Henry Cuellar

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chair, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support my amendment to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010. Many very qualified students can compete for the fellowships and scholarships if they are only made aware of them. This amendment would require the Director of the National Science Foundation to conduct outreach efforts to encourage increased applications from underrepresented groups. It is of utmost importance to give all individuals an opportunity at these programs. The simple--but crucial--effort to make underrepresented groups a part of the process will serve to create a more diverse and representative workforce in the National Science Foundation's Postdoctoral Research Fellowships. The challenges our nation faces in this century require that we have a highly-skilled and creative workforce trained in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). In the 21st century human advancement is closely linked in STEM fields. It is imperative that we create a broad pipeline of STEM professionals. Our future leaders will need STEM skills to craft innovative policies on issues of national concern such as transportation, sustainability, healthcare, and national security. Hispanic enrollment in colleges and universities has more than doubled over the past two decades (2010 University of Southern California study). Hispanic participation in STEM fields at the higher education level has grown but it has not kept pace with their growth within the general population (USC). Among Hispanics who enroll in four-year institutions, 36% indicate an intention to major in a STEM field. I thank the distinguished Chairman for his work on this legislation, and consideration of this amendment. We can harness this 21st century technology to bring these areas out of 19th century conditions. Mr. Chairman, I applaud you on this important legislation, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Judge Raul Vasquez, a recent award recipient of the Liberty Bell Award in Webb County of South Texas. Judge Vasquez is currently completing his third term as the 111th District Court Judge in Laredo, Texas. Judge Vasquez is a highly respected and distinguished jurist. He has served the youth of our community and dedicated his sense of justice and fairness to dispose of cases efficiently. His accomplished efforts towards devoting his life to the judiciary have had a great impact and truly benefit the people of South Texas. As a native Texan, Judge Vasquez was raised in a small historic neighborhood in Laredo. He had a modest upbringing as the sixth child out of seven. In 1972, he graduated from Martin High School and attended Junior College for 2 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Houston in 1979. Soon after, he started his career as an Attorney at Law for the Laredo Legal Aid. In 1981, he became the youngest Justice of the Peace elected in Laredo and served Precinct 1 for 5 years while at the Law Offices of Raul Vasquez. Judge Vasquez was elected Judge of the County Court at Law #1, serving for 12 years. He was also a faculty member for the Texas College for New Judges, where he lectured on issues regarding domestic violence. The end of this year, Judge Vasquez plans on retiring, bringing a close to his professional career of over 28 years of being a judge. His leadership and successful career have truly benefited the community and courtrooms with fairness and justice. Not only has Judge Vasquez held an esteemed and honorable career, he also devotes much of his time to community organizations for helping troubled youth. His passion for helping the youth led him to be the Founding Member of the Laredo Youth Conference, Webb County Angel Wish, and Children's Coalition. He also served on Advisory Boards for Communities in Schools, SCAN, and Child Advocacy. Judge Vasquez has been a Member of numerous organizations such as the Webb County Court Administration of Judges, State Bar of Texas, Laredo Bar Association, and Webb County Auditor's Department. Throughout the past 20 years, he has been recognized on various honors. He was awarded the LULAC Tejano Achiever Award, Law Day Honorary Chair, and Crime Stopper Alfa Award. Madam Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to have had this time to recognize Judge Raul Vasquez on his career and community involvement. He has contributed his time, knowledge, and efforts to the judiciary and to community outreach for our youth.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Ms. Imelda Navarro, a recent inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. Ms. Navarro is currently the Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operation Officer of International Bank of Commerce in Laredo, Texas. Ms. Navarro has contributed to the community of South Texas and the International Bank of Commerce-Laredo, which has its parent company as the largest minority-owned bank in the country, also headquartered in Laredo, Texas. At the age of 16, Ms. Navarro joined the IBC family as a young file clerk through a program offered through Laredo's J.W. Nixon High School. Even after completion of the program, Ms. Navarro continued to work for the bank with an extended, committed twenty-nine year career. She earned her degree in Accounting and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration at the Laredo State University. The financial and business industry in Laredo prospered with the work ethic and dedication of Ms. Navarro. In the 1980s and 1990s, the IBC began to grow substantially and Navarro continued to learn all the facets of personal and commercial banking, including responsibilities of financial accounting, human resources and bank operations. From her young beginnings as a file clerk to her multiple duties as Senior Executive Vice President currently, Ms. Navarro provides a unique and excellent perspective for the banking industry and business community. Most recently, she was recognized as one of the Top Hispanic Women in the United States in 2009. In April 2005, Hispanic Business Magazine recognized Ms. Navarro as one of its outstanding women leaders and as one of the 100 most influential Hispanic women in the country. Navarro also helps the community with her services through Texas and International non-profit and professional organizations such as being a member of the Mercy Ministries Development Council. She has served as part of the Laredo Business Professional Women's Association and Financial Women International. She was former director of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce and served as President of the TAMIU Alumni. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize Ms. Imelda Navarro inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. She has shown in her extensive career dedication to the business and financial industry and contributions to the community.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Mr. Tom Lamont, a recent inductee into the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Lamont currently owns Lamont Oil & Gas Company, an oil and gas exploration company. As a native Texan, Mr. Lamont has dedicated his career and services to the community with his expertise and knowledge in business, oil and gas, and entrepreneurial endeavors. From a childhood grounded in education as a top priority and through the teachings of his parents, Mr. Lamont learned at an early age that hard work and commitment was a way of life. Growing up, he moved from Illinois to Alabama and back to Illinois in Chicago where he attended Marion Catholic High School and met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Marianne Leslie. Throughout high school, Lamont played football, earning a scholarship to college. Mr. Lamont graduated from South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City with his BA in Geological Engineering in 1977. Mr. Lamont began his career as a fresh college graduate landing a field operations position in a division of Baker called Exploration Logging. He then accepted another job working for several small independent oil companies over the next five years in Houston. The years of experience and gained knowledge deemed a promotion in Laredo, Texas as area manager for Texas Drilling Company in 1983. For ten years, Mr. Lamont worked day and night with responsibilities to ensure a stable operation. His work ethic and commitment awarded him a promotion to the company's headquarters in Abilene. By this time, Laredo was home for Lamont--he opened up his consulting company for oil and gas companies and mineral owners. He purchased Howland Surveying Company, which surveyed at that time close to 90 percent of oil and gas wells in Webb and Zapata counties in South Texas. With the help of his wife and ten years of hard work, Lamont brought the company from 4 employees to 50. By 2006, he sold the company to his employees. While Mr. Lamont never strayed from his career in oil and gas business as current owner of Lamont Oil & Gas, he also took up recent efforts in Laredo, Texas to bring new experiences to the area such as promoting a water park and opening up Laredo's only restaurant, bar and arcade named Hal's Landing. Mr. Lamont is a successful entrepreneur and businessman, hunter, and a family man who has contributed to our community greatly. I am honored to have had this time to recognize Mr. Tom Lamont, a recent inductee into the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. He has exemplified characteristics of a strong work ethic and business savvy, qualities that earn appreciation.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Mr. Rodney Lewis, a recent inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Lewis is currently President and Chief Executive Office of Lewis Energy Group, L.P. Mr. Lewis has played an active and outstanding role in the oil and gas industry in the Webb County area. He has contributed his expertise and knowledge to the business community through his tireless efforts towards maintaining and operating his successful company. Mr. Lewis was born in San Antonio in 1954. As a native Texan, he earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. from Texas A&M University in Laredo in 1976. Mr. Lewis began his professional career as he supervised field production in South Texas for R.L. Burns Corporation and Stampede Energy of Toronto, Canada. In 1982, he purchased his first well. A year later, Mr. Lewis founded Lewis Energy Group, which became a foremost market leader of South Texas in the exploration and production of gas and oil. Through his hands on experience of over twenty-five years, he has gained a reputation as a drilling, completion, and pipeline entrepreneur. With his savvy business skills and know-how in the industry, he sought to build the company upward, attain a stronghold on the market, and buy out the competition resulting in Lewis Energy Group to experience consistent growth over the years. Currently, the company holds approximately 325 employees with over 1,000 wells with a strong presence internationally, as well. Additionally, with the guidance and leadership of Mr. Lewis, the company has never been subject to any Environmental Protection Agency claims and attains an impressive track record of environmental responsibility. As a local rancher in Webb and La Salle counties of Texas, Mr. Lewis understands and supports local landowners and the community. He is dedicated to excellence and diligent work ethic, which is synonymous to his business and entrepreneurial endeavors. He is also actively involved in serving on the Board of Directors for the National Air and Space Museum. Currently living in San Antonio with his wife and their four children, Mr. Lewis is an avid aviator and war-bird collector in his spare time. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize Mr. Rodney Lewis, recent inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. He is greatly appreciated in the gas and oil industry and has shown dedication and exemplary work ethic to contribute to the business community.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Ms. Sylvia Bruni, a recent award recipient of the Liberty Bell Award in Webb County of South Texas. Ms. Bruni is currently working in the Child's Advocacy Center to pursue community engagement in the defense of our children reaching over 5,000 children. Ms. Bruni has played an active and valuable role throughout the community through her diligent education efforts and sharpened insights towards children. She has dedicated her professional career to developing students' minds and is also involved with community outreach. For seventeen years, Ms. Bruni taught English in the United Independent School District system to gifted and talented students. She had the opportunity to engage with thousands of students over the years, all of which were unique and special to her in diverse ways. Admirably, she confronted many difficulties throughout the years, yet handled all situations with leadership, guidance, and care for her students. She used her expertise in the field to customize her teaching to help students with limited English or problems in school. She was also Program Coordinator, Principal of Salinas Elementary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction in the school system. Additionally, continuing her passion for education, Ms. Bruni worked at Texas A&M International University as Director for Special Programs for seven years with an array of responsibilities--such as, implementing the University's first Summer Children's Workshop, which continues today. Ms. Bruni continued her endeavors working for Laredo Independent School District as Executive Director for Planning and Development. She worked extensively on Laredo ISD's Strategic Planning Program, a professional development program based on best practices and its award winning National Science Foundation Math and Science Initiative. Further, the closing of her pubic school career, she served as Laredo ISD's interim- superintendent. Throughout the years, Ms. Bruni has been honored and recognized for her work in the community. Recently, she was recognized as Honorary Walk Chair by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Laredo Branch. She was also awarded the Gary G. Jacobs Award for Higher Education by the League of United Latin American Citizen. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize Ms. Bruni, award recipient of the Liberty Bell award. She has been personally invested in the mission of providing life changing experiences for our youth, a strong advocate for children's issues, as well as developing personal relationships with diverse community stakeholders.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Delfino Lozano III. Mr. Lozano passed away recently, but will be remembered and honored for his kindness and contributions to the people of South Texas. Mr. Lozano was born in 1939 in Laredo, Texas, and spent the majority of his life in South Texas. He graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1958 and went on to St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Later, he joined the Air Force Reserves. During his time in the Air Force, he was on active duty during the Pueblo crisis for more than a year. Aside from serving his country, he co-founded Med-Loz Lease Service Inc., which is based in Zapata, Texas. He held an active role in the operations of the business, which placed as one of the Nation's top 500 Hispanic-owned businesses in the ``Hispanic Business'' publication. Prior to his co-founding, he worked at the Texas Employment Commission and was also an avid rancher. While spending time with family and friends, Mr. Lozano was also deeply committed to community volunteer work. His service included the Zapata County Fair Association as past president and director, as well as the Zapata County Little League Organization as president. In 1989, the Lozano family was honored as Grand Marshals of Zapata County Fair Parade. Mr. Lozano's kindness and generosity touched many people in the form of scholarships, financial assistance for home acquisitions, and financial assistance for medical problems. Madam Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize the contributions of Mr. Delfino Lozano III. I thank you for this time.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Oberstar; the subcommittee chairwoman also, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson); Ms. Pingree also for the work she has done; and, of course, our ranking members, Mr. Boozman, for the work that you and Mr. Mica have done. This particular amendment is to support government efficiency. We both believe this amendment will eliminate waste and redundancies in the programs and will improve the effectiveness and cut back wasteful spending. This amendment authorizes the Administrator of the EPA to identify, number one, best management practices for allocating resources in an efficient and effective manner. It would outline key reasons why such practices will result in positive outcomes and disseminate the best practices to the management conferences. Also, this amendment identifies redundant rules, regulations, and requirements for reporting by grant recipients and instructs the EPA Administrator to develop a plan to eliminate those redundancies in the future. This amendment, Mr. Chairman, will make our government more efficient, more effective, and more accountable by conducting this type of evaluation. I urge support of this amendment.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Wilson County, Texas on its sesquicentennial year. It was 150 years ago when Wilson County was founded in South Texas by an act of the state legislature. The area is rich in culture and history and serves a great part to the state of Texas. Before the founding of the county, the first Spanish explorers traveled the area in the early eighteenth century and used the land mostly for ranching. Most notably, the birthplace of ranching took place at Rancho de las Cabras. This was a ranching outpost for Mission San Francisco de la Espada where the first ranches and cowboys settled near Floresville in Wilson County. By the 1800s, Mexicans, Anglo American, German and Polish settlers began moving into the area. Soon after, the state Legislature founded Wilson County on February 13, 1860. The county was named after James Charles Wilson, who was an early settler of Texas and a state legislator. Throughout the years, Wilson County has played a significant role in South Texas history. After the Civil War, Wilson County's population underwent the greatest growth due to the completion of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway, which reached Floresville in 1886. By the early nineteenth century, farmers who were once known for cotton crops as the most important cash crop, then diversified into a wider range of like peas, watermelons, and peanuts. Today, some call Floresville the ``Peanut Capital of Texas.'' Wilson County residents have served valiantly in combat from the Civil War to today's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. One hundred and fifty years has shaped the county and development of Texas through its rich culture and history and of a diversified economy that includes farming, ranching, and even oil discovery. Wilson County includes towns and cities such as, Floresville, La Vernia, Pandora, Poth, Stockdale, Sutherland Springs, and communities such as Carpenter, Calaveras, Canada Verde, Grass Pond Colocy, Kicaster, Doseido Colony, Saspameo and Sandy Hills. It totals 809 square miles and has a population of more than 40,000. From a legacy in ranching, to its honorable natives and rich historical culture, Wilson County celebrating its sesquicentennial year is a milestone for the county and for Texas. I am honored to have had this time to recognize Wilson County on its sesquicentennial year.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of the late Ed Gotthardt, former Mayor of Seguin, Texas. Mayor Gotthardt served the community through his distinguished business career and great service as mayor for two terms in Seguin, Texas. Mayor Gotthardt was born on January 1929 in Galle, Texas and passed away of natural causes February 2010 in New Braunfels, Texas. His accomplished lifetime as a businessman and mayor stemmed from his humble beginnings. His childhood was spent on a farm in Galle in a town between Seguin and San Marcos where he learned about produce. He received his education in the public schools of Guadalupe County, where he graduated from high school. At the age of twenty-one, the late Gotthardt was hired as a produce worker at a local grocery store. With a twelfth grade education, he rose through the ranks to store manager, unit director, to the corporate office as a buyer and then as Vice President of Produce Marketing. In the 1980s, he retired having lived during his career throughout the area in Seguin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. The late Gotthardt had a thirty-seven year career in the grocery business before serving two three-year terms as Mayor. After his retirement, he later served as President of the H-E-B grocery store retirees' organization. In 1990, Gotthardt announced that he planned to run for mayor of Seguin. He had not previously held any position in public office, but his involvement with the community and commitment to the people of Seguin aided to his election. His re-election was without opposition, serving as mayor until 1996. During his time in office, Mayor Gotthardt contributed to the city by ensuring that the Sebastopol State Historical Park in Seguin was renovated and dedicated much of his work for those who served their country in the military. lie worked on the Veterans Memorial at the Guadalupe County Courthouse extensively. The late Mayor Gotthardt was recognized for his tireless efforts to ensure the community and people were provided the services needed. Along with his business career and terms as Mayor of Seguin, the late Gotthardt was a member of Seguin Masonic Lodge AF&AM 109, Alzafar Shrine, Elks Lodge 1229, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 555, the Seguin Chamber of Commerce, the Seguin Rotary Club and the Comal County Seniors Center. His leisure time was spent with the Seguin Chamber of Commerce, senior center, and with his family. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the late Ed Gotthardt, former Mayor of Seguin, Texas on his contributions to the community.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of the late Ed Gotthardt, former Mayor of Seguin, Texas. Mayor Gotthardt served the community through his distinguished business career and great service as mayor for two terms in Seguin, Texas. Mayor Gotthardt was born on January 1929 in Galle, Texas and passed away of natural causes February 2010 in New Braunfels, Texas. His accomplished lifetime as a businessman and mayor stemmed from his humble beginnings. His childhood was spent on a farm in Galle in a town between Seguin and San Marcos where he learned about produce. He received his education in the public schools of Guadalupe County, where he graduated from high school. At the age of twenty-one, the late Gotthardt was hired as a produce worker at a local grocery store. With a twelfth grade education, he rose through the ranks to store manager, unit director, to the corporate office as a buyer and then as Vice President of Produce Marketing. In the 1980s, he retired having lived during his career throughout the area in Seguin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. The late Gotthardt had a thirty-seven year career in the grocery business before serving two three-year terms as Mayor. After his retirement, he later served as President of the H-E-B grocery store retirees' organization. In 1990, Gotthardt announced that he planned to run for mayor of Seguin. He had not previously held any position in public office, but his involvement with the community and commitment to the people of Seguin aided to his election. His re-election was without opposition, serving as mayor until 1996. During his time in office, Mayor Gotthardt contributed to the city by ensuring that the Sebastopol State Historical Park in Seguin was renovated and dedicated much of his work for those who served their country in the military. He worked on the Veterans Memorial at the Guadalupe County Courthouse extensively. The late Mayor Gotthardt was recognized for his tireless efforts to ensure the community and people were provided the services needed. Along with his business career and terms as Mayor of Seguin, the late Gotthardt was a member of Seguin Masonic Lodge AF&AM 109, Alzafar Shrine, Elks Lodge 1229, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 555, the Seguin Chamber of Commerce, the Seguin Rotary Club and the Comal County Seniors Center. His leisure time was spent with the Seguin Chamber of Commerce, senior center, and with his family. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the late Ed Gotthardt, former Mayor of Seguin, Texas on his contributions to the community. I thank you for this time.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Wilson County, Texas on its sesquicentennial year. It was 150 years ago when Wilson County was founded in south Texas by an act of the state legislature. The area is rich in culture and history and serves a great part to the state of Texas. Before the founding of the county, the first Spanish explorers traveled through the area in the early eighteenth century and used the land mostly for ranching. Most notably, the birthplace of commercial ranching took place at Rancho de las Cabras. This was a ranching outpost for Mission San Francisco de la Espada where the first ranches and cowboys settled near Floresville in Wilson County. By the 1800s, Anglo American, German and Polish settlers began moving into the area. Soon after, the state Legislature founded Wilson County on February 13, 1860. The county was named after James Charles Wilson, who was an early settler of Texas and a state legislator. Throughout the years, Wilson County has played a significant role in south Texas history. After the Civil War, Wilson County's population underwent the greatest growth due to the completion of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway, which reached Floresville in 1886. By the early nineteenth century, farmers who were once known for cotton crops as the most important cash crop, then diversified into a wider range of peas, watermelons, and peanuts. Today, some call Floresville the ``Peanut Capital of Texas.'' One of the county's best known natives is John Connally, who was born in 1917 near Floresville. Later Connally served as governor and survived a shot during President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963. One hundred and fifty years has shaped the county and development of Texas through its historical sites, involvement in diversified farming, ranching, and even oil discovery. Wilson County includes towns and cities such as Carpenter, Floresville, La Vernia, Pandora, Poth, Saspamco, Stockdale, Sutherland Springs, Grass Pond Colony, Kicaster, Doseido Colony, and Sandy Hills. It totals 809 square miles and has a population of more than 40,000. From a legacy in ranching, to its honorable natives and rich historical culture, Wilson County celebrating its sesquicentennial year is a milestone for the county and for Texas. I am honored to have had this time to recognize Wilson County on its sesquicentennial year. I thank you for this time, Madam Speaker.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, due to a death in the family, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor on Monday, February 22, 2010. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on H.R. 4425--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2-116th Street in North Troy, New York, as the Martin G. ``Marty'' Mahar Post Office, and ``yea'' on H.R. 4238--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 930 39th Avenue in Greeley, Colorado, as the W.D. Farr Post Office Building.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First of all, Mr. Chairman, I want to rise in support of this particular amendment of the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act. I certainly want to thank Mr. Lipinski for all the leadership that he has provided on this bill and the staff that worked so hard. I certainly want to thank my good friend from Texas also, Mr. McCaul, who has worked very hard on this issue, especially on the homeland security. We appreciate your working on that, Mr. McCaul. This legislation will greatly improve the cybersecurity in both the private and public sector. As any modern business, small or large, will tell you, we live in a highly interconnected, highly technological 21st century. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I know that we are under attack from cyberthreats every single day. Sensitive security and intelligence information pass through the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And more than $1 trillion was spent last year fighting to keep this information safe. The more we rely on IT systems, the more we need to make the necessary investments to reduce cyber-risks and vulnerabilities. My amendment today is simple. As we improve cybersecurity, we must help put Americans back to work. My amendment requires that the advisory committee, as it produces a cybersecurity strategic research and development plan, determine how we ought to strengthen all levels of cybersecurity education and training programs to develop a well-trained workforce that meets our Nation's cybersecurity needs. We must work to enlist our Nation's high schools, trade schools, colleges, and universities to bring more young people into this industry. We can also use the cybersecurity education to harness the technological powers of our own young people to keep our Nation and our Nation's businesses safe. We have an opportunity to strengthen the IT infrastructure in our workforce by getting together in partnership with our Nation's schools. In my home State of Texas, we are leaders in the cybersecurity operation. As Mr. McCaul understands, Texas invests in people and productive technology both in the public and private academic sectors. In San Antonio, for example, we have the National Center for Excellence for Cybersecurity, which has increased job numbers in the cybersecurity and information assurance industries in Texas. We can also replicate this particular model. Mr. Chairman, as you know, we want to make sure that we repair our economy and help put people back to work. This is why we must strengthen our cyberinfrastructure both in business, education, and government alike. We can focus on these goals; that is, how can we secure the IT future and how do we put people back to work? I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I just want to echo Mr. McCaul's words on this, that we need to make sure that we support our business, both public and private. I think this amendment will accomplish that, especially working with our education. Again, to the chairman, thank you very much, and to the staff who worked so hard on this. I ask Members to support this particular amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my good friend, Representative Lamar Smith, to honor The SCOOTER Store, a hometown business in our home State of Texas. They've been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the top 100 places to work in America. Fortune magazine has recognized this excellent work environment for their employees, ranking The SCOOTER Store the 38th Best Place to Work in 2010. The SCOOTER Store was founded in New Braunfels, Texas, by Doug and Susanna Harrison almost 19 years ago. Today, they serve more than 460,000 people across 48 States and Puerto Rico, with more than 70 facilities and approximately 2,000 employees. Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time they have been recognized. They were recognized 6 years ago. They're a company built on teamwork and good values. And this is why, Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to have the time to recognize The SCOOTER Store for their ranking as the 38th Best Place to Work in 2010 by Fortune magazine.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days with which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of the McAllen Monitor, which has served as a vital news source for the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas and our communities. This newspaper has accomplished a ``century of service'' to our community over the years. From copy boys in the past, to computers in the present, the Monitor has kept an unprecedented pulse on south Texas. They've generated news and reports of historic people, legends, events, tragedies and accomplishments, that have served to shape the story of the Rio Grande Valley. The first issue was released on December 11, 1909. The Monitor was founded in a small facility at the corner of Beaumont and Broadway in McAllen, Texas. It was ``humble beginnings'' for our neighborhood paper. Now the Monitor has a 100,000 square foot building, equipped with modern equipment and journalists of all backgrounds. Over the past 100 years, the Monitor has undergone change, along with changes in news on a daily basis. The paper was even renamed four times. But the spirit of its content, unchanged through all the years. For a century now, the Monitor has provided a steady flow of information as a trusted news source throughout the region. The McAllen Monitor has covered groundbreaking news items that have shaped the Nation, State, and community. From 1909 to 2009, the newspaper has covered landmark events including: ``Black Tuesday'' when the Nation fell into the Great Depression; 1933 when a hurricane hit Brownsville to McAllen; and in August 1957, a Russian spy was taken into custody in McAllen. In 1968, Hispanics participated in a walkout at Ecouch-Elsa High School because of unjust treatment in the school. Three years later, Cesar Chavez visited the Valley followed by the great late Senator Edward ``Ted'' Kennedy who visited the Valley in October 1980. These are landmark, local civil rights movements in our community. For all these events in history, the Monitor was there. That's why they are our trusted newsource in the Rio Grande Valley, McAllen and in south Texas. They are our local newspaper who understands the spirit of our City and the values of our People. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 100th anniversary of the McAllen Monitor newspaper. The Monitor is celebrating 100 years of service, continuing its mission for the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. A century of news for our community, so I commend and congratulate the Monitor with the greatest gratitude.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1517) to allow certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who serve under an overseas limited appointment for at least 2 years, and whose service is rated fully successful or higher throughout that time, to be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service, as amended.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on the bill that is under consideration.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill and yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1517 would help fix a previous hiring error for a select number of employees serving oversees in positions for Customs and Border Protection. Through no fault of their own, there are about 35 employees in several CBP pre-clearance locations across the globe that were hired under a limited term appointment by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Some of those workers have been employed, Mr. Speaker, since 1987, with the majority hired in the mid-1990s. Mr. Speaker, they have been, for the most part, treated the same way as other CBP officers and personnel, regardless of their initial appointment status. However these employees, these hardworking employees, unbeknownst to them, were in personnel limbo for the past 15 years to 20 years and were not covered by the protections and immunities afforded to permanent CBP employees engaged in similar work. This personnel situation was initially brought to the employees' attention in 2005. Since then, the CBP, OPM, and the Department of State have been trying to fix this glitch, but they realize that they need the help of Congress. This is why H.R. 1517 will give the CBP Commissioner the authority to noncompetitively convert these 35 employees to full-time permanent civil service positions. Doing so would not only ensure that these employees continue to receive their appropriate benefits but also will provide them with the protections they deserve as dedicated employees serving the CBP mission abroad. This ability to convert these employees will also ensure that CBP and that the United States honor the agreements between our countries and others such as Ireland. Going forward, it is our hope that the Commissioner will take the past histories of these dedicated 35 individuals into account when determining their future. As I had mentioned, through no fault of their own, these employees find themselves in this very difficult situation. Other employees assigned to work overseas rotate back to the U.S. after a period of time. The majority of these employees affected by the bill, however, have been at their posts for many years and have put down roots in these locations. In light of these employees' unique circumstances, the bill provides guidance to the Commissioner, stating that the implementation of the bill shall, number one, meet the operational needs of CBP and, number two, to the greatest extent practicable, not be disruptive to this discrete number of affected employees. In our attempt to right the system, CBP should not unduly disrupt the lives of these dedicated individuals who have provided a very valuable service to our country. House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC, December 2, 2009. Hon. Bennie Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I am writing to confirm our mutual understanding with respect to the consideration of H.R. 1517, a bill to allow certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees to be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service. I appreciate your effort to consult with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding those provisions of H.R. 1517 that fall within the Oversight Committee's jurisdiction. Given the importance of moving this bill forward promptly, I do not intend to object to its consideration in the House. However, I do so only with the understanding that this procedure should not be construed to prejudice this Committee's jurisdictional interest or prerogatives in the subject matter of H.R. 1517, or any other similar legislation. I would also request your support for the appointment of conferees from the Oversight Committee should H.R. 1517 or a similar Senate bill be considered in conference with the Senate. Finally, I request that you include our exchange of letters on this matter in the Congressional Record during consideration of this legislation on the House floor. Sincerely, Edolphus Towns, Chairman.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) who is the author of this bill and has been working with the ranking member, Mr. King of New York.

Mr. CUELLAR. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from New York.