Todd Platts

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bipartisan amendment. If we want a national energy policy that is truly about economic security for all Americans, not just those in the auto industry, that is about national security for all Americans, it needs to be comprehensive. It needs to be about hybrid vehicles, alternative fuels, renewable fuels. It needs to be about better using our resources we have. But it also needs to be about conservation. This amendment is one of the greatest steps we can take in the area of going forward in conservation. It is not about whether you should be able to buy an SUV. It is about whether you should be able to buy an SUV that gets 27.5 miles per gallon like a car does instead of 20.7. It is about choice and efficiency. This amendment is a good amendment. I urge a ``yes'' vote. I commend the prime sponsors of the amendment for bringing it before the House.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce important legislation that will improve the way the Federal government collects delinquent non-tax debts. This legislation would amend the Debt Collection Act to eliminate the 10-year limitation on the collection of delinquent federal debts through the Treasury Offset Program, which is maintained by the Financial Management Service at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. A request for this legislation was transmitted as part of President Bush's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget request. It is estimated that this provision would return $6 million to the Treasury in the first year of implementation, and at least $11 million each year thereafter. Non-tax debt would include defaulted loans or overpayments to vendors. Under current law, the only type of non-tax debt not subject to the 10-year limitation is defaulted student loans owed to the U.S. Department of Education. This legislation would bring all other types of debt in line with the requirements for repaying student loans. The U.S. government should have the ability to collect each and every debt. This money belongs to the taxpayers. No one should be able to avoid responsibility simply by waiting for an arbitrary time limit to expire. In times of tightening budgets, we cannot afford to allow delinquent debtors to shift their burdens onto taxpayers.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to take this opportunity here this evening to recognize the selfless and courageous sacrifice made 62 years ago by the four military chaplains on board the USS Dorchester, an American troop ship during World War II. The example of these four chaplains is an important reminder to all Americans, especially now when another generation of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen such as Corporal Joseph Fite, whom we just heard of his making the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation, of the important lessons of both the sorrow and heroism found in war. We today have a new generation making sacrifices overseas in harm's way as these four military chaplains did so courageously 62 years ago. On February 3, 1943, the Dorchester was torpedoed in the icy waters off the coast of Greenland. Over 900 men were on board. Only 230 survived. Many of the survivors recounted the story of the heroic actions of four chaplains of different faiths: A Jewish rabbi, Lieutenant Alexander Goode, from York, Pennsylvania, my hometown; a Catholic priest, Lieutenant John Washington; and two Protestant ministers, Lieutenants George Fox and Clark Poling. These four servants of God spent the 18 minutes of the Dorchester's sinking, their last 18 minutes in this life, helping their fellow human beings to safety. When there were no more life jackets to hand out, the chaplains removed their own and gave them to four shipmates. The four chaplains were last seen on the hull of the ship arm and arm in prayer as the ship sank into the icy waters. There is no greater example of love than the four chaplains' selfless service to and sacrifice for their fellow human beings. A love that did not discriminate based on race or creed. A love that required the ultimate of sacrifices. Our memory of and tribute to the four chaplains continues today as important a lesson in humanity now as it was 62 years ago.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce important legislation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our Federal government--the Program Assessment and Results Act, or PAR Act, which establishes a statutory requirement that the Office of Management and Budget, OMB, working with agencies, review and assess the effectiveness of each federal program at least once every five years. As elected representatives of the people, we have a responsibility to use taxpayer dollars in the most effective way possible. As Congress formulates its budget each year, we must have the best information available to us on which to base our spending decisions. The Government Performance and Results Act, or GPRA, has laid a solid foundation for agencies working with Congress to set strategic goals and begin to utilize performance based information. Building on GPRA, we must take the next step toward reforming the way the government conducts business. One of the key aspects of any reform effort is to change the prevailing mindset. If our emphasis is on creating a more results- oriented government, then we must change our mindset from outputs to outcomes. It takes time to achieve this type of cultural shift. The reforms of the early 1990s--the CFO Act, GPRA and others--are just beginning to work as intended. Prior efforts to make the federal government more effective--the Hoover Commission, Zero-Based Budgeting, the Planning-Programming- Budgeting System, Reinventing Government--have come and gone with little lasting effect. Federal managers have learned that if they wait, each new administration is likely to attempt yet another broad based reform. From a management standpoint, it is difficult in that type of environment to make long-range plans; and it's next to impossible to achieve the kind of cultural shift needed to reform the management of the federal government. By enacting GPRA, Congress put government reform in statute. Because of this statutory framework, federal managers now look at the requirements for performance plans and strategic plans required by GPRA and know they are here to stay regardless of changes in Congress and the Executive Branch. When the first agency strategic plans fell short of expectations, the reform effort was not scrapped--it was improved. Now, ten years after GPRA was enacted, we have strategic plans that are more in line with what was envisioned. We have seen slow, sustainable improvement. GPRA requires that agencies focus attention on program evaluation as one of six aspects of their strategic plans. Unfortunately, according to a 2004 report from the Government Accountability Office, program evaluation is the one area where departments consistently come up short. Not only have agencies failed to comply with this requirement, the valuable information that stands to be gained from these evaluations is not culled, coordinated, or presented in a useful way. We have seen great progress in meeting other objectives set out in GPRA. In 1997, only 76 percent of federal managers had developed performance measures. By 2003, that number had risen to 89 percent. It is now time to strengthen GPRA to address the shortfall we see in program evaluation. By creating and using the Program Assessment Rating Tool, or PART, this Administration has gone a step beyond the strategic plans required by GPRA and implemented a system for evaluating the performance and results of federal programs. The next logical step is to codify the requirement for a coordinated evidence-based review of programs. The PAR Act does not seek to codify the use of the PART specifically. Rather, this bill amends GPRA by establishing a requirement for program reviews. Specifically, the Office of Management and Budget, working with agency heads, would be required under the Act to review each program activity at least once every five years. By requiring OMB to coordinate this effort with the agencies we will take a great step forward in making the federal government more efficient and results oriented. Information gleaned from these program reviews needs to be useful across the board to all stakeholders. Members of Congress, taxpayers, federal managers and the Executive Branch need to know if programs are being managed effectively and if they are achieving the desired result. Further, this legislation, once enacted, will allow us to compare data among different agencies, to see how different programs with similar goals are achieving results. Members of Congress can use the information to make informed budget decisions and conduct more effective oversight. It will help the taxpayers see what they are getting for their money. Most important, federal managers will use the information to improve the way they manage programs. The results will be a more effective and efficient government for the good of all Americans.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 641) supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 641.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise to strongly support this resolution that admirably supports the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Madam Speaker, few Americans may understand that pancreatic cancer is a horrific killer. Because early detection methods are largely unsuccessful, 99 percent of those diagnosed will lose their lives, the highest mortality rate of any form of cancer. By the time the symptoms become evident in patients, it is almost always too late. Individuals diagnosed have an average life expectancy of just 3 to 6 months. This year alone, more than 31,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, known as PANCAN, is the only national advocacy organization available for pancreatic cancer patients, their families and friends and all Americans. PANCAN regards each November as Pancreatic Cancer Month. By adopting House Resolution 641 today, this body will offer strong support for this outstanding organization and, most importantly, help to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer so that we can help to improve detection and treatment approaches. Madam Speaker, since all of our fellow citizens have family, friends and neighbors who are regrettably vulnerable to this dreaded disease, I urge support from my distinguished colleagues for this resolution here today. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I certainly appreciate and thank the gentleman for his kind words of support and his efforts to help raise awareness of this deadly disease. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2640) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1050 North Hills Boulevard in Reno, Nevada, as the ``Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office Building'' and to authorize the installation of a plaque at such site, and for other purposes.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 2640.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2640, a bill to designate the Reno, Nevada, Post Office as the Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office Building. The House version of this legislation, H.R. 4442, introduced by my esteemed colleague, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), passed this body on September 7 of this year. I now urge like support for the Senate bill here today. I am pleased that this deserved legislative tribute to our Nation's military servicemen and women will soon be on the President's desk and become law. As our Nation is engaged in the global war on terror, courageous American troops work and fight each day to make us all safer here at home. When President Bush accepted his nomination for the presidency this summer, he stated, ``We have fought the terrorists across the Earth not for pride, not for power, but because the lives of our citizens are at stake.'' These words remain true today. And, thus, the sacrifices of our brave troops across the world continue to be so invaluable to all of us. This Guardians of Freedom Post Office in Reno, Nevada, is a relatively small, but critically important and very relevant, gesture of the American people's appreciation of Nevada's veterans. We will never take their blood, sweat, and tears for granted. I thank both the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and his colleague in the Senate, Senator John Ensign of Nevada, for their meaningful work towards establishing the Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2214) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3150 Great Northern Avenue in Missoula, Montana, as the ``Mike Mansfield Post Office''.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 2214.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of this legislation that will name the postal facility in Missoula, Montana, after one of Montana's favorite sons, Senator Mike Mansfield. To put it forthrightly, Mike Mansfield was one of America's finest leaders. He was the longest-serving Senate Majority Leader ever, presiding over the other body during a critical and tumultuous time in our Nation's history from 1961 to 1977. Before entering government service, Senator Mansfield bravely served stints in three different branches of the military. Perhaps more remarkably, he began his military service as a seaman at just the age of 14 in the United States Navy during World War I. Later, he joined the Army from 1919 to 1920, and the Marine Corps from 1920 to 1922. Senator Mansfield became a history and political science professor at Montana State University for a decade prior to being elected to the first of his five terms in the House of Representatives in 1942. Then, in 1952 he won election to the Senate, where he would become a national household name, and the body where he would spend the next 24 years. Senator Mansfield rapidly became majority whip, the number two post in the Senate in 1957. When Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson left the Senate to become Vice President, Senator Mansfield was the natural choice to replace him. He became majority leader and held the post for an extraordinary 16 years, again from 1961 to 1977. After retiring from the Senate, President Jimmy Carter appointed him Ambassador to Japan, an office he held through 1988. The distinguished Senator died of congestive heart failure here in Washington at the age of 98 on October 5, 2001. His body was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Mr. Speaker, the Nation benefited monumentally from Senator Mike Mansfield's legendary, yet humble, leadership. Therefore, I urge all Members to support this legislation that honors him. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of S. 2214, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2693) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1475 Western Avenue, Suite 45, in Albany, New York, as the ``Lieutenant John F. Finn Post Office''.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 2693.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this legislation designates the postal facility located at 1475 Western Avenue in Albany, New York, as the Lieutenant John F. Finn Post Office. Lieutenant John Finn, a 12-year veteran of the Albany Police Department, was shot three times while chasing a robbery suspect on December 23, 2003. Amazingly, he endured in spite of his wounds for nearly 7 weeks, before sadly passing away on February 12 of this year. Last month, on October 6, the House passed H.R. 5053, an identical bill that memorialized Lieutenant Finn's service and bravery to his grateful Nation. With passage of the Senate bill here today, the House can ensure that the Lieutenant John F. Finn Post Office will soon be established in Albany. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty) for advancing H.R. 5053, and Senator Schumer of New York for shepherding today's bill, S. 2693, through both Chambers. Lieutenant Finn and his family greatly deserve this honor, and I urge passage of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I again urge support for passage of Senate 2693. We are blessed by the courageous service of individuals such as Lieutenant Finn who went into harm's way for the safety and security of all of us fellow citizens. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the International Martial Arts College of the United States, founded in Pennsylvania's 19th Congressional District. The original International Martial Arts College (IMAC) was created in 1993 in St. Petersburg, Russia with a mission of bringing countries together to promote peace and cross cultural exchange through the universal medium of athletics. Over the last 11 years, competitions sponsored by IMAC have grown from several hundred participants to the largest competition in the world. When IMAC sought a team from the United States, Master Tony Abel of York, Pennsylvania became the coach and team Captain and remains in both capacities today. Recognizing the importance of the United States role as ambassadors, an international tournament was held in York in 1995 and attended by many countries. Master Abel also officially formed a Board of Directors for the United States chapter of IMAC that same year. To this day, international competition through IMAC continues, benefiting not only the participants but also helping to break down the barriers of culture and language. IMAC anticipates a future role in the Olympics where representatives, including residents of my District, will be able to compete. I wish them well in the years ahead, and I applaud their devotion to their sport and to international goodwill.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4259) to amend title 31, United States Code, to improve the financial accountability requirements applicable to the Department of Homeland Security, to establish requirements for the Future Years Homeland Security Program of the Department, and for other purposes.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4259.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4259, the Department of Homeland Security Financial Accountability Act. This legislation, which I introduced in May 2004, along with the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis); the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman); the chairman of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Cox); the ranking member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner); the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns); and the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), represents a compromise between the House Committee on Government Reform and the House Select Committee on Homeland Security. Essentially, H.R. 4259 replaces H.R. 2886, which was reported by the House Committee on Government Reform in November of 2003. This latest version, H.R. 4259, was introduced to incorporate key changes requested by the minority and the Select Committee on Homeland Security. Madam Speaker, let me provide a brief history of this important legislation. On July 24 of last year, I, along with the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Tom Davis), the gentleman from California (Ranking Member Waxman), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), and the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), introduced the original H.R. 2886 to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is subject to the same financial accountability requirements as all other Cabinet- level Departments. This bill, and the one before us today, codifies a structure for sound financial management that is mandatory, not optional, for future administrations. H.R. 4259, like its predecessor, achieves this goal by adding the Department of Homeland Security to the list of agencies that are covered by the CFO Act of 1990. H.R. 4259 puts the Department of Homeland Security's Chief Financial Officer on the same footing as the CFOs at the rest of the Cabinet- level Departments by ensuring that the Department's CFO is a Presidential appointee subject to Senate confirmation, reports directly to the Secretary of the Department, and is part of the statutorily created Chief Financial Officer's Council. In addition, the bill ensures that the Department will comply with the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996, which establishes important financial management systems requirements for the CFO Act agencies. Additionally, this legislation requires an opinion-level audit of the Department's internal controls. Currently, OMB guidance requires a report on internal controls in conjunction with annual financial audits. Having an auditor issue an opinion on the internal controls report would help uncover inherent weaknesses and address problems as business practices are being established, before they become ingrained. Strong internal controls are essential to sound financial management. H.R. 4259 incorporates a number of important changes requested by the gentleman from California (Ranking Member Waxman) as well as the Select Committee on Homeland Security. Most notably, H.R. 4259 alters the reporting structure for the Department of Homeland Security Chief Financial Officer to allow for dual reporting to both the Secretary and the Under Secretary for Management. It also provides for the establishment of an Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation. It requires a Future Years Homeland Security Program and Homeland Security Strategy. The new bill also delays a requirement for the Department's internal control audit until fiscal year 2006. H.R. 4259 retains key provisions from the original bill, H.R. 2886, as introduced, including the requirement that the CFO at DHS be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The newness, size, and mission of the Department of Homeland Security calls for more accountability and oversight, not less. At present, DHS is the only Cabinet-level Department whose CFO is not required to be Senate confirmed. This unique status demotes both the CFO position and the importance of financial management within the Department. Now is not the time to dilute the importance of the CFO position, and we should not require less financial accountability at DHS than we do at other Cabinet-level Departments. This Department faces many daunting challenges, and these challenges will require strong leadership and a commitment from top-level management to overcome. Financial management at DHS must be of the highest priority. The legislation before the Congress today ensures that it is such a priority. Madam Speaker, it is important to note that under the leadership of President George Bush and Department Secretary Tom Ridge, my fellow Pennsylvanian, the Department has shown a determination to be fiscally responsible, and they are to be applauded for this approach. I want to emphasize that, although they are not required to comply with the CFO Act, they have made a determined effort to do so and are setting a good example. What we are trying to do is make sure that is a permanent example followed by future administrations. Future administrations are not bound by law, as I said, to follow this same path of fiscal responsibility. This bill rectifies that situation by codifying compliance with the provisions of the CFO Act. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4259. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.