Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to offer the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act Amendments of 2008. This legislation is necessary to make a technical correction to the statute of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act.

The National Consumer Cooperative Bank, NCB, was created by Congress in 1978 and is dedicated to strengthening communities nationwide through the delivery of banking and financial services, complemented by a special focus on cooperative expansion and economic development.

The National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act of 1978 established a non- profit corporation to reach further into low income communities and to serve disadvantaged populations. NCB Capital Impact is that non-profit, mission-driven subsidiary of NCB that works to provide housing, education, healthcare, cultural centers, small businesses and social services in economically distressed communities.

In the last 10 years alone, NCB Capital Impact has invested more than $600 million in assistance to low- and moderate-income communities. Cumulatively, these funds helped finance 32,000 affordable housing units, 8,700 affordable assisted living units for seniors and persons with disabilities, 94,000 school seats, 2.4 million square feet of community health center space serving 350,000 patients, and helped created 15,000 jobs for low-income individuals.

In my home city of New York, NCB Capital Impact has played a significant role in providing housing finance to much of New York's 14th District. In fact, NCB has participated in more than 600 loans in my district alone. Most of these loans are for housing, including affordable housing, as well as loans for community facilities and loans to non-profit organizations like the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums. Together, these groups are able to provide assisted living, affordable housing and services to the frail and elderly. Presently, NCB Capital Impact is working with 5 community-based organizations to help finance 17 projects that will create 558 housing units.

Despite their good work in serving low-income communities and disadvantaged populations, NCB Capital Impact is not eligible for assistance authorized under the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994, which is administered by the CDFI Fund. The Fund has ruled it cannot certify NCB Capital Impact as a CDFI because of the corporate structure of its parent NCB. In short, NCB Capital Impact is shut off from critical sources of financial awards that are needed to maintain their housing and community development efforts.

The interest of NCB Capital Impact in gaining CDFI certification is two-fold. First, it has a track record that is comparable to other organizations that received CDFI status; its mission is dedicated to working with low income populations and communities. Second, increasingly in the community development finance field, CDFI certification is viewed as a `good housekeeping seal' of approval in working with other Federal agencies and other private and public institutions.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this technical amendment to the NCB statute so that the non-profit, mission-driven NCB Capital Impact may continue to provide services to distressed and underserved communities throughout New York and the country at-large.

Madam Speaker, today, along with my colleagues, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Fossella, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Engel, Mr. Towns, and Mr. Weiner, I am introducing an updated version of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which we had introduced previously in this Congress as H.R. 3543.

After conferring with Speaker Pelosi and the leadership of both committees of jurisdiction, it became clear that some changes were needed in the legislation in order to sharpen the scope of the proposal, so that the House could consider taking up the bill by the seventh anniversary of 9/11.

This bill is our best attempt, working with the City of New York, the AFL-CIO, and the local community, to put forth a bill that the House could approve, and that would also provide medical monitoring to all who are at risk of illness because of exposure to Ground Zero toxins and treatment to all who are sick, as well as compensating those who sustained economic injuries due to their exposure to Ground Zero toxins. We believe that the revised James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act does just that.

Madam Speaker, today, millions of workers will be getting a much-deserved raise.

In the first 100 days of this New Direction Congress, we voted to raise the wage floor for workers nationwide. Today, the Federal minimum wage goes to $6.55 per hour. This raise was long overdue.

Prior to passage of this legislation, the minimum wage had sunk to its lowest point in over half a century. Most minimum wage workers are adults, many of whom are the sole breadwinners for their families.

Families are being squeezed by the rising costs for basic necessities and wages that are failing to keep pace. I call this economy the stag- gas-food-lation economy; stagnant wages, many workers have lost up to $1,200 since this administration took office; rising gas and food prices; and now inflation.

Today's raise in the minimum wage provides an important boost for the millions of workers who have been left behind in this administration's economy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill which will restore some order to our Nation's housing market and will provide greater certainty to our economy. It was developed in a bipartisan way with the support of the administration.

Important aspects of this legislation include the FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act, which provides mortgage refinancing assistance to keep at least 400,000 families from losing their homes and to help stabilize our housing market at no cost to the American taxpayer. This bill strengthens regulations of the GSEs by creating a strong independent regulator with real teeth, responsibility and power.

Very important for my district in New York and other high-cost areas, it raises the GSE loan limits. This bill creates a new permanent, affordable housing trust fund, a very creative effort led by our chairman, Barney Frank, financed by the GSEs and not by taxpayers, to fund the construction and maintenance of affordable rental housing for low and very low-income individuals and families nationwide in both rural and urban areas.

This bill includes important provisions that will provide for a backstop of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to shore up the housing market, a critical piece of restoring confidence in our economy. This is done by giving the Secretary of the Treasury the authority to increase the already existing line of credit to Freddie and Fannie for the next 18 months, as well as giving the Treasury Department stand-by authority to buy stock in these companies, to provide confidence in the GSEs and stabilize housing finance markets.

Not only are we addressing the current crisis but we are working to prevent future abuses and crises by establishing a nationwide loan originator licensing and registration system that will set minimum standards for loan originator licensing, substantially improving the oversight of the mortgage brokers and the whole industry.

It is a much-needed reform. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I want to bring to my colleagues' attention a powerful statement from more than 500 of the world's leading skin cancer researchers on the harmful effects of over- exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

The petition was prompted by a national media campaign initiated by the indoor tanning industry, which seeks to dispel the link between melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, and UV exposure from natural or artificial sources (such as tanning beds).

Backed by clear, evidence-based data demonstrating the harmful effects of UV radiation, nearly 500 of the world's premier melanoma researchers expressed their concern by signing a petition affirming the role of UV exposure in increasing one's risk for skin cancer. Please find below the official language of the statement signed by nearly 500 researchers:

Melanoma Research Foundation and Society for Melanoma Research's UV

Exposure & Tanning Joint Statement

There are clear, evidence-based data demonstrating harmful

effects of UVA and UVB radiation, including carcinogenic/

mutagenic effects on DNA. Purposeful exposure to UV rays

increases the risk for skin cancer, including multiple types

which may be lethal. Use of indoor tanning (outside of

medical practice) represents one of the most striking

examples of an avoidable cause of lethal cancer in man. We

deplore any efforts to distort scientific research for

financial gain, and urge regulatory agencies to crackdown on

this practice because the lives of so many people, including

young people, are at stake.

The petition was prompted specifically by two ads the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) ran earlier this year. The ads not only distort scientific research, but ignore the clear, evidence-based data demonstrating harmful effects of UVA and UVB radiation.

I am attaching a press release issued by the Society for Melanoma Research and the Melanoma Research Foundation accompanying the public release of the petition.

Researchers Take Hard Line Against UV Exposure--Hundreds Affirm Harmful

Effects of Ultraviolet Rays, Discourage Intentional Tanning

Washington, DC.--Researchers have expressed concern over a

new campaign initiated by the tanning industry, which seeks

to dispel the link between melanoma, the most serious form of

skin cancer, and UV exposure from natural or artificial

sources (such as tanning beds). In response, nearly 500 of

the foremost experts on melanoma signed a statement affirming

the existence of evidence-based data demonstrating the

harmful effects of UVA and UVB radiation. The statement,

which was initiated at the 5th Melanoma Research Congress in

Sapporo, Japan on May 7-12, not only states that UV rays

increase one's risk for skin cancer, including melanoma, but

also maintains that the use of indoor tanning (outside of

medical practice) represents an example of an avoidable cause

of lethal cancer.

Studies show that UV light is a carcinogen (i.e. causes

cancer). This occurs when skin cells are damaged after UV

exposure (either from the sun or a tanning bed). The same DNA

damage that triggers tanning also appears capable of causing

cancerous mutations in skin cells. If those mutations are not

completely repaired--as frequently occurs--skin cancers may

result. Additional data demonstrates that indoor tanning

devices emit UV radiation that is similar to, and sometimes

more powerful than, that emitted by the sun. In fact, a

systematic review of worldwide data, published in the March

2007 issue of the International Journal of Cancer, found a

prominent, consistent increase--75 percent--in risk for

melanoma in people who begin using tanning beds in their

teens or twenties. Additionally, the review also showed that

people across all age groups who have ever used tanning beds

face a 15 percent higher risk of developing melanoma than

those who have not. Even more dramatic increases were seen in

certain non-melanoma forms of skin cancer, such as squamous

cell carcinoma, a tumor that only on occasion spreads from

the skin and may then be lethal.

Many scientists also point out that vitamin D, although

produced in the skin, can easily be obtained by non-UV

related means, such as dietary supplements. These dietary

supplements would not carry the risk of cancer associated

with UV radiation, in cases where increased vitamin D levels

are deemed beneficial.

The Melanoma Research Foundation's (MRF) Scientific

Advisory Committee stated, ``The petition was developed to

reinforce that the scientific community continues to stand

behind strong data supporting the connection between skin

cancer and UV-exposure. As physicians and scientists, we are

concerned that this campaign may confuse the public, putting

them at an increased risk for a disease that is too often

lethal.''

Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the U.S.

and can strike people of all ages, all races and both sexes.

In fact, one in 50 people have a lifetime risk of developing

melanoma. Further, approximately 65 percent of all melanomas

are attributed to UV exposure resulting from natural and

artificial sources.

A wealth of information exists about how to reduce the risk

of developing melanoma and other skin cancers, yet both MRF

and SMR advise that the most important measure the public can

take is to avoid intentional sunbathing and indoor tanning

devices. For those who want to learn safe ways to access to

vitamin D and look ``tan,'' or for more information about

melanoma and UV exposure, please visit www.melanoma.org or

www.societymelanomaresearch.org.

About Melanoma

Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is one of

the fastest growing cancers in the U.S., and can strike

people of all ages, all races and both sexes. One in 50

people have a lifetime risk of developing melanoma. In fact,

in 2008, more than 62,000 Americans are expected to be

diagnosed with invasive melanoma, resulting in an estimated

8,400 deaths. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for

young adults 25- to 29-years-old and the second most common

cancer in adolescents and young adults 15- to 29-years-old.

Nationally, one person dies of melanoma nearly every hour--

and this number is rising.

About the Melanoma Research Foundation

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest

private, national organization devoted to melanoma in the

United

States. The Foundation is committed to the support of medical

research in finding effective treatments and eventually a

cure for melanoma. The Foundation also educates patients and

physicians about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of

melanoma, while acting as an advocate for the melanoma

community to raise awareness of this disease and the need for

a cure. The MRF Web site is the premiere source for melanoma

information seekers. More information is available at

www.melanoma.org.

About the Society for Melanoma Research

The Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) is an all-volunteer

group of scientists working to find the mechanisms

responsible for melanoma and, consequently, new therapies for

this cancer. SMR contributes to advances in melanoma research

by bringing together researchers to unite the scientific

community and hasten the discovery of preventative and

curative therapies. More information is available at

www.societymelanomaresearch.org.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 294, high speed rail, incredibly important in Amtrak.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 294, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. As a New Yorker, I strongly support making travel easier, safer, and more affordable for my constituents and for all Americans who choose this method of travel. This bill mandates that preference be given to rail projects that have high levels of projected ridership and punctuality which will include the development of a high speed rail project between Washington and New York City. S. 294 serves to improve not only the quality of service on the most popular rail line in the country, but also will increase the availability and accessibility of mass transit to individuals. In this era of skyrocketing energy costs and global warming, encouraging the development of efficient mass transit options is very important to improve our economy and protect our environment.

As a frequent Amtrak user, I know how important it is for rail service in the Northeast Corridor to be in a constant state of ``good repair.'' I am sure that thousands of my fellow passengers, men and women traveling for business or personal reasons on this popular railway also will appreciate this requirement.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4049) to amend section 5318 of title 31, United States Code, to eliminate regulatory burdens imposed on insured depository institutions and money services businesses and enhance the availability of transaction accounts at depository institutions for such business, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 4049, the Money Service Business Act, is bipartisan legislation that has been cosponsored by the chairman and ranking member of the Financial Services Committee, as well as the ranking member of the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee, Congresswoman Biggert. This bill passed out of the Financial Services Committee on a unanimous vote.

The Money Service Business Act addresses the critical problem of money service businesses, MSBs, being denied access to the banking system. MSBs have experienced blanket terminations of their commercial accounts over the past several years due, in part, to banks responding to unclear guidance from regulators.

This bill establishes a mechanism that would allow MSBs to self- certify their compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering requirements, while allowing banks to make risk-based decisions about banking particular MSBs.

MSBs, which include check cashers, money transmitters and money order issuers, have served our Nation's community for years. If this issue is left unaddressed, the viability of MSBs will be compromised, potentially pushing many of these transactions underground and potentially untraceable to law enforcement.

Banks, reacting to regulatory fears, have terminated MSBs accounts in a blanket fashion in an attempt to minimize exposure to ``high risk'' businesses. Without a banking relationship, MSBs are unable to provide financial services to communities, making it difficult for millions of Americans to pay bills, send money, or cash checks.

Federal regulatory agencies, recognizing the problem facing MSBs, have sought to address this issue through agency guidance and regulatory changes, with little effect. This legislation addresses this problem by enabling MSBs to self-certify their compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering requirements.

This approach is not novel. It is similar in principle to that used for international correspondent banking. It would not relieve banks of their due diligence responsibilities with regard to their MSB customers, rather, it would permit appropriate reliance on self- certification to relieve banks of being the de facto regulators only of MSBs' Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering compliance.

The mechanics of this self-certification will be handled by regulations set forth by the Secretary of the Treasury, and the certification will be filed with the financial institution where the MSB has a commercial account. To ensure that there is appropriate access to these self-certifications, it has been requested that the Secretary of the Treasury, while promulgating the regulations to implement this legislation, should require a duplicate copy of the self-certification to be filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, FinCEN, and that the Department of Justice have access to these files. I am fully in support of this suggestion and believe it will allow for even greater transparency in the self-certification process.

I do want to mention that even with the implementation of the self- certification, MSBs would continue to be responsible for complying with all other existing provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act and will continue to be the subject of rigorous on-site examinations by IRS examiners.

MSBs are also State regulated in many jurisdictions. Currently, 28 States and the District of Columbia require MSBs to be licensed and/or regulated by State banking agencies. Both MSBs and the financial institutions banking them will still be required to fully comply with all other aspects of the Bank Secrecy Act, including the filing of Suspicious Activity Reports and Currency Transaction Reports. Any violation of their certification would render the same civil and criminal penalties provided for by the Bank Secrecy Act and the anti- money laundering provisions.

This is a well-crafted bill that allows law enforcement to continue to track the transactions of money service businesses while allowing the MSBs to have access to the banking accounts they need to conduct business.

Finally, I would like to thank Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Bachus,

and Financial Institution Subcommittee Ranking Member Biggert for their cosponsorship and support in bringing this important bill to the floor today.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

As cochair and cofounder of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I wish to extend my support to Cypriots of Hellenic descent here in our country, on Cyprus, and all around the world as we mark the tragic 34th anniversary of the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus. I have commemorated this day each year since I became a Member of Congress.

For the past several years, the Hellenic Caucus has been very engaged on the issues facing this divided island. Many members of the Caucus remain concerned about the continued occupation and division of the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkey illegally invaded Cyprus in 1974. As a result of the Turkish invasion and occupation, 160,000 Greek Cypriots, amounting to 70 percent of the population of the occupied area and over a quarter of the total population, were forcibly expelled from their homes, and approximately 5,000 Cypriots were killed. More than 1,400 Greek Cypriots, including four Americans of Cypriot descent, remain missing and unaccounted for since the Turkish invasion.

Famagusta was a thriving port city in Cyprus until 1974. Its industrial sector supplied vital jobs to the nearby population, and it was an important tourist destination. In 1973, 88 percent of all imports and 73 percent of all exports went through Famagusta. Tragically, a few short weeks after Turkey invaded Cyprus, Famagusta was bombed relentlessly by Turkish troops. I have many constituents that I represent who told me about that fateful day, how they had to crawl out on their hands and knees begging God for their life. They want desperately to return to their homes.

Many Greek Cypriots fled, as my constituents did, in terror, and the city was sealed off with barbed wire fences by Turkish forces. I have been to and seen the 113 miles of barbed wire, and we hope that this barbed wire will finally be removed.

Ultimately, 45,000 citizens of Famagusta became refugees in their own country, losing their land, businesses, homes and neighborhoods. Today, 34 years later, Turkey continues forcibly to occupy more than a third of Cyprus, with more than 43,000 illegal Turkish troops.

The peaceful and cooperative spirit and the person-to-person, family- to-family interactions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots is an encouraging sign for the successful reunification of Cyprus. However, it is time for Turkey to remove its troops from the island so that Cyprus can move forward as one nation undivided.

As a member of the European Union, Cyprus is playing a vital role in European affairs, while also strengthening relations with the United States. It has joined with us on issues important to our own security, including the fight against terrorism and other forms of international crimes.

Cyprus was the very first EU member to join the ship boarding protocol of President Bush's Proliferation Security Initiative, particularly important because Cyprus has one of the world's largest commercial shipping registries.

As Cyprus developed into a regional financial center, the government moved aggressively and put in place strong anti-money laundering legislation. On March 21, 2008, President Christofias and Turkish- Cypriot leader Talat agreed to establish working groups and technical committees as a stipulation in the July 8, 2006 agreement for which the House of Representatives expressed its full support by passing H.R. 405 last year.

On April 3, 2008, the Ledra Street crossing point opened. I have introduced legislation which expresses the strong support of the House of Representatives for the positive actions by the Republic of Cyprus aimed at opening additional crossing points along the cease-fire line, thereby contributing to efforts for the reunification of the island.

I strongly support legislation introduced by my colleagues, including H.R. 1456, introduced by Congressman Pallone, which would enable U.S. citizens who own property in the Turkish-occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus to seek financial remedies with either the current inhabitants of their land or the Turkish Government.

I strongly support H.R. 620, introduced by my good friend, Representative Sires, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Turkey should end its military occupation of the Republic of Cyprus.

The U.S. must play an active role in the resolution of the serious issues facing Cyprus. And I hope that the process moves forward in preparation for new comprehensive negotiations leading to the unification of Cyprus within a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. In fact, in May, Representative Bilirakis and I sent a letter to Secretary Rice urging her to invite the Cypriot President to the U.S. for an official state visit.

The people of Cyprus deserve a unified and democratic country, and I remain hopeful that a peaceful settlement will be found so that the division of Cyprus will come to an end.

In recognition of the spirit of the people of Cyprus, I ask my colleagues to join me in solemnly commemorating the 34th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus.

Long Live Freedom.

Long Live Cyprus.

Long Live Greece.

Madam Speaker, today, I proudly join in a bipartisan effort with Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro, Deborah Pryce, Marcy Kaptur, and Eleanor Holmes Norton in introducing the National Women's History Museum, NWHM. This bill directs the General Services Administration, GSA, to house a National Women's History Museum in one of their properties in Washington, DC. NWHM must pay fair market value for the property and reasonable timeframes are included for the transfer of the property and for construction to begin. NWHM will be built and maintained with private funds.

Women's history is largely missing from textbooks, memorials, museum exhibits and many other venues. In contrast, men have hundreds of years of written and available history to reflect upon and use for inspiration. Of the 210 statues in the United States Capitol, only 9 are of female leaders. Less than 5 percent of the 2,400 national historic landmarks chronicle women's achievement and according to a survey of 18 history textbooks, only 10 percent were dedicated to women.

The museums and memorials in our Nation's Capital demonstrate what we value. We have museums dedicated to flight, postage stamps, law enforcement and many other important people and issues of interest, but not to women. This bill would provide women, comprising 53 percent of our population, a long overdue home on our National Mall to honor their many contributions that are the very fabric of our country.

I urge my colleagues to join me in filling this void and honoring our Nation's foremothers by becoming cosponsors of the National Women's History Museum Act of 2008.

Madam Speaker, on July 14, 2008, I missed rollcall votes numbered 486, a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the crossing of the North Pole by the USS Nautilus (SSN 571); 487, a resolution honoring the extraordinary service and exceptional sacrifice of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), known as the Screaming Eagles; and 488, a resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the integration of the United States Armed Forces.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes numbered 486, 487, and 488.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the President's shortsighted veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, and urge my colleagues to vote to override this veto.

Medicare has been a true success story for seniors--but Medicare will continue to succeed only as long as doctors continue to participate. And no doctor can afford to take a 10 percent cut in payments.

Last week, H.R. 6331 passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate because our Nation's health depends on it. The bill eliminates the Medicare-killing payment cut and provides a 1.1 percent increase for physicians for 2009. It provides mental health parity in the Medicare program--something I've been fighting for, because people suffering from mental illness are just as in need of treatment as people suffering physical illness. The bill also allows poor people to keep more of their assets and still qualify for help with Medicare costs.

My district includes more hospitals than probably any other district in the country--and all the doctors affiliated with those hospitals have offices in my district. They have been clear--unless they receive fair payment for their work, they cannot afford to continue to treat Medicare patients. Without good doctors, seniors' health will suffer. Congress was right to pass this bill the first time, and I hope we stand strong to pass it again today. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to override the President's veto.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5057, ``The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act,'' legislation that I introduced to ensure that the nationwide backlog of DNA evidence is processed. I was pleased to have been joined in introducing the legislation by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith, and I want to thank them for their support and commitment to this issue. I also want to commend Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Gohmert for their leadership in getting H.R. 5057 to the Floor today.

I have been working on this issue since 2001 when I, along with former Representative Steve Horn, held a hearing in the Government Reform Committee where we heard from the courageous rape survivor, Debbie Smith. Debbie recounted her horrifying story . . . how an intruder broke into her home and raped her in the nearby woods. Six years later her assailant was charged with her rape because DNA processing techniques had produced a ``cold hit.''

Inspired by Debbie's story, I resolved to do something to combat the epidemic of violence against women in the United States, where a sexual assault occurs every two minutes.

I knew that DNA processing techniques could serve as conclusive proof in countless other rape cases. But I was outraged that a backlog of hundreds of thousands of rape kits, with DNA evidence already collected, were gathering dust in police stations and crime labs all over the country . . . all because of inadequate government funding.

It was for Debbie, and the thousands of rape survivors like her, that I authored ``The Debbie Smith Act'' to provide federal funding to process the unconscionable backlog of DNA evidence.

I first introduced this legislation in 2001. In 2004, it was signed into law as part of the ``Justice For All Act,'' comprehensive DNA legislation that has helped bring justice to rape survivors and their families across the country.

The ``Justice For All Act'' accomplished several critical objectives including authorizing the necessary funding, $151,000,000 in each fiscal year from FY2005 through FY2009, to start processing the backlog of DNA evidence through the creation of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. Since 2004, millions of dollars in funding have been appropriated under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program.

Because this groundbreaking program's authorization expires at the end of FY2009, H.R. 5057 extends the program through FY2014. Estimates place the number of unprocessed rape kits nationwide in the tens and possibly hundreds of thousands. Each kit represents an innocent life and a rapist who may commit multiple rapes before he is caught.

DNA is remarkable evidence. It doesn't forget, it can't be confused, it can't be intimidated and it doesn't lie. While an eyewitness can easily get mixed up about height, weight, hair color--DNA never changes its story.

Debbie's bravery and dedication to working with me to pass ``The Debbie Smith Act,'' which was no small feat, has already made a tremendous impact on our justice system. I also want to acknowledge RAINN for its steadfast support of ``The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act'' and for its efforts on behalf of sexual assault victims and survivors.

Tragically, only six percent of rapists will spend any time in jail. Congress must continue to support programs, like the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, that help to put rapists in prison and reduce violence against women.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the President announced that he is lifting the executive order that prevents Big Oil from drilling off of the treasured coastline of America.

What will this do to lower gas prices any time soon? Nothing. And nothing is exactly what the administration has been doing for the past 7 years as gas prices have nearly tripled.

By contrast, Democrats in Congress have been working on bringing down prices at the pump. We passed the first fuel efficiency standards in 32 years, and are supporting the movement to alternative fuels.

We want to help families now by releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and forcing big oil companies to start drilling on the 311 acres that are open for development now, or the 68 million acres that are under lease now for development.

Mr. Speaker, if domestic drilling can bring relief to American families, what are the big oil companies waiting for? Drill on those 311 acres and those 68 million acres under lease.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake, which next month will celebrate its 100th birthday. Throughout the past century, the Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake has continuously provided services in boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and other recreational activities to residents and visitors alike in the glorious Adirondacks region of New York State. I would like to join with my distinguished colleague from the New York State delegation, the Honorable John McHugh, who represents Blue Mountain Lake in Congress, in saluting the Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Blue Mountain Lake lies in the heart of New York's Adirondack Park. Inspired by the Reverend William Henry Harrison Murray's best-selling 1869 edition of ``Adventures in the Wilderness'' or ``Camp Life in the Adirondacks'', vacationers started to visit Blue Mountain Lake after the conclusion of the Civil War, and it became a tourist ``hot spot.'' As visitors arrived in droves, an entire industry developed in response, spawning stately inns and travel guides who offered boat tours and facilitated participation in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and camping.

The Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake was founded on August 2, 1908 during the heyday of the great camps established by prominent Americans such as Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, Dr. Thomas Durant, Coulis Huntington, Alfred Vanderbilt and the Hochschild family, many of whom resided in what is now the 14th Congressional district of New York. Since then, the Boat Livery has made available a wide array of rental pleasure craft to visitors to this uniquely beautiful part of our great Nation. It also has offered scenic boat cruises on original wooden launches.

Blue Mountain rises to a majestic height of 3,759 feet, offering stunning views of the shimmering Blue Mountain Lake dotted with islands. With a year-round population of fewer than 200 people, the tiny town surrounding the mountain remains picturesque, preserving its rustic charm despite the presence of thousands of visitors who pass through each season. Blue Mountain Lake is one of the cleanest, clearest lakes in the 48 contiguous states. It continues to draw thousands of city dwellers who are seeking refuge from their muggy, urban homes.

In 1933, Richard Collins and his wife Hectorine purchased the Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake and operated it until 1955. In 1955, Russ and Edna Barrowman purchased it and managed it until 1977 when it was bought by Robert and Judi Booth. Robert, Judi, Quin and Parker Booth currently operate the Livery's rowboats, canoes, steamboats, conduct tours and make available to tourists small and large pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, windsurfers, day-sailers, sunfish, water skis, tubes, wakeboards, and many other vessels. In addition, they organize the special scenic trips in historic antique tour boats: the Towahloondah, dated 1920; the Osprey, dated 1916; and the Neenykin, dated 1916. These authentic vessels are inspected yearly by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and remain an integral part of the rich diversity of recreational activities at Blue Mountain Lake. On 2-hour tours across Blue Mountain on the old wooden launches, Eagle and Utowana Lakes, guides regale visitors with stories of the 19th century's great camps, recounting the history of the area's lumberjacks and celebrated fishing and hunting guides. Their stories feature the camps, hotels, steamboats, workers and players of the era.

Madam Speaker, I rise to request that my distinguished colleagues join me in paying tribute to the tremendous contributions to the preservation and enjoyment of the Adirondacks region made by the Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5811, the ``Electronic Message Preservation Act,'' introduced by my friend and colleague on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Chairman Waxman.

With the advent and proliferation of electronic communication, the time has come for us to improve the methods for preserving records. Gone are the days when correspondence was sent solely using paper. E- mail has become the primary method of communication, and it is imperative that we develop procedures to stay current with the evolving technologies.

The bill before us today would direct the Archivist to establish standards for the capture, management, and preservation of White House e-mails and other electronic messages and to certify that the system meets the requirements established by the Archivist. Additionally, H.R. 5811 directs the Archivist to issue regulations requiring agencies to preserve electronic messages that are records in an electronic format. These regulations must cover, at a minimum, the capture, management, preservation, and electronic retrieval of these electronic records.

I believe that this legislation will help future administrations avoid the issues that seemed to plague this White House with reports that officials were using RNC e-mail accounts to conduct official business and then deleting those e-mails from servers. H.R. 5811 will enhance the transparency of government while ensuring an accurate historical record.