Charles Taylor

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw).

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Sherwood, I agree that the demand for funding for retrofitting diesel vehicles has exceeded the funding made available to date. However, it is important to note that in fiscal year 2006, funding for programs under the National Clean Diesel Initiative was less than $12 million, and the $26 million recommended by the committee for fiscal 2007 represents an increase in funding of nearly 120 percent. I have been personally involved in programs to promote the use of diesel retrofits back in my district, and I believe the generous amount provided by the committee will make significant strides in addressing the clean diesel program's objectives. Having said that, I would be happy to work with my colleagues to see if we might be able to increase the funding for this program should additional funds be made available when we go to conference with the Senate. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson).

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the appropriations chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller).

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Beauprez).

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. I say to my friend and colleague that I share his concern and will work with him in the conference to do what we can.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. We accept this amendment, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, the gentlewoman has made a huge contribution on this matter to the committee. We did increase the amount up 12 percent from where we were. But I agree with the gentlewoman, if we can do more in conference, we will try to do it because the great need is there.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate what the gentleman is trying to do, but I would ask him to withdraw his amendment. The money that you want is in control of the State, and if you could withdraw, we will sit down between now and the conference and try to work with you.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I would like to commend my colleagues on the Committee on International Relations for their work on House Resolution 703, which recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. I strongly support this resolution, which serves as an important reminder of the work yet to be done to ensure a better future for people living in parts of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, and other areas, who have been affected by the disaster. As the resolution makes clear, the United States must continue its work with other countries and international organizations to provide assistance to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. At the same time, as the resolution points out, it is also imperative that we support research into the public health consequences of the disaster so that the international community might benefit from the findings of such research. It is in this spirit that I would like to recognize the Chernobyl Research and Service Project, an initiative underway by a coalition including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Ukrainian government, Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and RTI International. By studying the effects of human exposure to radiation, this project has a number of critical objectives. In addition to protecting the health and welfare of workers involved in the Chernobyl clean-up effort, the Chernobyl Research and Service Project aims to provide information that will lead to the development of more sensitive tests to detect and measure radiation exposure and its effects in the human population, as well as the development of more powerful treatment for victims of radiation exposure, among other things. Today, as we remember the Chernobyl disaster, it is my sincere hope that programs such as the Chernobyl Research and Service Project continue in an effort not only to improve the lives of those affected by the catastrophic event that took place 20 years ago this month, but also to ensure that we are better prepared in the future. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this significant resolution.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the fine work and achievements of one of my constituents in Western North Carolina, Mr. Tim Chesley. Mr. Chesley serves as an engineer for the National Forests in North Carolina and recently earned the U.S. Forest Service's National Managerial Engineer of the Year award. A Forest Service employee for 30 years, Tim Chesley garnered this prestigious award for his outstanding management of programs, projects and employees. ``His extraordinary response to the massive destruction, that resulted from the remnants of three hurricanes in September of 2004, plus his long-standing leadership as the assistant forest engineer for the past 22 years merits this award,'' wrote Forest engineer Lynn Hicks in the nomination letter. Mr. Chesley was selected as the deputy planning chief and engineering liaison, when an incident command team was formed, after flooding from the hurricanes wrecked havoc on Forest Service lands over a two-week period sixteen months ago. Working six days a week, he coordinated the planning, design, reconstruction, and contract administration for the repair of hundreds of miles of National Forest roads and trails and for nearly 50 bridges as well as for campgrounds, fisheries, offices and other Forest Service facilities. Mr. Chesley continues to coordinate the administration of contracts that will exceed $35 million, and in July he helped secure another $5.5 million in Emergency Relief of Federally Owned Roads funding. He was also responsible for the recruitment, training and supervision of more than 150 engineering employees who have come to North Carolina, from across the country on temporary assignment, to assist with the storm recovery effort. As a manager for most of his career, he has supervised more than 30 people, including trainees, technicians and professionals. He is currently supervising seven engineering trainees, who were sent to North Carolina for one year in support of the hurricane damage recovery work. A native of Conway, New Hampshire, Mr. Chesley received his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire, and his Master's Degree in Civil Engineering and Transportation Planning from the University of California at Berkeley. In addition to his professional responsibilities, he has taken the lead on several major community projects, including raising funds and constructing playgrounds for Asheville's Kenilworth community and for Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School in Hendersonville. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Asheville Kiwanis Club where he has been a member for more than ten years. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues in the House will be most appreciative of Mr. Chesley's devotion and hard work at the United States Forest Service. I am proud to announce that he will be presented the U.S. Forest Service's National Managerial Engineer of the Year award at a formal ceremony in Washington, DC on April 3, 2006.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment for three reasons. First of all, some $9.5 billion of the $35 billion that has been appropriated will go to food, housing and other critical needs. So we have met those criteria as much as possible. Secondly, as the gentleman said, this is required by section 106 of the National Historical Preservation Act. We don't want to get into amending and trying to put that in the middle of this supplemental. I would suggest if the gentleman wants to take that up at a later time, we could do that. Thirdly, it is needed because an $18 billion tourist industry is involved here, and getting the assessment of these national historical preserved sites is going to be the first step in trying to get back that $18 billion. Those are three reasons I would oppose this amendment. I urge a ``no'' vote. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, many young men and women have been killed and wounded in the Iraqi conflict--more than 2,000 killed and 17,000 wounded. I'd like today to reprint my eulogy given at the funeral of CWO3 Mitchell ``Mitch'' Carver as a tribute not only to him and his parents, but as a reminder to all citizens of our country that ``freedom is not free.'' In Flanders' fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead! Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders' fields. John McCrae wrote those words before his own death on the battlefield nearly 90 years ago. We have learned to protect the lives of our soldiers better. In the war to end all wars, more died in single battles than America has lost in all wars since. America has learned to protect our soldiers better-- but not well enough for we are here to pay homage to the life of Mitch Carver. We take pride in reducing our casualties, but the sacrifice of the family is not a small percent, it is not a small loss, it is not a small number. Their sacrifice is enormous, it is total, it is all. Mitch Carver took up ``The Torch'' for the country he loved. He knew who he was fighting. He was fighting the evil that plants a bomb that kills innocent women and children and families who harm no one. Murderers who kill, kidnap defenseless women and children for no reason but to show evil. He chose to do it. For it is not the press who protect our right to free speech, it is men like Mitch Carver who choose to do it. It is riot the Congress, not the government bureaucrats, who protect us from those who would enslave us. It is men like Mitch Carver who choose to do it. For another time Mitch Carver rejoined his comrades in Iraq because he knew they needed him and he believed he could, with his advanced skill, keep them safer, and perhaps lessen their danger. And that he did. We may never know how many he saved by his advanced skill. In the 8 years I have been privileged to serve as representative on the board of our country's military academy at West Point, I have seen thousands of young men and women take the oath to protect us. Theirs is a simple pledge: ``Duty, Honor, Country.'' In this world of being told there is no black nor white, there is only gray political correctness and ``is'' has to be defined, I thank God we have young men and women who have no trouble defining ``Duty, Honor, Country.'' The late T.B. Macaulay in his poem Horatius at the Bridge says, ``To every man upon this earth death cometh soon or late. And now how can man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers and the temples of his gods.'' Mitch Carver believed in and loved God. He knew the Bible. He could quote this verse better than I, ``For God so loved the Earth that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.'' Mitch Carver risked and gave his life to perform his duty, but as God promised, he did not perish but will remain in our hearts and memories until he meets his family in another life.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I voted ``no'' on the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, DR-CAFTA, in the vote last night. I informed the majority leader and the Appropriations chairman I was voting ``no'', as I had informed my constituents I was voting ``no.'' Representative Howard Coble and I voted ``no'' together. Due to an error, my ``no'' vote did not record on the voting machine. The clerks computer logs verified that I had attempted to vote, but it did not show my ``nay''. I am re-inserting my ``no'' vote in the record. But even with my ``no'' vote re-inserted, the bill still passed.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and that I may include tabular and extraneous material on the conference report to accompany H.R. 2361.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 392, I call up the conference report on the bill (H.R. 2361) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today we bring before the House the conference agreement on H.R. 2361, the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2006. I would like to thank all of the members of the Subcommittee for their support and guidance this year. I want to extend special thanks to the subcommittee vice chairman, the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), the ranking member and my good friend, for their assistance in shaping the bill. We are under last year, and we are under the allocation. The conference report balances many competitive and diverse needs. It provides funding for programs in the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, the Indian Health Agency, the Smithsonian Institution, and several other environmental and cultural agencies and commissions. With the ongoing war on terrorism and a sizable Federal debt, the American taxpayer demands fiscal prudence, yet entrusts us to continue the conservation and care of our Nation's natural resources, the protection of the environment, and critical programs for native Americans and other programs. The needs far outweigh the funds available, but I believe this bill addresses the most critical needs. The conference report is the product of a balanced, bipartisan, bicameral effort that resolves over 2,000 differences between the House and the Senate bills. Moreover, it addresses many of the key issues raised on the House floor in May and stays true to the fundamental issues that helped the bill pass overwhelmingly in the House. Here are a few of the highlights: Payments in Lieu of Taxes are $9 million over the enacted level. The arts and humanities are $5 million each over the enacted level. Funding for operations of the national parks has increased by $61 million. Restrictions remain in the bill for pesticide testing on human subjects. Funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Act is $900 million, which is $50 million above the House level and $170 million above the budget request. The Forest Health Program, which is critical to reducing this Nation's risk of catastrophic wildfires, is restored to the enacted level. Finally, I am proud to say that this conference agreement contains $1.5 billion in critically needed funds for veterans medical care. Mr. Speaker, I believe the priorities of the American people are reflected in the conference agreement, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it. I would like to thank staff on both sides of the aisle because, without their hard work, we would not be able to bring this bill forward at this time. At this time, I will include a table detailing the various accounts in the bill for insertion in the Record. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY05.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY05.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY05.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY05.004 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY05.005 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I would yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, staffers do not often receive proper recognition for the hard work they do in government for either Congress or the agencies. Many of us would like to thank one of those deserving of such recognition. That person is Peter Derby, the Managing Executive for Operations and Management at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Derby has announced that he will leave the SEC at the end of July. He will be leaving a legacy of hard work and accomplishment at that agency. Chairman William Donaldson praised Mr. Derby thusly: ``Peter has played a critical role as a trusted Member of our senior management team during a critical period at the Commission. He was instrumental in increasing the operational efficiency and effectiveness at the Commission and served with distinction and integrity. Peter will leave a strong and lasting legacy at the Commission.'' Prior to joining the SEC, Mr. Derby was involved in a wide array of business and public service ventures which left him well prepared to take over a position of such importance. Peter served as an elected member of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Irvington-on-Hudson, NY. Derby spent a decade in Russia, where at the forefront of democratizing that nation's markets and banking infrastructure. He participated in the founding of DialogBank in 1990, the first private Russian bank to receive an international banking license. He moved rapidly through the ranks and was named Chairman of the Board of this institution in 1997. In addition, Derby founded the first Russian investment firm, Troika Dialog. Prior to Derby's time in Russia, he was a Corporate Finance Officer at National Westminster Bank from 1985-1990 and an Auditor at Chase-Manhattan Bank. Mr. Derby worked seamlessly with Chairman Donaldson to repair the damaged image of our Nation's corporations and financial markets. In addition to improving the overall efficiency of SEC operations, Derby oversaw the creation of the Risk Management Program to create a more proactive posture. He also produced the first-ever audited financial statements of the SEC as well as leading the development of an implementation program for aligning facilities, technology and organizational systems with the agency's strategic themes. Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues will join me in giving thanks to Peter Derby for his service to our Nation in a time of challenge. It is reassuring to the United States to know that there are people who will give time from their lives to help our country.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2361) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2985) making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes, with Senate amendments thereto, disagree to the Senate amendments, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate.