Mario Diaz-Balart

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true leader, dedicated public servant, and a dear friend, Col. Jim Mudd, Collier County Manager. Jim served his country honorably for 26 years in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Colonel and retiring as the Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Engineer District in Rock Island, Illinois. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1974 and earned a Master's degree in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1982. He was formerly Assistant Director of Civil Works, Central Region, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C., and Chief of the Assessment Division, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is also a veteran of the Gulf War. He and his wife Annette have two children who are also serving in the armed services. His son Ryan is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and his daughter Kati is a Captain and physician in the U.S. Army. After completing his military service in 2000, he moved to Collier County where he became the Public Utilities manager followed by nine months as the Deputy County Manager and eventually earning the top leadership position as County Manager on July 15, 2002. Throughout the years I have had the privilege of working with Jim to advance the needs of Collier County and the Southwest Florida Community. He has been committed to the people of Collier County for almost a decade even continuing his service after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Through this most difficult battle of his life Jim has shown grace and dignity. He has dedicated his life to his country and to the people of Southwest Florida and truly embodies the spirit of public service. Speaker, I ask that you join me in thanking County Manager Jim Mudd for his service to this country and the people of Southwest Florida. It is an honor to know such a great man, and a personal privilege to call him a friend.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers and yield back my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This resolution would express the condolences of this Congress to the families of those tragically lost during the storms and floods that hit Georgia earlier this week. As our distinguished chairman explained earlier, it would also serve to recognize and remind the American people of the work of the emergency responders, the first responders during this disaster and, frankly, during all disasters. Earlier this week, those storms hit part of the Southeast, soaking the region for days. In many cases it is still going on and causing significant flooding. Those rains caused severe flooding, destroying bridges and forcing hundreds and hundreds of people to be evacuated. Unfortunately, those same floodwaters caused a number of tragic deaths, including the death of a 2-year-old boy. We Floridians, unfortunately, know all too well what kind of devastation a storm like this can cause. We also have been able to see firsthand the first responders and other emergency personnel and the Red Cross, how they continuously work tirelessly, as they are doing right now as we speak, to respond in the aftermath to those who are hurting and suffering still. So I do think that it is very fitting to remember those lives that have been lost, tragically lost, and to once again express our deep profound gratitude to those involved in the response and the recovery effort. I also want to thank the distinguished chairman of the committee, Mr. Oberstar, for bringing this up so quickly. I support passage of the resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, again, the gentlelady has explained this resolution. I obviously have no objection to the passage of this bill. And I also want to thank the gentlelady for highlighting not only his distinguished career as a judge, but also the fact that he was part of what is known as the greatest generation.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. The chairwoman has just explained this legislation, and it is obviously one that I support. It authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for a celebration of Citizenship Day, something that many people take for granted and yet we should not take for granted. This is the freest, the most wonderful, the most generous country that God has ever allowed men and women to create on this planet, and nothing is more sacred than citizenship of this wonderful land. Again, it is wonderful that we are actually going to be celebrating that along with Constitution Day. The Constitution, again, is that document that has allowed all of this enterprise to take place, limited government, which our Founding Fathers understood was the key to greatness. So, again, she already explained what this does, allowing the use of the Capitol Grounds for a celebration of Citizenship Day, and I would urge the adoption of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I do not. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, again, the chairwoman described this very, very well. I want to add just one more thing. I'm not quite sure if she touched on it. Obviously he has a long and distinguished career in this body and in the Transportation Committee as well, but he was also in the United States Army Reserve. And one of the things we should never, never forget are those who are willing to serve in our Nation's Armed Forces. He was willing to do so, and he did so honorably. So, again, naming this Federal building in Chicago after Representative Lipinski I think is an appropriate recognition of his commitment to public service. I do not believe that I have any other speakers. Can I inquire if there are any other speakers?

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I have no other speakers, so I would yield back the remaining part of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I also support this resolution by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul). The chairwoman has done a great job explaining what it does, and I would urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to first thank Representative Rooney for his leadership and work on this bill and would like to also yield the distinguished gentleman from Florida 3 minutes.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true leader, activist, champion of education and a dear friend, Dr. Modesto ``Mitch'' Maidique, President of Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Dr. Maidique is the longest serving university president in the State of Florida and the second longest serving research university president in the country. For more than two decades, he has dedicated his life to FIU, its students, faculty and staff, and has transformed it into one of our nation's leading institutions of higher education. As he prepares to retire next week, it is a privilege to pay tribute to this visionary and extraordinary leader. He began his service to FIU in the College of Business Administration as a professor of management and in 1986 was named FIU's fourth President. Under his leadership, enrollment at FIU has more than doubled, growing to more than 38,000 students and today ranks among the 20 largest universities in the United States. The university added 22 doctoral programs and 18 undergraduate programs during Dr. Maidique's presidency. It serves not only Floridians, but students from across the nation and world and has cultivated successful alumni and leaders in our community. His tenacity and perseverance led to the establishment of the College of Law, College of Engineering and the School of Architecture and most recently, the historic opening of the new FIU College of Medicine, one of only three medical schools established in the last 25 years. The university also added a Division I-A football team in 2002. FIU's sponsored research funding has also grown from $6 million to nearly $110 million and the institution's endowment experienced exponential growth from less than $3 million to more than $105 million. Prior to his tenure at FIU, Dr. Maidique co-founded Analog Devices Inc., Semiconductor Division. He also served as CEO of Collaborative Research, now Genome Therapeutics, and as senior partner in Hambrecht & Quist Venture Partners. He was also the past chairman of The Beacon Council, Miami's economic development authority and has testified before Congress on the issues of energy conservation and energy financing. President George H.W. Bush appointed him to the President's Educational Policy Advisory Committee and he served in a similar capacity for President George W. Bush. He later served on the Secretary of Energy's Advisory Board and has served for eight years as a member of the Commission on Presidential Scholars. The Hispanic Business Journal has named him among America's 100 Most Influential Hispanic Leaders. He received his B.S., M.S., E.E. and Ph.D. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed the Harvard Business School's Program for Leadership Development. He is also a contributing author to ten books and has co-authored a New York Times bestseller. I have always considered Florida International University to be one of the fundamental pillars of South Florida. During my years in the Florida State Legislature, and now in Congress, I have enjoyed working closely with Dr. Maidique in the efforts to create the College of Law, the Engineering Campus, expanding the library and research capabilities, and securing millions in federal funding, among other accomplishments. I have witnessed the work of this great leader first hand and today I thank him for his service. His legacy will endure generations and is sure to be felt for decades to come. My dear friend Mitch Maidique exemplifies the true meaning of public service and has put the needs of the University, our community's University, above all else. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in celebrating his legacy and career, thanking him for his invaluable service and wishing him well in the years to come.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member. Look, it is too bad that we have to be here now. This is another Band-Aid. It is a necessary Band-Aid, unfortunately, to fix the Transportation trust fund. But it is imperative that we fix this trust fund once and for all. Now, let me tell you, Chairman Oberstar has been working on a bill, a bipartisan bill. He has been working on it for a long, long time; and because of his leadership, his committee, along with Ranking Member Mica, are ready to go. They are ready to go. We are ready to go. I am privileged to be on that committee. They are ready to go right now. Again, it is unfortunate that we are not doing that, because we also can't afford to lose any more jobs. And there is one thing we all agree on, that one way to create jobs is through transportation infrastructure. Unfortunately, we are not doing that. It is pretty evident that the so-called stimulus bill has proven to be a dismal failure. That is why I introduced legislation to rescind the unspent stimulus money, so-called stimulus money, the nontransportation, unspent stimulus money, and put it into the DOT trust fund; to not continue to borrow more money and put more borrowing on our kids' and grandchildren's credit cards. But, unfortunately, we are not discussing that either here today. Instead, we continue to waste billions of dollars and more, frankly, on the so-called stimulus, which is nothing more than a sham. We need to invest it in real job creation, focus on real job creation; and among the things that create jobs is transportation and infrastructure. So, again, I hope that we finally get down to business. This is a Band-Aid. But we are ready to continue to work to fix this, to really fix it. One way to do it, while not indebting this country further, is to use those unspent stimulus moneys, to take away that sham and put it in transportation funding that will create jobs and help the country.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the administration and this Congress spent over $1 trillion on a so-called stimulus bill, and they laid down a benchmark for what would constitute success. They did it. And according to their own benchmark, that was that unemployment would be capped at 8 percent, and that there would be an immediate creation of 3.5 million jobs. So where are those 3.5 million jobs that we were promised? Not only have they not been created, an additional 2 million jobs or more have been lost since that bill was passed. And unemployment wasn't capped at 8 percent, it is over 9.5 percent. Again, their own numbers. So, what has been the response to this obvious dismal failure? More of the same, unfortunately; more borrowing, more spending of your hard-earned money. Now, their health care bill will cost Americans an additional $1.2 trillion, additionally, cut Medicare for senior citizens by hundreds of billions of dollars--that's in the bill--and will result in the loss of an additional 4.7 million jobs. You know, again, common sense; it's time to stop wasting taxpayers' money, stop irresponsible borrowing. It's time to focus on jobs creation.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: Medical Advanced Technology Name of Requesting Entity: University of Miami Address of Requesting Entity: 1252 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 Description of Request: I have secured $3,000,000 for the Center for Ophthalmic Innovation. This funding will be used for the Bascom Palmer Institute at the University of Miami. Bascom Palmer sponsors numerous programs bringing eye care to the underserved of south Florida, a uniquely diverse population of ethnicities and races that presages the future of our nation. Effective treatments and cures for blinding eye trauma and disease are within our grasp. While remarkable advances have been made in recent decades, the remaining problems of eye trauma and eye disease are enormously complex. Nevertheless, the knowledge and technologies are out there in our universities and industry, waiting to be captured by ophthalmology. ONOVA (an acronym for the Center for Ophthalmic Innovation) at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute brings together ideas, people, and cutting-edge technology from diverse backgrounds and venues)--across medicine, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering--to develop practical solutions. The objective of this program is to bring the research efforts to the patient and to assembly the required multidisciplinary teams to accomplish this goal in the most efficient manner for rapid Implementation. Severe ocular injuries from combat encountered in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan represent a significant and frequent source of lifetime visual disability and is of immediate concern to the DOD. Approximately 10% to 17% of war casualties are due to eye trauma. For instance, in Operation Iraqi Freedom there were 797 ocular injuries between March 2003 and December 2005 resulting in 438 open eye injuries (i.e. ruptured globes). During an 8-month period alone from January to September 2004, 207 active military personnel in Iraq suffered severe ocular or ocular adnexal injuries, including 132 open globes with 82% of all ocular injuries caused by blast fragmentation from munitions and improvised explosive device. In addition, millions of retired military personnel suffer from disabling eye diseases with similar prevalence as the U.S. population. The current appropriation request will enable ONOVA not only to continue its current projects but also to perform new research projects based on the following ONOVA research framework. This scientific framework consists of inter-related modules that tackle the difficult problems of trauma and disabling eye diseases in a logical organized manner. Progress requires integration of state-of-art technology and utilizes interdisciplinary research teams in prevention, imaging & telemedicine, and regeneration & restoration to provide solutions to ocular trauma and disabling eye diseases from different angles. This team approach has and will continue to catalyze innovative ideas and concepts that will lead to the development of novel diagnostic techniques and effective treatment strategies. In the coming year we will we will add the artificial cornea (keratoprosthesis) project that develops and tests new types of cornea prosthesis. Prosthetic corneas have the potential of restoring vision in severe eye injuries involving the front part of the eye. Unlike donor corneal tissue, corneal prosthesis can be readily available. We will also add new projects focusing on advanced diagnostic ocular imaging techniques combined with effective telemedicine that will lessen the morbidity of traumatic ocular injuries in military operations as well as explore newer modalities to assist in the visual restoration of the injured personnel. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: Operating Forces 1A3A Intermediate Maintenance Name of Requesting Entity: Florida Gulf Coast University Address of Requesting Entity: 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965 Description of Request: I have secured $1,500,000 for developing and testing environmentally safe decontaminating agents for bio-defense. This funding will be used for the diversification of economy through development of new technologies attracting high tech-high-wage jobs and development of environmentally friendly detection and detoxification technologies. Many commonly available biocides and toxin decontamination procedures are both too toxic and too persistent for certain applications. Chlorine, for example, is a very effective agent for sterilization and toxin destruction, but it can engender serious problems arising from its persistence and reactivity. Sometimes, the intake air or water entering a sealed compartment must be completely decontaminated, but new hazards arising from the deployed decontamination treatment must be avoided, particularly when the protected space is occupied by people. Currently, decontamination procedures are problematic because harsh, persistent agents are utilized, and although harsh decontaminating agents will destroy microbes and toxins, they can also harm human health, sensitive electronic equipment, furnishings and documents. Clearly, new biocides and toxin decontamination agents are needed and we have been researching alternatives and developing new applications. Short persistence times, acute toxicity in the killing zone, (immediately followed by a cessation of toxicity) and/or the ability to switch the biocidal activity ``off,'' are highly desirable attributes. Our proprietary photocatalytic technology (a patent has been filed) produces biocidal oxidants during UV illumination, but when the light is turned off, the biocidal oxidant activity ceases within seconds, and residual oxidants spontaneously decompose or biodegrade. Further, the photocatalytic coatings we have discovered have electrical properties with a sensor activity, making them amenable to the creation of a device which can both detect and decontaminate, (with both capabilities contained within one unit). We have also begun to develop a family of alkaline biocides, with an enhanced permeability component to increase lethality. These biocides cab be switched off by dilution and neutralization. New enhancements of existing oxidant systems are also being investigated. We intend to combine our expertise in materials science, biochemistry, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, and engineering to develop new biocidal technologies and solve problems of disinfection and toxin destruction in the context of biomedical, environmental and bio-defense applications. The technologies described above are ``multi-use'' and have applications in the fields of medicine, agriculture, aquaculture, and bio-defense.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the following. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: HRSA Name of Requesting Entity: University of Miami Address of Requesting Entity: 1252 Memorial Drive, Ashe Administration Building, Coral Gables, FL 33146 Description of Request: I have secured $952,000 for the Pediatric Integrative Medicine. This funding will be used for the development of a pioneer center of excellence for a Pediatric Integrative Medicine Model, the following benefits will be realized: The University of Miami will become a resource for other institutions in the community as well as nationally who are interested in this model of care. By becoming a center of excellence, our patient population would have the advantage of receiving the most comprehensive care that is available nationwide. The collaboration between CAM practitioners and clinicians can increase the respect between the two health care delivery systems; may also establish trust by eliminating the competition usually occurring between the two fields. The holistic approach of most CAM interventions and therapies can increase awareness of health and wellness in children at an early age. With the impact that lifestyle and behavior have on health, children can reap the benefits of this early awareness well into adulthood. Through our Pediatric Integrative Medicine Model, the University of Miami would be poised to revolutionize pediatric care and advance the use of CAM as part of standard care. Specific targeted substudies may include: Water, one of the most important elements in our bodies yet one whose intake in children is universally limited. Exploring increased hydration therapy in children would be an inexpensive home-based intervention for improving health. Enzyme Deficiency, Implicated as a cause of illness and as an effecter of health, enzyme deficiencies can be improved through supplementation with natural products such as wheatgrass, raw juices and living foods. Ambient Lighting and Light Therapy, extended hospitalizations reduce exposure to sunlight, potentially causing Vitamin D deficiency. Would supplementation through Vitamin D-rich foods be effective in preventing this deficiency? Additionally, are there other adverse health effects of certain lighting techniques (e.g. fluorescent or flos-fluorescent light)? Probiotics, could probiotics be useful in maintaining optimal colon health in children? If so, are there dosage considerations to be explored based on the significantly smaller size of the colon? Furthermore, can the use of probiotics reduce recovery time in hospitalized children? Massage Therapy, the negative impacts of stress are present throughout all age groups in the U.S., but the data exploring CAM methods for stress reduction in children is sparse. Recognizing the benefits of massage in adults and even in neonates, could massage be beneficial to children with elevated stress levels (whether that stress is psychological or biological such as that from chronic diseases)? Is massage a significant effecter of biological markers of stress (inflammation, cytokines, C-reactive proteins etc.)? Others, exercise, polyunsaturated fatty acids, specific vitamin and other nutritional therapies, pediatric health behavior--adherence to CAM therapies and changes in mood outcome expectations--the possibilities are extensive. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: HRSA Name of Requesting Entity: Miami Children's Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 3100 S.W. 62nd Ave., Miami, FL 33155 Description of Request: I have secured $9,500,000 for the Miami Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Institute (CHI): Hybrid Pediatric Cardiac Suites. This funding will be used to improve the outcome for children with congenital heart disease through the construction of two new Hybrid Suites to maximize the potential of the tools and procedures that have been developed in Miami and elsewhere over the last 14 years. These adjoining hybrid suites will feature: full cardiac operating room capabilities including cardiopulmonary bypass, dedicated pediatric cardiac anesthesia, state of the art hybrid cardiac surgical/interventional table, low dose digital flat panel imaging technology and operating room ventilation and temperature control. Additional features will also include: the first pediatric robotic hybrid suite, dynamic CT imaging of cardiac and thoracic structures, real time 3-dimensional image reconstruction allowing for new and unprecedented imaging of complex cardiac structures, state of the art networking and communication systems that facilitates real-time audio and visual communication of all images with colleagues throughout the hospital and our sister campus in Orlando, multiple in-room digital cameras and microphones for satellite broadcast transmissions, and a large viewing area and control rooms for visitors. The goal of CHI is to achieve 100 percent survivability for children with congenital heart disease, and to improve their health status throughout their lives. This mission is entirely consistent with the goals of HRSA and HHS, and better medical interventions at the early stages of the disease lead to better quality of life for patients, shorter hospital stays, and fewer hospital admissions over the lifetime. $9.5 million is requested for equipment acquisition and facilities build out, including: cardiopulmonary bypass equipment; dedicated pediatric cardiac anesthesia equipment; hybrid cardiac surgical/interventional table; low dose digital flat panel imaging technology; operating room ventilation and temperature control; pediatric robotic hybrid suite; dynamic CT imaging equipment; networking and communication systems; multiple in- room digital cameras and microphones; and large viewing area and control rooms. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: HRSA Name of Requesting Entity: Collier County, FL Address of Requesting Entity: 3301 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL 34112 Description of Request: I have secured $500,000 for the Interstate 75/Everglades Blvd. Interchange. This funding will be used to support and further develop a heath care access network for the under/uninsured in Collier County. Collier County has identified more than 35,000 residents who lack quality health care. Currently, the County is experiencing overuse of its emergency health facilities. The numbers of uninsured/underinsured will continue to grow as job growth in the area has been strongest among low-paying jobs, which typically do not offer health insurance. This project seeks to expand, organize, and develop a full access program with a full continuum of services for approximately 35,000 residents needing health care. The initial phase of this project has been the adoption of a shared information database between the portals of entry for the poor into the system. Future phases of the project include marketing and full penetration of the pollution of the uninsured/underinsured individuals, and the hiring and training of community workers. The Physician Led Access Network (PLAN) is an example of a successful program helping the uninsured through physicians volunteering their time. The project will have a significant economic impact as lack of access to health care leads to diminishing physical and economic distress on individuals and communities. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: HRSA Name of Requesting Entity: Camillus House, Inc Address of Requesting Entity: 336 NW Fifth Street, Miami, FL 33128 Description of Request: I have secured $3,633,000 for the Construction of a New Behavioral Health Facility for the Homeless. This funding will be used for the relocation and expansion to its main center for behavioral health treatment and supportive services programs to a new facility. Camillus will be able to provide more health care and social services to the poor and homeless in Miami-Dade County. Camillus is committed to ending chronic homelessness in Miami within the next 10 years, and this new expanded facility will help them reach that goal. In recognition of the value of the services Camillus provides to the community, Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami have each committed $10,000,000 to the project. Camillus House has provided humanitarian services to the poor and homeless populations of Miami- Dade County, Florida for more than 48 years. Last year, Camillus House provided 360,000 free meals, emergency housing to 2000 individuals, over 27,000 medical encounters as well as substance abuse and work training programs. Services include basic emergency services such as food and shelter, substance abuse and mental health treatment, primary health care, housing, and career development at 15 sites around Miami- Dade County. One of Camillus' most successful programs is its behavioral health treatment program. Camillus operates one of the country's most effective residential behavioral health treatment programs--with an outstanding success rate of 89 percent.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: TCSP Name of Requesting Entity: City of Doral Address of Requesting Entity: 8300 NW 53rd Street, Suite 100, Doral, FL 33166 Description of Request: I have secured $400,000 for the City of Doral Street Improvements. This funding will be used for the resurfacing of two current streets and the construction of six new streets within the City of Doral. It is the City of Doral's intention to provide its residents and visitors with the safest and most convenient transportation within its limits. The completion of these small sections of roadway would complete the City's grid pattern and provide additional options for increasing traffic to avoid already congested intersections. This project will help to alleviate traffic congestion and improve driver and pedestrian safety. Additionally, this project is estimated to create over 300 jobs in the area. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Buses & and Bus Facilities Name of Requesting Entity: City of Doral Address of Requesting Entity: 8300 NW 53rd Street, Suite 100, Doral, FL 33166 Description of Request: I have secured $350,000 for the City of Doral Transit Circular. This funding will be used for further implementation and expansion of its Transit Circulator Program. The City of Doral is a municipality incorporated in 2003 which is located in west-central Miami-Dade County, directly west of the Miami-Dade International Airport (MIA). Approximately 40,000 people live in Doral and over 100,000 more travel to and through the City each day for employment and business activities. Due to its proximity to the urban core of Miami- Dade and major transportation facilities, as well as the rapid development of its component communities, Doral contends with a unique array of transportation concerns that require immediate and significant attention. The City of Doral launched the Transit Circulator Program in early 2008. The goals were to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollutant emissions by removing vehicles from the roadways. Additionally, the Doral Transit Circulator serves residents who are outside of the routes operated by Miami-Dade County's transit system (North of 41 Street and west of 97 Avenue). Since its introduction, the Transit Circulator Program has been extremely successful. Its usage and demand are far greater than were originally expected. The City of Doral is now looking to expand the routes of the Circulator and provide greater services to the residents of Doral via the purchasing of two new trolleys. This will further the City's goal of bringing convenient, safe, and environmentally-friendly transportation to its residents. The federally-funded portion of the project is estimated to create four new jobs within the City of Doral. The City of Doral embarked upon this program to bring public transportation to the City for a number of reasons. The most socially-conscious of these reasons are to reduce traffic congestion and reduce pollutant emissions. The City also wants to make sure that there are alternatives for transportation available to residents, since the County Transit system does not service much of Doral--the area north of 41st Street and west of 97th Avenue. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: TCSP Name of Requesting Entity: Collier County, FL Address of Requesting Entity: 3301 E. Tamiami Trail Naples, FL 34112 Description of Request: I have secured $500,000 for the Interstate 75/Everglades Blvd. Interchange. This funding will be used or the design of a proposed interchange at or around Interstate 75 and Everglades Boulevard. Much of Collier County's current growth is occurring in an area known as Golden Gate Estates, one of the largest platted subdivisions of its kind in the world. This area is roughly the size of Washington, D.C. and is adjacent to the Big Cypress development which is anticipated to add another 23,000 dwelling units to the area. The only east-west routes between the eastern Estates and Naples area activity/employment centers are Golden Gate Boulevard and Immokalee Road and while the western portion of the Estates and Golden Gate City proper have access to interchanges at Immokalee Road, Pine Ridge Road, State Road 951 (Collier Boulevard) and Golden Gate Parkway, residents of the eastern portion of the Estates have no access to Interstate 75. Also, the lack of an interchange at Everglades Boulevard forces additional traffic onto already congested portions of Interstate 75, affecting not only local but inter-regional traffic on the Interstate. The lack of access to the Estates also creates safety problems, particularly in the event that its residents must be evacuated during hurricane or wildfire season. As Collier County's population expands from the nearly 330,000 residents today to a projected 1,066,000 at buildout, this situation will worsen. The current IJR and PD&E Study will evaluate the amount of traffic that would use a new interchange at Everglades Boulevard and the impact that it will have on adjacent interchanges and the Interstate's mainline operations. In order to ensure that there will be minimal to no environmental impacts associated with this project particular attention will be paid to the need for wildlife crossings or other such mitigation measures. An interchange at Everglades Boulevard and I-75 is an identified need in the MPO's Cost Feasible and Needs Plan and is the highest priority with the residents of Golden Gate Estates. Funds will be used for the next appropriate phase which may include design, right of way, mitigation of construction, depending on the availability of potential state and local funds that may expedite the project. The project will provide better access for an area that covers more than 100 square miles while improving interchange operations at three (3) existing overburdened interchanges. Additionally, the interchange would provide critical access to a route for safe evacuations from storms and fires as significant growth continues in eastern Collier County. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: New Starts/ Fixed Guideway Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st St., Suite 1032, Miami, FL 33128 Description of Request: I have secured $4,000,000 for the Metrorail Orange Line Expansion. This funding will be used for the construction of a 9.2-mile Metrorail extension along NW 27th Avenue between the existing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Metrorail station and the Broward County line. The Department is also undertaking the implementation of the alternative analysis for Phase 3 of the Miami-Dade County East-West Corridor Rapid Transit Project. This 10-13-mile Metrorail project will extend from the Miami Intermodal Center to Florida International University and points west. This expansion will allow for more options for commuting and travel around Miami-Dade County. Additionally, this will take vehicles off the road in the County, allowing for increased public transit, which is more environmentally-friendly. The target population includes those who live along the areas of the expansion both NW 27th Avenue, as well as from the Miami Intermodal Center to Florida International University, who could utilize the expanded Metrorail service for commuting/traveling throughout Miami-Dade County. The North Corridor provides transportation access to the City of Opa- locka and the City of Miami Gardens. Additionally, the corridor will provide access to Miami-Dade College, Florida Memorial University and St. Thomas University as well as major employment and activity centers including Dolphin Stadium and Calder Race Course. The East-West Corridor will provide transit access to the City of Miami, the City of Sweetwater and the City of Doral. Additionally, the corridor will provide access to Florida International University as well as major employment and activity centers including Miami International Airport, Dolphin Mall, Miami International Mall, Mall of the Americas and Waterford at Blue Lagoon Corporate Park. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: FL--Federal Lands (Public Lands Highways) Name of Requesting Entity: Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 440021, Tamiami Station, Miami, FL 33144 Description of Request: I have secured $1,750,000 for the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) Safety Improvements. This funding will be used to create east and west turn lanes on Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) into the Miccosukee Tribe's Headquarter at Mile Marker 68 and 70. The funds will be used for the clearing & grubbing, excavation, embankment, asphalt, guardrails and traffic stripes needed to create the turn lanes and widen the Tamiami Trail entrance. This project would address significant safety concerns associated with turning into the Miccosukee Tribe Headquarters from Tamiami Trail, U.S. 41, on the Miccosukee Reservation. These entrances lead to housing for all Tribal members as well as the School, Clinic, Court and all other government offices. Currently, the entrance is a two-lane highway where speed limits are reduced upon approach from 55 M.P.H. to 45 M.P.H., but pose serious risks to Tribal members and tourists who visit attractions. Many accidents have been reported at this section of Tamiami Trail because of the deceleration needed to safely turn into the Headquarters, resulting in severe injuries and damage. The creation of the turn lanes from the east and west will significantly reduce the current danger of serious accidents.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the facts show that the stimulus has been a dismal failure. Fact: the administration promised that it would create 3.5 million jobs. Instead, we have lost an additional 2 millions jobs. But not only is the administration and this Congress not succeeding in creating jobs; they're actually rushing to pass legislation that would even create more job losses. Look, the Pelosi cap-and-trade bill would cost Americans anywhere between 2 million and 3 million jobs a year in additional job losses. The health care proposal would cost Americans 4.7 million jobs lost and lead to $1.3 trillion in new spending and huge tax increases. Mr. Speaker, it's time to give relief to the job creators like the small businesses; and very respectfully I say, Mr. President, it's time to stop talking. Stop wasting taxpayers' money. Stop irresponsibly borrowing. Stop raising taxes. It's time to focus, focus on creating jobs. That would be a welcome change.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Construction Name of Requesting Entity: South Florida Water Management District Address of Requesting Entity: 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Description of Request: I have secured $210,239,000 for the South Florida Everglades Ecosystem restoration, FL: Central and Southern FL (C&SF) Project: Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, FL. This funding will be used for the South Florida Everglades Ecostem Restoration: Six projects which are vital to ongoing Everglades Restoration efforts: Picayune Strand--The project involves the restoration of natural water flows across 85-square miles in western Collier County that were previously cleared for a residential community. The project includes construction of three pump stations with spreader canals, the plugging of 40-miles of canals and the removal of 227-miles of roads. Levees will be installed, as required, to provide flood protection for adjacent private properties that would be impacted by the project. ($56 million) Indian River Lagoon--The project will include a 3,400-acres above-ground reservoir to capture local basin runoff with 6,300-acres of storm water Treatment Areas. The project will decrease the excessive water flows into the St. Lucie Estuary, improve the water quality by treating the water entering the Estuary and provide water supplies for the environmental and human needs of the area. ($75 million) Site 1 Impoundment--This project involves construction of an approximately 1,600-acre impoundment where water will be pumped from the Hillsboro Canal. The project will capture and store the excess surface water runoff from the Hillsboro Watershed as well as releases from the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Okeechobee. The project will allow more natural, desirable and consistent water levels within the Refuge as well as benefit estuaries downstream ($27 million) C-111 Spreader Canal--This project is located adjacent to Everglades National Park and is part of the South Dade County portion of the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF). The project goal is to create a hydrologic ridge between Everglades National Park and areas east that are mostly in agricultural production. The project is intended to maintain existing flood protection while restoring natural hydrologic conditions in the eastern panhandle of Everglades National Park ($20 million) C-51 design--The project will provide water quality benefits to the surrounding areas along with Storm water Treatment Area lE ($16 million) CERP design--Includes design project agreements, Project Implementation Reports, detailed project design and RECOVER which are all essential to ongoing Everglades Restoration efforts ($64 million) The funding would be used for six projects which are vital to ongoing efforts to restore the historic South Florida ecosystem including the Florida Everglades. The Florida Everglades are a unique ecosystem that must be preserved for future generations. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FC-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Science Name of Requesting Entity: Florida International University Address of Requesting Entity: 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199 Description of Request: I have secured $1,000,000 for the state-of- the-Art Large-Scale Testing for Wind to Enhance Infrastructure Resiliency and Develop Energy-Efficient Buildings. This funding will be used for a full-scale testing in the WoW facility, supported by the enhanced capabilities, will lead to major improvements in the performance of infrastructure and life-line elements, including electrical utility and power distribution systems, safer nuclear power plants in hurricane-prone regions, and increased community resilience under Category 3 and 4 hurricanes. In addition, by virtue of its unprecedented capabilities to simulate natural, turbulent winds, the FIU full-scale testing facility will test innovative building envelopes capable of massively reducing energy consumption in buildings, reducing GHGs, and improving IEQ. The impact of the facility would be enormous. Losses that may remain inadequately insured because of the excessively large risks they entail could be massively reduced by further developing the requisite scientific knowledge through full-scale experiments conducted in the more powerful and equipt WOW. Thus the requested funding would transform WoW the only facility in the world capable of testing a wide variety of types of structure to promote significant mitigation of the vast losses due to hurricanes and contribute massively to improving energy performance of buildings and reducing GHGs. The new capabilities would be a breakthrough in enabling quick results and affordable solutions, thereby making major scientific advancements beneficial to the State and the Nation. The research activities will significantly enhance the economic and societal well- being of the general population and businesses--thus promoting hurricane resilient sustainable communities. Hurricanes caused more than $100 billion in losses in 2005 alone and caused more than 1,400 fatalities in 2004-05. Infrastructure damage and lifeline disruption are severe problems to hurricane prone coastal communities. In 2004 and 2005, seven hurricanes struck the coast of Florida causing severe damage to electrical infrastructure. A record 3.2 million FPL customers were left without electric service as Hurricane Wilma's (2005) winds damaged street lighting, transformers, transmission lines, and substations. Wind is also a significant factor affecting building energy consumption through air leakage, while wind accompanied by rain can affect indoor environment quality (IEQ). Buildings use about one- third of the world's energy. In the United States today, the buildings sector accounts for 40% of the primary energy use. The use of electric power and heat in the buildings sector also accounts for about 40% of the U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Buildings present one of the best opportunities to reduce energy consumption and limit GHGs. Florida International University (FIU) has developed a one-of-a-kind large- scale Wall of Wind (WoW) facility simulating atmospheric turbulent flows and hurricane force winds. Currently the focus of WoW research is mitigation of damage to residential buildings. However, the WoW design allows its use for multiple testing of other infrastructural and life- line elements. Unfortunately such variety of testing is not feasible owing to the lack of the instrumentation for measuring aerodynamic, aeroelastic, and thermal effects. For this reason this large, expensive, and unique facility is severely under-used. The proposed funding would allow such WoW instrumentation to achieve a transformative testing capability not available anywhere else in the world. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: EERE-Building Technologies Name of Requesting Entity: City of Homestead, FL Address of Requesting Entity: 790 N. Homestead Blvd, Homestead, FL, 33030 Description of Request: I have secured $500,000 for the City Hall Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. This funding will be used for the City of Homestead is in the process of replacing its aging and inadequate City Hall building with a new structurally hardened, energy efficient, low carbon emission, and environmentally friendly building. This new building, in addition to housing all City departments, will also encompass Homestead's new Emergency Operations Center. The City has requested that the designers include features in the design that will result in a LEED Silver Certificate. The design is complete and procurement for construction will start by the end of February 2009. The total cost of the City Hall project, which will employ approximately 60 persons, is $30 million of which $1 million is estimated for the improvements needed to meet the requirements for LEED Silver Certification. Without this funding assistance, Homestead's LEED certification efforts may not be fully realized. This project follows Congress' and the Administration's stated goals in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in areas such as: providing immediate job creation, utilization of green construction technologies, and providing energy efficiency cost savings. Designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standards, the new City Hall will serve as a premier example of green construction and energy efficiency technology in the community. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Construction Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st St., Suite 1032, Miami, FL 33128 Description of Request: I have secured $600,000 for the Miami Harbor Channel Dredging. This funding will be used for the General Reevaluation Report Implementation, Preconstruction, Engineering, and Design for the dredging of Miami Harbor. This funding was authorized via WRDA 2007 (H.R. 1495) for preconstruction, engineering, and design of the recommended project. This will address the federal share at 100% of the anticipated costs for plans and specifications preparation. The Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Engineers has recommended the deepening project to 50-52 feet and Congress has authorized the project (Title I, Water Resources Development Act of 2007). It is essential that the Planning, Engineering, and Design (PED) begin as soon as possible. Extended delay in the proposed dredging improvements could be detrimental to the economy of South Florida and the nation. Cargo growth at the Port of Miami has been phenomenally strong. However, the industry standard container ship is becoming larger, and the Port cannot handle the newer ships without deeper channels. In addition, the Port has been facing increasing competition from foreign ports with existing significantly deeper channels and faces the real threat of losing business to foreign ports (such as Freeport). The targeted population includes the ships/commerce currently utilizing the Port of Miami and future business which will be generated as a consequence of larger vessels being able to utilize the Port of Miami. Port of Miami growth will benefit the citizens of Miami-Dade County, South Florida and the nation. Miami Harbor is a major economic force for the County, South Florida and the nation. The Port of Miami is one of the nation's strongest economic engines, accounting for over 98,000 jobs and $12 billion in annual economic impact. It is the State of Florida's top container port and one of the largest in the nation Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: O&M Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st St., Suite 1032, Miami, FL 33128 Description of Request: I have secured $777,000 for the Miami River Dredging. This funding will be used for the final phase of the Miami River Dredging Project to restore authorized depth and width to the navigation channel. This project, funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers with a coalition of local sponsors led by Miami-Dade County, removes contaminated sediments from the Miami River, Florida's 4th largest port with an economic value of $4 billion. Since it was improved for navigation in the 1930s, the river has never received comprehensive maintenance dredging. Sediments have accumulated in the federal channel making it narrower and shallower, thereby limiting activities of freighters that utilize ship terminals along the river. The sediments do not meet federal criteria for ocean disposal, so they must be disposed of at an upland site. Dredging and disposal of the contaminated dredged materials improve navigation and enhance the environmental quality of the river and downstream portions of Biscayne Bay, an outstanding Florida water body. Sediments have accumulated in the margins of the federal channel making it narrower and shallower, thereby limiting activities of freighters that utilize ship terminals along the river. Dredging and disposal of the contaminated sediments is expected to improve navigation and enhance the environmental quality of the Miami River and downstream portions of Biscayne Bay. The target population includes those who use the Miami River for navigational purposes. Additionally, the positive environmental effects from the dredging will be beneficial to all of Miami-Dade County's residents. This project benefits the environment of South Florida because it removes contaminated sediment from the Miami River before those contaminates enter the Bay. Completion of the project will also permit larger commercial vessels to call on the River, thus increasing commerce. Completion of the project will also allow the marine related industry to expand along the River. For example, Merrill Stevens, a local boat yard, is planning on adding over 100 new skilled jobs and a training center to teach local people the skills required to work on large ocean going vessels. This project has the support of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, and the Director of the County's Department of Environmental Resources Management.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the following. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 3170 Account: Salaries and Expenses Name of Requesting Entity: Miami Dade College Address of Requesting Entity: 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 1402, Miami, FL 33132 Description of Request: I have secured $300,000 for the Miami Dade College Institute for Intermodal Transportation (IIT). This funding will be used for the Miami Dade College (MDC) proposes an Institute for Intermodal Transportation to further provide opportunities that lead to careers addressing the future needs of the transportation industry. A major focus is to provide small businesses with opportunities to train and retrain their workforce, as well as providing certifications and degree programs. The Intermodal Transportation Training Center allows MDC to effectively meet the training requirements of all forms of transportation, and transportation related activities. The planned location of the Intermodal Transportation Center is at the Miami International Airport (MIA), which would situate the School in close proximity to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) currently under construction. This location would serve as a benefit to both the MIC and the school as a trained and skilled workforce is developed by the School to meet the ongoing employment needs at the MIC. Courses at MIA are set to begin January 2010. Miami Dade College is uniquely positioned to provide this training through an Institute for Intermodal Transportation (IIT). MDC has a foundation for the coursework and training through its various departments and schools. A number of the educational programs are in aviation under its Eig-Watson School of Aviation. Additional related programs which would support the IIT are the Schools of Criminal Justice, Computer Science, Psychology, Mathematics and Engineering. Miami Dade College currently offers 3 baccalaureate programs with numerous tracks. Over 200 associate degrees and career training certificates are available and could have application to the Intermodal Institute. Miami is a major transportation hub, and the forecast is that Miami will continue to rapidly grow as an international center of transportation. However, Florida aviation and aerospace companies routinely cite ``lack of a qualified workforce'' as a principal barrier to growth in industry surveys. Presently, many larger organizations have found it more cost effective to contract out specific areas of its workforce to smaller companies instead of performing the work in-house. However, these contractors are often times small businesses that cannot afford to train or certify their own employees. In fact, many of these companies do not have sufficient training in business relationships, process mapping, business and finance. This translates into areas such as customer service, logistics, security, marketing, route scheduling, safety, and maintenance systems. Small Business training in other non- traditional support areas for transportation is also needed. This included areas such as construction inspection, traffic management, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) management through the Institute for Intermodal Transportation, small businesses would be able to invest in workforce development programs such as project management, managing time and budget, and negotiating expertise. Hence, the Institute will address comprehensive solutions for all modes of transportation, combining academic and ``real world'' experience. By creating the educational resources for transportation, the proposed Intermodal transportation training center would attract new opportunities for the City and County and help meet future shortages in transportation employment opportunities.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the following information. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: Agricultural Research Service Name of Requesting Entity: University of Florida/IFAS Address of Requesting Entity: 700 Experiment Station Rd, Lake Alfred, FL, 33850 Description of Request: I have secured $1,300,000 for the Citrus Canker and Greening Research. This funding will be used for Continuation of vital citrus Canker, citrus Greening/Huanglongbing (HLB) and Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) research to improve technologies for treatment and detection, methods of movement and containment, and means to control and eliminate these devastating citrus diseases and disease vector. Currently, citrus Canker disease, the spread of the ACP and citrus Greening/HLB are the two most serious diseases and vector facing the U.S. citrus industry. Both diseases and the vector have been declared endemic in the state of Florida and pose serious threats to California, Texas and to the viability of the U.S. citrus industry. Research supported through federal funding in addition to state and grower funds is critical to ensuring that the citrus industry remains a viable part of America's economy. In Florida alone, commercial citrus is a $9 billion dollar a year industry that supports almost 90,000 jobs. California and Texas combined have over a $3.2 billion economic impact with over 26,000 jobs in their respective states. Due to the severity of just these two diseases and vector, the importance of continuing critical research unabated is crucial. Canker is caused by a bacterium that creates lesions on the leaves, stems, and fruit of citrus trees, including oranges and grapefruit. While not harmful to humans, Canker significantly affects the health of trees, causing leaves and fruit to drop prematurely. Wind and rain serve as the vector of Canker. Citrus greening/HLB is a bacterial disease which is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid. Although it presents no threat to humans or animals, trees diagnosed with citrus greening/HLB have greatly reduced production and often die within a few years. Recently, research for these diseases and vector has been done on a state by state basis. More than 100 research projects are currently underway in an attempt to find scientific answers to greening/HLB, the ACP and Canker. A new federal ARS research initiative could ultimately provide long-term solutions to these invasive pests and diseases. This new approach has become necessary to help protect U.S. citrus production and mitigate the impact of these exotic pest and diseases. Scientists are confident that intensive and sustained research can solve the Greening/HLB, ACP and Canker puzzles once and for all. Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: CSREES Name of Requesting Entity: University of Miami Address of Requesting Entity: 142 Collegiate Loop, Tallahassee, FL, 32306 Description of Request: I have secured $2,494,000 for the Southeast Climate Consortium. This funding will be used to characterize the impacts of ENSO-related climate variability (a global coupled ocean- atmosphere phenomenon producing the most prominent known source of inter-annual variability in weather and climate around the world) on agricultural commodities and specialty crops. Explore alternative management responses to realistic climate scenarios and quantify expected outcomes. Establish communications process that can rapidly disseminate climate information and decision support tools regularly while gleaning user feedback on the usefulness and relevance of the provided analyses via agricultural stakeholders and state extension services. Study the agricultural impact of water managers' decisions in response to climate variability. Weather and climate significantly affect agriculture; year-to-year climate variability (e.g., flooding, droughts) can dramatically impact agricultural productivity. Climate forecast information for a relatively small regional group of agricultural decision-makers has proven useful. By expanding efforts into Georgia and Alabama via new collaborations with universities there, we enhance our understanding and predictive abilities as we tailor information for a wider range of Southeast agricultural decision makers.