Vern Buchanan

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, the State of Florida leads the Nation with one of the toughest right-to-know laws in the country. Florida's strong Sunshine Law guards against back-room deals and secret negotiation by government officials. Democracy thrives best when the people are fully involved and engaged. Along these lines, I've introduced a resolution demanding that the critical decisions made on the sweeping health care reform bill now before Congress be conducted under the watchful eye of the American people. My resolution puts the House on record against secret, closed- door deals on a health care bill that seeks to overhaul one-sixth of our country's entire economy. In the past, massive legislative measures have been written in the middle of the night by a handful of Members and staff and then quickly passed into law before the American people have had a chance to even see what the final version looks like, let alone determine how they feel about it. It's time for Congress to follow Florida's lead and ensure that any conference committee meeting on health care reform be conducted in the light of day and under full public view. I hope Members on both sides of the aisle will cosponsor this important right-to-know measure and join me in this effort.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women between age 40 and 59. We have all been touched by it with family or friends. In my home State of Florida, an estimated 12,000 new cases of breast cancer in women will be diagnosed this year. However, if detected early enough, it can be successful in treating the disease. To this end, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the EARLY Act, a bill introduced by my fellow Florida colleague, Debbie Wasserman Schultz. She has been a leader. She has got a courageous story that she shares with many. This act, her bill, is an education campaign, it is a public awareness campaign, and it will have a huge difference on women in the future. So I really respect her leadership on this. In my congressional district, I am proud to say, I thank the leadership. We have been active, our employees and our businesses, over the last 10 years. Working together, it makes a big difference. I would like to just say, we need to continue to educate our families and friends on this bill.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, creating jobs and getting America back to work should be Congress' top priority. Unemployment nears 10 percent nationally and even higher in my district. We need to keep our efforts focused on the economy. Today, there's a report the White House is looking for tax credits for companies that create new jobs. I fully support the incentive and think the American people would as well. According to The New York Times, the Federal Government tried this approach in 1977, 1978. During that period, employment climbed at a record pace. An economic review study suggested in 1970 that the policy was responsible for creating 700,000 jobs of the 2.1 million jobs created during that period. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this important issue.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, affordable health care is critical to our country, but let's not forget small business. They create 70 percent of the jobs in Florida. Ninety-nine percent of all businesses in Florida are small businesses, but yet in this debate we're looking at charging small businesses an 8 percent tax on payroll. That's like a fixed expense. They're also looking to raise taxes up to 45 percent, with a 5.4 in sunsetting President Bush's tax. So, again, 45 percent. A lot of that's pass-through income for many of our small companies. These taxes will kill jobs. The 8 percent alone, they're talking, will put 20 percent of our businesses out of business in Florida. I know. I've been in business for 30 years. Let's help our small businesses. Small businesses create the jobs. We can cannot afford to tax them to death. It needs to be about the economy and jobs.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Child Protection Center Address of Requesting Entity: 1750 17th Street, Bldg. L, Sarasota (FL) 34234 Description of Request: I secured $150,000 for the ``Pillar of Hope'' Campaign, which seeks a Child Advocacy Center in Sarasota, Florida. Along with the expansion of the counseling program, the center will have two new state-of-the-art medical exams rooms at their location. By having the ability to provide more medical services to abused children the burden on local emergency rooms will be lessened. Currently, the center is unable to offer certain services as they are limited in space in their current location. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sarasota County Address of Requesting Entity: 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota (FL) 34236. Description of Request: I secured $350,000 for Sarasota County, which is seeking to construct a new health facility in the community of Englewood. The facility will be located in the southern most portion of Sarasota County and will serve the residents of both Sarasota and Charlotte counties. The facility will improve access to health care and a variety of human and social services programs for residents. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of South Florida (USF) Sarasota-Manatee Address of Requesting Entity: 8350 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (FL) 34243 Description of Request: I secured $250,000 to address nursing shortages by supporting educational development at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Campus. The university is in the initial stages of preparing for separate academic accreditation. Once this is achieved, their highest priority will be to establish a College of Nursing on the campus. With a nursing program in place we will be able to reach and educate the southern-most portions of Florida. The funds from this proposal will be spent to support the development of a teaching simulation laboratory (equipment and simulation models) on our campus, for equipping a videoconference classroom, and the development of web, on-site, and blended courses. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Higher Education Legal Name of Requesting Entity: New College Address of Requesting Entity: 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota (FL) 34243 Description of Request: I secured $100,000 to establish a joint-use library facility that will serve local higher education entities and the general public in the areas of community research and civic engagement.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Transportation & Community & System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Manatee County and Sarasota County Address of Requesting Entity: 1112 Avenue West, Bradenton (FL) 34205, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota (FL) 34236. Description of Request: I secured $500,000 for the Intelligent Transportation (ITS), also known as Advanced Traffic Management System, project in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. The counties are upgrading their signal system in order to deploy a more advanced traffic management system. This project also complements a programmed State of Florida project to deploy ITS for the purpose of incident management on 1-75. It is expected to reduce vehicular delay by 9.5 million hours per year and reduce fuel consumption by 3.8 million gallons per year. Pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Economic Development Initiatives Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Sarasota Address of Requesting Entity: 1565 First Street, Sarasota (FL) 34236. Description of Request: I secured $150,000 for the revitalization of the Robert L. Taylor Community Center as part of the Newtown Redevelopment Comprehensive Plan. The Robert L. Taylor Community Center is the only government sponsored/owned recreation center in Newtown and is the most heavily used recreation center in the City. Its renovation will provide modern recreation facilities for the youth of Newtown. Pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Economic Development Initiatives Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of North Port Address of Requesting Entity: 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port (FL) 34286. Description of Request: I secured $100,000 for a new Family Services Center in the City of North Port. This facility will house the city's Social Services Division as well as 12 other community agencies. This Center will bring a variety of health and human services to the citizens of North Port.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, at the start of this year, the focus has been on economy and jobs, number one. I was chairman of the Florida Chamber 4 years ago. We represented 137,000 businesses, and 99 percent of those businesses were small business. They create 75 percent of the jobs. Yet, today, we are going to tax health care. It's not a tax on profit. It's a tax on payroll. If you've got a $1 million payroll making no money, and if you're paying another $80,000 a year you don't have, you're going to put people out of business. The other thing they want to put together is a surtax of 5.4 percent on businesses. They want to get to the millionaires. Do you know who those folks are? They're small business people. You wouldn't know that if you've never been in business. That's the majority of them. So you're going to tax the 8 percent. You're going to add another 5.4 percent. You're going to kill millions of businesses, and you're going to kill millions and millions of more jobs. We need to get focused back on the economy and on jobs in America today, right now.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 584, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, this past week I held a town hall meeting in North Port, Florida. More than 300 people showed up. A common theme at the forum was that the government should not nationalize health care. My constituents don't want a one-size-fits-all system where bureaucrats choose your treatments and doctors. My constituents want to make their own medical choices. Some in Congress are rushing to bring a complex and far-reaching health care bill to the House floor within the next 2 weeks. This plan has numerous challenges in it. First, it imposes an 8 percent tax on small businesses who don't offer health insurance to their employees. Most of these family-run businesses want to offer health care insurance but can't afford it. It's an 8 percent tax not on profit but on overhead. It becomes overhead. It's an 8 percent expense. How does taxing small business help us get out of the worst economic recession in more than a century? This is a job killer, not a job creator. Let's work together and make it better for small business and stop the taxing on small business.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Tallevast, Florida, on its 100th Anniversary and recognize Pastor Ezell Patterson who has served as the congregation's spiritual leader for the past 33 years. The 150-member church was founded in 1909 by the children of former slaves and has since provided a spiritual home to generations of Tallevast residents who have been able to count on the enduring spiritual support and presence of Mount Tabor. Though its challenges have changed over the years, Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist has remained strongly committed to its core mission: provide spiritual guidance to all of its members and their families. For the past few years, the church has provided comfort and a meeting place for area residents impacted by the recent discovery that some residents of the polluted community were drinking contaminated water for possibly up to 40 years. For more than a century now, Mount Tabor has been the spiritual heart of the Tallevast community. Resident Ms. Virginia Massie told The Bradenton Herald the church is ``the most important thing in my life.'' And Associate Pastor Willie C. Shaw told the paper, it ``has always been an extension of my immediate family.'' I have had the pleasure of visiting with local residents in the church hall and attending Sunday service there. I congratulate Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church and its members for reaching this important milestone. I recognize its many accomplishments, and I appreciate their successful efforts to provide a spiritual home to the Tallevast community.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3183, the Energy & Water Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Manatee County Address of Requesting Entity: 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205 Description of Request: I secured $5,565,000 for an important dredging project for flood control purposes. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Sarasota Address of Requesting Entity: Description of Request: I secured $500,000 to replenish the beach to deal with ongoing erosion. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--O&M Legal Name of Requesting Entity: West Coast Inland Navigation District Address of Requesting Entity: 200 E. Miami Avenue, Venice, FL 34285 Description of Request: I secured $780,000 for maintenance dredging of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Manatee County Address of Requesting Entity: 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205 Description of Request: I secured $200,000 to complete the necessary study to enroll certain portions of Anna Maria Island beached into the federal program. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Port Manatee Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Tampa Bay Way, Palmetto, FL 34221 Description of Request: I secured $200,000 for or maintenance of the Manatee Harbor Basin, if the Secretary determines that such maintenance is economically justified and environmentally acceptable and that the channel or breakwater was constructed in accordance with the applicable permits and appropriate engineering and design standards. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Port Manatee Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Tampa Bay Way, Palmetto, FL 34221 Description of Request: I secured $500,000 on-going U.S Army Corps of Engineers' General Re-evaluation Report. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Section 1135 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sarasota County Address of Requesting Entity: 1600 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236 Description of Request: I secured language to allow it to be used for construction of a central sewer system and other needed infrastructure to replace approximately 14,000 individual septic systems.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2892, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 2892 Account: FEMA--State and Local Programs Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sarasota County Address of Requesting Entity: 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota (FL) 34236 Description of Request: I secured $300,000 for the Emergency Operations Center in Sarasota County. The funding would be used to help relocate and construct a new Sarasota County Emergency Operation Center. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 2892 Account: FEMA--Pre-disaster Mitigation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Venice Address of Requesting Entity: 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice (FL) 34285 Description of Request: I secured $200,000 for improvements to the Emergency Shelter in the City of Venice. The funding would be used for the installation of a modernized energy generation system that would provide power during storm events that would allow this facility to appropriately serve as a hurricane shelter, and also be designated as a special needs shelter.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: NOAA--Operations, Research, and Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mote Marine Laboratory Address of Requesting Entity: 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Fl. 34236 Description of Request: I secured $1,500,000 for Science Consortium for Ocean Replenishment (SCORE) at Mote Marine Laboratory. SCORE is a multi-state initiative for the recovery of the nation's ocean fisheries. Its approach is to replenish diminishing marine fisheries stocks based on scientific protocols developed through a highly coordinated national effort focused on demonstration of successful stock enhancement. This fast-track strategy has the potential to be more cost-effective and timely than policy measures traditionally used to conserve and sustain ocean resources.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. I want to thank the chairwoman and the ranking member for including my legislation, the bill to modernize SBA's SCORE Program, into the larger bill before us today. For years, SCORE Program has been providing entrepreneurs with free, confidential and valuable small business advice. Nationwide, SCORE has 389 chapters throughout the United States, nearly 11,000 volunteers. Locally, I know it has had a huge impact on our small business community. They do a lot to help them, especially with small business planning, which is critical to starting any kind of business today. Small business creates 70 percent of all the new jobs, not only in our market, but throughout Florida. Their success is vital to our economy, and we need to do everything we can to ensure their success. And this bill helps that. My legislation will help ensure that qualified SCORE volunteers are available to provide one-on-one advice and counsel to small business owners in Florida and across the country. Again, I want to thank the chairwoman and the ranking member for giving me this opportunity today.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, last week the House Small Business Subcommittee on Finance and Tax held a hearing on a long overdue issue: the pressing need for tax simplification for America's small business. The IRS estimates it takes over 37 hours to complete the 1040 short form, the most basic income tax form we have. Why does it take this long? Because our Tax Code today runs over 67,000 pages. This is a disgraceful state of affairs. We need a simpler and fairer Tax Code that rewards, not punishes, hard work and success. Small business creates 70 percent of all new jobs in America. Small business can lead us out of this economic recession and back into recovery if Congress gives them a chance. Let's start by overhauling our broken tax system.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of this important bipartisan amendment. Defective Chinese drywall has taken a toll on thousands of homeowners. Many, including my constituent, John Medico of Bradenton, are now finding their homes uninhabitable. John left his new home and now rents a place. He is forced to not only to pay the mortgage, but he is paying rent on his new place. And this has happened to a lot of people in my area in southwest Florida. Earlier this year I wrote the U.S. Trade Representative and the Federal Trade Commission asking them to take the appropriate steps to confront this problem. I am concerned about the public health effects of the problem. Anecdotal evidence points to the Chinese drywall being responsible for the chronic respiratory problems in our region. Also, pregnant women have been advised to move out of their homes for the safety of the unborn. I am grateful to the gentleman for bringing this amendment forward. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle of Florida on this important issue and helping our constituents resolve this problem.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, the House will vote today on a Federal budget that borrows, taxes, and spends more than any other budget in history. Tax increases and deficit spending on big government programs won't help the economy. It will discourage job creation and burden families in the future for additional generations. We can't spend our way back in terms of the recession and we can't borrow our way out of debt. The budget before us today would increase spending by $1.9 trillion over the next 10 years, raise taxes by $1.4 trillion, and add $3.3 trillion in new debt. This is reckless spending masquerading as sound budgeting. What our country needs is a responsible budget that scales back spending and borrowing; a budget that will strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work; a budget that will leave our children and grandchildren with better opportunities than we had.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, the American people were outraged yesterday, and with good reason, when they learned that the bonuses of $165 million were going to executives at AIG, an insurance company. They are the very executives who drove the company to the ground and helped create the economic problems we're facing today. Instead of getting bonuses, they should be fired. AIG is now 80 percent owned by the Federal Government, which is the American people. This is an outrageous injustice at taxpayers' expense. I have been in business 30 years. We always pay for results, proven results, in this case something that would be a return to the American people. But that hasn't happened. This rewards greed and recklessness. AIG recently reported in a 2008 fourth quarter more than $60 billion in losses, all while the unemployment in America hit a 25-year high. I ask the President to use all the power at his disposal to prevent these bonuses from being paid at taxpayers' expense.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, Congress needs to lead by example in this time of economic uncertainty. For that reason, I was encouraged when the House decided to give up its pay raise next year. It is important to send the right message to the American people: a message that says Congress is willing to tighten its belt just like American families are doing across the country. But we need to go even further. That's why I hope the leadership in the House will take up my legislation, H.R. 566, blocking all future congressional pay raises until the Federal budget is balanced. Millions of hardworking Americans only get a salary increase if they produce positive results. Congress should be no different. With our national debt about to surpass $11 trillion and unemployment in our country surging past 8 percent, we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard. The American people expect and deserve nothing less. My legislation to block congressional pay raises until we balance the budget offers meaningful reform. I urge Members from both sides of the aisle to support it.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: NOAA--Operations, Research, and Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mote Marine Laboratory Address of Requesting Entity: 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Fl. 34236 Description of Request: I secured $500,000 for Science Consortium for Ocean Replenishment (SCORE) at Mote Marine Laboratory. SCORE is a multi-state initiative for the recovery of the nation's ocean fisheries. Its approach is to replenish diminishing marine fisheries stocks based on scientific protocols developed through a highly coordinated national effort focused on demonstration of successful stock enhancement. This fast-track strategy has the potential to be more cost-effective and timely than policy measures traditionally used to conserve and sustain ocean resources. The consortium includes institutions from Florida, New Hampshire, Washington and University of Southern Mississippi. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service-- SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mote Marine Laboratory Address of Requesting Entity: 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Fl. 34236 Description of Request: I secured $416,000 sustainable aquaculture food technology innovations. Mote Marine Laboratory and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute are seeking funds for a five-year research program to develop innovative and sustainable technologies to farm marine fishes on land and to expand the supply of safe seafood for U.S. consumers. A critical need exists for inland re-circulating aquaculture technologies to reduce the large and growing global demand for seafood, to reduce fishing pressure on declining wild fish populations, and to improve our nation's food security and health. The growing demand for marine fishery resources is currently being met through imported seafood produced in coastal ponds or sea cages in other countries around the world.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, unemployment in my home State of Florida and across the country continues to rise. As the stock markets and retirement accounts fall, our national debt is approaching $11 trillion. And just last week, Congress approved, over my objections, a $410 billion spending bill that was 8 percent higher than last year, more than twice the rate of inflation. On top of all this new spending, we now hear that the White House is proposing nearly $1 trillion in new taxes. Now is not the time to be raising taxes or embarking on a reckless spending free. Rather than exploding the size of Federal Government, Congress should be working to strengthen the backbone of our economy with small businesses. Seventy percent of all new jobs are created by small business, many of them in our area family owned. Let's get our economy back on track by helping to work with small businesses. That's the legacy that we want to leave our children and grandchildren.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service-- SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida Citrus Mutual Address of Requesting Entity: Lakeland, FL 33802 Description of Request: I secured $1,217,000 for the continuation of vital citrus canker research by the UF-IFAS, through the Cooperative State Research Extension and Education Service (CSREES), to improve technologies for treatment and detection, methods of movement and containment, and means to control and eliminate this devastating citrus disease. In 2005, USDA-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) detected citrus greening in Florida. This is yet another severe citrus disease that must be addressed. USDA-APHIS and ARS are working in conjunction with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) and UF-IFAS to develop a joint citrus health production plan for an interim period, while the scientific community works to find disease resistance and/or a cure for these diseases. Research efforts will include management of citrus canker and greening to minimize tree mortality and yield loss in a cost effective manner, as well as the economic implications of these diseases in world citrus markets. This joint, coordinated research is not only imperative to Florida citrus, but also important to all U.S. citrus production. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Health Resources and Services (HRSA) Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Address of Requesting Entity: 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 Description of Request: I secured $143,000 to address nursing shortages by supporting educational development at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Campus Critical nursing shortages throughout the United States continue to grow as the population ages and the nursing workforce approaches retirement age. The University is in the initial stages of preparing for separate academic accreditation. Once this is achieved, their highest priority will be to establish a College of Nursing on the campus. With a nursing program in place we will be able to reach and educate the southern-most portions of Florida. The funds from this proposal will be spent to support the development of a teaching simulation laboratory (equipment and simulation models) on our campus, for equipping a videoconference classroom, and the development of web, on-site, and blended courses. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sarasota County Address of Requesting Entity: 1660 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL. 34236 Description of Request: I secured $500,000 for the Phillippi Creek Septic System. Obsolete septic tanks are a source of wastewater pollution in Phillippi Creek, and thus, all of lower Sarasota Bay, along with its estuaries. The Phillippi Creek Septic Tank Replacement Program is underway to replace failing septic systems and connect approximately 15,000 low-income homes and businesses to central sewer in the Phillippi Creek Basin. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Manatee Community College Address of Requesting Entity: 5840 26th Street West, Bradenton FL 34207 Description of Request: I secured $95,000 for a Medical Technology and Simulation Center at Manatee Community College (MCC). Through state and private initiatives over many years, MCC has been able to secure funding to construct a Medical Technology and Simulation Center. What is now needed are resources to outfit the Center with the equipment to operate a functional teaching program and Community Health Clinic. The proposed expansion of MCC's nursing program will accommodate up to 48 new nursing students each year and help provide the community with additional health care services it requires. This investment in classroom and clinical infrastructure will allow the College to immediately expand its program in terms of both student enrollment and reach. Without additional funding the prohibitive costs associated with nursing programs would create an indefinite barrier to the College's ability to meet this community need. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Education--Higher Education Legal Name of Requesting Entity: New College of Florida Address of Requesting Entity: 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, Fl. 34243 Description of Request: I secured $95,000 for a Smart Library for New College in my district. Libraries are no longer about books and journals, microfiche and card catalogs. The libraries of the future will deal with the business of information management. They are becoming centers for community research and civic engagement. New College of Florida is poised to engage and enhance the digital assets at the Jane Bancroft Cook Library, a joint-use facility for New College of Florida, the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee, Manatee Community College, and citizens in the Manatee and Sarasota communities. The Cook Library/Smart Library plan will include: Creating a variety of digital collections open to students, faculty, staff, and the community; Acquiring basic sets of digital images to enrich the curriculum (environmental studies, art history, music, history, anthropology, biology, math, physics, business, education, criminal justice, etc.) and for use in educational and community outreach; Purchasing equipment to digitize, analyze, and archive images and video created for research and teaching purposes; Managing a full complement of digital assets, including audio, video, internet and metadata; Developing educational, public outreach programs and facilitating public forums; Providing a variety of workstation (PC, Mac) to allow for ease of access by faculty/students/staff/public; Establishing Smart Collaborative Spaces where groups can interact using the best technology available. Located on the Sarasota-Manatee county border, Cook Library is strategically placed to be an information hub for all the higher education institutions and the citizens of the counties they serve.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Health Resources and Services (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Child Protection Center, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 1750 17th St., Bldg. L, Sarasota, Fl. 34234 Description of Request: I secured $285,000 for the Child Protection Center. The ``Pillar of Hope'' Campaign seeks to build a Child Advocacy Center in Sarasota, Florida. Along with the expansion of the counseling program, the Center will have two new state-of-the-art medical exams rooms at their location. By having the ability to provide more medical services to abused children the burden on local emergency rooms will be lessened. Currently, the Center is unable to offer certain services as they are limited in space in their current location. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Charlotte County Address of Requesting Entity: 18500 Murdock Circle, Suite 536 Description of Request: I secured $380,000 for Evacuation Route Widening/Burnt Store Road Project. Funds will be used to complete design and begin construction of this evacuation route, extending from Zemel Road to the Lee/Charlotte County line. Emergency evacuation times from Charlotte and Lee Counties are unacceptably high. The Burnt Store Road evacuation road, which services over 250,000 residents in Lee and Charlotte Counties, requires 17.3 hours clearance time for a category three hurricane during peak season. Funds will be used to expand the existing 2-lane rural highway to a 4-lane divided arterial with shoulders. It is estimated that this effort will reduce clearance time by 11 hours and enhance the overall safety of the route. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Corps of Engineers--Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Sarasota Address of Requesting Entity: 1565 First Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 Description of Request: I secured $166,250 for the revitalization of the Robert L. Taylor Community Center as part of the Newtown Redevelopment Comprehensive Plan. The Robert L. Taylor Community Center is the only government sponsored/owned recreation center in Newtown and is the most heavily used recreation center in the City. Its renovation will provide modern recreation facilities for the youth of Newtown. The recreation center and its 10 acres of land, including athletic fields and a pool, is the home of the Redskins football league (little league football), a gym, weight room, auditorium (used heavily by seniors for meetings and bingo, etc.), and business offices. The center is also the primary facility used by local high school student athletes when their school facilities are in use by in-season sports. Unfortunately, most of the facilities are in need of complete intense renovation or replacement Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice--COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sarasota County Address of Requesting Entity: 1660 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, Fl 34236 Description of Request: I secured $600,000 for Emergency Technology and Communications from the COPS account for Sarasota County. Sarasota County is requesting federal assistance to help fund the next generation E-911 VOIP network technology component of a new multifaceted Emergency Operations 911 Public Safety Communications Center. The technology component will replace the current 30-year-old 911 call-taking network (recognizing only voice calls). This equipment is vital to helping keep the people of Sarasota County safe.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice--COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Manatee Community College Address of Requesting Entity: 5840 26th Street West, Bradenton FL 34207 Description of Request: I secured $200,000 for an Emergency Notification System using VOIP at Manatee Community College. VOIP technology offees many advantages; one of the biggest is the convergence between voice and data, which offers possibilities beyond regular telephone or e-mail services. A good example is using VOIP for mass notifications, in which a user can send an alert message simultaneously to a large audience in multiple ways such as text messaging, voice mail and e-mail. Funds will be used to purchase equipment and the one-time cost of installation and set-up. Reqesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Economic Development Initiatives Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sarasota Housing Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 1300 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236 Description of Request: I secured $237,500 for the Sarasota Housing Authority to build a LEED Certified community center. Redevelopment is already underway. Plans call for a community center to be built to serve as a property management office as well as a resident services center that will be used to provide training and services to residents to become self sufficient. This center is slated to be a LEED Certified as a green building. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Manatee and Sarasota Counties Address of Requesting Entity: 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205 (Manatee County) 1660 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236 (Sarasota County) Description of Request: I secured $475,000 Intelligent Transportation (ITS) project in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. The counties are upgrading their signal systems in order to deploy a more advanced traffic management system. This project also complements a programmed State of Florida project to deploy ITS for the purpose of incident management on 1-75. It is expected to reduce vehicular delay by 9.5 million hours per year and reduce fuel consumption by 3.8 million gallons per year. The counties have been coordinating their efforts. Manatee County will incur a greater cost on this project; as a result funding should be split 60-40 between the counties. Manatee County's project is called Advanced Traffic management System (ATMS), while Sarasota County has designated theirs ITS. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Hardee County Address of Requesting Entity: 412 West Orange Street, Room 103, Wauchula, Fl. 33873 Description of Request: I secured $332,500 for Bridge costs on US-17. Funds will be utilized to construct a 500' by 43' bridge in the Hardee County Line/CR 634 segment. The project is an important component of the larger project to four-lane US-17 in Hardee County. This larger project is important for safety and economic reasons. US- 17 four laned entirely will be a valuable evacuation route during hurricanes. Also, it would provide an economic boom as many businesses are looking to the area in their future plans. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Alternative Analysis Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sarasota County Address of Requesting Entity: 1660 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, Fl 34236 Description of Request: I secured $1,009,375 Sarasota County Bus Rapid Transit. Sarasota County is expanding its transit system with the most fuel- efficient vehicles and the latest ITS technology. The Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Project will: connect areas of highest transit ridership access for key employment sites; improve the operating efficiency of transit services, and support regional long-term land use goals.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009: Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Corps of Engineers--Operations & Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Port Manatee Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Tampa Bay Way, Palmetto, FL 34221 Description of Request: I secured $2,483,000 for Maintenance Dredging at Port Manatee. Funding will be used to perform maintenance dredging as needed (generally not every year). The funds being requested are appropriated in the Corps of Engineers' O&M Account but are entirely derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). The Trust Fund is financed by a Harbor Maintenance Tax of 1/8 of one percent of the value of imports and domestic traffic and this generates considerably more than the amount actually appropriated by Congress each year for the navigation projects. The requested funds are needed to restore full project dimension of the Phases I and II work. The Fiscal Year 2009 federal budget for the Army Corps of Engineers includes $2.6 million for Manatee Harbor O&M. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Corps of Engineers--Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Port Manatee Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Tampa Bay Way, Palmetto, FL 34221 Description of Request: I secured $478,000 for a General Reevaluation Report (GRR) on Tampa Harbor. The GRR is studying the need for improvements to the Tampa Harbor in order to meet projected increases in international commerce. As Florida's largest port (in tonnage), Tampa Port handles in excess of 50 million tons of cargo annually and is West Central Florida's largest economic engine contributing billions of dollars annually to the 7 county region surrounding Tampa Bay. Port Manatee supports 22,000 jobs and has a total economic impact of $2.3 billion. As changes in the global shipping market evolve, both Tampa and Manatee Ports must be able to accommodate modern international vessel fleets which require deeper draft. The GRR will determine the national economic feasibility of further improvements to the Tampa main federal channel. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida Hospital--Wauchula Address of Requesting Entity: 533 West Carlton Street, Wauchula, FL 33873 Description of Request: I secured $95,000 to support the expansion and renovation of the emergency department. This initiative is vital to the health care infrastructure and clinical services available to Hardee County and the surrounding communities. Florida Hospital Wauchula is a 25 bed facility specializing in emergency, outpatient and transitional care. In 2000, we became the first Critical Access Hospital in the state of Florida in an effort to enhance the health care services provided to our rural service area. The hospital employs 91 full-time staff, including 5 physicians on General Medical Staff. In addition to our 7-bed emergency department, Wauchula offers diagnostic imaging and lab services and a transitional care unit with short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. As a rural community with limited medical resources, Hardee County relies on Florida Hospital Wauchula to provide high quality health care. The emergency department handles over 12,000 visits per year; a volume that taxes the facilities capacity to its limit. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Energy--EERE Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sarasota County Address of Requesting Entity: 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236 Description of Request: I secured $951,500 for a Renewable/ Alternative Energy Center in Sarasota County. Sarasota County is an established national leader in energy efficient practices as evidenced by its green building and sustainability policies, as well as its private sector and develop alternative energy and green building initiatives. The County will commit its resources to partner with the federal and state governments, universities and the private sector to construct a zero-energy LEED Platinum certified green building to house the Center. This collaboration will promote the application of alternative energy technologies to protect the public safety and welfare of our citizens and communities and contribute to the future sustainability of our state and nation. Requesting Member: Congressman Vern Buchanan Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice--COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Bradenton Address of Requesting Entity: 100 10th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205 Description of Request: I secured $200,000 for the City of Bradenton Police Cruiser In-Car Video System. The City of Bradenton proposes to install in-car video systems for every police cruiser in its fleet. This project not only protects the officer but assists the State's Attorney's Office in case prosecution as evidence collection will be enhanced.