Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was a military spouse and I lived on military pay. It is very difficult to do that. But we do that with honor and with gratitude for the chance to serve this country.

The House of Representatives recognizes that service and called for a 3.5 percent increase in pay for the military. The President, who talks about supporting the troops, does not want that. He is strongly opposed to raising the pay of military families.

How much does that really mean? For an E-4, it means $200 a year. $200 a year. The President provides $536 billion of tax breaks for the top 1 percent, and is unwilling to give $200 a year to an E-4. Seventy times what we are asking, seventy times, goes to the rich.

It is time for the President to start supporting the troops instead of supporting the rich. I hope before Veterans' Day, the President changes his mind and agrees with the House of Representatives that our men and women in uniform deserve this pay.

I thank the gentleman for bringing this to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of recognizing what our maritime men did for us during World War II. The danger that they lived through, the sinking of their ships, the efforts to protect our other soldiers and bring supplies to them was nothing short of heroic.

When I spoke to some of these brave men, I talked about how my father had joined the Navy, and one of the reasons he liked to say was because he always was fed, and he always had ice cream. I never really thought about where all that came from.

And then I met a constituent of mine in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, who wrote a letter to me speaking about his father who was a merchant marine and what he had been deprived of after World War II. And here is what Larry Warren had to say.

``I am writing on behalf of all World War II Merchant Marine veterans, but one in particular, my father Fred Warren of Wolfeboro. They need help.

``My father served with the Merchant Marines during World War II. His hearing is damaged from working in the engine rooms, and his lungs are damaged from the asbestos used in the construction of the merchant ships. He survived typhoons in the Pacific, German U-boats in the Atlantic, and Axis torpedo bombers in the Mediterranean. I don't know all the harrowing experiences. He doesn't talk about it.

``He was lucky to have made it home. Many didn't. The casualty rate for World War II merchant marines was one in 26, higher than any branch of the armed services. Merchant Marines fought and died with members of our Armed Forces; some were captured and held POWs. Merchant ships and the crews on them were considered expendable by the Allied leaders. Freedom is not free, and the merchant marines of World War II paid dearly.

``My father has never received help in any form from our government because merchant mariners were denied benefits under the GI bill; no low-interest loans, no unemployment pay, no free college training, no health or prescription drugs, nothing. World War II merchant mariners were not even considered veterans until an act of Congress in 1988.

``I respect all of our veterans and consider them heroes, but I am especially proud of my father. In my eyes, he is a hero, too. It is time to make amends.''

It is time to make amends. It is time to reward these men and their widows for what they have gone through. And we thank them; and there is no better way to thank them first by recognizing through this resolution, and then by recognizing them with the next bill that hopefully will pass through Congress that will provide some financial support and say to them, as we have tried to say to all veterans, ``Thank you very much for saving our country.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me and over 200 other Members in cosponsoring H.R. 1157, the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act. With just one more day until Mother's Day, it is important for us in Congress to honor the women in our lives and work to bring an end to diseases such as breast cancer. Each year, tens of thousands of women die from this disease and more than 3 million women are currently living with breast cancer. Important advances have been made, but we still do not know what causes this disease, or how to prevent it.

This bill will establish a research program at the National Institutes of Health to study the potential links between breast cancer and the environment--authorizing $40 million a year for five years for NIH studies.

Hopefully, this research will help mitigate the devastating effects this disease inflicts on mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and families across the Nation. The National Breast Cancer Coalition has worked tirelessly to advance the fight against breast cancer, as we celebrate Mother's Day this year, I urge my colleagues to join me in co-sponsoring H.R. 1157, the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act.

Madam Chairman, I was honored to be a military spouse, and I am now honored to be in the House of Representatives and on the Armed Services Committee.

I stand here today in support of this bill. This bill takes care of our military men and women and it also takes care of their families. It provides a raise for the military that is long overdue. It provides for their housing. It takes care of our military and our families. And it cares for those who are injured, especially brain injuries, which we are concentrating on now.

It helps rebuild the military. Our military has been weakened by the war in Iraq, and it is now time to support these people. So I am very proud to stand here.

It also takes care of the National Guard. It will provide a fourth star for the National Guard so they will have a seat at the table to talk about the policy in the United States. The National Guard deserves this. They also have an increase in the budget of $1 billion.

So I am proud here as a member of the Armed Services Committee to lend my support to this and to urge my colleagues to vote for this.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have voted in support of several important and necessary bills on science and technology that will safeguard our nation's prosperity and security in the 21st century. As global competition continues to grow, we must meet these competitiveness challenges by encouraging science and technology research and education, as well as investing in business and industry applications. We need to position ourselves to best meet the demands of the 21st-century world, which will be driven by a knowledge economy.

Currently, less than one third of 4th and 8th Grade students perform at a ``proficient'' level in mathematics, and 12th Grade students perform below the international average of 21 other countries in math and science knowledge. Only 15 percent of our undergraduates major in science or engineering, while for China, our major economic competitor, that figure is 50 percent, an unhealthy balance with a potential major impact on outsourcing. That is no doubt why Intel Corporation predicted that it would shift another third of its business operations overseas (leaving only one third in the U.S.), as the company follows the most highly trained and educated work force. The decline in math and science performance has led Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft Corporation, to remark that he is ``terrified for our workforce of tomorrow.''

The 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 362) implements the National Academies of Science report, Rising above the Gathering Storm, which recommended increasing ``America's talent pool by vastly improving K-12 science and mathematics education.'' The bill invests in 10,000 new math and science teachers by increasing scholarships available for them, and will strengthen the skills of current teachers by offering them more training and educational opportunities. This bill puts teachers and children at the center of our renewal strategy.

It worries me that, since 1976, our investment in research has slipped by 45 percent (as a percentage of the gross domestic product). To counteract this decline, the National Academies of Science report recommended an increased and sustained commitment to long-term, basic research.

This commitment is further implemented in the Sowing the Seeds through Science and Engineering Research Act (H.R. 363). This bill provides grants for research scientists early in their careers, when researchers do their most innovative and ground-breaking work, and funds a much-needed national coordination effort for research infrastructure needs. The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867) also addresses this problem by doubling National Science Foundation funding over the next ten years, increasing our commitment to math, engineering, and science research and education.

These bills will put an end to our neglect of science and math research and education and enable us to keep our competitive and innovative edge, which has been eroding in recent

years. Our future prosperity depends on reversing this trend. Studies have shown that 85 percent of growth in U.S. income before 1950 was due to technological innovation and that in the last 60 years, technological innovation has been responsible for half of U.S. economic growth. But in the fall of 2005, scientists polled by Rep. Frank Wolf said that we were losing ground in science and innovation, with 60 percent saying that we were ``in decline'' and 40 percent that we were ``in a stall.'' Decline and stall will not ensure job growth and economic prosperity in the coming century.

But we must also apply the results of these research and education initiatives to our business and manufacturing industry, and the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act (H. R. 1868) begins this process. The bill reauthorizes the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is responsible for many breakthrough technologies of the last century, setting us on course to double its funding over 10 years. It also creates the Technology Innovation Program to allocate funds to small high-tech companies and enable them to continue their research and development until they can bring their products to the marketplace.

Our investment in science and technology research and education can reverse the bleeding away of our manufacturing base, which creates national, security as well as economic risks. In recent years almost half of our new jobs have been created by lowwage employers, which lower our standard of living. If we haven't yet noticed, others have, and Canada and Australia won a Pew Research Center international poll in 2005 about the best country to go to lead a good life. Superiority in science and technology and a positive environment for new or renewed industries will result in good, high-paying jobs, and allow us to overcome the competitive advantage of countries, like China, with low- wage structures.

There is every reason to expect that we can, given sufficient investment, create new industries with good jobs to respond to our need for clean energy and energy independence, among many possibilities. I am proud to have voted to address this crisis and invest in our future prosperity, industrial strength, and national security.

Mr. Chairman, I rise as a proud sponsor of this amendment, the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Personnel Protection Act. The bill will provide job protection to the brave men and women who volunteer their time as firefighters and EMTs during national disasters.

Some volunteers put their lives on hold to help others. Others literally put their lives on the line.

When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, our Nation's emergency services were overcome by the immensity of the disaster. Almost 400,000 people were displaced from their homes. The images of this tragedy will be seared in our minds forever.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, I went down to do a very small part to help those, and I saw the devastation. But in a disaster of the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina or the recent tragedy in Kansas, we need more than an extra pair of hands. When our Nation's emergency services are overwhelmed, we need highly skilled professionals who can step in to provide such help.

More than 800,000 skilled first responders volunteer for such emergencies each year. Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians, EMTs, are a critical part of this effort. They are fighting fires and providing essential medical care. They are saving lives.

But, under current law, when volunteer firefighters and EMTs return to their homes, there is no guarantee that they will still have their jobs. They can do the right thing for America and find out they are left out in the cold. In effect, when disaster strikes, these first responders are forced sometimes to decide between helping others and having the security of knowing they still have their jobs when they go home.

This amendment would change all that. It would guarantee volunteer firefighters and EMT the right to keep their job when they respond in a national emergency and allow them to volunteer 14 days per calendar year when they act in an official capacity.

Our Nation absolutely needs highly skilled professionals who are willing to leave their homes and their jobs to help save lives. Congress can help support our volunteer firefighters and EMTs. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, yesterday President Bush called the timetable a ``prescription for chaos and confusion.'' That timetable was a responsible road map out of Iraq.

The President has caused chaos and confusion for 4 long years, replacing one general after another when the general disagrees with the policy.

What has the President given us? He's given us the largest deficit in history. He's cut back from domestic programs to pay for this war. He's weakened our military. Eighty-eight percent of the National Guard is not prepared to go to war. The Army is strained to a breaking point.

He's neglected our own people, and he has destroyed Iraq's economy, their social fabric. People are leaving Iraq, fleeing from the chaos the President has caused for 4 long years.

We had a responsible road map. The President should have signed it.

Madam Speaker, 4 years ago today, 4 long years ago today, we heard ``Mission Accomplished.'' What mission? We are not even sure what the mission is anymore, the President has changed the mission so many times.

But I have to tell America the truth about this war. I sit on the Armed Services Committee, and I'm tired of hearing what I hear every hearing. What am I hearing? I'm hearing that the American military is strained to the breaking point. I'm hearing that 88 percent of our National Guard is not ready to be sent. I'm hearing that we're having problems with equipment. I'm hearing problems from military families. What I'm hearing is that at the top leadership, we have failed the military and we have failed the people of the United States. We need to get a grip on this.

The Democrats have presented the White House with a responsible exit from Iraq. We need leadership here. The President has failed to show that leadership, but the Democrats are prepared now to give that responsible road map out of Iraq.

I urge the President to sign this legislation.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 261, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, President Bush has an opportunity to

provide real hope to millions of Americans who are suffering from debilitating diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. All he has to do now is reconsider his threat to veto this promising legislation that has recently passed the House.

Here in the House we passed, in a bipartisan manner, during the first 100 hours of Congress, legislation that would increase the number of embryonic stem cells eligible for Federal funding. The Senate, in strong bipartisan passion, did exactly the same. Now it has arrived at the President's desk.

Last year the President vetoed stem cell legislation, the only issue he vetoed throughout his Presidency. We have a real opportunity finally to solve some of these debilitating diseases. There are 100 million Americans waiting for the President to say ``yes.'' I urge him to reconsider.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 293) supporting the goals and ideals highlighted through National Volunteer Week.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 293 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Ms. SHEA-PORTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

House Resolution 293 is a bipartisan bill recognizing the important role of volunteers in local, national, and international communities and their dedication to improving lives, strengthening communities, and fostering civic engagement through service and volunteering.

April 15-21, 2007 is recognized as National Volunteer Week. The theme is Inspire by Example, which reflects the power volunteers have to inspire the people they help and to aspire others to serve.

Inspire by Example has been the theme throughout our history. We have 61 million volunteers out of a population of 300 million who volunteer some time each day to serve others.

From the very beginning of our time, we have been committed to serving each other. Benjamin Franklin started a volunteer fire department in a library and took care of those in the community, as have others.

From the beginning, through war, through disaster and through famine, we have seen the greatest step forward to serve our country. Who could forget the service of the Greatest Generation who came forward in so many ways as others went to war and we saw our own population step up to fulfill the roles in our community and to each other?

What do these volunteers do each day of the year? They teach others to read. They care for others who are ill. They work on the forefront for disaster. Right now, in my own State of New Hampshire, which has once again been hit by flood waters, we have volunteers who are out there serving our community. They serve to take care of babies and young mothers. They serve to take care of alcoholics and drug addicts and the most vulnerable in our communities, and they continue their service right through hospice and in senior settings. So we have to thank our volunteers and also recognize what motivates them and to encourage them. That is what this resolution does, to speak to them and to urge them to continue their service.

While we have had the greatest numbers at all in the past year, 61.2 million volunteers, we have also had a slight drop. We have to make sure it is possible for volunteers to continue their full-time lives of service in their own jobs and then also in their communities.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I now yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky, John Yarmuth.

I now yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 293, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, from its birth before the Revolutionary War, the National Guard has served as our first defense against catastrophic disaster. We all remember the scenes during Hurricane Katrina. The National Guard came to the rescue. They were the ones in the helicopters, along with the Coast Guard, rescuing people after FEMA had collapsed and had not fulfilled its responsibilities.

After we invaded Iraq, it was our brave soldiers in the National Guard that once again answered the call to duty. They have served side by side with the regular forces doing an incredible job. They also have a job to do in our country, though. But multiple deployments and use of equipment has degraded the equipment they have at home to protect us in our own States.

The National Guard currently has about 40 percent of the equipment that it needs at home. The American people deserve to know this, that we do not have the equipment that we need, and the National Guard has a right to have the equipment so they can fulfill their duty in case of a national domestic disaster.

I thank the National Guard and their families who stand by day after day, serving us during any kind of catastrophe. I urge the American public to

ask Congress and ask the executive branch to make sure that our National Guard has the equipment at home they need.

Madam Speaker, when I ran for Congress, I ran for the rest of us, the bottom 99 percent of us who as a social worker I knew were not getting a fair shake under this administration and its followers. I knew they had created the greatest deficits in American history and that it was the middle class who had been harmed.

I stand here with great pride to ask my colleagues in the House to pass this Democratic budget which actually finally represents the middle class.

What does this budget do? Unlike the President's own budget proposal, the Democrats' House budget protects middle-class families from a tax increase. Our resolution protects 19 million families against the alternative minimum tax this year and creates a reserve fund accommodating a permanent fix. The reserve fund also will accommodate other middle-class tax cuts, including extending the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, the extension of the 10 percent individual tax credit and the elimination of most estate taxes.

Compare these middle-class tax cuts to the $500 billion tax increase the President proposed in his budget over the next 10 years.

Madam Speaker, this Democratic House is committed to balancing the budget in the next 5 years without raising taxes, and that is what we are going to do here.

I am pleased to rise today in support of H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act.

When men and women go to war, they are willing to give their bodies and their lives to this country. When they return, if they are broken, we have the obligation to try to restore them and to care for them and their families as they go about the long process of rehabilitation.

Our soldiers deserve a lot more than phrases such as ``support the troops'' and yellow ribbons and visits from celebrities. They deserve the right medical care and a seamless transition going from a military hospital to a veterans hospital for their care.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill. This is what we owe our soldiers and their families. When we talk about

supporting the troops, we honor our commitments to them, and this is a very solid bill that will do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 266) supporting the goals and ideals of Professional Social Work Month and World Social Work Day.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 266 into the Record.

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

(Ms. SHEA-PORTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to offer House Resolution 266, which honors the dedication and compassion of professional social workers. Our highest calling as humans is to provide service to others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves.

At the turn of the 20th century, thousands of people lived in despair and poverty, and it was the early progressive moment in which the social work movement was born, providing food, clothing, health care and education to the less fortunate.

Social workers had a role in civil rights and in women's freedom. Today, social workers continue this fight to ensure that vulnerable families have the support and the health care that they need.

Social workers are everywhere in our society, caring for all of us. They help people in all stages of life, from children to the elderly, and in all situations, from adoption to hospice care. You can find social workers in hospitals, police departments, mental health clinics, military facilities and corporations.

Professional social workers are the Nation's largest providers of mental health care services. They provide

more mental health services than psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses combined.

More than 600,000 people in the United States hold social work degrees. The Veterans Administration employs more than 4,400 social workers to assist veterans and their families with individual and family counseling, client education, end-of-life planning, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention and other services.

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

Today we thank all those who have toiled in the fields of our community, including my maternal grandmother, who left the comfort of her home each day at the turn of the century and went to the Lower East Side to help immigrants. And we praise all of those who reach out to others every day in their community.

Social workers' service makes our communities stronger. March is National Professional Work Month, and Tuesday, March 27 is World Social Work Day. I honor their service and thank them for caring for all of us each day.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.