Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from California, my friend, Congresswoman Matsui, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for purposes of debate only. This structured rule provides 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. It waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. It provides that the amendments printed in the report may be offered only in the order printed in the report and offered only by a Member designated in the report. They shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report, equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. These amendments shall not be subject to amendment and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. Finally, the rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report, and, as always, it provides the minority with one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying legislation brought to the floor from the Financial Services Committee under the leadership of Coach Mike Oxley and Chairman Richard Baker. Yesterday evening, despite inclement weather, the Rules Committee met and took testimony from Members regarding their thoughts on how to improve this legislation. The committee determined that many of these amendments should be considered and made two-thirds of those amendments submitted to the committee in order, including seven Democrat and bipartisan amendments. This legislation follows upon sensible reforms of the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, which also sought to update and modernize the National Flood Insurance Program. Although this previous effort at reforming the program was well intended, a number of provisions included in the 2004 act have yet to be implemented. Also, this earlier effort is currently incomplete because it was passed by Congress before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the gulf coast and, therefore, did not incorporate the lessons learned from these storms and how best to administer the NFIP. The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act makes a number of commonsense changes to current law. Among other things, it does the following: it requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study the effects of extending the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements to all properties located in flood hazard areas and report back to Congress within 6 months on the findings. It increases the fine levied against federally regulated lending institutions for each failure to require mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements to $2,000 and increases the total cap on fines for institutions to $1 million. It reiterates FEMA's responsibilities to implement provisions of the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 and directs FEMA to continue to work with the insurance industry, State insurance regulators and other interested parties to implement the minimum training and education standards for all insurance agents who sell flood insurance policies, and mandates that FEMA submit a report to Congress on implementation of these provisions. It directs FEMA to maintain and periodically publish an inventory of levees located in the United States so that these levees can be identified for National Flood Insurance Programs. In addition to improving and reforming this program, this legislation also ensures that taxpayers are protected, including provisions to establish that nonresidential properties and nonprimary residences will be charged actuarial instead of subsidized rates. It increases the NFIP's borrowing authority to $25 billion, but also a requirement that FEMA submit a report to Congress on how it intends to repay funds borrowed under this increased authority. It requires a semiannual report by FEMA to Congress on the financial status of the National Flood Insurance Program. It extends the current pilot program for mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties, which is set to expire September 30, 2009, to 2011. Madam Speaker, I would like to commend Chairman Oxley and Chairman Baker for their hard work on this legislation. Listening to people, learning from the mistakes of the past and also from the impact of these devastating hurricanes has meant that we will continue our efforts to protect homeowners, taxpayers, while ensuring that a viable market for flood insurance continues to operate effectively and efficiently in the United States. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time, I yield such time as she chooses to consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown- Waite).

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, as you have heard today on the floor, this rule is fair; it is balanced. It is not an exception; it is a rule. And I appreciate the kind comments that have been made by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle about underlying legislation which will help improve the national flood insurance program. I want to thank Chairman Richard Baker from Louisiana and Chairman Mike Oxley from Ohio for their strong leadership on behalf of this great bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Army First Lieutenant Ryan T. Sanders, an American hero who gave his life in defense of liberty and freedom. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might know freedom, and I am humbled by his bravery and selflessness. First Lieutenant Ryan Sanders was killed on June 11, 2006 while conducting combat operations when a roadside bomb exploded near his Abrams tank in Baghdad, Iraq. He was 27 years old. First Lieutenant Sanders was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. In keeping with Eagle Scout tradition, he placed the safety and well being of others above his own. His family is dedicated to American ideals of freedom and democracy as he is the third of four sons to serve in the Persian Gulf region. First Lieutenant Sanders is survived by his wife, Jennifer Sanders; his parents, Jim and Kay Sanders of Richardson; his brothers, Mike, Jeff, and Greg Sanders; and his grandparents, Truett and Joyce Sanders of San Angelo. I extend my deepest condolences to each of them. First Lieutenant Sanders leaves behind a legacy marked by courage, integrity and character. May God bless and comfort all those he loved, and may they know the gratitude of the American people.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Melancon and I rise today to honor the 45th Annual YMCA Youth Governor's Conference that begins in Washington, DC this weekend. We are pleased to have the distinct honor of being the Congressional sponsors for the Youth Governor's breakfast with our fellow colleagues in the House. The YMCA Youth Governor's Conference brings together some of the most outstanding youth leaders in America. YMCA Youth and Government is a nation-wide program that allows thousands of teenagers to simulate state and national government. Mr. Speaker, we would like to personally recognize each of this year's YMCA Youth Governors for their dedication and service to America's youth. Michael Dan Admire of Texas, Julia Catherine Love of Louisiana, Neil Karamchandani of South Carolina, Brian Daniel Tinsman of Delaware, Robert Charles Adler of Minnesota, Charles Edward Strickland of Alabama, Michael Elliot Hughes of Arizona, Ian David Bruce of California, Matthew Paul Cavedon of Connecticut, Rebekah Lydia Hammond of Florida, Jerald Jake Landress of Georgia, Jordyn Suet Ha Toba of Hawaii, Thomas Naaliiolani Toyozaki, Jr. also of Hawaii, Capri H. Savage of Idaho, David Williams Simnick of Illinois, Martin Iran Turman, Jr. of Indiana, Preston Scott Bates of Kentucky, Seth D. Dixon also of Kentucky, Benjamin David Goodman of Maine, Jonathan M. Brookstone of Maryland, Zachary Ryan Davis of Massachusetts, Lauren Brenda Gabriell Hollier of Michigan, Marvin Anthony Liddell also of Michigan, Christine C. DiLisio of Missouri, Vernon Telford Smith IV of Montana, Victoria Elizabeth Gilbert of the Model United Nations program, Eoghan Emmet Kelley of New Hampshire, Danielle C. Desaulniers of New Jersey, Juan Carlo Sanchez of New Mexico, Michael J. Couzens of New York, Edgar Turner Vaughn of North Carolina, Kenneth Robert Hines of Oklahoma, Jerrod Engelberg of Oregon, Emily Claire Pramik of Pennsylvania, Allison M. Dove of Tennessee, Joshua Ray Lambert of Virginia, Morrie S. Low of Washington, Rochelle Mincey-Thompson of the District of Columbia, Max Joseph Balhorn of Wisconsin. We wish all of the 2006 YMCA Youth Governors a very successful conference here in Washington, and we encourage them to continue their sincere devotion to leadership and public' service in this and their future endeavors.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bob Duvall for his contributions to technology advancements in the defense industry. As an expert engineer with Hughes Aircraft and as Vice President of Advanced Technology at DRS Technologies, Mr. Duvall made a lasting impact on defense technology and military members. Bob passed away on May 24, 2006. He was 61. Bob Duvall was born in Cheverly, Maryland on October 8, 1944 and grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. His father was an electrical engineer for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, and he inspired Bob in his career as an engineer. In 1967, Mr. Duvall graduated from Cornell University with a degree in electrical engineering and subsequently went to work with Hughes Aircraft Company in California, where his technical expertise expanded to include circuit design, optics, infrared technology, optoelectronics and systems integration. Bob furthered his education with a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California in 1975. Bob's early contributions and developments during his more than 20 years with Hughes Aircraft led to innovation in Naval and Air Force laser pointing and tracking technology that today is considered a step forward to a high energy laser system for ballistic missile defense systems. Following the first gulf war, our military leaders recognized Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) as a key combat overmatch capability for our mounted and dismounted troops. In response, Bob Duvall was the lead for Hughes Aircraft in partnership with Texas Instruments to develop this next generation of night vision systems using thermal sensors. The Army's Second Generation FLIR involves the insertion of a common second-generation thermal sensor, known as the B-Kit into the Army's highest priority ground-based platforms. These systems have played an important role in our efforts to fight the Global War on Terrorism. Because of Mr. Duvall, these systems have been fielded with the capability to see when the enemy can not and to fight during conditions that are obscured by weather or time of day. Our troops now enter into battle with the decisive ability to ``Own the Night'' and precisely target and defeat the threat. Because of his efforts and expertise, Mr. Duvall contributed directly to saving many lives and avoiding great loss. Bob Duvall was unequaled not only as an Engineer, but as a friend-- full of good humor, a wonderful storyteller with an infectious laugh, a patient listener, and a willing contributor to others in need. Bob Duvall's family was his greatest joy and he is survived by his wife Shirley and his two children, Mark and Michelle. He will be sorely missed by his loved ones, his colleagues, and others who benefited from his contribution.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my fellow Texan and good friend, Chief of Staff of the Air Force GEN T. Michael ``Buzz'' Moseley, who received the high honor of being knighted during a ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington, DC on May 30. General Moseley was awarded the honorary knighthood due to his contributions to British-American relations during his tour of duty as the commander of the air war over Afghanistan and Iraq. In addition to being the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Moseley can now add the honorary title of ``Knight Commander of the British Empire'' to an already impressive service record. General Moseley becomes the next in a long line of some of our Nation's most impressive leaders and skilled military commanders to be so highly honored by our British allies including President Ronald Reagan, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, GEN Jimmy Doolittle, GEN Carl Spaatz, GEN Tommy Franks, and Secretary of State Colin Powell. I congratulate my friend General Moseley on his knighthood, and thank him for his outstanding service in leading the United States Air Force in its continuing operations in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Rules Committee from California for her words. I do understand that many people on her side of the aisle want to spend more money. That is a natural tendency: spend more money. Make sure my district is protected. Give money to me. Make sure all of these things are taken care of back home. And I share that same concern. I share that concern because we really do see need around our community. However, with that said, there had to be decisions made that were on a priority basis. And we have learned a lot over the last few years about where the threats are and how money can and must be spent more efficiently and effectively. I want the gentlewoman to know that I do believe that her attempts to secure money for her first responders are big needs back where she is from, but there are 435 of us who see it that same way also about the needs of our districts. And that is why this committee has worked very carefully with the authorizing committee to make sure that the money that we spend is on a need basis based upon the threats of this country. So I admire the gentlewoman, Ms. Matsui, for her comments. I want her to know that it is a continuing process, and we will learn things as we move forward, and this bill is necessary for us to prioritize. That is what the Republican majority needed to do in this bill, and that is what we have done. And then along the way we have said ``no'' to a lot of our own Members also based upon the priority that is necessary to ensure the security and the safety of the entire Nation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I do appreciate and respect the gentleman who will be retiring this year, Mr. Sabo, who appeared in the Rules Committee yesterday to provide not only feedback related to this bill and his thoughts and ideas but also to recommend additional points of consideration. The gentleman has once again appeared on the floor of the House. The gentleman is aware that this would be the equivalent of legislating on appropriations. And thus the gentleman, Mr. King, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, has sent a letter to Chairman Dreier, the chairman of the Rules Committee, indicating that he preferred that this section 536 not be included within the rule or protected as a result of the committee deciding that it will have comprehensive hearings on this matter to develop legislation rather than what Mr. Sabo's legislation tends to do, but rather comprehensive, overall way to look at these high-security risks as it relates to these facilities. Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC, May 23, 2006. Hon. David Dreier, Chairman, Committee on Rules, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Dreier: The Committee on Appropriations recently ordered H.R. 5441, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007, reported to the House. This measure contains a number of provisions that violate House rule XXI, clause 2, which prohibits legislation in a general appropriation bill. Included below is an explanation of a legislative provision within the primary jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security that appears in the Bill, and I respectfully request that you not protect this provision from points of order on the Floor. Section 536 (page 62, lines 1-17), adopted as an amendment offered by Congressman Martin Sabo at Full Committee markup, requires the Department of Homeland Security to issue security requirements for chemical facilities that the Department deems to have the highest risk within six months of enactment of the bill. The Committee on Homeland Security is actively engaged in developing comprehensive legislation to address the issue of chemical site security, and the Sabo Amendment would undermine the Committee's efforts to provide common-sense, risk-based solutions to this problem. If you have questions regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Peter T. King, Chairman. Madam Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), the vice chairman of the Republican Conference.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, we reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I respect and appreciate the gentleman from Wisconsin for coming to the floor. Just as he did yesterday in the Rules Committee, he asked for us to spend more money, told us about priorities that were not funded properly, wants to get the money by raising taxes, wants to make sure that we know that the priorities should be done differently, and that I respect. It is no surprise to anybody that the Democrat party sees things differently than we do about how you focus on the priorities of this Nation to ensure our security and our safety. I am worried about their plan. I have worried about their plan because I know that what they want to do is raise taxes. I know what they want to do; they want to spend more money. Yet, I have only been in this House for some 10 years, and I remember, year after year after year, all they did was take money from the Border Patrol. Year after year after year, they took money from the CIA. Year after year after year, they took money out of the military. Then, all of a sudden, there are problems; they want to know, golly, why can we not get more money to fund the priorities of this Nation? We are trying to balance what we are doing. I will confess to you that I am not as happy about how much money we are spending or not spending also, but we are trying to move things through on a process basis. That is where Hal Rogers and Pete King, the chairmen of these Republican committees, are doing a good job to balance that money that is available within the parameters of the budget assignment that has been given to this Congress. So we are going to keep doing it, and we are going to keep struggling, and I thank the gentleman for coming forward. I hope he comes forward with all the spending bills, and I would be disappointed if he did not disagree with us. But I think the answer every time just about, spending more money and raising taxes in this country is not the answer but, rather, a priority basis where we are trying to aim at the threat against this country where homeland security is, and I think this is a balanced bill and I am proud of what we are doing. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, this Congress I think has done a great job under the leadership of not only Hal Rogers but also Chairman Peter King in making sure that we are involved in a collaborative effort with the administration. There have been a number of things that we have seen differently than the administration, but there are a huge number of areas that we have worked together with this administration. I am very proud of the leadership of this House on a bipartisan basis to address the issues, whether it is dealing with ports, whether it is dealing with our borders, or whether it is dealing with the individual processes that take place in trying to make sure that this Department runs on a better basis. It is a big task that was undertaken by Homeland Security. It was a big task undertaken a couple of years ago. We know, all of us Members of Congress, that not everything has gone right. That is why we are doing this bill today. We are trying to make sure that we are addressing those things which have not worked as well, but we are also perhaps more importantly trying to put things into a perspective of funding those activities that we think that are important, providing the necessary money but with a strong sense of oversight to make sure this administration understands that while we are giving this money to them on behalf of the taxpayer, they accept it knowing that they have a duty and a responsibility, that we have a collaborative effort. So I am proud of our oversight. I am proud of the things we are doing and working on a bipartisan basis on homeland security, and I am proud of what this bill is all about. A prime example I will give you is a man, Mike Conaway from Midland, Texas. Congressman Conaway has within his congressional district something I spoke about earlier, CBP Air, Customs and Border Protection Air. They are responsible for air interdiction programs. Congressman Conaway has been intimately involved in working with them to make sure that they have the necessary resources for looking over the horizon of those planes and other activities that may be associated with drugs coming into this country. He has taken it by himself as a lead because it was an area within his congressional district, to make sure that he listened to the men and women, to pat them on the back in San Angelo, Texas, for the hard work they have done, to make sure the coordination and talking with them about the expectation of this Congress and the American people was done. So I am pleased and can stand here before you today, Madam Speaker, to say this bill is important. This bill is a collaborative effort. This bill is bipartisan. This bill is something that many, many Members have had a huge part of working on and making sure that we are doing those things that prepare this country and continue to keep us prepared. But more importantly, we have had to put them in a priority basis. That is what this document is all about. We will continue to work with this administration to make sure that homeland security is something that works for the security of this country. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman, my friend from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time is yielded for the purpose of debate only. Madam Speaker, the resolution before us today is a fair and completely open rule that provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. It waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and provides under the rules of the House that the bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI, except as specified in the resolution. It authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, as always, the rule provides the minority with one motion to recommit the legislation with or without instructions. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. This bill sponsored by my friend from Kentucky, the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Mr. Rogers, provides the funding needed to help secure our Nation's borders and revitalize immigration enforcement, enhance port security, support our first responders and empower them to effectively deal with disasters while also providing the fiscal discipline and oversight needed to ensure the Department is accomplishing its mission as effectively and efficiently as possible. This legislation provides for a total of over $32 billion for the critical domestic and defense activities of the Department of Homeland Security. This funding is balanced along with an array of Federal programs that will ensure our Nation against terrorist attacks, including critical antiterrorism and border security activities, as well as emerging threats like nuclear detection and enhanced port container and cargo security. This legislation provides nearly $20 billion for immigration enforcement and border security, including over $2.3 billion for border security, which will add 1,200 new Border Patrol agents for a total of 13,500 agents authorized as overall agents. Over $4 billion for immigration and customs enforcement, which will add 1,212 new officers for a total of 11,500 overall agents. And $115 million for border security technology and tactical infrastructure. Additionally, this bill allocates increased funding for Customs and Border Patrol air interdiction operations, maintenance and procurement. Last year the Department consolidated the Office of Border Patrol Air and Marine Assets with the Office of Air and Marine Operations in the newly formed CBP Air. In 2004 and again last year, in 2005, I visited San Angelo, Texas, to witness firsthand how our air assets were being used to secure our southern borders and to prevent illegal drugs from entering this country. Since then, I have strongly supported the balanced multimission AMO strategy of pushing out the border to combat illegal immigration, narcotics trafficking and smuggling of other illegal cargoes. I believe that a vigorous coordinated Department of Homeland Security air program is essential to our national security, and I continue to work closely with our Members, including Marcia Blackburn, Chairman Rogers, Chairman Peter King, Chairman Mark Souder, John Sweeney and others to ensure that multi-mission strategy be maintained. It is interesting to note that this agency has taken the plan that they have initiated and are bringing it forward at this time to make sure that this Congress is aware of what their new strategy is as a result of this realignment. I applaud CBP Air's efforts to achieve greater operation and cost efficiencies; however, a multi-mission CBP Air is vital to a comprehensive border security strategy. I am very pleased that this legislation details that this expectation, that while CBP Air continues to secure our border, this important function cannot come at the expense of other critical Homeland Security missions, and I will continue to work with Chairman Rogers to ensure that CBP Air follows through with the committee's recommendations. Aside from these important border security and immigration enforcement functions, this legislation also addresses many other integral national security functions building upon the successes of recently passed legislation, this legislation provides funding over last year's level to secure our ports and in-bound cargo to prevent terrorists and criminals from exploiting the international commerce system. It provides funding for Coast Guard port and water way security operations; funding for CBP Air cargo inspection and trade operations needed to implement the House's recently passed port security legislation; the funding needed to double the amount of cargo currently inspected; screening 100 percent of cargo through the Automated Targeting System; and to establish minimum security standards for cargo containers Chairman Hal Rogers has addressed these needs for our first responders by providing over $3 billion to ensure their readiness. Since September 11, including the funds in this bill almost $37.5 billion has been provided to first responders for terrorism prevention and preparedness, law enforcement fire fighter assistance, airport security, sea port security and public health preparedness. Finally, this legislation provides the oversight and Congressional guidance that the Department of Homeland Security needs to accomplish its mission effectively in areas such as port and container security, border security and immigration enforcement, first responder grants, air cargo and transportation security and disaster management preparation. Chairman Rogers has included provisions to withhold funds to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security complies with these Congressional dictates and direction. I want to commend Chairman Rogers and others on his committee, including Zack Wamp, Tom Latham, Jo Ann Emerson, John Sweeney, Jim Kolbe, Ernest Istook, Ander Crenshaw, John Carter and Tom DeLay for their hard work and for working with me in the preparation of this important bill as we bring this bill to the floor. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 836 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman coming forth and speaking very clearly. I think every single Member of Congress has an opinion on the effectiveness of homeland security, the effectiveness of FEMA. Our great chairman, Hal Rogers, yesterday came before the Rules Committee and spent a great deal of time. There was disagreement even among the ranking member and himself about how we continue giving these agencies not only the needed resources but helping them to reform what they are doing. The gentleman from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Zach Wamp, who sits on the committee, is an example of one of the members of this committee, the Appropriations Committee, who is spending time to look very carefully at this effort. Congressman Wamp, being from Chattanooga, Tennessee, is in the middle of the storms that come and go not only across our southern borders, the gulf region, but also as a member of this Homeland Security Oversight Subcommittee, and he is concerned about what the right thing to do is. So I have confidence that people like Hal Rogers and Zach Wamp, who care about and can listen to the discussions from other Members, will eventually rectify this issue. Hal Rogers spoke very clearly that it is his intent right now to provide them the necessary resources and to continue working with them to where they are prepared and ready for this summer, having learned lessons from the past. So I think, and I hope that money that we have provided now and the input that has been provided from Members of Congress in this authorization will go a long way to learning from the past and being prepared for the future. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman from New York engaging in what I thought was a fair and balanced discussion about the homeland security appropriations bill. I think it is important that we remember that the balance of what we do says a lot about the success of this government to focus and make sure that we are prepared to ensure that this great Nation is protected by those very important first responders and the United States Government, which has this obligation. During this time, we have spent a lot of time talking about Members of Congress who focused on the policy issues, but there has also been a lot of work that has been done by many other people. I mentioned my work with Customs and Border Protection. I would like to thank Major General Kostelnick at CBP Air for personally engaging me; Mike Conaway from Midland, Texas, on his thoughts and ideas for the work of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. We have also spent a lot of time at the White House. The White House has reached out to Members of Congress to find out their thoughts and ideas, and I think the President is well represented by his legislative staff who have come and listened to us and tried to take those thoughts and ideas back to formulate a balanced policy with the administration's position. I want to thank them: Candi Wolfe; for his professionalism and grace and balance, Brian Conklin; for the star of the White House legislative team, Elan Liang; Chris Frech and Peter Rowan, because they have been an equal part of the success of this important bill as it moves forward. I am proud of what we have done. I ask for all the Members' support not only on this rule but the important legislation which makes sure that we have a balanced policy effort and funding effort to make sure this country is protected. I thank God every day that America rises to its feet, has an economy that works the way it does and the strength and power to lead this world economy, and for strength and peace.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Augustine Perez of the Northwest Postal Station on Northwest Highway in Dallas, Texas, which I am proud to represent in Congress. Mr. Perez's record of accomplishment as a letter carrier is truly remarkable. Very few carriers become members of the U.S. Postal Service's Million Mile Club. Only those carriers who have driven 1 million miles, 25,000 hours, or 30 years without a preventable accident can earn induction. While membership in this club is very exclusive, Mr. Perez continues to exceed these expectations, as he joined the club more than five years ago and is still delivering the mail. Mr. Perez's normal daily routine includes 240 delivery stops with at least six hours of driving. Moreover, most of his delivery vehicles are without air conditioning in what is often a brutal summer Texas heat. I salute Mr. Perez for his continued service in delivering the mail to the community, and I wish him many more years of great service to the Post Office and its customers. His dedication is unmatched and for this I express my sincere thanks.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Chief Warrant Officer Eric W. Totten, an American hero who lost his life in defense of liberty and freedom. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might know freedom, and I am humbled by his bravery and selflessness. Chief Warrant Officer Eric Totten was killed on May 5, 2006 when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan while conducting combat operations. Chief Warrant Officer is survived by his stepmother, Tommie Totten. Chief Warrant Officer Totten was assigned to Company B, the 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, and 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. During his service to our Nation, he exemplified the skill, commitment, and passion of a true patriot for freedom's reign. Chief Warrant Officer Totten died accomplishing the task he loved the most--serving his country. Chief Warrant Officer Totten leaves behind a legacy marked by courage, integrity, and character. May God bless all those he loved, and may I convey to them my sincerest condolences and the gratitude of the American people.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 789 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for articulating the Democrats' side this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, we understand what they are saying. We get it. As a matter of fact, there have been these debates now for several years, and this House, time and time again, has said that we support a risk-based funding approach. Risk-based. We have already shown this where Democrats have voted. In the PATRIOT Act reauthorization, 44 Democrats voted for that; first responder authorization, 181 Democrats; Homeland Security appropriations bills, 194 Democrats; and then, on the conference report, 124 Democrats; and then in the 2004 intelligence reform bill, 183 Democrats. Mr. Speaker, we do not say this bill is perfect. What we try and do is aim the resources, the precious resources combined with the technology and the desire that the United States of America has to support the efforts of protecting this country, not only in our ports, on our borders, in our cities, and in the intelligence that we do. And time in and time out, we have said we are going to be threat-based. Where the threat is, that is where we will put our resources. And a 100 percent check of all the cargo that goes in and out of our ports is simply unrealistic. What is realistic, that overwhelmingly has been supported by this House, that I believe once again this House will be on record to support, is the thing that works, and that is to not chase our tail but to look at where the threat exists. That is what this committee has done. That is what the Rules Committee has done. I am proud to say that we have a fair and balanced rule. I am proud to say that the underlying legislation that has been supported by these two committees is threat- based, aims directly at a bipartisan approach and, more importantly, is something that will make us a little bit safer now and in our future. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of what we have done today, and I think this House will support that. I urge all my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation to give the Department of Homeland Security the tools and the direction it needs to keep America's shores free from the threat of terrorists. The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Florida is as follows: Previous Question for H. Res. 739--Rule on H.R. 4954--The SAFE Port Act At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this resolution the two amendments specified in section 3 shall be in order as though printed after the amendment numbered 15 in the report of the Committee on Rules. Sec. 3. The amendments referred to in section 2 are as follows: An amendment offered by Representative Thompson of Mississippi or a designee. That amendment shall be debatable for 30 minutes equally divided and controlled, by the proponent and an opponent. Amendment to H.R. 4954, as Reported Offered by Mr. Thompson of Mississippi Page 44, after line 9, insert the following new section:

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this point and would encourage the gentleman from Florida, if he would choose to close at this time, to do that.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise the gentleman from Florida that the majority does not have any additional speakers at this time and that I would welcome any opportunity that he would have to utilize his time up with the knowledge that I then would close as appropriate.