we will be back tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. here is the floor of the u.s. house now. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker: the house will be in order. the prayer will be offered by the guest chaplain, bishop fred simms, beckly, west virginia. the chaplain: father, we ask you to strengthen the courage of the representatives and congress. sent here men and women to do what a right. make it plain, father. we lease the same wisdom that brought these 50 states together to form this great united states of america. allow it to fall fresh among this great governing body as they make decisions affecting over 300 million americans. father, at this time we join our hearts, minds and spirits for our fellow miners in west virginia who have suffered a great loss in the midst of

tragedy. out of the depths of our pressing need, praying that i will draw near onto us during this dark hour of time in jesus name, amen. the speaker: the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the house her approval thereof. pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1 the journal stands approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from alabama, mr. griffith. mr. griffith: i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the speaker: without objection, the gentleman from west virginia, congressman rahall, is recognized for one minute. mr. rahall: thank you, madam speaker. madam speaker, it is my pleasure to welcome to the

house of representatives our guest chaplain today, bishop fred t. symms. pastor and founder of the heart of god ministries in my hometown of beckly, west virginia. it is an honor to have such a distinguished west virginian here with us today and it is particularly fitting to have bishop symms join us in offering the morning prayer on behalf of our congress and our nation on this somber day. today we will act on a congressional resolution honoring the courageous miners who lost their lives in the tragic explosion at the upper big branch mine and recognize the heroic actions of the rescue teams who also risk life and limb to serve for the missing miners. bishop symms was called to the ministry and proached his first message in december of 1997. since that time bishop symms has continued his studies through bible college and the institute of the biblical studies in lynchburg, west virginia. he received his doctorate of divinity degree. he received numerous awards which includes the citizen of

the year award, professional development and recognized by the dr. martin luther king holiday commission of the state of west virginia. with his sharing of safe award. bishop symms, one of eight children, born to george symms and august symms, married to maryland symms. his greatest strength may be his humbleness of heart and his willingness to become less so that god gets all of the glory. he teaches his congregation by example as he lives what he preaches. bishop symms' two mottos are, it's not about fred t. but about god and, come on, let's have church. madam speaker, i'm pleased to honor bishop fred symmsed to and proud that he gave our invocation.

the speaker: the chair will entertain up to 15 one-minute requests on each side of the aisle. the chair will receive a message. the messenger: madam speaker, a message from the senate. the secretary: madam speaker. the speaker: madam secretary. the secretary: i have been directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has passed s. 149. the speaker pro tempore: the chair will remind all persons of the gallery that they are guests of the house and any manifestations of approval or disapproval is in voy lakes of the rules of the house. for what purpose does the gentlelady from pennsylvania rise? >> to address the house for one minute and to revise and

extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. mrs. dahlkemper: thank you, mr. speaker. tax day is tomorrow and thanks to the american recovery and reinvestment act, middle-class families in western pennsylvania and throughout the country are seeing big tax returns this year. the recovery act provoided tax cuts for 99% of working pennsylvanians and resulted in a 10% increase in the average tax refund this year. that's a big help to families in moy district who are working hard to pay their bills. the recovery act extended the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, and college tax credits for familiar lows and students. first-time home boirs benefited from a -- home buyers benefited from a tax credit up to $8,000. americans are saving an estimated $225 billion in taxes this year thanks to the recovery act. i'm proud through the work we have been doing here in congress we have lowered the

tax burden for my constituents and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? mr. poe: i ask permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. poe: mr. speaker, the violence at our southern border with mexico has escalated resulting in murders, kidnappings, old west shootouts, mexican helicopter intrusions into the u.s., criminal cartels cloning border patrol vokes to smuggle the drugs. an arizona rancher was murdered at the border recently on his ranch. a california border agent was assassinated just a few months ago. in el paso, texas, our border patrol agents are being targeted by the azteca hitmen. these outlaws protect shipments of drugs for the juarez drug cartels. now these cartels have put a $250,000 bounty on our border patrol agents. in response, our border patrol agents have been told to wear bulletproof vests. why do we wait for more tragedy

before more boots are put on the ground? our law enforcement agents need help. doesn't washington know that the border have become a violent war zone? national guard troops should be deployed to the border immediately to protect us from the narcoterrorists and that's just the way it is. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? >> to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you very much, mr. speaker. i rise today to discuss the importance of the national crime victims rights week which occurs from april 15 to april 24. as founders and co-chairs of the congressional victims rights caucus, congressman ted poe and i this evening are hosting the annual victims rights caucus awards ceremony honoring six individuals from around the country for their outstanding accomplishments in the field of victims services and victim advocacy. national crime victims rights week helps us all to celebrate

and acknowledge that the victims service providers and the criminal justice professionals who every day provide critical assistance to the victims of crimes. they do it on a 24/7 basis. crime victims are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, parents and our friends. they are struggling to survive in the aftermath of a crime. and they deserve theervices and our support to help them cope. thank you very much, mr. speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? i'm sore owe. for what purpose does the gentleman from alabama is recognized? >> ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman from alabama is recognized for one minute. >> mr. speaker, it's no coincidence that we have the most advanced manned space flight program on earth, attracting and inspiring the world's greatest moineds. our space program is a matter of great national pride and of great national security importance. we are profound low

disappointed in the lack of vision coming from the administration sending a message to our scientific commount that indicates a lack of -- community that indicates a lack of understanding. this goes to the very essence of what makes america the greatest country on earth. luring expectations for manned space floit is not compatible with the culture of america. one recent statement that we can expect to be number one in everything is definitely shocking low uninspoirg. -- shockingly uninspiring. however, i and the entire nasa caucus will do everything in our power to fund constellation with a budget that is successful in the space program. i yield back, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee rise? mr. cohen: to address the house for one minute and to revise

and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman from tennessee is recognized for one minute. mr. cohen: thank you, mr. speaker. today is tax day, of course, and that's somewhat of a dreaded day in many minds. but the fact is in the past year we have had more tax cuts than almost anytime in our nation's history. but with president obama and this congress they have been directed to the lower working class people, the lower income people and not the top 2% or 3% as what happened during the bush administration. president obama stod at this podium -- the podium behind me in the state of the union address and said, now, let me repeat. we cut taxes. we cut taxes 95% of working familiar lows. we cut taxes for small business owners. we cut tax for first-time homebuyers. we cut taxes for eight million americans paying for college. we put $300 billion of tax cuts into people's pocket so businesses had customers. i'm proud to have supported the president in these measures. a third of the stimulus package, the aara was tax cuts.

it's something that people don't realize because of the false rhetoric that is spread throughout this congress. i thank the president for his leadership. thank you, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? >> to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute, without objection. mr. smith: thank you, mr. speaker. to my left is the media fairness caucus' "newsweek" wall of shame, a collection of a magazine of biased articles. it included vice president al gore that says the thinking man the thinking man. vice president joe boyden, a vice president to be reckoned with. this woke's cover reads, "america's back, the remarkable tale of our economic turnaround." apparent low "newsweek" hasn't heard that the unemployment rate is close to 10% with 16 million americans unemployed, that personal income has fallen

over 3% since president obama took office and that the president's budget doubles the national debt in five years and triples it in 10. the only way to bring it back is to reverse higher taxes, runaway spending, government takeovers and record debt. "newsweek" should report the facts on the economy, not provide free and false advertising for the obama administration. . the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? mr. green: to address the house for one minute. revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. green: mr. speaker, i rice today in strong opposition to the president's budget proposal to cancel our human space flight program. it's under the constellation program which was authorized both by democrat and republican congresses respectively that nasa is it developing new launch vehicles. not only does canceling the constellation program jeopardize america's leadership role in human space exploration, but it

will have a detrimental effect on our economy for projecting job losses of 30,000 nationally. give our current economic downturn. we can't take the possibility of losing these jobs lightly. our government has the already invested literally years and billions of dollars in this program. we should build on these investments and not abandon them. especially considering the private sector will not be able to build a better, faster, cheaper rocket. the constellation program is slated to be finished because the technology that nasa proposes to use do not exist yet nor has any destination been chosen. consequence tallation is our -- constellation is our only hope to close the gap. i encourage my colleagues to oppose the closing of the program. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from louisiana rise? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. fleming: mr. speaker, i rise today to commend med camps for

23 years of outstanding service in the state of louisiana. founded in 19867, med camps of louisiana provide the summer camp experience to children with physical and mental disabilities such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy. each week free of charge children come from across louisiana to participate in a weeklong fun filled camping experience at camp alabama in my district. children participate in activities such as fishing, arts, crafts, nature hikes, canoeing, and many others. as a family physician for over 30 years, i know firsthand the important role that organizations such as med camps play in the lives of children with disabilities. i congratulate med camps on their outstanding service to our state and wish them all the best as they continue to serve the children of louisiana. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from missouri rise?

>> to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. callahan: -- mr. carnahan: thank you, mr. speaker. federal taxes are considerably lower but every measure since president obama became president, that's a quote from president reagan's domestic policy. congress and the president have enacted an array of tax cuts which are crucial for efforts to return the economy around. instead of returning tax cuts focused only on the wealthy these tax cuts are broad based. from investing in small business, to buying a home, or making it energy efficient, to sending your children to college to buying a car. these tax cuts are helping families and businesses across the country injecting consumer demand in the economy and spurring business activity, investments, and job creation. all total congress has enacted over $800 billion in tax cuts. including tax cuts hitting 95% of american families in the

recovery act. building on the recovery act's 25 tax cuts we have enacted job creating tax incentive to spur hiring and out-of--- for out-of-work americans. strengthening small business and tax credits, accelerating writeoffs to help grow this economy out of this deep economic hole. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from alabama rise? >> i ask permission to address the house for one minute. and revise and extend my rae marks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. aderholt: mr. speaker, since the president announced his budget on february 1, disapproval of the plan to drastically change the current nasa human space exploration mission has been almost unanimous. on both sides of the aisle. the president proposes to add $6 billion to nasa's budget for the next five years, but over those first four years, the exploration account decreases by $5.7 billion. human space flight and

exploration beyond earth is a very reason that nasa was put into existence. the president's plan to move forward, moves fund to unproven proposals and costs the government $2.5 billion to shut down the constellation program. airies one and five overlap technologies and there is zero budget prove that the administration that the new plan will give us those capabilities with less money. the innovative scientists employees at the space flight center in huntsville, alabama, have done a great job in leading space technology and the world. mr. speaker, when the president speaks tomorrow, at the kennedy space center, both democrats and republican members hope he'll make a commitment to properly fund the constellation program. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan rise? >> request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute, without objection. >> mr. speaker, while many are quick to criticize the american recovery and reinvestment act,

the truth is last month our economy created 162,000 jobs. of course we have a long way to go to get everyone back to work. since tomorrow's tax day, i wanted my constituents to know one of the reasons our economy is getting stronger is record tax cuts in the stimulus for middle class families. 95% of workers are receiving the making work pay tax credit of up to $400 per worker, $800 per family. expansion of the child tax credit has helped families of more than 16 million children. four million more students are attending college as a result of the new $2,500 tax credit. tax credits and deductions are helping families stimulate the economy through purchases of homes, cars, trucks, and mobile homes. as families file their taxes and get their refunds, i want them to understand that these

benefits didn't happen by accident. the result of a strategy that i supported and democrats supported to cut taxes for middle class families. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from nebraska rise? >> to address the house for one minute. revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. smith: thank you, mr. speaker. tomorrow is tax day. deadline dreaded by millions of americans currently finishing up their tax returns. congress owes it to the american taxpayer to act in a fiscally responsible way. unfortunately, this congress has not lived up to this burden. as a time when 15 million americans remain unemployed and many more are struggling to make ends meet, this administration and democratic congress continue to push through measures which increase taxes and add to government spending which is already out of control. strong arm tactics and economic sleight of hand should not be used to jam through legislation which will impact the life of every american. the solution is not taking more money from the american people. the answer is fiscal discipline in washington and tax relief for working americans.

we can't tax and spend our way back to a growing economy and we owe the american taxpayer better. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from illinois rise? ms. schakowsky: unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without oection, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. ms. schakowsky: i rise this morning to express my sincere condolences to the people of poland. as they mourn the death of their president and his wife and to the families and friends of the other 94 men and women who lost their lives in saturday's airplane crash near russian's forest. chicago is the second largest polish city in the world. second only to warsaw. and among those killed was a chicago sculpture who emigrated from poland over three decades ago. his father was one of over 20,000 polls killed in the soviet union in the catin forest in 1940. he was traveling with the polish president to mark the 70th anniversary of the massacre. i join with chicago's vibrant

polish american community and with poland's friends around the world in mourning the loss of the 96 men and women who lost their lives on saturday. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from louisiana rise? >> to address the house for one minute. revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. . mr. cao: mr. speaker, i'm disappointed that the president's budget proposal for f.y. 2011 recommends canceling nasa's constellation program. in agreement with neal armstrong i'm concerned this proposal will leave our nation with no means of transporting our astronauts to and from the international space station. and could set the u.s. space program back decades. to this day we enjoy countless practical benefits from the technology in things that affect our everyday life. such as improved weather forecasting, which is vitally important to those of us who live in louisiana and the gulf

coast. the facility in my district was slated to build components of the constellation program. it now faces the prospect of losing thousands ever high-skilled jobs. this world class manufacturing facility has been used to build the a turn rockets for apol -- saturn rockets for apollo. if the president's proposal is adopted we'll lose all that experience and manufacturing know-how along with $9 billion tax dollars spent developing the program. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from ohio rise? >> to address the house for one minute. and include extraneous material in the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. ms. kaptur: thank you. mr. speaker, our country observe am had a showa or holocaust remembrance day this past sunday which recalls the global tragedy of state sponsored systemic annihilation and persecution

ofure poohian --ofure peaian jewry by nazis as well as million more deaths of people of people who were of roma exstracks, disabled, slavic people, home sexuals, jehovah's witnesses, and potential distents. i -- dissidents. i would like to include in the record an article from the tweedle blade in our district front page story last sunday entitled survivors urge world to never forget horror which recounts of story of some of the survivors in our district in ohio. in our country 150,000 to 170,000 survivors remain today. the horror of the holocaust has affected countless souls across this globe. our district is home to persevering survivors like mrs. clara roana whose words i will place in the record today and so many others who never should have had to make this sacrifice.

but she remains a woman of hope. mr. speaker, i yield back my remaining time. the speaker pro tempore: the chair would ask members to please heed the gavel. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speak pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. barton: i thank the distinguished speaker. mr. speaker, the first amendment gives the american people the write to petition the congress for redress of grievances and express it under freedom of speech. several weeks ago the chairman of the committee that i serve as the ranking member on, energy and commerce, chairman henry waxman, sent a letter to several u.s. corporations for having the temerity to express the displeasure with the health care bill and to inform their employees and stockholders of the consequences of that piece of legislation. he has opened an investigation into those companies and we have a hearing next week. two days ago chairman waxman sent a letter to the american

farm bureau opening an investigation into their activities expressing their displeasure with the e.p.a. endangerment finding and the pending cap and trade legislation in the united states senate. mr. speaker, i'm very concerned one of the premier committee chairmen of our great house of representatives appears to be using his power to intimidate americans from expressing their first amendment rights to petition the congress for redress of grievances. i think that's a sad state of affairs and i think that is something that should be investigated. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from nevada rise? >> unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. ms. titus: mr. speaker, since coming to congress i have kept my promise to provide tax relief to middle class families and small businesses in my district. and i'm proud to report that on tax day millions of americans will pay less in taxes and keep

more of their hard-earned money in their own pockets where it belongs. in the past year, congress has enacted over $800 billion in tax cuts, including the largest packet of tax cuts in history in the recovery act, leaving reagan's advisor to say that federal taxes are very considerably lower by every measure since obama became president. a recent report by citizens for tax justice has found that for 2009 98% of working families and individuals in nevada benefited from at least one of the tax cuts in the recovery act, saving an average of $841. for folks in my district struggling to make ends meet, $841 could be a mortgage payment that helps them avoid foreclosure and could make a real difference in their lives. .

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for one minute. mr. pitts: websites ask web surfers to bet online. online poker sites advertised openly on tv, books on how to get rich by gambling online, the problem is that online gambling is illowell. that's why congress passed the gambling enforcement act of 2006 to provide the tolls and mechanisms to enforce the law. americans will send billions of dollars to online casinos. the justice department has warned that many of those sites are fronts for money laundering, drug trafficking and even terrorist financing. at its core, the laws about protecting american families from addiction, bankruptcy and crime. all you node is a compouter, credit card and -- need is a computer, credit card and internet access. real lives, including those of

minor children, are being affected by illowell online gambling and it's -- illegal online gambling and it's time this congress enforce the law. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey rise? mr. payne: to drefment the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman from new jersey is recognized for one minute. mr. payne: today i commend my colleagues and president obama for working diligently to enact a variety of tax cuts totaling $800 billion. these tax cuts are broad -- are broad base and touch many aspects of american lives, from investing in small businesses, to buying a home, to sending your children to college, to buying a car. i believe the tax cuts are helping american families and businesses across the country and injecting consumer demand into the economy and spurring business investment and job creation. the recovery act provides immediate tax relief to 95% of american workers and their

families to making work pay tax cut provides tax credits up to $400 for working individuals and for $800 for couples final joint low. this tax credits helps 240,000 families in moy congressional district. in addition, the first-time homebuyers tax credit was increased to $8,000, an estimated 35,000 households in new jersey have taken advantage of the tax credits. so i ask to keep america moving in the right direction. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from iowa rise? >> to -- the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from utah rise? mr. bishop: to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: accept my apoll jones. the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. bishop: thank you. the president moves to florida to attempt to alvadga deteriorating political association asking the nasa

director to cancel constellation. it consists of two parts, the owe ryon capsule -- the o'rion. the industrial base that builds the rocket and took people to the moon also uses the rockets to shot down missiles shot from korea and iran and the other bad guys. the defense side costs doubles, triples even more. and the report which this administration is not following noted this potential industrial based problem at nasa either refused to pay attention or chose to ignore the warning. regardless, the defense costs and the maintaining the dominance in space will be depended upon fully supporting the constellation program. mr. president, anything less than that is unacceptable. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from kentucky rise?

mr. yarmuth: i ask permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. yarmuth: "alice in wonderland" is in movie theaters is out. as you heard this morning, even president reagan's domestic policy advisor says that taxes are lower by every measure since president obama became president. this congress has done an incredible job in lowering taxes for the american people. this year the average refund for working families will be $3,000, which is a 10% increase over last year. we are taking less and less out of the working family's paycheck. in fact, the federal taxes as a percentage of the national economy is at its lowest rate in nearly two generations. only in a fantasy world like "alice in wonderland" can you claim that this congress has not done a great job in lowering taxes for the american public, and we will make sure that american families have the best standard of living that we

can create. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania rise? >> mr. speaker, unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to rgs. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. a school has been awarded for the second time for the designation of the don icorn schools, the national forum sponsors this program and schools are chose for achofinge academic basis established by the national forum to accelerate middle school reform. they must be academically excellent, socially equitable. the school is one of 15 in the state and only 200 nationally ever to be honored as a school to watch. it's the first school in the state to receive a redesignation for 2010 to 2013. and it first achieved the honor in 2007. the national forum locks at these schools as part of the

effort to identify high-performing middle schools and have resources for other schools. there are 18 states participating in the program. to achofe this award, high performing schools establish norm, structures and organizational arrangement to support and sustain their path towards excellence. they have a sense of purpose that drives every facet of practice and decisionmaking. and i want to congratulate principal mike newman and the teachers, the parents for this fine school. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from arizona rise? mr. kirk: to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. mrs. kirkpatrick: mr. speaker, i just returned from a trip to arizona's border and i thank men and women at customs and border protection for allowing me an inside look into their operation. one of the most striking things i saw is the toll that violence

has taken on our border communities and tensions are high. as the cartels become desperate to keep smuggling routes open, our border agents and their vehicles are hit with rocks, shot at and assaulted on a nightly basis. i am convinced that our border personnel need more equipment and manpower to prevent the violence and keep americans safe. there is no silver bullet for fixing our border. a solution will require a comprehensive approach to security. we must put every option on the table, including the use of the national guard, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? >> mr. speaker, i rise to ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, to revise and extend my remarks and to enter, if i could, without objection, a letter from a group of astronauts into the come record.

the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you very much. mr. speaker, the democrat congress and this president has presided over the biggest spending increases in history, created more debt than any congress in the history of the united states, and passed unprecedented tax increases. so it's not credible to claim they're cutting taxes. and it's near unanimous opposition in this congress to the president's proposal to cancel america's manned space program. what the president's proposing is like privatizing the united states navy. imagine if america would have to call up a private contractor and ask if we could rent the aircraft carrier harry truman to go to the red sea for a week. that's what the president's proposing on the manned space program. that's why there's unanimous opposition. mr. speaker, 27 astronauts and nasa leaders have joined together in a magnificent letter they published in "the orlando sentinel" on sunday that strongly urges the congress to drop this misguided

proposal that forces nasa out of human space exploration for the foreseeable future. they said canceling nasa's human exploration after 50 years of unparalleled achofmente makes america mediocre and will eliminate our leadership in space. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from colorado rise? >> for permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. perlmutter: thank you, mr. speaker. president bush left this country with a $1.3 trillion debt for one year when president obama came into office a year ago. one of the -- and it was an economy in freefall. one of the things that was done over the course of the last year was to provide this country and working americans with tax cuts across the bored. $800 billion in tax cuts. greatest tax cut for working americans at anytime in our

history. now, republicans are complaining about everything under the sun, but they're not complaining about those tax cuts because they know it's real. whether it's earned income tax credits, college tax credits, accelerating depreciation for small businesses, net operating loss carryovers, across the board, to the point in colorado, the average coloradan receives $1,096 in tax cuts this year above what they got before. that's to get this country back on track, not leave it in a financial disaster, as president bush did. we are moving in a new direction and tax cuts is one of those things we're using to get this country back on track. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from louisiana is recognized? >> to revise and extend and to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> this week the president will be speaking at the kennedy space center. and while the obama administration cancels the space program, it also closes

the premiere facility with unique capabilities and skilled work force that can't be reworked again once it's wound down. they should not retreat from the space race. it not only threatens our national security but it also makes us beholden to foreign countries. in fact, just last week a japanese newspaper said, quote, once the leader in space development, the united states' space exploration policies are now drifting aimlessly. and they later went on to note that the clore winner will be russia. now, we should not cede our space exploration superiority to countries like russia or anybody else. it jeopardizes our national security. it's a bad policy. the president should reconsider. thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from minnesota rise? >> to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman from minnesota is recognized for one minute.

>> i talked to local business owners on the best ways to grow and revital o's our economy. businesses, working families, including the mayo clinic center in my district talked about the improvements to the health care center was a good first step in moving that. they also explained to me that the policies on tax relief that you heard here. now, be clear here. if it's a game of he said, she said, and the pundits on tv can tell you one way to think, this is a very simple proposition. this congress has cut taxes for the middle class than any one in history. do your own taxes, compare them apples to apples and you'll see that's true. what that means is 90% of southern minnesotans have benefited from the working tax credit. first-time homebuyers got $8,000 to buy their homes. others, $6,500. revitalizing the housing market. they make their hometowns energy efficient and growing the renewable economy. beenacting these job-saving incentives, small local businesses can grow and expand

and inject consumer spending in the economy. those are facts, not political myth. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana rise? >> ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. pence: thank you, mr. speaker. you know, groucho marx said years ago, who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes? i have to wonder, america, -- mr. speaker, hearing democrats talking about cutting taxes more than any other congress in history. let me see if we can do this. they passed a budget with record taxes and spending, led $1 trillion to the national debt in the next years, they passed a national energy tax called cap and trade that will cause utility rates go up on small businesses, family farms and businesses across this country by hundreds of billions of dollars and we just passed

obamacare with $600 billion of tax increases. they're standing in front of the american people on the day before tax day, on the day before tens of millions of americans that will take the street and say enough is enough and expect you to believe that they've been cutting taxes. well, i think the american people know better. i think the american people know what we really need here in washington, d.c., is less talk and more action. let's cut taxes for small businesses and family farms, get government under control, get government out of the way. this economy will come roaring back. . the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? >> i rise to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. olson: mr. speaker, before i left before the eastern district work period, the committee held a hearing on the proposed changes to nasa's exploration program.

the administrating is advocating an extreme change by canceling the constellation program, which i feel would be a mistake. especially since the constellation program has passed their preliminary design review, a significant technological milestone. back in 2008, the thrust oscillation as a serious concern, but the program design reviewed, the team spent about a minute on the issue of thrust oscillation. why? because the problem had been solved. to me, this is just another indication of why cancellation would be a mistake. wouldn't just be throwing money away, money already spent, $9 billion, hardware already built, a work force already in place, but a process in standard of doing business and fixing problems that nasa has developed for over 50 years. america has been the leader in human space flight for half a century. this administration's budget proposal puts that at risk. i yield back.

the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house an enrolled bill. the speaker pro tempore: h.r. 4887, an act to amend the internal revenue code of 1986 to ensure that health coverage provided by the department of defense is treated as minimal essential coverage. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered or on which the vote incurs objection under clause 6 of rule 20. record votes on postponed questions will be taken later. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i mover the house suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendments to the bill h.r. 4573. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 4573, an act to

urge the secretary of the treasury to instruct the united states executive directors at the international monetary fund, the world bank, the inter-american development bank, and other multilateral development institutions to use the voice, vote, an influence of the united states to cancel immediately and completely haiti's debt to such institutions, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the chair notes that the senate bill -- the motion addressed the senate amendments. pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, ms. waters, and the gentleman from minnesota, mr. paulsen, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california. ms. waters: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. waters: mr. speaker, i yield

myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for as much time as she may consume. ms. waters: i would like to thank the majority leader for bringing this bill to the floor promptly, following its passage in the senate. and i thank my colleagues on the financial services committee, especially chairman barney frank, ranking member spencer baucus, and subcommittee chairman gregory meeks for their support for this bill. i also thank my senior legislative assistant, and the financial services committee senior professional staff member daniel for their work on this bill. i first introduced this bill after the terrible earthquake that struck haiti on january 12. i have visited haiti twice since the earthquake and i have seen the widespread devastation it caused. according to u.s. agency for international development, that is usaid, 230,000 people were

killed and 1.3 million people were displaced from their homes. there's desperate need for clean water, food, set, and basic sanitation, three million people, a third of the population, were affected by the quake. according to the u.s. treasury department as of march 1, haiti owed $828 million to multilateral development institutions. this included $447 million to the inner american development bank, $284 million to the i.m.f., $39 million to the world bank groups international development association, and $58 million to the international fund for agricultural development. in addition, haiti owed approximately $400 million to other individual countries. h.r. 4573, the debt relief for earthquake recovery in haiti act of 2010, would free haiti from the burden of international debt.

the bill directs the secretary of the treasury to instruct the u.s. executive directors at multilateral development institutions to use the voice, vote, and influence of the united states to seek to achieve three things. number one, the immediate and complete cancellation of all debts owed by haiti to these institutions. second, the suspension of haiti's debt service payments until such time as the debts are canceled and three, the provision of emergency, humanitarian, and reconstruction assistance to haiti in the form of grants so that haiti does not accumulate additional debt. the bill also directs the secretary of the treasury and secretary of state to use all appropriate diplomatic influence to secure the cancellation of all remaining bilateral, multilateral, and private creditor debt owed by haiti. this bill passed the house on

march 10 and the senate passed it with an amendment on march 26. the amendment specifies that haiti should receive aid in the form of grants until february 1, 2015. after that time, multilateral development institutions may resume aid in the form of new loans. i believe five years in a reasonable amount of time for haiti to be able to recover without the burden of debt service payments or new loans. i therefore support the senate's amendment. and i would reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from california reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from minnesota. mr. paulsen: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for as much time as he may consume. mr. paulsen: mr. speaker, i also rise in support of h.r. 4573, the debt relief for earthquake recovery in haiti act of 2010. h.r. 4573 takes a good first step towards the goal of eliminating haiti's uncollectible debts so the

country can start to rebuild. removing this burden will also help haiti begin the process of becoming a self-sustaining economy. nearly identical legislation has already been agreed to by the house under a suspend the rules -- under a suspension of the rules. the senate only made two minor changes to make sure our commitment remains unchange. one change is it sets an explicit time period and the other ensures that assistance provided help not just today's haitians but also ensures help for future generations. these are very sensible, commonsense approach steps. i support these changes. i also want to recognize the members of the international monetary policy and trade scompleets and the staff of the committee for their bipartisan efforts on this legislation. mr. speaker, i support this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from minnesota reserves the balance of his time. the gentlelady from california. ms. waters: mr. speaker, i yield to the gentleman from kansas as

much time as he may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from kansas is recognized for as much time as he may consume. mr. moore: i commend my colleagues, representative waters, representative greg meeks, and representative spencer baucus for their bipartisan work on this important issue. mr. speaker, as a result of the extraordinary events of january 12, 2010, over 230,000 people were killed and more than 1.3 million people were displaced, unable to return to their homes in haiti. still today while things are getting better, a desperate need for food, water, and medical care exists. the people of haiti are facing an enormous struggle to recover from an earthquake at a time when the country was among the poorest in the worrell. this bill supports humanitarian need by allowing the treasury to cancel the $828 million debt owed by haiti. this is the decent and humane thing to do. i ask my colleagues to once again support this measure. i yield back my time. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the

gentleman from kansas yields back the balance of his time. the gentlelady from california reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from minnesota. mr. paulsen: mr. speaker, the gentlewoman has no more additional speakers. we do not. we can close. ms. waters: thank you very much. mr. speaker, there has been -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady will suspend. the gentleman yield back the baffle his time? mr. paulsen: i yield back the balance of my time and encourage strong support for this legislation. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. waters: thank you very much, mr. speaker. there has been considerable progress mobilizing international support for haiti since the introduction of this bill. multilateral development institutions have already begun to take steps to reduce or cancel haiti's debts. on march 31 the united nations hosted the international donors kfers for haiti where leaders -- conference for haiti where leaders of the world's nations pledged $9.9 billion in aid, including $5.3 billion for the first two years. i'm encouraged by this progress and i'm inspired by the

outpouring of support for haiti from the international community. the people of haiti are poor but they are physically and spiritually resilient. i nope the support of the international community they will recover from this tragedy and create a better future for their children. mr. speaker and members, in fact, haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere and haiti has experienced extreme devastation for many years. it was just 2008 when they were hit with four hurricanes. and they had not had the opportunity to even try to recover from those hurricanes. at that time there were many deaths. many houses were destroyed, the roads and bridges were destroyed. coming on the heels of that they were confronted with this most devastating earthquake. there are those who look at haiti and say, we don't know whether or not this nation can

survive. there are those who say, you know, they have had problems with governance. they have lived under dictators. they have lived under a catholic priest who practiced liberation theology where there was a coup d'etat that out ofed him. and it goes on and on and on. but there are many of us who look at this earthquake as an opportunity. despite the severe loss and the devastation, we believe that there is now a real commitment by the world community to come to the aid of haiti. we believe that there's a real commitment to governance in a new way. we believe that there is a real commitment not only by usaid, the state department, and the government of our own country, but by other governments around the world to include haiti in the redevelopment. and so despite the devastation, i think that many of us are

looking forward to the opportunity to help haiti become the country that it can become. this is going to be a lot of hard work, but this debt relief will go a long way toward helping the redevelopment. with this debt relief that means haiti will not have to repay debt. they can invest that money in health and education and infrastructure. and despite the fact that i spent many hours working not only on this debt relief bill but working with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. i have learned a lot working with the jubilee committee and with mr. baucus about what we can do if we cooperate. and that we have been doing. and so we move forward to help redevelop haiti. i would appreciate the support and vote of my colleagues for this debt relief legislation. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from california yields back the balance of her time. all time having been yielded back, the question is will the house suspend the rules and

concur in senate amendments to h.r. 4573. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the senate amendments are agreed to, and without objection the mock is laid upon the table. -- the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition? mr. moore: mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h.r. 3506 as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 3506, a bill to amend the gramm-leech-bliley act to provide an exception from the continuing requirement for annual privacy notices for financial institutions which do not share personal information with affiliates, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from kansas, mr. moore, and the gentleman from minnesota, mr. paulsen, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the

gentleman from kansas. mr. moore: thank you, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and insert extraneous material thereon. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. moore: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. i want to congratulate the gentleman from minnesota, representative eric paulsen, a member of our financial services committee, as well as the oversight and investigation subcommittee that i chair. . i was proud to introduce this with representative peter roskam who first introduced this bill in the 110th congress when he served on the financial services committee. in the last congress, mr. speaker, this legislation was included in a bank and thrift regulatory bill i introduced which was later in a comprehensive regulatory reform measure that this house approved by voice vote. the senate failed to act. the legislation we consider today will help minimize confusion consumers have about

their privacy rights regarding two conflicting provisions of two prior laws. the fair debt collection practices act, specifically prohibits subject companies from sharing personal information with third parties. the gramm-leach-bliley provides these firms to provide annual privacy notices to opt out having their information shared with third parties. since this practice is already prohibited by law, these confuse the consumers that receives them. h.r. -- this bill will not allow any financial institution that is prohibited by the fair debt collection practices act to share private information to third parties. this will reduce confusion for consumers who may incorrectly think that the companies have the right to share their personal information with third parties. this should not be confused with the privacy policy institutions when they provide

to consumers when they open the account. i urge my colleagues to support h.r. 3506 and i reserve the balance of my time, madam chair. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from minnesota. mr. paulsen: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. paulsen: well, madam speaker, i rise today in support of h.r. 3506, the eliminate privacy notice confusion act. this bill will help reduce the burden and confusion of privacy notice requirements by providing exemption from sending an annual privacy notice for those institutions that do not share nonpublic customer information with unaffiliated third parties or those that do not change their privacy policies at all. under current law, banks and other financial institutions are required to send out an annual privacy notification notice to their customers informing them that nothing has change and they still do not share privacy information. and this is quite confusing to customers. essentially under my

legislation, financial institutions are relieved under redundant regulatory burden which will help lower costs and reduce junk mail that the customers receive in the mail every day. it will lessen confusion to customers because they will no loppinger receive letters saying their bank policies have not changed at all. this legislation only applies to those institutions that do not share personal financial information with third parties and do not change their privacy policies. this means that the privacy policy that banks must provide to consumers when they open an account remains complotely unaffected. the bottom -- complotely unaffected. the bottom -- completely unaffected. the bottom line is that it does not disclose private information and companies are still prohibited from sharing personal information with third parties. similar legislation has passed the house in previous congresses with strong bipartisan support. i want to recognize that bipartisan manner in which that

was handled this year. i want to thank chairman frank and ranking member bachus for their willingness to bring this legislation to the floor. i want to thank the gentleman from kansas, mr. moore, for his hard work on this legislation. he's done exemplary work for his 12 years in this body. we will miss his spirit in working in a bipartisan manner. i appreciate him. i ask for a yes vote on this bill and reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from kansas. mr. moore: i want to thank the gentleman, madam speaker. we have no further speakers and we are ready to close, madam speaker, so i'll reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from minnesota. mr. paulsen: madam speaker, i just in closing yield myself moifs -- yield moifsmoifs and this bill is a win-win. it reduces a redundant regulatory burden. i ask for adoption of the bipartisan legislation. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from kansas. mr. moore: i yield myself one

minute, madam speaker. i commend the gentleman from minnesota for his work on this bipartisan legislation. and it is bipartisan legislation. i urge my colleagues to support h.r. 3506 and i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 3506 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. without objection, the title is without objection, the title is amended.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from maryland seek recognition? >> i ask that the house suspend the rules and pass h.res. 197, a bill to commend the american sail training association for its advancement of character building under sail and for its advancement of international goodwill. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house calendar number 183, house resolution 197, resolution to commend the american sail training association for its advancement of character building under sail and for its advancement of international goodwill.

the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from maryland, mr. cummings, and the gentlelady from michigan, mrs. miller, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include materiel torle on h.res. 197. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. cummings: madam chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. cummings: introduced by congressman ken dough, h.res. 197 commends the american sail training association, asta, for kids to sail on untraditional rigged sail vessels and for representing the united states in international sail training

forum. barkley warboreden, iii, founded asta in 1873. he was inspired to form an organization in the united states that would be dedicated to supporting character building through sail training and promoting sail training to the north american public. they have worked to ensure a love for sea in the next generation. it gives young people a chance to sail on tall ships and support professional development among the crewmembers who work on tall ships. asta organizes tall ship races such as tall ships challenge series. these fest villes give young people interested -- festivals give young people interested in sailing. they've also enabled millions

of spectators to experience the imagine gee of tall ships and have economic benefits in the coastal communities in which they have been held. i note that the united states coast guard cutter eagle was used to train cadets at the coast guard academy on the principles of seamanship. it's just one of the many vessels that have worked expensively with asta and participated in main sailing events. asta's work is critical in enriching the maritime heritage and ensuring that its traditions are passed onto the next generation. i urge adoption of h.res. 197 by the house today and commend the work of my good friend, congressman kennedy, on this resolution. and with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from michigan. mrs. miller: madam speaker, i

yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. mifrl: i rise in -- mrs. miller: i rise in strong support of this resolution. through this association, many, many young people get an opportunity to train aboard these vessels and to gain important leadership experience. sailing provides a great opportunity, a wonderful opportunity to be outside, to be out in nature and join our nation's bountiful natural resources. moreover, it's an opportunity for individuals to learn the value of teamwork and provides a personal competitive challenge for each member of the crew as they attempt to match their sailing skills against those of the other boats and mother nature. there's actually nothing like it. and i speak from some personal experience, madam speaker. actually, my family was in the marina business. i sold sailboats for a living before i ever came to get involved with public service. so it was our family business, it was the way we made our living, it was our family

hobby. in fact, some of my fondest memories include participating in what are some of the marquise freshwater sailing regadas in the great lakes. the port huron to mackinac race, after they race 25, they induct you in the old goat society. i think i am the old nanny goat in the united states congress. as well as participate in the chicago to mackinac freshwater race as well. since 1973, the american sail training association has been introducing young people to the world of sailing. specifically on tall ships. madam speaker, these experiences instill the values of hard work, leadership, appreciation for our environment, and cooperation as well. all attributes which will serve young people very well throughout their lifetimes. this summer the american sail training association is going to be partnering with the great lakes united association, which will bring a fleet of international tall ships,

actually, into the great lakes. as these vessels sail through the world's largest body of freshwater, which is about 20% freshwater supply of the planet, they will be calling on various ports throughout the great lakes to promote stewardship of the great lakes and the educational benefits of sailing. again, as someone who has sailed throughout the great lakes, i know that the young people who participate in this venture will be astounded by the majesty as well as the challenges that they will face from a sailing in a boating perspective on the great lakes. i certainly commend the american sail training association for their work to promote the continued display and youth of these majestic ships as well as their efforts to provide a platform to advance historical and environmental stewardship. i would urge my colleagues to support this resolution. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: i would just inquire, madam speaker, whether

the other side has additional speakers. the speaker pro tempore: is the gentlelady prepared to close? mrs. miller: i am prepared to close. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. mrs. miller: who can forget, certainly in our nation's bicentennial, when the boats went to new york harbor going by the statue of liberty shows what america is all about. this resolution recognizes an organization that allows young people to experience these tall ships. i would urge my colleagues to support it. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: thank you very much, madam speaker. i just wanted to close here and just say that i agree with the the gentlelady -- agree with the gentlelady coming from a port city of baltimore. we've had an opportunity to see the tall ships and to sew what sailing has done for our country -- and to see what

sailing has done for our country. i think this is an outstanding resolution. i would move for adoption of it and suggest that all members vote for it. and with that, madam speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 197 as amended. those in favor say aye. . opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to, and without objection the the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from maryland seek recognition? >> madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass the bill h.r. 4275, as amended, to designate the annex building under construction for the albert p. tuttle united states court of appeals building in atlanta, georgia, as the john c.

godbold federal building. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: house calendar number 175. h.r. 4275, a bill to designate the annex building under construction for the albert p. tuttle united states court of appeals building in atlanta, georgia, as the john c. godbold united states judicial administration building. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from maryland, mr. cummings, and the gentleman from florida, mr. diaz-balart, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: thank you very much, madam speaker. madam speaker, i yield to -- i'm going to yield to the distinguished gentleman from georgia, mr. lewis, five minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. lewis: madam speaker, i want to thank my colleague and my friend, mr. cummings, for yielding. i will not take the five

minutes. but, madam speaker, i rise today in support of this resolution to name the annex building at the united states courthouse in downtown atlanta, georgia, as the john c. godbold federal building. john c. godbold was born in 1920 in coy, alabama. about 100 miles to the west of my hometown of troy. in 1966, president lyndon johnson appointed godbold to the united states court of appeals for the fifth circuit, a key post due to the many civil rights cases before the circuit during the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. he holds the distinction of being the only judge in the

history of the united states to be chief judge of two separate judicial circuits. the fifth and later the 11th circuit in atlanta. it is with this legislation that we recognize the significant achievements of judge godbold and thank him for his many years of service to this country. madam speaker, i would especially like to express my sympathy to judge godbold's family, friends, and colleagues on the judge's recent passing in december, 2009. with that, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida. mr. diaz-balart: thank you very much, madam speaker. i would like to yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: thank you. the gentleman from georgia just did a great job explaining why

we are here today. i'm not going to go through, again, this distinguished american's extensive record of public service. i do want to, though, as the gentleman from georgia just mentioned, i want to just highlight what he just said, this is the first person to serve as chief judge in two different federal circuits. which is really a remarkable achievement. and also prior to his appointment to the bench, judge godbold was in private practice, but he also served in the u.s. army. i always like to highlight when we are here on the floor and we are doing something like naming a building, if someone has also served in the u.s. military, which i think is the most noble way to serve our country, i think it's important to highlight. again i want to thank the gentleman from georgia, mr. lewis, for bringing this bill. i understand that the entire georgia delegation is not only

supporting this legislation but are co-sponsors with him. again this is a gentleman who has -- individual who has expensive record of public service and with that i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. cummings: madam speaker, i also ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on h.r. 4275. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. cummings: madam speaker, i just want to associate myself with the words of both of my colleagues and urge the members of this body to support this resolution. just want to inquire if the other side -- the speaker pro tempore: is the gentleman from florida prepared to close? mr. diaz-balart: madam speaker, i have no further -- the speaker pro tempore: does the gentleman yield back? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back.

the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: with that i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 4275, as amended. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. without objection, the title is amended. for what purpose does the gentleman from maryland rise? mr. cummings: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, h.res. 1062, as amended, recognizing the coast guard group astoria's more than 60 years of service to the pacific northwest. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house calendar number 177, house resolution 1062, resolution recognizing the coast guard group astoria's more than 60 years of service to the

pacific northwest. and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from maryland, mr. cummings, and the gentleman from north carolina, mr. coble, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: thank you very much, madam speaker. madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on h.res. 1062. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. cummings: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. cummings: madam speaker, as chairman of the subcommittee on the coast guard and maritime transportation, i rise and urge strong support of h.res. 1062 offered by congressman wu. this resolution recognizes the coast guard group astoria for the more than 60 years of service it's provided to the pacific northwest. founded in 1948, atorah today is

comprise -- astoria is comprised station kate disappointment until washington, station tele bay in oregon, air station astoria in warrenton, oregon, and aids to navigation team astorea in oregon. -- astoria in oregon. staffed by 325 coast guard members, it oversees an area of responsibility that covers 140 miles of coastline in oregon and washington. in an average year the group has responded to more than 800 search and rescue calls. since 2003 group astoria has saved more than 500 lives and assisted more than 10,000 individuals in distress. group astoria also supports the maintenance of 470 aids to navigation and over the last seven years the group has

conducted more than 1,200 missions to ensure that fishing vessels working in the area of responsibility are in compliance with commercial fishing laws. later this year group astoria will gain additional responsibilities and will be renamed sector columbia river. the title group astoria will become an historical name. in advance of these planned transitions, h.res. 1062 recognizes group astoria for its service to the pacific northwest and honors the members of the coast guard who have served as group astoria's -- served group astoria over the past six decades. i join with my friend congressman wu and the five co-sponsors of h.res. 1062 in honoring the service of group astoria, the 13th district, and indeed of all our coast guard members. i urge the adoption of the resolution by the house today and commend congressman wu for

his work on this resolution. with that i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina. mr. coble: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. coble: i thank you, madam speaker. house resolution 1062 as indicated by the distinguished chairman recognizes the long-standing service of coast guard group astoria to the people of the pacific northwest. group astoria members along with their partners at the co-located air station carry out search and rescue maritime homeland security, fisheries enforcement, and aids to navigation missions throughout their area of responsibility. group astoria's one of the last of its kind as the coast guard has consolidated its personnel and mission capabilities through the establishment of sectors. members of assets currently assigned to group astoria will be combined with other coast guard units to stand up the new sector columbia river in astoria

later this year. and it is fitting that we celebrate group astoria's long history as it embarks on this transformation. madam speaker, house resolution 1062 gives this house the opportunity to express thanks to members of the coast guard astoria and their colleagues stationed at other coast sectors and groups for their selfless service to protect those in need. madam speaker, if i may assume a personal role. some years ago as an active duty coast guardman i was assigned to the unit in astoria at the mouth of the columbia river. so this resolution is taking me down a nostalgic trail, a pleasant one, and the past is coming alive, reviving old memories. with that in mind i join with the resolution sponsor and co-sponsors in honoring their service and the service of all

coast guard members and officers. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: i yield, madam speaker, such time as he may consume to mr. wu. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for such time as he may consume. mr. wu: i thank the gentleman. thank you, madam speaker. i rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in supporting house resolution 1062 which recognizes coast guard group astoria's more than 60 years of service to the pacific northwest. and i thank the gentleman for his service in coast guard group astoria, his personal service, and want to welcome him back to oregon any time that he chooses to come. for more than six decades coast guard group astoria has served the people of oregon and washington and the pacific northwest. the 325 men and women of group astoria are responsible for patrolling more than 140 miles

of coastline, stretching from queets, washington, to pacific city, oregon. one of the most dangerous and beautiful expanses of water in the world. the group is comprised of station grace harbor in washington, station cape disappointment in washington, air station astoria in warrenton, oregon, aids navigation team astoria at tongue point, oregon, and station mcbay in oregon. group astoria carries out a diverse set of missions from search and rescue to law enforcement and from environmental protection to navigation maintenance. but its contributions to our community do not end there. coast guard members are also responsible for homeland security functions, vital to our national defense. moreover, group astoria personnel are ever-present sentals in card guarding our coastal waterways, enabling the

safe and steady flow of both commercial and recreational traffic. and i want to add as a personal note that i deeply appreciate the community service and community contributions of the many individuals in coast guard group astoria i have known over the past years. group astoria continues to embody the coast guard's motto, semper polatis, always ready, each and every day. these men and women risk their lives to ensure those who venture to sea return home and return home safely. each year coast guard group astoria responds to roughly 800 search and refs cue calls for help, assists more than 1,700 mariners, and saves nearly 100 lives. they do so in all types of weather and amid the many challenges of our harsh and beautiful coastline. one effort in particular stands out in my mind, not only for its heroism but also for the way that it lifted the spirits of all of those affected.

in december, 2007, oregon was hit by winter storm with hurricane-force winds in excess of 130 miles per hour. the storm knocked out power in thousands of homes in northwest oregon and southwest washington and communication in many areas was completely cut off. . the coast guard ranks among the most courageous. for instance, coast guard air station astoria helicopter crews rescued over 140 people trapped by flooding in washington. in my personal visit there, a day or two after the storm, i met one of the rescue divers and he didn't tell me the story, but his colleagues did. with high winds blowing, he was dropped in the water near there and there was a residential structure there, a home there

and not only were the lights on, the electricity was still flowing to that house, but there was sheet metal flopping -- flapping in a very strong wind there. and at great risk to himself, he entered the home, ignoring the hazard posed by flying sheet metal, and he entered this home with the electricity on and the lights were still on and he found an elderly gentleman who was lying on a floating couch inside a flodded room. it takes a lot -- flooded room. it takes a lot of courage to do the right thing and bring the citizens of oregon and washington to safety. for their extraordinary heroism, many of the aircrews involved in these december, 2007, rescues were awarded the distinguished flying cross. group astoria's bravery during that storm is one example of the service to oregon's coast

but it illustrates the selflessness and professionalism that gives group astoria its reputation. madam speaker, it is right and fitting that we should recognize coast guard group astoria's service to the pacific northwest. these brave men and women give so much to their fellow americans and ask so little in return. at this time i would like to specifically recognize the leadership of captain peter, who commanded group astoria during the 2007 winter storm, and cap dane doug kalp, group astoria's current commander. i am grateful for group astoria's service and ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their ongoing efforts to protect the people of the pacific northwest. i urge my colleagues to support house resolution 1062 and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: thank you very much. i understand that the gentleman

has yielded back all his time? the speaker pro tempore: that is correct. mr. cummings: thank you very much. madam speaker, let me associate with the words -- i yield myself such time as i may consume. let me associate myself with the words of both my colleagues. i want to thank mr. wu for sponsoring this legislation. i want to thank mr. coble for his service, not only to the united states coast guard, but to our subcommittee. he is one of our strongest members and has a tremendous passion about the coast guard. and as i was listening to both of them, i can't help but this about the fact that, madam speaker, the coast guard does not always get the recognition that it deserves. a little bit over 41,000 members. it's a small agency, small organization, but i call them the thin blue line at sea. and certainly coast guard group astoria is typical of the men and women that i see all over

our country as i travel and commend them on so many things they have done so well. and on that note, when we look back attica trina, out of all the agencys that operated during katrina, there's absolutely no question that the united states coast guard was that agency that went far beyond the call of duty rescuing some 35,000-plus lives. many of these people would have perished were it not for the bravery and courage of the united states coast guard. and, again, in this resolution while we are addressing coast guard group astoria, i think it is also -- says to the other members of the coast guard that we are a grateful congress and that we appreciate everything that they do every day, to put their lives on the loin so that they can continue to be our thin blue line at sea.

and with that, madam speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1062 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to -- mr. cummings: madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from maryland. mr. cummings: i request the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 and the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition? mr. conyers: mr. speaker, i ask that the house suspend the rules and agree to house concurrent resolution 222. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the concurrent resolution. the clerk: house concurrent resolution 222, resolution lorpe leadership -- leadership leadership. -- recognizing the leadership and historical contributions of dr. hector garcia. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from michigan, mr. conyors, and the gentleman from texas, mr. -- mr. conyers, and the gentleman from texas, mr. smith, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan. mr. conyers: thank you, madam speaker. i yield moifs myself.

-- i yield myself such time as i may consume and ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized. mr. conyers: madam speaker, this resolution was brought to the judiciary committee's attention by our friend, solomon ortiz of texas, which recognizes the leadership and historical contributions of dr. hector garcia to the hispanic community and the nation in his remarkable efforts to combat racial and ethnic discrimination. now, dr. garcia was born in mexico, and his family settled

in more sayies -- mercedes, texas. and this concurrent resolution recognizes the leadership and historical contributions of this great american. and it's singularly important to me that he graduated from a segregated high school in texas . segregated how? well, it was segregated because hispanics could not go to the school that everybody else went to. of course, african-americans couldn't either. so i guess they had two levels

of segregation, but eventually he got to the university of texas and then became a doctor, and during world war ii he was a combat engineer, a field of the military that i, too, served in, and the rest, as they say, is history. it is my intention to yield to our colleague, mr. ortiz, who has more detail that we can add to this. at this moment i'll reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: does the gentleman reserve his time? the gentleman from texas.

mr. smith: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. smith: madam speaker, first of all, i want to thank my texas colleague, mr. ortiz, for introdousing this resolution. it reflects -- for introducing this resolution. it reflects well on him. and, madam speaker, i support house concurrent resolution 222, which recognizes the leadership and the historical contributions of dr. hector garcia. my colleague in the other body, senator cornyn of texas, sponsored a similar resolution during the last congress and i'm glad to have it considered in the house this year. in 1914, hector garcia was born in a small town in mexico. he was brought to mercedes, texas, after a child after his parents fled the mexican revolution in 1917. he graduated at the university of texas medical school in 1940 and used that education to serve his country in the united states army. he served during world war ii as an infant treeman, a combat

engineer and doctor. he earned the bronze star with six battle stars. but his public service did not end there. dr. garcia founded the american g.i. forum in 1948 to fight for equal treatment of mexican american veterans in medical care and educational benefits. president lyndon johnson made dr. garcia the first mexican american to serve as an ambassador to the united nations. he also became the first hispanic to serve on the united states commission on civil rights. and in 1983, president ronald reagan bestowed upon dr. garcia the presidential medal of freedom. madam speaker, i urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, and i'll yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan. mr. conyers: madam speaker, in recognizing solomon ortiz of texas, we also recognize him to be the dean of the hispanic

caucus, and i thank him for bringing the attention of this really great texan and american to our attention and yield him as much time as he may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized for as much time as he may consume. mr. ortiz: thank you, chairman conyers, for giving out a beautiful description of my good friend, dr. hector garcia, and thank you for bringing this to the floor. and i want to thank my good friend from texas, mr. smith, for bringing this resolution to the floor. madam speaker, i rise in honor and to honor an american hero who very well respected in the community. today, we honor the life and work of dr. hector garcia, a recognized leader for better health care for all texans, a legendary civil rights advocate and promotor of education for

hispanics. my resolution 222 honors the lifetime of extraordinary achievements of dr. hector garcia, who lived in my congressional district of corpus christi for many years. his family immigrated from mexico in 1914 and settled in mercedes, texas. and after graduating from medical school, he served with great distinction in world war ii. obtained the rank of major and earned a bronze star with six battle stars. and when the army learned that dr. garcia was a physician, he was asked to practice his profession by treating his fellow soldiers. when he moved to corpus christi, he opened a private practice where he treated all patients regardless of their ability to pay, and i was there many times when just didn't

have any money, he was able to give them just what they needed free of charge. he was a very humble man, and turned down profit to make a better life for all of us, not only in south texas, but throughout the united states. dr. garcia became -- first became known in south texas for his public health message on the radio. he was on the air three times a week with a spanish program. your health and welfare. during this time, he struggled to bring attention to serve illnesses such as tuberculosis, which enabled the public to become better educated about the health needs. his message brought to light the many health issues of the region and -- poverty in south texas. a man of tremendous talents, dr. garcia pride education and fought for other americans to

also value education. in the 1940's, he struggled to abolish the one room segregated mexican schools that one would find across the texas landscape . as a result, the schools were eventually desegregated. students who previously did not have access to adequate education were given the same opportunities available to others. and because of this efforts, four schools are named after him and one in chicago, illinois. perhaps most significantly he emerged as founder of the g.i. forum, a mexican-american veterans association to redress the injustices experienced by returning world war ii veterans, the dwrks i. forum initiated

countless efforts on bihac of americans in the areas of health care and veterans benefits and now has more than 160,000 members in 500 chapters in 24 states and puerto rico. these civilized movements would then grow to gate discrimination in housing, in education, and in voting rights. in recognition of these achievements, president john f. kennedy appointed dr. garcia a member of the delegation for the mutual defense agreement between the united states and the federation of the west indies. as president kennedy once said in another context, each of us there is a private hope and dream when fulfilled can be translated into benefits for everyone. dr. garcia understood this concept as he fought discrimination against a voice

with which we should all be proud of. in 1967 president johnson appointed dr. garcia an alternate ambassador to the united nations where he gave the first speech by an american before the united states in a language other than english lish. he spoke spanish to a captivated audience. president reagan presented dr. garcia the nation's highest civilian award, the presidential medal of freedom, and in 1994 for his tremendous service to this country, the first mexican american to receive the distinction. americans should do all they can to learn about dr. garcia. he dedicated his life for the less fortunate and would always be remembered for giving so much of himself for this country and for all of us. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from michigan. mr. conyers: madam speaker, i

recognize our real leader on improving relations not just in texas but across the country, mr. chet edwards of texas, and i'm pleased to yield him three minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized for three minutes. mr. edwards: madam speaker, let me begin by thanking the chairman for his kind comments and for his leadership for our country. madam speaker, america is a better country today because of the life and service of dr. hector p. garcia. and we will be a better country tomorrow if every school child hears his story. it is the story of an immigrant child who worked hard. became a physician, and dedicated his entire life to his family and service to country. it is a story that one person can make a difference. it is a story of the timeless values of hard work and service to others. it is the quintessential

american story of love of country expressed through a lifetime of service to others. one of the greatest privileges of my lifetime was to know dr. hector garcia. he left the world a better place and his life story continues to inspire everyone who hears it. and it is my hope that every school child in america will adhere to his story. a true champion of our nation's never-ending quest for equal opportunity for all. as a child growing up in corpus christi, texas, dr. garcia's hometown, i lived on the same block. at the time i did not know he was a world war ii hero who earned a bronze star and the rank of major. i did not know of his championing the cause of america's hispanic veterans. yet as i grew old enand learned of his heroic lifetime of service on the battlefield of war and the halls of congress, and the offices of his medical

practice, his life's story became an inspiration that led me to public service. had it not been for dr. hector, as we called him, i probably would not be in congress today. for that i am personally grateful. but i am even more grateful for how he made a difference in our nation's history. may god bless and forever keep in his loving arms dr. hector p. garcia. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from michigan. mr. conyers: we are out of speakers, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: does the gentleman yield back? mr. conyers: only after the gentleman from texas does. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas has yielded back his time. mr. conyers: then i do the same thing as my ranking member. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to

house concurrent resolution 222. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the concurrent resolution is agreed to, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. mr. conyers: madam speaker, may i object to the vote on the grounds a quorum is not present and make a point of order a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 and the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition? mr. conyers: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass senate joint resolution 25. the speaker pro tempore: the

clerk will report the title of the joint resolution. the clerk: senate joint resolution 25, joint resolution granting the consent and approval of congress to amendments made by the state of maryland, the commonwealth of virginia, and the district of columbia to the washington metropolitan area transit regulation compact. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from michigan, mr. conyers, and the gentleman from texas, mr. smith, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan. mr. conyers: thank you, madam speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. ask five legislative days to revise and extend the remarks of any members that want to include them. and also to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized. mr. conyers: madam speaker, my colleagues, this jurisdiction

comes to the judiciary committee under the commerce clause which says that all compacts must come through the committee. and the public service commission of the district of columbia is being replaced with the district of columbia agency with oversight of matters relating to the commission. the state corporation commission of the commonwealth of virginia is being replaced with the commonwealth's department of motor vehicles and there are a number of our colleagues in the senate that should be thanked for helping expedite this matter . messrs. cardin, mikulski, mark

warner, and jim webb, and we are grateful to them all. i urge my colleagues to support this resolution because it is obviously in the interest of all that this commission be governed by a three member board with one representative, each from the district of columbia, the commonwealth of virginia, and the state of maryland. i urge its support and reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas. mr. smith: madam speaker, it's always nice to agree with the chairman of the judiciary committee. i, too, support senate joint resolution 25, ask unanimous consent that my statement be made a part of the record. and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from michigan. mr. conyers: i do likewise, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the

gentleman yields back. the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass senate joint resolution 25. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. opinion in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the joint resolution is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition? mr. boucher: madam speaker, i move the house suspend the rules h.r. 1258, the truth in caller i.d. act of 2010, as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: union calendar number 264, h.r. 1258, a bill to amend the communications act of 1934 to prohibit manipulation of caller identification information, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from virginia, mr. boucher, and the gentleman from florida, mr. stearns, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia. mr. boucher: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five

legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation currently under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. boucher: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. boucher: today the house considers h.r. 1258, the truth in caller i.d. act. this measure was introduced by our colleagues, mr. engel and by mr. barton, the ranking member of our committee on energy and commerce. it would direct the federal communications commission to prohibit caller i.d. spoofing through which a caller falsifies the original caller i.d. information during the transmission of a call with the intent to defraud or to deceive. typically caller i.d. spoofing involves a caller changing the number that would show on the call recipient's caller i.d. when that call is received.

spoofing has been possible for a number of years, but it has generally required very expensive equipment in order to change the outgoing call information. but with the growth of voice over i.p. telephoning, spoofing has become easier and less expensive and the number of websites now are offering spoofing services, so its prevalence, unfortunately, is growing. and that growth and the volume of spoofing makes necessary legislation under consideration presently. the proliferation of spoofing technologies and services means that those who want to deceive others by manipulating caller i.d. can now do so with relative ease. spoofing threatens a number of existing business applications, including credit card verification and automatic call routing because these systems rely on the telephone number as

identified by the caller i.d. system as one piece of verification and authentication information. at other times, however, spoofing may be used to protect individuals. i would note an example of domestic violence shelters that sometimes use spoofing to mask the identity of the caller in order to protect that caller's safety. by prohibiting the use of caller i.d. spoofing only where the intent is to defraud or deceive, this will continue to allow those legitimate uses. in the domestic violence shelter situation, there is no intent to cause harm which is an element of the crime of deception. therefore using caller i.d. spoofing to protect the location of a victim of domestic violence is not deexceptive and would be allowed under the provisions of the bill now under consideration.

this measure on previous occasions, in fact in the two previous congresses has been approved in the house on the suspension calendar and a similar measure in this conversation has been approved by the senate. i look forward to advancing this legislation today and i want to say thank you to mr. engel, mr. barton, to my colleague and friend on the commerce committee, mr. stearns, and other members of our committee who on a bipartisan basis who contributed to the construction of this measure and advancing it to the floor today. i urge approval of the bill and i reserve the balance of my time. . the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida. >> thank you. i rise and request such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. >> i rise in strong support of this bill as the chairman of the telecommunications subcommittee has indicated, this has passed twice before.

we're coming here hoping that the senate will take it up and pass it, it's a very good bill. the gentleman from new york has offered this bill. the bill is called the truth caller i.d. act and it's going to pass overwhelmingly today. millions of americans use caller i.d. to secure greater privacy for their families yet as new technologies continue to be developed, a very simple deceptive practice called caller i.d. spoofing has simply become a growing problem for consumers and also for businesses. caller i.d. spoofing occurs when a caller masquerades as someone else by falsifying the number that appears on the recipient's caller i.d. display. you say, is this difficult? no, it isn't. caller i.d. spoofing can make a caller appear to come from any phone number. the caller so desires. you understand current f.c.c.

regulation there is no requirement that all callers transmit accurate caller i.d. information. in fact, there's nothing that prohibits a deceptive manipulation of caller i.d. this bill will go a long way in stemming the tide of caller i.d. spoofing by making it illegal to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller i.d. information while providing reasonable exemptions for law enforcement activities. madam speaker, the increasing use of internet telephone services has made it easier for people to make any number -- any number appear as a caller i.d. in addition, several websites have sprung up to provide caller i.d. spoofing services, eliminating the need for any special hardware. so think of that. entrepreneurship of the spoofers now has sprung to such a point that they can provide it on their websites. although these caller i.d. spoofing services promote

themselves for use in prank cause -- calls or for entertainment purposes only, these services can be easily accessed and used by criminals. caller i.d. spoofing has emerged as a useful tool for identity -- identifying thieves and other scam artists. in addition, many business functions from credit card verification to automatic call routing simply depend on-caller i.d. for security purposes. which spoofing can reynolder useless. so, madam speaker, these nefarious actions are the target of this bill. as you can see, this is a serious issue with far-reaching ramifications and implications for both consumers and for all businesses. this is an important bill and i urge its passage with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: -- passage with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. >> mr. speaker, at this time i yield as much time as he may consume to the primary author of the legislation, one of our

commerce committee colleagues, the gentleman from new york, mr. engel. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for as much time as he may consume. mr. engel: i thank the gentleman for yielding to me. and, mr. speaker, i stand today in strong support of my legislation. the truth in caller i.d. act. but before i begin, i want to first thank my friend and the lead republican and the lead republican on the energy and commerce committee, ranking member joe barton. i also want to thank the chairman of the energy and commerce committee, henry waxman, as well as his staff, for being so accommodating in getting this bill to the floor today and i want to thank my friend, mr. boucher, who has helped in bringing this bill to the floor and my friend and classmate, mr. stearns, of who quite correctly said this is about as bipartisan piece of legislation as you can get. this legislation has been developed in an extremely

bipartisan manner and i want to thank and commend everybody who worked on it. i introduced this bill, mr. speaker, because we need an immediate change in our laws to help prevent identity theft, to crack down on fraudulent phone cause and to protect legitimate uses of caller i.d. technology. i first found out about this just simply by reading an article. and when i realized that this is actually something that could be done, i was flabbergasted. i went over to mr. barton who at the time was the chair of the full committee and i said, joe, something really needs to be done about this and would you work with me on it? he said he would and he agrees and everybody agrees and the house has passed this bill time and time again and we hope we can get it bassed in both houses -- passed in both houses and get it signed. last year the facts are stark. over 6,000 people were victimized by credit card fraud and identity theft, criminals stole over $15 million from

banks and ruined the credit of thousandses of victims. they were able to -- thousands of victims. they were able to perpetrate this fraud in some instances by using caller i.d. spoofing. this disturbing fact about spoofing is not just that it's legal but how easy it is to carry out. criminals use a tool called a spoof card to change their outgoing caller i.d. and even to disguise their voices. now, if you see a caller i.d. and you see it has a phone number, most people think that it's iron clad, that that's the actual phone number that's calling them. when in truth it's not. this technology even allows people to disguise their voice in order to trick banks into giving them access to their victim's accounts. a man can do that and have his voice change into a woman's voice and vice versa. so it's absolutely deceptive, absolutely scary and dangerous and this tool is available to

anyone with access to a web browser. so it's just ridiculous the technology has gotten so far ahead of us, we need to have these kinds of laws to simply catch up. now, no one can dispute that this legislation is necessary. last year a person in new york called a pregnant woman who she viewed -- viewed as a romantic rival, spoofing the phone number of the woman's pharmacist. she tricked the woman into taking a drug used to cause an abortion. i used it because it's one of the horrible examples. and there are many, many more horrible examples of how this is used. and just think about it. someone could be tricked into giving up personal medical information, someone could be tricked to giving up banking information. if someone hears that the their doctor calling, they take a look at the number and they see it's their doctor's number, they would give out personal information, credit card information, even social security identification. so caller i.d. fraud has even

been used to prank call the constituents of a member of this body, with the caller i.d. readout saying it came from that member's office. just imagine if people committed this fraud in the days leading up to a close election. you can call and you can say you're from one candidate's camp when you're really from the other canned cate's camp and when someone -- candidate's camp and when someone looks down at the phone number, they see it's from candidate a and they think it's legitimate and it's really from candidate b. imagine what kind of trouble can happen, what kind of mischief can be done. so this really needs to be curtailed. and so as everyone has said in response to this problem, mr. barton and i have introduced a truth incaler -- caller i.d. act, and simply this bill outlaws the deceptive use of caller i.d. spoofing technology, if the intention of the caller is to deceive and harm the recipient of the call. let me say, we developed that intention through hearings we had in the energy and commerce committee.

because we wanted to be legitimate. there are legitimate times when a -- where a number may have to be scrambled. we certainly do adhere on capitol hill to protect members and others and staff from having personal phone numbers being given out or private phone numbers being given out. so there's no intent to do that. that's why we say, it outlaws the deceptive use of caller i.d. spoofing technology if the intention of the caller is to deceive and harm the recipient of the call. and again through the hearings we've had we've refined this bill and that's why it has such strong bipartisan support. and let me say, this bill does not change the rules for legitimate uses of a technology. for example, a domestic abuse shelt already still be able to change their number on-caller i.d. to protect the occupants of the shelter. i'm pleased that the house passed this and i look forward to its passage again today. i strongly urge my colleagues to

support the truth in caller i.d. act and outlaw this type of fraud once and for all. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from florida, for what purpose does do you rise? the gentleman is recognized. mr. stearns: i yield such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. stearns: the gentleman from new york mentioned some specific examples. there's another example that's used in political campaigns he perhaps knows about where people can use spoofing to call different homes and then bank the calls and go around the congressional district as a fake and wake people up at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and people think this is coming from someone who is not and this has happened on both sides of the aisle. this would prevent that. it hits a little closer to home when you talk about it in terms of those terms. the other point that's been a concern is, why has this bill not passed? i think the question has always been some kind of legal questions, whether there's

liability involved for the phone company or anyone that's transmitting this information to a consumer constituent through this illegal act of spoofing. and we're able to change that language, bipartisanship, both sides, to try to make it -- for example, if a phone company not knowing and how would they know, transmits the information, are they going to be liable for this? could be sued? well, we worked it out that them not knowing, they should not be liable for this. so i think that's important, that this bill now has language that represents bipartisanship so that this passage should be assured, i think, this time. so this should be the third and last time we're doing this. and in the end i think it will be good for the americans to understand that this is an illegal activity and we want to stop it. so with that, mr. speaker, i

have no further speakers. so i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from virginia. >> mr. speaker, i yield to myself 30 seconds. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for 30 seconds. >> mr. speaker, i simply want to commend my colleagues on the republican side for their bipartisan cooperation in bringing this much-needed measure before the house. our committee performs best when it works in a bipartisan vote. and we have done that with regard to this measure. we will do it with regard to the measure that will shortly be considered. i also want to commend the gentleman from new york for his persistence in bringing this important measure to the house now for the third time. i very much hope as i know he does that we will be successful in having the measure passed -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. boucher: with that, mr. speaker, i have no further requests for time and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no.

in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill ised and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. without objection, the title is amended. the gentleman from virginia. mr. boucher: mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to h.r. 3125. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 3125, a bill to require an inventory of radio spectrum bands managed by the national telecommunications and information administration and the federal communications commission. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from virginia, mr. boucher, and the gentleman from florida, mr. stearns, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia. mr. boucher: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members will have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the measure now under consideration and to insert extraneous material into the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. boucher: and, mr. speaker, i yield to myself such time as i

may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. boucher: wireless communications services are rapidly growing. each year millions of users graduate from basic cellular telephone services to smart telephones that employ a broad range of data services. those services require far greater bandwidth than traditional cellular telephones. and the data services that are offered through smart phones are becoming ever more sophisticated. often employing full motion video as part of the range of applications that can be made available through the smart phones. the combination of greater smart phone use and far more elaborate applications is placing unprecedented demands on our limited wireless spectrum availability. to meet these growing needs in the near future, more spectrum must be made available for commercial wireless communications services. and that new spectrum would be

made available for auction to the successful wireless bidders. even the launch later this year of the fourth generation of wireless services by the major cellular service providers using the spectrum that was previously occupied by the television broadcasters for their analogue television transmissions will only provide a brief respite with regard to these ever rising demands for additional spectrum. and so we clearly are compelled to act. . responding to this need i joipped with chairman waxman, our full committee ranking member, the gentleman from texas, mr. barton, and my friend and colleague on the subcommittee, our subcommittee ranking member, mr. stearns, in introducing the radio spectrum inventory act which is before the house this morning. it directs the ntia in the u.s. department of commerce and the federal communications

commission to undertake a comprehensive survey of the nation's spectrum and report to us on current spectrum utele ization and include recommendations of which, if any, of the least utilized blocks of spectrum could be reallocated for commercial use or subjected to spectrum sharing with commercial users. the measure is a thoughtful approach to meeting the extraordinary spectrum demands that our nation will soon face. it will produce a timely blueprint for our future decisions about which spectrum should be reallocated for auctions to commercial service providers. under the bill within one year of the date of enactment, the ntia and the f.c.c. would also create a website to make the spectrum inventory publicly available. they would report the results of the inventory to the house and senate commerce committees within two years of the date of enactment and that report would

include a description of the information that could not be made publicly available for national security reasons. the agencies would also within two years submit to the house and senate commerce committees a reallocation report that would include a recommendation of which spectrum should be reallocated or otherwise made available for shared access. that recommendation should be updated by the agencies in follow-on reports to the committees which are to be committed every other year fog the submission of the initial report. those follow-on reports may be updates to the initial report and not necessarily be top-to-bottom reviews. i want to express appreciation to our colleagues on the bipartisan basis, mr. waxman, mr. barton, mr. stearns, other members of the subcommittee who at our hearing and markup sessions in the subcommittee contributed richly to our

dialogue and to structuring the legislation that we have before us this morning. it is a bipartisan measure. all of the committee members have been involved in this constructive exercise and i want to thank them for their participation. mr. speaker, i urge approval of the bill and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from virginia reserves his time of the the gentleman from florida. mr. stearns: i request such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. stearns: mr. speaker, i also rise in support of h.r. 3125, the radio spectrum inventory act. as the gentleman from virginia mentioned, it's a very important bill and i urge its passage. this bill offers an opportunity to evaluate all of the frequency bands between 225 megahertz and 10 gigahertz and simply to determine who uses these frequency bands and the purpose for which they are being used. while this bill would require ntia and f.c.c. to recommend which spectrum if any should be reallocated, congress ultimately

will decide whether reallocation should occur. for congress to make such an informed judgment, we need a solid set of facts before we do it. so it's very clear that the united states will need additional spectrum to meet the growing demand for wireless broadband. in fact, we are victims of our own success in this country. the united states currently leads the world in wireless. wireless providers have used spectrum to provide u.s. consumers with many innovative voice and data services. the number of mobile voice consumers in the united states has surpassed the number of wireline customers. back in 1996 when you passed the telecommunications act i don't think anybody would have thought that would have happened. and the number of mobile broadband consumers has increased over the past several years. as customers increase the amount of time they spend on their mobile devices, talking, emailing, surfing the net, cell

sites become constrained for capacity. as a result, we are facing in the words of the f.c.c. chairman , a, quote, looming spectrum crisis, end quote. for example, a voice call requires approximately 10,000 bits per second while downloading a video requires millions of bits per second. this bill creates a thoughtful, comprehensive process through which congress can identify whether to reallocate spectrum that is currently underutilized. currently license holders should not fear this process. it will be opened and transparent and provide all spectrum users with the opportunity to explain the purposes for which they use spectrum. this is the beginning, mr. speaker, not the end of the debate over the future of the spectrum policy in the united states. now, this is a bill that's very important. you almost consider it not only for innovation and commercial use but long-term could be for national security purposes, too. don't discount the fact that we

are just asking for an inventory. it's something that we should be done and i think anybody who is interested in fiscal responsibility should realize asking for an inventory is the best way to find out what you have and how to use it better. so i urge my colleagues to support this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida reserves his time. the gentleman from virginia. mr. boucher: mr. speaker, at this time i'm pleased to yield to the chairman of the energy and commerce committee, the gentleman from california, mr. waxman, and principal author of this measure such time as he may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized for such time as he may consume. mr. waxman: mr. speaker, i rise in support of h.r. 3125, the radio spectrum inventory act which i introduced last year with chairman boucher, ranking members barton and stearns, and more than a dozen of our colleagues on the energy and commerce committee. this timely bipartisan

legislation creates a process for full inventory, mapping, and accounting of current spectrum use by federal and nonfederal users. this measure will inject transparency into the way our government and the private sector utilizes the critical public resource with the benefit of this inventory we can make informed, rational, and deliberate decision abouts how our spectrum is used in future decades to benefit the american people, american businesses, and american innovation. it also creates a parallel process for a regular assessment of whether any spectrum should be reallocated or otherwise made available for shared access to improve -- to improve the efficiency with which we utilize this precious resource. i'm pleased that the bill includes a strong national security section reflecting the result of extensive bipartisan consultation with the defense

and intelligence communities. the bill we consider today strikes the proper balance between providing useful information to the public about the nature and use of spectrum while safeguarding national security, homeland security, and public safety interest. i urge my colleagues to support this important measure and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. who seeks recognition? the gentleman from florida. mr. stearns: mr. speaker, i give one minute to mr. pitts, the gentleman from pennsylvania. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for one minute. mr. pitts: thank you, mr. speaker. i appreciate the opportunity to speak on the bill. as the chairman of the congressional electronic working group, i believe the electromagnetic spectrum is critically important to our current and future military operations and national security and i'm pleased to see that the committee has taken into consideration some concerns raised by the administration and the electronic community regarding this bill. however the electromagnetic

spectrum is a dynamic and ever-changing environment and we must ensure our armed force can manage the utilization of the spectrum and provide long-term strategy planning and program -- strategic planning and program development. while i understand the importance of the economic value of the spectrum inventory, it is vital this bill take into account the criticality to military training and operations and the importance of u.s. military controlling the spectrum and conflict. i will support this bill today but we must be very vigilant as the inventory is taken. if mayes takes are made, serious negative consequences will ensue. consequences that could harm the war fighter and his ability to use the spectrum in training in war. with those comments i thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from florida. mr. stearns: i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from virginia. mr. boucher: mr. speaker, at this time i'm pleased to yield three minutes to the gentleman from north carolina, mr. butterfield. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina is recognized for three minutes. mr. butterfield: thank you. let me first thank the gentleman

for yielding time and thank him for his leadership on the committee and subcommittee, as well as the leadership of the ranking member. mr. speaker, i rise today to support h.r. 3125, the bipartisan radio spectrum inventory act introduced by our chairman, mr. waxman, who just spoke a moment ago. mr. speaker, last year, 2009, a pew study found that while african-americans are less likely than others to use a desktop computer to access the internet, they are more likely to access the internet over a wireless device. and so it is incredibly important to know the available spectrum and how to use it in the most efficient way so that wireless, broadband service is as ubiquitous and robust as possible. we can help facilitate that goal by ensuring that additional spectrum will be available when it is needed and given the long lead times that often are associated with efforts to bring spectrum to market, the time to

start is now. the radio spectrum inventory act will help ensure that we know where future allocations of spectrum can be drawn from so that our constituents can have the services they need when they need them. this is a good bill, mr. speaker. i support it. i ask my colleagues to do the same. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back his time. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. stearns: mr. speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from louisiana, mr. scalise. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from louisiana is recognized for two minutes. mr. scalise: thank you, mr. speaker. i want to thank the gentleman from florida for yielding. i rise in support of h.r. 3125, the radio spectrum inventory act. the most pressing issue that we are facing right now in the mobile wireless, and internet industry is the availability and use of spectrum. especially given the dramatic increases we are seeing in the use of wireless services. as wireless technologies continue to advance and more americans use mobile devices for

data intensive purposes, the demand for spectrum will grow rapidly. we are seeing every day with all of the new things that can be done just on a cell phone not only running daily applications to help businesses but we also can do more things in terms of downloading actual movies and getting direct access. you can look at things happening in real time. of course this takes more spectrum. so additional spectrum will be needed. that's why this radio spectrum inventory act will help promote and advance the effective and efficient use of the spectrum that's out there. the first step of course must be to identify what spectrum is available and how the current spectrum is being used in an efficient manner. this act will do just that. it will require ntia and f.c.c. to undertake a comprehensive survey of the nation's spectrum and develop a full inventory. taking this inventory is the only way we'll be able to know what spectrum can be relocated and what spectrum can be shared

and used in a more efficient manner. we will then be able to decide the best ways to utilize that spectrum. the convergence of mobile, wireless services, high-speed internet access, and powerful hand sets promise to transform almost all aspects of the way americans work, learn, deliver services, and enhance our public safety. congress should move expeditiously on this inventory legislation and avoid additional costs and also unleash the potential and create more jobs in these individuals that are out there innovating and helping people live in a better way of life. i encourage support of this bill. i thank the gentleman for bringing it. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from virginia, for what purpose does do you rise? mr. boucher: mr. speaker, at this time i'm pleased to yield fufe minutes to the gentleman from massachusetts -- five minutes to the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. markey, chairman of the subcommittee on energy and the environment of our energy and commerce committee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized for five minutes. mr. markey: i thank the gentleman very much.

and i thank the gentleman from virginia for his leadership on this critical issue, along with the gentleman from florida, in partnership with mr. waxman and with mr. barton. mr. boucher and i have been working on these issues for many, many, many years. and this bill that has been produced by his zpheet -- subcommittee is something that in my opinion is going to go a long way towards hoping -- towards helping our country to create a new boon economically in this wireless sector. we saw a great boom in the 1990's when we moved over 200 megahertz of spectrum creating the third, fourth, and fifth, and sixth cell phone license, combined with the telecom act of

1996, we saw actually a transformation in the way in which we communicate in our country. who would think that we could move from black rotary dial phones to black berries in almost 10 years? who would think that mr. stearns could be checking his blackberry even as i'm speaking out here on the floor. that's something we are proud of. we are very proud of that revolution in the 1990's, ok. and i think that we have the potential here in this legislation to accomplish the very same kind of addition to the spectrum capacity. and mrs. blackburn is showing how not only can we use these devices now for voice but also for video and to data. it's become a technology with a great deal of flexibility, but yet because of this technology, we are going to be able -- and i

thank the chairman for this -- to inventory each radio spectrum band of frequencies from 225 megahertz to 10 gigahertz. . that includes the radio services authorized to operate within each band of frequencies, the identity of each federal or nonfederal user within which such radio service authorized to operate in each band of the frequencies. the total amount of spectrum, by band of frequencies, allocated to each federal or nonfederal user and an aproximate mation of the ex it tent to which each federal or nonfederal user is using each band of frequencies. this basic goal that the legislation advances, to create this inventory, will make it possible for us to build on this revolution that occurred from

the mid 1990's to 2005. where companies whose names did not exist, google, amazon, ebay, hulu, youtube, are now replaced or added to with a whole new generation of companies, of technologies, of gadgets and applications that will give an incredible economic stimulus to our country. so, what we have here is a debate over the american economy. and it's central to our well-being. but yet in a lot of ways it just doesn't get talked about as being the biggest part of what happened in the 1990's. and as it morphs into the 21st century, we're seeing these technologies now be included in new energy technologies, new health care technologies, new education technologies. it now has infiltrated technology after technology in our country and what the

gentleman from virginia is doing in bipartisan partnership with the gentleman from florida is, in my opinion, central to ensuring that we have the leadership in this mobile innovation, that we have a smart spectrum policy that is put on the books and then we can just get out of the way and watch these entrepreneurs, watch this whole tech community make it possible for us. with a little bit of luck, the applications become so great that perhaps he and millions of other americans will never again have to look up from their blackberry, they'll just be so much -- there will just be so much interesting stuff on it, it will be so versatile. thank you for what you're doing and congratulations and i urge and aye vote on this very important legislation. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts yields back. the gentleman from virginia, for what purpose does do you rise?

florida, forgive me. mr. stearns: i just got a tweet on twitter notifying me that representative ed markey was speaking. his fan club is so on the present that it just came across saying to everybody in the united states that he was on the floor speaking so eloquently. so i couldn't resist pulling it up and seeing what it said. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from florida. mr. stearns: i yield two minutes to the gentlelady from tennessee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from tennessee is recognized for two minutes. mrs. blackburn: thank you, mr. speaker. and i wanted to thank the chairman for his diligent work on this bill and also mr. stearns for his leadership as we've worked through these issues in committee. and i do rise in support of the radio spectrum inventory act. in committee i highlighted the importance of listening to the engineers as we move forward on our spectrum inventory. and today i want to talk about the importance of this bill to the wireless industry. america's wireless industry is

the undisputed world leader and indeed mr. stearns and mr. markey have both highlighted portions of that as we have played with our devideo -- devices during mr. markey's remarks, focusing on the innovations that have come our way. americans pay less per minute for the use of wireless services than users in europe or asia, despite having just 7% of the global wireless subscribers. america's wireless companies serve more than 21% of global 3-g subscribers. handssets and applications that can be launched anywherey the world routinely appear in the u.s. -- area in the world routinely appear in the u.s. market first. our position in the global marketplace is not something that is guaranteed to us and without careful attention to the need to support the growth of the wireless industry through the release of additional spectrum, we risk ceding that important leadership to nations

that have already identified substantial swaps of spectrum that will be made available for commercial use. that is why the radio spectrum inventory act is so very important. by providing a road map for policymakers regarding where we may find additional spectrum that can be used for wireless broadband services in the u.s., enactment of h.r. 3125 will help ensure that the u.s. is in a position to match and hopefully surpass our trading partners by making additional spectrum available for commercial use. i urge support of the legislation and yield back. the speaker pro tempore: time has expired. who seeks recognition at this time? the gentleman from florida. mr. stearns: mr. speaker, the gentlelady from tennessee would like to have a colloquy with the chairman of the subcommittee on tell demunecation -- telecommunications. i request -- the speaker pro tempore: would the gentleman yield? mr. stearns: i yield to the gentlelady.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from tennessee is recognized. mrs. blackburn: i thank you. i would yield to the gentleman from virginia and ask permission for the colloquy. mr. boucher: well, the gentlelady i think controls the time. i'll be pappy -- happy to engage in a colloquy with the gentlelady. mrs. blackburn: i thank the gentleman. i thank him for the time and, mr. chairman, last month the federal communications commission released its national broadband plan which contained some very ambitious recommendations with respect to spectrum availability. i would like to ask the subcommittee chairman his views on how the f.c.c. should proceed on the inventory required by this bill and on the recommendations of the broadband plan. is it the chairman's view that the inventory required by this bill should inform the f.c.c. in its decisionmaking with respect to the potential reallocation of spectrum sought by the broadband plan? mr. boucher: would the gentlelady yield? mrs. blackburn: yes. mr. boucher: i thank the gentlelady for yielding. there's no doubt that more

spectrum is needed in order to meet the nation's rising demand for wireless services, conducting the spectrum inventory that this legislation requires is an essential first step. it will offer a clear path and a road map for the next steps in making available adequate spectrum by giving the congress and the f.c.c. -- s.e.c. a baseline for the location and use of our spectrum resources. that base line should inform the congress and the commission on decisions regarding spectrum use and possible spectrum reallocation. mrs. blackburn: i thank the subcommittee chair phenomena for his flangs -- chairman for his explanation and i associate myself with his remarks. i share the chairman's expectation regarding the importance of collecting and analyze the data in the spectrum inventory before making disease decisions about possible -- before making decisions about possible spectrum relocation. i'd also like to add my own expectation that the spectrum inventory will be thorough and scientific in order to serve as

an accurate metric of our spectrum use. i have one final question to ask the chairman. the broadband plan includes recommendations regarding reallocation of many of the frequencies currently used to provide broadcast television service. the plan recommends starting with voluntary measures to relocate broadcast stations to different frequencies. but it's in hence that other presumably involuntary methods of relocating broadcast stations may be necessary. my question, mr. chairman, is whether you believe that the f.c.c. should engage in involuntary methods to move broadcasters to different frequencies in order to free up additional spectrums? mr. boucher: would the gentlelady yield? mrs. blackburn: yes. mr. boucher: i thank the gentlelady for yielding. as a first matter, i agree with her that a thorough scientific examination of spic trum use must be the -- spectrum use must be the core of the inventory

that this measure requires. i also agree that the right approach is for the f.c.c. to work with television broadcasters to identify the spectrum they now hold that on a purely consensual basis could be repurposed for commercial wireless use. broadcasters who surrender peck trum would receive compensation -- spectrum would receive compensation in exchange for a voluntary spectrum transfer. i would not support the commission's requiring stations to give up spectrum involuntary -- involuntarily. the right approach is that specified in this legislation, learn where we are, understand thoroughly how current spectrum is used, identify that part that is perhaps underutilized, that could be reallocated or submitted to spectrum sharing through the new spectrum sharing technologies. and then to the extent that based on that inventory it would be appropriate for broadcasters

to enter into conversations about surrendering a portion of their spectrum on a voluntary basis that would obviously be an appropriate step. it would not in my view be an appropriate step to require that broadcasters engage in the surrender of any part of the spectrum they hold. and i thank the gentlelady for raising these very important questions that help illuminate the debate this morning. mrs. blackburn: i thank the chairman for his explanations and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. the gentleman from virginia. mr. boucher: mr. speaker, at this time i'm pleased to yield three minutes to the gentleman from washington state, mr. inslee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington is recognized for three minutes. mr. inslee: thank you. i want to congratulate those who have been working on this, the chair and the ranking members, to get this bill through. i want to make two points. this effort is one that reaches in to improve certain areas we may not think of when we think about spectrum. i note the little town of republic in washington in eastern washington where my

grandmother grew up and it's a great town but right now you essentially have to shut down the entire city's access to the internet to send one x-ray from a physician in republic to a leader , an expert in seattle, to read the x-ray. you have to shut down the whole town because we don't have enough access in spectrum. making access to spectrum more available helps health care in many, many places across the country. second point i want to make, i met with my law enforcement community last week who are still thirsting for an inoperable standard so we can in fact have interoperability for emergency services radio communications. we still don't have this at this late date. freeing up, allowing a financial system to really build that up, is necessary, so this is good for economic growth, it is good for health care and emergency services. there are multiple reasons this is heading in the right direction. i do want to point out and i'm

happy to co-sponsor this bill, we have another bill we hope to have on the floor in a while, the spectrum relocation improvement act which will follow this bill to improve the availability to do auctions, to get this out into commercial. we look forward to working with the chair and ranking member to get this bill to the floor so we can build on this success and congratulations. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from florida. mr. stearns: mr. speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. broun. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from georgia. mr. stearns: georgia, rather. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from georgia is recognized for one minute. mr. broun: i thank the chair for correcting my dear friend from florida and i thank mr. stearns for yielding. we may very well be needing to focus on the inventory of the radio frequency spectrum that is in public demand. but, mr. speaker, this congress is ignoring the greatest spectrum that the american

people are demanding and that's the way of the jobs. we're not focusing on public policy that's going to create a stronger economy. and create jobs. in fact, we're developing policy over and over again that this leadership of this house and the senate and the president are forcing upon the american people that are going to take away jobs. the obamacare bill that's going to kill millions of jobs. the jobs bill that we saw and passed jobs one, two, etc., are going to kill jobs and not create jobs. they're going to create government jobs. the american people are asking, where are the jobs? not, where are the spectrum, radio spectrum? that is an important issue. but this congress need fozz focus upon jobs, mr. speaker, and the american people need to demand that this congress do just that. and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from virginia, for what purpose do you rise? mr. boucher: we have no further

requests for time on this side and i would ask my friend from florida if he has additional speakers? mr. stearns: no. i do not, mr. speaker. before i yield back, and i know the chairman's going to offer this, but i just want to -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. stearns: unanimous consent all members have five legislative days to revise and submit and extend their remarks and submit extraneous teerls. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. stearns: ok. and with that, mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from virginia. mr. boucher: mr. speaker, i want to again thank all members who have participated on a bipartisan basis in bringing this measure to the floor. many members have contributed to its construction. it is the right path to take. this will bring to us a point where we're in a position to decide how to meet the rising spectrum demands that inevitably we will confront within just a few years. it is the right approach, i commend this measure to the house and urge its approval and i yield back the balance of my

time. the speaker pro tempore: all time having been yielded back, the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 3125 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. the gentleman from georgia. mr. broun: i ask for the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on the further proceedings on the motion will be postponed.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania rise? >> i move to suspend the rules and agree to house concurrent resolution 243. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the concurrent resolution. the clerk: house concurrent resolution 243, concurrent resolution authorizing the use of emancipation hall in the capitol visitors sebtser for an event to celebrate the birthday of king kamehameha. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. brady, and the gentleman from florida, mr. stearns, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania. mr. brady: i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the record on h. concurrent resolution 243. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. brady: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. brady: mr. speaker, this resolution authorizes the use of emancipation hall in the capitol visitors center for the birthday celebration of king kamehameha, the first king of hawaii.

this annual celebration honors the first king of hawaii who successfully unified the islands to establish for the first time a unified kingdom of hawaii in 1810. the first king, king kamehameha, day was celebrated in hawaii on june 11, 1872. this state holiday is a sell wration of the rich history and culture of hawaii. this resolution will be on a ceremony on june 6, 2010, so it will not disrupt the tours of the capitol. i urge members to support this resolution and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida, for what purpose does do you rise? mr. stearns: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. stearns: i am also pleased to support this resolution authorizing the use of emancipation hall to celebrate the birthday of king kamehameha of hawaii. i think many of us have read all about this distinguished individual. and the history. so it's altogether appropriate that the king often known as kamehameha the great is really indeed a legendary figure in

hawaiian history and culture and rightly so. he fought heroically for its unity and independence at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. his law or rule of the splintered paddle protecting noncombatants during wartime has been heralded for its justness and established a human rights benchmark that would later be built upon in the geneva convention. this june 11 will mark the 94th annual king kamehameha day in hawaii. his statue is part of the national statutory hall collection. i urge all members to go down and see it. it now sits in the capitol visitors center. so it's visible to all millions of americans that come here to visit the capitol. i thank the sponsor of this resolution, congressman hirono, and i thank the chairman for bringing it to the floor and urge my colleagues to join me in

support of this great resolution. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from pennsylvania. mr. brady: mr. speaker, i yield four minutes to the gentlelady from hawaii and sponsor of this resolution, ms. hirono. the speaker pro tempore: the hawaii is recognized for four minutes. miss her robeo: i rise today in support of house resolution concurrent resolution 243 which would authorize the use of emancipation hall in the capitol visitor center for the 41st annual kamehameha day lei draping ceremony. even as i speak i am wearing a beautiful floral lei from hawaii. i would like to thank chairman brady for his leadership and for allowing this bill to be brought forward in a expeditious manner. i thank my friend, congressman stearns, for his remarks. i'd also like to thank the sponsors of this bill, my solo pacific island delegation members, former congressman abercrombie, congressman

faleomavaega, congresswoman bordallo, and congressman sablan for their support. since 1969 the hawaiiian delegation and the society of d.c. have hosted the lei draping ceremony. the ceremony has been held on or about june 1 is to coincide with the celebration of kamehameha day, a state holiday in hawaii. this year the event will be held in d.c. on sunday, june 6. the location of the kamehameha statute in emancipation hall requires that a concurrent resolution be passed to authorize the use of the space for this ceremony. king kamehameha is a legendary figure to the people of hawaii and pacific. he was the king of great physical and mental pow rest -- prowess who united the hawaiian islands. he was a fierce warrior, a resourceful strategist, a visionary, and ambitious leader, and above all an unrelenting protector of his people.

for much of its history the hawaiian islands were controlled by competing chiefs. they waged frequent battles over land and resources and witnessed many civilian casualties. by bringing the islands together, kamehameha ushered in a period of peace and prosperity. he established laws, organized the government, sponsored agriculture, encouraged trade, and built houses. his most renowned edict, the law of the splintered paddle, ensures the protection of civilians during war. this law illustrates kay maya maya's compassion -- kamehameha's compassion for his people, especially those most vulnerable. his steadfast leadership came at a pivotal point in hawaii yeas history, a time when the islands made first contact with foreigners. at the dawn of a new era filled with unforeseen challenges, kamehameha's vision and wisdom

helped hawaii manage the task of interacting with and finding its place within the wider world. he ruled until 1819. i would like to close by thanking the staff of the committee on house administration, the office of the architect of the capitol, the office of the sergeant at arms who have been a real partner in making this annual event possible for these many decades. i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the gentleman from florida. mr. stearns: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. stearns: i think many of my colleagues have been to hawaii. probably a lot of americans have. and you go into a gift shop and you get a tourist book. and you look through and you look at some of the sites there and then you see the history of hawaii. kamehameha legendary king is written about and you start to realize the difficulty decisions he had to make for the island when it transitioned.

i think it's part of the history of this country to celebrate his leadership and also to understand all about him and what he had to deal with. so i'm very delighted at this time to allow this commemoration of his legendary historic role in hawaii to be honored on this date and i support this resolution. i urge all my colleagues to support it also. with that, mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida yields back. the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. brady: i urge all members to support this important part of the history of hawaii w that i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: all time having been yielded back, the question occurs will the house suspend the rules and agree to house concurrent resolution 243. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no.

in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the concurrent resolution is agreed to, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the reconsider is laid upon the table. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from georgia rise? mr. lewis: mr. speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass the bill house bill 4994, as

amended, a bill to ease the burden on taxpayers, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 4994, a bill to amend the internal revenue code of 1986 to reduce taxpayer burdens and enhance taxpayer protections, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from georgia, mr. lewis, and the gentleman from louisiana, mr. boustany, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from georgia. mr. lewis: mr. speaker, may i ask for unanimous consent to give members five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill, house bill 4994? the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. lewis: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. lewis: mr. speaker, tomorrow is april 15, the day americans will file their income tax returns, the i.r.s. will receive nearly 150 million tax returns

this year and issue over 100 million refunds. we know that taxpayers do not enjoy preparing tax returns. the tax laws can be complicated and difficult. we do, however, thank them for complying with the laws. and today with this bill we will try to ease some of the burden. on this day the house is considering the taxpayer assistance act of 2010. i am pleased this bill contains proposals supported by the administration, the national taxpayer advocate, and members of the house from both sides of the aisle. this bill has a dozen provisions that will help taxpayers. it will help taxpayers who are struggling in this economy by making it easier to enter into payment option with the i.r.s. it will also help low-income

taxpayers by improving the i.r.s. services available to them. and it will help small businesses and nonprofit organizations by relaxing the record keeping requirements for forms they provide to their employees. this bill addresses issues that have been raised in the ways and means subcommittee on oversight which i chair, and in legislation introduced by other members of the house. many of the provisions in this bill enjoy broad bipartisan support. today in recognition of taxpayers, the congress will look beyond what divides us and respond to the needs of our taxpayers. i urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in passing this good and necessary piece of legislation.

mr. speaker, with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from georgia reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from louisiana. mr. boustany: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. boustany: i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. boustany: i rise in support of h.r. 4994. this legislation contains provisions that will make tax season a little easier for many american families. and therefore it's worthy of my support. there are some good bipartisan ideas in this bill. for example, it makes sense to shield employees from burdensome paperwork requirements when they use their employer provided cell phones to call their spouses to see if they need to pick up milk on the way home. our colleague from texas, sam johnson, he introduced that legislation and at last count it has over 200 co-sponsors from both parties. this bill also includes bipartisan legislation that chairman lewis and i introduced to make it easie