Dan Boren

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I wanted to add a couple of things as a former staffer to Congressman Watkins--and Congressman Cole was very eloquent in his remarks, and so was my good friend, Frank Lucas. There are so many of us, not just myself but there are many of us in congressional offices across Washington, D.C., people in State government in Oklahoma, a lot of folks involved in agriculture, who can trace back their start to Wes Watkins. I can tell you when I was starting out and I was looking for a job, he is the first person who gave me an opportunity. There are so many countless people that could say the same thing. So his legacy isn't necessarily just his name on a building. It is also all of the people and all of the families that he has touched. And also I wanted to say, and Tom Cole brought this up, Lou Watkins. She has been his partner for so many years. She has been a State regent at Oklahoma State University and a constant mentor to all of us. With that, I hope my colleagues would support this legislation.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 30th anniversary of an influential Oklahoma publication, the McCarville Report, and to acknowledge its author, Oklahoman Mike McCarville. Born in Enid and later raised and schooled in Del City, Oklahoma, Mike has spent his entire professional life in the field of journalism. Throughout his 35-year career, Mike has written or contributed to almost every notable Oklahoma newspaper. However, it has been the very popular McCarville Report that has solidified his influence in Oklahoma politics and culture. The McCarville Report provides daily insight into the policy positions and issues that face Oklahoma's elected officials. It is an important resource to me and to thousands of Oklahomans that read it every day. Congratulations, Mike, on 30 years of providing Oklahomans with the McCarville Report. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this measure, H.R. 310, the HALE Scouts Act, granting the U.S. Forest Service authority to sell roughly 140 acres of land to the Indian Nations Council of Boy Scouts, which is adjacent to the Scout's summer camp, Camp Tom Hale located in Talihina, OK. The Indian Nations Council of Boy Scouts is a non-profit organization providing educational programs for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and to develop personal fitness. Camp Tom Hale first opened in June 1930 to serve Boy Scouts in the McAlester, Oklahoma area. It was originally located at what is now Robbers Cave State Park near Wilburton, Oklahoma. In 1963, the Boy Scout Council in McAlester worked with the State of Oklahoma and the U.S. Forest Service to exchange the camp at Robbers Cave for 480 acres of wilderness area in the Ouachita National Forest. This ``new'' Camp Hale has continued as a summer adventure camp serving thousands of scouts during the intervening 41 years. In 1997, the Council board developed a strategic plan for a $3.5 million expansion and renovation of the camp. Since then, the Council has spent in excess of $1 million continually updating and expanding facilities to meet the needs of scouts. As a result, a renewed emphasis on wilderness and the outdoors has flourished, with over 6000 scouts and leaders from a five state area attending weekly sessions offered in June and July and enjoying the beautiful Ouachita Forest. Attendance has now exceeded the maximum number of available campsites and program areas, which is causing Camp Hale to begin turning away hundreds of scouts each summer. It is now critical for camp growth that the boundaries be extended to include more area for camping and additional program & training services. Successful completion of this objective will allow the Boy Scouts to continue the expansion of outdoor & leadership training for thousands of youth living in the Central Southwest and bring additional usage and enjoyment of the Ouachita Forest to more families. It is for the benefit of these thousands of young Oklahomans that I proudly sponsored this measure. I greatly appreciate this House's consideration of this bill, and would like to urge my colleagues to support the measure.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, thank you for your hard work on this legislation and also your support for Indian country in Oklahoma for many years. I would like to bring to the gentleman's attention an inequity and an inefficiency that currently exists within the Federal programs that assist local transit agencies with their capital projects such as buses and garages. Specifically, for alternative fuel transit buses, the Federal share is 80 percent of the capital cost of a standard diesel, plus 90 percent for the cost of vehicle-related compliance with the Clean Air Act, often referred to as the incremental cost. In short, blending the percentages, grantees may apply for an 83 percent Federal share of the total vehicle cost. This was based on the policy that such buses contribute generally to cleaner air and maintaining compliance with the Federal air quality standards. I would like to ask the gentleman if I'm correct in stating that this bill includes a provision that allows a 90 percent Federal share for the entire cost of a biodiesel bus?

Mr. BOREN. I understand that this biodiesel provision was included in this and several past Transportation appropriations bills for air quality and petroleum displacement reasons. However, I would like to suggest to the chairman, there is no reason not to extend the same 90 percent of the total vehicle cost benefits offered to a biodiesel bus to a natural gas bus. Natural gas-powered buses produce 22 percent less greenhouse gases than comparable standard diesel buses, and they have a proven track record of displacing imported petroleum. It is my hope that the gentleman would be willing to work with me on this issue to provide 90 percent of the total vehicle cost to natural gas buses.

Mr. BOREN. That would help transit agencies accelerate the replacement of existing diesel buses with new, fuel-efficient, alternative fueled ones. This change would make a significant contribution in America's strategy for energy independence and global climate change. Simultaneously, it would ensure clean air and the health of our citizens, and contribute to the growth of our economy.

Mr. BOREN. I thank the chairman for his willingness to work with me on this issue.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a fellow Oklahoman, Wayman Tisdale, who tragically passed away on May 15th. Many people in Oklahoma and across the nation knew Wayman as a college or professional basketball player, or even as an accomplished musician. But he represented much, much more. Tisdale was a three-time All-American for the University of Oklahoma's basketball program in the 1980s before playing a dozen years in the NBA. Wayman still holds Oklahoma's career record for both points and rebounds. Tisdale was the first OU athlete in any sport to have his jersey retired. After three years at Oklahoma, Tisdale played in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. As a chart-topping musician, Tisdale recorded eight albums. Tisdale's jazz album ``Power Forward'' reached No. 4 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, and his album ``Way Up'' reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top 10. Aside from his long list of achievements, Tisdale's leadership, character, and grace set a strong example for his family, friends, teammates, fans, and above all else, his fellow Americans. Mr. Tisdale was an All-American not just in basketball, but in life. With memories of his big smile and his big heart, we send our deepest condolences to Wayman's wife, Regina, and his four children. Wayman will be missed, but never forgotten.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BOREN. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, my colleagues may be familiar with an initiative I have been working on, the NAT GAS Act, to promote the use of natural gas fueled vehicles, particularly to replace traditionally fueled heavy- and light-duty trucks. I am a strong proponent of natural gas as an alternative fuel source because it is clean, abundant, cheap and readily available, and best of all, as T. Boone Pickens says, it's ours. According to a study by the Department of Energy, it is feasible to produce biomethane from landfills, sewage and animal waste, so one could even argue that it is renewable. As we continue efforts to drive our country towards a cleaner transportation sector, natural gas vehicles are a natural fit. There is no single silver bullet solution to our transportation energy dilemma. All available alternatives to petroleum must be used in the marketplace and in an application where they make the most sense. For many of these applications, that means natural gas. In 2008, NGVs displaced 250 million gallons of petroleum in the United States. With adequate support, by 2020, that could grow to 10 billion gallons, but the NGV industry is made up of mostly small companies. In order for the industry to achieve that growth potential in the time frame we need, more research is needed for vehicle integration, deployment, engine development, and cost reductions. In 1992, Congress authorized a Vehicle Technologies Program to fund a wide range of research activities on passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. The program's mission is to develop leapfrog technologies that will provide Americans with greater freedom of mobility and energy security while lowering costs and reducing impacts on the environment. Though natural gas vehicle research was funded through this program until fiscal year 2005, since then, there have been no DOE activities in this area. My amendment would add $5 million in funding to this account for natural gas vehicle research. This is a relatively small investment for something that could easily move America towards a cleaner and independent energy future. I hope my colleagues will join me in launching a new direction in transportation fuel by supporting this amendment. I would like to yield to my friend from Arizona (Mr. Pastor).

Mr. BOREN. Thank you so much. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I am going to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan), who has been a real leader in this effort for natural gas vehicles. We have got one more speaker on our side, I think, so I am going to continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I firmly believe that these changes will greatly help the integration of cleaner natural gas vehicles in the marketplace. I think that we have a real opportunity today to invest in a cleaner independent energy future for America and to move away from our dependence on foreign oil. I want to thank my colleagues on the other side, especially my friend John Sullivan from Oklahoma. I want to thank the chairman for accepting our amendment.

Mr. BOREN. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. I want to thank the chairwoman and ranking member of the Small Business Committee for bringing this legislation to the floor, and of course, I support the rule. The Small Business Innovation Research, SBIR, program, is an effort by Congress to increase the portion of Federal research and development dollars provided to small businesses. Noticing that small businesses were being crowded out of government R&D grants by large corporations, Congress established the SBIR program. This program guarantees small businesses a portion of the Federal Government's large R&D budget. Mr. Speaker, by any reasonable measure, the SBIR program has been a tremendous success, but some Members of Congress have raised concerns about how the funds are allocated. Critics have argued that certain business sectors receive too large a share of the available Federal R&D dollars and that certain demographics have little success obtaining any SBIR award money. This bill, brought to the floor by the Small Business Committee, makes a strong effort to address these issues. Found in the legislation are attempts to reach out to minority-owned businesses, businesses owned by women, and most importantly, veteran-owned businesses. It is with the same spirit that I ask the Small Business Committee to consider my language, which directs agencies with an SBIR program to make a concerted effort to reach out to Native American and tribally owned businesses. My State of Oklahoma is home to 38 federally recognized tribes, 17 of which reside in my district. It is my hope that my language, found in the manager's amendment, will make it easier for Native American-owned businesses to obtain these valuable SBIR awards. Again, I want to thank the chairwoman and ranking member of the Small Business Committee for accepting my proposal. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation and the rule.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am here today to seek the chairman's assistance with an important matter involving the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a matter with which he has been most helpful and understanding. I am also proud my friend Mr. Cole from Oklahoma, who is a Chickasaw, a great friend of the Choctaw people, is here and helping me as well. The issue is the effect of the moratorium on school participation in the BIA academic funding system and its effect of preventing the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma from carrying out its plan to operate a first through sixth grade school program. The original moratorium was to be temporary to afford the BIA a chance to control its construction policy; yet it, in fact, precluded the Choctaws from reconstituting their program, which was unilaterally cut by the termination policy of the 1950s, in spite of the fact that the tribe built a new school and, thus, saved the government considerable expense. I appreciate your pledge to work with me and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to address this problem. And I deeply appreciate the committee including language in your report accompanying H.R. 2996, now under consideration, directing the Bureau of Indian Affairs ``to study and report to the committee within 180 days after the enactment of this Act on the impacts of allowing reinstatement of termination-era academic programs or schools that were removed from the Bureau School System between 1951 and 1972.'' This includes the reestablishment of Jones Academy of Oklahoma as part of the Bureau School System. Mr. Chairman, the Choctaw Nation has paid all construction and maintenance costs, and Jones Academy has received extensive positive recognition from multiple sources, yet the tribe is prohibited from operating Jones as a Federal grant school or for reestablishing their preexisting program. I would like to submit for the Record a prescription of the current Jones Academy program. It is to meet this concern that I ask for a clarification, Mr. Chairman. Is it the chairman's understanding that the study and report should be done in consultation with the tribes involved, as required by Public Law 95-561, and that the costs to be provided are to be those associated with the current tribal programs and practices and the current state of the school programs involved as opposed to the rural farm-based boarding programs of the 1950s?

Mr. BOREN. If I may ask one more question, is it the committee's intention at this time, absent a timely report by BIA directly responsive to the committee report language, to work to include Jones Academy as part of the Bureau School System?

Mr. BOREN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Jones Academy Introduction Jones Academy is a Native American residential learning center for elementary and secondary school age children. The boarding school is located in southeast Oklahoma and houses co-ed students grades 1 through 12. Established in 1891, the facility is under the auspices of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The campus sits on 540 acres five miles east of Hartshorne, OK on Highway 270. Student Population 150 to 190 students attend Jones Academy--50 to 60 elementary students (1st-6th)--100 to 130 junior high & high school students (7th-12th) 25 to 30 tribes are represented at Jones Academy 10 to 15 states are represented at Jones Academy Academics August 2005, grades lst-6th began being taught at Jones Academy--School years 2005-06 & 2006-07: Jones Academy achieved a perfect API (Academic Performance Index) on state achievement tests August 2008, Choctaw Nation opened $10.2 million elementary school at Jones Academy Jones Academy has an alternative school for students (7th- 12th), that are behind in their credits (self-paced curriculum) Approximately 120 students (7th-12th) attend the Hartshorne Public school System Tutoring is offered five nights a week for all students Several academic software programs are utilized to enhance student academic achievement Rewards for academic achievement provided by Jones Academy and the Choctaw Nation STAR program plus the Jones Academy Scholarship for former students enrolled in postsecondary institutions of higher learning and/or training Vocational Training through the Kiamichi Technology Center Choctaw Language is offered Medical Health Screenings--including physicals and dental services for all students--provided by the Choctaw Nation Health Services and follow-up appointments as needed All students receive eye checks with follow-up and glasses purchased as needed Nutritional Classes/Activities including a school health fair sponsored by the Choctaw Nation Students are provided with a school nurse in the evenings-- offered through CNHS, as well as access to the health clinic in McAlester and Talihina Hospital Counseling Counseling Services--two licensed professional counselors, four part-time mental health professionals with masters degrees, one certified drug and alcohol, an academic/guidance counselor and a school-based social worker ACT prep courses for college bound students as well as visits to post-secondary institutions of higher learning and/ or training Oaks peer/group intervention provided at the alternative school Prevention and dorm meetings are held weekly Recreation/Activities Students participate in athletics at Jones Academy and at the Hartshorne Public School (baseball, softball, football, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, weightlifting, etc.) Horseback riding, archery, ROPES course, paint ball, over- night camping, social and cultural dances, movies, swimming and fishing Outings to museums, area lakes, parks and zoo, sporting and cultural events Six Flags Over Texas and Frontier City trips Raising & showing swine projects Summer youth work program Enrichment Program Journalism class which produces a newsletter for parent/ guardians/supporters Guitar & piano lessons Horseback riding Archery activities Ceramics, arts & crafts, pottery and art lessons Social skills training Community service projects Other Services Student senior high school graduation expenses paid for by Jones Academy (sr. pictures, announcements, sr. jacket, class ring) Family day at Jones Academy Purchase hygiene products as well as clothing for students as needed Provide three meals and snacks each day Provide safe secure environment for students and staff Provide transportation home to and from Jones Academy Provide adult supervision for students 24/7 Assist student in getting driver's license Motivational speakers (including Miss OK/Miss America) Location and History Jones Academy is a Native American residential learning center for elementary and secondary school age children. The facility is located in southeast Oklahoma and houses about 190 co-ed students grades 1 through 12. Established in 1891 by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the campus sits on 540 acres of rolling pasture 5 miles east of Hartshorne, OK on Highway 270. Named after Wilson N. Jones, Principal Chief of the Choctaws from 1890 to 1894, the school has served generations of Native American children while under the oversight of the Choctaw Nation or the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Student Body Initially, the facility was an all boys school. In 1955, Wheelock, a non-reservation school for Indian girls, was closed; approximately 55 female students then were transferred to Jones Academy. In April of 1985, the Choctaw Nation contracted the boarding school operation from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 1988, Jones Academy became a tribally controlled school. Our students represent a cross-section much like most other areas of the country. Jones Academy's maximum enrollment is 190. In the past, the school has enrolled students from 29 different tribes. Students come from parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, South Dakota, and several other states. Each student is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. Facilities/Physical Resources The physical layout of the campus includes two dormitory buildings, each divided into elementary and secondary wings. There is a cafeteria, an after-school tutorial building, and a counseling center. A gym houses two classrooms for 20 alternative school students, a basketball court, and a weight room. The campus grounds also include a museum, an administration building, and a library/learning center with an underground storm shelter. The boys' dorm and the cafeteria were completely renovated in 2000. The girls' dorm was built in 1994 and is a modern, bright, home away from home. All four dorms have communal living rooms with areas for entertainment. Academic Program The long-range goals of our academic program are to develop capable students who can read and write proficiently and perform math functions necessary in life. We believe that building a strong foundation for our children will lead to success. Our students attend the Hartshorne Public Schools. They are fully supported in their academic endeavors as well as extra- curricular activities. Grades are monitored weekly to insure that the student is performing to the best of his/her ability and receiving proper instruction. Tutorial services are offered to students in all grades. Students receive incentives for academic achievements. High school students are provided career counseling for postsecondary education such as college or vocational training. Jones Academy houses an alternative school for students whose needs have not been met in the traditional classroom or who are behind in grade level. The limited class size and self-paced curriculum allow the teachers to give the students individualized academic attention. The Choctaw Nation has begun the process of operating its own school at Jones Academy. Grades first through sixth are presently held on our campus. Construction of the new elementary school began in 2006. Cultural/Recreational Activities A goal of Jones Academy is to involve all students in cultural, educational and recreational activities. Our facility offers a wide variety of services to the student. Students are encouraged to participate in our cultural and traditional programs. These activities include the Indian Club, traditional dance, drum and singing groups, pow-wows, visits to ancient burial mounds and tribal festivals/museums. Recreational activities include intramural sports, camping, swimming, fishing, social dances, bowling, skating, movies, picnics, horseback riding, and many other services. Jones Academy offers a strong well-rounded program of activities to meet the individual needs of our youth. Medical Services With the support of Choctaw Nation Health Services, Jones Academy is able to provide health care for our students. Our youth receive complete physical exams soon after school begins. Throughout the year, a registered nurse and physician's assistant are on site four days of the week. Other medical services are referred to the Choctaw Nation Indian Health Clinic at McAlester and the Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital at Talihina. Student Activities Indian Club Drum, Dance, Singing Groups Jones Academy Rangers Girl Scouts Choctaw Language Classes Student Council Ropes Course Weight-Lifting Livestock Shows Dances and Prom Overnight Camping Paint Ball, Go-Cart Racing Horseback Riding, Skating Movies, Swimming, Fishing, Arts & Crafts, Flute Making Outings to Area Lakes/Parks, Zoos, Museums, Sporting and Cultural Events, Shopping Trips Six Flags, Frontier City Trips Residential Program Jones Academy provides the following services to our students: Tutorial Assistance for All Grades Rewards for Academic Achievement Work Program for Clothing Summer JTPA Work Program Drug and Alcohol Education Library Learning Center with Computers and Internet/E-mail Access Career Counseling College and ACT Tests Preparation Senior Graduation Expenses Paid Jones Academy Scholarship Program Vocational Training through the Kiamichi Technological Center Alternative School Program Agriculture Program Driver's License Jones Academy Yearbook Family Day Nutritional Education Complete Physical Exams Medical Services Provided Mental Health Services Health Fair Walking Program & Aerobics Class Project Fit America Life Skills Curriculum Social Services Staff Campus Security

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, President Obama made some very important points in his address last week in Cairo, Egypt. It is important that he spoke directly to the Muslim and Arab worlds and stated as fact that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. The President should be applauded for making clear that threatening Israel is wrong and that anti-Semitism, which remains prevalent in the Arab media, is ignorant, hateful and wrong. Unfortunately, the President's speech left an impression that Israel was founded in response to anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. While these reasons were necessary for the creation of an Israeli state, a Jewish bond to the land of Israel is deeply rooted in history. Many in the Muslim and Arab worlds deny that a Jewish connection to the land of Israel and Jerusalem exists. For example, at the Camp David meetings conducted by President Clinton, Yasser Arafat denied that the Jewish Temple was located in Jerusalem. However, a Jewish connection to Jerusalem and to the land of Israel reaches far back into ancient history and precedes the Holocaust. This bond is not 60 years old; it is more than 3,000 years old, pre-dating Islam and even Christianity. President Obama is to be congratulated for reaching out to the Muslim and Arab worlds. As we do so, it is imperative that we stand with Israel. Only then will we achieve peace and stability in this troubled region of the world.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Today, Madam Speaker, I rise to share a kind word and to send my congratulations to one of Oklahoma's great women, Kim Henry, Oklahoma's first lady and the wife of our outstanding Governor. Born in Norman and raised in Shawnee, Mrs. Henry would mature into a confident and independent woman who would eventually find her calling as a public schoolteacher. Throughout her tenure as Oklahoma's first lady, she has been a devoted mother to three beautiful daughters, and has been an active member of numerous charities. One of those prominent Oklahoma organizations is the influential Sarkeys Foundation. Formed in 1962 by S.J. Sarkeys, the Sarkeys Foundation has contributed over $55 million to various Oklahoma cultural and economic initiatives. Last week, the Sarkeys Foundation asked Mrs. Henry to be its executive director. This is a significant moment in her life and also for the State of Oklahoma. Congratulations to Oklahoma's first lady, Kim Henry. Your hard work and dedication to the State of Oklahoma doesn't go unnoticed.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, something very important occurred yesterday at the Prince George's County Trap and Ski Club. The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus along with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation came together, Democrats and Republicans, to have our annual shoot-out, and the results are as follows: The top Republican shooter was Adam Putnam with a score of 53; the top Democrat, Mike Thompson, with a score of 59. The top gun member was Colin Peterson with 65. The top skeet shooter was me at 19. The top trap was Representative Carney at 21. Top sporting clays was Paul Ryan at 19. But the most important, ladies and gentlemen, Democrats, 354; Republicans, 325. We have regained the trophy again this year.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a milestone for a prestigious institution of higher learning in Oklahoma. Rogers State University, with campuses located in Claremore, Bartlesville, and Pryor is turning 100 years old this month. Founded in 1909, Rogers State University has been a center of excellence and learning for thousands of Oklahomans. In 1998, the Oklahoma Legislature solidified the role of Rogers State University as a world class regional university by granting them full accreditation. RSU is one of only two universities in the state of Oklahoma to offer both associate of arts and bachelors degrees in various disciplines. Rogers State University is one of the fastest-growing universities in Oklahoma. Over the last eight years Rogers State University's enrollment has jumped 70 percent. At one time RSU's enrollment registered just over 400, but in recent years it has swelled to boast a diverse student body of 4,000. RSU is a national leader and pioneer in online learning. They are the first public university in the state of Oklahoma to offer associate and bachelor degrees completely online. In athletics, the future looks just as promising for Rogers State. A few years ago, the RSU Hillcats gained acceptance into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, NAIA. RSU currently fields a multitude of athletic teams and competes in the Sooner Athletic Conference. During their university's Centennial this year, the Hillcats won the Sooner Athletic Conference championship in men's basketball, and represented their school this month as the No. 1 seed in the NAIA Championship Tournament. In 2008, just their first year of Sooner Athletic Conference play, the RSU women's soccer team earned a conference championship. RSU is the only university in Oklahoma to operate a full-power public television station. It also operates a radio station, and boasts a 120- acre nature conservatory located on the main campus in Claremore. The university has also added significantly to their university infrastructure and facilities. Recently, the school opened a $13 million Student Services Center at its main campus and a $1.3 million expansion that will double the size of the campus at the Pryor location. In these times of limited educational dollars, it is important for the United States Congress to remember the local and regional universities that educate so many of our citizens and allow them to benefit both the future of their family and our entire society. Rogers State University is an enormous asset to eastern Oklahoma and I come to the floor today to honor all they do. Happy Birthday Rogers State University!

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I don't come to the House floor very often to speak. In fact, last year I addressed this body only a handful of times. I think that I am much more effective in representing my constituents by developing relationships in a personal setting rather than arguing my viewpoint on the House floor. But today marks a special time of year. Mr. Speaker, the month of March is colon cancer awareness month. I think that it's only fitting that the month of March, a month where Congress has the most legislative work days, is devoted to an illness that is often relegated to the back burner of cancer awareness. Obviously, colon cancer is not an issue that garners a lot of headlines, but colon cancer has had a dramatic effect on my life, as it has millions of Americans. I bring a picture of my mom up. Eleven years ago, my mom died of colon cancer. She was a vibrant woman. She was filled with joy. She was filled with optimism. This horrendous disease took her from Earth far too early. Because of colon cancer, she never had the opportunity to hold her granddaughter. She never had the opportunity to attend my wedding and see me marry my beautiful wife, Andrea. It's a tragedy that has forever left a void in my life. You know, she was like so many mothers. She was always so proud of her son. She was always pushing me. She always cared about my grades. She always cared about how I did in school. And I was probably not the best student but she kept after me. She kept telling me how smart I was, and she kept pushing me. The last memory I have of my mother is in a hospital room dying from this disease. She didn't get to see me become a Congressman. And like all Americans who have felt the pain and fear that comes with losing a loved one to cancer, I wouldn't wish that grief on anyone. The reality, Mr. Speaker, is that I am not alone. This disease kills tens of thousands of Americans every year. It is the third most diagnosed cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2009, and out of that 150,000 citizens, over 50,000 of them will die from it. What is so shocking about these deaths is the vast majority of them could have easily been prevented with a simple routine screening called a colonoscopy. That is 50,000 moms and dads and sons and daughters that could still be enjoying the great gift of life if they would have just taken the time to get a routine colonoscopy by their 50th birthday. Mr. Speaker, a colonoscopy takes under 1 hour to complete, and the results you receive will literally save your life. The American Cancer Society estimates that if detected early, 90 percent of all colon cancer deaths could be prevented. Now, just, if you will, take a look at this board here. Look at the stages. Now, the stage where my mom was diagnosed is stage IV. There's about an 11 percent survivability rate and at stage I, 90 percent, and despite the effectiveness of this colonoscopy that can figure this out, only 50 percent of Americans use this procedure. I think that's a very shocking statistic. Compare that prevention rate with breast cancer, where over 80 percent of women get a routine mammogram, and you can see why I work so hard to spread the word on preventing this disease. But there is some outstanding news. The outstanding news is that there is hope ahead in fighting this killer. The Centers for Disease Control, along with groups like the American Cancer Society and the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, have taken it upon themselves to raise awareness about this disease. Specifically, the American Cancer Society has launched a campaign to push the number of Americans who get screened for colon cancer from 50 percent to 75 percent by the year 2015. It's a lofty goal, but it's a goal that's worthwhile. In fact, a few of my colleagues have introduced important legislation aimed at reaching this mile marker. One particular piece of legislation that I hope will receive strong consideration in the House Energy and Commerce Committee is my legislation, H.R. 1330, the Colon Cancer Screening and Detection Act of 2009. My legislation is pretty simple. Just like a mammogram, my bill would require every health insurance plan in America, both group and individual, to cover a preventive colonoscopy before the deductible. This legislation is very badly needed. One of the top reasons many Americans do not get screened is the cost. The average cost of a typical colonoscopy is over $1,000. That wouldn't be a concern to many citizens who are currently covered under a private health insurance plan, but most health insurance plans have deductibles exceeding $1,000, or worse, they have a restrictive cap on preventive care, sometimes as low as $250, and that's the issue. We have thousands of Americans who are covered by insurance plans that pay little to none of the costs associated with a colonoscopy, so they never get one. It's a shame. We live in the greatest country on Earth, and many of our citizens choose not to get a highly successful, life-saving, preventive test because their health plan doesn't cover it. I'm aware that the health insurance industry is totally opposed to my legislation. They will argue that my bill will dramatically increase the cost of insurance, but there is little evidence to support their claim. They said the same thing when Members of Congress pushed hard to require insurance plans to cover mammograms in an effort to increase the rate of early diagnosis of breast cancer; yet almost every single State in America requires insurance companies to cover a mammogram, not subject to the deductible. Furthermore, it has been well-documented that once colon cancer has progressed into the latter stage, the health care costs for treatment skyrocket and the survival rate plummets. Now, let's look at the board again that I brought up earlier. Look at this stage I through IV, and I'll make my point here. With such a high success rate if detected early, it makes financial sense but it also makes moral sense to find and treat colon cancer as early and as soon as possible. I believe that an industry, which is one of the most profitable in America, should lend its services toward preventing illness, not hampering our citizens' ability to discover it. Requiring health insurance plans to cover a colonoscopy is a commonsense approach to fighting colon cancer. In fact, many in Congress have voted in the past to extend Medicare beneficiaries this very benefit. In July of 2008, Congress passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. That, among other things, addressed the glaring deficiency in colon cancer prevention found in the Medicare program, and the language that was inserted into that bill to address colonoscopy access is very similar to the bill that I have introduced. That Medicare legislation, which passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly, is a great piece of legislation that I think will save thousands of lives. And in closing, before I turn it over to one of my colleagues, I want to encourage all Americans that are 50 and over who have not had a colonoscopy screening to get one, and if you have a family history like myself, I think you need to start earlier. With increased awareness and some policy changes here in Congress, I believe that we can save tens of thousands of lives. You know, colon cancer is a silent killer, and Mr. Speaker, with the help of colleagues like Congresswoman Kay Granger and Representative Patrick Kennedy I know who's an advocate on this issue, it is my hope that we can make a dramatic impact on this terrible and painful disease. And I would like to call my colleague, Representative Granger, up and maybe she wants to share some of her thoughts about Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and I know representing Texas and Fort Worth of course, being an alum of TCU, I'm very proud of her leadership on these health issues. We've also worked together on tribal issues. I want to thank her and would like to yield to Congresswoman Kay Granger.