Sherry Boehlert

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I proudly support S. Con. Res. 13, a resolution to recognize the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. Since 1880, ASME has focused upon technical, educational, and research issues as they pertain to engineering. It has played a key role in standardization and safety--developing and promulgating more than 600 codes and standards over its 125-year history. Significantly, ASME created a comprehensive Boiler Code in reaction to the dangerous widespread boiler explosions that plagued early 20th century America. Following rapid adoption, this code virtually eliminated the scourge of boiler explosions. In updated versions, the code is still in existence today. It serves as a clear example of the value--indeed the necessity--of clear standards to prevent injury and maximize economic output. Fifty years after its founding, ASME worked to promote precision machining, mass production and commercial transportation--all technologies that triggered enormous productivity gains and opened the nation and the world to American enterprise. Prominent ASME members included pioneers of American technology and industry such as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and George Westinghouse. At the same time, the human aspect of industrial processes grew into focus: ASME leaders Henry Robinson Towne, Frederick Taylor and James M. Dodge pioneered management practices that reformed labor-management relations. Today, over 120,000 members comprise ASME, serving the interests of industry, government, academia and the public. ASME members play a key role in providing affordable access to energy and natural resources. Its members work to ensure the quality of scientific research as well as science and technology education. In fact, ASME fellows can be found in the halls of Congress and throughout the Administration providing valuable insight on legislation and helping to shape engineering and technology policy. Recently, ASME members have risen to the challenge posed by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Their intensified efforts have developed technologies for homeland security and protected critical assets to our Nation. On behalf of the 109th Congress, I warmly congratulate ASME for 125 years of service to the United States. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to President Harry Armen and the members of ASME for their strong leadership and I look forward to future ASME achievement.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, today I rise to express my concern over a provision in H.R. 418, the REAL ID Act of 2005. Section 102 of this Act states that the Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive, and shall waive, all laws necessary to ensure expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the U.S. border in areas of high illegal entry. The provision also bars judicial review of any claim arising from the construction of barriers and roads at borders. I understand that this provision is intended to apply primarily to the fence along the border near San Diego. The construction of that fence is critical to our national security and has been delayed for far too long and I think it is imperative that it be constructed as soon as possible. However, I believe the provision currently contained in this bill is far too sweeping. It should not be necessary to waive all laws and judicial review relating to the construction of roads and barriers along the border in order to complete the fence near San Diego. I hope that as the bill moves forward we can find a solution that will lead to the swift construction of this fence without sweeping away important laws.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Clause 2 of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, I submit the Rules Governing Procedure for the Committee on Science for printing in the Congressional Record. On February 10, 2005, the Committee adopted these rules by a voice vote, with a quorum present. Rules Governing Procedure of The Committee on Science

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this balanced rules package. I want to speak particularly to the provisions regarding homeland security. To determine whether a proposed regime to oversee homeland security is appropriate, one cannot just look at a flow chart. The simplest structure is not necessarily the best, nor is one that is unduly complex. One has to look at how a proposed structure will actually function and what it can and cannot accomplish. The homeland jurisdiction being proposed in this package strikes the right balance between a system that is too centralized and one that is too diffuse. First, I should say that the most important and necessary change regarding governance of the Department of Homeland Security was made 2 years ago when we created a Subcommittee on Homeland Security on the Committee on Appropriations. But having a single committee that can look across the Department of Homeland Security from an authorizing perspective is also a sensible move, and the new committee created in this package will do that. What would not make sense, however, simple as it might seem, is giving sole authority over all aspects of homeland security to the new committee. Homeland security is too diffuse and important a government activity to rest with one committee. Almost every activity of every Federal agency has some relationship to homeland security, and almost every activity of the Department of Homeland Security impinges on the activities of other agencies. An appropriate congressional oversight structure has to take account of that basic fact. A structure that overly centralized homeland security oversight would make it harder to evaluate the Department of Homeland Security in the context of the other activities of the Federal Government. An overcentralized structure could also make a congressional committee a captive of the agency that it oversees. I know that it is very easy to denigrate arguments against a single, centralized Select Committee on Homeland Security as so much turf fighting. But in reality it is simply intellectually lazy to assume that a centralized structure would enable Congress to do its work more effectively. I found especially ironic a Washington Post editorial that called for a highly centralized structure. The editorial argued that a centralized committee would be more efficient because the Department of Homeland Security would not have to answer questions from a lot of different committees. Well, it would also be more efficient if the Department did not have to respond to questions from a lot of different news outlets, but presumably The Post would argue that there are advantages to forcing the Department to respond to reporters with a variety of areas of expertise and a variety of perspectives. The Post certainly would not want the only news outlet to be an in- house publication. So I want to applaud the House leadership for doing what it has done, and I stand in strong support of this rules package.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, as the 108th Congress comes to a close, I would like to honor two of New York's greatest legislators--Rep. Amory Houghton (NY-29) and Rep. Jack Quinn (NY-27), for their outstanding careers in Congress. Unfortunately, Mr. Quinn and Mr. Houghton have decided to retire at the end of the 108th Congress. As Dean of the New York Republican Congressional Delegation, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and commitment to their constituencies. Mr. Houghton, a nine-term Member of Congress and founder of the influential Republican Main Street Partnership, has a legacy of supporting moderate social programs, while encouraging fiscal responsibility and much needed tax relief for hard-working Americans. Houghton is also the founder of the John Quincy Adams Society, an issues forum that brings together moderate officeholders with top business leaders, which has been instrumental in strengthening the moderate movement. I have had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Mr. Houghton for the past 18 years, and his vision for a less partisan and more effective Congress is truly inspiring. Mr. Houghton worked diligently on more equitable tax and health politics, in his role on the Ways and Means Committee. His counsel and fair-minded manner were always so valuable to myself, and all Members of Congress. As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Mr. Quinn. Mr. Quinn, a six-term Member of Congress and Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Railroads, has worked tirelessly on a variety of transportation issues, the largest of these being Amtrak and its preservation as part of our Nation's infrastructure. Mr. Quinn also served as co-chair of the House Labor Working Group, advocating on behalf of organized labor with the Republican Leadership. Possibly the most important task to Mr. Quinn was ensuring a fair wage for all workers, as a leader and supporter of sensible labor policy. As a fellow New Yorker, I see the invaluable contribution of organized labor's representation of working men and women, and commend Mr. Quinn for his unwavering leadership on this issue. As Members of Congress, we are judged on our records, and I can say with great enthusiasm that Mr. Houghton and Mr. Quinn are men of honesty and integrity. Their work ethic and inspiring ideas, as well as their leadership, will be sorely missed. I am proud to not only call them colleagues, but also friends.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for the conference report on H.R. 4548, the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2005. I commend President Bush and the House leadership for their efforts to move critical intelligence reform legislation through Congress. H.R. 4548 includes a comprehensive and wide-ranging package of much-needed policy and pragmatic changes that dramatically enhance our ability to target terrorist threats. There are many reasons to support this legislation. One particularly important reason relates to the language capabilities. It became glaringly evident in the aftermath of 9/11 that we had inadequate language skills and translators in the Intelligence Community. It turned out that we, as a nation, were desperately short of linguists in hard languages such as Arabic, Iranian-Farsi, Afghan-Pashtu, Korean, and Chinese. These are languages that take years to master, but they are absolutely essential if we expect our Intelligence Community to gather critical information. Mr. Speaker, we will never find the enemy unless we have personnel who speak the languages and understand the culture in lands where terrorists hide. Without serious reforms that increase the number of intelligence officers who speak the enemy's language, there is no way the 9/11 Commission recommendations can be implemented. The conference report on H.R. 4548 focuses on methods of increasing the talent pool, and instilling a sense of the absolute importance of language in gathering foreign intelligence. We provide a comprehensive, broad-ranging language and education package that seeks to increase the number of language-capable field officers. We provide a plan to increase the number of analysts who are fluent in critical languages. And, we dramatically increase the number of translators to tackle the mountain of untranslated documents. Working very closely with the Intelligence Community, the FY05 Intelligence Authorization Act provides the authority to engage in a wide range of educational partnerships and voluntary assistance programs to advance language skills in the general population. We establish an Intelligence Community outreach program that will help identify promising linguists. The legislation revitalizes and broadly expands existing language education programs. We establish a Civilian Linguist Reserve Corps, where individuals fluent in critical languages can be available in the event of a crisis. This legislation provides opportunities for first generation Americans with language skills to contribute to the global war on terrorism. Mr. Speaker, this is a much-needed series of reforms that were unanimously embraced by the Committee. I congratulate the distinguished Chairman of the Committee [Mr. Hoekstra], and the Ranking Democrat [Ms. Harman], for maintaining language reform as a Committee priority. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the conference report on H.R. 4548.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the New Hartford High School Boys Varsity Soccer team. On Sunday, November 21, 2004, the team concluded an amazing season by winning the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A Title. The New Hartford Spartans Varsity Soccer team boasted a 21-2-2 record at the end of the season thanks to the leadership of Coach Christopher Abdoo and Team Captains Andrew Donovan, Stephen Peck, and Matthew Pecheone. Due to the outstanding efforts of the Spartans, they remained undefeated at home and set team records for fewest goals scored against in a season and most wins in a season. I would also like to recognize Team Captain Matthew Pecheone, and Goalkeeper Max Silberlicht for their outstanding individual achievements. Matthew Pecheone set both the school record for number of goals scored in a season and total number of points in a season. Max Silberlicht set the record for the most shutouts in school history by a goalkeeper. The title match against the Jericho Jayhawks went into four overtime periods, ending in a draw and both teams holding the title ``State Champions''. After a game-tying goal in the second-half, the New Hartford Spartans tied the game due to the same tenacious defense that set the school record for fewest goals allowed. I commend the players and coaching staff of the New Hartford Spartan Boys Varsity Soccer team for the hard work, training, and dedication. Congratulations, we are very proud of you. The 2004 New Hartford High School Boys Varsity Soccer team members include: Mike Alcott, Eric Anderson, Aaren Ashmore, Nick Bergmann, Hans Bjerke, Mihir Buch, Anish Butala, Andrew Donovan, Matthew Eadline, Brandon Goodman, Erik Jerrard, Milind Kachare. Michael Matt, Mike Payne, Christopher Pecheone, Matthew Pecheone, Steven Peck, John Picano, Max Silberlicht and Andrew Tubis. Head Coach: Christopher Abdoo.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Weedsport High School football team for their outstanding achievements and victory in the New York State Class D Championships. The No. l ranked Weedsport Warriors finished their season undefeated, with an impressive 13-0 record. Setting another milestone, this is also the first state championship in school history to be awarded to any team sport. Their 22-21 victory over the Tuckahoe Tigers was an amazing feat. After the Tuckahoe Tigers claimed the lead during the 4th quarter, the Warriors were able to narrow that lead on a heroic 83-yard kickoff return by senior Brad Bach. Trailing 21-20, the Warriors opted to attempt a crucial two-point conversion that would give them the lead, thanks to the speed and agility of junior quarterback Mike Coolbaugh. The Weedsport Warriors spent the remainder of the game maintaining an impregnable defense and refusing to buckle under the pressure of the determined Tuckahoe offense. I commend the coaching staff and the players of the Weedsport Warriors for all of their training and dedication to the game. Congratulations; I am proud of all of you and your achievements. The 2004 Weedsport High School football team members include: Roster: Brad Bach, Brandon Bach, Jeff Bibbens, Mike Bond, Robert Bradtke, Mike Case, Chris Chorny, Mike Coolbaugh, Mike Davis, Matt Drury, Matt Duby, Kerry Green, Brandon Magill, Mike Maltese, Ken McLoud, John Meitz, Troy Nelson, Tyler Nevidomsky, Jeff Whiting, Dave Roden, Ed Rooker, Jim Scarbrough, Adam Sweet, Jeff Whiting, Jeff Williams, and Ryan Wright. Coach: Calvin Mosher. Assistant Coaches: Tim Spingler, Jason Trousdale.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the McGraw High School Lady Eagles for their outstanding performance and their victory in the New York State Class D Soccer Championship. The Lady Eagles won the title match with a 1-0 victory over Chateaugay on November 20th. Under the leadership of coaches John and Kathy Rutan, they concluded an amazing undefeated season with winning the state championship. Their impressive 24-0 record was the first perfect season for the Lady Eagles, as well as the first state title in school history. I would like to recognize goalkeeper Christy Mott, forwards Taryn Bilodeau, Jen Rutan, and midfielder Laura Buerkle for their outstanding individual achievements. Christy Mott was awarded the State Tournament Class D Goalkeeper award, as well as an Honorable Mention in the Central Counties League All-Stars. Taryn Bilodeau, in addition to being named a Central Counties League All-Star, scored her 100th career goal this season, was named to the 2nd team in the Central New York All-Star voting, and the Section III Class D All-Star Team. Along with Bilodeau, Jen Rutan and Laura Buerkle shared Central Counties League All Star positions, as well as Section III Class D All-Star honors. Their remarkable season is a testament to their dedication and commitment to the sport and to the character of these young ladies. The 2004 McGraw High School Girls Soccer team members include: Roster: Sarah Bilodeau, Taryn Bilodeau, Laura Buerkle, Monica Byron, Caroline Byrne, Megan Camillo, Jamie Harriger, Rachel Harriger, Natasha Ignatowski, Ashley McAdam, Allison Murray, Christy Mott, Diane Ralyea, Amanda Reynolds, Heather Rogers, Jen Rutan, Amanda Stevens, Sandra Suomikallio, and Kaci Williams. Coach: John Rutan, Assistant Coach: Kathy Rutan.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise in strong support of this bill, which is the result of laborious and painstaking bipartisan negotiations between our committee and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the other body. This bill tries to strike a delicate balance between the need to give a new industry a chance to develop brand-new technology and the desire to provide enough regulation to protect the industry's customers. We think we have struck that balance and here is why. First, the bill gives the Federal Aviation Administration clear authority for the first time to regulate the commercial human space flight industry. Second, the bill gives the FAA unlimited authority to regulate the industry and its rockets to make sure they do no harm to third parties, that is, people on the ground or in the air who are in no way involved with the flight. Third, the bill sets a clear timetable for when FAA will have unlimited authority to regulate the industry and its rockets to make sure they do no harm to the people on board. But here is what the bill does not do. It does not allow the FAA right now to guess whether some new untested rocket technology will do harm to the people onboard. Why? Because this industry is at the stage when it is the preserve of visionaries and daredevils and adventurers. These are people who will fly at their own risk to try out new technologies. These are people who do not expect and should not expect to be protected by the government. Such protection would only stifle innovation. So instead of allowing FAA guesswork for the next several years, the bill requires that anyone participating in launch, whether it is crew or passenger, must be notified of all risk of flight and must be told explicitly that the government has not certified the vehicle as safe for crew or passengers. And the FAA can come in and prohibit rocket designs and operational procedures that have already been shown to fail. Now, obviously, this Wild West or barnstorming or infant industry state of affairs cannot obtain forever, if the commercial space flight industry is to become more than an expensive and risky novelty. Safety must increase, and gradually the industry will start to look more like a common carrier. And that is why the bill allows FAA after 8 years to regulate commercial space flight in pretty much the same way it regulates the airline industry. But it seems to me kind of silly to regulate Burt Rutan's vehicle, which has flown three times, as if it was a Boeing 747. If we regulate it that way, then his craft will never evolve into the equivalent of a 747. So we have a balanced bill that will enable the commercial space flight industry to experiment, and that will encourage the industry to constantly improve its record of safety, so that within a relatively short time, its technology will mature and customer base will grow to the point that more regulation is warranted. I want to thank our outgoing subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), for keeping after all of us on this bill. He has been tenacious. I also want to salute the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) for his leadership and perseverance. I want to thank also the chairman of our other committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for discharging this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this sensible, balanced bill which will facilitate the development of a new industry that will expand the horizons of all Americans. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, November 18, 2004. Hon. Sherwood L. Boehlert, Chairman, Committee on Science, Rayburn Building, Washington,

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, let me remind my colleagues that the House passed earlier this year, by a vote of 402 to 1, an earlier version of this bill that gave the FAA less regulatory authority over commercial human space flight than does the bill before us today. Without this bill, the FAA will continue to license private space flights without adequate authority to protect either the safety of the public or the finances of the government. Please support H.R. 5382, just as you voted for the initial version back in March. Today's bill is the equivalent of a conference report, as it reflects bipartisan negotiations within this body and with the other body. This is good legislation; let us move it forward. Let us not stifle it. Let us not take the position of the equivalent of not letting the Wright Brothers test their ideas without first convincing Federal officials that nothing could go wrong.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate one of my constituents from Oneida County, Daniel J. Circelli, on his graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, NY. Mr. Circelli is the epitome of the Merchant Marine Academy's motto ``Acta Non Verba''--``Deeds Not Words''. He has excelled in both academics and athletics, and has left a legacy at the Academy that will not soon be forgotten. Mr. Circelli earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in Logistics & Intermodal Transportation. He is USCG licensed as a Third Mate, Unlimited Horsepower, and holds additional certifications in Advanced Firefighting, Dangerous Liquids, Marine Electronics/ Communications/Radar, Chemical Biological Radiological Defense, CPR and First Aid. Mr. Circelli was awarded the Michael Ricciardi Memorial Scholarship in 2004. He also received a Class of 2004 recognition for exhibiting exceptional leadership and outstanding character as a member of the Regiment. Mr. Circelli's collegiate achievements extend beyond the classroom and onto the football field where he led the Mariners as a 4-year starting quarterback and 2-year Varsity team captain. He holds three school records, and was named First Team All Conference in 2002 and ECAC and FCC Rookie of the Year in 2000. Mr. Circelli was lauded by head football coach, Tim McNulty, as ``the type of competitor that raises the level of play of those around him by his mere presence.'' The Superintendent of the Academy, Vice Admiral Joseph Stewart, said that Mr. Circelli ``represents all that is good about the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and he is an outstanding example for our regimental values of integrity, service, courage and respect.'' As a student at the Academy, Mr. Circelli served aboard bulk carriers, naval auxiliaries, and containerships. He was involved in delivering humanitarian aid to Pakistan and China and in supporting the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean theater of operations. He also made numerous North Atlantic crossings to Europe and voyages to the Far East from California. Throughout his time at the Academy, Mr. Circelli proved that he is industrious, conscientious, highly motivated, and interested only in exemplifying the highest standards of moral integrity and leadership. Academy Training Representative, Commander J.C. Flumignan, described Mr. Circelli as ``the best this Nation has to offer.''

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the appointment of Ms. Tammy Carnrike as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). Ms. Carnrike is a leader at the local and State level whose commitment to economic development and job creation has been a vital asset to the State of New York. For the last eighteen years, she has been a member of the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, and its President for the previous eight. During her tenure, Ms. Carnrike has been instrumental in improving the quality of life and promoting further economic growth. This appointment is a well-deserved honor for her achievements within Chenango County and across New York State. I have had the privilege of working with Ms. Carnrike for the last eight years. Together we have been able to secure over $12 million in Federal funds for improvements to New York State Route 12--improving access between the cities of Utica and Binghamton, and all points in between. These improvements will greatly benefit the employers located along the Route 12 corridor, stimulating further economic and business growth. Ms. Carnrike has demonstrated the qualities that the ACCE was founded upon in 1914 in her dedication, excellent leadership and managerial expertise. I also congratulate her for becoming only the third woman to hold this organization's highest office in its 90-year history. She will no doubt continue the fine work begun by her predecessor Carroll Gray of the Charlotte, NC Chamber of Commerce. I wish her the best of luck and look forward to continuing a positive working relationship to increase opportunities and strengthen the Chenango County economy.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the House Committee on Science, I am an avid supporter of programs that encourage the youth of America to push the limits of innovation and originality in science. One such program is the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. Created in 1999, Discovery Communications, Inc., designed the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge as part of the solution to America's chronic underachievement in science and math. The annual national contest responds to evidence that academic performance and interest in science among American students declines dramatically as students become older. This is particularly evident during the middle school years. For these reasons, the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge identifies and honors America's top middle school student who demonstrates the best skills in leadership, teamwork, and scientific problem solving. More than 7,500 middle school students have entered the challenge since its inception in order to compete for the title of ``America's Top Young Scientist of the Year.'' Since 1999, scholarship awards for the students have totaled more than $450,000 and challenge winners have participated in science-related trips to far-off places, including the Roslin Institute in Midlothian, Scotland, and the El Yunque rain forest in Puerto Rico. On September 20, 2004, Discovery Communications, Inc., announced the 40 middle school students who have advanced to the finals of the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. Selected from more than 1,700 entrants, the finalists represent an elite group of young Americans who demonstrated exceptional creativity and communications skills in original science research projects. The 40 finalists will come to Washington, D.C., October 23-27, where they will take part in the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge finalist competition at University of Maryland's Cole Field House. They will compete in team- based, interactive challenges celebrating 100 years of Albert Einstein's physics discoveries. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on October 27, 2004. The finalists for the 2004 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge are: Kasey Borchardt of Vernon, Texas; Pinaki Bose of Fort Worth, Texas; Rebecca Chan of Encinitas, California; Sara Clark of Pipe Creek, Texas; Shireen Dhir of Kathleen, Georgia; Nicholas Ekladyous of Imlay City, Michigan; Julia Fanning of San Antonio, Texas; Austin Fullmer of Glendale, California; Sherri Gerten of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Joy Hines of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Daniel Jakubisin of Fairview Park, Ohio; Christine Johns of Cape Coral, Florida; Sravya Keremane of Gainesville, Florida; Kevin Lane of Flora Vista, New Mexico; Amanda Lu of Plano, Texas; Philip Mansour of San Ramon, California; David Marash- Whitman of Saratogo, California; Shannon McClintock of San Diego, California; Elijah Mena of Gales Ferry, Connecticut; Mary Anne Messer of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Maryam Mohammed of Niceville, Florida; Ana Pedrajo of Coral Gables, Florida; Jordan Pennell of Jacksonville, Illinois; Molly Pettit of Portland, Oregon; Jonathan Reasoner of Tucson, Arizona; Chana Rich of Fairfield, Connecticut; Anastasia Roda of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Michael Rutenberg-Schoenberg of Portland, Oregon; Celine Saucier of Midland, Michigan; Anton Schraut of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; David Sharples of East Windsor, New Jersey; Dustin Shea of Jacksonville, Illinois; Daniella Sinay of Trumbull, Connecticut; Janet Song of Audubon, Pennsylvania; Eric Strege of La Quinta, California; Adam Tazi of Orlando, Florida; Blake Thompson of Gainesville, Florida; David Westrich of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Kyle Yawn of Bonaire, Georgia; and Blake Zwerling of Portland, Oregon. At a time when science and technology plays such an enormous role in our lives, I believe it is imperative that we continue to support and nurture the next generation of young scientists. I would like to congratulate these students for their dedication and hard work in the name of science and wish them all good luck during the 2004 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, and friends, my congressional district experienced a great deal of pain and sadness as the City of Rome lost one of its finest residents--a young soldier, Sgt. Michael Uvanni. 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. Sgt. Uvanni died October 1 in Samarra, Iraq, as he was conducting combat operations and was shot by a sniper. Uvanni was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, Morrisonville, NY. Sgt. Uvanni meant so much to the close-knit community of Rome, NY. He was a fine son and soldier, as well as a standout football player at Rome Free Academy. Sgt. Uvanni earned special honors in 1995 as a senior, being named as a conference second team all-star defensive end. An outgoing and patriotic young man, Sgt. Uvanni personified the qualities and dedication that make our United States military the greatest armed forces in the world. Sgt. Uvanni completed a tour with the U.S. Marines, and joined the local National Guard earlier this year. Army Guard CSM Frank Wicks said, ``While I am sure he will always be a Marine at heart . . . In January he joined the local National Guard and was deployed with the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, New York Army National Guard. I am sure he was an outstanding Marine, I can attest to the fact that he was an outstanding member of the 2-108th and will be missed.'' As Sgt. Uvanni is laid to his final rest, we salute him, and all those killed in the line of duty, for their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice. I ask my colleagues in the House, and all Americans, to extend our prayers and sympathy to his parents Kevin and Janet Uvanni, as well as the rest of his family and friends, and the entire Rome community. Together we honor this fallen American hero.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Madam Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues in thanking the employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for their hard work this hurricane season. I thank my colleague from Michigan, Mr. Ehlers, for introducing this resolution and bringing it to the floor today. Each hurricane season the employees at NOAA provide vital forecasts and warnings to residents in harm's way, minimizing loss of life and property. This year they have gone above and beyond the call of duty with the high number of powerful storms making landfall in the United States. The employees at NOAA who support hurricane forecasts and warning exemplify service to the nation and I am proud to recognize their hard work today.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary and rededication of the Department of Commerce laboratories located in Boulder, CO. As chairman of the House Science Committee, I have the privilege of chairing the authorizing Committee for two of the three Department of Commerce agencies that have laboratories in Boulder: the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NIST laboratories in Boulder have developed a close relationship with the University of Colorado at Boulder, a collaboration that recently yielded a Nobel Prize and a MacArthur ``Genius grant'' fellowship for two of its researchers. The NIST laboratory in Boulder is home of the Atomic Clock, which serves as the primary time standard for the United States. NIST researchers work to provide measurement and standards services to critical industries such as fiberoptics and electronics, and emerging industries such as biomaterials and nanotechnology. NIST has helped to establish the scientific conditions that enable technology-based industries to develop and grow, and it deserves our deepest thanks for its work so far. NIST researchers in Boulder also work with the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Agency's (NTIA) National Institute for Telecommunications Sciences, which is also located in Boulder. NTIA's engineers search for ways to improve broadband wireless communications, reduce radio frequency interference, and solve other problems with direct impact on the quality of cellular communications, the development of wireless computing, and the management of the radio frequency spectrum, all critical to the nation's telecommunications infrastructure. The NOAA laboratories in Boulder also enjoy a close relationship with the University of Colorado, conducting research in oceanic, atmospheric, and climate sciences. This research has vastly increased our understanding of global weather and climate systems, including severe weather, air pollution, global climate change, and ozone depletion. Boulder also hosts the NOAA Space Environment Center, which provides the nation with alerts on the magnitude and impacts of solar weather on communications, transportation, and energy systems. We are fortunate in the United States to have the scientific know-how to predict, and thus reduce, the impacts of severe weather, be it tornadoes, hurricanes, or solar storms. The Boulder Laboratories were first dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on September 14, 1954. I congratulate them on their first 50 years. The scientists in Boulder have accomplished much that they can be proud of, and I wish them 50 more years of ground-breaking and exciting research.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, high tax rates and complex tax codes stifle job growth. A fair and simple tax code should only provide enough revenue for the federal government to carry out its necessary tasks. It should not restrict the innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities that made America such a great nation. The last thing the federal government should be doing is taking more money away from hard-working Americans. The key to growing our economy is allowing Americans to keep more of their own money to spend, save, and invest. Jobs is my favorite four letter word--and the tax cuts we've passed have been responsible for creating millions of new jobs across the nation. In the House, we have worked hard to cut taxes. We have passed legislation to permanently eliminate the marriage penalty tax, extend Alternative Minimum Tax reforms, permanently expand the 10 percent bracket to lower taxes for hard working, low income families, and keep the child tax credit at the $1,000. That's real tax relief. Our American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, provides tax relief to domestic manufacturers and U.S. employers to make them more competitive both at home and abroad. We must also strengthen the economy by reforming our tax code. The overly complex U.S. tax code is more than a burden to working families; it's a drain on our economic efficiency and productivity. American taxpayers spend over three billion hours each year complying with a confusing U.S. tax code. The cost to our economy by complying with the tax code is a staggering $85 billion a year. That's unacceptable. This week we passed legislation to relieve families and small businesses of onerous and complicated tax compliance. I will continue to vote for tax relief and tax reform. Tax cuts and tax reforms are a powerful economic stimulus creating new jobs; reducing the cost of doing business; and providing a framework for long-term economic growth.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Science may have until August 27, 2004, at 5 p.m. to file the following report: H.R. 3551, Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2004.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the efforts of the Chenango River Workcamp in Greene, NY. The Chenango River Workcamp is comprised of young students from across the Nation. This faith-based group of youngsters has dedicated a good portion of their summer to help the Chenango Housing Council rebuild and rehabilitate 61 homes for senior citizens and low-income families who might otherwise not benefit from these repairs. This group of 450 young students has selflessly put the needs of others first and I am proud of their commitment to community and those in need. This leadership sets an excellent example to other youngsters and provides a shining ray of hope for our future. On behalf of my constituents in Upstate New York and all of the areas of the Nation these exceptional students are from, thank you.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, which I was proud to cosponsor with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall). At this time of fiscal constraint and international discord, it is good to remember that brief moment in history when the entire world, together, collectively held its breath and watched as human beings stepped for the first time onto the surface of the Moon. One sign of the success of the Apollo mission is that it is hard to conjure now just how strange and wondrous and awe-inspiring that moment was. Neil Armstrong's and Buzz Aldrin's steps were the culmination of millennia of human dreams and aspirations. Whatever else the Apollo program did, it fundamentally changed the human sense of the possible. It changed our sense of what was in reach. I would point out that the Apollo program also changed our own sense of the planet. Those pictures of Earth as a blue dot revolving through empty space, those pictures of Earthrise, those pictures of an Earth whose air pollution could be picked up from miles into the heavens, with those pictures the Apollo program also brought home the preciousness of our own planet and its and our own fragility. So I want to join with my colleagues today in trying to recapture that sense of excitement and wonder and awe that space travel evoked. I want to join in reminding Americans of the unique and courageous accomplishments of the Apollo astronauts and the scientists and engineers who worked behind the scenes. And I want to encourage us all to think through all the lessons of the Apollo program. America must continue its ventures in space, manned and robotic. And we need to think about how to ensure that those ventures will enrich our culture, our scientific understanding, our sense of what it means to be human, and our ability to survive on our own planet. The Apollo program has left us a remarkable legacy that we can respect best by continuing to debate its meaning.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to be able to bring this bill before the House today, and I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, Standards, and Technology of the Committee on Science for his insight and persistence in introducing this bill and refining it to the point that it can be signed into law. Let me tell you what this bill is all about. It is about my favorite four letter word; and do not get nervous, it is a four letter word that you can use in polite company and on the floor of the people's House. This is a jobs bill. The programs that we reauthorize and create in this bill will enable American manufacturers to create and retain good, high-paying jobs in the United States of America. Other than ensuring national security, this Congress has no task more important than promoting job creation and retention; that is, ensuring economic security. I can say this is a jobs bill without fear of contradiction. Most of the programs in this bill are not new experiments. We are reauthorizing programs that have a proven track record of saving and creating jobs. What is more important? The Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which I and others helped create back in the 1980s, has helped countless small manufacturers by giving them the knowledge they need to use the latest technology and manufacturing processes. A survey of just one-third of MEP customers found that they had created or saved more than 35,000 jobs, and that is just one-third of the customers, thanks to this program. And the MEP centers help more than 18,000 small companies each and every year. I do not need to look any further than my own congressional district to see the good this program has done, and I am sure that is true of every Member of this House. To take just one evocative example from upstate New York, our local MEP center helped an olive oil manufacturer reorganize its factory floor in a way that enabled it to remain competitive in a highly competitive business and stay in business, preserving jobs. And MEP centers have greased the wheels of commerce all across this great Nation of ours. This bill also reauthorizes the internal laboratories of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, the Nation's oldest federal laboratory, a home to Nobel Laureates, and the Federal lab most focused on the problems of industry, including manufacturing. I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) for the amendment that added the NIST authorization to this bill. I have to admit, as my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will no doubt point out, that Congress has underfunded these programs in recent years, over my objections, I would add. But this bill commits us to ensuring that the MEP programs and NIST's laboratories remain healthy so that they can help American manufacturers remain healthy. I should add that the appropriators are already following through on the headway we are making in this bill. The Commerce appropriation we approved yesterday includes $106 million for MEP and a healthy increase for NIST laboratories. I congratulate the appropriators, and I congratulate my colleagues in the House for passing that bill just yesterday. This bill, this jobs bill, will keep those programs on a healthy path in the future. The bill authorizes increases in the Manufacturing Extension Partnership so that in fiscal year 2008, MEP centers should be receiving 14 percent more than we hope they will receive next year, and that is more than a 200 percent jump from the $39 million in fiscal year 2004. But this bill does more than just reauthorize old programs, although that alone would boost American manufacturing. The bill creates several new programs: A new grant program for the MEP centers, to help them design new ways to assist businesses; a new grant program to encourage businesses and universities to work together to solve industrial problems through applied research; and a new fellowship program to entice both graduate students and senior researchers into conducting research in the manufacturing sciences. This is a good bill. It is a bill designed to help manufacturers, it is a bill designed to help small businesses. In short, this entire bill is based on a simple principle: You cannot get ahead by standing still. This bill will help our manufacturers get ahead by enabling them to take advantage of the latest research, the latest technology and the latest ideas about how to organize manufacturing, and all that will translate into jobs. Now, we will be hearing an animated debate over the next hour or so on amendments to this bill. That debate should not obscure the fundamental bipartisan agreement on the importance of this measure. The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) pointed out in the Committee on Rules how necessary and sound this bill is. The gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) pointed out on the floor in yesterday's debate how necessary and sound this bill is, while pointing, quite rightly, to his own significant contribution to it. The issue we will be debating with some of the amendments is whether we should do even more with this bill. I say ``with this bill,'' because, of course, we should be doing more overall. There are programs in other agencies that help manufacturers. There are other steps unrelated to research that we can take and have taken to help manufacturers. But we should not weigh down this bill because we can do even more in other arenas. Our manufacturers need the help this bill will provide, and they need it now. Let us move ahead with this portion of our jobs agenda, and then we can turn our attention to other matters. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3598 in its current form, which can be signed into law. And that is what we need, legislation that can be signed into law. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, Standards, and Technology.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), a real leader in the effort to protect domestic manufacturing.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra).