Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 30, commending the Bureau of Labor Statistics on its 125th anniversary. In our current economic climate, there is a lot of discussion about economic data, what the data means for our recovery, and more importantly, how many of our fellow citizens are going back to work. What is not talked about is the government agency that is responsible for gathering this data. For 125 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, has been charged with collecting and examining information related to our economic health. According to the BLS mission statement, the agency is the principal factfinding body for the Federal Government. A survey of any economic analysis demonstrates that this information is widely used by academics, Federal and State governments, private companies, and news reporters. The agency has more than 2,000 economists in its headquarters and eight regional offices, gathering unemployment data, wage data, safety and health statistics, and a whole host of information to provide us with a clear picture of the state of the economy across this country. Congress relies on the statistics produced by the Bureau for a variety of programs and for guiding a myriad of policy decisions. The Bureau examines payroll data and various demographics so that we have detailed information about employment by hours, by industry, and geographic areas. BLS also provides a snapshot of employee benefit plans or labor productivity. When your children ask if they will ever use anything they learn in school in real life, you can point to the economists and statisticians at BLS as an example of putting math and science to work. When your children complain about how much time that they spend in school, you can tell them, according to the American Time Use Survey developed by BLS, 9 percent of the population is engaged in educational activities daily. I doubt if it brings them any comfort, though. That 9 percent spends, on average, 4.5 hours in class and 2.4 hours engaged in homework. I rise today to commend the staff of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 125 years of dedicated service and urge the passage of S. Con. Res. 30, commending their service to the Nation. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 164 and yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 164 recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The mission of the Food and Nutrition Service is to provide children and low-income families better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts. FNS administers the most important Federal nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program; the School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as the WIC program; the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which provides various commodities to our Nation's food banks; as well as other child and adult care food programs. FNS is better able to serve our Nation's hungry because of the bounty of America's farmers and ranchers. FNS is able to use surplus commodities in their various feeding programs, thus ensuring those in need receive foods produced by the American farmer and rancher. Many people do not realize that funding for domestic food assistance programs represents two-thirds of the USDA's budget. For fiscal year 2009, the enacted omnibus appropriations measure included $76.2 billion for the programs administered by FNS. With the economy continuing to struggle, FNS has seen a record enrollment of 33.8 million food stamp participants. Clearly, the Food and Nutrition Service, in working cooperatively with the States, has a large and important role in serving those in need. And again, I want to recognize the 40th anniversary of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service and ask my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank my colleagues for certainly supporting this legislation. It truly fulfills the spirit that builds and makes America great, where neighbors assist neighbors. I don't believe I have any additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to Dr. Broun.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I recognize my good friend from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) for such time as he may consume.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 270, which recognizes the collaborative efforts of hunters, sportsmen's associations, meat processors, State meat inspectors, and hunger relief organizations to establish Hunters for the Hungry programs across the United States. Such programs have brought hundreds of thousands of pounds for venison to homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. Since 1991, Pennsylvania's Hunters Sharing the Harvest program has provided hundreds of thousands of meals to needy Pennsylvanians. Last year, the program coordinated the delivery of nearly 200,000 meals that included venison. Americans are generous people, and many individuals work through private organizations to donate food to help needy families. Given our economic climate, more and more people are turning to soup kitchens and food banks for food assistance, and that is where programs like Hunters for the Hungry make a valuable contribution and difference. Great strides are being made to provide nutritious, high-quality venison to those experiencing hunger in our communities. I commend the generosity of America's hunters and all who participate in the Hunters for the Hungry program. The contributions of these individuals are a step in the right direction in the fight against hunger, and I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 270. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I rise in support of H. Res. 507, a resolution supporting the goals of National Dairy Month, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, for the past 70 years, we have celebrated the month of June as National Dairy Month. While there have been some years during this time where dairymen have had cause for celebration, I think we would be hard pressed this year to find a dairyman who is in much of a mood for celebration. As dairy prices started to rise in 2007, reaching record levels by June of last year, prices started to decline this past September and October, ultimately reaching a devastatingly low price by February. While there has been some slight rebounding in prices, dairymen across the country are still suffering from extremely low prices received in the marketplace and from extremely high prices for inputs, such as feed and fuel. In fact, while the average uniform price in the Northeast Federal milk marketing order for June of 2009 is $11.93 per hundredweight of milk, the USDA estimates that it costs dairymen in my home State of Pennsylvania $27.15 per hundredweight of milk just to produce it. Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the adoption of this resolution is a bit late this year, but as we honor National Dairy Month for the 70th consecutive year, I ask all of my colleagues to consider the actions we take here in this Capitol Building and how these actions reflect on the small family farming businesses around the country. Farmers do their best in keeping us well fed and in keeping us clothed and in keeping us housed, and we can, at the very least, consider the financial burdens that we place on these men and women when we contemplate legislation that would dramatically increase their costs of production. I want to thank my good friend from Georgia for the hearing that he held last week and for the two hearings that we are going to conduct on behalf of the dairy industry. I really appreciate that. I know the dairy farmers of Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District appreciate that as well, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as a part of H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. The entity to receive funding is Clarion County Commissioners, 421 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214, in the amount of $100,000. Funding will be used to provide a major water source, recreation, aquatic, avian, ecological, and environmental education endeavors with the inclusion of a major water supply source (1.3 million gallons/day). Enhancements to the Clarion County Commerce Center (KOZ Zone) would be afforded a water supply for industrial growth in the western section of the county.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent who has been invaluable to Pennsylvania agriculture and has served with distinction at Penn State University. Dr. Robert Steele has been dean of the University's College of Agricultural Sciences since July 1, 1997. Dr. Steele has been in charge of Penn State's agricultural program, which includes 12 academic departments serving more than 3,000 students. Under Dr. Steele's leadership, Penn State has performed significant agricultural research, and I'm grateful for the support that Congress has shown over the years for this important work. Specific programs at Penn State that I proudly support include agricultural entrepreneurial alternatives, sustainable agriculture, dairy farm profitability, improved dairy management practices, and milk safety. Dr. Steele is stepping down as dean and returning to the classroom. Thank you, Dr. Steele, for your many years of service and your dedication to agriculture and higher education. I thank you, Dr. Steele, for your service and leadership. Pennsylvania agriculture is stronger for it.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3170--Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010. The entity to receive funding is the Lock Haven Small Business Development Center, 301 W. Church Street, East Campus, J102, Lock Haven, PA 17745, in the amount of $50,000. The funding will be used for establishment of a regional tax compliance center at the Lock Haven University Small Business Development Center.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as a part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, 2010. The entity to receive funding is the Pennsylvania State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, in the amount of $771,000. Funding will be used for research that protects the safety of dairy products for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as a part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, 2010. The entity to receive funding is the Pennsylvania State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, in the amount of $233,000. Funding will be used for farm- and community-level educational programs and assistance focused on value added activities. Objectives of this project are to provide research- based extension education to assist small farmers to maintain/develop new economically viable enterprises, provide support to assist small farmers develop and maintain economically viable enterprises, including applying for available and appropriate grants and loans, and helping to build community capacity to sustain growth and development of local agriculture and food sectors.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as a part of H.R. 2996, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. The entity to receive funding is the Haines Aaronsburg Municipal Authority, 420 Homes Street, Willowbank Building, Bellefonte, PA 16823, in the amount of $250,0000. Funding will be used the Haines Aaronsburg Municipal Authority Water Line Interconnection.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as a part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, 2010. The entity to receive funding is the Pennsylvania State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, in the amount of $233,000. Funding will be used to evaluate the impact new management tools will have on dairy farm profitability, and will work towards bringing these new tools to the industry based upon sound scientific study.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as a part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, 2010. The entity to receive funding is the Pennsylvania State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, in the amount of $349,000. Funding will be used for a project at Penn State that has a goal of improving dairy farm profitability throughout the Commonwealth.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as a part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, 2010. The entity to receive funding is the Pennsylvania State University, 117 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, in the amount of $133,000. Funding will be used to increase field research/demonstration in order to increase farmer and farm advisor exposure to sustainable cropping system practices.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I thank my friend from Oklahoma for yielding. I have more concerns with this legislation than I even have time to discuss. But since agriculture is Pennsylvania's number one industry and because I'm a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I would like to focus on the alarming effects cap-and-trade will have on the farmers in my home State. This legislation, through mandates, attempts to decrease our use of fossil fuels. The whole point of cap-and-trade is to make fossil fuels, or 85 percent of the energy we consume, more expensive. Fossil fuels are essential for energy and electrical generation and also are equally important to use as a feedstock in many goods that we utilize. Agriculture is an energy-intensive industry, and natural gas will be capped under this legislation. Natural gas is a basic ingredient in fertilizer, which is a building block for all of the food the U.S. supplies. We can't make our food without fertilizer, and we can't make fertilizer without natural gas. The dairy industry in my State is having a difficult time making profits because of falling milk prices. And while there are many reasons for low milk prices, energy costs are certainly part of that equation. This legislation will do nothing to reduce our carbon emissions or help Pennsylvania agriculture and will only cause more economic hardship for many small farmers and businesses. I urge my colleagues to reject this misguided measure.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, Pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 2647, The National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010. The entity authorized to receive funding for this project is KCF Technologies, 112 West Foster Avenue, State College, PA 16801, in the amount of $2,000,000. It is my understanding that the funding would be used for self-powered prosthetic limb technology. Successful development and deployment of the Self-Powered Prosthetic Limb Technology will create an opportunity for our country's injured soldiers to attain high functional levels with hopes of remaining on active duty in service to their country.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania. I rise in support of this legislation, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. The House easily passed this bill under suspension at the end of March and, as often happens with the legislative process, when it went to the Senate, a few changes were made. Therefore, we are here again today simply to give final approval to a bill we have already supported, and rightfully so. The primary purpose of this legislation is to make technical changes to ensure smooth implementation of the bipartisan higher education reforms enacted last year. Second, it addresses a pressing issue facing the Federal student loan programs. And third, the legislation includes a provision to assist students who have lost a parent to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The technical corrections are just that, clarifications needed to ensure that the first comprehensive renewal of higher education programs in a decade can be put into place as Congress intended. The legislation will also help student loan borrowers who have fallen behind to rebuild their damaged credit by making these loans eligible for emergency liquidity measures enacted last fall. It's a simple change that will make a real difference for borrowers who are just trying to do the right thing by restarting regular payments on their Federal student loans. The other change we are making in this bill is also important for a different set of students, students who have suffered a terrible loss but who have continued to move forward to achieve a postsecondary education. And I'm talking about the students who have lost a parent due to the military action taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Higher Education Act reauthorization bill that was passed by this body last Congress included a provision that would allow Pell-eligible students to automatically receive the maximum Pell Grant if one of their parents died as a result of their military service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The legislation before us today extends a similar benefit to students who may fall outside of the income limits placed on the Pell Grant program but who have also suffered the same type of loss. Under this legislation, all students who have lost a soldier-parent as a direct result of fighting in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan will be eligible for a grant. The parents of these students have given their lives in service to our country. A college student who loses a parent in the war loses so much more than we can fathom. These students will not have their parent around to move into their first dorm room or hear complaints about cafeteria food. They will not have their parent's consolation and encouragement to continue even after a poor test grade or a difficult professor. Of course, these students who lose a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan will not have the financial support of their parent in this time of rising college costs and economic uncertainty. While this legislation does not provide students with the same type of support a parent could provide, I hope it will ease the financial burden of paying for college just a little bit. The legislation before us easily passed the House once. I hope for a similar result again, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, while I support the purpose of this bill, 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 Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Lady Golden Tide softball team of Curwensville, Pennsylvania, for capturing the State softball championship in their division. This is the team's second Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class A title in 3 years. They won on June 12 by a single run against a powerhouse team from Old Forge, the Lady Blue Devils, who had a record of 18 wins and 3 losses. Tide Coach Allen Leigey said in an interview, ``This group of girls has been great, and we're really going to miss the seniors. They've done everything we've asked, and their winning attitude is just tremendous.'' Winning Lady Tide pitcher Holly Lansberry also hit the winning run for the team in a 1-0 game. The Lady Blue Devils were on a 17-game winning streak, but the momentum was with the Tide. After the Curwensville run scored, the Lady Blue Devils were shut out by a double play in the sixth inning. All these women deserve praise for their competitive spirit and their team effort. Coach Leigey can be justifiably proud of these young women who worked hard to get to the finals and to come home champions. Congratulations to the Lady Golden Tide.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2847, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. The entity to receive the funding is the Lycoming County Commissioners, 48 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701, in the amount of $250,000. This funding through the COPS account will purchase new equipment for use by the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and 9-1-1 center. This will directly support the acquisition of an Emergency 9-1-1 console purchase and relocation into a new addition at the center. The entity to receive funding is the Clarion County Commissioners, 421 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214, in the amount of $500,000. This funding through the COPS account will create a joint communication system that will promote seamless interoperability capabilities among counties, hospitals, schools, regional, state, and federal agencies. Radio communications, along with broadband/internet connectivity, are vital elements necessary to link all telecommunications needs together where the counties provide direct services and mutual aid. The entity to receive funding is the Centre County Commissioners, Willow Bank Office Building, Bellefonte, PA 16823, in the amount of $250,000. The funding will be used for purchase of an upgraded emergency communications system that will improve safety for citizens of the County and allow for interoperability among multiple agencies throughout Centre County.