John Sullivan

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Thank you, Chairman Whitfield. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3409, the Stop the War on Coal Act. This bill would help reverse the negative impact of President Obama's coal policies and protect American jobs from overregulation by the EPA. The Obama administration is trying to regulate what they don't have the votes to legislate, and it's costing American jobs. Just this week, Alpha Natural Resources announced the elimination of 1,200 jobs due to the Obama administration's hostility towards the coal industry. The relief this bill provides cannot come soon enough. One of the main provisions of the bill is the TRAIN Act. It's bipartisan legislation I authored and the House passed last year. The TRAIN Act forces EPA to conduct an in-depth cost benefit analysis of their most expensive power sector regulations so the American people can fully understand how the EPA's train wreck of regulations is impacting our economy. At its heart, the TRAIN Act simply asks these questions: What do these EPA regulations mean for the ability to compete in a global marketplace? Will electricity prices climb, and by how much? How would higher electricity prices and power plant closures affect jobs in the U.S. economy? This is the right thing to do. I urge the passage of this measure.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, as millions of Chinese around the globe celebrate the Republic of China's National Day this October 10, we need to acknowledge the fact that it hasn't been easy for Taiwan to be a beacon of democracy and an island of prosperity in a world of tyrants and economic uncertainty. Taiwan's many achievements are attributable to the tireless efforts of their people and leaders throughout the decades. I am proud to see that the United States has always been on the side of the Republic of China. During WW II, the United States and China were partners in war and we supported Taiwan against potential adversaries for decades until we enacted the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979. In recent decades, we witnessed Taiwan's evolution from authoritarian rule to full democracy. At the same time Taiwan has been a good political, economic and cultural ally of the United States. In recent years, Taiwan has been very strong in cooperating with us against global terrorism. I am glad that we have re-established high level trust with President Ma Ying-jeou's administration. Taiwan has resumed important arms purchases from us and that Taiwan has lifted the ban on U.S. beef imports and is looking to restart talks on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with us. I am sure that the United States and Taiwan will be helping each other in many areas in the years to come. Congratulations to the people and leaders of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on their National Day.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to state for the Record that I missed rollcall vote 410 to H.R. 4480 taken on June 21, 2012, and I would have voted ``aye'' on the measure. This critical legislation promotes an American energy plan that will not only reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also spur economic growth and job creation. Additionally, the legislation will protect American refineries by reducing unnecessary red tape and burdensome Obama Administration regulations. Stated against:

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. I believe the 287(g) program has been a huge success, and I disagree with my colleagues on the other side that it's not. What we're trying to do is get rid of criminal illegal immigrants in our country that are raping people, involved in drug trafficking, that are murdering people, that are dangerous criminals. I think the program is a huge success, and I can just tell you stories in my area about sex slaves and human trafficking.

Mr. SULLIVAN. This program actually cuts costs. It's a program that is very efficient. It's one that has to be implemented at the local levels because the Federal Government has failed to do its job. The Federal Government doesn't do anything in immigration policy at all in this country, and it has been thrust upon local communities like my local sheriff's office. My local sheriff, Stanley Glanz, has instituted this 287(g) program in our community, and it's kept us safe and secure. We've taken it into our own hands to get people off our streets that are criminal illegal immigrants. It costs money to do that, but I think it's done in a very efficient way that cuts costs. It's done in a very efficient manner. These people are wreaking havoc on our communities, and there is a lot of cost involved in that that's not being talked about to the tune of millions and millions of dollars across this country. I think for us, we would be abdicating our responsibility. Congressman Dicks, we would be abdicating our responsibility if we do not fund this 287(g) program. This is something we should embrace on both sides of the aisle. It's so important. Because of our location to other countries, we have people coming through our country every day smuggling people and drugs all the time. We have identity theft in our community, and it needs to be addressed. This is the only way we can do it until we have comprehensive immigration policy in this country. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Chairman, it is no secret that the Obama administration wants to phase out the 287(g) program. This program has successfully teamed up local law enforcement with Federal agents to pursue a wide range of investigations such as human smuggling, gang, and other organized crime activity and money laundering. The President thinks this program is ineffective. In order to phase out the 287(g), President Obama's FY2013 budget request struck $17 million from the program by terminating agreements and by stopping any further agreements from being signed. Thankfully, the underlying bill restores funding to the 287(g). The 287(g) program provides State and local law enforcement with the training to identify, process, and detain possible immigration offenders. This program extends the Federal Government's ability to enforce our immigration laws without the additional overhead. This program has been highly successful at not only apprehending immigration offenders but in facilitating the incarceration of dangerous criminals, and it has contributed to overall public safety. Nationwide, more than 1,500 officers have been trained and certified to enforce immigration laws, and there are 68 active memoranda of agreements in 24 States. Altogether, since the program's inception, 287(g) has identified over 186,000 aliens for removal. Mr. Chairman, let me tell you about some local 287(g) success stories from my district. In February of this year, the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office was able to bust a sex slave ring in Tulsa and rescue the female victims from having up to 22 men forced on them per day. This was possible because of the 287(g) partnership. Because of this partnership, the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office conducted investigations into known large shipments of amphetamine, opium and powdered testosterone, resulting in successful prosecution and asset forfeiture. Because of 287(g), the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office assisted with an arrest of nine illegal immigrants, one of whom was a child, being smuggled inhumanely in the bed of a Chevy Avalanche. Since the inception of the program in Tulsa, the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has identified, processed, and entered into immigration proceedings on over 14,000 aliens, representing those with dangerous criminal backgrounds. Sex trafficking, drugs, and human smuggling are all part of what the 287(g) program helps to stop. These stories are from Tulsa, but every locality that participates in this program has similar and equally laudable results. While full funding has been restored to 287(g) in H.R. 5855, the program needs further protection. In order to further insulate these successful agreements and protect them from being terminated for cost- saving purposes or political reasons, my amendment simply prevents the termination of standing 287(g) agreements. We cannot allow the Obama administration any loophole to phase out or terminate this important program and place more undue pressure on our communities already burdened by criminal illegal immigration. Simply put, until the Federal Government steps up and starts doing its job, local law enforcement will continue to pick up the slack and enforce our laws. I encourage the adoption of my commonsense amendment by my colleagues today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to state for the record my gratitude to the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Oklahoma and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States since their deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2011. The Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Oklahoma are composed of several units, including the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is made up of six subordinate Battalions. Additionally, the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS), and Oklahoma Air National Guard unit were attached to the 45th IBCT for combat operations. In July of 2011, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom to conduct full spectrum operations. Since July 2011, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed more than 3,000 soldiers to provide command and control and conduct security force and detainee operations and to provide training to Afghan Security Forces, representing the largest single deployment for the Oklahoma Army National Guard since the Korean War. When the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team moved into theater, 1,200 soldiers from the 1 160th Field Artillery Battalion and the 1 180th Cavalry Squadron were detached from the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and redirected to Kuwait. Upon arrival in Regional Command-East, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, as Task Force Thunderbird, assumed responsibility for Panjshir and Laghman Provinces as well as the three western districts of Nuristan Province; Mandol, Do Ab and Nurguram. The combined operations area in Afghanistan consisted of over 10,000 square kilometers and an estimated population well over 600,000. Through the exceptional performance of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as Task Force Thunderbird, the Provinces where the 45th were operating are better prepared to run their government independently of Coalition Forces. Sadly, these successes did not come without a price, as 14 soldiers from Task Force Thunderbird made the ultimate sacrifice, and many soldiers were wounded, to ensure the freedom and security of the United States and Afghan people. I wish to publicly recognize the citizen-soldiers and airmen of the Oklahoma National Guard as invaluable to the national security of the United States, vital to defending against threats both foreign and domestic, and I welcome these brave men and women home to a grateful nation.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I intended to vote No on rollcall vote 159 to H.R. 4089 taken on April 17, 2012. The Congressional Record currently lists me as not voting on this amendment. I firmly believe that this amendment, under the guise of permitting hunting, fishing and recreational shooting, in effect guts the bill, and is a vote against sportsmen nationwide.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate a new independent exploration & production company in my Congressional District that specializes in natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids from shale and other unconventional resources. WPX Energy, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was launched on January 1, 2012. This new multi-billion dollar company is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 1200 employees around the country: Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. This is a new venture that will produce U.S.-based fuels and U.S.-based jobs. I know many of their employees personally. They are enthusiastic to get started and proud to work in the U.S. oil & gas industry, a very competitive and technologically-advanced sector of our economy. Although the company is only weeks old, they have decades of experience leading a top-ten U.S. producer of natural gas. Previously, WPX Energy was a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams, the renowned pipeline company. With the growing success of its exploration & production, WPX spun-off to become a separate, stand-alone company at the end of 2011. Like many new companies, the WPX management team is energetic and innovative, but they are also seasoned by decades of managing a top ten U.S. energy producer. Additionally, WPX has received more than two dozen national, State, local and industry awards for responsible energy development. Our economy is still going through hard times and our Nation faces an unemployment rate of more than 8 percent. Many industries and companies in our country have been downsizing and struggling for a variety of reasons. It is critical that we highlight successful companies that are growing and making contributions to our economy and energy security. WPX is one of these success stories and I am proud that they chose to call Tulsa, Oklahoma home.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Joint Resolution 98, a resolution that would prevent President Obama from raising the debt ceiling by $1.2 trillion. This is a critical time for our Nation. Over 14 million Americans are unemployed, and our record-setting level of debt is more than $15 trillion. The fact is the Obama administration will not lead on this debt reduction issue. I believe it is critical we send a message that we will not return to the era of continuing to run up the American taxpayers' credit card and endless increases to our Nation's debt limit. Let's look at President Obama's record. Since assuming office in 2009, President Obama has proposed consecutive budgets that offer more than $1 trillion in deficit spending, the most of any President in our Nation's history. And under the President's budget plans, in 2018 the United States will owe more interest on the debt than will be spent on all defense spending, meaning we will owe more money to our creditors than supporting our national defense. That is crazy. Congress has a moral obligation to our children and grandchildren to stop the outrageous spending and restore fiscal sanity in Washington to ensure we don't leave them under a mountain of debt. Right now, every American faces $200,000 in financial obligations to pay for our debt, and this is unacceptable. This resolution of disapproval is a good place to start in getting our fiscal house in order, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Thank you, Congressman Terry, and I just want to thank you so much for all you've done. I've seen you work in the committee to get this through the committee process. You've been tenacious, and I thank you. I thank you for getting this through the House floor, and now, getting it across the finish line, which is really what we need to do. And I thank you, along with the tens of thousands of people that want to thank you, as well, that will have a job. And that's what we're talking about here. Like you said, my friend, it's creating jobs. And we talk about creating jobs here in America, and politicians really don't do it, but we have a chance to do something. And these aren't government jobs. These aren't census takers or IRS agents. These are private-sector jobs. And so I thank you, Congressman Terry, for all you've done in creating those jobs. And another thing, too, that this does is it lessens our dependence on OPEC oil. Now I'm tired, along with many other people, of sending $1 billion or more every single day to foreign countries to subsidize their economies and their nations at the expense of our own. And it's a national security issue, as well. But this Keystone Pipeline really creates jobs. Keystone is the largest infrastructure project ready for construction in the U.S., and it's privately funded, requiring no spending. The $7 billion pricetag will support jobs in the U.S. and create demand for U.S. products. Keystone Pipeline will create, as my friend said, 20,000 new jobs directly and support hundreds of thousands of jobs in the coming years. More than 1,400 companies across the U.S. sell their products and services for oil sands work. Keystone XL will lead to more economic activity. Canada is the United States' number one trading partner. In 2010, two-way trade in goods and services between the U.S. and Canada was more than $640 billion each day; $1.7 billion worth of goods and services traversed the U.S.-Canadian border. It will boost national security. Canada is the most reliable and secure oil supplier for Americans outside the U.S. The real foreign alternative to oil sands are from volatile nations like Venezuela. Keystone XL will encourage greater oil production in the Bakken areas of North Dakota and Montana. Trade with Canada complements an all-of- the-above domestic energy strategy: more domestic oil, more alternative fuels, and more auto innovation. Global demand for oil will continue to increase dramatically, meaning that the oil sands will be produced. The question is whether Americans will directly benefit; or if the oil will be exported to Asia, primarily China. Canada is one of America's top allies in meeting security threats around the world. Oil sands production is a major economic engine for Canada, and the government supports Keystone XL. America's foreign policy must not be dictated by EPA, which opposes the Keystone XL pipeline. And like Congressman Lee Terry said, the Obama administration puts electoral politics ahead of national security interests by putting off a decision on Keystone XL until after the elections. That is crazy. The State Department conducted more than 3 years of rigorous analysis and was widely expected to approve Keystone XL by the end of this year, before the White House came under environmentalist pressures. The Obama administration has put environmentalists ahead of American workers. As one example, Keystone XL is supported by several major unions--United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the U.S. In Canada, International Union of Operating Engineers, Laborers' International Union of North America, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Building and Construction Trade Department, AFL- CIO. Now, this is one of the best Christmas gifts we can give the American people by creating jobs, lessening our dependence on foreign oil, and stop sending $1 billion every single day to foreign countries. Again, I want to thank Congressman Lee Terry for all the work he has done on this.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Only in Washington, D.C., are we debating whether it's a good idea to balance the Federal budget. The American people don't have the luxury of choosing. Families and businesses across the country are forced to balance their budgets and live within their means, and the Federal Government should be held to the same standard. I believe a constitutional amendment to balance our Federal budget is a real long-term solution to our Nation's fiscal problems, and I am pleased Congress will soon vote on one for the first time in 15 years. This is a critical time for our Nation. Over 14 million Americans are unemployed, and our record-setting level of debt is over $14 trillion. Congress has a moral obligation to our children and grandchildren to stop the outrageous spending and to restore fiscal sanity in Washington in order to ensure we don't leave them under a mountain of debt. I will continue fighting for a constitutional amendment to require the Federal Government to live within its means just like families across Oklahoma do every day.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. This amendment calls for findings and also would effectively veto this bill. These are not findings for which we established an underlying record in the proceedings relating to this bill. The MACT program is a separate mandate for regulation and it operates separately from the Healthy People 2020 initiative as far as we are aware. EPA estimates that the Cement MACT will reduce mercury emissions by 16,400 pounds per year, an amount that is only 0.15 percent of global emissions. Mercury is emitted naturally and also globally. The Department of Energy estimates that 5,500 tons, or 11 million pounds, of mercury was emitted globally in 2005 from both natural and human sources. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SULLIVAN. I rise in opposition to the Pallone amendment.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam Chair, Congress should not adopt as its own specific findings made by EPA in the context of these rulemakings. Congress has not undertaken a full analysis of the EPA's methodology in assessing these reductions. EPA's estimates encompass multiple assumptions that may or may not be true and which deserve further scrutiny. EPA estimates that the Cement MACT will reduce mercury emissions by 16,400 pounds per year, an amount that is only 0.15 percent of global emissions. Mercury is emitted naturally and also globally. The Department of Energy estimates that 5,500 tons, or 11 million pounds, of mercury was emitted globally in 2005 from both natural and human sources. Emissions from these sources are modest when considered relative to natural and foreign emissions. These projections are complex. Where these estimates have not been subject to rigorous scrutiny, it would be irresponsible for Congress to simply adopt EPA's findings as its own. I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SULLIVAN. I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Additionally, lost supplies of cement resulting from closure of cement plants would also drive up the cost of infrastructure projects and potentially limit the number of projects that may be undertaken. Now, some of the opponents of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation, including President Obama, say this legislation weakens the Clean Air Act. Nothing could be further from the truth. H.R. 2681 does not change or modify any existing public health protections. It simply directs the EPA to establish regulations achievable in practice by real-world cement plants. At a time of great economic uncertainty, this is something worth doing for the health of our economy. I do not know if the President is watching, but right now jobs are not being created and our economy is not growing. The cement sector is struggling in the current economic climate and in the face of foreign competition from abroad. President Obama likes to talk about the need to invest in our Nation's infrastructure, and this legislation will remove one of the several barriers to growth in the construction and manufacturing industries. I am amazed he is opposed to this bipartisan measure, and I encourage my colleagues to support this.

Mr. SULLIVAN. As we go around our districts, as I go around my district in Oklahoma, many people come up to me and say, John, what are you politicians in Washington going to do to help this economy? What are you going to do to create jobs here in America? Well, you know, we politicians don't create jobs, but what we do do is we get in the way. And one of the things we can do to keep jobs in place and even foster new jobs is getting the heck out of the way with these burdensome over- regulations that are out there. The EPA has gone rogue, wanting to shut down 20 percent of our cement plants. And President Obama, when he came to the joint session here recently, said he wanted to build roads and bridges and infrastructure. Well, I guess he wants to do that with imported Chinese cement, not American-made cement. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011. As House Republicans move forward with a bold agenda to grow our economy and put Americans back to work, one area that must be addressed is the issue of over-regulation by the Federal Government. With our economy suffering, and given that 14 million Americans are out of work, Congress must implement Federal policies that grow jobs, increase domestic manufacturing, and restore the global economic competitiveness of the United States. Businesses make decisions on where to invest based upon a number of factors, but regulatory certainty ranks among the top factors, which is why H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011, is so important. I introduced this bipartisan legislation with my good friend and colleague from Arkansas, Mike Ross, to protect American jobs, jobs that we are in danger of losing due to the Obama administration's radical environmental regulatory agenda. The purpose of this legislation is to provide EPA additional time to repropose and finalize its rules setting Maximum Achievable Control Technology and other standards for cement manufacturing plants so that the rules are both achievable and protect American jobs. Specifically, the EPA would be required to repropose the Cement MACT rules 15 months after enactment of this legislation. The bill will also extend the dates for compliance with the rules from 3 to 5 years to give our domestic cement manufacturing industry the time to comply with its rules. If EPA's Cement MACT rule is not revised, thousands of jobs will be lost due to cement plant closures and high construction costs. This rule alone threatens to shut down up to 20 percent of the Nation's cement manufacturing plants in the next 2 years, sending thousands of jobs permanently overseas and driving up cement and construction costs across the country. Additionally, the Portland Cement Association estimates it will cost $3.4 billion--half of the industry's annual revenues--to comply with the EPA's Cement MACT rule. Does that make any sense? The EPA's Cement rule also greatly impacts our Nation's construction industry, where unemployment rates have hovered between 16 and 20 percent nationally. Without my legislation, construction job losses would be further exacerbated with reduced supplies of cement being produced in the United States. The simple fact is cement is the backbone for the construction of our Nation's buildings, roads, bridges, and crucial water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Without further investment in cement capacity expansion, the United States will become increasingly dependent on foreign imports.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2401, the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011, otherwise known as the TRAIN Act. As House Republicans move forward with a bold agenda to grow our economy and put Americans back to work, one area that must be addressed is the issue of overregulation by the Federal Government. I strongly believe the Obama administration is moving too fast and showing little regard for the economic consequences of their energy and environmental policies. They are trying to regulate what they don't have the votes to legislate, and it is going to cost Americans jobs. With our Nation suffering under a crushing weight of 9 percent unemployment and the fact that the United States failed to create a single job in the month of August, the stakes could not be higher. The simple fact is that the businesses make decisions on where to invest based upon a number of factors, but regulatory certainty ranks at the top of the list. I introduced this bipartisan legislation to protect American jobs, jobs that we are in danger of losing due to the Obama administration's environmental regulatory agenda. The TRAIN Act will force the EPA and other Federal agencies to conduct an in-depth economic analysis of several of their rules and regulations so Congress and the American people can fully understand how the EPA's regulatory train wreck will impact our economy. In fact, EPA's rules and actions addressed in this legislation cost billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. The time to address the full economic burden of these regulations is now. At its heart, the TRAIN Act simply asks questions that should be asked of any expensive regulation: What do these regulations mean for our ability to compete in the global marketplace? Will electricity prices climb and by how much as power producers are required to retrofit plants to meet new requirements? How would higher electricity prices and plant closures affect jobs in the U.S.? It's really astonishing that the EPA is not doing this already. It is just common sense, good government for American workers and businesses. Now, some of the opponents of this commonsense legislation, including President Obama, say that this legislation is an assault on the Clean Air Act. Nothing could be further from the truth. The TRAIN Act will not prevent EPA from continuing to develop regulations. The TRAIN Act will also not limit the EPA's authority to protect public health and welfare in any way. The fact is EPA has never done an analysis on the cumulative impacts of these regulations on global competitiveness, energy and fuel prices, employment, or reliability of electricity supply, which is why we need this legislation. As we can see by EPA's actions on the utility sector alone, they are issuing multiple regulations on top of each other at an accelerated rate that makes it difficult for companies to invest and create jobs. I'm pleased that we include language to delay EPA's action on both the Utility MACT and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule until 6 months after the TRAIN Act analysis is complete. The Utility MACT Rule alone has the potential to be EPA's most expensive rule impacting the U.S. economy. And when combined, these proposed rules could cost almost $18 billion to implement as a result and cause a net employment loss of 1,450,000 jobs by 2020. These rules are an example of EPA's regulatory train wreck in action. In addition, one of the actions in my bill that we study is the regional haze issue, which greatly impacts my State of Oklahoma, as this is yet another example of EPA's overreaching on the States with burdensome regulations without analyzing its impact on electric reliability or cost. This EPA action alone is expected to cost $2 billion to Oklahoma businesses and electric rate payers. If there is one thing that can help our struggling economy, it is having access to stable and reliable sources of energy. In these tough economic times, I encourage my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense measure.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Center Point and Dr. Sushma Taylor who serves as President and CEO. Center Point was founded in 1971 as a private, not- for-profit corporation which offers rehabilitation and a spectrum of health and social services to high risk families, men, women, women with dependent children and youth. Since its founding, Center Point has served over 450,000 men, women, families and veterans. Center Point's mission is to provide comprehensive social, educational, vocational, medical, psychological, housing and rehabilitation services to combat social problems including substance abuse, poverty and unemployment. Center Point provides rehabilitation and treatment services to interrupt abusive cycles of psychological, social and economic dislocation by providing critical training and support so that individuals can claim self-worth and dignity through accountability and self-responsibility. Center Point's leader, Dr. Taylor, first joined Center Point as its Executive Director in 1981. Dr. Taylor has sought to create opportunities and help individuals and families overcome the barriers of drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, unemployment, poor health and mental health problems to make a positive contribution to society. Under Dr. Taylor's leadership, Center Point has grown to develop and provide a wide array of services to those in need in California, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. Oklahoma's female incarceration rate ranks number one in the Nation and in my district Center Point is making a difference with the Tulsa Women's Program. The burgeoning program helps women transition away from the criminal justice system and back into society. Center Point, the Tulsa Women's Program and the passionate leadership of Dr. Taylor provide countless inspiring examples of how treatment and rehabilitation can work to restore dignity to an individual and help people take responsibility for their own lives. I am grateful for the contributions of Center Point and Dr. Taylor as we commemorate their 40th anniversary and their positive and lasting contributions to society.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to state for the record that I intended to vote ``aye'' on rollcall vote 414 to H.R. 2055 taken on June 13, 2011. The Congressional Record currently lists me as a ``nay'' vote on this measure. I firmly support the prohibition on Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements for construction projects funded by the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act because this dated policy inflates the cost of construction and restricts competition that could save taxpayers billions.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), the Oklahoma Stabilization Transitions Team and the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron that are set to deploy to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror. A farewell ceremony honoring more than 3,200 deploying members of the 45th IBCT, the Oklahoma Stabilization Transitions Team and the 146th Air Support Operation Squadron was held at the Oklahoma City Arena and Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Families and friends throughout the state had the opportunity to celebrate the patriotism and courage of Oklahoma's citizen soldiers and airmen. This will be the largest single deployment since the Korean War, an important event in the history of the Oklahoma National Guard. The 45th IBCT recently began training at Camp Gruber Maneuver Training Center and then they will move to the mobilization station at Fort Bliss, Texas. The brigade is undergoing intense mission specific training that will prepare them for any mission unique tasks that they will be required to perform while deploying to Afghanistan. I know this is not the first deployment for many of these brave men and women and their families back home. Their collective sacrifice for our nation's security is symbolic of the pride Oklahoma has for our citizen soldiers and airmen serving in times of war and conflict. I am confident these soldiers and airmen are ready to answer the call in the defense of our nation. With this deployment, they are carrying forward the proud history of this brigade. It is an honor to represent many of these brave citizen soldiers in Congress, and I look forward to supporting their critically important missions to the fullest extent possible. My prayers go out to the soldiers and their families during this deployment. They have my full support and I pray for not only successful missions but their safe return home to their families.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit for the Record a poem written by Kaprise Anuu, a 5th grader from Tulsa, Oklahoma, that was written for her Veteran's Day celebration at Wesley V. Jarman Elementary School. It is entitled, ``Thank You For The Time You Gave.'' Thank you for the time you gave I wish I were just that . . . very brave You fought for all the country You even fought for liberty Before you thought of yourself You thought of me You thought of me so I'd be free Thank you for the time you gave You thought of me night and day I always pray you'll be okay Thank you for the time you gave. I commend the patriotism of Kaprise. It is wonderful that young people like her express such gratitude and appreciation for those men and women who put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we cherish in America.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would simply delay the implementation of the EPA's E15 waivers for the remainder of the fiscal year, which would allow Congress time to address safety concerns related to the higher blend of ethanol gasoline before the EPA puts it in our general fuel supply. Despite alarming consumer, environmental and economic concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency has approved a 50 percent increase in the amount of corn-based ethanol allowed in gasoline used by cars and light trucks manufactured in the 2001 model year and newer. This is simply another attempt by the EPA to engineer ethanol mandates and drive ethanol subsidies forward. And, yes, this is a mandate. The EPA has mandated that we use 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels, like ethanol, annually in our motor engines by 2022 and through incremental steps and backhanded attempts just like this, the EPA is mandating. The EPA's move from E10 to E15 fuel over the next several months is in effect a backhanded 50 percent increase in the corn ethanol mandate putting consumers, engine makers and gasoline retailers at risk. Gasoline station owners are terrified of how they will comply with this E15 mandate because not all of the existing infrastructure is certified for the fuel. Under the EPA waiver, they will have no liability protections. Quik Trip, a major gasoline retailer across the Midwest, which is headquartered in my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers an unconditional guarantee on every drop of gasoline they sell. Because of the lack of liability protection, they will be left on the hook if someone puts the wrong blend of gas in the wrong kind of car. That will open up a litigation nightmare. Why do we want to further mandate a fuel consumers don't want and retailers are afraid to sell? This is a major consumer safety issue that could adversely impact up to 60 percent of cars on the road today. It is also important to point out the environmental impacts of this as well. The higher a fuel blend like E15, the higher the toxic air pollutant emissions. Since ethanol contains just 66 percent of the energy that gasoline does, E15 will lead to an actual drop in gasoline mileage. The EPA has even said you get 5 percent less fuel economy with E15 than clear gasoline. The EPA has completely ignored calls from lawmakers, industry, environmental and consumer groups to address important safety issues raised by the 50 percent increase in the ethanol mandate waivers. Putting the brakes on E15 is the right thing to do for the people that we represent. I ask my colleagues to join me in passing this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.