Geoff Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I secured as part of H.R. 3293, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Dept of Education--Higher Education Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Northern Kentucky University Foundation Address of Requesting Entity: Administrative Center, 616 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099 Description of Request: Appropriate $350,000 for the Northern Kentucky University Center for e-Health Innovation. Health informatics--applying information technology to health care--provides the foundation for developing significant improvements to our health care system. It promotes increased productivity; pay for performance; cost transparency; quality and safety; outcome based practices; access to health care and personal health records; and technological scalability and evolution. In these respects, it holds great promise for literally thousands of affected businesses oriented to support health care, large and small, for profit and not-for-profit. The U.S. Department of Labor projects the health care industry to hold 12 of the 20 fastest growing occupations; five of the remaining eight are in the computer technology industry. NKU seeks to prepare future employees for a burgeoning industry that understands both computer technology and its applications to improve patient care and reduce health care costs. NKU's Center for e-Health Innovation will offer an applied, practical research environment (physical laboratories) for studying interoperability in health care and developing real world solutions for the local health care industry. Federal funding will cover equipment, faculty development and start up operations. Each lab will be comprised of physical space incorporating duplicates of hospital and medical center hardware, software and systems. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will train the health care workers of tomorrow in the science of applying information technology to health care to improve efficiency and outcomes. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: DOL--Employment and Training Administration--Training & Employment Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Innovative Productivity, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 401 Industry Road, Suite 500, Louisville, KY 40208 Description of Request: Appropriate $150,000 for the Career Training for Disabled Veterans program. Career Training for Disabled Veterans is a program developed by Innovative Productivity, Inc. (IPI). It is designed to assist and train disabled veterans, including ``Wounded Warriors,'' during and after treatment to reenter the civilian workforce. The program enables veterans to obtain career direction quickly in order to make important life decisions. The program will work in conjunction with the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor in providing industry driven packaged training to match positions identified by employers. Surviving spouses of military war casualties and spouses of disabled veterans can also take advantage of this program. This is an important use of taxpayer dollars because it will leverage a relatively small contribution from the federal government to develop a robust program for training and placing our veterans in quality skilled jobs. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: HHS--Health Resources and Services Administration Legal Name of Requesting Entity: New Horizons Health Systems, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 330 Roland Avenue, Owenton, KY 40359 Description of Request: Appropriate $250,000 for the Community Health Improvement Initiative at New Horizons Health Systems, Inc. New Horizons Health Systems, Inc. is a not-for-profit Critical Access Hospital that also serves as a rural health clinic for primary care. The funds will be used to purchase a new MRI. Patients currently have to travel over fifty miles to another health care facility for MRI services or wait for a mobile MRI to come through the area. These problems often result in disruption of continuity of care for the patient and a delay in diagnosis. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve public health service in rural Kentucky. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: HHS--Health Resources and Services Administration Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Harrison Memorial Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 1210 KY Highway 36 E, Cynthiana, KY 41031 Description of Request: Appropriate $100,000 for the Cardiac Catheterization Project at Harrison Memorial Hospital. Harrison Memorial Hospital is a private, not-for-profit, rural hospital serving a region of five counties and approximately 45,000 residents, providing both inpatient and outpatient care. The project would implement a cardiac catheterization program at HMH. All federal funds received will go towards remodeling the existing space in the hospital to provide the cath suite and equipment. This project with make available cardiac cath for timely interventions and diagnosis, a key component of cardiac care. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve public health service in rural Kentucky.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I secured as part of H.R. 3298, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3298 Account: FTA--Buses and Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky Address of Requesting Entity: 3375 Madison Pike, Fort Wright, KY 41017 Description of Request: Appropriate $500,000 for the Bus Replacement Program at the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). Funds will enable TANK to purchase new buses needed for safety and capacity issues. Newer buses will also help to achieve better fuel economy and have cleaner emissions than the buses currently in use and in need of replacement. The current buses that will be replaced have been in operation for one to two years beyond their FTA-recommended useful life (13 to 14 years of operation). This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will improve safety, capacity and energy efficiency. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3298 Account: FHWA--Interstate Maintenance Discretionary Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Campbell County Fiscal Court Address of Requesting Entity: 24 West Fourth St, Newport, KY 41071 Description of Request: Appropriate $500,000 to rehabilitate the section of I-471 between I-275 and the Ohio River in Campbell County, Kentucky. The project is listed in Kentucky's six year highway plan. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will improve safety, allow for continued economic growth in Northern Kentucky, and employ workers to complete the project. Importantly, I-471 will serve as an alternate route when work begins on repair or replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge on I-71/75. Rehabilitation of I-471 is critical to ensuring this redirected traffic moves in a fast and efficient manner without jeopardizing the safety of travelers. Finally, completing this maintenance will prolong the life of the road, avoiding necessity of more costly repairs. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3298 Account: HUD--Economic Development Initiative Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Covington Address of Requesting Entity: 2300 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41014 Description of Request: Appropriate $250,000 for the renovation of the old Stewart Iron Works Building. The City of Covington is working with three non-profit social service agencies (Fairhaven Rescue Mission, Parish Kitchen, and Welcome House of Northern Kentucky) to create a multiagency one-stop for serving the needs of homeless individuals and families in the Northern Kentucky community. The project involves the rehabilitation of the Stewart Iron Works Building, relocation of several existing social service agencies into a single building. This will increase the ability to provide a full range of services, increase capacity, and provide on-site transitional housing. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the efficiency and quality of services for homeless individuals and families through an economy of scale. Demand for these types of services will only increase as the economy continues to struggle.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, it's an outrage the way health care is being approached in this country. Voters did vote for change; but, apparently, that's all they're going to have left in their pocket. I sat through a 17-hour markup on the Ways and Means Committee last week, and I didn't see one constructive process. I didn't see the voices of Democrats and Republicans heard on addressing the delivery system for Medicare to re-engineer it to reduce billions of dollars in cost. Instead of reforming the private insurance industry that many of us want to do on both sides, Speaker Pelosi's response to that and the Democratic response to that is we'll legislate them out of business by undercutting them with a Medicare-like system which will punish rural America. And finally, egregiously, there's been no addressing of liability reform that punishes our doctors and health care providers with junk lawsuits. America demands real reform. We want real reform. Slow this thing down and give account to America for the kind of health care people need and want and that's affordable and accessible and not a government-run plan.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I secured as part of H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-- Huntington District Address of Requesting Entity: 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, WV 25701 Description of Request: Appropriate $1,000,000 for Greenup Locks and Dam. Greenup Locks and Dam is the eighth busiest of the Corps of Engineers' 230 locks and dam projects. Closure of either lock, for maintenance or in the event of an accident, generates massive delays and associated increased costs to industry. Traffic delays due to closures of the main lock chamber are increasing in frequency and duration. Investigations (GI) funds would allow for completion of the preconstruction engineering and design phase. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because keeping our nation's inland waterways functioning is essential to our economy. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-- Louisville District Address of Requesting Entity: 600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Place, Louisville, KY 40202 Description of Request: Appropriate $1,000,000 for Markland Locks and Dam. Funds will allow for the award of the assembly pier contract, the fabrication and installation of the culvert valves, and the award of the embedded metals contract. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because keeping our nation's inland waterways functioning is essential to our economy. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southbank Partners Address of Requesting Entity: 421 Monmouth Street, Newport, KY 41071 Description of Request: Appropriate $279,000 for Northern Kentucky Riverfront Commons. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed a Master Plan and Reconnaissance Report for the Northern Kentucky Riverfront Commons Project. This request for funding is intended to continue the feasibility study, preliminary design and engineering for the entire length of the riverfront project area. These funds are needed to move the Northern Kentucky Riverfront Project forward in order to eventually stabilize the river bank area. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because stabilizing the riverbank is important to river commerce, economic development and flood protection. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Fossil Energy R&D Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Kentucky Research Foundation Address of Requesting Entity: Room 1 Kinkead Hall, Lexington, KY 40506 Description of Request: Appropriate $2,000,000 for the University of Kentucky Strategic Liquid Transportation Fuels Derived from Coal project. Funding will continue the expansion of capabilities at the University of Kentucky directed toward research and labor force development and training related to the production of liquid transportation fuels (diesel, aviation fuel, etc.) derived from coal. Project will continue development of an integrated, continuous ``mini Fischer-Tropsch'' refinery at UK. The facility is intended to produce research quantities of FT liquids and finished transportation fuels for testing, evaluation and certification by researchers and companies. This project will supply DOD with alternatives to petroleum for reliable supplies of battlefield fuels. The FY2010 funds would be used to begin fitting up the facility with the fabrication and installation of certain refinery process units. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it pursues a national priority to develop alternative fuels and increase our energy independence.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I secured as part of H.R. 3170, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 3170 Account: SBA--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Thomas More College Address of Requesting Entity: 333 Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills, KY 41017 Description of Request: Appropriate $100,000 for Thomas More College's Center for Regional Health Science and Health Care Management. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in the health care field are expected to increase by more than 25 percent by 2010, creating 1.3 million jobs on a national level. Thomas More College is responding to this challenge by expanding upon current programs which address both immediate and future needs of businesses in health care and health care related fields, both at the advanced skills and at the management level. Market analysis indicates that as the number of highly skilled health care jobs increase, so will the need for specialized managers. Thomas More College is a leader in both nursing and business in the region and has a unique affiliation with St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center. The strong partnership serves as the basis for the Center for Regional Health Sciences and Health Care Management. FY2010 funds will be used for operating costs; laboratory materials; supplies; IT costs and support; and professional development and training. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it supports workforce development in identified fields where there are insufficient trained professionals to meet the demand.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I secured as part of H.R. 2996, the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 2996 Account: STAG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Wurtland Address of Requesting Entity: 500 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, Kentucky 41144 Description of Request: Appropriate $500,000 for the Wurtland/ Greenup/Lloyd Regional Sewer project. This project will extend sewers to underserved areas and decommission one WWTP consolidating service with a more modern regional facility. The project serves approximately 3,200 people and will accommodate growth and expansion. Completion of the project will improve health and environmental conditions in the region. In addition, it will eliminate two package plants & approximately 520 septic systems. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority and the Greenup County Fiscal Court have committed $1.37 million to this project. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will reduce pollution in local streams that flow into the Ohio River and will help the community comply with federal environmental standards.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Marine Gunnery Sergeant Charles ``Brandon'' Bailey from Florence, Kentucky, who was wounded in an improvised explosive device attack on January 23, 2009, while serving in Afghanistan. Gunnery Sergeant Bailey is a true patriot. Having felt the call to serve his country since childhood, Brandon sold his small business and selflessly joined the Marine Corps when he was twenty-four years old. He served his first combat deployment in Iraq and was a member of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. In April, 2008, Brandon married his childhood friend, Kristie. He was deployed to Afghanistan as a member of the Marine Special Operations Command shortly after the wedding. Without any hesitation, he left his new wife to serve his country once more in harm's way, ultimately to be severely wounded in action. Gunnery Sergeant Bailey is undergoing rehabilitation with recovery in the distant future. He and Kristie are expecting their first baby this December. Gunnery Sergeant Bailey stays positive and says he is happy he had the opportunity to do the job that he loved and serve his country. Brandon's life and character epitomize the Marine Corps Motto--Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. Gunnery Sergeant Bailey is an inspiration to us all. Today, Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to recognize Gunnery Sergeant Bailey's unwavering dedication to the Marine Corps and to thank him for his service to our great nation.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will increase utility bills, raise the price of a gallon of gas, push fuel prices and food prices to new heights, and increase the cost of nearly every consumer product. It is a national energy tax. Let's make that clear. This will punish middle class families, farmers, the elderly, and small businesses both in Kentucky and especially across the Nation. America needs a comprehensive energy plan, not a national energy tax. Local, State and Federal officials have stressed the need for policy to create jobs. This cap-and-trade proposal will fail to do that when America needs them most. We will lose jobs. Manufacturers will simply move their plants to other countries with cheaper energy and lower taxes, hurting American workers and the environment globally. In the past 4\1/2\ years, I have watched House Democrats defeat every meaningful proposal for energy independence and job creation that has been proposed in this Chamber, and we have got to bring an end to that. This bill is nothing more than the economic colonization of the heartland by the coastal States like New York and California. The one thing that I will tell you is it is not about energy. It is about confiscation of wealth. Vote ``no'' to protect our children's future.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rev. Richard B. L. Fowler, a dedicated community servant and spiritual leader from the Fourth District. Reverend Fowler was born and raised in Covington, Kentucky. He earned his bachelor's degree in engineering science from the University of Cincinnati and then attended the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, where he earned a master's in ministry degree. He served our great country during the Vietnam War as a member of the Army stationed in Germany. Upon completing his military duty, Reverend Fowler began an impressive 28-year career with Procter and Gamble. During his tenure with the company, he acknowledged his call into the ministry and was ordained in 1979. Reverend Fowler has served as pastor of the Ninth Street Baptist Church in Covington since 1983. And in addition to his duties at the Ninth Street Baptist Church, Reverend Fowler has contributed to his community as a member of numerous boards and committees, including the United Way, Northern Kentucky Children's Home, the Northern Kentucky Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Council, and our local community and technical college. He is also the founder and organizer of OASIS Incorporated, a nonprofit agency for education, community advocacy and substance abuse recovery. On the 25th of June, Reverend Fowler marked the beginning of legislative business in the House of Representatives by offering the opening prayer on the House floor. Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Reverend Fowler in offering him our sincerest thanks for his years of service to Kentucky and to our Nation.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, today I offer an amendment that will enable our Nation to more effectively plan and execute national security and interagency operations. To enhance our national security, we must be able to effectively integrate the military and nonmilitary elements of our national power. This requires the effective integration of all agencies of the Federal Government, not only those with traditional national security roles. However, achieving highly integrated national security interagency planning and execution requires personnel who have the knowledge, skills and attributes to plan and participate in these interagency operations. At present, there is no permanent, institutionalized system for developing the skills and experience required. Examples abound of the need for this change, and I will cite two briefly. My first relates to our ongoing interagency operations in Afghanistan, and I commend President Obama for his determination to pursue an integrated interagency approach to resolving that conflict. As our national security community knows, helping the Afghan Government create a secure and stable society requires, among other things, that we assist farmers in growing crops other than poppies, which are used to produce opium. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has never been used before now to provide personnel in support of operations like those in Afghanistan. Instead, the military has been required to fill the gap with people without agricultural experience. While our soldiers are very adaptable, we would be better off if USDA were routinely engaged in overseas national security operations with other agencies, military and civilian, of the Federal Government. Next I cite our experience in Iraq. In the early days of the Iraq occupation, there was no modern banking system in Iraq, and Iraqi security forces could only be paid in cash, which required them to leave their units and to spend days away from their units taking money home to their families. During this period, the deputy Treasury Secretary told me that if he was given the go-ahead, he was prepared to help Iraq establish a modern, electronic banking system which would have, among other things, enabled Iraqi soldiers to get their pay at home without leaving their units and ongoing combat operations. If Treasury, and in particular a Treasury cadre of national security professionals, had been properly involved early on, the problem and rise of criminal gangs and militias could have been mitigated sooner, thereby contributing to increased Iraqi combat power, lightening the load on our troops during a very difficult period. My amendment, simply put, would require the President to commission a study by an executive agency to develop national security professionals across departments of the Federal Government to provide skilled personnel for planning and conducting national security interagency operations. It is critical that we achieve a transformation in national security education, training and interagency experience to produce national security professionals who are able to work seamlessly together. By requiring the President to commission such a study on an interagency national security professionals program, my amendment lays the foundation for that transformation. I commend Chairman Skelton. He has spent a lifetime supporting defense reforms going back to Goldwater-Nichols and championing these reforms to further integrate our national security tools moving into the 21st century. I thank Ranking Member McKeon for his work on this issue during my 4 years on the Armed Services Committee and continuing now as our ranking member on the committee.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I secured as part of H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 2892 Account: Predisaster Mitigation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Brooksville Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 216, 201 Government Street, Brooksville, KY 41004 Description of Request: Appropriate $18,500 to purchase an emergency generator for the City Fire Department/Community Center and City office building. This facility is the only emergency shelter area within the City of Brooksville. The generator will allow for this critical facility to serve as a shelter and emergency operations center during times of hardship and disaster, such as the ice storm in Kentucky in early 2009. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because completion of the project will ensure appropriate emergency management and protection the local community during significant weather events and emergencies.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I secured as part of H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fleming County Fiscal Court Address of Requesting Entity: 201 Court Square, Flemingsburg, Kentucky 41041 Description of Request: Appropriate $48,000 to acquire four (4) Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) for the Fleming County Sheriff's Office. MDTs will allow the department to connect to the Kentucky State Police LINK/NCIC system directly from the police vehicle. MDTs also increase both officer and public safety by empowering law enforcement with critical information prior to exiting their vehicle. MDTs will quickly let the officers know if a vehicle is stolen, the person driving is wanted, and if the person is licensed to carry a concealed weapon. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the safety of sworn officers responsible for protecting the community. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Henry County Sheriff's Office Address of Requesting Entity: 50 North Main St, New Castle, Kentucky 40050 Description of Request: Appropriate $82,000 for the purchase of law enforcement equipment for the Henry County Sheriff's Office, as well as the City of Eminence Policy Department and the City of Campbellsburg Police Department. Equipment will include five (5) MDTs, 1 TASER, 3 ATN-NVM 14-3 Night Vision Minocular, 3 Aimpoint Comp M4, among other items. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the safety of sworn officers responsible for protecting the community. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oldham County Police Department Address of Requesting Entity: 1855 North Highway 393, La Grange, KY 40031 Description of Request: Appropriate $57,000 to purchase six (6) Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs). The County currently has some MDTs and the use of these systems has provided a rapid and reliable means of obtaining information in today's criminal justice arena. For example, use of MDTs allows the officers to immediately determine wants or warrants on individuals and reduces down time by allowing them to enter reports and stolen property information immediately while still on duty. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the safety of sworn officers responsible for protecting the community. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oldham County Sheriff's Office Address of Requesting Entity: 1855 North Highway 393, La Grange, Kentucky 40031 Description of Request: Appropriate $75,000 to acquire upgraded equipment appropriate to assist the Sheriff's Department in responding to a variety of law enforcement situations within the community. Equipment purchases will include dual antenna radar units, handheld radar units, mobile data terminals, portable breath testing units, Taser brand units, community service kid care identification machine, and Magna PD6500 brand security scanners, among other items. The Oldham County Sheriff's Office provides emergency response to the residents of Oldham County and surrounding Counties as requested. In addition, the Sheriff's office is responsible for courtroom security, prisoner transport throughout Kentucky, and protection of government employees, officials and government property. Federal funds will be used to purchase equipment that will increase the interoperability, improve the safety of sworn offices and the department's ability to respond to the needs of Oldham County. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the safety of sworn officers responsible for protecting the community. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Pendleton County Sheriff Address of Requesting Entity: 202 Chapel St, Falmouth, Kentucky 41040 Description of Request: Appropriate $12,000 for the purchase of twelve (12) X26 TASERs (Electronic Control Devices) for county law enforcement officials and related training in equipment usage. Pendleton County does not have a detention center, so the Sheriff's Office and Jailer's office both transport prisoners fifty miles to and from Boone County Detention Center for court hearings and trials. TASERs would give the officials an additional tool on a non-lethal scale to control an unruly person. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the safety of sworn officers responsible for protecting the community.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, by 2035, the Heritage Foundation estimates that Chairman Waxman's legislation will cause a 90 percent increase in electricity rates and a 55 percent rise in residential natural gas prices. Experts predict that this will result in substantial numbers of United States jobs going to countries like China and India that have not adopted a national energy tax. At a time when the national unemployment rate is soaring, approaching 10 percent in the next several months, and the Kentucky unemployment rate is getting dangerously high, we can't afford to enact this legislation that will create additional hardships. Energy prices are a major factor in determining the cost of living and the cost of doing business in a particular location. The fact is that Kentucky is one of the lowest energy cost States in the Nation and depends on electricity produced from coal. I recently met with plant managers and business leaders in Carroll County, Kentucky, who reiterated that the low cost of energy in the Commonwealth was a major reason they chose to base their businesses in the county, creating many jobs. This energy tax will drive those businesses away or out of business, losing American jobs, because it is not considering the long-term economic impact, let alone the lack of environmental veracity. A familiar positive story that we hear throughout our Commonwealth is low energy creates jobs.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, as a former enlisted soldier and Army officer, the lives and safety of our servicemen and -women has always been one of my top priorities. Chairman Conyers and I are, therefore, calling for the prompt negotiation of a bilateral naval agreement between the United States and Iran. In January of 2008, Iranian Revolutionary Guards naval speedboats engaged in provocative actions against three U.S. naval vessels, showed little to no regard for maritime safety, and the event very nearly escalated into an armed conflict between the United States and Iranian vessels. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most crowded shipping lanes in the world. A conflict in the strait would have dire consequences for the world's oil supply and the international economy. An average of 15 tankers carrying between 16 and 17 million barrels of crude oil pass through the strait each day, making these waters one of the most strategically important oil choke points. The Department of Defense has stressed the importance of preventing future naval interactions in the region from escalating. The U.S. has a significant long-standing naval presence in the Persian Gulf, protecting our soldiers and marines in theater and international shipping lanes critical to global commerce. A military-to-military negotiation of bilateral ``Incidents at Sea'' agreement between the U.S. and Iran would codify vessel-to-vessel communications and improve safety, similar to the agreement during the Cold War. I ask you to join Chairman Conyers and me in support of this agreement.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I secured as part of H.R. 1105, Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice--Byrne Discretionary Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Buffalo Trace/Gateway Narcotics Task Force Address of Requesting Entity: 908 Kenton Station Drive, Maysville, KY 41056 Description of Request: Appropriate $280,000 to continue the operations of the Buffalo Trace/Gateway Narcotics Task Force to collect, analyze and process information through an organized, coordinated investigation, with the assistance of local, State, and federal agencies, to discourage and eliminate the use and sale of illegal narcotics. The Task Force will benefit law enforcement in the investigation of all types of crimes related to drug trafficking and drug abuse which may include thefts, robberies and homicides. Local law enforcement does not have the funds to strengthen and investigate drug related crimes in some of our communities. The Task Force will impact the drug abuse and drug related deaths in the ten county area in which it covers, as well as provide the offender's with treatment and recovery. Local governments and law enforcement agencies provide matching funds to support operations of the task force. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice--Byrne Discretionary Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oldham County Sheriff's Office Address of Requesting Entity: 100 W. Jefferson Street, La Grange, KY 40031 Description of Request: Appropriate $90,000 to acquire upgraded equipment to assist the Sheriff's Department in responding to a variety of law enforcement situations within the community. Needed equipment includes: dual antenna radar units, handheld radar units, Mobile Data Terminals, tazers, four wheel drive police vehicle, GPS positioning units, PD6500 security scanner, and other appropriate equipment to assist the agency in responding to a variety of law enforcement situations within the community. The Oldham County Sheriff's Office is a twenty-four hour law enforcement agency that provides immediate assistance to the residents of Oldham County and surrounding counties as requested. In addition, the Sheriff's office is responsible for courtroom security, prisoner transport throughout Kentucky, protection of government employees, officials and government property. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice--COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Alexandria Police Department Address of Requesting Entity: 8236 W. Main St., Alexandria, KY 41001 Description of Request: Appropriate $30,000 to digitize police records and make them available in real time to officers throughout a three county region. The City of Alexandria Police Department on behalf of the Northern Kentucky Police Chief's Association is working collaboratively with local law enforcement agencies throughout our region to share police records. These records are considered public record, but are not readily available to local law enforcement as a means of data intelligence or for viewing by patrol officers in the field. This project uses state of the art software in a web interface that enables officers in real time to check master name files and previous contacts, as well as print warnings and other citations from the car using broadband internet connectivity. This project will allow local law enforcement to become more responsive to the community from a crime reduction standpoint. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice--COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Flemingsburg Police Department-- Address of Requesting Entity: 140 W. Electric Avenue, Flemingsburg, KY 41041 Description of Request: Appropriate $45,000 for the acquisition of four Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) for installation and use in the police cruisers used by the City of Flemingsburg Police Department. This will allow the department to connect to the Kentucky State Police LINK/NCIC terminal directly from the police vehicle. MDTs increase both officer and public safety by empowering law enforcement with critical information prior to exiting their vehicle. MDTs will let the officers know if a vehicle is stolen, the person driving is wanted and if the person is licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Justice--COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Owen County Sheriff Office, Owenton, KY-- Address of Requesting Entity: 102 North Madison Street, Owenton, KY 40359 Description of Request: Appropriate $55,000 for the acquisition of six Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) for installation and use in the police cruisers used by both the Owen County Sheriff's Office and the City of Owenton Police Department. The topography of Owen County limits the effectiveness of cell phones and two-way radios. However, experience has shown that MDTs are responsive throughout the county. MDTs will allow the department to connect to the Kentucky State Police LINK/NCIC terminal directly from the police vehicle. MDTs increase both officer and public safety by empowering law enforcement with critical information prior to exiting their vehicle. MDTs will let the officers know if a vehicle is stolen, the person driving is wanted and if the person is licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Interior, EPA, STAG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Warsaw, KY Address of Requesting Entity: 303 East Main Street, Warsaw, Kentucky 41095 Description of Request: Appropriate $500,000 for the extension of a public water main to service area of the county not currently served by potable water supply. The project benefits include the delivery of safe drinking water to area residents not currently served by potable water supply and improved fire protection. The existing 0.21 MGD WWTP will be upgraded to a 1.0 MGD treatment facility. Expansion and upgrading the existing facilities is vital for the area to continue its residential and economic growth. The proposed project would bring the Warsaw WWTP into compliance with KY EPA regulations and prevent the imposition of a consent decree or ``agreed order.'' Furthermore, the project would ensure that water quality and environment would be protected. The recipient has certified that the matching funds required by the STAG program (45% non-federal) can and will be met. Adequate water and sewer service are essential infrastructure foundations that are required for residential and commercial growth. In addition, this funding will assist the community in complying with federal environmental regulations. Budget allocation: Construction--81%; Administrative--1%; Engineering--7%; Resident Inspection--6%; Financing--1%; Project Contingencies--4%. Note: these percentages represent the allocation based on the total cost of the project as determined through the certified financing plan. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Energy & Water, Department of Energy--Fossil Energy Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Kentucky Address of Requesting Entity: 243 Bowman Hall, Lexington, KY 40506- 0059 Description of Request: Appropriate $951,500.00 to the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research for the Coal-Derived Low Energy Materials for Sustainable Construction Project. The project and product development needs for the concrete, ready-mix, and masonry product industries that produce construction materials from coal combustion by-products and will provide data for using these materials in LEEDs certified green construction projects. New products including low energy, low CO2 producing cement and concrete can be fabricated almost entirely from coal combustion products. Portland cement is an energy intensive product that represents the third highest anthropologic source of CO2. A high performance substitute for Portland cement, based on calcium sulfoaluminate (or CAS cement) can be made from fluidized bed combustion ash, synthetic gypsum and bauxite. These new materials are not only low energy but also recycled and can play a major role in sustainable, energy-efficient construction. Kentucky and many other states have made a commitment to LEEDs certified green building and architecture. These new materials will require documented performance and certification for their use that can only be provided by a cross cutting research effort as is proposed for the Center. Budget allocation: 100% of the funds will be spent on research, including equipment and support for two senior engineers. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Energy & Water, Department of Energy--Fossil Energy Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Kentucky Address of Requesting Entity: 243 Bowman Hall, Lexington, KY 40506- 0059 Description of Request: Appropriate $1,379,675 for the University of Kentucky Strategic Liquid Transportation Fuels Derived from Coal Project at the Center for Applied Energy Research. The funding will continue the expansion of capabilities at the University of Kentucky directed toward research and labor force development and training related to the production of liquid transportation fuels (diesel, aviation fuel, etc.) derived from coal. The use of coal for transportation fuels can provide additional independence from oil imports, safeguard the nation's security, allow for the development of new industries, and provide new incentives for coal mining. The Department of Defense has a keen interest in securing alternatives to petroleum for reliable supplies of battlefield fuels. Moreover, there are certain applications where coal-derived fuels are environmentally superior for the production of ultra-clean diesel and jet fuel of interest to the aviation, heavy equipment and trucking industries. Eastern and western Kentucky coals are suitable feed stocks for these purposes. Budget allocation: 60% for construction; 15% for utilities and infrastructure; 25% for integration of the existing slurry column reactor. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Energy & Water, USACE, PED Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District Address of Requesting Entity: 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, WV 25701 Description of Request: Appropriate $335,000 for the Greenup Lock and Extension, KY & OH. Greenup Lock and Dam is the eighth busiest of the Corps of Engineers' 230 locks and dam projects. Closure of the lock, for maintenance or in the event of an accident, generates massive delays and associated costs to industry. Traffic delays are increasing in frequency and duration due to the dilapidated state of the infrastructure. Budget Allocation: 100% of the funds will be used to complete the preconstruction engineering and design (PED) phase. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Energy & Water, USACE, Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 59, Louisville, KY 40201-0059 Description of Request: Appropriate $10,144,000 to continue the construction and rehabilitation of the Markland Locks and Dam. This funding is for construction and installation of miter gate assembly area and pier, new miter gates for the main chamber and new culvert valves for the main chamber. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Energy & Water, USACE, General Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 59, Louisville, KY 40201-0059 Description of Request: Appropriate $96,000 for the Northern Kentucky Riverfront Commons. The Army Corps of Engineers has completed a Master Plan and Reconnaissance Report for the Northern Kentucky Riverfront Commons Project. This request for funding is intended for preliminary design and engineering for the entire length of the project area. The Riverfront Commons project coordinates riverbank stabilization strategies and public access enhancements along the Phase I 2.75 mile corridor of the south bank of the Ohio River in the communities of Covington, Newport, and Bellevue, Kentucky. Implementation of the Riverfront Commons Project will improve quality of life for Northern Kentucky residents and residents of the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana metropolitan area. Riverfront tourism and festivals along the riverfront make a large contribution to the Northern Kentucky economy. Currently, an estimated 5,647,928 visitors, including 1,000,000 festival attendees, visit the Northern Kentucky riverfront area each year. Budget allocation: 100% of the funding will be used for preliminary energy and design. Note, however, that the bill does not fund the original request completely. As a result, progress will be limited by the limited appropriation. The affected local communities plan to provide a fifty-fifty local match of case and in kind services. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Financial Services, SBA, Salaries & Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Northern Kentucky University- Address of Requesting Entity: Administrative Center 616, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099 Description of Request: Appropriate $1,900,000 for equipment, faculty development and start-up costs for the College of Informatics to develop and apply informatic-based solutions to the real world, as well as train students for new jobs in various professions that could benefit from the application of informatics, including health. Informatics is the science of gathering, processing and manipulating information. Employment potential in health informatics careers is skyrocketing, a result of the growing number of public and private stakeholders, increased health care technology applications, and the desire to positively impact health care evolution and programs. The U.S. Department of Labor projects the healthcare industry to hold twelve of the twenty fastest growing occupations, five of the remaining eight in the computer technology industry. The Labor Department also identifies ``medical records and health information technology'' as the sixth largest field for growth, with a forty-seven percent employment increase over the ten years ending in 2012. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Financial Services, SBA, Salaries & Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Thomas More College- Address of Requesting Entity: 333 Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills, KY 41017 Description of Request: Appropriate $100,000 for Thomas More College's Center for Regional Health Sciences and Health Care Management. The Center will use the funds to expand upon current programs to address both immediate and projected future needs of businesses in health care and health care related fields, both at the advanced skills and at the management level. The College is a leader in both nursing and business in the region and has a unique affiliation with St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center. Federal funds will be used for continued faculty development and operating costs of programs at the Center. The Center serves to stimulate job creation in the region. The health care industry is expected to grow by 25% by 2010 out pacing the ability of post-secondary institutions to fill the void. The center will produce a greater volume of highly skilled workers. Employment opportunities in the health care field are expected to increase by more than 25% by the year 2010, creating 1.3 million jobs on a national level. The total project cost estimate is $3,180,000. The College (through tuition revenue, foundation support and alumni giving) will provide 61% of the required funds. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Harrison Memorial Hospital- Address of Requesting Entity: 1210 KY Highway 36 E, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031 Description of Request: Appropriate $285,000 to upgrade the technology and enhance the capabilities of Harrison Memorial Hospital's Amicus PACS Imaging System in order to improve efficiency, health care delivery and cost savings. This appropriation would enable Harrison Memorial Hospital to enhance PACS to include critical services and provide same-day testing for patients. The current system is currently able to capture and distribute images of general radiology, CT, and general ultrasound. At present, bone density and stereotactic biopsy services are only available through a mobile service one day per month. Digital mammography is also currently not available at the hospital. Federal funds will enable HMH to enhance the PACS system to include these critical services and provide same-day testing for patients. This increases access to critical health care resources in the community, as well as reduces multiple trips to the facility and multiple billings. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration Legal Name of Requesting Entity: HealthPoint Family Care- Address of Requesting Entity: 601 Washington St., Suite 300, Newport, Kentucky 41071 Description of Request: Appropriate $238,000 to replace the current paper records system with electronic medical records to reduce errors, save money and improve the quality of care. HealthPoint Family Care is a federally qualified health center providing primary care medical and dental services to 35,800 mainly low-income, uninsured patients. Funding will cover hardware, software and training to convert medical records from paper to electronic. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Education, Elementary & Secondary Education (FIE) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Grant County Board of Education- Address of Requesting Entity: 820 Arnie Risen Boulevard, Williamstown, Kentucky 41097 Description of Request: Appropriate $190,000 for equipment for the Grant County Board of Education's new Grant County/Williamstown Area Career and Technical Education Center. The new Center will provide closer career and technical training opportunities for high school students in Grant County. The flagship program will be the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Program. This field is an attractive and in demand area of expertise with Grant County's strategic location between three major airports. Federal funding will go towards technical equipment needed for the AMT Program. The proposed Grant County/Williamstown Area Career and Technical Education Center will dramatically improve opportunities for students. The improved labor force will attract much needed industry to Grant County and the region. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Education, Higher Education (FIPSE) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ashland Community and Technical College- Address of Requesting Entity: 1400 College Drive, Ashland, KY 41101 Description of Request: Appropriate $143,000 for the purchase of necessary equipment for the allied health laboratories and classrooms located in the Parsons Building. The Parsons Building is a new building gifted to the College in the downtown district of Ashland. The new location will be used for college classes in Health Sciences, the Business and Job Testing Center and a conference center. Federal funds will be used for equipment, including computers and related computer equipment, laboratory equipment; training aids; and curriculum development tools for the allied health laboratories and classrooms in the new building. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Education, Higher Education (FIPSE) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Gateway Community and Technical College- Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 334, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky 41017 Description of Request: Appropriate $95,000 for the Gateway Community and Technical College's Center for Advanced Manufacturing. The new Center's goal is to prepare, train and retrain a skilled workforce in Northern Kentucky that will create a pipeline of young workers for new and expanded manufacturing jobs, train and retrain 10,000 workers in 200 companies annually to boost productivity, and provide just-in-time training for new manufacturing firms in the region. Federal funds will be used to purchase equipment for the training programs, including training modules and equipment for specific manufacturing careers. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Federal Highway Administration, Transportation & Community & System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Carroll County Fiscal Court-- Address of Requesting Entity: 4400 Main Street, Second Floor, Carrollton, Kentucky 41008 Description of Request: Appropriate $95,000 to begin replacement of the Highway 36 West Bridge over Locust Creek in Carrollton, Kentucky. This bridge is on a main thoroughfare for commercial road traffic. A number of fatalities have occurred on the existing bridge. Replacement of the bridge will improve the flow of traffic and be safer for those traveling the bridge. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Federal Highway Administration, Interstate Maintenance Discretionary (IMD) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Address of Requesting Entity: 200 Mero St., Frankfort, KY 40622 Description of Request: Appropriate $380,000 to rehabilitate the section of I-471 between I-275 and the Ohio River in Campbell County, Kentucky. The project is listed in Kentucky's six year highway plan. This section of I-471 is an essential thoroughfare, serving residents of Kentucky, Ohio, and other States. It provides a link that is critical to the economic growth and safety of Northern Kentucky. This section will serve as an alternate route when work begins on replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge on I-71/75. The pavement has deteriorated to the extent that grinding and repairing is no longer feasible. Federal funds will be used for pavement rehabilitation in the form of structural overlay to restore this deficient thoroughfare. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Federal Transit Administration, Buses & Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Transportation Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) Address of Requesting Entity: 3375 Madison Pike, Fort Wright, KY 41017 Description of Request: Appropriate $1,900,000 for the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). Federal funds will be used to purchase replacement buses needed to address safety and capacity issues with the aging fleet. Newer buses will also help to achieve better fuel economy and have cleaner emissions than the buses currently in use and in need of replacement. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Federal Transit Administration, Buses & Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Tri-County Community Action Agency Address of Requesting Entity: 1015 Dispatchers Way, LaGrange, KY 40031 Description of Request: Appropriate $76,950 for Tri-County Community Action Agency for the Non-Emergency Medical and Independent Living Activities Transportation for Older Adults program. Federal funds will be used to purchase new vehicles and GPS systems in order to better serve senior citizens and veterans who need transportation to medical appointments, adult day care and independent living activities. The purchases will also be available to Emergency Management and First Responder Personnel in each county to help with evacuation of special needs residents should an emergency situation occur. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: HUD, Economic Development Initiatives Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Maysville Address of Requesting Entity: 216 Bridge Street, Maysville, Kentucky 41056 Description of Request: Appropriate $2,565,000 for the renovation and restoration of the Cox Building in the downtown area of the City of Maysville. The Cox Building is a historic keystone building for the City. Federal funding will be used for masonry, repairs, fire alarm, sprinkler, plumbing, HVAC, elevator, plaster, painting and other construction needs. The goal of the project is to renovate the building to become an income producing and economically stimulating entity for the historic business district. The restoration of the building will also provide space for the community's new ``Entrepreneurial--Incubator Program'' and provide local art organizations with affordable space and an opportunity to be located downtown. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: HUD, Economic Development Initiatives Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mason County Fiscal Court Address of Requesting Entity: 221 Stanley Reed Court, Maysville, Kentucky 41056 Description of Request: Appropriate $95,000 to complete the construction of the multi-use Mays Lick Community Center. Federal funds will be used to finish the community center, including drywall, flooring, ceiling and insulation. The Mays Lick Community Center will provide a place for community events, Boys and Girls club activities, Boy Scouts of America and other community meetings. The community does not currently have any type of facility to meet these needs.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate one of my constituents, Mason County School District Superintendent Tim Moore of Maysville, Kentucky. On January 31st, Superintendent Moore received the F.L. Dupree Outstanding Superintendent Award from the Kentucky School Board Association. The Dupree Award was created by Kentucky School Board Association and the family of the late F. L. Dupree, Jr., who was a member of the former London Independent Board of Education and a lifelong supporter and promoter of public education in Kentucky. Superintendent Moore was chosen to receive the Dupree Award for his outstanding service to Kentucky's youth and to the communities of Mason County. Since becoming Superintendent in 1997, he has helped the school district improve its academic rankings, and meet all the goals outlined by the No Child Left Behind program. Additionally, he has fostered better relationships between students, faculty, parents and staff and helped the district rebound from debt by bringing the general fund balance up to $4 million. Last year, former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and I traveled to the Mason County School District to learn about the innovative ways Superintendent Moore has dealt with the challenges faced by rural schools. During the visit, Superintendent Moore helped lead roundtable discussions with the Secretary, teachers, students and parents to discuss the local impact of federal education law in Kentucky and the improvements that can be made. Secretary Spellings and I were very impressed with Superintendent Moore's commitment to the students and to improving the learning environment in Mason County. Superintendent Moore has inspired countless children and has been an exceptional leader in the Fourth District. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in commending Superintendent Tim Moore for his achievements.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Gateway Community and Technical College. On December 9, 2008, Gateway Community and Technical College attained Full Regional Accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) as a Comprehensive Community and Technical College. With this regional accreditation, Gateway Community and Technical College has attained a longstanding goal of becoming a comprehensive institution. Over the years, Gateway has distinguished itself through its dedication to the education and workforce development needs of Northern Kentuckians. The institution has maintained a clear mission to higher education and offers the resources, programs and services to accomplish and sustain that mission. The students and faculty deserve recognition for their diligent multi-year efforts that have resulted in the school's recent accreditation. I applaud Gateway's commitment to excellence in education and their contributions to Kentucky communities. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating this Kentucky institution on their recent SACS accreditation.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate one of my constituents, Ms. Myra Morgan of Sparta, Kentucky. On December 9, 2008, Ms. Morgan was awarded the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award for excellence in education. Ms. Morgan was notified of her win by Former Kentucky Commissioner of Education Jon Draud, who made the announcement during a surprise assembly at Gallatin County Lower Elementary School. Ms. Morgan has been a teacher at the elementary school for twelve years and is currently the department chair and team leader for the school's kindergarten team. She was one of eighty national winners of the 2009 Milken Educator Award and the only winner from Kentucky. In May, Ms. Morgan will attend the Milken Family Foundation National Education Conference in California, where she will receive a $25,000 reward. The Milken Family Foundation was established in 1985, and the first awards were given in 1987. Since 1993, forty-nine Kentuckians have won the award. Ms. Morgan has inspired countless children, and has been an exceptional leader in the communities of Gallatin County. We are all extremely proud that Ms. Morgan has received the recognition she deserves. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in commending Ms. Myra Morgan for her outstanding service to Kentucky's youth.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend David Charles Cheek, an outstanding community leader in Kentucky's Fourth District. On January 8, 2009, the May's Lick Baptist Church held a celebration in honor of Reverend Cheek's 20 years of service to the Baptist Conference. In 1989, Reverend Cheek was called to serve as pastor of May's Lick Baptist Church. He is the church's forty-third pastor. Reverend Cheek has helped May's Lick Baptist Church expand its services to the community. Not only has the Church built a modern nursery and a Family Life Center during Reverend Cheek's tenure, they have also expanded the Sanctuary, purchased additional property and a new bus, developed an Educational Facility and settled all the Church debts. Over the last 20 years, Reverend Cheek has ordained seven Deacons and has worked with four youth ministers. He has also mentored four individuals who eventually became ministers, three of whom were ordained at May's Lick Baptist Church. Reverend Cheek has served as Vacation Bible School Director for Bracken Association of Baptists for 20 years. He has also served on the Executive Board of the Bracken Association of Baptists and is a member of the Bracken Association Council. Madam Speaker, please join me in commending Reverend Cheek for 20 years of extraordinary work. We are all blessed to have such a dedicated servant in May's Lick, Kentucky.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, we have come a long way since Julia Carson and I introduced the original version of this bill, H.R. 840, nearly 2 years ago. The McKinney-Vento programs haven't been reauthorized in nearly 15 years, and I am glad that the HEARTH Act was able to get this important discussion going again in Congress. The Financial Services Committee held two hearings on this issue last year, and the testimony that we heard, from the providers especially, had a large impact to give us all a reality check on the different types of homelessness we are facing in this Nation. For example, in my part of the Nation, in the heartland in Kentucky, I'd like to call it homelessness in plain sight. We have very few of the classic HUD definition of homeless but, in reality, the vast majority, overwhelmingly so, are single parents with small children; more often than not, a battered woman with small children. It's especially poignant for me to be here today, and I have to thank my friend and former office neighbor, the late Congresswoman Julia Carson. I was honored that she asked me to join originally to work on this bill with her. I give special thanks to my congressional classmate, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, for helping me to keep this issue at the top of the committee's priorities. I'd also like to recognize the tireless work of all of the homeless advocates on this bill, members of staff here, so many team members, that worked hard in common cause but, in particular, one person that I have to recognize and thank is Linda Young from Welcome House in northern Kentucky. Linda was the one who originally brought this problem of leaving children and families out of the HUD homeless programs to my attention over 2 years ago. She came up to Washington to testify for us about her hands-on experience with this issue, and truly she has been an inspiration, not only here, but to thousands and thousands of the needy in Kentucky. As a fiscally conservative Republican, I fully support the Federal investment in the homeless assistance grant programs. A roof over one's head goes a long way, but it's truly the supportive services, combined with housing, that have the biggest impact on changing a person's path in life. These programs lend a helping hand to people who want to build a future and pursue a dream. This type of Federal assistance has a lasting and positive impact, not only on the recipient, but on our communities and, frankly, on the Federal Treasury. To help children, especially now, in this time, in this formative time, to keep them from becoming part of the system in the long-run, a falling into the despair of a hopeless future, it is critical that we make this investment and we give our care providers on the front lines the opportunity to build relationships that will transform lives. My primary goal in cosponsoring the HEARTH Act was to increase local flexibility. Homelessness in Kentucky's Fourth District is not the same as it is in California, for example. Local continuums and providers should have the flexibility to tailor their programs and grant funding to meet their unique needs, and not have Washington bureaucrats try to give a one-size-fits-all solution for the definition of homelessness. This is all about acknowledging that homelessness looks different in different parts of the country. Homelessness has many faces that for the most part go unseen by the public at large. They walk by us every day in the shopping mall and on the street. We see them passing us in the stores and in the parks and, regrettably, even in our churches. We look the other way because we don't have eyes to see. But if we open our eyes, if we ask for that gift, and we see, then we are called to action to make a difference. I am thrilled to see that we have come to a compromise with the Senate on the definition issue. The compromise includes homeless families and unaccompanied youth identified by other Federal agencies. In HUD's definition, this was a problem. This is a huge step towards ending homelessness. I thank everybody who has worked on this across the country, those here in the Chamber and on the Hill, those in our communities around the Nation, and for me, especially, I'd like to take a moment to share, as I stand in this Chamber, as I walk the halls of Congress tonight, and especially, for me, what I consider one of the most significant legislative pieces to affect a generation that is coming up now. I am humbled to be here. I was one of those children who had to leave in the middle the night. I was one of those children whose mother in desperation married somebody who probably should not have been married; a man who was violent, alcoholic, adulterous, a mean-spirited individual. And I know that feeling to watch as a helpless 6-year-old when your mother is being hit, and to step between those two and to leave the house and to hide in the closet, the secret that the neighborhood knew nothing about. But that reality and that pain for us came to salvation by the grace of God, that there were little islands of opportunity where we could take refuge. The truth though for so many thousands is that is not there. They have to move to other towns, other school districts and other communities. What this does is provide that island, that helping hand. It helps us with our weaker brother. It helps us care for those who are around us in a way that I believe is responsible, both fiscally and obligation morally. I commend all who have worked on this, and I say God bless you for your efforts.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I secured as part of S. 3001: Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis. BM Number: S. 3001. Account: Other Procurement, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: DRS Technologies, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 7375 Industrial Road, Florence, KY 41042-2911. Description of Request: Appropriate $2,400,000 for procurement of Multi-Temperature Refrigerated Container Systems (MTRCS). MTRCS is the follow-on generation of refrigeration systems. It provides the capability to transport and store both refrigerated and frozen products in a single container. It consists of an insulated 8' x 8' x 20' International Organization for Standardization shipping container with an engine-driven refrigeration unit that will allow operation on the move. The two compartments are separated by a moveable partition varying proportions of refrigerated versus frozen products, resulting in maximum loading of the container. MTRCS is used principally by subsistence units. It will also be used by medical units for transport and storage of refrigerated medical supplies, including blood products. The benefit to DOD is more efficient space utilization and reduced transportation requirements. Fewer vehicles will be required to transport food on the battlefield, reducing the number of soldiers exposed to danger from IEDs. The Army Acquisition Objective for MTRCS is 4,432 systems, but only 1,050 are funded in the FY08-13 Future Years Defense Plan. This earmark would authorize procurement of an additional twenty systems. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis. Bill Number: S. 3001. Account: Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ashland Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 50 E. River Center Blvd., Covington, KY 41012-0391. Description of Request: Appropriate $800,000 to continue development of advanced coolant and lubricant systems utilizing nano-particle systems to enhance the capabilities of military ground vehicles and simplify supply logistics. FY09 will be the third year of this project. The focus will be on transition to commercial production and final testing of stable nanofluids with improved cooling and lubrication properties while meeting all environmental requirements and making these processes commercially scalable. Funds will be used for (1) transition production from development to commercial scale; (2) engine and vehicle dynamometer testing; and (3) field demonstrations. A dynamometer is a device that absorbs the power of an engine in the absence of a vehicle to move. The test engine to be used is the new production engine for the HMMVW that has been the engine of choice for that vehicle for the past several years. A test cell is a physical container or room that is properly outfitted for housing an engine-dynamometer combination for controlled and safe operations. Field testing of the nanofluids will occur through use of the HMMWV vehicle with the Optimizer 6500 Turbo-Diesel engine under extreme arctic and desert conditions. Military vehicles are designed to meet exceedingly strict and arduous cooling, lubrication and overall performance requirements. One of the goals of the Tank Automotive Command is to increase the performance and durability of engines, power trains and their component parts to support Army transformation in the areas of system mobility, durability, reliability and survivability and may ultimately serve to reduce the logistics cost burden for the Objective Force. Requesting Member: Congressman Geoff Davis. Bill Number: S. 3001. Account: Operations & Maintenance, Air Force. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: TiER1 Performance Solutions, LLC. Address of Requesting Entity: 6 East 5th Street, Suite 400, Covington, KY 41011. Description of Request: Appropriate $1,600,000 for the Engineering Training and Knowledge Preservation System (ETKPS). The Air Force is facing significant turnover in its senior technical personnel. The Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) could lose as many as sixty percent of its top engineers over the next three to five years. Preserving the knowledge base is essential to AFMC and will be a massive undertaking requiring processes and tools to capture operational, technical, and critical thinking knowledge. Integrating the ability to capture, store, align, and transfer knowledge to the next generation workforce through a single, secure Web-based knowledge and training portal is necessary. Functionality of this solution must include the ability to track an individual's skills across competencies throughout his/her career; evaluate all existing training and compare the cost-benefits of competing training approaches; allow experienced personnel to easily create new training and knowledge content in accordance with pre-defined standards; plug into existing defined competencies and skill requirements and capture knowledge from subject- matter-experts to address these; link novices to experts in real-time through a virtual Web Center; categorize, organize and search all knowledge and information across the enterprise; deliver assessments to determine skill proficiencies; deliver information in a variety of ways--through distance learning, on-line reference systems, technical manuals, job aids, mobile devices and other tools. FY 09 will be year four of this ongoing project. Funds will be used for (1) requirements analysis; (2) functional design; (3) enhanced feature development; (4) USAF system integration; (5) user acceptance testing; and (6) USAF selected site development. Requirements analysis is an ongoing rigorous process to ensure the product meets the very specific needs of the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). Functional design results in a document used to inform and gain agreement that what is being developed will satisfy the AFMC user requirements. Enhanced feature development results in a prototype developed per the functional design which is presented to AFMC for testing and feedback. USAF system integration establishes proper interfaces between the ETKPS system and existing Air Force IT systems. User acceptance testing is used to evaluate the quality and usability of the product. USAF selected site development will result in the deployment of ETKPS to six Air Force bases, ensuring consistency across all bases. These system capabilities will enable AFMC to organize and align information to support ongoing training and development of its total workforce. Funding for this effort is critical to AFMC for maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of retaining existing knowledge capital and for building effective training programs that support the development of new personnel.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of my constituents, Mr. Kyle Houston of Butler, Kentucky. On September 29, 2007, Kyle distinguished himself in a crisis situation when a kitchen fire erupted in his grandparents' home. At the time of the fire, Kyle was watching television with his grandfather, Paul Green. Mr. Green has emphysema and receives oxygen 24 hours a day. In a display of courage, maturity and composure that far exceeded his 8 years of age, Kyle responded to the emergency quickly and effectively. Kyle roused his grandfather and helped him out of the house, then reentered the smoky home to retrieve his grandfather's portable oxygen tank. He then helped his grandfather reattach his oxygen tank and ensured that it was working properly. Finally, Kyle called 9-1-1 and alerted his parents to the situation. Without his grandson's quick response, Mr. Green could have suffered extremely severe injuries from smoke inhalation. On October 6, 2008, in recognition of Kyle's heroism, Cub Scout Pack 75 will present Kyle with the Heroism Award for putting into practice Scouting skills and ideals. Kyle is a first year Webelos Scout with Pack 75. Kyle's composure during what must have been a very frightening event is impressive. Kyle's mother and father have many reasons to be proud of their incredible son. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in commending Kyle Houston for his outstanding actions and character.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5611, the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act, or NARAB II. First, I would like to commend my friend, David Scott. We come from two different parties, but a common background in the business community, in the small business community, understanding the issues that business people deal with on a daily basis, and crossing multiple regulatory frameworks dealing with multiple States. My experience has led to my support and working to develop this bill and to get it passed tonight and hopefully signed into law before the end of year. It was based on my experience as a small business owner, not as an agent, but as a business owner who had employees in several different States, and suddenly found when I reached out to a good friend of mine who was an agent himself that he had to deal with several different agents. It suddenly became very complicated and very costly from a time standpoint. It was inefficient and not cost effective at all for any of us to get these different plans to fit the needs and in compliance with each State. After I came to Congress, with that experience in the back of my mind, I also heard from many, many agents in the insurance industry, and many small business owners who encountered situations like I had sitting astride the nexus of three States. Insurance reform has been the subject of discussion for many years now. There are many different perspectives on it. What David and I have tried to do through this bill, and our staffs, is to simply solve a process problem that allows people to work together more effectively. To me, this is the height of bipartisanism at its best. We are working to common cause, to fix a process that helps our citizens across the country. I am very pleased to see this meaningful and targeted reform measure make it to the floor today after over a year of work. NARAB II goes straight to the heart of the difficulties that insurance agents and brokers, and small business owners who are their customers, face on a daily basis as they try to navigate this web of State licensing requirements. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act would have created the original NARAB system in the event that the States did not satisfy the producer licensing reform objectives outlined in the underlying bill. Ultimately, the States were perceived to have achieved a specified level of licensing reciprocity, and NARAB was never created. Thus, the problem remained. Nearly 10 years since the passage of Gramm-Leach-Bliley, we are still in need of progress on this issue. H.R. 5611 mandates the creation of NARAB. The board's purposes and function will be generally the same as the provisions of Gramm-Leach-Bliley. In short, agents and brokers licensed in good standing in their home State and meeting NARAB-member criteria will be able to join NARAB. Members will pay the appropriate fees required by each State in which they are licensed, and so this will not eliminate any revenue States currently generate from licensing. NARAB would not have any Federal regulatory authority, an important point that my friend from Georgia highlighted during his remarks as well. This is not an expansion of the Federal bureaucracy, it is a correction to allow the private sector to continue to grow business and create jobs. I would like to think of NARAB as a stamp of approval for an insurance agent acknowledged and accepted nationwide. I appreciate the hard work, expertise and advice from all of the insurance industry groups in helping us to come to compromise on H.R. 5611. In particular, the NAIC has been an invaluable source of knowledge, and I appreciate their substantive suggestions for ways we can improve the bill. We made sure that the State insurance commissioners had a voice in the shaping of this legislation to ensure that State rights were protected, and at the same time we were able to address a direct issue that was affecting these brokers and small business customers. H.R. 5611 takes a significant step toward improving the way our insurance markets operate within the existing State-based system. I would like to thank in particular Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Bachus, Chairman Kanjorski, and Ranking Member Pryce for their leadership on the important issue of insurance reform and for their support of this bill that Mr. Scott and I introduced. Lastly, I want to thank my good friend, David Scott, for his work and also his staff, Michael Andel and Tammy McAthey, and my legislative director, Lauren O'Brien, who have worked long and hard to bring this to pass. This has been a great piece of legislation. I urge support for the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, energy is the number one strategic issue facing this Nation. Has the Democratic Congress done anything credible to address it? No. In fact, when they do, they drop a bogus bill in the watches of the night and expect everybody to swallow it. Their bill still blocks over 80 percent of offshore drilling and has no credible alternatives that are proven, like coal to liquid, oil shale, tar sands or nuclear. This bill is bad for Kentucky. The Democratic leadership has totally misled the American people with this bogus bill. I rise in opposition. This bill punishes the elderly, working families, our schools and all industry in this country. This bogus measure punishes the heartland of America that grows the food, produces the goods and creates the energy that this Nation runs on. I call on all Kentuckians and all Americans to stand up and call this Democratic-led Congress what it is, useless. Vote ``no'' on their bill. And Mr. Speaker, give us a vote on a bill that matters, that will change the American people and that will help us build a future: The American Energy Act introduced by Republicans in this Congress.

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my perspective on an essential reform to ensure the security of our Nation. We must reform our national security system to ensure effective interagency operations. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and co- chair of the House National Security Interagency Reform Working Group, implementing reform of the national security system is one of my highest priorities. Our current interagency process is broken. There are regulatory, legislative, budgetary, resource and culture impediments to effective interagency operations. These problems are independent of personalities, policies and particular presidential administrations. In order to protect the United States interests and its citizens, it is critical that reform to executive and legislative processes be allowed to better the integration among currently stove- piped departments. A successfully integrated interagency process will empower the United States to more effectively employ our nonmilitary instruments of power abroad. This ability will allow us to more effectively fulfill our interest while reserving the use of lethal force as a last resort. In fact leaders and policy makers need two things; first, an overarching national strategy that frames the intent of all policy on national security; second, a toolbox of resources that can be configured, hopefully in a preventive way, to fulfill our strategic objectives. The current interagency system was devised over 60 years ago for a different era and is based on a very specific national security strategy when security was primarily a function of military capabilities wielded by one department in overseas missions. At the time, major combat operations and nuclear deterrence were the principal focus of U.S. national security strategy. This strategy required limited coordination of activities between vertically structured military and civilian departments and agencies. Today, national security involves a much wider array of issues that can be addressed only with a broader set of capabilities that are highly synchronized and carefully calibrated. Many agencies are not conscious of or prepared to act in their national security roles. Many civilian departments and agencies do not believe they have a role in the national security system, and the cultures of these organizations produce few, if any, incentives for staff to participate in national security missions. These agencies often lack ``expeditionary'' capabilities. Even if they have the desire to help, they may be prevented from doing so by a combination of factors including personnel shortages, lack of resources, lack of statutory authorizations and regulatory constraints. Additionally, interagency operations are not governed by standard concepts and procedures. Without common processes, interagency operations tend to be very ad hoc. For example, Paul Bremer, head of the Coalition For Provisional Authority in postwar Iraq believed that he reported to the President through the Secretary of Defense and did not want to be bogged down by ``the interagency process.'' National Security Adviser Rice's senior deputies, simply to get information, were relegated to checking the CPA website every day to see what new orders Bremer had issued. Such arrangements are enormously inefficient and liable to produce erratic outcomes. We must ensure that civilian agencies have the resources required for effective integration with the Department of Defense. Think what could have been done to deter the growth of criminal militias in Iraq if the Department of Treasury had been able to assist in the rapid implementation of simple electronic banking systems to get money and payroll to the people of Iraq during the post conflict stabilization period. A new National Security Act is needed to update the organization and procedures created by the National Security Act of 1947. We need to codify an adaptive approach that flattens, simplifies and integrates the agencies of the executive branch and the committees of Congress. We must ensure all departments and agencies that have national security roles have specific objectives, responsibilities and operational planning capabilities so they can protect America's interests. Second, we should require that personnel who are selected for the Senior Executive Service in departments and agencies with national security roles have professional development via institutional training and operational assignments in agencies other than their own to better understand the national security interagency system. Third, we should strive to build regional expertise across the departments and agencies to ensure a bench of personnel with the knowledge and skills required to accomplish departmental and agency missions in all regions of the world. For example, we should consider better regional alignment between DOD and the State Department. As my colleagues and I undertake the challenge of crafting reform legislation, I welcome the opportunity to work with all agencies to gain their insights on the way ahead for reform.