In July, I and Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) introduced The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park Act, which would establish two parks, one in Maryland and one in New York, to honor the life of Harriet Tubman. The National Historical Park in Maryland will trace Tubman's early life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she was born and later escaped from slavery to become one of the leaders on the Underground Railroad. The National Historical Park in New York will focus on her later years in Auburn where she was active in the suffrage movement and in providing for the welfare of aged African Americans.

Harriet Tubman was a true American patriot, for whom liberty and freedom were not just concepts. She lived those principles and shared that freedom with hundreds of others. These two parks will make it possible for Marylanders and the entire nation to trace her life's work and remember all that she was able to accomplish.

President Bush wants to eliminate funding for the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed program enacted as part of the 2008 Farm Bill. He is wrong on the science, wrong on our farmers' needs and wrong if he thinks the Congress will go along with this proposal.

The 87,000 farms in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed account for about 25 percent of the land but contribute 39 percent of the nitrogen and 42 percent of the phosphorus entering the Bay. Agriculture's percentage of these pollutants has increased since 1985, and it is the Chesapeake's single largest polluting source. Agriculture also contributes about 63 percent of the Bay's sediment loading and some toxic chemicals through pesticide use.

The President does not seem to understand that reducing pollution from farms is the least expensive way to control the excess nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that pollute the Chesapeake Ba. To achieve clean water goals for the Bay the states have drafted cost-effective plans that call for more than doubling agricultural conservation practices above current levels. All of these expanded agricultural conservation practices are supported by the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Farm Bill program.

Recently, Senator Mikulski and I joined with the Chief of the Cumberland Fire Department, a small business owner and the head of a charitable organization to hear about the impact of high gas prices on Allegany County residents. The Senators pledged to take their message back to Congress and continue their work to overcome partisan obstacles in solving our energy crisis.

We were particularly critical of the partisanship that has blocked consideration of the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act, S. 3268. This bill, which we've both co-sponsored, would address excessive speculation that may be responsible for a significant portion of crude oil and gas price increases. Some energy experts have testified before Congress that such legislation could cut crude oil prices in half within 30 days.

In July, we also introduced the Fair Deal for Volunteers Act, S. 3246, to provide immediate relief for volunteers who use their own cars for charitable purposes. It would remove the current 14-cent deduction per mile limit for taxpayers who use their own cars to assist charitable organizations. By removing the limit, charitable volunteers would be treated the same as other groups whose mileage deductions are adjusted regularly by the IRS. Currently, people who have to drive because of a job-related move or to medical appointments can deduct 27 cents per mile.

Click here to read my full statement on recent gas price legislation

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221) will help the American housing market and provide relief to homeowners and communities burdened by foreclosures and falling property values. The House recently passed the bill by a vote of 272-151 and the President has indicated that he will sign it.

Marylanders are hurting today because of what is happening in the housing market. Nationally, 8,500 more families fall into foreclosure each and every day. This legislation will provide families, communities and even financial institutions the tools they need to stabilize our economy and keep people in their homes. Our housing crisis, which was the trigger for our current economic downturn, is a complex, multi-faceted problem that called for a comprehensive solution. This bill will help prevent another crisis of this magnitude, stop foreclosures before they begin and, for future generations, save the American Dream of home ownership.

I am particularly proud of the provision in this bill that provides a tax credit or no-interest loan of up to $7,500 to first-time homebuyers. It is similar to the first-time homebuyer tax credit that I introduced earlier this year. Today, it's estimated that 40% of the market is first-time home buyers. While we must provide a lifeline for current homeowners, we also recognize the urgent need to stimulate the housing market. There are people who are ready and able to buy a home, but they ARE reluctant, worried about their investment. We need to get these people into the housing market now. I believe that this tax credit of up to $7500 will encourage them move forward with their purchase.