Lamar Smith

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from California 1 additional minute.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I too want to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon), my colleague on the Judiciary Committee, for his service to this institution and to our country. Chris Cannon has served, while he has been on the Judiciary Committee, both as the chairman of the Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee, and as ranking member, a position he holds right now. The gentleman from Utah has brought to that position an incredible knowledge and expertise and commitment to so many issues that impacts so many Americans in this country today. He has, in my judgment, that rare blend of a sense of humor and a seriousness of purpose that make him an ideal Member of Congress. Those talents and those skills and his dedication to Congress and to our country will be missed, but we look forward to staying in touch with him and wish him well in his next adventure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee) for his comments. I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to my colleague on the Judiciary Committee, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) who is now serving as the ranking member of the Administrative and Commercial Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7084, the Webcasting Settlement Act of 2008, grants limited statutory authority to SoundExchange, the government designated entity responsible for disbursing webcasting royalties. Specifically, the bill gives SoundExchange the ability to enter into and negotiate agreements with webcasters for the performance of sound recordings over the Internet. As background, the Copyright Royalty Board last year issued its final rate determination in a webcasting proceeding. That decision, which was the product of a lengthy and extensive adjudicatory process open to all parties, has withstood all legal challenges in the D.C. Court of Appeals. In issuing its final ruling, the CRB established the market rates and terms for the performance of statutorily licensed Internet streamed music for a 5 year period that ends December 31, 2010. Preferring voluntarily negotiated settlements to the continuation of adversarial legal proceedings, SoundExchange and representatives from both the commercial and noncommercial webcasting operators have been attempting to craft a compromise that might end this litigation and provide certainty to sound recording copyright owners and webcasters alike. While progress has reportedly been made, the law does not permit a successfully negotiated agreement to be given effect after the CRB has issued its final ruling. To provide the needed flexibility, the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 provides a limited window of time to enable the parties to try and reach a voluntary accord. In supporting this legislation and approach, I believe it is particularly important that SoundExchange reach out and expand the number of webcasting representatives with whom they have been meeting. This will ensure all legitimate points of view are considered in negotiating settlements. This authority will accomplish little in the long run if the interests of the public and all significant stakeholders are not carefully weighed and reflected in the final agreements. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I note this proposal is similar to the manner in which Congress resolved a webcasting royalty dispute in 2002. While there are significant differences between H.R. 7084 and the earlier law, this bill is needed at this time. If this authority is utilized properly, it will benefit the public. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7084. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Reclaiming my time, this being the end of the congressional session, with the expectation that we might well adjourn or go into recess tomorrow until next year, it's not often that we on the House floor can recognize the towns of our colleagues. And I would just like to say in this case that the gentlewoman from California, while she mentioned the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, which reminds me of her talents and her interests in high-tech issues, and she does represent a good part of Silicon Valley, so she comes by her talents and her expertise naturally. But in addition to that, she was formerly, before coming to Congress, an immigration attorney. She happens to be chairman of the Immigration Subcommittee today, and so she brings to that subcommittee, as she does the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, a number of talents and skills that benefit the House as a whole and benefit the Judiciary Committee, in particular. So I would just like to thank her for her work these last few years on those subjects and so many other subjects that she brings these skills to and has helped promote both on the floor and in the Judiciary Committee itself. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I just want to reply and say that I agree with the points made by the gentlewoman from California. They are excellent ones, and we might also add that in a bill like this like, so many bills that are considered by the House and that have been marked up and approved by the Judiciary Committee, sometimes we're talking about sort of arcane subject matter, and yet so much of what is incorporated in this bill and so much of what is part of many other bills do help the judicial process. They do help the American people get better justice. They either save the American people time or they make sure that there's a more ethical result as a result of the actions of the court, and in this particular bill, as a result of the actions of the juries themselves. So bills like this may seem, at first glance, to either be somewhat technical or somewhat even incomprehensible, but at the bottom line they do improve the justice system of the United States, which can give everybody, I think, a sense of confidence that not only does the system work, but it works in this case in a bipartisan way since Members of both parties do support this legislation which improves the justice system. I would be happy to yield to the gentlewoman from California again if she would like.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I will be happy to yield to the gentlewoman.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of S. 3569 is to implement noncontroversial administrative provisions that the Judicial Conference and the House Judiciary Committee believe are necessary to improve the operations of the Federal judiciary. These provisions will provide justice for the American people as well. The Judicial Conference is the policy-making body of the Federal judiciary, and through its committee system, it evaluates court operations. The conference endorses all of the provisions in this bill, which the other body passed by unanimous consent. S. 3569 affects a wide range of judicial branch programs and operations, including those pertaining to financial administration, process improvements, and personnel administration. The House has passed five of the bills' provisions in previous Congresses. The bill incorporates 18 separate items, including a section that eliminates the noticing and public drawing requirements for selecting names from jury wheels because the process is performed by computers; a section that adds magistrate judges to the list of circuit, district, and bankruptcy judges who may be summoned to attend circuit Judicial Conferences; a section that clarifies a court may bring individuals into court when they do not respond to a jury summons, thus eliminating non-meritorious challenges to an impaneled jury; a section that eliminates an obsolete provision in the Bankruptcy Code relating to the calculation of uniform percentage dollar adjustments; and a section that increases penalties for employers who retaliate against employees serving on jury duty. Mr. Speaker, S. 3569 is necessary to improve the functioning of the U.S. courts which will ultimately benefit the country and the American people. This is a noncontroversial bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I want to point out that for the third consecutive time now, I have agreed with my colleague from California, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, in supporting this piece of legislation, specifically S. 3569.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation, and I want to give credit to the gentlewoman from New York, Congresswoman Maloney, for taking the initiative for introducing this legislation and for advancing it to the point where we are considering it here tonight. Mr. Speaker, this is the second time that the House has considered this bill. The House passed an earlier version last July. The Senate recently passed this more streamlined version of H.R. 5057, which I hope our colleagues will support once again. As Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, I joined Chairman Conyers as an original co-sponsor of this legislation, which was introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. This bill reauthorizes a tremendously important program: the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Elimination Grant Program. H.R. 5057 reauthorizes the grant program through fiscal year 2014 at $151 million per year. The Debbie Smith Program provides grants to state and local governments to reduce the DNA backlog of samples collected and entered into the national DNA database. The program, originally authorized in 2000, expires at the end of fiscal year 2009. DNA has become an invaluable tool in identifying and convicting criminal suspects. At the same time, the increased use of DNA evidence in criminal prosecutions has also increased DNA collection and processing requests. The result is a substantial backlog in processing DNA evidence across the country. Since 2000, DNA backlog grants live assisted state and local governments with the collection Of 2.5 million DNA samples from convicted offenders and arrestees for inclusion in the national DNA database. The backlog grants have also funded the testing of approximately 104,000 DNA cases between 2004 and 2007. While the Debbie Smith program has been successful in reducing the backlog, there is still work to do. A 2003 Department of Justice report indicated that a backlog existed of 48,000 DNA samples. The current backlog is expected to be just as high. Congress has a responsibility to assist states with investigating, prosecuting and punishing criminals and to provide justice for victims. The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act protects victims by providing Federal funding to process the DNA evidence needed to take violent criminals off the streets. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I don't know if I'd call it a habit, but I find myself again agreeing with the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Zoe Lofgren. This is a bill that has already passed the House in a similar form, I believe, last January. I will include my entire statement in the Record. I support S. 2304, the Mentally III 0ffender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act. The House passed companion legislation, H.R. 3992, last January. This important legislation addresses the unique challenges that mentally ill offenders create for our criminal justice system. It is estimated that 16 percent of the prison or jail population in the country suffers from a serious mental illness. More than one-fifth of jails have no access to any mental health services at all. Many criminal justice agencies are unprepared to meet the comprehensive treatment and needs of individuals with mental illness. Jails and prisons require extra staff resources for inmates with mental illness. In addition, mentally ill offenders can be affected psychologically by incarceration differently than general population offenders. H.R. 3992 reauthorizes the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act; encourages early intervention for individuals with mental illness; reauthorizes the mental health courts program; and maximizes diversion opportunities for nonviolent offenders with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. The legislation also promotes training for treatment professionals on criminal justice processes and mental health and substance abuse issues; establishes State and local planning grants to address the needs of mentally ill offenders; and facilitates communication, collaboration, and the delivery of support services among justice professionals, treatment and related service providers. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill. I would like to associate myself with the remarks made by the gentlewoman from California, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, and I will include my entire statement as part of the Record. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, teachers and students at Virginia Tech gathered to mark the 1-year anniversary of the campus shooting that killed 27 students and 5 faculty members. We now know that the shooter was a mentally-disturbed young man who was able to purchase two handguns. He brought those handguns to the campus and began a shooting spree that spanned several hours and occurred in both dorms and classrooms across campus. Sadly, in February of this year, a gunman stormed a classroom at Northern Illinois University and opened fire, killing 5 students and wounding 16 others before killing himself. In the wake of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University and a recent rash of violence in public schools across the country, it is appropriate for Congress to act to provide resources to schools and law enforcement officials to help protect our schools. School and college campuses should be safe environments for students to learn. Today, campus security requires much more than ever before, including campus police, emergency alert systems, and emergency response plans. H.R. 6838, the CAMPUS Safety Act, authorizes the Department of Justice to establish a National Center for Campus Public Safety to award grants to colleges and universities and other nonprofit organizations, provide education and training for campus public safety agencies, and promote research to improve the security of colleges and universities. The center may coordinate with other Federal agencies to prevent and respond to natural disasters, incidents of campus violence, or other emergencies. The center may also promote the development of an effective behavioral health threat assessment to prevent campus violence. It is my hope that through this legislation and other programs across the country, we can do our best to prevent violence on our college and university campuses. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 6838. I yield back my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill extends a program that has successfully brought doctors to medically underserved areas in the U.S. The Conrad Program allows foreign doctors who have been here on exchange programs to stay at the conclusion of their residencies if they agree to practice medicine for at least 3 years in health professionals shortage areas. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. I urge my colleagues to support it. This bill extends a program that has successfully brought doctors to medically underserved areas in the U.S. The ``Conrad'' program allows foreign doctors who have been here on exchange programs to stay at the conclusion of their residencies if they agree to practice medicine for at least 3 years in health professional shortage areas. In May the House passed legislation to extend the program for an additional 5 years. And Senator Specter introduced legislation in the Senate to also extend the program for 5 years. Our medically underserved communities deserve a long-term reauthorization of this program so that they can better plan for the future. I support this bill today. However, it only reauthorizes the Conrad program for about 5 months. Why such a short reauthorization? Well, the reason is that the Democrats on the other side of the Capitol are holding the reauthorization of another vital immigration program hostage. The E-Verify program provides tens of thousands of American employers who want to do the right thing with an effective way to ensure that they are hiring a legal workforce. The authorization for E-Verify expires in November, so the House passed a 5 year reauthorization by the overwhelming vote of 407 to 2. Unfortunately, the Democrats in the Senate have refused to pass an extension of E-Verify for longer than 5 months. They refuse to pass a longer extension unless we accede to their demand to increase immigration to the U.S. by over 500,000 persons. Such a demand goes against the clear preference of the American people who oppose an increase in immigration levels already at a record high. It goes against the interests of American workers in these unsettled economic times. And it goes against the interests of American employers, who want to count on E-Verify being available to them for the long term. The House is right to reject the demand of the Senate Democrats. Unfortunately, since they will only extend E-Verify for 5 months, we will only get a five month extension of the Conrad program. Thus, we will need to address this issue again after the 111th Congress convenes next winter. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is not easy to find a news magazine without either Senator Obama on the cover or gratuitous attacks on Senator McCain and Governor Palin in its articles. For example, Newsweek magazine this week published an article suggesting that Governor Palin's faith in God makes her less qualified to be Vice President. That is an amazing lack of grace. This marks the latest shot fired in the media's all-out assault on Governor Palin's campaign to become America's first woman Vice President. No wonder Americans, by a 10-to-1 margin, believe the media are trying to hurt Governor Palin, according to a Rasmussen poll. Newsweek is the same magazine that has featured Senator Obama on its cover six times this year, compared to only three times for Senator McCain. Americans need balanced coverage during this election, and should demand that the media provide it.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2638--The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Requesting Member: Congressman Lamar Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: FEMA, Predisaster Mitigation. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of New Braunfels. Address of Requesting Entity: 424 South Castell Avenue, New Braunfels, Texas 78130. Description of Request: I have requested $360,000 for the City of New Braunfels Flood Mitigation Project. The funding would be used to complete Phase 1 of the project: the planning and engineering requirements for a flood mitigation project to alleviate persistent flooding at two road crossings of Blieders Creek on River Road in New Braunfels that affects the ability of emergency services to access areas of the City. Phase 1 will cost approximately $450,000. The city is prepared to provide $90,000, a 20% share, for Phase 1. The City has completed preliminary planning and is prepared to begin Phase 1 immediately with completion of this phase expected in 2010. The estimated cost of the full two-phase project is $3.4 million. Estimated completion timeframe for the total project is 18 to 24 months. Requesting Member: Congressman Lamar Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Department of the Army, Military Construction. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Sam Houston. Address of Requesting Entity: 1206 Stanley Road, Suite A, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-5001. Description of Request: I have requested $96,000,000 for Fort Sam Houston. The funding would be used to construct a Trainee Barracks Complex. This project will provide a 1200 PN barracks, a Battalion Headquarters, Two Company Operation Buildings and a Central Energy Plant. Requesting Member: Congressman Lamar Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Defense Medical Program, TRICARE Management Activity, Military Construction, Defense-Wide. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Sam Houston. Address of Requesting Entity: 1206 Stanley Road, Suite A, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-5001. Description of Request: I have requested $13,000,000 for Fort Sam Houston. The funding would be used to construct a medical instruction facility. This project provides general and applied instructional space, administrative space and automation-aided classroom space. Requesting Member: Congressman Lamar Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Navy RDT&E, PE 0604800N, Line 126, Joint Strike Fighter. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 1281 N. Main Street, Boerne, Texas 78006. Description of Request: I have requested $1,600,000 for JSF F-35B LiftFan Component Manufacturing at Albany Engineered Composites. The project will help ensure that the F-35B JSF Lift Fan meets critical weight and cost targets, and as such, ensure success of the F-35B Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) when it enters into production. It would incorporate cost saving component and assembly designs, alternate materials and manufacturing process improvements targeted to save 24% in production; weight saving design improvements that will result in up to 10% component weight savings; and implement lean manufacturing methods to ensure consistent quality and efficient process flow when the F-35B version of the JSF begins to transition to higher volume production in 2010-11. The funding will be as follows: 54% of the funding will be used for engineering labor, 13% for program management, 10% for direct labor, 9% for materials and material testing, and 14% for qualifications testing and customer technical support. Requesting Member: Congressman Lamar Smith. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Air Force RDT&E, PE 0602102F, Line 8, F-1, Material. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The University of Texas at Austin. Address of Requesting Entity: FAC 400, 1 University Station G2700, P.O. Box 7397, Austin, Texas 78713-7397. Description of Request: I have requested $1,200,000 for the Next Generation Manufacturing Processes project at the University of Texas at Austin. The proposed initiative will establish a research and education program for enhancing U.S. competitiveness in Intelligent Manufacturing. Intelligent Manufacturing requires the integration of physics-based models, state-of-the-art analysis and control, and advanced materials to develop the next generation of manufacturing processes and systems. The initial thrust will be on small lot and rapid response intelligent manufacturing that is critical to national defense, infrastructure, energy, medical products and other key areas of the U.S. manufacturing base. There are no other alternative sources of funding for this project. The university has, however, sought and received funding in support programs in specific related areas of research and development that provide significant leveraging for the requested funds.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in a shocking turn of events, Senator Obama is not the focus of Time magazine's cover story this week. Since the beginning of the Presidential campaign, Senator Obama has been featured on the cover of Time eight times, compared to only three times for Senator McCain. This week's magazine cover has a small photo of Senator Obama with the caption that reads ``Anger Management: Why Obama is Keeping Cool.'' Also in this week's Time is a story titled ``The Lying Game,'' which accuses Senator McCain of negative campaign ads. Of course, the nonpartisan Wisconsin Advertising Project found that 77 percent of Senator Obama's recent ads have been negative, far more than Senator McCain's. But Time magazine omitted that crucial fact. Time's cover stories and inside articles explain why Americans by a 5-1 margin believe the media are trying to help Senator Obama win the presidency. Clearly voters recognize biased reporting, and I hope will not be persuaded to support the media's favorite candidate.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Associated Press is one of the largest and most influential news organizations in the world. It serves thousands of newspapers, radio stations and TV outlets. Americans expect the AP to be fair and unbiased in its reporting. Unfortunately, all too often it has fallen short. For example, a comparison of AP news stories following the announcement of each vice presidential running mate shows that while dozens of AP stories characterized Governor Sarah Palin as ``conservative,'' only three described Senator Biden as ``liberal,'' even though the National Journal ranked him as the third most liberal Member of the U.S. Senate. This is one example of a much larger media slant problem. In interviews, articles and news analysis, the media have grilled one side and coddled the other. The American people want the media to apply the same rules to both political parties in this election.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, America is no stranger to the plague of illegal drugs and drug addiction. For decades, Congress has fought to curb the flow of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and marijuana into our country. Today, America is facing a new threat--prescription drug abuse. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, prescription drugs now rank second--only behind marijuana--as America's drug of choice. The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that as many as 7 million Americans are addicted to prescription drugs--more than the number of cocaine and heroin addicts combined. Today, prescription painkillers cause a higher number of overdose- related deaths than cocaine or heroin. And large quantities of these drugs are just a few mouse clicks away. The dangers posed by illegal online pharmacies are real. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports a 542-percent increase in abuse of prescription opiates among 12- to 17-year olds between 1992 and 2002. Hundreds of rogue online pharmacies peddle these highly-addictive painkillers to adults and teenagers without a valid prescription. The most popular of these drugs is commonly known as Vicodin. Teenagers are fast becoming addicted to prescription painkillers, in large part because of their availability on the Internet. The Partnership for a Drug Free America reports that every day, 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the first time. Teenagers are abusing prescription drugs at a higher rate because they perceive them as less dangerous than illegal drugs. Today, the House has the opportunity to put a stop to illegal online pharmacies. I am pleased to join Congressman Bart Stupak and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack as an original sponsor of H.R. 6353, the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008. On February 12, 2001, Ryan Haight died of an overdose of Vicodin. He was just 18. An investigation into his death revealed that Ryan ordered the drugs from a doctor he had never seen and who had never examined him. The drugs were shipped directly to his home by an online pharmacy. This legislation amends the Controlled Substances Act to address the growing sale of prescription drugs by these so-called online pharmacies. The bill prohibits the sale or distribution of all controlled substances via the Internet without a valid prescription and requires online pharmacies to display information identifying the business and any pharmacy and doctor associated with the Web site. The bill also provides tough penalties for the illegal sale of prescription drugs. Legislation sponsored by Senators Feinstein and Sessions unanimously passed the Senate in April. It is time for the House to do the same. This legislation represents months of hard work and bipartisan negotiations by House and Senate Republicans and Democrats. I wish to thank my House colleagues, Mr. Stupak and Mrs. Bono Mack and my Senate colleagues, Senators Feinstein and Sessions, for their efforts to complete this legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, by a 5-to-1 ratio, Americans believe the media are trying to help Senator Obama win the Presidency. The following partial list of the ``Best of the Worst'' examples of media bias shows why Americans are right to be concerned. One, Senator Obama has led Senator McCain in news coverage for 12 consecutive weeks, according to the Nonpartisan Project For Excellence in Journalism. Two, journalists who gave money to Senator Obama outnumber those who contributed to Senator McCain by a 20-1 margin, according to Investors Business Daily. Three, while the media often label Governor Palin ``conservative,'' they rarely call Senator Obama or Senator Biden ``liberal,'' even though the National Journal ranked Senator Obama as the most liberal Member of the Senate and Senator Biden as the third most liberal Member of the Senate. Four, the New York Times opinion editor, a former staff member in the Clinton administration, refused to publish an op-ed by Senator McCain about the Iraq war, just days after publishing an op-ed on the same subject by Senator Obama. Five, although the media criticize Senator McCain for running negative TV ads, the nonpartisan Wisconsin Advertising Project found that 77 percent of Senator Obama's recent ads have been negative, far more than Senator McCain's.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this resolution is more symbolic than substantive. It will not change the way the alcohol industry distributes their products, and it will not change the way States regulate alcohol distribution. But regrettably, it does celebrate the ``successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution and sale.'' My opposition is not a reflection on those who support this resolution; it is just that I am uneasy about Congress considering a resolution with this purpose. Certainly, the alcoholic beverage industry is a legitimate one. I have hardworking business owners in my district who create jobs and pay taxes. Most brewers, distributors and retailers try to ensure that alcohol is made, transported and sold in a safe and legal manner. However, the abuse of alcohol causes incalculable pain and suffering. It has cost thousands of lives, devastated families, and ruined the mental and physical health of many Americans. For the same reason, I would voice concerns about a resolution celebrating the ``successful distribution'' of cigarettes and tobacco products. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, alcohol ranks as a leading cause of death among young people age 10 to 24 due to motor vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. Vehicle accidents have become the number one cause of death for teens in the U.S., over one-third are alcohol related. And although States have passed laws to prevent individuals from driving while under the influence of alcohol, a huge number of alcohol- related deaths occur on roads across the Nation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that last year drunk driving killed almost 13,000 people. I do appreciate efforts of the alcoholic beverage industry, small businesses and distributors to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors. However, reports tell us that 33 percent of 12th graders still drink beer on at least a monthly basis and over 70 percent say that beer is easy to get. When Congress can attest that alcohol is no longer easily accessible to teens, that alcohol no longer contributes to 13,000 accident deaths each year, and that alcohol no longer devastates families and individuals, then a resolution celebrating the ``successful distribution'' of alcohol might be in order. Until then, I continue to have concerns with this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, before yielding back the balance of my time, I do want to thank my friend and colleague on the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Cohen, the gentleman from Tennessee, for those nice comments. He is right to point out the connections between Texas and Tennessee. Frankly, I think they're a source of great interest and pride to residents of both States. I certainly appreciate his friendship. I appreciate the way he has conducted this debate tonight as well. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he might consume to my good friend and colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Coble).

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, sometimes the worst examples of unfair news coverage are what reporters choose not to say. For example, while the media often label Governor Sarah Palin ``conservative,'' they seldom call Senator Barack Obama or Senator Joe Biden ``liberal,'' despite the fact that the National Journal ranks Senator Obama as the most liberal member of the Senate, and Senator Biden as the third most liberal member of the Senate. A comparison of television network news programs immediately after each vice presidential selection shows that newscasters continually referred to Governor Sarah Palin as ``conservative,'' but did not one time, not a single time, label Senator Joe Biden as ``liberal.'' The American people should encourage the media to apply the same rules to both Presidential tickets. Only then can we restore Americans' faith in news reporting.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like the record to show that on rollcall vote 575, H.R. 6630, I inadvertently voted ``yea'' when I intended to vote ``nay.''

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.