Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, a healthy learning environment for our children is the gateway to a brighter future. Unfortunately, too many of them attend schools that are crumbling, making it harder for teachers to teach and students to learn. In fact, research has shown better quality schools have higher rates of student achievement.

For this reason I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act to modernize, upgrade, and repair school facilities across this country. This legislation creates healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient learning environments for our Nation's children. In addition to improving our schools, this bill will play an important role in protecting our environment and improving our economy through the creation of environmentally sound schools and the creation of thousands of new construction jobs.

Madam Speaker, I represent an urban district where many students would benefit from the modernization of these schools. By passing this bill, these students and others across this country will get the opportunity to learn in a healthier and sounder environment.

Madam Speaker, I would like to state for the Record my position on the following votes I missed on May 12, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall 243 to table the motion, ``yes'' on rollcall 244 on H. Res. 413; and ``yes'' on rollcall 245 on H. Res. 378.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Volunteer First Aid Squad of Weehawken, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary on May 8, 2009. This organization has provided 40 years of free emergency medical service to the Township of Weehawken and the North Hudson Community.

In 1969, the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad was the first volunteer squad to form in Hudson County. It is now only one of two remaining volunteer squads still operating in the County. Over the last forty years, the squad has responded to over 75,000 calls for help, providing initial medical treatment and transportation to the appropriate medical facility at no charge to the patient.

The squad primarily covers the Township of Weehawken, and for the last twenty years, the Town of Guttenberg, it has been directly involved in all of the most serious incidents that have struck the metropolitan area. In 1993 the squad responded to Manhattan to provide assistance to the World Trade Center when it was first attacked by terrorists. It then coordinated treatment of tens of thousands of the victims that were evacuated to New Jersey after the second terrorist attack in 2001.

Two years later the volunteer squad provided comfort to thousands of commuters who were stranded in New York City during the blackout of 2003. Most recently, the squad coordinated the response of over 50 emergency medical service units who responded to the Weehawken Ferry Terminal to assist treating passengers of the ``Miracle on the Hudson'' plane crash.

The squad has been a training ground for many residents who have chosen careers in the medical profession. Over, the years, the volunteer squad has been honored to have six members who have gone on to become medical doctors, and hundreds who have chosen careers as nurses, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

Please join me in congratulating the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad and all members of the squad for providing the residents of Weehawken, Guttenberg and North Hudson with excellent emergency health care.

Madam Speaker, the current housing crisis has had devastating consequences for homeowners in communities throughout New Jersey and the country. Our Nation is faced with the highest foreclosure rate in 25 years. Millions of families may lose their homes to foreclosure this year because too many lenders approved loans that homeowners could not afford to pay.

By passing H.R. 1728, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009, we have an opportunity to curb abusive and predatory lending. Specifically, the bill outlaws many of the destructive industry practices that marked the subprime lending boom in the first place. It also establishes a simple standard for all home loans, ensuring that borrowers can repay loans they are sold. Finally, it protects tenants who rent homes that go into foreclosure.

This legislation marks a critical step in the rebuilding process of our economy while providing the American consumers with the protection they deserve. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, in February, the House passed a resolution supporting the goals of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day works to celebrate female athletes' achievements, to acknowledge the positive influence of sports participation in women's lives, and to urge equality and access for women in sports.

On April 21, 2009, Mackenzie Brown, a sixth grade Little League pitcher from

Bayonne, New Jersey, in my district, threw a perfect game. Throwing fast balls and change-ups, she struck out 18 batters. All of them were boys.

Mackenzie is the first girl in the city's history to throw a perfect game. Her achievement was so impressive that she was asked to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Mets game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

Mackenzie also excels in the classroom. She has consistently been an honor roll student at Henry E. Harris School in Bayonne. Mackenzie's achievements exemplify the important and beneficial role that sports can play in girls' lives. She is an inspiration to many, and I want to congratulate her and her family. I look forward to her many future successes on and off the field.

Madam Speaker, my constituents worry about the rising cost of health care. Today, I rise to let them know we are working to make health care more affordable and accessible.

We already strengthened and improved the State Children's State Insurance Program. Nearly 11 million children will benefit from actions by enrolling them in health insurance programs and expanding access to dental and mental health benefits.

This year, we voted to increase funding for health care information technology, saving billions of dollars and reducing private health insurance premiums for families. We also increased Medicaid funding, protecting coverage for millions of low-income and elderly Americans.

While more needs to be done, that is why I will vote for President Obama's budget. He sets aside more than $630 million over the next 10 years to reform health care, reduce Medicare overpayments to private insurance, and reduce drug prices to rein in high costs that are a drag on our entire economy.

I urge everyone to support this budget.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 161 I inadvertently miscast my vote. I intended to vote ``no'' on that question. I ask unanimous consent that this statement appear in the Record adjacent to that rollcall.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to speak to middle-class families facing job loss or shrinking incomes. They may feel left out of the bailouts. That is why I am happy to report that the President's budget will help them by making the $800 Make Work Pay tax cut permanent; by expanding the child tax credit for millions of families with children; by making college more affordable by making the $2,500 American opportunity tax credit permanent; by permanently protecting millions of middle-class families from being hit by the AMT; by expanding the earned income tax credit; by expanding the current tax credit for saving for retirement and providing for automatic enrollment in IRAs and 401(k)s; and by eliminating capital gains on small businesses.

The President's budget cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans, while the budget invests in programs that create jobs, makes education affordable, and encourages clean American energy. It helps the middle class, which is why we must pass this budget.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of House Resolution 194, supporting the goals of International Women's Day. Women have come a long way in our nation; leading graduation rates at universities, running major corporations and being elected to the highest levels of government. I am proud to live in a country where more women than ever before are being elected to office and I am proud to serve with the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives. However, many women around the world continue to be less fortunate; living in poverty, without access to health care, education or basic human rights. We must continue to be their voice, so that women all across the world will one day have the ability to make their own decisions about their lives. I hope that by providing women with the tools to educate themselves, they are better equipped to provide for their families, protect themselves against HIV/AIDS, end cycles of domestic violence, and fight for their rights. Mr. Speaker, we must continue to support the goals of International Women's Day to

ensure the further advancement of women in our country and around the globe.

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Sustainable Building Industry Council honored the Garden Street Lofts in Hoboken, New Jersey, at their Beyond Green High Performance Buildings Awards. I am proud of the accomplishments of MAST Construction and all those involved in the project. I am pleased that their important work has been recognized.

The Garden Street Lofts project, completed last November, successfully converted an 80-year-old warehouse into a ``Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design'' silver-certified building with 30 loft-style residences and over 7,000 square feet of retail space. The building also is located within reach of multiple forms of public transportation, further increasing its appeal and environmental benefits.

I commend this sustainable project, and I thank the Sustainable Building Industry Council for including it in its Beyond Green Awards program. MAST Construction continues to provide the 13th Congressional District of New Jersey with exceptional facilities. It is my hope that the Garden Street Lofts will serve as a successful example for other developers.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate National Peace Corps Week and to honor the agency's 48th anniversary. Since the Peace Corps began in 1961, over 195,000 volunteers have served in 139 countries around the globe. Currently, there are over 7,800 Peace Corps volunteers serving in 76 countries, including two of my constituents.

Jaskirat Singh is currently serving in Jordan until September 2010, and Antoinette Day is currently serving in Bulgaria. I am incredibly proud of their service and the lasting contributions they are making to improve the lives of people in the communities where they are serving.

I would like to commend all the Peace Corps volunteers for their dedicated service to our Nation and for expanding and creating new opportunities for people in the developing world.

Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to discuss H. Res. 114, the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which I introduced. Dedication, teamwork, discipline, courage, victory, and overcoming defeat can all be learned by participating in sports. Athletics are one of the best opportunities for personal growth, and yet there has not always been an equal opportunity for everyone to participate.

In 1971, only 300,000 women participated in high school sports and fewer than 32,000 competed in college sports. Thanks in large part to Title IX, opportunities for girls and women to participate in sports have expanded, so that today ten times more women participate in high school sports and five times as many participate in college sports than in 1971. However, we still have a long way to go. High school women still receive 1,300,000 fewer opportunities to participate than do boys, and the money spent on women's sports is far less than that spent on boys' sports.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day exists to overcome the final barriers for women in sports by celebrating female athletes' achievements, acknowledging the positive influence of sports participation in women's lives, and urging equality and access for women in sports. On February 4, 2009, the 23rd National Girls and Women in Sports Day was celebrated in schools and communities across the country.

The Stevens Institute of Technology, in my district, recognized a woman, who truly embodies the ideals of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Emily Woo, a senior chemical biology major at one of the most demanding scientific institutions in the country, is an athlete, scholar, and leader. She boasts a 3.6 cumulative grade point average in a demanding major. She holds five different school swimming records and has been captain of the women's swimming team for two years. As if that were not enough, her coach credits her with turning the swimming program around and being the best leader he has ever encountered.

Emily Woo exemplifies the benefits of participation in sports. When girls and women participate, they are more likely to get better grades in school and are more likely to graduate. As little as four hours of exercise a week from sports activities may reduce a girl's risk of breast cancer, osteoporosis and obesity. Most importantly, when girls and women play sports, they have a more positive body image, higher levels of confidence, and are more likely to develop self-discipline, initiative, and leadership skills.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an event sponsored by the National Girls and Women in Sports Coalition, increases awareness of the importance sports play in the lives of girls and women. I introduced this resolution to support the goals and ideals of this important day and to encourage schools and communities to continue and increase opportunities for girls and women in sports. As a former athlete, I know firsthand the benefits of competing in sports; my life is richer and more well-rounded because of those experiences. Everyone regardless of background should have equal access to sports, and I commend the National Girls and Women in Sports Coalition for their work to give everyone a chance to play.

Madam Speaker, last week American companies announced that they will be laying off more than 102,000 employees in the coming weeks.

The economic situation is clearly getting worse, and Congressional Democrats are taking steps to get people back to work and to save jobs that without action will be lost in the next few months.

Last week, the House passed legislation that will save and create 3 to 4 million jobs. We will create nearly half a million jobs by investing in clean energy. Our economic package also puts nearly 400,000 people to work repairing crumbling roads, bridges and schools.

In another effort to jump start our economy, it also gives 95 percent of Americans an immediate tax cut.

Madam Speaker, economists told us that we needed to act boldly and swiftly to address our Nation's troubled economy. This week, the Senate must pass the economic recovery package so that we can begin the long process of turning this economy around. Failure to act, as some on the other side of the aisle seem to be more happy to do, is simply not an option.

Mr. Speaker, if we want the recovery package to be successful, we must invest in projects to benefit our economy in the short term and in the long term. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act does just that.

Investing in our infrastructure creates 40,000 new jobs in New Jersey and has long-term benefits that will modernize our crumbling infrastructure. The recovery plan also provides additional long-term investment in energy, health care and education. Specifically, this bill provides New Jersey with $3.4 billion over 2 years to modernize our schools, enhance our educational technology and increase aid to students.

Finally, this legislation provides immediate and direct tax relief for 95 percent of working families, and for job-creating small businesses. By helping the average American employer and employee with their taxes, we ensure they have income to grow their businesses and make investment in the future.

I urge support for the bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work by rescue and nonrescue workers in the New York and New Jersey region in responding to January 15's emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549. I commend them for their amazing efforts to safely rescue the flight's 155 passengers.

I would like to publicly thank Captain Chesley Sullenberger and the flight crew whose heroism and guidance helped everyone survive the water landing. Secondly, the quick reactions from New York Waterways ferry operators and the area's first responders

should be recognized and commended. Their quick response allowed all passengers to exit the plane before it was fully submerged and to be quickly retrieved from the frigid waters. New York Waterways, a ferry company based in Weehawken, New Jersey, that usually shuttles commuters back and forth across the Hudson River, played a critical role in the rescue efforts. Boats were able to reach the crash site within minutes of impact and deliver passengers safely to the shores of New York and New Jersey where they could receive medical attention if necessary. Fortunately, major injuries were few. And I am extremely thankful for the response of New Jersey hospitals, including Christ Hospital, Palisades Medical Center, Hoboken Medical Center and Jersey City Medical Center, that treated the injured and those suffering from exposure to extremely cold temperatures.

I am inspired by the heroic efforts of all involved that led to the rescue of all 155 passengers. And I am impressed by the teamwork that contributed to this successful rescue mission.

I would also like to recognize the following New Jersey-based organizations that came to the aid of Flight 1549: Weehawken and all Regional Emergency Management Services, Office of Emergency Management and Hudson County, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, Police Departments of Weehawken, Union City, Guttenberg, West New York, Port Authority of New York New Jersey, and New Jersey Transit, Hudson County Sheriff's Department.

Hudson County Sheriff's Department, Weehawken Parks and Recreation and Senior Center Staff, Arthur's Landing Restaurant of Weehawken, Sheraton Hotels of Weehawken, Modell's Sporting Goods Store of West New York, and the Office of Mayor Richard Turner of Weehawken and Mayor Brian Stack of Union City.