Kay Granger

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to get here in time to speak about an issue I feel very strongly about. I speak about the need to honor the Code Talkers. It was brought to my attention by my friend and constituent, Mr. Ben Tahmahkera, of Fort Worth, Texas. He is a proud Comanche himself and passionately articulated the important role of the Code Talkers contributed to our Nation during World War II. Mr. Tahmahkera came to me and pointed out that in July, 2001, President Bush honored the Navajo Code Talkers for their contribution to the United States Armed Forces as radio operators in World War II. Mr. Tahmahkera was very pleased to hear about the Navajo recognition, but he wanted to make sure the sacrifices of the Comanche Code Talkers and other Code Talkers were not forgotten either. Mr. Tahmahkera suggested that I learn more about Charles Chibitty, who at the time was the only surviving Comanche Code Talker. In January of 1941, Charles Chibitty enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned the Army's 4th Signal Company. Chibitty himself probably saved thousands of lives during the Normandy invasion alone, and he remembers, years after the battle, that he could clearly remember the messages he received and set out on D-day. On that day, he identified where our troops were, protected them from being fired on by our own troops and, in general, completely confused the Germans. Chibitty specifically remembers saying in code to our men, ``Okay, we know where you are. Just keep on doing what you are doing.'' The code that Chibitty used was never broken. For a long time, Germans believed it was just gibberish, and eventually the Germans sent spies to training grounds in Ft. Gordon and reservations in Oklahoma to try and crack the code. None of the spy missions were successful. After hearing the compelling story of the Comanche Code Talkers from Mr. Tahmahkera, I introduced a bill to award the Comanche Code Talkers the Congressional Gold Medal in December 2001 during the 107th Congress. I have worked to get these men an honor that is long overdue for the past several Congresses. After a lot of hard work and research by many different Members today, we are, at long last, honoring the Code Talkers who so nobly served our country during both World War I and World War II. My friend, Representative Dan Boren from Oklahoma, I appreciate his work and this Congress for bringing the bill to the floor. Like the Navajo Code Talkers who were recognized for services in 2001, the Comanches, along with members of at least 15 other tribes, acted as Code Talkers in some capacity during both world wars. The Code Talkers were sent out on their own to provide communications on enemy locations and their strength. They sometimes spent 24 hours in headphones without sleep or food. Many of these men endured terrible conditions without protection from the enemy. The Code Talkers were able to send messages in their native dialect, a code an enemy could never track. Military commanders credit the Code Talkers with saving the lives of countless American soldiers and ultimately to the success of the United States in many battles. In my mind, the Native American Code Talkers are some of our Nation's greatest heroes. As my good friend, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England said, ``The story of the Native American Code Talkers is one of the most inspiring chapters in America's march to victory in World War II. Their heroic and dramatic contributions were instrumental in driving back our enemies across the Pacific.'' It's time for Congress to give the Native American Code Talkers the recognition they deserve for their contribution to U.S. victories in World War I and World War II. Charles Chibitty, a true American hero, was also a loyal friend. He once turned town a Medal of Honor because it did not include all the four signal companies who he considered his brothers. Chibitty said, I am glad that I am still here, but I miss my comrades. I know that my comrades that have already gone before me are listening and laughing right now. I know when I go up there someday, they will be there waiting for me. Today, at long last, we honor the late Charles Chibitty and all of his friends who served our country as their service Code Talkers during World War I and World War II. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4544.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, a terrible storm has swept over my home State of Texas, brought devastation to neighborhoods and communities; 2,500 search and rescue missions out, 2 million people without energy in their home probably for 3 weeks. There's another storm that will sweep this Chamber and this Nation over the hoax of this energy, this energy bill that brings no energy to the American people, at a time when we need the shot in the arm for the long term, as well as for today. This bill that's been brought as if it were a real bill, brought, passed in the dead of night, brought with no debate, no discussion, no input, no process, a process that has stood us well for decades, for centuries, no process, no offshore exploration, no oil shale resources, no refineries, no drilling in ANWR, no nuclear, no coal, no energy, no nothing, and no commitment to the American people who support this and understand what we should be doing, what they deserve, what they respect, what is our job. What a hoax. What a disappointment.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, week after week, we have implored the Speaker of the House to address the most important issue of our day, and that is the energy crisis. The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) outlined some of the severe problems that people are having and will continue to have until we address this and do what they expect us to do. We hear rumors and hints about the possibility of a bill coming to the floor and finally, perhaps, an announcement that we can have a vote on this energy crisis and its solutions. Mr. Speaker, when I first read in the newspaper that Speaker Pelosi had decided to open the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling, I thought it was too good to be true. Unfortunately, it turns out I was right. It really was too good to be true. While all of the headlines proclaimed that the House would finally get to vote on a real energy bill that expands domestic production, it simply wasn't true. The Democrats' latest energy plan lists the current moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf and replaces it with a provision that virtually guarantees that no drilling will ever take place there. Democrats are proposing to ban all drilling up to 50 miles off the coast, cutting off all access to some of the most promising areas. Then between 50 and 100 miles of the coast, the Democratic plan leaves it up to the States to decide whether to allow drilling. However, their plan cleverly leaves out any incentives to the States to actually start drilling. Unlike the Democrats' bill, our all-of-the-above American Energy Act, which I'm proud to support, does not permanently lock up the most promising area for production. Instead, it allows the States to decide whether to allow drilling up to 50 miles off their coast, keeping those most promising areas available for consideration. It doesn't take an expert to see that by leaving out any sort of revenue sharing agreement my Democrat colleagues ensure that the States will have no real motivation to take any action whatsoever. The American Energy Act, on the other hand, provides appropriate incentives for the States to make sure they see some of the benefits of drilling off their shores. Our bill includes revenue sharing to provide the States with the financial motivation they need to act. States could use those royalties to benefit their citizens as they see fit. At the same time, all Americans would benefit from lower energy prices. This is a real energy bill. This is what citizens expect and deserve from us. Mr. Speaker, it's time to stop playing games and wasting time. Let's have a straight up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act and give Americans the relief they deserve. They can't wait any longer and they shouldn't have to.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, last week on Thursday we finished our week and our voting. Like most Members of the House here, I went back home to my district in Fort Worth, Texas, and there I spent the weekend talking to people, listening to people, receiving telephone calls. The question was, time and time again, Kay, what are they doing about energy? The answer was nothing. In addressing this crisis and the solutions to this energy crisis, a key to increasing the American production of energy is to increase our refinery capacity. As you know, it has been over 30 years since a new refinery was built in the United States. The refineries we do have are operating at near capacity, but we are not able to keep up with consumer demand. The United States consumed over 15 million barrels per day of petroleum products in the year 2004, and consumption is expected to increase to nearly 26.1 million barrels per day by 2025. That's why increasing refinery capacity is a key piece of the American Energy Act. Through many innovations, technology has changed a lot since the last U.S. refinery was built in 1976. We should use the advances we have made over the years to build new state-of-the-art facilities that can refine the oil and gas that we need. We need to cut the red tape that has prohibited us from moving forward. That is why I am proud of my colleagues, Heather Wilson and Joe Pitts, who have legislation, the American Energy Act, that would take the necessary steps to remove the bureaucratic roadblocks that have hampered new efforts to build new refinery facilities. Our country has the resources and the space available to increase our capacity and to do so in environmentally safe ways. An important part of our plan to increase our refinery capacity is using closed military installations to build new refineries. These bases provide the space we need to build refinery infrastructure quickly and get more refineries online as soon as possible. We have seen the impact of Mother Nature on our refinery infrastructure. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc on our refineries. During the current hurricane season, as much as 25 percent our Nation's refinery capacity has been taken offline in the wake of these terrible storms in Texas and along the gulf coast. We could greatly reduce the impact of these service interruptions if we had more refineries in this country. I completely understand increasing our refinery capacity is not the only answer to the energy crisis. I understand the need to look to the future toward alternatives, such as solar and wind. My home State of Texas is doing just that. But in the short-term, increasing our refinery capacity will give us the time to improve and increase these alternative forms of energy. Until we are able to rely more on these energy sources, we need to boost the source of energy that has powered this Nation in the 21st century. That's why I call on this body and the Democrats in this body for a vote, an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act, a comprehensive solution that has the support of the American people.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, as the previous speaker mentioned, in a normal time we would be debating this particular bill that has merit, I am sure. But these are not normal times. We are now in the last weeks before we adjourn this Congress, and we are not addressing the issue that is uppermost certainly in the minds of my constituents, and that is the energy crisis. I noticed recently we haven't been talking much about the energy potential of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR. There are rumors that we may have a bill this week on energy, but there is nothing mentioned about ANWR. Perhaps that is because the Democrats' later energy bill doesn't mention it at all. The American Energy Act, however, does give ANWR the attention it deserves. The American Energy Act opens the coastal plain of ANWR to drilling, limiting the footprint to just 2,000 acres. That is one one- hundredth of 1 percent of the whole refuge. I know we have all heard the comparison, but I think it is worth repeating. That is the size of a postcard on a football field. ANWR has over 10 billion barrels of recoverable oil. That is over twice the proven oil reserves in all my State of Texas. Once ANWR is on line, it could produce as much oil per day as the entire State of Texas. In addition to increasing the supply of oil and therefore reducing prices, the royalty and tax revenue from ANWR would be considerable. Congress has authorized several programs to help develop alternative and renewable energy sources. However, we have not been able to fully fund those initiatives, so have not seen the benefit we were hoping for when they became law. The American Energy Act reinvests any bonus bids and royalty revenue from ANWR into a trust fund to help fund these initiatives to develop alternative and renewable energy sources. Poll after poll shows that Americans want more domestic production. My office is flooded with calls and e-mails begging me to convince Speaker Pelosi to allow a vote on drilling in ANWR. We need to increase domestic production. We need to develop alternative energy sources. We need to make renewable energy sources more effective. Allowing access to ANWR, as outlined in the American Energy Act, accomplishes all of these objectives. Let's heed the call of the American people. After all, that is what we were elected to do. Let's take responsibility and vote today to give them the relief they so desperately are seeking. I invite my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us and vote for real solutions today, this week, on this energy crisis.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 4789.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Congresswoman Kay Granger. Project name (as it appears in the bill): Security Forces Building/ Combat Arms Addition. Amount received: $5 million. Bill number: H.R. 6599. Account: Air National Guard. Legal name and address of entity receiving earmark: 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard, JRB NAS Fort Worth, 200 Hensley Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76127-1672. Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: The Air Force has increased its need for Security Forces personnel. That has resulted in an increase of Security Forces personnel at the 136th Airlift Wing. Current space and facilities are inadequate (the building is less than 50 percent of the authorized and required size). The project is programmed for FY11 but needs to be constructed earlier to accommodate the training and readiness of the 136th Airlift Wing's growing force of Security Personnel and their role in the Global War on Terror. According to the Future Year Defense Plan, 96 percent of the amount received would go toward contract costs while the remaining 4 percent accounts for contingency, supervision, overhead, and inspection costs. Description of matching funds: Matching funds are not required for Military Construction projects.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, a new sense of optimism has emerged in the international community regarding Cyprus. Since the February 2008 election of Demetris Christofias as Greek Cypriot President, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities have met three times and have agreed to work toward a new federal partnership. The most recent meeting between the leaders of the Turkish and Greek Cypriots was held on July 1, 2008. As stated in the Joint Declaration, they decided to meet again on July 25 to review the final reports of the working groups and technical committees and also to announce the commencement of full-fledged negotiations. On April 24, 2000, after years of negotiations, both communities held separate votes on the United Nations Comprehensive Settlement Plan (Annan Plan). Turkish Cypriots approved the plan by 65 percent, while Greek Cypriots rejected it by 76 percent. Ironically, Greek Cypriots became members of the European Union, and Turkish Cypriots remained subject to political and economic isolation. Hopefully, the process can move forward. The international community should encourage the sides to reach a comprehensive and just solution which will bring peace and stability not only on the island but also to the region as a whole. As co-chair of the Turkey Caucus, I should inform my colleagues that Turkey continues to support Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet Ali Talat in his quest for a solution. Turkey will continue to support the process in good faith and encourages all sides to find an overdue solution to the Cyprus question.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 518, I would like to clarify that my intent was to vote ``yea.''

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans set forth an energy agenda that addresses the number one concern facing American families today: the high price of gasoline. The high price of gas is costing hardworking families an average of $4.11 a gallon. That's $1.70 more a gallon than it was in January 2007 with no relief in sight. Skyrocketing gas prices have taken a dramatic toll on almost every area of our lives. Families are having to adjust by tightening budgets and trimming back family vacations. Small businesses, like the ones in my district, are watching their profits shrink while making tough decisions about expanding their companies or being able to make their payroll. House Republicans have a plan that will increase production of American-made energy in an environmentally safe way. Our plan will promote new, clean, and reliable sources of energy while cutting red tape and increasing the supply of American-made fuel and energy. Our plan also encourages greater energy efficiency by offering conservation tax incentives to Americans who make their home, car, and businesses more energy efficient. House Republicans stand ready and willing to help American families combat the increased costs of energy. I invite my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, rise today to honor Hazel Harvey Peace, a longtime friend of District 12 and a Fort Worth icon, who passed from this life on June 8, 2008, at the age of 100. Hazel Harvey Peace, while small in physical stature, was a giant of a Texan who had a huge influence not only on the individuals who were fortunate enough to come within her sphere of influence during her long and fruitful life, but on her community, the state and the country. A native of Fort Worth, Hazel Harvey Peace was born on August 4, 1907 at a time when segregation was still alive and when opportunities for African Americans were still limited. Hazel Harvey Peace always exhibited that she was a special person. By the age of 13, she graduated from Fort Worth Colored High School, which later was renamed I.M. Terrell High School. By the age of 16, Mrs. Peace earned a bachelor's degree from Howard University, located in Washington, DC. She returned to Fort Worth to join the staff of her alma mater, I.M. Terrell High School, where she was a teacher and administrator for 46 years before retiring, for the first time. After her I.M. Terrell High School career, Mrs. Peace served nine years as the student affairs director and the financial aid coordinator of Bishop College in Dallas before retiring a second time. During her teaching career, Mrs. Peace earned a masters degree from Columbia University and did subsequent graduate work at other universities. While Hazel Harvey Peace may have retired from her professional career twice, she never retired from teaching, mentoring and kindly encouraging her former students, her neighbors, and her community. The cornerstone of her message and teaching was simple but powerful: attain the best education possible and always conduct yourself properly in your personal and professional lives. Generations of students fondly recall Mrs. Peace dedicating herself to arming them with knowledge that would enable each to be successful at whatever they chose in life, while also stressing what one student describes as ``proper conduct, proper diction, proper vocabulary, proper dress and proper carriage.'' Likewise, generations of community leaders, mayors, council members, city managers and other public stewards were the recipients of her wise counsel and of her vision to make the City of Fort Worth, the State of Texas and the United States of America a better place for generations to come. She rose to become the great dame of Fort Worth not because of wealth, not because of powerful position and not because of her station in life. Rather, she became one of the most influential women in Fort Worth's history because of her determination and dedication to inspire. Throughout the years, Mrs. Peace worked tirelessly not only for her students and the community's youth, but for the entire community. Her involvement included serving as co-chair for the City's Committee for the 150th Anniversary of Fort Worth, chairwoman of the Near Southeast Neighborhood Advisory Council and the United Community Centers, as well as service on other organizations such as the Tarrant County Housing Partnership, YWCA, Fort Worth Chapter of the NAACP and Women's Policy Forum Management Committee. Her numerous awards included Tarrant County Junior College Northeast Campus President's Cup Award, The Black Awareness Better Life Award, the Fort Worth School District's Distinguished Alumni Award and the Fort Worth Outstanding Women Award. In 2002 she was honored by being selected to be an Olympic Torchbearer as the torch made its way through Fort Worth. Because of her dedication to education and her belief that excellent libraries go hand in hand with education, the City of Fort Worth Central Library named its children's section the Hazel Harvey Peace Children's Library in 2002. To honor her life work, former students, friends and corporate citizens raised more than $350,000 in 2004 to create a Hazel Harvey Peace professorship at the University of North Texas in Denton, the first endowed professorship in Texas to be named for an African American woman at a four-year, publicly supported university. Our city, our state and our county are much better as a result of the life work of a wonderful, loving and dedicated woman-Hazel Harvey Peace. She will live forever in the thousands upon thousands of people she touched, from her students and children throughout the community, to her neighbors and public stewards. She will be missed but not forgotten.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine MAJ Megan McClung who was killed in Ramadi, Iraq on December 6, 2006. Major Megan Malia McClung graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1995. She later completed her masters in Criminal Justice through Boston University. Throughout her career, she was stationed at various posts. While at Camp Pendleton, she served as the Public Affairs and Media Officer. She later served at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island as the Academics and Scheduling Officer, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point as the Public Affairs Officer, and finally at Camp Lejeune, where she served as the East Coast Regional Representative for the Marine For Life program. Always dedicated to the mission in Iraq, Major McClung took a civilian position in public relations in Baghdad, Iraq in 2004. While there, she handled public relations preparation for Congressional hearings and escorted media throughout the theater. In 2006, she deployed with I Marine Expeditionary Force for one year in Al Anbar Province. While there, she worked as the Public Affairs Plans Officer at Camp Fallujah and later volunteered for duty with the Army's 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, operating in Ramadi. Major McClung, the first female Marine officer killed in the war, was a polished professional who received numerous accolades for her ability to communicate complex thoughts and issues to various and diverse audiences across the globe. She volunteered to serve and sought to be where she could make a difference. Of her service in Iraq, she told her friends, ``Before we leave here we will make Al Anbar a safer place.'' She accomplished her mission. In her passing, Major McClung has done what she did in life--bring people together to create a better understanding. I wish to extend my condolences to Major Megan McClung's family and hope that they continue to find solace in Major McClung's lasting impact on both her country and her Corps.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Captain Jennifer Harris, who was killed in a CH-46 crash outside of Baghdad on February 7, 2007. Captain Harris embodied many of the great traits our men and women are displaying both at home and abroad in three theaters of war. Captain Harris was dedicated to her Nation, her Corps, and to the Iraqi people. Captain Harris was a member of the United States Naval Academy's class of 2000 and graduated with an honors degree in political science and a minor in Spanish. She was a graduate of the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Instructor course in Yuma, Arizona. Accordingly, she served as a primary tactics instructor for her squadron, HMM-364. As the pilot training officer and lead instructor pilot, she was responsible for training new copilots and evaluating seasoned pilots for advanced designations. Captain Harris was one of only four Marine officers selected by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to represent the U.S. Marine Corps in the 2007 Senate Youth Program. She was to participate in the program after her return from her last deployment to Iraq. At the time of her death, Captain Harris was serving with HMM-364 as a CH-46 helicopter pilot in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, performing assault support, casualty evacuation, and combat raid missions. She gave her life so that the Iraqi people might have an opportunity for a better life. This was her third combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including the initial invasion operation from February to October 2003. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Captain Jennifer Harris's family and hope that they are able to find comfort in the knowledge that Captain Harris's countless selfless acts, including her ultimate selfless act, helped to provide opportunity for the people of Iraq.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 6041.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Mr. Michael J. Mocek on his upcoming retirement and thank him for his 37 years of Federal service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Texas, and our Nation. Mike has a long and distinguished history with the Corps of Engineers. Most of his Corps service has been with the Fort Worth Engineer District, where he served the last 12 years as the senior civilian and as the deputy district engineer and the chief of the Programs and Project Management Division. Among his many significant accomplishments in Texas was the successful completion of Jim Chapman and Ray Roberts Lakes in the 1980s. Mike's technical expertise and planning efforts on those projects provided those communities with vital flood protection and water supply. He also played an invaluable role in the successful approval of the Dallas Floodway Extension project, currently under construction, which will greatly improve the flood protection for that city. In recent years, Mike has been instrumental in getting Corps approval for one of my top priorities, the Central City Project in Fort Worth. This project will revitalize a portion of the downtown area and provide much needed recreation and park lands, ecosystem restoration, and future flood protection for our citizens. In addition, Mike has provided exceptional leadership for the Corps of Engineers in developing a partnership with the Texas Water Development Board to improve cooperation between the State and Federal government for water resource projects to meet the State's future water needs. Mike has also guided and overseen the management of one of the largest and most challenging military programs in the Corps, supporting flag ship installations such as Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, and Fort Sam Houston, as well as Lackland and Dyess Air Force Bases. His extraordinary leadership, dedication, and commitment led to the successful completion of many projects that have greatly improved the readiness of our forces and the quality of life for our soldiers, airmen and their families. He did all of this while concurrently serving in the Army Reserves, and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 2005, Mike was selected as the top civilian for the Corps of Engineers for achieving the highest overall standards of excellence and for his many significant contributions to the missions, prestige and reputation of the entire Corps. He was very deserving of this honor. He has mentored many senior military officers and continues to be sought out for his expertise, wise counsel, and advice. Though he received many offers for senior executive promotions throughout the years that would have taken him from Texas, Mike elected to remain in his home State where he felt his efforts would best serve his fellow Texans. In the Fort Worth community, Mike has been a well-known and trusted leader and public servant. Both he and his wife, Betty, have served their community well. As an ordained deacon at Holy Family Catholic Church, he provides counsel and spiritual guidance to those who seek it. Betty has taught elementary school students for many years and is currently teaching 4th grade at Tanglewood Elementary School in Fort Worth I am indeed honored to have worked with Mike over the last several years as a Member of Congress, and before that as mayor of Fort Worth. I appreciate Mike's long, dedicated, and faithful service to the Fort Worth community, the State of Texas and our Nation. I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Because community health care centers provide families and the community with a health care safety net they can rely on and also ease the burden of our entire system, they're becoming increasingly important to meeting a national demand. Health care should be affordable, accessible and convenient so that individuals and families can access care when they're sick and get the care they need. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1343.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Health Centers Renewal Act. As important as this bill is to local communities, I believe the first thing we should be dealing with is gas prices and the devastating effect it's having on American families. Unfortunately, the majority refuses to deal with this issue. Our Nation has over 1,000 community health centers which provide high-quality, affordable primary health care to more than 16 million Americans in over 6,000 communities nationwide. I come from Fort Worth, Texas and was mayor there before I came to Congress. When I was mayor, we didn't have a community health center in Fort Worth. And I quickly realized the need for one because of the huge concentration of people we had who weren't able to access health care except for emergency centers. When I came to Congress, I sat on the committee that funds health centers and worked to get a community health center in Fort Worth. We now have the Albert Galvan Health Clinic in Fort Worth, which serves a terrific need. Parents who take their children to the center have developed a relationship with a primary care physician who can track families and their needs. They're also receiving good preventative care, which is taking away the need to visit an emergency room. In Texas, community health centers are helping ease the burden tremendously on hospitals and local providers across the State, with 10 percent of low-income, uninsured Texans now relying on community health centers for their primary care. Texas health centers are caring for over 700,000 patients. Nationally they're having a strong impact as well. A 2006 study by the National Association of Community Health Centers shows the number of patients treated by health centers increased by 46 percent between 1999 and 2004. Overall, it's estimated community health centers care for over 17 million underserved people in rural and urban areas across the country. However, there is still a great need for more community health centers. Too many families have to drive long distances to reach a health center, and with gas prices at an all-time high, many families can't afford the drive to the doctor. Thirty-six million people--one in eight Americans--don't have a doctor or regular source of care. If these 36 million Americans did have a regular source of care at a community health center, billions of dollars in health care costs could be saved from reduced ER visits. There is evidence that people who get most of their primary care from a health center have 41 percent lower overall health care costs than the others who don't, saving Federal dollars of $10 to $17 billion in 2007 alone. Health care centers are considered one of the most effective government programs in the country and have a solid record of keeping communities healthy and disease free.

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 the FY2009 National Defense Authorization bill. For the project titled ``Security Forces Building, 136th Airlift Wing, Fort Worth'' in H.R. 5658, the MILCON Air National Guard Account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is Texas Air National Guard, 136th Airlift Wing, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX. A new facility is needed at JRB NAS Fort Worth for the Security Forces Squadron and for Combat Arms Training Simulator/Combat Arms Training Maintenance. This requirement is a result of the Air Force's increased need for Security Forces personnel and the resulting increase of Security Forces personnel at the 136th Airlift Wing. Current space and facilities are inadequate; they are less than half the authorized size for the current number of personnel assigned and current training/deployment requirements. This facility needs to be constructed as soon as possible because the number of security personnel for the 136th Airlift Wing is growing quickly. Funds will be used toward the construction of this facility. For the project titled ``F-22A Raptor'' in H.R. 5686, the Aircraft Procurement--Air Force Account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is United Technologies, 1401 Eye Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20005-6523 (Subcontractor to Lockheed Martin-- Fort Worth, Texas). The F-22A Raptor is the only fighter that can provide air dominance necessary to ensure freedom of action for U.S. allied ground, air, and naval forces in contingency and combat forces. The F-22A Raptor provides 5th generation stealth, supercruise, vectoring thrust agility and integrated weapons capability to provide air dominance. Growing threats from modern surface to air missiles; new 5th generation fighters in development by potential adversaries; and loss of significant numbers of the current air superiority fighter (the F-15 Eagle) demand continued F-22 production beyond the current F-22 multi-year procurement. Funds would be used for advance procurement of F-22A Raptors. For the project titled ``C-I7A Globemaster III'' in H.R. 5658, Aircraft Procurement, Air Force account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is The Boeing Company, 3855 N Lakewood Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90846 (As prime contractor to Vought Aircraft Industries). The C-17 is the primary U.S. heavy airlift aircraft that can also operate intratheater on unimproved airfields. C-17 has flown approximately 80 percent of the strategic airlift missions for military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as serving as the workhorse for disaster relief in Asia and the United States' Gulf Coast. The program will provide improved military capability to fulfill needs as identified by the Department of Defense. Funds will be used for procurement of C-17s. For the project titled ``Podded Reconnaissance System, SCATHE VIEW (C-130H)'' in H.R. 5686, the Aircraft Procurement--Air Force account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is ATK Integrated Systems, 236 Citation Drive, Fort Worth, TX, 76106. SCATHE VIEW provides the war fighter with significant improvements in identifying time-critical targets, and in saving lives. The SCATHE VIEW program currently operates eight C-130H airframes, modified to carry a sensor suite pallet. All assets--including five sensor pallets--are stationed with the Air National Guard's 152nd Intelligence Squadron (IS) in Reno, Nevada. Recent deployments to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have been very successful in finding improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and in locating and destroying high value targets. SCATHE VIEW has also provided critical situational awareness by providing day and night imagery during domestic forest fires, and in search and rescue efforts. The program will provide improved military capability to meet an unmet need identified by the Department of Defense. Approximately 10 percent of funds will be used for the Blue Force Tracker, 40 percent for 3rd Aircrew Position, and 50 percent for Tactical Information Broadcast Service. For the project titled ``UH-60A to UH-60L Upgrades'' in H.R. 5686, the Aircraft Procurement--Army Account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is United Technologies, 1401 Eye Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20005-6523, and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, A United Technologies Company, 4800 Overton Plaza, Ft Worth, TX 76109-4428. The Army has begun procuring new ``M'' series Black Hawks for utility, special operations, and MEDEVAC missions to replace the older ``A'' series models. The project also continues modernizing UH-60A helicopters through a UH-60A re-capitalization program. The current re-capitalization program includes an airframe life extension, fleet-wide product improvements and the replacement of components with the latest UH-60L configuration. While performing this recapitalization, the addition of the UH-60L transmission, UH-60L 701D engines and other enhancements complete the upgrade at a cost of an additional $1.5M per aircraft. Funds will be used for these costs. For the project titled ``RC-26B Modernization'' in H.R. 5686, the Aircraft Procurement--Air Force Account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is ATK Integrated Systems, 236 Citation Drive, Fort Worth, TX, 76106. 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. Funds 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. For the project titled ``Enhanced Holographic Imager (EHI)'' in H.R. 5686, the RDT&E--Army account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is Zebra Imaging, Inc., 9801 Metric Blvd., Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758. 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. Approximately 55 percent of funds will be used to complete design of a system and lab test prototype, 20 percent for the development of a prototype post-processor, and 25 percent to construct and test an in-field beta prototype. For the project titled ``Center for Geospatial Intelligence & Investigation (GII)'' in H.R. 5658, RDT&E--Navy account, the legal name and address of the requesting entity is Texas State University San Marcos, Center for Geospatial Intelligence & Investigation, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666. 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. Approximately 30 percent of funds will be used for personnel, 10 percent for equipment, and 60 percent for other incidental costs such as travel.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 175, 176, 177, 180, and 182 I am not recorded because I was absent due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 147, 153, 154, 155, 164, 165, 174, 178, 179, and 181 I am not recorded because I was absent due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Ensuring Student Access to Student Loans Act of 2008. This bill is designed to increase investor confidence in the marketplace by authorizing the Secretary of Education to purchase student loans. This will free up liquidity for new loans and show lenders that student loans are a safe and secure investment. We are facing uncertain economic times. This bill will help ensure that loans will continue to be available to students. Every student should have the opportunity to attend college. But, unfortunately, the cost of college is increasing, which has become a barrier for students and families. This bill increases the loan limit for Stafford Loans in order to allow students to receive more Federal funding. Making more aid available to students will make college more accessible and affordable to students and families. But it is not just the cost of college that is a challenge. The free application for Federal student aid form, or FAFSA, as it is known, is complicated and cumbersome for students and families to complete. The FAFSA form is so complicated that it has deterred many students and families from applying for aid. As we consider this bill and other higher education bills we should work to simplify the FAFSA form to help ensure that students and families have access to the financial aid that they need in order to attend college. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5715.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, today is day 25 since the Democrat majority let the bipartisan Protect America Act expire, leaving our intelligence community without the full range of resources necessary to monitor foreign targets and leaving our country in danger. It's truly disappointing that the strong bipartisan Senate bill might not be considered by the House before we go into a 2-week Easter recess period. Our intelligence community needs a long-term fix for the gaps in our intelligence laws, not short-term Band-Aids or political holdups. Senator John Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, after the bill passed the Senate a few weeks ago, said: ``This is the right way to go in terms of the security of our Nation.'' In the House, 21 Democrats have urged the Speaker to support the Senate-passed bill, and the House Republican conference supports the Senate bill. The support for the bipartisan Senate bill is strong and continuing to grow. Now is the time to act to provide our intelligence community all the tools necessary and to provide important retroactive liability protection that our telecommunications companies deserve when we ask for their help. I urge the House to pass the Senate FISA bill before we leave this week. Anything short of passage is an unfortunate and dangerous risk.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, once again the Protect America Act is set to expire. If the bipartisan Senate FISA bill is not passed in time, our intelligence agency will be blinded to our enemies' plans and required to consult a lawyer before eavesdropping on foreign terrorists. The House should immediately pass the Senate's bipartisan bill which passed the Senate by a 68-29 vote. Our intelligence community needs a long-term fix in our intelligence laws, not a month-to-month extension. More importantly, the Senate FISA bill grants liability protection to telecommunications companies that helped the government after September 11. Allowing these companies to be subjected to frivolous lawsuits threatens their cooperation in the future. This could have a crippling effect on America's counterterrorism efforts. Yesterday, the Democrat majority chose partisan politics in the face of a strong bipartisan solution that directly determines the fate of our intelligence gathering abilities, and the House Democrat leadership failed. The American people have asked for solutions, not political grandstanding. We should take up the bipartisan Senate FISA bill immediately. This cannot wait until we return from the President's Day recess.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, it's been over 140 days since the House passed the MilCon-VA appropriations bill. Already a month into the new fiscal year and we have yet to send a single appropriations bill to the President, including the bill that funds our veterans. We should have sent the President the MilCon-VA appropriations bill weeks ago when the Senate appointed their conferees, but the Democrat House leadership consistently refused to do so. Our veterans deserve better, and the actions of the majority are completely unacceptable. House Republicans have been asking for weeks, and we're standing united today, asking the MilCon-VA appropriations bill be sent to the President, standing alone, and not attached to the expensive Labor-HHS appropriations bill. The Labor-HHS bill is $9.8 billion over the President's request, and the President's been waiting to veto it since it passed the House. Our veterans deserve better. They shouldn't be used as a political tool for the majority. Those who have sacrificed so much for their country deserve to be Congress' first priority.