Glenn Nye

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Dr. Israel Zoberman, founding rabbi of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this passage shall be recorded in the Congressional Record of the United States of America: ``The 62nd anniversary of the State of Israel is a genuine cause for celebration. It is sadly not a given having a sovereign Jewish state following a long history of denial, and current attempts to delegitimize. Israel is both the fulfillment and unfolding quest of two millennia of prayerful persistence and unyielding faith. From Inquisition to pogroms to finally a consuming Holocaust designed to seal the anti-Semitic rejection of Jewish insistence to live in fidelity to its own Biblical covenant with God--Israel's triumph of survival is thus a statement of hope in the human potential to endure monumental hardships. ``Yet what is a people to do if destined to experience the miracle of rebirth in a region as problematic as today's Middle East? That strategic geo-political gateway to continents has always enticed the appetite of empires for control, gaining access to resources, expansion and power. Colonialism took its toll, materially and psychologically, and forced the eruption of conflict between Jews and Arabs. ``The Palestinian national identity, on the soil that had been the setting for centuries of Jewish life and creativity, brought the two into tragic and perpetual conflict whose full resolution still eludes us though progress has been made. However, the reason for guarded optimism is rooted in the ultimate interests of the wider Arab and Muslim world, whose tacit recognition of Israel's factual and future existence through Egypt's and Jordan's breakthrough diplomatic ties is positive. Let all the Arab and Muslim states reach out to formally join and reassure Israel of their intentions at this critical juncture. ``What has replaced much of the anti-Israel ideology is the even more potent power of an extreme Iran, whose leaders' political plan of regional domination and world influence is cloaked in religious absolutism that loathes compromise, seeking total victory over its adversary. Consequently, Iran has been fanning and financing the dangerous turmoil produced by their proxies of Hamas and Hezbollah whose goal is to foil an Israel-Palestinian peace settlement while engaging Israel in a war of attrition on two fronts. Iran's nuclear drive is geared toward neutralizing Israel's essential deterrence, dominating the Arabs and establishing Iran as a prestigious arbiter in world affairs, while offering its Ayatollahs critical hegemony of imperialistic magnitude. ``The United States is bound to Israel through a special relationship born of compelling legacies of both countries, the common democratic ethos of free nations and shared security concerns to combat religious fundamentalism, including radical Islam. ``Overall, Israel has achieved much that is exemplary given constricting conditions. It has absorbed and saved millions of Jewish refugees. It has reached out to offer professional expertise and economic aid to many developing countries across continents. And Israel has revived the Hebrew language and culture and its higher learning institutions rank among the best with a flourishing top notch hi-tech industry. Israel has proven that for peace sake it is ready to compromise, as with the painful Gaza Disengagement that Hamas failed to appreciate. Hamas is yet to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. A united Palestinian front, free from Iran's and Syria's menacing involvement, and one eager to live peacefully as Israel's neighbor will not be disappointed in Israel's response. ``As the only democratic state, the West's canary, in the Middle East celebrates a hard-won milestone and heroically maintained independence, its fondest dream and secret weapon remains an undying attachment to the promise of shalom's blessings, and its consecrated mission of an historic people to continue inspiring the human family to bring out the best within it.''

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. I would like to thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Chair, first I would like to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall for their important work on this bill, to improve our cybersecurity and strengthen the partnerships between the Federal Government and the private sector. Cybersecurity is an issue of national security, and as we work to defend against the next generation of cyberthreats, the only way to make sure we're getting it right is to find out what we're doing wrong. That's why I have introduced an amendment to require the GAO to conduct a study, examining key weaknesses within the current cybersecurity infrastructure along with recommendations on how to address such weaknesses in the future and on the technology that is needed to do so. Not only will this benefit Federal and private sector efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, but it will also help local cities and counties learn how to defend themselves against attacks on their networks and infrastructure. In my district in Virginia, in the city of Hampton, we are doing exactly that. We are creating a regional Center of Excellence to help local communities improve their cybersecurity. This bill will help that effort, and the GAO report called for in my amendment will make it even stronger. I would like to thank my colleagues for their support. I urge the rest of my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment and in passing this bill.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. I thank my colleague very much for yielding. Madam Speaker, I stand here today to raise awareness about a problem affecting hundreds of families in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and thousands across the United States: the problem of toxic Chinese drywall. Chinese drywall has induced serious health problems, created severe financial hardships, and driven thousands of American families from their homes. Since January 2009, over 1,300 cases have been reported from now over 26 States and the District of Columbia. I have seen firsthand the physical, emotional, and financial burden toxic Chinese drywall creates. Just the other month I visited homes in my district that had the drywall installed. The toxins released by the drywall reeked of rotten eggs and had corroded the electrical wiring of the homes. In fact, there are homes that have had to replace expensive air conditioning units, televisions, microwaves, and other valuable appliances several times because of the harmful chemicals contained in the drywall. Toxic Chinese drywall can also cause deep coughs, bloody noses, and severe eye irritation. And those are just the short-term health effects that we know about. I wouldn't be surprised if even more serious health effects are soon found. Affected families have been left with an impossible choice: live in a home and put their family at risk, or shell out tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, to replace the drywall. While some more fortunate families have been able to get help from friends, relatives and neighbors, many others have moved into rental housing, forcing them to pay both rent and the mortgage on the contaminated home. At a time when the economy is already struggling, this hardship is more than families can sustain. Today, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution encouraging banks and mortgage servicers to work with their customers by allowing a grace period on their mortgage payments until they get back on their feet. Many banking institutions have already voluntarily provided mortgage forbearances for many of their customers, and I applaud the benevolence of these institutions. This can be a life-saver for affected families. Madam Speaker, as we work to create long-term solutions, we must also find a way to give these families some relief now. I want to thank my friends Mr. Wexler and Mrs. McCarthy; my colleague from Virginia (Mr. Wittman); Mr. Buchanan; as well as Ms. Waters and Chairman Frank for working with me on this important legislation, and I hope the rest of my colleagues will join me in its support.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, the financial crisis that led to the current economic downturn has caused our small business credit markets to dry up. There has been much discussion in recent weeks about the difficulty that small firms face in securing affordable credit. Somewhat less attention has been paid to the other side of the capital equation, namely investment. For early stage businesses, investment from venture capital firms makes more sense than taking out a loan. After all, fledgling businesses typically do not have the cash flow to make regular payments on debt. For these enterprises, investment from venture capital firms is usually a better way to raise capital. These early stage businesses engage in some of the most promising research areas like defense, medicine, and renewable energy. Breakthroughs in these fields mean new products, and more importantly, they mean new jobs. In my home State of Virginia, we have seen the importance of venture funding to job growth. Virginia ranks ninth in the Nation for jobs created or saved by venture capital, and over the past 6 years, we have been able to trace the creation of 13,000 Virginia jobs to venture capital investments. If our economic recovery is going to be sustained, we will need high growth, high-risk firms that will spawn nascent innovative products, break new ground, and hire out-of-work Americans. That kind of progress will require investment from venture capital communities. My bill, the Small Business Early Investment Act of 2009, will help promote a new wave of venture capital investments by creating a new Small Business Early Stage Investment program at the SBA. Under the program, carefully screened companies that invest in new enterprises will be eligible for SBA grants. These grants will match the capital that investors have already raised from the private market. Once these investments mature and the venture capital companies exit their investments, the SBA will be paid back at the same rate as traditional investors. These grants will go to those who invest in early-stage companies that are doing work in some of our most promising sectors, like alternative energies, biotechnology, and defense technology. These are fields in which we want the United States to maintain its competitive edge. So these grants will not only stimulate growth but will also advance our national priorities. Mr. Speaker, we all know that entrepreneurs will be central to our economic recovery; however, for these firms to perform their traditional job-creating role, they need capital. The legislation before us would, for the first time, create a program at the SBA that is dedicated to ensuring America's small businesses can access venture capital. This will help new companies get off the ground and early- stage companies fully develop. Most of all, this bill will invest taxpayer dollars wisely by creating new jobs, sparking technological progress, and fostering entrepreneurship. I want to thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Graves for their leadership on the committee and for working with me on this important initiative. I urge my colleagues to support and pass this bill for our small businesses and for the recovery of our economy.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NYE. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to my colleague from Florida (Mr. Klein).

Mr. NYE. I would like to ask unanimous consent to have an additional minute added to my time.

Mr. NYE. Madam Chair, might I inquire as to how much time I have remaining?

Mr. NYE. At this time I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my colleague from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. NYE. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, I'd like to thank Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member Graves, Mr. Schrader and all my other esteemed colleagues on the Small Business Committee for their work to bring about the Small Business Financing and Investment Act and bring it to the floor, and for including my bill, the Small Business Early Stage Investment Act, in this omnibus bill. Small businesses are the engine of our economy and they are key to our recovery. Any effort to create jobs must start with an investment in small businesses. But the financial crisis and the economic downturn have been hard on small businesses as the credit markets have dried up. When I meet with my Small Business Advisory Board back in Virginia's Second District, they tell me their number one concern is accessing the capital they need to support their business. It is now more important than ever to improve the flow of capital to our small businesses, particularly for the early stage research that will lead to new technologies--and the SBA programs outlined in this bill will do just that. I am also proud to bring to the floor an amendment--a very important amendment to the underlying bill--together with my friend from Florida (Mr. Buchanan) which addresses a serious problem facing homeowners across the United States--imported toxic drywall. In 30 States and the District of Columbia, thousands of homes have been reported to have been built with toxic foreign drywall, mainly from China. The drywall releases poisonous gases that can cause serious health problems and can make a home uninhabitable. The fumes even corrode metals--damaging electrical wiring, appliances, and piping systems. In my district, I have visited these homes and spoken with the families. Many of them have been forced to move in with friends or relatives; many others are now living in rental housing--paying for both the cost of a mortgage and the cost of rent--or, even worse, living in the home, unable to afford repairs. The CPSC and the EPA have recognized toxic drywall as a serious problem and they are conducting a detailed investigation. But many families simply cannot afford to wait for the test results and there is no guarantee anything will come of these efforts. We owe it to them to try every means possible to provide them relief. These homeowners are the victims of a calamity beyond their control-- just like any family whose home is damaged by a major disaster such as a hurricane or tornado--and they deserve the same assistance. This amendment allows these families to access low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration to repair or replace toxic drywall in their homes. While it may take more time and legislation to ultimately eradicate this problem, we can take immediate action today for these struggling families. I urge my colleagues to join me and my colleague in passing this amendment to help these American families rebuild their homes and begin rebuilding their lives. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NYE. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. I thank the chairmen of the committee and the subcommittee for their support, and I yield back the balance my time.

Mr. NYE. I will yield.

Mr. NYE. Mr. Chairman, today I rise to urge my colleagues to support a commonsense, yet necessary, amendment which will make clear the Coast Guard's critical role in the homeland security of America. The Coast Guard security mission is not new. Since 1790, the Coast Guard has served as America's principal law-of-the-sea entity with a maritime responsibility of 6 million square miles. However, today the Coast Guard must manage multiple security responsibilities as it faces the extremely difficult challenge of enforcing increasingly complex laws against highly sophisticated adversaries. Since 9/11, the U.S. has expanded dramatically its port security activities to the more than 300 U.S. ports and millions of Americans who live, work, or recreate near them. This is especially important to my constituents in Hampton Roads. I represent one of the largest ports in the United States, the Port of Virginia. The Port of Virginia is the deepest, newest, and biggest port on the east coast, capable of handling ships loaded 26 containers across. Last month alone, Virginia's Norfolk International Terminal processed 89,359 container units. With the expanded reopening of the Panama Canal in 2014, the port will only grow, and it will be the mission of the Coast Guard to ensure the safety of all of those affected by its commerce. The purpose of this amendment is simple. The Coast Guard is a multiple-mission armed force that must have uninhibited freedom to flex its military and security powers and respond to numerous concerns and threats in the maritime domain. This amendment makes clear that this is the most important mission of the Coast Guard, and nothing shall hinder that responsibility. It is important to note that this amendment does not create new authorizations. It simply makes clear the continued importance of protecting our waterways and ports, maintaining defense readiness and coastal security, and securing our borders against aliens seeking to unlawfully enter the United States. Americans deserve to know that they will continue to be safe from maritime threats. This amendment does just that by clarifying the Coast Guard's homeland security missions. I commend to all of my colleagues this commonsense amendment, and I urge its support. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NYE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Filner for his leadership on this issue and also Chairman Michaud. I am proud to rise in support of this legislation that will bring a commonsense solution to a long-standing problem. For far too long, the VA health care system has been plagued with budgets that were too little, too late. Insufficient funding for veterans' health care leads to waiting lists, delayed care and veterans being turned away from VA hospitals and clinics. Underfunding threatens the very quality of care that the VA has worked so hard to achieve. But just as important as how much funding the VA receives is when the VA receives that funding. With just three exceptions, the budget has been late for 20 of the past 23 years, this year included. When funding is late, the budget levels are uncertain, and it makes it harder to plan ahead for the needs of our veterans. H.R. 1016 will solve this problem by authorizing VA's medical care budget in advance. Moreover, to help ensure that we have sufficient funding, H.R. 1016 adds transparency to the budget process by requiring the Government Accountability Office to audit the VA's internal budget. This way, we can see if the budget request accurately reflects the projected needs of our veterans. Mr. Speaker, the commitment of our men and women in uniform does not stop at the end of the fiscal year nor do the needs of our veterans. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines stand ready to defend our Nation whenever they are called upon. We can plan for the future security of the United States because we know that our troops will be there. We owe them that same commitment in return. The passage of this legislation is critical to ensure that our veterans receive their benefits on time, and it will allow the VA to plan ahead to meet the needs of the new veterans returning home each day from Iraq and Afghanistan. No longer can we allow the care of our Nation's veterans to be affected by the unstable budgetary process. I am proud to support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, service, and sacrifice of Private First Class William L. Meredith of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who was killed in action while serving our country in Afghanistan on September 21, 2009. Private Meredith, or Lee as his friends called him, grew up in Virginia Beach where he attended Ocean Lakes High School. Lee was a kind and thoughtful young man who was close to his friends. As the oldest of three brothers in a military family, he often spoke of joining the military himself. In April of 2008, Lee enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 569th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. The mission of the 4th Engineers is both critically important and highly dangerous. They specialize in locating and disposing of bombs in order to keep supply routes open. With IED attacks continuing in Iraq and on the rise in Afghanistan, their skills are in high demand. In February of this year, Lee's unit shipped out to Iraq, but in April they were redeployed to Afghanistan as part of the renewed effort to defeat the Taliban. Last Monday, just weeks after his 26th birthday and 10 days before he was scheduled to return home on leave, Private Lee Meredith was tragically killed in action in Kandahar when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle. Lee was proud to be in the Army and to wear our country's uniform. In the 7 months that he served overseas, Lee earned both the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals, the Combat Action Badge, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. As a soldier, a brother, a son, and a friend, he made a lasting impact on those who knew him, and as an American hero, his service and sacrifice will always be remembered.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice but, most importantly, the life of First Lieutenant Michael E. Johnson of the United States Marine Corps, who gave his life to defend our Nation. Mike Johnson grew up in the sand and surf of Virginia Beach, along with his twin brother Dan and his younger brother Steve. At Hickory High School in Chesapeake, he was an accomplished athlete and a member of the crew team. From an early age, he always talked of following in his grandfather's footsteps and becoming a marine. Mike loved the outdoors, and after visiting relatives in Oregon, he decided to attend college at Oregon State. In college, he met his soul mate, Durinda, and in 2007 they were married in her hometown of Keizer, Oregon. Mike told his friends that, one day, he hoped to become a park ranger, bringing together his love of the outdoors with his commitment to public service; but for Mike, duty came first, and with our country at war, Mike decided that his own dreams would have to wait. He joined the Marines. After training at Quantico, Mike and Durinda moved to Okinawa, Japan where, First Lieutenant Johnson was assigned to the Seventh Communications Battalion, Third Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Two months ago, Mike was deployed to Afghanistan where he was assigned as part of an embedded team that was training the Afghan Army. On September 8, his unit was attacked by insurgent fighters as they approached a village in eastern Afghanistan. In a firefight that lasted over 8 hours, Mike and three other Americans were killed. As a husband, a son, a brother, and a friend, Mike was a positive influence on everyone around him. He loved his family and his friends, and he cherished every moment he had with them. Mr. Speaker, across Virginia today, flags are flying at half-staff in honor of Lieutenant Johnson and his memory; but for those lucky enough to have known him, he will always be remembered for the smile that never left his face and by the words he lived by: carpe diem and Semper Fi.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our troops and our military families and in support of a provision in the manager's amendment to the Defense appropriations bill which will help our military families. Mr. Speaker, injured military personnel and veterans, including many who live in my district, often have to travel far from home to receive specialized medical treatment, taking them away from their families during a difficult time. The Fisher House Foundation is a public- private partnership which provides housing to allow military family members to be close to their loved ones during hospitalizations or medical treatment. Each year the Fisher House program serves about 10,000 families at no charge, enabling them to focus on their husbands and wives, parents, sons and daughters. This amendment includes a provision which I offered to give more support to the Fisher House Foundation to provide housing to more military families. Mr. Speaker, the troops I worked with in Iraq and Afghanistan were willing to put their lives on the line for our country, and we should do everything in our power to ease the burden on our wounded warriors and their families. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this valuable program and in supporting our military families.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank Chairwoman Velazquez for helping me bring my bill to the floor today. I can't thank my good friend enough for the hard work and the bipartisanship that she has shown in her leadership of the committee. I couldn't ask for a better chairwoman. I would also like to thank Ranking Member Graves and Mr. Thompson for their support. Mr. Speaker, I have the honor to represent Virginia's Second Congressional District, home to the largest concentration of veterans, military personnel and military families anywhere in the country. We know firsthand that our community is stronger not only because of the service of our military personnel but also because of the contributions of our veterans. The same drive and dedication that leads men and women from Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore to serve our country in uniform also leads many of our veterans to take on the challenge of entrepreneurship. Like small businesses all across the country, veteran-owned small businesses are a crucial part of our economy, helping to create jobs and spur economic growth. It's no secret why they are successful. The skills and training that our veterans learn in the military are incredibly valuable in the private sector. However, despite their experience, many veterans leave the military without the resources to translate their skills to the challenges of starting and running a business. This bill will make sure our veterans have the support they need by establishing a nationwide network of Veterans Business Centers. These centers will provide counseling and business training. They will assist in accessing capital and securing loans and credit, and they will help veterans navigate the procurement process to compete more effectively in the Federal marketplace. Earlier this year, I spoke with a veteran in my district who started his own small business just 3 years ago; and as of this year, he has already created hundreds of jobs. Despite years of experience in the military, he told me that the only way that he got started was because of the support from other veteran business owners who showed him the ropes. While he was fortunate, not all of our veterans are in the same position. The Veterans Business Centers will ensure that all veterans have access to the same resources and information so that they too can launch and grow their own businesses. We know already from the existing outreach centers and Small Business Development Centers that the model can be very successful. My bill will build on what works and expand access to these critical services, especially in areas of the country with large numbers of veterans. The Veterans Business Center Act of 2009 has the support of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and most importantly, it will help spur the growth of small businesses and create jobs because at a time when we are working to rebuild our economy, America must draw upon the ingenuity of our small businesses and the dedication of our veteran entrepreneurs. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. I would like to thank Chairwoman Velazquez for her leadership here and also Ranking Member Graves. Mr. Chair, as chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology, together with Ranking Member Schock, I've held several hearings to discuss how we can do more to help our small businesses research and develop the technologies of tomorrow. From those hearings two things became absolutely clear. Small businesses are the single most innovative sector of our economy; and with the right support, they have the power to lead us out of this recession. SBIR is a vital program that limits the risk that small business innovators face. The SBIR program is critical to innovative technology created by small businesses. Each year the program helps 1,500 companies get off the ground. Startups that receive SBIR grants are productive job creators. In fact, the employment growth rate for these businesses is nearly four times that of larger firms, employing 40 percent of all high-tech workers. These firms have triggered extraordinary achievements. Take, for example, night vision goggles or technology for unmanned aviation. In fact, the SBIR program is crucial to improving tools that support our national security. At $1.23 billion, the DOD makes up more than half of all SBIR funding. Were it not for SBIR, critical breakthroughs accounting for improvements of technologies from our defense to health care may have never made it to market. And yet countless other new technologies don't make it past the laboratory doors. Innovation is a risky, resource-intensive process. Without proper funding, even the most brilliant invention may never make it. Mr. Chair, SBIR and STTR are important tools for developing new products but not just as a means for invention. By sparking innovation, they mark the surest path to unlocking new markets, expanding new industries and, most importantly, creating new jobs. This bill is an important step towards lasting growth, and I look forward to its passage.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. I would like to thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, a lot of the legislation that comes through this House deals with obscure technical points in Federal programs that most Americans have never and will never hear of. However, the amendment that I have introduced, along with my good friends and colleagues from Virginia, Mr. Gerry Connolly and Mr. Tom Perriello, is a commonsense solution to a common problem faced by our military personnel. In my district of Hampton Roads, many men and women are regularly deployed overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan. When a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine is preparing to leave their home and family to serve their country in harm's way, the last thing he or she should have to worry about is paying a cell phone contract termination fee. In the last Congress, legislation was passed to allow deployed servicemembers to exit an individual cell phone contract without paying a penalty, and this amendment will extend that same protection to military personnel whose phones are registered through family plans. The amendment is supported by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and I urge all my colleagues to join me in easing the burden on our men and women in uniform.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NYE. I yield back.