Donna Edwards

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6323) to establish a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program to promote research of appropriate technologies for heavy duty plug-in hybrid vehicles, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The bill we are considering now is a step toward energy for the future, toward investing in the kinds of technologies that will transform where we are today on energy to be where we need to be to complete in the global marketplace. I am very pleased to be here in support of Mr. Sensenbrenner's bill that is a commonsense approach to making an investment in the kind of electric hybrid technology that will transform our commercial trucking sector so that we make the kinds of investments in energy that we have to make today to compete in tomorrow's marketplace. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 6323, the bill now under consideration.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is my pleasure to put before the House today H.R. 6323 by Mr. Jim Sensenbrenner, ranking member of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee of the Science and Technology Committee. By enhancing the Department of Energy's research program in heavy-duty hybrid trucks, this bill draws much-needed focus to a very critical component of the transportation sector, commercial trucks. We are learning the hard way just how much the health of our economy can hinge on the commercial transportation sector. Skyrocketing fuel costs translate directly into higher prices for consumers since the large majority of products we consume or use, from food to building materials, are at some point transported by medium to heavy-duty truck. We must take measures to ensure that this remains a vibrant economic sector. The heavy-duty truck sector also plays a role in our energy security and environmental health. Approximately one-fourth of the Nation's fuel use and the majority of transportation-based emissions can be attributed to heavy-duty trucks. One large tractor-trailer rig uses as much fuel annually as 48 passenger vehicles. We can see how even small improvements in their efficiency can have a substantial impact. As with passenger vehicles, hybrid technologies hold the greatest promise for improving the fuel economy and emissions of commercial trucks, but considerable research and development is required to put these technologies on the road. While the technological requirements for hybrid trucks are very different, advances in this sector can benefit the domestic automotive sector as a whole by invaluable lessons learned in designing and manufacturing these systems. Mr. Sensenbrenner and his staff have worked closely with the majority to ensure that grants under this program explore a wide range of hybrid technologies and applications. Mr. Sensenbrenner's bill represents a commonsense approach to chipping away at our energy challenge. I believe this is an important piece of legislation in the large and complex puzzle that is our transportation sector, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1390 and 4-H programs across America. 4-H works with over 6 million youths in all 50 States to help develop citizenship, leadership and life skills. 4-H has been doing this and doing it well for over 100 years. What some people may not know is that one of 4-H's primary focuses today is in the area of science and technology. Through its summer camps, fairs, cultural events and other programs, 4-H has focused on the goal of providing American youths with a solid background in science and technology. Moreover, 4-H programs get children excited and interested in these fields, which we know is a critical element in a child's education success in the sciences. As this resolution correctly points out, American students consistently rank behind our international peers in the fields of science and technology. We clearly need to do more if we want to ensure that the next generation of Americans have the high-tech skills to compete in the global marketplace. That is why it is so important that organizations like 4-H continue to do the excellent work they are doing. I would like to thank the sponsor of this resolution, Mr. Cardoza, for recognizing the importance of the work of 4-H in the advancement of science, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 1390, the resolution now under consideration.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1390) expressing support for the designation of a 4-H National Youth Science Day.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2606) to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, and for other purposes.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of S. 2606, the U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008. This bill is a companion bill to H.R. 4847 that passed out of the House last April. The U.S. Fire Administration is an invaluable resource for our Nation's firefighters and for the communities they protect. Through training, data collection, fire education for the public, and for the support for fire-related research and development, the USFA provides critical tools and leadership. To the fire service from small-scale individual tragedies such as house fires and car accidents to the community- and region-wide disasters of terrorist attacks or floods, firefighters are often the first to arrive on the scene and are the last to leave. We depend on our firefighters, but firefighters also depend on us. They depend on the public and on their elected officials to make sure that they have the resources, the equipment and the training they need to do their job. If they are not properly equipped, we are all at risk. Congress saw the need to create the USFA in 1973 when the America Burning report called attention to over 6,000 Americans each year who died in fires and to the 100,000 who were injured. Through the leadership of the USFA and others, the number of people killed in fires each year has dropped by 50 percent down to approximately 3,000, and injuries have dropped by 84 percent. While impressive, 3,000 deaths are still far too many, especially when so many of these deaths and injuries are from our most vulnerable populations--children and the elderly. S. 2606 is nearly identical to the House bill that passed unanimously on this floor in April. The bill reauthorizes this important agency for 4 years at funding levels that will enable the USFA to fully carry out its mission. I want to highlight that S. 2606 reflects the priorities for this agency as expressed by members of the fire service community at a Science and Technology Committee meeting held last year. S. 2606 authorizes the USFA to focus on the pressing challenges of fighting fires in the wildland-urban interface. As communities spread deeper into fire-prone wildlands, local fire departments are faced with the daunting challenge of fighting fires that differ significantly from those they are trained to tackle. The bill also authorizes the USFA to offer training for fires involving hazardous materials as well as advanced topics on emergency medical services. Firefighters today are called upon to respond to an ever broader array of emergencies. This authorization bill gives the USFA the authority to make sure its training program keeps pace with the increasing challenges to the fire service. S. 2606 is the product of bipartisan and bicameral collaboration, and it is supported by major fire service organizations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Firefighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Congressional Fire Services Institute. The resources and leadership of USFA are an essential part of the ability of the fire service to protect our cities, towns and communities. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 2606, the bill now under consideration.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1466) honoring Dr. Guion S. ``Guy'' Bluford, Jr., and the 25th anniversary of his historic flight as the first African-American in space.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 1466, the resolution now under consideration.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1466, honoring Dr. Guion S. ``Guy'' Bluford, Jr. on the 25th anniversary of his historic flight as the first African American in space. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the House Committee on Science and Technology and also the 50th anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. The past five decades of our space program have brought remarkable achievements in human space flight and in human exploration, in space and Earth science and in aeronautics. Mr. Speaker, these achievements would not have been possible without the contributions of many individuals who have served NASA and our space program. Some of those individuals also broke barriers along the way and have provided inspiration to all of those who have followed them. Earlier this year, we honored the 25th anniversary of Dr. Sally K. Ride's flight as the first woman in space. Today, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dr. Guion S. Bluford, Jr. as the first African American in space. Dr. Bluford's path to his pioneering flight exemplifies the ``right stuff'' so characteristic of NASA's astronauts. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in aerospace engineering. As a distinguished Air Force ROTC graduate, he went on to complete pilot training and combat crew training, flew combat missions, and returned to serve with the 3630th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. Dr. Bluford went on to earn master's and doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and he held several positions in the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. In 1979, Dr. Bluford became a NASA astronaut. On August 30, 1983, he made history when he lifted off with the space shuttle crew of STS-8 as the first African American in space. During the mission, the crew successfully deployed a satellite, conducted operations with the shuttle's robotic arm and collected measurements to improve our understanding of how space affects biophysiological systems. On October 30, 1985, Dr. Bluford flew with the crew of STS-61-A, a German D-1 spacelab mission that included over 70 scientific experiments in materials processing, in life sciences, in fluid physics, and in navigation. I would add, Mr. Speaker, that, indeed, that was my mission at spacelab while I was at Goddard Space Flight Center. His third and fourth flights on shuttle STS-39 in 1991 and on shuttle STS-53 in 1992 involved deploying payloads and in conducting numerous experiments. During his astronaut service, Dr. Bluford logged over 688 hours in space. In 1993, Dr. Bluford left NASA and retired from the Air Force to accept a position in private industry. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Guion Bluford's leadership as an aviator, as an astronaut and as a private sector official is an inspiration for all Americans. I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in saluting Dr. Guion S. ``Guy'' Bluford, Jr. on the 25th anniversary of his historic flight as the first African American in space and to honor his distinguished service to the Nation and to the space program. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Resolution 1471, the resolution now under consideration

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. September 12 of this year came and went with little mention of the 50th anniversary of one of the most important events of the 20th century. We owe a debt to Congressman Hall for introducing the resolution to remind us of the great importance of Jack Kilby's experiment and for giving us the opportunity to celebrate the positive contributions of the electronics industry to our well-being. Jack Kilby knew he was on to something important. He turned down offers from other leading electronics companies to go to Texas Instruments in May 1958, because Texas Instruments was the one company that would let him work full time on miniaturization of electronics. Just 4 months later, he demonstrated what others had been unable to do, that it was possible to create an integrated circuit by combining a transistor, a capacitor and resistors. All this happened within a year of the Sputnik, the Russian satellite that was a wake-up call regarding the state of American science and engineering. There were computers then, but they were a mass of vacuum tubes and wires that filled a room but provided very little computing power. Radios, television and communications equipment also existed, but, once again, were fairly complicated devices with limited utility. The miniaturization that Jack Kilby espoused revolutionized electronics. Thanks to the efforts of others, including Bob Noyce and his colleagues at Fairchild, integrated circuits rapidly moved from germanium to widely available silicon. Early integrated circuit applications allowed mankind to reach the moon by the end of the 1960s. It completely changed the face of national defense. It allowed Jack Kilby to intent the calculator. It made the Internet possible. It allowed electronics to be the future of automobiles, airplanes, entertainment, medical equipment and manufacturing controls. Before Jack Kilby died, the circuits he invented had become microscopic and had decreased in price by a factor of a million. During our lifetimes, they will continue to drop in price, increase in sophistication and be even more integral building blocks for life as we know it. I am extremely pleased the leadership of this Committee on Science and Technology has seen fit to push this tribute to such an important set of achievements. I urge my colleagues to join with me in voting for this legislation that honors a group of individuals who truly changed the world for the better. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1471) honoring the 50th anniversary of the successful demonstration of the first integrated circuit and its impact on the electronics industry.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, very shortly this Congress, this Democratic Congress, is going to do what the Republicans failed to do for more than a decade of their leadership, and that is to present and vote on a comprehensive energy package that will expand renewable sources of energy for the future and create good-paying jobs here in America. This plan for the 21st century extends tax incentives for renewable energy, hybrid cars, energy-efficient buildings and homes. It requires utility companies to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind, geothermal and solar power. This is our new energy future. And the legislation forces oil companies to pay their fair share for drilling on the American people's land. Big Oil should pay taxpayers to use their land. We will use that money, $15 billion, to develop clean energy sources and alternative fuels, to develop greater efficiency and improve conservation. Investments in renewable energy will create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs here in America, at a time when the Bush economy is shedding tens of thousands of jobs every month. Mr. Speaker, this is a comprehensive energy plan. It is a Democratic plan that the American people have been waiting for for the future. Republicans just don't get it. This plan is about the future and not about the past.