John Mica

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield at this time 3 minutes to the previous Chair of the Rail Subcommittee and current ranking Republican leader of the Coast Guard Subcommittee of the House of Representatives, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, could I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1195 makes technical corrections to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, or SAFETEA-LU. This is the third time we have worked to finalize these technical corrections to SAFETEA-LU. During the 109th Congress, the House passed H.R. 5689, a bill to make technical corrections to SAFETEA-LU in June 2006. During the summer and fall of 2006, we worked with the Senate to create H.R. 6233, which is a very similar product to the bill we are considering today. Now, we are trying again. As my colleagues have just said, H.R. 1195 makes numerous technical corrections to Federal surface transportation programs authorized by SAFETEA-LU. The technical corrections included in this bill have been identified by the Department of Transportation and are mostly of a conforming nature, or to correct drafting errors. The most important correction we are making is to strengthen the Federal Highway research program by ensuring the continuation of the legacy research programs carried out by the Department of Transportation. The majority of this bill is section 105, which makes changes to over 200 of the high priority projects in sec. 1702 of SAFETEA-LU. These changes address ``broken'' surface transportation projects, clarifying recipients and increasing certain project funding levels and decreasing others to achieve budget neutrality. There is one purely technical correction that is not included in this package. SAFETEA-LU inadvertently changed certain regulations for trucks with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds. One of the implications of this error is that operators of these trucks no longer have to register or file insurance with DOT. Consequently, DOT can not regulate them for safety purposes. When Congress passed SAFETEA-LU, this change was not a policy change Congress knew about or intended to make. If Congress wanted to make this change, we would have debated and discussed it. Rather, this was something we were not aware of and has had very serious unintended consequences--especially for small businesses. I hope the Chairman, along with our colleagues in the Senate, will work with me to correct this technical problem. Despite the omission of this important correction, I still support this legislation and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Madam Chairwoman and Members of the House, normally I would be supportive of this legislation. I have tried to work in a bipartisan manner with Mr. Oberstar and other members of the committee on both sides of the aisle. The underlying bill is basically a good bill. It does provide funding assistance to State revolving funds. However, the bill as reported out of the committee, I voted against it. I will vote against it again if it contains a Davis-Bacon provision. We will have an opportunity with an amendment offered by Mr. Baker and Mr. King that would repeal the provision that is put in the bill as it came from the committee. Currently, 18 States have no prevailing wage law. My State, Florida, and 17 other States will be dramatically impacted. And, actually, what will happen is the opposite of what we will want to have happen: instead of having more money, we will have less money for these important projects. This is an unprecedented expansion of Davis-Bacon requirements as they relate to the Clean Water Act. In fact, this is a mandate, and I call it ``The Mother of All Unfunded Mandates,'' which is in fact sort of an earmark to Big Labor interests and a payback to Big Labor. It is unfortunate that, again, those that will suffer are the States and local governments and the intent of this legislation, which is to provide wastewater funds. And, finally, I hate to say it, but I have a statement from the administration. The President will veto the legislation if it contains the Davis-Bacon provisions. So I urge Members to support an amendment by Mr. Baker and Mr. King to strike that language from this legislation, and let's pass legislation without this onerous provision.

Mr. MICA. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me that time. I just wanted to clear up a couple of statements that have been made and misconceptions that have been made. First of all, from the other side, we did hear that this in fact is a Federal mandate, and I did refer in my opening remarks that this is in fact the mother of all unfunded mandates, because it does in an unprecedented fashion with the Davis-Bacon provision that is included in this bill expand the provisions of Davis-Bacon in, again, a fashion that has never been done before in this program. Mr. King spoke a little bit about this. I think we all ought to clean up our water and have the best wastewater treatment possible. We do want to fund this program, but we want to do it in a responsible fashion. But, again, what is unprecedented here, and the Members of the House of Representatives from some 18 States, let me read those States, Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, the Representatives from those States will have to go back over this weekend and next week and tell their constituents that they voted for this unfunded mandate, this unprecedented mandate on the use of their State revolving funds. Now, if we are just talking about imposing this on Federal money, that is one thing. But the unprecedented part about this is they are imposing this, first of all, on repayments. It has never been done before. On interest into the State revolving loan fund, they are going to impose this, and also on the State match. So what happens here is we put money in with good intention, you put more money in, and you get less in return, and we impose this mandate. We have tried not to impose mandates on our local governments. So that is our objection to this, and that is the administration's objection to this. We have no objection to providing assistance and a partnership with our local governments and State revolving wastewater treatment activities. That is a good thing. But what we are doing here is a bad thing. It is setting a precedent and imposing an unfunded mandate on our local governments, which we shouldn't be doing even with their money, their repayments, their interest and their match. It is setting a horrible precedent. So I would like to be for this bill. I would like to vote for this legislation. But I can't support it if we don't adopt the Baker-King amendment that takes this provision out. To those of you who come from those States, and I am from one of them, Florida, I can't go back and say I have done this to you when I am trying to do something for you. With those comments, I do want to clarify the unprecedented mandate that this is imposing. It is a big earmark for big union bosses. Our folks at the State and local levels are going to have to pay the price. I don't want them to have to pay that price.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, due to my attendance at the Arlington National Cemetery funeral of U.S. Army SGT John D. Rode, my constituent from Lake Mary who died from injuries inflicted by a terrorist IED in Iraq on February 14, 2007, I was unable to cast votes on rollcalls 106, 107, and 108. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on each of these measures.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, first let me say to those who question our going into Iraq, I voted to go into Iraq and I would vote the same way again. We have found 300,000 mass graves to date, and standing right at this podium, the Iraqi leader told us that Saddam Hussein slaughtered 1 million of his fellow citizens. The question before us tonight, and what Congress is now considering, is a nonbinding resolution that makes two points. The first point is it praises our troops. The second point is it speaks against the President's decision to increase or surge our U.S. troop numbers in our current attempt to end the civil and terrorist conflict in Iraq. Let me say at this point that I do not fault individual Members and their choice made tonight or tomorrow to support or oppose the arbitrary nonbinding resolution that is before us. I do, however, fault the failed Democrat leaders who crafted this resolution behind closed doors, written in the dark of night. The people should know that this is not a true debate. In fact, this exercise is a 3-day politically hatched farce. In fact, this exercise is absent of any legitimate legislative process. It is also, in fact, vacant of the two options provided Congress under our Constitution: first, to declare war or, second, to appropriate funds for the conduct of war. In fact, this is a stealth resolution brought to the floor absolutely void of the democratic process; that our men and women are fighting, as we are here tonight, to preserve our freedoms at home and the rights at home and extend those rights to oppressed people abroad. This is not Cuba. This isn't Venezuela. This is not North Korea or some Third World country. This is the Congress of the United States. But let me congratulate the authors of what history will surely record as a very dark chapter in the conduct of the House leadership and the House of Representatives, leadership, in fact, entrusted to them by the American people. Let me congratulate the authors on the clever wording of a resolution to praise our Armed Forces and at the same time undermine our Commander in Chief. Very clever. I also want to congratulate the very clever timing of the floor discussion of this worthless measure that disregards the fact that American troops have already been deployed for this mission. Congratulations are also in order for duping the public and the media into creating the illusion that Congress is really doing something about the conflict in Iraq. And again congratulations on making people think that this is bipartisan support, that this is going to be bipartisan support for a resolution that, in fact, achieves nothing but the discrediting of a President of the United States in a time of war. So I also want to extend congratulations to the crafters of this illegitimately drafted nonbinding resolution. Your accomplishments will be lauded by Hamas, al Qaeda, touted by Al Jazeera, and highly praised by America and Bush haters throughout the world. Ironically, I pulled this up. Google it yourself. This is tomorrow, 8:17 Mecca time, Al Jazeera: ``Democrats Attack Bush War Policy,'' and the lead quote is from Speaker Pelosi. Again, congratulations on your achievement. Fortunately, though, folks, throughout history great Presidents have ignored Congress and have not wavered. George Washington was nearly recalled by Congress in the darkest hours of the American Revolution. He fought on for nearly 8 years to gain our independence and freedom. Abraham Lincoln endured untold criticism in Congress in his fight to ensure freedom for those once enslaved. Ronald Reagan never flinched in his quest to bring down the Iron Curtain and free millions. And George Bush will be remembered for freeing Iraq, giving women and the oppressed the right to vote, for conducting free elections, helping Iraq adopt a constitution, and combating terrorism and extremists. The 110th Congress, however, will go down in history for adopting a nonbinding resolution. Think about it. Yes, we all want our troops home. We all want our children to live in a world of peace. And this resolution will not help us achieve either of those goals.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Thank you, Mr. Price, for yielding to me. Also, I want to thank you for the nights that you have spent on the floor during this session of Congress, the 110th, trying to bring the truth and also facts to the American people that are so important. You said that I would talk tonight a little bit about my perspective, and I have an interesting family history. I have a brother who served as a Democratic Member of Congress from 1978 to 1988 here in the House of Representatives, Dan Mica; another brother, a Democrat, who served as an aid to Laughton Childs and to former Congressman Brademas. We are the first two Members and brothers to be from different political parties since 1889. Almost everybody else is from the same party. I say that because I truly am from a bipartisan family. When I came here some 14 years ago, we were in the minority, Mr. Speaker. And I served 2 years in the minority, and I want to tell you that I was treated very fairly by some of the Members of the majority. I will even cite Mr. Ed Towns of New York, who took me in as a freshman new Member, gave me every opportunity to participate, recognized me. I was a full participant as a minority Member. There were others who I will not name who did not allow me not to speak, who actually told me to be quiet, and who actually adjourned meetings, so I didn't have the opportunity to speak or participate. So I saw how bipartisanship and I saw how dictatorial rule works. And for some 12 years, the good Lord gave me the opportunity to be chairman of three subcommittees over 12 years. So I always employed the golden rule, the Ed Towns rule, of treating everybody fairly. I say that in context because today is January 31 and this month, the beginning of this Congress, is one of the saddest hours in the history of the Congress of the United States, at least that I am familiar with or that I have read about. Now, we started here with the swearing in of Nancy Pelosi. I am an Italian American. I was proud of Nancy Pelosi's being the first Italian American and woman to take that position, and I think we were all very pleased for her on both sides of the aisle and congratulated her. But then began, unfortunately, the saddest chapter in the history of Congress with the passage of six major pieces of legislation without the Congress even being organized, without the committees being organized, without one of those pieces of legislation going through the committee process. What an incredible insult to the people of America who just finished an election. They elected us as representatives, 435. We, in turn, elected a new Speaker of the House, and the entire democratic process was obliterated. It has been the saddest month in the history of the United States Congress. Six major measures. And the irony, I sat here in the week of celebrating and honoring Martin Luther King, one of the great civil rights leaders of our time, whose sole goal was to give rights to the minority that they had been denied. And the new majority completely obliterated in that week the rights of the minority. It was one of the saddest chapters I have seen. So all of their measures, all of them, are just floating out there. The other body hasn't taken them up. They were passed while trampling on the rights of the minority. There are men and women fighting today, tonight, tomorrow for those rights to protect the minority. This is not Bolivia. This is not Venezuela. This is not Cuba, where someone takes power and tramples on the rights of the minority. This is the United States of America, and every representative should have the opportunity to participate in that democratic process. Again, I am just offended. And then the final offense today, the 31st, to pass the largest spending measure in the history of Congress in one sole bill without consultation, without participation, without the democratic process is the ultimate insult to the citizens of the United States, who expect a representative form of government, and to the Congress, to the rights of the minority. This was a $463 billion earmark. And we just got through an election in which the Republicans were chided for passing earmarks in the stealth of the night, for which the Democrats also were offenders. We paid a penalty. We lost the majority. But you do not pass a bill of that size without the ability of even to participate in this bill, this $463 billion earmark, the most costly in the history. Now they think they pulled one over on everybody. But I guarantee you. I guarantee in that bill, since no one had a chance to see it or participate in it, they will find day after day embarrassing provisions that we did not have an opportunity to take out, to adjust, to correct. So they will pay the price. When you do things in the stealth of the night, when you illegitimately conduct the process of Government, you will pay the penalty. We paid the penalty. They will pay the penalty. Marital law is not the way this Congress was intended to run. This should be, in fact, bipartisan. Bipartisan means two working together. I am committed to that. I will continue to be committed to working that way. I come from, as I said, a bipartisan family; and we have got to work together. So I hope today, January 31, 2007, a very sad day, ending of a sad chapter in the history, mark my words. This will go down in the history of this Congress as one of the darkest hours ever. I thank you.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased tonight to come to the floor for a special order presentation. Let me start out by reading some names. Dr. William Thornton, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Charles Bulfinch, Thomas U. Walter, Edward Clark, Elliott Woods, David Lynn, J. George Stewart, George M. White, and Alan M. Hantman. My colleagues, I read these names. They are the names of the 10 architects of the United States Capitol. This week will mark the last days in service to the United States Congress, and this historic structure, of the Architect of the United States Capitol, Alan M. Hantman. And I am pleased to rise this evening to recognize his service. Of course, we have had many presidents, we have had many Speakers of the House. We have only had 10 architects who have been in charge of this incredible structure that we call our United States Capitol. Alan Hantman will leave his service, leaving a legacy untold by almost any of his predecessors. And it has been my honor and pleasure to work with him on a project that will dramatically change the nature of the United States Capitol, that is, the United States Capitol Visitors Center. Let me reminisce for just a minute, as I thank him for his 10 years of dedicated and sometimes difficult and trying service to Congress. But let me reminisce, if I may, about Alan Hantman coming to serve as our United States Capitol architect. I have been involved in the Capitol Visitors Center for some 14 years, since I came to Congress, committed that the people who visit this institution should have the opportunity to have an enjoyable, informative and memorable visit to the United States Capitol. Instead, in the past, they have stood in the rain, snow, sleet, cold, ice, without even common comforts or courtesy in front of our most historic structure, and sometimes denied access to the structure or again common conveniences. I was a little bit afraid because I know the way this place runs, when they were selecting an architect, some 10 years ago, that they might find someone in this process that would deep six the project, so I spent a particular amount of time as author of two authorization measures for the project, talking to Alan Hantman, and I was convinced he was the right person at the right time in the history of the United States Capitol. He undertook that expansion of the United States Capitol Building, the largest in history. It will increase the volume, the sheer volume of the Capitol by some 70 percent. And he has done an incredible job. At the same time, he has had to make this Capitol run. I often joked when I first came here that the U.S. Capitol was run like a southern plantation with bad management. Alan Hantman changed that. He brought professionalism to his position and to service and to, again, to the most monumental project, not on behalf of those who serve here. The Capitol Visitor Center, in fact, is the first structure and expansion to the Capitol in the history of the Capitol for the public, for those who own the place and to make, again, their visit an enjoyable, informative and educational experience. Alan brought with him great experience from the private sector with more than 10 years heading up the Rockefeller Center Management Corporation in New York City, overseeing that great project, and then coming here. Now, I know he has had 535 bosses, a smaller group of Capitol preservation on which I serve, and then the leaders of the House and Senate and some of the appropriators and other authorizers. I call him working for 19 prima donnas. But he has completed the structure, planning, and under the most difficult circumstances you can imagine. When people see the Visitor Center, the name of Alan Hantman will live forever in the history of the United States Congress and our country.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to Members' attention a number of concerns have with the aviation security, emergency preparedness, and port security provisions contained in H.R. 1, the ``Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007.''

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, with the passing of President Gerald Ford our Nation, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Ford Family have lost a leader, a respected colleague and a loved one who was very special to their lives. Few American leaders of our time have gained the admiration and appreciation so well deserved and earned by our 38th President. While our country has lost a distinguished leader and the Congress has lost a distinguished Member, Gerald Ford's life and public service will always remain a model for future generations. In October of 1999, I had the pleasure to quietly sit and speak with President Ford at the conclusion of a Capitol Hill reception that was held after he was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in the Capitol Rotunda. While I had met him before, what struck me on this special occasion was how such a great man receiving the highest honor from our Nation and Congress could be so humble, so gracious and so genuine. How memorable it was for me to spend that special time with that gentle man and great American. How fitting it was that Gerald Ford returned this week to the Capitol and the Congress he loved. While this gentle man belongs to the ages, he will always share a special place in our hearts and fond memories.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also add, for the record, that beyond the NTSB, this particular piece of legislation also includes a provision requiring the Department of Transportation Inspector General to provide an independent oversight of the project-wide safety review of the central artery tunnel project in Boston, Massachusetts, otherwise known as the Big Dig. This safety review was initiated as a result of the July 10, 2006 accident that resulted in the tragic loss of life by a motorist there. The bill also requires the Inspector General to investigate criminal or fraudulent acts committed in the design and construction of the project and report to Congress on its oversight of this project. Because of the NTSB's broad jurisdiction over all modes of transportation, this bill required the coordinated efforts of many people. So, in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank Chairman Young, who has done an incredible job leading the T&I Committee, I have had the honor to be one of his subcommittee chairs for the past 6 years; Ranking Member Oberstar, Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Mr. Costello, and for all of his staff and their efforts on behalf of this legislation. Then I also want to thank, this is probably our last piece of legislation, my last piece as chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, a difficult task over some difficult 6 years now in America's history and the history of aviation in this country. But I want to personally thank our staff director Jim Coon, who has helped lead that effort; professional staffer Sharon Barkeloo; Holly Woodruff Lyons; Chris Brown; and our clerk, Jason Rosa; and two people who aren't with us, Mr. David Schaeffer, who was the staff director during 9/11 and some of the very trying times we experienced; and also Sharon Pinkerton, my chief legislative transportation counsel. They are no longer with us. So I want to thank everyone for their work on this important piece of legislation. This version of the bill currently before the House has been negotiated with our counterparts in the Senate to expedite its consideration in the other body in the hope that this important legislation can and will be enacted before the 109th Congress adjourns sine die later this week. To that end, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5076, as amended.

Mr. MICA. No other speakers, but I would like to reserve the opportunity to close.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may wish to consume to the chairman of the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the distinguished gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to rise this afternoon in very strong support of this timely and certainly needed legislation. This legislation is the NTSB's, the National Transportation Safety Board's, authorization legislation, and it is currently provided for under a continuing resolution. The NTSB is a small but very important part of the Federal Government, and it makes some very critical contributions to our Nation's safety each year. The NTSB is charged with investigating civil aviation accidents and significant transportation accidents in other surface modes, including railroad, highway, marine, and pipeline accidents. In addition, the NTSB assists the victims of aviation accidents, and where resources allow, Mr. Speaker, the NTSB also provides family assistance for accidents in other transportation modes. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, I can tell Members that the NTSB has provided tremendous service to this Nation and also to the traveling public in all modes of transportation for many years. In the United States the 3-year average commercial aviation accident rate is .017 accidents per 100,000 departures, which means that the accident rate is the equivalent of one fatal accident for every 15 million passenger-carrying flights, which is an absolutely amazing record by any standard. I believe this unprecedented aviation safety record is in part due to the outstanding work over the years by hundreds and hundreds of NTSB professionals as well as the Federal Aviation Administration and also our aviation industry. But even with this outstanding safety record in commercial air transportation, we must continue to work towards making the system even safer, especially as we see increases in demand and also increases in congestion and passengers. Since its creation in 1967, the NTSB has investigated more than 124,000 aviation accidents and at least 10,000 accidents in other modes of transportation. As a result of these investigations, the board has issued almost 12,000 safety recommendations, and over 82 percent of those recommendations have been adopted. The NTSB also serves as the ``court of appeals'' for any airman, mechanic, or mariner who has a problem with certificate action when it is taken by either the FAA administrator or the U.S. Coast Guard commandant. I would also like to point out that last year marked the board's 15th anniversary of its ``Most Wanted'' list of transportation safety improvements. I believe this is a tool that has served the public very well. In fact, over the past 15 years, 85 percent of more than 260 recommendations that have been placed on the list have been accepted and also have been implemented. H.R. 5076 provides for a 2-year reauthorization for both the fiscal years 2007 and 2008. This legislation would also provide for the hiring of critically needed transportation accident investigations positions. The board has determined through a human capital forecast which was conducted earlier this year that additional full-time employees are needed to effectively and efficiently meet the mission and support efforts that are expected of the board, and understanding our current budget constraints, H.R. 5076 allows for slight increases in personnel to help address this important need. Finally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5076 provides for changes such as consolidating reporting requirements, clarifying that the board has jurisdiction to investigate major marine accidents occurring on bodies of water located entirely within the boundaries of a State. And also it directs the NTSB to develop and implement a plan to achieve the self- sufficient operation of the NTSB Academy. Mr. Speaker, with those comments, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5076.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5076) to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Marilyn Mennello of Winter Park, Florida, a wonderful friend, tireless advocate for the arts and community leader in Central Florida. She was a philanthropist who rose to national prominence as an arts patron who inspired all whom she met. From humble beginnings in Pasadena, California, Marilyn moved to the Orlando area in 1962. Raising two daughters, she was a successful business woman and community activist. She devoted her time and energy to charity work, especially in the arts. In 1964, she was appointed to the Cultural Affairs Committee and later founded a volunteer group of 101 women to raise funding for the Loch Haven Arts Center, now the Orlando Museum of Art. This group became one of the most successful fundraising organizations in Central Florida benefiting the Orlando Science Center, the Orlando Museum of Art, the American Heart Association of Central Florida and the Florida Hospital. In 1998 she and her husband, Michael Mennello cofounded the Orlando Mennello Museum. She is credited for discovering the work of Earl Cunningham, a self- taught artist and shop owner from Maine. He displayed his paintings in his St. Augustine shop that included an array of vivid harbor scenes and Americana. Over 15 years, the Mennellos worked to promote him as an important folk artist. The Mennellos presented one of his pieces to President George W. Bush for the White House Collection. Cunningham's art now hangs proudly in the Mennello Museum. An exhibition featuring Cunningham's work will open in the Smithsonian in Washington, DC next year. Not only was Marilyn Mennello special to art appreciation in America, she was a patriot who dearly loved our country. She was also a loving mother and grandmother to her daughters, Lynda and Sylvia, and her grandsons, Alec and Andrew. To her devoted husband, Michael, we extend our deepest sympathy. To Marilyn's entire family, we extend our condolences. Mr. Speaker, because of Marilyn Mennello's dedication to our Nation and to art in America, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing and remembering her life.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Timothy Ray Breneman, 36, who died while serving our Nation in Germany. Prior to joining the Army, Timothy spent his childhood living in Ormond Beach, Florida where he was active at Christ Presbyterian Church. Timothy graduated from Mainland High School and attended Daytona Beach Community College where he studied art and photography. In 1994, Timothy enlisted to become an Army Ranger. He was later assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 12th Combat Aviation Brigade at Illesheim Army Field in Germany where he became a senior instructor pilot. His colleagues remember him for his skill and professional demeanor. His family recalls his wonderful sense of humor and one who took pride in his service. We should all remember Timothy's courage and his ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. The freedom we enjoy and the liberty in the world for which he fought are part of the great legacy that Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Ray Breneman leaves behind. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. We must recognize that Timothy's widow, Teresa, is also a distinguished member of our U.S. military where she serves as a Judge Advocate General officer in Germany. To Timothy's wife, Teresa; his parents, Ray and Flo; and his entire family, we extend our deepest sympathy. Mr. Speaker, because of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Timothy Ray Breneman's sacrifice for our country, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing his service in our Nation's Armed Forces and remembering both his life and his dedication to the United States of America.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to PFC Nicholas Rogers, 27, who died while serving our Nation in Iraq. Prior to joining the Army, Nicholas spent his childhood living in Deltona, Florida where he was a Boy Scout. Nicholas graduated from Deltona High School where he played the drums and had a special appreciation of all things Star Wars. After earning an emergency medical technician certificate from Daytona Beach Community College, Nicholas followed his father's footsteps into public service. Nicholas enlisted in the military to gain experience to pursue his dream of becoming an emergency room nurse. He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division unit out of Fort Drum, NY which was deployed to Baghdad. His colleagues remember a compassionate individual who cared deeply for others while his family recalls his uncanny ability to make people laugh. We should all remember Nicholas's courage and his ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. The freedom we enjoy and the liberty in the world for which he fought are part of the great legacy that PFC Nicholas Rogers leaves behind. He is buried in Deltona, FL. To Nicholas's wife, Kelly; their daughter, Jocelyn; their unborn daughter; his parents, Robert and Penny; and his entire family, we extend our deepest sympathy. Mr. Speaker, because of PFC Nicholas Rogers's sacrifice for our country, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing his service in our Nation's Armed Forces and remembering both his life and his dedication to the United States of America.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Corporal Angelo Vaccaro, 23, who died in a heroic effort to aid his fellow comrades while serving our Nation in Afghanistan. Prior to joining the Army, Angelo was born in the Bronx, NY, and spent his childhood living in Deltona, Florida, attending Timbercrest Elementary, Galaxy Middle and Deltona High schools. His dream was to become a physician's assistant. His mother remembers him affectionately as someone who liked to make people smile and laugh. Angelo enlisted in the Army in March 2004 and was assigned and deployed to Afghanistan with Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, out of Fort Drum, NY. He was the head medic for his unit and took pride in serving our country. We should all remember Angelo's heroic courage and his ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. The freedom we enjoy and the liberty in the world for which he fought are part of the great legacy that Corporal Angelo Vaccaro leaves behind. He is buried in Deltona, Florida. To Angelo's wife, Dana; his parents, Ray and Linda; and his entire family, we extend our deepest sympathy. Mr. Speaker, because of Corporal Angelo Vaccaro's sacrifice for our country, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing his service in our Nation's Armed Forces and remembering both his life and his dedication to the United States of America.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I submit for printing in the Record a statement relating to the Wright Amendment Reform Act and the antitrust issues that have been raised, and information relating to how S. 3661 will enhance airline competition and benefit consumers, in response to questions that have been raised in regard to those items. Wright Amendment Reform Act--Antitrust Issues The Judiciary Committee opposed the original Wright amendment bill (H.R. 5830), which was reported by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, because our bill included an exemption from antitrust laws. To meet the concerns expressed by the Judiciary Committee, S. 3661 has been modified to remove the exemption. Chairman Sensenbrenner argues that even though the antitrust exemption has been removed, S. 3661 still directs actions, such as the closing of gates, which would violate the antitrust laws if carried out through an agreement of private parties. This is not a valid argument. Congress has the authority to direct the closing of gates for safety, environmental or economic reasons, even if private parties would not be allowed to do this under the antitrust laws. S. 3661 Will Enhance Airline Competition and Benefit Consumers Congress Must Fix Mess that it Created by Enacting Amendment The Wright amendment was intended to protect the then-new Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, DFW. Since DFW is now the third-largest airport in the U.S. in terms of annual passenger enplanements, the Wright amendment is no longer needed. By restricting commercial air service out of Dallas Love Field to cities in Texas and eight surrounding states, the Wright amendment has resulted in higher fares and fewer service options for consumers in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Immediate Repeal of Wright Amendment No Viable Option Due to complex and long-standing political, economic and environmental concerns, the ideal solution--immediate repeal of the Wright Amendment--was not supported by the Cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, local communities and affected airlines. Consequently, S. 3661 represents a locally-generated, bipartisan compromise that balances carefully the interests of the local parties. Consumers Will Benefit Immediately Under S. 3661 S. 3661 will intensify competition in the entire Dallas-Ft. Worth market by lifting all existing geographic restrictions on commercial air service at Dallas Love Field in eight years. Two independent studies found that S. 3661 will increase traffic to and from North Texas by 2 million passengers annually and produce $259 million per year in fare savings immediately. Airlines serving Dallas Love Field could immediately begin marketing connecting commercial air service from Love Field to cities outside the Wright Amendment's geographic area. 20-Gate Limitation at Love Field Will Not Hinder Competition Due to safety and environmental concerns raised by local communities, S. 3661 would limit capacity at Dallas Love Field to 20 gates for commercial service. S. 3661 would not reduce existing capacity at Dallas Love Field, where fewer than 20 gates are currently being used by airlines for commercial air service. S. 3661 protects existing procedures that ensure any airline seeking to provide new commercial passenger service at Love Field may do so. In addition to utilizing Dallas Love Field, airlines that wish to provide new commercial service to the Dallas-Fort Worth area can operate at DFW Airport, which is located just eight miles from Love Field and currently has 20 unused gates. I am pleased now to yield 1 minute to a very distinguished member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, a newer member on the team but has also heard this issue, Kenny Marchant, the gentleman from Texas.