Chris Smith

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 39, which recognizes and honors the exemplary contributions of Catholic schools across our Nation. The resolution salutes the commitment, professionalism and faith of the teachers and administrators as well as the achievements in the classroom and in the lives of the students. And we commend today the support of the Catholic Church itself in making this educational opportunity possible. I would also like to thank Mr. Lipinski for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor and ask that my colleagues join us in supporting its passage. Madam Speaker, Catholic education has and continues to make a tremendous impact in the lives of students, families and communities across America and in my home State of New Jersey. Last year, more than 2.3 million children were enrolled in over 7,000 Catholic schools nationwide. The performance of Catholic schools is impressive. More than 99 percent of its students graduate high school, and approximately 97 percent go on to college. The record clearly shows that students at Catholic schools receive a quality education with an integrated focus on the transcendent importance of God, academic excellence, advancement beyond high school and fundamental morals. Next week, January 25 to 31, marks the 36th annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. And this year's theme is to live the Gospel with an emphasis on service. Students are encouraged to help others and generously give of themselves expecting nothing whatsoever in return. In the 25th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus admonished believers to live a life of selfless service to others and specifically asked that we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the sick and disabled, visit the prisoner and welcome the stranger. Identifying with the disenfranchised, the vulnerable and the weakest among us, our Lord said, and I quote, whatsoever you do to the least of My brethren, you do unto Me. This year's theme celebrates service, encourages students to embrace Matthew 25 and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Many of America's poor and at risk will benefit from the students' benevolence. Catholic schools, Madam Speaker, are indeed an integral part of our Nation's fundamental commitment to education and serve a cross-section of American students. Catholic schools have a rich history of welcoming, serving and educating new immigrants. With over 25 percent of Catholic school enrollment from minority backgrounds and approximately 14 percent actually being non-Catholics, it is evident that this extraordinary institution meets the needs of a highly diverse group of young people. Finally, Madam Speaker, a 1972 pastoral message by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops concerning Catholic education summed up the unique and extraordinary vision of Catholic education. They said in pertinent part, and I quote: Education is one of the most important ways by which the church fulfills its commitment to the dignity of the person and the building of community. Community is central to education ministry, both as a necessary condition and an ardently desired goal. The educational efforts of the church, therefore, must be directed to forming persons-in-community; for the education of the individual Christian is important not only to his or her solitary destiny, but also the destinies of the many communities to which he or she lives. Again, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this important element of faith-based education which serves alongside America's public and private schools to strengthen and reinforce our educational system.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield to the distinguished gentleman that serves as our conference chairman, Mr. Pence, who has been a leader on behalf of all human rights around the world. (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I want to thank our very distinguished conference chair for his eloquent defense of innocent human life, for his steadfastness on this issue, and point out when my good friend and colleague mentioned Planned Parenthood, I think most Americans would be shocked and dismayed and even discouraged to learn that Planned Parenthood alone performs approximately 300,000 abortions in their own clinics every year, and that number is going up. They seek even more money from the Federal Government, in part to expand their capability, their capacity. More clinics equals more dead babies and more wounded mothers. I yield to my good friend and colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett), Scott Garrett.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Thank you for that very compassionate and historical context that you bring to the floor today. The gentleman now recognizes Mr. Latta.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Thank you very much, Mr. Latta. I'd like to yield to Michele Bachmann. The gentlelady is recognized.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield to Mr. Roe.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield to Jim Jordan.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank you very much. And I think you very correctly pointed out how important it is to stay positive, and Dr. Roe certainly did the same, especially bringing his expertise as a medical doctor to this very important fight for human rights and for protection of both the mother and the child. So I thank them both for their contributions. And I yield to Dr. Broun now such time as he might consume.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Dr. Broun, thank you very much for your very eloquent and passionate statement and bringing to bear your medical expertise on this very important issue. It is extraordinary. And I hope people are listening, especially Members of Congress.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Thank you so much, Dr. Broun. Dana Rohrabacher.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the topic of my Special Order.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, today Ti-Anna Wang spoke on Capitol Hill to a group of human rights advocates about her recent visit with her imprisoned father, the heroic Chinese democracy activist Wang Bingzhang. Dr. Wang is a founding father of the post-Mao Chinese democracy movement; he personally founded or co-founded a magazine, a movement, and a political party dedicated to promoting democracy. Dr. Wang is an incredibly brave man who is serving a life sentence in China for ``espionage'' and ``terrorism''--these are the Chinese Govermnent's words for promoting democracy. In fact ``espionage'' and ``terrorism'' come close to describing the Chinese Government's own behavior in pursuing Dr. Wang, a permanent U.S. resident whom Chinese Government agents abducted from Vietnam in June 2002, smuggled back into China, and secretly held incommunicado for 6 months, before subjecting him to a ``star chamber'' trial in January 2003. The U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has ruled that Dr. Wang's detention is arbitrary. Madam Speaker, any father would consider himself extremely blessed to have a daughter like Ti-Anna. When I first met with her, a few months ago, I was deeply moved by how determinedly she has been working for his release. I'm sure the love she is showing for her father is bearing fruit in his life, comforting him while he is in prison. Today, Madam Speaker, is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--an inspiring document, much of which remains a promissory note, unredeemed by so many governments of the world. It is our duty to continue pressing the governments of the world, including our own, to live up to this declaration. Let's keep working, and keep praying, in solidarity with Dr. Wang and Ti-Anna and all those denied the rights that the Universal Declaration promotes. Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce into the record Ti-Anna's report on her recent visit with her father and his condition. I would like to start by thanking everyone here, on behalf of my family, for taking the time to come to this event. Since I started my work in DC, I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by supportive, generous and kind people who are genuinely concerned about my father's case. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in his fight for freedom. More specifically, I would like to thank Dr. Yang, Congressman Wolf, Congressman Smith, Congressman Ros-Lehtinen, and Senator Feinstein for their recent work on my father's case. It is the compassion of every one here that gives my family hope and reason to believe that the unlikely is possible. I'm here today to tell you about my recent visit with my father just two weeks ago. To give a little background, my father's sentence allows for only one visit a month. Each of these visits last about 30 minutes. The standard procedure is that my family receives a visitation notice in the mail that lets us know the date of the visit. As my whole family lives in North America, we usually have a very short amount of time to make the necessary travel arrangements for a long trip to China. Once there, we have to go through a lengthy authorization process before we are allowed to see him. For my latest visit, I had some difficulties getting my visa as scheduled, and didn't have the proper paperwork, which added a lot of additional stress to this already difficult process. The visit takes place in a bare concrete building that borders the gate of his remote prison, several miles away from the closest city. It is so secluded that we have to be driven there by the prison officials, as some of the terrain in that area has yet to be paved. Right before we can meet, the prison authorities remind us of the rules and regulations, which include only speaking in Chinese, and staying away from topics that will cause my father anxiety. These visits are conducted in visitation booths and are monitored by four prison officials, two standing behind the each of us. Separated by metal bars and two layers of Plexiglas, my father and I can only communicate using a telephone. I was very nervous about seeing my father this time. It had been over a year since my last visit, and my family had lost contact with him for two months without any clear explanations from the prison, so I was worried about the state that my father was in. I was so relieved when I was finally able to see him, cheerful enough to smile. My first concern was his health. My father said that while he is stable, his chronic allergies and severe phlebitis continues to plague him. We talked mostly about my family, my educational future and the work that we are doing on his behalf. As we spoke, it was clear to me that my father's untreated depression and psychological health continues to worsen. He had difficulty making steady eye contact and sometimes repeated the same sentences several times. The prison officials monitoring our conversation were kind enough to allot us an extra 10 minutes. My father wanted me to let everyone know that he is eternally grateful for all the work that has been done on his behalf and that he remains hopeful that justice will prevail. As our conversation came to an end, my father began to cry. He said the thought of never seeing his ailing 87-year-old mother again often brings him to tears and that his only wish is that they will be reunited before it's too late. It has now been over 6 years that my father, now almost 62 years old, lingers alone in prison. I come here today in hopes of conveying the message that my father's situation has become ever more critical and his time is running out. This is the third time I've visited my father, and it is obvious that both his physical and mental health are deteriorating. He has aged so much in the last few years, and his depression is becoming dangerously severe. The prison authorities have told my family that my father's only chance of receiving medical parole is if he admits guilt to the charges of ``terrorism'' and ``espionage'' . . . but I know that my father would never, nor does my family want him to confess to claims that are not only false, but that will comprise his dignity and values. As we commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I just want to remind everyone that it is because of my father's unwavering commitment to this cause that he is being so unjustly punished today. As the founder of the Chinese overseas pro-democracy movement, there was nothing harder that my father fought for than the values of human rights, freedom and democracy for the people of his homeland. His contribution to his beliefs has now cost him 6 years of solitary confinement, and possibly his life if we do not continue to fight for his freedom. So I would like to close today by asking the present and new administration to call for my father's immediate release on medical and humanitarian grounds. I also invite everyone here, along with your friends and family to visit www.initiativesforchina.org to sign an online petition addressed to President Hu Jintao, also calling for my father's release. Lastly, I would like to work with congressional leaders toward the goal of obtaining honorary U.S. citizenship for my father as recognition of his lifelong service to democracy and as a statement of America's recommitment to making human rights a priority in its agenda. On behalf of my family, I would like to thank everyone here for coming and for your sincere concern for my father.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386, has made, I believe, an enormous positive difference in our efforts to end modern-day slavery, a nefarious enterprise that nets the exploiters billions of dollars each year. The 7-year-old landmark law and its numerous reinforcing provisions to prevent trafficking, to protect victims and to prosecute to the max those who traffic, has been a model statute worldwide. Indeed, many of its provisions have been adopted into law in whole or in part by governments around the world. Mr. Speaker, the TVPA of 2000 does not pull any punches. By naming the names of countries out of compliance with what we call minimum standards and by imposing smart sanctions that are prescribed in the act, the withholding of nonhumanitarian aid, for example, we have signaled to the world that ending this egregious practice is among the highest priorities of the United States. By protecting the victims and not sending them back to their home country where they are often exploited in a vicious cycle of exploitation, we say to the victims we will make every effort to make you safe and secure. By prosecuting the traffickers and imposing serious jail time, we are telling these exploiters we are coming after you, we will hunt you down, and you are going to pay for your crimes. Since the enactment of the TVPA, the traffickers here and abroad are increasingly likely to face prosecution and conviction. In the 7-year period before its enactment, DOJ prosecuted 91 suspected traffickers. In the last 7 years, the Justice Department has prosecuted 449, representing a 339 percent increase. The Department has secured 342 convictions and guilty pleas, compared with 74 in the same period prior to the act. And it has opened 822 new investigations, an almost five- fold increase over the 135 opened prior to implementation of the law. Worldwide, nearly 5,700 traffickers were prosecuted last year alone, and more than 3,400 were convicted. Notwithstanding these successes, it is clear that more has to be done to destroy this mob-infested, criminal enterprise known as human trafficking. According to research sponsored by the U.S. Government and completed in 2006, approximately 800,000 people are trafficked internationally and millions more are trafficked within their country. According to the same research, the vast majority of transnational victims, almost 80 percent, are women and girls, and almost half of those 800,000 victims are minors. These figures are low compared to those posited by the International Labor Organization, which estimates 12.3 million people are subjected to forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude. The continued imperative to fight modern-day slavery was again brought home to me while I was in Russia last week. At the same time as I was participating in meetings with Russian officials about how to improve our respective countries' efforts to fight human trafficking, the news media was reporting that a man who was living in my home state of New Jersey--just outside my district--had been accused of engaging in sex trafficking. This individual with dual U.S-Russian citizenship allegedly was traveling to St. Petersburg and hiring out 13- and 14- year old girls from an orphanage as prostitutes after he himself had sexually abused them. This case highlights the fact that we all potentially have traffickers living in our neighborhoods, and we must do more to protect our children and children everywhere in the world. The bill before us today, Mr. Speaker, is a very good piece of bipartisan legislation, and it aims to do just that by updating, expanding, and improving the TPVA. There have been lessons learned since the first law was enacted 8 years ago and subsequently reauthorized in 2003 and 2005. They are incorporated into this legislation as we try to do an even better job in mitigating the suffering of the victims while simultaneously going after those who traffic and the countries that harbor traffickers who are also part of the problem themselves. The bill is appropriately named after William Wilberforce, who was 21 years old when he was elected to the House of Commons in 1780. John Newton, the former slave captain turned convert to Christ, encouraged Wilberforce as well as others to fight the battle against slavery. Wilberforce agreed and then poured his heart into that battle. Wilberforce once said: ``Never, never will we desist until we extinguish every trace of this bloody traffic to which our posterity, looking back to the history of those enlightened times, will scarce believe that it has been suffered to exist so long to disgrace and dishonor this country.'' He also said: ``So enormous, so dreadful, so remediable did the trade's wickedness quickly appear that my own mind was completely made up for its abolition.'' We need to fight with Wilberforce-like tenacity against this modern-day slave trade. One of the most prominent provisions of the original TVPA was the establishment of the tier-ranking system that indicates how well or poorly a country is conforming to the minimum standards. We found when we created the watch list that some of the countries began to realize they could be ``parked'' there with no serious consequence for their failure. Tier 2 watch list countries found there was no penalty even though they made no improvements. That has to change: Two years and then you are off the watch list, up or down. If significant improvements fail to materialize, or the country fails to come up with a written plan to eliminate trafficking and devote sufficient resources to implement that plan, the country is put on tier three, subject to penalties. Mr. Speaker, the William Wilberforce Act would also clarify a provision in the original TVPA--that should never have required clarification--that the Secretary of Health and Human Services must make initial determinations of benefit eligibility for minors who are potential trafficking victims, without the involvement of either the Attorney General or Secretary of Homeland Security. This should rectify an erroneous interpretation and application of the law by these agencies, and facilitate the immediate assistance desperately needed by children rescued from exploitative and traumatic situations. Among the many other important provisions of this bill, calls for investigations by the Inspector Generals of the Department of Defense, State Department and the United States Agency for International Development, respectively, into ascertain contracts awarded by those agencies. The IGs' attention would be directed to contracts that carry a risk of encouraging human trafficking, including instances where a contractor or subcontractor may be engaging in the procurement of a commercial sex act. The reports to be submitted to Congress subsequent to these investigations will be valuable in ascertaining the commitment of our own government in combating human trafficking, and provide an example to be emulated by other governments as well. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would emphasize that effective cooperation, and especially the bipartisan cooperation we see here today, and partnership with other countries, is essential if we are to win this winnable war. Without it, we are doomed to either meager results or outright failure. With so many lives hanging in the balance, failure simply is not an option. None of us alone can stop human trafficking. Too much evil is involved here, and the prospect of making billions has enticed some of the most unsavory and cruel individuals on Earth, including organized crime. Too much demand, enabled by crass indifference, unbridled hedonism and misogynistic attitudes has turned people, especially women, into objects, only valued for their utility in the brothel or in the sweatshop. And the relative lack of visibility makes the task of combating trafficking all the more difficult. Trafficking, like germs, infection and disease, thrives in shadowy and murky places. But the contagion slows and it even dies when exposed to the light. This legislation brings more light, bright light, to this problem; and it will act as a powerful disinfectant. So the challenge to us today is to bring this new light, the bright light of sustained scrutiny and enacting good laws, like this one, and then implementing them aggressively. We need to employ best practices and well-honed strategies in order to win the freedom of the slaves and to spare others unspeakable agony. Together, we can make the pimps and the exploiters pay by doing serious jail time as well as the forfeiture of their assets, their boats, their villas, and their fat bank accounts. We can end this barbaric, cruel modern-day slavery. Make no mistake about it, this is a winnable war but we need to fight in a way so as to win. This legislation further propels us in that fight, and we will win this and the slaves will be free.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army Account. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: MILSPRAY Camouflage Technologies. Address of Requesting Entity: 1985 Swarthmore Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701. Description of Request: The Force Implementation Phase of this project is the final phase of ``Project Kryptolite--Field Deployable Multifunctional Stealth Coating.'' During Phase II, a complete turnkey ``armor enhancement'' application system will be forward deployed to Iraq or other ARL-designated theater of operation. The completely integrated stealth coating system will be applied, in theater, to MRAP, Stryker, and other armored vehicles at the direction of Army and Marine Corps commanders. The Stealth Coating System addresses both infrared and thermal signature reduction as well as blast mitigation. This system can act as an ``armor enhancement'' material and be applied over existing MRAP, and similar tactical vehicle, armor systems. This armor enhancement approach would increase the level of blast resistance and substantially improve survivability. The use of this armor enhancement system will substantially reduce injuries and deaths resulting from IEDs, EFPs, and blast fragments. The material, and complete field deployable application system, will be forward deployed. MRAPs, Strykers, and other tactical vehicles will have the Kryptolite Armor Enhancement applied to them. Proposed Funds Utilization: Logistics Support: $100,000 System/ Personnel Deployment Costs. Salaries/Wages: $575,000 5-7 project technical personnel. Equipment: $200,000 Lab, Test, Production, Application. Testing Ballistic/Blast/Performance/Labs: $200,000. Facility Costs: $50,000. Material: $75,000. Total: $1,200,000.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith Bill Number: HR 2638 Account: Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Trenton Address of Requesting Entity: City of Trenton Description of Request: The City of Trenton will use the $500,000 in Pre-Disaster Mitigation funding in the FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill to begin elevating the utilities of 270 flood prone properties that have suffered severe and repetitive physical damage resulting in significant economic loss. Trenton's Island and Glen Afton neighborhoods are greatly affected by rapidly rising flood water as a result of their proximity to the Delaware River. These two neighborhoods are bordered by the Delaware River to the southwest and the Delaware and Raritan Canal to the northwest. Route 29 (a four lane state highway that traverses the City) splits the two neighborhoods; causing an island-like geography. These waterfront communities are home to approximately 270 structures, many of which are occupied by single family working class homeowners who have suffered great financial loss as a result of: water damaged electrical distribution systems, hot water heaters and central heating units, as well as the loss of personal items that can never be replaced. Six historical river crests (occurring from the earlier part of the 20th century until present) have caused considerable property damage and interrupted sewer, electric and gas services, causing the evacuation of these neighborhoods. Although these neighborhoods are designated as a 100 year flood plain, the last two floods occurred within seven months of each other (September 2004 and April 2005). Just as the Island and Glen Afton residents saw their lives getting back to some semblance of normalcy, the second flood occurred, resulting in lost wages, belongings, property, major systems and complete dislocation. One major contributing factor to the early flooding is the storm sewer outfall, which provides an early entry point for water to backflow into the lower points of the Island and Glen Afton neighborhoods via the storm sewer system during early flood stages. However, once the river reaches two feet above flood stage, the entire Island and Glen Afton neighborhoods will flood. The City of Trenton wishes to assist the most affected residents so that property loss and displacement are minimized. This project is designed to elevate the utilities of approximately 270 properties that have suffered repetitive damages.The 270 identified properties will abandon the use of their basements and elevate their major systems by rewiring the electrical system and redirecting the duct work so that the hot water heating and heating system can be moved to above the first floor; minimizing loss during future floods.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army Account Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Intelligence & Information Warfare Directorate, CERDEC Address of Requesting Entity: Lakehurst Naval Engineering Station Description of Request: Funding will be utilized to implement a CERDEC RDT & E test capability for airborne and ground antenna design to develop and prove new concept antennae that operate at higher frequencies offering significantly higher capacities and are less prone to interference and jamming. The test capability will provide testing of aircraft mounted antennae at varying altitude under a variety of conditions and on specific aircraft including fixed, rotary wing and unmanned air systems. The system will be used to provide the design of new antennae which develop more reliable, expanded bandwidth information links which enable the flow of tactical information to the deployed warfighter. The capability will also expand the ability of communicating with the variety of unmanned systems, both airborne and ground based, for increased intelligence gathering and control. Detailed Finance Plan: Program Cost Summary. L Band development on UH-60M where a required future aviation waveform, Wideband Network Waveform (WNW), operates. It is expected that most of the wideband operation will occur in this band vs. the full WNW band of 30- 2000MHz. The C and Ku Band on UH-60M test-bed will also address other bands of interest to US Army Aviation including C-band where Full Motion Video (FMV) systems are being operated on selected helicopters, and Ku band, where UAS control and TCDL links are being implemented on selected helicopters. An antenna development for a more sophisticated single (directional or higher gain lower bandwidth omnidirectional) will be needed to increase system data throughput for the UH-60M. As the test data is analyzed, specifications for antenna systems will emerge and it is envisioned that higher gain antenna will be needed to support future required data rates. Program Costs Labor (engineers techs, pilots, QA) and Labs--$1,046,000.00 Aircraft costs (UH-1 and C-12)--$150,000.00 Materials--$404,000.00 Total All--$1,600,000.00

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy Account. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: McGee Industries Incorporated. Address of Requesting Entity: Nine Crozerville Road, PO Box 2425, Aston, PA 19014. Description of Request: The next generation aircraft carriers will be built using new-technology that replaces the traditional steam catapults with an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The environment around aircraft carrier catapults is among the most corrosive (i.e. seawater spray, heat, deck contaminants) with which the Navy must contend. No reliable corrosion or fracture data exists for the new EMALS materials and configuration operating in a catapult-like environment. A T & E program initiated to develop design-specific corrosion data under simulated catapult conditions needs to be continued in order to permit further design refinement, that will: (1) prevent premature component failures (2) minimize costly fleet maintenance and (3) enhance operational readiness. Corrosion protection is an important element in producing a durable, highly reliable EMALS that will meet or exceed all Navy performance goals. It can be expected that unforeseen corrosion issues will arise as full-scale development, testing, and implementation of the EMALS proceeds. There is a window to generate corrosion data and recommend changes through 2009. Corrosion fatigue and stress corrosion cracking are critical problems that if addressed correctly, would improve performance, extend their life cycle and lower Operation and Maintenance costs for the carriers and their test facilities. Fracture mechanics testing of various corrosion control alternatives in a realistically simulated environment is required to resolve these concerns. Detailed Finance Plan--McGee Industries: The total cost of this program has been valued at $3,000,000. We will need to design and develop load frames that will replicate the harsh catapult trough environment. Test equipment will need to be built that simulates the heat extremes, vibration effects, various deck contaminate and their effects on corrosion. All of these parameters will need to be monitored on a periodic basis to assure that we are simulating the EMALS operating conditions. At present we plan to evaluate more than 20 different chemicals and coatings. The research program planned will follow the direction of the testing results and the direction of appropriate NAVAIR personnel. We estimate that we will need man hours for chemists, engineers, technicians and laboratory services as well as clerical and administrative support. Breakdown of the Requested Funding: $750,000 for Design and Test Equipment. $350,000 for Laboratory Supplies and Equipment. $550,000 for Man Hours for Chemists, Engineers, Technicians. $150,000 Administrative, Travel, $200,000 Research Institutes. Though this program is specifically directed at the EMALS system controlled by NAVAIR, McGee Industries plans to include updates pertinent to NAVSEA. Corrosion issues and improved corrosion protection are a problem throughout all military branches due to the age of existing equipment and the harsh environments which they must operate in successfully. Thus, this program offers conditioned maintenance improvements for the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines and the Coast Guard.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith Bill Number: H.R. 2638 Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army Account Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Rutgers University Address of Requesting Entity: 96 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8018 Description of Request: This project is a partnership among Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The Center will focus their work in several areas: critical infrastructure protection; preparedness and response to natural, accidental, and intentional disasters; information/intelligence assessment and analysis; health care/hospital preparedness and response; chemical, biological and radiological countermeasures; disaster and terror medicine; emergency communications; emergency response through innovative uses of rail transportation systems; and education and training for first-responders and local governments, and health and engineering professionals. The application of our unique expertise in the combination of mathematical sciences, engineering, communications, transportation, medicine and health care, environmental and exposure science, basic societal services, and social/behavioral sciences will help prepare the military and the nation in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack. Detailed Financial Plan: Center Administration--$200,000- R & D Projects--$700,000 Info & Intelligence Analysis--$200,000- Education & Training--$144,000 Clinical & Health Care Preparedness and Response--$200,000- Equipment--$156,000

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Military Construction, Navy Account. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle. Address of Requesting Entity: Colts Neck, New Jersey. Description of Request: This project will upgrade the Main Gate located at Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle. These upgrades will provide the proper Anti-terrorism Force Protection (AT/FP) measures required for current security and terrorist threats. Construction will consist of the following: gate access realignment; reinforced ornamental fencing along the public highway; new security fencing surrounding guardhouse area; removal of existing guard house; and removal of existing parking areas; hardened guard house, intrusion detection system (IDS), local area network (LAN), and base wide alarm duress system; site lighting with connections tied into existing generator; raised median; rejection area for privately owned vehicles (POVs); permanent vehicle inspection shelter with CCTV, for one truck and two POVs side by side; undercarriage video surveillance equipment; permanent passive barriers from fence and gate to active vehicle barriers; two active (pop-up) vehicle barriers; elevated fighting position; hardening of existing generator; sidewalks on both the inbound and outbound sides; relocate entrances to parking for Family/ Housing Services and to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD); construct new connector road to EOD; demolish existing pass and identification office; construct new pass/i.d, within new inspection facility and provide 54 parking spaces. NWS Earle has been fortunate to not experience serious assaults or threats; however, continued operations without major security improvements could result in exposing NWS Earle's valuable assets and personnel to terrorist activity. Detailed Financial Plan: The majority of the funding (approximately $6.5 M) will be used for Electronic and Mechanical Utilities and Site Improvements, including: Area Lighting; Water Distribution; Sanitary Sewer System; Paving and Site Improvements; Storm Water Management; and Demolition. The rest will fund Special Construction Features, which total $1,515,766 M and include: Active vehicle barrier--$91,036.00. Passive vehicle barriers--$270,213.00. Security fencing--$208,801.00. Automatic traffic controls/devices--$245,648.00. Inspection enclosure (truck/car)--$85,977.00.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank Mr. Wolf for raising this. I didn't know he was going to be doing it; I just saw him on the television.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. So I appreciate the gentleman yielding. Let me just say, to clarify the record, this legislation, which would seek to lay bare the science about Lyme disease, the fact that I believe we do have an epidemic, the fact that Lyme often go misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed. It is called ``the great pretender'' because so many people have it and don't know it. It often masquerades as other kinds of anomalies manifesting in a person's body. And it is not until it gets to a chronic state--very often causing severe disability, including neurological damage--that people finally realize that they have Lyme disease. There has been, unfortunately, a significant, I believe, cover up of the fact that chronic Lyme exists. The gentleman knows, we have asked him repeatedly, the gentleman from New Jersey, my good friend, Mr. Pallone, this legislation has been pending in his subcommittee. He told Pat Smith--no relation to me--who runs a Lyme disease association, that this would get a hearing and would be marked up. It has not been marked up. And meanwhile, this epidemic is growing--it is exploding. Now, let me just say for the enlightenment of my colleagues; the Infectious Disease Society of America, which creates--and often does a very laudable job--the definitions, the parameters of what constitutes a certain disease, has looked at Lyme and said that chronic Lyme does not exist. Many of us have raised serious concerns about that because of what we believe to be conflicts of interest on the part of the panel members that made up the Lyme panel. I would note parenthetically that Chris Dodd is the prime sponsor of the comparison legislation that I've introduced on the House side. We have worked cooperatively on the legislation, so we have a companion bill on the Senate side. The legislation has over 110--I think it's 112--cosponsors, totally bipartisan, Democrats and Republicans alike rallying around this legislation. The problem with the Infectious Disease Society of America is that these conflicts of interest, we believe, resulted in the conclusion that chronic Lyme doesn't exist. We don't know absolutely if that's the truth, but Attorney General Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut finally took a look at this and came back with a scathing insightful report that there were conflicts of interest. The red flag should go up everywhere. What does my legislation do? As Mr. Pallone knows, the legislation does not prescribe a protocol, as he has suggested. It simply calls for an advisory committee that would take a good, long look at Lyme disease and determine what is fact and fiction, and finally, for the sake of all of those who are suffering immensely from this disease and their families, say what we need to be doing to mitigate and hopefully stop the spread of Lyme, whether it be long-term and very heavy antibiotic treatment--which I believe probably is the case based on clinical practitioners who have suggested that to be the case--but we want an honest look. As Mr. Pallone knows, we did not get an honest look from the Infectious Disease Society of America. And I find that appalling. Conflict of interest with insurance companies has no place in modern medicine. And regrettably, and it has been--again, the full weight of the Attorney General's report clearly suggests, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, that there were significant conflicts of interest on the part of the panel members. Our legislation says let's go where the science takes us. If the science says chronic Lyme exists, then all those patients and the insurance companies which need to be providing the coverage, to get the medicines and the like, like antibiotics--because what has happened, as my friend knows, because of this exclusion of chronic Lyme due to a problem in definition, the insurance companies say we don't have to pay. So when a patient presents with a bill of $100,000 or some excessive amount of money, the insurance companies say, not us, tough luck, we're not going to pay for it. And they go right back to what I believe to be a false definition that precludes chronic Lyme as a condition. Now, you might think that chronic Lyme doesn't exist, I say to my friend, the chairman, but let's go where the science takes us. We need this advisory committee and we need it now. All points of view, as our legislation clearly suggests, has to be a part of this group. We want a robust debate, not something that is engineered by insurance companies. Finally, the legislation would authorize $100 million over 5 years, $20 million each year. Frankly, if that drops off due to opposition to new authorization, and is only an authorization, I would like to see it go forward nevertheless, know this however, we're not spending enough on Lyme. And Lyme is, as Mr. Wolf said so aptly, growing exponentially. CDC admits we are missing most of the cases. As many as 90 percent of the cases go unreported. Our state, Mr. Pallone, as you know, is number three in prevalence according to CDC numbers, and even that is probably very much understated in terms of the actual prevalence of Lyme disease. So I would make the appeal again, as I have made to my friend from New Jersey, as I have made to Mr. Dingell, as I have made to Mr. Barton and everyone else, this legislation ought to be on this floor and it ought to be on the floor today. It is truly bipartisan. There ought to be a consensus to go where the science takes us. And again, an advisory committee, a Blue Ribbon panel that would be configured under this legislation would finally end, hopefully, this contentious debate and tell us what it is and what it is not. I have known dozens of people who have had chronic Lyme. Now, you might say it doesn't exist, the Infectious Disease Society says it doesn't exist. These victims suffer from the spirochete, and have suffered neurological damage, severe joint damage, and many, many other problems. There is a new book called ``Cure Unknown'' that I would recommend to the House. I read it in one sitting because it is so incisive in finally breaking through the fog on this disease. People are walking around with Lyme and they don't even know it. We need to bring the forces to bear of the U.S. Government that an advisory committee of this kind would do a Blue Ribbon panel, a 9/11- type panel of scientists, of the best people we can put together to say, put aside the egregiously flawed Infectious Diseases Society of America's finding, which Blumenthal said was riddled with conflict of interest--and I urge Members to read Blumenthal's opinion, I will put it in the Record so Members can read it--his findings were, ``atrocious, conflict of interest everywhere.'' This legislation ought to be on the floor and it ought to be on the floor today. Office of the Attorney General, Hartford, Connecticut, May 1, 2008. Attorney General's Investigation Reveals Flawed Lyme Disease Guideline Process, IDSA Agrees To Reassess Guidelines, Install Independent Arbiter Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced that his antitrust investigation has uncovered serious flaws in the Infectious Diseases Society of America's (IDSA) process for writing its 2006 Lyme disease guidelines and the IDSA has agreed to reassess them with the assistance of an outside arbiter. The IDSA guidelines have sweeping and significant impacts on Lyme disease medical care. They are commonly applied by nsurance companies in restricting coverage for long-term antibiotic treatment or other medical care and also strongly influence physician treatment decisions. Insurance companies have denied coverage for long-term antibiotic treatment relying on these guidelines as justification. The guidelines are also widely cited for conclusions that chronic Lyme disease is nonexistent. ``This agreement vindicates my investigation--finding undisclosed financial interests and forcing a reassessment of IDSA guidelines,'' Blumenthal said. ``My office uncovered undisclosed financial interests held by several of the most powerful IDSA panelists. The IDSA's guideline panel improperly ignored or minimized consideration of alternative medical opinion and evidence regarding chronic Lyme disease, potentially raising serious questions about whether the recommendations reflected all relevant science. ``The IDSA's Lyme guideline process lacked important procedural safeguards requiring complete reevaluation of the 2006 Lyme disease guidelines--in effect a comprehensive reassessment through a new panel. The new panel will accept and analyze all evidence, including divergent opinion. An independent neutral ombudsman--expert in medical ethics and conflicts of interest, selected by both the IDSA and my office--will assess the new panel for conflicts of interests and ensure its integrity.'' Blumenthal's findings include the following: The IDSA failed to conduct a conflicts of interest review for any of the panelists prior to their appointment to the 2006 Lyme disease guideline panel; Subsequent disclosures demonstrate that several of the 2006 Lyme disease panelists had conflicts of interest; The IDSA failed to follow its own procedures for appointing the 2006 panel chairman and members, enabling the chairman, who held a bias regarding the existence of chronic Lyme, to handpick a likeminded panel without scrutiny by or formal approval of the IDSA's oversight committee; The IDSA's 2000 and 2006 Lyme disease panels refused to accept or meaningfully consider information regarding the existence of chronic Lyme disease, once removing a panelist from the 2000 panel who dissented from the group's position on chronic Lyme disease to achieve ``consensus''; The IDSA blocked appointment of scientists and physicians with divergent views on chronic Lyme who sought to serve on the 2006 guidelines panel by informing them that the panel was fully staffed, even though it was later expanded; The IDSA portrayed another medical association's Lyme disease guidelines as corroborating its own when it knew that the two panels shared several authors, including the chairmen of both groups, and were working on guidelines at the same time. In allowing its panelists to serve on both groups at the same time, IDSA violated its own conflicts of interest policy. IDSA has reached an agreement with Blumenthal's office calling for creation of a review panel to thoroughly scrutinize the 2006 Lyme disease guidelines and update or revise them if necessary. The panel--comprised of individuals without conflicts of interest--will comprehensively review medical and scientific evidence and hold a scientific hearing to provide a forum for additional evidence. It will then determine whether each recommendation in 2006 Lyme disease guidelines is justified by the evidence or needs revision or updating. Blumenthal added, ``The IDSA's 2006 Lyme disease guideline panel undercut its credibility by allowing individuals with financial interests--in drug companies, Lyme disease diagnostic tests, patents and consulting arrangements with insurance companies--to exclude divergent medical evidence and opinion. In today's healthcare system, clinical practice guidelines have tremendous influence on the marketing of medical services and products, insurance reimbursements and treatment decisions. As a result, medical societies that publish such guidelines have a legal and moral duty to use exacting safeguards and scientific standards. ``Our investigation was always about the IDSA's guidelines process--not the science. IDSA should be recognized for its cooperation and agreement to address the serious concerns raised by my office. Our agreement with IDSA ensures that a new, conflicts-free panel will collect and review all pertinent information, reassess each recommendation and make necessary changes. ``This Action Plan--incorporating a conflicts screen by an independent neutral expert and a public hearing to receive additional evidence--can serve as a model for all medical organizations and societies that publish medical guidelines. This review should strengthen the public's confidence in such critical standards.''

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I rise in strong support of S. 906, the Mercury Market Minimization Act of 2007. Mr. Speaker, again, I didn't get a chance when Mr. Pallone was here to correct the Record. I--we--did contact Congressman Frank Pallone and Nathan Deal by way of letter on May 18, 2007, and wrote at the time as cochairs of the Congressional Lyme and Disease Caucus, ``we are writing to respectfully request that you mark up and report H.R. 741. ``H.R. 741, the 'Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education and Research Act of 2007' would work toward goals for the prevention, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment of Lyme disease.'' Then we went on to explain the bill. We pointed out that at the time we had 77 cosponsors. That is now 112 and it is totally bipartisan and includes majority leader Steny Hoyer. We also pointed out that Lyme is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States today. More than 220,000 Americans develop Lyme each year. According to the CDC, only 10 percent of the cases that meet its surveillance criteria are reported. Cases that fall outside of the surveillance criteria are not even considered anywhere statistically. If not diagnosed and treated early, Lyme disease can lead to chronic illness and can affect every system in the body, including the central nervous system and cardiac system. Later symptoms of Lyme disease include arthritis, neurological problems such as facial paralysis, memory problems, extreme weaknesses of the extremities, seizures, heart block and inflammation and even blindness. So we sent that back in May 18, 2007. And I say that with respect to my colleague. Let me also point out, and I just will read a very small portion of the statement of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, the attorney general of Connecticut. And this is his statement. ``Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced,'' and this is May 1, 2008, ``that his antitrust investigation has uncovered serious flaws in the Infectious Disease Society of America's process for writing its 2006 Lyme disease guidelines and the IDSA has agreed to reassess them with the assistance of an outside arbiter.'' ``The IDSA guidelines have sweeping,'' this is Blumenthal speaking, ``have sweeping and significant impacts on Lyme disease medical care. They are commonly applied by insurance companies in restricting coverage for long-term antibiotic treatment or other medical care and also strongly influence treatment decisions by physicians. ``Insurance companies have denied coverage for long-term antibiotic treatment, relying on those guidelines as justification. The guidelines are also widely cited for conclusions that chronic Lyme disease is nonexistent.'' Blumenthal goes on to say: ``This agreement vindicates my investigation finding undisclosed financial interests and forcing a reassessment of IDSA's guidelines.'' Blumenthal said: ``My office uncovered undisclosed financial interests held by several,'' several, ``of the most powerful IDSA panelists. The IDSA's guideline panel improperly ignored or minimized consideration of alternative medical opinion and evidence regarding chronic Lyme disease, potentially raising serious questions about whether the recommendations reflected all relevant science. The IDSA's Lyme disease guideline process lacked important procedural safeguards requiring complete reevaluation of its 06 Lyme disease guideline, in effect a comprehensive reassessment through a new panel.'' Blumenthal, and I will put this in the Record, talks about the conflicts of interest with the insurance companies. Again, I would think this Congress would want to get to the science, find out does chronic Lyme exists, and whether or not this is indeed a coverup.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith Bill Number: HR 2638. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-wide Account. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: the Gallo Prostate Cancer Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Address of Requesting Entity: Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany & Somerset St., Room 2002, Newark, NJ 08901-1998. Description of Request: Funding support is requested for key projects for the Cancer Institute of New Jersey to address national goal of eradicating cancer, including prostate cancer which is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. Our proposed initiatives are The Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center, which seeks to eradicate prostate cancer through research, treatment, education and prevention; the Center for Imaging, Structures and Function, which will provide state of the art image analysis crucial to the overall applications of cancer research; a Center for Cancer Bioinformatics, which combines theoretical biology, computer science, mathematics and physics with cancer research expertise; the LIFE Center, which coordinates efforts in the eradication of breast cancer; and our plans to merge and enhance the radiation oncology capabilities to create a unified, academically and clinically strong program for the citizens of New Jersey. By targeting breast and prostate cancer, through developing novel cancer bioinformatics approaches to identify new biomarkers for therapy and prevention and through developing new technologies and approaches in molecular imaging, computational, informatics and systems biology, this project will contribute to the national goals of the elimination of death and suffering from cancer and to the enhanced discovery, development and delivery of novel means of cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Detailed Financial Plan: The total cost of this program has been valued at $2.4 million and funding will go toward: 1. Personnel Costs: $1,339,990. 2. Equipment: $643,197. ABI Prism 7900 HT with Robot (SNP analysis): $126,275. Web and Database Servers: $6,991. Micro PET, CT, High speed cell sorters: $249,942. Confocal Microscope. Lasers, workstations: $196,622. Computer pilot modules for testing: $758. Video conference equipments for case research: $62,609. 3. Consultant Costs: $28,756. 4. Supplies: $153,934. Molecular Biology Reagents, antibodies, cell culture reagents, animal costs, chemicals, dissecting instruments: $97,520. Flourescent labeled primers , enzymes, PCR kits: $4,240. Invitrogen, well plates, cell lifters, toxins, lab and chemical supplies: $52,174. 5. Travel for Principal Investigators: $14,298. 6. Other Expenses: $219,825.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide Account. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Monmouth University's Rapid Response Institute. Address of Requesting Entity: 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764. Description of Request: Monmouth University's Rapid Response Institute (RRI) is requesting funding to develop and prototype a ``Rapid Information Sharing for Consequence Management and Decision Support'' data base system that will enable Joint Warning and Reporting Network (JWARN), Joint Effects Model (JEM) and other military classified systems to effectively share tactical information (plume spread, chemical identity, voice and video, GIS map information, etc.) in real time in support of catastrophic events without disclosing the classified source of the information. The 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. Prototyping will include Defense and National Guard assets and standards in partnership with the National Guard's Northeast Regional Response Center and the Army Communications and Electronics Life Cycle Management Command. Detailed Financial Plan: ``Rapid Information Sharing for Consequence Management and Decision Support'': 1. Labor: Monmouth University Employees Principal Investigators: $225,000.00. Program Management/Instructor/Project Management: $175,000.00. Faculty Researchers /Adjuncts: $200,000.00. Technical Writer & Admin Support: $62,000.00. Technical Research Support: $96,000.00. Student Employment/Assistantships: $75,000.00. MU University Labor Costs: $833,000.00. 2. Fringe Costs: MU Fringe 26.6% approved HHS (no Student Salaries): $201,628.00. 3. Overhead Costs: MU Overhead 55.5% approved HHS (All MU Salaries): $462,315.00. 4. PHD Program Support: PHD Program Support Drexel--Lauren Landrigan (Army SEC): $100,000.00. 5. Small Business Set Aside: Contracted Professional Services (SB,SDB--): $300,000.00. Travel and Supplies for SB/SDB: $20,525.00. 6. SubContracts and MIPR: CERMUSA-St. Francis Loretto, Pa: $400,000.00. JSTO Battle Space Management ECBC, APG: $350,000.00. PEOC3T SPO/NRRC, Ft Dix: $100,000.00. SubContract/MIPR: $850,000.00. 7. Materials, Equipment and Supplies: Communications (Satellite,Direct TV,Cable, VTC): $40,000.00. Software Licenses and Maintenance: $25,000.00. Equipment Computers for Technology Interoperability: $35,000.00. Joint Mobile Command Truck--Maintenance Equip. upgrade: $50,000.00. Materials, inks, copying, documentation: $40,000.00. Total Materials and Supplies: $190,000.00. 8. Travel: Inter Location--APG, Ft. Dix, Philadelphia and Loretto PA: $25,000.00. Conferences and Workshops: $20,000.00. Local University Meetings: $5,532.00. Total Travel: $50,532.00. 9. DTRA: DTRA Processing Fees: $192,000.00. Total Project Costs: $3,200,000.00.