Jon Porter

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, the resolution is referring to marinas across the United States of America and the impacts they have on the economy. We are having a day in Nevada, at Lake Mead, to honor the marinas on August 9, and I invite everyone to be in attendance.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the patriotism and dedication of Ken Brown, or as he is known in Southern Nevada, ``Mr. Veteran.'' Mr. Brown honorably served in the United States Navy during World War II. After receiving his honorable discharge from the Armed Services, Mr. Brown dedicated himself to improving the quality of life for the military veterans of Nevada and our great nation. Mr. Brown was the driving force behind the creation of the Veteran's Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. Using his own personal savings, Mr. Brown purchased 83.5 acres of land in Boulder City to be used as a veterans' cemetery site. On Friday, April 6, 1990 Mr. Brown's dream was realized and the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery was officially dedicated. In honor of his contributions, Friday, April 6, 1990 was proclaimed ``Ken Brown Day'' by the Governor of Nevada. Mr. Brown has received numerous honors paying tribute to his fifty years of service to veterans and their families including the God & Country Award from the United States Navy Armed Guard and the key to the City of Las Vegas for heroism and vision in supporting veterans in Nevada. I am honored to join with all Nevadans in honoring Ken Brown on his many accomplishments.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest sympathies to my dear friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley). Yesterday, Estelle Auslander, the mother of the gentlewoman from Nevada, passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 74. As many of my colleagues know, the gentlewoman from Nevada left Washington last week to be with her mother during this very serious time. My thoughts and prayers are with my colleague and all of Mrs. Auslander's friends and family. I know that my colleagues will join me in these sentiments.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would restore funding to critical renewable energy research and development programs that have been cut from other programs. America's energy consumption is at an all-time high, and rising. In order to address the imbalance between consumption and domestic production, one part of the solution is to continue the advances in research and development of renewable energy resources. In my home State of Nevada, the sun shines more than 300 days out of a given year. We are also blessed with an abundance in the amount of other renewable resources, such as geothermal, wind, and biomass. As a Congressman from Nevada, and representing the mightiest renewable resource in the West, the Hoover Dam, Nevada can also boast that we have one of the top research centers in the country for renewable energy, the Desert Research Institute. The people of Nevada have chosen not to have nuclear power and rely instead on the natural treasures of our State. Unfortunately, Nevada has been selected to become the country's nuclear waste dumping ground at Yucca Mountain. This amendment will benefit all Americans and my constituents by moving funds from an unapproved, unnecessary, unsafe facility by redirecting them to renewable energy research. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment and restore the funding for renewable energy programs. I would like to thank my colleagues from Nevada, especially the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), who could not be here today. On many occasions in politics we are on opposite sides of the fence; however, when it comes to Yucca Mountain, we supercede politics, and I commend her for her efforts on her fight against Yucca Mountain.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the chairman for engaging in this colloquy today. For the last 20 years, I have fought against the Yucca Mountain project and believe to this day that the facility is a danger to the people of Nevada and unnecessary for the people of the United States. While Congress has authorized the Yucca Mountain site, we in Nevada continue to use every avenue available to resist the establishment of this facility. Interim storage of spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain, which has not been approved by Congress, is intolerable to the people of Nevada. I appreciate the help of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson), and I appreciate the fact that he has agreed that the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain is not the intent of his committee or of this Congress, and that he will oppose any and all efforts to include language recommending interim storage in any conference report presented to this House. I would like to thank my colleagues from Nevada. I appreciate the gentleman yielding me time.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to voice my extreme opposition to H.R. 2754, the FY 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations bill that unfairly targets my home State of Nevada, a State with no nuclear reactors, as the final destination for 77,000 tons of high-level nuclear waste produced by the U.S. commercial nuclear utilities, most of which are located in the East. This bill tramples on decades of environmental policy, ignores public health and safety, and exposes the American taxpayer to billions of dollars in costs to solve the private industry's waste problem. H.R. 2754 contains some features that serve the general food of the United States, such as flood control and renewable energy research. Unfortunately, they are dwarfed by the bill's massive funding for the Yucca Mountain Nuclear storage facility. This bill increases funding for the site by more than 29 percent, even though it has yet to be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. At a time when our budget must meet the challenges of providing economic growth and security against terror, I urge my colleagues to reject this bill that over funds an unnecessary, unsafe, and unapproved nuclear repository at Yucca Mountain. Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for his attention to this matter.

Mr. PORTER. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I represent the Clark County School District in the great State of Nevada, the seventh largest school district in the country. Nevada is the fastest-growing State in our Nation and has grown more than 75 percent since the 1990 census. Clark County School District is accepting close to 12,000 new students a year, opening more than a dozen new schools and hiring over 1,800 teachers a year. Education funding levels are not keeping pace with the population growth occurring in Clark County, Nevada. A major problem the Clark County School District faces is the number of new students moving into the district that come from other school districts, many from other States, where funds previously allocated for that student are not following them to Nevada. Currently, the Census Bureau has been conducting biannual updates to calculate and update current population to be used in establishing Federal education funding in Title I of No Child Left Behind. Nevada, more specifically Clark County, would benefit significantly from an annual poverty update to be provided for in the Labor-HHS- Education appropriations bill. I commend the committee for including the language to provide $3.5 million to the Census Bureau to conduct an annual poverty update. This language will help track population changes as closely as possible. While I appreciate the committee's efforts to address the needs of fast-growing States, Mr. Chairman, you understand the degree to which Nevada suffers Federal funding shortfalls due to our exponential growth. Therefore, I would request that the chairman of the subcommittee continue to work with me to secure additional funds to help Clark County and the State of Nevada fill some of the funding gaps we have been facing.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Joe Alcorn of Henderson, NV, on being recognized as Volunteer of the Month. I am honored to represent one who has shown such devotion and dedication to our community. Joe has been a Henderson Senior Center member since 2000. In that time he has made himself an invaluable asset to the center. By taking pictures of the seniors as they dine, dance, or relax, Joe captures the most pleasant experiences at the center, and displays them for all to enjoy. He further captures these memories by videotaping special events. Alcorn has made a documentary of the center's history, which was rerun for all Henderson residents to commemorate the city's 50th anniversary, earlier this year. Born in Pittsburgh, Joe grew up and graduated from high school in Iowa. Cypress, CA, became his home for the next 46 years. He attended the RCA TV School where he honed his skills and became an expert in his profession. He worked as a TV service worker for a few years until beginning his own business. Joe's work was a labor of love which continued in his dedication to the Henderson Senior Center. I rise to acknowledge the dedication that Joe Alcorn has shown to the seniors of southern Nevada. The use of his professional skills in this worthy pursuit deserves the recognition of myself and all southern Nevadans.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the long awaited presentation of the Purple Heart to World War II veteran, and Las Vegas resident, Nicholas Demetrios Theodoredis. This, his second Purple Heart, recognizes the commitment to our great country shown by so many from the generation who faced the horrors of the Second World War. I am happy to share my thanks and congratulations for this long overdue tribute to the valor of Mr. Theodoredis' service in the North African Campaign of World War II. America has been well served by such men and women and will continue, with their example, to maintain its position as a world leader and defender of liberty.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference agreement to S. 342, the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003. Mr. Speaker, this legislation builds upon changes made during the last reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, directing its efforts towards the prevention of child abuse and neglect and family violence in collaboration with child protective services. It would ensure that States have the necessary flexibility and resources for identifying and addressing the issues of child maltreatment and family violence before they occur and works to protect and treat abused and neglected children and victims of family violence. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, in 2001 there were an estimated 903,000 victims of abuse or neglect nationally. Almost three-fifths of all victims suffered from neglect, and the most victimized children were in the zero to three age group. In Clark County, Nevada, while there was an increase in the number of child abuse and neglect reports, up in 2001 to 8,316, in 2000 there was a drop to 7,932. There was a decrease in the substantiated child abuse reports as a percentage of the total reports in 2001, having continually declined from 1997. And with the improvements we have established throughout the intense conference negotiations on the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, I hope to see a further decline in child abuse and family violence across this country. It is important that children and families can lead safe and healthy lives. Treatment and preventative measures are essential to stopping this abuse. I urge my colleagues to support this conference report.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2254, legislation to name the United States Postal Service facility in Boulder City, Nevada, in honor of Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury. I introduced this legislation to pay tribute to one of southern Nevada's most distinguished citizens. I have worked closely with the members of the city council of Boulder City and the mayor of Boulder City, Robert Ferraro, to appropriately thank Commissioner Woodbury for his many contributions to the great State of Nevada and to our Nation. Commissioner Woodbury is a native of Las Vegas and has resided in Boulder City, Nevada, since 1978. He is a graduate of Las Vegas High School and attended the University of Utah where he graduated Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, and Magna Cum Laude. Mr. Woodbury then attended Stanford School of Law where he earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence and was a member of the Board of Editors of the Stanford Law Review. In southern Nevada, Commissioner Woodbury has been active for many years as an outstanding civic leader. He has served as a member of the Clark County Commission for 21 years and on the Regional Transportation Commission of southern Nevada for 17 years, the last 11 as that body's chairman. He was also the founding father of the Clark County Regional Flood District and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Mr. Speaker, the impact and the magnitude of his contributions are seen by Nevadans every day. Commissioner Woodbury was instrumental in gathering support for the construction of the Las Vegas Beltway, the largest and most visible transportation project ever undertaken in Clark County's history. Through his leadership, Commissioner Woodbury has worked to minimize traffic delays, reduce inconvenience for drivers, and maintain access to local businesses. In addition, Mr. Woodbury has been very involved in local, civic, and youth organizations and is a proud father and grandfather. It has been my privilege to work with Commissioner Woodbury on a variety of projects; and I can speak to his character as a leader, as a citizen, and as a friend. Mr. Speaker, on a personal note, Bruce Woodbury is a quiet man. He actually was very embarrassed when I suggested we name the post office after him. Bruce does not like accolades. He is the first, the first man to give everyone else credit before taking credit for himself. Yes, he is quiet; but he is an effective leader, and he is one of the most visionary and caring individuals who has ever served as a public servant. His example sets the standard for all of us serving this great country. Southern Nevada has grown almost threefold since Mr. Woodbury was elected, to almost 1.6 million people. There is not a project in Nevada that Mr. Woodbury has not touched, whether it be transportation, air quality, schools, health care, water quality, senior citizens, and taking care of our children. As a matter of fact, when Bruce was first elected over 20 years ago, there was a major flood in southern Nevada. Bruce was there with a shovel helping citizens dig out their cars, their homes, their livestock, making sure they could get their families back in order. Bruce did not just sit back; Bruce then formed the Clark County Flood Control District. We have not had the same challenges that we had in 20 years because of Bruce Woodbury's leadership. Let us talk about traffic for a second. Bruce travels to work about 20 miles every day and got tired of sitting around in traffic and decided to build and be the leader in developing the Las Vegas Beltway, because Bruce, although quiet, is effective and wanted to get the job done. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of this body, I am truly honored to have served with Mr. Woodbury. He has been a mentor for me and many other public servants, and words truly cannot express my appreciation for all that he has done to improve the quality of life in Nevada. I urge all of the Members of this body to support the legislation today.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to one of Southern Nevada's most distinguished citizens, Commissioner Bruce Woodbury. I have introduced legislation to name the United States Postal Service facility in Boulder City, Nevada in his honor. I have worked closely with the members of the City Council of Boulder City, and the Mayor of Boulder City, Robert Ferraro, to appropriately thank Commissioner Woodbury for his many contributions to the great State of Nevada. Commissioner Woodbury is a native of Las Vegas, and he has resided in Boulder City since 1978, He is a graduate of Las Vegas High School, and attended the University of Utah where he graduated Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, and Magna Cum Laude. Mr. Woodbury then attended Stanford School of Law where he earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence and was a member of the Board of Editors of the Stanford Law Review. In Southern Nevada, Commissioner Woodbury has served for many years as an outstanding civic leader. He has served as a member of the Clark County Commission for 21 years and on the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada for 17 years, the last 11 as that body's chairman. The magnitude of his contributions are seen by Nevadans every day. Commissioner Woodbury was instrumental in gathering support for the construction of the Las Vegas Beltway, the largest and most visible transportation project ever undertaken in Clark County. Through his leadership, Commissioner Woodbury has worked to minimize traffic delays, reduce inconvenience for drivers, and maintain access to local businesses. In addition, Mr. Woodbury has been very involved in local, civic, and youth organizations. He is also a proud father and grandfather. I am pleased to introduce this legislation honoring him today. It has been my privilege to work with Commissioner Woodbury on a variety of projects and I can speak to his character as a leader, a citizen, and as a friend.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National Tourism Week. As a Representative from the State of Nevada, I understand first hand the importance of travel and tourism to the United States and our economy. My hometown of Las Vegas is considered one of the most traveled to destinations in the world, earning its designation as the Entertainment Capital of the world long ago. Las Vegas has something to offer people of all ages. Everything from world class resort-casinos, to first class restaurants and shopping, and entertainment which includes concerts, production shows, and magic acts. In 2002, more than 35 million people visited Las Vegas. Of that number, 5 million were convention and trade show delegates who left behind $5.9 billion in non-gaming revenue alone, helping to maintain the destination's year-round average occupancy rate at 84 percent. Tourism is the largest employer in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, with more than 25 percent of the population directly employed by the hospitality, gaming and recreation industries. National Tourism Week is Las Vegas's annual opportunity to spotlight the role that tourism plays in the Nevada economy and to educate residents about the organizations that market Las Vegas to the nation and the world.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and constituent, John Milburn, his retirement from the Meadows School in Las Vegas. John was born in Waga Wag, Australia. He moved to the United States in 1961 to attend the University of Oregon. John was the first Australian to be recruited for a college basketball team. John became a United States Citizen in 1990. After completing his undergraduate work and a Masters in Education at the University of Oregon, he moved to Nevada and became at teacher at Boulder City High School. He spent 30 years at Boulder City High, teaching Physics, Chemistry, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry. He coached the boys basketball team for 28 years at Boulder City High School, and led them to 8 State Championships. John was honored this year by being inducted in the Boulder City Coaches Hall of Fame. John left Boulder City High School to become a teacher at the Meadows School in Las Vegas. He is now retiring after having spent 10 years at the Meadows school teaching AP Physics and coaching the girls basketball team. John Milburn is a wonderful teacher, athlete, and citizen. I am honored to join his wife Christine, his students at Meadows and Boulder City High School, and all Nevadans in congratulating him on his exceptional career.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to thank the chairman for including my amendment. The Defense Department conducts studies on the effects of perchlorate on human beings. Perchlorate, a major ingredient in rocket fuel and other military ordnance, has been found in the water of many western States, including my district in Nevada, as well as the chairman's home State of California. The EPA is currently in the process of determining a safe amount of perchlorate in drinking water, but right now no one knows if even a level of one part per billion is safe. What level of perchlorate is found will have a major impact in the water districts, costing them potentially billions of dollars in technology to meet the standards. I must add there can be no substitute for clean drinking water for children. And whatever level is found to be safe, Congress must help our communities to meet this need. The major source of perchlorate comes from current and former defense industrial sites, including in my district. The Department of Defense is potentially liable for the cost of perchlorate cleanup at some or all of these sites. Given that, and the perchlorates primarily were made for DOD orders, it is only fair that the Department contribute to the ongoing urgent research on the possible health efforts of this chemical. I rise today to thank Chairman Hunter for including my amendment requiring the Defense Department to conduct studies on the effects of perchlorate on human beings. Perchlorate, a major ingredient in rocket fuel and other military ordnance, has been found in the water of many Western States, including my district of Nevada, as well as in the Chairman's home state of California. The Environmental Protection Agency is currently in the process of determining the safe amount of perchlorate in drinking water, but right now no one knows what, if any, level above 1 part per billion is safe. What level of perchlorate is found safe will have a major impact on water districts, costing them potentially billion of dollars in technology to meet new standards. I must add that there can be no substitute for clean drinking water for children, and that whatever level is found to be safe, Congress must provide the help our communities need to achieve this. The major source of perchlorate comes from current and former defense industrial sites, including my district. The Department of Defense is potentially liable for the cost of perchlorate cleanup at some or all of these sites. Given that, and that perchlorates primarily were made for DoD orders, it is only fair that the Department contribute to the ongoing, urgent research on the possible health effects of this chemical. The Senate Armed Services Committee has already passed, with a bipartisan majority, identical language to my amendment. I thank the Chairman for including this amendment and look forward to working with him in the future.

Mr. PORTER. That is correct.

Mr. PORTER. That is correct.

Mr. PORTER

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

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 107.

Mr. PORTER

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

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

Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H. Res. 204. This resolution honors the Nation's charter schools, their students, parents, teachers, and administrators for their outstanding education of our children. This week, from April 28 through May 2, charter school organizations are honoring the schools for their ongoing contributions to education. I am pleased to honor the 13 charter schools in Nevada that serve nearly 3,000 students. The legislation I co-authored was passed in the State of Nevada in 1997 and was revised in 1999, lending teachers more room for creativity and the ability to offer and extend school days as well as the school year. This Friday I will have the opportunity to showcase one of them: The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Academy's curriculum focuses on technology and college preparation while introducing cultural activities and expanded involvement in community affairs. Currently the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy instructs grades 3 through 5 and will add one grade level per year through to grade 12. I commend the school and principal Wayne Tanaka, as well as the other charter schools in the State of Nevada for recognizing the immense need for improved education and their commitment to improving student achievement for students who attend these schools. The Nation's charter schools deliver high-quality education and challenge students to reach their potential. Thirty-nine States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have passed laws authorizing charter schools. Now almost 2,700 charter schools serve nearly 700,000 students in 36 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In exchange for flexibility and autonomy, these public charter schools are held accountable by their sponsors for improving student achievement and for their financial and other operations. Charter schools respond to the needs of America's communities, families and students, while promoting the principles of quality, choice, and innovation. Charter schools must meet the same No Child Left Behind student achievement accountability requirements as other public schools, and often set even higher standards in additional individual goals to ensure that they are high quality and truly accountable to the public. Charter schools can be vehicles for improving student achievement for students who attend them, for stimulating change and improvement in all public schools, and for benefiting all public school students. These schools give parents new freedom to choose their public school. Nearly 70 percent of charter schools report having a waiting list, and the total number of students on all such waiting lists is enough to fill another 1,000 average-size charter schools. Students in charter schools nationwide have similar demographic characteristics as students in all public schools and serve significant numbers of students from families with lower income, minority students, and students with disability. In the majority of charter schools almost half the students are considered at risk or are former dropouts. Charter schools have enjoyed broad bipartisan support from the administration, the Congress, State governors and legislators, educators, and parents across our Nation. Through this resolution, Congress today acknowledges and commends the charter school movement and charter schools, students, teachers and parents across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening the Nation's public school system. The fourth annual National Charter School Week is held this week April 28 to May 2, 2003. It recognizes the significant impacts, achievements and innovations of the Nation's charter schools. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.