Bart Stupak

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a business and a family in my district that, in many ways, exemplify the American dream. The Sayklly's family business has been in the same family for 100 years. Through hard work, perseverance and an admirable entrepreneurial spirit, the family has built an Upper Peninsula institution. In 1906, a young Lebanese immigrant named Joseph Sayklly opened his own shop in Escanaba, Michigan. The shop, ``Sayklly's,'' carried groceries and homemade candy and ice cream. Eventually, that little store would blossom into a thriving landmark, recognized throughout the Escanaba area. In 1916, Joseph married his wife, Mary, who was also a Lebanese immigrant. Together, Joseph and Mary would have nine children--Josephine, Marge, Angeline, Louise, Elizabeth, Marie, Martha Jean, Fred and Edward. All of the children helped in the business and all of them lived in a small apartment above the store. Over the years, Sayklly's grew in popularity. Local residents in Escanaba would stop by the store to take home a bag of Sayklly's famous candy or linger at the soda fountain to savor treats made with hand- cranked ice cream. In the early days of Sayklly's, some of the most popular products sold were peanut brittle, hand-pulled taffy, hand- dipped chocolates, peanut clusters and fudge. Many of these same delights are sold today. When Joseph Sayklly passed away in 1943, Mary maintained the business with the help of her children and Mary's sister Martha Jean. In 1959, Fred moved the candy-making part of the business to Third Avenue North from its original Ludington Street location. Fred also separated the store Sayklly's from the candy production facility. Shortly thereafter, Marge and Josephine began operating the store, then known as ``Sayklly's Confectionary and Gift.'' Around 1960, Sayklly's stopped selling groceries and concentrated on selling the candies and gift items for which the store has since become so famous. In 1983 Debbie and Jim Kirby purchased Sayklly's Confectionary and Gifts from Josephine and Marge. Debbie was the granddaughter of Joseph, the original founder of the business. Operating Sayklly's was a homecoming for Debbie who began working in the store at age 12 when her aunts, Marge and Josephine were the proprietors. Today, Debbie fondly recalls how her Aunt Marge instilled into her a sense of customer service, always reminding Debbie to put a smile on her face for customers by saying, ``Smile, God loves you.'' Today, Sayklly's remains in the same family that started it 100 years ago. Since the enterprising Joseph Sayklly opened the store in 1906, it has been a mainstay in downtown Escanaba. The store continues to be an institution for everyone who lives in Escanaba and throughout the Upper Peninsula. Locals and visitors alike delight in Sayklly's famous chocolates. Sayklly's has grown over the years. The business now employs 28 people year round and that number increases when extra help is needed during busy sale times such as Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter. In addition to renovating the store on Ludington Street in Escanaba, the Kirbys have opened Sayklly's outlets in the Delta Plaza Mall in Escanaba as well as the Westwood Mall in Marquette, Michigan. However, just as the business has grown over the years, the owners have never forgotten their commitment to quality. Sayklly's uses only premium ingredients, still heats candy in big copper kettles and hand- dips all of its chocolates. Sayklly's remains an anchor of the Escanaba community. As Debbie Kirby notes, what she enjoys most about owning and operating Sayklly's are her customers. Generations of families have gathered at Sayklly's to buy treats, visit with their neighbors or simply see a friendly Sayklly face. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to admit that I too have been bitten by the Sayklly chocolate bug. Over my 14 years in Congress, I have handed out hundreds of Sayklly chocolate bars, known as ``Yooper Bars'' to people in Washington, D.C. A ``Yooper Bar'' is a chocolate bar in the shape of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Everyone from Members of Congress to President Clinton to troops recovering in Walter Reed Hospital from wounds incurred in Iraq have enjoyed a delicious Yooper Bar from Sayklly's. Mr. Speaker, we all know how challenging it can be for a family to build a small business. Growing a successful business, while also keeping it in the same family for over 100 years, is truly an impressive accomplishment. I ask that the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with the people of Escanaba to observe Sayklly's centennial celebration. Please join me in saluting the Kirbys and all the generations of the Sayklly family who have made ``Sayklly's'' into a special place that is enjoyed by so many of my constituents.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an educator in my district who has done laudable work to ignite a new sense of patriotism among his students. Mr. Gerald (Jerry) Belanger serves as the principal of Gaylord Middle School. He has led a distinguished career in education. Mr. Belanger's first job in the field was as a school teacher in a preschool classroom. While his stint as a preschool teacher was short lived-- lasting only 3 weeks--he was at least admired by his students for his guitar-playing ability. Mr. Belanger then moved into a direction better suited to his abilities. He taught 6th grade for 5 years at Pearson Elementary School in inner city Flint before becoming the assistant principal and ultimately the principal of Gaylord Middle School. It was at Gaylord Middle School that he began the current middle school Veteran's Day program. For the past 10 years, on every Veteran's Day, the Gaylord Middle School and its student council have organized a tribute to America's veterans. The day begins with a morning reception in the school cafeteria, followed by a program in the school gymnasium where students and faculty honor the sacrifices of America's veterans. Mr. Belanger has worked hard to ensure that veterans in the community attend the event so that his students have an in person opportunity to demonstrate their appreciation for veterans' sacrifice. When the tribute began 10 years ago, 20 veterans participated. Today, as many as 200 veterans attend the Veteran's Day event. By encouraging his students to host this tribute, Mr. Belanger has helped draw the Gaylord community together, while also helping to inspire patriotism in each class of students that passes through Gaylord Middle School. Mr. Belanger also makes patriotism a daily priority at Gaylord Middle School. Through the daily Pledge of Allegiance, playing of the national anthem and events throughout the year, Mr. Belanger has worked to instill respect, love and loyalty to our country among the young people attending his school. Mr. Belanger is a fine example of how ordinary citizens can demonstrate exceptional patriotism in their community. Although Jerry never served in the armed forces, his father, Frank, served in the National Guard during the Cuban Missile Crisis and two of his uncles were in the Army Reserve during that difficult part of our Nation's history. Another of Mr. Belanger's uncles served with U.S. Marine Corps for 4 years. These family members instilled in him a deep love of history and government and a profound sense of pride and respect for all of our nation's military men and women. Now that he is married with a 3-year-old son, you will often see Jerry with his son Patrick at local Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations, seeking to pass on to his own son the same pride and deep respect for the armed forces and the same love of country. Mr. Speaker, as our brave men and women serve abroad in today's conflicts, all of us are reminded of the importance of recognizing, honoring and remembering the sacrifices of the heroes of the past. Mr. Jerry Belanger has found a way to ensure that in his corner of the world, young people are introduced to these important values early on. For that, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and the U.S. House of Representatives join me in saluting him.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which celebrates its 40th anniversary as a National Lakeshore this year. This pristine part of my district was the first unit of the national park system authorized as a National Lakeshore. Pictured Rocks derives its name from the 15 miles of colorful sandstone cliffs northeast of Munising, Michigan. These cliffs, some approaching 200 feet in height, have been naturally sculptured into shallow caves, arches and formations that resemble castle turrets, and human profiles. Anyone who has visited the splendorous 42 miles of the Lakeshore knows that the park offers spectacular scenery of the hilly shoreline speckled with natural archways, waterfalls, and sand dunes. Congress wisely designated Pictured Rocks a National Lakeshore to preserve for future generations' enjoyment a significant portion of the diminishing shoreline of the United States. Today, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore continues to provide inspiration and recreational enjoyment for residents of northern Michigan, as well as for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the area's natural splendor every year. The refreshing waters in summer, the beautiful palette of fall, the serene atmosphere of winter and the renewal oflife in spring are all unique at Pictured Rocks. As Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore celebrates this anniversary, it is also appropriate to mention former Congressman Raymond F. Clevenger. His hard work and dedication to the conservation and economic improvement of this area played a major role in the creation of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Before his election to Congress, Mr. Clevenger made establishing a National Lakeshore on Lake Superior a top priority of his campaign. Once elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, he introduced legislation, H.R. 8678, to establish a National Lakeshore. On October 15, 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed Public Law 89-668, creating the nation's first National Lakeshore at Pictured Rocks. Thanks to the efforts of Congressman Clevenger, more than 73,000 acres of beaches, cliffs, waterfalls, and forests, as well as the wildlife that resides there, have been preserved. In recognition of former Congressman Raymond Clevenger's efforts, I will be working to see that the Miners Castle Information Station at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore be known as the ``Raymond F. Clevenger Visitor Information Center at Miners Castle.'' Mr. Speaker, our nation is blessed with countless natural resources and wonders. Those of us from northern Michigan and from the Upper Peninsula take great pride in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I would ask that the U.S. House of Representatives join me in observing this historic anniversary and in pledging our continued support for the preservation of this beautiful and historic park.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise toay to honor an important industry in my district that has been responsible for creating thousands of jobs in Michigan and for the settlement of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. On October 2nd, Cleveland-Cliffs, CCI, will celebrate the milestone of 50 years of iron ore pellet production and 500 million tons of iron ore pellets produced. Even in its earliest days, Cleveland-Cliffs' history was characterized by pioneering risk-taking. Cleveland-Cliffs brought electrical power to Michigan's Upper Peninsula by introducing electric haulage equipment at the Cleveland Lake Mine in 1892. Cleveland-Cliffs created the first geological department for an iron mining company in the Lake Superior region in lshpeming, Michigan in 1900. In 1910, the company built the region's first hydroelectric plant. However, it was not until the middle of the 20th century that Cleveland-Cliffs made what is perhaps the company's most valuable contribution, iron ore pellets. In the 1940s, it became apparent that the iron ore of the Marquette area that Cleveland-Cliffs had relied upon were being depleted. While the Marquette Iron Range still had millions of tons of leaner ores, a method had not yet been invented for making this leaner ore usable in blast furnaces. Once more, Cleveland- Cliffs exhibited leadership and innovation. Partnering with the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Cleveland-Cliffs researchers developed a technique for concentrating low-grade iron ore and pelletizing it to provide high- quality iron ore pellets for use in steel production in the company's blast furnaces. In 1956, CCI put this innovative technique into practice, producing its first iron ore pellets at the Eagle Mills pellet plant near Negaunee, Michigan, just west of Marquette. While these first pellets were crude by today's standards, the pellets could be used in the blast furnaces to make a high grade steel and they opened the way for the development of the pellet making operations of today. The process of pelletizing low-grade iron ore revolutionized the iron ore business. Without this process, thousands of jobs in Michigan might never have been created and Marquette County would have missed out on billions of direct economic impact from these mines. Today, Cleveland- Cliffs is the largest producer of Iron ore pellets in North America. This year, Cleveland-Cliffs reached another historic milestone. Celebrating the 500 millionth ton total is an important tribute to not only the Cleveland-Cliffs company, but also to the working men and women who have kept the pelletizing and mining operations running smoothly and productively over the past 50 years. Mr. Speaker, from the beginning of its operations in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to its innovation of the iron ore pelletizing process to the present day, Cleveland-Cliffs has demonstrated leadership and a forward thinking trailblazing spirit. As this great company marks this important occasion, I would ask that you and the U.S. House of Representatives join me in saluting the past and present employees of Cleveland-Cliffs, CCI's entrepreneurial spirit, their steady growth, their innovations, and their contributions to the economy of the Great Lakes region.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, September 28, 2006, I could not be present for votes because I was in Michigan to attend the memorial service of the spouse of one of my longtime staffers. House rollcall vote No. 495--I would have voted ``no'' on the motion to order the previous question on H. Res. 1045. Voting ``no'' would have allowed the House to take up the following 5 bills: A bill to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission; a bill to increase the minimum wage to 7.25 per hour; a bill to provide authority to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices for senior citizens and people with disabilities; a bill to repeal the massive cuts in college tuition assistance imposed by the Congress and to expand the size and availability of Pell Grants; a bill to roll back tax breaks for large petroleum companies and to invest those savings in alternative fuels to achieve energy independence. House rollcall vote No. 496--I would have voted ``no'' on the motion to order the previous question on H. Res. 1046. Voting ``no'' would have allowed the House to take up the following 5 bills: A bill to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission; a bill to increase the minimum wage to 7.25 per hour; a bill to provide authority to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices for senior citizens and people with disabilities; a bill to repeal the massive cuts in college tuition assistance imposed by the Congress and to expand the size and availability of Pell Grants; a bill to roll back tax breaks for large petroleum companies and to invest those savings in alternative fuels to achieve energy independence. House rollcall vote No. 497--I would have voted ``no'' on the passage of the Martial Law Rule, H. Res. 1046, bypassing House rules that ensure that Members of the House have adequate time to review legislation before voting on it. House rollcall vote No. 498--I would have voted ``no'' on the previous question on H. Res. 1052, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5825, the Electronic Surveillance Act. Defeating the previous question would have allowed the House, immediately after the rule is adopted, to take up a bill to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. House rollcall vote No. 499--I would have voted ``no'' on H. Res. 1052, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5825, Electronic Surveillance Act. This Rules Committee reported out a closed rule, which allowed for no amendments and limited debate on a bill that has strong, bipartisan opposition. House rollcall vote No. 500--I would have voted ''yes'' on Representative Thompson's Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4954-- SAFE Port Act. Mr. Thompson's motion instructs conferees to agree to the Senate provisions to improve security for America's rail, subway, buses and trucking systems; and to the Senate provisions to strengthen aviation security, secure the border, create a National Warning and Alert System, and provide first responders with post-disaster health monitoring. I was pleased this measure passed by a vote of 281-140, with all Democrats voting yes. House rollcall vote No. 501--I would have voted ``yes'' on the Schiff/Flake/Harman/Inglis Motion to Recommit. The bipartisan substitute would update provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, FISA, to provide intelligence agencies more flexibility in emergency situations and less bureaucratic red tape when applying for warrants, while still requiring court orders for domestic surveillance of Americans. The motion to recommit failed by a vote of 202-221. House rollcall vote No. 502--I would have voted ``no'' on final passage of H.R. 5825, the Electronic Surveillance Act. I strongly support giving our law enforcement and intelligence agencies the tools they need to fight terror. However, H.R. 5825 gives the President unnecessarily broad powers to eavesdrop on innocent Americans. The FISA court system has worked well for nearly 30 years--we should be expanding and reforming the existing system, instead of reducing judicial oversight and undermining our system of checks and balances. House rollcall vote No. 503--I would have voted ``yes'' on H.R. 6143, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act. While I understand that some States may lose funding under the new formula, I believe it is important to reauthorize this program that is critical to far too many Americans. I am hopeful that as the bill moves to the Senate, we can increase the overall funding level for the program so that Congress does not have to pick winners and losers in combating this terrible disease.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent of mine who has dedicated significant personal time towards helping mentor and lead young people in his community. Howard Hanft, or ``Howie'' as he is known locally, has led the West Branch Little League for 21 years. As President of the West Branch Little League, Howie has helped grow the league tremendously. Today, the league serves 588 Ogemaw County youngsters who play on 46 teams. Under his leadership, the league has built five new fields, bringing the total number of fields to seven. Five of those fields are under lights and groomed with irrigation, which speaks to the sophisticated care the league puts into its fields for the players. Howie's efforts to build a world class little league program have yielded big results for the West Branch Little League. In 2005, West Branch sent four teams to the state championship finals--two teams of girls and two teams of boys. The boys' senior league clinched the state title and finished second in the national regional playoffs, one game away from the Little League World Series. This year, the same team won the state championship and the regional playoffs qualifying them to play in the Big League World Series in Easley, South Carolina. At the end of the World Series, Howie's team was ranked 11th in the world, truly an astounding accomplishment. What is equally impressive is that this group of young men won the state championship in a division that generally has 17-18-year-olds. Howie's team is comprised of 16-17-year- oIds. I congratulate Howie and his players: Pete Jackson, Troy Lambert, Rickie Dodridge, Curtis Lyons, Kyle Wangler, Matt Faiman, Calvin Page, Aaron Kihn, Ryan Bragg, Robbie Goulette, Kyle Weber, Anthony Betancourt and Mike Noffsinger. I also salute the team's manager Mark Weber and coaches Mark Dodridge, Sr., Mark Dodridge, Jr. and Mike Noffsinger, Sr. However, Howie's record of success goes beyond wins and losses. Thanks to the superior facilities that were built under Howie's leadership, West Branch had the honor of hosting the minor-league state tournament for 9- and 10-year-old boys last year. In hosting the tournament, West Branch organized major parties and giant picnics for teams visiting across the state. Some have described the celebrations that Howie organizes in conjunction with tournaments as a ``carnival.'' As several local residents in West Branch have noted, Howie's hard work benefits not only the local little league players, but also the West Branch area economy. Howie's deep connection to the sport of baseball goes back to his childhood. When he was only 8 years old, Howie began playing little league baseball. During high school, Howie umpired younger kids while also working as a game announcer. Howie took a break during his freshman year of college from coaching and umpiring. However, every year after that, he returned to coach and assist whenever he was needed. In 1988, Howie became President of the West Branch Little League. The West Branch community has benefited from his leadership, commitment and passion for baseball ever since. Running a baseball program with nearly 600 participants is both labor-intensive and expensive. Howie has therefore had to spend a great deal of time raising money and recruiting volunteers. All of the money and manpower that Howie is able to marshal comes from the local community. In many ways, Howie's efforts have helped rally the West Branch community together, engaging local citizens and local businesses to support the town's baseball tradition. Mr. Speaker, little league baseball is a uniquely American tradition. For over 100 years, American towns, villages and communities have come together during the summer to watch young people partake in America's pastime. Howard Hanft has helped continue and strengthen that great tradition in part of my district. I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in congratulating and thanking him for these accomplishments.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rich Brown, a Representative in the Michigan House of Representatives from the 110th District. The 110th District includes the counties of Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Keewenaw, Baraga, Iron and part of Marquette County. Elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2000, Rich Brown has been term limited and his service in the Michigan House will therefore end this year. In this case, I believe the term limits law in my home state has deprived the people of Michigan continued service from an exemplary state Representative. Even prior to going to Lansing, Rich dedicated much of his life to public service and to serving the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) community. Beginning as a broadcaster at WUUN Radio in Marquette before becoming news director at WUPM Radio in Ironwood, Michigan, Rich covered the local issues that matter to the local communities of the U.P. Later, he worked as a reporter for the Ironwood Daily Globe, before beginning public service as Gogebic County Clerk. It was in 1984, that Rich was elected Gogebic County Clerk and Register of Deeds. During his tenure as a County Clerk he received wide acclaim for his public service efforts. He was named Michigan County Clerk of the year in 1992. Rich served as Gogebic County Clerk for 16 years until his election to the Michigan House of Representatives. In Lansing, Rich has been a tireless champion of ``Yoopers,'' residents of Michigan that live in the state's Upper Peninsula. Rich served on the powerful Appropriations Committee. From that powerful committee, he ensured that the unique transportation needs of northern Michigan were met by bringing state money above the bridge. Rich's district encompasses much of the ``Copper Country,'' an area rich in history and natural beauty. Rich has been a worthy emissary from this area, representing the area's unique culture and values in Lansing with distinguished pride. The Upper Peninsula faces different issues than issues faced by downstate residents. Rich has recognized those differences and exhibited hard work in our state capital to find creative solutions on both sides of the Mackinac Bridge. In the Michigan State House of Representatives, Rich has been a stalwart advocate for his constituents. I look forward to his continued involvement in the communities in the Upper Peninsula western end of the Copper Country. I applaud him for his years of service to Michigan, to the Upper Peninsula and to the people of Michigan's 110th legislative district. While known for his political prowess, Rich was well known throughout the Upper Peninsula as the energetic, entertaining and talented director of Marty's Goldenaires Senior Drum and Bugle Corps from Bessemer. Rich's band has delighted crowds in Michigan and Wisconsin and always draws the loudest, most sincere appreciation of all the drum and bugle corps that are participating in a parade, concert or festival. Under Rich's direction, Marty's Goldenaires are simply ``The Best!'' Finally, let me offer my best wishes to Rich's wife, Ann Marie, his two children, Ryan and Emily. All of them have a great deal to be proud of in Rich's life and career. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the U.S. House of Representatives join me in saluting Rich Brown for his dedicated service to the state of Michigan, the people of the Copper Country and Michigan's 110th House District.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to Stephen Adamini, a Representative in the Michigan House of Representatives from the 109th District. The 109th District is comprised of four Upper Peninsula counties: Alger, Luce, Marquette and Schoolcraft. First elected to the House in 2000, Stephen Adamini will be concluding his service in that body at the end of this year. The people of the 109th Representative District have been well represented by Stephen and he will be missed. Whether the issue was timber or roads, Stephen was always ready to jump into the political and legislative arena, and he was a tireless worker for the ``Yoopers,'' those residents of Michigan that live in the state's Upper Peninsula. As Steve has recognized, while there are many common issues in communities across our state, each region also has unique needs and concerns of its own. Steve recognized the unique qualities of his district and he worked hard in our state capital to find creative solutions on both sides of the Mackinac Bridge. Stephen was also known for his work in Lansing in the area of health care. He served as Minority Vice Chair of that Committee in addition to serving on the Judiciary and Transportation Committees. Among the bills, that he authored Steve's legislative skills helped tackle thorny issues surrounding the privacy of medical records. Even prior to going to Lansing, Stephen dedicated much of his life to public service and community involvement. Whether it was serving on the Executive Committee of the Gwinn Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairing the Marquette County Airport Board, serving on the Marquette County Re- Apportionment Commission or his work on the Michigan Transportation Commission, Steve has always strived to improve and serve his community and the entire Upper Peninsula. In the Michigan State House of Representatives, Stephen has represented Marquette, the largest city in the Upper Peninsula. His distinguished record in Lansing has endeared him to his constituents in Michigan. Stephen and I have always enjoyed a special relationship personally and professionally. I look forward to his continued involvement in the communities of Alger, Luce, Marquette and Schoolcraft and I applaud him for his years of service to Michigan, to the Upper Peninsula and to the people of Michigan's 109th legislative district. It is leaders like Stephen Adamini who make our system of democracy great at all levels--State as well as Federal. On this occasion, I offer my best wishes to Stephen's wife, Linda, his two children Corrine and Stephen Jr., and his grandchildren; Alexandra, Marki, and Ryan. All of them have a great deal to be proud of in Stephen's life and career. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in saluting Stephen Adamini for his record of public service both in Lansing and at home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member and their staffs on the Committee for assisting in moving this legislation forward. H.R. 3606 is a straightforward, non-controversial bill that would allow the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society to implement the new Human Use/Natural Resource Management Plan for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Chippewa County, Michigan. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. Since 1992, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has operated the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum to educate the public about shipwrecks in the region. The Museum provides exhibits on several shipwrecks in the area, including an in-depth exhibit on the Edmund Fitzgerald, which was lost with her entire crew of 29 men near Whitefish Point, Michigan on November 10, 1975. Among the items on display is the 200 pound bronze bell recovered from the wreckage in 1995, as a memorial to her lost crew. In 2002, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the local chapter of the Audubon Society, and the local community, finalized a new management plan for the Museum to improve the experience at the Museum. The new management plan developed by these groups will allow the Historical Society to enhance the visitor's experience by expanding the Museum's exhibits and improving parking and access to surrounding wildlife opportunities. The new management plan represents a consensus of all associated parties, and will improve the enjoyment of the historical and ecological resources in Chippewa County, Michigan. However, because the original land grant patent references the previous management plan, legislation to amend the patent is necessary before the new management plan can be implemented. In response, I introduced H.R. 3606, which would amend the land grant patent to allow the new plan to be implemented. This legislation would simply change the land grant patent to include the new management plan, which has been agreed upon by all of the necessary stakeholders. Congressman Camp has joined me in cosponsoring this legislation, recognizing the importance of increasing visitors to our state and its economy. I thank him for his support of this legislation. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has continuously improved the experience at the Museum since it was established in 1992. With the approval of H.R. 3606, Congress will allow additional developments at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, improving this cultural and historical resource. I encourage my colleagues to support this simple legislation, which will improve the opportunities available to visitors of Chippewa County, Michigan and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, the Bush administration and Republicans in this House enjoy a cozy relationship with big oil companies, one that is paying off for oil but is hurting American consumers. For 5 years now, the President has stacked his administration with former energy executives, friends and former colleagues of his and the Vice President's. It is no wonder then that now the Nation's three largest oil companies have been posting record profits. They are benefiting from the Republican policies that allow them to price gouge and receive huge tax subsidies. But when it comes to offering assistance or solutions to the American consumer, the Republicans in the Bush administration come up short. No money for home heating assistance, no money for consumer price relief, no money to invest in finding alternative fuels. Of course not, it is all going to the oil companies. There is just not enough left to help the average American. Democrats demand action on this issue before Republicans take this House into yet another recess. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 4479, which repeals the oil company tax subsidies and allows us to find real solutions to the energy crisis.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who exhibited leadership and dedication in serving the working men and women of the Upper Peninsula and our Nation. On September 23, 2006, Mr. Fred Kotler will be inducted into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. The organized labor movement enjoys a rich history in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. From the mining strikes in the Copper Country of 1913-1914 to the present day, working men and women across the Upper Peninsula have exhibited a heritage of proud trade unionism. Mr. Kotler exemplifies that rich tradition by having served as an educator, a labor organizer and as a business agent. Mr. Kotler served as Director of the Labor Education Program at Northern Michigan University from 1986 to 1994. During his tenure there, he coordinated and worked closely with the Labor Advisory Planning Committee. He is credited with building the university's Labor Education Program. At Northern Michigan University, Mr. Kotler was responsible for developing and directing conferences, seminars and workshops that helped to educate the staff, officers, stewards and rank-and-file members of public and private sector local unions as well as the Michigan AFL-CIO and the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. Much of Mr. Kotler's expertise focused on what he refers to as ``training the trainer,'' in other words educating key union leaders and personnel to build stronger, more effective unions. This technique focuses on empowering unions to grow their own membership and more effectively bargain on behalf of their members. Mr. Kotler's participation and leadership in the labor movement predates his work in the Upper Peninsula. In 1977, Mr. Kotler worked with the Service Employees International Union on a citywide ballot initiative in San Francisco. In the early 1980s, Mr. Kotler helped to organize hospital workers in Sonoma, California. In 1983, he returned to San Francisco to serve as the Business Representative and Organizer for the local Service Employees Union there. This extensive work in the field of labor organizing made him uniquely qualified to develop and implement the curriculum of Northern Michigan University's Labor Education Program. Many of my constituents benefited from his tutelage as well as from his work on the Marquette County Central Labor Council where he served as a delegate. As one might expect, since leaving Northern Michigan University in 1994, Mr. Kotler has continued his commitment to organized labor as a scholar and an organizer. Today he serves as the Director of the Cornell/New York State AFL-CIO Union Leadership Institute and as Associate Director of the Construction Industry Program. Since joining the faculty of Cornell, he has developed a number of innovative programs that have been used to strengthen unions not only in New York, but nationwide. He designed and developed programs such as the Construction Organizing Membership Education Training (COMET) and the Multi-Trade Organizing Volunteer Education (MOVE) curriculums that streamlined labor's organizing techniques in the construction industry. While not a native of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Mr. Kotler's contributions to the area have endeared him to many of my constituents who came to view him as one of our own. The feeling appears to be mutual. As he described his Upper Peninsula neighbors, ``The folks up there welcomed me with open arms. They taught me so much about the labor movement in the Upper Peninsula.'' Since 1993, outstanding labor leaders and individuals who have contributed to organizing, workplace fairness, worker dignity, and the advancement of the labor movement in northern Michigan, have been honored with induction into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is housed in the Superior Dome on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Mr. Kotler is a deserving addition to this august group. I wish him all the best and ask that the U.S. House of Representatives join me in saluting Fred Kotler for his contributions to the Upper Peninsula Labor movement and his ongoing dedication to all working men and women in our nation.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a time honored tradition observed in my district and, specifically, in my hometown of Menominee, Michigan. Nearly every year, since 1894, Menominee High School's football team, known as the Maroons, has played their rivals just across the Wisconsin border, the Marinette High School Marines. The annual rivalry is known as the M&M (Marinette & Menominee) game. In many ways, it parallels the annual contest in the professional football between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, another longstanding rivalry. Since 1894, the M&M game has developed into one of the oldest interstate athletic competitions in the United States. In fact, until 2005, the National Federation of State High School Associations recognized the M&M game as the oldest interstate series in the United States. Last year, the National Federation of State High School Associations found that two other interstate athletic series were older. Nonetheless, the proud tradition of the M&M game remains the oldest interstate high school football competition in the Midwest and the third oldest in the nation. To understand what this competition means to the people of Menominee and Marinette, one needs to know a little about the area. These two communities are separated only by the Menominee River, which serves as the state border. The communities are so closely tied together economically that in many ways the residents think of the two cities as one, disregarding the state border that separates the two states. However, every fall, town pride boils up and the team colors come out as the two towns prepare for the annual game. Together, Marinette and Menominee are transformed into an exceptional Midwestern fall festival as area residents organize a celebration of this great tradition. Through events like parades, tug of war contests, battles of the drums, a community yell contest, a powder puff game, fireworks and a bonfire, the people of Menominee and Marinette celebrate their shared history through good natured competition. Over the years, the Menominee-Marinette competition has produced a whole range of football stars, many of whom went on to play football for Big Ten schools like the University of Wisconsin, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. The two schools have also produced athletes who played in the National Football League. A particularly remarkable photo from 1958 shows three NFL players--Billy Wells, Dick Deschaine, and Earl ``Gug'' Girard. All three were on the field at the same time during a Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns game and, interestingly, all three hail from the Menominee-Marinette area. This year is particularly important for these two communities and for this tradition. While this rivalry originated in 1893, for a variety of reasons, the two schools did not play each other a few years, making 2006 the year that Menominee and Marinette will play their one- hundredth game. The Marinette-Menominee community will mark this centennial with a number of special events, including the first ever M&M Twin Cities Parade, the first parade that will originate in Menominee, proceed through town, cross the Menominee River and the Wisconsin border and then finish in Marinette, Wisconsin. Every year, the teams rotate where the game will be played and this year the game will take place at Higley field in Marinette, Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, high school football is a uniquely American institution and tradition that brings our communities together. Rivalries between neighboring schools serve to remind us of our roots and why our hometowns are special to each of us. The older and deeper the rivalry, the greater the passion it elicits from fans and alums. The Menominee- Marinette rivalry is unique in many ways. Holding the title of the third oldest interstate high school competition makes this game special. Perhaps what is most unique about the annual M&M game is that such an intense rivalry draws two communities together into a spirit of shared kinship. These two cities, separated only by a river and a state line, rediscover their unique identities every fall by rooting for the Marinette Marines or the Menominee Maroons. At the same time that these two communities celebrate their rivalry, they also acknowledge their longstanding shared history. As the Menominee Maroons and the Marinette Marines prepare to don their respective maroon and purple uniforms for their one-hundredth game, I ask that the U.S. House of Representatives join me in saluting the players of today and yesterday as well as these two communities for continuing this unique tradition.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Dingell and Mr. Gillmor and others from the Michigan delegation for bringing forth this bill. It has been a long time. I rise in support of H.R. 2491, the International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act, or what is commonly referred to as the Canadian trash bill. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation which is needed to help control over 400 trucks a day that cross the border from Canada, bringing tons of trash mostly into Michigan, but also to other States. The unregulated flow of trash into Michigan and other States creates significant environment and public health concerns. Even more alarming, a January 2006 audit conducted by the Department of Homeland Security has shown that these trucks are often found containing human blood, medical waste, illegal drugs, and illegal currency. The report raises significant border security and national safety concerns that must be addressed. Currently, States and local governments are not allowed to control the trash coming in from out of their State. This Canadian trash bill will give residents of Michigan and other States the power to limit the trash from outside of the United States that they are forced to accept. I have repeatedly requested that President Bush and the Republican leadership support this legislation. I am pleased that the Republican leadership is finally allowing its consideration more than a year after our Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved this bill in our committee. I will continue to work to encourage the administration to finally support us in addressing Michigan's ongoing problem with imported waste from Canada. Last week Senators Stabenow and Levin announced a landmark agreement that will go a long ways toward eliminating Canadian trash imports. By 2010, Ontario has agreed to stop the shipment of all municipal garbage to Michigan. This is a significant step forward in eliminating trash imports to the United States, and I commend Senators Stabenow and Levin for their fine work. Along with this agreement, the Canadian trash bill we are currently considering will help limit the flow of trash from Canada. Given the environment, public health, border security and national safety concerns, it is especially important that we act immediately to limit the flow of municipal waste from Canada. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2491. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a northern Michigan treasure that has enjoyed a rich legacy of community service and outreach. Next month, Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Marquette, Michigan will celebrate its 150th anniversary. For a century and a half, this local landmark has served as a place of worship for the residents of Marquette and the surrounding communities. The story of St. Paul's, in many ways, parallels the story of Marquette. As the Marquette community grew, so too did St. Paul's Episcopal Church, serving the community's spiritual needs and many of its material needs. Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, or simply St. Paul's as locals call it, can be traced back, in one form or another, to 1851, when a small group of some of the first settlers in Marquette, Michigan began holding services at various sites throughout Marquette. Some of these earliest services were held aboard the steamships Planet and Napoleon as they were anchored in Marquette's harbor. In 1856, St. Paul's hired its first rector. The sponsor of the first rector, Charles Trowbridge, stipulated that the rector would hold services each week at Collinsville, a community of 300 people 3 miles north of Marquette. One of Marquette's other early residents, Peter King, took on the challenge of ensuring that the rector arrived in Collinsville each week. This weekly trek occasionally required travel by dog sled. In August of 1856, St. Paul's Episcopal Church was incorporated into the City of Marquette. Work began on a wooden frame edifice at the location of the present church on Marquette's Ridge Street. Establishing a church in the frontier community of Marquette was a challenge, but the church was assisted by gifts from Episcopal churches in downstate Michigan as well as by gifts from other parishes as far away as New York and Boston. By 1874, St. Paul's and Marquette were thriving and the church had outgrown its original small frame church. The original St. Paul's structure was purchased by German Lutherans and moved two blocks away. Construction then began on the present-day church. On Christmas, 1875, the new church held its inaugural services. Since that day, St. Paul's has remained a prominent feature of the Marquette community. In 1907, St. Paul's conceived, financed and built the Guild Hall, a structure that many say was the first community building erected in Marquette. Built under the leadership of the Reverend Bates Burt, the Guild Hall provided a meeting place for the people of Marquette. The Guild Hall housed a reading room, an assembly room, a stage and recreation facilities including a swimming pool, gymnasium, billiard tables and bowling alley. In the words of Reverend Burt, the Guild Hall was meant to ``provide facilities where people could meet and work in a social way, a clubhouse for the Parish where it could do efficient work not once in seven days, but every day.'' Today, St. Paul's Episcopal Church remains an important part of the fabric of the Marquette community. The church actively supports Habitat for Humanity and works to provide medical care for the uninsured through the Medical Care Access Coalition. The church operates the Camp New Day Upper Peninsula Program, which provides urban children of residents of the State's penal institutions with a recreational experience in Michigan's north woods. The church has reached out beyond its borders to provide support for at-risk children in places as far away as Honduras, Haiti and the Sudan and to provide an annual market for third world craftspeople. Mr. Speaker, the spirit and philosophy of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is reflected in its motto: Gathered by Grace; Sent Forth to Serve. Since those early days aboard steamships in Marquette's harbor to its current location at Ridge Street, St. Paul's has lived by that motto, serving as a spiritual foundation and community anchor for the people of Marquette. As its members prepare to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Paul's Episcopal Church I would ask, Mr. Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in celebrating the church's many contributions to the Marquette community and in paying tribute to the rich historical legacy of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, its members and many acts of faith.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an institution in my district that serves those who have served the rest of us. The D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, MI, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary Rededication next month. My district is home to more veterans than any other Congressional District in Michigan. As such, the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans has been indispensable to many of my constituents. The D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans was rededicated in 1981 and was named after Dominic J. Jacobetti, the longstanding Chair of the Michigan House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Representative Jacobetti was widely acknowledged as an effective advocate for veterans and for all of northern Michigan. Before this important facility was established in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.), the only places for a U.P. veteran to go for long- term care were Michigan's Lower Peninsula or Wisconsin. Only after veterans organizations in the Upper Peninsula advocated for and requested this facility did the state of Michigan, with help from the Federal Government, establish the Jacobetti Home for Veterans. With the establishment of the Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Michigan became one of the first states to have two full-service, long-term care facilities for veterans. It is important to note that the Jacobetti Home prides itself on truly being a home, not just a long-term care facility. The fact that the Jacobetti Home refers to its residents as ``members'' reflects the philosophy that has guided the Jacobetti Home over the last 25 years. The staff of the Jacobetti Home does not refer to residents as ``patients'' or ``guests,'' but as ``members,'' a title that underscores that residents of the Jacobetti Home for Veterans truly belong to a larger U.P. community. The Jacobetti Home provides a ceramic shop, chapel, puzzle room and a solarium. The staff and veteran volunteers of the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans provide members with outings and classes almost daily. With the help of volunteers, watercolor, woodworking, and sewing classes are offered as are shopping trips, picnics, and a host of other activities. As of May of this year, the Jacobetti Home for Veterans had served 1,950 members. This impressive number is a glowing testament to the hard work and dedication of the Jacobetti staff who have been tireless in their efforts to serve Upper Peninsula veterans. Dr. James Heron deserves enormous credit for leading the Jacobetti Home for nearly two decades in a dual capacity as both Director and Medical Administrator. Brad Slagle, the Director of the facility since August of 2005, deserves our support as he leads the organization into the future. As the 25th anniversary of the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans draws near, I would also like to salute the great number of individuals who volunteer thousands of hours each year to keep the Jacobetti Home for Veterans running. Almost every year, I attend the Jacobetti Home for Veterans' annual volunteer appreciation banquet to recognize the countless hours volunteers at the Jacobetti Home give to this veterans facility. I am pleased to note the roster of volunteers grows every year. Only a few years ago, area citizens contributed 10,000 volunteer hours per year to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans. Today, volunteer hours have increased to approximately 14,000 hours per year. Volunteers help with the annual Jacobetti trip to the U.P. State Fair, as well as dinner nights and fishing trips. Volunteers put on Christmas parties, New Year's parties, Vegas nights and bingo. The Jacobetti woodshop is run by volunteers. Volunteers are also critical to the fundraisers that keep the Jacobetti Home operational. So, as all of the Upper Peninsula prepares to celebrate this 25th Anniversary, I tip my hat to the many volunteers who contribute so much personal time to make the Jacobetti Home such a special place for our veterans to live. These values of volunteerism, community and a responsibility to those who have sacrificed for our country are just a few of the things that make the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans special. Mr. Speaker, as we honor our brave fighting men and women serving abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is important that we not forget them when they return home. In that spirit, for 25 years now, the Jacobetti facility has truly been a home for those who have served our country. Given the unique spirit of volunteerism and community service exhibited by the staff and volunteers of the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, I know we can expect the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans to be serving today's soldiers, when they are tomorrow's veterans, 25 years from now. Mr. Speaker, I close by asking that you and the U.S. House of Representatives join me in paying tribute to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, a facility that truly serves those who have served all of us. In this time of conflict, it is more vital than ever that we retain those values of volunteerism, community and responsibility--values that the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans truly exemplifies.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, for the second straight day I come to the floor objecting strongly to the process by which bills are being brought to the floor on suspension without proper consideration. Today, the House is considering two bills that were not properly considered by the Energy and Commerce Committee. Both the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act and the Deleting Online Predators Act were rewritten behind closed doors by the majority and were not marked up before going to the floor. On the other hand, our committee marked up a bill today, and this is not a joke, but to protect consumers from misleading thread counts for wool suits. We mark up a bill to protect people from wool suits but not from online child predators. Mr. Speaker, I take a back seat to no one when it comes to my dedication to tracking down, prosecuting and locking up child predators. I have helped lead the child predator investigation in the House, and I have participated in six hearings on this issue. Unfortunately, child predators are not the target of today's bill. This bill will not delete online predators. Rather, it will delete legitimate Web content from schools and libraries. Schools and libraries that serve students are the target of this legislation. The bill is an attempt to protect children in schools and libraries from online predators. It is important to note that during the six oversight hearings we had, hearing from 38 witnesses on the issue, there was not one mention of online child exploitation being a problem at schools or libraries. Perhaps this is because there is already a law on the books that requires schools and libraries who receive e-rate funding to monitor children's Internet use and to employ technology blocking children or preventing children from viewing obscene and harmful content. Many schools and libraries already block Web sites such as MySpace. This legislation is largely redundant and raises many constitutional concerns. The National School Boards Association opposes this bill saying, ``NSBA is concerned that the bill would not substantially improve safety of students, and would place an added and unnecessary burden on schools. Furthermore, the legislation does not address the real issue of educating children about the dangers of the Internet and how to use it responsibly and wisely.'' The American Library Association also opposes this bill, saying the bill ``denies access to constitutionally protected speech.'' This bill will not tackle the real threat to our children. Our committee learned from teens, experts and law enforcement that the real threat lies in children using these sites in their rooms without adult supervision. This legislation will actually drive children to go to unsupervised places, unsupervised sites to go online, where they will become more vulnerable to child predators. Finally, and importantly, legislation before us today does nothing to hold Internet service providers accountable. We learned from our hearings that ISPs vary widely in what they do to empower children and parents, how they report online predators to authorities, and actively seek and block illegal content from their networks. The bottom line is that Members can vote for this bill, but we should not give parents the false hope that this bill will keep their children safe. This bill will increase the risk to children as we drive children away from supervised sites to unsupervised sites. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am profoundly disappointed that this issue that should not be a partisan issue is becoming one. I will enter into the Record at this point the letter of opposition from the American Library Association. American Library Association, Washington, DC, July 26, 2006. To: United States House of Representatives. Re opposition to H.R. 5319, the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA). Dear Representative: On behalf of the American Library Association (ALA), I write to indicate our continued opposition to H.R. 5319, the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA). We understand this bill may come to the House floor this afternoon and ask that you oppose this bill as it presently reads. No profession or community is more concerned about the safety of children than our Nation's librarians. Librarians in public libraries and school library media centers work continuously to assure that children have appropriate and safe access to the materials and information services they need so that each young person can become literate and educated with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the digital and online world. ALA had hoped following the July 11th hearing on H.R. 5319 before the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, that an amended version would seek to resolve some of the problems we expressed in ALA's testimony. Unfortunately, the revised language we received only last night does not make the necessary changes that we believe would better serve the public interest and contribute to true online safety for young people. We urge opposition to H.R. 5319 for several reasons: 1. The terminology used in DOPA is still overly broad and unclear. As written, this legislation would block access to many valuable websites that utilize this type of communication, websites whose benefits outweigh their detriments. 2. DOPA still ignores the value of Interactive Web applications. New Internet-based applications for collaboration, business and learning are becoming increasingly important, and young people must be prepared to thrive in a work atmosphere where meetings take place online, where online networks are essential communication tools. 3. Education, not laws blocking access, is the key to safe use of the Internet. Libraries and schools are where kids learn essential information literacy skills that go far beyond computer instruction and web searching. Indeed, DOPA would block usage of these sites in the very environments where librarians and teachers can instruct students about how to use all kinds of applications safely and effectively and where kids can learn how to report and avoid unsafe sites. 4. Local decision-making--not federal law--is the way to solve the problems addressed by DOPA. Such decisions are already being made locally, in part due to the requirements of the Children's Online Protection Act (CIPA) for E-rate recipients. This additional requirement is not necessary. 5. DOPA would restrict access to technology in the communities that need public access most. H.R. 5319 still, as presently drafted, would require libraries and schools receiving E-rate discounts through the Universal Service Program to block computer users from accessing Interactive Web applications of all kinds, thereby limiting opportunities for those who do not have Internet access at home. This unfairly denies the students and library users in schools and libraries in the poorest communities from accessing appropriate content and from learning how best to safely manage their own Internet access in consultation with librarians and teachers. It should also be noted that key witnesses at the July 11th hearing testified that limiting access to social networking sites in E-rate schools and libraries will have little impact on the overall problem since young people access these collaborative sites from many locations and over a period of time. If you have any questions, please call our office at 202- 628-8410. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Lynne E. Bradley, Director, Office of Government Relations, American Library Association--WO.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, Democrats on this side, we will support the bill. It does create some accountability at the Department of Homeland Security. It will provide the cities and counties with guidance and standards 5 years after 9/11. But the real critical need is, we need funding. Public safety interoperability should be an urgent priority for this country. As a former police officer, I understand clearly the importance of adequate funding for homeland security programs. The bill solves half the problem. We create the standards, but there is no funding. Let us provide funding and not continue to give false hope to our first responders that interoperability will finally arrive. It will never arrive until we provide adequate funding. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), who really wrote this bill that the majority presents here today in theme only.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds to just respond to the gentleman from Washington. I repeat, I know you have been in Congress for a limited amount of time, but there have been no hearings in the Energy and Commerce Committee on this bill, the committee with primary jurisdiction. You talked about your law enforcement career. Well, back when you were deputy in the early 1970s, I was a city police officer, went on to Michigan State Police, where I served until I was injured in the line of duty. I am the founder of the Law Enforcement Caucus, and I hope you will join our caucus someday. Law enforcement and first responders, what we are doing here today is giving them false hope and promises. The gentleman from Washington claims interoperability is a life and death issue. Then let us fund interoperability and not put law enforcement with a death penalty because they did not get the equipment they need. I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), the ranking member of the Energy Preparedness Subcommittee.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, can you tell us how much time we have remaining?

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), a former first responder and a volunteer firefighter for 26 years.

Mr. STUPAK. How much time do we have remaining, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. While I do not oppose the substance of H.R. 5852, the 21st Century Emergency Communications Act of 2006, I strongly oppose the process by which this bill has been brought to the floor today. H.R. 5852 was introduced July 20, 5 days ago, and was referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee. The committee has held no hearings on this bill nor did the subcommittee or full committee ever mark up this bill. The last hearing the committee held on this issue was September 2005, and the focus was public safety communications after Hurricane Katrina. Now, a month before the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the majority party is bringing up a bill that is not nearly enough to help our first responders on the ground. This is no way to bring public safety legislation to the floor, and this process does a disservice to all our public safety officers throughout America. Since the bill was not subject to any hearings in the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will not spend a lot of time talking about the bill's substance. I will say that the Department of Homeland Security should have taken these steps months and years ago. This bill gives the Department of Homeland Security the ability to deny grants to States and localities that don't have interoperability plans completed and don't meet minimum standards. Let me be clear. I support accountability for the money spent from the Department of Homeland Security grant programs. However, we have not heard from the States and localities, because they did not have a hearing on this bill. I suspect that some States and localities may consider these provisions to be unfunded mandates. The bill calls for periodic baseline surveys on the level of interoperability across the country. I support efforts to measure our progress towards interoperable public safety communications; however, I have little faith that the Department of Homeland Security is going to complete these surveys. We heard in committee that while the first survey was supposed to be finished by 2005, the Department had only recently agreed on methodology and had no start time in mind. A bill that holds DHS's feet to the fire is a good thing. The administration could certainly use some prodding. DHS testified in September that it is the administration's goal to achieve interoperability within the next 20 years, by 2023. We don't have 20 years to become interoperable as a Nation. Our first responders are on the front lines in the war against terror today. They need the help now. Without adequate funding, the benchmarks and planning in this bill will not be implemented in our communities. Last year, the Republican Congress cut the DHS grant programs that fund interoperable communications by almost $600 million and slashed the Department of Justice interoperability grant program by $82 million, effectively eliminating it. My colleagues may not know that this bill is based very closely on a bill introduced by my colleague, Ms. Lowey, which has the support of Democrats. There is one glaring difference, Ms. Lowey's bill would have established an interoperability grant program at the Department of Homeland Security to help our communities. In the closed door negotiations, the Republican majority removed the grant program. No money, no program. This has become a pattern of the majority: Take a good Democratic bill, copy it in theme only, rush it to the floor without any hearings, send out a press release, and then quietly never fund the program. We have seen this time and time again. Mr. Speaker, we ask more of our first responders than ever before. They are on the front lines in the war against terror. They must be prepared to respond to chemical disasters, rail disasters, natural disasters. We saw during 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina that public safety communications are critical in any emergency, but without adequate funding, the bill's worthy goals may never be achieved. Are new interoperable radios more important than replacing out-of- date fire trucks or creating a meth crime task force? These are the real choices that communities across this Nation must make every day, and they receive no help from Washington. Their choices are becoming harder and harder as the Bush administration and Republican budgets ask them to make more with less and less. The real reason why I think the Republicans have brought the bill before us today is because they don't want to face any funding amendments that may come up. In committee last fall, I offered an amendment to create a $5.8 billion trust fund for first responder communications. My amendment failed on a tie vote. Homeland Security Committee Democrats have forced similar votes. Why is this bill on suspension today? Because the majority wants to avoid votes on amendments that would invest in public safety communication grants for our communities. My colleagues should vote for this bill because it will bring some accountability to the Department of Homeland Security and focus more attention on the urgent need of interoperable communications. But my colleagues should not be under any false illusion that this bill will make it easier for first responders to acquire modern equipment. This bill will not provide the necessary interoperable equipment this country needs. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STUPAK. I yield 30 seconds to Mr. Pascrell.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, gas prices are at a record high, at over $3 per gallon. Yet House Republicans plan to leave Washington at the end of this week for a 5-week recess without providing any relief at the gas pump. My legislation, the PUMP Act, which would lower the cost of a barrel of oil by $20, has been stalled in committee. Our constituents have been gouged at the pump for 4 months in a row now, and the only response we have heard from the other side of the aisle is the same old tired policies that will do nothing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and will do nothing to provide real relief to the American consumer. There is no excuse for Republican inaction. It is time that they break their cozy ties with oil companies so we can finally help the American consumer. House Democrats want to repeal more than $20 billion in tax breaks and subsidies that Congressional Republicans and the Bush White House continue to protect. With Big Oil's record profits of $16 billion during the first quarter of this year, oil companies don't need more tax breaks from Washington. Democrats would invest this money, more than $20 billion, into energy resources of tomorrow so that we can begin to wean ourselves off foreign oil. It is time to go in a new direction, America.