Henry Brown

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from California yielding. H.R. 2344, the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009, grants limited statutory authority to SoundExchange, the government-designated entity that is responsible for disbursing Webcasting royalties to copyright owners. The bill gives SoundExchange the legal authority to effect an agreement that has already been negotiated with certain ``pureplay'' Webcasters for the performance of sound recordings over the Internet. Under the terms, the bill will provide a window of 30 days for other Webcasters to agree to be bound by this new agreement. For those Webcasters who choose to take advantage, they will be able to substitute the rate and rate calculation methods provided in the agreement for those previously announced by the copyright royalty judges, CRJs, on April 30, 2007. These new terms will run through the end of 2015, which means that this group of Webcasters and sound recording artists who are due royalties under the Webcasting licensing will benefit from the extended period of certainty in their economic relationship. Mr. Speaker, I have a strong preference for voluntarily negotiating settlements, which allow each side to compromise, claim a measure of victory, and go home. This is particularly true when the alternative is for parties to engage in lengthy and expensive adversarial legal and lobbying efforts such as those that have followed the CRJs' determination in the Webcasters proceedings in 2007. When they issued their 117-page final order, the CRJs established the statutory rates and the terms for the performance of compulsorily licensed Internet streamed music for a 5-year period that is due to expire December 31, 2010. The law provides this process because we have an obligation to ensure that copyright owners whose works are made available in a government- mandated license are fairly compensated by the private parties who seek to benefit from such use. Indeed, the Judiciary Committee and the Congress established the CRJ process, in no small part, in response to Webcasters' concerns that the previous Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel, or CARP, process effectively prohibited many small entities from participating. Nevertheless, despite their advocacy for this process, some Webcasters have suggested from time to time that the CRJs acted unfairly in reaching their decision. But the record reveals that the decision came at the end of an 18-month proceeding that included 48 days of testimony, 192 exhibits, 475 pleadings, motions and orders, and a transcript that exceeded 13,000 pages. Notwithstanding these facts, the Congress enacted the Webcasting Settlement Act of 2008 late last year to provide an additional period of time for parties to negotiate private agreements. That period expired February 15, 2009. Several entities, including the National Association of Broadcasters, are to be commended for reaching an accord during this window, but it appears a number of others were either unable or unwilling to come to terms during the generous period of time that Congress provided. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2344, but in so doing, I note that it seems a bit like the tail wagging the dog for Congress to legislate and create exceptions to the due process and notice requirements in the existing statutory process each time one party or another calculates they could get a better deal by disregarding the deadline the law provides.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Education--National Projects, Innovation and Improvement Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Reading is Fundamental Address of Requesting Entity: 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 Description of Request: Funding will be used for purposes authorized in Section 5451 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Reading Is Fundamental enhances child literacy by providing millions of underserved children with free books for personal ownership and reading encouragement from the more than 18,000 locations throughout all fifty states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Education--National Projects, Innovation and Improvement Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Reach Out and Read National Center Address of Requesting Entity: 56 Roland Street, Boston, MA 02129 Description of Request: Reach Out and Read is a national program that promotes literacy and language development in infants and young children, targeting disadvantage and poor children and families. ROR has proven to among the most effective strategies to promote early language and literacy development and school readiness: pediatricians and other healthcare providers guide and encourage parents to read aloud to their children from their earliest years of their life, and send them home from each doctor visit with books and a prescription to read together. Currently, nearly 50,000 doctors and nurses have been trained in ROR's proven strategies, and more than 3,500 clinics and hospitals nationwide are implementing the program, reaching more than 25% of America's at-risk-children. Funding provided by Congress through the U.S. Department of Education has been matched by tens of millions of dollars from the private sector and state governments. Program has benefited over 18,000 children in the First District.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate one my constituents in South Carolina, Assistant Chief Gregory A. Bulanow of the North Charleston Fire Department, for successfully completing the Executive Fire Officer Program, or EFOP, on February 27th of this year. The EFOP is an intensive program designed to give senior fire officers a broad perspective on various aspects of fire administration by providing them with knowledge that they can to apply during emergency situations that occur in their own communities. It is no small feat to complete such a program, as it is made up of four extensive courses, stretching over a span of years. As an ardent supporter of all of our nation's fire fighters and emergency personnel, I speak for the people of Charleston and the surrounding areas in saying that we are lucky to have well trained and skilled individuals like Assistant Chief Bulanow looking out for us every day. I commend Assistant Chief Bulanow on his achievements and thank him for his devotion to the protection of the people of South Carolina.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Title II of H.R. 1804, the Federal Retirement Reform Act. Congressman Towns is to be commended for taking up the cause that Congressman Ortiz and I, along with many others, have championed with H.R. 775, The Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. While this bill doesn't repeal the widows' tax imposed by the offset of Survivor Benefit Plans by Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, it helps military survivors during a difficult time for all of us. When Congress established the Military Survivors' Benefit Plan, or SBP, in 1972, they did so in order to give members of the military a sense of security about their spouses in the event of their death. The plan is voluntary, can be purchased by retirees or will be provided to survivors of active duty servicemembers who are killed in the line of duty. Through the SBP that was bought, spouses and children can receive up to 55% of the servicemembers' retired pay. While SBP is an annuity, survivors of military retirees and veterans may also receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if their spouse died a service connected death. Under current law, widows are forfeiting, dollar-for- dollar, the SBP annuity their spouse paid for by the amount of the DIC benefit. It's simply wrong, and unfair to our military surviving spouses who were tasked with supporting their spouses during the most difficult of war times and peace times, to take away that which was intentionally paid for because of a benefit intended to serve another purpose. We don't do this with private life-insurance, we don't do it with the federal survivor benefit, and we shouldn't do it to the families of those who paid the greatest cost for freedom. This bill, while it doesn't repeal the offset of SBP annuities by the DIC benefit, will be a needed help for widows, widowers and their children. However, I hope that it will not be considered the last step towards equity. By increasing payments by $35 beginning in 2010, surviving spouses will receive a monthly payment of $95 and will continue to receive increased payments until fiscal year 2016 with a $245 increase resulting in a monthly payment of $345. It's the least we can do; we need to repeal the offset. Finally, I want to thank the veterans service organizations, particularly the Gold Star Wives of America, and Representative Solomon Ortiz, for their hard work towards equity for surviving spouses. While I've sponsored a bill to repeal the SBP/DIC offset since my first term in Congress, even such small steps as the one we took today wouldn't be possible without their help.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight a unique and innovative economic stimulus proposal that doesn't rely on large amounts of government spending, borrowing from foreign governments, or rebate checks. Instead, the Fair Tax would be a permanent economic stimulus that would have none of the transparency issues of conventional spending, or of the current tax code under the IRS. As a co-sponsor of H.R. 25, the Fair Tax Act, I believe that simplification of the 45,000 page tax code will empower the American people through returning their earned spending power to them, and by reducing government spending. The Fair Tax replaces all federal income and payroll based taxes with a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue neutrality, and, through companion legislation, the repeal of the 16th Amendment. It abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities. As April 15th approaches, imagine this: no tax forms to wade through, no worries about deductions, withholding, or underpayment, and no payroll tax. Instead you, just like every American, would have more take-home income that could be put towards things like mortgage bills, thereby addressing one of the root causes of this economic crisis. I hope that in the future we will consider such innovative proposals as the Fair Tax, and I thank my colleagues Rep. John Linder from Georgia who has done so much to publicize the idea of the Fair Tax, and Rep. Steve King of Iowa who called this Special Order. Madam Speaker, we can do something better than haphazard spending to get us out of this economic mess. We can simplify a tax code that destroys wealth, and replace it with one that lets Americans keep their entire paycheck. It's time for new solutions, and not more of the old tax and spend.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce legislation today to financially assist some of the most endangered, charismatic and landmark wildlife species on this planet. This measure is modeled after highly successful efforts to raise money for breast cancer research, to fund domestic violence prevention programs and to assist the families of rescue workers killed or disabled in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Under the terms of my proposal, the U.S. Postal Service would issue a semipostal stamp depicting highly imperiled African and Asian elephants, Rhinoceros, Tigers, Great Apes and Marine turtles. The stamp would be issued at a premium price so that the Postal Service could recapture their costs and would provide any additional revenues to the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. While it is unclear how much money would be raised through the sale of semipostal wildlife stamps, we do know that since 1998, 802 million breast cancer stamps have been sold to the public which has raised a remarkable $59.5 million for critical breast cancer research. It is also important to note that these new wildlife stamps will not replace or undermine the breast cancer stamps which by law will be available until at least December 31, 2011. I am also convinced that stamp enthusiasts will not only buy more breast cancer stamps but will purchase wildlife flagship species stamps. For the past twenty years, the United States Congress has enacted Multinational Species Conservation Funds to assist African and Asian elephants, Rhinoceros, Tigers, Great Apes and Marine Turtles. Money appropriated to these funds are the only continuous source of revenue in the world for these species and approved conservation projects have stopped several of these animals from sliding toward extinction. Nevertheless, there is no denying that there are now less than 40,000 Asian elephants, 15,000 Rhinoceros and 5,000 tigers living in the wild and that six of the seven species of marine turtles are highly endangered. Without further assistance several of these species will disappear in our lifetime and it is, therefore, essential that new creative funding mechanisms be developed to save these imperiled species. The semipostal wildlife stamp has the potential to raise millions of dollars at no cost to the U.S. taxpayer. Since 1988, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has funded more than 1,600 conservation projects to assist these species. What is not well known, however, is that the agency was unable to support an additional 1,300 meritorious projects which could well determine whether these species survive in the future. Since coming to Congress, I have worked together with a number of conservation organizations to establish and extend funding for the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. I am pleased that 24 conservation organizations have endorsed this legislation including the African Wildlife Foundation, American Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Born Free USA, Caribbean Conservation Corporation, Cheetah Conservation Fund, Conservation International, Defenders of Wildlife, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Fauna and Flora International, Feld Entertainment, Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, International Elephant Foundation, International Fund for Animal Welfare, International Rhino Foundation, Jane Goodall Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Ocean Conservancy, Safari Club International, Wildlife Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Society, The WILD Foundation, and the World Wildlife Fund. These diverse groups which represent tens of millions of people understand that additional funding for these landmark species is essential. Finally, I would like to thank my Subcommittee Chairwoman Madeleine Bordallo, the former Chairmen of the Committee on Natural Resources, Congressmen Don Young and George Miller, Congressman Ron Kind, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, Congressman Peter King, Congressman John Tanner and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for joining with me as co- sponsors of the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act 2009: Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Juvenile Justice Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Darkness to Light Address of Requesting Entity: 7 Radcliffe Street, Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29403 Description of Request: Darkness to Light (D2L), a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Charleston, SC. D2L is continuing its effort to increase utilization of its ``Stewards of Children'' adult prevention training program to increase help adults recognize, react, and respond to child sexual abuse. With the help of past federal support, D2L has trained over 1,000 facilitators in 44 states, affecting millions of children. These dollars will be matched one-to- one by D2L. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Legal Name of Requesting Entity: USACE Charleston District Address of Requesting Entity: 69A Hagood Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403-5107 Description of Request: Conduct construction activities related to the authorized dredged material disposal area at Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: USACE Charleston District Address of Requesting Entity: 69A Hagood Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403-5107 Description of Request: Conduct authorized maintenance activities on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in South Carolina. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: USACE Charleston District Address of Requesting Entity: 69A Hagood Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403-5107 Description of Request: Conduct authorized maintenance activities at Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: USACE Charleston District Address of Requesting Entity: 69A Hagood Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403-5107 Description of Request: Conduct authorized maintenance activities at Georgetown Harbor, Georgetown, SC. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Historic Preservation Fund, Save America's Treasures Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Georgetown Old Market/Rice Museum Address of Requesting Entity: 633 Front Street, Georgetown, SC 29442 Description of Request: The Old Market Building in downtown Georgetown, SC will undergo extensive renovation and repair to maintain its structural integrity. On the National Historic Register, it is the most visited and photographed site in Georgetown and the center of tourism traffic. Dating to 1853, it must undergo extensive renovation and repair to maintain its structural integrity. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Education, Funding for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The College of Charleston Address of Requesting Entity: 66 George St., Charleston, SC 29424 Description of Request: The College of Charleston's School of Science and Mathematics, in partnership with several state, regional, and federal agencies is developing a new Lowcountry Hazards Center to act as a nexus for natural and social scientists working collaboratively to formulate the most effective means to evaluate natural hazard risks and to develop mitigation strategies. The funds would support the purchase of equipment needed to educate students, policymakers, and the community; to strengthen research efforts; support interdisciplinary research; and to help make the Lowcountry a more disaster-resilient community. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA, Health Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Medical University of South Carolina--Children's Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425 Description of Request: The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Children's Hospital is South Carolina's largest and most comprehensive pediatric healthcare center. MUSC Children's Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the only one in the region, is staffed exclusively by trained pediatric critical care physicians and nurses. Funding will purchase of pediatric cardiology lab equipment. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Transportation, FTA, Bus and Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Address of Requesting Entity: 36 John Street, Charleston, SC 29403 Description of Request: CARTA is currently constructing a new Intermodal transportation center for the entire Charleston region. This center, located near an exit with Interstate 26, will provide AMTRAK with a new passenger terminal, serve as a hub for local bus service, and provide easy access to the nearby Charleston International Airport. Additionally, this project will be the first-ever Transit Oriented Development project in the Charleston-region, with plans to construct mix-use office and residential space on the property. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Horry County Address of Requesting Entity: 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526 Description of Request: The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is currently working through the environmental process with local stakeholders to identify options for improving mobility in the South Strand and Waccamaw Neck area of Horry and Georgetown Counties. This is especially important as the area sees some 14 million tourists annually during the height of hurricane season. Funding will allow SCDOT to work on completing the project's final EIS. Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Town of Mount Pleasant Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Description of Request: The Town of Mt. Pleasant, in coordination with state and federal agencies, is conducting a much needed widening of US 17 north of the Cooper River Bridge. Not only will this project improve traffic flow for commuters going in and out of Charleston, but it will also assist local residents as they move along the main street of the rapidly growing Mt. Pleasant community. This project is included the state transportation plan and is eligible for funding under the Transportation & Community & System Preservation discretionary account Requesting Member: Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiatives Legal Name of Requesting Entity: South Carolina Maritime Foundation Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 22405, Charleston, SC 29413 Description of Request: The South Carolina Maritime Foundation's mission is to offer effective, unique educational opportunities aboard the Spirit of South Carolina tall ship for the students of South Carolina focusing on the history, math, science and literature of South Carolina's water resources and encouraging personal responsibility, contribution to community and stewardship of environment. Funds will be used to complete construction and make equipment purchases related to the Spirit of South Carolina's education and leadership development programs for troubled youth.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, in the 106th Congress, we enacted the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000. At the time fisheries managers were unable to quantify the number and the species of sharks being harvested in some fisheries and this made shark management unsuccessful. The Shark Finning Prohibition Act required that fishermen land the carcass of the shark along with the fins so that fishery managers could track shark mortality. Unfortunately, some shark fin buyers attempted to create a loophole in the law by purchasing fins without the carcasses at sea from fishermen and then ``transferring them to transhipment vessels. This clearly violated the intent, if not the actual provisions, of the law. To make things worse, a court ruling seems to have sanctioned this unintended loophole in the law. This legislation closes that loophole and I support this legislation.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as a co-sponsor of H.R. 80, I rise in strong support of this legislation. During the last Congress, a similar bill was approved by the House on a vote of 302 to 96. In fact, this year's version is an improvement because it addresses the needs of certain non-profit humanitarian organizations who utilize nonhuman primates to assist permanently disabled Americans. These service monkeys have for over 30 years significantly improved the lives of dozens of Americans who suffer with polio, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and other severe mobility impairments. I would also like to compliment my distinguished Subcommittee Chairwoman, the Honorable Madeleine Bordallo who was willing to work in a bipartisan fashion to improve this legislation. During our Committee deliberations, two amendments were adopted to ensure that all non-human primate pets are treated in a humane manner. The first improvement allows owners to transport their beloved nonhuman primates across state lines when it becomes necessary to obtain essential veterinary care. During the debate on this measure, it became clear that there is a very limited number of veterinarians in the United States that have the expertise and even the interest in treating non-human primates. The second humanitarian improvement allows the transportation of nonhuman primates across state lines upon the death of their human owners. It is not unusual for many of these non-human primate species to live 25 or even 40 years and it becomes critical that they can be relocated to a safe, secure and health environment. Without these improvements, it was my fear that these monkeys would not receive adequate medical care or proper living conditions and that they would be dumped at an overcrowded zoo, wildlife sanctuary or animal shelter or simply abandoned to die. I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on H.R. 80, the Captive Primate Safety Act.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 36th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision and in particular the efforts of those who have worked for the right to life that the decision made so tenuous. Today, as they have since 1974, thousands of people marched on Washington to show their dedication to a movement that has seen many gains in the past few years. These people march for a culture where 50 million innocent lives would be saved, and where people are valued beyond their simple worth as a thing. They also march to mourn these lives of the unborn. They march, ultimately, for the dignity of humanity which has been denied for too many people. This year's march is particularly poignant, because these hundreds of thousands have come after millions, including myself, came to celebrate the election of American's first black President. We also celebrated the life and accomplishments of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I'm proud of how far America's come, as we break down racial and ethnic barriers that many thought were invincible, but we know there's more to do. As Dr. King's niece, Alveda King commented after the election of President Obama, ``[Dr. King's] dream of full equality remains just a dream as long as unborn children continue to be treated no better than property.'' Madam Speaker, we've made many gains towards a culture of life in recent years. The number of abortions has fallen every year since their peak in 1990, and there have been successes at both the state and federal level: federal funding for research requiring the destruction of human embryos has been restricted, we continued to observe the Mexico City Policy, ``partial birth abortion'' has been banned, and many states have policies requiring parental consent for minors. I hope that President Obama and this Congress will continue down this road, and remember the culture of life that we recognize today.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I am today pleased to introduce the Marine Turtle Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009. There are 7 species of marine turtles which were once abundant throughout the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Sadly, 6 of those species including the Green turtle, the hawksbill, the Kemp's ridley, the leatherback, the loggerhead and the Olive ridley, have experienced tremendous over-exploitation and they are now listed as critically endangered under our Endangered Species Act. In fact, only the flatback turtle which lives in the inshore waters of Australia has managed to maintain a healthy population. While there are many reasons for the dramatic decline in marine turtle population numbers, the leading factors include foreign fishing practices, the destruction of essential nesting habitat, massive poaching of turtle eggs, meat and shells, the degradation of grass beds and coral reefs, light pollution from onshore development and the dumping of tons of plastic products into our oceans. In response to this crisis, the Congress enacted the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 which I strongly supported. While this law authorized up to $20 million in Federal funds over the past 4 fiscal years, only $2.2 million has been appropriated to finance worthwhile conservation projects. Despite these funding limitations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has leveraged nearly $4 million in private matching funds and together this money has funded 78 meritorious conservation projects in more than 60 countries. While more than 200 grant proposals have been submitted, sadly, the Service has only awarded grants to less than 40 percent of the eligible recipients. Nevertheless, a number of extraordinary projects have been funded. These included a project to assist loggerhead turtles in Oman which has the largest nesting population of this species in the world; a project to protect leatherback turtles at their 4 primary nesting beaches in Mexico and a project to assist the highly depleted Chiriqui Beach hawksbill nesting population in Panama. Madam Speaker, marine turtles have been a vital component of our ocean ecosystems for more than 100 million years. They have long symbolized longevity, fertility and strength. We are proud of the fact that populations of loggerhead sea turtles nest on our beaches in South Carolina where they are highly protected. Like canaries in a coal mine, declining populations of marine sea turtles are a bellwether species for the health of the world's oceans. The Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 sent a powerful message of the international community that the United States was willing to take proactive conservation efforts to save these flagship species from extinction. It is essential that this law which has yet to reach its full potential be reauthorized beyond this fiscal year. The legislation I am introducing today would extend the authorization of appropriations for the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund until September 30, 2014. Despite severe funding limitations, this law has conclusively demonstrated that it is an effective and essential lifeline to marine turtle populations throughout the world. We should not allow any of these 6 species of marine turtles to disappear during our lifetime. I urge early consideration of the Marine Turtle Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I am writing to notify that I was absent for votes on January 9, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted: Rollcall Vote No. 7: On Motion to Recommit with Instructions the Paycheck Fairness Act--``yea.'' Rollcall Vote No. 8: On Passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act-- ``nay.'' Rollcall Vote No. 9: On Passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009--``nay.'' Rollcall Vote No. 10: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process--``yea.''

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, please permit me to take this opportunity to extend my personal congratulations to the 2008 Myrtle Beach High School Football Team. By beating the Chester Cyclones in ``Death Valley'' at Clemson University, the ``Seahawks'' led by Coach Scott Earley returned the Class AAA State Football Championship Trophy to Myrtle Beach after a hiatus of 24 years. This outstanding victory exemplifies the drive, ambition and teamwork of these young men.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Defense-wide. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: GenPhar. Address of Requesting Entity: 600 Seacoast Parkway, Mount Pleasant, SC. Description of Project: Provide $3.5 million to move the Marburg/ Ebola vaccines to Phase I clinical trials, which will involve a clinical lot vaccine production for human injection, human safety trials, human dose escalation studies, non-human primate efficacy ``bridging'' studies, FDA applications, and eventual FDA licensure and approval for human use. The Multivalent Marburg, Ebola Filovirus Vaccine Program has developed novel vaccine technology to create vaccines against all deadly subtypes of Marburg and Ebola. Utilizing previous DoD funding, the program has worked with the Army to develop over 30 Marburg and Ebola vaccine candidates. These studies, conducted by the U.S. Army Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), demonstrated that the multivalent vaccines were 100 percent effective in protecting monkeys from very high lethal dose challenges using three different strains of Marburg and two different species of Ebola. The Multivalent Marburg, Ebola Filovirus Vaccine Program will provide the DoD with a capability to counteract, in a quick and efficient manner, a biological weapon attack unleashed on U.S. forces or citizens. Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Navy. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Advanced Technology Institute. Address of Requesting Entity: 5300 International Blvd, Charleston, SC. Description of Project: Provide $1.6 million to enable the integration of Navy systems with the VA's Center for Veteran's Enterprise. This would improve the ability to match Navy contracting opportunities with veteran owned small businesses. DoD is required by law to conduct a percentage of its contracts with veteran owned businesses, and the innovations funded under this effort win ensure that as many needs of our nation's military as possible can be met through helping veterans. Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Defense-wide. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Scientific Research Corporation. Address of Requesting Entity: 3860 Farber Place Drive, North Charleston, SC. Description of Project: Provide $1.6 miIlion to develop and integrate advanced signals intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities into networked Joint Threat Warning System. Program will enable processing of intercepted enemy signals to provide commanders greater information about the battlefield. Project is an ongoing priority of the US Special Operations Command, and is considered by the NSA as a timely innovation. Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Address of Requesting Entity: 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC. Description of Project: Provide $800,000 to enable MUSC to work with the National Functional Genomics Center (NFGC) to develop new and improved cancer treatment through molecular genetics technology. Specifically, the treatment will allow for the extraction of specific genes in individual tumors to create the best chemotherapy mix for that individual tumor. NFGC was created in 2002 and is funded through the DoD Medical Advanced Technology Program. MUSC is a member of the NFGC and has received funding through this program in the past. FY09 funding will be used to purchase robot-screening tools, and the technology will be shared with all members of the Consortium. Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: TC Designs Address of Requesting Entity: 1731 Jervey Avenue, Charleston, SC. Description of Project: Provide $2 million to conduct the demonstration/validation phase of the development of a v-shaped hull for Humvees that will increase their survivability from IDEs and other threats. Humvees are the backbone of the Army and USMC's tactical truck fleet; the development of the hull protection program will provide first-ever underbelly protection for Humvees, and the kit is able to be installed in the field. Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: South Carolina Research Authority. Address of Requesting Entity: 5300 International Blvd, Charleston, SC. Description of Project: Provide $2 million to continue development of the Army's Tactical Metal Fabrication System (TACFAB). TACFAB will add additional capability to the Army's Rapid Manufacturing System, which provides deployed forces a way to keep its tanks, helicopters, and other systems operating in the battlezone. Specifically, TACFAB will move forward the development of a mobile foundry which will allow units to cast parts in the field, cutting repair time down by 90 percent. Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: OM, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Charleston Marine Containers. Address of Requesting Entity: 2301 Avenue D, Charleston. SC. Description of Project: Provide $1.2 million for the purchase of TRICON and QUADCON shipping containers by the U.S. Army to keep Army units and warfighters mobile. The Army estimates that they need, as a minimum, 120,000 containers to meet the needs of our troops; however, less than 50 percent have been purchased, limiting strategic mobility. Appropriation builds upon over $10 million funded from FY05 to FY08 and on a current Army contract for these critically important containers. Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: CPB Salaries and Expenses. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: American Science and Engineering. Address of Requesting Entity: 829 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, SC. Description of Project: Provide 2 million to complete the installation of a high-energy transmission x-ray system at the Port of Charleston's Project SEAHAWK. The funding included in this legislation will make Charleston the only port in the U.S. with a mobile ``backscatter'' x-ray system that allows screeners to see photo-like images of a container's contents. Appropriation follows $8 million provided for this project in FY05 and continues the successful port security partnership at Charleston's Project SEAHAWK. Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Military Construction, Air Force. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Charleston Air Force Base, United States Air Force. Address of Requesting Entity: Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, 29404. Description of Project: Provide $4.5 million for construction of an addition to C-17 flight simulator complex at Charleston AFB. This addition, which was included in the Administration's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request, will allow the facility to accommodate a new six-axis flight simulator and loadmaster trainer with space for computers, briefing rooms, component and facility storage and other needed space. Training needs of the aircrews have exceeded the capabilities of the existing three simulators. If this new simulator space is not provided, established training goals will not be achieved at an airbase that currently houses two wings of C17s currently meeting the needs of our troops deployed abroad.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6980, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the amount of the Medal of Honor special pension provided under that title by up to $1,000. I especially want to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for working with me on this legislation, and to thank Chairman Michaud for joining me in introducing the original version of this legislation, H.R. 1137. Madam Speaker, the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States of America. It is awarded ``for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in actual combat against an armed enemy force.'' Since its initial presentation in 1863 to Private Jacob Parrott, 3,448 Americans have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Today's legislation is important, but I want to spend most of my time talking about the heroes who have received this honor. Today there are 100 living recipients of the Medal of Honor. The average age of a living recipient is 74 years of age, and 47 percent of recipients earned their medals more than 50 years ago while serving in World War II and in Korea. The oldest living recipient, John W. Finn, is 99 years old. He received his medal for manning a 50-caliber gun in an exposed position, while wounded, during much of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In addition to Mr. Finn, 34 other recipients are veterans from World War II. Sixty living recipients of the Medal of Honor earned their medals while serving in Vietnam, including a good friend of mine from my congressional district, General James Livingston. Another recipient of the Medal of Honor, Frank Curry, also lives in my district and is a veteran of World War II. The Congressional Medal of Honor Museum, located on the hangar deck of the USS Yorktown in Charleston, South Carolina, serves as both a memorial to the heroic acts of the Medal of Honor recipients and a way to educate the public on their extraordinary service to their country. The most recent Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously on June 5, 2008, to Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis, a member of the U.S. Army recognized for his service in Iraq. On December 4, 2006, Mr. McGinnis' platoon was on patrol when an insurgent threw a grenade into his HUMVEE. Although Private McGinnis could have escaped, he threw himself on top of the grenade, pinning it between himself and the radio mount and saving his fellow soldiers in the HUMVEE. Private McGinnis is the fourth Medal of Honor recipient from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Navy SEAL Master-at-Arms Michael A. Monsoor and Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, as well as Marine Corporal Jason L. Dunham, were all posthumous recipients of the Medal of Honor for their incredible bravery in service to our country and their fellow men in Iraq and Afghanistan. In recognition of their exceptional service, Medal of Honor recipients are entitled to a special pension, as first authorized by Congress in 1916. Currently, the 100 living recipients received an inflation-adjusted $1,000 per month. H.R. 6980 will increase the base payment to $2,000 per month, subject to appropriations. This benefit will act as the smallest token of appreciation to people who have shown the greatest possible devotion to their fellow soldiers and to their country. Madam Speaker, this legislation would not have come to the floor today without the support of my good friends, Chairman Filner, Ranking Member Buyer and Chairman Michaud. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this historic and forward looking legislation. Freight and passenger rail play an incredibly important role in our Nation's transportation system and our economy. The legislation before us will serve to strengthen that important contribution, and I was proud to have worked on it with Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, Chairwoman Brown, Ranking Member Shuster, and all the members of the Transportation Committee. Today's legislation will foster introduction of new intelligent transportation systems technologies at highway-rail grade crossings. New technologies being researched now will one day provide the ability to use an in-vehicle warning of danger at highway-rail crossings and, perhaps, even provide the means to intervene before a collision occurs. H.R. 2095 will speed up the development and deployment of these technologies by allowing innovative partnerships between the private sector, State DOTs and the Federal Government. Even more important, this legislation contains a new commitment to high-speed rail for our country. High-speed rail can play an important role in reducing congestion in places like the Grand Strand, which sees 14 million tourists a year and Charleston, which is the most congested small city in the country. By engaging the private sector along with public partners, H.R. 2095 calls for more than just paper plans for high-speed rail projects--it calls for action. Our constituents are paying record high prices for gasoline and spending $78 billion a year due to highway congestion. The time is now to make progress on high speed rail for our country, and this bill will do just that. H.R. 2095 sets the foundation for a privately-funded high speed rail line along the eastern seaboard connecting the population centers of the north to the tourism centers of the South, including Charleston and Myrtle Beach in my district. This is not only a sound business decision, it is a sound public policy decision that will benefit our nation. Madam Speaker, I will proudly be voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2095, and I ask all my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge the passage of H.R. 2933, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act of 2007. H.R. 2933 was introduced by my good friend and colleague Congressman Gary Miller and I have paid special attention to this bill as it as made its way through the legislative process of the Committee on Natural Resources of which I am a member. H.R. 2933 is an important bill for the residents of coastal South Carolina and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation. The current Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program funds preservation and conservation efforts at many famous Civil War battlefields across the Nation. It is very important that we preserve these sites for future generations to observe and visit these sites that are so important to our Nation's history. Some of the more famous locations in my district include, Fort Sumter, the target of the first shots of the Civil War as well as the assault on Morris Island's Battery Wagner, which is the battle which inspired the Academy Award winning movie Glory. Other famous battles fought at Secessionville, Grimball's Landing, Simmon's Bluff and sites in and around the Charleston Harbor would also be eligible to receive funding for preservation and conservation. Madam Speaker, reauthorization of the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program could not come at a better time. In just 3 years, America will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. I know that in my district the planning has already started and many residents of coastal South Carolina are planning to observe this important date from where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill as swift passage of H.R. 2933 would help in the preparation, preservation and conservation of many of these hallowed sites in advance of this important anniversary.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. I appreciate the gentleman yielding. Mr. Speaker, the argument that we have today is an argument that we have been discussing for a long, long time about our energy and energy independence. We recognized, this past week, when the storm went through Houston, that we found another problem that we had. We were concerned about the price of gasoline. Now we are concerned about the price, not the price, but the availability. What we need is more supply if we are going to compete in the world arena. Some 70 percent of our energy today is coming from foreign sources. If you have been following the dialogue on the world market, Russia now controls most of the natural gas going to the European nations. You notice from time to time there is a threat to cut that supply off. One day that's going to happen to America. With 70 percent of our energy coming from offshore from people that don't like us, we are going to have the same problem one day, a supply problem. Just like we had back with the oil embargo in the 1970s, the same situation is going to happen to us, even as we see some families now going to stations, and they say ``out of supply today.'' The bill we are looking at today concerns me. I represent the coast of South Carolina, some of the prettiest beaches in all the world. We would love to say there are alternate ways to find our energy solutions, but we are willing, in South Carolina, to pay the price, just like in Louisiana, just like in Texas, just like some other places, California and other places, that are using their energy resources to help cultivate the economy of this great Nation. We recognize if we don't do all of the above, we are going to find ourselves in a Third World situation. We need nuclear power. We need wind, we need solar power. But we also need gas and oil. Gas is one of the best fuels we can find. We can burn it in our automobiles and we can burn it in our power plants. It is a clean-burning fuel, and we have an unlimited reserve off the Outer Continental Shelf. We need to be able to access those resources.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the energy crisis that we are facing in America today is affecting every segment of our society, and my constituents in coastal South Carolina are getting more concerned every day that with what goes on that we do not have a solution to bring a more domestic supply of energy on line. My constituency sees Russia holding Europe as an ``energy hostage,'' and they do not want to allow foreign and sometimes unfriendly nations to have the ability to hold the United States as an energy hostage in the future. Right now, Russia supplies 50 percent of Europe's natural gas, and by the year 2020, Russia will supply 75 percent of Europe's natural gas. Right now America is 70 percent dependent on foreign energy. So much of American energy is being produced in prime hurricane zones that are susceptible to natural disasters every year. Mr. Speaker, we should view our energy resources as a natural asset, not as an environmental liability. The energy crisis that we are currently in cannot be solved by having us being dependent on foreign and sometimes unfriendly nations. We all must learn a valuable lesson from what's currently going on between Russia and Europe and seize this opportunity to vote on all-of- the-above.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, today the House leaves on its 5 week vacation just like we do every year. Generally we are joined by millions of American families as they get out of town before the start of the school year, but this year things are different. While we are still leaving Washington, more of these families than ever before are staying home, prevented from visiting places like the beaches and historic sites in my district because of rising energy costs. But we aren't doing anything about it. And when school starts up again, students are going to see activities cut back because their school districts are having to move money from these important programs just to keep running their school buses. High energy costs are having a dramatic impact on every part of our society. But Congress is failing to address them. Today, news came out that American employers shed some 51,000 jobs last month, and for so many companies, the burden of high energy prices are behind so many of these job losses. From steel mills to fertilizer plants and delivery services, I could list countless businesses that use energy not only to keep the lights on but as the fuel for getting their job done. And record high energy prices are fighting their best efforts to grow our economy. But we can't even have a vote on accessing more American energy. Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to highlight some of these businesses being impacted by today's high energy prices. I represent a coastal district where many of my constituents make their living on the water. The heart of my district are its shrimpers, tour boat operators, recreational and commercial fishermen. However, many of these hard-working residents of coastal South Carolina cannot even afford to take their boats on the water anymore because of all-time record high prices for fuel. Shrimpers must catch 700 pounds a day just to fuel their boats--I can assure you, this is not a small catch. Before Speaker Pelosi ``saves the planet'' here in Washington, DC, perhaps she can come down to Charleston or McClellanville in South Carolina and explain to the these hard-working men and women why she is refusing to schedule a vote to increase domestic energy production and lower the cost of their diesel fuel to allow them to get back on the water. Their struggles are not a hoax. Madam Speaker, we currently depend on foreign and in many cases unfriendly nations for over 60 percent of our Nation's energy needs. This is a serious national security concern for my constituents in coastal South Carolina that is only getting worse. It is sad to see that every other country in the world views its energy resources as a strategic asset; in the United States we have come to view ours as an environmental liability. Madam Speaker, this week I was proud to join with a group of Republicans and Democrats to introduce legislation that was written together that would allow us to start domestic energy production while also investing in many types of renewable energy. When will we get a vote on the bipartisan National Environment, Conservation and Energy Independence Act or any of the other pieces of legislation that offer an ``all of the above'' solution to our energy crisis? While we may leave Washington today, we cannot leave our responsibility to address this issue for the American people.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. Bill Number: H.R. 6599--Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2009. Account: Military Construction, Air Force. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Charleston Air Force Base, United States Air Force. Address of Requesting Entity: Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, 29404. Description of Project: Provide $4.5 million for construction of an addition to C-17 flight simulator complex at Charleston AFB. This addition, which was included in the Administration's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request, will allow the facility to accommodate a new six-axis flight simulator and loadmaster trainer with space for computers, briefing rooms, component and facility storage and other needed space. Training needs of the aircrews have exceeded the capabilities of the existing three simulators. If this new simulator space is not provided, established training goals will not be achieved at an airbase that currently houses two wings of C-17s currently meeting the needs of our troops deployed abroad.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke at a rally highlighting how America's energy crisis is impacting the working men and women in our Nation. The average working person in my district works at a hotel or a restaurant meeting the needs of the tourism industry. That average person also drives to work. There is no light rail or subways taking them from rural homes to their place of work near the coast. The folks they serve probably drove hundreds of miles with their families for a well-deserved vacation, but few families are coming to the beach this year because of high gasoline prices. It also means that few folks will be working at the hotels and restaurants. Mr. Speaker, the Democrat-led House's lack of action on energy policy is affecting every segment of our society, so much so that I am receiving drill bits in the mail demanding that we take action to lower energy prices in America. Those drill bits aren't coming as part of some well-financed campaign; they're coming because we can no longer hope that the problem will go away. Like many other countries, the United States is blessed with many types of natural resources. I agree with the vast majority of Americans by viewing our natural resources as one of our greatest assets, not as an environmental liability. We must take action now and vote on legislation immediately that would allow for more domestic energy to be produced by Americans for Americans.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. I thank my great friend from Texas (Mr. Sessions) for yielding. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today in strong support of H.R. 6003, the bipartisan Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. I want to applaud Subcommittee Chairwoman Brown and Ranking Member Shuster, along with Full Committee Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica, for crafting a bipartisan reauthorization package that is focused on both improving Amtrak's capital assets, while also providing for development of new corridors in partnerships with States. I am most pleased to see a major commitment to high speed rail contained in this bill, something that is absent in the Senate's bill. This legislation calls for more than just paper plans for high speed rail projects; it actually calls for dedicated funding and private sector involvement to move these projects forward. Specifically, I am pleased that this legislation contains a provision that will improve the ability of future high speed rail corridors in the Southeast to best meet the changing population patterns and tourist demands along the cost. With America facing $4 gas and airlines seeing fuel costs 100 percent higher than last year, we must look to develop in ways that will ensure that new travel options such as high speed rail are directed where they are most needed. High speed rail can play an important role in reducing congestion in places like the Grand Strand in my State, which sees 14 million tourists a year, and Charleston, which is the most congested small city in the country. And I am glad that this bill takes the next step towards addressing the transportation needs of these communities. Another important element of this bill moves us towards planning for rail transportation the same way we plan for highways. Again, as we face historically high gasoline and diesel fuel costs, we must ensure that our transportation system is planned out to provide the connectivity that we need for increased passenger rail use and to take advantage of freight rail's ability to move a ton of freight 436 miles on a gallon of fuel. When combined with the investment this bill makes in high speed rail, and by allowing freight and passenger railroads to negotiate access to freight-owned tracks, the Committee's reauthorization proposal will go a long way towards an improved rail system in the future. But that future may not be possible, Madam Speaker, if America continues to face $4 gasoline at the pump. I urge the majority to bring to the floor one of the many pieces of legislation introduced to open up domestic sources of energy, or else we won't be able to catch even an on-time train.

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. I thank my good friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 5540, the Chesapeake Bay Watertrails Network bill. While I understand the value of the bill we're discussing today and I commend my colleague, Congressman Rob Wittman from Virginia, for the hard work he has done on this bill, his efforts will be all for nothing if we do not address the energy crises we're facing in the United States today. In my district of coastal South Carolina, my constituents are dealing with the same problems as those who live and work along the Chesapeake Bay. Just as the watermen of the Chesapeake Bay cannot afford to bring their boats out of the dock to catch blue crab due to the all-time- record-high diesel prices, my constituents in our fishing communities cannot bring their shrimp boats on the water to catch shrimp due to the high cost of diesel fuel. Mr. Speaker, it is irresponsible for our Democrat colleagues to continue obstructing responsible energy legislation that will help our energy crisis from being considered on the floor of the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, we currently depend on foreign--and in many cases unfriendly--nations for over 60 percent of our Nation's energy needs. This is a serious national security concern for my constituents in coastal South Carolina. On behalf of all the recreational and commercial fishermen, the shrimpers, the tour boat operators, and the recreational boaters in coastal South Carolina, I would like to ask the Democrat majority why we are not voting today on the many pieces of legislation that have been introduced that would open up domestic sources of energy and help them get back on the water immediately?

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, as you know, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about an organization in my home town of Charleston, South Carolina that was started just eight years ago to prevent one of the most horrific aspects of child abuse: child sexual abuse. Statistics show that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. Further, 90 percent of child sexual abuse offenders are in an authority position over the children they are abusing, making it difficult for children to speak out or confront the abuse. Ms. Anne Lee of Charleston founded Darkness to Light\TM\ in 1999 with the core belief that adults should be responsible for the care and protection of children. Darkness to Light seeks to reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse by shifting the responsibility from children to adults. Their Stewards of Children\TM\ training program teaches adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. It was recently named ``Crime Prevention Program of the Year'' by the National Crime Prevention Association. This training program is being utilized by youth-serving organizations, as well as individuals and businesses who want to respond to the epidemic nature of this problem. Darkness to Light also offers Stewards program in a fully interactive, on-line format. To date, over 120,000 adults in 47 U.S. States and territories--as well as nine foreign countries--have completed the Stewards of Children training. I commend Anne Lee and all of her colleagues for creating this important child protection program, and I encourage you all to visit the Darkness to Light website at wwwD2L.org to get the necessary information to protect children from child sexual abuse.