Bart Gordon

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Willie Brandon, who will celebrate his 103rd birthday on June 12, 2009. As a young boy, Willie and his sister Lizzie grew up in Readyville, Tennessee. His parents, Charles and Jimmie Brandon, were sharecroppers. At the age of 12, his father moved the family to Illinois where he worked as a janitor. To help his father support the family, Willie dropped out of school to work. Willie credits his long life to the fact he's never quit working. For many years, he worked as a cook at the James K. Polk Hotel, City Cafe, Smyrna Air Force Base, Lamb's Grill, and Po Folks. He also picked and sold blackberries, cut and sold timber, and cut grass. Willie is now the keeper of the Rutherford County courthouse, a historical place many people pass through, whether for business or to sightsee. He is the caretaker of the same steps on which, more than 150 years ago, his grandfather Jim Brewer was sold as a slave and sent to Virginia. Willie has a daughter, Anne, and one of his proudest achievements is that she earned a college degree. Willie also has a stepson, three granddaughters, two great-granddaughters and one great-great granddaughter. Willie's service to his community throughout his life is truly admirable. Willie, you're a great man and you have given us all someone to look up to.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor all nurses nationwide and to celebrate National Nurses Week, which begins on May 6, 2009. The week long commemoration honors all nurses, and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. This year's theme, ``Nurses: Building a Healthy America,'' addresses the important role nurses have in our society. Research has shown that when there are more registered nurses working in health care facilities, there are lower mortality rates, shorter lengths of stay, fewer complications, and lower costs. As a member of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, I have consistently supported legislation protecting nurses' rights and funding increases for nursing education. There is much work, however, that still needs to be done. Currently, there is a national nurse shortage. By the year 2020, it is predicted Tennessee alone will have a shortage of 9,495 registered nurses. I hope that National Nurses Week will mark the beginning of a trend in the recruitment and retention of nurses throughout our country. Undoubtedly, we have all been positively affected by nurses at some point in our lives. Whether they have cared for a family member, a friend, or a loved one, we can all be grateful for their hard work and service to our communities. I want to use this opportunity to thank nurses in Tennessee and across the country.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dean Hayes, Head Coach of the Middle Tennessee State University Men's and Women's Track teams. On March 26, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved MTSU's request to name the University's state-of-the-art track and soccer stadium after Coach Dean Hayes--a timely accolade as the Blue Raiders are set to host the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships this year from May 8-10. Recently, Coach Hayes was inducted into the 2008 Class of the U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Phoenix, Arizona. This is Coach Hayes' fifth hall of fame induction--he has been inducted into the Blue Raider Hall of Fame (1982), Illinois Sports Hall of Fame (1993), Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (1994), and the Mason-Dixon Athletic Club Hall of Fame (2005). Coach Hayes is in his 44th year at MTSU. He is credited with opening MTSU's track & field to minorities and welcoming the University's first international student-athletes. Coach Hayes has led Middle Tennessee to 29 Ohio Valley Conference titles, 14 Sun Belt Conference Championships and 18 NCAA Top 25 finishes. He has won 15 OVC Coach of the Year and 12 SBC Coach of the Year awards, and he was named NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year in 1981. In 1977 and 1981, Coach Hayes was named NCAA District Coach of the Year. He also served as the President of NCAA Division I Track and Field Coaches from 1981-83. The athletes under his care have gone on to compete in the Olympic Games, World University Games and Pan-American Games; 44 of 84 have won All-American honors; and four have become national champions. Congratulations, Coach Hayes, on your latest success. I wish you many more. I'm glad Middle Tennessee was able to steal you away from your alma mater, Lake Forest College. Your leadership and dedication to MTSU is truly admirable.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Trey Duke, a teacher at Stewarts Creek Elementary School, who was a 2008 recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award. Trey was the only Tennessee educator to receive the award in 2008, and he joins 56 other teachers from the state who have been honored with the award in the past. The Milken National Educators Award program began in 1985 and is now the largest teacher recognition program in the United States. The award honors K-12 teachers, principals and specialists with $25,000 individual awards and gives them the opportunity to participate in a national teachers conference. At the conference, award recipients engage in professional development and examine possible solutions to significant issues in education with leaders from academia, government, business and the community. Prior to receiving the national award, Trey had only been teaching for five years. His creative teaching strategies, which include book clubs, music and PowerPoint presentations, have resulted in his fifth grade students not only meeting but exceeding proficiency goals. At the end of the year, he writes a poem detailing each student's progress and places the poem in his or her report card. ``I feel like part of my job is not just to instruct the students, but to make them excited and to make them want to come to school every day and to get them involved in what we learn,'' Trey says. His commitment to his students extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by his leadership roles at the school and system level. Trey is acting principal when Stewarts Creek Elementary School Principal Richard Zago is absent. Congratulations, again, Trey. To impart a love of learning to children at this formative stage in their life is a gift they will carry with them and always prosper from.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Alisa Ferguson for her dedicated service over the last six years as she has worked in my personal office and on the staff of the Science and Technology Committee. Friday will be her last day working in the House, and she will certainly be missed as she leaves the Hill to pursue a new endeavor. Alisa began her career on Capitol Hill seven years ago as a legislative assistant to Rep. Brian Baird, where she developed an affinity for energy policy. In 2003, she began working in my personal office and quickly proved herself to be a valuable addition. She was adept at handling a myriad of issues, including appropriations and my Energy and Commerce Committee work, and addressing the concerns and needs of my constituents in Middle Tennessee. When I became chairman of the Science and Technology Committee in 2007, I asked Alisa to join the committee staff as legislative director. She has risen to and triumphed over every challenge, and she has won the respect of her colleagues for her skill in running the committee's legislative operation. Two of the committee's finest legislative achievements, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the America COMPETES Act, are due in no small measure to Alisa's command of the issues, knowledge of the legislative process and ability to get things done. Alisa has been invaluable to me, the committee, the state of Tennessee and our nation. She is the very definition of a ``go-to'' person, and I'm fairly certain her blood now bears a tinge of MTSU Raider Blue as a result of her hard work over the years. While I am sad to see her go, I will always be grateful for her advice and counsel over the years. Alisa, I wish you all the best.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing ``The National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009,'' which coordinates national research and development efforts on water and provides a clear path forward to ensure adequate water supplies for generations to come. 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. 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 society's water needs for industry, agriculture, recreation, and power. 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. If we are to meet the water crises of the future, we need an effective research and development effort that provides tools and information to manage our water resources effectively. Coordination of the 20 Federal agencies responsible for water programs is a logical place to start. The 2004 National Academies Report on Federal Water Research stated 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 Bush 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 of Science entitled, Confronting the Nation's Water Problems: The Role of Federal Research to strengthen the committee'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. The Science and Technology Committee held hearings in 2008 to examine the problems associated with dwindling water supplies across the Nation and to receive testimony as to the recommended role of the Federal Government in meeting these challenges. Witnesses at these hearings offered recommendations for improving the legislation and their suggestions were incorporated into the introduced language including the following: additional research outcomes, better mechanisms for public involvement, and improved facilitation of communication and outreach opportunities with non-governmental organizations. It is critical that we actively pursue technological innovations to ensure future water supplies, and that Federal dollars spent on these efforts are utilized in a cost-effective manner. I offer this legislation to improve and coordinate Federal research and development efforts on water. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and to speed its enactment into law.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield back the balance of my time and urge passage of this bill.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 469, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I'm pleased the House will consider today H.R. 469, the Produced Water Utilization Act. And I would like to thank my good friend and ranking member, Mr. Hall, for his legislation and interest in this field of research. H.R. 469, the Produced Water Utilization Act, creates a research, development and demonstration program to promote the beneficial reuse of water produced in connection with oil and gas exploration, something that Mr. Hall knows a lot about. In the United States, up to 2.3 billion gallons per day of produced water is generated. Unfortunately, this water is not of sufficient quality to be used to meet our many needs for water. This legislation will provide innovative treatment technologies that will enable the reuse of this water in an environmentally responsible way. Once again, I thank Mr. Hall for bringing this to our attention and for passing it out of our committee on a unanimous vote. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 469) to encourage research, development, and demonstration of technologies to facilitate the utilization of water produced in connection with the development of domestic energy resources, and for other purposes.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Again, I urge and encourage support for this bipartisan good bill and resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield 2 minutes to my friend from Oregon.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 117) supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, and for other purposes.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 117, the resolution now under consideration.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 117, supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. And I would first like to thank my colleague, Mr. Lipinski from Illinois, for introducing this resolution. As one of the only handful of engineers in Congress, Mr. Lipinski has and will continue to be a strong advocate for engineers and engineering on the Science and Technology Committee and here in the Congress. As the sponsor of the bill, I now yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged concurrent resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Speaker, Chairman Oberstar of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has worked cooperatively with us on this legislation, and I would like to ask that an exchange of letters between us regarding H.R. 631 be placed in the Record. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, February 11, 2009. Hon. Bart Gordon, Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Gordon: I write to you regarding H.R. 631, the ``Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act.'' This legislation authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a research and development program to promote water use efficiency and conservation technologies and practices. H.R. 631 contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential referral of the bill. However, I agree to waive consideration of this bill with the mutual understanding that my decision to forego a sequential referral of the bill does not waive, reduce, or otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure over H.R. 631. Further, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation on provisions of the bill that are within the Committee's jurisdiction. I ask for your commitment to support any request by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the appointment of conferees on H.R. 631 or similar legislation. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's jurisdictional interest in the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House Floor. I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass this important legislation. Sincerely, James L. Oberstar, M.C., Chairman.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.