Bart Gordon

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Maffei).

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time to close.

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

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment and claim the time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, while my colleague from Georgia has another amendment which we will gladly support, I am afraid I must reluctantly oppose this amendment on the grounds that it freezes funding for the bill at the 2010 levels and cuts the final year of funding. I appreciate the gentleman's effort to keep costs down. He has been a champion, both in our committee and on this floor, for trying to make the government live in a more frugal way. However, in this situation, I need to point out that the funds that are authorized in this particular program do not duplicate any funds that are in the energy bill or the Recovery Act for this particular purpose. I also want to point out that the amounts authorized in this bill fall upon recommendations from the National Academies of Science review of the program, as well as testimony in the committee and historic trends in the programs. The annual increases provided for in this bill are very modest and necessary for it to fulfill its goals, and I think for that reason we have an unusual situation where this amendment is opposed by both the National Association of Manufacturers and the UAW. Again, Mr. Broun is doing nothing but trying to make us justify, I think, our spending, as he should. He has been a champion for that. In this situation, I think that we have made that case, and his amendment should be opposed and our good bill should move forward. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Well, we don't really need a UC. Mr. Hall and I know that we can trust each other, and so if he has someone that wants to speak later, we will certainly make that available at any time they come in on whatever amendment it might be. Mr. Chairman, I reserve my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Well, if you would like to compliment me for a couple of minutes, I would be happy to accept that while we wait.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. The amendment I have offered has three parts. First, it makes a small technical change at the request of the Department of Justice to clarify that the Secretary shall report to Congress on the medium- to heavy- duty vehicle program; second, it incorporates an amendment from my colleague from Maine (Ms. Pingree) to require a report on commercialized technologies from the overall vehicle technology program; and third, it incorporates the amendment offered by Mr. Hare of Illinois to ensure that a range of nonroad mobile equipment is eligible for the pilot program in section 204. This is a simple amendment which incorporates a few small changes suggested by my colleagues to make the bill even better. I urge its adoption. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, let me say to Mr. Hall, I understand his concern about the additional accountability with Mr. Broun, and he has an amendment that we will be supporting later. So hopefully those will be complementary, and we will have additional accountability and transparency. If the gentleman from Texas has nothing more to say, I don't either.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Well, I would say to Mr. Hall, certainly I think Mr. Broun is a constructive force, certainly in our committee as well as here. I think he has two amendments today. I would suggest this potentially to my friend; if whomever you have coming to speak, we could allow them to speak during another amendment if that would be consistent.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Having no additional speakers, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Dr. Broun for bringing this constructive amendment to our attention. I think the additional transparency and accountability will make this good bill an even better bill, and for that reason I urge adoption of Dr. Broun's amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. If that's the case, then I think we can complete this amendment now.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kim Harris Mullins for her dedicated service. For more than eighteen years, Kim has committed herself to helping me better serve the residents of Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. While Kim is a native of Florida, she grew up in my district in Hartsville, Tennessee. For most of her career with me, she has assisted her neighbors and my constituents with problems they were having with the federal government. One of the most rewarding things I can do as a Member of Congress is help folks at home cut through government red tape, but I wouldn't be able to do that without people like Kim. As my assistant communications director, Kim has fostered relationships with local media and helped me to stay in touch with Tennessee residents. She is a strong writer and chose to share her expertise by spending her free time teaching journalism and public relations at Middle Tennessee State University, our shared alma mater. Along with providing my office with hardworking interns, some of whom are now full-time members of my staff, Kim's talents and work with the university have earned her a spot on the College of Mass Communication's Wall of Fame. Kim will be missed dearly, especially by those who worked closest with her in my district offices and benefited daily from her acerbic wit and sense of humor. My Murfreesboro district office is like a family. The current staff has worked together for 11 years, and they have a bond that makes them seem at times to be more like siblings than coworkers. We will be sad to see her go, but we know she has plenty to keep her busy--a new career to undertake, jewelry to make, dogs to spoil, and future trips to the beach with her husband, Jeff. Kim, thank you for all your help and dedication over these many years. I wish you all the best in your next endeavors.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of a valued staff member of the Committee on Science and Technology, Jean Fruci. Jean has served on the Committee staff since July 1995. In 2007, she became Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, which handles issues related to U.S. energy policy and environmental science. It oversees civilian R&D programs within the Department of Energy; R&D programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including climate, weather, and ocean research; and research at the Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to joining the Committee, she worked as a Legislative Assistant to Rep. George E. Brown (D-CA) in the areas of agriculture, resource management, energy, and the environment. Since becoming Staff Director, Jean has played a pivotal role in several of the Committee's key pieces of legislation including the Energy Independence and Security Act, the America COMPETES Act, and the National Climate Service Act. Jean's expertise is unmatched, especially in environmental research and development, and weather and climate monitoring. She is a scientist at her core--she holds a Ph.D. in soil science from Cornell University--but she also can effortlessly negotiate the intricacies of policy and government agencies. She is an invaluable resource to Members and a mentor to the people working under her. Madam Speaker, Jean's service, expertise, and institutional knowledge has made her a valued member of the Committee staff. I know that all of the Science and Technology Committee's Members and staff wish her well with the next phase of her life and career. In closing, I just want to say thank you, Jean, for your many years of dedicated and loyal service. We will miss you, and we hope that our paths cross again in the future.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Science and Technology be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 631 and that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 607. I want to thank Mr. Hall for his initiative in introducing this legislation, and I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of it. Today, July 20th, we celebrate the fortieth anniversary of one of our nation's greatest achievements--humanity's first steps on another world. It was an amazing event, and I am proud that Americans were the first to take those steps. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us today honors the efforts and accomplishments of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins in successfully carrying out the Apollo 11 mission. It also recognizes the many other dedicated individuals who worked so hard to turn President Kennedy's challenge into a reality. The success of the Apollo 11 mission, carried out in full view of the rest of the world, was a clear demonstration of both the technological capabilities of the United States of America and the willingness of our citizens to strive to accomplish great undertakings. Yet the Apollo program was as much about the journey as it was about the ultimate destination. Thus, the investments we made in our space program in the 1960s helped inspire a generation to seek to pursue careers in science and engineering. It led to a flowering of innovation, and it helped spawn a panoply of new technologies, materials, and processes that have delivered benefits to all of our citizens over the past forty years. That is the legacy of Apollo as much as Armstrong's and Aldrin's footprints on the Moon. As we contemplate future journeys back to the Moon as well as to other destinations in the solar system, Apollo 11 is a compelling reminder of what this country is capable of when we decide to take on a challenging task. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are today remembering the brave crew of Apollo 11 as well as all the other individuals and organizations who made their expedition possible. I hope that we can draw continued inspiration from their example as we embark on a new chapter in space exploration in the years and decades ahead.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to support H.R. 2245, the ``New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal Act'', which authorizes the President to award Congressional Gold Medals to Neil A. Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., who took great risks to lead our nation and society to new frontiers in outer space. Historic moments in space exploration, such as the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing by humans that we are celebrating this week, and the first orbiting of the Earth by an American, inspired a generation of young people to devote their careers and lives to the scientific and human exploration of outer space and created a multiplier effect that has benefited American society, including our educational system, our economy, and our national security. The Apollo 11 mission of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins and the pathfinding Mercury mission of John Glenn continue to spark the excitement and anticipation of what is possible for our nation as explorers of outer space. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting recognition of the unique and lasting imprint that these gentlemen have made on society, and I am pleased that so many of my colleagues in Congress have joined together in their support. I thank the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Grayson, for his leadership in introducing this bill.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor retiring Legislative Counsel M. Pope Barrow, Jr., a true public servant who has dedicated over forty years to the House of Representatives. Pope Barrow has worked in the House Office of Legislative Counsel since 1968, beginning as a Law Assistant and serving in the Office until his appointment as the sixth Legislative Counsel in 1997. The House Office of Legislative Counsel plays a critical, often behind-the- scenes, role in the legislative process. The Office is responsible for ensuring that legislation is drafted in a clear, intelligible, and coherent manner that accurately reflects Members' or Committees' legislative objectives. Pope Barrow has ably served the Office of Legislative Counsel and the House of Representatives throughout his forty-plus year career on Capitol Hill. During his distinguished career in the Office of Legislative Counsel, Pope has drafted important legislation dealing with energy and environmental issues, foreign assistance, criminal law, and pension reform, among many other issues. In addition to drafting key pieces of legislation, in his role as Legislative Counsel Pope has been responsible for modernizing and implementing significant improvements to the operations of the Office. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate Pope Barrow on his 40- plus years of dedicated public service, and wish him all the best in his retirement. We know that Pope is an avid whitewater enthusiast and river conservationist. He has explored whitewater rivers throughout the United States and internationally, and was recognized for his conservation efforts with the River Conservationist of the Year award in 1987. We hope he will continue these endeavors in retirement. We wish Pope and his family well. Please join me in honoring him on this special occasion.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Murfreesboro City Manager Roger Haley. After serving the citizens of Murfreesboro for the last 20 years, Roger will retire on August 1. Before becoming city manager in 1989, Roger was a Murfreesboro City Councilman for nine years. In the last 20 years, Murfreesboro's population has increased from 44,000 to over 100,000. It is currently the sixth largest city in Tennessee and the largest city with a city council/manager style of governance. Despite the growth in population and the expanded services that come with such growth, the city has not had an increase in its property taxes in the past 14 years. This is probably one of many reasons why Roger was named the 2009 City Manager of the Year by the Tennessee City Manager Association. As city manager, Roger has overseen the expansion of businesses, schools, and recreational opportunities that have given the residents of Murfreesboro a greater quality of life. The recent addition of the shops at the Avenue and the hospital and business and medical offices at the 400-acre Gateway are examples of such developments. Roger has worked on numerous recreation projects that residents of Murfreesboro enjoy, such as the Murfreesboro Greenway system, SportsCom, the Patterson Park Community Center, the wetlands at Murphree Springs, Murfreesboro Bark Park, and the Siegel Park and Soccer Complex. As a life-long resident of Rutherford County, Roger has always been an active member of the community. He owned and operated several local businesses, including Murfreesboro Supply Company and Mr. Tool Rent- All. Roger was one of the organizers of First City Bank of Murfreesboro. He attended Middle Tennessee State University and served in the U.S. Army for two years in the Judge Advocate General Corps. Roger leaves both his position and the City of Murfreesboro in top- notch shape. I've enjoyed working with him on many projects over the years. I hope Roger will enjoy the fruits of his labor, as he starts his retirement, and new time shared with friends and family.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the city of Portland, Tennessee on its 150th year anniversary. Portland is located in Sumner County near Interstate 65, just five miles south of Kentucky and 35 miles north of Nashville. The area was first settled in 1792 by the James Gwin family. On October 31, 1859, the Louisville and Nashville train made its first stop at the Richland Station depot. The Richland Station depot was built on land belonging to Thomas Buntin, who later became Richland's first postmaster. During its first year, the City of Richland expanded with the opening of James Goostree's general store. The City of Portland was originally named Richland, but changed its name in 1888 to avoid being confused with another town in Tennessee of the same name. In April 1904, the Tennessee State Legislature enacted legislation incorporating the City of Portland. In the 1920s, strawberries became a booming business for the area, and in 1941, the city held the first Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival to celebrate the importance of the crop to both Portland and the state. The Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival became an annual event that is still celebrated every May. Portland boasts a thriving economy, with employment numbers that exceed its population. The city is home to excellent parks and recreation system, a full-service public library, local radio station WQKR and hometown newspaper, the Portland Leader. With a population of just 10,000, Portland is still a close-knit and rural community.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 200th anniversary of the founding of White Plains, Tennessee. In recognizing the anniversary of White Plains, we are also recognizing the creation of Putnam County. On Christmas Day 1809, Lt. William Pennington Quarles, a Revolutionary War hero, and his family, which included his wife, Ann Hawes Quarles, 10 children, four sons-in-law; and 30 slaves, reached their new home in White Plains. Having traveled down Walton Road from Bedford County, Virginia, Lt. Quarles and his family built a log cabin on land in White Plains, some of which was purchased from Daniel Alexander. The Quarles family expanded an inn built by Mr. Alexander and added a general store, blacksmith shop, post office and farm. Andrew Jackson and other dignitaries of the time stayed at the inn on their way to Washington, D.C. and during trips to other cities east and west. Lt. Quarles began to practice law in what was then White County and was appointed judge. His court convened in the blacksmith shop. Lt. Quarles was also a Mason, in addition to serving in the White County Militia. He was the postmaster of the White Plains Post Office until his untimely death in 1813 when he was shot a few miles from his home while returning from a meeting in Sparta. Between 1813 and 1842, the population of the area surrounding White Plains increased substantially. Residents successfully petitioned the Tennessee state government to create a new county--Putnam County--from areas of White, Overton and Jackson counties. White Plains became the trade center of Putnam County, where elections and public speeches were held. Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk spoke there during their respective presidential campaigns. The log cabin that Lt. Quarles built after arriving in White Plains in 1809 stayed in his family's name until the mid-1950s when Harvey Draper and his daughter, Mildred Summers, purchased it and began restoration. Plans are now underway to place the home and slave graveyard on the National Historic Register. June 6, 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of White Plains, and what would later become Putnam County.