Kay Granger

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I, Kay Granger, submit the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3081, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2010 for the language pertaining to ``Sister Cities International Cultural and Economic Development Exchange Programs.'' Any funding granted by the Department of State Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs account would go to Sister Cities International, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 2004. It is my understanding that the funding would be used to support Sister Cities International's ongoing initiatives to increase the numbers of international citizen exchange opportunities through its network with Africa and Islamic communities. Once funded, there is a one-to-one match of local private dollars to re-granted federal dollars. The City of Fort Worth, TX, is an active partner in Sister Cities International, leading in U.S. public diplomacy efforts.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I, Kay Granger, submit the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010. For the project titled ``Assistance to Improve Water Quality for Tarrant County, Texas,'' which received $336,000 in H.R. 2997, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Operations account, the legal name and address of the receiving entity is Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 113 Jack K. Williams Building 2142 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2142. This funding supports specialized studies to improve water quality in North Central Texas. The project aims to create a watershed protection plan and improve the water quality in the five reservoirs that supply water for the majority of Fort Worth and fifty-nine surrounding communities. By implementing a watershed protection plan, water quality can be improved in North Central Texas, thereby protecting supply and quality for over 1.6 million residents in the area. Tarrant Regional Water District, Texas Water Resources Institute, and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service support this project through in-kind support including employee salaries and data and sample analysis.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I, Kay Granger, submit the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3082, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2010. For the project titled ``Replace Joint Base Communications Building,'' which received $6,170,000 in H.R. 3082, in the Navy Reserve Military Construction account, the legal name and address of the receiving entity is NAS JRB Fort Worth, in Fort Worth, TX. Funds will be used to build a new communications building. The existing base communications building is undersized. The location of communications assets must remain in that position since communications lines that run throughout the base run underground into the building's terminal/switch room. This facility, built in 1951, does not lend itself to the demands of current technologies. This has resulted in piecemeal renovations over the years in an attempt to meet growing communications needs. The existing space will not accommodate growth requirements for the terminal/switch room, threatening a loss in communication functionality base-wide.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of a brave and dedicated hero of the state of Texas and of our nation. Private First Class Peter Cross was a soldier in the United States Army and is a true American hero. Peter gave his life in the service of his country on June 26, 2009, due to injuries he sustained from his vehicle overturning on a mountainous road in Afghanistan. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, Private First Class Cross made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in a time of war, an action that speaks volumes far greater than words about his character and patriotism. A native of Saginaw, Texas, Peter had aspirations of missionary work following his service in the Army. These ambitions, along with his efforts to avoid children herding sheep near Combat Outpost Carwile, Afghanistan, which ultimately resulted in the overturning of his vehicle, led his father Mike Cross to point out, ``His last act in life shows what kind of man he was--selflessly thinking of others.'' Peter had been on active duty in the United States Army for less than one year. He joined the Army in August of 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in February of 2009. Peter quickly developed a sincere passion for the people of Afghanistan that he was there to help. His father specifically noted, ``He really had a heart for the Afghani people. He used to hand out candy, and pens and papers, and anything else he could spare for the kids when they came around the guys. He was a fun guy. A godly guy.'' Our thoughts and prayers are with Private First Class Cross' parents, siblings, grandparents, and all of his family and friends. His community and nation honor his memory, and we are grateful for his faithful and distinguished service to America. Private First Class Cross will not be forgotten. His memory lives on through his family and the legacy of selfless service that he so bravely imprinted on our hearts.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2647, The National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Kay Granger Priority Name: UH-60 Rewiring Program--Army National Guard Authorized Amount: $5 million Account: Aircraft procurement--Army Legal Name of Requesting Entity: InterConnect Wiring Address of Requesting Entity: 5024 West Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 Description of Request: The use of taxpayer funds is justified because the UH-60 rewiring program is a vital recapitalization of critical aviation assets within the Army National Guard. Replacing Kapton insulation used in aircraft wiring harnesses during modification, work order and retrofit is a key component. After many years of use, Kapton insulation becomes old and brittle and can lead to wet or dry arcing. Arcing can lead to intermittent or catastrophic failures. The only solution for this potential problem is to replace the wiring harnesses with new wiring harnesses. Priority Name: Mobile Firing Range for TXARNG Authorized Amount: $1.5 million Account: Training Devices, Nonsystem Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Texas Army National Guard Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 5218, Austin, TX 78763 Description of Request: This funding will be used to procure a Mobile Firing Range for the Texas National Guard. The use of taxpayer funds is justified because the TXANG currently does not have access to any indoor ranges that can be used to fire the M16/M4 which is the current armament for 90% of the soldiers within the Texas Army National Guard. The Mobile Firing Range will allow soldiers to train with their assigned weapons at home station. The value added is soldiers can train more than once a year during their annual qualification. The ability to have mobile ranges allows for them to be collocated as needed to support deploying unit needs. This system is a training and force multiplier due to the negation of travel and lodging, and staging needed when conducting this training on a military facility. Priority Name: Field Deployable Hologram Production System Authorized Amount: $4.8 million Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Army Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Zebra Imaging Address of Requesting Entity: 9801 Metric Boulevard, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78759 Description of Request: The Enhanced Holographic Imager (EHI) program is completing development of a compact production unit that produces 3D holographic imagery for mission planning and intelligence purposes for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The use of taxpayer funds is justified because the Army now requests a self-contained, field- deployable EHI production system to accelerate imagery delivery to combat forces. This authorization will be used to fund an EHI post- processing unit and a transportable production facility, with the completed Field Deployable Hologram Production System operational within a year of receiving funding. Priority Name: Replace Joint Base Communications Building Authorized Amount: $6.17 million Account: Military Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: NAS JRB FT WORTH Address of Requesting Entity: NAS JRB FT WORTH, Fort Worth, TX 76127 Description of Request: This funding will be used to provide adequate facilities to house and support the communications hub for NAS JRB Fort Worth. The terminal/switch room in this facility provides the single connecting point for all on-base communications and their interface to all off-base systems. The Navy and the Air Force have personnel in this facility and manage communications systems for all of the tenant commands. The base has seen increases in communication volume due to links with off-site data systems and new tenants (e.g. 8th Marine Corps Division Office), as well as increased information security requirements. The use of taxpayer funds is justified because these conditions force increases in the amount and complexity of the equipment. Existing space will not accommodate growth requirements for the terminal/switch room, threatening a loss in communication functionality base-wide.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I, Kay Granger, submit the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 20, 2010, and for other purposes (H.R. 2847). For the project titled ``Child Abuse Training Programs for Judicial Personnel: Victims Act Model Court Project'' in H.R. 2847, OJP-Byrne Discretionary Grants account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 1041 North Virginia Street, Third Floor, Reno, Nevada 89503. The $1,875,000 in the bill for this project will be used in planning and programming for work in Model Courts and in jurisdictions nationwide, including site-based and local, regional and national interdisciplinary training programs; Model Court site visits; Model Court cross-site visits; All-Sites Meetings; outreach to national State Court Improvement Programs; direct technical assistance to Model Courts and other jurisdictions nationwide; mentoring of non-Model Court jurisdictions; publications for national dissemination; research to evaluate Model Court work; and networking with national organizations. This project focuses on improving court practice in handling child abuse and neglect cases in jurisdictions across the country, and will have significant impact on the over 513,000 children in the nation's foster care systems. This juvenile justice prevention model has provided the ability to courts to not only improve their practice, but to provide long-term solutions to children and families. Through judicial education, strategic planning, evaluation and technical assistance (TA), this project has resulted in reducing the time in the system for children in foster care and the numbers of children in care in jurisdictions across the country, and has improved the quality of care children receive while under the court's jurisdiction. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is supported by a number of funders both federal, state and private; and national and state-based that supports related work. Supplemental funding for this project has been applied for in the past, as NCJFCJ continually seeks a variety of funding sources for its projects. For the project titled ``Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)'' in H.R. 2847, OJP-Byrne Discretionary Grants account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666. The $1,300,000 in the bill for this project will enable Texas State University to build ALERRT's Train-The-Trainer capacity to meet the training needs of the more than 650,000 law enforcement agents across the nation. Since 2002, ALERRT has trained more than 16,000 first responding patrol officers. It is an ongoing project to ensure that law enforcement officers have the most up-to-date training available on how to effectively respond to, address, and stop an active shooter. Funding will enable the program to be established as a national training system; to further build train-the-trainer capacity; to enhance retention of learned skill by former students; to provide valuable research and evaluation to improve first responder abilities; and to provide investigative training and support for evolving threats. Texas State will provide any required matching funds.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of my resolution recognizing the observance of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I'd like to thank my colleagues Janice Schakowsky of Illinois, Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Joe Courtney of Rhode Island, and Jim McDermott of Washington for their support and for their work on child welfare issues. Child abuse and neglect is a serious issue that affects thousands of American families. Every 11 seconds a child in the United States is reported as abused or neglected. Last year 5,800 children were confirmed victims of child abuse in my home county of Tarrant County, Texas. Tragically, nine of those cases ended in death as a result of abuse or neglect. I think of children like Darlene Diles who spent the first seventeen days of her life in her mother's care before an injury on January 30 left her with severe brain damage. Darlene's nineteen-year-old mother told doctors that she accidently dropped her daughter on the kitchen floor. But doctors found no skull fracture or swelling consistent with a fall. Instead, they said Darlene's internal head injuries were consistent with being shaken. The thirty-five-day-old infant died after her father decided to allow doctors to take her off life support. Seven-month-old David Coronado Jr. was admitted to Children's Medical Center in Dallas with forty-two separate skeletal injuries, damage, to his brain and spinal cord, and numerous skin injuries that included human bite marks. David was recently removed from life support, but his prognosis remains uncertain. Children like David and Darlene deserve so much better. Observing National Child Abuse Prevention Month Provides us with the opportunity to highlight their stories, which demonstrate the importance of doing more to prevent child abuse and maltreatment. Increasing public awareness of how important it is to ensure the safety and welfare of children led to the passage of the first federal child protection legislation--the child abuse prevention and treatment act in 1974. In the thirty-five years since, advocacy groups across the country have been hard at work to raise awareness regarding child maltreatment. And social workers and child protective service workers across the country have dedicated countless hours to children who have been abused and neglected. One such dedicated child protective services employee in Texas is Debbie Pendergrass. Debbie admits to ``fretting virtually nonstop about her charges.'' She provides the one constant for the children she works with who often get moved around from one foster home to another. When Debbie visited a toddler born to a thirteen-year-old girl in foster care, Tarrant County foster parents James and Glenda Pell praised her professionalism. The Pells said there have been times during six years and a dozen foster children when they couldn't reach their CPS worker. But with Debbie, they have someone who responds quickly and moves the bureaucratic machinery forward. In Texas, and in states across this country, child protective service caseworkers face an increasing workload. In 2007, state and local protective services investigated nearly 5.8 million children who were reported as abused or neglected. The Texas Department of Child Protective Services where Debbie works as a caseworker has improved its caseload, but still needs to hire more caseworkers. In a recent eighteen-month period, Texas workers who are responsible for visiting abused children saw only seventy-four percent of their children monthly. Federal law requires that at least ninety-five percent be seen monthly. But there are only so many hours in a day. As the stresses on American families increase in the current economy, we need to work together to ensure that resources are available to provide families with support so that more children do not become victims of maltreatment. And child protective services across the country need funding so that they can continue the work that they do to protect our most vulnerable children. Observing National Child Abuse Prevention Month provides us with the opportunity to shine a light on an issue that continues to affect too many children and families. It also provides us with the opportunity to thank the social workers, teachers, physicians, nurses, and community organizations for their work providing safe places for children. Groups like Prevent Child Abuse Texas, the Alliance for Children in Fort Worth, which is working to ``break the cycle of abuse one child at a time.'' And groups like CASA of Tarrant County, which matches guardian ad liteums with children to provide a voice for children in court. These groups are working to prevent child abuse and neglect throughout Texas and I commend them for their efforts and important work. The statistics on child abuse and maltreatment are alarming. Child Abuse and maltreatment is a topic few want to discuss, but most of us want to see the cycle of abuse end. By talking about this issue, I hope we can encourage parents to reach out and get the help they need in order to provide a safe and healthy place for their children. I strongly encourage families and individuals to report abuse or get help by calling the national child abuse hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD. Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 187, I inadvertently pressed the ``no'' button. I meant to vote ``aye'' on passage of H.R. 1256.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution recognizing the 10th anniversary of the first designation of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. House Concurrent Resolution 60 also recognizes the importance of celebrating March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I would like to thank my colleague, Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, for his support of this resolution and for his efforts in the fight against colorectal cancer. Ten years ago, colorectal cancer was a disease that not many people talked about. In November 1999, a resolution passed the Senate designating March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The House passed a supporting resolution in March, 2000. In the years since, advocacy groups have increased awareness about colorectal cancer, and thousands of Americans have been screened. This year an estimated 149,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed, and an estimated 50,000 deaths will be caused by colorectal cancer. The real tragedy is that many of these cancer cases and deaths occurred needlessly because the vast majority of colorectal cancer deaths can be prevented through proper screening and early detection. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every 3\1/2\ minutes, someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Every 9 minutes, someone dies from colorectal cancer. This is a disease that affects men and women equally. The more we talk about this disease and the more we encourage our family, our friends and our neighbors to get screened, the more lives we save. It is that simple. Unfortunately, less than half of those who should be screened for colon cancer are screened. Not only do we need to increase awareness about colorectal cancer but we also need to increase Federal funding for early detection and screening. Along with my colleague from Rhode Island, Patrick Kennedy, I have introduced a bill that would authorize funding for early detection screenings and make preventive care a priority. Specifically, the Colorectal Cancer Detection, Early Detection, and Treatment Act, H.R. 1189, would establish a national screening program for colorectal cancer for individuals over 50 years of age or who are at high risk. It also authorizes State funding for those screenings and creates a public awareness and education campaign on colorectal cancer. Despite scientific evidence supporting the benefits of screening, screenings for this disease in the U.S. remain low. Every 5 seconds, someone who should be screened for cancer is not. When it is diagnosed late, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is only 10 percent, but when it is diagnosed early, before it spreads to the lymph nodes and other organs, the survival rate is 90 percent. Early detection and screening saves lives. If everyone over 50 years of age were screened regularly for colorectal cancer, the death rate for this disease could plummet by 80 percent. In addition to saving lives, early detection and screening saves money. Treatment costs for colorectal cancer are extremely high and could be greatly reduced if mass screenings occurred. Colorectal treatment costs totaled roughly $8.4 billion for new cases in 2004. The cost of two-thirds of these colorectal cancer cases are borne by the Medicare program. The Lewin Group recently conducted a comprehensive study of the potential cost savings to Medicare and found that every 10 years, a colorectal screening program will result in savings of about 1.5 years worth of Medicare expenditures. If screenings were increased among people 50 years of age and older in the United States, it would save billions of dollars in Medicare expenditures, and it would also save thousands of lives. The Colorectal Cancer Screening Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act ensures that people who are screened will get the full continuum of cancer care, including the appropriate follow-up for abnormal tests, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and treatment for detected cancers. If you have not already, I urge you to cosponsor the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act, and join me in observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month provides us with the opportunity to discuss the importance of early detection screenings. And it also gives recognition to all the groups who have helped in this, groups like the American Cancer Society, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Colon Cancer Alliance and C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition. These groups have created ``Earn a Blue Star Day'' as a way for individuals and corporations to raise awareness of the importance of screening.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Thank you to my colleague Dan Boren. Thank you so much for your hard work on this. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the important issue of colorectal cancer, as Congressman Boren also did. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every 3\1/2\ minutes, someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Every 9 minutes, someone dies from colorectal cancer. This is a disease that affects both men and women. This year, an estimated 149,000 new cases will be diagnosed, and an estimated 50,000 deaths will be caused by this cancer. The real tragedy is that many of these cancer cases and deaths occurred needlessly because the vast majority of colorectal cancer deaths can be prevented through proper screening and early detection. That is why I introduced a resolution recognizing March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and commemorating the 10th anniversary of the first designation of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The more we talk about this disease, the more we encourage our family, our friends, and our neighbors to get screened, and the more lives we save. I hope my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee will discharge House Concurrent Resolution 60 from committee soon so that leadership can schedule the resolution for floor consideration. Less than half of those who should be screened for colon cancer are screened. Bringing House Concurrent Resolution 60 to the floor next week will encourage even more discussion about this disease that is preventable when detected early. But talking about colorectal cancer and recognizing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month aren't enough. We need to increase Federal funding for early detection and screening. Along with my colleague from Rhode Island, Patrick Kennedy, I've introduced a bill that would authorize funding for early detection, screenings, and make preventive care a priority. Specifically, the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act, H.R. 1189, would establish a national screening program for colorectal cancer for individuals over 50 years of age or those who are at high risk. It would authorize State funding for these screenings and create a public awareness and education campaign on colorectal cancer. Despite scientific evidence supporting the benefits of screenings, screens for these diseases in this country remain low. Every 5 seconds, someone one who should be screened for colorectal cancer is not. When it's diagnosed late, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is only 10 percent. When it's diagnosed early--before it spreads--the survival rate is 90 percent. Early detection screening saves lives, and if everyone over 50 years of age were screened regularly for colorectal cancer, the death rate for this disease could plummet by 80 percent. In addition to screening saving lives, early detection saves money. Treatment costs for colorectal cancer are extremely high and could be greatly reduced if mass screenings occur. Colorectal cancer treatment costs totaled roughly $8.4 billion for new cases in 2004. The cost of two-thirds of these colorectal cancer cases are borne by the Medicare program. The Lewin Group recently conducted a comprehensive study of the potential cost savings to Medicare and found that every 10 years a colorectal cancer screening program will result in savings of about 1\1/2\ years worth of Medicare expenses. If screenings were increased among people 50 years and older in the United States, it would save billions of dollars in Medicare expenditures. It would also save thousands of lives. The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Screening program ensures that people who are screened will get the full continuum of cancer care, including the appropriate followup for abnormal tests, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and treatment for detective cancers. If you have not already, I urge you to cosponsor the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act, and join me in observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Observing Colorectal Awareness Month provides us with the opportunity to discuss the importance of early detection and screening. It also provides us with the opportunity to thank the thousands of volunteers and national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness for colorectal cancer. Dan Boren, I thank you for your time and your work on this.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Texas Pythian Home. The Home, called the ``Castle on the Hill,'' is located in my district in the city of Weatherford, Texas. The Texas Pythian Home began on March 1, 1909, as a home for widows and orphans of Knights of Pythias members. The Pythians, a fraternal order, made the decision to build the home in Weatherford following a donation of three hundred acres of land. The main building housed orphaned children on the second floor. The basement was divided into apartments for widows with children. There were soon so many boys that it became necessary to build a boys-only dorm. The boys moved into their new dorm in 1914. In 1925, a girls-only dorm was built. In the early 1970s, widows moved to the completed retirement home in Greenville, Texas. The Pythian Home School was designated an independent school district on August 1, 1910 and continued until 1972. In 1937, the last high school graduating class walked across the Pythian auditorium stage. It had been decided to send grades 6-12 to Weatherford Independent School District. Grades 1-5 continued to have classes at the Pythian Home until 1972. As part of its effort to be self-sufficient, the Home had a large dairy operation for many years. Animals were raised to provide meat. The Home also had its own garden and orchard. The staff and children kept busy maintaining all of the operations. A change in government regulations in 1972 limited these operations, so the dairy closed in 1976. There were many changes through the years. The Texas Pythian Home is now the last one in existence. The Home, located on 164 acres, can house up to 62 children. The number of children in residence changes as the economy and family circumstances change. The Pythian principles of friendship, charity, and benevolence continue to be the driving force behind the organization. The Home is here because it reaches out to those in need. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Texas Pythian Home on the 100th anniversary of its founding and to offer my sincere appreciation for the many contributions that its residents have made and continue to make to the city of Weatherford and the state of Texas.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, congratulations to the Peace Corps and Peace Corps Volunteers as we celebrate the Peace Corps's 48th anniversary on March 1, 2009. From its beginnings under President John F. Kennedy until now, the Peace Corps has become an enduring symbol of our nation's commitment to encourage progress, create opportunity, and expand development at the grassroots level in the developing world. As in all things, the strength of the Peace Corps is in its people-- its volunteers. Volunteers have made significant and lasting contributions around the world in agriculture, business development, education and health care. In fact, Danny and Shirley Sherrod from my district just retired from their careers and have volunteered to spend the next two years serving as Peace Corps Volunteers in Panama. Danny and Shirley said that their conversations with other volunteers made a huge impact on their lives, so they are using this new time out of retirement to volunteer. This is but one example of the selfless dedication that people like Danny and Shirley Sherrod of Fort Worth, TX, commit to bringing to the Peace Corps and to our world. Through Peace Corps service, volunteers worldwide learn more than 250 languages and dialects, and they receive invaluable training that enables them to succeed in different cultural settings. Returning volunteers often use these skills and experiences to pursue careers in the Federal Government and in the Foreign Service. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the State-Foreign Operations, I am proud that this Subcommittee provides the funding and the resources needed to continue the good work that the Peace Corps is doing around the world. This week, during the National Peace Corps Week, I rise to recognize the achievements of the Peace Corps and honor its Volunteers, past and present, and reaffirm our country's commitment to helping people help themselves throughout the world.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I offer the following justification for the projects that I requested that were included in H.R. 1105, the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. For the project titled, ``Assistance to Improve Water Quality for Tarrant County, TX,'' in H.R. 1105, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Operations account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is Texas AgriLife Research, 113 Jack K. Williams Building 2142 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2142. The $336,000 in the bill supports specialized studies to improve water quality in North Central Texas. The project aims to create a watershed protection plan and improve the water quality in the five reservoirs that supply water for the majority of Fort Worth and fifty-nine surrounding communities. By implementing a watershed protection plan, water quality can be improved in North Central Texas, thereby protecting supply and quality for over 1.6 million residents in the area. Matching funds are as follows: Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board ($740,000), Texas Water Development Board ($200,000), and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ($542,000). Tarrant Regional Water District and the Texas Water Resources Institute also provide in-kind support. For the project titled ``Child Abuse Training Programs for Judicial Personnel: Victims Act Model Court Project'' in H.R. 1105, OJP-Byrne Discretionary Grants account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 1041 North Virginia Street, Third Floor, Reno, Nevada 89503. The $920,000 in the bill for this project will be used in planning and programming for work in Model Courts and in jurisdictions nationwide, including site-based and local, regional and national interdisciplinary training programs; Model Court site visits; Model Court cross-site visits; All-Sites Meetings; outreach to national State Court Improvement Programs; direct technical assistance to Model Courts and other jurisdictions nationwide; mentoring of non-Model Court jurisdictions; publications for national dissemination; research to evaluate Model Court work; and networking with national organizations. The project focuses on improving court practice in handling child abuse and neglect cases in jurisdictions across the country, and will have significant impact on the over 513,000 children in the nation's foster care systems. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is supported by a number of funders both federal, state and private; and national and state-based that supports related work. Supplemental funding for this project has been applied for in the past, as NCJFCJ continually seeks a variety of funding sources for its projects. For the project titled ``Train-the-Trainer (ALERRT)'' in H.R. 1105, OJP-Byrne Discretionary Grants account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666. The $1,200,000 in the bill for this project will enable Texas State University to build ALERRT's Train-The- Trainer capacity to meet the training needs of the more than 650,000 law enforcement agents across the nation. Since 2002, ALERRT has trained more than 16,000 first responding patrol officers. ALERRT is a program designed to train first responders with tactics they will need to effectively respond to active shooter situations. More than 200 law enforcement agencies, including Texas Christian University Police Department and Ft. Worth Police Department, are on the waiting list for training under ALERRT. Funding would allow these departments to receive training. ALERRT has been awarded more than $7 million in federal and state funds to bring this Rapid Response training to frontline officers across Texas and the nation. Texas State will provide any required matching funds. For the project titled ``White Settlement Emergency Management, Police, and Fire Department Interoperable Communications Project'' in H.R. 1105, OJP-Byrne Discretionary Grants account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the City of White Settlement, 214 Meadow Park Drive, White Settlement, TX 76108. The $500,000 in the bill for this project will allow the City of White Settlement to begin the process of updating the city's radio equipment. The city is currently not capable of transmitting information between agencies due to aging radio systems and lack of funding. Many times, the ability of first-responders to respond to emergency situations would be enhanced by partnering or sharing resources. The goal is to have direct communications with the City of Fort Worth, the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Lockheed Martin, and any other local agencies or cities for rapid response to emergency situations. No matching funds are required for this project. For the project titled ``America SCORES Fort Worth Expansion'' in H.R. 1105, OJP-Juvenile Justice account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the America SCORES, 520 Eighth Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10018. The $150,000 in the bill for this project will be used to expand the America SCORES after-school program to at least five new public elementary schools in the Fort Worth area, reaching upwards of 125 additional elementary students in the urban center. The America SCORES model has proven very successful in improving academic performance and physical health among participants, reduces the risks of unsupervised playtime, and combats the epidemics of childhood obesity and violence. America SCORES will match the federal funding with $150,000 in private funds. All expenses to maintain the expansion in future years will be provided by non-federal sources. For the project titled ``Central City, Fort Worth, Upper Trinity River Basin, TX'' in H.R. 1105, Corps of Engineers--Construction account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is Tarrant Regional Water District, 800 E. Northside Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76102. The aging levee system on the Trinity River is no longer adequate to provide protection for an area adjacent to downtown Fort Worth that is undergoing revitalization. The Army Corps of Engineers recommends in the final Environmental Impact Statement an integrated, comprehensive solution for flood control in this area to include transportation, environmental restoration, and community redevelopment components, including constructing a 1.5-mile flood-control bypass channel. The $6,000,000 in the bill for this project will be used for excavation of the bypass channel. Matching funds for the entire project include $64 million from Tarrant Regional Water District, $10.9 million from the City of Fort Worth, $9 million from Tarrant County, and $80.5 million from the local tax financing district. For the project titled, ``Farmers Branch, Tarrant County, TX'' in H.R. 1105, Corps of Engineers Sec. 205 account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the City of White Settlement, 214 Meadow Park Drive, White Settlement, TX 76108. To improve the channelization of Farmers Branch flowing through the center of White Settlement, the continuing authority provided in this bill will be used for construction of a flood control channel. This channel will mitigate major flooding problems affecting homes and businesses in the area. The City of White Settlement has passed bonds totaling $11.5 million for the project. For the project titled, ``Upper Trinity River Basin, TX'' in H.R. 1105, Corps of Engineers Investigations account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, 819 Taylor Street, Room 3A32, Fort Worth, TX 76102- 0300. The $382,000 provided in the bill will be used to continue various Corps of Engineers studies in the Upper Trinity River Basin. No matching funds are required. For the project titled ``Cook Children's Medical Center, Ft. Worth, TX for facilities and equipment'' in H.R. 1105, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the Cook Children's Medical Center, 801 Seventh Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76104. The $666,000 in the bill for this project will be used to purchase Magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology in order for Cook Children's Medical Center to continue their research in the neurosciences. MEG technology, combined with Cook Children's existing iMRI and pediatric neuroscience resources, will provide the best available treatment to cure Texas children afflicted with epilepsy, brain tumors, and other devastating neurological disorders. Funds will be used for the purchase of equipment and the construction costs necessary to install the MEG technology. In addition to the federal funding for this project, Cook Children's plans to raise at least $5,803,000 in the local community. For the project titled ``Harris Methodist Ft. Worth Hospital, Ft. Worth, TX for facilities and equipment'' in H.R. 1105, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76104. The $618,000 in the bill for this project will be used for the renovation and construction of a 16-bed palliative care unit. Palliative care is healthcare that specializes in the relief of suffering and the achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients with advanced illness and their families. It is offered simultaneously with all other appropriate medical treatment. Currently, the Harris Methodist Health Foundation is seeking community donations as part of a $2.2 million campaign. To date, $537,000 has been raised to help fund the palliative care unit and significant pledges have been made. For the project titled ``Texas Wesleyan University, Ft. Worth, TX for purchase of equipment for the doctoral program in nurse anesthesia practice, including curriculum development'' in H.R. 1105, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is the Texas Wesleyan University, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, Texas 76105-1536. The $247,000 in the bill for this project will be used by Texas Wesleyan University for equipment costs to support the new on- line Doctorate program in Nurse Anesthesia Practice. Harris Methodist hospital is the primary clinical site for Texas Wesleyan University's nurse anesthetist program. Funding will be used to upgrade the network and enhance current audio/visual technologies for curriculum development and deployment to support instructional needs for the new doctoral program. This project will support Texas Wesleyan University's new Doctorate Program of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, the second doctoral program of its kind in the United States. The objective is to develop a distance learning program (utilizing recent advances in distance learning methodologies) that will provide extended education to full time employed Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who are located in rural or metropolitan areas of the United States. This project provides education via new technologies, including distance learning methodologies, and addresses the Healthy People 2010 goal set by HHS to eliminate health disparities. Texas Wesleyan University has provided $360,000 in private matching funds for this project. For the project titled ``Alliance Airport, Runway Extension, TX'' in H.R. 1105, FAA--Airport Improvement Program account, the legal name and address for the requesting entity is Alliance Airport and the City of Fort Worth, TX, 2221 Alliance Boulevard, Ste 100, Fort Worth, TX 76177. The $1,750,000 for the project in this bill will be used to extend the existing main runway. The extension project includes lengthening the runway by 1,400 feet to 11,000 feet and includes extension of taxiways, relocation of FM Road 156, relocation of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line, and extension of Eagle Parkway. The local share of the project cost will be between $50 million and $60 million. For the project titled ``CNG Bus Replacement, Fort Worth Transportation Authority, TX,'' in H.R. 1105, Federal Transit Administration--Bus/Bus Facilities account, the legal name and address for the requesting entity is Fort Worth Transportation Authority, The ``T,'' 1600 E. Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76102. The $1,425,000 in this bill will be used to continue the replacement of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority's aging bus fleet and pay for the cost of replacing approximately 3-4 buses with clean-burning natural gas vehicles, wheel chair accessibility and complete with security cameras for driver and passenger safety. This will help advance the T's overall initiative to make the entire bus fleet 100% wheel chair accessible. Local share of the project cost will be $1.64 million. For the project titled, ``Interstate-35 W Congestion Relief, TX,'' in H.R. 1105, Federal Highways Administration--Interstate Maintenance account, the legal name and address for the requesting entity is City of Fort Worth, TX, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. The $1,800,000 in the bill will be used to provide congestion relief for I- 35W between downtown Fort Worth and SH 114 near the Denton/Tarrant County line. These funds are for engineering and design. Relief of regional congestion along this road segment is critical and would address significant emissions concerns. Additionally, this eventual expansion of I-35W would also continue facilitating economic expansion of north Fort Worth, the Alliance Airport area, northern Tarrant County, as well as enhance access to the renewal work of the Trinity River Vision project. Local share of the project cost will be $2 million by the Denton County Commissioner's Court, which is significantly more than the statutory 20 percent. For the project titled, ``Henderson Street Bridge Construction at the Trinity River, Fort Worth, TX,'' in H.R. 1105, Federal Highways Administration--Transportation Community Systems Preservation account, the legal name and address for the requesting entity is City of Fort Worth, TX, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. The $1,520,000 in the bill will be used for the construction of SH 199 (Henderson Street) and US Business 287 through the Trinity Uptown area of the Trinity River Vision. The aging levee system is no longer adequate to provide protection for an area adjacent to downtown Fort Worth that is undergoing revitalization. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommends in the final Environmental Impact Statement an integrated, comprehensive solution for flood control in this area to include transportation, environmental restoration and community redevelopment components in constructing a 1.5 mile flood- control bypass channel. Local share of the project cost is $21.485 million. For the project titled, ``City of Fort Worth, TX--Economic Development Initiatives,'' in H.R. 1105, Housing and Urban Development--Economic Development Initiative account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is City of Fort Worth, TX, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. The $285,000 in the bill will be used for property acquisition for land that will be needed to construct the bypass channel of the Trinity River. The aging levee system is no longer adequate to provide protection for an area adjacent to downtown Fort Worth that is undergoing revitalization. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommends in the final Environmental Impact Statement an integrated, comprehensive solution for flood control in this area to include transportation, environmental restoration and community redevelopment components in constructing a 1.5 mile flood- control bypass channel. The local share of the project cost is $15 million.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 54, 55, 56, 58, and 59, I was absent from the House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 57, I was absent from the House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of a brave and dedicated hero of the state of Texas and of our nation. Sergeant John J. Savage was a soldier in the United States Army and a true American hero. John gave his life in the service of his country on December 4, 2008, when an explosives-laden SUV broadsided Sergeant Savage's armored vehicle in Mosul, Iraq. Assigned to 103rd Engineer Company, 94th Engineer Battalion, Sergeant Savage did his part during a time of war, an action that speaks volumes far greater than words about his character and patriotism. A native of Weatherford, Texas, John had aspirations for a life in the military from a young age. As stated by his mother, ``He loved the military. It was a lifelong dream of his.'' John had been on active duty in the United States Army for six years. He spent three years stationed in Germany prior to his first deployment to Iraq in 2005 and was then deployed for a second tour in September of 2007. Sergeant Savage's three-year-old daughter, Nicole, will continue to learn of her father through family and friends. John's father, who is the son of a retired Master Sergeant from the United States Army himself, commented on his own son by stating, ``His family was his number one priority.'' Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Savage's daughter, parents, siblings, and all of his family and friends. His community and nation honor his memory, and we are grateful for his faithful and distinguished service to America. Sergeant Savage will not be forgotten. His memory lives on through his family and the legacy of selfless service that he so bravely imprinted on our hearts.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule for the consideration of the SCHIP bill we will be considering later today. The rule does not allow for the consideration of any amendments, and it bars the Republican motion to recommit. That is not a good way to reauthorize what has been a bipartisan program. In its original form, the SCHIP program is an excellent program that ensures medical care is available to uninsured children. During my first time in Congress, I voted to help create the SCHIP program, and I believe we need to responsibly reauthorize it. That is why I have introduced a bill to expand the SCHIP program to cover millions of uninsured kids. It is a bill that is paid for without budget gimmicks and without raising taxes. My bill, the Kids First Act, expands SCHIP by $19.3 billion over the same 4\1/2\-year period as the Democrat bill. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Kids First Act will cover 3.6 million previously uninsured children. Without raising taxes and without budget gimmicks, the Kids First Act truly puts kids first, eliminating nearly all adults from this program designed for children so that more children can be covered. I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule as well as the majority's SCHIP bill and, instead, to support the Kids First Act.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the loyal service rendered to the City of Fort Worth, Texas by Mr. Joe Paniagua from 1986 until his retirement in December 2008. As a former member of the city council and Mayor of Fort Worth, I had the opportunity of working directly with ``Joe P.,'' as he is known by all at City Hall. Although a native of Corpus Christi, Joe P. joined the City of Fort Worth's employment rolls in 1986 as a Municipal Courts customer service representative. He held a series of positions before being promoted to be the city's chief state and federal legislative program coordinator and grants manager. In that capacity, he faithfully and tirelessly represented the city through six Texas Legislative Sessions, from 1991 through 2001. Joe P. spent countless hours driving that long and lonely stretch of I-35 back and forth each week between Fort Worth and Austin in loyal service to our city. I have heard stories of his sleeping on friends' couches in Austin in the early days in order to save the city money. His hard work paid off on many issues that benefitted our community including the successful passage of legislation creating a revenue- sharing program between Fort Worth and Dallas, which supports DFW Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. Joe P. also worked to streamline Texas crime district laws and to secure legislation allowing municipalities to include ``best value'' as consideration for purchases. Joe P. was promoted to Assistant City Manager in September 2001 and retired as First Assistant City Manager on December 31, 2008. Not only has Joe P. been a loyal public servant to our city, but he and his wife Elsa and their two children, Jose Francisco and Elissa, are well known and beloved citizens of our community. In closing, I can say without reservation that the City of Fort Worth, Texas and our community at large have benefitted from the service of Joe Paniagua. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Joe Paniagua and his family upon the occasion of his retirement.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 8 and 9 I was absent from the House on official district business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of a brave and dedicated hero of the State of Texas and of our Nation. Sergeant John J. Savage was a soldier in the United States Army and a true American hero. John gave his life in the service of his country on December 4, 2008, when an explosives-laden SUV broadsided Sergeant Savage's armored vehicle in Mosul, Iraq. Assigned to 2nd 103rd Engineer Company, 94th Engineer Battalion, Sergeant Savage did his part during a time of war, an action that speaks volumes far greater than words about his character and patriotism. A native of Weatherford, Texas, John had aspirations for a life in the military from a young age. As stated by his mother, ``He loved the military. It was a lifelong dream of his.'' John had been on active duty in the United States Army for 6 years. He spent 3 years stationed in Germany prior to his first deployment to Iraq in 2005 and was then deployed for a second tour in September of 2007. Sergeant Savage's three-year-old daughter, Nicole, will continue to learn of her father through family and friends. John's father, a retired Master Sergeant from the United States Army, commented on his son by stating, ``His family was his number one priority.'' Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Savage's daughter, parents, siblings, and all of his family and friends. His community and Nation honor his memory, and we are grateful for his faithful and distinguished service to America. Sergeant Savage will not be forgotten. His memory lives on through his family and the legacy of selfless service that he so bravely imprinted on our hearts.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Raymond Anthony Celeste, Jr., who is retiring from the United States Marine Corps after more than 26 years of faithful service. Colonel Celeste attended Officers Candidate School in October 1982 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1982. In 1983, he graduated first from The Basic School and later from the Field Artillery Officer Basic School. His first fleet assignment was at Marine Corps Base, 29 Palms, California in January 1984, where he served first with 4th Battalion 11th Marines and then with 5th Battalion 11th Marines as a platoon commander in 8 inch self-propelled Howitzer Batteries. During his time as a platoon commander, he participated in numerous Combined Arms Exercises, learning the great capabilities of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. In May of 1985, then-First Lieutenant Celeste transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, where he served in the Tactical Exercise Control Group and assisted in organizing field and staff exercises worldwide. In September of 1986, First Lieutenant Celeste reported as the first Operations Officer of the 1st Remotely Piloted Vehicle Company, where he became one of the first members of the newly established unit. In this assignment, he assisted in integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles into the Marine Air Ground Task Force and received an award for his meritorious service. Because of his expertise in this area, an article he wrote on the subject was published in the Marine Corps Gazette. In September of 1988, then-Captain Celeste transferred to the Marine Corps Reserves. In January of the following year, he joined 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company where he deployed and participated in numerous bi-lateral exercises in Korea and Japan. During the first Gulf War, Captain Celeste was a commander in charge of training more than 200 Marines for deployment to the Middle East and received an award for his meritorious service. In January of 1992, Captain Celeste transferred to Hotel Battery (155 mm Howitzers), 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines where he acted as Platoon Commander and Forward Observer. In June of that same year, he was selected to be the Executive Officer of Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Infantry Company. In 1993, he became the Commanding Officer of Delta Company and served in that capacity for over two years. Concurrent to his assignment as Delta Company's Commanding officer, Captain Celeste served as the Headquarters Marine Corps counterdrug officer where he monitored Marine Corps counterdrug operations. In 1995, then-Major Celeste was assigned as the Officer-in-Charge of the Department of the Navy Gulf War Declassification Project where he was responsible for the declassification of tens of thousands of pages of Gulf War I operational records. He subsequently received an award for meeting the mandated declassification deadline as established by the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Due to his expertise in the area, in May of 1997, Major Celeste was assigned as an investigator to the Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses. At this assignment, he assisted in the investigation of the causal factors for Gulf War Illnesses using the documents that he and his team helped to previously declassify. In order to widely disseminate the findings of the investigation, they were published on the World Wide Web which, at the time, was a novel medium for this purpose. In August of 1999, then-Lieutenant Colonel Celeste was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps (Office of Legislative Affairs) where he served as a Congressional Affairs Officer. In this capacity, he assisted in the answering of high level congressional inquires, led the Marine Corps Congressional Fellowship Program, and assisted in the organizing of congressional outreach programs to include the following: The Congressional Marines Group, The Capitol Hill Running Club, Congressional Marine Day, and programs for Veterans Service Organizations and Defense Industry representatives. Colonel Celeste served in Iraq from February to August of 2007 as the Marine liaison between the Commanding General, Multi-National Forces West and the Commanding General Civilian Police Assistance Training Team. During this period, Colonel Celeste was a member of the Green Zone Council, which supports the Boys and Girls Scouting programs in Iraq. He was also involved in supporting a local orphanage in Baghdad by coordinating and soliciting donations from family and friends. For more than 26 years, Colonel Celeste's great sense of duty and exceptional work ethic have benefitted his fellow Marines and his nation. We thank him for his steadfast dedication and wish him fair winds and following seas as he starts the next chapter of his life.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of a brave and dedicated hero of the state of Texas and of our Nation. Captain Robert Vallejo II was a soldier in the Texas National Guard and a true American hero. Robert gave his life in the service of his country on September 18, 2008, when the helicopter he was co-piloting went down near Tallil, Iraq. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade as a pilot, Captain Vallejo did his part during a time of war, a fact that speaks volumes about his character and patriotism. Robert graduated from Brewer High School in 1998 and graduated from Texas Christian University as part of the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2005. After graduation from college, he attended flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Becoming a pilot fulfilled his long-time dream of flying. Becoming a military pilot fulfilled his desire to, as his mother put it, ``be a part of history and leave his mark.'' He served as a soldier for nine years and was on his first overseas tour when he died. Shortly after Robert's death, his family learned that the baby his wife is expecting in January would be a boy. Captain Vallejo's son will be named Robert Cale Vallejo III and will learn of his father through his family and friends, who described Robert as a kind, outgoing, and intelligent man with a wonderful sense of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Vallejo's wife, sisters, parents, and all of his family and friends. His community and nation honor his memory and we are grateful for his faithful and distinguished service to America. Captain Vallejo will not be forgotten. His memory lives on through his family and the legacy of selfless service that he so bravely imprinted on our hearts.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of a brave and dedicated hero of the state of Texas and of our Nation. Staff Sergeant Anthony L. Mason, known as Luke to his family and friends, was a soldier in the Texas National Guard and a true American hero. Luke gallantly and selflessly gave his life in the service of his country on September 18, 2008, when his helicopter went down near Tallil, Iraq. It was his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade as a helicopter engineer, Luke did his part during a time of war, a fact that speaks volumes about his character and patriotism. As a Staff Sergeant, he was a leader and mentor to the younger members of his unit. His fellow soldiers admired him for his professionalism, technical knowledge, and his approachable character. During his civilian life, Luke was a friend to many. His positive influence is evidenced by his community's response to his death and the support they have readily offered to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sergeant Mason's wife, his four daughters, his parents, and all of his family and friends. His community and Nation honor his memory and we are grateful for his faithful and distinguished service to America. Staff Sergeant Mason will not be forgotten. His memory lives on through his family and the legacy of selfless service that he so bravely imprinted on our hearts.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I submit the following justifications for projects I received in the FY2009 Defense Appropriations bill. Project name (as it appears in the bill): AN/AVS-7 Day Heads-Up Display (DayHUD). Amount received: $5 million. Bill number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Aircraft Procurement, Navy. Legal name and address of entity receiving earmark: Elbit Systems of America, Fort Worth Operations (EFW, Inc.), 4700 Marine Creek Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76179-6969. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: This product is a day version of the currently fielded night Heads-Up Display for the Aviator Night Vision Imaging System night vision goggles. The Day HUD provides the same aircraft and mission performance data to the pilots as the ANVIS version to give them access to ``time critical'' information while also keeping their eyes on the target or landing zone. The system completes the picture for the aircrew, provides increased safety and reduces the likelihood of mishaps involving brown out or lack of situational awareness by the pilots. There is no integration required with the product and testing is complete. Funding will directly procure 150 units of system hardware. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): UH-60A Rewiring Program. Amount received: $5 million. Bill number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Aircraft Procurement, Army. Legal name and address of entity receiving earmark: InterConnect Wiring LLP 5024 west Vickery Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: The requiring of aging UH-60 aircraft will ensure a single, standardized aircraft configuration, reduce extensive maintenance time requirements needed to isolate electronic malfunctions and enhance operational safety due to the age of the wire within the aircraft. Each aircraft will rewire $108,333 in materials and $725,000 in labor to require. At a unit price of $833,333 per aircraft, the requested funds will rewire 6 aircraft. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): NNSA metals Declassification for Reuse by DoD in Armaments. Amount received: $2.72 million. Bill number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide. Legal name and address of entity receiving earmark: e-PEAK Inc. 311 Diamond Oaks Drive Weatherford, TX 76087. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: A critical Army need is lightweight and specialty metals to support development of advanced armors, vehicles, and weapon systems; however, these metals are extremely expensive. The DOE has a major stockpile of specialty metals recovered from decommissioned warheads. This program delivers a process that allows DOE to safely, securely, and efficiently discard these metals through a unique microwave melting furnace and plasma melting. These advanced melting technologies require additional development to scale them up to meet DOE's unique declassification requirements. The specialty metals can then be provided to the Army at significantly low costs. This program provides technologies that allow for the safe, secure, environmentally sound recovery and reuse of more than one million tons of discarded metals that are currently stockpiled at DOE facilities. Finance Plan Based on Request: Facility site selection, permitting, operational safety requirements, support utilities, and other required items (site staffing, training and DOE site requirements): $400,000 Final design, DOE approvals, construction and required certifications for melting systems: $2,400,000 Delivery and operational testing of systems: $600,000 Total Request: $3,400,000 The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Smart Machinery Spaces System Amount received: $2.4 million. Bill number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy. Legal name and address of entity receiving earmark: Williams Pyro Inc., 200 Greenleaf Street, Fort Worth, Texas. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Shipboard machinery spaces are currently inspected using a costly manual process. Manual data collection and analyses require significant manpower, and results are often inconsistent. This system supports a smart sensor node, an information systems network, and video-based situational awareness and fire detection capability. Congress provided funds in FY 07 for the Smart Machinery Systems to develop the system which enables condition-based monitoring capabilities combined with improved automatic configuration management. This program fully supports the Navy's January 2007 Naval Science and Technology Strategic Plan, which one of the focus area include Affordability, Maintainability and Reliability. The vision of that focus area was to ``Reduce acquisition and lifecycle cost of Naval Platforms through design tools, reduced maintenance, intelligent diagnostics and automation.'' This program reduces maintenance and lifecycle costs, provides for remote monitoring of the equipment and allows for a reduction in manpower. Finance Plan Based on Request: Engineering and labor for the development and completion of the project: $1.9 million. Subcontracts involving Texas A&M for engineering, testing and support: $980,000. Supplies, testing facilities and travel/meetings: $120,000. Total Request: $3,000,000. The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): MK 19 Crew Served Weapons System trainer. Amount received: $328,000. Bill number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard. Legal name and address of entity receiving earmark: Texas National Guard, PO Box 5218, Austin, Texas 78763. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Acquisition of the systems, which provides initial and sustainment marksmanship training, gunnery and tactical training, and ``shoot/don't shoot training,'' will enhance the battle readiness of the Texas National Guard and will aid in the transformation of the Guard into an Operational Force. The requested amount ($410,000) will purchase for the Texas National Guard, 10 trainers ($41,000 per trainer). The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): RC-26B Modernization. Amount received: $7.2 million. Bill Number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Aircraft Procurement, Air Force. Legal name and address of requesting entity: ATK Integrated Systems, 236 Citation Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76106. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: The RC-26B performs critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in support of national disaster response by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air National Guard, and in direct support of Special Operations Forces in the GWOT. The Air National Guard (ANG) operates a fleet of eleven RC-26B aircraft that provide support to individual states for disaster relief and counter- drug missions. As the demands for the RC-26Bs proven utility increased, non-availability of the platform due to use in GWOT operations have prevented ANG crews from performing their domestic assigned missions. Special Operations Command funded the modification of five RC-26B aircraft--to provide ISR missions in support of deployed operations. With five RC-26B aircraft deployed in support of missions outside of the continental United States, an availability vacuum at the state level has occurred. The remaining six RC-26B aircraft (from Mississippi, Arizona, Florida, Texas, West Virginia and New York) are not sufficient to support the disaster relief and counter-narcotics missions of both the ANG and DHS/CBP. The requested $9,000,000 will be used for concept development, design, integration and flight verification for one aircraft of the following technologies that would enhance the current Block 20 RC-26B performance and effectiveness. The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Network Centric Collaborative targeting for the P-3C. Amount received: $3.2 million. Bill Number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Aircraft Procurement, Navy. Legal name and address of requesting entity: L-3 Communications, ComCept Division, 2800 Discovery Blvd, Rockwall TX 75032. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: NCCT is an Air Force program that provides legacy and new ISR assets with transformational networking capabilities. NCCT takes advantage of existing platform sensors which dramatically improves the probability of detection, accuracy of identification, precision location, and timeliness. This integration of newer technologies expands the networking range, thus enabling wider information-sharing and obviating the need for newer sensors. CENTCOM endorsed this technology as one that can solve immediate operational needs. The integration of sensors enabled by NCCT software will provide a low cost, near term option for greatly enhancing US capabilities in Maritime Domain Awareness, Strike Support, and Undersea Warfare. The effect of using existing platforms and sensors as a team allows for target detection, location, and identification against time critical targets and threats, as well as support war fighting and counter- terrorism operations abroad when integrated with US Intelligence and Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems. Finance Plan Based on Request: Procurement of NCCT Equipment: $250 thousand. Design, Mission System Integration & Installation of NCCT on MPRA Aircraft: $2.75 million. Labor, materials, and Support Activities: $1 million. Total request: $4,000,000. The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Vision Integrating Strategies in Ophthalmology and Neurochemistry (VISION). Amount received: $3.2 million. Bill Number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Army. Legal name and address of requesting entity: UNT Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: The research performed by the VISION team will target the various causes and effects of visual damage resulting from both ocular injuries and eye exposure to the elements during combat operations. This research will ultimately be used to develop compounds and novel therapeutic strategies to more quickly return an injured warfighter to his unit. More significantly, the goal is to have the Services be able to equip warfighters and combat medical personnel with therapy solutions that can be (1) administered preventatively, (2) self-administered or (3) easily deployed and administered in the field. This will enable the effective delivery of therapies that take advantage of the narrow time window that eye injuries have for most effective treatment once the damage has occurred. In addition, the development of effective treatments for these conditions could save the U.S. government hundreds of millions of dollars annually in preservation of combat readiness, improvement of the visual performance of reenlisting soldiers and in reduction of long-term health care related costs. Finance Plan Based on Request: Staffing, development of compounds, instrumentation & therapeutic imaging: $1.2 million. Mass spectrometry: $1.2 million. Advance computing research: $800 thousand. Preclinical and translational implementation: $800 thousand. Total request: $4 million. The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Flashlight Soldier-to- Soldier Combat Identification System. Amount received: $5.6 million. Bill Number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Defense-Wide. Legal name and address of requesting entity: ATR Electronics, Inc., 109 Ridgemont Ave., San Antonio, TX 78209. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Friendly Fire is a serious problem for the U.S. military and its coalition partners. Friendly Fire casualties occur frequently and weaken the resolve of some coalition partners. Per capita, U.S. Friendly Fire casualties increased 300 percent during the 2003 invasion of Iraq compared to 1991 Desert Storm. Efforts to reduce Friendly Fire casualties through ``doctrine and training'' and ``Blue Force Tracking'' have not succeeded. The Flashlight project equips the soldier with rifle mounted/body worn hardware that immediately identifies friendly soldiers and equipment at the point of engagement. Funds would go toward phase 2 of the development of a bottom-up, rifle mounted/body worn hardware Combat ID capability that reduces U.S. and coalition Friendly Fire casualties and increases combat effectiveness. Follow-on Flashlight antennas can be mounted on platforms (tanks, etc.) and aircraft to create a single-system Combat ID capability that can be integrated into advanced communications systems (FCS). This project develops 10-prototype M4 rifle mounted/body worn devices for military testing in 18-months. The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Enhanced Holographic Imager (EHI). Amount received: $2.48 million. Bill Number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Army. Legal name and address of requesting entity: Zebra Imaging, Inc., 9801 Metric Blvd., Suite 200 Austin, TX 78758. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: This is the final phase of a three-year development program to reduce the size and enhance efficiency of the holographic imager system currently used to produce 3D imagery for the Army's Tactical Battlefield Visualization program. The requested FY09 funds will be administered by the U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center (USAERDC) and will complete the EHI development program, with the delivery of a fully-tested prototype of the field-deployable Enhanced Holographic Imager. The Enhanced Holographic Imager (EHI) system is needed by DOD to reduce the time now required to provide 3D imagery to Coalition Forces in Iraq for intelligence and operation planning. Finance Plan Based on Request: Complete design of system & lab test prototype: $1.75 million. Develop & prototype post-processor: $580 thousand. Construct and test in-field beta prototype: $770 thousand. Total request: $3.1 million. The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Center for Geospatial Intelligence & investigation (GII). Amount received: $1.52 million. Bill Number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Navy (Marine Corps). Legal name and address of requesting entity: Texas State University, San Marcos, Center for Geospatial Intelligence & Investigation, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: The Center for Geospatial Intelligence & Investigation is conducting research of interest to the US military. Recognizing the need for better tools to track down insurgents responsible for kidnapping, maiming, and killing US Forces, allies, and civilians in operations in OIF and OEF, the Army sanctioned the initial stage of this project through the Army Topographic Engineering Center in FY06. This project is designed to assist in counter-IED (improvised explosive devices) efforts having a direct impact on increased safety levels and reduced risk of injury and/or death for U.S. military forces deployed to OIF and OEF. Funds will be used for the next phase of the project supported by the US Marines Systems Command. Employing a cross- disciplinary approach, GII seeks to help military and military intelligence officials build more powerful investigative and analytic tools. This project will continue to develop computer modeling based on insurgent behavioral theories to help extract knowledge from information and data, assisting military officials in predicting insurgent activity areas and bases of operation. Components of the project will focus on suicide attacks, attacks along main supply routes/roads, and the use of specialized technology to depict the ``Behavioral Decision-Making Template'' of insurgents. Finance Plan Based on Request: Personnel: $843,520. Equipment: $414,300. Other direct costs: $100,000. Indirect costs: $635,465. The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Authorized Emergency Satellite Communication Packages (JISCC). Amount received: $2.8 million. Bill Number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations. Bill Account: Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard. Legal name and address of requesting entity: Texas National Guard, PO Box 5218, Austin, Texas 78763. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Texas Military Forces is authorized, but not fully funded, for 10 Joint Incident Scene Communication Capability (JISCC) packages needed to support the various disaster command posts including JIATF HQ, each subordinate task force command post, local incident command posts, EOCs, and other multi-agency coordination centers. There are 2 JISCCa on-hand. Funding for this project would procure 8 authorized, but not-funded, JISCC packages required for disaster response. JISCC system uses DoD satellites eliminating the persistent shortage of funds to pay for commercial satellite service. This equipment fully enables the Texas National Guard Joint Inter- Agency Task Force (JIATF) to Command and Control its Inter-Agency structure across the State, or out of State in support of other States under EMAC, best serving as DoD's lead agent for disaster response in Texas. Finance Plan based on request: Satellite emergency/interoperable communications packages (x8): $4,091,400111. Transportation vehicles (x8): $311,200. Total request: $4.403 million. Description of matching funds: None required. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Air Force Plant 4 (AFP 4) Physical Security Enhancements. Amount received: $2.072 million. Bill Number: FY 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. Account: Other Procurement, Air Force. Legal name and address of requesting entity: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, 1 Lockheed Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76108. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Air Force Plant 4 is a critical Government Owned Contractor Operated (GOCO) Industrial facility dedicated to the design, development, and manufacture of tactical fighter aircraft systems, including the F-16, F-22 and the F-35. Protection of this facility, its human resources, and its unique manufacturing capabilities from determined threats is required in order to reduce the potential for disruption to these critical DoD programs. This project will accomplish the following Physical Security improvements at Air Force Plant No. 4, located in Fort Worth, Texas: (1) Provide Flight Line Security Enhancements, Air Force Plant 4 (AFP4)--Project will install an inner perimeter fence, and closed circuit video monitoring systems, to restrict unauthorized access to the AFP 4 aircraft operating areas (flight line, run stations, fueling areas). These improvements are required to reduce the security and safety risk to F-16 and F-35 aircraft undergoing final checkout and flight operations. AFP 4 flight line security has been identified as vulnerable during various Government reviews and assessments. $970K (2) Provide Security Enhancements, Building 200--Engineering & Office Bldg, Air Force Plant 4 (AFP 4)--Project will modify standoff distances or install protective barriers on the north, south and east approaches to Building 200. These modifications are required to meet DoD recommended antiterrorism standards for existing facilities. Bldg. 200 security deficiencies have been identified during various Government reviews and assessments. $1.461M (3) Install Perimeter Vehicle Barrier System, Air Force Plant 4 (AFP 4)--Project will construct a cable vehicle barrier system in vulnerable areas along the perimeter of the government owned manufacturing facility. This installation will more effectively deter a determined threat to these critical facilities while augmenting the overall hardening of the common perimeter for both AFP 4 and the adjacent Fort Worth NAS-Joint Reserve Base. $3.124M The plan for the project will be adjusted according to the funding level in the final agreement. Description of matching funds: None required.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I submit the following justification for the project I received in the FY2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Tarrant County, TX Pre- Disaster Mitigation Amount received: $1 million Bill number: FY2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill Account: Pre-Disaster Mitigation Legal name and address of entity receiving Earmark: Tarrant County, 100 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, TX 76196 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Tarrant County, TX, will use this funding to plan localized flood control and storm water management projects and will bring municipalities under its jurisdiction up to national standards. This flood control and storm water management work is very important for Tarrant County because the west fork of the Trinity River flows through the county. Enhanced flood control and storm management would positively impact the lives of county residents as well as other Texans that reside downstream on the Trinity River. The funding plan will be adjusted accordingly for whatever final funding level is provided in the agreement. Description of matching funds: It is my understanding that Tarrant County will provide at of the least 25 percent of the matching funds, as prescribed in FEMA PDM Program Guidance.