Floor Statements

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for all your hard work on this bill.

I rise today in support of H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. This amendment is very important for a number of reasons.

First, this amendment aims to stimulate and increase consumer spending in the mortgage market by creating a new standard deduction for State and local real estate taxes paid for those who do not itemize, and it provides a refundable tax credit for first time home buyers.

Second, this amendment provides assistance to all who are looking for a place to call home. It does not forget those who are less fortunate, those who can not afford to buy a home. The permanent affordable housing trust fund will ensure that all Americans have access to a safe and stable place to call home, even those who rent. This amendment also helps those who are looking to buy a home by bolstering the ability of FHA to guarantee more mortgages.

Finally, by strengthening and consolidating existing regulatory authorities and giving the Treasury Department new authority, the American taxpayer can have faith that they will not have to bear the weight of future housing financing problems. I urge everyone to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3999, the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act. Maintaining our infrastructure, especially our bridges, is vital to enhancing our economy, improving our quality of life, and most importantly protecting the safety of our constituents. I thank Chairman Oberstar for introducing this important legislation and for his leadership in maintaining our Nation's infrastructure.

My district is highly impacted by the structural integrity of our bridges. They provide the necessary infrastructure to support one of the largest ports in the U.S. with more than 25 million tons of cargo moving through the port each year. Most importantly, these bridges serve millions of people who travel on them to and from New York City each year.

In response to the tragic 1-35-W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota, New Jersey undertook an extensive review of bridges and identified the improvements required to bring all of the State's structurally deficient bridges to a state of good repair. This bill will help to further that initiative and increase the safety of our bridges.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the good work of the United Way of Hudson County in the 130th District of New Jersey, which I have the honor of representing in Congress. The United Way of Hudson County has a distinguished history of working with its partners to help the homeless in Hudson County. Hudson County has about 300 chronic homeless and another 2,700 people who are in and out of homelessness, representing nearly 1 percent of the residents in our community.

I would like to highlight just a few of the good things the United Way of Hudson County is doing in my district. They are responsible for providing funding to many social services agencies working with the homeless, including a Bayonne facility for homeless men, a program for the elderly in Jersey City, a training program for 59 shelter residents, housing for Hudson County individuals with HIV/AIDS, meals, transitional housing, a soup kitchen, and educational services for homeless persons. In 2005, the United Way of Hudson County created an Emergency Shelter System for the Homeless that was widely honored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of New Jersey, and the State Association of Community Development Directors. In 2006, the United Way of Hudson County was awarded the county's first ``Housing First'' grant for $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This grant provided housing and social services for 26 disabled individuals. Their Housing First focus, championed by the United Way of Hudson County and County Executive Tom DeGise, will provide housing, hope, and a better future for the homeless of Hudson County.

Please join me in honoring the United Way of Hudson County as we celebrate their good work at the Second Annual New Jersey Congressional Reception on July 30, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus, also known as the Black Anniversary. The occupation of Cyprus is an injustice that has gone on for too long, and the Cyprus question can no longer be ignored.

I am encouraged by meetings over the last several months between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Talat. Their efforts to implement the July 2006 agreement are helping to lay the framework for talks about a final solution to the Cyprus question. With the recent establishment of working groups and technical committees to discuss substantive and day-to-day issues between the communities, I am hopeful that the meeting on July 25 between President Christofias and Talat will bring about full negotiations.

Mr. Speaker, 13 million crossings have taken place between the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot communities without incident, and yet, there are still 43,000 Turkish troops on the island. That is one Turkish troop for every two Turkish Cypriots.

Last year, I introduced House Resolution 620, expressing the sense of the House that Turkey should end its occupation of the Republic of Cyprus. I believe this is an occupation that has divided Cyprus and the Cypriot people for far too long. This occupation stands in the way of a final solution to the Cyprus question, as well as Turkey's accession into the European Union.

Mr. Speaker, last November I led a congressional delegation to Greece and Cyprus where I toured the buffer zone in Nicosia. I saw the barbed wire, and I saw with my own eyes an area where time has stood still for 34 years. As we rise today to commemorate the events of July 20, 1974, we must remain committed to working together to end the occupation and to bring down the 113 miles of barbed wire fence that continue to divide Cyprus.

Mr. Speaker, the Bush-Cheney energy plan is now 95 percent implemented and we are paying for it at the pump. It's no mystery how it happened. Two oilmen in the White House let Big Oil literally write the energy plan. And while Republicans continue to demand opening up more areas for drilling, Democrats are asking why not drill on 311 million acres of Federal land already open for energy production?

Day after day Republicans say drill, drill, drill. But they haven't once asked why oil companies are sitting on 68 million acres of already-leased land.

This country needs a comprehensive plan for energy independence, and responsible drilling is part of that plan. Why not open new areas for development that will save consumers little at the pump decades down the road when there are 68 million acres of land ready for drilling?

Mr. Speaker, Democrats don't want to make the American consumer wait another 10 to 20 years for any relief. Today we hope that the Republicans will join us in demanding that Big Oil start drilling on the leases they already have, otherwise lose the leases. It's time to tell Big Oil, ``Use it or lose it.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the good work of the United Way of Hudson County, New Jersey. They have a distinguished history of working with their partners to help the homeless in Hudson County.

I would like to highlight just a few of the good things that United Way of

Hudson County is doing in my district. They are, in part, responsible for a Bayonne facility for homeless men, a program for the elderly in Jersey City, a training program for 59 shelter residents, housing for Hudson County individuals with HIV/AIDS, meals, soup kitchens, and educational services for homeless persons.

In 2005 the United Way of Hudson County created an emergency shelter system for the homeless that was widely honored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of New Jersey, and the State Association of Community Development Directors.

In 2006 they were awarded the County's first ``Housing First'' grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This grant provided housing for social services for 26 disabled individuals. Their Housing First focus, championed by the United Way and the County Executive, Tom DeGise, will provide housing and hope for a better future for the homeless of Hudson County.

Please join me on July 30 for the second congressional reception honoring the United Way.

Madam Speaker, I would like to state for the record my position on the following votes I missed on July 14, 2008. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on Rollcall 486 on H. Res. 1067; ``yes'' on Rollcall 487 on H. Res. 1080; and ``yes'' on Rollcall 488 on H. Con. Res. 297.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5506 which would designate the U.S. Postal Service building located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey as the ``Bishop Ralph E. Brower Post Office Building.''

Bishop Ralph E. Brower has dedicated more than 50 years of his life in service to the community of Jersey City, New Jersey. In 1954, he was called to build the St. Michael Methodist Church. He started the church with only six members, and served their parish as pastor for over 54 years.

In addition to his role as pastor, Bishop Brower served the Jersey City community in

many ways. His professional and ministerial accomplishments also include being president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance for 25 years; Hudson County Chaplain for 25 years; commissioner for the Jersey City Redevelopment for 5 years; and deputy mayor for 4 years.

With his lifetime of dedication to public service and ministry, Bishop Ralph E. Brower consistently illustrates his caring and commitment to the Jersey City community.

I am thrilled to celebrate this dedicated community leader through this legislation. I cannot think of better way to honor Bishop Brower's work then to designate a U.S. Postal Office in his name.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I am very happy to be here today discussing my bill to help public housing authorities across the Nation. Let me start by thanking Chairman Barney Frank for his support on this bill and his leadership in the Financial Service Committee. Without his dedication to this issue, we would not be considering this bill today.

Let me start by explaining why I introduced this bill. Shortly after I was sworn in, I received a letter from the

Jersey City Housing Authority in my district. They told me they had to lay off 34 employees because of asset management. When I looked into this, I learned that Jersey City was not unique. Over 800 public housing authorities had their operating budgets cut because of the way asset management was implemented by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. At the same time, the Department limited the amount of flexibility given to public housing authorities to make ends meet. I knew something had to be done.

With the support of Chairman Frank, Congressman Meek, and others, I introduced H.R. 6216, the Asset Management Improvement Act of 2008. You will note that the title indicates that the bill improves asset management; it does not put an end to asset management. That is because I feel strongly that the goals of asset management are worthwhile.

By making public housing authorities run more efficiently, asset management has the potential to improve the lives of all those who live in public housing in this country.

My bill simply makes four improvements to the asset management rule and it alters the management of public housing in other aspects. First, it requires new negotiations to establish a reasonable management fee and allows public housing authorities to revert back to the old funding mechanism until final implementation of asset management on January 1, 2011. Congress has previously acted to require this, but HUD failed to act. This bill sets HUD straight.

Second, my bill reaffirms current law by allowing public housing authorities to transfer funds between their operating fund and their capital fund. This provision prevents the Department from prohibiting such transfers. This flexibility is vital to agencies, particularly since the housing program is underfunded. Housing authorities know best where they need funding, not Washington.

There is wide agreement on this provision. In fact, this provision was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008. That provision, however, is only valid for 1 year. My bill will make this change permanent.

Third, my bill decreases the exemption threshold from small to medium-sized public housing authorities. The Department recognized that small authorities with fewer than 250 units of housing would not benefit from the benefits of asset management, and so they are exempted. My bill simply raises this threshold to 500 units.

Again, there is little disagreement on raising the threshold. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008 raised the exemption threshold to 400. My bill goes a little further; to 500 units. The impact of this change would only affect 110 public housing authorities, some of whom may not opt out of asset management because they think it makes good sense. Even with this change, over two-thirds of all public housing units will still be covered by the asset management rules.

Third, my bill restates current law in terms of tenant participation. It simply says tenants should be allowed to participate in the decision affecting their homes. It prohibits the Department from altering tenant participation rights and it encourages public housing authorities to include tenants in discussions about asset management that directly affects their home.

The bill alters public housing management in a few other ways. First, it restates current law that undocumented immigrants are ineligible for public housing assistance. It includes language that Congresswoman Bachmann brought to our attention on gun rules. In fact, we have incorporated her language into the bill.

Public housing authorities cannot require gun registration or prohibit gun ownership if local laws do not restrict ownership. Public housing authorities, as a whole, feel this is a reasonable requirement. Additionally, this bill allows public housing authorities to evict tenants who use an illegal weapon while on public housing property. This text was added by Representatives Maloney and Boren, recognizing that tenants do not have a right to use illegal weapons in public housing.

Together, these changes make several improvements to the management of public housing. It will improve the lives of all the residents.

Let me end with this: My office has taken calls from public housing authorities across the Nation. Small, large, urban and rural housing authorities support this bill, and I hope that Members will support this bill. Please make a difference for public housing residents and public housing authorities by easing their regulatory burden. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6216.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to help raise awareness of Tourette syndrome. This is a misunderstood disorder that affects an unknown number of Americans. The experts think that maybe 200,000 of us suffer from this neurological disorder; although no one really knows because it is often misdiagnosed. That is why we need to increase awareness and applaud those who work on a daily basis to make this one of the issues that we must be aware of.

In my home State, the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders provides an innovative, multidisciplinary, multi- institutional approach to the treatment for those in New Jersey who have the Tourette syndrome and for their families. It is the first and only program of its kind in the Nation, and it serves as a model for other centers.

In concert with the State legislature, they declared every Wednesday in New Jersey as Tourette Syndrome Day to call attention to this disorder. In order to continue to bring awareness to this disorder, today, I will introduce a resolution supporting the designation of a National Tourette Syndrome Day.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall 438 on H. Res. 1242; ``yes'' on rollcall 439 on H. Con. Res. 372; and ``yes'' on rollcall 440 on H. Res. 1051.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Jersey City Police Captain Robert V. Taino on the occasion of his retirement. Captain Taino, who will retire on July 1, 2008, received numerous recognitions for his service, evidence that he was an outstanding member of Jersey City Police Force.

Captain Taino, was appointed to the Jersey City Police Department in 1966, and initially assigned to the first precinct. His dedication garnered the trust of his superiors and earned him other opportunities to serve the Department in the radio room, Bureau of Supervision, administration division Chief of Patrol Staff, Special Patrol Bureau, Support Services Division, officer of the Chief and City Command. His experience and his knowledge of the community were recognized by the receipt of numerous awards including one commendation and one World Trade Center Award.

Please join me in honoring Captain Robert V. Taino, his wife Grace and 3 children Kymberly, Tara, and Robert, Jr. for his distinguished service to the Jersey City Police Department, and in congratulating him on his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Jersey City Police Inspector Jon L. Tooke on the occasion of his retirement. Inspector Tooke who will retire on July 1, 2008, received numerous recognitions for his service, evidence that he was an outstanding member of Jersey City Police Force.

Inspector Tooke, was appointed to the Jersey City Police Department in 1979 and initially assigned to the North District. His dedication garnered the trust of his superiors and earned him other opportunities to serve the Department in the Medical Bureau, Welfare Investigation Unit, Gun Permits Unit, Planning and Research Unit, Police Academy, South District, City Command, Public Information Officer and Patrol Bureau. His experience and his knowledge of the community was recognized by the receipt of numerous awards including ten Excellence Police Service Awards and one World Trade Center Award.

Please join me in honoring Inspector Tooke for his distinguished service to the Jersey City Police Department, and in congratulating him on his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Jersey City Police Captain William Stetson on the occasion of his retirement. Captain Stetson who will retire on July 1, 2008, received numerous recognitions for his service, evidence that he was an outstanding member of Jersey City Police Force.

Captain Stetson, was appointed to the Jersey City Police Department in 1981, and initially assigned to the East District. His dedication garnered the trust of his superiors and earned him other opportunities to serve the Department in the Special Patrol Bureau, Central Communications Bureau, Operations Division and Support Services Division. His experience and his knowledge of the community was recognized by the receipt of numerous awards including one Commendation, five Excellence Police Service Awards, three Unit Citations and one World Trade Center Award.

Please join me in honoring Captain William Stetson for his distinguished service to the Jersey City Police Department, and in congratulating him on his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Negron on being honored by the Puerto Rican Cultural Committee of Hoboken on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Miguel and Nelly Negron came to the United States in the 1950s from Utado, Puerto Rico, through Patchogue, Long Island, before establishing themselves in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1963. With their two children, Edith and Ivette, the Negrons began a new life and started their long commitment to their community. Miguel joined his cousin Israel Bula as a partner in the Bula Superette located in First and Garden Street in Hoboken. He later left the partnership and bought a bodega on his own where he and Nelly spent 6 days a week serving the neighborhood with native Hispanic food products for a total of 22 years.

In 1982 Nelly retired, and in 1985 Miguel joined her in retirement, although they hardly rested. Instead they cared for their three grandchildren. Miguel also continued to support his community by investing in real estate around the neighborhood and offering investment advice to his friends and neighbors.

Mr. and Mrs. Negron currently reside in the Caparra Home Townhouses in Hoboken, New Jersey, and are faithful parishioners of Saint Francis Church. The couple has been married

for 55 years and they enjoy a fruitful life with their family and friends in Hoboken, New Jersey. They are proud grandparents of Benjamin Michael and Vanessa M. Vega, and their youngest, Ashley Smulders. Please join me in honoring Miguel and Nelly Negron for all their accomplishments and years of commitment as residents of Hoboken, New Jersey.