Bill Foster

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate students from Neuqua Valley High School, in Naperville, Illinois, for placing 2nd in the 10th annual national SIFMA Foundation Stock Market Game or ``Capitol Hill Challenge.'' This marks the 3rd year in a row that students from Neuqua Valley High School have placed either 1st or 2nd, earning them a trip to Washington, D.C. Under the guidance of Kevin Geers, this year's participating team members, Manas Gosavi, Fahad Khan, Manish Lakkamsani, Colin Pinto and Tyler Rund, produced a portfolio with a value of $246,823.00, a return of over 138 percent. During the 14-week competition, students invest a hypothetical $100,000 in listed stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, with the objective of learning the value of investing and saving. The Capitol Hill Challenge allows students to enhance their understanding of the global economy, while simultaneously strengthening their knowledge of our government. I am delighted to see students taking an interest in expanding their financial literacy and awareness of the capital markets. As a businessman who understands the value of financial planning, I know how rewarding it can be to discover what you can accomplish if you start with a plan. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Neuqua Valley High School, not only on this remarkable feat, but also on their ongoing efforts to generate enthusiasm in the fields of economics and business. They truly embody their mission of ``commitment to excellence.''

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States. It was not until June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, that Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the war had ended and the slaves were freed. Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated nationally, serving as an important opportunity for friends, families and neighbors to come together and rejoice in our shared heritage. It's an important reminder both of the great tragedy of slavery and of the courage and resilience of all those who fought for change. I am proud to look back on this day at my own family's tradition of fighting for civil rights in this country. My great grandfather led one of the first units of African-American soldiers into battle, where they risked their lives and their own freedom to bring greater freedom to all Americans of every skin color. That tradition carried on through my family to my father who joined the civil rights struggle of the 1960s and went on to write much of the enforcement language behind the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Recently, I attended a ceremony commemorating the life of civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers on the 50th anniversary of his assassination. His legacy is a reminder of the courage of individuals who fight for freedom and opportunity. While we have made great strides since that day in 1865, the struggle for equality is not over. As I commemorate this historic day, I would like to urge my colleagues to honor the memory of all who have fought for freedom and equality and stand with all who continue the struggle today.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor Amma Sri Karunamayi, a Hindu spiritual leader who has devoted her life to serving humanity. Amma has devoted her life to the service of others, through her charitable works in India feeding the poor; building free schools, housing, an orphanage and a hospital; and through her efforts to teach meditation and peaceful living. Since 1995, Amma has been making trips to the United States to lead public meditation programs and share discourses on peace, tolerance and religious harmony. This weekend she will travel to the Balaji Temple in Aurora, Illinois, to share her message of peace, tolerance and harmony. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Amma Sri Karunamayi, whose commitment to helping others has served as inspiration around the world.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. I rise today in support of this amendment, and I would like to thank my colleague from Florida (Mr. Deutch) for joining me in the fight on this important issue. Our amendment would end the costly and inhumane practice of imposing arbitrary immigrant detention requirements by striking the language in this bill which mandates that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as ICE, maintain 34,000 immigrants in detention every single day. Mandatory detention comes at a high cost both for taxpayers and immigrant families who are needlessly torn apart. Immigration detention costs the United States $2 billion a year. That's $5.4 million a day or $164 per day per detainee. Despite the availability of other proven cheaper methods, including ankle bracelets and supervised release that cost the Federal Government anywhere from 30 cents a day to $14 a day, we continue to use detention as the primary method for immigrants facing deportation. Not only is this quota fiscally irresponsible, but it makes it impossible for DHS to make rational decisions about detention based on enforcement priorities and needs. There is also a high human cost. Most immigrants in detention are held in county jails or facilities run by private prison corporations often hundreds of miles from anyone they know. Human rights abuses have been well documented in facilities across the country. Many immigrants in the system have strong ties to their communities and no criminal records; yet they must fight their cases from a distant jail all because of this arbitrary quota. No other law enforcement agencies in our government have such quotas. Rather than a per-day bed quota, ICE's use of bed space should be based on actual need, which is the approach used in every other law enforcement context. In his letter from the Birmingham jail, Martin Luther King, Jr., said: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Mandatory detention quotas distort our system of justice and are a threat to freedom and justice in our country. Mr. Chairman, I rise to end this costly and needless injustice, and I urge my colleagues to support our amendment.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this bill. When my colleagues speak about the burdensome cost of regulations, I would like to remind them of the high cost of deregulation and inadequately funded regulators that we witnessed in 2008. This bill would increase the operating costs of the SEC without any increase in the agency's budget. Just yesterday, the chairman of the SEC warned the Financial Services Committee that this bill would divert resources from enforcing investor protections. And last year, former- SEC Chairman Schapiro said that a nearly identical bill would ``significantly impede the SEC's ability to administer the securities laws.'' I would remind my colleagues that the failure to administer the security laws and regulate our financial system has cost us $16 trillion. That's the amount that families in America lost during the financial crisis. That is more than $50,000 for every man, woman, and child in the United States. During the financial crisis, in the last 18 months of the Bush administration, the average American family lost a quarter of its net worth. Compare that to the onset of the Great Depression where families lost only about 12 percent of their net worth during a 5-year period. So by that measure, our last financial crisis was twice as big and twice as fast as the onset of the Great Depression. But the cost of inadequate regulation does not stop there: $1.6 billion, that's the amount that disappeared from customer accounts at MF Global in 2011; $17 billion, that's the amount that in 2009 Bernie Madoff was convicted of scamming investors out of; $1 trillion, that's the amount of wealth that disappeared and reappeared in less than 20 minutes during the flash crash of 2010. To put these figures in perspective, let's consider and compare them to bank robberies. Every year, banks lose $38 million to robberies; yet we spend $24 billion every year on armed guards, vault doors, and FBI investigations. So for bank robberies, we spend 600 times more on prevention than on actual losses. Just imagine if we applied that same factor of 600 to investor losses from securities fraud and market manipulation. The budgets of our regulators would be hundreds of times larger than they are today. The cynic in me can only conclude that what's really going on here is that the bank robbers just have really crummy lobbyists. But seriously, if we can spend 600 times the amount of actual losses to prevent bank robberies, why will my colleagues not support the President's request to spend one-ten-thousandth of the amount that families lost in the financial crisis on the SEC's annual budget? I challenge my colleagues who support this bill to commit to supporting the President's request to increase the SEC's budget. I remind them again of the high cost of inaction which led to far too many of our constituents losing their homes, their retirement funds, and their small businesses a few years ago. By shortchanging the security of our financial markets, my colleagues are endorsing the same irresponsible path. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome and congratulate students from the Oswego East High School Rocket Team and the Nequa Valley High School Rocket Team. The Oswego East and Nequa Valley Rocket Teams are coming to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Team America Rocketry Challenge National Fly-Off competition on May 11th. They qualified for the National Fly-Off by finishing in the top 100 out of 725 teams that competed nationwide to build a rocket that could carry a raw egg 750 feet in the air, and then use a parachute to return the egg uncracked. These students have spent many hours designing, building, testing and launching model rockets in order to create the entries that qualified for the National Fly-Off. I am proud of their hard work, perseverance, and creativity, and I commend them on this achievement. I am also thrilled to see students embracing a project that involves elements of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As a scientist and manufacturer, I know how rewarding it can be to research and explore, and to discover what you can accomplish when you design and build things from scratch. This country needs more young people who are excited about studying and working in the STEM fields. STEM graduates are critical to a thriving national economy, but at present, our education system is not producing nearly enough STEM graduates to meet the private sector's need for highly skilled employees. I'm pleased to see that there are contests like the Team America Rocketry Challenge that are encouraging students to explore STEM fields through fun, hands-on projects, and I'm proud of the students from my district who took on this challenge. I hope that this will be only the first of their accomplishments in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courageous actions of Kevin Sanders, a native resident of Plainfield, Illinois, who passed away earlier last month. Kevin was one of the first responders who gave their lives in the evacuation efforts when a fire broke out at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas on April 17, 2013. Kevin was an extraordinary individual who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting others. From a young age, he looked to heroes like Superman for inspiration. He was an individual who truly lived to serve others, as exemplified by his participation in the Plainfield Emergency Management Agency in Illinois and the Bruceville-Eddy Volunteer Fire Department in Texas. His heroism lives on through his wife, Sarah, and his 3-month-old son, Reeve. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a true hero--Kevin Sanders, a real life man of steel.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and sacrifice of Captain Brandon Cyr of the United States Air Force. Captain Cyr died in the Zabul province of Afghanistan when the MC-12 Liberty aircraft he was commanding crashed on April 27, 2013. He was a member of the 906th Air Refueling Squadron within the 375th Air Mobility Wing. Captain Cyr, a former Oswego, Illinois resident, grew up in a military family. From a young age, he knew he wanted to serve his country, and in 2009 he was assigned to Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois. Over the course of his four deployments, Captain Cyr accumulated more than 1,700 hours of flight time, 900 of which were in combat. Commander Colonel David Almand, of the 375th Air Mobility Wing, called him ``an outstanding pilot, and a dedicated airman.'' Captain Cyr's patriotism, commitment and service are an example to us all. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of his friends and family. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Captain Brandon Cyr. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, especially his parents, Phillip and Debbie Cyr. He will be deeply missed.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Susan Burtnette of Woodridge, Illinois, who passed away Sunday morning after an abbreviated battle with lung cancer. Susan was a remarkable member of the Woodridge community, where she lived for 35 years. Her love for her community was evident in the passion and dedication she had for leaving this world a better place. In addition to being elected to the position of Village Trustee earlier this month, Susan was an active member of the League of Women Voters, Woodridge Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Woodridge Jubilee Committee. Her memory lives on through her three children Brad, Scott, and Kristina, and her grandchildren Riley, Reese, Carson and Landon, and the countless lives she touched. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Susan Burtnette. She will be deeply missed.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the long and distinguished career of Marilyn Michelini. For more than 24 years, Marilyn has served the Montgomery community with great devotion and integrity. Through more than 30 years of professional experience in public service, Marilyn has proven herself to be a staunch advocate for the people whom she represents. After 12 years in office, Marilyn will serve her last day as the Mayor of Montgomery, Illinois on Monday, May 13. When first elected, she represented a little more than 5,000 constituents. As we stand here today, that number has grown to more than 18,000. Under her leadership, the Village of Montgomery undertook projects to widen Orchard Road, Route 30 and the construction of a new Village Hall. Marilyn started her political career in 1982 when she agreed to complete the remaining 2\1/2\-year term of a retiring board member on the Kane County Board. Five years later, she became the first woman to be elected to the Board of Trustees for the Village of Montgomery, where she earned the reputation of always ``doing her homework.'' In 2001, Marilyn was elected as Village President, a position that would allow her to utilize her professional experience to best serve the people of this rapidly changing village. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Marilyn Michelini and her service to the constituents of Montgomery, Illinois. There are some people you meet and know instantly that they are trying to leave their community and this world a better place. Marilyn is one of these people. I am humbled by her commitment, and I wish her the best of luck in her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate the city of Naperville, Illinois on its ``Sunny Award'' for local government transparency. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once said, ``Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,'' and I believe this statement applies to all forms of government. The ``Sunny Award,'' awarded by the Sunshine Review, honors the most transparent government websites in the nation. The organization found that the Naperville website contained comprehensive information on meetings, elected and administrative officials, audits, lobbying, public records, contracts, taxes, and the budget. This honor was received by only 247 of the 7,000 government websites that were ranked during ``Sunshine Week,'' a period of national recognition among civic organizations and the media for achievements in open government. The Naperville government earned an A+ rating. I would also like to acknowledge the city's continued efforts to establish transparency. A portion of their website is now dedicated solely to updating citizens about how their tax dollars are being spent. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the City of Naperville, not only on this honor, but also on its ongoing effort to govern transparently and provide its constituents with unfettered access to information.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the National Fab Lab Network Act of 2013. I introduced this bill because America needs a well-trained workforce for advanced manufacturing. When I go home, people ask me, Where are the jobs? But when I talk to manufacturing groups like the Tooling & Manufacturing Association in Illinois, they tell me there is a mismatch between job openings and students and workers with the right skills to fill them. Fab labs can help bridge that skills gap. Fab labs are workshops equipped with computer-controlled machine tools that allow children and adults to build almost anything. The first fab lab was started at MIT, and they have spread worldwide. My bill would create a Federal charter for a nonprofit organization called the National Fab Lab Network. This chartered status would be similar to that enjoyed by Little League Baseball or the Veterans of Foreign Wars. My bill would help American manufacturers fill job openings and encourage students to become more active in STEM fields, all at no cost to taxpayers. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this initiative and to cosponsor the National Fab Lab Network Act of 2013.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House to observe a moment of somber remembrance for the 10th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. On March 19, 2003, the U.S. Armed Forces invaded Iraq in what would become one of the most drawn-out missions in our military's history--a mission that would end in more than 4,000 fatalities and 31,000 wounded. All too often, these brave men and women risk their lives to serve our country, only to return home to face a different type of battle--a battle to receive the care and benefits that they deserve. Earlier this month, in a commitment to provide high-quality healthcare to our veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs opened a new Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Joliet, Illinois. As part of the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, the 60,000 square foot facility will offer state-of-the-art healthcare, providing a variety of services including: primary care, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, health education, mental health treatment, women's healthcare, nutrition, and retinal imaging. With more than 5,000 veterans already signed up to receive treatment at the Joliet Clinic, the facility will go a long way toward providing the healthcare that our men and women in uniform deserve. I am proud to have the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Hospital Outpatient Clinic serving our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to not only join me in remembering those who lost their lives serving our great nation, but to also recognize and thank those veterans who have returned home after defending our country bravely and honorably.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, on March 15, I missed three recorded votes. Had I been present, on rollcall No . 73, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 74, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 75, H.R. 803, the SKILLS Act, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the thousands of Americans who benefit from the work of social workers in observance of March being National Social Work Month. Social work has been identified as the profession charged with serving as the safety net of our society, thus serving and advocating for society's most vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, veterans, mentally ill, and so on. From its start in the 1960s, Social Work Month has been a nationwide effort. According to Social Work Pioneer Robert Cohen, ``The initial idea of Social Work Month was to try to combat the widespread notion that social work was something anyone can do; or that it just involved people who were good Samaritans trying to help others. The profession has taken a long time to demonstrate and explain the professional nature of social work.'' While many Americans recognize the work of social workers in the community, many Americans are not aware of the noteworthy roles social workers have historically played in shaping our social policies. In fact, social work pioneer Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet as Secretary of Labor, drafted a significant portion of the New Deal legislation related to the Social Security Act, labor laws including a minimum wage, child labor protections, worker's compensation, safety standards developed through OSHA, unemployment compensation, and so on. Through the decades, Social Work Month themes have evolved along with the profession. From ``Doing Good Isn't Bad--It Isn't Easy Either'' (March 1973) to the latest theme of 2013, ``Weaving Threads of Resilience and Advocacy,'' this important month continues to celebrate the profession, and be a voice for all social workers. I am proud to represent the state of Illinois which is home to a mega chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. NASW is a professional association of social workers that advocates for resources to meet the needs of clients, allocation of resources that is open, fair, and non discriminatory, and promotes social justice. Currently, NASW Illinois has 7000 members in eight districts throughout the state. Additionally, there are hundreds of social workers in my district providing supports to families, including a member of my staff. For instance, Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that has been helping change the lives of kids for over a century, is located in my district. Through mentoring, coaching, fundraising, and other activities, BBBS has consistently reported positive outcomes for youth including children that participate in BBBS are 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs and 52 percent less likely to skip school. I urge my colleagues to reflect on the valuable contributions of social workers in their respective districts and I acknowledge my social work colleagues serving in Congress with me today. I urge my colleagues to stand with me and recognize National Social Work Month.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the millions of Americans affected by sleep disorders and insufficient sleep in observance of National Sleep Awareness Week, March 3rd-10th. National Sleep Awareness Week is a week-long campaign to celebrate and bring awareness to the health benefits of sleep. I am proud to represent the nation's foremost organization on sleep research, the Sleep Research Society (SRS), which is based in Darien, Illinois. The Sleep Research Society, established in 1961, is composed of scientists whose research contributions extend to all areas of sleep. The SRS promotes continued research and plays an important role in the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research within the National Institutes of Health's National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Sleep disorders affect every age group, from infants to the elderly, and are often an indicator of, or a precursor to, other major diseases and disorders. 50-70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders, while 5% of the population suffers from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea results in excessive daytime fatigue, increased frequency of road traffic accidents, and arterial hypertension. Prior to diagnosis, patients with sleep apnea also tend to incur higher costs in their overall health care. I urge my colleagues to reflect on the work that needs to be done to ensure that Americans with sleep disorders or suffering from insufficient sleep can expect to see sustained and meaningful improvements in their health and healthcare. I urge my colleagues to stand with me and recognize National Sleep Awareness Week.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 77, the Academic Competition Resolution of 2013. As a businessman, manufacturer and physicist, I know how important it is that we support STEM education. Throughout the twentieth century, American-led advancements in the STEM fields have driven forward our collective human understanding of the universe and strengthened the American economy. The future of the American economy will depend on our ability to prepare graduates for work in STEM-related fields. Last year, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology estimated that for the U.S. to maintain its position at the forefront of STEM fields, we will need to increase the number of American STEM graduates by one million students over the next decade. The economic crisis has further highlighted the importance of STEM education, as the STEM fields weathered the downturn better than most. As the Joint Economic Committee on STEM education points out, the unemployment rate among STEM workers never surpassed 5.5% during the crisis, while unemployment in non-STEM fields grew to almost 10% in 2010. STEM workers also enjoy higher average wages than their non-STEM counterparts. A congressionally-sponsored academic competition in the STEM fields will generate enthusiasm in this burgeoning field and provide an opportunity for students to work on meaningful, hands-on projects. Congress must do more to support educational initiatives that will prepare our students for participation in a dynamic, global economy, and sponsoring a STEM competition is a small step in the right direction.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to ask the House to observe a moment of silence for the tragedy that occurred at Northern Illinois University five years ago. On February 14, 2008, we lost five very bright and energetic young students-- students who had hoped to one day become the future of our nation. Each year since that tragic day, members of the community gather to remember those students and to present the memorial wreathes. Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne Mace, and Daniel Parmenter will never be forgotten, for they will always be in our hearts. Their memories will live on through their family and friends, as well as Northern Illinois University. ``Forward, Together Forward,'' three simple words that stem from the University's Fight Song, teach us a lesson that we can all learn from. It reminds us that even in the darkest of situations, when all seems lost, if we come together as a community there is nothing that we cannot get through. It gives us the strength and motivation to move forward. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering those lost and to support all who were affected by this tragedy.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3427, the State Ethics Law Protection Act of 2009. This simple bill goes a long way in closing a loophole that discourages states from enacting tough pay-to-play reforms. Under current policy, states like Illinois that take a stand against corrupt practices by prohibiting the awarding of highway contracts to campaign contributors may jeopardize a share of their highway funding. In 2008, when a tough pay-to-play law was being considered in Illinois, the Federal Highway Administration intervened and threatened to withhold Federal dollars if the law was enacted. The shameful and unethical string of crimes perpetrated by public officials in the State of Illinois is by now well known, but the FHWA's intervention led the General Assembly to water down what would have been a tough and effective anti-corruption law. What's more, the FHWA's application of this policy has been occasional and uneven. Of the eight states that have enacted pay-to-play legislation, only New Jersey and Illinois have been singled out. H.R. 3427 will untie the hands of state legislatures that seek to take bold action to combat pay-to-play practices and restore the public's faith in government. It will also help ensure that federal dollars will not be wasted on contracts doled out to political cronies. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill, which will help state legislatures hold the line against corruption.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 512 on H.R. 3534 (motion to recommit), I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor all the World War II veterans, but especially our distinguished guests from the Honor Flight Chicago program. This noble program enables hundreds of Veterans from the Chicago area to come visit the memorial built to honor their great service and courage, and I have the great privilege of welcoming them to Washington DC. We all have a special appreciation for our veterans because we know the sacrifices they made to protect us and bring peace to a world ravaged by war. These servicemen answered our nation's call during one of its greatest times of need. These brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them our deepest gratitude and thanks for protecting and ensuring our future. I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorial. I am proud to submit the names of these men for all to see, hear, recognize and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing thanks. Joseph Adamczyk; Nicholas Ahrens; Lewis Asher; John Barbino; Edward Barrett; William Bennett; Edward Britton; Raymond Bukentica; Sam Cangelosi; Edwin Chapp; Willard Clauser; Anthony Coorlim; Russell Damisch; Robert Degnegaard; Thomas Dobesh; Thomas Dougherty; William Draver; Clarence Edman; Dominic Errichiello; Robert Etchingham: Glenn Felner; Rollin Flanagin; Ray Ford; Jacob Forney; John Frothingham; Kenneth Gardner; Albert Gilman; Alvin Goodman, Jr.; Charles Goufas; Patricia Graves; Richard Hitzeroth; Don Holwerda; Donald Horton; Charles Hoyert; Michael Hrindak; James Jones; Frank Kania; William Kaske; John Keller; Robert Kelley; Harry Klich; Herman Kok; Raymond Kriesemint; Anthony Kurek; Lloyd Lawson; George Leavitt; Herschel Leffingwell; Henry Lewandowski; Robert Long; Norman Long; Jerry Lonigro; Hugh Lynch; Henry Malek; Casimer Marks; Robert Marshall; Anthony Matkovich; Edward Melnick; Norbert Melsek; Donald Memenga; Arro Merijohn; Raymond Mietz; Norman Million; Joseph Mooha; Herbert Morrison; Jack Neistat; Ralph Niles; Berthold Notheisen; Jerry Novak; Oscar Olson; Ralph Raap; Genevieve Rafa; Frank Rafa; George Rinke; James Rosenbaum; Fred Ruben; Henry Rutkowski, Sr.; Charles Sauber; Herman Steagall; William Stowe; Harold Van Houten; Sander Wallk; Robert Walton; Raymond Wasielewski; Norbert Wayer; Robert Weber; Melton Williams; William Woodrow; Stanley Zajac; James Zajicek; Donald Zentz; Arthur Bauer; John Shubic; and John Sladek.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2142, The Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act. This legislation will force federal agencies and Congress to confront a crucial question: does the government we have operate as efficiently and responsibly as possible? By requiring agency heads to set measurable goals, subjecting identified programs to frequent assessments, and by enhancing transparency, this bill goes a long way towards creating an accountable, results-oriented government. Before coming to Congress, I was a scientist and a businessman. In both science and business, data, clear metrics, and measurable goals guide any successful endeavor. The same should be true of the federal government. Whenever taxpayer dollars are spent, the American people deserve to know whether they're getting their money's worth. This means identifying which agencies are working, and which are not. With deficits on an unsustainable long-term course, we must have a mechanism in place to ferret out wasteful spending and not hesitate to slash underperforming programs. This bill not only puts in place that mechanism, but it also allows the public to participate in the process. Agencies will be required to consider public input on program goals and the criteria by which they are assessed. This bill is a victory for accountable government and the American taxpayer. Those who oppose it will say that it does not go far and fast enough, but they will not dispute that it is a step in the right direction. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, 6 years ago today, President Ronald Reagan lay in State in the Capitol Rotunda, a high and fitting honor for this consequential President and native son of my congressional district. Today, I bring to the floor a far more modest tribute, a bill that would designate the post office in his boyhood hometown of Dixon, Illinois, the President Ronald W. Reagan Post Office Building. Born in Tampico, Illinois, in 1911 and raised in Dixon, President Reagan spent his life upholding the strong values of small-town America, but it is easy to overlook the humble Midwestern origins of a man whose career took him from Hollywood to the White House. In his autobiography, President Reagan said of Dixon, ``It was a small universe where I learned the standards and values that would guide me the rest of my life.'' While living in Dixon, President Reagan attended grade school and high school. Decades before standing at the Brandenburg Gate, he stood guard at the beach in Lowell Park where, according to local lore, he saved the lives of 77 swimmers on the Rock River. For the centennial of President Reagan's birth next year, the communities of Tampico and Dixon are planning numerous commemorative activities to honor this local hero and American icon. There will be a gala event in Tampico in February, followed later that month by the premiere of the ``Reagan Suite,'' an arrangement commissioned by the Dixon Municipal Band and Reagan Centennial Commission. Later in the year, Dixon will host an Alzheimer's Walk and education workshop in honor of the late President. With the help of my colleagues in the House, we can contribute in a small way to the outstanding efforts of many committed local officials who will make Dixon and Tampico true focal points of the Reagan centennial in 2011. This is a truly bipartisan bill, with 41 Democratic and Republican cosponsors representing congressional districts from across the country. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of an amendment to optimize the technological posture of our Armed Forces, but I am also the son of a civil rights lawyer who wrote a lot of the enforcement language behind the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And I am proud to serve with our majority leader and the representative of the Pennsylvania Eighth district. I rise in support of an amendment which would direct the Secretary of Defense to commission an independent study assessing the optimal balance of manned versus unmanned aircraft, as well as whether our military is capable of defending against an enemy force consisting of unmanned aerial vehicles. I believe it's the duty of Congress to ask hard questions and to take the long view of matters on national security. In Afghanistan and Iraq, we've already seen how UAV technology has revolutionized warfare and how rapidly we can launch an attack half a world away without risking a single American life. Between 2002 and 2008, the number of unmanned aircraft used by the Department of Defense increased from 167 to over 6,000. This year for the first time in history, the Air Force trained more UAV pilots than traditional fighter pilots. This amendment will help us optimize the balance between manned and unmanned aircraft, and I urge its support.

Mr. FOSTER. Thank you for yielding an additional minute. As I was explaining that this year for the first time in history, the Air Force trained more UAV pilots than traditional fighter pilots. However, our fleet of unmanned aircraft has expanded, and we have also maintained and continued to build a large force of conventional manned aircraft. This study will help Congress better understand the optimal most cost-effective balance between the two for a range of operations. It will also help us determine the feasibility and desirability of a more rapid transition to unmanned aircraft for these operations. This study will also force the Department of Defense and Congress to confront the fact that the United States is not the only Nation capable of building and deploying these very effective, very lethal technologies. If the future of warfare lies in unmanned technology, will our military be prepared to defend the United States and its allies against attacks by enemies who possess large numbers of unmanned aircraft? It's my hope that this study will help Congress prioritize and plan for this future and adopt the most cost-effective mix of manned and unmanned aircraft. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I thank Chairman Skelton for his hard work in bringing this amendment to the floor.