Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, this week I introduce the House companion to Senator Casey's Prepare All Kids Act of 2007. This bill is designed to help States expand their pre-K programs and child care services.

As this chart shows, we get the biggest bang for our education dollars by investing in our children before they even go to school. Estimates show that the return on investing in early care in education is between 17 to 18 percent annually. If this were a stock, all of Wall Street would be buying it.

The legislation is very helpful to the children we represent in our States. For example, more than one-quarter of a million 4-year-olds in New York State would be eligible for the programs created in this bill, including 100,000 children who would qualify for free pre-K. The future prosperity of our Nation rests on setting our children on a path for success early in life.

Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce the ``Prepare All Kids Act,'' which would assist states in providing at least one year of high quality, full-day pre-kindergarten education to all children, targeting children from low-income families. Introduced in the Senate by my colleague on the Joint Economic Committee, Senator Casey of Pennsylvania, I am happy to be introducing this House companion bill along with original cosponsors Representative Hinchey of New York and Representative Schwartz of Pennsylvania.

Tomorrow Senator Casey and I will hold a hearing on the economic case for early childhood education. According to a landmark study on life outcomes of children who attended the Perry Preschool Program in Michigan, every dollar invested, high quality early education programs saves more than $17 in other costs, including crime, welfare and education costs.

Clearly, children are our Nation's greatest resource. The ``Prepare All Kids Act'' is not only the right thing to do for our children; it's a wise investment in our future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate C. Robert (Rob) Henrikson upon the occasion of his 35th Anniversary with MetLife. Mr. Henrikson has been a remarkable corporate executive who has excelled at leading one of our Nation's premiere insurance companies while at the same time helping to shape the national dialogue about retirement security.

Mr. Henrikson is one of the rare executives to have risen through the ranks to lead the company. Currently, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of MetLife, he started his career at the company as a sales representative. He began by selling individual polices to consumers and soon was selling multi-million dollar insurance and investment contracts to the largest employers in the country. His talent was quickly recognized and he was promoted to roles of increasing breadth and responsibility, eventually heading up MetLife's pensions business, group insurance and retirement and savings businesses, auto and home, asset management and MetLife Bank.

A leader of great vision, Mr. Henrikson has been the architect of aggressive growth and strategic investment for MetLife and has greatly aided its expansion and dominance as one of the world's premier and successful companies. With great intelligence, skill and insight, Mr. Henrikson has been instrumental in maintaining MetLife's supremacy in an increasingly competitive global market. Throughout his career, he has earned the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues.

Mr. Henrikson received his B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Emory University School of Law. His dedication to both institutions continues, and he is currently serving as chairman of the board of Wharton's S.S. Huebner Foundation for Insurance Education, and as a member of both the Emory Law School Council and the Emory Campaign Steering Committee.

Mr. Henrikson has been a leader in the success and evolution of the insurance industry today. He was an active member of the Committee on Economic Development's Subcommittee on Social Security Reform and a guest speaker at the Economist-sponsored international convention on that topic in Madrid, Spain. At a 2004 hearing of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Mr. Henrikson testified about the degree to which Americans have underestimated the amount of savings they need for retirement and overestimated the rate at which they can safely withdraw from savings if they want to make their money last throughout their retirement. Mr. Henrikson is a board member of the American Council of Life Insurers and a board member emeritus of the American Benefits Council.

While Mr. Henrikson has contributed much to the Nation in his professional life, he has also been dedicated to his community in his private life. Mr. Henrikson serves on the National Board of Advisors at the Morehouse School of Medicine, the board of directors of The New York Botanical Garden, the board of directors of the New York Philharmonic and is a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History.

Madam Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Henrikson for his 35 years of service at MetLife and to recognize the dedication and commitment Mr. Henrikson has shown to our great Nation throughout his esteemed career.

Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing very important bipartisan legislation that I hope will resolve the question of whether or not there is a link between the increased incidence of autism and the use of thimerosal in vaccines. Many parents have raised concerns about the effect that thimerosal, which is made of mercury--a known neurotoxin that is widely used as a preservative in vaccines--may have had on a child's chances of developing autism and other neurological disorders. The study mandated by this new legislation would try to help resolve this controversy once and for all. While vaccines have been instrumental in reducing the incidence of many once-common diseases, we owe it to parents and children to study and resolve the question of the possible link between thimerosal in vaccines and autism. What is ultimately needed to resolve this issue one way or the other is a comprehensive national study comparing outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated children.

As the most scientifically advanced country in the world, we should be jumping at the chance to conduct a comprehensive national study and ensure absolute trust in our Nation's vaccine program. Parents deserve answers, and children deserve no less than absolute certainty and safety, which is why I am pleased to reintroduce this legislation today.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Hinchey-Wolf amendment, which would prohibit funds in this bill from being used to designate any area as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC).

By providing a 1-year time out in the designation of NIETCs, the amendment will force the Department of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Congress, States and the public to reexamine the process for designating these areas to ensure that States' rights are upheld and people's personal property rights are protected.

Specifically, this amendment will postpone a flawed plan by the Department of Energy to designate two vast swaths of the country as NIETCs. Far from narrow ``corridors,'' these massive areas encompass 214 counties and 9 cities in 11 states, including large areas in my home State of New York.

The way these areas have been designated has come under intense scrutiny, and for good reason. In a hearing in the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Domestic Policy earlier this year, it was made clear that the DOE did not adequately consult with the States on this issue and that the designations would actually hinder the States' efforts to address climate change. In addition, the congestion study which the proposed corridor designations are based on was fundamentally flawed. Last, the DOE simply failed to consider the appropriate alternatives to corridor designation.

At that hearing Paul D. Tonko, Chairman, Committee on Energy, New York State Assembly said, ``There is little confidence, at this moment, that federal government officials--who are far removed from the physical and socio-economic location of local proposals--will be able to fully appreciate the environmental, economic and social impacts of long-range, high-voltage transmission lines in local communities.''

I also want to note that Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York strongly supports the Hinchey amendment. He has made clear that the NIETC designation in New York is not only unnecessary, it would actually be counter-productive because if it is finalized, the FERC would be able to preempt parts of New York's long-established and efficient process for siting transmission lines.

Most appallingly, if we do not pass the Hinchey amendment, the FERC could eventually have the ability to give energy companies the power of Federal eminent domain to force private landowners to sell parts of their property. We just cannot allow States' rights to be trampled and private property rights to be taken away.

Yes, we absolutely need to make sure that there is an efficient process in place to meet the critical energy needs of my constituents in New York City and in other large urban areas. However, that process must also be fair. It must protect the rights of private property owners, take into account environmental and historic preservation concerns, and not unnecessarily usurp States' rights. That's why I will cast my vote in favor of the Hinchey amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2764, the FY08 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and related appropriations Act.

I am pleased that the bill includes $75 million in funding for programs that address the needs of Afghan women and girls including the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs, and women-led nonprofit organizations in Afghanistan. The Committee directs $15 million of these funds to be made available as grants to support training and equipment to improve the capacity of women-led Afghan NGOs as well as their activities. This funding builds upon funding for Afghan women and girls included in an amendment that I offered to the FY2004 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill and funding included in subsequent appropriations bills.

During the past several years, the United States has invested in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan both because it is the right thing to do and because it is critical to our security. However, I, like many of my colleagues, am troubled by the circumstances facing women in Afghanistan. We have heard from Dr. Sima Samar, head of the Afghan

Independent Human Rights Commission, that Afghan women are losing ground. Many women continue to endure hardships including targeted violence, limited mobility, illiteracy, and a high rate of maternal mortality. I also am very concerned about reports that schools continue to be targeted for violence, including dozens in the past year. Clearly, we have more work to do.

While I hope that all the aid for Afghanistan will help women, I commend the Appropriations Committee for continuing to recognize the needs of Afghan women.

I would also like to commend Chairman Lowey for her commonsense approach to refining the Global Gag Rule. Though I support a full repeal of this harmful policy, the Lowey provision is a first step toward eliminating the Gag Rule altogether--it will allow organizations to receive contraceptives which are proven to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, It makes sense and it's the right thing to do.

As a co-chair of the Human Trafficking Caucus and a long-time proponent of increased efforts to combat this global human rights travesty, I am pleased to note the language regarding trafficking in the report that accompanies this bill. Earlier this year, I sent a letter to the Department of State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee expressing my support for these critical initiatives to combat trafficking. The committee report includes a recommendation that the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Office at the Department of State retain control of the monies appropriated for TIP programs and not be subject to decentralized influence of field posts and to enable the TIP Office to disburse the necessary anti-trafficking funding to grantees more quickly. The committee also recommends the addition of six full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to the TIP office so that it can effectively monitor its anti-trafficking grants and can effectively fulfill the vital, congressionally assigned responsibility given to the Senior Policy Operating Group, which it chairs, of monitoring and coordinating the domestic and international anti-trafficking grants and policies of all U.S. agencies.

The committee also has directed $14,000,000 to the Trafficking in Persons program, which is $5,300,000 above the President's request, and $6,000,000 in INCLE (International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement) funding for activities to prevent trafficking in persons. I have worked closely with Ranking Member Wolf on this issue over the past few years, and I thank him for his leadership in the fight against trafficking and human rights abuses worldwide.

Finally, as a co-chair and co-founder of the Hellenic Caucus, I am pleased that the committee has restored funding for the Greek desk at Voice of America. Because Greece is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, maintaining this critical program is vital to U.S. interests in this important region of the world.

I commend Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Wolf for their work in bringing this bill forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Smith amendment.

We have heard it so many times before, but the global gag rule is not about abortion. It is about women dying to the tune of 600,000 a year. That is equal to one or two jumbo jets crashing each day. The fact remains that, since 1973, no U.S. Federal funds have been or are being used around the world for abortions.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle say that they respect life, but during the time that we have been debating this bill, 65 women around the world will die from pregnancy because of many related complications; and they are dying because they do not have access to the most basic health care such as contraceptives.

I commend my colleague, Mrs. Lowey, for her commonsense approach to refining the global gag rule. Although I support a full repeal of the global gag rule, it would be unconstitutional in our country, and it is unconscionable that we are exporting it to the world's poorest women.

But the Lowey amendment merely allows NGOs and organizations to receive contraceptives, which are proven to prevent unintended pregnancies, abortions and sexually transmitted diseases. That is what it does. It is family planning.

So I ask my colleagues, what do we tell a Somalian mother whose teenage daughter has just died in childbirth? Do we explain there are some politicians in Washington who do not think that she deserves the same information and health care services that their own daughters have?

These programs are about saving women and girls' lives and helping both men and women get access to reproductive health services. So if you oppose abortion and oppose the spread of HIV/AIDS, it makes common sense, good sense to support access to contraceptives and oppose the Smith amendment. Support the Lowey provision.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 406, introduced by our new colleague from Hawaii, Mazie Hirono. Following in the long tradition of her fellow Hawaiian, our beloved Congresswoman Patsy Mink, Rep. Hirono has introduced this important resolution which celebrates the 35th anniversary and accomplishments of Title IX of the Higher Education Act.

Title IX constituted a landmark civil rights victory for equal opportunity. It has created an even playing field for women to obtain crucial scholarships to help defray the rapidly escalating costs of a college education, facilitating the steady rise in the number of female doctors, attorneys, professors and corporate executives who help keep the American economy humming. Title IX has also signaled a sea change in women's athletics, with girls' participation in high school sports skyrocketing by 800 percent and in college by 400 percent since its passage. Because of Title IX, our daughters are healthier, have higher grades, lower pregnancy rates, are less likely to use drugs and are more likely to graduate from college.

Though Title IX has been a huge success, the battle for equality is not yet won. In 2002, women made up 54 percent of college students, but they only comprised 43 percent of college athletes. Meanwhile, men received 36 percent more athletic scholarships than women. Women also receive only 20 percent of computer science and engineering-related technology bachelor's degrees and only 39 percent of all full professors at colleges and universities are women.

Girls and women have benefitted immeasurably from this critical legislation. Now is the time to praise and protect Title IX, not curtail it. I thank Congresswoman Hirono for recognizing this important anniversary and call on my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, this year marks the 14th anniversary of the passage landmark legislation to help Americans balance the responsibilities of work and family, the Family and Medical Leave Act. The Family and Medical Leave Act (PL 103-3), allows qualified workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year to care for newborns, seek emergency medical care for himself/herself, parents, children under 18 or a legal spouse. Since becoming law, it has allowed many tens of millions of Americans to take unpaid leave without the risk of losing their jobs.

But, imagine if your domestic partner, same-sex spouse, adult child, parent-in-law, or grandparent was involved in a serious car accident and had no one to take care of him or her. Then imagine your employer telling you that you can't take a few days off work to care for your loved one because you are not covered by FMLA. This situation sounds preposterous, but there is no protection for you in current law. That is why I am introducing the FMLA Inclusion Act.

The Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act (H.R. 475 in the 109th Congress) amends the FMLA to permit leave to care for a domestic partner, same-sex spouse, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent if that person has a serious health condition.

I am pleased that the Human Rights Campaign has endorsed this legislation, and I am proud to introduce it with the support of original cosponsors Reps. Frank, Baldwin, Woolsey and Shays.

The FMLA Inclusion Act represents simple fairness, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that this fairness prevails.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Carol Schachter, the former Chair of Community Board 6 of Manhattan. Ms. Schachter is being honored this month at the annual dinner of the Board, which plays a critical advisory function in New York City's municipal government on a wide range of matters relating to the quality of life in several neighborhoods on Manhattan's East Side.

Originally appointed to serve on Community Board 6 in 1995, Carol Schachter served with distinction as its Chair from 2004 to 2006. She currently is the Board's Secretary and Chair of its Business Affairs and Street Activities Committee, positions she also held prior to her election as Chair. As Chair of Community Board 6, Carol Schachter helped spearhead the effort to preserve the ``Sobriety Garden'' at Bellevue Hospital, an initiative she undertook with her husband, John.

Ms. Schachter also ably oversaw the development of the Community Board's 197-A and 197-C zoning and land use plans. With the closing of the Con Edison waterside plant, a large swathe of Community Board 6 will be rezoned. This offers the opportunity to create new parks and open space, as well as new schools. The 197-A and 197-C plans address these important land use issues as well as other significant concerns in the Community Board 6 area. The Board's final submission was thoughtful and inspiring, presenting a promising vision of the future for its neighborhoods.

As the Chair of Manhattan Community Board 6, Ms. Schachter led her fellow Members in carrying out the Board's challenging mission of reviewing and advising municipal government on a broad spectrum of public policies and issues, such as land use, zoning, and the City budget. With firm and effective leadership, Carol Schachter led Community Board 6 as it monitored the nuts and bolts of municipal government, as well, including the delivery of City services. She devoted herself tirelessly to improving the local quality of life on concerns including traffic congestion, deteriorating housing stock, sanitation pick-up and street cleaning, and the oversight of local bars and restaurants. As the Board's Chair, she ably represented the interests of residents and businesses in a large, diverse area of Manhattan stretching from East 14th Street to East 59th Street and from Irving Place, Lexington and Park Avenues to the East River.

In addition to her tireless service to Community Board 6 of Manhattan, Carol Schachter has been a dedicated civic activist. She volunteered her time and effort as President of the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association, serves as a member of the 13th, 17th and 19th Police Precinct Councils, and helped found the organization All Out Arts.

Madam Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Carol Schachter for her outstanding service and dedication to the civic life of our nation's greatest metropolis.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to all the friends, family and supporters of the UJA-Federation of New York on the occasion of its 90th anniversary. Since its establishment nine decades ago, UJA-Federation of New York has provided a voice of compassion and caring as the philanthropic arm of New York's Jewish community. Throughout its history, UJA-Federation of New York has been guided by its precepts of chesed and tikkun olam, while fulfilling its essential and righteous mission of extending a helping hand to those in need. Its extraordinary success in serving the underprivileged and disadvantaged have placed the UJA-Federation in the forefront of efforts to serve poor, the elderly, and people in need in New York, Israel, and throughout the world.

Ingrained with the compassionate and philanthropic spirit that has characterized Judaism throughout its history, UJA-Federation's record of generosity is unparalleled. It is ably led by distinguished civic leaders, including its President, Morris W. Offit; the Chair of the Board, Susan K Stern; and Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer John S. Ruskay. UJA-Federation takes pride in its dedication to strengthening communities, advocating for at-risk youths, empowering the disadvantaged, and educating people of all ages. Operating through more than 100 agencies, including some of the leading institutions in New York's 14th Congressional District that I am privileged to represent, such as the 92nd Street Y and Beth Israel Medical Center, UJA-Federation has helped more than 4,000,000 people in New York and throughout the world. UJA-Federation and its affiliated network have provided a vast range of vital services, including home visits to the housebound elderly; social and emotional support for Holocaust survivors in New York; scholarships allowing children from the metropolitan area to attend Jewish sleepaway summer camps; and counseling, peer mentoring, and workshops on education and prevention for women battling breast and ovarian cancer on Long Island.

The UJA-Federation's accomplishments extend far beyond our borders. Using cutting-edge technology, the UJA-Federation of New York has provided assistance to Jewish communities from Belarus to Buenos Aires. The UJA-Federation makes possible initiatives such as teaching Hebrew to Ethiopian Jews immigrating to Israel, providing crisis counselors after the Beslan school hostage crisis, and furnishing 13,600 elderly Jews in the former U.S.S.R. with hot meals and companionship.

The UJA-Federation's compassion is also reflected in its commitment to emergency response and disaster relief. In 2002, the UJA-Federation formally established and funded the Israel Trauma Coalition, an alliance of medical and social service providers working to improve the trauma-response capacity of the Israeli mental health system, a program that has expanded from seven organizations to encompass more than forty agencies. Since the tragic 2004 tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Indonesia, the UJA-Federation's Tsunami Relief Fund has successfully raised more than $3.5 million that was allocated to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to support emergency and long-term aid to affected areas. In the United States, the UJA- Federation's Hurricane Relief Fund has raised more than $5.1 million to provide desperately needed assistance to Gulf Coast communities ravaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

The steadfast and enduring commitment of UJA Federation-New York to serving others is reflected in its newly renovated building at 130 East 59th Street in New York City, where the Federation has been headquartered for half a century. The bright new farade, lobby, internal systems and office facilities reflect the dedication and bright future of the UJA-Federation of New York.

Madam Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary success and achievements of UJA- Federation of New York on the occasion of its 90th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, today, along with my friend and colleague from New York, Representative Nita Lowey, I am introducing a resolution to recognize President Clinton's 61st birthday, which we will celebrate this August 19th. President Clinton has had a long and distinguished career in public service including serving as Governor of Arkansas and President of the United States. During Clinton's two terms in the White House, this country experienced unprecedented economic expansion including the creation of 22 million jobs. He worked with our NATO allies to end the ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, and played a fundamental role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. Since leaving office in 2001, President Clinton has continued to dedicate his life to public service through the Clinton Foundation, which serves to strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence. Notably, the Clinton Foundation has worked to make HIV/AIDS medication more accessible in poor and middle income countries and develop sustainable economic growth in Africa. Most recently, President Clinton launched the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) to help in the fight against global climate change.

I am honored today to recognize President Clinton's birthday as he has dedicated and continues to dedicate his life to serving the American people and noble causes around the world. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2638, the FY 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. I want to commend Chairman Price and Ranking Member Rogers for their leadership in getting the bill to the Floor today.

H.R. 2638 provides critical funding to protect the homeland in case of disasters, both man-made and natural. As a representative for New York City, terrorist target number one, I am especially pleased to see the increased funding in several important areas. The bill increases funding by $30 million over last year's amount to $800 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative grants. While I am pleased to see this increase in funding, I strongly believe that these grants should receive even more funding so that urban areas that are high-risk targets for terrorist attacks are better prepared. The bill also includes increased funding for port security grants and rail and transit grants, both of which are vitally important to New York City.

This bill addresses the critical needs in aviation security by including funding to double the amount of cargo inspected on passenger airplanes. After going through security checks to get on a plane, passengers should feel secure that the cargo stowed underneath their feet has been checked as well. This funding is an important step in making that happen.

I also want to note the language in the bill that aims to reduce the number of sole-source contracts given out by the Department of Homeland Security. The bill requires, except in emergencies and when certain distribution mechanisms already exist, a full and open competitive process for the obligation of all grant and contract funds. As a longtime proponent of fair and open contracting, this language is critical to ensuring greater accountability and transparency in spending taxpayers' dollars.

H.R. 2638 is a good, comprehensive bill that will improve our security and our preparedness should another disaster strike.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Barbara L. Christen, an extraordinary leader and teacher. Her passionate commitment to excellence in education has inspired countless students and colleagues to realize their dreams. Dr. Christen's remarkable career is being celebrated this month at a reception hosted by Futures and Options, Inc., an outstanding program that provides New York City high schoolers worthwhile opportunities for paid, supervised internships in the business world.

Dr. Christen embarked upon her distinguished career by teaching English in New York City's public high schools. In 1970, she was named Assistant Principal for English at the High School of Art and Design on Manhattan's East Side. Five years later she became the founding Principal of the Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers in Lower Manhattan and launched its internationally acclaimed ``magnet'' program to prepare students for both college admission and entry into the workforce.

As the principal at Bergtraum over the course of a decade and a half, Dr. Christen oversaw the education of a student body of 3,000, one of the largest high schools in our Nation's biggest city. As the educational leader of the first American high school with a dual program preparing students both for college admission and for entry into the business world, Dr. Christen presided over Bergtraum's rapidly expanding application pool while managing a complex educational enterprise during New York City's dire fiscal crisis.

Working with the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association, Dr. Christen became a pioneer in establishing public-private partnerships, thereby immeasurably benefitting the school she led as well as its students and teachers. She established a highly successful educational model, introduced an innovative business curriculum, initiated the first high school computer science business program, and secured internships for all Bergtraum students. Dr. Christen thus forged a unique learning experience for her students, one that melded a rigorous and stimulating academic curriculum with exciting opportunities to gain invaluable experience in the business world by working in Lower Manhattan's world- famous business and financial districts.

Following her retirement from New York City's public school system, Dr. Christen continued to put her flair for innovation and enterprise to work helping others achieve their full potential. As the Vice President for Workforce Development at the Alliance for Downtown New York, she created the Futures and Options, Inc. (FAO) paid internship program that was subsequently cited by the U.S. Department of Labor as a model project. Since then,

more than 2,000 students have benefitted from FAO, and its bright future is one of the proudest legacies of her storied career.

A native of the great Empire State, Dr. Christen is a proud graduate of the College of Mount Saint Vincent and performed her graduate studies at the City University of New York, where she earned a masters degree, and at the Teachers College of Columbia University, where she received her Doctorate in Education.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the remarkable successes enjoyed by Dr. Barbara L. Christen in educating and inspiring countless individuals and colleagues.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes, Inc., an outstanding organization that provides assistance to sick and injured 9/11 responders and works to help secure proper health care and compensation for the thousands of men and women who are

struggling with serious health problems caused by 9/11. In particular, I would like to recognize the achievements of the Co-Founders of Unsung Heroes, John Sferazo and Marvin Bethea, as well as the organization's treasurer, Mike Arcari, and secretary, Julie Hernandez.

John Sferazo arrived at Ground Zero on the morning of September 12th. A structural iron worker, John immediately began removing crushed vehicles from the site. For the next 30 days, John cut through and removed iron and steel to try to rescue or recover those trapped under the pile. John suffered significant damage to his lungs as a result of his work and has not been able to perform his regular job since August 1, 2004. Since that time, he has poured his considerable energies into helping others, primarily through his work as the President of Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes.

An independent paramedic with a private hospital, Marvin Bethea was dispatched to Ground Zero on September 11th by the New York City Fire Department. Marvin was a block away from Ground Zero when the first tower fell. He was buried in the lobby of a nearby bank building, but was able to get out and attend to the medical needs of people nearby. When the second Trade Center tower collapsed, Marvin was again covered in debris. Marvin returned to Ground Zero on September 14th to continue giving medical assistance to victims and to rescue workers. Five weeks later, he suffered a stroke attributed to 9/11. Like his friend and colleague John Sferazo, he has since worked tirelessly, despite major, persistent health problems, to help others.

In a few short years, Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes has established an impressive track record of advocacy on the city, state and federal levels. In 2006, the organization worked with the State of New York to extend the deadline for 9/11 responders to apply for workers' compensation benefits. I was proud to work with Unsung Heroes in our successful campaign to provide the very first federal funding for 9/11 health care needs. In support of their very worthy cause, John and Marvin have organized countless press conferences, rallies and fundraisers, and have lobbied officials on all levels of government.

Madam Speaker, as John and Marvin and their colleagues would no doubt tell you, we are in the middle of a gathering health crisis. The deaths of at least eight 9/11 responders have been widely documented in the media, although I believe that there are many more untimely deaths out there that have yet to come to light. I strongly believe that we must act now to make sure that tragedies like these never happen again. If we fail to meet our obligation to care for those sickened or injured by 9/11, I fear that no one will be either willing or able to help in the event of a future disaster.

I believe that all Americans should be proud of leaders like John Sferazo and Marvin Bethea and their colleagues at Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes, who have dedicated themselves to making sure that in America, we will take care of those who take care of us. Madam Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in saluting Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes, Inc.