Hal Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. So when you add all of those moneys together, this bill is chock full of money for the big cities; is that not correct?

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, this debate could go on a long time. I ask unanimous consent that all debate end after 10 minutes, that the time be controlled by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) and this gentleman.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman would remain at the desk, I really appreciate the gentleman bringing this issue before us, interoperability of communications amongst our first responders. One of the great lessons we learned, of course, out of 9/11--and the evidence has been ongoing since that time--is to go all out to try to create interoperability. It is a fairly complicated matter, as we now find out, and very expensive. So the gentleman's amendment that would set aside more money to examine how this can take place really is not necessary, because the Department already has an ongoing operation to collect that data from the States and the communities and the first responder units. Not all the States, of course, have decided what grant money will be spent on; and, of course, all the data is not yet automated. But the Office for Domestic Preparedness is currently building a master database, it is supposed to be completed in the next few months, to automate all state and local spending details, so we will then have what I think will be a fairly comprehensive inventory of where we are, which is what the gentleman, I think, is seeking in his amendment. So I would hope, perhaps, that the gentleman might withdraw the amendment, with my assurance that the Department is already involved in exactly what I think he seeks in his amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. King).

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. The gentleman makes a very good point. The TSA is still operating under the system where they hire nationally. So that when there is a vacancy in San Francisco or New Jersey or where have you, that has to work its way up to the national headquarters, and it is a very inefficient way for TSA to replace people who have quit their job. We are trying to force the Department to at least regionalize the hiring process, and I would like to see it even localized so that we can replace people quickly, but the gentleman makes a good point.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the very distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney), who has been on the subcommittee and a very valuable Member.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman has offered what I consider to be a very helpful amendment. I think it is needed, and we are happy to agree to it. The ranking member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security has been very helpful to us.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the members and coaches of the 2004 Hazard High School varsity cheerleading squad. This year alone, the squad has cheered their way to four first place victories, an admirable accomplishment for a small- town team competing against much larger schools. The Hazard cheerleaders began their winning streak in January, when they secured the top spot in the annual WYMT-TV Mountain Classic Cheerleading Competition. In February, the team traveled to Richmond, KY, where they competed with more than 50 cheerleading squads in the Kentucky All ``A'' State Cheerleading Competition. Their enthusiastic and skillful performance landed the squad with a first place showing. The team also received the coveted Team Spirit Award. After their impressive showing in Richmond, the cheerleaders finished first at the KAPOS 54th District and KAPOS 14th Regional competitions, and earned the right to compete in the state competition. The squad earned an admirable fourth place finish in the statewide competition, marking the first time a Hazard squad has placed in the top five since they won the state championship in 1970. It should be noted that the Hazard Cheerleaders accomplish as much during their regular season as they do in competitions. The squad cheers at all football games and basketball games, stirring up school spirit through their energetic routines and skillful stunts. They also have a commitment to community involvement, often volunteering at charitable organizations and local homeless shelters. I am proud of their contributions to Eastern Kentucky, both in cheerleading and their community. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Hazard High School cheerleaders for their tremendous success this year. I ask each of my colleagues to join me in honoring Hazard High School, coaches Cathy Hammonds, Vivian Carter, Lisa Combs, Wayne Noble and Shane Noble, and each and every talented member of the squad: Casey Smith, Lindsey Fields, Sydney Napier, Sarah Johnson, Jennifer Bryant, Jennifer Brock, Ashlei Mullins, Amber Hammonds, Paige Whitaker, Roxanne Whitaker, Marry Simms Carter, Kelly Hoskins, Becky Jo Brotherton, Sarah Hall, Whitney Francis, Brandi Hayes, Katie Hanson, Kayla Sandlin, Chelsea Combs, Gabriella Woods, Reagan Kilgore and Lauren Delpont.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the players and coaches of the 2004 Hazard Bulldogs basketball team. On February 8, 2004, the Hazard High School Bulldogs defeated Bishop Brossart High School by a score of 43-38 to win the Kentucky All ``A'' State Tournament. Under the leadership of Coach Kevin Spurlock, the Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 20-4. This is a remarkable accomplishment that merits recognition. With 49 years since their last championship title, the Bulldogs' recent victory has been a long time in coming, and one that was attained through hard work and determination. During the entire championship game the Bulldogs fought ferociously, tying at the half and gaining a four-point lead after the third quarter. Smart, calculated plays during the final minutes pushed the Bulldogs over Bishop Brossart and secured a safe five-point win. In Kentucky, basketball is something of an institution. It embodies a tremendous spirit of teamwork and dedication, and the Bulldogs have shown that they possess both characteristics. The Bluegrass State is widely known for producing great basketball teams, and the Hazard Bulldogs are no exception. Winning the state tournament marks a tremendous milestone in their journey for excellence, and I am proud of their accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Bulldogs for their tremendous success, not only in tournament play but also throughout the entire season. Through their hard work, determination, and skill they have made Eastern Kentucky very proud. I ask each of my colleagues to join me in honoring Hazard High School, Coach Kevin Spurlock, all of the assistant coaches, and each and every talented player on the 2004 Championship Bulldog team: Hank Gabbard, Stephen Sizemore, Parker Carter, Eric Mullins, Robert Lyttle, J.J. Hously, Lamar Williams, Jon Francis, Chase Patrick, Durell Olinger, Justin Wallace, Chuckie Osteen, Jon Walker, Tyler Bailey, and Justin Hicks.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House of yet another magnificent event that has taken place in my family. On August 31, 2003, my youngest son John and his wife Tracy gave birth to their second daughter. Sydney Elizabeth Rogers weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 20 inches long. Sydney is a happy, healthy baby girl and has brought much joy to our family. Her grandmothers, Cynthia Rogers and JoAnn Walker, and I are all too happy to shower Sydney with love and affection. At a time when the world is filled with much uncertainty and turmoil, my announcement of this beautiful baby girl is a welcome breath of fresh air. As the Congress works to make America a better, safer place to live, I will be certain to keep precious little Sydney in mind. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all of our colleagues join me in wishing all the best to Sydney Elizabeth Rogers.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, in the same bipartisan spirit of cooperation that has characterized Kentucky delegations to this great body, it is my privilege tonight, as dean of our delegation, to present to you our newest Member and America's newest Congressman, Ben Chandler. Ben won the special election a week ago tonight to fill the unexpired term of our colleague and now Governor, Ernie Fletcher. The Chandler name in Kentucky is legendary. Ben's grandfather, the late Albert ``Happy'' Chandler, was a twice-elected Governor; U.S. Senator; and baseball commissioner, who, by the way, presided over the integration of Major League Baseball. But young Ben has earned his own stripes. He has just completed two terms as Kentucky attorney general, and before that the elected State auditor, and was nominated by his party for Governor last year. Ben Chandler follows in the seat held by a long list of national leaders, including our own Governor Ernie Fletcher. One of the greatest Speakers of this body held this seat, Henry Clay, twice Speaker, three- time candidate for President, Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, the Great Compromiser of pre-Civil War years; Kentucky's greatest national legislator, that is until recently, of course. In fact, Henry Clay made history very early in his congressional career. He was elected Speaker immediately upon being sworn in as a freshman from this very Kentucky district. Mr. Speaker, I like Ben Chandler, but maybe you and I had better keep an eye on him. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Lucas), our colleague from Kentucky's Fourth District.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply honored to welcome Kentucky's new Member of Congress from the Sixth District, Ben Chandler, and I am proud to present him at this time to the body.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, January 28, I was unavoidably detained due to the inclement weather and was not present for votes on S. 1290, a bill to extend for 6 months the period for which chapter 12 of title 11 of the United States Code is reenacted. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 10 and ``nay'' on Rollcall Nos. 8, 9, and 11.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, January 27, I was unavoidably detained due to the inclement weather and was not present for roll call votes numbers 6 and 7. The votes were on H.R. 1385 and H.R. 3493, respectively. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both measures.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, November 4, I was in Kentucky, tending to official business, and was not present for rollcall votes No. 602 and 603. The votes were on House Concurrent Resolutions 176 and 94, respectively. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both measures.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, October 20, I was in Somerset, Kentucky, tending to official business, and was not present for rollcall votes #563-565. The votes were on House Resolutions 356, 400, and on H.R. 3288. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all measures.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This is a good bill. As I said before, what we are after is sensible spending on a sensible plan. We are spending a lot of money on homeland security. This bill is $29.4 billion. Is it enough? I think it is enough for the plan that we have, and I would urge the Members to support the conference report. Now, on this issue of cargo on passenger planes, it has been beaten to death today; and there have been some irresponsible statements made, in my judgment, about it. Here are the essential facts. Technology does not exist to x-ray the cargo going on passenger planes in those large pallets. It just does not exist. We are directing the Secretary and giving him the money immediately to go out and begin procuring that information and that kind of machinery. The money is there, and the direction is there; and we are telling him to do it posthaste, at the earliest possible date. I do not know how much more direct we could be. In the meantime, we say we do not want any cargo going on a passenger plane from somebody we do not know about. The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) said he could send that package as a terrorist on a plane and walk away, and it would be shipped and the passenger would not be on the plane. That is not so. If you are an unknown shipper, your package does not go on the plane until we search it; actually search it. Under the known-shipper program, no cargo goes on a plane that we do not know who it is from and where it is going and all about it. That is the essential fact. In the bill we say to enhance that system until we can get the x-ray machines in place to actually x-ray the cargo. It is the best we can do, Mr. Speaker. It is the best we can do. And we are directing the Secretary to move posthaste to get the machinery in place. I ask my colleagues to support the bill. Before closing, I want to thank my ranking member for his great work and all the members of the subcommittee, and especially the staff, who have carried us this far. I urge adoption of the conference report and defeat the motion to recommit.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney), a very hard-working member of the subcommittee.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham), one of the hardest working members of our subcommittee.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.