Robert Wittman

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2996, the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010. Project name: Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Binns property Amount: $200,000 Account: National Park Service Land Acquisition Requested by: The Conservation Fund, 1655 N. Ft. Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209 Intended recipient of funds: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania County Battlefields National Military Park Project description and explanation of the request: This project will provide $200,000 for land acquisition by the U.S. National Park Service, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania County Battlefields National Military Park to acquire a portion of the 1,100-acre Binns property. The Binns property was the site of significant fighting during the Chancellorsville's campaign in 1863 and is today one of the largest unprotected pieces of the core battlefield area. This project provides $200,000 for land acquisition as part of a $4,228,000 project to acquire the 1,100-acre Binns property. Public funds are justified to be used by a federal agency to acquire and preserve threatened Civil War battlefields. Project name: Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge, Bowers property Amount: $500,000 Account: Fish and Wildlife Service Land Acquisition Requested by: The Conservation Fund, 1655 N. Ft. Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209 Intended recipient of funds: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge (RRNWR) Project description and explanation of the request: The acquisition of the 265-acre Bowers tract at Fones Cliff will provide RRNWR the opportunity to create hiking trails, provide historic interpretation relating to the Captain John Smith National Water Trail, and ensure public access to the Fones Cliff area. This project provides $500,000 for land acquisition as part of a $3,023,000 project to acquire the 265-acre Bowers tract property. Public funds are justified to be used by a federal agency to conserve, protect, and enhance the nation's fish and wildlife and their habitats for continuing benefit of people.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere congratulations to Caroline County, Virginia, recipient of the 2009 All-American City Award for its outstanding civic accomplishments. This recognition is well deserved, and rightly honors Caroline County, which has long been dedicated to meeting the needs of its community. Established by the National Civic League in 1949, the All-American City Award recognizes localities for community projects involving grassroots civic engagement and cooperation between public, private, and nonprofit sectors that best illustrate community-based problem solving. Each year, the National Civic League honors 10 communities throughout the country for effectively addressing the most critical challenges facing America's communities. Caroline County submitted three community-based projects, including the Dawn Rehabilitation Project, the Caroline Library, and the Caroline Dental Program. These projects blend public, private, and civic resources to address specific challenges of the community. I am proud to see our citizens and local government work in concert to meet community needs. Caroline County was the only city or county from Virginia in a field of 32 finalists from across the country. The Caroline County delegation traveled to Tampa, Florida, to present the challenges and solutions for its community to a panel of national experts, and I am proud to recognize Caroline County as a wonderful and unique community of Virginia's First Congressional District for receiving the 2009 All-American City Award.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2010, and I'd like to take a moment to highlight some important aspects of the bill. The members and the staff of the House Armed Services Committee are dedicated to supporting our men and women in uniform, and this bill truly reflects our undying commitment to those servicemembers. I am pleased to see that this bill makes progress towards strengthening our naval power and projection on the high seas. We must continue to develop the industrial base and promote shipbuilding to establish a floor, not a ceiling, of 313 ships in our Navy. Our Nation's security and forward presence also depends on the timely delivery and deployment of our various naval platforms. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support the provisions that provide for the construction of a new Virginia-class submarine, research and development funds for the SSBN Ohio-class replacement submarine, and advanced procurement for the new Ford-class carrier. Although this bill provides a temporary waiver for the number of carriers to dip below 11, I have deep reservations about this provision and firmly believe maintaining 11 aircraft carriers is essential to maintaining our long- term naval superiority. While I support this bill, I do have some concerns about the administration's overall direction for our military and the decision- making process that went into the budget. It is imperative that we preserve the integrity of the congressional oversight through appropriate and efficient transparency. Without a 30-year shipbuilding plan and a 30-year military aviation plan, we are denied a full understanding of the administration's perspective of what the defense of our Nation's interest requires. The strategic risk we accept in this defense authorization bill is equally as important as the dollar figure. The American people rightfully expect that the Members of this Congress are fully aware of the strategic risk associated with the President's budget request. As we consider strategic threats facing our country today, I urge my colleagues to strongly support a bipartisan amendment that would be offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks). This amendment will rightfully restore funding for the Missile Defense Agency by $1.2 billion. North Korea continues to test its missile capabilities while Iran pursues a nuclear weapons program. Therefore, it is imperative that we provide full funding to our Nation's most crucial missile defense programs. Keeping Americans safe from terrorists at home is equally important. The American people have spoken and made it very clear that they do not want detainees from Guantanamo brought to the United States. I believe this issue should be openly debated and given a vote within the full House. Again, I strongly support this bill and look forward to improving some of the provisions on the floor tomorrow. I would like to thanking Ranking Member McKeon, Chairman Skelton, and also Mr. McHugh for his service.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 2647, The National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010. Project Name: Electromagnetic Research and Engineering Facility Amount: $3,660,000 Requested By: Robert J. Wittman (VA-01) Account: Military Construction (MCN) Intended Recipient of Funds: Naval Activity South Potomac, Dahlgren, Virginia, Dahlgren, VA 22448 Project description and explanation of the request: This project will provide an addition to the Electromagnetic Research and Engineering Facility (EMREF). This addition is required to facilitate the Directed Energy Technology Office at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) to meet its mission in Directed Energy research, development of prototypes and engineering development model systems and in fielding these prototypes to the warfighter. This project will provide laboratories and analysis spaces for wideband RF, High Powered Microwave, Pulsed Power and high energy laser systems engineering and development. This project provides necessary access to a maritime boundary layer environment and therefore is sited along the Potomac River Test Range. This project will house 25-30 engineers and scientists some of whom will be new hires. This project was developed because it represents the lost scope of another military construction project, P295, that was approved in Fiscal Year 2006. Due to high bids, only about 75% of the original facility could be built. This project provides the remaining 25% (6,500 SF). Funding will be used for electrical facilities ($120,000), mechanical facilities ($110,000), paving and site improvements ($30,000), site preparations ($110,000), demolition of previous buildings ($230,000), anti-terrorism/force protection measures ($180,000), information systems ($60,000), built-in equipment ($60,000), and technical operating manuals ($40,000). I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 369, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 100 Offered by Mr. Jordan of Ohio

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2847--Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Project Name/Amount: An Achievable Dream, $600,000 Requested by: Robert J. Wittman (VA-01) Intended Recipient/Grantee: An Achievable Dream, 10858 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601. Project description and explanation of the request: Support programs at An Achievable Dream Middle and High School. The 1,250 students in grades kindergarten through 12th in 2009 (an increase of 250 over 2008) benefit from An Achievable Dream's support of social, academic and moral curricula proven effective over 16 years of operating the public/ private partnership with Newport News Public Schools. This multi- faceted approach has continued to provide the tools needed for underprivileged youth to close the achievement gap. $375,000 would be used for personnel expenses and $225,000 would be used for supplies such as uniforms, reading materials, extended day materials, and Saturday school supplies. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Project Name/Amount: Virginia Center for Policing Innovation, $300,000 Requested by: Robert J. Wittman (VA-01) Intended Recipient/Grantee: Virginia Center for Policing Innovation, 413 Stuart Circle, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23220. Project description and explanation of the request: VCPI has provided over one quarter of a million training hours to more than 27,000 law enforcement officers in the state of Virginia since 1997 in over 1,000 courses. In recent years, VCPI has specialized in filling training needs that no one else is addressing including leadership, homeland security, crime scene investigation, gangs, human trafficking, drug interdiction, ethics, Spanish language acquisition, advanced court security, advanced search and seizure, cultural diversity, domestic violence, code enforcement, interview and interrogation, anti-terrorism etc. Additionally, VCPI is often turned to for the implementation and coordination of many public safety programs, including automated victim notification systems in Virginia's local and regional jails and court security assessments. VCPI supports training of law enforcement officers that cannot be met by local and state law enforcement agencies. Funding will be used for personnel and internal training ($165,000), facilitation of external training across the Commonwealth ($33,000), course supplies ($30,000), instructor cadre and subject matter experts ($45,000), operational and administrative expenses ($27,000). I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Project Name/Amount: Stafford County Law Enforcement Technology, $300,000 Requested by: Robert J. Wittman (VA-01) Intended Recipient/Grantee: Stafford County, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22555 Project description and explanation of the request: Upgrade the Computer Aided Dispatch system for Stafford County, VA. The CAD is part of the County's state of the art, interoperable communications system. Improve access to the communications system for interdepartmental users and federal and state law enforcement (including Marine Corps Base Quantico) along the I-95 corridor. 100% of the funding will be used to purchase a combination of hardware and software to move from a ``text'' environment to a ``GUI'' environment for the CAD. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Project Name/Amount: Newport News Law Enforcement Technology, $200,000 Requested by: Robert J. Wittman (VA-01) Intended Recipient/Grantee: Newport News Police Department, 9710 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607 Project description and explanation of the request: 100% of the funds would be used to procure a Gunshot Location System. Networked sensors would be placed at specific coordinates on buildings and telephone poles to accurately detect and locate the origin of gunshots and weapons events. Data is sent to a central server accessible by law enforcement agencies. In the past year, Newport News dispatched officers to 2007 calls for gunshots. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies using this technology have seen gunfire-related violent crimes decrease and gunfire-related arrests increase. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Project Name/Amount: City of Hampton Law Enforcement Technology, $200,000 Requested by: Robert J. Wittman (VA-01) Intended Recipient/Grantee: City of Hampton, 22 Lincoln Street, 8th Floor, Hampton, VA 23669 Project description and explanation of the request: The current 911 phone system in the City of Hampton's Emergency Communications Center is technologically out-of-date and due to age and its 24 hour a day duty cycle, it is suffering progressively more frequent failures and support issues. An upgrade will improve capability and delivery of emergency services with the minimum system failure rate. 100% of the funds will be used to procure equipment. During times of crisis, at the local, state and federal levels, the Emergency Communications Phone System will also serve as a key component of local physical infrastructure to maximize the City's ability to receive, process and deliver a coordinated response to a potential disaster scenario. An upgraded Emergency Communications Phone System will help the City of Hampton respond to and coordinate emergency services in the event of a disaster or crisis scenario. The Hampton Roads area is home to many critical national defense assets and military installations. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Project Name/Amount: Virginia Fisheries Trawl Survey, $300,000 Requested by: Robert J. Wittman (VA-01) Intended Recipient/Grantee: Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Route 1208 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 Project description and explanation of the request: Information collected by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Trawl Survey is used by various agencies, including NOAA, the National Marine Fisheries Commission and the Commonwealth of VA to effectively manage key fisheries. Proper management of these finfish resources ensures ecological stability of the Bay and supports the economic livelihood of fishery participants. The Virginia Trawl Survey collects and reports critical data on the recruitment, current and future abundance, and general ecological health of the finfish populations in the Chesapeake Bay. Funds will be used for: personnel ($59,415), vessel ($46,800), equipment ($143,500), supplies ($17,300), and facilities costs ($32,985). I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding the earmark I received as part of H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010. Project Name/Amount: City of Hampton Virginia Operational Integration Cyber Center of Excellence (VOICCE), $500,000 Requested by: Robert J. Wittman (VA-01) Intended Recipient of Funds/Grantee: City of Hampton, 22 Lincoln Street, 8th Floor, Hampton, VA 23669 Project description and explanation of the request: Funds would be used by the City of Hampton to develop Virginia's Operational Integration Cyber Center of Excellence (VOICCE). This laboratory would allow local governments and first responders to plug into state and federal entities and participate in simulated cyber attacks would help identify the processes, procedures, capabilities and gaps in protection. This program will incorporate cyber attack prevention into the mainstream of emergency operations at the local level and creating a virtual municipality of randomly generated internet protocol addresses. The concept would allow cyber security capabilities, processes and procedures to be developed. The City of Hampton is located in the crossroads of Hampton Roads, home to major military installations such as Oceana Naval Air Station, Langley AFB, NASA Langley Research Center, Joint Forces Command, Naval Station Norfolk, etc. The localities play a large role in ensuring the safety and security of these assets as well as the many military and civilian personnel in the area. Through modeling and simulation at the City's emergency operations center, localities can gain experience in deterring and preventing cyber attack and other potential attacks on the area's installations, transportation infrastructure and information networks. Funding will be used for: Initial cyberspace data collection/study phase: $225,230; Initial definitions of cyberspace experimental processes, procedures and responses: $97,256; Development of cyberspace municipal event scenarios: $54,967; Architectural design, development and integration with IT department: $34,246; Initial execution and assessment of VOICCE construct / scenarios: $36,804, and; Initial staff review and input meetings: $2,608; Final VOICCE Report Development & Associated materials for printing, CD-ROMS: $48,889.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, the current debate over the Iraq and Afghanistan supplemental is a perfect example of what frustrates Americans about Washington. The folks in my district and across the country want Congress to pass a clean funding bill for the troops, plain and simple. They certainly don't want us playing politics with a bill to fund men and women currently in harm's way. Yet that is exactly what some in Congress are trying to do, using the oldest trick in the book by attaching billions of dollars in barely relevant spending to an emergency war funding bill. But it's not just the American people that we're frustrating with these political games. How must Congress look in the eyes of those that we have sent to fight on our behalf? This body should not attempt to tie troop funding to controversial programs. Furthermore, we must refrain from the temptation to squander limited funds on objectives unrelated to the combat efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. How do we claim to be responsible stewards of the taxpayers' money when Congress can't pass an emergency supplemental for our combat forces without loading it up like a Christmas tree?

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. I rise in support of H.R. 1385, the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009. I would like to start by thanking Ranking Member Hastings for yielding time to me. I would like to thank Representative Moran for his hard work in introducing this bill and for his work on behalf of the tribes. I would like to thank Chairman Rahall for his leadership in moving this legislation forward. We thank you for your efforts. It is an effort long overdue. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1385, I am supportive of Federal recognition of Virginia's Indian tribes. This bill would extend Federal recognition to six Virginia tribes; and my district, the First Congressional District of Virginia, better known as America's First District, includes the historic tribal areas of the Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock and Nansemond tribes. These tribes are important culturally and historically to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Tribal ancestors from these tribes populated coastal Virginia when Captain John Smith settled at Jamestown in 1607. These ``first contact'' tribes have been intertwined with the birth of our Nation for over 400 years and continue to preserve a culture and heritage important to both Virginia and the Nation. I believe that it's especially important to recognize these tribes because so many tribal members served our country bravely and heroically as members of our armed services. These tribal members who served our country during our Nation's conflicts have not been officially recognized by our government. This legislation, after nearly 400 years, will recognize these tribes. Mr. Chairman, I'm a cosponsor of this bill, and I definitely and strongly support its passage. However, I do want to bring up one point. I have heard from some in the convenience store and gasoline marketing industry who have faced issues in other States when tribal businesses sell gasoline and tobacco tax-free to nontribal members, negatively impacting off-reservation business and State tax revenue. I don't want to see these types of problems in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I don't believe that we will. I have assurance from the tribes that that is not their intent, and we've had a great working relationship with the Virginia General Assembly who have said that they will be working to make sure that through State compacts that this is taken care of. I bring this up with the hope that, moving forward, we can address this issue while respecting tribal sovereignty and protecting nontribal businesses. I do believe that that will happen. I believe that folks with the tribes are going to make that happen. I think they have reached out and have done an extraordinary job in doing everything to make sure that they are helpful in getting this issue taken care of. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to strongly support this bill, and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 262 I was unavailably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia

Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I am privileged to rise today to honor the birth and life of our nation's fifth president, James Monroe. Today, 251 years ago in 1758, James Monroe was born in a little farmhouse in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Monroe, one of five children of Spence Monroe and Elizabeth Jones, was raised and educated in what is now the First District of the Commonwealth of Virginia. James Monroe entered the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia at the age of 16. He left the college in 1775 to go to war, fighting with George Washington at Valley Forge. Monroe married Elizabeth Kortright on February 16, 1786. The couple had three children: Eliza Kortright Monroe (1786-1835), James Spence Monroe (1799-1800), and Maria Hester Monroe (1803-1850). As an aide to Governor Thomas Jefferson, Monroe studied and practiced law in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Monroe was an astute politician, serving as a member of the Virginia State Legislature, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Member of Congress and U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State and Secretary of War to President James Madison. Monroe served as Minister to France, under the first Jefferson administration, and assisted with the negotiation of the Louisiana Purchase. James Monroe was elected the fifth President of the United States in 1817. During his early years in the White House, his administration was known as the ``Era of Good Feelings''. President Monroe went on two long national tours in order to gain the trust and faith of the American people. Monroe's strong opinions against foreign colonization or intervention in the Americas and his principles on foreign policy came to be known as the Monroe Doctrine, which he may be best remembered for. Monroe died there on July 4, 1831, the fifty-fifth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia's First Congressional District express their appreciation to James Monroe in honor of his birthday 251 years ago. As the last American President of the ``Virginia Dynasty'', James Monroe was a loyal public servant, a President of the people, as well as an exceptional statesman. His ideals and leadership qualities left a lasting legacy in the Commonwealth of Virginia and across the nation.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Quality Road, the winner of the Florida Derby on March 28, 2009. Breaking a track record for nine furlongs with his 1:47.72 performance and winning by 1\3/4\ lengths, Quality Road emerged the number one seed from the Southeast Regional for the Kentucky Derby. Quality Road was foaled on March 23, 2006 at Spring Hill Farm. The three year-old Virginia Thoroughbred colt gets his speed from his sire, Elusive Quality, who was not only a world-class miler, but also sired Smarty Jones, the 2004 Kentucky Derby winner and Raven's Pass, last year's Breeders' Cup Classic winner. His damsire, Strawberry Road, was a worldwide multiple Group I winner, and his dam's full sister, Ajina, won the 1997 Breeders' Cup Distaff and Coaching Club American Oaks. Located in Casanova, Virginia, Spring Hill Farm is owned by Mr. Edward P. Evans and is recognized nationally and internationally for its accomplishments in Thoroughbred breeding and racing. Mr. Evans has bred leading sires and broodmares in the Thoroughbred industry for more than thirty-five years including Horse of the Year Saint Liam. The impressive win at the Florida Derby displayed Quality Road's ability to win at the 1\1/8\-mile distance and establishes him as a formidable contender for the Kentucky Derby. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Edward P. Evans and Spring Hill Farm on the accomplishments of an impeccably-bred horse, Quality Road. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Quality Road continued success in the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby and the first leg of the 2009 Triple Crown Series.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. WITTMAN. I would like to thank, again, the chairman for his remarks. He is indeed correct. The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and an international treasure. It has tremendous economic value, but it also has tremendous cultural value. It is a symbol of not only the eastern part of the United States, but the United States in general. I don't think any of us have misgivings about wanting it to be back where it was when Captain John Smith landed here. We certainly would like for it to be there, but I'm a realist and know that it may not get to that point. I think it's realistic to expect that we can get it back to where it was in the middle part of this century, in the 1950s, when it was, by far, the most productive body of water in the world. It is critical not only economically, but culturally to this country. I do thank the chairman, again, and the members of the Rules Committee for consideration of this.

Mr. WITTMAN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am honored to represent Virginia's First Congressional District. Improving the health of our Chesapeake Bay is a priority to me and to my constituents. The First District has more miles of shoreline than any congressional district in the United States, and the Chesapeake Bay is extraordinarily important to those of us in that district, as well as to other people up and down the basin. This bill's underlying commitment to improving water quality in our Nation's waterways is commendable. My district and the Chesapeake Bay has significantly benefited from investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure in the past and will so into the future. I believe there's a deep sense of frustration in the Chesapeake Bay watershed about the progress we've made to restore the Bay. Yes, there have been successes. I don't want to belittle what has been done. However, with all the Federal, State, local and private partner investment, we would like to see more accomplishments. Our Chesapeake Bay is extraordinarily important. We have heard conversations here about jobs, and certainly jobs related to building sewage treatment plants and water quality improvements are extraordinarily important. But improving the water quality in the Bay also has job ramifications. By increasing water quality, improving water quality, we create a greater realm of natural resources in the Bay. And we hear about issues of sustainability in the Bay; we hear about oyster populations being at 1 percent of historical levels; we hear about reduction in crab harvests by 70 percent; we hear about problems with our fin fish populations. Folks, the men and women that make their living off of the water continues to decline. And it is those natural resources that create sustainable jobs. I would suggest that by improving water quality, we also grow jobs, both in the seafood industry and by those that make their living off of the water, whether it's through commercial interests or through leisure and sport interests. These are all extraordinarily important, and those resources are directly tied to water quality. My amendment to this bill is similar to H.R. 1053, the Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act. I have authored this legislation to help clean up the Bay because I believe that it is very much a matter of national importance that this national treasure be restored. My amendment would implement and strengthen management techniques like crosscut budgeting and adaptive management to ensure that we get more bang for our buck and continue to make progress in Bay restoration efforts. Both of these techniques, I believe, will ensure that we are coordinating how restoration dollars are spent, and that we make sure everyone understands how individual projects fit into the bigger picture. That bigger picture is making sure that we restore the Chesapeake Bay. That way we know that we are not duplicating efforts, spending money that we don't need to, or worse, working at cross purposes between agencies, both at the Federal, State and local levels. My amendment would require OMB, in coordination with State and Federal agencies involved in the Bay, to report to Congress on the status of Chesapeake Bay restoration activities. My amendment would also require EPA to develop and implement an adaptive management plan for the Chesapeake Bay and all of the related restoration activities. Adaptive management relies on rigorous scientific monitoring, testing, and evaluation, and also provides for the flexibility to modify management policies and strategies based on changing conditions. Folks, the Chesapeake Bay continues to change, and we should also change along with it how we manage the restoration activities therein. Crosscut budgeting and adaptive management should be key components for the complex restoration activities that are occurring presently within the Chesapeake Bay Basin. Madam Chairwoman, I want to thank the Rules Committee for making this amendment in order, and thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica for their consideration. I also ask my colleagues to support my amendment to help restore the Bay. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. I'd like to yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. Project Name: Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Account/Amount: Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE): Construction, $2,000,000 Requested By: ACOE Norfolk District Capability/Virginia Institute of Marine Science Project Description: Project will contribute to multi-agency and private efforts to restore oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay. The project elements include; development of decision documents, construction and rehabilitation of oyster reefs to create sanctuaries and spat on shell production areas, development of capability to produce disease tolerant broodstock and spat oysters for seeding, planting of the disease tolerant spat and brood-stock oysters in locations which best foster oyster reproduction and health, and oversight of project monitoring by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Construction of the first phase of reefs in the Lynnhaven river was completed in 2007. Reefs have added approximately 200 million oysters to the Great Wicomico system. Financial Plan: FY09 funds would be used to initiate and complete construction and monitoring of approximately 30 cares of oyster reefs in the Lynnhaven and Great Wicomico rivers, and partnering with the Baltimore District, ACOE, for development of the bay-wide Oyster Restoration Master Plan Decision Document. The ACOE estimated on 2/5/09 that the estimated federal cost is $50,000,000 and the estimated non- federal cost is $66,700,000. The project received $19,213,000 through FY07 and $1,968,000 in FY08.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, the House's consideration of H.R. 1127, legislation to extend certain visas for religious workers and doctors serving in underserved areas highlights our broken immigration and visa system. While R-1 visas and the Conrad 30 J waivers are noble programs there are many small businesses in my congressional district that face critical shortages of workers because Congress has failed to address the H-2B temporary worker visa program. Without prompt action by Congress to extend H-2B visa cap relief, employers who rely on temporary and seasonal employees face severe worker shortages and the looming possibility of business closures in 2009. Workers with H-2B visas provide necessary labor for the seafood, tourism, hospitality, and landscape industries, as well as many other temporary and non-agricultural jobs in this country. Due to the seasonal nature of the work and the structure of the cap, employers often face uncertainty and employment shortages during their busiest season. I urge you to take action to quickly pass the Save Our Small and Seasonal Business Act of 2009. H.R. 1136 would address this important issue impacting many businesses in my district and across the country. Your leadership in this matter is critical in assuring that small and seasonal business will be able to successfully navigate the challenging times facing our economy.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. I would like to thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 77, honoring the University of Mary Washington on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. On March 14, 1908, Virginia Governor Claude A. Swanson signed legislation that established what eventually became the University of Mary Washington. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the University of Mary Washington on its achievements over the past century. Initially a small teaching college for women, the institution was renamed the University of Mary Washington in honor of Mary Ball Washington, the mother of President George Washington and a resident of the First District of Virginia. Currently, the University of Mary Washington has an enrollment of over 5,000 students, offers 43 degree programs, and consists of two campuses. The main campus is located in historic Fredericksburg, and the College of Graduate and Professional Studies is located in Stafford, Virginia. The University of Mary Washington has been recognized nationally as a leading liberal arts college, and the U.S. News and World Report ranked its masters programs fourth among southern public schools. The University of Mary Washington combines rich traditions with state-of-the-art technology to provide one of the best undergraduate liberal arts educations in the country. It also offers a variety of internships and study abroad programs that connect students locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. I am pleased to recognize the important contributions made by the University of Mary Washington to the Fredericksburg region, the Commonwealth, and the Nation. I congratulate the University of Mary Washington as it celebrates its 100th anniversary, and I wish the university continued success in providing an outstanding education to the students of the Commonwealth and the Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the University of Mary Washington by supporting House Resolution 77.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. Project Name: Commercial Fish and Shellfish Technologies Account/Amount: Department of Agriculture: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Services, $331,000 Requested By: Virginia Tech, 210 Burruss Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Project Description: Declining crab populations are linked to worsening environmental conditions, like loss of habitat and a degradation of the water quality. The Commonwealth of Virginia petitioned the Department of Commerce for a federal fishery disaster declaration and requested federal assistance for Virginia watermen impacted by new restrictions on blue crab harvests in the Chesapeake Bay. The Secretary of Commerce approved the disaster designation and NOAA released $20 million in disaster assistance funds to Virginia and Maryland in November 2008. This project would develop re-circulating aquaculture technology to increase the supply of domestically produced high-value seafood products and provide sustainable economic development opportunities for distressed communities. The project has received numerous federal grants, and approximately $680,000 in local and state government funding. Financial Plan: Personnel $676,000; Equipment and Supplies $39,000; Laboratory Services and Publications $16,000 Project Name: US Route 1/State Route 619 Traffic Circle/Interchange Project Account/Amount: FHWA, Federal Lands Highways, Public Lands Highways: 1,187,500 Requested By: Prince William County, Virginia One County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192 Project Description: Funds would be used to construct an interchange/ traffic circle at the intersection of USR 1 and SR 619. The purpose of project is to safely and securely access the USMC Quantico Marine Corps Base and the National Marine Corps Museum (Heritage Center), which is adjacent to Quantico Marine Corps Base. This project will help alleviate traffic on USR 1 as a result of BRAC-mandated growth of the base. This project is included in the Virginia Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. Financial Plan: $5.5 million has previously been appropriated and there is a $1.2 million local match through state primary road formula funds. Prince William County is using $47,000,000 of local general obligation bonds to construct the section of Route 1 between SR 619 Joplin Road and Brady's Hill Road that will match up to the interchange/traffic circle. Project Name: Onville Road Intersection and Road-Widening Project Requested By: Quantico Growth Management Committee/Stafford County, Virginia 1300 Courthouse Road Stafford County Administrative Complex Stafford, Virginia, 22555 Account/Amount: FHWA, Federal Lands, Public Lands Highways, $950,000 Project Description: Funds would be used for the Onville Road intersection and widening project. The purpose of this project is to relieve local road congestion between Garrisonville Road and the Marine Corps Base Quantico by improving access to MCBQ at the Onville Road Gate. The intersection and a portion of Onville Road is included in the state 6-Year Plan. Financial Plan: Amount of local matching funds: $675,000 Amount of state matching funds: $350,000 Total Project Cost: $13,000,000 Project Name: Preliminary Engineering for the Interstate 95/ US Route 17 Interchange Project Requested By: Spotsylvania County, 9104 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 Account/Amount: FHWA, TCSP: $95,000 Project Description: Funds would be used for preliminary engineering for a new interchange off of I-95 at U.S. Route 17 to facilitate traffic flow. This interchange is on Spotsylvania County's Comprehensive Plan as a needed improvement. Massaponax Traffic Corridor Study completed, with interchange recommendations. Interchange Justification Report (IJR) funded; Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amended to Include in the Constrained Long Range Plan. Finance Plan: Interchange Justification Report: $300,000 Preliminary Engineering Estimate: $2,000,000 Final Engineering (10% Project cost): $17,800,000 R/W & Utilities (20% Project cost): $35,600,000 Construction (Net): $122,250,000 Total Project Cost: $178,000,000 Project Name: Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network Requested By: Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Historic Resources 2801 Kensington Avenue Richmond, VA 23221 Account/Amount: National Park Service: Statutory or Contractual Aid: $1,000,000 Project Description: The Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network (CBGN) is a program of the National Park Service's Chesapeake Bay Program Office and closely aligned with the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Water Trail. The CBGN is a partnership system of local, state, federal, and non-governmental parks, refuges, maritime museums, historic sites, and water trails around the Bay watershed. The CBGN is coordinated by the National Park Service (NPS) in cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay Program. In six years, the Gateways Network has grown to include thousands of miles of trails and tens of thousands of acres at sites in five states and Washington DC. Finance Plan: Virginia state offices manage funding for tourism, natural and cultural resources connected to the Network through departments' larger programs, provide a portion of grant matching funds for critical projects, participate in the advisory group to the Network, and participate in the tourism-related marketing by the Network. Project Name: Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, VA Requested by: The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 Account/Amount: Fish and Wildlife Service, Land Acquisition: $1,500,000 Project Description: Funds appropriated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be used to acquire 470 acres in fee and conserve another 390 acres with a conservation easement within the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Finance Plan: US F&W is the recipient of these funds. Funds will be used by the Fish and Wildlife Services for a fee simple acquisition of the 470-acre Bower Hill property and acquisition of a conservation easement on the 390-acre Winters tract. The Fish and Wildlife Service own and manage the Bower Hill property and would hold and monitor the easement on the Winters tract. Project Name: Hampton University Cancer Treatment Initiative Requested By: Hampton University 3 Shore Road, Hampton, Virginia 23668 Account/Amount: HHS, HRSA, Health Facilities and Services: $571,000 Project Description: The Hampton University Cancer Treatment Initiative (HUCTI) will offer active and retired military personnel and their dependents world-class cancer detection and treatment facilities unique to the Hampton Roads area. HUCTI's programmatic and infrastructure components will include improved cancer prevention, detection and diagnostic services, and treatments and cures, for cancers that disproportionately affect minority communities, particularly breast cancer and prostate cancer. HUCTI's centerpiece will be a regional proton beam therapy facility with as many as four treatment bays. Proton therapy is a precise and advanced form of tumor treatment, especially useful for those previously unreachable or not treatable without inducing significant damage to healthy surrounding tissues. Finance Plan: The State commitment is $1 million. The City has donated the land and committed $1 million. Financing through tax-exempt bonds and other equity investors has also been arranged by the University. $5 million in previous federal appropriations. Additional revenue will be generated through patients using the medical services. Total cost of project: $227 million. Project Name: Riverside Health System, Patient Navigator Program Requested By: Riverside Health System, Riverside Regional Medical System 12100 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601 Account/Amount: Health Resources and Services Administration--Health Facilities and Services: $95,000 Project Description: Funds would be used to expand the ``Patient Navigator Program'' that will help guide hundreds of cancer patients through the complex, and often overwhelming, maze of health care treatment this year. Insurance companies will not reimburse Riverside for its navigator program, which assists patients with understanding how to coordinate their treatment and recovery programs. Many of the patients who benefit from the Navigator program are people where the federal government is the primary payer for their treatment. These patients are often unable to cope with the sheer scope of services that need to be coordinated for successful treatment and the Navigator program provides them with key assistance. Finance Plan: Riverside will provide at least 42% of the project's total cost in year one and ongoing costs in future years. Riverside has previously received $346,000 in federal appropriations and grants. Total cost of project: $1,000,000 Project Name: Germanna Nurse Training Program Requested By: Germanna Community College 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 Account/Amount: Higher Education (includes FIPSE): $285,000 Project Description: The Germanna Nurse Training Program will educate, train and certify individuals in order to increase the pool of qualified registered nurses, practical nurses, and nursing assistants for area workforces. Germanna will also work with other colleges to encourage students to move from a certified nurse aide to a licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse. The program provides clinics on campuses as well as in hospitals, and distance learning courses that can be accessed by students almost anywhere. Upon completion, the program will provide the region with over 1,000 RNs over the next four years. This program will also work with area employers to fill jobs with graduates of the nursing training program. Finance Plan: Equipment $250,000; Personnel $368,000; Supplies $52,000 Project Name: Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center Requested by: Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center PO Box 922 Fredericksburg, VA 22404/1001 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Account/Amount: Institute of Museums and Library Services: Museums and Libraries: $190,000 Project Description: The Museum seeks funds for interactive exhibits and programs which are curriculum-coordinated, grade-level targeted and correlated to education objectives outlined in the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL). This account assists public libraries and museums in improving public services, promoting broader access for users, using technology to enhance services, and supporting collaborative efforts between libraries and museums. Finance Plan: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fabrication Audio- Exhibit total costs Graphic Interactive/ visual ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fredericksburg at War................................... $440,872 65,000 198,050 703,922 Indians/River Exhibits.................................. $250,982 52,000 50,000 352,982 Railways and Roadways................................... $56,358 36,000 38,000 130,358 Banking Exhibit......................................... $7,859 5,000 0 12,859 Our Community........................................... $13,626 12,000 23,000 48,626 Document Gallery........................................ $58,303 2,500 0 60,803 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Museum has thus far raised approximately $10.3-million of its overall $12-million budget for the project. State funding: $910,000. Local funding: $700,000 from the City of Fredericksburg. Project Name: Restore Oyster Habitats in the Chesapeake Bay Requested By/ Recipient: Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland Account/Amount: Department of Commerce, NOAA Operations, Research and Facilities: $4.6 million Project Description: Funds would be used to build the hatchery and remote setting infrastructure and to modify existing technology to the local conditions. This will insure the development of infrastructure and technology necessary to produce oysters on a commercial scale by hatchery and the remote settings throughout the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay. NOAA is one of the primary federal agencies involved in oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) is working with federal, state, and local partners in Virginia to implement large-scale restoration and to support research to better manage the diseases that plague the oyster today. NCBO funds have supported extensive evaluation, survey, and initial monitoring efforts of an expanded partnership project, which now includes the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Current efforts are focusing on the Great Wicomico River, with plans to move into the Lynnhaven River. Finance Plan for the Commonwealth of Virginia: Hatchery Infrastructure and Facility Incentives: $500,000 Remote Setting Facility Incentives: $200,000 Remote Setting and Hatchery Technology Development: $300,000 60,000 Bushels of Oyster Spat on Shell production: $1,500,000 (360,000,000 oysters per year) Project Name: Virginia Trawl Survey, Gloucester Point, VA Requested by: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Route 1208 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 Account/Amount: Department of Commerce, NOAA Operations, Research and Facilities: $150,000 Project Description: The Chesapeake Bay supports a variety of recreationally and commercially important finfish species. These fisheries contribute up to $500 million to the Commonwealth's economy. The Virginia Trawl Survey is a long-term program that ensures the collection and reporting of critical data on the recruitment, current and future abundance, and general ecological health of the finfish populations in the Chesapeake Bay on an annual basis. Such information is used by the various agencies, including the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Commonwealth of Virginia to support management of key fisheries. Proper long-term management of these finfish resources ensures stability of both the ecology of the Bay and the economic livelihood of fishery participants. Discontinuation of the Virginia Trawl Survey would violate federal law and could prompt management agencies to declare Virginia out of compliance with state mandates. The impacts of noncompliance would be devastating as several of the Commonwealth's recreational and commercial fisheries, such as those for striped bass and summer flounder, would be closed. Finance Plan: State funding: $64,658 VIMS funding: $367,789 Previously received over $1.2 million in federal appropriations. According to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the survey costs $800,000 annually to execute. Project Name: Prince William County Law Enforcement Technology Requested By: Prince William County One County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192 Account/Amount: DOJ, COPS Law Enforcement Technology: $300,000 Project Description: The scope of this project is to equip all 270 police operations vehicles with an in-car camera system, supported by appropriate staff and training resources. This will ensure that the County of Prince William, specifically the Police Department, will be able to provide a true and accurate depiction of events that occur during police contact with community members. There are significant benefits in terms of evidentiary value, liability protection, officer safety, and taxpayer savings. Finance Plan: Local Matching Funds: $1,626,209 Capital Equipment Purchase: $1,794,550 Operating Costs: $1,267,299 Total Project Cost: $3,061,849 Project Name: An Achievable Dream Academy Requested By: An Achievable Dream, Inc., 10858 Warwick Blvd., Suite A, Newport News, VA 23601 Account/Amount: DOJ, Office of Justice Programs, Juvenile Justice: $700,000 Project Description: The 1,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12th benefit from Achievable Dreams' support of social, academic and moral curricula proven effective over 15 years of operating the public/private partnership with Newport News Public Schools. It has been a major focus of the federal government to provide support to public education to raise standards and performance. This objective is embodied through major initiatives and legislation, namely the No Child Left Behind Act. The vast majority of students enrolled in the An Achievable Dream program have an immediate family member who is in prison or a victim of violence. Newport News Sheriff's deputies and Newport News Police Officers are a daily presence at the school, providing the students with a sense of discipline and bridging the gap between law enforcement and a community that generally distrusts law enforcement. Finance Plan: Personnel $390,000; Supplies and Equipment $260,000; Consultants, Contracts and Training $50,000 Local Matching Funds: $100,000 State Matching Funds: $427,500 Private Matching Funds: $1,500,000 Project Name: Stafford County PAS Recipient of Funds/Requested by: Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District 31 Hopkins Plaza Baltimore, MD 21201 Account/Amount: ACOE, Investigations, PAS: $150,000 Project Description: Funding would be used to complete remaining work on Stormwater Infrastructure and Watershed management Study. Finance Plan: ACOE Baltimore District is the recipient of the funds. Project Name: Little Wicomico River Recipient of Funds/Requested by: Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, 31 Hopkins Plaza Baltimore, MD 21201. Account/Amount: ACOE, O&M: $870,000 Project Description: The project provides for a channel 8 feet deep and 150 feet wide from the Potomac River to deep water in the Little Wicomico River; two stone jetties, 1,000 feet and 1,300 feet long at the entrance; and 1,007 linear feet of timber bulkhead to stabilize the dredged inner channel. The project is located at the junction of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. FY2009 funds are required to maintenance dredge the project channel. Finance Plan: ACOE Baltimore District is the recipient of the funds. Project Name: New Point Comfort RSM Demonstration Program Requested by: Mathews County, Virginia Recipient of Funds: Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, 803 Front Street Norfolk, VA 23510 Account/Amount: ACOE, O&M: $238,000 Project Description: Complete feasibility study for National Regional Sediment Management Demonstration Project, Chesapeake Bay. Finance Plan: ACOE Norfolk District is the recipient of the funds. Project Name: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office Recipient of Funds: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office Requested by: The Conservation Fund, 1655 N. Fort Myer Dr., Suite 1300 Arlington, VA 22209-3199 Account/Amount: NOAA--Operations, Research and Facilities: $500,000 Project Description: The Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System is an existing NOAA program specific to Chesapeake Bay. The program is part of the Chesapeake Bay Observing System and the larger US Ocean and Coastal Observing System. The system provides real-time data and interpretation to further protect, restore, and manage the Chesapeake Bay. Agencies and organizations monitoring Chesapeake Bay health recognize that continuous measurements of water quality are necessary to evaluate restoration progress. Finance Plan: NOAA is the recipient of these funds. System Expansion (5 buoys and sensors): $600,000 System Operations and Maintenance: $200,000 Education Materials: $200,000 Total: $1,000,000 Program Name: Reading is Fundamental Recipient of Funds: Reading is Fundamental 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 400 Washington, DC 20009 Account/Amount: Department of Education, National Projects: Innovation and Improvement: $24,803,000 Program Description: Reading is Fundamental is a federally-authorized national program with a priority on reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Reading is Fundamental provides 4.6 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year across the country. There were 454 sites in Virginia. Finance Plan: $5.7 million in private funds secured in 2007 $8.6 million raised in communities served in 2007 Supporting over 20,000 program sites and 340,000 community volunteers in 2007

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Layton Roy Fairchild, Sr., of Spotsylvania, Virginia on his achievements and contributions to his community. Mr. Fairchild was born March 22, 1927 to the late master carpenter Alfred Linwood Fairchild and homemaker Rose Anna Lewis Fairchild. He is part of the second generation of Fairchilds born in Spotsylvania. His father, Alfred Linwood Fairchild, was the second individual and first generation Fairchild born in Spotsylvania, and the first to remain in the county, start a family and a very successful carpentry business. Mr. Fairchild is a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. While on duty in Japan, he was the captain of the baseball team that traveled the country playing against native teams in an effort to develop goodwill after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Mr. Fairchild worked for 33 years at FMC, the largest industry employer in Fredericksburg, Virginia. For the first 15 years, he was a machine operator. He was promoted in 1957 to control lacquer operator- inspector. During his more than 30 years at the FMC plant, he worked all three shifts. After his shift, regardless of which shift it was, he would come home and farm. Many days his wife brought his meals out to the field for him to eat while he was on his tractor. He started his own business, Fairchild Trucking Inc. in 1975. For more than 30 years, he provided employment and benefits for county citizens. Showing appreciation for his two longest working employees, he recently purchased two 24-ton trucks for each to use to earn a living on their own. Mr. Fairchild was the first mortgage lender to numerous individuals and families who were unable to receive traditional financing, allowing them to purchase and maintain a home of their own. His belief was that honest people with limited opportunities could indeed thrive if they had help. He is very active in his local church, Sylvannah Baptist Church, in Spotsylvania. One example of his philanthropy is the brick enclosure of the church's cemetery. It was designed, constructed and donated in honor of his parents. Mr. Fairchild married the former Bertha Pratt in 1945 and together they had four daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild are also the foster parents of three boys they raised and provided for as their own. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we recognize the many contributions of Layton Roy Fairchild, Sr.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the ranking member for the opportunity to speak. And I do stand in favor of the motion to instruct requiring 48 hours for the information on this bill to be made available electronically in a readable, researchable and downloadable database. I think that is important to the American people. And I want to stress that we have heard a lot of talk about what people stand for. I haven't heard anyone that says that we shouldn't be doing something. We absolutely need to be taking issue with where the American economy is today, to be making sure that we are working as hard as we can to provide solutions. There are American families out there that are hurting each and every day. I don't think any of us up here don't have that first and foremost on our mind. Madam Speaker, it's not only important that we do something, but it's important that we do the right thing. This is such a monumental step for this government to take. It has been said that this is an historic precedent on the level of spending that we are taking to drive the economy. It really begs us to take the time to get it right. We need to take the time to focus on the right mix of tax cuts and spending that will truly stimulate the economy, dollars that make their way into the economy immediately. Over 60 percent of this bill doesn't make its way into the economy for more than 19 months. I don't know that anybody here would say that that is truly stimulative to the economy and things that are going to equate to jobs in a timely manner for folks that are suffering right now. I think it's important to make sure that all the American people are heard on this. This is so important. There are members on this side that represent folks out there that want to make sure that ideas we hear from them are projected in this bill and they make their way into the final version that is to be considered here coming out of the conference report. I think that is incumbent upon this body to make sure that that happens. This bill is too important to make sure that we have the participation of everybody. We need to make sure that this information is available for the American public to understand, for their comments to come back to us, for us to have the opportunity to make sure that those comments make their way into this legislation. This is groundbreaking legislation, and it needs to happen now.

Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia

Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today with the sad news that Mr. Alvin Anderson, a longtime resident of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away on November 29th. He was a strong influence in land use issues throughout the Williamsburg area, and a man who was deeply dedicated to his family. Mr. Anderson graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1970 and served as a second lieutenant in the Army for several years. He returned to William & Mary, earning his law degree at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1972. Mr. Andersen would go on to serve as president of the W&M Society of the Alumni, was a member of the Marshall-Wythe Law School Foundation Board, and until last year served on the Board of Visitors. In 1998 he received the Alumni Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by the W&M Alumni Association. After graduation Mr. Anderson practiced law with his uncle, Harper Anderson, in Williamsburg which would later become Anderson, Franck and Davis, P.C. His firm would merge with Kaufman & Canoles in 1999, where Mr. Anderson was integral in establishing their Williamsburg office. Over the course of his 36 year legal career, Mr. Anderson specialized in estate matters and land use, and was fundamental in the development of Williamsburg Landing and Quarterpath at Williamsburg. He distinguished himself as the Commissioner in Chancery for the Circuit Courts of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, Counties of New Kent, Charles City, King William, and King and Queen, and Special Master in York County since 1975. Also, he served as Commissioner of Accounts for the Circuit Court of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City since 1988. Despite his professional accomplishments, he would frequently remark, ``I'm just a country lawyer''. Mr. Anderson was a member of the Virginia Bar Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, and the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. He chaired the Judicial Nominations Committee of the Virginia State Bar and the District Ethics Committee of the Virginia State Bar. Among other honors, he had been recognized as a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation, a distinction bestowed on less than 1% of the lawyers in the Commonwealth. He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Betsy Calvo Anderson; two daughters, Mary Beth Sherwin and Sara Paris Huddleston; his father, Dr. William Morris Anderson; a brother, William Morris Anderson Jr.; a sister, Anna Katharine Anderson; mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Philip S. Calvo Jr.; brother-in-law, Philip S. Calvo III; sons-in-law, Tyler Sherwin and Byrne Huddleston; and other family and friends. Alvin once said, ``I'm proud of two things in my life, one is my family and the other is my college. I told someone the other day; this makes me feel like the person my dog thinks I am.'' Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we recognize the many contributions of Alvin Anderson.

Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia

Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. William D. Henderson, Jr. who has contributed over 24,000 volunteer service hours over the course of 45 years to his local communities. Mr. Henderson was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1927 and began volunteering with the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad in 1963 and later with the Northumberland County Rescue Squad in 1995. Through this time he has served as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), as an Advanced Life Support Provider and as a Training Officer. Mr. Henderson's selfless dedication has been recognized throughout his tenure as a volunteer EMT. First, in 1973 he was awarded the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Citation of Merit, and in 1986 was selected for the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad's Captain's Choice Award. As recognition of his commitment to the entire community, the Honorable Thomas J. Vandever, then Mayor of Charlottesville, VA, proclaimed ``William D. Henderson Day'' in 1993. Two years later Mr. Henderson would again be recognized by the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad with the Joel Cochran Award for Outstanding Service. Next, the Rappahannock General Hospital would recognize Mr. Henderson in 2000 as the EMT of the year. The subsequent year he would be honored by the Peninsula EMT council as the Outstanding Pre-Hospital Provider. In 2002 the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad named its training room after Mr. Henderson. He would then be recognized by the Governor of Virginia in 2003 with the Governor's Award for outstanding Pre- Hospital Provider. 2008 has been just as busy for Mr. Henderson as he was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award by the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad. In December, the Northumberland County Rescue Squad will award him a second lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Award and the Point of Light Award. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating and thanking William D. Henderson on his steadfast service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and its citizens.

Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia

Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009. FEL Capabilities for Aerospace Microfabrication. Account: U.S. Department of the Air Force, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Jefferson Science Associates on behalf of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Address of Requesting Entity: 12000 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA 23606. Description of Request: Provide $1.4 million for the expansion of the Free-Electron Laser program at Jefferson Laboratory through the USAF RDT&E Account. The FEL has delivered world-record levels of infrared light for development of defense, science and industrial applications. This joint project of the Aerospace Corporation and the Jefferson Lab in support of the Air Force Research Lab has demonstrated the use of kilowatt levels of ultraviolet light useful as a microfabrication processing tool to produce miniature satellite components. The completion of the ultraviolet processing capability will enable microfabrication techniques for production of miniature satellites at substantially lower cost and processing time than what is achievable with current technology. $11 million was appropriated for the UV FEL project in the FY 2001-FY 2004 period, as well as an additional $1.6 million appropriation in FY 2008, which has allowed the hardware to be 90 percent completed. The FY 2009 request of $1.4 million is needed to complete and commission this project. There is no matching requirement. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Department of the Air Force, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation account.