Jerry Costello

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Mr. Richard ``Foz'' Ryan, teacher, coach and community servant, who passed away this week on Monday, October 10, 2011. A native of East St. Louis, Illinois, Foz Ryan was a competitive athlete who blended his interests in education and sports as a highly successful coach. Foz coached an impressive array of sports over a 36 year career, including basketball, football, cross country, track and volleyball. The lessons learned by his athletes enabled them to achieve success, not only in their athletic pursuits, but in life as well. Foz never faced a worthy cause he did not champion or an event he could not organize. He became involved with the Special Olympics over 30 years ago and was a dedicated supporter of that organization ever since. While Foz was honored for his years of service to Special Olympics he noted that his true reward came through his interaction with the Special Olympics athletes. Through his work with the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Foz organized and initiated a number of community events, including the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Belleville, Illinois, which was founded through Foz's initiative and which has grown in popularity every year. Always proud of his Irish ancestry, Foz made several trips to Ireland and worked tirelessly to promote an appreciation for Irish heritage within his community. He was honored as the ``Hibernian of the Year'' and held every office of his local chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Foz Ryan's lifetime of achievement was accomplished through his roles as a teacher, coach, mentor, volunteer, fund-raiser and community servant. He is now reunited with his wife, Shirley, to whom he was married for 44 years and who preceded him in death in 2000. Foz is survived by three children, Theresa, Timothy and Patrick, and eight grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Mr. Richard ``Foz'' Ryan, offering our best wishes to his family and recognizing the indelible mark he left on his community and in the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose Palestine's bid for statehood at the United Nations (U.N.) and to encourage the Palestinian leadership to pursue a peace agreement with Israel through direct negotiations, as they have demonstrated their willingness to do before. Lasting peace is possible only if an agreement is accepted by the Israeli and Palestinian people--it must not be forced on either side. I have continually shared this message with my colleagues in Congress and the international community, most recently by urging members of the European Union to stand with the U.S. and Israel in opposing Palestine's unilateral action at the United Nations. All citizen in the region deserve a peaceful and prosperous future and I am hopeful progress will be made. However, the U.S. will not ignore the serious security threat that faces Israel. The path to peace lies in working together, not exploiting differences. I will stand with Israel to support peace through direct negotiations and urge Palestine to embrace this approach.

Mr. COSTELLO

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

Mr. COSTELLO. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 846, a bill that names the United States courthouse located at 80 Lafayette Street in Jefferson City, Missouri, as the ``Christopher S. Bond United States Courthouse.'' Senator Kit Bond is a sixth-generation Missourian with a long and distinguished career in public service spanning over 40 years, serving in many different capacities as an elected official at both the State and federal levels. Senator Bond served as a law clerk to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, as a Missouri Assistant State Attorney General, Missouri State auditor, Governor of Missouri, and finally in his longest-serving post, as United States Senator from 1987 to 2010 from the State of Missouri. In the Senate, Senator Bond served on the Committees on Appropriations, Commerce, Science, Transportation and Intelligence. As ranking member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Bond played an important role as Congress crafted its anti-terror policies in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Senator Bond also worked well with Members across the aisle on many issues, including perhaps one of his proudest legislative accomplishments as a cosponsor of the Family Medical Leave Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. Finally, Senator Bond was a vigorous advocate for the State of Missouri, proudly championing and pursuing Federal investment in support of public housing, university research, defense, agriculture and infrastructure throughout the State. Senator Bond and I worked very closely on a number of projects for Missouri and Illinois and the St. Louis region, including the new Mississippi River Bridge, which is under construction now. In January 2009, Senator Bond announced that he would not run for reelection in 2010, noting that in 1973, at 33 years old, he had become the youngest Governor ever to be elected in Missouri and that he had no desire to become Missouri's oldest Senator. Naming the Federal courthouse in Jefferson City as the Senator Christopher ``Kit'' Bond Courthouse is a fitting tribute, and I support the passage of Senate bill 846, which honors his service to our country and to this great institution. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the dedicated community service of Madison, Illinois Mayor John Hamm III as he is recognized for his lifetime of community service by the Southwestern Illinois Chamber of Commerce of Madison County. As the Executive Director of the Madison County Housing Authority, John has taken the Authority to a new level of activity, constructing hundreds of new residential units and communities in southwestern Madison County. He has overseen the redevelopment of numerous homes and properties and created new housing opportunities for the people of our area. He has helped break ground and redevelop new housing facilities for seniors and low to moderate income families, giving many families a place to call home. Mayor Hamm has been a consistent, active participant in community service for Southwestern Illinois serving as a municipal representative on the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and East West Gateway Council of Governments. Both he and his wife, Carol, have been longstanding community supporters of Madison's schools and are active with sports groups, booster clubs and many service organizations within the community. In his longstanding roles, first as a City Council Member in 1987 and then as Mayor of the City of Madison beginning in 1997, Mayor Hamm has been a champion for his local community. He has undertaken aggressive steps to rid the community of over 100 derelict properties and has worked tirelessly to bring in new businesses, such as Abengoa Bio Energy, Mattingly Lumber and Gateway International Raceway. He has been successful in securing both state and federal grants and funding for a new fire station, parks and walking trails and was instrumental in securing the Chain of Rocks Bridge as a tourist destination. As a Commissioner of the Tri City Regional Port District since 1997, Mayor Hamm has been an active leader in developing the Port District, working with my office to help in the transfer of the former U.S. Army Charles Melvin Price Support Center to the Port in 2000. During the last several years, over $325 million in both public and private investment has been made at the Port with an annual economic impact of over $200 million to the regional economy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation to Mayor John Hamm in recognition of his years of service as a community leader and to wish him and his family the very best in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. I thank the ranking member for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation before us today. The legislation is a clean extension of the FAA bill and also takes the authorization through the extension through January 31 of 2012. In February of this year, the Senate passed a bipartisan comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill by a vote of 87-8. By contrast, in April the House approved an extension that was very controversial, and it was a bill that was passed on a party-line vote. In fact, the House-passed bill passed by the narrowest vote margin for a House FAA authorization bill in almost 30 years. I said at the time that the poison pill provision that was put in the bill by the majority would prevent the bill from passing both the House and the Senate and being signed into law by the President. And, in fact, the White House said that they would veto the legislation with the poison pill provision. So we knew at that point that the reauthorization bill was not going anywhere with that provision in the bill. It's been 5 months since the other body invited the House leadership to appoint conferees and sit down at the table with Senate conferees to, in fact, try and work out an agreement between the House and the Senate. In July of this year, instead of passing a clean FAA extension, the Republican leadership put a poison pill provision in that extension that led to a shutdown of the FAA for almost 2 weeks, costing the FAA more than $400 million in lost revenue in that 2-week period. I'm pleased that the House leadership stepped in, brought a clean extension to the floor today. The American people are tired of all the games. They're tired of all the one side blaming the other side. They want reasonable people to come together, in this body and in the Senate, to act reasonably and do the right thing. The Senate has appointed their conferees. We should appoint--the Republican leadership in the House should appoint conferees in this body immediately so that we, in fact, can get a long-term authorization bill. Let's stop the games. Let's appoint conferees so that we can pass a comprehensive reauthorization bill now. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011.'' This bill contains a ``clean'' extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) authority to spend from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to carry out airport improvement projects at current funding levels through January 31, 2012. In February, the Senate approved a bipartisan comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill by a wide 87-to-8-vote margin. By contrast, in April the House approved an extremely controversial FAA reauthorization bill by a party-line vote. The House bill, in fact, garnered the narrowest vote margin for a House FAA reauthorization bill in almost 30 years, and the White House has threatened to veto it. Since the House FAA reauthorization bill was introduced, I, and several House Republicans, have warned that it contains a number of controversial ``poison pill'' provisions that seriously jeopardize the enactment of a long-term bill this year. It is now clear that we were absolutely right. It has been five months since the Senate invited House Republicans to join them at the bargaining table, appoint conferees, and complete work on a long-term FAA reauthorization. Yet Republican gamesmanship and insistence on poison pill provisions have so far led to an FAA shutdown and a complete failure to enact long-term, job-creating legislation. In July, the House Republicans attached an objectionable policy rider on rural air service cuts to the short-term FAA extension. The policy rider was included as a ``tool'' to pressure Senate Democrats into giving into Republicans'' assault on collective-bargaining rights in a long-term reauthorization bill. My Republican colleagues' strategy backfired, however, and resulted in a shutdown of the FAA for two weeks. In those two weeks, the shutdown cost the Nation almost $400 million in lost revenue--more than 20 times the amount of money that, according to House Republicans, their policy rider would have saved over the course of an entire year. Tens of thousands of American jobs were jeopardized. The Nation cannot afford the cost and burden of a repeat performance, so I will support this clean four-month FAA extension. However, I am very concerned about the events leading up to the introduction of this extension. Immediately following last month's disastrous FAA shutdown, House Republicans issued a defiant press release threatening to use new ``tools'' to coerce Senate Democrats. Yet, there have been no discussions or negotiations with the Senate since the shutdown, and House Republicans still refuse to appoint conferees to complete a long- term bill. Late last week, Chairman Mica was quoted by reporters stating there would be a ``new twist'' in the FAA extension. Then on Friday, the press reported that House Republicans would introduce another ``go it alone'' FAA extension bill with across-the-board-cuts to FAA programs. But on Friday night, House Republicans backed off their plan and made public a new clean highway and FAA extension. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans just don't get it. The American public is sick and tired of grandstanding and games. Nobody wants to see any more new twists in reauthorizing the FAA. The House Republicans have failed to enact a long-term FAA reauthorization bill this year, they have refused to appoint conferees and move the process forward, and they have nobody to blame but themselves for their failure. While I support this four-month extension, I now believe that Congress should consider a long-term one year extension of FAA programs. I have said before, and I will say again, that serial extensions are creating uncertainty in the construction industry and costing us jobs. And now Republican political gamesmanship is creating new instability that is hurting the economy. For the meantime, with these reservations, I support this extension in the interest of keeping hard-working Americans at work and preventing another shutdown. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011.''

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, we have reached a critical point in our months-long debate over the best approach to addressing our country's deficit and debt and raising the statutory debt limit. It is important to be clear, that the decision to raise the debt limit is about paying the bills we have already accumulated. The debt limit has been raised over 70 times since 1960 by Republicans and Democrats, in fact, more times under a Republican president. In 11 years, we have gone from a $5.6 trillion surplus to a $1.4 trillion deficit. We can argue about how we got here--and I would argue the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 and the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, all of which I voted against, are the primary reasons--but there is enough blame to go around, and the critical point now is to avoid the first default in the history of the United States of America. The good news tonight is that we can see the outlines of a final agreement. Both the Boehner plan and the Reid plan seek to enact at least $2.4 trillion in budget cuts with a similar increase in our debt limit. Both would set up a lawmaker committee to decide which programs to cut with a vote on the package without amendment by both the House and Senate. The key differences are the time-frame for raising the debt limit and the requirement that a Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) to the Constitution is passed in Congress and sent to the states. The Boehner plan calls for an immediate debt limit increase of $900 billion which lasts only through the end of this year. The Reid plan would raise the debt limit through the end of 2012. Moreover, while I have voted for a BBA in the past, it is very unlikely it will receive the two-thirds vote necessary in both Houses to be sent to the states, guaranteeing a future default. I believe the Reid plan is the better approach and will vote against the Boehner plan for this reason. We have heard a great deal in recent weeks about the potential, dire consequences of a default, notably a lowering of our country's credit rating that would cause a rise in interest rates--raising costs for people at every income level--and a likely drop in the stock market, affecting pensions and crippling our economic recovery. One thing that should be clear is that we don't want to go through this again just a few months from now. Financial markets want certainty so businesses can invest and create jobs, and I believe we will be better served to raise the debt limit through the end of next year. Mr. Speaker, this has been a very tough process. While I will not vote for the Boehner proposal today, I believe we are closer to reaching a final product that represents a workable compromise. And at the end of the day, that is what the American people expect us to do.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2553, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011. This is the 21st extension of the FAA authority to fund airport improvement projects at current levels, through September 16, 2011. Regrettably, unlike all of the prior 20 extensions of the FAA authority, this bill includes a policy rider eliminating Essential Air Service eligibility for 13 airports in small and rural communities. The issue today is not whether we support the Essential Air Service program or not. We should not be legislating on this extension. We should have a clean extension so we can move it over to the Senate and make certain that the FAA is funded through September 16. There have been no hearings on proposals to reduce EAS this Congress and no hearings on this bill either. Members with affected communities should be allowed to make their case to the House and offer amendments to the bill that would preserve service to their communities. Instead, this extension is inviting opposition and creating major problems because the Senate has indicated they will not accept this extension. Policy riders should be left out of the extension and taken up by the House and Senate conferees, if, in fact, we ever have conferees appointed here in the House. Earlier this year, the House and Senate both approved comprehensive FAA reauthorization bills. In February, the Senate passed the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 87-8. Passage of the Senate bill was widely applauded by both labor and industry stakeholders, and it was estimated the bill would create at least 10,000 jobs. In contrast, in April of this year, the House passed an extremely controversial H.R. 658 by a vote of 223-196, the narrowest vote margin for House passage of an FAA reauthorization bill in nearly three decades. The bill has been harshly criticized by labor and industry stakeholders because it would undermine aviation safety, slash FAA funding, and destroy good-paying airport construction jobs. Since Chairman Mica introduced the FAA reauthorization bill, we have been warned and we have warned, actually, that it contains a number of controversial poison pill provisions that seriously jeopardize the enactment of a long-term reauthorization act this year. The failure to enact a long-term FAA reauthorization act is costing taxpayers millions of dollars and the Nation tens of thousands of good- paying jobs. Short-term stopgap funding authorizations have stymied airport construction, job creation, and the FAA's overall ability to efficiently administer its programs. Further, multiple FAA extension acts have created uncertainty among local airport officials regarding the total amount of Federal funding available this year for airport construction. As a result, State and local airport officials are advancing fewer projects, less new construction is moving forward, and fewer jobs are being created. Last week the Airports Council International of North America sent a letter stating that if Congress did not extend the airport grant program through September 30, ``safety and security projects will go unfunded and the much needed jobs associated with these projects will not materialize.'' So I am puzzled why the majority would disregard this warning. It is time that we move forward and that we get a clean extension so we in fact can move to conference and get a bill that is agreed upon that we can bring to the floor that can be signed by the President. For the majority of the House who claims to care about creating jobs, reducing bureaucracy, and listening to the business community, this extension bill goes out of its way to create unnecessary red tape and problems. The FAA needs the certainty, stability, and direction that a long- term reauthorization act provides. Further, the American people and the American public deserve a long-term FAA reauthorization act that will create jobs, improve safety, and modernize our infrastructure. We need to stop playing partisan games, quit posturing, and pass a clean extension through September 16, appoint conferees, and in fact reach agreement on a long-term FAA reauthorization bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, at this time I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished ranking member of the full committee, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall).

Mr. COSTELLO. I yield myself 10 seconds just to make a point to the chairman. The 5-month period that he referred to, one, the Republicans in the Senate, as he knows, blocked our ability to appoint conferees. In particular, the Senators from Tennessee put a hold on it until the Colgan families made their point to let the hold move forward. With that, Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the former chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, the distinguished gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Johnson).

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, at this time I would yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. COSTELLO. I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, we heard from Chairman Mica, who we have worked with very closely. He has done, I think, his very best up to this point to try and get an FAA reauthorization bill both out of the House and to the point where we can get it to a conference committee. So he said he is very frustrated with the process. We are very frustrated with the process. And today the extension that the majority is offering even frustrates us more because we know that this is an extension, not a clean extension, but it has a rider on it involving Essential Air Services. The debate today and the discussion about this extension is not about Essential Air Service. Some members may support Essential Air Service, others may not support it. There's been a lot said on the floor today about subsidizing a $3,000 subsidy per ticket. Just for the record, we are not debating that. That is to be taken up by conferees if we ever get to conference. Members can, in fact, have their opportunity to make changes in the EAS program at that time. It should not be a part of this extension. But for the record let me say that in reference to an airport that was mentioned in Montana, it is actually 607 miles from Denver, to the Denver airport. So if you live in that community, it's not just a short drive to get in a rental car and drive to the Denver Airport. Also, the Nevada airport that was referenced from Salt Lake City, you are talking 234 miles. And the list goes on and on. So that's an issue that we can debate at the appropriate time. Some changes may need to be made to the Essential Air Service program. But I think also we need to keep in mind, we're not just talking about passengers getting from point A to point B when there's hundreds and hundreds of miles to get to the nearest large hub airport to catch a flight, but we're also talking about moving medical supplies, donor organs, and a number of other things. So it's not just passengers. And let me also say, my friend Mr. Mica mentioned as well that we've had an open process here. Well, in fact, we have not. The process has not been open on this extension. In fact, the majority dropped the bill on Friday without consulting the minority. They did not consult with us about what may be in the extension. In addition to that, they went to Rules Committee and asked for a closed rule so that no Member who might be affected by this legislation or might have an Essential Air Service airport in their district that may want to go to the Rules Committee and, in fact, get an open rule or come to the floor to debate the merits of keeping their airport on the EAS program, they did not have that opportunity because the majority asked for a closed rule. Had the majority come to us in the minority and said, We want a clean extension; we want to move it forward, we wouldn't be here today. We, in fact, would probably have voice voted this extension. It would have gone to the Senate. It would have been voice voted there. And, in fact, we would have been a step closer to making certain that the FAA is able to operate after the deadline on Saturday. Finally, let me say that we are frustrated because I've heard Chairman Mica say many times and, as the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, has said, We have worked closely together. We have done everything we can do in order to work together with Mr. Mica and Mr. Petri in order to get a bill. But I have read reports and I have just heard Mr. Mica say on the floor again today that, you know, we could wrap this conference up in 20 minutes. And he said today we could wrap it up within an hour, that there is only one issue that is remaining. Just for the record, let me say, if that's the case, we have not been consulted on that one issue. There are several issues. And just for the record, I would say major issues that have not been resolved on our side, on the House side between the majority and minority, let alone with the other body are: one, funding levels; two, Essential Air Service; three is repeal of the National Mediation Board rule; four is the DCA perimeter rule, often referred to as ``slots.'' Other outstanding issues are occupational safety and health protection for flight attendants, the 3-hour rule for tarmac delays, the lithium battery issue, and the aircraft activity disclosure to the public, the BARR program. And I have a list of other things to our knowledge that have not been resolved. So when the chairman or others say that we could wrap this up in 20 minutes or in 1 hour, I don't believe that is the case. In fact, I know it's not the case. We have not been consulted or negotiated to the extent that we could reach an agreement among ourselves on the House side, let alone with our colleagues over in the other body. So let me just say that it's a disappointment to me. We have worked closely together to move the FAA extension on a permanent basis. We are here on Wednesday. The FAA extension, in fact, will expire--the FAA will have to lay off employees this Saturday if, in fact, this extension is not approved by both bodies and sent to the President. And the Senate has already told us that they are not going to accept this extension with this rider, in fact, in the extension. They will approve the clean extension. And it's my understanding the other body is going to pass a clean extension and send it over here sometime today or by the end of the week. It would be my hope that the majority would, in fact, accept a clean extension so that the FAA can continue to serve the flying public and do all of the things that are essential to keeping the safest aviation system in the world as safe as possible so that we can begin to try and get a permanent bill and a long-term bill as well. Finally, I would conclude by saying that we need to appoint conferees. The Senate has passed their bill in February of this year. We have passed our bill in April. And we are here now in the latter part of July, and Chairman Mica is saying that all of these issues have been resolved but one, and we do not even have conferees appointed. So I would just encourage the leadership--Ranking Member Rahall. And I have sent a letter to the Speaker and to the leadership and to the majority saying, Look, let's appoint conferees. The Senate has appointed conferees. The only opportunity we had to appoint conferees in the last Congress was, in fact, stifled and held up by the Senate and, frankly, by two Senators from the State of Tennessee over one issue. Let's get the nonsense behind us. There are things in the Essential Air program that I would like to see changed. There are things in the bill that I would like to see us reach an agreement on. The only way to do that is to get an extension passed so the FAA can get past Saturday and operate until September 16. It will give us an opportunity to appoint conferees so that we can meet with the conferees who have already been appointed in the other body to reach a permanent agreement. The American people deserve better than what they're getting today on the floor of this House, and the American people deserve to know that we, in fact, are doing everything that we can to move forward to keep the safest aviation system in the world exactly that--the leader in safety around the world. So with that, I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this extension in the hopes that we could pass a clean extension. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, in 1995, I was one of only 72 Democrats to vote for the balanced budget amendment, BBA, considered by the House, and I would vote for a straightforward BBA today. However, the bill before us, H.R. 2560, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act, does not meet this standard. H.R. 2560 would ensure massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid by holding government spending to 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product-- which has not happened since 1966. In addition, the defense budget is exempted from any cuts under this plan. The only way to achieve a balanced budget would be to dismantle programs that help seniors and the disabled, while tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations that ship jobs overseas are preserved. It is simply unacceptable to make seniors and the disabled bear such a large share of this burden, and this is why AARP and many other groups oppose H.R. 2560. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a Republican gimmick, not a serious attempt to find common ground and a reasonable approach to getting our deficit and debt under control, and I will oppose it.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Let me thank my friend Mr. Capuano for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I would like to first thank the chair of the subcommittee, the gentlelady from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), and also the ranking member, Maxine Waters, as well as Chairman Bachus and Ranking Member Frank of the full committee, and also my friend Mr. Schock and Mr. Shimkus from Illinois. We all worked on this amendment together. It's a good amendment. As I think Mr. Schock just explained, the Bachus amendment gives the administrator the authority to allow for a possible fourth and fifth suspension of the mandatory purchase for certain communities that are making adequate progress in construction of the flood protection system. It's a commonsense amendment. It's a bipartisan agreement. I urge its adoption, and I not only support the amendment but the underlying bill as well.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2279, the ``Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part III.'' This bill is a ``clean'' extension of the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, to spend from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to carry out airport improvement projects at current levels through July 22, 2011. In February, the Senate approved a bipartisan, comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill by a wide 87-to-8-vote margin. Passage of the Senate bill was applauded by both labor and industry stakeholders, and it was estimated that the bill would create at least 150,000 jobs. The House followed on April 1 with a bill containing some controversial provisions that the Senate has indicated it will not accept. These provisions include the repeal of a National Mediation Board rule on fair union representation elections and cuts to funding for FAA programs, airport construction and improvement, and air traffic control modernization. For the last 2 months, we have worked with the Senate to resolve a number of differences between the two bills. The negotiations have made good progress, and, with just a handful of major differences remaining, we may be on the cusp of enacting a long-term reauthorization--a reauthorization that provides the FAA with the stability and funding necessary to safeguard safety, modernize the system, and create jobs. Like my Republican colleagues, I had hoped that each of the previous two short-term extensions would be the last. I was reassured by their expressions of a commitment to deliver a forward-looking bill that could pass both chambers and be signed by the President. But now we find ourselves with the need for a twentieth short-term extension. This extension is necessary, but I again say to my Republican colleagues: Let this extension be the last. Get a long-term bill done. I will work with my colleagues across the aisle to produce a bipartisan FAA bill that will create jobs and keep our economy moving throughout the 21st century and make this our last extension. For the present time, however, this extension is necessary, and I urge my colleagues to support it. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 100th anniversary of Local 702 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), headquartered in West Frankfort, Illinois. In 1911, the labor movement in the United States was in a period of rapid growth. Our economy was beginning its shift from agriculture to manufacturing and more of the population was becoming concentrated in metropolitan areas. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, in 1911, tragically exposed unsafe working conditions and provided fuel for the rise of organized labor. Also in 1911, a small group of electrical workers near Herrin, Illinois, petitioned the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for a charter. The founders of Local 702 wanted the pay and working conditions of those in the electrical trade to be commensurate with those of other skilled craftsmen and they knew the only way to accomplish this was to organize. They quickly began the task of working with area utility companies, and the first recorded bargaining contract was dated January 31, 1917, with the Central Illinois Public Service Company. During the Great Depression, as our Nation struggled with record levels of unemployment, many members of Local 702 were out of work for prolonged periods. In a display of solidarity, the working members of Local 702 accepted an assessment on their wages that provided relief funding for their unemployed brothers. Loans from Local 702 provided a critical lifeline during the 1930's and some are still being retired today. IBEW Local 702 considers itself to be a progressive, active local. From its founding as a bargaining unit for electrical workers, Local 702 has expanded to represent workers in many different fields, including manufacturing, instrument technicians, broadcast engineers, and nursing. While the primary focus of the local is the representation of its members, they are also vested in being a positive influence within their communities. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the leadership and members of Local 702 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary and to wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the exceptional accomplishments of the Flying Salukis, the flying team at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Under the direction of Coach Nathan Lincoln, on May 21, 2011, the Flying Salukis won the 2011 National Intercollegiate Flying Association championship, concluding a weeklong competition at the Ohio State University Airport. The Flying Salukis edged out 26 teams from across the Nation to capture the championship title, which is the eighth in the history of Southern Illinois University's aviation program, and the first since 1985. With 10 team members scoring a total of 414 points, the Flying Salukis won the title by nine points over the University of North Dakota, a two-time defending champion. The team placed in all 11 events, demonstrating a very well-rounded lineup in both flight and ground events at the competition. Michael Carroll, from Normal, Ill., and one of three team captains, gave a truly exceptional performance, scoring 121 points to become the top-scoring pilot in the Nation and finishing second for the national top pilot award. In addition, the team won three individual titles. Taylor Bream, from Lake Villa, Ill., won the short-field approach and landing; Ryan Veldman, from Lexington, Ky., won the power-off landing event; and co- captain Daniel Harrington, from Monee, Ill., won the SCAN title. Other team members who scored in events were Scott Blair, from Bloomington, Ill.; David Brown, from Chicago, Ill.; Ryan Buttney, from Lemont, Ill.; Daniel McMahon, from Edina, Mo.; Joshua Mech, from Sheboygan, Wis.; and Samuel Oas, from Villa Park, Ill. Additional members of the Flying Salukis for the 2011 spring semester include: Courtney Copping, from St. Charles, Ill.; Kyle Hayes, from Bourbonnais, Ill.; Justin Lopez, also from Bourbonnais; Michael Szemplinski, from Geneva, Ill.; and George ``Rusty'' Wharton, III, from Goodfield. I also want to recognize the Flying Salukis' assistant coaches: senior lecturer Bryan Harrison, assistant instructors Jeffrey Jaynes, Kevin Krongos and Sabrina Zwego, and also Kim Carter, a senior lecturer and academic adviser. In addition to teaching as faculty members in the aviation flight program, these individuals dedicate a great deal of time after classes to assist Coach Lincoln and the team members, and we appreciate their hard work. Mr. Speaker, Southern Illinois University has a proud tradition in teaching, research and public service, and it is also very well known for its nationally competitive athletic and extracurricular teams. The Flying Salukis have once again demonstrated exactly why this university's aviation program continually ranks as one of the best in the nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Flying Salukis and their coaches, as well as the faculty and students at Southern Illinois University for their continuing commitment to excellence.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the dedicated community service of Mr. Richard Roehrkasse, as he marks his 20th year as a Trustee for Southwestern Illinois College. Richard Roehrkasse was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees for Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) in 1991 and has been continuously re-elected since that time. A resident of Red Bud, Illinois, Mr. Roehrkasse had experience in the Information Technology field as a systems analyst, designer and project manager. He had a desire to serve his community and pursued membership on the SWIC Board of Trustees as a way to help ensure access to quality education for area residents. As a SWIC Trustee, Mr. Roehrkasse has enthusiastically worked with faculty, administration and staff on the Strategic Planning Committee since its inception. He helped to update existing and develop new Board policies and procedures to address strategic planning priorities. Mr. Roehrkasse has been a consistent, active participant in helping SWIC maintain its longstanding accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and achieve model-institution recognition from the HLC for its Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) initiatives and achievements. With his background in Information Technology, Mr. Roehrkasse has been a longstanding champion of IT--from smart-classrooms to community- wide applications--helping to establish SWIC as one of the leading IT- supported community colleges in the state and the nation. In his longstanding role as Board of Trustees Facilities and Finance Committee Chair, Mr. Roehrkasse has helped to develop and identify funding resources for SWIC and to complete numerous major capital development projects. Among the significant projects to benefit from his involvement are; the Liberal Arts and Information Sciences buildings at the Belleville Campus; renovations and expansions at the Sam Wolf Granite City and Red Bud Campuses; and the Schmidt Art Center, in collaboration with the SWIC Foundation Board. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation to Mr. Richard Roehrkasse for his 20 years of service as a Trustee of Southwestern Illinois College and to wish him the very best in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Call for Help, Inc. an organization that is celebrating 40 years of changing lives. Call for Help, Inc. provides the only 24-hour suicide hotline in the Metro-East area of Southwestern Illinois. Call for Help, Inc., was chartered in 1970 and began as a suicide and crisis hotline, operating out of a basement. While this critical service is still very much a part of Call for Help's program offerings, they have expanded to meet other critical needs through the years. Two residential programs have been added, one to serve individuals who are homeless and suffer from chronic mental illness. Participants in this program receive medication monitoring, counseling, life skills training and other services. The other residential program provides assistance to homeless young women who are either pregnant or have small children. These women receive support and skill development so they can achieve long-term independence. Training includes life skills, parenting, workplace readiness, GED and other subjects. Call for Help, Inc. also provides assistance to victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse. Twenty-four-hour response to victims includes arriving on-site at the hospital or police station and help navigating the medical and legal systems. Last year, Call for Help, Inc., provided critical assistance to over 25,000 individuals and, through the years, they have recorded countless, remarkable stories of success. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Board of Directors, administration and staff of Call for Help, Inc., for their 40 years of changing lives and to wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1893, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part II. This bill is a clean extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's authority to spend from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to carry out airport improvement projects at current levels through June 30, 2011. In February, the Senate approved a bipartisan comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill by a wide 87-8 vote margin. Passage of the Senate bill was applauded by both labor and industry stakeholders, and it was estimated that the bill would create at least 150,000 jobs. By contrast, last month the House approved a controversial FAA reauthorization bill, H.R. 658, by a party-line vote by the narrowest vote margin in almost 30 years. The White House has threatened to veto the legislation, and the House bill has been criticized by the FAA, the National Transportation and Safety Board, Captain Sully Sullenberger, the families of Colgan Air Flight 3407 who lost loved ones in Buffalo, New York, and in the press because it would undermine aviation safety efforts. For several weeks we have worked with the Senate to resolve a number of differences between the two bills. However, the most controversial aspects of the House FAA reauthorization bill--the arbitrary $4 billion funding cuts that will have a negative impact on aviation safety and our economy, and a provision that repeals a Federal rule on fair labor elections and mounts an assault on collective bargaining rights--have not been resolved or dropped from the bill. So despite assurances from our friends on the Republican side of the aisle that we would not have another FAA extension, Congress must now enact the 19th short-term extension. If the House Republicans continue to insist on these controversial poison pill provisions, the enactment of a long-term bill this year is in serious jeopardy, and we will be back here on the floor for more extensions in the future. We all agree that the FAA desperately needs the stability and direction that a long-term reauthorization would provide. Further, the American public deserves a long-term FAA reauthorization bill that will create jobs, improve safety, and modernize our infrastructure. But the House FAA reauthorization bill would not accomplish any of these objectives. I will again say, as I have said many times before, I will work with my colleagues across the aisle to produce a fair bill that can not only pass the House but also pass the Senate and be signed into law by the President. Let us strip the partisan poison pills from this bill and enact a long-term, bipartisan FAA bill that will create jobs and keep our economy moving throughout the 21st century, and make this our last extension. For the present time, however, this extension is necessary, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, 96 years ago this month, the Ottoman Empire began a brutal campaign against its Armenian citizens, marking the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. At the end of this atrocity in 1923, more than 1.5 million Armenians had perished. Once again, despite the absence of an official recognition on behalf of the American government, I stand to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. This injustice deserves recognition by the U.S. For years, a resolution affirming the U.S. position on Armenian Genocide has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and, as a member of the House Armenian Issues Caucus, I have cosponsored that resolution. Over two dozen countries and 43 states, including my home state of Illinois, have affirmed the Armenian Genocide, demonstrating unwavering support for this position. As I have said before, there will never be a convenient time to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, but we must do what is right and officially declare these atrocities as genocide. The official commemoration of the Armenian Genocide also provides an opportunity to recognize the indomitable spirit of the Armenian people. Their daily contributions to our communities are the best testament of their kindness, strength and commitment to justice and peace. As a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, I call on my colleagues in Congress and the Obama administration to join me in recognizing the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the significant contributions of the Armenian people.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the budget agreement for the rest of fiscal year 2011. This bill, which contains nearly $40 billion in spending cuts, brings a much-needed conclusion to this year's budget debate. While I have concerns about some of the cuts in this bill-- particularly to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Aviation Administration--doing nothing is simply not an option. The American people expect us to cut spending and reduce the deficit, and this agreement represents a compromise that moves us forward. As we take up next year's budget and raising the debt limit, it is my hope that we will do so carefully without undermining our nation's economic recovery. And, as President Obama noted yesterday during his budget address, there must be shared sacrifice. Upper income Americans, corporations and the Department of Defense must be part of the process of cutting spending and increasing revenues, while we ensure that our social safety net remains intact. Programs for our seniors and the poor must not be singled out during this debate. Madam Chair, we can find budget savings across all departments of the government while still making strategic investments and protecting the safety and security of the American people, and I look forward to continuing this work.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011. Based on the physical evidence and forecasts of most scientists, it is clear climate change is happening, man-made causes are a significant factor, and that left unaddressed, climate change poses a public health risk. I believe we must move forward from debating the science of climate change to developing balanced policies that combat its impacts. However, I oppose the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) attempt to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. I believe Congress must retain the authority to develop a climate change policy that reduces emissions, improves energy efficiency, and encourages clean energy technology, including clean coal, while also protecting and creating jobs, keeping energy costs affordable, and preserving our economic recovery. I am not convinced EPA's current path will achieve those goals. While I do not agree with all aspects of this legislation, I support H.R. 910, to ensure Congress has the ability to develop a practical climate change policy at the appropriate time. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.