Dan Boren

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment that I've coauthored with Mr. Schock. During my time in Congress I have been a consistent supporter of small businesses. Here on the House floor we are told nearly every day that small businesses are the engine of our Nation's economy, and there's no discounting that fact. If included in the final bill, I believe section 18 will pose a devastating threat to America's small business community. Business method patents already endure a lengthy approval process, and section 18 would only make it more difficult for inventors to defend their patents. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, Speaker, as the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the Republic of Azerbaijan as it celebrates its 93rd Republic Day on May 28, 2011. Later this year, Azerbaijan will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of its freedom from the Soviet Union and the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States. These events both represent important milestones in Azerbaijan's history. Azerbaijan has progressed over twenty years to become a key ally to the United States in a strategically important region. Azerbaijan is located between Russia and Iran in the geopolitically dynamic region between Europe and Asia. It is a secular democracy with a predominantly Muslim population that has been home to vibrant Christian and Jewish communities for over a millennium. Azerbaijan continues to offer multi-faceted support for U.S. and NATO operations in Afghanistan, in part by providing medical services for injured Afghanis and training for Afghan Security Forces. As highlighted by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Azerbaijan plays a key role in supporting the Northern Distribution Network, which provides passage for Coalition supplies bound for Afghanistan. Finally, Azerbaijan provides vital support to U.S. nonproliferation efforts. In addition to supporting U.S. security interests in the region, Azerbaijan serves a paramount role in supplying the United States and Europe with oil and gas. It is the only secular Muslim country that maintains close ties with Israel, supplying roughly a quarter of Israel's oil. Again, as the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, it is my pleasure to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of its 93rd Republic Day. For my colleagues who are interested in supporting Azerbaijan, I encourage them to consider joining the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, which works to strengthen and grow the valuable partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. I want to thank Chairman Rogers, and I also want to thank Ranking Member Ruppersberger for working together in a bipartisan way to produce this bill. Their leadership was invaluable in moving this bill forward, and it has been critical to all of the committee's efforts during the 112th Congress. Last year, the President signed into law an Intelligence Authorization Act for the first time since 2005. That bill included a number of important provisions to address the foreign language needs of the intelligence community, including a provision I sponsored, which created a pilot program in African languages under the National Security Education Program. I am glad we can build upon the FY10 bill and can get another authorization bill signed into law for the second straight year. This bill authorizes the annual funding for the 16 member agencies of the intelligence community; aligns the national counterterrorism strategy with the policies and strategies of the DNI; and requires the DNI to establish an insider threat detection program to prevent unauthorized leaks of classified information. While this bill is important to our intelligence community's ability to be the first line of defense for America, as we recently saw with the killing of bin Laden in Pakistan, the intelligence community often forms the first line of offense against our enemies as well. Last month, I traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and witnessed firsthand the tremendous challenge of locating bin Laden and other members of al Qaeda. Finding him would not have been possible without the robust capabilities that are available to the dedicated intelligence professionals at the CIA and other agencies. That is why Congress must continue to provide the intelligence community with every resource it needs to complete its missions. Again, I extend my gratitude to Chairman Rogers and to Ranking Member Ruppersberger for their exceptional work on this legislation, and I also thank the Intelligence Committee staff for its tireless efforts in preparing this year's bill. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon with a heavy heart. Last night, powerful storms ripped through my district and the State of Oklahoma killing multiple people and causing millions of dollars in damage. According to the National Weather Service, yesterday at 8:16 pm Oklahoma time, a tornado touched down near the town of Tushka, Oklahoma in Pushmataha County, killing at least two of my constituents and causing millions of dollars in damage. This is a terrible tragedy. Oklahomans are well aware of the threat they face every year from severe weather. But this tragedy and these types of storms are never easy for anyone to bear. In fact, the damage caused by yesterday's storm is very personal to me. During my time representing eastern Oklahoma in the House of Representatives, I have visited the school in Tushka that has been destroyed by this storm. Tushka is a small rural town in Southeastern Oklahoma. A town much like many of the small communities each of us represent here in Congress. The people of Tushka are a group of hardworking and resilient Oklahomans who will undoubtedly get through this tragedy. But at this difficult moment, I want to pause and let the victims and families who are suffering because of these storms know that my wife Andrea and I are praying for them during this difficult hour.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of Chairman Upton's bill, H.R. 910, a bill to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. By passing this bill, Congress will rein in the EPA and save thousands of American jobs. This is a very sensitive issue to me. Georgia-Pacific, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, is the largest employer in my hometown of Muskogee, Oklahoma, employing almost 1,000 Oklahomans. I am proud of the work Koch Industries brings to my district and of its record of environmental stewardship. I want to make sure that Georgia-Pacific employees keep their jobs and that Koch can continue to invest in Oklahoma. Every Member of Congress understands the delicate balance between creating jobs and preserving the environment, but I ask my colleagues to see that the answer to America's economic and environmental challenges is not a more powerful EPA. Let's pass the Upton bill and put an end to this job-killing idea.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man of determination, conviction and integrity--State Representative John Carey of Durant, Ok. Carey, a former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, served his district and state with distinction during the years of 2002 to 2010. John's legislative work has been devoted to improving education, making the state government more efficient and helping the brave men and women who have served our nation in the military. His personal career has also been focused on improving the lives of hard-working Oklahoma families through economic development, business growth and community outreach. Representative Carey has been active in civic affairs for several years, serving as a Gear-Up mentor, a Crisis Control board member, a board member of the Oklahoma State University Consumer & Family Services Advisory Committee, past chairman of the Bryan County Junior Livestock Show and as a member of the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Homecoming Committee. It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to acknowledge not only his successes in the Oklahoma legislature, but also his work as a devoted father and a steadfast friend. John Carey is the husband of Pam Carey and father of G.W., Emma, and Anna Carey. The 21st House District of Oklahoma is a better place because of the service of my friend and colleague, John Carey.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, this amendment is very simple. It prevents the ATF from imposing burdensome reporting requirements on responsible firearms retailers; it protects the privacy and Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens; and it ensures that the ATF will not circumvent the will of Congress. Again, I remind my colleagues that this amendment carries the full support of the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. I urge adoption. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer this bipartisan amendment with Congressman Rehberg of Montana, my colleague and a fellow member of the House Second Amendment Task Force. I am proud to report that two important groups have endorsed this amendment, the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Our amendment would prohibit the ATF from using any funds in this act to collect information from federally licensed firearms retailers about multiple rifle sales. Last December, ATF published an emergency request in the Federal Register. It asked the Office of Management and Budget for the power to collect information from firearms retailers on all sales of two or more semi-automatic rifles within five consecutive business days. This would include many of today's most popular rifles used by millions of Americans for self-defense, hunting, and other lawful purposes. ATF officials have said this information collection would apply only to licensed firearms retailers in certain States--Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. However, ATF's request published in the Federal Register does not mention a geographic limitation. This means we have to take the ATF at its word. I have heard numerous concerns about this ATF request from fellow Oklahomans, including sportsmen, gun owners, and responsible firearms retailers alike. Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose granting ATF this information- collecting authority for three reasons: first, it would subject responsible firearms sellers who are often small business owners to burdensome reporting requirements. Second, ATF would catalog records on Americans who purchase rifles, thereby compromising their privacy. And, finally, ATF lacks legal authority to collect this information. The Gun Control Act of 1968 requires Federal firearms dealers to report multiple sales of handguns. What I'd like to do at this time is yield to my colleague and friend from Montana (Mr. Rehberg) for any comments he might have.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

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

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for all the hard work you and the entire staff have done on this legislation. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2701, the Intelligence Authorization Act of 2010. This bill is an excellent product and addresses many critical areas, including those that have previously received little attention. One of the most important provisions in the bill is the commitment to developing foreign language capability, specifically in African languages that have historically been underrepresented in the intelligence community. The bill creates a pilot program under the National Security Education Program, or the NSEP. It expands the David L. Boren Scholars by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to identify five high-priority African languages for which language education programs do not currently exist. The NSEP would then develop intensive training programs for implementation in both the United States and in countries where the languages are spoken. Let's not forget that 10 years ago, we didn't anticipate conflicts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and the need for Dari, Pashto, and Urdu speakers. When the need arose, we didn't have the capabilities to meet immediate demands, and to this day, we are still playing catchup. Similarly, we cannot predict from where the next crisis will emerge. But by recognizing the current instability in the Horn of Africa, Sudan, and Congo, we can anticipate crises that may impact U.S. national security interests in the near future. We should be training the linguists and translators in the relevant languages now so that, once again, we are not reactive in our efforts but proactive in our actions. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1052) honoring the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Oklahoma for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States since September 11, 2001.

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, in closing, I want to thank the men and women of the Oklahoma National Guard and their family members for their service and sacrifice since September 11, 2001. I also wish members of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team well as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan early next year. May they stay safe during this vitally important mission, and we pray for their safe and speedy return home. I urge adoption of this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BOREN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I, along with the entire Oklahoma congressional delegation, rise today to recognize the members of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard for their service and sacrifice since September 11, 2001. Military service is a time-honored tradition in Oklahoma, and the members of the Oklahoma National Guard are a living testament to this heritage. Following the terrorist attacks on 9/11, thousands of members of the Oklahoma National Guard bravely answered the call of duty. They have confronted our enemies on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan, defended the American homeland security against domestic threats and responded bravely to natural disasters and domestic emergencies. Madam Speaker, Members of the Oklahoma National Guard are an invaluable asset to the United States military during wartime. Some of their more notable missions since 9/11 include providing air transport for soldiers and vital equipment to and from Iraq and Afghanistan, assisting with relief operations in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and deploying specialized units of agricultural specialists to Afghanistan to assist local Afghans with agricultural development. Madam Speaker, as we discuss this resolution, 3,500 members of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan in the spring of 2011 as part of the President's surge strategy. This represents the single largest deployment of the Oklahoma National Guard since the Korean War. Madam Speaker, these Oklahoma soldiers and airmen are extraordinary Americans. As members of the Oklahoma National Guard, they bravely risk their lives to protect the freedom and liberty that we so cherish. In their daily lives, these heroes are found throughout the Sooner State working among their fellow Oklahomans as police officers, firefighters, school teachers, and farmers. That is why I, along with the entire Oklahoma delegation, am humbled to bring this resolution to the floor of the House today. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I also want to particularly thank the chairman for allowing us to have the hearing and for the markup, but I really want to say a special thank you to the ranking member and his staff for working with us on these technical changes and making sure that everything was ironed out. I want to thank the Creek Nation for all the hard work it has put into this legislation. I want to thank the Chief, the Council, and all the community leaders that have made this possible. I ask for a ``yes'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BOREN. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1554 would take certain property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee Creek Nation. The Creek Nation has over 69,000 enrolled citizens at its headquarters in my district in beautiful eastern Oklahoma. As part of their effort to provide economic development in this very rural area of Oklahoma, the Nation purchased the Fountainhead Lodge and 48 surrounding acres from the State of Oklahoma. Fountainhead was once touted as the State's premier resort lodge, but the property had fallen into disrepair. The Creek Nation hopes to turn the property into a destination resort at Lake Eufaula, bringing much- needed tourism dollars to this distressed area, one of the poorest in the Nation. The property included a hotel, recreational building and duplex cabins, as well as 18 acres of Army Corps of Engineers land that came with the property as a lease. A subsequent survey determined that the recreational building was located entirely on the Corps' land. The Corps suggested that they transfer the ownership of the leased land to the Creek Nation to assist in the development of the property. On April 21, 2010, the Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on this legislation. The administration testified in support of the bill, but expressed concerns with the manner in which it was drafted. At the full committee markup, I offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to address their concerns. The bill as amended was favorably reported by voice vote. Additional changes have been made to H.R. 1554. The bill now prohibits gaming on the lands that are subsequent to this legislation. Further, a provision was added to ensure that if there are hazardous materials on the lands, the Federal Government remains responsible for cleaning them up. Finally, language was added to account for any budgetary impacts this legislation may have. Enactment of H.R. 1554 would allow the Creek Nation to move forward with their plans to build a full-scale lake resort. This project will bring hundreds of much-needed jobs and economic prosperity to the region. Resolutions of support for this project have been passed by members of the legislature from the Lake Eufaula area, Checotah Chamber of Commerce, City of Henryetta, City of Eufaula, and the Lake Eufaula Association. I ask my colleagues to support passage of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record an exchange of letters between the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure concerning H.R. 1554. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, June 28, 2010. Hon. James Oberstar, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your willingness to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 1554, a bill to take certain property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. I appreciate your willingness to waive rights to further consideration of H.R. 1554, notwithstanding the jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Of course, this waiver does not prejudice any further jurisdictional claims by your Committee over this legislation or similar language. Furthermore, I agree to support your request for appointment of conferees from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure if a conference is held on this matter. This exchange of letters will be placed in the committee report and inserted in the Congressional Record as part of the consideration of the bill on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. With warm regards, I am Sincerely, Nick J. Rahall II, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1554) to take certain property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I am here to congratulate Dr. James ``Jeff'' Kimpel, on his retirement after 13 years of federal service as director of NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory, NSSL, in Norman, Oklahoma. He has been active in advancing the Geosciences and Meteorology Program in the state of Oklahoma and throughout the nation. His career spans not only the academic community, but government service as well. After graduating and earning graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Kimpel joined the meteorological faculty at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned the rank of full professor and held several administrative positions which include dean of the College of Geosciences and provost and senior vice president of the Norman, Oklahoma campus and having the title of senior vice president of the Norman campus. He chaired both the National Science Foundation's Advisory Committee for Atmospheric Sciences and the Board of Trustees of the University Corporation for the Atmospheric Sciences. Some of the prestigous positions that have been held by Dr. Kimpel include Assistant Professor for the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, Norman campus where he was granted tenure. He later became the Associate Professor for the School of Meteorology followed by having the title of Emeritus Professor of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, Norman campus. Before coming to the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Kimpel held positions as research assistant at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and as a lecturer. The NSSL is responsible for creating Doppler weather radar technology that has opened many doors and eventually led to the creation of the national NEXRAD, NExt generation weather RADar, network which consisted of more than 160 radar systems. This has greatly reduced the number of fatalities that have been caused by tornados. During Dr. Kimpel's time there, NSSL conducted scientific and technological research that upgraded NEXRAD's systems. Dr. Kimpel worked vigorously to launch the Multifunction Phased Array Radar initiative as a possible replacement in the future for NEXRAD. He has worked with the NWS Storm Prediction Center and the Norman Weather Forecast Office to create a Hazardous Weather Testbed to speed up the transition of new science into operational warning and forecasting decision processes. He has also expanded the NSSL's radar-based flash flood forecasting and water management programs into areas near the coast where inundation from land falling tropical storms, hurricanes and other inclement weather is possible. Dr. James Kimpel has had a major impact throughout the state of Oklahoma, and I am proud to be from a state where he has contributed so much to protecting the lives of so many Americans through his work at the NSSL. I thank him and all Oklahomans and Americans.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, in the last few weeks, the right of Israel to defend itself against threats to ensure its security has come under attack. Last month, Israel Defense Forces intercepted a flotilla of vessels in the Mediterranean Sea manned by protestors whose aim was to provoke a response from Israel and prompt international disapproval of Israel's blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. During this so-called ``flotilla incident,'' Israeli forces boarded the ships to search for weapons. They were attacked and subsequently used force to protect themselves. The Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation, which organized the flotilla, has known ties to Hamas and other terrorist groups. Madam Speaker, in the aftermath of this event, Israel has been unfairly and wrongly condemned for its actions. As criticism of Israel over this incident escalates, and investigations into the matter proceed, we must not forget who really is under attack--Israel. Israel is persistently targeted for violence by Hamas and other military groups in the region. Hamas, which is officially designated by the United States as a terrorist group, is fervently avowed to the destruction of Israel. Israel inspects cargo bound for Gaza to stem the flow of arms and explosives to Hamas and other militant organizations there who want to attack it. There is a good reason for this policy: Since Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza, Hamas has fired more than 7,000 rockets and mortar shells into Israel. The foremost responsibility of government is to protect the safety of its citizens. Many nations--including the United States--reserve the right to confront threats to their security, sometimes preemptively to eliminate imminent danger. Blocking the movement of weapons by sea into Gaza prevents Hamas and other militant groups from having the means to use violence against Israel to achieve their desired aims, chief among them the annihilation of Israel. Madam Speaker, it is imperative that members of this chamber give due attention to the circumstantial evidence and historical facts surrounding the flotilla incident. The relationship between the United States and Israel rests firmly upon the foundation of more than half a century of history. It is grounded in mutual respect, supported by shared values, and guided by common interests. For these reasons, we must remain resolutely committed to uphold Israel's right to self-defense. I urge my fellow colleagues also to voice their support for Israel on this important issue.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of the Vinita Post 40 unit of the American Legion Auxiliary in Oklahoma. This year marks the 90th Anniversary Celebration of the National American Legion Auxiliary. Although not the first such organization of its kind, the National American Legion Auxiliary is the largest patriotic women's service organization in the world. Its nearly one million members are dedicated to promoting allegiance to God and Country, supporting veterans and youth through various community programs since 1919-1920. The Vinita Post 40 unit was chartered on March 4, 1929 and has proudly served its Oklahoma community, sponsoring events that include the widely renowned Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo since its inception in 1935. I would like to congratulate the Vinita Post 40 unit and the American Legion Auxiliary for their outstanding patriotism and commitment to community, and today, I celebrate their achievement.