Pete King

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Ohio for always managing to get something good out of whatever happens. He gets John McHugh as Secretary of the Army, and Steve LaTourette has a good parking place, so all is right with the world. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time remains?

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I proudly yield to the distinguished gentleman from Texas, the chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee, Mr. Sessions.

Mr. KING of New York. Thank you, Congressman Sessions. We have seen tonight people from all regions of the country, from both sides of the aisle, come forward. No one personifies that more than the dean of the New York delegation, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Rangel. I yield to the gentleman from New York. (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KING of New York. I thank Chairman Rangel for his remarks. It's very appropriate, I believe, that Congressman McHugh has become Secretary of the Army, and these remarks tonight by Mr. Rangel were made by someone who has such a distinguished record in the United States Army in the Korean War. That's the type of person that John McHugh will be representing as Secretary of the Army, heroic men such as Congressman Rangel who certainly put their life on the line and answered their nation's call. Mr. Speaker, we have seen a large number of people coming out tonight to speak on behalf of Secretary of the Army John McHugh. I was fortunate to be elected to the United States Congress in 1992, the same year as John McHugh. I knew John McHugh from his outstanding service in the New York State Senate, I knew that he was a legislator's legislator; and from the moment he arrived here in the Congress, John always to me exemplified what a Member of Congress should be. I don't know how many times you would walk out that door and see John sitting there at a chair and desk studying the legislation. People say that Members of Congress don't read their legislation. I can tell that you John McHugh was constantly reading legislation, constantly studying up on what had to be done, constantly trying to find bipartisan solutions to problems. It was mentioned tonight that he served on the Postal Subcommittee, where he did author reform legislation of the Postal Service, a very, very difficult job. We talked about the trips he took, the 10 visits to Iraq, the four to Afghanistan that he took as a member of the Armed Services Committee. Then earlier this year he reached the culmination of his congressional career when he was elected as ranking member of the Armed Services Committee where, again, he worked very closely with Chairman Ike Skelton in a bipartisan way, always putting the troops first. I remember during his early years here in Congress when there was an attempt to close down Fort Drum and the work that John put in around the clock doing what he could and successfully doing what he could to save Fort Drum from being closed down. These are just some examples of the type of dedication that John McHugh had. As Congressman Rangel said, there was something else; there was no meanness, there was no bitterness, there was no anger in John McHugh. John wanted to find a way to get things done. He had strong principles. He had strong beliefs. But he also recognized that people on the other side of the aisle and people in his own party also had very strong beliefs, and they may be different from his, but he respected them. I wish John the very best as Secretary of the Army. President Obama made an absolutely superb selection when he picked John McHugh. I can't think of anyone who would dedicate himself more to the men and women of the United States Army than John McHugh. As was mentioned, having traveled with John to Iraq, I would see him sit with the generals, the two-star generals, the three-star generals, the four-star generals. He would sit with the ambassadors. He would sit with all of the high-ranking people. But he always found time to spend most of his time with the enlisted men, the enlisted women, the PFCs, the sergeants, the first lieutenants, second lieutenants. He realized that it wasn't just the people at the top, but it was people at all levels, the people who really did the heavy lifting, who put their lives on the line, who were the people who made the most impression on him and to whom he had the greatest responsibility. John, I certainly wish you the best. We look forward to your service for the United States, for the United States Army. I know that more even than the feeling you are going to receive from the Members of Congress, it's the men and women of the Armed Forces, of the United States Army, who appreciate you the most, because they are going to be the greatest beneficiaries of your dedication, your patriotism and your hard work.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished ranking member for yielding, and at the outset I want to commend Ranking Member Rogers and Chairman Price for the outstanding job they have done on this bill. I certainly intend to vote for it. I will vote for it. I must say, however, there are three specific problems, three areas where I do have questions. Number one is on the Secure the Cities program, which is essential to protect New York City from radiation, dirty bomb attacks. This House by an overwhelming margin approved an amendment by Congresswoman Clarke and me which would have put $40 million in the bill for that. Instead, in conference that was reduced to $20 million. This is a shortfall which I believe can have damaging impact. Secondly, on the issue of Guantanamo, I concur in everything that Ranking Member Rogers has said. To me, it is wrong to bring terrorists, enemy battlefield combatants, to our shores for any purpose, even to stand trial, especially to stand trial, because I believe they should be tried in military tribunals. Again, I bring up the issue of New York City, where I am certain a number of these will be brought. Those who were involved in the 9/11 attacks will be brought to the Southern District of New York. To me, this is a timebomb waiting to happen, to have those terrorists in New York City for a protracted period of time before, during and after their trial. Thirdly, on the issue of the firefighter grants, the President cut them by 70 percent. I know the committee put money back in, but the level was still lower than it was last year. This, I believe, is going to impact negatively on fire departments throughout our country. Having said that, Madam Speaker, this is a fine bill. I look forward to supporting it. I thank the committee for the way they approached it in a bipartisan way. As Congresswoman Lowey said, our Nation is under threat. There are threats every day. They have targeted various cities throughout our country. This bill goes a long way towards resolving that. But, again, on the issues of Secure the Cities, Guantanamo and the firefighter grants, I do have real issues, real concerns. Having said that, I support the bill.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support for the resolution introduced by my colleague from New York, Congresswoman Clarke. House Resolution 731, of which I am a cosponsor, recognizing the month of September as National Preparedness Month, also commends the employees of the Department of Homeland Security; other federal agencies; state, local, and tribal government officials; emergency response personnel; and law enforcement officers who defend our nation against acts of terrorism. New York's 3rd Congressional District is home to many of the Department of Homeland Security's employees, including those who work at JFK and LaGuardia airports and in the Coast Guard. We are all grateful for the important work they carry out, in partnership with local law enforcement officers and other first responders, to protect our communities, particularly in light of several recently foiled terrorist plots. Earlier this month, we commemorated the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In these times, we cannot afford to be complacent, or to forget what it means to prepare ourselves, our families, and our communities to respond to the threat of terrorism. All Americans can help promote emergency preparedness by taking steps such as assembling emergency supply kits, creating family emergency plans, and staying informed about possible emergencies in their area. We have come a long way since September 11th, but there is still much more to do to keep America safe. House Resolution 731 helps remind all Americans of the steps they can take to be prepared, and honors those on the front lines who tirelessly work to keep our communities safe.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, due to a homeland security matter I was detained this evening and missed rollcall #696. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to commend Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for bringing this bill to the floor. I want to thank Congresswoman Matsui for the tremendous work that she has done in leading the way on this legislation. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my good friend from New York, Mr. Engel, and he really articulated the way all New Yorkers feel. September 11 will be a day that none of us will ever forget. It is a day that will just be embedded into us because of the terrible horror, the tragedy, all that occurred on that day, but also because of the tremendous valor, the tremendous dedication, and the tremendous sense of courage which was also demonstrated on that day. I lost probably 150 constituents, friends, neighbors that day, and that is just all throughout downstate New York. Almost every Member of Congress can say the same thing about the large numbers of deaths in their districts and their friends, their neighbors who were murdered that day. So it is really important, as we go forward, that September 11 never just be a day, never just be a holiday, never just be a day where maybe some people get off and some don't or a day that you use to go shopping. It should be a day where we find a way to remind ourselves of the sacrifice of that day, of the police officers and the firefighters and the EMTs and construction workers who actually ran into the burning towers and suffered those incalculable deaths, 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, a number of EMTs, a number of construction workers, all of whom were killed rescuing people that day. Mr. Speaker, just as a historical note, this legislation initiated from an organization called MyGoodDeed, and this organization, one of the founders was Jay Winuk. His brother Glenn was a constituent of mine. Glenn was actually working in Lower Manhattan that day as a lawyer, but he was also a volunteer firefighter. After he evacuated his own building, he ran into the World Trade Center and was killed. Just this past week, he was finally awarded the 9/11 Medal of Valor. But the Winuk family, in honor of Glenn, who really personified September 11 in that he was one of both a civilian and a firefighter, who in both capacities performed so brilliantly that day, his family was the starter of this organization, which was the genesis of this legislation.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, also, for instance, tomorrow, throughout my district, there will be various types of services being carried out. For instance, in my own office, we have a blood drive which is run by my assistant, Patricia Gartland, who will have people lined up from morning to night giving blood in honor of those killed on September 11. In my own school district, the Seaford School District, there will be a large commemoration, and the coordinator, Ken Haskell, is a firefighter who lost two brothers on September 11. He is coordinating an effort where the students will show the good works that they did in honor of those who died on September 11. So, Mr. Speaker, this is a day which, again, as tragic as it was, as horrible as it was, it is also a day from which tremendous good came from that. So let's go forward. Let's adopt this legislation in the spirit of what happened on September 11, both in memory of those who were murdered and in honor of those who gave their lives, and in honor of those who in the days afterwards, as Congressman Engel said, not just from New York but from all over the country, came to Lower Manhattan, came to the World Trade Center, came to the Pentagon, went to Pennsylvania to try to do what they could to help those and to take part in the rescue operation and recovery operation and really showed the unity of the Nation, maybe as never before. With that, again, I thank the chairman, I thank the ranking member, I certainly thank Congresswoman Matsui, and I urge the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of this resolution today. And at the outset, let me commend the majority leader, Mr. Hoyer, and the Republican leader, Mr. Boehner, for introducing the resolution and showing the spirit of bipartisanship that is so essential. Mr. Speaker, September 11 is not just history. It is real. It is with us every day. As the ranking member, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, said, I lost approximately 150 friends, neighbors and constituents on September 11, and that is true of almost every Member of the downstate delegation from New York. In fact, I can't drive throughout my district without seeing sign after sign, street signs commemorating the police officers and firefighters who were killed on that day. So this was a real tragedy. It is a real tragedy that continues today in those families, with their friends and with their neighbors. It is also an ongoing threat against the United States of America. The attacks on September 11 do not end on September 11. The fact is we have an enemy of Islamic terrorism, al Qaeda, which threatens us throughout the world and, indeed, here in our own country. In New York alone, there have been attacks foiled against the Brooklyn Bridge, Herald Square, against Fort Dix in neighboring New Jersey, against the synagogues in Riverdale in the north Bronx. So these are issues. This is a threat which is ongoing and it is real. We always have to keep our defenses up. We have to thank the men and women of our Armed Forces who are fighting throughout the world, the men and women of our intelligence agencies, the men and women of the State and local police departments in New York, of the New York City Police Department, of the Nassau County Police Department, and of the Suffolk County Police Department. There are more than 1,000 police officers dedicated to fighting terrorism in counterterrorism units. And again, it is a daily, daily effort. As the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, I'm aware of many of the threats we have stopped, and we are realizing again how the enemy is never going to stop, and we can't let our guard down. Also, in the interests of bipartisanship, I believe we should give President Bush credit for setting up the international level of cooperation with so many countries throughout the world and also for breaking down barriers with their own intelligence agencies and requiring them to share information with local police departments. It is not because of luck we haven't been attacked in 8 years. On September 12, 2001, no one would have thought we would go 8 years without being attacked the way we were on that horrible day of September 11. Also, in the interest of bipartisanship, it is important for us, as Republicans, to stand with President Obama with his policy in Afghanistan, which is a continuation of efforts that we began against the Taliban and al Qaeda after the attacks of September 11. This issue of international terrorism is too important to allow us to be divided by partisan politics. We came together as a Nation on September 11 and the days after. It is important that we stay together. This, as President Kennedy said in 1961, is going to be a long twilight struggle. But we won that Cold War, and we're going to win this war. We are going to prevail if we stand together as one, stand together as a Nation and realize that our enemy is attempting to destroy us. But if we stand together as one with our allies and with our forces here in this country, we can never be defeated.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of S. Con. Res. 29 (the companion bill to H. Con. Res. 91), a resolution granting a posthumous pardon to John Arthur ``Jack'' Johnson for his 1913 racially motivated conviction. On April 1, 2009, I introduced my resolution with Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. and I join today with my colleagues in urging the House to support this effort. Jack Johnson became the first black World Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 1908 after defeating Tommy Burns in Australia and kept the title until 1915. He was a flamboyant and controversial figure in American history who paved the way for African-American athletes to participate and succeed in racially integrated professional sports in the United States. Prompted by his success in the boxing ring and his relationship with a white woman, Jack Johnson was wronged by a racially motivated conviction under the Mann Act. He was convicted in 1913 after fleeing to Canada, Europe and South America and served one year in prison. Being convicted ruined his career and wrongly destroyed his reputation. Because of this, we believe the President should grant a posthumous pardon to Jack Johnson to clear his name and recognize his athletic and cultural contributions to society. I am proud to have sponsored this resolution on his behalf. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326--the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Rep. Peter King Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, N (MC) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: American Defense Systems, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 230 Duffy Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801 Description of Request: $2,000,000 will be used to develop a new Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (E-SAPI) that will have the same performance of the current E-SAPI, but at a lower weight and with greater durability and multi-hit capacity. Requesting Member: Rep. Peter King Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, N Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Webb Institute. Address of Requesting Entity: 298 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY 11542 Description of Request: $2,500,000 will be used for the construction of a Ship Model Testing Facility to provide undergraduate research applicable to the new hull forms the Navy is developing and fielding. Requesting Member: Rep. Peter King Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: RDTE, A Legal Name of Requesting Entity: New York University. Address of Requesting Entity: 3 Park Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10016 Description of Request: $3,000,000 will be used for the NYU School of Medicine to create a research Center for Excellence in the areas of Infectious Diseases and Human Microbiome to foster the collaboration of researchers across the campus.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express best wishes and congratulations to my good friend Dan Holman on his upcoming marriage to Tina Loh on September 19, 2009. Considering Dan's respect for tradition, it is especially fitting that the wedding will be celebrated in St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. I first met Dan when he was a student at the Notre Dame Law School during the same time my son and daughter were attending Notre Dame. Dan has had an outstanding career as a knowledgeable and respected attorney and is a fervent believer in America's values and beliefs. He is a true patriot. I wish Dan and Tina many years of health and happiness.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293--the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, & Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-- Substance Abuse Treatment Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Tuesday's Children Address of Requesting Entity: 390 Plandome Road, Suite 217, Manhasset, NY 11030 Description of Request: $750,000 will be used to provide mental health counseling for 9/11 first responders and other public safety workers involved in protecting our homeland security. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Higher Education (includes FIPSE) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Francis College Address of Requesting Entity: 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Description of Request: $650,000 will be used to upgrade its science and information technology facilities in support of the Project Access higher education opportunity program. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: National Kidney Registry Address of Requesting Entity: 42 Fire Island Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702 Description of Request: $177,000 will be used to support an upgrade of the architecture of the (kidney) matching system to enable more transplants to be facilitated.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288--the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, & Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Ferry Boats & Terminal Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Glen Cove Address of Requesting Entity: 9 Glen Street, Glen Cove, NY 11542 Description of Request: $1,000,000 will be used for the construction of a fast ferry boat terminal to connect commuters and tourists from downtown Glen Cove to New York City, La Guardia Airport, and other key travel corridors. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Buses and Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Glen Cove Address of Requesting Entity: 9 Glen Street, Glen Cove, NY 11542 Description of Request: $500,000 will be used for improvements and repairs to two downtown parking structures integral to multi-modal transit on the Long Island Rail Road, the regional bus system, pedestrian walkways, and the planned fast ferry system. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Capital Investment Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Metropolitan Transportation Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 347 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Description of Request: $215,000,000 will be used to continue the East Side Access project which will allow the Long Island Rail Road to terminate at Grand Central Terminal.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I proudly rise in strong support of H.R. 2632, legislation that adds National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27, to the list of days on which the flag of the United States should be displayed. I am particularly proud to have joined my colleague from New York, Mr. Rangel, who served with great distinction and valor in the Korean War, in being an original cosponsor of this bill. The Korean War was a major battlefield in the Cold War as American forces and our allies fought so heroically to resist North Korean aggression and prevent communist forces from imposing their rule on the Republic of Korea. Nearly seven million Americans served during the Korean War period and this legislation offers a fitting tribute to honor their contributions and sacrifices. And there were many. The United States suffered 54,246 casualties and over 8,000 POW/MIAs during this ``Forgotten War.'' H.R. 2632 properly recognizes their efforts and ensures that American courage and resolve in Korea will never be forgotten by authorizing the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff on July 27. I urge adoption of the legislation.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, 6 months after the Democratic administration came in with such promise, tens and tens of millions of Americans are asking, Where are the jobs? Instead, during the past 6 months we've seen the systematic mismanaging and dismantling of the American economy. We've seen a stimulus bill which cost over $1 trillion in new spending with almost no tax relief for small business, with almost no needed infrastructure, but again, money on top of money. The President said jobs would come almost immediately. Instead, the situation gets worse by the week. We saw a cap-and-tax so-called energy bill which is going to result in millions of jobs going to China and India. And now we see a health care bill which will ration medical care, at the same time, according to the CBO, increase medical costs, the worst of all worlds. Mr. Speaker, it's time for the American people to tell this administration and this Democratic-controlled Congress to work together in a bipartisan way so we can say, here come the jobs, not seeing the jobs leave our country, not seeing millions of millions of people being unemployed because of failed liberal Democrat policies.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H. J. Res. 56, a resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, P.L. 108-61. I am proud to have once again introduced this legislation this year with the gentleman from New York, Mr. Crowley. In 2003 Congress passed the Burmese Freedom & Democracy Act, legislation that I co-authored with my friend, the late Tom Lantos. President Bush signed this bill into law and we have reauthorized these import restrictions every year since. The legislation bans imports from Burma and the issuance of visas to those officials affiliated with the State Peace and Development Council, SPDC, the military junta that rules Burma and brutally represses its people. This law also bans U.S. financial transactions that involve individuals or entities connected with the SPDC. These sanctions are critically important to keeping the pressure on the Burmese junta. The government continues to have one of the worst human rights record in the world and routinely violates the rights of Burmese citizens, including the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, as well as slave and child labor. The Burmese regime has destroyed more than 3,000 ethnic villages, displaced approximately 2,000,000 Burmese people, more than 500,000 of which are internally displaced, and arrested approximately 1,300 individuals for expressing critical opinions of the government. And it continues to detain Aung San Suu Kyi, the head of the National League for Democracy and the democratically elected leader of Burma, on bogus charges that she violated the terms of her house arrest. She is currently on trial and faces up to five additional years of confinement. We must continue to stand with the Burmese people and expose the despicable and reprehensible actions of the SPDC. Sanctions are critical to putting pressure on the junta. Last year Congress passed and President Bush signed into law Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, P.L. 110-286, which bans the importation of Burmese gems into the United States and freezes the assets of Burmese political and military leaders. But we still need others to follow ours and the EU's lead. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, and the United Nations Security Council, UNSC, must impose multilateral sanctions against Burma's military regime including a complete arms embargo. Finally, it is my hope that the new Administration promptly completes its policy review toward Burma, implements all the provisions of the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, appoints a Special Coordinator for Burma, and supports the establishment of UNSC Commission of Inquiry on Burma. I urge adoption of the resolution.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3183--the Energy and Water Development & Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Address of Requesting Entity: 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, New York, NY 10278 Description of Request: $150,000 will be used to place one million cubic yards of sand along the shoreline several miles west of the inlet for erosion control at Gilgo Beach and Robert Moses State Park (Fire Island to Jones Inlet Project). Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Address of Requesting Entity: 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, New York, NY 10278 Description of Request: $500,000 will be used to complete the design and initiate construction of the first contract of beach renourishment and maintenance project from Jones Inlet to East Rockaway Inlet (Long Beach). Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Address of Requesting Entity: 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109, New York, NY 10278 Description of Request: $5,800,000 will be used by the Army Corps of Engineers for the Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point (FIMP) Project to complete the 3rd nourishment at Westhampton and 1st nourishment at Shinnecock, to continue required monitoring efforts, and to complete a reformulation study for the Fire Island to Montauk Point Project. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: FUSRAP Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Verizon Communications Address of Requesting Entity: One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Description of Request: This report language will direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete a remedial investigation/ feasibility study for the cleanup of the former Sylvania nuclear fuel site at Hicksville, New York, proceed to a record of decision and, if appropriate, initiate any necessary remediation in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2892--the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 2892 Account: Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Legal Name of Requesting Entity: New York City Police Department Address of Requesting Entity: 1 Police Plaza, New York, NY 10038 Description of Request: $40 million will be used to pay for the implementation of a unified strategy for defending the New York City region, including the surrounding New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut jurisdictions, against radiological and nuclear threats. The program, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), is designed to create a detection and interdiction architecture for radiological materials.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2996--the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Peter King Bill Number: H.R. 2996 Account: Environmental Protection Agency--STAG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Glen Cove Address of Requesting Entity: 9 Glen Street, Glen Cove, NY 11542 Description of Request: $500,000 will be used to rehabilitate and obtain technology for failing drinking and storm water infrastructure that are critical to protection of the Long Island Sound, the community's sole source aquifer, and shoreline properties.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chair, today I rise and am proud to join my colleagues in supporting the Castor/Bilirakis amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2010. This amendment would provide free mailing vouchers to members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, that can then be transferred to loved ones who will be able to send letters and packages to soldiers at no cost. While our soldiers do not have to pay for the letters they send home, their families often spend hundreds of dollars to send care packages and letters of their own. I introduced similar legislation (H.R. 704) this Congress and a similar provision was also included in the FY2009 National Defense Authorization Act that passed the House, only to be stripped out during conference negotiations. As someone who has long been dedicated to providing for the needs of soldiers and their families, I welcome this long-awaited addition to the benefits of those who serve our country.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2647--National Defense Authorization Act for FY2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Peter T. King Bill Number: H.R. 2647 Account: Aircraft Procurement, Army Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Address of Requesting Entity: 1 Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06301 Description of Request: $20,400,000 will be used to convert ``A'' model Black Hawk helicopters to the ``L'' configuration. This additional funding for UH-60L conversions will enable a more rapid standardization of the Black Hawk fleet and assure National Guard units are ready, deployable and available to protect our national interests abroad, and respond to emergencies here at home.