Jon Porter

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to have introduced the ``Abolishing Aviation Barriers Act of 2005''. Currently there are two laws governing commercial aviation in the U.S. based on miles of flight restrictions. One governs the use of New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and the other governs usage of Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport (DCA). Restrictions exist at LaGuardia on the departure or arrival of non-stop flights to or from airports that are farther then 1,500 miles from LGA. Reagan National has a similar restriction for non-stop flights to or from airports 1,250 miles from DCA. These restrictions are commonly referred to as ``perimeter rules.'' The original purpose of these perimeter rules was to restrict LGA and DCA airports to business travelers flying to and from East Coast and Midwest cities and to promote traffic to other, newer airports by diverting long haul flights to Newark and Kennedy airports in the New York area and Dulles airport in the Washington, D.C. area. However, over the years, the federal government has made many changes and granted numerous exceptions to the perimeter rule at DCA because the air traveling public is eager for travel options. Today, there are nonstop flights between Washington Reagan National and Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Seattle. LGA's rule was enacted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with an exception already contained therein--for flights between Denver and LGA. It was justified on the basis of ground congestion, i.e. automobiles. The old road network that gave rise to this excuse has long since been replaced with the help of federal money. In fact, a 1999 study by the Transportation Research Board stated that perimeter rules ``no longer serve their original purpose and have produced too many adverse side effects, including barriers to competition . . . The rules arbitrarily prevent some airlines from extending their networks to these airports; they discourage competition among the airports in the region and among the airlines that use these airports; and they are subject to chronic attempts by special interest groups to obtain exemptions.'' That same year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated that the ``practical effect'' of the perimeter rule ``has been to limit entry'' of other carriers. The GAO found that airfares at LaGuardia and Washington National are approximately 50 percent higher on average than fares at similar airports unconstrained by the perimeter rule. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced this legislation to promote more consumer choice and lower airfares for not only my own constituents, but for all of our air travelers.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, Representative Jim Gibbons and Representative Shelley Berkley, to introduce the Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act. The purpose ofthe Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act is to convey 35-50 acres of land from the McCarran Airport Cooperative Management Area Boundary to the Nevada National Guard for the purpose of building the Nevada National Guard Readiness Center. This Readiness Center will serve Henderson and southwest Las Vegas, and will allow the Nevada National Guard to have better access to the facilities and equipment they need for training. The National Guard is our Nation's first line of defense in an ever- changing world. As the Guard's role expands, it is important that they are given the facilities and equipment they need to protect both Nevada and America at large. This Readiness Center will help Nevada's National Guard to achieve this goal, and I look forward to working with Congress to pass this bill into law.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, protecting our Nation's natural resources is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to future generations. When one thinks of our national resources, images of Yellowstone National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, or the Grand Canyon National Park often come to mind. However, in recent years, these areas have all experienced the devastating effects of invasive plant species such as salt cedar, or tamarisk. This is why I rise today to announce the introduction of the Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act. Invasive plant species know no boundaries. According to the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service currently manages 388 units, comprised of 84.4 million acres of land throughout the United States. Of these units, 196 have been cited as having ``serious problems'' due to invasive plant species. Today, I am introducing the Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act. The purpose of this bill is to allow the National Park Service to enter into cooperative agreements with State, local, educational, and Tribal experts to restore and protect these lands from the effects of invasive plant species. The goal of this legislation is to allow the National Park Service to work with those who are best able to remove these species before they enter federal units, putting the National Park Service into a better position to preserve our native species. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to speak on this important bill.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of a great American Lieutenant Commander Wilbur Roberts Jr. I honor him today for his service to our Nation in the United States Navy. Lieutenant Commander Roberts has dedicated 28 years of his life to the United States Navy and as of November 1, 2005 will be officially retired from service. LCDR Roberts' career began as an equipment operator in the Seabees in 1977 after joining the Navy from his home town of Wells, Nevada. During his service in the United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Roberts has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science from Oregon State University. He also attended the Naval Post Graduate School, in Monterey, California, where he earned a degree in Operations Logistics. Over the course of his 28-year-career, he has served in a number of positions such as, a Communications Officer, Replenishment at Sea Equipment Officer, and Operations Officer in a number of areas supporting naval operations. In addition to his service as an Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Roberts has served as the Executive Officer of the USS Sacramento and in 2003 reported to Commander, Carrier Strike Group Three as a Maritime Operations Officer. He ends his career while serving CCSG-3 as Assistant Chief of Staff for material, N4. Lieutenant Commander Roberts has earned a number of awards throughout his career including, the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Good Conduct Medals and a number of other unit awards. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and heartfelt gratitude that I salute Lieutenant Commander Roberts for his service and dedication to our great Nation.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 484, which seeks to promote greater public awareness of effective runaway youth prevention programs and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources, and support for youth in high-risk situations. I would like to thank the leadership for allowing this resolution to come to the House floor as it highlights a very tragic and very important issue. Runaway and thrown-away episodes among our Nation's youth are serious and widespread, with one of every seven children and youths in the United States running away or being turned out of the home before the age of 18. A recent study by the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention estimates that nearly 1.7 million youth experienced a runaway or thrown-away episode in a single year. The prevalence of runaway and homeless youth in the Nation is astounding, with studies suggesting that between 1.6 million and 2.8 million young people live on the streets of the United States of America each year. The primary factors of running away or being thrown away are severe family conflict, abuse, neglect, and parental abuse of alcohol and of drugs. In the wake of massive loss of life and property after the recent natural disasters, we can expect these numbers to rise. We must congratulate service providers for their response to the increased numbers of displaced youth as a result of these terrible tragedies. In the district I represent in southern Nevada, the statistics are similar. In 2003, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported 4,527 runaways. There were approximately 3,500 children who required emergency shelter; 1,800 of these children were placed in foster care. In addition to that, the Clark County School District estimates 3,500 of our students were homeless. These astonishing statistics highlight the need for our support of those very important programs that seek to prevent these types of incidences. Many of the conditions that lead young people to leave or be turned out of their homes are preventable through interventions that strengthen family and support youth in high-risk situations. Successful interventions are grounded in partnerships among families and community-based human service agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, and the business community. The National Network For Youth and the National Runaway Switchboard are collaborative since 2002 in cosponsoring National Runaway Prevention Month during the month of November. National Runaway Prevention Month is a public education initiative aimed at increasing the awareness of issues facing runaways, as well as making the public aware of role they play in preventing youth from running away. As a result of this collaboration, communities across the country have undertaken a range of activities to commemorate National Runaway Prevention Month. Preventing young people from running away and supporting youth in high-risk situations is a family, community, and national concern. Please join us in encouraging all Americans to play a role in supporting the millions of young people who have run away, who are at risk of doing so each year. H. Res. 484 supports efforts to promote greater public awareness of effective runaway youth prevention programs and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources and supports for youth in high-risk situations. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 484.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 484) supporting efforts to promote greater awareness of effective runaway youth prevention programs and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources, and supports for homeless youth.

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

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3853) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 208 South Main Street in Parkdale, Arkansas, as the Willie Vaughn Post Office.

Mr. PORTER. 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. 3853.

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3853. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 3853, introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross). This bill will designate this post office in Parkdale, Arkansas, as the Willie Vaughn Post Office Building. Willie Vaughn was born in 1904 in Thomasville, Alabama. He later moved to the State of Arkansas where he spent the better part of his life. Although Mr. Vaughn has little formal education, his dedication and perseverance in bettering his community earned him the undying respect and admiration of his peers. As a farmer who raised hogs, chickens, and cattle, he provided for his family, as well as anyone in need. He was always willing to lend a hand whether it be listening to and counseling members of the community or helping grieving friends plan funerals. Mr. Vaughn was active in his local church and held various positions within the congregation. As a delegate to the 1945 CME convention, he led the church from the Colored Methodist Church to the Christian Methodist Church. At 101 years of age, Willie Vaughn has experienced life-changing periods such as segregation, reconstruction, the stock market crash, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, and much more. He is truly a man that has contributed to his community by his commitment to humanity and family and has become an icon in Parkdale, Arkansas. I urge all Members to come together and honor the life of this dedicated humanitarian. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3549, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Mr. English).

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3549, authored by the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English). This bill would designate the post office in Warren, Pennsylvania, as the William F. Clinger, Jr. Post Office Building. All Members of the Pennsylvania delegation have cosponsored this legislation. Former Representative Bill Clinger was born and raised in Warren, Pennsylvania, where he attended local public schools and graduated from Hill High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Bill Clinger was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1965, and then enjoyed a career in private law practice. On January 3, 1979, Bill Clinger was elected to the 96th Congress and was reelected to eight succeeding Congresses. During this time, Mr. Clinger showed his perseverance in serving the citizens of Warren, Pennsylvania, by working towards accountability in government during his time as a member of the Committee on Government Reform. As a distinguished long-time member of the committee, Clinger served as the ranking member during the 103rd Congress as well as the chairman during the 104th Congress. One of his many accomplishments in Congress was the passage of the Clinger-Cohen Act, which transformed the way the Federal Government plans for, acquires, and manages information technology. When Chairman Clinger left Congress, he continued contributing to his community. He is a senior fellow at the Center For the Study of American Government at Johns Hopkins University where he lectures frequently and works with students on their master's theses. Further, he spends his summers in Chautauqua, New York, where he is the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Chautauqua Institution. William Clinger was an example and an inspiration to all as he demonstrated his strong and respected leadership abilities during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives. I join the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English) in recognizing the accomplishments of former Representative Clinger and I urge all Members to do the same. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3549) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 210 West 3rd Avenue in Warren, Pennsylvania, as the ``William F. Clinger, Jr. Post Office Building''.

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

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill now under consideration, H.R. 3549.

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson).

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 3830, introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley). This bill will designate this post office in Punta Gorda, Florida as the U.S. Cleveland Post Office Building. All members of the Florida delegation have co-sponsored this legislation. Ulysses Samuel Cleveland was born September 7, 1919, in Boca Grande, Florida, to Cleve and Jean Cleveland. At the age of 2, Cleveland moved to Charlotte County's Punta Gorda with his family, the town that he would later dedicate a lifetime to preserving its history. In 1941, U.S. Cleveland was drafted and was later commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He oversaw 20 radio crews with the 3103 Signal Service Battalion. He was a part of the secret disinformation campaign that misled the Nazis and helped contribute to the success of the Normandy invasion. Mr. Cleveland and his unit were credited by Supreme Commander General Dwight Eisenhower with saving the D-Day landing. After World War II, Cleveland returned to Punta Gorda and became the assistant postmaster. He worked for the U.S. Post Office for nearly four decades. During that time he devoted much of his life to archiving old photos, newspaper clippings, and all kinds of Charlotte County records. With all of his historical records he co-authored two volumes of local history entitled ``Our Fascinating Past.'' Besides being a well-known historian, U.S. Cleveland also dedicated much of his time to various charities within the community. He produced monthly newsletters for the American Legion Post in Punta Gorda and provided and managed sound systems for various community events, including the Florida International Air Show. He was also the treasurer for the Punta Gorda Historical Society, historian for the Kiwanis Club, and a charter member of the Punta Gorda and Charlotte County Historic Preservation boards. Although U.S. Cleveland passed away this year at the age of 85, his legacy of public service lives on in Charlotte County, Florida. His vast historic collection, now in storage, will be added to by his fellow historians in time to come. I urge all members to join me in honoring this fine man and his quest to preserve the history of his hometown of Punta Gorda, Florida. Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 3830, and I salute the sponsor, the gentleman from Florida, for his work on this measure. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3830) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 130 East Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda, Florida, as the ``U.S. Cleveland Post Office Building''.

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.