William Owens

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. I just want to point out two items. First, this bill is not intended to influence in any way the current debate concerning the FCC's reforms to the Universal Service Fund. We are not in any way attempting to impact that. In addition, what we're really asking is that the FCC take into account in its rulemaking process the rural broadband needs. We are not exempting it from the process but are simply asking that that be taken into account as they go through the process. There is no exemption intended here. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 2682. I would like to thank Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson for their leadership on this important issue, as well as Mr. Scott from the Agriculture Committee, and our colleagues on Financial Services, Mr. Peters, Mr. Green and, of course, Mr. Grimm. As a cosponsor of H.R. 2682 and as one of the authors of this legislation, I believe that the definition of an ``end user'' needs to be very specific to ensure that the CFTC implements the intent of Congress in exempting true end users from certain derivatives regulations. My district in upstate New York includes a number of entities that would be inappropriately captured as swap dealers under the proposed CFTC rules, including agricultural cooperatives, farm credit institutions, community banks, and electric cooperatives. Clearly, none of these entities were intended by Congress to be covered by these regulations. While each of them uses derivatives to meet their business needs, they are not engaging in derivatives transactions as their primary businesses. If forced to comply with the increased margin and clearing requirements, it could make the services currently offered by end users cost prohibitive and impede their ability to conduct business, likely resulting in higher prices for my constituents and diverting capital that could otherwise be invested and used to help create jobs. These are all negative consequences that our economy can ill afford at this time. These financial instruments are particularly important for dairy farmers in my district who depend on their cooperatives to offer them tools to manage price risks and to lock in margins. A local cooperative must have the ability to enter into swaps with its members and have affordable access to the market with other commercial counterparties to offset the risk of providing these swaps and forward contracts. Under the CFTC's proposed rules, the cooperatives would be regulated as a swap dealer even though they are using derivative contracts to hedge commercial risk and to support the viability of their members. There is no doubt in my mind that the derivatives market needs to be regulated and that certain participants need to post margin to cover their trades in order to mitigate systemic risk throughout the financial system. However, this legislation will codify Congress' intent and ensure that commercial end users can continue to hedge against risk. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroism of those responsible for safely controlling a fire that broke out on campus at SUNY Canton this month. Following a fire in the chemistry lab inside Cook Hall, it was the unquestionable valor and commitment of these men and women that protected students, faculty and administrators. These individuals acted with the utmost professionalism and courage when called to duty and protected members of their community. These first responders prevented untold amounts of injury to our friends and neighbors, and saved the school from a much worse situation. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, I commend and thank these emergency personnel, agencies and individuals for their bravery, selflessness, and assistance. AAC Contracting, Atlantic Testing, Aubertine and Currier, Canton Fire & Rescue, Canton Police Department, Clean Harbors Environmental, David Sullivan--St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Academy, Ecology & Environment, Inc., Gouverneur Fire Department, Heuvelton Volunteer Fire Department, Morley Fire Department, Murnane Building Company, NYS Office of General Services, NYS Police Department, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Health, NYS Department of Labor--PESH, NYS Homeland Security & Emergency Services, Office of Emergency Management, NYS Homeland Security & Emergency Services, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Fire Operations & Training Branch, NYS Homeland Security & Emergency Services, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Inspections & Investigations Branch, NYS Homeland Security & Emergency Services, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Special Operations Branch, NYS Police Aviation Unit, Parishville Fire Department, Pierrepont Fire Department, Potsdam Fire Department, Potsdam Police Department, Potsdam Rescue Squad, President Joseph L. Kennedy, Pyrites Fire Department, Rensselaer Falls Fire Department, RSI, Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C., St. Lawrence University, St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation Team, St. Lawrence County Hazardous Materials Team, St. Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services, State University Construction Fund, SUNY Canton Emergency Management Team, SUNY Canton Academic Affairs, SUNY Canton Administrative Affairs, SUNY Canton Advancement Affairs, SUNY Canton Student Affairs, SUNY Office of Capital Facilities, SUNY Office of Legal Counsel, SUNY Potsdam University Police Department, West Potsdam Fire Department, West Stockholm Fire Department.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, on February 6, 2012, I missed a series of votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: On rollcall 34, On Agreeing to the Resolution providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1734) to decrease the deficit by realigning, consolidating, selling, disposing, and improving the efficiency of Federal buildings and other civilian real property, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``nay.'' On rollcall 35, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as amended, a bill to provide the Quileute Indian Tribe tsunami and flood protection, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of one of my constituents, Adore Flynn Kurtz, President and CEO of The Development Corporation in Clinton County, NY. Receiving a bachelor's degree from the College of New Rochelle, along with a Master's of Public Administration from Ohio State University, Ms. Kurtz has dedicated her life to economic development and the betterment of the community around her. Her work has spanned the course of twenty-eight years, with assignments in Connecticut, Ohio, and since 1995, Northern New York. I have known Adore and her husband Perry since they moved to New York, and we have worked on many projects which brought much needed employment to our community. During her tenure as CEO, she has helped to increase TDC's net worth by 248 percent, and doubled the number of staff. She was among those who were instrumental in bringing manufacturers like Nova Bus and Bombardier to our community. At a time when our country faces a jobs crisis, Ms. Kurtz demonstrates a distinguished record in job creation and economic development. While I am saddened to see such an exceptional individual and good friend retire today, I will be forever grateful for the work that she has done for my constituents and New York's 23rd district. As reflected in her accomplishments, her dedication and commitment to public service will continue to live on for many years to come. I trust much more of her time will be spent with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, on November 4th, 2011, I missed a series of votes to attend the Change of Command ceremony at Fort Drum, New York. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: On Rollcall 829, Ordering the Previous Question providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2838) to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2012 through 2015, and for other purposes, I would have voted Nay. On Rollcall 830, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2838) to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2012 through 2015, and for other purposes, I would have voted Nay. On Rollcall 831, To facilitate the hosting in the United States of the 34th Americas Cup by authorizing certain eligible vessels to participate in activities related to the competition, and for other purposes, I would have voted Yea. On Rollcall 832, Cummings of Maryland Amendment No. 3, I would have voted Yea. On Rollcall 833, Thompson of Mississippi Amendment No. 4, I would have voted Nay. On Rollcall 834, Napolitano of California Amendment No. 6, I would have voted Yea. On Rollcall 835, Bishop of New York Amendment No. 7, I would have voted Yea. On Rollcall 836, Slaughter of New York Amendment No. 8, I would have voted Yea.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the American Nephrology Nurses Association as well as all those involved in the annual Kidney Disease Awareness Week, which took place this year from August 8th through August 12th. There are over four hundred thousand Americans who have irreversible kidney failure, and the only treatment for this disease is dialysis or kidney transplantation. However, transplants are limited due to the shortage of donors, and the majority of patients who suffer from this forgotten ailment must undergo regular dialysis treatments. The leading causes of end-stage kidney disease (ESRD), a disease that 24,000 New Yorkers suffer from, are Hypertension and Diabetes. An additional 15,000 people in my state suffer from these two ailments and are at risk of ESRD. Despite these staggering numbers, debilitating kidney diseases are typically forgotten. Our area Nephrology Nurses play a fundamental role in providing our sick with dialysis and related treatments in my community and across the entire country. I applaud them for their efforts to contribute to the overall health of our nation. Mr. Speaker, I thank the American Nephrology Nurses Association for their work to treat these diseases and urge every American to observe Kidney Disease Awareness Week this August.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Dr. Edward A. Sheldon, founder of Oswego State University in New York, as we celebrate the college's 150th anniversary. A native of Perry Center, New York, Dr. Sheldon spent decades devoting his life to the New York education system by organizing and spearheading an educational system accessible to all children. Throughout the years, he served as a teacher, superintendent, and secretary of the board of education in Oswego, NY. In 1861 he founded the Oswego Primary Teachers' Training School, known today as Oswego State University. Serving as President until 1897, he worked to transform the subject matter and methods of formal education and to extend educational opportunities to all children. Through his lifetime, Dr. Sheldon garnered national attention creating the Oswego method of object training. His time spent working to enhance the quality of education in Upstate New York provided a strong foundation for countless students and teachers. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Dr. Edward A. Sheldon and congratulate Oswego State University on their 150th year.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the all-important issue of jobs in America. As I travel around my district, I frequently hear discussions about jobs. But more importantly, I hear discussions about jobs that have gone unfilled. In my district alone, that is 2,600 jobs. In America it is 3.2 million jobs that are ready to be filled today. We must come together, as Members of Congress, to provide assistance that helps us train people, relocate them, or do whatever is necessary to bring people to jobs; 3.2 million people back to work, that's significant. I hope that my colleagues in Congress will work with me to put 3.2 million Americans back to work. This is not a situation where there are not jobs. This is a situation where there are unfilled jobs.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. OWENS. In its current form.

Mr. OWENS. This week, the Department of Defense acknowledged in its cybersecurity plan what many of us have known for some time: that cyberspace, like land, sea, and air that we have defended for over 200 years, requires our continued vigilance to protect the Nation. I offer this final amendment today to address this concern. In my district of Fort Drum, I have a lengthy expanse of border between the United States and Canada; and like all of us, I have the electric grid, which is one of the areas that has the most potential to be struck by a cyberattack. I would also like to quote for you a statement by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who noted in recent testimony: ``The next Pearl Harbor we confront could very well be a cyberattack that cripples our power systems, our grid, our security systems, our financial systems, our governmental systems.'' It is no secret that the Internet has become a critical component of our day-to-day lives. Every day across the globe, over 2 billion users get online to shop, do business, connect with friends and family, and a host of other activities. Cybersecurity affects, clearly, our national defense, all of our businesses, our schools, our seniors--in effect, all of us. Indeed, while the Internet has become one of our strongest capabilities, it has also emerged as a stunning vulnerability. We need only to look at recent cyberattacks on Sony, Lockheed Martin, and other enterprises to witness the extraordinary damage that can be caused from anywhere in the world at relatively little cost to those who carry out these actions. Hackers become more sophisticated by the hour. An attack could cripple Fort Drum; it could cripple our national security; it could cripple the electric grid; it could cripple health care; it could cripple our ability to pay our bills and to raise money--in effect, destroy our economy. We all know that if the electric grid were crippled that we would be unable to get to work; we would be unable to keep people warm and to keep people cool--all things that we recognize as necessities. I offer this final amendment to increase cybersecurity by $7 million in defense of the electric grid. This modest increase keeps an eye towards our need to reduce the deficit while making needed investments to protect our most critical infrastructure. This final amendment is fully offset and will go a long way to protect the country from this emerging threat. I thank my colleagues for their time, and ask that they join me by voting ``yes'' on this final amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. OWENS. I am opposed.

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer this final amendment for the benefit of those men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as for veterans of all wars in need of care. There's been much debate in the House today about hard choices. Our veterans made hard choices, made difficult decisions, and many of them suffer because of that. This amendment is fiscally responsible as it is fully paid for and, most importantly, it takes care of veterans. We are asking that approximately $20 million be appropriated for such account to assist in the prevention of suicide among veterans. I know as a young man--actually, as a young boy--I had uncles from World War I, friends of my father's from World War II who suffered from PTSD. It wasn't known by that term then, but clearly they did. When you go to Walter Reed, when you go to Fort Drum and you look into the eyes of the young men and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, you can see the pain. This is what we are called to deal with today. America's troops have served with honor and distinction, accomplishing tremendous progress in Iraq and Afghanistan. While we have gone to great lengths ensuring that they have what they need to accomplish the mission, it is the will and determination of the average servicemember that is winning the fight for our country. The current wars have demanded much of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines overseas who carry out their mission under constant threat from enemy fire, IEDs, and other dangers, all the while away from their family and friends back home. In short, the men and women of the Armed Forces are winning this fight through their incredible personal sacrifice. As we all know, this sacrifice often includes great cost to the physical well-being of returning veterans, as well as mental health concerns from PTSD and traumatic brain injury. It is our duty, out of respect for their sacrifice, to ensure that every benefit they have earned is available to all returning servicemembers. We can and must do more to care for them. This includes increased services to address PTSD and TBI, as well as adequate mental health services to prevent the tragedy of suicide among returning combat veterans. As the Representative for Fort Drum, the most deployed unit in the United States Army, I am especially committed to seeing that members of the Armed Forces are afforded everything they need when they return home to their families and our communities. This amendment provides an additional $20 million for veteran medical services to give the Veterans Administration the resources it needs to provide these essential services. My amendment is fully offset and fulfills America's commitment to the heroes that have sacrificed so much to defend America. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this final amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of Jim Bailey, who has served the City of Plattsburgh, New York for almost two decades the city's historian. Jim stepped down from his post in April last month. Jim has both kept and contributed to the history of the city of Plattsburgh--and our region as a whole--for almost two decades. A native of Elizabethtown, he is a true product of the North Country. After graduating from SUNY Albany, Jim taught at Beekmantown Central School for more than a decade and also served as an adjunct professor in Mathematics at Plattsburgh State. Jim's dedication to his community is shown every day through his professional and personal relationships. He is well regarded throughout Clinton County and is spoke of highly by everyone he knows. Through his steadfast resolve and dedication to preserve the past events of the City of Plattsburgh, Jim Bailey has become a part of its history. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude and congratulations to Jim Bailey upon his retirement as the history of the City of Plattsburgh for his years of service to those around him.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. OWENS. I am, in its current form.

Mr. OWENS. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in support of this motion because this motion will ensure that the members of the armed services will be paid in the event of a government shutdown. There is no group who deserves our support more than the members of the armed services. As a veteran myself, I recognize the implications of failing to pay those members of the armed services who have given their time, their energy, their blood and, in many cases, their lives in support of our freedom, the freedom that allows us to be here today and to have this heated debate over the direction of our country. When I look around at what will happen if we fail to pass this motion, we know that the President has indicated he will veto the current underlying legislation, which means in effect we will be unable to pay our military men and women. The economic consequences to the communities in which our military men and women reside--in my case Fort Drum, as well as many active Reserve units in my district--would be horrific. They will not buy gasoline, they will not buy groceries, they will not buy clothes. There are tremendous economic consequences to the actions that we have failed to take. I have supported the continuing resolutions previously which have saved $51 billion from the budget. I am not a person not in support of cutting, but we must do cutting and the decrease in the Federal budget in a responsible way--not one which injures our men and women, particularly, as I said before, those who reside at Fort Drum and in and around that community. I think it's very important as we move forward with this discussion that we keep foremost in our minds the men and women in the military. I think we have not acted, in large measure, responsibly in this process. We need to move to a continuing resolution which is economically based, which will allow the recovery to continue, which will allow job growth to move forward and not be focused on ideology or the slashing and burning of programs which are highly inappropriate. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. I thank the gentleman. I would like to point out that my predecessor, a respected Member of the other side of the aisle, Mr. McHugh, was very supportive of regulation of mercury and acid rain because it negatively impacted the New York 23rd. I think we need to act responsibly in each of these situations, and we need to make sure that we are working off, not the science of proponents, but the science of understanding of the issues. When we look at my district, it has taken great strides in terms of moving forward with green and renewable energy. We have wood--which we have plenty of in the Adirondacks--we have wind energy, and we have hydro, all of which are contributing to jobs and making our economy a green and sustainable economy. I think it is very important to understand that what this legislation does is, in fact, eliminate regulation for the small businesses and farms in my district. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to reject the underlying legislation.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Thank you, Mr. Clyburn. When I heard that this bill was coming forward, I had an opportunity to reflect on the fact that I have been having conversations with my constituents, and in each case I have posed to them how we are proceeding here in Congress and asked them if in fact they could accept a small across-the-board percentage decrease for FY 11. Invariably, each and every one said yes. I have been on record for many months as suggesting that we can solve this problem, walk away from the ideology that is dividing us and simply reduce spending by 2 percent, which I think, if one does the math, gets us to the position that our friends on the other side of the aisle would like us to adopt. It is clear to me after practicing law for more than 30 years, part of which was as a JAG officer in the United States Air Force, that clearly this is an unconstitutional piece of legislation and is nothing more than spinning in the wind. I had the opportunity the other day when I saw the makeup of this bill to write to the Speaker, Mr. Boehner, along with 27 other cosigners, and ask that S. 388 be separated from this legislation. This legislation is not moving forward, and if in fact we do see a government shutdown, we in Congress should share the pain. We have that responsibility, that obligation, and we must lead by example.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Leonard Snow, who will turn 100 years old on September 14, 2011. Mr. Snow was born in Au Sable Forks, New York, and has spent a lifetime giving back to his community and the nation as a whole. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, helping to defend America and its allies in armed conflict. Upon his return, Leonard took his gift for public service back to his hometown, serving as the Director of Head Start for Essex and Clinton counties, and also working on the Au Sable School Board for almost four decades. However, Mr. Snow's greatest source of pride is his three children, Stephen, Christine and Patricia. Mr. Snow sets a fine example for everyone in the North Country. Through a focus on education, community service and strong family bonds, we can overcome many of the challenges that face the region. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Leonard Snow for his 100th birthday later this year, and I would like to again thank him for his service to the nation and his community.