Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Chair, how much time do I have?

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3619, a bill to authorize the activities of the United States Coast Guard. The legislation before us today builds on H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard authorization bill that the House approved by a vote of 395-7 last Congress. Like that bill, H.R. 3619 provides long overdue resources to an agency that has been underfunded for many years. Specifically, H.R. 3619 authorizes approximately $10 billion for FY 2010 to ensure that the Coast Guard has the resources it needs to live up to its motto, ``Always Ready.'' Not only does it provide $2 billion to the Coast Guard to secure our Nation's maritime environment in this post-9/11 world, H.R. 3619 strengthens our Nation's port and maritime security by authorizing 1,500 additional servicemembers, more Maritime Security Response Teams, an expansion of canine detection teams, a maritime biometric verification system for individuals interdicted at sea, the Coast Guard Port Assistance Program, and a public awareness program for recreational boaters to report suspicious activities on the water. With the addition of the Oberstar amendment, this bill also makes a few refinements to the TWIC program. This program is called the Transportation Worker Improvement Card, Madam Chairman, and in so many instances, as we found out, people are still waiting for their TWIC card. H.R. 3619 also requires the Coast Guard to lead the efforts to enforce security zones around vessels carrying certain dangerous cargos, such as liquefied natural gas. The bill takes a risk-based approach to ensure that limited resources are utilized appropriately. It also requires that necessary training be provided to any State and local entity that partners with the Coast Guard to protect a security zone. There's a lot in this bill, in addition to provisions in the port security realm. This measure also brings new transparency and accountability standards for the Coast Guard's contracting with the private sector. It reforms the 25-year, $24 billion Deepwater acquisition program. It also enhances security on cruise ships, provides a new process for Members of Congress to nominate candidates to the Coast Guard Academy, and creates a new Minority Service Institution Management Internship program. In closing, Madam Chairman, I'd like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Chairman Cummings for their efforts to bring this bill to the floor. I'd also like to express my appreciation to Ranking Member King and his staff for working so cooperatively to move this bill expeditiously. I can only hope that we will see a similar commitment from the Senate colleagues. We need to get a final bill to the President for his signature as soon as possible. I urge passage of this important legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule and the underlying bill--H.R. 3619, the Fiscal Year 2010 Coast Guard Authorization Act. I would like to commend the Rules Committee for approving a Rule that will allow for a robust debate. I am particularly pleased that it provides 20 minutes of debate on the port security title of the bill. Over the past few weeks, we worked closely, and on a bipartisan basis, with Chairman Oberstar, Chairman Cummings, Ranking Member Mica, and Ranking Member LoBiondo to bring this critical security bill to the floor as expeditiously as possible. The bill that we are considering today builds on H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Authorization bill that the House approved by a vote of 395 to 7 last Congress. Unfortunately, despite strong bipartisan support, that measure was not ultimately enacted into law. Like that bill, H.R. 3619 provides long-overdue resources to an agency that has been underfunded for many years, while providing the Coast Guard new tools to secure our Nation's maritime environment in this post-9/11 world. With respect to port and maritime security, H.R. 3619 provides key new resources to help the Coast Guard execute this homeland security mission. Specifically, it provides 1,500 additional Service Members, more Maritime Security Response Teams and Canine Detection Teams. The bill also includes an important Coast Guard acquisition reform provision that requires the Coast Guard to take over the management of the 25-year, $24 billion Deepwater program. Finally, I am pleased that the bill fosters greater diversity at the Coast Guard Academy--one of the Nation's fine military academies. Specifically, a provision I authored with Chairman Cummings would, for the first time, allow Members of Congress to nominate candidates for the Coast Guard Academy. It also directs the Coast Guard to establish programs to identify young adults from Minority Serving Institutions who may be candidates for becoming Coast Guard officers. Passage of H.R. 3619 will provide the Coast Guard with a cadre of diverse, bright candidates from non-coastal areas of the nation and has the potential of helping to improve the culture within the Coast Guard Academy. In closing, I would like to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this rule and the underlying bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 797, recognizing the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The release of the Presidential Cyberspace Policy Review in May was an important step forward. However, more work remains to be done to ensure that cybersecurity is fully integrated into our nation's homeland security efforts. Our country can't afford 20th century thinking for a 21st century problem. I congratulate Ms. Clarke, the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, for her work on cybersecurity, and thank her for authoring this resolution. The Committee has held ten hearings and undertaken numerous investigations into cybersecurity issues affecting the Federal government, the private sector, and critical infrastructure owners and operators in just the last three years. Though the Homeland Security Committee is primarily concerned with cybersecurity on Federal networks and critical infrastructure, we recognize the important education mission carried out by the National Cyber Security Alliance and their efforts to reach home users, small businesses, and students and educators of all ages. The National Cyber Security Alliance's mission is to increase awareness of cyber security practices and technologies to these folks through educational activities, online resources and checklists. Raising the awareness of this issue in both the public and private sectors is absolutely vital as our country becomes increasingly connected. Cybercrime is a serious business--recent reports suggest that cyber- crime has become a $105 billion business that now surpasses the value of the illegal drug trade worldwide. During the past two years, one in five online consumers has been a victim of cybercrime. But companies and consumers continue to underestimate the threat from phishing, data loss, and other cyber vulnerabilities. I encourage my colleagues today to support this resolution and join me and Representative Clarke in our efforts to address this threat to our economy and homeland security.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge the passage of this important legislation because it makes the necessary investment in security and resilience to protect Americans from future threats and catastrophic incidents, natural or man-made.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of the conference report on H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The funding provided in this package would help ensure the Department of Homeland Security, under the leadership of Secretary Janet Napolitano, will have the resources it needs to execute all its missions. DHS has a lot to do, from deterring, detecting and responding to terrorism to rescuing wayward boaters, to pre-positioning disaster resources. H.R. 2892 gives DHS the $42.7 billion it needs to fulfill its mission. With respect to border security, the bill makes significant new investments to enhance border security along the southern and northern borders. I am particularly pleased that the bill provides $72.6 million to increase personnel and provide new equipment in the Southwest Border Counterdrug Initiative, which dedicates resources to target the flow of guns and bulk cash that fuel border violence. This bill also provides $1.5 billion to support targeted, smarter immigration enforcement. These funds will expand critical programs such as Securing the Communities, which identifies and removes the most dangerous and violent criminal aliens on our border. I support the new resources the legislation appropriates to transportation security, including funds for air cargo and surface transportation security. Chemical security is another area of critical infrastructure that garnered significant attention in this bill. It provides $100 million in funding to DHS to support the coordination and management of regulating high-risk chemical facilities and brings the size of the C- FATS regulatory staff to 250.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 731 and thank my colleague, Ms. Clarke, for introducing it. This resolution applauds the public servants at the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, for their outstanding dedication to securing our Nation. More importantly, House Resolution 731 encourages citizens to prepare themselves and their families to respond to any emergency--whether it is an act of terror, natural disaster, or other crisis. Today marks the end of National Preparedness Month, NPM, which DHS has successfully promoted for the last 6 years. NPM is sponsored by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps program, and is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. DHS has partnered with 2,400 coalition members across the country to promote the message that preparedness is a shared responsibility and that we all must do our part to be ready when disaster strikes. As a former volunteer firefighter, I know that lives are saved when the public takes steps to prepare for the worst. And as the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I want the people of this Nation to take the necessary steps to prepare themselves in the event of an emergency. To be prepared, all individuals should visit www.ready.gov and take three simple steps. These steps are: 1. Get a Kit. All households should build a disaster supply kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for three days. The kit should include basic items such as water, food, medicine, batteries, flashlights, hygiene materials, and blankets. 2. Make a Plan. Every family should develop and communicate with each other their evacuation or sheltering plan. The plan should correspond to the school, work and community of every member of the family. All families are encouraged to practice this plan to ensure familiarity with evacuation or meeting routes, have cell phones charged and keep a charger in the car. 3. Be informed. We all need to know about the type of disasters or emergencies that may occur where we live, work and play. Every citizen should also learn about what to do in the event of a biological, chemical, explosive, nuclear or radiological attack. In addition to getting a kit, making a plan, and being informed, citizens can also get involved in helping their neighbors prepare. To learn how you can contribute to the Citizen Corps program, which brings together communities in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery efforts, visit the www.citizencorps.gov website. Mr. Speaker, an August 2009 survey commissioned by FEMA's Citizen Corps program shows we have a long way to go as a nation in preparing our communities for a disaster. According to the survey, just 56 percent of respondents reported having disaster supply kits in their home. Only 50 percent were familiar with emergency alert and warning systems, and just 38 percent were familiar with local sources of public safety information. We must close these gaps. National Preparedness Month is one such step toward doing just that. It is an important national public awareness campaign that promotes citizen and community preparedness. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I support H. Res. 731 and urge adoption of this resolution.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, it gives me immense pleasure to recognize the life and accomplishments of a scholar, a leader, and a pillar in the community, Mr. Edgar Bridges. Mr. Edgar Bridges' extensive scholastic record is an excellent testament to his belief in the power of education both for himself, and for the advancement of his community as a whole. He began his scholastic career in Lawrence County Public Schools. Later, he attended Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute. He then attended Pacific Training School in Los Angeles California. Mr. Edgar Bridges' scholastic achievements culminated when he received a Bachelor's in Science Degree in Religious Education from The Mississippi Baptist Seminary. Mr. Bridges' aforementioned education afforded him the opportunity to realize the importance of education for everyone. Thus, he became a champion for the educational development of children and improving life experiences for youth as a whole, serving as Executive Director of The Lawrence County Education and Recreation Association, president of the Lawrence County Educational Convention, member of the Board of Trustees for McCullough High School (Monticello, MS), and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Five County Child Development Program Inc. Mr. Edgar Bridges' record of service to his community, church, and participation in civic activities are exemplary of a person who truly cares about the community, and believes in ``giving back'' to them through tireless effort and dedication. He served as co-chair of the Home Health Care Agency at Lawrence County Hospital and Superintendent of the Mission for the Lawrence County Baptist Association. He also contributed to the community by becoming a member of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, and was a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mr. Bridges' phenomenal record in education and service was recognized in the form of awards, accolades, and citations. He received the Medgar Evers Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Labor and Industry Award from the NAACP for being an outstanding contributor to Head Start, and was Emeritus Grand Master of the M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge of Mississippi, an accomplishment in which he was most proud. Once again, it is with great pleasure that I recognize the lifetime and accomplishments of The Honorable Mr. Edgar Bridges. I am honored to salute such a champion for academics, a true leader, and a pillar of the community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to House Resolution 317, which would recognize the region from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri, as the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor. While I have no issues with the larger goals of the resolution--to recognize the work that is going on in Kansas and Missouri on animal health--I do take issue with the recognition of the Manhattan, Kansas site ``as the future location for the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF).'' I support moving the critical research activities of Plum Island onto the U.S. mainland. However, I, like many other Members, have grave concerns about the selection process that was utilized by the prior Administration to secure a site for the NBAF. I do not believe that the selection criteria were applied in a consistent manner. Accordingly, I have discomfort with the inclusion of the reference to the Manhattan, Kansas site in this resolution. Moreover, while I have no doubt that there is salutary work on animal health being conducted in Kansas and Missouri, I have some discomfort with the statement that the Kansas-Missouri corridor has ``unmatched'' capacity to support the animal health industry. There are certainly other areas around the Nation that have a great deal of capacity. For these reasons, I must vote ``no'' on the resolution.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 722, which marks the eighth anniversary of September 11, 2001 and solemnly recognizes the lives lost and the sacrifices made on that day. I want to commend Mr. Hoyer and Mr. Boehner for bringing this bipartisan resolution to the floor. None of us will ever forget where we were and what we were doing on the morning of September 11, 2001. The images of the planes hitting the World Trade Center towers, the smoke rising above the Pentagon, and the scattered remnants of flight 93 in that Shanksville, Pennsylvania field will forever be seared in our Nation's consciousness. This resolution affirms that we continue to mourn the innocent loss of life that occurred that horrific morning and extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to family and friends of the victims. It also pays tribute to the heroism of the first responders, law enforcement personnel, and ordinary citizens who rushed to the aid of their fellow Americans on that darkest of days. With this resolution, the House not only recognizes the extraordinary heroism of that day but acknowledges the significant strides we have made as a Nation to improve information sharing, strengthen our borders, and enhance our resilience. As a result, the United States is more secure today than it was on September 11, 2001. However, we must not lose sight of what still needs to be done or grow complacent about security. The nature of the terrorist threat demands vigilance at all levels of government and in our communities. Mr. Speaker, this anniversary represents an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to these efforts and H. Res. 722 is a fitting remembrance of how September 11 changed the course of our Nation's history. Let us never forget the lives that were lost and the lessons that were learned that day.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1665, the ``Coast Guard Acquisition Reform Act of 2009.'' The Coast Guard is a valiant agency, one that is dedicated to saving lives and securing our nation's maritime borders. Last year, Coast Guard men and women: Responded to more than 24,000 search and rescue cases; Saved more than 4,000 lives; Interdicted nearly 5,000 individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally; Deployed 400 personnel to protect Iraq's maritime oil infrastructure, train Iraqi naval forces, and enforce U.N. sanctions in the Arabian Gulf; Boarded more than 1,500 high interest vessels bound for the United States for security inspections; and Provided waterside security and escorts for nearly 500 military vessels that deliver supplies to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The Coast Guard did all of this on ships that are thirty (30) to forty (40) years old. Currently, the Coast Guard is building new assets, including the ``National Security Cutters'' and the ``Fast Response Cutters'' under the $24 billion Deepwater fleet modernization program. Initially, when Deepwater first began in 2002, the Coast Guard delegated responsibility as lead system integrator to a private firm. By all accounts, this delegation of responsibility led to poor workmanship, skyrocketing costs, and ships that didn't float. In response, in 2007, Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen took the helm of this struggling program and assumed the lead integrator role. Over the past two years, Admiral Allen has made significant changes to the acquisition and procurement processes within the Coast Guard. This was a good development, but as recent Government Accountability Office reports note, it is not enough. GAO found that the current contracts are not in full compliance with the Department of Homeland Security's acquisition directives. Additionally, GAO found that critical logistical support plans have not been completed. Logistical support plans are necessary for the Coast Guard to understand the out-year costs associated with the new cutters. If enacted, H.R. 1665 can help steer the Deepwater program on the right course. Specifically, the bill revises the Coast Guard acquisition policy by mandating the development and regular updating of life-cycle cost estimates and a master plan for testing and evaluation. The bill also requires ``full and open competition'' for any acquisition contract, unless otherwise excepted under Federal acquisition laws and regulations. Lastly, the bill establishes a Chief Acquisition Officer and requires that program managers for certain acquisitions hold a specified acquisition certification. These important reforms to the acquisitions process at the Coast Guard will not only ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely but that the Coast Guard has the assets it needs to continue to fulfill all its critical missions. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1665.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the life and legacy of National Football League star quarterback Steve McNair. McNair played college football at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi where he won the 1994 Walter Payton Award as the top player in NCAA Division I-AA. McNair's college career became the stuff of legend, a true story of the all-conquering hero. As a mere freshman, McNair set nine records and was named Southwestern Athletic Conference player of the year. In his sophomore year, he led the nation in total offense, average 405.7 yards per game. McNair racked up numerous 500- plus-passing-yard games, and many times he added another 100 yards rushing. McNair was drafted third overall by the NFL's Houston Oilers in 1995. He became the Oilers' regular starting quarterback in 1997. At 22, he had become the Oilers' highest-paid player. Quarterbacks usually develop more gradually than other players their first season. In Tennessee, though, he started six games over the prior two seasons in Houston, and remained the starting quarterback for the Titans until 2005. As the steady starter at quarterback, McNair steadily accrued impressive stats on third-down conversions and pass completions, touchdowns per starts, and rushing, among others. In the 1997 season, for example, his 674 yards rushing was the third-highest for a quarterback in NFL history. By the end of that season, McNair had garnered the second-best overall rating of any quarterback drafted in the previous six years from that point on McNair had become one of the league's best quarterbacks. At the end of the 1998 season, the Titans-- the Oilers' new name--had placed second in the AFC Central. In 1999 McNair led to the Titans to an AFC championship. When he took the field as the starting quarterback against the St. Louis Rams, he became just the second black quarterback to start in the Super Bowl. Though the Titans lost the game to the Rams, McNair's strong performance did not go unnoticed around the league, where McNair was considered a rising star. The Titans signed McNair to a six-year, $47 million contract extension in July of 2001. After the 2005 season, McNair was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he played for two seasons before retiring after 13 NFL seasons. McNair led the Titans to the playoffs four times and the Ravens once, and played in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. He is the Titans' all-time leading passer. McNair was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was All-Pro and Co-MVP in 2003. The contributions Steve McNair made to college and professional football will never be forgotten. He touched the lives of many people on and off the field. Steve McNair will truly be missed by his community and colleagues throughout the country. Please join me today in honoring the remarkable life of Steve McNair.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 498, which honors and congratulates the U.S. Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary. Much has changed since 1924, when Congress formally established the U.S. Border Patrol and charged just 450 officers with securing our Nation's borders. Today, more than 18,000 Border Patrol agents patrol 8,000 miles of international borders with Mexico, Canada and the coastal waters around Florida and Puerto Rico. Previously, the Border Patrol was responsible only for stopping illegal aliens and contraband from crossing our borders--an enormous challenge on its own. But in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Border Patrol's mission was expanded to include preventing terrorists and their instruments from entering the United States. One thing has not changed in the last 85 years, however. The men and women of the Border Patrol continue to risk their lives serving the American public with vigilance, integrity and professionalism. As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I have been to our borders and seen firsthand Border Patrol agents serving our Nation, often under very difficult conditions. That is why I am pleased to support this resolution, in honor of all those helping to secure America's borders today and throughout the Border Patrol's 85-year history. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would thank the gentleman from New Mexico, Mr. Teague, for authoring H. Res. 498. His congressional district includes Artesia, New Mexico, home to the Border Patrol Academy, where thousands of new Border Patrol agents have been trained. Mr. Teague's constituents are fortunate to have a strong advocate for that fine facility and for the Border Patrol as an organization. Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support this very worthy resolution, and join in honoring and congratulating the U.S. Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of H.R. 2200, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, cross-references, and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to accurately reflect the actions of the House.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the instructions of the House in the motion to recommit, I report the bill, H.R. 2200, back to the House with an amendment.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, at the beginning, let me say that I am not in opposition to the motion to recommit. This motion to recommit builds on the underlying provisions of this bill. But it also recognizes that the President has significant responsibility in making sure that Americans are kept safe. I also support the fact that anyone who was detained at Guantanamo should be on the No Fly List. This motion to recommit does that. And I support it. I can accept it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I rise in opposition, Mr. Speaker, but I'm not opposed to the motion.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 2200.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I'm pleased to support this amendment which reaffirms that grants awarded to general aviation airports under this bill are done so through a competitive process. Mr. Flake's amendment, based on the competition and the risk, is the right thing to do. I support the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, this is a classic example of a commonsense amendment. There is no reason why some airports should be reimbursed at 90 percent and others at 75 percent. This corrects that inequity. We support it. I yield back the balance of my time.