Ralph Hall

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of the beloved community member Dr. Sherman Sparks, of Rockwall, Texas. Dr. Sparks was a tireless country doctor who devoted his life to his friends and neighbors. He had served his community from the 1940's until his retirement in 1996. He died at the age of 92. Sherman was a bedrock of the Rockwall community as it grew from its rural roots into a suburban city. His devotion to the community was constant, though. It was said that he did not have patients, but he had friends. During his medical practice he delivered over 3,000 babies. He was very generous with those who needed him, but could not afford a doctor. He founded the Rockwall High School chemistry program and volunteered as doctor for the High School's athletic teams for over 30 years. Sherman also donated his services as jail doctor for the Rockwall Detention Center between 1945 and 1975. Dr. Sparks made house calls up until the day he retired--often traveling to homes that could only be reached by tractors. Outside of his medical services, Sherman was also instrumental in the community's politics. He founded the Rockwall County Republican Party and even traveled to Washington to testify before Congress on behalf of his patients about Social Security. In the mid-1950's Sherman was instrumental in starting the Rockwall Municipal Airport, much of which they built with their own hands. He was an avid pilot. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Sherman Sparks was one of those rare community leaders who gave his entire life to shaping the community. The impact he made is incalculable. He will be remembered as a selfless giver and great family man, a father to four sons, Dr. Randy P. Sparks, Dr. Bob Sparks, David P. Sparks and James Sparks; with 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. We will remember with sadness the passing of this kind and caring man who gave everything to his family and community--Dr. Sherman Sparks.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in memory of a cherished East Texan, Royce E. Wisenbaker of Tyler, Texas, who passed away recently at the age of 84. Royce was one of the region's most gracious patrons. He devoted a lifetime to helping others in countless ways and through numerous organizations, and he is truly missed by all those who knew him. Born on July 23, 1917, Royce grew up in Mineola, where be graduated from high school. From there he attended Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Master of Science in Sanitary Engineering. This was the beginning of a long and active relationship with the University that continued until his death. After graduation from college, he began work for the State, serving as District Engineer of the Northwest Texas Area. In 1942 he answered the call to duty and entered the U.S. Army, where he advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Royce served a total of five years and fought in three theaters. He maintained his Army Reserve status and retired as a full Colonel. Upon completion of military service, Royce formed an engineering partnership with Robert Fix. Their company designed and supervised construction of waterworks and sewerage projects, streets, airports, industrial waste facilities, water reservoirs and other municipal projects. The partnership lasted 38 years, until Mr. Fix retired and the company was sold. Throughout this time Royce also delved into land development, waterworks, farming, and oil and gas production. After the end of his engineering partnership, he focused full-time on these ventures. During his long life, Royce consistently worked to support his alma mater and had the honor of serving on the Board of Regents of Texas A&M for eighteen years. His building downtown was always recognizable by the large maroon and white Texas A&M flag flying over it. Royce also served as president of the University's 12th Man Foundation and president of the Association of Former Students--the only person ever to have served as president of both. He was the originator of the President's Endowed Scholarship Program and personally endowed six scholarships. This program now offers more than six-hundred fully endowed scholarships and has been copied by other universities across the nation. He also endowed similar scholarships at Austin College in Sherman, Texas and at Tyler Junior College. Royce supported Texas A&M's faculty and research efforts as well. He endowed a chair in the School of Engineering and two Graduate Fellowships for the School of Engineering, one of which was named in honor of Fred Benson, his former professor and longtime friend and associate. He was a very loyal and supportive person--often referred to as Texas' largest contributor in the political arena for local, state and national offices. In addition to his professional responsibilities and his service to Texas A&M, Royce managed to contribute considerable time and energy to numerous organizations in the Tyler community. He served as governing board member of Mother Frances Hospital, president of the YMCA, member of the Shriners, director of the Tyler Chamber of Commerce., a member of the American Legion and Elks Lodge, board member and president for seven years of the East Texas Goodwill Industries, and president of Smith County Youth Foundation. He also was a director of the East Texas Symphony, board member of the Texas Chest Foundation, vice president of the East Texas Area Council Boy Scouts, Elder and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church; board member of Texas Presbyterian Foundation, president of Tyler Catholic School Board, member and secretary of Texas State Board of Health Resources for twelve years and member of the volunteer council at Rusk State Hospital. He served on various boards of the University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler Junior College and Austin College. And the list goes on--for Royce's presence and contributions were evident in almost every worthy cause in his community. Among his many recognitions include the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Texas A&M in 1973, the Commissioners Award from Texas Health & Mental Retardation Commission in 1972, Silver Beaver award from Boy Scouts in 1977, Rotary Club Award of Appreciation in 1970, Outstanding Service Award from National Association of Mental Health in 1974, Outstanding Humanitarian Award from Citizens of Rusk in 1975 and Engineer of the Year Award in 1981. In 1987 the Board of Regents at Texas A&M designated the ``Royce E. Wisenbaker Engineering Research Center'' building. Royce is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Clorinda ``Petey'' Wisenbaker; daughters Susan Spies, Paula Wisenant and Libby Wallace; son Royce, three sisters, a sister-in-law and eleven grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, Royce Wisenbaker made such a difference in the lives of those who knew him. He was truly an outstanding American who leaves a remarkable legacy of accomplishments--and memories of a man devoted to his family, friends and community. It is an honor today to pay my last respects to this exemplary community leader, beloved husband and father, and friend--Royce E. Wisenbaker.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird), for purposes of control.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Cyber Security Research and Development Act. It is a bill that committee has worked in a bipartisan manner, and I think it fills a very important gap in current information technology research programs, namely the need for improved security for our computers and digital communication networks. I, of course, congratulate and thank the Committee on Science chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert). He has done a very good job of laying out the thrust of the bill, and I also thank him for his leadership and thank him for working so closely with me and with others on our side of the dock to bring this bill to this stage. I also want to acknowledge the work of my colleague, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird), a clinical psychologist before he came to the Congress, a man that has unusual ability and is knowledgeable about research and development. Actually, it was a provision pertaining to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, his provisions that originated in his bill, that we have used in this bill. Many systems that are vital to the Nation such as electric power grids, transportation and financial services, all of these rely on the transfer of information through computer networks. The trend in recent years of interconnecting computer networks has had some unintended consequences, one of them being making access of these very critical systems easier for criminals and actually potentially easier for terrorists, and that is something that we are very aware of today. As a result, there have been an increased number of assaults on network systems. Computer viruses, attacks by computer hackers, and electronic identification theft have become more common. The events of last fall, as the chairman stated, have made us all realize just how vulnerable we are to attack, and we now understand that we have to enhance the protection of the Nation's physical and electronic infrastructure. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 3394 establishes substantial new research programs also at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The goal of both of these multiyear programs is not only to advance computer security research but also to expand the community of computer security researchers. These programs will support graduate students. They will support post-doctoral researchers and senior researchers while encouraging stronger ties between universities and industry. The key to ensure information security for the long term is to establish a vigorous and creative basic research effort focused on the security of networked information systems. H.R. 3394 will make a major contribution toward accomplishing this goal. Mr. Chairman, I commend this measure to my colleagues and ask for their support and ask for its passage by this House. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in recognition of Margaret Parx Hays, a devoted community servant and former Mayor who initiated a drive to restore The Santa Fe Depot in the city of Gainesville, Texas. Margaret is a distinguished native of Gainesville and has devoted considerable energy, drive, and creativity to bringing this project to fruition. Her efforts not only saved an historically significant building but helped make the community aware of an important part of their history. This particular station, constructed in 1902, was Gainesville's second depot. The city, itself, received its first passenger train on January 2, 1887. The depot is an elegant redbrick building that served the Santa Fe line when it was originally constructed. Without Margaret's devotion to her community, though, the station would have remained an abandoned relic. Now it plays host to many community gatherings. Mr. Speaker, it is with great thanks and appreciation that I recognize the energy and efforts of Margaret Parx Hayes, who organized the effort to return the Santa Fe Depot in Gainesville, Texas to its original beauty. I have had the pleasure of knowing--and working with Margaret--for many years. This would be a better world, with more kindness and caring, and more success in the healthy growth of a city or area, if we had Margaret Parx Hays in each of our cities. She is, other than being a wonderful person, a great asset to the city of Gainesville--and all who live there who want and expect to have gracious living. Margaret brings this to the table of public service because she cares. Let us close this House of Representatives on this day, December 18, 2001, in loving respect and eternal gratitude, to this kind, loving and generous woman.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in recognition of the City of Gainesville, Texas, which has recently instituted the Medal of Honor Host City Program. This program, unique in the nation, will provide a stipend to cover lodging, food and some travel expenses to Medal of Honor recipients visiting the City of Gainesville. The Medal of Honor Host City Program seeks both to honor the 149 living Medal of Honor recipients and to expose the citizens of Gainesville--especially its youth--to true American heroes. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1922, and community leaders, initiated the project to help recognize these men of valor and to give the citizens of Gainesville the chance to hear, first-hand, their amazing stories. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced the project to its members at its October annual reunion. Two Medal of Honor recipients visited Gainesville on Veterans Day. This program was organized before the tragedies of September 11, but in light of recent events, projects like the Gainesville Medal of Honor Host City Program highlight the sacrifice, patriotism and sense of duty that have been a foundation of our great nation. Our Medal of Honor recipients are living examples of those values and are the best messengers to tell the price of freedom. While in Gainesville, these extraordinary individuals will meet with school classes, speak to civic groups and others who would like to hear about their experiences. It gives the honorees a forum for their thoughts and gives Gainesville the chance to thank them for all that they have done for their country. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Mayor Kenneth Kaden for his leadership in promoting this project. It is an honor to recognize such a unique and special program--The Medal of Honor Host City Program--and I look forward to seeing it succeed in Gainesville.

Mr. HALL of Texas

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

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), who was ranking member on the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards back when this legislation first began and wrote the electronic authentication provisions in it. He is now ranking member on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1259; and, in her usual good practice, the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) has very well outlined the provisions of the legislation. I would just like to make a few observations concerning the need for the legislation before us today. The Committee on Science developed the Computer Security Act 13 years ago with the goal in mind of improving the security of nonclassified information in the Federal agencies' computer systems. When Congress passed the Computer Security Act back in 1987, most of us realized that this new method of communication needed to be secure in order to realize the full potential that those that brought it forth had hoped for. At that time we had no idea of the growth of the Internet, electronic commerce, or even the growth of e-mail communication from our constituents. In the past few years, the spread of computer viruses, attacks by computer hijackers and electronic identification theft have all been on the rise. Regardless of our reliance on the Internet and computer networks, computer security is still generally regarded as an afterthought. On September 11, we realized how very vulnerable our Nation could be. We no longer can afford to be complacent about our physical and electronic security. Hearings by the Committee on Science and assessments by the General Accounting Office have revealed that computer security at Federal levels is still, in many people's opinion, sub par. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has an important role to play here. It is responsible for developing security standards and developing the very best security practices. It should assist agencies in training their computer security personnel and help assess their security weaknesses. Unfortunately, NIST has never really requested nor received the resources it needs to effectively carry out their statutory role in these areas. The Committee on Science has developed this bipartisan legislation to correct this problem. The goal of this legislation is to strengthen the computer security of Federal agencies, including, of course, the use of electronic authentication technologies. H.R. 1259 is not merely in response to the events of September 11. Actually, H.R. 1259 is and has been a result of continued and careful study and deliberation by the Committee on Science. We began work on this legislation at the beginning of the last Congress, and it has been the subject of hearings, and we have asked for comments by industry and Federal agencies. It is a thoughtful and straightforward approach for making Federal agencies a model of good security practices. I congratulate the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) for their hard work on this legislation. Also, we would not be here without the assistance and support of the gentleman from New York (Chairman Boehlert) and his efforts to bring this bill to the floor. This a timely piece of legislation, Madam Speaker, and I would urge my colleagues to support the bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise, of course, in strong support of this resolution that recognizes and honors Joseph Henry for his significant and distinguished role in the development and advancement of science and electricity in another century and in another day and time. I think it is great that my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), has pursued this and to bring up again today the efforts of those of the past. He has been a dogged advocate for it. He is the reason we are here today. I surely do appreciate that. The gentlewoman from Maryland has given us some of the background on Joseph Henry. I am sure the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) will go a little bit further for us a little later. I just wanted to emphasize that Joseph Henry was known for being a great educator and an advocate of basic research. Those are words we hear a lot still today. As the first secretary of the Smithsonian, he did an excellent job of ensuring that the Smithsonian supported both of these areas and both of these thrusts. Joseph Henry was a very special man. It is rare for the Federal Government to shut down for the funeral of a citizen. I have read that not only did the government close in the case of Henry's death but also shut down 5 years later for the unveiling of his statue which currently sits on the mall. According to Marc Rothenberg, editor of the Joseph Henry Papers Project, such was the reputation of Mr. Henry that one Secretary of the Interior had assured Henry that if a request was backed by him, that was sufficient. I guess most Members of Congress would kill for that kind of deal and that kind of recognition. But it is my understanding that a group of school children in New York are very interested in this legislation, and I look forward to hearing more about it and about their involvement in it from the gentleman from New York. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), who represents the district that Mr. Henry came from and is the author of this bill.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), a professor at Princeton where Joseph Henry taught. As a physicist I would have trouble getting in Princeton, much less getting out, or all the more of teaching there, but the gentleman has the distinction of probably being one of the few Members in Congress that fully understands the work of Mr. Henry and his scientific research.

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

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Madam Speaker, I of course rise in support of H.R. 2983. I rise as one who represents the oil patch in Texas. Yet, I recognize the need for nuclear energy as a supplemental source. I also recognize the fact that energy is such that nations have to go to war for it. We sent Japan hurtling into war 50 years ago. We sent 450,000 kids to the desert 6 years ago. That was for energy. We have to solve our energy problems. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the ranking member, and those that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) thanked. I want to thank the very capable gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) for the work that he has done. I have sat by him for 21 years. While he never saw a nuclear plant he liked, he has never seen an issue that he could not debate, and do it masterfully; and he is a gentleman. I serve on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Science. As the ranking minority member of the Committee on Science, I also want to thank the Committee on Science members, the gentleman from New York (Chairman Boehlert) and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett), and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey). Madam Speaker, the Committee on Science has asked for and was granted referral of the bill. However, we were able to find a solution to the problem without having to go to the mark-up. It certainly is my intent that all laboratory contractors have coverage; and I believe we have found a way to ensure that coverage will apply to this exceptional situation. Madam Speaker, I support the bill.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize today Ms. Kristie Thompson of Rockwall, Texas, who this past summer succeeded in hiking the 2,167 miles of the Appalachian Trail. This hike from Springer Mountain in Northern Georgia to Katahdin in Central Maine is a trek completed by fewer than 500 people each year. What makes Kristie's accomplishment even more outstanding is the fact that she hiked the distance in only four months instead of the usual six--and she did a majority of it alone. Since childhood, Kristie has had a love for the outdoors and a sense of adventure. A schoolteacher at Maurine Cain Middle School in Heath, Texas, and the mother of two teenage children, she used her summer break to fulfill this ambitious, lifelong dream. Kristie and her sister, Melanie Musser, began the journey on April 15, but 800 miles later, Melanie decided she could not be away from her family for another two months. Kristie understood--for she, too, missed her family--but she decided to go on alone. Kristie awoke each day to begin hiking by 7 am and did not stop until 6 pm. That is an average of eighteen miles every day, much of it through mountains, carrying a pack of about 26 pounds. Often hiking as many as thirty miles in one day, Kristie noted that the mental challenges were equally as great as the physical ones. Her emotions ranged from elation to loneliness to frustration. She tells that more than three months along the trail--but still 300 miles from her destination--she stopped, stared down at the trail and burst into tears. But there, scratched in the dirt, was a message left for some other mother: ``Good job, Mom.'' This message gave her the inspiration and resolve to complete the arduous journey. Support from family and strangers saw her through. Every few days she would pick up food and supplies that her parents would send to towns along the way. Her children sent postcards and provided words of encouragement when she called. They followed her progress on a map. Along the way she slept in shelters or under a tarp or tent. On the last five miles of the hike, Kristie was joined by her father, Emmett Howe, who shares her family's immense pride in this accomplishment. Kristie's ambition and perseverance certainly will serve as sources of inspiration for her family, students and friends in Rockwall. Her feat took resolve, extraordinary willpower and courage--as well as meticulous planning and resourcefulness. She said the trip made her stronger in her resolve to tackle difficult challenges in life and reinforced what mattered most to her--her family. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to recognize this outstanding young woman from my hometown of Rockwall--Kristie Thompson--and to congratulate her for this extraordinary achievement in hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Dr. Bryan C. Jack, a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77, which terrorists hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, a day that we will long mourn and never forget. Bryan grew up in Tyler, TX, in my Congressional district, and his parents live there still. We join them in mourning the loss of this wonderful and gifted young man. Bryan was an exemplary scholar and native Texan who had faithfully served his country at the Pentagon since 1978. He represented the best of America--an incredibly talented individual who selflessly devoted his gifts to public service. At the Pentagon he was known for his brilliance with numbers, in addition to being a caring friend and coworker. Bryan's official position was as a budget analyst, heading the Defense Department's programming and fiscal economics division. He was responsible for overseeing the capital budget, an immense and complicated task. He took the Defense Secretary's policy decisions, worked them into the budget and made sure that the numbers added up. He also had oversight over the Defense Department's school in Monterrey, California. He made several business trips a year to Monterrey and was on his way there on September 11, when the terrorists hijacked his plane. He had planned to stop over on his return trip to visit his parents, Helen and James Jack, in Tyler. Growing up in Tyler, Bryan attended Moore Middle School and Robert E. Lee High School. Both of Bryan's parents were teachers--his father was a retired colonel from the U.S. Air Force--and Bryan was always an exceptional student. He graduated among the top in his high school class and had been a state debating champion. He received his undergraduate degree from the California Institute of Technology and an MBA from Stanford. Later, he went on to earn his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland. Just weeks before his tragic death, Bryan had married Barbara Rachko, an artist from New York. In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by a brother, Terry, who lives in Denver. Both in Washington and Tyler, Bryan leaves behind memories of a kind, caring and intelligent individual. He was an exemplary ambassador from the Fourth District of Texas and will be truly missed by his family, friends and coworkers at the Pentagon--but his memory will live forever as one of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country on September 11. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to pay my last respects in the Congressional Record to this outstanding American and a true American hero--Bryan Jack--and to all those who lost their lives during this tragic day in America's history.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I had not planned to speak during the Floor consideration of the VA-HUD-IA appropriations conference report. However, I have changed my mind because I believe that it is important that we give some consideration to the future of the International Space Station program as we debate the level of funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Given all of the uncertainty that has been surrounding the Space Station program of late, I am pleased that the appropriations conference has been able to provide almost all of the requested funding for the Station. I also am heartened that the conference retained funding needed for the eventual restoration of capabilities that were cut from the Space Station program by the Administration earlier this year. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Science Committee, on which I am privileged to serve as the Ranking Member, held a hearing on the report of the independent task force that was charged with examining the current state of the International Space Station program. I expect that the task force's report will be an important input into the decisions that Congress and the Administration will have to make concerning the future of the Space Station program. All of us owe Tom Young and his team a debt of gratitude for their dedicated efforts over the last several months. As many of you know, I have long been a supporter of the Space Station. And I believe that NASA and the International Partners should be proud of what they have accomplished to date. It has been a stunning technical achievement, and the assembly and operation of the Space Station have gone much more smoothly than any of us had the right to expect. Nevertheless, there has been significant cost growth in the program since the 1993 redesign, and there is not now adequate confidence in Congress and the Administration that we know what the total cost of the Station program is likely to be. It is important that we take whatever steps are prudent and sensible to ensure that the Space Station program is well managed and that taxpayer dollars are not wasted. The task force has made a number of recommendations to improve the situation, and we will need to examine them carefully. At the same time, I hope that we don't let a preoccupation with cost issues cause us to lose sight of the fundamental decision we need to make about the future of the International Space Station program. That decision is quite simple: Are we committed to a Space Station that achieves its unique research potential, and if so, are we willing to budget honestly for it? We have clear guidance from the Space Station task force about what kind of Station won't meet that goal. One of the principal findings included in the task force's report reads as follows: ``The U.S. Core Complete configuration (three-person crew) as an end state will not achieve the unique research potential of the International Space Station.'' The reason is quite simple: with a 3- person crew, there won't be time to do any significant research--all the astronauts' time will be taken up with maintenance and operations activities. Our International Partners have also made it quite clear that a 3- person Space Station as an end-state instead of the originally agreed- upon 7-person Station and a unilateral U.S. decision to walk away from its long-standing commitment to provide crew rescue and habitation facilities are not consistent with the international agreements governing the Space Station program. We are asking our international friends to stand with us in the global fight against terrorism; while the two situations are not comparable, I think that is only right that we continue to meet our commitments to them in the Space Station program. They are looking to us for leadership in this partnership, and I think that it is important for both Congress and the Administration to send a strong, clear signal that we are not going to walk away from that responsibility. In its report, the task force concluded that: ``Lack of a defined program baseline has created confusion and inefficiencies.'' However, the approach the task force seems to recommend--that is, keeping the question of the ultimate Space Station ``end-state'' open for two or more years--seems to me to be a prescription for keeping the program in just the sort of limbo that the task force properly decries. As I said at yesterday's hearing, I think we need a different approach. If we believe that it is important to build a Space Station with the unique potential that the scientific community and successive Administrations and Congresses have sought, we need to say so now and plan accordingly. We should be explicit that we are committed to completing the Space Station with its long-planned 7-person crew capability. We should not keep the dedicated researchers, the International Partners, and our U.S. Space Station team in continuing uncertainty about the end-goal of this program--doing so will just lead to waste and inefficiency down the road that could otherwise be avoided. At the same time, we should be unwavering in our determination to make whatever changes are required to the Station's management structure and cost control system to minimize the future cost and risk of this program. The task force is very clearly telling us that ``business as usual'' will not suffice for a program that is as important as the International Space Station. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Administration needs to make clear its commitment to the ultimate restoration of the full capabilities of the Space Station even as it takes steps to improve the program's cost management processes and operations strategy over the near term. If it does so, I believe that Congress will work constructively with the Administration over the coming weeks and months to put the Space Station program on a sound footing. For more than a decade, successive Administrations and Congresses have reaffirmed the importance of the Space Station. 15 nations have joined with the United States to build an orbiting research facility that I am confident will deliver unprecedented benefits to all of our citizens as well as position our nation for eventual exploration of the rest of the solar system. We should not falter in meeting our national commitment just as we are beginning to reap the rewards of our past investments in the Space Station program.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the first annual Gene Autry Day Festival this weekend, September 28 and 29, 2001, in Tioga, Texas, in the Fourth Congressional District. Tioga is Gene Autry's hometown, and I join all those in Tioga and Grayson County, as well as friends and admirers throughout the Nation, in celebrating the life of this legendary American. Gene Autry was born on a ranch near Tioga, Texas, on September 29, 1907, to Delbert and Elnora Autry. Gene's grandfather, William T. Autry, was a Baptist preacher who taught Gene to sing when he was five years old. At the age of twelve, Gene bought his first guitar from a Sears and Roebuck catalog for eight dollars. In his autobiography, Back in the Saddle Again, Gene noted that by his fifteenth birthday he was comfortable singing and performing before audiences at school and around his hometown. At a young age, Gene began working as a telegraph operator at the old Tioga railroad depot, where he reportedly sang and played for local townsfolk and passengers on the railroad. By the late 1920s, Gene was working as a telegrapher for the railroad in Oklahoma. While singing and playing in the office one night, Gene was discovered by the great cowboy humorist, Will Rogers, who recommended that he try performing on the radio. And thus began a career that would span more than 60 years in the entertainment industry and that would bring fame and fortune to this young man from Tioga, Texas. Gene Autry was successful in radio, recordings, motion pictures, television, rodeo, and live performances. He is the only entertainer to have five stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame--one each for radio, records, film, television, and live theatrical performance, including rodeo. Gene appeared in 94 feature films and made 635 recordings, over 300 of which he wrote or co-wrote. Some of his best known movies are based on his hit records, including South of the Border and Back in the Saddle. He sold over 60 million records, including more than a dozen gold records and two platinum records, Here Comes Santa Claus and Peter Cottontail. Another record, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, remains the second best selling single of all time, with sales totaling more than 30 million. From 1950 to 1955 Gene produced and starred in The Gene Autry Show and produced other popular television series as well. In addition to his success in the entertainment industry, Gene was successful pursuing another passion--a love of baseball. In 1961 he purchased the American League's California Angels (now the Anaheim Angels) and held the title of Vice President of the American League until his death in 1998. Gene Autry was always proud of his hometown, Tioga, and he would have been honored by this Festival and by the efforts of local citizens in memory of him. Proceeds from activities associated with the Gene Autry Day Festival will be used to build a Tioga Heritage Museum, featuring Gene Autry, and to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs through United Way of Grayson County. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the citizens of Tioga for planning this tribute to their hometown hero and to a legendary American whose contributions to our culture will long be remembered and appreciated--the late, great Gene Autry.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I join all Americans today in mourning the loss of so many innocent American citizens and condemning those who planned and carried out these horrific acts of terrorism on September 11, 2001, a day that will be forever emblazoned in the hearts of all Americans. This is the fourth generation type of warfare that we have long feared, and we will employ every available resource to eradicate such tactics from the face of the earth. We will not rest until we ferret out those who perpetrated this infamous act and those who aided or abetted this action. Our nation is united in our deep sympathy and compassion for the victims, families and friends of those who perished and were injured. We are united in our gratitude for the heroism of rescue workers and volunteers. And we are united in our indignation and our determination to find and to punish those responsible for these barbaric acts of terrorism. Our prayers go out to the victims, their families, and for our country at this time of national tragedy. We have been shaken by these savage and cowardly attacks--but our resolve and our character will never be daunted. Americans always rise to the challenge of a crisis, and we will once again show the world what it means to be an American. May God's grace be with the victims, their families, and with America.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren). (Ms. LOFGREN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I will close by thanking the committee. I would just like to go on record, though, as saying we do need to drill ANWR. It makes sense to drill ANWR. It does not make sense not to drill ANWR, because if we do not find the resources we have here in this country, we have to send our kids overseas to fight for energy when we have it right here. Japan was forced out into Malaysia by Franklin Roosevelt in 1939. We sent 450,000 kids to Kuwait. That was for energy. We did not need to do that. We need to take care of our children, and this is a bill that takes care of them and takes care of the country's energy needs for this Nation. Mr. Chairman, the U.S. will likely need to produce 45% more natural gas to meet growing demand and environmental goals in the next decade. A new, industry-led research, development and demonstration program is being established in this legislation to enhance and extend the natural gas and other petroleum resource base in areas where production is currently allowed by law and reserves are most prolific. These areas are largely in unconventional onshore gas fields, primarily in the Rocky Mountains and Southwestern United States, and the ultra-deepwater in the central and western Gulf of Mexico. Research, development and demonstration of technological capabilities in these provinces will improve the nation's capacity to meet incremental natural gas demand over the next twenty years in an economic, safe and environmentally responsible manner. Section 2441 of the ``Securing of America's Future Act of 2001'' (H.R. 4), ordered reported from the Committee on July 19, directs DOE to conduct long-term supply research and to establish a new industry- led research, development and demonstration program. The Department will utilize the expertise of our nation's energy industry, institutions of higher education, public and private research institutions, large and small businesses and federal agencies to lower the cost, improve the efficiency and production of natural gas and other petroleum resources while improving safety and minimizing environmental impacts of this activity. The industry-led activities authorized by this legislation will be managed by an established 501(c)(3), tax-exempt research organization experienced in planning and managing programs in natural gas or other petroleum research, development and demonstration. The program is designed to ensure that the requirements of meeting near-term demand for natural gas supply will be conducted in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. This will require flexibility, unprecedented focus and input from industry, academia, and our national laboratories, and an acceleration of R&D activities. These goals can be best accomplished through an industry-driven effort, with key oversight provided by the Department of Energy, consistent with its stewardship role in energy policy and the use of public funds. The Department is directed to focus the industry-led activities authorized by this legislation on unconventional onshore natural gas and other petroleum resource research and development projects, individual deepwater research and development projects, and the development of new ultra-deepwater natural gas and other petroleum architectures. it will carry out programs of long-term research into new natural gas and other petroleum exploration and production technologies, such as methane hydrates; and environmental mitigation technologies for production from unconventional and ultra-deepwater resources, including carbon sequestration. All research, development and demonstration activities authorized by this legislation will be cost-shared by participants in the program. The deepwater and ultra-deepwater research, development and demonstration provisions of this bill shall be exercised only in the central and western Gulf of Mexico in areas that are already leased or are available for leasing. No offshore areas that are currently covered under federal leasing moratoria will be affected. This program will be funded from loans from the Treasury to be repaid from revenues from ultra-deepwater natural gas and other petroleum leases currently available for lease that would otherwise not be sold, additional appropriations and 7.5% of federal natural gas and other petroleum lease income. I believe that a concentrated industry effort with support from the government will enable us to produce the tremendous natural gas resources that exist in the Gulf of Mexico sooner and at lower cost than a traditional government R&D program. The model for this program is SEMATECH, the government-industry consortium that was established for the semiconductor industry in the 1980s. By combining industry R&D efforts, the semiconductor industry was able to remain competitive with the Japanese--a competitive advantage that the U.S. has maintained. This has been responsible, at least in part, for the enormous technology-drive growth that the U.S. enjoyed through the nineties--and even at a lower growth rate today. These R&D models work and we should not be reluctant to employ them as needed. The government's interests are protected thorough recoupment provision in the legislation. These provisions provide for the repayment of government funds used to develop and demonstrate the successful technologies that emerge from this program. The recoupment provisions in the bill, combined with the additional royalties that will be collected on the natural gas production from these ultradeep structures will recoup the government's investment in this program many times over. It's a win-win for the government and the taxpayers: The government funding up front makes it possible for this high-risk research to be undertaken by industry, which will generally be matching the government outlays on a dollar for dollar basis. The needed gas supplies will be produced sooner and at a time when domestic natural gas production is declining and demand is rapidly increasing.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) has stated that this is the most important environmental vote we will cast this year. I can follow by saying that it is the most important energy vote we will cast this year. But to be more succinct, I would say it is the most important vote we are going to cast this year because August lurks out there. August. I tell the people from California, the West Coast, those from Florida, we have a problem that we have to solve, and I want to be part of that solution. I want to help California and the West Coast. Even though, through the 12-year battle for clean air, those people, those very same people who are objecting to this amendment wanted no transmission. They wanted no drilling. They did not want a boat in the harbor with energy on it, or a railroad going through with energy on it. And I compliment them. They represented their State well. They did exactly what their States wanted them to do, and they were successful. Despite their reluctance for energy self-help, we have to work with them and we are going to. We are going to solve it. It is a little like the Boy Scout who was trying to help the lady across the street when she did not want to go. We are going to help the West Coast go across the street, even though they are objecting to it tonight. Even though they now cry out for energy, I think it is odd that they want to tell us where the energy cannot come from. Yet it is in our national interest to close ranks and solve the problem. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is about energy. The barometer for the United States on the economy and how well we are doing is new home starts and new auto sales. But because nations will fight for energy, because we will send kids overseas to fight for energy, the barometer on energy is $3 a gallon for gasoline and, I am sorry to say, body bags. Those are things that we need to remember. Some say that the North Slope is beautiful. I would tell you, Hades is probably beautiful if it is covered in snow. And I would drill at Hollywood and Vine if it took it to keep my kids out of body bags.