David Wu

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial anniversary of the community of North Plains, Oregon. The celebration being held on Saturday October 2, 2010, is a tribute to the residents of North Plains, both past and present, whose years of hard work, persistence, and endurance is a reflection of the values embodied by their community. North Plains is situated at the base of Oregon's Coastal Range, which houses one of Oregon's finest watersheds. North Plains is home to Pumpkin Ridge golf course and Bob Horning's hideout, whose music festivals and frisbee golf course attract visitors from across the country, along with numerous other locally owned businesses. At the heart of the North Plains community are picturesque farms, nurseries, and wineries which produce everything from Christmas trees and Halloween pumpkins to small fruits and world class wines. Each August, North Plains celebrates its agricultural heritage by hosting the world's largest elephant garlic festival--an event my kids and I look forward to participating in on our way to camping at nearby Stub Stewart State park, our most recently dedicated state park. Former Oregon Governor Tom McCall once said: ``Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say, This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.'' The residents of North Plains are American heroes who have devoted their lives to making our country and their community better. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating North Plains on this remarkable achievement. North Plains' history of land stewardship has been an asset to our state and region, and it serves as a model to be emulated. I am proud to serve a community with such a strong commitment to the livelihoods of its families, and I look forward to hearing of North Plains' ongoing successes in the years to come.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offering congratulations to the Ponzi Vineyards on their fortieth anniversary of outstanding wine making and stewardship of the land. Located in Beaverton, Oregon, in the heart of my district, Ponzi Vineyards has a long tradition of creating highly rated wines in the great wine-producing region of the Willamette Valley. Ponzi Vineyards is internationally acclaimed for producing some of the world's finest pinot noir, pinot grin, pinot blanc, chardonnay and white riesling, as well as arneis and dolcetto, two rare Italian varietals. Ponzi Vineyards remains a family owned business, with the second generation now directing the operation. Founded by Dick and Nancy Ponzi, the winery has always maintained an unwavering commitment to building a tradition of winemaking excellence, as well as a commitment to protecting the environment. All of the Ponzi's vineyard land is certified to comply with the world's highest standard for sustainable viticulture. Since the beginning, the Ponzis have instilled a strong belief in respect for, and responsibility toward our natural resources. I congratulate the Ponzi family on its forty years of producing high- quality wines, while simultaneously protecting the Earth.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Catherine Carnahan of Oregon for receiving the award of Middle Level Principal of the Year. The National Association of Secondary Schools Principals honors the secondary school principal who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. Ms. Carnahan believes in the spirit of collaboration and unselfishly credits the highly-trained team that she leads. Over the last five years, this cooperation has led to increased test scores and an attendance rate of 95 percent or higher. She and her team work together to find strategies to help each student succeed. I am privileged to represent Duniway Middle School in McMinnville, Oregon, and the team of professionals that provide quality education to their students every day. Not only do I honor Ms. Carnahan for her contribution to the noble endeavor of teaching, but I commend her as an example of true leadership. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Carnahan for this important recognition and her commitment to excellence in our public schools.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jim Steiner, Business Development Specialist for Portland's Small Business Administration field office. Specialist Steiner is retiring in August after nearly 20 years with the SBA and 40 years of service to our country. Jim embarked on an exemplary civilian career with the SBA in 1991. Over the next 20 years, Jim helped numerous entrepreneurs enroll in SBA programs like the veterans Patriot Express program, the Minority and Women Owned Business program and the HUBZone program. He approached his work with integrity and a sense of dedication learned over a 20-year military career. Mr. Steiner and his colleagues have assisted businesses that innovate and provide jobs and services to our community. Well-known companies such as Columbia Sportswear and Mother's Bistro have benefitted from SBA's assistance. Former Oregon Governor Tom McCall once said, ``Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say, 'This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.' '' Jim Steiner truly is an American hero, for he has devoted much of his life to making his country and community better. In 2008 Jim was awarded the Stanley Magiera Award for Excellence in Service to America's Veteran Entrepreneurs. Mr. Steiner's commitment to the people he served has been recognized by his colleagues, community partners, and the public, who are grateful for his efforts to provide excellence in service. It is an honor for me to recognize Business Development Specialist Steiner for his service and for providing a heroic example to us all.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant support of H.R. 5849, which extends the Small Business Administration's programs--including the Small Business Innovation Research program--for another 60 days. It is disappointing that we must again approve an extension of these programs, particularly the SBIR program. We should have reauthorized SBIR long ago, and we should not be dragging this process out further. Unfortunately, we find ourselves yet again without a compromise bill as the program's most recent extension sunsets. Knowledge-driven endeavors are essential if our nation is to compete globally, but without making important changes to the 20-year-old SBIR program, we are giving today's companies outdated tools. Today's extension marks the seventh time since September 2008 that we have approved a ``temporary'' extension of the SBIR program. This is a travesty. Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting today's extension of the SBIR program. But I am utterly opposed to a further extension after today. We have an obligation to America's high-tech entrepreneurs to ensure a steady and predictable funding stream from the SBIR program that is updated for today's economy. It is time we complete our work on this vital program. We have dillydallied for far too long. We can resolve any remaining differences in the bills passed by each chamber in 30 minutes if the principals will simply get in one room and negotiate face-to-face in good faith. I look forward to working with my colleague, the chair of the House Small Business Committee, Ms. Velazquez, to finalize a full reauthorization of the SBIR program in the coming weeks.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of my friend and colleague, Peter DeFazio's amendment. In answer to the ranking member's inquiry, I just want to say that the definition of a livable community is Portland, Oregon. I support livability, and from the beautiful and livable State of Oregon, I know what it means for communities to adopt livability standards into their transportation planning. It means more stable economies, integrated transportation systems, and walkable streets. It means jobs. We are now 10 months past the expiration of the past highway bill, and the administration has yet to provide Congress with an authorization proposal or even to submit its long-promised authorization principles. All they offer are extension after extension. By doing this they are ignoring high-wage, middle-class, private- sector jobs generated by transportation and livability projects and engaging in legislative ``end arounds'' to spend scarce taxpayer dollars with no congressional or other needed oversight.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 266, to support Taiwan in its bid to participate meaningfully in the International Civil Aviation Organization, known as ICAO. I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, and the other cochairs of the Taiwan Caucus for introducing this important resolution. I have long believed that the greatest existential threat to Taiwan and, indeed, to any Nation is isolation, physical and psychological. I applauded Taiwan's participation in the 62nd World Health Assembly last year, which marked the first time since withdrawing from the United Nations 39 years ago that Taiwan rejoined a United Nations-related body as an observer. Taiwan's participation in the WHA was long overdue. Its renewed participation was an occasion to celebrate and to mark the beginning of what I hope is Taiwan's legitimate, growing involvement in other international organizations which do not require statehood. Just as the United States supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization, so too should we take the lead in supporting observer status for Taiwan in the International Civil Aviation Organization. ICAO was formally established in 1947 as a means to secure international cooperation and the highest possible degree of uniformity and regulations, standards, procedures, and organization regarding civil aviation matters. The 1944 convention on ICAO stated, ``The aims and objectives of the organization are to develop the principles and techniques of international air navigation and to foster the planning and development of international air transport so as to meet the needs of the peoples of the world for safe, regular, efficient, and economical air transport.'' Taiwan, one of United States' closest allies in the Asia-Pacific region, is also a key transport hub that links Northeast and Southeast Asia with approximately 2,600 weekly flights to and from neighboring nations. In 2008, 174,000 international flights carrying more than 35 million passengers arrived in and departed from Taiwan. Moreover, in 2009, Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport was ranked by the Airports Council International as the world's eighth largest airport by international air cargo volume and 18th largest airport by international passengers. Failure to include Taiwan as an observer in ICAO needlessly and recklessly endangers millions of passengers traveling through Taiwan, traveling through connecting airports and throughout the world because the threat of international terrorism finds any opportunity to enter our worldwide air transport system to threaten every passenger. Given Taiwan's prominent role in regional and international air control and transport services, I support, and I believe the United States Government should support, Taiwan's meaningful participation in ICAO's meetings, mechanisms, and activities in order to ensure that Taiwan civil aviation regulations fully comply with ICAO standards and recommended practices. ICAO should find appropriate ways to incorporate Taiwan into its global civil aviation network. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Con. Res. 266 to bolster the integration of our friend Taiwan into the international air transport system.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. I thank the gentlewoman for her kind comments. I rise in support of the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010, which reauthorizes the activities of the Science and Technology Directorate and the DNDO at the Department of Homeland Security. As the chair of the Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, I very much appreciate the important role that technology plays in empowering DHS to carry out its very, very important mission. The Science and Technology Directorate is responsible for ensuring that those who are responsible for keeping us safe have the best tools and the most up-to-date technologies to get their job done. Over the last year and a half, my subcommittee, the Technology and Innovation Subcommittee, has held multiple hearings on the work being carried out by the Science and Technology Directorate and the DNDO. Through these hearings, we were able to identify critical areas where the directorate could use new tools or, in some cases, new direction to help it achieve its mission effectively and efficiently. I look forward to working with the Homeland Security Committee to address some of the issues that arose during my subcommittee's hearings, particularly those relating to the public's acceptance of new technologies. For example, I remain very concerned about TSA's decision to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to deploy full-body scanners in airports across the country without fully understanding the potential reluctance of the public to accept these technologies. This research into acceptance should be done before purchase to avoid wasting taxpayer money. I want to thank Chairman Thompson, Chairwoman Clarke, Ranking Member King, and Ranking Member Lungren for their work on this important legislation. I am pleased that our committees were able to work together over the last couple of months to craft this important bipartisan legislation, and I hope that this reauthorization bill will improve the way the Department sets priorities for its research and involves the end users of equipment to ensure that new technology is actually deployable and usable in the field. This has been a gaping shortfall to date. The reauthorization bill we are considering today takes important steps forward in improving the research and development conducted by DHS, and I look forward to having the Science and Technology Committee work with the chairwoman's subcommittee in exercising our oversight and in continuing to improve the vital research capacity at the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Scappoose High School on winning the Oregon School Activities Association's, OSAA, 4A boys baseball championship. Scappoose finished their season with 22 wins and six losses, beating top-ranked Astoria High School 2-1 in eight innings on June 5, 2010, to capture their first State championship since 1982. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Principal Eric Clendenin, Athletic Director Jim Jones, Head Coach Robert Medley, Assistant Coaches Joe Girres, Matt Bailey, and Neal Lordos, and all of the Scappoose Indians--Cody Backus, Brandon Bernardi, Dillion Davidson, Aaron Egger, Austin Egger, Willy Fouts, Cory Hendryx, Torin Huff, Nathan Kranyak, DJ Maloney, Tanner Meyer, Brad Morrison, Chris Neifert, Nick Paxton, Paul Revis, Jason Sawyer, Max Updike, and Jacob Watt--for winning the OSAA 4A boys baseball championship.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise to let my colleagues know that today I introduced the Volunteer Firefighter Fairness Act. This bill would clarify for volunteer fire departments, volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel, and the Internal Revenue Service that volunteers are not employees of the fire departments where they serve. According to the National Fire Protection Association, volunteers comprise approximately 72 percent of our nation's fire and emergency services. Although volunteers make up the majority of firefighters nationwide, we are experiencing an overall decline in the number of volunteer personnel. This is due to increased emergency call volumes, the time demands of ongoing training, and the struggle many Americans face trying to balancing family and work obligations. To help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and other volunteer first responders, some states and local governments offer nominal payments or benefits, such as covering expenses for uniforms. Historically, fire departments have used the IRS Form 1099 to report these benefits and nominal payments for their volunteers. However, recently many volunteer fire departments have been told by local or regional IRS offices that they must the Form W-2, instead of the 1099, to report payments and benefits. In Oregon, a volunteer fire department was even hit with a $9,900 fine for using a Form 1099 instead of a Form W-2. The bill I am introducing today will clarify the law to ensure that fire departments will be able to use Form 1099 to report any minimal pay or benefits for volunteer first responders. I am pleased to report that this bill has the full support of the International Fire Chiefs Association. Finally, Madam Speaker, I would like to clarify one point about who the bill would cover. This legislation is designed to specifically cover volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency personnel. The practice of providing volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel with reimbursement, reasonable benefits, and nominal fees for their services is allowed under both the IRS Code and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division ruled on August 7, 2006, that ``generally an amount not exceeding 20 percent of the total compensation that the employer would pay to employ a full-time firefighter for performing comparable services would be deemed nominal.'' Since both the IRS Code and the FLSA use the term ``nominal fee'' as an allowable form of compensation for volunteer firefighters, I urge the IRS to use the U.S. Department of Labor's ruling in drafting any regulations to implement this legislation or define the term ``nominal fee'' for volunteer firefighter compensation.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, inside the beltway, Republicans threaten to take us back to the failed policies that created this economic crisis in the first place. They are siding with the special interests, with credit card companies, with Big Oil, and with insurance companies. These failed economic and fiscal policies created the George Bush recession-- the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, with job losses of nearly 800,000 per month. This Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is responsible for 2.8 million jobs saved or created, including jobs for teachers, police, and firefighters. More than a third of the bill was for tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans and for small businesses--the very people who suffered through 8 years of George W. Bush. This act is also rebuilding America with clean tech, clean energy, and 21st century jobs. Our passage of health insurance reform will create not only 4 million new jobs over the next decade, primarily in small businesses, but it will also unleash the potential of the American economy.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, as Flag Day approaches, I rise to pay tribute to our Nation and to commend the Elks Lodge in Forest Grove, Oregon, for celebrating Flag Day in my district. The United States flag is a hallmark of the enduring character of America. In 1818, Congress passed legislation that provided the basic design of our flag, with 13 stripes honoring the 13 original colonies and one star per state. Throughout our history citizens have honored the flag and the principles for which it stands, but we did not have an official day honoring our flag until President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation in 1916 establishing Flag Day. In 1949, congressional legislation designating June 14 as national Flag Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman. I am pleased to offer my thanks and support to the Elks Lodge of Forest Grove, Oregon, which has organized a Flag Day celebration to educate the community about our flag and its history. The Order of the Elks promotes American principles of individual freedom, opportunity, and dignity, consistent with the principles that the U.S. flag represents. I am honored to provide the Elks Lodge of Forest Grove with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol for their celebration, and I thank them for their service to our community and Nation.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the America COMPETES reauthorization, and I am particularly proud of the contribution my subcommittee--the Technology and Innovation Subcommittee--has made to this legislation. Innovation is critical to our nation's long-term global competitiveness, and we have a responsibility to support the kind of economic environment that empowers our nation's private sector to innovate and create jobs. The bipartisan legislation we are considering today will strengthen our nation's economic competitiveness by helping to create an environment that encourages innovation and facilitates growth. Among other things, the bill makes critical investments in, and improvements to, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which will help this vital program better address the needs of our nation's small- and medium- sized manufacturers. The bill will also help ensure that students have the training necessary to secure a good-paying job in their community by requiring MEP centers to inform local and regional community colleges of the skills needed by area manufacturers. America COMPETES also focuses the National Institute of Standards and Technology on creating jobs, supporting competitiveness, and meeting the needs of our nation's private sector. America COMPETES is the cornerstone of our nation's global competitiveness, and today's reauthorization bill represents another critical step in implementing the innovation agenda. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Chair, my amendment, which I have submitted along with my colleague from Maryland, Mr. Bartlett and will be part of an en bloc amendment, will facilitate ARPA-E applications by small businesses and entrepreneurs and will allow ARPA-E to consider a wider range of proposals relevant to its mission. This amendment is straightforward and emphasizes the importance of proposals submitted by small businesses and entrepreneurs--the lifeblood of innovation and our American economy. This amendment further mirrors the DARPA program by creating flexibility within ARPA-E for solicitations year-round, on broadly defined areas of science and technology, creating a greater diversity of projects coming into the pipeline, while still maintaining the program's ability to focus on funding projects in specific areas of technological innovation. ARPA-E is a robust pathway to new discoveries in technology and new investment in American manufacturing. To paraphrase Secretary Chu, ARPA-E was designed to provide for opportunity to swing from the heels. There will be missed pitches, but there will be home runs and grand slams, too. While the program has been considered a success--recently announcing 37 diverse solicitation winners--by providing continuous and non-restrictive solicitations, ARPA-E will be able to act in an all- comers fashion, selecting from a wide range of products in order to foster innovative solutions to the energy issues our Nation faces. I am happy to have worked in a bipartisan way with Mr. Bartlett from Maryland--I greatly appreciate his thoughtful contributions to this amendment. Through both his scientific background and his work on Armed Services, Mr, Bartlett has always brought an informed and helpful perspective in the establishment of ARPA-E. The House Committee on Science and Technology may be one of the last bastions of nonpartisan policymaking in this body and Mr. Bartlett's work and forethought has helped to exemplify that ideal. I ask that the House support this amendment.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor AmeriCorps Week, and the nearly 12,000 Oregonians who are AmeriCorp alumni that have pledged to ``get things done for America'' since the program began in 1994. Whereas service to others is a hallmark of the American character, and throughout our history citizens have stepped up to meet our challenges by volunteering in their communities; and Whereas those AmeriCorps members have served more than 774 million hours nationwide, including 14,388,200 served by residents from Oregon, helping to improve the lives of our State's most vulnerable citizens, strengthen our educational system; protect our environment, and contribute to our public safety, and; Whereas the Corporation for National and Community Service State Office and Oregon Volunteers! Commission on Voluntary Action and Service play a key role in determining where AmeriCorps resources should be directed to meet State and local needs; and Whereas residents of Oregon have earned more than $32,097,912 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to help pay for college or pay back student loans; and Whereas AmeriCorps members, after their terms of service end, remain engaged in our communities as volunteers, teachers, public servants, and nonprofit leaders in disproportionately high levels; and Whereas last year I cosponsored and helped pass the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which sets AmeriCorps on a path to grow to 250,000 members by the year 2017 and focuses AmeriCorps on critical national issues of education, health, clean energy, veterans, and economic opportunity; and Whereas, AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15, 2010, is an opportune time for the people of Oregon to salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their service; thank AmeriCorps' community partners; and bring more Americans into service: Therefore, be it Resolved, that I, David Wu, do hereby recognize AmeriCorps Week and urge citizens to thank AmeriCorps members and alumni for their service and to find ways to give back to their communities.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. I thank the chairman. I rise today in strong support of America COMPETES, and I want to recognize the tremendous leadership which Chairman Gordon has given in this effort. He is the father of this bill. He has created the ARPA-E energy initiative in this bill and has shown tremendous leadership by pushing this effort forward. I am particularly proud of the contribution that my subcommittee, the Technology and Innovation Subcommittee, has made to this legislation. Innovation is absolutely crucial to our Nation's long-term global competitiveness. It is our economic seed corn, and we have a responsibility to support the kind of economic environment that empowers our Nation's private sector to innovate and create jobs. The bipartisan legislation we are considering today will strengthen our Nation's economic competitiveness by creating an environment that encourages innovation and facilitates economic growth. It will create high wage, middle class jobs through innovation and technologic development. Among other things, the bill makes critical investments in the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which will help this vital program better address the needs of our Nation's small- and medium- sized manufacturers. Of particular importance is the new focus of the MEP program on finding out what the local job market really needs and helping community colleges focus job training on these particular needs so that the retrained workers can find work nearby. America COMPETES is the cornerstone of our Nation's global competitiveness, and today's reauthorization bill represents another crucial step in implementing the innovation agenda.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the president's decision to privatize the human spaceflight program. The space program inspires us to reach for the stars in both our dreams and our actions, and it helps drive our nation's technological innovation. I am deeply concerned that this decision will hinder our ability to remain at the forefront of human achievement. The Constellation Program is not perfect. But putting all of our eggs in a private sector basket is simply too risky a gamble. We are jeopardizing our lead in space exploration, we are jeopardizing our nation's future, and we are jeopardizing astronaut safety. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing the president's plan to privatize the human spaceflight program. We must not concede our leadership in space exploration at a time when it is more critical than ever.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. I thank the gentleman. I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 1062, which recognizes Coast Guard Group Astoria's more than 60 years of service to the Pacific Northwest. And I thank the gentleman for his service in Coast Guard Group Astoria, his personal service. I want to welcome him back to Oregon any time he chooses to come. For more than six decades, Coast Guard Group Astoria has served the people of Oregon and Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The 325 men and women of Group Astoria are responsible for patrolling more than 140 miles of coastline, stretching from Queets, Washington, to Pacific City, Oregon, one of the most dangerous and beautiful expanses of water in the world. The group is compromised of Station Grays Harbor in Westport, Washington; Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Washington; Air Station Astoria in Warrenton, Oregon; Aids-to-Navigation Team Astoria at Tongue Point, Oregon; and Station Tillamook Bay in Garibaldi, Oregon. Group Astoria carries out a diverse set of missions, from search and rescue to law enforcement, and from environmental protection to aids to navigation maintenance, but its contributions to our community do not end there. Coast Guard members are also responsible for homeland security functions vital to our national defense. Moreover, Group Astoria personnel are ever-present sentinels guarding our coastal waterways and enabling the safe and steady flow of both commercial and recreational traffic. I want to add as a personal note that I deeply appreciate the community service and community contributions of the many individuals in Coast Guard Group Astoria that I have known over the past years. Group Astoria continues to embody the Coast Guard's motto, ``Semper Paratus,'' always ready, each and every day. These men and women risk their lives to ensure that those who venture to sea return home and return home safely. Each year, Coast Guard Group Astoria responds to roughly 800 search- and-rescue calls for help, assists more than 1,700 mariners, and saves nearly 100 lives. They do so in all types of weather and amid the many challenges of our harsh and beautiful coastline. One effort in particular stands out in my mind, not only for its heroism but also for the way that it lifted the spirits of all of those affected: in December 2007, Oregon was hit by a winter storm with hurricane-force winds in excess of 130 miles per hour. The storm knocked out power in thousands of homes in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and communication in many areas was completely cut off. Of the many heroes who distinguished themselves that week, the Coast Guard ranks amongst the most courageous. For instance, Coast Guard Air Station Astoria helicopter crews rescued over 130 people trapped by flooding in Chehalis, Washington. In my personal visit there a day or two after the storm, I met one of the rescue divers. He didn't tell me the story, but his colleagues did. With high winds blowing, he was dropped in the water near Chehalis. There was a residential structure there, a home there. Not only were the lights still on and electricity still flowing to that house, but there was sheet metal flapping in a very strong wind there. At great risk to himself, ignoring the hazard posed by flying sheet metal, he entered this home and found an elderly gentleman lying on a floating couch inside a flooded room. It takes a lot of courage to enter structures like that, which is to do the right thing and to bring the citizens of Oregon and Washington to safety. For their extraordinary heroism, many of the aircrews involved in these December 2007 rescues were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Group Astoria's bravery during that storm is just one example of its service to Oregon's north coast. It illustrates the selflessness and the professionalism that gives Group Astoria its reputation. Madam Speaker, it is right and fitting that we should recognize Coast Guard Group Astoria's service to the Pacific Northwest. These brave men and women give so much to their fellow Americans, and they ask so little in return. At this time, I would like to specifically recognize the leadership of Captain Peter Troedsson, who commanded Group Astoria during the 2007 winter storm, as well as Captain Doug Kaup, Group Astoria's current commander. I am grateful for Coast Guard Group Astoria's service, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their ongoing efforts in protecting the people of the Pacific Northwest. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1062.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Pacific University's Na Haumana `O Hawai'i Club for their 50 years of service and support for the student body and surrounding communities in Forest Grove, Oregon. Pacific University, founded in 1849, is one of the oldest schools in the Pacific Northwest. It prides itself on its community of intellectually curious and highly motivated faculty, staff, and students who are committed to educational excellence and the maintenance and expansion of an open worldview. Pacific is a comprehensive liberal arts and health care university with more than 3,200 graduate and undergraduate students attending classes at campuses in Forest Grove, Eugene, Hillsboro, and Portland, Oregon. Na Haumana `O Hawai'i, which was founded in the fall of 1959, is an integral part of Pacific's vibrant and diverse community. It began as a group of sixteen students from Hawaii under the guidance of Dr. Fred Scheller and Dr. A.C. ``Hap'' Hingston and has now grown into a campus- wide organization with over 200 members. Through social functions and community projects, active members of the club become a part of a family of students, or `Ohana, and are integrated into a network that ensures a memorable college experience. For the group, family means more than blood relations; it means a collection of people who have strong community ties and are focused on building positive relationships. One of Na Haumana `O Hawai'i's most successful activities, the Big Brother-Big Sister program, pairs new students with upperclassmen from the same high school or hometown, allowing the new students to adjust to their surroundings using peers as a resource and further capitalizing the concept of `Ohana. Club members are also given the opportunity to participate in intramural sports, which afford them the opportunity to engage in the competitive spirit while meeting new people and fostering a deeper sense of community and loyalty to one another. In addition, the Na Haumana `O Hawai'i club facilitates a variety of activities throughout the year to enrich the student body and wider community. The most well-known of these events, the annual spring lu'au, is a culmination of many hours of hard work and months of planning. The lu'au allows the community to share in a unique aspect of Hawaiian heritage, culture, and family, or 'Ohana. This event is the only completely student-run and student-directed lu'au in the Northwest and attracts over 2,000 attendees every year. On April 10, 2010, Na Haumana `O Hawai'i will celebrate its 50th annual lu'au at Pacific University. I wish to recognize Na Haumana `O Hawai'i for its accomplishments, legacy, and importance in the university community. Congratulations to Pacific University's Na Haumana `O Hawai'i club for having reached its 50th anniversary lu'au celebration. Mahalo and best wishes.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3820) to reauthorize Federal natural hazards reduction programs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3820, the bill under consideration.

Mr. WU. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3820, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010. This bipartisan bill addresses a crucial need--securing our communities against earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural phenomena. As we saw last month in Haiti and just this past weekend in Chile, earthquakes can strike without warning, can cause massive damage and many, many casualties. Mitigation efforts, like advanced building codes, are crucial to preventing loss and injury. Preparation saves lives. The Chilean experience demonstrates the importance of preparation, of building codes, and of education. H.R. 3820 reauthorizes two very important natural hazard mitigation programs--the Natural Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. Since Congress created the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, or NEHRP, in 1977, it has been used to study earthquake phenomena, to identify seismic hazards, and to develop building codes and practices to withstand earthquakes. This reauthorization will allow the U.S. Geological Survey, FEMA, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to continue their efforts to develop and to promote earthquake mitigation measures. Created in 2004, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, or NWIRP, is also a critical tool in countering the destructive forces of hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe windstorms. Destructive windstorms are not limited to Florida, to the Gulf Coast, or to Tornado Alley in our Midwest. Two years ago, in my Pacific Northwest, we experienced 150-mile-per-hour winds, a storm which killed 18 people and which caused nearly $200 million in damage. Just last week, gusts of up to 90 miles per hour were reported in the Northeast, knocking out power for more than 87,000 New Yorkers and others in Pennsylvania through the Mid-Atlantic. The purpose of NWIRP is to study wind hazards and to develop building codes and practices to prevent damage. The adoption of mitigation measures is the crucial last step in preventing losses from natural disasters. H.R. 3820 includes provisions to develop ways to cost effectively retrofit existing structures and to secure lifelines as well as provisions for research to identify the best methods to encourage homeowners, businesses, and communities to plan for natural disasters and to adopt mitigation and education measures. H.R. 3820 also brings greater coordination to Federal natural hazards R&D efforts. It directs the relevant agencies to develop a multihazards research agenda and to identify where common research approaches are appropriate across different types of hazards. This will enable a research agenda where the lessons learned in one disaster will be applied to help prevent damage in another and, therefore, save lives. It will use scarce taxpayer dollars more effectively and more efficiently. I would like to thank the ranking member of the Technology and Innovation Subcommittee, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, for his hard work and support in helping us bring this bill to the floor. I would also like to recognize my friend and colleague, Mr. Broun of Georgia, who is here on the floor with us today. I would similarly like to thank the chairman of the full Science and Technology Committee, Mr. Bart Gordon of Tennessee, and the ranking member, Mr. Hall of Texas, the unforgettable Mr. Hall. H.R. 3820 is supported by the American Society of Civil Engineers. I urge my colleagues to vote for its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the chairman of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee of the Science Committee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mr. WU. I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for his very kind remarks. Madam Speaker, we do not and we actually should not agree all the time, because these are sincere differences which, I think, we reflect in our personal values and in the values of our constituents; but the legislation that we are dealing with today demonstrates this Congress' working at its best on those issues where we should be coming together, and we do. I want to thank the gentleman. I want to thank Mr. Smith and Mr. Hall on the minority side.

Mr. WU. I would be happy to yield to the gentleman.