H14254 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 6, 2007 Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Through his high achievement in claiming $21 billion in taxpayer sub- nal stands approved. sports and service to the community, sidies from the oil and gas industry. I urge support of this fiscally respon- f Avery Johnson continues to leave a mark on the world, of which we are all sible, smart new energy policy that PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE very proud. embraces American ingenuity, innova- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the f tion, and leadership and moves Amer- gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. JEF- ica forward towards a cleaner, more se- FUNDING OUR VETERANS FERSON) come forward and lead the cure future. House in the Pledge of Allegiance. (Mrs. DRAKE asked and was given f Mr. JEFFERSON led the Pledge of permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her re- HONORING THE LIFE OF JONI Allegiance as follows: HERSCHEDE I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the marks.) United States of America, and to the Repub- Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, this is (Mrs. SCHMIDT asked and was given lic for which it stands, one nation under God, day 67. That’s 67 days since the start of permission to address the House for 1 indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the new fiscal year and our veterans minute and to revise and extend her re- f still do not have access to the in- marks.) creased funding provided in a bill that Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE passed the House and Senate months today to honor the life of Joni A message from the Senate by Ms. ago and the President is waiting to Herschede, a true icon of Cincinnati. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced sign. Joni understood the Second Congres- that the Senate has agreed to a concur- The House-passed bill includes in- sional District. You see, she grew up in rent resolution of the following title in creased funding to improve access to Portsmouth in rural southern Ohio, which the concurrence of the House is medical services for all veterans, new one of eight siblings. She came to Cin- requested: initiatives for mental health and cinnati in the 1960s where she met and married Mark Herschede. She will al- S. Con. Res. 58. Concurrent resolution wel- PTSD, increased funds for improved coming First Minister Dr. Ian Paisley and medical facilities and increased fund- ways be best known for her passion and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of ing to homeless veterans, to generosity to this community. Northern Ireland to the United States. name a few. Joni never forgot her humble begin- nings. Whenever Joni got behind a f If the Democrats are acting in good faith and in the best interest of our Na- cause or an issue, others always fol- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER tion’s veterans, why continue to delay lowed because they knew if you didn’t PRO TEMPORE this crucial funding? follow, you might as well get out of the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The Democrats have failed in their way because she would succeed. Chair will recognize up to five 1-minute earlier effort to use funding for our It is nearly impossible to find an or- speeches on each side. veterans as a bargaining chip for bil- ganization in southern Ohio to which Joni did not give her time or her en- f lions in unrelated spending. Why con- tinue to delay this bill? ergy. Her son Donald said, ‘‘Mother RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISH- There are few things more important wasn’t happy unless she was doing MENTS OF NBA COACH AVERY than ensuring that this Congress pro- something for someone else.’’ JOHNSON Her true passion was the University vides all possible benefits and health of Cincinnati. As an avid Bearcats fan, (Mr. JEFFERSON asked and was care for our veterans. I’m calling on Joni’s hats and outfits always proudly given permission to address the House the Speaker to move this bill forward, displayed her beloved red and black. for 1 minute.) and I call on all Americans to contact But that passion went beyond just Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise their Representatives and tell the trappings of her clothing. It went to today to congratulate one of Louisi- Democratic leadership to send a clean the philanthropy that she did for the ana’s favorite sons, NBA coach Avery veterans appropriations bill to the Johnson, on the occasion of his receiv- University of Cincinnati as well. President now. Mr. Speaker, southern Ohio and Cin- ing an honorary doctorate degree from f his alma mater, , cinnati will always be grateful for the at its upcoming fall commencement. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND kindness that Joni showed to so many Born in , Avery Johnson SECURITY ACT and to so many organizations, the arts, has known success at every level of (Ms. SCHWARTZ asked and was the zoo, education, and her beloved . In 1983 he led the St. Au- given permission to address the House Bearcats. Joni’s life should paint a path for fu- gustine High School Purple Knights to for 1 minute.) ture generations. Joni’s legacy of pub- an undefeated season culminating with Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise lic service will not be easily surpassed. a Class 4A Louisiana State champion- today in support of the Energy Inde- May she rest in peace. ship. He would go on to star on the pendence and Security Act before us Southern University Jaguars basket- later today. This landmark energy bill f ball team, setting NCAA Division I moves our Nation forward towards a THE BUSH-CHENEY ENERGY records for both season and career new, brighter energy future. It pro- POLICY averages in assists that still stand motes clean homegrown energy by re- (Mr. DEFAZIO asked and was given today. quiring our utilities to produce 15 per- permission to address the House for 1 In 1988, Avery Johnson began his ca- cent of their power from renewable en- minute.) reer in the NBA, where he would spend ergy by 2020. It reduces our dependence Mr. DEFAZIO. The Bush-Cheney en- 16 seasons. Once again he found success on foreign oil by raising fuel efficiency ergy policy has led America to a dead with the by taking standards on our cars by 40 percent. end, increasing dependence on im- them to their first NBA title in 1999 With the price of oil nearing $100 per ported oil and price gouging by big oil over the . barrel, this will save consumers bil- companies. Presently, Avery Johnson serves as lions of dollars. And it saves energy The new direction in energy policy to the of the Dallas Mav- through energy-efficiency standards be considered here today puts America ericks, where his star has only contin- and incentives like the effort I led to on a new path to energy independence ued to shine brighter. Now in his third promote the construction of energy-ef- and sustainability. It will be great for full season as coach, he has led the ficient commercial buildings. American consumers, saving billions at Mavericks to their first Western Con- These policies will create new jobs the pump; our businesses; our econ- ference title, been named 2006 NBA and build new American industries, omy. And it will be great for the envi- Coach of the Year, and won 150 games while reducing the greenhouse gas ronment. faster than any other coach in NBA emissions that contribute to global But it will be even better for millions history. warming. And it is all paid for by re- of Americans in rural counties across

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:42 Dec 07, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K06DE7.002 H06DEPT1 ccoleman on PROD1PC71 with HOUSE December 6, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H14255 America. This bill also includes fund- immediate postage, if you don’t have and move us away from the dangerous ing for critical county school pay- the Internet, if you’re old, and it’s dif- dependency on Arabian oil. It will also ments. 780 counties in 42 States will ficult to stand in line because you’re decrease our imported oil by 2 million get critical funding for law enforce- handicapped or disabled, this is a great gallons per day. It will create jobs and ment, search and rescue, and strug- disservice to America. strengthen our economy as we move gling rural schools. They say the machines aren’t work- towards efficient, clean, and renewable My district, the Fourth Congres- ing. Well, Federal Express wouldn’t do energy resources. sional District of Oregon, will avert a something like this. They’d improve This bill answers the question whose disaster if this legislation is adopted. the machines or find a new machine. side are we on. Do we stand with Big I thank the Democratic leadership And if the machines didn’t work at Oil and the past or do we stand with for leading us in a new direction on en- Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola would buy new the future? ergy and fulfilling their commitment machines. I stand with the future and will con- to rural counties. The United States Postal Service tinue to fight to cut the price of energy The ball was dropped by the Bush ad- should be for service and for the cus- and fight hard for the people of North- ministration and by the Republicans. tomer and maintain the vending ma- east Wisconsin. We’re taking it up for all America here chines. I’m preparing legislation, and f today by passing this bill. I’ll be sending a Dear Colleague out, BUY PRODUCTS MADE IN THE USA f Mr. Speaker, and hope all will join us in putting service back in the USPS. (Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE asked and was given permission to ad- IMPRISONMENT OF AYMAN NOUR f dress the House for 1 minute.) (Mr. WICKER asked and was given b 1015 Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. permission to address the House for 1 THE TEDDY BEAR AND ISLAM Mr. Speaker, defective, unsafe prod- minute.) ucts, toys with poisonous lead paint, Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, this week (Mr. POE asked and was given per- American jobs going overseas lured by marks the third anniversary of the im- mission to address the House for 1 cheap labor and unfair trade practices, prisonment of Egyptian parliamen- minute.) these issues concern every American. tarian and presidential candidate Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, in the third But all of us can take a stand this holi- Ayman Nour. He was jailed on charges world country of Sudan, the govern- day season. of forgery during the 2005 presidential ment is controlled by the religion of One way is that instead of judging elections in Egypt. Islam. Religious hard-liners were suc- products by cheap prices, look for qual- Nour suffers from numerous health cessful in prosecuting a British first ity and safety that comes with Amer- problems. He has been subjected to doc- grade teacher for insulting Mohammed. ican products. This holiday season umented physical abuse and has been She was sent to jail. Her crime: her 7- shoppers will be buying gifts made denied visitation rights afforded to year-old students named a class Teddy from all over the world, but let’s make other prisoners. His health condition Bear ‘‘Mohammed,’’ and that was sup- an extra effort to look for American continues to worsen. posedly an insult to the Prophet. The products. Many Members of Congress stand in punishment could have been worse. She This Christmas check the label for solidarity with Ayman Nour and re- could have received 40 lashes. In fact, ‘‘Made in the USA’’ and support jobs spectfully call on President Mubarak thousands of Sudanese citizens for hardworking Americans and Amer- to grant his unconditional release. De- marched demanding the school teacher ican quality. ‘‘Made in the USA’’ may cember 10 is Human Rights Day, mark- be executed for the insult! be the best gift ever this Christmas. ing the anniversary of the adoption of Of course, the teacher never meant to f the Universal Declaration of Human insult Islam, but the truth was not an Rights. In honor of that day, the Egyp- issue in her trial. PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION tian Government should release Ayman The Sudan, this is the same ‘‘right- OF SENATE AMENDMENTS TO Nour. This action would symbolize a eous’’ government that is allowing eth- H.R. 6, ENERGY INDEPENDENCE recommitment to the inherent dignity nic cleansing and genocide of its own AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007 of all people and to their equal and in- citizens in Darfur. Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Mr. Speak- alienable rights. But thanks to two Muslim members er, by direction of the Committee on f of the British House of Lords who dis- Rules, I call up House Resolution 846 agreed with the arrest, the school and ask for its immediate consider- THE UNITED STATES POSTAL teacher, Gillian Gibbon, was pardoned SERVICE ation. after serving 8 days in jail. The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- (Mr. COHEN asked and was given per- This case is an example of what hap- lows: mission to address the House for 1 pens when government punishes people H. RES. 846 minute.) for violating a religious doctrine. Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, the United And, by the way, the Teddy Bear was Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- lution it shall be in order to take from the States Postal Service, and I use that originally so named to honor the great Speaker’s table the bill (H.R. 6) to reduce our term because that’s their formal name, President Theodore Roosevelt. Nation’s dependency on foreign oil by invest- has announced that they’re going to And that’s just the way it is. ing in clean, renewable, and alternative en- stop using, having vending machines at f ergy resources, promoting new emerging en- the post office. That means that Amer- ergy technologies, developing greater effi- icans will not be able to go to the post SUPPORT THE ENERGY BILL ciency, and creating a Strategic Energy Effi- office when they need to get a stamp (Mr. KAGEN asked and was given ciency and Renewables Reserve to invest in this holiday season, tax time or what- permission to address the House for 1 alternative energy, and for other purposes, with Senate amendments thereto, and to ever, and realize they need stamps and minute.) consider in the House, without intervention be able to go to the postal service to Mr. KAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise of any of order except those arising buy a stamp. It seems the U.S. Postal today to urge my colleagues to support under clause 10 of rule XXI, a single motion Service is taking service out of their today’s energy bill. This is the change offered by the Majority Leader or his des- name. we need, for America needs a reliable ignee that the House concur in each of the Older people can’t just very easily de- energy partner, one that is home Senate amendments with the respective cide to learn how to use the Internet or grown. amendment printed in the report of the Com- have an Internet and poor people don’t This bill restores our Nation’s inde- mittee on Rules accompanying this resolu- tion. The Senate amendments and the mo- either. The postal service says people pendence and will help to secure our fu- tion shall be considered as read. The motion can buy stamps online. They can call ture. It will also stimulate our econ- shall be debatable for one hour equally di- an 800 number. They can buy them by omy and protect our environment. It vided and controlled by the Majority Leader mail. But if you need something for an will allow for clean, renewable energy and the Minority Leader or their designees.

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