Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, personal reasons will prevent me from being present for legislative business scheduled after 2 p.m. today, Friday, July 9, 2004. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Gordon (rollcall No. 355); ``yes'' on the amendment offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee (rollcall No. 356); ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Larson (rollcall No. 357); ``aye'' on the motion to recommit the bill H.R. 3598 (rollcall No. 358).

personal explanation

Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, due to a family commitment, I was not present in the Chamber on Friday, July 9, to cast my votes on rollcalls 355 through 358. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on each measure.

Mr. Speaker, 3\1/2\ years ago when the Bush administration took over, our country had a $236 billion surplus. We also had created in the Clinton administration 22 million new jobs. Today we are in deficit. The deficit will be higher than it ever has been in the history of our country, nearly $500 billion. Today we are losing jobs to outsourcing. And what do the President's advisers say? Outsourcing is good.

President Bush was in Michigan yesterday. Did he talk about our economy,

how we are going to save our jobs, how we are going to keep higher tuition from going up? A 26 percent increase in tuition. How are America's children going to learn and have the opportunities they must have?

Something is wrong with this ticket. We have a new ticket: Kerry- Edwards, a new America for new people, so children can prosper, so that our schools can be well, so that our health system can be back to what it ought to be.

I say to America, come on, get out. It is their turn, express their views. A new America for a new American family.

Mr. Speaker, personal reasons prevent me from being present for legislative business scheduled for today, Friday, June 25, 2004. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Sanders (rollcall No. 321); ``no'' on the amendment offered by Mrs. Wilson of New Mexico (rollcall No. 322); ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Meehan (rollcall No. 323); ``no'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Hefley (rollcall No. 324); and ``aye'' on final passage of H.R. 4614, the Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (rollcall No. 325).

Mr. Speaker, just 3 short years ago when this administration took over, there was $236 billion surplus, 22 million jobs had been created, and the country was experiencing its lowest drop in poverty in a decade. Now, all those trends have reversed themselves.

Today the unemployment rate is 30 percent higher. 8.2 million people are looking for work, and more jobs are disappearing in our country every day. Outsourcing, sending good manufacturing jobs out of our country.

I am from the State of Michigan. We have lost over 200,000 jobs and 136,000 of those in the manufacturing sector. Something must be done. We must take care of American citizens first. People are paying more for their food, for their clothing, for their gasoline. We have got to do something about this.

Let us invest in America and American families. Health care is a debacle. We can fix that. America needs new leadership. Make sure you get out and extend your right.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose H. Res. 691. My position is consistent with my opposition to our invasion of Iraq and my belief that any congratulations we extend to the interim government are muted by the reality of ongoing death and mayhem that occur daily in Iraq.

Additionally, I want to express my condolences to all of the victims of our invasion into Iraq. My heart is heavy for the Iraqi families that have suffered permanent losses as a result of the war and continuing insurgency efforts. Furthermore, I mourn for the families of U.S. and foreign military personnel; valiant soldiers, men and women, who have sacrificed their lives to promote the reality of freedom for Iraqis.

However, Mr. Speaker, I disagree with many of the notions put forward in the resolution because I believe some of them are simplistic, naive and wrong. While it is true that Iraqis have participated in elections, widespread antagonisms persist and violent behavior continues to be directed at our forces. Our soldiers are imperiled because of how and why they entered Iraq, in addition to their continued presence in Iraq. Second, the notion that Iraq is more secure now than before is also wrong. While it is true that the government of Saddam Hussein was toppled, Iraq continues to be a besieged nation. Violence is prevalent, and the victims of the bombings and assassinations are largely innocent Iraqis.

I appreciate the spirit in which the Resolution was drafted, but I strongly disagree with the underlying premise that we are celebrating the Iraqi freedom. Iraqis will not be free until they are capable of installing a representative government devoid of foreign intervention. Iraqis will not be free until they overcome the challenges of enfranchising diverse segments of its diverse population of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites into a form of democracy that suits their needs and not the designs of the United States.

Finally, while June 30, 2004 is a monumental date for the people of Iraq. We should not delude ourselves, nor mislead the people of Iraq that in the near term, democracy will bear the fruit of liberty and peace that they have been promised. As a mother and grandmother who worries about the future of our Nation and the world, I am ruled by my conscience, and my conscience dictates that I cast a ``no'' vote on H. Res. 691.

Mr. Speaker, today the House considered House Concurrent Resolution 460 regarding efforts to promote peace and security regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I gave thorough consideration to the resolution language and felt compelled to cast a nay vote.

I voted against the resolution because in my congressional district I have one of the largest Arab and Islamic populations in the nation. My vote reflected my humanitarian instincts, and my refusal to support language that was not inclusive. Although I reject terrorism and inhumane treatment by any person or government, I contend that the resolution failed to address fundamental and grave implications regarding the dangerous and ongoing conflict in the region. The resolution addressed Prime Minister Sharon's efforts to promote peace and security, and his dialog with President Bush. A major failure of the resolution is that it did not address other themes I consider important, specifically, the pain and suffering occurring in the region.

Although the resolution addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it said nothing about the plight of Palestinian civilians. Additionally, while Arab States are called upon to be part of the fight against terrorism, the resolution language did not acknowledge the difficulties confronting Palestinians. While I recognize the efforts of Israel to make concessions regarding thorny issues associated with land settlements, I believe much more needs to be done. Finally, the resolution failed to strike the humanitarian chord and sense of fairness that is essential if peace and security are to be realized in that region of the world.

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to the Detroit Pistons and their Coach, Larry Brown, for winning the 2004 National Basketball Association Championship, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, four games to one.

Congratulations for Most Valuable Player Chauncey Billups, Richard ``Rip'' Hamilton who was the high scorer for the Pistons in game five with 21 points, leading rebounder Ben ``Fear the Fro'' Wallace with 22 rebounds, Tayshaun Prince with his great defense against Kobe Bryant, and Rasheed Wallace who helped neutralize Shaquille O'Neal and scored 11 points.

The Detroit team displayed unstoppable teamwork, determination and perseverance to bring this championship to Detroit. I credit former Detroit ``Bad Boy'' and President of the Detroit Pistons' organization, Joe Dumars for assembling this team. He traded Grant Hill for Ben Wallace and acquired Rasheed Wallace in a trade in February. Dumars was on the Detroit Pistons' Championship teams in 1989 and 1990.

The Las Vegas betting lines had the Pistons the 6-1 underdogs going into the finals against the Lakers. I suppose a lot of people lost a lot of money after this team pulled off the biggest upset in NBA finals history.

This is a great year for Pistons' owner Bill Davidson whose Detroit Shock won the WNBA Championship last season, Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup this season and now the Detroit Pistons winning the NBA Championship.

This team believed in themselves and the Detroit fans knew they could win it all. Go Pistons--National Basketball Association World Champions 2004.

Mr. Speaker, on June 17, 2003, I was in my congressional district on official business and unable to vote on H.R. 4520. Had I been here I would have cast a ``yes'' vote on the motion to recommit, and a ``no'' vote on final passage. My opposition to H.R. 4520 was based on a number of factors.

First, the majority opted to employ a closed-rule which precluded consideration of the Rangel alternative that would have removed the provisions that provide incentives to move jobs overseas. The Rangel alternative included all the extenders that Representative Thomas added to his bill, such as small business expensing, R&D tax credit, and renewable energy--wind, solar--credits. The Rangel alternative would have provided the same temporary foreign income repatriation provision contained in the Senate Grassley/Baucus bill. The Rangel alternative provided a permanent solution on deductibility of State and local sales taxes, as opposed to the 2-year, limited provision under the Thomas bill. The Rangel alternative did not add to the deficit, and it dropped controversial revenue raisers from H.R. 4520--such as outsourcing tax collections to private debt collectors--and strengthened tax shelter provisions and rules that crack down on corporate expatriates.

In essence Chairman Thomas cobbled together a variety of corporate tax breaks, extenders, and other sweeteners that have nothing to do with reforming international tax law. Fundamentally, H.R. 4520 pushed tax breaks for overseas investment and jobs abroad. During a time of historic job loss in America, H.R. 4520 retained as its core, $35 billion in incentives to U.S. firms to invest overseas. In my district, there is a need for domestic jobs, not out-sourced jobs. My constituents want American jobs and companies to remain here. Finally, H.R. 4520 will add to the deficit. At a time of historic deficits and without a realistic budget plan, instead of simply solving a $4 billion problem, H.R. 4520 includes nearly $150 billion in gross tax cuts with a net cost of $34 billion over the 10 years.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4520 will generate tremendous economic misery on Americans who can least afford it, and will benefit corporations that have shipped desperately needed jobs in America overseas. Had I been here, my ``no'' vote would have symbolized my conviction that perpetual tax cuts and deficit spending have to stop.

Mr. Chairman, personal reasons prevent me from being present for legislative business scheduled for today, Thursday, June 17, 2004. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on ordering the previous question (rollcall No. 256); ``no'' on H. Res. 681, a rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4520 (rollcall No. 257); ``aye'' on the motion offered by Mr. Rangel to recommit the bill H.R. 4520 (rollcall No. 258); ``no'' on final passage of H.R. 4520 (rollcall No. 259); ``aye'' on approving the Journal (rollcall No. 260); ``aye'' on the amendment to H.R. 4568 offered by Mr. Hinchey (rollcall No. 261); ``aye'' on the amendment to H.R. 4568 offered by Mr. Sanders (rollcall No. 262); ``aye'' on the amendment to H.R. 4568 offered by Mr. Holt (rollcall No. 263); and ``aye'' on final passage of H.R. 4568 (rollcall No. 264).

Mr. Speaker, since women were allowed to serve in combat, we have been stunned from time to time by stories of sexual assault and abuse within military circles. In response to numerous reports of female troops deployed in Iraq being sexually assaulted by fellow soldiers, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld established a task force to review its policies and programs concerning sexual assault and the treatment and support of victims.

Several weeks ago the Sexual Assault Task Force reported its findings, and it put a spotlight on serious deficiencies in the way the military has handled sexual assault cases. For example, the Department of Defense has no system for tracking reports of sexual assault; a lack of privacy and confidentiality dissuades victims from reporting incidents of sexual abuse; DoD lacks uniform policies and program to coordinate care and support for sexual assault victims; and there is no commonly accepted definition of sexual assault.

The Secretary's Task Force report does a good job of identifying shortcomings in its management of sexual abuse cases, but it is wanting in arriving at hard solutions for eliminating the problem. For that reason, I am introducing legislation today that would authorize the establishment of the Office of Victim Advocate at the Secretary level.

The DoD Office of the Victim Advocate would provide access to services for victims and survivors associated with the military. Moreover, it would establish policies procedures and practices by which the privacy and confidentiality of persons seeking assistance for assaults and abuse inflicted upon them by military personnel can be protected. The Office would review complaints of persons and investigate the ones where victims may be in need of or benefit from services of a victim advocate. The proposed Office would evaluate the delivery of services by the various military departments and coordinate the services provided by those departments.

The Defense Department can be more aggressive in its handling of sexual abuse cases and that is the goal and mission of the Office of the Victim Advocate. I am hopeful that my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee will assign this issue a high priority within the Office of the Secretary of Defense and support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, how about those National Basketball Association World Champion Detroit Pistons? Congratulations. We applaud and appreciate their fine work as they swept the Los Angeles Lakers. To Mr. Davidson, Coach Brown, and the entire Piston organization, job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I say a special thanks to Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, and the Most Valuable Player of the series, Chauncey Billups.

On behalf of Mayor Kilpatrick, the people of Detroit, and the entire State of Michigan, we congratulate the Pistons. A team effort--which is what life is all about.

Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) mentioned, we have a resolution and invite all of our colleagues to cosponsor. You go, Pistons. We appreciate and love you very much.

Mr. Speaker, personal reasons prevent me from being present for legislative business scheduled for today, Monday, June 14, 2004. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H.J. Res. 97, legislation renewing the import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (rollcall No. 232); ``yea'' on H. Res. 669, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need to provide prostrate cancer patients with meaningful access to information on treatment options (rollcall No. 233); ``yea'' H.R. 4323, providing the Secretary of Defense with rapid acquisition authority in times of combat emergencies (rollcall No. 234); and ``yea'' on H. Res. 653, a resolution honoring former President George Herbert Walker Bush on the occasion of his 80th birthday (rollcall No. 235).

Mr. Speaker, personal reasons prevented me from being present for legislative business scheduled for today, Tuesday, June 8, 2004. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 663, a privileged bereavement resolution for former President Ronald W. Reagan (Rollcall vote No. 229), and ``aye'' on approving the Journal (Rollcall vote No. 230).

Mr. Speaker, the seniors of America deserve better. This Republican House and Republican Senate, as well as the President, have passed a Medicare bill at 3 in the morning that is a sham on seniors.

Our seniors need and want lower prescription prices. This bill did nothing to lower prices. Medicare negotiates for lower prices for the bulk of the 40 million Americans who need assistance. This bill does not allow our seniors to go to Canada, where medicines cost two-thirds less than what they are in America.

Finally, there is the discount card that is not a discount. Seniors, if you have a discount from a pension plan from yourself or your husband, it is going to be better than this one. Use it.

Mr. Speaker, this is a sham on our seniors. Our seniors deserve more. They built our country. Let us do better. Help them get their medicines. They need them to survive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Con. Res. 295 introduced by Congressman John Conyers. This resolution congratulates and salutes Focus: HOPE on its 35th anniversary and for its remarkable commitment and contributions to the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan, and the United States.

FOCUS: HOPE was founded in 1968 by Father William Cunningham and Eleanor M. Josaitis in response to the Detroit riots that left the city in turmoil. It is a nationally recognized civil and human rights organization in Detroit, Michigan and is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Michigan.

Since its beginning, Focus: HOPE has been committed to fighting racism, poverty, and injustice. In 1968, in response to a study by the Detroit Free Press and the Urban League, Focus: HOPE organized a search for evidence of widespread discrimination in food and prescription drug prices. From the investigation, the HOPE '68 study was published. The study was the first to offer definitive proof of systematic discrimination in food pricing.

In 1971, after gathering scientific evidence of the effects of hunger and malnutrition on the critical early development of infants, Focus: HOPE developed a supplemental food program for children up to age six, and for pregnant and post-partum women. The program, later expanded to include senior citizens, was the first and remains one of the largest Commodity Supplemental Food Programs in the country, with food provided

through the Department of Agriculture to 43,000 women, children and senior citizens each month throughout Southeast Michigan.

In addition to addressing the societal needs of the community, in 1981, the organization opened its Machinist Training Institute (MTI), to provide skills development in precision machining and metalworking. The institute has graduated more than 2,300 machinists.

Focus: HOPE created two pioneering programs--FAST TRACK and First Step--designed to help individuals improve their reading and math competencies by a minimum of two grade levels in 4-7 weeks. The organization also opened a Center for Children, which has now served over 5,000 children of colleagues, students, and neighbors with quality childcare and early childhood education.

Focus: HOPE has also partnered with many businesses and schools through the years. In 1993 Focus: HOPE developed the Center for Advanced Technologies to address the shortage of manufacturing engineers with hands-on skills. The organization formed a coalition with three university partners: Lawrence Technological University, Wayne State University and the University of Detroit Mercy and several corporations to design a curriculum for manufacturing engineering education.

The volunteer effort of Focus: HOPE brings together thousands of people each year to operate various programs including preparing boxes of food that are delivered to low-income families during the holidays, neighborhood cleanup and revitalization projects and programs that concentrate on education, the arts, manufacturing, engineering, and information technology training.

Last year in October, I joined Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm and Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow for Focus: HOPE's Walk 2003. This annual walk through the streets of Detroit, to celebrate our rich diversity, is patterned after the nonviolent marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Approximately 8,000 people from metropolitan Detroit walked an eight-mile route through Highland Park and Detroit. The route includes the area where the 1967 riots broke out, the first Ford Motor Company automotive production facility, and the original Motown recording studios.

Again, I would like to thank the late Father Cunningham and Eleanor M. Josaitis for their vision. Focus: HOPE has helped thousands of people fulfill their purpose in life. Focus: HOPE's commitment to bringing together people of all races, faiths, and economic backgrounds to overcome injustice and build racial harmony is an inspiration for us all.

I also thank the leadership for allowing this resolution to be included on today's suspension calendar.