Melissa Hart

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I would like to discuss that a bit. I think it was mentioned, the large amounts of money that are involved in Social Security, because everybody who is working is paying into their Social Security fund. In fact, I think a lot of people do not really realize how much they are paying in. They are paying this tax and their employer is paying the tax for them, as well, and it totals 12 percent-plus of their income that is going into the Social Security fund. That is a lot of money. If people could actually have control of that money, they could certainly earn more on it through these investments, even in Treasury bills, but especially in different kinds of securities. But the deficit, people talk about how we spend too much money. One of the ways, certainly, to prevent the Congress from spending too much money is to not give the Congress this extra money to spend. Because what has happened over the years is it has just become sort of an assumption that that money that is sitting there in the Social Security surplus can be spent on whatever we want to spend it on. Unfortunately, that creates a serious problem for us down the road, because we are not investing that money, because we are not getting a return on that money that is going to help us pay Social Security benefits down the read. So the idea of the GROW accounts, which would prevents us from spending that money, I think has a double benefit. It would tell the Congress, hey, this is not your money to spend, and you need to find ways to get your spending in order; you need to get ahold of that and review the programs and cut the programs that are not really doing anything for the American people. In fact, right now I am pleased to say there have been well over 100 programs cut in this year's Republican budget, which is very important. We need to continue along that track. One of the ways to push us to continue along that track is to take the Social Security surplus and put it in a bunch of personal lockboxes like the GROW accounts would set up, so that every American will have confidence that there will be money there for them in Social Security, with their name on it, so we will have that money for them when they need it when they retire.

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I will be brief. I think it is important for us to understand the absolute size of this problem if we do not do anything. Because again, GROW accounts are the beginning of a solution to the problem of making sure that there are benefits that are going to be able to be paid to people who are expecting Social Security. Right now we just cannot make that statement. We cannot tell people we are going to make sure all of your benefits are paid because, in fact, in 2041, the trust funds will be gone. At that point, the payroll taxes will be paid out as they come in and will only cover 74 percent of the benefits. A couple of years later, it declines to a much lower percentage, in the 60 percent range, and lower and lower. Obviously, people do not want to receive less in their Social Security check. So we are in a position where we need to identify and really realize that we have a serious unfunded liability, the gap between program revenues, things that are coming in, and the costs that we know that we will have to pay. It is like a pension plan that is going bankrupt. After considering the trust fund's current balance of about $1.7 trillion, which is the unfunded liability, the cost of the program would be $4 trillion in present value. That is $300 billion more than last year's report. So the longer we wait to try to change the system, the more it is going to cost to change the system and find a way to GROW accounts, and this GROW account bill will help us find a way to fill in that unfunded liability. So the promise to maintain those benefits for people is really an empty promise until we make a change. We have an opportunity from now until 2017 to start real accounts with real money in them for the American public. I really thank the gentlewoman from Kentucky (Mrs. Northup) for bringing this to the attention of the American people, because they need to spend some time and understand this issue so that they can support these good proposals that are out there. I commend the gentlewoman for what she is doing and I thank her for allowing me to join her tonight.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Central United Methodist Church on its 100th anniversary. This spring, the church will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its foundation in 1905. The congregation is a source of inspiration and symbol of strength for all its members and the Beaver County community as a whole. In order to mark the special occasion, the church will host a dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. that is open to the public. This summer alone the church has proudly served more than 500 people through its monthly meal celebration. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the Central United Methodist Church. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute an enduring institution like the Central United congregation.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Village at St. Barnabas on its 25th Anniversary, and recognize the exemplary performance of service that the organization provides the 4th District of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1980 as part of the St. Barnabas Health System, the Village at St. Barnabas is currently home to 300 happily retired Pennsylvanians. The Village began as Western Pennsylvania's first retirement community. A growing senior population, living longer and healthier lives, produced a need for worry free lifestyle options. Therefore, William V. Day decided to expand the St. Barnabas Healthcare System to include a retirement community. Ground was broken on the $16 million project in 1979 and when construction was finished, the 252 room complex was open for business. Currently, the Village at St. Barnabas complex includes a full service restaurant, a health club, indoor mall, library, crafts rooms, an auditorium and social rooms that include an English Pub and the Williamsburg room, that is reserved for special dining. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the Village at St. Barnabas. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute the service of organizations like the St. Barnabas Healthcare System and the Village at St. Barnabas that make the communities that they reside in truly special.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Harmony Museum on its 50th anniversary. For the past half century the Harmony Museum has provided the citizens of Harmony Village a detailed look into their past. The museum was founded in 1955 by members of the Harmony volunteer fire department. Since its inception over 50,000 people have visited the museum to learn more about Harmony's rich historical tradition. Currently, 10 volunteers and a small but dedicated staff maintain the museum's buildings and provide tours. The 50th anniversary celebration of the museum will include comments from former Historic Harmony President Ruth Werner, borough council President Jeff Smith and Esther Veith Ziegler, daughter of co-founder Reverend Loran Veith. A plaque will be presented to representatives of Harmony volunteer fire department and tours will be provided throughout the day till 4 pm. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the Harmony Museum on its 50th anniversary. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute organizations such as the Harmony Museum which provide such valuable services to the communities in which they reside.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tale this opportunity to recognize Quaker Valley High School on being named one of Newsweek Magazine's top American Public High Schools. Quaker Valley High, located in Leetsdale Pennsylvania, was recognized for its high academic standards and student scores on Advanced Placement tests. The school's Superintendent, Jerry Longo, takes pride in the fact that Quaker Valley offers its students a ``well rounded curriculum, that combines traditional academic courses with the arts and sciences, technology, community service and a second language.'' The students of Quaker Valley also display a well rounded attitude with 80% of the student body participating in extracurricular activities. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring Quaker Valley High School on this wonderful achievement. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute the achievement of such a fine institution that plays such a vital role in the development of the future leaders of tomorrow.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Beaver United Methodist Church of Beaver, Pennsylvania on its 175th anniversary. The Beaver United Methodist Church will celebrate two momentous anniversaries this year. Not only will the congregation celebrate the 175th anniversary of its first meeting, but they will celebrate the 100th anniversary of meeting in its current location in Beaver, Pennsylvania. The church will celebrate these anniversaries with two months of activities, including plays and music recitals. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the congregation of Beaver United Methodist Church in Beaver, Pennsylvania. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute an enduring institution like Beaver United Methodist Church.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Beaver United Methodist Church of Beaver, Pennsylvania on its 175th anniversary. The Beaver United Methodist Church will celebrate two momentous anniversaries this year. Not only will the congregation celebrate the 175th anniversary of its first meeting, but they will celebrate the 100th anniversary of meeting in its current location in Beaver, Pennsylvania. The church will celebrate these anniversaries with two months of activities, including plays and music recitals. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the congregation Beaver United Methodist Church in Beaver, Pennsylvania. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute an enduring institution like Beaver United Methodist Church.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Plum Borough Senior Community Center on its 25th Anniversary, and recognize the exemplary performance of service that the organization provides the 4th District of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1980 by two senior activists, Henry and Alice Corvino, the Plum Community Senior Center has been providing Plum Senior Citizens with a ``home away from home'' for the last quarter century. Initially, the Plum Senior Citizens Center was open 3 days a week for 6 hours per day. Patrons, however, complained and demanded more from the Center as its popularity grew. Eventually, every activity from cards, crafts and meals were provided at the center. In 1985 a large room addition was added to the center so bingo games could be held. Today, the center is open 5 days a week, eight hours each day and has over 1,800 members. In 1992, the center began its home delivered meals program and delivers an average 40 meals per day to homebound seniors. In 1995, a multipurpose room was added and now serves as a computer lab where hundreds of the center's members can surf the internet. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the Plum Borough Senior Community Center. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute the service of organizations like the Plum Senior Center that make the communities that they live in truly special.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the West Pittsburg United Methodist Church on its 100th anniversary. This spring, the church will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its foundation in 1905. The congregation is a source of inspiration and symbol of strength for all its members and the Lawrence County community as a whole. In order to mark the special occasion, the church will host a 4 p.m. dinner to be followed by a 5:30 p.m. service featuring former pastors who will no doubt share memories of their times at West Pittsburg. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the West Pittsburg United Methodist Church. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute an enduring institution like the West Pittsburg congregation.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Miss Hannah Pileggi and Mr. Warren Sakey of Fox Chapel High School on being named the winners of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America Essay Contest. Ms. Pileggi and Mr. Sakey will represent Pennsylvania at the NCSDA's 2005 Washington Workshops Congressional Seminar in Washington, D.C. The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America is an organization dedicated to furthering an appreciation of our national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service and educational projects. One of these projects is the annual essay contest that challenges high school students to critically evaluate a certain period of history or topic of international significance. This year's topic presented students with an opportunity to select the American President, serving between 1850 and 1950 that they most admired. Hannah Pileggi's winning essay focused on President Harry S. Truman, pointing out the extremely difficult decision he faced in deciding whether to drop the atomic bomb in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. Warren Sakey decided to focus on Woodrow Wilson and his tireless efforts focused at achieving peace in the world through his ``Fourteen Points.'' I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating both Hannah Pileggi and Warren Sakey. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute the achievements of such fine young leaders.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate George Sacco on receiving the ``Silent Defender'' award from the International Code Council Foundation. George, who is currently the fire marshall for O'Hara Township, was selected among more than 30 applicants from around the world. Mr. Sacco has held several different job titles during his incredible 76 years of dedicated service including fire chief and president of the Allegheny County Fire Chiefs Association. He has twice been named the Allegheny County Fireman of the Year and continues to mentor aspiring firefighters, teaching courses ranging from hydraulics and arson investigation to home fire safety. Currently, he is the oldest fire instructor in age and service in the entire state of Pennsylvania. The ``Silent Defender'' award is given to a person or organization that exemplifies the selflessness, dignity and credibility of the profession and dedication to safety. According to his peers, George personifies all of those qualities and continues to instill them in future generations of firefighters. Mr. Sacco received the award May 16th during the Building Safety Week at the annual International Code Council Foundation Dinner in Washington, D.C. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring George Sacco. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute citizens such as George who truly embody the spirit of public service.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the West Penn Allegheny Heath System on the Grand Opening of a Joslin Diabetes Clinic at the Citizens Ambulatory Care Center in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. The Joslin Center for Diabetes and the Joslin Clinic are international leaders in diabetes management, research and education. The Joslin Diabetes Clinic, as part of the West Penn Allegheny Health System, will provide a variety of services includng diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, chemotherapy, outpatient surgery and an Urgent Care Center. It is estimated that over 18 million people living in America today have diabetes, 13 million of whom have been diagnosed. That leaves over 5 million Americans unaware of the fact that they have the debilitating disease. The Alle-Kiski Medical Center's primary service area includes 200,000 residents and it is estimated that 16,000 people are suffering from diabetes, while 6,000 are still undiagnosed. The West Penn Allegheny Health System and the Joslin Diabetes Center will employ medical directors and physicians that are board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology. The Clinic will also consist of diet, exercise and mental health professionals and will oversee aggressive patient education and public awareness initiatives aimed at detection and treatment of Diabetes. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the West Penn Allegheny Health System on bringing a world leader in diabetes detection, research and management to the Alle- Kiski Area. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute the achievements of fine institutions that truly improve the lives of the citizens that benefit from their services.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the entire Semanchik Family on Thomas J. Semanchik achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Thomas is the fifth Semanchik family member to receive the prestigious honor, carrying on the tradition set by his father and three older brothers. John Semanchik III, Thomas's father, first received the rank of Eagle Scout on January 9th, 1969. He currently is ranked an Eagle Scout with three palms, has been the presiding Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #171 for 10 years and received the Silver Beaver Award, the Boy Scouts of America's highest distinction. Thomas's oldest brother, John Semanchik IV is currently a 3 palm Eagle Scout, after receiving the rank on June 2nd, 1998. Michael Semanchik, currently an Eagle Scout with 6 palms, received the rank June 8th, 1999 while Robert Semanchik became an Eagle Scout with 9 palms on December 3rd, 2002. The award ceremony will be held June 7th at Ingomar Methodist Church beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sadly, Janet M. Semanchik, the late wife of John and mother of the Semanchik boys will not be able to witness the rank being bestowed on her youngest son. Janet succumbed to cancer in 2003. However, her spirit still lives on in the lives and actions of the Semanchik men. I believe that it is safe to say Janet would be proud of all of her Eagle Scouts. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the Semanchik family. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute the service of citizens like these men who personify civic pride and who truly make the communities that they live in better.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Chris Collier on being named the 2005 Lawrence County Entrepreneur of the Year. Chris is the President of S&S Processing, a company that he established in 1990, which is located in West Pittsburg. Mr. Collier, after acquiring the mining rights to a large plot of land along the Little Beaver River, has turned his company into one of the largest suppliers of specialty soils in the Tri-State area. S&S Processing distributes specialty soils for athletic fields and playgrounds, while also providing custom blended soils, premium top-soils and composts to architects, engineers and contractors. Mr. Collier will be honored at the 2005 Lawrence County Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Dinner to be held at the New Englander Banquet Center in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Chris was selected as the 2005 winner because he personifies the entrepreneurial spirit that is so prevalent in the Lawrence County Area. Mr. Collier has indeed had a significant impact on the community as a whole and has provided the young people of Lawrence County a rich example of what it takes to be a successful business owner. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring Chris Collier. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute citizens such as Chris who add so much to the community in which they live.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation to help us have continued success in the funding for research for uses for adult stem cells. Adult stem cells really encompass a number of different kinds. People have talked today about cord blood. They have talked about the bone marrow stem cells. A number of them have already been used clinically and with much success. I believe it is this Congress's duty to help support that, because certainly we will have many people who have benefited already and additional people in the future who can benefit from this kind of research. In fact, the University of Pittsburgh in my hometown just announced about a week or so ago that they are doing clinical trials regarding the use of bone marrow stem cells to help reverse chronic heart failure. I met a gentleman actually who was involved in the research, and they talked about trials that have already been done in South America that have been successful. These are all with adult stem cells. It is important for Congress to fund research, but it is especially important for this Congress to fund responsible research and that is the research supported on this bill on adult stem cells.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority leader for yielding me this time, and I am rising in opposition to the legislation that would fund the destruction of embryos in order to take the stem cells for research. There are a number of reasons that I oppose the bill. The very first one, though, is one of the statements we keep hearing over and over again from those who support the bill, and that is that these embryos would just be discarded. This morning, I met several families, parents with young children who are here in Washington. These children were just like every other child, but they were different. And they were different because these children are the snowflake babies. They have been referred to a little bit today, but for those just joining the argument, the snowflake babies are born from what would have been discarded embryos in fertilization clinics. It is important that we know this, because it is not, no option, that these embryos would be discarded or tossed aside. It is true these embryos are often adopted. And, in fact, the children I met today were wonderful evidence of that. It looks like these embryos do not have to be discarded. All they needed was a mother and 9 months. We do not have to choose between embryonic stem cell research and cord blood, assuming that only embryonic can solve problems. And, in fact, there is no proof that embryonic stem cell research can be successful. This list on the left on this chart shows all the different treatments currently using adult stem cells. On the right is the list of success with embryonic stem cells. It is a pretty empty list. I encourage my colleagues to reject the false promise of embryonic stem cell research and reject this legislation.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise in support of his amendment. I am a cosponsor of his legislation, and very proud to be. The gentleman has a commonsense solution to help us deal with the problem of illegal immigration. In my area, as in other areas of the United States, we were built on immigration. We are not opposed to immigration. Our concern here is the enforcement of our laws. Today, many people arrive illegally and the Immigration and Naturalization Service estimated that in January of 2000 there were 7 million illegal aliens living in the United States, a number that is estimated to be growing by a half million a year. Included in this total are more than 300,000 criminal aliens living in the United States. More importantly in that estimate, about 78,000 of them are from countries that are of special concern to us in the war on terror. With only 2,000 interior immigration enforcement officers working in the United States, we need all of the help we can get to enforce our immigration and criminal laws. This problem became very clear in my district and a story that is common around the country. During a routine traffic stop, it was discovered there were a number of illegal aliens traveling across the State. When the local police called the local immigration office inquiring what they should do, they were told to release them. That is right, law enforcement, knowing these people were illegal aliens, were instructed to release them. That is common, unfortunately, because our local law enforcement has not gotten the assistance to help enforce immigration laws. This incident builds upon a number of highly publicized cases where illegal immigrants were released from custody only to commit serious, heinous crimes such as rape and murder, further complicating the job of local law enforcement. The Norwood amendment is a commonsense and carefully crafted solution to this problem. All we ask is when these types of incidents occur, we can address them and we will make a change and quit undermining our laws. This amendment restores sanity to our law, some sense in helping to address the shortfall of interior immigration enforcement by having cooperation of law enforcement at all levels.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. As some Members on the floor have stated, there is some concern about Perkins-funded programs and what their fate might be. I am pleased to be supportive of this bill today. There are some sections of the bill that do my heart well, and a couple have to do with some programs that are working very well for women and girls. Perkins will help fund training for displaced homemakers and single mothers to help them attain self-sufficiency through programs that provide career counseling, skills training and job placement. These are different kinds of programs than traditional job-training programs because they do include broader education, programs such as some of the programs in my State where women who have been displaced homemakers who have now attained self-sufficiency and are now supporting their families are involved in the training, where they help women to understand they can do it themselves, because part of the job training effectiveness has to do not only with the skills that they learn, but with the confidence they gain and their belief in themselves to be able to do well at their jobs. The Perkins funds will certainly help to continue many of these programs that have very high success rates. According to the 2004 National Assessment of Vocational and Education, employment growth in occupations that require vocational associates degree of 30 percent is to more than double overall employment growth as well. Graduates of these types of programs can be employed more quickly and at better salaries, and in a situation where a woman is a displaced homemaker, that is key. Our goal here is to make sure there are all different levels of education available, and the Perkins funding certainly will help us. It will have a lot to do also with working hand in hand with States. In fact, the Perkins law requires States to fund programs that prepare students for nontraditional careers as well. Again, an example is a woman, instead of going into a clerical job where she will make less money, perhaps going into something with more of a technical skill required where she can and make a lot more money and therefore support her family and be more successful. I support the bill and the Perkins-funded programs, and I appreciate my colleagues who have worked so hard to get this done.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time on this extremely important issue. I decided it was important to speak some words about it. As a State legislator for a number of years, and a lot of us here were, I understand the importance of State laws and the importance of respecting families. I am just shocked at some of the debate I hear on the other side of the aisle opposing this legislation. The whole point here is to support the family. The whole point here is to prevent the person who may even be a sexual predator or the person who is exploiting this minor from transporting this child across a State line to obtain an abortion and basically get rid of his problem. It is outrageous that we would not support this legislation. A minor needs parental consent to engage in sports in school, to get a tattoo or a body piercing; yet we are allowing people to take a child across State lines for an abortion. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we pass this bill. It is important to preserve families. I believe with all my heart we are just nuts not to support this bill.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Chairwoman Biggert) and ranking member (Mr. Honda) of the Energy Subcommittee for working together to make sure that this bill moved forward. I am pleased for their support and also for the support of the Science Committee chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), and ranking member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), for moving the bill through committee and also for their support. I especially thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski), who just spoke, for working with me on this legislation, H.R. 1158, the bill to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act. The steel industry is one of the most energy-intensive industries with energy accounting for a major portion of the cost of production. Improvement in energy efficiency is therefore an important component to reducing the cost of steel and thereby making us more competitive. Recent experiences have shown that energy costs per unit of output of steel can be reduced significantly through more intelligent capital- intensive investments in modifications to existing plants and equipment and conversion to more energy-efficient processes. Investment made at the government level in partnerships with industry to stimulate achievement of this increased energy efficiency has shown great results over the years. This legislation would reauthorize the steel and aluminum competitiveness act, which established a public private partnership, a research initiative. It is cost sharing with government and industry, focused on improving industrial energy efficiency in the steel and aluminum and fabrication industries. The bill will result in improved energy efficiency in the domestic metals industries, thereby improving our competitiveness and also improving the cost and quality of the actual product. This efficiency offers environmental benefits through reduced emissions per unit of steel and aluminum produced. It can also help reduce the future demand for energy in this industrial sector. The steel industry and the Department of Energy continue this partnership under the Metals Initiative and its predecessor, the Steel Initiative, even after the authorization expired; so, therefore, it is something that is successful enough to have provided with its funding. For fiscal year 2006, the administration has only recommended $6.5 million. That is $3.8 million for steel and $2.7 million for aluminum, which is slightly more than half of the $11.1 million provided in 2004. This legislation would reauthorize the 1988 act through 2010. Over the years, 58 steel companies and 23 research organizations participated in and benefited from this program. Two of those companies, INTEG Process Group and U.S. Steel from my area, participated in a subcommittee hearing on this bill last year and testified regarding the benefits this initiative has produced; the jobs it has obviously preserved and provided; the opportunity that it has provided in those industries as well. The bill authorizes $12 million for this program for fiscal years 2006 through 2010, for a total of $60 million over 5 years. It is an investment that is well worth it to preserve and grow an industry that is so important to our country. This bill is right for this industry, it is right for energy security, and it is right for our competitiveness, and it is good for the environment.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman and my colleagues on the committee for moving forward such an excellent package as part of the energy bill. I think many of us have spent the last several years hoping that we would get an energy bill passed. There are a number of reasons why; in my district, clearly one of the most important is simply the cost of energy, whether it is home heat, whether it is the cost to manufacturers which is costing us jobs. We need to move forward with this energy bill. My district is home to a number of manufacturers. I have met with many of them since the beginning of the year when we were hoping that we would get the energy bill moving. What they have asked for us is to help them with their higher overhead, ultimately helping them with their competitiveness, helping jobs to remain in our district. Obviously, these companies' employees are much more susceptible to layoffs without the energy bill. I am also hearing from home owners, many of the elderly in my district with older homes, who need some help, some incentives to improve their homes, some tax assistance so they will have more energy-efficient homes, to those who are building new homes, more incentives. The bill also addresses our aging electric transmission system. Many of our transmission system lines were built 30 to 50 years ago, and it is estimated by 2015 electricity consumption will increase by 28 percent. We need to repair and rebuild the 160,000 miles of electrical transmission lines. This bill will reduce the time for depreciation recovery and improve the opportunity for those companies to update those lines, helping in efficiency, helping in opportunity to have cheaper energy. It is important also that we encourage new kinds of fuel. Especially important are fuel cells and, in fact, providing new jobs and better technology. Fuel cell technology in the United States is growing. The use of it is growing and, in fact, jobs in that field are growing. I think it is important that this bill provide a 15 percent tax credit for business installation of fuel cell power plants and residential fuel cell investments. This is a great technology. It is one that has been utilized in other parts of the world to a further extent than it has been utilized in the United States. The help in this bill will encourage further use of fuel cells. This bill makes changes of the Tax Code that will speed the development of newer and cleaner production of energy. It will help curb energy costs. It will help move our economy forward. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I especially commend my colleagues on the Committee on Ways and Means for the tax provisions.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Society of Automotive Engineers International on its 100th Anniversary, and recognize the exemplary service that the organization provides the 4th District of Pennsylvania. The Society of Automotive Engineers International is a non-profit educational and scientific organization with nearly 90,000 members in over 97 countries that is dedicated to advancing mobility technology. Members of the Society of Automotive Engineers International have developed technical infonnation on all forms of self-propelled vehicles including automobiles, aircraft, and rail systems. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the Society of Automotive Engineers International. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute the service of organizations like the Society of Automotive Engineers International which provide such valuable services.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Borough of West View as it celebrates its centennial Anniversary. West View will turn 100 years old on March 20th, 2005. The community will celebrate during the week of July 10th with a parade, picnics and fireworks that have been planned by the Centennial Celebration Committee. The Committee has been working very hard planning the festivities for over a year and the celebration promises to be a festive event. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the rich history and tradition of the Borough of West View. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to congratulate West View on its 100th anniversary.

Ms. HART

Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Robert McCaffrey of Allison Park, PA for his distinguished service during World War II. Recently, the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC) confirmed Mr. McCaffrey's entitlement to ten medals related to his service. Several of these medals had been misplaced over the past 60 years. While a 1973 fire had destroyed his original service record, an alternate record recently confirmed Mr. McCaffrey's entitlement to these medals. It is my honor to present Mr. McCaffrey with these decorations. Mr. McCaffrey served in the United States Army from June 1943 until January 1946. During this time, Mr. McCaffrey received the following medals for his service: the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze service star, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring Robert McCaffrey. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute citizens such as Robert who make the communities that they live in truly special.