Bob Etheridge

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to reauthorize NOAA and call on the agency to work to develop an inland warning system. Six years ago I held a Hurricane Summit in the Second District of North Carolina. This was in response to the devastation that was brought to my State by Hurricane Floyd. Hurricane Floyd was one of the most devastating storms to hit the United States in more than 25 years. When Hurricane Floyd roared ashore in North Carolina in September of 1999, the storm took at least 56 lives, and left damages upwards of $6 billion from the Carolinas to New England. Although the National Weather Service uses the Saffir-Simpson Scale to classify hurricane strength according to wind speed, Hurricane Floyd showed us that much more damage, death, and destruction can be created by unexpected inland flooding. One year ago this fact was displayed again with disastrous intensity during Hurricane Katrina when the damage was not just limited to the immediate coastal areas of the gulf coast. After the storms there were inland areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama that were inaccessible for weeks following the severe flooding. The purpose of my Hurricane Summit was to bring together meteorological experts from universities, the National Hurricane Center, and the National Weather Service to develop a more accurate index for inland flood monitoring. With the information gathered at this summit, I drafted legislation to ensure that NOAA and the National Weather Service make significant improvements to their inland flood warning system. H.R. 2486, the Inland Flood Forecasting and Warning System Act of 2002, was passed in the 107th Congress and enjoyed wide bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, this legislation directed NOAA and the National Weather Service to improve the capability to forecast inland flooding associated with tropical storms and hurricanes, to develop a distinctive inland flood warning index for emergency management officials, and to train emergency management officials, National Weather Service personnel, and meteorologists to use these improved forecasting techniques for inland flooding. An important part of this legislation requires the National Weather Service and NOAA to report annually to Congress on the progress of this new flood index. I would like to continue to work with the members of the Science Committee and the Appropriations Committee to ensure that NOAA provides these reports to the Congress in a timely manner. Congress must provide the proper oversight to NOAA to ensure that the progress in developing an improved inland flooding index can be put in place to save lives.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this sham legislation and call on this Congress to pass serious reform legislation to clean up the corruption in the People's House. The culture of corruption under the current Republican Majority is a stain on the honor of everyone who serves this institution. The former Republican Majority Leader has been indicted, one former Republican Member of the Appropriations Committee is serving a lengthy Federal prison term, and just this morning we learned that a former powerful Republican Committee Chairman has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges. And throughout the current l09th Congress, the Republican Leadership has shut down the Ethics Committee that has responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the U.S. House. I support full disclosure of all Member-directed appropriations to shine a light on the process and ensure any special interest provisions can pass muster of public scrutiny. It is well past time for Congress to pass serious lobbying reform to clean up this institution. Unfortunately, House Resolution 1000, the so-called Earmark Reform Act is a fraud. It would do nothing to expose the Alaskan ``Bridge to Nowhere'' because it does not apply to authorization bills. And on appropriations bills, this proposal sets up a huge loophole because it does not apply to what is known as the Manager's Amendment. This omission simply sets up a new conduit for the Republicans' earmark excesses. Mr. Speaker, I regret the Republican party bosses refuse to bring legislation to clean up the corruption in Congress, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against this scam legislation.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in recognition of National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. This special week, the nation pays tribute to HBCUs that make such a difference developing young minds and shaping our future. As defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, HBCUs are ``any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principle mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary (of Education) to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation. Nearly fourteen percent of our country's African American students in higher education are enrolled at HBCUs. These colleges and universities are preparing a new generation of leaders, business people, teachers and scholars. They play a vital role in ensuring that our higher education system is the finest in the world. This year's HBCUs Week is themed, ``The Tradition Continues: New Successes and Challenges,'' which is a tribute to the rich tradition of HBCUs and the enduring role they play in the weave of our social fabric. North Carolina is home to several HBCUs, and I am particularly proud of the two in my Congressional District; Shaw University and Fayetteville State University. Shaw University, located in Raleigh, was founded in 1865, making it the oldest HBCU in the South. Shaw is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university, awarding degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Affiliated with the Baptist Church, the primary mission of the University is teaching with the commitment to maintain excellence in research and academic programs that foster intellectual enhancement and technological skills. Shaw stresses character development, which includes religious, cultural, social and ethical values. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a major force in the Civil Rights Movement, got its start at a conference held a Shaw in 1960. Dr. Clarence G. Newsome currently serves as President of Shaw University. Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina. The primary mission of the university is to provide quality education to its students through a basic liberal arts foundation, specialized professional training, and specific graduate programs. The university is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, individual university departments, degree programs, and service functions hold memberships and accreditations with appropriate professional organizations. Chancellor T.J. Bryan is the tenth Chief Executive Officer of the 138- year old HBCU and the first female to head the institution. Mr. Speaker, as the former Superintendent of North Carolina's public schools, I know well the outstanding contributions made to our state and nation by Shaw University, Fayetteville State University and all of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and I am pleased to join my colleagues in paying tribute to national HBCUs Week.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act. Although I voted to pass this bill to demonstrate my support of strong border enforcement, it is yet another example of the House Republican leadership's piecemeal approach to immigration reform. America's immigration system is broken, but instead of implementing comprehensive, commonsense solutions such as increasing the number of border agents, funding more detention beds and enforcing current immigration law, House Republicans have chosen to manipulate this issue for partisan political purposes. In December of 2004 I voted in favor of H.R. 10, the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Implementation Act. This bill, which passed the House on a vote of 282-134 and which the President signed into law on December 17 of that year, authorized Customs and Border Patrol to hire 10,000 new border agents over the next 5 years as well as add 35,000 detention beds to hold illegal immigrants while they are being process for deportation. Although the bill passed overwhelmingly, House Republicans refused to back up this important legislation with the necessary funds to implement the provisions. The President, who signed the bill into law, only provided funds for 210 border agents in his fiscal year 2006 budget request. The United States cannot secure its borders with only physical barriers. We can only achieve effective immigration reform and border security through a combination of consistent enforcement of current immigration law, the addition of the thousands of additional border security personnel that Congress has already authorized, and the implementation of a fair, balanced immigration plan that encourages lawfulness, rewards hard work and safeguards families.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, right now in my district in rural North Carolina, folks are very concerned about the high cost of fuel. I rise tonight to call on this Congress to take action now to help the people who are suffering from this very serious crisis, not only in my district and State, but really in this country. Gas prices are higher than they have ever been in the history of our country, and rural Americans are getting hit particularly hard. Our farmers are watching most of the profits from the crops that they harvest go back into their fuel tanks or their tractors and their equipment. Our school districts in rural North Carolina are having trouble keeping the buses on the road. Rural Americans as a whole feel a greater pinch from these outrageous fuel prices. They have longer commutes just to get to the grocery store, to the doctor's office and to their church on Sunday. Yet, while Americans are struggling to make ends meet, big oil companies are making record profits. I support legislation to crack down on price gouging of gasoline and fuel. I also believe that it is our duty in this body to find alternatives to what has become a dangerous reliance on foreign oil. As the co-chairman of the Democratic Rural Working Group, we have introduced H.R. 5372, the Biofuels Act of 2006. This is legislation that will help bring Americans a step closer to energy independence. Today, we have the technology to solve our energy crisis. Other countries are already making significant progress and are far ahead of the United States in their energy independence. Countries such as Brazil already use over 80 percent ethanol and biodiesel, and they are 100 percent energy independent. The Biofuels Act would increase production of vehicles that are E85 compatible and provide the tax credits to service station owners who update their equipment. We have the ability to turn soybeans and cellulose into biodiesel and ethanol. What we don't have is the infrastructure to maximize our ability to use these fuels. Instead of the same old giveaways to big oil companies, the Republican leadership in this Congress should allow a vote on the legislation that we have introduced, H.R. 5372. Other countries have accomplished their energy independence. Americans can, too. Now is the time. The answer to our crisis of energy is growing in our fields.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I served in business for 19 years and have been in public life a long time. I have signed a lot of contracts, but never in my life have I signed a contract that I have not read. We are asking the Members of this body to sign a contract with the American people that we have not read.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, as gas prices hit another record high, I call on this Congress to pass visionary legislation for America's energy independence. This summer, middle-class families are being squeezed like never before by the high price of gasoline and farmers are watching their profits erode. With the big oil companies pocketing record profits, the only action the Republican Congress has taken is more giveaways to Big Oil. We need a new direction in this country that will once and for all put us on the path to energy independence and free us from our reliance on foreign oil sources. Rural America feels this crisis every day; and as cochairman of the Rural Working Group, I have worked with my colleagues to draft legislation to secure America's energy independence through the bounty of American agriculture. The answer to the energy crisis is growing on our farms, and H.R. 5372 will upgrade our infrastructure to tap these homegrown resources. Specifically, the Biofuel Act will facilitate the production of vehicles that can run on E-85, ethanol-based fuel and soybean diesel and provide tax credits to encourage gas station owners to update their equipment to handle these new environmentally friendly fuels. Mr. Speaker, it is time for a new direction for America; and Congress must take action now to secure America's energy future.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to join my colleagues in paying tribute to Tim Friedman on the occasion of his retirement from the House after 30 years of faithful service. Tim is a native of Lackawanna, NY, a suburb of Buffalo. He arrived in Washington in 1976 and started his career in the House of Representatives on July 19, 1976 under the patronage of the Hon. Dan Rostenkowski. He worked as a Doorkeeper under the Hon. James T. Molloy from 1976 to 1982. In 1982 he transferred to the office of the House Sergeant at Arms. Tim was appointed as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985 by the Hon. Thomas P. O'Neill, Speaker of the House. Tim married Colleen Early in 2003. They are avid golfers and are building a home in Wallace, NC. I hope they have a splendid retirement in Down East, NC.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5684, the Oman Free Trade Agreement, because I think it is the right thing to do. I am going to vote for this agreement because I believe that free trade can be a way to promote our national security through international cooperation and economic growth. The country of Oman is an important ally of the United States in a part of the world where we need more friends. It is also a country that is growing, one that will provide economic opportunities and jobs to our Nation through increased exports. Upon passage of this agreement, Oman will provide immediate duty-free access to 87 percent of U.S. agricultural exports and 100 percent duty-free trade in industrial and consumer products. Mr. Speaker, Oman is a friend to the United States and a leader in the Middle East region. Oman has demonstrated this by passing tough new labor laws, normalizing relations with Israel, and supporting the U.S. efforts in Iraq. Passage of this agreement will demonstrate that we can do more to enhance our Nation's national security through cooperation and economic development. Although this legislation is not perfect, approving the Oman Free Trade Agreement is in America's national interest, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the bill that came out of the committee Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 9, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. A few years ago, my son Brian and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel with Congressman John Lewis to Selma, AL, to participate in a reenactment of the 1965 voting rights march over the Edmund Pettus Bridge. On the 36th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the most famous civil rights confrontation of the 20th century, I was deeply moved to hear firsthand accounts from John Lewis and others about that fateful day. When the original marchers got across the bridge, the Alabama State troopers savagely attacked and brutally beat them simply for peacefully demanding their rights as American citizens. The sacrifices at Bloody Sunday produced the most effective Federal election reform in our Nation's history and guaranteed the voting rights of millions of American citizens. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protects our citizens' right to vote primarily by forbidding covered States from using tests of any kind to determine eligibility to vote, by requiring these States to obtain Federal approval before enacting any election laws, and by assigning Federal officials to monitor the registration process in certain localities. Although the Voting Rights Act is a permanent Federal law, it contains some temporary provisions that will expire in 2007. Sections 4 and 5 pertaining to pre-clearance of congressional district maps by the U.S. Department of Justice and the bilingual provisions contained in section 203, were considered constitutionally controversial and were made temporary in order to revisit the issues. Mr. Chairman, I support reauthorization of H.R. 9 and oppose all amendments which attempt to weaken it. With the help of the Voting Rights Act, I am proud to say that my State of North Carolina has made substantial progress in lessening voting discrimination. However, more progress can be made and because sections 4, 5 and 203 continue to be necessary in some jurisdictions, they must be reauthorized. We must continue to protect the rights of all American citizens to fully participate regardless of race, color, ethnicity or native language. Some argue that ballots should only be printed in English; however, the fundamental right to vote must not be subject to a modern day equivalent of a literacy test. I oppose the amendment proposed by Representative King which will effectively deny some citizens the right to vote. I also oppose the amendments offered by Representatives Westmoreland and Norwood of Georgia. Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is working for North Carolina and is an important protection for our citizens. My State of North Carolina has 40 counties which are subject to preclearance by the U.S. Department of Justice. In testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights, Donald Wright, general counsel for the North Carolina State Board of Elections said ``. . . there is a consensus that the temporary provisions have had the effect of moving the consideration of adverse effects on the voting rights of minorities to the `front of the bus,' as opposed to the `rear of the bus' where it was for much too long. There also continue to be instances in which section 5 prevents discriminatory voting changes from being implemented in North Carolina. To tamper with these temporary provisions may jeopardize the substantial progress minorities have made in our State.'' Upon signing the Voting Rights Act, President Lyndon Johnson said, ``The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.'' I fully support passage of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments of 2006 for 25 years.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4761. Our country is facing a painful energy crisis as a result of the policies of this Administration and Congressional Leadership. The price of oil is as high as it has ever been, and the people in my district in North Carolina are suffering from these high energy prices. The American people desperately need effective new energy policies, but H.R. 4761 is simply more of the same failed solutions from the Republican majority in this body. This legislation would override provisions in my State of North Carolina against offshore drilling, and eliminate a long-standing national moratorium on coastal drilling. I have never supported drilling off the Outer Continental Shelf that could threaten North Carolina's pristine beaches. Instead of finding new solutions to our energy crisis, such as passing biofuels legislation that would encourage our farmers to grow our own fuel here at home, the Republican leadership chooses to put at risk the places all Americans hold dear. Mr. Chairman, I will vote against H.R. 4761, and I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposions to House Resolution 895 and in support of a better alternative, H. Res. 900 introduced by Congressman Frank. H. Res. 895 intends to express the sense of Congress that we are in support of intelligence and law enforcement programs used to track terrorists and terrorist finances when these programs are consistent with Federal law and with appropriate Congressional consultation. H. Res. 895 also specifically condemns the disclosure and publication of classified information that impairs the international fight against terrorism and needlessly exposes Americans to the threat of further terror attacks. Although I agree with these basic tenants, H. Res. 895 includes several statements that cannot be factually confirmed as of yet by the vast majority of Members of Congress. No Congressional Committee has formally looked into the terrorist finance tracking program. The Financial Services Committee will not hold its first oversight hearing on this topic until July 11, 2006. Although H. Res. 895 includes a clause stating that Congress has been fully informed on the terrorist finance tracking program, we cannot ask Members of Congress to affirm specific statements about the legality and constitutionality of a program that have yet to be independently confirmed. I simply cannot state something to be a fact that I do not know to be a fact. To do so would be a disservice to the people of North Carolina's Second District I have sworn to serve. In contrast, H. Res. 900 expresses the same sense of Congress in support of lawful programs used to track terrorists and terrorist finances, as well as the condemnation of the disclosure of classified information, while remaining free of any of these unverified statements of fact. H. Res, 900 is a balanced, thoughtful and appropriate statement of Congressional support for vigorous prosecution of the war against the terrorists.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Fire Chief Louis Joseph of Erwin, North Carolina, who died March 15, 2006. In his passing, Erwin lost one of its most outstanding citizens and a man who was instrumental in his community, county, and State. One of the area's most beloved men, my friend Louis Joseph, died Wednesday afternoon at Rex Hospital following a battle with cancer he developed from a rare respiratory disease. He was 63. Louis was the longtime Erwin fire chief and coproprietor of Joseph's Department Store in Erwin. He was diagnosed with Wegener's Granulomatosis in October 2004. After 45 years as a firefighter and 30 years as chief, Louis's health forced him to retire from the department last June. Chief Joseph and his brother George Joseph, Jr. were sons of an immigrant father from Beirut, Lebanon. George Joseph, Sr. came to North Carolina in 1933 to work in his brother's department store in Benson. After a try in the ice cream business, Mr. Joseph, Sr. opened a men's clothing store in 1948, which led to Joseph's Department Store and the first men's clothing store in Dunn, NC. Finally in 1951 Mr. Joseph, Sr. moved his department store east to Erwin where Joseph's Department Store still stands today. Louis and his brother George Jr. both worked at the store after school and eventually took over their father's business. Both sons demonstrated a life long commitment to the business and to Erwin. Both George Sr. and George Jr. served as Erwin past mayors and George Joseph, Jr. continues to manage the department store. He continues to be among Erwin's most effective and giving community leaders. Mr. Speaker, Chief Louis Joseph used every minute of his long and productive life to make the world a better place. He was a respected and successful businessman, a dedicated public servant, and a great North Carolinian. It is fitting that we honor him and his family today.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

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

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan), the ranking member.

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for his willingness to work on this and also Ranking Member Mollohan. They are absolutely right. There is no excuse for this. Men and women are doing their job, and we ought to support them. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment, with the understanding it is going to be in the report language.

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for the time. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. ETHERIDGE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, Michael Childress, Randelman, North Carolina; Roger Armstrong, Atlanta, Illinois; Steven Rosenfeld, Salem, Virginia; Donald Eugene Ward, Columbus, Ohio; Richard Allen Fast, Alum Bridge, West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, these are just five of the 135 eligible firefighters who have died in the line of duty since this House unanimously approved the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefit Act and it was signed by the President into law on December 15, 2003. The Hometown Heroes Act, which had 281 bipartisan cosponsors, made sure that a public service officer, such as a fireman, law enforcement officer, EMT or other public servant, who died of a fatal heart attack or stroke in the line of duty would receive a benefit. Since the President signed this bill into law on December 15, 2\1/2\ years ago, 135 firefighters have suffered a fatal heart attack or stroke while responding to a call. However, in 2\1/2\ years, none of these survivors have received one single penny of these congressionally authorized benefits because the U.S. Department of Justice has not approved the regulations. I have offered this amendment to highlight the Justice Department's foot dragging and delays. The first delay came when they proposed regulations that were in direct contradiction to the legislation that was passed. They then delayed when they quibbled with the words and phrases. The last excuse is that they are waiting for approval from the Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Chairman, Members and staff spent countless hours while writing this legislation to clarify what it really meant. During the Judiciary Committee markup on this measure, Chairman Sensenbrenner stated, ``I believe this bill provides the Bureau of Justice Assistance with the direction they require in reviewing and granting these benefits to deserving and qualified public safety officers who dedicate themselves to the public interest and pay the ultimate price for the public good.'' Once the President signed the bill into law, we were in constant contact with DOJ, working through the queries. The brave men and women who serve our cities and towns every day, many of whom are volunteers, do not delay when they are given a call and someone is in distress. They act, and they act immediately. I call on Attorney General Gonzales to stop making excuses, to end the delays, stop denying these victims and families the benefits they deserve. The brave men and women should not have to wait another day. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy), who just lost a fireman in his district.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues from North Carolina in congratulating the Carolina Hurricanes on winning the Stanley Cup. And, yes, Mr. Davis, I did not play any hockey and know very little about the rules. I played with a much bigger ball, one that bounced a little bit rather than one that slides. As has already been stated, in an exciting seven-game series, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup. And as has been stated, the win is truly unprecedented for North Carolina. Not only is it the first time the Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup, but it really is the first time that any professional sports team from North Carolina has won a championship. North Carolinians are not only proud of how well the Canes played on the ice, we are proud of their sportsmanship that they displayed throughout the playoffs and really throughout the season. The Canes truly are a class act, and North Carolinians are proud to call them our own. They give back to the community. It is amazing on Saturdays to see the number of young children grabbing their hockey sticks and going out to practice, and the Canes help with that. Mr. Speaker, let the record show that hockey is here to stay in North Carolina. In less than a decade, in 1997, when the Hartford Whalers relocated to North Carolina, many of our northern friends questioned whether our fine southern State could support a hockey team. Well, Mr. Speaker, we sure proved that we could. Not only did the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, but we sold out every single game of the playoffs. Hockey is right up there with barbecue and beach music in terms of popularity in the Old North State. North Carolinians are proud of our Hurricanes, and as you have already heard, we cannot wait until next season.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5638, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against it. As a part-time farmer myself, I support tax relief that helps our farms and small businesses grow. I have supported raising the estate tax exemption level several times in previous years. However, this must be done in a responsible manner that does not dishonor our values, shortchange our essential services, or heap more debt on our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, H.R. 5638 fails this basic test. H.R. 5638, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006 is far from the ``compromise'' that its authors claim. This bill would result in almost 80 percent as much lost revenue as a full repeal of the estate tax. H.R. 5638 would cost the American people $762 billion in the first 10 years of its enactment. The Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006 is the latest example of this Congressional Majority's misplaced priorities. Less than 1 percent of estates will pay the estate tax this year under the exemption in current law and only 7,500 estates nationwide would be taxable under the $3.5 million exemption that would take effect in 2009. Under current law, 997 of every 1,000 estates would not pay any part of Federal estate taxes. Given current circumstances, the timing could not be worse for giving tax breaks that only apply to multi-millionaires' estates. I am very proud that during my first term in the U.S. House, Congress and the President balanced the Federal budget for the first time in a generation. Until just a few years ago, the budget remained balanced and the surpluses we produced were being used to pay down the national debt and strengthen Social Security. The current Republican regime in the White House and Congress has reversed that progress and the Nation is much worse off because of their policies. Today the national debt stands at $8.4 trillion. We face the danger of being forced to borrow more money from countries like China to pay our national debt and putting ourselves at the mercy of their rising interest rates. A nation at war cannot justify adding almost $800 billion to this staggering debt. We cannot continue to pile on debt that our future generations will be forced to pay. Increasing this budget shortfall only makes it more difficult to invest in our true priorities. We are still a nation at war and some of our soldiers lack the best armor. We are facing another hurricane season while continuing to rebuild the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. Already the Republican budget resolution cuts funds for homeland security, including port security by $6.1 billion over 5 years, cuts essential services for working families by $9.4 billion, and slashes funding for health by $18.1 billion below current services. As the former Superintendent of North Carolina's public schools, I find the budget cuts for education especially disappointing. Instead of investing in our future Congressional Republicans are eliminating 42 Federal education initiatives. The budget also eliminates vocational education ($1.3 billion); Perkins Loans ($730 million); Safe and Drug- Free Schools State grants ($347 million); and Even Start family literacy services ($99 million). The Republican budget cuts $15 billion from the amount authorized for the No Child Left Behind education reform effort and reduces the 17.7 percent Federal contribution to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to 17.0 percent. The loss of revenue from H.R. 5638 leaves a huge budget hole that will have to be filled by the States and the burden will be placed on middle class and low income families. In contrast, the Pomeroy Substitute is an alternative that offers a simpler solution without the damaging economic effects of H.R. 5638. Unlike the Republican bill, the Pomeroy Substitute would offer immediate tax relief by raising the estate tax exemption level to $6 million per couple and growing to $7 million per couple in 2009. This would exempt 99.7 percent of all estates in the nation while costing only 60 percent of H.R. 5638. While there is no plan to make up for the huge losses in revenue resulting from H.R. 5638, the Pomeroy Substitute would be payed for by closing the gap in unpaid taxes. Additionally, the estate tax revenue collected under the Pomeroy Substitute would be transferred as receipts used specifically to shore up the Social Security trust fund. According to the Social Security Actuary, this would eliminate one quarter of the trust fund's shortfall. The Pomeroy Substitute offers immediate tax relief without adding to the crippling debt now facing future generations. This is the type of sound tax and budget policy Congress should pass. We owe the American people nothing less.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I would like to enter into a colloquy with the chairman. Mr. Chairman, as you remember, 6 years ago I came to this floor and shared with the body about a Hurricane Summit that I had held in the Second District of North Carolina. It was in response to devastation that took place from a major hurricane by the name of Floyd. That hurricane was the strongest and most devastating storm to hit the United States in more than 25 years. When Floyd roared across the east coast from the Carolinas to New England and through Virginia and Washington, D.C., in September of 1999, it took 56 lives and upward of $6 billion in devastation. Floyd showed us that much more damage, death and destruction can be created by the unexpected inland flooding of fresh water, more so than what happens on the coast. North Carolina was a good example of that. My district is an inland district and suffered greatly from that storm. Last summer, this was displayed again with devastating intensity during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. When, as we all witnessed, the damage that was done, that did not just limit itself to the areas on the Gulf Coast. After the storm pushed inland in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, in the weeks that followed, we saw the severe flooding and the anguish and the problems that was wrought by it. And just this past weekend we saw it right here in Washington, D.C. That Hurricane Summit brought together metrologist experts from universities, the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service to develop more accurate indexes for inland flooding monitoring. The purpose of this index, simply put, is to save lives. Too many times these storms hit and bring harm to people who have a false sense of security because they believe they live far inland and too far inland to escape flooding. With information that was gathered at that summit, we drafted legislation, as you remember, Mr. Chairman, and it ensured that NOAA and the National Weather Service would make significant improvements to the Inland Flooding Warning System. That bill was H.R. 4826, the Inland Flood Forecasting and Warning System Act of 2002, that passed the 107th Congress, and it enjoyed wide bipartisan support. The legislation directed NOAA to do three things: Improve the capacity to forecast inland flooding associated with tropical storms and hurricanes; two, to develop a distinctive inland flooding warning system for emergency management officials that clearly defines inland flood risks and dangers; and, third, train emergency management officials, National Weather Service personnel and metrologists to use these improved forecasting techniques on inland flooding. And the important part of this legislation required the National Weather Service and NOAA to report annually to Congress on the progress of this new index. Mr. Chairman, this week we saw, as I said, what could happen here. I would like to work with you and the members of the Appropriations Committee to ensure that NOAA provides these reports to Congress in a timely manner. Congress must provide the proper oversight to NOAA to ensure that the progress to develop this important index is done and it is accomplished as soon as possible to save lives. I thank the chairman. I yield.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues to congratulate the Carolina Hurricanes for winning the most storied trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers in game seven to win the first Stanley Cup and the first professional league sporting title for any North Carolina team. The Hurricanes exemplify what is great about professional sports: teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship. In addition to congratulating the players, coaches and the Hurricanes organization, I would also like to congratulate all the team's fans, the Caniacs. When the Hurricanes first arrived in North Carolina in 1997, skeptics across North America really thought that a Southern State could not support a hockey team. Well, we certainly have proven them wrong. The excitement that the team's fans displayed throughout every game of the playoffs shows that folks in basketball country love our hockey team. It may be shocking to our cold weather natives, but North Carolina won the cup. Hockey has long been thought of as a national sport to our neighbors to the North, but now it is the sport of the good old North State. Congratulations, Canes.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to the debate on this resolution on Iraq. I will vote for House Resolution 861 because I strongly support our troops. Mr. Speaker, I recently returned from Iraq, which was my second trip to that war zone. I am tremendously proud of all the men and women serving there, especially all the North Carolinians who have served and continue to serve there. I am pleased that we have made progress in training the Iraqi military to begin to provide for that country's security needs. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of work to be done to train Iraqi police, government and other civil institutions that are critical to a stable and functioning society. There is a long way to go to make Iraq a sustainable, peaceful country, and the administration must change course to build coalitions with our allies and all peaceful nations of the world to cooperate in rebuilding Iraq. Although I strongly support our troops, I have serious concerns about the administration's current policies regarding Iraq. I believe the ultimate goal must be victory in Iraq. We need more burden-sharing support from other countries because the whole world has a tremendous stake in a stable Iraq and a peaceful Middle East. The administration must do a better job of providing for our soldiers in the field and our veterans and military families here at home. Specifically, the communities surrounding Fort Bragg in my district need more Federal funds to build new schools to meet the needs of the children of our servicemembers. I have voted every time to approve the funds to rebuild Iraq, but if we can spend billions of American tax dollars on building new roads, water treatment plants and schools in Iraq, we can invest some public resources in our urgent infrastructure needs here at home. Congress has played a critical role in issues like providing armor for our troops and their vehicles, improving pay and incentives for better recruitment and retention of our troops and care for their families and creating the Homeland Security Department to protect our people from the threat of terrorist attack. I call on Congress to reject the administration's proposed cuts to our vital National Guard, and I will continue to work on the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security to support our first responders who keep our people safe. I will vote for this resolution because I support our troops, but I have serious concerns both with certain provisions in the resolution and the administration's approach to Iraq. Specifically, the resolution states support for the goal of a ``unified Iraq.'' I do not believe that the Congress should dictate the contours of the map of the Middle East. As long as they do so in a peaceful manner, the Iraqi people should be free to decide whether or not unity, confederation or independence is the best form of government to meet their needs. And the administration's failed approach of going it alone and refusing to hold high level officials accountable for clear mistakes must end. Stubbornness is not a strategy and slogans will not win this conflict. Let me state clearly that last week's elimination of terrorist leader Abu Musab Al Zarqawi by American special forces is an important accomplishment. I commend our military personnel who carried out the operation. This success points out the importance of human intelligence methods and demonstrates the usefulness of offering awards of large sums of money for information on America's enemies. This success stands in sharp contrast to the administration's continued failure to find Osama bin Laden. We should immediately double the bounty on bin Laden and continue to increase it at regular intervals until the terrorist mastermind is defeated. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I regret the partisan manner in which this resolution has been brought to this floor, which my North Carolina colleague Republican Congressman Walter Jones has rightly termed ``a charade.'' From the very beginning, the Bush White House and Republican congressional leadership have exploited the Iraq war for partisan gain. I believe the blood of our soldiers should be off limits for political gamesmanship, and with more than 20,000 American soldiers killed or wounded in Iraq, the American people deserve better than petty politics on this issue. I will vote for this resolution because I support our troops, but we can do so much better.