Thelma Drake

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding achievements of Mary C. Russo. Acknowledged by the Virginia Beach City Council, Ms. Russo's great volunteer work, dedication, and leadership proved her a strong recipient for this recognition. Mrs. Russo is a devoted, tireless volunteer who has dedicated more than 30 years of service to the Virginia Beach area. In 1978, Mrs. Russo was appointed the first Coordinator of the Virginia Beach City Council's Volunteer Council. Serving in the capacity of Director of Volunteers, she has contributed more than 10,900 hours of service. Additionally, Mrs. Russo has been honored by numerous appointments to a variety of national, State, and local boards, commissions, and agencies. Through Mrs. Russo's work, the Volunteer Council has grown to over 25,000 volunteers who have collectively recorded over 1.1 million hours of work, valued at nearly 15 million dollars. The program has been so successful that the city of Miyazaki, Japan has sent staff and citizen delegations to train under Mrs. Russo. With this award, Mrs. Russo has joined an elite group of citizens who have greatly impacted the United States. I am certain that her incredible accomplishments, dedication to our country and evident leadership talents will continue to speak highly of her, as they do now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of the Amendment of the House of Representatives to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008. Project Name: UAV Situational Awareness System. Requesting Member: Rep. Thelma Drake. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: RDTE, DW. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Global Technical Systems. Address of Requesting Entity: 784 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. Description of Request: Appropriate funding of $1,000,000 to develop a system that will fuse data from sensor systems such as radar, infrared (IR), and optical sensors, with GPS maps and global information, in near real-time. Project Name: Analytics for Shipboard Monitoring Systems (ASMS). Requesting Member: Rep. Thelma Drake. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: RDTE, N. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oceana Sensor Technologies and ESRG LLC. Address of Requesting Entity: Oceana Sensor Technologies--1632 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA, USA; ESRG LLC-1209 Independence Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA, USA. Description of Request: Appropriate funding of $1,600,000 to integrate remote monitoring technologies with legacy ship systems. This project will enable reduced manning and provide crucial ship-to-shore interaction for remote diagnostic decision technology to support ship operators globally. Project Name: Automated Fiber Optic Manufacturing Initiative. Requesting Member: Rep. Thelma Drake. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: RDTE, N. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: KITCO Fiber Optics. Address of Requesting Entity: 5269 Cleveland Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Description of Request: Appropriate funding of $2,800,000 to insert automated fiber optic technologies in small, portable, maintenance equipment that can be used by ship construction and ship's force personnel in the harsh shipboard environment. The funding will assist in deploying fiber optics as the primary communication system components for tactical shipboard applications on almost every current and future ship platform. Project Name: Automated Readiness Measurement System (ARMS). Requesting Member: Rep. Thelma Drake. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: RDTE, N. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: DDL Omni Engineering, LLC. Address of Requesting Entity: 440 Viking Drive, Suite 150, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. Description of Request: Appropriate funding of $2,800,000 to develop a system to provide an objective assessment of readiness in multiple mission areas throughout an organization's training and operational deployment cycle. Project Name: Integrated Naval Electronic Warfare. Requesting Member: Rep. Thelma Drake. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: RDTE, N. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Electronic Warfare Associates, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 440 Viking Drive, Suite 130, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. Description of Request: Appropriate funding of $1,000,000 to begin the process of bringing contractor subject matter experts onboard the Navy's NETWARCOM.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Steven Shapiro, a resident of Hampton, Virginia, and someone I am especially proud to have as a constituent. In addition to his full-time public service as the Building Official for Hampton, this year Steve has also served as President of the Board of the International Code Council. It is the on- going work of the Code Council that provides the nation with an extensive body of model building and fire safety regulations. His role as the President of the Code Council is the culmination of 30 years of experience, leadership and tireless work in ensuring that we are well protected in the buildings where we live and work. I would also like to recognize the Code Council's work on Capitol Hill this year in advocating for legislation to build a program to bolster local governmental capacity to ensure compliance with its building and fire codes. A high point of their effort occurred in May when the Code Council's leadership assembled here in Washington, D.C. during Building Safety Week 2008. With focused attention, Mr. Shapiro's delegation worked with over 120 Congressional offices like mine on enactment of the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act. I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 4461, the House version of the Act, and to have worked with my Colleague Dennis Moore, the sponsor, and the Code Council and its broad coalition in achieving House passage this July. Leading a membership association of over nearly 50,000 building safety and fire prevention professionals is, of course, a substantial preoccupation, and the City of Hampton, its Mayor Ross Kearney and City Manager Jesse Wallace are also to be thanked for supporting Steve's volunteer work in leadership of the Code Council. I am proud that local leadership from my District is at work in leading the development and maintenance of the building and fire codes that protect us all across the country. These safety codes, independently modified for adoption by the Commonwealth of Virginia and all across the country, govern construction and maintenance of our residential and commercial buildings, including the homes and the business, schools, and places of worship we use and visit regularly. So I applaud Steve's three decades as a relentless advocate for building safety; a mission that he is sure to carry on for quite some time. In working on that mission he serves not only Hampton and the Commonwealth, but, in his role as President of the Board of the Code Council, has served the rest of the nation as well. In his non- volunteer job as Director of Codes Compliance for the City of Hampton, he continues to ensure the safety of construction our very historic city of nearly 150,000 residents; a town proud of the title as the first continuous English-speaking settlement in America. Steve is an honored and distinguished citizen of my District, and as a leader of the ICC has shared with the nation his values as an outstanding public safety professional and a truly dedicated public servant. I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the rest of the ICC delegation who visited Capitol Hill during Building Safety Week 2008, and thank them for their efforts to promote and defend a safe and sound built-environment. Those individuals include: Board Vice President Adolf Zubia, Board Secretary/Treasurer Ron Lynn, Immediate Past President of the Board Wally Bailey; Board members Gregori Anderson, James Brothers, John Darnall, Gerald George, Greg Johnson, Stephen Jones, Barbara Koffron, John LaTorra, Ronald Lynn, Doug Murdock, Ronald Piester, James Ryan and Jeff Whitney; International Accreditation Services Board Chair Majed Dabdoub, Vice Chair Ravi Shah and Board Members John Barrios, Guy Tomberlin, Michael Bouse, and Isam Hasenin and IAS President Chuck Ramani; ICC Government Relations Advisory Committee Chair Rebecca Baker, and Committee Members Jim Martin, Lynn Underwood and George Wiggins; ICC Chapter Leaders Tina Rakes, Robert Boyer, Gary Schenk and John Glover; Matthew Wheeler of the California Building Officials; and members of ICC's professional staff including its CEO Richard Weiland, COO Dominic Sims, David deCourcy, Sara Yerkes, Jim Tidwell, Mark Dinneen, Richard Kuchnicki, Laura Scott, Matthew Lightfoot, Gretchen Hesbacher, and Jennifer Gibson.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am proud to recognize and welcome Dr. Danny Davis, the senior pastor at Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia. He is accompanied today by his wife of 30 years, Sandy. Dr. Davis was born in Tennessee and grew up in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Having served in the ministry since 1985, he has pastored churches in Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida and Virginia. Not only does Dr. Davis have a heart for service in his local community but also for ministry through missions at home and abroad. He has been involved in multiple mission trips to Tanzania, Russia, Honduras, the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana, the United Kingdom, Greece and even Communist Cuba. Dr. Davis' only son, Jordan, has served as a member of my staff for the past 3 years. Jordan's hard work and dedication have helped me to better serve my constituents. I know I have Dr. Davis to thank for having instilled in his son the same values he displays in his ministry as well as the importance of service to others and his country. I want to thank Dr. Davis for being here today and offering today's prayer and I wish him continued success in his ministry.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, Virginia's Second District includes the entire Atlantic coast in Virginia. Today, I see that the rumors that we've heard all weekend are true. This bill supposedly opens drilling, but really, it doesn't. The first 50 miles are closed. The second 50-100 miles are open at State option, but no royalties to those coastal States. Virginia gets zero. Look at Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, 37.5 percent. Every other coastal State, zero. The effect of this legislation will be none of these coastal States will allow for drilling. So industry will now look at 100 miles out or more. Problem with that? Resources within the first 50 miles. America needs to realize that we are the only Nation that does not take resources from our Outer Continental Shelf. The American families are hurting. American businesses are hurting, and look at the impact on our economy. After all of these months of bills on the floor and discussion on the floor, this is the result of this bill. It's not only a hoax, it is cruel to American families and American businesses.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Actually, Mr. Speaker, I'm disappointed to be standing here tonight, discussing the bill that we're discussing, and I really wonder what the Americans who are sitting at home watching our debate tonight are thinking. From one side, they're hearing this is the best thing that has ever happened to America. From the other side, they're hearing what this bill is really all about. I represent Virginia's Second Congressional District. That's the entire coastline in Virginia--the Atlantic coastline. For the 4 years that I've served in Congress, 2 years of those were on the Natural Resources Committee. I worked on this issue of the Outer Continental Shelf. I can't tell you how disappointing it was to know that the rumors I was hearing over the weekend were true and that, yes, it would open up the Outer Continental Shelf on paper but not in reality, because what this bill does is it says, from 50 to 100 miles, yes, States, you may opt in. However, Virginia and every other coastal State, you will receive no royalties for doing that. Now, when you look at the Gulf States--Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas--37\1/2\ percent of those royalties go to those individual States. I don't think that this Congress believes in treating our States differently. So, in discussing this bill, the reality of this bill will be that States will say ``no'' because why would a State agree to be treated so completely differently? So the reality becomes industry can go harvest this resource at 100 miles out. The problem is that's very expensive; it's much more dangerous, and we know the bulk of the resource in the Outer Continental Shelf is within 50 miles of the coast. So what we're saying is, yes, America, we're going to do it, but in reality, no, America, it won't work. I think Americans are smarter than that, and Americans today understand that we have vast resources in this country that we've blocked. It's time for us to have a solution to open our American energy, to meet our needs and to treat our States fairly. Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be standing today in support of H.R. 5350, legislation that I sponsored along with Congressman Bobby Scott, which authorizes the sale or exchange of a specific tract of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) property located in Norfolk, Virginia. The sale of this NOAA land is something the City of Norfolk has been working on since 2005. I am proud that this legislation is being considered today, as it will have a significant impact on the economic development of Norfolk. Over thirty years ago, the federal government purchased 3.78 acres of land located at 538 Front Street in Norfolk for $47,300. From this time forward, this prime, waterfront location has remained under-utilized-- when the original intention for this land was to be the future site of NOAA's regional headquarters. Allowing the City of Norfolk to purchase this land for fair market value gives Norfolk a new area to continue redevelopment efforts that will foster job growth and economic opportunities for citizens in Hampton Roads. As Norfolk has experienced substantial economic growth since the time of the original purchase, I appreciate that this sale will finally be permitted to further ensure Norfolk's future economic development efforts. I am grateful for Representative Scott's work on helping to bring this bill to the floor, as well as the work of the Committee on Natural Resources and I look forward to the great benefit this redevelopment effort will have for the people of Hampton Roads. Ms. BORDALLO I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 563, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Project Name: Fire and Emergency Services Station Requesting Member: Representative Thelma Drake Bill Number: H.R. 6599 Account: Military Construction, Navy Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Representative Thelma Drake Address of Requesting Entity: Naval Station Norfolk, VA, USA Description of Request: Accelerate funding of $9,960,000 for a Fire and Emergency Services station located at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1248, which recognizes the service of the destroyer USS Farenholt and her men who served our great Nation with bravery in the South Pacific during World War II. The USS Farenholt was commissioned on April 2, 1942 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The destroyer sailed from San Diego, California on July 1, 1942 for the Pacific. Also known as the Fightin' F, she participated in the United States' first land offensive of World War II, the August 1942 invasion of Guadalcanal. The next month, Farenholt also served as an escort for the aircraft carrier USS Wasp, which was attacked by two enemy submarines. When the Wasp sank, the Farenholt rescued 143 of her survivors. The Fightin' F fought in the battle of Cape Esperance in October 1942, and joined the American force that intercepted and defeated Japanese destroyers and cruisers. During the fight, the Farenholt suffered 46 casualties and severe damage from three direct hits. Despite this, her crew kept her from sinking, and she joined in the February 1944 destroyer raid on the Japanese stronghold at New Guinea where she sank two merchant ships. That raid earned very high praises from General Douglas MacArthur. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Ellsworth of Indiana, for introducing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to recognize these brave and dedicated men of the USS Farenholt by supporting House Resolution 1248. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave).

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 358, as amended, which recognizes the National Guard and Reserve members from Nevada for their extraordinary service, not only to their State but also to this country. I want to thank my fellow Republican, Mr. Heller of Nevada, for introducing this resolution. All of America should be proud of what the citizen soldiers of Nevada have accomplished while mobilized and deployed for or in support of the war on terror. Since 2003, more than 3,100 people from the Nevada National Guard and Reserves have performed above and beyond the call of duty in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. They have served in combatant support roles putting their lives on hold while serving the country they swore to protect. They temporarily left their families and jobs behind to support the needs of the country, and they should be recognized and thanked for their sacrifice. I would also like to thank the families of these brave men and women, for they become military families when this country needs them the most. They provide essential support to those National Guard and Reserve men and women. For that, we are forever grateful. Since the earliest days of this great Nation, we have required a strong military, a military that is ready and willing to protect the Nation's interests. The Nevada Army National Guard and Reserves are essential to that strong military. They have always acted gallantly when called upon in any situation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 358 and pay respects to the brave men and women of the State of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Heller).

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1316, which not only honors the service of the Navy and Coast Guard veterans who for 60 years served on the LST amphibious landing craft from World War II onward, but it also recognizes the key role played by LST amphibious craft. During World War II, the LST met the urgent requirement of the Allied Forces for a new vessel, a vessel that was capable of the shore-to- shore delivery of vehicles and troops while conducting an amphibious assault upon the enemy. Between 1942 and 1943, three separate acts of Congress authorized the construction of these LSTs, and over 1,000 LSTs were built during World War II. These landing craft saw action in every theater of World War II. LSTs played an essential role during the D-day campaign of June 1944. Not only were they the first line of troop transports onto the beaches, but they completed an evacuation of 41,035 wounded men back across the English Channel. LSTs landed on the beaches of places like Sicily, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and countless others. They survived kamikaze attacks, ocean mines and enemy submarine attacks. These remarkable vessels and their sailors earned the second most battle stars after destroyers. During the Korean war, LSTs landed at Inchon. In the Vietnam war, they participated in the 1974 refugee evacuations. Also, LSTs provided humanitarian assistance during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. To honor such valued service, LST veterans, members of the LST Association, gained approval, through legislation, to sail the refurbished LST 325 back from Greece to the United States to transform the ship into a museum. They completed their sail on January 10, 2001, in Mobile, Alabama. Now the ship is based in Evansville, Indiana, as the USS LST Ship Memorial. The Navy decommissioned the last active LST, the USS Frederick, at Naval Station Pearl Harbor on October 5, 2002. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this most worthy resolution. It is impossible to express how essential these LSTs were during World War II and continuing until the early 21st century. These remarkable sailors of these ships should be recognized for their dedication, bravery, and loyalty to their Navy and their Nation. We should applaud them today, and every day. I want to thank my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for introducing this legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 415, which recognizes the service of two remarkable Asian Civil War veterans and also pays respect to all participants of this war with Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. Arriving in America as a stowaway aboard a ship from China, Edward Day Cohota enlisted in the 23rd Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in the early years of the Civil War. He fought in the Battle of Drury's Bluff in Virginia on May 16, 1864. His wartime service continued at the Battle of Cold Harbor in Virginia on June 3, 1864. After the war, Mr. Cohota continued to serve for a total of 30 years active duty in the United States Army. Joseph L. Pierce enlisted in the 14th Regiment, Connecticut Voluntary Infantry, in 1862 and fought on America's bloodiest day, September 17, 1862, in the Battle of Antietam. After managing to avoid being one of the 23,000 casualties of that battle, he continued to distinguish himself on the battlegrounds at Gettysburg where his unit helped to repulse Pickett's charge. These two soldiers are but two of the Asian and Pacific Islanders who served their adopted Nation so well in the Civil War. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Honda of California, for introducing this resolution. I would like to encourage my colleagues to give their appreciation to these volunteers whose service has not been fully recognized. Therefore, I urge a ``yes'' vote on House Resolution 415. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding achievements of Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician 1st Class (EWS) Tyrone Logan, and commend him on his great devotion to the United States. Named a 2008 U.S. Fleet Forces Command Sea Sailor of the Year by the United States Navy, Petty Officer Logan's dedication and leadership proved him a strong candidate for this extremely competitive award. Petty Officer Logan is one of six recipients of this prestigious award. Along with the U.S. Navy, the Fleet Reserve Association worked to establish this program in 1972. The esteemed program recognizes the Navy's top Sailors through presentations, awards, and meritorious advancement to the next pay grade. Serving in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy, Petty Officer Logan has taken a very active role in the defense of our Nation. He has been deployed to such places as Mosul and Baghdad in Iraq, as well as Pakistan and Africa. He has also been awarded various honors including two Navy Achievement Medals and a Purple Heart. Further, Petty Officer Logan's mentorship to colleagues has been noted. These accolades serve as a testament to Petty Officer Logan's strength of character and commitment to our national values. With this award, Petty Officer Logan has joined an elite group of Sailors who have achieved this goal. I am certain that his incredible accomplishments, dedication to our country and evident leadership talents will continue to speak highly of him, as they do now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express the frustration my constituents feel with a Congress that refuses to address the current energy crisis. I have heard they can't fill their tanks, they're not doing any extras, they're not going out to eat or to movies or on vacation. And last week, a young woman serving in Afghanistan asked me to make sure that gas is not $5 a gallon when she returns home. Repeatedly, people have asked me to drill now. And yet with all this frustration and economic hardship, the Democratic leadership of this Congress refuses to bring legislation to the floor that addresses the number one concern of our constituents: increasing domestic supply now, dropping gas prices now while we move to the alternative energies of the future. This week Congress will consider dozens of suspensions, a bill concerning the preservation of White House e-mails, a bill creating a national historic trail in New York, and a bill creating a new section of national wild and scenic rivers in Massachusetts. But nothing to lower gas prices.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, today, the national average for a gallon of gas has reached $4.07. With your average vehicle tank holding 18 gallons, that translates to $75 to fill your tank. This is on top of skyrocketing food costs and, now, increases in both our natural gas and electricity bills at home. Many American families simply cannot afford these prices. Yet we stand on this floor without allowing debate on a comprehensive solution for the American people. This country is tired of partisan maneuvering and is tired of Congress just saying ``no.'' Madam Speaker, Americans are downright mad. Some may argue that high gas prices are an incentive to make Americans drive less or that high energy costs are an incentive for businesses and homeowners to utilize more green practices. High energy and gas prices also cause businesses and jobs to move offshore where natural gas is cheaper. I firmly believe in investing in technology that will move us away from our Nation's dependence on petroleum, but during this transitional period, we must also increase our domestic supply and fuel our economy. No one can deny that energy is something that we all use and need. Americans expect this Congress to do everything within our power to address these high gas and energy prices. Madam Speaker, we should not leave here for the Fourth of July recess without increasing our own natural resources. Bring relief to the American people. Keep our Nation competitive and open for business.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, we have seen in the gulf region and now along the Mississippi River what can happen when hurricane and flood protection infrastructure is inadequate or fails to perform. Yet more Americans are moving to coastal areas where the risk of hurricanes and floods is great. In the south Atlantic region, the coastal population grew 51 percent from 1980 to 2000, and this trend is expected to continue. Along the Gulf of Mexico, the population has increased 38 percent from 1980 to 2000, and this trend is also expected to continue. We do not know where the next hurricane or flood will hit, but we do know that many of our major cities, including parts of Washington, D.C., have a greater probability of flooding than did New Orleans. For example, the City of Sacramento, California, has almost twice as many people as New Orleans; yet it has less flood protection than any other major city in America. Cities like Houston, St. Louis, and Miami also are at risk. We cannot treat citizens of these cities differently unless we have a policy reason that we can explain and justify to our constituents. As we have learned from recent levee failures, our infrastructure is aging. What we know about the existence and conditions of these other levees we often learn when one fails or it is overwhelmed by a flood event. For instance, the State of California in 2005 declared a state of emergency in the Central Valley in anticipation of the failure of 24 levees. According to the State of California, it would cost more than $5 billion to make critical delta levees, but not all delta levees, stronger in the face of flood and seismic events in the Central Valley. In the past, Congress has taken steps to ensure that the Nation's flood damage reduction infrastructure is properly inventoried, inspected, and assessed. In 1986, the Congress authorized the National Dam Safety Program Act to conduct an inventory and assessments of all dams nationwide. The National Inventory of Dams shows that 45 percent of all Federal dams are at least 50 years old and that 80 percent of them are at least 30 years old. We know less about the status and capabilities of our levees. There has never been a national inventory of levees. Little is known about the current condition of both Federal and non-Federal levees, including whether these levees were designed to meet current conditions or whether they have been properly maintained by the non-Federal interest. Over the decades, levees have been built by different entities, at different times, and to different standards. They have been linked together to provide a protective system, but with such a mixture of conditions, the true level of protection may be in doubt. Over time, development has taken place behind some of these levees so much more may be at risk in terms of lives and economic resources. There is so much that we do not know about the levees in America that we cannot be sure how safe our cities and towns really are. We need more information. The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 included language establishing a panel to develop recommendations for a National Levee Safety Program. However, the Committee on Levee Safety is unable to meet since a drafting error contained in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 inadvertently keeps the Army Corps of Engineers from carrying out important work. H.R. 6040 strikes the incorrect language and replaces it with language stating the Committee on Levee Safety can develop its recommendations subject to the availability of appropriations. This technical change will allow the Corps of Engineers to convene the Committee on Levee Safety as soon as this bill is enacted. With the recommendations that will come from this Committee on Levee Safety, the Congress can develop a national policy for levee safety and a program to ensure that levees are functional and safe. I urge all Members to support H.R. 6040.

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6109, which reauthorizes the successful Pre-Disaster Mitigation program for the next 3 years. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation program was originally authorized by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 as a pilot program to study the effectiveness of mitigation grants given to communities before disaster strikes. Prior to the creation of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program, hazard mitigation primarily occurred after a disaster through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Every disaster costs us in damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, and potentially in the loss of lives. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation program prevents damage and destruction by helping communities to act proactively through projects that reduce the cost and limit the adverse impacts of future disasters. With FEMA's assistance, local governments identify cost-effective mitigation projects, which are awarded on a competitive basis. Since its inception, mitigation programs have helped local communities save lives and reduce property damage through a wide range of mitigation projects, such as home elevations, buyouts, improved shelters and warning systems. In 2005, the National Institute of Building Sciences issued a study that conclusively demonstrated Federal mitigation programs saved the Federal Government money. Specifically, the study found that for every dollar spent on mitigation, the American taxpayer saves over $3 in Federal disaster payments. Mitigation projects also are intended to save lives, and this year's record tornado season underscores the importance of lifesaving warning sirens. Given the tremendous destructive power of tornadoes, you can't mitigate against property damage, but you can mitigate the loss of life with a warning system. I particularly want to thank Chairwoman Norton for including report language clarifying that Congress intended tornado warning sirens to be funded in this program. At this point I would like to read a paragraph from the committee report on this subject: ``The Committee notes the clear purpose of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage to property from natural disasters and the program's broad statutory authority to provide Federal assistance for projects, such as tornado warning sirens, which serve this purpose. Given the sudden nature and extreme destructive power of tornadoes, the Committee believes warning sirens are a cost-effective measure for mitigating injuries and loss of life from tornadoes. The Committee believes that Section 203 of the Stafford Act clearly authorizes mitigation assistance for tornado warning sirens.'' I believe this language makes it perfectly clear that Congress intended tornado warning sirens to be an eligible project under the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program and Congress expects the Federal Emergency Management Agency to administer the program accordingly. In conclusion, mitigation works. It saves lives, limits future damage, and reduces Federal disaster costs. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation program is a worthy program, and I look forward to working with Chairwoman Norton to reauthorize it this year. I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.