Bart Gordon

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a valued staff member--Mike Lynch--who retired this month from the House Science Committee. As one of our Committee Counsels, Mike's legal and parliamentary expertise touched many offices and issue areas during his tenure. He was a dedicated and long-serving House staffer. Prior to joining the Committee, Mike served in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1977-1994 in several counsel positions. Most notably, he was the Staff Director and Chief Counsel to the Subcommittee on Accounts of the Committee on House Administration from 1985-1993. In each position, Mike honed his legislative skills to become a respected and much sought after Committee Counsel. As the Science Committee Democrats' principal liaison with the Parliamentarian, Rules Committee and Leadership on parliamentary and legislative process issues, Mike's role was an important one. His mastery of the rules and procedures of the House and his advice to Members and staff on legal and legislative issues before the Committee were vital. No one worked harder than Mike did to protect the prerogatives of Members, the Committee and the Congress. He loved this institution and that love was evident in his work each and every day. Without fail, his careful analysis of legal issues and sound judgment in rendering opinions and advice resulted in astute answers for the Committee. He also took great pride in mentoring junior Committee counsels and in explaining the intricacies of Committee procedure. Mike will be missed by many, but we all understand that his retirement now clears his calendar for his other great passions in life--travel and sports, particularly rooting for Notre Dame and the New York Yankees. The Science Committee's Members and staff wish him well as he moves on to new endeavors and a relaxing retirement. Thank you, Mike, for your many years of dedicated and loyal service.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the students, faculty and staff of Monterey High School for earning a 2006 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award for academic superiority. No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon schools are selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a way to recognize schools across the country that show either high achievement or dramatic improvement. Monterey High School is a rural high school with only 18 full-time teachers. Forty percent of the school's 373 students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite this, the students consistently rank in the top 10 percent on state achievement tests. This award is evidence of the hard work put forth by the faculty, students and staff at Monterey High School. I am truly proud of them for their efforts, and I commend them on this achievement.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the students, faculty and staff of Holloway High School for earning a 2006 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award for academic superiority. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Holloway High School serves 176 Rutherford County students who have fallen behind academically but have a sincere desire to catch up and graduate. The school was named a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education for scoring in the top 10 percent of all schools in Tennessee for 3 consecutive years. No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon schools are selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a way to recognize schools across the country that show either high achievement or dramatic improvement. Principal Ivan Duggin says the school will continue to evolve and do whatever it takes to remain one of the top schools in the state of Tennessee and the country. Mr. Duggin has said, ``We will not rest on success. We will constantly be focused and seeking to find the best people, practices and strategies which will yield superior results.'' This award is evidence of the hard work put forth by the faculty, students and staff at Holloway High School. I am truly proud of them for their efforts, and I commend them on this achievement.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that Mr. Max Mayfield, Director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida would be retiring in January 2007. I want to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and all the Democratic Members of the Committee on Science to thank Mr. Mayfield for his service to our nation and to wish him well in his future endeavors. Mr. Mayfield will be missed. He has served our nation with distinction for over 30 years. Mr. Mayfield is well known to all of our citizens, especially those in hurricane-prone areas. Mr. Mayfield's leadership of his forecasting team at the National Hurricane Center, his clear presentation of hurricane forecasts, and his abilities to coordinate and communicate with local emergency management personnel resulted in countless saved lives and better informed communities. Prior to the tragic events resulting from Hurricane Katrina, the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center--under the Directorship of Mr. Mayfield--did an excellent job of predicting the track of the storm and issuing watches and warnings that permitted state and local officials to evacuate many of the people who were in the path of this devastating storm. The active hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 demonstrated the tireless dedication of Mr. Mayfield and his team, each of whom worked tirelessly to refine and deliver forecasts of the tracks and intensities of the storms that threatened our coasts. Max Mayfield has set a high standard for future Directors of the Hurricane Center. I suspect he will continue to be involved in meteorology through his membership in the American Meteorological Society, and I can think of no better mentor and teacher for current and future meteorological professionals. Thank you again, Mr. Mayfield, for your work at the National Weather Service. Your knowledge, experience and sound direction have been assets to the safety of our nation and the security of our citizens.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the championship season of the Smyrna Bulldogs. On Saturday night, the Bulldogs capped their football season with a convincing win in the 2006 TSSAA Class 5A BlueCross Bowl. My father taught science and coached girls basketball at Smyrna High. As a result, I feel a special connection to the purple and gold. With their victory over the Ravenwood Raptors, the Bulldogs secured their first ever football title and finished the season with a school record 13 wins. While it was their first appearance in the BlueCross Bowl, Coach Philip Shadowens and the Bulldogs left no doubt that they belonged on the field. They overcame a 14-6 deficit against the defending champs, scoring 29 unanswered points on their way to victory. During their playoff run, the Bulldogs avenged their two regular season losses to Riverdale and Ravenwood. In the quarterfinal round, they defeated the Riverdale Warriors for the first time in school history. I commend the Bulldogs and their head coach, Philip Shadowens, for a fine season and an outstanding championship win. Steve Carson, Jason Pitts, Shawn Middleton, Kent Pippenger, Will Hawkins, Will Forkum, Scott Keasler, Travis Schrimsher, Alex Robbins, Luke Shepherd and Justin Morton serve as the team's assistant coaches. Robert ``Bud'' Raikes is Smyrna High School's principal. I congratulate all the talented members of the 2006 5A State Champion Bulldogs: Sonny Gray, Antoine Hendricks, Rod Wilks, Orlando Martin, Will Martin, Tyler Slater, Kyle Frazier, Andrew Wiggins, Eddie Lalap, Joseph Butler, Sam Youree, Josh Crouch, Cleave Shaw, David Sanders, Jonah Hendricks, Maceo Harris, Cody Williams, Tony Windrow, Lonnie Turner, Tony Alexander, Quentin Burford, Cotie Dickson, Chris Yoder, Cordarious Johnson, Donovan Craig, Reuben Shadrake, Jarvis Hicks, Justin Martin, Sean Mckay, Michael Hosford, Michael Bolton, Singleton Garrett, Johnathan Vaughn, Laith Al Tamimi, Kelly Thomason, Brandon Hendricks, Josh Day, Karrar Al Hassan, Dawson Wooten, Reese Haywood, Tony Carr, Cody Sutherland, Cody Gower, Johnathan Wilcox, James Hudson, Matt Rofrano, Quentin Allen, Kyle Carter, Josh Prewitt, Bradly Folds, Alex Hill, Keith Martin, Westley Cadena, Darrell Goad, Tyler Eady, Anthony Khamphenphet, Pham Trungtin, Nathan Cantrell, Keiton Hendry, Kassidy Spence, Brandon Jaradat, D.J. Johns, James Williams, Davion Baxter, Tyler Montgomery, Jordan Bell, Cody Hagar, Daivid Pierre-Paul, Mickey West, Jeremy King, Jesse Torres, Blair Willis, Tre Tunstill, Richard Maynard, Nick Richardson, Harrison Gill and Nathan Torres.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Certified Nursing Assistant Barry Bucey as Tennessee Health Care Association's Caregiver of the Year, representing the Nashville District. Barry began working at Woodbury Nursing Center 24 years ago as a janitor. After holding additional positions in housekeeping and as a dietary aide, he wanted to be more involved with the patients, so he became a certified nursing assistant. In a job that can be physically and emotionally demanding, Barry helps people with the basic tasks of living while giving them respect and dignity. Barry's inclination toward helping people is not limited to the patients he assists. He is always more than willing to help other departments as needed, and his previous positions in the facility give Barry valuable understanding of these departments. I thank Barry for his commitment to helping others, and I commend him on this award.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6203. This bill is very similar to Mrs. Biggert's H.R. 5656 which the Science Committee passed favorably in June. We support the changes that were made and believe they express some of the concerns our Members had with H.R. 5656. The original bill contained a number of important provisions from Democratic Members, and I want to thank Chairwoman Biggert for working with us to include them in this most recent version. I am especially pleased to see my bill, H.R. 5658, included as section 15 of this bill. If our country is serious about reducing our dependency on foreign oil, we need to get serious about mobilizing the infrastructure necessary to distribute and dispense the next generation of fuels. The bill instructs the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to research fuel additives and other technologies that would make biodiesel fuels more compatible with the country's petroleum-based infrastructure. My bill, contained in section 15, also addresses potential challenges as fuel suppliers transition to ultra-low sulfur diesel, a fuel significantly cleaner than traditional diesel. This section instructs the Department of Energy and NIST to develop portable, low-cost, and accurate methods suppliers can use to test sulfur content in fuels. It should be noted that in no way is this meant to interfere with the authority or activities of the EPA to continue the successful transition to ultra-low sulfur diesel or other fuels programs. It is intended to assist companies that are complying with EPA's programs, and I encourage DOE and NIST to coordinate these activities with EPA. While I support Mrs. Biggert's bill, I personally believe the committee should be sending a stronger message regarding the future of high-risk, high-payoff energy R&D. Specifically, we should move towards the establishment of an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy, or ARPA-E, as directed in my bill, H.R. 4435. There is a need for an organization capable of finding and promoting research breakthroughs and converting those findings into potentially transformational energy technologies that will make this country more energy self-sufficient. Mr. Speaker, all in all, I believe this is a good bill with some strong energy research programs. I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON. Let me just add my voice to my friend and colleague from Tennessee to say he has been a strong, consistent leader in this area, and I want to thank you for that. It has made this Congress better for your efforts.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to reclaim my time.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, we have no other requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Assistant Chief Johnny Mosby on his retirement from the Murfreesboro Police Department. After 42 years of dedicated service, Chief Mosby is retiring on October 6. Not only has Chief Mosby done an excellent job of serving his native Rutherford County, he also bravely answered his country's call to service during the Vietnam War. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 in the Big Red One Infantry Division. He was wounded three times while serving his country and earned numerous medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Sharpshooters Badge. Upon his return from Vietnam, Chief Mosby rejoined the Murfreesboro Police Department and rose through the ranks, eventually receiving a promotion to assistant chief in 2003. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. Civic involvement is a big part of Chief Mosby's life. He serves on the Usher Board of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and on the Rutherford County Workhouse Board. He is also a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Pin High Golf Club. I thank Chief Mosby for his dedication and service to his community. I know he is ready to spend quality time with his family, but his service to Murfreesboro certainly will be missed. I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, this legislation fixes an unfairness that too often deprives small and middle class property owners of their rights. The Constitution prohibits the Government from taking private property without giving due compensation to the owner. Unfortunately, this right is being lost because the property owners are being denied their day in Federal Court. Instead, the Supreme Court forces them to pursue their compensation claims in State courts. It then slams the Federal courthouse door shut to their fifth amendment claims. This one-two punch adds to the expense of litigating takings cases and thereby prevents small and middle class property owners from asserting their right to use or be fairly compensated for their property. This bill allows them to raise a Federal takings claim without first being detoured through the State courts. This change made by the bill is fair, and I urge the House to pass H.R. 4772.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. We have no speakers at this time. I don't yield back my time, but I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today, the NOAA Organic Act, is a product of diligent work of the Science Committee and the gentleman from Michigan. Representative Ehlers has been a tireless champion of this legislation. H.R. 5450 maintains the National Weather Service as a distinct office within NOAA. The National Weather Service, with its nationwide distribution of local forecast offices, is one of the best known and most trusted organizations within NOAA. The public relies upon the weather service to provide the watches and warnings of severe storms that enable us to prepare for those events and reduce the loss of lives and property. In the area of satellite acquisition, we are requiring the administrator of NOAA to notify Congress whenever a satellite acquisition deviates substantially from its projected cost and schedule. H.R. 5450 establishes a process of review and revision for satellite acquisition programs to avoid future problems of runaway cost and schedule delays. Chairman Boehlert and Chairman Ehlers worked with us to produce this legislation. We did not always agree, but we often agreed, and the bipartisan cooperation between the members of this committee produced a good outcome for the program. Unfortunately, the Resources Committee failed to conduct a similar process. H.R. 5450 provides virtually no direction for the ocean and coastal resources programs of the agency. I know this is a disappointment to the many Members of Congress who were hoping to see some of the recommendations of the 2004 Ocean Commission's report incorporated into this legislation. This is truly a missed opportunity. We have little time left in this Congress. Perhaps the other body will be able to work cooperatively to fill in the gaps of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, we are all part of our districts, and we all think that our districts are one of the prettiest places in the world. Just one of us represents a little prettier place than the rest of us. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes from the man from Monterey, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, and a great deal of Highway No. 1, and that is the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, we have no other speakers. We yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ronnie Barrett for being named a 2006 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Ronnie is a friend and a resident of my hometown of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is the president and founder of Barrett Firearms and with this award, he is now eligible for the title of National Entrepreneur of the Year at the annual awards held in November. Entrepreneurship is nothing new to Ronnie. Twenty-five years ago, he was a professional photographer with his own business and an idea of how to build a better rifle. Using engineering skills he taught himself, he labored in his garage workshop and by 1987, he held a patent for his invention, .50 caliber rifle that could be shoulder- fired. Since then, Ronnie has become the premier manufacturer of .50 caliber rifles. In 1989, Sweden became the first country to sign a military contract for his rifles, and more than 50 other countries have done the same. Today, his customers range from sportsmen to the U.S. military. In fact, the U.S. Army last year named his M107 rifle as one of the ``Ten Greatest Inventions.'' I wish Ronnie all the best at the national awards, and I wish him many more years of success.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the participants in the Stennis Congressional Intern Program. For many years, the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service has enhanced the experience of a select group of summer interns working in congressional offices. The interns are provided with an insiders view of Congress through meetings with senior staff members and other experts to discuss the relationships Congress has with the legislative and executive branches, the media, the public and the private sector. The program is a joint effort of the Stennis Center and a group of current and former senior staff members who serve as Senior Stennis Fellows. These insiders draw on their experience and expertise in creating the program and participating in sessions with the interns. The outstanding interns selected to participate are chosen based on their college record, community service background and interest in a career in public service. This year, 30 interns, most of them juniors and seniors in college, have been working in personal and committee offices in the House and Senate. I congratulate these students for being chosen to participate in this exceptional program, and I thank the Stennis Center and the senior fellows for providing such a unique experience for these interns and for encouraging them to consider a future career in public service. This year's participants are David Benson-Staebler of St. Olaf College, interning in the office of Representative Jim Oberstar; Zeke Berzoff-Cohen of Goucher College, interning in the office of Representative John Oliver; Elizabeth Brady of the University of North Colorado, interning in the office of Senator Mike Enzi; Tenisha Callender of Loyola University, interning in the office of Representative James McGovern; Paul Cenoz of the University of Southern California, interning in the office of Representative John Campbell; Jessica Cohen of Syracuse University, interning in the office of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton; Rachel Dillard of Clemson University, interning in the office of Senator Jim DeMint; Stephanie Dreyer of Boston University, interning in the office of Senator Charles Schumer; Brittany Erickson of the University of Pennsylvania, interning in the office of Senator Kent Conrad; David Evans of Wake Forest University, interning in the office of Senator Mel Martinez; Jason Feld of the University of Pennsylvania, interning in the office of Representative Lynn Woolsey; Whitney Fogg of Yale University, interning in the office of Representative Connie Mack; Clark Fonda of the University of Southern California, interning in the office of Representative John Campbell; Sarah Hackett of Dickinson College, interning in the office of Senator Patrick Leahy; JC Hendrickson of American University, interning in the office of Representative Maurice Hinchey; Andrew Hill of Vanderbilt University, interning in the office of Representative Charlie Norwood; Abby Kirkbride of John Brown University, interning in the office of Senator Mike Enzi; Anne Kouri of Creighton University, interning in the office of Representative Ray LaHood; Mark Ladley of The Citadel, interning in the office of Representative Allyson Schwartz; Cassandra Long of the University of Central Florida, interning in the office of Senator Bill Nelson; Jonathan Lowrey of Northwest Missouri State, interning in the office of Representative Sam Graves; Meghan McCarthy of the College of William and Mary, interning in the office of Representative Rush Holt; Chris Nielsen of the University of South Dakota, interning in the office of Senator Tim Johnson; Edward Parkinson of the University of Witwatersrand, interning in the House Committee on Homeland Security; Sara Rafferty of the University of Oklahoma, interning in the office of Representative Phil English; Joshua Root of Cornell University, interning in the office of Representative John Olver; Eric Sandberg-Zakian of Yale University, interning in the office of Representative Rush Holt; Matt Seager of the College of Charleston, interning in the office of Senator Patrick Leahy; Eli Sevcik-Timberg of Wesleyan University, interning in the office of Representative Mel Watt; and Elizabeth Tran of Boston University, interning in the office of Representative Neil Abercrombie.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Nancy Allen for her service to Rutherford County, Tennessee, as County Mayor for 12 years. Recently, the Tennessee General Assembly changed her title from County Executive to County Mayor. Her title was not the only thing to change recently. Population projects from the 2000 Census to 2005 show Rutherford County has gained more than 36,000 new residents. Money Magazine recently named Murfreesboro, the county seat and my hometown, as 84th out of the top 100 places to live in the United States. These figures and accolades are due in part to Nancy's leadership ability and the collective vision of the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners over which she has presided and previously served 4 years. In addition to serving as Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Nancy also chairs the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center Board, Community Care of Rutherford County, Inc., and Regional Transportation Authority. Nancy is a founding member of Recycle Rutherford and a member of the Sam Davis Memorial Association, League of Women Voters, the Oakland Association, and the Rutherford County Chapter of the Middle Tennessee State University Alumni Association and recipient of the 1996 Trailblazer Award. The aforementioned awards and memberships are only a highlight of Nancy's commitment to her community. I know Nancy will not retire completely from performing public service. It is my hope that she will now have more time to spend on personal pursuits, which will likely include her always supportive family, husband Jerry and daughter Melinda. Thank you, Nancy, for a job well done.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2006 Tennessee State Gospel Singing Convention. For 72 years, this convention has been celebrating the State's rich gospel singing tradition. This year, the two-day event will be held in Carthage, TN, which I am proud to represent in this esteemed body. This statewide convention began in 1934 with the goal of honoring Tennessee's historical roots in the gospel movement. By building on traditions of county music festivals, the convention drew a crowd of more than 6,000 people just 4 years later. Since then, the festival has drawn several noted performers from across Tennessee and surrounding States. Along with quality entertainment, the convention also boasts a string of acclaimed leaders, including Sergeant Alvin C. York, who once served as vice president of the convention. Today, the Tennessee State Gospel Singing Convention draws hundreds of people and continues to honor the tradition of gospel music in Tennessee. I am sure this year's convention will be a wonderful event and I commend all involved for their commitment to preserving Tennessee culture.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 200th anniversary of Overton County, Tennessee, which I have the honor of representing in this esteemed body. The Upper Cumberland community will commemorate its bicentennial with a 3-day celebration in September. The area of Overton County was originally encompassed in North Carolina as part of the 13 original colonies. The location was ideal for settlers due to its fresh water, fertile soil, abundant wild game and moderate climate. The area had been a heralded Native American hunting ground for many years. As the community grew and prospered, the General Assembly of Tennessee named the area Overton County on September 11th, 1806. The county was named for Judge John Overton, a personal friend of Andrew Jackson. Since then, the lines of the county have changed significantly, but the community has maintained its commitment to an outstanding quality of life. County Mayor Kenneth Copeland, Livingston Mayor Frank Martin and the Overton County Bicentennial Committee will lead the celebration in September. They have done an outstanding job in organizing this event and leading the community into the 21st Century. I wish them well and hope the next 200 years are as prosperous and progressive as the first 200 years.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. First, Madam Speaker, let me point out this resolution before us today is because of the hard work of Representative Melancon from Louisiana. I thank our chairman for his help in bringing this before us today. Madam Speaker, I want to speak in strong support of House Resolution 892, a resolution honoring the dedication of the employees of NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility who stayed at their post during Hurricane Katrina, and protected critical space program assets. Madam Speaker, as you know, during late August of last year, Hurricane Katrina severely assaulted Southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi coast, resulting in massive damage and the evacuation of large numbers of citizens. Yet, in the midst of the storm, there were countless examples of heroism. One example is the way in which 38 members of the Michoud Hurricane Ride-out Team stayed and protected the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility instead of fleeing the area. These people deserve our thanks and praise for their dedication to preserving the Michoud Assembly Facility during the hurricane's passage through the region. By risking their own lives, they assured that Michoud was preserved as a vital facility in spite of the devastation wrought by Katrina. During the hurricane, members of the ride-out team were able to keep the generators running, keep the pumps going, and protect the facilities and flight hardware that were entrusted to them. In addition, they were able to successfully ensure that the water from Hurricane Katrina did not overrun Michoud. Madam Speaker, due to the team's skill, knowledge, and most importantly, their dedication, Michoud's external tank production for the space shuttle program was able to resume less than 5 weeks after the storm. Madam Speaker, I think it is only fitting and proper that we honor these brave individuals for their heroic deeds, and I, once again, thank Representative Melancon for bringing this before us. I strongly urge passage of House Resolution 892.