Fred Upton

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. I yield to the chairman of the subcommittee, my good friend, Mr. Visclosky.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Chairman this amendment that I am introducing, which I will subsequently withdraw, expresses my concern about the committee's action to cap loan guarantees at $7 billion for new energy projects designed to reduce carbon emissions. And before I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment, I am going to ask the chairman to enter into a colloquy with myself, and I will also submit remarks from Mr. Towns, coauthor with me; as well as my ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Barton. Mr. Chairman, under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Congress authorized funding to provide loan guarantees for any technology which reduces carbon emissions. That was designed to help a vast array of technologies such as wind, solar, clean coal, ethanol, and nuclear. Your committee excluded new nuclear plants as one of the technologies eligible for loan guarantees under the 2005 Energy Policy Act. And as a supporter of nuclear power, I oppose that exclusion. I am concerned that this may delay new projects that are being planned, and I am hopeful that these concerns can be addressed when you reach a conference with the Senate. I would also note that the authorization in the energy appropriation bill is just that, an authorization. No appropriation is required. It is a standard practice that Federal loan guarantee programs have an annual loan volume authorization in an appropriations bill and that the program which is authorized in title 17 of the Energy Policy Act is unique. We must remember that it is self-financing and requires no taxpayer funds. Utilities that are building these plants will pay all of the costs associated with the program, including administrative costs of processing the loan guarantee applications and the credit subsidy cost of issuing the loan guarantee itself. So, Mr. Chairman, I would like you to help us if you can address these concerns.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Chairman, I first want to thank Chairman Edwards and Ranking Member Wicker, Mr. Obey and others, particularly my coauthor, Ms. Harman, on this amendment. As Congress tackles climate change legislation and examines ways to promote energy efficiency, it is so important that the Federal Government set a proper example, taking the lead in commonsense conservation measures. Some would say this is an amendment that sets a shining example for the rest of the country. The Federal Government has to be the world's largest consumer of light bulbs, and with this amendment, we will likely save American taxpayers probably as much as $100 million. Why Energy Star light bulbs? Well, current incandescent bulbs on store shelves are obsolete, and they're highly inefficient. In fact, only 10 percent of the energy consumed by each bulb is for light, with 90 percent wasted on unnecessary heat. Energy Star light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than the standard incandescent bulbs, as they last as much as 10 times longer. In fact, if every house in the Nation switched to Energy Star bulbs, we would have the potential to annually reduce the emissions equivalent of 80 coal-burning plants each year, saving 65 billion kilowatts. This amendment will make the Federal Government a shining example of how we can conserve energy, one light bulb at a time. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Keith Yoder of Kalamazoo, Michigan for his 32 years of distinguished public service with the Social Security Administration. Keith began his career with Social Security in July 1975 as a Claims Authorizer in Philadelphia, PA. While it would take 25 years for Keith to make his way to our corner of Southwest Michigan, he continued to develop an impressive professional track record throughout Indiana and Michigan. Over the past 7 years, Keith has managed the Social Security field office in Kalamazoo, from which he and his staff have faithfully served the residents of Allegan, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. During an age in which government bureaucracy has too often become synonymous with the impersonal and lethargic, Keith and, under direction, his team have always been a reliable, informative and affable resource for my constituents and staff. His support of shelter-based and follow-up assistance to the Hurricane Katrina evacuees who made their way to my district in 2005 serves as a testament to both the good will and dedication that characterize his career. Once again, I would like to personally congratulate and thank Keith Yoder for his many years of public service to the citizens of this great country. Southwest Michigan is truly a better place because of his contributions.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I know that Iraq has been on all of our minds for a long, long time. Many of us here have visited Iraq on multiple occasions. Many of us have also visited Bethesda Naval Hospital as well as Walter Reed and tried to comfort our brave and caring servicemen and women. Yes, many of us have grieved with the families that have lost a loved one at a gravesite back in our districts. Mr. Speaker, we had a breakthrough this week in North Korea. It was a diplomatic success. And our country led the effort to engage other countries in the region: Russia, South Korea, Japan and China. The Six Party Talks helped see a negotiated settlement that made sense and the world today is a better and safer place. Diplomacy won again. Now, one of our big problems in Iraq is that we have not pursued the diplomatic angle like we should have. We have not seen a diplomatic surge like we ought to. Let's talk about this resolution. The first finding, of course, is that the Congress and the public will continue to support and protect those serving in Iraq. That tells me that we are not going to cut off the aid for the brave folks that are there. It is almost a daily routine for me when I see a man or woman in uniform at the airport, the cafeteria, at home, anywhere, Bethesda, Walter Reed Hospital, I take a moment and thank them for their sacrifice and their service. Our troops need all of the equipment to make sure that their safety can be as secure as it can be. This week I e-mailed a number of our troops that I have met that are overseas. I talked about this resolution, including the policy of the surge. And many of them responded at length. I want to share part of their stories and responses without using their names. One of my Army captains said this. ``Bringing in more Americans will force us into more confrontational roles. This is not the way to win. More American soldiers on the ground will not win the war, it will only delay the enemy's reaction. If the people do not believe that their government can protect them, they will look for one that they believe will.'' Mr. Speaker, these folks are on the ground. They know what is going on. The generals on the ground, too, said that more U.S. troops would be counterproductive and in fact only increase or deepen the threats on our U.S. troops. Let's face it, this is a civil war. It is real anarchy. And in fact the Iraqis do not want us there. Nearly 80 percent of them in Baghdad say that the American troops provoke more violence than they prevent. And these same polls show that Iraqis overwhelmingly want U.S. troops gone within a year. In fact, we know that a majority on both sides, Shia and Sunni, believe that it is okay to kill our troops. So much for being a liberator. In other words, we are viewed as part of the problem, not the solution. Mr. Speaker, all of us, all of us support our troops. But there are many of us that believe that this surge strategy will fail and will only prolong the day that the Iraqis will finally pick up the baton and lead their own government. The Baker-Hamilton unanimous bipartisan report labeled the situation as grave and deteriorating. It called for regional cooperation and a new direction. Mr. Speaker, I am one that believes that the vote authorizing the war was based on evidence that was flat-out wrong. Let's not continue to ignore the real situation and the mistakes of the past. It is time, it is time for the Iraqis, not the United States, to lead after 4 years. We need to send a message to our troops that, yes, we support them, and, for this administration, a signal for them to pursue a diplomatic surge involving the region. For these reasons, I too support the resolution.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan. On Sunday, January 28, the Union Memorial A.M.E. will be celebrating her 139th Anniversary. Since the church's original dedication in 1868, the first African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Twin Cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph has stood as a symbol of faith, hope, and compassion for the citizens of Berrien County and the surrounding area. Its 139 years of commitment have had a tremendous impact on its congregation as well as the greater community. The African Methodist Episcopal Church has had a proud history since starting in the home of Steven Busby in 1868. This small Christian assembly back then was known as the ``House of Praise.'' The area was home to two A.M.E. churches in the 1890s, and in 1901 the church in Benton Harbor was destroyed by a fire. The church was rebuilt and in 1929 the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph churches united under the name Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1969 the church moved to its current location at Empire and Crystal A venues. In its 139 year history, the church has never wavered from the ministry of saving lost souls, preaching the gospel, feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, and reaching out and renewing the spirit of folks in need. I want to commend the members of Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal on their anniversary and on their commitment in the future to serving the greater community.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, this is a tough vote for some of us here this afternoon. For me, I support greater spending, spending for alternative fuel, so that we can lessen our dependence on foreign oil. For me I am appalled at the ineptness and bungling of the Interior Department's troubled program to collect royalties on oil and gas and public lands in both the Clinton and Bush administrations. It needs to be investigated, and it needs to be remedied. But other items in this legislation, specifically the repeal of section 199, which will likely drive more refinery production elsewhere overseas, and thus more jobs, is not right. When Joe Barton was chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was rightly proud of the process. It was open and, indeed, bipartisan. Lots of debate, Democrats and Republicans, and lots of amendments were accepted, Democrats and Republicans, and the proof was in the pudding. We passed a bipartisan bill, energy bill, which included the vote of Mr. Dingell, the chairman today of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Nobody saw this bill until late last week. No hearings, no markup in subcommittee or full committee, no amendments on the House floor allowed. We know this bill is going to pass, but listening to the debate, I know it could have been a much better bill and one that could have been called bipartisan, and it would pass by a much larger margin than it will this afternoon. Maybe the margin of the vote could have helped us with the Senate to actually get the bill to the President's desk for his signature, rather than a veto. I urge my Republican colleagues to vote ``no'' so that we can truly pass a bill that will do something for our constituents in our country. Mr. Speaker, this is a tough vote for some of us. For me, I support greater funding of alternative fuels so we can lessen our dependence on foreign oil. For me, I'm appalled by the ineptness and bungling of the Interior Department's troubled program to collect royalties on oil and gas on public lands in both the Clinton and Bush Administrations and it needs to be investigated and remedied. But other items in this legislation--specifically the repeal of Sec. 199 which will likely drive more refinery production elsewhere, and therefore jobs, is not right. When Joe Barton was Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was rightly proud of the process. It was open and indeed bi-partisan. Lots of debate (Democrat and Republican) and amendments accepted (Democrat and Republican). And the proof was in the pudding--we passed on a bi-partisan vote which included the vote of Mr. Dingell--the new Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Nobody saw this bill on the Republican side until Friday of last week, no hearings, no markup in subcommittee or full committee and no amendments on the Floor. This bill will pass, but listening to the debate, I know it could have been a much better bill and one that really could be called bi-partisan and pass by a much greater margin than it will today. And maybe--the margin of that vote would help us, with the Senate, to actually get the bill to the President's desk for signature rather than a veto. I urge my Republican colleagues to vote ``no'' so we can truly pass a bill that will do something for our constituents.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the passing of a great President and American, President Gerald R. Ford. As I reflect upon the distinguished life and legacy of President Ford, the first things that come to mind are his honesty, integrity, and ability to make the tough decisions for a nation that was fiercely divided by war and recovering from a scandal at the highest level of government. He served with the best interest of America in mind, never losing sight of his faith, family, and his beloved roots in southwest Michigan. President Ford was truly a Michigan original, and folks throughout our State saw an ordinary man become extraordinary; yet, he always remained our native son. His upbringing in Michigan molded the man that Gerry Ford became--growing up in an environment that encouraged him to pursue his vision of what America should and could be. I have the great honor and privilege of representing some of the very same folks in southwest Michigan that President Ford did during his time in Congress. All our hearts go out to Betty and the Ford children: Mike, Jack, Steve, and Susan during this difficult time. His legacy continues to grow particularly as we see first hand the partisan divisions which divide our country and this Congress. President Ford was one that always put his country first and his party second. President Ford was a remarkable man and an outstanding representative of the Wolverine State. Our Nation was blessed to have such a compassionate and steadfast leader and he will forever remain in our memory. Farewell to our President. Go Blue.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I have to believe that we all support ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries are getting the very best deal possible on their prescription drugs and that they want that, that they have access to drugs that their doctors believe will work best for them, and that they will continue to get their prescriptions filled at their local pharmacist. And in many rural communities, and in urban ones too in Michigan and across the country, the local pharmacist, in fact, is on the front line of health care. H.R. 4 doesn't get us there. As many have mentioned and will mention today, the CBO estimates that having the government negotiate drug prices would, in fact, have a negligible effect on prescription drug prices. The current program which relies on the experience and expertise of the private sector drug plans and on strong market-based initiatives, incentives, is producing significant savings today for our seniors. Here's a real example: one of my staffers reported that her mom signed up for a Medicare prescription drug plan. It took a bit of doing to sort through the many options available, but she is very glad that she did. She was paying before $106 for her Glucovance diabetes prescription. Now she is paying $5. She was paying $202 for Actos, another diabetes medication that she needs. She is now paying $30. And she was paying almost $29 for Coumadin. Now she is paying $5. While failing to produce savings like these, many are concerned that H.R. 4, as currently written, would undermine access to medically necessary drugs for persons with HIV/AIDS, serious mental illnesses, ALS, epilepsy and other diseases and conditions. And let me quote from a letter I received this morning from the President of the Michigan Brain Injury Association: ``Let me exhort you to take the time to have adequate committee deliberations on H.R. 4 prior to its passage on behalf of our constituents and all persons with disabilities. Significant modifications are necessary to protect patients' access to prescription drugs as currently provided under Medicare part D.'' Needless to say, we have not had a minute of committee negotiations since we were sworn in. Finally, while the current program includes requirements that beneficiaries have ready access to prescriptions through their local pharmacies, real concerns have been raised that H.R. 4 could seriously undermine that local access. That is why we need to vote for the motion to recommit which addresses those concerns. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is this: we do, everyone here does, want folks with Medicare to get all of the prescription drugs at the very best price. And I believe that consumer choice and the private sector competition can better drive lower cost and more availability than forcing the government to negotiate prices which may, indeed, lead to the withdrawal of drugs from the program alltogether. As Secretary Leavitt wrote earlier this week: ``There is a proper role for government in setting standards and monitoring those who provide the benefit. But government should not be in the business of setting drug prices or controlling access to drugs.''

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in strong support of S. 707, the PREEMIE Act, which I hope still comes up for passage yet tonight. This bipartisan bill will improve prenatal care for women and boost research into why one in eight American babies is born early. I want to take this opportunity to thank Anna Eshoo, our original cosponsor, and her staff for their support and assistance in moving the bill forward, and I also want to express my gratitude to my Chairman, Joe Barton and his staffer Randy Pate for making it possible to bring this bill to the floor today. As a nation, we must do what we can to ensure that our children are born healthy. In this age of technology and state-of-the-art medicine, it is difficult to comprehend that one in eight babies born in the United States is premature. It is essential that we are successful in reducing the spiraling rate of premature births--they have risen 30 percent since 1981. The stakes are too high to fail--the health of our children hangs in the balance. Premature birth is a serious and growing problem--the statistics are alarming. In February 2004, the National Center for Health Statistics reported the first increase in the U.S. infant mortality rate since 1958. Each day 1,305 babies are born too soon. Prematurity affects more than 480,000 babies in the United States each year. Tragically, premature infants are 14 times more likely to die in their first year of life. Further, premature babies who survive may suffer lifelong consequences, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing loss. Pre-term delivery can happen to any pregnant woman, and in nearly one-half of the cases, the cause is undeterminable. The costs are also staggering. The average lifetime medical costs for a premature baby are conservatively estimated at $500,000. Although we have made vast improvements in treating premature infants, we have had little success in understanding and preventing premature birth, and the knowledge that we have gained has not been translated into improved perinatal outcomes. This has got to change. The PREEMIE Act is designed to reduce the rates of pre-term labor and delivery, promote the use of evidence-based care for pregnant women at risk of pre-term labor and for infants born pre-term, and reduce infant mortality and disabilities caused by premature birth. This will be accomplished by expanding federal research related to pre-term labor and delivery and increasing public and provider education and support services. The legislation is strongly supported by the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank my chairman, Mr. Deal, as well. Particularly, I want to thank Chairman Barton and his staff; I want to thank the Republican leadership and their staff for getting this bill to the floor so quickly. I also want to thank my Democratic cosponsor, Mr. Larsen, who I know is rushing to the floor to speak, and I know that in his district I am told that he has I think lost five individuals because of this. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5280 is a simple bill to ban the Internet sale of a drug called dextromethorphan, also known as DXM. DXM is an excellent ingredient for a lot of cough syrups that are on the market and when used properly there is no danger. And I know that because I have a company in my district that makes this, and that same company came to me earlier this summer and said, we have a problem that we think you ought to be alerted to. And that is what this bill does. There are some folks that are out there that are absolutely determined to sell this ingredient in its dry bulk form on the Internet. Sadly, kids are buying it. They are mixing it with alcohol to get high. In a massive dose, the drug can raise the blood pressure, lead to seizure or collapse into a coma and die, as we have seen in Mr. Larsen's district and other places around the country. In fact, in the last 2 years we know that there have been at least five deaths directly attributed to this abuse. The companies and the pharmacists that work with this ingredient on a regular basis don't want it to become the next meth. We have worked on that; we don't want another one. And they know that there is absolutely no reason to have this bulk ingredient outside of the regular channels for drug manufacturing. And that is why, as was said by Mr. Pallone, it is endorsed by the American Pharmacist Association, the Consumer Health Care Products Association, which is the generic drug manufacturers, the Food Marketing Institute, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and obviously the Partnership for a Drug Free America. This bill allows the FDA to promulgate the rule on the sale of unfinished powder or bulk DXM. It limits the distribution of DXM to only those persons who are a valid part of the drug industry. This bill, I think, will cut off the supply of pure DXM to those who sell it as a street drug or plan to use it to get high themselves. We need to pass this bill. Sadly, kids are under the false impression that getting high off this is harmless because it is simply an ingredient in cough syrup. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our kids are playing Russian roulette each time they get high on DXM. Sooner or later somebody is going to die. We have seen it happen. Enough is enough. We need to end it. I am pleased that we have had so many here in just the last 2 days coming into the office. Yesterday local CBS national radio talked about this as a terrible case that is plaguing many parts of America. Today I think it was on the Today show that they talked about this. We are acting quickly. We have recognized the problem and we are acting quickly. We need to pass this bill today and have the Senate adopt it as well.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Chris Fisher and Dr. James Bashkin, cofounders of Nano Vir, a Kalamazoo, Michigan bioscience company that received the 2006 Tibbetts Award for innovative work to identify and develop a potential treatment to fight the virus that causes cervical cancer known as Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The Tibbetts Award is a prestigious national award presented annually by the Small Business Administration to small firms, organizations, and individuals judged to exemplify the very best in small business innovation research. This year, Nano Vir is among the select group of 55 firms from across the nation who will receive the award. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a vaccine for HPV that will prevent individuals from becoming infected with the virus. Nano Vir's product would complement the vaccine by fighting HPV infections and preventing cervical cancer for those who already have the virus. The importance of this research cannot be overstated. Nearly 20 million Americans have incurable HPV, and cervical cancer is the second leading killer of women by cancer worldwide. Nano Vir is at the cutting edge of DNA research, and I commend Dr. Fisher, Dr. Bashkin, and all the folks at Nano Vir for their commitment and dedication to the betterment of millions of women's lives around the world. They may soon develop one of our most potent weapons yet in the war against cancer, and I wish them every success.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the illustrious career of Mr. Roy Johnson, who is retiring from the Federal Bureau of Investigations after serving 23 years with great distinction. Mr. Johnson first came to our corner of Michigan in 1985 when he was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Detroit Division in St. Joseph, Michigan. During his initial years of service, he was responsible for a wide range of investigative duties ranging from abductions and bank fraud-embezzlements to homicide and Presidential appointment research. In 1986, Special Agent Johnson was appointed to manage, direct, and coordinate participation throughout Michigan with the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. This unit has received worldwide praise for its excellence in crime scene assessment/profiling and threat analysis. Special Agent Johnson's vision has extended beyond his assigned duties and I commend him for establishing multiagency partnerships which have allowed for various resources to be shared during complex investigations. Roy has continually gone above the call of duty and acted for the betterment of our community. He has taught numerous law enforcement programs and lectured to public and civic organizations throughout the state of Michigan. Johnson's knowledge and professionalism have led others to call on him to testify before Federal and State courts, Federal Grand Juries, and Congressional committees. Moreover, he has received various Congressional, regional, and departmental awards for his investigations and service. I am proud to call Roy Johnson a friend and thank him for his many years of selfless service. His contributions to law enforcement have made community and great national a safer place. We are all better off for Roy's distinguished career in the FBI.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Herbert ``Herb'' Teichman of Eau Claire, Michigan, who will be honored this morning by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA, and the National Weather Service for his decades of service as a volunteer weather observer. Mr. Teichman is one of 25 individuals across the nation who will receive the John Campanius Holm Award. The award's namesake, John Campanius Holm, was the first known person known to have taken systematic weather observations in 1644 and 1645. Through an act of Congress in the 1890s, the first comprehensive networks of cooperative stations were created consequently establishing the U.S. Weather Bureau. Weather observation has been a long tradition in the Teichman family. Herb's father, William, established the Eau Claire site in 1923 in order to benefit the family's fruit business. On August 1, 1968, Herb assumed his father's daily duties and continues to serve the NOAA and NWS to this day. Herb's distinguished 38 years of service not only demonstrate his unparalleled commitment, but the fact that he continues to volunteer demonstrates his great character. He has braved severe weather through the decades, from 30 inch snow days to oppressive heat and humidity. His records have been praised for their detail and organization and have been essential for scientists studying floods, droughts, and heat and cold waves. His observations have also played a vital role in supporting economic and national security by the prediction and exploration of weather and climate-related events. Mr. Teichman is a caring and dedicated servant of Michigan. I would like to extend my thanks to him for all of his good work and wish him congratulations upon receiving this prestigious award. Today, Mr. Teichman joins the illustrious ranks of past Holm awardees, including his father, for his commitment and dedication to weather observation.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say to the gentleman from the great State of Michigan, and my good friend, Mr. Markey, as well, that I know that both Chairman Barton and myself look forward to working with both gentlemen on strengthening this legislation down the road and looking to close as many loopholes as we can to protect our children. Because the bottom line is this, better than a 2,000 percent increase in the FBI caseload of online predators. This is not the end-all. We know that. But we know that sexual predators should not have the ability to use our schools or our libraries; and we should take away that avenue, if we can, for their evil deeds. And that is precisely what this legislation is intended to do. And I would note that even though this was introduced some 2 months or so ago, we have nearly 40 cosponsors of the legislation. Melissa Bean has been a great leader from the Democratic side of the aisle, as well as the Republicans that have been mentioned earlier during the debate and that have participated. And I know that in the oversight and investigation hearings that we have had, not only as well as in New Jersey but the legislative hearing that we had with many witnesses, including the Attorney General from Texas, who did a marvelous job of explaining what was going on in Texas, they all strongly endorsed the intent and the legislation as it was introduced. I think we have a better bill today than perhaps was introduced by taking into consideration the many constructive comments that were made by my friend, Mr. Markey, Mr. Dingell, and others on the committee. With school starting for many as early as next month, August, knowing that the Congress, at least the House, is likely to adjourn this week, the Senate still has another week, I would like to think that with a strong vote this afternoon the Senate may take up this legislation perhaps next week, perhaps, and we actually may get the bill to the President's desk so that it will be in place for kids as they start school. So that is one of the reasons, I think, why this legislation was, indeed, rushed to the floor. But, again, I know that we took in many good comments by those at the legislative hearing that we had, and I think that the proof will be in the pudding. Mr. Speaker, I yield, for a brief minute, to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself 5 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5319, the Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006, which was introduced by Representatives Fitzpatrick and Kirk, along with Representatives Miller of Michigan, Weldon of Pennsylvania, English of Pennsylvania, Davis of Kentucky, and Castle. I would note that under the leadership of Chairman Whitfield and Chairman Barton, the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee has held multiple hearings exposing the appalling sexual exploitation of children on the Internet. This includes the dark underside of social networking Web sites, which have been stalking grounds for sexual predators who are preying on children all across the Nation; and we have had many and such cases in my home State of Michigan, way too many. Federal law enforcement officials have described the sexual abuse and exploitation of our Nation's youth as an epidemic propagated by the unlimited access of the Internet. The statistics are alarming. The FBI has seen better than a 2,000 percent increase in its caseload of online sexual predators the last 10 years. And of the estimated 24 million child Internet users, one in five kids has received unwanted sexual solicitations. It is estimated that, at any given moment, 50,000 predators are prowling for children online, many of whom are lurking within social networks. At a minimum, what our hearings have taught us is that both kids and parents need to be better educated about the dangers of social networking Web sites, and parents need to police their children's online use at home to guard against sexual predators. However, to the extent that children are using the Internet outside the home, particularly at school or at a public library, parents have not been able to monitor their child's online use, and that is the situation that H.R. 5319 is designed to address. Earlier this month, the Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee held a legislative hearing on this bill; and as a result of many constructive suggestions that we heard from our witnesses and Members alike, particularly those representing schools and libraries, the legislation before us today I think reflects much improvement. At its heart, the bill before us today would require schools which receive e-rate funding, and I would note that I am a strong supporter of e-rate funding, to enforce a policy of Internet safety for minors that includes monitoring their online activities and the protection measures to protect against access to commercial social networking Web sites or chat rooms, unless used for an educational purpose with adult supervision. Additionally, this bill would require libraries which receive e-rate funding to enforce a policy of Internet safety that includes the operation of a technology protection measure that protects against access by minors to commercial social networking Web sites or chat rooms unless they have parental authorization and the library informs parents that sexual predators can use those Web sites and chat rooms to prey on kids. The approach taken by this legislation is not dissimilar to the approach taken by the Children's Internet Protection Act through which Congress requires schools and libraries that receive e-rate funding to impose filtering technology to protect kids from online visual depictions of an inappropriate sexual nature. Mr. Speaker, I support the e-rate. I continue to do so. I often visit a school, virtually every week. I have seen the tremendous educational value which the Internet has brought to students throughout our district, and I recognize the importance of the e-rate in making that a reality. However, as with all technologies, the Internet is a double-edged sword, and Congress does have the responsibility to ensure that, to the extent that a Federal program is involved, like the e-rate, it is doing all that it can to ensure that children are protected from online dangers. This bill represents another step in making sure that online experiences at school and the library are safe. I want to congratulate Mr. Kirk, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Ms. Bean for their leadership on this issue. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5319) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require recipients of universal service support for schools and libraries to protect minors from commercial social networking websites and chat rooms, as amended.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would say, too, I believe it was over the Fourth of July week break that ``Dateline'' had the big expose; and I know our office was flooded with calls and letters, as I was home in Michigan. There were a good number of parents and others that expressed their concern about some of these different online services that were there; and if we can close the loophole on schools and libraries, I think that it is a good thing. I think that, because of that, I would hope that most Members, when we vote on this later this afternoon, in all likelihood would vote ``yes'' on the bill. Again, it is bipartisan, and that is why it is here before us this afternoon

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I guess it was about 2 months or so ago that my friend and colleague from the good State of Texas (Mr. Conaway) came up to me with a piece of legislation that he thought would really help consumers, an education plan that promoted, in fact, could save lots of gasoline that we would not have to import. Mr. Conaway wanted to do this the right way. He said, you know, this is such a good idea, obviously it is going to be referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee. He wanted it to be bipartisan. And as a new Member, he was not quite sure what his relationship was with some of the members on our committee, particularly on the other side of the aisle. He asked for some advice. And he went and shopped that piece of legislation before he introduced it. As it turned out, he got every person that he asked to be a cosponsor of the bill. Now, Mr. Towns, Mr. Gene Green, a whole number of different Members. The bill moved through our committee. And it passed without dissent. Had a hearing. It passed without dissent and here it is today. Mr. Speaker, we have an energy crisis. We do. There is a host of things that we as individuals can do ourselves to help our own family budget, particularly as it relates to the fuel efficiency of our vehicles. Some of us know some of these things already: Going the speed limit, removing the excess weight. But a whole number of different things, and, yes, the Department of Energy talks about it on its Web site. I think we can do a better job. That is what this bill is about, how can we do better? Working with industry, working with the Department of Energy, working with our constituents trying to promote a whole number of things that collectively make an awful lot of sense. But the bottom line is that we can save, perhaps, if we did them all, if we were in violation of all of these things, perhaps save us as much as 25 or 30 percent of the income that we otherwise use for gasoline. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. I endorse wholeheartedly what our colleague, Mr. Conaway, does. I would like to think that it will pass with a very strong vote this afternoon.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding. I rise in strong support of this legislation. I would note that it passed without dissent in the Energy and Commerce Committee some time ago. But I also refer back to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, section 986, the one we remember so well. It did call for a report to Congress on U.S.-Israel cooperative energy research and projects, and this bill takes that one step further, and it funds cooperative joint ventures to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative energy sources. We have an energy crunch, a crisis. We should be working together. That is what this bill does. It expands the opportunities for companies and universities and different bodies in both countries to work together to develop new technologies, whether it be solar or other different projects, where consumers, citizens from both countries, will benefit. It is good bipartisan legislation. I would like to think that we can pass it without dissent this afternoon, move it to the Senate. And, again, it was part of the energy bill that the President signed last year. This is a step in the right direction. It is good policy. That is why the Energy and Commerce Committee passed it out on such a strong bipartisan vote, and I would like to think that we will pass it without further ado this afternoon.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I don't often speak or vote for motions to recommit, but occasionally they do pass. And I would note that if this motion to recommit does pass, the bill still comes to us in its final form. The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) and I tried to offer this amendment in the Rules Committee. I must say that in our testimony in the Rules Committee upstairs yesterday, I thought we had pretty good support on both sides of the aisle for this amendment from those that were there. Iran is a bad player. This bill helps India. Why don't we have India on our side as we work against Iran in the world community? That is what this motion to recommit says. It says that the President has to certify that India is on our side as they work for nuclear capability in the world community and to keep Iran on the other side. Why aren't we working together, India and the United States, as we look at Iran in terms of more of the mischief that they are promoting around the world?