I thank the gentlewoman. For too long the arts have been the first target for spending cuts in our public schools here at the Federal level. It is at our own economic peril that we continue to deprive our youth and our community of their…

In Congress, we have to, of course, responsibly cut spending, but at the same time we also have to make the necessary investments that create jobs now, guarantee the future strength of our economy, and renew the vitality of our…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize International Youth Day and to honor youth leaders in Rhode Island as we celebrate the culmination of the International Youth Year. Since 1999, when the U.N. designated August 12 as a day to recognize…

I ask unanimous consent to be given 1 additional minute to conclude. The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Rhode Island?

I think you rightly point out the central need to fundamentally reform our education system at the elementary and secondary level, and also support it at the higher education level.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize three employers in Rhode Island that are honoring and supporting the brave men and women serving our great country in the armed services. These include Amica Mutual Insurance of Lincoln, Rhode Island…

I am concerned that the overarching strategy at the Department has been to focus almost exclusively on these untested, large-scale competitive grant programs at the expense of some proven research-based programs that have a track record of…

We want to continue to maintain that commitment.

In fact, since 1965, more than 60 educational library studies have produced clear evidence that school libraries staffed by qualified librarians have a positive impact on student achievement.

Our veterans have given so much for our country, and they deserve our steadfast support.

I commend the Chairman for her passionate advocacy on veterans' issues and her tireless efforts to ensure that our veterans get the care they need and the benefits they deserve.

Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 32, line 12, insert after the dollar amount the following: ``(reduced by…

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York will be postponed. Amendment Offered by Mr. Scalise

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 279, noes 147, answered ``present'' 1, not voting 5, as…

I offer this amendment with my colleague from Oklahoma (Mr. Boren). This a bipartisan amendment to this appropriations bill with the intent to return funding for the Forest Health Management Account, under State and private forestry. What…

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Rhode Island is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the amendment introduced by my friend and colleague, Ranking Member Dicks, and in opposition to the broader FY 2012 Interior appropriations bill. This bipartisan amendment, I believe, is critical to…

I thank the ranking member. I want to commend the gentleman for sponsoring this amendment and for his work on the broader bill. This is the right thing to do, to defeat the broader bill here and bring a bill to the floor that really…