Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend, first of all, the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Ranking Member George Miller), as well as the gentleman from Delaware (Chairman Castle) and the gentlewoman from California (Ranking Member Woolsey), for the tremendous leadership they have displayed in bringing us to this point.

There are many good features of this legislation, and one that I am most pleased with is the fact that the conference report deals seriously with the whole question of the fact that in many places there are disproportionate numbers of certain population groups who are being placed in special education, especially African American males. The conference report deals in a serious way with the issue. It allows and suggests that school districts deal with it and permits them to use some of the resources. This is a hotbed issue in many communities throughout the country.

I want to commend the conferees for dealing seriously with it. It is a good piece of legislation. It is a good bill, and I am proud to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner); with the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), the ranking member of the subcommittee; with the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), the sponsor of this legislation; and all of the others who have come to provide recognition of the public service that is performed by the Boy Scouts of America.

I can agree that there can be disagreements and there can be examination of practices, but the Boy Scouts of America have been one of the most prolific organizations in the development of boys into men that I know about in this country.

As one who served for 12 years as the scouting commissioner in my community, there was no sight one would rather see than 2- or 300 young boys at a blue and gold dinner or to see the 500 Scouts who used to participate in parades and other activities that we would put on.

So, in addition to the community service that they provide, I commend the Scouts for developing boys into men, and I am pleased to join in support of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Thrift Savings Plan, TSP, is a retirement savings and investment plan for Federal employees that is governed by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. The TSP has approximately 3 million participants. It is the largest retirement savings and investment program in the Nation.

H.R. 4324 would make two significant changes to the rules that govern participation in the TSP. First, it would allow Federal employees to alter their TSP contributions at any time instead of limiting such changes to biannual open-season periods.

Secondly, the bill would require the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the agency that administers the TSP, to evaluate and report on efforts to increase education programs for TSP participants.

Overall, H.R. 4324 would allow TSP enrollees to have more control over their investments and financial future. With better education initiatives, participants would be better informed when changing contributions to their TSP.

With these changes designed to be helpful to those who would participate, I am pleased to join the chairman, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), and the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) in supporting this legislation and urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2302. The state of health care is one of the most critical issues facing this Nation. As the world's most powerful and wealthy country, our health care system is unacceptable. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there are 62 designated Health Professional Shortage Areas in Cook County, Illinois, alone. It is unacceptable that 49 out of the 102 counties in Illinois lack hospitals with any obstetrical services. It is unacceptable that 49 of the 102 counties in Illinois lack hospitals with any psychiatric services. S. 2302 would help address the Nation's health care crisis by encouraging qualified medical professionals to serve in medically underserved areas. Increasing access to primary care providers and specialists would benefit the citizens of Illinois and the country as a whole.

Therefore, this bill is a step in the right direction. However, much work remains to be done to reform our health care system as a whole. We need to ensure that no American is left behind in preventative care. We need to ensure equal access to medical treatments. We need to ensure affordable health insurance. We need to erase the vast disparities in the incidents of illness and death among minorities compared to the overall U.S. population. African-American and Native-American babies die at a rate that is 2 to 3 times higher than the rate for white Americans. African Americans are 1.7 times as likely as white Americans to have diabetes; Latino Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes as their white counterparts.

Mr. Speaker, the state of one's health sets the precedent for everything else in our lives. If we are not in good health, we cannot perform our jobs well or do well in school. We must work toward making quality healthcare accessible and available to all regardless of age, race, or economic status.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the sponsor of this legislation.

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

As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 5364, legislation designating the postal facility in San Diego, California, after the late Earl B. Gilliam. This measure, which was introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) on November 16, 2004, enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire California State delegation.

Earl B. Gilliam was born in 1931 in New Mexico. He moved to San Diego with his family when he was in the

fifth grade. He attended local public schools and graduated from San Diego State University in 1953. He received his law degree from Hastings College of Law in 1957 and served as a deputy district attorney and private practitioner before joining the State bench.

Judge Gilliam served as a municipal court judge in San Diego from 1963 to 1975, and was a superior court judge from 1975 to 1980. In 1980, President Carter appointed Judge Gilliam to the Federal bench. The honorable Judge Gilliam was the first African American to be appointed as a judge in the San Diego municipal, superior, and district courts.

A noted jurist, Judge Gilliam presided over a number of important cases while serving on the Federal bench. He was the trial judge for the Ponzi scheme fraud trials, a trial judge in cases involving immigration, drug trafficking, and health care fraud.

Judge Gilliam was not only a distinguished jurist; he was also very involved in his community. Beginning in 1965, he was recognized by the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce as the Young Man of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Good Guy Award. In 1981, the Boys' Club of San Diego chose the judge as the Golden Man of the Year. In same year, the San Diego Trial Lawyers Association chose him as the Trial Judge of the Year. He was also awarded the NAACP Civil Rights Pioneer Award, and the San Diego Black Lawyers Organization honored his hard work by changing the name of their organization to the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association.

Sadly, Judge Gilliam passed away on January 28, 2001, following a long heart-related illness. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and son, Derrick,

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the legacy of the late Judge Earl B. Gilliam and urge swift passage of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues as we all come to pay tribute to our good friend, Bill Lipinski.

Bill has served as a Member of Congress for over 20 years and is the senior Democratic member of the Illinois delegation. Of course, I first met him when we were both members of the Chicago City Council, although he found that a good place to be away from, and he got away just as quickly as he could and came to Congress.

Bill Lipinski has earned the well-deserved reputation for fairness among his colleagues in the Illinois delegation and in the House as a whole. He never hesitates to reach out to his colleagues across the aisle to help serve our Nation's interests. He has done much for Illinois' Third Congressional District, the City of Chicago, and our country as a whole.

As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he has ensured that Chicago's area transportation system has gotten the funding it needs to continue to serve the residents of the region. He has also

enabled the upgrade of the Chicago Transit Authority's rail lines, as well as the extension and upgrade of a number of metro rail lines.

Mr. Lipinski's service on the House Subcommittee on Aviation has been especially important to the residents of Chicago and the area. He has helped to improve the region's currently overburdened airport facilities. He was instrumental in reducing delays at O'Hare International Airport through the elimination of the unnecessary slot rule. Additionally, he has ensured that Chicago's airport facilities remain state-of-the-art.

It is impossible for me to walk through the vastly and beautifully improved terminals at Midway Airport without thinking of Bill Lipinski's great contribution to our city.

Bill understands the art and relevance of political organizing and local base-building. As Democrat committeeman of the 23rd ward in Chicago, he leads and commands one of the most loyal and effective political groups in the State. He is a great family man and neighborhood person. He is loyal to both his community and to his family.

Bill, you have been a great friend, and best wishes to you and your wife as you get an opportunity to spend more time together in your beloved southwest side of Chicago. And I also want to take this opportunity to wish your son Dan well as he joins us. And as you go, in the words of an old Irish proverb, let me just say to you: ``May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may the sun shine warmly upon your face, and the rains fall softly upon your fields. And, until we meet again, may the good Lord hold you in the hollow of his hand.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield back to my colleague.

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

Madam Speaker, this year, approximately 28,000 people will die from cancer of the pancreas. Most pancreatic cancers arise from the ductal cells of the pancreas. The pancreas, an organ situated deep in the abdominal cavity, serves several critical functions, including the production of enzymes that are delivered to the small intestine to aid in the digestion of food and the control of sugar levels in the body.

Unlike other types of cancer where progress is being made to treat the disease, the medical community continues to be baffled by pancreatic cancer. Close to 99 percent of those diagnosed will die from the disease.

It is imperative that we work together to raise awareness about this fatal disease. Therefore, I join with my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) to voice my strong support for H. Res. 641, a bill supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

The journey to find a cure for pancreatic cancer will certainly be a long and difficult one. However, I am pleased that the Pancreatic Cancer Network, known as PANCAN, has worked diligently since 1999 to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. This organization believes that with hard work and cooperation from government a cure for pancreatic cancer will be discovered. I share this view.

It is very important that we signal to the American people and to those struggling with this terrible disease that we are indeed serious about finding a cure. Designating November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month will serve to help educate communities across the Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments and preventive programs.

So, Madam Speaker, again I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) for his tireless effort on this important issue and urge that we all join with him in supporting H. Res. 641.

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

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

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of S. 2640, legislation designating the postal facility in Reno, Nevada, in memory of the Guardians of Freedom. This measure, which was sponsored by Senator John Ensign, passed the Senate unanimously on July 22, 2004. S. 2640 is closely related to H.R. 4442 which passed the House by voice vote on September 7, 2004.

The name Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office was chosen by the Nevada North Valley High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets and honors the Nevada men and women who lost their lives while serving in the military on the global war on terrorism and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Madam Speaker, I was pleased to join last week with veterans in my hometown of Chicago at the George Giles and Dorrie Miller posts, as we all commemorated Veterans Day and we all paid tribute to the men and women who have given their lives in defense of this country. Therefore, I am pleased to support the men and women in the military, commend the young people at the Nevada high school for arriving at the name, and join with my colleague in urging swift passage of this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of S. 2214, legislation designating the postal facility in Missoula, Montana, after the late Senator Mike Mansfield. This measure, which was sponsored by Senator Conrad Burns, passed the Senate unanimously on June 9, 2004.

Michael Joseph Mansfield was born in 1903 in New York City. In 1906 he moved with his family to Montana where he attended public schools. At the age of 14 he entered the United States Navy serving for 4 years, the U.S. Army for 1 year, and the U.S. Marine Corps for 2 years. After serving in the military, he returned to Montana to further his education, graduating from college and receiving a master's degree.

From 1943 to 1953, Mike Mansfield, a Democrat, served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Montana's First Congressional District. In 1952, Representative Mansfield was elected to the U.S. Senate where he served until 1977. During his Senate career, Senator Mansfield served as democratic whip, majority leader, Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Select Committee on Secret and Confidential Documents.

A man of impeccable integrity, Senator Mansfield was instrumental in securing passage of the Civil Rights Bill in 1964. Although an early supporter of the Vietnam War, he later was a leading voice to end that war. After his service in the Senate, he was appointed Ambassador to Japan under Presidents Carter and Reagan.

Prior to his death in 2001, he served as senior advisor to Goldman Sachs in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the memory and legacy of the late Senator Mike Mansfield, and I urge swift passage of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), the sponsor of this legislation in the House of Representatives.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in the consideration of S. 2693, legislation designating the postal facility in Albany, New York, after Lieutenant John F. Finn.

This measure, which was sponsored by Senator Charles Schumer, passed the Senate unanimously on October 10, 2004. S. 2693 is identical to H.R. 5053 which passed the House by a voice vote on October 6, 2004.

A 12-year veteran of the Albany, New York, Police Department, Lieutenant John F. Finn was shot while pursuing a robbery suspect. Sadly, Lieutenant Finn passed away last year from his wounds.

Mr. Speaker, we appreciate the enormous sacrifice paid by Lieutenant Finn for protecting his community. Therefore, I join with all of those who would seek to honor his life, his work and his memory and urge swift passage of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, October 3-9 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. During any one-year period, up to 50 million Americans--more than 22 percent--suffer from a clearly diagnosable mental disorder involving a degree of incapacity that interferes with employment, attendance at school or daily life. Like so many disorders, mental illness does not discriminate and affects every age, ethnic, and socioeconomic group.

During this week, there will be a more visible push in the communities to get the information out about mental illness. There will be booths set up and mental health fairs across our country as a way to reach out to more people. I commend the efforts of organizations and individuals who not only during this week but throughout the year work to help others identify and treat their mental illness.

Unfortunately, their hard work is somewhat stifled when there is not equal health care for mental illness or every person needing psychiatric care does not have access to a psychiatrist of their choice. With one in four adults suffering from a mental illness or substance use disorder in any year, it is likely that every family will feel this impact. Yet, most health plans discriminate by providing less care for mental illness, and by requiring patients and their families to pay more out-of-pocket costs.

Mr. Speaker, Congress needs to correct this disparity. Our constituents should not be penalized because they have a mental illness compared to a physical illness. We should ensure that the mental health system provide a more individualized and holistic approach to care without shame or inequity in coverage. Mental illness is like most physical illnesses; the patient is in need of treatment, support and rehabilitation.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on Thursday, September 30, 2004, due to a death in the family. If I was present for rollcall votes, it would be the following:

No. 480 on motion to recommit with instructions--Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V--1 ``yea.''

No. 481 on Passage, Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V--H.R. 5183--``yea.''

No. 482 on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5149--the Welfare Reform Extension Act, Part VIII--``yea.''

No. 483 on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended H.R. 4231, the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004--``yea.''

No. 484 on passage of H.J. Res.106. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage--``nay.''

No. 485 on motion to suspend the rules and agree on H. Con. Res 501, Honoring the life and work of Duke Ellington, recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and supporting the annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival . . .

No. 486 on motion to suspend the rules and agree on H. Res. 792, Honoring the United Negro College Fund on the occasion of the Fund's 60th anniversary and the Fund's unflagging dedication to enhancing top quality college opportunities to millions of students . . .

Mr. Speaker, visual health and oral health are integral to our general health. Eye and oral diseases are progressive and become more complex over time. Our ability to eat, see, read, learn, and communicate all depend on good visual and oral health.

Periodic eye and dental examinations are an important part of routine preventive health care. Many visual and oral conditions present no obvious symptoms. Therefore, individuals are often unaware that problems exist.

There are safe and effective measures to prevent the most common eye and dental diseases. That is why early diagnosis and treatment are important for maintaining good visual and oral health and why a vision and dental benefit should be made available to federal employees and annuitants.

We know that in 1987 the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) stopped plans in the Federal Health Benefits program from adding new vision and dental packages. OPM did so for various reasons. However, that decision was made over 15 years ago, and it is time to take a fresh look at how we can meet the visual and oral health needs of federal employees.

In the long run, preventive care, through periodic examinations and doctor visits, will help keep down long term vision and dental costs due to early detection.

Therefore, I am extremely pleased to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 5295, which permits OPM to contract with qualified companies to offer dental and vision benefits to federal employees and retirees under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.

I am also pleased that this bill includes a provision that requires OPM to study the feasibility of providing hearing benefits to federal employees and retirees. Currently, over 28 million Americans suffer hearing loss, half of whom are under the age of 50. Hearing loss is not just a problem affecting adults. Thirty-three children are born everyday with some form of hearing loss. With early detection and treatment, these children can be taught in regular classes, saving a school system as much as $500,000 during a 12-year education.

I included similar language in H.R. 3751, which passed the House in June. Like vision and dental benefits, most insurance plans do not provide hearing benefits, such as coverage for hearing aids. I believe the Federal Government should consider taking a lead in this area.

I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, as the Republic of China (Taiwan) gets ready to celebrate its National Day this October 10, I join my colleagues in sending my best wishes and congratulations to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and the Taiwanese people on this happy occasion.

In recent years Taiwan has continued to press forward with democratic reforms and economic development. We wish Taiwan continued success as a democracy and economic power and an early return to the World Health Organization.

The United States maintains a strong relationship with Taiwan. We appreciate Taiwan's continuing commitment to combating global terrorism and we are committed to help Taiwan find peaceful solutions to any and all external challenges it may face. I am sure that this strong relationship with Taiwan will grow and flourish in the years to come.

I commend President Chen Shui-bian for his commitment to a policy of mutual respect and dialog with China. I share his view that such a stance is the only reliable foundation for long-term peace and stability for the people and later generations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We all hope that peace and stability will forever prevail in the Taiwan Strait.

Greetings and congratulations, President Chen, to the people of Taiwan on your National Day.

Mr. Speaker, I must confess that I am not surprised that the Vice President did not know that he knew Senator Edwards, because it seems to me that there are a lot of things that they know but do not say.

They did not know that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but we went to war anyway. They did not know that trickle-down would not solve the Nation's economic problems. They promote it anyway. They did not know that senior citizens need a real prescription drug program, but they sham it anyway.

They may not know that the American people are ready for change, but they are, and we shall see in a little bit.