Frank LoBiondo

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume for a few closing remarks. I would just again like to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the chairman of the committee. And to the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), I thank you. I know we have had extensive discussions over this issue. I want to also thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), who came to me when he first heard of my story, and he told me about situations that he had experienced and the work he had done on this. And I think he is absolutely correct, we have to find a common ground in these areas where we can avoid these senseless tragedies for families like that of Ensign Elliott. This is a commonsense measure that can move us forward. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would make States eligible to receive section 410, Alcohol-Impaired Countermeasures grant funding to cover the cost of DWI vehicle impoundment programs. The motivation for my amendment is the result of a very tragic death of one of my constituents. U.S. Navy Ensign John Elliott, who had just received his commission from the naval flight school in Pensacola, Florida, was struck and killed by a drunk driver on July 22 of the year 2000. The accident instantly killed Ensign Elliott and seriously injured his passenger, Kristen Hoinwarter. Sadly, it was later discovered, and it was very sad, that the driver responsible for Ensign Elliott's death had been arrested for drunken driving earlier in the evening. He was released from custody, obviously while still being intoxicated, and returned to his car. Elliott was on his way home for his mother's birthday party when he crossed paths with the intoxicated driver. Nearly 3 years after that tragic accident, his parents, Bill and Muriel Elliott, continue the fight to save other families from the grief they have endured. Lobbying the New Jersey State legislature, the Elliotts saw to fruition the drafting, passage, and ultimate enactment of John's Law. The law ensures that individuals who pick up an arrested driver sign a document accepting custody. Additionally, it gives State Police the authorization to impound the automobile of an arrested driver for up to 12 hours. My amendment will encourage States to establish DWI impoundment programs for making them eligible for an existing grant program, helping them to defray costs. My amendment does not, I repeat, does not require States to enact impoundment programs, nor does it stipulate the terms of their programs, nor does it penalize States for not enacting such programs. And since funds come from an existing grant program, it will not cost the Federal Government a single penny. We are making important strides to eliminate the senseless deaths caused by the lethal mix of alcohol and automobiles. Annual deaths from drinking and driving have decreased. However, much work remains to be done. Each death is a preventable one, and this amendment will go a long way to ensuring deaths like Elliott's are prevented, and families are saved from the pain that the Elliotts have experienced and other families have experienced across the Nation. Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) very much for his leadership on this, and I thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) for his partnership. We joined in 1997 after similar incidents in our districts, totally separated, joined us together on this particular issue. I urge my colleagues to support this. It is something that will make a difference in real terms in people's lives. The legislation reauthorizes the grant program until 2007. The current authorization is set to expire this year. Congress has overwhelmingly approved the program twice before, first in the 105th and then in the 106th. In the 105th Congress, at that point in time, I had two groups within my district, Vest-A-Cop and Shield of Blue, that were raising money to provide vests for police officers basically by sub sales and bake sales and raising a dollar at a time. We recognized through a very tragic incident where a corrections officer at Bayside State Prison, Officer Fred Baker, while on duty was stabbed in the back by an inmate. He did not have a protective vest. We can only speculate if Officer Baker would be alive today, but many of us believe that he would be. After that incident, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) and I got together, drafted the legislation and went to work on it; and we are very pleased that our colleagues were able to support it. This Bulletproof Vest Partnership Act program has directly benefited every U.S. State and territory. A bulletproof vest is one of the most important pieces of equipment an officer can have. Many times, it can mean the difference between life and death. Every day, law enforcement officers are confronted by violent criminals armed with deadly weapons. While many officers wear vests to protect themselves, an alarming number of officers across the United States are not afforded the same protection because of budget constraints. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Act Grant program has helped State and local law enforcement purchase these vests and in response has saved countless thousands of lives. In 2002 alone, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act has provided $25 million to State law enforcement agencies across America. This program has provided more than 700,000 of these life-saving vests since its inception in the beginning of the program; and in turn, in this last year, the program has helped fund more than 188,000 new vests, giving vital protection to thousands of law enforcement officers nationwide. I again thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) for his support and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to allow the Federal Air Marshal Service to offer their specialized training services to foreign law enforcement personnel. Last December, in the wake of perceived threats to certain flights from foreign countries, the Department of Homeland Security placed a requirement on foreign airlines to carry armed law enforcement personnel on flights into or over the United States determined by U.S. intelligence to be a threat or suspected threat. With this important directive in mind, my legislation would allow the Federal Air Marshal Service to offer their specialized training to foreign law enforcement personnel. The legislation would also require the sponsoring foreign country to reimburse the Service for the cost of training. The Air Marshal training facility located in Pomona, NJ, is unique. It is the world premiere facility for the very specialized on-board aircraft law enforcement training. The training they receive there is far more sophisticated than just airborne firearm proficiency and hand to hand combat. Air Marshals are also trained to help out in any airborne emergency situation, including evacuating passengers and flying a pilotless plane. The facility does a tremendous job teaching students to safely and efficiently eliminate a terrorist threat under very confined and crowded conditions all while traveling at over 30,000 feet in the air. My legislation will allow students from across the globe access to the intense training regime available only at the Pomona facility and better equip America's allies to help us fight the War on Terror.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, as Chair of the Subcommittee for Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I rise in very strong opposition to this amendment, and I join with the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young), the chairman of the full committee, in saying that, first and foremost, this is a matter of national security. This Deepwater Program that we are finally under way with and finally gaining some momentum with is replacing the aged assets of the Coast Guard that are desperately needed. Prior to September 11, it was an issue that just related to Coast Guard traditional missions. Since September 11, with the role that the Coast Guard has taken for homeland and port security, it is essential that we replace these assets as quickly as possible. If in fact this amendment were to pass, the Coast Guard's National Security Cutter would be delayed by 18 months. That is totally unacceptable. The proposed amendment would also force the layoff of a number of U.S. workers; not workers in Germany, not workers somewhere else, workers right here in the United States of America. That is unacceptable. This proposal actually is an attempt to rewrite and to go beyond the Buy America provisions that currently apply to the Coast Guard's Deepwater Program and would cancel, I repeat, cancel the current task force order that was awarded to another American company. In addition to this, for those of my colleagues who are fiscally minded, this amendment, if enacted, would cost the American taxpayers in excess of $160 million. Unacceptable. Unacceptable on all fronts. This was a bidding process that we entered into that we went through. I understand that there is a regional dispute about how one company was affected. But it was done fairly, it was done properly. For the sake of the Coast Guard, and I will say that the Coast Guard has not taken a formal position because they have not had the opportunity to see this amendment in writing and to respond, but I feel very confident in saying that the Coast Guard would strongly oppose this if they had the opportunity to respond in writing for all of the reasons outlined above. So I would urge my colleagues as strongly as I can to understand the implications of the Deep Water program moving forward, not being delayed, to understand the implications of national security, to understand the implications of taxpayer dollars being spent wisely, and vote against this amendment.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for raising some very good points. We will certainly take a close look at this. It is an issue that I think most Members in this body can agree that we want to put a focus of attention on. I strongly agree with the gentleman that, while I understand the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Wisconsin, that this is not the right amendment, that this is the wrong time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment which has been worked out with the minority to make changes from the reported bill. In addition to reaching an agreement with the full committee ranking Democratic member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the amendment includes provisions that have been proposed by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hostettler), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock), the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman), the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee). I appreciate the interest of all of these Members in this bill, and I look forward to their support today. The amendment restructures the authorization to match the format used in the appropriation measure which funds the Coast Guard. It also makes changes to laws governing management of the Coast Guard. The amendment protects the Coast Guardsmen while they are forced to use disabling fire. It also authorizes a Coast Guard ROTC pilot program, allows the Coast Guard yard to work with private firms on government ship repair jobs, and allows the commandant to make recommendations directly to Congress. The amendment also makes changes to shipping laws. It sets standards for vessel classification societies operating in the United States, and specifies membership in maritime security advisory committees. Finally, the amendment contains other numerous issues of interest to members. It allows the Coast Guard to convey certain property it no longer uses, requires long-overdue regulations to be published by February 1, 2004, mandates a National Academy of Science study of future polar icebreaking needs, establishes a pilot project for improving the technology related to issuing merchant mariners' documents. It also authorizes funds to implement an intelligence-based vessel profiling system and a long-rang automated vessel tracking system for vessels operating in U.S. waters, and expresses the sense of Congress that Coast Guard should address safety risks posed by elevated levels of carbon monoxide in recreational vessels. Again, this amendment has been worked out on a bipartisan basis. It incorporates numerous provisions sought by Members of both parties. It also makes improvements to U.S. maritime policy and Coast Guard management. I urge Members to vote in favor of this amendment. Madam Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. We are reserving the balance of our time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, we have no further speakers on general debate. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Transportation.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such times I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2443, the Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Act of 2003. Before I discuss the bill or make comments on it, I would first like to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the distinguished chairman of the full committee, for all of his efforts on behalf of the Coast Guard and, in particular, for this bill, also thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), our ranking member, who certainly has been a champion of the Coast Guard and worked closely with us, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the ranking member on the Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, for their help and cooperation with this legislation. This legislation was developed in a bipartisan manner and deserves the support of all the Members of Congress. The primary purpose of this bill is to authorize expenditures for the United States Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission for the fiscal year 2004. Title I of the bill authorizes for fiscal year 2004 approximately $7.1 billion for Coast Guard programs and operations. The bill also authorizes the administration's request for 18.5 million for the Federal Maritime Commission. This legislation will increase funding for Coast Guard programs at a level above the administration's request to ensure that the service can meet its traditional missions and make meaningful progress toward carrying out its homeland security responsibilities under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. The bill funds the Coast Guard at levels requested by the President plus an additional $460 million. Of this amount, $70 million is for conducting the mandated U.S. port security plan approvals, $202 million to keep the Deepwater Capital Acquisition Program on track to meet its original 20-year implementation plan, $80 million to install equipment on already delivered C-130J aircraft, $39 million to establish a west coast HITRON squadron, $50 million for conducting foreign port security assessments and foreign vessel security plan reviews, and, finally, $19 million is for making the Truman-Hobbs bridge alterations. I am particularly concerned about the funding shortfalls for the critically important Deepwater recapitalization program designed to replace the Coast Guard's aging fleet of vessels and aircraft. From the start, Deepwater has been underfunded, jeopardizing on-time delivery of important assets. The effective accomplishment of the Coast Guard's national and homeland security missions, as well as its ability to sustain the level of performance of its traditional missions, is predicated upon having the required funding to recapitalize its aging assets sooner than the appropriated 20-year plan. As evidence of this, I attended on Saturday the return of the Coast Guard cutter Dependable from a drug interdiction mission in the Caribbean where it actually had confiscated a record Coast Guard bust. The drug smugglers had dumped about 2,500 pounds overboard and the Dependable and its crew had actually confiscated about the same amount. DEA was there to take control of the substance, to destroy it, but when listening to the discussion and listening to the account of how this took place, it is remarkable that the Coast Guard cutter Dependable, which was commissioned during the 1960s, with a top speed of only 17 knots and an aging frame, was able to counter the drugies with their fast boat with only a rigid-hull inflatable that was like a Corvair chasing a Corvette. Operation Deepwater is critically needed. I strongly endorse increasing the Coast Guard's overall funding level in order to support a faster Deepwater recapitalization program commensurate with the findings of the Deepwater acceleration plan submitted to the Congress in March of 2003. In addition to authorizing the Coast Guard's fiscal year 2004 budget and personnel resources, the measure also provides parity between certain Coast Guard and Department of Defense authorities, improves personnel management, and includes provisions to allow the service to better accomplish its traditional regulatory and law enforcement missions. The recent ferry accident in New York Harbor shows that the maritime transportation will never be perfect. However, the Coast Guard's constant and careful review of vessel and crew minimizes the number of maritime accidents we see in the United States. The service's response efforts also minimize the impact those incidents have in terms of loss of life and damage to property. I did hold a hearing in New York, on Tuesday of this week, to look for ways in which we can further improve our prevention and response system. In preparing this bill, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held hearings on the Coast Guard's and the Federal Maritime Commission's budget request and the legislative provisions in the Coast Guard's proposal. The bill contains many of the Coast Guard's legislative requests, as well as items of concern to Members of Congress that were brought to our attention. Mr. Chairman, I want to take this opportunity to commend the men and women of the Coast Guard. They do an amazing and remarkable job. Their ongoing traditional missions of illegal drug interdiction, of fisheries law enforcement, search and rescue, is always making the news. But what is really remarkable is the job that they are now doing on homeland and port security which is something that is new, that has been added to them since the terrible tragedy of September 11 of 2001. America benefits from a strong Coast Guard that is equipped to stop terrorists and drug smugglers, support the country's defense, protect our natural resources, rescue mariners in distress, and respond to national emergencies. We must act now to put the Coast Guard on sound financial footing, to be ready to respond to our increased homeland security demands, and other critical duties that the Coast Guard carries out daily. And the men and women of the Coast Guard are more than prepared to do their mission if we will only give them enough resources, enough assets and enough personnel to do the job. This bill will help ensure that that happens. Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members to support this piece of legislation. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his amendment. We have looked it over, and we think it is a good amendment; and we are prepared to accept it.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2443.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill, H.R. 2443, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation and cross references, and to make such other necessary technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the men and women of the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey on receiving an Air Force Outstanding Unit Commendation for their ongoing homeland defense efforts as part of Operation Noble Eagle. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the 177th ``Jersey Devils'' have dedicated themselves to securing the skies of the East Coast from terrorist threats and have set an example of excellence for their colleagues in the military and for their neighbors in the Second Congressional District of New Jersey. Recently, I accompanied General Ralph Eberhart, Commander of the Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), on a trip to the 177th Fighter Wing to review the unit and thank them for their service. The pride and devotion to duty I saw that day was at the same level it was in the days after September 11 and I am firmly convinced this dedication will remain evident and strong for the duration. This award is well deserved and I want to congratulate the leaders of the NJANG 177th Fighter Wing--Wing Commander Col. Michael G. Cosby, Vice Commander Col. Barry M. Johnson, Vice Wing Commander Lt. Col. Brian L. Webster, Vice Air Commander Lt. Col. Randall S. King, Executive Officer Capt. Yvonne L. Mays, and Command Chief Master Sergeant Herbert E. Mimler, Jr. on this award. I also congratulate the Wing's group, squadron and flight commanders including Lt. Col. Roger F. Pharo, Jr., Lt. Col. Richard L. Hutchinson, Col. James T. Strader, Jr., Col. David J. Mellish, Lt. Col. Jeffrey C. Thomas, Maj. David G. Haar, Lt. Col. John C. Elwood, Lt. Col. Kerry M. Gentry, Maj. Michael K. Love, Maj. Stephen G. McBrearty, Maj. John J. Fogarty III, Lt. Col. Harry Hartman, Lt. Col. Scott J. Barberides, Capt. Diana M. Brown, 2nd Lt. Richard L. Defeo, 2nd Lt. Brian W. McCarthy and Capt. Thomas S. Fanslau. I salute each and every member of the Wing for their hard work and service to our nation. The efforts of the 177th Fighter Wing have been essential to America's homeland defense and this award honors those efforts. Congratulations.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail incorporates the very best of what the great State of New Jersey has to offer the rest of the Nation. Established by Congress in 1988, the Trail unifies New Jersey's many scenic points of interest. These points of interest include a wealth of environmental, historic, maritime and recreational sights found along New Jersey's coastline, stretching 300 miles from Perth Amboy to the north, Cape May in the extreme southern tip of the State and Deepwater to the west. The Trail's area includes three National Wildlife Refuges, four tributaries of a Wild and Scenic River system, a Civil War fort and National cemetery, several lighthouses, historic homes, and other sites tied to southern New Jersey's maritime history. Through a network of themes and destinations, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail connects people with places of historic, recreational, environmental and maritime interest. One exciting aspect of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route is its focus on maritime history. There is a rich story to be told about the industries once sustained by the Delaware Bay, such as whaling, shipbuilding, oystering and crabbing. While we often define our Nation's history through military or political milestones, the Trail will serve to remind visitors that maritime-dependent commerce was a major factor in the growth of the United States. ``Eco-tourism'' along the Coastal Heritage Trail has proven to be a huge success. There is an abundant variety of natural habitats and species to be found on the Trail. Whale and dolphin watching have become extremely popular, and bird lovers from throughout the country, and in fact around the world, are realizing what Southern New Jersey residents have known all along: our region is unmatched for observing migratory birds, ospreys and bald eagles. Today, I am introducing legislation to reauthorize the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. This legislation would extend the authorization of the Trail to provide an additional $4 million over 5 years to continue the work began in 1988. It would also initiate a Strategic Plan which would explore opportunities to increase participation by national and local private and public interests, as well as organizational options for sustaining the Trail. The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail has helped New Jersey residents develop pride, awareness, experience with, and understanding of our coastal resources and its history. This reauthorization will allow the Trail to continue and flourish. I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the chairman very much.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.