Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor eight influential women of Waterloo, Ruth Anderson, BJ Furgerson, Joy Lowe, Lou Porter, Dorothy Sallis, Dorothy Turner, Anna Weems and Willie Mae Wright. These women define what it means to be a champion for equal rights.

Over the past five decades, these women have helped shape the lives of all residents of Waterloo through their efforts to ensure that equality is attained and maintained. Through their work, the city of Waterloo has become an example of moving beyond what divides the community and instead focusing on what strengthens it.

These women have made remarkable strides in bringing forth equality. They were instrumental in bringing Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to their community, establishing and maintaining Iowa's longest running African American radio station, serving in city and county government, working tirelessly to improve the lives of children, and ensuring that the rights of all citizens of Waterloo are honored. Through their work more people are now invested in their communities and giving back to their neighbors.

These women have dedicated their lives to bringing about the sort of change that we now recognize as fundamental to a full and vibrant society. They are a constant reminder of how far we have come and that we should all strive for fairness in our work and provide opportunities for all. I am proud to represent these women in Congress and wish them well in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, the time for comprehensive health care reform is now. This picture says it all from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. It shows a young boy in a doctor's waiting room. It says he's not a Democrat or a Republican; he's a patient.

We need to talk about the human face of health care reform like my nephew's son, Tucker Wright, who was 18 months when he was diagnosed with liver cancer. Both of his parents work. They have health insurance. But the enormous cost of the lifetime of health care that Tucker faces is not even close to being covered by his parents' insurance policy. When we have lifetime caps on medical policies and we have an inability to have portability from one job to another, we are not addressing the medical needs of America.

This Monday I met with a young woman, whose name is Hanna Rodriguez, who has a cleft palate, a birth defect. She's ready for the final surgery to repair that birth defect, but it's not covered by insurance, unlike other birth defects such as cystic fibrosis, because it's considered cosmetic surgery.

We are not doing the job for the American people when we have these obstacles, and that's why we need health care reform now.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

I think most Iowans are modest by nature, and that certainly was Norman Borlaug. But there is no reason for modesty today.

The chairman mentioned in his opening remarks that Norman Borlaug was responsible for saving more lives than any other human being in history. Think about that. Why is it that not every school child in America knows who Norman Borlaug was? Why is it that we live in a culture that celebrates celebrity more than achievement?

The reason we are introducing this bill today is to give proper recognition to one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. That's the truth. That's why we were so honored to have the opportunity to honor Norman Borlaug with a Congressional Gold Medal after his other many important achievements. Those of us from the Iowa delegation had a wonderful dinner with him the night before and heard that amazing story about the time when another famous Iowa plant scientist, who happened to be Vice President of the United States, Henry Wallace, flew back to Des Moines and drove in his Plymouth automobile to Mexico City to attend the inauguration of the Mexican President. He stopped in Mexico to talk to his friend, Norman Borlaug; and together these two brilliant Americans who happened to be born in Iowa talked about charting a future for a plant revolution that changed the face of hunger in the world.

Our challenge is to build on his legacy and to continue his fight against global hunger, global poverty, and to give people around the world the same sense of hope that he brought to his work every day of his life. I am proud to call him someone that we are very honored to honor with this bill and ask for its support and passage.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding results achieved by Earlville Elementary School in Earlville, Iowa by being named a 2009 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School.

The program honors elementary, middle and high schools that are superior academically or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. Students at Earlville Elementary School ranked in the top 10 percent on state tests.

Earlville Elementary School is one of six Iowa Schools receiving the honor this year. This is a true credit to the staff and teachers who continually challenge students to want more and be better.

Madam Speaker, I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of Earlville Elementary School and its Principal, JoAnn Swinton. Earning this award shows strength and persistence and I am proud to serve these fine students in Congress.

Madam Speaker, now is the time for Americans to rise up and speak truth to fear on health care reform. Now is not the time for silence, now is not the time for doubt, and now is not the time for fear.

Recent Census data shows that the average American family spends over $13,000 a year for health care coverage. And if we don't change what we are doing right now, in 10 years the average American family will be spending over $25,000 a year on health care coverage.

That's why the time to act is now, and H.R. 3200 does that by expanding access to quality, affordable, coverage and bringing true health care reform to the American people.

Madam Speaker, I rise to commend John and Ginny McEleney for their dedication to the City of Clinton and the State of Iowa, and for their leadership in the U.S. auto industry.

John and Ginny McEleney are third generation automobile dealers and their children are continuing this tradition. John became a dealer- operator when he was only 24 years old. Today, he is President of McEleney Autocenter Inc., in Clinton, Iowa, and McEleney Autoplex, Inc., in Iowa City, Iowa.

John is a past chairman of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association and has served on multiple national dealer councils. In 2003, he was elected to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Board of Directors and he is currently chairman of the NADA. Over the past months the international auto industry has experienced unprecedented change. Throughout this period John McEleney has been a tireless and effective advocate for his colleagues and the thousands of Americans who work in auto dealerships. He has fought to protect jobs and chart a profitable course for the industry in the future.

The McEleney family and their businesses have made Clinton and communities across Iowa better places to live and work. Madam Speaker, I join the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, the National Automobile Dealers Association, and the entire Clinton community in thanking John and Ginny McEleney for their generosity and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on Monday, July 27, 2009. If I were present, I would have voted:

``Yea'' on rollcall 647, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H. Res. 593--Recognizing and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State;

``Yea'' on rollcall 648, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 1376--Waco Mammoth National Monument Establishment Act of 2009;

``Yea'' on rollcall 649, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 1121--Blue Ridge Parkway and Town of Blowing Rock Land Exchange Act of 2009.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday there was a long parade of my friends from the other side coming down here to the Well to talk about the problems with the Democratic health care bill. And you just heard the distinguished minority leader talking about the cost of this bill.

Well, this is a stark reality, America. America can no longer wait for health care reform. Every person in this country pays a hidden tax of $1,200 a year, every family in this country pays a hidden tax of $1,800 a year, to take care of people right now who don't have health insurance but still get health care.

That's the reality that we're dealing with, and that's why we are working hard to try to transform our health care delivery system.

And my friend from Louisiana who just spoke is a perfect example of what's wrong. Right now, we know that in our country the States that provide the highest quality of care to Medicare patients get paid the least, while the State of Louisiana spends more per Medicare patient than any other State and ranks 50th on Medicare quality of assessments.

That's why Democrats are leading the charge to change the way we transform our health care system.

Mr. Chair, first let me thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for his hard work and dedication to moving our Nation forward in the area of transportation and all the other issues he tackles each and every day, including those he tackles with my colleague from Iowa. This bill is going to help millions of Americans, and I am pleased to support it.

I rise today in strong support of the Olver amendment to the Transportation-HUD Appropriations Act. I'm pleased to have helped secure an increase of $3 million in this amendment for the Federal Railroad Administration's railroad research and development account. This additional money could be used for any number of research projects, including a biolubricants research study that was authorized in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, as well as other authorized activities.

The widespread use of biolubricants in the rail industry will help us reduce our dependency on foreign oil and reduce our national addiction to petroleum imports. If all industrial lubricants used annually in the United States could be replaced with biobased versions, over 2 billion gallons of petroleum per year would be replaced.

I look forward to seeing the FRA workup with ag-based lubricant testing facilities to see that this study is carried out.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of the Manager's Amendment to the Transportation HUD Appropriations Act. I'm pleased to have secured an increase of $3 million in this amendment for the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA's) Railroad Research and Development Account. This additional money for FRA's Railroad Research and Development Account could fund the Biodegradable Lubricants study authorized in Division B: Section 405 of the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 as well as other feasibility studies authorized in that bill, and I believe that a portion of this funding should go towards the Biodegradable Lubricants study. This study will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce our national addiction to petroleum imports. If all industrial lubricants used annually in the U.S. could be replaced with biobased versions, over 2 billion gallons of petroleum per year would be replaced.

In performing this study, the National Ag-Based Lubricants Center (NABL) at the University of Northern Iowa would be a perfect partner for the Federal Railroad Administration. NABL's expertise and resources in biobased lubricants is unmatched, and it is the only entity whose primary mission is the research and testing of agricultural-based lubricants. I thank the Chairman for including $3 million in additional funding for the FRA's Railroad Research and Development account and I look forward to seeing the Transportation HUD Appropriations Act signed into law.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to the Latham amendment, which could seriously jeopardize Iowa's effort to bring passenger rail to the State. For the last two and a half years, I've been a strong advocate for bringing rail service from Chicago to Iowa, and this amendment cuts the very funds that will help make this rail service a reality. This amendment could lead to a loss of Iowa jobs, as well as reduced economic development opportunities throughout the state.

Two new passenger rail routes that will provide significant public and economic benefit are the lines from Chicago to the Quad Cities and Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa. Both routes would open up large parts of rural Illinois and eastern Iowa to huge economic growth and prosperity. These routes would also provide vacation spots for residents of Chicago in scenic Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa. The availability of passenger rail heading west from Chicago could also help eliminate congestion at O'Hare airport as many airline passengers fly regionally to the Quad Cities, Dubuque and Des Moines. Bringing rail service to Iowa would bring the opportunity to extend these Amtrak routes to Iowa City, Des Moines, Waterloo, and other cities. Many travelers would then be able to choose a train ride over the stress of the airport. Expanded passenger rail service would help reduce our dependence on foreign oil by encouraging the use of rail for travelers and decreasing the use of gasoline. Both of these routes would provide new passenger transportation through the heart of the country, bringing new opportunities to many Midwestern cities, creating jobs, and providing new transportation options for families and businesses. I can't support a proposal that could put the future of these projects in doubt.

Mr. Speaker, I'm here tonight on behalf of the Populist Caucus, which is a caucus that I founded this year, along with many of my colleagues, who felt that there was not enough emphasis in this Chamber on discussing values that promote and expand the middle class.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 47 minutes p.m.), the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at 10 a.m.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 574, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 556, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Health Subcommittee I have been a strong supporter of meaningful health care reform, including a robust public health insurance option.

But there's a problem with the plan that's on the table because it incorporates a Medicare reimbursement system that isn't fair. And all you have to do is look at States like Iowa and Minnesota, which consistently rank in the top five in terms of quality patient outcomes and in the bottom five in Medicare reimbursement. Or look at the State of Louisiana, where we spend more per Medicare patient than any other State, and Louisiana is ranked 50th in objective patient outcome measurements.

That system is flawed. When you base the public health insurance option on Medicare plus 5 percent, you perpetuate an inefficient system.

Medical economists will tell you the most effective way to take this head on is to address the problem of over-utilization in geographic parts of the country which waste money and result in poor patient outcomes.

Unless we incorporate those incentives into this public option and address this problem with Medicare, we will never have meaningful reform.

Madam Speaker, this is a defining moment in our country's history. And last night out at the White House, I saw the chairman holding his grandchild in his hands. The question every Member of this body is going to have to face when they look into the eyes of their children and grandchildren is, Where were you on this pivotal vote in our country's history? Where were you when we tried to free ourselves from our dependency on foreign oil? Where were you when we tried to create a new energy policy based on clean energy like the clean-energy revolution taking place in my State of Iowa?

This bill won't cost jobs in Iowa. It will create thousands of jobs in clean energy. That is what the message is I'm sending to my children. That is the

message I'm sending to my grandchildren. This is the time to break away from Middle East oil oligarchs, set a new policy for our energy future, and send a message to the world that we will be leaders, not followers, when it comes to climate change.