Ralph Hall

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of United States Marine Sergeant Jay Michael Hoskins of Paris, TX, who died August 6, 2009 at the age of 24 in Farah Province, Afghanistan, due to complications from wounds received when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Born January 26, 1985 in Paris, Texas to Michelle Sparks-Hoskins and Danny Hoskins, Jay Hoskins attended Aaron Parker Elementary, graduating from North Lamar High School in 2003. Throughout his youth, Sergeant Hoskins was active in baseball and football, and was an active member at Gospel Lighthouse in Powderly, Texas. Following his graduation from North Lamar High School, Mr. Hoskins joined the United States Marine Corps, graduating from boot camp in San Diego, CA, as a Private 1st Class. In 2004, Sgt. Hoskins was deployed to Iraq where he fought in the Battle of Fallujah with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. In 2005, he served seven months in the Tora Bora area in the Afghanistan mountains, for which he received the first of his Afghanistan Campaign medals. From 2005 to 2008, Sgt. Hoskins served as a member of a training cadre in infantry tactics for Marine Officers at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA, where he was able to employ his background as a martial arts black belt instructor. In 2009, Sgt. Hoskins was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, HI. He was deployed to Afghanistan in May, along with 1,000 other Marines to Helmand and Farah Provinces. Sergeant Hoskins received many awards during his service as a United States Marine, including three combat ribbons, three sea service deployment ribbons, an Iraqi Campaign Medal, a Navy Marine Corps Achievement medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Global War on Terror Service medal, a Good Conduct medal, and a Purple Heart, along with other pending medals, as well as rifle and pistol expert badges. Known as an unwavering Christian devoted to his wife, his children, his family, and his country, Sergeant Hoskins lived his life with strong moral character, a strong faith, and a strong sense of service. He was loved and respected by those that knew him, and he will not be forgotten. Sergeant Hoskins is survived by his wife Chandler McRae Hoskins of Paris, Texas, their son Tristen, and a second child due in January; his mother, Michelle Sparks Widner and step-father, Chris Widner; his father, Danny Hoskins; two sisters, Amber Young and Chelsie Hoskins; a brother, Cameron Widner; along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Let us all continue to support our troops, and remember that freedom does come at a price. Madam Speaker, I ask those here today to join me in paying tribute to this American patriot, United States Marine Sergeant Jay Michael Hoskins.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge, of course, a ``no'' vote on the Democratic health care proposal. I have five grandchildren, and already they will spend their entire lives paying the debts that we are accumulating. They will be in their late sixties before they are even paid. This bill is a generation killer, and the targets are your grandchildren and mine. My Fourth District of Texas is 100-1 against this bill, and I believe it's a good composite of other districts around the country. I urge you all to please listen and to vote with your constituents, and I say to Members on both sides of this aisle: remember who sent you here, and vote their wishes. The American people have memories that will survive the actions of today's vote. They will not forget. I ask you to vote ``no.''

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we're the people's House. The other body is called the House of Lords, but we are here to represent the people who sent us here. I quote a great speech from Governor John Connally of Texas when he was first elected Governor back in 1963. I served in the Texas Senate. I was in the crowd as he was speaking to a group of school board trustees, telling them to run their own schools, to make their own decisions, not the Nation, not the State, but they should make the decisions. They're there just like you're here. He told a story about ancient mariners that were adrift, shipwrecked off the coast of South America. Unknown to them, their raft had drifted into the fresh waters of the mouth of the Amazon River. They prayed for help. Ship ahoy, rang out their cry. There came a voice from the waters far, Drop your buckets where you are. Don't vote to dim the lives of future generations, of future taxpayers. This bill is a generation killer; the victims are our grandchildren.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute today to a remarkable woman and my former legislative director who passed away this past May following a five-year battle with ovarian cancer-- the ``amazing'' Grace Warren. Today would have been her birthday. When I was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1980, I knew that Grace had served in key roles for my predecessor, Rep. Ray Roberts, and that she had worked on Capitol Hill for many years. I knew that her experience and knowledge would be valuable to the Fourth District of Texas, and she soon became an indispensable member of my staff as well as a good friend. Grace served as a legislative policy advisor and legislative director, specializing in health care issues along the way. At any time she could have translated her wealth of knowledge into a lucrative career in the private sector, but Grace chose to remain a dedicated and loyal public servant and a forceful advocate for good public policy. When referencing Grace or introducing her, it was my custom to refer to her as ``Amazing Grace'' because she either always had an answer for any question--or she could find it. She was a wonderful mentor to other staff and was respected and admired by so many in Washington, D.C., not only for her policy expertise but also for her caring heart. In 2005 Grace was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she responded to this challenge in characteristic style. She researched as much as possible about the disease, consulted experts and patients, and prepared for battle on both a personal and policy level. She became a spokesperson and resource for ovarian cancer research advocacy groups in South Carolina and at the federal level. At the same time, she fought her personal battle with this dread disease by enduring surgeries, chemotherapy, and relapses--but always with a deep and abiding faith in her Creator and an undaunted spirit. Those of us who knew Grace marveled at her dignity, courage, strength and ``amazing grace'' throughout this difficult time. In 2005 the House passed H. Res. 444, the ``Gynecological Resolution for Advancement of Ovarian Cancer Education.'' The acronym for this bill is ``GRACE,'' for it was with Grace in mind that I introduced this bill in Congress. This resolution underscores the seriousness of ovarian cancer, which is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. To date, unfortunately, only a small percentage of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages. More research is needed to develop early detection tools, a reliable screening test, prevention methods, enhanced therapies--and a cure. Grace would urge us to work toward this goal, and so I urge my colleagues to support funding for ovarian cancer research that will save countless lives today and in the future. And today I also ask my colleagues to join me in paying our last respects to this woman who dedicated her life to the betterment of this institution and to our Nation and who leaves a legacy of service that will be fondly remembered--Grace Warren.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the manager's amendment includes 14 separate amendments that were submitted to the Rules Committee. I am supportive of a number of the provisions, including those that promote solar demonstration projects on Federal lands and those that promote geographic diversity for members of the solar road map committee. Most of these amendments make minor changes, and I don't oppose those. I have some questions with a few of the provisions, which I hope the chairman might be able to speak to. Mr. Hastings' amendment would fund community implementation of solar technologies, which I am not sure is an appropriate use of funds in the bill. Mr. Polis' amendment seems to be the attempt to study financial incentives available to convince people to use solar energy, but I am uncertain what he really seeks to accomplish. Can the chairman shed some light on the need for this language and whether this is an appropriate use of funds in the bill? Finally, Mr. Thompson's amendment that would use funding in the bill for demonstration projects to protect against solar technology equipment theft, I am concerned about the cost of this project and whether or not this is an appropriate research and development project for the bill, it is a research and development project, and how big of a problem is this and what types of products are being stolen. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not necessarily opposed to all of them.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. I would yield to the chairman my time if he needs it. I may be more friendly to this bill than he thinks I am. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the amendment by this young man from New York would require the solar technology road map committee to submit an annual report to the Secretary of Energy and to the Congress of its activities over the prior 12-month period. I think he has a good amendment. I think this is a good-government amendment, and I support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), who is a cosponsor of the bill.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, of course, to speak on H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act. I would first like to thank the sponsor of the bill, Representative Giffords, and also Chairman Gordon, for working with our side of the aisle to address concerns and incorporating suggestions to the extent that you were able to. While we didn't come to an agreement on everything, we came to an agreement on a lot of things. But I do feel that we were given the opportunity to state our case and make our arguments. Unfortunately, the areas in which we were not able to reach an agreement remain of concern. Let me start by saying that as a conference, we're supportive of solar energy, and we have so voted--most of the people on my side of the aisle. We certainly see the great potential it has to be a contributor of energy to our constituents. However, as already stated, there's some lingering concerns in the bill before us today. First, the bill authorizes $2.25 billion over 5 years. This is not an insignificant amount, especially in our current financial climate. The question was raised during consideration of the bill in committee whether or not investment tax credits for solar energy, long-term incentives to develop renewable energy in general or an easing of burdensome regulations would be a better way to encourage the development and use of solar energy. Solar energy has been on the forefront for over 30 years, and it still only makes up 1 percent of the 7 percent of the renewable energy consumed in the United States according to the Energy Information Administration. This authorization, coupled with the requirement that the Secretary of Energy allocate at least 75 percent of funding to those solar research, development, and demonstration projects directed under the road map, leaves little flexibility for innovations that may be viable and yet not included as part of the road map. Second, the bill directs, not requests, it directs the Secretary to spend at least 30 percent in 2012 and culminating with at least 75 percent in 2015. It could be as much as 100 percent on the research, development, and demonstration set forth by the road map committee. Moreover, at least one-third of the committee must be made up of industry members who are explicitly exempted from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. And this act, as you know, was intended to require an open and transparent process. While I support the Department of Energy, the university, and industry collaboration in the area of solar research, development, and demonstration, the optics of this examination are that you now have a committee, half of whose membership could be industry, telling the Department of Energy where to direct taxpayer money into R&D that could benefit their own companies while not having to answer to anyone or defend their recommendation to the entity that was set up to oversee and to require open and transparent processes. While I appreciate the inclusion at our suggestion of language dealing with potential conflicts of interests in regard to the road map committee membership, more transparency needs to be incorporated. During the full committee markup, Republicans attempted to address concerns through amendments that would have reduced the authorization, given the Secretary of DOE some discretion as to how much funding should go to the road map recommendations. We had some suggestions to sunset the road map committee in 2015. While these amendments were all voted down, I remain hopeful that these issues can be addressed as we move forward. I would like to point out that the Department of Energy shares some of these same concerns with this bill, and it made the Science and Technology Committee aware of those concerns earlier this week. In particular, they expressed concerns with using the road map committee to direct DOE activities; the requirement of a percentage of funds to be used to support activities identified by the committee; the Federal Advisory Committee Act exemption for the committee; and potential conflicts of interest with the members of the committee. I support research and development into solar energy technologies, but believe me, this bill has a lot of room for improvement. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have no more speakers at this time. I reserve the balance of my time. May I ask how much time we have under general debate and how many speakers Mr. Gordon has.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this amendment seeks to ensure minority institutions are represented on the solar technology road map committee established in this bill. I certainly have no objections to this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I support the use of solar energy and would like to see it become a larger player in supplying the energy needs of our country and of the world. I also want to make it perfectly clear I support further research and development to help solar energy achieve this goal. I also respect the author, Ms. Giffords, to the extent that I was the lone Republican to attend her field hearing in Arizona. However, I still have some reservations about certain provisions of the bill, mainly in the cost and some of the restrictions that it places on the Department of Energy and the Secretary. For those who choose to vote against the bill, such a vote is not a vote against R&D into solar technologies. It's simply a vote against the way this bill wants to dictate how solar R&D should be done at the DOE. With that said, I do plan to vote for the bill because I am so convinced of the value of even the slightest additional breakthrough solar energy-wise, and my observations of the very sincere and determined effort by the bill's author cause me to want to remain involved and hopefully continue to work with my colleagues to address our concern as the bill continues through the legislative process. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, although I am not opposed to the amendment, I do have some concerns about this amendment. While I agree with its intent to help commercialize the technologies that come around as a result of solar technology research, I am concerned that we may not want to spend research dollars retooling and refurbishing manufacturing facilities, some of which may be represented on the Solar Roadmap Committee. That's my problem with it. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Thank you.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, in light of the exemption from the Federal Advisory Committee Act in this bill for the road map committee, I think it's a good idea to make the draft road map available to the public for input. This will help shed additional light on the decisions of the road map committee. I would support the amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.