Rodney Frelinghuysen

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. We've always believed in an ocean route. Whether the people in the Atlantic would want to have what we've been having to bear, I would doubt it.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the chairman very much for his time, as well as Mr. Costello's interest. I was involved in helping fund through the appropriations process this air design. So when we're shut out of the process when they're making plans, I think we have a right to be concerned. If I may, I would like to yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin, the ranking member.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk that I intend to withdraw at the appropriate time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Mr. Oberstar. Mr. Chairman, as you know, I have long been concerned about aircraft noise over northern New Jersey. However, time and time again the Federal Aviation Administration has turned a deaf ear to the tremendous impact air noise has made on our quality of life. Lately, there has been considerable discussion about increasing transparency in our government. However, it has been extremely difficult to obtain information from the FAA about proposals that will have significant negative impacts on my constituents. I offer this amendment because there have been conflicting reports about the proposed changes by the FAA to the Class B airspace in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. Following several inquiries to the FAA, including a letter from the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) and me to FAA Acting Administrator Lynne Osmus, the FAA has not been forthcoming with its plans about this proposed airspace change. Together, with many of my colleagues in the region, I feel very strongly that the FAA must make its plans public and be held accountable for the effects. As the FAA continues to redesign the airspace in our region, it cannot push forward another proposal that may lead to even more noise for my constituents on the ground. They have a right to know what changes are being considered and certainly what changes are being implemented, as these changes will affect their lives and livelihoods. I look forward to working with the chairman and the ranking member in the future to get information on these proposals and to ensure that all of our constituents are fully informed about the FAA's future plans. I yield to the chairman.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, once again, I come to the floor to recognize the great success of strong local schools working with dedicated parents and teachers. I rise today to congratulate and honor a number of outstanding high school artists from the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey. Each of these talented students participated in the 2009 Congressional Art Competition, ``An Artistic Discovery,'' held at the Morris Museum, in Morris Township, New Jersey. Their works of art are exceptional! We had fifty-four students participating. That was a wonderful response, and I would very much like to build on that participation for future competitions. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the three winners of our art competition. First Place was awarded to Caitlin Reid of Ridge High School for her work, ``I Don't Have Much of Anything, Except These Things I Hardly Deserve.'' Second Place was awarded to Genevieve Asselin from West Morris Mendham High School for her work, ``Mindset.'' Third Place was awarded to Allison O'Keeffe from Madison High School for her untitled work. I would like to recognize each artist for their participation by indicating their high school, their name, and the title of their contest entry for the official Congressional Record. Boonton High School: Saif Haobash's ``My Hand''; Claire Liu's ``Claire Liu''; Steven McKeown's ``Self Portrait''; Andrew Torpey's ``Stairway to the Sky''. Chatham High School: Molly Higgins' ``In My Shoes''; Michelle Mruk's ``The Baron Meets His People''; Kim Stachenfeld's ``The World is Burning''; Lindsey VanderVleit's ``Anticipation''. Livingston High School: Tamar Ariel's ``Concentration #7''; Kelly Keltos' ``Trevi Fountain''; Esther Kim's ``Street Grunge''; Sal Spaltro's ``Girl in the City''. Madison High School: Hyebin Chung's ``My Collections''; Anne Groves' ``Sitting on the Upper Rideau''; Allison O'Keeffe's untitled work (Third Place); Emily Rutland's ``Wild Flower''. Millburn High School: Henry Ehrenfried's ``Multi-faceted Self Portrait''; Jawon Kim's ``Self-Portrait Still Life in Pen'' (Honorable Mention); Chanthia Chanjuan Ma's ``Laughing Under the Sun''. Montville High School: Keith Agnello's ``Aaron on West Delaran''; Joon An's ``Basic Household''; Jennifer Dinsfriend's ``Indonesian Still Life'' (Honorable Mention); Michael Johnston's ``Debris''. Morris Catholic High School: Rebecca Fitzpatrick's untitled work; Kristin King's ``Standing Out in the Crowd''; Sery Kwon's untitled work; Christine Pierson's untitled work. Morris Knolls High School: Lindsay Hescock's ``Suzanne''; Madeleine Provost's ``Papaya''; Victoria Reed's ``Geraldo''; Anita Sukha's ``Color the Mind''. Morristown High School: Katrina Cervante's ``The Dining Room''; Michelle Kim's ``Sunflower''; Jack Taylor's ``Guantanamo''; Chelsea Tomblin's ``M.O.S.''. Mount Olive High School: Heather Dalton's ``City Streets''; Brian Hays' ``Reflection of Ages Past''; Chantal McStay's ``Shadow Crane''; Jonathan Weiss' ``Childhood Energy''. Ridge High School: Samantha Bard's ``As If''; Gabriella DeMarco's ``Going Green''; Caitlin Reid's ``I Don't Have Much of Anything Except These Things I Hardly Deserve'' (First Place); Kristen Spratford's ``The Unveiling''. Roxbury High School: Natalie Florio's ``Look to the Light'' (Honorable Mention); Vicki Kienzlen's ``Man of the Sea''; Lauren Poggi's ``Breaking News''; Ephrath Tesfaye's untitled work. Watchung Hills High School: Kristen Givens' ``Red Flower'' (Honorable Mention); Lisa Monetti's ``Photo 2 Surrealism''; Robert Verdino's ``Re- birth''. West Morris Mendham High School: Genevieve Asselin's ``Mindset'' (Second Place); Blair Christen Hartman's ``Flight''; Nathan Krump's ``Ceramic Serenade''; Jillian Marinaro's ``Twisted''. Each year the winner of the competition has their art work displayed with other winners from across the country in a special corridor here at the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of fellow Americans walk through that corridor and are reminded of the vast talents of our young men and women. Indeed, all of these young artists are winners, and we should be proud of their achievements so early in life. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating these talented young people from New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Police Unity Tour,'' which on May 9th will kick-off its 13th Anniversary bicycle tour to our nation's capitol. The Police Unity Tour honors the memory and courage of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and raises money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Over one thousand police officers from around the country will complete the tour, hundreds of whom will leave from northern New Jersey municipalities that I am proud to represent. In May 1997, the first Police Unity Tour was organized by Officer Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department, with the hope of raising public awareness about police officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices. The tour started with 18 riders on a four day fund-raising bicycle ride and has grown to over 1,100 riders nationwide. The Police Unity Tour honors the heroes who have lost their lives and reminds us that everyday our police officers, firefighters, and emergency service personnel, all brave men and women, devote their lives to protecting and serving our communities. Too many of these officers make the ultimate sacrifice and to them we are eternally grateful. We must never take their actions for granted and always remember the families and friends they leave behind. Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Police Unity Tour on their 13th Anniversary of honoring fallen law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph Township, Morris County, New Jersey, a distinguished institution of higher education I am proud to represent! On April 24, 2009, the college will celebrate its Fortieth Anniversary. CCM was founded in 1968 to provide challenging, yet affordable, education opportunities for local students. This ideal is still upheld today, as CCM continues to maintain high academic standards, as well as low tuition costs. At the time of its inception, CCM had only one building and less than 1,300 students. Under the direction of Dr. Sherman H. Masten, the college's first president, CCM expanded to include an additional five buildings and an enrollment that peaked at 12,012 students in 1982. President Dr. Edward Yaw has continued the expansion and renovation of the campus, and under his guidance, CCM has become the state-of-the-art educational facility it is today. The college currently offers 87 degree and certificate programs and has over 8,500 students enrolled in undergraduate studies. CCM has a true tradition of excellence which, thanks to its outstanding leadership, superior faculty and staff and motivated students. CCM is one of the foremost community colleges in New Jersey and the nation. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the County College of Morris on the celebration of 40 years of service to the State of New Jersey and Morris County.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, one of the primary responsibilities of each Member of Congress is to protect our nation and our citizens. Representing New Jersey, a ``9-11 State,'' it is an important duty, whether the issue concerns funding for programs designed to protect areas which are prime terrorist targets, or ensuring that our military forces and intelligence agencies are fully supported, or securing our borders and reforming our broken immigration system. In addition to restoring our economy with an effective stimulus that is targeted, timely and temporary, these are among the most important issues facing the nation today. But on occasion, serious events develop in a Member's Congressional District that must be brought to the attention of this House and the nation. My District in northern New Jersey is witnessing developments that cry out for correction. In April 2008, a 20-year old foreign national was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated sexual assault following an alleged attack on a 12-year-old girl. He was remanded to the Morris County, New Jersey jail where he remained until August when he was able to secure his release from Morris County custody by posting $50,000 bail. Aware that the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had a ``detainer'' on the suspect, the Morris County Sheriffs Department transferred custody of the suspect to ICE. In September of 2008, the suspect was transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana where he appeared before an immigration judge and was ordered deported. Appropriate officials in New Jersey were never informed that this potentially dangerous suspect was about to be or was subsequently deported. Of course, the suspect failed to appear for his preliminary hearing in November 2008 in New Jersey, prompting a warrant to be issued for his arrest. He has subsequently been indicted on charges related to aggravated sexual assault on a minor. Of course, the deportation of this suspect will delay, if not prevent, the suspect from ever answering these serious charges in an appropriate U.S. court. As a result, a young New Jersey victim and her family have been denied justice. Clearly, the interaction between the state criminal code and federal immigration law is multi-layered and complex. In this incident, and another similar case where another foreign national charged with assaulting a nine-year-old girl is facing deportation, Madam Speaker, today I introduce two measures designed to bring the glare of public attention onto these outrageous situations. I am introducing legislation that provides an important new tool to states and local judicial officials as they work to bring to trial illegal immigrants charged with a serious crime. Our legislation would allow a state's chief executive or chief law enforcement officer, or that of a political subdivision, to request that the Department of Homeland Security stay the removal of an alien charged with an aggravated felony. This solution is by no means perfect but it attempts to strike a balance between our national desire to deport as many illegal aliens as possible as quickly as possible and the ability of victims of serious crimes to have their rights protected. Simply put, the federal government needs to think twice before handing the alien suspect in an aggravated felony a ``get out of jail free'' card. These matters are too important to be put on auto-pilot! I am also introducing a Sense of Congress resolution which directs DHS and ICE to develop an effective and efficient system of communication that allows state and local law enforcement and prosecutors to know, in a timely manner, when suspects charged in their jurisdictions with aggravated felonies are in the final stages of the deportation process. My colleagues, these measures are not parochial in their nature. These are not issues confined to one county in one state. I suspect that if Morris County, New Jersey is grappling with the dueling conflict between state criminal law and federal immigration process, then so are counties in your Congressional District. I urge you to check with your law enforcement and prosecutors back home and then co- sponsor these two measures.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of Morris Tomorrow of Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant organization that I am proud to represent. Morris Tomorrow's primary mission includes focusing attention on issues of regional significance, promoting public discussion, facilitating consensus towards viable solutions, and serving as a catalyst for implementation. Founded as Morris 2000 in 1984, the organization has managed to successfully bridge environment and business interests, working to further both causes to the mutual benefit of both. Morris Tomorrow has established several high-profile programs that have helped define issues facing Morris County and the surrounding area. Among the programs is Midday Morris, a quarterly lecture series targeted toward business, government, civic and education leaders; Building Cross-Cultural Communities, works to address issues faced by our immigrant communities; Morris Summit, brings together local leaders from our business, government, education and nonprofit communities to explore quality of life issues. Additionally, three organizations that have proved essential to the watershed management issues that are vital to the area are off-shoots of Morris Tomorrow--the Ten Towns Great Swamp Watershed Management Committee, the Rockaway River Watershed Cabinet, and the Raritan Highlands Compact. We are privileged to have such a dynamic and dedicated non-profit organization in Morris County. Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Morris tomorrow on the celebration of its 25 years serving Morris County.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Market Street Mission in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. On March 18, 2009, the good citizens of New Jersey will celebrate the Market Street Mission's 120th Anniversary. The aim of the Market Street Mission is to assist those who are ``homeless, helpless and hopeless'' in northern New Jersey, through physical, emotional, and spiritual support that will guide them toward responsible and productive lives. The Market Street Mission is an experienced organization with a proven method of helping to fight alcoholism, drug abuse, and homelessness in the Northern New Jersey Area. We need the Market Street Mission and more places like it. The Market Street Mission was established in 1889 by the Reverend Dr. F.W. Owen and his wife, Mrs. Louisa Graves Owen, as a residential program for alcoholic husbands in the Morristown area. With support from the South Street Presbyterian Church, the Mission provided meals, lodging, clothing, and temporary employment for homeless men. Over the years, the Market Street Mission has grown in scope and size. During the Great Depression, the Market Street Mission ended its affiliation with the Presbyterian Church and added the ``Industrial Department,'' a self-supporting thrift store that provided jobs during difficult economic times. Today, residents of the Mission work at the Industrial Department as part of the successful ``New Reality of Recovery'' program. The Market Street Mission also has an Emergency Assistance program that provides meals and lodging for disadvantaged men, women, and children. Led by Executive Director G. David Scott, the Market Street Mission continues to offer indispensable support and rehabilitation to those in need. Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Market Street Mission, as well as G. David Scott, on the celebration of 120 years serving the people of Northern New Jersey.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of the FY2009 Omnibus. Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 Account: Department of Transportation, Technical Corrections Legal Name of Entity: County of Morris Address of Requesting Entity: 30 Schuyler Place, Morristown, New Jersey 07940 Description of Request: $800,000 was authorized under section 1702 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (P.L. 109-59), to divert traffic from the steep grade at Schooley's Mountain Road and add roadway, construct a bridge over the Raritan River, and replace existing culverts. The technical correction will modify the current language of ``Construct Long Valley Bypass,'' with ``Planning, design, engineering, environmental analysis, acquisition of rights-of-way, and construction for the Long Valley Bypass.'' This is a technical correction to an existing authorization and has no budgetary impact.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, every year more high school seniors from the 11th Congressional District trade in varsity jackets for Navy pea coats, Air Force flight suits, and Army brass buckles than most other districts in the country. But this is nothing new. Our area has repeatedly sent an above average contingent of its sons and daughters to the nation's military academies for decades. This should not come as a surprise. The educational excellence of our area's schools is well known and has long been a magnet for families looking for the best environment in which to raise their children. Our graduates are skilled not only in mathematics, science, and social studies, but also have solid backgrounds in sports, debate teams, and other extracurricular activities. This diverse upbringing has caught the eye of military academy leaders, as many of them now know our towns and schools by name. Since the 1830s, Members of Congress have enjoyed meeting, talking with, and nominating those superb young people to our military academies. But how did this process evolve? In 1843, when West Point was the sole academy, Congress ratified the nominating process and became directly involved in the makeup of our military's leadership. The procedure, still used today, is a further check and balance in our democracy. It was originally designed to weaken and divide political coloration in the officer corps, provide geographical balance to our armed services, and to make the officer corps more resilient to the unfettered nepotism that had handicapped European armies. In 1854, Representative Gerritt Smith of New York added a new component to the academy nomination process, the academy review board. This was the first time a Member of Congress appointed prominent citizens from his district to screen applicants and assist with the serious duty of nominating candidates for academy admission. Today, I am honored to continue this wise tradition in my service to the 11th Congressional District. The Academy Review Board is composed of six local citizens, several of whom are distinguished veterans, who have shown exemplary service to New Jersey, their communities, and to the continued excellence of education in our area. Members of the board come from diverse backgrounds and professions, but they all share a common dedication that the best qualified and motivated graduates attend our academies. And, as true for most volunteer groups, their service goes largely unnoticed. I would like to recognize these men and women and thank them publicly for participating in this important panel. Serving as board member requires hard work and an objective mind. They have the responsibility of interviewing over 50 outstanding high school seniors every year in the academy review process. The nomination process follows a general timetable. Interested high school seniors mail personal information directly to the Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy. Information includes academic achievement, college entry test scores, and other relevant activities. At this time, they also inform my office of their desire to be nominated. The academies then assess the applicants, rank them based on the data supplied, and return the files to my office with their notations. In late November, our Academy Review Board interviews all of the applicants over the course of 2 days. They assess a student's qualifications and analyze character, desire to serve, and other talents that may be hidden on paper. This year the board interviewed 38 applicants. Nominations included ten to the Naval Academy, eight to the Military Academy, five to the Merchant Marine Academy, and five to the Air Force Academy; the Coast Guard Academy does not use the Congressional nomination process. The recommendations are then forwarded to the academies by January 31, where admissions staff reviewed files and notified applicants and my office of their final decision on admittance. As these highly motivated and talented young men and women go through the academy nominating process, never let us forget the sacrifice they are preparing to make. This holds especially true at a time when our nation is fighting the war against terrorism. The current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan serve as constant reminder that wars are fought by the young. And, while our military missions are both important and sometimes dangerous, it is reassuring to know that we continue to put America's best and brightest in command. Academy Nominees for 2009--11th Congressional District New Jersey Air Force Academy Nicholas A. Davis, Sparta, Sparta H.S. Joseph W. Geib, Oak Ridge, Jefferson H.S. Richard B. T. Margerison, Long Valley, West Morris Central

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the FY 2009 Omnibus. Division A: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 Account: Special Research Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, The Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension 9 Address of Requesting Entity: 125A Lake Oswego Road, Chatsworth, New Jersey 0801 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $451,000, requested by multiple members of Congress, to support vital ongoing research on natural products with beneficial health properties. New Jersey is the nation's second largest producer of highbush blueberries and the nation's third largest producer of cranberries. In 2007, New Jersey- grown blueberries and cranberries brought in over $110 million in farm sales with significant benefit to the state's economy. This funding will support ongoing work at a University Research Center that addresses farm and environmental interests, at the state and national levels, by providing the advanced technology for the future sustainability of both crop industries, ensuring the competitiveness of growers in New Jersey and nationally. The project meets the agency's mission of providing sustainable nutritious food crops and enhancing farm sustainability. Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 The 11th Congressional District was directly impacted by the events of 9/11 and it is critical to continue to make direct investments to improve first responder communications and for other necessary technology and equipment upgrades. Account: Community Oriented Policing Services Legal Name of Entity: Morris County Office of Emergency Management Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 900, Morristown, New Jersey 07963-0900 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $1,000,000 for police communication equipment upgrades and interoperability technology enhancements. Account: Community Oriented Policing Services Legal Name of Entity: Somerset County Office of Emergency Management Address of Requesting Entity: 20 Grove Street, P.O. Box 3000, Somerville, NJ 08876 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $1,000,000 for police communication equipment upgrades and interoperability technology enhancements. Account: Community Oriented Policing Services Legal Name of Entity: Sussex County Office of Emergency Management Address of Requesting Entity: 39 High Street, Newton, New Jersey 07860 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $950,000 for police communication equipment upgrades and interoperability technology enhancements. Account: Community Oriented Policing Services Legal Name of Entity: Essex County Office of Emergency Management Address of Requesting Entity: 50 Nelson Place-2nd Floor, New Courts Building, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $900,000 for police communication equipment upgrades and interoperability technology enhancements. Account: Community Oriented Policing Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Township of Bridgewater Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 6300, Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $150,000 for traffic safety improvements. Account: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cross-Agency Support Programs Legal Name of Entity: County College of Morris Address of Requesting Entity: Route 10 and Center Grove Road, Randolph, New Jersey 07869 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $200,000 to refurbish the planetarium and upgrade necessary equipment. Account: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cross-Agency Support Programs Legal Name of Entity: Drew University Address of Requesting Entity: 36 Madison Avenue in Madison, New Jersey 07940 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $1,100,000 toward Drew University's Environmental Sciences Initiative which is a $4.6 million, multi-year effort that will yield significant educational benefits both within and outside the Drew University community by upgrading science research facilities, bolstering faculty expertise on critical areas of interest such as climate change, and extending educational opportunities both for students at Drew University as well as local, state and regional K-12 schools. Account: Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Programs Legal Name of Entity: Fairleigh Dickinson University Address of Requesting Entity: 285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $300,000 for Fairleigh Dickinson University's Law Enforcement Distance Education Project to develop online educational courses for delivery to state, county and local law enforcement. Account: Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Programs Legal Name of Entity: New Jersey Crime Victims' Law Address of Requesting Entity: 33 Woodport Road in Sparta, New Jersey. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $150,000 for pro bono legal assistance to crime victims. Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Account: Office of Science, Department of Energy Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: College of St. Elizabeth located at 2 Convent Station, Morristown, New Jersey 07960 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $475,750 for the Science, Math, and Technology Education Initiative at the College of St. Elizabeth. The funding would be used by the College of Saint Elizabeth to undertake initial planning, design, and construction associated with the renovation of Henderson Hall. This construction will provide significantly improved educational opportunities for women to aid them in the fields of science, math, and technology. Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive the funding for this project is the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, located at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, New York, NY 10278-0090. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $1,000,000 for the Passaic River Basin Flood Management project. This project is authorized by Congress. The actual design and construction will be executed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The funding would be used for the continued acquisition of homes and removal from the State defined Floodway that have been plagued by frequent flood damage along the Passaic River. The flooding has long been a problem in the Passaic River Basin resulting in significant losses, notably the loss of lives. Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive the funding for this project is the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, located at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, New York, NY 10278-0090. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $10,000,000 for the Raritan River Basin, Green Brook Sub-basin project. This project is authorized by Congress and funding was requested by the Administration. The actual design and construction will be executed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The funding would be used finish the levee system in Bound Brook, New Jersey. Specifically, these dollars will be used for completion of the R2 Levee which will help protect the Township of Bound Brook. The Green Brook Sub-basin is continually subject to severe and sometimes devastating flood damage which has resulted in the loss of lives. Account: Corps of Engineers, Continuing Authorities Program Section 205 Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive the funding for this project is the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, located at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, New York, NY 10278-0090. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 lists Jackson Brook under the Section 205 CAP Program. This project is authorized by Congress. The actual design and construction will be executed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Morris, New Jersey. The funding would be for completion of design, execution of a Production Cooperation Agreement and initiation of construction. Flood damages have occurred to the homes and property located on the lower part of the Jackson Brook Watershed and the public park facilities. Flooding has caused siltation in Hedden Pond. Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive the funding for this project is the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, located at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, New York, NY 10278-0090. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $11,700,000 for the Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Harbor project. This project is authorized by Congress and funding was requested by the Administration. The actual design and construction will be executed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The funding would be used for the continuation of beachfill and dune construction for the purpose of coastal storm damage reduction. This storm protection project will cover 18 miles of coastline and protect human life and property for residents, communities and tens of thousands of visitors to one of the most populated destinations along the Atlantic coastline. Account: Corps of Engineers, Continuing Authorities Program Section 205 Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive the funding for this project is the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, located at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, New York, NY 10278-0090. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 lists the Upper Passaic River and Tributaries, Long Hill project. This project is authorized by Congress. The actual design and construction will be executed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Township of Long Hill. The funding would be for completion of design, execution of a Production Cooperation Agreement and initiation of construction. Flooding has caused extensive damage to businesses, residences, and infrastructure in and around Valley Road, the major thoroughfare in Long Hill Township. Account: Corps of Engineers, Investigations Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive the funding for this project is the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, located at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, and New York, NY 10278-0090. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $717,000 for the Hudson-- Raritan, Lower Passaic River study. This project is authorized by Congress and funding was requested by the Administration. Today the Passaic River is one of the most toxic waterways in America. The actual design and construction will be executed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The funding would be use for evaluating what potential Interim Remedial Measures could be implemented prior to the anticipated date of completion of the full feasibility study. Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive the funding for this project is the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, located at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, and New York, NY 10278-0090. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $86,127,000 for the New York and New Jersey Harbor project. This project is authorized by Congress and funding was requested by the Administration. The increased and continued growth of the international maritime trade at the Port of New York and New Jersey represents a tremendous opportunity for the region--to create new jobs, generate higher incomes, reduce the cost of doing business and to raise the standard of living in the region. The actual design and construction will be executed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The funding would continue the 50-foot deepening project of the New York and New Jersey Harbor, including dredging of the Anchorage channel, the Kill Van Kull channel and the Ambrose Channel. Current channels within the Harbor range in depths from 30 to 45 feet, which are inadequate to provide access to the new, larger cargo ships that are being increasingly utilized for shipping, which require water drafts of 48 feet and more. Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive the funding for this project is the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, located at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, and New York, NY 10278-0090. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $4,806,000 for Passaic River Preservation of Natural Storage Areas. This project is authorized by Congress. The actual design and construction will be executed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The funding would be used for the continuation of natural flood storage property acquisitions along the Passaic River. Flooding has long been a problem in the Passaic River Basin resulting in significant losses, notably the loss of lives. Division E: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: Borough of Hopatcong located at 111 Styx Road, Hopatcong, New Jersey 07843. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $500,000 for the Borough of Hopatcong's Elba Point Water Restoration Project. The funding will be used to reactivate an existing community supply well to provide safe drinking water to the residents of the Borough. The water quality from the existing supply is poor due to a direct influence of the surface water into the well. In order to reactivate the well, the installation of a surface water treatment plant is required. Account: Land Acquisition (LWCF) Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: The entity to receive funding for this project is the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge located at 241 Pleasant Plains Road, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920. Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $750,000 for the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, a component of Fish and Wildlife Service. The Great Swamp Refuge is located in Morris County, New Jersey, about 26 miles west of Manhattan's Times Square. The refuge was established by an act of Congress on November 3, 1960. The protection of this gem of wilderness in the heart of dense suburban development is one of the success stories of our National Wilderness Preservation System. The funding would be used to acquire an 18.31 acre parcel of land, known as the Great Brook Property, adjacent to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, which provides critical habitat for numerous rare species. Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 These projects are consistent with national health and education policies, including unique doctoral education programs, reducing cardiac disease, enhancing health information technology and increasing patient care to underserved areas of the community. Account: Higher Education Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Caldwell College Address of Requesting Entity: 9 Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $238,000 to establish a Ph.D. program in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) geared to preparing individuals for leadership roles in developmental services, special education and mental health. Caldwell College is the only college in New Jersey with a Master's Program in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and the only Special Education Master's with a concentration in autism and ABA. Caldwell College has been increasingly sought out by schools and school districts that are seeking to hire teachers and administrators trained at the highest levels of ABA. Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Section Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Atlantic Health System Address of Requesting Entity: 475 South Street, Morristown, New Jersey 07960 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $476,000 to implement a multi-year comprehensive cardiac initiative expanding and upgrading services to reflect capacity strain, the growing demand for cardiac care and the technological changes in the industry. These services will aid patients with necessary care for the finest diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Atlantic Health System is currently finishing construction of a dedicated heart hospital on the Morristown Memorial campus. This 223,000 square foot facility will include all inpatient and outpatient services. Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Section Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Somerset Medical Center Address of Requesting Entity: 110 Rehill Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $476,000 to help improve patient safety through its information technology initiatives. Somerset Medical Center is a pioneer among hospitals nationwide in the implementation of electronic medical records. Over the past seven years, the medical center has spent more than $36 million to implement an electronic health record system in order to become more efficient, reduce the cost of patient care, enhance patient safety and improve the overall health of the community it serves. Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Section Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Zufall Health Center Address of Requesting Entity: 17 N. Warren Street, Dover, New Jersey 07801 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $209,000 to help to purchase medical equipment for their new larger facility. Purchasing equipment for exam and dental rooms will allow Zufall Health Center to increase the number of patients they are able to provide care for. Moreover, the planned project will allow the Health Center to provide comprehensive prenatal services to more than 300 women on-site. Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 Account: Department of Housing and Development, Economic Development Initiatives Legal Name of Entity: Family Services of Morris County Address of Requesting Entity: 4 Division Avenue, Madison, New Jersey 07940 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $190,000 to renovate, repair and rehabilitate 40-year-old facilities used for adult care Senior citizens eighty years of age and older represent the fastest growing population in Morris County and the facility is in need of significant renovation and expansion to continue to accommodate the seniors' needs. This funding will be provided directly to Family Service of Morris County. Account: Department of Transportation, Surface Transportation Initiatives Legal Name of Entity: Somerset County Address of Requesting Entity: 20 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $570,000 for an authorized project under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users that would be used to relieve current and projected traffic congestion, improve vehicular and pedestrian safety and integrate access to mass transit in one of the fastest growing regions in New Jersey. This area is currently the site of extremely dangerous accident ``hot spots,'' and this funding will greatly improve in roadway and pedestrian safety. Further, it has been estimated by the county that drivers are subjected to over 100 hours of transit delays per year in Somerset County. Account: Department of Transportation, Bus and Bus Facilities Legal Name of Entity: New Jersey Transit Corporation Address of Requesting Entity: One Penn Plaza, Newark, New Jersey 07105 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $950,000 for intermodal improvements along the Morristown and Montclair-Boonton commuter rail lines in Northern New Jersey. Ridership on public transportation is at all time highs and it is critical to ensure that our public transportation system operates smoothly and can handle this increased demand. Account: Department of Transportation, Capital Investment Grants Legal Name of Entity: New Jersey Transit Corporation Address of Requesting Entity: One Penn Plaza, Newark, New Jersey 07105 Description of Request: H.R. 1105 includes $48,000,000 for an authorized project under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users that would be used to construct a new two-track commuter rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River from New Jersey to midtown Manhattan, including a new station at 34th Street, six new platforms, rail storage facilities, and direct access to the New York City Subway system and the Penn Station complex. Ridership on public transportation is at all time highs and it is critical to ensure that our public transportation system operates smoothly and can handle this increased demand. This tunnel is a high- priority, long-term project for the State of New Jersey, designed to significantly increase rail access and overall trans-Hudson capacity between New Jersey and New York--and safeguard the overall mobility and economic vitality of the region.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this omnibus appropriations bill for many reasons, not the least of which is that this bill adds even more spending on top of the stimulus package that we just passed. As ranking member of the subcommittee on energy and water, I note that this bill contains just under $34 billion for similar accounts over and above those in the $800 billion stimulus. However, I do commend our chairman, Mr. Visclosky, for the open and participatory manner in which he develops all of our bills. Overall, I am pleased about the energy and water portion of this package. The spending levels are fairly normal for energy and water development, and I know that the chairman has worked hard not to make any major policy decisions during the change in administrations. I am supportive of his approach with one exception: This has to do with the future of our nuclear power program. Mr. Speaker, our national security demands that we develop a more balanced energy portfolio that reduces our dangerous addiction to oil. In years to come, we must have nuclear energy. No other technology provides such a clean source of baseload power. Over 20 percent of our Nation's energy supply comes from a nuclear source. The funding in this omnibus puts the future of American nuclear power in jeopardy. While some, including the current House and Senate leadership, may applaud this policy decision, I think it is a serious mistake. This bill significantly cuts funding to Yucca Mountain, our future national depository for nuclear waste. It doesn't cut it all out because that would eliminate jobs and local funding support for the project that brings help to the State of Nevada. No. The omnibus keeps the project on basic life support, but this bill cuts enough so that the future of this project is in serious doubt, and it does so without proposing any other solutions for nuclear disposal. Mr. Speaker, this seems the height of irresponsibility. I recognize the process that has led us to the floor of this House this afternoon will not allow us to have a real debate on the issue. For this and other reasons, I oppose this omnibus. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for the time and ask consent to revise and extend my remarks. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this omnibus appropriations bill for many reasons, not the least of which is that this measure adds even more spending atop a stimulus package we just passed. I also want America to know what this bill will soon do to the children of Washington, DC. In 2003, I worked with the current Minority Leader to establish a school voucher pilot program for the District of Columbia schools. Since that time, I have been proud to watch that program thrive. District school parents like the program because ``they believe their children are in safe schools, they appreciate the small class sizes, rich curricula and positive change in their sons and daughters.'' These are not my words. These are the words of the Washington Post in an editorial endorsing the DC school voucher program on January 26, 2008. However, tucked deep inside this massive omnibus appropriations bill is a provision that terminates this common-sense program. My colleagues, every child can learn if given the proper opportunity. This program gave children that opportunity. But no more! Parents will soon lose educational options for their families and children will once again be trapped in underperforming and failing public schools. Mr. Speaker, this Congress and this President are about to fail the children of the District of Columbia. America needs to know that and we should not be tucking this notion into the fine print of a massive $400 billion bill. I also rise as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water to note that this bill contains just under $34 billion for similar accounts above and beyond the $800 billion ``stimulus.'' However, I do commend our Chairman--Mr. Visclosky--for the open and participatory manner in which he develops our bills. Overall, I'm supportive of the Energy and Water portion of this package. This bill contains another $9.8 billion for the Department's stewardship of our nuclear weapon stockpile. This responsibility is often overlooked with all the attention on energy issues, but this is really a core mandate of the Department. There's roughly $6.5 billion appropriated for the Department's cleanup responsibilities. Another $6.5 billion is for the water projects of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. Of the $33,795,000,000, over $10.7 billion is provided for the Department of Energy's science and energy R&D efforts. The spending levels are fairly normal for energy and water development. And I know that the Chairman worked hard not to make any major policy changes during the change in Administrations, and I'm supportive of his approach with one exception. This has to do with the future of our nuclear power program. Mr. Speaker, our national security demands that we must develop a more balanced energy portfolio that reduces our dangerous addiction to imported petroleum. In the years to come, we must tap the promise of nuclear energy. No other technology provides such a clean source of baseload power. Over 20% of our energy comes from nuclear power. The funding in this Omnibus puts the future of American nuclear power in jeopardy. While some--including the current House and Senate leadership--may applaud this omission, I think it's a serious mistake. This bill significantly cuts funding to Yucca Mountain--our future national depository for nuclear waste. It doesn't cut it all out, because that would eliminate the jobs and local funding support that the project brings to Nevada. No--the Omnibus keeps the project on ``life support.'' But this bill cuts enough so that the project is in serious doubt, and it does so without proposing any other solution for nuclear disposal. Mr. Speaker, this seems the height of irresponsibility. I recognize that the process that has led us to the floor of this House this afternoon will not allow us to have a real debate on this very real issue. But we must have this debate because it is so critical to our economic and national security. It's the type of issue that we were elected to solve. I urge defeat of the bill.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this agreement. People back home want us to work together to do something to save their jobs, make up their lost savings, and restore the value of their homes. Quite correctly, Americans are asking for help, and we had--I repeat, Mr. Speaker, had--the opportunity to respond by passing a bill that actually created jobs. Unfortunately, the House-Senate agreement, to the extent that we've been allowed to see its contents, does little to help their cause. Most of this massive domestic spending will be sucked up by an enlarged government bureaucracy, hiring more Federal and State public workers, not helping small businesses and families survive. The majority ``markets'' this measure as a transportation infrastructure package. But a mere 17 percent of the funding is directed towards the road, highway, and Army Corps of Engineers programs that would immediately create real jobs. In fact, H.R. 1 creates over 33 entirely new government programs, at a cost to the taxpayers of over $97 billion, and adds 600,000 new government jobs. And when will Americans see the effects of this spending? Probably not any time soon. According to the CBO, less than half of the spending in this nonstimulus package will be paid out in the next 2 years. At that rate, an economic recovery will probably outrun most of the spending in this expensive legislation. And while the agreement does contain some tax relief, it's not targeted to small businesses, which employ half of all of us. And if that weren't enough, the package before us weakens the work requirements of successful welfare programs we enacted years ago. And it may lay the groundwork for a government takeover of American's health care system by creating a Federal bureaucracy that will decide how to ration health care. Mr. Speaker, Congress had the opportunity to ``jump-start'' our economy, and failed in that responsibility.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I strongly support an economic stimulus bill that will produce jobs that actually put people to work, especially in the private sector. H.R. 1 does not do that. The notion that we need to expand State and Federal public employee rolls with a massive dollar increase in existing and entirely new domestic programs is not what my constituents back home want. My constituents are losing their jobs on Main Street and on Wall Street. The value of their homes has been reduced. Some teeter on the brink of forfeiture. Families' savings and investment accounts have been savaged. And in this context, the House leadership proposes a bill that guarantees a burst of state and Federal hiring: bureaucracies that will undoubtedly handcuff small businesses with more rules and more regulation. What's wrong with this picture? As an illustration of what's wrong with the bill, let's look at the energy and water portfolio. Frankly, more funding has been proposed in H.R. 1 than could be possibly spent intelligently and effectively. Under the bill, the budget for Department of Energy grants and loans explodes to $30 billion. This sum alone is greater than the entire budget for the whole Department of Energy last year. Instead of being our premier R&D agency, DOE will become a grants-manager for tens of billions of borrowed money, much of it spent in expanding the Federal workforce. And what's left will expand State governments. Little will filter down to people who actually work with their hands, actually make things more efficiently, and advance technology. This is all a recipe for more dysfunction for government acquisition systems that can barely handle their own workloads today. Are the State governments prepared? Their manpower is down, and those who might provide oversight and accountability are walking the unemployment lines as we speak. My colleagues, remember Katrina: Poor planning, shoddy execution, noncompetitive contract awards, abuse of contractor flexibility, inadequate oversight, a climate for waste, an open invitation to fraud and corruption. Madam Speaker, there are many reasons to oppose H.R. 1. Those who do not remember the lessons of Katrina are bound to repeat those mistakes. In the meantime, we're missing a precious opportunity to create real private sector jobs and prevent layoffs. I've heard from my constituents in New Jersey. They want a stimulus package, but they don't want this one.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, there is no greater challenge facing our families and businesses today with our Nation's struggling economy. The past few months have been absolutely traumatic for many. There is genuine anxiety and fear about job security, loss of savings, a serious drop in home values and the decline of the value of personal investments. As a result, consumer confidence is at historic lows. Quite correctly, Americans are asking for help. We must respond by passing an economic package as quickly as possible. However, we must make sure that that response is effective, efficient and timely. Unfortunately, the bill the majority has placed before us today does not meet those common-sense standards. Clearly, many Americans find themselves in real trouble and in need of relief. Provisions of this bill, such as the extended unemployment benefits, nutrition assistance and job training are critically important to help many Americans struggle through hard times. However, they have little to do with creating 3 to 4 million jobs. However, there is a significant role for government to play in the targeted infrastructure, investment, roads, tunnels, bridges, sewers, flood control. As Mr. Lewis said earlier, many of the majority have described this legislation as a transportation and infrastructure investment package. However, only $30 billion of that, or 3 percent of the funding, is directed towards shovel-ready road and highway spending that would immediately create jobs. And there's a $61 billion backlog in Army Corps projects that could be addressed immediately. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, less than half the spending in this stimulus package will be paid out in the next 2 years. At that rate, an economic recovery will probably outrun most of that spending. This should worry all Americans. This isn't just a stimulus package; it is legislation jam packed with a lot of domestic spending, even if there's no evidence that that spending will create jobs or prevent layoffs. I note that the majority proposes a $79 billion State stabilization fund. Apparently, this program is designed to bail out some--I repeat-- some States that did little to control their own spending and bonded indebtedness in recent years. Take my own State of New Jersey as an example. In the last 6 years, New Jersey State spending has increased by $11 billion, and our State's debt has more than doubled to $36 billion. Clearly, this is not a picture of restraint. Add to that picture some of the highest taxes in income taxes in the Nation. In other words, while the Federal budget deficit has exploded, Federal taxpayers are now supposed to pull some State governments out of a fiscal hole that was partially of their own making.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary of the Mount Fern United Methodist Church, in Randolph, New Jersey. The first service at Mount Fern Church was held on November 11, 1883. Mount Fern Church was an offshoot of the Millbrook Methodist Church established 50 years earlier in 1833. Mount Fern was built to serve the growing surrounding community and the workers at Mine Hill who did not have transportation to Millbrook. John R. Spargo is the person most responsible for the church at Mount Fern. He donated the land, provided the financing, helped build the church, and he gave the church a new name, Mount Fern Church. By 1880 Mount Fern was a hilltop community of about 25 homes, a dozen or so farms, and the mining families. The successes of the local mines attracted still more miners to Randolph. After moving to an old stone farmhouse, John Spargo held Methodist class meetings in his home. The old stone house served as both an early church and Sunday school. Its two small rooms were soon filled to capacity. Eventually the community decided it was time to build a new church. The Rev. Robert Jenkins served as the first pastor of Mount Fern Church from 1883-1884 and returned for a second year in 1894. Many of the Mount Fern early pastors were laymen, people who lived in the community, often with a farm of their own, and volunteered to lead the church for a year or two. Mount Fern was well attended in its earliest years. However, membership declined when the local mines closed. By 1914 the church listed only 30 members. The first Mount Fern Church Fair was held on July 4, 1914. Booths surrounding the church sold food, gifts, and souvenirs. A baked goods booth featured fresh-baked cookies and Anne Spargo's apple pies. Chicken suppers were served from a tent erected on the grounds. Fireworks at the first fair, by accident or mischievous design, ignited prematurely. Mount Fern never attempted fireworks again, but the church fair became a popular annual event for over 50 years. By 1948 there were about 100 houses in the community. New families moved into the area and the church began to grow. In 1952 construction of a new fellowship hall began. Growth continued and membership swelled to 350 after the arrival of Rev. Diane Gilbert in 1996. Although over the years the building has changed, the church has not. Mount Fern Church remains a congregation of people united in their faith. Madam Speaker, I ask that the House recognize this remarkable church and parishioners who have contributed so much toward the preservation and appreciation of American history through their place of worship at Mount Fern United Methodist Church in Randolph, New Jersey.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th Anniversary Celebration marking the building of the Waterloo United Methodist Church in the Borough of Stanhope, County of Sussex, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. Waterloo United Methodist Church was started in 1855 by a few families crowded into a general store. Devoted congregants constructed a church in 1859. The congregation continued to thrive until the Great Depression when church membership was reduced to all but five congregants. Through the dedication of Mrs. Melissa Dolan, an organist and Sunday school teacher for the church for 50 years, the church was saved from abandonment. Not until 1971 was the church's survival once again threatened, this time by the construction of a dam. Through the help of New Jersey State Senator Wayne Dumont the church was allowed to remain in use and the congregants unanimously voted to not sell the property to the State. In 1980, when membership dwindled to eight families, a conscious effort was made by the congregation to keep their beloved church alive and to this day the church continues to be successful. The United Methodist Church remains the only operating building in the restored 19th century canal town of Waterloo Village. Today's inter-generational congregation is lead by three pastors, the only congregation in the State of New Jersey to be led by a pastoral team, and welcomes parishioners from all walks of life. Although few in numbers this progressive church takes great pride in accepting people from diverse backgrounds, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ whom embraced those that society did not. Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Waterloo United Methodist Church on the celebration of 150 years of serving its parishioners and all of Sussex County.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Our Nation is facing unprecedented challenges and Congress needs to act, with bipartisanship, to restore confidence in our financial markets and get our economy back on the right track. People are depending on the Government to help restore stability. This legislation before us today, passed by the Senate Wednesday, is substantially improved from the version this House rejected on Monday. Some of my concerns from the earlier bill have been addressed, but not all. But I am in Washington to look for the best deal for the taxpayers. The most significant change is that this rescue package now includes Alternative Minimum Tax relief for my constituents in New Jersey, not just relief for Wall Street. The previous bill presented the taxpayer with a huge bill. This measure contains real relief for the hard-working New Jersey families and I commend the Senate for including what House Democrats have resisted. My colleagues, no one likes the concept of an unprecedented and expensive Federal Government intervention in our financial markets. But the cold, hard reality is that this rescue package, however oversized, is designed to shield millions of Americans from economic shock waves from problems they did not create. Our economy is built on credit and we need to get credit back into the markets. There can be no doubt that our financial markets are in crisis, suffering from a number of problems: (1) Banks and other financial institutions have billions of dollars of bad housing-related debt on their books, to the extent that many are technically insolvent. (2) But we also have a problem stemming from a serious crisis of confidence that has frozen the credit system. Financial institutions are, in essence, ``hoarding'' capital. Most are not lending money. As a result, we see credit markets which are limiting the ability of people and businesses to borrow. It's a crisis that is affecting a wide range of Americans: Employees working for businesses dependent on available credit to cover payroll or buy inventory; retirees who count on their stocks and other investments to pay their bills and for future expenses; workers who have built pension funds and 401(k)s for their future security; families who have seen their home values drop precipitously, and their nest eggs are directly related to that value; families trying to buy homes or cars or secure student loans for college; men and women who work every day to keep their small businesses afloat. Without reliable credit, they cannot stay in business, let alone create jobs. With that said, I recognize that many people may not like the expensive rescue plan. But we have no alternative but to approve this legislation and do it quickly. Madam Speaker, the package that this House rejected, on a bipartisan basis, on Monday was much stronger than the original proposal offered by the Treasury Secretary 2 weeks ago. That bill cut the Treasury's upfront spending authority in half, included several important taxpayer protections, limitations on executive bonuses, improved bipartisan oversight and deleted ``slush fund'' financing for such partisan groups as ACORN, and trial lawyer giveaways. I am pleased that the package before us today is vastly improved over Monday's bill. That legislation, in effect, handed the American people nothing but a huge bill to pay. This measure protects middle income Americans from tax increases and gives businesses the financial support they need to create and maintain jobs. Specifically, we are shielding tens of thousands of New Jersey taxpayers from the unfair Alternative Minimum Tax increase. New Jersey has the highest per capita rate of citizens subject to the AMT in the country. Without this fix approximately 1.6 million residents of New Jersey, including over 141,000 families in my district, would be subject to the AMT this year. The provisions included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act will prevent approximately an additional 100,000 residents of my district from paying this unfair tax. It is never a ``good time'' to raise taxes, but I cannot imagine a worse idea in times of economic slowdown. The bill also expands Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation protection for bank accounts to $250,000 per account from $100,000. This provision is designed to send a strong signal to depositors, individuals and small businesses alike, that their money is backed by the United States Government. The bill also includes: Tax relief for middle-class families and American businesses--the engine of job creation. These include credits and deductions for college tuition, children, and research and development. The extension of renewable energy tax incentives designed to build momentum toward reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. Landmark mental health ``parity'' legislation which will increase health care coverage for Americans suffering with mental illness. I am also encouraged that the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has issued accounting guidelines that allow banks to move away from ``mark-to-market'' accounting rules that artificially undervalue good mortgage assets and have helped aggravate this economic crisis. My colleagues, I am confident that, given additional time, we could make even more improvements to this legislation after we listen further to our constituents. However, it has become very apparent to me that we do not have additional time. We are in ``panic mode'' brought about by the unwise use of leverage, poor accounting rules, program trading, an explosion in the use of financial instruments, and lax regulation of our markets. Credit markets have frozen. Americans everywhere are feeling the pain through their businesses, through their jobs, through their inability to get a mortgage, or a loan to buy a car, complete a home renovation, or finance a college education. As I stated initially, our economy faces historic and unprecedented challenges. Congress must take swift, decisive and bipartisan action to restore immediate confidence to the markets and set our economy back on the right track. This is a rescue package designed to shield millions of Americans from catastrophic shock waves of problems they did not create. We need to vote yes, and we need to vote now. But even after this vote, our work is not done. We need aggressive oversight over the actions of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve and more transparency in our financial markets. I urge passage of H.R. 1424.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 250th anniversary celebration of the Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Association of the Township of Randolph, County of Morris, NJ. On October 11, 2008, the Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Association of the Township of Randolph will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Friends Meeting House. The Meeting House is the oldest church in continuous use in Morris County and the oldest Quaker Meeting House in northern New Jersey. In 1758, The Mendham Friends Meeting House and Cemetery was established by the Quakers, who migrated to the Mendham area of Morris County. The name was later changed to the Randolph Friends Meeting House, and the building was used for regular worship until 1865, when it was ``laid down.'' From 1865-1898, the Meeting House was used only for memorial services and the occasional wedding or funeral, while the grounds and cemetery were kept by descendants of the original Quaker families. In 1898, the Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Association of Randolph Township was formed to oversee the preservation of the Meeting House site. Membership was open to anyone whose ancestors had worshipped in the meeting house or was buried in the cemetery as well as to members of the Friends faith who had an interest in preservation of this important place. In 1998, the Meeting House celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the association in its current form. In 2007, Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Association was awarded a grant from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund. This grant will enable the association to fully renovate and preserve the Meeting House building, which has changed little since the 18th century. Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Association of the Township of Randolph on the celebration of this special anniversary.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, specifically the Morris, Essex, Somerset, Sussex, and Passaic County Chapters, of which I am proud to represent. On November 8, 2008, members of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners will celebrate this influential organization's 30th Anniversary. New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners [NJAWBO] was established in 1978 by Adele Kaplan and Bette Benedict. The women started the New Jersey Association Women Business Owners, while planning the organization's first Business Expo in 1978. The organization began as a small group of ten women who held monthly breakfast meetings. Through hard work, networking, the organization has grown exponentially. In the past 30 years (1978-2008), the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners has expanded to represent 1,000 women, making it the largest Women Owned Business organization in New Jersey. The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners supports and encourages business ownership by women, through networking, education and political advocacy. NJAWBO has provided women business owners with the tools necessary for success. It is well respected and regarded as one of New Jersey's most influential organizations. Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, on the celebration of 30 years serving Morris, Essex, Somerset, Sussex, and Passaic Counties, as well as the rest of New Jersey.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of my friend and fellow member of the New Jersey delegation, Representative Jim Saxton. Mr. Saxton came to Congress nearly 24 years ago and since that time has served as a tireless advocate for the people of New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. He has served as a role model to members of the delegation, including me, throughout his distinguished service. On the House Armed Services Committee, Mr. Saxton worked to improve the quality of life for those who serve in the military and their families on the home front, and especially those who work with the Special Forces Command. Mr. Saxton has been a strong supporter of military bases across the country, especially Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. He will be remembered for his passionate and steadfast advocacy on behalf of his constituents and our state. Mr. Saxton has a tremendous record of environmental protection of New Jersey's beaches and coastline over many years. And we have worked closely together in passing the Highlands Conservation Act, which protects open space and water supplies vital to the entire Northeast. His thoughtful and deliberative style serves as an example to other lawmakers and is a true testament to good government. Mr. Saxton has always been known to do the ``right thing,'' which has made him an example to his colleagues and endeared him to his constituents. On a more personal level, Jim Saxton has been a good friend and mentor, as he was to my predecessor, the late Dean A. Gallo. Like Dean Gallo, I have benefited from his knowledge and wisdom, his good humor and compassion, and I will surely miss him as a colleague. The retirement of Congressman Jim Saxton is a loss to the people of New Jersey and the U.S. Congress. His leadership and knowledge will be missed. I thank him for his service and wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 110th anniversary of the Old Print Shop, an American and New York landmark located at 150 Lexington Avenue in New York City. The Old Print Shop celebrates 110 years under four generations of Newman family. Its headquarters for almost 75 of those years has been on Lexington Avenue in an unpretentious brownstone with old wooden floors and antique display cases. The shop has been described as having Old World charm. At the helm are second and third generation Newman's who enjoy what has been the hallmark of the shop, buying and selling fine prints, maps, and books. The Old Print Shop has supplied prints and paintings to many public and private art collections including the Library of Congress, the State Department, and the National Portrait Gallery. It strives to present a friendly and helpful atmosphere to both experts and beginning collectors. The comfortable interior encourages browsing through the thousands of prints, which are organized by subject, artist, and size. The shop has grown considerably since its humble beginnings as a portrait gallery and now carries a broad selection of American graphic arts from the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries and a wide selection of antique maps. The Old Print Shop has also expanded by taking over the ground floor of the adjoining building at 152 Lexington Avenue, where the focus is on art reference, illustrated, fine art, and color plate books. Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Harry Shaw Newman, his son, Kenneth M. Newman, helped to build many collections of American primitive art and to concentrate the attention of the public on American printmakers, especially Currier & Ives and other publishers from the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Robert K. Newman, Kenneth's elder son, and his younger son, Harry Shaw Newman, share in their father's knowledge and love of prints, paintings, and art history. In recent years, Robert K. Newman's son, Brian has joined the shop as fourth generation in the business. Madam Speaker, I ask that the House recognize this remarkable family who have contributed so much toward the preservation and appreciation of American history through their business acumen at the Old Print Shop in New York City and their associated gallery, the Old Print Gallery in Washington, DC.