Member of Congress
Jo Ann Emerson
- Role
- Former Representative
- State
- MO
- Party
- Republican
Speeches
EXTENDING THE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM2010-03-25
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. I am very proud of you, and I just wanted you to know that.
Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to, once again, thank Chairman Serrano. I know he feels very strongly, as I do, that we have to find a way to make this permanent rather than force people to be anxious on a month-to-month basis. Hopefully in the next few months we'll be able to create some kind of bill or be able to satisfy all of the people who are so desperate to take the risk and become entrepreneurs and really make a difference in putting people back to work. So with that, I thanks the chairman, I thank the Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
TAX ON BONUSES RECEIVED FROM CERTAIN TARP RECIPIENTS2010-03-25
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
HONORING MR. CY GLUECK2010-03-24
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a renowned member of my district, a great Missourian and a great American. Mr. Cy Glueck passed away on Monday, March 22, after a lifetime of service to Southern Missouri. Mr. Glueck may be best known throughout the region as the inventor of the Original Bologna Burger at Schindler's Tavern in New Hamburg. If you haven't ever had one, they are well worth the trip. Mr. Glueck and his wife operated the tavern for 28 years and are directly responsible for its stellar reputation. Cherished as a true gathering place for the community, Mr. Glueck made sure everyone felt welcome in his establishment, whether it was for family meals or euchre card games or turkey shoots. As part of his philanthropy, Mr. Glueck hosted the Kow Pasture Klassic golf tournament--played in a pasture with tennis balls hit by any instrument from golf clubs to baseball bats. The point was to have fun and celebrate, but also to benefit a local charity. No annual event in the community was more anticipated than that one. Yet Mr. Glueck's contributions to the community extend far beyond bologna. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, advanced in the Knights of Columbus Council, active in the Elk's Lodge, and on the board of the Kenny Rogers Children's Center. Mr. Glueck was a mainstay in the community, and he will be remembered well for his good humor, kind nature, and boundless energy. I want to commend his life to the U.S. House of Representatives as a model of community service. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Glueck's wife, Dorothy, and the many family and friends who today mourn a great loss.
SUPPORT THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF GLOBAL CHILD NUTRITION MONTH2010-03-19
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, today, along with my good friend Congressman Jim McGovern, I introduced a resolution of support for the goals and ideals of Global Child Nutrition Month. The fact that hunger and malnutrition is experienced by any person is a sad reflection on our society. However, it is even more troubling to know that roughly 300,000,000 children are experiencing hunger around the world. There is no greater investment in our security and global economic development then ensuring hungry children have access to nutritious food. A hungry child, suffering from malnutrition, will not reach their full physical or mental potential. A hungry child rarely attends school, leaving another, larger generation of hungry and uneducated men to be recruited into radical militant groups and uneducated women to be oppressed. We have the tools today to fight hunger and malnutrition in the world's youngest and most vulnerable. The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program has proven to be a very effective tool for providing hungry children nutritious food. The program has the added benefit of encouraging parents to send their children to school, and not to rely on them for income or food. I also believe the political will to make the fight successful is increasing. Although we have a long way to go, President Obama's Administration is making visible efforts to add resources to fighting global hunger. Two examples include the increased budget for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and the leadership being displayed by the Administration's Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative. Internationally the attention to global food security has rarely been more focused; and hopefully, the resources will soon follow the pledges. This April, many of our non-governmental organization partners will recognize Global Child Nutrition Month and the hunger facing children around the globe. I would like to particularly thank the Global Child Nutrition Foundation and School Nutrition Association for their work in increasing awareness of the problem global hunger presents and for raising funds to help feed hungry children. These two organizations partner with school nutrition professionals around the country and encourage them to take a day, week or even longer to work with students and teachers educating them and raising donations. It is grassroots education and fundraising at its best. Ensuring every child around the world has access to sufficient nutrition is a challenge that will not be easily met, but it will be met. With dedicated partners both in and out of government, we will achieve this goal quicker, which is why I am happy to introduce this resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Global Child Nutrition Month.
TRIBUTE TO THE HICKORY LOG RESTAURANT2010-01-27
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Hickory Log restaurant in Dexter, Missouri, for its induction to the Missouri Restaurant Hall of Fame. For decades, travelers along Highway 60 in the southern part of our state have been tempted by the thought of delicious barbeque at the Hickory Log. And I can attest from personal experience that no one ever leaves the Hickory Log dissatisfied with the food or the service at a staple of the region's barbeque scene. The Hickory Log has been owned and operated by the Banken family since they purchased the restaurant in 1967. In that time, they have built a reputation for barbeque that brings enthusiasts from miles around. The restaurant has grown over the years, but the uncompromising quality of the fare is unchanged, and so is the commitment of John and Laveda Banken to be active participants in the life of their community. Election to the Missouri Restaurant Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor for this barbeque restaurant from Dexter Missouri. Only establishments in business for longer than 25 years are eligible for the honor. Later this month, the award ceremony in St. Louis will bring together some 400 restaurant-industry colleagues of the Banken family. Owning a restaurant is truly one of the most demanding vocations in the world of small business. It requires around-the-clock time and attention, a continuously positive attitude, and focus on serving the customer with good food. The Hickory Log excels in all of these areas, and the restaurant also serves as a reminder to this House to seriously consider the ramifications of the policies we consider here on the owners, proprietors and workers at restaurants and family-owned small businesses all over the country. We also ought to have in mind the savory taste of the barbeque ribs, like no others, that they proudly serve in Dexter, Missouri.
HONORING MR. ROB CALLAHAN2010-01-26
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the good work of a dedicated public servant in Missouri's Eighth Congressional District. Mr. Rob Callahan has made a wonderful commitment to the residents of southern Missouri who have served our country in uniform. Once a year, Mr. Callahan leads a trip for veterans who would like to visit Washington, DC called the Southeast Missouri Honor Tour. While they are here, the veterans of American military service can see the monuments erected to honor them. They are able to visit the memorials that stand in testament to the Americans who served alongside them, and Mr. Callahan ensures that they are able to visit Capitol Hill. The planning and logistics of these trips are not simple but Mr. Callahan does an exemplary job not only of ensuring the trip is worthwhile, but also of finding sources of support from the community so the veterans (most of whom are on fixed incomes) can afford the considerable expense of the trip. Mr. Callahan is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and he understands the pride of service felt by every veteran who is able to visit our Nation's capital. It is a wonderful way to say thank you to the Americans in Southern Missouri who have served our country, defended our freedoms, and made sacrifices for our liberties. I am very proud that Mr. Callahan will receive the Citizen of the Year award in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He has earned this recognition several times over, and I commend Mr. Callahan and his excellent work to the U.S. House of Representatives.
EARMARK DECLARATION2009-12-17
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 3326, the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, A Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,400,000 to research materials that will lead to advances in the storage and generation of power. To maintain a strong national defense, our Nation must develop new devices from innovative polymer-based materials that have lower- power requirements, greater strength, lighter weight, higher sensitivity, and robustness to operate under extreme conditions. The research will provide materials that will lead to important advances in the generation and storage of power. The power generation systems would have advantages for military use over current systems in terms of weight, flexibility, and functionality. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, A Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,400,000 to complete a project to develop high performance alloy materials and advanced manufacturing of steel castings for new lightweight and robotic weapon systems. This program would enhance defense component capabilities at a reduced cost. The program would also augment war fighter capability by increasing the mobility and reliability of weapons systems. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, A Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $4,800,000 to develop new, low-cost, sensors and an integrating network methodology for geospatial localization and tracking of explosive related threats and precursor materials using spatially distributed, multimodal sensors. This effort is consistent with the U.S. Army goals of assured mobility and force protection. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, AF Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,400,000 to develop fiber reinforced ultra-high temperature materials for hypersonic flight vehicles. Ultra-high temperature materials are imperative for the leading and trailing edges, and control surfaces, of future hypersonic vehicles. The proposed project would greatly advance the material selection and design capability for military systems projected to operate in the extreme environments associated with hypersonic flight. Success of this project would enable the United States to uphold its position of world leadership in these critical technology areas.
JOBS FOR MAIN STREET ACT, 20102009-12-16
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, I want to say a couple of things first. Number one, I don't know if the American people realize that since 2007 this Congress has increased spending on nondefense, nonveterans discretionary spending and, including the stimulus in that, by 85 percent, 85 percent. In so doing, we still have 30 percent unemployment in the construction trades in the State of Missouri, and there is no excuse for that. This bill does very little to help that, very, very little. As a matter of fact, some of the stimulus money that went to create new jobs in my congressional district--actually, our job training people were told that anybody who is in job training counted as a new job. Now that's disingenuous at best, and it's not fair to a person who is being counted as having a job and one is not there waiting for them when they graduate. I really want to talk today about my concerns about the use of TARP funds to offset additional government spending. You know, when we debated this legislation, we were told the funds were going to be repaid and that in the long term the Federal Government could make money on the TARP program. However, today we are debating whether to use TARP funds, which the administration really had no plans to spend, as an offset for yet more government spending. This is a gimmick extraordinaire. We just debated a bill to increase the debt limit to $12.4 trillion. Using this budget gimmick as an offset for $75 billion in new spending is not going to reduce the debt one bit. Every economist in America says if we don't reduce the debt in this country, then our economy will go away. It is going to ensure, this bill does, that our government debt is going to continue to grow, increasing our dependence on China, on other foreign investors and increasing the financial burden on our children and grandchildren.
EARMARK DECLARATION2009-12-10
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 3288. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Surface Transportation Priorities Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $650,000 for an environmental study, engineering design work, and construction work on Route 25 in Jackson, Missouri. The funds will be used to alleviate traffic and dangerous conditions on Route 25 between Jackson Trail and the city limits of Jackson, Missouri. The State of Missouri will provide 20% match. All federal funds received will be spent on Route 25 in Jackson, Missouri and will not be transferred to another project. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Surface Transportation Priorities Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for the expansion of four-lane highway south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri to south of Route 160. The funds would also be used to rehabilitate dangerous intersections on Route 67 at U.S. 160, as well as Missouri Highway 158. The State of Missouri will provide 20% match. All federal funds received will be spent on this project and will not be transferred to another project. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Surface Transportation Priorities Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 to rehabilitate the Chester Bridge which transverses the Mississippi River from Perry County, Missouri to Randolph County, Illinois. The bridge is vital to the region's transportation needs. The State of Missouri will provide 20% to match the federal contribution. All federal funds received will be spent on rehabilitation of the Chester Bridge and will not be transferred to another project. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Economic Development Initiatives Requesting Entity: Washington County, Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: 102 N. Missouri Street, Potosi, MO 63664 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $300,000 for renovations to make the Washington County, Missouri building accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Washington County building is outdated; many sections are inaccessible to individuals in wheelchairs. The federal funds would provide the means for Washington County to bring the building in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Surface Transportation Priorities Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for right of way improvements and engineering design to the narrow portion of Route 63 in Phelps and Maries Counties. This project with improve the overall safety of the roadway. The State of Missouri will provide 20% to match the federal contribution. All federal funds received will be spent on right of way improvements and engineering design. None of these funds will be transferred to another project. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Transportation & Community & System Preservation Requesting Entity: Missouri Department of Transportation Address of Requesting Entity: 105 West Capitol, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 to improve shoulders, as well as widen and straighten curves along Route 34 in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger Counties. This segment of Route 34 is heavily traveled by commuters and there are serious safety concerns with the roadway. The State of Missouri will provide 20% to match the federal contribution. All federal funds received will be spent on improving Route 34. None of these funds will be transferred to another project. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: OJP-Byrne Requesting Entity: Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence Address of Requesting Entity: #69 Doctors' Park, Suite C, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 Description of Request: To provide an earmark of $200,000 to the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence (SEMO NASV) to equip and staff an office in the Bootheel of Missouri to assist victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as support local law enforcement investigations. SEMO NASV provides services to over 700 adult and child victims of sexual and physical abuse. The organization serves a 10- county region in Southeastern Missouri. It plays a vital role in the process of convicting sex offenders and provides counseling and other services to victims. The funds will be spent as follows: $126,000 for personnel, $59,000 for equipment, $12,000 for office space, and $3,000 for training and travel. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: COPS-Meth Requesting Entity: Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 1763, Sikeston, Missouri 63801 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $200,000 to supplement and support operations of the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force (SEMO DTF). SEMO DTF is a multi- jurisdictional drug task force unit that serves a 10-county area of Southeast Missouri. The unit conducts both covert and overt investigations into the possession, manufacture, and distribution of controlled substances. The funds will be spent as follows: $32,000 for personnel, $89,000 for overtime compensation, $66,000 for equipment, $4,500 for telecommunication services, $6,000 for supplies, and $2,500 for personnel expenses. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: COPS-Meth Requesting Entity: Mineral Area Drug Task Force/City of Leadington, Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 349, Farmington, MO 63640 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $200,000 to assist with funding Mineral Area Drug Task Force's enforcement efforts in locating, dismantling, and reducing the number of methamphetamine laboratories within the area of their operation. Approximately $124,000 is for the purchase of equipment to assist officers in their investigations, $36,000 is for overtime for officers assigned to methamphetamine investigations, $16,000 is for office and field supplies to assist officers in the preparation of reports and to provide supplies to facilitate the processing of clandestine labs, and $24,000 is for travel and training to equip officers with the knowledge to efficiently perform- their duties. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: COPS-Meth Requesting Entity: Howell County, Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: 1106 Missouri Avenue, West Plains, Missouri 65775 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $250,000 for the South Central Drug Task Force to enhance drug enforcement in project area. South Central Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement task force, and an existing HIDTA initiative within Midwest HIDTA, comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers including nine Sheriff's Departments, Municipal Police Departments, Missouri State Highway Patrol, United States Forest Service, and United States Park Service. Approximately $50,000 in overtime funding for existing narcotics officers; $122,500 for technical surveillance and reporting equipment; $65,000 for civilian personnel/Intel analyst; and $12,500 for consumable supplies. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: COPS-Law Enforcement Technology Requesting Entity: St. Francois County, Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: 102 Industrial Drive, Park Hills, MO 63601 Description of Request: Provide an earmark for the Southeast Missouri Law Enforcement District for $697,000 project for the following counties of the 8th Congressional District to acquire and greatly benefit from availability of a Law Enforcement Visual Tool: Iron, Washington, and Bollinger. Federal, state, and local agencies will have a common tool to jointly manage emergencies. The project enhances public safety, officer safety, by placing sophisticated geospatial intelligence information in the hands of emergency responders. The funding would be used as follows: $12,000 for project administration, $675,000 for image libraries, and $10,000 for equipment. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: HRSA Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ozarks Medical Center Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 1100, West Plains, MO 65775 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for equipment in a new and expanded Emergency Department. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: HRSA Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southeast Missouri State University Address of Requesting Entity: One University Plaza, MS 1900, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $205,000 for the Southeast Health on Wheels (SHOW) Mobile Program. The SHOW Mobile initiative is a health literacy, health promotional and disease prevention and primary health and dental care program designed to serve Southeast Missouri. The program is administered by the College of Health and Human Services of Southeast Missouri State University. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Higher Education FIPSE Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southeast Missouri State University Address of Requesting Entity: One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 to expand the services of Kent Library into a modem Information Commons concept and to link the same technical and support services that this renovation will provide to the students, faculty, and staff on the main campus, to the students and faculty on the River Campus, four regional campuses and the community within the University's service region. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Higher Education FIPSE Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Three Rivers Community College Address of Requesting Entity: 2080 Three Rivers Boulevard, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $215,000 to upgrade the delivery and management of on-line learning system. This enhancement will make it possible to rapidly expand education/training programs, and the initiation of on-line degree programs. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: HHS, Social Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 207 N. Washington St., Box 249, East Prairie, MO 63845 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $250,000 for the Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center's Positive Alternative System Strategies to Work, or ``Pass to Work,'' which will provide families with activities designed to emphasize good academic and healthy physical performance for at-risk children. In addition, this program will offer employment training, career counseling, and health behavior advice. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: HRSA Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Missouri State University Address of Requesting Entity: 901 S. National, Springfield, MO 65897 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $250,000 for nursing and allied technology enhancements, specifically to create nursing clinical simulation laboratories at the West Plains campus to support their nursing and allied health programs. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: SBA--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri System, Columbia, MO Address of Requesting Entity: University Hall, 1100 Carrie Francke Drive, Columbia MO, 65211 Description of Request: $249,000 is provided for the University of Missouri's Extension Community Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (ExCEED) program. The funding will be used to promote economic development in the Mississippi River Hills Region and the Ozark Heritage Region. Over a three year period, funding will be utilized to expand the current part-time Executive Director position in the Mississippi River Hills Region to full-time, as well as establishing a part-time youth entrepreneurship coordinator and equipment in this rural area. Additionally, over three years this funding will allow their Ozark Heritage Region to expand the entrepreneurship education and business counseling. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: SBA--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Downtown West Plains, Inc., West Plains, MO Address of Requesting Entity: 401 Jefferson Ave., West Plains, MO 65775 Description of Request: $500,000 is provided for Downtown West Plains, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation, to complete the exterior and interior renovation of a 100-year-old building which will house a Small Business Incubator. These funds will be matched with $1,144,000 in local, state, and other federal funds. The Ozarks Small Business Incubator, when completed, will provide personalized assistance to small business entrepreneurs by supporting their efforts with business related education, financial guidance, business plan development, mentoring, and access to tangible resources such as building space, shipping dock, and shared office equipment. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: SBA--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Girl Scouts of the USA, New York, NY Address of Requesting Entity: 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 Description of Request: $305,875 is provided to the Girl Scouts of the USA for a national program to improve financial literacy. Federal funds would help launch the first phase of the Improving Girls' Financial Literacy project--a comprehensive, effective and universal financial literacy curriculum for delivery to 2.6 million Girl Scouts of all ages, and corresponding materials for their 900,000 adult volunteers. Funds would support planning; research to ensure that the program is age-appropriate, effective and evidence based; development and creation of materials for the six levels of Girl Scouting; corresponding facilitator guides to help the volunteers and other activities to ensure that this program is successful.
AMERICA, YOU MUST TAKE NOTICE2009-12-10
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac send chills down the spine of Federal regulators, but the financial regulation bill before the House this week ignores those and other government-sponsored enterprises, the institutions at the heart of the worst financial crisis in modern American history. The crisis was explosive, more than a decade in the making. During the slow lead-up to the crash, Fannie and Freddie guaranteed that a national subprime lending problem would seep into every other financial sector of our economy. The GSEs ignored their public responsibility to assure a stable U.S. market for lending. So if that's the case, then why is this bill silent on their misdeeds and the perverse incentives that drove our country to the brink of financial disaster? As the government gets bigger, this bill requires government to regulate everything but itself. As of October 31, Fannie Mae held $771 billion in its gross mortgage portfolio, and another $2.8 trillion in mortgage-backed securities and other guarantees. Their omission from this bill is glaring. It's irresponsible to exempt GSEs from this legislation. America, you must take notice.
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 3288, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 20102009-12-10
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the Financial Services and General Government division of the omnibus. I first want to commend Chairman Serrano for his efforts in crafting the bill. It has been a pleasure to work with him, and while we don't always agree, he has at least been open to listening to the minority's ideas. While I appreciate Chairman Serrano's efforts, I have got a lot of concern with the Financial Services division insofar as it is a 7 percent increase over fiscal year 2009, or $24.2 billion. This is very, very generous, and I believe that the resource requirements of the agencies funded in this bill can be met with a smaller allocation, particularly given the government's financial situation. However, with the allocation provided to Mr. Serrano, he has done a good job of allocating funding in the bill, and I am grateful for efforts to provide increases to critical programs such as the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Treasury Terrorism and Financial Intelligence programs, Drug Free Communities, and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas. I am also pleased that the bill provides $75 million for D.C. education programs, including $42 million to D.C. public schools. I am happy, to some extent, that the bill doesn't totally eliminate the Opportunity Scholarships program, but I must say I am very disappointed that the program is limited to students currently enrolled in the program. My own daughter teaches in the D.C. public schools, so I know firsthand how these schools are failing the city's children. I ask how we can possibly limit educational opportunities for low-income students when we know the public school system is underperforming? Another area of the bill that deeply concerns me are the controversial changes to long-standing general provisions regarding abortion and medical marijuana in the District of Columbia. We heard Mr. Tiahrt address that a little while ago. Let me then lastly discuss an issue that is not directly related to this bill but that is related to the Department of the Treasury, which is part of our bill, and it is the administration of TARP. The TARP has greatly expanded the Federal Government's reach into the private sector, not by purchasing troubled assets, as was its original purpose, but by purchasing common shares of banks, by owning large auto companies, and by subsidizing home mortgages. Today, many Democrats, including the President and the Secretary of the Treasury, are discussing using TARP funds to pay for yet another stimulus bill when the first stimulus bill has already been a failure. Unemployment is at 10 percent. Only 12 percent of the discretionary funding in the stimulus bill has been spent. Yet our friends on the other side of the aisle plan to shove through more government spending under the guise of job creation, which is going to do more harm than good, and we are going to offset it with surplus TARP funding. Well, the TARP funding was never supposed to be used again and again and again. Our national debt is $12 trillion, and the fiscal year 2010 deficit is projected to be over $1 trillion. Members are going to be asked to increase the debt limit. We cannot sustain this level of spending. TARP savings must be used for debt reduction.
HONORING RYAN DILLON DURING NATIONAL EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH2009-11-18
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to tell you about Ryan Dillon, a remarkable young man from Missouri's Eighth Congressional District, which I represent. As a teenager, Ryan was highly active in school and clubs when, one day while brushing his teeth, his world went black. Ryan had had a seizure. Ryan went on to Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where he majored in political science. At Westminster, Ryan remained politically active, became vice president of the Student Government Association, and was elected Homecoming King during the fall of his senior year. All the while, he hid his epilepsy from his peers. Epilepsy is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. It affects people of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds. More than 3 million Americans of all ages are living with epilepsy, and every year, 200,000 Americans will develop seizures and epilepsy for the first time. Epilepsy can develop at any time of life, especially in early childhood and old age. It's a neurological condition that makes people susceptible to seizures. Ryan is now 25 and serves as a congressional aide. He hopes to use his experiences and influence to raise awareness. As November is designated National Epilepsy Awareness Month, I am honored to help Ryan promote his message for increased research, awareness, and education to openly work toward a cure.
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA ACT2009-11-07
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, this could have been a great day in the House of Representatives, but we have missed an opportunity for consensus, to improve access and save money for taxpayers and patients alike. Americans pay the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world and this bill binds us to that fate. For every Member of Congress, there are two and a half pharmaceutical lobbyists. In the first half of 2009, drug companies spent $609,000 every day on lobbying. We have missed an opportunity to tell the drug companies that they no longer set the agenda in Congress. We have missed an opportunity to put the interests of Americans ahead of special interests. We have missed an opportunity to end the pill- splitting, skipped doses and unfilled prescriptions that plague Americans who can't afford the medicine their doctor prescribes. This bill shifts those costs from patients to taxpayers, from this generation to the next. It trades affordable generics for pricey name- brand name drugs. It intentionally makes quality care more expensive for our Nation, and it is wrong to leave hundreds of billions in savings on the table.
REFORMING HEALTH CARE IN AN UNDERSTANDABLE WAY2009-11-03
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, before we debate the 1,990-page health care bill that my colleagues and I are all trying to read this week, let me share with you how this bill defines a checkup, known in this legislation as a ``primary care service.'' I will quote from page 1,056. ``The term `primary care services' means evaluation and management services, without regard to the specialty of the physician furnishing the services, that are procedure codes (for services covered under title XVIII) for services in the category designated Evaluation and Management in the Health Care Common Procedure Coding System (established by the Secretary under section 1848(c)(5) as of December 31, 2009, and as subsequently modified by the Secretary).'' Now, that is a checkup. And all that section of the bill really says is we are going to define it in the future. If I have time, Mr. Speaker, I try to read every bill, and as this legislation goes, it is pretty darn complicated. But what we need to accomplish is very simple: We need to lower the costs of health care in order to improve access to the system. It doesn't take 1,990 pages. We could do it in 19 pages. And we ought to do it in terms that the American public can understand.
EARMARK DECLARATION2009-10-29
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 2996, the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. Project Name: City of East Prairie, Missouri Stormwater and Sewer Infrastructure Bill Number: H.R. 2996 Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project Requesting Entity: City of East Prairie, Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: 219 N. Washington St., East Prairie, Missouri 63845-1141 Description of Request: Provide an earmark in the amount of $200,000 to rebuild East Prairie, Missouri's wastewater and storm water infrastructure. The existing 84-year-old water infrastructure is crumbling under the streets due to sinkholes which have plagued the community. The sinkholes are destroying box culverts, which is posing a threat to streets and houses in East Prairie. The money procured will pay for the construction of new stormwater sewers. A minimum of 45 percent of the total project cost will come directly from the City of East Prairie, Missouri.
HEALTH CARE2009-10-27
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, health care reform has gripped the Congress for the better part of a year now, and we're finally getting to the core of this debate: cost. Without an affordable system of health care, we'll forever have problems with access. But too many good bipartisan proposals to lower costs have been ignored--eliminating international barriers to market access for U.S. consumers, speeding new generics to market, promoting comparative effectiveness research, and better decision-making tools for doctors and their patients. You may ask, Why? It's real simple. The administration made an $80 billion deal with the big drug companies that prevents us from offering our proposals to save consumers money on their medicine. Our constituents who often have trouble paying for their medicines today will continue subsidizing the people from other countries who pay half of what we do for the same drugs. So this $80 billion deal actually makes more money for big drug companies because it will encourage more people to take brand-name pills instead of generics, increasing the market share and profits of the drug companies. No wonder they were so quick to accept this deal, and what a scam the administration has fallen prey to.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION2009-10-22
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 783 and rollcall No. 784 regarding the Homeland Security Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Conference Report, I am not recorded (because I was absent for my step daughter's wedding.) Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 783 and ``aye'' on rollcall No. 784.
EARMARK DECLARATION2009-10-14
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 2892, the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Act Account: State and Local Programs Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Howell County Emergency Preparedness Address of Requesting Entity: 3 Courthouse, West Plains, Missouri 65775 Description of Request: Provide an earmark for $250,000 for an Emergency Operations Center in West Plains, Missouri. The Emergency Operations Center will serve the residents of Howell County and surrounding counties in the region in case of any natural or man-made hazards. The funding is budgeted at approximately $7,275 for administrative and legal expenses; $81,000 for land, structures, right-of-ways, appraisals, etc.; $2,925 for project inspection and architectural and engineering fees; $153,175 for equipment, construction and miscellaneous items; $5,625 for contingencies.
EARMARK DECLARATION2009-10-06
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 2997, the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia Address of Requesting Entity: 101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite E, Columbia, MO Description of Request: Provide $1,339,000 for the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute to provide objective, quantitative economic analysis of agricultural policy alternatives. Approximately $188,000 or 14% will be used to continue a cooperative agreement with the University of Wisconsin relating to dairy policy; $340,000 or 25% will be used to conduct analysis of rangeland, cattle and hay, sheep and specialty crops with the University of Nevada--Reno; $811,000 or 61% will be divided between the University of Missouri and Iowa State University to provide a ten-year baseline and policy analysis for U.S. and world agriculture. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia Address of Requesting Entity: 101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite E, Columbia, MO Description of Request: Provide $595,000 for the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) and the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) to provide Congress with information regarding farm financial risk and farm structure and the impacts of alternative agricultural policies on these factors. Approximately $244,000 or 41% is for FAPRI at the University of Missouri to provide stochastic and deterministic baseline and policy scenarios, and $351,000 or 59% is for AFPC at Texas A&M University to provide representative farm analysis. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia Delta Research Center Address of Requesting Entity: Highway 61, Portageville, MO 63873 Description of Request: Provide $174,000 for the University of Missouri--Delta Research Center to continue research on rice production in the mid-South. Approximately $140,610 will be for multiple personnel costs, $29,000 for materials and supplies, and $5,000 for other costs. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia Address of Requesting Entity: 214 Middlebush Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211 Description of Request: Provide $889,000 for the Rural Policies Institute to provide unbiased analysis and information on the challenges, needs, and opportunities in rural people and places; and to spur public dialogue and help policymakers understand the impacts of public policies and programs on rural people and places. Salaries and fringe benefits $654,000 or 74%, for Center Investments $60,000 or 7%, for conferences and events $50,000 or 6%, for consultants $25,000 or 2%, for office expenses $40,000 or 4%, for travel $60,000 or 7%. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri-Columbia Delta Research Center Address of Requesting Entity: Highway 61, Portageville, MO 63873 Description of Request: Provide $556,000 for continued soybean cyst nematode research at the University of Missouri--Delta Research Center. Of the $556,000, 85% is for salaries and benefits, the remaining 15% is for travel, supplies, and costs for a winter seed nursery. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bootheel Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 18450 Ridgeview Lane, Dexter, MO 63841 Description of Request: Provide $207,000 to the USDA--APHIS--Wildlife Services in Southeast Missouri. Of the $207,000, 80% would be utilized for salaries and benefits, 17% for APHIS--Wildlife Services program support and 3% for vehicle maintenance and fuel. A portion of the operating budget will also be provided by local municipalities, commodity organizations and university support. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: General Provision Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Congressional Hunger Center Address of Requesting Entity: Hall of States Building, 400 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite G100, Washington, DC 20001 Description of Request: Provide $3,000,000 for the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program and the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship Program. Of the $3,000,000 in funding 54% would be for salaries, benefits, healthcare and other costs associated with the Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program and 46% for similar costs associated with the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship Program. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: Agriculture Research Service--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry Address of Requesting Entity: 203 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, Missouri, 65211 Description of Request: Provide $660,000 to support research on viable alternative production and protection options to help revitalize the economic and environmental health of rural farms and communities in Missouri and surrounding states. Approximately, $438,882 [or 66%] is for salary and fringe to support professional track faculty, research associates, field research specialists, graduate and undergraduate students; $201,982 [or 31%] for materials and supplies in support of laboratory and field-based research on campus and at five MU farms and centers; $19,137 [or 3%] for travel. Requesting Member: Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--Research and Education Activities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Center for Grapevine Biotechnology at Missouri State University Address of Requesting Entity: 9740 Red Spring Road, Mountain Grove, Missouri, 65711 Description of Request: Provide $422,000 to research the ability of wild grapevines to defend themselves against pathogens, and their capacity to synthesize health-promoting properties. Of the funds available 46% for salary and benefits, 21% for other direct costs including materials and supplies, and 25% for F&A.
EARMARK DECLARATION2009-10-01
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 3183, the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. Project Name: Wappapello Lake, MO Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: MRT--Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: 101 Oak St. Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $5,232,000 for Wappapello Lake, MO MR&T Operations and Maintenance. This funding is for routine operation and maintenance, as well as work on U.S. Highway 67. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MR&T Operations and Maintenance Account. Project Name: Bois Brule Drainage and Levee District, MO Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bois Brule Levee and Drainage District of Perry County, MO Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 347, Perryville, MO 63775 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,938,000 to continue work on a flood damage reduction and deficiency correction project conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately, $400,000 to award a contract for the Missouri Chute pump station; $420,000 to complete exploration and design of relief wells; and $1,118,000 to construct additional relief wells. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Account. Project Name: Cape Girardeau (Floodwall), MO Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Cape Girardeau Address of Requesting Entity: 401 Independence Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $183,000 to continue work on a flood damage reduction project conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The $183,000 will be used to complete the rehabilitation of the floodwall. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Account. Project Name: Clearwater Lake, MO (Seepage Control) Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Piedmont Address of Requesting Entity: 115 West Green Street, Piedmont, MO 63957 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $37,791,000 for Clearwater Major Rehabilitation Project to continue work on a flood control project conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The $37,791,000 will be used to complete Phase I(b) construction and continue Phase II to construct a cutoff wall. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Account. Project Name: Mississippi River Levees, AR, IL, KY, LA, MS, MO & TN Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: MRT--Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission Address of Requesting Entity: 105 E. North Main Street, Dexter, MO 63841 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $44,702,000 for Mississippi River Levees (MR&T) to continue work on flood protection projects conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Construction Account. Project Name: St. John's Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, Missouri Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: MRT--Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. John's Levee and Drainage District of Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 40, New Madrid, MO 63869 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $200,000 for the St. John's Bayou and New Madrid Floodway. This funding will be used to conduct NEPA activities. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MR&T Construction Account. Project Name: Clearwater Lake, Missouri Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Piedmont, Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: 115 West Green Street, Piedmont, MO 63957 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,827,000 for Operation and Maintenance of Clearwater Lake. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Account. Project Name: St. Francis Basin, AR & MO Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: MRT--Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The Little River Drainage District Address of Requesting Entity: 1440 Kurre Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $9,509,000 for St. Francis River and Tributaries, AR & MO Maintenance. This funding will be used for land and damages, cultural resources, engineering, design, construction management and operate and maintain two pumping stations. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MR&T Maintenance Account. Project Name: Caruthersville Harbor, Missouri Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Pemiscot County Port Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 619 Ward Avenue, Caruthersville, MO 63830 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $482,000 for Caruthersville Harbor for annual maintenance of the navigation channel conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately $482,000 is for dredging the harbor to authorized levels. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Account. Project Name: New Madrid Harbor, Missouri Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: New Madrid County Port Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 435 Main Street, New Madrid, MO 63869 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $400,000 for the New Madrid County Harbor for annual maintenance of the navigation channel conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately $400,000 is for dredging the harbor. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Account. Project Name: New Madrid Harbor (Mile 889), Missouri Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of New Madrid, Missouri Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 96, New Madrid, MO 63869 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $240,000 for the New Madrid Harbor Mile 889 for annual maintenance of the navigation channel conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately $240,000 will be used to dredge the harbor. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance Account. Project Name: Little River Diversion, Dutchtown, Missouri Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Section 205 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Little River Drainage District Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 159 Cape Girardeau, MO 63702 Description of Request: The Little River Diversion project will be funded at the discretion of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through Section 205 funds. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Section 205 account. Project Name: Mississippi River Levees, AR, IL, KY, LA, MS, MO & TN Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: MRT--Operations and Maintenance Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission Address of Requesting Entity: 105 E. North Main Street, Dexter, MO 63841 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $11,311,000 for Mississippi River Levees (MR&T) to continue work on flood protection projects conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Operations and Maintenance Account.
TRIBUTE TO LIZ ANDERSON2009-09-15
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to a good friend of mine and a great servant of Missouri's Eighth Congressional District, Liz Anderson. Mrs. Anderson, born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away on September 9th, and she is being sorely missed by her family, friends, colleagues and the citizens of Southern Missouri. For 30 years, Southern Missourians have been accustomed to getting the news of the day from Mrs. Anderson. First as a reporter, then as editor and co-owner of The Enterprise-Courier in Charleston, Missouri, and The East Prairie Eagle in East Prairie, Missouri, Mrs. Anderson brought her considerable skills to the newsroom. In our communities, she is remembered for being tough, fair, inquisitive, patriotic, and-- above all--for taking the time to become at least twice as informed as she needed to be on any issue that earned a place in her newspaper. Separate from her vocation in the newsroom, Mrs. Anderson put her considerable talents to work on issues she felt were important to Mississippi County, Missouri, as well as to the rest of the state and to the nation. On flood control, river transportation, and economic development issues, the positive effect of her efforts will endure along with our memory of her. To Liz Anderson's family, I extend my heartfelt condolences. To the members of this U.S. House of Representatives, I commend her strong community spirit and her dedication to the principles of a free press. Mrs. Anderson put that free press to work in an exemplary way in Southern Missouri--and we should all take her tremendous contributions to heart as we honor her memory.
RECOGNIZING JOSH ECKHOFF2009-09-09
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Josh Eckhoff to the U.S. House of Representatives and to recognize his tremendous contribution to our nation. Josh's story is a testament to his selflessness and an example of service every American citizen should take to heart. After he graduated high school, Josh volunteered to join the Missouri National Guard. He was called to service in Iraq on two occasions. On his first deployment, Josh trained Iraqi soldiers to provide security for convoys tasked with transporting supplies. When he returned home, Josh enrolled in the University of Missouri at St. Louis. He was then deployed to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Then, in September of 2007, Josh was called to duty in Iraq again. This time his mission was clearing roads. He had been in Iraq for six months when an improvised explosive device exploded, causing him serious injury. After several surgeries, tremendous hardship, difficult rehabilitation and a long recovery, Josh is now back in St. Louis, where he will complete his degree. He has received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his courage, and he is a great example of perseverance to everyone in my home state of Missouri. He will be the Parade Marshall in the annual Cotton Carnival Parade in Sikeston, Missouri, on October 3 this fall. We will give him a hero's welcome in Southern Missouri, and I think it is highly appropriate that Josh Eckhoff receive the same recognition in this Congress for his many accomplishments, past, present and future.
EARMARK DECLARATION2009-07-28
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information in regards to H.R. 3326, the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, A Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $3,000,000 to research materials that will lead to advances in the storage and generation of power. To maintain a strong national defense, our nation must develop new devices from innovative polymer-based materials that have lower- power requirements, greater strength, lighter weight, higher sensitivity, and robustness to operate under extreme conditions. The research will provide materials that will lead to important advances in the generation and storage of power. The power generation systems would have advantages for military use over current systems in terms of weight, flexibility, and functionality. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, A Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $3,000,000 to complete a project to develop high performance alloy materials and advanced manufacturing of steel castings for new light weight and robotic weapon systems. This program would enhance defense component capabilities at a reduced cost. The program would also augment war fighter capability by increasing the mobility and reliability of weapons systems. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, A Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $6,000,000 to develop new, low-cost, sensors and an integrating network methodology for geospatial localization and tracking of explosive related threats and precursor materials using spatially distributed, multimodal sensors. This effort is consistent with the U.S. Army goals of assured mobility and force protection. Requesting Member: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, AF Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and Technology Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, Missouri 65409 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $3,000,000 to develop fiber reinforced ultra-high temperature materials for hypersonic flight vehicles. Ultra-high temperature materials are imperative for the leading and trailing edges, and control surfaces, of future hypersonic vehicles. The proposed project would greatly advance the material selection and design capability for military systems projected to operate in the extreme environments associated with hypersonic flight. Success of this project would enable the United States to uphold its position of world leadership in these critical technology areas.
EARMARK DECLARATION2009-07-24
Mrs. EMERSON
Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill, 2010. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ozarks Medical Center Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 1100, West Plains, MO 65775 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for equipment in a new and expanded Emergency Department. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southeast Missouri State University Address of Requesting Entity: One University Plaza, MS 1900: Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $205,000 for the Southeast Health on Wheels (SHOW) Mobile Program. The SHOW Mobile initiative is a health Literacy, health promotional and disease prevention and primary health and dental care program designed to serve Southeast Missouri. The program is administered by the College of Health and Human Services of Southeast Missouri State University. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southeast Missouri State University Address of Requesting Entity: One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 to expand the services of Kent Library into a modern Information Commons concept and to link the same technical and support services that this renovation will provide to the students, faculty, and staff on the main campus, to the students and faculty on the River Campus, four regional campuses and the community within the University's service region. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Three Rivers Community College Address of Requesting Entity: 2080 3 Rivers Boulevard, Popular Bluff, MO 63901 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $215,000 to upgrade the delivery and management of on-line learning system. This enhancement will make it possible to rapidly expand education/training programs, and the initiation of on-line degree programs. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 207 N. Washington St, Box 249, East Prairie, MO 63845 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $250,000 for the Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center's Positive Alternative System Strategies to Work, or ``Pass to Work,'' program will provide families with activities designed to emphasize good academic and healthy physical performance for at-risk children. In addition, this program will offer employment training, career counseling, and health behavior advice. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson Bill: Fiscal Year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Missouri State University Address of Requesting Entity: 901 S. National, Springfield, MO 65897 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $250,000 for nursing and allied technology enhancements, specifically to create nursing clinical simulation laboratories at the West Plains campus to support their nursing and allied health programs.