John Boozman

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a young man beloved by his family, friends and his country, Staff Sergeant Solomon T. Sam of the United States Army, who was taken from us on December 4, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq. Staff Sergeant Sam devoted nearly a decade to this country. He enlisted in the U.S. Armed Services in October 2000, and redeployed to Iraq in November of 2008, serving with the 523rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The commitment for this country is something we can all be proud of. Solomon will be remembered as a soldier, a son, a husband and a father. His three young children will grow up knowing their dad was a hero. Madam Speaker, Staff Sergeant Sam is a true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. I ask my colleagues to keep his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a brave American soldier who sacrificed his life for freedom, Sergeant John Penich. Sergeant Penich, by all accounts, was an extraordinary solider whose hard work and determination earned him the title of Soldier of the Year in 2007 for his brigade. His bravery was evident in combat on several occasions. Brigadier General Perry Wiggins has said he knows of three separate instances when Sergeant Penich saved the lives of his comrades. According to newspaper reports, one of his final acts of bravery came on September 6, 2008, when his patrol was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. He showed his courage under fire, taking charge and reestablishing security and saving the lives of his platoon members. His heroics on that day earned him a Silver Star, the third highest honor given to members of the armed services for valor. Five and a half weeks after he earned the Silver Star, he gave the ultimate sacrifice. Sergeant Penich put himself in harm's way to make the world a better place. His commitment to this country is second to none. He wanted to be an officer, and there's no doubt we would have benefited from this young man's tremendous leadership abilities. Sergeant John Penich is a true American hero. I ask that my colleagues keep his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 40th Anniversary of Jack and Dollie Harvey. Their commitment to each other as well as to their community is something we can all be proud of. Over those 40 years, they have worked together to help others. Their romance was born out of tragedy with each of them being widowed at a young age. Instead of dwelling on the hardships they faced in losing a loved one and, eventually, the challenges of merging their two families, they became more mindful of the needs of those around them. They helped rebuild after the 1976 Teton Dam collapse; ``adopted'' the homeless; taught at a juvenile detention center; ministered in migrant camps throughout the Southwest; volunteered at a community recreation center; counseled the terminally ill and their families; organized and managed summer camps for children from low-income families; entertained at nursing homes, state hospitals and city missions; and gave their time, money and energy to every opportunity for service that came their way. Like many other Americans their age, the Harveys have to stretch their Social Security check to cover their monthly expenses. But they don't worry so much about paying the bills. Quite often, their biggest concern is just finding the energy to breathe. Jack, 78, who suffers from a chronic respiratory disease, and Dollie, 71, a cancer survivor tethered to oxygen, squeeze their numerous doctors' appointments and her frequent transfusions and injections into a hectic schedule devoted to ministering to others. Sundays are busy days for the couple, teaching Sunday school, practicing for Christmas programs and guest preaching, their efforts continue to make a difference and inspire all of those who meet them. Their lessons have not been lost on their eight children, 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who include ministers, educators, law enforcement personnel, healthcare professionals, a social worker, military members and Arkansas and U.S. government officials. Jack and Dollie long ago adopted the motto not to pass on peacefully but to charge ahead helping others until they drop--exhausted and totally spent--into the grave. Truly, it is this kind of commitment, this type of dedication, that makes America great.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the commitment and service, my friend Stanley Reed provides to Arkansas youth. Stanley is a leader in the state, serving as President of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, a former member of the Arkansas Board of Trustees, a board member of Baptist Health, and Simmons First National Corporation and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Arkansas World Trade Center and of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation. His professional achievements are far reaching, and so are his accomplishments away from the Board Rooms. Stanley spends much of his time and energy being an example for Arkansas youths and helping them lead a better life. Stanley's life of service will be honored by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and the Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches, an organization that provides a stable living environment with responsible role models. Stanley has been a very good friend and was a teammate at the University of Arkansas. He has been blessed with a wonderful family, his wife Charlene, son Nathan and daughters Hailey and Anna. I have had the privilege to work with Stanley throughout my professional career. His dedication, persistence and leadership are all exemplary qualities. I appreciate his friendship and example. I am honored to have had the opportunity to have worked with such a great man, and thank him for his service.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Norton for bringing this legislation forward. It's something that we certainly support. We thank you for your hard work. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. H.R. 3068 was introduced by Subcommittee Chairwoman Norton last year, and prohibits the Federal Protective Service from awarding contracts to businesses owned, controlled or operated by convicted felons. Specifically, the bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate regulations to implement this prohibition. The Federal Protective Service, FPS, has a critical mission. FPS serves as one of the first lines of defense for our Federal buildings. It employs more than 1,000 trained personnel, and 15,000 contract security guards. It is charged with securing nearly 9,000 federally owned and leased buildings. This legislation will help improve security at those buildings and facilities and increase the standards of safety for Federal properties across the country. H.R. 3068 passed the House last year and was amended in the Senate. The Senate amendment provides additional direction to the Secretary of Homeland Security on key issues that the regulations should include. The Senate amendment also directs the administrator for Federal procurement policy to issue a report to Congress on establishing similar guidelines government-wide. This legislation is important to ensure the integrity of the forces protecting our Federal buildings and the employees and visitors that work in and visit those buildings every day. I support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to first commend our colleague from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers, for his years of work with stakeholders from the Great Lakes to advance the Great Lakes Legacy Act. The Great Lakes are a vital resource for both the United States and Canada. The Great Lakes system provides a waterway to move goods, a water supply for drinking, industrial and agricultural purposes, a source of hydroelectric power, and swimming and other recreational activities. But the industrialization and development of the Great Lakes Basin over the past 200 years has had an adverse impact on the Great Lakes. Although safe for drinking and swimming, in many places fish caught from the Great Lakes are not safe to eat. Lake sediments contaminated from the history of industrialization and development in the region are one of the primary causes of the problem. By treaty, the United States and Canada are developing cleanup plans for the Great Lakes and for specific areas of concern. The Great Lakes Legacy, Act passed in 2002, has helped citizens restore the water quality of the Great Lakes by taking action to manage and clean up contaminated sediments and to prevent further contamination. The Great Lakes Legacy Act authorized the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, to carry out qualified sediment remediation projects and conduct research and development of innovative approaches and techniques for the remediation of contaminated sediment in the Great Lakes. Legacy Act funding must be matched with at least a 35 percent non-Federal share, encouraging local investment. By encouraging cooperative efforts with State and local governments and through public-private partnerships, the Great Lakes Legacy Act has provided a better way to address the problem of contaminated sediments. The Great Lakes Legacy Act does not try to presume any particular type of cleanup option. Rather, it simply encourages stakeholders to take action and make sure that the action they take will make a real improvement to human health and the environment. The Great Lakes Legacy Act reflects a consensus approach to addressing sediment contamination, and it is strongly supported by both environmental groups and business groups in the Great Lakes region. The House passed H.R. 6460 earlier this month, and now the Senate has returned it to us in modified form. As the authorization for the Great Lakes Legacy Act expires this year, it is important that we move this legislation today. It is a compromise bill that keeps this important program working. The earlier House-passed version would triple the authorization level by raising it to $150 million per year. I am pleased to see a more realistic spending level associated with the bill before us today. This current bill maintains the authorization level in existing law. The act is being funded at a level between $22 million and $35 million per year, still far short of the existing $50 million annual authorization level. While we might like to see more money invested in cleaning up the Great Lakes, it is hard to justify tripling the authorization when Congress has not been willing to appropriate anything close to its current authorization levels. Again, I think that this is something that we need to work on to get the authorization level met by our appropriators. I remain skeptical of including habitat restoration as one of the authorized purposes for the funds. By expanding this program to cover other purposes, there will be less money for the act's primary purpose of getting pollution out of the water. Nevertheless, by all means, the Great Lakes Legacy Act has been a successful program, and I support its reauthorization. I want to congratulate Dr. Ehlers for his hard work in bringing the legislation to the floor. He has been a tireless champion for the Great Lakes. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).

Mr. BOOZMAN. I have another speaker, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am from Arkansas, and because of people like Dr. Ehlers' hard work, because of our chairman Mr. Oberstar's hard work, they really have educated us to help us understand the importance of this body of water. So I commend you all for your due diligence in that regard. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).

Mr. BOOZMAN. I want to thank Mr. Oberstar for his leadership, Dr. Ehlers for his years and years of being so aggressive and bringing this before Congress. This is an important bill. It's something that we very much support. Also, I appreciate Mr. Mica's hard work in this area and, of course, the chairlady of our subcommittee, Eddie Bernice Johnson and her staff, for all of their hard work, and then my staff. I look forward to working with Mr. Oberstar and Eddie Bernice in the sense of trying to get our appropriators working with them. Mr. Speaker, we do have an authorization level that we haven't been able to meet thus far. I hope that we can work with them in the rest of this Congress and certainly the next Congress to get that level up to the maximum that we can with what we have dealt with. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of Northwest Arkansas. The centers provide critical services for women who are faced with life changing decisions. Employees in the Rogers and Fayetteville centers have a difficult task counseling and educating one thousand women annually on the choices they have. Their job is made easier with the help of 30 volunteers who collectively spend more than one thousand hours serving the needs of women in a reproductive health crisis. Offering a listening ear, helping expectant mothers prepare for their baby and using their sewing skills are just a handful of services volunteers provide. In recognition of their efforts, Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of Northwest Arkansas received the `President's Volunteer Services Award.' This honor is given to Americans who demonstrate their commitment to volunteerism and inspire others to do follow their example. I am thankful Northwest Arkansas residents are so willing to help their neighbors in need and share their time and resources to benefit the greater good of the community. Volunteers are a critical component of ensuring the continued success of Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of Northwest Arkansas.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. The Tennessee Valley Authority, an independent government corporation, was established in 1933 to aid in the development of the Tennessee River Valley watershed through the proper use, conservation and development of the region's natural resources. TVA is the Nation's largest wholesale power producer and the fifth largest electric utility. TVA supplies power to nearly 8 million people over an 80,000- square-mile service area covering Tennessee and parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. In addition, TVA's nonpower program responsibilities include the multipurpose management of land and water resources throughout the Tennessee Valley and fostering economic development. Prior to 1959, construction of the power projects was financed mainly by congressional appropriations. The power program is now completely self-financed through power revenues. During the TVA's first 20 years, most of the power generated was hydroelectric. By 1950, with increased power needs, TVA began building coal-fired electric plants, and those plants now account for about 75 percent of TVA's power generation. TVA provides more electricity than any other public utility in the Nation and has an unparalleled record of reliability. In addition, TVA is broadening its environmental stewardship responsibilities by increasing its use of renewable resources, improving energy efficiency, and working to improve air quality for the millions who live in the Tennessee Valley watershed. TVA constructed nuclear plants to supply additional power needs and just recently returned an additional nuclear power unit in Alabama, Browns Ferry Unit 1, to service to meet expected future demand in energy. The agency spent approximately $2 billion to recover the facility, which became fully operational by May 2007. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a 20-year license renewal for all three units at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. For 75 years, the TVA programs of navigation, flood damage reduction and power reduction have fostered economic development in an important region in the Nation. I urge all of my Members to support the resolution celebrating the Tennessee Valley Authority's 75th anniversary. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might consume to my good friend, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) who is the ranking member on the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of Transportation.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, we certainly support this resolution and thank Mr. Cramer for bringing it forward. We also thank him so much, not only for this resolution but for his hard work in Congress in general. Mr. Cramer has done an outstanding job and he is an individual that will be missed by both sides, by Republicans and Democrats, and we truly appreciate all that you have done, Bud, in serving your constituents. I yield such time as he would like to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Does the gentleman have any more speakers?

Mr. BOOZMAN. If the gentleman has no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Edward Johnson, Arkansas' 2008 Outstanding Older Worker of the Year. His commitment and dedication to establishing employment opportunities for Americans who are beyond the traditional retirement age has helped play a vital role in Arkansas' economy. There is no one more deserving of this recognition. Mr. Johnson loves to see the excitement on a veteran's face when he or she gets a good job. He continues to lead a life of service he started when he joined the Army in 1948. Serving tours in Japan, Korea, Panama, and Vietnam and earning numerous medals he hasn't retired from helping his neighbors. Following his military career, Mr. Johnson became the Workforce Services Veterans representative for areas in the third district, a position he has held for 30 years. Married to his lovely wife, Louise, he has taught the importance of being involved in the community to three children and seven grandchildren. Mr. Johnson remains active with the chamber of commerce and he enjoys the company of his family and friends. I congratulate Mr. Johnson and thank him for his service.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I would like to honor Jeanne Ann Whitmire for her commitment and dedication to Arkansas children. Jeanne Ann, an attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Arkansas Department of Human Services in Van Buren, has placed hundreds of children in both foster care and adoptive homes throughout the Third District of Arkansas. She has an outstanding record of fighting for adoption and foster care issues. Not only is she proactive in placing children in loving homes, but she practices what she advocates, sharing her love with an adopted daughter. Jeanne Ann's efforts were nationally recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute through its program Angels in Adoption, which honors the good work of the American people who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. I thank Jeanne Ann for the unselfish work she does on behalf of children. Jeanne Ann is a true hero and a champion for Arkansas children, showing them there are people who care and finding them a place they can call home.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009: Earmark: Fort Chaffee Infantry Platoon Battle Course, $204,000. Requesting Member: Congressman John Boozman (AR-03). Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Army National Guard. Agency: Department of Defense. Name/Address: Arkansas Army National Guard, Office of the Adjutant General, Building 6000, Camp Robinson, North Little Rock, AR 72119 (Infantry Platoon Battle Course will be located at Fort Chaffee). Description: The funding will be used for the design of the Infantry Platoon Battle Course for support of training requirements of the Arkansas Army National Guard. Primary facilities include Stationary Infantry Targets (SIT), Stationary Armor Targets (SAT), Moving Armor Target (MAT), Moving Infantry Targets (MIT), Machine Gun Bunkers, Trench Obstacle, Assault/Defend House, Landing Zones, Small Range Ops Center/Control Tower/Ammo Breakdown, Storage, Bleacher, service roads, site improvements and associated support facilities including utilities and information systems. Earmark: Future Combat Support Hospital, $3,200,000. Requesting Member: Congressman John Boozman (AR-03). Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: 145, Combat Support Medical. Agency: Op,A, Other Procurement, Army. Name/Address: EADS North America Integrated Shelter Systems, 300 Industrial Boulevard, Russellville, Arkansas 72802. Description: The funding would be used for the continuation of EADS North America Integrated Shelter Systems. Future Combat Support Hospital (FCSH) is an advanced rigid and soft-walled shelter system for forward deployed healthcare providers. The FCSH program will replace the Deployable Medical Systems (DEPMEDS) tentage with an operating room (OR) ISO container and other modules that will be chemically/ biologically hardened with quick erect/strike times and integrated medical packages. This effort will reduce the weight of comparable systems and enhance the transportability and deployability of forward medical care. FCHS will reduce the footprint of field hospitals by reducing the weight and number of airlift flights to deploy a field hospital and/or Forward Surgical Team, which is a major objective of the Army Transformation. The Future Combat Support Hospital will enhance forward care and reduce the footprint of medical organizations for greater mobility and easier sustainment. The Future Force concept places soldiers into a more austere environment with lengthened evacuation times (both arrival and transit). Supporting medics and first responders require greater lifesaving and extended stabilization capability to save lives. Reduction in weight, cube, and sustainment requirements allows medical units to increase mobility and maintain contact with their supported Units of Action. Earmark: Center for Nanoscale Bio-sensors as a Defense against Biological Threats to America. Requesting Member: Congressman John Boozman (AR-03). Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: 44, Dla 0603720S Microelectronics Technology Development and Support. Agency: Rdte, Dw Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense- Wide. Name/Address: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and Pine Bluff Campuses located at 248 Physics Building, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Description: The funding would be used for the continuation of the Center for Nanoscale Bio-Sensors as a Defense against Biological Threat to America Programs and will mature previous investments in nanotechnology facilities and revolutionary materials to deliver new breakthroughs in biological threat detection and identification. These breakthroughs include (1) sensors, (2) communication between sensor and soldier, and (3) the ability to counter exposure to chemical weapons. Earmark: Emergency Operations Center, Sebastian County, AR, $750,000. Requesting Member: Congressman John Boozman (AR-03). Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: DHS FEMA State and Local Programs. Name/Address: Sebastian County, Arkansas, County Judge, David Hudson, 35 South 6th Street, Suite 106, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Description: Funding would be used for the remodel of the Courthouse to include dedicated Emergency Operations Center (EOC), physical security enhancements, and information technology (IT) enhancements for Continuity of Operations.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. If the gentlelady has no additional speakers, then I will close. Again, I would just urge my colleagues to vote to adopt this measure.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This legislation would name the Federal Bureau of Investigation Building in Omaha, Nebraska, the ``J. James Exon Federal Bureau of Investigation Building.'' J. James Exon had a long and distinguished career in public service. He was born in Geddes, South Dakota, in 1921 and attended the University of Omaha. During World War II, Senator Exon served in the United States Army Signal Corps, and he continued to serve in the Army Reserve after he was honorably discharged in 1945. Following the war, Senator Exon moved to the private sector, eventually starting his own business in 1953. He also became active in the political process leading to his election as Governor of Nebraska in 1971. Senator Exon represented the citizens of the State of Nebraska as Governor for 8 years. As Governor of Nebraska, he developed a reputation of holding the line on taxes and spending. His commitment to service and his popularity led to his election as a U.S. Senator in 1979, and he served in that capacity for 18 years. With the exception of the late Senator George Norris, Senator Exon was the only Nebraskan to win five consecutive statewide elections. Even after retiring from the U.S. Senate in 1997, Senator Exon continued to serve his country. He was appointed to a congressionally created committee led by the former Director of Central Intelligence, John M. Deutch, to examine the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Even then, he warned of the very real threat of terrorism. Senator Exon had a long and distinguished career in serving the State of Nebraska and the Nation. It is a fitting tribute to Senator Exon's service that this building be named after him. I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.