Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. First, I want to thank Chairman Young, Ranking Member Dicks, and their staffs for coordinating with my office on this amendment and for their work to address operational energy challenges faced by DOD. According to the Department of Defense, operational energy represented 74 percent of the military's energy costs in 2010; and despite a 9 percent reduction in energy use, costs increased by 19.7 percent. Air conditioning alone for American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan cost $20 million each year. Last year's bill to heat, cool, and light 539,000 DOD buildings represented at least $4 billion in direct costs to taxpayers. More than 3,000 American warfighters and contractors have been killed in the line of duty while moving or defending fuel convoys. We cannot continue sacrificing American lives as a result of failing to improve energy use by our military. Included in the bill is a targeted investment of $82 million for Marine Corps expeditionary energy equipment to prevent our marines from carrying more than 13 million pounds of gear and will help taxpayers avoid nearly $40 billion in annual energy-related costs. Thank you, Chairman Young and Ranking Member Dicks, for including this funding in the bill. This bipartisan amendment would complement that investment in operational energy by increasing funding for the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, known as SERDP, from 56.4 to 66.4 million, which matches both the President's budget request and the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act recently passed on a strong bipartisan vote. I offer this amendment on behalf of myself and Mr. Bartlett of Maryland and Mr. Hinchey of New York. As members of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, respectively, they have been leaders in the efforts to improve our energy security. And I appreciate the bipartisan support of this amendment. Unfortunately, without the funding that this amendment would provide, the Pentagon would be forced to delay or cancel several strategic environmental programs. For example, this funding would support the joint sensitive technology and munitions program which develops alternatives to TNT. These alternatives are less toxic and have lower cleanup costs. The amendment also supports sustainable wastewater treatment technology for forward-operating bases in combat zones. The purpose of this program is not to protect the environment near the bases but to reduce water and fuel consumption associated with waste treatment. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will also help our military adapt to climate change. In Virginia, the Norfolk Naval Base is located at sea level. We are largely witnessing rising water levels already in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. This amendment simply provides funding equivalent to that which was authorized already by the House Armed Services Committee and by the full House and recommended by the President. I do not believe we should risk delaying or canceling these critical defense programs, and I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I am offering this amendment on behalf of Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Hinchey, and Mrs. Capps, who were unable to arrange flight schedules to get back here for this consideration. Mr. Blumenauer's amendment would increase funding for the Environmental Security Technology Certification program by $15 million to match the authorization of the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House earlier this spring. According to the Department, facilities energy represented at least $4 billion in direct costs to the taxpayer in fiscal year 2010. The Department is paying to heat, cool, light, and operate 539,000 buildings and structures that hold 2.2 billion square feet. The Environmental Security Technology Certification program is focused on finding ways to decrease energy demand, develop smart distribution systems, and increase the use of alternative and renewable energy at U.S. military installations. ESTCP was established in 1995 to promote the deployment of proven innovative technologies to field or production use. The program demonstrations collect cost and performance data for new technologies to help these new technologies overcome the barriers to development. The goals are to identify the most promising new technologies to help DOD improve its environmental remediation, such as unexploded ordnance, cleanup, energy performance, and cost savings. ESTCP funds projects in five program areas: energy and water; environmental restoration; munitions response; resource conservation and climate change; and weapons systems and platforms. The program uses an energy test bed concept that is focused on finding ways to decrease energy demand, develop smart distribution systems, and increase the use of alternative and renewable energy at military installations worldwide. These projects include energy-efficient lighting, heating, and air conditioning such as daylight harvesting, personalized dimming, combustion control systems, and high-performance cooling technology. ESTCP is funding initiatives that will make advancements in building control and retrofits such as the advanced building energy management systems and the Zero Energy Housing, which generate 100 percent of their power requirements through on-site renewable and demand reductions. Another project, the LED street lighting system, will deliver 50 percent energy reductions over existing street light systems at DOD facilities around the United States. An additional $15 million above the President's budget request will help address the immense challenge our military's facilities' energy requirements represent. The HASC has authorized ESTCP at $45 million, which includes a $15 million increase; and in doing so the authorizers created account number 82A for that purpose. I appreciate Mr. Blumenauer's work on energy security issues, including this amendment; and I ask for its favorable consideration. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in response to our friend from Texas who spoke just a few minutes ago, talking about Medicaid. It is true that entitlement programs need to be reformed. It's also true that costs need to be reined in. That's what affordable health care reform actually did. The answer certainly does not lie in the Republican budget passed earlier this year on a party-line vote, which would dismantle Medicare as we know it, turning it into a voucher system, the Ryan plan, and would turn Medicaid into a block grant program which would further impoverish our States at a delicate moment of their recovery. We need reform in entitlement programs, but the Republican budget, Mr. Speaker, is not the answer. It is the death knell for a program that covers a third of all Americans' health care.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I thank my colleague. Madam Chairman, the legislation before us would repeal pollution standards for ships and oil rigs located offshore anywhere in America. It appears to be based on the belief that as a general principle, air does not move. This legislation endangers air quality from Alaska to Virginia while offering another token of appreciation to the oil companies that were so generous in creating a new majority in the 112th Congress. The premise of this bill is that pollution generated offshore doesn't matter because it will not affect any humans onshore or humans working offshore. And I know that those of us who represent littoral States are most reassured by our colleagues from Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska in reassuring us that we won't negatively be affected by this legislation. Based on the content of this bill, apparently the majority believes that individuals employed on offshore oil rigs and ship servicing rigs do not breathe while they're working offshore. This bill would deregulate ongoing oil drilling in Alaska and prospective oil drilling off the coast of Virginia and all other coastal States. The majority is attempting to pass yet another bill to sacrifice the health and economic livelihoods of American citizens to pad the pocketbooks of Big Oil. This legislation, which presupposes that air does not move, is as dangerous as the previous Republican oil bills which denied the existence of global warming and enacted wholesale repeals of the few safety and environmental safeguards that still protect coastal communities from oil drilling. We keep hearing from across the aisle that this legislation will create 50,000 jobs. My friends, don't be misinformed. The study they referred to is a Shell Oil-funded study that simply estimates how many jobs could be created, all things being equal, like no pollution regulation, by offshore oil drilling in Alaska. Today's debate is not about whether to drill; it's about whether we will allow a massive increase in pollution when we do it. It is a false choice, and I urge my colleagues in the House to reject it.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, while it is imperative that we reduce the Federal deficit, balancing the budget on the backs of our Nation's disadvantaged children and senior citizens is neither responsible nor equitable. I believe in an America that protects the young and the elderly. But the Republican budget attacks the important safeguards for children and the disadvantaged, replacing Medicaid with vastly limited monetary grants to the States, forcing them to either reduce benefits to lower-income families or reduce the number of eligible families. Currently, 34 million children receive health care through Medicaid. From 1997 to 2009, the percentage of children without health insurance as a result dropped from 13.9 percent to 8.2. The Republican budget's attacks on Medicaid will imperil the health insurance for 24,100 children and reduce benefits for 6,100 seniors in my district, the 11th District of Virginia. Unfortunately, the Republican attacks on our seniors don't end with Medicaid. Imagine a world where half of all seniors lack health insurance. Imagine a world where the rising costs of health care threaten retirees' ability to afford essential medicine their doctor prescribed. Imagine a world where more than one out of every three seniors lives in poverty and the choice for the day is between food and their drugs. This isn't a dystopian nightmare--it was the United States in 1965 before we passed Medicare. Seniors suffering from arthritis, hypertension, coronary disease, cancer, glaucoma, and any number of ailments lacked coverage and far too often fell into financial distress. But thanks to Medicare, we changed all of that, providing guaranteed health insurance coverage to our Nation's seniors. As a result, the senior poverty rate decreased by 75 percent. But our retirees once again face that nightmare scenario as the Republican budget plan for fiscal year 2012 seeks to eliminate Medicare for everyone 54 years and younger and force future retirees into finding insurance in the private market--the private market which could choose not to offer them coverage at all. Many seniors will be forced to pay more for health insurance; many seniors won't find any coverage. Under the Republicans' plan for Medicare, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, retirees in 2022 will pay $6,400 more per year than they otherwise would under the traditional Medicare coverage. In addition, the Republican budget reopens the Medicare part D prescription drug coverage gap, or the doughnut hole, which will cost seniors thousands of dollars each year for prescription medication. Prescription drugs can be expensive, and many of the medications seniors take are long term. People take medication daily to control their arthritis pain, lower their cholesterol, and reduce the risk of stroke. These lifesaving medications come at a price. The implementation of Medicare part D in 2005 left many seniors with a gap in coverage, the doughnut hole. This gap, the initial coverage within it, and the catastrophic coverage amount cost many seniors thousands of dollars a year. I was proud to vote to eliminate that doughnut hole in 2009 with the health care reform bill. Unfortunately, just 2 years later, the Republican attack on Medicare reinstates the doughnut hole, once again threatening seniors with thousands of dollars in medication costs. Mr. Speaker, I know our constituents want the Congress to get our fiscal house in order, and they're right. But Americans don't want us to eviscerate Medicare and attack retiree health insurance as part of that process. I recently held a telephone town hall meeting and I conducted a poll. Seventeen hundred people participated in that poll. Seventy-three percent said do not gut Medicare. True fiscal responsibility requires a firm commitment and shared sacrifice. It involves long-term focus to rein in and reduce spending in a responsible, sustained manner. Real fiscal discipline requires us to look at every area of the budget, including revenues, savings, efficiencies, and cuts where necessary. Ultimately, the budget represents our Nation's priorities. Reducing deficits is a significant priority, and as my constituents in the 11th District of Virginia have made clear, protecting seniors and their Medicare is equally significant.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to object to the majority Franking Commission's exercise in blatant and transparent censorship on a Medicare mailing I and other colleagues of mine wish to send to our constituents. I'm not allowed to call it the ``Ryan budget'' even though the Republicans called it the Ryan budget, because, of course, it has become unpopular. I'm not allowed to refer to changing Medicare to a voucher system even though Mr. Ryan himself referred to it as a voucher system. I must now call it a ``premium support system.'' These changes, among many others, are censorship at its worst. When we don't like something, when it's not going well for us on the majority side, we suppress it. This censorship would make former Soviet censors blush at the breathtaking nature and sweeping scope of the suppression of free expression, of free ideas here in the Nation's Capitol.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the honorees of the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Association Awards Banquet. The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Associations is a coalition of civic and homeowners associations from throughout Fairfax County. Through the Federation, individual communities can join with other associations to ensure that their voices are heard and that their communities stay strong. Each year, the Federation honors a select few individuals for extraordinary contributions to the community that have resulted in tangible improvements in our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government. This is the 61st Annual Awards Banquet, and this year's honorees have each dedicated years of service to the residents and communities of Fairfax County. It is my pleasure to recognize the following individuals for their service to the community: 2010 Citizen of the Year: Mollie Morrison-Loeffler for her efforts in the revitalization of Parklawn and the surrounding communities in the Mason District. 2010 Citation of Merit: Dr. Charles Dane for his long history of public and community service, especially in the area of public education 2010 Special Gratitude Award: Anthony H. Griffin for his visionary leadership which has resulted in Fairfax County being named ``one of the best managed jurisdictions in America'' 2010 Special Gratitude Award: William D. Lecos for his innovative approach in the areas of public-private partnerships and promotion of economic competitiveness and sustainability Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these individuals and in congratulating them on being honored by the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Associations. Civic engagement defines a community, and it is thanks to these individuals that Fairfax County residents enjoy such an excellent quality of life. The contributions and leadership of these honorees have been a great benefit to our community and truly merit our highest praise.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients of the 2011 Beat the Odds Awards. These awards are sponsored by the Prince William County Bar Foundation and are presented to extraordinary youth who have exhibited exceptional determination to overcome adversity and lead full, productive lives. The narrative of these awards is truly compelling; to qualify for a Beat the Odds award, a youth must have come into contact with the juvenile justice system. Despite this potential obstacle, Beat the Odds Award recipients have overcome abuse, neglect or juvenile delinquency with an earnest effort to realize a successful future. It is my great honor to commend the following individuals who have risen above substantial negative influences and are now being recognized as community success stories: Recipients of the 2010 Beat the Odds Phoenix Award: Victoria Rose, Jacob Whitfield, Martha Vasquez-Quintanilla, Benjamin Dinarte, Eduardo Silva Ostos, Shahnewaz Bhuiyan, Mark Johnson, Jr., and Curtis Moore, Jr. Recipients of the 2010 Beat the Odds Scholarship Award: Mariam Sankoh, Vanessa Monserrat Rodriguez, Tanya Donangmaye, Anthony Harris, Taylor Katherine Peevy, Indiana Sommer Anderson, Kelly Renee Teboe, Jennifer Salas, Maria Sisson, and Caleb Daniel Foster. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these young people for the positive example they set for their peers. Our community sends a powerful message to our youth when we encourage them to triumph over setbacks and to gain strength from hardship. Beat the Odds scholarships totaling more than $100,000 from the Prince William Bar Foundation are a resounding endorsement of that message, and I thank the Foundation for its dedication and generosity to youth in our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Prince William County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and its 2011 ``Salute to Veterans'' Freedom Fund Banquet. U.S. Army Major General (Retired) Robert C. Gaskill and U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (Retired) John W. Jones Jr. will receive special recognition at the banquet for their service to our nation. The NAACP was established in 1909 to eliminate racial prejudice and remove barriers of racial discrimination that prevent equal opportunity for all members of society. The Prince William County Chapter seeks to implement outreach initiatives, educational programs and victim services that address issues of discrimination in the local community. The local chapter hosts an annual Freedom Fund Banquet to raise funds to support the chapter's activities. This year, the program will honor veterans of the United States armed forces. It is my honor to join the Prince William County Chapter of the NAACP in giving special recognition to two veterans and residents of Prince William County, Major General Gaskill and Master Gunnery Sergeant Jones. General Gaskill was born in Yonkers, N.Y., on April 12, 1931, to John and Armania Gaskill. The Gaskill family later moved to Arlington, Va. General Gaskill completed Reserve Officer Training as a Distinguished Military Graduate, and received a bachelor of science in business administration from Howard University in 1952. He was commissioned into one of the last all-black battalions in the United States Army. General Gaskill had a distinguished and decorated career in the Army before his retirement in 1981, to which he credits the support of his late wife Erotida Gaskill. General Gaskill is a Life Member of the NAACP, member of Unity in the Community, and an elder at his church. Sergeant Jones was born in Memphis, Tenn., on September 3, 1930, to Mattie and John W. Jones, Sr. Sergeant Jones' mother passed away when he was nine, and he was raised by Laura Belle Jones, his father's second wife. In 1956, Sergeant Jones joined the United State Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps, Sergeant Jones went to night school to complete his high school degree and enrolled in college courses. His service in the Corps included tours in the 1958 Lebanon Crisis and the Vietnam War. Sergeant Jones is married to the former Anne Tankins of Quantico. He is active in the NAACP and volunteers in his church, First Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he serves as Deacon Emeritus and sings in the choir. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the Prince William County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and its 2011 ``Salute to Veterans'' Freedom Fund Banquet. I extend my personal appreciation to Major General U.S.A (Retired) Robert C. Gaskill and Master Gunnery Sergeant U.S.M.C. (Retired) John W. Jones, Jr. for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our country.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize nine graduating seniors in my community for their record of academic and athletic accomplishment and their admirable decision to enlist in the United States Armed Forces. With graduation season upon us, thousands of young people in my community, and millions across the nation, are preparing for the next chapter in their lives. Some will pursue higher education or vocational training, others will seek to enter the workforce immediately, and many will answer the call to serve their community and their country. I join with their families and friends in congratulating and commending the following Robinson Secondary School graduates on their enlistment: United States Marines: Philipp Zinser, Daniel Kellam, Sam Lausier, Ji Jong Lee, Won Gyu Lee and Junsuk Choi United States Navy: David Maeng United States Air Force: Jade Vitali and Kevin Haas At a time of great uncertainty both at home and abroad, these young people have stepped forward to follow in a long line of distinguished Virginians who selflessly volunteered to defend our nation and its ideals. In fact, these graduates hail from a school named for Sgt. James W. Robinson Jr., who was the first Virginian to receive the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and heroism during the Vietnam War. Sgt. Robinson's accomplishments continue to serve as a model for character and leadership not only for the students at the school bearing his name, but also for all those who seek to follow in his footsteps. The Northern Virginia Chapter of Our Community Salutes will host a ceremony Thursday, June 9, to recognize these young people and their families and to wish them safety and success as they pursue a career in the Armed Forces. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the courage and dedication of these graduates and in assuring them and their families that the full support and resources of the U.S. Congress and the American people will be behind them every step of their journey in defense our nation's freedom.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 30th Anniversary of Shelter House, Inc., (Shelter House) and to congratulate the recipients of the 2011 volunteer awards. Shelter House is a community-based, non-profit organization founded 1981 by several ecumenical groups, which came together to better serve low-income individuals and families. The mission of Shelter House is to break the cycle of homelessness for families and victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County by providing crisis intervention, temporary housing, and supportive services to promote self sufficiency. Shelter House operates three shelters: The Katherine K. Hanley and the Patrick Henry family shelters, which provide temporary housing for families in our community who find themselves homeless, and Artemis House, which provides temporary housing for victims of domestic violence. Shelter House also offers transitional housing services and ongoing supportive services for those who have entered permanent housing. Volunteers and community partners are the cornerstone of this organization. These relationships are critical assets to Shelter House and a leading cause for its successes. Each year, Shelter House honors those volunteers and partners who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to ending homelessness. The following individuals are being recognized with 2011 Shelter House, Inc. Volunteer Awards: Ending Homelessness Award: Nicole Larese of the Junior League of Northern Virginia, Friend of Shelter House Kids Award: The Reading Connection, Faith Community Award: Emmaus United Church of Christ, Youth Volunteer Award: Jessica Woolson, Unsung Hero Award: Erica Stewart, Special Event Volunteer Award: Sarah Bock. The following individuals and organizations are being recognized as 2011 Community Champions: Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA); AKA Phi Nu Omega Chapter; Balfour Beatty Construction; Capital One; Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Donna Fleming; Freddie Mac Foundation; Great Falls Women's Club; The Honorable Kate Hanley; Verdia Haywood; HomeAid NoVA; Junior League of Northern Virginia; Old Dominion Cotillion; Sidley Austin LLP; and, Versivo. The outstanding efforts of the above-mentioned individuals and organizations merit special recognition, but one must acknowledge the impact of all Shelter House volunteers who work to provide secure and structured environments for families in need. These volunteers and community partners make Shelter House one of the most effective organizations in the battle to end homelessness by empowering families to reach their full potential. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Shelter House, Inc. for thirty years of service in the battle to end homelessness and also in expressing our sincere appreciation to all of the volunteers and community partners for their selfless dedication to this worthy cause.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Prince William Clean Community Council (PWCCC) and its 2010 Volunteer of the Year, Walter Skaja. With the help of dedicated volunteers like Mr. Skaja, the Council works to eliminate litter and graffiti in our Prince William neighborhoods and commercial centers. The idea of forming an organization in Prince William County aimed at addressing environmental issues was conceived in 1982 during a spring cleanup effort led by a group of concerned local citizens. These individuals, who later became the founding members of PWCCC, immediately recognized the importance of litter prevention education as a way to long-term environmental cleanliness. In 1986, the Prince William County Litter Control Council was born. The organization later came to be known as the Clean Community Council and became an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, a nationwide non-profit that uses education and hands-on stewardship to advocate litter control, waste reduction, and community beautification. The Council's litter prevention and graffiti abatement efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Council's accolades include a 1994 Governors Award for Volunteering Excellence. The Council was a 2000 Virginia Stewardship Award Winner in the Communication/Education Category and received the Prince William County 2001 Partners for the Potomac Environmental Patron Award, 2000 and 2002 Keep America Beautiful National Awards and a 2008 Keep America Beautiful President's Circle Recognition Award. The Council's volunteers always have been essential to its success and the Volunteer of the Year Award is a way to recognize their invaluable support. The 2010 recipient, Walter Skaja, has been a volunteer with PWCCC since 2009. He started working with PWCCC through its Adopt-A-Spot program, where volunteers adopt an area of Prince William County and agree to remove litter and debris throughout the year. Shortly after adopting two neighborhood parks, Walter also adopted Cedar Point Elementary School. In the past two years, Walter has not been alone in his work for a clean environment. He has had help from Cub Scout Pack 1384. Walter routinely has 100 or more scouts to help him with his beautification efforts. They have transformed Cedar Point Elementary School with landscaping improvements that have included mulching and planting trees, shrubs and flowers. In addition to his volunteer work with the Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-School programs, Walter spent time during the major snow storms in 2009 and 2010 removing snow from fire hydrants and clearing snow at Cedar Point Elementary School. His tireless efforts helped students, parents, and staff make it to school safely. Mr. Speaker, we create safer, cleaner neighborhoods when residents take ownership for their communities. The Clean Community Council asks Prince William residents to take pride in their county. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the successes of the Prince William Clean Community Council as well as in congratulating Walter Skaja on being named the recipient of the 2010 Prince William Clean Community Council Volunteer of the Year Award.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I thank my colleague from Florida for yielding me this time. I rise respectfully in support of House Resolution 292, which reasserts the congressional war-making authority of section 8, article I of the Constitution, and I respectfully disagree with my ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, for whom I have enormous respect. I don't think this resolution takes gratuitous potshots at the President of the United States. I think it is a thoughtful exposition of the issues in front of us and the requirements that we want to put on the President, and it buys the President time to comply without the disruption that the Kucinich resolution would cause, not only in Libya, but the ramifications for NATO relationships and in the Arab democratic spring. The resolution prohibits the President from deploying ground troops in Libya, and declares Congress has the constitutional prerogative to withhold funding for any unauthorized use of U.S. Armed Forces. It requires the administration to transmit to the House of Representatives any records regarding congressional communication and Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya within 14 days of passage. Madam Speaker, since before the passage of the War Powers Resolution in 1973, the executive branch, regardless of party or leader, has argued that there are inherent constitutional powers contained in the constitutional reference to the President as Commander in Chief. If one argues that section 2, article II of the Constitution grants the President inherent powers as Commander in Chief, then logically one ought to acknowledge that Congress also has inherent powers as the only entity expressly granted the power to declare war in that document. According to the House report regarding the War Powers Resolution, ``consultation . . . means that a decision is pending on a problem and that Members of Congress are being asked by the President for their advice and opinions and, in appropriate circumstances, their approval of action contemplated.'' This report language makes the intention of the War Powers Resolution clear: Consultation ought to be active, not merely informative. In the War Powers Resolution, the term ``hostilities'' was used deliberately instead of ``armed conflict'' precisely because of the former phrase's broader nature. The Constitution and the War Powers Resolution are clear: Congress must have a role with regard to the use and deployment of U.S. forces. The extent of that role has been the subject of debate as old as the United States itself. To go even further, a strict constructionist would argue that the War Powers Resolution itself limits congressional authority. The act of even acknowledging the need for a statutory framework to codify Congress' powers in the Constitution in fact dilutes those powers and may have the unintended effect of enhancing the Executive's powers directly at the expense of Congress. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution, House Resolution 292, to assert congressional authority and to buy the President time with which to comply.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chair, this bill represents a gross abdication of our shared responsibility with our state and local governments to provide for the safety and security of our constituents and our communities. Cuts to the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER, grants and the Assistance to Firefighters, or FIRE, grants will be devastating for communities in each of our home states. In addition, changes to the Urban Areas Security Initiative will put our high-risk communities at further risk. As we prepare to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 later this year, the wounds are still fresh in the memory in my home community of Northern Virginia. This bill will actually cut by more than 50 percent the very public safety assistance Congress deemed essential, on a bipartisan basis, to address public safety and security concerns in our communities as a result of those terrorist attacks. How is that providing for the homeland security? I would argue that we're actually putting it at risk. The threat of a terrorist attack has not dissipated. In fact, it probably has increased since U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden earlier this spring. In the wake of 9/11, we identified significant shortfalls in our public safety capabilities. Congress created these grant programs to help our cities and counties meet the demands for interoperable communication, hazardous materials response and other recommendations from local, state and federal threat assessments, including the 9/11 commission. Still today, thousands of fire stations, both career and volunteer, across the country do not have sufficient staffing to adequately protect their communities. Many still do not have the ability to respond to all-hazards emergencies or communicate with one another. The SAFER and FIRE grants help provide staffing, training and equipment to public safety agencies in every state. As the former Chairman of the largest local government in the National Capital Region and the Chairman of the region's Emergency Preparedness Council, I know firsthand how critical these funds are to ensure the safety of our communities. Even before the recession, local governments had difficulties meeting their public safety needs, and now many have been forced to cut back on those services as their budgets are still reeling from the affects of the Great Recession. The reductions proposed by this legislation will only exacerbate the problem and further delay, if not gravely harm, our preparedness efforts. Mr. Chair, we came together in a bipartisan fashion to turn back similar cuts in the Continuing Resolution for the current fiscal year, and I urge my colleagues to once again stand alongside our firefighters and public safety personnel in support of this critical funding. Mr. Pascrell and Mr. LaTourette are once again offering a bipartisan amendment that would restore most of the requested grant funding. While the amendment does not preserve the entire funding request, it ensures that our local and state partners do not bear a further undue burden because the federal government is not living up to its own responsibility. If this bill is supposed to represent our Homeland Security values, then it's done a pretty poor job by turning its back on those sworn to protect us on the front lines, namely the firefighters, police officers and other first responders in our communities. I urge my colleagues to either restore this funding or reject this attack on our basic public safety.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chair, Chairman McKeon and Chairman Smith, thank you for working together on thoughtful procurement reform in the context of this NDAA. As I have said many times before, procurement should not be about theology. Decisions to insource or outsource should never be made on the a priori assumption that less or more government participation will save money. Therefore, I was supportive of including language in the NDAA which would restore the A- 76 process. While we must be vigilant to ensure this process accurately accounts for costs, there is no question that analysis must precede insourcing or outsourcing decisions, and A-76 at least attempts to create an analytical process. The fact that such a process was abused during the Bush administration should not obscure the need for analysis in the future. In a similar vein, I opposed draft proposals which would have established across the board prohibitions on conducting work in-house if the tasks were not inherently governmental. While Federal employees certainly should conduct inherently governmental work, it may also make sense in some cases for them to do work that the Office of Federal Procurement Policy has deemed ``closely associated with inherently governmental,'' or other functions. For example, when I was Chairman of Fairfax County, our vehicle maintenance were county employees who did outstanding work. There was nothing inherently governmental about oil changes, but Fairfax got the best deal with county employees. We should not preclude analogous arrangements from the Federal Government any more than we should preclude outsourcing vehicle maintenance. In addition to the Committee's thoughtful approach to insourcing and outsourcing, I greatly appreciate your support for other steps to improve the acquisition environment through improved Federal efficiency. These reforms include adoption of the Federal Acquisition Institute Amendment that Mr. Platts and I introduced as well as Mr. Langevin's amendment to rationalize the responsibilities of the Chief Technology Officer and other executive branch officials with technology policy portfolios. This National Defense Authorization Act represents significant progress for our procurement and technology communities, including both Federal employees and Federal contractors. Thank you for you and your staffs outstanding work on these important issues for our economy and the Federal Government.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chair, I rise to express my concerns with repealing Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act through the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This provision of the NDAA would undermine Department of Defense efforts to reduce oil dependence and could cripple America's nascent algal biofuel industry. Our Armed Forces are making great progress to reduce their dependence on oil in a manner that promotes climate security. For example, the Air Force plans to procure 50 percent of its domestic aviation fuel from alternative sources by 2016. It has already developed the ``Green Hornet,'' a fighter jet that runs on algae-based biofuel. The Navy is in the process of deploying its ``Great Green Fleet,'' which will run entirely on alternative fuels and be operational by 2016. These improvements to national security parallel new economic opportunities for the biofuel industry. According to the Biotechnology Industry Association, ``Section 526 is helping low carbon fuels bridge the `valley of death' between development and commercialization,'' and is ``already helping the Air Force and Navy meet its alternative fuel goals.'' The domestic biofuels industry contributes 400,000 jobs and $53 billion to the American economy while supporting deployment of domestically-produced biofuels for our Armed Forces. We cannot abort this critical effort to help our military achieve energy independence. It is imperative that repeal of Section 526 be stricken from the National Defense Authorization Act before this legislation proceeds to the President for his signature. The Importance of Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to the Continued Development and Commercialization of Advanced Biofuels May 2011 What Section 526 Does Prevents federal agencies from purchasing unconventional fuels with higher greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels. Most relevant to the Department of Defense (DOD) because it is the Nation's largest fuel purchaser and is leading federal efforts to support, develop and commercialize domestic alternative sources of fuel for military use. For instance, the U.S. Air Force intends to procure 50 percent of its domestic aviation fuel from alternative sources by 2016. Also, the U.S. Navy plans to deploy a ``Great Green Fleet'' by 2016, which will be entirely operated on alternative fuels. Why Section 526 Is Important to the United States and to the Advanced Biofuels Industry Section 526 is helping low carbon fuels bridge the ``valley of death'' between development and commercialization by preventing large, carbon intensive fossil fuel facilities from crowding out their opportunities. Section 526 is therefore already helping the Air Force and Navy meet its alternative fuel goals and the country move toward greater energy independence and security and create jobs. The domestic biofuels industry is now contributing more than 400,000 jobs and $53 billion in new activity to the Nation's economy. A recent report found that additional job creation from advanced biofuels production could reach 807,000 by 2022. Since its enactment, Section 526 has provided a clear signal that energy security and climate security will be advanced in parallel to federal alternative fuel procurement. This has helped to focus private investment and early DOD testing on advanced biofuels, which offer substantial greenhouse gas reductions in addition to their energy security benefits. The prospects of a stable and long-term customer in the DOD is a major driver of early investment in advanced biofuels for aviation and marine applications. Eliminating Section 526 could seriously undermine this investment certainty, leading to less and less investment and capital access for advanced biofuels. Congress must maintain Section 526 to assure continued U.S. leadership on biofuels, especially advanced and cellulosic biofuels for aviation and other military applications. Advanced Biofuels Companies and Projects That Could Be Negatively Affected if Section 526 Were Eliminated` The maps below illustrate existing and planned cellulosic biofuel biorefineries and algae production projects at various stages of development in North America. Currently, there are more than 70 pilot and demonstration advanced biofuel biorefineries across North America-- including cellulosic, algae, and other advanced biofuel technologies--representing hundreds of millions of dollars in investment. There have been successes at each stage of research and development and all are in the process of scaling-up. Commercial development was slowed by the recession but is regaining momentum as a result of supportive federal programs, such as Section 526, and some thawing of capital markets. Many of the facilities and projects shown may be negatively impacted by the elimination of Section 526.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I particularly want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for their wonderful cooperation in putting together this en bloc set of amendments. Mr. Chairman, I want to just highlight several with which I am associated. Amendment 93, cosponsored by Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Welch, and Mrs. Capps, will reduce fuel convoy deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Chairman, we have lost 3,000 lives trying to protect fuel convoys in those two countries. So we can actually save money and save lives with this amendment. Amendment 91, cosponsored by Mr. Platts of Pennsylvania, improves the Federal Acquisition Institute. This is legislation also introduced by our Republican friend in the U.S. Senate, Susan Collins, and it has bipartisan support, makes the Federal Government a lot more efficient and will not build new bureaucracy or add expenses. Amendment 92, cosponsored by Mr. Bilbray of California, will actually try to systemize and make more effective the internship programs in the Federal Government so that we are taking advantage of those opportunities and making sure they also serve a better purpose for interns who sign up with the Federal Government. Amendment No. 90, cosponsored by Mr. Kissell, directs the Pentagon to report to Congress on the estimated cost of expanding the Homeowners Assistance Program. A lot of our active duty military, when they are called up or transferred, find themselves in enormous distress given the housing crisis. This amendment will help them and their families by extending their ability to try to manage that situation. Mr. Chairman, I very much appreciate, as I said, the cooperation of the chairman and his staff, and the ranking member and his staff.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of Fairfax County 2010 Land Conservation and Tree Preservation and Planting Awards. These awards recognize those developers, designers and site superintendents who have excelled in their stewardship of the environment by implementing erosion and sediment control measures for soil conservation or increasing the tree cover through tree preservation and planting efforts. Fairfax County is considered one of the best counties in the Nation in which to live, work and raise a family. One reason for this designation is the innovative environmental protection policies that have been implemented by the county and embraced by its business partners. I am pleased to have led that effort during my tenure as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. These awards recognize the following individuals and companies who have successfully brought their projects to completion while preserving and enhancing the local environment: Small Commercial: The Howard Gardner School Large Commercial: Aerospace Corporation Parcel 35 at Westfields Small Single Family Residential: Yorkshire Subdivision Large Single Family Residential: Huntington Mews, Section 2 Linear Project: Bull Run Woods Best Protected Environmentally Sensitive Site: Aerospace Corporation Parcel 35 at Westfields Outstanding Site Superintendent: Greg Clark Outstanding Engineering Firm: Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP Outstanding Contractor: James G. Davis Environmental and Facilities Inspections Division Inspector of the Year (East): Martin Klema Environmental and Facilities Inspections Division Inspector of the Year (West): William Dougherty Environmental and Site Review Division Reviewer of the Year (East): Hani Fawaz Environmental and Site Review Division Reviewer of the Year (West): Shahab Baig Tree Preservation Awards: Potomac School Pohick Stream Valley Park Trail The Aerospace Corporation Stream Restoration Project Tree Planting Category Award Recipients: Francis Scott Key Middle School Huntly Terrace Townhomes Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the efforts of those involved with these projects. Fairfax County and its residents have benefitted greatly from the collaborative spirit that is represented by these awards today. I wish to thank all of the awardees for their efforts on behalf of our community, and I congratulate them on receiving these awards.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the volunteers who assist the Fairfax County Sherriff's Office. These volunteers work with deputies and civilian staff to help inmates to improve their lives during incarceration and to prepare them for a successful transition back into the community. With more than 500 deputies, the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is the largest Sheriff's office in Virginia and among the largest in the country. These deputies perform invaluable services for Fairfax County residents which include providing court security, managing the detention center, and serving the civil law process. Volunteers with the Sheriff's Office help provide inmate programs and services at the Adult Detention Center (ADC) and Pre-Release Center, including mental health counseling, religious services, alcohol and drug support groups, health education, library services and job training. Volunteers complete a Sheriff's Office training program and also work closely with staff to ensure that best practices are followed. A recent study completed at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center showed the significant impact that detention center rehabilitation programs can provide. The efforts of these volunteers improve the lives of those incarcerated, reduce recidivism, and make our communities safer. Each year, the Sheriff's Office hosts a luncheon to thank all of the dedicated individuals who help make the volunteer program a success. It is my pleasure to recognize the honorees in each service area: Alcohol and Drug Services--Nate Trager OAR--Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources--Linda Rule Chaplain's Office--Norman J. Bacon Education--Bill Richey The efforts of these individuals are particularly noteworthy, but I also want to acknowledge the nearly 300 volunteers who have contributed their time and support to the Sheriff's Office during the past year. These volunteers provide services that help to place inmates on a path to success. They offer their time that could be spent elsewhere to provide encouragement and support that will improve lives during incarceration and provide for a successful transition to help get inmates back on their feet. The efforts of each and every one of these volunteers are commendable and deserve our praise. Sheriff Stan Barry and the staff of the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office should be commended for their critical role in administering the volunteer program. The efforts of these staffers maximize the contributions of volunteers in the most effective way and provide the support that makes this program a success. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions of these individuals and all of the volunteers who support the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. The selfless commitment of these individuals helps to provide enumerable benefits to our community and life-changing services to the inmates they serve.