Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, when people think of achieving the American Dream, it is largely a middle class dream to which they aspire. People want to be able to have a stable job, own their own home, get their kids a good education, and maybe have a little left over to invest in a boat or an RV to relax on the weekends. They do not need to have the biggest house on the street or the most expensive car; they just want security for themselves and their family.

In my humble opinion, there is no place that embodies the ideal of the American Dream better than the state of Michigan. The reason for that, Mr. Speaker, is that for all the great inventions to come out of Michigan, perhaps the best is the American middle class.

Over the last 100 years, GM, Ford, and Chrysler were some of the largest companies in America and they provided jobs for millions over that time. People from around the country and around the world flocked to Detroit for a brighter future and a chance at achieving the American Dream.

As these companies prospered, the Big Three and the UAW collaborated for decades to provide good-paying jobs, health benefits, and a secure retirement of millions of workers and their families not only in Michigan, but around the rest of the country as well. There were some bumps in the road in that relationship, but both management and labor prospered from the success of these companies. The result was the creation of the American middle class.

Unfortunately, the last few years have not been as kind to the domestic auto industry as the previous 100 years had been. We can talk about all the different reasons for that, but the point is that the president of the UAW was put in a position that no other UAW leader had ever been.

Ron Gettelfinger had to negotiate significant reductions in pay and benefits for his members, and then convince those members that these actions were necessary to save the companies on which their livelihoods depended. Some called it the most difficult job in Detroit--and they may have been right.

Ron Gettelfinger in some ways represents the perfect image for the UAW. He works hard. He doesn't seek out the media spotlight. He simply tries to do the very best he can for the men and women who have placed their trust in him. He is just like so many hard-working men and women of the UAW.

And in what was a true crisis that threatened the American Dream for so many, Ron Gettelfinger stepped up to the plate. As he had always done, he fought for the best interests of his members--which ultimately meant sacrificing some hard negotiated benefits so that the Big Three could survive.

And let there be no doubt, were it not for his practical and pragmatic leadership, the fate of the Big Three could have turned out very differently. The end of GM and the likely liquidation of Chrysler were very real possibilities. Instead, Ford, GM, and Chrysler are now moving forward in a profitable way that ensures future generations will also have an opportunity at achieving the American Dream through the auto industry.

As Ron moves on to a new chapter in his life, I wish him the very best and I thank him for the quiet courage and dedication he showed in a very difficult situation. All of us and all of Michigan owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Madam Speaker, our national debt is over $13 trillion and our annual deficit is expected to be nearly $1.6 trillion this year alone. The American people have had enough of this out-of- control spending. And today House Republicans offer another measure to cut spending that was chosen by the American people in the YouCut program.

This provision will cut funding for the IRS, which is authorized to hire thousands of new agents to enforce the unconstitutional individual health care mandate. This cut will save taxpayers up to $10 billion. The purpose of the health care law was supposed to be to reduce costs and to make health care more affordable. Does anyone truly believe that thousands of new IRS agents will really reduce health care costs? The new IRS agents' job will be to verify that you have acceptable government-approved health care, or they have the authority to impose a fine of up to 2 percent of your income.

What we need to do is to help to create new jobs, not hire an army of new IRS agents to impose job-killing taxes, new mandates, and new penalties on the American people.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so that we can make this commonsense cut in spending under our YouCut program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation because nuclear weapons in the hands of the Iranian regime is simply unacceptable.

Iran is a state sponsor of terror.

Iranian leaders have continually denied the Holocaust while expressing the desire to commit a second Holocaust through the destruction of Israel, our most important ally in the Middle East.

To that we must say ``Never Again.''

The chant of ``Death to America'' is seemingly the official slogan of this Iranian regime.

Those who would seek to profit by helping the Iranian regime to develop nuclear weapons or to suppress the people of Iran will no longer be able to do business with the United States or have access to our nation's financial system.

These sanctions are real and they have teeth.

We must send a clear and decisive message to the Iran and the world community that America is serious in our effort to deny Iran nuclear weapons.

To accomplish that we must pass these sanctions.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my very serious concerns about this program and to remind my colleagues that this program is actually a very bad deal for my constituents in the State of Michigan and many other States in the Great Lakes Basin as well.

For the past few years, FEMA has been engaged doing what Congress did direct them to do, and that is updating and modernizing our flood maps across the entire Nation. We all recognize that with technology we can and we should update the maps to reflect our best science and to convert our existing outdated maps into user-friendly digital format. Let me just make clear, I totally support that effort and those objectives.

However, property owners in the Great Lakes are being treated very unfairly by these new maps which have taken effect in my district and all through the basin during the past several years, and the net effect is that we can show how these property owners whose properties very rarely flood, nor have the potential to flood, are being treated badly because, in fact, they are being abused by the National Flood Insurance Program.

My constituents, many of them on the water, are paying very, very high flood insurance premiums, and yet we very rarely even claim on this or receive any money for our claims. Essentially, Michigan and other States in the Great Lakes Basin are being forced to subsidize those in other States who are prone to severe weather events. If that's what we are going to do, we should just call it what it is and have a national catastrophic fund as opposed to this national flood insurance fund. In other words, let everybody pay. Why should the people in the Great Lakes Basin have to subsidize this particular program?

A GAO report on this program that was published in April found that nearly one in four property owners pay subsidized rates for their flood insurance that do not reflect the full risk of flooding. You have to ask, no wonder this program is $19 billion in debt, and to add insult to injury, this program keeps paying claims year after year so some Americans can continue to live in flood-prone areas. That's fine if they want to live there, but I don't know why those people in the Great Lakes have to keep paying for these repetitive claims year after year. It's only 1 percent of the policy, but it is 25 percent of all of the claims.

I think it is well past time that this program either be scrapped entirely or reformed. My constituents in Michigan, with little risk of flooding, again who have experienced little or no flooding, are funding the National Flood Insurance Program at astronomical rates. States that we see flooded year after year and, again, allow people to keep building and rebuilding in a floodplain, or who keep experiencing hurricanes, are essentially using this FEMA fund as an ATM machine, and I don't think it's fair. Really, if we're going to have a National Flood Insurance Program, I think everybody should be paying fairly. Again, I think a national catastrophic fund would be the most fair approach to this.

I think, if this situation continues, that Michigan and other States should consider opting out of this national plan and self-insuring. I've written a letter to our Governor, and I hope that she considers that.

In Michigan, I would say this: We look down at the water.

I thank the gentleman for yielding me another 30 seconds.

In Michigan, we look down at the water. We don't look up at the water, and we just think it is very unfair that we have to keep subsidizing all of the other areas just because we live on the water as well. I think this program needs to be revamped, and I would say again, we should have a national catastrophic fund.

We have great empathy and sympathy for those who want to live in a flood-prone area, but I don't know why those of us on the shores of the Great Lakes have to be the only ones in the Nation to subsidize this. I think it is very unfair.

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, April 3, 2008.

Hon. Jennifer Granholm,

Lansing, MI.

Dear Governor Granholm: I write to bring to your attention

an issue of great importance to the economic health and well-

being of the State of Michigan.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the

process of updating

and modernizing flood maps across the entire nation. This

process is necessary to account for property development and

growth over the past several decades as well as changes in

topography. If done properly, this process would bring more

fairness for those who live in flood plains and are required

to purchase flood insurance.

Unfortunately, property owners in Michigan are being

treated unfairly by these new maps, which have recently taken

effect in my district and other parts of the state. These

property owners, whose properties very rarely flood --nor

have the potential to flood--are paying very high flood

insurance premiums and yet they very rarely receive claims.

In regards to FEMA's proposal for remapping in the Great

Lakes region, they are raising the base flood elevation an

additional 14 inches--they say to accurately reflect the risk

of flooding. This is predicated on data from 1988, 2 years

after the absolute highest recorded levels for the Great

Lakes. However, in Lake St. Clair alone, the lake levels have

dropped over 3 feet since then and are now 5\1/2\ feet below

the old base flood elevation. In spite of this, FEMA's new

base flood elevation is now 6\1/2\ feet above the current

lake level.

I have been trying to stop FEMA from implementing their new

flood maps until the International Joint Commission's Upper

Great Lakes study has been completed. This study will be the

most comprehensive study of this region ever undertaken.

Nevertheless, my constituents are currently paying much

higher premiums for an insurance plan that they will likely

not ever file a claim on. These new maps will cost my

constituents literally millions of dollars at a time when

lake levels are at historic all time lows. This means that

they are not going to be making claims, but they will be

subsidizing other parts of the country through the National

Flood Insurance Program.

What is happening is that many states and their property

owners, with little risk of flooding, who have experienced

little or no flooding, are funding the National Flood

Insurance Program at astronomical rates. Between 1978, the

year the National Flood Insurance Program began, and 2002,

there were 10 states that received more in claims than what

they paid in policies. In fact over $1.5 billion dollars

more--and the average premium for policyholders in those

states was only $223.

Michigan, on the other hand, paid almost $120 million more

into the program than it received back in claims, yet the

average premium for Michigan policyholders was $257 dollars.

As you can see, this program is draining millions of dollars

from Michigan and dispensing it throughout other areas of the

country.

As you know, the residents of our state are already

experiencing tremendous economic strain due to rising

gasoline costs, the high unemployment rate, and the housing

crisis. They do not need to spend an additional several

hundred dollars each year on insurance they will likely never

need. And they should not be mandated to sacrifice for

residents of other states much more prone to severe weather

events.

One of the potential solutions to this disparity is for the

State of Michigan to take action to opt out of the National

Flood Insurance Program and self insure. While I realize that

some will consider this a rather drastic measure, this

problem is having such a negative impact on our constituents

that I believe it must be considered,

If Michigan were to opt out of this program, it would

undoubtedly save our constituents millions of dollars each

year which could then be used to further stimulate our

state's economy. I urge you to work with the state

legislature and the Commissioner of Financial and Insurance

Services to explore this option to see if it could result in

significant savings to Michigan taxpayers.

Thank you for your attention to this issue. I look forward

to working with you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Candice S. Miller,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, we have seen some American corporate executives brought before Congress and grilled about how they run their firms, and appropriately so. Yet, what would the response of Congress be if a private firm had the following record? It operated at losses of about $3 trillion over 2 years. It used questionable accounting gimmicks. It had unfunded long-term liabilities of $50 trillion or more. It had provided no guidance to its shareholders about its bleak balance sheet.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, such a firm does exist, but it is not in the private sector. That firm is the Federal Government run by this majority. They've racked up over $3 trillion in new debt in just 2 years. They've passed outrageous new spending plans. They've refused to put forward a budget to the shareholders--the American people--because they don't want the people to see their plans for our Nation's fiscal future, Mr. Speaker.

If this was a private firm instead of our Federal Government, there would be charges filed for fiscal malfeasance. The majority owes the American people answers, and they must bring forward their budget immediately.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res 713 which recognizes the contributions of automobile dealerships, both to the American economy, and the economy of my home state of Michigan. Michigan is at the very heart and soul of the domestic auto industry, and it is an industry that has served America well.

Automobile dealerships around the country have provided millions of Americans an opportunity for a good job with good benefits and a secure retirement. The average dealer in this nation, Madam Speaker, employs over 50 people. They are not just a place to purchase a car, but they are community leaders, sponsors of little league teams and rotary club members. In many cases, they are the biggest job providers in their communities.

Automobile dealers create long-term relationships with members of their communities and provide services beyond the sale of a car. They also provide parts and services for vehicles, handle product safety recalls and provide information for customers.

During the economic downturn, 1,900 automobile dealerships, some that were successful, were closed not because of any fault of their own, but because of forces beyond their control. Thankfully, the auto industry is showing signs of recovery, with Ford, Chrysler and General Motors making a profit for the first time in years.

Those dealerships that were closed should be given the first opportunity to obtain a franchise when auto manufacturers seek new partners to open future dealerships.

I recognize the great contributions that the automobile industry has given back to the community, and I fully intend to support this resolution.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. And, Mr. Speaker, all Americans, all Americans, share the grief of the families of the miners of West Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, spending by this Congress is out of control. In the next few days, our national debt will surpass $13 trillion, and today the Federal Government borrows about 40 cents of every dollar that it spends. The American people have been speaking out, saying that this out-of-control spending is not sustainable. They are very frustrated that Washington and the Democrat majority is not listening.

Mr. Speaker, the House Republicans are listening. We have heard their voices.

YouCut allows the American people to vote on specific spending cuts. We actually had over 300,000 folks just vote this week. The goal of YouCut is simple, and it should not be a novel concept on Capitol Hill: Stop spending and start cutting. The question, again, is, Will Washington listen? Can you hear them now?

A ``no'' vote on the previous question will allow us to debate this spending cut put forward by the American people. Is that too much to ask?

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the outstanding season put forth by the Richmond High School Blue Devils Wrestling Team. Throughout the entire year, the members of the 2010 team demonstrated true solidarity, and great individual fortitude worthy of many accolades. And judging by the trophy case, the Blue Devils have the hardware to prove it.

To start, Richmond won the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division III Team State Title! This is the school's fourth state title since 2000, after winning the State's top award in 2002 and 2006. But I would be remiss if I did not also point out the Blue Devils' other impressive final finishes where they earned state runner- up in 1996, 2004 and 2007. In addition, Blue Devils Brian Henke and Stephen Ireland dominated their weight classes to win individual state titles. They manufactured impressive overall records of 50-0 and 30-0 respectively.

Madam Speaker, my home county of Macomb certainly noticed what the Blue Devils were able to accomplish as they took home ``Team of the Year'' honors. But this was just icing on the cake as individual team members picked up numerous awards. Stephen Ireland, Dominic Cattera, Justin Russo, Pat Baruth, Preston Treend, Brian Henke, Adrian Morang, Roger Crump and Dakota Boldrey all earned First Team All Macomb County for Division II, III, and IV. Dustin Pitcel, Garett Edwards, Casey Martin and Greg Sebastian were named to the Second Team; while Austin Cattera and Josh Rivard earned spots on the Third Team. Brandon Pawlak, Grant Hafner, Sean Clancy, Alex Morang, Austin Kratt, Scott Gulette, Robert Clancy and Eric Boyd followed up with Honorable Mention distinctions.

Macomb also selected an All-County Dream Team which had five members from Richmond--Stephen Ireland, Dominic Cattera, Justin Russo, Preston Treend, and Brian Henke who all got the nod.

I commend Coaches Robert Hablin, George Hamblin and Brandon Day for their efforts to prepare this team for battle on the mat every day. They were shining examples of strong leadership. They also realized this quest to be very demanding, so they put the team through intense physical training and offered the guidance and mental focus needed to wrestle.

I believe these key attributes are crucial and inseparable once you cross that line to compete. The Blue Devils coaching staff had the ability to keep the team energized and hungry each time they faced off against their opponents. This is an extremely difficult task, considering the various pressures and distractions a high school student-athlete encounters.

Madam Speaker, simply put, it is not easy to remain at the top of your chosen field, no matter what your profession is. Once a team wins a championship they become a target, and their foes become even more determined to defeat them.

But to this point, I would evoke the words of Green Bay Packers legendary football Coach Vince Lombardi who once said, ``Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do the right thing once in awhile; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.'' History clearly shows the Richmond High School Wrestling Program has developed a habit of winning and an environment that breeds success.

Moreover, I wish to recognize the hard work, determination and teamwork displayed by all the members of the 2010 Richmond High School Wrestling Program. I applaud the coaches, support staff, teachers, parents and fans alike, for their assistance and for making this another season to remember.

Despite the injuries and grueling practices, the Blue Devils showed once again they had what it takes to accomplish their ultimate goal--a state title! Teamwork, dedication and friendship all helped deliver this championship. I know the City of Richmond and Macomb County take great pride in what these young men were able to accomplish at each level of achievement.

Madam Speaker, I certainly share that pride and express my personal congratulations. This team has exceeded all expectations and lived up to the strong traditions that define Richmond Wrestling. Way to go Blue Devils!

Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday, we from metro Detroit and the entire State of Michigan lost a treasure with the passing of former Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell.

For generations of Detroit Tiger fans, Ernie Harwell was literally the voice of summer. Day after day, and year after year, that wonderful southern gentleman's voice was heard on our radios and made every baseball season wonderful, regardless of the number of Tigers' wins and losses. Ernie's voice, broadcasting the Tigers games, was a welcome friend at family picnics or at the beach. He was with us in our cars as we were driving up north on a family vacation. He was with us in our yards and in our garages as we did our household chores. The truth of the matter is that Ernie Harwell was more than just a baseball broadcaster; he was a member of our family. And that is why the loss of Ernie Harwell is being mourned by our entire community, Mr. Speaker. Whether you are a baseball fan or not, we loved Ernie Harwell because he personified integrity, generosity, courtesy, honor, and just pure class.

As a young man, he served our Nation in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. For 68 years, he shared his life with his beloved wife, Lulu, their four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

For more than 40 years, his voice was a welcome friend on our radios. And since his retirement 8 years ago, he was still a constant, beloved presence in our community. Throughout his life, his charitable acts and gentle kindness made him a beloved figure for everyone.

And last fall, Mr. Speaker, when he found out he was stricken with inoperable cancer, Ernie accepted his fate

with grace because of his deep and abiding faith in God and in the knowledge that he had led a wonderful life. Last September, Ernie gave a farewell speech before a Tigers game at Comerica Park. I want to read from a bit of that speech so you have an understanding of why we all loved Ernie Harwell so much. He said:

``In my almost 92 years on this Earth, the good Lord has blessed me with a great journey. And the blessed part of that journey is that it's going to end here in the great State of Michigan. I deeply appreciate the people of Michigan. I love their grit. I love the way they face life. I love the family values they have. And you Tigers fans are the greatest fans of all. No question about that. And I certainly want to thank you from the depth of my heart for your devotion, your support, your loyalty, and your love. Thank you very much, and God bless you.''

That's what he said, Mr. Speaker. And we love you too, Ernie.

Our hearts go out to Ernie's beloved wife, Lulu, for her great loss, and we send our thanks to Mrs. Harwell for sharing the man that she loved for these many years with millions throughout Michigan and around our Nation. And thank you, Ernie, for being such a special part of the lives of so many in our community. God bless you, good friend, and may you rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, time and again during health care debate, the American people were told that the health care bill would lower costs, and Republicans continually argued that the big government takeover of our health care would actually increase the cost to taxpayers. Well, who was right? The nonpartisan Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released its analysis of the new health care law, and the results are very telling, Mr. Speaker.

The actuaries are reporting that the new law will increase health care costs over the next 10 years by $311 billion, which was much more than the original estimates to both the House and the Senate bills. Published reports have indicated that this report, incredibly, was submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services more than a week before the final vote in the House. But that information, of course, was not shared with--at least on the Republican side--Members of Congress or the American people. So much for most open and transparent administration in history and so much for providing the American people with real health care reform that would help lower costs.

America is at a crossroads, Mr. Speaker, in this difficult economy. While the American people spoke out very loudly that they did not want a government health care takeover, Democrats refused to listen.

Mr. Speaker, since the attempted terrorist attack on Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day, I have been arguing that the terrorist at Detroit Metro Airport that was arrested there is an unlawful enemy combatant who should be tried in a military commission.

The decision to try this terrorist in civilian court, to give him the right to remain silent, as well as giving him three taxpayer-funded attorneys, is absolutely wrong, in my opinion.

Mr. Speaker, as well, this trial will place undue costs and manpower burdens on the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan, neither of which is in a position to absorb additional security-related costs. It is wrong, Mr. Speaker, to ask hard-pressed communities, local communities, to pay these costs simply because we were the targets of this attack while we played no role in the decision to hold this trial in the City of Detroit.

It was the decision of Eric Holder and the Federal Government to try this terrorist in civilian court in Detroit, so I think that the additional costs to local and State government should be borne by the Federal Government. The Department of Homeland Security must stand up and guarantee to fund any cost to the City of Detroit or the County of Wayne or the State of Michigan that they would not normally incur.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume.

I rise in very strong support of this resolution.

House Resolution 197 recognizes the contribution of the American Sail Training Association. Tall ships remind us of our proud maritime history and our heritage. Through this Association, many, many young people get an opportunity to train aboard these vessels and to gain important leadership experience.

Sailing provides a great opportunity, a wonderful opportunity, to be outside, to be out in nature, enjoying our Nation's bountiful natural resources. Moreover, it's an opportunity for individuals to learn the value of teamwork, and it provides a personal competitive challenge for each member of the crew as they attempt to match their sailing skills against those of the other boats and Mother Nature. There's actually nothing like it.

I speak from some personal experience, Madam Speaker. Actually, my family was in the marina business. I sold sailboats before I ever became involved in public service. It was our family business. It was the way we made our living. It was our family hobby.

In fact, some of my fondest memories include participating in what are some of the marquis freshwater sailing regattas in the Great Lakes, of which I am happy to represent a district from, such as the Port Huron to Mackinac race, of which I have raced in 29 of them. Actually, after you race 25, they induct you into something called the Old Goat Society, or, in my case, I am an old nanny goat. I think I am the only old nanny goat in the United States Congress, as well as participating in the Chicago-to-Mackinac freshwater race as well.

Since 1973, the American Sail Training Association has been introducing young people to the world of sailing, specifically on tall ships. Madam Speaker, these experiences instill the values of hard work, leadership, appreciation for our environment, and cooperation as well, all attributes which will serve young people very well throughout their lifetime.

This summer, the American Sail Training Association is going to be partnering with Great Lakes United, which will bring a fleet of international tall ships actually into the Great Lakes. As these vessels sail through the world's largest body of fresh water, in fact, the Great Lakes are fully one-fifth or 20 percent of the fresh water supply of the entire planet, they will be calling on various ports throughout the Great Lakes to promote stewardship of the Great Lakes and the educational benefits of sailing.

Again, as one who has sailed throughout the Great Lakes, I know that the young people who participate in this venture will be astounded by the majesty as well as the challenges that they will face from a sailing and a boating perspective on the Great Lakes.

I certainly commend the American Sail Training Association for their work to promote the continued display and use of these majestic ships, as well as their efforts to provide a platform to advance historical and environmental awareness also and, of course, development of leadership skills amongst our young people.

In closing, I would just say that there are few things, Madam Speaker, more moving or majestic that speak to us of our proud maritime heritage than when we see the tall ships. Who can forget, certainly in our Nation's bicentennial, when the tall ships came into New York Harbor, going by the Statue of Liberty, really speaks to what America is certainly all about, I think.

This resolution recognizes an organization that allows young people to experience these tall ships. I would urge my colleagues to support it.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, every American must file their income taxes by midnight tomorrow, and they understand that the United States Congress determines how much of their hard-earned money is taken for Federal taxes and how it is spent.

Since the Democratic majority and the Obama administration have been in charge of taxing the American people, we've seen a massive increase in taxes of $670 billion and counting. Here are just a few examples:

Taxes on American families and businesses that don't purchase government-approved health care, taxes on medical devices, such as pacemakers and artificial limbs, taxes on businesses that provide pharmaceutical coverage for retirees, even taxes on those who go to tanning salons.

Yet, with all of these massive tax increases, the Democratic and Obama spending spree drove the Federal budget deficit to over $1.4 trillion last year and has driven it to nearly $1.6 trillion this year. To keep this spending spree going, they will be looking for even higher taxes. Just recently, one of the President's top economic advisers proposed a European-style value added tax that would hit every American, rich and poor.

Enough is enough. It is long past time that this Congress and this administration realized that we cannot tax and spend our way back to prosperity. How about a tax policy that we can believe in for a change? Let's get spending under control and reduce the tax burden on the American people.

Madam Speaker, this past Saturday, April 10, 2010, the people of Poland suffered an unspeakable tragedy. The world lost a great leader and the United States lost a true friend with the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, and much of the Polish leadership as well, that died in that plane crash in Russia.

President Kaczynski was a staunch supporter of freedom. Early in his life, he was a leader in the fight against communism. As a lawyer in Gdansk, he became an adviser to the Solidarity movement in the late 1970s. During martial law in 1981, he was jailed because the government thought he was an antisocialist element.

When Poland shed the yoke of communism, Lech Kaczynski continued to serve Poland until his death. He served as a senator, as the vice chair of Solidarity, as a member of Parliament, as the mayor of Warsaw, as the Minister of Justice, and Attorney General, and finally as President of Poland for the last 5 years.

He was a true friend of America, Madam Speaker. He fought corruption because he believed it was an impediment to justice and freedom. And we all mourn with the people of Poland at the loss of this true Polish patriot. May our great friend rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this failed health care bill.