Tom Allen

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add to my other remarks about S. 906, the ``Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008.'' The prohibitions pertaining to conveyances, sales, or distribution by Federal agencies contained in Section 3 and the prohibition on exports in Section 4 of S. 906 apply to ``elemental mercury.'' As the principal sponsor of this legislation in the House of Representatives I wish to reaffirm the legislative history and my clear intent that the term ``elemental mercury'' as used in the bill does not apply to articles, manufactured consumer products, or other products that contain elemental mercury.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a Maine organization that provides vital services to our State. In 1883 a group of church women organized the Associated Charities, a coalition of church and voluntary charitable organizations located in and around Bangor, Maine. The organization has gone through many name changes, but its mission and dedication have remained the same: to improve the lives of vulnerable children and adults in Maine. Now known as the Community Health and Counseling Services, the program has continually modernized its services to meet the changing needs of the community. Today, it brings many services directly to clients in the comfort of their home. The agency is a significant employer of home health and mental health professionals throughout the State. The program excels at helping children and families meet the challenges of modem life by providing services they need and value. Community Health and Counseling Services has continued to expand their service area by opening additional offices throughout Maine. On October 15, 2008, the Community Health and Counseling Services will celebrate its 125th anniversary. I congratulate this organization and the many people who, over the course of many years, have contributed their time and resources to help thousands of Mainers in need.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 906, the Senate companion to my legislation, the Mercury Export Ban of 2008. This bill includes several changes that represent a compromise with the Senate, but at its heart is my legislation that passed with strong bipartisan support in the Energy and Commerce Committee and by voice vote on the floor of the House last November. I want to thank Chairman Dingell, former Chairman Wynn, Ranking Member Barton and Mr. Shimkus for the work they have done on this legislation. I also want to express my gratitude to Senators Obama and Murkowski for introducing this legislation on the Senate side and to Senator Boxer for her efforts. I would also like to thank Jim Bradley of my staff for all his hard work on this bill. Upon its passage today, this bill will be sent to the President to be signed into law. It is a well-established fact that mercury is a powerful neurotoxin, harmful at even low levels of exposure. Mercury is harmful whether it is inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Once exposed to water, elemental mercury is transformed to methylmercury, which is highly toxic and which has a tendency to bio-accumulate in both fish and humans who eat the fish. Very young children with developing nervous systems are particularly at risk. In addition, pregnant mothers who are exposed to mercury pollution can transmit mercury to their unborn children, increasing the chances of miscarriage and birth defects. Mercury can also be found in high concentrations in women's breast milk. My bill seeks to combat a large source of mercury pollution worldwide, namely, the export of elemental mercury from the United States to developing countries. This mercury is used largely for our artisanal mining. Exposure occurs when miners handle the mercury. It enters the water when miners pan for gold and gets into the air through the smelting process which emits mercury vapor. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme, approximately 15 million people worldwide, including 4.5 million women and 1 million children, engage in artisanal mining with mercury, exposing them to the poisons that mercury produces. Some of this mercury is exported from the United States. That should be unacceptable to us. The export of mercury for artisanal mining harms Americans who are exposed through the global air transport of mercury pollution or through the consumption of mercury-contaminated fish. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that as of 2004, 44 States, including my State of Maine, have fish advisories that cover 13 million acres of water and over 75,000 miles of rivers and streams. Scientists have estimated that up to one-third of U.S. mercury air pollution has traveled to the U.S. from Asia where mercury pollution is extensive, including pollution from mercury exported for artisanal mining. Much of the fish we eat, including tuna, is imported from off the coasts of Asian and South American countries where the use of mercury in artisanal mining is widespread. The Departments of Defense and Energy are the two largest holders of mercury in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency has urged DOE and DOD not to sell its mercury stockpiles due to the serious human health and environmental risks associated with mercury. DOD and DOE have agreed. However, that ban is not in law, which is why my bill prohibits the Federal Government from exporting mercury. In addition, private companies may still export this poisonous and hazardous material, which is why this legislation is vital. The Mercury Export Ban Act before us today is the result of a months- long stakeholder process on House side that worked to develop a consensus product. Stakeholders included the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Council of the States, the American Chemistry Council, the Chlorine Institute and the National Mining Association. There are not many pieces of legislation that move through this Congress supported by such a diverse group. The bill prohibits the export of elemental mercury from the United States and requires DOE to designate a long-term storage facility to accept mercury from private sector sources, particularly the chlor- alkali industry and the mining industry, when the export ban in the bill takes effect on January 1, 2013. The bill does not require that all excess mercury be transferred to DOE, rather it gives the private sector the option of placing mercury into storage at DOE. If there is a more practical or more cost-effective private sector solution, the affected industries are more than welcome to pursue that option. DOE will be allowed to charge a fee to recoup the government's cost of storing this waste. In addition, all applicable and appropriate environmental laws apply with respect to this facility. The legislation will allow the chlor-alkali industry to place into safe storage the roughly 1,500 tons of mercury stockpiled at aging plants. It will also allow the mining industry to store the approximately 50 to 100 tons of mercury it generates annually as a byproduct of our air filtration systems. The process used to develop this legislation can be a modeled. On a bipartisan basis, we sat down together. We worked out our differences and brought interested and affected parties to the table to hammer out a compromise. I also want to thank a number of staff on the Energy and Commerce Committee, including Dick Frandsen, Caroline Ahearn from the majority staff, along with Ann Strickland, who has now left, as well as Dave McCarthy and Jerry Couri from the minority staff and Mo Zilly, formerly of Mr. Shimkus' staff, for their hard work as well. Mr. Speaker, this is good legislation, and I urge all Members to support its passage. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 906) to prohibit the sale, distribution, transfer, and export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, on September 15, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from the House. If I had been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 591, a motion by Mr. Scott of Virginia to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 6889, a bill to extend the authority of the Secretary of Education to purchase guaranteed student loans for an additional year, and for other purposes. I ask unanimous consent that this statement be inserted in the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, we have a health care crisis in America. Rising health care costs are overwhelming individuals, families and businesses, large and small. We have a staggering 41 million individuals, nearly one in six Americans, without health insurance. In America, that is just not fair. Millions more Americans have only catastrophic coverage, with $5,000 to $15,000 deductibles. Others have policies with copays so high that basic health care needs, including preventive and diagnostic service, are not met. Many families are literally one serious illness away from bankruptcy. To fix our broken economy, we have to fix our broken health care system. We must build a stronger, more effective health care system before it is too late. The future of our country and our ability to compete in the global economy depend on it. I believe that every American has a right to quality, affordable health care that doesn't blunt the competitive edge of employers or unduly burden taxpayers. It is time for bold action. I have created the Healthy Americans Plan to relieve the strain on families and individuals, ease the burden on businesses and nonprofits and drive down costs. It builds on the strengths of the existing American health care system, but provides new and better choices for businesses, the self-employed, families and individuals. My plan will offer quality, affordable health insurance choices like those available to Members of Congress. My plan will help small businesses offer employee health coverage by providing them with a refundable tax credit. It also improves access to medical care in rural areas and provides relief for middle-class families and individuals who are struggling to afford health insurance. The key elements of my plan include the following: All Americans, including the self-employed and owners and employees of small businesses, will be guaranteed the freedom to purchase a quality plan that is affordable and right for them. Americans who like their current health care coverage will have the security of knowing they can keep it. Insurers will have to compete for business on the basis of cost and quality, not by profiting from and discriminating against people because of age or preexisting conditions. National choices will include private plans as well as a nationwide option, a nationwide public option. Employees enrolled in the national plan will be able to keep their plan even if they change jobs, move to a different State or have changes in their medical condition. Costs will be driven down, with comprehensive measures designed to improve quality and promote efficiency, including investing in health information technology. Under my plan, people aged 55 to 65 will be allowed to buy into Medicare to provide security to early retirees, who are often charged higher premiums based on their age and risk of incurring higher medical costs. My plan ensures that all children have access to health insurance by expanding the SCHIP program and improving outreach and enrollment. It eliminates barriers so parents can cover their children up to age 25 under their family insurance plan. Middle-class Americans deserve a health care system with affordable insurance premiums and access to the best possible care. Small business owners need a system that allows them to stay competitive and provide good coverage for their employees. Older Americans and younger Americans, two of our most vulnerable populations, need a system that guarantees access to necessary care, regardless of income level. We need experienced, dedicated leadership to address the fundamental shortcomings of our existing health care system. My Healthy Americans Plan will make the system more efficient and cost-effective and will improve access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the good people at Woodfords Family Services and the other members of the Maine Association for Community Service Providers who have come to Washington, D.C. this week to take part in the American Network of Community Options and Resources Governmental Activities Seminar and the ``DSPs to D.C.'' events. In Maine, these agencies are working with hundreds of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities. DSPs help men, women, and children with aspects of daily living, rehabilitation, training, and other tasks, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, enabling Americans with mental and physical disabilities to live and work in their communities. This highly trained, skilled, and committed workforce supports individuals in my Congressional District. The same is true throughout the State of Maine and the rest of the country. Years ago, the Maine Legislature decided to provide residential support to its most vulnerable citizens with developmental disabilities and other special needs. This community-based system consisted of a network of private providers who had a long history of offering services to individuals with special needs through local organizations that were created just for that purpose. Maine's decision was an historic step forward, for it allowed my State to achieve two major goals. First, the residents of Maine's only state institution for people with developmental disabilities, Pineland Center, were transferred to small, homelike settings in local communities. This resulted in the closing of the infamous Pineland facility in 1996. The second achievement was to permit people with disabilities to remain in their home communities instead of unfamiliar locations. The work of countless Direct Support Professionals was crucial to the success of Maine's initiative. DSPs are able to help their clients not only by lending them physical support, but by building a relationship of trust. They help individuals with communication issues convey their thoughts, enable people with physical disabilities explore the world beyond their homes, and help individuals establish friendships that allow them to give as well as receive from their communities. The success of these services is the direct result of the personal relationships that DSPs build with their clients. Thanks to the care and support of skilled DSPs, the quality of life of many Americans with special needs has improved significantly. However, this progress is threatened by expanding need and shrinking resources. In particular, we now face a critical DSP workforce shortage because, as the cost of living rises, the low wages associated with this career are driving employees out of the field. Despite today's high unemployment rate, members of the Maine Association for Community Service Providers struggle every day to hire and retain quality staff to work as DSPs in their residential facilities. To reverse this trend, many providers across the nation support H.R. 1279, the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2007, introduced by Representative Lois Capps (D-CA). This measure would provide states with funds to increase the wages paid to DSPs who provide services to individuals with disabilities under the Medicaid program. It is time to recognize the dedication, commitment, and sacrifices DSPs make to ensure the safety and well-being of the people they serve, providing a critical safety net for our disabled citizens. This care is often physically and emotionally demanding. DSPs deserve fair compensation. Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring the bipartisan Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 1279). Our health care workforce must include a sufficient number of trained Direct Support Professionals to provide these critical services. Investing in fair compensation for DSPs is the right thing to do.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, my constituents in Maine and millions of Americans nationwide face an unprecedented crisis as they agonize over how they will pay skyrocketing oil bills to keep their homes and their families warm in the winter ahead. Hundreds have written to me with their concerns. I want to share a few e-mails and letters to illustrate the magnitude of this problem. Amelia from Harrison, Maine, writes: ``I am a 16-year-old girl. This summer, instead of being a teenager and having fun, I am staying home to take care of the house because my parents don't have time. My dad works three jobs and my mom works one to pay for the constantly rising prices of gas, food and oil. With my parents working four jobs, you would think we would have enough money to get by. We don't.'' Marie from Gorham writes: ``I am a single foster parent. I have two daughters with special needs. I am worried sick on how I am going to be able to pay $500 or more every 3 to 4 weeks to heat my home. I can't look my foster daughters in their eyes and tell them I can't afford to keep them. We are their family.'' Michael from Topsham wrote on behalf of his 87-year old father-in- law, who lives alone Auburn, Maine: ``Last year his oil fuel cost was approximately $6,400. He is a retired Army Reserve Master Sergeant with 20 years of service. His annual expenditure for fuel oil this year would likely be $10,200. This would consume 85 percent of his annual income of $12,000. Our elderly American citizens will be unable to financially manage these costs. Our government needs to intervene and help our elderly citizens during this unprecedented fuel crisis.'' Marie, Amelia and Michael's stories are just a few examples of the human toll from soaring heating oil prices. More than 8 in 10 Mainers rely on oil to heat their homes. The average Maine household uses between 800 and 1,000 gallons of heating oil a winter. The median home income in Maine is $43,000. At current prices, the average home will pay between $3,700 and $4,700 just to heat their homes. Many will spend more than $5,000. This is more than 10 percent of the gross income for the median income household in 5 months. Coupled with soaring costs for gasoline, food and other essentials, people worry they may have to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families. Madam Speaker, this Congress must act now before the winter freeze sets in. We need a new comprehensive energy policy to free ourselves from foreign oil. The people in Maine and America are suffering right now, and we need to provide them with immediate relief in the short term to help them get through the winter. I have a plan to do just that. First, we must fully fund the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, and weatherization programs to help the poor, the disabled and the elderly on fixed income. Second, we must provide relief for middle-class families fighting to make ends meet. Last week, Carolyn McCarthy of New York and I introduced H.R. 6605, the Home Heating Fuels Cost Relief Act. Our legislation would provide a $1,000 refundable tax credit for individuals, $2,000 for families, toward the price of home heating oil, as well as a program to provide up to $10,000 in low interest loans for families to weatherize their homes Third, soaring gas prices and heating oil prices are crippling small business like independent truckers and lobstermen. These businesses are the backbone of the Maine economy. I have introduced H.R. 2133, the Small Business Fuel Cost Relief Act, to create a tax credit for eligible businesses for any amount they spend on fuel, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas and heating oil, over the price on Labor Day 2004, adjusted for inflation. Madam Speaker, families and small businesses in Maine and across America work hard for the money they spend on fuel. They deserve leadership in Washington that will act now to bring immediate relief from rising gasoline and heating fuel prices. They also demand leadership to change direction and implement an energy policy that harnesses American ingenuity and entrepreneurship to reduce dependence on foreign oil, maximize conservation and efficiency, perfect alternative fuels and technologies, create jobs, and put America on the path to sustainable, affordable energy future. That is the task this Congress faces.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, on July 29, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from the House. If I had been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 534, a motion by Mr. Thompson of Mississippi to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2490, a bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a pilot program for the mobile biometric identification in the maritime environment of aliens unlawfully attempting to enter the United States, as amended. I would have also voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 535, a motion by Mr. Davis of Illinois to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 6113, a bill to amend title 44, United States Code, to require each agency to include a contact telephone number in its collection of information in order to assist people with filling out government forms. Finally, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 536, a motion by Mr. Hare of Illinois to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2192, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an Ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs. I ask unanimous consent that this statement be inserted in the appropriate place in the record.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 362.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his outstanding leadership on this important issue. I also rise to urge passage of my bill, H.R. 4174, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act. I want to commend Chairman Gordon and Chairman Lampson of the Science and Technology Committee for their leadership and foresight in supporting this legislation to give us the tools we need to manage and protect our marine resources and coastal communities. I also want to thank Mr. Hall and Mr. Inglis for their support on this bipartisan legislation. And also, once again, I want to thank Mr. Inslee and Mr. Baird for their leadership. Finally, I guess I should say a special thank you to Ellen Bolen on my staff, my now Sea Grant fellow who has worked so hard on this particular bill. My legislation establishes a comprehensive, interagency program to conduct research on the processes and consequences of ocean acidification due to global climate change. Ocean acidification has the potential to profoundly change our ocean ecosystems and may seriously and negatively affect commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, agriculture, and many other ocean- related industries. The impact of global climate change is nowhere more apparent than in our oceans. Icecaps are melting and coral reefs are dying. Approximately one-third of the carbon dioxide released by the burning of fossil fuels ends up in the oceans, altering ocean surface carbon chemistry. Acidic conditions can impede shell formation in important marine shellfish species, and are harmful to many organisms, from corals to shellfish to plankton, that are essential to the food chain for many larger fish and marine mammals. Research by scientists at St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine, has revealed that ocean acidification due to climate change may substantially increase the mortality of young clams, threatening a $16 million industry and the livelihoods of 1,800 commercial clam diggers in Maine alone. Three decades ago, when acid deposition threatened Maine's lakes, we documented the harm and devised a legislative response through monitoring and research. My legislation will provide similar tools to respond to ocean acidification. To protect future generations, we must understand the consequences that ocean acidification could have on our natural resources and coastal economies so that we can mitigate and adapt to those consequences. The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act will direct and fund key research to examine the effects that climate change is having on our oceans and on our fisheries. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, on June 23, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from the House. If I had been present, I would have votes Yes on rollcall Vote No. 438, a motion by Mr. Sarbanes of Maryland to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 1242, a resolution honoring the life, musical accomplishments, and contributions of Louis Jordan on the 100th anniversary of his birth. I would have voted Yes on rollcall Vote No. #439, a motion by Mr. Sarbanes of Maryland to suspend the rules and pass H. Con. Res. 372, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Black Music Month and to honor the outstanding contributions that African American singers and musicians have made to the United States. Finally, I would have voted Yes on rollcall Vote No. 440, a motion by Mr. Sarbanes of Maryland to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 1051, a resolution congratulating James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for 100 years of service and leadership to the United States.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 2009 budget resolution before us today. I want to thank Chairman Spratt and my other colleagues on the Budget Committee for their hard work in bringing to the House a bill that represents the priorities of this Congress. This budget places families and communities first. It increases funding for our veterans so they receive the health care and benefits they have earned and deserve. It increases funding for homeland security officers, including funding for firefighters and police officers, who keep our communities safe. It protects Medicare and Medicaid and includes a plan to increase the State Children's Health Insurance Program to keep our communities healthy. It protects funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and funds important efforts to promote renewable energy initiatives and protect our environment. This budget stands in sharp contrast to the President's proposals, which included cuts to these vital domestic programs that invest in our children, our communities, and our economy. In order to strengthen our economy and our country, we must invest in those who drive it: the middle class. That is why this budget also includes a plan which I strongly support that will extend and expand middle class tax cuts, including the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, and the 10 percent bracket. This is a budget that will strengthen our middle class, our communities, and our economy and make our country safer. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. I appreciate the explanation of the gentleman. And I look forward to working with him to ensure that our Navy gets the finest warship that our combined shipyards can provide.

Mr. ALLEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss an important subject, the fine men and women of Bath Iron Works, one of two shipyards in my district. These skilled men and women are a national asset and the reason for our proud slogan that ``Bath built is best built.'' It is on their behalf I would like to ask the gentleman about the committee mark for the DDG 1000 program.

Mr. ALLEN. It is my understanding that the committee is on record for full funding of any vessels in fiscal year 2010 that the Navy decides to build using fiscal 2009 advanced procurement funding which is provided in this bill.

Mr. ALLEN. I thank the gentleman. You said this, but it's also my understanding that the committee is giving the Navy the option of either shifting back to the DDG-51 program or continuing with the DDG 1000 program; is that right?

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my disappointment with the votes we took last week on Iraq. There were some provisions in the amendment that I voted against that I strongly support, including the ban on torture and the requirement for sufficient rest time for our troops between deployments. I helped lead the effort in this House to prohibit the administration from establishing permanent military bases in Iraq. I have been outspoken on the failure of previous Congresses to hold private contractors accountable and to punish waste, fraud and profiteering. But last week I could not vote for these provisions because the amendment did not include a firm, responsible deadline to bring our troops safely home. Let me be clear: Any funding bill that does not contain a binding deadline to end this war is an open-ended commitment to continue it. That's why I have and will continue to vote against such legislation. It is now 62 months since the invasion of Iraq and 60 months since President Bush's ``Mission Accomplished'' pronouncement. It has been 16 months since the beginning of the troop surge that President Bush and his congressional allies believed would give the Iraqis breathing space to resolve their internal conflicts and assume responsibility for their own security. The vast majority of Americans concluded a long time ago that this war was a mistake. It has strengthened al Qaeda and Iran. It is time to end the war responsibly and bring our Armed Forces safely home. The death toll of brave Americans now stands at 4,072, with nearly 30,000 wounded, many with life-shattering physical and mental and emotional scars. More than one in three soldiers and marines returning from Iraq later sought help for post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health problems. The toll on our military families is tremendous. More than 1.7 million Americans have served at least one tour in Iraq or Afghanistan. Four in 10 of these troops have served more than one war zone mission. Our open-ended commitment in Iraq undermines our ability to meet challenges to our national security elsewhere. We clearly have much work to do in Afghanistan, where the 9/11 attacks originated. We must also be concerned about the readiness of our Armed Forces in the event that a new threat arises elsewhere in the world. And then there is the toll the war continues to take on our ability to address our needs here at home. More than 5 years into this war, we know that it will cost more than $600 billion, but we still don't know what its final price tag will be or how much longer we will continue to pay it. We do know that our national debt is soaring, that our economy is either teetering on the edge or already in recession, and that the price of crude oil is approaching $130 per barrel. In my hometown of Portland, unleaded gasoline has jumped to nearly $4 a gallon, with heating oil now surpassing $4 per gallon. And we know that these fuel costs are draining family budgets throughout Maine and across America. Is there any question that our open-ended presence in Iraq contributes to these soaring costs? Is there any doubt that the money we are borrowing to pay for this war, largely from the Chinese and the Saudis, will leave our children an enormous debt to pay? We are spending more than $3,800 on this war every second. In the time since I began to speak, we've spent another million dollars. These are funds that we could use to fix our ailing health care system, to repair our crumbling infrastructure, to invest in education for our kids, to implement an energy policy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, fight climate change, create new jobs, and stimulate new technologies. Mr. Speaker, more than 140,000 courageous and capable American forces remain in Iraq. They continue to serve with great ability and tremendous courage in the crossfire of a bloody, intractable religious civil war waged, in one form or another, for more than a thousand years. We need much more than a change in mission for fighting the war in Iraq. Congress must change policy through a firm, responsible deadline to end it. As George Mitchell demonstrated in northern Ireland, only a firm deadline will compel the leaders of the warring factions to assume responsibility for their own security and their own future. And we need a plan to win the peace by engaging Iraq's neighbors to join us to create a stable, successful Iraq because that outcome is as vital to their long-term interests as it is to ours. Enough is enough. Let's close the open-ended commitment President Bush and his allies in Congress have given to this war. Let's set a firm, responsible deadline and bring our troops safely home.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize the hard work and achievements of Gerry Cushman, a fisherman from Maine who recently won the prestigious Golden V--Notch award from the Maine Lobstermen's Association, an association of more than 1,200 lobstermen from Eastport to Kittery. This award recognizes a fisherman who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help preserve the lobster industry. Gerry won this award not just for his effort to protect and preserve the lobster industry but for his steadfast dedication to the entire Maine commercial fishing industry. Gerry Cushman serves on the Board of Directors of the Maine Lobstermen's Association, is a member of the Zone D Lobster Council, and sits on the State's Lobster Advisory Council. He also works with the Port Clyde Fishermen's Co-op and the Port Clyde Draggermen's Co-op: a joint working group to preserve the fishing community of Port Clyde. Gerry has championed the lobster industry both on the water and on the dock. He helped to secure a $340,000 grant from the Land for Maine's Future Fund to facilitate building and expanding a fishing pier in Port Clyde for lobstermen and groundfishermen as well as two bait companies. The grant is part of a larger initiative to protect working waterfront spaces along Maine's coast. Working waterfronts are rapidly disappearing in the State of Maine and these resources are crucial to preserve both fisheries and communities. I have had the privilege of meeting Gerry and seeing first hand his dedication to ensuring that future generations of Maine fishermen will have both lobsters to harvest, and a place to land their catch. I admire Gerry and the men and women who work tirelessly to make certain that the fishing industry and the communities they support are preserved for future generations. I echo Gerry's words that ``what we leave for the next generation is important.'' Small fishing communities across the country are beginning to take a leading role in the management of the fishery resources on which they all depend, and Gerry Cushman is one of the leaders in this effort. I would like to once again thank Gerry for his hard work and I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my disappointment that the administration has done nothing to rein in rising fuel prices. The past 7 years have brought hardship to anyone in Maine with a vehicle to fill up at the gas station, a furnace to feed, or a livelihood dependent on affordable fuel. As you can see in this chart, in January 2001 oil traded at $23 to $25 per barrel. This week, it topped $120 per barrel. In January 2001, #2 heating oil cost Maine families and businesses $1.55 a gallon. This week, it topped $3.85. In January 2001, regular unleaded gasoline cost Maine drivers $1.55 a gallon. According to the AAA, the going price in Portland this week is $3.55 a gallon, and rising. In January 2001, diesel for their rigs cost Maine's independent truckers $1.53 per gallon. In Bangor this week, it was $4.33 per gallon. These past 7 years, the oil companies have padded their bottom lines at the expense of the hardworking people of Maine and across the country. For the past 7 years, everyone in Maine has paid a steep price for the Bush administration's disastrous energy policy and for Big Oil's efforts in Congress to block legislation to stop energy profiteering. What has the administration done? Nothing. And they will do nothing unless the people's elected representatives push them to action. That is why I have called upon the Federal Trade Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Attorney General of the U.S., and the Secretary of Energy to launch an immediate investigation of price fixing, manipulation, rampant speculation, and other unscrupulous behavior in the petroleum markets. Inappropriate and criminal behavior by oil companies, their subsidiaries, agents, or employees must be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law. These outrageous price increases are a cruel blow for Maine families whose incomes are stagnant or shrinking, and whose costs for health insurance, college tuition, and other everyday expenses continue to rise faster than inflation. Fuel prices are an economic catastrophe for Maine farmers, fishermen, and other small business people. For some of Maine's independent truckers, like those I met on the road in Kennebunk when they were coming down here, unbridled fuel costs when coupled with a stagnating economy may very well put them out of business. As independent truckers are staring down unemployment, oil companies are reaping record profits. However, for one sector of the economy, the last 7 years have been a bonanza. In 2001, the Big 5 Oil companies posted combined profits of just over $40 billion. In 2007, their combined profits topped $123 billion. ExxonMobil's $41 billion profit last year was more than all of the Big 5 combined in 2001, and smashed the record for the highest annual profit in history for a U.S. company. To put that number in perspective, ExxonMobil's profits last year were more than we spent on road construction; they were greater than the amount the VA will spend on health care for our veterans this year. ExxonMobil's profits were larger than the entire budget for the Homeland Security Department in fiscal year 2008. That is profits, not revenues, and those profits come directly from the pockets of our constituents who pay the oil companies' exorbitant prices. In the House, we passed the Federal Price Gouging Act to give the Federal Trade Commission explicit authority to investigate and punish those who artificially inflate the price of energy, especially those who profit most, those at the top of the chain. The bill has passed the House, but it has stalled in the other body. It is also time to go after the energy speculators who drive up energy prices through off-market trading. Those trading practices are unseen and unregulated, but they do great damage. I support the Close the Enron Loophole Act, and the Preventing the Unfair Manipulation of Prices Act legislation to hold oil speculators accountable to the same rules that already govern traders who are trading on regulated markets. It is time now to roll back the $14 billion in tax breaks and incentives that we gave to Big Oil in the 2005 energy bill. It was a disgrace then, and it is an outrage now. I voted against these tax incentives, tax breaks in 2005, and I am pleased that the House under new leadership has already voted to role them back. But in the other body, Big Oil's friends have maneuvered to block a vote on the rollback bill. Finally, we need to provide targeted relief to the small businesses that depend on fuel, whether they are heating buildings or driving trucks. We need more leadership in the House and over in the other body and with the administration.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Kiwanis Club of Gorham, Maine for acknowledging the courage and sacrifices of the children of Maine's military families through their program entitled ``Operation Holiday Cheer.'' Kiwanis is an organization dedicated to service to children and youth through initiatives intended to improve the quality of life of children in communities around the world. Currently, Kiwanis has over 500,000 members internationally, representing 96 countries with 34 clubs in Maine. On July 17, 2007, the Kiwanis Club of Gorham, later joined by the Kiwanis Clubs of Maine, launched Operation Holiday Cheer, a program to provide a holiday gift to each participating child of Maine's military families, including, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard. Over 9,000 children in Maine have a parent serving in the military. In executing Operation Holiday Cheer, the Kiwanis organization acquired, wrapped and distributed a holiday gift to each participating military child in over 140 cities and towns throughout the State of Maine. Included with each gift was a hand-written note thanking the child and his or her family which read, ``On behalf of the Kiwanis Clubs of Maine and the people of the State of Maine, we would like to offer you this token of our appreciation for your sacrifice. You are the child of a Maine military family and the bravery that you show every day by sharing your parent to help protect our country is being recognized and honored. You should be extremely proud of your service to our country and you should know that we, the Kiwanis and the people of Maine, stand proudly and beside you. We wish you and your family a Happy Holiday Season.'' I extend my appreciation to the Kiwanis Clubs of Maine for their thoughtfulness in bringing some cheer to the lives of thousands of Maine children whose parents are serving our country. As they seek to expand this program throughout New England and to New York in 2008, I wish them all the best.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, in March, we marked the 47th anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps. This unique service organization continues to fulfill its mission across the globe, bringing people together, and enlightening both American volunteers and the people and communities they serve. After President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps, 51 Americans stepped forward to assume the challenge to serve. Today, there are over 8,000 volunteers serving in over 74 countries around the world. They work in areas such as education, business development, environment, health and HIV/AIDS, and agriculture. They live the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. They are both young and seasoned, but all contribute enormous skills, knowledge, compassion and commitment to help people help themselves. Over the years, Maine has contributed many volunteers to the Peace Corps. Current Maine residents now serving are: Cassandra M. Atwood in Tonga, Michael T. Berg in Armenia, Clarissa L. Brundage in Togo, Selina H. Carter in Ecuador, Andrea D. Danielson in Gambia, Shawn C. Donohue in Mali, Greg N. Dorr in Malawi, Laura N. Dow in China, John M. Engler in Guatemala, Jeffrey E. Frank in Belize, Rebecca B. Friedrichs in Togo, Joseph P. Guglielmetti in Zambia, Benjamin C. Hatch in Mali, Clint O. Benslev in Romania, Richard E. Higgins in the Philippines, Sarah W. Holt in Ecuador, Matthew P. Krannig in Nicaragua, Jessica E. Lampron in South Africa, Karen A. Lee in Swaziland, Joshua D. Lincolns in Bolivia, David A. Ludman in Benin, Ran L. Mastropaolo in the Eastern Caribbean, Joshua R. Meservey in Zambia, Matthew A. Mowatt in Kazakhstan, Joel L. Patterson in Senegal, James Perlow in South Africa, Nancy L. Sherrill in South Africa, John W. Shryock in Bulgaria, Emily E. Silver in Tanzania, Jessica J. Sleeper in Vanuatu, Zoe J. Underhill in Ecuador, Aaron A. Weiss in Moldova, Cheney J. Wells in Costa Rica and Nicholas B. Wilson in Gambia. I am proud that Maine, a small state in population, is making such a big difference in the world. My deep gratitude goes to these volunteers for serving their country, the Peace Corps and world peace.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, on this occasion, I would like to speak in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel. Israel is our most important and strongest ally in the Middle East, and all Americans should congratulate the Israeli people on this important milestone. From technological advances in the fields of agriculture and medicine to the acceptance of women as equals, Israel has managed to establish a modern democracy full of innovation. This achievement is only magnified by the fact that at 60, Israel is still a relatively young nation. I support a two-state solution that provides for the existence of a self-governing Palestinian state with a separate national identity. However, Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks, and we must insist that the Palestinian Government recognize the State of Israel and act and speak out against suicide bombings and other acts of terror. I believe that the United States should devote significant resources to promoting peace in the Middle East. History has shown that active and consistent U.S. diplomatic engagement can promote progress, while a passive U.S. role can lead to the opposite. The pursuit of diplomacy with leaders in Israel, the Palestinian territories, and regional partner countries who recognize the inevitability and importance of coexistence and economic integration must continue to be a top U.S. foreign policy goal. The active engagement of Congress in diplomacy with Israel and other countries in the Middle East is a welcome development. The international community must focus its energy on advancing prospects for a lasting, secure peace in the Middle East. I congratulate the Israeli people on this important achievement. I am pleased to support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do so as well.