Jim Saxton

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Special Agent Scott E. Jacobs, who will be retiring from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) after 28 years of dedicated service. Throughout his expansive career, Scott has been instrumental in the successful implementation of many operations within NCIS. When he first began his career in 1981, Scott was assigned to the Naval Investigative Service, NIS, in Seattle, Washington. After his initial post, he took on an undercover bidding operation in Yokosuka, Japan when he transferred to the NIS Resident Office. He then returned to the United States, where his keen operational style garnered Scott positions within management ranks, such as staff assistant to the regional director, Far East region, 1997-1988; special agent in charge of the Regional Fraud Office in New Jersey, 1988-1992; and assistant special agent in charge of the Metropolitan Northeast Field Office in New Jersey, 1992-1995. I came to know Scott during his time as a Department of the Navy legislative fellow. For 2 years, he worked with my staff as a Navy fellow and helped to ensure the people of New Jersey's third district were well-represented. Following a stint as executive assistant to the deputy director and deputy assistant director for economic crimes, 1996-1997, he returned to Capitol Hill to work with the Joint Economic Committee. There, he focused his efforts on the Endangered Species Act. Scott then returned to NCIS headquarters and resumed his position as deputy assistant director for economic crimes. In 2001, Scott spent time in Seattle as a special agent-in-charge of the NCIS Northwest Field Office and spearheaded the NCIS Law Enforcement Information Exchange (LInX). This valuable data-sharing system has become one of the Nation's premier tools for law enforcement agencies. He later returned to our Nation's Capitol in 2005 upon his appointment to the Senior Executive Service as the executive assistant director for combating terrorism. Scott was also tapped to serve as the acting director of the Department of Defense Counterintelligence Field Activity (CIFA), where he managed the CIFA's transition to the Defense Intelligence Agency. Madam Speaker, Scott's enthusiasm and abiding loyalty for the NCIS are only surpassed by his genuine desire to embrace and enhance the world around him. As he celebrates his retirement, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for his leadership, commitment, and service to our Nation.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of FY 2009 Defense Appropriations Bill. Project: Monmouth University's Rapid Response Institute. Funding Amount: $3,200,000. Account: Research, Development, and Testing, Defense Wide. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lockheed Martin. Address of Requesting Entity: 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764. Description of Request: Project will evaluate the software's ability to improve the effectiveness of military (including National Guard) preparedness and its support to the civilian first responders.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of FY 2009 Defense Appropriations Bill. Project: Ballistic Missile Defense--Aegis Funding Amount: $20,000,000 Account: Research, Development, and Testing and Evaluation Ballistic Missile Defense Aegis Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lockheed Martin Address of Requesting Entity: 199 Borton Landing Rd, Moorestown, NJ 08057 Description of Request: Ballistic Missile Defense Aegis system provides resources to close the capability gap between current Sea Based BMD capabilities and the emergent BMD threats. Project: Vehicle Common Armor Manufacturing Process (VCAMP) Funding Amount: $2,500,000 Account: Army Research, Development, and Testing and Evaluation End Item Industrial Preparedness Activities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: SMH International, LLC Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Technology Way, Suite 210, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Description of Request: Vehicle Common Armor Manufacturing Process develops a common armor manufacturing process for force protection aimed at enhancing soldier survivability by reducing vehicle weight and speeding production. Project: Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System (BAIS) Funding Amount; $3,000,000 Account: Army Procurement Physical Security Legal Name of Requesting Entity: L-3 Communications Address of Requesting Entity: 1 Federal Street, Camden, NJ 08103 Description of Request: Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System detects and classifies intruding personnel, wheeled, and tracked vehicles for forward intelligence collection or perimeter self-protection. Project: Software Lifecycle Affordability Management (SLAM), Phase II Funding Amount: $1,000,000 Account: Army Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Advanced Tactical Computer Science and Sensor Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: PRICE Systems, LLC Address of Requesting Entity: 17000 Commerce Parkway Suite A, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Description of Request: Software Lifecycle Affordability Phase II model enables the Army to determine which software lifecycle strategies design realizes the greatest number of capabilities at the lowest cost, following the best schedule. Project: Large Diameter Precision Aspheric Glass Molding Funding Amount: $2,900,000 Account: Army Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Weapons and Munitions Advanced Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Edmond Optics, Inc Address of Requesting Entity: 101 E. Cloucester Pike, Barrington, NJ 08007 Description of Request: Large Diameter Precision Aspheric Glass Modeling technology is key in developing a secure US manufacturing base for low-cost precision aspheric optics, thus eliminating the current dependence of the DoD on foreign sourced products. Project: Virtual Interactive Combat Environment (VICE) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 Account: Army Procurement Training Devices Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Dynamic Animation Systems Address of Requesting Entity: 12015 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22033 Description of Request: Virtual Interactive Combat Environment (VICE) provides a virtual environment within which small combat teams can be trained in current rules of engagement and tactics, techniques, and procedures. Six squad configurations of VICE will be procured for the NJ National Guard Joint Training and Training Development Center at Ft. Dix, which will improve the training for New Jersey Guardsmen and Reservists, as well as those from other States, mobilizing at Fort Dix and preparing to deploy into combat. Project: Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense Funding Amount: 28,000,000 Account: Defense Wide Research, Development, and Testing and Evaluation Ballistic Missile Defense Terminal Defense Segment Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd Address of Requesting Entity: 6903 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 Description of Request: Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense is a joint Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) program to develop and deploy a cost-effective, broad-area defense for the State of Israel against short range ballistic missiles, large caliber rockets, and cruise missiles. Project: Unified Security Forces Operations Facility, McGuire AFB Funding Amount: $7,200,000 Account: Defense Wide Military Construction Legal Name of Requesting Entity: McGuire Air Force Base Address of Requesting Entity: McGuire Air Force Base, NJ Description of Request: Unified Security Forces Operations Facility, McGuire Air Force Base, Fort McGuire, NJ. The facility is intended for joint use and will consolidate all security operations command and control at the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base. Project: Modification of Authorization for Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Harbor Inlet, NJ project to address handling of military munitions Account: Defense Operations and Maintenance, Army Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Address of Requesting Entity: 100 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Description of Request: Modifies the authorization for the Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Harbor Inlet, NJ project to address the handling of military munitians placed on the beach during construction at Federal expense.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting authorization of the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program. H.R. 1907--the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program Act authorizes a voluntary partnership program to provide badly needed Federal funds for the purchase and protection of sensitive coastal ecosystems with the goal of better ensuring the ecological and economic health of our coastal communities. It is well known that more and more people are moving to the coast to enjoy its beauty and recreational opportunities. An estimated 60 percent of Americans will live along our coasts by 2010. Fourteen of our Nation's 20 largest cities are located on the coast. More than ever, the pressures of urbanization and pollution along our Nation's shores threaten to impair watersheds, impact wildlife habitat and cause irreparable damage to the fragile coastal ecology. Created by Congress in fiscal year 2002, the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program--also known as CELP--was modeled after the successful Forest Legacy Program. To date, this program has invested nearly $200 million towards 150 conservation projects in 26 of the Nation's 35 coastal and Great Lakes States and territories. This Federal investment has leveraged more than an equal amount of State, local and private funding, demonstrating the importance of coastal protection throughout the Nation and the critical role of Federal funding to its success. More importantly, the program has helped to conserve lands and waters that will offer numerous benefits to local communities by preserving water quality, natural areas for wildlife and birds, and outdoor recreational opportunities--thereby protecting for the future the very things we love about the coasts. Although the program has been in existence for six years, it has yet to be formally authorized. This legislation seeks to do just that. This bill will formally authorize this Federal/State partnership program explicitly for conservation of coastal lands. CELP will award grants on a competitive basis to the 35 coastal and Great Lakes States and territories or National Estuarine Research Reserves for the purpose of protecting lands that are critical to the health of our coasts and estuaries. This legislation will allow coastal States to compete for 1 to 1 matching funds to acquire land or easements from willing sellers to protect coastal areas that have considerable conservation, recreation, ecological, historical or aesthetic values threatened by development or conversion. By establishing a plan for the preservation of our coastal areas, the Act will build on the foundation laid down by the Coastal Zone Management Act, and will encourage voluntary land conservation partnerships among the Federal Government, State agencies, local governments, private landowners and nonprofits. It will not only improve the quality of coastal areas and the marine life they support, but also sustain surrounding communities and their way of life. I thank Representative Capps and all of our cosponsors for their support of H.R. 1907 and I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3036, the No Child Left Inside Act. Last week, I inadvertently voted against this legislation, of which I am original cosponsor. I regret that error, and want to make clear that I support this reauthorization of the National Environmental Education Act--both the continuation of important programs at the Environmental Protection Agency, and newly authorized programs at the Department of Education. Environmental education is important to our children's future, has a positive impact on their educational achievement, and also helps promote healthier lifestyles. H.R. 3036 assists state and local efforts to improve and expand upon these important goals by creating new grant programs and increasing professional development in order to ensure that environmental education is a subject area that becomes more widely and effectively practiced. Again, I strongly support the No Child Left Inside Act, and intended to vote ``yes'' on its final passage.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of The Polish American Congress. On September 28, 2008, The Polish American Congress will hold a ``Terrorist Attack Memorial Service'' to honor and commemorate the victims of the Katyn Forest Massacre, as well as pay a tribute to those who perished on September 11, 2001. In addition to carrying out the overall mission of the Polish American Congress, the New Jersey Division chooses to hold a memorial for the victims of both the Katyn Forest Massacre and the September 11, 2001 attacks on our country. The Katyn Forest Massacre occurred during World War 2 as a result of the Soviet Union's persecution of thousands during the communist era. The September 11th attacks on the United States claimed more than 3,000 lives. The New Jersey Division of the Polish American Congress has taken it as their mission to commemorate the lives lost in both incidents. The Polish American Congress is an umbrella organization, with over 3,000 clubs that exist to serve various levels and aspects of the Polish communities of the United States. They promote different areas of education and cultural programs to further the knowledge of Polish history, as well as to stimulate Polish American involvement in their community . Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for the leadership, commitment, and service that the Polish American Congress has demonstrated in their existence throughout the community.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Republican Earmark Guidance, I am including the following projects I supported that were included in the 2008 President's Budget and subsequently received funding in H.R. 6599: Project: Modified Record Range Cost: $3,825,000 Account: Military Construction--Army Legal Name of Requesting Entity: McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base Address of Requesting Entity: Command Headquarter, Building 5417, Fort Dix, NJ 08640. Description of Request: Range will train and test individual soldiers on the skills necessary to identify, engage and defeat stationary infantry targets for day/night qualification requirements with the M16 and M4 rifles. Range improves the capability of Fort Dix, which supports the Army Reserve and National Guard forces as one of the four main power projection platforms Project: Advanced Arresting Gear Test Site Cost: $15,440,000 Account: Military Construction--Navy Legal Name of Requesting Entity: McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base Address of Requesting Entity: Naval Air Engineering Station, Hwy 547 Building 150-3, Lakehurst, NJ 08733. Description of Request: Project provides permanent facilities that will be part of the recovery test sites, which will support the new CVN 78 carriers. Advanced Arresting Gear will provide a reliable aircraft recovery system consistent with current technology for controlled deceleration of landing aircraft. The Advanced Arresting Gear will initially serve as the forerunner for ship instillations and eventually serve as the land-based testing facility.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Republican Earmark Guidance, I am including the following request, which has received funding in H.R. 6599. Project: Unified Security Forces Operations Building. Cost: $7,400,000. Account: Military Construction--Defense Wide. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base. Address of Requesting Entity: 2901 Falcon Lane, McGuire Air Force Base, NJ 08641. Description of Request: The joint security headquarters is designed to serve all three services and installations. This funding is for the first of two construction phases. The structure will house criminal investigation personnel, training facilities, detention and confinement areas, identification facilities, and an armory and weapons cleaning stations.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Frederick Grassle. On June 16, 2008 Dr. Grassle will be celebrated for his years of service as he steps down from his role as the Director of the Rutgers University Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences after nineteen years. Dr. Grassle has been instrumental in the tremendous success of the Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences (IMCS). A well-published and involved member of the science community, Dr. Grassle has worked tirelessly to establish Rutgers University and the IMCS as a premier institution for the study of oceanic and aquatic sciences. He has fought for various causes, including the elimination of deep sea dumping, watershed-scale approaches to coastal management, and ensuring we safeguard of our coastal habitats. In the past two decades, I have been fortunate enough to work with Dr. Grassle to bring about positive change to our precious coastal habitats. Through our collaboration, the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve was designated and the Barnegat Bay Estuary began receiving much-needed assistance by developing and implementing various programs designed to restore its ecological integrity. In addition, we worked to bring about funding for the National Undersea Research Program, the Integrated Ocean Observing Program, and a range of fisheries research programs. No stranger to the community, Dr. Grassle is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the New Jersey Academy of Sciences, the American Society of Naturalists, the Estuarine Research Federation, the National Association of Marine Laboratories and the Oceanography Society, to name a few. He also served as Past President of the International Association of Biological Oceanographers. Madam Speaker, Dr. Grassle's infectious enthusiasm and abiding loyalty to our coastal regions are only surpassed by his genuine desire to embrace and enhance the community around him. As he celebrates his time with Rutgers University, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for Dr. Grassle's leadership, commitment, and service.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price).

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee. (Mr. LEWIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), a great member of our committee.

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Chairman, we have no further speakers at this time, and I am prepared to yield back. I do yield back.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I am in very, very strong support of this amendment. The Future Combat System is a system that leverages technology in a way that it will help us in the future a great deal. This system has been underdevelopment for quite some years, and for the last 3 years in a row, not counting this year, for the last 3 years in a row, there have been significant cuts made to the program. This year, as Mr. Akin correctly pointed out, is the year where we get out the yardstick and say how much progress have we made? Do we want to continue the system or do we want to cancel it? A $233 million cut to this program this year to me seems to be very unwise because this is the yardstick year. This is the year where we make the decision, based on the progress that we have been able to measure, whether the program goes forward or is modified or is cancelled. And so I believe that this amendment should be one we all support.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Republican Earmark Guidance, I am including the following requests, which are authorized in H.R. 5658: Project: Ballistic Missile Defense--Aegis. Account: Research, Development, and Testing and Evaluation Ballistic Missile Defense Aegis. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lockheed Martin. Address of Requesting Entity: 199 Borten Landing Rd, Moorestown, NJ 08057. Description of Request: Ballistic Missile Defense Aegis system provides resources to close the capability gap between current Sea Based BMD capabilities and the emergent BMD threats. Project: Vehicle Common Armor Manufacturing Process (VCAMP). Account: Army Research, Development, and Testing and Evaluation End Item Industrial Preparedness Activities. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: SMH International, LLC. Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Technology Way, Suite 210, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. Description of Request: Vehicle Common Armor Manufacturing Process develops a common armor manufacturing process for force protection aimed at enhancing soldier survivability by reducing vehicle weight and speeding production. Project: Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System (BAIS). Account: Army Procurement Physical Security. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: L-3 Communications. Address of Requesting Entity: 1 Federal Street, Camden, NJ 08103. Description of Request: Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System detects and classifies intruding personnel, wheeled, and tracked vehicles for forward intelligence collection or perimeter self-protection. Project: Software Lifecylce Affordability Management (SLAM), Phase II. Account: Army Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Advanced Tactical Computer Science and Sensor Technology. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: PRICE Systems, LLC. Address of Requesting Entity: 17000 Commerce Parkway Suite A, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. Description of Request: Software Lifecycle Affordability Phase II model enables the Army to determine which software lifecycle strategies design realizes the greatest number of capabilities at the lowest cost, following the best schedule. Project: Advanced Propulsion Non-Tactical Vehicle (APNTV). Account: Air Force Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation Pollution Prevention. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: General Motors. Address of Requesting Entity: 100-400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI 48226. Description of Request: Advanced Propulsion Non-Tactical Vehicle will reduce the Air Force's dependence on foreign fossil fuel sources and provide an operational learning/execution roadmap for the eventual use of these technologies in the overall mission of the Air Force. An Air Force demonstration of two Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell electric vehicles at McGuire AFB will take place to include vehicle service, maintenance, spare parts, technician support and program management. The demonstration will also include the installation of a hydrogen refueling station at McGuire AFB. Project: Large Diameter Precision Aspheric Glass Molding. Account: Army Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Weapons and Munitions Advanced Technology. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Edmond Optics, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 101 E. Cloucester Pike, Barrington, NJ 08007. Description of Request: Large Diameter Precision Aspheric Glass Modeling technology is key in developing a secure US manufacturing base for low-cost precision aspheric optics, thus eliminating the current dependence of the DOD on foreign sourced products. Project: Virtual Interactive Combat Environment (VICE). Account: Army Procurement Training Devices. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Dynamic Animation Systems. Address of Requesting Entity: 12015 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22033. Description of Request: Virtual Interactive Combat Environment (VICE) provides a virtual environment within which small combat teams can be trained in current rules of engagement and tactics, techniques, and procedures. Six squad configurations of VICE will be procured for the NJ National Guard Joint Training and Training Development Center at Ft. Dix, which will improve the training for New Jersey Guardsmen and Reservists, as well as those from other States, mobilizing at Fort Dix and preparing to deploy into combat. Project: Dismounted Soldier Millimeter Wave BTD RF Tag. Account: Army Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Sensors and Electronic Survivability. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sierra Monolithics. Address of Requesting Entity: 103 W. Torrance Bldv, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Description of Request: Dismounted Soldier Millimeter Wave Tag, will significantly decrease fratricide deaths and add to battlefield awareness by allowing the dismounted soldier to interoperate with the deployed system. Project: Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense. Account: Defense Wide Research, Development, and Testing and Evaluation Ballistic Missile Defense Terminal Defense Segment. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd Address of Requesting Entity: 6903 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 Description of Request: Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense is a joint Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) program to develop and deploy a cost-effective, broad-area defense for the State of Israel against short range ballistic missiles, large caliber rockets, and cruise missiles. Project: Unified Security Forces Operations Facility, McGuire, AFB. Account: Defense Wide Military Construction. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: McGuire Air Force Base. Address of Requesting Entity: McGuire Air Force Base, NJ. Description of Request: Unified Security Forces Operations Facility, McGuire Air Force Base, Fort McGuire, NJ. The facility is intended for joint use and will consolidate all security operations command and control at the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base. Project: Modification of Authorization for Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Harbor Inlet, NJ project to address handling of military munitions. Account: Defense Operations and Maintenance, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Address of Requesting Entity: 100 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Description of Request: Modifies the authorization for the Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Harbor Inlet, NJ project to address the handling of military munitions placed on the beach during construction at Federal expense.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. I want to thank Mr. Hunter for yielding time. Mr. Chairman, there has been a lot said here tonight about bipartisanship and working together, and it's absolutely been a fantastic experience for the last 2 years we've worked under the leadership of our good friend, Ike Skelton. I might say that one of the reasons that this bipartisanship works so well is very simply because we're all friends. We're friends in the committee, we're friends in the hallway, we're friends in our offices, and we are friends here on the floor, and we're friends when we're not in session. And so we appreciate the opportunity to be here tonight on the floor in that spirit. I might also thank my good friend from California (Mr. Hunter) for the kind remarks that he offered with regard to my service. But I want to say something, too, about Mr. Hunter, because for the last several years before Ike Skelton, Mr. Hunter was our chairman, and now he's our ranking member. Following in the footsteps of Floyd Spence and Bob Stump, Duncan Hunter picked up the job of being chairman and continued to set the tone for the bipartisanship that is a hallmark of the Armed Services Committee. Perhaps as only Ronald Reagan could have said it years ago when I first came to Congress, he said, You know, a lot of things are important around here, but there is nothing that's more important, maybe there are some things that are as important, but nothing is more important than our national security. And the bipartisanship with which the Armed Services Committee, under the leadership of both Mr. Skelton and Mr. Hunter and their predecessors, has approached this issue is very, very important. I would like to thank the gentleman for the great job that he's done, as well as my friend, Ike Skelton. Force protection is a very important element of this bill. We know that force protection has changed a great deal because of the threat that we face in Iraq and Afghanistan of an conventional nature. In this bill we upgraded the funding available for the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected Vehicle, the MRAP. We have $947 million to upgrade the armor on Humvees, and $2.2 million for the Abrams tank upgrades, the Bradley fighting vehicle, as well as the Stryker. And so we once again put our soldiers first and are providing the protection for them that they need. One of my pet projects in the years that I have been on the committee has been the moving forward of the C-17, and here again, we've got funding or we've got authorization here for 15 additional C-17s, and hopefully we will continue to move forward with that. There is one area that I have a concern about in this bill, but it's a whole lot better than it could have been when it started. Our great friend, Neil Abercrombie, compromised with us on the Future Combat System. While it's important to provide force protection for today's Army, it's also important to get ready for tomorrow's Army. And while the Air Force, as well as the Marine Corps, as Mr. Hunter pointed out, adopted a revolutionary system known as the V-22, which is a fixed-wing aircraft. It can take off vertically and can fly twice as fast as a helicopter. That was revolutionary. In the Air Force, we have revolutionary systems, the F-22, the Joint Strike Fighter, which are revolutionary because they can do things that we never dreamed that we could do before. The Army has been an evolutionary developer, and the FCS, the Future Combat System, is the first, in my time here, revolutionary system adopted by the Army. We cut the funding for the Future Combat System by $233 million. I think that's a mistake. This is a big year for the FCS, and in my view, we should have funded it altogether. $3.6 billion is a lot of money. That's the total authorization for the FCS this year. A 5 or 10 percent cut may not seem much, but this is the make-it- or-break-it year. This is the year we study the progress we've made with FCS and decide whether to go forward with it or not. A bad year to make a cut in my estimation. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate very much the opportunity to be here tonight under these circumstances. This is a good bill. I am certainly going to support it, and as Mr. Hunter suggested, this should be a unanimous vote, and I urge the House to make it so.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Exercise Tiger Association, a National Commemorative Foundation. The Association bears the name of a little known World War II naval battle which claimed the lives of several hundred American servicemen. ``Exercise Tiger'' was originally a practice operation, preparing for the upcoming D-Day invasion. On the morning of April 28th, 1944, German submarines stumbled upon the operation, proceeding to torpedo the mostly defenseless landing ships. Three of the landing ship tanks were sunk and 749 servicemen lost their lives. The Exercise Tiger Association goes to great lengths to commemorate this engagement and honor the memory of the servicemen who lost their lives that day. The Association has a wreath tribute and ceremony each year. The annual ceremony recently became a national tribute, when wreaths were dropped simultaneously into both the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, honoring veterans nationwide. Under the leadership of Walter Domanski, the National Director, this organization has also awarded veterans, servicemen, and other noteworthy individuals with numerous accolades, honoring service and sacrifice to our country. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Walter Domanski and the Exercise Tiger Association for honoring our Nation's brave men and women of the Armed Forces and for providing the opportunity to embrace the memory of the lives lost on that day in 1944.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Committeeman Kenneth E. Street. On May 13, 2008, Mr. Street will be celebrated for his contributions as a member of the Hainesport Township Committee as he retires after more than forty years of faithful service to the citizens of South Jersey. Kenneth has dedicated his life to serving the residents of Hainesport Township. First elected to the township committee in 1950, Kenneth was then appointed mayor in 1953. He served in that position for an impressive twenty-one years. During his time as an elected official, his contributions helped to shape the township into what it is today. Most notably, he worked on developing the township's zoning and property maintenance, as well as the master plan. In addition to his responsibilities within Hainesport, Kenneth became involved in the League of Municipalities, a statewide organization dedicated to the cooperation of neighboring communities. He served as the league's president, along with various other positions, and remains active in the group today. Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for his leadership, commitment, and service as Kenneth celebrates his retirement.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman from Illinois for his kind remarks and great description, I might add, of the bill. Madam Speaker, I obviously rise in strong support of H.R. 1834 and am very pleased that it's here under this bipartisan arrangement. It authorizes both the Ocean Exploration and National Undersea Research Programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, about 95 percent of the ocean floor remains unexplored. This vast area teems with undiscovered species and natural and cultural resources. On virtually every expedition, oceanographers and explorers make fascinating new discoveries. Hydrothermal vents in the Pacific, numerous new species, and important archeological sites are but a few of the important discoveries made in the past 30 years. Consequently, the report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation should lead and expand our national ocean exploration and undersea research programs. I am proud to be the sponsor of H.R. 1834. I'm proud that it's a bipartisan piece of legislation, and I'm proud that it promotes implementation of the commission's recommendations. This bill authorizes two important programs: the Ocean Exploration Program as well as the National Undersea Research Program, also known as NURP. The Ocean Exploration Program was created to investigate the oceans for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge. It is the NOAA program established to, first, explore and map the oceans unknown and poorly known living and nonliving resources and, second, to gain new insights about its physical, chemical, biological, and archeological characteristics. Title I of the bill, the National Ocean Exploration Program Act, will create better coordination between NOAA and the National Science Foundation. The purposes of the act are to expand the ocean exploration to discover new marine substances that potentially have therapeutic benefits; to study the unique marine ecosystems, organisms, and the geology of the world's oceans; and to maximize ocean research effectiveness by integrating multiple scientific disciplines in the ocean science community. A new element created by the legislation is an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. The National Undersea Research Program is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. As the Federal agency responsible for managing living marine and coastal organisms, NOAA requires a presence beneath the sea and the Great Lakes to better understand the systems under its management. NURP provides NOAA with the unique capability to access the undersea environment. NURP also provides scientists with the tools and expertise they need to investigate the undersea environment, including submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, mixed gas diving gear, underwater laboratories and observatories. Title II of the bill, the National Undersea Research Program Act of 2007, formally authorizes the National Undersea Research Program for the first time, and we're very proud of this. The legislation creates a competitive process for the extramural undersea research centers to encourage the very best undersea research program for the United States. Both of these programs authorized in this legislation are core to the mission of NOAA. I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation. Mr. Speaker, some years ago as I was working to have a subcommittee on the Armed Services Committee established on terrorism, I was making the rounds among my party's leadership. I made the case about why I thought we needed, and of course this was before 9/11, a subcommittee on terrorism. And I will never forget, one of my good friends told me that he thought, he said, Jim, he said, I think you and your friends see a terrorist behind every bush. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that the Democratic majority leadership has adopted that same frame of reference. There is not a terrorist behind every bush, but they present a clear and present danger. We were told so as late as today by representatives of the Intelligence Committee. Passing a 21-day extension simply continues the uncertainty in the intelligence community, the uncertainty in the telecommunications community, and uncertainty among the American public itself. Just yesterday, as it has been said here several times, the Senate approved a comprehensive, long-term, bipartisan bill by a vote of 68-29 to close the terrorist loophole in our intelligence laws. Their bill represents a compromise between Congress and the administration. It rightly restores the original intent of the FISA by ensuring that intelligence officials can conduct surveillance on foreign targets without a court order while still protecting the civil liberties of the American people. It also grants liability protection to telecommunications companies that helped the government after September 11. Allowing these companies to be subjected to frivolous lawsuits threatens their future cooperation, which could cripple America's counterterrorism efforts. The Senate bill is a responsible plan for protecting our Nation against terrorist threats. Many times the Senate sends bills over here and they are very shortly passed by the House. The House must act quickly on the Senate's bill, as well, and send it to the President so he can sign it. Failing to do so is effectively failing to protect our country and American citizens. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 5349 and instead immediately pass the Senate's version of the bill so we can send this important bill to the President. There may not be, Mr. Speaker, a terrorist behind every bush, but they, today, present a clear and present danger.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this 21-day extension to FISA. If Congress does not act this week, critical tools that allow our intelligence officials to monitor terrorist communications overseas will expire. We not let that happen! As we all know, yesterday, the Senate approved a comprehensive, long term, bipartisan bill by a vote of 68-29 to close the terrorist loophole in our intelligence laws. Their bill represents a strong compromise between Congress and the Administration. It is a responsible plan for protecting our nation against the threats of terrorism. The intelligence community needs a long-term fix to gaps in our intelligence laws--not a 21-day delay. After 7 months of stalling and a 15-day extension, passage of another short-term extension is irresponsible, when we have a long-term solution ready to be voted on. The Senate has passed a strong, bipartisan bill. The House must now act quickly to pass the Senate's bill and send it to the President. Failing to do so is effectively failing to protect our country. I urge my colleagues to vote against this extension, and instead immediately pass the Senate's version of the bill so we can send this important bill to the President. The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows: Amendment to H. Res. 976 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington (1) Strike ``That upon the adoption of this resolution it'' and insert the following: ``That upon adoption of this resolution, before consideration of any order of business other than one motion that the House adjourn, the bill (H.R. 3773) to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes, with Senate amendment thereto, shall be considered to have been taken from the Speaker's table. A motion that the House concur in the Senate amendment shall be considered as pending in the House without intervention of any point of order. The Senate amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The motion shall be debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their designees. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to final adoption without intervening motion. ``Sec. 2. It''. (2) Redesignate section 2 as section 3. (The information contained herein was provided by Democratic Minority on multiple occasions throughout the 109th Congress.) The Vote on the Previous Question: What It Really Means This vote, the vote on whether to order the previous question on a special rule, is not merely a procedural vote. A vote against ordering the previous question is a vote against the Democratic majority agenda and a vote to allow the opposition, at least for the moment, to offer an alternative plan. It is a vote about what the House should be debating. Mr. Clarence Cannon's Precedents of the House of Representatives, (VI, 308-311) describes the vote on the previous question on the rule as ``a motion to direct or control the consideration of the subject before the House being made by the Member in charge.'' To defeat the previous question is to give the opposition a chance to decide the subject before the House. Cannon cites the Speaker's ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that ``the refusal of the House to sustain the demand for the previous question passes the control of the resolution to the opposition'' in order to offer an amendment. On March 15, 1909, a member of the majority party offered a rule resolution. The House defeated the previous question and a member of the opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, asking who was entitled to recognition. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: ``The previous question having been refused, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitzgerald, who had asked the gentleman to yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to the first recognition.'' Because the vote today may look bad for the Democratic majority they will say ``the vote on the previous question is simply a vote on whether to proceed to an immediate vote on adopting the resolution. . . . [and] has no substantive legislative or policy implications whatsoever.'' But that is not what they have always said. Listen to the definition of the previous question used in the Floor Procedures Manual published by the Rules Committee in the 109th Congress, (page 56). Here's how the Rules Committee described the rule using information from Congressional Quarterly's ``American Congressional Dictionary'': ``If the previous question is defeated, control of debate shifts to the leading opposition member (usually the minority Floor Manager) who then manages an hour of debate and may offer a germane amendment to the pending business.'' Deschler's Procedure in the U.S. House of Representatives, the subchapter titled ``Amending Special Rules'' states: ``a refusal to order the previous question on such a rule [a special rule reported from the Committee on Rules] opens the resolution to amendment and further debate.'' (Chapter 21, section 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: Upon rejection of the motion for the previous question on a resolution reported from the Committee on Rules, control shifts to the Member leading the opposition to the previous question, who may offer a proper amendment or motion and who controls the time for debate thereon.'' Clearly, the vote on the previous question on a rule does have substantive policy implications. It is one of the only available tools for those who oppose the Democratic majority's agenda and allows those with alternative views the opportunity to offer an alternative plan.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Larry Chatzidakis. On February 21, 2008, Mr. Chatzidakis will be celebrated for his contributions to Burlington County at the Burlington County Republican Committee and Burlington County Republican Women's Annual Lincoln Day Dinner. Since 1985, Larry Chatzidakis has represented the best interests of Burlington County residents. He was first elected to the Mount Laurel Township Council and remained until 2000. Proving a valuable asset to the community, Larry was re-elected mayor four times and spearheaded numerous projects during his tenure. Residents may remember him most for his role in the construction of Laurel Acres Park. It has become a natural choice for Mount Laurel residents looking for recreation, with its many exercise trails, playground equipment, and sledding hill. Most recently, a veteran's memorial was added to the site to honor those who have served in our Armed Forces. In addition to his mayoral duties, Larry was elected to the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1995. From 1997-2008, Larry represented the 8th District as a member of the New Jersey State Assembly. He continued to offer his talents in the Assembly as a member of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and as vice-chair of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Committee. As a conscientious elected public official, Larry took the concerns of his constituents to heart as he became a member of the Commission to Deter Criminal Activity and a member of the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee. No stranger to the community at large, Larry served on the board of the Burlington County Red Cross and was also chairman of the Burlington County Boy Scouts Mahalala District. He is also a member of the Mount Laurel Rotary Club for 17 years and served one term as president. Madam Speaker and colleagues, it gives me great honor to recognize Larry Chatzidakis for his tremendous efforts and devotion to his community. I and the people of New Jersey are greatly appreciative of him and sincerely thank him for all of his dedication.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Martha Bark. On February 21, 2008, Mrs. Bark will be celebrated for her contributions to southern New Jersey at the Burlington County Republican Committee and Burlington County Republican Women's Annual Lincoln Day Dinner. Martha Bark has dedicated a lifetime of service to our communities. A resident of Medford for over 40 years, Martha served on the township school board for 10 years and the township committee for 7 years. She was also appointed mayor and served two full terms. Furthering her interest in serving the broad community, Martha was elected to the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1984. Given her background in education and community preservation, she became the chairperson of the Water Quality Management Board and worked on several additional committees aimed at increasing open space. Martha served four consecutive terms and was appointed freeholder director for 2 years. After her tenure as a freeholder, Martha went on to become a member of the New Jersey State Assembly for 2 years and finally, a member of the New Jersey State Senate in 1997. As a senator, she served on the Transportation and Economic Growth, Tourism, and Agricultural Committee, where she was elected chairperson. As a former business owner, it was natural for Martha to become a member of the Senate Community & Urban Affairs Committee and also a member of the Senate Budget Committee. Outside public office, Martha has volunteered her time to various organizations. She was a member of the Burlington County Farmland Preservation Advisory Board and the Burlington County Open Space Advisory Board. Martha also sat on the Burlington County Family Services Board and was a member of the HB Industrial Village Conservancy Board of Trustees. Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for her leadership, commitment, and service to the public.

Mr. SAXTON

Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Vincent Farias. On February 21, 2008 Mr. Farias will be celebrated for his contributions to Burlington County at the Burlington County Republican Committee and Burlington County Republican Women's Annual Lincoln Day Dinner. Perhaps one of the most gregarious and enthusiastic Edgewater Park residents, Vince Farias was always a proponent of action leading to results. A veteran schoolteacher, banker, and small business owner, Vincent served 6 years on the Edgewater Park Township Committee and as mayor in 1987 and 1991. After first filling a vacant freeholder seat in 1991, Vince went on to serve 5 terms as a member of the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders. During that time, Vince was an advocate for the county's open space preservation work and redevelopment plans. One of his most notable projects included the creation and implementation of the NJ Transit Riverline Light Rail system, which made its debut in 2004. Since then, it has had a positive ripple effect on surrounding businesses and residential communities along the Delaware River. Vince was also instrumental in creating the county's Veterans Military Service Medal. Through this project, several military assistance programs have been developed to help aid our area veterans. In addition, Vince worked with the South Jersey Freeholder's Association and the New Jersey Association of Counties, where he served as president in 2002. Vince has also worked with the American Red Cross and the March of Dimes. Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for his leadership, commitment, and service to the public.

Mr. SAXTON

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