Stephanie Herseth Sandlin

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Act of 2005. Over 50 years ago, the Pick-Sloan Act initiated a major flood control and reclamation project along the Missouri River Basin. The construction of dams and reservoirs flooded hundreds of thousands of acres in South Dakota, dramatically altering the basin's landscape and the river's flow. The American Indian communities in South Dakota were some of the most severely affected by this project. Five of the nine, Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota reservations in South Dakota, border the Missouri River. The Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation is in north central South Dakota and among the largest reservations in terms of land base. For generations the Lakota bands which comprised the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe camped in the river valley and shaped their way of life to match the contours of the land and the flow of the river. This was no less true after the Plains Indians were confined to the reservations in the late 19th century. The fertile river bottomlands remained at the center of their society, providing the tribe's best crop land, pastures and wildlife habitat, as well as an important source of timber. Perhaps even more significantly, the fertile bottomlands remained central to many of the tribe's cultural and spiritual practices. At the outset of the Pick-Sloan Project, the United States Government used its eminent domain power to seize large tracts of the fertile Indian bottomlands. Payment for these takings was typically haphazard and piecemeal. Time and again, the government failed to fairly compensate both tribal and individual land owners for the loss of their property. One such landowner is Freddy LeBeau. Freddy was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. While serving 4 years in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, he arranged to purchase 200 acres of land along the Missouri River. In Freddy's own words he explains, ``We live in a poor county, and if I can pay taxes on that land and help the county in that small manner, I would be glad to do that. I thought I was an asset there fighting for my country, and I would remain an asset when I came home in a small way and pay taxes on my land.'' Following his service, Freddy returned home and for a time he was able to work his land, raise horses and cattle and start a family. The Pick-Sloan Act changed all that. The Ohio dam and reservoir flooded over 100,000 acres of Cheyenne River Sioux lands, including Freddy's home. He and many other tribal members were forced to move their families to higher ground and begin again. Like many others, he did not receive a fair price for his loss. And at 83 years old, this World War II veteran says, ``I am still looking for a place as good as the place that I lost.'' Congress has already acknowledged this injustice and only a few years ago passed legislation to provide just compensation by creating the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Recovery Trust Fund. While this action was commendable, it left one important group behind, tribal members who lost privately owned land, elders now, who owned deeded land at the time it was taken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Current law actually prohibits the tribe from using existing funds to compensate these individuals. The tribe has recognized this shortcoming and has worked to craft a solution that requires no new expenditures, no new expenditures, and guarantees that the affected tribal elders and their families can be justly compensated for lands taken over a generation ago. The leadership of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, a united South Dakota congressional delegation, and the moving testimony of private landowners like Freddy LeBeau have all contributed to the introduction of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Act. This bill would correct a historic wrong and compensate tribal members who have been left behind and treated unjustly for many years. At 83 years old, Freddy and 33 other tribal elders are still waiting for just compensation. I urge this swift consideration and passage of this bill.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened to report the passing of Chief Warrant Officer Paul Pillen. He was killed while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The lives of countless people were enormously enhanced by Paul's goodwill and service. He inspired all those who knew him. Our Nation is a far better place because of his life. All Americans owe Paul, and the other soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom, a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service. Every member of the House of Representatives has taken a solemn oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. While we certainly understand the gravity of the issues facing this legislative body, Chief Warrant Officer Paul Pillen lived that commitment to our country. Today, we remember and honor his noble service to the United States and the ultimate sacrifice he has paid with his life to defend our freedoms and foster liberty for others. Mr. Speaker, I express my sympathies to the family and friends of Chief Warrant Officer Paul Pillen. I believe the best way to honor him is to emulate his commitment to our country. I know he will always be missed, but his service to our Nation will never be forgotten.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) be removed from H.R. 3954.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that South Dakota State University (SDSU) has been awarded the 2005 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 by Secretary of Defense William Perry and the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award was created to publicly recognize American employers who provide exceptional support to their employees who serve the Nation in the National Guard and Reserve. Mr. Speaker, let me express my admiration for SDSU and the South Dakota National Guard and Reserve. South Dakota has one of the highest rates of mobilization in the Nation. This high rate of service is a reflection of the hard work and pride South Dakota National Guard and Reserve members maintain. I am grateful for SDSU's tremendous support of the National Guard and Reserve. The university represents South Dakota principles with remarkable distinction. SDSU provides differential pay for its employees for the entire length of their activation and student academic progression support. In addition, it grants employees 40 hours of paid personal leave for preparation of a deployment. SDSU's support for its National Guard and Reserve employees and students is admirable and serves as an example for other institutions of higher learning to emulate. I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my gratitude to SDSU. We are all proud and thankful for their demonstrated commitment to their employees and students who serve the Nation in the National Guard and Reserve.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Pactola Reservoir Reallocation Authorization Act of 2005,'' a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to reallocate the costs of the Pactola Dam and Reservoir in western South Dakota, in accordance with an agreement that has been reached by the affected parties that rely on that water. The population in and around Rapid City, South Dakota, has experienced welcome growth in the past several years. As a result, the city is experiencing an increasing demand for municipal water. The city relies upon the Pactola Reservoir, constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in the central Black Hills mountain range approximately 10 miles west of town, for much of its municipal water. Another group, the Rapid Valley Water Conservancy District (RVWCD), also relies on this reservoir as a source of water for agricultural irrigation. As Rapid City's needs for water has increased, the RVWCD's demands has gone down. The two entities and the BOR have renegotiated their water service contract and have agreed to reallocate the costs of the Pactola Dam to better reflect the City's growing need for municipal water supply and RVWCD's decreasing need for irrigation. The BOR is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Pactola Dam and Reservoir, part of the Rapid Valley Unit under the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program (Flood Control Act of 1944, PL 78-534). In 1992, discussions were initiated to renegotiate water supply contracts with Rapid City and the Rapid Valley Conservancy District to meet municipal, industrial, irrigation, recreation, and wildlife needs. An agreement between both parties and the BOR was reached in December 2000. This legislation would reallocate the benefits and costs of Pactola Dam and Reservoir in accordance with that agreement and it must be enacted before the contract can take effect. My colleague in the Senate, Senator Tim Johnson, worked to get the Pactola Reservoir Reallocation Authorization Act through that chamber last week, and I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to support this important legislation.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, before I was elected to the House of Representatives, I made a promise to thousands of seniors in South Dakota that, if they would send me to Washington, I would fight for them, stand by them, and make their voice heard. To help keep that promise by protecting the retirement income of nearly 100,000 South Dakotans from rising health care costs, the ``Social Security COLA Protection Act'' was the first piece of legislation I introduced upon my arrival. Today, I am reintroducing the ``Social Security COLA Protection Act'' because the situation facing seniors in South Dakota and around the country is just as dire today as it was a year ago. For retirees who depend on Social Security benefits to live, the only defense against increasing prices for food, clothing and energy is an annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. However, rising Medicare premiums are diminishing the purchasing power of this yearly increase in benefits. Over the last 5 years, monthly Medicare Part B premiums have nearly doubled. On September 16th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that Medicare beneficiaries will pay an additional 13 percent out of their Social Security checks in 2006. This marks the third consecutive rise of more than 10 percent and exceeds the 12 percent increase Medicare's trustees predicted in March. Every dollar that goes toward rising Medicare premiums is one less South Dakota's seniors can use to pay for groceries or utility bills. We're not wealthy in South Dakota. Retirees in South Dakota clip coupons. They put off buying the things they need. They live modestly because that is what they must do to get by. It is no exaggeration to say that retirees in South Dakota need every penny of their COLA. Not just so they can maintain a basic standard of living--but so they can live with dignity. My legislation protects retirees by ensuring that no more than 25 percent of their COLA can be absorbed by the increase in Medicare premiums. Next year, it would protect 100,000 South Dakotans who otherwise would see their scarce dollars taken from food, clothing and other essential purchases. For those who depend on Social Security to pay their bills, this legislation will help them save enough to buy new clothes, extra medicine or just a plane ticket to visit the grandchildren. Last Congress, my legislation had the support of 116 members of the House and of prominent advocacy groups for seniors such as the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the Alliance for Retired Americans and Families USA. I hope that Congress will take up and pass this legislation quickly, because the need for it is real and immediate. This fall, just as Medicare premiums go up, temperatures in South Dakota will be going down. Seniors will sit at their kitchen tables, reading through the bills, and they may wonder yet again how they are going to make it through the month. We owe it to them to do better. I will work to see that we will.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time, and I wish to engage the chairman of the Committee on Resources in a colloquy. For many years, Mr. Chairman, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has engaged in river management practices that have harmed several species of native wildlife that live in and near the Missouri River and undermine the economic livelihood of many communities along the upper Missouri River basin. My State, and others in the upper reaches of the basin, have repeatedly endeavored to influence the decisions of the Corps as it makes critical river management decisions. The interagency consultation provisions found in the current law are one of the few tools at our disposal. So I am concerned that the alternative procedures defined but not specified in section 12 of the Threatened and Endangered Species Act would create a way for the Corps to disregard the consultation requirement, and I want to make sure the alternative procedures provision is not designed as a way to eliminate consultation between Federal agencies. Therefore, under the new bill, would the Corps be required to manage the Missouri River in a manner that meets current standards under the ESA?

Ms. HERSETH. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for recognizing my concern and clarifying the intent of the bill. I am satisfied the bill will not weaken the interagency consultation requirement, and I appreciate your consideration.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan for his hard work and do the same to urge my colleagues to support this motion to recommit so that this body will take an important step to addressing the concerns of all consumers in the country, particularly those in rural America. We need to take steps to be able to define price gouging, with the FTC having the authority to do that, and then to investigate these thousands of complaints that have come into the Energy Department in the past many weeks. As co-chair of the Rural Working Group for the House Democratic Caucus, we know what the impact of high fuel costs has been for rural Americans, those that drive many miles to get to their jobs, those that are trying to harvest crops this fall. This is an important step because inaction is inexcusable, and accountability is absolutely necessary. It is no longer a sufficient answer to say, well, price gouging is difficult to define; it is hard to prove. This is the importance of this motion to recommit, so that we can take a step to allow the FTC to promulgate a rule defining the price gouging and the market manipulation that we believe is taking place and to help overcome the skepticism, especially in rural America, about the role of multinational oil companies who are taking measures that are not allowing the market to operate fairly and efficiently and effectively.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act of 2005. Wind Cave National Park is one of our Nation's oldest national parks and one of the jewels in our national park system. Established over 100 years ago, Wind Cave was the first cave in the world to be set aside as a national park. At the turn of the 20th century, its first explorers reported that the cave was only three miles long. Well, that report was a little off. Today, we know that the cave has over 117 miles of mapped tunnels and explorers are still discovering new passages. This makes it the fifth largest cave in the world. These passages contain many natural treasures--rare and exceptional displays of box work, a honeycomb-shaped formation that protrudes from the cave's ceilings and walls, as well as other rare cave formations, and a geology that scientists are still working to understand. Past Congresses recognized the value of these treasures by creating the park; our ability to enjoy them today is a testament to their foresight. With over 28,000 acres today, the park's surface is an impressive asset as well. The Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision act would expand this stewardship to include an additional 5,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and a dramatic river canyon. Home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs, the park is one of the few remaining mixed-grass ecosystems in the country. The expansion would be a natural extension of this habitat and enhance the park's holdings. This project began when the ranching family that owns the land approached the National Parks Service over 3 years ago. The Black Hills region of South Dakota is developing rapidly and, rather than allow the land to be developed into subdivisions and strip malls, they envisioned preserving it for future generations. That initial discussion expanded to the surrounding community, State government, and eventually, the United States Congress. The bill's passage in the Senate and its consideration here today are the fruits of those discussions. In addition to receiving support in the House of Representatives from my two predecessors and myself, this bill enjoys the bipartisan backing of the South Dakota Senate delegation and South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds. As the expansion project has proceeded, interested parties have weighed in with their concerns and they have been answered. Wind Cave National Park has protected and preserved a national treasure for over 100 years. The Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act is a unique opportunity to expand the park and enhance its value to the public so that visitors can enjoy it forever. It is my hope that my colleagues will support the expansion of this park and vote in favor of this important legislation.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank my colleagues who just moments ago voted in support and helped pass the Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act of 2005. Wind Cave National Park is one of our Nation's oldest national parks and one of the jewels of our National Park system. Established over 100 years ago, Wind Cave was the first cave in the world to be set aside as a national park. At the turn of the 20th century, its first explorers reported that the cave was only 3 miles long. Well, that report was a little off. Today, we know that the cave has over 117 miles of mapped tunnels; and explorers are still discovering new passages. This makes it the fifth largest cave in the world. These passages contain many natural treasures, rare and exceptional displays of boxwork, a honeycomb-shaped formation that protrudes from the cave's ceilings and walls, as well as other rare cave formations and a geology that scientists are still working to understand. Past Congresses have recognized the value of these treasures by creating the park. Our ability to enjoy them today is a testament to their foresight. With over 28,000 acres today, the park surface is an impressive asset as well. The Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act will help expand this stewardship to include an additional 5,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest and a dramatic river canyon. Home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes and prairie dogs, the park is one of the few remaining mixed grass ecosystems in the country. The expansion would be a natural extension of this habitat and enhance the park's holdings. This project began when the ranching family that owns the land approached the National Park Service over 3 years ago. The Black Hills region of South Dakota is developing rapidly, and rather than allow the land to be developed into subdivisions and strip malls, they envisioned preserving it for future generations. That initial discussion expanded to the surrounding community, State government and, eventually, the United States Congress. The Bill's approval in the Senate and its passage here today are the fruits of those discussions. In addition to receiving support in the House of Representatives from my two predecessors and myself, this bill has enjoyed the bipartisan backing of South Dakota's Senators and South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds. As the expansion project has proceeded, interested parties have weighed in with their concerns, and they have been answered. Wind Cave National Park has protected and preserved a national treasure for over 100 years. The Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act is an important step toward expanding the park and enhancing its value to the public so that visitors can enjoy it forever. I would like to extend my gratitude again to my many colleagues who voted for this legislation, and I look forward to moving the proposed expansion forward in the future.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Act of 2005. The Act will help to right a historic wrong that occurred during the construction of the Oahe dam and reservoir, depriving the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of some of their best lands and failing to provide adequate compensation. Recognizing these past wrongs, Congress moved to compensate the tribe in 2000 by establishing a trust fund. While these actions were commendable, they left one important group behind--tribal members that lost privately owned lands. This act would correct that omission and allow the tribe to distribute funds to individuals who are currently prohibited from receiving them. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Act would provide just compensation for the taking of lands over 50 years ago. I urge its swift consideration and passage.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened to report the passing of Staff Sergeant Jason Montefering of Parkston, South Dakota. He was killed, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The lives of countless people were enormously enhanced by Jason's goodwill and service. He inspired all those who knew him. Our Nation is a far better place because of his life. All Americans owe Jason, and the other soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom, a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service. Every member of the House of Representatives has taken a solemn oath to defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. While we certainly understand the gravity of the issues facing this legislative body, Staff Sergeant Jason Montefering lived that commitment to our country. Today, we remember and honor his noble service to the United States and the ultimate sacrifice he has paid with his life to defend our freedoms and foster liberty for others. Mr. Speaker, I express my sympathies to the family and friends of Staff Sergeant Jason Montefering. I believe the best way to honor him is to emulate his commitment to our country. I know he will always be missed, but his service to our Nation will never be forgotten.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 5. As many of my colleagues have pointed out, there are various troublesome aspects of this bill, including the recent study that demonstrated clearly the rising cost of insurance premiums, while the claims have remained steady in terms of the ultimate litigation outcomes of those claims that have been filed. So we should not be passing any legislation that is not more comprehensive to hold insurance companies accountable as well. But H.R. 5 is also troublesome because of its blatant disregard for States' rights. In South Dakota's 2004 legislative session, a bill modeled on H.R. 5 was defeated in committee on a unanimous bipartisan vote. I think this sends a strong signal that H.R. 5 does not provide the type of comprehensive solution to medical malpractice insurance premiums that States are looking for and will stifle innovation in the States that has been important to the health care industry.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take the time of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown).

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again set the record straight regarding one of the persistent urban myths about ethanol and other renewable fuels. Yet again in the past couple of weeks I read about another study that contains faulty and outdated assumptions, analysis and conclusions about the net energy balance of producing renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. Whether produced from corn or other grains or biomass, ethanol production has matured into an extremely energy-efficient process. As you would expect with any developing industry, technological advances have greatly improved these efficiencies over the years. Unfortunately, some academic studies choose to ignore these improvements. Farmers are much more efficient today than they were in years past. They get more bushels of corn from an acre of land than we did 25 years ago. Some areas have seen yield improvements of 45 percent or more. Moreover, they do it using far less energy. Farmers today use precision and no-till farming to greatly reduce tillage trips and chemical applications. The efficiency of fertilizer and pesticide production also has greatly improved over the years. What is more, the process of turning this corn into ethanol has greatly improved. Mechanical and biological advancements in the process mean that we get more ethanol from a bushel of corn than we used to. All of these developments have a significant and positive impact on the net energy balance of ethanol production. This fact has been confirmed by countless analyses. A recent study by the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory found that for every 100 BTUs of energy used to produce ethanol, 135 BTUs of ethanol are produced. That is because corn plants are extremely efficient solar panels. USDA analysis has found that corn farmers use about half the energy to produce a bushel of corn than they did just 25 years ago. And the industry is not resting on its laurels. Research continues into ethanol production from feed stock such as rice straw, corn stover, and sugar cane waste. These should even further reduce fossil energy use and improve net energy balance. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, ethanol produced from these sources generates 13.2 BTUs of energy for every BTU of fossil energy consumed. Finally, I will share with my colleagues an important point that was raised yesterday in an Agriculture Committee hearing on renewable fuels. Calculating and arguing over the net energy balance of ethanol, petroleum and any other energy source is not even the most relevant inquiry. From an economic standpoint, the pertinent question really should be, what does it cost to put a gallon of fuel in my gas tank when and where I want to? Based on that inquiry, ethanol is clearly winning that contest today. Today in Sioux Falls, South Dakota you can go to any Get-n-Go gas station in the city and purchase a gallon of E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline for $1.79, whereas a gallon of premium gasoline costs $2.39. If you know how frugal South Dakotans are, I do not have to tell you which pump they are lining up behind.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern shared by many of my colleagues this morning regarding the veterans affairs health care budget shortfall. I am afraid this shortfall is further evidence that the misgivings many Members of Congress, veterans, and veterans service organizations have had about the VA health care budget have been justified. The bottom line, in recent years veterans health care has not been given sufficient consideration when it comes time to write the budget. Providing the benefits earned by veterans, yesterday's heroes and today's, is part of the Federal Government's responsibility to provide for the common defense, a responsibility that should direct our funding priorities. The necessity to reprogram $1.27 billion to the medical services account for fiscal year 2005 and possibly up to $1.7 billion, not factoring in $600 million for enrollment fees and increased co-payments that will not be accepted by Congress, over the President's request for fiscal year 2006 is an obvious signal that VA health care is not suitably funded to meet the needs of our veterans. However, this is not the first indication that the problem existed. It is not a problem that has crept into the system in the last few months. It is a problem that has existed for many years. I am pleased that we are now working to solve the shortfalls of fiscal year 2005 and 2006 and to ensure effective methodologies that can produce reliable projections regarding adequate levels of funding in the future.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1220, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, which authorizes the annual cost-of-living adjustment for disabled veterans and their survivors. I would like to thank the chairman, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), for their leadership on the full committee and for their good work in shepherding this bill to the floor today. I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for their hard work and bipartisan leadership. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and am a proud cosponsor of the bill because it is an important way we can keep our Nation's promise to the veterans who have served. This legislation is aimed at improving the quality of life for disabled veterans and their families whose sacrifices and contributions to our great country should not be forgotten. I believe the way we treat our veterans is a moral issue and we need to do the right, moral, honorable thing with respect to disabled veterans and their families. There are more than 3,000 veterans in my home State of South Dakota who received disability compensation last year, and tens of thousands more nationwide who rely on this annual cost of living increase to help support a dignified quality of life. With wounded young servicemen and women returning home by the thousands from battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan, we know there is a new and growing generation that is equally deserving of this modest increase to reflect a rising cost of living. It is imperative we work to provide this newest generation of veterans and their families with the benefits they have earned and deserve. This bill will provide continuing assistance for these brave men and women who will forever live with the scars of their sacrifice. We must honor their service by considering veterans' care to be an ongoing cost of war. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) for an amendment she offered in committee, which was passed and included in this bill to provide a cost of living adjustment in fiscal year 2006 for the additional payment of $250 per month for the first 2 years of dependency indemnity compensation eligibility to surviving spouses with minor children. I also would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) for his work to include a provision to provide for the establishment of Parkinson's Disease Research Education Clinical Centers in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Again, I am proud to support H.R. 1220, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to honor the extraordinary commitment and hard work of Grace Siers, a charter member of Marshall Post No. 3507 Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Britton, SD. Grace joined the Ladies Auxiliary under the sponsorship of her husband, William Siers, who served during World War I, and three brothers, Vance, John and Clarence Hunscher, who served during World War II. Grace's five sons, Le Roy, Donald, Virgil, Gary and Robert, also proudly served the United States in the military. Over the years Grace has been involved in everything from collecting and sending care packages of toys and toothbrushes to be given to children in Iraq, writing to troops, raising funds by selling poppies and poppy decorations, compiling a recipe book honoring past and present military members and working at the Thanksgiving Turkey Night sponsored by the Post. She has also been committed to the Ladies Auxiliary's efforts to fundraise for important organizations like Fargo VA Hospital, Redfield State Hospital, Children's Care Center of Sioux Falls, VFW National Home, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, Britton Food Pantry, Cancer Relay for Life, Special Olympics, and Operation Uplink. Other efforts include collecting cans for the Shriners, pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, labels and box tops for local schools. Grace Siers' commitment to the Ladies Auxiliary and to her community is something to be admired by all citizens. The lives of countless people were enormously enhanced by Grace's compassion and service. She is an example to all of us, a woman devoted to her family, her community, her State and her Nation. It is my hope that we all may contribute as much to those' around us as Grace has. Her contributions will never be forgotten.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to honor the extraordinary commitment and hard work of Hazel Hanon, a Charter Member of Marshall Post #3507 Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Britton, South Dakota. Hazel joined the Ladies Auxiliary under the sponsorship of her husband, Leon Hanon who served in the United States Navy. Her son-in- law, Dempsy Rein served his country in the Air Force. Over the years, Hazel has been involved in everything from collecting and sending care packages of toys and toothbrushes to be given to children in Iraq, writing to troops, raising funds by selling poppies and poppy decorations, compiling a recipe book honoring past and present military members and working at the Thanksgiving Turkey Night sponsored by the Post. She has also been committed to the Ladies Auxiliary's efforts to fundraise for important organizations like Fargo VA Hospital, Redfield State Hospital, Children's Care Center of Sioux Falls, VFW National Home, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, Britton Food Pantry, Cancer Relay for Life, Special Olympics, and Operation Uplink. Other efforts include collecting cans for the Shriners, pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, labels and box tops for local schools. Hazel Hanon's commitment to the Ladies Auxiliary and to her community is something to be admired by all citizens. The lives of countless people were enormously enhanced by Hazel's compassion and service. She is an example to all of us, a woman devoted to her family, her community, her state and her nation. It is my hope that we all may contribute as much to those around us as Hazel has. Her contributions will never be forgotten.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to honor the life of Sergeant First Class Christopher Phelps. SFC Phelps was killed June 23, 2005 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On July 1, 2005, friends and family in Pine Ridge will pay tribute to Christopher. Christopher was from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is survived by his wife Bobbi Red Cloud-Phelps; one son, Christian Phelps; three daughters, Taymarie Phelps, Raeseana Phelps and Jeyavani Phelps. Every member of the House of Representatives has taken a solemn oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. While we certainly understand the gravity of the issues facing this legislative body, SFC Phelps lived that commitment to our country. Today, we remember and honor his noble service to the United States and the ultimate sacrifice he has paid with his life to defend our freedoms and foster liberty for others. The lives of countless people were enormously enhanced by Christopher's compassion and service. Christopher, who represented the best of the United States continues to inspire all those who knew him. Our nation and South Dakota are far better places because of his life, and the best way to honor him is to emulate his commitment to our country. I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my sympathies to the family of SFC Christopher Phelps. His commitment and sacrifice to our Nation will never be forgotten.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support it for several reasons. This amendment would prevent the FAA from privatizing the critical flight safety functions that are currently performed by highly trained flight service professionals. Some government functions, like ensuring safe airspace for the flying public, play such a significant role in protecting public safety and enhancing homeland security, that we must insist that they remain government functions. Privatization, when used selectively, can deliver savings and efficiency, but not all functions are good candidates for privatization. Flight service falls into this category. We have a flight service facility in Huron, South Dakota, that employs specialists who live in the community, and many of them are pilots themselves. The decision by the FAA to close Automated Flight Service Stations across the country would include the Huron station. Its functions are set to be delegated to facilities hundreds of miles away in other States. Taking this step would greatly strain the national capacity of the flight service and reduce pilots' access to the localized knowledge of weather and topography that the Huron station currently provides. Of even more concern, this decision also could mean the elimination of virtually all of the flight service stations across the Northern Plains; an area of the country that relies on general aviation much more than the more densely populated regions of the country. Finally, this step will not only weaken our Nation's air safety system, it will unfairly treat thousands of dedicated flight service employees that would be affected. While I agree that we cannot oppose privatization proposals solely because some Federal employees might lose their jobs, we also have an obligation to treat our dedicated public servants fairly. Most of the professionals that would be affected by this change, including many at the Huron flight service facility, have given many years of their professional lives to the Federal flight service. Many are within years or even months of qualifying for their Federal Government pensions. This policy would have the effect of unfairly slashing the retirement benefits that they have earned, and it is another reason why we should delay this action for a year and devise a more reasonable approach. This amendment will give us time to devise a plan to ensure that vital aviation safety functions are provided by a well-trained and highly qualified workforce, and it would enable us to treat fairly those that have worked for many years to provide this important service. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. HERSETH

Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Chairman, I would like to express my extreme disappointment that the fiscal year 2006 Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill again reduces Federal support for Native American housing. The current bill shrinks the Native American Housing Block Grant, NAHBG, from $622 million in 2005 to only $555 million in 2006. Earlier this year, I requested that funding for NAHBG be increased to $1 billion for fiscal year 2006. Many tribal areas face severe housing shortages, leading to overcrowding and homelessness. On South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, it is not uncommon to find 25 individuals or more living in one housing unit. This problem is not localized to any one area and similar hardship can be found on reservations across the United States. The historic underfunding of Native American housing programs has created a desperate need for housing in Indian Country. This year's HUD appropriations bill marks the second consecutive year of NAHBG decrease compounding the problem many tribes face in providing for the most basic housing needs of their members. Even level funding would have perpetuated the problem; but another decrease in Federal support is egregious and irresponsible. The Federal Government has a responsibility to meet its obligations to tribal governments. It is unfortunate that when we should be responding to the serious housing needs in Indian country, the House has again cut funding for this most fundamental program. I sincerely hope our colleagues in the Senate will be more responsive to the housing situation facing tribal leaders and members across the United States.