Todd Platts

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 453, a resolution recognizing AmeriCorps Week observed last month on May 9 through May 16. AmeriCorps recognizes the individuals who have chosen to participate in the AmeriCorps program, and they have dedicated a significant amount of time helping others in local communities. In 1990, President George Herbert Walker Bush signed the National Service Act, a network of national service programs that engage Americans in intensive service to meet the Nation's vital needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the National Community Service Trust Act, which established the Corporation for National and Community Service, which brought the full range of domestic community service programs under the umbrella of one central organization. Finally, just a few months ago, President Obama signed the latest reauthorization of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a bill that was developed and passed in a strong bipartisan fashion in both Chambers. This legislation builds on the reforms to the corporation, started by the previous administration, to ensure additional accountability in national service programs. This most recent legislation will also help smaller organizations participate in national service, and it will ensure that the unique skills of America's veterans are well-utilized. AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to address a myriad of needs in communities all across America, such as tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged youth, fighting illiteracy, building affordable housing, and assisting communities in times of natural disaster. For example, in the last 3 years, more than 4 million service hours have been spent helping gulf coast communities recover and rebuild after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. That's 4 million hours of service made possible by the organizations and by the individuals who chose to participate in the AmeriCorps programs. This resolution recognizes one week where we salute current and former AmeriCorps members for their important work. It also allows us to thank all community partners who make it possible for AmeriCorps members to serve. I want to take this opportunity to thank my fellow cochairs on the National Service Caucus, Representatives Matsui, Ehlers and Price, for introducing this resolution. I ask my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional speakers, and I would yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, especially in light of our critical need for additional scientists, mathematicians, engineers and related professions. This program that we are recognizing through this resolution is so important to encouraging young people to pursue study in these fields. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 411, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Intermediate Space Challenge that takes place every year in Mojave, California. Each May 4th, 5th and 6th graders from school districts around the Mojave Air and Spaceport gather at the Spaceport to show off their homemade rockets and compete to see how far the rockets can actually fly. Points get awarded based on altitude, color, marketing strategy, and spirit of the final product. The Challenge was designed to spark interest in the science and engineering career fields early in a student's educational career. The hands-on nature of the event allows students to see how the concepts they learn about in the classroom can be applied to actually make a rocket soar. We have all heard about the critical need for American scientists, mathematicians, engineers and other professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering or Math--STEM--fields for short. For that reason, we passed the America COMPETES Act last Congress. We have also continued to think about the importance of STEM throughout the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and I expect it to be a big topic of conversation when we start on the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. with several leaders in the area of STEM education on our Committee, such as Representatives Ehlers, McMorris-Rodgers and Holt, we have ensured that programs such as the Adjunct Teacher Corps got incorporated into our education laws. Through the Adjunct Teacher Corps, we allow professionals in STEM fields to come into the classroom to teach or to provide ongoing professional development to classroom teachers who do not have that subject matter expertise. Programs like this and the others included in both the Higher Education Act and the America COMPETES Act demonstrate the federal government's commitment to trying to help fill the shortfall that currently exists in the STEM pipeline. Programs such as the Intermediate Space Challenge show what local communities are doing to try and light that spark at an early age for students to become interested in STEM subjects. We should recognize these efforts and encourage other communities to utilize their own resources to develop hands-on projects. These types of projects show students how their classroom knowledge can be translated into real life applications. I support the goals and ideals put forward by the Intermediate Space Challenge and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the prime sponsor of this legislation, the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy).

Mr. PLATTS. I do have additional speakers, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I have one additional speaker.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta).

Mr. PLATTS. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, which seeks to pay tribute and recognize the important work of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. I am honored to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this important resolution, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, yes, I do. I have at least two additional speakers.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I am honored to yield to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren), who played an important role in the foundation and formation of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 1984, as much time as he may consume.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I, again, urge a ``yes'' vote in support of this important resolution and commend Mr. Poe for his sponsorship, as well as Mr. Lungren for his important work in the foundation of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 454, recognizing the 25th anniversary of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 1979, while on his way to school, 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from the streets of New York City. In 1981, 6-year-old Adam Walsh disappeared from a Florida shopping mall. The media attention and search efforts that resulted from these two cases focused the nation's attention on the problem of child abduction and the need for a coordinated effort to address this problem. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, NCMEC, as it is called in acronym, was created by Congress in 1984, through the Missing Children's Assistance Act. NCMEC works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice and is the nation's resource center and clearinghouse for information on missing and exploited children. Since 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more than 154,000 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 138,000 children. NCMEC's mission includes helping to prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation; helping to find missing children; and assisting victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and the professionals who serve them. NCMEC provides assistance to families and law enforcement agencies in locating and recovering missing and exploited children, both nationally and internationally. NCMEC offers many services, including a 24-hour call center. NCMEC's toll-free national hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST, has handled more than 2.3 million calls. NCMEC also manages a distribution system for missing-child photos; a system of case management and technical assistance for law enforcement and families; training programs for Federal, State and local law enforcement; and programs designed to help stop the sexual exploitation of children. NCMEC is the only private, non-profit organization that combines these resources to provide support to law enforcement, state clearinghouses, and parents working to find missing children. I stand in support of this resolution recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. I ask for my colleagues' support. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I rise to announce the projects that I have requested for my Congressional District within the Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations bills. My office is regularly contacted by non- profit and other organizations within the 19th Congressional District, as well as state and local government entities, to request federal funding as part of the eleven annual appropriations bills. This year sixty-five funding requests were submitted to my office and were reviewed by a ten member advisory board comprised of community leaders throughout the 19th District. The breakdown of members from the three counties was done on an approximate per capita basis. Based on the recommendations of the board, the following are domestic projects which will be forwarded to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration. If more than five requests were received for a particular appropriations bill, rankings by the board were used to reduce the number of requests to five or--in the event of a tie--six. All of the projects listed below will compete against all of the other projects submitted by Members of Congress for consideration by the Appropriations Committee. Their appearance on this list does not guarantee that they will receive funding, nor that any funding they receive will be in the amount requested. Labor-Health-Education Appropriations Bill: Goodling Advanced Skills Center: The William F. Goodling Regional Advanced Skills Learning Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) training center providing industry-led training to incumbent workers, dislocated workers, and new entrants into the workforce. Training is also provided to high school seniors. The Advanced Skills Learning Center would use this funding to create the Goodling Innovation and New Technology (GIANT) Center. The GIANT Center will help private industry leverage their idle intellectual properties by matching them with existing companies and start-up businesses in need of those technologies, thereby serving as the link between technology excess and technology success. Additionally, funding would be used for startup costs of this initiative, allowing the GIANT Center to develop a resource network in the region, and assist with administrative costs, staffing needs, and marketing initiatives. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because, due to the increasingly competitive nature of the global economy, firms must innovate in order to survive by developing new technologies, products, and processes. The GIANT Center would play a critical role in working with companies, allowing them to remain competitive. ($300,000) William F. Goodling Regional Advanced Skills Center, 2101 Pennsylvania Avenue, York, PA 17404. Hanover Hospital: Hanover Hospital would use this funding to convert all paper records at the hospital to an electronic medical record system. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because the use of such records is proven to improve clinical outcomes and enables health systems to better define, measure, monitor, and reward quality care. Electronic medical records create efficiencies for patients, physicians, and the hospital. ($1 million) Hanover Hospital, 300 Highland Avenue, Hanover, PA 17331. Holy Spirit Hospital: Holy Spirit Hospital would use this funding to provide improved outpatient mental health services for older adults within their Seniors' Behavioral Health Services Outreach Program. Funding would be used to partially support the salary costs of trained psychotherapists providing education and support services and registered nurses providing medical support in lieu of the psychiatrist. In addition, funding would be used to produce educational materials specific to mental health issues concerning older adults. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because current barriers to mental health treatment remain significant, and the mental health needs of older adults in the Cumberland, York and Adams County areas remain largely unmet. ($100,000) Holy Spirit Hospital, 503 North 21st Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011 Memorial Hospital: Memorial Hospital would use this funding to purchase a new Digital Mammography Unit for the Memorial Hospital Breast Center. The unit would allow for high quality digital breast images to provide earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because breast cancer continues to be on the rise in York County and across the nation. Early detection through mammography is key to early treatment and survival of women diagnosed. ($100,000) Memorial Hospital, 325 Belmont Street, York, PA 17403. WellSpan Health: WellSpan Health would use this funding to purchase a remote monitoring system for the York Hospital Emergency Transitional Care Unit, allowing physicians to monitor patients in a distant location without physically leaving the main Emergency Department. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the remote monitoring system would create remote access using video/audio conferencing technology so that a physician could monitor multiple patients at one time. In addition, while caring for a patient in the main emergency department, the physician could answer questions and communicate with patients and families who are waiting in the Emergency Transitional Care Unit, eliminating the constant disruption of walking back and forth. ($99,500) WellSpan Health, 912 South George Street, York, PA 17403. York College of Pennsylvania: York College of Pennsylvania is a private, four-year institution of higher education serving over 5,600 students. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because York College would use this funding to expand their existing Nursing Department. Specifically, funds would be used to refurbish laboratories and purchase equipment related to the project. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because York College operates one of the largest bachelorette nursing programs in the region. York College's ability to continue providing a pool of highly educated and trained nursing graduates helps fill the critical demand for nurses, both locally and nationally. ($500,000) York College of Pennsylvania, 441 Country Club Road, York, PA 17403. Homeland Security Appropriations Bill: Carroll Valley Borough: Carroll Valley Borough of Pennsylvania is located in Adams County and is a self-governing incorporated borough. Carroll Valley would use this funding to create a Southwest Adams Regional Fleet Fueling Station for First Responders. This above-ground fuel tank system would be accessible to regional first responders on a 24 hour basis to refuel their vehicles. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it would assist the Fairfield Regional Emergency Management Agency (FREMA) in providing resources to first responders during a declared disaster/emergency. ($80,700) Carroll Valley Borough, 5685 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, PA 17320. Cumberland County Government: Cumberland County would use this funding to construct a new facility for the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Emergency Preparedness (including the Emergency Operations Center), and the 911 Public Safety Answering Point. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the County is a critical regional player in emergency planning and response and this facility would assist Cumberland County in executing these responsibilities. ($1 million) Cumberland County Government, 1 Courthouse Square, Room 200, Carlisle, PA 17013. Agriculture Appropriations Bill: Nutricore Northeast: NutriCore Northeast, a not-for-profit alliance of corporations, industry organizations, research universities, and municipal communities, was established in 2003 as the National Center of Excellence in Food and Nutrition Research. This alliance funds nutrition research programs and coordinates services to both industry and government agencies to maximize their investments in food or nutrition research and development. NutriCore would use these funds for research projects as well as staffing and overhead costs. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because food manufacturing and food safety are critical components in our national economy and society. NutriCore NorthEast is directly supporting the development of healthier foods, and providing technological and scientific resources to farmers and food processors that were previously unavailable to them. ($500,000) NutriCore NorthEast, 144 Roosevelt Avenue, York, PA 17401. Penn State University--Improved Dairy Management Practices: Penn State is a public university. Some of the most important challenges facing the dairy industry today lie in the areas of nutrient and emission management. Penn State faculty will use this funding to research nutrient management through cow nutrition modification and the impacts of emission from dairy operations. In addition, funding will be used to develop new technologies to address problems associated with dairy production in Pennsylvania in an effort to improve water quality, lower impacts of air emissions, and use energy more efficiently. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the sale of dairy products accounts for nearly half the farm gate value of Pennsylvania's agricultural income. The profitability of Pennsylvania dairy farms is inextricably tied to management decisions that are being made by farmers. ($550,000) Penn State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802. Penn State University--Integrated Bioenergy Farm: Penn State would use this funding to create an Integrated Bioenergy Farm. Bioenergy crops would be integrated into food production cropping systems relevant to the Northeast. Initially six systems would be implemented at field-scale to demonstrate the opportunities and challenges associated with reducing fossil energy dependence and greenhouse gas production of farming systems. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because Bioenergy crops harvested from these fields would be converted into biodiesel at Penn State's student run biodiesel pilot plant, ethanol (including cellulosic) at a nearby Bioenergy International pilot plant, or pelletized at the Penn State Energy Institute. ($1 million) Penn State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802. Penn State University--Milk Safety Program: Penn State would use this funding to identify issues in milk and dairy products safety and seek interventions that can be transferred to producers, processors, distributors, and retailers to continue to improve consumer confidence in the quality of their food supply. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because dairy is the single largest economic component of the Pennsylvania agricultural portfolio. ($800,000) Penn State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, 16802. Penn State University--Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources: Penn State University would use this funding to create a new collaborative research and education program that will help diverse farm operations better adopt more sustainable farming practices. Investment in this special grant would increase field research and demonstration to increase the exposure of farm advisors and farmers to sustainable cropping system practices. Practices to be further investigated include: crop species and cultivars for inclusion in crop rotations that improve the performance of sustainable and organic cropping systems, especially for the Northeast; fine-tuning of management guidelines for mechanical control of cover crops and weeds in conservation and no-tillage systems to reduce or eliminate herbicides; factors that better promote conservation of biological control organisms and beneficial soil microorganisms for weed seed predation and management of other pests; and practices that increase soil organic matter. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the demand for increased farmer understanding and adoption of sustainable farming practices continues to be a high priority in the agricultural community. ($400,000) Penn State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802. Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill: Adams County Department of Emergency Services: Adams County Department of Emergency Services is the Public Safety Answering Point for Adams County. The entity provides Public Safety Communications to all Emergency Response Agencies within Adams County. Adams County would use this funding to develop a new, standards based wireless communication system that will operate in the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the system would be capable of supporting all public safety operations in the County and would allow for increased interoperability. ($200,000) Adams County Department of Emergency Services, 230 Greenamyer Lane, Gettysburg, PA 17321. Carlisle Borough: Carlisle Borough is a municipal government located in Cumberland County. Carlisle Borough would use this funding to acquire between 25 and 50 surveillance cameras to be installed in public areas in downtown Carlisle. The cameras would be operated remotely at the Carlisle Police Department. Cameras would be of a mobile, wireless variety so that they can be relocated if necessary. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because Carlisle has experienced an increase in crime, specifically robberies, which pose a public safety threat. The project is expected to deter crime and assist in the apprehension of suspects. ($200,000) Carlisle Borough, 53 West South Street, Carlisle, PA 17013. Cumberland County Government: Cumberland County would use this funding to relocate and replace communications infrastructure that is essential to the operation of the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Emergency Preparedness (including the Emergency Operations Center), and the 911 Public Safety Answering Point. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the County is a critical regional player in emergency planning and response and this facility would assist Cumberland County in executing these responsibilities. ($200,000) Cumberland County Government, 1 Courthouse Square, Room 200, Carlisle, PA 17013. Survivors, Inc: Survivors, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which supports individuals who experience domestic violence or sexual assault. Survivors, Inc. provides a 24-hour crisis counseling hotline, shelter services, transitional housing, supportive counseling, support groups, and legal advocacy for individuals affected by domestic violence or sexual assault. Survivors, Inc. would use this funding to partially fund staff salaries, on-call stipends, and expenses for hotline provision. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because safety is one of the most essential needs to both individuals and society. When an individual is not safe in their own home they must have resources available to them to meet their needs. ($25,000) Survivors, Inc., 233 West High Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. York County Children's Advocacy Center: The York County Children's Advocacy Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that works to reduce the trauma of child abuse investigations, foster professional collaboration and cooperation, and promote education and advocacy regarding the prevention of child abuse within the community. The York County Children's Advocacy Center would use this funding to establish the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE) Team. SAFE Team members are registered nurses who have advanced education and clinical preparation in forensic examination of sexual assault victims. The SAFE Team would provide compassionate care to victims of child abuse by simultaneously gathering evidence of a crime. Funds would be used to purchase medical supplies and cover exam costs. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because York County ranks as the third highest county in our Commonwealth for substantiated cases of child abuse. Currently, less than 10% of the children involved in substantiated cases receive a forensic medical exam. ($60,000) York County Children's Advocacy Center, 28 South Queen Street, York, PA 17403. Interior, Environment Appropriations Bill: Adams County Historical Society: Adams County Historical Society is a private, non-profit organization that identifies, preserves, and tells the stories of people, organizations, businesses, and events that have shaped Adams County, Pennsylvania. Adams County Historical Society would use this funding to restore Schmucker Hall, a building that was constructed in 1832 for use as a campus building for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. After its restoration, Schmucker Hall will be used as a museum. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because Schmucker Hall is nationally significant to United States history, and elements of the building are in poor condition. Its national significance has been recognized by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. ($400,000) Adams County Historical Society, 111 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Carlisle Borough: Carlisle Borough is a municipal government located in Cumberland County. Carlisle Borough would use this funding to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant facility to achieve the point source effluent nutrient cap loads targeted by the Department of Environmental Protection's Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because this project is mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to benefit the Chesapeake Bay. ($160,000) Carlisle Borough, 53 West South Street, Carlisle, PA 17013. Gettysburg National Military Park: Gettysburg National Military Park is a unit of the National Park Service that preserves and protects the resources associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and the Soldiers' National Cemetery. Gettysburg National Military Park would use funding to develop plans and implement activities which enhance and preserve the resources of the historic district. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because technical assistance funding for the Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District helps accomplish vital historic preservation goals of the National Park Service and the Gettysburg community. ($100,000) Gettysburg National Military Park, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100, Gettysburg, PA 17325. York City Sewer Authority: The York City Sewer Authority is a public, municipal authority providing wastewater services for residential, commercial, and industrial users in an eight- municipality service area. The York City Sewer Authority would use this funding to construct a new headworks facility, which includes the replacement of the building's heating and ventilation system and replacement of the activated carbon bed in the building's odor control system. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the combined improvements provide the most cost-effective solution for updating infrastructure for the authority's residents and businesses. ($160,000) York City Sewer Authority, 1701 Blackbridge Road, York, PA 17402. York County Government: York County Government would use this funding to create a digital Countrywide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database that will contain all of the major water system features in York County, along with their location and attributes. This information would be standardized throughout the county and could be shared with all participating water companies and all levels of government. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the water infrastructure within York County continues to rapidly expand to meet the requirements of high development pressure, while the need to maintain its aging components must be fulfilled. It is critical to know where the water infrastructure is located and attributes, such as age, size, and capacity of each component. ($125,000) York County Government, 28 East Market Street, York, PA 17401. Energy, Water Appropriations Bill: Renewable Energy (Photovoltaic) Project: If this project is funded, PPG Industries would be expected to compete for the contract. PPG Industries is a diversified manager that supplies paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass, and fiber glass. PPG is a publically traded company located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. PPG would use this funding to develop advanced, in-line process technologies to fabricate thin-film solar cells. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because thin-film technologies could be directly integrated into current manufacturing glass processes in order to reduce the cost per watt while optimizing the photovoltaic supply chain to accelerate the introduction of alternative energy sources in the market. ($1 million) PPG Industries, 400 Park Drive, Carlisle, PA 17301. Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill: Carlisle Borough: Carlisle Borough is a municipal government located in Cumberland County. The Borough of Carlisle would use this funding to carry out the recommendations of the Downtown Traffic Safety and Mobility Project, a comprehensive traffic study of downtown Carlisle. Funding would be used to: reduce High and Hanover Streets from two lanes to one lane in each direction; add bicycle lanes to both sides of High and Hanover Streets; install camera-activated traffic signals; install ``bump-out'' curbs at all intersections; and implement a truck mitigation program to reduce truck traffic. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it would improve vehicular and pedestrian safety, calm traffic, reduce air and noise pollution, encourage multi- modal transportation, and revitalize downtown Carlisle. ($1 million) Carlisle Borough, 53 West South Street, Carlisle, PA 17013. Cumberland County Government: Cumberland County would use funding to engineer, design, and replace Craighead Bridge. Craighead Bridge is a 110 year-old steel thru truss bridge that carries nearly 2000 vehicles per day across the Yellow Breeches Creek. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because Craighead Bridge has been named one of the worst bridges in Pennsylvania and is functionally obsolete, structurally deficient, and has an estimated remaining life span of four years. ($1 million) Cumberland County Government, 1 Courthouse Square, Room 200, Carlisle, PA 17013. Cumberland County Government: Cumberland County would use funding to engineer, design, and replace Orr's Bridge. Orr's Bridge is a 52-year- old pre-stressed non-composite adjacent box beam structure that carries over 12,000 vehicles per day across the Conodoguinet Creek. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the current design has been proven to accelerate deterioration of the bridge's structural system and in turn increases its susceptibility to sudden collapse. ($1 million) Cumberland County Government, 1 Courthouse Square, Room 200, Carlisle, PA 17013. Rabbittransit: The York County Transportation Authority (Rabbittransit) is the public transportation provider for York County. Rabbittransit would use this funding to relocate its facility to a location that could house all 86 buses. The current location can only house 65 buses. Due to rapid growth over the past decade, Rabbittransit has been providing increasingly valuable service to the community. However, because of the growth, Rabbittransit is completely out of parking space and the bus facility has become overcrowded. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the project would provide Rabbittransit with the ability to continue to meet the needs of the community. ($1 million) Rabbittransit, 1230 Roosevelt Avenue, York, PA 17404. Springettsbury Township: Springettsbury Township is a local government located within York County, Pennsylvania. Springettsbury Township would use this funding to improve the intersection of Northern Way and East Market Street. Specifically, the funding would be used to add a westbound right turn lane to Northern Way. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it would provide a safe access point to the Township's retail, entertainment, and industrial center, while strengthening and enhancing the commercial and industrial redevelopment in the area. ($930,732) Springettsbury Township, 1501 Mount Zion Road, York, PA 17402. West Manheim Township Park and Recreation Board: West Manheim Township Park and Recreation Board is a non-profit organization dedicated to the planning for and funding of a 113 acre recreation park in West Manheim Township in Hanover, Pennsylvania. The Board would use this funding to outfit two regulation-sized baseball fields with backstops, bases, scoreboards, specialized infield dirt, field drainage systems, and fencing. The funding would also be used to purchase two sets of restroom facilities. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the facilities in the park will provide a safe outlet for the activities of the local youth population. The West Manheim Recreation Park will be a premier destination for Southern Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland residents. ($300,000) West Manheim Township Park and Recreation Board, 15 Waterview Road, Hanover, PA 17331. The board also approved forwarding the following defense projects to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration: Defense Appropriations Bill: 5" Extended Range Insensitive Munition Projectile: This request would provide funding to produce Extended Range Insensitive Munition (ERIM). ERIM projectile is a promising technology for providing extended range and accuracy improvement for the 5" Naval Gun system. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because extended range and accuracy will enable the Naval warfighter to confidently engage specific point targets in both rural and urban terrains. The munition is produced in part by the General Dynamics facility located in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. ($4 million over the President's Budget) General Dynamics, 200 East High Street, Red Lion, PA 17356. EFSS Precision Extended Range Munition: The EFSS is a close fire support, all-weather, quick responsive indirect fire system supporting Marine Expeditionary Units. The system is produced in part by the General Dynamics facility located in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it would provide Research, Development, Test & Evaluation dollars to greatly expand the munition range for the EFSS system. ($10 million over the President's Budget) General Dynamics, 200 East High Street, Red Lion, PA 17356. Future Medical Shelter System: This project would fund the production of a successor to the current tent-based field hospital that has served the Army well but is currently marked for phase-out. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the 21st Century Military Hospital System is a mobile medical unit that incorporates superior quality in medical care. Gichner Shelter Systems, located in Dallastown, Pennsylvania would design and manufacture the specialty ISO containers used in the mobile medical units ($9.5 million over the President's Budget) Gichner Shelter Systems, 490 East Locust Street, Dallastown, PA 17313. Improved Recovery Vehicle (M88A2): This project would fund the remanufacturing and upgrade of the M88A1 to provide safe and effective recovery capability for the M1 Abrams Tanks. The Abrams Tanks are manufactured in part by the BAE Systems facility located in York, Pennsylvania. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the tanks are used extensively in Operations Iraqi Freedom and these upgrades will satisfy major deficiencies identified during Operation Desert Storm. ($72.8 million above the President's Budget) BAE Systems, 1100 Bairs Road, York, PA 17405. Paladin Integrated Management (PIM): This project would fund the completion of testing and evaluation of the PIM self-propelled howitzer and companion ammunition resupply vehicle. These vehicles are manufactured in part by the BAE Systems facility located in York, Pennsylvania. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the changes to this vehicle will reduce the logistics footprint thereby reducing operational and support costs. ($9 million above the President's Budget) BAE Systems, 1100 Bairs Road, York, PA 17405. Military Construction Appropriations Bill: York Readiness Center: Funding would be provided to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard to provide soldiers with modern facilities in which to assemble and train in York, Pennsylvania. It would also allow the Guard to close two undersized, inadequate armories now in use. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the facility will incorporate sustainable design features to achieve LEED NC 2.2 USGBC Silver Certification and improved energy efficiencies. In addition, the new site would implement required Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection. ($12.8 million) York Eden Road RC, York, PA. Members of the advisory board included: Adams County: Steve Niebler, Director, Adams County Office for Aging, and John R. Peters, Adams County Farm Bureau. Cumberland County: Dean Clepper, Principal (retired), South Middleton School District; John Connolly, Former Chief Clerk, Cumberland County; and Jerry Nailor, Former State Representative, 88th Legislative District. York County: Carl Anderson, President, Community Progress Council Board of Directors, Metro York; Eric Menzer, Wagman Construction, Metro York; Steve Nickol, Former State Representative, 193rd Legislative District; Mario Pirritano, Supervisor, Fairview Township; and Peg Weaver, Former President, Gettysburg-Adams Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. My good friend and former colleague, Congressman Tom Davis, helped to champion this effort with Chairman Waxman for many years. With Congressman Davis' retirement last year, I'm honored to have taken his place as the lead Republican sponsor of this important legislation and to have the privilege of working with Chairman Waxman and his staff on this important effort. Mr. Speaker, tobacco is one of the deadliest consumer products on the market today. It kills over 400,000 Americans every year. Yet it is one of the least regulated of all consumer products. In other words, while the FDA has the authority to regulate seemingly harmless products such as lipstick, hair spray and shaving cream, to name just three, the FDA does not have the authority it needs to regulate one of the deadliest, if not the deadliest, products available for sale to our citizens. It is long past time when tobacco products should be subject to serious regulation to protect the public's health. This bill would finally accomplish this important goal. First, this legislation would ensure that tobacco products are not advertised to or sold to children. Addiction to tobacco begins almost universally in childhood and in adolescence. Every day, almost 4,000 children try their first cigarette, and over 1,000 become daily smokers. Tobacco companies have long taken advantage of this vulnerability by promoting their products through such tactics as cartoon advertisements, free tobacco-themed merchandise that appeals to kids and through sponsorships of sports and entertainment events. With health care costs spiraling out of control every year, the cost of treating these smokers later in life is fast becoming prohibitively expensive. Prohibiting advertising to children would go a long way in preventing young people in America from starting to smoke, and it would save billions of dollars and countless lives in the years to come. Second, this legislation would require that tobacco products marketed as safer than other tobacco products are, in fact, demonstrated to be safer. The history of low-tar cigarettes illustrates the grave danger to public health caused by fooling consumers into believing unsubstantiated claims that one kind of cigarette is safer than another. Millions of Americans switched to low-tar cigarettes, believing they were reducing their risk of lung cancer. Many were convinced to switch instead of to quit. It was not until decades later that we learned through the deaths of those smoking low-tar cigarettes that low-tar cigarettes were just as dangerous as full-tar cigarettes. Under this legislation, we will not have to wait for the deaths of millions of more Americans to learn whether a so-called ``safer'' cigarette is what it claims to be. This bill does not ban tobacco products. H.R. 1256 would allow the FDA to scientifically evaluate the health benefits and risks posed by ingredients in cigarettes, and it would take steps to reduce the harm caused by tobacco products. This legislation preserves an adult's choice to smoke. Even though I don't believe we want anyone to, it preserves that choice, and we make sure that those tobacco products that are marketed as safe alternatives to cigarettes are, in fact, scientifically proven to be safer. Finally, I understand that some individuals have concerns with placing such authority under the FDA. I think it's important to note that the FDA already regulates products that people use to help quit smoking, such as nicotine gums and patches. In addition, this legislation does provide an entirely separate funding stream for the FDA's regulation of tobacco products to ensure that other important efforts carried out by this agency are not diminished. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. For the record, I believe there was reference that the reason we're not completely banning it is because of the influence of tobacco funds in campaigns. If I understand that correctly, I want to be on the record as one who doesn't accept any political action committee funds, including tobacco funds, and I've not received any such funds. Never have. Never will. This is about doing right for American citizens. It's about the health of our citizens. It's especially about the health of our children. Vote ``yes'' and oppose this substitute. Support the underlying bill.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 1388, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, previously known as the Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education Act, the GIVE Act. This legislation strengthens and reauthorizes our Nation's national community service programs. I am not only pleased with the bipartisan work that took place to craft this bill, and I certainly want to recognize our full committee chairman, Chairman Miller, and Ranking Member McKeon, along with their staffs, and my subcommittee chairwoman, Congresswoman McCarthy from New York for her efforts as well, but I am also pleased with the work of our colleagues in the Senate, working with the House Members and negotiating for a very strong final product. It is because of this collective effort, this collaborative effort that we have such a good piece of legislation before us. I believe this bill makes commonsense improvements to our Nation's national service programs. Not only does it provide increased flexibility for the States, but it also increases accountability and efficiency within the administration of the programs. It also reduces barriers for small and faith-based organizations to participate in these programs. H.R. 1388 strengthens existing community and national service programs by providing year-round service opportunities for students and elderly alike and further encourages volunteer involvement by disadvantaged youth. This legislation also expands eligibility requirements for senior serving programs, such as foster grandparents, and the senior companion program, ensuring that individuals with an interest in serving have options available to them. Finally, I am pleased that the legislation reorganizes AmeriCorps activities into several different corps focusing on national areas of need, such as education, health care, clean energy, and veterans. I believe that the amendments made by the Senate further strengthen this legislation. A provision that was included on behalf of Senator Richard Burr would require the FBI to conduct criminal backgrounds checks for grant applicants that work with children, the elderly, or disabled individuals. In addition, the bill now includes a sense of the Senate that Congress should preserve the full income tax deduction for charitable contributions and seeks out additional ways to encourage charitable giving. The recent floods in Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, have further showcased the importance of AmeriCorps and NCCC volunteers. Over the weekend, 21 such volunteers were deployed through the American Red Cross and have been working to support area shelters. In addition, all Fargo Senior Corps staff and volunteers have been assisting with flood response efforts. In Moorhead, 10 NCCC members are scheduled to arrive this Thursday to help with recovery efforts there. I am proud to have been part of this effort to strengthen national service programs and ensure that participants can continue to aid disadvantaged and needy populations. Mr. Speaker, I hope that all of our colleagues will join us in supporting this legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. I appreciate the distinguished gentleman from Missouri yielding to me. I am honored to join with the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch), as well as my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), in speaking in favor of this resolution to express the important need for increased public awareness of traumatic brain injury, and to designate March as National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. For the past 4 years, I have been honored to cochair the Congressional Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force with my good friend, Representative Pascrell from New Jersey. While it's been a pleasure to work with Bill for the last 4 years, I especially want to highlight his great leadership long before I joined the task force--for many years-- leading the cause and helping to raise awareness about this important issue. Together, we have worked to increase awareness of TBI, which many people do not realize is the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the United States. Mr. Speaker, this year alone, over 1.4 million people will sustain a traumatic brain injury. Sadly, at least 80,000 of these individuals will remain permanently disabled from the trauma. Falls, motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries, and violence are among the major causes of TBI, leaving every individual susceptible. Additionally, TBIs can manifest themselves in various ways, from small behavioral changes to more tragic injuries, including complete physical disability and death. Brain injuries affect the whole family emotionally and financially, often resulting in huge medical and rehabilitation expenses. The recent tragic death of Natasha Richardson amplifies the importance of bringing awareness to this critical issue. Because Ms. Richardson appeared to be unaffected immediately after a skiing accident in which she hit her head, she did not receive medical treatment. Unfortunately, only hours later, after experiencing a severe headache, she was admitted to the hospital, lapsed into a coma and, tragically, died. Tragedies such as these happen every day and can often be prevented. TBI has also been named the ``signature wound'' of the war in Iraq, with approximately more than 20 percent of our deployed men and women returning with this injury. Thanks to the state-of-the-art body armor with which our men and women overseas are equipped, they are able to survive violent attacks while still receiving a blunt force to the head. Fortunately, in recent years, Congress and the administration have worked together to provide increased funding for military TBI screening and treatment programs. However, more still needs to be done. Mr. Speaker, because all of our fellow citizens have families, friends, and neighbors who could fall victim to TBI at any time, I strongly urge support from all of our colleagues for this resolution here today, and urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, the GIVE Act, which will strengthen and reauthorize America's national community service programs. After 16 years, this reauthorization is certainly overdue. In 1973, Congress passed the Domestic Volunteer Service Act, DVSA, to foster and expand voluntary service in communities while helping vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, such as the elderly and the poor. DVSA also authorized the National Senior Volunteer Corps, made up of the Foster Grandparents Program, the Senior Companion Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. Seventeen years later, Congress passed the National and Community Service Act, NCSA, of 1990. NCSA aims to address unmet human, educational, environmental and public safety needs as well as to renew a sense of civic responsibility by encouraging citizens to participate in national service programs. Authorized under NCSA are Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps State and National Grants and the National Civilian Community Corps. Both DVSA and NCSA are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, and both laws were most recently amended in 1993 by the National and Community Service Act. While authorization of appropriations for both of these laws expired at the end of fiscal year 2006, the programs have remained funded through annual appropriations measures. I am pleased to have worked with the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, Chairman Miller, with my subcommittee chairwoman, Carolyn McCarthy from New York, as well as the distinguished ranking member of the full committee, Buck McKeon of California, on crafting the GIVE Act, and believe that the bill makes commonsense improvements to our Nation's national service programs. Not only does it provide increased flexibility for States but it also increases accountability and efficiency within the administration of the programs. H.R. 1388 strengthens existing community and national service programs by providing year-round service opportunities for students and the elderly alike, and further encourages volunteer involvement by disadvantaged youth. This legislation also expands eligibility requirements for senior- focused programs such as Foster Grandparents and the Senior Companion Program, ensuring that individuals with an interest in serving have options available to them. Finally, I am pleased that the legislation reorganizes AmeriCorps activities into several different corps focused on national areas of need such as education, health care, clean energy and veterans. In recent years, natural disasters such as hurricanes in the South as well as the wildfires in California have showcased the important efforts of AmeriCorps and NCCC volunteers. I am proud to support this effort to strengthen national service programs and to ensure that participants can continue to aid disadvantaged and needy populations. Mr. Chairman, I hope all Members will join me in supporting the GIVE Act. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished ranking member of the full committee, Mr. McKeon from California.

Mr. PLATTS. I yield such time as he may consume to the ranking member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson).

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the amendment, and commend the gentlelady from Nevada and the gentleman from Virginia for their amendment and urge a ``yes'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.