David Wu

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission said the Federal Government is not fulfilling its job of protecting the American people. The 9/11 Commission went on to say that the war in Iraq is a distraction, draining resources from critical American security needs. Like the 9/11 Commissioners, I am concerned that the war in Iraq is preventing us from dealing with the real threat, a terrorist attack in America. Over the last 3 years, the war in Iraq has cost the American taxpayers more than $320 billion, and yet, as the unanimous National Intelligence Estimate shows, we are less safe today because of the continuing war in Iraq. At the end of this year, the war in Iraq will have gone on longer than World War II. Despite this distraction from the real struggle against terrorism, as the National Intelligence Estimate said, this Congress should show that it is committed to securing the American people today. We cannot afford to wait until after the November election.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1215, the Green Chemistry Research and Development Act. This legislation codifies the ongoing efforts throughout the Federal Government to encourage the development of products and manufacturing processes that are safer, contain fewer toxic compounds, and make better use of recycled materials. I am especially pleased that the bill includes my amendment to authorize a training program at the National Science Foundation. This new program creates partnerships between companies in the chemical industry and colleges and universities to provide professional development training to practicing chemists and chemical engineers in the use of green chemistry concepts and strategies. During our committee's hearing on last year's version of this bill, it became clear that too few professionals in these fields are exposed to green chemistry in their undergraduate and graduate courses. This lack of training becomes an important barrier to the adoption and use of green chemistry in industrial products and processes. The partnerships between the academic community and industry that this bill promotes will ensure the courses of study that are put in place are relevant to industry and are designed to provide practicing chemists and chemical engineers with the skills and knowledge they will need to employ green chemistry concepts in their work. The requirement for cost sharing helps to reinforce the engagement and commitment of companies to the program. H.R. 1215 provides a good starting point for a Federal effort to promote green chemistry. I urge Members to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to oppose the Trademark Dilution Revision Act. Trademark law was originally about consumer protection, ensuring consumers were not confused or harmed by the misuse of a famous trademark. However, with the passage of the Federal Trademark Dilution Act in 1995, the issue of trademark dilution became more an issue of property protection. The purpose of that law was to enable businesses to protect the investment that companies have made in branding their products. Consumer confusion was no longer required to establish ``dilution.'' Not surprisingly, private lawsuits in this area jumped from 2,405 in 1990 to 4,187 in 2000. For example, Starbucks went after a local coffee shop in my district that was named after its owner, Samantha Buck Lundberg. The coffee shop bore the nickname given to her by her family and friends--Sambuck. Ringling Bros.-Barnum and Bailey Circus sued the State of Utah over Utah's advertising slogan that it had ``The Greatest Snow on Earth.'' To the circus this slogan was an obvious play on the long time identification of the circus as ``The Greatest Show on Earth.'' Microsoft sued to prevent use of the term ``Lindows'' for the Linux operating system software and website produced by Lindows, Inc., arguing that it was clearly an attempt to play on the Windows designation of its own operating system. Lindows eventually changed the name of the product and website to ``Linspire'' after losing court cases. Best Western International (the hotel/motel chain) appears to be trying to claim sole right to the word ``Best'' when it comes to using the word in names of hotels or motels. It has sued both Best Inns and Best Value Inns, contending that those names infringe on its trademark. In recent years, the Supreme Court addressed these lawsuits in Moseley, et al., DBA Victor's Little Secret v. V Secret Catalogue, Inc., et al., in which Victoria's Secret sued a small business in Kentucky. In its opinion, the Court ruled that companies under the Federal Trademark Dilution Act have to prove that their famous brand is actually being damaged before they can use dilution law to force another person or company to stop using a word, logo, or color. Since trademark laws have an effect not only on famous companies but also on the many small businesses witH legitimate business interests, any antidilution legislation should be very carefully considered so as not to interfere with the rights of small businesses. The goal must be to protect trademarks from subsequent uses that blur, dilute or tarnish that trademark, but it must also be the protection of small business interests from its more powerful corporate counterparts. Unfortunately, this bill will change trademark law to make it easier for large companies to sue individuals and businesses for trademark dilution, thus potentially creating rights in perpetuity for trademarks. This bill states that no actual harm will have to be proven; large companies will be able arbitrarily to file lawsuits against small businesses and private citizens. I agree with the Supreme Court in its unanimous decision in Moseley. I think that companies in seeking to impose their trademarks upon the public must show actual harm. If not, we run the risk of trademark owners being able to lock up large portions of our shared language. This open-ended invitation to litigate is especially troubling at a time when even colors and common words can be granted trademark protection. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed time for a change in Iraq. Our troops are currently caught in a deadly civil war between the Sunnis and Shiias, a war that is resulting in the death of American soldiers every night, and hundreds of Iraqi civilians every day. If there was ever a time to change tactics, now is that time. House Republicans and President Bush cling stubbornly to the mantra ``stay the course,'' but slogans cannot substitute for strategy. President Bush says American troops will still be on the ground in Iraq when he leaves office in 2009, and that would make the Iraq war longer than World War II. We cannot continue to be bogged down in Iraq's civil war. Conditions there are not getting better. According to the latest Pentagon report, things are actually getting worse and the war in Iraq has put an enormous strain on our military, resulting in military readiness levels at historic lows. It is time we get back to fighting the real war on terror and not a civil war in Iraq.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4893 because of my opposition to a proposed Indian gambling casino in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Oregon. We should not be considering a bill of this importance on the suspension calendar with only 40 minutes of debate, no opportunity to amend. This is completely inappropriate. Regardless of whether you are an opponent or proponent of off- reservation gaming, Members should have an opportunity to bring their concerns to the floor and offer amendments. There are many reasons to oppose this bill, and I have the largest one of them of all: This, an 80-mile long, 4,000-foot-deep gorge. It is our Yosemite. It is our Grand Canyon. It is a national treasure, and it is completely inappropriate to put a gambling casino smack-dab in the middle of this national treasure. Vote ``no'' on this suspension bill so we can protect the Columbia River Gorge and we can bring a real bill to the floor and have Members debate their concerns and amend this bill appropriately.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of August as Psoriasis Awareness Month and to speak on behalf of the 7.5 million Americans who are afflicted with this disease. Those affected by psoriasis suffer from chronic, inflammatory, painful, disfiguring and disabling skin irritations referred to as scales that can cover anywhere from small patches of skin to entire sections of their body. Many of those who have psoriasis also suffer from psoriatic arthritis, which causes severe stiffness and swelling of the joints. Psoriasis typically develops between the ages of 15 and 25, and while there are varied treatments, there is no cure for this disease. This auto-immune disease has become both a burden on the individual and society. Many people afflicted with psoriasis battle social discrimination and stigma because psoriasis is mistakenly thought of as a contagious disease, and sometimes patients needlessly have incorrect or delayed diagnosis. Also, it is estimated that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis cost the nation 56 million hours of lost work and between $2 billion and $3 billion in treatments each year. I would like to thank the National Psoriasis Foundation, whose national headquarters is located in Oregon. Their tireless work has brought the struggle of those affected by psoriasis and the need for more psoriasis research through the National Institutes of Health, NIH, to combat this disease to light. Their message of awareness they brought to our offices has been helpful and has worked to elevate understanding of this diseases. Mr. Speaker, too many people in this country needlessly suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. We must work to decrease the amount of incorrect or delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatments and insufficient access to care. I am ready to work with my constituents, the National Psoriasis Foundation and my colleagues to elevate the awareness of psoriasis and expansion of research of effective treatments for this debilitating disease.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support for H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, and the override of the President's veto of this monumental commitment to historic scientific research. Yet again, the administration turned its back on science and chose politics. Embryonic stem cell research will go on, with or without the United States. Diabetes, Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's Disease will be cured, with or without the United States. The stem cells in an embryo are special tissue. We should not create them with the intent to terminate them later. But here, embryos were created with the intent to bring more children in to the world, and once a baby is born many fertilized eggs are not implanted. The only alternate fate for them now is disposal. Let us not waste potential human life, let us not waste these fertilized eggs by destroying them. Let us use them to save human lives through stem cell research.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill, the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act. In this bill, Congress is overreaching its authority. The Federal Government already permits this research, through a merit based peer review process led by the scientific community. Congress should not be directing research in which we do not have expertise; we are not scientists.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the subcommittee, the chairman and the ranking member and Ranking Member Obey for working with us to get this $2 million placeholder into this bill. This $2 million will be very, very important to working families in Oregon and those many people who fish and those who depend upon the fishing industry. I wish that our actions today had not been necessary, but they were made necessary by an administrative agency which is absolutely not hearing our words, and it is only through the actions of this committee and this particular subcommittee that our voices are heard and our constituents heard through us.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, this administration has moved to massively curtail fishing for salmon on the Pacific Coast. This is not just an economic effect. Salmon fishing is part of our culture. It is a part of who we are. This closure is not based on sound science; it is based in raw politics. It is allegedly to benefit one spring salmon run on the Klamath River. But closure of the ocean will not bring the spring chinook back. What will bring it back, according to NOAA's own scientists, is better water management and taking better care of the water base and ecosystem. Closure of the ocean salmon season will not do any of these things. Yesterday, we met with NOAA officials, and they decided not to even declare an emergency so that relief can be given for the disaster which they created. We are going to take actions today to alleviate or terminate the disaster that NOAA has created on the northwest coast.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, we deal with such serious topics in this House of Representatives, and so I want to bring to the attention of this House and this Nation a very happy topic. I rise to congratulate the Oregon State University Beavers on winning the College World Series baseball tournament. This is indeed a Beaver Nation. After taking on UCLA, Stanford, Arizona, and USC, all sunny States, we in the rainy Northwest, with a team of kids from smaller communities all around the State, have successfully won a world championship. This is probably the first world championship since the Portland Trail Blazers won the NBA championship in 1977.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Senior Independence Act of 2006. The Older Americans Act was enacted in 1965 to establish the Administration on Aging to institute and support Federal nutritional and social programs for this Nation's seniors, and since then, millions of this Nation's elderly have benefited from the Act's many programs. This Act is more important to the country today than ever before. More than 49 million people in the United States are over the age of 60, making it the fastest growing age group in the country. By 2050, that number will reach nearly 90 million and will count as almost a quarter of our population. With this rapid demographic increase, it is essential that we ensure the establishment of effective Federal efforts to aid America's elderly. There are more seniors who are minorities, more seniors who are trying to go back to work; more seniors who are living longer; and more seniors living in urban areas. Specifically, the Senior Independence Act will promote home- and community-based supports to help older individuals avoid institutional care, strengthen health and nutrition programs, improve educational and volunteer services, increase Federal, State, and local coordination, and safeguard employment-based training for older Americans. This Act was conceived forty years ago in a spirit of bipartisanship to better the lives of those put in less fortunate circumstances. I would like to commend Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Miller today on their spirit of bipartisanship during this reauthorization. I am especially thankful to the Chairman and his committee staff for working with me to include my amendments that would recognize the growing number of older Americans who are living in urban areas and would encourage life-long learning. The number of Americans aging in urban areas is growing and its diversity is increasing. Between 1999 and 2030, the urban minority population of 65 and older is projected to increase by 217 percent, as compared with the projected 81 percent increase among the white population. My amendment, which has been included in the bill, will assist urban seniors by providing grants to discover how older Americans can age successfully in urban areas. The bill also adds my amendment to promote and disseminate information about lifelong learning programs. Researchers and clinicians are increasingly interested in the concept of successful aging, and they are finding that a person who engages in a healthy lifestyle including continuing education, thinking and maintaining social contacts are part of successful. Together, these amendments will improve the lives of older Americans by helping to address the unique needs of those living in urban areas and also to help promote the benefits of taking part in life-long learning programs. In closing, I would also like to pause and remember the life and work of Dr. Elizabeth Kutza. Dr. Elizabeth Kutza was the Professor of Community Health and former Director of the Institute on Aging at Portland State University. Dr. Kutza died on Friday, June 9, 2006, after a seven-year battle with breast cancer. Dr. Kutza and her family are in my thoughts and prayers. Again, I would like to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Miller for their outstanding writing of this bill and for making sure that the Older Americans Act can continue to provide for the growing number of seniors in our country today.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona seeking to cut all $2.5 million for the Northwest Manufacturing Initiative, NMI. I, along with all members of Oregon's bipartisan House and Senate delegation as well as House and Senate members from Washington, asked for funding for NMI because of its goal to improve the Department of Defense's industrial base by strengthening the Northwest's diverse, value-added manufacturing sector. Through research and development to enhance the reliability, cost effectiveness and performance of defense related products and through increasing our ability to train and deliver work-ready employees to defense related manufacturing companies, NMI will increase and improve the contributions of Northwest companies to the nation's industrial preparedness and security. We have seen what innovative and cutting edge technologies can come out of the Northwest to benefit our military: HemCon, located in my Congressional district, has developed a new bandage technology that has already saved the lives of dozens of U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, the Army Surgeon General has requested that every soldier deployed to a combat zone carry a HemCon Bandage in their first-aid kit. Similarly, through work being done at iSense in my district, military doctors will have the technology to quickly detect severe blood loss or internal bleeding. There is no doubt in my mind that these technologies have and will save the lives of Americans at home and abroad. Another company, InSport, is ensuring that our service members have the best products available in combat. InSport has developed base layer t-shirts for our military that resist the build up of bacteria that adversely affects performance on the battlefield. Yet, despite these innovative companies, challenges remain. Many small defense companies, especially those in manufacturing, have trouble finding skilled workers. The NMI will help train manufacturing workers and increase participation of innovative companies. It will allow an entire region's companies to learn from each other, and more Oregonians to learn to earn. More importantly, it will save the Department of Defense, DOD, time and money by making these manufacturers more efficient and competitive and, consequently, able to provide better and less expensive products. Mr. Chairman, I support the Northwest Manufacturing Initiative and I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, we are fighting a war on terror, a war we did not start or choose. But to use that war as either justification for a war in Iraq, or a reason for staying, is wrong. A lesson I've learned in life is you finish what you start. This Administration took us off-track from the war on terror and chose the war in Iraq. The torch of the war on terror should, and shall be, passed to future generations, but the war in Iraq was started by this Administration and should be finished by this Administration. This Administration decided to launch the Iraq war based on, at best, shaky intelligence. Until that time, this country had historically set a high threshold in its decisions to go to war. We have done so because outcomes are sometimes uncertain, and the cost in human lives is frequently high. We who question this Administration's decisions have faced the charge that to be candid about this war would upset military morale or even be unpatriotic. Now is the time for this President to be honest and forthright with the American people about its ill-conceived war. In candor, the Administration should say to the American people that no matter what course we choose now, the future in Iraq will be bloody and costly. That is why democracies enter war as a last resort, with solid evidence and a united nation. I have listened to our generals about their view of the future. General Casey has personally said to me that he needs until the summer of 2007 to fully train Iraqi forces. I am willing to allow General Casey the time to complete this task, but we should begin an immediate redeployment of troops. General Casey's projection might place Iraq on a course to embrace a self-governing democracy. However, the single most important action the newly elected Iraqi government can take to give that government legitimacy, is to ask Americans to leave and have Iraqis fight for Iraqis rather than have Americans fight for Iraqis. Seldom mentioned these days is our original mission in Afghanistan, the frontline of the real war on terror. We still have time for a complete success, but unfortunately we now do not have adequate resources in Afghanistan. In order to win, the immediate redeployment of troops from Iraq must include sending some troops to Afghanistan as well as bringing some directly home from Iraq. It is time to return our attention and resources to hunting down Osama Bin Laden and ensuring Afghanistan does not again become a breeding ground for terrorism. A little over sixty years ago, we fought a great war after Pearl Harbor. By this Thanksgiving, the Iraq war will have lasted longer than World War II. 4 long years ago many in this Chamber voted to go to war in Iraq. How many would do so today, knowing they are committing us to a war longer than World War II? Let us commit to a final push for an end to the bloodshed and violence in Iraq. Let us return to our original mission to fight the global war on terror that this Administration sidelined in Iraq. I support our troops in Iraq. I support them all the way home--soon.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have given their lives to preserve democracy in this great Nation, I rise today to honor the heroes of the 14th Air Service Group and the 987th Signal Company of the United States Army. These two units represent the only all-Chinese American units serving in World War II. Chinese-American servicemembers of World War II primarily served in integrated units, in every branch of the military, and in every theater of war, including Europe, the South Pacific, the North Atlantic, and the China Burma India Theater. The members of the 14th Air Service Group and the 987th Signal Company were exceptions. Serving in segregated units, with a mix of White and Chinese-American officers, they were organized for service in China as part of a war aid package for Chiang Kai-Shek's Chinese Nationalist Government. Several surviving members of these two units are visiting Washington this week to commemorate Memorial Day, but also to share with me their stories. Both on and off the battlefield, their life histories are a part of our Nation's fabric. Like all of those who served, these units performed an invaluable service to this country on the battlefield. Under difficult circumstances, these units supported the aerial operations in China and enhanced communications between American and Chinese military organizations, contributing to the Allied victory in World War II. Off the battlefield, these units and their families represent Chinese America in the 1940's. Half were American born and half were immigrants from Hong Kong and China, some as young as high school and others as old as 36 years of age leaving behind families and established businesses and careers. None foresaw leaving what had become home, returning to the country from which they came and joining a fight to protect the freedoms of their new life in America. To the members of the 14th Air Service Group and the 987th Signal Company, I thank you for your sacrifice, steadfast bravery and love of country and for coming to share your story. I extend my deepest gratitude to those of the 14th Air Service Group and the 987th Signal Company who did not return home or who are not with us still today. Their memories will live on through us and all servicemembers who have or will answer the call to serve. I call upon this Congress to join me today in thanking these great Americans.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Dent, and I rise in support of his amendment because of a proposed Indian gambling casino for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is the crown jewel of Oregon's natural heritage. The Columbia River cuts the only sea level passage through the Cascade Mountains. It is, to many, another Yosemite, with many waterfalls and the second tallest waterfall in North America. There is a proposed 700,000 square foot casino for this national scenic area. It would draw 3 million people per year and 1 million extra cars with the attendant pollution and urbanization. I support Mr. Dent's amendment and would ask the committee chairman to address the issues, because the amendment as originally structured would put a pause and encourage the Department to consider on reservation sites this for the tribe with the largest reservation in the State of Oregon.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Hooley-DeFazio-Wu- Blumenauer-Walden amendment to H.R. 5122, the Defense Authorization Act for FY2007. Our National Guard has been stretched to its limit these past few years, and without the timely return of equipment and aircraft to their home units, the Guard's mission is in jeopardy of being severely compromised. The Oregon Guard has performed outstandingly in the Middle East and I commend them for their courage and fortitude. Equipment, especially aircraft, needs thorough and vigorous refurbishment when they arrive back from combat. Unfortunately, limited options and a sprawling procurement bureaucracy have created a backlog for equipment resets. By keeping the options limited, we are doing a disservice to the Guard by not returning their core assets in a timely manner. I support this amendment because this issue cannot wait any longer and needs to be addressed now. Every day that the Guard has to wait for an aircraft is another day where they cannot perform their mission. The Guard is ready to do their duty, now we must be willing to fight for their needs. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the Oregon delegation in sponsoring this important measure.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor and pleasure to join with my fellow members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This May marks the 28th time America has recognized and celebrated the many contributions and achievements of Asian Pacific Americans. America has reached greatness in part by the accumulation of ideas from those with varied heritage and backgrounds. In particular, Asian Pacific Americans have made profound contributions to the arts, education, science, technology, politics and athletics. Asian Pacific Americans have played an active and crucial role in the development of this country, from knitting together this nation with the transcontinental railroad to bringing the world closer together through development of the latest Internet technology. This year, Congress will be reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act, including provisions that provide bilingual assistance to voters who need it. These measures protect the ability of all voters to participate in our nation's political process. Toward this end, I, along with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, am reaching out to the Asian Pacific American community and speaking to the importance of civic participation and protecting the APA vote. The Asian Pacific American community remains and always will be an integral and vibrant part of American society. As we take part in the celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I urge everyone to participate more deeply in the civic life of our nation. The civic engagement of Asian Pacific American's will help define our collective future. By working together we can build bridges, and build upon our great nation's diverse communities. We move forward with determination and unity. I encourage Congress and the American people to spend part of May absorbing the legacy, culture and achievements of the Asian Pacific American community.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor all the men and women who have made our space shuttle program possible. I would like to commend Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen for being pioneers in their field. With the lift-off of the Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12, 1981, we were launched into a new era of space flight and exploration. The importance of their mission to our Nation cannot be overestimated. Our desire to explore space, to go beyond this world, is rooted firmly in a human desire that has existed since the first of us stared into the night sky. It is a desire that has been passed down through human history and has found deep roots in America. We live in a land where pioneers stood on the frontier and bravely journeyed beyond what was known. Our space program continues that proud tradition of accomplishments. When challenged by President Kennedy to put a man on the moon before the decades end, America could not even put a man into earth's orbit, but we answered the call. We've stood on the Moon, and have begun to unlock many of the secrets of Mars. We could not have come so far without the knowledge and experience gained from the shuttle flights. With our accomplishments, we've also experienced tragedy. The brave men and women who gave their lives in pursuit of knowledge are a constant reminder that no matter how hard we try to ensure safety, exploration always comes with a risk. As a nation, we should not shirk these risks, just as our forbearers did not. We should use them as guideposts to remind ourselves of the challenges and difficulties of exploring space. The men and women of NASA have taken our dreams and made them real. I thank them for their vision, sacrifice, and dedication.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, the need for developing innovative and successful, sustainable development is becoming more critical as our population in urban areas grows. The higher education system is in a unique position to foster new knowledge, evaluate policies, and develop new technologies addressing sustainability and its benefits to our society. I am very proud that my home State of Oregon is exhibiting, once again, independent, effective leadership on sustainability. Oregon is leading the Nation on sustainable architecture, the production of environmentally certified wood products, sustainable energy, nanotech, biotech, sustainable agriculture, and wind, hydroelectricity and solar energy. Portland State University, in my congressional district, has undertaken the sustainability initiative featuring new educational offerings such as green capital construction, multidisciplinary research, public forums and community outreach projects on sustainability. I recently toured a brand-new building there, exhibiting energy efficiencies and rainwater and other recycling programs that lead the Nation. For several years now, Portland State has been active in these efforts. In 2003, PSU launched a new program which draws on faculty and community expertise to teach 40 students the theory and practice of developing effective sustainability programs for their organizations. In fact, this year, Portland State University is expected to save an additional $275,000 in energy costs alone on campus simply by installing more energy-efficient equipment and lighting and adjusting temperature settings. These savings are equivalent to the tuition of 80 students at PSU. This is independent, effective leadership. The amendment that I am offering today with Congressman Ehlers and Congressman Blumenauer would call on the Secretary of Education to convene a summit of higher education experts working in the area of sustainability to encourage the development of sustainability programs on campuses; research in this area; and to identify opportunities for partnerships. Educating and training the next generation of scientists, engineers, planners, and business professionals can help in the development of new tools and strategies for environmental and resource conservation, energy efficiency and more sustainable development. I look forward to folks following Oregon's independent, effective leadership and supporting this important amendment.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding, especially under these circumstances where I am not completely decided about this legislation. I have a sincere inquiry for my friends on the other side of this debate, and I realize that there are Democrats and Republicans on both sides of this debate. Given my background in securities law, if one wants to sell securities across this country, there is one layer of regulation at the Securities and Exchange Commission, but you have to run the securities through the blue sky laws of every single State in the United States. Similarly, there is banking law at the Federal level; but if you want to do, say, furniture lending and consumer lending, you have to do compliance work under consumer protection laws for every State in the Union. I used to do this kind of legal work when I was in the private sector. I had not intended to participate in the debate today; but, quite frankly, I was eating. And as important as securities and insurance and other issues are, it seems to me that Americans truly care about the safety of what they are eating and the ability to know what it is that they are putting down the hatch. And I am truly curious about the folks on the other side of this debate. What is it that distinguishes the food industry so that it does not have to, say, like the securities industry, comply with both Federal and State law, or with furniture lending, comply with both Federal and State law? Because it seems to me that the food industry is pretty healthy in this country and making good money, and we do not need to give it, if you will, an artificial boost. I would be happy to yield to someone from the other side.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor CAPT Kevin C. Murray, who lost his life while performing his duties as a Columbia River bar pilot on the night of January 9, 2006. Where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean is spectacularly beautiful, yet it is also the worst river bar passage in North America. Columbia River bar pilots have steered vessels in the lower Columbia across the treacherous bar since 1846, making it one of the oldest businesses in the Pacific Northwest. This shallow bar has claimed some 2,000 vessels and 700 lives since the early 19th century. During a transfer back to the pilot boat Chinook, in heavy winter seas, Captain Murray, 50, a resident of Ilwaco, WA, and Boothbay, ME, was thrown into the ocean waters. Despite the valiant efforts of his crew, Captain Murray succumbed to the frigid ocean temperatures. He is survived by his wife, Lori Stetson Murray, and his mother, Phyllis Murray, of Boothbay Harbor, ME. Captain Murray was a seasoned, experience scholar of the seas. He began his career working on towing vessels, towing semi-submersible oil rigs in and out of the Gulf of Mexico. He later captained a 700-foot oil tanker, the Blue Ridge, and held an unlimited master's license allowing him to captain any size vessel in any waters in the world. He had extensive experience in the waters from Alaska to San Francisco, resulting in his recruitment by the Columbia River Bar Pilots in 2004. Fellow Columbia River bar pilots remember Captain Murray as a wonderful person, a strong, silent type, with a quiet, hidden sense of humor. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Lori, his wife; Phyllis, his mother; and all of his family and friends. This tragic drowning, the first loss of a Columbia River bar pilot since 1973, highlights the danger that these brave pilots face daily in navigating the Columbia River bar, also known as the ``graveyard of the Pacific''. The bar pilots navigate cruise ships, U.S. Navy vessels, foreign vessels and cargo vessels, inbound and outbound on the Columbia River through the bar. Their skills and work are crucial aspects of the economic health of the deepwater ports of Oregon and Washington and the livelihood of the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Speaker, I rise not only to honor Captain Murray, but to honor all of his fellow bar pilots on the Columbia River, who stand as their own class of heroes of the sea.

Mr. WU

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, now that the most egregious provision has been stripped out the Defense Appropriations bill, I rise to offer my support for this important legislation. When the House first voted on this measure early Monday morning on December 19, I opposed this bill because, among other reasons, it included a provision to permit oil and gas drilling in ANWR. The Arctic Refuge is one of the last, wild, untouched places left in the United States--with an abundance and variety of wildlife. Not only was I concerned about the environmental impact of opening up ANWR to drilling and exploration, but I was also opposed to the inclusion of this unrelated provision in a defense bill. I am glad that the ANWR provision has been stripped from this bill. The remaining bill will do a great deal to support our troops. It appropriates a total of $453.5 billion for defense programs, including $50 billion in emergency spending for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am pleased that it contains language, authored by Senator John McCain that bars any U.S. personnel, including civilians, from engaging in ``cruel, inhumane, or degrading'' treatment of detainees. I am particularly pleased it includes funds for an average 3.1 percent pay increase for the men and women in our armed forces. H.R. 2863 also includes funding for certain special pay and bonuses for reserve personnel. With that said, and while I now support this bill in its final form, I am concerned about a number of remaining provisions in the bill. Among other things, H.R. 2863 includes a provision to provide virtually unlimited liability protection to the drug industry, while providing illusory and unfunded compensation to any potential victims. We must be prepared in case of a flu pandemic, including ensuring our first responders are ready. Yet, the Republican bill uses the threat of a flu pandemic as an excuse to push the Administration's agenda of giving unwarranted and broad liability protection to the drug industry for a broad array of products. I am also concerned about the bill's inclusion of funding for the national missile defense (NMD) system. The bill before us includes $7.8 billion for this system. While we should always stand alert with a strong national defense, the NMD system is scientifically unproven, fiscally irresponsible, and grossly inaccurate. There are better ways to improve our defense. Last, I share many of my colleagues concerns over this bill's provision to cut all non-emergency discretionary spending, except for VA programs, by 1 percent. As a result, K-12 education will see a cut of $1 billion this year; LIHEAP, which helps many people heat their homes, will be cut by $21 million; and Local Law Enforcement Block grants, which goes to help our first responders, will be cut by $315 million. While I agree that we must be fiscally responsible, we cannot do so at the expense of vital social and federal programs that assist our communities. Mr. Speaker, I support our troops, and I believe in a robust defense. But we cannot use this legislation to hold our troops politically hostage to unwise policies. I am pleased that ANWR has been stripped out of this bill, and I strongly support its passage now that it has been removed.