House Proceeding 12-17-07 on Dec 17th, 2007 :: 1:04:56 to 1:24:56
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1:03:24 to 1:04:56( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Chris Carney

1:04:37 to 1:04:56( Edit History Discussion )

Chris Carney: pro tempore: the gentlelady reserves. the gentleman from california. mr. issa: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized.

1:04:56 to 1:05:09( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: mr. issa: mr. speaker, i rise in a bipartisan support of this resolution with my colleague from the district of columbia in honoring the first responders and citizens who were lost and who

1:04:56 to 1:09:13( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Eleanor Holmes Norton

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Eleanor Holmes Norton: dealt with this extreme storm in such a valiant way. all of us know the beauty of mount st. helen. all of us know the beauty of the region. but few of us outside the region could understand

1:05:25 to 1:05:38( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: the strength of the storm that flooded whole communities, battered trees, roadways, and destroyed power for entireir communities and left at least eight dead. in the aftermath, as the waters

1:05:38 to 1:05:54( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: recreed, we in congress join with -- recede, we in congress join with the people to rebuild their battered region. but more importantly, rethank the first responders, who as appropriately

1:05:54 to 1:06:11( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: people sought cover and safety, went out to deal with the effects of this store at the risof life and limb. and with that i yield back the balance of my time. i urge support for this important

1:06:11 to 1:06:26( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: resolution. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back. the gentlelady from the district of columbia. ms. norton: mr. speaker, it is with great pleasure and great feeling

1:06:26 to 1:06:40( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: of sympathy and of great respect for those who have suffered so courageously through this storm that i yield to mr. david wu. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from oregon is recognized.

1:06:40 to 1:06:53( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: mr. wu: i thank the gentlelady. mr. speaker, between december 1 and december 3, the states of oregon and washington were battered by an exceptionally severe storm. one caught -- one wind measurement

1:06:53 to 1:07:10( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: instrument clocked at 129 miles an hour before it blew over, and i'm told by a helicopter pilot that the u.s. coast guard measured winds up to 150 miles an hour. this is the first time

1:07:10 to 1:07:29( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: that the national weather service used the term hurricane in connection with a storm outside of the tropics or the subtropics, certainly as far north as latitude 45, where we are. we set

1:07:29 to 1:07:45( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: an unfortunate record. we have frequent storms in the pacific northwest. but what set this one apart while the typical winter storm brings storms of 50 miles an hour to coastal oregon, this

1:07:45 to 1:07:58( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: storm brought sustained winds to 80 to 100 mileses an hour for 24 hours and gusts up to 130, 150 miles an hour, entire swaths of trees were uprooted or snapped off, homes were flooded. 12

1:07:58 to 1:08:23( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: to 14 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period in some parts of the coast range. and both i-5 -- interstate 5 and the main amtrak line on the west coast were closed for a period of time. . the

1:08:23 to 1:08:36( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: folks who live in the coast range and on the coast were especially hard hit, but we are a hearty people who live in this paradise and people took care of themselves, they immediately reached out

1:08:36 to 1:08:54( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: this their -- out to their neighbors, they helped each other, pulled together as a community, and we got through this together. unfortunately several people perished. many people were injured,

1:08:54 to 1:09:13( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: and many people went without heat or electricity or telephone service or were cut off from the world and were cut off by landslides on roads also in addition to the loss of communication. but people

1:09:13 to 1:09:29( Edit History Discussion )

Robert A. Brady: got through this together in the great tradition of america and the great tradition of the northwest and of oregon. i'd like to especially commend the local and state first responders, the

1:09:13 to 1:10:38( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Robert A. Brady

1:09:29 to 1:09:41( Edit History Discussion )

Robert A. Brady: oregon national guard, the united states coast guard, the oregon red cross, and the good works of the state of oregon in facing this very, very, very severe storm. even during the torrential

1:09:41 to 1:09:53( Edit History Discussion )

Robert A. Brady: rain and the dangerous winds, the good citizens of oregon and washington came to one another's assistance. there are people who told me that they knew someone was trapped in a home they went

1:09:53 to 1:10:01( Edit History Discussion )

Robert A. Brady: in to get them even though there were shingles and pieces of glass flying through the air hard enough to stick into the side of homes. and one person went into a home where a piece of sheet

1:10:01 to 1:10:15( Edit History Discussion )

Robert A. Brady: metal was flapping in the wind knong that if that sheet metal came off that it would become a dangerous projectile, but he went in to get the resident out. city counselor of warrenton

1:10:15 to 1:10:26( Edit History Discussion )

Robert A. Brady: stayed by the phones for 24 hours to take calls and answer calls so that people would not feel isolated and cut off. so that they could get some information. kmun in a storery of oregon because

1:10:26 to 1:10:38( Edit History Discussion )

Robert A. Brady: of a severe storm a year ago prepared for this by putting up a propane tank. even though a tree fell on its roof and damaged the structure severely, kmun stayed on the air all through the storm and gave

1:10:38 to 1:10:57( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Matsui: the people of the north oregon coast a sense of connection to what was happening in the outside world. i want to commend the amateur radio operators, the folks who kept parts of the local

1:10:57 to 1:11:13( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Matsui: telephone system operating and others for keeping our communities together through the darkness, the cold, and the isolation when most of the phone lines went down. the immediate efforts of first

1:11:13 to 1:11:30( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: responders as well as local and state officials are to be applauded and i want to express a special thanks to the u.s. coast guard. the coast guard lost all of their communication. they lost their

1:11:30 to 1:11:44( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: internet. they lost their telephones. they lost their cell phones. they were down to v.h.f. radio, 1950's technology to communicate with first responders and themselves. yet they went out and picked

1:11:44 to 1:11:56( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: people off roofs, went into homes. one of the rescuers went into a home that was flooded up to chest level and the lights were still on in the room where this disabled individual was located.

1:11:56 to 1:12:08( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: and yet this rescue swimmer went in there with the electricity on and got the person out and into a rescue helicopter. the national guard performed heroic efforts. the camp became a safety shelter,

1:12:08 to 1:12:21( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: kind of a safe harbor, a dry safe harbor for the people of the north coast. they distributed generator fuel to so many people who were tryingo run their own generators when the power went

1:12:08 to 1:17:50( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Eleanor Holmes Norton

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Eleanor Holmes Norton: down. at one point they were were down to their last 30, 60, 90 minutes of fuel. then they got resupplied and were able to help continue to keep other folks generators working. the radio

1:12:36 to 1:12:54( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: station in sea side with their antenna blown down but they got right back up the next day when it was safe to get the antenna back up and get a generator going and kept folks informed. i

1:12:54 to 1:13:08( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: have tried to work closely with the governor. he's been terrific through this entire episode. it was a sunday-monday storm and i couldn't get a phone call through to folks in the area until

1:13:08 to 1:13:26( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: wednesday night. but the governor toured the area tuesday afternoon and was on the phone with me tuesday afternoon to tell me some of the things that were needed. the governor and i will work

1:13:26 to 1:13:41( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: hard to make sure that both the state and the federal components of recovery and prevention for the future that we do our jobs. that we have not too much government but all the government that

1:13:41 to 1:13:54( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: we need to keep americans safe. to enable us to pull together in times of crisis and need. life is uncertain in the paradise that we call the pacific northwest. it has sometimes been referred

1:13:54 to 1:14:06( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: to as the land of fire and ice. we have regular storms, periodic fires, and rare, huge earthquakes and tsunami. to pair fies an author of the -- paraphrase an author of the region, we are always

1:14:06 to 1:14:21( Edit History Discussion )

searching for hearty people to match this challenging land. i think that we do have those people. life in the paradise we call home may be uncertain, but we know that we are a match for it,

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and we shall meet the challenges together. a long road of recovery lies ahead, but like the pioneers of old, we will bring everyone to the finish line together. no one will be left behind. no

1:14:35 to 1:14:47( Edit History Discussion )

one will be forgotten. i want to salute the citizens of the pacific northwest, the first responders, and everyone else who came from the region to help out in our time of need. thank you. i yield back

1:14:47 to 1:15:00( Edit History Discussion )

the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. issa: i yield back. b the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman

1:15:00 to 1:15:18( Edit History Discussion )

yields back. ms. norton: i want to say to my good friend from oregon that his resolution is not only informs us of heroic efforts of first responders and residents, but educates us about places where

1:15:18 to 1:15:31( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: catastrophic storms may occur unexpectedly. it sounds as though the states of oregon and washington had a short-term version of katrina and managed somehow to deal with it themselves. we commend

1:15:31 to 1:15:45( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: first responders and citizens of both states. mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the question is, will the house suspend the rules

1:15:45 to 1:15:57( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: and agree to house resolution 851. 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,

1:15:57 to 1:16:13( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: the resolution is agreed to. ms. norton: mr. speaker, qui the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from the district of columbia requests the yeas and nays. the yeas and nays are

1:16:13 to 1:16:25( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: 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

1:16:25 to 1:16:38( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion shall be postponed. the gentlelady from the district of columbia. ms. norton: mr. speaker, move that the

1:16:38 to 1:16:55( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: house suspend the rules and agree to h.con.res. 254. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the concurrent resolution. the clerk: house concurrent resolution 254. concurrent

1:16:55 to 1:17:10( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: resolution recognizing and celebrating the centennial of oklahoma statehood. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from the district of columbia, ms. norton, and the

1:17:10 to 1:17:25( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: gentleman from california, mr. issa, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the the gentlewoman from the district of columbia. ms. norton: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that

1:17:25 to 1:17:50( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. norton: mr. speaker, i'm pleased to join my colleagues in consideration

1:17:50 to 1:18:10( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: of h.con.res. 254, a resolution recognizing and celebrating the centennial anniversary of oklahoma statehood. h.con.res. 254 was introduced by representative mary fallin of oklahoma on november

1:17:50 to 1:19:21( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Darrell E. Issa

1:18:10 to 1:18:23( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: 13, 2007 much -- and reported from the oversight committee by voice vote. this resolution which has been co-sponsored by 55 members has the support of the entire oklahoma delegation.

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Darrell E. Issa: friday, november 16, 2007, marked oklahoma's centennial celebration. the sooner state has played a significant role in development and history of our nation and will continue to be a rnerstone

1:18:43 to 1:19:02( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: of the independent spirit that makes our country great. mr. speaker, please join me in honoring oklahoma's mast achievements -- past achievements, current accomplishments, and the state's good will

1:19:02 to 1:19:21( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: as it continues into the fuhr. i urge swift passage of this bill. mr. speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady reserves. the gentleman from california.

1:19:21 to 1:19:34( Edit History Discussion )

Dennis A. Cardoza: mr. issa: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. issa: mr. speaker, i rise in support of h.con.res. 254, which recognizes

1:19:34 to 1:19:51( Edit History Discussion )

Dennis A. Cardoza: and celebrates the 100th anniversary of oklahoma statehood. mr. speaker, oklahoma is a state that takes energy production so seriously that it has oil wells on the grounds of the governor's mansion.

1:19:51 to 1:20:07( Edit History Discussion )

Dennis A. Cardoza: it is a state people were so anxious to move into that they jumped the gun on claiming homesteads and entered sooner. that's where the nickname comes from, the sooner state. mr. speaker,

1:20:07 to 1:20:20( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: at a time in which energy independence is talked about but not achieved, in which states like our own, california, are major energy producers but less than halff the oil that it consumes, oklahoma

1:20:07 to 1:21:42( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Eleanor Holmes Norton

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Eleanor Holmes Norton: continues to aggressively find the resources that lie beneath it and to make it available for us. additionally, throughout its heartache oklahoma has given us gene autry, i won't skip over

1:20:31 to 1:21:10( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: brad pitt. it has given us music. it's given us both country and a number of other great venues. but most of all it gave us j.c. watts, the longest winning streak in history in college football,

1:21:10 to 1:21:24( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: and they are proud of it. last but not least, it gave us will rogers. so as we look at oklahoma, a state that takes oil seriously, that in fact was rushed into beuse it was such a great place,

1:21:24 to 1:21:42( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: i also join with my colleagues in supporting this resolution recognizing that after 100 years oklahoma is still a meaningful and important part of this great nation. with that i reserve the

1:21:42 to 1:21:55( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. ms. norton: mr. speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady reserves. mr. issa: mr. speaker,

1:21:42 to 1:23:16( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Darrell E. Issa

1:21:55 to 1:22:10( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: i urge support of this resolution. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the t gentleman from california yields back. ms. norton: mr. speaker, i yield back the balance

1:22:10 to 1:22:24( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to house concurrent resolution 254 . so many as are in favor say

1:22:24 to 1:22:41( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: 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. ms. nort on: mr. speaker,

1:22:41 to 1:22:59( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: request the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady requests the yeas and nays. . the yeas and nays are requested. those wishing to take this vote by the yeas and nays will rise

1:22:59 to 1:23:16( Edit History Discussion )

Darrell E. Issa: and remain standing. 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

1:23:16 to 1:23:31( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentlelady from the district of columbia rise? ms. norton: mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to h.r. 3911. the

1:23:16 to 1:25:41( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Eleanor Holmes Norton

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Eleanor Holmes Norton: speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 3911, a bill to designate the facility of the united states postal service located at 95 church street

1:23:45 to 1:23:58( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: in jessup, pennsylvania, as the lance corporal dennis james veater post office. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from the district of columbia, ms. norton,,

1:23:58 to 1:24:13( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: and the gentle man from california, mr. issa, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the district of columbia. ms. norton: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent

1:24:13 to 1:24:28( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. norton: i join my colleagues to support h.r.

1:24:28 to 1:24:41( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: 3911, a bill to designate the facility of the united states postal service located at 95 church street in justup, pennsylvania, as the lance corporal dennis james veater post office. it was

1:24:41 to 1:24:58( Edit History Discussion )

Eleanor Holmes Norton: reported from the oversight committee on december 12 by voice vote. this measure, which has been co-sponsored by 18 members, has support of the entire pennsylvania congressional delegation.