Charles Dent

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I yield 1 minute to my friend from Oregon (Mr. Wu).

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of the Hepatitis B Foundation, which is located in my state of Pennsylvania, as well as all the groups involved in the ``AIM for the B'' campaign which seeks to raise awareness for chronic hepatitis B. The ``AIM for the B'' campaign has been working over the past 3 years to encourage communities most impacted by the chronic hepatitis B virus, including Asian Americans, to seek treatment for the disease, and to prioritize the disease as a serious health issue in the U.S. and I commend them for this noble goal. In the United States, approximately one out of every 10 Asian Americans is chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, resulting in more than half of the chronic hepatitis B cases and half of the deaths resulting from chronic hepatitis B infection. Today, only a small percentage of diagnosed chronic hepatitis B patients are being actively managed for their disease. Every year, approximately one million people worldwide die from chronic hepatitis B because they are diagnosed past the point where medical care and intervention can be effective. In December, I, along with Congressman Mike Honda, introduced H.R. 4550, the National Hepatitis B Act, which included strategies for expanded vaccination programs, primary and secondary preventive education and training, surveillance and early detection, and research. I want to thank Congressman Honda for his tireless efforts on behalf of this issue and my 21 colleagues who have already recognized the importance of this legislation and are currently cosponsors of this bill. I encourage my colleagues to be a part of the solution to this terrible and silent disease and sign on to co-sponsor this important legislation. Today, Congressman Honda and I along with representatives from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), patient advocacy organizations, physicians and patients joined together at a Congressional Briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the ``AIM for the B'' campaign to kick off National Hepatitis B Awareness Week. The week will educate communities, patients and families about chronic hepatitis B through events held across the country. The briefing was designed to increase knowledge of chronic hepatitis B as a serious health issue in the United States and to emphasize the importance of increasing diagnosis, screening and treatment. The briefing allowed us to communicate the potential consequences of chronic hepatitis B and to lay out actions needed to increase treatment rates for this extremely infectious disease. I want to take this opportunity to especially recognize the Hepatitis B Foundation based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. As a representative of Pennsylvania, I am pleased to support this national non-profit organization solely dedicated to the global problem of hepatitis B. The foundation was founded in 1991, with the support of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the hepatitis B virus. In just 10 years, the Hepatitis B Foundation has grown from a grassroots effort into a national non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B. As we begin National Hepatitis B Awareness week, I urge my colleagues to reflect on the severity of hepatitis B and take steps to educate, raise awareness about and put an end to this disease. Together, we can make a difference in addressing this U.S. and global public health issue.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I thank Chairman Hunter and the ranking member, Mr. Skelton, for their leadership on this very important piece of legislation. I rise today to offer an amendment to title XIV to H.R. 5122 that would ensure that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security work together as part of a homeland defense-homeland security technology transfer consortium to facilitate the transfer of viable DOD technologies in order to enhance the homeland security capabilities of Federal, State, and local first responders. The Department of Defense has been a leading developer of technology for years, and some of the innovations it has pioneered may have outstanding homeland security applications. These types of technologies include: unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs; ground sensors which help authorities monitor activities over vast expanses of terrain; biometric identification technologies which can assist in the creation of tamper- proof identity cards; radiological detectors which can monitor the transport of nuclear and other potentially dangerous materials; and sophisticated surveillance equipment, examples of which include night vision goggles and microwave and infrared imaging gear. While these technologies have been helpful to our warfighters overseas, the Federal, State and local agencies charged with protecting us here at home could also make good use of these kinds of products. Unfortunately, the process of transferring these technologies from the military to the civilian sector has been a bit slow. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I would like first responders and other appropriate authorities to have quicker access to and to make good use of these technologies. Accordingly, my amendment would provide for the creation of a homeland defense-homeland security technology transfer consortium that would facilitate this transfer. It specifically calls for the inclusion of the Department of Homeland Security, which is already in the process of developing and utilizing many of these technologies that I have just described. Within this consortium, it also brings State and local first responders into the deliberative process. The consortium will be involved in integrating new technologies into appropriate first responder exercises, in promoting interoperability, and, of course, in identifying and developing those defense technologies that have the most promising applications for homeland security. By facilitating these kinds of transfers, Federal, State, and local agencies can work better together and can function more efficiently and the homeland can be safer. I thank Chairman Hunter and the ranking member, Mr. Skelton, for their leadership on this issue. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank everybody involved for their support for this amendment. Its interdisciplinary approach is most appropriate. This transfer technology consortium is long overdue. As has been stated several times already, there is so much technology coming out of the Department of Defense that needs to be shared with the homeland security. Of course, this will also make its way down to our first responders, State and local first responders.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Inglis for his leadership on this very important issue. Mr. Speaker, American economic success has been built on innovation and competition. By competing against one another to build a better mousetrap, so to speak, American entrepreneurs have developed many products, from early incandescent lights to the Model T automobile to sophisticated computer hardware and software products of today, that have certainly made our lives better and our quality of life better. Today in an era of increasing fuel costs the drive to produce energy economically can be advanced through this same kind of innovation and competition. Fossil fuel technology was the impetus for 20th century industrial development, but today hydrogen holds out promise for being the driver of the economy of the future. Of course, hydrogen is a fuel that can be produced domestically, thus limiting our dependence on foreign petroleum products. I mean, that is why I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5143, the H-Prize Act of 2006. As a founding member of the bipartisan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, along with Mr. Inglis and Mr. Wynn and Mr. Larson, I certainly applaud Congressman Inglis' leadership on this issue. I also wanted to point out, too, that in my district, headquartered, is the largest producer of hydrogen in the world, Air Products and Chemicals. They have told me on many occasions that they produce about 1.7 billion cubic feet of hydrogen per day, and they are producing that for refineries, for the U.S. Government, the electronics industries and other process industries. But the bottom line is, they said that that 1.7 billion cubic feet is enough to power seven million cars, hydrogen cars on the roads. That is a lot of hydrogen, and we can do more. The H-Prize Act, the H-Prize Act rewards those innovators and creative thinkers who develop innovative hydrogen technologies. It establishes four $1 million prizes, awarded every other year, to the best advances in hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization. It authorizes an additional $1 million to that person or group that develops superior hydrogen-powered vehicles or other hydrogen-based products. It establishes a minimum lump sum of a $10 million prize award for the best transformational changes in technologies for the production and distribution of hydrogen. Now, as I speak these words today some scientist or engineer is out there thinking of new ways to employ hydrogen technology to better address our needs. It is my hope that these prizes will serve as an incentive to those bright people as they push forward and develop these products and thereby help relieve us from our dependence on foreign energy. Mr. Speaker, that is why I support this bill.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the rule and in support of the underlying bill, H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act of 2006. This is a bipartisan bill, as has been stated, that takes a commonsense approach to improving the security of America's ports. The bill authorizes $821 million annually for port security programs. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at 22 U.S. seaports by the end of fiscal year 2007, an action that will cover 98 percent of incoming maritime containers. Further, it makes sure that the people working at our port facilities are properly cleared and identified by forcing DHS to set deadlines for the implementation of the Transportation Worker Information Credential Program, or commonly called TWIC, a biometrically enhanced identification card system designed to make sure that those who would seek to commit acts of terrorism against us are not allowed to work within the U.S. port system. Mr. Speaker, I am also happy to see that the bill codifies in law the establishment of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, or DNDO. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit the DNDO facility at the Nevada test site. Mr. Speaker, I am firmly convinced of the importance of maintaining the vitality of this organization. The DNDO has been one of the most important missions within the DHS, the detection and identification of nuclear materials. During my visit, I observed firsthand the testing of nuclear and radiological countermeasures, including detection devices designed to identify vehicles transporting nuclear explosive devices, fissile material, radiological material intended for illicit use. The SAFE Port Act requires the DNDO to conduct testing of next- generation nuclear radiological detection equipment and to put forth a time line for completing installation of such equipment at all US seaports. Finally, I am grateful to Chairman King for his willingness to accept my addition to section 1812 of the act, which appears in the manager's amendment. My addition to section 1812 allows contract logistics providers to be eligible for inclusion in the Customs-Trade Partnership Act Against Terrorism, or commonly known as C-TPAT, an important tool in the public-private sector alliance designed to make sure that goods shipped by manufacturers internationally are safe. Contract logistics providers manage the movement and warehousing of goods and have access to critical information about the status of shipments throughout the supply chain. Given our goal of securing the entire supply chain, it is logical that companies providing services critical to the overall movement of goods should be allowed to voluntarily seek membership in C-TPAT. For all of these reasons, I support the rule and underlying bill, H.R. 4954.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Souder-Bishop amendment, and I want to associate myself with their comments just made. This amendment by Mr. Souder would revise the transfer-of-credit provisions in this bill. The transfer-of-credit provisions in this bill have been made less onerous since the reauthorization bill was first introduced. The Federal Government as a matter of policy should not be involved in decisions about the awarding of credit which is an institution's essential product. The Souder-Bishop amendment really takes an important step towards alleviating these concerns, relying instead on additional disclosures to help students better understand an institution's transfer policies. Once again, I strongly support this amendment and urge its adoption.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I, too, applaud Representative Gohmert for this amendment. This amendment does recognize that the American system of higher education is truly the envy of the world, and just as importantly, it recognizes the role our independent colleges and universities play in that overall system. Specifically, this amendment addresses the primary concerns of so many of the private and independent colleges about what they have seen as a genuine threat to their independence and their ability to fulfill their diverse missions. I, like many others in this chamber, have spoken with a number of the presidents in my district and understand how deeply they feel about undertaking their responsibilities to their students without excessive and inappropriate Federal or State interference. And for this reason, I offer my support for the Gohmert amendment which removes Federal intervention mechanisms while pushing schools to voluntarily rein in costs, and that is all included in this legislation. It also further eliminates the authority for States to become accreditors. The other good thing about this amendment is disclosures are still in the bill, but the price controls essentially are out. In terms of States as accreditors, the concern would be that any State higher education bureaucracy that wants to control the State's private and independent colleges can simply require State accreditation, giving the State control over its curriculum and mission. Although the intent of the provision is to offer more options to the institutions, the opposite may well occur. There is no way to anticipate all the ways in which a State might seek to control private institutions using its accreditation powers as leverage. For all those reasons, I strongly support Mr. Gohmert's amendment and thank Chairman McKeon for his willingness to work with us on this matter.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3440, offered by the distinguished gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Fortuno). This bill would designate the post office in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, as the Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa Post Office Building. Dr. Barbosa received both his primary and secondary education in Puerto Rico. After graduating from the seminary, Barbosa tutored private students in order to save money to attend college. In 1875, he moved to New York to attend prep school, where he learned the English language in only 1 year. In 1876, he was admitted to the University of Michigan Medical School where he graduated valedictorian of his class in 1880. On returning to Puerto Rico to set up his practice, he learned the Spanish Government would not recognize Barbosa's degree because it was not from one of the prestigious European universities. It took the American consul to intervene for Mr. Barbosa's degree to be recognized, and he became the first person on the entire island with an American medical degree. Barbosa practiced medicine across Puerto Rico and introduced the idea of employers paying a fee for the future health care needs of their employees, a very early health insurance system. As well as being a respected physician, Barbosa was also an esteemed political activist. He formed the prostatehood Puerto Rican Republican Party on July 4, 1899, as an aftermath of the Spanish-American War in which Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States. In 1900, Barbosa became a member of the executive cabinet up until 1917 and a member of the Senate from 1917-1921. In 1907, he established the newspaper El Tiempo, the first bilingual newspaper on the island. His daughter, Pilar Barbosa would one day become a renowned historian and a political activist who would carry on her father's work. Jose Celso Barbosa died in San Juan in December of 1921. I urge all Members to come together to honor the perseverance and courage of Dr. Barbosa by passing H.R. 3440. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3440) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Avenida RL Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, as the ``Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa Post Office Building.''

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 517) recognizing the life of Wellington Timothy Mara and his outstanding contributions to the New York Giants Football Club, the National Football League, and the United States.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 517. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 85) supporting the goals and ideals of ``National MPS Day''.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4805) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 105 North Quincy Street in Clinton, Illinois, as the ``Gene Vance Post Office Building''.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 4805, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of H.R. 4805, offered by the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson). The bill would designate the post office in Clinton, Illinois, as the Gene Vance Post Office Building. After winning an All-State selection in 1940, Clinton High School star Gene Vance committed to the University of Illinois to start his incredible basketball career. His days as a fighting Illini are what he has become known for. As a member of the famed ``Whiz Kids'' of the Illinois basketball team, Andy Phillip, Jack Smily, Ken Menke, Art Mathison, and Vance formed one of the Nation's premier teams in the early 1940s. Their fast-break style and ability to run the floor assured them 25 of 27 wins in the Big Ten Conference from 1941-1943, rightly earning them two Big Ten titles. After the 1943 season, Vance and the rest of the ``Whiz Kids'' were called to military duty for World War II. Following the final regular season game, the entire team entered the war effort. After the war, they picked up right where they left off in 1947 and led the Illini to a second place finish. After graduation, Vance was drafted by the Chicago Stags of the Basketball Association of America, which eventually became known as the National Basketball Association, or the NBA, as we know it today. After his basketball career had ended, Vance turned to coaching. He returned to his home State to lead the LaSalle-Peru Cavaliers to a regional championship. He later became the athletic director at the University of Illinois and was recently voted 1 of the 20 greatest Illini basketball players of the past century. I urge all Members to join me in saluting this dedicated and honorable man by passing H.R. 4805. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I too have no further speakers at this time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 4786 to honor H. Gordon Payrow, a man who was wise beyond his years. He was a man who challenged the process and brought new and innovative ideas and policies to his community. In his early years, he attended Bethlehem High School and Allentown Preparatory School. After graduation, he went on to study at Lehigh University where he earned a degree in business. After his marriage to Dorothy Parker in 1943, he was elected to the Bethlehem City Council in November of 1951. It was not long after that he was elected as mayor and named the first ``strong mayor'' to emerge from the mayor-council form of government first authorized in 1957. At his inauguration in 1962, Mayor Payrow declared: ``Today marks the end of the North Side, South Side, and West Side. From here on we will only think of Bethlehem,'' thus bringing together a melting pot of cultures and proclaiming a new unity for the city. Payrow was extremely popular with both Democrats and Republicans, which led him to hold office for three consecutive terms. During his tenure, Mayor Payrow never retreated from tackling controversial issues. Under Payrow, Bethlehem hired its first female police officer and began the construction of a new city hall. He oversaw the creation of the city's Fine Arts Commission, the Beautification Committee, and the Environmental Conservation Commission. He was also instrumental in laying the groundwork for a massive revitalization of Bethlehem's downtown area. Further, during his three terms, the mayor worked to construct several fire stations, to demolish blighted housing developments, and to oversee the replacement and construction of several bridges critical to the transportation infrastructure of the city of Bethlehem. Gordon Payrow was a man of great integrity and skill who believed in his city and in his constituents. The city of Bethlehem is a better place because of his influence, and it is only fitting and proper that a postal facility in the city be named after him. I urge all Members to join me in honoring a great man that promoted excellence in government by passing H.R. 4786. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.