The Hill Report 05/02/2011-05/06/2011

Statement

This week in Washington, President Obama confirmed the death of Osama bin Laden after our military and intelligence professionals have spent nearly 10 years searching for the terrorist behind the deaths of over 3,000 innocent Americans on September 11, 2001.

As you know, Osama bin Laden represented a threat not only to our nation, but to those seeking freedom and democracy around the world. Although he is dead, his hate-filled extremism still poisons minds and destroys lives. Eliminating a terrorist leader marks a victory and a milestone -- not an end -- in the war against terror. We continue to face a complex and evolving terrorist threat and we must remain vigilant in defending the freedom, security and prosperity of America for generations to come.

Osama bin Laden's death marks the triumph of freedom over unspeakable violence, hate and tyranny. The tireless work and sacrifice of our military and intelligence professionals brought justice for 9/11 families, our nation and the world, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.



Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act
On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 1230, the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act, by a vote of 264-149. This legislation, initiated by the American Energy Initiative, will help address soaring gas prices and create new jobs by restarting energy projects the Obama Administration has either delayed or canceled.

H.R. 1230 would require the Department of the Interior (DOI) to auction offshore oil and gas leases in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico, as well as in an area off the coast of Virginia. H.R. 1230 expands American energy production, creates jobs and generates revenue for taxpayers. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates, the bill would reduce net direct spending by $25 million over the 2011-2016 period and about $40 million over the 2011-2021 period.
My Republican colleagues and I in the House are committed to breaking down the Administration's barriers to oil and natural gas production here at home so that we can decrease our dependence on foreign oil and allow our businesses to create more American jobs. I look forward to considering further American Energy Initiative legislation in the coming weeks.



Congressional Art Competition
As you may know, each spring I host the Congressional High School Art Competition for the 32nd District of Texas as similar art competitions are held in congressional districts across the country. The competition I host is open to all high school students in the 32nd District, providing an opportunity for local students to showcase their individual talents and receive national recognition.

Sponsored by the Art Institute of Dallas, the 32nd District's 2011 Congressional High School Art Competition was held on April 28th and featured 58 entries from students representing nine local schools. This year, each entry was judged by art instructors from The Art Institute and local artists.

Based on their selections, I am proud to announce that Fernando Santamaria, a sophomore at Jack E. Singley Academy of Irving, was awarded the Grand Prize for his mixed media collage entitled "Holes." The artwork will be showcased in the corridor leading to the U.S. Capitol building for the next year. As the Grand Prize recipient, he received a $200 savings bond from Inwood National Bank and two round-trip airline tickets from Southwest Airlines to travel to Washington, DC for the national Congressional High School Art Competition award ceremony on June 22, 2011. Additionally, Fernando received a $2,500 tuition scholarship to study at The Art Institute of Dallas.

The Congressional Art Competition also awards People's Choice and Runners Up honors. Jenna Caire, a junior at Richardson High School, won the People's Choice Award for her oil and acrylic piece entitled "Blush." Runners Up honors were presented to Ryan Johnson, a senior at The Cambridge School of Dallas, for his lino print entitled "David" and to Katherine Halle, a senior at The Hockaday School, for her photograph entitled "Struggle." The two Runners Up and the People's Choice Award artworks will be displayed in my office for the next year. The Runners Up and the People's Choice award recipients were presented savings bonds.

In addition to these Congressional Art Competition awards, the President of the Art Institute of Dallas, Thomas Newsome, selected Diana Gluck's mixed media work entitled "Modern Ground" for the President's Choice Award. Diana will receive a $1,000 scholarship to The Art Institute.

I congratulate Fernando, Jenna, Ryan, Katherine, and Diana for their imagination, skill and hard work in producing award-winning art. I also want to thank each student artist who participated in the competition. They should be very proud of their artwork and accomplishments, and I wish them the best as they continue their education and further develop their artistic abilities. Students and schools interested in participating in next year's Congressional Art Competition may contact Sandy Pappas in my Dallas District office at Sandy.Pappas@mail.house.gov or 972.392.0505 for more information.

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