Robin Hayes

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Major General Arthur M. Bartell, United States Army, Deputy Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg on the occasion of his promotion and new command assignment. Major General Bartell has served our great Nation for more than 31 years as a truly exceptional officer, and I am proud to call him my friend. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Art on his well-deserved promotion to Major General and his new assignment as Commanding General, United States Army Cadet Command. Since his assignment as Deputy Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps in June 2007, I have had the honor of working closely with him on behalf of our warfighters here at Fort Bragg. With the deployment of Corps Headquarters in January, he has been an outstanding leader as Commander of Task Force Bragg. Major General Bartell has also been a great ambassador in his outreach to the local community, and it is much appreciated. Most importantly, Art's concern for his troops is evident, and he leads by example. Soldier, leader, scholar, gentleman--Major General Art Bartell truly personifies what a warrior should be. His career accomplishments speak for themselves: Major General Arthur M. Bartell was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer in 1977 through ROTC at the University of Michigan. He began his career as a Forward Observer and Battery Fire Direction Officer with B Battery 2nd BN, 17th FA in the Republic of Korea. Duty with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) followed. There he served as a Battery Executive Officer, Battalion Fire Support Officer, Battalion Fire Direction Officer and Battery Commander in the 2nd Bn, 320th FA. He next served at Fort Wainwright with the 172nd Light Infantry Brigade (Sep) as both Battalion Fire Support Officer and Battery Commander in the 1st Bn, 37th FA. Following a tour at the U.S Army Military Personnel Center as the Field Artillery Personnel Systems Manager and attendance at the Army Command and General Staff College, Major General Bartell moved to Germany where he served as the Deputy G3 and G3 of VII Corps Artillery during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf. Returning to Germany, he served as the Battalion Executive Officer for the 4th Bn, 27th FA (MLRS) and as the Brigade S3 for the 41st FA Bde. Major General Bartell then moved to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) for duty as the Division Artillery Executive Officer and as the Battalion Commander of the 1st Bn, 7th FA (which re-flagged to 3rd Bn, 6th FA during his tenure), both at Fort Drum and Port-au-Prince, Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. After completion of the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island, Art served as the Senior Fire Support Observer/Controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk. He then returned to Fort Drum as the Commander of the 10th Mountain Division Artillery. After completing his command tour, he assumed duties as the Chief, Joint Interoperability Training Division, and then as Deputy J7/Deputy Commander, Joint Warfighting Center, U.S. Joint Forces Command in Virginia. Following that Joint assignment, he returned, once again, to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) to be the Chief of Staff and deployed to Afghanistan with the Division Command Group and Staff as part of Operation Enduring Freedom where he assumed duties as the Chief of Staff for Combined Joint Task Force 180. Upon re-deployment from Afghanistan, Major General Bartell served as Deputy Commanding General, Support, 10th Mountain Division (LI). Following that assignment he was sent to the Pentagon where he served on the Joint Staff as Vice Director for Operational Plans and Joint Force Development. Major General Bartell's awards and decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal (w/OLC), Legion of Merit (w/OLC), Bronze Star Medal (w/OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (w/7 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (w/OLC), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (w/3 BSS), Humanitarian Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwaiti Kuwait Liberation Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (w/OLC), Meritorious Unit Award, and Joint Staff Identification Badge. On behalf of Congress, the United States of America, and the greater Fort Bragg community, I express our appreciation for Art's tireless service, expertise, patriotism, and dedication to our soldiers. No doubt he will prove a great role model for the cadets under his new command, though it will be a great loss for Fort Bragg and the XVIII Airborne Corps. I want to personally thank Major General Bartell, his wife Karen, and his sons for their commitment, sacrifice, and the contributions they have made throughout his honorable and distinguished military career. I congratulate Art on completing an exceptional tenure here at Fort Bragg and wish him many blessings and much success as he begins this new endeavor.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Defense-Wide, RDTE. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Partnership for Defense Innovation (Defense Security Technology Acclerator). Address of Requesting Entity: 455 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville NC 28301. Description of Request: The Partnership for Defense Innovation received an authorization for $3 million for an expansion of the PDI Special Operations Forces Wireless Testbed by establishing a testing and evaluation assessment center. This added capability will provide rapid testing and assessment, modeling and simulation, software verification, validation and accreditation, strategic analysis and consulting, and provides built out laboratories and equipment bays designed for technical testing and assessment. Capabilities will include an indoor high-bay for vehicle modification and testing, a radio frequency testing chamber for evaluation of communications equipment, and environmental testing chambers designed to test and assess the temperature and humidity impact on equipment. USSOCOM requires testing and assessment of emerging technologies in net-centric operations. USSOCOM is facing a convergence of factors constraining military bandwidth. The reliance on the vast amount and types of data that the net-centric warrior requires for computing, communication, command & control, intelligence and surveillance is challenging. These different types of data are collected from a plethora of different sources and sensor types, which rely on different data transfer protocols that can affect the size of the files and thus bandwidth demands. The Lab will continue to problem-solve these issues while providing a proximate test bed for just-intime new product tests and evaluations on WiFi battlefield solutions. A $2 million add for this request was included in the final bill. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Operations & Maintenance, Marine Corps, Operating Forces. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Longworth Industries. Address of Requesting Entity: 480 E. Main Street, Candor, NC 27229. Description of Request: Provide an authorization of $5,000,000 for Acclimate Flame Resistant High Performance Base Layers. Acclimate flame resistant high performance base layers are designed to provide an increased degree of protection against potential exposure to heat and flame of a short duration. In a flash fire situation, Acclimate flame resistant base layers are thermostatic meaning they will remain physically intact when exposed to a short duration heat source. They will not break open, thus helping to minimize burn injuries as well as eliminating the intensified burns caused by the melting or dripping of other synthetic materials. The Marine Corps has a $27.0 million ``Unfunded Requirement'' to provide, ``modernized clothing and equipment that is more effective, lighter and more durable to support the warfighter in austere environments that have been identified in the Global War on Terrorism.'' The Clothing and Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) program (including the Fire Resistant Desert Combat Jacket) has been funded to meet the Marine Corps' flame resistant apparel requirements with products like the Acclimate Flame Resistant High Performance Base Layers. A $1.6 million add was included in the final bill. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: OPN Budget Activity 01, Line #19, Items Less than $5 million. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: IMO Pump. Address of Requesting Entity: 1710 Airport Road, Monroe, NC, USA. Description of Request: Provide an authorization of $4 million for the procurement and installation of Canned Lube Pumps (CLP) on four LSD-41/49 Class amphibious ships. This funding will purchase 16 CLP units to complete the LSD-41 class. Approximately, $400,000 is for technical support for installation; $2.8M for the CLP units and installation; $600,000 for battle spares; $200,000 for proto type ship board test for LHD class. The Navy has indicated that the total savings over the life of the LSD 41/49 class from installing the CLP is over $33.1 million and the return investment to the Navy is 394 percent. This funding will complete the procurement and installation of the Whidbey Island Class. A $2 million add was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Defense-Wide, RDT & E. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) and Northrup Grumman. Address of Requesting Entity: UNC--Charlotte Campus in Charlotte, NC is the location of performance (where the work will be done): University of North Carolina--Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 and Northrup Grumman, 7323 Aviation Blvd, Mail Stop 1105, Baltimore, MD 21040 Description of Request: Provide a $3 million authorization for Superlattice Nanotechnology research for the Department of Defense to be performed at UNC--Charlotte. Most of today's compound semiconductor devices made from silicon (Si) and silicon germanium (SiGe) have high power capabilities, but are limited by defect density and other factors affecting yield, cost and performance. One of the most promising new materials is SiC, which is used to make high power radio frequency (RF), power switching, and high current switching devices for a multitude of DoD applications. Superlattice nanotechnology can mitigate the size, yield and performance limitations of SiC by utilizing atomic level control of the SiC-on-Si growth process. This will greatly reduce the cost and improve the performance of many of the desired SiC devices. Superlattice nanotechnology will form the structure for the next dimension in RF electronics (Radar, EW, communications), radiation hard electronics (satellite, special use), and power conditioning electronics (DEW, electromagnetic gun), enabling performance levels unachievable with today's technology. Request $5.0 million be added to the President's FY09 Budget Request to continue development of silicon carbide (SiC) Superlattice Nanotechnology. A $2 million add was included in the final bill. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Defense-Wide, RDT & E. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: United Protective Technologies. Address of Requesting Entity: United Protective Technologies (UPT) 4600 H Lebanon Road, Charlotte, NC 28227 and their Locust, North Carolina facility. Description of Request: Provide a $2 million authorization for Non- Hazardous Infrared Anti-Reflective Coatings for Army Aircraft Sensors. An alternative coating to extend the service life of expensive and critical infrared range sensor windows is now available. This coating presents none of the health or environmental impacts found in other currently used Anti-reflective coatings. Prototype examples and early stage data of this new capability have been presented to the US Army and have received very positive feedback. Key features include unprecedented environment stability, and excellent abrasion and erosion protection. This coating may also be used on both flat windows and on dome-shaped configurations. This coating will increase the survivability of sensor windows and reduce cost of ownership through an increase in operation life and performance. Army provided Cost/Benefit analysis shows that the windows of the AH64 Targeting Sensor Array (TADS/PNVS) are currently demonstrating a Mean Time between Unscheduled Removal of 5031 (PNVS) and 5495 (TADS) flight hours. With the current Operational Tempo AH-64's can be expected to fly approximately 100,000 flight hours per year (total fleet). Based on the damage seen on removed windows, a conservative estimate is that this coating will cut unscheduled removals by 50 percent, saving $418,000/year for the Apache Airframe. Other Army airframes could show a savings amounting to an additional $800,000 annually. $1.2 million was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Navy. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Combat Displays, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 100-B Industrial Drive, New Bern, N.C. 28562. Description of Request: Provide an authorization of $6,800,000 for development of environmentally sealed, ruggedized avionics displays for vertical lift systems and will be done in conjunction with the Center for Vertical Lift Excellence, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Cherry Point, NC in support of technology to benefit our military aviators. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the Navy RDT&E account. A $4 million add was included in the final bill. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Other Procurement, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: North Carolina National Guard for the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (30th HBCT). Address of Requesting Entity: North Carolina National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters, Raleigh, NC and the SAASM GPS retrofit work will be done by Aerospace Communications Division, 2193 Anchor Court, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Description of Request: Requested $1 million to procure up to 200 Embedded SAAMS cards for installation on 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) radios before deployment to Iraq. The 30th HCBT NCARNG has been alerted for deployment to Iraq in second quarter FY09. This will be the second tour for the unit. The BCT has about 3500 men and women from the North Carolina National Guard, roughly a quarter of the total North Carolina National Guard. Many of the members of the unit will be conducting operations directly against insurgent forces. Installation of the Embedded SAAMS system into the existing radios of the 30th HBCT will provide the ground commander with increased situational awareness during operations, which will increase ground troop effectiveness and decreasing the risk of fratricide. The 30th HBCT are set to deploy to the AOR for the second time since 9/11 and this increased capability request will not be taken care of by the Army before they depart. This request will enable these North Carolina Guardsmen to be fully equipped for their deployment. This is a one time request to pay for the radio upgrade with SAASM GPS card. $800,000 was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: OM, ARNG. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: North Carolina National Guard. Address of Requesting Entity: North Carolina National Guard, North Carolina National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters, Raleigh, NC. Description of Request: ARNG Soldier/Family Support: NCNG Family Assistance Center Pilot Program--Request $2M to establish a pilot project in North Carolina of geographically disbursed Family Assistance Centers that will support the families of deployed service members living in rural areas and locations distant from military bases. Since 9/11, the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) has experienced an unprecedented operational pace that includes mobilizing over 95 percent of the force. Current indications are that this pace will continue for the foreseeable future. These mobilizations have a significant effect on our families and children. One of the most vital lessons learned is that they experience this impact not only during the deployment, but prior to and especially after the service member returns. Family Assistance Centers (FACs) provide essential support and services to families of members of the NCNG and of all the other Armed Services. These services could include counseling, health care information, financial advice, employer support, legal support and guidance, crisis referral, community outreach, veteran affairs and more. Unlike the active component, NCNG families are not geographically centered near installations like Fort Bragg, Seymour Johnson or Camp Lejeune, all of which provide these services to their members. Instead, NCNG families are spread throughout the state and in most cases cannot get to these installations on a routine basis or without some hardship. Establishing F ACs across the state allows the NCNG to provide consistent and continuous vital support and services to the families of members of the NCNG and the Armed Services. Funding this program will significantly reduce the impact on families and will directly contribute to sustaining a strong North Carolina National Guard. $1.6 million was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDTE, DW. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Parker Domnick Hunter (domnick hunter, Inc. A Division of Parker). Address of Requesting Entity: 5900-B Northwoods Parkway Charlotte, NC 28269. Description of Request: Request $2 million forNano Porous Hollow Fiber Regenerative Chemical Filter. Funding would complete live agent chemical testing of a nano porous hollow fiber regenerative chemical filter and evaluate incorporation of this breakthrough technology into an Individual, Self-Cleaning, Protective Mask. This program meets the military requirement to effectively protect the warfighter from the full range of chemical and biological agents. Current Individual Protection Equipment, provided to warfighters and first responders for protection against chemical and biological weapons, has significant shortcomings including limited chemical protection ability and a significant logistics tail. The U.S. Army and Defense Threat Reduction Agency have made the development of novel technologies for use in advanced Individual Protective mask applications a priority objective. Nano porous hollow fiber filter is one such breakthrough technology. The hollow fiber filter requires very little energy to operate (10-20 watts vs. 8 kilowatts for a 50 cubic ft/min. unit), is lightweight (15 lbs. vs. 150 lbs. for a 50 CFM unit), and has a self cleaning capability. Initial chemical testing confirms protection ability. Further live agent testing in a U.S. military facility is required in order to complete the design for integration into next generation Individual Protective Equipment, thus equipping warfighters and first responders with complete chemical agent protection, eliminating the logistics burden of the current filter, and providing drastic life cycle cost savings. $1 million was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDTE, DW. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC). Address of Requesting Entity: Concurrent Technologies Corporation 150 Rowan Street, Suite 206 Fayetteville, NC 28301-4920. Description of Request: Request $5 million for Technology Infusion Cell (TIC). Under direction of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Manager Special Operations Technology Development (SOTD), provide deploying and deployed forces with ultra-responsive, independent evaluation, applied research, rapid prototype development and time sensitive critical information; compartmented as required. The Technology Infusion Cell serves as an ultra-responsive resource, tied to academia, science/industry to meet unique Special Operations Forces unit requirements and share concepts and information with DoD organizations and rapid deployment forces. The Technology Infusion Cell serves as an ultra-responsive resource, tied to academia, science/ industry to meet unique Special Operations Forces unit requirements and share concepts and information with DoD organizations and rapid deployment forces. $1 million was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDTE, A. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: INI Power Systems. Address of Requesting Entity: 175 Southport Drive Morrisville, NC 27560. Description of Request: Request Soldier Portable Power Pack (SP3) for the 21st Century Warrior Sophisticated technologies that support modem military communications and weaponry are revolutionizing strategic and tactical combat operations around the world, but are also creating unprecedented demands for portable power. Advancements in telecommunications and electronic weaponry are critical to a dismounted soldier's ability to leverage portable electronic equipment including laptops, GPS, night vision goggles, 2- way radios, laser-designators, chemical sensors, and other network equipment. The soldier's technological edge is rendered ineffective though without equally portable and sustainable power sources. Currently, primary batteries--based on 1960s technology--provide the majority of portable DC power for the dismounted soldier; major drawbacks are added weight, low power density and limited functionality. For example, in a typical 72 hour mission, up to half of the rucksack weight for a dismounted soldier outfitted with standard electronic gear is in batteries. This creates a logistical problem for soldiers who must prioritize either extra batteries or adequate ammunition and supplies. The ever growing power demands for the soldier's electronic gear aggravate this dilemma and as today's soldier becomes increasingly networked on the battlefield, portable DC power sources must provide much higher energy density than current state-of- the-art batteries are providing. The SP3 is also eco-friendly; byproducts are water and CO2 and a 25W system operating continuously produces 5X less CO2 than a soldier breathing in that same span. INI Power Systems proposes to build and field test, over a two year period, twenty five (25) of its prototype SP3 power systems for Army soldier portable applications. The systems are designed to meet the specific power, weight and reliability requirements needed for demanding military operations. The 25 watt power pack, engineered for communication and weapon system applications, combines methanol--a high energy density and logistically friendly liquid fuel--with INI Power System's revolutionary direct methanol Laminar Flow Fuel Cell (LFFC') technology. Hybridized with readily available lithium ion batteries, INI's portable power systems yield instant and continuous power for mission critical needs and functionality well beyond what is capable with batteries alone. The INI power system, weighing just over 3 pounds (1.5 kg), is designed to provide continuous power for 72 hours through the simple exchange of 8 oz fuel cartridges (each weighing less than 0.5 pounds) yet providing 10 hours of constant power per cartridge even at full power load. $1.7 million was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDTE, A. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sierra Monolithics. Address of Requesting Entity: 103 West Torrance Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA. Description of Request: Request $5 million for Advanced Radar Transceiver IC Development. This project was funded for $800K in FY 2008 and is currently being used in the demonstration of the Digital Array Radar program. This application allows multiple frequencies to be scanned simultaneously and allows radar beams to be independently operated from the same platform. The net result is better target tracking, more time on target, higher probability of detection and better utilization of the asset. The FY08 funding allows two items, use of the existing commercial IP to demonstrate feasibility and basic architecture of the digital section of the RFIC. To realize the complete potential of this technology the program needs to be fully funded to allow complete circuit design integration, fabrication and test for the RFIC. In particular a piece of IP must be developed to modify the frequency control of the commercial chip to one suitable for radar applications. This program leverages considerable commercial IP to gain a substantial gain for the government. The U.S. government benefits in several ways from this low cost enabling development. $800,000 was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDTE, AF. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The Timken Company. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 693, Canton, OH 44706-0930. Description of Request: Request $2.4 million on for Hybrid Bearings. Standard aerospace bearings are not adequate for the demands of Joint Strike Fighter engine, or many of our existing engines with the new requirements placed on the weapons platforms, as well as continued high usage In extreme conditions. As a result, the Air Force has been working with industry to develop an improved bearing that is tough, corrosion resistant and can tolerate the high speeds and temperatures of the expanding mission requirements. The purpose of the project is to develop a high speed bearing for aerospace applications that will provide exceptional hot hardness, exceptional fatigue life, exceptional wear resistance, and exceptional fracture toughness. Defense applications would include the JSF main shaft bearing application, as well as other weapons platforms or devices requiring high speed bearings. $1.6 million was included in the final bill for this project. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDTE, A. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alliant Techsystems (ATK). Address of Requesting Entity: 1215 South Clark Street Suite 1510, Arlington, VA 22202. Description of Request: Request $7.4 million for Individual Airburst Weapon System (IA WS). The Individual Automatic Weapons System (IAWS) is a 25mm shoulder-fired weapon that provides the U.S. infantryman--for the first time in a direct fire weapon--the ability to defeat enemy combatants in defilade and concealed positions. The system includes the rifle, target acquisition and fire control component, and 25mm high explosive precision air bursting (HEAB) munitions. The program currently is in ACTD, with several weapons systems having been delivered for demonstration. Additional funding is needed to continue development, and in particular to provide sufficient weapons systems and associated ammunition and test support for a complete user ``field assessment'' needed to qualify the system. $1 million was included in the final bill for this project.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifetime commitment of service to the United States of America, our Defense Department and our great United States Army by a true patriot, Lieutenant General Robert T. Dail, United States Army. On January 1st, 2009, Lieutenant General Dail will retire after 33 years and four months of dedicated and exceptionally distinguished service in the United States Army. In addition to his retirement, Lieutenant General Dail will relinquish responsibility as the 15th Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, DLA, after leading a Defense Agency that has become increasingly important to the Nation. The General's departure is indeed a loss for our Nation since over the last two years he achieved many remarkable accomplishments. I will highlight a few of them here: The extraordinary success of our military servicemen and women in the field, engaged in defending our freedom during times of peace and in times of war could not be accomplished without the unparalleled logistics support upon which our military so critically depends. Through General Dail's leadership this support has increased to the extent that ninety-five percent of the materials used by the entire U.S. military is provided by the 22,000 hard-working DLA personnel around the globe. DLA has facilities in 48 states and 28 countries and each one is a source of pride for all of the DLA employees. All of the fuel supporting our jets, helicopters, ships and tanks is purchased by DLA. The food, military clothing, and supplies needed to sustain our forces is all managed by the DLA workforce. The DLA Defense Distribution system, an integrated network of 26 distribution depots here in the United States and in overseas locations such as Kuwait, Korea, Japan, Guam, Italy, and Germany, is crucial to the steady flow of materials to our troops. These DLA depots constitute a national treasure in their own right. Remarkably, General Dail guided DLA to record-setting levels of support for today's warfighters, our allies, and victims of natural disasters around the world, led DLA through a dramatic transformation of the Agency's enterprise business program, and extended the DLA enterprise across all of the Department of Defense. I would add that the Agency forged partnerships with industry, the military service materiel commands, and other Agencies in our Federal, State and Local Governments, and provided unprecedented support. Thirty-three years ago, General Dail earned his commission through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1975. He received a Master's in Business Administration from Boston University, a Master's in Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and a Master's in National Resource Management from the National Defense University. As a Transportation Officer, the General commanded at every level from platoon leader to brigade commander. He served as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington, D.C.; Director for Logistics at the United States Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia; Commanding General, United States Army Transportation Center, Fort Eustis, Virginia; Director, J-3/J-4, and Deputy Commander of United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He assumed his current position as the Director of DLA in August of 2006. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merits, Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and Army Staff Identification Badge. In closing, I wish to commend General Dail for over 33 years of distinguished service to our Nation, protecting our freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and wish him the very best in his future endeavors. His departure is a great loss to our Army, but we are better for having him in our ranks. He leaves us with a Defense Logistics Agency that is indeed a world-class provider of combat capability and one that has been greatly improved under his leadership and through his dedication to excellence. On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I express our appreciation of General Dail for his tireless service and constant support of the warfighter. His professionalism, expertise, and efforts showcase his patriotism, and his dedication to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. Though the following phrase is often used, I can say without reservation that it rarely as appropriate as it is in this case: LTG Robert Dail is truly a great American. I want to personally thank LTG Dail and his entire family for their commitment, sacrifice, and the contributions they have all made throughout his honorable and distinguished military service. I congratulate him on completing an exceptional and extremely successful military career and am humbled by his dedicated service to our nation. I wish LTG Dail many blessings and much success as he begins his future endeavors and embarks on new adventures.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which is included in H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Homeland Security Appropriations bill, FEMA Pre Disaster Mitigation Account. Requesting Entity: City of Kannapolis, North Carolina. The City's office is located at 246 Oak Avenue, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Earmark Description: I received an earmark of $468,000 for the Kingston Drive Culvert Replacement project, which was requested by the City of Kannapolis. The existing structures do not provide adequate carrying capacity for the area resulting in increased flooding of upstream properties. The older neighborhood adjacent to this culvert has experienced repeated problems with flooding when multi-day rain storms occur. The neighborhood being older was not built with an adequate drainage system and, because of its age, part of the neighborhood is in a flood zone. The city has invested in a second access road to the neighborhood for residents to use when flooding occurs, but to complete the project, which will reduce the incidents of flooding dramatically, this additional funding is needed.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Colonel Ray Helton, United States Army, on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. Colonel Helton has served our great Nation for more than 30 years as a truly exceptional officer and I am extremely proud to call him my friend. Over the past several years, as Co-Chair of the House Special Operations Forces Caucus, I have had the honor of working with Colonel Helton during his tenure as the Director of Legislative Affairs for United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Soldier, leader, scholar, statesman, gentleman----Ray truly personifies what a warrior should be and he has been an outstanding ambassador for Special Operations. Colonel Helton's dedication to his work on behalf of the warfighter has been unwavering. There is no doubt that Ray has been instrumental in educating the House Armed Services Committee, other defense-related Committees, and Members of Congress on a variety of issues critical to our Special Operators and their missions. His tireless efforts working with Members of Congress and the military perspective he brings to the table have undoubtedly resulted in a better understanding of the Special Operations community and its unique missions, requirements, and needs. He has been a tireless advocate for all of his fellow Special Operators. Though much of it has been behind the scenes, there is no doubt that his work has furthered our nation's goals in the continued Global War on Terror and saved lives in the field. Colonel Helton graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Illinois Army ROTC and began serving as an Infantry Officer in January 1981. His Infantry assignments include leading two platoons in the 3d Infantry Division and commanding two companies in the 101st Airborne Division. He was transferred to the Special Forces Branch in 1988 and served as a Detachment Commander, Battalion Personnel Officer and Battalion Operations Officer in the 10th Special Forces Group. He served as a Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer and Battalion Commander in the 3rd Special Forces Group. He has conducted training and operations with Soldiers on five continents. Colonel Helton also served as the Chief of Assignments of the Combat Arms Division in United States Personnel Command, as a Strategic Planner and Writer on the Joint Staff and as the Garrison Commander of Fort Drum, New York. Colonel Helton's military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, Combat Divers Course, Air Assault School, Ranger School, Special Forces Qualification School, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Survival Escape Resistance and Evasion Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Joint Psychological Operations Course, Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He received a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Illinois, a Master of Arts degree in National Strategy and Policy from the Naval War College and a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I express our appreciation of Colonel Helton for his tireless service and support of the warfighter. His professionalism, expertise, and efforts showcase his patriotism, and his dedication to his Special Operators in the field. Though the following phrase is often used, I can say without reservation that it is rarely as appropriate as it is in this case: Colonel Ray Helton is truly a great American. I want to personally thank Colonel Ray Helton, his wife Colonel Jane Helton, USA, and his entire family for their commitment, sacrifice, and the contributions they have all made throughout his honorable and distinguished military service. I congratulate Ray on completing an exceptional and extremely successful military career and am humbled by his dedicated service to our nation. I wish Colonel Helton and his family many blessings and much success as he begins his future endeavors and embarks on new adventures.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio, the Ohio delegation, and the gentlelady Ms. Kaptur for allowing me to be a part of this. Stephanie was a special friend. I am terribly saddened by the untimely passing of Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She was someone who cared deeply about helping others, especially those who couldn't help themselves. Tubbs Jones was a wonderful philanthropist and friend. I will miss serving with her as cochair on the House Philanthropy Caucus. Representative Tubbs Jones and I began our work in the House the same year together in 1998. I was honored last year to have the opportunity to partner with her to establish the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus, an initiative that she was very passionate about. Her tireless and tenacious advocacy for the philanthropic field and commitment to, and leadership was very inspiring and helped to forge new relationships and partnerships between and among law-makers and grant-makers. The Caucus was formed at the behest of the Council on Foundations, a Washington, D.C., area-based nonprofit association of more than 2,100 grant-making foundations and corporations. The Caucus aims to educate and inform law-makers about the field of philanthropy. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Stephanie stressed the importance of reestablishing charitable incentives that have expired, emphasizing the impact such tools have on giving in the United States and around the world. She was a strong believer that charitable incentives help grow charitable giving to populations in need across the country. Demonstrating her commitment to her charitable values, Representative Tubbs Jones was an original cosponsor of the Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2007, H.R. 1419, which proposed to expand the IRA charitable rollover. That Act is especially significant to the philanthropic field because it proposes to allow distributions to donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, and private foundations to qualify as charitable giving tools. In addition, when given the opportunity on the House floor, Representative Tubbs Jones continually advocated for philanthropy, encouraged our colleagues to join the Philanthropy Caucus, and sponsor legislation promoting charitable giving. She met with her foundation constituents just a few weeks ago to discuss their work and contributions to her home State. Representative Tubbs Jones was a champion for the philanthropic sector and will be greatly missed for her contributions to the charitable giving field. On behalf of the members of the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus, and the many grant-makers that Stephanie supported around the country, specifically Ohio foundations, we wish to offer our sincere condolences and to extend her family, son Mervyn, colleagues, and staff, our deepest sympathies for their loss.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding requests I received as part of H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2009: Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009 Account: Military Construction, Additional Defense Access Roads funding for Fort Bragg Access Roads, Phase I (Bragg Boulevard/Murchison Road). Legal Name of Requesting Entity: BRAC Regional Task Force, Inc. Fort Bragg, NC and the President's FY09 Budget Request. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. Description of Request: This request supports the President's FY09 Budget request level of $13.24 million for additional Defense Access Roads Funding for Fort Bragg, Phase I (Bragg Boulevard/Murchison Road). The increase is due to revisions to the original project necessitated by BRAC and other mission growth at Fort Bragg. This is a high priority security project to close Bragg Boulevard to public traffic through Fort Bragg. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of the new FORSCOM HQ which is being built in close proximity to Bragg Boulevard. The project will widen Murchison Road to flow traffic around Fort Bragg and includes two new interchanges to access control points at Fort Bragg. The project is currently being planned and designed by North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in two phases. This increase is needed for Phase I which will widen NC 210 (Murchison Road) to six lanes beginning at the new I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop interchange and continue north to include a new interchange at Honeycutt Rd. The new interchange, rather than an at-grade crossing is the reason for the additional funds. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, Additional Defense Access Roads funding for Fort Bragg Access Roads, Phase I (Bragg Boulevard/Murchison Road). Legal Name of Requesting Entity: BRAC Regional Task Force, Inc. Fort Bragg, NC and the President's FY09 Budget Request. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. Description of Request: This request increases the Department of Defense funding authorization from the President's FY09 Budget level of $13.24 million by an additional authorization for $8.56 million. The increase is due to revisions to the original project necessitated by BRAC and other mission growth at Fort Bragg. This is a high priority security project to close Bragg Boulevard to public traffic through Fort Bragg. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of the new FORSCOM HQ which is being built in close proximity to Bragg Boulevard. The project will widen Murchison Road to flow traffic around Fort Bragg and includes two new interchanges to access control points at Fort Bragg. The project is currently being planned and designed by North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in two phases. This increase is needed for Phase I which will widen NC 210 (Murchison Road) to six lanes beginning at the new I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop interchange and continue north to include a new interchange at Honeycutt Rd. The new interchange, rather than an at-grade crossing is the reason for the additional funds. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009 Account: New Elementary School (DoDEA) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg and the Department of the Army. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. Description of Request: This request supports the $28.17 million requested in the President's FY09 Budget for a new elementary school on Fort Bragg. This funding is required to accommodate enrollment increases due to new housing being built for the Army's Residential Communities Initiative program. The Family Housing Construction program will construct 446 new housing units at Ft. Bragg, resulting in an influx of approximately 714 students (PK through 5th grade) above present capacity. The community schools at Fort Bragg have a current enrollment of 4,517 students. As a result of new housing being added to the main cantonment area, the schools are projected to be filled to capacity. The additional 446 family housing units being constructed in the Northern Training Area will require a 714 student elementary school to be constructed to serve the housing area. Existing schools in the main cantonment area were constructed based on outdated Department of Education and state standards, resulting in undersized classrooms, administrative, and other areas. Adding additional students beyond maximum capacity will adversely affect the quality of the educational programs and greatly limit the number of educational programs offered to students. The influx of students resulting from the Army's Residential Communities Initiative program cannot be supported within current district capacity. New construction is the only method of obtaining the space needed to accommodate the enrollment projected to arrive within the next 3 years. Without this additional capacity, the Army's Residential Communities Initiative program and student education at Fort Bragg would be adversely affected. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, Utilities Upgrade for Camp MACKALL (Fort Bragg). Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $3.2 million for a Utilities Upgrade at Camp MACKALL (Fort Bragg) and this project is necessary to support the expansion of Camp Mackall, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Rowe Training Facility (RTF) at Camp Mackall is being expanded to support an increase in its mission of providing Special Forces (SF) qualified soldiers from a current level of 350 per year to 950 per year. The number of all students passing throgh the Rowe Training Facility annually will increase from 1,000 trainees to 2,700 annually. The Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training course at Camp Mackall will increase from 350 per year to 950 per year. New water, sewage, storm drainage, gas, electric and communications lines will have to be run to support the rapidly expanding training activities at the base. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, New Intermediate School (Irwin) (DoDEA) Fort Bragg, NC Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $27.945 million for a new DoDEA intermediate school at Fort Bragg, NC. This school is needed to accommodate 725 students and support present curriculums selected for that age group. Most of the current school facility was constructed in 1962 with seven additions built in various years starting in 1964. The Extended Facilities Condition Index (EFCI-- current facility maintenance or repair requirement/replacement cost) is 72%. An EFCI of this value indicates replacement is more cost effective than continuing to address facility maintenance and repair needs. Many of the school's programs are conducted in twelve re-locatable, temporary buildings which are all old, undersized and not suitable for the programs. Space limitations also require many programs to share the same classrooms. The school has force protection issues that will be resolved by this project. Significant health and safety issues exist to include non-fire rated transom windows in all corridors, no fire sprinkler system in the facility, non-fire rated interior doors and many roof leaks. These deficiencies are costly to rectify. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, New Middle School (DoDEA) Fort Bragg, NC Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $22.356 million to construct a new middle school in the Northern Training Area at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A new middle school is required to accommodate enrollment increases due to new housing being built for the Army's Residential Communities Initiative program. The Family Housing Construction program will construct additional new housing units and upsize most of the existing units to 4 or 5 bedrooms at Ft. Bragg, resulting in an influx of approximately 550 students (6th through 8th grade) above present capacity. The community schools at Fort Bragg have a current enrollment of 4,517 students. As a result of new housing being added to the main cantonment area, the schools are projected to be filled to capacity. The additional 1,524 family housing units being constructed in the Northern Training Area will require a 550 student middle school to be constructed to serve the housing area. Existing schools in the main cantonment area were constructed based on outdated Department of Education and state standards, resulting in undersized classrooms, administrative, and other areas. Adding additional students beyond maximum capacity will adversely affect the quality of the educational programs and greatly limit the number of educational programs offered to students. With the NTA being separated from the main cantonment area this new school is also needed to cut down on student bussing and associated costs to both the school district and parents. The influx of students resulting from the Army's Residential Communities Initiative program cannot be supported within current district capacity. New construction is the only method of obtaining the space needed to accommodate the enrollment projected to arrive within the next 3 years. Without this additional capacity, the Army's Residential Communities Initiative program and student education at Fort Bragg would be adversely affected. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, Training Support Center, Fort Bragg. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $20.5 million to Construct a Standard Training Support Center (TSC). Existing substandard warehouse buildings do not have additional capacity to support increased training aids and devices. This project is needed to ensure Fort Bragg can protect its training devices from the environment and the weather. Otherwise they are facing drastically reduced useful life. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, SOF Expand Training Compound-- USSOCOM Fort Bragg. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $14.2 million for a Special Operations Forces (SOF) Training Compound Expansion in support of USSOCOM at Fort Bragg. This funding will serve to renovate and expand MacRidge Training Compound to support close quarters and urban combat training. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, SOF Headquarters Facility, USSOCOM Fort Bragg. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $14.6 million for a Special Operations Forces (SOF) Headquarters Facility at Fort Bragg, NC. This funding will be used to construct a Battalion Headquarters for the 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (112th SOSB) so that they can accommodate their Department of the Army ordered personnel expansion and meet their requirements. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, SOF Expand Training Compound-- USSOCOM Fort Bragg. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $14.2 million for a Special Operations Forces (SOF) Training Compound Expansion in support of USSOCOM at Fort Bragg. This funding will serve to renovate and expand MacRidge Training Compound to support close quarters and urban combat training. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, SOF Security Force Protection, Pope AFB/ Fort Bragg, NC. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg Address of Requesting. Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $4.15 million to be used for SOF Security/Force Protection (ACC-14th ASOS) at Pope Air Force Base/Fort Bragg. This request supports Joint Special Operations Command. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, Fort Bragg, NC. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Bragg. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. This request is in support of the FY09 President's Budget Request for $5.3 million for a SOF Training Facility at Fort Bragg. This will construct a two story training facility to support USSOCOM joint operations.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 522, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of attending Senator Helms' funeral along with Congressman McHenry, Congressman Jones, Senator Biden, Senator Dodd, Senator Byrd, Senator Dole, and others. And there were two takeaways from that funeral that I particularly remember. One was directly from Senator Helms. He said, ``You can always change your priorities, but never change your principle.'' That was a hallmark. The other thing that the pastor said, ``The Lord always examines the heart of the giver before he examines the gift.'' Senator Helms' heart was with his constituents. His constituent service, regardless of party, was absolutely remarkable, and it was a tribute to him, his relationship with his wife, Dot, his family and his children. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Senator McConnell and Jimmy Broughton and the Helms family for the wonderful testimonial of his service to his country.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. I'm happy to yield.

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker and ladies and gentlemen of the House and my follow colleagues, today Congressman John Howard Coble from the Sixth District of North Carolina makes history by becoming the longest- serving Republican in the history of the North Carolina delegation.

Mr. HAYES. Not yet. Madam Speaker, the dean and the daddy of the delegation is not known as one of the rich and famous in Washington, D.C., but is the most eligible bachelor on the Hill. And as I say that, I yield to my daddy.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding. As we stand here today, I think this is a good bill. We all support it. But as a segue into what the real issue for the American people and people here in this Capitol building is today, how can you afford the gas to drive or fly to go see the area that we are talking about today? Our friend just talked about what happened. Well, Congressman Shimkus reminded us that during the 7\1/2\ years of the present administration, gas prices went up but not anywhere nearly as dramatically as they have in the 18 months since our friends across the aisle, the Democrat majority, has controlled. But let me make a very strong and separate point. Many friends on the Democrat side, including the chairman and others, the person sponsoring the bill, these folks want to do what we, the minority, want to do. And that is, all of the above. There have been some neat things done by this House during my almost 10 years here. CAFE standards. I voted for that. Better mileage. That is important. The American people have heard us, and they are working hard to conserve. Price gouging. That is a piece of the puzzle. I voted for that. Speculation. We have had hearings yesterday, today, tomorrow. That is an interesting subject. I support that to the extent it affects the issue before us today. But an attorney from a local university made the point today that speculation adds liquidity to the market. Excessive speculation causes problems. He hasn't told us where excessive begins. But it is important that we look into every single issue that impacts our constituents at home, and that is the price of gas. My friend from West Virginia absolutely knows as well as anybody the importance of utilizing our coal resources. Thank goodness for West Virginia, among others, and their production of domestic energy resources. As you look at our future and our economy, which includes, among other things, food prices, and you see what the incredibly outrageously high price of gas has done to us, you have to come to the conclusion and let those good people in both parties and on both sides of the aisle have a simple, straightforward vote on whether we are going to become more active in domestic energy resources. Domestic energy. We have a small group of people, and they apparently have an unusual hold on the Democrat leadership. That group says no to nukes, no to coal, no to tar sands, no to expansion of refineries. We cannot afford and common sense does not allow for us to maintain that position. I think it is extremely helpful that we are having a lengthy debate. And, again, a lot of good points have been made, but I will refresh everyone's institutional memory to the fact that this House, Republicans and Democrats, in previous terms before we had a switch in majority passed all of the legislation that we are talking about bringing up again today, including exploration drilling in ANWR and off the Outer Continental Shelf. However, our friends in the other body saw fit not to send that to the President's desk. Well, the distinguished majority leader mentioned today how we should use our reserves. I could support that if it comes to the floor. But I am also on a letter, as many of you others are, telling the President to release the moratorium. We cannot afford, Democrats, Republicans, or anyone else, to leave our constituents hanging out to dry with unbelievably high gas prices. So I support the minority leader's call for meaningful energy legislation, including votes on nuclear, votes on drilling which the American public has very clearly said, and at the same time I will reemphasize what the majority and minority, regardless of who is in that position, has said over and over again: Environmentally sound? Absolutely. Safely? Without question. And again thanking you for the time, I wrap up by saying we, this body, regardless of party, has been guilty in the past of using lowered gas prices to conveniently forget how important independence and our future energy needs are. So that is why I have a piece of legislation, and I would welcome any and every one to join me on, that says every additional dollar of revenue created by new leases will go to a trust fund that can only be used for alternative sources of energy. Wind, waves, solar, everything needs to be on the table, ethanol, methanol, biodiesel. Gentlemen, I support your bill. But, again, let's get ourselves together and make sure that we get to vote on what the American people and the majority of this Congress want, and that is lower energy prices.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Edward M. Fortunato, United States Army, on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. Lieutenant Colonel Fortunato, a truly exceptional officer, has served our great Nation for more than 20 years and I am proud to call him my friend. Over the past three years, I have had the honor of working with LTC Fortunato on a variety of issues during his tenure as the Congressional Liaison for all Army Aviation programs. As a fellow aviator, I have come to know and respect Ed and his dedication to his work on behalf of the warfighter. There is no doubt that LTC Fortunato has been instrumental in educating Members of the House Armed Services Committee on Army Aviation programs and initiatives. His tireless efforts working with members of the Committee and staff was singularly instrumental in the successful authorization and appropriation of the Light Utility Helicopter, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, Joint Cargo Aircraft, Chinook Multi-year, Apache, Black Hawk Multi-year and numerous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Aviation Research and Development projects. My staff and I worked especially closely with Ed on the Joint Cargo Aircraft program, and I am convinced that the success of our Congressional efforts, and the ability of the JCA program to move forward, is in large part due to LTC Fortunato. On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank LTC Fortunato for his tireless efforts in the support of Army transformation. His professionalism, expertise, and efforts showcase his patriotism, and his dedication to his fellow aviators and warfighters in the field. LTC Fortunato is a true Jedi Knight. I want to personally thank LTC Ed Fortunato, his wife Monique and his entire family for their commitment, sacrifice, and the contributions they have made throughout his honorable military service. I congratulate LTC Ed Fortunato on completing an exceptional and extremely successful military career and his dedicated service to our Nation. I wish Ed and his family many blessings and much success as he begins his future endeavors and embarks on new adventures.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding, and, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to confirm what I'm hearing here. We've got an energy crisis. Gas prices, food prices are through the roof, but the answer is to investigate. People at home in Raeford, North Carolina, and Laurinburg and Albemarle are telling me: Congress, legislate. Do what you need to do to get the price of gasoline down. But I hear today we're going to investigate future Presidents and how they communicate. My concern, Mr. Speaker, as I listen to my constituents carefully at home is they're going to examine the records, electronic and otherwise, of this Congress, and they will see that we failed to legislate and do the four things that we need to do to drive down the price of gas. Expand our nuclear capacity, it's clean. We need to have tar sands. We need to have coal turned into liquid and burn cleanly. We need to expand our refinery capacity because, as we import refined product, it costs us even more. And oh, by the way, exploration and drilling in areas where we have known reserves is something that we could stand together on the steps of this Capitol today and say we were going to do, and people around the world who watch signals, telling us where the price of energy is going, would see that America, the richest, the best, and the most powerful Nation in the world, is serious about becoming dependent of energy. But no, Democrats, Republicans, I hear it off the floor of this House, Democrats want to do that, Republicans want to do that, yellow dogs, Blue Dogs, but the big dogs, the Democrat leadership, refuse to allow a vote on this floor that will do the four things that I'm talking about. It's even in our own internal newspaper. It was there yesterday. Read it and weep. We need to act. We have the ability, the capability, and the capacity to do that. And by the way, we must not, as we take the steps we need to take, let happen what has happened before, and that is, as we drive gas prices down, and we can--and there's a bill with my name on it that says any money that we derive from additional leases will be used for research and development for alternative sources of energy which are crucial. So, Mr. Speaker, legislate, do it now, get gas prices down.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about gas prices and energy, specifically, the lack of action here in Congress on this issue. Our constituents want us to do something, and the reality is that we have the ability to do something but we're not. Mr. Speaker, according to media reports, the House leadership is doing everything possible to stop a vote on opening more of the oil and gas reserves available in this Nation. It sounds like the entire appropriations process might be stopped rather than having a vote on using our resources so we aren't so dependent on OPEC. I really don't understand why. Maybe it's being captive to the extreme environmental lobby, or maybe it's a completely different philosophy that says we should not do everything possible to bring gas prices down. What I do know, Mr. Speaker, is that we are not going above and beyond to fix this problem. This House is going above and beyond to stop a viable solution. That's wrong. I implore the Democrat leadership to let real energy solutions come up for a vote and get gas prices down.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor Reverend Archie Barringer and to thank him for being here today to deliver this morning's prayer. Reverend Barringer has dedicated his life to serving his country as a soldier, his fellow soldiers and veterans, his community, and most importantly the Lord. I would like to thank all of our military chaplains for the exceptional service and spiritual guidance to our soldiers, veterans, and their families. Mr. Speaker, many of our veterans of Christian faith are complaining that they are being religiously disenfranchised by the VA's effort to neutralize chapels, services, and memorials. Reverend Barringer has spoken out against what he feels are overly aggressive practices and guidelines, in fact. He resigned rather than implement what he felt were discriminatory policies. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that his presence here today will help raise awareness of these issues so that we may preserve the tenets and principles that have served as the religious foundation for so many of our veterans for so many years.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Thank you Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank my dear friend and colleague, Randy Forbes, and all the other Members who are gathered here tonight in support of House Resolution 888. I rise today to speak in support of this resolution that honors the religious foundation of this country and designates the first week in May as American Religious Heritage Week. From the devout convictions of the Continental Army to the current steadfast faith of our men and women fighting the war on terrorism, faith and religion have played a significant role in America's history, especially in times of conflict. Military chaplains have a long history in serving the religious needs of the Armed Forces. There's a list of chaplains in the U.S. military that goes back to George Washington, who first sought to minister for his Virginia regiment in 1756. Washington placed the success and survival of his Continental Army on the power of faith and prayer. His most famous acclamation was his prayer at Valley Forge. He said, ``Bless O Lord the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son Jesus. Of all dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. ``To the distinguished character of a Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian.'' Today, military chaplains are found in every part of the military from army medical centers, veterans' clinics, official ceremonies, as well as combat zones. Now more than ever our soldiers, veterans, and their families need spiritual leadership and guidance; yet in some places, chaplains and their religious convictions are coming under fire. In several instances across the country, military chaplains have been marginalized for their reference to God and the Bible in religious ceremony. Tonight, as we honor the religious foundation of America and commend the role of military chaplains, I hope that we can continue in the steps of our Founding Fathers by upholding the importance of faith, prayer, and religion.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I wish to submit the following earmark: Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Military Construction, Additional Defense Access Roads funding for Fort Bragg Access Roads, Phase I (Bragg Boulevard/Murchison Road) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: BRAC Regional Task Force, Inc. Fort Bragg, NC. Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 70999 Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. Description of Request: This request increases the Department of Defense funding authorization from the President's FY09 Budget level of $13.24 million by an additional authorization for $8.56 million. The increase is due to revisions to the original project necessitated by BRAC and other mission growth at Fort Bragg. This is a high priority security project to close Bragg Boulevard to public traffic through Fort Bragg. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of the new FORSCOM HQ which is being built in close proximity to Bragg Boulevard. The project will widen Murchison Road to flow traffic around Fort Bragg and includes two new interchanges to access control points at Fort Bragg. The project is currently being planned and designed by North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in two phases. This increase is needed for Phase I which will widen NC 210 (Murchison Road) to six lanes beginning at the new I295 Fayetteville Outer Loop interchange and continue north to include a new interchange at Honeycutt Rd. The new interchange, rather than an at-grade crossing is the reason for the additional funds. NC DOT is providing additional funding for this. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Defense-Wide, RDTE. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Partnership for Defense Innovation. Address of Requesting Entity: 455 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville NC 28301. Description of Request: The Partnership for Defense Innovation received an authorization for $3 million for an expansion of the PDI Special Operations Forces Wireless Testbed by establishing a testing and evaluation assessment center. This added capability will provide rapid testing and assessment, modeling and simulation, software verification, validation and accreditation, strategic analysis and consulting, and provides built out laboratories and equipment bays designed for technical testing and assessment.Capabilities will include an indoor high-bay for vehicle modification and testing, a radio frequency testing chamber for evaluation of communications equipment, and environmental testing chambers designed to test and assess the temperature and humidity impact on equipment. USSOCOM requires testing and assessment of emerging technologies in net-centric operations. USSOCOM is facing a convergence of factors constraining military bandwidth. The reliance on the vast amount and types of data that the net-centric warrior requires for computing, communication, command & control, intelligence and surveillance is challenging. These different types of data are collected from a plethora of different sources and sensor types, which rely on different data transfer protocols that can affect the size of the files and thus bandwidth demands. The Lab will continue to problem-solve these issues while providing a proximate test bed for just-in-time new product tests and evaluations on WiFi battlefield solutions. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Defense-Wide, RDT&E, R=1 Line Number: 23; PE #: 1160401BB. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: DropMaster, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 3600 Abernathy Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311. Description of Request: Provide a $3.5 million defense authorization to produce a stealthy and expendable small payload system of aerial re- supply providing Special Operations Forces with immediate on-call logistical airdrop leveraging existing technologies to produce a scalable family of CopterBox units with precision guidance. Special Operations Forces have successfully used hundreds of unguided CopterBox units in Afghanistan and seek to replace depleted inventory. FY09 funding will supply current needs and produce a guidance system and a scalable family of precision-guided expendable airdrop delivery vehicles (EADS). Using FY08 USSOCOM appropriations, the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center is preparing to undertake initial certification drop-testing of CopterBox. Full FY09 funding will develop guidable variants and result in a self-sufficient program as certified EADS units are purchased in the ordinary procurement process. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Operations & Maintenance, Marine Corps, Operating Forces. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Longworth Industries. Address of Requesting Entity: 480 E. Main Street, Candor, NC 27229. Description of Request: Provide an authorization of $5,000,000 for Acclimate Flame Resistant High Performance Base Layers. Acclimate flame resistant high performance base layers are designed to provide an increased degree of protection against potential exposure to heat and flame of a short duration. In a flash fire situation, Acclimate flame resistant base layers are thermostatic meaning they will remain physically intact when exposed to a short duration heat source. They will not break open, thus helping to minimize burn injuries as well as eliminating the intensified bums caused by the melting or dripping of other synthetic materials. The Marine Corps has a $27.0 million ``Unfunded Requirement'' to provide, ``modernized clothing and equipment that is more effective, lighter and more durable to support the warfighter in austere environments that have been identified in the Global War on Terrorism.'' The Clothing and Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) program (including the Fire Resistant Desert Combat Jacket) has been funded to meet the Marine Corps' flame resistant apparel requirements with products like the Acclimate Flame Resistant High Performance Base Layers. The $44.9 million in total authorization provided by the Committee for the FROG program will be used to meet an ongoing requirement to procure sets of flame resistant crews and pants for deploying and training Marines, providing them with an added capability to meet their difficult missions. Longworth Industries will be eligible to compete for contracts within the $44.9 million allocation. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Air Force RDT&E, PE 0603112F. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Metals Affordability Initiative (MAI) Consortium. Address of Requesting Entity: MAI Program Management Office Mail Stop 114-45, 400 Main Street, E. Hartford CT 06108. Description of Request: Provide an authorization for $14 million above the FY09 President's Budget Request for the Metals Affordability Initiative (MAI), an Air Force research program, whose mission is to maintain leadership in the strategic aerospace metals industrial sector by using technology innovation to maintain global competitiveness while improving performance and increasing affordability of weapons systems. This sector includes the entire domestic specialty aerospace metals industrial manufacturing base, representing all elements of the supply chain, which produce aluminum, beryllium, nickel-base superalloys, and titanium. MAl programs have accomplished 47 current or planned technology insertions into military systems. Many MAl programs impact sustainability of the AF fleet which consists of over 6000 aircraft at an average age of over 25 years. The technology developed is pervasive and applicable to other military systems. New programs will be directed at sustainment/life extension, fuel savings/energy management, ``green'' (environmental impact) and access to space. ATI Allvac of Monroe, North Carolina is a specialty metals member of the MAl Consortium. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Navy, O & M. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Address of Requesting Entity: 2300 Wilson Blvd. North, Arlington, VA 22201. Description of Request: Provide an authorization of $300,000 for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps., that when added to the $1,700,000 in the FY 2009 budget request will fund the program at the full FY09 $2,000,000 requirement. The program is focused upon development of youth ages 11-17, serving almost 9,000 Sea Cadets managed by adult volunteers. It promotes interest and skill in seamanship and aviation and instills qualities that mold strong moral character in an anti-drug and anti-gang environment. Summer training onboard Navy and Coast Guard ships and shore stations is a challenging training ground for developing self-confidence and self-discipline, promotion of high standards of conduct and performance and a sense of teamwork. Funds will be utilized to ''buy down'' the out-of-pocket expenses for training to $85/week as Sea Cadets are responsible for all program expenses. Military accessions related to this program are a significant asset to the Services: Over 2,000 ex-Sea Cadets enlist annually and an average of over 10% of USNA Midshipmen are ex-Cadets. Cadets will pay $170 each for a two week training which is over 20% of the project cost. One of the units in this nationwide program is in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I wish to submit the following earmark for the Record. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Other Procurement Army (OPA), Training Devices--Non-System. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: General Dynamics Information Technology. Address of Requesting Entity: 2941 Fairview Park Dr., Suite 100, Falls Church, VA 22041. Description of Request: This request is for authorization of $4 million FY `09 OPA funding to allow instrumentation of 12 to 14 of the remaining buildings at the Range 74 Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF) site to Combined Arms MOUT Task Force (CAMTF) standard. The Army's CAMTF training requirement provides 80 percent coverage for a generic 20-26 building site. The Ft. Bragg Range 74 CACTF consists of thirty-two (32) training buildings, only six (or 18%) of which are instrumented. Ft. Bragg's CACTF supports sixteen (16) brigade-equivalent units with six (6) instrumented buildings. Considering the XVIII ABC training throughput, the level of instrumentation currently fielded is not commensurate with the size and scope found at installations with smaller training requirements. Fort Campbell's Cassidy Urban Training Complex and Eighth Army's Rodriguez CACTF in Korea are illustrative of the Army's training strategy and feature at least 18-20 instrumented training buildings, per facility. The situation is more pronounced when you examine the troop populations at each installation. Currently, the Rodriguez site supports one maneuver brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division, while Cassidy hosts three maneuver brigades from the 101st Airborne Division. There is a compelling need to instrument another twelve to fourteen (12-14) buildings at the Ft Bragg CACTF to align it closer to the Army's standard. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: RDT&E, Navy. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Combat Displays, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 100-B Industrial Drive, New Bern, NC 28562. Description of Request: Provide an authorization of $6,800,000 for development of environmentally sealed, ruggedized avionics displays for vertical lift systems and will be done in conjunction with the Center for Vertical Lift Excellence, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, NC in support of technology to benefit our military aviators. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the Navy RDT&E account. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Defense-Wide Procurement. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Raytheon Technical Services Company. Address of Requesting Entity: 6125 E 21st St., Indianapolis, IN 46219-2058. Description of Request: Provide an authorization of $6,000,000 to procure 80 RAMS B kits for Special Operations Forces. RAMS is a remote- controller initiator to control the activation of demolitions. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the Defense Wide Procurement account. These kits are used extensively by United States Special Operations Command and our servicemembers in OIF and OEF. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: OPN Budget Activity 01, Line #19, Items Less than $5 million. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: IMO Pump. Address of Requesting Entity: 1710 Airport Road, Monroe, NC, USA. Description of Request: Provide an authorization of $4 million for the procurement and installation of Canned Lube Pumps (CLP) on four LSD-41/49 Class amphibious ships. This funding will purchase 16 CLP units to complete the LSD-41 class. Approximately, $400,000 is for technical support for installation; $2.8M for the CLP units and installation; $600, 000 for battle spares; $200,000 for proto-type shipboard test for LHD class. The Navy has indicated that the total savings over the life of the LSD 41/49 class from installing the CLP is over $33.1 million and the return investment to the Navy is 394 percent. This funding will complete the procurement and installation of the Whidbey Island Class. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Defense-Wide, RDT & E. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) and Northrup Grumman. Address of Requesting Entity: UNC-Charlotte Campus in Charlotte, NC is the location of performance (where the work will be done): University of North Carolina-Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 and Northrup Grumman, 7323 Aviation Blvd., Mail Stop 1105, Baltimore, MD 21040. Description of Request: Provide a $3 million authorization for Superlattice Nanotechnology research for the Department of Defense to be performed at UNC-Charlotte. Most of today's compound semiconductor devices made from silicon (Si) and silicon germanium (SiGe) have high power capabilities, but are limited by defect density and other factors affecting yield, cost and performance. One of the most promising new materials is SiC, which is used to make high power radio frequency (RF), power switching, and high current switching devices for a multitude of DOD applications. Superlattice nanotechnology can mitigate the size, yield and performance limitations of SiC by utilizing atomic level control of the SiC-on-Si growth process. This will greatly reduce the cost and improve the performance of many of the desired SiC devices. Superlattice nanotechnology will form the structure for the next dimension in RF electronics (Radar, EW, communications), radiation hard electronics (satellite, special use), and power conditioning electronics (DEW, electromagnetic gun), enabling performance levels unachievable with today's technology. Request $5.0 million be added to the President's FY09 Budget Request to continue development of silicon carbide (SiC) Superlattice Nanotechnology. Requesting Member: Congressman Robin Hayes. Bill Number: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009. Account: Defense-Wide, RDT & E. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: United Protective Technologies. Address of Requesting Entity: United Protective Technologies (UPT), 4600 H Lebanon Road, Charlotte, NC 28227 and their Locust, North Carolina facility. Description of Request: Provide a $2 million authorization for Non- Hazardous Infrared Anti-Reflective Coatings for Army Aircraft Sensors. An alternative coating to extend the service life of expensive and critical infrared range sensor windows is now available. This coating presents none of the health or environmental impacts found in other currently used Anti-reflective coatings. Prototype examples and early stage data of this new capability have been presented to the U.S. Army and have received very positive feedback. Key features include unprecedented environment stability, and excellent abrasion and erosion protection. This coating may also be used on both flat windows and on dome-shaped configurations. This coating will increase the survivability of sensor windows and reduce cost of ownership through an increase in operation life and performance. Army provided Cost/Benefit analysis shows that the windows of the AH-64 Targeting Sensor Array (TADS/PNVS) are currently demonstrating a Mean Time between Unscheduled Removal of 5031 (PNVS) and 5495 (TADS) flight hours. With the current Operational Tempo AH-64's can be expected to fly approximately 100,000 flight hours per year (total fleet). Based on the damage seen on removed windows, a conservative estimate is that this coating will cut unscheduled removals by 50%, saving $41 8,000/year for the Apache Airframe. Other Army airframes could show a savings amounting to an additional $800,000 annually.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this farm bill and especially to thank Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Goodlatte and really especially the incredible members of the House Republican and Democrat staff for their tremendous work on this very difficult legislation. However, I must oppose a provision that should not be in this conference report. Mr. Speaker, our Nation needs an agriculture policy for the 21st century. Anyone who is paying attention to their grocery bill lately can see that things are changing around the world and in this country. It's showing up in the price of food. If you're keeping up with the news, the changes we are seeing in higher prices are being played out as full-blown food shortages in other parts of the world. Sound agriculture policy is not just about our economy; it's a key component in our national security. Mr. Speaker, we need this legislation, and I support the passage of the agriculture provisions. But there is a provision that was added late in the process that has nothing to do with agriculture, nothing to do with farmers or our food supply. It's a provision that will liberalize our current trade practices with Haiti. Mr. Speaker, I don't know what the impact of this Haiti provision will be. Two of the leading textile groups say the impact will be minimal while the positive benefits of the farm bill will be much greater. While I would reject this policy change under any procedure, this Haiti provision was added without hearings, without any debate. Mr. Speaker, out of principle I don't think this is the time or the place to add this trade provision with Haiti. And, therefore, to make that point, I am going to cast a ``no'' vote on the farm bill conference report today. Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. My vote today is to protest this Haiti provision, but my goal is to ensure passage of the farm bill. I know there's a veto threat from the White House. If the President decides to follow through, I will be there voting to override him because we need this update for our Nation's policy. Mr. Speaker, after a very lengthy conference process, I am pleased to report significant victories in the ag portion of this bill. As the Ranking Member of Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, I worked with my colleagues to eliminate or water down many of the Livestock Competition issues that were included in the Senate passed Farm bill. Most importantly, we were able to defeat the inclusion of the ban on packer ownership. This ban would have been detrimental to North Carolina and the livestock industry across the nation. The economic adjustment assistance program for textile mills is another significant provision included in this bill. This important provision will provide critical assistance to textile manufactures for the modernization of equipment and operations. This is a priority for our leading domestic textile organizations including the National Council of Textile Organizations, the Cotton Council and the American Manufacturing and Trade Action Coalition. The White House or anyone else watching, should not read my ``no'' vote today as opposition to passage of the agriculture provisions in the Farm Bill. Our Nation needs updated agriculture policy. As a member of the Agriculture Committee and conferee to this bill, I had a hand in shaping these changes. We ultimately need to get this done, and I will be there to make sure it does.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. I thank the gentleman for yielding. First let me thank Congresswoman Velazquez, Sam Graves, and others for bringing an excellent bill to the floor. I rise today in support of the bill and support of Mr. Matheson's amendment. But I think a picture in this case is worth a thousand words, because as we look at the small businesses, the men and women that make up the small business core of our communities, the one item that is on their minds is the price of gas. In the Washington paper last week was a political cartoon. Unfortunately, there was nothing funny about it. If you would follow me for just a moment: Very obvious in the picture, the Capitol is there. And in the first frame it says: We demand that you energy companies do something about high gas prices. Well, if you move with me to the second frame the question is asking, you have heard it here today: Can we drill in ANWR? Can we explore off our coastal regions while the Chinese are drilling off the coast of Cuba? The answer: Forget it. Forget it. We can't do that. So we take that off the table. Now the second frame it talks offshore. The third frame, clean coal. We have more coal resources than Saudi Arabia has oil. We have technology that can be improved even more to allow us to burn coal cleanly, but we also must be able to turn coal into gas for fuel in airplanes for the Air Force. This is something that we must do. Conservation is critical, and I applaud the new majority for their emphasis on conservation. We are all sensitive to that and we are working in our own ways to conserve as much as we can. Alternate sources of energy, vitally important. But as a livestock and agriculture member, our food supplies, our food prices are being driven up by a lack of balance on alternative fuels like ethanol. So back to the picture. Nuclear power. It is clean, it is safe. We are making progress every day in the effort to use spent fuel in positive ways. But, no, that is not on the table. Last but not least: You're joking. Why don't you do something? Well, folks, we can do something. The Small Business bill is critical. The last Congress that met on this floor passed the legislation that is referred to. The only thing not mentioned in this political cartoon that is not funny is the expansion of our refinery capacity. So, again, I thank the gentlelady, Mr. Matheson, and others for their important efforts to strengthen small businesses. But I would remind everyone here, because you have the same experience that I have, whether you are talking about BRAC, agriculture, economic development, the research campus in Kannapolis, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, gas prices strike you in the face like somebody shaking you by the shirt walking around the room when you see that price going up every day on the sign at the gas station. So, ladies and gentlemen, I would simply ask that we Members of Congress join together in a bipartisan way as we are handling these amendments and put forth a resolution that says to the foreign oil exporters who are gouging us for prices; we say to the rest of the world we will explore, not exploit, we will use nuclear energy, we will use our coal resources, we will expand our refineries so that we become competitive while developing vitally important alternative sources of energy that will ensure the future, the independence opportunity for everyone in this country. I thank the gentleman for yielding time.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a pillar in the medical community, as well as a friend, Dr. Bertram W. Coffer, who recently passed away. Coffer's medical career began in 1975 when he joined Raleigh Anesthesia Associates. He was 34 years old and married to the former Jeanne Gardner, a registered nurse he had met in a Duke University Medical Center operating room while working as a scrub nurse to pay his way through NC State University. He later served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander, had 2 years of surgery residency at Duke, and completed his residency in anesthesiology at UNC-Chapel Hill. Coffer went on to become not only a certified anesthesiologist, but someone who brought added value to the care of all patients. Bert instituted many positive changes in the way his practice operated in the community hospital. Today, the American Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists touts the Raleigh Practice Center/ Critical Health Systems model, whose essence reflects one of Bert Coffer's philosophies, which was, ``Act like a physician first, and always make yourself indispensable and worthwhile.'' Certainly, the redefinition of anesthesiology by Coffer and RPC/Critical Health Systems helped change the future of the specialty. What a dear friend and wonderful human being. Our thoughts, prayers and sympathy go out to Jeanne, his wife, children Bert, Natalie and Holly, and all their families. We will miss you, Bert.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and pay tribute to the Concord High School girls basketball team for winning the North Carolina State Championship this year. Lady Spiders ended a 31 win and 2 loss season by defeating Beddingfield 77-62 on March 15, the first girls championship in the school history and the fourth State championship for the school in the last 5 years. Concord's Nyshia Hammond was named Most Valuable Player, and T.T. Belcher won the Most Outstanding Player Award for the Spiders. Concord's coach and school Athletic Director, Angela Morton, was also named the 2008 Associated Press women's basketball Coach of the Year for North Carolina. Morton has coached the team for five seasons, during which she led them from a 0-24 season, to a State championship title. The athletic program at Concord High is one of the great traditions that dates back even further than my years. The nickname, Spiders, came from the athletic field at the old high school, named after Principal and School Superintendent A.S. Webb. Concord's first title was won in 1929. I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of these young women from my hometown. Congratulations, Coach of the Year, Angela Morton; Assistant Coaches, JarMark Parker and Samantha Bedford, and the Lady Spiders on your successful season and State championship victory.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, this year I had the opportunity to nominate several outstanding high school students in the Eighth District for our Service Academies. Five of these students won nominations. Ms. Morgan Grohol, Central Cabarrus, varsity athletics, National Honor Society, Beta Club, will attend the Air Force Academy. Mr. Milton Cantos, Concord High School, U.S. Naval Academy, Academic Honors Club, Key Club, varsity soccer. Mr. Gabriel Whaley lives in Cabarrus County and attends the North Carolina School of Math and Science, National Honor Society, Academics Honor Club, varsity soccer. He will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Mr. Andrew Chinlund graduated from Jack Britt High in Cumberland County. National Honor Society, Junior ROTC. He will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. Finally, Mr. Derek Graves is a senior at Hoke High School. Student Council, Academic Honors, cross-country. He will attend the U.S. Naval Academy. These are five hardworking young people. I'd like to commend them for their extraordinary work and dedication and service to their country, and I wish these five students the best of luck in their future. I thank them for choosing to serve their country.