Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1517) to allow certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who serve under an overseas limited appointment for at least 2 years, and whose service is rated fully successful or higher throughout that time, to be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the CBP employees affected by H.R. 1517 work every day to help secure our Nation's borders. Retaining their expertise at overseas ports is the right thing to do for them and for DHS. Therefore, I strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1618) urging the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe National Preparedness Month, and for other purposes.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions made by the Honorable William and Mrs. Elise Winter in the fields of education and race relations in the State of Mississippi. Mr. Winter served as governor for the State of Mississippi from 1980 to 1984. Mr. and Mrs. Winter have been long-time advocates for public education, racial reconciliation, and historic preservation. Mr. Winter served as a member of President Clinton's National Advisory Board on Race, and was instrumental in founding the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi. In 1989, he became the first holder of the Eudora Welty Chair of Southern Studies at Millsaps College and was awarded the Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2008. During his tenure, both he and his wife were instrumental in passing the 1982 Mississippi Education Reform Act. The 1982 Mississippi Education Reform Act was credited with building stronger elementary and secondary education systems throughout Mississippi and the South. Under this act, teachers received pay increases, compulsory school attendance was mandated, teacher and school accreditation became based on school performance, and kindergarten was mandated for public schools in Mississippi. Mrs. Elise Varner Winter, a native of Senatobia, Mississippi graduated from Senatobia High School. She completed her postsecondary education at Northwest Junior College and the University of Mississippi, where her academic focus was history. Her civic and public service activities include advocacy for education. A member of the Mississippi Easter Seal Society, Mrs. Winter also served as President of the official Mississippi Women's Club and Chair of National Library Week. Additionally, she is a member of the board of trustees of Rust College, a trustee of the Synod of Mid-South of the Presbyterian Church and was the first woman elder of Fondren Presbyterian Church of Jackson. She is also very active in Habitat for Humanity--Metro Jackson. Not only were Governor and Mrs. Winter very instrumental in education reform for the State of Mississippi but they have brought leadership, vision, and voices of reason to the State of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues please join me in honoring Mr. and Mrs. Winter for their many contributions in public education and racial relations in the State of Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sister Lannie Spann McBride of Jackson, Mississippi. As a humanitarian, educator and spiritual leader, Sister McBride's life has been a testament to her dedication to the community, the arts and the edification of our youth. She has devoted much of her life to public education and delivering the word of God. Sister McBride is the sixth of eight children of the late Dr. and Mrs. S.L. Spann. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with an emphasis in Voice/Piano from Tougaloo College in 1970, where she also completed the Summer Curriculum Institute in Black Music in 1972. After one complete year of study at Jackson State University, she obtained her Masters of Music Education Degree in 1982. Due to her devote love of music and her passion for education, Sister McBride continues to work as an adjunct professor in the music department at Jackson State. For the last several decades, Sister McBride has served her community while carrying out the mission of the Lord. She serves as Minister of Music at the Greater Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi and has devoted countless years to educating students in the Jackson Public School system. In addition to her work as a minister, Sister McBride has worked as an adjudicator, lecturer, consultant, and clinician. Mrs. McBride has recorded several albums with the Greater Fairview Youth Adult Choir and was casted in the movie, Mississippi Burning by Allen Parker. Madam Speaker, Sister McBride is founder and Chief Executive Officer of F&S Music KC Publishing in Jackson, Mississippi. Since the start of her company, she has written and published five faith books, nine volumes of music books, and many cross genre products of sheet music. She has also published school products including seven resource books, two scored music books, classroom programs, and one scored patriotic musical. In 2004, after the catastrophic damage caused to Grenada and the extreme damage caused to Jamaica, the Grand Caymans and the western tip of Cuba, Mrs. McBride devoted much time and resources to the disaster relief efforts to those areas, particularly Jamaica after the destruction of the storm. Sister McBride has traveled all over the world, giving performances in places such as Spain during her affiliation with the Black Heritage Choir of the United States of America. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating a champion of the arts and Christian and music education, Sister Lannie Spann McBride. Her tenacious and zealous works as an artist, teacher, minister and performer have all been great contributions to both our communities and the arts.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Thank you very much. Madam Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 3562, an act to designate the federally occupied building located at 1220 Echelon Parkway in Jackson, Mississippi, as the James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and Roy K. Moore Federal Building. Madam Speaker, 45 years ago, three young men lost their lives while attempting to organize and register voters during that time known as Freedom Summer. These men were James Chaney, a 21-year-old man from Meridian, Mississippi; Andrew Goodman, a 20-year-old college student from New York; and Michael Schwerner, a 24-year-old CORE organizer and social worker who was also from New York. On July 21, 1964, the three men were driving from Meridian, Mississippi, to Longdale, Mississippi, to investigate the burning of Mount Zion United Methodist Church, which had been the meeting place for numerous civil rights groups. Along their journey, the trio was stopped by a Neshoba County deputy who was also a known member of the Ku Klux Klan. Subsequently, the three young men were arrested for speeding and were held without the use of a telephone at the Neshoba County jail. Hours later, they were fined and released. Shortly after the trio continued their journey, they were again pulled over by the sheriff's deputy, who likely unbeknownst to them, was followed by a mob of Klansmen who had assembled to abduct and kill the men. The three individuals were taken to a remote area of the county and were beaten and killed. Their car was burned, and their bodies were buried in an earthen dam. Days after their disappearances, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover personally selected Agent Roy K. Moore to lead the investigation effort. Agent Moore had become renowned for his investigation of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young girls. As the investigation's lead agent, Moore was charged with commanding hundreds of agents who temporarily flooded the State--many of them reluctant to do their work. After significant investigation by Agent Moore and the FBI, the three individuals' bodies were found on August 4, 1964. Due to Mississippi's officials' refusal to prosecute the individuals for murder, the Justice Department brought charges against 17 individuals for conspiracy to deprive the three workers of their civil rights. Seven of the 17 individuals were found guilty, but none of them served terms longer than 6 years in jail. Finally, on June 21, 2005, a Neshoba County jury convicted Edgar Ray Killen on three counts of manslaughter and sentenced him to three consecutive terms of 20 years in prison in connection with the deaths of these young men. The murder of James Chaney, who was black, and the murders of Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, who were both Jewish, attracted national attention to the reality of the State's racial problems. As a result of their deaths, there was more pressure on the Federal Government to pass the Voting Rights Act. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House for quickly moving this legislation after it was returned from the Senate. The struggle for justice and equality has eternally bonded James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and Roy K. Moore. Today, Congress will act to link their legacy to Mississippi's newest symbol of justice and equality.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978, a bill that would permit the Center for Domestic Preparedness and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to accept gifts and donations in order to better train our nation's first responders. As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I was pleased that H.R. 3978 received broad bi-partisan support in the House and passed the Senate unanimously. I urge my colleagues to support the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978. Madam Speaker, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Center for Domestic Preparedness (Center) is the nation's leading all-hazards first-responder training center. The Center trains thousands of first responders and is especially well-known for its weapons of mass destruction training facility. It is of significant interest to the Committee and many of us have visited the campus to see the important training that takes place. The Center often receives offers of donated goods and services, such as training displays, response equipment, and trailers. These donations would allow the Center to offer stronger training opportunities at a lower cost to the Department of Homeland Security and the American taxpayer. The Center, however, does not have the legal authority to accept gifts that would enhance its ability to deliver superior training. The Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978 would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to permit the Center to receive donated gifts and services that are related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to all-hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters. The legislation further calls on the Secretary of Homeland Security to annually report to Congress on the gifts accepted, how the gifts contribute to the mission of the Center and the amount of Federal savings that were generated from the acceptance of the gifts. The bill also amends the Homeland Security Act to authorize the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to accept and use gifts, donations, and services. Mr. Speaker, the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978 will pay immediate dividends for our first responder community by enhancing their training with more resources. The Committee will continue to support these important training centers and the brave work of our first responders. I support the passage of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978 and encourage my colleagues to support it as well.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to speak in support of H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act. As introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Kissell, H.R. 3116 would require the Department of Homeland Security to purchase uniforms and textiles that are Made- in-America under the Berry Amendment, just as the Department of Defense has done since 1941. I am pleased to support this legislation which will serve as a means to support hardworking farmers and small textile manufacturers that are, unfortunately, becoming more and more uncommon in the United States. Moreover, as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I am always looking for ways to provide greater security for the United States. Representative Kissell's legislation does just that. At present, the uniforms worn by Department of Homeland Security personnel such as Customs and Border Protection Officers and Transportation Security Administration Officers are made in locations outside our Nation's borders. On August 31, 2010, the Washington Post reported that drug couriers often move illegal drugs across the United States-Mexico border through the use of disguises. Often times these ``cloners'' as they are referred to by law enforcement officials, wear false law enforcement uniforms made outside of the United States. Under current policy, there is nothing to prevent these ``cloners'' from obtaining uniforms from foreign factories and using them to transport illegal drugs and other contraband across our borders. By restricting the manufacturing of Department of Homeland Security uniforms to the United States, we will be taking a smart step forward to prevent foreign access to the badges, patches, and uniforms that identify our homeland security personnel. This legislation has the support of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, the National Council of Textile Organizations and the American Apparel and Footwear Association. Considering our Nation's current economic situation and the need to take every effort to secure our borders, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, which will take sensible steps to create opportunities for domestic manufacturing, promote job creation in the United States, and make our country safer.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, in accordance with the Budget Enforcement Resolution, I submit those changes in law resulting from legislation approved or filed by the Committee on Homeland Security that will help achieve deficit reduction by enhancing efficiency, accountability and oversight, while eliminating waste, abuse, mismanagement, and fraud in Government programs within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security. Below are measures within the Committee's jurisdiction that have, to date, been approved by the House during this Congress and reflect the Committee's efforts to promote efficiency, government reform and result in budgetary savings: H.R. 553, the Reducing Over-Classification Act, which creates a standard for formatting finished intelligence and eliminates redundant classification efforts. H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act, which streamlines management at TSA, requires risk-based allocation of resources, and promotes operational efficiency. H.R. 4842, the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010, which establishes new internal controls, more robust standards, and reforms for all of the research and development conducted by both the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. H.R. 3978, the First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act, which allows the Department of Homeland Security to accept gifts for its first responder training centers, thereby alleviating need for the Department to purchase certain equipment or material. H.R. 3980, the Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act, which requires the identification of redundant rules and regulations and a plan to eliminate redundant reports and regulations. H.R. 1148, a bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a program in the maritime environment for the mobile biometric identification of suspected individuals, including terrorists, to enhance border security, which promotes government efficiency by streamlining processing, prosecution, and deportation of suspected individuals. H.R. 2868, the Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009, which controls spending by requiring that grants be awarded on a merit and risk based basis, streamlines the regulatory requirements for securing chemical and water treatment facilities and, by enhancing the security of such facilities, mitigates against the potentially astronomical costs associated with the response to and recovery from a successful terrorist attack on such a facility. H.R. 1617, the Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy Officer Act of 2009, which establishes a privacy officer in each Department of Homeland Security component, thus enhancing efficiency by reducing the potential for the production of regulations or guidelines that are subject to challenge under privacy laws. H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act of 2010, which enhances the efficiency of governmental efforts to prevent the illegal trafficking of drugs across the northern border by requiring a strategy stating the specific roles and responsibilities of relevant agencies. H.R. 1178, a bill to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes, which requires a report to Congress focusing on the feasibility and cost effectiveness of using the Civil Air Patrol to supplement Departmental air resources involved in border enforcement and other homeland security missions. H.R. 1665, the Coast Guard Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, which eliminates massive cost overruns and potential future costs overruns for Coast Guard acquisitions. H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, which creates an acquisition directorate to provide guidance and oversight for Coast Guard acquisitions, the result of which will be cost savings. Madam Speaker, the measures I have listed display the Committee on Homeland Security's commitment to advancing legislation that seeks to reduce the national deficit by promoting government efficiency while focusing on our primary mission of pursuing legislation that enhances the security of our nation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce a bill on behalf of myself and the gentlelady from Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee. The ``Federal Protective Service Improvement and Accountability Act of 2010'' addresses glaring gaps in security at our Federal buildings by putting the Federal Protective Service (FPS) on the path to fulfilling its homeland security mission. My legislation would direct FPS to increase its ranks while fostering greater accountability and management of contract guards and security service contracts.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today, the House is considering H.R. 6080, legislation to provide $600 million for increased security activities at our Nation's southwest border. As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I have visited the U.S.-Mexico border and heard the concerns of local residents firsthand. I understand the imperative for more resources to combat the drug cartels and the threat of potential violence in the region. Therefore, I support the bill before the House today. H.R. 6080 is an integral part of providing the Department of Homeland Security and its federal partners with additional personnel and equipment necessary to combat violence and better secure America's borders. Specifically, H.R. 6080 provides funding to put more boots on the ground for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including additional Border Patrol agents and CBP officers who secure the areas at and between our ports of entry. Increased interdictions along the border translate into increased additional referrals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I am pleased that H.R. 6080 also provides funding for additional ICE agents, analysts, and support personnel. These resources will aid ICE in identifying and dismantling cross-border criminal networks. H.R. 6080 also provides for additional equipment, such as two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and forward operating bases for CBP. Communications in remote areas along the border is a persistent problem, and the bill helps address this problem by including funding for enhanced tactical communications in the area. Providing additional resources is not a panacea for our border security problems, however. In the absence of a comprehensive border security strategy, this kind of supplemental funding will only do so much. Rather than a piecemeal approach, the Department of Homeland Security must develop and implement a border security strategy that contemplates all border security threats facing our Nation and allocates our border security resources accordingly. Again, Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 6080 and urge my colleagues to do so as well.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act of 2010. The bill is sponsored by Representative Bill Owens of New York, a valued member of the Committee on Homeland Security and a Member representing a congressional district along our Nation's northern border. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the bill. H.R. 4748 would require the Director of National Drug Control Policy, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to develop and submit to Congress a Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy. The document will set forth the government's strategy for preventing the illegal trafficking of drugs across the U.S.-Canada border; establish the responsibilities of the relevant Federal agencies in carrying out the strategy; and identify the resources necessary for implementation. Having an effective strategy is an essential step in combating narcotics smuggling and trafficking along our northern border. Much attention is paid to the challenges along our nation's border with Mexico, and rightfully so. However, securing the U.S.-Canada border, while expediting legitimate trade and travel, is also imperative for meaningful border security. The bill is not only integral to border security, but is vital for economic development in New York's North Country and other communities along our border with Canada. Thousands of jobs in Upstate New York and elsewhere depend on the swift movement of lawful commerce across the northern border, and any illicit activity along the border may undermine this robust trading relationship. H.R. 4748 will help ensure that the U.S. and Canada continue to enjoy the world's largest bilateral trade relationship. I commend Representative Owens, a leader on my Committee on northern border security issues, for bringing into focus the need for a strategic approach to stem the movement of illicit drugs across the U.S.-Canadian border, a longstanding northern border security challenge. I congratulate Representative Owens on bringing H.R. 4748 to the House floor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to congratulate the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for its 100 years of operation in New London, Connecticut. The Academy is one of our Nation's premier institutions of higher learning that attracts the best and brightest students who go on to serve our country with honor and distinction. The Academy's excellent curriculum and small class sizes provide cadets with the training and character development skills that are necessary for our Nation's leaders of tomorrow. Academy graduates are members of an elite group who have pursued diverse civilian career paths in engineering, government, education and even space exploration. With over 85 percent of graduates choosing to serve beyond their five- year commitment, the Academy's graduates play an important part in fulfilling the Coast Guard's mission responsibilities related to homeland security. In the current threat environment, it is essential that the Academy continues to offer a rigorous academic program that produces diverse leaders who are highly trained to keep America safe and secure. One way to achieve greater diversity--especially geographical diversity--in the next hundred years is by adopting the congressional nomination processes that have served other U.S. military academies so well over the years. Again, I congratulate the leadership within the Coast Guard and the Academy for all of their accomplishments as they celebrate this important milestone.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4842, the ``Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010.'' This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, S&T, and Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, DNDO, through fiscal year 2012. Introduced by Representatives Yvette Clarke and Dan Lungren--the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Committee's Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Subcommittee--H.R. 4842 seeks to strengthen our homeland security by ensuring more effective research, development, testing, and evaluation activities. As Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I strongly believe that recurring authorizations are important mechanisms to effectuate oversight findings and help steer an agency on the right course. This legislation represents the first reauthorization of S&T--which was authorized in 2002--and DNDO--which was established in 2006. Taking into account the Committee's extensive oversight findings as well as findings of GAO, the Inspector General, and the National Academy of Sciences, H.R. 4842 directs DHS to put robust management, administration, and programmatic systems in place at S&T and DNDO. Specifically, to foster greater alignment between S&T research and the needs of DHS' operational components--such as TSA, CBP, and the Coast Guard--H.R. 4842 directs the establishment of rigorous processes within S&T for identifying, prioritizing, and setting requirements for research opportunities. The bill also recognizes that, in order to conduct the best research, we need the best people. H.R. 4842 contains advanced professional development provisions and creates fellowship opportunities for new scientists and engineers to bring their skills to DHS. H.R. 4842 also takes into account that innovation is often fueled by the private sector and that the challenging and evolving nature of the terrorist threat demands closer collaboration between S&T and the private sector. Accordingly, in an effort to improve collaboration between S&T and the private sector, H.R. 4842 authorizes an office of Public-Private Partnerships and, within the office, establishes a ``Rapid Review Division'' to evaluate technological proposals and provide feedback within 60 days. A common concern that I hear from firms with novel homeland security technologies is that they do not know who to contact at S&T to pursue research opportunities and that they cannot seem to get anyone at S&T to look at their technologies. Establishment of this new review division will go a long way to improving collaboration and innovation. Further, H.R. 4842 directs DHS to evaluate whether establishing a venture capital program--modeled after the Defense Department's InQtel program--could facilitate swifter development of homeland security technologies. H.R. 4842 also authorizes several specific programmatic areas for research including: mobile biometric technologies for deployment at the border; enhanced detection of border tunnels; hand-held detectors for DHS to do rapid detection of biological threats at ports and airports; technologies to mitigate the threat of small vessel attack; research to assess the extent of cyber compromises to federally-owned networks and devices; and enhancements to unmanned aerial surveillance technology for safe and effective deployment for border and maritime missions. From the very beginning, H.R. 4842 was developed in an open, collegial, and bipartisan manner. The Full Committee favorably reported H.R. 4842--which authorizes $2.3 billion to S&T and $620 million to DNDO through 2012--by a unanimous vote of ``26 to 0''. H.R. 4842 also reflects collaboration between my Committee and the Committee on Science and Technology. I would like to thank Chairman Bart Gordon and Ranking Member Ralph Hall for their contributions to the bill and for working with us to get H.R. 4842 to the floor today. I think our process has proven that the barriers of partisanship and jurisdiction can be overcome when we put the good of the country first. Finally, I would like to thank Under Secretary for Science and Technology Tara O'Toole, and the Acting Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Bill Hagan, as well as the dozens of stakeholders who took the time to give their input, as we worked through the process of developing this bill. Again, I congratulate Representatives Clarke and Lungren on their solid work steering this important homeland security bill and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4842.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I rise today to express my condolences to the families and loved ones of the three Coast Guard crew members who died on July 7 after their helicopter crashed off the Pacific Northwest coast. Lt. Sean D. Krueger, Petty Officers Adam C. Hoke, and Brett M. Banks fully embraced the Coast Guard's mission as America's maritime guardian and they served our nation with high honor and distinction. These three men were deeply respected by their colleagues and were the recipients of numerous Coast Guard awards and commendations. Their deaths serve as a reminder of the many risks that confront the men and women of the Coast Guard each day and why we owe them our sincere gratitude for their bravery, service, and sacrifice. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these heroic men as well as Lt. Lance D. Leone, the sole survivor of the crash. During this difficult time, it is my hope that the families will find some comfort in knowing that their loved ones served their country with distinction and that they will be remembered in the hearts of the American people.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5026, the Grid Reliability and Infrastructure Defense--or GRID-- Act. As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I am well aware of the need to protect our Nation's critical infrastructure. Our Committee has held numerous classified briefings and public hearings on threats to the electric grid. Again and again, we received testimony from expert witnesses that our Nation's electric grid has inadequate protections against cyber attacks and against significant disruptions from electromagnetic threats, EMP, such as solar storms and radio frequency devices. Further, the Federal Government does not have the authority to ensure its security, nor has it partnered effectively with the private sector to do so. Protecting our electric grid from EMP will require the best efforts from both government and industry. To date, the electric sector has had a difficult time protecting their assets from EMP threats because although the potential impacts are huge, the frequency of their occurrence is very low. This is one of those cases where government intervention seems necessary to protect our most important national critical infrastructure. Last year, I, along with my ranking member Peter King and many other bipartisan members of our Committee introduced H.R. 2195 to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority to require protections to be put in place for high impact, low frequency events. H.R. 5026 is the product of collaborative work between this Committee and our colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee, most notably Chairman Waxman and Representatives Markey and Barrow. Our electric grid is currently strained to capacity. We saw during the Northeast Blackout of 2003 what can happen when the strained system finally breaks. That blackout interrupted electricity delivery to 55 million people in the U.S. and Canada. Luckily, major outages only lasted a day or so. But just imagine what would happen if the power did not come back on for a week, or a month, or several months. What would happen? An elecromagnetic pulse could make such an incredible scenario a reality. The one that most people have heard about is from a high altitude burst of a nuclear weapon. Also of concern are smaller radio or microwave devices, usually termed ``Intentional Electromagnetic Interference'' or ``IEMI''. Of particular concern are ``geomagnetically induced currents'', GIC, caused by solar activity. A 2008 National Academy of Sciences report warned that our Sun will inevitably inflict a severe geomagnetic storm with the largest geographic footprint of any natural disaster. The damage caused by this event could be $1 trillion to $2 trillion, and recovery could take 4 to 10 years. The next period of maximum solar activity is only two years away. From a homeland security perspective, it is important that we take an ``all hazards'' approach to the risk and increase preparedness for both intentional and naturally occurring events. While some may argue that the threat of a high-altitude nuclear weapon burst perpetrated by a rogue state or a terrorist group is remote, I do not discount it. Given the high-consequence nature of such an attack, I take it very seriously. On the other hand, scientists tell us that the likelihood of a severe naturally occurring geomagnetic event capable of crippling our electric grid is 100 percent. It will happen; it is just a question of when. GIC is a natural occurrence just like earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes or hurricanes. Similarly, geomagnetic storms occur from time to time as part of the natural activity of the Sun. One such storm, in 1989, disrupted power throughout most of Quebec, and resulted in auroras as far south as Texas. With the significant investments we are making in ``Green Energy'' and the ``Smart Grid'', we find ourselves at an opportune moment to protect our grid from an EMP and cyber attacks. As we expand and improve our grid, we must also build in physical and cyber protections from the start, and we must retrofit key elements of the existing grid in order to protect it. Federal authority and funding are needed if this effort is to succeed. H.R. 5026 represents a critical step forward in our efforts to meet these homeland security challenges and deserves support from this House. Therefore, I urge Members to join me and support H.R. 5026.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Rickey O. Harrington, for 22 years of exceptional service and dedication to the United States Air Force. Colonel Harrington will be retiring from active duty on September 30, 2010. He has most recently served as the Pentagon's Chief of Air Force Reserve Directorate of Personnel for the Chief Force Support and Sustainment Branch. As a native of Itta Bena, Mississippi, Colonel Harrington entered the Air Force in 1988 as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Mississippi Valley State University. In October 1988, then Second Lieutenant Harrington began his career as a Personnel Officer in the Consolidated Base Personnel Office at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas. In September of 1990 Colonel Harrington became newly promoted First Lieutenant Harrington and was deployed to Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm as Chief, Personnel Support Contingency Operations Team at Al Minhad Air Base, United Arab Emirates providing the full scale support to nearly 3,000 airmen. Colonel Harrington would go on after this deployment to serve in a variety of staff and leadership positions both stateside and overseas. During his career he has served as a Section Commander, Executive Officer, Squadron Commander, Inspector and Action Officer at the wing and Headquarters level. Most notably, he was on-duty as Executive Officer to the Director of Personnel Accountability at the Air Force Personnel Center responsible for running the Air Force Casualty Operations Center during the bombing of Khobar Towers where 19 brave service men lost their lives and during the airplane crash in Germany carrying then Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. During this crisis, Colonel Harrington ensured that all levels of leadership were kept abreast of ongoing issues and ensured humane and dignified notification of next of kin while honoring the memory of those who fell in these tragedies. He also served as the Deputy Support Group Commander at Khandahar Air Base, Afghanistan in 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Over the past 4 years Colonel Harrington has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Air Force Reserve as the lone active duty member on their Personnel Staff. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have led to increased use of our reserve forces, he has championed many initiatives, both in policy and in law, that have enhanced recruiting, retention, benefits and entitlements for these dedicated airmen. His efforts have helped to sustain a viable, ready trained force capable of meeting the needs of Combatant Commanders to protect our Nation and achieve objectives of national interest. In addition to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct as a military officer, Colonel Harrington has also labored to enhance the communities he's lived in through his affiliation with various churches, civic organizations and as a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Madam Speaker, I ask my Colleagues to join me in expressing our sincere thanks to Colonel Harrington and his family for their unwavering support of our country and their dedication to preserving our Nation's freedom. Congratulations, and thank you for your service.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, it gives me immense pleasure to rise today in honor of trailblazer, educator and pioneer, Mrs. Emma Brandon. Mrs. Brandon began teaching right out of high school in 1946 for a wage of $36/month. She walked three miles one way to school and seven miles if weather made the road conditions to difficult to travel. As a woman, of much wisdom and vision, Mrs. Brandon realized that education required a deep devotion and a substantial amount of hard work from both student and teacher. Mrs. Brandon began her career at a two-room school on a dirt road next door to Beechland Church where she taught first through fourth grades. Three years later, she became principal and sole teacher at Egypt School in Russum, which was later consolidated into another school. Mrs. Brandon understood that the task of educating is an enduring and tedious process; one that empowers and benefits individuals, communities and countries, alike. After years of serving students in Claiborne County, as both an educator and an administrator, Mrs. Brandon earned her bachelor's degree from Alcorn State University. After completing her education at Alcorn, Mrs. Brandon returned to complete her educational career in Claiborne County, MS. For the last 42 years, Mrs. Brandon has been educating generations of families at A.W. Watson Elementary in Port Gibson, MS where her enthusiasm for learning is abundant. She implemented programs that have strengthened the learning capabilities of her students and challenged them to think critically. Mrs. Brandon has yielded the guiding principles of education and knowledge to all of whom she has encountered. She believes that each child can enjoy today's promises of a rewarding life if they possess a strong foundation in education. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I ask my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing my gratitude and appreciation to Mrs. Emma Brandon of Port Gibson, Mississippi, for her many contributions to education and her dedication to its principles.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Jackson State College shooting that claimed the lives of Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green. Gibbs was a college student exercising his first amendment right to freedom of speech. Green was a prospective college student looking forward to the opportunity to make his mark during the Civil Rights Movement and define his place in society. Both young men lived in a time and place plagued by racial prejudice and discrimination Four decades ago, four students were killed at Kent State University (Ohio) when National Guardsmen opened fire on hundreds of unarmed students during an on campus antiwar rally. The killings received national media and public attention and have annually been remembered in the 40 years that followed. Just 10 days after the Kent State fatal shooting, on May 14, 1970, around 9:30 p.m., rumors began to circulate that Fayette, Mississippi's Mayor Charles Evers (brother of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers) and his wife had been shot and killed. Protesters, both students and non-students who were still tense from demonstrations held the day before, gathered throughout the campus grounds of Jackson State College, in Jackson, Mississippi to protest. Some protestors damaged property and set a construction truck on fire. About 75 law enforcement officers from both the Jackson Police Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol arrived on the scene armed with carbines, rifles, submachine guns, shot guns, service revolvers and other undocumented, non-service weapons and began to open fire on the student protesters. It was not until after nearly 30 seconds of continuous, relentless shooting that officers yelled commands to cease fire. An investigation filed later by the Federal Bureau of Investigations reported that Alexander Hall dormitory had been struck over 450 times by bullets or bullet fragments. In that same report the FBI said no evidence was found to support that any officers had come under fire before the shooting started or that anyone in the immediate crowd of protesters had displayed a weapon. Miraculously, many lives were spared during the ordeal, but sadly two were not. Phillip Lafayette Gibbs, a 21-year-old junior pre-law student, was shot three times in the head and once under his left armpit. Gibbs, who was married and the father of an 18-month old son was pronounced dead at the scene. James Earl Green, a 17-year-old Jim Hill High School student and track standout, was shot once in the side of the chest. Green, just weeks away from graduation, planned to attend the University of California, Los Angeles, collapsed and died just blocks away from his home. In the early morning hours of May 14, 1970, this country lost two potentially prominent and profound components of the legal and sports world. Unfortunately, this tragic incident, similar to the Kent State shooting, received no national media coverage. The FBI investigated the incident as well as President Nixon's Commission on Campus Unrest. Both bodies agreed that the shooting was an, ``. . . unreasonable, unjustified overreaction . . .'', and that a law enforcement response of this nature is, ``. . . never warranted.'' However, no charges or arrest were ever made in the killing of these two young men and justice never prevailed. In the spirit of remembrance and appreciation I stand before you to bring attention to the loss of two precious lives which sparked the ignition for change for a campus, a community, a state and a nation. Please join me today in honoring the lives of Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution honoring and expressing support for the vigilance and prompt response of the citizens and law enforcement agencies in New York and Connecticut, as well as Federal authorities, to the attempted terrorist attack in Times Square on May 1, 2010, their exceptional professionalism and investigative work following the attempted attack, and their consistent commitment to preparedness for and collective response to terrorism. Just less than 54 hours is what it took for Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to identify, find, and apprehend Mr. Faisal Shahzad, the prime suspect for this attempted act of terror. During the 54 hours, the New York Police Department, working with Federal and State law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and others identified and began unraveling the tangled web that eventually led to Mr. Shahzad's arrest. This arrest could not have been made without the help of several people and organizations. First, I commend the alertness and awareness of Mr. Lance Orton and Mr. Duane Jackson for ``seeing something'' and ``saying something'' to law enforcement. If it were not for these citizens, many others could have been hurt and Mr. Shahzad might not have been apprehended. This is the kind of vigilance is vital to our homeland security efforts. Second, I want to thank the citizens of New York for helping and cooperating with law enforcement during the precautionary evacuations in the vicinity of Times Square. I also want to acknowledge New Yorkers and their resilient nature and ability to return to life as normal. Third, I want to express my deep appreciation for the professionalism and collective response of the following law enforcement agencies: New York City Police Department, in particular Police Officer Wayne Rhatigan of Mounted Unit Troop B, the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department Bomb Squad, led by Lieutenant Mark Torre and other first responders, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, Detective Bureau, Patrol Division, and other law enforcement agencies in Connecticut. Finally, I want to say that without these citizens and the collaborative effort of law enforcement, we would not have the mountain of evidence we have now, including two additional unnamed suspects in custody. It is also more likely true that according to the Attorney General, the Pakistani Taliban was likely involved in planning this attempted attack. As such, we must remain vigilant against terrorism and our enemies. Madam Speaker, while I know others may say that we just got lucky this time, I say that they are missing the point. Our post-9/11 efforts to foster greater vigilance among our citizens and a culture of preparedness and collaboration among first responders and law enforcement paid off. Further, we stayed true to our cherished constitutional principals as we initiated this wide-scale collective response to terrorism. As evidenced by what we saw on May 2, 2010, the citizens of New York and this great country are and remain committed to living their lives in the pursuit of the cherished tradition we have celebrated since our country's start and that is the pursuit of freedom.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Chair, I come to the floor today in support of the legislation before us, and to talk about companion efforts that can and should be undertaken to create jobs and ensure that people around the country are better protected from natural disasters. I support providing incentives to homeowners to make their homes energy efficient. However, at the same time, I believe we must help Americans make their homes stronger and safer. I have long been a proponent of disaster mitigation and resiliency measures, and in fact, have sponsored a number of pieces of legislation that would assist families in strengthening their homes. I have also drafted an amendment to the Home Star bill, which though I did not offer, I am hoping can be the basis for discussions with the House, Senate and Administration as this bill moves forward. Americans across the country are at risk from natural disasters. Though we cannot easily mitigate the disasters themselves, we can mitigate and lessen their impact. Homes can be strengthened to protect from the devastating effects of hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, and tornadoes. Strengthening roof attachments, creating water barriers and seals, constructing saferooms, elevating electrical systems, adding storm shutters and roof protection systems are examples of what can be done to save lives and property. Disaster resiliency not only helps better protect our residents and their property, but it creates jobs and is cost effective. A disaster mitigation program in Florida has found that for every 50 to 75 homes made more resilient, 160 construction jobs are created. Imagine if we were strengthening hundreds of thousands of homes in harm's way. We would create tens of thousands of jobs. We would also be making a smart investment . . . one that will have significant cost savings. For every $1 spent to strengthen homes and communities, $4 is saved in recovery and rebuilding costs. That is not an insignificant cost savings. Disaster mitigation also decreases energy use and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. South Carolina's state mitigation program found that installing disaster resiliency measures decreased energy usage by almost 30 percent. And, though not immediate, there are significant energy savings from preventing the destruction, and subsequent rebuilding, of homes and other structures. Pairing disaster mitigation and energy efficiency retrofits makes sense. Federal programs should be making sure that energy efficient upgrades can withstand known risks, including natural disasters. In coastal areas, that means making sure that windows and doors are wind resistant in addition to being energy efficient, and it means making sure that the roof can withstand wind so that the home, and the energy efficiency work, is not wiped away in the next storm. Strengthening and protecting homes and buildings at the same time as we are making the homes energy efficient will help to protect our federal investment. Providing incentives for disaster resiliency and mitigation has the support of numerous organizations including environmental groups, taxpayer advocate organizations, and affordable housing advocates. I believe there is widespread support for strengthening homes and buildings in harm's way. I look forward to working with my colleagues either on including incentives in Home Star as it moves forward or as a companion piece of legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding medical contributions of Dr. Robert Smith, Sr. and congratulate him on being honored as a ``Living Legend'' by Central Mississippi Health Services, Incorporated. A native of Terry, Mississippi, Dr. Smith is no stranger to hard work and has dedicated much of his life to serving others. He earned his Bachelor's of Arts in Chemistry from Tougaloo College in 1957 and his M.D. from Howard University in 1961. Dr. Smith has done extensive postgraduate training at some of the Nation's most prestigious medical institutions such as the University of Mississippi, the University of Tennessee, the Cook County Postgraduate School and the Harvard University. He has an array of professional certifications and has been appointed to a number of administrative, instructional, clinical and hospital positions. Dr. Smith stood fearlessly on the front lines during Mississippi's Freedom Summer, when civil rights demonstrations were held from Mississippi to Selma, Alabama to Chicago, Illinois, to combat racial inequality. Equally significant, was as Dr. Smith fought to end inequality for blacks socially, politically and economically, he fought a separate fight in the medical profession. Dr. Smith was instrumental in exposing the racial practices taking place within the American Medical Association. His unwavering commitment to battling acts of racism and discrimination within the medical profession has earned him critical acclaim in national publications such as the New York Times, Time Magazine, Ebony, Brown Magazine, Tufts Medicine and a number of notable scientific publications. A compassionate man who provides medical care to poor, uninsured and underserved patients, Dr. Smith was the primary founder of the model for the National Neighborhood Health Center Movement which today serves over 17 million Americans. Dr. Smith was the first African American physician to serve as Chief of Staff at a majority tertiary level hospital in Jackson, Mississippi and has served as a Charter Diplomat and a fellow with the American Board of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was one of the lead investigators with the National Research Program for the National Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study at the University of Mississippi Medical Center which is currently known as the Jackson Heart Study. Dr. Smith over the years has proven to be very instrumental in diabetic studies. He has served as primary care physician for the Central Mississippi Health Service. He chaired the Committee that oversaw the naming of the first federal building to be named after an African American in the state of Mississippi, the Dr. A.H. McCoy Federal Building, located in Jackson, MS. Dr. Robert Smith is indeed a champion of the people and a trailblazer within the medical profession. His contributions to his community, profession, state, and nation should serve as example for generations to come. Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to recognize and congratulate a son of Mississippi, Dr. Robert Smith, Sr., for his role in advocating for equality in the medical profession.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of one of the most prominent figures of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. Dr. Height, a leading voice during the civil rights era, worked side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other pioneers to bring about social justice and equality for African-Americans. Having faced racism much of her young life, she received a scholarship from Barnard College; however, she was turned away because the two-person quota for accepting black females had been reached . . . further thrusting her to fight vigorously to eliminate racial and gender inequality. Dr. Height, described as the ``glue'' that held together the family of black civil rights leaders, was the most influential and often the only female voice at the table working to emphasize and amplify social injustice across this country. Familiar with the strength, compassion and courage of women such as Fannie Lou Hamer, at the height of the civil rights movement, Dr. Height helped to organize ``Wednesdays in Mississippi'', a project to create a dialogue of understanding between both interracial and interfaith groups from the North and South. Dr. Height, through her selfless acts and noble devotion to the movement, encouraged President Dwight D. Eisenhower to desegregate schools and President Lyndon B. Johnson to appoint African-American women to positions in government in the 1960s. Dr. Height rose through the ranks of leadership and became the President of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) while simultaneously leading the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), an organization she had been discriminated against by as a child. Additionally, Dr. Height served as the National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated from 1946-1957 and later helped from the National Black Family Reunion that celebrated and promoted the tradition, tenacity and history of the black family. Today, I would like to honor the life and eternal legacy of one of our Nation's greatest heroes and humanitarians. Dr. Height's legacy as one of the 20th century's social justice giants will live forever. Her lifetime of contributions to education, gender equality and broad civil rights issues inspires all, as she was not afraid to tackle the biggest, most looming issues of her day. For that, we are grateful and eternally indebted.