Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 733, which was originally named the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, which has now been renamed to be the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012.

I first introduced this bill in the 110th Congress in honor of a very dear friend, Ambassador Richard Sklar, who was a victim of this devastating disease.

Pancreatic cancer is a disease from which very few people survive. It's essentially a death sentence. It's because of the families, their friends, neighbors, doctors, and coworkers who have advocated for much better research and treatments that we've made it to the finish line legislatively and that we are here this evening.

Sadly, the outcomes for those with pancreatic cancer have remained relatively unchanged since the passage of the National Cancer Act nearly 40 years ago. Only 6 percent of people diagnosed with the disease live longer than 5 years. Let me say that again. Only 6 percent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live longer than 5 years; 75 percent die within a year of diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal types of cancers, even as survival rates for other cancers have increased.

The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, which I introduced with my wonderful colleague, a real gentleman of the House, Representative Leonard Lance, directs the National Cancer Institute, the NCI, to develop a long-term strategic plan for addressing the disease, bringing together the finest minds in our country with the best expertise in this area. The plan will be used by the agency as a roadmap for navigating the best way forward in research for early detection, for new diagnostic tools, treatment therapies, and even cures.

While pancreatic cancer is one of the most devastating of all recalcitrant cancers, or those with a high mortality rate and few treatments, it's certainly not the only cancer that needs increased attention. That's why I've worked closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expand our legislation to include all recalcitrant cancers so that we can make progress in other areas, too.

I'm exceedingly proud to say that this bill enjoys the bipartisan cosponsorship of 293 Members of the United States House of Representatives. I want to thank Chairman Upton, Fred Upton, whom I cajoled, whom I pestered, whom I pleaded with, whom I constantly kept after. He reminded me that I needed patience. I kept reminding him that I've been at it for 6 years. But he listened, and I appreciate that and I salute him for it.

To the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Waxman, to the staffs of the majority, both the Health Subcommittee, the full committee majority staff and the minority staff, I want to thank them as well, because without them we really cannot get our work done.

I also want to say how proud I am and grateful I am for the efforts of the pancreatic cancer advocates who had the courage to share their painful stories with their Representatives and educate them about the importance of this legislation. I would also like to make mention of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who is the author in the other body and has been a marvelous advocate and carrier of this legislation. And last but not least, I'd like to pay tribute to Erin Katzelnick-Wise of my staff, who, for all of this time--over three Congresses--has worked diligently and vigorously and loyally on this bill.

I look forward to seeing H.R. 733 signed into law by the President so that we can begin the important work of finding a cure for pancreatic cancer, as well as the other cancers that take the lives of our fellow Americans every day. I think with the passage of this and the signature of it, the American people will say, at last, at last the Congress has acted on a bipartisan basis on something that is of utmost importance and urgency to the American people.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to add to the comments that I made earlier that this is really highly unusual that a bill would enjoy such high co-sponsorship.

So, to the advocates that may be tuned in tonight, I, again, want to pay homage to them for their advocacy, for their tenacity, for their turning their real pain and loss into something that is worthy of those that were lost. Almost 1,000 bills were referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee during this, the 112th Congress. There was no other bill that enjoyed the high number, 293 bipartisan cosponsors.

This Congress has been really torn a part by so much disagreement, a high amount of nonpartisanship, people all over the country really scratching their heads and saying, can anyone ever come together in Congress to get something done for the American people. And while I wish there were so much more, I think that this stands tall and is an eloquent statement about my colleagues that signed on to this as cosponsors.

And I thank, again, the leadership on both sides of the aisle, the staff that is so wonderfully responsible for the beautiful work that's done and, again, close my comments by paying tribute to the Republican leader on this legislation, Representative Leonard Lance, who is a genuine gentleman, an outstanding legislator, a good friend, and a man of real integrity.

I say bravo to all of the advocates. God bless you all.

I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Dorothy Rumsey Miller, a lifelong resident of Contra Costa County and native of Richmond, California, who passed away on July 8, 2012, at the age of 97 years old, surrounded by her devoted family after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Dorothy Rumsey Miller is survived by four children, including our distinguished colleague in the U.S. House of Representatives, her son Congressman George Miller III of California's 7th Congressional District, his wife Cynthia and three exceptional daughters, Laura Miller of Martinez, Gretchen Miller of Martinez, and Kat Miller of Mexico; four wonderful grandchildren, George Miller IV (Wendy) of El Dorado Hills, Stephen Miller (Kathleen) of Lafayette, Michael D'Aloisio and Sam D'Aloisio (Barbara) of San Francisco and ten beautiful great- grandchildren and two nephews.

Dorothy Rumsey Miller was the daughter of Sea Captain John Rumsey and Laura Rumsey. She graduated from Richmond High School and attended the University of the Pacific.

She was an accomplished and dedicated artist, who for more than fifty years, painted with her Point Richmond artist group where her passion and love of arts and the water were expressed on her canvases.

As an entrepreneur she successfully opened and managed Rumsey's restaurant, and went on to be one of the proprietors of Mama's Mercantile, both in Martinez.

Dorothy was an avid reader of all books, including eastern and western spirituality. In her earlier days she volunteered at Loaves and Fishes, and the Special Olympics. As one of the original Women of the Waterfront, a group which helped develop the Martinez Waterfront Park, Dorothy's daily walks brought her great peace and solace throughout her life.

Dorothy's greatest joys were her children, her family, and her friends. The Miller home was always a safe haven and a warm gathering place for the young and old seeking her sage advice and loving ways. Through her wonderful wit, eccentricity, humor, counsel, and spirit she was able to share her wisdom and laughter with her children.

Dorothy was predeceased by her sister Laura Carey and her distinguished husband, State Senator George Miller Jr. who passed away in 1969, while serving California's 7th State Senate District. Senator Miller was a highly respected legislator, recognized for his warmth, vigor, vision, courage and tremendous accomplishments as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join my colleagues--Leader Nancy Pelosi; Representative Mike Thompson; Representative Doris Matsui; Representative Lynn Woolsey; Representative Barbara Lee; Representative John Garamendi; Representative Jerry McNerney; Representative Jackie Speier; Representative Pete Stark; Representative Mike Honda; Representative Zoe Lofgren; Representative Sam Farr; Representative Dennis Cardoza; Representative Jim Costa; Representative Lois Capps; Representative Brad Sherman; Representative Howard Berman; Representative Adam Schiff; Representative Henry Waxman; Representative Xavier Becerra; Representative Judy Chu; Representative Karen Bass; Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard; Representative Maxine Waters; Representative Janice Hahn; Representative Laura Richardson; Representative Grace Napolitano; Representative Linda Sanchez; Representative Joe Baca; Representative Loretta Sanchez; Representative Bob Filner; and Representative Susan Davis--in extending our deepest condolences to Dorothy's children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and friends, as well as her caregivers who were so loving and dedicated to her over an extended period of time.

We celebrate Dorothy's life and her accomplishments, and we are proud to honor her memory in the House of the People. Our nation has lost a beloved citizen who made her community stronger and our country better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an exceptional woman, Dorothy Mae Jaroch, who passed away on June 12, 2012, at the age of 88. Her youngest son, Pete, cared for her in her final weeks and was by her side at the moment of her passing. Dorothy Mae Jaroch was a devoted wife, an exceptional mother, a loving grandmother, a beloved sister, a teacher and a leader. She will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her, and I count myself among those so blessed.

Dorothy Mae Jaroch, a longtime resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, was born and raised in Lenexa, Kansas. She attended Spring Hill High School, and after completing her academics there, Dorothy married Lieutenant Commander Eugene Jaroch in 1945. She moved to San Francisco to join her new husband, Eugene with the tune ``Sentimental Journey'' by Doris Day with the Les Brown Orchestra in her heart and mind. Together, they travelled extensively throughout the country, danced in harmony and were very much in love. Dorothy, a longtime friend of the Religious of the Sacred Heart at Oakwood, was dedicated to helping others, always making them feel that her home was also theirs. Her greatest attribute was her unswerving faith in God and the goodness of people, and her legacy of compassion serves as a positive example for us all.

Dorothy is survived by her children Eugene Paul, Steven, Peter and Suzanne; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her husband, Eugene, the love and light of her life, passed away twelve years ago.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in extending our deepest condolences to Dorothy Mae Jaroch's family and to all those who were blessed by her friendship. Dorothy Mae Jaroch was an exceptional citizen whose pursuits strengthened our community and bettered our country.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I'm very pleased to join with all of my colleagues. This is an unusual happening on the floor, and I hope there are lots of people tuned in from C-SPAN listening and watching, because it is one of the few times that we've come together in a true bipartisan, 100 percent bipartisan way.

I want to pay tribute to the gentlewoman from California, Representative Bono Mack, for her leadership on this. And I'm very, very pleased to join her and all of the members of the Energy and Commerce Committee on H. Con. Res. 127.

As I said, this is bipartisan and it's bicameral, and it demonstrates the bipartisan commitment of the Congress to preserve the open structure and multistakeholder approach that has guided the Internet over the past two decades.

The distinguished chairman of our subcommittee said that he hopes the administration will remain on this. The administration was there before the Congress took action. There is no light between the administration, the executive branch, the Senate or the House, and that's the way it should be.

Through this open and transparent structure, Mr. Speaker, the Internet has literally transformed into a platform supporting thousands of innovative companies, applications, and services, not just in the United States, but in communities around the world.

I'm very, very proud, because my congressional district is very much a part of Silicon Valley, and many of these companies helped to launch these innovations. In fact, since 1995--this is really stunning-- venture capital funds have invested approximately $250 billion--with a B, dollars--in industries reliant on an open Internet, including $91.8 billion on software alone.

But later this year, the World Conference on International Telecommunications--at the committee, we call it WCIT, that's a lot easier--will take up proposals that represent a really fundamental departure from the International Telecommunications Regulations adopted in 1988. Nearly 25 years ago, this treaty provided a framework for how telecommunications traffic is handled among countries, but much has changed since that time.

In addition to proposing new regulations on broadband services, several nations, including Russia, are set on asserting intergovernmental control over the Internet, leading to a balkanized Internet where censorship could become the new norm. While there's no question that nations have to work together to address challenges to the Internet's growth and stability, such as cybersecurity, online privacy, and intellectual property protection, these issues can best be addressed under the existing model.

It's absolutely essential that the United States defend the current model of Internet governance at the upcoming Dubai conference this December because the very fabric of the free and open Internet is at stake.

So I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution which reflects, as I said a few months ago, a viewpoint already shared by the Obama administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. delegation to the WCIT, and unite in opposition to proposals that threaten the innovation, openness, and transparency enjoyed by Internet users around the world.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle), a highly regarded member of our committee.

Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), who has been a recognized intellectual leader on telecommunications and the Internet for a long time in the Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 3 minutes to my distinguished colleague from California, Representative Zoe Lofgren, who is respected in the House for her knowledge, not only of technology, but of all the wraparound issues that are a part of it.

Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have?

I'll just make some closing comments because I don't have anyone else who is here to speak to this.

Mr. Speaker, I think that everyone who has spoken has really spoken beautifully about this issue, about what the Internet represents not only to individuals, businesses, students, how it has changed how we live, how we work, how we learn, and the jobs that it has produced, what it has done for our national economy, but also what it has done relative to exporting democracy. Of course, the United States is front and center in this.

It's a very interesting thing to me to examine those countries that are thinking another way and want to impose that thinking on the Internet. There are far more closed societies where freedom of thought, freedom of expression is not valued the way we do and other democracies do. So we need to form partnerships with other countries around the world to make sure that the democratizing effect that the Internet actually holds will continue.

I'm proud to join again with my colleagues, with Mr. Walden, the distinguished chairman of our subcommittee, and Representative Bono Mack, who led the effort with this resolution. I'm proud that we're all together. And I always want to thank our staff, both on the majority and the minority side of the aisle, for the work that they do on the committee. I thank you all, and I salute you. I look forward to a unanimous vote of the United States House of Representatives in support of a free and open Internet.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

To the distinguished ranking member and my good friend, thank you for yielding time to me.

Mr. Chairman, I am very troubled about this bill. Instead of considering legislation that would create jobs and stimulate economic growth, the House is going to take up and vote on a bill that does the exact opposite. In fact, it has the enormous potential of delaying the implementation of new spectrum and public safety law.

Now, I don't know if you vetted your own effort, so to speak, but it was not all that long ago--it was earlier this year--that Congress passed and the President signed into law landmark legislation that implements a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The legislation also made more spectrum available for mobile broadband services. This was the last recommendation that the 9/11 Commission had made.

Congress finally made good on that recommendation, which was to establish a nationwide interoperable public safety network. Why? Because on that fateful day in New York, when police and fire went into those Twin Towers, their communications systems did not allow them to communicate with each other, to talk to each other. We finally, on a bipartisan basis, resolved that.

Also, at the time of the passage of that legislation, Mr. Chairman, we all praised it. We described the billions of dollars in new investment as well as the hundreds of thousands of jobs that would be created as a result of the legislation, calling it an economic game changer.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the bill that you dragged to the floor today, H.R. 4078, which is what we are considering, suggests that this legislation could delay this critical investment and the job creation that comes with it.

My rhetorical question to the majority is: Do you even know what you're doing? I don't think the left hand knows what the right hand is doing.

Now, I offered an amendment at the Rules Committee, which was not made in order, that would have exempted the legislation I'm referring to: that any agency rulemaking that creates jobs or protects public safety, including the provisions of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 that pay for the creation of a nationwide public safety broadband network through voluntary spectrum incentive auctions, be exempt. That was not made in order.

So all I can do is come to the floor and use the voice that my constituents have entrusted to me to stand up for things that really make sense for our country, bipartisan legislation, which your legislation today really screws up--in plain English. With the auction of this prime spectrum expected to raise over $25 billion, the passage of this legislation, H.R. 4078, will not only delay access to this critical revenue, but on top of that, you've brought to the floor really bad policy.

That's why I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the final passage of this legislation, because it messes up the good work that we were able to bring forward with, really, I think, a political advertising message. This is not serious legislation. What is serious about it is the damage that it will do to legislation that, on a bipartisan basis, we worked so hard on to make law. This essentially comes behind it as the wrecking crew.

Mr. Speaker, one of the privileges we have in the House is to commemorate the lives of great Americans and the contributions they have made to our communities and our country.

Today, it is an honor to pay tribute to Robert F. Lautze who passed away on May 8, 2012, after a long life of service and celebration. He was a resident of the Bay Area and lived most of his life in San Carlos, California, a community I've represented as a San Mateo County Supervisor and as a Member of Congress.

Rob was eighteen minutes older than his identical twin, Richard, and for years they were known as ``Rob and Rich'' or the ``Lautze brothers.'' Prior to World War II, they left their hometown of San Francisco and together became star athletes on the basketball court at Santa Clara University. Thus began a life-long relationship with the University where both Rob and Rich would each serve on the Board of Regents, the Board of Trustees, and as President of the Alumni Association.

During World War II, they joined the Navy, became officers, and served aboard ships in the Pacific. When they returned, they celebrated a double wedding and joined an accounting firm in San Francisco that became Lautze & Lautze. To this day the firm has kept this name even though the brothers retired over twenty years ago.

Many years ago, the Lautzes gave a young college graduate his first job at their firm, and when the new employee thought he might have a vocation in the priesthood, they encouraged him and gave him support. Paul Locatelli became a Jesuit priest, the President of Santa Clara University, and a celebrated American educator. He often said one of the reasons he became a priest was the example and support of Rob and Rich Lautze.

Rob's contributions to the community were numerous--the Kiwanis Club, the Burn Wound Center at St. Francis Hospital, the Hanna Boys Center, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and as a member of the board of the Marianists Province. He was one of the first treasurers of his beloved parish of St. Charles Catholic Church, served in the Knights of Columbus, and coached the boys' basketball team with his brother.

Rob was the proud father of five children: Karen, Mary, Susie, Rob, and Steve. His first wife, Alice, known as ``A,'' passed away in 1983, after over 35 years of marriage. In 1984, he married fellow parishioner, Patricia Murphy Laute to whom he was married for 28 years, and was the beloved patriarch to Patty's sons and family.

Mr. Speaker, Rob Lautze called life a ``simple equation.'' He counted his blessings often and out loud. He served so many in so many ways, and at the same time he quietly helped friends and neighbors with personal challenges. He was gentle in spirit, generous, and

kind. He loved to laugh and in every picture of him there is a genuine smile--as well as a discreetly held cigar.

Rob Lautze was a beloved member of our community who lived his faith, loved his family, and served his community and his country. We celebrate his life, and I'm proud to honor his memory in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House to join me in expressing our sympathy to the Lautze family. Our nation has lost a beloved citizen who made our community stronger and our country better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Stanford University Women's Water Polo Team on winning back-to-back NCAA Women's Division I Water Polo Championships in 2011 and 2012.

The Stanford University Women's Water Polo Team has combined talent and competitive spirit with the highest ideals of good sportsmanship to establish itself as a truly exceptional group. With admirable dedication, the Cardinals worked diligently to achieve the ultimate proficiency in water polo, and as a result, ended their season with a 6-4 victory over the University of Southern California Trojans to earn their second consecutive and third overall NCAA Championship.

The Cardinals went into the tournament after falling 8-7 in overtime to UCLA in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament championship match. Stanford led UCLA 3-2 after the first quarter and carried a 5-4 advantage at halftime. The team used the loss to rally going into the NCAA tournament, blowing past their competition with a 17-5 victory over Pomona-Pitzer, and a 12-3 victory over UC Irvine in the initial tournament games.

Stanford held a lead over USC throughout most of the championship game 3-2. Neither team led by more than a single goal, and USC's only advantage came when they scored the opening goal. Kaley Dodson and Pallavi Menon both contributed a pair of goals while Kiley Neushul and Kaitlyn Lo are credited with a goal each. More impressively, Menon played with a torn ligament in her elbow. Cardinal Goalie, Kate Baldoni, achieved the high honor of Most Valuable Player of the NCAA tournament. With 15 saves in the championship game and 29 saves in the tournament, Baldoni allowed only 9 goals within the 3 games. This victory marked Stanford's 103rd NCAA championship trophy overall and third in women's water polo.

Going into the season, Stanford was ranked the No. 1 team in both the Collegiate Water Polo Association Varsity Top 20 Preseason Poll and the MPSR's Preseason Coaches Poll. The Cardinals did not disappoint, finishing the season with a 26-2 record despite the absence of two key players. Both Annika Dries and Melissa Seidemann redshirted this year in order to train for the 2012 Summer Olympics with the U.S. National Team. As both young women return to the team next season, their U.S. National Team teammate Maggie Steffens will join them at Stanford, where the future for this team is exceptionally bright.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Coach Josh Tanner, seniors Pallavi Menon,

Alyssa Lo, Cassie Churnside, and Monica Coughlan; their teammates Kate Baldoni, Jillian Garton, Alexis Lee, Victoria Kennedy, Kaitlyn Lo, Lexie Ross, Kelsey Suggs, Lizzie Peiros, Kaley Dodson, Emily Dorst, Kiley Neushul, Catherine Carpenter, Cory Dodson, and Ashley Grossman; coaches Susan Ortwein and Kyle Utsumi; and Stanford fans everywhere. Bravo to the Cardinals for a thrilling season, and for demonstrating the highest standards of teamwork and sportsmanship. They have brought added distinction to California's 14th Congressional District and stand out as the best in America.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, this is the, I believe, sixth time that I've come to the floor during this Congress to call for disclosure and full transparency throughout the Federal Government. So this is not my first time on the floor on this issue. I've risen on many bills, and I will continue to because I think it's really critical to help restore the confidence of the American people in their government and how it operates.

I maintain the view, and it's shared by the majority of the American people, that transparency in the use of our tax dollars is absolutely critical. I want to pay tribute to my colleague, Mr. Ellison, for offering this amendment, and together we support it and offer it to the full House.

I believe that with public dollars come public responsibilities. There are thousands of companies who do business with the Federal Government, and they receive billions of dollars--of public dollars-- for their services and products. And I think that all of our constituents deserve to know whether and how they spend these dollars and whether they are used to influence our elections.

The amendment I'm offering with Congressman Ellison will provide this transparency by requiring that post-award contractors or subcontractors--which is very important, we don't want to interfere with the contracting process whatsoever, but once they have been awarded a contract--disclose all political contributions. This should be the norm of the day.

Disclosure is extraordinarily powerful because it puts the American people in the driver's seat. Constituents deserve to know who is involved in their elections and what their purpose might be. I think it's sad that just a few days ago the United States Senate killed the DISCLOSE Act. It was a sad day for the Congress. But I think the American people are taking note.

Anyone who supports the Citizens United decision, which I don't, legalizing corporate expenditures, should know that eight out of nine Supreme Court Justices endorsed prompt disclosure. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote:

Disclosure permits citizens and shareholders to react to the speech of corporate entities in a proper way.

Now, Republicans supported disclosure before they were against it, and I would hope that my Republican colleagues would come back into the fold. There's no reason to oppose transparency and disclosure unless someone really wants to hide anything. And I don't think any of us wants to hide behind the hiding. It just is not good government. The American people, the people that we are here to represent and have the privilege of representing, deserve more information and not less.

We can bring this about by adopting this policy. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert (Bob) Kirkman Arnold, who passed away on May 22, 2012 at the age of 88 in Palo Alto, California, surrounded by his loved ones. Bob is survived by his wife Carrie Knopf, his three children, Kirk, Kevin and Michael, their spouses and his three grandchildren; by Carrie's three children, Bret, Karen and Clay, their spouses and by her six grandchildren.

Raised in San Francisco by his parents, Agnes and George, Bob attended Lowell High School where he was Senior Class President before graduating in 1941. He met his late wife, Margaret ``Peg'' Koshland, while attending the University of California at Berkeley. At 6'4\1/2\, Bob played center on the Bears basketball team, where he was known as ``Hap'' Arnold. Bob and Peg were married in March, 1945.

After World War II broke out, Bob volunteered for the U.S. Army but the war ended before he arrived in Japan. Upon returning home, he resumed his education at U.C. Berkeley, earning a Ph.D. in Economics. He moved to Palo Alto, where he and Peg raised their three children, Kirk, Kevin and Michael. Bob was an economist at Stanford Research Institute until 1969, when he and Stephen Levy founded an economics consulting business called The Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy.

Bob ran for Congress in 1968 on an anti-war platform. While he didn't win the primary, he won many hearts and minds. He was devoted to finding novel ways to educate the public on economic topics, and he was always ready to join a march, give a speech, or offer his support to help the causes in which he believed.

Peg passed away in 1999, and in 2005, Bob married the lovely and wonderful Carrie Knopf from Palo Alto. Carrie and her late husband, Kermit Knopf, had been friends with Bob and Peg for many years. Bob and Carrie were inseparable and enjoyed 13 wonderful years together with their families.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our deepest condolences to Mr. Arnold's wife, Carrie Knopf, and their entire family. Bob was a wonderful man who brought much joy to the lives he touched and he will always be remembered for his integrity, intelligence, storytelling, limericks, exuberant good humor and the unmatched positive energy and passion he shared with everyone. He bettered our community and strengthened our country.

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, I think that today is really a sad day. It's a sad day for the House, and I can't help but think of Shakespeare: Thou doth protest too much. Now, it is very clear that my Republican friends have been opposed to any kind of national health care for as long as I can remember.

But today is really quite extraordinary because the Congress not only voted, shaped on, voted on, passed, the President signed into law, it was challenged, it went to the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice and four other Justices of the Supreme Court of our land have upheld the law for health care accessibility for every single American, all God's children. And what do the Republicans do but come to repeal.

My question is, What are you for? Where's your plan? I have been in the minority party. You've had time. This is the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Where is your plan? You talk about markets, you talk about costs, you talk about whatever; but you have no plan for the American people.

Now you've placed yourself in a position of a takeaway, and I think that's what is sad. It's sad for the American people, but it's not going to happen because the Supreme Court upheld the law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Dr. Robert J. Glaser, former Dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine and a national figure in medical education. Dr. Glaser passed away on June 7, 2012, at his home in Palo Alto, surrounded by his family. Dr. Glaser, who was 93 years old, is survived by three children; Sally, Joseph Glaser II and Robert Glaser, Jr., and four grandchildren. His beloved wife Helen Glaser passed away in 1999.

Dr. Glaser was born and raised in St. Louis. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College in 1940 and his M.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Medical School in 1943. He then returned to St. Louis to do his residency at Barnes Hospital of Washington University School of Medicine.

While at Barnes, his ``wandering eye fixed on an attractive young woman in the senior class,'' he wrote in his Harvard 25th reunion memoir. The medical student and soon-to-be pediatrician was Helen Hofsommer, M.D. She would become Glaser's wife.

After their wedding, the couple spent the next eight years in St. Louis, while Dr. Glaser moved through the ranks at Washington University, rising from Instructor to Associate Professor to Assistant Dean and Associate Dean of the Medical School. In 1956, he accepted the position of Dean of Medical School and Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Colorado. In 1963, he was tapped to lead Affiliated Hospitals Center Inc., in Boston, an ambitious, $50 million merger of six Harvard-affiliated hospitals.

In 1965, he was named the Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine, which had moved from San Francisco to Palo Alto. ``Though he came after the move, he was the one who shepherded the school through its formative years to get everything settled--get the molecules in motion,'' said James B.D. Mark, M.D., who arrived at Stanford the same year. ``He was a leader at a critical time in the life of this medical school.'' Dr. Mark described Dr. Glaser as someone who had ``great energy, great experience, high standards and worked hard.'' Paul Berg, Ph.D., said Dr. Glaser was a caring person who was ``easy to talk to. It was always fun to talk to him. And he was very devoted to the school.''

At the time, the hospital on campus was co-owned by the city of Palo Alto. As Dean and Vice President for Medical Affairs at Stanford, Dr. Glaser oversaw the purchase of the city's share of the Palo Alto- Stanford Hospital in 1968. ``Dr. Robert Glaser was an extraordinary figure in American medicine and at Stanford specifically,'' said Philip Pizzo, M.D., the current Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine. ``Dr. Glaser's vision shaped Stanford Medicine as we know it today, and his contributions have had an indelible mark on individuals, institutions and communities, locally and globally.''

Dr. Glaser was tapped to serve as Acting President of Stanford University following the retirement of Dr. J.E. Wallace Sterling. He led the University at a tumultuous time of student protests against the war in Vietnam and was lauded by students for his sensitivity and responsiveness. At the medical school, Dr. Glaser also oversaw major changes in the curriculum to give students greater flexibility--a feature that remains a hallmark of the curriculum today. Even into his 90s, Dr. Glaser continued to attend medical grand rounds and teaching conferences.

After serving as Dean for five years, Dr. Glaser left Stanford in 1970 to serve as Vice President and Trustee at the Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based philanthropy devoted to improving health care. ``Before he left for the Commonwealth Fund, his line was, `I'm going to see if it's better to give, than not to receive,' '' said Dr. Mark, recalling Glaser's dry wit.

He subsequently went on to serve as President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation from 1972 through 1983. From 1984-97, he was Director for Medical Science and Trustee of the Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust, where he oversaw distribution of more than $500 million in support of medical science research, including the establishment of the Markey Trust Scholar Program.

Dr. Glaser also had a long-term involvement with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Initially engaged through its research institute, in 1981 he became a founding member of its Board of Trustees and continued as an Emeritus Trustee through 2008.

A member of Alpha Omega Alpha, he served on its Board of Directors and as the Editor from 1962-97 of its scholarly journal The Pharos, while his wife served as Managing Editor.

Dr. Robert Glaser was also active nationally in medical education through the Association of American Medical Colleges and served on the National Advisory Committee on Higher Education. He was a founding member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and served on the boards of many organizations, including Washington University, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Packard Humanities Institute, the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, the Kaiser Hospitals and Health Plan, Hewlett-Packard and Alza Corp.

He also received many awards and honors, including the Abraham Flexner Medal for Distinguished Service to Medical Education; the Stearns Award for Lifetime Achievement in Medicine from the New York Academy of Medicine; the Dean's Medal from Stanford School of Medicine; the Dean's Medal from the Harvard Medical School; and the Harvard Medal for Distinguished Service.

In addition to his professional interests, Dr. Glaser had a lifelong passion for the commercial airline industry. Over the years, said his daughter, Sally Glaser, Ph.D., ``He and one of my brothers would often sit out in the back-yard, listening to air traffic control communications as they looked at the approaching aircraft through binoculars.'' He was an avid traveler, logging more than five million miles in air travel for both professional and pleasure trips, including his last trip to Harvard in 2010 to attend his 70th college reunion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our deepest condolences to Dr. Glaser's three children, his four grandchildren, his colleagues and his students who knew and loved him throughout his extraordinary life. Dr. Glaser was a kind man, a brilliant doctor and a masterful educator. His life stands as an inspiration to all and a model of citizenship. He bettered our Nation, and gladdened our world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 5651, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, to reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and the Medical Device User Fee Act. These critically important laws have improved patient access to important therapies and expedited the FDA's approval times while upholding the most rigorous standards for patient safety.

The Prescription Drug User Fee Act, PDUFA, was enacted in 1992 when drug review times were lagging and FDA simply couldn't keep up with the flood of new drug applications. Through user fees paid by applicants, the FDA gained resources it needed to hire and support more staff. The program has been successful at reducing review-time backlogs, and expediting safe and effective therapies to patients.

Along with faster drug approvals, Congress also recognized the need to study drugs in children. As the original author of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, BPCA, and the Pediatric Research Equity Act, PREA, I'm proud of how successful these programs have been in treating children, resulting in new dosing information, new indications of use, new safety information, and new data on effectiveness. Before BPCA and PREA, the vast majority of drugs, more than 80 percent, used in children were used off-label, without data for their safety and efficacy. Today, that number has been reduced to 50 percent.

We know that children are not just small adults. They have unique medical needs and drugs react differently in their bodies. That's why in this year's reauthorization, it was important for us to look at areas in need of improvement. The bipartisan legislation gives FDA the tools it needs to ensure companies are thinking about pediatric populations as early as possible in the drug development process, and that they're able to enforce timelines that are routinely missed. The language encourages further study into untested age groups, like neonates, and clarifies any confusion over what some see as ``loopholes'' to allow companies to access the market exclusivity incentive without completing additional studies.

The legislation also ensures that companies routinely submit their pediatric plans earlier in the process by establishing a clear timeline and expectations.

I thank my House colleagues, Representatives Mike Rogers and Edward Markey who have worked very hard with me to improve these programs. I applaud the bipartisan and bicameral efforts of the House and Senate staffers who were able to combine the bills from both chambers to produce strong consensus language that has broad support from Members and stakeholders.

I have confidence that the bill we vote on today will improve BPCA and PREA to benefit children for generations to come, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ruth Kisako Kamei, a 50 year resident of Mountain View, California, who died at the age of 91. She was a loving wife, a devoted mother, a doting grandmother, a beloved sister, and a community leader.

Ruth Kamei was born in Mayfield, California, on September 20, 1920 to Niro Nishimoto and Kisaye Murakami. She was a graduate of Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, California. Before World War II, Ruth met and married her husband of 70 years, Kenzo. During the war, Ruth was interned in Heart Mountain, Wyoming where she worked in the camp cafeteria. Once the war was over, Ruth and Kenzo settled in Mountain View, California and founded Kamei Nursery, specializing in cut flowers.

Ruth was a very active member of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple, participating in the Buddhist Women's Association and a member of the original Temple Choir. She was also a member of the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. She also enjoyed gardening, Japanese cooking and needlework.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Kenzo, her sister Mary Sasaki, her son Kenneth, and daughters Eileen and husband Robert Eng, Judy and husband Steve Inamori, grandchildren Ami, Ellen and Jonathan Kamei, Emily Eng Holbrook, Laura Eng Derdenger and Julia Eng, Bradley, Gregory and Kathryn Inamori, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Yoshio Nishimoto, and sisters Nobuko Kurotori and Grace Kashima.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and accomplishments of Ruth Kamei and offering our deepest condolences to her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tragically abbreviated life of an extraordinary woman, Nancy Takahashi Hatamiya, who passed on May 15, 2012, at the age of 52. She was a woman of integrity, a great professional, a passionate advocate for human rights, a true and loyal friend, an exceptional mother and a devoted wife. She will be missed by everyone who was privileged to know her, and I count myself among those so blessed.

Nancy Hatamiya was born in Rome, Italy, lived in Pakistan as a child, attended elementary and junior high school in Washington, D.C., and graduated from the Jakarta International School before attending Stanford University, where she studied architecture and urban design. She became a Coro Foundation Fellow and it was from Coro that she was assigned to my 1982 campaign for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors as an aide. After winning the election, Nancy served as my capable Administrative Assistant for four years. She went on to serve as an advisor to President Clinton, Vice President Gore, Defense Secretary William Cohen, and Assemblyman John Vasconcellos. She was a senior advisor at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, and with her husband Lon, formed the Hatamiya Group, an economic, strategic and communications firm. She proudly served as a member of the Board of Directors of the California Council for the Humanities for nine years and as the Board's Chair. Her accomplishments were many, and her career was a most distinguished one.

The center of Nancy's life was her family. She adored her sons, Jon and George, and reveled in all of their activities. She was their most ardent supporter and biggest booster. She had a team of her own. From bands to baseball, she was there for them. Just days after Nancy died, her son George played in a baseball game at Sacramento City College. He said,

`Something allows us to fight adversity. My Mom loved

watching us play. We were her team. She was a role model for

so many, especially to my older brother (Jon) and me. She

talked about education, music, sports. She wanted the best

for us.'

Just a week before she died, Nancy wrote the following words:

I am convinced that it is the white, healing light, healing

thoughts, and prayers that are keeping me uplifted. I feel my

role is to appreciate every moment in response to the

universal support you are giving me. [. . .] Every visit

literally helps save my life and there is nothing more

precious than being alive!

Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in extending our deepest sympathy to Nancy Hatamiya's beloved husband Lon, her sons Jon and George, her sister Tina Takahashi, her brother Joseph Takahashi, and to all those who were part of her large community of friends. Nancy's life is one of an accomplished, exceptional citizen. Her passion for public service, her abiding devotion to her community, her love of our country and her service to it, have inspired everyone who knew her. She deepened our patriotism, and made us better individuals because of her shining example of a life lived exceedingly well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the rich and accomplished life of Richard W. Lyman, Stanford University's seventh president, who died on May 27, 2012, at his home in Palo Alto at the age of 88.

The eloquent words of Stanford University President John Hennessy bear quoting: ``Dick Lyman was a man of great strength, integrity, common sense and good humor. It was a privilege to know him, and I am deeply saddened by his death. His impact on Stanford was profound. He guided the university through some of the most turbulent years in its history, and under his leadership, Stanford not only survived, it flourished. He had an unswerving belief in academic freedom and universities, and he inspired that commitment in others. We are very fortunate--and certainly the better--for having known him and for having his courageous, committed leadership and service to Stanford.''

Richard Lyman was born in 1923 in Pennsylvania and was raised in New Haven, Connecticut. His father was an attorney and his mother a French teacher. His education at Swarthmore College was interrupted by three years of service in the Army Air Forces Weather Service, and after college he began graduate studies leading to a Ph.D. in history at Harvard. He spent two years as a Fulbright Fellow at the London School of Economics, and two summers writing for The Economist. He also taught history at Washington University in St. Louis from 1954 to 1958.

Richard Lyman came to Stanford in 1958, with the great love of his life, Jing, whom he married in 1947. He became a full professor in 1962, and rose through the ranks, becoming Stanford's president in 1970, a post he held until 1980. He served in some of the most turbulent years in our Nation's history, and in the opinion of many, he saved Stanford from collapse and greatly enhanced its prestige.

After leaving Stanford, he held many important posts, including President of the Rockefeller Foundation and Vice Chair of the National Council on the Humanities. He returned to Stanford in 1988 and developed a forum for interdisciplinary research on key international issues, and retired in 1991.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in honoring the life of one of the most distinguished and extraordinarily accomplished leaders of our country, and to extend our deepest condolences to his devoted wife Jing, and his four children Jennifer Lyman, Rev. Holly Antolini, Christopher Lyman, Timothy Lyman, and his four grandchildren.

Richard Lyman's leadership brought great distinction to our community and strengthened our Nation. I am blessed to have known him, and our country was blessed by his high sense of citizenship and patriotism.