Bart Gordon

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Let me first thank my friend from California for his great contribution to our committee. As a former chairman of this subcommittee, he is both knowledgeable and always very helpful. I would like to now yield 3 minutes to a very enthusiastic supporter of NASA from Houston, Texas, the chairman of the Energy subcommittee, Mr. Lampson.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend from Colorado (Mr. Udall) the chairman of the subcommittee and thank him for his good work on this legislation. (Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I will quickly conclude by saying that just because we have all talked nice here today and been civil and we have a bipartisan bill, doesn't mean that this was not a difficult bill to put together. A lot of work went into this, a lot of respectful collaboration on a bipartisan way. We have a good bill. I thank my friends for helping.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 6063) to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I, along with my colleague Mr. Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, rise today to honor the life of Johnny H. Hayes, a lifelong community leader and a public servant of the people of Tennessee and the United States. Johnny was a friend to many. Tragically, he passed away last week on his farm in Sumner County, Tennessee after a courageous battle with cancer. A graduate of Tennessee Technological University in 1961, Johnny moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee where he built a successful insurance business. He later moved to the Sideview Community. Always keeping himself busy, Johnny operated a livestock operation, breeding and raising grand champion red Angus cattle. Johnny served in the cabinet of Governor Ned McWherter and was a trusted advisor to former Vice President Al Gore. Johnny also was a close friend and loyal counselor of Phil Bredesen, the current governor of Tennessee. In 1993, Johnny was nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve on the board of directors for the Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA. His calm nature, good humor, and ability to take on challenging issues helped strengthen TVA's relationships in the seven-state region, and his work left a lasting legacy. For Johnny, any person in need was a worthy cause. As a member of the Bethpage United Methodist Church, Johnny served on the Administrative Board and as Sunday School Superintendent for 18 years. He used his fundraising skills to finance a new playground and chapel, and was always there to address the needs of his neighbors. Despite all of his success in business and politics, Johnny always remained humble and loyal to his friends and family. Johnny Hayes will be sorely missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him. We close by offering our deepest condolences to his wife Mary Howard Reese Hayes; three children, Craig, Amy, and Mary Kate; and three grandchildren, Austin, Ashley, and Miller.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to establish ``The National Water Research and Development Initiative,'' to coordinate national efforts on water research and technology development and to provide a clear path forward to ensure adequate water supplies for generations to come. Water is essential to everything we do, and there is no substitute for it. Many Americans are unaware how stressed our water supplies have become. This situation will continue to be exacerbated by increases in population and energy demand and shifting weather patterns caused by climate change. In order to meet the water demands of the future, it is essential that we have the tools needed to utilize water resources efficiently and to maintain the quality of our water supplies. Sound water management is essential if we are to meet the water needs of municipalities, industry, agriculture, recreation, and power. At the turn of the 19th century, U.S. population stood at a little more than 5 million citizens. Our population is now over 300 million with an annual growth rate of one percent. Available surface water supplies have not increased in the United States since the 1990s, and groundwater tables are continuing to decline. It is clear that the U.S. water supply cannot support future populations and economic activity at its current rate of consumption. In the United States, over 50,000 water utilities withdraw approximately 40 billion gallons per day of water from the nation's resources, to supply water for domestic consumption, industry, and other uses When severe water shortages occur, the economic effect can be substantial. According to a 2000 report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, eight water shortages from drought or heat waves each resulted in $1 billion or more in monetary losses over the past 20 years. An adequate supply of treated water is integral to many industries, including agriculture and food processing, beverages, power generation, paper production, manufacturing, and mineral extraction, Water shortages can negatively affect companies and entire industries and reduce job creation and retention. Current industry trajectories, population growth, and dwindling water supplies all point to increased water shortages. Increased water demand will come with increased costs to all businesses, industries, and municipalities which rely on the same water resources. The Association of California Water Agencies reported in April 2008 that California is now losing income and jobs due to the state's water supply crisis. A new commitment is necessary to ensure that the United States can meet the water challenges over the next twenty years and onward. The House Science and Technology Committee has begun to search out ways for the federal government to spur new technological innovations that will improve our water-use efficiency. We are doing our part to highlight this important issue and to develop legislation that will address technological and strategic deficiencies at the federal level. If we are to avoid water crises in the future, we need an effective research and development effort that provides tools and information to manage our water resources effectively. Coordination of the twenty federal agencies responsible for water programs is a logical place to start. The 2004 National Academies Report on Federal Water Research indicated that the United States is not getting its money's worth on water resources research because of a lack of coordination. The legislation I am introducing today builds on the Administration's effort to coordinate federal research on water resources by establishing an interagency committee--the Subcommittee on Water Availability and Quality (SWAQ) of the National Science and Technology Council. The bill codifies this subcommittee and provides it explicit Congressional authorization. The bill also incorporates recommendations from the 2004 report by the National Academies entitled, Confronting the Nation's Water Problems: The Role of Federal Research to strengthen the subcommittee's role in setting priorities and developing an integrated budget to support research on water resources. The Academy's report indicated that SWAQ is an effective forum for agencies to share information about their efforts on water. However, the report identified several issues that needed to be addressed to make SWAQ an effective coordinating body. This bill strengthens the budget function for SWAQ through participation of OMB on the subcommittee. In addition, SWAQ is directed to engage in outreach activities to develop connections to state and local governments, to a wider community of stakeholders, and to the public. These recommendations, and others, helped to form the basis of the initiative. In order to better manage water supplies, there is a critical need for reliable, contemporary information about our water resources and how supplies vary over time. Currently, quantitative knowledge of water supply is inadequate in the United States. The U.S. Water Resources Council completed the most recent, comprehensive, national water availability and use assessment in 1978. This legislation directs the subcommittee to mobilize federal resources to undertake a new national water census. I offer this legislation to improve and coordinate federal research and development efforts on water. It is critical that we actively pursue technological innovations to ensure future water supplies.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, for 6 years now, the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership has conducted a program for summer interns working in Congressional offices. This 6-week program is designed to enhance their internship experience by giving them an inside view of how Congress really works. It also provides an opportunity for them to meet with senior congressional staff and other experts to discuss issues ranging from the legislative process to the influence of the media and lobbyists on Congress. The program is a joint effort of the Stennis Center and a collection of current and former senior congressional staff leaders who are serving as Senior Stennis Fellows. These fellows use their experience and expertise to design the program and to participate in each of the interactive sessions and panel discussions. Interns are selected for this program based on their college record, community service background, and interest in a career in public service. This year, 21 outstanding interns, most of them juniors and seniors in college, who are working for Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate participated. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the interns for their participation in this valuable program and I thank the Stennis Center and the Senior Stennis Fellows for providing such a unique experience for these interns and for encouraging them to consider a future career in public service. I ask that a list of 2008 Stennis Congressional Interns and the offices in which they work be printed in the Record. Matt Beato, attending the College of William and Mary interning in the office of Rep. Brian Higgins. Molly Box, attending the University of Wyoming interning in the office of Sen. Mike Enzi. Geoff Browning, attending Loyola College interning in the office of Rep. James McGovern. Chloe Cabot, attending the University of Wisconsin interning in the office of Sen. Herb Kohl. Zach Chalett, attending New York University interning in the office of Rep. Jim McDermott. Jason Chang, attending Brandeis University interning in the office of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. Shaun N. Christiansen, attending the University of Oregon interning in the office of Rep. Earl Blumenauer. TJ Garrigan, attending Catholic University interning in the office of Rep. Robert Brady. Mitch Hunter, attending Harvard University interning in the office of Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Jon Junig, attending the University of Rochester interning in the office of Rep. Tom Petri. Jonathan Kay, attending Middlebury College interning in the office of Sen. Hillary Clinton. Rebecca Lurie, attending the University of Maryland interning in the office of Rep. Robert Brady. Grainne Lynn, attending Catholic University interning in the office of Rep. Robert Brady. Chris Mickey, attending the University of Wyoming interning in the office of Sen. John Barrasso. Kristina Nesse, attending the College of St. Benedict interning in the office of Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Jillian Petrella, attending William Smith College interning in the office of Rep. Brian Higgins. Trevor Pierce, attending the University of Michigan interning in the office of Rep. John Campbell. William Poindexter, attending Mississippi State University interning in the office of Sen. Thad Cochran. Betsey Sawyer, attending Louisiana State University interning in the office of Sen. Thad Cochran. Harrison Tome, attending the University of Pennsylvania interning in the office of Sen. John Barrasso. Neil White, attending Princeton University interning in the office of Sen. Thad Cochran.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Congressman James D. Richardson, upon the occasion of the raising of a Tennessee Historical Marker on the site of Richardson's family home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. During the Civil War, Richardson served Tennessee with honor and distinction, volunteering at the age of 18 as a private in the Tennessee Infantry and rising to the rank of major by war's end. After the war, Richardson studied the law and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He practiced in Murfreesboro for over 12 years and served as director of both the Stones River National Bank and the Safe Deposit, Trust, and Banking Company of Nashville. Known simply as ``Major'' to his friends and associates, Richardson also led the Rutherford County Fair Association, served as commissioner of the Evergreen Cemetery, was an active Freemason, and raised five children with his wife, Alabama. He was elected to the Tennessee State Legislature in 1870, where his colleagues named him speaker of the House at the age of 28. Richardson quickly came to prominence within the Democratic Party, serving as a delegate to the National Convention of 1876 and earning a reputation as a captivating orator. In 1884, Richardson was elected to the United States Congress. This was only the beginning of a 20-year career in which he led the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, served as interim Democratic Whip in 1894, and was called upon by his colleagues to compile The Messages and Papers of the Presidents, a vital history of American governance. He also oversaw the compilation of The Messages and Papers of the Confederacy, which documents the public and private communications of Confederate leaders. James Daniel Richardson was a true son of Tennessee and an exemplary American leader. I congratulate the Tennessee Historical Society for its decision to raise this Historical Marker to the man known as the ``Tall Cedar of Rutherford.''

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Drew Black for his service to Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District while working in my Washington, DC, office. Drew's good nature, sense of humor and dance moves have made him a wonderful addition to the office. During his time here, his thorough research and hard work have helped me to better serve my constituents in Middle Tennessee. Tuesday will be Drew's last day in the office before he returns to his home state of Indiana to begin an exciting job there. While Drew has enjoyed his time in the Nation's capital, his first love is the state of Indiana and, in particular, Hoosiers basketball. My staff and I will miss Drew. He is a big guy with a big heart, which we have admired as he has volunteered time each week to work one-on-one with a DC youth through Horton's Kids. And we have seen his big heart whenever he talks about his first boss on the Hill, the late Rep. Julia Carson, and we have admired his unwavering loyalty to her. Drew, thank you for your help and dedication. I wish you all the best in the future.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Julie Eubank, a Smyrna, Tennessee native who has served the people of Middle Tennessee as a trusted member of my staff for the past six years. Julie has worked with me in a number of capacities. She started as an intern in my Murfreesboro District office and then moved to Washington as my scheduler. Julie ultimately became my Press Secretary, where she has served for the past four years. A Press Secretary has a position of great trust with a Member of Congress. They are responsible for keeping the lines of communications open between citizens and their representatives. Julie has done an exceptional job keeping the people of the 6th District informed on the many issues being debated in Congress. As a graduate of Smyrna High School and Middle Tennessee State University, Julie brings a special knowledge of the 6th District to her job that has been invaluable to me. She has treated every media outlet, regardless of size, with the same level of attention and care. Julie has been a source of levity when deadlines were tight, and her opinions are valued by my staff and me. She is leaving us next Thursday to head to Montana for the fall, and I know she will bring the same humor, professionalism, and talent to the ``Treasure State'' that she has shared with the people of the ``Volunteer State.'' Julie is a good friend and advisor and we will miss her in Washington, but wish her well as she pursues this new challenge.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a talented individual who has been a dedicated member of our committee staff--Rachel Jagoda Brunette. Rachel came to the committee at the beginning of the 109th Congress as a staff assistant for the Republican majority. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she was soon promoted to professional staff for the research subcommittee. As a staffer for that subcommittee, she handled math and science education issues. At the start of this Congress, the committee offered positions to several staffers of former Chairman Boehlert and we were fortunate that Rachel accepted our offer. She moved to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation and deftly transitioned to a broad portfolio of technology issues, from Homeland Security science and technology to surface transportation research and development. Her bachelor's degree in physics from Georgetown University and a master's in political management from the George Washington University were an excellent foundation for navigating the nexus between science and policy. Rachel also came to the committee with experience in this area, having worked at the Federation of American Scientists, the American Society for Engineering Education, and the American National Standards Institute. With intellectual curiosity and an appreciation for scientific knowledge, Rachel spent countless hours absorbing technical details and navigating the political and bureaucratic contexts of her issues. Rachel recognizes how science and technology can help communities meet their needs on the ground. Rachel performed valuable legislative and oversight duties for the committee. These legislative efforts included H.R. 5161, the Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act and H.R. 3877, the Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act. Her oversight contributions included border security technologies and research and development for energy savings in transportation systems. Rachel has spent over 3 years working on the Hill and over 9 years in Washington. She is heading to Portland, and our loss is Oregon's gain. She has been a wonderful asset to this committee and will be missed by both Members and staff. I want to thank her for her service to the committee and the science community at large, and I wish her--and her growing family--all the best.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Hank Thompson, who passed away July 6. As a County Commissioner, Mayor of Hendersonville and Sumner County Executive, Hank served the people of Sumner County for more than 25 years. Hank always sought what was best for the people he represented. He was a very forward-thinking public servant and a good friend and adviser to me. I worked with him for many years and always admired his passion and love for his community. Following the devastating Gallatin tornado in 2006, Hank was the first person to contact me to get federal assistance for storm victims. He also led the local assistance effort, helping people put their lives back together and rebuild their communities. He was a tireless advocate for the people of Sumner County and his contributions to the families there are countless. Whether it was building bridges, expanding highways, creating greenways or building new baseball and soccer fields, Hank was always Sumner County's number one advocate. I spent many hours in his car, driving from community to community while he showed me projects he envisioned for the area. He served on the boards of numerous organizations, including Children Are People, Inc.; the Jason Foundation and Youth Inc. Hank was a member of the Homeland Security Region Executive Board, Regional Transit Authority Board, Tennessee Municipal League Board, Sumner County Resource Agency, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Hendersonville and Gallatin Chambers of Commerce, Civitan Club and Rotary Club. Hank served his state and nation as a first lieutenant in the Tennessee National Guard. Hank will be missed by his wife, Nancy, his children Nick, Lance and Amanda and his many friends in Sumner County and across Tennessee.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer unanimous consent to consider the Senate amendment to H.R. 3403, the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008. When Americans dial 911, they expect the call will go through, regardless of what phone they use. That is why Congress acted in 1999 and 2004 to ensure all Americans had access to 911 services on their wireless phones. Congress now needs to act to ensure that all Americans have access to lifesaving 911 services on their Voice over the Internet Protocol or VoIP phones and other new technologies. When I first drafted this legislation in 2005, the intent was to integrate VoIP phones into the Nation's 911 system. Since then the bill has been expanded to include nonvoice technologies used by the deaf and hard of hearing community and other innovative technologies that will exponentially improve public safety for all Americans. Specifically, the bill will provide VoIP phone service providers direct access to the 911 system at the same rates, terms and conditions, as wireless phone providers. The bill also authorizes VoIP service providers to share customer location information with public safety answering points, PSAPs. This will ensure VoIP services providers can provide full E-911 services to their customers. The bill extends existing State laws protecting 911 calls made using wireline and wireless phones to not only VoIP 911 calls, but also to any service obligated by the FCC to provide 911 in future, and any service that coordinates with local 911 authorities to offer voluntary 911 emergency services. This will include Video Relay Services and text service used by the deaf and hard of hearing, and new car based 911 services. By doing this, we will encourage the rapid deployment of innovative new lifesaving 911 technologies, rather than wait for Congress to extend essential liability protections to new technologies. The bill preserves State, Tribal and local governments' authority to levy 911 fees and stops such fees from being diverted for non 911 purposes. Finally, the legislation seeks to modernize the Nation's 911 system by requiring the National 911 Coordination Office to establish a national plan to move to an IP-based emergency response network, and allowing 911 PSAP grants to be used for IP-based equipment. Today's 911 system uses 30-year-old wire and switch technology. Moving to an IP-based system will enable PSAPs for the first time to be interoperable with each other and other first responders. It will also allow them to handle a range of technologies--digital or analog, wireless phone, video, text messaging, data, satellite, VoIP, translation services and even maps of buildings. And it will allow PSAPs to stay operating even if the phone system goes down or their physical locations are destroyed. Events like 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina where 911 systems were overwhelmed highlight why a robust IP based 911 system must be a priority. H.R. 3403 is supported by the National Emergency Numbering Association, the VON Coalition, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Earthlink, Inc, the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology, Motorola, Intrado, the TeleCommunications Systems, Inc., and the U.S. Telecommunications Association. I want to thank the Energy and Commerce Committee and its staff for the bipartisan effort to move this bill quickly. I also want to thank Senator Ted Stevens, Senator Bill Nelson, the Senate sponsor of the bill, and the co-chairs of E-911 Congressional Caucus Representative Anna Eshoo, Representative John Shimkus, Senator Hillary Clinton. Working collaboratively with public safety, the deaf and disabled community and the communications industry, we have produced a bill that will greatly improve 911 services in America today and for the future. I'll close by encouraging my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 3403) to promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP- enabled 911 and E-911 services, encourage the Nation's transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network, and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities, with a Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, for Members who weren't here last Thursday, let me just remind you and recap some of the testimony on this authorization. This is a bipartisan bill that passed unanimously out of the Science and Technology Committee. It is fiscally responsible. It is a balance between aviation, science research and human exploration; and, quite frankly, it is too important to our Nation, both to our prestige as well as to our future, to jeopardize it trying to score political points. This amendment was not offered in the subcommittee markup, although there was an enormous amount of collaboration. And it was not even presented to the full committee until less than 24 hours before we voted on it. If this was so important to the Nation, you would think that my friend during the previous 6 years when there was a Republican House, a Republican Senate and a Republican President could have easily passed this. This bill is too important to try to score political points. We need to get something done for the Nation. Let me just remind you of some of the endorsers of this good bill, and this is a very small listing of so many: Association of American Universities, Aerospace Industry Association, National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Universities Space Research Association, Information Technology Association of America, National Business Aviation Association, and General Aviation Manufacturers Association. I can go on and on and on. This is too good a bill to be killed on this floor today for partisan reason. I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of H.R. 6063, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, cross-references, and make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to accurately reflect the actions of the House.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Let me just quickly add that our colleague and friend to both of us, Mr. Rohrabacher, has long been an advocate for the detection and monitoring of near-Earth objects. I don't know that anybody has done any more on that. I certainly commend this constructive amendment.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Let me just suggest that this is one more process in getting a law enacted. The Senate will pass a bill, and we will go to conference. I am sure Mr. Lampson can answer very well here, but this can be a continuing dialogue as we move forward.