Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4005, the Gauging American Port Security Act. This bill, authored by Representative Janice Hahn, who is a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study of the gaps in port security in the United States. The study, which will be submitted to Congress, must set forth the prioritization of those security gaps and a plan for addressing them. Finally, the bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to share relevant port security information, as appropriate, with Federal, State and local government partners, as well as with those port owners and operators who are involved in protecting ports. Given the importance of America's ports and waterways to our Nation and its economy, they are an attractive target for terrorists and criminals. The impact of a terrorist attack on a major port would be catastrophic-- with massive economic losses in addition to the probable loss of life. By requiring a comprehensive assessment of port security vulnerabilities and a plan for addressing them, we will be one step closer to making our ports and our Nation more secure. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. If the gentleman from New York has no more speakers, then I am prepared to close.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close. I would note that my support for the SMART Port Security Act is rooted in not only the improvements in the TWIC Program but also in what it seeks to do in order to improve the coordination and cooperation between DHS's maritime components and strengthened procurement practices. This bill is the result of a bipartisan effort to strengthen the security of America's ports and waterways and to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security efforts are as effective and efficient as practicable. With that, Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 4251, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Richardson).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4251, the SMART Port Security Act, and yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased that the House is meeting today to consider H.R. 4251, the SMART Port Security Act. This bill includes a number of Democratic-sponsored provisions aimed at improving our Nation's maritime security. Representative Loretta Sanchez authored a provision to strengthen the integrity of the TWIC program. Representative Laura Richardson authored language to allow port operators to use their grant funds for security provided by local law enforcement. Representative Clarke of Michigan authored a provision relating to northern border security. H.R. 4251 also includes language modeled after a bill I introduced, H.R. 1105, to relieve the Nation's port and transportation workers from the hassle and expense of renewing their 5-year TWIC cards, given that DHS has not done its job to fully implement this security program. Specifically, section 206 of this bill will relieve current TWIC holders, the men and women who work in our ports, from being required to secure new identification cards beginning in October 2012, given that DHS has not even issued a draft rule for biometric readers. For the full security potential of the TWIC program to be realized, there must be readers installed at ports to match the biometric cards with the individuals presenting them. Since 2007, over 2.1 million longshoremen, truckers, merchant mariners, and rail and vessel crew members have undergone extensive homeland security and criminal background checks and paid a $132.50 fee to secure TWICs. Since H.R. 4251 was considered by the full committee, DHS has taken positive steps to address the upcoming TWIC renewal predicament. Specifically, DHS recently announced that, starting this August, workers will be eligible for a 3-year TWIC renewal card at a discounted rate and with fewer visits to the enrollment center. While this is a positive development, more must be done. The bill before us today allows workers to continue to use their TWICs for the next 2 years, while providing an incentive for DHS to move forward on readers as soon as possible. I insert into the Record a letter we received today from Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, expressing their support for this bill and the provisions making commonsense changes to the TWIC program. Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Washington, DC, June 26, 2012. Dear Representative: On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I write to express our support for H.R. 4251, the SMART Port Security Act, offered by Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI), which will be voted under suspension later today. The SMART Port Security Act, among other things, makes needed reforms to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program enrollment, activation, issuance and renewal process. Specifically, this legislation postpones the requirement of workers to renew TWIC cards in the absence of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final regulations mandating biometric card readers. Since the TWIC program began, over two million workers have fulfilled their obligation to enroll in the TWIC program, incurring the significant cost and time commitment to comply with the program. However, DHS has yet to issue a final rule on the biometric readers, rendering the expensive biometric component of the TWIC cards virtually useless. Despite the readers not being in place, workers will have to renew their TWIC cards beginning in October, 2012. This legislation would spare workers the financial and procedural burden of renewing their application until DHS puts the infrastructure in place to make the program fully functional. This legislation also includes language which ensures that workers are only required to make one in-person visit to an enrollment center either for a first enrollment or a renewal. This will lift a logistical burden for workers, many of whom may be hundreds of miles away from a TWIC enrollment facility while on the job. Transportation workers have been asked for too long to bear the financial burden of supporting a program that is incomplete and ineffective. I urge all Members to vote for

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I'm perplexed that the House is considering H.R. 5843 today. I cannot understand why this bill is on the schedule. It was introduced just over a month ago and has not been vetted by the committee. Why are we giving expedited attention to a bill that has just two cosponsors, both of whom are Republican? Whatever the problem it purports to solve has not been the subject of so much as a Member- level briefing, let alone a hearing or a markup. Section 208(a)(13) of the Homeland Security Act already allows the Department to approve the spending of grant funds on training by national labs. Without so much as a hearing where the committee can take testimony on this matter, it is hard to justify taking up precious House floor time on this bill, especially in a week where we must take urgent action on Pell Grants and highway funding. So instead, I choose to use this time to discuss the dwindling Federal support for homeland security activities, a far more timely concern for State, local, and tribal authorities than H.R. 5843. In the wake of the September 11 attack, as a government, we committed to safeguarding our homeland by building and preserving preparedness capabilities. Yet since the beginning of the 112th Congress, that commitment seems to have dangerously wavered. In just 2 short years, vital Homeland Security Grant Programs have been significantly cut, and, as a result, the level of preparedness fostered by the programs, such as the Urban Areas Security Initiative, Port Security Grant Program, Transit Security Grant Program, and the Metropolitan Medical Response System, have been undermined. Given that the authorizations for many of these targeted programs are expiring, a far better use of our time would be to reauthorize the Transit Security Grant Program or the Metropolitan Medical Response program. Mr. Speaker, before I reserve my time, I would note for the record that there are two other much more plausible candidates for consideration by the full House that were introduced by the gentleman from California. One addressed the cybersecurity threat and was ordered reported in April. The other authorizes DHS's chemical facility security program and is pending on the Union Calendar. Mr. Speaker, speaking of the Union Calendar, I would also note that this bill is receiving expedited consideration while four measures ordered reported by the Committee on Homeland Security remain on the Union Calendar without action. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3772, which seeks to designate the United States postal facility located at 150 South Union Street in Canton, Mississippi, as the First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office. I introduced this bill to bring recognition to the outstanding works and commitment of Retired First Sergeant Landres Cheeks to both the United States of America and to the city of Canton, Mississippi. I'm pleased to have my colleagues in the Mississippi delegation join me as original cosponsors: Congressmen Harper, Palazzo, and Nunnelee. First, Sergeant Cheeks has been a true patriot of our country and an integral part of his community for more than 60 years. He's dedicated his life, after serving our country for three decades, to giving back to the citizens of Canton. His mission to economically empower, inspire, and motivate the people of Canton has proved him to be an invaluable asset to the community. Sergeant Cheeks served the United States Army Medical Corps for 30 years, participating in Germany and France during World War II and the Vietnam war. He's a decorated serviceman, having received the National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Occupational Medal of Germany, Bronze Star Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and a Good Service Conduct Medal. In 2001, he was awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Ageless Hero Award. This honor is given in celebration of the spirit and vitality of our Nation's seniors aged 65 and over who have proven themselves exemplary in the areas of community involvement, creativity, good neighboring, love of learning, new beginning and vitality. Sergeant Cheeks has proven himself to be a role model of his community. After having been honorably discharged from the military, it was later discovered that Sergeant Cheeks had contacted agent orange and developed post-traumatic stress syndrome. Nevertheless, Sergeant Cheeks persevered and began actively assisting the people of Canton with searches for employment and with formulating and sponsoring extracurricular activities for the youth of Canton. Not only is Sergeant Cheeks committed to economic quality and bettering the community, but he's also committed to civic engagement and involvement. He currently sits on the Voter Registration Committee and serves as chairman of the membership of the Canton branch of the NAACP. Sergeant Cheeks has been a pillar in his community more than half a century and has served our country honorably. I cannot find anyone nobler or better suited to have a building named in their honor. Madam Speaker, the House Government and Oversight Reform Committee reported First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office Building favorably by voice vote on February 7. I urge my colleagues to support this necessary bipartisan and noncontroversial bill, which will bring much deserved and appropriate recognition to a true patriot and outstanding member of society.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a remarkable gentleman, Ricky Dixon. He was born April 7, 1994, in Greenville, Mississippi. He is the proud son of Ms. Hevonne Dixon and Mr. Collis Grisby. Ricky's mother has truly been an inspiration to him. While raising Ricky, she obtained her college degree while also working a full time job. It was this example that inspired Ricky to always strive for greatness regardless of his circumstances. Ricky is very competitive and a high academic achiever; his test score on the Algebra I state exam for the State of Mississippi subject area test ranked him in the top ten percentile among high school students in the State of Mississippi. The following year he was inducted into the National Honor Society. In 2010, Ricky began his junior year in high school at Rosa Fort High School. During this time, he had the privilege of traveling to Washington, DC, to attend the Al Neuharth Free Spirit Journalism Conference. This experience broadened Ricky's knowledge and opened his eyes to what the world has to offer in terms of career opportunities. However, although Ricky knows that his education can offer him opportunities around the country, he wants to return to Rosa Fort and teach Algebra I so other students can go anywhere and be successful. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Ricky Dixon as the Salutatorian of Rosa Fort High School's Class of 2012.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an advocate of literacy and research communications, Mrs. Maureen Wiggins Shoemaker. Mrs. Shoemaker was born in Sumner, Mississippi. She attended R. H. Bearden Elementary School (formerly West District High School), and graduated from West Tallahatchie High School in 1974. She has received degrees from Coahoma Jr. College, Jackson State University, and also received a Master's in Elementary Education from Mississippi Valley University. Mrs. Shoemaker's passion for literacy led her to continue her studies in Library Science at Southern University in Louisiana. Mrs. Shoemaker has served R. H. Bearden Elementary School and West Tallahatchie High School faithfully through her efforts to renovate and improve the technology sustainability in both libraries. Mrs. Shoemaker has been an asset to the West Tallahatchie School District, due to her ability to recognize and address the dire needs of the students in the Tallahatchie School District. In addition, she has remained active in her community working with the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility and Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids of Mississippi (SPARK). Through these partnerships, Mrs. Shoemaker has been able to spread her passion for literacy among supporters of all ages. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Maureen Wiggins Shoemaker for her continued efforts to support literacy in the State of Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker I rise to honor a remarkable young woman, Sabrina Smith, a recent graduate at Madison Shannon Palmer High School in Marks, Mississippi. Sabrina is the proud daughter of Sharon Smith and they reside in Lambert, Mississippi. Her teachers consider her to be an ideal student because of her honesty, respectful behavior, and hard work. Sabrina is a recipient of numerous awards including the Honor Roll, Principal List, Superintendent List, Perfect Attendance, and special recognition from her teachers for making the highest grades in their classes. Her class work has always exhibited the highest standard of excellence. Every day she works to better herself in school, as well as in everything she undertakes because she understands a good education leads to success. Sabrina has always been involved in extracurricular activities. She is a former member of the Madison Shannon Palmer High School Choir, a member of the Student Council, Treasurer for the Sophomore Class of 2010, and Secretary for the Junior Class of 2011. Sabrina is also a member of the National Beta Club where she regularly participates in its book drives. She is a dedicated supporter of community service. Sabrina wanted to get an early start on her career aspirations, so she volunteered to participate in the Quitman County School District Job Shadow Program. Through this program, Sabrina learned valuable hands-on professional skills such as punctuality, the principles of business attire and good grooming, problem solving, oral communication, team spirit and compromise, and responsibility. She believes that these are some of the skills that are necessary for her to be successful in both her career and her life. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Sabrina Smith as Valedictorian of Madison Shannon Palmer High School's Class of 2012.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very astute young woman from the Second Congressional District, Ms. Jessica Thompson. She has been bestowed the distinction of Salutatorian for the Class of 2012 of Charleston High School in Charleston, Mississippi. Jessica is an extremely hard worker, and is devoted to academics. She has maintained a position on the Superintendent and Principal Lists throughout high school. In addition to honoring her academic responsibilities, Jessica has also remained dedicated to her extracurricular activities. She has served as the captain of the cheerleading squad, a member of the science club, the Student Council Treasurer, a member of the Future Christian Athletes organization, a National Honor Society member, and as an usher at St. Paul C.M.E. Church. Jessica will be attending the University of Southern Mississippi as a Lucky-Day Scholar this fall, and plans to major in Kinesiotherapy. After obtaining a bachelor degree in Kinesiotherapy, she plans to become a physical therapist. Jessica does not take her education for granted, because she knows that an education is essential to her hopes of fulfilling her dreams. Jessica gives the credit of her achievements to her parents, Ms. Lisa Thompson and the late Thomas Thompson, and her twin sister, Eboni, because their support has shaped her into the young woman that she is today. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Jessica Thompson for her unwavering dedication to education, and striving to improve not only her life but the lives of others.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a historic landmark in Jefferson County, Prospect Hill. Prospect Hill served as the catalyst for freed-slaves to immigrate to a colony known as ``Mississippi in Africa''. Prospect Hill represents a small, but important part of American history. This landmark, rich in history, contributed extensively to the dispersal of African Americans to Africa. Prospect Hill was originally founded by Revolutionary War veteran, Issac Rose; in his will he provided funds that would allow freed-slaves to immigrate to the region of Liberia known as ``Mississippi in Africa''. Although this sparked turmoil in Jefferson County, this action eventually led to the successful immigration of free-slaves to Liberia in the 1830's. Prospect Hill has long served as a portion of the past that reflects on the abundant history of the South. Its memory recalls the presence of hope and determination that was incessant during the 19th century. As a prominent landmark, Prospect Hill conserves a crucial piece of American history. In 2011, Prospect Hill was included on Mississippi's list of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Places. As a result, The Archaeological Conservancy acquired Prospect Hill to conduct research for educational purposes and preservation efforts. Today Prospect Hill continues to undergo renovation by The Archaeological Conservancy, in an attempt to restore an important element of American history. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Prospect Hill as an important Historical Site in Jefferson County, Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Emily E. Randle. Emily is Raymond High School's Valedictorian at Raymond High School for the Class of 2012. She is the daughter of David and Ruth Randle of Utica, Mississippi. Ms. Emily Randle has a 4.2 GPA and is enrolled in both advanced performance and accelerated classes. She has appeared numerous times on the Principal's List while in high school. Emily is also involved in extra-curricular activities. She is the President of the Senior Class, a member of the Beta Club, and a member of the Student Council. Emily is very serious about continuing her education and has received several academic scholarships from colleges and universities in the United States. She has also been selected as a National Achievement Scholarship Finalist, Clinton Alumni Chapter Scholarship Recipient, Rho Lambda Omega Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship Recipient, 2012 MS Scholars Award, and Outstanding Young Citizen for the Loyal Order of the Elks 2011. Emily is also actively involved in extracurricular activities such as, playing the trumpet in the Raymond High School Band, serving as the drum major for the 2011-2012 school year, and participating in both the Mid-South Honor Band for 2011 and the Capital District Honor Band. Emily is also a member of the Young People's Department at her church, Pearl Street AME Church. After high school, Emily plans to attend Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She intends to pursue a career in Intelligence Securities with hopes of becoming a research analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigations or the National Security Agency. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Emily E. Randle, Valedictorian of Raymond High School Class of 2012.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a remarkable young woman Ms. Jalisa Allen, the 2012 Salutatorian at Coahoma Agricultural High School. Jalisa is the daughter of Janette Allen, and has two siblings. Together they proudly reside in Friars Point, Mississippi. She is a senior at Coahoma Agricultural High School. At the age of seven, Jalisa decided that she was going to get the best education possible. While pursuing this goal, she has achieved the award of being placed on both the Principal List and the Superintendent List. Jalisa is also active in many school organizations such as, Future Business Leaders of America, Math Club, Science Club, and Youth Leadership. Jalisa plans to attend the University of Mississippi in Oxford and become an Anesthesiologist. After obtaining a degree, Jalisa intends to use her education to help her local community in Friars Point. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Jalisa Allen, Coahoma Agricultural High School Salutatorian of the Class of 2012.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable valedictorian, Ms. Kendra Haywood. Kendra is the daughter of Mr. Kenneth Haywood Sr. and Mrs. Jacklon Haywood and resides in Shelby, Mississippi. Kendra is a member of Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as the Sunday School Secretary and volunteers with various auxiliaries in the church. She is a senior at Broad Street High School in Shelby, Mississippi and graduated on May 26, 2012. Kendra acknowledged early on that it would take self-discipline and motivation to achieve her academic goals. So during the last three semesters of high school, she participated in Coahoma Community College Dual Enrollment Program, which allowed her to take college courses while still in high school. Ms. Haywood is co-founder of Students Involved in Community Change (SICC), an organization that strives for both community and educational excellence. Students work with citizens in their community on beautification projects, hosting weekly community discussions to address littering, drug use, gang activity and the importance of community involvement. Ms. Haywood's sense of obligation to improve her community and educational opportunities for others led her to tutor her peers after school. Her philosophy is, ``knowledge is power and the more you know the more power you have.'' She participates in various school activities including the Alpha Kappa Alpha Bolivar County Community Humanity Involvement Club, Coahoma Community College Tr-County Workforce Job Shadowing Program, and other civic organizations. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree, Kendra has plans to pursue a professional degree in Clinical Psychology at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ms. Haywood has expressed a desire to become part of Teach for America as a way of giving back to a rural community and inspiring youth, because Teach for America has had a profound impact in her education. Ms. Kendra Haywood has three siblings, Kenneth Jr., Darrius, and Jarvis. She says they, along with her parents, had a positive impact on her desire to reach for the stars in life. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Kendra Haywood as the valedictorian of Broad Street High School Class of 2012.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I rise today to express my opposition to H.R. 5855, the ``Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013.'' The need to find savings in the Federal budget must not be at the expense of homeland security. I am troubled that H.R. 5855 provides $39.1 billion for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) activities, which is $393 million below what the President sought for the Department to continue to carry out its homeland and non-homeland security missions and $484 million below what was provided for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. H.R. 5855 also sends a troubling message about the majority's commitment to honoring its promises. Last year, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass the Budget Control Act. Both sides made sacrifices to achieve a compromise that would keep the government running and address Federal budgetary challenges. H.R. 5855 reneges on the commitments Republicans made last year by reducing the funding allocation for the Department of Homeland Security beyond what is required by statute and below the amount the Department has stated it needs. This ``bait and switch'' is unjustified and undermines the security of our Nation. As a result of the Republicans' misguided priorities, several programs critical to our national security are underfunded. For example, H.R. 5855 provides $45.4 million in funding for Infrastructure Compliance Programs for FY 2013, which is about $29 million below the President's request and $48 million below the FY 2012 enacted level. Under H.R. 5855, DHS will not have resources necessary to implement the long-awaited final rule for ammonium nitrate or fully-implement the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. As the author of the originating legislation for the ammonium nitrate security program and co-author of the originating legislation for the CFATS program, I strongly believe that these programs are at a crossroads and support is essential for them to realize Congressional intent and address vulnerabilities that put ordinary Americans at risk. H.R. 5855 also misses a critical opportunity to put a struggling border security and immigration enforcement program on a path to success. It rejects the President's proposal to transfer the US VISIT program to Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and, instead, sets up a new bureaucratic office--the ``Office of Biometric Identity Management'' within the National Protection and Programs Directorate, where it has languished for nearly a decade. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 highlighted the need to identify and remove visitors to the U.S. who are legally admitted to this country but fail to depart when their visas expire, as four of the 9/11 terrorists were overstays. In response, Congress enacted the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, which directed the deployment of an entry-exit system ``with all deliberate speed and as expeditiously as practicable.'' While the US VISIT program has begun to capture biometric data of foreign travelers entering the U.S. at air, land, and sea ports, it has repeatedly failed to make progress in deploying a biometric exit system for travelers departing the U.S. This failure to fully implement the program has undermined DHS's ability to verify with certainty which travelers have departed this country. Inexplicably, H.R. 5855 rejects aligning this program with the agencies responsible for border and immigration enforcement, thereby sending the message that the House is not serious about tackling the alien overstay problem. With respect to homeland security grants, I would note that H.R. 5855 provides $1.7 billion for State, local, and tribal grant programs, which is $412 million above FY 2012, but still falls short of where it needs to be. In FY 2010 and 2011, Congress recognized the first responders and first preventers on the State, local and tribal levels and provided $3 billion and $2.23 billion respectively. And, like last year, this bill punts responsibility for allocating funding to the 12 targeted grant programs to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Last month, FEMA released the National Preparedness Report. The report found a direct link between grant investments and the development of preparedness capabilities. In areas that have seen substantial grant investment--from emergency communications to medical surge capabilities to emergency planning--State governments reported measurably improved preparedness capabilities. The report also found that in areas where we have not invested, we are less prepared. The report makes clear: targeted homeland security grants work. I fear that if we continue to fail to fund these important grant programs adequately, capabilities that we have spent over a decade developing will be lost. Finally, I am disturbed that H.R. 5855 is full of political sweeteners intended to rally support from the extreme right-wing faction of the Republican party. From slashing funding for the Transportation Security Agency, to increasing funding for the 287(g) program, to abortion limitations in ICE detention facilities, H.R. 5855 is full of politically-driven provisions that distract from pressing homeland security matters and divert resources from addressing them. I recognize that the appropriators were faced with a difficult task in drafting this spending bill, and I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member Price to draft a bill to adequately fund the Department of Homeland Security's activities in FY 2013. The funding allocation being what it is, however, this bill could never fully meet our nation's homeland security needs. Therefore, I must oppose H.R. 5855.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge Dr. Matthew Holden, Academician. Holden was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi and subsequently grew up in Chicago. He is married to the former Dorothy Amanda Howard and they are the parents of Paul Christopher Hendricks and John Matthew Alexander Holden. Holden is an alumnus of Northwestern University (M.A., Ph.D., Political Science, Anthropology minor), of Roosevelt University (B. A., Political Science, History minor), and of Wendell Phillips High School (Chicago). He taught at Wayne State University in Detroit, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Wisconsin--Madison, and the University of Virginia, where he was the Henry L. and Grace M. Doherty Professor of Politics. He has also been the Newman Visiting Professor of American Civilization, Cornell University, and has been a visiting professor at Jackson State University. In his writings and experience, Holden has emphasized the connection of political science concepts to the actual world that they seek to explain, and of learning from the actual world to refine concepts. Professor Holden has written extensively in many fields of the discipline of political science. This work has included energy politics and environmental policy, regulatory policy and practice, urban and metropolitan politics, public policy and administration, executive politics, law and politics, and race and ethnic politics. Among his works are Continuity & Disruption: Essays in Public Administration, a study of race and politics entitled The Divisible Republic, an edited volume on Varieties of Political Conservatism, and contributions to a joint volume on Resources and Decisions. He is also the author of a new volume, now in the last stage of writing, entitled The Practice of Power, a study of public administration and political power, for the University of Oklahoma Press. This volume is based on the Rothbaum Lecture in Representative Government delivered in 2001 and rewritten over the past decade. In 1973, he published a two volume perspective on race relations and civil rights entitled The Politics of the Black ``Nation'' and The White Man's Burden. A combined trade edition was also published under the title The Divisible Republic. He has also been engaged in many activities outside the academy. He held full time appointive public office as Commissioner of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and as Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He has been a member of the Electricity Advisory Board (U.S. Department of Energy), Task Force on Electric System Reliability (U.S. Department of Energy), President's Air Quality Advisory Board, and of the Board of Directors of Atlantic Energy, Inc. Among his public affairs activities have been assignments in congressional testimony on D.C., government organization and on energy policy, and as a witness before the House Judiciary Committee on historical and constitutional standards on Presidential impeachment. He has also been a witness on state legislative hearings on energy. He has also been a member of the Delegate Assembly of the National Urban League, the Education and Youth Incentives Committee of the National Urban League, the Boards of Directors of the Madison, Wisconsin and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Urban Leagues, in local NAACP chapters, and is an active lay-person in the Episcopal Church. He has also been a strong advocate for improving the analytical basis of African American politics, and has spent recent years advancing the concept of a think tank on politics, economics, and government, especially in the Lower Mississippi Valley. One of his major current interests, as well, is historic preservation, especially in Mound Bayou where the vicissitudes of the contemporary economy are severe and adverse effects. He is a former President of the American Political Science Association, a former President of the Policy Studies Organization, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Senior Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He holds the LLD. (Hon.) from Tuskegee University, the L.H.D. (Hon.) from Roosevelt University, and the L.H.D. (Hon.) from Virginia Theological Seminary. Holden has recently become a member of the Board of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Jackson State University has also created a Matthew Holden, Jr. Symposium Lecture in recognition of his work and of his and Mrs. Dorothy Holden's donation of the 4,000 volume library that is now called The Mrs. Dorothy Howard Holden and Dr. Matthew Holden, Jr. Reading Room. Holden's academic, personal, and official papers have mainly been donated to the University of Virginia Archives. When those papers are processed they will provide one of most extensive collections in any university of materials on regulatory policy and procedure as seen from a commissioner's standpoint. Holden served in the United States Army, with sixteen months in Korea in the 7th Infantry Division Artillery. Matthew Holden, Jr. is the Wepner Distinguished Professor in Political Science, University of Illinois--Springfield, a position he has held since August 2009. He is the convener of the Wepner Symposium on the Lincoln Legacy and Contemporary Scholarship.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Thank you very much, Mr. Ranking Member. The point I would like to make, Mr. Chairman, is that 2.1 million workers have TWIC cards. Through no fault of their own, they will be required to renew those cards unless we act. I appreciate this legislation, acknowledging that we have to do something for those workers or, through no fault of their own, they'll have to renew a card, which is at this point, at best, a flash card. It's not really a worker identification card.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for allowing me the time. I have a number of thoughts on the underlying bill before us today, but I'd like to take the opportunity to discuss the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, the TWIC program. Earlier today, the authorizing committee, on a bipartisan basis, approved language modeled after a bill I introduced, H.R. 1105, to prevent current TWIC holders, the men and women who work in our ports, from being forced by TSA to pay for new identification cards beginning in October of this year, given the program is not fully implemented and the Department has not even issued a rule for biometric readers. The TWIC program is focused on protecting the Nation's maritime transportation facilities and vessels by requiring maritime workers and other workers who need unescorted access to secure port facilities to obtain a biometric identification card. After initial delays, all maritime workers were required to obtain biometric TWIC cards by April 2009. The cost to workers for these cards is $132.50 per credential. To date, over 2.1 million longshoremen, truckers, merchant mariners, and rail and vessel crew members have undergone extensive homeland security and criminal background checks to secure TWICs. Even as workers raced in the spring of 2009 to obtain TWICs to continue working in our Nation's ports, TSA has been more than 2 years late in starting the reader pilots. Our committee has been told that even under the best circumstances, final regulations are not likely to be issued until late 2014, more than 5 years beyond the date required in statute. Yet, unless Congress or the administration acts, starting October 2012, workers will have to renew the cards they were issued.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I have no other speakers, and I'm prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3140, as introduced by our former committee colleague, Ms. Speier, is a needed, commonsense piece of legislation with a history of bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to support this measure and the security of our mass transit systems. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the original sponsor of the legislation under consideration and a former member of the Committee on Homeland Security, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3140, the Mass Transit Intelligence Prioritization Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as ranking member on the Committee on Homeland Security, I have observed that mass transit systems over the years have consistently been a target for terrorist groups, including al Qaeda. H.R. 3140, the Mass Transit Intelligence Prioritization Act, requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize the assignment of mass transit intelligence analysts, including from TSA, to State and local fusion centers with major mass transit systems in their jurisdictions. In short, this is a commonsense bill that would enhance security for the mass transit systems of our Nation by improving the sharing of information, and I urge my colleagues' support of it. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.