Gregg Harper

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).

Mr. HARPER. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner).

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), a distinguished member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, who also has been heavily involved in this matter as a cosponsor and also has done great work on trying to eliminate and bring to an end the Presidential Election Fund.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. HARPER. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Rokita), who is a distinguished member of the Committee on House Administration, a former secretary of state for the State of Indiana, and he has served as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren), the distinguished chairman of the House Administration Committee.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Gingrey, chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight of the House Administration Committee.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining on both sides.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a distinguished member of the Judiciary Committee and a former judge, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that we haven't done anything about jobs. Here we have a card that lists 25 different bills that we've passed which help manufacturing, the economy, energy--bills that are going to be great job creators. Yet the complaint has been that the EAC is not dealing with those issues. Members on the other side of the aisle who said that this is not appropriate and that it's going to disenfranchise voters should remember they all voted for this in 2002 when it had its 3-year provision to sunset after that. So I think that argument will not fail. In addition, the EAC has no regulatory or enforcement authority. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this motion.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I am amazed that an argument could be made that in any way the elimination of the EAC would result in disenfranchising any voter. We all believe that every person who should vote, that needs to vote, that's allowed to vote, that wants to vote should be allowed to do so. I would like to point out that all of those that are speaking in opposition that were here in 2002 when HAVA passed voted for HAVA. And in HAVA, it contained the provision that created the EAC, which was only supposed to last for 3 years. This is not a complicated lift to do away with this. Does that mean when they voted for this in 2002 that they were trying to disenfranchise voters? Obviously not. In no way is this intended to do anything but clean up an agency that has an average employee salary of $106,000 a year, has been sued for political discrimination, problems with the military, an agency that cannot be corrected but needs to be eliminated. I urge my colleagues to vote against this motion to recommit and to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 588, legislation that I introduced to redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. This legislation is a companion bill to S. 266, introduced by Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran, which passed the Senate on February 17, 2011. I want to thank Senator Cochran for his leadership on this and many other conservation matters. H.R. 588 honors Mr. Sam D. Hamilton, a lifetime conservationist and a great man who spent 30 years at the Fish and Wildlife Service, ultimately rising to Director in 2009. Established in 1940, the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge consists of 48,000 acres in east-central Mississippi. Approximately 170,000 people visit the refuge annually and enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor and recreational activities. Mr. Hamilton had a long and personal history with the refuge. A native of Starkville, Mississippi, he recalled during his confirmation testimony that he caught his first fish at the refuge at the age of 5 and began his conservation career there as an employee at age 15. Sam called the refuge system the ``finest collection of public lands and waters dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation in the world.'' Upon graduating from Mississippi State University, Sam started a career that spanned 30 years at the Fish and Wildlife Service. On September 1, 2009, Sam Hamilton was sworn in as the 15th Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Regrettably, Sam passed away on February 20, 2010. Honoring Sam by renaming the refuge would be a tribute to his remarkable career and his commitment to conservation. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation recently provided a grant to the Friends of Noxubee Refuge that will allow the name change to occur without the Federal Government's incurring these costs. I would also like to thank Chairman Hastings and Subcommittee Chairman Fleming for their support and look forward to working with them to ensure this legislation is signed into law to remember a man who devoted his life and career to the ideals formed during his early days at the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, Major General Michael J. Walsh assumed command of Mississippi Valley Division in February, 2008. Since that time, he has played a vital role in managing the Corps' water resources program in the Mississippi River Valley, a $7.5 billion civil works program. GEN Walsh also served simultaneously as President-designee of the Mississippi River Commission, which oversees and implements the Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) project. The MR&T project was authorized through the Flood Control Act of 1928 and is the largest flood control project in the world stretching from Cairo, Illinois to the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. The MR&T was conceived in response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, the most destructive flood in U.S. history, which claimed countless lives and flooded thousands of square miles. The recent floods of the Mississippi tested the MR&T project to its fullest. The Mississippi River reached and surpassed record levels in Vicksburg and Natchez, Mississippi. For the first time in 37 years, the Morganza Spillway was opened to save most of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. Thankfully, through GEN Walsh's leadership, billions of dollars in flood damage and most importantly lives were saved. Upon reflection, GEN Walsh exhibited the type of control, understanding, and skill that effectively battled a flood that could have devastated the Mississippi River Region. While there is much to rebuild and the loss of life that did occur must be mourned, we must congratulate GEN Walsh and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a job well done. We wish you well in your future endeavors and look forward to working with you in your new capacity.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. ``In God We Trust.'' For over five decades, America has celebrated this phrase as our national motto. This pronouncement is part of our national anthem, is written on our coins and our currency, and is engraved in both Chambers of Congress. But the United States' foundation in God far outdates the period that our country has recognized this steadfast expression as our national motto. Our country's first national document, the Declaration of Independence, spoke to unalienable rights given to Americans by our Creator. Numerous sources point to our Founders' collective reliance on God for direction and wisdom as they drafted the United States Constitution. When Congress adopted our Great Seal in 1782, included in its design were numerous allusions to biblical references. And in 1787, when the Constitution was framed at the convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin reminded the delegates that God governs in the affairs of men, declaring, ``And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?'' The Founding Fathers knew that prayer and God's Holy word had protected them, blessed them and given them guidance to begin their journey. These Judeo-Christian principles offered a firm, time-tested foundation for America's founders, and it is the inclusion of these principles into our government that makes America special. Today, as I walk through our Nation's Capitol, I am constantly surrounded by the reminders of God's presence: scripture verses such as John 15:13 found on a statue, paintings of the baptism of Pocahontas and the pilgrims in prayer that we are indeed endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights. America's religious consciousness cannot be ignored. This is why we must reaffirm ``In God We Trust'' as the official motto of the United States and encourage the public to display this declaration in all public buildings.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. I rise today in support of H.R. 2273, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act. H.R. 2273 is on the House floor as part of the Republican regulatory relief agenda to reduce job-killing government regulation on businesses. I view the apparent intention of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate coal ash as a hazardous material as another decision by the agency to regulate business without the use of facts, science, or common sense. Everybody wants a clean environment. We all want clean air and clean water, but decisions on how to keep our environment clean should be based on science and not political rhetoric. My State relies on coal and coal ash for jobs and electricity. I have heard from utilities in my district about the negative impact that regulating coal ash as a hazardous material would have on ratepayers and on employees. I am happy to support H.R. 2273 today to rein in an out-of-control EPA and to protect the interests of my constituents.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011. H.R. 2681 is on the House floor today as part of the Republican regulatory relief agenda to reduce job-killing government regulation on businesses. This bipartisan bill would provide a much needed legislative stay for the EPA to redraft new cement requirements that would affect approximately 100 cement plants and thousands of jobs. This type of government regulation hinders job creation and forces American jobs overseas. The American public is growing increasingly concerned about government regulation coming out of the Environmental Protection Agency. A recent survey found that 74 percent of American voters throughout the country believe that businesses and consumers are overregulated. This overregulation has a chilling effect on job creation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2681 in an effort to rein in the EPA and government regulation.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 29) authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HARPER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. This resolution authorizes the use of the rotunda on November 16 to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society. Mr. Speaker, on May 25, 1961, President Kennedy spoke to a joint session of Congress. He said that it was time for a ``great new American enterprise--time for this Nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement.'' He committed this Nation to achieving the ambitious goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him to Earth safely. President Kennedy added, ``I believe we possess all the resources and talents necessary'' to accomplish the mission--and that we did as exhibited by the gentlemen to be honored in the rotunda this November. Bravely pursuing the unknown, these four individuals helped this Nation achieve scientific and technological advancements which inspired the world. Mr. Speaker, Neil Armstrong was the spacecraft commander for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission in history. He was the first person to land a craft on the Moon and the first to step foot on its surface. His immortal words are forever etched in our national memory. ``Buzz'' Aldrin piloted the Lunar Module ``Eagle'' and was the second person to walk on the Moon. Michael Collins piloted the Command Module ``Columbia'' in lunar orbit and helped his fellow Apollo 11 astronauts complete their mission on the Moon. Seven-and-a-half years earlier, John Glenn paved the way for these achievements by becoming the first American to orbit the Earth in February of 1962. Two years ago, on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic lunar landing, the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal Act was passed by Congress. Forty-two years ago, in July of 1969, millions of Americans were transfixed on a place over a quarter of a million miles away. Eyes watched as we stepped into the unknown, walked on the Moon and made history. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present this resolution today, and I urge my colleagues to support it in honoring the achievements of these national heroes. House of Representatives, Committee on House Administration, Washington, DC, October 3, 2011. Hon. John Boehner, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Lungren and Ranking Member Brady for their support on this matter. I urge my colleagues to support this concurrent resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding. Mr. Chairman, the TRAIN Act is on the House floor today as part of the Republican regulatory relief agenda to reduce job-killing government regulation on businesses. Americans are tired of Big Government, and a majority believes that government regulation coming out of Washington, D.C., has a costly impact on life essentials, such as food and gasoline. Too many Americans are unemployed, and a recent survey shows that 70 percent of voters believe that increasing regulations on American businesses will result in more jobs moving overseas. That is unacceptable. No government agency is more to blame for an absurd increase in regulation than the Environmental Protection Agency. We all want clean air. We all want clean water. We're all conservationists and want those things, but the effects of the actions of the EPA are clear--they're killing jobs and job creation. We've asked our colleagues on the other side of the aisle over and over, Where are the jobs? I submit that a thorough investigation of recent EPA regulations could answer that question. I encourage a ``yes'' vote on the TRAIN Act so that Americans will have an even better understanding of the negative impact that the EPA is having on each of our lives.