Ken Calvert

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, right now we are debating one of the most important issues facing our country today, health care reform. There is no doubt that our current system must be reformed. Unfortunately, rather than conducting a meaningful debate on how to improve access and quality and lower the cost of health care, the majority is making deals behind closed doors and going through the yellow pages to figure out who they can tax in order to pay for the $1 trillion bill they propose. The majority asserts that their bill will insure more people, but the cost to America will not only be in dollars and cents; the bill will dramatically alter our health care, which is 20 percent of our economy, through the creation of a government-run public option. For those with private insurance in the short time before they are forced into a public plan, a government plan will still dictate what government service they can and cannot have. This is unacceptable. The only people in the room making health care decisions should be you and your doctor, not a Washington bureaucrat. I urge my colleagues to reject this misguided and dangerous proposal and initiate a real debate on health care reform.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 3293 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Elementary & Secondary Education (includes FIE) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Address of Requesting Entity: 4011 Fourteenth Street, Riverside, California 92501 Description of Request: I have secured $325,000 to provide the time and resources for highly qualified mathematics and science teachers to construct discrete digital learning modules aligned to the California science and mathematics standards, develop inquiry-based activities, and design extended learning opportunities for distribution via the Internet. iSTEM: Virtual Learning in Science and Mathematics is a project of the RUSD Riverside Virtual School that supports the enhancement of learning in science and mathematics through the construction of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related digital curriculum modules for use within traditional classrooms and online courses. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Higher Education (includes FIPSE) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: California Baptist University Address of Requesting Entity: 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, California 92504 Description of Request: I have secured $300,000 to purchase specialized equipment for use in equipping engineering students and employees of local industries with the skills and techniques to become the next generation of professionals to deploy new sustainable technologies. In particular, the School of Engineering is developing an emphasis on utilization of engineering skills to engage local business and industry in sustainable design of ``green'' facilities and infrastructure. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Higher Education (includes FIPSE) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Riverside Community College District Address of Requesting Entity: 4800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, California 92506 Description of Request: I have secured $600,000 to expand the curriculum of Riverside Community College District's law enforcement and fire academy programs to provide additional Basic Peace Officer and Correctional Deputy academies at the Ben Clark Training Center. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Riverside Community College District Address of Requesting Entity: 4800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, California 92506 Description of Request: I have secured $150,000 to purchase equipment for RCCD's Allied Health Sciences Program. The Inland Empire has California's lowest number of physicians per 100,000 residents, with a projected shortfall of 1,140 physicians by 2015. This ratio also holds for allied health service professionals, making the Inland Empire one of the most medically underserved areas in the nation. The new equipment would expand the Allied Health Sciences Program, enabling RCCD to graduate 300% more medical professionals over five years. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Riverside County Regional Medical Center Address of Requesting Entity: 26520 Cactus Avenue, Moreno Valley, California 92555 Description of Request: I have secured $400,000 to expand the emergency/trauma department to increase the number of major trauma treatment rooms, increase the size of current trauma treatment room, increase the number of non-trauma treatment rooms, increase the number of urgent care treatment stations, add a psychiatric emergency unit, add a logical adjacency to the Center for Abuse Services, and create a facility capable of handling mass casualties. Riverside County Regional Medical Center. RCRMC is the Emergency First Responder for the County of Riverside which has a population of approximately 2 million people. RCRMC is the major trauma center for the county, handling twice as many trauma cases as any other hospital. RCRMC is also the only trauma center in proximity to March Air Reserve Base which is a deployment base for armed forces. In addition, RCRMC is the only pediatric trauma center within the county; and the only hospital with a mass decontamination unit for chemical, biological and nuclear incidents. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, San Clemente, CA Address of Requesting Entity: 654 Camino de los Mares, San Clemente, California 92630 Description of Request: I have secured $150,000 to support the implementation of electronic health record keeping (EHR) at Saddleback Memorial Hospital in San Clemente, CA. With EHR, caregivers can more easily read physician's orders and prescriptions because they are entered into a computer, rather than handwritten. This greatly reduces the possibility of transcription errors or other mistakes. Saddleback's EHR will include security features that make patient information more secure and private than paper charts. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of California--Riverside Address of Requesting Entity: 900 University Ave., Riverside, California 92521 Description of Request: I have secured $3,400,000 to renovate the anatomy lab and biomedical sciences facilities on UC Riverside's (UCR) campus in preparation for the forthcoming Medical School and to provide current biomedical sciences students with state of the art science and medical equipment. These renovations support the planned School of Medicine at UCR. The UCR School of Medicine will be located in the heart of Southern California's Inland Empire, one of America's most rapidly growing and ethnically diverse regions. Establishment of the medical school will help to address the severe physician shortage in Inland Southern California region by training a diverse physician workforce and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs to improve the health of medically underserved populations.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a couple from my congressional district who have spent their lives giving back to their community in Orange County, California. Brian and Connie Vermeulen are dedicated public servants, fully committed to improving the quality of life in the City of San Juan Capistrano for both neighbors and visitors. I was happy to learn that their selfless commitment to the values, ideals and traditions that this country was founded upon has earned them recognition from the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce as Man and Woman of the Year. Brian and Connie both moved with their families to the Capistrano Valley in the early 1960s. They also both attended the parish grammar school and have remained members of the San Juan Mission parish ever since. Over the years, while busy running a business and raising children and grandchildren, they have never missed an opportunity to get involved with the community. Together, Brian and Connie have become champions for a number of cherished local organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Fiesta Association. They have logged countless hours as yearly volunteers for the San Juan Historical Society and the Capistrano 4-H Rangers. Aside from their joint ventures, the Vermeulens also pursue their passions individually. Brian volunteers his time and talent as a Little League Coach and Connie is involved with religious education programs at the Mission parish. The Vermeulens are the kind of citizens that this country can be proud of; humble and hardworking, they truly represent the heart of America. I want to thank Brian and Connie Vermeulen not just for their tremendous sacrifice and remarkable accomplishment, but for providing us all with a glowing example of what it means to be an American.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks that I requested on behalf of local government entities in my congressional district in conjunction with the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act. Requesting Member: Rep. Ken Calvert Account: Transportation & Community & System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Riverside County Transportation Commission Address of Requesting Entity: 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides $750,000 for the Riverside County Transportation Commission's Alameda Corridor East Grade Separations project. There are 61 at-grade highway-rail crossings in Riverside County. These crossings are blocked by freight trains traveling from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to the rest of the nation, negatively impacting local commerce, congestion, and air quality. The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) has prioritized the 20 most needed grade separations in the county and adopted a funding plan that includes local, state, and federal sources. The funding will allow RCTC to distribute federal funds to cities with projects most ready for construction. The significance of grade separations on the Alameda Corridor East in Riverside County has been recognized as a regional priority by the Southern California Consensus Working Group (goods movement coalition of Ports of L.A., Long Beach and Hueneme, L.A. METRO, OCTA, SANBAG, RCTC, VCTC, ACE-CA, Metrolink, ACTA, and SCAG), the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the State Goods Movement Action Plan, and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association. Requesting Member: Rep. Ken Calvert Account: Buses & Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Corona Address of Requesting Entity: 400 South Vicentia Avenue, Corona, CA 92882 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides $208,000 for the City of Corona's Dial-A-Ride Bus Replacement. The City of Corona Transit Service (CCTS) operates a general population Dial-A-Ride that provides transportation throughout the City of Corona and the neighboring County areas of Home Gardens, El Cerrito and Coronita as well as satellite areas in the City of Norco. Three of the Dial-A-Ride buses have exceeded their useful life and require replacement at an estimated replacement cost of $260,000. The funding will provide $208,000 in federal support for the buses, while CCTS would provide a local match of $52,000. The project will benefit Corona residents by providing them with additional transportation options to Corona City Hall, the Corona Public Library, senior centers, shopping centers, hospitals and medical offices. Requesting Member: Rep. Ken Calvert Account: Economic Development Initiatives, Housing and Urban Development Legal Name of Requesting Entity: National Community Renaissance Address of Requesting Entity: 9065 Haven Avenue, Suite 100, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides $1,000,000 for the National Community Renaissance. The funding will allow National Community Renaissance (National CORE) to efficiently leverage federal resources to undertake one or more large-scale neighborhood revitalization projects which would preserve as many as 1,500 additional at-risk affordable apartments nationwide. According to National CORE, their comprehensive approach to affordable housing positively impacts families and seniors in the Inland Empire. National CORE owns 462 units in western Riverside County alone, which provide housing to more than 1,200 residents and has another 110 senior units under construction. The completed developments were all extensive revitalization projects that completely transformed entire communities from blighted, crime ridden neighborhoods to thriving communities where families flourish. Requesting Member: Rep. Ken Calvert Account: Capital Improvement Grants, Federal Transit Administration Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Riverside County Transportation Commission Address of Requesting Entity: 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides $5,000,000 for the Riverside County Transportation Commission's Perris Valley Line. The Perris Valley Line extends existing Metrolink service 22.7 miles further into Riverside County creating better access to popular commuter rail transportation. The Perris Valley Line will connect downtown Riverside to the UCR campus, March Global Port employment center, Moreno Valley, and the revitalized downtown Perris. The Perris Valley line will relieve congestion on I-215, which runs through the heart of Riverside County. The project is currently in the project development phase; local and state funds are being used for a majority of the current project development costs. As the project nears construction, federal grant funds will be necessary to keep the project moving forward. A current projection for opening service is 2011. The Perris Valley Line serves critical public needs in western Riverside County by providing a transportation alternative and providing greater accessibility to major local employers and employees. The project is of regional and national significance due to the congestion relief it will provide on I-215, as well as the emissions that will be removed from the air as a result of increased transit ridership. Requesting Member: Rep. Ken Calvert Account: Buses & Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Riverside Transit Agency Address of Requesting Entity: 1825 Third Street, Riverside, CA 92507 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides $1,400,000 for the Riverside Transit Agency's Bus Replacement Program. The funding will allow the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) to begin its bus purchase program to eventually replace 103 buses in its aging fleet with the purchase of eight replacement vehicles. The buses to be replaced were purchased in 2000 and 2001 and have reached the end of their useful lives as determined by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Replacing aging buses is critical in assuring reliability of service and decreasing maintenance costs by reducing breakdowns and frequent repairs. The replacement buses would be powered by CNG and have all state-of-the-art technologies to provide enhanced passenger safety, better fuel efficiency and decreased emissions. Requesting Member: Rep. Ken Calvert Account: Transportation & Community & System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Orange County Transportation Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 550 South Main Street, Orange, CA 92863 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides $750,000 for the Orange County Transportation Authority's San Diego Freeway (I-5) Widening and Improvement project. Funding for the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 5), from Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) to Avenida Pico, will add additional freeway capacity along I-5 in south Orange County with consideration for a potential connection with planned San Diego County high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-5. For FY 2010, the requested funds will be used to complete the required technical studies and environmental documents. This project is estimated to cost $250 million. The Interstate 5 (I-5) is the primary freeway linking Orange County to Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The project will reduce peak period delays for both commuters and goods movement carriers alike by relieving both existing and forecasted mobility problems while reducing emissions, increasing productivity and improving air quality in the region. Requesting Member: Rep. Ken Calvert Account: Economic Development Initiatives, Housing and Urban Development Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Norco Address of Requesting Entity: 2870 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides $100,000 for the City of Norco's Santa Ana River Trail. The Santa Ana River, which flows from the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, is the primary source of potable water for Orange County and several cities in Riverside County. Building the Santa Ana River Trail will provide a protective corridor that will reduce pollution and prevent crowding from expanding urban and suburban sprawl. The River Trail is an essential component of the long-term effort to protect the water quality of the Santa Ana River Basin. In addition to reducing pollution, the Santa Ana River Trail will be a multi-use recreational trail that will run from the Pacific Coast to the San Bernardino Mountains. This section of the trail will link the two largest cities in Riverside County, Corona and Riverside, and provide patrons with superlative recreational opportunities.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, around the country, more and more Americans are out of work, struggling to pay their bills. Yesterday, the Web site recovery.gov revealed that your government spent $1.2 million to purchase pork at twice what struggling families would pay at a local grocery store. It would be funny if it weren't so painful. The $787 billion stimulus was sold to the American people as a bill that would put people back to work. But now we see it for what it really is, a massive expansion of social welfare which is doing nothing to create jobs. Where are the jobs? Almost 6 months have passed since the stimulus was signed into law, and unemployment continues to tick upward. It is over 13 percent in my congressional district. The so-called ``stimulus'' was a missed opportunity to provide true tax relief to the American people and for shovel-ready infrastructure projects that would have provided jobs. As more information on this stimulus package is revealed, I'm sure more terrifying news will be before us.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a group of truly exceptional women who live in my Congressional District and whose service to our country was honored today by the passage of a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Service Pilots of World War II. Inspired by the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Margot DeMoss (Riverside, CA), MaryAnn Dreher (San Clemente, CA) and Jane Fohl (San Clemente, CA) answered our nation's call to duty by joining the Women Air Service Pilots of World War II, also known as the WASP. Created on August 5, 1943, the WASP was charged with the critical task of delivering battle-ready planes from the factory line to military bases around the world. After just 16 months, the WASP had established itself as a premier ferrying squadron. Of the more than 25,000 women that applied for training, only 1,879 were accepted to participate in the rigorous program that would eventually produce 1,074 outstanding female pilots. The WASP founder, world famous aviator Jacqueline Cochran, challenged the status quo by asking for permission to commission WASP directly as Service Pilots, a procedure used routinely with male pilots but prohibited for women. She lobbied passionately, but eventually lost her battle both with the Comptroller General of the Army Air Force and in the halls of Congress, leading to the WASPs disbanding in 1944. I believe that these women pioneers deserve to be acknowledged not just for their remarkable bravery and sacrifice, but for reminding us all that an uncompromising commitment to America--to its values, ideals and traditions--is a unifying force. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2014, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's bill, awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Service Pilots of World War II, and I am pleased that the women of WASP will finally receive the recognition they so rightfully deserve.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to bring your attention to the ongoing water crisis in my home State which has exacerbated the economic downturn throughout California. Statewide, the unemployment rate has risen to more than 11 percent. In the Central Valley, regional unemployment has reached 20 percent with some communities' unemployment now up to over 40 percent. California's water crisis is the result of severe drought conditions on top of the federally imposed pumping restrictions that have been placed on our State's critical water infrastructure. The appropriations bill before us provides some funding for a number of California's mid- and long-term water resource management projects. Unfortunately, many of the projects that are receiving funding are years away from completion and will not provide any assistance to Californians suffering today. Even the most promising short-term projects in the Delta, like the Two Gates project, will only provide relief if regulatory permitting and anticipated court challenges are resolved in quick fashion. Many of the most affected communities have made it clear that they aren't looking for a handout. They want their water and they want their jobs back. During the markup of this bill in the committee, I offered an amendment to do just that by ending the federally imposed pumping restrictions. Sadly, most of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle rejected the amendment and voted to protect a 3-inch fish instead of protecting jobs and the people of my State of California. I'm disappointed the Rules Committee denied a similar amendment offered by my colleague, Mr. Nunes. Mr. Chairman, the federally imposed pumping restrictions are harming California families up and down the State. If this Congress and this administration fail to take the bold steps necessary to address the crisis in the next 6-12 months, the people of California will know exactly who's responsible for the job losses.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks that I requested on behalf of local government entities in my congressional district in conjunction with the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Norco Address of Requesting Entity: 2870 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $750,000 for the City of Norco's Waste-to-Energy Facility. Last year, a preliminary feasibility study prepared for the City of Norco showed that thermal conversion of horse manure and bedding material into electricity appears to be a viable proposition, both technologically and financially. The city is now taking steps towards a contract for the design and construction of a manure-to-energy facility. The requested funding will allow the city to design and engineer the project. When complete, the project will allow the city to reduce its carbon footprint by providing an environmentally friendly ``green'' source of renewable energy to citizens of Norco and surrounding communities. The City of Norco will provide the non-federal cost-share of the project. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Water and Related Resources Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Inland Empire Utilities Agency Address of Requesting Entity: 6075 Kimball Avenue, Chino, CA 91708 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $100,000 for the Inland Empire Utilities Agency's Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Project. The Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Project will produce 100,000 acre-feet of recycled water per year when the project is complete. The water will be used for outdoor irrigation, industrial processes and recharging groundwater basins, thereby serving the needs of 800,000 current residents in the Inland Empire. The requested funding will be allocated to engineering design and construction of the project. The non-federal funding will be provided by the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Construction, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District Address of Requesting Entity: 915 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 980, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $2,000,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers' Murrieta Creek project. Murrieta Creek poses a severe flood threat to the cities of Murrieta and Temecula, where overflow flooding from this undersized creek with a tributary watershed of over 220 square miles has periodically wreaked havoc, most recently in 1993 when the public and private sectors incurred flood-related damages of nearly $20 million, and nearby Camp Pendleton Marine Base suffered $88 million in damages. The project, developed jointly by the Corps of Engineers and the local sponsor, not only provides flood protection for these two communities, but also includes other elements such as environmental restoration and recreation that will serve as the lynchpin for regional economic development. The requested funding will be used to award and construct the project's entire Phase II reach, which includes protection for Old Town Temecula, as well as to complete the Design Documentation Report (DDR) and the preparation of plans and specifications for Phase III's Multi-Purpose Detention Basin. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Water and Related Resources Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Orange County Water District Address of Requesting Entity: 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $100,000 for the Orange County Water District's Orange County Regional Water Reclamation Project. The Orange County Water District diverts secondary treated waste water from the Orange County Sanitation District that would otherwise be disposed of in the ocean. The waste water is highly treated using microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultra violet light with hydrogen peroxide. Currently, half of the collected water is injected into groundwater basin along the coast to create a barrier preventing seawater from intruding our precious drinking water supplies and is pumped to the District recharge basins for percolation into the groundwater basin. The project would expand the capacity of the current plant by an additional 18 million gallons per day. Additional microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light treatment equipment would be purchased and installed. A significant portion of the infrastructure has already been constructed to accommodate an expansion. This includes the yard piping, pump stations, and the electrical backbone. When the Ground Water Replenishment System was designed and constructed, all piping, facilities, electrical systems, and the site were designed for an ultimate capacity of 130 million gallons per day. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Water and Related Resources Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Western Municipal Water District Address of Requesting Entity: 450 Alessandro Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92508 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $1,000,000 for the Western Municipal Water District's Riverside-Corona Feeder project. The Riverside-Corona Feeder project captures and stores new water to increase firm water supplies, reduce water costs and improve water quality as well as reduces regional dependence upon increasingly unreliable imported supplies from the State Water Project, the Colorado River and the northern Bay-Delta. The project will also be equipped to clean plumes of perchlorate and VOCs in the Bunker Hill basin, and will provide a link among groundwater basins in the region. In addition to the Bunker Hill Basin, the Feeder will allow water supplies to be conjunctively used in the Chino, Riverside and Arlington groundwater basins, further enhancing the ability of the region to withstand droughts and providing a mechanism to allow treatment and recovery of poor quality groundwater found in these basins. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Investigations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District Address of Requesting Entity: 915 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 980, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $221,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers' Riverside County Special Area Management Plan. The Corps is developing the nation's largest Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) for both the San Jacinto and Upper Santa Margarita Watersheds, which by assisting federal, state and local agencies with their decision making and permitting authority, will position those agencies to protect, restore and enhance aquatic resources while also accommodating various types of development activities and public infrastructure projects. The Corps has already made significant progress on a ``Landscape Level Aquatic Resource Delineation'' and ``Functional Assessment'' to help in determining the value of area waters and wetlands. Once completed, the plan will not only streamline the permitting process to foster regional economic development, but it will also create and protect woodlands, wetlands, freshwater marshes, vernal pools, streams, lakes and rivers. The Corps had developed alternatives incorporating Riverside County's previously approved Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan and the General Plan and the information learned from the Landscape Level Delineation and Functional Assessments. They have also started the process of preparing environmental documents for NEPA and CEQA compliance. The requested funding will be used to complete the EIR/EIS, complete the development of the Abbreviated Permits and complete the Resource Conservation Plan to adequately mitigate for impacts to jurisdictional waters authorized through the issuance of SAMP permits. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Investigations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District Address of Requesting Entity: 915 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 980, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $100,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers' San Clemente Shoreline project. Erosion of the protective beach in San Clemente has caused much of the study area to have little if any beach, particularly during the winter season. Storm induced waves have become a serious threat over the past several years to City facilities, the Lossan railroad, commercial properties, infrastructure, and coastal residencies. The public components of these facilities threatened by erosion and coastal storms have a value of over $10 million. Also, there have been emergency revetments placed in several areas along the study area to prevent damage to the railroad from storms. It is estimated that the railroad will be required to spend $14-$20 million in the future to protect the rail line. Restoration of a protective beach will reduce these costs for protection. The requested funding will allow the Corps of Engineers to complete work on the feasibility study and move towards the project's design. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Construction, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District Address of Requesting Entity: 915 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 980, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $582,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers' San Juan Creek, South Orange County, project. The Corps of Engineers began the San Juan Creek Watershed Feasibility Study in 1998 and the initial study phase was completed in 2003. The project has now moved into what the Corps calls a ``spin-off'' study. The spin-off study is a more focused and narrowly defined study of flood control and ecosystem restoration alternatives in the very bottom of the watershed in the cities of Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano. With sufficient federal appropriations in FY2010 and FY2011, the study will be completed. The project has taken on additional importance with the failure of 1,500 linear feet of concrete channel lining on January 9, 2005. About 3,200 residents in the Cities of Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano were evacuated in the early morning hours. The County of Orange declared an emergency and together with the Corps of Engineers placed large rock on the exposed earthen slope as a temporary repair. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Construction, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District Address of Requesting Entity: 915 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 980, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $52,193,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers' Santa Ana River Mainstem project. The Santa Ana River Mainstem Project is being constructed to address what the Corps of Engineers identified in the 1980s as ``the worst flood threat west of the Mississippi River''--which then impacted three million people and 110,000 acres located in the three Southern California counties of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino, with estimated loss of 3,000 lives and $15 billion in economic losses (1987-8 price levels). To date, the Federal Government and the flood control districts of the impacted counties have spent over $1 billion on the Project. Continued funding is necessary to complete the Project and ensure the level of protection as planned. Specifically, funding is needed to complete the Reach 9 component, which is the last section of the Santa Ana River, between Prado Dam and the Pacific Ocean, to be improved as part of the project. Until the Reach 9 channel and levee improvements are completed, this reach of the river will not be able to convey the maximum 30,000 cubic feet per second outflow from the new Prado Dam outlet works. The completion of Reach 9 is necessary to provide the level of protection envisioned by the authorized project. The overflow from Reach 9 would destroy local businesses, commercial properties and homes and the adjacent sections of the State 91 freeway, a major transportation artery in the region. Interior dikes in the Prado Dam flood control basin and the construction of a new Prado Dam spillway are additional components of the project that must be funded. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Account: Construction, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District Address of Requesting Entity: 915 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 980, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Description of Request: The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $800,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers' Seven Oaks Dam Water Conservation Study. The requested funding would allow the Corps of Engineers to perform much needed studies and amend the water control plan to permit Seven Oaks Dam to be used for water conservation. The winter rains of 2005 demonstrated beyond question that water conservation at Seven Oaks Dam can provide a major supplemental source of water to for this increasingly water-short region. Specifically, the studies will update the environmental documents relating to water conservation at Seven Oaks. The studies will also address the problem of anaerobic conditions that developed during the summer of 2004 so as to ensure that such conditions do not contaminate water stored for human consumption in the future.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the article titled ``Did Fired OC Air Marshal Endanger Flying Public, or Protect It?'' The article was posted online on May 8, 2009 and I believe my colleagues in Congress will benefit from the article and the topic of whistleblower protection. Did Fired Oc Air Marshal Endanger Flying Public, or Protect It? (By Teri Sforza) On July 26, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security issued an alert to all U.S. airlines, airport security managers and federal air marshals: A possible hijacking plot was in the works, involving five- man teams that might try to seize planes and fly them into government, military or economic targets. Robert MacLean of Ladera Ranch had been working as a federal air marshal since shortly after 9/11. So it struck him as particularly bizarre when--just three days later--a text message popped up on his government-issued mobile phone: Overnight missions involving federal air marshals will be cancelled from late July through early August. What? No overnights? That meant no air marshals on long- distance flights. To save money on hotel rooms, MacLean would come to understand. This, thought MacLean, was crazy. The 9/11 hijackers targeted long-distance flights because they hauled the most fuel and could do the most damage. Pulling air marshals from such flights, precisely when there was warning of a possible attack, was gross mismanagement--and a ``specific threat to public safety that could lead to catastrophic loss of life,'' he'd say later in court papers. So MacLean took his concerns to his supervisor and other officials. He didn't get far.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of the House-passed version of H.R. 3082, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 3082 Account: Military Construction, Air Force Reserve Legal Name of Requesting Entity: March Air Reserve Base, Riverside, CA Address of Requesting Entity: March Air Reserve Base, 610 Meyer Drive, Riverside, California 92518-2166 Description of Request: I have secured $9,800,000 for the Small Arms Firing Range, March Air Reserve Base. It is my understanding that the funds will be used to construct an adequately sized and configured small arms firing range which is required for training and maintaining the standard of current Air Force preparedness. The project also includes office space, classrooms, and equipment with fire protection and security alarm, lightning protection and explosion proof electrical which would bring the facility up to current force protection standards. The existing firing range was built in 1942 and is sub standard as a training facility. It is located approximately 5 miles away from March ARB and creates security, safety, and health and maintenance problems. Without funding the current facility will deteriorate further and will not be able to meet the training and readiness requirements of the base. Security, health and safety will be a concern and may cause the existing firing range to shut down. The range closure will seriously impact the small arm training, Force Protection and Personnel Combat Arms requirement for Reserve and National Guard units.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R 2997 Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of California-- Agriculture and Natural Resources Address of Requesting Entity: 1111 Franklin Street, Room 6402, Oakland, California 94607 Description of Request: I have secured $3,000,000 to continue the highly successful Pierce's Disease and Invasive Species Research Program. This program funds competitively awarded research grants to find solutions to this potentially devastating bacterial disease that threatens California's wine grape industry, as well as other grape varieties, citrus, almonds and tree fruit. This program also focuses on other invasive species impacting California and the nation. These include pathogens (West Nile virus, Avian Influenza, Sudden Oak Death), insects (vine mealy bug, light brown apple moth), marine and fresh water species (green crab and quagga mussel), and weed species (yellow star thistle). Greater knowledge of these species, understanding of invasion biology parameters, and potential control and eradication strategies is critical for California and the U.S. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R 2997 Account: Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) Address of Requesting Entity: 18700 Ward St., Fountain Valley, California 92708 Description of Request: I have secured $500,000 to expand an existing program and add an additional 5,500 Smart Irrigation Controllers to residential and commercial properties in Orange County, CA by 2011. These Smart Irrigation Controllers assist water customers in delivering the appropriate amount of water to residential and commercial landscapes by monitoring and accounting for soil type, slope, plant type, sun exposure and current weather conditions. Smart Irrigation Controllers, as a part of MWDOC's overall Water Use Efficiency Program, will assist water users in the district in more efficiently utilizing water resources and reduce the dependence of the area on water imported from Northern California and the Colorado River. The implementation and demonstration of this technology can serve as a demonstration project for areas of the arid west and other regions of the United States subject to water shortages who may be interested in utilizing this technology to decrease water consumption.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of Orange County, California are exceptional. Orange County has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a better place to live and work. Fire Chief Charles ``Chip'' Prather is one of these individuals. Chief Prather is retiring from the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and today I honor his years of public service. Chief Prather became Fire Chief for the Orange County Fire Authority on October 1, 1997. In this capacity he is responsible for the daily operation of one of the largest fire organizations in the State of California. Under Chief Prather's direction are a total of 1,500 firefighters, reserves and professional staff. The OCFA serves 22 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County, with a total population of more than 1,300,000, from 62 fire stations and has an annual operating budget of 260 million dollars. In addition, Chief Prather currently serves on the Orange County Emergency Council, Chairs the Orange County Emergency Operational Area Council, Fire Scope Board of Directors, Co-chairs an Orange County Joint Law/Fire/Health anti-terrorism advisory committee and is a member of the California Fire Chiefs Association Executive Board of Directors. In 2002, Chip was appointed by Governor Davis to the State Emergency Council which advises the Governor on policy matters during times of disaster and served on the states 2003 Blue Ribbon Fire Commission. Chief Prather is also is a member of The Raise Foundation's Advisory Board (formerly Prevent Child Abuse Orange County), serves as a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Trauma Intervention Program Advisory Board and numerous other boards and commissions. Chief Prather was honored as the recipient of the Boy Scouts Spurgeon Award 2000 for his involvement in Explorer Scouting and in 2002 was selected as the Fire Chief of the Year by the California Fire Chiefs Association. Chief Prather is a member of the following organizations: Orange County Chambers of Commerce, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs' Association, California Fire Chiefs' Association, California State Firefighters' Association, the Orange County Fire Chiefs' Association and the National Fire Protection Association. Chip holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management and has completed the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in state and local government. He has also attended the United States Fire Administration National Fire Academy, completing the Executive Fire Officer Program. Chief Prather and his wife Katie live in San Clemente California with their two children. Chief Prather's tireless passion for community and public service has contributed immensely to the betterment of the community of Orange County, California. I am proud to call Chip a fellow community member, American and friend. I know that many community members are grateful for his service and salute him as he retires.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, Families in communities across our nation continue to struggle through the most difficult economy most of them have ever experienced. Nationally, our unemployment rate is nearing 10 percent. In California, the unemployment rate has soared to 11 percent and in some of the hardest hit portions of my congressional district it has reached almost 18 percent. Like many Americans, I am dismayed by the decision of the Democratic leadership to bring such an economically damaging bill to the House floor in the midst of these historically difficult times. Economic organizations and think tanks from around the country have studied the economic impacts of the bill before us . . . and the results are not good. A study conducted by the National Black Chamber of Commerce determined that by 2030 the Waxman-Markey bill will cut net employment by 2.5 million jobs--even after accounting for new ``green'' jobs. Similar studies by the Brookings Institution and the Heritage Foundation also project huge job losses. Ironically the Democratic leadership in Congress and the Democratic Administration have made job creation one of their biggest priorities this year. During the consideration of the stimulus bill we repeatedly heard claims that the bill would ``save or create more than 3.5 million jobs.'' As most Americans know, the bill has yet to deliver as promised. I think it is notable that as we consider another major piece of legislation both the Administration and Democratic leadership are eerily silent on their job creation predictions. The reality is the bill before us will kill jobs, weaken our economic security, and enacts punitive measures that will only make matters worse for families struggling to get by. I urge all of my colleagues to vote against this poorly conceived bill that is being pushed through with little to no time for debate or discussion.

Mr. CALVERT of California

Mr. CALVERT of California. 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. 2996, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2996 Account: Environmental Protection Agency, STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Western Municipal Water District Address of Requesting Entity: 450 Alessandro Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92508 Description of Request: H.R. 2996 provides $500,000 for the Western Municipal Water District for Arlington Desalter Biodenitrification project. The funding will be used to build a biological denitrification facility for drinking water. The process, called ``Fixed-Bed Biological Treatment'' (FXB) uses an innovative bioreactor to remove multiple contaminants from groundwater. Western Municipal Water District has completed pilot testing of the FXB process at the Arlington Desalter and has already received conditional approval from the California Department of Public Health for a full scale facility. This new facility will consist of a series of large biofilter, polishing and backwash equalization tanks as well as supply pumps and a new groundwater well. It will be built at the site of the Arlington Desalter in Riverside, California. The project benefits the City of Norco, portions of the City of Riverside, unincorporated areas of Riverside County, and any entity within the Arlington Groundwater Basin by cleaning the area's water supply and creating up to 3.7 million- gallons-per-day of new water. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2996 Account: Environmental Protection Agency, STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of San Juan Capistrano Address of Requesting Entity: 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Description of Request: H.R. 2996 provides $500,000 to the City of San Juan Capistrano for ground water recovery plant expansion and regional distribution facility. The funding will allow the city to expand the current capacity of the existing treatment facility to 7.3 million-gallons-per-day from 5.6 million-gallons-per-day. During the ongoing drought, water that is produced locally can be conveyed to surrounding water agencies thereby reducing the demands placed on the Sacramento Bay Delta and the Colorado River. In the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, the treatment plant will have the ability to function as a regional distribution facility to neighboring water agencies and helping to provide a reliable source of safe drinking water.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, as the original author of E-Verify, I would like to report tonight we have over 135,000 employers throughout the United States that are using E-Verify every day successfully. Millions of employees have gone through that system to make sure that the workforce that they're employing is a legal workforce. As a former employer in the restaurant business, I can tell you, I wish I had that system available to me. Adding this $50 million will make sure E-Verify is accurate. It's already 99 percent accurate. That's pretty good for government work. We can make it even more accurate. We need to make sure that jobs in this country go to people who are here legally. This is an opportunity for the House to vote for this motion to recommit that will make sure that Americans who are looking for jobs will have the opportunity to find one. So I would ask all my colleagues, vote ``yes'' on this motion to recommit.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. I would like to thank Chairman Price and Ranking Member Rogers for crafting a very thoughtful bill for fiscal year 2010, the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. And I appreciate the recognition of the Air and Marine Operations Center, which is located in my congressional district. AMOC has been foremost in aviation-oriented law enforcement operations and coordinates our operations in the United States. It plays an integral role in protecting us from attack from drug and gun smuggling across our borders. However, I was disappointed that the extension of E-Verify was reduced from the President's request of 3 years to 2 years. The House overwhelmingly passed a 5-year reauthorization last year, and I think many people would support a permanent reauthorization of E-Verify. During full committee markup of the bill I offered an amendment but was repeatedly told that a reauthorization of E-Verify would be part of a comprehensive immigration reform bill, which simply makes no sense. A reauthorization of a voluntary program that has existed for 13 years should not be part of an immigration reform debate. Perhaps my friends on the other side of the aisle are confusing reauthorization with mandatory participation in E-Verify, which I support, of course. However, the thousands of businesses that use E-Verify to comply with existing Federal law and the two States that have made it mandatory deserve assurance that the program will continue to be available. Furthermore, I would like to clear up some misconceptions about the E-Verify program, which seem to be endlessly repeated. E-Verify is 99.6 accurate. That's right, only .4 percent of tentative non-confirmations are an error in the data. E-Verify is free to employers. It does not cost anything other than the minutes it takes to sign up for the program to use the system. My friends on the other side of the aisle repeatedly state that 10 percent of naturalized citizens receive a tentative non-confirmation. I would like to deliver some good news: That statistic is now down to 6.1 percent. So that means 93.9 percent of naturalized citizens are immediately cleared to work. Of the 6.1 percent that received the tentative non-confirmation, they only need to call a toll-free number to rectify their information. Other than my disagreement with the length of the reauthorization, I was also disappointed that an amendment I offered in the Rules Committee was ruled out of order. My amendment would have allowed Members to vote on whether the executive order requiring Federal contractors to use E-Verify should not be delayed again. The executive order has been delayed three times for dubious reasons. Secretary Napolitano has signaled her support for E-Verify, and the people running E-Verify have declared they are ready with the Federal contractor requirement. When it comes to doing business with the Federal Government, which is funded by the American taxpayer, the use of E-Verify should be mandatory. In closing, I would like to reiterate my support for the bill, but with strong reservations about the majority's actions that has severely restricted amendments and has shut down a once open process.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. 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 and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: DOJ, COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Corona Address of Requesting Entity: 400 S. Vicentia Avenue, Corona, California 92882 Description of Request: I have secured $150,000 for interoperability upgrades for the City of Corona Police Department. The funding would be used to purchase equipment required to achieve interoperability in the field; as well as equip the department's Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV) with necessary technology, including mobile radios, digital television monitors, video recording capability, computers, printers, mapping software, wireless router and system to ensure the MCV can act as a planning and collaborative field center. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on any of my pecuniary interests. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: DOJ, COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Riverside Public Utilities Address of Requesting Entity: 3901 Orange Street, Riverside, California 92501 Description of Request: I have secured $1,000,000 for the City of Riverside Public Utilities Infrastructure Video Security. The funding will go towards the purchase, installation and configuration of necessary infrastructure for video security at Public Utilities Substations. The City's Information Technology department and Public Utilities will design a system that will provide for video security cameras at each substation as well as the network, storage and enterprise software necessary to effectively manage the cameras. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on any of my pecuniary interests. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: DOJ, COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Riverside County Sheriff's Department Address of Requesting Entity: 4095 Lemon Street, Riverside, California 92501 Description of Request: I have secured $700,000 for Night Vision Binoculars for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The funding will provide the department night vision binoculars that will greatly enhance the night time capabilities of the Riverside County Sheriff's Emergency Services Team. The AN/PVS-15 models can be hand-held or used as a helmet-mounted goggle and is specifically designed for critical missions where high performance and depth perception are vital under low light conditions. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on any of my pecuniary interests. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: DOJ, OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: California Department of Justice Address of Requesting Entity: 1300 I Street, Sacramento, California 95814 Description of Request: I have secured $250,000 for the California Department of Justice's Riverside Gang Suppression Enforcement Team. The funding will provide support for the Gang Suppression Enforcement Team program in Riverside County. Funding will be used for training, equipment, translation services, wiretapping, overtime pay, and travel expenses for law enforcement personnel. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on any of my pecuniary interests. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: DOJ, OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Chabad of Riverside Address of Requesting Entity: 3579 Arlington Avenue, Suite 100, Riverside, California 92506 Description of Request: I have secured $400,000 for Chabad of Riverside's Project PRIDE (Prevention, Resource, Information and Drug Eradication). The funding would be used to expand Project PRIDE, a drug prevention program to reach at-risk youth in my district and the region. Funding will be used to train additional counselors and volunteers, drug and alcohol prevention material production, an interactive drug prevention website and an at-risk youth treatment and prevention camp. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on any of my pecuniary interests. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: DOJ, OJP--Juvenile Justice Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Olive Crest Treatment Centers Address of Requesting Entity: 2130 E. 4th Street, Suite 200, Santa Ana, California 92705-3818 Description of Request: I have secured $500,000 for Olive Crest's Independent Living Skills for At-Risk Youth. The funding would be used towards expanding a three phase program for successful independent living for at-risk youth. The program assists the participants in developing tools that will enable them to foster relationships and become responsible for themselves by providing training on issues such as banking, health, education, housing plans and job preparation. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on any of my pecuniary interests.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2892 Account: DHS, FEMA, National Predisaster Mitigation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Orange County Fire Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, California 92602 Description of Request: I have secured $252,000 for predisaster mitigation for the Orange County Fire Authority. The funding would be used to support a full time year-round hand crew for wildland fire operations through the purchase of materials such as personal protective equipment, supplies and tools. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on any of my pecuniary interests.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of the House-passed version of H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2647 Account: Navy Research and Development--0604215N Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Navy; Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division Address of Requesting Entity: Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, Corona, CA 92878-5000 Description of Request: I have secured $2,000,000 for the Measurement Standards Research and Development Program. The program includes testing for electro-optic and night vision systems; chem/bio and radiation detection systems; advanced sensor technologies; nano- technology. It also provides for improved and state of the art measurement calibration systems that ensure an accurate traceability of measurement from the weapon system parameter to National Standards maintained at NIST. Without adequate measurement capability, verification of performance for weapon and detection system readiness is not possible. This project results in the development of the measurement standards and calibration systems necessary to provide traceable measurements. These state-of-the-art measurements standards often reside at NIST and thus provide benefit to other federal agencies and industry as well. This project allows the Navy to make correct test decisions that ensure mission success and safety while reducing the cost of unnecessary rework. Substantial cost savings have resulted from past R&D projects funding through this program. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2647 Account: Army Research and Development--0602787A Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Address of Requesting Entity: 801 N. Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203 Description of Request: I have secured 3,000,000 for the Military Photomedicine Program. Photomedicine is an emerging field of biomedical research that shows considerable promise in the ability to address many priority military medical problems, including treatment of drug resistant infections, light activated repair of severed nerves and blood vessels, non-invasive critical care monitors for hemorrhagic shock and compartment syndrome, self directed needles for vascular access, sealing of penetrating eye injuries, early detection of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), biopsy imaging without tissue removal for airway injury from smoke or chemical agent inhalation, real time imaging of tissue circulation for wound management and reconstructive surgery, and targeted accelerated wound healing. Through peer reviewed, competitive grant funding this program supports teams of scientists and health care professionals at academic centers in collaborations with DoD medical laboratories in the development of technologies identified by DoD as important to military personnel, with a specific focus on the wounded warrior priorities identified in the Department's Guidance for Development of the Force FY 2010-2015 document. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2647 Account: Military Construction; Air Force Reserve Legal Name of Requesting Entity: March Air Reserve Base Address of Requesting Entity: March Air Reserve Base, Riverside, California 92518-2166 Description of Request: I have secured $9,800,000 for the March Air Reserve Base Small Arms Firing Range. The funds would be used to construct an adequately sized and configured small arms firing range which is required for training and maintaining the standard of current Air Force preparedness. The project also includes office space, classrooms, and equipment with fire protection and security alarm, lightning protection and explosion proof electrical which would bring the facility up to current force protection standards. The existing firing range was built in 1942 and is sub standard as a training facility. It is located approximately 5 miles away from March ARB and creates security, safety, and health and maintenance problems. Without funding the current facility will deteriorate further and will not be able to meet the training and readiness requirements of the base. Security, health and safety will be a concern and may cause the existing firing range to shut down. The range closure will seriously impact the small arm training, Force Protection and Personnel Combat Arms requirement for Reserve and National Guard units. Requesting Member: Congressman Ken Calvert Bill Number: H.R. 2647 Account: Navy Operations and Maintenance--BA03-1804N Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Address of Requesting Entity: U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps; 2300 Wilson Blvd, North; Arlington, VA 22201-3308 Description of Request: I have secured $650,600 for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Program. The Sea Cadet Program is focused upon development of youth ages 11-17, serving almost 9,000 Sea Cadets and adult volunteers in 387 units country-wide. It promotes interest and skill in seamanship and aviation and instills qualities that mold strong moral character in an anti-drug and anti-gang environment. Summer training onboard Navy and Coast Guard ships and shore stations is a challenging training ground for developing self-confidence and self-discipline, promotion of high standards of conduct and performance and a sense of teamwork. Funds will be utilized to ``buy down'' the out-of-pocket expenses for training to $120/week. NSCC instills in every Cadet a sense of patriotism, courage and the foundation of personal honor. A significant percent of Cadets join the Armed Services often receiving accelerated advancement, or obtain commissions. The program has significance in assisting to promote the Navy and Coast Guard, particularly in those areas of the U.S. where these Services have little presence.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual from my Congressional District who has dedicated his life to defending the people of this country and preserving the basic freedoms and liberties that we hold dear. Commanding Officer Captain Robert A. Shafer of the United States Navy is a true American hero and today I thank him for his 28 years of naval service. On Monday, January 22, 2009, Captain Shafer will be honored at his retirement and Change of Command Ceremony at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona, California. Captain Robert A. Shafer graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981. He was commissioned an Ensign and immediately began training as a Surface Warfare Officer in Coronado, California. During his career, Captain Shafer's assignments included Combat Information Center Officer aboard the USS O'Brien (DD-975); Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer aboard the USS Antietam (CG-54); Executive Officer of the USS San Jacinto (CG-56); and Commanding Officer of the USS Vincennes (CG-49). Captain Shafer also completed seven deployments, primarily to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf during this time. Following his Division Officer tour, Captain Shafer attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. There he earned a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and completed the requirements for a Weapons Systems Engineering subspecialty. Additionally, he is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College as well as the Naval War College. Subsequent shore tours include duty as Executive Assistant and Instructor in the Department of Weapons and Systems Engineering, United States Naval Academy; and as Fleet Liaison for the Technical Director, Aegis Combat Systems. His previous shore tour included assignment as Chief Staff Officer for PEO Theater Surface Combatants, Aegis Combat Systems Engineer, Director, Battle Force Systems Engineering, and duties as Military Deputy for the Director of Integrated Combat Systems for PEO Integrated Warfare Systems. Captain Shafer's awards include the Meritorious Service medal with 3 Gold Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 Gold Stars, as well as various unit and campaign ribbons which include five Battle ``E'' awards. Captain Shafer will retire from naval service with more than just his experience, decorated career and remarkable accomplishments; his enduring legacy will serve as a shining example and constant reminder of what it means to be an American.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a group of truly exceptional women who live in my Congressional District and whose service to our country was honored today by the passage of a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Service Pilots of World War II. Inspired by the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Margot DeMoss (Riverside, CA), Mary Ann Roberta Dreher (San Clemente, CA) and Jane Fohl (San Clemente, CA) answered our Nation's call to duty by joining the Women Air Service Pilots of World War II, also known as the WASP. Created on August 5, 1943, the WASP was charged with the critical task of delivering battle-ready planes from the factory line to military bases around the world. After just 16 months, the WASP had established itself as a premier ferrying squadron. Of the more than 25,000 women that applied for training, only 1,879 were accepted to participate in the rigorous program that would eventually produce 1,074 outstanding female pilots. The WASP founder, world famous aviator Jacqueline Cochran, challenged the status quo by asking for permission to commission WASP directly as Service Pilots, a procedure used routinely with male pilots but prohibited for women. She lobbied passionately, but eventually lost her battle both with the Comptroller General of the Army Air Force and in the halls of Congress, leading to the WASPs disbanding in 1944. I believe that these women pioneers deserve to be acknowledged not just for their remarkable bravery and sacrifice, but for reminding us all that an uncompromising commitment to America--to its values, ideals and traditions--is a unifying force. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2014, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's bill, awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Service Pilots of World War II, and I am pleased that the women of WASP will finally receive the recognition they so rightfully deserve.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I wholeheartedly support Commerce-Justice- Science Subcommittee Chairman Mollohan's bipartisan amendment to restore $100 million to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), to meet the Fiscal Year 2009 level of $400 million. I greatly appreciate my good friend, Alan Mollohan, and his staff's recognition of the importance of this program by rejecting the President's proposal to eliminate SCAAP. Counties across the country depend on SCAAP for reimbursement of the costs associated with the detention and incarceration of criminal aliens. Keep in mind, local law enforcement only receive a partial reimbursement through SCAAP. For example, in my district, Riverside County received reimbursement for only 17% of the cost of incarcerating criminal aliens in Fiscal Years 08-09. And out of Orange County's 65,000 inmates booked each year at the county jails, approximately 19% are criminal aliens. Although illegal immigration is clearly the federal government's responsibility, counties incur millions of dollars in unreimbursed expenses each year as a result of housing criminal aliens. During difficult economic times, local governments are struggling to pay for budgeted programs and additional demands for services are straining the system to the breaking point--unreimbursed expenses simply cannot go unmet. This amendment will help the many communities across the nation burdened with the costs of our federal government's failed responsibility to secure our nation's borders. I urge my colleagues to accept the amendment.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. I would point out, Mr. Chairman, those were Texans that were coming up on Little Round Top against Colonel Chamberlain that day, but I did want to point that out. But I want to appreciate the subcommittee chairman, my good friend, Alan Mollohan, for the hard work him and has staff have done while drafting this bill. It's not an easy job being the committee chairman, but I know you've done a great job to balance these many priorities. That being said, I just want to echo my comments, my colleague from Texas, John Culberson, in regards to the current level of funding for NASA. And hopefully we can, as you said, we'll work with you to make sure that the $700 million, which obviously would be devastating to NASA if that cut stayed in, to make sure that we get that money back in the 2010 Commerce, Justice spending as enacted. As you know, as has been pointed out, the challenges that we have with other countries that are making major investments in space--China, India, Japan, Pakistan, Russia. And certainly we don't live in a world today where we're the only ones involved in outer space. So I support the chairman and what he's trying to do with the Augustine panel to wait to find out what the report is. But I'm optimistic we'll work this out with our fellow NASA supporters in Congress to provide necessary funding and the rules and tools it needs to realize the agency's human space exploration under President Obama. And so I would again thank the chairman for your hard work on that.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a young man who died in service to his country and whose name will be forever immortalized at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Corona, California. Cryptologic Technician, Technical, Petty Officer First Class Steven P. Daugherty is an American hero and I know that the men and women who work at NSWC, Corona are honored to have his name grace their new Joint Warfare Assessment Laboratory Building. Today, Armed Forces Day, would have been Steven's 30th birthday. Steven P. Daugherty was born in Apple Valley, California, and was killed in action July 6, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq, by an improvised explosive device (IED). Steven excelled at an early age: he was student of the month at Barstow High School and made the honor roll at Barstow Community College. After graduating with an associate's degree in liberal studies, Steven enlisted in the Navy, where he worked as part of an elite Navy SEAL team. On that fateful day in July, Petty Officer Steven and his team were returning from an important mission when their vehicle struck an IED, killing him and the two other members of his unit. According to the National Security Agency, the work he and his team performed earlier in the day played a decisive role in thwarting a dangerous group of insurgents trying to kill coalition forces. Today, across from our Nation's Capitol, Steven rests in peace in the sacred ground of Arlington National Cemetery. Steven was respected by his peers as a professional and dedicated cryptologic technician, and his work was vital to the success of important combat missions. He was a decorated Sailor, having been awarded a Bronze Star (with combat ``V'' for Valor), the Purple Heart, a Combat Action Ribbon and other medals and commendations. His name is inscribed on National Security Agency's Memorial Wall, ``They Served in Silence.'' Steven is also the first formal recipient of the National Intelligence Medal for Valor. Steven was a loving 28-year-old father to an adoring 5-year-old son; a loyal brother to three fellow warfighters--two Airmen and one Soldier, Richard, Robert, and Kristine; and a faithful son to his parents, Thomas and Lydia. Most of all, Steven P. Daugherty was a patriot who gave the full measure of devotion defending America's freedom. In naming this important building to honor the sacrifice of Petty Officer Steven P. Daugherty, the Navy dedicates to him the latest addition to the Nation's premiere Joint Warfare Assessment Laboratory at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division. The Daugherty Memorial Assessment Center will stand as an ever-present reminder of Steven--and to every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who has given their life in defense of this country. This dedication also commemorates the groundbreaking work NSWC, Corona is doing to support the Joint IED Defeat Organization in its mission to combat the threat of IEDs against our Armed Forces. In addition to supporting needed counter-IED efforts, the Daugherty Memorial Assessment Center greatly enhances NSWC Corona's ability to support key national missions. NSWC, Corona will provide Strike Group interoperability assessment needed to certify ships for deployment; provide critical flight analysis for all Navy surface missile systems; provide performance assessment of Aegis and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships throughout their entire lifecycle; and finally, NSWC, Corona will centralize, process, and distribute the Navy's combat and weapon system data on one of the largest classified networks in the Department of Defense. The Daugherty Memorial Assessment Center is a state-of-the-art analysis and assessment asset that gives the Nation extensive capability to protect our Armed Forces, our country, and our freedom. May the new Daugherty Memorial Assessment Center serve as a reminder to the men and women who carry out the mission of NSWC, Corona how very important their work is to our troops. And may we pledge to always remember Steven P. Daugherty; the goodness he brought to our world and the sacrifice he has made will never be forgotten.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I stand in strong support of House Resolution 438, a bipartisan resolution which expresses the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives that National Child Awareness Month should be established in the month of September. September is traditionally ``back-to-school'' month, a time when families focus on preparing children for the coming school year. Recognizing September as National Child Awareness Month will heighten the American public's attentiveness to the importance of our children's health, education, safety and character development through the ongoing efforts of the numerous organizations and individuals who help to protect and nurture them. With this resolution we express our support for a month-long effort to recognize the importance of children in our society as they grown into responsible citizens. It is widely recognized that a strong, supportive family unit is the most important factor in the well-being of a child. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that every child will have a support system to depend on. Thankfully there are many organizations that provide for the most disadvantaged children in communities across the country. Even children with solid support systems benefit from youth-serving organizations which enrich their lives through activities such as sports, the arts, philanthropy and further education outside of the classroom. I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to the 69 bipartisan cosponsors and to the gentlelady from Orange County, the lead sponsor, Loretta Sanchez, for her efforts on behalf of this resolution. In addition I would like to extend a special thanks to the Education and Labor Committee for moving the bill quickly. It is my hope that Senators Feinstein and Burr will quickly pass a companion resolution in the Senate chamber and that President Obama will by Presidential Proclamation, designate September as National Child Awareness Month so that the many child-focused programs of the federal government might also be highlighted. Most importantly, I commend the many local and national youth-serving organizations and charities dedicated to the well-being of children across the nation and the world.