Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of extending the H- 2B returning worker program this year.

The H-2B visa program was created to provide access to nonimmigrant temporary workers for seasonal and peak load needs when no American workers can be found. Foreign workers offer small and seasonal businesses short-term help and return to their home country at the end of the season.

H-2B visas are capped at 66,000 visas per year. Even with 66,000 visas a year, it still does not meet the labor needs of seasonal businesses. To help fill these additional needs, Congress established the H-2B returning worker program in 2005. This program exempts returning workers who have received an H-2B visa in one of the three previous fiscal years from counting against the 66,000 cap. However, this program expired on September 30.

On September 27, 4 days before the season even started, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service had already received enough visa petitions to exceed the cap for H-2B visas for the first half of fiscal year 2008. The application process for the second half of fiscal year 2008 began on December 3, two days ago.

Without extending the returning worker program, it's expected that the visas will go quickly, leaving many businesses without the workers they need to fulfill their business needs. This demand highlights the immediate need for Congress to extend the H-2B returning worker program to help small and seasonal businesses fill their seasonal labor needs and keep full-time Americans and their businesses working.

These returning workers have provided relief to small businesses throughout the Nation, covering a broad spectrum of industries like landscapers, tourism, seafood processors and carnivals.

At this time, I will enter into the Record a letter from the H-2B Workforce Coalition in support of extending the H-2B returning worker program.

Workforce Coalition,

November 19, 2007.

Dear Representative: As representatives of tens of

thousands of seasonal employers throughout the country, we

urge you to support H.R. 1843, the ``Save Our Small and

Seasonal Business Act of 2007.''

This bipartisan bill would simply renew the highly

successful relief provision for the H-2B visa program that

was initially approved by the Senate by 94-6 in 2005. This

provision recognizes the reliability and trustworthiness of

past participants in the H-2B program by exempting those

temporary seasonal workers who have participated fiscal the

H-2B visa program and have completely followed the law during

the past three fiscal years from counting toward the

statutory cap.

The congressionally mandated 66,000 annual cap on the

number of workers allowed to participate in the program that

was established in 1990 does not reflect current economic

realities or meet the needs of businesses which are seasonal

or have peak load needs that rely on these workers.

Before employers can hire temporary seasonal workers under

the program, they must advertise their job openings, work

with local unemployment offices to identify potential

American workers and offer the positions to any qualified

domestic applicants. The jobs these guest workers fill do not

take jobs away from Americans. It is not until employers have

carried out this time consuming and expensive due diligence

in trying to hire American workers that they are allowed to

petition the federal government for a labor certification and

ultimately bring in temporary workers--their final option to

run their seasonal businesses.

In fiscal year 2004, the statutory cap was reached on March

9--only six months into the fiscal year and before many

summer employers had an opportunity to apply for seasonal

workers. As a result, many of these businesses had to cancel

events, operate at partial capacity, not open parts of their

businesses, or have their full-time staff work overtime to

the point of burnout.

Each subsequent year, the cap has been reached sooner as a

result of the increased need for seasonal workers and an

increasing labor shortage. The cap for the first half of

fiscal year 2008 was reached on September 27--3 days before

the fiscal year even began.

Without immediate action by Congress, widespread economic

consequences will severely impact diverse economic sectors

throughout the country including lodging, restaurants,

landscaping, clubs, amusement parks, ski resorts, food

processing, stone, travel and tourism, horse sports,

construction, entertainment, hospitality, recreation and many

other seasonal industries.

On behalf of thousands of small businesses and seasonal

employers throughout the country, we urge you to support H.R.

1843 and secure its immediate passage.

Sincerely,

National Organizations:

American Forest & Paper Association

American Horse Council

American Hotel & Lodging Association

American Immigration Lawyers Association

American Nursery and Landscape Association

American Rental Association

American Trucking Associations

Asian American Convenience Store Association

Asian American Hotel Owners Association

Associated Builders and Contractors

Associated General Contractors of America

Federation of Employers and Workers of America

International Association of Amusement Parks and

Attractions

Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute

International Franchise Association

National Club Association

National Federation of Independent Business

National Restaurant Association

National Roofing Contractors Association

National Ski Areas Association

National Thoroughbred Racing Association

Outdoor Amusement Business Association

Professional Landcare Network

Tree Care Industry Association

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

State and Regional Organizations:

Alabama Forestry Association

Alabama Hospitality Association

Alabama Restaurant Association

Alaska Hotel & Lodging Association

Alaska Restaurant & Beverage Association

Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association

Arizona Landscape Contractors Association

Arkansas Forestry Association

Arkansas Hospitality Association

Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association

California Hotel & Lodging Association

California Ski Industry Association

Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association

Colorado Association of Lawn Care Professionals

Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association

Colorado Restaurant Association

Commercial Flower Growers of Wisconsin

Delaware Restaurant Association

East Hampton Chamber of Commerce

Florida Forestry Association

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association

Georgia Restaurant Association

Gulf Oyster Industry Council

Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce

Hospitality Association of South Carolina

Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City

Idaho Nursery & Landscape Association

Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association

Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association

Illinois Landscape Contractors Association

Iowa Lodging Association

Iowa Restaurant Association

Kentucky Hotel & Lodging Association

Kentucky Nursery & Landscape Association

Kentucky Restaurant Association

Kentucky Turfgrass Council

Landscape Contractors Association MD-DC-VA

Lawns of Wisconsin Network

Long Island Hotel and Lodging Association

Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau

Maine Campground Owners Association

Maine Innkeepers Association

Maine Merchants Association

Maine Restaurant Association

Maine Tourism Association

Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association

Massachusetts Lodging Association

Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association

Massachusetts Restaurant Association

Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association

Michigan Green Industry Association

Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association

Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association

Michigan Restaurant Association

Mid-America Green Industry Council

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association

Minnesota Restaurant Association

Missouri Restaurant Association

Montana Innkeepers Association

Montauk Chamber of Commerce

Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association

Nebraska Hotel & Motel Association

Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association

Nevada Landscape Association

New England Apple Council

New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association

New Jersey Green Industry Council

New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association

New Jersey Irrigation Association

New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association

New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association

New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association

New York State Lawn Care Association

New York State Restaurant Association

New York State Turf & Landscape Association

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association

North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association

North Dakota Hospitality Association

Northern Colorado Stone Quarriers Association

Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association

Ohio Landscape Association

Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

Ohio Restaurant Association

Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers Association

Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association

Oklahoma Nursery & Landscape Association

Oklahoma Restaurant Association

Oregon Landscape Contractors Association

Oregon Lodging Association

Oregon Restaurant Association

Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association

Pennsylvania Restaurant Association

Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association

Restaurant Association of Maryland

Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association

South Carolina Forestry Association

South Texas Nursery Growers Association

Southern Innkeepers Association

Southampton Chamber of Commerce

Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association

Tennessee Restaurant Association

Texas Forestry Association

Texas Horsemen's Partnership

Texas Hotel & Lodging Association

Texas Nursery & Landscape Association

Texas Restaurant Association

Utah Hotel & Lodging Association

Vermont Ski Areas Association

Virginia Green Industry Council

Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

Washington Association of Landscape Professionals

Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association

Wisconsin Green Industry Federation

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association

Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association

Wisconsin Nursery Association

Wisconsin Restaurant Association

Wisconsin Sod Producers Association

Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association

Businesses:

360 Degree Realty, Illinois

4T Total Lawn, Kansas

A-1 Chipseal Co., Colorado

A & A Construction Company, Texas

A To Z Lawn and Landscaping, Ohio

A.E. Phillips & Son, Maryland

A & M Underground Irrigation Systems, South Dakota

A Cut Above Landscape Management, Georgia

A Perfect Landscape, Colorado

A.S.T. Landscape Services, Texas

A Yard & A Half Landscaping, Massachusetts

A Wave Inn, New York

AA Tex-Lawn, North Carolina

AAA Landscape, Arizona

Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouses, Virginia

Absolute Landscaping Inc., New Jersey

Acacia Digging & Transplanting Services, Texas

Academy Sports Turf, Colorado

Ace Landscaping Corporation, Washington

Ackerson Landscape, Missouri

Acres Group, Illinois

Adams Landscaping, New York

Adventure Bound Camping Resorts, New Hampshire

Affordable Lawn Sprinklers & Lighting, Virginia

Airporter Inn, California

Akala, Florida

Al Allentuck Landscaping, Maryland

Alder Springs Enterprises, Maryland

All Around Concrete Cutting, Louisiana

All Around Concrete Demolition, Louisiana

All Pro Landscaping of Tallahassee, Florida

Allin Companies, Pennsylvania

Allen's Landscaping and Maintenance, Virginia

Almeda Wholesale Nursery, Colorado

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, California

Amberscapes, Texas

Amelia Island Plantation, Florida

American Beauty Landscaping, Ohio

American Landscape, Wisconsin

America's Best Inn, Vicksburg, Mississippi

America's Catch, Mississippi

Ameriworks Global, Louisiana

Anchor Retaining Wall Systems, Texas

Anewalt's Landscape Contracting, Pennsylvania

Angel Inn of Branson, Missouri

Ann Breyer's Cottages, New York

Aplin Masonry of Telluride, Colorado

Apgar Turf Farm, Delaware

Aqua Barrier Exterior Waterproofing, Tennessee

Aqua-Lawn, Connecticut

Arapahoe Acres Nursery & Landscaping, Colorado

Arapahoe Horticulture, Colorado

Architectural Paving Systems, Oklahoma

Aqualawn, Ohio

ArborLawn, Michigan

Architerra, Illinois

Armstrong Landscape & Design Group, Texas

Arrowhead Resort, Michigan

Arteka Companies, Minnesota

ArtisTree, Florida

Artistree Nursery & Landscape Design, Florida

Artistic Designs Lawn & Landscape, Kansas

Arvest Bank, Missouri

Aspen Corporation, West Virginia

Aspen Grove Landscape Company, Maryland

Aspen Lawn Care, Kansas

Aspen Skiing Company, Colorado

Atlantic Plants, New Jersey

Diamond Landscapes, Kentucky

Dinneen Landscaping, Massachusetts

DMB-Highlands Group LLC, California

Doctor's Inc., Kansas

Doctors ``At the Lake'' Inc, Kansas

Doctor's Lawn & Landscape, Kansas

Dom's Landscaping, New York

Don CeSar Beach Resort, Florida

Duke's Tree Landscape Management, New Jersey

Dominguez Racing Stables, New Mexico

Double A Contracting, Texas

Double JJ Concrete, Colorado

Dove Creek Quarries, Utah

Dowco Enterprises, Missouri

Driftwood, New York

Dune Management, New York

Duryea's Lobster Deck, New York

Dusty Lout Agri Service, Texas

Dwyer Designscapes. Kentucky

E.A. Quinn Landscape Contracting, Connecticut

E.L. Irrigation & Landscaping, Texas

Eagle Crest Nursery, Colorado

East Deck Motel, New York

East Hampton House, New York

East West Resorts, Colorado

Eastgate Sod, Ohio

Eastern Land Management, Connecticut

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Florida

Eco-Cutters, Colorado

ECO Specialty Systems, Missouri

Econo Lodge, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Econo Lodge, Flagstaff, Arizona

Econo Lodge, West Springfield, Massachusetts

ECOSystems Landscape Service, Texas

Ed Castro Landscape, Georgia

Edmundson Inc, Colorado

El Jarrito Restaurants, Texas

The Elevation Hotel and Spa, Colorado

Elite Lawn & Landscape, Ohio

Elite Lawn & Landscape, Tennessee

Elite Professional Lawn & Landscaping, Texas

Ellis Cement Contracting, Ohio

Embassy Lawn & Landscaping Group, Missouri

Emerald Lawn Care & Landscaping, Kansas

The Enchantment Resort & Spa, Arizona

Enviroscapes, Ohio

Epic Landscape Production, Kansas

Equibrand Products Group, Texas

Estate Landscape & Irrigation, California

Evening Shade Lawn Care, New Jersey

Evergreen Gene's, Maryland

Evergreen of Johnson City, Tennessee

Executive Moving Systems, Virginia

F. Espinoza Landscaping, Illinois

Fairfax Golf, Oklahoma

The Fairmont Hotel, Texas

Fairway Landscape & Nursery, Texas

Falcon Executive Inn, Texas

Falfurrias Executive Inn, Texas

Farmside Landscape & Design, New Jersey

Felipe's Lawncare, Oklahoma

Fieldworks Landscape, Massachusetts

Florasearch, Florida

Florida Lawns, Florida

The Fockele Garden Company, Georgia

Focal Pointe Outdoor Solutions, Illinois

Fort Pond Lodge, New York

Frank's Used Tank & Heaters, Texas

Frank Sharum Landscape Design, Arkansas

Franz Witte Landscape Contracting, Idaho

Franzen Farms, Texas

Fred Adams Paving Co, North Carolina

Front Range Snow & Ice, Colorado

Frontier Landscaping, Washington

Fullmer's Landscaping, Ohio

G.W. Hall & Son, Maryland

Gachina Landscape Management, California

Gallegos Corporation, Colorado

Gangemi Landscaping, New Jersey

Garden Gate Landscaping, Maryland

The Garden Greenhouse & Nursery, New Jersey

The Garden of Gethsemane Nursery & Landscaping, Texas

Garden State Irrigation, New Jersey

Gardeners' Guild, California

Gardens Beautiful Garden Centers, Wisconsin

Garner's Northwest, Washington

Garrick-Santo Landscape, Massachusetts

Gateway National Golf Links, Illinois

Gatlinburg Sky Lift, Tennessee

GDK Leasing Inc., Florida

Gear Garden Center, Ohio

Geissler Tree Farms, Pennsylvania

GEL Inc, Utah

Genesis Lawn & Landscape Management, Arkansas

Gentle Giant Moving Co., Massachusetts

Giambrocco Greenhouses, Colorado

Ginkgo Landscape Group, Illinois

GLV Construction, New York

The Good Earth Construction, Arkansas

Good Labor, Alabama

Goodwin Proturf, Kansas

Gosman's Culloden House, New York

Gosman's Restaurant, New York

Gothic Grounds Management, California

GPS Enterprises, Texas

Graham & Rollins, Virginia

Grand Hotel, Michigan

The Grand Lodge Crested Butte, Colorado

Grand Marais Hotel Company, Minnesota

Grand Oaks Hotel, Missouri

Grand Teton Lodge Company, Wyoming

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Michigan

GrandScapes, Michigan

Grandscapes Landscape & Design, New Jersey

Lighthouse Inn, Massachusetts

Lilac Tree Hotel & Spa, Michigan

Lindy's Seafood Inc., Maryland

Lindy's Taxi, New York

Lipinski Landscape & Irrigation, New Jersey

Lipinski Snow Services, New Jersey

The Little Nell, Colorado

Live Oak Landscape Contractors, New Jersey

Living Water Landscaping & Irrigation, New Mexico

LMC, Texas

LMI Landscapes, Colorado

LMI Landscapes, Florida

LMI Landscapes, Texas

LMS Guam, Guam

The Lodge at Mountaineer Square, Colorado

The Lodge of Four Seasons, Missouri

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Arizona

Longhorn Landscape Lighting & Holiday Decor, Texas

Lonnett Lawn & Landscape Maintenance Service, Pennsylvania

Loon Mountain, New Hampshire

Loyet Landscape Maintenance, Missouri

LSW Show Horses, Vermont

LT Rental Services, New York

Luciano & Son, Massachusetts

Lueders Environmental, Massachusetts

Lynch Landscaping, Maine

Lyons Sandstone, Colorado

M. Atkins Inc, Colorado

M & M Mowing, Colorado

Madison Planting & Design Group, Mississippi

Magic Gardens Landscape Contractors, New Jersey

Magma Industrial Co, Georgia

Magnolia Landscaping, New Jersey

Maid to Clean, Michigan

Main Street Inn & Suites, Michigan

Mainscape, North Carolina

Mandoki Hospitality Group, Alabama

Mango Design, Utah

Mark Kuppe & Associates, Michigan

Mariani Landscape, Illinois

Marriott International, Inc.

Martin Associates, Illinois

Martin Property Maintenance, Texas

Marvin Windows and Doors, Minnesota

Massengale Grounds Management, Louisiana

Mauer Landscapes, Ohio

McCarthy's Landscaping & Irrigation, Massachusetts

McFall & Berry Landscape Mgt, Maryland

MCL, LLC, Virginia

McGinty Bros., Inc. Lawn & Tree Care, Illinois

McKenna Construction, New York

Metco Landscape, Colorado

Meticulous Landscaping, New Jersey

Metivier Inn, Michigan

Michael Bellantoni, Inc., New York

Michigan Peddler, Michigan

Michigan Vacation Rentals, Michigan

Mickey's Carting, New York

Microtel Inn & Suites, Dixon, California

Midwest Landscapes, Minnesota

Milberger's Landscaping, Texas

Mike Ward Landscaping, Ohio

Milieu Design, Illinois

Miller Landscape, Georgia

Mission Point Resort, Michigan

Mohonk Mountain House, New York

Molenaar Greenhouse, Pennsylvania

Montauk Bake Shoppe, New York

Montauk Bike Shop, New York

Montauk Carriage House, New York

Montauk Clothing Co., New York

Montauk IGA, New York

Montauk Inlet Seafood, New York

Montauk Lighthouse Laundromat, New York

Montauk Manor, New York

Montauk Motel, New York

Montauk Soundview, New York

Montauk Sweatshirt Co., New York

Montauk Taxi, New York

Montauk Yacht Club, New York

Moon Nurseries of Maryland

Moon Site Management, Pennsylvania

Moore Landscapes, Illinois

Morin's Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance, New Hampshire

Morin's Landscaping, New Hampshire

Morton's Landscape Development Company, Ohio

Mortellaro's Nursery, Texas

Motivatit Seafoods, Louisiana

Mount Washington Resort, New Hampshire

Moyer Home Turf Advantage, Pennsylvania

MPS LLC, Louisiana

MTK Cafe, New York

Murdick's Fudge, Michigan

Myer Hotels, Missouri

Myers Family Enterprises, North Carolina

Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Florida

National Filter Service, Virginia

Native Land Design, Texas

Natorp's, Ohio

Nature View Landscape, New Jersey

Nature Works Landscapes, Massachusetts

Naturescape, Ohio

Naylor Landscape Management, Michigan

NB Enterprises, Texas

NCN, Inc, Washington

Neave Landscaping, New York

NETAJI, LLC, Georgia

New Castle Hotels & Resorts

Newcon Inc, North Carolina

Newcrest Management, Texas

The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, Rhode Island

Newport Village Homeowners Association, Oklahoma

Newton Construction, Texas

This letter is signed by over 1,300 organizations and small businesses from every State in the union supporting this H-2B returning worker program.

H-2B workers offer short-term help. They cannot and do not stay in the United States. More importantly, the H-2B program contains strong provisions to ensure American workers have the first right to work.

Without an extension of the returning worker program, small and seasonal businesses will face significant labor shortages this year. If small businesses lose their ability to hire seasonal, nonimmigrant labor, full-time American jobs are at stake and may be lost.

Madam Speaker, this weekend, communities throughout our Nation honored the brave men and women who have defended our Nation in previous wars, as well as those who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. While parades, speeches and ceremonies are important, I believe it is more important for the U.S. Government to properly care for and honor our veterans.

Recently, the Department of Defense has instituted a new policy on bonuses, which does not provide servicemembers with their full enlistment bonus, reenlistment or other bonuses if they are wounded while in combat and cannot return to duty. This means that combat wounded veterans who are discharged from the military because of their serious injuries will not receive their full bonus. This policy is unacceptable and disgraceful. It is unbelievable that the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our Nation are being shortchanged and denied the bonuses they were promised by their government.

Congressman Jason Altmire has legislation to correct this inequity, but we should not have to rely on legislation. I call upon the Commander in Chief, President Bush, to reverse this policy immediately. We have a letter going to the President asking him to terminate this policy and ensure all outstanding bonuses be paid promptly.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a constituent who has served his country admirably in our Armed Forces and, in civilian life, continued to serve his local community.

Mr. Raymond Adams is ``Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year'' as named by the Ogemaw County Veterans Alliance. The Veterans Alliance through its member organizations, represents all veterans in Ogemaw County. The Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year Award is considered the highest honor that the Alliance bestows upon fellow veterans.

A native of Ogemaw County, Mr. Adams has been a patriot all of his life. He was so determined to serve his Nation that, even when the Air Force initially turned him away, he re-applied. It took three attempts and a few years before he was able to successfully enlist in the Air Force in September of 1962.

After basic training, Mr. Adams was sent to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey to train as an air policeman. He was stationed there until June 1965, where he learned the skills and duties of an air policeman.

Following his training at McGuire Air Force Base, Mr. Adams went to Vietnam. He was stationed just outside of Saigon.

A modest man, Mr. Adams downplays his own service in Vietnam. In his own words, he writes, ``I didn't see too much action. I was one of the lucky guys.'' Regardless of his own humility, Mr. Adams' service is to be commended and appreciated.

While stationed in Vietnam, he received additional K-9 training, learning to handle and utilize a police dog.

In June of 1966, Mr. Adams returned home to Michigan and entered civilian life. For a few years he worked in construction and spent some time working in local automobile factories. He was hired into Michigan Bell in January 1969, where he would work for the next 25 years, retiring in 1994.

Mr. Adams would also raise a family in the area. In January of 1970, Mr. Adams married Gayle Wangler. As of today, they have been married nearly 40 years. Together, they raised two daughters.

Even after Mr. Adams left the military and re-entered civilian life, his sense of service remained strong and intact. An active member of Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church, he has remained deeply involved in his community and dedicated much of his personal time to helping those in need. His church group has built schools and churches in Mexico and throughout Central America. Mr. Adams belongs to the Red Cross and has volunteered time with Habitat for Humanity. He has also been active with Hospice of Helping Hands and the Ogemaw County Mobile Food Bank. He volunteered to assist clean up and recovery efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.

Ray has also remained an active advocate for his fellow veterans. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Last year, I was honored to attend the opening of a new Veterans Museum at the Ogemaw County Fairgrounds. Ray was instrumental in helping to put together this important monument honoring his fellow local veterans. When Ray's local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post needed remodeling, Ray helped take the lead, handling many of the permitting issues that needed to be cleared before work could be completed.

While he has donated his own time, energy and effort to these many valuable community causes, he has never asked for any recognition. As one local resident put it, not only is it appropriate that Mr. Adams be recognized as ``Veteran of the Year,'' but he would certainly be eligible to be ``Volunteer of the Year.''

Clearly, Madam Speaker, this is a man who understands profoundly the value of service and the responsibility we all have to help others. On November 11th, Veterans Day, members of the Ogemaw community will come together to honor Mr. Raymond Adams. As this noble, hardworking and humble man is recognized by his fellow veterans and by his community, I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in saluting Raymond Adams for his lifetime of service and offering him the thanks of a grateful Nation.

Madam Speaker, this country must keep its promises made to our servicemen and -women when they choose to serve our country by taking care of them when they return home as veterans. This Democratic Congress has been dedicated to making sure the needs of all America's veterans are fulfilled.

So far this year we've passed legislation providing the largest funding increase for veterans in the 77-year history of the VA. This funding will allow the VA to keep up with the growing number of veterans who need care, maintain its health care facilities, and treat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who are suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

We also voted to increase military pay by 3.5 percent, as well as special pay and bonuses to combat troops, putting an additional $7.3 billion in military paychecks. Unfortunately, the Bush administration is now reneging on these enlistment bonuses to those severely wounded combat veterans.

Madam Speaker, this Democratic Congress has made meeting the needs of the veterans and our military a top priority. This weekend, and every day, let us all remember the service of our Nation's veterans and commit ourselves to keeping this country's promises to them.

Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman of the committee.

I rise in support of the Miller-Stupak amendment to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007.

This amendment makes two important clarifications. First, our amendment asserts and clarifies that any religious organization that is currently covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would be exempt from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This will continue to protect religious organizations, including corporations, schools, associations, and societies from religious discrimination claims.

For the past 40-plus years, religious high schools, colleges and other organizations throughout the Nation have been allowed to hire individuals based on that institution's religious principles.

Today, as we adopt employment protections based on sexual orientation, these principles should be upheld.

Continuing America's long-standing separation of church and State, this amendment will ensure that the Federal Government does not unconstitutionally infringe on religious organizations' hiring practices.

Religious schools and organizations throughout my district and throughout this Nation will continue to freely practice their beliefs without being afraid of being charged with discrimination.

Several major religious organizations support the inclusion of a religious exemption in ENDA, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, and the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Miller-Stupak amendment also upholds the Defense of Marriage Act. It also clarifies that any reference to ``marriage'' within ENDA refers to the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.

In 1996, a bipartisan group of 342 Members, including myself, voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act. Marriage is between a man and woman. I support including a clear definition of marriage as a union between a man and woman in this legislation.

No American should have to face discrimination in the workplace, regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation. However, religious organizations should be able to hire individuals who agree with their religious beliefs.

It is also important to make it explicitly clear that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and that no part of the Employment Non- Discrimination Act could be misconstrued to undercut the Defense of Marriage Act.

I urge my colleagues to join with me and the chairman in voting for this amendment. With the inclusion of this amendment, I encourage Members to vote for final passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

I ask for a ``yes'' vote on the Miller-Stupak amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule and the United States-Peru Free Trade Act.

In the past few weeks, I have heard time and time again from many of my colleagues that the Peru Free Trade Agreement is a groundbreaking agreement crafted by the Ways and Means Committee and the Bush administration. I've been told that this agreement incorporates enforceable obligations that require Peru to adopt and enforce labor standards and uphold international environmental standards. That is a start. But I ask my colleagues, who will enforce the labor standards? Who will enforce the environmental standards? The Bush administration? I don't think so. This administration has a disgraceful record of enforcing trade agreements and trade laws. We cannot assume this administration will now start to enforce trade agreements. Furthermore, this agreement doesn't provide the administration any funding to enforce the free trade agreement if they wanted to. Most importantly, the Peru Free Trade Agreement fails to address food safety, toy safety and drug safety concerns facing our constituents.

As chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I have conducted numerous hearings and investigations on drug and food safety. Our committee found that products are entering our country every minute without appropriate inspection. We found that importers don't know how the product was made and whether the imports are safe. Why do we Americans allow countries to bring their inferior, unsafe toys, food and drugs into our country?

The Peru agreement includes the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. By incorporating the WTO's Sanitary Agreement, the U.S. will be giving up the ability to increase inspection of imports to ensure safety.

The goal of the WTO Sanitary Agreement is to allow free passage of food. This means our food can move freely between the two countries without proper inspection and without proper regulation on how the food is grown, processed, stored or shipped here to the United States.

At a time when we're questioning the ability of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the FDA to protect the health and well-being of our children, our seniors and, indeed, all Americans, I don't think we should be allowing Peru ``free passage'' of food and drugs into the United States.

We simply cannot afford to pass another harmful trade agreement that fails to protect our families from contaminated foods and drugs and toys.

The changes the proponents of the Peru Free Trade Agreement keep touting are minimal at best, and are inadequate to assure a level playing field for American businesses, American jobs and the American economy but most importantly it does not protect the American people.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against the Peru Free Trade Agreement.

Protect the American consumer.

Vote no on the final passage.

Mr. Speaker, today I was detained and unable to vote on the final passage of the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on H.R. 3867, the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act, House rollcall vote 1017.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a constituent of mine who has spent her entire career serving her fellow citizens. Mrs. Patricia Shimmens, the Executive Director of the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission, is retiring after three decades of public service.

Patricia, or Pat, as her friends call her, has been a stalwart advocate for those in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties who most need help. As the Executive Director to the Housing Commission, she oversees the administration of 250 units of public housing and 50 housing choice vouchers. She also administers several other programs that assist the homeless in Luce, Chippewa, and Mackinac Counties.

Throughout her long and illustrious career, Pat has enjoyed many achievements and accomplishments. Under her watch, in 1996 and 1998, the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission built two new developments equaling 50 single family units. In 2001, Pat spearheaded the drive to find housing for the homeless in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties. In that capacity she coordinates services to the homeless, including shelter and opportunities for self-sufficiency to and through the Tri- County Safe Haven Emergency Shelter.

Pat has been a leader in the housing field, participating in organizations that advocate for affordable housing both nationally and in Michigan. For 23 years, she has been a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), the nation's leading housing and community development advocacy group. She has been a member of the Michigan Housing Director's Association for 15 years and Past President for 4 years.

Pat has been involved in numerous other organizations as well. She is a former President of her local Business and Professional Women's Organization. She recently sat on the Commission for Labor and Economic Growth in conjunction with the Local Work Force Development Board for the Tri-County area. She currently serves as the President of the Northern Transitions Inc. which provides services to the developmentally disabled.

Over the years, Pat has been recognized in many ways for her commitment to community. In 2005, she received the ATHENA award, which recognizes excellence and leadership in women who contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.

Pat first brought her talents and tireless energy to the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission on November 1, 1982. But, even before joining the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission, Pat was dedicated to strengthening the eastern U.P. Prior to her time with the Housing Commission, she was employed for 8 years with the Eastern Upper Peninsula Employment and Training Consortium. Throughout the years Pat has developed a reputation as a passionate advocate for housing and homelessness issues. When a new rule, regulation or law affecting public housing authorities would come down, Pat was known for being quite vocal at public housing authority conferences. Those who know her say that when she was arguing forcefully for or against something, it was best to stay out of her way and let her say her piece. In one instance, she gave a lengthy, impassioned and forceful argument regarding rules affecting the ownership of pets in public housing authorities.

After she completed her argument, the conference leaders asked, ``Do you feel better now?''

In a manner typical of Pat's straightforward demeanor, she replied, ``Yes, thank you, damn it!''

While her tenure at the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission has been marked by many financial and administrative successes, what Pat says she will miss most are the people with whom she has developed relationships.

As Pat recently put it in her own words, ``Many children have passed through our doors and I would like to think their life was just a little bit better having a nice home to live in that was also affordable.''

Madam Speaker, over the last 30 years, countless families in Luce, Chippewa, and Mackinac Counties have relied upon the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission. All of them can thank Mrs. Patricia Shimmens for her hard work, passionate advocacy and tireless dedication to helping make life just a little better. As Mrs. Shimmens celebrates retirement, I wish her the best of luck as she has more time to spend with her husband, Bob and more time to garden, and enjoy the outdoors. Given her tireless spirit, I also expect that she will continue her volunteer work throughout the eastern U.P. community.

Today, I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in thanking Patricia Shimmens for 30 years of public service and congratulating her on a well deserved retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an important institution in my district that serves the health care needs of the people of northern Michigan. Next week, Cheboygan Memorial Hospital (CMH) will celebrate 65 years of service to northern Michigan residents.

Cheboygan Memorial Hospital traces its history back to 1929, when a group of local citizens united in an effort to build the first community hospital in Cheboygan. This small, but committed, group of volunteers collaborated to raise funding for a hospital in Cheboygan.

Their efforts ultimately paid off in 1942 when Community Memorial Hospital, as it was then called, opened its doors.

Throughout its history, CMH has often had to overcome challenges that health care providers in major metropolitan areas do not face. Rural health care providers like CMH often have more difficulty recruiting staff. They also serve a larger geographical area than their counterparts in more urban areas. Despite these challenges, over the years CMH has developed into a first-class health care facility, offering excellent health care services to my constituents.

Today, CMH is a 96-bed general hospital with 46 beds for medical and surgical patients, including a four-bed intensive care unit and a six- room Family Life Obstetric Center. CMH also offers emergency care, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The hospital's urgent care walk-in clinic is also open every day in the health center.

CMH also offers both inpatient and outpatient services in surgery, laboratory, cardiopulmonary, X-ray, nuclear medicine diagnostic ultrasound, CT scanning, MRI, mammography, bone densitometry, and physical therapy. The hospital's medical staff includes specialists in the areas of anesthesiology, cardiology, emergency medicine, dermatology, family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, oncology, urology, radiology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, oral surgery and pathology.

The hospital has also dedicated a great deal of effort and time towards educating members of the community about important health issues. CMH offers several free classes in smoking cessation and in diabetes education. Childbirth education classes have also been recently re-introduced, providing important education to expecting parents.

CMH has registered pharmacists on staff at CMH and available around the clock. The hospital houses audiology and speech therapy services.

Thanks to generous donations and support from the community, the hospital continues to improve, with several recent additions. The hospital recently updated their Intensive Care Unit Family Waiting Room. The hospital also enjoys a newly expanded Nurses' Station. Remodeling work and technology updates are also being made in the Radiology Department. Other projects to help grow and improve the hospital remain on the horizon, including plans for developing a Cardiac Wellness Center.

CMH describes its own greatest asset as the dedicated men and women who work in the hospital to care for their friends and neighbors. The hospital is currently the largest employer in Cheboygan County with over 500 employees on the payroll.

Throughout the years, the hospital's leadership has set the tone of excellence that defines CMH. Today, the hospital is led by President and CEO Barbara Cliff; Board of Trustees Chair Michael Konicki; and the President of their Medical Staff David Dram, M.D.

In addition to the hospital's 500 employees, who make caring for their neighbors and friends their daily business, the hospital enjoys the support of many tireless volunteers and auxiliary members. Anyone who has spent any length of time in a hospital can attest that the quality of the experience can hinge on the attitude of the caregivers. Those receiving care at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital are treated by professionals with positive attitudes and warm, kindly demeanors.

Madam Speaker, this year CMH is celebrating ``65 Years of Caring.'' As this institution celebrates 65 years of service to my constituents, I would salute its employees--past and present--the people who make the hospital the excellent caregiver that it is. I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing the fine work of CMH and paying tribute to this important northern Michigan health care provider.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who, throughout his life, exhibited leadership and dedication in serving the working men and women of the Upper Peninsula and our Nation. On Saturday, the men and women of Michigan's Upper Peninsula will honor Louis Fine by inducting him into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame.

The organized labor movement enjoys a rich and storied history in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.). From the Copper Country mining strikes of 1913, which were immortalized in Woody Gutherie's 1913 Massacre, to the modern day, working men and women across the U.P. have a proud heritage of trade unionism. Likewise, throughout his life, Louis Fine exemplified that rich tradition, generously donating his personal time and effort to his local Union and to the Labor movement.

A member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 598, Louis developed a reputation as someone always willing to go the extra mile and take on additional duties in support of his local union. Throughout his lifetime of union involvement, he served his union in many different capacities. He served as an Apprentice Instructor for carpenters and millwrights during the early 1990's. He was a delegate for his local Union to the Marquette County Labor Council, AFL-CIO. He also served as Treasurer and distinguished President of Local 958 for many years.

Louis was well respected and greatly loved, not only in the U.P. Labor movement, but in the greater Marquette community and, indeed, throughout much of the U.P. Beyond his work in the labor movement he was a dedicated community volunteer. Those who knew him

best describe how he was always willing to give of himself to help others, never asking or expecting recognition for his selfless acts. Not only did he regularly volunteer for Labor causes and programs, but he often made time to help programs for the disadvantaged and other charitable causes.

Perhaps one of Louis' greatest accomplishments for the Labor movement was the revival of the Upper Peninsula Labor Day picnic, parade and program in the early 1990s. Louis is widely recognized as the driving force that helped to reinvigorate this annual celebration, which means so much to the working men and women of the U.P.

After a lifetime of hard work, Louis Fine passed away in 2003. He is survived by his loving wife of many years, Betty.

Madam Speaker, one of the titans of the American Labor movement, the head of the American Federation of Labor Samuel Gompers once called Labor Day, ``[T]he day for which the toilers in past centuries looked forward when their rights and their wrongs would be discussed . . . that the workers of our day may not only lay down their tools of labor fore a holiday, but upon which they may touch shoulders in marching phalanx and feel the stronger for it.

Every year, as the working men and women of the U.P. march shoulder to shoulder, we remember and honor the sacrifices of our predecessors in the Labor movement. Henceforth, every Labor Day, as we remember our ancestors of the Labor movement, the working men and women of the U.P. will remember Mr. Louis Fine for bringing back the hallowed tradition of the annual U.P. Labor Day picnic and parade.

Madam Speaker, since 1993, outstanding labor leaders in northern Michigan have been honored with induction into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is housed in the Superior Dome on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Louis Fine is a deserving addition to this august group and, I salute his memory. I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing his many contributions to the Upper Peninsula Labor movement, his dedication to all working men and women, and his commitment to the Marquette and Upper Peninsula community.

Mr. Speaker, today the House will put the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court back in business after being shut down for the past 6 years. House Democrats know that our highest duty is to defend this Nation and protect our citizens. And we also know we can keep this Nation safe without our own government trampling the civil rights of our citizens and the principles upon which this country was founded.

Before 2001, the FISA Court served as a check and balance to the administration to ensure that critical individual rights were not trampled. Such checks and balances have not been in place for the last 6 years. Today, by passing the RESTORE Act, we restore the true role of the FISA Court by addressing the concerns we have with the Bush administration ignoring the FISA Court, jeopardizing our rights, violating our Constitution, and our core principles.

Mr. Speaker, the RESTORE Act is a bill that all Members should be able to support. It provides a proper balance of giving our government the legal tools to go after terrorists without trampling our American beliefs and values.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, it's my pleasure to join Mr. Kagen in offering this resolution, and I want the Record to reflect that my friend and colleague Mr. Kagen is the second-biggest Packer fan in Congress. Being from the upper peninsula of Michigan, all of us UPers are known as Packer fans. Actually, Green Bay is only just over an hour's drive from my home, where the Detroit Lions are more than 10 hours away from home, so we are all Packer fans in northern Michigan.

On Sunday, September 30, with a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packer Brett Favre broke Dan Marino's career touchdown pass record with 421 touchdown passes.

Playing in his 17th season in the NFL, Brett Favre has consistently shown Packer fans and the Nation that hard work, dedication and determination lead to continued success.

The fact that Brett Favre threw the record-breaking touchdown in Minnesota against a tough divisional rival shows that his hard work and determination does pay off.

Throughout his career, Brett Favre has proven that his perseverance and love of the game have helped him overcome adversity and succeed at such a high level.

Most importantly, Brett Favre has remained humble while leading the Packers to four wins and only one loss so far this season. I realize my good friend Mr. Souder has already given the Packers their fifth win. That will come this Sunday against the Washington Redskins. After his record-breaking performance, Brett Favre said the last thing on his mind was the record. That truly sums up how this individual approaches the game. It's not for personal glory but for team pride and continuing on their winning ways.

Favre's teammates and coaches credit his work in the off-season and between games as the reason the three-time NFL Most Valuable Player has remained successful.

Favre's leadership has helped the Packers to start off the year on top of the division.

Favre has been a leader off the field as well. This resolution honors Brett and Deanna Favre's work supporting the Special Olympics, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of America, breast cancer patients and those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

In a year plagued with sports scandals, Brett Favre sets a positive example for all Americans that there is still honesty and dignity in sports.

I'm proud to join with all my colleagues and the Members of the House of Representatives to salute Brett Favre's continued success on and off the field, and I look forward to another MVP year.

Mr. Speaker, during a speech at the 2004 National Convention, President Bush made a promise to cover America's uninsured children. The President said, ``In a new term we will lead an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for the government's health insurance program.''

Last week, both this House and the Senate passed a bill to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, which provides health coverage for children in low-income families who would otherwise be uninsured. This bipartisan bill will allow 4 million children who are currently eligible for SCHIP, but not yet enrolled, to now receive coverage. In fact, it does just what President Bush said he would do if America reelected him. But despite this election year promise, President Bush is now threatening to veto the bipartisan SCHIP reauthorization act.

Mr. Speaker, if the President vetoes this much-needed legislation, he will be breaking his election year campaign promise to enroll millions of currently eligible but uninsured children in the SCHIP program. I hope the President will reconsider his veto threat and instead hold to his promise to strengthen the SCHIP program.

Madam Speaker, I could not be present for votes on Monday, September 24, 2007 due to commitments in my district. As a result, I missed 4 rollcall votes.

I would like to enter into the record that if I had been present on September 24, I would have voted yes on H. Con. Res. 193, which would recognize U.S. hunters for their commitment to safety. As a sportsman myself, I appreciate hunters' commitment to safety and support their continued dedication to safe and responsible hunting.

I would have voted yes on H. Res. 668, which would recognize the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas by the Little Rock Nine.

I would have voted yes on H.R. 1199, which would extend grant programs for drug endangered children.

I also would have voted yes on H. Res. 340, which would emphasize the importance of providing a voice for the victims of missing persons cases.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the dedication of an important landmark in my hometown of Menominee, Michigan. Henes Park serves today as an important place of respite for the citizens of Menominee and an anchor of the community where local residents can enjoy the outdoors.

In 1906, local Menominee businessman John Henes paid $1,000 for a 43- acre wooded peninsula called Poplar Point at the north end of the city's bay shore. Mr. Henes, a German immigrant and local entrepreneur, kept his plans for a public park secret for another year until he officially offered the area to the city council for use as a park and beach.

During the early 20th century, most of Menominee's shoreline was occupied by docks, lumber piles, warehouses and homes. As such, local Menominee officials were enthused by the idea of a park along the shore.

Landscape architect Ossian Cole Simonds of Chicago was hired by the newly appointed park commission to design the park. At the time, Simonds was considered a pioneer of ``natural landscaping'' and his design of the park employed viewpoints, paths, and buildings to frame and highlight the natural environment. There are many walkways throughout the park, some still in use and others now overgrown. The original park design placed great emphasis on providing nature trails. Simonds' design laid out eight nature trails that were named after great names from literature like Longfellow, Byron, Shakespeare and Homer. Those eight trails still exist today.

During the summer of 1907, construction on the park began as workers started building roads and cleared rocks from the beach to provide a picnic site. One of the unique elements of the park's original design was a ``bog park,'' a piece of low ground that was selected to hold a variety of water flowers.

After a busy summer of work on the park, formal dedication ceremonies were conducted in October of 2007. The Mayor of Menominee, Charles Spies, in accepting the park for the community, commented on how local entrepreneurs contributed to the park's construction, saying, ``It is very gratifying to have among us men, who by beneficent and material acts, show that the welfare, a prosperity and beautifying of our city is one of their chief desires and in which they find their great pleasure and satisfaction.''

U.S. Senator William Alden Smith of Michigan was the featured speaker at the event. He described the space as, ``A park that will forever be the property of every man, every woman and principally every child in this city and one where beauty, recreation and rest will be synonymous. . . ``

The Menominee community immediately embraced Henes Park, extending the city's local street car line to the park. Family outings at Henes Park became commonplace among residents of Menominee. Local organizations used the park to hold various special events. Residents of Marinette, Wisconsin, Menominee's sister-city just across the river, also took advantage of Henes Park.

The community's appreciation and love of Henes Park only grew stronger through the years. In 1932, 9 years after Mr. Henes' passing, a monument was dedicated at the park commemorating the 25th anniversary of Mr. Henes donating the park to the city.

Today's Henes Park offers a swimming beach with lifeguards, a playground, picnic spots, and fine views across the bay to Door County. Behind one of the park's pavilions is a pond with lily pads, fish, and frogs. While the park has evolved since its design 100 years ago, the overall aesthetics of the original plan remain, allowing citizens to enjoy the outdoors and local environment without disturbing the natural layout of the area.

Madam Speaker, as a resident of Menominee, I am personally very fond of Henes Park. My wife, Laurie, and I regularly take long walks there and the park is home to some of our fondest memories.

Henes Park provides an anchor for the local community, a place for children and young people to play and an opportunity for local citizens of all ages to convene with nature. Perhaps most importantly, 100 years since its founding, the park remains as Senator Smith described it, the property of every man, woman and child of Menominee and a place where beauty, rest and recreation meet.

On Sunday, September 9, 2007, the citizens of Menominee will come together to show their appreciation for Henes Park and to pay tribute to John Henes for his contribution 100 years ago. On this tremendous occasion, I would ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in honoring this park and all those who helped to design it, build it and maintain it for future generations.