Rick Larsen

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment made in order by the rule, and I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will protect intellectual property rights, or IPR, for American businesses by ensuring robust compliance with international legal IPR requirements and the enforcement of those requirements related to energy and environmental technologies. Congressman Kirk from Illinois and I recently returned from China where we met both with Chinese leadership and American companies doing business in China. Among a number of issues that we heard on the trip, two were consistent during our meetings with the American businesses. First, there is a great deal of enthusiasm regarding the interest in energy and climate change cooperation between the U.S. and China. Second, however, is a concern that the intellectual property rights owned by those companies selling their clean-energy technologies in China and other parts of the world will not be protected, and the green jobs that could be created here at home will be lost. According to the International Energy Agency, the world needs to invest $45 trillion in energy in the coming decades to cut in half greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To meet that goal, clean technology innovation must increase by 100 to 1,000 percent. The global market for environmental products and services is projected to double from $1.37 trillion per year at present to $2.74 trillion by 2020. And according to the American Solar Energy Society, by 2003, industries with green collar jobs could provide up to 40 million American jobs and generate up to $4.53 trillion in annual revenue. IPR protection gives companies the confidence to invest in critical research and development efforts to meet the growing demand for clean- energy technology. For this reason, Congressman Kirk and I have offered this amendment to H.R. 2410 to protect the IPR of these clean technologies and ensure these green jobs stay right here in the United States. It is critical that the investments that American companies are making in clean technology are protected. Protecting individual property rights will help us reward innovation instead of penalizing it. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment to H.R. 2410. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I just would again ask my colleagues to support this important amendment to H.R. 2410. I appreciate everyone's support in making it happen and for bringing it to the floor today.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Petri and Mr. Mica as well as Mr. Young, Mr. Oberstar, and Ms. Brown for all their help in putting this resolution together and getting it to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 484.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 484) expressing support for designation of June 10th as ``National Pipeline Safety Day''.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Resolution 484.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask the House of Representatives to support the designation of June 10, tomorrow, as National Pipeline Safety Day. There are more than 2 million miles of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines in our country. Pipelines play a vital role in the lives of the American people by delivering the energy we need to heat our homes, to drive our cars, to cook our food, and to operate our businesses. In the past decade, significant new pipelines have been built to help move oil and gas to refineries and to markets. These pipelines are invisible to most people and, therefore, are out of sight and are out of mind. This can lead to pipeline damage and to a general lack of government oversight. On June 10 of 1999, a pipeline leak caused a massive explosion in my district in Bellingham, Washington. The rupture released more than a quarter of a million gallons of gasoline into Whatcom Creek. The gasoline ignited, sending a fireball racing down the creek, which killed two 10-year-old boys and an 18-year-old man. The two boys-- Stephen Tsiorvas and Wade King--were playing in the creek on a summer day, near their homes, and 18-year-old Liam Wood had just graduated from high school and was fly fishing for trout. Previous generations certainly ask themselves, Where were you when President Kennedy was shot? But in my district, people literally ask the question and know the answer to, Where were you when the pipeline exploded? It had that much of an impact in my district. In response to this tragedy and several other pipeline explosions across the country, Congress passed legislation to strengthen pipeline safety regulations. The 2002 Pipeline Safety Improvement Act increased penalty fines, improved pipeline testing timelines, provided whistleblower protection, and allowed for State oversight. In 2006, Congress reauthorized the 2002 law by passing the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act, or the PIPES Act. Since that day in June, we've made significant progress in ensuring the safety of our Nation's pipelines. The frequency of so-called ``high-consequence events'' to pipelines has diminished almost 35 percent in the last 10 years. Due to the integrity management program required by the new law, pipeline operators have made extensive repairs to their pipelines that otherwise would have led to future accidents. The 811 One-Call program now provides a number that people can call before they dig to make sure that they won't hit a pipeline when they do dig. ``Call 811, the One-Call program.'' And Congress has significantly increased the number of pipeline inspectors in the field. However, we must remain vigilant. That's why I have introduced House Resolution 484, a resolution to recognize tomorrow, June 10, 2009, the 10-year anniversary of the Bellingham pipeline explosion, as National Pipeline Safety Day. My resolution encourages individuals, State and local governments, and pipeline safety stakeholders to use this day to create greater public awareness of pipelines and pipeline safety. It has the support of Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, the Whatcom County Council, the Pipeline Safety Trust, the Pipeline Association for Public Awareness, the American Gas Association and the American Public Gas Association. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I do encourage my colleagues to support House Resolution 484. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am sure the parents of the three young men who died in the explosion would be very interested to hear the thoughts of the gentleman from Florida on energy. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 4 minutes to the cosponsor of this resolution, Mr. Klein of Florida.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. 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 House Resolution 410.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers. So, at this point, I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 410) recognizing the numerous contributions of the recreational boating community and the boating industry to the continuing prosperity and affluence of the United States.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 410, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 410, recognizing the numerous contributions of the recreational boating community and the boating industry to the continuing prosperity and affluence of the United States. This bipartisan resolution was introduced by Representatives Ron Klein of Florida and Henry Brown of South Carolina, along with the co- Chairs of the Congressional Boating Caucus, Representatives Gene Taylor of Mississippi and Candice Miller of Michigan. House Resolution 410 honors the 59 million boaters in the United States. As evidenced by the bipartisan cosponsors of this resolution, American boaters span all across the country, including my constituents in Washington State who take to the waters of the Puget Sound. Boating provides a great activity for thousands of families, Mr. Speaker, on our lakes and certainly on our great coasts--to fish, to dive, to snorkel or to simply enjoy America's stunning natural marine resources. Boating isn't just a recreational activity. The boating industry is one of America's great industries that includes about 1,400 active boat builders in the United States, including many in my district, using materials and services contributed from all 50 States. These are American jobs that are creating a uniquely American product. Additional jobs include electricians, carpenters, painters, and engineers who work to repair or to refit recreational vessels--along with all the crew members and employees at our many marinas and harbors. When taken together, boating in America generates more than $33 million annually for our economy, and it provides 337,000 jobs, totaling $10.4 billion in wages every year. For these reasons, I am urging my colleagues to support House Resolution 410. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Tammy D. Logan, United States Navy, who is retiring after 20 years of service to our nation. In May 1989, Senior Chief Logan, a native of my home state of Washington, enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Recruit. Over the course of the next twenty years, Senior Chief Logan served the Navy in a wide variety of roles, travelling throughout the country and overseas. Her assignments include Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 32, Carrier Strike Group 5, and the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Throughout her career, Senior Chief Logan has demonstrated a commitment to continuing her education. In 2002, she earned her Associate of Arts degree from Saint Leo University, and she is currently scheduled to graduate from Excelsior College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in July of 2009. Senior Chief Logan has also earned a variety of awards for her outstanding service to our country. Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), and the Good Conduct Medal (six awards). I commend Senior Chief Logan for her commitment to our country and the sacrifices she has made on its behalf. On the occasion of her retirement, I thank her and her family for her honorable service to our nation and wish her fair winds and following seas as she concludes a distinguished career.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 2430, legislation which will allow for the continued stocking of trout in mountain lakes in the North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and Ross Lake National Recreation Area in my home State of Washington. For over 100 years, sportsmen and women in the Pacific Northwest have stocked lakes in the North Cascades with trout early each summer and returned later in the year with family and friends to camp and fish. Fish stocking brings not only recreational benefits, but also economic benefits for rural communities that rely on sportsmen and park visitors to sustain local businesses. The practice of fish stocking is supported by both the angling community and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Earlier this year, the North Cascades National Park issued an Environmental Impact Statement supporting the continued stocking of fish. However, a recent legal opinion issued by the National Parks Service threatens this decades-old tradition. The Parks Service has determined that, without legal clarification from Congress, they will be unable to allow fish stocking in the future. H.R. 2430 would provide the Parks Service with the clarification it needs to continue to allow fish stocking. This legislation will authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the State of Washington, to allow sportsmen to stock native or functionally sterile trout in up to 42 alpine lakes in the North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and Ross Lake National Recreation Area. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation to protect the tradition of fish stocking in and around the North Cascades National Park.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 915, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. This bill provides historic levels of funding for FAA's critical work to improve safety, invest in our nation's airports, and modernize our air transportation system. H.R. 915 will help accelerate the implementation of FAA's Air Traffic Control Modernization and Next Generation Air Transportation System. NextGen will increase the capacity and efficiency of our national air transportation system, which will help accommodate expected increases in air traffic. H.R. 915 also increases oversight of NextGen and mandates that FAA develop a detailed plan for how they will deliver results for the airline industry and the flying public. This legislation invests in our nation's airports by providing $16.2 billion for the Airport Improvement Program. This historic funding level also includes a significant increase in AIP funding for smaller airports, like many in my district. H.R. 915 also makes critical improvements in aviation safety, including strong air carrier safety oversight provisions and an increase in the number of aviation safety inspectors. I commend Chairmen Oberstar and Costello for addressing the ongoing dispute between the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the FAA over failed contract negotiations by establishing a binding dispute resolution process and requiring the parties to go back to the negotiating table. The bill also fixes a long-standing disparity in the way employees of express delivery companies are treated under our nation's labor laws. This provision will help restore collective bargaining rights to this critical workforce. This legislation is not perfect, but it makes critical improvements to our nation's air transportation system to create jobs and strengthen our economy. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Conference Report on the Weapons Acquisition System Reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge and Oversight Act (WASTE TKO Act). This legislation will reform how the Department of Defense purchases weapons and help ensure the strong oversight of our defense budget that taxpayers deserve. In recent years, the Defense Department's spending plans have been unrealistic and unsustainable. Much of the growth in our defense budget has been driven by weapons programs that cost too much and take too long to develop. According to a Government Accountability Office study released this year, cost overruns from ninety-six Department of Defense weapons programs have totaled $296 billion. These same programs were, on average, 21 months behind schedule. President Obama has said that procurement reform could save taxpayers as much as $40 billion each year. Our current approach asks, ``how much money can we get for the weapon?'' But we ought to ask, ``how much weapon can we get for the money?'' Every dollar that we spend on an over-budget weapons system is a dollar that cannot be used to support the urgent needs of our servicemembers and their families. Cost overruns alone would pay the salaries for our active-duty military and health care for them and their families for two and a half years. The WASTE TKO Act will address deep-seated and systemic problems in how we procure weapons. This bill will require the Department of Defense to provide more realistic estimates of how much weapons will cost and punish those programs which are failing to meet schedule and cost goals. This legislation will demand additional focus during the early stages of weapons development, when small program changes can have major long-term consequences. When it comes to defense procurement, an ounce of oversight is worth a pound of cure. I applaud Chairman Ike Skelton, Ranking Member John McHugh, and the Members of the Armed Services Committee's Defense Acquisition Reform Panel for their work to develop this legislation. As a member of the House Budget Committee and the Armed Services Committee, I am committed to providing for a strong national defense that gives our women and men in uniform the tools they need to do their jobs, while delivering strong oversight of the defense budget that reins in out-of-control spending on major weapons systems. I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting a strong national defense and accountability of taxpayer dollars by voting yes on the WASTE TKO Act.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join in the celebration of Syttende Mai, or Norwegian Constitution Day. On May 17, 1814, an assembly of Norway's leaders signed a Constitution declaring Norway's independence and establishing a government that was radically democratic for its time, especially in Europe. This Sunday, exactly 195 years later, millions of Norwegians will gather to celebrate their independence, their long history of constitutional democracy, and their national achievements. Norwegians and Norwegian Americans across our country will celebrate at smaller, but no less joyful, Constitution Day events. In my home State of Washington, the Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. will serve as the Grand Marshal of a Constitution Day parade. The United States and Norway share in the celebration of Constitution Day because we have a strong diplomatic friendship, a robust trading relationship, and a shared history of commitment to democratic principles. Moreover, the U.S. and Norway are military partners. Today in Afghanistan, as a for instance, Norwegian soldiers are fighting the Taliban and al Qaeda alongside U.S. servicemembers. So I congratulate Norway on this Constitution Day and look forward to celebrating Syttende Mai with them for years to come.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H. Con. Res. 111, a resolution recognizing the sixty-first anniversary of Israel's independence. Just eleven minutes after the establishment of Israel on May 14, 1948, President Truman recognized its status as a sovereign nation. That moment marked the beginning of an enduring relationship between our two countries. Israel and its citizens have made outstanding contributions to global prosperity and culture. The whole world has benefited from Israeli advances in science, medicine, technology, and the arts. As the longest-enduring democracy in the Middle East, Israel is a strong and trusted ally in a volatile region. After more than six decades, the United States remains committed to its friendship with Israel. This friendship has endured, and will endure, because our countries share fundamental values. The Jewish People's Council, in approving the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel, articulated many of our common values, stating ``The state of Israel . . . will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture.'' On the occasion of its Independence Day, I congratulate the people of Israel for their continued commitment to these democratic principles. I look forward to strengthening our relationship based on our many common ties in the decades to come.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Chair, perhaps I can rise today and try to lower the temperature a little bit as I rise to oppose the substitute budget before us and express my strong support for the Budget Committee resolution that is on the floor today a little later. It is because our budget puts President Obama's plan to invest in our Nation's priorities into action, our budget is part of a comprehensive approach to create jobs and to build a foundation for our country's long-term economic strength. Congress and this administration have already taken action to save or create 3.5 million jobs, to keep families in their homes and to stabilize our financial markets. The economy is clearly job number one for all of us here. President Obama inherited an economic mess from the last administration, including record deficits and soaring unemployment. It is going to take some time, some hard work, some very difficult choices for us to get past this economic and this fiscal crisis and to move our country in a new direction. I hosted some town talks with about 200 of my constituents this past weekend in Marysville and Lake Stevens. And let me tell you, they are worried. They are worried about the economy. They are ready for a new direction. They are looking for answers from this Congress and from the President. President Obama and Chairman Spratt have proposed a budget resolution that moves our country in the right direction by investing in clean energy, in education and affordable health care for families and businesses. This budget also invests in our Nation's national security, provides a nearly 4 percent increase in funding for the Department of Defense to keep our country safe and to support our military folks and their families. And for the first time, the President's budget in this resolution includes an honest and transparent accounting of the cost of sustaining our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It creates jobs that target investments. It reforms health care, energy and education. The substitute before us today does the opposite, cutting those investments that we need to strengthen our economy for the long term. Instead of moving us in a new direction that we need, this substitute unfortunately relies on the failed approaches of the past. So I'm urging my colleagues to oppose the substitute and support the budget resolution that we are going to see later on the floor today.