Don Young

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker: Whereas Lance Mackey was born and raised in Alaska and currently resides in Fairbanks, Alaska; and Whereas, Lance Mackey comes from a long line of successful mushers, including his father Dick and his brother Rick, each of who has won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race; and Whereas, Lance Mackey is married to his high school sweetheart Tonya, who is also a musher, and has three children: Amanda, Brittney and Cain and one new grandchild, born on the seventh day of the nine-plus Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race; and Whereas, Lance Mackey and his family run the Comeback Kennel in Fairbanks, Alaska; and Whereas, Lance Mackey was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2001, took a year off from sled-dog racing to recover from the disease and is now cancer-free; and Whereas, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which has been called the ``Last Great Race on Earth,'' is a grueling 1,150 mile sled dog race across Alaska's jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, and windswept tundra; and Whereas, running the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is a year-long commitment to training and caring for one's sled dogs; and Whereas, the Yukon Quest is an equally grueling 1,000 mile sled dog race from Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon; and Whereas, Lance Mackey is the only 4-time consecutive Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion, the only 4-time Yukon Quest Race Champion and the only man to win both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Races in the same year, which he did in both 2007 and 2008; and Whereas, Lance Mackey, guided by his two lead dogs ``Maple'' and ``Rev,'' mushed his team of Alaskan Huskies along the path of the 38th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from its start in Anchorage to the finish line in Nome in just 8 days, 23 hours and 59 minutes and nine seconds; and Whereas, both ``Maple'' and ``Rev'' exemplify all the essential qualities for good lead dogs, including intelligence, initiative, common sense, and the ability to find a trail in bad conditions; and Whereas, Lance Mackey, who despite retiring ``Larry,'' the lead dog with whom Mackey won his first three Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Races, was still able to convincingly win his 4th consecutive Iditarod; and Whereas, the Iditarod Trail, a National Historic Trail, is staffed by thousands of volunteers who monitor and assist all competitors; and Whereas, each checkpoint along the Iditarod Trail has coordinators, health care professionals and licensed veterinarians who carefully monitor the health and safety of all dogs and mushers; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) Commends Lance Mackey on his record-breaking 4th consecutive Iditarod victory during the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (2) Applauds each and every musher who was courageous enough to compete in the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (3) Expresses appreciation to all the volunteers and staff who help make this great Alaskan race possible each and every year.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, we talk about reform--we're for reform and you're for reform. But 2,700 pages of what? 2,700 pages. The Bible only has 1,341 pages in it. Let me give you an example on page 752 of this bill. Let me read it to you: ``Eligibility for non-traditional individuals with income below 133 percent of the Federal poverty level. (1) In general. Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)(10)(A)(i) is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of subclause (VI); by adding ``or'' at the end of subclause (VII); and by adding at the end the following new subclause: (VIII) who are under 65 years of age, who are not described in previous subclauses of this clause, and who are in families whose income (determined using methodologies and procedures specified by the Secretary in consultation with the Health Choices Commissioner) does not exceed 1331 3 percent of the income official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981). Now, did anybody understand that?

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, today I congratulate James B. Blasingame on his retirement from the Alaska Railroad. Mr. Blasingame started at the Alaska Railroad at age 35 starting as a programmer. He has moved up through the company culminating his career as Vice President of Corporate Affairs. In 1985, Mr. Blasingame was appointed by the Alaska Railroad as the Federal coordinator where he oversaw the transfer of the Federally-owned Alaska Railroad to the State of Alaska. The Alaska Railroad has been an outstanding organization in Alaska promoting expansion and economic development throughout the state. I commend Mr. Blasingame and his tireless effort within the company to improve the railroad's operations, facilities and safety performance. Not only do I want to commend him on his work, I would also like to applaud the amount of time he spent volunteering on a number of non- profit, civic boards and organizations, including Providence Hospital, Anchorage School Business Partnership, World Trade Center of Alaska and Credit Union National Association. Today, I congratulate and recognize Jim on his retirement and years of service to Alaskan residents and the development of the Alaska Railroad and wish him good luck in the next chapter of life. Madam Speaker, I would also like to submit a resolution approved by the Alaska Railroad Board of Directors commending Jim for his service. Resolution 2009-58 Whereas, James B. Blasingame, at the young age of 35, began his employment with the Alaska Railroad as a Programmer and was later promoted to various positions including Supply Analyst, Management Analyst, and Executive Administration Director leading to his ascension in 1993 to Vice President of Corporate Affairs; and Whereas, James B. Blasingame not only loves history, but has helped to make history at the Alaska Railroad, by serving as the State Manager of the Alaska Railroad Transfer Project supporting the effort in the early 1980s to transfer the Railroad from Federal to State ownership; and Whereas, James B. Blasingame has served as the Alaska Railroad Board of Directors' Board Secretary since 1985, managing corporate governance, policy development, government and community relations, corporate asset oversight including records preservation and philanthropy; and Whereas, throughout his tenure as Board Secretary and Vice President Corporate Affairs for the Alaska Railroad, James B. Blasingame was part of a team instrumental in qualifying the Alaska Railroad for federal grants used to improve the Railroad's operations, facilities and safety performance; and Whereas, James B. Blasingame has worked tirelessly to mentor fellow railroaders, earning terms of endearment such as ``Mother'', ``Dutch Uncle'', and ``Oracle'' and instilling an understanding in all for our past and a commitment to our future as a state-owned enterprise that safely operates on a self-sustaining basis and supports the economic development of our state; and Whereas, James B. Blasingame has served our Alaska community through his volunteer time and efforts on a number of non-profit, civic boards and organizations, including Providence Hospital, Downtown Partnership, Association, Anchorage School Business Partnership, World Trade Center of Alaska, Alaska Credit Union League, Denali/Alaskan Federal Credit Union, Credit Union National Association; and Therefore be it resolved, the Alaska Railroad Board of Directors extends its most sincere appreciation to James B. Blasingame for his long-standing dedication to the Alaska Railroad and his distinctive leadership role in the maturation of the Railroad into an award winning, world class state-owned corporation; and Be it further resolved, that since James B. Blasingame has invested countless hours toward the development of the Alaska Railroad and because his dedication warrants permanent recognition, the Alaska Railroad Corporation Board of Directors hereby adopts this resolution renaming the Alaska Railroad's Denali Board Room the ``James B. Blasingame Board Room''.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I can only say I am losing a good friend who will go to better and greater places. You have been an ally to myself and to the feeling of working bipartisan work with the chairman on both sides of the aisle. We have always talked to one another, and we have recognized the importance of being ``the'' Congressman and of listening to the Congressman from that district. I have sponsored this bill every time it has come out of the committee--while I was chairman, before I was chairman, after I was chairman--and I will continue to do that. I understand minority Member Doc Hastings and his position and why he opposes it; but as we talk about this politically, we have to think about the people whom we are affecting by our words. They have been patient, patient, patient, and it is time for us to take the step forward. Is this bill perfect? No. I think it's better after the amendment is adopted. I think it does solve the problems. There is no Indian Country in Hawaii. Land cannot be taken into trusts. A Native Hawaiian governing entity may not exercise jurisdiction over non-Native Hawaiians. The State of Hawaii shall retain regulatory and taxation authority over Native Hawaiians. Yet these are Native Hawaiians, and I can speak with a great deal of pride as to what happened in Alaska. In 1971, we passed the Alaska Native Lands Act where we recognized the natives of Alaska, Alaska natives--distinct and different from those natives in the lower 48--but Alaska natives. And the progress they have made and the contribution they have made to the State is amazing. They are the number one, I would say, economic driving force in the State today. From a large group of people, 13 basic different tribes, regions, they are from a group that wasn't recognized other than the fact that they were natives, that they really did not fit well. But they were part of this State before we long came there, my State, and their contribution, because they were recognized, is just awesome. And I'm hoping this happens in the State of Hawaii. For those in Hawaii that may oppose this, open your hearts. Open your minds. Maybe do a little something a little different in Hawaii, as we did in Alaska, and see the benefit to the individual, not only the natives but everybody else. This legislation is a step forward. Is it perfect? The Governor says no. I think it's open for debate. But if we don't do something, if we don't move forward, those people will be neglected again. So I ask my colleagues on my side and on the other side to consider moving on something that is humanely the right thing to do for a group of people that are Americans. They are aboriginals to the State of Hawaii. They are brothers to Alaska. We've worked together. We will continue to do that. So I compliment, again, my good friend Neil for his work and his dedication to this House, representing his people. That's what we're here for. And thank God we do have people like that left. I will miss you, Neil.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, due to the death of my brother I was unable to participate in the legislative proceedings of the House during the week of January 18, 2010. If I had been present I would have voted the following: Rollcall 6 was on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to congratulate the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for its 150 years of commitment to advancing science and improving health. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall 7 was on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to congratulate the Penn State women's volleyball team on winning the 2009 NCAA Division I national championship. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall 8 was on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to commend the University of Virginia men's soccer team for winning the 2009 Division I NCAA National Championship. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall 9 was on a rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3254, H.R. 3342, and H.R. 1065. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Rollcall 10 was on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall 11 was on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall 12 was on passage of the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Rollcall 13 was on passage of the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Rollcall 14 was on passage of the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Rollcall 15 was on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to express condolences to and solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall 16 was on a motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment--Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. 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. 3288, the Departments of Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Project Name: Maniilaq Association in Kotzebue, AK, for establishing a cancer treatment center Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Legal Name and address of entity receiving earmark: Maniilaq Association, P.O. Box 256, Kotzebue, AK 99752 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: There are high rates of cancer among AK Natives and a cancer center located in rural Alaska would allow for screenings, early detection and local treatment. Appropriated Amount: $500,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Equipment $500,000 Project Name: Denali Commission in Anchorage, AK, to support health projects and economic development activities for the arctic region Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Legal Name and address of entity receiving earmark: Denali Commission, 510 L Street, Suite 410, Anchorage, AK 99501 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: The funding would be used to support health projects and economic development activities for the arctic region under the Denali Commission Act of 1998. Appropriated Amount: $10,000,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Programming $10,000,000

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. 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. 3288, the Departments of Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Project Name: Sexual Assault Response Team Center Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Legal Name and address of entity receiving earmark: Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Center, Municipality of Anchorage, P.O. Box 196650, Anchorage, Alaska 99519 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Funding will be used for the continued development and operations of the Municipality of Anchorage Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Center. This project will support victims through care while participating in investigation and prosecution and help in prosecution of sexual assault cases through professional evidence collection, documentation, preservation and processing. Appropriated Amount: $400,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Development and Operations $400,000

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. 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. 3326, the Departments of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010. Project Name: Synthetic Liquid Fuels Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Legal Name and address of entity receiving earmark: Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: This project will supply the U.S. Air Force and other military branches a secure supply of synthetic fuels to operate fighters, bombers and other aircraft and military equipment. It will help the Air Force to achieve its stated goal of certifying its fleet of aircraft on a synthetic fuel blend and purchasing 50 percent of its fuels in the form of a synthetic fuel blend by 2016. Appropriated Amount: $2,400,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Research and Development, $2,400,000 Project Name: AutoScan Under-Vehicle Inspection System Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Legal Name and address of entity receiving earmark: Kachemak Research Development, Inc., 59584 East End Road, Homer, Alaska 99603 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Kachemak Research Development, Inc. is a woman owned, HUBZone, 8(a) entity. AutoScan, an under vehicle inspection system developed by KRD, is a stationary system that captures the entire undercarriage image of vehicles, ranging in size from passenger vehicles to semi-trucks. Because of the unique capabilities of AutoScan, vehicles do not need to maintain a constant speed as they travel across the system. Funding will be used for product enhancement and beta testing of Autoscan generation 2 and 3 architecture. As part of the inspection protocol at every military base, CONUS and OCONUS, the undercarriage of every delivery vehicle must be inspected. Standard inspection protocols have been comprised of a mirror-mounted stick or search pits. AutoScan makes it possible for inspection personnel to maintain a safe stand-off distance. Additionally, it stores images for later comparison and analysis if needed. And it provides one, complete, clear image of any vehicle's under-side in real-time and capabilities that no similar system is able to provide. Appropriated Amount: $2,400,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Research and Development, and Testing, $2,400,000 Project Name: Electromagnetic Interference Hardened Expandable Rigid Wall Shelter Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Legal Name and address of entity receiving earmark: Alkan Shelter, LLC, 1701 South Cushman Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: The U.S. Marine Corps has a requirement to develop an EMI hardened, expandable composite rigid wall shelter, which currently does not exist. The USMC Electronic Maintenance Shelter Program, Calibration Laboratory Program, and the Communication Maintenance Shelter Program are several funded programs with an immediate need. Sufficient funding is not available for an EMI hardened, expandable rigid wall composite shelter development program. Alkan Shelter, LLC, a small business located in a HUBZone in Fairbanks, AK, proposes a three-phase development and test program for an expandable, composite EMI hardened shelter for the U.S. Marine Corps. First phase is to study the feasibility of EMI hardening to 60-80dB attenuation for the entire expandable shelter or hardening one wing of the shelter. The second phase is to manufacture the EMI hardened composite expandable shelter prototype. The third phase will be to perform EMI and environmental testing to ensure requirements are met. The Marine Corps now uses 1980's technology rigid wall shelters that have aluminum skins and a paper honeycomb core. These shelters are: poorly insulated, have a limited roof and floor load, do not have ballistic protection, the roof cannot be sandbagged, are highly subject to corrosion and can only be stacked six-high on ocean going container ships. Additionally, the U.S. military does not have an EMI hardened expandable rigid wall shelter. Alkan's new carbon fiber hybrid composite expandable shelter will provide a technologically superior structure that will correct the deficiencies of old 1980's technology. Combining high tech carbon fiber composites with EMI protection will provide the USMC and the U.S. military with a lightweight, expandable, rugged, thermally efficient, and safer working environment for carrying out their sensitive electronics and calibration repair and maintenance missions. Appropriated Amount: $800,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Research and Development, $800,000

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. 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. 3288, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. Project Name: Port of Bristol Bay Expansion Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Legal name and address of entity receiving earmark: Bristol Bay Borough, 1 Main Street, Naknek, AK, 99633 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Shovel ready dock expansion where the largest run of sockeye salmon is processed and shipped. This project is the economic engine for the low-income area of Bristol Bay. These funds will go toward constructing a sheet pile dock and addition to the 27 year old structure. Appropriated Amount: $1,000,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Construction $1,000,000

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. 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. 3288, the Departments of Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Project Name: Arctic Utilidors (Phase 11) at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Legal Name and address of entity receiving earmark: Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska 99702 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: This project (which would be another increment in a highly successful, multi-year funding effort) will repair large sections of the utilidor that are in extreme need. The utilidors and related piping were constructed and installed in the 1950s and were they to fail during the winter season, when temperatures are commonly -40F and lower, the base could suffer catastrophic results in as quickly as four hours. Appropriated Amount: $9,900,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Repairs $9,900,000 Project Name: Install Edge Lights, Taxiway Golf at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Legal Name and address of entity receiving earmark: Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska 99702 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: Provides for new taxiway edge lights along a major aircraft access point to the base runway. Project includes installing 12,000 lineal feet of underground wiring and lighting fixtures. There will also be new asphalt shoulders installed after the lighting is completed. Appropriated Amount: $3,450,000 Detailed Finance Plan: Installation $3,450,000

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I rise to discuss the $2.4 million that was included at my request in the FY10 Defense Appropriations Bill for Synthetic Liquid Fuels. Considering the large amounts of potential CO2 emissions produced by a coal or a natural gas-to-liquids facility, technologies will have to be developed to ascertain the feasibility of sequestering the CO2. Recent investigations by the U.S. Department of Energy have shown that between 8 and 12 billion barrels of additional oil can be recovered from the existing Alaska North Slope oil fields with using CO2 enhanced oil recovery technology. Alaska North Slope oil reservoirs present a potentially large target or ``sink'' for sequestering the CO2 generated in a Fairbanks-based coal-to- liquids or a coal/gas-to-liquids plant, thereby enhancing conventional oil recovery as a by-product. However, very little practical study of CO2 sequestration has directly addressed the Alaska North Slope area. Moreover, in the present case, effective CO2 sequestration is highly dependent on the technologically and economically-feasible transportation of CO2 from the Fairbanks source to the Alaska North Slope. Additionally, for the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline proposed to bring the Alaska North Slope natural gas to world markets, to be successful, accommodation for the handling of about 480 mmscf CO2/day, assuming 4 bscf/day of natural gas, from the Prudhoe Bay Unit must be considered. The study paid for by these monies would investigate the feasibility of gathering, delivering and utilizing the resultant CO2 from the plant for enhanced oil recovery on the North Slope of Alaska, thereby simultaneously sequestering CO2 and increasing domestic oil production. If this proves feasible, the construction of the proposed would supply the U.S. military with domestically produced synthetic fuel and greatly increase U.S. oil production from existing oil fields.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I would like to engage in a brief colloquy with you regarding a provision of great importance to the Alaska Native community. As you and I have previously discussed on numerous occasions, section 646 of the Internal Revenue Code allows Alaska Native Settlement Trusts to provide health, education, and welfare benefits to Alaska Natives, who are generally recognized as among the most economically disadvantaged populations in the United States. It is my understanding that this provision was not included in the bill before us today because the bill only extends tax benefits that terminate in 2009, and this benefit does not terminate until December 31, 2010. Its omission is not a reflection of your views on the merits of the provision.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank you for your commitment to work on this provision and for your support of the Alaska Native people.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chairman, may I indulge in a colloquy with you?

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate a fine Alaskan soldier--SSgt. Shawn Michael Roberts. SSgt. Roberts has recently been inducted into the Sgt. Audie Murphy Award program in the Army. Sgt. Audie Murphy, for whom this award was named, was a famous Hollywood actor, as well as the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II. Sgt. Murphy was a courageous warrior and received every decoration of valor our country has to offer, including two Silver Stars, three Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor. In short, this induction is one of the highest honors in the Army and reflects the comparable level of commitment and dedication that has been exemplified in SSgt. Roberts' performance. It is little wonder, in light of his many accomplishments, that Shawn has received this award. Since entering active duty in December 2001 SSgt. Roberts has served two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as one tour in Bosnia. During his tenure with the U.S. Army, Roberts has received numerous medals of commendation, including the Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars. Alaskans are proud of our military heritage and I am proud that our country has such noble defenders. I thank SSgt. Roberts for his service to our country and I congratulate him on his induction into this award program.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. 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 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Project Name: Water and Sewer Improvements, Kodiak, AK Bill Number: H.R. 2996 Title II Environmental Protection Agency Legal name and address of entity receiving earmark: City of Kodiak, P.O. Box 1397, 710 Mill Bay Rd., Kodiak, AK 99615 Description of how the money will be spent and why the use of federal taxpayer funding is justified: This project would replace aging sewer and waterlines in a residential area of Kodiak, and enable the City to comply with the Clean Water Act.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an Alaskan Pioneer and father of modern-day Anchorage. Former long-term Anchorage Mayor George Murray Sullivan, 87, died September 23, 2009, surrounded by his family. A lifelong Alaskan, Sullivan was born on March 31, 1922, raised in Valdez, Alaska, where his father Harvey was the U.S. District Marshal and mother Viola was the first woman mayor in Alaska. Sullivan's life and leadership spanned the territorial days of Alaska through statehood. In the 1920s, the Sullivans lived in Valdez, a busy town in the first two decades of the 20th century that supported a bowling alley, several breweries, a dam and hydroelectric plant, the seat of the Territory of Alaska's Third Judicial District, a public library, hospital, and public school system. George had a wonderful life as a kid in Valdez, playing many sports, engaging in school activities, and helping at the family store. During World War II, Anchorage's population exploded from around 8,000 to more than 43,000. In July, 1944, George was drafted into the U.S. Army for two years and was stationed at Adak in the Aleutian Islands. He married the love of his life, Margaret Eagan Sullivan, on December 30, 1947, and moved to Nenana. George was the U.S. deputy marshal and Margaret was the U.S. commissioner. Aptly, George would catch the criminals and Margaret would try them. In 1955, he was elected to the Fairbanks City Council. George took a job in management with Consolidated Freightways and in 1959 moved the family to Anchorage, where he lived for the next 50 years. From 1964 to 1965, George served in the Alaska Legislature, after being appointed by Governor Bill Egan to fill a vacancy, and soon after was elected to the Anchorage City Council. In 1967, he ran a successful race to become Anchorage mayor, a position he would hold for 15 years. In 1975, voters approved the unification of Anchorage's city and borough governments and elected George its mayor. The creation of the Municipality of Anchorage was an incredible undertaking. As mayor, George successful merged the duplicative departments, boards, and utilities into one government. Statehood in 1958 brought change but it was the oil boom that provided the resources for Anchorage to blossom into a modern day city. George and his administration had a vision of what Anchorage could become and were entrusted to direct the streaming State oil revenues toward improving and enhancing the city's quality of life for its residents. George helped secure State funding for the construction of the Egan Civic and Convention Center, Loussac Library, the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, and the Sullivan Sports Arena. This moved Anchorage into being a modem and vibrant community. George finished as Mayor of Anchorage in 1982. For the past many years since, George has remained active in the community and state boards up until his illness in 2008. Through the years he was active on the Enstar board, AWWU, state PERS board, Anchorage Senior Center Endowment, TOTE Advisory Board, Military Advisory Board, Anchorage Wellness Court Alumni Group, Alaska Heart Association, Boys and Girls Clubs, and many more. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to make Anchorage a little better for those less fortunate or in need. He had a strong faith in the Roman Catholic Church and often assisted at Mass and in the church's organizations. He was a member of the Elks Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Pioneers of Alaska. George had an incredible love for the community and worked on many projects to enhance the quality of life for all who called Anchorage home. He was a true public servant and visionary who strived to make Anchorage a better community for future generations while he was mayor and during his retirement. George was a great Alaskan. George was my friend.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, in adherence to the Republican Earmark Standards for the Coast Guard Authorization, H.R. 3619, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Congressman Don Young Bill Number: H.R. 3619 Provision: Section 1307 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: USCG Cutter Storis Museum & Maritime Education Center, LLC Address of Requesting Entity: 229 4th Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801 Description of Request: The Storis Museum is organized and established for the purpose of obtaining the USCG Cutter Storis from the government of the United States of America and establishing a non- profit museum in Alaska that will maintain the Storis in Alaska when the vessel is declared surplus. It is the intent of the Storis Museum to make the USCG Cutter Storis available to the public as a museum and to work cooperatively with other museums to provide education and memorialize the maritime heritage of the Storis and other maritime activities in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Arctic Ocean and adjacent oceans and seas and such other lawful affairs allowed in Alaska. Requesting Member: Congressman Don Young Bill Number: H.R. 3619 Provision: Section 1302 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Stabbert Maritime Address of Requesting Entity: 2629 NW 54th Street, #W-201, Seattle, WA 98107 Description of Request: This provision would restore the coastwise privileges to the U.S.-built research ship, the Ocean Veritas, that was sold foreign in 1997 but now is in the process of being reflagged to the U.S. flag. The ship was built in 1974 by Halter Marine Fabricators, Gulfport, MS, which is also its homeport. However, unless this provision is enacted the vessel would be without coastwise privileges as a result of that prior sale to a foreign owner. Requesting Member: Congressman Don Young Bill Number: H.R. 3619 Provision: 1302 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alaska Industrial Develop. and Export Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 813 West Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99503 Description of Request: This provision would restore the coastwise privileges to AK Ship and Drydock #2.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

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

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1641 has been adequately explained by the majority. As the current trail is being operated successfully at a local level, we are not aware of the need for this legislation. Apparently, though, some believe there is a compelling need for Federal involvement where Americans paddle kayaks in the Puget Sound. As this bill provides for a study of the federalization of these water trails, possible objections will likely be held until the study is completed and until actual Federal control is to be proposed. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that President Carter is heavily involved in the land acquisition and park expansion authorized in this legislation. We have been made aware that one of the properties included in the expansion is a haunted house. This is no Halloween trick. The currently dilapidated structure will be rehabilitated by the National Park Service and eventually be made available to show the public where President Carter lived before his current estate was constructed. I am also aware that President Carter is an avid hunter. He likes to stalk deer, dove, quail, turkey, and even the occasional squirrel. Fortunately, with the passage of an important Republican gun rights amendment to the Credit Card Reform Act last spring, President Carter will be able to legally transport his firearms to and from his home and clean and load his firearms on his compound within the national park without fear of violating Federal law when this provision goes into effect in February 2010. Right now, other Americans and the other 391 National Park units would be subject to criminal penalties for these actions. President Carter has an excellent relationship with the National Park Service, which should be preserved. After all, the agency has the duty to preserve the legacy of his 4 years as President through the conservation of his high school, boyhood home and even his current residence within the park. The National Park Service dutifully handles many important tasks, including the day-to-day maintenance of his property and even of mowing his lawn. Finally, it has been said that these new acquisitions will complete the story of Mr. Carters life. This is a noble goal. I can only assume that is why the legislation also includes the Federal takeover of Billy Carter's gas station.

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska

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

Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume on H.R. 2489. The National Land Remote Sensing Outreach Act builds on a series of earmarks directed to the United States Geological Survey for nearly a decade. This program originally started out as ``Ohio View'' and has since expanded to more than 35 States, with hundreds of active member groups. This effort has been successful in increasing access to and uses of our Nation's Earth observation satellite assets for education, research, hazardous monitoring, and natural resource management. This legislation will finally move this program from one funded through earmarks without any oversight from Congress to an authorized Federal program with increased accountability, oversight, and taxpayer protections. The final version of this legislation the House will consider today includes a number of improvements over the original introduced text. Specifically, this bill places a cap on the annual authorization for this program. This bill also now has a sunset date and requires a cost share from the partners who will work with the U.S. Geological Survey. These are responsible, necessary changes. Congress should at all times seek to ensure taxpayer protections and oversight of government spending. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.