Dan Boren

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, my congressional district in eastern Oklahoma is home to some great American heroes. Names like Woody Guthrie, T. Boone Pickens, Will Rogers and even the late great Speaker of the House Carl Albert. But no eastern Oklahoman has a bigger claim to fame than Hall of Fame baseball player Mickey Mantle. Madam Speaker, Mickey Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, the son of Elvin and Lovell Mantle--``The Mick'' was named in honor of Mickey Cochrane, the Hall of Fame catcher from the Philadelphia Athletics. Later in life the Mantle family would move to the nearby town of Commerce, Oklahoma where Mickey would attend Commerce High School and go on to become an all-state athlete in basketball, football and of course baseball. Promptly after his high school graduation, Mickey Mantle would sign a contract to play professional baseball in the New York Yankees organization. Mantle rose through the minors quickly and made his major league debut on Yankees' field in the spring of 1951. Five years later, in 1956, Mickey Mantle would win the Triple Crown, leading the majors in home runs, RBIs and batting average. In the spring of 1957, he was considered by many to be the greatest baseball player on the planet. Mantle went on to become one of the most recognizable names in baseball history and in 1961 was the highest paid active player in the Major Leagues. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974, and forty-one years ago this month (June) had his number ``7'' forever retired in Yankee lore. In honor of their hometown hero, on the 12th of June, 2010, the citizens of eastern Oklahoma are set to commemorate one of their own, Mickey Mantle, with the dedication of a statue of the legendary player at Mickey Mantle field at Commerce High School in Commerce, Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, Mickey Mantle's hopes, dreams, and accomplishments remind each and every one of my constituents why it's great to be an ``Okie.''

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I was absent on Friday, May 8, when call votes occurred for H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010. I was not present because I was attending a funeral for a family member. If I would have been present for the rollcall votes listed below for H.R. 5116, I would have voted in the following manner: 1. Roll No. 326, on agreeing to the first portion of the divided question, proposing to strike section 228: I would have voted ``nay.'' 2. Roll No. 327, on agreeing to the second portion of the divided question, proposing to strike sections 406(b) and (c): I would have voted ``nay.'' 3. Roll No. 328, on agreeing to the sixth portion of the divided question, proposing to amend section 702: I would have voted ``nay.'' 4. Roll No. 329, on agreeing to the seventh portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 704: I would have voted ``aye.'' 5. Roll No. 330, on agreeing to the eighth portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 705: I would have voted ``aye.'' 6. Roll No. 331, on agreeing to the ninth portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 706: I would have voted ``nay.'' 7. Roll No. 332, on final passage of H.R. 5116: I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I was absent when rollcall votes occurred for H.R. 4213--The American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act. I was not present because I was attending a funeral for a family member. If I would have been present for the rollcall votes listed below for H.R. 4213, I would have voted in the following manner: 1. Roll No. 324, On concurring in Senate amendment with amendment (except portion comprising section 523) Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays; 215-204. I would have voted ``nay.'' 2. Roll No. 325, On concurring in Senate amendment with portion of amendment comprising section 523 Agreed to by recorded vote: 245-171. I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I was absent on Thursday, May 27, and Friday, May 28, when call votes occurred for H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. I was not present on these days because I was attending a funeral for a family member. If I would have been present for the rollcall votes listed below for H.R. 5136, I would have voted in the following manner: 1. Roll No. 310, amendment No. 1, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``aye.'' 2. Roll No. 311, amendment No. 3, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``aye.'' 3. Roll No. 312, amendment No. 13, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``aye.'' 4. Roll No. 313, amendment No. 82, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``aye.'' 5. Roll No. 314, amendment No. 21, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``aye.'' 6. Roll No. 315, amendment No. 42, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``nay.'' 7. Roll No. 316, amendment No. 80, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``aye.'' 8. Roll No. 317, amendment No. 79, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``nay.'' 9. Roll No. 318, amendment No. 47, printed in House Report 111-498: I would have voted ``aye.'' 10. Roll No. 333, en bloc amendment No. 9: I would have voted ``aye.'' 11. Roll No. 334, on a motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair: I would have voted ``nay.'' 12. Roll No. 335, on the motion to recommit H.R. 5136: I would have voted ``aye.'' 13. Roll No. 336, final passage of H.R. 5136: I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, for any politician interested in a word of wisdom on how to conduct themselves; Dr. James ``Jim'' H. Boren-- father, husband, author, teacher, and philanthropist--had this advice to those in public service; ``mumble when uncertain, delegate when in distress, and ponder when in command.'' Madam Speaker, the state of Oklahoma lost a true public servant recently--Jim Boren, who drew attention to his political causes with excitement, determination and color, died April 24th, 2010 at the age of 84. Jim Boren joined the Navy during WWII at the age of 17. As a midshipman on the Destroyer Escort, William C. Cole, Jim served his nation with distinction and honor; including time in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. After the war, Jim received his degree from the University of Texas and began his first stint as a teacher at Oxnard Union H.S. in Oxnard, California. During that time, Jim earned a Master's degree at Cal State at Long Beach and a Master's at the University of Southern California. Eventually, Jim would return to the University of Texas to earn his PhD. Later in life, Jim Boren would become the campaign manager, and eventually the chief of staff, for Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas. During his time with Senator Yarborough, Jim worked side-by-side with him on legislation such as the National Defense Education Act, Cold War GI Bill, Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Padre Island National Seashore, and the Mental Health Bill. After working in the U.S. Senate, Jim Boren received a State Department appointment in 1960 to serve in an official capacity in South America under the Kennedy Administration, eventually obtaining the position of Deputy Director of the Economic Mission in Peru. After leaving government work, Jim began to teach again and write from his position as scholar-in-residence at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. Jim possessed his own original brand of political satire, authoring literature in that genre, not the least of which is exemplified by a pair of books entitled ``When in Doubt, Mumble: A Bureaucrat's Handbook'' and, ``How to be a Sincere Phony: A Handbook for Politicians and Bureaucrats.'' Through his unique style and substance, Jim Boren had a tremendous impact on his peers and most importantly on his community. And as a member of the United States House of Representatives, I would like to honor Dr. James ``Jim'' Boren for his consummate wit, humor and unyielding dedication to the American political landscape. Additionally, I also want to take a moment to send my deep condolences to Jim's friends and family, especially his wife Norma Williams; two sons, Richard and Stan Boren; two stepsons, James and John Williams; brother, Gene Boren; sister, Marilyn Boren; and three grandchildren.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, yesterday, we had a big event at the Prince George's County Trap & Skeet Club. We had the annual Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Shootout. I have some awards to announce. First of all, team captains were myself, and Paul Ryan on the Republican side. The winner of the sporting clays competition was Congressman Paul Ryan; the top trap gun, Dan Boren; top skeet, Chris Carney. The top Democratic shooter was Congressman Mike Thompson. The top Republican was Congressman John Kline. The top gun was Duncan Hunter. Let me say this, Madam Speaker. Duncan Hunter's father tried to be the top gun for many years and never was able to accomplish it. So it was very nice that his son was able to win that award. But the most important award--for the second year in a row, the Democrats won 225- 209. I would invite all Republican Members to my office, 216 Cannon, to visit the trophy at any time.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1237) honoring the life of Wilma Pearl Mankiller and expressing condolences of the House of Representatives on her passing.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, 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 resolution under consideration.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great woman, a lady who has been an inspiration to women and also throughout Indian country, Chief Wilma Pearl Mankiller. On the morning of April 6, 2010, Chief Wilma Mankiller, the first female leader of the Cherokee Nation, steward of Native American cultural traditions, and an advocate for advancing the role of women in tribal affairs, passed away at her home in rural Adair County, Oklahoma. Chief Mankiller was a passionate activist for the continued enhancement of native peoples and one of the country's most visible American Indian luminaries. From her birth on November 18, 1945, at the small Hastings Indian Hospital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to her service as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Wilma celebrated and nurtured her intense tribal heritage which was deeply rooted in a connection to the rural community of Mankiller Flats, Adair County, where she spent a large part of her life. As an accomplished social activist for Indian prosperity, she devoted all her energies to the well-being of Native Americans and to expanding roles for women through her participation in organizations like the Ford Foundation, the Seventh Generation Fund, and the Freedom Forum. She also reinstated dialogue between the Cherokee Nation and the Federal Government, which ultimately helped establish the Office of Indian Justice. Wilma received numerous accolades for her tireless efforts at improving the general welfare of both Indian country and our Nation, not the least of which was the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to her by President Bill Clinton. Despite all of her great personal accomplishments, Chief Mankiller desired only ``to be remembered as the person who helped us restore faith in ourselves.'' To fulfill that wish and to honor her, I have introduced this resolution in gratitude to Chief Wilma Mankiller for her significant contributions and service to the Nation. She remains an inspiration to women in Indian Country and across America, and she leaves behind a profound legacy which will continue to encourage and to motivate all who carry on her work. Finally, I would like to express our deepest condolences on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives to her friends and her family, especially to her husband, Charlie Soap, and to the entire Cherokee Nation for the loss of this wonderful lady. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOREN. At this time, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Mr. BOREN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, just a few closing comments. I have a quote from the President of the United States, Barack Obama: ``I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Wilma Mankiller today. As the Cherokee Nation's first female chief, she transformed the Nation-to-Nation relationship between the Cherokee Nation and the Federal Government, and served as an inspiration to women in Indian Country and across America. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she was recognized for her vision and commitment to a brighter future for all Americans. Her legacy will continue to encourage and motivate all who carry on her work. ``Michelle and I offer our condolences to Wilma's family, especially her husband, Charlie, and two daughters Gina and Felicia, as well as the Cherokee Nation, and all those who knew her and were touched by her good works.'' I would just like to say I knew Wilma as a young boy. I got to meet Wilma through many festivals and pow-wows with my father when he served in the U.S. Senate. She was always so kind, and she was always lending advice to me. Then after I was elected to Congress--and Congressman Cole was very correct--the term I would say is ``blunt''--she was very blunt in her political advice. She would call me whenever something would happen within the Cherokee Nation or here in Congress and would give me some advice, very direct advice, and she was always right in her advice. We are going to miss her deeply. So, in closing, I would ask my colleagues to support this resolution to honor this great woman.

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

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, at 9:02 a.m. on the morning of April 19th, 1995, a truck bomb detonated outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City killing 168 individuals--all of them unsuspecting women, children, and men--thereby becoming one of the most abhorrent acts of violence ever undertaken against the American people. Fifteen years after the bombing, we recognize on this day--April 19th, 2010--all those both in Oklahoma and across the United States who were touched by this inexplicable articulation of violence, violence which signaled an irrevocable act of domestic terrorism. Our recollections of that nascent dawn are consequently entombed within these words as a small yet vital elegy to the mid-April daylight a decade and a half ago when our world exploded. We cannot and we must not allow the events from 15 years past to lapse in our memories. The actions of that day still scar the surrounding landscape like the ghosts of an enduring trauma, latent but ever present behind the unyielding advances of time. Within a 16-block radius of the blast site where 850 individuals were injured, where 19 of the 168 killed were under the age of 6, where 324 structures were either damaged or destroyed, where 86 cars were utterly incinerated and where the window panes of 258 buildings were thoroughly shattered, the scorched earth campaign of Tim McVeigh and Terry Nichols permanently impacted not only the existence of each and every Oklahoman but of all Americans. Yet, the remarkable efforts of local, State, and Federal law enforcement, fire and emergency services, search and rescue teams from near and far, medical personnel both public and private, as well as vast numbers of volunteers who willingly endangered themselves to save others, assist the injured, support the grieving, and provide amenities to those endangered or otherwise altered by this act of terrorism all attest to the irrepressible character of Oklahoma and of America as a whole. Today, after the chaos of tragedy unexpected, after the initial anguish of the moment, after the exposure of a malice which rocked us to our very core, the Oklahoma City National Memorial stands resilient in the downtown area as a sobering reminder of the attack on America's heartland 15 years previous. The memorial itself--set on the grounds of the incendiary assault, in the solitary shadow of an elm known as the Survivor Tree--bears the following inscription: ``We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.'' And, may we as Americans, never permit ourselves to forget the pilfered vitality those 168 empty chairs signify, especially the 16 smaller seats--each one a life, literally in its infancy, extinguished by the unmitigated cruelty of a terrorist plot planted and brought to fruition on American soil. Moreover, we cannot dismiss the somber relevance the beloved departed lend to the grievous affairs of that morning. We cannot dismiss the 580 injured. Nor can we dismiss the countless number of volunteers from every corner of this country who came from near and far to aid in Oklahoma City's continued recovery. April 19th must remain firmly in our minds as the day America was altered permanently, as the day I urge us to recognize and to never forget.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to insert my views into the Record regarding the importance of the relationship between the United States and Israel. Vice President Biden's visit last week to Israel and subsequent public statements made by U.S. and Israeli officials have given rise to a storm of speculation about the strength and durability of the alliance between our two nations. The Obama administration in recent days has expressed frustration over an announcement made by the Israeli government during the Vice President's visit that it intends to build 1,600 additional housing units in East Jerusalem. The administration contends such plans place in jeopardy its initiative to resume peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and has publically rebuked Israel for last week's announcement, an act seldom seen from U.S. Government officials. These events deeply concern me, and I find the administration's rhetoric troubling. Now is the time for greater solidarity between the United States and Israel, not less. We cannot forget that the United States faces considerable challenges in the Middle East. Iran is quickly advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities to threaten the United States and our allies in the Middle East and Europe. Our significant political and military gains in Iraq and Afghanistan remain fragile and reversible. Moreover, the Middle East remains the epicenter of violent extremism, serving as a base for terrorist groups who continue to plan and launch attacks against America. The United States cannot confront these threats alone. Israel has been our most critical partner in the Middle East, helping us to protect our national security. The ability of the United States to defeat our adversaries depends on Israeli support. Bringing my remarks to conclusion, 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 our common long-term interests. Therefore, our alliance remains strong and, despite what some may speculate, it will not succumb to the shifting politics of the day or to petty disagreements. Madam Speaker, for these reasons I call upon the President, members of his administration, and my fellow members of Congress, to remain steadfast in their unwavering commitment to the relationship between the United States and Israel.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remind Members of this body that the month of March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. During the month of March, colon cancer advocates across the country will organize and participate in a wide range of activities to raise awareness about this horrible disease. This year alone, almost 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer, and approximately 50,000 of them will die from it. Madam Speaker, it doesn't have to be that way. If detected early, the survival rate for colon cancer is almost 90 percent. Yet less than half of all Americans get the recommended preventive tests by the suggested age of 50. Colon cancer is an issue that is very personal to me; 12 years ago, I lost my mother Janna to this dreadful disease. And since arriving in Congress, I have made it one of my missions to bring attention to this serious yet preventable cancer. So for the next 3 weeks, I want Members of this body to ask themselves and their constituents two important questions: Have you asked your doctor if you should get a colonoscopy? Do you know that it could save your life?

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2701, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. This bill makes an excellent product and much needed investment in many critical areas, including those that have been previously underresourced. One of the most important investments is this bill's commitment to developing foreign language capabilities, specifically in African languages that have historically been underrepresented within the intelligence community. The bill creates a pilot program under the National Security Education Program, or the NSEP. It expands the David Boren Scholars by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to identify 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 these languages are spoken. Let's not forget that 10 years ago we didn't anticipate the conflicts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and the need for speakers of the local languages and dialects. When the need arose, we didn't have the capabilities to meet immediate demands, and to this day, we are still playing catch-up. 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 will impact national security.

Mr. BOREN. We should be training the linguists and translators in the relevant languages now so that once again we are not reactive in our efforts; we're proactive in our actions. I urge support for this bill.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. I thank the gentleman from Idaho for yielding. I rise today in support of the Minnick-Schock-Boren-Bright-Childers- Shuler amendment. Madam Chair, most everyone in this body agrees that following a period in American history where the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost almost 60 percent of its value, three of America's five major investment banks went broke, and the U.S. saw the largest number of commercial bank failures in four generations that the need to reform the way America's banking and financial regulatory system works is important. The question, though, is: Just how many new government agencies are necessary to accomplish this task? If we create a new Federal agency to regulate consumer credit, will it improve the current regulatory framework or will it end up costing American jobs? I think we need to be cautious in our approach, so today I rise in an effort to streamline this piece of legislation. The amendment currently before this House will do a few simple things: First, it will change the framework of the legislation by locating a newly created Consumer Financial Protection Council within the Department of the Treasury rather than creating an entirely new Federal agency to oversee the financial system. Second, it will amend the legislation to take the power of regulating trillions of dollars of financial transactions out of the hands of one politically appointed administrator and instead create a Consumer Financial Protection Council charged with promoting consumer protection for users of financial products and services. By consolidating the expansion of government created by this regulatory bill, we can properly get the financial and banking system back on its feet without creating another new Federal agency designed to solve America's problems. In the interest of good government, this legislation must be focused and directed at what caused the problem and not about settling old scores over business practices. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, as House Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and lifelong sportsman, I hereby recognize the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. The Foundation was officially incorporated 20 years ago this week on December 7, 1989. On behalf of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and the millions of hunters and anglers across the country, congratulations to the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation on 20 years of successfully supporting the Caucus in advancing pro-sportsmen hunting, fishing, and conservation issues in the United States Congress. The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation is the most trusted organization focused on issues of importance to this nation's sporting heritage and serves as the most critical link between sportsmen and women and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. The sportsmen and women of America can be proud of the long standing partnership between the Caucus and Foundation in accomplishing many legislative victories on their behalf. Since its inception, the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus has grown into one of the largest and most effective caucuses in the United States Congress with nearly 300 members representing almost all 50 states. With bipartisan leadership in both the House and the Senate, the Caucus is the sportsmen's ally and first line of defense in Washington promoting and protecting the rights of hunters, trappers and anglers. With the success of the CSC/CSF partnership, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation created a network of state legislative sportsmen's caucuses modeled after the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus in 2004, launching the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC). Currently with 38 state legislative sportsmen's caucuses and nearly 2,000 legislators, the NASC facilitates the interaction and idea exchange among state caucus leaders and the outdoor community. Earlier this year the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation launched the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus to facilitate communication and information exchange among a bipartisan team of state chief executives in support of legislation and regulations that promote and protect hunting and fishing. Guided by a bipartisan leadership team of governors and staffed through the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, the GSC further enhances the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses. The combination of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, and the Governor's Sportsmen's Caucus, working side-by-side with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, serves as an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials that promote and protect the agenda of America's hunters and anglers. The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation looks back fondly on the accomplishments of the last 20 years and now looks forward to continuing the work of protecting America's hunters and anglers in the future.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report on the Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010. This bill will fund many vital activities over the coming year that protect our public lands and our environment and that support our cultural heritage and contribute to the vibrant artistic life of the Nation. This bill also will have a major impact on the future energy development for our country. It is in the best interests of our Nation to become energy independent and to reduce our reliance on foreign oil. No country can remain a leading player in the community of nations if it must increasingly rely on other nations for one of the bedrock elements of its economy. We must do everything we can to effectively increase our domestic supplies of energy in the most responsible manner possible. As we all know, there are many things that we can do to facilitate the production of domestic energy including tapping of vast resources of clean-burning fuels such as natural gas. According to recent reports, the United States now holds as much as 1,800 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, almost one-third of which is in shale reservoirs. This is perhaps equivalent to over 300 billion barrels of oil, more than even the energy reserves of Saudi Arabia. Hydraulic fracturing is one key and very important technique to help us tap the potential of our domestic oil and gas resources. Since the first commercial hydraulic fracturing operation was conducted in 1948, the use of this technology has become routine and often essential in the production of oil and natural gas. In fact, over 95 percent of new wells in unconventional formations such as tight sands, shales and coalbeds are hydraulically fractured. Hydraulic fracturing has literally unlocked vast supplies of natural gas in our country and has allowed us to produce natural gas in areas where it was never before possible. States have effectively regulated hydraulic fracturing for many years and are fully capable of continuing to do so without unnecessary federal oversight. The key state organizations with the most significant involvement in oil and gas regulation--the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) and the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC)--have both strongly reaffirmed the adequacy of state regulation of hydraulic fracturing. In fact, after analyzing the oil and gas regulations of 27 states, including the regulation of hydraulic fracturing by these states, the GWPC recently concluded that existing state oil and gas regulations were ``adequately designed to directly protect water resources.'' A number of studies have confirmed that these state regulatory programs are effective in protecting sources of drinking water. It was only a few years ago, in 2004, that EPA issued a report concerning its study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing of coalbed methane wells on underground sources of drinking water. At the time EPA stated that its report was the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of hydraulic fracturing. The Agency concluded that hydraulic fracturing of CBM wells--which was thought to represent a worst case scenario since coalbeds tend to be shallower and therefore closer to drinking water aquifers than other types of formations such as shales--posed little to no risk to underground sources of drinking water. EPA also found that there were no confirmed instances in which hydraulic fracturing had contaminated a drinking water well, despite the fact that the technology had been in use for over 50 years and hundreds of thousands of wells had been hydraulically fractured during that time. Since its publication some have sought to discredit this EPA report based largely on the allegations of a single EPA employee who disagreed with the methods by which the report was created. However, the study was and remains both valid and credible. In fact, since EPA issued the report state regulatory officials have reiterated on numerous occasions that they are aware of no instances in which hydraulic fracturing has contaminated drinking water supplies. The evidence clearly indicates that there is no need for further study of hydraulic fracturing. Rather than spend additional resources, EPA's Office of Drinking Water should be addressing activities that actually pose a significant risk to drinking water supplies. Nevertheless, the conference report we are considering today calls for EPA to undertake another study of hydraulic fracturing. Under these circumstances we must ensure that any further study is guided by some key, well-recognized principles. First and foremost, any new study should be conducted in a very comprehensive, scientific, credible and transparent manner. To achieve this goal, it would be extremely prudent for this study to be conducted in accordance with applicable Agency quality assurance guidance and should be guided by recognized principles of risk assessment that consider hazard assessment, exposure pathways, and exposure levels. This work also should be based on substantiated information that is developed in accordance with fundamental scientific protocols. This approach will allow EPA to conduct a high quality study that focuses on the actual risks to public health, if any, that hydraulic fracturing entails. In addition, another key point is that this study should be based on a phased approach in order to conserve resources and to avoid undertaking investigative activities that are not warranted. As part of this approach, EPA should first review and consider any existing studies, particularly the studies by the Groundwater Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, who have already undertaken considerable efforts in this area, and other related information concerning hydraulic fracturing and its potential impacts and determine specific areas that might deserve further review. In addition, the study should be conducted with the involvement of a variety of key participants. For example, the study should be conducted in consultation with the Department of Energy and the U.S. Geological Survey and should include the participation of key state regulatory officials as well as the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and the Ground Water Protection Council. Interested stakeholders should certainly be involved at key stages of the study, and the public should have an opportunity to comment on the proposed design of the study and should be allowed to review and comment on a draft of any study report. The study also should be subject to an appropriate peer review process consistent with standard Agency guidance. Finally, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Any study by EPA should certainly take into account the Agency's prior 2004 study of hydraulic fracturing and the conclusions reached in that study. At the same time, the study should take into account the impacts of current state and federal regulatory programs covering hydraulic fracturing Finally, it might be prudent to give proper consideration to an appropriate role for the National Academy of Sciences, an independent body of distinguished experts, in developing the study. Madam Speaker, I am confident that if EPA embraces these principles as it further studies hydraulic fracturing, this study will properly address this issue in the detail that it deserves. This approach will help us then move forward in developing our nation's energy resources in the most effective manner possible.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 776 for the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009, if I had been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor one of Oklahoma's most respected political leaders, Sandy Garrett. Born and raised in my hometown of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Sandy Garrett has been Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction for the past 19 years. As chief executive officer of the State Department of Education, Superintendent Garrett has led the implementation of major education reforms such as Oklahoma's Education Reform Act of 1990, the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Achieving Classroom Excellence Act of 2005. In 2006, she was re-elected overwhelmingly for the fifth time. Superintendent Garrett is the only woman in Oklahoma history to hold the office. Her strong character and steady leadership have served, and continue to serve, multiple generations of Oklahoma school children. Sandy Garrett, because of your commitment to public service, Oklahoma continues to be a great State to live and work in.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I remove my name from H. Res. 701.

Mr. BOREN

Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Oklahoma's most distinguished public servants and a former Member of this legislative body, Congressman Wes Watkins. Madam Speaker, the legislation that we have before us today, H.R. 1713, would name the USDA Lane Agricultural Research Laboratory in Lane, Oklahoma, and the United States Post Office in Bennington, Oklahoma, in honor of Congressman Wesley ``Wes'' Watkins. Congressman Watkins' story is uniquely American. Born in De Queen, Arkansas, and raised and schooled in a working class Oklahoma agricultural family, Wes Watkins would grow and develop into one of Oklahoma's most prominent political figures. Following his graduation from Bennington High School in the spring of 1956, a young Watkins would move to Stillwater, Oklahoma, and enroll in Oklahoma State University. Five year later, Watkins would earn a bachelor's and master's degree with honor and distinction. After graduating from college, Wes Watkins did what many Oklahomans have done. He decided to serve his State and country by joining the Oklahoma Air National Guard. But in the summer of 1975, Wes Watkins felt he had a higher calling, and that was public service. That fall, he would successfully run for a seat in the Oklahoma State Senate, representing the same ``Little Dixie'' region that the former Speaker Carl Albert called home. Two years later when Speaker Albert announced his retirement, State Senator Watkins decided he would run for the Speaker's former seat. After winning a competitive primary against the Speaker's former Chief of Staff, Wes went on to win the general election with more than 80 percent of the vote, and for the better part of four decades, Congressman Wes Watkins would represent eastern Oklahoma in the United States House of Representatives. As a Member of the House of Representatives, Congressman Watkins would go on to become the only Oklahoma Congressman to serve on all three major House financial committees. Madam Speaker, I was fortunate enough to not only be represented by Wes Watkins in Congress, I was lucky to have the opportunity to serve on both his D.C. staff and his district staff, first as an intern in his Washington, D.C. office and then as a field representative in his eastern Oklahoma district. Without Congressman Watkins' guidance and his inspiration, I probably wouldn't be here today representing Oklahoma's Second Congressional District. Wes Watkins' record serving the State of Oklahoma is one filled with leadership, compassion, and selfless service. The Lane Agricultural Research Laboratory and the United States Post Office that this legislation will name in his honor will serve as a permanent reminder of all that he has given to Oklahoma. I ask that all my colleagues support this bill.