Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Third Congressional District of Florida and myself, I rise today to remember and honor the life of someone very dear to me, my congressional office, and so many people here in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as many, many people of the Third Congressional District of Florida: my scheduler, office manager, and executive assistant, Mrs. Darla Smallwood-Wran, who passed away from breast cancer this morning.

When I came to Washington and hired the scheduler of my predecessor, Congressman Charlie Bennett, I thought at the time she was overpaid. Quickly, however, I began to realize that there was no dollar amount that could be placed on the value of Darla. A scheduler, office manager, I discovered very quickly is the foundation of an effective congressional office. And Darla, with her strong, persistent personality, her organizational skills, dotting every ``i'' and crossing every ``t,'' she never missed a beat. For 17 years, Darla was the face of my Washington office.

I want to say to her family, her father who is a police officer here, her mother and sisters and her loving husband, we love her, we can't replace her, and we will deeply, deeply miss her.

As many times as I would have to change my flights, as often as the vote schedule changed, as frequently as meetings had to be coordinated, updated, rearranged, Darla was ever dependable, and always cool-headed, making everyone feel that the situation was always under control, even as my other staffers nervously buzzed in and out of the room.

Everyone who came in knew her, and certainly knew not to lean on her desk, touch the plants on her desk or worse than anything, interrupt her if she was on a call. I think everyone would agree that Darla was loved, and respected, by everyone who came into contact with her.

Her unmistakable smile, witty sense of humor and love of life blew fresh air and positive energy into the office.

My heart and prayers go out to Darla and to her family, in particular her mother and father, her sisters, and her loving husband Channing.

You are irreplaceable Darla, and you will be deeply missed.

In addition, I want to say that I am in support of the Haitian resolution before the House. I have always said to whom God has given much, much is expected. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of the island of Haiti and to the Haitian community who live here in the United States and around the world. The loss of life and destruction of property in Haiti is unthinkable.

I want to thank the ministers, the business community, the organizations that have organized in our community, the Third Congressional District. We have seven tractor-trailers that will be going to Haiti filled with water, baby formula, dry cereal, blankets, tents, and sleeping bags. I want to say that the Royal Caribbean cruise line is carrying those goods over free of cost. I am very encouraged how the community is coming together to help the people of Haiti, and I can truly say, if you are interested in being helpful, go to the Web site and see how you can also participate.

In closing, I really do believe to whom God has given much, much is expected.

Madam Speaker, this communication is forwarded on behalf of the constituents of Congressional District Three and myself as we pay tribute to the life of Corporal Sylvester Watts (Retired). We are all saddened that Sylvester is gone, but joyful that he has gone to be with his Heavenly Father.

Sylvester Watts was born October 8, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Pastor Van B. and Missionary Ruby Watts. He was the youngest of 11 children; his parents, three brothers and one sister, Rufus, Reverend Roosevelt, John and Otha, made their transition from life-mortal ahead of him. He transitioned to await the resurrection on November 29, 2009 at his home in Chicago, Illinois.

Sylvester accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age under the pastorate of his father at Greater Progressive Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois where he served as an usher and a member of the Youth Choir.

Sylvester joined the United States Marine Corps May 1, 1967, was temporarily retired April 16, 1969 and honorably discharged on September 30, 1974. He served his country with dignity and honor and attained the rank of Corporal. During his Military Service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Viet Nam Campaign Medal with device and Marksman Rifle Badge.

Having been reared in a Christian home where the Word of God, the love and support of family were the guiding principles, Sylvester learned early in life that ``if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat'', so in spite of the emotional and psychological issues he faced as a result of his tenure in Viet Nam, he was determined to survive.

Sylvester attended Elmhurst College where he majored in Business Administration. He was gainfully employed with Gerber Products Company, Watts Side Grocery (family owned) the Deputy Sheriffs Office, Strategic Services Unit, Daley Center, Chicago, Illinois, Sodexho Marriott, Trajo Enterprises and Rich Cake Enterprises.

Sylvester leaves to cherish precious memories: Missionary Janet Watts-DuPart, Reverend Lucille Watts-Watson, Reverend Van Watts, Jr. (Ruth), Benny Watts, Reverend Frank Watts, Evangelist Shirley Watts Kyles Green; Nephews: Calvin Andre, Van Blair, Vincent, Victor, Vaughn, Joseph Preston, Joseph B., Anthony, Troy, Torrence, Ivyl, Michael, Steven, Anthony; Nieces: Barbette, Janet, Loretta, Christiana, Angie, Janet, Jacquelene, Tina L., Cheryl Lynn, Donna Michelle, Lori Alva, Rubi and Kora; a special nephew, Pastor Alfonzo Cleveland and a special friend, Reverend Jeanne L. Edwards, who engaged him in intellectual spiritual conversations at the dinner table whenever family gathered.

We, the Watts family, continue to strive to keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. He alone is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Jude v 21&24.

Mr. Speaker, I've been here 17 years, and I really believe that you have got to stand for something or fall for everything.

Today, as subcommittee Chair of Railroads, I am appalled that we are including language in this omnibus bill that allows people to carry guns on Amtrak. This is a failure of leadership on every single level. We are passing legislation that endangers the safety of 27 million passengers who ride Amtrak each year. This language was opposed by both the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Homeland Security Committee as well as opposed by numerous other Members. Yet we are forcing this unnecessary provision on millions of passengers and are jeopardizing homeland security for absolutely no reason.

I have traveled the rail systems throughout the world. None of them allow guns on their systems. We are taking a dangerous step backwards and are stripping Amtrak of its ability to set security standards and to protect its customers and employees. There was a deadly terrorist attack in Russia just 2 weeks ago on a train. The same thing happened in Madrid, Spain, in Mumbai, India, and in London, England. Each attack has emphasized the importance of passenger rail security.

These incidents also clearly demonstrate the fact that security in rail environments presents unique opportunities for terrorists. Trains are not like airplanes. You don't have metal detectors, and you don't have the TSA officials there or law enforcement officers processing passengers through these stations. We haven't provided Amtrak the resources to fully fund this operation, let alone the additional costs and manpower that will be needed to comply with this legislation.

The traveling public deserves better. I am asking each Member to vote ``no'' on this rule so we can come back and get a fair rule pertaining to the traveling public.

Madam Speaker, this communication is forwarded on behalf of the constituents of the Third Congressional District of Florida and myself as we pay tribute to the life of Isiah Jessie ``Ike'' Williams, III.

We are deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of our dear friend, mentor and brother

``Ike'' Williams. This man of great stature and bearing was the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar. We were moved by his passion, emboldened by his commitments, honored by his friendship and made all the better by his innate wisdom and his belief in the integrity of the human experience. His was a purposeful life and one that helped shape the destinies of historical figures with whom he conversed, and equally so that of the common man and woman, in whom he placed unwavering faith. We came to know him as a dedicated servant to his people and just causes, a scholar and historian without comparison. We were assured for we came to know the absoluteness of his word, the sanctity of his promise, the depth of his intellect, the breadth of his worldly experiences, his place in history, and of his true love for his wife, his family and his friends.

We come now to remember the man, the Korean War Veteran, the lawyer, the educator, the editor and publisher and most preciously we come to remember our friend. We are poised to remember him as repository of our histories--spoken, written and shared. His was the force of change through direct action, intervention, education and by challenging the very fabric of society. By his very being we were blessed; and in this moment in our collective memories, we pray for the family and find solace in the knowledge that ``Ike'' has found that eternal peace in the embrace of his Heavenly Father.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support health care reform, which will benefit women who change jobs; and I want to add that health care insurance companies cannot deny people health care because of preexisting conditions.

Mr. Speaker, like the majority of Americans, I am well aware of the desperate need in our country for comprehensive health care reform. In fact, the immediate need for reform became crystal clear to me when, over the August district period, I went to a hospital in Jacksonville to visit a friend. This friend, who had worked in the Duval County school system for over 25 years, had lost his job, was without health insurance, was struggling to support himself, and had no idea how he was going to be able to pay the hospital bill. For the many, many Americans who find themselves in similar situations: for the woman who cannot get insurance coverage because she is diabetic and has a pre-existing condition, to the one in nine children in America without health care, to the millions of middle class American citizens who skip necessary treatments because they cannot afford it, it is for them that the Affordable Healthcare for America Act, which will ensure that all Americans are covered and have access to affordable care, is necessary.

Unfortunately, the bill passed the House without any Republican support. Although many pieces of legislation this session have advanced in a bipartisan manner, particularly in my committees of specialization, Veterans Affairs and Transportation, health care has not been an issue of biparty agreement. In 2003, the Republican Party pushed through a horrible Medicare Prescription drug law that was voted along party lines, in which the Republicans included a ``donut hole'' provision, in which there is a wide gap in coverage that forces the co- payer to pay for much of their own prescription drug costs. Fortunately, the bill on the Floor today will begin to close this loophole. Similarly, today's bill in the House as well as the Senate health care bill, are advancing without any Republican support. Social Security was created in 1935 by Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the New Deal, Medicare, in 1965, and Medicaid, in 1965, through Title XIX of the Social Security Act. All of these programs were created by Democrats without the votes of the majority of Republicans.

One aspect of health care reform of utmost importance to me is maintaining proper funding for Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH), like Shands Jacksonville (and Gainesville), who provide healthcare to uninsured and/or individuals with limited incomes. Disproportionate Share Hospitals are invaluable, as they are the one true safety net for the working poor nationwide. I fought hard to keep DSH funding in the Budget Reconciliation negotiations during the Clinton years, and have been working throughout the entire process to ensure that their funding was not stripped in the health care bill before us today.

Another extremely important issue addressed in this bill is that it prevents insurance companies from denying people coverage based on pre- existing medical conditions. Indisputably, denying a health insurance plan to someone merely because they're likely to need a particular form of medical care runs contrary to the underlying reason for providing medical insurance and medical care in the first place. So the bill before the House today opens doors to quality medical care to those who were shut out of the system for much too long, and also makes prevention a key piece of this legislation's goal, since it puts a renewed emphasis on preventive care, expands access to screenings and other treatments, and even promotes wellness in the workplace.

Indeed, for nearly a century leaders from all over the political spectrum, beginning with President Theodore Roosevelt, have called and fought for health care and health insurance reform. Finally today, the House of Representatives, the People's House, is about to deliver on the promise of making affordable, quality health care available for all Americans,

The Affordable Health Care for America Act is founded on key principles of American success: opportunity, choice, competition, and innovation. Among the many positive things this bill does, a few items that stand out is that it will provide coverage to nearly all our nation's citizens, while at the same time reducing the deficit by $32 billion over the first 10 years. It will also require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries; begin to close the prescription drug ``donut hole'' immediately; create a new, voluntary insurance program to make long- term care more affordable; and repeal the anti-trust exemption for health insurance companies.

For Floridians in particular, where more than one in five residents do not have health insurance, and for my constituents in Florida's third congressional district and minority communities nationwide, the need for health care reform is obvious. For the African American community and Hispanics, groups who make up nearly half of the estimated 50 million Americans who lack insurance, this is imperative. In addition, health care costs have become outright unsustainable, and experts predict that in the near future, one-fifth of our nation's GDP will go towards health care spending.

The benefits for my district, Florida's third, are numerous. In fact, the Affordable Health Care Act will: Improve employer-based coverage for 300,000 residents; provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 192,000 households; improve Medicare for 93,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug donut hole for 6,600 seniors; allow 20,100 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 18,400 small businesses; provide coverage for 138,000 uninsured residents; protect up to 1,400 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs; reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and health care providers by $145 million. For too long, health care has been a privilege, not a right in America. And for years our nation's leaders have fought to bring the promise of quality, affordable health care to every American.

Today is a groundbreaking moment in this historic effort. Indeed, we are now closer than ever to guaranteeing every American access to quality, affordable health insurance and giving middle-class families and businesses relief from crushing costs, while simultaneously reducing our nation's deficit.

Mr. Speaker, tonight, I'm thinking about my grandmother, and all the grandmothers out there--back in November of 2003 when the Republicans passed their Medicare Prescription Drug bill, they put a provision in there known as the donut hole. And that's why I voted against that bill because I knew that my Grandma needed her prescriptions yet couldn't afford them because of this gap in coverage. And they made it illegal for the Secretary of HHS to negotiate the prices of drugs, even though we in Congress allow the VA and DOD to negotiate drug prices.

Yet this bill closes that prescription drug loophole. It makes it impossible for insurance companies to deny people health care because of a pre-existing condition, and it allows the Secretary of HHS to negotiate drug prices, which WILL help to bring down cost.

Secondly, one of the most family friendly provisions in this bill: families can keep their children on their health care insurance policy until age 27! This will be a great assistance to young adults studying in graduate school, or those just starting out in their career and barely making enough to get by.

To whom God has given much, much is expected. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to reform health care in our country and make sure access to health care is a right for every American, not a privilege.

Madam Speaker, I am extremely sad to announce a tragedy in Orlando, Florida, today. Early reports are saying that at least two people are dead and six have been wounded in a mass shooting at an office building in downtown Orlando. Seven people were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and one to Florida Hospital South.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the victims. Madam Speaker, would you please ask the House to stand. These are two tragic back-to-back days in our country. Let's ask to pray for our country and for the families and the victims.

Mr. Speaker, I want to start off by thanking Chairmen Oberstar and Cummings and Ranking Member Mica for all of their hard work on this bill.

We've given the Coast Guard so much responsibility, and they have been up to every challenge. The Coast Guard has been protecting our shores for more than 200 years and have done an outstanding job. The Coast Guard was the first agency to react to the terrorist attacks on September 11, and was the only agency in the Bush administration to actually do their job during the evacuation and disaster of Hurricane Katrina. Today, we are finally providing the crucial agency the resources it needs to complete its new expanded mission.

As a Member from the State of Florida, which has 14 ports and numerous cruise lines, I have particular interest in the cruise industry. The cruise industry is an important economic engine in the State of Florida. Florida ranks first in the Nation for cruise industry expenditures, with over $6 billion in direct spending, accounting for 33 percent of the total industry direct spending. Cruise industry spending generates more than 127,000 jobs and wages totaling over $5 billion in income to Floridian workers, and over 5 million passengers embarked from Florida's five cruise ports in 2007.

Before coming to Congress, I owned, really, three travel agencies, and I can tell you that cruises are one of the most cost-effective, safe, and enjoyable vacations one can take. In fact, I just recently sent my mother on a cruise.

The cruise industry is highly regulated by the State, the Federal Government, and international laws. They ensure that their passengers are safe and have a sound security record. It is apparent from the FBI statistics that crimes against U.S. passengers on cruise ships are rare.

A leisure cruise is one of the most popular vacation options because of its excellent safe record and a high quality of service provided on board.

I look forward to working with the committee members to continue to ensure that safety and well-being of passengers on cruise ships is maintained.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. I want to thank Chairman Skelton for his hard work and leadership on working with all members and the Senate in passing an important bill to authorize the funding for our entire armed forces.

I am especially grateful for the provision to authorize funding to dredge the St. Johns River at Mayport Naval Station. It is important for our Navy to have the flexibility to station all of our vessels where they can be safe and provide the maximum amount of protection for national security.

I am proud of the men and women of our military who, every day and every night, protect the freedoms we hold so dear. Congress determined the mission and it is up to us to make sure our soldiers have the proper resources to carry out that mission.

The Navy and the President determined that part of that mission included making the harbor at Mayport Naval Station suitable for all the ships in our fleet. They included that requirement in the budget submitted to the Congress. And it is included in the conference report. This is a key military construction and force protection project.

The U.S. Navy has an alternative docking location for every ship in the Navy except for aircraft carriers stationed on the East Coast. In order to provide this emergency docking location, the Navy requested funding in the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget for Channel Dredging at Naval Station Mayport.

Right now, the channel to Naval Station Mayport is dredged to 42 feet plus a 2 foot overdraft. For a full loaded nuclear aircraft carrier to pull into Mayport without tide restrictions, the channel must be dredged to 50 feet plus a 2 foot overdraft.

I was pleased to speak with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates earlier this year and he expressed his commitment to make the Mayport Naval Station a viable option for all naval ships in the event of emergency.

This provision to allow the dredging to continue represents a huge victory not only for the First Coast community, but also for the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy, whose vulnerability to attack is decreased by avoiding consolidation of carriers in any single location. The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 highlighted the danger associated with docking large naval fleets in only one location. I am thrilled that the Department of Defense has decided to take advantage of the Jacksonville port in order to increase the safety of our men and women in uniform.

This is about national security and ensuring we provide our Navy leaders with operational flexibility they need. Our aircraft carriers are too valuable of assets not to provide a back-up docking location.

I am pleased at the support of the entire Florida delegation for working in a bipartisan matter to support the men and women of our military who, every day and every night, protect the freedoms we hold so dear. Congress determined the mission and it is up to us to make sure our soldiers have the proper resources to carry out that mission.

I support this provision and the entire bill and urge my colleagues to support this bill as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 215, a resolution congratulating the Minority Business Development Agency on its 40th anniversary and commending its achievements in fostering the establishment and growth of minority businesses in the United States. I know in my own district MBDA is an integral part of the economic development of Orlando. In fiscal year 2008, the MBDAs Florida Minority Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) in Orlando helped minority businesses get $13.6 million in contracts and $29 million in financial transactions.

This year in 2009, one of their local success stories includes APC Workforce Solutions, a contract labor, acquisition and management company. With the assistance of the MBDAs Florida Minority Business Opportunity Center, APC recently received a three-year renewable $45 million per year contract from Sunoco, Inc. to provide staffing services. The contract is that resulted in the creation of 30 new jobs.

MBDA and its network of centers across the country are helping businesses like APC every day. That's why last year MBDA helped minority businesses get over $1 billion worth of contracts, $1 billion worth of financial transactions that helped create more than 5,300 jobs across the country. In this tough economy, agencies like MBDA are helping minority-owned firms succeed and Congress needs to do a better job of recognizing the important job MBDA has been doing over the past 40 years. I am ashamed to say that MBDA was overlooked in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and there was no specific language in ARRA for minority businesses.

In 2050, the minority community will represent 54 percent of the total U.S. population. It is imperative to the continued strength of the U.S. economy to provide for the growth and expansion of minority businesses. The nation is failing to reap the benefits of economic parity through the creation of 16 million jobs, generating $2.5 trillion in gloss receipts and an unrealized tax base of more than $100 billion per year. Congress must do more to help the minority business community.

I like to say when America has a cold, the African-American community has pneumonia. Right now, Congress is ignoring the long-term health of our economy by ignoring the needs of minority businesses.

Minority-owned firms are in the position to generate long-term employment and economic sustainability in their communities. Minority firms provide nearly 5 million people with steady jobs and create wealth in minority communities. They create jobs, impact local and state economies and pursue global marketplaces

MBDAs long term strategic direction is achieving economic parity for minority firms. Economic parity is a benchmark measured by the proportion of U.S. business owned by minorities being roughly equal to the percent of their population. MBDA is focused on creating a new generation of $100 million dollar minority businesses creating the foundation that helps to close the gap in annual revenues between minority-owned firms and non-minority owned firms. At economic parity, the diverse business community will be larger than the economies of Russia, Italy or Spain. At economic parity, we reduce the unemployment rate from the current level of about 9.4 percent to 7.5 percent. At economic parity, the tax-base that is generated could fund 100 percent of Head Start, 100 percent of State Children's Health Insurance Program or a full 10 percent of the cost estimate to reform healthcare.

In closing, I'd like to again congratulate the Minority Business Development Agency on their 40th Anniversary and reiterate the importance of minority businesses to the economy.

Mr. Speaker, I am concerned over the news reports that the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program, or the Car Allowance Rebate System has run out of money.

This program took effect approximately one week ago, and American auto dealers have already sold 8,000 cars thanks to subsidies contained in the legislation. Equally impressive is the fact that appropriated funds have already been dispersed. This swift action by Congress and the Department of Transportation is extremely encouraging. This legislation has been having a stabilizing effect moving forward and delivers badly needed relief to the American auto industry.

The Cars for Clunkers program is a part of the federal government's efforts to help local dealers who are suffering financially and shutting down because of the economy, and I am thrilled by the program's early success.

We need to fully fund the House-passed authorized level of $4 billion before we leave for our August district work period.

The government's new Cash for Clunkers program took effect approximately one week ago, and American auto dealers have already sold 8,000 cars thanks to subsidies contained in the legislation. I am confident that this legislation will have a stabilizing effect moving forward and deliver badly needed relief to the American auto industry. Creation of the Cash for Clunkers program was not the first action Congress has taken this year to help struggling auto dealers. As we move forward with implementation of this new program, it is important that Congress make sure previously appropriated funds are used to help auto dealers on Main Street and not just manufacturers.

As a senior member of the Transportation Committee, I work every day to help Americans who depend on the transportation industry for jobs and services. I firmly believe that every mode of transportation contributes to America in meaningful ways. However, no mode of transportation has shaped American life as profoundly as the automobile--and that is why Congress needs to do everything in its power to help struggling auto dealers across America.

In good economic times, manufacturers established as many dealerships as possible in order to maximize profit. However, in today's recession, these same dealerships are being asked to sacrifice. And those responsible for the industry's collapse--namely the management of GM and Chrysler who insisted on building bigger, gas-guzzling automobiles--are the ones being propped up by federal bailout dollars. This is hardly fair, and Congress has a responsibility to exercise oversight and ensure dealers are not punished for management's mistakes.

Most dealerships across America are seeing layoffs and some have been closed altogether. These dealers are the bedrock of our communities; they sponsor our children's sports teams and are known for participating in community organizations. Supporting upstanding auto dealers across America is not ``political pandering'' as your editorial suggested. Congress is simply taking action to protect hardworking Americans whose dealerships are being taken from them for no mistake of their own.

When we committed taxpayer dollars to these companies, we accepted the responsibility to make sure those monies would help Americans on Main Street--that means dealerships and not just manufacturers. Dealers deserve to be protected by these funds, and Members of Congress should be committed to effective oversight.

In a rare exhibit of bipartisanship, Democrats and Republicans are working together to save American auto dealers. Members of both parties agree that the closing of dealerships may violate state franchise laws designed to protect dealers from unfair and oppressive trade practices.

The actions of Chrysler and GM simply ignore these protected rights. Dealers have lost their dealerships without due process or adequate compensation. Action by Congress could not only reinstate dealers but will also revitalize the communities that depend crucially on dealerships for jobs and services. Simply, auto dealers are part of the solution to manufacturers' problems, not a part of the problem.

Most dealers would prefer to remain in the automobile business as GM or Chrysler franchisees, but today manufacturers are allowed to eliminate entire dealerships regardless of clear precedent that protects dealers' rights. Chrysler and GM are being allowed to operate as the ``exception to the rule.'' This is unfair to our communities that depend on auto dealers and represents a clear federal level assault on state franchise laws.

Congress must take action to save our dealerships, communities, and American jobs.

Madam Speaker, this communication is forwarded on behalf of the constituents of Congressional District Three and myself as we pay tribute to the life of Ruth Yvonne Willoughby Poole. We are all saddened that Yvonne is gone, but joyful that she has gone to be with her Heavenly Father.

On this occasion, we join with the immediate family and loved ones in saying farewell and praising God for her life. Yvonne's tremendous character and accomplishments earned her the respect of her family, friends, and community. Yvonne was a role model for so many young people, founding her own real estate brokerage at the age of 29. Her trailblazing in this industry was truly inspirational and paved the way for so many others to succeed. As you experience this tremendous loss, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, especially Yvonne's son, R. Donahue Peebles Jr., and Yvonne's grandchildren, R. Donahue Peebles III and Chloe Alexandra Peebles.

We are happy to stand with everyone recognizing Yvonne's life on July 27 at 11 a.m. in The Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. There is an emptiness that only those who have lost a close relative can understand. May the sympathy of those who care make the sorrow of your heart less difficult to bear. Along with all residents of Congressional District Three, I extend my best

wishes to you and your family in these difficult times. I hope you will never hesitate to call on me or my staff if we may be of service in the future.

Today I rise to encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment that would cut funds for high-speed and passenger rail funding. Just 1 week ago, the Department of Transportation announced that it received 278 preapplications for high- speed and intercity passenger rail funds totaling $102 billion. Northeastern States submitted 79 applications totaling $35 billion; the South and Southeastern States 44 applications totaling $66 billion; Northwestern States submitted 47 applications totaling $13 billion; and the Western States submitted 108 preapplications totaling $38 billion.

Clearly, there is an increased demand for high-speed rail for the future and transportation of America. It will provide more efficient travel, increase U.S. jobs, reduce hydrostatic carbon emissions from all transportation sources, increase economic competitiveness, and reduce the dependence on foreign oil. And prove that freight lines

will also offer more effective freight service. But the $8 billion provided in the American Recovery Act is just the beginning.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 3170, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations for FY 2010. The gentleman from New York, Mr. Serrano, has done a wonderful job of shepherding this complicated and bi-partisan bill to the floor today.

I rise today to speak on one specific provision in this bill. The bill requires automakers that have taken government funding, such as General Motors (GM) and Chrysler, to reinstate agreements with dealerships they have dropped as part of their recent bankruptcy proceedings.

Automobile dealers are the backbone of all of our communities. They are an economic engine employing dozens and sometimes hundreds of hardworking, taxpaying members of the community.

Auto dealers are on the frontlines of the U.S. automotive industry. They take the chances with the new cars being developed in laboratories in Detroit and around the world. They are the face of our cities, the sponsor of many little league teams and the lead in many charitable events.

When the Auto Task Force and the bankruptcy judges took the ability of our auto dealers to earn a living, they took away a portion of our communities.

The bill gives these men and women the opportunity to reclaim their lives and their businesses, and plug a hole that has been torn in each and every one of our districts.

Support this bill, support our communities and support our automobile dealers.

Madam Speaker, this communication is forwarded on behalf of the constituents of Congressional District Three and myself as we pay tribute to the life of Thomas W.L. Kelley. We are all saddened that Thomas is gone so soon but joyful that he has gone to be with his Heavenly Father.

On this occasion, we join with the immediate family and loved ones in saying farewell and praising God for his life. Thomas W.L. Kelley's tremendous character earned him the respect of his family, friends, and classmates at Juniata High School. As you experience this tremendous loss, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kelley Family, especially Thomas' parents, Terry and Angela, and Thomas' siblings, Joey and Abbey.

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my thoughts and prayers to Thomas W.L. Kelley's uncle, Nick Martinelli, who works in my Washington, DC office. I know this loss was extremely difficult for Nick, so I want him to know that his colleagues in Washington wish him the very best in the wake of Thomas W.L. Kelley's untimely passing.

We are happy to stand with everyone recognizing Thomas W.L. Kelley's life on Monday, July 13 at Hoenstine Funeral Home in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. There is an emptiness that only those who have lost a close relative can understand. May the sympathy of those who care make the sorrow of your heart less difficult to bear. Along with all residents of Congressional District Three, I extend my best wishes to you and your family in these difficult times--and I hope you will never hesitate to call on me or my staff if we may be of service in the future.