Tom Cole

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, I was unavoidably detained due to a prior obligation. Had I been present and voting, I would have voted ``Aye'' on rollcall No. 873.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I want to associate myself very much with the remarks that my good friend from Oklahoma (Mr. Boren) made and certainly will be supporting his secondary amendment. I also want to tell my good friend from North Carolina that I certainly recognize his motives and his seriousness, because I think it is a serious issue, and I think he is to be commended for approaching it that way, and thoughtfully, and I know he has done so. But I, too, share the opinion of my friend from Oklahoma that we are acting precipitously here. This is a matter in which, frankly, most of this body is not well informed. There are court cases underway in both the Federal and the tribal systems that ought to be allowed to play out. And if we are going to address this issue, we ought to do so in normal order through the committee fashion. As Mr. Boren so ably pointed out, the unintended, and I know unintended, consequences of this amendment would be to actually deny benefits to people that are currently receiving them. And to begin a process, quite frankly, that has profound implications for everybody in Indian Country and for all tribal governments is one we ought to think about, I think, very, very deeply before we embark on it. But, again, that, in no way, leads me to question the motives of my good friend from North Carolina or the seriousness of the issue he raises. I very much accept that. A final point I want on say on behalf, not on behalf, it is not my place to do that, but certainly I want to recognize that from the Cherokee Nation standpoint, they are the most racially diverse tribe in North America. There are thousands of African American Cherokees. In fact, there is every other race in that particular tribe. They see this as a tribal sovereignty issue. They do not see it as a racial issue. I certainly understand why some of my friends would have a different point of view. But I think, again, the matters involved here are so important and so deep that they deserve full consideration first in the courts and then in an appropriate legislative process in Congress. Mr. Chairman, I want to conclude by thanking my friend from Oklahoma for arriving at what I think is a very reasonable surmise. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, the Conference Report for H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, indicates that I requested an earmark project in Conference Section 2014(24) for Lake Rodgers, Creedmoor, North Carolina. I never submitted for nor requested from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee or the Conference Committee for the Water Resources Development Act this project.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 806, I inadvertently voted ``aye.'' I meant to vote ``no.'' Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 806, I was detained off the floor on a matter involving the Intelligence Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Kingston

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained for rollcall No. 766, on the motion to recommit H.R. 986, Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act, with instructions. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent for rollcall vote No. 691, on agreeing to the Mica amendment to H.R. 3074. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained on rollcall vote number 621, agreeing to H. Res. 533 which was to provide for consideration of H.R. 2956. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Madam Chairman, in the interest of time, I will be brief. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the Moore amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education bill. This amendment, which would defund the evaluation component of the Department of Education's absolute priority, is crafted to spare our teachers from choosing between two values that should never be in conflict, following their Nation's laws and tending to their students' well-being. I know Oklahoma educators well, and I can tell you that Oklahoma educators are honorable people. If there is a law on the books, they will follow that law to its letter and spirit. However, I believe that this particular law, that is the Department of Education's absolute priorities, is inconsistent with our teachers' obligation to do what's best for our students. The absolute priority evaluation component would have Upward Bound students recruit twice as many students as they are able to serve. Half of those students would then be directed away from TRIO, becoming a control group to prove or disprove TRIO's effectiveness. In short, we would raise these children's hope and then use them as guinea pigs to test our own theories and ideas. That's dishonest, it's cynical and it's wrong. I have no question in my mind about the outcome of such an experiment. TRIO would prove to be what it is, one of the most successful ways to encourage and support disadvantaged first- generation college students. Yet even in the best-case scenario, where TRIO has proven successful, Upward Bound programs across the country would be left with a group of students that would never be able to use their services. I oppose changing Upward Bound in order to recruit students into the program that could not receive help, giving on the one hand, and taking away with the other. We should aim to put our students and teachers in a position for success, and I believe that we will do so with the passage of the Moore amendment.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this bill because it is the wrong debate at the wrong place at the wrong time; and most importantly, it sends the wrong message. It is the wrong debate because it serves no useful purpose. We know this bill will never become law. If it passes, it will be vetoed, and that veto will be sustained. We are wasting the time and trying the patience of the American people for no useful purpose. It is the wrong place because it is what happens in Iraq, not here, that will determine the outcome of the current struggle. Our forces and those of the Iraqi Government are in a tough fight. We should reinforce them, not undercut them, and we should encourage the Iraqi Government, not abandon it. It is the wrong time because it is too early to debate the outcome of the current effort in Iraq. I have great respect for the author of this bill, but it is General Petraeus's report and assessment that should guide our deliberations in this body. He has asked us to wait until September before he offers us an assessment of the progress and prospects of the current effort. Having given him a tough job, we owe it to him to adhere to the timeline he has requested. It is the wrong message, most importantly, because it strengthens rather than weakens our enemies. They know they cannot defeat our forces, but they can and they do believe they can outlast this Congress. This debate and this bill will only strengthen them in that belief. By strengthening our enemies, we undercut the best efforts of our forces, the forces of Iraq and the Iraqi Government. The best way to undo the damage that this bill has already done is to defeat it, and I urge my colleagues to do so.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor one of Oklahoma's genuine treasures, Ms. Sammie Olkinetzky, who recently observed her 50th anniversary as a church choir director. Through her service as a choir director, hundreds of Oklahomans were encouraged to develop their singing abilities, utilize their gifts to entertain others, and most importantly, express praise to God through their talents. Ms. Olkinetzky was born and raised in Ada, Oklahoma. She attended the University of Oklahoma and received a master's degree in music education. Her first appointment as a choir director came in 1957 to Trinity Lutheran Church in Norman. While at Trinity, Ms. Olkinetzky had the opportunity to lead two children's choirs, the St. Timothy Choir and the Bach Choir, as well as a choir for adult church members. In 1963, Ms. Olkinetzky served as a dual choir director to both Trinity Lutheran Church and University Lutheran Church, which had recently partnered their choir with the Trinity congregation. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sammie Olkinetzky for her fifty years of service. She has spent decades enriching the cultural and spiritual life of residents in the fourth district. I want to thank Ms. Olkinetzky for all of her contributions to the state of Oklahoma.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2381 and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Democratic bill manager has more than adequately explained this piece of legislation. The House has passed a similar version of this bill in the previous two Congresses. I am certainly happy to see that we are doing so again.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, some of our Members believe H.R. 986 has significant negative implications on private property in Connecticut. Fuzzy language included in this bill may leave the door open for the Federal Government to use eminent domain to seize private property in this new designation. This is especially concerning because this is the same congressional district where the Kelo v. New Haven case originated. I remind my colleagues that many times the Federal Government uses just the threat of condemnation to frighten private property owners and to intimidate them until they become so-called ``willing sellers.'' We must protect our constituents from this wanton abuse of power by making our intentions clear in this legislation. Resource Committee Republicans made numerous efforts in both subcommittee and full committee to insert language that would have protected property owners in Connecticut. The language was plain and clear: Congress would not empower the Federal Government to condemn land and pressure owners into selling. Unfortunately, these efforts were rebuffed by committee Democrats. It is still unclear to our side of the aisle why the majority wants to expose property owners to the threat of eminent domain. The only reasonable conclusion is that they believe the Federal Government should and must confiscate private property. Because this bill has been brought under suspension of the rules, the minority will not have the opportunity to clean it up before the full House. I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill and stand up against this and other Kelo-style assaults on private property rights. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2121 is a simple measure that updates a land patent reference to an outdated management plan currently being used by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. This 8-acre property was obtained in 1992 from the Department of the Interior under a land grant patent. Under the new resource management plan, the museum will be able to greatly improve its visitor access to wildlife areas and to expand its facilities to accommodate additional shipwreck exhibits. I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1337. This bill, which I authored, provides for a water feasibility study to ascertain additional sources of water for the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District, which serves the cities of Norman, Midwest City, and Del City, Oklahoma. This bill provides limited Federal assistance, with the Conservancy District providing a local 50/50 match and demonstrating their dedication to this critical initiative. This legislation will help address and alleviate the water challenges facing these three cities. I would like to commend and sincerely thank all the parties involved in working hard to help see this bill pass into public law. The primary source of water for the Conservancy District is Lake Thunderbird, completed in 1965 by the Bureau of Reclamation. Incidentally, since 1988 one of the cities serviced by the Conservancy District, Norman, Oklahoma, has on numerous occasions exceeded their annual share of Lake Thunderbird's supplies. As a result, Norman has been forced to pull additional water from its original water source used before Lake Thunderbird was built and create an emergency supply line from nearby Oklahoma City. Recognizing that the projected demand on water supply will only increase as these three cities grow in population, the Conservancy District is taking proactive steps to find long-range solutions to their water needs. In 2003, working with the Conservancy District and recognizing the water strain in central Oklahoma, Congress provided the Bureau of Reclamation with funding for an initial water study, which it completed in August of 2005. This appraisal explores and proposes much-needed viable opportunities to enhance the current and long-term water supply of the Conservancy District. I introduced H.R. 1337 both at the behest of the Conservancy District and in the same spirit that Congress previously funded the building of Lake Thunderbird and the appraisal investigation: to facilitate the long-term vitality and well-being of the citizens served by the Conservancy District and, as an extension, the vitality and well-being of Oklahoma as a whole. It is important to note, Mr. Speaker, that the Conservancy District provides waters for more than 175,000 residents, meaning that no fewer than one out of every four of my constituents stands to benefit from this study. Mr. Speaker, I sincerely appreciate the chairman and ranking member's diligent work on this bill, and I strongly urge support and passage of H.R. 1337. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1725 and yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1725, introduced by our colleague, Mary Bono of California, authorizes funds to complete a three-stage plan for water recycling in Riverside County, California, Mr. Speaker. This legislation would help ease the county's dependency on imported water and will help drought-proof this arid region of southern California. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlelady from California (Mrs. Bono).

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

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1904 and yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1904, introduced by our colleague, Heather Wilson, directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide New Mexico with technical assistance and grants for the development of comprehensive State water plans and to assess the quality, quantity and interaction of groundwater and surface water resources in the State. This legislation recognizes that States have primacy over groundwater but provides limited Federal assistance to help the State carry out its efforts and help water consumers. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The majority has adequately explained this resolution. We join with them in recognizing the 63rd anniversary of Big Bend National Park and hope this occasion will further highlight the need to secure our public lands from the ecological devastation caused by unfettered, illegal crossers and drug traffickers. I urge colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the Holcim (US) cement plant in Ada, OK, for ensuring a century of continuous cement operations, for its use of recycled materials and for directing distribution. The Holcim plant in Ada provides jobs to over 100 employees, and many of their families have worked at the plant for two generations. Madam Speaker, since 1921 the Holcim plant has produced more than 33 million tons of cement used in the construction of roads, highways, airports, homes, and oil wells throughout Oklahoma. As such, this plant has been a dependable business in the region, a great example of American ingenuity and technology, and a leader in Oklahoma's industrial revolution. Madam Speaker, companies like this are rare. When so many have moved to other States and Nations, we are truly fortunate and blessed that Holcim has remained in place. I truly believe that this is testament not only to the company, but to the workers and the larger community of Ada, OK. Companies can only be faithful to a community if a community reciprocates. Ada's demonstrated dedication and its people reveal the pride we all have in our hearts for Holcim. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Holcim cement plant in Ada, OK for a century of continuous service. The plant is a part of the fabric that makes up present-day Oklahoma, and is an integral part of the economy for Ada by providing jobs and opportunities for our citizens. During Oklahoma's centennial year I want to salute Holcim (US) for the company's contributions to this State.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent for rollcall vote No. 515, on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 2284. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''