Jerry Costello

Mr. COSTELLO

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

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 138) recognizing the 40th anniversary of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 138.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 138, introduced by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). The concurrent resolution recognizes the 40th anniversary of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and congratulates officials of the airport and the City of Houston for the airport's service to Houston's citizens and the national air transportation system. Houston Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston, serving over 43 million passengers in 2008, and is the eighth largest airport in the United States. The airport has grown to become a world- class international gateway and is a regional and world leader in air cargo processing, consolidation, and distribution. Finally, the airport supports more than 151,000 jobs and contributes over $24 billion annually to the Houston regional economy. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 138. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the author of this legislation, the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. COSTELLO. I yield the gentlelady an additional minute.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 719) commending Russ Meyer on his induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, as amended.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H. Res. 719.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 719, introduced by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt). The resolution recognizes Russell W. Meyer, Jr., for his achievements and lifetime of service to the aviation industry and commends him on his induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. As a leading proponent of aviation, Russ demonstrated strong leadership as the former chairman and chief executive officer of Cessna Aircraft Company. He was instrumental in supporting innovative aviation programs and played a key role in the development of the Be A Pilot program that resulted in tens of thousands of new pilots and contributed more than $200 million to the economy. Russ has served on three Presidential commissions and was one of the principal architects of the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994. In 1995 he received one of aviation's most prestigious individual honors, the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. It is awarded annually on the anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring one of America's pioneers in aviation by supporting H. Res. 719. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers on our side. I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time. I urge passage of this legislation. I yield back the balance of our time

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 200th anniversary of Bethel Baptist Church of Caseyville, Illinois. The year 1809 was important in the history of our Nation and the State of Illinois. While James Madison was inaugurated as our young Nation's fourth President and Robert Fulton received a patent on his new invention, the steam boat, the Illinois Territory was formed by an Act of Congress and Abraham Lincoln was born in the backwoods of Kentucky. At the same time, a group of Christians who had concerns about the pro-slavery position of some members of their former church formed the Baptist Church of Christ, Friends to Humanity, which would later become Bethel Baptist Church of Caseyville. James Lemen, Sr., was the first pastor of the new church and the congregation would meet in the houses of members, traveling up to 36 miles by horseback to attend services. As the congregation grew, the need for a permanent church structure became apparent and the first meeting house was built in 1825. During the church's early years, members continued to hold strong abolitionist positions. The church building was used as a station along the Underground Railroad, with fugitive slaves hiding in a crawl space under the church floor. To commemorate this important period, when a new floor was installed in the 1940s, a trap door was installed so the original trap door, through which the fugitive slaves would enter their hiding place, could be seen. Many changes occurred during the history of the church, many of which mirrored what was going on as our Nation grew. Wars and economic disasters took their toll on the congregation and, for a period during the Great Depression, the church was closed. During that time, concerned parishioners would gather the children of the area into their homes to continue to spread the Word of God. Responding to the needs of the flock, the church membership was reorganized and the church reopened in 1938. Due to the efforts of many in the congregation, the church rebounded and membership grew. As they celebrate their past during this historic anniversary year, the congregation of Bethel Baptist Church of Caseyville also looks forward to the future. Their strong commitment to their faith, their families and their community is reflected in their invitation for their bicentennial observance, ``Celebrate God's Goodness with Us!'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 200th anniversary of the Bethel Baptist Church of Caseyville and wishing them the best for many years to come.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rick Schewe and congratulating him on being named the ``George R. Badgley Labor Man of the Year'' for the Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council. Rick Schewe comes from a union family. In fact, his father was honored with this same award in 1978. Upon joining the Laborers Union in 1973, Rick quickly assumed a leadership role within his local. He served as Secretary-Treasurer for 29 years, assistant business manager for nine years and business manager for 13 years. Rick has represented his local at seven International Conventions and currently is president of the Twelve Counties Southwestern Illinois Laborers District Council. In addition to his many activities and responsibilities in representing the working men and women of our area, Rick has found time to volunteer within his community, including organizing blood drives and volunteering for the Salvation Army fund-raising campaign. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation and congratulations to Mr. Rick Schewe, a true champion of organized labor.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. I thank Chairman Oberstar for yielding the time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Again, I want to thank Chairman Oberstar for yielding time to me. I rise in support of H.R. 3607, the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2009. I want to thank Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, Mr. Petri, and Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member Camp for bringing this legislation to the floor today. Chairman Rangel of the Ways and Means Committee and Mr. Camp were very cooperative in extending the taxes so we could do this extension today. As Chairman Oberstar indicated, in a previous Congress and again in May of this year, the House passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009, a long-term authorization of the FAA programs. We have been waiting on the other body for several months to bring a bill to the floor and pass it. In fact, it has been almost 2 years since Vision 100, the last FAA reauthorization bill, expired. Congress has been unable to pass a multiyear FAA bill; so then, instead of approving that bill, because of the other body, we have had to approve a series of short-term extensions. However, until H.R. 915 is signed into law, it is imperative that we not allow the FAA's critical programs to lapse. The Aviation Trust Fund is currently operating under a short-term extension that expires on September 30, 2009. To that end, H.R. 3607 would extend not only the aviation taxes and expenditure authority, but also the Airport Improvement Program contract authority until December 31 of this year. H.R. 3607 provides an additional $1 billion in AIP contract authority, resulting in a full year contract authority level of $4 billion for fiscal year 2009. These additional funds will allow airports to proceed with critical safety and capacity enhancement projects, particularly larger projects that require a full year's worth of AIP funds to move forward. Mr. Speaker, aviation is too important to our Nation's economy, contributing $1.2 trillion in output and approximately 11.4 million jobs, to allow the taxes or the funding for critical aviation programs to expire. Congress must ensure that this extension passes today to reduce delays and congestion, improve safety and efficiency, stimulate the economy, and create jobs. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to vote in favor of this extension. I join Mr. Mica and Mr. Oberstar and others in hoping that the other body will move very quickly on the reauthorization so we can get a bill on the President's desk. I urge my colleagues to support this extension. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Bank of O'Fallon, in O'Fallon, Illinois. The Bank of O'Fallon was chartered in 1959 and opened its doors in a facility on the northwest corner of the new Southview Plaza. The original board of directors included; Matthias K. Schwarz, Russell V. Thoman, Sr., Dr. B.F. Tate, Arthur Huller, W. Wayne McKinley, Ray Richardson, and Jack Schwarz. The management team consisted of President, Matthias K. Schwarz, Vice-President, Russell V. Thomas, Sr., and acting cashier, Dr. B.F. Tate. Responding to the needs of its customers, the Bank of O'Fallon opened an 8 lane drive through facility in 1973, across the ``Shiloh Road,'' at 913 South Lincoln. Expansion continued in 1989 with the opening of a new, larger bank building next to the drive through. The Community Financial Center was built on the site of the original bank building in 2000. This center holds a conference room, dedicated to one of the founders, Russell V. Thomas, Sr. and his wife, Eleanor, where community groups can meet free of charge. The Bank of O'Fallon has grown through the years and has earned a reputation as a sound, successful community bank. It is owned by Security First Bancshares, Inc., a locally owned holding company. With current assets of approximately $255 million, the bank has been recognized by several independent bank research firms with their highest ratings. The current president, Richard J. Thoman, stresses the joint contributions of the directors, officers and employees in the continuing success of the bank. O'Fallon and the surrounding area have been tremendous growth since 1959 and the Bank of O'Fallon has grown with it by maintaining close ties within the communities it serves. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the board of directors, officers and employees of the Bank of O'Fallon on their 50th Anniversary and wishing them the very best for many more years to come.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 511, a bill I introduced to correct a problem in Caseyville, Illinois, which is part of the congressional district I represent. I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Lucas to bring this bill to the floor today. H.R. 511 simply gives the USDA the authority to terminate an easement it entered into with the Village of Caseyville on September 20, 1999, due to a disagreement over how the land could be used. The Village received $60,000 and the easement covered 44 acres. The Village believed that the Warranty Easement Deed under the ``Emergency Watershed Protection Program'' allowed the 44 acres to continue to be used for flood control. However, the National Resource Conservation Service began referring to the easement as a ``Wetlands Reserve Program'' property--that program is not concerned with flooding, but rather protecting and restoring wetlands. The differences in approach led the Village to seek a termination of the easement, including paying back all of the $60,000 to the Department of Agriculture. After a great deal of discussion, the Department of Agriculture stated that it did not have the authority to terminate the easement, and suggested this legislative approach. I again, thank the Committee for its attention to this matter and urge my colleagues to support the bill. I have no further speakers and will yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by my friend from New Jersey. The amendment would prevent the FAA from funding the implementation of the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia metropolitan airspace redesign. The FAA's airspace redesign efforts will play a critical near-term role in enhancing capacity, reducing delays, transitioning to more flexible routing and ultimately saving money for the airlines and airspace users in fuel costs. After 9 years of evaluation and a cost of over $53 million to the taxpayers, the FAA announced that it would implement a new airspace structure for the five major airports and several regional airports serving the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia metropolitan area in September 2007. Congestion and delays in this region ripple through the entire aviation system and cause delays all throughout our entire national airspace system. The FAA did extensive analysis and held more than 120 public meetings in five States throughout the environmental process. Delay benefits are estimated to reach 20 percent by the year 2011 compared to the amount of delays the air traffic system would have without the changes. According to the FAA, one-half million fewer people will be exposed to noise under this plan compared to no change at all. In July 2008, the GAO issued a report on the airspace redesign and concluded the FAA's methodology to assess operational and noise impacts was reasonable. Mr. Chairman, we must not delay the redesign project. We must modernize our airspace and move forward with the NextGen Air Transportation System.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2938) to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2938 would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the construction deadline for a hydroelectric power plant at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Illinois. Over the past 20 years, there has been great interest in building a hydroelectric plant at this site on the Mississippi River; however, construction of the hydroelectric plant has not happened on this site as of this date. Last October, Brookfield Power acquired the license to proceed with the construction of the site. When Brookfield applied for an extension of the construction deadline, the company was informed that because of the administrative extensions granted to the previous licensee, congressional action is needed to grant an extension. Brookfield will lose this license at the end of this month, July 2009. For that reason, Brookfield and the City of Alton, Illinois, requested legislation to extend the deadline for 6 years. Passing this legislation is necessary to ensure that Brookfield can bring renewable energy to Illinois and create green jobs. The hydroelectric project will create 404,000 megawatt hours of electricity, the equivalent of 283 barrels of oil. Further, Brookfield will hire 125 workers over a 3-year period and invest over $400 million to construct the plan. This bill is cosponsored by my friend and colleague from Illinois, Congressman John Shimkus. Both the majority and minority staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee have reviewed and accepted the legislation. FERC has also reviewed the legislation and does not oppose it. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2938. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my colleague for supporting this legislation. I share the same concern that you have with the section that you quoted in the energy bill, and we hope that our friends in the other body will address that issue so that it is not a concern for the future. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.