Todd Platts

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy).

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to 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 Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Port Security, Mr. Souder from Indiana.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Chairman, just again I would urge a ``yes'' vote in favor of GIVE Act. I want to again recognize both Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon, and especially the staff on both sides, for their tireless effort and many, many hours working together in a bipartisan way to bring this bill to fruition. The last speaker's comments about the work of AmeriCorps working in the gulf region, it is my understanding that over the last 3 years, more than 4 million hours of service have been provided through national service programs, and that is just one example of how effective these programs can be to assisting those in need. Again I encourage a ``yes'' vote in favor of the GIVE Act. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I would like to recognize Chairman Miller and the staff for working to include a number of important changes in this manager's amendment. While there are many technical changes included, there are a number of important changes, including protections against double dipping and Federal control of curriculum, and provisions designed to streamline the application process for grants under the national service programs. This amendment includes language that would clarify current law to ensure that the corporation is only able to provide one grant to support the same project. This protection ensures that Federal funds are used wisely and that the same project is not funded through multiple funding streams. The manager's amendment also includes important language that specifically prohibits an employee of the Federal Government from mandating, directing or controlling a school's curriculum or instructional program. Under the amendment, States would also not be required to have academic content or student academic achievement standards approved or certified by the Federal Government in order to receive a national service grant. Although we agree there is a role for the Federal Government to play in supporting State and local service learning programs, I believe that the decision on what type of instructional practices or curriculum is used in the classroom should very importantly be made by teachers and principals in the Nation's elementary and secondary schools, not here in Washington. This is an important change that will ensure that the corporation's activities conform to the highest standards of quality, integrity and accuracy, and are objective, neutral, nonideological, and free of partisan political influence. Finally, the manager's amendment includes a provision that requires the corporation to promote efficiency by consolidating application procedures and reporting requirements for programs funded under the national service laws. Small organizations may currently be unwilling to participate in these programs because the application procedures and reporting requirements are too burdensome on them. This change will help promote diversity among the size of the organizations participating in this program and applying for grants. Again, I want to thank the majority and urge a ``yes'' vote in favor of this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment, which adds to the list of approved Clean Energy Corps activities the development of clean energy programs designed to meet the needs of rural communities. Our rural communities are a vital part of America, and this amendment helps to ensure that they are equally served under this act. I urge a ``yes'' vote. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``yes'' vote in favor of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I would just quickly say I support the amendment, commend the maker of the amendment, the gentlelady from Ohio, for ensuring that through the GIVE Act we are looking out for our Nation's youth and our elderly, especially when it comes to their health and nutrition, and especially in the area of physical fitness. As we know, many schools are struggling to be able to provide physical education classes. I have a fourth grader and sixth grader and know how important those classes are to them, both from a health standpoint and from just a release to be out of school now and then and burn off a little energy. I think that probably makes them all the more focused in the classroom and maybe a little less antsy in the classroom, which benefits their teachers as well. I support the amendment. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I again rise in support of the amendment, and thank the maker of the amendment for offering it and urge a ``yes'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chair, I rise to claim time in opposition, but I rise in support of the amendment.

Mr. PLATTS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. As I said, I rise in support of the amendment in strong recognition of the National Service Corporation's request for this additional ability to ensure they can recruit needed personnel. So I urge a ``yes'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PLATTS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of the amendment. I thank the gentleman from Indiana for offering this amendment. Having had the privilege to visit our courageous troops eight times in Iraq and five times in Afghanistan, I know how much these care packages from home really mean to the troops, and how they look forward to them and what a morale boost it is. I think recognizing this type of service, especially to those who are serving us in harm's way, is a wonderful amendment, a change to the legislation, and urge a ``yes'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just rise in support of the amendment. I want to commend the gentlemen from both New Mexico and Florida for offering this amendment, a great addition to the bill, and, as with the previous amendment, ensuring we do right by those who are serving our Nation, past and present, and that we recognize the sacrifices they have made in defense of our Nation, along with their families, and that we now keep our commitment as a Nation to them. I urge a ``yes'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

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. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, due to my attendance at a U.S. Navy change of command ceremony, I regret that I could not cast recorded votes for roll Nos. 80-85. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on roll Nos. 80, 81, 82, 84, and 85, and ``no'' on roll No. 83.