Ralph Hall

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. When NASA created the Apollo program in the early 60's, America was in the midst of the Cold War and the Soviet Union had put an astronaut into orbit. A mere eight years after Kennedy expressed the vision of landing an American on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth, our country launched Apollo 11, which carried three men: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins into outer space. It was an enormously successful mission that proved America's leadership, technological strength, and drive. It proved that our great Nation could take on even the most daunting challenge if it had the will to do so. The Apollo 11 mission captured our imagination and inspired generations of young men and women to reach toward the stars. The next three and a half decades witnessed enormous technological and biological advancements fostered by the space program. The experiments conducted on the International Space Station allow scientists to discover new tools and medicines to combat debilitating diseases like stroke, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Today, we remember the men and women of NASA who made the dream of landing a man on the Moon a reality. We also celebrate our Nation's continuing quest to explore the universe and push new frontiers of knowledge. On January 14, 2004, we were pointed toward a new Vision for Space Exploration and a renewed commitment to the American dream of reaching for new frontiers. For the first time in over 40 years, our Nation once again has a Vision. We owe it to future generations of Americans and the men and women who have kept the space mission alive for decades to continue to forge ahead. Congress should approve the President's modest request for an increase in NASA funds this year so that we can continue this journey, secure our national interest, and fulfill America's destiny in space.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 723, the resolution just considered.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 723) recognizing the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep sorrow for the loss of a young soldier from my district, Sgt. Gerardo Moreno, 23, of Terrell, Texas. Gerardo, who was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division based in Fort Hood, Texas, died on April 6 in Ashula, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He had been in Iraq since early January and was killed in a grenade attack. Following graduation from Terrell High School in 1999, Gerardo enlisted in the Army. He was a dedicated soldier and upstanding citizen of Terrell, Texas. In a show of support for the fallen soldier, the residents of Terrell lined Moore Avenue on the morning of his funeral to pay their respects. He was laid to rest in Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery. Gerardo was also a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Moreno of Terrell and their two children, Dominique and Marrisol Moreno. Mourning his death are also his mother, Sandra E. Iracheta, and her husband, Noe Iracheta; father, Gerardo Moreno; brother, Jose J. Moreno; stepsisters, Yara and Yadira Perez; grandmother, Rita Iracheta of Terrell; grandfather, Israel Iracheta of San Antonio, and other family members. Mr. Speaker, Gerardo left Texas in defense of our Nation, and he returned to Texas a hero. He made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation, and we are forever indebted to him and to our brave men and women who are serving in our armed forces. As we adjourn today in the House of Representatives, let us do so by joining with the good citizens of Terrell in honoring this American hero, Sgt. Gerardo Moreno, and extending our deepest condolences to his family and friends. May God bless them and bring them comfort in their time of sorrow.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to recognize Sammy Clegg, Chelsea Schneider and Daniel Sagrero as the 2004 winners of the Treasures of the Texas Coast Children's Art Contest. As part of the Texas Adopt-A-Beach program, the ``Treasures of the Texas Coast'' art contest is open to Texas students grade K-6. Hosted annually by the Texas General Land Office, the core objectives of the contest are to encourage young artists while promoting the cause to keep Texas beaches clean. This year's winners, Chelsea Schneider and Daniel Sagrero of Lee Intermediate School in Gainsville, Texas, and Sammy Clegg of Rowlett Elementary School in Rowlett, Texas, masterfully demonstrated those objectives. Each young artist beautifully displayed the concept of keeping Texas beaches clean by using an elaborate and colorful palette. The winning artwork was displayed in the Capitol Building in Austin, Texas, as well as compiled into a statewide calendar for all to see. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend congratulations to these outstanding students.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Speaker for having my pastor here to pray over this Congress and to pray over the Nation. Keith Payne Boone is a native of Dallas, Texas, a graduate of my alma mater Southern Methodist University. He has Methodist in his veins from head to toe. His grandfather was the legendary Bolton Boone who headed up the Golden Cross. It was the first ecumenical charity. I was a member of that board some 50 years in Dallas. Keith was not around at that time, but he is a leader in the Methodist Church of Rockwall, Texas. The Dallas News carried, I think 3 months ago, that Rockwall County was the fastest-growing county in the United States. That is how fast our church is growing with the great pastor. I thank Pastor Keith Boone, my friend, friend of my family, Mary Ellen and my entire family, friend of Methodists, Baptists, and all denominations alike in Rockwall. Thank him for the prayer. Thank him for what he has done, what he is doing, and what he will do for this Nation.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, you can use all the figures you want and make all the projections that you want to make and you just cannot shake this down as anything other than an effort to misuse the purposes for which SPR was set up. I think we need to go back many, many years ago when Congress voted it. The President has not declared an emergency as required. President Clinton did declare an emergency. Secretary Richardson did release at Clinton's request. It did little effect. It had very little effect. It had very little help. It was just a blip on the market. Actually, we are in a situation here where attempts are made to stop putting into SPR, and that is to save maybe a penny a gallon or maybe less than a penny a gallon. It just does not make any sense at all. Yet at a time when we cannot pass ANWR, we cannot pass drilling up there that could have some real consequential effect on whether or not the gas prices go up or down and make a great defense on whether or not youngsters have to cross an ocean to take energy away from someone who has it, when we have none that we can mine, now that does not make any sense. We have a chance to save for this country for this generation to cross oceans and take away energy from people who have and save our children from having to fight a war. Give them the chance to say what profession, what business am I going into rather than what branch of service. We cannot pass ANWR. We cannot pass the Ultra D. We are two votes away, for political reasons, from passing an energy bill. I just want to say this amendment seeks to suspend deliveries to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the 2004 cap and to prohibit the use of taxpayer money to maintain more than 647 million barrels of oil in SPR. That means with 661.4 million barrels in SPR now, there must be a release of 14.4 million barrels out of SPR. By the time the fiscal year 2005 begins October 1, 2004, the SPR will have over 670 million barrels in SPR. This amendment will force the immediate sell-off of 23 million barrels, causing extreme volatility in the market which could ultimately lead to grave shortages as the markets come to rely on the government to provide supply. Of course, the government only has a limited supply for a country that uses 20 million barrels of crude oil every day. This amendment is merely a backdoor attempt to change the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make the SPR a means by which the Federal Government can manipulate crude oil supply for political gain instead of using the SPR as an insurance policy, which it was intended to be used for and then only in the event of a ``severe energy supply interruption,'' as set forth in the existing law. That just has not happened. As the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) stated here just a few moments ago, the premise of the amendment is just absolutely bogus and false. It says that this amendment can reduce gasoline prices by 10 to 25 cents per gallon. The Department of Energy says that the effect would be between zero and 1 percent per gallon. The world is at a more dangerous place than it was back in March of 2004. Terrorists have attacked oil installations in Saudi Arabia. The bulk of Iraq's exports were shut down on just Tuesday of this week by terrorist attacks on two oil pipelines in southern Iraq. We need to preserve what we have in SPR in the event of a true emergency. That is what it was intended for. That is what it was set up for. That is what this Congress based it on, not a political emergency. If we want to truly lower gasoline prices, we need to encourage the Senate to pass H.R. 4517, the United States Refinery Revitalization Act of 2004 which the House passed by a vote of 239 to 192. When a vote was on the floor to really do something about gasoline prices, cosponsors of this amendment, most of them voted ``no.'' Now, no individual, as the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), should cash in a life insurance policy to pay their recurring monthly expenses. Neither should the Federal Government cash in an oil insurance policy to simply make a one-time payment on a recurring expense, namely, gasoline prices. Having seen how turbulent the world has become in just the past few months, we should have the foresight to see how much more so the world could become in the coming months. We need to use SPR for what Congress really intended it to be, an insurance policy in the event of a severe energy supply interruption. We have not had that.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay tribute to a dedicated patriot who passed away this year, Roy L. Stewart. Roy Stewart proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for more than 29 years. Most notably, he was a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. After his military service, he worked for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas and later started his own business, Roy Stewart Heating and Air Conditioning. Roy actively served his community as a Mason. He was a Master Mason of River Oaks Lodge No. 1311, a member of Moslah Shrine, the Scottish Rite and York Rite Bodies, a Past Patron of the Polytechnic Eastern Star, and a dual member of the Castleberry Eastern Star. Born in Waco, Texas, Roy Stewart is survived by his wife, Thelma H. Stewart, daughter, Frances S. Reynolds, and husband, Michael E. Reynolds of my hometown of Rockwall, TX, son, Roy Victor Stewart and wife, Kathleen. He also was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Roy will be long remembered as a steadfast citizen who dedicated his life to serving others, and the community of Fort Worth will miss his friendship. On behalf of his many friends and fans, I want to take this opportunity in the House of Representatives to pay our last respects to this honorable man--Roy L. Stewart.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I do thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I even thank my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), for his remarks that this is a continued assault on the price of a gallon of gasoline. That is exactly what it is. It is a continuation of the assault of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) and those that believe that if we lower the price of gasoline we are raising the opportunity for youngsters to decide what branch of the service they will go into, instead to choose what field of education do I want to enter. This is a battle against war. A Congressman's major duty is to prevent a war, and you prevent a war by removing the causes of war. So this is for the youngsters. This is for this generation that we are talking about and generations to follow. This is not a bill that costs a lot of money. As a matter of fact, we are not throwing money at it. We are not pouring money into it. We are streamlining the system. I do not really know why anybody complains about that. It is tied to high unemployment areas, to distressed areas or where there is a closed refinery. We have got to have refineries. We have almost frightened all the refineries offshore up to this time or they have shut down. As a matter of fact, let me see what the facts are on shutting down those refineries. I think in 1981 we had 324 refineries shut down here. This has been cut back to 153. If my math's correct, that is 171 of them that have gone off-line, that have either gone offshore or are not productive here; and this bill simply urges people to restart those refineries to where we can grind out what we need to have to fight the rising cost of gasoline. It is just that simple. We are not pouring money into it. We are streamlining the system. The Secretary can identify the area, similar to their depressed area legislation. It was on the books when Kennedy was elected. President Kennedy, one of the first steps he took was to take the lid off the depressed area legislation. There was a 500,000 lid on it. He took it off to really avail ourselves of it, but that was pouring money into it; and even that helped in that day and time. Today we are not pouring money into it. We are streamlining it. We are making it a little easier to start those back up and start them back up where they are now, where people are existing now, where people do not have any objection to them because they think it is better than high unemployment. Back in 1962 when I went into the Texas Senate, John Connally was elected Governor. He was ahead of other Governors in that he tried to have an EPA for the State of Texas, early for EPA. He appointed a fine young man from Houston, Texas, who had a business on the canal. The canal was badly polluted at that time. He came before us to be confirmed, and there were five of us who had to accept or reject him. He was rejected because he answered one of the questions wrong. Senator Schwartz, a friend of mine, wanted to know, how do you feel about pollution, and the guy said, well, I do not want to give you a short answer, but I will quote a President who answered how do you feel about sin. He said, I am against it. One of our senators thought that was an affront to him, and he said, no, I mean, how do you really feel about pollution? His answer was one of the great answers I have ever heard. He said it tastes better than poverty. That is what I am saying today. Put opportunity into the hands of these people where these plants have been. Open them up and give us an opportunity to save this generation from having to cross an ocean and fight for some energy when we have plenty right here at home.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay tribute to a dedicated patriot, great East Texan, and true friend who passed away recently--Bob Haney of Anna, Texas. Bob and I became friends when we served together in the U.S. Navy in World War II. We stood together on the Copahee aircraft carrier when we received the notice that America had dropped atomic bombs on Japan. Bob was optimistic that the war would soon be over, and he told me that we would be home in a matter of weeks--and we were. Bob became a lifelong advocate for veterans and for disabled American veterans. He served as a Veterans Service Officer in Dallas for many years and was my trusted advisor on military and veterans issues. When we dedicated the World War II Memorial in Washington over Memorial Day weekend, I thought of Bob and how much he would have enjoyed being one of the thousands of veterans who came to be a part of this historic event. So many veterans did not live to see the memorial become a reality, and so many were not able to make the trip--but the Memorial will stand as a lasting tribute to their service and their sacrifice. Bob now is home--where he has joined his many shipmates who fought and died in the war. He will be missed by his many friends and his wonderful family--daughters Linda Martinez of Denison, Vickie Victoria Boaz of Howe, Evelyn Faye Fell of Kokomo, IN, Betty Paulette Jay of Van Alstyne and Renfro Pucket of Anna; sons Bob Ed Haney of Tioga, John David Haney of Anna and Fred Weaver Haney of Sherman; sisters Elizabeth Woolbright and Joy Belle Evans of Houston; 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of his family and friends, I want to take this opportunity in the House of Representatives to pay our last respects to my shipmate, advisor and longtime friend, Bob Haney. God rest his soul.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep sorrow for the loss of a young soldier from my district, Sgt. Gerardo Moreno, 23, of Terrell, Texas. Gerardo, who was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division based in Fort Hood, Texas, died on April 6 in Ashula, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He had been in Iraq since early January and was killed in a grenade attack. Gerardo graduated from Terrell High School in 1999 and enlisted in the Army after graduation. He was a dedicated soldier and an upstanding citizen of Terrell, Texas. In a show of support for the fallen soldier, the residents of Terrell lined Moore Ave. on the morning of his funeral to pay their respects. I am heartened to see the citizens of this great city, state, and nation come out in support of our dedicated soldiers. Gerardo was also a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Moreno of Terrell and their two children, Dominique and Marrisol Moreno. Mourning his death are also his mother, Sandra E. Iracheta, and her husband, Noe Iracheta; father, Gerardo Moreno; brother, Jose J. Moreno; step-sisters, Yara and Yadira Perez; grandmother, Rita Iracheta of Terrell; grandfather, Israel Iracheta of San Antonio, and other family members. Gerardo made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, and we are all touched by his loss. By defending our freedoms and values, soldiers like Gerardo earn a special place in our hearts. Without their willingness to serve and put their lives on the line for our nation, America would not be the great country that it is today. We are all forever indebted to brave men and women like Gerardo. Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today in the House of Representatives, let us do so by honoring Sgt. Gerardo Moreno and extending our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Like so many other young Americans serving and fighting overseas, Gerardo is a hero whose sacrifices ensure our continued freedom.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay tribute to a business associate, good friend and great East Texan who passed away last year--L.T. ``Herby'' Ballew. Herby Ballew was the founder of the famed Herby's Foods in Grand Prairie which produced over 100,000 sandwiches daily. He sold the company in 1975, and became chairman and CEO of the Bank of Crowley, Texas--an institution he ran until the early 1990's. Herby ended his prosperous career as the owner of Fame Care, a chemical company. Herby was a successful businessman who considered his employees as members of his family. They remember him as a compassionate and generous man. He was also devoted to his family, who include his wife, Vee Ballew; sons, Barry Ballew and Terry Lampman and wife Marolyn; daughters, Terry Jean Trevino and husband, Gonzy, Kathey Long, Patty Grieder and husband, Clyde, and Rose Shirley and husband, John; and sister, Dorothy Jewett and brother-in-law Elliott. He also was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Herby will be long remembered as a generous citizen as well as successful businessman who touched the hearts of everyone he met. Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, let us do so in memory of this esteemed man and a life-long friend--Herby Ballew.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 671, I call up the bill (H.R. 4503) to enhance energy conservation and research and development, to provide for security and diversity in the energy supply for the American people, and for other purposes.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns). (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Speaker, when we look at this bill and read this bill and we debate the item called energy, I think we need to call upon ourselves and ask ourselves what probably is the major duty of a Member of Congress. It is probably to prevent a war. And how do you prevent wars? You prevent wars by removing the cause of wars. Energy caused the war against Japan in 1941 when Cordell Hull and Henry Stimpson cut off their energy. They had 13 months' national existence, they were going to strike out somewhere. That brought on World War II. George Bush's father sent 450,000 kids to a desert; that was a battle for energy. We did not love the Emir of Kuwait, that was to keep them from getting a bad man's, Saddam Hussein, foot, on half the known energy resources in the world. Loss of energy and lack of energy will cause us to send our sons overseas. We do not get to drill on ANWR. We turn our backs on the next generation when we do that. We do not get to drill the ultra-deep. We are turning our backs on this next generation when we do not do that. Lack of energy causes wars.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority leader.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus). (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the chairman emeritus of the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan).

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood).

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4503, which is the same as the H.R. 6 conference report. This bill is the most comprehensive energy bill we have debated in decades. We have debated energy legislation hard and fast for the past two Congresses, and we debated it for many Congresses prior to that. Those who oppose a comprehensive energy bill seem to forget that they use the very resources that the energy bill seeks to produce, the very resources that are now in short supply. People who oppose this bill will no doubt question why we are debating and voting on this bill today. They will claim that it is merely a political ploy to force passage of the conference report on H.R. 6. The real question is why opponents are willing to fiddle while Rome is burning by refusing to vote for this bill. I suppose their constituents walk to work or ride horses, burn candles instead of electricity, do not use furnaces or air conditioners, and do not use plastics. If we continue, Mr. Speaker, to do absolutely nothing, then that may be the scenario that will come to pass for all of us. I, for one, do not want to go back to those days. One section of the bill that will do as much good as any other provision to alleviate supply shortages in the future is the Ultra Deepwater Research and Development Program. With public lands being increasingly more difficult to lease for oil and gas exploration and significant areas of the offshore still off limits, the ultra deepwater holds the key to our continued ability to supply most of our energy needs domestically. However, to tap resources that lie deep beneath the ocean floor in water depths greater than 1,500 meters will require a considerable amount of research and development. The program this bill establishes through the Department of Energy provides the necessary funding to extract natural gas in an environmentally safe and secure manner, while providing much-needed natural gas to fuel our growing economy. Therefore, I urge the passage of H.R. 4503. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry). (Mr. TERRY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)