Bart Gordon

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Spaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th year of existence of the Bright Temple Church of God in Christ in Shelbyville, Tennessee. This fine church in Bedford County has experienced many changes since it first opened its doors in 1930, but the congregation's spirit of compassion and fellowship remains the same. In the midst of the Great bepression, Clarence Garfield Bright founded The Church of God in Christ. Eventually, the name was changed in his honor to Bright Temple Church of God in Christ. In the 1950s, the church became home to revivals that attracted evangelists from across the nation. And in 1964, the church began to hold a prayer service at noon Monday through Friday, a tradition that continues today. The church has grown as Bedford County has grown in recent years. Under the leadership of the church's current pastor, Larry James Crismon, Sr., Bright Temple has expanded its facilities and opened a community social service facility. Shelbyville is a better place because of the work of the Bright Temple Church of God in Christ and its congregation. I congratulate Pastor Crismon and the congregation for all the good work they have done, and I wish them all the best in the next 75 years.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alice Walker for her dedicated service to the community of Portland, Tennessee. On December 31, Alice will retire after serving 24 years as Executive Director of the Portland Chamber of Commerce. During her time with the Chamber of Commerce, Alice has watched as Sumner County has experienced tremendous growth. Her leadership has helped to ensure that Portland keeps up with the development while maintaining its charm. Alice has involved herself in many areas of the community. She was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club and served on the boards of the United Way, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society and many other fine organizations. In 1992, Alice was named Citizen of the Year by the Gallatin News Examiner. Alice has said that Portland and the Chamber of Commerce will always have a special place in her heart. I know I join with the residents of Portland in saying that Alice also has a special place in our hearts, and her service will be missed greatly. Alice, I commend you on 24 years of dedicated service to Portland, Tennessee, and I wish you all the best in your retirement.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a package of bills designed to take the next step in furthering energy conservation activities in the U.S., especially in the federal government. We stand here today facing the beginning of the winter heating season and a forecast of record high energy prices. It is possible that spot shortages may develop in parts of the country if the winter is especially severe. Regardless of what happens with supply, energy costs will be high this winter. However, they don't have to be as high in future winters and summers for homeowners and the federal government if we begin now to take some of the low-cost steps to better control our use of energy. Adoption of these measures now will pay big dividends in the future in the form of lower energy costs. The federal government needs to be a leader on this issue. In 2000, federal agencies spent $7.4 billion to consume 1 quadrillion BTUs of energy. Although energy consumption in government buildings has dropped by almost 25 percent since 1985, approximately $1 billion in taxpayer dollars is still wasted each year. These bills will help ensure that federal buildings are meeting strong energy efficiency goals and that the federal government is taking a look at the full range of energy- saving technologies. Installation of Metering in Federal Buildings: The installation of appropriate metering equipment in federal buildings for electricity, natural gas and other petroleum-based fuels, as well as steam and chilled water, provides the data that can enable the building operator to manage energy consumption and help cut the federal government's energy bill. Often this will require the installation of ``smart meters'' that provide much additional information for managing energy consumption. This bill amends the ``National Energy Conservation Policy Act'' (NECPA) to advance from 2012 to 2008 the date by which metering must be installed in certain large Federal buildings. Section 103 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended NECPA to require metering in Federal buildings by 2012. However, under current law, new buildings that will be built between now and the deadline will not be required to have metering installed that provides the relevant data for meaningful monitoring of energy consumption. Metering is far easier to install during construction than after the building is completed. Without this basic information, building performance cannot be evaluated and improved. I believe there is no reason why the government shouldn't get on with this program now rather than waiting another 7 years. AOC Energy Management Responsibility: This bill clarifies the intent of the recently enacted H.R. 6, ``The Energy Policy Act of 2005'' with respect to the obligations of the Architect of the Capitol in energy conservation. The bill explicitly requires the AOC to comply with substantially all of the same building management requirements as the federal agencies. An exception is made with respect to reporting requirements. Under this legislation, the AOC will report results to the committees of jurisdiction, rather than the Secretary of Energy. Validation of Design Energy Performance in Federal Buildings: A significant problem in new federal buildings is that they often use more energy than they were designed to use. Some of the excess consumption is due to the lack of adequate monitoring of the HVAC systems to ensure they are performing properly. However, some buildings are actually shortchanged during the construction process as costs rise. Often omitted for cost reasons are some of the features that are designed to save energy. My bill directs the head of each federal agency to prepare a report comparing the actual energy performance of each new federal building with the design energy efficiency performance of the building. The report is to be completed 18 months after completion of the building and should also include remedies to bring the building into compliance with design criteria, if necessary. A second report is required to explain the continued deficiencies that prevent the building from meeting its performance requirements.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to complement two previously introduced bills, H.R. 4434 and H.R. 4435, to authorize additional recommendations from a committee of the National Academy of Sciences, chaired by Mr. Norman Augustine. The recommendations of the committee's report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, reflect the consensus forged among nationally-recognized industry, academic and government experts. With this bill, Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act, and the previously introduced bills, I have taken steps to implement the Augustine Committee's highest priority, which is to improve K-12 math and science education by enhancing the skills and qualifications of math and science teachers, and to respond to the committee's call to ``sustain and strengthen the nation's traditional commitment to the long-term basic research that has the potential to be transformational to maintain the flow of new ideas that fuel the economy, provide security, and enhance the quality of life.'' The bill I introduced today authorizes 10% increases per year in funding for basic research in the physical sciences, mathematical sciences, and engineering at the principal federal agencies supporting such research. These increases, if sustained, would lead to a doubling of basic research funding in these critical areas over 7 years. The bill also takes action to develop the research talent needed for the future by providing for up to 200 new awards per year, of $100,000 per year for 5 years, to outstanding early-career researchers. It seeks to enlarge the pool of graduate students in science, math and engineering by creating a graduate fellowship program, with 5000 new fellowships per year for individuals pursuing studies in areas of national need. Finally, the bill establishes a presidential innovation award to stimulate scientific and engineering advances in the national interest and provides for the refurbishment of academic and government research laboratories, an essential factor to enable leading-edge research. These three bills are a response to a serious challenge to our Nation's future economic prosperity. From the Augustine report, ``This Nation must prepare with great urgency to preserve its strategic and economic security. Because other Nation's have, and probably will continue to have, the competitive advantage of a low-wage structure, the United States must compete by optimizing its knowledge-based resources, particularly in science and technology, and by sustaining the most fertile environment for new and revitalized industries and the well-paying jobs they bring. We have already seen that capital, factories, and laboratories readily move wherever they are thought to have the greatest return.'' My intent in introducing these bills is to issue a call for action by the Congress and the Administration. The Augustine Report correctly identifies the challenges we face as a Nation and has developed a series of specific recommendations to address these challenges. The conclusions and recommendations in this report are not new. The problem is that neither the Administration nor Congress has made any real efforts to act. I hope the introduction of this legislation will begin a substantive discussion on the commitment and resources required to ensure our Nation's future economic competitiveness and that our children have well-paid, challenging jobs. I am committed to working with the private-sector, Members of Congress and the Administration in turning this legislation into funded programs.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the championship season of the Trousdale County Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets brought their perfect season to an end by winning the 2005 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association's Class 1A state championship. Residents of Trousdale County, Tennessee, can be proud of their Yellow Jackets. Through determination and hard work, the team dominated their opponents with five shutouts and finished the season with a perfect 15-0 record. In the state title game, the Yellow Jackets went on a rampage, scoring seven touchdowns and holding the Union City Golden Tornados to only two touchdowns. Trousdale County High School has a long history of football supremacy. The Yellow Jackets have made the playoffs every year since 1988, and this year's championship win marks the sixth time since state playoffs began in 1969 that the team has won the title. I commend the Yellow Jackets and their head coach, Clint Satterfield, for a fine season and an outstanding championship win. Kevin Creasy, Phillip Dean, Jackie Dillehay, Jason Dobbs, Jason East, Eric Eden, Adam Keeton, Steve McClain and Ronnie White serve as the team's assistant coaches. Toby Woodmore is Trousdale County High School's principal. I congratulate all the talented members of the 2005 1A State Champion Yellow Jackets: Dustin Dillehay, Marco Wright, Jared White, Blake Satterfield, Nelson Harper, Sammuel Dunn, Terrian Luster, Cal Welch, Creigh Hall, Michael Ring, Blake Merryman, Leroy Wooten, Josh Cunningham, John Scruggs, Justin Payne, Maurice Harris, Kendall Belcher, Kenneth Pedigo, Zach Porter, Derek Dunn, Tim Cunningham, Trondez Burnley, Shane Johns, Curt McGowan, Jeffrey Butcher, Terrance Calhoun, Krieg Story, Phillip White, Austin Dillion and Steven Angel.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 100th anniversary of Watertown, Tennessee, which I have the honor of representing in this esteemed body. The community in Wilson County was originally known as Three Forks, but the town's Postmaster, Wilson L. Waters, changed the name to Waterstown. Eventually, the town's name changed one final time to Watertown. The town was incorporated in 1905 as a result of a devastating fire in 1903. Today, Watertown's residents enjoy a quality of life that is second to none. Throughout history, Watertown has been home to several thriving businesses. Williams Pin Mill put the community on the map, as it was the largest manufacturer of threaded insulator rods in the world. Another notable business is the Watertown Bed and Breakfast, the only structure that survived the numerous fires, including the great fire of 1903, that ripped through Watertown during its adolescent years. The citizens of Watertown embrace their community, and that spirit has made it the flourishing town it is today. The Watertown Jazz Festival, a popular musical event held in July, draws crowds from hundreds of miles away. Another famous attribute is Watertown's Excursion Train. These passenger trains, operated by Tennessee Central Railway Museum, take riders on a scenic tour of Middle Tennessee. I congratulate Watertown on this anniversary, and I hope the next 100 years are as prosperous and progressive as the first 100 years.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa), who was a leader in the California State Senate in fighting this meth epidemic. (Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 798, the Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act. Chairman Boehlert has already outlined the provisions of H.R. 798. And I want to reiterate that this is a narrow bill designed to address the health and environmental problems caused by former meth labs. H.R. 798 focuses on the cleanup requirement of former meth labs, a tremendous problem facing communities across the country. The Drug Enforcement Agency reported more than 17,000 domestic meth lab seizures last year alone. Often in residential settings, these former meth labs are contaminated not only with methamphetamine but also with other toxic residues associated with the production of meth. These chemical residues pollute the inside of a residence as well as septic and water systems. People move into these former meth labs in good faith, expecting a safe environment, but instead find a chemical waste site. Right now there are thousands of unsuspecting families living in homes that were once illegal meth labs. Dangerous and hidden toxic substances exist in these sites, and children are the most vulnerable to the devastating long-term effects of exposure. H.R. 798 addresses the specific problems of what type of cleanup is required to ensure that a former meth lab is safe to occupy. I want to stress that H.R. 798 is not a Federal mandate. Rather, it requires the Environmental Protection Agency to develop model, voluntary, health- based cleanup guidelines for use by States and localities. In addition, H.R. 798 authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology to initiate a research program to develop meth detection equipment for field use. This will help law enforcement agents detect active meth labs faster and assist in measuring levels of contamination in former meth labs. Finally, H.R. 798 requires a study by the National Academy of Sciences on the long-term health impacts of children taken from meth labs and on first responders. And I also remind the Speaker that this bill passed unanimously out of the Science Committee with a number of bipartisan sponsors. Before closing, I want to thank Mr. Calvert and Chairman Boehlert for their support and assistance in bringing this bill to the floor. I also want to thank the Meth Caucus and its co-chairs, Representatives Cannon, Calvert, Larsen and Boswell, for their strong support, as well as Congressman Souder for his help in bringing this to the floor. In addition, the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws has been an invaluable resource in developing this legislation. And, finally, Mike Quear of the Science Committee staff has done a tremendous amount of work in bringing this legislation to this point. H.R. 798 is not a total solution to the methamphetamine epidemic. Unfortunately, there will always be people who decide to harm themselves by using and manufacturing dangerous drugs such as meth. H.R. 798 is aimed at protecting innocent people whose lives are endangered by these illegal activities. I would urge every Member to vote ``yes'' on this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In conclusion, let me just say that Senators Smith and Baucus have taken this exact legislation and introduced it in the other body. So, hopefully, after we pass this today, there will be time this week for the other body to also pass this legislation, get it directly to the President and get some action right away. So, again, my thanks to Chairman Boehlert and his staff and all the Members for bringing this bill up today. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions Tony Clark has made while interning in my Washington, D.C., office. Tony has been a wonderful addition to the office and has performed many great services to the constituents of Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. Tony now must return to Tennessee for his final semester at Vanderbilt University. In May, he will graduate with a degree in Technology and Public Policy Studies. Tony has made the Dean's List every semester, an accomplishment that comes as no surprise to me after witnessing the dedication that goes into every task he undertakes. During his internship, Tony has been a tremendous help to me and my staff as he has assisted us in various projects. He has addressed constituent concerns, created booklets to let teachers know about educational resources available from federal agencies and endeared himself to visitors as he guided them through the U.S. Capitol. I hope Tony has enjoyed his internship as much as my staff and I have appreciated his hard work and eager attitude. I wish him all the best in the future.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Dick Palmer, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native who has been the voice of the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders for 25 years. A 1960 graduate of MTSU, Dick is a Blue Raider through and through. His presence on the airwaves certainly will be missed. For more than 46 years, Dick has been involved in sporting events in Tennessee, from his 9 year stint calling play-by-play for Jackson high school sports to his work with the Memphis Blues baseball team, Memphis Pros ABA team, and Memphis Grizzlies World Football League team. Although he will be retiring from MTSU broadcasting at the end of this season, I have no doubt that Dick will continue to be an active and valued member of the Murfreesboro community. Not only a family businessman in charge of operations for Palmer Wholesale, Dick also has served as a mentor and role model to countless young people as a Little League baseball coach. I even had the privilege of being coached by Dick when he was my seventh grade basketball coach at Hobgood Elementary School. Dick's dedication to his community and to the Blue Raiders is truly an inspiration and a shining example of Middle Tennesseans at their best. It has been a pleasure knowing him since I was a young man, and I am proud to call him a family friend. I thank him for all of his contributions to Middle Tennessee and wish him all the best for his retirement.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the outstanding work of Nancy Phillips and all of the other talented individuals who help to create Adventures in Murphry's Burrow, a children's television show that airs on Murfreesboro, Tennessee's local cable station. Children, parents and all residents of Murfreesboro can benefit from the educational content provided on Adventures in Murphry's Burrow. The show introduces children, as well as adults, to community leaders and government figures. In addition, children take an active part in the show by submitting questions to the show's featured guest. I commend each and every individual who has worked to make Adventures in Murphry's Burrow successful. Nancy creates, writes, and produces the show. She is assisted by co-producer Steve Burris and Alan Bozeman, director of the Channel 3 cable station. Wayne White designed the show's star puppet, Murphry. Linda Gilbert was instrumental in involving the Murfreesboro City School System in the program, and Marilyn Mathis works to promote the program within the school system and community. I thank them all for their wonderful service to the community, and I wish them continued success as they create new adventures for Murphry and the children of Murfreesboro.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rev. Richard Gordon for his 43 years of service to First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Since he became involved with First Baptist in 1962, Rev. Gordon has helped the church grow as Rutherford County has grown. After four decades as pastor of First Baptist, Rev. Gordon is now teaching the children and grandchildren of some of the first people he taught there. But Rev. Gordon will give his last sermon to the congregation on Christmas Day. Rev. Gordon's compassion extends beyond the church and into the community. He serves on the Murfreesboro Affordable Housing Advisory Board and Rutherford County Guidance Center Board. In addition, he has been involved with many national organizations, such as the NAACP, the United Ministerial Alliance and the National Baptist Congress. In 1967, I attended one of Rev. Gordon's services for the first time. I know firsthand that his leadership and dedication will be deeply missed by his congregation. I also have a feeling that his service to the community will not end with his retirement. As Rev. Gordon says, ``You don't retire from the ministry.'' I commend Rev. Gordon for his 43 years with First Baptist Church. And I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing two pieces of legislation: H.R. 4434, the ``10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds'' Science and Math Scholarship Act and H.R. 4435, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, ARPA-E, Act. These two bills authorize a set of recommendations from a committee of the National Academy of Sciences chaired by Mr. Norman Augustine. The recommendations of the committee's report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, reflect the consensus forged among nationally-recognized industry, academic and government experts. The Augustine Committee's highest priority is to improve K-12 math and science education by enhancing the skills and qualifications of math and science teachers. The ``10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds'' Act establishes a National Science Foundation, NSF, program to award scholarships to science, math, and engineering students if they obtain their teaching certification and commit to becoming math and science teachers upon completing their degrees. The bill also authorizes NSF to establish a master's degree program for in-service science and math teachers and establish training programs for preparing science and math teachers to teach Advanced Placement, AP, and International Baccalaureate, IB, courses in science and math. In addition, legislation also authorizes summer teacher training institutes at NSF and the Department of Energy. The Augustine Committee stressed the need to ``sustain and strengthen the nation's traditional commitment to the long-term basic research that has the potential to be transformational to maintain the flow of new ideas that fuel the economy, provide security, and enhance the quality of life.'' One specific action recommended by the Augustine Committee is to create in the Department of Energy, DOE, an organization like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, at the Department of Defense. My second piece of legislation, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, ARPA-E, Act implements this key recommendation. It establishes within the DOE a new agency modeled after DoD's successful DARPA program. By supporting high-risk, potentially high-payoff research, ARPA-E will turn cutting-edge science and engineering into technologies for energy and environmental application with the goal of reducing the Nation's reliance of foreign energy sources by 20 percent during the next 10 years. These two bills are a response to a serious challenge to our Nation's future economic prosperity. From the Augustine report, ``This Nation must prepare with great urgency to preserve its strategic and economic security. Because other Nation's have, and probably will continue to have, the competitive advantage of a low-wage structure, the United States must compete by optimizing its knowledge-based resources, particularly in science and technology, and by sustaining the most fertile environment for new and revitalized industries and the well- paying jobs they bring. We have already seen that capital, factories, and laboratories readily move wherever they are thought to have the greatest return.'' I fully acknowledge that these two bills together would require a sizable amount of funds to implement fully. Given the stakes, I believe we must find a way to make this investment in our Nation's future. The authorization levels are based upon the National Academy of Sciences estimates of the funding levels required to implement the recommendations in its report. The Augustine Report correctly identifies the challenges we face as a nation and has developed a series of specific recommendations to address these challenges. Today's Washington Post, includes the op-ed Learning to Lose? Our Education System Isn't Ready for a World of Competition by Mr. Norman Augustine which highlights the urgency of taking immediate actions and the consequences if we don't. I have included Mr. Augustine's op-ed in this statement. My intent in introducing these two bills is to issue a call for action by the Congress and the administration. The conclusions and recommendations in this report are not new. The problem is that neither the administration nor Congress has made any real efforts to act. I hope the introduction of these two bills will begin a substantive discussion on the commitment and resources required to ensure our Nation's future economic competitiveness and that our children have access to well-paid, challenging jobs. I am committed to working with the private-sector, Members of Congress and the administration in turning this legislation into funded programs. [From the Washington Post, Dec. 6, 2005] Learning to Lose? Our Education System Isn't Ready for a World of Competition (By Norman R. Augustine) In the five decades since I began working in the aerospace industry, I have never seen American business and academic leaders as concerned about this nation's future prosperity as they are today. On the surface, these concerns may seem unwarranted. Two million jobs were created in the United States in the past year. Citizens of other nations continue to invest their savings in this country at a remarkable rate. Our nation still has the strongest scientific and technological enterprise--and the best research universities--in the world. But deeper trends in this country and abroad are signs of a gathering storm. After the Cold War, nearly 3 billion potential new capitalists entered the job market. A substantial portion of our workforce now finds itself in direct competition for jobs with highly motivated and often well-educated people from around the world. Workers in virtually every economic sector now face competitors who live just a mouse click away in Ireland, Finland, India, China, Australia and dozens of other nations. Soon the only jobs that will not be open to worldwide competition are those that require near physical contact between the parties to a transaction. Visitors to an office not far from the White House are greeted by a receptionist on a flat-screen display that controls access to the building and arranges contacts; she is in Pakistan. U.S. companies each morning receive software that was written in India overnight in time to be tested in the United States and returned to India for further refinement that same evening. Drawings for American architectural firms are produced in Brazil. Call-center employees in India are being taught to speak with a Midwestern accent. This movement of U.S. jobs to other countries has few natural limits. Manufacturing jobs were the first to go, but jobs developing software and conducting various design activities soon followed. Administrative and support jobs are starting to move overseas, and even ``high-end'' jobs such as professional services, research and management are threatened. Other nations will continue to have the advantage of lower wages, so the United States must compete on the basis of its strengths. Throughout the 20th century, one of these strengths was our knowledge-based resources--particularly science and technology. But the scientific and technological foundations of our economic leadership are eroding at a time when many other nations are building their innovative capacity. This nation's trade balance in high-technology goods swung from a positive flow of $33 billion in 1990 to a negative flow of $24 billion in 2003. Two years from now, for the first time ever, the most capable high-energy particle accelerator in the world will be outside the United States. Low-wage employers in this country, such as McDonald's and Wal-Mart, create many more jobs than do high-wage employers. In 2001 U.S. industry spent more on tort litigation and related costs than on research and development. Today, high-technology firms have to be on the leading edge of scientific and technological progress to survive. Intel Corp. Chairman Craig Barrett has said that 90 percent of the products his company delivers on the final day of each year did not exist on the first day of the same year. To succeed in that kind of marketplace, U.S. firms need employees who are flexible, knowledgeable, and scientifically and mathematically literate. But the U.S. educational system is failing in precisely those areas that underpin our competitiveness: science, engineering and mathematics. In a recent international test involving mathematical understanding, U.S. students finished 27th among the participating nations. In China and Japan, 59 percent and 66 percent, respectively, of undergraduates receive their degrees in science and engineering, compared with 32 percent in the United States. I've recently had an opportunity to review these trends as chairman of a 20-member committee created by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine. Congress asked the committee to examine the threats to America's future prosperity. The panel was a diverse group that included university presidents, Nobel laureates, heads of companies and former government officials. We agreed unanimously that the United States faces a serious and intensifying economic challenge from abroad-- and that we appear to be on a losing path. Our committee emphasized that the United States needs to focus on fundamentals. We recommended the recruitment of 10,000 new science and math teachers each year through the awarding of competitive scholarships. The skills of a quarter-million current teachers should be improved through enhanced training and education. We recommended establishing 25,000 competitive science, mathematics, engineering and technology undergraduate scholarships and 5,000 graduate fellowships. To boost scientific and technological innovation, we recommended that the U.S. government increase research funding by 10 percent annually over the next several years, with primary attention devoted to the physical sciences, engineering, mathematics and information sciences. We urged the federal government to create an Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy (ARPA-E), modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which would support out- of-the-box, transformative research aimed at ending our crippling dependence on foreign sources of energy. We asked the government to provide permanent tax incentives for U.S.- based innovation. The United States wants other nations to do well economically. Broadly based prosperity can make the world more stable and safer for all. What worries business leaders is that the United States could easily fall behind as the rest of the world prospers.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jette Halladay, who has been named Tennessee's Professor of the Year. I am proud to say that Dr. Halladay teaches at my alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Dr. Halladay received this honor at the U.S. Professors of the Year awards, the only national awards that recognize outstanding professors of undergraduates at our Nation's colleges and universities. With her emphasis on educational drama, Dr. Halladay instructs not only future drama teachers, but also pre-service elementary school teachers. Her students learn how to enhance their lessons with role- playing and other creative activities. Upon graduation they are able to develop engaging lessons that are memorable and educational, such as recreating a journey on the Oregon Trail rather than just reading a textbook summary of Manifest Destiny. Since 1994, Dr. Halladay has infused her theatre classes with unmatchable enthusiasm and energy. I hope MTSU and its students are fortunate enough to benefit from her talents and unique teaching style for many more years. I commend Dr. Halladay for this tremendous achievement, and I wish her all the best.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased that the joint explanatory statement of the Committee of Conference designated $360,000 under the COPS Methamphetamine Enforcement and Clean-up for the Tennessee Methamphetamine Detection and Remediation Research. Tennessee Technological University will use this funding to develop mobile equipment that can help law enforcement detect and analyze environmental hazards associated with clandestine meth labs. Since 1999, the number of meth labs in Tennessee has increased by more than 500 percent. And, more than 1,300 labs were seized last year in Tennessee alone, the most of any state in the Southeast. We have all read the news stories about illegal homemade labs being set up inside houses, apartments, and even in the trunks of cars. Too often you hear about one of these labs exploding, injuring the meth cooks, as well as children inside the home, or even innocent bystanders. These volatile labs pose a threat to the entire community. Tennessee Tech University will collaborate with the law enforcement community to address this critical problem. Once again, I am very grateful to the conferees for providing this important funding for Tennessee Tech University.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the outstanding achievements of LaVergne High School's Wolverine Marching Band. In September, the band marched in the LaVergne Old Timers' Day Parade. I was also a participant in the parade, and I was impressed by the talent and precision of the young musicians. Their many hours of practice had culminated in a flawless performance. It is not just the students and teachers who make the Wolverine Marching Band great. The parents of these students also play a significant role. In addition to providing financial support, the parents often pitch in to transport band equipment to competitions and football games. This season, the band has been awarded numerous accolades, including First Place Band Overall and First Place Percussion Overall at the Phoenix Classic Invitational. Other honors include two Color Guard, Band, and Percussion Superior Ratings and two First Place Field Commanders awards. Residents of LaVergne, Tennessee, can be proud of their Wolverine Marching Band. I applaud the students, parents and teachers for their hard work and dedication.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a talented individual who has been a dedicated member of our Committee staff for the past year--Dr. Sarah K. Noble. Sarah came to the minority staff of the House Science Committee in late 2004 as a Fellow on a fully funded scholarship from the Geological Society of America (GSA). Sponsored by GSA and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), she has spent her time on the Committee assisting primarily with the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. She is an expert in the field of space weathering and has concentrated much of her academic career on the geological specifics of lunar and planetary studies. She is an esteemed researcher who has presented her work at numerous meetings and conferences. In short Mr. Speaker, we were honored to have a person of her distinction and expertise on our team. During her tenure on the Committee, Sarah played an important role in our oversight of NASA, with a particular focus on its science and education programs. She also was a valued and tireless participant in developing H.R. 3250, the Democratic NASA Authorization bill. A significant fraction of that legislation was incorporated into H.R. 3070, the NASA Authorization Act that passed the House by a wide margin earlier this year. In short, both her analytic work and her thoughtful perspectives helped us to craft a better bill than otherwise would have been the case. In addition to her policy and procedural work for the Committee, Sarah was also instrumental in another of our great accomplishments this year--our newly refurbished website. It must be difficult to find a distinguished geologist who also minored in art in college, but we successfully found that person in Sarah. Her vision for our new site helped shape the overall look and feel, easing navigation and broadening its appeal. Sarah also has a passion for the study of science and mathematics, especially as it relates to inspiring our youth to pursue careers in the field. Sarah translated this passion--one that I share--into a groundbreaking section on our new website designed specifically for science and math teachers and the students they inspire. The ``Science Education & You'' portion of the Science Democrats' website is more complete and effective today due to Sarah's input and guidance. Hardly a day goes by that a teacher or policy professional doesn't email with positive feedback on this portion of our website. The federal resources we locate and organize for teachers and students at http://sciencedems.house.gov will continue to grow, and Sarah deserves many thanks for helping us launch such a valuable resource. We are sad to see her go, but Sarah is moving on to the next prestigious phase of her career at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX where she will pursue post-doctoral work. In a recent AAAS column detailing her Washington, DC experience Sarah wrote, ``Scientists have a vital role to play in creating sound science policy and I am thrilled to be a part of that process.'' Mr. Speaker, Sarah's input as both a scientist and a scholar have been invaluable to our Committee this past year. I thank her for her dedicated service and wish her the very best in what promises to be an exciting career.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 100th year of existence of the Citizens Bank located in Hartsville, Tennessee. The bank will celebrate its anniversary on October 1, 2005. Citizens Bank was established in 1905 with $10,000 in capital. The bank's loan officers had a maximum loan authority of $300, enough to buy a small farm 100 years ago. They started keeping daily statements in 1923. Citizens Bank never succumbed to the Great Depression; however, the bank did close twice during its century of history--once during the flood of 1927 and again during a storm in 1929 that left 18 inches of snow on the ground. Originally, the bank rented space in downtown Hartsville, before building its own space by the Trousdale County Courthouse. In 1984, the bank built its current facility on Highway 25. I wish President Wilson Taylor, Vice President Betty Sue Hibdon, Customer Representative and Public Relations Coordinator Gloria Dalton and all the employees who represent the heart of Citizens Bank much success with their celebration and the start of another century of service.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule for H.R. 250, the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act. I had requested the Rules Committee to allow the bill to come to the floor under an open rule. As we continue to lose manufacturing jobs, which used to be the bulk of middle-class jobs, all Members should be allowed to offer their best ideas on the floor to reverse this trend. I am especially disappointed that the Rules Committee did not allow the gentleman from California's amendment authorizing funding for the Advanced Technology Program. H.R. 250 is essentially a complete authorization of the programs of the National Institute of Standards and Technology except ATP. We keep saying that we need to maintain our innovative edge to remain competitive in the ever-increasing global market. The ATP is designed to do just that, to bring research results to proof of concept so they can be commercialized by industry. The ATP program is not some experimental program or a gamble. First funded during the first Bush administration, ATP is a successful program with a proven track record. It has the stamp of approval of the National Academy of Science, it has the strong support of the business community, including the National Association of Manufacturers, the Industrial Research Institute, the Information Technology Association of America, and the National Governors Association. All of these groups believe ATP plays an important role in maintaining our lead in innovation. Even the administration's own analysis of the program shows that it is highly successful and has generated millions of dollars and the creation of new technologies. During the past 3 years, the Science Committee has held numerous committees on nanotechnology, innovation and technology development. The one recurring theme of the witnesses has become clear: fund the advanced technology program. There were other amendments not allowed by this rule, which would have also improved H.R. 250. Frankly, I just do not know why we cannot openly debate the merits of any good idea that is going to help us create more jobs and be more competitive. As China, India, and other countries increase not only the amount of scientists and engineers they graduate, but also their research and technology and development funding, we need to support proven programs and effective programs like the ATP. Now, I would like to ask my friend from Georgia who also sits on the Committee on Science, who sits through all of these hearings, heard witness after witness, the Governors Association and others, said the ATP program is important. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend to explain why the ATP amendment was not allowed in this rule.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, the bill we have before us today is, in essence, an authorization for the National Institute of Standards and Technology. H.R. 250 authorizes all of NIST programs, except for the Advanced Technology Program. I strongly support NIST and realize the importance of all its programs to the U.S. industrial sector. Dollar for dollar, NIST represents an excellent return for the investment to the American taxpayer in terms of its impact on our economy. However, H.R. 250 purports to be a bill to help the U.S. manufacturing base and to stimulate innovation. Unfortunately, H.R. 250 falls far short of these goals. U.S. manufacturing is facing a crisis. Since 2001, we have lost 2.8 million manufacturing jobs. While there is bipartisan agreement that we need to retain our high-skill, high-wage manufacturing jobs, this crisis has received little attention from the administration or Congress. What we have today is a missed opportunity. Even within the bill's scope, H.R. 250 does little to address education or workforce training. For example, the only NIST program not included in this legislation is, once again, the Advanced Technology Program. The ATP is one NIST program designed to bridge the gap between basic research and proof of concept. Currently, almost one-third of all ATP projects focus on some aspect of manufacturing. Long before the National Nanotechnology Initiative, with its hundreds of millions of Federal dollars to support nanotechnology research, ATP had already supported successful nanotechnology projects. An early nanotech project resulted in one of the earliest commercial successes. Currently, 10 percent of ATP projects are in the field of nanotechnology, representing a public-private investment of over $170 million. Time and again witnesses have appeared before the Committee on Science recommending that ATP be fully funded. Just last month, at the Committee on Science hearing on innovation, high-level business experts recommended that ATP be fully funded. As my chairman knows, the National Governors Association supports it, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the ITAA. It makes no sense that a bill whose goal it is to bolster manufacturing competitiveness and innovation does not include ATP funding. In closing, I will vote for H.R. 250, but I am sorely disappointed that H.R. 250 does so little to rebuild the U.S. manufacturing base. And let me also conclude with this, Madam Chairman. My chairman spoke earlier about how we had already debated ATP; that we have had a chance. The committee debated ATP, but we did not have a chance on this floor. Why in the world should we not take every type of Democrat, Republican, and independent suggestion to help our manufacturing base? I would like to pose that question. Also, and correct me if I am wrong, but I do not think a single person has come before our committee and said that the ATP program is not important, not as good, and does not create jobs. The idea that, well, let us not put it on here because it might weigh the bill down and the President may not like this, well, we know the President does not like it. But the fact of the matter is that the Senate has already appropriated money for it. Last week, the Senate voted 2 to 1 to reject taking it out, so why can the House of Representatives not stand up here also and get a majority vote, which we will get on the ATP program, which is a good program and would make H.R. 250 really a bill worth doing. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, let me just very quickly say that my friend, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), has been a great champion for the manufacturing sector of our economy. And this is a very commonsense amendment that I think is a positive addition to a bill that as I said earlier missed the opportunity to be as good as it could be. The only argument against his amendment is that the administration is doing a good job with the manufacturing sector and promoting it, so let us do not mess it up. Well, I would just say to all of my colleagues, if you are satisfied with what the administration is doing promoting manufacturing, then vote against this amendment. If you are not satisfied with what the administration is doing and think they can do more to help our manufacturing economy, then you need to vote for this amendment.

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

Mr. GORDON. I yield to the gentleman from New York.