Ralph Hall

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank Mr. Matheson and his fine staff, the staffs on both sides of the aisle, for doing a very good job on this bill. Madam Speaker, I rise today, of course, in support of H.R. 2339, the Produced Water Utilization Act of 2008. I introduced H.R. 2339 in May of last year, and it was recently reported out of the Committee of Science and Technology by a voice vote. It comes to the floor today with unanimous, bipartisan support. For those who are not familiar with the term, the Department of the Interior defines produced water as mainly salty water trapped in reservoir rock and brought up along with oil or gas during production. Produced water cannot, in its current form, be used for any purposes, and it is most commonly reinjected into the ground at great expense to small producers across the country. Each barrel of oil produced generates approximately 10 barrels of produced water, and we currently produce over 5 billion gallons of produced water a day in the United States. That is enough water to accommodate 14.3 million homes a day. As we are facing shortages in energy and water, my bill could not be more timely, in my opinion. H.R. 2339 is legislation that has two main purposes: one, increasing domestic energy production by lowering production costs for small producers; two, increasing the amount of water available for agricultural, irrigational, municipal, and industrial uses by making produced water usable. The Produced Water Utilization Act will provide important funding for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies to purify and use produced water. There is a critical interdependency between energy and water. Water is needed to produce energy, and the treatment and distribution of water requires energy, and as our population grows, so will the demands grow on both. According to a report by the Department of Energy on the Interdependency of Energy and Water, ``The lack of integrated energy and water planning and management has already impacted energy production in many basins and regions across the country. For example, in three of the fastest growing regions in the country, the Southeast, Southwest, and the Northwest, new power plants have been opposed because of potential negative impacts on water supplies. Also, recent droughts and emerging limitations of water resources have many States, including Texas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, scrambling to develop water use priorities for different water use sectors.'' We obviously need to take a serious look at how we can avoid a water/ energy crisis, and my bill certainly helps. Madam Speaker, produced water is currently considered an expensive nuisance by oil and gas producers, but it could be--no, it needs to be--considered a valuable, usable commodity. With the research and development set forth in the Produced Water Utilization Act, we can make it happen. I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill. Mr. GINGREY, Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2339-- the Produced Water Utilization Act of 2008--introduced by the Ranking Member of the Science Committee, Mr. Hall of Texas. I want to thank Mr. Hall for constructing this important legislation and for the leadership he has provided to the Committee throughout the 110th Congress. Produced water is comprised of mainly salty water that is trapped in reservoir rock below ground. It comes to the surface when drilling for oil or natural gas and usually contains oil and metals from production. Approximately 10 barrels of produced water are captured for every barrel of oil derived, and that results in a total of 15-20 billion barrels of produced water generated here in the United States on an annual basis. H.R. 2339 directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program for research and development to harvest produced water in an environmentally safe way for irrigation, municipal, and industrial purposes. Once this program is established, we can help address the droughts that are occurring across the country--including in my Northwest Georgia district--simply by providing the public with additional water resources. Madam Speaker, the United States could be generating even more produced water if the Democratic Majority would allow for the environmentally safe drilling of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Polls show that a majority of Americans would support energy exploration in a small portion of ANWR, which could yield an additional 1.5 million barrels of oil a day. These efforts have unfortunately been foiled by radical environmentalists, content with skyrocketing gas prices. So, Madam Speaker, to be clear: if we open up ANWR for drilling and enact this legislation, not only will we help reduce the price that the American people are paying at the pump, but we will also be better prepared to stave off anticipated drought conditions across the country. H.R. 2339 only reinforces the need for us to drill here and drill now: to save money at the pump and increase the amount of water we have available in the United States. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, next Wednesday, July 30th, will mark the 100th birthday of Mrs. Elyse Johnston of DeKalb, Texas. I am honored to join Congressman Kevin Brady in recognizing her today and sharing a small part of her life's story. Born in Quitman, Texas, to Samuel Jackson Benton and Margaret Florence Jones Benton, Mrs. Johnston has witnessed a tremendous amount of change in her 100 years. When she entered the world, the Wright Brothers had only recently made history in North Carolina, and Henry Ford was still a few months away from introducing the world to the Model T. One hundred years later, the world is a much different place. Most of my colleagues will shortly get on a plane holding hundreds of people to get home for the weekend and will be delivered to the airport through considerable traffic congestion by cars that can hardly be compared to Ford's cutting edge invention. Through her early years of education in Quitman, the one thing that made Elyse happy was music and playing the piano. This would become her lifelong passion. Starting with the First Baptist Church, Elyse played in too many revivals to count. Her reputation as a pianist spread and soon she was being asked to play for all the Methodist church revivals as well. Because she always loved to dance, she claimed to be a ``Baptist with Methodist feet.'' She was elected a Burleson Beauty while she completed her college studies at Burleson College and prepared to enter the working world as a teacher. After 2 years of teaching in Pleasant Ridge, she scraped together enough money to purchase a Ford Roadster and move back to Quitman. It was here that she would meet her future husband, Bentley Johnston, and where they would have their first date on Easter Sunday. It was clear to Bentley that he had met his bride to be, and he was so distracted that he skipped on his responsibility of watching the holiday dinner and the family ended up eating a burned roast for Easter. After getting married, they moved to DeKalb and began farming cotton and soy beans and raising cattle. Times were hard during the Depression, but they managed in part due to the large garden and fruit trees that Elyse was able to maintain and use to help make ends meet by supplying groceries to the area families. The family sacrificed to keep the farm going through the Depression and 5 straight years of crop failure; that old Roadster Elyse saved to buy lost its engine to keep a tractor in the fields. After several years on the farm, the family moved back to town in 1951. Her love of the piano has never ended and as a church pianist, she has played in revivals and choirs for 42 years and made a name for herself through her showy offertories, leading one pastor to encourage her with, ``Well, swing it sister!'' Elyse helped raise two daughters who still live in DeKalb. She celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary with Bentley shortly before he passed away in 1980. Her ``Methodist Feet'' haven't left her yet, and she still enjoys community shows, working in the garden and playing cards. ``Nanny'' to her six grandchildren and five great grandchildren, she is still very much independent and shows no signs of slowing down. Madam Speaker, Congressman Brady and I ask those in the chamber and our colleagues to join us in wishing a very happy 100th birthday to Mrs. Elyse Johnston.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Dr. Gingrey, I thank you very much. I rise today to talk about a bill that I introduced just today, this very day. And, yes, Dr. Gingrey is, I think, the fourth cosponsor on the bill. I have 40 or 45, somewhere in that area. Only four have failed to cosponsor it. They simply want copies of it, and they will cosponsor it. I didn't ask one single member of the Democratic Party to endorse it or to cosponsor it because I want to give them time to look at it, to talk to their Speaker, to see what she thinks about it. I don't want to put them in a bad situation with their Speaker. I hope she is going to accept this bill because I think all of us, Republicans and Democrats alike, want to solve the problem of high prices at the pump that are putting people out of business, that are costing jobs, that are causing airlines to fly full and losing money. And, yes, you have heard this before, a hundred and one times, that my bill's different. But this bill is different. It's H.R. 6579. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about this bill just a little bit. It was just this day introduced toward affordable energy independence, and that's a word we have heard. Dr. Gingrey has been going over it here this evening. We hear it day in and day out. I hear it all the time when I go back to the Fourth District of Texas. My bill is totally different from the multiple attempts to drill on ANWR. And just stay with me. I offer something different. I offer something that should appeal to anyone who believes in States' rights. This bill came to mind last week when I said to myself if we can't drill on ANWR, let's give it back to those who can. So stay with me. This is a little bit different. It's called the New Resources for Domestic Consumption Act. It transfers the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, called ANWR, to the State of Alaska. Give it back to them for their environmentally responsible work and exploration and development of oil that's to be explicitly used for domestic purposes or consumption only. By that I mean none of this is going outside the United States, and that's embodied in this bill. According to the United States Geological Survey, there is an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil in ANWR, which equates to 25 years of Middle East imports that we have to rely on today. This would be one of the largest oil fields ever developed in the United States. This is the answer now and not 10 years from now. You hear it said, oh, we can't drill on ANWR and people are against drilling on ANWR. Many environmentalists who don't want us to drill on pristine ANWR say, oh, it would be 10 years before you would get any energy from them. That's just not true. That's not true at all. Let me just talk a little bit about it. In addition to producing much-needed oil under this bill, the Federal Government will receive much-needed royalties if we give it back to Alaska. I'm saying transfer this by deed, transfer it back to Alaska, and let them make their own decisions about ANWR. We have not been able to get a bill through, and there have been many bills tried. None of them have reached the President's desk except one. It reached Bill Clinton's desk 10, 11, or 12 years ago. He vetoed it or we might have some $2 gasoline today. The Congressional Research Service has predicted that with oil at $145 a barrel, ANWR's 10.4 billion barrels would deliver $221.7 billion in corporate income taxes, not just wages, in corporate income taxes and royalty revenue to Uncle Sam. So what's important about that? Well, I will tell you. This bill would mean more American dollars staying in the United States, not going to OPEC countries, and would result in more jobs for the entire country. A study from the National Defense Council Foundation says the figure could be as high as 1 million new jobs for Americans in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. A principal argument against it, let me talk about that for a minute. A principal argument against using oil from the Coastal Plain of ANWR to help bring down gasoline prices is that ``it will take 10 years to produce oil because it is on Federal Government land.'' Well, the State of Alaska has a lot better track record than almost anyone else I know about. In 10 years America's largest oil field at Prudhoe Bay, adjacent to ANWR, was discovered and developed, in 10 years. And the building of the 800-mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline that crosses two mountain ranges and many rivers was designed and constructed. The infrastructure is in place for expeditious and environmentally friendly development and production of oil, and the people of Alaska stand ready and willing to help, as they have helped in previous crises in American history. The attack on Pearl Harbor spawned the construction of the Alaska Highway, a 1,522-mile-long highway stretch that was built in just 6 months in 1942. In the 1970s our Nation faced an energy crisis as a result of the Arab oil embargo, and in a close vote in the U.S. Senate, Congress finally approved construction of the Alaska Pipeline. Both times the people of Alaska stepped up to the plate on behalf of all Americans, and today we need their help once more. As a Texan in one of the producing States--ten States produce energy for this country and Texas is one of them--and as an American, I say let's not hold Alaskans hostage to congressional gridlock. Let's give it back to them. Now, who's for giving it back to them? According to a Dittman Research Poll, more than 75 percent of the Alaskans support exploration and production, and these are people there on the ground in Alaska, on the Coastal Plain of ANWR. As well, the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on June 23 of 2008, just several days ago, asking Congress to authorize development of oil and gas on the Coastal Plain of ANWR. More recently, Governor Palin issued this following statement: ``I strongly support environmentally responsible oil and gas development in the Coastal Plain of ANWR because production there would promote the economic and national security interests of the United States.'' She would know better than anybody, and she would have more say over who produced there and how they produced it and how environmentally perfect they were because she's there. She lives there. This is where they are. ``The decision on how best to accomplish this objective rests with Congress,'' she says. ``However,'' she says, ``I would support any reasonable approach, even including the possibility of State ownership of the Coastal Plain, to facilitate production.'' Governor Palin continued: ``The important thing is that Congress expeditiously authorize exploration and development in the most promising unexplored petroleum province in North America. If Congress elects to transfer the Coastal Plain of ANWR to the State, I promise, on an expedited basis, to initiate a program to explore and develop the petroleum resources located there''--we have never had that promise before from anybody else--``subject to the safeguards,'' the safeguards that she is going to put in, ``designed to protect and preserve the natural resources of the Coastal Plain, including the fish and the wildlife.'' Now, who else is for this? Don Young was the second person to cosponsor this. He's the Congressman for all of Alaska. The two Senators are for it. I don't think there is any question that they will protect their own State. Mr. Speaker, since the 96th Congress, there have been 19 votes on the House floor that pertained to allowing drilling in ANWR. 19 times on this floor this body has said yes, we want to drill on ANWR. And all of those times, except one time, when President Clinton vetoed it, it failed in the other body. Votes in the House of Representatives on energy development within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are as follows, and these aren't all of them. I am just going to touch a few of them to let you know that we have been doing it a long, long time. In 1979, in section 152, on a voice roll call, Udall-Anderson substitute for H.R. 39 adopted by the House, including provisions designating all of ANWR as a wilderness. H.R. 39 passed the House, 360- 65. Then on 11/12/1980 it was voice voted, a unanimous vote, Congress, of H.R. 39 passed the House. In the 104th, in 1995, the House agreed 237-189, the conference report to H.R. 2491, reconciliation of a large bill that included the 1002 area development provisions. That is the ANWR development. In 2001, the House passed the Sununu amendment to H.R. 4, to limit specified surface development of that same area in ANWR to a total of 2,000 acres, which we agreed, to which the Governor has indicated that all is the only amount she will take. And yes, Dr. Gingrey told you a moment ago how really ridiculous it is to say that if you drill on 2,000 acres in 19 million acres, that that would ruin the beautiful pristine part of Alaska. That is outrageous. As he said, it is like putting a dollar bill in the end zone of Texas Stadium or in the Yankee baseball field, putting one in any part of the field and saying it ruins the whole baseball stadium or ruins the football field. It is just outrageous, it is not true, and it is almost silly. In 2001, article 317, the House rejected the Markey-Johnson amendment to H.R. 4, to strike this 1002 area. That is the area we are wanting to develop. It was passed. They rejected Mr. Markey. On 8/2 2002, H.R. 4, an omnibus energy bill, passed the House. Title V of Division F contained the 1002 area development provisions. And again, in 2003, the House passed the Wilson amendment to H.R. 6, to limit certain features, but still to drill on the 1002 area. Again, in 2003, again in November of 2003, the House passed a comprehensive energy bill. And again, in 2005, the House adopted 218-214 the concurrent budget resolution, H. Con. Res. 95, which included spending targets that would be difficult to achieve unless ANWR development legislation was passed. In 2005 the House rejected, again, the Markey amendments to strike the ANWR provision in its omnibus energy bill, again, saying we need to drill in ANWR. Again, in 2005, the House passed an omnibus energy bill, and in 2005, in section 669, the House adopted the conference report on the defense appropriations bill which would have allowed oil and gas leasing in ANWR. I could go on and on, but on 8/4/2007, the House rejected a motion to recommit H.R. 3221 to the Energy and Committee with instructions to report back with language authorizing ANWR development. And then 5/14/2008, the House rejected a motion to instruct conferees for S. Con. Res. 70 to adjust budget levels to assure increased revenues from opening ANWR to development. That is 19 times I think that has happened. Not one of these votes has led to us letting an overwhelming number of Alaskans do what we have been asking them to do. Let's give it back to them. I understand and agree with the desire and the need to maintain pristine environments in our great and vast country. But it is impossible for opposition groups to mislead, and it is irresponsible for them to mislead the public into thinking that the Coastal Plain is the wild and scenic area they would like to point to in photographs. Let me show you, here is the wild and scenic area. Let me just show you this for a moment. This is the area that they are talking about, and it all looks just exactly like that. The truth is the Coastal Plain is just exactly what it says; it is plain. There are no trees or snow- capped mountains with streams running through them. This is what the Coastal Plain looks like right here. That is what they are talking about wanting to save. How many of you have ever seen it? I doubt if there is anybody within the sound of my voice or reaching here that have seen that, have even been up there to see it. I have never been there. I bet there haven't been 10 people out of this Congress have ever seen ANWR. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is 19.2 million acres. The Coastal Plain is 1.5 million acres of that. And point to poster 2, right here it is. This is the wilderness right here. This is the little area that they have set out to send back to Alaska, and this is the area that there are no trees or no snow-covered mountains with streams running through them. The Coastal Plain, allowing the Alaskans to drill responsibly on the Coastal Plain in not going to ruin ANWR, nor will it ruin the experience of the average of 1,200 visitors a year to the refuge. So I would just say to you, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. This is a different bill. There has never been a bill like this involving ANWR. And it will allow them to move through the legislative process and come to the House floor for a vote. Actually, I tried to speak today to the Speaker. I have asked only Republicans to sign on to my bill. I have not asked a single Democrat to because I am not asking them to sign something that I think that their leader may object to. I don't think she is going to object to it. Here is what I intend to do. I tried to see her today, but logically she had appointments. I went over and waited a while, but we were in session. I just missed her. She would have been courteous enough to give me a hearing if I could have waited for her. But I am going to talk to her again tomorrow. I want to impress upon her that this bill is different, that this is a different situation. The President didn't set ANWR up for drilling when he encouraged us to do some drilling on some other areas. Neither of the aspirants for President have set up ANWR up. Madam Speaker, you could be alone on this. You could be alone in giving back to the people of Alaska the right to protect themselves. They may not drill. You are not directing them to drill. You are authorizing them to drill. I just hope very much that procrastination has cost Americans dearly at the gas pump. We can't afford to wait any longer. We have an emergency, we have a crisis, Americans need our help.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to honor the Senior Citizens of Grayson County for all of their services rendered to the community, and I would especially like to acknowledge the dedication exhibited by Harold and Hazel Wright of Sherman, Texas. Harold and Hazel have been extremely active and influential in their community for over 20 years. They represented the Texoma Council of Governments at the White House Conference on Aging two years ago and were crowned Mr. & Mrs. Senior Citizen of Grayson County. It is because of dedicated individuals such as the Wrights that President George W. Bush fittingly proclaimed the month of May, `Older Americans Month' on April 22nd of this year. During Older Americans Month, we recognize the many ways older citizens have enriched our Nation through their character, wisdom, and service. America's seniors provide an example for younger generations, and during Older Americans Month, we reflect on their efforts toward building a stronger and brighter future for all. Our country remains forever in their debt, as older Americans have provided a guiding light for the rest of the Nation to follow. With this in mind, I and Rep. Frank Pallone introduced H.R. 3701, Keeping Seniors Safe from Falls Act in September of 2007. I was pleased when Congress approved the bill, which was later signed by the President of the United States and made public law. This legislation will develop effective strategies to raise awareness about elder falls, encourage research, and support demonstration projects to help prevent falls among senior citizens, as Elder falls are one of the leading risks for Americans 65 years old and above. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will oversee and support demonstrations, research projects, and grants for local and state education campaigns to help achieve these goals. The legislation was endorsed by the Falls Free Coalition Advocacy Work Group, led by the National Council on Aging, the National Safety Council, the Home Safety Council, AARP, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Physical Therapy Association. Our country remains strong because of the foundation our elders have helped lay, and we commend older Americans for the many contributions they have made and will continue to make to our Nation.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to Dr. Weldon, the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield the gentleman an additional minute.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I yield to Mr. Feeney, the gentleman from Florida, 3 minutes.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I rise to claim the time, and I am going to encourage my colleagues to support this amendment. But first I want to yield 3 minutes to Mr. Feeney, the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume and make sure that I can reserve enough for those that will follow me. Madam Chairman, H.R. 6063, sponsored by my good friend Mark Udall, authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 2009. As our chairman has very adequately stated, it's a product of very close bipartisan consultation and cooperation led by Chairman Udall and by Chairman Gordon. Representative Tom Feeney, ranking member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, and I are original cosponsors of this bill, and it builds a 1-year authorization. The intent of the bill is to keep NASA on its current path towards completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle, maintaining a balanced set of science and aeronautics research programs, and developing a new launch system capable of taking humans beyond the low earth orbit, a feat the Shuttle cannot do. The bill is also meant to reaffirm Congress's unwavering support for NASA so as to remove any doubt the next administration might have about Congress's commitment to NASA's program and to NASA's policies. By being a 1-year bill, it also is designed, I think, to not tie the hands of the next administration to a long-term strategy. To the contrary, H.R. 6063 is designed to give the next President an opportunity to work with the next Congress to fashion a long-term strategy that is consistent with the administration's desires as well as the wishes of Congress. H.R. 6063 contains a number of important provisions. It authorizes $19.2 billion for NASA for fiscal year 2009 and provides an additional $1 billion to accelerate development of the new Constellation crew vehicle launch system. It emphasizes that NASA should maintain a strong and balanced array of science, aeronautics, and human spaceflight programs and also directs NASA to fly out its full manifest of Shuttle missions, including those dedicated to flying spare parts to the International Space Station, as well as adding a flight to take the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the ISS as we originally committed to do so some years ago. This experiment was stricken from the Shuttle manifest following the Columbia tragedy, but I think given the huge sunk investment in AMS, we ought to make good on our original commitments to fly this expensive instrument to the ISS. H.R. 6063 directs NASA to continue the important task of developing the Constellation system which will provide our country with a modern, more robust and safer manned spaceflight capability that will enable our astronauts to fly out of low earth orbit, an ability we haven't had since the retirement of Apollo over 30 years ago. As most of you are aware, once the Shuttle is retired at the end of this decade, our country will have to buy seats from the Russians for as long as maybe 5 years even to assure U.S. presence on the International Space Station. Our payments for rides on Soyuz spacecraft have not yet been negotiated, but it's going to be expensive. NASA estimates it will cost more than $2 billion, and sadly, we're making these purchases at a time when NASA will be laying off thousands of engineers and technicians from the Shuttle program in an effort to minimize our reliance on the Russians. As I mentioned a moment ago, this bill authorizes an additional $1 billion to speed up the development of the new Constellation system. This initial investment is more than justified. This bill also includes a number of provisions to encourage NASA working with the private sector to foster development of a domestic cargo launch capability primarily designed to take supplies to the space station. In addition, 6063 includes language directing NASA to solicit for commercial crew launch capability. Turning to other parts of NASA, let me quickly say H.R. 6063 embraces a number of recommendations that were put forth by the witnesses from government, from industry, from academia, and testified, all of them testified in hearings before our committee over the previous 18 months. These are sensible provisions designed to strengthen aeronautic space science and earth science research programs, encourage technology, risk reduction policies and activities, foster efficient technology, transfer from NASA to other Federal agencies under the private sector, detect and mitigate the threat of near-earth objects, and research and monitor the effects of space weather on satellites. This list is not exhaustive, but I wanted to mention these few examples to emphasize to all Members the breadth of this bill and how it improves upon many of NASA's activities and programs. So as we stand here today, the space shuttle is in orbit, wrapping up another assembly mission to the International Space Station. May I add that the spouse of one of our Members, Representative Giffords of Arizona, is currently commanding this mission. NASA has had two other recent success activities. Just 15 days ago, the Phoenix Mars Lander successfully completed a soft landing on the red planet's surface and is in the early stages of searching for evidence of ice and organic compounds. And yesterday, NASA successfully launched a gamma-ray large area space telescope onboard a Delta II rocket. These are but three of the most current NASA accomplishments. There are many, many other great achievements in aeronautics, space science, and Earth science research that I could talk about, but time doesn't permit. Suffice it to say that NASA is one of the most exciting and innovative Federal agencies, and it serves as a huge inspiration to our young people to take a serious interest in math and science education. Before closing, I want to point out that during development of this bill, the subcommittee Democratic staff have been very open and forthright, sharing early ideas and drafts of the bill with our Republican staff. It has been a close and productive partnership, and I want to especially praise the work and hard work of my good, personal friend Dick Obermann. And I certainly want to thank our chairman, Chairman Bart Gordon. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to place in the Congressional Record the following winning essay, which Ashita Ganguly, a Senior at Paris High School in Paris, Texas, submitted to the Air Force Essay Contest. Part of the Air Force Mission Statement Is ``Excellence in All We Do''; What Does This Mean To You? Excellence is a tradition that beats proudly in the hearts of all Americans. The United States Air Force is a specific example of the furtherance of such a tradition. Since its formation in 1947, the Air Force has relentlessly strived to serve and protect America and her people with unyielding strength, valor, and conviction. Although it has established itself as the largest and most technologically advanced air force in the world, it is the spirited and courageous men and women, selflessly serving their country and fellow citizens, who truly distinguish the United States Air Force from all others. Webster defines excellence as unusual goodness or worth. Throughout its existence, the Air Force has showcased this unique generosity not only in regards to national affairs, but also in world affairs. During the Cold War, when Soviet leader Joseph Stalin disrupted the supply traffic to Berlin, the United States Air Force undertook Operation Vittles, also known as the Berlin Airlifts. From June of 1948 to May of 1949, the Air Force was able to deliver an astounding 2.3 million tons of cargo on the 277,685 flights, providing vital necessities to all of Berlin's citizens. The excellence in efficiency proved by the Air Force in these missions continues to remain un-matched. In the years following, the Air Force continued to lead in many other humanitarian efforts including Operation Safe Haven, which relocated 20,000 Hungarian refugees following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, and Operation Provide Hope, which provided medical equipment to former Soviet republics during their transition to democratic and free-market states. Since its conception, the Air Force has been involved in a number of wars and conflicts including World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and, of course, the Iraq War. Its members have valiantly served to preserve democratic values in all parts of the world with great regard to ``a proud heritage, a tradition of honor, and a legacy of valor,'' as stated in The Airman's Creed. A few years ago, I witnessed this tradition first hand when visiting Andrews Air Force base in Maryland. Watching the air show, I was astonished to see the meticulous craft and precision displayed by the pilots. The intricate and complex formations of the planes in flight still lives in my memory. However, despite being surrounded by the most sophisticated and advanced technology comprehensible to man, it was the infectious spirit of enthusiasm for duty that captivated me. Watching the pilots animatedly discuss their air crafts and missions spurred my interest. The 351,800 members of the United States Air Force, groomed by tradition, guided by values, and driven by strife towards excellence represent the heart and soul of American culture. Exhibiting superiority of character and performance, both on and off duty, they are the role models in an often misguided period in society. As the United States Air Force continues ``To fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace,'' ordinary citizens, like me, can only expect excellence in all of their endeavors. Their example inspires us all.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the legacy of leadership within the Texoma Council of Governments, as well as the service of dedicated volunteers in the Texoma Foster Grandparent Program. The Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) was formed by the Legislature in 1968, and was designated under the authority of Chapter 391, Local Texas State Government Code, along with 23 other State Planning Regions, to review and comment on Federal and State financial assistance requests. It is a voluntary organization comprised of city and county governments, colleges, school districts, and chambers of commerce, determined to build strength through regional cooperation. TCOG is responsible for evaluating any project that would have an impact on the three-county area of Cooke, Fannin and Grayson Counties, and works to continually improve the economic, social, and educational opportunities for the citizens in these regions. Due to the large number of senior community servants in the area, TCOG founded the Texoma Foster Grandparent Program. This program is part of a national organization focused on utilizing area seniors, ages 60 or older, to mentor and tutor ``at risk'' youths. These volunteers serve approximately 40,000 hours per year in public settings such as Texoma schools, day care, and community centers. On April 24th, the Program's Advisory Council recognized its dedicated senior volunteers with a 50s themed recognition, fittingly entitled, ``Volunteers Rock,'' at the Sherman First United Methodist Church. Several area businesses donated food, door prizes, and funds to help make the event a success, as all volunteers received awards for hours served during the year. The Texoma Foster Grandparent Program Advisory Council and the program's volunteers are wonderful role models for the community at large, and I wholeheartedly applaud them for utilizing their experience, talents, and energy to serve as a positive influence for special needs children and ``at risk'' youths. But Texoma's celebration doesn't end there because on June 19, 2008, TCOG will celebrate its 40th Anniversary at Austin College with an event entitled ``Legacy of Leadership.'' Funds generated by business partners and vendors for this event will be returned to Texoma's private sector and donated to the Texoma Senior Citizens Foundation. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate TCOG's many accomplishments and legacy of service during the past 40 years. I want to commend current and past members who have contributed their time, talent and resources to make TCOG one of the most effective Councils of Government in the State. I am confident that the Texoma Council of Governments will continue to meet the challenges of the future and continue to provide outstanding services for those it represents, and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating TCOG on its 40th Anniversary.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School in Texarkana, Texas, upon completion of its first year of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused curriculum. On June 6 classes concluded for the summer, marking the completion of the first year of this innovative, groundbreaking school in the Fourth Congressional District of Texas. Morriss Elementary, serving children in grades K-5, is part of a vertically aligned K-16 engineering education collaboration between Texas A&M University--Texarkana and the Texarkana Independent School District (TISD). This collaborative effort provides mathematics and pre-engineering integrated curriculum and pre-engineering electives for students, who are admitted on a competitive basis. Students graduating from the elementary school will be able to continue an advanced math and science program through middle school and high school as they follow a path to a college degree in one of the STEM fields. On May 12, 2008, the House Science and Technology Committee held a field hearing at Morriss Elementary School to receive testimony on efforts to engage students in math and science at an early age, to keep them interested throughout middle school and high school, and to translate that interest into rewarding careers that will be of benefit to the entire Nation from a federal, school district, university, industry and teacher perspective. At the hearing, witnesses praised the efforts being made at Morriss Elementary. We saw first-hand how a community came together and created, with entirely local funding, what could be a national model for K-16 collaboration in mathematics and engineering. The vision for this school began with Dr. James Sullivan, former TISD Superintendent and current Texarkana City Manager, and his wife, Dr. Rosanne Stripling, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University--Texarkana. The plan received the support of the Board of TISD and, coupled with the generous land donation from Martha and Josh Morriss, became a reality last year. The school does not have an attendance zone, and any elementary-age student living in the vicinity is eligible to apply for enrollment on a first-come basis without charge. The school is designed for approximately 400 students, with three sections each in grades K-1, 2- 3, and 4-5. Due to a very high demand, a waiting list has been established for most of the primary grades. Texas A&M University--Texarkana Arts and Sciences and Education faculty assist the TISD curriculum personnel and teachers to design the mathematics and engineering integrated curriculum and electives. University faculty develop content and pedagogy courses to train the elementary teachers to deliver the curriculum using effective teaching strategies that promote mastery of the curriculum by all students. All of the Morriss Elementary teachers are required to obtain a Masters Degree and either the Texas Master Mathematics Teacher Certification or Texas Master Technology Teacher Certification through preparation programs offered at A&M--Texarkana. I am proud of the success of Morriss Elementary and wish to commend TISD Superintendent James Henry Russell and school Principal Rick Sandlin for the wonderful job they are doing. I also wish to congratulate the students and the teachers on the completion of their first year and look forward to monitoring the progress of these students as well as the continued success of Morriss Elementary. Our Nation's ability to continue to lead the world in innovation and competitiveness will depend in large part on our ability to motivate students to succeed and pursue careers in STEM fields. Morriss Elementary is an example of how that thrust can succeed at the local level with the vision and support of educators, parents, community leaders and students.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to Mr. Shimkus, the gentleman from Illinois, 1 minute. (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time. The gentleman from Oregon is a very good speaker and knowledgeable. He's been here a long, long time. He said there are a thousand reasons why we're out of energy and why we're in the situation we're in. I will say maybe there's two less. You just take these two, though, out of that thousand, I don't know how many he has left. But when we talk about who's furnishing fossil fuels, and who's furnishing nuclear energy, who's furnishing clean coal, who's furnishing solar. And no one has objected to this or no one has said it's not so, 91 percent of the House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of American-made oil and gas, while 86 percent of the House Democrats have historically voted against increasing the production of American-made oil and gas. I don't know where the other thousand are, but that's the major reason we're where we are today. They don't want to drill here. They won't let us drill off the coast of Florida. They don't want to drill up in ANWR. Let me tell you something, we better be drilling on American soil or we're going to have to send our American boys to take some energy away from someone. And that would be an absolute crime when we have plenty right here at home. It's a shame we don't use our own. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 366. This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that increasing American capabilities in science and mathematics and technology education should be a national priority, and I couldn't agree more. I gladly support the gentlelady from Texas's resolution. The Science Committee recognized a few years ago that this Nation needed to make American capabilities in STEM education a priority. Our current chairman, Mr. Gordon, along with then-Chairman Sherry Boehlert requested the report that was to become the ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' report to which we have so often referred in this Congress. As a result of this report, the President came out with his American Competitive Initiative; and this Congress passed, and the President signed, the America COMPETES Act, which specifically addresses the concerns raised in this resolution. In COMPETES, we're dedicating resources to create a broad pool of citizens who are literate in STEM subjects and we are increasing science scholarships and providing financial resources to attract underrepresented populations to STEM fields. Likewise, NSF is funding tremendous STEM education curriculum work in all grades, and OSTP and other Federal agencies, like the Department of Education, are providing strong leadership as appropriate at the Federal level. A few weeks ago, I held a hearing in Texarkana, Texas at the Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School, a 100 percent locally funded public school that focuses on inspiring our young children to excel in math and science at an early age and hopefully keep them interested all the way through college. This school is a prime example of the kind of leadership and commitment necessary at the local level and included input from several groups, businesses, the academic community, and parents. However, there is always room for improvement, and we should strive to do more. In fact, it's imperative that we do more if we're to remain the world leader in innovation and technology. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution introduced by my good friend, Ms. Johnson. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) 5 minutes.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) 3 minutes.

Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield the gentleman another 30 seconds.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry) 3 minutes.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. According to the National Science Foundation, a recent study of fourth graders showed that 66 percent of the girls and 68 percent of boys reported that they liked science. But something else starts happening in the elementary school. NSF found that by the eighth grade, boys are twice as interested in STEM careers as girls are. The female attrition continues through high school, college, and even the workforce. Women with STEM higher education degrees are twice as likely to leave a scientific or engineering job as men with comparable STEM degrees. Despite the fact that women earn half of the bachelors degrees in science and engineering, they continue to be significantly underrepresented at the faculty level in almost all the S&E fields, constituting 28 percent in 2003 of doctoral science and engineering faculty in 4-year colleges and universities and only 18 percent of full professors. The Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology Development was established by Congress on October 14, 1988 through legislation developed and sponsored by Congresswoman Connie Morella, Republican from Maryland. The mandate of the Commission is to research and recommend ways to improve the recruitment, the retention, and the representation of women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities in science, engineering, and technology education and employment. In addition to the Commission, the NSF Research on Gender in Science and Engineering program has worked since 1993 to broaden the participation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education fields. One of the things research has discovered is that the more positive images you present of women in these fields in school, the more likely girls will want to enter into these fields later on in life. So the resolution before us today honors the contribution of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, both in the United States and around the world. It also allows us to thank women for the contribution that they have made to these fields, women such as Madelaine Barnothey, the first woman in Hungary to receive a Ph.D. specializing in physics; or Rosalind Franklin, who received her degree in chemistry in 1951 from Cambridge University and was instrumental in putting together a detailed description of DNA; or Sophia Germain, an outstanding mathematician who developed the modern theory of elasticity, without which modern construction would be absolutely impossible. Women have been pioneers in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics for centuries. We owe it to girls growing up today to recognize these accomplishments, accomplishments such as those of Maria Telkes, who was a physicist and pioneer in solar energy and designed and built a solar house in the 1930s; or those of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, who was buried at Arlington Cemetery in January, 1992, and was one of the very first software engineers who helped both the military, private sector, and academia develop the foundations of modern digital computing. We just can't discuss important women in history without recognizing the outstanding contributions of Marie Curie, a physicist and chemist, who is one of the only people to ever receive two Nobel prizes in different fields and the only woman to have won two Nobel prizes. Her Nobel prizes were awarded for her work on radioactivity and the discovery of the elements of polonium and radium. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the resolution before us today. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.