Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer this motion to instruct. This motion will instruct House conferees for the fiscal year 2006 agricultural appropriations bill to insist that none of the funds made available by this or any other act be used to close or relocate a county or local Farm Service Agency office until the Secretary of Agriculture has determined the cost effectiveness of such closures. It would also set a limit on the funds available for States to contract out work being carried out under the Food Stamp Act of 1977. I want to first say that it has been a pleasure working with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla) and his talented staff to put together the fiscal year 2006 agricultural appropriations bill, doing the best we could with very limited resources. Under the circumstances, it is a bill that I was proud of, my first as ranking minority member of this subcommittee. I also want to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey). Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues to offer a motion that would in essence codify the decision announced yesterday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to shelve its so-called FSA Tomorrow Plan, a plan that would have closed 713 of the Farm Service Agency's 2,351 offices across America, including two in my State of Connecticut. Had the plan gone into effect, more than a quarter of FSA's total field offices would have closed at a time when rural America is battling drought, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and skyrocketing energy costs, all leading to what has been a steady deterioration of its economic base. For those unfamiliar with FSA, the Farm Service Agency administers 45 different programs designed to meet the demands of our increasingly diverse agricultural landscape. It provides critical services to America's farmer, services such as assistance to specialty crop producers, disbursal of payments for programs such as the tobacco and peanut buyout, and the handling of disaster assistance payments. But perhaps more importantly, FSA offices provide that critical link between the farmer and the Federal Government. In that respect, FSA still retains its roots in FDR's New Deal which established that the Federal Government had an appropriate role to play in ensuring a healthy rural economy, a critical component to managing the national economy. Over the years, the agency that became the FSA managed programs such as the standard Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program, which provided credit, farm, home management planning and technical supervision to farms. It helped farmers and their debtors arbitrate agreements and head off foreclosure. Indeed, FSA's focus has changed as the need has. After Pearl Harbor the War Food Administration was organized to meet the increased needs of a country at war. And in 1994 USDA reorganized what is now the Farm Service Agency, which included the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, the Risk Management Agency, and the Farm Credit portion of the Farmers Home Administration. In recent years, FSA has become part of USDA's one-stop concept, a clearinghouse for the delivery for farm programs, where farmers can go for programs that help them stabilize farm income, conserve land and water resources, provide credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and help farm operations recover from the effects of disaster. In recent months, however, USDA was planning what was called FSA Tomorrow, which ostensibly was designed to provide better staff, better equipped and trained offices to improve flexibility and efficiency and to modernize technology. These were all laudable goals, despite real challenges posed by that digital divide and lack of Internet access in rural America. But central to FSA Tomorrow was its proposal to close over 700 FSA offices. The effect would have been clear and immediate, making it more difficult for producers to participate in USDA programs. Closing these offices would have fragmented the one-stop concept, forcing many farmers to drive hundreds of miles to the nearest FSA office where some of the closings are occurring in areas with an already high concentration of underserved minority and small-operation farms. This was all happening at a time when FSA services were as critical as ever in modern memory. Even before Katrina there was extensive work going on for hurricane and flood relief for the Southeast and mid- South, as well as work around drought problem in the Midwest; and we know the havoc Katrina wrecked on the gulf coast. What was most worrisome about the FSA Tomorrow Plan was its formulation by USDA without any cost analysis to show why it was necessary, nor was there any input from Congress. Thankfully, in the wake of Senate action, USDA announced yesterday that it would set aside FSA Tomorrow and its timetable for implementation. As such, we offer this motion today to codify that decision, protecting Congress' jurisdiction in the formulation of policy so vital to American farmers' interest. We all support improving FSA efficiency, streamlining the program so that our farmers can get the best services possible. But I think yesterday's decision confirmed that ensuring FSA field offices remain open and within reach of our farmers is a critical piece of making that happen. Mr. Speaker, the second component of this motion would instruct conferees to limit the availability of food stamp funds that can be contracted out by States. Specifically, such language would prohibit a State agency from using Federal funds if they privatize a certain percentage of their food stamp program operations. What this is about is ensuring the integrity of the Food Stamp Program, which, Mr. Speaker, is one of the most effective, well-run Federal programs that we have. If you have any doubt about that, I point you to the program's remarkable response to Hurricane Katrina. Today, in Louisiana nearly 300,000 households are already receiving food stamps. In Texas there are another 125,000 households receiving emergency food stamp assistance. Altogether, nearly a million citizens affected or displaced by Hurricane Katrina, children, seniors, are receiving emergency food stamp benefits, 25 million Americans in all, reminding us once again that good and decent societies take care of their most vulnerable. But as we speak, at least one State is planning on delegating an unprecedented billion dollar privatization contract. Texas is hoping to delegate certification and enrollment of recipients for food stamps to a private firm, Accenture, LLP. Its plan is disturbing, to say the least, as its Health and Human Services Department would lay off at least 1,200 stamp workers, closing more than a third of State-run eligibility offices around the State, 99 in all. Texas is planning to replace staff at low hourly rates. The responsibility for screening applicants, filling out web-based forms and driving clients to the remaining offices for certification, that would fall to community organizations. Much like with farmers in the proposed FSA office closing, clients, including their children, seniors and many who do not speak English, would be forced to travel long distances for these services. There are a host of problems with the Texas plan. For one, it appears illegal, conflicting with Federal statutes governing the Food Stamp Program, which requires States to seek a waiver from the USDA. In a letter to the ranking member on the Senate side, the USDA said the following: We do not have enough information to ascertain whether or not Texas' proposal is in compliance with the act in regard to the certification of recipients. States are required to seek a waiver from the USDA, and Texas sought no such waiver. Indeed, USDA has raised questions directly to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for over a year, asking it for information demonstrating this contract is in compliance with Federal law, and has received no real response. Secondly, there are several worrisome conflicts of interest. The Houston Chronicle reports that the HHS Chief Information Officer involved in contract negotiation was once an employee of a firm that partnered with Accenture. Additionally, the former HHS Deputy Commissioner who helped develop the bidding procedures subsequently went to work for Accenture. What makes this so unfortunate is that it is so unnecessary. The Food Stamp Program right now is operating with the lowest error rate it has ever had, the result of years of work by USDA and by State and local employees all over the country. Texas itself has a very well-operated program. Why take the risk that a well-run program will, even with the best intentions, be put at risk? Let me just say, of all the companies with which the government can do business with, I have serious concerns about the company that has been awarded this particular food stamp contract. Accenture is a corporate expatriate, a company that has set up paper offices overseas to avoid paying American taxes, yet comes back to feed at the Federal trough by way of government contracts when it is convenient. One need only to look at the Department of Homeland Security's $10 billion US-VISIT Program which Accenture oversees to understand such concerns. That contract is over budget, behind schedule, and falling well short of its goals. Mr. Speaker, this is not simply about an isolated issue in Texas. The taxpayers all over the country pay half of the costs of running the Food Stamp Program. We have an obligation to ensure that that program is run effectively and efficiently and in compliance with the law. Moreover, before other States go down the same path as Texas, we need to be sure we understand what the implications are first. That is what this motion would accomplish. Protecting vital services and benefits offered through the Food Stamp Program is something all of us share, which is why we need to ensure that those charged with administering and carrying out these programs are by and large public employees. They are the ones with the expertise. They are the ones with the experience on the front lines. And, Mr. Speaker, they were the ones who made it possible for the victims of Hurricane Katrina to put food on the table, who showed us that even in the face of all those failings of leadership government can make a difference in people's lives. Making sure that continues is what this motion accomplishes. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 8\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla), his opening comments and his conversations with USDA with regard to the Farm Service Agency field offices, it sounds like we had very, very similar conversations. I think we both agree, even in light of yesterday's letter, it is good to trust but it is also good to verify. With regard to the second portion of the motion to instruct with which the chairman has concerns, I would say that the Food Stamp Program is a Federal program. Fifty percent of the administrative costs are Federal, 100 percent of the benefits are Federal. In our bill there is $40 billion that we are about to appropriate for this program; and, in fact, I think we cannot willy-nilly make changes in the program without coming back to the Federal Government for waivers as such. In closing, let me say this motion is the right thing to do. I would repeat it is twofold, codifying USDA's decision yesterday to keep open more than 700 FSA offices, returning jurisdiction of the issue to the hands of Congress where it belongs, and ensuring that our food stamp programs are not privatized. With respect to FSA, I would repeat this motion is needed because even though the FSA Tomorrow Plan has been shelved for the time being, we are already hearing reports that USDA is contemplating reviving this plan, perhaps under a new name, and Congress needs to ensure that the people impacted most directly by this plan, our farmers, have a say in how that modernization plan is carried out. On the latter point with respect to food stamps, I would repeat, this is not just a Texas issue. The Federal Government and taxpayers all over the country pay half the cost of running the Food Stamp Program. That means that we, the Congress, have an obligation to ensure that the program is run effectively, efficiently and in compliance with the law. The Food Stamp Program is operating with the lowest error rate it has ever had, the results of years of work by USDA, State and local employees, and bipartisan support from this institution. We do not want to see a repeat of what happened in Colorado where the State spent millions of Federal funds on a computer system that not only did not work, but prevented thousands of needy people from getting government benefits like food assistance and health insurance. Particularly with many believing the State of Texas is counting on the White House to override any efforts by USDA officials to rein in this plan, we know Congress must address this issue and do it immediately. In all these instances, we are reminded of the same thing, that government has an obligation to people, whether it is ensuring our most needy citizens receive food stamps or our farmers receive the services they need to keep planting, harvesting, and selling crops. This is about the Congress, this institution, its role in ensuring that the American people tackle their toughest challenges together. That is our responsibility to the American people, and fulfilling that obligation is what this motion would accomplish. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. The legislation before us today turns back the clock on 35 years of progress in responsible environmental stewardship by gutting the current Endangered Species Act and replacing it with little to preserve endangered wildlife for future generations. Over 99 percent of the species that have been listed as threatened or endangered under current law have been saved from extinction. But had this bill been the law of the land over the last 30 years, the Fish and Wildlife Service points out that the Bald Eagle--an icon of American freedom--would exist only in our memones. Any law that is 35 years old should be looked at with a fresh eye, and so I am supportive of attempts to update and improve the Endangered Species Act. Indeed, in my home state of Connecticut, we are concerned that oysters, a key aquaculture product, may be unnecessarily characterized as an endangered species. And so we should be willing to consider smart changes to the law. But that is not the intent of the underlying bill. Rather, the purpose of this legislation is to remove obstacles inconvenient to special interests with whom the Republican leadership is in partnership. For this majority and their supporters--developers, the oil and gas industry--laws protecting the air and water are not a priority--they are a nuisance. As such, this legislation would eliminate conservation measures on tens of millions of acres of land around the country, the ``critical habitat'' of endangered species, and prevent such conservation activities in the future. It also reveals the majority's clear disdain for sound science. Current law requires a review of all scientific and commercial data by a panel of outside scientists. This, Mr. Chairman, ensures that the peer-review process--a central tenet of sound scientific research-- guides the process, not ideology and politics. Instead, this bill would allow the Secretary of the Interior to make a determination about whether a species is endangered based on ``all available information''--that is to say, information that opens the door for phony science supporting special interests. Finally, Mr. Chairman, the bill fails the fiscal responsibility test. By allowing for payments to land owners who do not develop land that is home to protected species, it actually creates a system where people and businesses--mostly big oil and gas companies--are paid for following the law. If only we were all so fortunate. This bill is nothing more than yet another entitlement program for special interests--as always, with this majority, at the expense of the taxpayer. Little wonder that even conservative groups like Taxpayers For Common Sense have expressed their grave concerns regarding this legislation. Mr. Chairman, the Endangered Species Act is a statement of our priorities as Americans. It is an affirmation of our belief that, just as we desire better economic opportunity for our children and future generations, so too do we hope to leave them a healthier environment. Unfortunately, the underlying bill will accomplish neither. This is simply the continuation of a decade-long assault by the majority on our clean air, our clean water and our environment. And it should be rejected.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join Harbor Health Services and the many family, friends, and community members who have gathered to pay tribute to two outstanding members of the Branford community and my good friends, John and Betty Ann Donegan. John and Betty Ann have dedicated a lifetime to public and community service--making all the difference throughout the Branford community. As Harbor Health Services celebrates its 25th Anniversary, it is only fitting that they should honor Betty Ann who, as a charter board member, helped give life to this outstanding organization. Since its inception, Harbor Health Services has provided invaluable programs and services to those with behavioral health needs and has become a leader in quality care and service. Through her efforts and guidance on the Board, Betty Ann's involvement with the organization has helped to make it the success it is today. However, it is not just for her good work with this agency that she is being honored. Both John and Betty Ann have devoted countless hours to the Branford community. Every community should be so fortunate as to have a couple who so willingly give of themselves to make a difference in the lives of others. Betty Ann's reputation as an active and dynamic volunteer is only further enhanced when you consider the innumerable contributions she has made. Whether chairing benefits for the Branford Volunteer Service Center, the celebration of the reopening of the James Blackstone Memorial Library, or the Branford Festival, it seems that Betty Ann is always available to lend a helping hand to ensure that these community events are a success. John has also demonstrated a unique commitment to public and community service. He has represented Branford residents as a member of the Representative Town Meeting, served on the Branford Board of Education, and has for many years served as the town's Judge of Probate. In addition to his public service, John has also devoted much of his time to community organizations. For 25 years he served as Secretary of the Branford Community Foundation, he is the immediate past president of the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club and has served as volunteer counsel for the Branford Volunteer Service Center. Through all of these efforts, John has quietly enriched the community, improving the quality of life for all of its residents. On a more personal note, I must also thank John and Betty Ann for their many years of special friendship. When I first ran for Congress in 1989, the Donegans were some of the very first to support my efforts. Even during a horrible blizzard, they opened up their home to introduce me to the Branford community. They are true friends and I am certainly fortunate to have their support and encouragement. Their dedication and commitment to public and community service is unparalleled. John and Betty Ann reflect all that community leaders should be. I am certainly proud to call them my friends. I am pleased to stand today and join all of those gathered in extending my deepest thanks and appreciation to John and Betty Ann Donegan as they are so fittingly honored by Harbor Health Services with their Community Service Award. There are few who have demonstrated such generosity and compassion. They have left an indelible mark on the Branford community--a legacy that has touched the lives of thousands.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for 5 minutes.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, in closing, let me just say that I am excited about the opportunity for this amendment, because I think that we can create a partnership with the Head Start program and with our college students. And the beneficiaries are our youngsters. And we give an opportunity to college students to be stakeholders in an education process. It keeps them involved in their community. It keeps them involved in public life. And they have so much to offer and to give, and then couple that with the tremendous work of the Head Start teachers. So with that, I would urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, for four decades, Head Start has provided comprehensive child development, literacy, family services to more than 18 million preschoolers from low-income and working poor families. It is a proven success. Head Start graduates are less likely to need special education services, to be held back a grade, or to get in trouble with the law. They are more likely to go on to college and to have professional careers. It is unquestionably the most effective early childhood development program ever developed. For all the program's success, we know that even the best teachers struggle with overwhelming class sizes, particularly with young children, and Head Start's 10 to 1 ratio of students to teachers in the classroom presents clear challenges in helping Head Start children gain the cognitive skills other children have. That is why this amendment, allowing Head Start centers to recruit and train college students as mentors, reading mentors for preschool children, is so needed. We all know the benefits of mentoring, whether it is after school, on weekends, or during the school day, mentoring programs change young peoples' lives. There is a proven link between mentoring and reduced substance abuse later in life and improved academic achievement. And of course the benefits of mentoring are mutual. Some of the college student mentors in this initiative will even become Head Start teachers themselves some day. That is what we have seen in one program which deploys 2,100 college students who devote 15 hours per week during the school year to mentor Head Start students. That program is also a proven success. I want to be clear, my amendment would not replace the specialized work of Head Start teachers. There is no substitute for the work of a qualified, trained teacher, nor would anything in this amendment require local Head Start centers to offer mentoring programs. Head Start grantees would have the chance whether or not to start a mentoring program for Head Start children. Mr. Chairman, with this amendment we are simply seeking to supplement the remarkable work of our Head Start teachers in a way that allows for children to learn at their optimum capacity. It allows Head Start teachers to make the greatest impact possible. And that is why I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I rise today to join family, friends, colleagues, and community members in remembering the remarkable life of Michael J. Adanti, who was taken from us in a tragic car accident this summer. Mike was not only an outstanding member of our community, but a dear friend whose strength, support, warmth, and kind heart I will miss. Throughout his life, Mike demonstrated a unique commitment to public service. A teacher, administrator, mayor, and university president, Mike dedicated a lifetime to enriching the lives of others. After graduating from Southern Connecticut State University, Mike took a position with the Ansonia School District where he taught for 3 years, helping to provide our youngest children with the educational foundation they would need for future success. He went on to serve two successful terms as the mayor of the City of Ansonia before returning to Southern Connecticut State University as the first Dean of Personnel Administration, the beginning of what would be an extraordinary professional career at Southern. Throughout his long association with Southern, Mike held a number of positions which gave him a unique perspective of the university's operation. After being called upon twice to temporarily lead the university through difficult times, it was no surprise when Mike was appointed president of the university, a position which he held for 19 years until his retirement just 2 years ago. Mike was the longest serving president in the Connecticut State University System. His inauguration as president was a unique event for the Southern community, as he became the first Southern Connecticut State University graduate to be named president of his alma mater, and the first graduate to become president of any university. Southern flourished under Mike's direction, with new academic initiatives, prestigious awards for faculty and students, and national honors for Southern's sports teams. His vision and leadership brought the university increasing regional recognition for excellence in public higher education, leaving an indelible mark not only on the university, but on the surrounding communities of Greater New Haven as well. Mike was as much a community leader as he was a leader in education. The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, New Haven's Long Wharf Theater, and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas are just a few of the organizations that benefited from Mike's generosity and volunteer efforts. He also served as a board member of the Naugatuck Valley's Birmingham Utilities Water Company, the Ansonia Economic Development Commission, and the Connecticut Police Foundation. Mike was a reflection of all that a civic leader should be. His involvement in so many local organizations, in addition to his commitment to public education and his students touched the lives of thousands, making all of the difference in their lives. When someone is taken from your life so suddenly, it is often difficult to understand why such tragedy occurs. My deepest sympathies go to Mike's wife of 43 years, Linda, his two children Kristen and Michael, and his three grandchildren. Though he is no longer with us, the legacy that he has left, that of his commitment to opening the doors of opportunity for young people through education, will certainly continue to live in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. Through those special memories, Michael Adanti will continue to inspire excellence.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, as stated, 3 million Americans employed in manufacturing lost jobs in the last 4 years, 110,000 this year; total manufacturing losses in the State of Connecticut, 57,000. It would seem to me that whomever we have at the head of this effort does not understand the scope of the job, the magnitude of it, and is not provided with enough authority to be able to conduct the job, as my colleague has pointed out. We do need someone who has real influence, substance, not a person who has marginal authority; because when you give marginal authority, it tells you what the administration thinks of the position's importance, quite frankly, of manufacturing importance. As has been commented on, this agency and the czar that is housed within the Assistant Secretary, does not have a range of expertise to address the issues before our manufacturers, has no funding to support the position. If you have no funding, if you have no authority, then the position is one that does not really make any difference. Mr. Chairman, we are coping with Katrina, we are coping with ongoing violence in Iraq, we are letting the moment to revitalize our manufacturing sector slip away. We need to send a signal that Congress takes this crisis seriously. If Katrina has taught us anything, it is that competence in government can make a difference in dealing with the crisis. Support the Larson amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the many friends, congregation members, and community leaders that have gathered to pay tribute to an outstanding religious leader and my good friend, Father Philip Cascia. Today marks the end of an era at St. Anthony's as we bid farewell to a real community treasure. There is no doubt that Father Cascia has touched the lives of every member of the St. Anthony's parish. Though he will be missed, the legacy he leaves will continue to inspire others for years to come. Father Cascia's commitment to service through religious leadership has been unwavering and his involvement, not only with his congregation, but with the entire Prospect community has been essential to its spiritual growth and prosperity. One of his first acts after his ordination in 1977 was the establishment of a St. Vincent dePaul Society in Waterbury. Just a year later, the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store opened which was followed in later years by a mental health center, a soup kitchen as well as a homeless shelter--the soup kitchen and homeless shelter have become the largest in Connecticut. Father Cascia has been a strong leader not only in our community, but in communities across the world. A 1988 trip to the Soviet Union as the coach of the wrestling team at Sacred Heart High School led to the establishment of the Waterbuey-Leningrad Intersport Trade commission--a program which arranges exchanges between sports teams in the United States and other countries including China, Vietnam and Brazil. Most recently the Intersport exchange program is hoping to send soccer teams to San Paolo, Brazil, where Father Cascia is overseeing the opening of an orphanage and school. In addition to the Intersport program, for the last two decades Father Cascia, at the request of the United States Department of State, has also been helping youths in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1991, he opened an orphanage for victms of the country's terrible earthquakes, and upon his return, Father Cascia and his parish have been sending much needed supplies to them ever since. Father Cascia is a man of God--but so, too, is he a man of the people. And he understands that the Church is not simply comprised of people. He understands that the Church is the people--the People of God. He knows that it is the parishioners who support the Church and keep it running--who run its charity events and bake sales--that it is their stories and their lives that infuse the Church with moral authority. There is no better example of living faith with commitment and dignity. Father Cascia's unparalleled leadership has allowed Saint Anthony's to flourish. Our churches, as much as they are distinct, all provide innumerable contributions to our communities. He has become a fixture in our community and we owe him a great debt of gratitude for all of his good work and for enriching all of our lives. As a spiritual guide, he has nourished the souls of many--often providing much needed comfort in the hardest of personal trials. We cannot thank him enough for the indelible mark he has left on this community. For his outstanding leadership and his many years of special friendship, I am proud to join with the Prospect community in wishing Father Cascia well as he leaves Saint Anthony's. May God bless him and keep him well as he continues in his mission of peace, compassion, and most importantly, hope.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, as we speak, rescue personnel from across the country are continuing the relief effort while ordinary citizens in cities throughout America are volunteering and giving. They are taking in those who have lost everything. Heroism is winning out. And the funding in this underlying bill will help ensure that it continues to. But as we work to get this relief effort right, Congress should recognize how we got to this point. That starts with understanding what this Administration has done to FEMA. Last year, former director of FEMA James Lee Witt told us, and I quote--``Scientists tell us that we are going to be seeing more catastrophic natural disaster events in the 21st Century then we've ever seen. . . And yet we have destroyed the one agency that not only responds to those events, but also works with state and local governments to do pre-disaster mitigation prevention before that risk could ever happen, to minimize that risk.'' As long as our nation gazes upon the devastation in this once-vibrant city of New Orleans, it will remain a symbol of this Administration's misplaced priorities--its misplaced values. The Obey Amendment would have gone a long way toward restoring FEMA to the efficient, non- political agency it was during emergencies like the Oklahoma City bombings in the 1990's. In doing so, we would ensure that never again in the face of a national disaster will the Federal government and the agency responsible for emergency relief fail to act or fail to lead. We owe the victims of Katrina and the heroes of this rescue effort nothing less.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to Chief Robert Chatfield and all of the members of the Volunteer Fire Department of Prospect, past and present, as they celebrate their 60th Anniversary. This is a milestone for this wonderful organization and I am proud to have this opportunity to honor their outstanding work on behalf of the Prospect community. The men and women who serve as firefighters face risks that few of us can comprehend. Each day, they must be ready to perform under intense pressure--literally in life or death situations as we have all witnessed in recent days. Few things are more important than feeling safe in our homes and workplaces. Our firefighters provide us with that peace of mind. Their commitment and dedication cannot be questioned and our thanks can never repay those who put their lives on the line to ensure our safety. Since its incorporation in September of 1945, the Volunteer Fire Department of Prospect has grown from a small building with just two bays to a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art facility which houses 10 bays. The Department serves a community of over 9,000, responding to an estimated 270 fire calls and nearly 600 medical calls annually. Though it is fully dependent on volunteers, there is never a shortage of responders to a call. Though much has changed in the six decades since its inception, the one thing that has not is the reliability and consistency of those who volunteer to serve. I have always held a deep admiration for those who serve as firefighters--each day facing new challenges and seemingly overwhelming responsibility. It takes an exceptional combination of bravery, compassion, and generosity to serve as a volunteer firefighter. In its 60 years of history, nearly 800 individuals have served in the Department. Every member of the Prospect Volunteer Department has demonstrated a unique commitment and dedication to public service throughout their careers. From the training they must receive to the responsibility of responding to emergencies to the generous fundraising efforts for the Department, they have willingly devoted themselves to their community. Too often we take for granted the courageous work of our country's firefighters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those Prospect residents who have volunteered their time and efforts to the Department. I am proud to recognize and commend the commitment the Volunteer Fire Department of Prospect has made to protect Prospect for 60 years. To reach such an anniversary is a testament to the generosity and civic mindedness of the resident volunteers and the Town of Prospect. My sincere congratulations to you on this very special occasion!

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and my sincere congratulations that I rise today to join the community of Orange, Connecticut to celebrate the achievements of the Orange Little League All-Star Softball Team. The team and their coaches recently returned from Portland, Oregon where they went to the Championship game in the 2005 Little League Softball World Series. Though they did not win their final game, they represented Orange and the State of Connecticut well and I am honored to have this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to them for this wonderful effort! The Orange All-Star Softball Team, made up of eleven- and twelve- year-old girls, were undefeated and won the State Championship for the opportunity to play in the World Series. Throughout their regular season, the girls not only defeated every challenger they faced, but, more importantly, they learned one of life's most valuable lessons-- teamwork. Softball, like all sports, teaches us the value of teamwork, practice, camaraderie, and commitment to excellence. These skills will serve these young people well as they begin to make a difference in the world. Working together, they have already accomplished so much. I have no doubt that each of these young women will enjoy great success in all of their future endeavors. At only eleven and twelve years old, each of these girls has demonstrated remarkable talent and a unique passion for the game. However, it has been under the guidance of their coaches that their skills have been developed and sharpened. It is with great pleasure that I also recognize Ken Slowik and the entire coaching staff--all of whom have worked hard to give these young people the chance to play! Without their efforts, the success of the Orange All-Stars would not be possible. It was wonderful to see the Orange community come together in support of these young women and today's parade is yet another example of the excitement and enthusiasm that this community and its residents have shown the Orange Little League All-Star Softball Team. I am honored to stand with them today in extending my sincere congratulations to you for your outstanding team work and on your first-rate season. Win or lose, you have made us all proud!

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, these last 9 days have been as difficult as any in our Nation's history. The devastation caused by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to the thousands of citizens from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama is, put simply, without precedent in this country. The images that we have seen, that we continue to see, are unimaginable: people cutting through their rooftops simply to keep their families above the rising flood water; seniors in wheelchairs stuck in 110-degree convention centers and stadiums for days with plumbing overflowing and no food or drinking water; parents desperately needing for family members to call them and let them know they are safe; unspeakable acts of lawlessness and violence. We have seen ordinary citizens with shovels burying the dead, not because they knew them, but out of respect, because it was the right thing to do. Just yesterday, The Washington Post ran a picture of a body of a man who had died of seizures outside a New Orleans gas station, his dog lying by his side for 5 days. So it is unsurprising that countless Americans from across the country have expressed their outrage at the slow Federal response to this tragedy. Indeed, the slow response and tepid leadership cost us many lives on the gulf coast. Thankfully, as we speak, our troops, National Guard, rescue personnel from across the country and ordinary citizens in cities across America are volunteering and giving to take in the homeless, continue the rescue. Heroism is winning out. Indeed, of all the tragedies that have befallen our country and the gulf coast in the last week, perhaps the saddest is that we knew that this day was coming for New Orleans. Contrary to the President's assertions that this flooding was unexpected, scientists, Federal officials, and others had predicted the potential for a Katrina-like disaster for decades. In 2002, the New Orleans Times-Picayune ran the now-infamous five-part series exploring the vulnerability of the city, specifically addressing the possibility of massive floods drowning residents, destroying homes, releasing toxic chemicals throughout the city. Just days ago, FEMA Director Brown, Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff listened in on electronic briefings given by the staff before Hurricane Katrina had even touched Louisiana and Mississippi. They knew full well of the storm's deadly potential. Yet they were unprepared to do anything about it. Last year, former director of FEMA James Lee Witt said as much, testifying before a panel I chaired outside of the Congress. He told the committee, and I quote, ``Scientists tell us that we are going to be seeing more catastrophic natural disaster events in the 21st century than we have ever seen, more devastating. And yet we have destroyed the one agency that not only responds to those events but also works with State and local governments to do pre-disaster mitigation prevention before that risk could ever happen, to minimize that risk.'' He went on to say that there were virtually no communications within FEMA itself and that it no longer had the communications channels or partnerships with State and local governments that it needed. Indeed, he said communications were virtually nonexistent between FEMA headquarters in Washington and its 10 regional offices. It took the submerging of one of our most culturally vibrant cities to put Director Witt's words to the test. So this is not about assigning blame at an untimely moment. It is about understanding what this administration has done to FEMA, which is a symbol of its priorities and underlying values. They have cut the heart out of FEMA, as they have cut the heart out of so much of our capacity to address our domestic needs and secure our homeland from terrorist threats, from natural disasters, from global economic changes. The reason why the head of FEMA is so speechless at this moment and why he must go is that he represents an approach that leaves us with our fingers crossed instead of with real vision for tackling the threats before America. This administration and this Congress' answer to every problem is more tax cuts, mostly for the most privileged. They have left us saddled with bulging deficits, a diminished Social Security trust fund, weakened investments in our own people and communities, and that is why the Federal Government and the agency responsible for emergency relief failed to act and failed to lead. I start by calling for the resignation of Michael Brown, the director of FEMA, as a statement by the administration and our country that we intend to face these challenges in a wholly new way. It is the only way we can honor the heroism that we are now witnessing in New Orleans, across the gulf coast, and around the country. I make this request as a Member of the United States Congress and an American, not as a partisan. We need to unite now just as our volunteers, our police, firemen, troops are united in a common effort. That means accepting that we have the responsibility as a community to tackle the rescue and tackle the rebuilding of this part of our country. Those are the values that now govern in this period. We must make sure that our budget priorities are reordered, not to reward greed but civic virtue. We must rebuild. We must give people the capacity to remake their lives, and it starts by getting this relief effort right. The new appropriations of our resources must enable people to get housing, get their families back on track, repair the levee breaches, pumping out the flood water, giving food and shelter. We must invest in New Orleans, but also in our infrastructure and environment and our people. That is why America is so special, Mr. Speaker. We have to do so much in this institution, not measured only in dollars and in cents but our character and our compassion that is evident every day as we watch the heroism of the gulf coast. It is a time for leadership and heroism as well.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today our thoughts and prayers are with the thousands of citizens in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who have lost everything to Hurricane Katrina--their homes, their livelihoods, their families. Assisting people as they rebuild their lives after this unprecedented natural disaster is a moral responsibility of government. Like my colleagues, my top concern remains the search and rescue efforts underway on the ground in this affected region, and I am grateful for the heroic efforts of the relief workers who have joined in this effort. I am encouraged that the battered Gulf Coast region will receive $10.5 billion in emergency funding from Congress, funding that will aid critical evacuation and recovery efforts as well as allow this area to begin to recover. However, the issue is less whether we have the money for this--we will--than whether it will be used efficiently. Despite early warnings regarding the damage a hurricane could cause to this region, it appears the President's budget underfunded countless flood control and prevention projects. At the same time, there are serious questions regarding the administration's competence in responding to this tragedy. In particular, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's incoherent response in the days following this disaster has been, in a word, unacceptable. The American people, writing and calling our offices here in Congress, are demanding accountability from their government. In the coming days, they will begin to get answers. But today, I want to urge the President to take responsibility and move the Federal Government to action. That must be our continuing goal. And so, Mr. Speaker, this emergency funding is a necessary first step on what will surely be a long road to recovery, and I urge my colleagues to support it. In the coming days, I will be working with my colleagues to ensure that it is used expeditiously and appropriately. The American people and the victims of this unprecedented natural disaster deserve no less.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, of everything that can be said about this $15 billion giveaway to the oil and gas industry--that it does nothing to alleviate the record high costs of oil, nothing to reduce our dependence on oil--the worst may be that it is a missed opportunity. And that is because it fails to harness America's entrepreneurial spirit to develop new sources of energy. It is a continuation of the status quo at a time when we need a new American energy policy--bold new thinking to foster energy independence and grow our Nation's economy in a way that addresses the threat of global warming. But instead, this bill provides billions in tax breaks for oil companies already reaping record profits. It does little to encourage development of new forms of energy. And it restricts States' abilities to protect their own natural resources. Mr. Speaker, Americans are rightly concerned about how our dependence on foreign oil affects our foreign policy. This bill does nothing to reduce that dependence. If anything, it enshrines that dependence into law. Today we import 58 percent of our oil, and by 2025 we will still import between 64 and 68 percent of our oil, even after enacting this legislation. Nor does it reduce skyrocketing gasoline prices--something even the president has conceded. And that is because this bill rejects common sense ideas that could help us reduce our need for foreign oil. The conference committee rejected a measure that would have required America to decrease its oil consumption by 5 percent by 2015. At a time when Americans are fed-up with high gasoline prices, we should be looking for ways to reduce their need to fill-up at the pump. But the committee also rejected a modest proposal that would have increased the fuel efficiency of our cars by one mile per gallon per year for the next 15 years. The final version of this bill also rejects a Senate proposal to require utilities to generate 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. This provision would have helped us to significantly reduce our dependence on traditional polluting sources of electricity. Another missed opportunity. As if the lack of new thinking in this bill weren't enough, it also declares war on States' rights when it comes to protecting their citizens. The bill would eviscerate the role of the States in the siting of LNG facilities and grant sole jurisdiction in such matters to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC. This provision flies in the face of the Coastal Zone Management Act. CZMA is a unique partnership between coastal States and the Federal Government that allows States to protect their own coastal resources. This is an especially important law for Connecticut, where the commerce that comes from the Long Island Sound fishing grounds, ports and recreational area makes it a $5 billion economic asset. Because our State's economy depends on the Long Island Sound, we believe that the State has the obligation to protect it from possible environmental harm. Rather than passing this legislation, we ought to be reducing our dependence on foreign oil by improving our energy efficiency and maximizing our domestic energy production in an environmentally sound way--by investing in cleaner, more secure energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and fuel cell technology. My State of Connecticut is a leader in fuel cell technology, with several businesses doing research that is on the cusp of revolutionizing the way our Nation powers its homes, cars and businesses. This bill should be investing in American small businesses like Proton Energy in Wallingford, Nxegen in Middletown and Danbury's Fuel Cell Energy--companies that already do over $300 million worth of fuel cell business and move us closer to true energy independence. Mr. Speaker, this bill proposes 20th century solutions for 21st century energy challenges. It neglects the realities of a changing world--that our dependence on foreign oil has real consequences for our foreign policy, that the warming of the planet will have a serious impact on the lives of all Americans. It ignores our entrepreneurial spirit and technological know-how to develop and harness new forms of energy. And it ignores the rights of States to look after the interests of their citizens. America can do better--and deserves better--than this conference report. I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today Congress draws a line in the sand and says it has had enough of trade agreements that are unfair to America and harmful to our reputation across the world. Today we say enough with agreements that let our competitors reverse engineer our products, manipulate their currency and steal our intellectual property. Enough with agreements that ship good paying American jobs to regions of the world where wages are but a fraction of ours--where environmental and labor standards put already vulnerable families here and abroad at greater risk. It has been said that this debate is about globalization. But by rejecting CAFTA, we do not reject globalization, Mr. Speaker. Rather, we set a new path for America--one that embraces globalization's capacity to raise living standards here and across the world, to strike at the heart of poverty, and expand markets that will serve as the foundation of the 21st Century economy. Those are America's values, Mr. Speaker, and they ought to be central to this bill. But if these last four years have taught us anything, it is that we do not spread our values by denying our trade partners' citizens the right to affordable generic drugs for diseases like HIV and malaria--this pact prevents developing countries from accessing lower priced generic drugs by granting drug companies new and extended patent protection and additional shelter from price competition. We do not spread American values by exploiting cheap labor, deepening income inequality in the developing world. Indeed, CAFTA's single enforceable workers' rights provision requires only that countries enforce their own labor laws--laws that fail to meet international standards. Yet globalization marches on, and America stands idly by, missing one opportunity after another to shape globalization's rules to our benefit and the world's. Already 55,500 workers from my state's once-thriving manufacturing base have been left behind, their jobs shipped overseas. 2.8 million more have been sent abroad nationally, decimating our industrial capacity and leaving us with a $617 billion trade deficit. No one expects this pact to bring these jobs back--the combined purchasing power of the CAFTA is no more than that of my hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. But by including loopholes like one which could allow massive quantities of Chinese yarn, fabric and other products to displace U.S. products, it is hard to imagine this deal will make American companies and workers as competitive in this century's global marketplace as they were in the last. And that must be our goal. This is a moment for unity, Mr. Speaker. By rejecting CAFTA, the Congress can say with one voice that how America responds to globalization is too important for the partisanship and divisiveness that have brought us to this point. Only then can we send negotiators back to the table with a clear mission and singular moral purpose. That is what this debate is about, and that is why I urge my colleagues to reject this bill.