Hal Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), the very distinguished chairman of the authorizing Committee on Homeland Security in the House, whose cooperation on this bill has been fabulous, for the purpose of a colloquy.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. That is correct.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. That is correct, except for the new authorizing languages that are in the bill. You are correct, except for the newly authorized items that are in this bill.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XXII and by direction of the Committee on Appropriations, I move to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 5441) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague from Kentucky's Sixth Congressional District, Ben Chandler, in support of his resolution expressing our deep sorrow and condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones who are grappling with the loss of 49 lives in an early morning August 27, 2006 plane crash--Comair Flight 5191. The passengers on board Flight 5191 represented the rich diversity and commitment to community emblematic of the Commonwealth. A horse trainer, a UK faculty member, the wife of an East Kentucky University Board Member, newlyweds. A business leader, a youth basketball coach, a technology innovator, and a young father. Mr. Speaker, all of Kentucky grieves with these families realizing their tremendous loss of a brother, a husband, a sister, a daughter, and our tremendous loss in our community of leaders. I specifically want to recognize my constituents Mike Finley, Hollie Gilbert, John and Scarlett Parsley Hooker, and Marcie Thomason and extend my heartfelt sympathy to their families. Their commitment to southern and eastern Kentucky created jobs and opportunities for young people, helped keep kids in positive pursuits by modeling hard work and supporting our communities. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues in commending federal, state, and local officials who cooperated not only at the crash site, but throughout Kentucky to respond to the emergency, investigate the accident, and provide assistance to families devastated by the loss of loved ones. On behalf of the entire congressional delegation from Kentucky, we offer our most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and all those that were affected.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, we need not worry about America's future if all our up and coming leaders believe in her as does a high school student in my District who delivered the following ``Message for America'' to an audience of young people. Nikita Rodrigues lives in my hometown of Somerset, Kentucky and is an outstanding person, as you can tell. ``my message for america'' Ladies and Gentlemen, I speak to you today as a young American. Let that serve as sufficient warning that what I have to say contains equal proportions of young Hope and American Pride. These are the priceless ingredients of my Message for America, which is, ``America: Be, all that you can be.'' As a young American I am sick and tired of the naysayers that predict the end of the American dream. I am sick of reading about the differences between the red and the blue states and how those insurmountable differences will suffocate our future as Americans. I am sick of hearing about Americans being described as consumers, not producers. And I am sick of people taking pot shots at my country as being past her glory years. To all these naysayers, divisionists, and pessimists I have only one thing to say, ``Your mistake lies in under-estimating the youth of America.'' It was our past-President Bill Clinton who once said, ``There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America''! America's most priceless asset lies not in her immense natural resources, not in her huge factories, not in her stores of gold, not her natural beauty nor her system of incredible highways. America's greatest assets still are the character of her people and the optimism of her youth. We the youth of America must believe that we can make a difference. We must participate in the political process and hold our 1eaders accountable when partisan politics stymies our progress. If American high-schoolers are lagging behind the rest of the world, it is time to demand that our schools foster excellence and competitiveness rather than comfortable mediocrity. In the flat world of today, American youth must step up and compete. Yes, we are more diverse than we ever were, but that diversity can and must be our strength. In his book, ``What's so Great About America'' Dinesh D'Sousa had this to say about our country. ``America is the greatest, freest and most decent society in existence. It is an oasis of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism. This country, once an experiment unique in the world, is now the last best hope for the world.'' That hope and responsibility rests firmly on our young American shoulders. We can either shrug it off or bear down and accept the daunting challenge to each do our part to make America--All That She Can Be! Nikita Rodrigues, Somerset, Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Kentucky's Third Congressional District, Anne Northup, along with her husband, Woody, suffered the tragic loss of her son Joshua on Wednesday, July 12, 2006. By all accounts, Joshua was an outstanding young man who will be truly missed by his family and friends. Joshua was a 1998 graduate of Saint Joseph's College of Rensselaer, Indiana. In 1995, Joshua ventured to Tanzania, Africa with a priest from Saint Joseph's, where he continued his education and volunteered in a leper colony to help those most in need. Joshua was employed at Humana, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky, where he was clearly a valued employee. Upon hearing the sad news, Humana issued the following statement: ``Joshua was an exemplary Humana associate, beloved by his colleagues and held in high esteem by his supervisors. We are deeply saddened by his death and extend our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathy to his family.'' Funeral services were held for Joshua at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, July 15, 2006. Joshua is survived by his parents, Anne and Woody Northup, and five brothers and sisters: David, Katie, Kevin, Mark and Erin. On behalf of the entire congressional delegation from Kentucky, as well as her colleagues from across the Nation, we offer our most sincere condolences to the entire Northup family.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. This association, as the gentleman said, was formed in 1987, this association of 42 of Kentucky's counties covering five out of the six congressional districts. What sets these counties apart, however, is their extreme poverty. These are rural counties in an impoverished coal mining region of the State who have seen the jobs in the mines disappear through mechanization and otherwise; and these counties are searching for a way to live, to survive. They are too poor to do it on their own, to form an association to try to create tourism, train people, create the small jobs that it takes to run tourism entrepreneurships. So they banded together, 42 of them, into an association where they pool their resources. The State of Kentucky helps fund this association, as well as the Federal Government and locals. But for this association, these counties would not be able to advertise and attract to the very, very beautiful part of the country, the mountains, the streams and the hills, the history. It is the home of country music. US 23 that runs north and south through eastern Kentucky is known as Country Music Highway, a National Scenic Byway now, thanks to this association. They are the ones that promoted that National Scenic Byway. There are two others, the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, National Scenic Byway, and the Daniel Boone Trail. The Cumberland Gap is a part of this area. So this association works to promote the region. It is providing jobs to those who otherwise would be drawing Federal handouts, Federal welfare. We are trying to work to get people a job rather than take a check from the Federal Government. I look upon this as not a handout but a hand up, and these communities are now beginning to realize income that provides real jobs for people that would otherwise be drawing welfare. Now, is it unique that we would look to the Federal Government to help a region help itself grow into something better and provide the jobs? No, it is not unique. I would support today the earmarks over the years for the central Arizona water project that enabled Arizona to grow and prosper and boom as it is now and providing jobs for people. That is what the Federal Government should be doing, and I do not begrudge a minute the gentleman from Arizona and the boom that is occurring in Arizona, but it was caused because the Federal Government over the years earmarked hundreds of millions of dollars to provide water out of the Colorado River so that Arizona in the desert would bloom. It is a good thing. I would support that and continue to do so, but I would hope the gentleman would realize there are other parts of the country with much much smaller needs but equally as important to the people that live there. So, Mr. Chairman, I hope we will turn down the amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Lou Handy, an exceptional lady and all around great Kentuckian. Mrs. Handy recently celebrated her 90th birthday. She has enjoyed a remarkable life and her wealth of knowledge and wisdom makes her a most treasured individual. On behalf of myself and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, I want to honor Mrs. Lou Handy and wish her and her family the very best. I ask that an article that ran in the London Sentinel-Echo on Monday April 10, 2006, appear in the Record. Happy Birthday Lou Handy Lou Handy celebrated her 90th birthday this past weekend. ``Mrs. Handy'' taught me English at what was then Laurel County High School. She was my favorite high school teacher. It was in her class that I first read Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Faulkner and was encouraged to write creatively. I have loved books for as long as I can remember but it was Mrs. Handy that encouraged me and gave me the confidence to believe in my ability as a writer. When I graduated from high school and headed off to college it was because of Mrs. Handy I felt I could succeed when I first set foot on the campus at the University of Kentucky. I earned Phi Beta Kappa there, and Mrs. Handy was part of the reason for the grades that led to the honor. I finished college in three years and Mrs. Handy was part of that as well. I finished law school early and passed the bar at the age of 23, and Mrs. Handy was a contributor to that achievement. In the years that have followed, I have tried many cases across the state and still had the time to write and publish stories and articles across the world and I thank Mrs. Handy for giving me the confidence to believe I could do those things. I'm in seminary now and every time I sit down to write another paper I think of Mrs. Handy and the encouragement she gave me to help me along the way. It has been 31 years since Mrs. Handy was my teacher yet she is still there influencing and affecting my life and the lives of others through me. I am not a unique example of the impact Lou Handy has had on people. From my 1975 graduating class alone there are three lawyers, two doctors, two PhD's, three engineers, one record producer in Nashville, many teachers and countless successful business people and most of us had Mrs. Handy for a teacher. When you look at the years Mrs. Handy taught you realize the profound impact she has had on this community and the state as a whole. I think Mrs. Handy is proud of what her students have accomplished although I doubt she would ever take credit for what any of us have done but she deserves her share of the credit anyway. Good teachers are a treasure for their communities and should be acknowledged as such. We are quick to point out the politics and disagreements of our public school system, and if we are not careful we can lose sight of the wonderful things that go on every day in our classrooms. Lives are being changed, young people are being awakened to the potential that lies before them and good teachers are making it happen. A functioning school system is the bedrock of any community. When industry looks at a community to consider locating a factory or office there the quality of the school system is one of the first things the company wants to know about. A school system that is in turmoil or is underperforming or underfunded drives business away. No one wants to move their business to a community that fails to adequately educate the workforce. That is why we must stay involved with, and concerned about, our public schools. They are the great melting pot of London. Rich kids, poor kids, white, black, Asian and Hispanic kids are all there together. We learn to live together in public school so we can work together the rest of our lives. Public school can be trying at times as it struggles to meet the needs of the various constituencies that it serves but our school system cannot be allowed to fail. If we are unable to fashion a school that succeeds for our children then our community will never succeed. When students learn to believe in themselves then the possibilities are limitless. Mrs. Handy knew that and I think that is why she was such a positive, affirming educator. Those of us who learned from her were blessed indeed. So, if there is a teacher who made a difference in your life, who helped you get to where you are, tell them thanks. Support our public schools as they carry on the effort to educate and inspire Laurel County's children. Thank you Mrs. Handy. Happy birthday! Brian C. House is an attorney in London. His column appears every other Monday in The Sentinel-Echo.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in great pride and pleasure, to inform the House of a wonderful event that has taken place in my family. On June 20, 2006, my stepdaughter Emily and her husband Allen West, of Nashville, Tennessee, gave birth to their first child, a daughter. I am proud to report that Dakota is a happy, healthy baby girl. Cynthia and I, along with Allen's parents George and Julie, are delighted with this joyful addition to our family. She reminds us again that, as Art Buchwald once said, ``The best things in life aren't things.'' Looking into the face of this beautiful new person causes me to marvel again at God's miracle of life and to celebrate Dakota's safe arrival. She also elicits from me the renewed responsibility that I, and we in Congress have, to see that she and her generation will live in freedom, in a safe and prosperous nation and world. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all of our colleagues join me in wishing all the best to Dakota Stewart West.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tara Elizabeth Connor, a native of Russell Springs, Kentucky, who was recently crowned Miss USA 2006. The entire Bluegrass State celebrated on April 21, when Tara not only captured the Miss USA title but also became the first Kentuckian in the pageant's 54-year history to do so. Although she is only 20 years old, Tara showed remarkable composure during the week-long Miss USA competition, which culminated in the nationally televised pageant on NBC. A 2004 graduate of Russell County High School, Tara was able to realize her dream of becoming Miss USA through the tried and true formula of hard work, determination and pure talent that has marked generations of accomplished Kentuckians. As the reigning Miss USA, Tara intends to use her celebrity platform to raise awareness about breast cancer. I have no doubt that she will perform her newfound responsibilities with the same mix of energy and enthusiasm that she used to capture the Miss USA title. While millions of Americans now know her as a ``beauty'' queen, those that know Tara best see her for what she really is--a down-to-earth Kentucky girl who is dedicated to her family and friends. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Tara Connor on her honor as Miss USA 2006. Tara has made all of Kentucky proud, and I wish her the very best as she pursues her bright future.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the MINER Act. Mr. Speaker, I am the proud representative of 21 coal producing counties and 15,000 Kentucky miners stretching along the Appalachian coal seam in eastern Kentucky. These are good paying jobs in challenging economic areas, generational jobs passed down through families and neighbors for years, requiring training, education and, most importantly, hard work. Anyone who has been in these mines a mile underground, as some of us have, knows that underground mining also comes with a great amount of risk. My constituents have and are willing to take those risks in order to provide for their families. By also to provide the Nation the coal that we need to keep our homes warm and economic engines running. These risks and the dangers of coal mining have been brought directly into the living room televisions of many Americans over last 6 months. In my district it has been much closer to home. The Holmes Mills tragedy in Harlan County, Kentucky, underscores the need for comprehensive mine safety legislation that provides critically needed protections for miners and strengthens the Federal Government's ability to enforce safety regulations now. We have not had comprehensive mine safety reform in the country for decades. Technology has changed, communication equipment has changed, our laws have not changed. With that said and with our thoughts and prayers still with the families touched by these accidents, Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my coal State colleagues in support of this MINER Act. First, I want to thank Chairman Norwood and Chairman McKeon for working together with the majority leader to move mine safety legislation now, not later, not next year, not next month, not after some conference committee where the Senate sits on it for 6 months but now, and I thank them for that. We should not delay one more day putting into place requirements to further protect these brave miners going even as we speak into the dark of these mines. This bill honors the brave men, 11 in Kentucky and in my district this year who have died in mine-related accidents. They are not forgotten. Mining has always been a dangerous occupation and make no mistake, this legislation will not make mining injury free, but it does go a long way toward that end. With this legislation we reaffirm our commitment to seeing miners have the proper training, rescue equipment, communications devices and plans in place should an accident occur. I have met with industry leaders, met with the miners, and everyone agrees there is room for measured and achievable improvement. This bill strikes a reasonable compromise and seeks to put the best available technology in the hands of our mining men and women while encouraging development of new technologies. The Senate wisely moved this legislation quickly and unopposed, and I hope we do the same here. I am particularly pleased the bill includes some of these provisions. One, it requires the use of wireless two-way communications and tracking systems within 3 years. It requires each mine's emergency response plan to continuously be reviewed, updated and recertified by MSHA every 6 months. It also gives MSHA the power to request an injunction, that is to say, shut down a mine in cases where the mine has refused to pay a final order or MSHA penalty. It would require rescue teams to be close to mines and granted immunity. It would require each miner to have a minimum of 2 hours' supply of air and require storage of additional breathing devices along the escape routes from the mine. These measures, Mr. Speaker, go straight to the trouble we have seen and should give comfort to our mining families. This legislation, Mr. Speaker, honors Kentucky's 17,000 hardworking coal miners, but all the others in the country as well who bravely go into the heart of the Earth to put bread on the table and to bring light into the lives of all Americans. Our hats go off to these miners, and I urge that we pass this bill in their honor and in their memory.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I move to lay the appeal on the table.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, regular order. The gentleman needs to speak to the point of order.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I make a point of order against the motion to recommit because it violates clause 2(c) of rule XXI. I ask for a ruling of the Chair.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I thank the gentleman for his comments. I understand the concerns of both gentlemen from New York, both very valued, hardworking members of the subcommittee, I might add. I agree that the subcommittee should hold further hearings into this matter. We will be working to set up a closed briefing because we are dealing with classified material here. We will work with the gentlemen to set up a closed hearing to further look into the matter. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill and therefore violates clause 2 of rule XXI, which states, in pertinent part, an amendment to a general appropriations bill shall not be in order if changing existing law. This amendment prescribes a policy. I ask for a ruling from the Chair.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, first, let me say that, as written, this amendment does not accomplish what the gentleman, I think, has described, but I do understand the intent of the amendment, and I agree with the gentleman's concerns about the various allegations that have been made about this service. However, I would like to point out that the Inspector General's office is investigating this 5-year contract to see if there is any impropriety. If there is, the contract will be terminated. The intent of this amendment is to bar DHS employees from using ``limousine services.'' But it does not define what that means. It could have some wide-ranging impacts if it is not defined. For example, with no definition, it could be perhaps used to stop FEMA crews from contracting buses to get to disaster areas. It could shut down bus shuttle service between the various DHS campuses in the D.C. area. And it could prevent employees from taking taxis from airports while they are on official travel. These are very impractical limitations for a department we expect to act quickly in time of emergency. So I would hope at some point in time, if this amendment passes, that there could be some way to define what is prohibited. But even with these concerns and these reservations, I am willing to accept the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Now that pretty much everything is said and done on this appropriations bill, according to CBO scoring, the bill is now under its section 302(b) allocation by $4 million. My amendment simply takes that $4 million and makes modest funding adjustments to two accounts: FEMA's Readiness Mitigation Response and Recovery program and the U.S. Secret Services Protection Administration and Training program. Mr. Chairman, the FEMA dollars will be used to continue work to upgrade the National Response Plan. For the Secret Service, funds will be used to support critical protective operations. This amendment has been cleared by both sides of the aisle, and I ask that it be agreed to.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the further consideration of H.R. 5441, and that I may include tabular material on the same.