Bill Shuster

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Barry Purvis, who was named the 2006 Pennsylvania High School Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals. Dr. Purvis has served diligently for 3 years as the principal of Chambersburg Area Senior High School. Dr. Purvis has taken a pivotal role in changing the morale at Chambersburg Area Senior High School by improving the school atmosphere and reducing discipline problems. His vision for the school, which rests on a foundation of character-building, has vastly improved the success of Chambersburg Area Senior High School students. Regarded as a forward thinker, Dr. Purvis made major adjustments to the academic curriculum, resulting in the considerable rise of state testing scores and the graduation rate. Prior to working as principal of Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Dr. Purvis served as principal of Chambersburg Area Middle School, which he led to earn the National Blue Ribbon School designation. He carried his success and experience over to the high school, overcoming significant challenges and earning an even more prestigious award. As the Pennsylvania High School Principal of the Year, Dr. Purvis will compete for the title of National High School Principal of the Year. Dr. P, as he is endearingly known by his students, has made a great contribution to the betterment of our youth and will continue to enhance the education of many. The Chambersburg Area Senior High School faculty and student body are fortunate to have such a devoted leader. The citizens of Chambersburg and I would like thank Dr. Purvis for his service and dedication to the education system and the community.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Pickering).

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for those kind words. The Local Community Recovery Act makes sense. As the ranking member pointed out, it clarifies and reaffirms the language in the Stafford Act. It also directs the corps to move forward quickly so we can see the cleanup continue to make progress in the Mississippi and in the gulf coast region. I want to again thank Mr. Oberstar for his cooperation on this issue. Once again, the T&I Committee has come together in a bipartisan manner and moved forward for the betterment of this Nation. I also thank Mr. Pickering for his leadership and in working so closely with the T&I Committee to put this together for what I think is going to be a very positive outcome. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 4979, introduced by Mr. Pickering of Mississippi, amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify the preferences for the local firms in the award of contracts for disaster relief activity. The Local Community Recovery Act of 2006 makes it clear that the government can limit contracts to local communities devastated in disasters. The Stafford Act has a preference for doing business with local firms because putting communities back to work is an important strategy for helping them rebuild their economy. In the areas hardest hit by Katrina, the job market, local economy and tax base have been devastated. This legislation will put people back to work rebuilding their communities while simultaneously strengthening the local economy and tax base. Another common advantage of contracting locally can be lower cost and faster job completion. I would like to recognize my colleague, Mr. Pickering, for his dedication to bringing this legislation to the floor. Mr. Pickering has been a champion of this issue and has worked to help the people of the entire gulf coast region. This bill is further proof of his dedication and efforts. Since Katrina ravaged the gulf coast, Mr. Pickering has worked tirelessly with me and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to resurrect his district and all of the gulf coast region. I would also like to thank Ranking Member Oberstar and Ranking Member Norton for working with us to develop a compromise bill that encourages the Army Corps to move forward with its local contracts. The amended version of the bill does not limit judicial review of any contracts. As a result, the bill we are considering enjoys bipartisan support, I repeat, bipartisan support, and I encourage Members to support final passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4979) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify the preference for local firms in the award of certain contracts for disaster relief activities, as amended.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4979.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this commonsense piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. S. 2116 transfers jurisdiction of a small parcel of land from the Architect of the Capitol to the Supreme Court of the United States. Most of my colleagues will recognize this property as the small triangular piece of land between the Hart Senate Office Building and the Supreme Court. For the past few years it has been surrounded by security fencing and covered by construction trailers and equipment supporting the Supreme Court Modernization project. The small parcel of land is bordered by Constitution Avenue on the north, Maryland Avenue on the west and south, and by Second Street on the east. This transfer also includes realigning the jurisdictional boundaries of the United States Capitol Police and the United States Supreme Court Police to reflect this land transfer. The transfer will also enable the Supreme Court Police to have control over the grounds within the bollards that are currently under construction. The Supreme Court Land Transfer Act of 2006 is a simple and sensible solution that provides a more distinct boundary between the Capitol grounds and the Supreme Court. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 2116.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2116) to transfer jurisdiction of certain real property to the Supreme Court.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Andy's Army, a children's volunteer organization in Connellsville, PA. During their last week of school vacation, members of Andy's Army sacrificed swimming in the pool and playing outside to raise $10,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Andy's Army, formed after the death of Andrew Peperak, a 26-year military veteran, performs community service in the Connellsville area. In late August, the members collected money to donate to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The group sold bottled water at a community parade and collected money at two busy city intersections for three days. They set their goal at $10,000 and did not give up until they achieved it. After accomplishing their goal, Andy's Army was invited to Heinz Stadium to present the donation to Red Cross representatives. The kids were greeted by members of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. Inspired by their enthusiasm and hard work, Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Hines Ward matched their contribution and donated another $10,000 to the relief fund. The kids of Andy's Army have exhibited compassion and determination to help others who are less fortunate than themselves. Andy's Army participants Alex Peperak, Charles Peperak, Luke Peperak, Elizabeth Sparks, Andrew Sparks, Nicole Sparks, Tyler Sparks, Ray Craig, John Eutsey, Ashleigh Eutsey, McKenzie Wildey, Cassie May, Courtney McClain, Katie Wilbur, Ashleigh Hawk and Tiffany Sherbondy all deserve our thanks and congratulations on their hard work to give an extraordinary $10,000 contribution to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert A. Frey, the 2006 Boy Scouts of America Frontier District Honoree. Robert Frey has dedicated over 30 years of service to Boy Scout Troop 127 and served for 29 years as chairman of the Troop Committee. Robert will be recognized at the Boy Scouts of America Frontier District Annual Fundraising Breakfast for his contributions to the organization and his community. Robert has dedicated his life to serving his community and his country. He served as a member of the U.S. Army in the Southwest Pacific for nearly 3 years, followed by 31 years of employment at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA. He has also taken an active role in the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, serving as a deacon, ruling elder, Sunday school teacher, and youth group advisor. In addition to his contributions to the U.S. Army and his church, Robert devoted much of his life to guiding hundreds of Boy Scouts, leading backpacking trips and teaching them about the outdoors. Robert served as chairman of the Troop Committee from 1976 until 2005, an almost unheard of length of service in which he provided direction to Scouts, counseling them through the Eagle Scout process and teaching them life skills. Known as ``Pop'' to the hundreds of kids he has led, Robert Frey illustrates the important and rewarding role community members play in the lives of children. He has been recognized for his exceptional service with the Frontier District Award of Merit, the Keystone Area Council Silver Beaver Award, and the National Council/Presbyterian Church USA God and Service Award. Robert has enthusiastically committed his life to helping others, serving his country, his community, and his church. The citizens of Chambersburg, the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, and the hundreds of boys he has guided throughout his service as a Scout leader would like to join me in thanking him for his outstanding service and devotion to his community.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Harold Brake, who has played a vital role in the development of the Charles E. Brake Company of St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, since he joined them in 1954. Started by his father, Charles, in 1924, Harold has carried on the company's excavating duties until this day. I have had the privilege of watching the Charles E. Brake Company succeed in expanding their business operations into other areas of Pennsylvania, and even into Maryland. Today, the company has over 100 employees who have contributed to their community for over 75 years. Mr. Harold Brake saw the company develop through its most profitable years, as it grew from only six employees in 1954 to the 120 workers who are a part of the company today. After serving for more than 50 years in the family-owned corporation, Harold Brake will soon retire from his duties as the Chairman. Although Harold will no longer be the official head of operations, his son, Randy Brake, is certain that Harold will always be involved in the family business. I owned a small business for years and I understand, along with many others across Pennsylvania, the day-in and day-out work it takes to succeed. I applaud Harold for his commitment to his community and his business. As our economy continues to move in the right direction, our small businesses are the driving force. These businesses make up our communities, neighborhoods, and towns. The Pennsylvanians who have benefited from the efforts of the Charles E. Brake Company as a result of Harold's continued hard work would certainly join me in thanking Harold for his contributions to the community and the economy, as well as serving as an inspiration for the spirit of chivalrous virtue.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1777.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to the comments of my good friend from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer). I certainly understand his concern about some of what has gone on in the gulf coast region, things that have not been efficiently moved forward. There have been cases of money being spent unwisely. But on this bill, S. 1777, with the disaster unemployment assistance, this is important, to go to people that do not get normal unemployment. This goes out to people that are self-employed, small business owners. It is critical to the recovery that they have income until they are able to get their businesses back up, or if they are a professional, to get their operations running again. So again I understand the concern of my colleague, but this bill is about disaster unemployment assistance. It is critical to get it back on line. It expires on Saturday. So I would urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer). (Mr. NEUGEBAUER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1777, as amended, extends the disaster unemployment assistance for those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Unfortunately, the economy in the gulf coast area remains devastated and re-employment opportunities are greatly limited. Currently, disaster unemployment assistance is only available for 26 weeks following a disaster declaration. March 4, 2006, is the current deadline for program assistance as a result of Hurricane Katrina disaster declarations for Louisiana and Mississippi. Unless we act, unemployment benefits will expire this Saturday. This bill would extend that period for an additional 13 weeks, making disaster unemployment assistance available for 39 weeks total. This assistance is only available to those persons who are not eligible for regular unemployment assistance. By extending these benefits, we are helping those most in need in the gulf coast region as they continue to recover and rebuild. We extended disaster unemployment assistance benefits after September 11 in the same fashion as we are extending these benefits today. I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of March 1, 2006, I call up the Senate bill (S. 1777) to provide relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments about the press talking about some positive stories coming out of Louisiana, but we should not forget there are also positive stories in Mississippi. The gentlewoman has traveled to the Gulf Coast on a couple of occasions, and the people of Mississippi were devastated as well. The gentleman from Louisiana talked about the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left to do in rebuilding the Gulf Coast, but it is important that we at the Federal level do it in a fiscally responsible way in conjunction with the State and local governments in the Gulf Coast. But we also have hard work ahead of us in fixing the emergency management system, and that is something we are already starting to engage in. And we are going to have, I think, a significant debate on how we move forward. This legislation today is important. The extension of the disaster unemployment assistance, it is money that, as I said earlier, is going to people that traditionally are not eligible for normal unemployment. These are small business owners, many of them. I think the gentlewoman from the District used the example of the hot dog stand owner, people working hard, small businesses. They do not have any income, and this is going to give them that income they need to get them back on their feet. I want to also remind my colleagues that there is not an additional appropriation required for this. This has already been appropriated. The funds are in the disaster relief funds and CBO has scored this as no net increase in spending. So as we move forward, I think it is responsible for us to do this. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I also want to thank my colleague from the District for the work she has put into it. This has been a bipartisan effort. I also want to thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar. I also do not want to forget members of the committee from the Gulf Coast, Mr. Boustany and Mr. Baker, for their leadership, and Mr. Pickering for his leadership. I want finally to thank the majority leader for working with us to get this legislation on the floor today.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Ohio's support on this piece of legislation today. But I want to remind my friends on the other side that Congress does have a role. And we took it very seriously when we set up the Katrina committee. It was the Democratic leader who refused to appoint Members from the minority to the Katrina committee. But there were courageous Members on your side, I see Mr. Jefferson here today, who defied the leadership and who came to the committee hearings for the last 4 or 5 months. We did the hard work. We put forth a document that pointed out some serious problems that we had. It was critical of this administration. But the minority was MIA, missing in action from the Katrina committee. So Congress does have a role. We took it very seriously. And once again I just want to applaud Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Melancon, Ms. McKinney. I hope I am not forgetting anybody. But as I said, they defied their leadership and came to these important Katrina committee hearings, and they were a big part of, I believe, the hearings and had great input into what we produced. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, responding to the gentleman, we are not a day late and a dollar short. We are responding in a timely fashion. We certainly would have liked to have done this a couple of weeks earlier, but we are here on the floor today. We are going to respond to this situation in time. I think it is important. As we move legislation forward in a situation like this, I think the folks in the gulf coast know that those of us in Congress are concerned about their situation; and that is why we are acting in time for this to be extended. I don't believe that responding 6 months prior to the need is something that is wise policy. Let's move forward, let's study the situation and when it gets to a point where we have to extend, where we have to act, I think it is prudent that we do that. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.