Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, homeownership can be the passage to the American dream. It can help offer wealth and even tax credit to American citizens. Nonetheless homeownership can also bring great economic devastation. While we were back in our districts, it was reported that there has been an increasing epidemic of foreclosures, especially among working-class neighborhoods. Even more, wide disparity between the rate of white homeowners and members of ethnic minority groups continue to exist. These foreclosures have fallen particularly hard on black and Latino families. As citizens face low interest rates and the pressure to refinance, an escalating number of citizens have found themselves unable to take on their mortgage debt. This past March, 47 states experienced a rise in foreclosure rates, and today, more then eight percent of homeowners spend at least half of their income on their mortgage. These numbers are appalling.

A recent study in Chicago found that rising foreclosures fuel increases in crime rates. So, not only does this affect our economic structure, but our security in society. Homeownership, especially among minorities, should not lead to economic and social ruin. In my district, just 37 percent of African-Americans own homes of their own. That's below the average for the city as a whole and falls far short of the national homeownership rate of 68 percent. Chicago should thrive off its bustling economic and cultural prospects, not be brought down because the citizens cannot afford to prosper.

In fact, there have been measures taken to counteract this declining trend. Recently, the Administration announced a goal to increase homeownership among minorities by 5.5 million households before the end of the decade through various programs such as American Dream Down- Payment Initiative. Nonetheless, the trends continue to move downward. Rising interest rates and discrimination continue to hinder homeownership among minorities. Minorities, especially African Americans, have experienced a significant disadvantage in terms of wealth creation. While sustaining the cost of housing provides great difficulty, many citizens cannot even find jobs before aspiring to finance homeownership. Before the Administration can help minorities increase homeownership, it must first give the citizens job

opportunities substantial enough to afford housing. Homeownership is a measure of financial security, and without the means to obtain such security, the number of homeowners will continue to drop.

We cannot disregard the efforts of minorities to succeed in obtaining the American dream. Minorities deserve equal opportunity to homeownership. Therefore, I urge my fellow colleagues to raise awareness against the devastation of foreclosure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for the CeaseFire Chicago program and to celebrate CeaseFire week. Some of our nation's youth faces gangs, drugs, and gun violence daily. As we proceed through CeaseFire week, from June 4-11, we acknowledge community events such as peace marches, memorial services, and other civic gatherings held throughout Chicago. We must keep in mind the sheer violence our children encounter, and the direction we must take to solve this increasing problem. Programs such as CeaseFire help to steer at-risk children away from such pressures towards graduation and college. Indeed, CeaseFire Chicago sends outreach workers, clergy, and community leaders into rough neighborhoods to mentor, respond to shootings, hand out fliers and encourage the students to stay off the streets. Today, 70 outreach workers volunteer their time to search for at-risk children in the Chicago area. And it works! In my district, where CeaseFire is most active, violence has been reduced by an average of 45 percent.

I believe by taking a more active stance on the issue of gangs and gun violence, we can help protect the children of tomorrow. CeaseFire has even been acknowledged and supported from the First Lady Laura Bush on her current trip to Chicago. This program has had a phenomenal impact on the children of Chicago, and the success would only be replicated in other cities. Therefore, I urge my fellow colleagues to support such programs as CeaseFire Chicago. With our continued efforts, we can continue to provide safe neighborhoods and successful opportunities for our children.

Mr. Speaker, over 800,000 Americans have chronic fatigue syndrome, CFS, also known as chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, or CFIDS. This is a complex and debilitating medical disorder characterized by profound exhaustion, intense widespread pain, and severe problems with memory and concentration. It usually lasts for years; and recovery, in the few cases where that occurs, is slow and unpredictable. Because the symptoms of CFS are common to other conditions and no diagnostic tests exist, it is often overlooked by health care providers. In fact, government studies show that only 15 percent of those who have CFS have been diagnosed by their doctor. It is even more difficult for CFS patients to get appropriate symptomatic treatment or to obtain disability benefits if they become too disabled to work.

The cause of CFS is not yet known. Much of what we do know about CFS has been documented by researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are some facts: women age 30 to 50 are at greatest risk for developing CFS, and Latinos and African Americans are at greater risk for CFS than Caucasians or Asians. Children can get CFS too, although it is more common in teens than younger children. The condition may begin suddenly as with the flu, or it may build gradually over time. Physical or mental exertion makes symptoms significantly worse.

Individuals with CFS are severely impacted by the disease; and according to the CDC studies, their functional status is the same as or worse than those suffering from obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis, and coronary heart disease. People with CFS often lose the ability to maintain full-time employment, attend school, and participate fully in family life. Symptomatic treatment can provide some improved quality of life, but is generally inadequate in helping patients return to normal activity levels. The Nation's economy is also seriously affected. The annual direct cost of lost productivity due to CFS is $9.1 billion, an amount equivalent to our largest corporations' annual profits. This sum does not include medical costs or disability benefits.

There is hope, though. The Department of Health and Human Services has chartered a CFS Advisory Committee that meets quarterly to advise the Secretary for Health on research and on education policy as it relates to CFS. The CDC is conducting promising research that may lead to a diagnostic test. Other researchers are following important leads that may improve treatment and deepen understanding of the way CFS affects various body systems. However, in fiscal year 2004, just $15 million was spent by the Federal Government to conduct research on this devastating illness.

CFS consistently ranks at the bottom of the NIH funding charts; and even during the period when Congress was doubling the NIH budget, support for CFS research declined. A June 2003 commitment by NIH Deputy Director Vivian Pinn to issue a request for applications for CFS has not been fulfilled. The Secretary for Health has not yet acted on a set of 11 recommendations delivered by the CFS Advisory Committee on August 23, 2004.

Many challenges remain, and more Federal funding is needed to answer basic questions. CFS warrants the support of this Congress, and we must find a way to do more for the hundreds of thousands of Americans affected by this serious illness.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), in consideration of H.R. 2066, the bill before us today.

H.R. 2066, the General Services Modernization Act, as reported by the Committee on Government Reform, represents the first major reorganization within the GSA in nearly 20 years. This bill would combine without substantive change the revolving funds used for the operations of the Federal Supply Service and the Federal Technology Service, both currently separate organizations within GSA.

The bill would also authorize a new unit, the Federal Acquisition Service, headed by a commissioner, to take over the operations of the combined services.

The Federal Supply Service provides an economic and efficient system for the procurement and supply of goods and services to Federal agencies. One way it does this is through the schedules program which manages long-term government-wide contracts for commercial goods and services. This provides customer agencies with benefits of volume discount pricing, lower administrative costs, and reduced inventories.

The Federal Technology Service offers agencies a wide range of information technology and telecommunication products and services on a number of contract vehicles. Its focus is oriented toward providing more full-service solutions for IT, telecommunications and professional services.

While I would have preferred a more thorough analysis of the benefits of the consolidation intended by this bill, the proposal would seem to offer increased organizational efficiency and improved coordination of the functions the services currently provide. I look forward to reviewing the detailed reorganization plans that the GSA is preparing.

The bill also contains provisions which would give civilian agencies additional tools to maintain their acquisition work forces. It would allow agencies to offer retention bonuses and to reemploy retirees in certain special circumstances. I would also like to thank the chairman for working with us to provide appropriate safeguards on the use of this authority and for accepting a Democratic amendment regarding the appointment of the new commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service.

While not directly relevant to this legislation, I would like to take this opportunity to urge the GSA to consult more closely with Federal employee unions on its plans for reorganizing. A number of representatives of Federal employees have contacted the committee with concerns about the reorganization. Primary among those concerns is the fact that no one seemed to be talking to them about the plans for merging the two services. This approach can only breed distrust and fear, and I urge the administrator to improve communication with the affected employees.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2066.

The bill before us today, H.R. 2066, the ``General Services, Modernization Act'' as reported by the Government Reform Committee represents the first major reorganization within GSA in nearly 20 years. The bill would combine, without substantive change, the revolving funds used for the operations of the Federal Supply Service and the Federal Technology Service, both currently separate organizations within GSA. The bill would also authorize a new unit, the Federal Acquisition Service, headed by a Commissioner, to take over the operations of the combined services.

The Federal Supply Service provides an economic and efficient system for the procurement and supply of goods and service to Federal agencies. One way it does this is through the schedules program, which manages long-term, governmentwide contracts for commercial goods and services. This provides customer agencies with benefits of volume discount pricing, lower administrative costs, and reduced inventories.

The Federal Technology Service offers agencies a range of information technology and telecommunications products and services on a number of contract vehicles. Its focus is more oriented toward providing ``full service'' solutions for IT, telecommunication, and professional services.

While I would have preferred a more thorough analysis of the benefits of the consolidation intended by this bill, the proposal would seem to offer increased organizational efficiency and improved coordination of the functions the Services currently provide.

I look forward to reviewing the detailed reorganization plans GSA is preparing.

The bill also contains provisions which would give civilian agencies additional tools to maintain their acquisition workforces. It would allow agencies to offer retention bonuses and to re-employ retirees in certain special circumstances. I would like to thank the Chairman for working with us to provide appropriate safeguards on the use of this authority, and for accepting a Democratic amendment regarding the appointment of the new Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service.

While not directly relevant to this legislation, I would like to take this opportunity to urge GSA to consult more closely with Federal employee unions on its plans for reorganizing. A number of representatives of Federal employees have contacted the Committee with concerns about the reorganization. Primary among those concerns is the fact that no one seems to be talking to them about the plans for merging the two services. This approach can only breed distrust and fear, and I urge the Administrator to improve communication with the affected Federal employees.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased and proud to represent an area in Chicago known as Chinatown, and also to note that I just returned during the break from visiting both China and Sri Lanka.

So I rise today in support of H. Res. 280, celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

I also want to take a minute to acknowledge the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, for his leadership on this important matter.

H. Res. 280 was introduced on May 17, 2005, and enjoys the support and cosponsorship of 66 Members of Congress. Asian Pacific Americans have a long and distinguished history of involvement and participation in this country. From the early 1800s to the 21st century, Asian and Pacific peoples have played a vital role in the development of the United States and have made lasting contributions in all elements of American society.

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 14.5 million Americans trace at least a portion of their ethnic heritage to Asian and Pacific Islanders. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month has a rich tradition in this country as well. In June 1977, Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Mineta of California introduced a resolution that called upon President Carter to proclaim the first 10 days of May as Asian Pacific Heritage Week. The celebration remained in this form until President Bush extended the event into the full month of May in 1990.

It was decided that May was the appropriate month for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month because on May 7, 1843, the first group of Japanese immigrants came to the United States. Today, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated with events throughout the country intended to educate all of our citizens about the positive impact the Asian Pacific community has had on our Nation. The theme of this year's celebration is Freedom For All--a Nation We Call Our Own.

Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) for sponsoring this measure and thank the Asian Pacific American community for their tremendous contribution to the wealth and success of our great Nation.

I also take a moment of personal privilege to thank a young woman who worked for several years with me as my legislative assistant, Miss Courtini Pugh, who was a member of the Asian Pacific community and is known as one of the most outstanding young persons in America. And so I urge swift passage of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with my colleagues in congratulating the people of Israel on the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. Relationships between Israel and the United States remain strong, based on each country's expressed commitment to democracy, human rights and self-determination for all people.

This past year has been a momentous one for the people of Israel. Israel won its first Olympic gold medal this past summer. Israel won its first Nobel Prize this past year, and the Israeli economy continues to recover.

Israel as a nation continues to thrive. Its people remain strong and optimistic about the future. The negotiated end to violence and Prime Minister Sharon's proposed disengagement plan to dismantle Jewish communities in Gaza and parts of the West Bank move the peace process into a new and uncharted era.

Now the attention of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples turn to the outcome of talks between Israeli Prime Minister Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as to what will come in the wake of the withdrawal from Gaza.

As we wish the Israeli people mazel tov on the anniversary of their independence, we stand ready to assist in every way in moving the peace process forward toward a permanent end to the violence and toward peace and mutual prosperity for Israel and her closest neighbor, Palestine.

On Sunday of this past week, I had an opportunity to participate with a number of my constituents in a Solidarity Day demonstration in our community. Again, I simply want to congratulate them for their continued steadfastness. I am proud and pleased to support this legislation.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Slaughter/Shays/Dicks/Leach/Price amendment.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of Slaughter/Shays/Dicks/ Leach amendment to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, NEA, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, NEH.

The arts are crucial for the flourishing and development of societies. As our economy continues to grow it is important that the arts remain a priority in our communities. As former President Kennedy stated, ``I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for our victories or defeats in battles or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.''

Though some would consider our economy hard pressed for such funding as this, I implore my colleagues to consider the profound influence of arts-centric businesses.

While some of the country's concerns only affect a minority of people, the involvement in the arts spans all walks of life. Indeed, it weaves together all communities and crosses racial, gender, and religious boundaries.

In my district, the arts create a sense of nationalism for the State and the rest of the country. For, what would Chicago be without the architecture of the Sears Tower, the flourishing talent in Second City, or the abundant museums? Indeed, the beating pulse of America lives and thrives through the arts.

Not only do the arts enrich societies, but the arts is also an industry. In my district there are 2,989 art related businesses and 44,709 people that make their daily living working in the arts. It is obvious that support of arts, also is support of the economy. Arts- Centric businesses supply 578,000 businesses in the United States and employ 2.97 million people. Even more, it is a growing institution, exceeding the total United States business growth rate by 1.7 percent. Not only do the arts help sustain the economy by supplying jobs and generating revenue, it helps to fuel future creative industries and workers.

These future creative workers come in the form of our children. The arts help in a child's brain development and their creative skills. A country without a full expression of the arts would truly create a void in a child's development. They too deserve the right to blossom and flourish their imagination from the various artistic resources.

We cannot disregard the contributions and growing trends of the arts. The arts and humanities support our culture, it supports our economy, and most importantly it supports our future. In my district there is a wealth of diversity. This diversity is preserved through the arts. The arts promote respect for diversity, and appreciation of other cultures. It seems to me, that these elements are necessary for building stable healthy communities.

Madam Chairman, if we minimize these possibilities in the arts, we will be limiting the liberty of our imagination. I request my colleagues to join me in support of this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support for the Stupak/Shaw anti-sewage dumping amendment. Each year, 850 billion gallons of contaminated sewage poisons lakes, rivers, and oceans each year. Discharging inadequately treated sewage into our waterways harms the environment, our constituents' health, and even our economic growth. By permitting ``blending'' during standard weather systems, we are providing our citizens with a false sense of security that we are furnishing them with safe conditions. When the secondary treatment of sewage water is sidestepped, the citizens face exposure to viruses, parasites, bacteria, and toxic chemicals that can cause Hepatitis A and Giardia. Further, this puts small children, the elderly, and those already vulnerable by other illnesses with additional life threatening conditions. Not only is health at risk, but the economy. Many industries work from lake and ocean commodities. Subsequently, blended sewage in the water would destroy much of their viable product. In my own district, in the heart of Chicago, routine blending will inhibit my constituents' use of the lakefront beaches, harm our water industries, and make the drinking water dangerous and even deadly.

These devastating and misguided decisions will damage not only the current, and already failing situation, but also our long term solutions. By allowing routine blending, it will only increase the concentration of the contaminant in our environment. Other solutions must be considered. For example, constructing additional facilities to hold sewage until it is fully treated can transfer some of the overflow problem. Therefore, I urge my fellow colleagues to prohibit these policies from being changed. With our continued efforts, we can continue to provide a healthy and productive environment for our citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about an industry in my congressional district that is being frustrated, squeezed, uncertain about its future as a result of our trade policy, globalization and the general tenor of the times. I rise to talk about the Chicago Lighthouse Industries, which has made clocks for the Federal Government for the last 28 years. They have been consistent and diligent in their performance. Since 1977, the Chicago Lighthouse has made 3.3 million clocks. In fact, last year they made 104,000 clocks for all branches of the military, Energy Department, the Postal Service, and the Justice Department.

The unique thing about the Chicago Lighthouse is that they employ more than 40 people who are blind or are visually impaired.

They employ their workers at a salary of $8.50 an hour and provide health benefits. On a recent visit to the Chicago Lighthouse, I was amazed at the level of detail and speed at which the workers developed the clocks. They have an assembly line that produces in packages 1,000 wall clocks daily.

In fact, Rita McCabe can assemble a 12-inch clock in less than 1 minute. Ms. McCabe, who is blind, found her job through the Chicago Lighthouse. When asked how she felt about her job, she stated the following: ``It gives me a chance to be with people, to make a living on my own, and to prove that I am competent enough to do this kind of work.''

Ms. McCabe has worked for the Chicago Lighthouse for 25 years. Rita McCabe's job is in jeopardy due to competition from foreign sources. In the past 4 years, U.S. imports of wall clocks, most of them from China, have increased by 24 percent, totaling $123 million in 2003.

The Chicago Lighthouse does not mind competition. They have suggested that they can compete with anyone as long as the rules are the same. Unfortunately, the playing field is not level when it comes to competing with China and other countries that do not have a minimum- wage requirement or pay health benefits to their workers. The Chicago Lighthouse pays its workers an average of $8.50 per hour plus health benefits. In China, it is not uncommon for workers to make $2 an hour and have no benefits. China is able to undercut clock manufacturers like the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind because they do not play by the same rules. They are able to dump their products into the United States for a cheaper price. This adds to the trade deficit that currently exists.

More importantly, to allow foreign governments who do not pay minimum wage or a livable wage nor provide benefits to continue to undercut U.S. companies like the Chicago Lighthouse erodes the faith that citizens have in government and puts many jobs here at home at risk. The Chicago Lighthouse is not asking for preferential treatment. They are seeking fundamental fairness. The Lighthouse has been in existence now for 99 years, and they have done something right to be able to survive for so long.

The Federal Government, as a result of the Javitz-Wagner-O'Day Act, is required to show favor towards the Chicago Lighthouse and other organizations like it when purchasing clocks through the General Services Administration. However, this law has been eroded and many Federal purchases are going for the lower-priced clocks. Obviously, these are the clocks that are being produced through cheaper labor costs. The Federal Government must set the example and ensure that taxpayer money is not going to support foreign governments that do not have minimum wage or benefit standards comparable to those in the United States.

Everything comes at a price. The workers at Chicago Lighthouse are able to be productive tax-paying citizens because of their jobs. These jobs help to support them, their families, and the local economy. For example, Mr. Albert Harris has been with the Chicago Lighthouse since 1971, able to work, though blind.

Mr. Speaker, the Chicago Lighthouse and other entities that employ our people must be able to continue to do so. Let us make sure that our trade policies are fair and equitable and that

they can compete on an even keel, on an even playing field.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding. I actually want to commend him because I see him week after week on the floor leading the group under-30 as they demonstrate that you do not have to be a senior citizen, that you do not have to be old and elderly, you do not have to have been here 25 years to have impact on this body. And so I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding, but I also commend him for his leadership and for his position as he talks about Social Security, one of the great programs that has bolstered the quality of life for people in our country.

I actually grew up in a rural community in Arkansas before moving to Chicago, and we had a saying there, that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. They would oftentimes be talking about farm machinery and other kinds of things.

While Social Security is not quite the same, the reality is if it is working for millions and millions of people, if it has been the only thing that has stood between our senior citizens in many instances and absolute poverty, then it sounds to me like it ain't really broke. And while it might can be adjusted just a little taste, we may have to put some money in, I do not think it is broken, and I do not think we need to fix it.

Globalism Hits the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind

I want to take just a few minutes, if I could, and talk about something else for a minute, that is, about an industry in my congressional district that is being squeezed by our trade policy, by globalism, by outsourcing and all of the things that we seriously have to look at. That industry is the Chicago Lighthouse Industries. They have made clocks for the Federal Government for the last 28 years. They have been consistent and diligent in their performance. Since 1977, the Chicago Lighthouse made 3.3 million clocks. In fact, last year they made 104,000 clocks for all branches of the military, Energy Department, Postal Service, and the Justice Department.

The unique thing about the Chicago Lighthouse is that they employ more than 40 people who are blind or visually impaired. They employ their workers at a salary of $8.50 an hour and provide health benefits. On a recent visit to the Chicago Lighthouse, I was amazed at the level of detail and speed at which the workers developed the clocks. They have an assembly line that produces and packages 1,000 wall clocks a day. And, of course, they are blind. They are visually impaired.

In fact, Rita McCabe can assemble a 12-inch clock in less than a minute. Ms. McCabe, who is blind, found her job through the Chicago Lighthouse. When asked how she felt about her job, she stated the following: ``It gives me a chance to be with people, to make a living on my own, and to prove that I'm competent enough to do this kind of work.'' Ms. McCabe has worked for the Chicago Lighthouse for 25 years.

Rita McCabe's job is in jeopardy due to competition from foreign sources. In the past 4 years, U.S. imports of wall clocks, most of them from China, have increased by 24 percent, totaling $123 million in 2003. The Chicago Lighthouse does not mind competition. They have suggested that they can compete with anybody as long as the rules are the same. Unfortunately, the playing field is not level when it comes to competing with China and other countries that do not have a minimum wage requirement or pay health benefits to their workers.

The Chicago Lighthouse, though, pays its workers an average of $8.50 an hour plus health benefits. It is not uncommon in China for workers to make $2 an hour and have no benefits. China is able to undercut clock manufacturers like the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind because they do not play by the same rules. They are able to send their products into the United States at a cheaper price. This adds to the trade deficit that currently exists. More importantly, to allow foreign governments who do not pay minimum wage or a livable wage, nor provide benefits, to continue to undercut U.S. companies like the Chicago Lighthouse erodes the faith that citizens have in government and puts too many jobs at risk.

The Chicago Lighthouse is not asking for preferential treatment. They are just seeking fundamental fairness. The Chicago Lighthouse has been in existence now for 99 years. They have done something right to be able to survive.

The Federal Government as a result of the Javitz-Wagner-O'Day Act is required to show favor towards the Chicago Lighthouse and other industries like it when purchasing clocks through the General Services Administration. However, this law has been eroded and many Federal purchasers are going for the lower-priced clocks. Obviously, these are the clocks that are being produced through cheaper labor costs. The Federal Government must set the example and ensure that taxpayer money is going to support those industries and businesses in our country and not going to other countries who take the benefit of our outsourcing policy.

Everything comes at a price. The workers at the Chicago Lighthouse are able to be productive, tax-paying citizens because of their jobs. These jobs help support them. And so I simply want to have us understand and recognize that when we make a trade policy, when we are outsourcing, when we are always looking for the cheapest price, when we are always looking for the most cost-efficient way of doing business, we also better look at the needs of our people and we better look at the needs of the people in our communities to provide opportunities for blind people to work, to have dignity, to have pride, to have a sense of self-worth. We should not let anything erode that. We should not let anything take that away.

I would urge us as we purchase, as we continue to purchase clocks, as we make trade policies, that we remember something the Bible says: ``Where there is no vision, the people perish.'' And some people can see, but have no vision. Sometimes our policies reflect the ability to see, but not in a visionary way.

So, please, America, let us not put the people at the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind out of work. Let us keep them working and hopefully all of the rest of us will be able to see.

I thank the gentleman again so very much. I really appreciate the gentleman giving me the opportunity to cut into this under-30 group's time. It has been a long time since I have been under 30, but it is just a pleasure to be here with the gentleman, and I thank him so very much.

The next time you are in Chicago, I have just got to bring you by so that you can go and see the Chicago Lighthouse for yourself. And we will bring the gentleman from Ohio along with us.

Mr. Chairman, I cannot think of anybody who would want to see gangs deterred more. I cannot think of anybody who would want to see crime deterred more. I cannot think of many people who have had more experience living in inner-city communities, where there is a tremendous amount of poverty, deprivation and pestilence.

I want to see people who commit robbery, murder, rape, assaults, participate in mob action, all of them dealt with accordingly. And although I do not believe in capital punishment, I do believe that they have to be punished. I do not believe that mandatory minimums, that trying more children, more teenagers as adults, or changing venues and deciding what discretionary action individuals would be tried under is going to solve the problem. I think that we need to make sure that fairness is a part of justice.

Mr. Chairman, this bill frightens me. It scares me. I would hope that we would take it back, deal with it appropriately and bring a bill that we can

agree on that punishes those who deserve to be punished but to demonstrate that we understand sensitivity and not put children in jail as adults.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Waters/Scott Amendment which strikes out all mandatory minimums in H.R. 1279. The mandatory minimums proscribed in this legislation will only result in many young people serving long sentences, at least ten years, based on the circumstances of rather than the crime itself. Perhaps it is no surprise that mandatory minimums have come under criticism for being discriminatory in nature.

The enormous monetary and human costs associated with incarceration simply outweigh the supposed benefits of the proposed legislation. It is well known that incarceration costs American taxpayers millions of dollars each year, what is not as widely known is that it also costs millions to reintegrate those released from prison back into society. Additionally, as suggested in the recent Booker decision, judges often refuse to hand down mandatory minimums if they feel that they are draconian. With the proposed changes, we may even see juries unwilling to convict an obviously guilty defendant if they know that doing so will result in ten years' imprisonment. Creating laws that are likely to go un-enforced will not foster faith in the criminal justice system or help take down gangs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the fact that last week was the third annual National Cover the Uninsured Week.

The purpose of National Cover the Uninsured Week is to raise awareness of the problem of the uninsured and the need for reliable and affordable health care coverage. To this end, I shall briefly discuss the problem that we face as a Nation and call attention to some proposed movement towards solutions.

The challenge that we face as a Nation is grave. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 45 million Americans lack health coverage, a figure which includes 8 million children. In my home State of Illinois, 1,800,000 individuals lacked health coverage in 2003. This problem is not merely one of numbers, statistics, charts and figures. It impacts real live people in every State in the Nation.

Families forced to pay high medical bills out of pocket are the same families that default on loans, are unable to save for their children's education and are forced into bankruptcy. Children who lack coverage are children who are unable to get necessary preventative care or treatment. Additionally, the problem is the enormous burden on health care providers who sometimes must charge those who are covered more in order to care for those lacking coverage, as they are mandated to do in emergency situations. This situation only fuels the ever-increasing cost of health care in this country.

Sadly, I know all too well that I have not just shed light on a previously unknown problem. My colleagues in the House have surely heard this many times before. However, all of our talk has yet to provide solutions.

Fortunately, three bills have been introduced that will help to alleviate this grave and well-documented problem: the Medicare Early Access Act, the Family Care Act and the Small Business Health Insurance Promotion Act.

Together, these bills will help to expand access to Medicare to younger workers, provide incentive to States to extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP, to working parents and eligible children, and make it easier for small businesses to cover their employees. It is quite possible that enactment of these proposals would extend coverage to 20 million more Americans.

While this is less than half of the total number of America's uninsured population, it is certainly a step in the right direction. After all, even a journey of 1,000 miles must begin with a single step. But the real deal is, Mr. Speaker, we need a national health plan, single payer, with everybody in, nobody out. Health care is indeed a right and not a privilege. Every American should have it.

Mr. Speaker, on yesterday, I had the delightful experience of attending the very first meeting of the commission just established by the Governor of Illinois to look seriously at the whole question of prisoner re-entry, what to do with the 35,000, 36,000 people returning home from prison in our State. I want to commend the Governor of Illinois for his farsighted vision in looking at one of the pernicious problems facing urban America. We look forward to some productive action coming from that commission. Mr. Governor, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is with great pleasure I join with my colleagues and friends in support of H. Res. 142, supporting the goals and ideals of a Rotary International Day and celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its centennial celebration.

Rotary International is one of the most well-known and respected service organizations in the world. What many people do not know, however, is that the organization began in 1905, when Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney, invited three friends to a meeting: Silvester Schiele, a coal dealer; Hiram Shorey, a merchant tailor; and Gustavus Loehr, a mining engineer. All four men gathered in Loehr's business office in room 711 of the Unity Building at 127 North Dearborn, in my district of downtown Chicago. They discussed Harris' idea that business leaders should meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and to enlarge their circle of business and professional acquaintances.

The club met weekly. Membership was limited to one representative from each business and profession. And though the men did not use the term ``rotary'' that night, that gathering is commonly regarded as the first Rotary club meeting. The name Rotary was suggested later by Paul Harris, as meetings were rotated from one office in the early days of the organization to another.

As the Rotary club began to grow nationwide, the focus of the club expanded from simply serving the professional and social needs of its club members to trying to address the problems that existed in their communities. Since its inception, Rotary International has been a source of inspiration to people all over the world. In 1945, 49 Rotary members served in 29 delegations to the United Nations Charter Conference. Today, the Rotary club is still an active participant in several United Nations programs.

In addition to their commitment to diplomacy, Rotarians have taken the lead on many international crises. In 1985, they made a commitment to immunize all of the world's children for polio. To this day, Rotary is the largest private-sector contributor to the global polio eradication program.

As we honor Rotary International for their profound contributions to our world, I am pleased to say that the organization continues to grow. Today, 1.2 million Rotarians belong to 31,000 Rotary clubs in 166 countries.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to take this moment to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), for her leadership in bringing this important legislation to the floor. I would also like to thank the members of the Rotary club for serving our communities and helping to make the world a better place for all of us to live in.

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