Ralph Hall

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I honor and pay tribute to a great American, Major Edward J. Marty of Tyler, TX, to whom I had the privilege recently to present the Purple Heart Medal which he earned more than twenty years ago. Major Edward Marty proudly and courageously served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, 8 months and 16 days. On January 1, 1969, 1st Lieutenant Edward Marty was wounded by a land mine while leading his platoon of the 1st Calvary Division through the marshlands and rice paddies of Vietnam. Due to fractures in his legs and arms and a traumatic eye injury, Lt. Marty was transferred to multiple hospitals and was never presented the Purple Heart Medal, as is traditional. After many months in hospitals, and exactly two years after he was wounded, Lt. Marty was sent back to Vietnam as an advisor to Vietnamese Rangers, but through some unfortunate oversight, he still never received the much-deserved Purple Heart while on active duty in the Army, or any time shortly following his retirement. It was not until this year that Major Marty finally received his award, and I was honored to make the presentation on November 10, during a Veterans' Day program at John Tyler High School in Tyler, TX, where Major Marty serves as Smith County Assistant District Attorney. It was a moving moment for Major Marty--and myself--and I believe the ceremony had a special impact on students at John Tyler who know about the Vietnam conflict only through textbooks or personal testimony. Certainly, most of the students had never met a distinguished Purple Heart recipient. As we all know, the Purple Heart is an honor launched by George Washington to recognize those who gave above and beyond the call of duty and who wear the scar of battle. Major Edward Marty is among this elite group of Purple Heart recipients who risked their lives and suffered injuries for the cause of freedom. So it is with great admiration that I recognize Major Marty today, and as we prepare to adjourn the 106th session of Congress, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this true American hero--Major Edward Marty.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary public servant from Texas, the late Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez of San Antonio, who died last week on November 28, 2000. Henry B., as he was affectionately known, was an active and beloved Member of the House of Representatives--and my friend--and he will be dearly missed by all. Henry B. served the 20th Congressional District of Texas for 37 years as a dedicated and respected member of the House of Representatives. He held deeply rooted values and ideals and fiercely fought for those he represented. Henry B. Gonzalez was elected to serve in the House of Representatives in 1961, as the first Mexican-American from the State of Texas, and for the next 37 years he was a force with which to be reckoned. In 1989, he became Chairman of the Banking Committee, and during his tenure he served a critical role during the savings and loan crisis. Gonzalez was devoted to his family, his profession, and to his community, and he leaves a legacy of service that will be remembered by his many friends and constituents. His Congressional legacy includes bringing the University of Texas Health Science Center and the Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital to San Antonio, as well as securing millions of federal dollars for housing, hospitals, urban renewal and schools, in efforts to make his Congressional district a better place in which to live. As a public servant, his legacy extends to the throngs of his friends and to many people that he never met. Henry B. reached out to try and help anyone in need and he was capable of friendship to those in all walks of life--with equal dignity for all. It was a sad day for me when Henry B. decided to retire from Congress. As a friend and one of his colleagues from the Texas delegation, I hold the utmost respect and admiration for Henry B. Gonzalez. Like everyone else who knew and/or served with Henry--I felt a close and personal kinship to Henry. We shared many stories--and critiqued many of our old friends and colleagues. He always found something good and kind to say about those with whom he served. He also was capable of remembering those who slighted him or those he represented. Like the old saying--Henry was very much the epitome of being like fire and water--a faithful friend or a fearful enemy. I was privileged to be his close and personal--and admiring--friend. Henry B. brought dignity and honor to Congress--and in all that he accomplished. His distinguished career and contributions to the State of Texas will be long remembered, and I would like to take this opportunity to join Charles and the rest of his family, his friends, and my peers in paying our last respects to Henry B. Gonzalez. Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, may we do so in memory of this beloved statesman and public servant, the Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to the queen of the 2000 Texas Rose Festival, Caroline Malone Key, and to Tiffany Love Mea, who served as duchess of the rose growers during the festival which was held October 19-22 in Tyler, TX--the ``Rose Capital of the Nation.'' Miss Key is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William O. Key of Tyler. Her family has been actively involved in the Rose Festival for many years and in service to the community, and Caroline has participated in the Rose Festival in various capacities in previous years. She is a freshman at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. A native of Tyler, she attended All Saints Episcopal School, where she was active in student affairs. Her community services activities include St. Louis School, Habitat for Humanity, Bellwood Lake Clean-Up, Young Life, Tyler Rose Museum, Discovery Science Place and Tyler Day Nursery. Miss Mea is the daughter of Pamela Jenkins of Tyler and Joseph C. Mea of Lindale. Her father is owner of Mea Nursery of Lindale, where Tiffany grew up learning about the industry and developing a special appreciation for roses. She attended All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler and is a 1999 graduate of San Marcos Baptist Academy. She is an honor student at St. Edward's University in Austin, where she is majoring in communications production, and is involved in Hunger Awareness and Habitat for Humanity. As duchess, Tiffany also will serve as an ambassador to Tyler, representing the area and its rose industry throughout the year. Inspired by the Tyler Garden Club and begun in 1933, the Texas Rose Festival represents the spirit that brings Tyler together as a community. Tyler is home to the Nation's largest municipal rose garden and museum. Approximately one-fifth of all commercial rose bushes produced in the United States are grown in Smith County, while over one-half of the Nation's rose bushes are packaged and shipped from this area. Each year more than 100,000 people from around the world visit the Tyler Rose Garden and Museum. The Rose Garden blooms from late April until frost with over 30,000 rose bushes exhibiting approximately 450 varieties of roses. The Museum features memorabilia of past festivals, including hand-sewn, jeweled costumes dating as far back as 1935. James W. Arnold is the 2000 festival president. The Texas Rose Festival attracts local citizens and visitors from throughout the country and is a showcase for Tyler's hospitality as well as its vibrant rose industry. The success of the Rose Festival is a reflection of the dedication, hard work and community spirit of hundreds of citizens and local businesses in Tyler. It is a source of tremendous civic pride for Tyler and East Texas, and it has evolved into a premiere event that is known throughout the Nation. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have participated in the Rose Festival for many years, and I would like to take this opportunity to commend all those whose efforts have made it possible and to congratulate Caroline Key, Rose Festival Queen for 2000, and Tiffany Mea, Duchess of the Rose Growers.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege today to pay tribute to the life of an outstanding citizen of the Fourth District of Texas, the late Elvin E. Riley Jr., of Winona, who died on September 21 at the age of 76. Elvin was born in Houston and lived in Winona most of his life. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was a salesman for American Hospital Supply for twenty years and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Winona. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Minnie ``Mick'' Riley of Winona; daughter, Kathleen Riley of Dallas; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanelle and Dave Maland of Tyler; three granddaughters; two grandsons; two stepgrandsons; and two great-granddaughters. I knew Elvin as a dear friend, a supporter and a great patriot. He received the Purple Heart--an honor launched by George Washington to recognize those who gave above and beyond and wore the scar of battle. Elvin will be missed by his family and many friends in Winona. He was devoted to his family, his community and to his country, and as we adjourn today, let us do so in his memory.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program I think deserve everything that the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) has recommended. I think they deserve the support of this House, because their missions are very important to the safety of every American anywhere. I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Committee on Basic Research, and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), who is the ranking Democratic member of the subcommittee, for their good work in developing H.R. 1550. Also I want to acknowledge the leadership of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), chairman of the Committee on Science, for moving the legislation forward and for so ably setting it forth before us tonight. Mr. Speaker, actually, title I of H.R. 1550 will give the Fire Administration the resources it needs to carry out its important mission and will also ensure that the agency conducts a strategic planning necessary to ensure that the resources provided are spent effectively. In addition, title II of the bill reauthorizes the funding of Federal research and geosciences, social sciences and engineering that has contributed to saving countless lives, personal property and critical infrastructures. This continued support will allow for even greater strides in innovative areas that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, the United States Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Science and Technology are currently exploring. The U.S. Fire Administration is a small agency with a very large role. The funding provided by this bill will be used to improve the skills of the firefighters and emergency response personnel. The funds will help to increase the public awareness of fire safety. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the funds will support research required to improve the equipment available for suppressing fires and protecting firefighters. The funding authorizations provided cover fiscal year 2001 through the year 2003. The fiscal year 2001 authorization is right at the President's request. The increases in authorization levels for the other two outyears will provide resources needed to accommodate new responsibilities at the Fire Administration for counterterrorism, training, and to reinvigorate the agency's research activities. Mr. Speaker, title II of H.R. 1550 reauthorizes the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. In addition to authorizing increased funding for the base earthquake program, and I am proud to announce this, the bill authorizes, one, the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation; and, two, the Advanced Seismic Research and Monitoring System; and, three, a study on elements of the earthquake program that address the needs of at-risk populations. Mr. Speaker, the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation is an effort by the National Science Foundation to modernize the earthquake engineering research facilities. Mr. Speaker, it is an effort that I think my good friend, the late George Brown, would have applauded; and I am overjoyed that this bill honors the 30-plus years of advocacy of the late George E. Brown, Jr. on earthquake mitigation and preparedness in this fashion. It is truly fitting that Representative Brown, one of the original drafters of the 1977 earthquake bill and a man whose name remains synonymous with earthquake preparedness and mitigation during his time in this Congress, is equated with the improvement in the earthquake infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I fully support H.R. 1550 and commend the measure to the House for its very favorable consideration. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), who is the ranking democratic member of the Subcommittee on Basic Research.

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

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this is a story about a World War II LST that is coming home. She is one of the last of her kind. She has seen a lot in her time. And now, at about 65 years of age, she is about to take on one of the biggest challenges of her entire lifetime. She was there on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Time and again, the gallant LST 325 returned to Omaha Beach, through murderous gunfire, to unload more men and more equipment to replenish the high casualty and death rate being suffered. She was repaired, and she survived. At the close of World War II, she was transferred for service to Greece and her name was changed to Syros. After years of good service to Greece, Syros was no longer needed. About 3 years ago, my constituent, James Edwards of Canton, Texas, contacted me with a request for assistance in the retransfer of the LST from Greece to the United States LST Ship Memorial, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose membership consists of former Navy service members, mostly World War II type guys. I understand the feelings, as I fall in that category, too. The members of this organization had a dream and a goal that never died. They planned, dreamed, and worked for years to own their own LST. They had a vision of using the ship for educational purposes. They wanted young people to tour the ship and experience the value of such a trip in helping to win the war and to honor the work it had done. They wanted young Navy midshipmen to train on her, and they wanted Americans of all ages to climb aboard and visit her and even sail on her. Therefore, the LST had to be a movable museum, one that could sail around the waters of the United States and even up the rivers, docking at cities along the way to welcome visitors aboard. That was a tall order, but a worthy cause. After learning of this noble plan, I introduced legislation to secure the transfer from Greece, and I want to thank my colleagues who supported this effort and helped pass it. I think it should be noticed that the legislation never required one Federal dollar. Unique in itself, the Memorial Association has been raising money and saving funds for years, waiting for that day when they could bring a ``live'' LST back home. Mr. Speaker, the good news is that the veterans have been in Greece for 3 months, at their own expense, renovating the ship in preparation for the journey back home. She is equipped with the newest radar, repainted and made safe and livable for this historic trip. LST 325 will be sailed home by these veterans, most of whom are veterans of World War II and many of them who are retired. The average age is reported to be at 74 years young. Recently, the men took LST 325 for a 5-hour shakedown. They cruised around Crete, and she performed perfectly. The report came back to me that the veterans said how wonderful to feel the salt air in their faces again, and I heard that there were some tears of joy mixed in. These men are being cheered and supported by current Navy personnel stationed in Crete and by members of the Hellenic Navy. I am pleased to tell my colleagues that our Ambassador to Greece, Nicholas Burns, and officials of our American Embassy, have done much to make all of this good news possible, and I am sure my colleagues will join me in being appreciative of their assistance. Finally, having planned very well and believing they had all loose ends tied up, these veterans discovered that their source for food was not going to be available. Neither was their source for fuel. That was the bad news. How were they going to get the LST back home? This story is fraught with heroes. This epic, this ongoing saga of 40 courageous World War II veterans giving of their hearts to bring the LST 325 home, found another big heart and that is the heart of Mike McAdams, a vice president of British Petroleum, a fellow Texan and former staffer of mine, who went to other officials of BP with the story of this little band of veterans, so full of bravery and determination and so in need of fuel. Mr. Speaker, the good news is that British Petroleum has donated over 40,000 gallons of fuel to the men and the memorial ship, enough to bring LST 325 back home to America. They are ecstatic and grateful and so am I. The corporate leaders of British Petroleum have shown a responsibility to share which cuts across all generations in a salute to those who have given so much and served so proudly. Mr. Speaker, I say: thank you, Mike Mc Adams and thank you British Petroleum. The transfer of documents will take place in Athens momentarily and the LST 325 will be on her way. The plan is to stop in Rota, Spain, taking the southern route home. She is expected in Fort Lauderdale sometime around Thanksgiving, as she travels only 7\1/2\ knots an hour. I hope to be there when she arrives. What a celebration that will be. When the men, these veterans, come home, they will have realized a dream of many years and a vision for a memorial that will honor all veterans who have put their lives in harm's way. Many of their shipmates lost their lives during the amphibious assaults, and the LST memorial will honor these men who sail this ship today in the memory of all who have gone before them. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of the 106th Congress, I am honored to pay tribute to the veterans of the LST and all those who helped make this dream come true. I hope that my colleagues will join me in wishing them well and say a prayer for their safe journey back home.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 4271, the National Science Education Act. This is a bipartisan bill that incorporate ideas from Members on both sides of the aisle. It has widespread support from science educators and support from the industry. H.R. 4271 is focused on a problem of great importance to the future of the Nation, that is, improvement of science, math, and technology education in elementary and secondary schools. The important role of science education to our future well-being is widely understood. An informed citizenry and a full pipeline of future scientists and engineers will depend on the quality of science and math education. I want to congratulate the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) for his efforts to move the bill forward for floor consideration today. I also want to acknowledge the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), the vice chairman of the Committee, and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking Democratic member of the Subcommittee on Basic Research, for all of their hard work on conducting the series of committee hearings that have provided the basis for this bill and on development of this legislation. The programs established by H.R. 4271 will address serious deficiencies in preparation and professional development of K-12 science and math teachers. The bill will provide new partnerships between schools and businesses to encourage greater student interest in science and in technology. And the bill will help to develop more effective curricular materials, including the exploration of ways to deploy education technologies more effectively. Mr. Speaker, I believe the programs authorized by the National Science Foundation by H.R. 4271 will go a long way to improve K-12 science education in all of our schools. There is no more important goal to ensure the Nation's future prosperity and well-being. I commend the measure to the House and urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, yes, I am one who wants the parents to make the decision as to what type of education their children have. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is a situation that sailed through the committee with input from both sides. It is a good bill. It is a bill that is endangered now because some things have been detected in it, and it is not unlikely that could happen to any committee or any member of the committee. But we have a problem with it, and we would have worked it out. I think the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), and, of course, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and others would have worked it out at the committee level. But that did not happen. I am very hopeful that in colloquy between the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), they are both highly skilled in the art of compromise, maybe something can be worked out with this. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey). (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson). (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4940. The bill has two parts. Title I provides for designating an existing museum in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the official American Museum of Science and Energy and expands the authority of the Secretary of the Energy in Oak Ridge to include acceptance and sale of any gifts, devices, or property intended for the museum. With the new authority, this museum is going to be able to generate its own revenues by measures such as charging admission, soliciting corporate sponsors, and keeping the funds generated by the retail outlet. Therefore, title I will serve to alleviate the financial burden on Oak Ridge National Laboratory and its contractor, as well as to promote collaboration with corporate sponsors. Mr. Speaker, title II of the bill is the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act. This act, which was first passed by the House unanimously earlier this year, provides for a coordinated basic research initiative and information technology. It authorizes the total of nearly $7 billion over 5 years for seven civilian R&D agencies. The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act was introduced by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) with bipartisan cosponsorship; and I am pleased the committee acted within the spirit of cooperation to further develop this measure. Several amendments which were proposed by Members on both sides of the aisle have been incorporated into the bill before us. Title II of H.R. 4940 enjoys broad, bipartisan support. I congratulate the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) for his untiring efforts to move it forward toward final passage. Mr. Speaker, the Information Technology R&D initiative has great support also from the academic and the industrial research communities and from a wide range of computer, software, and communications companies. It also, Mr. Speaker, has been endorsed by broad industry groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, two fine, free enterprises and pro- business groups. Finally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4940 is a bipartisan bill that would lead to many societal benefits. It will help ensure that this Nation continues to maintain economic growth and international competitiveness in the information economy of the 21st century. I ask for the support of my colleagues and for its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would first, of course, like to compliment the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and, of course, the chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner), for their very hard work on this question of computer security. I get asked about that so very much and so very often. This has been an important topic for this committee for 15 years or more and dating back to the committee at the time when Congressman Jack Brooks enacted the very first security computer law dealing with federally owned computers. H.R. 2413 brings our computer security efforts into the Internet age by working to upgrade the security of unclassified Federal computer systems and networks. The computer world has changed dramatically since we wrote the original Computer Security Act in the mid-1980s. Then we were coping with a new set of problems brought about by the arrival of personal securities and the movement of computer security problems that move beyond the mainframe computers. Now, with the arrival of the World Wide Web, attacks on government computers are far more difficult to detect and certainly come from anywhere in the world. So effective and coordinated Federal computer security is now more important than it has ever been before. H.R. 2413 confirms the National Institute of Standards and Technology's lead role in setting policy guidelines and measuring the effectiveness of computer security practices in civilian agencies. NIST is also authorized to provide guidance and assistance to Federal agencies in the protection of interconnected computer systems and to promote compliance by Federal agencies with the existing computer information security and privacy guidelines and to assist other agencies in responding to unauthorized access to Federal computer systems. Thanks to the leadership of the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), H.R. 2413 also will permit the Federal Government to advance e-commerce and e-government by providing for secure electronic authentication technologies. Mr. Speaker, there has never been a time when so much of our lives have been documented by Federal computers. Veterans all across this country have the right to expect their medical records to be secure. Our seniors have to be able to depend on the security of the Social Security Administration's computers. The IRS must be able to protect our tax records from disclosure. Small businesses that deal with the government must have their records protected from potential competitors. NIST has long been a leader in computer security, and it makes a lot of sense for NIST to share this expertise with other agencies. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to pass this important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), who is the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, has been unbelievably supportive in the drawing and passing and bringing to this stage this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon).

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I, of course, am pleased to support H.R. 2884, which has been pointed out to be an Energy Policy and Conservation Act and gives the Department of Energy some authority to continue operating the Strategic Petroleum Reserve that we call SPR. Given current tensions in the Middle East, it is not surprising to me that Congress feels that they must enact legislation to give the President authority to draw down and deploy the SPR. This bill authorizes some other provisions that the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) has pointed out that are very good. Actually, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) has problems in the North and the East with heating oil, and I certainly subscribe to those. He and I have tried to work together to come up with a solution to where we would be fair with those that produced energy and fair with those who desperately need it in the North and East. We are still working on that, but this bill authorizes a northeast heating oil reserve and permits DOE to fill SPR with stripper wells in Texas and in other areas when the prices fall below $15 a barrel. That is the amendment of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) that I certainly support. That helps those that produce it and also helps those that need it. Similar provisions were included in the bill previously as reported by the Committee on Commerce and it is a good thing that the Senate bill retained these beneficial amendments to the current law. The bill also includes and addresses several other energy issues. It will improve energy conservation in Federal buildings; aid in the development of small hydroelectric projects in Alaska; update and improve the weatherization program and establish a heating oil checkoff program for consumer education and safety. It is a good bill, and this bill helps. The President's order to use some of the SPR, maybe if it was only for 6 or 8 days even helped the spirit of Americans who were faced with $2 gas and gas that could go on up from there, but really it is my feeling that the real answer lies on the North Slope and other shut-in areas in the lower 48 States and the ocean floor where they tell us we cannot drill; where if we could drill we might solve this and those gasoline prices might go to the left and drop back down below a dollar. Energy is national asset. Ten States produce it. My State is one of them. The other 40 use it. It is hard to get good energy legislation. So how important is energy in the every day activities of this Congress? Energy is very important. It is a national asset. Countries have fought for energy. Our kids would have to fight for energy if we do not address it ourselves. Hitler went east into the Ploesti oil fields for energy. Japan went south into Malaysia for energy. We sent 400,000 kids to the desert over there for energy. So energy is important, and I do not believe that it hurts to get it off of the ocean floor. I myself do not think that an offshore rig looks nearly as bad to people as a troop ship loaded with American boys and girls going off to some far away country to fight for energy. Mr. Speaker, it is a good bill, and I support it.