Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the brutal beating and subsequent death of Juan Wilfredo Soto. Last Thursday, Soto, while participating in a peaceful protest against the Castro regime, Cuban authorities beat him so badly that he was later taken to the hospital, where he died.

Soto was a brave man and a respected advocate who helped support the hunger strikes of human rights award winner Guillermo Farinas.

Juan Wilfredo Soto's death is the latest brazen illustration of the violent methods the Castro brothers utilize to oppress freedom in Cuba. In the last 2 months reports of oppression have increased.

As many praised the false promises of the Sixth Communist Party Congress held in Cuba last month, few acknowledged the crackdown on dissidents and journalists that took place. Prior to the congress, Cuban authorities reportedly arrested and detained opposition members to ensure that all voices critical to the regime would be silent and that no protests would be visible.

The United States and the international community must join together in condemning the wrongful death of Juan Wilfredo Soto and supporting human rights on the island. We must show Cuban leaders that their brutality is not going to go unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, late Sunday night, we learned that the United States had successfully captured the mastermind behind the horrific attacks of September 11th, and today I rise to congratulate President Obama, the Navy SEALs, and all the men and women of our military and intelligence community on a successful mission. Osama bin Laden had been on the run for nearly 10 years, but in the end, he was not able to evade the tireless pursuit of the United States.

President Obama made the courageous decision to send U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6 on a mission to Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan, and within forty minutes, our ten year ordeal was ended. In this short period of time, the SEALs were even able to collect intelligence to further aid the United States in its ongoing fight against terrorism.

I commend the heroism of all those who participated in this expertly designed and executed operation, and I applaud President Obama's tough decision to move forward with this operation. Osama bin Laden has been brought to justice.

Mr. Speaker, on April 22nd, we celebrate the 41st Earth Day and recognize the achievements Americans have made to improve our environment.

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, Americans have worked to improve the air we breathe and the water we drink. Four decades later, we have made great strides towards protecting our planet for future generations by making investments in a clean energy economy to create millions of American jobs, lower energy costs for American families and businesses, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil and our carbon foot print

We must tackle tough environmental challenges, such as climate change, through investments in a clean energy economy to wean our nation off of our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and create green American jobs. It is also important that as we find ways to reduce our deficit that we do not jeopardize the safeguards in place to protect our air and water.

It is necessary to continue to push forward with a clean energy plan, but the environmental challenges we face cannot be solved by laws alone. That is why it is important on this day for every American to take a moment and recognize the simple things that they can do within their own homes and communities to contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet Earth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Autism Awareness Month and to express my support for ongoing efforts across the Nation that are devoted to improving the treatment of those individuals with autism, and their families.

Today, one in 110 children is affected by autism, and my home State of New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the country. With the help of treatment and support centers, the lives of individuals and families affected by autism are improving every day. I am proud that such a facility exists in my district.

The Center for Autism at The North Ward Center provides the highest quality of care to individuals and families in the greater Newark area. Under one roof, the center offers a seamless and comprehensive range of services for the lifespans of individuals with autism, treating the whole person and the whole family, focusing on strength-based interventions. The center represents a one-stop approach in relieving the burden on already stressed families dealing with autism.

The Center for Autism at The North Ward Center in Newark is only one example of how concentrated care can greatly better the lives of individuals and families affected by autism.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to observe National Minority Health Awareness Month and to spread awareness on the disparities between the health of minorities in the United States and the general population.

Nationally, minority groups are disproportionately affected by many health conditions and diseases, many of which are preventable.

For example, minority groups have higher rates of infant mortality, low birth weight babies, and HIV/AIDS.

African Americans, in particular, suffer disproportionately from such chronic conditions as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Similar disparities exist between other minorities such as the Hispanic populations.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for example, reports that Latinos are twice as likely to die from diabetes.

Eliminating the causes of similar health and healthcare disparities must remain a priority in this Congress.

Additionally, we must continue to raise awareness of the need to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations across America and to develop health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to stand with the Polish people as they commemorate two horrific events on this Saturday, April 10.

First, the 71st anniversary of the Katyn Forest massacre, and the second, the first anniversary of the tragic airplane crash that killed 96 people, including the Polish President and top Polish officials.

The Katyn Forest massacre occurred during World War II in April and in May of 1940 while Poland was fighting a war on two fronts. The Soviet secret police brutally killed over 20,000 Poles whose bodies were later recovered in a mass grave at Katyn. Tragically, last year, as a delegation of Polish officials were en route to Katyn to commemorate the massacre, their plane unexpectedly crashed in western Russia, killing all aboard.

It was with great sadness that I heard the news after having had the great honor of meeting the Polish President Kaczynski in the past. His devotion to the Polish nation and the people were immeasurable.

Madam Speaker, the Polish people over the past year and through the course of history have been unwavering in their resilience and patriotism in the face of adversity. Their courage is admirable and inspiring. On this day, we stand in solidarity as they commemorate two occasions of great loss.

Mr. Speaker, the majority's proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 undermines our Nation's values and priorities, attacking our middle class and in particular our Nation's seniors. Today's seniors have a median income of only $19,000 a year. Both the Medicare and Medicaid program enables seniors to have health care coverage they would not otherwise be able to afford. The proposed budget will end the Medicare program as we know it under the disguise of reform, threatening to turn it into a voucher program that will shift more and more costs to seniors and their families.

The majority's budget also attacks seniors from another angle, by proposing deep cuts in Medicaid, which serves as our Nation's primary payer for long-term care services. Medicaid will be starved by shifting the costs of the programs from the Federal Government to the States, which in turn could force seniors out of their own homes and communities into nursing homes.

Before Medicaid and Medicare, nearly one-half of America's seniors were uninsured. Mr. Speaker, we cannot go back to the days of the past. We must be committed to strengthening Medicare and Medicaid for the well-being of our seniors and future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Coach Bob Hurley of Jersey City, New Jersey. Some may know Coach Hurley as the third high school career basketball coach to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Some may know that despite limited resources and no gym facility at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, he recently led St. Anthony High School's basketball team to their 24th State championship and fourth national title, and has led the team to over 1,000 wins.

However, the more important numbers are those that show the impact he has had on his players. In his nearly 40-year career, only two of his players have not attended college, and of those graduates, over 200 young men have continued to play basketball and 150 have received college scholarships.

Coach Hurley sees the potential in his players, even when they don't see it themselves. He is an inspiration to young men, a true role model, and a father figure to many.

I congratulate Coach Hurley, his players, and St. Anthony High School on their recent national title and wish them well and much success in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to promote early childhood programs, which are an investment not only in our children, but in our country's future.

In 1990, the Child Care and Development Block Grant was created for low-income parents who are either working or in school. If the proposed cuts to Child Care and Development Block Grants are signed into law, 150,000 families nationwide will lose child care subsidies. In my home State, the annual cost for child care for an infant can be nearly $12,000 a year and the annual cost for a toddler can be as much as $9,000.

Head Start is another vital service that has provided education, health, nutritional and social services for 3- and 4-year-olds since 1965. If the cuts proposed in H.R. 1 become reality, 218,220 children nationwide will lose access to Head Start, and approximately 55,000 Head Start employees will lose their jobs; 3,719 children in New Jersey would be left without access to Head Start, and we already have 9,500 children on the waiting list.

I ask Congress to continue debate in support of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Republicans have had control of this Chamber for 11 weeks now, and yet there's still no plan to create jobs or spur our economic recovery. Instead of tackling unemployment, my Republican colleagues are again targeting vital programs designed to keep families in their homes.

The Republicans are proposing to terminate the Home Affordable Modification Program, which provides critical mortgage modifications to deserving homeowners who are facing devastating foreclosures. To date, more than 600,000 homeowners have received a permanent mortgage modification, and tens of thousands of Americans are joining their ranks each month.

The Republicans also want to eliminate the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which works to stabilize areas hard-hit by the housing crisis by helping States and cities purchase foreclosed homes and protect the value of our communities. My home State of New Jersey is slated to receive $11.5 million through this program.

Mr. Speaker, this is funding that my constituents need to help redevelop our communities, create jobs, and grow our local economies. I urge my colleagues to stop blindly cutting programs and focus on legislation to create jobs and bring the economy around.

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to make our way through the budget process, we must ensure that all funding reductions we make are done in a responsible manner.

While I strongly agree that we need to get our deficit under control, we cannot do it in a way that undermines public safety and job creation. For example, the Republican long-term CR will cut $88 million in funding from the Food Safety and Inspection Service. This little- known cut will force food safety inspectors off the job for over 30 days, resulting in shutdowns of plants across this Nation. The USDA has estimated that such cuts will result in an $11 billion loss in productivity. Additionally, meat and poultry production is supposed to grow over the next year. If we decrease funding for food safety, there will be fewer inspectors to examine our food and make sure it's acceptable for consumption.

Mr. Speaker, this is just one example of how we need to dissect each cut and the impact that it will have in the real world. I hope this Chamber can come together and make sensible decisions when it comes to reducing our deficit.

Mr. Speaker, the Republicans have been in control of this Chamber for the last 10 weeks now, and we have taken 164 recorded votes. Yet they still have no plan to create jobs and spur economic growth.

Instead of tackling unemployment, my Republican colleagues have now turned their efforts toward eliminating vital programs that are helping families deal with the fallout of the mortgage crisis.

Seven million families have lost their homes with another 3 million foreclosures expected through 2012. And what is the Republicans' response to this crisis? They want to terminate programs designed to help homeowners keep their houses and avoid foreclosures.

This week they will bring a bill to the floor that will abolish a program that makes temporary loans to unemployed homeowners to help cover mortgage payments until they can find a job.

Mr. Speaker, it is bad enough that they have no plan in sight to bring Americans back to work; but to actually put their energy towards ending programs that are helping the unemployed during difficult times is unacceptable.

I urge my colleagues to stop cutting programs that will keep American families in their homes and focus the legislation on creating jobs and move the economy forward.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans have been in charge for 8 weeks, and this Chamber has taken 154 votes, yet we still see no signs of job creation or a jobs plan.

With 14 million Americans still looking for work, I ask my colleagues on the other side, Where are the jobs? Where is the plan? In this House we have talked about repealing health care reform and instructing committees, but nothing about a jobs plan.

And, now, as we approach the deadline for government funding and the looming threat of a crippling government shutdown, House Republicans are focusing on irresponsible budget plans than actually threaten job creation. In fact, the Republicans' proposed long-term CR not only fails to create jobs or spur the economy, it would actually cause more job losses and depress economic growth.

Economists have discovered that their plan would destroy around 700,000 jobs through 2012. Mr. Speaker, as the impending funding deadline approaches, my Republican colleagues should negotiate in good faith and fund the government in ways to support job creation and economic growth, not cause greater job loss or economic damage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against the Republicans' dangerous spending cuts. Our commitment to reducing our deficit must not come at the expense of our Nation's future and the security of our communities. The Republican spending bill is irresponsible and reckless, and the proposal would eliminate jobs at a time when we need to create them the most.

It would have cut funding for 1,300 police officers through the COPS hiring program, and it will eliminate 2,400 jobs for firefighters through the SAFER program. By cutting transportation funding, this bill eliminates 3,427 jobs in New Jersey alone. It rescinds $2.5 billion for high-speed rail and makes deep cuts to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which protects outdoor recreational spaces. Additionally, this bill cuts millions from housing programs that help families pay their rent.

We have had 101 votes in this House, and not one Republican proposal has created one single job. Now this spending measure threatens to make matters worse.

I urge my colleagues to oppose these shortsighted cuts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Black History Month and commemorate the heroes of the African-American community, the accomplishments they have achieved for their communities and the freedoms they bravely championed for all Americans.

This year, the theme of Black History Month ``African Americans and the Civil War'' allows us to reflect on just one of the many moments in history where African Americans played a significant role in the fight for freedom.

Roughly 179,000 African-American men served as soldiers in the U.S. Army and another 19,000 in the Navy. 2,900 of these men were from the State of New Jersey. African American women, while not formally permitted to join the army, nonetheless served as nurses for the wounded.

Their valiant efforts and the extraordinary sacrifices helped unite a divided country and free millions from slavery.

During Black History Month we must also commemorate the accomplishments of the civil rights activist, both known and unknown, who helped imbed equality in the fabric of our great nation.

The impact of African American's service to this country since its founding has been immeasurable, and there is no doubt that they will continue to shape the future success of our country.