K. Conaway

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on September 18, 2010, the city of Crane, Texas honored one of her own by proclaiming ``Ted Hogan Day.'' Today, it is my distinct pleasure to mark that day here in the United States House of Representatives. Ted Hogan, Sr. was honored for his outstanding citizenship and his loyalty to the people of Crane, but his true worth to his community goes far beyond that. As an active member of the Crane Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion, the Masons, and several local churches, Mr. Hogan was a fixture in Crane, constantly devoting his time to make his hometown a safe, friendlier, and more prosperous city. I am particularly proud to brag on Mr. Hogan's work on behalf of the children and young adults in Crane. Through the Boy Scouts, the Masons, his church, and more, Mr. Hogan has devoted his life to lifting and building up the next generation of Americans. His work has helped sick children receive medical care, turn boys into men, and give a moral foundation to the young people in his church. Every citizen in Crane, young and old, has benefitted from Mr. Hogan's generosity with his time and wisdom. It is a fitting tribute that they chose to honor him and the work he has done. It is one of my great pleasures as a Member of Congress to share brief sketches of the life's work of my constituents with the Members of this House, and Mr. Hogan is no different. He is part of a generation of Americans who understood that our country can only be great if we give more than we take and we invest in the institutions that serve future generations of Americans. Our nation would be a better place if more Americans walked in his footsteps. On behalf of the citizens of the 11th district of Texas, I would like to echo our neighbors in Crane and thank Mr. Hogan for his service to God, his family, and his community. I am humbled to be able to represent him in the halls of Congress.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 536--H. Res. 1640-- providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 5297) to create the Small Business Lending Fund Program and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for small business job creation, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 535--H. Res. 1640--on ordering the previous question, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 537--H.R. 5110--Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Boundary Modification Act of 2010, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 534, to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Ellen Noel Art Museum on its 25th Anniversary. For a quarter century, this institution has brought world class art to the dusty roads of West Texas. It is a beacon of knowledge and culture that shines across the Permian Basin. Through the museum's art classes, workshops, and collaborations, a generation of Texans has been afforded a window on the wider world that rivals those in Dallas, Austin, and beyond. Just recently, the museum was selected to be an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution because of its ``well deserved reputation for its collections, exhibitions, and educational programming.'' This opportunity will give the museum access to the vast collections of the Smithsonian Institution and allow the citizens of West Texas to see some of man's finest artistic achievements in their own back yard. It also serves as an exclamation point on 25 years of exceptional educational opportunities. Of course, without curators, teachers, maintenance staff, donors, and volunteers, a museum is just a building. As we celebrate the museum's 25th anniversary, we must also extend our gratitude to the hundreds of people who have worked over the years to build this institution into the community treasure we have today. For 25 years, the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Ellen Noel Art Museum has served the students and families of their community. From nothing more than an idea, they have built a lasting legacy for every citizen of West Texas to enjoy and be inspired. We owe them all a debt of gratitude. On behalf of the citizens of the Permian Basin, who I am privileged to represent, I extend my congratulations to the Ellen Noel Art Museum on its 25th Anniversary and my deepest thanks to the citizens who have worked to create this institution. Our community is made better because of your hard work.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I always enjoy being able to share stories about the great people of District 11 with my colleagues. Today, I would like to share the story of Barbara Yarbrough, a treasured citizen of Midland, Texas, who I am privileged to represent in this House. Barbara grew up in what many of us would consider difficult circumstances. Orphaned at the age of eight, she and her younger brother spent four years homeless until an Aunt took them in. Her Aunt encouraged her to go to college, telling her that If she graduated, she could do anything. I do not know if Barbara's Aunt knew then how right she would be, but I am proud to say that Barbara has accomplished everything one individual could hope to in a life devoted to serving the communities she has called home. In Midland, Barbara is a living legend. For almost forty years, she taught two generations of Midlanders, serving as an advisor, a confidant, a cheerleader, a mentor, and a friend to every student who sat in her classroom. After retiring from teaching, Barbara tackled new challenges, and now works as a parent liaison in the Midland school district. Through this office, she works with parents and families, offering counseling, advice, parenting classes, health information, and support for parents when they have needed it the most. I expect that most every community has someone like Barbara; someone who works nearly as hard or touches almost as many lives. I imagine that every member of Congress I serve with can think of someone that might compare. But, I know that I represent the one and only Barbara Yarbough. She Is a singular individual, a truly unique soul, who my community is blessed to be able to call our own. She is also a near and dear friend to me, who I am honored to be able to brag on here today. This August, Barbara celebrates 50 years of serving the students, parents, and employees of the Midland Independent School District, I would like to offer my humblest gratitude to her for her five decades of service and her genuine, unwavering, and unflinching concern for the people of Midland. She has been and will continue to be a friend to many and a servant to all. May God bless her as she has blessed us.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1411, as amended, which honors the service and commitment of the 111th Fighter Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. I would like to thank the gentlelady from Pennsylvania for introducing this resolution. I am honored to pay tribute to the current and former Members of the 111th Fighter Wing who have steadfastly and courageously defended and served this great country on our shores and in distant lands. With roots that date back to the 103rd Observation Squadron, operating out of the Philadelphia Airport, the unit first saw action in World War II patrolling for submarines off the east coast of the United States. The squadron then deployed to the China-Burma-India theater to support the war operations there. A second parent organization, the 391st Bombardment Group (Medium), earned the Distinguished Unit Citation for its service in the European Theater in support of the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. Later designated the 111th Composite Wing, the unit supported the war effort in Korea, and as the 111th Air Transport Group the members flew numerous airlift missions to support military operations during the war in Vietnam. More recently, the 111th Fighter Wing has participated in Operation Southern Watch in Kuwait, supporting joint combat flight operations. During Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, the 111th has directly supported coalition ground troops despite extreme conditions and at times unremitting enemy shelling. Madam Speaker, I would also like to read into the Record today the aircraft flown and operated, maintained, armed, and fought with during the proud history of this group. Just the names of these airplanes will invoke memories and wonderful nostalgic feelings about some of them just by saying their names out loud. The 111th Fighter Wing has flown the JN-4 Jenny, PT-1 Trusty, the BT- 1, the Curtiss 0-1 Falcon, the Douglas 0-2H, the Curtiss 0-11 Falcon, the Douglas 0-38, the North American 0-47A and 0-47B, the Stinson 0-49 Vigilant, the Curtiss 0-52 Owl, the Taylorcraft 0-57 Grasshopper, the Piper L-4 Grasshopper, the Stinson L-1B Vigilant, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the Douglas A-26 Invader, the Boeing RB-29 Superfortress, the North American F-51 Mustang, the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, the Republic F-84 Thunderjet, the Lockheed F-94 Starfire, the Northrop F-89 Scorpion, the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, the Cessna U-3A Blue Canoe, the Cessna 0-2 Skymaster, the Cessna OA-37 Dragonfly, and the Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II. Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not pay tribute today to the incredible families of these brave airmen who waited at home while their loved ones answered our Nation's call. The entire Nation joins the citizens of Pennsylvania to say thank you to the members and the veterans of the 111th Fighter Wing Pennsylvania Air National Guard. We are all proud of their service and, therefore, Madam Speaker, I strongly urge Members to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution honoring the 111th Fighter Wing from Pennsylvania. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1483, as amended, which recognizes the service and sacrifices of the members of the 14th Armored Division during World War II and want to commend my friend, Phil Gingrey of Georgia, for sponsoring this legislation. The 14th Armored Division first went into action in November 1944 and established an impressive fighting record in France and Germany during more than 130 days of combat. In January 1945, a 46-year-old World War I marine veteran, Private First Class George B. Turner, earned the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism that helped the division repel repeated German attacks. Turner was a graduate of Wentworth Military Academy in Missouri, that fine educational institution long supported by our chairman, Ike Skelton, and despite Pfc Turner's age and prior service, he again volunteered for military service out of a sense of duty. As the division history notes: ``During training, many of the young soldiers and officers with whom he served came to admire his quiet strength and dedication to duty. Turner soon gained the reputation of being a good soldier who truly wanted to come to grips with the enemy.'' ``Coming to grips with the enemy'' is something that Turner and his fellow soldiers of the 14th Armored Division did unhesitatingly and very well. As we approach the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, it's fitting that this House honor the sacrifices of the men of that division who served the Nation in securing a lasting victory. Today, our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have made the same commitment to this Nation. We must heed the lessons to be learned from the 14th Armored Division and today fully support our troops and families with the resources necessary for them to finish the job in the wars America is fighting today. I urge every Member of our body to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, it's with great pleasure I yield such time as he may consume to my good colleague from Georgia, Phil Gingrey.

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary woman, Mrs. Lucille Rochs, who has devoted her life to the service of her friends and neighbors in Texas. In life, it is rare to come across an individual who is so dedicated and so driven that one can follow the path of their life. Most of us leave our marks, but only the exceptional, few leave their footprints. I am humbled and honored to share Lucille's story and to be able to brag on her today, because she is one of those rare individuals. Lucille makes her home in the city of Fredericksburg, Texas. Although she began her career as a teacher and educator, she has continued in her retirement as an advocate, philanthropist, fundraiser, and mentor for the vulnerable and less fortunate. Mrs. Rochs has focused her time serving seniors and abused children in numerous organizations throughout Gillespie County. She has worked tirelessly for community organizations like the Gillespie County Child Services board, the Region 8 Texas Department of Child Protection Council, and the Gillespie County Committee on Aging. In addition she has served on organizations like the Hill Country Community Needs Council, Texas Retired Teachers, the Gillespie County Cancer Society, and the Hill Country Higher Education Initiative. What makes this lengthy record of service all the more impressive is that Sunday is Mrs. Rochs 95th Birthday. To this day, she continues her active community service and keeps a schedule that puts mine to shame. It is my great honor to represent Lucille in this House. She is a treasure to her community and an inspiration to those of us who have followed behind her. I wish Lucille a happy and healthy birthday and hope that she is able to continue her public service for many more years. I know that I join with everyone in Fredericksburg when I thank her service. May God bless her and her family in the same way that she has been a blessing to us all.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, an oft-forgotten dictum in Washington is that to govern is to choose. It is to choose between the dizzying array of wants, wishes, and needs of the American people, while constrained by the Constitution, fiscal, and political realities of the day. Sadly, the leadership of the majority of this House have punted on choosing anything. They have ignored fiscal realities, our present condition, and the constitutional limits on our authority, and simply enacted whatever they could twist enough arms to pass. This majority has made promises it cannot keep with money it does not have. It has not made hard choices; it has not governed. No place is this more evident than in the Speaker's refusal to pass a budget this year, the most basic fiscal document our Nation has. The budget is the foundation of all the taxing and spending that the Federal Government does. It constrains the appropriators and sets the boundaries for the spending debate. In choosing not to pass a budget, the Speaker is failing in her responsibility to govern this House and our Nation. The American people, though, are not standing idly by. They are suggesting difficult choices for the Speaker through the YouCut program. To date, the American people have voiced support for over $60 billion in hard choices. Mr. Speaker, we are a Nation governed by the people; the people are not being heard. This Congress is not listening.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Well, I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding and for hosting this night's hour to talk about the Tenth Amendment and federalism. It's probably been read into the Record 11 dozen times, but I want to read a quote from James Madison into the Record that sets the tone for what I want to talk about. James Madison, in Federalist 45 said: ``The powers delegated to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects such as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce. And the powers reserved to the several States will extend to all of the objects in which, in the ordinary course of affairs concerns the lives, liberties and properties of the people.'' Mr. Speaker, I'd argue that therein lies much of the problems that we face today as a Federal Government. Since 1995, this Congress and the various administrative agencies across this vast Federal Government have issued some 60,000 new rules and regulations, everything from regulating the size of the holes in Swiss cheese to the colors for surgical sutures. And I would argue that the size of the holes in Swiss cheese probably should be defined by the folks in Wisconsin where they do a lot of cheese. But a Federal rule, Federal law that delves into that detail into the, as Madison would have referred to it as the ordinary course of affairs that concern the lives, liberties and properties of the people, that's a government that's overreached. Part of our problem is we send people to Congress who are, at their core, can-do people, solution people, folks who want to solve issues. And our focus here is on every single problem. While our Constitution, though, says that we really are limited by the powers granted in the Constitution to this government as to those problems which we ought to take up, clearly national defense, clearly homeland security, post office roads as the phrase is used. But much of what we deal with every single day here in Congress is beyond those limited powers, because we are solutions-oriented kinds of folks and it's our nature to grab the bull by the horns and move forward with it, losing sight, of course, that the Constitution says that's not a real good thing for us to be doing. Let me reemphasize that last sentence: ``The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties and properties of the people.'' Mr. Speaker, that's an awful lot of the area of lives that committees like Education and Workforce or Labor, many of the committees up here deal in the ordinary course of affairs of the lives of people. Now, part of the rancor that we see across this country related to the Federal Government is a sense of powerlessness by the good folks back home over issues that really ought to be dealt with back home. This rage that we're seeing is driven by an overreaching Federal Government. Decisions that are best made at the local level and controlled by those people are being usurped and taken care of by 435 people here in Washington and the 100 Senators on the other side. And much of that frustration at being out of control is as a result of this Congress taking over jobs and areas that are much better left to counties and cities and States as the Founding Fathers had intended. If we were to quit delving into their personal lives affairs and ordinary course affairs, much of the conflict that is out there would disappear and would be focused on the local level where the decisions are made best as to the solution that best fits those local folks. I get asked often by mayors and county judges and city councilmen and county commissioners and school superintendents and others, What can we do to help? What can we do to address the growing size of this Federal Government? One of the ways I ask them to help is to do a better job of vetting your requests to me and to your Federal Government for help. Make sure that whatever it is that you're asking us to do is a good idea, that there is a nexus to the Constitution, that there is a link in the Constitution that delegates the powers to this Federal Government for it to even deal with the particular problem you're bringing to us. I would argue that much of our overspending today is driven by goodhearted people who have lost sight of the 10th amendment, have come up here and asked for help from this Federal Government, not of course realizing the strings that are going to be attached to the Federal laws that get put in place, when the solution would much better have been dealt with at the local level. Federalism, as my colleague from Utah has just stated, it's not really a left or right issue. It's not really a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. There are good things to be had by both sides. Both sides of the aisle should be able to embrace this concept so that the States do most of the heavy lifting and the counties and cities and local governments do the work that deals with the issues confronting their people. So this really shouldn't be a particularly partisan effort as we move forward. My friend mentioned earlier about the idea that the States should be the incubators or the laboratories for experiments with how government addresses a particular program. There are two examples that I can think of off the top of my head. One is the health care experiment going on in Massachusetts. They've been at it now 3 or 4 years and it's different than what they thought it would be, they may not be able to push that to the scale of the United States, and the people of Massachusetts are struggling with how to pay for health care under the universal plan that they've put in place where everybody was mandated to have insurance. It doesn't look to me like it's working. Why would you then want to take that policy and try to extend it across the United States? I don't think you would. An area where it has worked, and I'll brag on Texas. Six years ago, Texas put in place a tort reform program that limited the punitive damages on medical malpractice suits. So we've had a 6- or 7-year experiment involving 25 million people in Texas and it has worked. Doctors are coming to Texas because their malpractice insurance rates are lower, and the citizens of Texas are getting the care that they need. If a hospital and a physician make a mistake, the economic damages in trying to put that person back to as close to what they would have been before the mistake was made, that gets done. But these punitive damages, which sometimes just defy logic, are no longer on the table in Texas. And so that experiment, as the President called for in his health care speech, to test medical malpractice reform in and around the country, I would argue that we've had a 6-, almost 7-year test now working with the State of Texas on medical malpractice reform, tort reform, that really works. So in that vein, to the extent that this would be needed at the Federal level to deal with the vast medical programs that we have in place, could be replicated on a much larger scale because we've had a big enough test through the State that it makes sense. Let me finish up by saying that because they lived 230 plus years ago, we sometimes give our Founding Fathers short shrift as to how intelligent they really were. We think because we are the most intelligent people walking the face of the earth, that we've got all the great ideas, that we don't really need to look back in the history to see and understand what they had in mind. Quoting Madison again out of the Federalist Papers, ``The powers delegated to the Federal Government are few and defined.'' That means if you've got a plan that doesn't fit under one of those powers, then the Federal Government really at the end of the day should not pass laws that deal with that. We should have the backbone to say, ``That's a really tough problem, it's really important to people, but it's not the Federal Government's responsibility to address that. You need to work within your own system back home to address that issue.'' That's one of the hardest things Members of Congress do. We hate to tell constituents, ``No, that's really not something that the Federal Government should be dealing with,'' and yet that really should be the answer to many of the requests that we get from back home, is that these aren't federal issues. Quoting Madison again, ``Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, such as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which again in the ordinary course of affairs concern the lives, liberties and properties of the people.'' Mr. Speaker, I would argue that all of us would learn a much better appreciation of how limited this Federal Government really should be if we were to go back and take a look at our Founding Fathers' comments and just periodically read the Constitution. It is a requirement on my staff, and I've introduced legislation that would encourage Members of Congress and their staffs to read the Constitution once a year. We all have the little pocket versions that we write in the front cover. When's the last time that we read the Constitution? It's not a long tome. It's 2,500 words or so. It's not like trying to wade through War and Peace. You can sit down and read it and understand exactly what your Federal Government should be doing, and then everything else is left to the States. With that, I appreciate the time from my colleague from Utah.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for yielding. I want to speak in favor of competition. Competition works. Our work on the IMPROVE Act shows that. I am against this amendment. There was no competition. Under Secretary Ashton Carter, on the record in front of the committee, said there was no competition between these two engines. Competition works. It drives down the costs, and we need those cost savings over the term of a 40-year program. I rise in opposition to amendment #80 offered by Representative Pingree and others. The Pingree amendment would result in a sole source contract to a single engine manufacturer for the Joint Strike Fighter. But few can argue with the premise that competition is good for the taxpayer. In fact, the Department of Defense has training materials for its acquisition workforce to teach them the benefits of competition and how to cultivate it. For example, here are a few highlights from DoD's required training on competition, dated May 5, 2010. These training materials capture the benefits of competition: Drives cost savings; Improves quality of product/service; Enhances solutions and the industrial base; Promotes fairness and openness leading to public trust; Prevents waste, fraud, and abuse, because contractors know they must perform at a high level or else be replaced; Healthy competition is the lifeblood of commerce--it increases the likelihood of efficiencies and innovations. It also notes what the key drivers of competition are. Principally, it's the law! The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 requires competition in contracting. Competition isn't an alternative, it's required! The emphasis on competition comes from the top. On March 4, 2009 in a memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, President Barak Obama stated, ``It is the policy of the Federal Government that executive agencies shall not engage in noncompetitive contracts except in those circumstances where their use can be fully justified and where appropriate safeguards have been put in place to protect the taxpayer.'' Yet, we have yet to see such a justification, nor have we seen any evidence of additional safeguards being put into place. In fact, in DoD's training materials, they note what circumstances lead to barriers to competition. In this instance, none of these circumstances apply: Unique/critical mission or technical requirements (We have 2 contractors capable of meeting technical requirements.) Industry move toward consolidation (We still have 2 viable engine manufacturers.) Urgent requirements in support of war operations (The JSF is not being procured to support today's operations.) Congressional adds or earmarks (Unless this amendment passes, Congress will not have directed funding for the engine to go to a particular manufacturer.) Proprietary data rights developed at private expense (Does not apply. These are new engines.) Insufficient technical data packages (Does not apply.) Contracting personnel shortages and increased workload (The competitive engine was funded by DoD until 2006 and continues to be funded by Congress. There is no increase in work load.) Time Restraints (The competitive engine is already under development and there is time. At best, the F-25 will not reach initial operational capability for 2-4 years.) But the emphasis on competition comes not only from the President. This Congress, just one year ago, unanimously passed the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009. The bill states that: Major Defense Acquisition Programs shall adopt acquisition strategies that ensure competition . . . At prime & subcontract level throughout program life-cycle When a decision is made to award maintenance & sustainment contract for major weapon system, DoD will ensure to maximum extent possible & consistent with law that the sustainment contract be competitively awarded. Likewise, less than one month ago, this Congress passed the IMPROVE Acquisition Act of 2010, by a vote of 417-3. This bill also focused on the need to expand the industrial base, provide training on competition, and to ensure competition is maintained in services contracts. What's more, since DoD stopped funding the competitive engine in 2006, Congress has provided funding for the competitive engine in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Nothing has changed. A vote to oppose the Pingree amendment is a vote to support the policy Congress has clearly articulated-- competition is good, it's the law, and it's required for the F-35 engine. It's also interesting to note that of the 33 members who co-sponsored this amendment, 24 of them have voted for every single piece of legislation I just cited (when they cast a vote). None voted against the Weapon System Acquisition Reform Act. In fact, Ms. Pingree, voted for each of these bills while she's been in Congress, and was also co- sponsor of the Weapon System Acquisition Reform Act in the House. We cannot send a mixed message. Competition is possible here. We should not direct funding to a single source. I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment.

Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the bill as it passed out of the committee by unanimous vote. This legislation authorizes good policy for directing the defense of our Nation. I also strongly support the addition of the IMPROVE Act of 2010, which has already passed this House with an overwhelming vote. The IMPROVE Act will make needed improvements to the way the acquisition process is managed; it will also help us move closer to the day that the financial statements of the Department of Defense are auditable and receive an unqualified opinion. Mr. Chairman, the Murphy amendment will tell the 350,000-plus men and women who are currently participating in the survey that what they think about Don't Ask, Don't Tell Members of Congress, quite frankly, couldn't care less what they say. While those constituents may work for the Department of Defense and the President, as Commander in Chief, they are our constituents. We are criticized roundly in this realm for not listening to our constituents, and a vote for the Murphy amendment will codify that statement in their minds. I will oppose the Murphy amendment. I will also oppose the overall legislation if the Murphy amendment is adopted.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, in the next couple of days, the House is scheduled to vote on a bill called the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act. Yet, for all of its parts, the bill fails to address the largest loophole of all--the double-spending loophole. Last week, it was reported that the majority plans to fund a new billion dollar summer jobs program with revenue from a tax increase on each barrel of oil. One problem: the revenue they're counting on has already been promised to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to cover the estimated $14 billion in damages on our Gulf Coast. Madam Speaker, you don't need to be a CPA to know that you cannot spend the same dollar twice. Yet, just like the health care bill, the majority is again spending revenue that has already been committed to other programs. Using this deception is wrong, and it further inflames the distrust of the American people for our institution. The first loophole we ought to be closing is the double-spending loophole.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and pay tribute to the life of Grace Stengel Thompson. Grace was born in Menard, Texas, to a German pioneering family on August 12, 1916. Her grandparents were Peter and Emma Jordan, who settled on Upper Willow Creek in Mason County in 1856. Her parents were George and Louise Stengel, who were prominent members of the Menard community. Grace and her husband, Claude, had three children--Toni Thompson Hurlbut, Judith Thompson Hunter and Claude John Thompson. Grace also has six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, one great- great-grandchild, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Grace was proud of her heritage and of her large extended family; she kept up with many of her cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, loved them all, and loved being with them especially at family gatherings. Her front door was always open, as was her table. The family remembers many fine ``spur of the moment'' meals she fixed for whoever showed up. To say that she was a wonderful cook and hostess is quite an understatement. After graduating from Menard High School, Grace attended Texas Tech University, and it was at Tech that Grace met her husband, Claude, who was President of the Student Body while she was Secretary of the Student Body. They were married in Menard in July of 1937. Grace was a life-long supporter of Texas Tech, and especially the university's athletic programs. Grace moved from Menard to Lubbock when son John enrolled at Texas Tech University. While there, she served as administrative assistant to three Deans of Students from 1972 until 1983. Grace belonged to the PEO Sisterhood and she was also a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Grace was a lifelong Methodist who loved the Lord and all around her. Grace passed away on May 13, 2010, in Fredericksburg, Texas. Services were held on May 15, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church of Mason, Texas, and the burial followed at Rest Haven Cemetery in Menard, Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Grace's life and to offer her many family and friends my deepest condolences. Grace was adored by all those who knew her, and she will be missed.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay a small tribute to an exceptionally accomplished constituent hailing from Santa Anna, Texas-- Senior Airman Jon B. Turney. Senior Airman Turney recently distinguished himself as an MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft instructor sensor operator with the 29th Attack Squadron, 49th Operations Group, 49th Fighter Wing. With just over 3 years in the Air Force, Airman Turney has been integral to the success of the remotely piloted aircraft community. He has flown 364 instructional hours, resulting in 92 qualified MQ-9 sensor operators. These operators have joined overseas contingency operations in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He personally created an MQ-9 community of practice, providing real-time and easily accessible remotely piloted aircraft data to users Air Force wide. He assisted with the creation of a new draft of Air Force tactics, techniques and procedures for the MQ-9, positively impacting operations Air Force wide. Finally, in his free time he is active in charity and is pursuing a bachelor's degree. These accomplishments along with his technical and leadership skills earned him the 29th Attack Squadron Airman of the Year for 2009 and a place as one of the Air Force's 2010 Team of the Year members. On behalf of the people of Central and West Texas, I thank Senior Airman Turney for his exemplary service to his country and look forward to following his future success. I wish both he and his young family all the happiness and good health that God can grant them; and may God bless them all.

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 243, H. Res. 1307-- Honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 245 H. Res. 1132-- Honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 244 H. Res. 1213-- Recognizing the need to improve the participation and performance of America's students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, supporting the ideals of National Lab Day, had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea.''

Mr. CONAWAY

Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Chairman, I want to just add a word of caution to the amendment. We intend to support it. The Department of Defense has in fact instituted a suspension of the policy that led to these problems, and have put in place a policy that looks very similar to this codification of the rules. The Department of Defense will live under those rules over the next several months, but I worry that the policy is too strict and will limit Department of Defense's access to the right people for the right information at the right time. None of us want that. We all want transparency, we all want evidence of conflict of interest to be out there so that we all know that. I am in agreement with the spirit of what the gentleman is trying to do; I just offer a word of caution that if the practice under the Department of Defense's current policy, which is very similar to this, shows problems and issues that we don't anticipate with this, that we would in conference come back and address those properly.

Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition even though I am in support of the amendment.

Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Chairman, I yield as much time as he may consume to my colleague from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).