Jimmy Duncan

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, the conference report (108-401) for H.R. 2673, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004, contains very important language within the FAA, operations section regarding improving our existing commercial air fleet's flight data and cockpit voice recorder standards. Specifically, this language request that the FAA seriously review the potential of transferring the U.S. military's deployable flight data recorder technology into our commercial air fleet. I am very pleased that this language was included as it reflects the goals I am seeking to implement within the legislation that I introduced earlier this year, H.R. 2632, the Safe Aviation Flight Enhancement (SAFE) Act. Congress has previously showed interest in the deployable technology and requested within the FY2001 Transportation Appropriations Bill, that the FAA issue a report to Congress on the benefits and advisability of using deployable flight recorders in the commercial fleet. This report was issued in the December 4, 2001 Future Flight Data Collection Committee Final Report and detailed the United States military's successful use of the deployable recorder technology, concluding that it would be acceptable to incorporate the deployable recorder technology within the NTSB's 1999 recommendation to improve flight recorder standards. The 1999 NTSB recommendations that the FAA's report is referring to were issued as a result of a history of delay in black box recovery and lost data due to crash damages in some of our countries most recent and devastating air accidents. Following a series of air accidents where critical flight recorder information was lost, the NTSB issued recommendations A-99-16 through 18, which called on the FAA to require improved recorder capabilities and the installation of two sets of combination flight data and cockpit voice recorders in commercial aircraft to ensure the survival and recovery of at least one set of recorders. It is important to note that the intention of the Conferee's language on deployable recorders within the FAA, operations section of the FY2004 Omnibus appropriations conference report is that the FAA evaluate the deployable technology within the context of incorporating the deployable recorder system as one of the two combination recorder systems recommended in the NTSB's 1999 recommendations. I am hopeful that the FAA will move swiftly on this, since 4 years have passed and these recommendations have yet to be addressed. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 opened the Nation's eyes to the face that our skies are vulnerable to more than mechanical or human error. One of our best examples of what can occur when we do not have immediate access to this information following a crash was demonstrated in the aftermath of the TWA 800 crash. This accident clearly illustrated the pressures investigators are under to rule out the potential of terrorism and quickly identify the safety concerns. At the outset of TWA 800 crash investigation, there was intense speculation that a ground-to-air missile was the cause of this disaster. For every day that went by as we search the ocean floor for the recorders, the speculation and questions mounted about the potential of terrorism. Ultimately, it took 7 days and millions of dollars to recover those fight recorders from the bottom of the ocean and eventually, investigators and explosive's experts led us to the understanding that it was an accidental fuel tank explosion, not terrorism that was responsible for the crash. Post 9/11, we cannot afford to be faced with a similar situation of uncertainty. Our national security teams and transportation safety officials must have immediate access to the flight recorders to determine the appropriate response. The deployable technology presents us with ability to ensure immediate and complete access to the flight recorders today, as our United States Navy has successfully tested, developed and used the deployable recorder technology for years on aircraft including the Navy's F/A-18EF Super Hornet fleet. The deployable technology is capable of meeting the needs of the commercial industry and is designed to ``deploy'' from the aircraft during a accident, which allows it to land outside of the crash impact site, thus avoiding becoming ensnared within the aircraft wreckage and the direct impact forces and fire intensity of the crash. The deployable recorder is also designed to float indefinitely in cases of a water crash. The use of the deployable recorder in the commercial air fleet would provide the same benefits that it does for the military and would present an obvious way to maximize our ability to ensure the survivability and quick recoverability of flight recorders. Again, I am pleased that Congress addressed this very important issue to encourage the FAA to move expeditiously in formulating regulations to address the need for improved flight recorders and that Congress would like the deployable technology to be considered within the context of the dual-combination recorder recommendation issued by the NTSB in 1999. Such improvements will help us ensure that our safety and security officials will have immediate and complete access to the recorders following an aviation crash and make great strides in protecting the American people.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), and I rise in strong support of H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder).

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I have the privilege of chairing the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. We held a hearing on this legislation, and the then chairman, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and I and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), and the ranking member of my subcommittee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), all approved bringing this legislation to the floor at this time. As I said a few moments ago, I rise in strong support of H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003. I want to commend the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) for his foresight and his hard work in bringing this legislation to this point. A couple of years ago, the New York Times had a series of articles in which they called water the oil of the 21st century. There is probably nothing that people take more for granted than a clean, safe, adequate water supply. This bill begins the hard work of tackling one of the most important and difficult environmental and economic issues facing our Nation, and that is ensuring that we have an adequate water supply. We need water for our homes, farms, and factories. Water also supports navigation, generates power, and sustains our environment. Communities cannot grow or even exist without adequate water. As we enter the 21st century, demands for water are growing and are outstripping supplies in many areas, both in the West and the East, leading to disputes over water supply and allocation. In response, many municipalities, businesses and land developers are trying to secure more water rights so they will have adequate water supplies now and in the future. Last year's drought in the East made it clear that while water may be abundant in many areas, it is not limitless, and even our Nation's most water-rich regions can run dry. Even though the East has been wet this year, much of the West remains very, very dry. Policymakers no longer can ignore this issue. We need to start planning for the future. H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003, will help start that planning process by looking at our Nation's available water supply and the projected demand for water and making recommendations on how to meet that demand. Because of the importance of water to our Nation's economy and well- being, I held a series of hearings this past spring on water scarcity problems, ways businesses and communities are responding, and how H.R. 135 can help States and communities address their water problems. The witnesses strongly supported greater planning for future water needs, involving all levels of government, and supported H.R. 135 as a means to help start that process. H.R. 135 respects the primary role that States play in addressing water supply issues, but the Federal Government can provide expertise and technical assistance. Numerous parties strongly support this legislation, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Urban Water Council, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Water Resources Association, the National Association of Homebuilders, the Association of California Water Agencies, and many others. I urge all of my colleagues to support this very important bill and once again commend our colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), for leading this effort. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, the current issue of the American Conservative Magazine has an article by Owen Harries that says, quote: ``In the 1770s, when Britain had recently added North America and India to its Empire, when its economy was the strongest in the world, when it ruled the seas, it occupied a position not too different from the one occupied by the United States today.'' Then the great statesman, Edmund Burke, godfather of conservatism, issued this warning: ``Among precautions against ambition, it may not be amiss to take precautions against our own. I must fairly say, I dread our own power and our own ambition. I dread our being too much dreaded. We must say that we shall not abuse this astonishing and hitherto unheard of power.'' Edmund Burke continued, ``But every other nation will think we shall abuse it. It is impossible but that sooner or later this state of things must produce a combination against us which may end in our ruin.'' Mr. Speaker, we should consider these words of Edmund Burke today.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to enter into a colloquy with the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin). Mr. Speaker, since 1992 section 212(j) of the Federal Power Act has provided very important protections for the Tennessee Valley Authority and all the people and businesses of the TVA region from one-way competition from other suppliers as an equitable balance to those provisions of the TVA Act which greatly restrict TVA's ability to sell excess power outside the TVA region. I wanted to verify that it was not the intention of the conference committee for any provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2003 to be construed to repeal the protections from such one-way competition provided by section 212(j).

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 3353. This bill names a post office after a great American statesman, George Henry White. From 1897 to 1901, Republican George Henry White served two terms as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's Second Congressional District. At that time, he was the only African American Member of Congress. As such, not only was Congressman White responsible for his North Carolina constituents, but as the highest-ranking black government official in the Nation he also shouldered the burden of representing the 10 million African Americans at the turn of the century. Congressman White took principled stands against the racial inequality that was far too prevalent for this time period in American history. His eloquence and temperance toward injustice made him a well- respected Member of Congress, and he is truly worthy of commendation by this body from which he departed more than 100 years ago. Mr. Speaker, this legislation commemorates George Henry White's courageous legacy as the last black Member of this House following Reconstruction. I congratulate the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballance) for having his bill considered by the whole House. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3353. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3353) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 525 Main Street in Tarboro, North Carolina, as the ``George Henry White Post Office Building''.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I urge passage of S. 1590, and I urge all of my colleagues to join in support of this very worthwhile and appropriate measure.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this very fitting and proper legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3300, introduced by another of my distinguished colleagues on the Committee on Government Reform, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), designates the postal facility in Strongsville, Ohio, as the Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Post Office Building. All Members of the Ohio delegation have signed on as cosponsors to this legislation. Walter Ehrnfelt served as Mayor of Strongsville, Ohio, for 25 years, and he was a civic and social institution in this northern Ohio community outside of Cleveland for even longer than that. He was reelected six times after first being appointed as mayor in 1978. The town of Strongsville nearly doubled its population during Mayor Ehrnfelt's tenure. Largely due to the mayor's efforts over the years, Strongsville boasts a fantastic school system, a productive industrial base, and many safe and wonderful neighborhoods. Mr. Speaker, Mayor Ehrnfelt sadly passed away in office after suffering a heart attack on May 25 of this year. Naming this post office after Mayor Ehrnfelt in the city he governed and loved would be a small, but very deserved, tribute to his leadership. I urge all Members to support passage of H.R. 3300. I commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) for working to honor Mr. Walter Ehrnfelt. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3300) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15500 Pearl Road in Strongsville, Ohio, as the ``Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Post Office Building.''

Mr. DUNCAN

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

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close by saying that many, many people have paid lip service to waste, fraud, and abuse within the Federal Government, but these Inspectors General and their staffs are on the front lines trying to do something about this to save taxpayers money and help make our Federal Government run more honestly and efficiently, so I urge passage of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Senate Joint Resolution 18 commends Inspectors General across the Federal Government for their contributions to taxpayers and overall government efficiency over the last 25 years. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Inspector General Act of 1978 that created the position of Inspector General in Federal agencies and departments. I had the honor of introducing the original legislation to name an Inspector General or create an Inspector General position for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Today, Inspectors General exist in 57 executive branch agencies. Their work has eliminated waste in management at all levels of the Federal Government and saved countless taxpayer dollars. Mr. Speaker, this body has already passed the House version of this resolution, so I will similarly urge all Members to support the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 18. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S.J. Res. 18.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 18) commending the Inspectors General for their efforts to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government during the past 25 years.

Mr. DUNCAN

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

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

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to commend the gentleman from California for introducing this very worthwhile legislation, and I join him in commending Sargent Shriver on his career. He has led a life of public service that has set a great example for everyone in this Nation. He has tried to serve this Nation well.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 299 honors Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Sargent Shriver the first director of the United States Peace Corps, an organization that continues to help millions of people all over the globe today. Three years later, because of his success establishing the Peace Corps, Sargent Shriver was also named director of the Office of Economic Opportunity by President Lyndon Johnson. He ultimately resigned from the Peace Corps in 1966 to devote himself full time to the OEO. In 1968, he was selected as our Ambassador to France. Ambassador Shriver joined the national Presidential ticket in 1972, when he became George McGovern's Vice Presidential running mate in that year. Mr. Speaker, Sargent Shriver lived a remarkable life committed to public service in the U.S. and around the world. I congratulate the gentleman from California for recognizing Mr. Sargent Shriver for his steadfast dedication and lifelong service to his country. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 299, the resolution now under consideration.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 299) honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his service in the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America, and for other purposes.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, since the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) has brought up the founding of the Republican party and Mr. Gregg's interest in that, I would mention that I have the privilege of representing the only district in the United States that has had continuous Republican representation in the United States House of Representatives since the founding of the Republican party. This legislation seems to be very fitting and proper to name this post office facility after Hugh Gregg who was a very great American, who saw the American dream come true in his life in several different ways. I urge passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.