Jim McGovern

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I find it ironic that my friends on the other side of the aisle want to talk about fiscal responsibility and they are worried about the deficit. Where were they for 8 years when George Bush took this economy and drove it straight into a ditch? He inherited a surplus from President Clinton, and he squandered it. And nobody, virtually nobody, on the other side of the aisle spoke about the fact that Republican economic policies are responsible for this economic crisis. This President inherited the worst economy since the Great Depression. We need to dig ourselves out of this ditch. And we are going to do that. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I just want to say to my colleague that I appreciate his comments, especially after our previous conversation. He is complaining about the process, but if I'm understanding this correctly, the Resources Committee held a hearing on this bill. There was a full committee markup. The gentleman offered a similar amendment, I understand, that was rejected. He sent an amendment up to the Rules Committee, which he did not testify on behalf of, which he is not required to. But if it was so important, I would have thought that he would have been up before the committee. And I would also say to my colleague that, to the best of my understanding, none of his Republican colleagues on the Rules Committee offered his amendment. So I would just suggest in the future, if there is an important issue like that, that there be some more groundwork in advance to it.

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Just in brief response to the gentlewoman's comments, as she knows, when the manager's bill is adopted, this bill will have no cost. And in response to her question about what the Democratic priorities are, they are to create jobs, they are to pass an energy bill to create more jobs, and to deal with climate change. Our priorities include passing a health care bill that will lower the cost of health care for average Americans. I don't know about in North Carolina, but I can tell you that in my district and everywhere I go around the country, people claim with great justification that they are paying too much for health care. She may represent a bunch of millionaires, but I think most of us don't. The fact of the matter is health care costs are too high. We need to make it more affordable for the average family, for small businesses, and so that's what our priorities are. I should say to the gentlelady as well that according to recovery.gov, in her State, jobs that were created or saved in North Carolina are 105,000 jobs. I also submit into the Record, Madam Speaker, an editorial from the Knox News in support of this stimulus package as it relates to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which includes, I understand, part of the gentlewoman's district. [From the Knox News, Thursday, July 16, 2009] Editorial: Smokies Stimulus: Let the Good Work Begin It isn't exactly a birthday present, but no matter. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park can use the infusion of $64 million in stimulus money for a variety of projects that have been needed in the park for years. It's special that it will come in time to help those in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina celebrate the park's 75th anniversary. And it is significant that it is about eight times the amount the park usually receives for maintenance work. The stimulus funding is expected to create up to 1,500 jobs inside and outside the park. The money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the park officials hope to be able to award the first round of construction contracts by late next month, with work expected to begin after the Sept. 7 Labor Day holiday. The Smokies Park is one of 380 national parks to receive funding from the stimulus package. And, as the most visited national park in the country, its share of the federal funding was greater than that for other parks. For example, Yosemite National Park received $4.5 million and the Grand Canyon National Park received $10.8 million. Denali National Park in Alaska will get $6.3 million. The initial phase of construction will use $7.5 million of the stimulus money to repave Cosby Campground, improve parking at the Sinks waterfalls area and upgrade 34 buildings and five comfort stations throughout the park. The park already is using $1.2 million of the federal money to hire temporary workers who will improve 32 miles of eroded horse trails in Tennessee and North Carolina and to restore more than 60 historic cemeteries. During the first phase of construction, the Cosby campground will close for the season after the Labor Day holiday. It normally operates through October. The campground is scheduled to reopen as usual in March. The work on the parking area at the Sinks will cause that site to close following Labor Day, with completion scheduled for May 2010. The project also will include a handicapped accessible masonry platform overlooking the waterfalls. A second phase of contracts funded by the stimulus money is expected to be awarded later in the fall; work on these projects will begin in the spring. Park spokesman Bob Miller said in May that it was a coincidence that the stimulus money comes during the yearlong celebration of the Smokies' 75th anniversary. However, he added, ``The park was created in large measure as an economic stimulus initiative, so it's timely that we're making such a substantial investment in our infrastructure.'' We hope those in the federal government, regardless of the impact of the stimulus money, realizes what those in this area have long understood. The Smokies Park is a national treasure--everyone's treasure--and its continued upkeep and improvement need to stay high on the government's to-do list. So our priorities are pretty clear, and what we're trying to do right now is dig ourselves out of a ditch that her party and the Republican President George Bush dug our economy into. It turns out the ditch is much deeper than anybody had thought, and it's going to take us a little time to get out of it. But through the stimulus package, through passing health care reform to lower health care costs on families and small businesses, through a climate change bill to create thousands and thousands of more green jobs, I think we've got to turn the corner, and I think that the President of the United States is leading us on the right track. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 609 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, just so there's no confusion, I want to remind my colleagues that we are dealing with the Agriculture appropriations bill and not the Defense appropriations bill or any other appropriations bill. This is the Agriculture appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, technically this point of order is about whether or not to consider this rule and ultimately the underlying bill. In reality, it's about trying to block this bill without any opportunity for debate and without any opportunity for an up-or-down vote on the legislation itself. Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill that we want to consider here is a bill that provides food and nutrition to some of the most desperate people in this country. It's a bill that will provide much-needed help to farmers in rural areas all across this country. This is an important bill for a number of reasons, and I think it's wrong to try to delay this bill or block this legislation from coming to the floor. I hope my colleagues will vote ``yes'' so that we can consider this important legislation on its merits and not stop it on a procedural obstructionist motion. Those who oppose this bill can vote against it on final passage. We must consider this rule, and we must pass this legislation today. Mr. Speaker, I have the right to close; but in the end I will urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to consider the rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate the tactics that my friends on the other side of the aisle are employing right now to try to delay and obstruct this legislation from moving forward. But, as I said, this legislation is important. It's important to a lot of people. The food stamp program is funded in this bill, WIC, a lot of important nutrition programs, plus a lot of important aid to farmers who are struggling in this tough economy. This is an important piece of legislation. Again, I want to urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this motion to consider so we can debate and pass this important piece of legislation today. I would urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and enough of these obstructionist tactics. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlelady from North Carolina, Dr. Foxx. All time yielded for consideration of this rule is for debate only. General Leave

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous materials into the Record.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. House Resolution 609 will allow this body to consider H.R. 2997, the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill that deserves the support of every single Member in this body. The chairwoman, Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member Jack Kingston, the subcommittee members and their staffs worked tirelessly to craft a bill that provides critical funding for the needs of rural America, conservation programs and two areas that are very important to me, domestic and international food nutrition. Mr. Speaker, this bill is not perfect. There are programs that I think should be funded at higher levels and other programs that should be reduced. Other colleagues undoubtedly have different priorities. But I believe that this bill is a solid, thoughtful, good compromise. The FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act makes three major investments. It protects Americans' public health with increases in food safety and funding for the Food and Drug Administration. It delivers critical funding and support for domestic and international food and nutrition programs, and it provides important assistance for rural America by providing funds for rural development, animal and plant health, broadband service, and conservation programs. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides $22.9 billion for these critical programs. I should point out, less than President Obama's budget request. With the economic crisis facing families across this Nation, the funding for rural America is more important today than ever. The rural development programs will create real opportunities for economic growth and development in small communities throughout our country. There is funding for rural housing, investments in rural businesses, and support for new community facility infrastructure. The funding for the Farm Service Agency and agriculture research is of vital importance as our farmers and ranchers continue to adapt their businesses into the 21st- century economy. I particularly want to thank Chairwoman DeLauro for including critical funding for the eradication of the Asian long-horned beetle. This devastating insect has infiltrated my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, and surrounding towns. Because there is no natural predator, the only way to eradicate the insect is to eliminate the trees where they live. If this infestation is not stopped, you could devastate the hard wood forest of New England. This is an expensive but critically important endeavor and this bill provides significant funding for that effort. Mr. Speaker, as we have seen over the past few years, America's food supply is simply not as safe as it should be. We have seen salmonella and E. coli outbreaks in various parts of this country. And the continuing importation of food from around the world means we need to have a vigilant and dedicated effort to protect our food supply from contamination. This bill provides funding specifically for the inspection of meat, poultry and egg products. There is also critical funding to improve the safety of domestic and imported food and medical products. These programs alone make this bill worth supporting, and I commend Chairwoman DeLauro for her steadfast support of this work. Finally, Mr. Speaker, and of great importance to me, are the programs that provide food and nutrition to millions of people here at home and around the world. This bill provides significant funding for SNAP, formerly called food stamps; for WIC, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and International Food Aid, both P.L. 480 title II and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition program. I have long believed, Mr. Speaker, that hunger here at home and around the world is a political condition, that we have the resources to end hunger; but we simply haven't mustered the political will to do so. This bill is a major step forward in that fight to end hunger. Domestically, this bill fully funds the Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, program. This is a vital program that provides healthy and nutritious food to pregnant mothers and their newborn children. The funding in this bill will help over 700,000 more women, infants, and children. That means over 10 million people will now be able to participate in this important program. The bill also provides funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, something the Bush administration never thought fit to fund, but which actually provides nutritious food to over 500,000 low-income women, infants and children and elderly people who struggle with high food costs. This bill also expands the CSFP participation into six States: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Delaware, Utah, New Jersey and Georgia. The SNAP program, authorized in the farm bill, is funded through the FY2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill. This is one of the most important safety programs in the country. Low- and middle-income families who struggle to put food on their tables are able to turn to the SNAP program for help. There are over 36 million people in this country who go without food during the year. Too often, families are forced to choose between rent, utilities, and food. SNAP allows families to receive funding so they can buy the food they normally wouldn't be able to afford. Mr. Speaker, healthy, nutritious food is a right, not a privilege. The notion that we should turn our backs on people who cannot afford it is unfathomable. Millions of Americans needed this help even before the economic downturn. Today, the number of hungry Americans will undoubtedly be higher than last year; and without SNAP, millions of Americans would go to bed hungry every day. I am proud of the program, and I congratulate the Speaker of the House and Chairwoman DeLauro in their support for this and other anti-hunger efforts. Finally, I am pleased that there is a significant investment in the International Food Aid provisions funded in this bill. Many of my colleagues may not know that International Food Aid is funded in the Agriculture Appropriations bill. But this bill thanks the leadership of Chairwoman DeLauro, increases funding for P.L. 480 title II by $464 million for a total of $1.69 billion. This bill also increases funding for the McGovern-Dole program, increasing the total to $199.5 million. Based on our Nation's school meal program, the McGovern-Dole program provides food to millions of hungry kids at school, allowing children to receive both food and an education. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. It funds the priorities of our Nation and it deserves our support. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the Chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to respond to the gentleman from New York's comments. I realize that he's new, but the fact is that both of his amendments would have been a violation of the House rules even under an open rule. The gentleman was legislating on an appropriations bill. There are other ways for him to get his point across. I share his concerns on the dairy issue. I come from a New England State. But the fact of the matter is that even under an open rule, his amendments would have been ruled out of order because they're legislating on an appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. I yield the gentlelady an additional 1 minute.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to submit into the Record the Statement of Administration Policy on this bill in which the Obama administration strongly supports this bill. Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC, July 7, 2009. (House Rules) Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 2997--Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Rep. Obey, D-Wisconsin) The Administration strongly supports House passage of H.R. 2997, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. A strong, vibrant rural America is central to our country's future. The bill, as reported by the committee, makes important investments in infrastructure so economic progress does not bypass rural communities. The legislation provides the resources necessary to keep our food and our medicines safe and reliable. It provides critical support for farmers to continue the nation's leading role in feeding the world. This legislation also addresses chronic problems facing Americans, including poverty and nutrition and housing. It invests dollars in rural America for the benefit of all Americans. In addition, the legislation responds to the President's call for investments in programs that work while ending programs that do not. This legislation gives priority to merit-based funding in critical infrastructure programs. The Administration urges the Congress to continue to apply high standards to funding decisions so as to shape fiscally responsible policies that provide solid returns on the taxpayers' investments. The Administration would like to take this opportunity to share additional views regarding the Committee's version of the bill. Administration Priorities Expand Broadband Access. The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for the President's goal of increasing access to broadband. However, the President's request provided an increase in loan funding which the Committee moves into grants, resulting in a decrease in loan support of $132 million. This reduction will slow expansion of broadband into rural America. Rural Revitalization. The FY 2010 Budget requested an increase of $70 million for rural revitalization grants. The Administration is disappointed that the Committee provides less than $10 million of the requested increase, including no increase for Secondary and Post-Secondary Education, Institution Challenge Grants, or the Quality of Life Program. Renewable Energy. The Administration appreciates the support the Committee has provided to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business programs. However, the Administration urges the Congress to fund the Rural Energy for America program at the full requested amount. This program is necessary in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in rural communities. Efficiencies and Cost-Saving Proposals. The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for some of the President's initiatives to terminate or reduce USDA programs that have outlived their usefulness, such as public broadcast grants to help the digital conversion, or that are duplicative of other USDA programs, such as high-cost energy grants. The Administration encourages the Congress to reconsider other proposals made by the Administration that would better target scarce resources and eliminate duplicative programs. Food Safety and Inspection Service The Administration is concerned with sections 723 and 724 of the bill which deal with food safety issues. The Administration would like to work with the Congress to address the issues raised by the Committee in a manner that would protect the Nation's food supply and be consistent with our international obligations. Food and Nutrition Services The Administration is pleased with the Committee's support for strengthening nutrition assistance programs by including funding for food banks, community-based food providers, fully funding WIC, and by supporting a pilot initiative to help increase elderly participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Farm Service Agency The Administration appreciates that the Committee provides full funding to begin modernization of the Farm Service Agency's information technology network. Once completed, the multi-year stabilization and modernization plan, dubbed ``MIDAS,'' will allow the agency to provide program benefits in a more efficient, accurate, and responsive manner. Rural Development The Administration appreciates that the Committee funds the majority of Rural Development at the President's requested levels. However, funding for the Rental Assistance Grants falls $77 million short of the estimate needed to renew the expiring rental assistance contracts expected in FY 2010. The Administration urges the Congress to provide the full request of $1.1 billion, which will continue the support of rents for USDA-financed properties on behalf of the tenants who receive subsidized rent. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The Administration appreciates that the Committee provides the request to strengthen the FDA's efforts to make food and medical products safer. This funding will allow FDA to work with domestic and foreign industry to develop new control measures for all levels of the supply chain, improve and increase risk-based inspections, and respond more effectively with rapid and targeted product tracing when problems do occur. Constitutional Concerns Consistent with the Executive Branch's long-standing views regarding section 713, the Administration notes that section 713 raises constitutional concerns under the Recommendations Clause and should be eliminated. I will also point out that the bill that has been reported by the Appropriations Committee is less in terms of spending than what the Obama administration originally requested. I would also say, and I want to say this very strongly, that I support the increases in spending in this bill because they're mostly in two areas, food safety and food security, making sure that the food that people buy in supermarkets is safe and making sure that people in this country who are hungry because of this lousy economic situation can have enough to eat, can put food on the table for their families. We have a terrible situation in this country where the number of hungry people is in the tens of millions, and we can't just walk away from that. And my colleague talks about across-the-board cuts. Across- the-board cuts that make no sense and don't discriminate as to where they're going to cut means you're going to cut programs for food and nutrition that will literally take the food out of the mouths of hungry children. I don't want to do that. This is a good bill. It has been worked on, I think, with great effort by both Democrats and Republicans, and I strongly support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentleman, my good friend from Texas, said he wants to talk about process and procedure, so let's talk about process and procedure. The amendment he brought before the Rules Committee was a violation of the House rules. Even under a complete open rule on the House floor, it would have been subject to a point of order because it was legislating on an appropriations bill. So you want to talk about process, we'll talk about process. The gentleman's amendment would have been not in order under any process. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. McGOVERN. No, I will not. Be that as it may, our job as the majority party is to do the business of the American people, and passing this legislation is a part of doing that job. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the previous question, ``yes'' on the rule, and ``yes'' on the underlying bill.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, we need to pass this rule and we need to pass this bill. This is a bill that provides funds to protect public health, moneys for the Food and Drug Administration, and it funds hunger and nutrition programs including fully funding WIC. There is money in here for rural development, conservation, oversight, and enforcement. Let's be clear, Mr. Speaker, the reason why we need this bill is in large part due to the 8 years of Republican neglect and indifference on a lot of these issues. More people in America today are hungry than a year ago. And I will tell the gentlelady from North Carolina that yes, there are increases in this bill, although it still comes in under the requests of President Obama, but there are increases in this bill, especially to help deal with the fact that so many in this country can't afford to put food on the table. I will also say to the gentlelady that these aren't just homeless people or these are not just people without jobs. These are increasingly working families, people who are working who can't afford to put food on their table in the United States of America, the richest country on this planet. That is shameful. And globally, because of a lack of leadership over the last 8 years, over 1 billion people are hungry. That may not bother some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, but it bothers me, it bothers my constituents, and it bothers the American people. My friends can complain all they want, but it won't feed a single hungry child. My friends can try all the obstructionist tactics that they want, but it won't save a single rural family farm. The American people want relief. They want us to provide a helping hand. I think too many of my friends on the other side of the aisle seem to me more interested in delaying, obstructing, and killing important legislation than advancing it. That may be the advice of some high-priced political consultant at the Republican National Committee, but it is a bad way to serve the American people. Our side has repeatedly tried to reach out and reach an accommodation on debate and on amendments with the minority, only to be rebuffed.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I appreciate that the gentleman is not a happy camper, and my sympathies go to his district for what it's going through. But as he knows, this is an appropriations bill. What he was doing was attempting to legislate on an appropriations bill, which would have been subject to a point of order under any circumstances. So maybe the gentleman could work with the appropriate committee to try to resolve this issue. I surely would be willing to try to help him. But on this bill his amendment would have been made out of order under any circumstance. I have no further speakers other than me. I would yield to the gentlelady to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Devoting portions of revenues from a cap-and-trade system to investments in international adaptation to those countries most vulnerable is a clear signal to the world that the U.S. is ready to lead in combating global climate change. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation. I would like to insert in the Record a column by Ken Hackett, the president of Catholic Relief Services, entitled, ``Combat Hunger By Investing in Agricultural Development.'' [From the Des Moines Register, May 29, 2009] Combat Hunger by Investing in Agricultural Development (By Ken Hackett) The world is hungry. The unprecedented global financial crisis is plummeting more people into poverty. Nearly 1 billion worldwide go hungry, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. Our conscience tells us this is morally reprehensible; our intellect reminds us that hunger pangs can breed riots and civil unrest that jeopardize the peace for us all. This human calamity--with far-reaching consequences-- demands that we strategically and smartly retool our thinking on how to tackle the scourge of global hunger. One place to begin is to increase our investment in all aspects of agricultural development, from seed to market. Despite the fact that the majority of poor people in the developing world live in rural areas and sustain themselves through farming, overall funding for agriculture has been declining for many years. As clearly shown by the World Bank, agricultural productivity gains and innovation have been particularly low in Africa. This lack of investment has led to stagnating productivity and missed opportunities to take advantage of improved technologies that enable farmers to grow more food, to process it and to sell it for the best price. A modest investment in agriculture can pay major dividends, boosting the incomes of farm families and helping to lift them out of poverty. In Niger, where I just visited, Fatou Soumana for years sold her unprocessed sesame seeds for a pittance, barely making enough to feed her family. With some help provided by Catholic Relief Services, including training on how to save and invest and classes on how to process sesame seeds, she is now selling a refined oil for use in skin-care products that is fetching top dollar. Fatou has used her profits to buy a cell phone, six sheep and a refrigerator. The refrigerator helps her to store the ice cream she makes and sells on the side. Here is an example of the multiplier effect of this approach: awakening an entrepreneurial spirit. We need to move toward more holistic approaches to rural development that reflect the needs of the poor themselves and build permanent solutions to end global hunger. These approaches are starting to take root among the world's poorest countries through the efforts of smart development- assistance programs. The U.S. Government's Millennium Challenge Corp., for example, is investing in every facet of the agricultural value chain. Millennium Challenge grants are training farmers, including women who make up the majority of farmers throughout the developing world; building the roads and bridges they need to get their crops to market; and bolstering a sound policy environment that secures land rights for farmers or expands the financial services agribusinesses need to flourish. Innovative approaches like the sesame project in Niger are rather small, but Millennium Challenge grants can replicate them on a larger scale. I applaud the Obama administration for the steps it has taken so far in the fight against global hunger and poverty, specifically in its commitment to increased funding for food security and for demonstrating its support of the Millennium Challenge Corp. in the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. I urge the administration and Congress to continue America's commitment to assisting the world's poor in the face of fiscal stress and competing budget priorities. To cure the malady of hunger, we must invest today in agriculture's long-term sustainability. We have smart models of development assistance that are working toward this goal for the world's poor. If we are truly committed to ending global hunger, we must deepen our support for the solutions these models are delivering.

Mr. McGOVERN. I thank the gentlelady from California for yielding to me. Madam Speaker, I stand here today in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation. I want to thank Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, Chairman Waxman, and my Massachusetts colleague, Ed Markey, for crafting and shepherding through this tremendously important legislation. This bill will reduce the release of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, reduce global warming, and concurrently will spur the creation of millions of clean-energy jobs in the United States. Specifically, I would like to thank the chairman for including funding for domestic and international adaptation and clean technology transfer. While I supported greater dedication for adaptation funding, this represents a necessary first step in U.S. commitment. By dedicating a portion of the allowances to international adaptation financing, we can ensure that those poorest of countries who have already been and will continue to be disproportionately impacted by climate change will receive crucial funding to help them save their farmlands, sources of water, and oftentimes their homes. As a co-Chair of the Congressional Hunger Caucus, I am particularly concerned with the impacts of climate change upon the hungriest in the world. By investing in sustaining agriculture technology and practices, adaptation financing will help in this fight to end hunger. For many island nations and equatorial countries, the harmful impacts of climate change have already taken their toll. Sea level rise, caused by rising global temperature, has already fundamentally altered the geography of some nations. Madam Speaker, to echo what Speaker Pelosi has emphasized consistently, there is a moral imperative to be good stewards of this Earth. And as we look toward the negotiations in Copenhagen this December, the world is looking for leadership from the United States for global solutions to this global problem. And by leading the way on clean-energy technology and services to help the poorest nations build resistance to climate change impacts, the U.S. will experience a boon in job creation and innovation. Solutions such as efficient water systems and irrigation technology can create jobs here while solving problems abroad.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to pay tribute to William ``Billy'' Webber, a revered Chief of Police of the Town of Southborough, Massachusetts, who died too early at the age of 53 on November 11, 2008 after a courageous 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Earlier this week, family members, friends and colleagues held a golf tournament in honor of Chief Webber--``dedicated to his memory, to his kind heart and to the courage he has given all of us to rise above the sorrow.'' All proceeds from the event went to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston to support research efforts to fight the dreaded disease that claimed his life. The son of proud parents, Harry and Claire Webber, Bill Webber grew up in Milford, Massachusetts and joined the Police Department in nearby Southborough in 1980, beginning an impressive and distinguished 28 year career in law enforcement. He received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in 1983 and earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Clark University in Worcester in 2003. He was also a graduate of the State Police Academy where he was President of his class. In 2004 he was appointed as Southborough's Chief of Police. Chief Webber's career with the Town of Southborough was characterized by honor, courage and commitment. His professionalism and integrity made him a great role model for his fellow officers and law enforcement colleagues. Town Planner Vera Kolias said ``Chief Billy Webber had all of the qualities that you can only hope for in one person: an accomplished, intelligent and caring professional, and a consummate gentleman who displayed integrity and sensitivity at every turn.'' With Chief Webber's death, the citizens of Southborough have suffered a tragic loss. The love and respect felt by his neighbors and members of the community is reflected by the Town's dedication of its 2008 Annual Report to him. In presenting copies of the Annual Report to his family at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting, Chairman Bill Boland expressed thanks to them ``for sharing Billy with us; he was truly a remarkable person and a great representative of the Town of Southborough.'' Chief Webber's Pastor, Reverend James Flynn of St. Matthew's Church in Southborough observed that he was a man of great compassion and said that ``We of St. Matthews were awed with the example that Bill left for us, a man of faith who genuinely loved his neighbor.'' Sadly, the record of impressive achievements and honorable service throughout Chief Webber's life came to an early end on November 11, 2008. As noted by Vanessa Hale, Assistant Town Administrator of Southborough, ``It was providential that he left us on Veterans Day--a proud, patriotic American who loved his family, God and Country to the end.'' On behalf of the residents of the Third Massachusetts District, I extend our deep sympathy to his loving wife Kathy (Carmody) Webber, his children Kathleen and Kevin, his siblings Patricia and Stephen, their family members and the legion of friends who will always remember Billy Webber and the cherished part he played in their lives.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the James R. Kirby American Legion Post 50 of Clinton, Massachusetts for its generous contributions to the people of my district. The American Legion is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to advocate for our distinguished veterans and to also promote community involvement. This weekend, the James R. Kirby Post 50 will be celebrating its 90th year of service to the community. For the past 90 years, the James R. Kirby Legion Post has helped friends and neighbors in Clinton, MA in a variety of ways. Allow me to provide some background on the organization. James R. Kirby, for whom the post is named, was born on July 18th, 1876. He graduated from Clinton High School and joined the military soon afterward. He attended the College of the Holy Cross to pursue a career in medicine. He later attended Baltimore Medical College and began his own practice. Kirby was one of the first veterans of World War I from Clinton. He signed up for the Draft at the age of 42 and tragically died shortly after on September 29th, 1918 of influenza. In his memory, the citizens of Clinton chose to name the new American Legion Post 50 in Kirby's honor. Over the past 90 years, the current members of the Legion Post have continued to honor and serve veterans. The American Legion Post will celebrate its founding at an event being held on Saturday, June 27th, 2009. The goal of this event is to honor the contributions of the Legion Post and the veterans it has worked hard to represent over the past 90 years. The event will also serve as a day of enjoyment for the community it serves so well. Members of the Legion Post and their families as well as state and local representatives will pay tribute to the service of this American Legion Post to the community of Clinton over the past 90 years. The Legion Post's passion for serving the common good of the community through veteran's advocacy and community involvement continues to demonstrate the service that the James R. Kirby Legion Post 50 has provided for the past 90 years. Madam Speaker, I commend this group for its dedication to the Town of Clinton and the veteran community. I congratulate the Clinton James R. Kirby Post 50 for its 90 years of service, and I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to its unyielding dedication to community involvement.