Jeff Fortenberry

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague Congressman Lee Terry for introducing the resolution expressing heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families following the tornado that hit Little Sioux, Iowa. On June 11, we were given a stark reminder of just how fragile life is. In 1 minute, the Boy Scouts at the Little Sioux Scout Ranch were attending a leadership camp, Boy Scouts undoubtedly filled with joy, laughter and achievement, all of those wonderful things that make scouting a core ideal of America. In the next minute, a tornado tore through the camp, taking the lives of 4 Boy Scouts and injuring 40 others. The four scouts who lost their lives--Aaron Eilerts from West Point, Nebraska, and Josh Fennen, Sam Thomsen and Ben Petrzilka from Omaha-- were exemplary young men. After the tornado struck, many other young men applied first aid to the injured and worked to free those trapped in the rubble. Clearly, the scouts lived up to their motto, ``Be prepared.'' Mr. Speaker, may God bring comfort to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones that day.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. I thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for yielding. Mr. Speaker, J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day and an outstanding Nebraskan, once said, ``Each generation of humanity takes the earth as trustees.'' That is the spirit embodied in Arbor Day. The simple act of planting a tree provides resources and beauty for future generations, and engages in good environmental stewardship. This resolution supports the goals of National Arbor Day and the National Arbor Day Foundation. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, and Mr. Clyburn of South Carolina for his help today, and the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis), the ranking member of the committee, for their help in bringing this important resolution to the floor. A bit of history on Arbor Day. J. Sterling Morton served as United States Secretary of Agriculture, and is honored as one of two Nebraskans to have a statue in the United States Capitol. His former home, Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City, is now the centerpiece of a truly magnificent State historical park. An early pioneer to the Nebraska territory, he first proposed Arbor Day in 1872 to address the absence of trees in Nebraska. Trees were needed to produce fuel and building materials, provide the necessary shade and wind breaks, as well as to prevent soil erosion. It is estimated that Nebraskans planted more than 1 million trees during that first Arbor Day. Before long, the idea spread. Arbor Day is now celebrated in all 50 States and in many Nations throughout the world. Although National Arbor Day is always the last Friday in April, individual States observe Arbor Day on various dates, according to the most appropriate tree planting times. Another outstanding Nebraskan, John Rosenow, built upon that legacy. In 1972, he established the National Arbor Day Foundation. Its mission is to ``inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.'' Through its Trees for America program, it distributes more than 8 million trees annually. The Foundation has worked with the United States Department of Agriculture's forest service since 1990, helping to plant nearly 4 million trees in national forests that have been damaged by fire, insects, or other natural causes. The Foundation has also branched out beyond the United States borders, promoting environmental activities throughout the world, including rainforest preservations. Mr. Speaker, it is very appropriate that we honor Arbor Day and its vision of dedication to tree planting. We should also recognize the countless individuals in our country who have planted trees in fulfillment of this important vision. J. Sterling Morton once also said, ``Other holidays repose on the past. Arbor Day proposes for the future.'' By supporting this resolution, we honor the spirit of Arbor Day. Planting trees is about planting for the future.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that the average U.S. farmer provides enough food and fiber for 143 persons, both here in the United States and internationally. This new farm bill continues agricultural policies which have allowed America's farmers to help feed the world. I believe that the farm bill promotes agricultural stability and diversification, agriculture-based renewable energy production, and good conservation and land stewardship practices. As with any complicated piece of legislation, there are trade-offs and concerns. For instance, payment limitation reform progressed, but did not go far enough in my view. Even though I'm going to vote to override the President's veto, I do commend the administration for its considerable efforts to highlight the need for reform, particularly in the area of payment limitations. I'm also pleased that the farm bill conference report includes three of my initiatives. First, a new rural energy self-sufficiency initiative that would provide grants to rural communities seeking to become energy self-sufficient through the use of renewable sources such as wind and solar and biofuels and biomass. Additionally, there is a new provision allowing school systems and other governmental institutions to purchase local foods from local farmers, promoting agricultural sustainability and diversification. And there is a change to the value-added producer grants program that would help target assistance to farmers with small or mid-sized farms who develop new uses and creative marketing strategies for their product. Mr. Speaker, the development of this important legislation has taken several years. This ground has been plowed long enough. I believe this bill deserves merit. I wish to thank our ranking member, Chairman Goodlatte, for his support of this bill and Chairman Peterson as well for his considerable efforts.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 274, H. Res. 1113, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 273, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Let me add parenthetically before I begin that I am sure the gentleman from Connecticut is a fine son as well. But thank you for your kind introduction. Mr. Speaker, in 1908, the United States Senator from Nebraska, Elmer Burkett, rose before his colleagues to propose that Mother's Day be recognized as a national holiday. Notably, the Senator's proposal was defeated in a maelstrom of sensitivities concerning the role of women in society and the role of the Federal Government in honoring them. However, despite this setback, most States adopted Mother's Day celebrations 2 year after, and in 1914, due in large part to the unceasing dedication of support of a number of persons around the country, including Mrs. Jarvis that Representative Clay mentioned, Congress passed a resolution declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. President Woodrow Wilson then issued a proclamation directing the flying of the flag as ``a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.'' One hundred years later, I now have the honor of rising to renew Senator Burkett's beginning effort to support the goals and ideals of Mother's Day. Mothers have been celebrated throughout history in many languages, religions, and cultures, yet the practice remains far from antiquated. Few traditions have withstood the test of time as the social celebration of mothers. From its early Egyptian roots to our modern American holiday, the commemoration of mothers is timeless. We now honor all mothers without debate as to their role in politics or the Federal justification in doing so because they are mothers and thus make an immeasurable contribution to the very core of our society. Mothers sustain and strengthen our Nation through their leadership in the family and community. Despite the dynamic nature of society, the ability of mothers to rise to the challenge of raising their families, with love and understanding and compassion, remains constant. As we commemorate mothers for the integral role they play in shaping the course of our Nation's past, present, and future, we also revere and emphasize the importance of the role of the family and the home as the true and ever-present foundation of America. Each day in Congress, we tirelessly debate the challenges and nuances of maternity with limited time for appropriate philosophical reflection. So, Mr. Speaker, it is refreshing today that we have a resolution as this before us now. This Sunday, I and millions of Americans will thank our mothers who have shaped our lives and our country. Mr. Speaker, I wish your mother and all mothers a Happy Mother's Day.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) for his assistance in bringing this important resolution to the floor, as well as the distinguished gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for his assistance as well. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, a measure I introduced earlier this year to honor the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear. His plea for justice and human decency challenged the heart of our Nation, yet his poignant story as one of America's earliest civil rights leaders remains largely unknown. 2008 is the 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death. It is fitting that we honor this anniversary, that generations of Americans will know his life and his legacy. Standing Bear was born in the Niobrara River Valley, in what is now Nebraska, in 1834. An individual of exceptional talent and ability, he became chief of the Ponca Tribe at a young age. In 1877, the Ponca people were forced by treaty to relocate from their home in Nebraska to the Indian territory of Oklahoma. The hardship of this 500-mile journey on foot, illnesses, as well as the harsh living conditions in Oklahoma, caused the death of many members of the tribe, including Chief Standing Bear's son. Committed to a promise he made to his son to return him to their Niobrara homeland for burial, Chief Standing Bear left for Nebraska with all who would follow him. Upon their return, the Chief and 30 of his fellow Ponca Tribe members were arrested by the Department of Interior in Omaha. With the assistance of Omaha attorneys, John Webster and A.J. Poppleton, and frontier newsman, Thomas Tibbles, who worked for the predecessor to our current newspaper in Omaha, the Omaha World-Herald, Chief Standing Bear petitioned the Federal courts for relief from the unjust Federal treatment of the Ponca Tribe. In 1879, the case came before U.S. District Court Judge Elmer Dundy. At the conclusion of his testimony, Chief Standing Bear raised his hand and he spoke these words: ``That hand is not the color of yours,'' he said. ``But if I pierce it, I shall feel pain. If you pierce your hand, you will also feel pain. The blood that will flow from mine will be the same color as yours. I am a man. God made us both.'' The wisdom and dignity in Standing Bear's words were not lost on Judge Dundy who ruled that Native Americans are, in fact, citizens endowed with all of the rights and all of the freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution. Through the steadfast efforts of Chief Standing Bear and caring Nebraskans, the Ponca won their freedom and the right to return to their Nebraska homeland on the Niobrara where Chief Standing Bear declared, ``Here we will live, and here we will die.'' Chief Standing Bear would spend the next 4 years touring the United States advocating for Native Americans' civil rights and inspiring a generation. Then he returned to his home near the mouth of Niobrara, farmed his land, and died there a quarter century later in 1908. Mr. Speaker, the courage and determination of Chief Standing Bear have earned him a place in our civil rights history. His example is an inspiration for all those engaged in the advancement of civil rights, of human rights. I want to thank all of my colleagues in the House who have been supportive of bringing this resolution to the floor so that we can rightly honor this great man, Chief Standing Bear.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, I have been involved extensively in the issues before us today. I really do appreciate the bipartisan cooperation that has guided this process, particularly by Chairman Berman and our ranking member, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. Thank you. This bill is appropriately named for two giants of this institution, Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde. My amendment addresses the issue of transparency and accountability in the Global Fund. The Global Fund is a unique, non-governmental multilateral organization headquartered in Switzerland and focused on combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria throughout the developing world. The U.S. Government is the single largest provider of resources and technical assistance to the Global Fund, and since 2001 Congress has appropriated nearly $4 billion to the Fund. The Lantos-Hyde bill before us today authorizes additional funds that will total in the billions. The bill currently and appropriately calls for systematic assessments of performance data of principal recipients and subrecipients of funds, as recommended by the Government Accountability Office, the GAO. This technical amendment simply clarifies that audits by the Fund's Inspector General should also encompass principal recipients and subrecipients, the entities that actually receive programmatic funding. Madam Chairman, I believe that this amendment strengthens the spirit of accountability that is present in the underlying bill. According to a June 2005 report by the GAO, the Global Fund possessed a limited ability to monitor and evaluate grants. Concerns have also been raised that the volume of funding provided through the Global Fund may exceed the capacity of the recipients in the field to actually utilize it. Since we are considering an additional contribution that may total in the billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Global Fund over the life of this reauthorization, I believe that it would be beneficial for ourselves, as well as for the Fund, as well as for other donors, to have additional clarity on how these funds are being used in the field for those most in need of our assistance. Madam Chairman, I intend to support the overall bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Chairman, I want to thank the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee for his support of this. I understand the concerns he addressed and understand his comments, as well as the chairman's of the subcommittee. I look forward to continuing to work with him, but do appreciate his support of the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, I was inadvertently detained and thus I missed rollcall votes Nos. 88, 89, and 90. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three votes.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, from late January 29 through February 7, 2008, I was unavoidably detained due to my daughter's heart surgery. On January 29, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 27 and 28. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on both votes. On February 6, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 29 through 31. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all three votes. On February 7, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 32 through 42. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on Nos. 32, 33, 36, 37, and 38, and ``aye'' on Nos. 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, and 42.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding, and I also wish to thank my colleague, Congressman Terry, for introducing this important resolution. As we have heard, Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, December 5, the enthusiasm of the holiday season came to an abrupt halt with an act of senseless brutality at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, as the Nation mourns the eight victims who were killed and the three who were wounded, and, I should add, I appreciate Mr. Terry's lengthy description of these innocent persons and their lives, I think it is also important and appropriate to recognize their uncommon heroics and great sacrifices that are now just coming to light. If there is a comfort in the midst of this difficult time, it is the beauty of the human spirit and the good that stood in the midst of this horror and violence. Dianne Clavin Trent of Omaha was a 53-year-old former airline flight attendant who had worked for 8 years in customer service at the Von Maur store in the Westroads Mall. As we have now learned, Dianne did not flee when she saw the gunman. She stood. She dialed 911 and gave a description of him, and then he turned on her. Gary Scharf, 48 years old, of Lincoln, Nebraska, my hometown, was an agricultural chemical sales manager in the mall to buy a dress shirt. When he heard the gunshots, Gary also called 911. It appears then that he ran from where he was safe up to where the shooting was taking place. As he ran up the escalator, he yelled out, ``I called 911'' in an apparent attempt to distract the gunman. He also pulled a woman off the escalator out of harm's way before the gunman turned on him. Mr. Speaker, I happened to know Gary and I am proud to call him a friend. John McDonald was a 65-year-old grandfather and retired natural gas company manager living in Council Bluffs. When the rampage began, John took cover with his wife in the customer service area. As the gunman entered the customer service area, John stood and confronted him, and he too was shot. As now seems apparent, John's courage may have saved the lives of many other people nearby. Dianne, Gary and John, innocently shopping one minute, decided in an instant to let go of a natural tendency to self-preservation and to make a great sacrifice for their fellow man. Others may have acted similarly in ways that we may never know. Mr. Speaker, I thought you and the American people should know of this new information. God bless all those who lost their lives or were injured that day, and God bless their loved ones.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, December 6, 2007, I was inadvertently detained and thus I missed rollcall votes Nos. 1136 and 1137. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on both votes.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Lee Terry, from the Second Congressional District, my neighbor. I, too, Mr. Speaker, want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of this senseless act of violence. Sometimes we are shocked by just how brutal the world can be and that came home to rest yesterday in Nebraska, where people, joyfully going about their holiday season, shopping, having time with loved ones, people wrapping gifts, all of a sudden being punctuated with this horrific act of violence that left eight people dead and in turn the perpetrator of the crime killed himself. Mr. Speaker, Nebraska prides itself on being a wonderful place to live and to work and raise a family, and Omaha is truly a good community. I think if we have won consolation here, it will be that the community will pull together and will heal together. On a personal note, as well, as Congressman Terry mentioned, one of the victims of the tragedy was from my district and in fact had been a personal acquaintance and friend of mine, Gary Scharf. He was active in civic affairs. I knew he took great pride in the son that he had. I too wish to extend my deepest heartfelt sympathies to his family as well.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. I would like to thank the distinguished ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee for the time. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of the year with much serious legislative business remaining before us, we have a noteworthy opportunity today to pass a measure in which each and every American can justifiably take great pride. The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act represents the culmination of extensive work and exemplary bipartisan cooperation. It illustrates what we in this House can achieve when we unite in recognition of shared and enduring truth in an effort to defeat one of the world's most glaring injustices. Human trafficking is a singularly merciless and degrading criminal activity. It has deeply tarnished every nation, including our own. Its ruthless perpetrators brutally exploit and devastate the lives of innocent persons, including children, often turning bastions of freedom and civil society into nightmarish realms seemingly beyond the reach of sanctuary. Mr. Speaker, I want to also commend my distinguished colleagues Mr. Smith of New Jersey and Mr. Lantos of California for raising awareness about this cruel enterprise and for leading the Foreign Affairs Committee in taking substantive, credible actions to bring hope and healing to victims of this pernicious global trade in human beings. I also want to thank them for working to incorporate the Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 into this bill, bringing years of hard work to fruition and recognizing our Nation's commitment to ending the forced conscription, recruitment or use of children in combat, yet another grave affront to human dignity. I also wish to commend many individuals throughout our government and the many nongovernmental organizations whose tireless efforts have made this moment possible. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. Together, let us end the nightmare of human trafficking and lead the world to see, in the poignant words of Alexis de Tocqueville, that America is great because America is good.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, before we vote on this measure, the American people need to know that U.S. troops in Iraq have achieved significant security gains. Violence against U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians has fallen dramatically, and forces of chaos have had their safe havens and supply lines systematically eliminated. In fact, it was recently announced that the curfew in Baghdad may soon be lifted. Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that the goal is to end the war, but this must be done in a solicitous and strategic manner. While there is clearly military momentum in Iraq, the situation remains fragile and complex, and our work continues to be very dangerous and difficult. Establishing an arbitrary deadline for withdrawal of our troops would potentially undermine the stabilization of the country, especially in light of recent security gains. However, I would submit that one area of potential agreement in this body involves a renewed spirit of diplomacy for the region. It is time for a diplomatic surge. The gains made possible by the steadfast competence of our troops gives rise to a new diplomatic potential in the effort to curtail regional destabilizing influences, promote political and economic progress, as well as provide for the safe and stable transition of refugees throughout the area. The recent meeting in Istanbul, Turkey of countries neighboring Iraq, the upcoming meeting in Annapolis to further the Middle East peace process, and the United Nation's own recent reengagement in Baghdad are all positive diplomatic trends that should be aggressively supported and augmented by our efforts in this House to facilitate the rapid stabilization of Iraq, potentially empowering an even more rapid drawdown of our troops and a sustainable peace for the country.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, I believe that every child deserves proper health care. I support SCHIP's renewal with increased funding. And I also support its expansion, but I believe it must be done in a responsible manner, a manner that ensures valuable resources target our Nation's most vulnerable children without unnecessarily expanding the program to those who do not need it. According to the Congressional Budget Office, of the 4 million children who would receive coverage under the current proposal, approximately 40 percent already have private insurance. Our dialogue should focus on our children who are uninsurable, sick children who have exhausted private coverage, and families who cannot afford coverage for their children. Yesterday, I introduced a measure that seeks to achieve this goal. Congress now has the opportunity to engage in a productive, bipartisan discussion focusing on strengthening the SCHIP program.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 25, which calls for 25 percent of America's energy supply to come from agriculture and rural based renewable energy sources by 2025. This 25x25 approach is a worthy goal. Renewable energy holds wonderful promise for rural America, which can benefit exponentially from these trends. Production of renewable fuels and renewable energy meets multiple policy objectives. It decreases America's reliance on foreign sources of energy, creates new farm income, and fosters good stewardship of resources. Clearly, Nebraska is a leader in America's renewable energy future. We will soon be the second leading producer of ethanol in the Nation, and we are home to cutting edge technologies that are producing renewable fuels and electricity from wastes at animal feeding operations. In addition, developments in biomass and wind energy are very encouraging. This kind of innovation will only continue to grow as more of America's energy comes from renewable sources. Madam Speaker, America's renewable energy future is now. This is a very exciting opportunity for our farmers to lead the way for clean, environmentally-friendly energy production. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 25.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on July 21, Sergeant Jacob Schmuecker was killed in Balad, Iraq, when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle. Jacob leaves behind his wife and their children, 4-year-old Dillon, 3-year-old Kierstan, and 19-month-old Bryce, along with his parents, Rodney and Patricia, four brothers and three sisters. Sergeant Jacob Schmuecker grew up in the Nebraska towns of Atkinson and Norfolk. He attended West Holt High School and Northeast Community College. He felt a calling to serve, and at the age of 21 enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard. In September of 2006, Jacob's unit deployed to Iraq. Jacob, the recipient of numerous decorations for outstanding service, was second in command. In speaking with Jacob's mother, Patty, last week, she told me that in Jacob's last e-mail he prayed, if something had to happen, that it would happen to him and not one of his fellow soldiers. Perhaps God answered Jacob's prayer. In the infinite mystery of life and death, what is clear is a life worthily lived is marked by selflessness and sacrifice. Sergeant Jacob Schmuecker gave the ultimate sacrifice out of duty and love of country, and America is forever indebted to him.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, everyone agrees that children deserve proper health care. The SCHIP program is an important program that provides health insurance for over 6.6 million of America's neediest children. I supported its renewal, but I believe it must be done responsibly. This legislation overreaches. It cuts Medicare and also allows some adults to claim health care coverage meant for children. Good public policy should not pit the children against their grandparents. This 465-page bill makes sweeping changes to American health care and tax policies. It needs thorough, thoughtful, and deliberate analysis, and time has not been provided for adequate examination. The SCHIP bill could have clear bipartisan support, I believe, but instead it contains a labyrinth of provisions, some of which hurts seniors. Mr. Speaker, I believe this Congress can do better.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Chairman, I am a proud member of the Agriculture Committee. My grandfather was a county agent. My mother was an extension service agent. One out of three Nebraskans make their living in the field of agriculture. Of all the rancor and divisiveness in this House, the Agriculture Committee has been one place where cooperation and comity is the tradition. I was proud to be a part of crafting this farm bill. The farm bill passed out of committee by a voice vote. No one objected. It is not perfect. It is a huge piece of legislation with many moving parts. But I felt that it did make progress in promoting agriculture entrepreneurship, agriculture-based energy production and a renewal of conservation in land stewardship goals. But the end of this process has been seriously disappointing. The spirit of the Agriculture Committee's work has been violated. I want a vibrant agriculture system that feeds our country, helps feed the world and in turn preserves a way of life, a tradition that marks the character of our great country. Madam Chairman, I urge the majority party to get this process back on track.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 702, I inadvertently voted ``yes.'' My vote should have been recorded as a ``no.'' Amendment No. 25 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, on Monday, July 23, 2007, I was unavoidable detained due to transportation delays and thus I missed rollcall votes Nos. 687, 688, 689, and 690. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Nos. 687, 688, and 689, and ``nay'' on No. 690. (By unanimous consent, Mr. Blunt was allowed to speak out of order.) Legislative Program

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer my strong support for H.R. 761, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey a Lewis and Clark visitor center in my district from the National Park Service to a well-respected non-profit organization. As the sponsor of this bill, I encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the distinguished gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the distinguished gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the Ranking Member on the Committee, as well as the distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva), the Chairman of the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee, and the distinguished gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop), the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee for their outstanding work in bringing this legislation to the Floor. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center is the culmination of a vision that was outlined 20 years ago. Starting with the efforts of former Congressman Doug Bereuter, the Center's completion required a great deal of hard work and dedication for which the entire Nebraska City community should be proud. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Nancy Hoch from Nebraska City, who has played such a key role in the construction of the visitor center and its ongoing operation. Her vision and leadership have been instrumental in making the center such an outstanding success. The bill is very straightforward. It would simply convey certain federal land near Nebraska City associated with the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center to the related non-profit group, the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. The bill also authorizes $150,000 annually for 10 years to operate the facility. This legislation would actually save the federal government about $50,000 a year since the National Park Service currently provides about $200,000 for the center. It is important to note that I worked with the National Park Service in drafting the language for the bill and this proposed conveyance fits with the long-range plans for the center. I also believe that it would be the most cost-effective option for the Park Service. H.R. 761 is cosponsored by both of my colleagues from Nebraska, Representatives Lee Terry and Adrian Smith. A companion bill in the Senate, S. 471, has the support of both Nebraska senators, Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson. The Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center is an outstanding resource and impressive facility. The non-profit organization associated with it includes a committed group of individuals who have spent many years making the center a reality and ensuring that it provides a meaningful and educational experience for those who visit. This legislative action is needed to fulfill the original plan for operating the visitor center. The Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is truly unique. It is the only visitor center or museum in the United States to focus on the flora and fauna and scientific discoveries recorded by Lewis and Clark. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a watershed mark in American history. Two centuries later, the courageous story of these two outstanding explorers and the Corps of Discovery continues to inspire Americans of all ages. This legislation will help ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to learn about this remarkable journey. Again Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 761.