Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to bring to your attention an event that took place in my district. On Saturday, August 21, 2004, the Lake Fenton Community School District gathered to mark the official ribbon cutting and formal dedication of their newly constructed Lake Fenton High School. The celebration concluded on Sunday, August 22, 2004 with a non-denominational service and community open house.

Lake Fenton High School was first dedicated on May 19, 1961. With increasing enrollment and changing educational needs, the Lake Fenton Board of Education and the Lake Fenton Schools Support Services/ Facilities Committee implemented plans to build a new high school. Their hard work and dedication resulted in three elective bond activities, and the final product is the first newly built facility within the Lake Fenton School District, and the only new high school constructed within Genesee County in over 30 years. This is indeed an accomplishment worth commending.

The new high school boasts state of the art technology, computer and science labs, a media center, auditorium, gymnasium, and an outdoor athletic facility. The labs will allow the school to fully support their new program entitled ``Project Lead the Way''. This program introduces students to the demanding field of Engineering and Digital Electronics. As stated by their principal, Julie Clontz, Lake Fenton High School is trying to in every way possible to adjust their curriculum to meet the needs of the students and help prepare them for life after high school. The completion of this beautiful new facility and the implementation of these exciting educational programs is without a doubt a step in the right direction. Superintendent Ralph Coaster has provided excellent leadership in this endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I consider it both my duty and privilege to work to improve the quality of our public school system. I am glad that communities such as Lake Fenton share this sentiment. They continue to work diligently to ensure students have the tools necessary to compete and succeed. I ask my colleagues of the 108th Congress to please join me in congratulating this fine community and its school district and in wishing them the very best in future endeavors.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose the Ose amendment which will exempt the construction of the proposed security barrier in the San Diego area from most Federal environmental laws, regulations and executive orders, including four that specifically and directly impact Indian tribes.

The Ose amendment would waive the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, the 1996 Executive Order 13007 on sacred sites and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979.

These Federal requirements were enacted by Congress and implemented by Democratic and Republican administrations to fulfill promises we made to native Americans that their places of worship, resting places for the deceased, and religious freedom will not be disturbed or intruded upon again and, instead, will be protected and preserved.

This amendment undermines those laws by precluding tribal consultations on Native American burial grounds, religious shrines, and cultural and historical sites located in the construction area.

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

Mr. Chairman, I include for the Record the following letter:

National Congress of

American Indians,

Washington, DC, October 7, 2004.

Hon. Chairman Sensenbrenner,

House Judiciary Chairman.

Honorable James Sensenbrenner: We have become aware that a

proposed amendment to H.R. 10, ``The 9/11 Recommendations

Implementation Act'', would undermine two federal statutes

designed to preserve and protect Native American cultural

heritage.

NCAI is extremely sensitive to the issues of protecting our

homeland. Tribes play a vital role in protecting our borders

with over 200 miles of United States border located on tribal

lands and with 38 tribes on or near international borders.

Additionally, significant numbers of tribes are located near

critical infrastructure, including missile silos, chemical

depots, dams and nuclear power plants.

Native peoples have proven their unwavering commitment to

protecting this country. Currently, 19,761 American Indians

and Alaskan Natives are serving in the military, and as noted

by many members of Congress, Native Americans serve in the

United States military at higher rates than any other ethnic

group.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

of 1990 (NAGPRA), P.L. 101-601, 24 U.S.C. 3002), was enacted

to protect fragile tribal cultures from exploitation. It was

designed to address the flagrant violation of the ``civil

rights of America's first citizens'' 136 C.R. Sec. 17174.

Furthermore, Congress has expressly stated in statue that

it viewed NAGPRA as part part of its trust responsibility to

Indian tribes and people, specifically stating that it

``reflects the unique relationship between the Federal

Government and Indian tribes'' 25 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3010.

The destruction of culturally sensitive sites is

irreversible and unconscionable. The proposed amendment of

Representative Ose would undermine the very foundation of

NAGPRA and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16

U.S.C. 470 et seq.). At the very least we would expect that a

consultation process be considered in any legislation that

would affect cultural sites. We urge you oppose any

amendments that would undermine our rights to protect and

preserve our cultural heritage.

Sincerely,

Tex G. Hall.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4278. The bill is the culmination of many months of bipartisan and bicameral efforts to reauthorize the Assistive Technology Act. This law is an important component in ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access assistive technology to attend school, maintain employment, and live independently.

As Members know, this bill is critically needed. This legislation finally ensures that State grant programs can count on a stable source of Federal funds to support their operations. The last reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act in 1998 sunset the State grant program. For the past 3 years, many States have wondered whether a certain year would be their last year of Federal funding. This bill erases this doubt by ensuring that all States will be eligible for funding through 2010.

I want to mention the inclusion of the American Indian consortium as a funded protection and advocacy system under this legislation. Individuals with disabilities in Indian country are some of the most disadvantaged when it comes to the ability to access assistive technology. This bill will provide resources to this consortium to ensure the needs of Native Americans seeking assistive technology are represented. This provision alone will have a tremendously positive impact on Indian country.

The momentum behind this bill would not have been possible without a real bipartisan effort to move this bill. I want to thank Chairman Boehner and McKeon and their staff for working closely with myself and my staff. I also want to thank Senators Kennedy and Gregg and their staff for their hard work on this bill. We have truly created a bill that will improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to access assistive technology. This legislation is an excellent example of what we can accomplish if we put our efforts into working together.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this bill extends our higher education program for one year. We need to do this because Congress has not completed its work in reauthorizing the Higher Education Act this session.

While I support this legislation, it represents a missed opportunity. Students are facing some of the worst tuition increases in decades. Families have struggled to find ways to pay for college. Unfortunately, the bipartisan cooperation has not been as helpful as it was back in 1998, and the administration has neglected its role.

The Congress and the Bush administration have frozen the maximum Pell grant over the last 3 years. Indeed, Republican higher education legislation which failed to move would have jeopardized college affordability for millions of students by eliminating the ability of students to lock in low, fixed interest rates when they consolidate their student loans, by reducing student choice in how they can repay their student loans, and by increasing the ability of students to go further into debt.

If we did reauthorize the Higher Education Act, we could have addressed the critical needs of students, including allowing student borrowers to refinance their consolidation loans and lock in today's low interest rates. This increases the long-term affordability of college. We could have provided incentives to help colleges hold down increases in tuition. Recent tuition increases have hit American families and students especially hard. We could have allowed working students to keep more of the funding they earn than having it used to calculate their student aid. Unfortunately, today, we are not going to be improving our student aid programs. Instead, we are keeping the status quo.

While this bill is necessary, we have lost an opportunity. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we did in 1998, hopefully in a bipartisan fashion in the next Congress, to improve our higher education programs.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me make it clear that the Kildee-Van Hollen efforts to end this subsidy have never gone after existing loans. Both the Kildee-Van Hollen amendment and H.R. 5113 affect prospective loans.

Mr. Speaker, I am going to support this bill today despite some glaring inadequacies.

H.R. 5186 makes an improvement over current law which has been providing lenders excessive subsidies, but it also fails to address a large share of this subsidy and only enacts this change for about 1 year.

The loophole, which this bill only partially closes, has increased lender profits by nearly $1 billion in fiscal year 2004. Under this antiquated loophole, lenders presently receive an additional 5.5 percent return, compared to subsidies on regular student loans. That is free money. Worse, this loophole has reduced resources that should be used to make college cheaper for students.

The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen) and I became concerned about this issue in October of last year when we asked the General Accountability Office to investigate how lenders were exploiting this loophole. This report produced alarming results including:

The Federal subsidy provided under this loophole has grown nearly five times from $200 million in fiscal year 2001 to $1 billion in fiscal year 2004.

The volume of loans carrying this subsidy has grown from $11 billion in fiscal year 1995 to over $17 billion at the end of the third quarter in 2004.

Clearly, these facts demand immediate action.

The GAO's report on this matter called for such action by the Bush administration. Unfortunately, they failed to answer that charge. Due to this refusal, Congress now has to take steps to deal with this issue. I am pleased that the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) have now responded to our calls to close this loophole.

Today's effort is especially timely considering that all committee Democratic members called for a markup on the gentleman from Maryland's (Mr. Van Hollen) and my legislation to eliminate this lender loophole.

However, it is important that Members understand that this bill has two major deficiencies. First of all, it does not completely close the loophole which lenders have been exploiting. It keeps on ``recycling.'' Cyclists pedal through the Tour de France for handsome profits; recyclists pedal through the U.S. Treasury for even greater profits.

This is free money and it should be stopped. Under this legislation, lenders will continue to receive sizeable and excessive subsidies, perpetuating this taxpayer ripoff.

Second, this bill does not close this loophole permanently. Instead, it opts for about a 1-year fix. This loophole should be permanently and completely closed, and the savings should be used to make college cheaper for needy students.

Failing to completely and permanently close this loophole is a lost opportunity to create more aid for needy students.

Permanently and completely closing this loophole would enable us to increase the bill's loan forgiveness provisions even more, or enact other means to make college more affordable. Students are bearing the brunt of rising college costs and shrinking aid.

It is unfortunate that we cannot completely and permanently address this problem and provide more help. I would hope that passage of this legislation does not end our efforts to fully and permanently close this loophole.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. H. Res. 805 promotes the need for greater public awareness of effective runaway youth prevention programs and the increasing need for safe and productive alternatives, resources and supports for youth in high-risk situations.

Mr. Speaker, let me first applaud the hard work of the front line workers who are on the ground working with runaway and homeless youth every day. For many youth, these workers represent the only responsible and caring adults they will have contact with during their time on the streets. Many of these workers are volunteers who make themselves available 24 hours a day. They venture into dangerous situations, providing a lifeline to these young people. They should be acknowledged for their efforts.

Mr. Speaker, the youth who come to these programs represent a lost generation. Most of them are not runaways. They have been thrown away, thrown away by their parents and by society. When they come to these programs, they do so out of a need for security, shelter and comfort they cannot find at home. These programs provide that comfort. They provide basic life skills, training, job preparation and placement, health referrals and services.

As of this fall, youth who visit these programs will be automatically eligible for school nutrition programs and will be able to receive meals and snacks through shelter programs. The reauthorization of child nutrition programs enacted this summer made this possible and ensures that these youth can get a nutritious meal even if they are on the street. Nearly 150,000 youth are served at basic centers and through transitional living programs. Yet as this resolution points out, many more runaways and homeless youth find themselves without these critical community services.

It is appropriate, Mr. Speaker, that Congress take time out to promote greater public awareness of the needs of these young people and the services that are available to them in the community.

In closing, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 809. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of ``Lights On Afterschool!'', a national celebration of after-school programs.

All of us know the value of high-quality after-school programs. These programs help reduce crime in our communities and provide children a safe and nurturing environment when the school day ends. In addition, after-school programs play key roles in the social and educational development of our children. This helps improve their academic achievements and ensures that they become contributing, positive members of society.

The importance of after-school programs, especially to parents who work, is undeniable. H. Res. 809 recognizes the efforts of ``Lights On Afterschool!''. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, this is the fifth annual ``Lights On Afterschool!'' Day. This day will bring together educators, community leaders, lawmakers, parents, business and religious leaders, and youth for the Nation's largest annual rally for after-school programs on October 14. The event will call attention to after-school programs and the resources needed to keep their lights on and their doors open.

``Lights On Afterschool!'' was launched in October, 2000. That year more than 1,200 events were held across the country. But last year more than half a million people rallied at more than 5,000 events to show their support for after-school programs. The Afterschool Alliance expects this year's event to be even larger.

This resolution is only a small part of our effort to thank and support those involved with after-school programs. The Afterschool Alliance and its executive director, Judy Samelson, deserve a great deal of credit for spearheading the drive to expand after-school programs and get the resources they need.

I hope Members will join me in recognizing their efforts and the importance of after-school programs by supporting this program.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the Michigan State Polka Music Hall of Fame to honor the late Mr. William Ostash of Bay City, Michigan for his contributions to the Polka Music Industry. On October 3, 2004 the Michigan State Polka Music Industry will honor Mr. William Ostash by inducting him into the Polka Music Hall of Fame.

William Ostash was born in Saskatchan, Canada on December 11, 1915 to Michael and Anna Ostash. In December of 1926, William and his family moved to Bay City, Michigan. At a young age William along with his siblings learned the value of music from their father, who was a well- known violinist in his native country of Ukraine. William who was a self-taught accordion player, performed with the family Orchestra for many years. The Ostash Orchestra music was so popular that it gained airtime on radio station WBCM. History has it that William was one of the first to incorporate the accordion into polka music. Another note worthy of mentioning is that William was also a master at performing the march called ``Under the Double Eagle'', and according to his family audiences were always amazed at how he could play this tune using his left hand, the bass side, with 120 buttons.

Aside from his musical career, William was a devoted husband to his lovely wife Julie, whom he married on May 3, 1941. To this union were born two sons, James and Ronald. On April 8, 2002 Julie Ostash passed away, and William passed on July 20, 2002. William was a legend and true contributor to the Polka Musical Industry. His contributions will be forever cherished.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in honoring the life and legacy of Mr. William Ostash who devoted many years to Polka Music Industry. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the Bay Area Women's Center of Bay City, Michigan for their diligence and dedication to educating the community on the devastating effects of domestic violence and for supporting numerous victims and their families. The month of October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On Tuesday, October 5, 2004 the Bay Area Women's Center will host their annual vigil and awareness walk to show and renew their commitment to ending domestic violence.

As we enter into National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I urge every community leader, resident, and law enforcement officer to come together and take a stance against this hideous crime not just during the month of awareness, but every day throughout the year. Countless lives are lost and homes are broken as result of this preventable crime. We as a community must educate ourselves on the warning signs. We must also be willing to alert the authorities before a situation becomes violent. Domestic violence is prevalent in all communities. It knows no status or ethnicity. This is a vicious crime sweeping our Nation with many victims too afraid or simply not aware they are victims until it is too late. I am thankful for the Bay Area Women's Center, for they are committed to helping people in crisis. They hold true to their philosophy that every individual maintains the right to live free of fear and violence. Survival of organizations such as this one is critical if domestic violence is to be an issue of the past. We must support these organizations and help them spread the word that domestic violence will not be tolerated. During the month of October renew your own commitment to stamping out domestic violence by first assuring that you or your loved ones are not falling prey to this repulsive crime.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in honoring the Bay City Women's Center for their tireless efforts in promoting domestic violence awareness and for providing a supportive, and non-judgmental environment to those who have become victims.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 2363, to revise and extend the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Congress first granted the Boys and Girls Clubs a charter back in 1991, but these clubs have been helping their communities for nearly one hundred years.

There are currently 3,500 Boys and Girls Clubs across America, serving over 3.6 million children, ages 6-18.

Over 70 percent of those children who benefit from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America live in America's inner cities. Almost half of the club members come from single parent homes.

The clubs offer young people a safe place to learn and grow in the clubs.

This bill authorizes the clubs to receive funds through 2010 and increases the number of clubs in existence. By 2010, there will be 5,000 clubs nationwide serving over 5 million young people.

I urge my colleagues to support this important reauthorization.

I would also like to recognize Thomas (T.J.) Rancour of Bay County, Michigan, who last week won the Boys and Girls Club National Youth of the Year Award.

T.J. won the national title after delivering an excellent speech about how the Boys and Girls Club has changed his life.

T.J. overcame many personal obstacles in life because of his determination and perseverance. T.J. has a bright future ahead of him because he has a good heart and a good head.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Emergency Loan Abuse Prevention Act of 2004, along with my colleagues, Representatives Van Hollen and George Miller. Through a loophole in the Higher Education Act, nearly $1 billion in special student loan subsidies will be paid by the Federal government to lenders this year, rather than used for financial aid for students. This bill closes this loophole and requires the savings to be used to increase the maximum Pell grant.

This antiquated subsidy results from an obscure provision in the Higher Education Act and its regulations which provide lenders a 9.5 percent rate of return on certain student loans. This rate of return is excessive when you consider that lenders are guaranteed approximately a 3.5 percent rate of return on other student loans.

The 9.5 percent guarantee was established in the high interest rate year of 1980. Congress intended for it to phase out of existence beginning in 1993. But through a loophole, the guarantee has continued. Both the New York Times and the L.A. Times have reported on this loophole. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report which calls for the Department of Education to correct its regulations on this matter--an action the Bush Department of Education is refusing to take.

This special subsidy has caused a lost financial opportunity for students. Students are bearing the brunt of rising college costs and shrinking grant aid. This bill provides an opportunity to correct this problem.

Despite this issue being addressed in the last Presidential Budget, the recent reaction by the Bush Administration has been inaction and silence. Rather than eliminate the use of this provision through immediate regulation, the Bush Administration has let this special subsidy triple in the past 3 years. In FY 2001, the 9.5 percent guarantee cost American taxpayers approximately $200 million. Now GAO and others have estimated that this cost is projected to be nearly five times greater this fiscal year. The GAO report estimates that on top of this year's near billion dollar cost, growth in the special subsidy will cost an additional $2.8 billion in future years, if not halted immediately.

This bill closes the loophole which the Bush Department of Education and this Republican Congress has permitted to go unchecked. The amendment ends this special subsidy and expends the savings to increase the maximum Pell grant for needy students.

I urge Members to join me and others in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today is a very special day for our country because we celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

I urge all Americans to visit the museum because it will take you through a personal journey to the different experiences of native peoples of the Americas by exposing you to their histories, their art, and their cultures.

Included in its vast collection, the museum shares the stories of the 12 tribes in my own State of Michigan whose historical roots lie with the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi Nations.

As a child, I learned of the injustices perpetrated against the Indian people of Michigan; and when I was first elected to public office in 1964, I vowed to work for the human dignity of the Native American people.

That is why I, along with so many of my colleagues, fight so hard today to protect the sovereign rights of our country's first Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better physical interactive monument that pays tribute to the past, present, and future of the American Indian than the National Museum of the American Indian.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to Mr. J.D. Rogers III, who on September 18, 2004, will be honored during the UAW Local 599 Walter Reuther award ceremony in Flint, MI, for his contributions as the longest serving production committeeman in the history of the local.

J.D. Rogers began his leadership career within UAW local 599 in 1976 when he was elected as alternative committeeman. One month after assuming his post he was elected to fulfill the position of the recently resigned committeeman. His superior leadership skills and support of the union membership granted him several unopposed elections to this post.

J.D. is committed to fulfilling Walter Reuther's mission of helping people, and ensuring human dignity and social justice for all. His hard work and dedication to the duties of his elected position is commendable. His deeds are self evident in the faith the members of 599 have bestowed upon him in allowing him to be re-elected. His service to the UAW extends many years and is highly regarded.

Mr. Speaker, many people have greatly benefited from the leadership and service of Mr. J.D. Rogers. His commitment to the UAW membership is unwavering. I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in congratulating him on obtaining his mark in history and in wishing him the very best in future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to Mr. Mo Felling for attaining the honor of being the longest serving skilled trades committeeman in the history of UAW Local 599 in Flint, MI. On September 18, 2004, the UAW local 599 members will honor Mr. Felling during their annual Walter Reuther award ceremony.

Mo Felling began his leadership career within UAW Local 599 in 1977 when he was elected to the post of alternative committeeman. In 1980 he was elected to the post of committeeman, a position he has held successfully to this date. His impeccable service and love for his fellow members is commendable. He is committed to upholding the mission sat forth by Mr. Walter Reuther; which is to help people, and ensuring human dignity and social justice for all who are employed within the manufacturing automobile industry. I salute Mr. Felling for his great attention to detail and on a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, many people have greatly benefited from the leadership and service of Mr. Mo Felling. I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in congratulating him on obtaining his mark in history and in wishing him the very best in future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to acknowledge the 75th anniversary of the Martin Funeral Home, of Mt. Morris, MI. On Saturday, September 11, 2004, the funeral home along with the community will commemorate this milestone with a full day of festivities that will include the sealing of a time capsule, a replica of President Lincoln's coffin, and free workshops on grief management.

Mr. Miles B. Martin established the Martin Funeral Home in November of 1929. Miles received his mortuary license from Worsham School of Anatomy in Chicago on June 28, 1928. He married Mildred C. Doyle and of this wonderful union were born three sons, Patrick J., Michael A. and Miles T. ``Tom''. Mrs. Martin worked alongside her husband as a licensed funeral director to build one of the largest family owned funeral businesses in Genesee County. Of the three sons, Miles T. ``Tom'' Martin took on the interest of mortuary science. He received his degree in Mortuary Science from Wayne State University. His desire to assist his father in the business was delayed by the call to serve his country in the U.S. Army as a combat medic in Vietnam. On January 1, 1972, Miles T. acquired the family business from his father. On October 21, 1988 Miles B. Martin passed away and Mildred C. Martin on August 30, 1993.

Miles T., in his commitment to honor his father's mission of providing affordable and caring funeral service for Genesee County, has expanded the operation by opening homes in Vassar and Fairgrove. The process of bereavement can be overwhelming. The community has come to know they can depend on the Martin family to help them through this difficult process. I commend the Martins for taking on, and being committed to this delicate task.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in honoring the Martin Family and their Funeral home for 75 years of unwavering support and guidance to those who have lost loved ones.