Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, we on this side of the aisle have no objection to the passage of H.R. 3897. The majority has adequately explained this legislation, and I would simply note that the groundwater development project that would be authorized by the enactment of this bill could substantially improve water supply reliability in California's Central Valley. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, we support this legislation that would direct the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate lands and waters located in the Cherry Valley Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania for their potential designation as a future National Wildlife Refuge. Witness testimony received during the May 10, 2006, Fisheries Subcommittee hearing on the bill clearly documented that the Cherry Valley Region contains significant ecological habitat for several species of threatened and endangered wildlife, especially for migratory raptors like hawks and eagles. Also, the hearing confirmed that the designation of a new Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a goal strongly supported by local governments and residents. I want to applaud the bill's Democratic sponsor, Congressman Paul Kanjorski, for introducing this legislation as a first step towards achieving the ultimate goal of establishing a new Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. I urge Members to support this worthy bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski), the sponsor of the bill.

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, we support this legislation that would transfer the Paint Bank and Wytheville National Fish Hatcheries to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Both hatcheries have been operated by the Commonwealth for several years under a long-term management agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This conveyance will enable the State to finance improvements to upgrade these facilities which would otherwise be left unaddressed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. I want to commend the bill's Democratic sponsor, Congressman Rick Boucher, for introducing this legislation which will enhance sports fishing opportunities in Virginia. I urge Members to support this noncontroversial bill.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. House Republicans have called this week their so-called ``energy week,'' but the best they can do is offer up the same tired old refrain of drill, drill, drill. Unfortunately for them and for the American people, simply allowing more drilling is going to do virtually nothing for gasoline or natural gas prices and nothing to move us towards a sustainable energy future. Now, proponents of this misguided legislation will accuse those of us fighting the bill of only saying ``no'' and not having any solution of our own, but that is a false choice. They are saying that we are either for drilling or we are for absolutely nothing. The truth is that many of my colleagues and I have repeatedly offered solutions to our energy problems, only to have them rebuffed and not brought to the floor for a vote. Many of these solutions would not be germane to today's bill but are critical to solving our energy problems. I am talking about increasing fuel economy standards for our cars, introducing renewable portfolio standards, and strengthening energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances. I want to say, Mr. Chairman, I am in my district every week talking about energy efficiency, fuel economy. We just had a school opening, and we talked about how in Highland Park in my district we have a new school building that has geothermal fuels, that has new lighting that has solar power. Just a week ago, I went to Middlesex County, one of my counties, at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Station, and we just showcased new solar panels. We talked about all the things that can be done to create more energy efficiency in office buildings and residential buildings. The State of New Jersey is providing grants that the Federal Government does not have for residential users to basically provide more energy efficiency. So the fact of the matter is the Democrats and those who oppose this bill have been out there offering solutions. You just do not let us bring them up. The choice that we are making today, whether or not to pass this bill, also comes with a serious price tag that we have already talked about. According to the Minerals Management Services' estimates, the revenue sharing in this bill, along with the giveaways to the oil and gas companies, would cost taxpayers $74 billion over 15 years, just increasing the debt. That is what the Republicans do. They increase the debt. Now, what is worse is allowing drilling in sensitive offshore areas with endangered coastal economies in States like New Jersey. Speakers on the other side have said that they are worried about jobs. Well, I am worried about jobs in my State. The beach season, the summer season has begun in my district. When we had problems in the late 1980s and our beaches were closed for other reasons, we had billions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of jobs that were lost, and do not tell me that you are not going to have a spill. You say, oh, we are going to drill for natural gas and we are not going to hit oil. That is garbage. You have no way of knowing that. You also make statements about how a State can opt-out. Well, my State is a small State. How do we opt-out when New York or Virginia have a spill and it comes to our shores? This is going to devastate our coastal environment.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take the time of Mr. DeFazio.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Members of the other body, Mrs. Snowe of Maine and Mr. Carper of Delaware, for forming the Senate Recycling Caucus. Their effort compliments the prior formation of the House Recycling Caucus, which I was proud to establish with the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Gillmor. I would suggest that the House and Senate Recycling Caucuses work together on issues facing the recycling industry in the United States. I would also like to urge my colleagues here in the House to join our respective caucuses. When most of us think of recycling, we think either of the bright blue bins in our offices, or of collecting cans, bottles and newspapers at home. As important as municipal recycling is to our country, however, it represents just the tip of the iceberg of the $30 billion- plus manufacturing industry that employs over 1.1 million Americans. Most of us are probably also unaware that recyclables is one of our country's largest export commodities and are also one of the bright stars in our country's balance of trade. Many like myself see recycling as an important environmental issue facing our country, but there are a whole host of other issues that face, and possibly inhibit, recycling in the United States, far beyond just getting people to throw cans in the proper receptacle. That is why we created the Recycling Caucus, so we can focus our efforts on this important sector and address not only environmental issues, but also issues of trade, energy and commerce. Chief among those issues is the very simple statement that should guide any legislative efforts that impact this industry. Recyclables are not just waste and recycling is not just disposal. In fact, recycling is the opposite of both. By thinking of recycling as waste and recycling as a disposal activity like trash or garbage collection, we risk encouraging unintended consequences that can and do inhibit recycling. We need to avoid inhibiting recycling efforts because the benefits are tremendous. For example, recycling kept over 140 million tons of material out of landfills last year. In addition, manufacturing products from recycled materials save energy. For example, using recycled aluminum can save as much as 95 percent of the energy used when producing products from virgin ore. Recycling also reduces eight major categories of water pollutants and ten major categories of air pollutants, including greenhouse gas emissions, compared with manufacturing from scratch. Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank my caucus cochair, Mr. Gillmor of Ohio, and our other colleagues who have already joined us on the House Recycling Caucus. I also want to thank the members and staff of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries for their assistance over the past 2 years in helping us make the idea of the caucus into a reality. The Recycling Caucus is a broad-based caucus that will address all facets of recycling, with input from a wide range of associations, industry groups, experts, environmental organizations and other stakeholders. Again I want to wish Mrs. Snowe and Mr. Carper much success in the other body. I look forward to working with them to promote all aspects of recycling in the United States.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island, the Ocean State. (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the comments that were made by my colleague, but I have two speakers who would like to speak. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would provide $1 million for the Secretary of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for the purpose of preparing a study on which U.S. coastal population centers are most at risk from the impacts of sea level rise due to global warming. These impacts could include inundation, coastal flooding, more intense storms, such as hurricanes, saline intrusion and a host of other damaging effects. Last November, scientists at Princeton University released a report that found that under a worst case global warming scenario, more than 3 percent of my home State of New Jersey could be underwater by the end of the century. A full 9 percent of the State would be subject to constant coastal flooding, and so-called 100-year storms would occur every 5 years. But, of course, New Jersey is by no means the only area facing this threat. More than half of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of an ocean, many in cities that are at or just above sea level. What seems like a small rise in sea level, just a foot or two, could have dramatic effects on the magnitude of storm surges or other flooding events, causing catastrophic and costly damage in some of our largest cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle and Boston. I think a mere $1 million offset from the administrative expenses of the Department of Commerce is but a small price to pay for us to get a better idea of what coastal areas would be most affected by sea level rise due to global warming. And I would point out, Mr. Chairman, just look at what happened last week in Washington, D.C. I heard on the radio this morning that we actually faced here what is called a 300-year storm. So, in fact, what needs to be done is that cities around the country need to be able to prepare for this. We had a forum on global warming in my district a few weeks ago. A number of the mayors came there. They reacted to some of the information that is out there and are already preparing plans. So this is just really a preventative measure that I think would be really crucial for a lot of our coastal districts around the country, including the city of Washington, D.C. I would ask my colleagues whose districts would be affected by sea level rise and others from around the country, who will also see impacts from global warming, to join me in voting to fund this small but critical study. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, over the next couple of days we are going to hear a lot from House Republicans about how they are finally being fiscally responsible by giving the President a line item veto. The House Republicans are kidding themselves if they believe this will reverse the fiscal collapse they have presided over the last 5 years. If House Republicans were really interested in restoring fiscal discipline here in Washington, they would have adopted a 2007 budget that actually balanced the budget in the coming years. Instead, the House Republican budget actually makes the deficit worse, offers no plan to bring the budget back in balance, and adds to the growing burden of the national debt. Thanks to these Republican budgets, the five largest deficits in history will have occurred in these last 5 consecutive years. Giving President Bush a line item veto will not change the course. Instead, we need to go in a new direction. House Democrats offered an alternative that balanced the Federal budget by 2012. Our proposal also restored pay-as-you-go rules that were so successful in turning deficits into surpluses in the 1990s. Democrats offered a fiscally sound plan, but Republicans rejected it. So much for Republican fiscal discipline.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership is doing nothing to help with rising college education costs. The average cost for 4 years in college at a State university is now over $40,000, and the cost to attend a private university now tops $107,000. These massive costs are far too much for many families to cover. Republicans have limited the availability of student aid, and both students and their parents are forced to take on huge loans in order to earn their college degree. In fact, the average college senior is graduating this year with more than $17,000 in student debt. Another problem looms for them, however, if they do not consolidate their loans before July 1st. That is when interest rates will nearly double on their Federal student loans. Mr. Speaker, to avoid dramatic hikes in interest rates and to lock in rates as low as 4.75 percent, I strongly encourage students and graduates to consolidate their Federal loan payments before July 1. Consolidating your loans could save you thousands of dollars over the next decade.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, next week the European Union will begin conducting membership negotiations with Turkey. As this process begins, it is important that the EU not allow Turkey to take any shortcuts. I am confident the European Union will insist Turkey follow all the proper steps and make the substantial changes necessary in many areas before the nation could ever be accepted. To date, I do not believe Turkey has made substantial and meaningful progress in many of the areas that are of concern to members of the European Union. Despite making commitments for its membership negotiations, Turkey's lack of progress in adhering to essential democratic principles is of great concern. It continues to be in breach of the pace and standards set forth under initial agreements with the EU. In fact, the EU has prepared a report criticizing Turkey's reform process. During next week's meetings, the European Union must demand answers from the Turkish government as to why the nation is not meeting benchmarks it agreed to in order to receive EU consideration. The EU must also begin to seriously explore Turkey's continued disregard for improving fundamental freedoms within its boundaries, freedoms that are commonplace throughout the European Union. There is no question Turkey is going to be forced and should be forced to make dramatic improvements in these areas before it can ever be considered for EU membership. The EU must also consider Turkey's relations with its neighbors. I remain a vocal critic of Turkey's treatment of both Armenia and Cyprus, and believe that these issues must also be addressed during next week's discussions. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned about Turkey's lack of progress in the diplomatic recognition of Armenia, the removal of its blockade against Armenia, and ending its official policy of denial of the Armenian genocide by coming to terms with it, an irrefutable historical fact affirmed by an increasing number of EU member states and European institutions. Turkey's refusal to acknowledge the systematic killing of 1.5 million Armenians has no limits. Just last month, Turkey pulled out of a NATO exercise because the Canadian Prime Minister used the term ``genocide'' in reference to the massacre. Prior to that, the Turkish Ambassador to France was temporarily removed from the country as an act of protest against a French law making it illegal to deny the Armenian genocide. This type of behavior goes on and on. Five journalists who criticized a court's decision to cancel a conference on the genocide were arrested. A leading Turkish novelist, Orhan Pamuk, was also arrested and charged with insulting Turkey's identity for referring to the Armenian genocide. Clearly, Turkey's protection of the fundamental freedoms of a democracy is simply inadequate. Now, meanwhile, Turkey continues to illegally occupy the northern third of Cyprus. In 2001, the European Court of Human Rights rebuked the Turkish government when the court overwhelmingly found Turkey guilty of massive human rights violations in a scathing 146-page decision. The court concluded Turkey has not done enough to investigate the whereabouts of Greek-Cypriot missing persons who disappeared during life-threatening situations after the occupation. The findings of the European Court of Human Rights should be taken very seriously by the EU, and the Turkish government should be forced to respond to these devastating charges before even being considered for membership. Turkey must also agree to once again come to the table and negotiate in good faith with Cyprus. Turkey simply cannot be admitted to the European Union if Cyprus remains divided and Turkish troops are still there. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in adding their support to a letter I am circulating with my colleague, Carolyn Maloney of New York. We will soon send a letter to Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, to express many of these same concerns. I also strongly urge President Bush to personally raise these concerns with President Barroso. It is imperative Turkey's progress is measured on the basis of its complete accomplishment of all necessary criteria set forth by the European Union.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have turned their backs on the middle class, and that is one of the main reasons an overwhelming majority of Americans want Congress to move in a new direction. Our constituents want us to work on behalf of all Americans, not just the wealthy few. But for 5 years now the Bush White House and Congressional Republicans have showered millionaires with large tax breaks while ignoring the economic conditions of the middle class. This year, while middle-class families received an average of a $60 tax break, America's millionaires received a whopping $65,000 gift from the Federal Government. And Washington Republicans call this fair? It would be one thing if both the wealthy and middle class were both benefiting in today's economy, but again many of our constituents are facing uncertain times. Today, wages are stagnant, family debt is on the rise, health care benefits have either disappeared or increased dramatically, and savings levels have plummeted. These are the economic conditions many of our constituents face today, but this House Republican majority seems content with the status quo; and it is time this House listened to hardworking middle-class Americans.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank our ranking member, Mrs. Lowey. I want to commend her and Chairman Kolbe for their hard work and leadership on this bill, and I am particularly pleased that the subcommittee called for a higher allocation to Armenia than requested by the administration and would like to personally thank him for maintaining and providing the needed assistance to Nagorno-Karabahk. The President's budget request called for 20 percent more military aid to Azerbaijan than to Armenia. That request was a clear breach of an agreement struck between the White House and Congress in 2001 to maintain parity in U.S. military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Given the fact that relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to be tenuous, it is imperative that the U.S. maintain a balanced approach. I am happy to see that the committee maintained that parity agreement despite the administration's request. Unfortunately, the administration's budget also called for drastic cuts in economic assistance to Armenia, a nearly 33 percent decrease in humanitarian aid. Again, I was pleased to see the committee provided $62 million in U.S. aid for Armenia, representing a $12 million increase over the President's budget. The subcommittee also allocated $5 million for Nagorno-Karabahk. I am also very pleased that the subcommittee rejected efforts by Azerbaijani's advocates to weaken section 907 restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan. Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act remains a fundamental element of U.S. policy toward the South Caucasus. Because Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Armenia, section 907 is essential. As the co-chair of the Armenian Caucus, I strongly believe that technical and developmental assistance and investment is essential to Armenia. This funding is imperative to democratic stability and economic reform. The dual blockades of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to impede Armenia's economic well-being. Despite these blockades, Armenia continues to successfully implement economic and democratic reforms. However, as long as Armenia suffers from blockades on its east and west borders, continued and robust U.S. assistance to Armenia will be needed to help minimize their impact. Thank you again to the committee and the subcommittee.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to bring attention to the problem of internally displaced persons, or IDPs in Nagorno- Karabakh in the Caucus. The situation is disheartening because aid is needed and, unfortunately, the United Nations refuses to allow its organizations like UNHCR and UNICEF to operate in the country largely due to Azerbaijan's opposition. Because internally displaced persons remain within the borders of their home country, primary responsibility for protecting and assisting them rests with their national authorities. However, I strongly believe there is also a responsibility that lies with the United States and the international community to bring rightful attention to this issue and consider ways to ease and eventually end the plight of these displaced individuals. Mr. Speaker, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the Soviet Union was collapsing the people of Nagorno-Karabakh made a peaceful request to reunite with Armenia, from which they were arbitrarily separated by Joseph Stalin in 1921. Azerbaijan responded with a campaign of ethnic cleansing and full- scale military attack on Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result of Azerbaijan's aggression, 30,000 people died, and hundreds of thousands fled the region. About 36,000 Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan and some 71,000 displaced ethnic Armenians now reside in Nagorno-Karabakh. Though the fighting has ended, ceasefire violations continue, and the victims are still suffering. IDPs still face hardships, including lack of economic opportunity and inadequate shelter. Refugees and displaced individuals and families deserve humanitarian support independent of their location. However those in Nagorno-Karabakh have not received adequate international assistance. The International Committee of the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are the only major international organizations operating in Nagorno-Karabakh. Besides Armenia, the United States is the only other government providing them assistance. Now recognizing the ongoing need for humanitarian assistance, the U.S. Congress has provided funds to Nagorno-Karabakh since 1998. Through various organizations, USAID has implemented critical projects, including the construction of homes, improved access to water supplies and school reconstruction. Although these programs have helped improve living conditions, much more is still needed. So, Mr. Speaker, the UN unfortunately refuses to operate in Karabakh and does not send aid or organizations like UNHCR and UNICEF there for assistance. The reason given by the UN is that they do not work in ``politically unrecognized territories''. Yet it is my understanding that there are several other disputed territories where the UN currently operates. For example, the UN has been providing assistance to refugees in the West Bank and Gaza since 1950. In fact, the UN created a specific organization, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East to help Palestinian refugees. They have also undertaken work in other unrecognized or disputed areas, including Kosovo, Somaliland, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. The Karabakh authorities have made repeated requests for help to the UN for assistance but have been unsuccessful. The UN's refusal to work in Karabakh is unfair and hard to comprehend since the UN has been providing substantial assistance to refugees and IDPs residing in Armenia and Azerbaijan, while overlooking the needs of similar groups residing in Karabakh. It is encouraging that the United States is committed to finding a peaceful solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis. But as Members of Congress, we must provide the leadership necessary for the UN and other relevant organizations to find ways to support these refugees and IDPs. I plan to send a letter urging the UN to reconsider its misguided policies that are depriving suffering people in Karabakh of urgently needed humanitarian assistance. I hope that my colleagues will join me in this effort when I send the letter, and that we can get the UN to turn around its position.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 100th anniversary of the founding of the town of Monmouth Beach. Monmouth Beach is a town in my district that lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Shrewsbury River. Monmouth Beach was originally part of Shrewsbury Township, which was formed in October 1693. The borough became part of Ocean Township in 1849. While the town remains mostly residential, it has a tourism industry that dates back as early as 1842. One of the oldest and most unique buildings in town, the Church of Precious Blood, is a unique Monmouth Beach landmark. This 110-year-old structure was built by local shipbuilders to resemble an upside-down ship. The town once included the flourishing Galilee fishing community. Fishermen in the community sold most of their catches to merchants at New York City's historic Fulton Fish Market. At one time, this community and the surrounding area housed the largest pound boat fishing industry along the U.S. coast. This beautiful shore community was incorporated on March 9, 1906, when it seceded from Ocean Township. Monmouth Beach is a small town, encompassing only one square mile, but it offers beautiful white sand beaches and friendly year round residents as part of its charm. The town's beaches offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the country. Monmouth Beach began its centennial celebration on May 19, 2006 and residents will continue to celebrate this special event throughout the year. The celebration includes an exhibit of historical artifacts from the town of Monmouth Beach and original artwork from the many talented artists who reside in Monmouth Beach. On May 21, 2006, the Monmouth Beach Police Department also celebrated its 100th birthday. I commend this fine institution for its service to the community of Monmouth Beach. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the citizens of Monmouth Beach and join with them in celebrating the centennial. Therefore, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of Monmouth Beach.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, a group of House Republicans last week seriously undermined our Nation's ability to fight the war on terror when they objected to more than $500 million in funding that directly affects our veterans and our soldiers in combat. These were all funds the President said were necessary to properly fund military construction projects and our veterans services. And yet the House Republican leadership allowed these funds to be stripped from the bill by not properly funding these programs in the budget they passed last week. This small group of House Republicans would not have been able to act against our troops and our veterans if the Republican leadership had been honest about their real funding needs in their budget. House Republicans want Americans to believe that they can continue to provide $40,000 tax breaks every year to millionaires without negatively impacting critical Federal obligations. But Memorial Day approaches this weekend, House Republicans need to decide whether they want to continue to stick with the wealthiest few or if they want to level with the American people about our true financial commitment to our military and our veterans. It is time they choose.