Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 5353.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. As this country's sole provider of regularly scheduled intercity passenger rail service, Amtrak's importance and necessity to all Americans is clear. In the face of continually rising gas prices, overloaded highways and congested airports, many Americans are being forced to make difficult financial decisions regarding their modes of travel. Amtrak has become an ever more viable transportation option at such a time, and continues to be a practical option for many of those people searching for an efficient and economical travel alternative.

Mr. Chairman, as you know, Amtrak carried almost 25.8 million passengers and posted approximately $1.5 billion in ticket revenue in 2007. This is a gain of 10 percent over FY06 ticket revenues, and is the third consecutive year that ticket revenues have increased. It is through a combination of increased profits and a reauthorization bill that proposes $14.4 billion dollars over the next five years that Amtrak will have an incredible opportunity to thrive and flourish.

H.R. 6003 does much to aid in the continued growth and vitality of Amtrak. The bill authorizes $4.2 billion to Amtrak for capital grants and $3 billion for operating grants. It is no secret that inconsistent Federal support has hampered Amtrak's ability to replace equipment necessary for it to provide service. These capital grants will help Amtrak make additional capital improvements and maintenance over its entire network. In addition, the operating grants authorized under the bill will help Amtrak pay salaries, health costs, overtime pay, fuel costs, facilities, and train maintenance and operations. These operating grants will also ensure that Amtrak can meet its obligations under its recently negotiated labor contract.

The Amtrak reauthorization bill also does much for intercity and high speed passenger rail in this country. The bill creates a new State Capital Grant program for intercity passenger rail and capital projects. It also recommends that the United States establish a high- speed rail network for the entire country. The bill authorizes $1.75 billion for grants to States and Amtrak to finance the construction and equipment for 11 authorized high-speed rail corridors.

However, Amtrak still has many hurdles to overcome, the biggest of which is its $3.17 billion worth of debt. Although Amtrak has taken great steps in reducing its debt by almost $600 million since 2002, it still has a long way to go. As a result, this bill explicitly helps Amtrak manage its debt by authorizing $345 million each year for debt service through FY2013.

Mr. Chairman, I am particularly pleased and grateful to the committee, under the leadership of Chairman Oberstar and Chairwoman Brown, for including a provision that calls for a report on Amtrak's utilization of the Beech Grove repair facility in my congressional district. The report will also include an examination to determine the extent that Amtrak is maximizing the opportunities for each facility, including any attempts to provide maintenance and repair to other rail carriers. As the largest Amtrak maintenance facility in the country, it is my belief that the Beech Grove facility is underutilized and that Amtrak can bring more maintenance work to this facility.

Mr. Chairman, this piece of legislation is long overdue and much needed. It is time for us to give Amtrak all the funding and opportunities it needs to become a more efficient and effective travel alternative for Americans. I am pleased that we are bringing this bill to the floor and I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 335, a bill to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 100th anniversary celebration of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was founded on January 15th, 1908 by nine visionary women at Howard University. As America's first Greek-letter sorority founded by and for African American women to improve life for all African Americans, Alpha Kappa Alpha is truly celebrating a long tradition of commitment to sisterhood and service.

Driven by these noble ideals, Alpha Kappa Alpha has evolved into one of the world's leading service organizations with 975 chapters and approximately 200,000 members worldwide. One of those members, in particular, is near and dear to my heart. Mariama Carson, my lovely wife shares in the unique bond that is found among the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. I truly believe her dedication to service was fostered through her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha, and has helped her development as an accomplished and successful teacher in Indianapolis. She, like many of her fellow sorors, chose Alpha Kappa Alpha as a means of self-growth through volunteer service.

Madam Speaker, AKA's have touched the stars of our universe through members like Dr. Mae Jemison and have brought conscience to this body through members like Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee and Ms. Erika Barrera, Communications Director for Congressman Bruce Braley. But their stories are not isolated cases.

Throughout its 100 years of history, Alpha Kappa Alpha is full of women who have emerged as leaders in their professions and communities. Through distinguished members like Liberian President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf; actress Phylicia Rashad; and the 102-year-old Mrs. Hazel Hainsworth Young, one of the Sorority's most senior members, Alpha Kappa Alpha has and will continue to be an organization of focused and compassionate women committed to changing the world.

Madam Speaker, I am proud and honored to support this resolution; because I believe this sorority has and will continue to be an amazing organization that helps to better communities around the world. I hope all my colleagues will join me in granting Alpha Kappa Alpha the use of the Capitol Grounds and supporting their 100 year anniversary.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Stupak/Visclosky amendment.

Madam Chairman, in order to build state of the art schools, you need sound state of the art materials. This amendment ensures that our schools will be constructed with strong and durable resources by mandating that our schools be built with American steel.

I would like to thank Congressman Stupak and Congressman Visclosky for offering this worthwhile amendment. There is nothing more important than ensuring that our children have safe and productive environments in which to learn.

I encourage my colleagues to support the Stupak/Visclosky amendment and the underlining bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6049, The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008. This is a fiscally responsible and progressive piece of legislation. H.R. 6049 responds to the concerns we consistently hear from our constituents about energy prices, property taxes and the needs of our brave men and women in uniform.

H.R. 6049 recognizes that the need for renewable energy is greater than ever. Oil companies reap higher and higher profits but consumers are struggling to keep up the rising cost of gas. Our dependence on foreign oil continues to pose a serious risk to our national security. Further, we know our current energy sources are contributing heavily to global climate change. I applaud H.R. 6049 for including a $20 billion dollar investment in renewable energy research and production to find environmentally sound alternate energy supplies.

In my home state of Indiana, families are struggling to keep up with sky-high property taxes. My colleague Baron Hill has worked to bring about relief for homeowners and introduced H.R. 3726 the Property Tax Relief Act of 2007, a bill I am proud cosponsor. I was pleased to note the bill we are discussing today provides an additional standard deduction for State and local real property taxes paid for 2008, a provision very similar to H.R. 3726.

This bill also provides assistance to our veterans and active duty service men and women. H.R. 6049 includes provisions allowing members of the armed services to include combat pay in order to qualify for the earned income tax credit and rules to allow veterans to qualify for mortgage revenue bonds. These programs offer critical assistance to lower income individuals.

H.R. 6049 helps American families by extending the deduction for qualified tuition and related education expenses and increasing the eligibility for the refundable child tax credit for 2008. Further, it rejects President Bush's attempts to cut down Medicare and Medicaid benefits, the budget for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency and several key law enforcement programs. Having spent my career in law enforcement, I was especially concerned to hear that the President proposed eliminating the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants and cops. I am pleased this bill continues to support these important programs.

I commend Chairman Rangel for his leadership on this important bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on legislation that was passed in the House on April 16, 2008, H.R. 2634, the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2008.

Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2007 directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Paris Club of Official Creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), and other international financial institutions to provide debt cancellation for eligible low-income countries, and establishes a framework for creditor transparency and responsible lending. The need for debt cancellation and responsible lending for low-income countries is a serious issue for developing countries and I am pleased to support this legislation.

When the vote was called, I voted in favor of the bill; however, a technical glitch led to my vote not being recorded. I have contacted the Clerk of the House of Representatives about the vote and was informed that the Congressional Record will reflect my intent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2419, the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. This bipartisan piece of legislation will better reflect our values, strengthening American agriculture to meet the 21st century needs of the United States and the world with a safe, stable food supply.

I want to commend the work of the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Colin Peterson, as well as the Senate chairman, Mr. Harkin. Both men diligently worked to reconcile the differences in both the House and Senate versions of the bill. All of that hard work has paid off. This bill will ease the strain of rising food prices for millions of families, take a first step on much-needed reforms to farm payments, and make a substantial commitment to land conservation and to the fruit and vegetable industry.

Mr. Speaker, while these are important and positive provisions of this bill, I am particularly pleased with the nutrition titles of the bill. An additional $10.4 billion in new spending will be allocated for nutrition programs that help 38 million American families afford healthy food. In addition, there are many updates in the food stamp programs that reflect the current state of our economy. These critical food stamp provisions will help about 11 million people by 2012.

In particular, the reforms found in this bill benefit those individuals who need help. The bill helps these individuals adequately cover food expenses and sustains participants in the Food Stamp Program for the entire month. It also increases the minimum benefit for food stamp recipients, which is especially important for our senior citizens in need. I am also particularly proud that the 2008 Farm Bill extends the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, CSFP, of which my grandmother, the late Representative Julia Carson, was a champion. It is important to help the many low-income elderly individuals in need of additional assistance who are reluctant to apply for food stamps.

The legislation also goes far in addressing the health and nutrition needs of our children by increasing funding by $1.02 billion for the USDA Snack Program. Aiding schools in providing healthy snacks to students during after-school activities and expanding the program to all 50 States is something that Congress must do.

Mr. Speaker, I am also in support of the final bill because of its provisions addressing ethanol. It goes without saying that ethanol is helping to reduce fuel prices at the pump. The prices are almost 15 percent lower from where they might be if biofuel producers were not increasing output. The farm bill also invests $1 billion in renewable energy focusing on new technologies and new sources, including $320 million in loan guarantees for biorefineries that produce advanced biofuels and a new program to encourage the production of biomass for cellulosic ethanol and other energy production, helping producers learn how to harvest, store, and transport biomass to bioenergy facilities.

I am also highly supportive of the bill's increased funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, TEFAP, by $1.26 billion. I believe in providing commodities and other resources to States to help stock food banks. It is important that Congress continue to provide much- needed support to emergency feeding organizations, such as food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens by increasing this funding for TEFAP.

Mr. Speaker, from increasing conservation programs by $7.9 billion, to containing provisions that help us meet global food shortages, this is a good bill. The bill is fully paid for and prevents further increases to the national debt. It expands food security programs, protects our vital natural resources, promotes healthier foods and local food networks, and reforms commodity and biofuel programs to reflect the priorities of the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. This package is a comprehensive response to the current housing crisis that has left many honest, hardworking Americans in financial distress.

H.R. 3221 is especially important to Hoosiers who have struggled as our state consistently ranks among the top ten for foreclosures nationally. The district I represent, which includes most of the City of Indianapolis, currently has around 17,000 foreclosed properties and around 7,200 in the preforeclosure phase. My constituents need the assistance available in this bill urgently.

This package includes key legislation such as Government Sponsored Enterprise reform, Federal Housing Administration modernization, the Housing Assistance Tax Act and H.R. 5830, a critical bill reported out of the Financial Services Committee last week that will help borrowers at risk of foreclosure refinance into more stable loans. These bills will not only help borrowers now, but strengthen the mortgage lending market moving forward.

In order to ensure borrowers would be aware of the important FHA refinancing opportunity under Chairman Frank's bill, H.R. 5830, I introduced an amendment in the Financial Services Committee which stated that no less than 2 percent of funds available for counseling in the bill would be targeted towards notification to individuals who are eligible to refinance their mortgage under the bill's provisions.

Further, we know that African American mortgage consumers were 3.7 times more likely than white borrowers to receive subprime loans and Latinos were 2.3 times more likely. In order to help those disproportionately affected by these high-cost loans, my amendment further instructed the Secretary to give preference to organizations that have a proven track record for outreach within minority communities in allocating these notification resources. I am pleased the amendment received bipartisan support and was incorporated into this crucial piece of legislation.

I believe H.R. 3221 is the right approach to this complex housing crisis. I thank Chairman Frank and Chairman Rangel for their hard and thoughtful work on this bill and I look forward to seeing this legislation move forward.

Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008.

This bill is extremely important to me as a representative from Indiana's Seventh Congressional District. My district has suffered with disproportionately high rates of foreclosures. In fact, Indiana has consistently rated among the top 10 States nationally for foreclosures, along with Michigan and Ohio.

We frequently hear how housing vacancies have had a negative impact on property values, but as someone who has spent their career in law enforcement, I know that vacancies can also foster violence and theft in our neighborhoods.

This bill could help communities rebuild property value and maintain stability in our neighborhoods. I want to thank Congresswoman McCarthy and Congressman Capuano for working with me on an amendment in committee to include first responders to those States that may establish preferences in their housing priorities.

I see firsthand the dedication and passion these firefighters, emergency medical service providers, and police officers have for others. They put their lives at risk every day for the safety of those in our city.

This bill is responsible and thoughtful, and I want to thank Congressman Frank and Chairwoman Waters for their outstanding work on

Madam Speaker, I come to the House floor today to honor our Nation's veterans, particularly the thousands of Hoosiers who have risked their lives to protect our Nation and secure our liberty. All Americans owe a great debt to the veterans who have served and, in some cases, made the ultimate sacrifices for our Nation.

As a Member of Congress, I rely on the spirit of these brave men and women to guide me as we work in the Chamber to ensure our troops have the benefits they have earned and deserved when they come home.

This weekend in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana, our distinguished House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has graciously agreed to accompany me to meet with a group of our Nation's finest veterans at the American Legion on Guion Road. This visit will provide Leader Hoyer and me with the opportunity to personally thank some of our veterans and learn more about how we can better meet the needs of these true American heroes.

I am honored to welcome the majority leader back to Indianapolis, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that we meet the needs of all of our Nation's veterans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on a resolution that was passed in the House on April 14, 2008. H. Res. 994 expresses support for designation of a National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day.

Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia is an inherited, rare bleeding disorder that affects many men, women and children. The disease can present symptoms in these patients ranging from minimal bleeding to life- threatening hemorrhages. This serious disease deserves careful attention within the medical community and I am pleased this resolution brought attention to this issue.

I was regrettably detained from casting my vote, but had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1079, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month 2008. It is fitting that in April, the month that our taxes are due, we bring attention to the important issue of financial literacy.

As citizens face their taxes this year, they have also been facing the burden of increased financial difficulties as foreclosure rates soar, health care and energy costs continue to rise, and substantial numbers of jobs are cut. During this time of economic strain, it is especially crucial that consumers become knowledgeable about their own financial situation and that we take steps to ensure our children receive proper financial education to plan for their future.

In my district, groups such as the Indianapolis Asset Building Campaign are working to increase financial literacy in the city, especially among moderate and low income individuals. The campaign was spearheaded by my grandmother, Representative Julia Carson, former Mayor Bart Peterson, Momentive, Purdue Cooperative Extension, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, the Boner Center, Junior Achievement, the Internal Revenue Service and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

It has been proactive in connecting taxpayers with financial literacy information such as free preparation services, tax credit information, the availability of low or no cost savings accounts and predatory lending. These kinds of efforts are critical to stem the cyclical debt low and moderate income individuals frequently become trapped in.

I want to thank Chairman Frank for bringing light to this issue by holding a hearing in the Financial Services Committee and I want to also note Congressman Hinojosa's strong leadership in this issue and his dedication to educating consumers on the importance of debt management and asset building.

We must continue working on this issue to help consumers become savvy on the complex financial products we have in the marketplace today and prevent them from becoming dependent on credit or victims of predatory lending.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to an issue of great concern to the people of my district. When I was home in Indianapolis this weekend I heard from countless homeowners who are concerned about losing their homes and the mortgage crisis. These are good, hardworking people, not speculators or investors, who find themselves on the brink of foreclosure. And the Hoosiers I met aren't alone. Some estimate that nearly 50,000 homes in Indiana will be lost to this crisis if we fail to act.

Indiana families are counting on Congress, and we are taking action. I am proud to serve on the Financial Services Committee, where we are continuing to work on a plan that will provide real relief to homeowners who are struggling. Our plan will help ease the mortgage crisis and help more homeowners stay in their homes.

And I am proud that the legislation includes an amendment I have offered to ensure organizations that serve minority communities have the resources they need to counsel and support homeowners in trouble. Many of these communities have been hit especially hard by this crisis, and it's essential that organizations who serve these neighborhoods can step in and help prevent more foreclosures.

Mr. Speaker, the economic downturn is taking its toll on families in Indianapolis, and we know we can't get our economy back on track unless we address the housing crisis. It is my sincere hope that Members on both sides of the aisle and the President will work together to ensure homeowners stay in their homes and end this crisis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 322, a resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, beyond just being an influential world leader, the State of Israel has been a staunch and ardently loyal ally of the United States over the last several decades. This great nation's commitment to protecting it citizens and securing its homeland are simply unmatched.

Since the founding of the modern State of Israel in 1948, the bond between the United States and our Middle East partner has grown and remained strong. It is incumbent that we as Members of Congress do all we can to make sure that this relationship continue to flourish.

Mr. Speaker, the United States must make every effort possible to safeguard our relationship with the Middle East's only democracy, Israel. Now more than ever, we must diligently advance our shared interests and goals as it pertains to promoting peace and combating terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, in closing I would like to congratulate the State of Israel, the Israeli citizens, and the Jewish community on reaching this milestone. This great nation has much to celebrate and be proud of on its 60th birthday.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2634, the Jubilee Act. This bill seeks to help those struggling under the most grievous economic circumstances abroad. It reflects a strong bipartisan effort to assist in full debt cancellation for 24 of the world's poorest countries.

Under this bill, introduced by Congresswoman Waters, debt relief would be extended to countries not currently eligible under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries program. Nine of these countries would receive immediate assistance under this act while the remaining countries would have to meet stringent standards in order to receive the forgiveness.

These standards would ensure countries receiving assistance do not acquire new debt or encourage bad actors within their government. Countries would not be eligible for assistance if they lack transparency in their budget, commit human rights violations, support international terrorism, have excessive levels of military funding, or fail to cooperate on international narcotics control issues. The bill further provides that external financing needs of these countries are met through grants rather than loans to prevent them from falling victim to exploitive lending in the future.

Debt relief for the most severely disadvantaged throughout the world concerns us all as global citizens and numerous constituents in my district have reached out to me expressing their overwhelming support for this compassionate bill. I am proud to be a member of the committee that passed this bill with a favorable recommendation and of this House which has moved this legislation today. H.R. 2634 helps our world's neediest individuals, many of which have suffered under repressive regimes, move forward and use their countries' future capital on important economic growth activities and health care.