with innova- The Electric Factory is highly thought of as From its inception, the fundraiser was em- tion left us with no replacement for the dis- braced by the borough and remains a worthy cipline provided by the lender-borrower rela- one of the nation’s leading indoor concert venues. I want to congratulate and thank and wildly popular event. tionship that securitisation dissolves. In- In addition, Mary Lu continues to organize creasing and largely unregulated leverage founders, Larry Magid and Allen Spivak, for the affairs for the Women’s Democratic Orga- multiplies the corrosive effect of this their continued service to Philadelphia and change. South Jersey. nization of Queens County, a group that still In response to the current crisis, it appears attracts a large audience. f that the regulatory tide may, at long last, be In 1976, Mary Lu’s daughter Jamie joined turning. IN RECOGNITION OF MARY LU the staff of the Queens County Democratic In 1994 a Democratic Congress—the last be- PLUNKETT Headquarters. Together, this mother and fore the Republican takeover marked the ar- daughter team continue to administer and rival of the deregulators—passed the home- manage the office. owners equity protection act, giving the Fed- HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN I know that all those involved in Democratic eral Reserve the power to regulate all home OF NEW YORK politics in Queens will be forever grateful for mortgage loans. The avatar of deregulation, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES all of Mary Lu Plunkett’s extraordinary con- Alan Greenspan, then Fed chairman, flatly refused to use any of that authority. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 tributions to the Queens Democratic Organiza- tion. She has made the Queens Democratic In contrast, today’s Fed will soon issue Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise Headquarters a stronger workplace, which in rules using that authority. That represents a today to pay tribute to Mary Lu Plunkett who significant repudiation of the previous view. turn has made Queens a better place to live While the proposals made by the Democratic this week is being honored by the Queens and work. presidential candidates differ in detail, they County Democratic party for her 50 years of Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in are to a substantial extent consistent with outstanding and tireless work for the party and the House of Representatives to join me now the argument I have made here. Their Re- its candidates. in congratulating Mary Lu Plunkett for 50 publican counterparts continue to advocate Mary Lu Plunkett was born in Brooklyn, New years of outstanding service to the Queens the hands-off approach pursued by the Bush York, on March 26, 1928, but she moved to Democratic Organization. I am confident that administration. As a result, we are likely to the great borough of Queens in 1949 after she she will continue to achieve success for many have a healthy debate about the role of gov- married Queens-born John Plunkett. The two ernment in supporting a robust capitalist more years to come. economy in the 21st century. It is important settled in Jackson Heights, the neighborhood f to note that this debate is not about policy where they met when they attended a dance. The couple raised two children, Steven and FREEDOM FOR DR. JOSE LUIS details but represents fundamentally dif- ´ ferent views about the nature of our modern Jamie, and are the proud grandparents of GARCIA PANEQUE economy. Matthew, Christopher and Caroline. I believe the American people will decide Mary Lu’s foray into Queens politics began HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART that we should enact policies that seek to with the friendship she shared with her moth- OF FLORIDA curb growing inequality and provide some er-in-law Harriet Plunkett. The two joined the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES check on market excesses. Amerind Democratic Club where they made Tuesday, January 29, 2008 f great strides to improve the community in Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. which they resided. Mary Lu later put to work HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVER- Madam Speaker, I rise today to again remind SARY OF THE ELECTRIC FAC- the political savvy she acquired by volun- my colleagues about Dr. Jose Luis Garcı´a TORY teering countless hours for the Queens Demo- Paneque, a political prisoner in totalitarian cratic Organization. Then in 1956, she began Cuba. The reason I rise once again to bring HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS working as a full time secretary at Democratic attention to Dr. Garcı´a Paneque’s imprison- Headquarters. OF NEW JERSEY ment is because I have been told that his Mary Lu’s exceptional office and organiza- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES medical condition in Castro’s gulag has seri- tional skills have kept Queens Democratic Tuesday, January 29, 2008 ously deteriorated. Headquarters running smoothly for half a cen- Dr. Garcı´a Paneque is a surgeon by train- Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise tury. She has earned the respect and admira- ing, an independent journalist and a member today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of tion from everybody with whom she has of the Cuban Independent Medical Associa- Philadelphia music landmark, The Electric worked. These include almost all the Queens tion. As a director of the independent news Factory. For 40 years, The Electric Factory Democratic elected officials, candidates run- agency Libertad, and administrator of the Car- concert venue and its founders Larry Magid ning for office, and party officials in recent los J. Finlay independent library in Las Tunas, and Allen Spivak have hosted such legendary memory. Cuba, Dr. Garcı´a Paneque has devoted his life acts as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Pink Mary Lu has served under numerous county to exposing the truth about the horrors inflicted Floyd. chairmen including Moses Weinstein, Jim Roe, upon the Cuban people by the dictatorship in The original Electric Factory began in 1968 Tom Manton, and the present leader, our col- Havana. as one of rock music’s first ever live venues. league JOSEPH CROWLEY. She also, over the On March 18, 2003, the totalitarian Cuban First located in a converted tire warehouse, many years of her outstanding service, ran nu- regime began an island-wide crackdown on the venue moved in 1994 to its current site in merous fundraisers attended by such political peaceful pro-democracy activists in order to an actual converted electric factory. This two legends as President John Kennedy, Presi- stifle nonviolent political dissent. As part of the story building has standing-room-only space dent Jimmy Carter, Senator TED KENNEDY, crackdown the regime arrested Dr. Garcı´a for up to 3,000 audience members and gives Governor Hugh Carey, Governor Mario Paneque and charged him with ‘‘acts against spectators the unique ability to view a portion Cuomo, Mayor Ed Koch, President Bill Clinton the independence or territorial integrity of the of the backstage. and Senator HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON. state’’ because of his work with the unofficial Not only is The Electric Factory known for While serving as one of the pillars of the Cuban Medical Association. Just weeks after its major performers but it is also celebrated Queens Democratic office, Mary Lu has wit- his arrest, in what was nothing more than a and respected for its philanthropic efforts nessed the many changes that have taken farce of a judicial proceeding, Dr. Garcı´a throughout the years. Electric Factory Con- place along the political landscape in Queens. Paneque was sentenced to 24 years in the to- certs has raised millions for local and inter- These include everything from changes in talitarian gulag. The real reason he was ar- national charities as well as local schools and elective office to shifts in the borough’s popu- rested is that he is a supporter of freedom and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.009 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E94 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 democracy who has worked to expose the de- A TRIBUTE TO DAVID M. SMALL BUSINESS TELEWORK praved horror that is the Cuban tyranny. RUBENSTEIN PROMOTION ACT Since his initial incarceration in the sub- HON. MARK UDALL human conditions of the tyranny’s totalitarian HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER dungeons, Dr. Garc´ıa Paneque’s weight has OF COLORADO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dropped from a healthy 190 pounds to an OF MARYLAND emaciated 100 pounds. Since last year prison IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, January 29, 2008 authorities at the Las Mangas Prison have not Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, allowed Dr. Garc´ıa Paneque access to fresh Tuesday, January 29, 2008 today I am introducing the ‘‘Small Business air or sunlight. Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I Telework Promotion Act’’ to assist our Nation’s small businesses in establishing successful According to his mother, Dr. Garc´ıa rise before you today to honor David M. telework programs for their employees. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Managing Direc- Paneque suffers from dizziness due to a seri- Across America, numerous employers are ous episode of diarrhea and profuse rectal tor of The Carlyle Group, an American private responding to the needs of their employees bleeding and may be suffering from a duode- equity firm. Born and raised in Baltimore, and establishing telework programs. In 2000, nal ulcer. It is reported that the bleeding is a David Rubenstein graduated from Baltimore there were an estimated 16.5 million tele- complication related to an eating disorder City College and went on to graduate magna workers. By the end of 2004, there were an known as Malabsorption Syndrome, which he cum laude from Duke University and earn his estimated 30 million teleworkers, representing developed in prison. The condition does not law degree from the University of Chicago an increase of almost 100 percent in 4 short Law School, where he was an editor of the allow food he ingests to nourish his body. years. Unfortunately, the majority of growth in Chicago Law Review. Prior to founding The new teleworkers comes from organizations Dr. Garc´ıa Paneque’s health while lan- Carlyle Group, David served as the Deputy employing over 1,500 people, while just a few guishing in a hellish dungeon has been a point Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy years ago, most teleworkers worked for small of constant concern for some time now. In during the Carter Administration. to medium-sized organizations. June Dr. Garc´ıa Paneque was diagnosed with Most recently, David has become more well- By not taking advantage of evolving tech- nology to establish successful telework pro- a kidney tumor and pneumonia. As a result of known thanks to a Sotheby’s auction item he grams, some small businesses are losing out the pneumonia, he suffers from pleural effu- purchased in December. On December 17, on a host of benefits that will save them sion of the right lung and constant chest colds. 2008, with a winning bid of over $21 million, money, and make them more competitive. Yet as Dr. Garc´ıa Paneque’s condition con- David acquired the last copy of the Magna tinues to deteriorate, his jailers have refused Successful telework programs can help small Carta remaining in the United States. The business owners to retain valuable employees to allow him consultation with doctors not affili- original Magna Carta, first signed in Britain in by allowing them to work from a remote loca- ated with the prison or even provide him ade- 1215, established the rights of the English citi- tion, such as their home or a telework center. quate medical care. zens and placed checks on the power of the In addition to the cost savings realized by Madam Speaker, this is a textbook case of ruling monarch. Our own U.S. Constitution in- businesses that employ teleworkers, there are how the Cuban totalitarian regime treats pris- corporates ideas and phrases almost directly a number of related benefits to society and the oners of conscience who dare speak the truth from this historic document. The copy David employee. For example, telecommuters help and call for democracy and human rights. purchased in December is a copy from 1297 reduce traffic and cut down on air pollution by when it was signed into law by the British Par- staying off the roads during rush hour. Fully But this cruel and inhumane treatment is not liament. 80 percent of home-only teleworkers commute confined to those inside the regime’s gulags. Since 1985, it has been displayed at the to work on days they are not teleworking. Since Dr. Garc´ıa Paneque’s arrest, his wife Telework can also give employees more time National Archives as part of the Charters of and four young children faced intense harass- to spend with their families, and reduce stress Freedom exhibit, alongside the original Dec- ments and attacks by angry mobs on their levels by eliminating the pressure of a long laration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, home. They have since fled Cuba and were commute. and Bill of Rights. David has announced that The bill establishes a program in the Small granted asylum in the United States. His wife the copy will continue to be housed at the Na- ´ Business Administration, SBA, to raise aware- says that Dr. Garcıa Paneque ‘‘takes great tional Archives in Washington, DC. comfort from his Bible . . . which he reads ness about telework among small business employers and to encourage those small busi- every day.’’ While his wife says his physical David is an active member of several Boards of Directors or Trustees, including nesses to establish telework programs for their health continues to suffer, his ‘‘spiritual health Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, employees. is strong.’’ University of Chicago, Lincoln and Kennedy Additionally, an important provision in the On October 24, 2007, Dr. Garc´ıa Paneque’s Centers for the Performing Arts, and the bill directs the SBA Administrator to undertake wife and his daughter Shirlen were received Council on Foreign Relations. David is also a special efforts for businesses owned by, or and honored by President George W. Bush at member of The Business Council, the Madi- employing, persons with disabilities and dis- the White House, where the President publicly son Council of the Library of Congress, the abled America veterans. At the end of the day, telework can provide more than just environ- called upon the regime to release Dr. Garc´ıa Trilateral Commission and the National Advi- mental benefits and improved quality of life. It Paneque forthwith. sory Committee of J.P. Morgan Chase and the can open the door to people who have been Even though Dr. Garc´ıa Paneque has en- Washington Economic Club, of which he is precluded from working in a traditional office dured constant physical and psychological tor- President-elect. setting due to physical disabilities. ture at the hands of regime thugs, he con- In addition to his extensive involvement in Several hurdles to establishing successful tinues to demand human rights and dignity for numerous organizations, David is also active telework programs could be cleared by enact- the people of Cuba. He is languishing in the in philanthropy. He has made significant con- ing our legislation. The bill will go a long way squalor of the infernal gulag at the whim of a tributions and donations to the John F. Ken- towards educating small business owners on how they can draft guidelines to make a merciless tyrant, simply because he believes nedy School of Government at Harvard Uni- telework program an affordable, manageable in freedom, truth, democracy, and human versity, Duke’s Terry Stanford Institute of Pub- reality and expand their own telework policies. rights for the people of Cuba. lic Policy, the Lincoln Center and the Johns Hopkins Medical System here in Maryland. Here is a brief outline of the bill’s provi- Madam Speaker, it is unconscionable that sions— journalists and physicians like Dr. Garc´ıa Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me Section One—provides a short title, namely today to honor David M. Rubenstein. His leg- Paneque are locked in dungeons for writing ‘‘The Small Business Telework Promotion acy as a leader in policy and finance will be the truth. My colleagues, we must demand the Act’’. matched only by his devotion to philanthropic Section Two—sets forth findings regarding immediate and unconditional release of Jose projects. It is with great pride that I congratu- the potential benefits of increasing the extent Luis Garc´ıa Paneque before his prison sen- late David Rubenstein on his exemplary ca- to which employees have the option of tele- tence turns into a death sentence. reer in business, law and government. working.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.013 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E95 Section Three—directs the Small Business that might send production abroad—taking Society of North America. He retired in 1991, Administration (SBA) to carry out a program to with it good-paying jobs—and also can help but remained a professor emeritus and contin- raise awareness of telework among small lower costs to consumers for the final prod- ued publishing for another ten very productive businesses and to encourage them to offer ucts. These bills were all submitted to comply years. telework options to their employees. This pro- with procedures and criteria set by the House Madam Speaker, it is fitting at this time that gram is to include special outreach to busi- Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade. we honor the long career and great achieve- nesses owned by or employing people with None of the chemical compounds is manufac- ments of Dr. Vernon Singleton. His dedication disabilities, including disabled veterans. tured in the U.S., the value of each of the re- as a teacher and mentor has allowed him to f quested duty suspensions is no more than touch the lives of his students and peers alike, $500,000, and their suspensions can be en- and his research continues to guide and in- RECOGNIZING JOSHUA AARON forced by U.S. Customs officials. The products spire the next generation of chemists and DICK FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK produced using the imported feedstocks are enologists around the world to explore the OF EAGLE SCOUT deemed to be desirable to produce and use in truly limitless possibilities in their fields. the U.S. f HON. SAM GRAVES Introduction of the bills is just the beginning THE BIPARTISAN FORMER SOVIET OF MISSOURI of a long process of scrutiny by the U.S. UNION MINORITY RELIEF ACT OF IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Trade Representative, U.S. International Trade Commission, and the Department of Com- 2008 Tuesday, January 29, 2008 merce. Each one will seek information about Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly potential domestic production, present and fu- HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK pause to recognize Joshua Aaron Dick, a very ture imports, and will research the revenue OF ILLINOIS special young man who has exemplified the loss associated with the suspension. Addition- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by ally, the Subcommittee on Trade will solicit Tuesday, January 29, 2008 taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of public comment from all interested parties. An Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, today, along America, Troop 374, and in earning the most objection at any point throughout this process with my colleague RON KLEIN (D–FL), I am in- prestigious award of Eagle Scout. can disqualify the product for further consider- Joshua has been very active with his troop, troducing bipartisan legislation to curb the rise ation. At the end of this process, the Com- of hate crime violence in Russia, Ukraine and participating in many scout activities. Over the mittee on Ways and Means will put together a many years Alex has been involved with Belarus. miscellaneous tariff bill that includes hundreds Acts of violence against Jews and other mi- scouting, he has not only earned numerous of items that have met these rigorous criteria. norities are on the rise in the former Soviet merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- I expect that temporarily suspending the duty Union. In Russia, xenophobic candidates are ily, peers, and community. on the nine products I have requested will sweeping to power as state-sponsored hate Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join help our local economy by making American speech incites anti-Semitism and violence. me in commending Joshua Aaron Dick for his manufacturers more competitive in the global Widespread discrimination persists against re- accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of marketplace. ligious and ethnic minorities, including Central America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- f Asians, Armenians, Roman Catholics and ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. Evangelical Christians. f HONORING DR. VERNON SIN- GLETON OF DAVIS, CALIFORNIA In Ukraine, neo-Nazi crimes against Jews EXPLANATION OF DUTY are on the rise. Just last night, a rabbi was se- SUSPENSION PROCESS verely beaten on a main street in the eastern HON. MIKE THOMPSON Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk. The assail- OF CALIFORNIA ants have not been identified and no arrests HON. RUSH D. HOLT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have been reported. The key test of a democ- OF NEW JERSEY Tuesday, January 29, 2008 racy is tolerance for minorities—and this fledg- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam ling democracy is struggling. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Vernon In Belarus, human rights conditions continue Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, the govern- Singleton on the occasion of a symposium of to deteriorate. The dictator himself spouts anti- ment often negotiates agreements or promul- Wine Phenolic Research being held in his Semitic slurs through government media. The gates regulations that may produce unin- honor by the American Society of Enology and need for emergency resettlement of vulnerable tended consequences for certain individuals. Viticulture. communities may soon emerge. In such instances, Congress will review the Dr. Singleton was born in Mill City, Oregon The Former Soviet Union Minority Relief Act implementation of the law and try to rectify on June 28, 1923. In 1951 he earned a PhD of 2008 would strengthen rule of law and de- those unintended problems even if the general in Protein Biochemistry from Purdue Univer- mocracy initiatives in Ukraine, undermine hate requirements should remain. For example, ex- sity, where he had also received his bachelor speech in Russia and Belarus through inter- emptions are made in transportation regula- and masters of sciences degrees. He moved national broadcasting, and allow for emer- tions, Government land use, and trade legisla- to the University of California, Davis in 1958 gency evacuations from Belarus or Russia if tion. Such is the case with the Harmonized where he would begin a long and distin- the need emerges. When the Soviet Union fell, we thought the Tariff Schedule, which was enacted in 1989. guished career as one of the foremost fight for persecuted minorities ended. Unfortu- Since then Congress has acted occasionally enologists in the world. nately, widespread discrimination persists to reduce, suspend, or repeal duties on certain He is perhaps best known for his against religious and ethnic minorities. The imports as a matter of economic fairness and groundbreaking work on wine phenolics and international community needs a wake up call competitiveness. antioxidants. This research has opened the that Jews and other minorities are under at- Tariffs serve not only to raise revenue for door for an ever expanding scope of knowl- tack in the Former Soviet Union. the Government, but also to benefit American edge concerning wine and its potential health business and industry and holdings. Tariffs are benefits. He is also the author of more than f notoriously complicated in their effects, and 220 academic papers and many books that HONORING HRANT DINK the policies are very difficult to get right. have become classics in the field of enology. Each of the nine bills I prepared recently For these contributions he has received nu- HON. SCOTT GARRETT would either suspend or reduce the import merous honors including twice winning the OF NEW JERSEY duty on a specific chemical compound. Each Outstanding Paper of the Year Award from the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bill and the chemical compound in question is American Society for Enology and Viticulture publicly available and open for all to see and in 1986 and 1992, the Office Internationale de Tuesday, January 29, 2008 comment on. I believe such openness is an la Vigne et du Vin Prize in Enology in 1998 for Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam important part of effective Government. the best contribution to wine literature in any Speaker, a little over a year ago, on January By suspending the import duty on products language for 1997–98, as well as being a life 19, 2007, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant not made domestically in the United States, fellow of the American Institute of Chemists Dink was murdered for reporting on the Arme- Congress can remove an economic barrier and a Charter member of the Phytochemical nian Genocide. The first anniversary of his

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.015 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E96 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 death should serve as a reminder of the ongo- lowship. He is the current Presbyter of the HONORING THE LIFE OF U.S. ing need for improvement in Turkish-Armenian North Houston Section of the Assemblies of ARMY SPC JON MICHAEL ‘‘MIKE’’ relations. God Ministers and also served as a committee SCHOOLCRAFT III Hrant Dink worked as the editor of ‘‘Agos’’, member. He has helped with Lifestyle Min- a bilingual paper designed to reach both Turks istries Radio and Lifestyle Christian School, HON. BARON P. HILL and Armenians. He was an outspoken advo- which began in 1985. He is the originator of OF INDIANA cate of democratic change and freedom of many traditions in our community, such as the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES speech. While Turkish officials rightly condemned National Day of Prayer in Conroe and the Tuesday, January 29, 2008 the political killing, Turkey has not yet re- Men’s Day of Prayer. He was also a manager Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, on January 19, pealed Article 301 of the Turkish Penal code, at the Kids Camp Victory. 2008, the great states of Indiana and Ohio lost which makes it illegal to discuss the Armenian Madam Speaker, Pastor Maddoux and his a brave son. Army SPC Jon Michael ‘‘Mike’’ Genocide. This law, which criminalizes free wife Pat are rare individuals whom I respect Schoolcraft III was killed in Iraq from injuries speech, hampers Turkey’s efforts to restore greatly. Our nation joins me in honoring both sustained when his vehicle was struck by an their relationship with Armenia, a goal the of them today for their 25 years of service to improvised explosive device. A native of Turkish government claims to desire. our community and First Assembly of God in Wapakoneta, OH, several members of Spe- Hrant Dink’s death was more than an as- Conroe, Texas. cialist Schoolcraft’s family currently live in sassination; it was an attack on the principle Madison, IN, in Jefferson County. of free speech. Turkish officials should use the Mike, as he was known, enlisted in the f anniversary of his death as an opportunity to Army with a friend after graduating from restore open communication between the citi- IN HONOR OF ROBERT HUBER Wapakoneta High School in northwest Ohio in zens of both countries. Lasting reconciliation 2001. At Wapakoneta High he excelled at must be built on uninhibited dialogue and Tur- wrestling and baseball, and enjoyed spending key can begin building the road to restoration HON. ELTON GALLEGLY time outdoors. by recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Before embarking on his second 15-month We remember the legacy of Hrant Dink by OF CALIFORNIA deployment, Schoolcraft promised his mother encouraging Turkey to tolerate democratic IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this would be his last deployment. He freedoms and rebuild their relationship with Ar- looked forward to finding a stateside military menia. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 contracting job and living with his new wife. f Specialist Schoolcraft’s father, Mike, Jr., de- Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in scribed him as a ‘‘typical All-American boy.’’ HONORING PASTER LLOYD tribute to my longtime friend and one-time col- He was a hero to his father. He further de- MADDOUX AND HIS WIFE PAT league Robert Huber in recognition of being scribed his son as ‘‘very respectful’’ and that awarded the Strathearn Lifetime Achievement the Army took this wonderful young man and HON. KEVIN BRADY Award by the Simi Valley Community Founda- made him better. OF TEXAS tion. Before deploying, Schoolcraft told his moth- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES er that he was going to Iraq for a reason: to Bob Huber has been involved in my home- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 keep his loved ones safe. town of Simi Valley, California, for more than SPC Jon Michael Schoolcraft III is a true Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I 40 years, and I have known him for more than American hero. His sacrifice for our Nation de- rise today in honor of great community and 30 of those years. We worked together on serves our most heartfelt thanks. I, along with spiritual leaders, Paster Lloyd Maddoux and many community projects over the years and Specialist Schoolcraft’s family, and the towns his wife Pat for their 25 years of service to the served together some decades ago on the of Madison, IN, and Wapakoneta, OH, will ministry at the First Assembly of God in Con- Simi Valley City Council. mourn Mike’s premature death. His friends roe, Texas. Pastor Maddoux is a true servant In addition to his service on the City Coun- and family are in my prayers. to society and has left a lasting impression on f numerous lives. cil, Bob is past chairman of the Simi Valley Pastor Maddoux has touched countless Chamber of Commerce, an active member of INTRODUCTION OF BILLS TO RE- lives—when people are in every season of life. Rotary Noon Time, and an elected member of DUCE RISKS OF WILDFIRES TO Pastor Maddoux has celebrated with families the Ventura County Community College Dis- FOREST-AREA COMMUNITIES when he’s officiated at their weddings and of- trict Board of Trustees. fered blessing over the birth of a new baby. He is also a charter Board Member of the HON. MARK UDALL He’s helped new Christian believers grow Simi Valley Community Foundation. OF COLORADO closer in their walks with their Savior through IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bible teachings and baptism. He has helped It’s his passion for the community, and the honor the lives of men and women who have Community Foundation in particular, for which Tuesday, January 29, 2008 passed away with funerals that celebrated he is being honored with the Strathearn Life- Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, their lives and offered hope of eternity through time Achievement Award. Colorado and other Rocky Mountain States Jesus Christ. Several years ago the Community Founda- face a very real risk of severe wildfires in our A Pastor is a servant to his congregation tion nearly closed due to a lack of community forest lands, which directly threaten many and community. Pastor Maddoux has opened identity. Bob is credited with turning that communities and critical resources, including up his home church as a shelter for Hurricane around. His ideas, passion, and drive helped water supplies. Rita victims, where over 300 people and pets There are several reasons. One is drought. refocus the foundation. Today, it is again took shelter. He and Pat have opened their Another is past management that over-empha- home many times to help strangers, neighbors growing and thriving. One of Bob’s inspirations sized fire suppression, even though fire is an and friends. was the foundation’s successful Mayor’s Din- inescapable part of the ecology of our western Not only has he touched lives in our com- ner, which he has chaired for the past 3 years. forests, with the result that in many parts of munity, but he has reached out to do missions This and other successful events have en- the forests there is an accumulation of under- all over this country, as well as abroad in Mex- abled the foundation to raise and grant monies brush and small-diameter trees greater than ico, the Philippines, Seoul, Korea, West Africa to other charities annually. would be present if there had been more, and Turkey. Pastor Maddoux has also touched Bob is also a trial lawyer, but nobody’s per- smaller fires over the years. They provide the lives through participating in prison ministries. fect. extra fuel that can turn a small fire into an in- He has served in numerous positions such tense inferno. as the board of Greater Houston Teen Chal- Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will The problem has been made worse by our lenge and mission boards for the South Texas join me in thanking my friend Bob Huber for growing population and increasing develop- District-North Houston Section. Pastor his decades of service to the community and ment in the places where communities meet Maddoux was a National Finals Chairman for join the Simi Valley Community Foundation in the forests—the ‘‘wildland-urban interface.’’ the Oral Roberts University Educational Fel- tribute to a job well done. And when you add the effects of widespread

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.020 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E97 infestations of insects, you have a recipe for nities integrate fire-resisting aspects into local zone’’ areas—two important aspects of the even worse to come. ordinances, and would authorize increased new law. But the problem remains very seri- Many species of bark beetles, such as the Federal reimbursement of firefighting costs to ous, and both H.R. 3072 and the two addi- mountain pine beetle, are native to our forests. participating communities. tional bills I am introducing today would take They place stress on trees by burrowing The other bill would amend the recently-en- important further steps to address it. through the bark. If a tree is healthy, it can de- acted Energy Independence and Security Act We cannot eradicate insects from our for- fend itself by producing sap to repel and expel of 2007, P.L. 110–140, to allow material re- ests—nor should we, because insects are a the invaders. But if the defense fails, the in- moved from additional forest lands to reduce natural part of forest ecosystems. Instead, we sects lay their eggs in the woody material hazardous fuels to be eligible for some incen- can and should act to reduce the wildfire below the bark. Once the eggs hatch, they tives for use of renewable biomass to gen- threats to our communities—and their resi- feed on the tree’s fiber and disrupt the flow of erate energy. dents’ lives and property—as well as to pro- water and nutrients from the tree’s roots to its Title II of the new energy law puts new em- mote research on ways to improve the health needles and branches. In addition, the invad- phasis on developing biofuels that rely on ad- of our forest lands. ing insects bring in fungi and other invaders ditional sources of biomass, including agricul- That is the purpose of H.R. 3072, and it is that further damage the tree. If enough insects tural wastes, municipal solid waste, and dedi- also the purpose of the two bills I am intro- are able to penetrate the tree and lay eggs, cated energy crops such as perennial grasses, ducing today. For the information of our col- the tree dies. The offspring then mature and fast-growing trees, and algae. leagues, here are outlines of both bills: fly to another tree and the cycle begins anew. Accordingly, the new law requires an expan- FIRE SAFE COMMUNITY ACT These insects help to balance tree densities sion of the 2005 law’s renewable fuel standard This bill, a House companion to S. 2390, and set the stage for fires and thereby the so as to require 36 billion gallons of renewable would establish new incentives for commu- generation of new tree growth. And when for- fuel in motor fuels annually by 2022, of which nities at risk of wildfire to improve fire-pre- ests are healthy and there are adequate sup- 21 billion gallons must be ‘‘advanced biofuel,’’ vention efforts. Key components include: plies of water, the insects’ effects are relatively defined as biofuel produced from feedstocks Creating a model ordinance for commu- low-scale and isolated. But under the right other than corn starch and having 50 percent nities at risk of fire located within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Bill will di- conditions—such as drought, unusually warm lower lifecycle emissions than petroleum fuels. rect the National Institute of Standards and winters, or when there are dense stands of For purposes of title II, the new energy law Technology (NIST) to create a model ordi- even-aged trees—the insects can cause large- defines the term ‘‘renewable fuel’’ as ‘‘fuel that nance, in partnership with the U.S. Fire Ad- scale tree mortality, turning whole mountain- is produced from renewable biomass and that ministration, the U.S. Forest Service, and sides and valleys rust red. is used to replace or reduce the quantity of the Bureau of Land Management. The pur- That is what is happening in many moun- fossil fuel present in a transportation fuel.’’ pose of this model ordinance is to provide a tainous areas in Colorado. And more and But its definition of ‘‘renewable biomass’’ baseline for communities to become ‘‘fire more our mountain communities find them- does not include material removed from Fed- safe,’’ including suggested water supply, con- eral or State forest lands in order to reduce struction materials and techniques, defen- selves in uncomfortable proximity to acres of sible space, vegetation management, and in- dead trees, turned rust red by the insects and wildfire risks, except to the extent that the re- frastructure standards; adding to their concerns about the danger of moval occurs in the ‘‘immediate vicinity of Developing a new $25 million grant pro- very severe wildfires. buildings and other areas regularly occupied gram to assist local communities in imple- All Coloradans were reminded of this earlier by people, or of public infrastructure, at risk menting the activities and policies of the this month, when the Federal and State for- from wildfire.’’ NIST model ordinance. To qualify for this esters reported that the beetle infestation first I think this definition is too narrow and grant program, communities must be located detected in 1996 grew by a half-million acres would unnecessarily limit the potential incen- in a fire hazard area and take steps toward tive for private industry to assist in reducing the implementation of the model ordinance. last year, bringing the total number of acres These grants, administered by FEMA, can be attacked by bark beetles to 1.5 million, and the buildup of hazardous fuels that threaten used to enforce local ordinances and codes, has spread further into Front Range counties forest-area communities in Colorado and other develop incentive programs to improve code east of the Continental Divide. States. compliance, educate local planners on fire Last year, I introduced legislation to respond So, the second bill I am introducing today resistant planning, zoning and home con- to this problem by, first, facilitating more rapid would revise the definition of ‘‘renewable bio- struction, as well as train local fire depart- responses to the insect epidemic where that is mass’’ in that part of the new energy law to in- ments on emerging technologies such as GIS needed to reduce the wildfire threats to our clude biomass removed in connection with a fire mapping; communities; and second, promoting research hazardous-fuel reduction project from lands Providing grants to States on a 50/50 cost share basis to create or update fire hazard on ways to improve the health of our forest within the wildland-urban interface, as defined maps. Authorizes $15 million annually for lands. That bill—H.R. 3072—was developed in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of States to develop or update statewide fire through broad consultation with many people 2003. hazard maps which identify communities at in Colorado and discussions among our Madam Speaker, since coming to Congress risk of wildfire; state’s entire Colorado delegation. It is co- I have put a priority on reducing the wildfire Establishing incentives for communities sponsored by all my Colorado colleagues in risks to our communities. In 2000, with our that decide to become more fire safe by changing the federal share of firefighting and the House, and Senators KEN SALAZAR and then colleague, Representative Hefley, I intro- duced legislation to facilitate reducing the emergency expenses reimbursed under WAYNE ALLARD introduced identical legislation FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance in the Senate. I intend to continue to work for buildup of fuel in the parts of Colorado that the Grants. Currently states and local commu- enactment of its provisions, as a single meas- Forest Service, working with State and local nities can have 75 percent of their fire- ure or otherwise. partners, identified at greatest risk of fire—the fighting and emergency service expenses re- And that delegation measure would be sup- so-called ‘‘red zones.’’ Concepts from that leg- imbursed by the federal government, if plemented in two different ways by the bills I islation were included in the National Fire Plan FEMA determines that a fire threatened a am introducing today. developed by the Clinton Administration and significant number of homes and structures. One bill focuses on steps to help our com- were also incorporated into the Healthy For- Under this bill, communities in fire hazard munities act to reduce the potential damages ests Restoration Act of 2003. As a Member of areas that adopt the new model ordinance would be eligible to have 90 percent of their their residents could suffer as a result of the Resources Committee, I had worked to firefighting and emergency service expenses wildfires. It is cosponsored by our colleague develop the version of that legislation that the reimbursed under the Fire Management As- from California, Representative FILNER; I ap- committee approved in 2002, and while I could sistance Grants program; preciate his support. not support the different version initially Authorizing the U.S. Forest Service and A House companion to legislation, S. 2390, passed by the House in 2003, I voted for the the Department of the Interior to offer introduced by Senator DIANE FEINSTEIN, this revised version developed in conference with grants to local communities for fire safe ‘‘Fire Safe Communities Act’’ would provide in- the Senate later that year—the version that practices. The bill makes revisions to the au- centives for at-risk communities to adopt a President Bush signed into law. thorization of the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to allow new model Fire Safe ordinance that will set Since then, in Colorado there has been very them to administer grants to local commu- national standards in building codes, creation welcome progress in developing community nities for model ordinance compliance and of ‘‘defensible space’’ around homes, and re- wildfire protection plans and focusing fuel-re- for responsible zoning and fire protection duction of hazardous fuels. It also would au- duction projects in the priority wildland-urban strategies. The U.S. Forest Service would ad- thorize new Federal grants to help commu- interface—which we sometimes call the ‘‘red minister $35 million in fire-safe grants. The

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.024 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E98 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 Department of the Interior would administer HONORING VERIDIAN HOMES’ United States, and Chief of Staff to the Presi- $15 million in these grants. BUILDER OF THE YEAR 2008 dent of the Republic of Korea. He served AWARD three terms in the South Korean National As- WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION AND RENEWABLE sembly and thus has been, like us, a member BIOMASS UTILIZATION ACT HON. TAMMY BALDWIN of his country’s legislature. Moreover, in recognition of his exemplary This bill would revise the definition of ‘‘re- OF WISCONSIN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES record as a diplomat, Dr. Han was also elect- newable biomass’’ in section 201 of the En- ed President of the 56th session of the UN ergy Independence and Security Act of 2007 Tuesday, January 29, 2008 so as to facilitate and encourage the use of General Assembly in 2001. He was to be offi- biomass removed from certain additional Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise cially elected to the presidency on the fateful forest lands as an energy source, in order to today to honor Veridian Homes for receiving morning of September 11, 2001 but was, in- reduce the risk of severe wildfires to commu- Professional Builder magazine’s Builder of the stead, sworn in on the next day. His leader- nities, infrastructure, and water supplies. Year for 2008, one of the homebuilding indus- ship was instrumental in the passage of a res- Specifically, the bill would expand the cur- try’s most prestigious and coveted awards. olution by the UN General Assembly session rent definition of ‘‘renewable biomass’’ to in- This honor not only demonstrates a unique denouncing the terrorist attacks. He wrote clude biomass removed from lands within the level of innovation but also a vigorous dedica- about these experiences in his new book enti- wildland-urban interface in connection with tion to quality and customer service. tled ‘‘Beyond the Shadow of 9–11: A Year at an authorized hazardous fuel reduction As the largest residential builder in the State the United Nations General Assembly.’’ He re- projects. of Wisconsin, Veridian builds nearly 500 cently sent me a signed copy of his memoirs, The bill uses the definitions of ‘‘hazardous homes and condominiums each year. This which I greatly appreciate. fuel reduction project’’ and ‘‘wildland-urban level of productivity has earned it a market Over the years, Dr. Han and I have crossed interface’’ that are used in the Healthy For- share of over 30 percent while offering a vari- paths on more than one occasion due to our ests Restoration Act of 2003. ety in price, style, and size. In only 4 short mutual interest in international environmental That Act defines the term ‘‘wildland-urban years, Veridian Homes has claimed the spot- policy and, in particular, the issues sur- interface’’ as including ‘‘an area within or light as an industry leader despite the uncer- rounding global climate change. As chairman adjacent to an at-risk community that is identified ... in a community wildfire protec- tainties presented by the current market. of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs tion plan’’ or, with regard to a community Co-founders David Simon and Jeff Rosen- Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Global that has not developed a community wildfire berg have successfully combined the conven- Environment, I have always been personally protection plan, lands within a specified dis- tional wisdom of community development with impressed by Dr. Han’s depth and breadth of tance from the community’s boundary (a dis- a creative blend of environmentally conscious knowledge, his ability to listen to people with tance that can vary depending on the pres- business practices and quality improvement different—and sometimes technically com- ence of steep slopes or other geographic fea- strategies. All of Veridian’s homes and con- plex—ideas, and his capacity for synthesizing tures) as well as areas adjacent to an evacu- dominiums meet Green Built Home and En- the best of available knowledge for eventual ation route for an at-risk community that require hazardous fuel reduction to provide ergy Star program standards. The company decisionmaking. safer evacuation from an at-risk community. has also built six LEED-certified homes and Last November, speaking in Bangkok at the initiated its own recycling program, in addition Committee on Managing Globalization of the These definitions provide greater speci- to actively experimenting with more resource United Nations Economic and Social Commis- ficity than the term ‘‘immediate vicinity’’ now used in this part of the new energy law, and material-efficient processes. sion for Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP, Dr. Han and will broaden the scope of its applica- Even more impressive, though, is their at- noted the need for rapid economic growth in bility. I supported enactment of the Healthy tention to partnership and accountability. Asia and the Pacific—home to two-thirds of Forests Restoration Act, and I think it is ap- Simon and Rosenberg have consistently de- the world’s poor. However, he pointed out, ac- propriate to follow its example in this re- manded feedback from their employees, trade tions on climate change could be compatible spect. partners, and customers alike to ensure a with economic growth, saying: ‘‘We can turn level of continuous development. This cus- the crisis of climate change into a new eco- f tomer and product-first approach leaves no nomic opportunity.’’ aspect of quality improvement unattended. The choice of Dr. Han Seung-soo to be RECOGNIZING COREY DYLAN To the truest extent, Veridian Homes has Prime Minister by President-Elect Lee Myung- JEPSON FOR ACHIEVING THE made Wisconsin a great place to live. I am Bak provides excellent evidence that the U.S.- RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT proud to have such an extraordinary innovator Korea alliance partnership will continue to fur- and trendsetter right here in Dane County. I ther consolidate and deepen under their lead- wish Veridian Homes many more years of ership. During Dr. Han’s tenures as both the HON. SAM GRAVES success as a model for excellence and cus- Republic of Korea’s Foreign Minister and Am- OF MISSOURI tomer satisfaction. bassador to the United States, he cultivated f many friends and admirers in Washington. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Let me also take this opportunity to say that CONGRATULATING DR. HAN Tuesday, January 29, 2008 I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of SEUNG-SOO ON HIS NOMINATION the resolution congratulating Lee Myung-Bak Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly AS PRIME MINISTER OF THE RE- on his election to the presidency of the Re- pause to recognize Corey Dylan Jepson, a PUBLIC OF KOREA public of Korea. I look forward to working with very special young man who has exemplified his incoming administration on the important the finest qualities of citizenship and leader- HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA challenges facing the region, especially peace ship by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts OF AMERICAN SAMOA and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. of America, Troop 374, and in earning the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Madam Speaker, I hope that my colleagues most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 will join me in offering their own congratula- tions to Dr. Han Seung-soo and wish him well Corey has been very active with his troop, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I participating in many Scout activities. He has in his new responsibilities. rise today to offer congratulations to my friend, f held several leadership positions in the troop Dr. Han Seung-soo, on his nomination as the including Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol next Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea HONORING COACH JIM ALGEO Leader. Not only has Corey had many accom- by President-Elect Lee Myung-Bak. plishments within his troop, but he has also Dr. Han, currently serving as Special Envoy HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ earned the respect of his family, peers, and of the UN Secretary-General on Climate community. OF PENNSYLVANIA Change, has had a long and distinguished ca- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join reer in public service. He has previously me in commending Corey Dylan Jepson for served as South Korea’s Deputy Prime Min- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of ister and Minister of Finance and Economy, Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister today to honor and congratulate Coach Jim ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. of Trade and Industry, Ambassador to the Algeo on celebrating his 40th anniversary as

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.027 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E99 Coach of the Lansdale Catholic High School But as West Virginians we are intimately ‘‘protected wilderness helps diversify and sta- football team. I am proud that such a dedi- connected to our land. Our roots are planted bilize economies by attracting and retaining cated and honorable man has served the con- deep in our misty hollers and our majestic business, residents, and a local workforce, in stituents of my district for the past four dec- mountains. We know that we will be judged by addition to generating travel and tourism, one ades. future generations on our stewardship of this of the fastest growing sectors of West Vir- For the past 40 years, Coach Jim Algeo has land that is West Virginia. And so I believe ginia.’’ been a teacher and head football coach at that it is of paramount importance that we, I am also proud that people of faith in West Lansdale Catholic High School. Through far once again, set aside some of God’s handi- Virginia support additional wilderness. The more than football plays and academics, work in our forests by preserving these Fed- Reverend Dennis Sparks, executive director of Coach Alego has also taken great pride in eral lands in their pristine state. the West Virginia Council of Churches, wrote preparing the young men on his team for life We hunt these woods; we fish these to me as follows: ‘‘An area of federal land be- by teaching them to live by the admirable streams. These few areas that we are pro- longing to all Americans, the Monongahela motto: ‘‘Faith, Family, and Football.’’ posing to conserve in their natural state rep- National Forest can uniquely provide opportu- Coach Algeo’s well-rounded approach men- resent a significant national resource. But nities for reflection and inspiration that are be- toring players has enabled Lansdale Catholic more importantly to us, they constitute a fun- coming ever scarcer in our rapidly modern- to achieve a winning record with five PAC–10 damental right of West Virginians to retain a izing and developing world. We believe that titles and six District 1 crowns during his ten- vital link to our heritage, and to know that, for- carefully protecting this wonderful national for- ure as head coach. Coach Alego has been ever more, these lands will remain in their nat- est and its wilderness-quality lands not only recognized with numerous distinctions and ural state as our Creator forged them. We has a sound Biblical basis, but is also the best awards, including the Pennsylvania State cherish this as nothing less and nothing more and most practical course of action for safe- Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, than our birthright as West Virginians. guarding the world which we will pass along to Associated Press PA Class AA Coach of the By way of background, the Monongahela our children.’’ Year and the Maxwell Football Club Lifetime National Forest is comprised of over 919,000 Similarly, Bob Marshall, D.V.M., wrote: ‘‘Like Achievement Award. Together, these inspired acres of Federal land in 10 counties of the me, you were probably raised by parents who young men and their determined coach were eastern portion of West Virginia. The forest is took you to church, where you learned many able to bring home the PIAA AA State Cham- a major recreational resource for West Vir- of the morals and ethics that guide your deci- pionship in 2004. ginians as well as people from neighboring sions today. I was taught to ‘Love God with all Coach Alego lives his personal life with the States, hosting approximately 3 million visitors your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your same commitment as his life on the field, annually. Currently, the forest has five feder- neighbor as yourself.’ These words still speak sharing the past 48 years with the Crusaders’ ally designated wilderness areas comprising to me today, and have led me to believe that biggest cheerleader, Mickey Algeo. Together 78,041 acres: Otter Creek, Dolly Sods, Laurel West Virginia needs to preserve as much of Jim and Mickey have raised nine children, and Fork North and South, and the Cranberry Wil- our wild lands as possible, through the Wilder- are the proud grandparents of 16 loving derness. ness proposal.’’ grandkids. As part of the revision of the Forest Plan This proposal also enjoys the support of Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues completed in 2006, 18 roadless areas were various West Virginia chapters of Trout Unlim- join me in celebrating Coach Jim Algeo’s 40th inventoried and evaluated for their wilderness ited. The vice president of the Mountaineer anniversary milestone and in wishing him potential. As a result of this process, the West Chapter, Randy Kesling, wrote to me as fol- many more years of enriching the lives of Virginia Delegation to the U.S. House of Rep- lows: ‘‘National Forest Wilderness Areas are those around him. In the many roles Coach resentatives is proposing to designate seven the tap-roots into the landscape of our begin- Alego has been blessed to fulfill in his life, he of the evaluated areas as wilderness. Totaling nings—the original forest. The U.S. Forest has set an example for all of us to follow 47,128 acres, three of the areas are additions Service itself calls them ‘ecological anchors in f to existing wilderness: the Cranberry Expan- a fragile landscape.’ Today we are at another WILD MONONGAHELA: A NATIONAL sion in Webster and Pocahontas Counties, the crossroad in the natural history of this great LEGACY FOR WEST VIRGINIA’S Dolly Sods Expansion in Tucker County and forest. This is in every sense a watershed mo- SPECIAL PLACES the Dry Fork Expansion in Tucker County to ment—to set this fragile forest on the path to the Otter Creek Wilderness. The other four are recovery.’’ He concluded: ‘‘The Mountaineer proposed new wilderness areas: Big Draft in Chapter of Trout Unlimited believes that Wil- HON. NICK J. RAHALL II Greenbrier County, Cheat Mountain in Ran- derness Designation provides the best path to OF WEST VIRGINIA dolph County, Roaring Plains West in Pen- that recovery.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dleton and Randolph Counties and Spice Run Mr. Don Gasper, who worked for the West Tuesday, January 29, 2008 in Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties. Virginia Division of Natural Resources for Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, today I am Under the new Land and Resource Man- many years, and who is a highly respected pleased to introduce legislation to designate agement Plan for the Monongahela National fish biologist, wrote: ‘‘You lawmakers in Con- additional areas as wilderness within the Forest, all seven areas are now being man- gress have an important opportunity right now Monongahela National Forest in our State of aged essentially as wilderness. Cheat Moun- to permanently protect some of the most spe- West Virginia. Joining me in this initiative are tain, the Cranberry Expansion, the Dry Fork cial remaining wild places in the Monongahela my West Virginia colleagues Representatives addition to Otter Creek Wilderness and Roar- National Forest.’’ SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO and ALAN MOLLOHAN. ing Plains West are under Management Pre- Many communities across West Virginia Our senior Senator, ROBERT C. BYRD, is scription 5.1, Recommended Wilderness. have registered their support for wilderness. fond of noting that: ‘‘West Virginia is one of Meanwhile, the Big Draft area, the Dolly Sods The Honorable John Manchester, the mayor of the most beautiful and unique places. It is the Expansion and the Spice Run area are under the City of Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, most southern of the northern and the most Management Prescription 6.2, Backcountry and that city’s Council, passed a resolution northern of the southern; the most eastern of Recreation. This management prescription which in part states: ‘‘wilderness forest areas the western and the most western of the east- emphasizes a non-motorized setting with a encompass the development of rural commu- ern. It is where the East says good morning to largely natural environment and a lack of man- nities as people are attracted to, or stay in, the West, and where Yankee Doodle and agement-related disturbance. places that are clean, beautiful and where Dixie kiss each other good night.’’ Before I describe the special attributes of they have ample opportunities to connect with Indeed, West Virginia is a most beautiful the seven areas contained in our legislation, I nature....’’ and unique place. And with the introduction of would like to note the support this initiative The Honorable Martin Saffer, a Pocahontas our legislation, ‘‘Wild Monongahela: A National has among working men and women in West County Commissioner, wrote: ‘‘I encourage Legacy for West Virginia’s Special Places,’’ we Virginia. I am proud that the West Virginia you to take quick action to introduce legisla- are striving to keep it that way. AFL–CIO passed a resolution last October in tion to protect some of our most special land- This is about the heart and soul of West Vir- support of additional wilderness in the scapes. This is truly a watershed moment. ginia. Our southern mountains have been Monongahela National Forest. Their resolution The time is now.’’ yielding their coal for generations and our states that ‘‘wilderness forest areas and the In addition, the Fayette County Commission northern ridge lines are being targeted by the outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing they wrote in support, stating: ‘‘Wildlands in the Na- merchants of wind power. More development provide improve the quality of life for all West tional Forest enhance our area’s natural re- is coming, and, in most cases, it is welcomed. Virginians.’’ The resolution further notes that source based tourism economy, increase the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.031 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E100 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 quality of life for Fayette County residents, of over 3,800 feet in elevation. The Allegheny lenges of the U.S.-Japan relationship. The protect our hunting and fishing lands, clean Front drops 2,200 feet on the east, just out- commission consists of both private and cer- air, clean water, and protect the headwaters of side the proposed wilderness boundary. Ac- tain designated public officials, and I am some of Fayette County’s rivers from disturb- cording to the Forest Service evaluation, ‘‘the pleased to serve as one of two commissioners ance, thus reducing the threats from flooding.’’ bog and heath eco-types are more typical of appointed from the House. The Greenbrier County Convention and Visi- what one would expect to find in Maine or Mr. Porte´ was nominated to join the com- tors Bureau wrote to me and specifically re- southern Canada rather than West Virginia.’’ mission and serve as chairman last year with quested the inclusion of the Big Draft and Views west from Cabin Mountain across the overwhelming support from commission mem- Spice Run areas as wilderness. They noted: Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge are bers, and his appointment was recently ap- ‘‘From the luxury of The Greenbrier Resort to outstanding. proved by the White House. the primitive Monongahela National Forest, Dry Fork Expansion: This small 740-acre His long and very direct experience in visitors can choose their own unique experi- proposed expansion of the Otter Creek Wilder- Japan and U.S.-Japan issues will serve the ence while visiting Greenbrier County.’’ ness area has a high natural integrity and ap- commission and CULCON well as we work to The Pocahontas County Convention and pearance and is dominated by spruce at its build greater understanding and strengthen Visitors Bureau has also weighed in, stating: higher elevations with a mixture of northern ties between our two countries through the ‘‘We feel that designating additional wilderness hardwoods. This area occupies the northern funding of educational, cultural, and academic areas will increase the strong economic base and eastern flanks of McGowan Mountain programs. Mr. Porte´ has vast experience in that outdoor recreation in Pocahontas County leading down to the Dry Fork of the Cheat the financial services industry and currently is relies on. Benefits associated with designated River. It provides much of the scenic view for the president and CEO of Shinsei Bank Lim- wilderness are far reaching for the people of this popular river, which contains excellent ited. West Virginia, our wildlife populations and the whitewater recreation opportunities and trout He also is a member of the board of direc- land itself. Protecting our last few remaining fishing. tors and chairman of the Finance Committee wilderness areas will ensure that present and Roaring Plains West: This 6,820-acre area of the American School in Japan. Previously, future generations can use and enjoy parts of located southwest of Dolly Sods ranges in ele- he served as vice president and governor of the forest in their natural state.’’ vation from 3,700 feet to over 4,700 feet and the American Chamber of Commerce in Following is a brief description of the seven is, according to the Forest Service evaluation, Japan, and in 2002–2003, Mr. Porte´ was a areas the West Virginia Delegation propose to minimally affected by outside forces. The member of the Invest Japan Forum, which be designated as wilderness— Roaring Plains and Flatrock Plains areas en- provided recommendations on the promotion Big Draft: This 5,242-acre area in the south- compassed by the proposed wilderness com- of foreign direct investment in Japan to Prime ern tip of the forest is located about 5 miles prise the highest plateaus in the eastern Minister Koizumi. from White Sulphur Springs, the home of the United States. They are part of the geologic But his interest in Japan extends beyond famed Greenbrier Resort. According to the backbone of West Virginia called the Alle- the financial markets—he is knowledgeable in Forest Service evaluation of the area, the pri- gheny Front. The evaluation also notes it is re- Japanese culture and the arts as well, and he mary vegetative type is oak and hickory with mote backcountry, providing a good oppor- will bring a unique perspective to our efforts. pockets of hemlock and white pine as well as tunity for solitude. Special features include an It is a privilege to have Mr. Porte´ serve as black hickory and sassafras. The evaluation area known as Mt. Porte Crayon, with excep- our chairman. I know he has the right back- makes note of the area’s ‘‘natural tional views. ground, skills and energy to continue to build untrammeled appearance, and natural ecologi- Spice Run: A proposed 7,124-acre new wil- on the important work of the commission. cal processes that are the primary factors af- derness, this area rises from the Greenbrier f fecting the area.’’ Trout and small-mouth bass River on its western boundary and is an ex- fishing is considered excellent. The area has CONGRATULATING MR. THIERRY tremely remote place primarily accessible from ´ also been popular for wilderness quality white- the river. There are no system trails within the PORTE FOR HIS APPOINTMENT water trips down Anthony Creek, and the trout area. The elevation ranges from 2,000 feet AS CHAIRMAN OF THE JAPAN- and rock bass fishing is excellent. along the Greenbrier River to 3,284 feet on U.S. FRIENDSHIP COMMISSION Cheat Mountain: Comprised of 7,955 acres, the top of Slab Camp Mountain. Spice Run, the area ranges in elevation from 3,000 to along with Davy Run and Kincaid Run, cut HON. JIM McDERMOTT 3,800 feet and is a relatively flat forested pla- steep hollows which delineate the terrain. OF WASHINGTON teau. The area is dissected by six streams Spice Run is one of the most remote places IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES flowing through rugged terrain dropping steep- in the State and provides excellent opportuni- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 ly to the river. According to the Forest Service ties for solitude and backcountry recreation. evaluation, the vegetation consists of northern In conclusion, I thank my colleagues in the Mr. MCDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, I would hardwood stands with some red spruce. It has West Virginia Delegation to the U.S. House of like to take this time to congratulate Mr. a ‘‘natural untrammeled appearance’’ and ‘‘the Representatives in joining with me to introduce Thierry Porte´ for his recent appointment as the opportunity to experience remoteness is this bill, ‘‘Wild Monongahela: A National Leg- new Chairman of the Japan-U.S. Friendship good.’’ Special features of the area include the acy for West Virginia’s Special Places.’’ Commission (JUSFC) and the U.S.-Japan High Falls of the Cheat, which is a major wa- f Conference on Cultural and Educational Inter- terfall, and a favorite destination for hikers and change (CULCON). excursion train visitors. Cheat Mountain is a MR. THIERRY PORTE´ , NEW CHAIR- Mr. Porte´, who is the President and CEO of favorite of hunters and anglers. MAN OF THE JAPAN-U.S. Shinsei Bank, Ltd. has a long and established Cranberry Expansion: A proposed 12,032- FRIENDSHIP COMMISSION history as an advocate for exchanges of ideas acre addition to the highly popular Cranberry and culture between the U.S. and Japan. His Wilderness, the expansion is located between HON. THOMAS E. PETRI distinguished experience in the business com- the Williams River on the north and the Cran- OF WISCONSIN munity as the first American to head a major berry River on the south and west. According IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Japanese bank combined with his work as to the Forest Service evaluation, ‘‘both natural Chairman of the U.S.-Japan Bridging Founda- integrity and appearance are considered high Tuesday, January 29, 2008 tion’s Tokyo Advisory Board in promoting bet- over much of the area . . .’’ It contains an ex- Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I want to join ter educational and cultural relations between cellent trail system and is held in high esteem my colleague, Representative JIM the two countries make him uniquely qualified by hunters, anglers and hikers. The combina- MCDERMOTT, in congratulating Mr. Thierry for this position. tion of the Cranberry Wilderness, Cranberry Porte´ on his appointment as the new chairman As a member of the JUSFC, which was es- Backcountry and Cranberry Expansion would of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission. He tablished as an independent Federal agency create the largest area of non-motorized rec- will also serve as chairman of the U.S.-Japan by Congress in 1975 to administer a trust fund reational opportunities in West Virginia—a vast Conference on Cultural and Educational Inter- and makes grant to promote scholarly, cultural silent forest primeval. change, known as CULCON. and public affairs activities between Japan and Dolly Sods Expansion: Another well-known The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission is the U.S., I look forward to working with Mr. and popular wilderness area, Dolly Sods, is an independent Federal agency that provides Porte´ over the next few years on coordinating proposed to be expanded by 7,215 acres to support, primarily through grants, to Ameri- the goals of the Commission and moving the the north. Most of the area is a rolling plateau cans to better understand and meet the chal- bilateral relationship forward.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.033 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E101 HONORING ALEXANDRA Florida to form the Bureau of Catholic Char- Glenn lived with HIV/AIDS for over 18 MCGREGOR ities. The group aided in a variety of ministries years, and in that time created a legacy that such as social services, nursing, and edu- can never be replicated. Rejecting his physical HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG cation. Catholic Charities has operated out of condition as a debilitating force, Glenn devel- OF MICHIGAN a responsibility ‘‘to answer Christ’s call to help oped his mind in ways that placed him in a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES those in need,’’ regardless of race, ethnicity, rare class of human beings who do not seek or religion. Over 90 percent of those they have knowledge just for knowledge’s sake, but to Tuesday, January 29, 2008 served are not Catholic. transcend normal social constructs of race and Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, two Ten years earlier, this same congregation of gender, to transform status quo, and to posi- years ago I met a young high school student Roman Catholic sisters founded in Holy Trin- tively alter our communities. It goes without who had a brilliant and patriotic idea. Alex- ity, Alabama, traveled to Pensacola to begin saying that Glenn was not a genius for genius’ andra McGregor, from Waterford, Michigan, their ministries at St. Joseph’s Catholic sake. set out to establish a ‘‘Support the Troops Church. However, these women were faced Combining his ontology with social activism Day’’ and, for the third year in a row, I am in- with unfortunate conditions that jeopardized made Glenn a pillar in his Philadelphia Com- troducing a resolution inspired by Alexandra. their health, and it proved impossible to carry munity. I know that he would find my submis- out their mission at that time. While their mis- Alexandra’s extraordinary effort started as a sion of remarks to the CONGRESSIONAL sion was delayed, they soon returned and grassroots campaign to encourage people to RECORD in his honor quite ironic and enter- take a moment and reflect on the service and were able to administer their ‘‘dynamic and ef- taining given the fact that he was very critical sacrifice of those currently in our military. fective system for bringing about a better soci- of government and many government policies. What began as a small effort by a local high ety.’’ Even though I know he would debate (and school student has turned into a nation-wide Catholic Charities has been a devoted care- possibly contest) this assertion, I believe that event honoring our active duty military men taker of the region since its inception, with Glenn was the ultimate example of a true and women. continuous growth as they have expanded American precisely because he challenged Every year, Americans participate in numer- their services to include all charity work within and critiqued our system and policy of govern- ous patriotic celebrations; from past Presi- the Pensacola area and have opened several ance; he truly believed that status quo was dents to our veterans. But never do we honor offices to better serve members of the com- never acceptable; that things could always be our active-duty military men and women who munity. They have been instrumental in cre- improved. Glenn’s social philanthropy is evi- are protecting our freedom today. With inspira- ating a kindhearted and compassionate envi- dence of his convictions. He worked with the tion from Alexandra, my resolution encourages ronment in Northwest Florida. City to develop a safe playground for his North This remarkable organization has also im- Americans to participate in a moment of si- Philadelphia neighborhood, worked with prison plemented programs to assist with disaster re- lence on March 26th to reflect on the sacrifice programs to directly address the needs of covery, refugee resettlement, immigration of those who are serving this country both at those who are incarcerated, mentored count- processes, and child placement to help build home and abroad. less young people, taught and participated in strong, loving families. Catholic Charities’ dedi- Madam Speaker, ‘‘Support the Troops Day’’ many community educational programs on cation and vision has touched the lives of is a yearly celebration in Oakland County, HIV/AIDS, and taught a class on Death and countless people and will forever be appre- Michigan and I come to the floor today to re- Dying. In 43 brief years, he accomplished ciated by generations to come. introduce the resolution marking March 26th what many never achieve in a lifetime. as ‘‘Support the Troops Day.’’ Both the House Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United of Representatives and the Senate passed States Congress, I would like to offer my sin- Glenn departed this life on December 14, similar resolutions two years ago and I hope cere gratitude to a generous group that has 2007 and will be sorely missed by his family, this Congress will actively show its support for served as an inspiration to us all. I am proud friends, loved ones, and community. His phe- our service members by passing this resolu- to honor Catholic Charities of Northwest Flor- nomenal human spirit should be an inspiration tion. ida for their deep sense of personal service to to us all. f the Lord’s work for so many years. f f PERSONAL EXPLANATION TRIBUTE TO MR GLENN RECOGNIZING JAMES CLIFFORD HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY ‘‘OMODIENDE’’ REITZ SEWARD FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT OF NEVADA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. ROBERT A. BRADY OF PENNSYLVANIA Tuesday, January 29, 2008 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. SAM GRAVES Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, due to Tuesday, January 29, 2008 OF MISSOURI flight delays in traveling from my congres- sional district to Washington DC, I was unable Mr. BRADY of Philadelphia. Madam Speak- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES er, I rise today to honor the life, legacy, and to vote on rollcall Nos. 23 and 24. Had I been Tuesday, January 29, 2008 present, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ accomplishments of Mr. Glenn ‘‘Omodiende’’ f Reitz. Glenn Reitz was a scholar, teacher, and Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly socio-political activist, whose life and life’s pause to recognize James Clifford Seward, a RECOGNIZING THE 80TH ANNIVER- work is a testament of one’s ability to triumph very special young man who has exemplified SARY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES over adversity, and transcend race, class, and the finest qualities of citizenship and leader- OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA gender in order to actualize a more humanist ship by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts conception of community. His African name of America, Troop 374, and in earning the HON. JEFF MILLER ‘‘Omodiende’’ means ‘‘the child returns’’; most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Glenn’s zealous approach to life befits his OF FLORIDA James has been very active with his troop, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES given name. Glenn was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin participating in many scout activities. He has Tuesday, January 29, 2008 on April 7, 1964. He served in the U.S. Navy earned many awards and has held many lead- Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on from 1982 to 1994 when he was medically re- ership positions including librarian, historian behalf of the United States Congress, it is with tired. He then enrolled at Temple University in and assistant patrol leader. Not only has great honor that I rise today to recognize the Philadelphia, PA, where he earned a bachelor James had many accomplishments within his immeasurable community contributions of of arts degree and a master of arts degree in troop but he has also earned the respect of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida after African American Studies. Given his ultimate his family, peers, and community. 80 years of devoted service. search for truth, his love of knowledge, and Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join In 1928, the Missionary Servants of the his innovative and ingenious nature, it is no me in commending James Clifford Seward for Most Blessed Trinity recognized the growing surprise that at the time of his death, Mr. Reitz his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of need for the Lord’s work with the poor and was in the process of pursuing a PhD in Afri- America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- disadvantaged and traveled to Pensacola, can American Studies. ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.037 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E102 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 TRIBUTE TO DR. THOMAS GORRIE to propose solutions and safeguards to the HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVER- ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM many ethical challenges facing the pharma- SARY OF ROSELAND, NEW JER- JOHNSON & JOHNSON ceutical industry. The book touched on such SEY topics as the ethical demands and economic HON. RUSH D. HOLT constraints of drug research, the right of pa- HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN OF NEW JERSEY tients to participate in clinical trials, the regula- OF NEW JERSEY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion of prescription drugs and intellectual prop- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES erty rights. I was pleased to write a chapter on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Tuesday, January 29, 2008 how government should regulate stem-cell re- Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to search. As Congress continues to debate Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to Dr. Thomas Gorrie, Johnson & many of the issues the book explores, I rec- rise today to congratulate the people of the Johnson’s Corporate Vice President for Gov- ommend its scholarship to my colleagues. Borough of Roseland, County of Essex, New ernment Affairs & Policy on his retirement Madam Speaker, Johnson & Johnson is one Jersey, as they commemorate the 100th anni- from the company. of America’s leading and most innovative versary of the incorporation of their commu- Johnson & Johnson has a long history as a pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and nity. New Jersey-based company, starting as it did consumer healthcare companies. I commend In 1908, the residents of the Roseland Com- making bandages and emerging over the Dr. Gorrie’s service at Johnson & Johnson. I munity, displeased with the services they were years to become the world’s largest health- know we have all benefited from Dr. Gorrie’s receiving, took action to separate themselves care company. I am proud to represent many leadership during the past 35 years, and as he and their town from the Township of Living- thousands of Johnson & Johnson’s employ- continues to increase his civic participation, ston. During this time, many communities ees, including Dr. Gorrie, who is also a friend many will continue to benefit from Tom’s vi- throughout the State of New Jersey decided to and neighbor. He has informed me of his plan sion and talents. separate from larger townships and the time was right for the residents of Roseland to to retire from Johnson & Johnson on March 1, f 2008 after a productive 35 years of service, make a change. and I want to take a moment today to pay trib- A TRIBUTE TO MR. RONEY The completion of the Morristown and Erie ute to his lifetime of service and accomplish- CHEERS Railroads in 1904–1905 had made it possible ments. for residents of Roseland to work in neigh- My colleagues here in the House may be fa- HON. MIKE McINTYRE boring cities, while enjoying life in the country. During this time, the Borough purchased water miliar with Dr. Gorrie’s work, even if they have OF NORTH CAROLINA supply lines and installed electric home and not personally met him. Under his leadership IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES he brought Johnson & Johnson to Congress street lighting which further enhanced life in Tuesday, January 29, 2008 by establishing the Johnson & Johnson Day Roseland. And by the 1920s, Henry Ford’s on the Hill, where new pharmaceuticals, Mr. MCINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise methods of mass production of the automobile breakthrough technology and medical devices today to pay tribute to Mr. Roney Cheers of changed the development of Roseland for- are on display for Members and staff to learn Shallotte, North Carolina, who recently passed ever. about and in the case of the iBOT, a power away. The life of Mr. Cheers was diverse in After World War I, new houses went up, wheelchair, take it out for a spin. experience and rich in success. The interests many residents now owned cars and Rose- Born and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Gorrie and endeavors of Mr. Cheers varied exten- land flourished. At this time, the Borough out- received his bachelor of arts degree from Rut- sively. However, the common thread that grew its country-style living and joined the gers University and his masters and doctorate wove all of his passions together was his de- more urban society we know today. The Great degrees in chemistry from Princeton Univer- votion to and pride for his hometown of Depression and World War II brought with sity. Shallotte. them some hard times for the people of Rose- After completion of post-doctoral studies at Mr. Cheers was elected mayor of Shallotte land, but the residents proved that as a com- the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in at the age of 26, the youngest in the State of munity they could survive. When called to Zurich, Dr. Gorrie began his career with John- North Carolina at the time, and would return to serve their country, all residents accepted their son & Johnson in 1972 as a senior research the office again years later for nearly a dec- responsibilities, in both military and civilian scientist in the medical device area. He subse- ade. He also served as alderman for the town service, and did their part. After victory, the quently held positions of increasing responsi- of Shallotte, first in 1947 and again from 1991 pride felt all over the Nation was especially bility in marketing, sales, and general manage- to 1999. Mr. Cheers would go on to serve his strong in Roseland. ment, including Company Group Chairman State as a justice of the peace as well as In the following decades, Roseland’s devel- and Worldwide Franchise Chairman of John- magistrate. A man with an expansive vision for opment continued. During this time, great im- son & Johnson Medical, Inc., and member of the future, he was instrumental in helping es- provements in community services and facili- the Consumer Pharmaceuticals and Profes- tablish the weekly publication that currently ties were made. Roseland is now thriving with sional Operating Group. He then worked with serves many of the coastal communities in a prosperous business and corporate center, the Johnson & Johnson Development Cor- North Carolina, The Brunswick Beacon. excellent schools, recreational facilities and a poration before assuming his current position Throughout his life, Mr. Cheers was also ac- strong sense of community. as world-wide head of government affairs and tive in the non-political aspects of his commu- Madam Speaker, for the past 100 years, the policy in 1999. nity, for example, serving as chairman of the Borough of Roseland has prospered as a Tom is an active member of his community Shallotte Centennial Committee in 1998 and community and continues to flourish today. By and currently serves on numerous non-profit spearheading efforts to mark the town’s 100th all accounts, it will continue to thrive in the fu- boards. He is Chair of the Duke University anniversary and celebrate its rich history. As ture, and I ask you, Madam Speaker, and my Health System, a member of the Board of Di- Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the Congres- colleagues to congratulate all residents of rectors of Duke University, and a Trustee sional Caucus on Youth Sports, I appreciate Roseland on this special 100th anniversary Emeritus of the Board for the Hun School of his dedication to the young athletes of his year. Princeton. He is a member of the Board of the community. Through his work as a volunteer f National Committee for U.S.-China Relations referee and umpire, Mr. Cheers clearly recog- HONORING CHIEF GARY WEST- and Vice Chair of the China Association of En- nized the importance of serving as a positive PHAL FOR 35 YEARS OF SERVICE terprises with Foreign Investment (CAEFI). Fi- role model and mentor for the next generation. nally, he is an adjunct professor at one of our Individuals like Mr. Cheers serve as power- HON. JEB HENSARLING state’s finest educational facilities, the Rutgers ful inspirations for what can be accomplished OF TEXAS Business School. with limitless energy and persistent drive. As a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The way that Dr. Gorrie imbues all of his lifelong servant to the town of Shallotte as well work with admirable ethics is reflected in this as one of its most devoted visionaries, Mr. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 book he edited a few years ago, ‘‘Ethics and Cheers never forgot the traditions of the small Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, today I the Pharmaceutical Industry.’’ For the book Dr. town he grew up in while working simulta- rise to recognize an outstanding citizen and Gorrie brought together representatives of in- neously towards its growth and progress. May public servant, Chief Gary Westphal, in honor dustry, government, NGOs, and leading think- we never forget and always be grateful for the of his retirement from 35 years of service at ers in medicine, health ethics and economics contributions and service of Mr. Cheers. the Mesquite Police Department.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.042 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E103 In 1972, Chief Westphal started his service dent concerns. Through their tireless motiva- Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia and prac- as a jailer and was promoted through the tion and many contributions, school board ticing general surgery at Hamot Hospital in ranks until 2002, when he became Chief of members have distinguished themselves as Erie. He reached the pinnacle of his remark- Police for the Mesquite Police Department. compassionate individuals who are deeply able medical career when he was ultimately Chief Westphal pioneered several student, committed to educating our children. These appointed Chief of Surgery at Hamot and later anti-drug campaigns such as ‘‘Slama Bama members have sought to ensure every child is became a traveling guest lecturer at the highly Jama,’’ ‘‘What If,’’ and the ‘‘Cheese Anti-drug given the opportunity to learn and succeed. esteemed Harvard University. Initiative.’’ Esteemed by his community and Also, their many contributions serve as a fine Not only has Dr. Dunn contributed to society peers, Chief Westphal was named ‘‘Hometown example to inspire others. professionally, but he also has had a great im- Hero’’ by Town East Mall and ‘‘Top Cop’’ 2006 The Michigan Association of School Boards pact through his volunteer efforts in the Erie by the Texas Police Chiefs Association. launched the National School Board Recogni- community of Pennsylvania’s 3rd district. He is In addition to faithfully serving his commu- tion program in Michigan in 1989, in which a member of the Sons of the American Revo- nity, Chief Westphal is a husband to Susan, a only five states chose to celebrate this special lution and has served on the boards of mul- father of three children, and a grandfather. month. Subsequently, the National School tiple community organizations, notably as Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth Dis- Board Association’s Delegate Assembly re- Founder and Board member of Hospice of trict of Texas, I am honored to recognize Chief solved to initiate National School Board Rec- Metropolitan Erie. He also was actively in- Gary Westphal for his courage in protecting ognition Month in 1995. Other States followed volved in Meals for Wheels, the Erie Commu- and serving the citizens of Mesquite. suit by annually recognizing their local school nity Foundation and the Erie Cemetery Asso- f board members’ service and commitment to ciation. their children and schools. January 2008 I am often reminded that America has been HONORING DR. IRA SARISON marks the annual observance of this year’s blessed with great people and leaders; Ameri- School Board Recognition Month. This year’s cans who rose to the challenge when their HON. ROBERT WEXLER theme is ‘‘School Boards Lead Strong.’’ This country was in need. I take great pride in rep- OF FLORIDA theme reflects school board members’ com- resenting a district with such honorable men in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bined commitment to leadership and account- history. I hope my colleagues will join me in hon- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 ability in ensuring all children succeed. Madam Speaker, for 59 years, Michigan oring Dr. Dunn for his admirable service to our Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today state school board members have exemplified country. His lifetime of achievements in the to honor the life of Dr. Ira Sarison, a con- civic duty by making decisions which fun- medical field and the community is certainly stituent and friend of mine from Boynton damentally enrich the quality of education for deserving of recognition, celebration and a Beach, who passed away unexpectedly on over 1.7 million Michigan students. Today, I great deal of gratitude. January 11, 2008 while traveling in Argentina. ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating f Dr. Sarison was a native of the Bronx, New these school board members upon observ- York, and had a distinguished career as an ance of School Board Recognition Month; and INTRODUCTION OF THE DEPART- educator, last serving as Assistant Super- recognizing their years of loyal commitment to MENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY intendent of Schools in Oceanside, New York. education which has, undoubtedly, helped to COMPONENT PRIVACY OFFICER Following his retirement in 1988, he relocated create exceptional scholars and citizens. ACT OF 2008 to Florida where he established a successful f elder care management practice in my con- HON. CHRISTOPHER P. CARNEY gressional district. He also served as the HONORING DR. DAVID DENNIS OF PENNSYLVANIA DUNN founding past president of the Democratic IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Club of Greater Boynton Beach. Dr. Sarison Tuesday, January 29, 2008 will best be remembered for his life-long pas- HON. PHIL ENGLISH sion for and commitment to education and for OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. CARNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today his tireless work helping those who needed it IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to introduce the Department of Homeland Se- most in his community. curity Component Privacy Officer Act of 2008. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Ira Sarison is survived by his wife, Rivalee, In the Homeland Security Act of 2002 Con- his children Lynn and Robert, his sister and Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. Madam gress created within the Department of Home- grandchildren, his extended family, and a Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor land Security a Chief Privacy Officer. large circle of friends, of which I am honored Dr. David Dennis Dunn for his dedication to The Privacy Officer is responsible for ensur- to be a part. his country, exemplary service during World ing that an individual’s privacy rights are not Everyone who knew Ira Sarison loved him War II and contributions to the medical field infringed upon by the creation of Department dearly, and he will be deeply missed. and the Erie, Pennsylvania community. This of Homeland Security policies and programs. f honorable citizen will soon celebrate his 95th The DHS Chief Privacy Officer is unique birthday on February 6, 2008. within the structure of the Federal government HONORING THE STATE OF MICHI- WW II is filled with stories of heroism, self- insofar as it is a statutory position that is in- GAN SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS lessness, patriotism and a relentless desire to tended to be involved at all levels of the De- secure a future for the United States of Amer- partment’s activities—from policy formation to HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER ica and the international community. Brave its implementation. OF MICHIGAN men left their ordinary lives in order to serve However, time has shown that the Chief Pri- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a cause greater than themselves. Dr. Dunn vacy Officer needs help in achieving this goal. was among those great men to make that sac- This bill will create Privacy Officers that will Tuesday, January 29, 2008 rifice. report directly to the Chief Privacy Officer in Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I Contributing his medical skills to that noble the following DHS Components: TSA, the Bu- rise to honor and acknowledge the State of cause, Dr. Dunn served more than four years reau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Michigan school board members in observ- in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, including CBP, ICE, FEMA, the Coast Guard, the ance of School Board Recognition Month for overseas duty in Iceland, England, Ireland, Science and Technology Directorate, the Intel- their service and unwavering commitment to France, Germany, Luxembourg and Austria. ligence and Analysis Directorate, and the Na- our children and our schools. He attained the rank of Captain serving in the tional Protections and Programs Directorate. The Michigan Association of School Boards 5th Medical Battalion, 5th Infantry Division and The level of public confidence and trust in was founded in 1949 to provide a united voice later served in the 30th Field Hospital. Dr. the Department’s handling of privacy matters for the thousands of men and women who Dunn was awarded five Battlestars and the remains abysmally low. champion the cause of public education as Bronze Star among a variety of other medals Moreover, there is also a major concern re- board members. Michigan’s 4,100 school of commendations for his service. garding the Privacy Office’s involvement at the board members contribute hundreds of hours Dr. Dunn pursued a 50 year career in Gen- outset of the policymaking process, as in- each year leading their districts by adopting eral Surgery, starting as an instructor at the tended by Congress. policies, hiring superior personnel and admin- University of Pennsylvania Medical School, This was made clear in testimony before the istrators, and listening to staff, parent and stu- completing a residency in surgery at the Committee on Homeland Security when it was

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.045 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E104 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 revealed that the Privacy Officer was not INTRODUCTION OF THE ROBIN IN HONOR OF FIREFIGHTERS PHIL- brought into the development of a new Na- DANIELSON ACT IP C. ADDISON, PROSPER W. tional Applications Office, NAO, that would BUCHHART, AND CHARLES W. monitor the use of spy satellites for homeland HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY STEWART OF THE KNICKER- security purposes, until almost 2 years after BOCKER HOOK & LADDER OF NEW YORK the development stage began. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bringing in the Privacy Office at the 11th HON. SCOTT GARRETT Tuesday, January 29, 2008 hour is not the proper way to blend in privacy OF NEW JERSEY protections and appropriate safeguards before Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES policies and programs are underway. Speaker, Robin Danielson’s two daughters will Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Placing Privacy Officers in the component never forget the tragic day in Speaker, 1998 Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam agencies that make up the Department of when their mother died at the age of 44. Nor Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three Homeland Security is the first step to ensuring will they forget the preventable illness that men who have together given nearly 160 killed her. that privacy protections are in place at the be- years of service as firefighters in North Jersey. ginning of the process. Like thousands of others, Robin Danielson This weekend the Knickerbocker Hook & Lad- was the victim of Toxic Shock Syndrome, der Company in Closter, New Jersey will The Component agencies are the pulse of TSS, a rare but potentially life-threatening ill- honor these men at their golden anniversary the Homeland Security Department. Most ness that is often linked to high-absorbency of service. Knickerbocker Hook & Ladder has homeland security efforts stem from Compo- tampon use. Robin’s death could have been served the people of Closter since 1893. And, nent Agency actions. prevented if only she had recognized the these men have been a part of nearly half of Privacy Officers need to be where the action symptoms. Yet, even today, many women are that century of service. is happening, not waiting for a phone call after not fully aware of the risks of tampon use or Philip Addison first joined the Closter Fire decisions have already been made. TSS. Department in March 1957. He served as According to the Centers for Disease Con- Under the current structure, the Privacy Of- Chief in 1970 and as President in 1972. trol and Prevention, one to two of every Prosper Buchhart joined the Closter Fire fice has to rely on Component Agencies for in- 100,000 women between the ages of 15–44 Department shortly after Philip, in December formation concerning programs and policies years old will be diagnosed with TSS each 1957, and has also served as Chief and Presi- that impact privacy rights. Sometimes this year. Yet, the last national surveillance was dent. happens; sometimes it does not. conducted in 1987 and in only four States. Charles Stewart started with Dumont Fire When it does not happen, the risk is clear: Moreover, although TSS is a nationally Company #2 in April 1949 and transferred to Recently, the Department’s Inspector Gen- notifiable disease that States report to CDC, the Closter Fire Department 12 years later. eral determined that the Science & Tech- reporting by the States is voluntary. Dismissed Knickerbocker Hook & Ladder was honored nology Directorate’s ADVISE program should as ‘‘sporadic,’’ the CDC has not even released in 2001 by the Volunteer Center of Bergen be cancelled due to privacy concerns. this information to the public since 2003. County for the work of its volunteers to keep Clearly, we do not have enough transparent or the people and businesses of Closter safe and This determination was made after the De- timely information to evaluate the reality of secure. These 45 volunteers spend countless partment spent $42 million on the program. TSS today. hours on call at work, in their homes, or at the It was also determined that the Chief Pri- The presence of dioxin—a probable cancer- firehouse, responding to about 275 calls a vacy Office was not brought into the process causing agent—in tampons is also a major year. They also participate in constant training until almost 2 years after the system had been concern to women’s health. Tampons currently to ensure their skills are always sharp. In addi- deployed. sold in the United States are composed of tion to giving selflessly of themselves to re- spond to fires, accidents, and other emer- This bill would put a Privacy Officer in the rayon, cotton, or a combination of both. Alarm- gencies, these firefighters also provide fire Science & Technology Directorate. ingly, rayon is produced from bleached wood pulp, and dioxin is a byproduct of chlorine prevention education to school children and Moreover, the Automated Targeting System, bleaching of pulp. Although chlorine-free have sponsored an Explorer Boy Scout Troop. which is a Customs & Border Protection pro- bleaching processes are available, most wood Philip Addison, Prosper Buchhart, and gram, has been heavily criticized by privacy pulp manufacturers use elemental chlorine- Charles Stewart exemplify the service and advocates, and after two separate requests for free bleaching processes. These processes spirit that has long sustained this volunteer fire public comments, the future of this program use chlorine dioxide as a bleaching agent and department and will sustain in for years to remains unclear. Again, this was a program thus still produce dioxin. According to the En- come. Their dedication to the public good is that had operated for some time in the dark vironmental Protection Agency, even 100 per- commendable and I join the people of Closter without proper safeguards and departmental cent cotton tampons and completely chlorine- in honoring them as they reach this milestone oversight. free tampons have trace amounts of dioxin in service. Pursuant to this bill, CBP would get a Pri- due to decades of pollution that have led to f vacy Officer as well. the infiltration of dioxin in the air, water, and CONDOLENCES TO INTERSTATE 4 ground and thus can be found in both cotton ACCIDENT VICTIMS Quite frankly, there has been a litany of and wood pulp. DHS programs that have been cancelled, de- The effects of dioxin are cumulative. layed, or discontinued due to privacy con- Women may be exposed to dioxin in tampons HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM OF FLORIDA cerns. Almost all of these were the products of and other menstrual products for as long as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Department Component Agencies that do not 60 years over the course of their reproductive have a Privacy Officer within their ranks. lives. Although the FDA requires tampon man- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Additionally, the DHS Privacy Officer is re- ufacturers to monitor dioxin levels in their fin- Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today sponsible for conducting Privacy Impact As- ished products, this information is not readily to express my condolences to the victims of sessments on DHS programs and policies af- available to the public. the deadly 70-car pile up on Interstate 4 in fecting privacy. I am proud to reintroduce the Robin Daniel- Polk County, Florida earlier this month. I There are currently over 150 Privacy Impact son Act, which would amend the Public Health would also like to express appreciation for the Assessments that need to be completed. To Service Act to establish a uniform program for work of many local and state agencies that re- put this number in perspective, in all of 2006, the collection and analysis of data on Toxic sponded to the accident and provided assist- the Privacy Office only published 25. Shock Syndrome. The bill also directs the Na- ance. tional Institutes of Health, NIH, to conduct re- I specifically would like to commend Polk This bill will help in decreasing that over- search to determine the extent to which the County Sheriff Deputy Carlton Turner III who load. presence of dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other was the first deputy on the scene in the early I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- additives in tampons and related products morning hours of January 9th, and who used porting this legislation that is critical to not only pose any health risks to women and asks the his vehicle as a barrier and later a place of the privacy rights but the security of our coun- Centers for Disease Control, CDC to collect refuge for victims. I would also like to com- try as well. and report information on TSS. mend Deputy Paul Buoniconti, who was also

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.049 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E105 on the scene very early and provided critical HONORING REKHA CHANDRA tion to graduating from a Christian university, assistance to the victims. SEKARAN’S SERVICE TO TEN- was a member of Garden Oaks Church of NESSEE’S SIXTH CONGRES- Christ for more than 35 years and frequently In emergency situations it is rightly expected SIONAL DISTRICT quoted from the Bible throughout his life. I had that government agencies respond and help the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trust- citizens in need. The Polk County Sheriff’s Of- ees at Abilene Christian University with the fice, under the leadership of Sheriff Grady HON. BART GORDON OF TENNESSEE Mayor. Judd, provided critical incident command serv- Mayor Welch will be remembered for a rich IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ices and logistical support for many respond- legacy of vital construction projects that he ing agencies—and they did an outstanding Tuesday, January 29, 2008 helped oversee to completion which improved job. Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam city services and prepared for future growth in Houston. These projects included construction During the course of this accident, agencies Speaker, today I rise to honor Rekha Chandrasekaran for her service to Ten- of Bush Intercontinental Airport, Lake Conroe that came together to provide critical support nessee’s Sixth Congressional District while and Lake Livingston reservoirs which provided included the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the working in my Washington, DC, office. much needed water supplies for Houston’s Florida Highway Patrol, the Lake County Sher- Rekha hails from Monterey, California—just rapidly growing residential and commercial iff’s Office, the Lake County Fire Department, 2,339 miles away from Monterey, Tennessee, areas. Welch’s other projects involved closing the Auburndale Police Department, the Haines which I have the honor of representing in this down inefficient sewer treatment plants, start- City Police Department, the Lake Alfred Police esteemed body. Despite the difference in ge- ing the cleanup of the Houston Ship Channel Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Con- ography, Rekha has been a great help to me and bayou beautification. His leadership abilities also extended into servation Commission, the Florida Department and my staff and has helped me to better rep- resent Middle Tennesseans. national positions with Welch serving as vice of Transportation, the State Fire Marshal’s Of- president of the National League of Cities from fice, the State of Florida State Emergency Re- During her four years in the office, she has proven herself to be a strong writer and a tal- 1970 to 1973 and president of the U.S. Con- sponse Team, the Polk County Emergency ented systems administrator as she worked to ference of Mayors from 1972 to 1973. Medical Services, Polk County Fire Rescue Mayor Welch was a man who loved Hous- launch a new Web site for the office. She has ton tremendously. He joked that he didn’t tell and Osceola County Fire Rescue. also taken on the task of coordinating a crew his sons that they were born in that ‘‘northern’’ The State of Florida is often credited with of interns each year and shepherding them city of Dallas until they were much older to throughout the Halls of Congress and around having one of the best—if not the best—emer- protect them from the horrible truth for as long the nation’s capital. gency response models in the nation, and the as possible. combined efforts of all responding agencies February 1 is Rekha’s last day in the office, He was known for his witty observations on earlier this month exemplified this well. Their as she is leaving to pursue other opportunities Texas politics and himself. He once said, on Capitol Hill. My staff and I thank Rekha for service likely prevented an even greater num- ‘‘When I was elected mayor I spent the better her help, and we wish her all the best in her ber of deaths or injuries, and I thank them for part of my first term weeding out the political future endeavors. their work and service. appointees I had inherited from my prede- f cessor. Virtually all of my second term, I spent f HONORING HOUSTON MAYOR weeding out my own political appointees.’’ LOUIE WELCH Welch even served a brief stint as guest RECOGNIZING BILL AND BRADLEY weatherman for the local TV channel ABC 13. GARR When weatherman Ed Brandon gave the fore- HON. TED POE cast for the chance of rain one day, Mayor OF TEXAS Welch was hiding above him in the studio on HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a ladder and dumped a bucket of water on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Brandon’s head. He told the very surprised OF ARIZONA weatherman, ‘‘You never get that right. Let’s Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, the city of Hous- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES face it: it’s always 50 percent. Either it’s going ton recently lost a Texas Gentleman and great to rain or it’s not going to rain.’’ civic leader. Former Houston Mayor Louie Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Following his years as mayor, Welch went Welch died on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 after a to work for the Houston Chamber of Com- Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise long battle with cancer. He was 89 years old. merce, which later became the Greater Hous- today to recognize the father and son team of Mayor Welch’s contributions to Houston gov- ton Partnership, and served as president of Bill and Bradley Garr. I use the word, ‘‘team’’ ernment will impact generations of city resi- the organization for 12 years. dents that now enjoy a better quality of life because on the afternoon of June 29, 2007, I met the Mayor when I was a teenager. I and greater economic opportunity. showed up at the Garden Oaks Church of their actions helped save the life of an auto- Louie Welch was born on Dec. 9, 1918 in mobile accident victim. Christ one Wednesday night seeking out a the west Texas town of Lockney. Welch was local girl. The Mayor cornered me and wanted On that day, as they were traveling along a an industrious boy who performed many tasks to know who I was and my intentions. I was Phoenix freeway, they witnessed a car go out to earn money such as sell magazines, deliver quite intimidated by the 5′6″ Mayor, but after of control and flip over. They were the first milk and sell popcorn for a nickel a bag. In the interrogation, I was approved to speak to ones to stop to render aid to the seriously in- high school, he participated in debate and was the girl—(but she still turned me down for a jured young woman who was driving. Due to elected president of his senior class. These date). activities were an early sign of his life-long in- the smoking engine and leaking gasoline, they Years later, I went to see the Mayor, then terest in politics. President of the Houston Chamber, because I needed to remove the woman from her car. Welch attended Abilene Christian University had decided to run as a Republican for State They then used a fire extinguisher to make and graduated in 1940 with a history degree. District Judge in Houston. Being a political no- sure that a fire did not ensue. By the time fire While in college, he met his future wife, Iola body and novice I needed sound political ad- and paramedics responded, the fire danger Faye Cure and they were married on Dec. 17, vice from an expert. The Mayor told me no was over and the young woman was in a safe 1940. They later had five children. After Iola Republican had been elected to a state judge- place. Faye died, Louie married Helen. ship in Hous‘ton since Reconstruction. So, he While many others kept driving, Bill made After graduating from college, his political recommended instead that I run for the non- career began in 1949 as a Houston city coun- the decision to stop and help, and in so doing partisan position of City Council, because cilman. He served four terms as council mem- Houstonians preferred ‘‘nobodies’’ over Re- demonstrated to Bradley important values that ber. With a tough political resolve, he ran for publicans. I did overcome the handicap of will last a lifetime. Houston mayor four times before finally be- being a Republican and for years appreciated I commend Bill and Bradley for their actions, coming successful. Welch served as mayor of his wise political counsel when I served as a and congratulate them on their selfless ac- Houston from 1964 to 1973. judge. tions. His mother’s religious influence left a per- When I taught an Adult Sunday School manent impression with Welch who, in addi- Class at Bammel Church of Christ, Louie and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.052 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E106 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 his wife Helen would always sit on the front bon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and a HONORING LOYD AND SUE row of the class. The Mayor would interrupt Certificate of Commendation. Cameron was EUBANKS ON THEIR 50TH WED- my lesson at some critical point and make a slated to return to Iraq in the winter of 2008 DING ANNIVERSARY humorous comment about the lesson that and was ready to answer the call of duty once would sidetrack our discussion. Louie Welch again. HON. KENNY MARCHANT knew the Good Book as well as the Apostle Matt Keller, a lifelong friend, said of Cam- Paul, but he was much funnier. We shall miss eron, ‘‘He would always be there as someone OF TEXAS Louie Welch. you needed,’’ and noted his service in Iraq as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES His son Gary Welch recently told the Hous- an example. Cameron was there when we Tuesday, January 29, 2008 ton Chronicle, ‘‘I would like for him to be re- needed him and as a nation, we counted on membered as a mayor who cared deeply him. His absence is a sad loss to his parents Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise about the city of Houston and each and every Jeffery and Ann, his siblings, Kailey, Abigail, today to honor Loyd and Sue Eubanks on person who lived in the city of Houston.’’ Hope and Samuel, and his many other friends their 50th wedding anniversary. And that’s just the way it is. and relatives. The Eubanks met in February 1956 at the f Semper Fi. Always Faithful. Today we re- Methodist Church in Havelock, N.C. Loyd pro- HONORING THE LIFE OF LANCE member the faithful life of Lance Corporal posed to Sue in December of that year and CORPORAL CAMERON BABCOCK Lance Babcock, and his dedicated service to then left for fourteen months to Japan as a OF PLYMOUTH, INDIANA his country. From Cameron’s example, let us 2nd Lt. and pilot with VMF–334. Upon his re- remember to be always faithful as well: always turn, the Eubanks were married on March 8, HON. JOE DONNELLY faithful to our family and friends; always faith- 1958 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Modesto, California. Their honeymoon was OF INDIANA ful to this great nation; and always faithful to spent traveling back across the country in a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the God whose rich and all-encompassing love now and for all eternity surrounds Cam- brown Volkswagen to Havelock, North Caro- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 eron Babcock. lina. Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise After 7–8 months, Loyd finished his staff today to remember and honor Lance Corporal f duty and went to Pensacola and Jacksonville, Cameron Babcock a native son of Plymouth, N.C. where he trained and eventually flew hel- Indiana, and a proud member of the United CITY OF TEMPE TOP 100 BEST icopters for the remaining 14 months of serv- States Marine Corps. Cameron lost his life in COMMUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEO- ice. During that time, they celebrated the birth a tragic accident at Twentynine Palms Marine PLE of their first son, Kenneth Allen, at the Naval Base in California. On Sunday, January 20, Hospital at Camp Lejuene. After Loyd’s time in another Marine unintentionally discharged his the service, he earned a degree in Accounting privately-owned firearm at the Air Ground HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL and for the next thirteen years, they lived in Combat Center. The bullet struck Cameron in OF ARIZONA Dallas and Kansas City where Loyd worked the chest and ultimately killed this fine young for the International Accounting Firm of Ernst Marine. His death was tragic and leaves us all IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and Ernst. Their second son, Clifford Daniel, mourning a life cut short. But as we mourn his Tuesday, January 29, 2008 was born in Dallas in November 1964. life, we also remember and honor the richness In 1975, Loyd went to work for the LTV Cor- of Cameron’s life with us. Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise poration in Oklahoma City and then Dallas. Cameron was a handsome young man who today to recognize the City of Tempe, my While living in Southlake, Texas, Sue worked loved his family and loved his country. He was hometown, which was recently honored by as a substitute teacher at Carroll ISD and fun-loving and known for his bear hug. He America’s Promise Alliance, with the designa- taught in the Mothers Day Out Program at the knew the value of the small things that make tion as one of the 100 Best Communities for Bedford UMC. She also earned an Associate life a joy: hanging out with friends, playing Young People for 2008. This organization, Degree from Tarrant County Community Col- music, four-wheeling, and spending time with founded by General Colin Powell, is the larg- lege. Loyd served on the City Council. family. And he was successful in enjoying the est alliance dedicated to children and youth. In the early 1990’s, and after 18 years as many riches of life. His talent with the trumpet Recognition just once is a proud achievement, residents of Texas, the Eubanks moved to led to him to compete at the State Jazz Fes- but this is the third year in a row that the city California. The LTV Corporation dismantled tival in 2005 and his musical talent also led to has been so recognized, and so is deserving and was acquired by Northrop Grumman Cor- his participation in the Wind Ensemble com- of special praise. poration whose headquarters was Los Ange- prised with some of the top musicians at One of the entities cited in the award, is the les. After 4 years in California and missing Plymouth High School. His warm personality Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission, which is their grandchildren, the Eubanks moved back attracted to him a wide circle of friends. Just believed to be the oldest such commission in to the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and currently days after his death, more than three hundred the country. When I instituted this commission live in Euless, Texas. people belonged to an online group dedicated during my tenure as Mayor of Tempe, I was Loyd and Sue have been active members of to his memory, with many reminiscing about confident that it had great potential. I am es- the joy of having just been able to spend time their community and do most things together. pecially pleased that subsequent Mayors have Sue is a Republican Precinct Chairman and with Cameron at Christmas. realized the value of this commission which But Cameron also knew the value of mat- Election Judge. Loyd builds signs and serves was so deservedly recognized by America’s as a low ranking Election Clerk. They are ac- ters larger than himself: his lifelong dream was Promise Alliance. The award noted that to join the proud ranks of the United States tive members of the Metroplex Republican Tempe was a ‘‘pioneer’’ in this area. Tempe’s Women’s Club, the Northeast Couples Club Marine Corps. Shortly after graduating from three multigenerational facilities were also rec- Plymouth High School in 2006, Cameron dove and the Bedford United Methodist Church. ognized for the city’s commitment to facilitate Throughout the years, they have been active right into his lifelong dream and enlisted. His nonprofit organizations’ youth services. energy, enthusiasm, and many gifts made the in the PTA, the Cub Scouts, the JCs, the Marine Corps, and this nation, better. America’s Promise Alliance evaluates appli- Kiwanis, the United Methodist Women and the He became an infantry rifleman, excelling all cants based on Five Promises which have Republican Party. through basic training. Before long, he proved been shown to ensure that children receive The Eubanks enjoy camping and spending his bravery by serving a tour of duty in Iraq. the fundamental resources they need to suc- time with their children and grandchildren: As a member of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, cessfully lead healthy and productive lives. Kristi, Mason, Allie, Caleb and Alyssa. 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, he These are: caring adults, a safe place, a It is my honor to recognize Loyd and Sue spent several months in Ramadi, Iraq, in the healthy start, an effective education, and op- Eubanks and congratulate them on this won- infamous Sunni Triangle. In this dangerous portunities to help others. derful and momentous event. Together they setting, he continually did his job, and did it Tempe has made a commitment to keeping exemplify the ideals of strong family and com- well. He earned the National Defense Service these promises, and has been justifiably rec- munity involvement. I would like to extend my Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on ognized for the effort. I extend my congratula- best wishes to the Eubanks as they celebrate Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Rib- tions and thanks for a job well done. their 50th wedding anniversary.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JA8.002 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E107 RECOGNIZING CHARLES BOSWELL decorations including the Bronze Star. As a This award was not earned by a single enti- FOR HIS YEARS OF DEDICATION veteran, Sergeant Major Oneyear served as ty, but rather from the combined efforts of or- AND SERVICE TO THE CITY OF national first vice president of the Retired En- ganizations throughout the city. This recogni- FORT WORTH, TEXAS listed Association. tion would not have been possible without the Sergeant Major Oneyear, a ping-pong collaboration of all city departments, the HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS champion and college football referee, had a Scottsdale Unified School District, the excel- OF TEXAS vibrant spirit and pursued a variety of inter- lent health care network and outstanding non- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ests. He and his family also graciously hosted profit organizations which serve the youth of several Air Force Academy cadets. the community and contribute to the quality of Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Throughout his life, Sergeant Major Oneyear life in Scottsdale. Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise was committed to serving to this great country, America’s Promise Alliance evaluates appli- today in recognition of Fort Worth City Man- whether in the Army or as a veteran helping cants based on Five Promises which have ager Charles Boswell. After 30 years with the retirees and veterans. I deeply mourn his been shown to ensure that children receive City of Fort Worth, and just over three years passing, and today ask that we honor the life the fundamental resources they need to suc- as the City Manager, Mr. Boswell has an- of a true American hero. cessfully lead healthy and productive lives. nounced that he will retire in January of 2008. f These are: caring adults, a safe place, a Mr. Boswell began his career with the City healthy start, an effective education, and op- HONORING PETTY OFFICER of Fort Worth in 1977 as a Budget Analyst and portunities to help others. ALEXANDER LEMARR over the years climbed the ladder to become The City of Scottsdale has made a commit- the city’s 21st City Manager in 2004. Under ment to keeping these promises, and has his leadership, Fort Worth citizens approved HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO been justifiably recognized for the effort. I ex- six bond packages which resulted in more OF COLORADO tend my congratulations and thanks for a job than $766 million in new streets, parks, librar- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES well done. ies, fire stations and other major improve- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 f ments. These feats repeatedly helped Fort Mr. TANCREDO. Madam Speaker, I rise Worth earn honors as one of the best places IN RECOGNITION OF RICHARD today to honor the sacrifice of a fallen hero MICHAEL ‘‘GOOSE’’ GOSSAGE in the nation to live and work. and Sailor from my district, Petty Officer Alex- Mr. Boswell is credited with introducing in- ander ‘‘Kip’’ LeMarr of Parker, Colorado. Petty novative financial management strategies that Officer LeMarr was tragically killed on January HON. DOUG LAMBORN have resulted in a financially solid municipal 16 when his helicopter crashed on a mission OF COLORADO organization and have been key in reducing near the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the amount of city tax dollars needed for debt Texas. He was only 25 years old. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 service. At the same time, Mr. Boswell built Petty Officer LeMarr joined the Navy in Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise the city’s reserve funds to their highest levels 2004, becoming a qualified aviation warfare today to congratulate Richard Michael to cover emergency needs as they arise. system operator. He was assigned to Heli- ‘‘Goose’’ Gossage, on his acceptance into the I have been privileged to have had a city copter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15. Baseball Hall of Fame, and to recognize the manager in my district who understands what He served admirably overseas in Bahrain be- contributions he has made to my hometown of it means for a city to be healthy as a whole. fore returning to the United States to continue Colorado Springs and the State of Colorado. Mr. Boswell’s focus and efforts to include ‘‘The his training and service. Other Fort Worth’’, an area east of I-35 that Hundreds of sailors and members of the In his 22 years in Major League Baseball, this had been forgotten for decades by some, has Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi gathered skilled and powerful closer helped to change planted a seed for revitalization that will ben- on base on January 25th to honor Petty Offi- the way the game was played. efit Fort Worth and Tarrant County residents cer LaMarr and his colleagues. Petty Officer While playing with the Yankees, Gossage, for years to come. Hector Reyes described LeMarr as a good one of the first closers in baseball, pioneered Although his tenure as City Manager is offi- friend, ‘‘Kip was the kind of person that loved the set-up/closer configuration. He had the cially ending, I know Mr. Boswell will continue to fly,’’ Reyes said. most saves in the American League 1975, to serve Fort Worth as a dedicated citizen and Americans should never forget his service 1978, and 1980—a record which is still im- advocate. I join his colleagues, friends and or sacrifice, and the nation will forever owe a pressive today. In addition, Gossage made 9 family members in wishing him all the best as great debt of gratitude to Alexander and his All-Star appearances, pitched in 3 World Se- he looks forward to spending more time with family. His life was a tribute to the best Amer- ries, and finished out 681 games. his family. ica has to offer. Not only are his pitching statistics signifi- Again, Madam Speaker, I am proud to rec- Madam Speaker, my most heartfelt condo- cant, but Gossage has also made a sizable ognize Charles Boswell for his tireless duties lences go out to Alexander’s family and contribution to his community in Colorado. In as a dedicated serviceman to the City of Fort friends. He will be missed by all those who recognition of Gossage’s extensive work in Worth, Texas. It is an honor to recognize such knew and loved him. support of youth sports in Colorado, the Gossage Youth Sports Complex located in a hard-working and devoted citizen. It is the f servant leadership of Mr. Boswell, and those Colorado Springs was named after him. like him, which truly makes our nation great. CITY OF SCOTTSDALE TOP 100 Today I honor Richard Michael ‘‘Goose’’ f BEST COMMUNITIES FOR YOUNG Gossage’s achievements, and express my PEOPLE gratitude, as a resident of Colorado Springs, IN RECOGNITION OF SERGEANT for all he has done for our community. It is MAJOR BILLY DEAN ONEYEAR HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL with great joy that I hear of his acceptance to OF ARIZONA the Hall of Fame. I wish him the best as he HON. DOUG LAMBORN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES continues his work on behalf of American youth, Colorado Springs, and the sport of OF COLORADO Tuesday, January 29, 2008 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES baseball. Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise f Tuesday, January 29, 2008 today to recognize the City of Scottsdale, Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise which was recently honored by America’s HONORING BORDER AGENT LUIS today to recognize SGM Billy Dean Oneyear, Promise Alliance, with the designation as one AGUILAR who passed away on January 7, 2008. A long- of the 100 Best Communities for Young Peo- time resident of Fountain, Colorado, Sergeant ple for 2008. This organization, founded by HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO Major Oneyear was a true servant to his na- General Colin Powell, is the largest alliance OF COLORADO tion and community. I rise today to honor his dedicated to children and youth. Recognition IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES contribution to our country. just once is a proud achievement, but this is Sergeant Major Oneyear served in the the third year in a row that the city has been Tuesday, January 29, 2008 United States Army in both the Korean War so recognized, and so is deserving of special Mr. TANCREDO. Madam Speaker, I rise and Vietnam conflict. He received numerous praise. today to honor the sacrifice of Senior Patrol

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K29JA8.009 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E108 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 Agent Luis Aguilar of the Border Patrol from tend my congratulations and thanks for a job Robert’s service to Columbia, to Tennessee Yuma, Arizona. Agent Aguilar was killed in the well done. and to our country goes beyond his work at line of duty on January 19th while trying to ap- f WKRM. A veteran of World War II, Robert prehend a suspected drug smuggler in the Im- served our military in the Philippines from perial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. He was HONORING THE MEMORY OF JOHN 1942 until the War’s end. When he returned, 32 years old. WATKINS JR. Robert took it upon himself to found the area’s The core values of the Border Patrol em- first local radio station with its own News Di- phasize vigilance, service, and integrity in the HON. JO BONNER rector. defense of America and its laws. Those indi- OF ALABAMA Since its founding, WKRM has continually viduals who commit themselves to these prin- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES provided Maury County with outstanding news ciples recognize the prominence of the Amer- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 coverage, bringing the news to Columbia and ican way of life as well as its fragility; some- its surrounding areas and, beginning in 1947, thing that must be defended against those ele- Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of covering the annual Mule Day celebration live ments which seek to undermine democracy Atmore and the state of Alabama recently lost from the front porch of WKRM’s station. and freedom. Agent Aguilar spent much of his a dedicated community leader, and I rise From their inaugural broadcast at the life as a guardian of these values and this Na- today to honor Mr. John Watkins Jr. and pay Bethell Hotel, Robert’s tenacity has made tion. tribute to his memory. WKRM the success that it is today. Even a Agent Aguilar began his career with the Bor- After graduating from the Escambia County devastating fire in 1950 that destroyed all but der Patrol in 2002 when he enrolled in the Training School, Mr. Watkins continued his the station’s antenna only kept WKRM off the 519th session of the Border Patrol Academy. studies at Faulkner State College in Bay Mi- air for thirteen days before Robert was again Following graduation, he was stationed at the nette, Alabama, and received an associate’s bringing news to Columbia. Robert’s firm re- Yuma Border Patrol Station where he quickly degree in applied science. solve has grown WKRM into two stations that earned the respect and loyalty of his fellow A World War II veteran, John served in the he continues to operate today. At eighty-seven agents and the surrounding community. United States Army on the Marianas Islands in year’s old, Robert is still working hard for Ten- This tragic incident highlights not only the Guam. Following his service in the Army, he nessee, and I join my colleagues today in dangers border agents encounter, but also spent 31 years at Monsanto/Solutia Textile commending him for his work, his life and his emphasizes the extreme heroism and valor and Chemical Plant in Pensacola where he service. exhibited by those whose job it is to keep served as a cook, cafeteria foreman and a f Americans safe. main plant foreman. Madam Speaker, my most heartfelt condo- In 1992, John was elected to the Atmore INTRODUCING THE INNOCENCE lences go out to Luis’ family and friends. He City Council. As the councilman for District 3, PROJECT GOLD MEDAL BILL will undoubtedly be missed by all those who he was influential in securing various grants knew and loved him. for housing rehabilitation, paving streets and HON. BOBBY L. RUSH f demolishing condemned houses throughout OF ILLINOIS the community. He served as chairman of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CITY OF CHANDLER TOP 100 BEST both the Atmore Planning Board and the Tuesday, January 29, 2008 COMMUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEO- Escambia County Quality Assurance Com- PLE mittee for 12 years. In 1996, he was named Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, today I rise to the mayor pro-tempore of Atmore. introduce a bill to award the Congressional HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL In addition to his work as an elected mem- Gold Medal to Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. OF ARIZONA ber of the Atmore City Council, John was a Neufeld in recognition of their outstanding IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES member of the Atmore Lions Club and served service to the Nation as co-founders and co- as its president from 2000–2001. He was also directors of the Innocence Project. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 a member of Gaines Chapel AME Church in Madam Speaker, the Innocence Project is Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise Atmore and served as a chairman of the trust- responsible for exonerating 210 innocent indi- today to recognize the City of Chandler, which ee board for over eight years. viduals who were on Death Row. In my home was recently honored by America’s Promise Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join State of Illinois, through their work in the Inno- Alliance, with the designation as one of the me in remembering a dedicated community cence Project, Mr. Scheck and Mr. Neufeld 100 Best Communities for Young People for leader, a friend to many throughout Alabama, have helped free 27 innocent individuals. 2008. This organization, founded by General as well as a wonderful husband and devoted Twenty-seven, Madam Speaker, twenty-seven Colin Powell, is the largest alliance dedicated father. John Watkins will be dearly missed by individuals that if not for the work of these two to children and youth. Recognition just once is his family—his wife of 55 years, Veola Wat- men and their colleagues may be dead right a proud achievement, but this is the third year kins; their children, Brenda Jackson, John now. in a row that the city has been recognized, Watkins III, and Roderick Lynn Watkins; his Dead for crimes they did not commit. and so is deserving of special praise. sisters, Bessie Brock, Carrie Millender, Ella Madam Speaker, in addition to helping with Chandler was recognized for this honor be- Quaker, Ethel Spaulding; his 10 grandchildren; wrongful convictions Mr. Scheck and Mr. cause of its intense commitment to youth. One and his one great-grandchild—as well as the Neufeld have worked to create clinics across of the key items noted by the Alliance was the many countless friends he leaves behind. Our the country that help prove the innocence of Coalition for Chandler Youth, which was orga- thoughts and prayers are with them all during the wrongfully convicted. Furthermore, their nized in September 2006 to address youth this difficult time. work through the Innocence Project has been issues on a communitywide basis. f instrumental in encouraging States across the This award was not earned due to the ef- country to reform their death penalty systems. forts of a single entity, but rather from the CELEBRATING 61 YEARS OF These reforms range from preservation of evi- combined efforts of members of government, BROADCASTING AT WKRM IN CO- dence, to providing access to DNA evidence local businesses, youth representatives, and LUMBIA, TN for convicted individuals. numerous other organizations throughout the Madam Speaker, even today the inconsist- city. HON. LINCOLN DAVIS encies and injustice of the death penalty sys- America’s Promise Alliance evaluates appli- OF TENNESSEE tem continues to come to light. cants based on Five Promises which have IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A recent study by the American Bar Asso- been shown to ensure that children receive ciation illustrates the very problems that the the fundamental resources they need to suc- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 work of these two men hopes to counter. For cessfully lead healthy and productive lives. Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam example, the ABA study found that: These are: caring adults, a safe place, a Speaker, on November 25th, 1946, at 7:00 ‘‘States are not requiring that crime labora- healthy start, an effective education, and op- p.m., Robert McKay, Jr. put WKRM on the air tories and medical examiner offices be accred- portunities to help others. from the Bethell Hotel in Columbia, Tennessee ited’’; The City of Chandler has made a commit- for the very first time. Over sixty years later, States ‘‘are failing to provide for the appoint- ment to keeping these promises, and has Robert continues to provide quality broad- ment of counsel in post-conviction pro- been justifiably recognized for the effort. I ex- casting to the people of Columbia. ceedings’’;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K29JA8.013 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E109 ‘‘Most states fail to require that the jury be children. As a result, Nyumbani was trans- HONORING HURON HUMANE instructed that it may impose a life sentence if formed from a hospice into a program that SOCIETY a juror does not believe that the defendant nurtured the children’s growth and develop- should receive the death penalty’’; ment, thanks to the painstaking care and love HON. BART STUPAK ‘‘Every state studied appears to have signifi- that he and his staff gave to these kids. OF MICHIGAN cant racial disparities in its capital system, par- Nyumbani today has 107 bright children with IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ticularly those associated with the race of the loving hearts, beautiful smiles, and boundless Tuesday, January 29, 2008 victim’’; and energy on the soccer field. Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to rec- ‘‘States do not formally commute a death Despite this monumental accomplishment at ognize the Huron Humane Society (HHS) in sentence upon a finding that the inmate is in- Nyumbani, Father D’Ag did not rest after pro- Alpena, Michigan, on its 25th anniversary this competent to proceed on factual matters re- viding a home for HIV-positive children without year. HHS is a nonprofit organization dedi- quiring the inmate’s input’’. parents. He went on to develop another pro- cated to caring for the homeless dogs and As illustrated by this small sampling, these gram: Lea Toto, Swahili for ‘‘to raise the cats of Alpena County. On any given day, the injustices are so grave, Madam Speaker, that child’’, to provide medical care and nutrition to the ABA—an organization normally silent in shelter is charged with caring for more than 20 HIV-positive children who have parents but dogs and more than 80 cats. With a maximum regards to the death penalty—has called for a live in poverty in the many slums in and nationwide moratorium. capacity of 120 animals, the shelter often around Nairobi. Today there are approximately houses closer to 150. With so many urgent Madam Speaker, in light of such regular oc- 2,500 people who benefit from this community currences of injustice in our system, it is im- needs in our local communities, our pets are outreach program and stand a chance to sur- often overlooked. The Huron Humane Society portant now more than ever to celebrate the vive under extreme hardship because of Fa- work of individuals who are correcting the ills is making sure the welfare of four-legged ther D’Ag. friends, considered family to many, is not in our judicial system. However, Father D’Ag was not done. After I encourage my colleagues to join me in be- overlooked. reading the stories about abandoned street The Huron Humane Society has been pro- stowing upon Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. children that had been slain by police, Father viding a valuable service to Alpena and the Neufeld the Congressional Gold Medal. Their D’Ag felt a need to expand his reach and pro- surrounding communities for more than a work to ensure that we, as a country, remain tect the ever burgeoning number of street chil- quarter century. HHS is a no-kill shelter and a nation devoted still to ‘‘truth, justice, and the dren in Kenya. He designed an additional pro- works to heal and rehabilitate the pets that American way’’ is admirable and must be rec- gram, one that pairs children and the elderly, come through its doors. While HHS cooper- ognized. the two groups most vulnerable to the ravages ates with local governments to provide serv- f of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Father D’Ag de- ices to the surrounding city, township and CELEBRATING THE BIRTH AND signed this program in his mind, and through county, it relies mostly on private donations to LIFE OF FATHER D’AGOSTINO his perseverance and guile acquired a tract of keep the doors open. Fundraisers, grants and land in Kitui that became his beloved donations account for more than 85 percent of Nyumbani Village. In this eco-friendly, self- its budget. And even with limited resources, HON. GEORGE MILLER sustaining village the grandparents care for the shelter continues to put the animals it OF CALIFORONIA their own grandchildren as well as other needy cares for first. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES children in a house with a garden, access to The Huron Humane Society provides a full Tuesday, January 29, 2008 the village school, and training in one of the range of services to help keep animals in homes and rehabilitate those animals that Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam many income-generating projects. While this come to the shelter. The shelter serves as Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the an- village is still a work in progress, it already has safe haven for stray animals, and provides a niversary of the birth of Father Angelo 258 residents, 29 grandparents, and 229 chil- service for the residents of the community by D’Agostino, SJ, MD. Father D’Ag, as he was dren, with a capacity of 1,000 residents. making sure all animals that come through its called by all who knew and loved him, was These achievements by Father D’Ag should doors are properly vaccinated. HHS provides born on January 26, 1926 in Providence, serve as an inspiration to us all. He changed shelter for stray and lost pets, rehabilitates Rhode Island. Unfortunately, Father D’Ag was the world one child at a time, and he ex- panded his reach to do so much for so many those that are ill or injured, and ultimately lo- taken from us in 2006. However, his birth is a cates suitable homes for those pets. The cause for continued celebration as he was a people who are in desperate need of food, medical care and love. Even though he has Huron Humane Society promotes a public living testament to the principle that one per- education program, urging individuals to spay son can indeed make a difference. departed from this world, he has left behind an enduring legacy through his programs for chil- and neuter their pets, helping to reduce the I have met many wonderful and inspiring number of unwanted animals in the commu- people in my years of service in Congress, but dren. His passion and commitment are carried on through his incredible disciple and partner, nity. HHS also offer valuable training to pet there was clearly something very special owners on properly caring for their pets, and about Father D’Ag, and I feel honored and, Sister Mary Owens, who continues his work. She is joined by many other dedicated staff offers a microchipping service to the commu- frankly, lucky to have had the opportunity to nity to aid in locating pets should they become meet him in Kenya and in Washington. He members and volunteers who will continue to nurture and protect Father D’Ag’s children. No lost. made a lasting impression on me, just as he The shelter manages to accomplish this one can visit Nyumbani without being changed did on so many others throughout the world. great work with a full-time staff of three and forever. In 1992, at a time in Africa when so many three additional part-time employees. While lives were lost to the scourge of AIDS, Father Today, Kenya, the home of Father D’Ag’s the shelter also receives assistance from D’Ag set up the first facility in Kenya to care work, is facing unusually difficult civil discord. those required to perform community service for HIV infected children known as Nyumbani, This recent civil unrest reminds us how fragile and local inmates, it is the community volun- Swahili for ‘‘home’’. These children were or- life can be in a nation where so many people teers that provide the additional labor to keep phaned by the loss of a parent from the same live in such quiet desperation. Hopefully, these the Huron Humane Society running. affliction or who were abandoned by parents tribal divisions will soon be healed. In the This coming weekend, the Huron Humane who could not or would not care for an HIV- meantime, we must stop and take a moment Society will hold its 25th Anniversary Gala. positive child. His first three children soon to reflect upon one man—a Jesuit priest and One year ago, this annual event raised more blossomed into a community of children, but medical doctor—who put his heart, soul and than $15,000. More than 200 people opened they were dying at an alarming rate. Through life into caring for those who could not care for up their checkbooks to help the shelter con- strong perseverance and advocacy on behalf themselves. It is an honor to rise today and tinue to provide its valuable service to the of the children, Father D’Ag battled the drug call on all of my colleagues and people around community. Especially as we see story after companies for affordable anti-retroviral medi- the world to join in celebrating the great for- story in the news of helpless animals being cines. He also battled the Kenyan government tune that the birth and life of Father abused and mistreated, it is important every to allow the children into the public primary D’Agostino was for the children of Kenya and community have its own Huron Humane Soci- schools. each of us who had the opportunity to know ety to look out for the animals that can’t look Ultimate success on both fronts enabled him him. out for themselves. to manage the virus and start to chip away at Happy Birthday, Father D’Ag, and thank you Madam Speaker, as the Huron Humane So- the societal HIV stigma against these precious for your enduring contributions. ciety celebrates its 25th anniversary, I ask that

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.054 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E110 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 you and the entire U.S. House of Representa- fornia has been mapped under the life, and mourn his tragic death, we renew our tives join with me in recognizing the valuable STATEMAP program. commitment to work towards advancing the contribution the shelter, its staff and volunteers There are two additional components to the ideals and values, for which he so passion- make to Alpena County. Please join with and National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Pro- ately stood. the people of Alpena County, Michigan in con- gram: the FEDMAP component, which is run gratulating the Huron Humane Society on a by the United States Geological Survey and f job well done and best wishes for the future. carries out geologic mapping according to pri- IN TRIBUTE TO GUAM POLICE orities developed by a Federal advisory com- OFFICER FRANKIE E. SMITH f mittee, and the EDMAP component, which has INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL provided millions of dollars to help train over GEOLOGIC MAPPING REAUTHOR- 600 students at 131 universities across the HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO IZATION ACT OF 2008 Nation. According to the Department of the In- OF GUAM terior, the vast majority of those students re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ceiving EDMAP grants continued in the geo- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 HON. JIM COSTA sciences, indicating that this program is truly OF CALIFORNIA helping to train the next generation of geolo- Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gists. today to join the people of Guam in mourning A reauthorization of the National Coopera- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 the loss of one of Guam’s finest in a sense- tive Geologic Mapping Program is necessary less hit and run. On the night of December 30, Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, today I am in order to continue to move the goals of the 2007, Guam Police Officer Frankie E. Smith proud to be joined by the Chairman of the program forward, to build on the momentum of was on his police motorcycle responding to a Natural Resources Committee, Mr. RAHALL of the previous 16 years, and to provide com- 911 call for police assistance when he was fa- West Virginia, in introducing the National Geo- prehensive geologic mapping of the entire tally struck by a drunken driver. I rise to honor logic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2008, country. The program has been reauthorized and pay tribute to Officer Frankie E. Smith, which would reauthorize the National Cooper- with broad bipartisan support in 1997 and and all law enforcement personnel on Guam ative Geologic Mapping Program, a critically 1999, and a similar bill introduced in the 109th and throughout our country, who have paid important initiative that was created by the Congress received the endorsement of the ad- the ultimate sacrifice while serving and pro- Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, originally spon- ministration and passed the House on a voice tecting our communities. sored by Chairman RAHALL. vote. I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- Officer Frankie E. Smith, a young man of 35 The importance of geologic maps to our so- porting this legislation, and moving forward years, was born on August 30, 1972, attended ciety is not very well known by the general quickly toward reauthorizing this essential pro- the public schools of Guam and graduated public, but it is hard to overstate. Geologic gram. from the 1st Guam Community College Basic maps help us build highways, safeguard drink- f Law Enforcement Academy in 1997. He imme- ing water, prepare for disasters, protect wild- diately began his career in service to his com- HONORING HRANT DINK life, discover precious minerals, locate the munity in the aftermath of the devastation of fuels that power our society, and much more. Supertyphoon Paka. But even before the com- Geologic maps are particularly essential for HON. JOE BACA pletion of his police training, his service to his my own home State. Californians face more OF CALIFORNIA people and his country began as a citizen sol- geologic hazards than almost anyone else in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dier of the United States Army and Air Force the country. Over 25 million people live in the Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Reserves. ‘‘Smitty’’ wanted to become the State’s tectonically active regions near the best police officer he could be, and this moti- Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, this month we coast, where earthquakes are only one of a vated him to seek out and complete extensive remember the one-year anniversary of the multitude of geologic threats. Landslides, training in various areas of law enforcement, tragic death of Hrant Dink, a prominent Turk- floods, hazardous minerals, and tsunamis are including crime scene investigation, respond- ish-Armenian intellectual and human rights ad- some of the other dangers that come with liv- ing to terrorist threats, and detection of illegal vocate. Dink fought tirelessly to engage the ing in one of the most seismically active and substances. His desire for greater knowledge Turkish community in open discussions of the geologically diverse states in the nation. and skills was answered through intensive many injustices suffered by Armenians, begin- The STATEMAP component of the National training with various local and Federal law en- ning with the Genocide of 1915. As a mentor Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program has forcement agencies, including the U.S. Drug and a hero, his tragic death shook the lives of provided over $2.5 million to California, Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Depart- many around the world. matched by over $2.6 million from the State, Dink’s tireless efforts and strong conviction ment of Justice, and the U.S. Environmental to create highly precise geologic maps that to educate the citizens of Turkey, and his Protection Agency. are being used by the California Geological writings of the Armenian Genocide led to a 6- Officer Smith’s tenacity as a police officer Survey’s Seismic Hazard Mapping Program to month jail sentence in October 2005. He advo- was instrumental in solving numerous crimes identify areas that are most prone to lique- cated for justice, and wrote with a conscience, against property and violent crimes against in- faction or landslides during earthquakes. This all despite daily threats to his life. Hrant Dink dividuals, in the apprehension and arrest of information allows communities to require was killed because he was a courageous jour- their perpetrators, and in the recovery of evi- stronger building codes in areas that are more nalist and continued to write his columns in dence leading to convictions. His skills and susceptible to these hazards, or to avoid them hopes of getting rid of the ignorance that ex- motivation as an officer of the law were recog- altogether. ists in Turkey. On the one-year anniversary of nized and commended on numerous occa- In addition, the maps created through his death we remember Dink’s message of lib- sions by the leadership of the Guam Police STATEMAP provide information about the lo- erty, civility, truth and bridge-building. In Dink’s Department and the Governor of Guam. His cation of California’s abundant supply of oil, memory, I have joined my House colleagues resolve and determination to serve the public natural gas, and valuable minerals, and have in recognizing the Armenian Genocide of and protect our community will be sorely also been used to support water management 1915. missed by his fellow officers and the citizens decision-making around Lake Tahoe. It is my hope that Turkey will repeal the ar- of Guam, but his memory will always serve as California is, of course, not the only State bitrary statute, which makes it a crime to ‘‘in- motivation to those who served with him and that benefits from the National Cooperative sult Turkishness.’’ Turkey claims to be a sec- to those who will follow. Geologic Mapping Program. Since the pro- ular state with free elections, yet it clearly On behalf of the people of Guam I extend gram’s inception, 49 States, plus Puerto Rico, lacks the chief principle of a democratic na- our sincere condolences and heartfelt sym- have matched nearly $70 million in tion: freedom of the press. The death of Hrant pathy to his wife Tishawnna Hernandez Smith, STATEMAP funds to help produce over 7,500 Dink is a tragedy that was fueled by injustice, daughters, Tamara Perez and Kae’Ana Jus- new geologic maps. Despite this effort, only and I strongly urge Turkey to abolish this ca- tine Smith, to his parents, Frank Borja and about 25 percent of the Nation has been pricious and dated statute. Teresita Fejeran Smith, and to his fellow mapped at a precision that provides the max- I express my condolences to the family and brothers and sisters in uniform, the officers in imum benefits. And only 2 percent of Cali- colleagues of Hrant Dink. As we recall him in the Guam Police Department.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.057 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E111 IN RECOGNITION OF THE TEXAS 2008. If I were present for rollcall votes, I I want to take this opportunity, Madam WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD would have voted ‘‘yea’’ on each of the fol- Speaker, to insert into the RECORD Mr. Luce’s RECEIVING THE ENVIRON- lowing bills: obituary, printed today in the New York Times, MENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S Roll 19, January 22, 2008: On Motion to so that Members can read the story of a truly 2007 CLEAN WATER STATE RE- Suspend the Rules and Pass: H.R. 4211, legendary figure in the history of electric VOLVING FUND PERFORMANCE Naming the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post power generation and transmission in the AND INNOVATION AWARD Office. United States. Roll 20, January 22, 2008: On Motion to [From the New York Times, Jan. 29, 2008] HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 866, CHARLES F. LUCE, EX-CHIEF OF CON ED, IS OF TEXAS Honoring the brave men and women of the DEAD AT 90 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES United States Coast Guard whose tireless (By Dennis Hevesi) work, dedication, and commitment to pro- Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Charles F. Luce, the chairman and chief tecting the United States have led to the executive of Consolidated Edison, the giant Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, today I Coast Guard seizing over 350,000 pounds of New York electric and gas utility during stand supporting the passage of H. Res 832. cocaine at sea during 2007, far surpassing all some of its most difficult times, died Satur- This legislation recognizes the Texas Water of our previous records. day in Torrance, Calif. He was 90 and lived in Development Board for receiving the Environ- Roll 21, January 23, 2008: On Ordering the Bronxville, N.Y. Previous Question: H.R. 3963, Children’s The cause was prostate cancer, said Joyce mental Protection Agency’s 2007 Clean Water Hergenhan, a former company spokeswoman. State Revolving Fund Performance and Inno- Health Insurance Program Extension and Im- Mr. Luce headed Con Ed from 1967 to 1982 vation Award. The award recognizes states provement. and dealt with the oil crisis of the 1970s, cus- that have been the most innovative and effec- Roll 22, January 23, 2008: Passage, Objec- tomer rage over rising rates, the 1977 black- tive in advancing EPA’s goals of performance tions of the President Not Withstanding: H.R. out that paralyzed New York City and the and protection through the Clean Water State 3963, Children’s Health Insurance Program settlement of a decades-long struggle with Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program. The Extension and Improvement. environmental groups over construction of a power plant at Storm King Mountain on the award is given to one State in each of the ten f Hudson River. EPA regions. TRIBUTE TO CHARLES LUCE A liberal Democrat and an environ- The ten State programs were nominated by mentalist, Mr. Luce did not fit the standard the regional offices based upon the following profile of the big-business executive when he criteria: pace level greater than 80 percent, HON. NORMAN D. DICKS agreed to leave his post as under secretary of audit with no serious programmatic or financial OF WASHINGTON the interior in the Johnson administration problems, outstanding performance in at least IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to take over Consolidated Edison. ‘‘The metropolitan area’s need for electric two of the following areas: better management Tuesday, January 29, 2008 practices, full-cost pricing, efficient water use, energy doubles about every 15 years,’’ Mr. Mr. DICKS. Madam Speaker, as we look Luce said then. ‘‘To supply these vast new watershed approach, creative use of tech- quantities of energy at reasonable cost, but nologies, leveraging practices, innovative part- forward to considering legislation in Congress this year to address our Nation’s energy short- protect the city’s environment from pollu- nerships, innovative lending practices, and ef- tion and unsightly structures, is a king-size fective outreach. age, it is my sad duty to announce that one job.’’ The Texas Water Development Board of the real giants of the energy business in the It became particularly difficult in 1973, (TWDB) was region six award winner because United States has passed away. Charles F. when fuel prices skyrocketed because of the of its support of water efficiency through water Luce, the former chairman and Chief Execu- Arab oil embargo, and Con Ed’s rates fol- tive Officer of Consolidated Edison, died this lowed. reuse and conservation. One of its major ac- Facing customer protests, Mr. Luce chose complishment in 2007 was a $10.7 million past weekend at age 90 after a brief illness. Starting as a meter reader for a power com- to soften the monthly billing blow by elimi- Northwest Water Reuse Initiative consisting of nating the company’s April 1974 dividend. a five-phase project in El Paso County to de- pany when he was a teenager, Chuck Luce That prompted shareholder protests, and on liver treated wastewater for reuse to irrigators, rose to become a legend in the electric power May 24, 1974, Mr. Luce presided over a meet- industries, and homeowners from El Paso’s industry through an interesting career progres- ing at the old Commodore Hotel on 42nd Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant. sion. Following his clerkship for Supreme Street at which customers and shareholders I would like to thank TWDB for their work Court Justice Hugo Black, Chuck Luce prac- boisterously expressed their views. ticed law in Walla Walla, Washington, for 15 A New York Times headline the next day with the Uvalde County Underground Water said, ‘‘Days of Anxiety for the Man Who Conservation District to institute well metering years. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy summoned him into public service as the Ad- Saved a Watt.’’ on wells of a number of irrigators using That was a reference to the ‘‘Save-a-Watt’’ groundwater from formations other than the ministrator of the Bonneville Power Adminis- program, which Mr. Luce had instituted soon Edwards Aquifer. The District will use the tration, which markets the power from the Co- after taking over as Con Ed chairman. It was TWDB grant and local funds to purchase and lumbia River hydroelectric system in the Pa- a shift from the electricity industry’s tradi- install 80–90 meters. cific Northwest. At BPA, he was an enlight- tional marketing strategy, succinctly ex- The TWDB continues is goals of assisting ened leader who keenly understood federal pressed as ‘‘Live better electrically.’’ For 25 hours, starting on the evening of with regional planning, and preparing the state energy issues, pioneering many jurisdictional arrangements that established the distribution July 13, 1977, New York City could not live Water Plan for the development of the state’s electrically at all. Two lightning strikes on water resources, and administering cost-effec- of federal power resources in the Northwest, major tie-lines in Westchester County led to tive financial programs for the construction of including the Pacific Northwest-Pacific South- the collapse of the entire system. water supply, wastewater treatment, flood con- west Intertie. Some Con Ed officials attributed the trol and agricultural water conservation During the Johnson Administration, Interior blackout to ‘‘an act of God.’’ Although Mr. projects. For being the recipient of the Clean Secretary Stewart Udall brought him back to Luce did not utter the phrase himself, he be- Washington to serve as Undersecretary of the came associated with it. Water State Revolving Fund Performance and He kept cool in the face of Mayor Abraham Innovation Award, I recognize Texas Water Interior Department, but his talents were quickly recognized and summoned when Con- D. Beame’s accusations of ‘‘gross neg- Development Board on this day. ligence’’ on the part of the company, saying, Ed, New York’s largest utility, needed a steady f ‘‘Respectfully, I think he’s wrong,’’ and call- hand to confront looming problems of growth ing for a fair review. PERSONAL EXPLANATION and supply. He led Con-Ed during the tough- In the end, Con Ed had to concede that the est times that any American utility has faced systemwide expansion of the power failure HON. DANNY K. DAVIS in our Nation’s history, including the oil supply after the local lightning strikes was largely its fault. OF ILLINOIS crisis of the 1970s and the infamous New York City blackout in 1977. His leadership Four years before Mr. Luce became chair- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES man, Con Ed had started seeking approval through those times of crisis set an example Tuesday, January 29, 2008 from regulators to build a hydroelectric of calm and focused action, and he is remem- plant on Storm King Mountain in Orange Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I bered as one of the most effective and County, 55 miles north of New York City. Op- was unable to cast votes on the following leg- thoughtful leaders in an industry that affects position to that plan and to proposals for islative measures on January 22 and 23, every American every day. other power plants along the Hudson River

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.061 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E112 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2008 was fierce and unrelenting for nearly 20 Manhattan on a three-speed bike, wearing a Newsweek as one of the top 100 high schools years. meter-reader’s cap, inspecting company in the Nation last year, and just this year was Then, in December 1980, 11 environmental work crews and peeking into open manholes. named a National Charter School of the Year groups, Con Ed and other utility companies f reached what became known as the Hudson by the Center for Education Reform. River Peace Treaty. Mr. Luce had asked Rus- RECOGNIZING THE OHIO NEWS- These students are the next generation of sell E. Train, a former head of the Environ- PAPER ASSOCIATION’S 75 YEARS leaders in our community. The quality of edu- mental Protection Agency, to mediate the OF SERVICE cation they receive has a direct impact on the dispute. strength of our country. Under the agreement, Con Ed abandoned efforts to build the Storm King plant. In re- HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI The Signature Learning Center is providing turn, the environmental groups and the fed- OF OHIO students in southern Indiana with the tools eral Environmental Protection Agency IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES they need to meet their full potential and make dropped their demands that Con Ed build six Tuesday, January 29, 2008 a difference in our world. I am proud of their costly cooling towers to protect fish from accomplishments and grateful for their contin- being sucked into power plants at Indian Mr. TIBERI. Madam Speaker, congratula- ued contributions to the Evansville community. Point and several other sites along the river. tions are in order for the Ohio Newspaper As- The agreement was widely cited as a model sociation, which is celebrating 75 years of f for balancing economic and environmental service to its members and those who read needs. Charles Franklin Luce was born on Aug. 12, and use newspapers every day. The ONA rep- SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND 1917, in Platteville, WI, a son of James and resents 83 daily newspapers, more than 170 IDEALS OF NATIONAL MEN- Wilma Luce. His father owned a furniture weeklies, and over 150 newspaper Web sites. TORING MONTH store and a mortuary. As you might expect, the ONA provides ef- As a teenager, Mr. Luce got some early ex- fective representation for its members before SPEECH OF posure to the utility business as a meter all levels of government, but it does far more reader for the local power company. than that. The association has long been a HON. JOHN B. LARSON Mr. Luce earned a bachelor’s degree and a strong advocate for open government, bene- law degree through a five-year program at OF CONNECTICUT fiting all our citizens. It also provides seminars, the University of Wisconsin in 1941, then re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ceived a master’s degree in law at Yale in workshops, and other tools for professional 1942. development. Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Unable to enlist for military service in Just as important are the activities of the af- World War II because of an attack of polio, filiated Ohio Newspapers Foundation. This Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Mr. Luce became a staff lawyer for the Board charitable organization provides scholarships Speaker, throughout the month of January, we of Economic Warfare in Washington. and internships for journalism students, assist- observe National Mentoring Month, which calls A year later, on the recommendation of a to attention the importance of fostering posi- professor at Yale, he was chosen as a law ance to high school newspapers, and spon- sors projects promoting literacy across Ohio. tive, helping relationships with our youth. I rise clerk to Justice Hugo L. Black of the Su- today to recognize the importance of men- preme Court. For 75 years, the Ohio Newspaper Associa- For 15 years after World War II, Mr. Luce tion and its members have provided leader- toring to the vitality of our Nation. practiced law in Walla Walla, Washington. ship in promoting freedom of the press and a According to the Corporation for National Then, in 1961, President Kennedy chose well-informed society, ideals that are important and Community Service, there are 3 million him to head the Bonneville Power Adminis- to all of us. I join others throughout our State mentors in the United States. While impres- tration, which markets power from the sive at first glance, the reality is, there are far Grand Coulee Dam and more than 20 other in wishing them decades of more success. federal hydroelectric plants in the Columbia f more young people in need of the caring sup- River Basin. port of an adult mentor that go without one— Mr. Luce also worked with Interior Sec- CONGRATULATING THE over 14 million youths across the Nation are retary Stewart L. Udall in creating the Pa- SIGNATURE LEARNING CENTER still in need of a mentoring relationship. cific Northwest-Pacific Southwest Intertie, a I would like to commend the many commu- vast power transmission complex. He nego- HON. BRAD ELLSWORTH nity-based organizations in the Greater Hart- tiated a 1964 treaty with Canada for joint hy- OF INDIANA droelectric development of the Columbia ford region, in my own State of Connecticut IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES River. that provide mentoring services and youth fo- At Mr. Udall’s request, President Johnson Tuesday, January 29, 2008 cused programs like the Community Renewal appointed Mr. Luce as under secretary of the Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I rise Team, Hartford Communities that Care, Mi Interior in September 1966. But within six today to congratulate Signature Learning Cen- Casa Family Services and Education Center months, Con Ed officials—spurred by a For- ter in Evansville for being recognized as one and Our Piece of the Pie. These groups part- tune magazine headline, ‘‘The Company You ner with local, State and non-profit organiza- Love to Hate’’—asked Mr. Luce to take con- of the top high schools in the Nation by US trol of the company. News & World Report. tions to ensure the positive development of Mr. Luce’s first wife, Helen Oden, died in Of course, they aren’t telling us anything we the young people in my district. 2001. He is survived by his second wife, the didn’t already know. In the Evansville commu- Madam Speaker, on behalf of the many former Margaret Richmond; two sons, nity, the Signature Learning Center has devel- youths in need of encouragement and support, James, of Vancouver, Washington, and oped a well-deserved reputation of academic the many adults who are engaged in men- Charles Jr., of Boulder, Colorado; two daugh- excellence with 100 percent enrollment in ad- toring activities, and the organizations that ters, Christina Gordon of Mansfield Center, Connecticut, and Barbara Luce of Portland, vanced college prep courses and 100 percent work tirelessly to close the mentoring gap, I Connecticut; and eight grandchildren. graduation rate. ask my colleagues to join me in thanking men- Mr. Luce was an avid biker. As Con Ed And people are taking notice. In addition to tors across the country and recognizing Na- chairman, he would regularly pedal around this recognition, the school was listed by tional Mentoring Month.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.063 E29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with REMARKS Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Daily Digest Senate 2007 for 15 days, clearing the measure for the Presi- Chamber Action dent. Page S457 Routine Proceedings, pages S403–S458 Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for Measures Introduced: Ten bills and four resolu- the American People Act—Agreement: A unani- tions were introduced, as follows: S. 2562–2571, and mous-consent agreement was reached providing that S. Res. 433–436. Page S445 the adoption of a motion to proceed to H.R. 5140, Measures Passed: to provide economic stimulus through recovery re- bates to individuals, incentives for business invest- Technical Corrections: Senate passed S. 2571, to ment, and an increase in conforming and FHA loan make technical corrections to the Federal Insecticide, limits, not displace any pending measures. Page S457 Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Page S454 Messages from the House: Page S443 Honoring United States Coast Guard: Senate agreed to S. Res. 433, honoring the brave men and Measures Referred: Page S443 women of the United States Coast Guard whose tire- Measures Read the First Time: Pages S443, S457 less work, dedication, and selfless service to the United States have led to more than 1 million lives Executive Communications: Pages S443–45 saved over the course of its long and storied 217- Additional Cosponsors: Pages S445–46 year history. Pages S454–55 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Catholic Schools Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. Pages S446–51 435, recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week Additional Statements: Pages S442–43 and honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic Amendments Submitted: Pages S451–54 schools in the United States. Pages S455–56 National School Counseling Week: Senate agreed Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S454 to S. Res. 436, designating the week of February 4 Privileges of the Floor: Page S454 through February 8, 2008, as ‘‘National School Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and ad- Counseling Week’’. Page S456 journed at 8:30 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Honoring United States Coast Guard: Com- January 30, 2008. (For Senate’s program, see the re- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation marks of the Majority Leader in today’s Record on was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. page S458.) 429, honoring the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard whose tireless work, dedi- cation, and commitment to protecting the United Committee Meetings States have led to the confiscation of over 350,000 (Committees not listed did not meet) pounds of cocaine at sea during 2007, and the reso- lution was then agreed to. Page S456 LONG-TERM BUDGET OUTLOOK Electoral Crisis in Kenya: Committee on Foreign Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hear- Relations was discharged from further consideration ing to examine the long-term federal budget out- of S. Res. 431, calling for a peaceful resolution to look, focusing on action that is needed to avoid the the current electoral crisis in Kenya, and the resolu- possibility of a serious economic disruption in the tion was then agreed to. Pages S456–57 future, after receiving testimony from David M. Protect America Act Extension: Senate passed Walker, Comptroller General, Government Account- H.R. 5104, to extend the Protect America Act of ability Office.

D55

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:25 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D29JA8.REC D29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with DIGEST D56 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST January 29, 2008 NOMINATION of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing Internal Revenue, Department of the Treasury, after to examine the nomination of Douglas H. Shulman, the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. h House of Representatives pionship game, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 409 Chamber Action yeas to 1 nay, with 4 voting ‘‘present’’, Roll No. 26. Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 70 pub- Pages H509–10 lic bills, H.R. 5151–5220; 1 private bill, H.R. New England National Scenic Trail Designation 5221; and 13 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 284–287; Act: The House passed H.R. 1528, to amend the and H. Res. 946–954 were introduced. Pages H554–58 National Trails System Act to designate the New Additional Cosponsors: Pages H558–59 England National Scenic Trail, by a recorded vote of Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: 261 ayes to 122 noes, Roll No. 28. Pages H517–35 H.R. 3521, to improve the Operating Fund for Rejected the Bishop (UT) motion to recommit the public housing of the Department of Housing and bill to the Committee on Natural Resources with in- Urban Development, with an amendment (H. Rept. structions to report the same back to the House 110–521). Page H554 forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she of 183 yeas to 205 nays, Roll No. 27. Page H533 appointed Representative Israel to act as Speaker pro Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the na- ture of a substitute recommended by the Committee tempore for today. Page H481 on Natural Resources now printed in the bill shall Recess: The House recessed at 10:48 a.m. and re- be considered as an original bill for the purpose of convened at 12:00 p.m. Page H483 amendment under the five-minute rule. Page H531 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules Accepted: and pass the following measures: Bishop (UT) amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the Rept. 110–519) that states that State and local laws American People Act of 2008: H.R. 5140, to pro- regarding hunting, fishing, trapping and netting vide economic stimulus through recovery rebates to shall be the exclusive laws regarding these activities individuals, incentives for business investment, and on the trail. Pages H532–33 an increase in conforming and FHA loan limits, by Rejected: a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 385 yeas to 35 nays with Bishop (UT) amendment (No. 1 printed in H. 1 voting ‘‘present’’, Roll No. 25 and Pages H485–H509 Rept. 110–519) that sought to delay designation of Extending the Protect America Act of 2007 for the trail until all environmental analyses and the re- 30 days: H.R. 5104, amended, to extend the Protect view required by Public Law 107–338 have been completed by the Secretary of the Interior. America Act of 2007 for 30 days. Pages H510–17 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ‘‘To ex- Pages H531–32 tend the Protect America Act of 2007 for 15 days.’’. H. Res. 940, the rule providing for consideration Page H517 of the bill, was agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question. Pages H517–22 Suspension—Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the fol- Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the lowing measure which was debated on Monday, Jan- Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, Feb- uary 28th: ruary 6th. Page H537 Commending the Louisiana State University Ti- Quorum Calls Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and gers football team for winning the 2007 Bowl one recorded vote developed during the proceedings Championship Series national championship game: of today and appear on pages H508–09, H509–10, H. Res. 933, amended, to commend the Louisiana H534–35 and H535. There were no quorum calls. State University Tigers football team for winning Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and at the 2007 Bowl Championship Series national cham- 8:20 p.m., pursuant to the provisions of H. Con.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:25 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D29JA8.REC D29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with DIGEST January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D57 Res. 279, the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. to protect the American public from excessive risks on Wednesday, February 6, 2008. from prescription drugs and other matters. The Subcommittee also held a hearing entitled Committee Meetings ‘‘Science and Mission at Risk: FDA’s Self-Assess- ment.’’ Testimony was heard from the following offi- OUTSOURCING—DOD INSPECTOR cials of the GAO: Marcia G. Crosse, Director, GENERAL Health Care; and Lisa Shames, Director, Food and Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense Agriculture Issues; Andrew C. von Esechenbach, met in executive session on DOD Inspector General M.D., Commissioner, FDA, Department of Health on Outsourcing. Testimony was heard from Claude and Human Services; Donna V. Porter, Specialist in M. Kicklighter, Inspector General, Department of Life Sciences, Science Policy Research Division, CRS, Defense. Library of Congress; and public witnesses. INTERAGENCY REFORM DIGITAL TV AND PUBLIC BROADCASTING Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Over- Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on sight and Investigations held a hearing on Inter- Telecommunications and Internet held a hearing en- agency Reform: Can the Provincial Reconstruction titled ‘‘Public, Educational, and Governmental Team (PRT) Case Study Illuminate the Future of (PEG) Services in the Digital TV Age.’’ Testimony Reconstruction and Stabilization Operations? Testi- was heard from John B. O’Reilly, Jr., Mayor, Dear- mony was heard from public witnesses. born, Michigan; and public witnesses. BOLSTER U.S. ECONOMY—USING FISCAL WAKE OF DISASTERS—HOUSING POLICY PROGRAMS Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Using Fis- Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing enti- cal Policy to Bolster the U.S. Economy. Testimony tled ‘‘Ensuring Safe and Effective Housing Programs was heard from Lawrence H. Summers, former Sec- in the Wake of Disasters.’’ Testimony was heard retary of the Treasury; and public witnesses. from Carlos Castilllo, Assistant Administrator, Dis- AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT aster Assistance Directorate, FEMA, Department of PROTECTIONS Homeland Security; Henry Falk, M.D., Director, Co- Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on ordinating Center, Environmental Health and Injury H.R. 3195, ADA Restoration Act of 2007. Testi- Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Preven- mony was heard from Representative Hoyer; and tion, Department of Health and Human Services; public witnesses. Nelson Bregon, General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Community Planning and Development, COVERING UNINSURED KIDS Department of Housing and Urban Development; Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Michael Gerber, Executive Director, Department of Health held a hearing entitled ‘‘Covering Uninsured Housing and Community Affairs, State of Texas; and Kids: Missed Opportunities for Moving Forward.’’ a public witness. Testimony was heard from Dennis G. Smith, Direc- MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CRISIS tor, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Cen- ters for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Com- of Health and Human Services; Ann C. Kohler, Dep- mercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on uty Commissioner, Department of Human Services, the Growing Mortgage Foreclosure Crisis: Identi- State of New Jersey; Chris L. Peterson, Specialist in fying Solutions and Dispelling Myths. Testimony Health Care Financing, Domestic Social Policy Divi- was heard from Jack Kemp, former Secretary, De- sion, CRS, Library of Congress; and public witnesses. partment of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS—FDA PRESCRIPTION DRUG SAFETY; FDA OVERSIGHT—STATE SECRETS PRIVILEGE SCIENCE MISSION REFORM Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Con- Oversight and Investigations agreed by a roll call stitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held an vote of 12–0 a motion by Chairman Stupak to issue oversight hearing on Reform of the State Secrets subpoenas relating to witnesses and documents in Privilege. Testimony was heard from Patricia Wald, connection with the Subcommittee’s ongoing inves- Retired Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the tigation into the adequacy of the efforts of the FDA D.C. Circuit; and public witnesses.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:25 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D29JA8.REC D29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with DIGEST D58 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST January 29, 2008 FEDERAL ESPIONAGE LAWS ENFORCEMENT ‘‘Sergeant Jamie O. Maugans Post Office Building;’’ Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, S. 2272, To designate the facility of the United Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on States Postal Service known as the Southpark Station Enforcement of Federal Espionage Laws. Testimony in Alexandria, Louisiana, as the John ‘‘Marty’’ Thiels was heard from J. Patrick Rowan, Principal Deputy Southpark Station, in honor and memory of Thiels, Assistant Attorney General, National Security Divi- a Louisiana postal worker who was killed in the line sion, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. of duty on October 4, 2007; and S. 2478, To des- ignate the facility of the United States Postal Service OVERSIGHT—CALIFORNIA WATER located at 59 Colby in East Hampstead, New Hamp- DELIVERIES shire, as the ‘‘Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Office.’’ Water and Power held an oversight hearing on the The Committee also held a hearing on Addressing Immediate Federal and State Role in Addressing Un- the Screening Gap: The National Breast and Cervical certain Water Deliveries for California and the Im- Cancer Early Detection Program. Testimony was pacts on California Communities.’’ Testimony was heard from Rosemarie Henson, Deputy Director, Na- heard from Bob Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of tional Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Lester Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Snow, Director, Department of Water Resources, Prevention, Department of Health and Human Serv- State of California; and public witnesses. ices; Pama Joyner, Director, Breast and Cervical Health Program, Department of Health, State of MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; BREAST- Washington; and public witnesses. CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING GAP Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered PLAIN LANGUAGE IN GOVERNMENT reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 273, COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 2007 Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the National Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Sub- Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; H. Res. committee on Information Policy, Census and Na- 867, Commending the Houston Dynamo soccer tional Archives approved for full Committee action team for winning the 2007 Major League Soccer H.R. 3548, Plain Language in Government Commu- Cup; H. Res. 931, Expressing the support for des- nications Act of 2007. ignation of February 17, 2008, as ‘‘Race Day in America’’ and highlighting the 50th running of the PAKISTANI ELECTIONS Daytona 500; H. Res 942, Recognizing the signifi- Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: cance of Black History Month; H. Res. 943, Re- Sub- membering the space shuttle Challenger disaster and committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs honoring its crew members, who lost their lives on continued hearings on Pakistani Elections: Will January 28, 1986; H.R. 3532, To designate the fa- They Be Free and Fair or Fundamentally Flawed cility of the United States Postal Service located at (Part II). Testimony was heard from Richard A. 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, Georgia, as the ‘‘Pri- Boucher, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and vate Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office;’’ H.R. Central Asian Affairs, Department of State. 3936, To designate the facility of the United States SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATING RESEARCH Postal Service located at 116 Highway in Cleveland, Georgia as the ‘‘Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled Building;’’ H.R. 4203, To designate the facility of ‘‘SBIR: America’s National Technology Development the United States Postal Service located at 3035 Incubator.’’ Testimony was heard from public wit- Stone Mountain Street in Lithonia, Georgia, as the nesses. ‘‘Jamaal RaShard Addison Post Office Building;’’ H.R. 4454, To designate the facility of the United VA’S CLAIMS PROCESSING IMPROVEMENTS States Postal Service located at 3050 Hunsinger Lane Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Dis- in Louisville, Kentucky, as the ‘‘Iraq and Afghani- ability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hear- stan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville Memorial ing on the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Post Office Building;’’ in honor of the service men the VA’s Claims Processing System. Testimony was and women from Louisville, Kentucky, who died in heard from the following officials of the Department service during Operation Enduring Freedom and Op- of Veterans Affairs: Kim Graves, Director, Office of eration Iraqi Freedom; H.R. 5135, To designate the Business Process Integration, Veterans Benefits Ad- facility of the United States Postal Service located at ministration; and Stephen W. Warren, Principal 201 West Greenway Street in Derby, Kansas, as the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Information

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:25 Jan 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D29JA8.REC D29JAPT1 smartinez on PRODPC61 with DIGEST January 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D59 and Technology; Gary Christopherson, former Vet- Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the ‘‘George erans Health Administration Chief Information Offi- Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States cer, Department of Veterans Affairs; representatives Courthouse’’. Signed on December 26, 2007. (Public of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. Law 110–159) VA CREDENTIALING AND PATIENT H.R. 2761, to extend the Terrorism Insurance SAFETY Program of the Department of the Treasury. Signed on December 26, 2007. (Public Law 110–160) Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Over- H.R. 2764, making appropriations for the Depart- sight and Investigations held a hearing on VA ment of State, foreign operations, and related pro- Credentialing and Privileging: A Patient Safety grams for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Issue. Testimony was heard from the following offi- Signed on December 26, 2007. (Public Law cials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: John D. 110–161) Daigh, M.D., Assistant Inspector General, H.R. 3470, to designate the facility of the United Healthcare Inspections, Office of the Inspector Gen- States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe eral; Gerald M. Cross, M.D., Principal Deputy Highway in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ‘‘John Sidney Under Secretary for Health; and a public witness. ‘Sid’ Flowers Post Office Building’. Signed on De- BRIEFING—PAKISTAN cember 26, 2007. (Public Law 110–162) H.R. 3569, to designate the facility of the United Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in execu- States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Av- tives session to receive a briefing on Pakistan. The enue in Fontana, California, as the ‘‘Beatrice E. Wat- Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. son Post Office Building’’. Signed on December 26, 2007. (Public Law 110–163) Joint Meetings H.R. 3571, to amend the Congressional Account- COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM ability Act of 1995 to permit individuals who have served as employees of the Office of Compliance to Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Com- serve as Executive Director, Deputy Executive Direc- mission concluded a hearing to examine anti-Semi- tor, or General Counsel of the Office, and to permit tism in the Organization for Security and Coopera- individuals appointed to such positions to serve one tion in Europe (OSCE) region, focusing on initia- additional term. Signed on December 26, 2007. tives, lessons learned, and the way forward in moni- (Public Law 110–164) toring and combating anti-Semitism, after receiving H.R. 3974, to designate the facility of the United testimony from Gert Weisskirchen, Personal Rep- States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road resentative on Combating Anti-Semitism, and in Round Rock, Texas, as the ‘‘Marine Corps Cor- Kathrin Meyer, Office for Democratic Institutions poral Steven P. Gill Post Office Building’’. Signed and Human Rights, both of the Organization for Se- on December 26, 2007. (Public Law 110–165) curity and Cooperation in Europe, Vienna, Austria. H.R. 3996, to amend the Internal Revenue Code f of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions. Signed on December 26, 2007. (Public Law 110–166) NEW PUBLIC LAWS H.R. 4009, to designate the facility of the United (For last listing of Public Laws, see DAILY DIGEST, p. D1672) States Postal Service located at 567 West Nepessing H.R. 366, to designate the Department of Vet- Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as the ‘‘Turrill Post Of- erans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, fice Building’’. Signed on December 26, 2007. (Pub- as the ‘‘Ernest Childers Department of Veterans Af- lic Law 110–167) fairs Outpatient Clinic’’. Signed on December 26, S. 1396, to authorize a major medical facility 2007. (Public Law 110–156) project to modernize inpatient wards at the Depart- H.R. 797, an act to amend title 38, United States ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, Code, to improve low-vision benefits matters, mat- Georgia. Signed on December 26, 2007. (Public Law ters relating to burial and memorial affairs, and 110–168) other matters under the laws administered by the S. 1896, to designate the facility of the United Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (Public Law 110–157) States Postal Service located at 11 Central Street in H.R. 1045, to designate the Federal building lo- Hillsborough, New Hampshire, as the ‘‘Officer Jer- cated at 210 Walnut Street in Des Moines, Iowa, as emy Todd Charron Post Office’’. Signed on Decem- the ‘‘Neal Smith Federal Building’’. Signed on De- ber 26, 2007. (Public Law 110–169) cember 26, 2007. (Public Law 110–158) S. 1916, to amend the Public Health Service Act H.R. 2011, to designate the Federal building and to modify the program for the sanctuary system for United States courthouse located at 100 East 8th surplus chimpanzees by terminating the authority for

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(Public Law 110–172) Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: business S. 2499, to amend titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI meeting to consider S. 86, to designate segments of Fossil of the Social Security Act to extend provisions under Creek, a tributary to the Verde River in the State of Ari- the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP programs. zona, as wild and scenic rivers, S. 127, to amend the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of Signed on December 29, 2007. (Public Law 2000 to explain the purpose and provide for the adminis- 110–173) tration of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, S. 128, to S. 2271, to authorize State and local governments amend the Cache La Poudre River Corridor Act to des- to divest assets in companies that conduct business ignate a new management entity, make certain technical operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Gov- and conforming amendments, enhance private property ernment contracts with such companies. Signed on protections, S. 189, to decrease the matching funds re- December 31, 2007. (Public Law 110–174) quirements and authorize additional appropriations for S. 2488, to promote accessibility, accountability, Keweenaw National Historical Park in the State of and openness in Government by strengthening sec- Michigan, S. 327, to authorize the Secretary of the Inte- rior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated tion 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor referred to as the Freedom of Information Act). movement, S. 783, to adjust the boundary of the Signed on December 31, 2007. (Public Law Barataria Preserve Unit of the Jean Lafitte National His- 110–175) torical Park and Preserve in the State of Louisiana, S. S. 2436, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 868, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to des- 1986 to clarify the term of the Commissioner of In- ignate segments of the Taunton River in the Common- ternal Revenue. Signed on January 4, 2008. (Public wealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Law 110–176) Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 1039, to extend the H.R. 660, to amend title 18, United States Code, authorization for the Coastal Heritage Trail in the State of New Jersey, S. 1143, to designate the Jupiter Inlet to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, Lighthouse and the surrounding Federal land in the State and their family members. Signed on January 7, of Florida as an Outstanding Natural Area and as a unit 2008. (Public Law 110–177) of the National Landscape System, S. 1247, to amend the H.R. 3690, to provide for the transfer of the Li- Weir Farm National Historic Site Establishment Act of brary of Congress Police to the United States Capitol 1990 to limit the development of any property acquired Police. Signed on January 7, 2008. (Public Law by the Secretary of the Interior for the development of 110–178) visitor and administrative facilities for the Weir Farm S. 863, to amend title 18, United States Code, National Historic Site, S. 1304, to amend the National with respect to fraud in connection with major dis- Trails System Act to designate the Arizona National Sce- nic Trail, S. 1329, to extend the Acadia National Park aster or emergency funds. Signed on January 7, Advisory Commission, to provide improved visitor serv- 2008. (Public Law 110–179) ices at the park, S. 1341, to provide for the exchange of H.R. 2640, to improve the National Instant certain Bureau of Land Management land in Pima Coun- Criminal Background Check System. Signed on Jan- ty, Arizona, S. 1365, to amend the Omnibus Parks and uary 8, 2008. (Public Law 110–180) Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to authorize the H.R. 4986, to provide for the enactment of the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agree- National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year ments with any of the management partners of the Bos- 2008, as previously enrolled, with certain modifica- ton Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, S. 1377, to tions to address the foreign sovereign immunities direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the City of Henderson, Nevada, certain Federal land located in the provisions of title 28, United States Code, with re- City, S. 1433, to amend the Alaska National Interest spect to the attachment of property in certain judg- Lands Conservation Act to provide competitive status to ments against Iraq, the lapse of statutory authorities certain Federal employees in the State of Alaska, S. 1476, for the payment of bonuses, special pays, and similar to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct spe- benefits for members of the uniformed services. cial resources study of the Tule Lake Segregation Center Signed on January 28, 2008. (Public Law 110–181) in Modoc County, California, to determine suitability and

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feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Park Sys- Full Committee, business meeting to consider an origi- tem, S. 1522, to amend the Bonneville Power Adminis- nal bill entitled, ‘‘The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008’’, tration portions of the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation and to consider changes to the rules of procedure of the Mitigation Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations for Committee on Finance, 2:30 p.m., SD–215. fiscal years 2008 through 2014, S. 1634, to implement Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to exam- further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a ine the nominations of James K. Glassman, of Con- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Polit- necticut, to be Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy ical Union with the United States of America, S. 1740, with the rank of Ambassador, Goli Ameri, of Oregon, to to amend the Act of February 22, 1889, and the Act of be Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Af- July 2, 1862, to provide for the management of public fairs, and David J. Kramer, of Massachusetts, to be As- land trust funds in the State of North Dakota, S. 1802, sistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and to adjust the boundaries of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in the State of Idaho, S. 1921, to Labor, all of the Department of State, 11:15 a.m., amend the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 SD–419. to extend the authorization for that Act, S. 1939, to pro- Full Committee, to receive a closed briefing from vide for the conveyance of certain land in the Santa Fe members of the intelligence community, 3:30 p.m., National Forest, New Mexico, S. 1940, to reauthorize the S–407, Capitol. Rio Puerco Watershed Management Program, and S. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold oversight hearings to 1941, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the examine the Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SH–216. suitability and feasibility of designating the Wolf House, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold located in Norfolk, Arkansas, as a unit of the National hearings to examine the Small Business Administration’s Park System, and any other pending legislation, 11:30 accountability, focusing on the efficacy of women’s con- a.m., SD–366. tracting and lender oversight, 10 a.m., SR–428A. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hear- ings to examine the threats and protections for the polar House bear, 10 a.m., SD–406. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warm- Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine pri- ing, hearing entitled ‘‘Learning from a Laureate: Science, vate fees for service in Medicare Advantage plans, 10 Security and Sustainability,’’ 9 a.m., 1324 Longworth. a.m., SD–215.

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Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 30 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 6

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will be in a period of Program for Wednesday, February 6: To be an- morning business. nounced.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE Ellsworth, Brad, Ind., E112 Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E106 English, Phil, Pa., E103 Miller, George, Calif., E109 Ackerman, Gary L., N.Y., E93 Faleomavaega, Eni F.H., American Samoa, E98 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E101 Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E93 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E102 Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E105, E106, E107, E108 Baca, Joe, Calif., E110 Gallegly, Elton, Calif., E96 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E91 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E98 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E95, E104 Petri, Thomas E., Wisc., E100 Berkley, Shelley, Nev., E101 Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E105 Poe, Ted, Tex., E105 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E108 Graves, Sam, Mo., E92, E95, E98, E101 Putnam, Adam H., Fla., E104 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E110 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E102 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E99 Brady, Kevin, Tex., E96 Hill, Baron P., Ind., E96 Rodriguez, Ciro D., Tex., E111 Brady, Robert A., Pa., E101 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E91, E95, E102 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E91, E94 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E107 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E95 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E108 Carney, Christopher P., Pa., E103 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E101 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E98 Costa, Jim, Calif., E110 Lamborn, Doug, Colo., E107, E107 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E109 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E111 Larson, John B., Conn., E112 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E107, E107 Davis, Lincoln, Tenn., E108 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E103 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E95 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E93 McDermott, Jim, Wash., E92, E100 Tiberi, Patrick J., Ohio, E112 Dicks, Norman D., Wash., E111 McIntyre, Mike, N.C., E102 Udall, Mark, Colo., E92, E94, E96 Donnelly, Joe, Ind., E106 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E104 Wexler, Robert, Fla., E103

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