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, FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 No. 130 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. environmental group based in the Mad families that their interests are impor- The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. River Valley of Vermont. Formed in tant enough for this Congress to stay Coughlin, offered the following prayer: the fall of 2007 by three local environ- here and lower gas prices. Is God in the motion or in the static? mentalists, Carbon Shredders dedicates In conclusion, God bless our troops, Is God in the problem or in the re- its time to curbing local energy con- and we will never forget September the solve? sumption, helping Vermonters lower 11th. Godspeed for the future careers to Is God in the activity or in the rest? their energy costs, and working to- Second District staff members, Chirag Is God in the noise or in the silence? wards a clean energy future. The group Shah and Kori Lorick. Wherever You are, Lord God, be in challenges participants to alter their f our midst, both now and forever. lifestyles in ways consistent with the Amen. goal of reducing energy consumption. COMMEMORATING THE MIN- In March, three Vermont towns f NEAPOLIS I–35W BRIDGE COL- passed resolutions introduced by Car- LAPSE THE JOURNAL bon Shredders that call on residents (Mr. ELLISON asked and was given The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint by 10 percent by 2010. In addi- permission to address the House for 1 ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- minute and to revise and extend his re- ceedings and announces to the House tion to the obvious environmental ad- vantages, participating households will marks.) her approval thereof. save $700 each year. Carbon Shredders’ Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, last Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- membership has grown considerably in year on August 1, 2007, at 6:05 p.m., the nal stands approved. Vermont since its founding, and this Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis f group is doing tremendous work in collapsed into the Mississippi River. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vermont to lead us to a carbon-free Thirteen people lost their lives, injur- economy. ing nearly 100 people. The 13 victims The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman f were mothers, fathers and children. from South Carolina (Mr. WILSON) Last year on August 1, this day, we come forward and lead the House in the LET’S STAY AND GET THE JOB as a Nation were united in our grief for Pledge of Allegiance. DONE the victims. Today, the new I–35W Mr. WILSON of South Carolina led (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina bridge stands almost complete over the the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: asked and was given permission to ad- Mississippi River. I have had a chance I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the dress the House for 1 minute and to re- to tour it, and it is a good-looking United States of America, and to the Repub- vise and extend his remarks.) bridge. But we can never forget about lic for which it stands, one nation under God, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the victims and the lessons that we Madam Speaker, today the House of have learned from the collapse. f Representatives will adjourn for 5 We will be having a memorial today ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER weeks. It is troubling that the Demo- in Minneapolis for the victims, and we cratic leadership sees no problem in The SPEAKER. The Chair will enter- will be celebrating the fact that we taking a 5-week vacation, having failed have come back and been a resilient tain up to five requests for 1-minute to vote on legislation that will lower speeches on each side of the aisle. community after this collapse. gas prices and break our dependence on But I believe the tragic bridge col- f foreign oil. lapse serves as a national call to action House Republicans have laid out a RECOGNIZING CARBON for our political leaders to focus on im- plan of exploration, alternative energy SHREDDERS proving our domestic infrastructure. innovation, and conservation, a com- The time is now, Madam Speaker. (Mr. WELCH of Vermont asked and prehensive strategy that pulls together was given permission to address the this Nation’s immense natural re- f House for 1 minute and to revise and sources and our rapidly advancing LET’S SECURE AMERICA extend his remarks.) technology to reduce our dependence Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam on foreign oil and build a more pros- (Mr. WESTMORELAND asked and Speaker, I would like to take this op- perous country. was given permission to address the portunity to recognize the dedicated ef- Let’s have a vote on a comprehensive House for 1 minute and to revise and forts of Carbon Shredders, a grassroots energy package. Let’s show American extend his remarks.) 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. H7791 . VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:46 Aug 02, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A01AU7.000 H01AUPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with HOUSE H7792 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 1, 2008 Mr. WESTMORELAND. This morning minute and to revise and extend his re- sad occasion and to remember those I’m here, and if I could talk to the peo- marks.) who were lost. ple of America, Madam Speaker, I Mr. GINGREY. Madam Speaker, a fa- Construction on a new bridge is un- would tell them that the number to the mous American, Will Rogers once said, derway. It will be wider, longer, more House operator is 202–224–3121, but I ‘‘The only thing I know about Amer- reliable and safer. And I thank my col- know I can’t do that. But if I could, it ican politics is what I read in the news- league who spoke earlier, Mr. ELLISON, would be 202–224–3121, and I would ask paper.’’ for his leadership on that, but it won’t for Speaker PELOSI. Madam Speaker, what I read in the bring back those who tragically died. I would tell Speaker PELOSI that I’m newspaper this morning are these head- Let us learn from this disaster and not a hoax because, see, here’s a quote: lines: ‘‘A shadow over recess. Impasse ensure it never happens again. ‘‘This call for drilling in areas that are on energy obscures victories as Dems f protected is a hoax, it’s an absolute head home.’’ hoax on the part of the Republicans Another headline: ‘‘Energy shadow AMERICANS DEMAND ENERGY and the administration.’’ falls over the August recess.’’ PLAN The American people, Madam Speak- Reading further, I thought we had a er, 73 percent of them are not a hoax. (Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee little ray of light and encouragement She’s too busy trying to save the plan- asked and was given permission to ad- in a press conference that the Speaker et. Speaker PELOSI announced, ‘‘I’m dress the House for 1 minute and to re- gave yesterday. ‘‘And, asked if she trying to save the planet.’’ vise and extend his remarks.) I hope, Madam Speaker, that if the could envision a scenario where there Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. American people could get this number could be a vote on new offshore drill- Madam Speaker, we need an American that they could call the Speaker and ing, she said, ‘Of course.’ energy plan and we need it now. The say, ‘‘Before you save the planet, let’s ‘‘But shortly thereafter, Pelosi’s of- American people are hurting. Young secure America.’’ fice issued a written ‘clarification’ families are hurting. Senior adults are Madam Speaker, we’re going to ad- stating that Pelosi was not changing hurting. Small businesses are hurting. journ today, and many in this House her position.’’ Vern, from Jefferson County, Ten- are going to leave for a vacation, a trip And the quote now, ‘‘She has no nessee, is hurting. overseas, to Africa, Europe, Asia, while plans to bring to the floor a bill to Vern is an Iraqi war veteran. Vern my constituents can’t even afford to allow drilling in protected areas.’’’ has to drive from Jefferson County in drive to a State park. Unconscionable, Madam Speaker. I Tennessee all the way into Knoxville. We must stay in session. We must do don’t know what the plan is. Maybe it’s It’s costing him over $90 a week to something to increase U.S. oil produc- in one of the chapters of a new book drive to work. He makes $8 an hour. tion. that she’s spent the last 3 months writ- He’s trying to become an electrical ap- f ing while she should have been doing prentice. something, Madam Speaker, about HEATING OIL Vern told me he may have to go on these high gasoline prices that are welfare. Vern has a young family. Vern (Mr. HALL of New York asked and crippling this Nation. Unconscionable. was given permission to address the is an Iraqi war yet. Vern wants to do Let’s stay here.