Bart Gordon

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I want to thank my friend for introducing this amendment. It certainly is accepted by the majority; and I want to assure him, as Mr. McCaul can also, that this particular bill is clean as a whistle. There are no earmarks, NSF, NIST, or anywhere else. Again, I thank him for making sure that we get that clarified. I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis). (Mr. POLIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Maryland, and I want to thank her more importantly for introducing this commonsense constructive amendment that's going to provide additional tools for the States as they fight this issue, very well pointed out, this very difficult, day-to-day battle with cybersecurity.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I'm not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I concur with Mr. McCaul in saying that cyberthreats know no boundaries. This is, again, a good commonsense amendment, and I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen) for introducing it, and we support the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I thank my friend from Pennsylvania. This is a very important amendment to our committee's work. The community colleges have so much potential to offer us, and I think by bringing this to the table we're going to bring a whole other sector to getting involved. And once again, this goes back to workforce issues. We can have the best technology in the world, but if we don't have the workforce to go with it, then we're not going to be successful. So I thank the gentlelady for this excellent amendment.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. First, let me thank my friend from California for an excellent amendment. It's an improvement to an already-good bill. Mr. Chairman, I rise now to offer my condolences to the family of Judy Ruckel. Judy was the printer for the Committee on Science and Technology, and she unexpectedly passed away earlier this week. Because she worked from home, I did not know Judy as well as I do other members of the staff. She was a quiet, often unseen stalwart of the committee. Most staff members never questioned how the documents that are the record of our work get produced, and it's a testament to Judy that they never had to. Judy just took care of it. When I first became chairman, I had no idea what a committee printer did. I kept asking who the printer was, what did she do, where was her office. Universally I was told that Judy was the nicest, most caring person that you could ever have on your staff and that she was good at whatever she did and that I needed to have no concerns on that front. Everyone was right. Judy's quiet presence and good work will be missed by all on our committee.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 4061.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Willie Brandon, an admired and respected citizen of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who lived and worked up until the age of 103. My hometown was saddened by Willie's passing on January 5, 2010. He was known for his kind heart, his wealth of knowledge, and his optimistic outlook on life. People said he would brighten their day just by talking with him for a few minutes. He expressed his admiration of Murfreesboro by knowing its history backward and forward, and his wisdom was conveyed through his past experiences and stories. Willie was considered a role model and friend to many. He began his life in Readyville, Tennessee, with his parents, Charles and Jimmie Brandon, and his sister, Lizzie. His parents were sharecroppers, but his father became a janitor when they moved to Illinois. At the age of 12, Willie dropped out of school to work and help support the family. For the next 91 years, Willie never quit working. He worked as a cook at the James K. Polk Hotel, City Cafe, Sewart Air Force Base, Lamb's Grill, and Po Folks Restaurant. He also picked blackberries, cut timber, and mowed grass. Willie took pride in his work, and his dedication was an inspiration to his coworkers. Over the last 30 years of his life, Willie was the keeper of the Rutherford County courthouse, a historical place many people pass through for business or sight-seeing. Willie could tell very personal stories about the courthouse and his family's history--150 years ago, his own grandfather, a slave, helped to build the courthouse and was later sold there. Willie's legacy lives on through his daughter, stepson, three granddaughters, two great-granddaughters and one great-great granddaughter. Supporting them through his continued employment is a testament to how much he loved them. Willie Brandon's life had a significant impact on everyone he met. He lifted their spirits, shared his wisdom, and gave them hope. He will always be remembered as an institution in Rutherford County and a luminary to all of his friends and family.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Kinsey Kiriakos, who has served as my Communications Director and has helped me to be a better congressman as I represent the people of Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. While Kinsey grew up in southern California and far from the rolling hills of Tennessee, he quickly proved himself to be an ambitious and creative addition to the staff, with a clear passion for politics that rivals only his passion for the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of Kinsey's first tasks in the office was revamping my congressional Web site, and he put in long hours to get the job done well. His hard work and dedication on that project has made my Web site a more effective tool for communicating with my constituents. Prior to joining my staff, Kinsey worked for Rep. Brad Sherman and Sen. Evan Bayh. Now, he is moving on to the next phase of his career. Kinsey departed my office on Friday for a new job as the Communications Director for the Joint Economic Committee, and I know he looks forward to being involved in efforts to get our nation's economy back on track. His experience with both the House and Senate, and his easy rapport with reporters will serve him well in this new position. Madam Speaker, my staff and I have enjoyed having Kinsey with us over the last year, and we wish him all the best in his new position. He is young and talented, and I look forward to watching his professional skills continue to grow.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of a valued staff member of the House Committee on Science and Technology, David Laughter, on his retirement. Dave has served as Financial Administrator for the Committee since 2001. He has been on the Hill since 1994, working for the House Committee on Ways and Means and Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana. Before coming to the Hill, he served as the Deputy Administrator for Management and Policy Support for the United States Department of Agriculture, USD; Rural Electrification Administration, REA; and as the Vice President/General Manager for an OEM manufacturer supplying large sheet metal stamping dies and special machinery to domestic and transplant auto assembly plants in North America. Dave received his B.A. in Economics from Hillsdale College in Michigan. He is from Dayton, and, as a native Ohioan, he has a special place in his heart for the Bengals, the Reds, and Skyline Chili. Madam Speaker, Dave is the first person new employees meet on their first day, and the last person they see when they are leaving on their last day. Dave handles all the Committee staff benefits and payroll, he maintains our budget to ensure we're on track, and he makes sure that all our bills get paid. Dave has provided a steady hand on the Committee's financial tiller for these past 8 years, and I want him to know how much I appreciate his hard work. I know Dave has wrestled with this decision, and while I don't expect him to turn into a ``Nature Boy,'' I'm sure he's looking forward to having a little more time to pursue his other hobbies and interests. I know that all of the Science and Technology Committee's members and staff wish him well. He'll have more time to spend with his lovely wife, Marsha, his children, Carrie, David, and Brittany, his grandchildren Peter and Meredith, and his other family and friends. We hope Dave enjoys a relaxing retirement filled with fishing, grilling, and listening to classic rock. Dave, thank you again for your years of service.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2009 Beech High School Buccaneers for winning the TSSAA Class 5A State Football Championship. I commend Beech High School Head Coach Anthony Crabtree and Assistant Coaches Jim Campbell, Darrell Keen, Patrick Duffer, Keith Powell, Kerry Jackson, Ryan Harris, Cody Brummett, and Principal Frank Cardwell. These young men completed their season by defeating the Columbia Lions in a 47-33 win in the Blue Cross Bowl on Friday, December 4. The hard work and dedication this season brought the Buccaneers to the school's first state championship. Max Zinchini, Junior, was the defensive MVP with five tackles and two interceptions. I congratulate each player of the 2009 5A State Champion Buccaneer Team: Dwayne Fleming, Daniel Richardson, Lincoln Kenitzer, Max Zinchini, Deshaun Tarkington, Taylor Peoples, Jarod Neal, Justin Cherry, Brock Haley, Jay Huff, Conner Jett, Ponciano Cobb, Tony Newsom, Hunter Allison, Daniel Payne, Travis Haymer, Ethan Walker, Jason Brooks, Jonathan Sites, Dakota Deno, Hunter Stewart, Charles Metcalfe, Devonte Cobb, Clayton Ream, Malik Lewis, Jeffrey Hunter, Taylor Cash, Dante Paige, Alex Gomer, Dustin Bailey, Marquis Kingcade, Michael Santifer, Kyle Mortensen, Marquel Harold, Wesley Aiello, Camden Dalton, Jason Hunter, Brian Montgomery, Cody Winford, Justin Toro, Payton Schneider, Rob Hamilton, J.T. Barnes, Cole Nabors, Kyle Anderson, Zach Rumsey, Kevin Kline, John Stillman, Eric Buchanan, Jared Barfield, Christian Martinez, Ryan Turner, Jamey Howell, Jayden Maddox, Josh Knight, Alec Willett, Trey Barnfield, Trey Ralph, Drew Chaffee and Managers Austin Young, Chris Whited, and Lamont Sneed.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2009 Trousdale County High School Yellow Jackets for winning the TSSAA Class 2A State Football Championship. I congratulate these young men for their hard work and dedication. It takes teamwork and sacrifice from each individual for a team to succeed. The Yellow Jackets 12-1 season ended with them defeating the Buccaneers 13-7 in the Blue Cross Bowl on Saturday. I commend Trousdale County High School Head Coach Kevin Creasy and Assistant Coaches Jackie Dillehay, Jason Dobbs, Brandon Eden, Hal Hailey, Ben Johnson, Adam Keeton, Steve McClain, and Ronnie White. I congratulate each player of the 2009 Class 2A State Champion Yellow Jacket Football Team: T.J. Seay, Jordan Harper, Tacola Seay, Hunter Murphree, Craig Brown, Dre Crenshaw, Brent Ford, Dillon Young, Joe Sanders, Devon Turczyn, Seth Calhoun, Josh Payne, Mack Sanders, Tyler Edwards, Marcelly Smith, Joey Cox, Garrett Crafton, Dakota Stovall, Demarius Smith, Kale Satterfield, Victor Hardwick, Spencer Minor, Alex Gregory, Kyle Gregory, Austin Bode, Chase Roberson, Zach Scruggs, Joseph Phillips, Kyle Satterfield, Mitch Merryman, Cody Belcher, Baylor DeLeusomme, Marty Bottom, Shawn Melton, Hunter Kelley, Michael Harper, David Minor, Jordan Holder, Ned Dias, Koryay Smith, and Ben Stadter.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, as we debate and move forward on this historic endeavor--passage of health care reform with a goal of improving access and coverage for the millions of uninsured and underinsured individuals--I would like to take a moment to discuss the role of emergency medicine and review the various provisions in this bill which strengthen access to emergency care. As we work to improve coverage and enhance preventive and chronic care, we must remember to balance the acute care needs of patients, especially those treated in emergency departments. Emergency medicine is an essential part of our safety net and must be supported. Whether a patient ends up in the emergency room as the result of a suspected H1N1 influenza case, trauma, a natural or manmade disaster, or because they've lost their job and health insurance and a health condition escalates to the point of needing to seek emergency care, we all rely on quality emergency care to be there. In fact, the federal government demands it--unlike other doctors who can choose not to participate with various health insurance plans, Medicare or Medicaid, emergency physicians are required by federal law to treat every patient who walks through the door, regardless of their ability to pay. But, our emergency medical system is in crisis, and the severe problems facing emergency patients affect everyone. Earlier this year, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) released its annual report card on emergency care. The nation was graded a C minus overall, with 90 percent of states earning mediocre or near-failing grades. America earned a near-failing D minus grade in the ``Access to Emergency Care'' category. This is unacceptable and also terrifying news for the more than 300,000 people each day who need emergency care. Although my own state of Tennessee outperformed most states in some areas, we have a long way to go. The report states that Tennessee has only 8.9 emergency physicians per 100,000 people and needs an additional 60.2 full-time equivalent mental health care providers to serve the state's population. Also, it points out that these issues may contribute to hospital crowding and patient transfers, problems that have been identified as priorities among emergency physicians in Tennessee. Further, Tennessee has serious public health and injury prevention challenges. We have among the highest rates of infant mortality in the nation (8.9 deaths per 1,000 births), as well as high percentages of obese adults (28.8 percent) and adults who smoke (22.6 percent). Tennessee has relatively high fatal injury rates: 22.7 homicides and suicides per 100,000 people and 2.2 deaths due to unintentional fire and burn-related injuries per 100,000. Although the ``Affordable Health Care for America Act'' included provisions to improve coverage for preventive and chronic care, statistics like these for Tennessee demonstrate that access to quality emergency care will always be a priority and should not be taken for granted. The health care reform bill passed by the House on November 7 included a number of provisions that would strengthen emergency care in the United States: Required Coverage for Emergency Services. Specifically, it would require that emergency services are part of any essential benefits package for all eligible health insurance plans. Emergency Care Coordination Center. Section 2552 would establish an Emergency Care Coordination Center. The Center will promote and fund research in emergency medicine and trauma health care, promote regional partnerships and more effective emergency medical systems in order to enhance appropriate triage, distribution, and care of routine community patients; and promote local, regional, and State emergency medical systems' preparedness for and response to public health events. It would also authorize a Council of Emergency Medicine. Pilot Programs to Improve Emergency Medical Care. Section 2553 would establish demonstration programs that design, implement, and evaluate innovative models of regionalized, comprehensive, and accountable emergency care systems. Demonstration Project for Stabilization of Emergency Medical Conditions by Institutions for Mental Diseases. Section 1787 would establish a demonstration project to reimburse psychiatric hospitals that provide required medical assistance to stabilize an emergency medical condition for individuals enrolled in Medicaid. Hopefully the emergency medicine provisions will be further strengthened as they move through the legislative process to include provisions based on legislation I've introduced to address the issue of emergency department boarding, ambulance division standards, and medical malpractice liability coverage for emergency providers and on- call specialists. The ``Access to Emergency Medical Services Act,'' H.R. 1188, and the ``Health Care Safety Net Enhancement Act,'' H.R. 1998, are two bills I've introduced to address these issues. Overcrowded emergency departments are compromising patient safety and threatening everyone's access to lifesaving emergency care. The number of emergency departments has decreased by 5 percent in 10 years, but the demand for care is up by 32 percent--up to 119.2 million visits in 2006 (one in three Americans). Hundreds of emergency departments have closed. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), half of emergency services go uncompensated. To compensate for cutbacks in reimbursement, hospitals closed 198,000 staffed beds between 1993 and 2003. As a result, fewer beds are available to accommodate admissions from the emergency department. Ambulances are diverted, on average, once a minute in the United States, away from the closest emergency department because they are so crowded they cannot handle any more patients. For patients with life- threatening illnesses or injuries, those minutes can make the difference between life and death. Last year, the American College of Emergency Physicians released a report by its Task Force on Boarding titled, ``Emergency Department Crowding: High-Impact Solutions.'' ACEP established the task force to develop low-cost or no-cost solutions to boarding. The report is intended to help emergency physicians stop boarding in their own hospitals and ultimately improve patient care. The report identifies those strategies to reduce crowding that have a ``high impact,'' as well as those that have not proven effective. The report identifies the boarding of admitted patients as the main cause of emergency department crowding. The report outlines the impact of boarding on patient care stating that ``evidence-based research demonstrates that boarding results in the following: delays in care, ambulance diversion, increased hospital lengths of stay, medical errors, increased patient mortality, financial losses to hospital and physician, and medical negligence claims.'' Madam Speaker, to ensure our access to emergency care is protected, we must address this issue. I believe the provisions in my bill, H.R. 1188, ``Access to Emergency Medical Services Act'' will help by developing emergency department boarding and ambulance diversion standards and quality measures. I urge their consideration as the bill moves forward through the legislative process. Emergency care is the most overlooked part of the health care system. But it is the number one service that everyone depends on in their hour of need. It needs our attention now. In addition, we need to think forward to ensure that our system also accommodates future needs. To do so, we must address the shortage of board-certified emergency physicians. The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, in 2008, published an Assessment of Emergency Physician Workforce Needs in the United States. The authors reviewed 2005 data and found that the supply of emergency medicine residency- trained, board-certified emergency physicians will not meet future demand. Specifically, they found that only 55% of the demand for emergency medical board-certified physicians currently is met. I agree with the need to enhance our prevention efforts and have introduced H.R. 3851, the ``Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Act'' to help educate Americans of all ages regarding the need for physical activity, taking responsibility for one's health and staying fit. However, experience shows that not everyone will adhere to recommended guidelines, and genetic predisposition, trauma and seasonal flu or other illnesses such as H1N1 will continue to bring people to our nation's emergency rooms. Therefore, we must be sure emergency departments are equipped to handle our needs. In June 2006, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released three landmark reports on the ``Future of Emergency Care in the United States Health System,'' detailing the challenges and concerns this nation faces in maintaining access to emergency medical services. The IOM reported that the nation's emergency medical system as a whole is overburdened, underfunded and highly fragmented. Emergency care has long been overlooked and as a result it is stretched to a breaking point. As Congress focuses on health reform this year, I urge my colleagues to recognize the role emergency medicine plays in our safety net and support the provisions in the health reform bill that strengthen emergency care. Further, I urge my colleagues to work to adequately support our emergency medical system by further addressing boarding and diversion as the bill moves forward.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 515) to prohibit the importation of certain low- level radioactive waste into the United States, as amended.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Radioactive Import Deterrence Act is a bipartisan bill that would ban the importation of low-level radioactive waste unless the President provides a waiver. Low-level radioactive waste is generated by medical facilities, university research labs, and utility companies. This waste is generated all over the United States, but finding permanent disposal sites has proven difficult. Currently, 36 States and the District of Columbia have only one approved site to store all the waste generated by those industries. That site is located in Utah. The site stores 99 percent of the United States' low-level radioactive waste. However, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently considering the importation of 20,000 tons of Italian low-level waste to be permanently disposed of at the Utah site. This would be the largest importation of foreign waste ever. The United States stands alone as the only country in the world that imports other countries' radioactive waste for permanent disposal. Other countries are reading the signs that the U.S. is poised to become a nuclear dumping ground. Permit applications are also pending for the importation of Brazilian and Mexican waste. Foreign waste threatens the capacity that we have set aside in this country for the waste generated by our domestic industries. It is critical that Congress protect that capacity by prohibiting these imports. I support nuclear power as part of our energy mix. 104 commercial nuclear plants in the United States help to provide 20 percent of our Nation's energy needs. If we are going to support the continued growth of our domestic nuclear industry, we must ban the practice of disposing of other countries' radioactive waste. We must reserve that capacity for our domestic needs. The bill is the product of a bipartisan cooperation and has received multiple hearings in the Energy and Commerce Committee. I urge my colleagues to stand firm against the importation of foreign radioactive waste and support this bipartisan bill. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, December 1, 2009. Hon. Henry Waxman, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing regarding H.R. 515, the ``Radioactive Import Deterrence Act.'' As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has received a sequential referral on this bill. To expedite this legislation for floor consideration, the Committee on Ways and Means will forgo action on this bill. This is being done with the understanding that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will confirm in the legislative history of the bill that the President's discretion to waive section 277(a) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 applies to any important national or international policy goal, and is not limited to the use of waste for research purposes. The Committee on Ways and Means is forgoing action on the bill with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the future. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 515, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during consideration of this bill. Once again, thank you for your work and cooperation on this legislation. Sincerely, Charles B. Rangel, Chairman.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend from Utah (Mr. Matheson), the coauthor of this bipartisan bill.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I have to say that my friend from Florida is making a valiant effort. I just want to talk to you about a couple of things. First of all, Shakespeare also says ``don't rope a dope me.'' This is not B and C material. We're talking about A material. We're both pro-nuclear. We would like to see additional nuclear power help us deal with our climate change, but he says this is not a serious problem. Well, it's a very serious problem if you are a lab, if you are a hospital, if you are a utility and you have no place to take your low-level radioactive waste. For 37 States, there is no place else to go but Utah. And when that runs out, it is out. And so that is a very serious problem. He says it is going to hurt business. It is not going to hurt business. There is a finite amount of space there. Either you put in American waste or foreign waste; it is the same amount. So there is no business going to be hurt there. And finally, ``don't worry about it, it is a smoke detector.'' Well, if it is only smoke detectors, why are we putting up barbed wire fence, why do we have guards, and why does it have to stay there permanently? It is much more than that. There are serious problems here. This is a matter of American competitiveness. For that reason, I think that this bipartisan bill does need to pass. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I regret that my friend from Florida has no one here to defend him today, and I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Chaffetz, another person who this will directly impact in Utah.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my time is coming to an end, but I could share some of my time with my friend from Florida if he would like to volunteer the State of Florida as a repository for some of this low-level radioactive waste.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Once you get it sited, then this bill may not be necessary.