Charles Dent

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT. I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Minnesota, for his kind comments about my legislation. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1178. This bill, which I introduced in February of this year, is similar to the Civil Air Patrol legislation that was passed by this House during the 110th Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. I am pleased to have the opportunity to bring this bill before the House for consideration once again. I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their cooperation and support in bringing this legislation to the floor today. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Chairman Bennie Thompson and Ranking Member Peter King and the Committee on Homeland Security for their continued support for this initiative. Additionally, I would also like to thank Chairwoman Sheila Jackson-Lee of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, on which I serve as ranking member, for her support as a cosponsor of H.R. 1178. This bill, H.R. 1178, directs the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to determine how the Civil Air Patrol or CAP can help support Homeland Security missions. The GAO will generate a report based on the findings of the study. Once complete, the report will be reviewed by both the Homeland Security Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Specifically, this study will examine the ways in which the Civil Air Patrol may assist State, local and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security by providing aerial reconnaissance or communications assistance for border security, augmenting the Department's situational awareness in search and rescue capabilities in the aftermath of an act of terrorism, natural disaster or other catastrophic event, and providing other assistance deemed appropriate by the Comptroller General. Once the study is completed and the GAO publishes its report, DHS must review and analyze that report, and within 90 days submit recommendations to Congress for further action. Aviation assets traditionally have played an important role in border security, in the interdiction of contraband and in search and rescue operations, evacuations and after-action analysis that must be performed in the wake of a catastrophic event. We watch as communities continue to deal with fires or tornados, hurricanes, and floods that turn families' lives upside down. We continue to witness drug cartel violence on the Mexican border. H.R. 1178 will allow for further explanation into the use of the Civil Air Patrol capabilities for delivering needed relief in such situations. The Civil Air Patrol has a long history of service to this Nation. The organization was founded at the outbreak of the Second World War, during which it served as a vital watchdog along the coastlines of America, protecting us from the threat of German U-boats that patrolled our shores. I even believe they got a few back then. Since that time, the Civil Air Patrol has regularly assisted States in search and rescue operations and emergency response, including action during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Civil Air Patrol deployed 1,800 members to the devastated areas, logging more than 50,000 volunteer hours and distributing over 30,000 pounds of relief supplies. Today our Civil Air Patrol force of approximately 57,000 volunteers from varying professional backgrounds, with over 500 aircraft across the country, stands ready to assist in the aforementioned missions. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania alone, we have over 2,300 volunteers, over 1,000 of which are cadets between the ages of 12 and 18. I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation as we help to ensure the effective use of all available resources for securing our Homeland Security. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to say here today that the Civil Air Patrol enthusiastically supports this legislation.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I supported the following national projects that received funding through H.R. 1105, The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009. National Writing Project for activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--The National Writing Project focuses on the teaching of writing and the professional development of writer instructors to ensure elementary and secondary students become successful writers and learners. Reading is Fundamental authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--RIF promotes youth literacy by providing underserved children access to free and new books in every state and territory across the country. Center for Civic Education for two programs--We the People and Cooperative Education Exchange--that are authorized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as part of the Civic Education program--The Education for Democracy Act supports civic programs, such as We the People and the Cooperative Education Exchange Program, to educate American students about the fundamental ideals of the United States. National Council on Economic Education for the Cooperative Education Exchange program, which is authorized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as part of the Civic Education Program--The Education for Democracy Act supports civic programs, such as We the People and the Cooperative Education Exchange Program, to educate American students about the fundamental ideals of the United States.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing on the auspicious occasion of the 125th anniversary of its founding. For well over a century, St. Luke's has provided hands-on, quality training to professionals entering the world of medicine. On October 17, 1884, St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing opened its doors to its first class of individuals eager and dedicated to caring for the wellness of others. At the time when the school was founded, only a handful of similar institutions existed in the United States, placing St. Luke's at the cutting edge of health care training. As the country's oldest hospital-based school of nursing in continuous operation, St. Luke's continues a well-established tradition of excellence that began 125 years ago. The impact that St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing has had on American life is pronounced. During America's greatest time of need, the school provided education and training for the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, giving brave young women the skills they needed to provide medical assistance to American and Allied troops in World War II. When the United States suffered a national shortage of nurses in the late 1960s, again St. Luke's answered its Nation's call by hiring a recruitment director to actively work towards attracting qualified individuals to the nursing profession. St. Luke's has consistently promoted the virtues of selflessness and caring for others. Year after year the School of Nursing provides training to nearly 100 nurses, a profession that is widely needed yet often underappreciated. The hard work, dedication, and caring of nurses trained by St. Luke's are a great asset to the high quality of care enjoyed by patients in America's hospitals. Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to extend my congratulations and heartfelt thanks to St. Luke's as well as its tremendous faculty, staff, students, and alumni that have carried on the school's proud legacy. May St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing's next 125 years be as benevolent and inspiring as the last.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Chair, I rise tonight to oppose the budget under consideration. We hear a lot of talk about PAYGO, but PAYGO is routinely waived here on matters such as the recent stimulus package. On a $790 billion piece of legislation PAYGO did not apply. I think we need to point that out. But this budget I think is problematic for a number of reasons. First, it imposes higher taxes on income, investment in energy, and yes, the death tax comes roaring back. The national debt doubles in 5 years. The national debt triples in 10 years. Let me repeat that. The national debt will double in 5 years and will triple in 10 years. It took 43 Presidents 232 years to accumulate $5 billion in debt. This budget gets us to $5 billion in 5 years. In short, this budget spends too much, borrows too much, and taxes too much. On energy, users of electricity, gasoline, petroleum, natural gas will all pay more. Let me translate that. We will all pay more, the American taxpayer. We are going to pay more because of these so-called cap-and-trade or, as my colleague Mr. Burgess from Texas said, cap-and- tax. Well, this is simply a carbon tax, an energy tax on every American who consumes energy, and again, that is just about every American I know. You know, according to the CBO, we expect that this cap-and-trade tax will cost every household at least $1,600 again in higher energy costs, and actually, there are studies out there that say it will cost even more than that. This will also result in the loss of at least 3 to 4 million jobs, according to NAM, National Association of Manufacturers. So, in short, I would say to everyone here tonight, because of these higher taxes on income and energy, the very people we're asking to get us out from under this very difficult recession, small business people are going to pay more. Small manufacturers that use natural gas in a very big way, they will be punished because of this. The death tax punishes them, too. It makes it harder for them to pass these businesses on to their children and to their grandchildren. This is an ill-advised budget. The income tax that we will see go up here, too, will also punish many small businesses because they're organized. These Subchapter S companies, partnerships, and proprietorships, they will pay the bill. So let's think about this. This budget is ill-advised. It is not in the best interests of the American people. I strongly urge that it be rejected.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009: Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: NOAA--Operations, Research and Facilities, Title: Delaware River Enhanced Flood Warning System, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Delaware River Basin, Commission Address of Requesting Entity: 25 State Police Drive, PO Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628, Description of Request: To assist the Delaware River Basin Commission, in conjunction with NOAA/NWS, USGS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the enhancement of the basin's flood warning system. This enhancement will include the evaluation and improvement of existing precipitation and stream gage networks, development of additional NOAA flood forecast points in both non-tidal and tidal stream reaches, and merger of GIS and Doppler radar technology to improve flash flood warning capabilities for smaller watersheds. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: NOAA--Operations, Research and Facilities, Title: Flood Awareness and Emergency Preparedness Education Campaign Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Nurture Nature Foundation, Address of Requesting Entity: 400 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 18042, Description of Request: The project will support a flood awareness and emergency preparedness education campaign for citizens of flood-prone areas. The campaign will be initiated in the recently flooded regions along the Delaware River, in the four basin states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York, but the materials will be applicable nationwide. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology, Title: Lehigh Valley Regional Crime Center Technology Infrastructure, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Allentown Police Department, Address of Requesting Entity: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: The Lehigh Valley Regional Crime Center Technology Infrastructure project will enhance the effectiveness of a bi-county Regional Crime Center by making necessary improvements to the facility's technology infrastructure. This will enable the development of a comprehensive database that integrates information from 53 local law enforcement agencies, and provides agents with new, critical analysis capabilities. Providing local law enforcement agencies the ability to share and search information will dramatically improve efforts to fight crime throughout the region. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants, Title: Anti-Gang Youth Initiative, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Allentown and ALERT Partnership, Address of Requesting Entity: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101 and 17th and Chew Streets, P.O. Box 7017, Allentown, PA 18105, Description of Request: The project will enhance and sustain model programs developed through the Allentown Anti-Gang Task Force. This task force was created through the Route 222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative, which was funded in 2007 by a Department of Justice grant. The project will allow the task force to slow the recruitment of youth into the gang lifestyle and develop multi-faceted strategies for early intervention to remove young people and teens from gangs. Additionally, the project will strengthen partnerships between local grassroots and faith-based groups working to combat crime and violence. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants, Title: Gang and Youth Violence Security Initiative, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: School District of the City of Allentown, Address of Requesting Entity: 31 South Penn Street, PO Box 328, Allentown, PA 18105, Description of Request: For the past three years the Allentown School District has seen an increase in the amount of critical incidents involving violent behavior. Recently, national gangs have penetrated the region and brought with them a more organized and better supported system to augment local gang activity. This has increased the number of adjudicated youth in the area, and has increased the severity and number of disciplinary issues in Allentown's schools. This initiative will enhance security training and equipment to provide for a safer Allentown School District. The additional security measures will help the district get a better handle on the activities occurring in and around its schools. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Corps of Engineers, Investigations--FPMS, Title: FPMS: Southeastern, PA, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District (NAP), Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Description of Request: This funding will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to provide local communities planning tools that could help reduce damages from future flooding in southeastern Pennsylvania. Devastating flooding in 2004, 2005 and 2006 caused tremendous damages in the region. Providing flood mapping, flood warning, and other non- structural measures could help to reduce future damages and even help save lives. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Corps of Engineers, Investigations, Title: Delaware River Comprehensive, NY, NJ, PA & DE, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District (NAP), Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Description of Request: This funding will provide for an interim feasibility study by the Army Corps of Engineers with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) that will be used to develop a flood analysis model and watershed flood management plan, and evaluate and enhance the Delaware River Basin's existing flood warning system. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Corps of Engineers, Expenses, Title: Mid- Atlantic River Commissions, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), Address of Requesting Entity: 25 State Police Drive, P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 06828, Description of Request: This funding will fulfill the federal obligation established in the Delaware River Basin Compact (P.L. 87-328, Article 13, Section 13.3c) to support the Delaware River Basin Commission. Activities to be funded include water quality protection, water supply allocation, flood loss reduction, drought management, watershed planning, permitting, and water conservation. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Title: Advanced Power Batteries for Renewable Energy Applications, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: East Penn Manufacturing, Address of Requesting Entity: Deka Road, Lyon Station, PA 19536, Description of Request: Funding will provide for the design, testing, and fabrication of new advanced lead acid battery energy storage technology that could be used to balance the fluctuating generation of electricity in current wind and solar power systems. This technology would produce larger, safer, cleaner, and more affordable energy storage options than are currently available. This project, conducted with Sandia National Laboratories and the Bonneville Power Administration, will lead to a new advanced lead acid battery that will serve as a longer lasting, cleaner, more affordable, American-made solution to the load leveling challenge plaguing several renewable energy systems. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Title: Clean Technology Commercialization Initiative, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ben Franklin Technology Partners Corporation, Address of Requesting Entity: 125 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, Description of Request: This funding will support clean/alternative energy technology development and commercialization activities to encourage the development and growth of energy-related technologies and companies in Pennsylvania. The initiative will enable the Commonwealth to strategically invest in one of its most competitive sectors, leverage additional public and private investment, create high-wage jobs and help enable sound environmental practices. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Title: Fuel Cell Optimization and Scale-Up, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Dynalene, Inc, Address of Requesting Entity: 5250 West Coplay Street, Whitehall, PA 18052, Description of Request: Funding will provide for the development and optimization of methods to scale-up production of a new patented fuel cell coolant which is already available in sample quantities (1 to 3 gallons). This technology uses a base liquid mixture and an additive package. The base mixture is designed to have a freezing point below -40 deg.C, thermo- physical properties similar to the current automotive antifreeze, and possesses no flash point. The additive package in the coolant has been designed to maintain very low electrical conductivity, a critical requirement for cooling fuel cells. No other coolant available today can do this job by itself. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Title: Lehigh Valley Hospital Photovoltaic Panel Installation, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lehigh Valley Hospital, Address of Requesting Entity: Cedar Crest and I-78, P.O. Box 689, Allentown, PA 18105, Description of Request: This funding will enable the installation of 300 kW of photovoltaic (solar) panels on the roofs of multiple buildings at the Lehigh Valley Hospital campus in the City of Allentown, PA and the Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg campus in the City of Bethlehem, PA. These photovoltaic panels will produce a percentage of the total electricity required for the operation of the hospital buildings. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Fossil Energy R&D, Title: ITM Reaction- Driven Ceramic Membrane Systems, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Address of Requesting Entity: 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18195, Description of Request: This funding will support the development of ITM Oxygen technology for industrial-scale oxygen production and ITM Syngas technology for production of synthesis gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) from natural gas. The development of ITM Reaction-Driven ceramic membrane systems will synergistically utilize the technology developed in both the ITM Oxygen and ITM Syngas projects. ITM Reaction-Driven membranes can be integrated into a state-of-the-art gasification system to produce synthesis gas to generate advanced electric power, hydrogen, or other clean fuels. This versatile technology can be applied in a cost- effective and environmentally responsible manner to a broad list of energy sources, including coal, natural gas, liquid hydrocarbons, biomaterials, and waste materials. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division D: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, Account: SBA, Title: Northampton Community College Electrotechnology Applications Center, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Northampton Community College, Address of Requesting Entity: 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020, Description of Request: The Northampton Community College Electrotechnology Applications Center (ETAC) provides confidential assistance to businesses and manufacturers to help them increase productivity, improve energy efficiency, and achieve and maintain environmental compliance. Specifically, ETAC helps small businesses gain a competitive advantage by applying alternative technologies to improve heating, drying, coating and curing processes. This project addresses a statewide initiative to provide support for proactively reducing emissions from the manufacturing sector. Funding will be used to continue the Center's small business program which helps manufacturers reduce green house gas (GHG), volatile organic compound (VOC), and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. The ETAC identifies opportunities to quantify and reduce GHG, VOC and HAP emissions by pro-actively marketing grant services, presenting workshops and seminars to raise awareness, and conducting the necessary training programs to implement solutions. Additionally, ETAC staff perform site visits to evaluate businesses' processes, equipment and facilities, and provide an unbiased assessment of emissions reduction opportunities. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division E: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Save America's Treasures, Title: State Theatre Historic Facade, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: State Theatre Center for the Arts, Inc., Address of Requesting Entity: 453 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 18042, Description of Request: The project will facilitate significant facade repair and preservation, specifically windows and a restored marquee for the State Theatre in Easton, PA. These improvements will help enhance and preserve the Theatre which has been a key component of efforts to revitalize Easton's Historic District. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division E: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, Title: Salford Township, Tylersport Sewer Improvements, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Salford Township, Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 54, Ridge Road, Tylersport, PA 18971, Description of Request: The project will support the implementation of a public sewer system in the Tylersport area. The total project cost is estimated at $2,200,000. Tylersport Village, located in Salford Township, currently has a significantly high percentage rate of failing on-lot septic systems. This funding will allow for approximately 108 village homes to be connected to a public sewer system that is being built to accommodate a new development of 190 homes in close proximity to the village. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division E: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, Title: Lower Milford Township in Lehigh County for wastewater treatment plant construction project, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lower Milford Township, Address of Requesting Entity: 7607 Chestnut Hill Church Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036, Description of Request: The project will assist with the construction and installation of a municipal sewage treatment plant in Lower Milford Township. The plant will provide critically needed infrastructure to reach compliance with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act and the Clean Streams Law. Due to the need for public sewage within the village, no additional businesses have located in Limeport and no expansion of the existing businesses can occur. With the construction of a municipal sewer plant, the village of Limeport can experience economic growth by attracting new and expanded businesses, tourism and the addition of jobs within the community. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Higher Education, Title: Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA for nursing curriculum development, including purchase of equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Cedar Crest College, Address of Requesting Entity: 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104, Description of Request: Funding will be used to develop and implement a community-based, direct-care fall prevention program to reduce the risk of falling among the elderly population and prolong the time in which program participants are able to reside in independent living, senior-housing facilities in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Funding will be used to redesign a bachelor's-level nursing gerontology course, including simulation technology; to fully integrate a gerontological thread across the new Master of Science in Nursing program; to pay for salaries and faculty release-time needed to establish the program; and to provide portable equipment needed to assess and educate senior-citizen participants in their homes. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Higher Education, Title: Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Schnecksville, PA for purchase of equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Address of Requesting Entity: 4500 Education Park Drive, Schnecksville, PA 18078, Description of Request: This initiative will address the critical workforce shortage of diesel technicians and tractor trailer drivers by enhancing the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute's technological and instructional capabilities. Digital instructional technology investments will enhance distance learning opportunities, interactive simulator training, and vehicle repair and driver training. This initiative will allow LCTI to develop their technological capabilities to include high speed network connections to facilitate distance learning, thin client servers and computer stations, category six network cable, digital web cameras, wireless connectivity, monitors, interactive whiteboards and software. Additionally, the funding will allow secondary and postsecondary instructors at LCTI to learn the most recent repair procedures and logistics operations. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services, Title: HCSC Blood Center, Bethlehem, PA for facilities and equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: HCSC (Miller-Keystone) Blood Center, Address of Requesting Entity: 1465 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA 18017, Description of Request: Funding will support renovations of the Miller-Keystone Blood Center's main laboratory and collection facility. The Miller-Keystone Blood Center is the only supplier of blood products to the hospitals in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Southern Luzerne, Upper Bucks and Upper Montgomery (PA), and Warren (NJ) counties. Donated blood is tested for safety and efficacy and processed into blood products for patient care at the laboratory prior to being transported to 17 local hospitals and other health care providers. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services, Title: Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA for purchase of equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sacred Heart Hospital of Allentown, Address of Requesting Entity: 421 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18102, Description of Request: This project will support the purchase of operating room equipment essential for treatment and service for Hospital patients. Specifically, funding will be used to purchase an eye microscope for cataract surgeries, a micro drill for orthopedic cases, an ECT monitor for treatment of clinical depression, two electric operating room beds, and a Glidescope for anesthesia for intubations on children and older adults. Sacred Heart Hospital is a 226-bed, acute care teaching hospital in the City of Allentown. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services, Title: St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, Allentown, PA for purchase of equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, Address of Requesting Entity: 1736 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18104, Description of Request: Funding will be used to purchase equipment for a new technologically advanced Operating Suite that is part of a $75 million hospital expansion project in the City of Allentown. The Operating Suite is part of an expansion project to increase hospital services that will allow St. Luke's to meet growing patient needs and improve support service areas. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)--Substance Abuse Treatment, Title: Treatment Trends, Inc., Allentown, PA for a substance abuse treatment initiative, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Treatment Trends, Inc., Address of Requesting Entity: 18-22 South Sixth Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: The project will enable the implementation of a community-based drug and alcohol addiction and PTSD treatment center dedicated to serving Veterans and their families. Unfortunately, Veterans returning from combat are at great risk to abuse drugs and alcohol as a means to cope with their experiences. Additionally, many Veterans suffer from the effects of PTSD, which are compounded by substance abuse. The program is designed to provide long-term addiction treatment, specialize in the treatment of PTSD, and assist Veterans and their families by intervening in periods of acute distress. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Buses and Bus Facilities, Title: Bus Purchase, LANTA, PA, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, Address of Requesting Entity: 1060 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA 18103, Description of Request: The project will support the purchase of five heavy-duty transit buses, which will improve and expand public transportation services throughout the Lehigh Valley region. The Authority's existing fleet of 78 buses must be expanded to continue LANTA's successful development efforts, which has recently seen a 65 percent increase in transit usage. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Surface Transportation Priorities, Title: Realignment and Intersection Improvements on PA Route 248, Bath, PA, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Address of Requesting Entity: 1002 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: This project will provide realignment and intersection improvements on PA Route 248 in the Borough of Bath, PA. This project will better align existing streets in the Borough with PA Route 248 and PA Route 512, which have become major thoroughfares for the area's growing population. These improvements will help alleviate congestion and enhance safety on increasingly critical roads. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Transportation, Community and System Preservation, Title: Old Allentown Streetscape Improvements, PA, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Allentown, Address of Requesting Entity: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: The project will provide streetscape improvements for an urban historic district within the City of Allentown that is experiencing infrastructure deterioration. Improvements will include curbing and sidewalk replacement and the installation of decorative street lighting, trees, new ADA compliant handicap ramps, and street pace for improved safety at busy crosswalks. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Economic Development Initiative, Title: Renovation of a warehouse into a modern facility that will provide services in health, education, social services and community development, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Casa Guadalupe Center, Address of Requesting Entity: 143 Linden Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: The project will revitalize a neighborhood warehouse into a modern facility that will provide services in health, education, social services and community development. The renovated warehouse will become a community building that will combine recreation, community activities, employment training for young adults and a health clinic for uninsured or underinsured individuals. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Economic Development Initiative, Title: Establishment of a facility designed to offer specialized therapy and counseling services to children and their families, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Children's Home of Easton, Address of Requesting Entity: 2000 South 25th Street, Easton, PA 18042, Description of Request: The project will allow for the construction of a 1,600 square foot facility designed to offer specialized therapy and counseling services to youth ages 9 to 21 and their families. This will facilitate the Children's Home of Easton's effort to consolidate various locations into one centralized site while expanding services. The Center will include 2 therapy rooms for clinical staff, a family lounge, an activity area and a landscaped courtyard. Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Economic Development Initiative, Title: Renovation of the Bethlehem YMCA's dormitory, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: YMCA of Bethlehem, Address of Requesting Entity: 430 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, Description of Request: The project will renovate the Bethlehem YMCA's 60-year-old dormitory creating Bethlehem YMCA Affordable Housing, LLP. This facility will provide safe and affordable housing for low-income, homeless and the working poor men and women. Additionally, the Bethlehem YMCA project will create a blend of single room occupancy units and efficiency apartments, employ an onsite case manager and provide both on and off site services geared towards enriching the lives of its residents by not only providing a place to stay but means to achieve greater independence.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I just rise today to express my disappointment with the fact that we are operating under a closed rule. I appreciate the fact that we are going to eliminate the pay raise, I think that's appropriate, and I commend everybody involved with that. We should not be getting a raise at a time like this. But ordinarily we operate under what's called an open rule so that we have the opportunity to offer amendments to appropriations measures, that is our custom. And I'm very disappointed that we're not allowed to do that. We all talk about bipartisanship, as we should, and we should try to work for bipartisan legislation. In fact, the President just the other day said something to the effect that the majority needs to be inclusive and the minority needs to be constructive. I agree. And in that spirit, I offered an amendment to the Rules Committee yesterday that would have limited the increase in spending in this legislation to the rate of inflation at 3.8 percent. It was rejected on a party line vote. I think it would have been most appropriate. Again, that amendment was substantive, it was constructive, and would have benefited the American taxpayer. I understand that we have an obligation to govern, that we must pass appropriations bills to fund the government; that is important and that's something we must do. But the fact that we're operating under this closed rule process, though, again, shuts so many people out of the process. It is unfair, it's unreasonable, it is not bipartisan, and I think we should heed President Obama's voice, that the minority should be constructive and the majority should be inclusive. And that is not what is occurring with respect to this Omnibus Appropriations Act. I am disappointed. And like others, I intend to vote for the rule because it will eliminate the pay raise, so that's a good thing; but again, we need to get back to regular order.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor American veterans who fought in the most pivotal conflict of World War II; the Battle of the Ardennes, more commonly referred to as the Battle of the Bulge. Specifically, I rise to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the many courageous veterans, family members and supporters of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, based in my district. Next month marks the 64th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Bulge. At 5:30 a.m. on December 16, 1944, over 250,000 German troops launched a massive offensive against Allied forces along an 85 mile stretch of Europe's Western Front in the Ardennes region of Belgium, Luxembourg and France. Initially, German forces were able to advance approximately 50 miles into terrain controlled by Allied armies, but by late January 1945, American units had reclaimed the lost territory and effectively crippled the German Army. While the Battle of the Bulge was the largest and most pivotal land battle of World War II involving American soldiers, it also proved to be the bloodiest. When the conflict ended on January 25, 1945, roughly 75,000 American troops had lost their lives defending the vital Western Front and thousands more were left terribly injured. The sacrifices of these servicemen and all those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge were not made in vain, as the U.S. Army's expulsion of German forces from Ardennes damaged the German Army to the extent that its full defeat became inevitable. Ten years ago, a group of motivated veterans in my district established the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. Today, the membership of this group extends far beyond veterans of the Battle of the Bugle to include veterans of more recent conflicts like the Vietnam war, spouses, family members, friends and even local residents who share the group's interest in American military history. The Chapter meets the third Tuesday of every month at the Terrace Restaurant in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, to socialize, share memories and discuss upcoming community events. Typically, these meetings attract anywhere from 75 to 100 enthusiasts. One of the primary functions of the organization is to educate local students and residents. Members routinely visit schools throughout the Lehigh Valley to discuss the importance of the Battle of the Bulge and teach students about the great sacrifices made by thousands of American soldiers over time to preserve our freedom. The Chapter estimates its education program has reached over 50,000 students since its inception. December 16, 2008, represents 64 years since the start of the famous Battle of the Bulge. On this date, members of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge will gather at 5:30 a.m. in two locations in my district to recognize the anniversary of this historic event and remember the many Americans who lost their lives ensuring Allied victory in World War II. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and thanking all members of the Armed Forces for their brave service to our country.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Gloria Davis, for a lifetime of musical and theatrical accomplishments. The child of Italian immigrants, Gloria was born to Anthony and Anna Pacchioli in Easton, Pennsylvania and has lived in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley most of her life. She married Irwin Davis, who ran Dave's Luncheonette in Allentown for 36 years. Gloria and Irwin raised two children, Shari and Robert, who would go on to bless them with four grandchildren, Patrick, Lauren, Brandon, and Becca. Gloria studied singing at Juilliard and spent years touring the United States. As the first female musical director and orchestral conductor in the Lehigh Valley area, Ms. Davis put on thirty musicals, including Hair, George M. Cohen, Stop the World I Want to Get Off, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, Oliver, No No Nanette, Hello Dolly, and La Cage Aux Folles and many others. Gloria shared her voice with the world, touring across Europe from 1946 to 1948. During the 1950's, she actively supported our men and women in uniform, participating in three professional USO tours to entertain the troops in Asia and the South Pacific. Gloria has taught voice lessons to amateur and professional singers alike for over forty years, and she continues to coach aspiring singers to this day. Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to Gloria Davis for all her work bringing music to the Lehigh Valley, the United States, and the world. She has made our community extremely proud.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Thank you, Congressman English, for organizing this special order tonight in recognition of our good friend, John Peterson. He has been certainly an extraordinary Member of Congress, a real character, and just been a good friend to so many. John is one of those people who really makes this Congress a very special place. He does represent the Fifth District, as has been discussed tonight. I wanted to wish him and his wife, Sandy, well. This happens to be the anniversary of their wedding this weekend, so I wish both John and Sandy Peterson all the best on this anniversary weekend for them. You know, I first met John Peterson back in 1991 when I was first sworn in to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. John was a State senator, and I was just a freshman in the State House; and John was always very kind to me. He would take time out of his busy life to mentor me, to talk to me about issues, just to be a good friend. And I always appreciated that about John. And John, too, in Washington, perhaps, is best known for his advocacy on the issue of Outer Coaster Shelf exploration for energy. What a lot of people don't know, who've probably listened to John Peterson over the years, he talked about that issue about American exploration for energy when it, perhaps, wasn't as popular. But he would come down with charts and talk about the need to produce energy in America. And what a lot of people don't know about John Peterson is that he represents much of northwestern Pennsylvania, a very large, rural district. And in that district is a town called Titusville where oil was first discovered by Colonel Drake. And so John was passionate on this issue of oil and gas exploration. It was something that he brought to this floor. He did a lot to educate many of us, many Members, about the situation in this country with respect to natural gas, especially. John would talk about it and talk about the need for us to develop more of our resources and how this is impacting America's manufacturers, particularly Pennsylvania's manufacturers. And he was just passionate about it. And of course during this Congress, that issue of American energy exploration, the Outer Coastal Shelf, is one that has really taken a very high profile. And I know that John, because of his leadership in part, is why we saw the moratorium on OCS drilling lifted just recently, and I think that's a great accomplishment for John. Also, too, he was one of the more tenacious Members I have ever met, and I met him in Harrisburg. He would take up an issue, and there was no one who was more fierce for his cause than John Peterson. And we saw that this year with respect to the tolling, proposed tolling for Interstate 80. John was, as many of us know in Pennsylvania, rather upset about the proposal. And he just really took to the public airwaves and made his case. And, of course, that proposal was not adopted by the Federal Highway Administrator. So that was an issue that was one where John had taken a strong leadership position and came out successful, just as he did recently on the issue of Outer Coastal Shelf exploration. So John Peterson has actually had quite a good year. Such a good year that I have teased him at times, ``Are you sure you want to retire now? You're doing so well around here. This is probably not the time for you to leave.'' But John, as you know, is a dedicated public servant, a devoted family man, and I think he wants to spend more time with his family. I know I will miss him here. As I said, he's a great friend to me. I've known him since our legislative days in Harrisburg. I, again, want to thank John Peterson for his advocacy, for his friendship, for his leadership on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, northwestern Pennsylvania in particular, and also for his support and leadership for all the American people.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I submit the following for the Record: Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Operation and Maintenance, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ProModel Corporation. Address of Requesting Entity: 7540 Windsor Drive, Suite 300, Allentown, PA 18195. Description of Request: $2,000,000 is included to accelerate the deployment and enhance the current capabilities of the ProModel Army Force Generation Synchronization Tool (AST). This technology enables the Army to capture the Army Force Generation Model (ARFORGEN) process in software, providing decision makers the ability to rapidly create Courses of Action and predict the impact of their decisions on key metrics such as Dwell and Boots on Ground. The ability through automation to run ``what ifs'' to assess risk on readiness is recognized as a key priority for the Army and Joint Forces. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18195. Description of Request: $3,200,000 for Ballistic Armor Research to evaluate the emerging role of polymers as an active and/or passive component of armor systems will enable the next generation of protection for military personnel. While the federal government has supported the installation of new armor systems, materials selection remains limited, and the fundamental understanding of how to improve system performance and quickly deploy new armor systems in the field is not well developed. This project partners industry with a strategic university to conduct research under the leadership of the U.S. Army Research Lab to develop polymers and materials that will provide functional armor solutions to DOD. Army programs will directly benefit from the research through its ability to rapidly screen materials and determine their protection value, and understand how materials undergo physical and chemical changes during blast and impact. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Edmund Optics, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 601 Montgomery Avenue, Pennsburg, PA 18073. Description of Request: $2,320,000 is included to advance Precision Molding Manufacturing Technology for Infrared Aspheric Optics. Infrared imaging technology is integrated in missile guidance, airborne reconnaissance, and situation awareness for soldiers, police, and fire fighters. It presents the only viable solution for sight in total darkness, dense fog and smoke. This technology enables the armed forces to detect and identify threats, then engage and defeat the enemy at a safe distance. Production techniques for aspheric optics have limitations, as current solutions are either low-cost or high- performance but not both. Similarly, aspheres in thermal applications are produced using expensive machining techniques and costly raw materials. Molding, an alternative production technique, is the only feasible means to generate cost-effective precision infrared aspheric lenses. It is critical to shift infrared optics production from expensive machining to cost-effective precision molding. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Defense Wide. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lehigh University. Address of Requesting Entity: 27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Description of Request: $1,600,000 for Document Analysis and Exploitation to develop and disseminate efficient technologies to extract information of importance from scanned document images regardless of the condition of the document and across a variety of key languages. As part of DARPA's newly-initiated MADCAT program (Multilingual Automatic Document Classification Analysis and Translation), new document analysis techniques and systems focused on processing Arabic handwriting are being developed. Currently, resources are underutilized because many documents exist only in hardcopy form and are often written in a foreign language using a non-Roman-script such as Arabic, Chinese (Kanji) or Korean (Hangul). This project will reduce errors in translation, help identify which documents need to be reviewed, and clear the massive backlog of captured documents from Iraq and Afghanistan that may have intelligence value. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Navy. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Engineered Pump Division. Address of Requesting Entity: 222 Cameron Drive, Suite 200, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Description of Request: $1,000,000 for the Landing Craft Composite Lift Fan project which will support design, development and domestic manufacture of prototype composite material lift fans for application on current and next generation Navy landing craft vessels. This initiative addresses a persistent problem the Navy has been having with current generation metal lift fans, which are now replaced on average about every 2-4 months due to corrosion, wear and tear. Utilization of this composite material technology in current and future generation landing craft lift fans would result in maintenance savings and will increase the ship availability, critical in an ever-decreasing fleet budget. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Neuromonics, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 2810 Emrick Boulevard, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Description of Request: $1,000,000 is included to support the Chronic Tinnitus Treatment Program, a breakthrough tinnitus treatment device (patented, FDA-cleared, and non-military clinically-tested) and program that is designed to interact, interrupt, and desensitize tinnitus disturbance for long-term benefit, especially in those suffering with chronic and severe tinnitus. The treatment program combines the use of acoustic stimulation with a structured program of counseling. The Army reports that tinnitus is among the top medical complaints of soldiers returning from OIF/OEF, particularly given the high incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury/mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI/mTBI). Until recently, no effective treatment program has existed to help individuals suffering with the effects of tinnitus. This funding will allow military researchers to implement the chronic tinnitus treatment program and develop important baseline data to determine the effectiveness, usefulness, and long-term benefit of the program for military servicemembers suffering with tinnitus. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: International Battery, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 6845 Snowdrift Road, Allentown, PA 18106. Description of Request: $2,400,000 is included for the Lithium Ion Battery Exchange Program to demonstrate the increased capability of the Lithium Ion 6TLi Battery as opposed to the current lead acid battery in the Army Theater of Operation. The 6TLi Battery Exchange Program will provide added capability of four times the energy, half the weight, a significantly longer life and enhanced combat readiness as compared to the current lead acid battery. The 6TLi battery has been engineered to the same dimensions of the current lead acid battery, allowing soldiers in the field to perform seemless exchanges. Additionally, the battery provides no hazardous material such as lead or acid, which limits major disposal charges.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, the American people believe that Washington, DC, is broken. And this process and this legislation that we are considering today is proof positive of why Washington and this Congress is broken. The American people expect some bipartisanship on this energy issue. My colleague, John Peterson of Pennsylvania, just discussed a bipartisan proposal. Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii, a Democrat, and John Peterson of Pennsylvania have put together a good bipartisan compromise that we should be considering as part of this discussion today. It will advance American energy and American energy jobs. The bill we're dealing with today says no nuclear, no clean coal--and I'm from Pennsylvania; we care about that. And there's really no oil and gas. That really limits our options as a nation. We want to create American energy jobs, and we want to use the revenues to transition to alternative and renewable energy as well as conserve and realize efficiencies. The American people expect better. They expect bipartisanship. And what we are considering here today, unfortunately, does not meet that test.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. I've heard the same thing, and I believe that reference is to some of the vast oil shale reserves out in the Rocky Mountain West. But I know in terms of coal, it's estimated that we have about 250 years' worth of coal supply, assuming we're consuming at the current levels. What I did want to say, though, is coal is responsible for 50 percent of the electricity generated in the United States. Nuclear energy is responsible for about 20 percent. Natural gas for another 20 percent. I'm up to 90 percent. There's a little bit of other. Petroleum, hydroelectric takes a fair amount. Solar and wind I think account for about 1 percent. But unfortunately, while I strongly support solar, wind, geothermal and other renewables, I also know there are too many people in this Congress that, though renewables account for 1 percent of our source, it accounts for 100 percent of their talking points. The truth is we know we're going to need coal. We need to clean it up. Clean coal technology, there's a lot of interesting, carbon capture, storage sequestration going on out there. We need to develop that technology. I think we all understand, too, that if we want to lower carbon emissions in America we're going to need to expand nuclear energy. But again, many people in this building are opposed to coal technology. They're opposed to nuclear. They're opposed to drilling for gas and oil where those resources may actually be. So that really limits our options as a Nation. We have to get to work. Everybody knows it. And this is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue. This is an American issue. The American people are pragmatic. They want us to solve the problem. I'll be the first to tell you, you know, our critics, the critics of the Republican Party will say that Republicans are too focused on production and supply. Critics of the Democrats will say that they're too focused on conservation and efficiency. The truth is we must do both, and I'll be the first to tell you that we can't drill our way out of this problem, but drilling is most assuredly part of the solution, just as conservation is part of the solution, and neither can you conserve your way out of the problem. So we need people to be pragmatic, come down here and support something reasonable. The American Energy Act about which we've been speaking tonight is a good piece of legislation. It deals with all of the above, the alternatives, renewables, transitions to the future, as well as traditional sources of energy, conservation, efficiency. There's another bill out there, the Peterson-Abercrombie bill, which is a genuine bipartisan bill that there's a lot in there I like and there's some things I'm not particularly crazy about, but I would support that bill. I'm a cosponsor of it. In the name of compromise, I'm willing to support legislation that will advance this discussion and actually, more importantly, advance America's energy security. At the end of the day, the American people want us to become less dependent on unstable parts of the world for fossil fuel. I think you and I agree to that, but it's going to require leaders to say, yes, take an affirmative approach to energy. But as you know, too many people here are not willing to do that, and I have to lay the blame at the doorstep of the Speaker of the House. I thank Ms. Foxx, my classmate, for allowing me to speak on this important issue.

Mr. DENT. I'd like to thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for her leadership on this very important issue. Mr. Speaker, I feel it's very important that as with Members of Congress we lead, and there are a lot of things that the Congress would like to do, need to do, but there's one thing that we must do, and that is fund the Federal Government. I think it is a dereliction of duty on the part of this Speaker of the House and this Congress that this Congress has failed, has failed to deal with the various spending bills, the appropriations bills to fund the government. The reason why this Congress is not dealing with these appropriations bills is because there is fear, fear that some Member of the House, some impertinent Member, maybe a Republican Member, maybe a Democratic Member, will stand up on this floor and offer an amendment to provide for additional American energy production from traditional sources. So we're not dealing with the most important business of Congress, which is to fund the government because there is fear to deal with the energy issue, and I think it is unrealistic and unfair that there are people in this House who, for whatever reasons, oppose traditional sources of energy. Everybody here supports alternative renewable fuels, but we also know we need to deal with the here and the now. I come from a State, Pennsylvania, where we are rich in coal resources, where oil was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania, by Colonel Drake some time ago. We have tremendous natural gas reserves. My State has been part of the energy solution for this Nation for a very long time and will continue to be.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this legislation, H.R. 2176, which consolidates two bills that promote off-reservation tribal gambling. Why is a guy from Pennsylvania talking about this issue today? Well, this bill sends a signal that reservation shopping, under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, IGRA, is okay. Well, it's not okay, and it is out of control. The bill before us today would create Indian governmental entities, tribal casinos, on lands that are more than 300 miles from the homelands of these tribes. Creating a far-flung string of casinos on lands with no connection to the tribe's heritage was not the intent of IGRA. Establishing these off-reservation casinos has absolutely nothing to do with the preservation of Indian culture. It is about money, pure and simple. Twenty years ago, before IGRA, there were no tribal casinos in this country. Now there are more than 400, and tribal gambling is currently a $19 billion a year business. That is precisely the reason why I introduced H.R. 2562, the Limitation of Tribal Gambling to Existing Tribal Lands Act of 2007, which would preclude new casino development on lands that are taken into trust as part of a settlement of a land claim. That bill was inspired by efforts of a tribe, located more than 900 miles from Pennsylvania, to force homeowners and business owners in my district off their properties, just so yet another tribal casino could be built, all based on a 1737 land conveyance, all designed to displace 25 homeowners, a crayon factory--Crayola crayon, we all know the product-- and many other businesses. And, with respect to the Abramoff comments that I have heard, I'll be the first to acknowledge that, as to Mr. Abramoff's actions, he did take advantage of the tribes, but it was the tribal gambling issue that was the source of the corruption. And I think the proper vote is a ``no'' vote on this legislation. Again, for those of us who have had to deal with these off- reservation shopping issues, it's very painful for the homeowners, as much as when the Supreme Court went along. Defeat the bill.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I would just like to confirm with the majority whether they have any additional speakers at this time.

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Chairman Thompson and Chairman Oberstar and Chairman Cuellar, for their bipartisan support and leadership on this important issue in helping us move this legislation forward. I also want to point out that I had a few interesting experiences on the border with Chairman Cuellar. I visited Laredo, Texas, on two separate occasions with him, and I looked at what our Border Patrol was up to. I noticed there was a lack of aviation assets. In fact, Chairman Cuellar and I had a rather exciting visit on a helicopter in Laredo, Texas, and we got a good look at the border areas, and witnessed the lack of aviation assets on that border. And so that certainly helped inspire this legislation. Also, I'd like to point out too that there are a lot of good ideas that come from places other than Washington, D.C. When I was back in my district some time ago I remember a constituent of mine named David Miller, who is an octogenarian; he served during the Second World War, a pilot. He said to me, he talked about the use of the Civil Air Patrol during the Second World War and suggested, why don't you get them more engaged for various homeland security initiatives, particularly border security? I thought it sounded like a reasonable idea, and I looked into it and, of course, that's why we're here today dealing with legislation to further examine this very important issue. I thank David Miller for his foresight, just being a good citizen and making recommendations to his elected representative. Also I would like to point out another former member, Lester Wolf of New York, had also been a strong advocate of greater utilization of the Civil Air Patrol. He served in, I think, the Long Island area of New York and was quite strong on this need for this type of legislation. As well as a man named Bob Minert who is the executive director of the Pennsylvania wing of the Civil Air Patrol. Again, I want to thank all of them for their interest and leadership and helping get us to where we are today. I would just like to say that the GAO study that this legislation requires will help Congress assess the current capabilities of the Civil Air Patrol to assist the Federal Government and our State and local partners in conducting homeland security missions. The review will help us determine whether the current mechanisms to utilize the Civil Air Patrol as a force multiplier in various missions, including search and rescue and border security, are sufficient to meet today's needs. As we saw after September 11 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, in a catastrophic event, this country must be able to dramatically increase the number of response assets, while ensuring that Federal, State and local resources are well coordinated. By examining how various resources like the Civil Air Patrol may contribute to a mission prior to an event, we will help strengthen our Nation's security and resiliency. I would like to thank everybody involved with this legislation, all my colleagues, and the 56 co-sponsors of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help to strengthen the performance of Homeland Security missions in the Department of Homeland Security. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I do rise today to support H.R. 1333, the Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Act of 2007. And this legislation, which I introduced on March 6, 2007, has the bipartisan support of 56 Members of Congress. I would first like to thank our good friend and colleague, Chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, as well as Ranking Member Pete King of the Homeland Security Committee, as well as Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their cooperation and support in bringing this legislation to the floor today. I also want to especially thank the subcommittee chairman, Henry Cuellar, who chairs the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response on which I serve as the ranking member for his support of this legislation throughout this process and throughout this 110th Congress. I want to thank Chairman Cuellar especially. H.R. 1333, as amended, would require the Government Accountability Office, the GAO, to conduct an expansive review to determine how the Civil Air Patrol may be used to support the homeland security missions of State, local and tribal governments, and the Department of Homeland Security. Specifically, the GAO will review how the Civil Air Patrol may provide aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities for border security; assist in damage assessments and situational awareness; search and rescue operations, evacuations and the transport of time- sensitive medical or other materials; or perform any other activities as determined by the GAO. This review will provide greater information regarding the cost- effectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets for homeland security purposes at all levels of government. It will also help us understand whether the current process for States and the Federal Government to request Civil Air Patrol assistance is overly bureaucratic, limiting the effectiveness of this important resource in times of crisis. Aviation assets have traditionally played an important role in border security, the interdiction of contraband, search and rescue operations, evacuations, and after-action analyses that must be performed in the wake of a catastrophic event. A Civil Air Patrol force of 57,000 volunteers and 500 planes across the country stands ready to assist in those important missions. The Civil Air Patrol has a long history of service to this Nation. The organization was founded at the outbreak of the Second World War, during which it served as a vital watchdog along the coastlines of America, protecting us from the threat of German U-boats that patrolled our shores. They even engaged U-boats during that war as well, sinking a few. Since then, the Civil Air Patrol has regularly assisted States in search and rescue operations and emergency response. The Civil Air Patrol indicates that it would welcome the opportunity to play an expanded role in homeland security operations, as that role would be defined by the Comptroller General, the Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Congress. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and help ensure that we are effectively utilizing all available resources for responses to catastrophic events. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the drive-in theater. On June 6, 1933, Richard Hollingshead, Jr., opened the first drive-in theater in the United States in Camden, New Jersey. Hollingshead's vision of enabling Americans to view movies from the comfort of their spacious cars was mastered through trials on his own driveway where he nailed a bed sheet between two trees and placed a film projector on the hood of his car. From its simple origins, Hollingshead's concept would transform the movie industry and later become a lasting icon of Americana. Today, there are close to 400 drive-in theaters operating 650 screens in 47 States across the Nation. As summer approaches and evenings become warmer, thousands of families, couples, and groups of friends will gather at drive-ins to enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters on the largest movie screens in the theater industry. Throughout the U.S., moviegoers are rediscovering the pleasures of the all-American drive-in experience, which often includes dining on classic American foods and beverages. My district in eastern Pennsylvania is home to the famous Shankweiler's Drive-In Theater built in 1934. It is the oldest operating theater in the United States. Every summer, many of my constituents flock to local drive-ins like Shankweiler's for an evening. I ask my colleagues to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the drive-in theater and I encourage all Americans to rediscover their local theaters.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 5658. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Operation and Maintenance, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ProModel Corporation. Address of Requesting Entity: 7540 Windsor Drive, Allentown, PA 18195. Description of Request: $2,000,000 is included to accelerate the deployment and enhance the current capabilities of the ProModel Army Force Generation Synchronization Tool (AST). This technology enables the Army to capture the Army Force Generation Model (ARFORGEN) process in software, providing decision makers the ability to rapidly create Courses of Action and predict the impact of their decisions on key metrics such as Dwell and Boots on Ground. The ability through automation to run ``what ifs'' to assess risk on readiness is recognized as a key priority for the Army and Joint Forces. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Neuromonics, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 2810 Emrick Boulevard, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Description of Request: $3,700,000 is included to support the Chronic Tinnitus Treatment Program--a breakthrough tinnitus treatment device (patented, FDA-cleared, and non-military clinically-tested) and program that is designed to interact, interrupt, and desensitize tinnitus disturbance for long-term benefit, especially in those suffering with chronic and severe tinnitus. The treatment program combines the use of acoustic stimulation with a structured program of counseling. The Army reports that tinnitus is among the top medical complaints of soldiers returning from OIF/OEF, particularly given the high incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury/mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI/mTBI). Until recently, no effective treatment program has existed to help individuals suffering with the effects of tinnitus. This funding will allow military researchers to implement the chronic tinnitus treatment program and develop important baseline data to determine the effectiveness, usefulness, and long-term benefit of the program for military servicemembers suffering with tinnitus. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Air Force. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Morgan Advanced Ceramics, Inc.-- Diamonex Products Division. Address of Requesting Entity: 7331 William Avenue, Allentown, PA 18106. Description of Request: $ 1,000,000 is included to develop High Temperature, High Energy-Density Capacitors by Stacked or Multilayer CVD Processes which will scale up capacitor manufacturing capability. Capacitors are a pervasive technology in military and commercial applications. Millions are currently used in military systems and often fail due to increasing environmental temperatures and low reliability. Improved capacitor performance and smaller size have been the focus of research in diamond-like carbon (DLC) dielectrics by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Morgan Advanced Ceramics has developed and tested proprietary dielectric, thin film coatings that have demonstrated the required dielectric properties. The technology utilizes semiconductor processing to produce multilayer capacitors that are 4 to 10 times smaller and lighter than the polymer-based capacitors currently in use by the military. Requesting Member: Congressman Charles W. Dent. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Edmund Optics, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 601 Montgomery Avenue. Pennsburg, PA 18073. Description of Request: $2,900.000 is included to advance Precision Molding Manufacturing Technology for InfraRed Aspheric Optics. Infrared imaging technology is integrated in missile guidance, airborne reconnaissance, and situation awareness for soldiers, police, and firefighters. It presents the only viable solution for sight in total darkness, dense fog and smoke. This technology enables the armed forces to detect and identify threats, then engage and defeat the enemy at a safe distance. Production techniques for aspheric optics have limitations, as current solutions are either low-cost or high- performance but not both. Similarly, aspheres in thermal applications are produced using expensive machining techniques and costly raw materials. Molding, an alternative production technique, is the only feasible means to generate cost-effective precision infrared aspheric lenses. It is critical to shift infrared optics production from expensive machining to cost-effective precision molding.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, like my colleague just before me. The State of Israel has held out the promise of hope for many who have endured centuries of oppression. It was established by those who sought peace, but has had to endure perpetual conflict. From the date of its inception, Israel's neighbors declared war upon the country and attempted to destroy it. Two major wars erupted after the initial conflict of 1948, and even today it must suffer through terrorist attacks orchestrated by those who continue to deny its right to exist. And yet Israel endures and it flourishes. It has made its part of the desert bloom. It is a model of democracy that the rest of that region would do well to emulate, and it has been a great partner to us in the war on terror, cooperating with us on homeland security matters so that we can be better prepared to counter the kinds of attacks that the Israelis have had to endure for three generations. I've had the privilege of visiting Israel on two separate occasions, experiences that I will never forget. And to Israel I say, ``Le Chaim.''

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, fighting crime is an issue that is important to most Americans. That is because it is an issue that has a tremendous impact on a community's quality of life. I think most Members of Congress recognize this simple fact. However, this Congress needs to take action in order to address this problem. On our side of the aisle, we've tried to do our part. Republicans have offered some 100 bills to help fight crime, but so far, only three have been considered on this floor. These legislative efforts should not be piecemeal, but should instead be part of a grand strategy, to wit: we need to aggressively target those individuals who are responsible for promoting criminal activity in our society. Our focus should not be on promoting efforts to decriminalize certain drugs, but instead on targeting and jailing drug dealers. Our focus should not be on protecting the rights of criminals, but instead on protecting the rights of their child victims. More needs to be done, for example, to combat the scourge of predators who stalk young people over the Internet. Finally, our focus should not only be on adult offenders, but on youthful ones as well. Gang members, some of whom are as young as 12 and 13, and we see intergenerational gangs as well, are extorting money, dealing drugs, and committing acts of violence. They need to be stopped, and that is where my bill, H.R. 3157, the Anti-Gang Task Force Act of 2007, comes into play. H.R. 3157 will help our local law enforcement communities combat the scourge of gang violence. It authorizes $20 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011 to establish new multijurisdictional anti-gang task forces, bringing together State and local prosecutors with Federal officials from the FBI, DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, DHS, and others. Gangs are mobile, and they often cross jurisdictional lines in order to facilitate the dealing of drugs or to avoid detection by local law enforcement authorities. Thus, a multijurisdictional approach is clearly necessary in order to stop the proliferation of gang violence and gang activity. My district encompasses a good portion of what is called the Route 222 corridor. This corridor bisects five cites--Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, Reading and Lancaster--located in four southeastern Pennsylvania counties. It is uniquely situated in that it is linked directly to New York City, approximately 80 miles away via Interstate 78 and through other easily accessible roads, including Route 222 to Philadelphia, which is 60 miles to the southeast. So gang violence along the Route 222 corridor, primarily involving drug trafficking and armed robberies, dates back more than a decade and has been a chronic problem affecting each of the five cities within this corridor. The roadways that have allowed commerce to thrive in the region have also strongly benefited the gangs, who can move between the cities with relative ease, thereby making their operations much more difficult to detect and to track. As a result, the 222 corridor has been plagued by gang activity. Fortunately, we're not standing idly by and letting the gangs take over. The Route 222 corridor is one of six sites around the country that has received funds under the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. This Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative involves a cooperative law enforcement effort between the counties and cities along the corridor, and there have been some notable successes. First, there have been successful prosecutions of members of the Mafia El Don Gang, which has conspired to distribute more than 50 kilograms of cocaine in the Lehigh Valley. Meanwhile, two members of the 314 and a half Gang, allegedly responsible, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, for approximately 15 to 20 bank robberies in the Valley, have been indicted. In addition, the initiative is committing extensive resources to outreach of both at-risk youth and their parents in order to discourage young people from joining such gangs. And we have seen intergenerational gang activity in my community. The Congress would do well to emulate the efforts of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the local District Attorney's offices and law enforcement agencies that are working hard to fight the gang problem in my area. More than talk is required if we want to curb gang activity and end gang-related violence, we need action. That action should take the form of legislation, legislation that targets criminals, promotes Federal-State cooperation, and that comes from both sides of the aisle.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, while the music of Tom Petty, Sheryl Crow and Jimmy Buffett represent dramatically different styles, these three famous musicians and countless others throughout the world share one unique characteristic, they all play a Martin guitar. Founded in 1833, Martin Guitar Company is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2008. Headquartered in beautiful Nazareth, Pennsylvania, I'm very proud to have this remarkable business located in my district. The fascinating origins of Martin Guitar date back to the late 18th century, when the company's founder and namesake, Christian Frederick Martin, Sr., was born in Germany. The son of a prominent local cabinet maker, Martin traveled to Vienna, Austria at the age of 15 to apprentice with Johann Stauffer, a renowned guitar maker. After honing his craft in Austria, Martin returned to his native Germany to open his first shop, but became entangled in a bitter dispute between the local Cabinet Makers Guild and Violin Makers Guild. This clash ultimately drove Martin to emigrate to the United States in 1833, where he opened a shop in New York City's lower West Side. Six years after arriving in New York City, Martin moved his family and business to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where the shop flourished and evolved from a one-man operation into a company that employed over a dozen skilled craftsmen. In 1859, a plant was constructed on Maine and North Streets in the heart of Nazareth. Having undergone numerous expansions and modifications over time, this facility is still used by the company for shipping and storage. It also houses a retail supply store for instrument crafting and repair. In its 175-year existence, Martin Guitar Company has used innovation and foresight to survive many tumultuous periods of American history. The company actually flourished during the Civil War due, in part, to the simple fact that many guitars were destroyed during fighting and needed to be replaced. Later, in the 1890s, business boomed when Martin began producing mandolins that were widely popular among the growing number of Italian immigrants arriving in the United States from Europe. The company struck gold in the 1920s when the American public suddenly became captivated by the tiny ukulele. Spurred by the overwhelming sales of ukuleles, which at the time were being produced at nearly double the rate of traditional guitars, Martin was forced to expand the capacity of its Nazareth plant and substantially increase its workforce. The advent of the Great Depression in 1929 imposed incredible hardships on American households. While every industry in the Nation was impacted by the economic downturn, Martin found it exceptionally difficult to sell guitars and musical supplies to a public desperately trying to make ends meet. During the Depression, the company reluctantly abandoned aspirations for increasing sales and focused exclusively on economic survival. To avoid scaling back the already reeling workforce, Martin diversified its production and began manufacturing violin components and even wooden jewelry. Desperate for a concept to reinvigorate sales, the company explored numerous product modifications which ultimately led to two important developments, the creation of the now famous ``Dreadnought'' guitar, and the invention of the 14-Fret Guitar Neck, which today is an industry standard. From 1948 to 1970, the company experienced unprecedented growth due to post-war prosperity and the rise in popularity of American folk music. In 1955, a new, larger plant was built in Nazareth to help meet increasing demand, but by the early 1960s Martin guitars were back-ordered as much as 3 years. In 1990, the company formalized its long-standing ecological policy which embraced the responsible use of natural materials and promoted the use of sustainable yield, alternative wood varieties. Adopting such a progressive policy nearly 20 years ago has helped broaden the use of sustainable materials within the guitar industry over the last two decades and illustrates Martin's admirable dedication to responsible production. Martin's amazing longevity in a constantly changing industry is a true testament to the strength of the company's management and its commitment to crafting guitars of the highest quality. Mr. Speaker, the Martin Guitar Company has been a source of tremendous pride in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania for generations. Today, I rise to congratulate the Martin family and their many employees on 175 years of achievement. I wish them many, many more years of incredible success. We are extraordinarily proud of them.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pope Benedict to the United States for his first visit since becoming Pope in 2005. At this moment, the Pope is at the White House. This historic visit is a significant moment in history for our country, and an important opportunity for the 65 million American Catholics across the country to build a stronger rapport with their spiritual leader. For one of my constituents, my friend and neighbor, Dr. Brennan Pursell, the Pontiff's visit is particularly special. Although Dr. Pursell has never met the Pope, he shares an intimate connection with him. Dr. Pursell, a professor of history at DeSales University in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, has spent the past 3 years researching and writing about the upbringing, development, and motivations of Joseph Ratzinger, the man we know today as Pope Benedict. Dr. Pursell's book, ``Benedict of Bavaria, An Intimate Portrait of the Pope and his Homeland,'' tells the story of a gifted intellectual and spiritual man who has been shaped by the rich traditions of Bavarian culture and deep devotion to the Catholic faith. The portrait that Dr. Pursell paints in his book will help us all understand more about who the Pope is and what informs his perspectives. I commend my constituents, Dr. Pursell; his wife, Irmgard, who is a German national; their son, Benedict; and daughter, Elena, for their dedication and for Brennan's significant contribution to history and the Catholic faith in capturing the story of Benedict of Bavaria. I join with my constituents in warmly welcoming the Pope to our great country. I encourage everybody to take a look at this wonderful work ``Benedict of Bavaria'' by Dr. Brennan Pursell, my good friend and neighbor.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of the Morris Black and Sons, a renowned interior design business located within my district. Founded in 1908 by company namesake Morris Black, the business began as a horse and wagon team supplying contractors with construction needs including pipe, bricks, sand, cement and other masonry products. The company quickly grew as the Lehigh Valley became an industrial center, and by 1928, operated warehouses in Allentown and Bethlehem. In the 1930s, Morris was joined by his sons, Benjamin and Samuel in running the family business. Under this leadership, Morris Black continued to develop, and in 1943, became one of the first companies in the Nation to incorporate an insulation subcontracting business. A third generation of the Black family became associated with the company in the 1970s when Morris Black and Sons entered a period of rapid change. In the mid 1970s the company saw a growing interest in do-it-yourself remodeling and design. With the do-it-yourself trend on the horizon, Morris Black and Sons opened one of the first home design centers that marketed building products directly to active homeowners in 1976. Over time, the company has continued to expand, opening its first satellite location in 1999 and the second in 2000, and has developed a strong reputation for quality throughout eastern Pennsylvania. This Saturday the family marks its 100th anniversary. I wish the entire Morris Black family and company a healthy congratulations.