Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 695) expressing the support for designation of a ``National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day'' to honor and celebrate the firefighters of the United States, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

As a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I am pleased to join my colleagues in support of this resolution to support the goals of National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day. H. Res. 695, as amended, was introduced on October 1, 2007, by Representative John Campbell. On November 8, 2007, the committee reported the bill amended by voice vote.

H. Res. 695 ensures that a day of recognition is granted to the courageous firefighters of the United States, who put their lives at risk in order to guarantee the safety of our citizens. Over the last few months as emergencies across this country have been declared and millions have been evacuated from their homes, our Nation's firefighters have rushed to serve and protect those whose lives and livelihoods were in jeopardy. It is important to commemorate their great efforts and service with a day of honor.

So I commend my colleague for sponsoring this measure and urge its swift passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 597) to extend the special postage stamp for breast cancer research for 4 years, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, now it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the author of this legislation, Representative Clay from Missouri.

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

Mr. Speaker, I certainly join with my colleague from California in extolling the legacy of Representative Jo Ann Davis, who served with us on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Mr. Speaker, S. 597, as amended, now mirrors the House version of the Breast Cancer Semipostal measure which was unanimously passed by this body on October 30, 2007.

The House version, H.R. 1236, which was sponsored by representative William Lacy Clay, reauthorizes the sale of the breast cancer stamp for an additional 4 years from 2007 to 2011. The bill

also follows up on the Government Accountability Office's recommendations that the relevant agencies report the use of monies received from the sale of the stamp, including a description of any significant advances on accomplishments that were funded by the sale.

As a member of the Oversight Committee Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, Representative Clay is to be commended for his diligence and patience for working with all parties and securing an acceptable compromise on the sale of the breast cancer stamp.

I note proudly that the United States Postal Service has sold over 785.6 million breast cancer research stamps from which $54.626 million has been transferred to the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense for breast cancer research and awareness.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the public for buying the breast cancer semipostal stamp and the numerous organizations for lending their strong support for its continuation. With your help, I am confident that we will find a cure.

I urge swift passage of this bill, and again commend the representative from Missouri, our colleague, Representative Clay, for his introduction.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4108) to amend section 3328 of title 5, United States Code, relating to Selective Service registration, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, Chairman Miller from California.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 additional minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

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

As a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4108, as amended, a bill to amend title 5, relating to Selective Service registration.

H.R. 4108 was introduced on November 7, 2007, by Representatives George Miller and Darrell Issa. The legislation would provide for exemptions from determinations of ineligibility for Federal employment for individuals who have not registered with the Selective Service. Those who have received an honorable discharge from the armed services who have performed at least 10 years of Federal service would no longer be deemed ineligible.

Under current law, all males born after December 31, 1959, must register with the Selective Service by their 26th birthday in order to be eligible for employment in the Federal Government. An individual who has not registered with the Selective Service is not eligible for Federal employment unless he can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the failure to register was neither knowing nor willful.

This means that the individual must prove to a high legal standard that he did not know he was required to register or thought he had registered. H.R. 4108 would exempt from this requirement individuals who were honorably discharged from the armed services or who have 10 years of service in the Federal Government.

H.R. 4108 was introduced on November 7, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The committee marked up the measure on November 8, 2007, and ordered that the bill be reported by voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, in recognition of the first of December as World Aids Day, I want to take a moment to highlight the gravity of the HIV/AIDS situation, particularly for the African American community. We have heard statistic after statistic; HIV/AIDS is a formidable problem across the country in all communities. Indeed, an article in the New York Times this week noted that new HIV/AIDS case estimates are actually 50 percent higher than health experts had believed. This is unacceptable. America has within it the resources to address this issue; our political leadership must take action to do so.

The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, reported that approximately 1,000,000 Americans were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2003, roughly 25 percent of whom were undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection. Furthermore, this infection has started to increase among children at a drastic rate. Through 2005, there have been an estimated 9,000 AIDS cases reported for children under the age of 13. HIV/AIDS is becoming a problem earlier and earlier for more and more Americans.

It is very clear that HIV/AIDS is indeed an emergency situation in the African American community. According to the CDC, African Americans make up 13 percent of the Nation's population but account for 49 percent of the estimated AIDS cases diagnosed since the epidemic began. In addition, African American children make up approximately 63 percent of the estimated HIV/AIDS cases through 2005. Not only are African Americans more likely to get AIDS, they are more likely to die from it, with more than half of all AIDS-related deaths being among African Americans. Through science, research, and medical advancements, there are better treatments, prevention efforts, and a decline in AIDS diagnoses and deaths, except for African Americans.

HIV/AIDS is plaguing and destroying African American communities. Yet, I wonder how many of my colleagues or how many Americans, including African Americans, know how devastating and destructive this disease is on one population in our country. It leads to the questions: Why is more not being done? Why has this not been considered a national public health emergency? With more African American males in prison, more African American females living and dying with HIV/AIDS, what is to happen to the African American children and families?

I commend all of those individuals in my community who have pledged to do what they can. I, myself, have been publicly tested 3 times to help convince individuals to be tested, to do the things that are necessary. However, my fellow colleagues and I and all Americans need to do much more about this problem. We all must get behind the World AIDS Day slogan: ``Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise.'' We must increase funding for treatment and prevention, not reduce it by 19 percent as this administration has done. We must invest in medical research and needle exchange programs--prevention and treatment. The more engaged we are and the stronger determination we have will lead to the decrease in AIDS cases across the United States in all communities.

Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to join with my colleagues as we take this time to highlight the gravity of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic and especially as it affects people of color throughout the world.

The Centers for Disease Control, the CDC, reported that approximately 1 million Americans were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2003, roughly 25 percent of whom were undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection.

An article in the New York Times this week noted that new HIV/AIDS case estimates are actually 50 percent higher than health experts had previously believed.

Furthermore, this infection has started to increase among children at a drastic rate. Through 2005, there have been an estimated 9,000 AIDS cases reported for children under the age of 13. HIV/AIDS is becoming a problem earlier and earlier for more and more Americans.

It is very clear that HIV/AIDS is indeed an emergency situation, especially in the African American community. According to the CDC, African Americans make up 13 percent of the Nation's population, but account for 49 percent of the estimated AIDS cases diagnosed since the epidemic began.

In addition, African American children make up approximately 63 percent of the estimated HIV/AIDS cases through 2005.

Not only are African Americans more likely to get AIDS; they're more likely to die from it, with more than half of all AIDS-related deaths being among African Americans.

We must get behind the World AIDS Day slogan, ``Stop AIDS, keep the promise.'' We must increase funding for treatment and prevention, not reduce it by 91 percent, as this administration has done. We must invest in medical research and needle exchange programs, prevention and treatment. The more engaged we are and the stronger the determination we have, it will lead to the decrease in AIDS cases across the United States in all communities.

Madam Speaker, I'm pleased that in Chicago, a coalition of organizations, the City of Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Malcolm X College, the 7th District HIV/AIDS Task Force, Walgreens drug stores, Ora Sure technologies, Abbott Laboratories, the Let's Talk Let's Test Foundation, Working Togetherness and other organizations, held 2 days of high-profile activity where there were many sites where people could come and be tested free.

And so I commend the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health, the State of Illinois Department of Public Health, and all of those hardworking groups and organizations who are working to try and put at least a dent in this problem.

I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding and I also want to commend him for introducing this legislation, H.R. 1429, the Head Start for School Readiness Act.

I applaud the leaders in both Chambers for crafting such a strong bill that builds on the accomplishments of Head Start and promotes the success of young children. It is clear from this product that you and your staffs have toiled long and hard to strengthen the quality of the Head Start program, and I say to you, well done.

Foremost, let me thank you for maintaining the role of parents in governing Head Start. For more than 40 years, one of the most unique and important aspects of the Head Start program has been its emphasis on parental involvement. I worked actively with Mr. Souder and Mr. Payne, along with 88 other Members of the House, to advocate for maintaining this hallmark of equal responsibility for parents in governing Head Start.

I am also pleased that the bill strikes a balance between the House and Senate versions on the issue of program eligibility. In high cost- of-living areas such as Chicago, low-income families can lose access to this critical child development program not due to lack of need but because we fail to adequately consider the cost of living when calculating the poverty level. The conference report grants local programs flexibility in opening the eligibility while also requiring them to demonstrate the need.

I am especially grateful that the final report includes so many issues near and dear to me, such as recruiting minority male teachers, emphasizing children's social and emotional well-being, recognition of the expanding role of grandparents and kinship caregivers in children's lives, incorporating the best practices from the field of home visitation into the Early Head Start program, and increasing funds for salaries and education for Head Start teachers.

Finally, in addition, I am very pleased that this bipartisan bill preserves the anti-discrimination history of Head Start advocated so ardently by the Head Start and religious communities. Federal funds are not meant to support discrimination of any type, and I applaud the Members on both sides for maintaining this fundamental commitment to justice and fairness.

This bill expands access, improves teacher quality, expands accountability, and strengthens school readiness. I am proud to be a member of the Education Committee and proud to serve in a Congress that will pass this bill into law.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank Chairman John Conyers and Ranking Member James Sensenbrenner of the Judiciary Committee for their unrelenting commitment to passing this landmark legislation. I also extend my appreciation to Senator Leahy and the Judiciary Committee in the Senate for their hard work, cooperation, and sensitivity.

I also want to commend Congressman Chris Cannon of Utah who was the chief Republican sponsor on this legislation. I want to thank Congressmen Bobby Scott and Howard Coble and all of the cosponsors who signed on. I want to express appreciation to former Congressman Rob Portman, who was very instrumental in moving this legislation to this point.

I want to thank Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and all of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all of the organizations who have worked unceasingly to try and bring us to this point.

I want to thank what we call the working group under the leadership of Gene Guerro. I don't know about them not reading this stuff. They have read it time and time and time again. As a matter of fact, they know it backwards, forwards, crossways, and sideways.

I want to thank the staffs of all Members who have worked extremely hard, and thank especially the members of my advisory committee back in Chicago, Dennis Deer and George Williams and Tumia Romero, who helped orchestrate all of the activity. I thank Dr. Caleb Gilchrist, Bernard Moore, and Helen Mitchell in my office here.

I also want to thank, Mr. Chairman, Steny Hoyer, the majority leader, and

Mr. Blunt, the minority whip, who have been working on this now for months, bringing us to this point, and the President of the United States supported this when it was first introduced, and I want to thank him for his interest.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 684) congratulating Shawn Johnson on her victory in becoming the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Champion in women's gymnastics.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell), the author of this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Res. 684, a bill that congratulates Shawn Johnson on her victory in becoming the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Champion in women's gymnastics.

H. Res. 684, which has 57 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Leonard L. Boswell on September 26, 2007. H. Res. 684 was reported from the Oversight Committee on October 23, 2007, by voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Shawn Johnson, at the age of 15, won three gold medals at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. She became the fourth United States woman ever to win a world all-around title with her come-from-behind victory in the women's all- around finals of the 2007 world championships. She joined Kim Zmeskal, Shannon Miller and Chellsie Memmel as the only U.S. women to win a world all-around title in gymnastics.

This year, Ms. Johnson was first at the 2007 Tyson American Cup. She won the all-around title at the 2007 Pan Am Games, along with the U.S. women's gymnastic team, receiving gold metals for the uneven bars and balanced beam events. She also won the silver medal for the floor exercise event. At the 2007 Visa Championships, she won her first senior U.S. all-around title.

So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Boswell, on congratulating the outstanding accomplishments of Ms. Johnson in becoming the 2007 World Gymnastics Champion in women's gymnastics and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 808) commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues, and I commend Representative Moran for his introduction of H. Res. 808, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the regional planning that has taken place in the Washington, D.C., area. It has been instrumental in making this, as he indicated, one of the most desirable areas of the country in which to live. I commend them for their effort and salute him for his introduction of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3470) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3470, which names the postal facility in Hinesville, Georgia, after John Sidney ``Sid'' Flowers. H.R. 3470 was introduced by Representative Jack Kingston on September 4, 2007, and was reported from the Oversight Committee on October 23 by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Georgia congressional delegation.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. John Sidney Flowers was born December 22, 1931, in Liberty County, Georgia. He served in the United States Army for 2 years before attending Mercer University and Mercer Law School in Macon, Georgia. He was indeed an outstanding citizen, and I want to commend Representative Kingston for moving to recognize his contributions by naming this postal facility in his honor.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3569) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana, California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).

(Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I concur with my colleagues from California and urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3974) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round Rock, Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Mr. Speaker, once again we have a member of the Armed Services who gave the true devotion of service and we seek to honor him by naming this post office in his honor.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 45) commending the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation for its work in aiding children and families affected by child abuse, and designating November 2007 as National Courage Month.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

I urge passage of this resolution commending professional football players for their work against child abuse.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of S. Con. Res. 45, a bill that commends the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation for its work in aiding children and families affected by child abuse.

S. Con. Res. 45 was introduced by Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, on September 17, 2007.

S. Con. Res. 45 was reported from the Oversight Committee on November 8, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is a Baltimore, Maryland based local charity that formulated the Courage House National Support Network for Kids. The Courage House represents a partnership effort between the Foundation, National Football League Charities, the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, the National Football League Players Association, National Football League Films, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and National Football League Alumni. This partnership promotes the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness of the epidemic and assisting agencies who provide for the care and treatment of abused children.

The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation honors recipients from the National Football League who have been chosen by their teammates as exemplifying sportsmanship and courage. Currently, the Ed Block Courage Awards event is heralded as one of the most prestigious in the National Football League.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Senator Cardin for seeking to commend the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

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

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 211) supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

It is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

(Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in supporting the promotion of awareness about diabetes and all of its complications and commend Mr. Payne for his introduction of this resolution.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 211, a bill that supports the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

H. Con. Res. 211, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by Rep. Donald Payne on September 17, 2007.

H. Con. Res. 211 was reported from the Oversight Committee on November 8, 2007, by voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Hyperglycemia, which is known as raised blood sugar, over time can lead to serious damage to many parts of the body, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

In 1991, the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation established World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14th. This day was designated to promote the awareness that every person with diabetes or the risk of acquiring diabetes should receive the best possible education, prevention and care available.

Currently, more than 240 million people in the world are living with diabetes. Some analysts believed this number will grow to 340 million within 20 years.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Payne for seeking to support the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day and urge the swift passage of this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, telework continues to be under utilized by Federal agencies. Improvements are needed to allow more Federal employees to participate in telework programs. Today, Representative Sarbanes will join me in introducing legislation that will ensure that agencies make those much needed improvements. Telework provides numerous benefits including increased flexibilities for both employers and employees, continuity of operations during emergency events, and decreased energy use and air pollution.

The Office of Personnel Management, OPM, defines telework as ``work arrangements in which an employee regularly performs officially assigned duties at home or other worksites geographically convenient to the residence of the employee.'' Many of the current Federal programs were developed in response to a provision included in an appropriations bill enacted in October 2000. This law requires each executive branch agency to establish a telework policy under which eligible employees ``may participate in telecommunting to the maximum extent possible without diminishing employee performance.'' Under the current legislative framework, the General Services Administration, GSA, and OPM have leading roles in implementing government-wide telework initiatives.

Unfortunately, telework is not being used to the extent it should be. According to OPM's most recent report, only about 119,000 of the approximately 1.8 million Federal employees participated in telework in 2005. That figure represents only 6.6 percent of Federal agency employees. Some of the barriers to telework include office coverage, organizational culture, management resistance, and technology security and funding. Today we want to examine ways to address these barriers and encourage teleworking.

On May 7, 2007, I, along with my colleagues, Representative Kenny Marchant, full committee Chairman Henry Waxman, and Ranking Member Tom Davis sent a letter to 25 Federal departments and agencies requesting information on the telework programs of those agencies. The letter was intended to help us better understand how well agency telework programs are working. What we found is that not only is telework inconsistently defined across agencies, many agencies, do not effectively measure and track teleworkers. Some agencies do not even know how many of their employees actually telework.

In recent years, telework has increasingly been viewed as an important tool for ensuring continuity of essential government services in a time of crisis, such as in the event of a natural disaster or a terrorist attack. To help improve the preparedness of the Federal Government's operation in emergency situations, last session, I introduced H.R. 5366, the ``Continuity of Operations Demonstration Project Act.'' This legislation provided for a demonstration project under which at least two Federal agencies would perform services and operations under a simulated emergency in which Federal employees would have to work at locations away from their usual workplace, including home, for at least 10 consecutive days. A number of agencies have taken the initiative to perform demonstration exercises in the last several years but there are still many agencies that have not done so. I would like to see more agencies test their ability to continue operations in an emergency and incorporate telework into their continuity of operations plans.

Representative John Sarbanes, House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman, and Representative Frank Wolf have joined me in introducing the ``Telework Improvement Act of 2007.'' This legislation breaks new ground by ensuring that eligible Federal employees have the opportunity to telework and that agencies are incorporating telework into their continuity of operations planning. The Act spurs Federal agencies to improve their telework policies by requiring every Federal agency to develop a telework program that allows employees to telework at least 20 percent of every 2-week work period, designate a senior level employee as a telework managing officer, and incorporate telework into their continuity of operations planning.

Our expectation is that this legislation will increase the number of Federal employees that are allowed to telework and thereby better prepare the Government for emergency events, reduce congestion and pollution, and create a more family-friendly workplace.