Sherry Boehlert

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. I want to thank the gentleman for his explanation of the amendment. The gentleman from Arizona is a very thoughtful Member, and he contributes significantly to the deliberations of this body. However, let me say a couple of things. First of all, this legislation will give flexibility to NASA to work within the existing constraints. No new money, we are not coming up with a ton of new money or anything else. We are saying they have an existing budget for personnel and they have more flexibility with it. We are treating them like a business. I think that is very important. We have to stem the tide of this brain drain. It is very serious. As the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) pointed out, within 5 years, 25 percent of the workforce is eligible for retirement. We have 15 percent eligible for retirement right now. Those over 60 outnumber by three to one those under 30. It is a very serious problem. We tried to address it in a very responsible way. We did not address like some people around here suggest we address problems, give them a blank check. We did not do that. We said, no, they have to use their existing personnel accounts, no additional money; but we give them flexibility. Having said that, let me point out something else. There is a very practical reason why we should not accept this amendment and should go forward today. We have to get the bill to the President for his signature. This is a bill that has passed unanimously in the Senate, a bill that is going to pass by substantial margin here in the House, hopefully unanimously. If we amend it, here is what is going to happen. This is something which has been cooking for months now. We just got the amendment today, and that is why I appreciate the explanation. I had not seen the amendment before. We received a thorough, sound, reasoned explanation; but if we pass this amendment, the bill is amended, and it goes back to the Senate, and we start all over again back and forth like a ping-pong match. We have preconferenced this bill. We worked it out with the Senate. They send it back here, we vote ``aye'' today, it goes to the President, he signs it, and we get on with the job of giving NASA the flexibility it needs. I would urge my colleagues to vote against the amendment. I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) for his thoughtful presentation.

Mr. BOEHLERT. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. BOEHLERT. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. BOEHLERT. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Reclaiming my time, that is within the existing personnel allocation. This is not additional money, additional to the $2 billion. They are saying if NASA took advantage of all these programs, scholarships, retention incentives, moving expenses, the types of things that happen every single day in the business community, they have to do it with the existing personnel budget, no new money. I am like the gentleman from Arizona, perhaps not as fiscally conservative, but I am moving in that direction. But the point is this does not add money; it allows more flexibility. The estimates that the gentleman from Arizona are referring to are estimates on what this could cost from the existing budget by using the flexibility that we are proposing.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, that is a legitimate concern expressed by the gentleman. Let me assure him, this is not additional money. This says to NASA, using your existing personnel allocation, we are giving you flexibility. We say constantly, why does government not operate more like business, like they do in the real world? We are trying to give NASA that opportunity. We are not giving them a blank check. We are not giving them the key to the Treasury. We are just saying, existing dollars, you have more flexibility to retain the workforce you need to do the job we expect you to do.

Mr. BOEHLERT. My counsel just advises me, it depends on what the appropriators do in future appropriations. But the answer is clearly ``no.'' I know what the gentleman's intent is, his intent as I understand it, and that is why I appreciate the thoughtful presentation he gave on the floor today. I wish we had had it earlier. As Chairman Rohrabacher has said, he takes a back seat to no one in being concerned about how we spend money around here. So I agree with the basic intention. It is not to have additional money spent for NASA on personnel. It is to give them flexibility on the existing money we appropriate for them. Who knows, with the President's vision outlined, for this new Mars vision, eventually a generation or two ahead of us and the Moon in this generation, if the Congress decides to be supportive of that, there are going to be budget differences; but I want to assure the gentleman that our intent is to give NASA the flexibility to use existing dollars, not to add to the allocation or appropriation for NASA on personnel or any other thing.

Mr. BOEHLERT. That is right.

Mr. BOEHLERT. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of the resolution offered by my colleague, the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier); and I thank him for working with me to ensure that the resolution recognizes the contributions of Cornell University in upstate New York. One of the outstanding attributes of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the way it works with academic and private-sector scientists at universities throughout the United States, and indeed the entire world. Efforts like the current mission to Mars are truly team efforts in which our entire planet reaches out to other worlds. We are already seeing the results of that teamwork with the stunning images of the Martian surface that the aptly named Recovery Spirit is beaming back to Earth. Now Spirit is beginning to examine a rock called Adirondack, named after a well-known feature of the upstate New York landscape. We look forward to the other rover, Opportunity, touching down successfully next week and beginning to explore another side of Mars. The details of the Mars mission are at once mundane and other- worldly, simple to recite, yet mind-boggling to contemplate. Each of these Rovers weighs about 400 pounds and is about the size of a golf cart. Each is fitted with sensitive scientific equipment designed to survey the geology of Mars and help an international team of 150 scientists back here on Earth determine whether water was ever a part of the Martian landscape and whether the planet could once have supported life. This team of extraordinarily dedicated scientists is led by Dr. Steven Squyers of Cornell University. Dr. Squyers and his team developed the scientific instruments the rover missions carried. They operate them by remote control from over 15 million miles away here on Earth, and they are the chief investigators who will sift through the voluminous streams of data that the Rovers beam back to us daily. The faculty and students at Cornell who are participating in this wondrous mission of discovery are clearly taking delight in their historic opportunity, and we are blessed to have the benefit of their years of hard work and dedication. I congratulate them and the scientists and engineers at NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for their stunning success in the rover missions. Even though the work on the Martian surface has just begun, the team at JPL and Cornell University have already provided us with priceless inspiration and new ways to see our universe. We look forward with great anticipation to sharing their achievements in the coming days and years.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, the people of New York's 24th Congressional District and America suffered a terrible loss on November 20, 2003. U.S. Army Captain George A. Wood, originally of Marcy, New York, died while valiantly serving his country in the War in Iraq. He paid the ultimate price to ensure our liberty. He gave his life so that the people of Iraq could live without repression and fear--and he gave his life so that Americans could feel safe to live their lives under a blanket of freedom. That freedom comes with a high price and we are eternally grateful for his dedication and commitment to the ideals that we hold dear. Captain Wood personified the qualities and dedication that make our U.S. military the greatest armed forces in the world. As a young man in the Mohawk Valley, Captain Wood excelled in both academics and athletics. He was known as a ``history buff,'' going on to earn a bachelor's degree from the Ivy League's Cornell University. He continued his education by earning master's degrees at both State University of New York-Cortland and State University of New York- Albany. Captain Wood's athletic endeavors led him to captain the Notre Dame Junior-Senior High School football team in his senior year. He hoped to one day share his love of football as a coach at the West Point Military Academy. Captain Wood was assigned to the Army's 4th Infantry Division based in Fort Hood, Texas. He was killed while on patrol when his tank rolled over an improvised explosive device. I ask my colleagues in the House, and all Americans, to extend our prayers and sympathy to his wife Lisa and their 3-year old daughter Maria, Captain Wood's mother and stepfather Maria and Michael Babula of Marcy, New York, as well as the rest of his family. Together we honor this fallen American hero.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the State University of New York College at Oneonta women's soccer team for their come-from-behind, emotional victory to win their first ever NCAA National Championship on November 11, 2003. The tying goal scored in the final seconds of regulation will forever remain a great moment in Red Dragon history. It will also remain a vivid moment of victory of each one of the team's members--for without their collective talent and dedication, it would not have been possible. Head Coach Tracey Ranieri deserves special praise for leading this fine group of student athletes to the highest possible achievement in women's Division III soccer. Through Coach Ranieri's leadership these young ladies have proven that hard work and dedication on the practice field and in the classroom can produce champions on the playing field and in academics. I take great pride in representing the State University of New York College at Oneonta. What I find truly special is while the opponent in the National Championship Game, The University of Chicago, boasted a lineup that featured players from across the country; Oneonta's roster was almost completely comprised of New Yorkers. What pride they bring not only Oneonta, but to the entire State of New York. The 2003 Oneonta Women's Soccer team: Amanda LaPolla of New Hartford, NY; Jami Leibering of Kendall Park, NJ; Laura Morcone of Mechanicville, NY; Holly Bisbee of Burnt Hills, NY; Patricia DiMichele of Centereach, NY; Alissa Karcz of S. Huntington, NY; Kelly Stevens of Rochester, NY; Cassie Perino of Patchogue, NY; Sanada Mujanovic of Centereach, NY; Patricia Jeager of Baldwin, NY; Liz Fermia of Rochester, NY; Leslie Small of Clifton Park, NY; Rose Velan of Stamford, NY; Brooke Davis of Grand Gorge, NY; Sarah Tauber of Valley Stream, NY; Cristina Gaspar of New Rochelle, NY; Alex Desousa of Blauvelt, NY; Candance Grosser of Levittown, NY; Meghan Putnam of Syracuse, NY; Colleen Wolbert of Rotterdam, NY; Corinne Tisei of New Hyde Park, NY; and Brittany Gates of Syracuse, NY.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization Act, which began life in the House as H.R. 2692, introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), subcommittee chairman. Most Americans have never heard of the U.S. Fire Administration, but it has enhanced the protection of all of our communities, our neighborhoods; and firefighters know the agency well. The funds we are authorizing in this bill will continue to train our local firefighters both at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg and in State and local training centers. These funds will also help promote residential fire sprinklers, fire prevention activities, and other activities that save lives. The U.S. Fire Administration has also administered the FIRE program, which helps our local fire departments purchase desperately needed fire equipment. It is one of the most successful Federal assistance programs devised by this Congress or any previous Congress. One of the great things about this program is that the politicians, and I have fondness for politicians, but the politicians are sort of taking a back seat. It is the people involved, the firefighters themselves in every day protecting our homes and our neighborhoods and communities that established the criteria for this massive grant program and do the actual evaluating. It is a program with unquestioned integrity. I say that because I have watched it in operation, and all of our congressional districts across the country are taking advantage of it, not for selfish reasons but to protect our people in their homes, in their neighborhoods, in their communities, where they live. I will tell my colleagues a personal experience in my own congressional district. Utica, New York, had an arson rate three times the national average. It was a serious problem in New York. I sat down with the previous administrator of FEMA and said, let's work with this community because this is a serious problem and it has to be addressed and it is far beyond the ability of the individual community to come to grips with it in any meaningful way without some added guidance and inspiration and, quite frankly, some financial support from beyond our borders. FEMA did it. We did it. Collectively, Utica has enjoyed its best day in the last couple of years. The arson rate is down dramatically. People feel more comfortable and safer in their homes. It is all because of some work that came out of the U.S. Fire Administration. I would say for a whole lot of the right reasons, I urge approval of this bill which will help our localities in very tangible ways, meaningful ways that touch the lives of individual families. We owe it to our firefighters both paid and volunteer. Incidentally, let me just stress, paid and volunteer. I have heard some people suggest on occasion that we have professional firefighters and we have volunteer firefighters. There is no such differential. We have paid and unpaid but those volunteers from coast to coast are some of the most dedicated, professional, able, committed people we will find anyplace. Thank God for the volunteer firefighters of America. That is not to indicate I do not appreciate what the paid firefighters do day in and day out or making a professional career of it, but those volunteers in communities all across this land do outstanding work, give of their time and their talent and their energy to protect us and our communities. I want to salute them, and I want to dedicate passage of this bill to them. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BOEHLERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Research Subcommittee and a real friend of the firefighters.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1152) to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, and for other purposes.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 1152, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to add something here. There was some confusion about section 204(c) of this bill regarding coordination of firefighting training activities. I want to clarify that the reference to ``other Federal agencies'' in this section includes the Office of Domestic Preparedness and does not conflict with the counterterrorism training provisions in the Homeland Security Act of 2002. I also would like to place in the Record at this juncture an exchange of letters between me as chairman of the Committee on Science and Chairman Young of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I also serve on that committee, too, so in some respects I am writing to myself. This is an exchange of letters that further clarifies it. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, November 21, 2003. Hon. Sherwood, L. Boehlert, Chairman, Committee on Science, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the jurisdictional interest of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in matters contained in S. 1152, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003. Our Committee recognizes the importance of S. 1152 and the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over certain provisions of the bill, I agree not to request a referral and allow the bill to be considered in the House under suspension of the rules. This, of course, is conditional on our mutual understanding my decision to forego a sequential referral waives, reduces or otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and that a copy of this letter and of your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest will be included as part of the Congressional Record during consideration of this bill by the House. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Don Young, Chairman.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 189) to authorize appropriations for nanoscience, nanoengineering, and nanotechnology research, and for other purposes.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time; but before I yield back, I urge everyone to take the enlightened approach and support this very important initiative. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 189.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S.189, the Nanotechnology and Research Development Act. This bill began its life in the House as H.R. 766, which I introduced with my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) and which the House passed back in May by the overwhelming margin of 405 to 19. The text before us today reflects 2 months of negotiations with the Senate to come up with a final version of the bill. The Senate amended S. 189 with the text of that agreement, and it is that compromise we will be sending on to the President today. This bill is endorsed by a wide variety of high technology and academic organizations including the National Association of Manufacturers, the Semiconductor Industry Association, Intel, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and the Association of American Universities. The idea behind this bill is simple yet powerful. The American economy will grow bigger if America's scientists and engineers focus on things that are smaller. The U.S. is the leader in nanotechnology and New York under Governor Pataki is in the front ranks of that world leadership. We must remain in the front as this new field starts remaking the marketplace. This bill has four salient aspects designed to help ensure continued U.S. leadership: It authorizes the President's National Nanotechnology Initiative; it emphasizes the need for broad interagency participation and stronger interagency coordination, especially in the presentation of program budgets; it underscores the need for interdisciplinary research and for shepherding research from the laboratory to the marketplace; and it ensures that research and public discussion on the societal and ethical consequences of nanotechnology will go on concurrent with, and as part of technology research and development. The nanotechnology program will be a model of government, industry, university, cooperation, coordination and interdisciplinary research with public involvement. I wanted to thank the many Members who helped contribute to this bill but particularly to my cosponsor, the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) and my partner, the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), as well as the chairman of our Subcommittee on Research, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) and his ranking member, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson). Last but not least, I want to thank my staff who labored so long and hard on this bill and on the many hearings on the subject. Peter Rooney, Dan Byers and Elizabeth Grossman deserve special recognition, but the entire staff of the committee minority and majority has been actively engaged. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), the distinguished chair of the Subcommittee on Energy.