Travis Childers

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to be here this evening in support of my substitute amendment to H.R. 6842. I want to start out by saying that I in no way promote increased violence inside the District of Columbia, nor do I disrespect the sovereignty of the District city council and their congressional leadership. My only goal in this matter, along with over 130 of my colleagues, is to restore fundamental second amendment rights to law- abiding citizens who reside in the Nation's capital. There has certainly been a lot of spirited discussion and debate on this matter. I want to dispel any false rumors that my legislation makes it easier for terrorists or other individuals to openly spur violence in the District of Columbia. I specifically reference section 3 of my amendment, which states: Nothing in the previous two sentences shall be construed to prohibit the District of Columbia from regulating or prohibiting the carrying of firearms by a person, either concealed or openly, other than at the person's dwelling place, place of business or on other land possessed by the person. Again, my inherent goal in this amendment is to restore second amendment rights within the home for self-protection purposes. Unfortunately, it is evident to me and many others that the District of Columbia city council is unwilling to comply with the Supreme Court's Heller decision. On multiple fronts, the Firearms Emergency Amendment Act of 2008, which was passed following the Heller decision, continues to infringe on second amendment rights. Specifically, the D.C. city council's definition of machine guns groups together the majority of semi- automatic handguns, most used for self-protection purposes, which effectively bans their possession in the District. Secondly, the ballistics identification procedure is an overburdensome and lengthy registration requirement that improperly denies the right of D.C. citizens, law-abiding citizens I might add, to immediately possess a firearm in their household. Finally, the continued insistence of having to keep a firearm unloaded, stored or trigger-locked is not acceptable to affording a right of self-defense within an individual household. In summary, I would compare my substitute amendment to words written in the majority opinion by the Supreme Court in the Heller case that reflect my sole intention of granting self-protection rights for law- abiding citizens. The Court stated that their decision should not be taken to cast doubt on long-standing prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill or law forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings. I came to Congress to serve and protect the ideals laid out by our Nation's Founding Fathers. As I stated above, I have no intention of directly circumventing the legislative practices of the D.C. city council. However, the second amendment right is a long-standing pillar in our system of government, and I believe law-abiding citizens should have the right to defend their homes in the District of Columbia, just like they have the ability to do so in the First Congressional District of Mississippi. I reserve my time.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan, and I believe to be the longest-serving Member in this great body, Mr. Dingell. (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield another 30 seconds.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk.

Mr. CHILDERS. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).

Mr. CHILDERS. I would ask the speaker to direct her remarks to the Chair.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I would yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner).

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I would yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross).

Mr. CHILDERS. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to the time remaining?

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I recognize the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Lincoln Davis) for 4 minutes. (Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).

Mr. CHILDERS. I would yield to the gentleman.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, in closing, let me just simply say to my distinguished colleagues Mr. Davis from Illinois and all those who have spoken not only for my amendment, but to those also who have spoken against my amendment, I have nothing but the greatest of respect for all of you. I have nothing but the greatest respect for this wonderful institution which I am so proud to be a part of. Mr. Chairman, there is no hidden agenda here. The intent of my amendment offered in the form of a substitute is simply to give the law-abiding citizens of the District of Columbia the same rights and freedoms that all Americans share, from coast to coast and all over this great land. I appreciate the spirited debate. I certainly hope that I have been respectful of all of my colleagues. It certainly was my intent. In closing, I would like to ask for a recorded vote, and I understand that will be in the morning, and I would urge passage of my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back my time.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule to H.R. 6842, the National Security and Safety Act. I was pleased the Rules Committee made in order my amendment in the nature of a substitute, which is directly in line with H.R. 6691, the Second Amendment Enforcement Act. My sole intention with my amendment is to make clear law-abiding citizens in the District of Columbia are afforded self-protection rights within their homes. I do not seek to circumvent or take away any power from the District of Columbia. However, I do believe we should respect, even if we disagree with, the opinions of the Supreme Court. I look forward to debating my substitute amendment in the near future, and I welcome the thoughts and concerns of my fellow colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I stand now to remember 1st LT. Lieutenant Donald C. Carwile. First Lieutenant Carwile served as a platoon leader in the United States Army and was actively serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Throughout Carwile's service to his country he received many awards IncludIng: The Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and other Service Ribbons. First Lieutenant Carwile was Airborne and Air Assault qualified, and was also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. First Lieutenant Carwile fell in battle on August 15, 2008 during an ambush that involved enemy combatants, and an improvised explosive device. Carwile was a servant of the people. When he wasn't protecting our freedoms abroad, he was protecting them in Mississippi, where he served both the Batesville and Oxford Police Departments. First Lieutenant Carwile is survived by his wife, Jennifer Gail Carwile, and two daughters, Elizabeth Reese Carwile and Avery Claire Carwile all of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Please join me today in saluting one of America's heroes for his life of service and sacrifice.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Thank you, Congressman Ross. I am pleased to join my fellow Blue Dogs together in a discussion about this energy crisis that America finds itself in. For far too long, the United States has not had any tangible national energy policy to address our continued dependence on foreign energy sources. As a matter of fact, it was a Democrat in the White House the last time that this country even had an energy policy. His name is Jimmy Carter, and he's still alive and well in the State of Georgia tonight. It is my belief that we need both immediate and long-term solutions to ease the burden on the citizens of the First Congressional District of Mississippi, the citizens of Mississippi as a whole, and, yes, the people all across this great Nation tonight in the United States, all of us who make up the United States of America, who, on a daily basis, face increasing costs at the gas pump and in their households. This is a reason that I was proud to be an original cosponsor with my fellow Blue Dog Congressman Mike Ross on the American-Made Energy Act of 2008. And incidentally, I had introduced a six-point energy plan just prior to this, and I realize that many people share my ideas. Many people share my ideas of drilling. Many people share my ideas on America's renewable resources, just as Congressman Ross did. And in order to move a large portion of my energy plan into law, I was pleased to sign on as a cosponsor to then-recently introduced legislation, the American-Made Energy Act of 2008, H.R. 5437. It has won considerable bipartisan support. And so much has been said, as has even been said in this hour prior tonight, that just because we're Democrats, we're opposed to drilling. Let me just say this for the record: I'm very much in favor of drilling, and I join many of these fine Blue Dogs tonight who join me in that. And we're pleased to be a part of that, even though, as the infamous or famous T. Boone Pickens just said, ``We can't drill ourselves out of this mess that we've gotten ourselves in, and we didn't get into it overnight.'' Across America tonight--please hear me on this--we got into it because we don't have an energy policy. We haven't had an energy policy since the 1980s, really the late 1970s. As a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, I have been committed to working toward immediate relief to American consumers by supporting legislation in this wonderful body, the United States House of Representatives, that responsibly increases domestic drilling capacity, while holding the oil industry accountable to the enormous profits being collected on a quarterly basis. I have continually advocated for open drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, along with the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. When I am back home in north Mississippi visiting these small counties and small towns, I routinely tell those crowds that if they find oil in my backyard, they are welcome to put an oil derrick down right behind my house in Booneville, Prentiss County, Mississippi. And if the noise is too much, I will move, but I'm for drilling. I mentioned above that our energy crisis is not all about short-term or immediate quick fixes. Personal accountability is a huge step toward getting Americans to purchase vehicles that are capable of traveling at ranges that exceed the current CAFE standard which is presently 27.5 miles per gallon. I introduced legislation before the August break, H.R. 6773, which provides a $100 tax credit for every mile per gallon a vehicle goes over the nationally mandated fuel economy standard to a family and/or individual who purchases an automobile that qualifies under H.R. 6773. Let me use, for example, the Prius, Toyota Prius, which I am so pleased to say will be made in a very short time in northeast Mississippi at the intersection of three great counties: Pontotoc, Union and Lee counties. I passed by during the break, and I saw the steel going up. Within a couple of years, Toyota and north Mississippians will be manufacturing a hybrid automobile that presently gets 46 miles per gallon. Using my numbers and the legislation that I introduced, 46 miles per gallon minus 27.5, which is the present CAFE standard, that's 19.5 miles per gallon that automobile will get over the present CAFE standard. Using my numbers of $100 per mile per gallon, if you bought an automobile, a Toyota Prius, you will be entitled to a $1,950 tax credit. I think this is an appropriate step to incentivize Americans to start buying automobiles that are less dependent on foreign oil. But let me say, it's not just about the Toyota Prius. I'm very pleased and very proud to say that we're going to be making those Toyotas in north Mississippi, but I want Ford Motor Company to take advantage of that. I want General Motors to take advantage of that. I want Chrysler and Nissan and so forth, I want all of these. It's not just a Toyota thing. Thank you for allowing me to speak tonight. I appreciate the opportunity. I am pleased to be a part of this great body. I am further pleased to be part of the Blue Dog Democrats, Democrats who are about the business of fixing the mess that we have gotten ourselves in over a period of almost 30 years. I'm proud to be a member of a body that is willing to take a stand, try to develop an energy policy for this country, one we've not had since the days of Jimmy Carter.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today with deep sadness to honor the passing of a great leader, colleague and dear friend, Mr. Robert L. Chandler. Bob served his country well during two tours of duty in the Vietnam War and displayed great leadership for Yalobusha County having been elected Election Board Commissioner and as Chancery Clerk where I had the distinct honor and privilege of serving with him during his service as Chancery Clerk. Bob was dutiful and diligent as he volunteered to serve his community as a fireman and reserve deputy sheriff. Bob was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Mary, his daughter, Audrea and son, Bobby and grandchildren. Bob and family are members of Sylva Rena Baptist Church. Madam Speaker, with distinct honor and pride, I, along with citizens of Yalobusha County, sadly mourn the death of such an inspirational leader as Bob Chandler. I want to personally thank him for his contributions and leadership. His memory will live on.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 3999, the National Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008. My amendment is very straightforward, simply stating that ``none of funds appropriated to H.R. 3999 may be used to employ workers in violation of section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act.'' The First Congressional District of Mississippi is currently staggering under the prevailing economic situation. On a daily basis, my constituents express their concerns of keeping their jobs despite the influx of foreign illegal labor into Mississippi. Portions of north Mississippi have unemployment rates that are nearly double the national average, a fact that motivated me personally come to Congress to stand up for the hardworking families of the First Congressional District. I certainly support and am encouraged by the underlying legislation Chairman Oberstar brought to the House today, because north Mississippi desperately needs many of the infrastructure improvements included in H.R. 3999 in order to spur economic and community development. However, I am committed to ensuring that every Federal dollar that is allocated to the National Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act for employment purposes will specifically go towards employing hardworking American citizens who desperately need a consistent paycheck. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this straightforward amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I just would like to acknowledge my colleagues who support this, and I appreciate that. And I also would like to commend Chairman Oberstar not only for his work on this legislation but for his very dedicated service to this committee and to this body. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.