Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on January 4, 2007, I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote numbered 6, on adoption of Title I of the Resolution.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote numbered 6.

Madam Speaker, President Bush--after using false information to sell a war to the American people and Congress, after invading Iraq without a plan to win the peace, after time and time again maintaining a failed ``stay the course'' policy--is now trying to sell an escalation of the war in Iraq as ``a new way forward.'' I am not buying it.

As the sister of a Vietnam veteran, I still remember vividly our escalation of that failed war and the thousands of additional lives that it cost. I remember vividly the worry I had for my brother and the feeling that our troops would be better served if they were returned home rather than fighting in another country's civil war. Those are the same feelings I have today about our troops who are serving bravely in today's failed war, the Iraq War.

I have long stated my desire for the President to begin a withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. I am a member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, and I have strongly supported my colleague John Murtha's plan to redeploy our troops from Iraq. The American people made it crystal clear at the ballot box in November that staying the course in Iraq is not an option. Yet, President Bush has once again turned his back on calls to end the war, he has turned his back on the will of the electorate, and he is going in the opposite direction with a plan for escalation.

I applaud the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate and its plan for a phased redeployment of American troops beginning in months and for more intense diplomatic outreach. This plan is more sensible and would prove ultimately more successful that digging ourselves deeper in the quicksand that Iraq has become.

Furthermore, I will support any proposal that comes before Congress that would block funding for the implementation of escalation. I will support the effort by Senator Kennedy and my colleague Ed Markey to require the authorization of Congress before the President escalates this war.

As the daughter of a soldier and the sister of a soldier, I will always support our troops. It has become clear to just about everyone but the President that the best way now to support the troops is not to send more into the Iraqi Civil War--the best way to support them is to bring them home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4, the Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007.

This is the perfect capstone to an extremely productive week.

I came to Congress to help our seniors gain access to benefits they need and deserve, so I thank Chairman Dingell and the new Democratic leadership of the House for bringing this vitally important bill to a vote during the first 100 hours.

In 2003, I voted against the prescription drug bill because, among other things, it did not provide adequate benefits to our seniors and did nothing to contain the rising costs of drug prices.

Current law states that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, unlike the Veterans' Administration, is expressly prohibited from negotiating the best drug prices on behalf of the 43 million seniors and others in Medicare who desperately need the lowest price available.

Price data show that Part D plans are not delivering on the promise that competition would bring prices down and that the use of market power has not resulted in drug prices that are comparable to the low prices negotiated by the VA.

H.R. 4 cuts the cost of healthcare and improves access to medicines by requiring HHS to negotiate with drug companies for lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries and greater savings for our taxpayers.

It's commonsense, it's good business sense, and it makes sense for our seniors.

Negotiations that lower prescription drug prices will help many consumers avoid the doughnut hole by preventing them from ever hitting the coverage gap where they have to pay thousands of dollars of out-of- pocket expenses for medications while still paying their monthly insurance premiums.

H.R. 4 does not dictate to the HHS Secretary how to negotiate but instead provides the Secretary with broad discretion on how to best implement the negotiating authority and achieve the greatest price discounts for Medicare beneficiaries.

The bill also ensures that Congress is able to closely monitor the administration's progress by requiring HHS to report to Congress every 6 months on drug price negotiation.

Under the current system, the pharmaceutical companies are the ones who benefit at the expense of our seniors, many of whom are forced to choose between paying for their prescription drugs and putting food on the table.

H.R. 4 seeks to help those who need it most. Older Americans are watching us today, waiting to see if we will act to make their prescription drugs more affordable and more accessible.

I am proud to cast a vote in support of America's seniors and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4.

Mr. Speaker, a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

Mr. Speaker, today, 13 million Ameicans are getting a raise.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

The 9/11 Commission report identified the failure in the intelligence system of this country as a major cause of 9/11. They called for many reforms, some of which we have implemented. And as co-chair of the 9/11 Commission Caucus, I am extremely pleased today with the formation of this new Select Intelligence Oversight panel, which mirrors the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. It is supported by many of the members of the 9/11 Commission. It is supported by the 9/11 families that have tracked the provisions to make this country safer probably closer and harder than Members of this Congress, and they are in the gallery today. And this new oversight panel will strengthen the oversight process by combining the perspectives and expertise of both the Appropriations and Intelligence Committees and the insights of the authorizers likewise. And this new panel, we can be assured that these experts from both of these areas will be included in the oversight and funding decisions for our intelligence community.

I congratulate the leadership of this Congress, the new Democratic leadership, Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Obey, for including in the first 100 hours this major reform, that they have repeatedly said in all of their hearings and they continue to speak out on it, they gave this Congress an ``F'' in intelligence oversight. Today we are getting an ``A'' by creating a committee with experts to oversee it. And with a focus on the security and the intelligence, it will make this country safer. I applaud our leadership, the new Democratic leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, today belongs to the family members of the attacks of September 11 who have worked tirelessly to see these recommendations enacted. They spent today in Congress in meetings in support of this legislation.

The 9/11 Commission gave us a blueprint for better security which was not meant to be on a shelf gathering dust. With this legislation, Congress accomplishes more for security in less than a week than it previously could accomplish in more than 2 years.

Homeland security is a high priority of the first 100 hours agenda, and it includes many important and commonsense provisions. It requires Homeland Security grants to be based on risk, not politics. And the radios that did not work on 9/11 still do not work, and they did not work at Katrina. It establishes a grant program specifically for communications equipment for first responders.

It establishes an independent privacy and civil liberties board with subpoena power, and it includes the prevention and helps to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. The bill expands the U.S. diplomatic outreach in the Middle East.

In short, the bill will make our citizens and our country safer. It is an important bill, and the 9/11 families thank the leadership of this Congress. The responders thank the leadership of this Congress. And I am deeply grateful that H.R. 1 is among the first bills in the first Democratic Congress to pass. It will make us safer in this country. I congratulate the new leadership on their hard work at making this happen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Auxiliary to Bellevue Hospital Center, Inc., which is celebrating its 100th anniversary of service to the community. During that

time, the Auxiliary has developed into an invaluable resource for Bellevue Hospital, one of our Nation's most renowned hospitals. Over the past 100 years the Auxiliary has provided in excess of $45 million in support, piloted numerous new programs and been a source of satisfying work for thousands of volunteers. At their gala recognizing, they are honoring Rita J. Kaplan, for her philanthropy, Dr. Robert S. Holzman, for patient care, and Michael ``Buzzy'' O'Keeffe, for community service. They are all sterling examples of the extraordinary volunteers who have made the Auxiliary such a superb institution.

The Auxiliary was founded in 1906 by a group of socially conscious women who wanted to support the Bellevue Tuberculosis Clinic. Among other things, they created a Day Camp in 1908 on the old ferryboat ``Southfield,'' anchored off the Bellevue Hospital grounds, so that patients could spend time in the open air. Contemporaneously, another group of philanthropic-minded women formed the Convalescent Relief Committee to assist in the well-being, care and convalescence of Bellevue patients. In 1907 a third group, The Synagogue Committee formed to translate for Yiddish-speaking Bellevue patients and provide for their social service needs.

The three groups grew steadily until their work encompassed every ward and clinic at the hospital. Eventually they recognized that they would accomplish more by working together. Thus, in 1940 the Auxiliary merged with the Convalescent Relief Committee and the Synagogue Committee and in 1945 the Auxiliary was legally incorporated as the Social Service Auxiliary to Bellevue Hospital. In 1956, the organization adopted its current name: the Auxiliary to Bellevue Hospital Center, Inc.

Volunteers have entertained patients and provided caring assistance to those in need. Additionally, through the years, the Auxiliary's volunteers have launched innumerable projects to serve Bellevue's patients. For example, in 1941 the Auxiliary founded and began staffing three patient libraries located in the TB, general and psychiatric divisions. The Interfaith Chaplaincy Program also counts on Auxiliary volunteers to help them attend to the patients' spiritual needs.

Volunteers have raised money for the hospital through a number of different enterprises and fundraising events, providing millions of dollars for the Hospital's needs. From thrift shops through coffee shops, the Auxiliary has been entrepreneurial in its approach to fundraising. The Auxiliary's Stuyvesant Square Thrift Shop at 80th Street is considered one of the best places in Manhattan to find inexpensive designer wear and other interesting clothes. The thrift shop is the successor to The Little Jack Horner Shop which opened during the Depression to serve patients and their families by providing low priced wares and clothing. The Bellevue Snack Bar opened on May 23, 1956 and has served physicians, staff and visitors to Bellevue Hospital while providing revenue for the Auxiliary's needs. Fifty years later the snack bar, now the Coffee Shop, continues to operate. The Bellevue Newsstand was created by the Auxiliary in 1970 and continues as a combination Newsstand/Gift Shop.

Notwithstanding the changes that have taken place during the past 100 years, service continues to be the Auxiliary's primary mission. Today's Auxiliary is a vibrant organization comprised of caring and involved people who pride themselves on having an impact on the well-being of all of the patients of Bellevue Hospital Center.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the hard- working, caring and compassionate volunteers of the Auxiliary to Bellevue for their 100 years of service to the patients of Bellevue Hospital. Every patient who passed through its doors has benefitted from their dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Pancyprian Association of America Choir and its 2006 honoree Nikos Mouyiaris.

The Pancyprian Association of America Choir makes a remarkable contribution to American culture by combining the best of Cypriot and American song and music. Their focus on Cypriot music helps keep the dynamic culture of their heritage alive in the United States. The choir provides its fans a rich education in the music of both cultures.

On November 4, the choir will be honoring my good friend, Nikos Mouyiaris. Nikos is an important, albeit unassuming, leader in the Hellenic-American community. He never seeks recognition for his actions, but he is unquestionably the one to go to get things done. If you need someone who will fight for human rights or help a student get an education, Nikos is the one to turn to. At a conference or gathering, Nikos will make his ideas and concerns heard, softly. Furthermore, because people know that Nikos is worth listening to, his thoughts often prompt people to take action. In short, Nikos is a man of deeds and vision.

Nikos Mouyiaris was born in Athienou, Cyprus where he attended elementary and high school. He went to England for a short time and then emigrated to the United States. In the United States he received his bachelor of science degree in chemistry and was awarded a scholarship to Rutgers University where he received his masters of science.

Since arriving in the United States, Nikos has achieved the American dream. Starting with $6,000 that he borrowed from his brother, Apostolos, Nikos created a successful business, Mana Products, that employs over 600 people. For nearly three decades, Mana Products has been an innovative participant in the beauty industry. Headquartered in New York, the company offers research, development, manufacturing and other operations. The company works with some of the most respected brands and professionals around the globe. In addition to his company, Nikos has interests in real estate as well as investments in other businesses.

Nikos has never forgotten the place of birth, Athienou in Cyprus, where he helps to support the local home for the elderly, and has helped build a day care center. He has also provided funding for an archaeological expedition in the area of Athienou, Cyprus for Davidson College of North Carolina for several years.

Nikos also works to promote Cypriot culture and human rights interests in the United States. As a member of the Board of Directors and Trustees of the Pancyprian Association of America, Nikos works to educate young Cypriot-Americans about the culture and ethnic customs of Cyprus and Greece, and to sponsor cultural events. He is a member of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus, PSEKA, which seeks freedom and justice for the Cypriot people and promotes international human rights.

Nikos and his wife Carol, who is his partner in business as well as in their personal lives, have two children, Alexis and Ariana.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Nikos Mouyiaris, a true American hero and a remarkable member of the Hellenic-American community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Chian Federation, which is presenting its 29th annual Homeric Award to Adamantios (Dimis) Th. Vassilakis, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations. Their gala event has been organized under the leadership of the Chian Federation's President, George Almiroudis, and the Event Chair, who is also First Vice President of the Chian Federation, Alexandros Doulis.

The Chian Federation was founded in 1974. Since then it has educated and empowered the Hellenic American community to exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations as American citizens. The Chian Federation has a strong record of advocating human rights and striving to promote democratic ideals. In addition to its political objectives, the organization sponsors a dance group; cultural events; a Web site; a magazine; business card exchanges; food, clothing and toy drives; a Senior Citizens' breakfast; and lectures on topics ranging from archaeology to health care.

The Federation's accomplishments extend beyond the borders of the United States. On Chios, the Chian Federation has financially aided nursing homes, environmental groups for reforestation of the island, the Korais Library and the Office of the Repatriated Chians Organization, in addition to making substantial donations to the educational and health systems of Chios.

The Chian Federation established the Homeric Award in 1977, with the idea of recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Hellenic community. Ambassador Vassilakis earned this honor through his outstanding service to Greece as a diplomat, and as a friend to the Hellenic community in New York.

Ambassador Vassilakis was born on the island of Chios on June 13, 1942, where he grew up and received his basic education, graduating from the Commercial High School of Chios. He then attended the Free University of Brussels, Belgium earning a Licence in Political and Diplomatic Sciences.

Mr. Vassilakis entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1972 as Embassy Attache, and was appointed Third Secretary of Embassy at the Greek Embassy in Tirana, Albania in 1975. In 1977, he moved to the Foreign Ministry's First Department of Political Affairs, he was Head of Section for the U.S.S.R. and Eastern Europe. He served as a member of various Greek delegations visiting Eastern European countries and was a participant in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Common Market political experts meetings.

In 1985, Mr. Vassilakis was made Consul General of Greece in San Francisco, California, where he was promoted to First Counsellor of Embassy. In 1989, he was appointed Head of Section for Bilateral Greek- United States, Iranian, Turkish and Arab Countries in the Foreign Ministry's Department of Bilateral Economic Relations. In 1990, Mr. Vassilakis entered the Department of European Community Affairs. In 1991, he was named Deputy Permanent Representative in the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations, and in 1994, he became Charge d'Affaires. In 1998, he was promoted to Minister Plenipotentiary (1st class). From 1999, Mr. Vassilakis served as Director General for European Affairs and Director of the Centre for Analysis and Planning in Greece's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2002, he was appointed to his present position.

Ambassador Vassilakis is married to Fay Malouf-Vassilakis and they have two children, Theodore and Athena.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Chian Federation and its honoree, the Honorable Adamantios (Dimis) Th. Vassilakis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Judith H. Hope, an outstanding New Yorker who has devoted herself to public service and to civic and political engagement. Ms. Hope's tremendous contributions to American civic life are being recognized this month by the well- known and widely respected public policy advocacy organization, Citizen Action of New York. At a ceremony on December 6, 2006, Ms. Hope is being honored by Citizen Action with its Progressive Leadership Award. Also being similarly honored are our distinguished colleague and the dean of the New York State congressional delegation, the Honorable Charles Rangel, and Mr. Bob Masters, a dedicated leader of the Communications Workers of America.

A lifelong activist devoted to the highest ideals of the Democratic Party, Judith J. Hope has exhibited strong, effective and graceful leadership while holding a series of important positions of leadership in the world of politics and public policy. As a founder of the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee, an organization dedicated to promoting women's candidacies for local and public office, Judith Hope has encouraged and inspired new generations of women to become deeply involved in public policy and the political process. Since its founding in 2001, the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee has provided crucial financial, educational and political support to hundreds of women, of whom 285 were successfully elected to public office.

Judith Hope became immersed in public service at an early age. Born and raised in Arkansas, she learned critical lessons and insights from her father, the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, and her mother, a respected writer and journalist.

After moving to New York, Judith Hope became a civic and community leader and married Thomas A. Twomey, Jr., a Long Island attorney and environmental leader. In the face of tremendous political odds, she was elected Town Supervisor in East Hampton in 1973, the first woman ever to hold that office on Long Island, and the first Democrat to do so in modern history. In 1976, Governor Hugh Carey named her the first woman gubernatorial Appointments Officer in the history of the Empire State. In 1983 and 1985, she was again elected East Hampton Town Supervisor, a position that afforded her national recognition for her innovative and effective policies to preserve open space and environmentally sensitive land. In the political realm, she was elected to the Democratic National Committee in 1989.

Following the election of Mario Cuomo as Governor, Hope became an instrumental figure in the leadership of the New York State Democratic Committee. In 1995, Judith was elected chair of the State committee, becoming the first woman to head a major political party in New York State. She served in that capacity for 7 years and was justly celebrated for her tremendous abilities and effective leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the enormous contributions to our civic and political life made by Judith Hope, a true leader in the finest traditions of our great republic.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Saint Jean Baptiste Church in New York City. The Church began celebrating its 125th anniversary year on Saturday, December 2nd. Founded by French- speaking residents of the Yorkville neighborhood in Manhattan, Saint Jean Baptiste began as a national church with special permission from the Holy See. Saint Jean Baptiste Church has since become a blessed sanctuary for Catholics of all backgrounds and a familiar and beloved institution on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

The Societe Saint Jean Baptiste, founded by Gabriel Franchere in 1850, first launched a project to establish a national parish for New York's burgeoning francophone Catholic community under the guidance of Father Peter Cazeneuve. At an organizing meeting held in 1881, local worshipers resolved to hold religious services in a central location and took a collection, raising twelve dollars. This was but the first drop in what was to become a torrent of generosity from supporters of Saint Jean Baptiste. Before the erection of its first church, parishioners held services in a rented hall located over a stable, affectionately known as the ``Crib of Bethlehem.'' Because of their dedication to establishing their own congregation, John Cardinal McCloskey of New York granted Saint Jean Baptiste's parishioners permission to build their own church in 1882. Later that year occurred a groundbreaking and a ceremony blessing the cornerstone presided over by Archbishop Michael Corrigan.

A decade later, the Church became a shrine to Saint Anne when the Right Reverend J.C. Marquis of Canada bore the relic of Saint Anne from Rome to the Church en route to Canada. When news spread that the relic of Saint Anne was to be shown to the parishioners, a large crowd filled the church that evening. One parishioner, an epileptic, was suffering from convulsions that were said to have been cured immediately upon being touched by the relic. In the following days and weeks, crowds estimated in the hundreds of thousands visited the little church, with many traveling from as far away as New England and the Middle Atlantic states. Deeply moved by the outpouring of devotion, Monsignor Marquis arranged to divide the sacred relic of Saint Anne, and a novena was dedicated in her honor. The relic was soon joined by another bestowed by Pope Leo XIII that was sent from the Shrine of Sainte Anne d'Apt in France.

At the turn of the twentieth century, the Church of Saint Jean Baptiste opened another important chapter in its storied existence when it became the location of a Eucharistic shrine. Today, it is one of just two churches in all of New York City that are served by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, an apostolic organization whose religious life centers on the power of the mystery of the Eucharist. Increasingly, Saint Jean Baptiste Church began to serve a diverse range of Catholics

from all walks of life and backgrounds. A generous benefactor, Mr. Thomas Fortune Ryan, made significant contributions that allowed the Church to build a magnificent new building that could accommodate 1,200 worshipers. The international prize-winning design by Nicholas Serracino provided a church of the purest Renaissance style, constructed of Indiana limestone, with twin towers surmounting the edifice, arches and fluted pilasters supporting the rounded ceiling that covering three naves, a wide cornice extending around the nave and at the middle height of the apse, and an impressive approach of church- wide steps. The new building's cornerstone at Lexington Avenue and East 76th Street in Manhattan was laid in 1912, and the new Church was fully completed two years later.

Today, Saint Jean Baptiste Church remains a thriving institution, offering spiritual sanctuary, education, social services, and a wide range of other programs to the people of New York City. Under the able stewardship of the Reverend Anthony Schueller, S.S.S., the Saint Jean Baptiste Church continues to uphold its proud history and traditions.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary contributions to the civic and spiritual good of the people of New York City made by the historic Saint Jean Baptiste Catholic Church and its parishioners, past, present and future.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a dear friend and colleague, Congressman Lane Evans.

I've gotten to know Lane through our work as co-chairs of the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease. He is a deeply dedicated, kind, and courageous person who I admire and who I will truly miss.

For the past 24 years, Congressman Evans has been a champion of veterans and Parkinson's issues on Capitol Hill and a great friend to both communities. Earlier this week, I was proud to see a bill passed that included a program, Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers, PADRECCs, conceived and created by Lane. By working with the former and current VA Administration, Representative Evans helped to establish these Centers that serve American veterans battling Parkinson's disease.

As a former Marine, Ranking Member on the VA Committee, and person battling Parkinson's disease, Representative Lane Evans has a strong sense of mission about providing the highest standards of care for both constituencies. Though I am sad to see Lane go, I am encouraged by his commitment to help others and make a difference in people's lives. I hope to continue his legacy while working with the Working Group on Parkinson's Disease to find a cure for this terrible disease.

This body is losing a true patriot, but we can all agree, Lane, that we are proud to know you, proud to have served with you, and are proud to honor you today.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her leadership on this extremely important issue and many others.

I rise in strong support of this bill. We need to support our veterans when they are in harm's way; and when they return home, we have to give them the support for their health care and for their lives that they deserve.

I am very pleased that the Veterans Administration is continuing to support the 23rd Street Veterans Hospital in Manhattan in my district, which is rated as one of the best veterans hospitals in this country, a center of excellence in six different categories.

Under this bill, that hospital and other veterans hospitals and outreach centers will have additional support for mental health. Regrettably, many of our veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, and our veterans even from the Vietnam and the Gulf wars, are suffering from post-traumatic stress. Many of them have this challenge, and this bill addresses it and puts support there for our returning men and women.

I am extremely pleased that one of the first bills that I ever introduced in this Congress, H.R. 4537, the Veterans Housing Fairness Act, is part of this bill. A home is a home whether you live in a condominium or in a traditional house or a mobile home or a townhouse. Yet, currently, VA loans cannot be used to purchase cooperative residential units.

This bill corrects this and allows veterans, whether they live vertically in co-ops or horizontally in homes or in mobile homes, it allows them to use this loan to purchase their home. A home is a home for a veteran, no matter where they are. This will help many returning veterans and veterans that currently live in New York City. And I thank my colleagues for their support, particularly Senator Schumer in the Senate and of course Chairman Buyer and Ranking Member Filner for their hard work on this. Let me tell you that it is so important, what we are doing today. This includes many important provisions, and I thank them.

As the cochair of the Parkinson's caucus, I am very pleased that the bill includes six Parkinson's Disease research education centers. Regrettably, many of our returning veterans are suffering from Parkinson's similar symptoms, and this will help us to research this, help our veterans and others suffering from Parkinson's.

It is a thoughtful bill, it is inclusive, and I am particularly pleased that it is one of the first bills that I introduced; a home is a home whether it is a co-op or a mobile home, and our veterans will be able to use their VA loans to purchase the appropriate housing for them in the areas that they live.

I thank all of my colleagues for their hard work on this. My colleague, Corrine Brown, we came to Congress together. I thank you very much. I thank as well Shelley Berkley.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for all of his leadership, and I congratulate the dean of our delegation, Charlie Rangel, for working hard on this bill and restructuring of the bond issue for New York City, among other issues.

Why I am rising today, however, is the audit report that came out 2 days ago of the Department of the Interior. It was a scathing indictment of mismanagement and cronyism. In my years on the Committee on Government Reform, it is the worst report I have seen and it documents billions of dollars that are owed to the American people for oil and gas extracted from federally owned land, land owned by the American people. These revenues are not coming into the Treasury, but into the pockets of the oil industry.

I rise in support of the Markey-Hinchey amendment, which includes, among other things, a renegotiation of these leases to pay a fair price to the American public and to our country. It is long overdue. We should not tolerate this type of mismanagement. It showed that the number of audits have gone down, the number of auditors have come down. They have a paper compliance review board that has oversight which amounts to pushing paper around. It is not a watchdog, but a lap dog, for private industry as opposed to documentation of what is fairly owned to the American people and to our government.

Correcting this will literally bring 10 to $30 billion into the Treasury of the United States. It is the fair thing to do. It is the right thing to do. We should all follow and read this important report and vote to renegotiate the rip-off leases and have them pay a fair deal for what they are reaping for their own pockets.

Our constituents are paying record prices at the pump and for heating oil; yet the oil companies are not paying their fair due for their leases on American federally owned property. This is an important amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support it.