Fred Upton

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the members of the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion from Kalamazoo, MI who have bravely served our Nation overseas in Iraq. This Sunday, March 5th, the entire Battalion will be honored for its distinguished service in Iraq, receiving the prestigious Meritorious Unit Commendation that is bestowed upon battalions that are particularly meritorious and exceptional in their services against an armed enemy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to the Battalion's group recognition, 100 members of the unit will also be personally awarded the Combat Action Badge, which provides special recognition to Soldiers who personally engage the enemy, or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations. I am so proud of the 415th Battalion because they represent all of the many and diverse jobs that our troops have set out to accomplish in Iraq. For example, this Battalion has administered over 1000 reconstruction projects, implemented and managed 43 separate school reconstruction projects, provided medical screening to Iraqi citizens, even helped forge a relationship between Harvard University's medical school and Iraq's Tikrit University of Medicine. The work of these men and women represents the positive progress that is actually going on in Iraq. The stories and accomplishments of the 415th Battalion are the ones that should truly be grabbing the headlines back home. Once again, I would like to congratulate the 415th Battalion for their much-deserved recognition and thank them on behalf of all the folks in Southwest Michigan for their great service. We are safer as a nation for your service--you make us all proud.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 4167, the National Uniformity for Food Act. This is common sense legislation that will benefit both consumers and businesses--and particularly small businesses. Consumers will benefit from being able to rely on scientifically- based national food safety and warning standards, just as they now rely on national standards for nutrition labeling. When we think of the food manufacturing industry, we may not realize that small manufacturers account for the bulk of the industry. Specifically, nearly 73 percent of food manufacturers have fewer than 20 employees. These smaller firms are especially burdened by having to comply with up to 50 different food safety and warning regimens if they are in or wish to enter interstate commerce. I know many of us have heard from our governors about important state food safety and warning requirements that could be pre-empted by a national standard. But it is important to underscore that this bill provides for a 180-day period after enactment for states to petition the FDA and make their cases for either permitting a state requirement to remain in place or to make a state requirement a national standard. Further. the state requirements will remain in place until the FDA makes a determination on the state's petition.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. George Weeks, a long-time political journalist for the Detroit News, who is set to retire from writing his weekly column. Mr. Weeks has had a long and illustrious career as a journalist--evidenced by his induction into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 1996. However, his accolades and accomplishments are by no means limited to the field of journalism. Mr. Weeks not only reported political news, but helped make some of it himself. He served as press secretary and chief of staff for Governor William G. Milliken for 14 years. Mr. Weeks used the expertise he gained in Governor Milliken's office to earn the position of a Kennedy Fellow at Harvard University. Mr. Weeks, a native of Traverse City, MI, is a true Michiganian--an expert, not only in Michigan politics, but in Michigan culture and history as well. I would like to extend my thanks to him for all of his good work and wish him well in his retirement. The Wolverine State is better off for the contributions of George Weeks.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I just would like to give a brief medical report on our friend and colleague, Joe Barton, who left last night rather suddenly to GW Hospital. He had three stents put in this morning. I talked with him at length a little bit earlier this morning. He is doing quite well. He has a good sense of humor. Some of you might remember that our committee had a BCS hearing earlier this week on a playoff schedule, and I told him it had been resolved: Michigan would not be playing Nebraska, Michigan would be playing Southern California for the National Championship on January 4. But he is in good humor, and he is doing well. His wife made it early this morning. He is expected to make a full recovery. In fact, he may be here later in the weekend to cast a vote or two if it is required. He very much appreciates all the Members on both sides of the aisle inquiring about his health and wanted us to assure everyone that in fact he is the same Joe Barton that he was before; he is expected to make a full recovery, and we may see him again later on this weekend.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, there is a no-spin zone in my district called Radams. As a family-owned agriculture supply store, this is a place where normally 40 to 50 farmers and growers meet every morning before the sun comes up to talk about the issues of the day. I was there last Friday, and the mood was not a happy one because we all learned the day before the Judiciary Committee had marked up this immigration bill, and I do not think there was a single hearing on that bill. I am one that does not believe you can do a broad, bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill without including provisions related to guest workers. My district is a microcosm of the country. That means I have agriculture. In fact, I have a ton of fruit and vegetable growers, and they rely on good, migrant labor to harvest their crops, starting with asparagus in the spring, going through apples in the fall. None of those family operators, none of them, can survive without migrant or seasonal workers. Many have between 50 and 150 workers. Yet in this legislation there are no provisions, none, that will help my growers keep a viable workforce in order to pick their crops. Whenever I raise this issue, this shortcoming in this bill, I am told the Senate will deal with it. They will save it. They will take it up. Mr. Speaker, why are we punting on the issues? Amendments were submitted to deal with this, but they were rejected by the Rules Committee. That means if this rule passes, there will be no debate, let alone a vote on whether these provisions should be included. I think that is wrong, and I would urge my colleagues to vote no on this rule so amendments can be considered. This is too important an issue to gag this debate. Let us have a real debate, a constructive debate that will actually do something about the problem of illegal immigration.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise too, along with all my colleagues, to congratulate our dear friend, John Dingell, on his 50 years of service as a Member of the United States House of Representatives. Today, we honor not only his work in this Congress but also his lifetime of service to his community and to his country. Born July 8, 1926, John Dingell served as a page in this institution, served as a soldier in the United States Army, a forest ranger, and assistant Wayne County prosecutor before replacing his father as Representative from Michigan's 15th Congressional District on December 13, 1955, 50 years ago. Mr. Speaker, I wish to insert into the Record at this point a Certificate of Proclamation from the Governor of our great State making this day Congressman John D. Dingell Day, as signed by the Governor: State of Michigan Certificate of Proclamation On behalf of the citizens of Michigan, I, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm hereby proclaim December 13, 2005, as Congressman John D. Dingell Day. Whereas, For five decades, Congressman John D. Dingell has worked tirelessly for the citizens of Michigan, working for the things that matter most, including a strong manufacturing economy, good paying jobs, a clean environment, and healthcare for every citizen; and, Whereas, In celebrating his 50th anniversary in Congress, Congressman Dingell is now the third longest serving House member in history; and, Whereas, Over the course of his 50 years in Congress, Congressman Dingell has cast more than 21,800 roll call votes, served under 10 presidents, and led the House Energy and Commerce Committee; and, Whereas, Together, Congressman Dingell and his father have represented the citizens of the Detroit area since the Great Depression, a testament to the hard work and dedication the Dingell family has in representing and advocating for the working people of Southeast Michigan; and now therefore be it, Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim December 13, 2005, as Congressman John D. Dingell Day in Michigan. I thank Congressman Dingell for being a man of integrity, a man of the people; and most of all, I thank him for his extraordinary commitment and service to the citizens of the great State of Michigan. Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor. Mr. Dingell is not only a dear friend; he is an avid hunter and an outdoorsman. And maybe that is why he is such a straight shooter. In my 14 years serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have found that it is far better to have him on your side than having him as an adversary. But when he is, you have to beat him on the merits. Otherwise, you lose. He has served as an expert on so many subjects that this Congress has dealt with, from telecommunications, to health care, to trade, to energy, and even little things called the Tucker Act. He may be the only Member that really knows the history of that act, which means a lot in the history of this Congress. He shares with all of us the drive to go after fraud and abuse. In fact, I think it was my very first subcommittee meeting when he was chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and we were grilling a guy by the name of President Kennedy. No, that is not John F. Kennedy, that was President Kennedy, the former President of Stanford, and the abuse that that university did with taxpayer money. Mr. Speaker, the current chairman, Mr. Barton of the Energy and Commerce Committee, recently remarked at the wonderful tribute for John Dingell, that he thought that most historians would put this gentleman, Mr. Dingell, in the top ten of all the Members, Republicans and Democrats, that have ever served in this body. I would agree with Mr. Barton's assessment. It is a lot of Members, a lot of years, and we are fortunate to have someone of Mr. Dingell's caliber for the years I have served. For some 50 years, the gentleman from Michigan can be proud, so proud knowing that he indeed made a difference for his country on the field of battle in the Army, but also in the Halls of Congress as a most distinguished and very respected Member. He is also a Wolverine. That means he represents the University of Michigan, another proud institution, and he has always looked out for the interest of education as well in this body, whether he served on the Education Committee or not. Mr. Speaker, I join with all of the House in recognizing a wonderful friend, a dear colleague, a great husband, and I know Debbie is here someplace watching; and I simply say, well done. Many of us look forward to serving with you for a long time yet to come, as you continue to make a difference for the people of southeast Michigan, and all of the people that live in this great country.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. William C. Richardson, who for the past ten years has shown great leadership and vision as the President and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Throughout his lustrous career, Bill has tirelessly worked for the betterment of his community and has significantly impacted countless individuals both professionally and personally. Although he will be retiring at the end of this year, the dedication and mission to promote and improve philanthropy that Bill has set forth will no-doubt continue long into the future. Dr. Richardson has been exceedingly active within the public, private, and non-profit sectors of society. He has served as president of the Johns Hopkins University, executive vice president and provost of Pennsylvania State University, and dean of the graduate school and vice provost for research of the University of Washington. In addition to his great work with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and our institutions of higher education, Bill is a trustee of the Council of Michigan Foundations, a former chair and board member of the Council on Foundations, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Public Health Association. Dr. Richardson has received numerous honors throughout his distinguished career, and I am pleased to call him a friend. I have known Bill for a long time and have often looked towards his leadership for guidance. The great work that Bill and the Foundation have accomplished over the past 10 years has stretched throughout our country and world. The impact that Bill has had on countless communities throughout his career is truly awe inspiring. The folks of southwest Michigan are fortunate to call Bill a neighbor. On behalf of the Sixth District, I wish Bill and his family all the best in retirement--we are all better off because of his service.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan for providing outstanding health care to the residents of Southwestern Michigan. Bronson was recently honored with the 2005 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which is our Nation's highest Presidential honor to commend quality and organizational performance excellence. The 6 recipients of the Malcolm Baldrige Award were selected from a highly competitive field of 64 nation-wide applicants, which were rigorously evaluated by an independent board of examiners. This prestigious award will come as no surprise to the folks of Southwestern Michigan who have for years relied upon the hard work and treatment provided by Bronson Methodist Hospital. There is nothing more important to us than our health and the health of our family members. I would like to thank Bronson Methodist Hospital for the continued quality service they provide our community and congratulate them once again for being recognized nationally for their hard work and dedication. We are truly fortunate to have such an exemplary hospital working for us in our corner of Southwest Michigan.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Kalamazoo Public Schools' recently announced scholarship program: The Kalamazoo Promise. In a single word this program is tremendous. It is difficult to comprehend, but through the extreme generosity of an anonymous donor, or group of donors, every student enrolled in Kalamazoo Public Schools will now have the opportunity of receiving scholarship funding to attend one of Michigan's many superb public colleges. The Kalamazoo Promise will cover 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees for graduates who have been enrolled in KPS since kindergarten and whose parents live in the school district. A partial scholarship of between 65 and 95 percent will be given to students who enter after kindergarten and before 10th grade. This is such terrific news for the folks of the Kalamazoo community. This remarkable scholarship program will promote a better educated work force, a friendly place to do business, and an unprecedented boom to business and economic development. A college education is the dream of our youngsters, and this great program will turn dreams into reality for literally thousands of students. With the ever rising costs of higher education, the Kalamazoo Promise sets a new incentive for our students to work hard and earn good grades so that they can attend a college of their choice. I would especially like to thank the donors whose generosity will not only bring the dream of a college education to the future of our students, but will also continue to make Kalamazoo a great place to live. I would like to also congratulate KPS Superintendent Janice Brown on this wonderful gift.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Telco Subcommittee, I want to focus for a second on the DTV provisions. Last year the Congress passed the 9/11 Commission Report Implementation Act, which contained a sense of Congress saying that the Congress must pass comprehensive DTV hard date legislation this session and that any delay would delay the ability of public safety to get much-needed spectrum for interoperability. Mr. Speaker, today we are taking a significant stride towards fulfilling that commitment that we made to public safety. The legislation before us sets a hard date of December 31, 2008, for the end of the DTV transition, at which point the broadcasters will return their analog spectrum. Setting such a hard date will enable public safety to get access to that spectrum for interoperability, spectrum that it was promised way back in 1997. It will also enable the auction of the remainder of that spectrum for advanced wireless services. Moreover, it will give consumers adequate notice and time to get ready for the transition and this legislation sets aside a portion of the spectrum proceeds to fully fund a robust digital-to-analog converter box program. The legislation also included a provision that I helped author with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) to set aside $500 million of the spectrum auction proceeds to assist State and local public safety agencies in acquiring interoperable communication systems. That amendment enjoyed widespread support within the public safety community. I would urge my colleagues to support this bill so that we can, in fact, see this provision enacted.

Mr. UPTON

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

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle), the author of the bill, the original sponsor.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman (Mr. Hayes), a co-sponsor of the bill.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation. Again, it is bipartisan. It is the right thing to do. I would like to think that we will have a very strong vote for it.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 268) expressing the sense of the Congress regarding oversight of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 268. As a cosponsor of this resolution, I want to thank Mr. Doolittle, Mr. Boucher, and Mr. Goodlatte for their bipartisan leadership in introducing it. I also want to thank my chairman, Chairman Barton, and the House leadership for their willingness to expedite the consideration of this resolution on the floor this afternoon. Today's Internet has resulted in a flow of information and commerce to the farthest reaches of the globe that was not imaginable even a little more than a decade ago. The Internet has evolved into the greatest global communication the world has ever seen, precisely because we have kept it free from the heavy hand of government control. Currently, a private, nongovernmental, nonprofit organization called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, regulates and manages the Domain Name System under which IP addresses and registration of top-level domains like ``dot-org,'' ``dot-com,'' and ``dot-gov'' are assigned. ICANN operates under a contract through the Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce, and this relationship stems from the U.S. Government's original development and funding of what has become the Internet. While not everyone may agree with every decision that ICANN has made over the years, including myself, it is a model for Internet governance that has served the global Internet community quite well. However, some countries have wanted to radically alter the way in which the Internet is governed. Rather than maintaining the current nongovernmental system and working to improve that successful model, these countries sought to scuttle ICANN and put the U.N. in charge. Putting the U.N.'s international governmental bureaucracy in charge of the Internet would have a disastrous consequence for the functioning and operation of the global free flow of information and commerce. This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that it is incumbent upon the U.S. and other responsible governments to send clear signals to the marketplace that the current structure of oversight and management of the Internet's domain name and addressing service works and will continue to deliver tangible benefits to Internet users worldwide. In the future, as well, the authoritative root server should remain physically in the U.S., and the Secretary of Commerce should maintain oversight of ICANN so that ICANN can continue to manage the day-to-day operation of the Internet's domain name and addressing system well and remain responsive to all Internet stakeholders worldwide and otherwise fulfill its core technical mission. Mr. Speaker, last night I was very pleased to learn that our government's superb team at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunisia successfully negotiated an agreement which was a complete vindication of the principles embodied in this very resolution before us today and is our government's position. My understanding is that the agreement was unanimous among the more than 100 countries participating in the process, which means that the global consensus is now consistent with these principles as well. I want to especially commend our Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, originally from Michigan, I might add; Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, Michael Gallagher; Fiona Alexander, the Office of International Affairs; and many others at the Commerce Department and the NTIA. I also want to commend our Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice; State Department Ambassador David Gross; Richard Beaird; Sally Shipman; and many other wonderful, dedicated, hard-working staff members at the Department of State. Mr. Speaker, to paraphrase from what Winston Churchill once said about democracy, it has been said that ICANN is the worst form of Internet governance, except all the others that have been proposed. Mr. Speaker, I would urge all my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon), cosponsor of the bill.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Paula Dawning who recently was awarded the honor of State Superintendent of the Year for 2006 in the State of Michigan. Dawning has been the Superintendent of Benton Harbor Areas Schools since July of 2002 after she retired from her career as an executive at AT&T. The Benton Harbor school system has made progress by leaps and bounds under her direction of during the past few years. Her constant commitment to academic improvement and reform--including additions like the new freshmen academy, improved reading programs, and her fiscal responsibility--have helped bring about a new sense of hope and achievement in a school system that has faced difficult challenges. The award came as a surprise to Paula, who was not even made aware of her nomination until she had already received the award. In her usual humble demeanor she accepted the prestigius award that recognized her as an outstanding school superintendent; evidence that she stands out as the best among many highly qualified school system administrators. I want to personally thank Paula for her service which has improved not only the education, but also the lives of the students in Benton Harbor. Paula's hard work and dedication to the children of her community make her a living example to all of people of Southwestern Michigan. I congratulate her once again for her distinguished award.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 444) supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, as amended.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 444.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League, which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary with a performance by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra on November 18, 2005. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League was founded in 1930 by Leta G. Snow and was originally known as the Women's Committee. Through the years the League raised over $1.7 million and offered many community and educational programs to folks in the Kalamazoo area by making orchestral music a part of their daily lives. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League provides services to our District that far surpasses the vital cultural contribution that their musical performances provide. I would like to acknowledge the many contributions of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League, congratulate them on 75 impressive years of entertaining the residents of Southwestern Michigan, and wish them many more years of continued success.