Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority leader for yielding me this time, and I want to make a correction for the record.

The gentleman from Massachusetts was talking about the predating the same-sex marriage. Well, in fact, when same-sex marriage was approved in the Netherlands, the rate of births out of wedlock doubled. So that information was incorrect.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Marriage Protection Amendment. It is becoming increasingly common to see activist judges legislating from the bench on this important issue. Today, a handful of judges are poised to destroy the traditional marriage definition, which is the cornerstone of civilization itself.

The institution of a husband and wife, of mother and father, have served our society well; and it is this foundation that makes our families and communities strong. Passage of this amendment today is overwhelmingly supported by the citizens of this country. Nearly three- fourths of Americans believe that marriage should be a union between one man and one woman.

Today, 44 States have enacted laws that define marriage as between a man and a woman; and without action today, the will of the American people will be ignored with the strike of a gavel by a few activist judges.

To ensure the will of the American people is done today, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

1989.

That is what the facts show.

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, this is a constitutional argument, and I rise today to express my support for the D.C. Personal Protection Act, which would restore the second amendment rights for the residents of Washington, D.C.

This legislation will allow law-abiding citizens the right to own rifles, shotguns and handguns and permit the storage of these firearms in their homes. The District of Columbia, again, has been labeled the murder capital of America, and that is 14 of the past 15 years. And that is despite its current ban on guns. It is time we lift this ineffective law and bring back the constitutional rights of individuals who reside in our Nation's capital.

Under the current law, even legal handgun owners cannot carry them into their own homes or use illegal firearms to protect their life or property. In 2002, while this gun ban had been in effect for 25 years, Washington's homicide rate was five times higher than the national average. It is obvious the ban is not working.

The D.C. Personal Protection Act would eliminate criminal penalties for legal possession of firearms and repeal the ban on the possession of ammunition. If enacted, this legislation will simply afford residents the same self-defense as the rest of the country.

It is easy for my friends on the other side of the aisle and the editorial board of the Washington Post who live in affluent or safe neighborhoods to take aim at the personal freedoms of law-abiding citizens here in Washington, D.C., and many of them living in the southwest live in neighborhoods that have become battlegrounds where criminals run the streets. So it is time to give them the right to defend their lives, their personal property. Congress must take action and give that second amendment right back to the law-abiding citizens of Washington, D.C.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 741, the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act. This legislation contains provisions that will better the lives and ease some of the frustrations for the more than 7 million Americans that suffer from food allergies every day.

I have had the unfortunate experience to learn more about the trials and tribulations of food allergen sufferers when one of the members of my staff, Christy Farmer, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease earlier this year. Celiac Disease is an immune-mediated disease that causes damage to the gastrointestinal tract and is triggered by the consumption of gluten. Gluten is the protein part of wheat, rye, barley, oats, and other related grains, which are found in many of the foods that people eat on a day to day basis. The only treatment for Celiac Disease is adherence to a strict life long gluten-free diet. In order to comply with this, individuals must carefully read all food labels--which can often be inaccurate and extremely confusing. Many times, food products may contain a derivative of a known food allergen, however the food label does not make that clear. This can lead to people unknowingly consuming exactly what they have been trying so hard to avoid. This painstaking process of carefully examining every food label and determining the exact ingredient of each product can be extremely frustrating and difficult for individuals.

This legislation will help tremendously in taking some of the guesswork out of reading food labels. Manufacturers in the food industry must now include the commonly accepted names of the eight most common allergens--milk, eggs, fish, crustacea, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. Food allergen sufferers will now be able to scan food labels with greater ease and many incidents of accidental ingestion can be avoided.

Having a food allergy, especially to something that is found in so many different foods, can add a level of complication to a person's life that can be difficult to imagine. Christy was required to undergo a total lifestyle change due to her gluten sensitivity. Spontaneously stopping at a restaurant for dinner is no longer possible, traveling not knowing in advance what foods will be available is no longer an option, and giving up your favorite foods is not as easy as it sounds.

I am pleased that this legislation will help ease some of the frustrations and make adhering to an allergy-free diet a little easier for the millions of Americans that suffer from food allergies. I strongly urge my colleagues in joining me to support S. 741.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 741, the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act. This legislation contains provisions that will better the lives and ease some of the frustrations for the more than 7 million Americans that suffer from food allergies every day.

I have had the unfortunate experience to learn more about the trials and tribulations of food allergen sufferers when one of the members of my staff, Christy Farmer, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease earlier this year. Celiac Disease is an immune-mediated disease that causes damage to the gastrointestinal tract and is triggered by the consumption of gluten. Gluten is the protein part of wheat, rye, barley, oats, and other related grains, which are found in many of the foods that people eat on a day-to-day basis. The only treatment for Celiac Disease is adherence to a strict lifelong, gluten-free diet. In order to comply with this, individuals must carefully read all food labels, which can often be inaccurate and extremely confusing. Many times, food products may contain a derivative of a known food allergen, however the food label does not make that clear. This can lead to people unknowingly consuming exactly what they have been trying so hard to avoid. This painstaking process of carefully examining every food label and determining the exact ingredient of each product can be extremely frustrating and difficult for individuals.

This legislation will help tremendously in taking some of the guesswork out of reading food labels. Manufacturers in the food industry must now include the commonly accepted names of the eight most common allergens--milk, eggs, fish, crustacea, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. Food allergen sufferers will now be able to scan food labels with greater ease and many incidents of accidental ingestion can be avoided.

Having a food allergy, especially to something that is found in so many different foods, can add a level of complication to a person's life that can be difficult to imagine. Christy was required to undergo a total lifestyle change due to her gluten sensitivity. Spontaneously stopping at a restaurant for dinner is no longer possible, traveling not knowing in advance what foods will be available is no longer an option, and giving up your favorite foods is not as easy as it sounds.

I am pleased that this legislation will help ease some of the frustrations and make adhering to an allergy-free diet a little easier for the millions of Americans that suffer from food allergies. I strongly urge my colleagues in joining me to support S. 741.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to join my colleagues in recognition of Penn State's 150 years of service to students in pursuit of higher education. Charted in 1854 in response to a request from Pennsylvania State Agriculture Society, Penn State was established as agriculture based school with the goal of applying scientific principles to farming. In time, its ability to draw intellectual talent and broaden its mission enabled it to grow into one of the premier educational institutions in the country.

Over the past 150 years, Penn State has continued to expand its mission to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Today, the University consists of 11 academic schools and 20 campuses throughout the state, including two in my district, located in Altoona and Mont Alto. Additionally, the Penn State system holds a College of Medicine, the Dickinson School of Law and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. All together the combined enrollment in Penn State programs is more than 80,000 students.

To give a sense of this school's impact over the years let me share some facts: one in every eight Pennsylvanians with a college degree is a Penn State graduate and one in 720 people in the U.S. is a Penn State graduate. On personal level, I have felt Penn State's impact in my own life, three of my siblings attended Penn State and numerous members of my staff over the years are Penn State alumni.

So why is it that thousands of students from all walks of life come to Penn State in pursuit of a higher education? They come knowing that their time at Penn State will translate into a top-quality education. Penn State has been consistently recognized as one of the best technical schools in the country and U.S News and World Report's ``America's Best Graduate Schools 2004'' selected a number of Penn State programs among the nation's top ten. These strong credentials are proof of Penn State's high standards.

Mr. Speaker, once again I want to congratulate Penn State on 150 years of excellence and to thank all of the professors, administrators, staff, students and alumni who dedicate themselves to making Penn State one of the most valuable educational institutions in our state and our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Saxton, Pennsylvania as it celebrates its 150th Birthday. As the largest community in the Broad Top Mountain region of South Central Pennsylvania, the town's emphasis on energy production has made it an instrumental factor in securing the scientific success of America.

In the last one hundred and fifty years industrialization has dictated the progression of this land. The vast opportunities for employment in coal mining, iron production, and railroad construction throughout the nineteenth century attracted an eclectic group of workers, who worked diligently to build the Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad and the East Broad Top Mountain Railroad. Proving instrumental in transporting natural resources to keep the communities flourishing, the railroads served the area for one hundred years. Within the last fifty years, Saxton has displayed its versatility, making the transition from the old industries to a community reliant on tourism, logging and manufacturing.

Throughout its history, Saxton has continually been a critical asset to Pennsylvania. It not only contributed to the industrial advances that became vital to the region, but as the home of the Saxton Nuclear Experimental Corp., the town pioneered many experiments from which the people of the United States have profited.

Since its founding, the citizens of Saxton have remained loyal and committed to industry--the very roots upon which this community was founded. The rich history that has been told through the sweat and tears of Saxton's past inhabitants parallels the history of our nation. As you immerse yourselves in this celebration of Saxton's 150th Birthday, you are learning about the people and the events that formed the very foundation of the United States of America.

Happy Birthday Saxton, and best wishes for many more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute our steadily growing economy. Sometimes it is hard to remember how the intellectual fortunes of free enterprise have fallen under high taxes and government intrusion. Now that the Bush tax cuts have started to kick in and boost the economy, we see again that job growth has remained strong and in May we gained jobs. The American people are recognizing the positive leadership of George W. Bush and the Republican Congress.

Let us look at the facts: job seekers in America are getting good news and, most importantly, jobs. There were 248,000 jobs created in May. That means more than 900,000 jobs created over the last 3 months alone. Today the unemployment rate is down to 5.6 percent, lower than the average unemployment rate of the last 3 decades. America's families are seeing the change in their kitchen-table finances. Homeownership has risen to the highest level ever and real disposable income is up to an annual average rate of 3.9 percent. Finally, our business owners are benefiting. Real business investment in equipment and software is up to an annual rate of 14 percent.

This is an economics package that puts people first. The President and the Republicans in Congress will continue to knock down the barriers of high taxes and government red tape. By removing those barriers, we see the true entrepreneurial spirit of the American people and with that spirit so grows our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Robert J. Ridenour on receiving the 2004 Citizen of the Year award from the Bedford Rotary Club of Bedford, Pennsylvania. His efforts to preserve the history and culture of my home town of Everett have positively impacted our community and well beyond.

For most people, after a lifetime of working, the well deserved rest and relaxation that comes with retirement is usually cherished and savored. However, Robert Ridenour decided on a different path and instead chose to spend his retirement working to improve his community in any way possible.

It has been said that wisdom comes with age, and in the case of Robert Ridenour this old cliche proves to be true. In recent years he has had the foresight to dedicate his energy to preserving history, which will ground and educate younger generations while guiding them towards future progress. His tireless efforts to promote Pennsylvania's history will benefit his community for countless years to come.

Mr. Ridenour is the personification of the Bedford Rotary's motto of ``Service Above Self.'' He has demonstrated enthusiasm and care for the county which he has served, and his spirit and dedication have infiltrated his every action. The legacy he has made is one that every American should emulate.

As a pillar of strength within his community of Bedford County, Mr. Ridenour has been a role model and leader who is admired by many. For his incomparable generosity and commitment to excellence, Robert Ridenour deserves the highest recognition.

Mr. Speaker, we rise today with solemn hearts for the loss of an American hero, a man with an optimistic vision of this country that was infectious. I stand as an individual who felt the energy of the Reagan era.

As a 19-year-old in 1980, I attended my first Republican convention where Ronald Reagan accepted the GOP nomination for President. My first vote for President was for Ronald Reagan, and I spent the beginning of adulthood under the spirit of a man who defined the American dream.

Today we stand in awe of a life of passion and accomplishment. Ronald

Reagan crumbled walls of oppression in Europe and rebuilt the American spirit. He was forever the gentleman statesman, a man who thought that politics, no matter how tough the battle with your opponent, should never leave scars.

In the end he bore no ill will to anyone, and in that mold he was the definition of a leader, a leader who inspired confidence in those around him and who led by example.

He feared not an assassin's bullet or political setback because he always looked to tomorrow, always believed the best days of America were ahead beyond the horizon, and that he would chart the course to take us to a better tomorrow. We stand here as a testament to that simple, yet powerful, truth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chestnut Ridge Lions Club on its 50th Anniversary and to recognize the club's unyielding service to the community.

The selfless desire to help those in need is rare throughout the world, yet here in America the culture of charitable giving thrives. This is a nation that takes enormous pride in its legacy of generosity and equality. It is out of this legacy that numerous organizations have sprouted and grown upon the foundation of service to others.

At its inception, the Chestnut Ridge Lions Club adopted the creed, ``we serve,'' which reflects the very cornerstone upon which this nation was built. Since 1954, the club has maintained its commitment to service by contributing to countless scholarship funds, school activities, and community projects. Members of the club have worked tirelessly to improve the community in any way possible and have dedicated much of their time to inspiring children to make their mark in society.

Without the Chestnut Ridge Lions Club, numerous high school students would not have gone to college, countless public works projects would have remained incomplete, and many of those in need would still be without aid. Additionally, the festivities organized to celebrate holidays, the changing of seasons, and local milestones have provided an atmosphere in which the community has been able to strengthen its cohesion as well as its culture.

The legacy of service that instills a unique pride in the hearts of every American citizen has penetrated the walls of the Chestnut Ridge Lions Club and influenced the lives of scores of people. For its commitment to the citizens of Pennsylvania throughout the last 50 years, I am extremely grateful to the Chestnut Ridge Lions Club.

Mr. Speaker, in the rural landscape of family farms and small towns of central Pennsylvania, the fabric of America is woven. It is a fabric of patriotic Americans who work hard, respect their neighbors, and stand proud for this nation. It is a fabric of families that heaps admiration on the fathers and mothers and the sons and daughters who serve in our Armed Forces with selfless dedication. And it is this same fabric of families who sacrifice so much for this country.

Our soldiers stand resolved to protect our families and our children from danger and attack. To these American military heroes, it is understood that we must do everything possible to win the war on terror and keep Americans safe. Failure is not an option. If freedom

has a price, we hold in the highest regard these men and women who have the courage to pay it.

We mourn the loss of the following heroes in central Pennsylvania: Gunnery Sgt. Ronald E. Baum, 38, of Hollidaysburg, PA; Pfc. Bradley G. Kritzer, 19, of Irvona, PA; Spc. Clint Richard Matthews, 31, of Bedford, PA; Sgt. Timothy L. Hayslett, 26, of Newville, PA; Staff Sgt. Christopher E. Cutchall, 30, of McConnellsburg, PA; Pfc. Richard W. Hafer, 21, Seward, PA.

America's pursuit of freedom is a beacon of light in an otherwise starless sky. I continue to be immensely proud of our soldiers who are fighting this war on terror and I lament those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. They have left homes, families, and jobs to extinguish a threat, and they stand as testament to the strength of our resolve and the durability of our fabric.

America will never forget these heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Bedford Fire Department #1, Inc. on its 200th Anniversary and to extend my sincere gratitude for the selfless actions of so many firefighters over the years. The citizens of Bedford, Pennsylvania are undoubtedly grateful for all that they have done.

The history of firefighting in Pennsylvania can be traced back to the early 1700's. Ben Franklin, a Philadelphia resident at the time, developed a fine-tuned system of volunteer firefighters that could handily combat the threat of fire within the city limits. When referring to how this cooperative technique worked, Franklin said,

Soon after [a fire] is seen and cried out, the place is

crowded by active men of different ages, professions and

titles who, as of one mind and rank, apply themselves with

all vigilance and resolution, according to their abilities,

to the hard work of conquering the increasing fire.

The Bedford Fire Department is one of the oldest fire departments in the United States, founded in 1804. For 200 years this entirely volunteer department, which now consists of 82 members, has successfully collaborated to provide safety and protection for over 11,000 people within an area of 210 square miles.

These volunteer firefighters deserve the highest honors for constantly putting themselves in harm's way to protect and save fellow citizens. Their unselfish valor and relentless dedication to their community make them special, and certainly worthy of praise.

The two stations built within the rural area provide the necessary resources for the firefighters to perform to the best of their ability and handle any variety of situations. The volunteers spend countless hours planning and implementing fundraising events to maintain adequate facilities, provide each firefighter with the proper equipment, and ensure the continued success of the department.

I am tremendously appreciative of the vital duties that the Bedford Fire Department performs and for the time it spends contributing to the safety of the Bedford community. Congratulations on reaching the 200 year milestone! I am proud to have the distinguished honor to represent such a reputable group of volunteers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club for reaching its 100th anniversary.

Since 1904, the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club has never lost sight of its original purpose: to preserve Spruce Creek as a fishery. While maintaining its honorable traditions of conservation, the club in Huntingdon County has conquered numerous obstacles and received high acclaim for its perseverance.

Throughout the past century, the club has undergone a complete restoration, upon conclusion of which the building was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1991. With the extraordinary vision of its past leaders, the club has been able to merge the old with the new by upholding its age-old traditions while improving the services available to members.

Due to its reputation for excellence, Spruce Creek has attracted such renowned leaders as Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter, Senator John Heinz, Vice President Dick Cheney, and former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, to name a few.

The success of the club over the past one hundred years is a testament to the integrity with which the institution has been run. I would like to congratulate the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club on its 100th Anniversary. Thank you for upholding Pennsylvania's tradition of distinguished service to its citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Clark Metal Products Co. on its 50th Anniversary and to thank the company for its numerous contributions to the community.

Now a third generation family business, Clark Metal Products Co. has maintained a strong commitment to improving the quality and integrity of its product while exceeding the expectations of its customers. The company was founded by J.W. Clark, Sr. in 1954 upon the principle of providing efficient, top quality work at a reasonable cost, and the progress that it has made in the past fifty years confirms the company's dedication to this principle. Since that date, the company has expanded its capabilities and heightened its goals tremendously as it strives to become a world-class organization.

In the last fifty years the company has come closer to reaching this goal. Clark Metal Products Co. was recently named to the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Tech 50 list, which is comprised of the 50 best technology-related companies in the Pittsburgh region. Centrally located in the heart of the northeast, the company has been able to continue a steady growth rate since its inception.

As one of Pennsylvania's leading technology companies, Clark Metal Products Co. offers complete fabrication services such as, CNC punching and laser cutting, CNC forming, CNC machining, MIG and TIG welding, paint and powder coating, silk screening and mechanical assembly. Regardless of the task at hand, the experience and expertise of each and every employee guarantees every project to be completed with the best possible results.

For its incomparable generosity, service to the community, and unabated commitment to excellence, Clark Metal Products Co. deserves the highest recognition. The company continues to grow and maintain a high level of quality, providing an example that all businesses should follow. I congratulate the Clark Metal Products Co. on its 50th Anniversary and eagerly await its future progress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4280. This country's health care system and its providers are currently faced with a crisis in regards to medical liability coverage; and, in fact, my home State of Pennsylvania unfortunately leads the way. Our doctors are leaving or retiring, and currently only 4 percent of physicians practicing in Pennsylvania are under the age of 35. Students graduating from our medical schools are choosing not to stay in Pennsylvania to practice medicine. The largest hospital in my district, the Altoona Hospital, their malpractice insurance has gone from in 2000 $1 million a year to $2.7 million in 2003; $1.7 million, and not a penny of it is going to improve care to the patients and the people of my district.

This real increasing threat to patients' access to quality care cannot be ignored. The medical liability system in this country is in desperate need of reform. So I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on