Floor Statements

I want to thank my colleague and good friend and wonderful chairman of my subcommittee on Energy and Commerce for giving me this opportunity.

I also want to thank, and I am sorry she is not here tonight, Representative Cubin who has worked so hard on this issue. Battling the meth epidemic has been amongst my top priorities in Congress, and it is also a priority for the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Cubin). It is something that we share.

Those of us in the West have long been familiar with the ways that meth has worked to destroy communities, families and property. For over two decades as a county commissioner and as a Member of Congress representing the mid-Willamette Valley and Oregon's central coast, I've dealt with the fallout of meth production in small communities and rural areas where law enforcement and social services are stretched beyond their limit to handle this scourge.

The Federal Government must step up to the plate and do its part in defending families and communities against this threat. Meth is one of the fastest-growing drug problems in the

country because it is cheap, easy to make, and gives addicts an intense, long-lasting high. The consequences of its use can be severe not just for the addict but for the community.

Meth addicts frequently abuse or neglect their children. Meth labs are toxic to our environment. Meth use and production raise the rate of property crime and identity theft.

When we talk about fighting drug abuse, we frequently talk about this concept of a three-legged stool: prevention, treatment and enforcement. Just like a stool, our efforts to fight drug abuse will collapse if we try to stand on just one or two of those legs.

During the last Congress we in the Meth Caucus worked together to make significant progress on both the enforcement aspect and controlling the meth supply through the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. But treatment and prevention issues have largely been ignored, which is why I am so pleased that today we will consider the Meth Free Families and Communities Act that Congresswoman Barbara Cubin and I have worked together to craft.

Our legislation has four important provisions that will help our communities. One concern I have heard throughout Oregon in meetings with treatment and prevention officials and nationally is that we need to start looking at the meth epidemic as not just a criminal problem, but as a public health problem.

The first section will require the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to work with primary care providers to apply evidence-based practices for screening and treating people with drug addiction or those at risk of developing one. It will also direct the center to collaborate with both addiction professionals and primary care providers to raise awareness of how do we recognize the signs of drug addiction so doctors can direct the addicted patients into treatment.

The second provision will reauthorize an existing grant program for pregnant and parenting women so they can receive comprehensive, family- based substance abuse treatment. Congresswoman Cubin has led the way in fighting for the resources needed for this vital initiative. Too many children have gone into the foster system because their mothers are sent to jail for meth addiction. This initiative will provide treatment to pregnant and parenting women which is much more effective for the mother and certainly cost effective and better for the child.

Another issue that has employers seeking our help is ensuring safe and drug free workplaces. Employers are concerned about finding employees who are able to pass a drug test. In some cases, companies are worried about implementing drug free workplace policies out of concern for the employee filing suit against them. Although the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration already provides guidelines to employers on creating a drug free workplace policy, the chief concern I have heard from businesses is that the guidelines can be difficult to navigate and assistance is not readily accessible.

So this legislation will create a single information clearinghouse in the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention that will serve as a resource for both employers and employees on drug testing policies and programs.

Finally, this legislation will create a national version of an incredibly successful program we have in Oregon, the Methamphetamine Awareness Project. The project goes into the high schools throughout the State with a film production crew and works with the students to produce anti-meth advertisements or sometimes even short documentaries that are entirely student driven. It is a great project that allows students to create the message that they think will best reach their fellow students. And it also gives them an after-school activity that keeps them from being idle and teaches them new skills. This project has been so effective in Oregon, I want to see it expanded on a national level which is why this legislation will allow SAMHSA prevention grant dollars to be used for professionally mentored, student-driven methamphetamine awareness projects around the country.

I thank the gentleman.

Congresswoman Cubin and I have both met extensively with prevention and treatment experts in our respective States and throughout the country. These provisions reflect what professionals have told us are the greatest needs in their field.

With gratitude, I would like to recognize Alison Craig of my own staff and Landon Stropko of Congresswoman Cubin's staff who have taken these ideas from sessions and turned them into provisions in this legislation.

I also want to recognize the work of the late Timm O'Cobhthaigh of my staff who helped Alison Craig put together many of these forums in Oregon.

I would like to thank Congresswoman Cubin for her leadership and her great passion to do a bill against methamphetamine that isn't just limited to enforcement efforts. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting the Meth Free Families and Communities Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a great American. Jerome Kohlberg, Jr., was born on July 10, 1925. Although he is from New York, his mother was born in Portland, Oregon, and Jerome Kohlberg has always maintained close ties to my State.

Few Americans have been as successful as Jerome Kohlberg, Jr. As a founder of Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts, one of the world's largest private equity firms, Jerome Kohlberg has been one of this Nation's preeminent financiers for more than four decades.

After service as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Jerome Kohlberg earned three college degrees under the original GI bill. This past year, Jerome Kohlberg became deeply involved in the fight for a new GI bill for this generation of veterans. He established the Fund For Veterans' Education, a program to provide college funding for returning veterans from all 50 States. His idea--and with the recent passage of the new GI bill, it proved to be a brilliant idea--was to establish a model for what could be done for today's veterans.

He is a role model for all citizens young and old. I am pleased and proud to note the accomplishment of this great American, Jerome Kohlberg, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 163) expressing the sense of Congress in support of further research and activities to increase public awareness, professional education, diagnosis, and treatment of Dandy-Walker syndrome and hydrocephalus, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 163 which supports continued research to increase public awareness, professional education, diagnosis, and treatment of Dandy-Walker Syndrome and hydrocephalus.

Dandy-Walker Syndrome is a congenital brain malformation that affects the cerebellum and the fluid spaces around it. Symptoms often develop early in infancy robbing children of their future potential just as their lives are beginning. Its causes are largely unknown, but what is known is that it can have a devastating impact on a child. A baby with Dandy-Walker Syndrome may experience developmental delays, enlarged head size, and severely reduced intellectual capabilities.

Dandy-Walker Syndrome was discovered almost 100 years ago in 1914 by former University of New Mexico neurosurgeon and professor Arthur E. Walker and Dr. Walter E. Dandy. A cure for the disease remains elusive.

The resolution before us supports the continuing research collaboration into Dandy-Walker syndrome. It recognizes the work of the National Institutes of Health with the National Human Genome Institute, the National Institute

of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the Office of Rare Diseases.

H. Con. Res. 163 also encourages increased collaboration between the Federal Government and patient advocacy organizations seeking to find a cure for Dandy-Walker syndrome.

I would like to thank my colleagues, Congresswoman Heather Wilson and Congressman Chris Van Hollen, for their efforts in bringing this resolution to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H. Con. Res. 163.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland, Chris Van Hollen. I know he has worked very hard on this issue.

We have no other speakers, if you would like to close. I'm happy to do that after you.

Mr. Speaker, again I urge an ``aye'' vote.

This bill will give families with Dandy-Walker Syndrome hope. It is something we can all come together on. People need to know that we listen when they speak. And this is a way to make sure that further research is done on a disease that's been around for a long time. Most of us didn't know about it before this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 353) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be an increased Federal commitment supporting the development of innovative advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 353, which calls for increased support for research and development of advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment. This resolution recognizes the inadequacies of the current way prostate cancer is detected. There is an urgent need for the development of advanced imaging technologies.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. In 2008, more than 218,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 27,000 men will die from the disease. This resolution hopes to use the very successful model presented by the development of breast imaging technologies which has led to life-saving breakthroughs in detection, diagnosis and treatment of that insidious disease. Using this research and development model, hopefully we can achieve the same detection and life-saving successes for prostate cancer.

Imaging technology cannot only save lives, but also has the potential for reducing health care costs with accurate and affordable diagnosis of prostate cancer. This is an important piece of legislation for men's health.

I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Elijah Cummings, for his leadership on this issue and urge my colleagues to join me in support of House Resolution 353.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland as much time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to thank my colleague from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for all of his hard work on this piece of legislation. This is something that we should pass. I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye.''

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Bryan Johnston--a man the capital city's daily newspaper, the Statesman Journal, referred to as ``Salem's Mr. Fix-it.'' Bryan Johnston didn't just fill the needs of Salem, but of the entire state of Oregon as well.

He was, as the Statesman Journal so aptly put it, the ``go-to guy'': ``Need someone to fill in as Willamette University president? Call on Bryan. Need someone to give a commencement address? Call on Bryan. Need someone to run a state agency? Call on Bryan. Need someone to lead a school bond-measure campaign? Call on Bryan. And much, much more.''

Bryan's reason for getting up in the morning was to serve others: to raise a family; to love and support a wife; to bring his neighbors together; to achieve results; to help resolve issues and disputes.

Bryan had a deep and unabashed belief in public service.

He deeply believed that education was the key to a bright future. He was co-chair of the Salem Keizer School Construction Bond Steering Committee and the Pass the School Bond Committee. He knew that a family provided the backbone to a youngster's life and so worked for the Family Building Blocks Capital Campaign. He also knew that as a family served to nurture growing kids, so a community could serve to nurture local families. He served on the Salem Community Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce as well as worked with Marion Polk Legal Aid and the Neighbor-to-Neighbor organization. Last, but certainly not least, Bryan Johnston's faith was important to him as was his service for his faith community.

Bryan knew how to work hard, work effectively, work with humor and work with warmth. He was kind at the right times and witty at other right times.

Mostly, I will remember Bryan for always looking forward and moving forward--no obstacle was too great and no odds were too long.

Bryan's passing comes as he was about to start his ``dream job'' as president of St. Martin's College outside Tacoma. But he did Oregon's ``dream job'' all along.

A poem by Hafiz that aptly describes Bryan's generosity:

Even after all this time

The sun never says to the earth,

``You owe me.''

Look what happens with a love like that.

It lights up the whole world.

And Bryan lit up our world for his brief time in it--without expecting anything in return. We can all learn from Bryan's example and live to pay the debt forward.

He is survived by his wife of over 29 years, Anne, and their four children, and the thousands of Oregonians whose lives he touched through his service.

I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. DeFazio, for all of the work that he has done on this bill. Look, I grew up in a family where if you made a promise, you kept that promise. A deal is a deal.

County payments available for 100 years are payment for the Federal Government owning 57 percent of the forested land in Oregon. If the Federal Government did not make these payments, these counties would have very little in the way of infrastructure funding.

This money will cut the following services if we don't have it, and it will impact our most vulnerable citizens: Loss of sheriffs; loss of DAs; loss of economic development services and juvenile services; loss of mental health services, public health, and in general, loss of veterans services and senior services. The loss of county payments means the loss of sheriffs. In just one county, Curry County alone, three sheriffs will have to patrol an area the same size as Connecticut, which has a police force of 2,000.

This bill is a 4-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools. This program will not continue unless we give this an appropriation. It needs to pass to provide that critical funding for our counties. I cannot over-emphasize the need for this legislation for Oregon and for the Nation to maintain its 100-year-old bargain with the National Forest States. I encourage my colleagues to support its passage today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a long-time education advocate and friend, Deborah Murdock. As Special Assistant to the President at Portland State University, Debbie helped make PSU the top-tier university in Oregon that it currently is. We lost our friend Debbie on August 14, 2007, far too soon. I honor her today because on Sunday, May 4, 2008, Portland State University will dedicate the Debbie Murdock Memorial Clock Tower on their campus.

My first day in Washington, DC, as a new Member of Congress, Debbie was a friendly face who knew more about working in Congress than I did. Her experience with Congressman Les AuCoin was a great benefit for both of us. She knew what I needed to do to successfully represent my constituents and specifically a certain university in the state's urban hub.

Debbie came to work for PSU in 1993 and almost immediately set goals for the university that may have seemed overly-optimistic and unattainable. She wanted to help the university provide the programs, research and student experience that the other Oregon institutions of higher learning were offering.

During her tenure, Debbie played a significant role in the building and establishment of the Native American Center, the Urban Center, the engineering building and others. She also was involved in the downtown revitalization and ``greening'' of the campus.

But Debbie's list of accomplishments doesn't end with facilities and structures. Debbie managed to affect almost every person she came into contact with by encouraging their professional or academic development and personal growth. She wanted everyone to be the best they could be and felt like she could help make that happen by being a friend, a mentor or a resource.

I am delighted that Portland State University is naming the new clock tower in honor of Debbie. The tower will be a part of PSU's vitality, energy and life for years to come, as will Debbie Murdock's memory.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the New York Giants on their upset of the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl

Madam Speaker, although much work is left to be done as our communities start to recover from the severe storms that ravaged Oregon and Washington on December 2 and 3, 2007, we can reflect and be grateful for the hard work of the thousands of our fellow Pacific Northwesterners who helped neighbors, families, and complete strangers during the storms and their aftermath. Without their efforts, the damage and loss of life from the storm may have been much more extensive.

We were all shocked by the devastating impact that these storms wreaked on Oregon. More than 10 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period with wind gusts ranging from 60 to 129 miles an hour. Communities along the coast were inundated, families huddled in shelters as homes were destroyed and the coast was cut off from the rest of Oregon as roads and bridges were washed out. Among the stark reminders of the terrible power of these storms are crippled railroad tracks and bridges in Tillamook County, damage to the National Guard Armory in Dallas and the flooding of most of the town of Vernonia as well as other communities up and down the coast.

Thankfully, first responders and ordinary citizens moved quickly to help their fellow Oregonians cope with the storm. Rescuers in one case used chainsaws and dodged falling trees to clear the way for an ambulance. Two Tillamook men also risked their lives to try and save a woman whose truck went into the Nehalem River on Highway 101. These are just two of the numerous stories of bravery by first responders and Good Samaritans who stepped up to help those impacted by the storm. Selfless Oregonians from across the State came to help in what turned out to be a spectacular response effort. It has been incredible to see the extraordinary efforts of so many.

I want to personally thank everyone who was involved. Their heroic service to our communities has been extraordinary and their efforts are deeply appreciated. I also want to extend my deepest sympathy to those whose family, friends, and loved ones perished in the storms. It is a tragedy that these individuals were taken from us in these terrible storms. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this difficult time.

I thank my good friend from Michigan for yielding.

Madam Speaker, this vote today is about what kind of a country are we. This vote today is about what our priorities are. This vote today is about what our values are. Just the interest rate on funds to pay for the Iraq war are $25 billion a year; yet our President believes that spending $12 billion a year on children's health care is too much. I strongly reject the argument that we are spending too much on our children. Our children deserve better. Our children deserve a healthy start.

I have heard over and over from my constituents about the vital importance of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Nearly 60,000 children in Oregon currently receive health care through SCHIP, and the legislation before the House today will provide for an additional 36,000 children. I know hardworking parents who can't afford health insurance for their children. They don't know what to do. How am I going to cover my kids?

Thankfully, today, we are taking strong action to ensure that thousands of fewer working families in Oregon will have to endure the agony of having a sick child for whom they cannot afford medical care.

I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Madam Speaker, these moments are important.

Let us remember and honor the life and sacrifice of Graham McMahon.

At times like these, I think long and hard about what matters most. Today, I took a moment to consider the meaning of his generosity--of his service.

Corporal McMahon spent a lot of time living in the valley between the forests. And yet today, it is we--I all of us--that stand in the shadow of his life.

Men like Graham are uncommon. Heroes--that's the term we use to describe men like him--but it is an incomplete term.

Graham understood the stakes; he was all too human and it is precisely because of his humanity--of his heart, his soul--that we are here tonight, grieving his loss.

Scripture tells us that, ``Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.''

The lessons of the Gospel of John are just as true now, as they were then.

Corporal Graham McMahon woke up every day; put on his uniform and did what was needed. He did this out of love; he did this in an act of faith.

Graham had faith in us; he had faith that his country knew what it was doing when it sent him to serve across the seas. And he had faith in us to ensure that his sacrifice--and the sacrifice of his brothers and sisters in arms were remembered.

My friends, we live in challenging times; but we live free because of men, because of citizens--like Graham.

It is important for us all to remember that when Graham left for Iraq, he knew that he might not come home alive. But that did not stop him from performing his duty.

We must honor that memory by ensuring that we do ours. It is our duty to care for the military and the ones loved by them. It is our duty to ensure that we take good care of not merely the fallen, but the wounded struggling to return to the life they knew. And it is our duty to commit ourselves here, tonight, to making America the kind of place worthy of men such as CPL Graham McMahon.

His life casts a long shadow--a shadow that will endure through the years. Let us renew ourselves to celebrating that life and sustaining the community he loved.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 976. In Oregon alone, 37,000 new children will receive access to health care under this bill. Those children are counting on us to act today before this critical program expires.

Although many speakers before me have focused on the big picture by citing the number of children impacted by this legislation, I implore my colleagues to not lose sight of the small picture: the impact SCHIP has on the life of a single child.

The core purpose of this legislation is to ensure that a single child with the flu can go to the doctor or that a single child with cancer can receive chemotherapy. SCHIP simply allows the interaction between health care providers and the child to occur millions of times over.

I hope the House will put aside petty partisan differences and show strong bipartisan support for H.R. 976, that the President will stand alone if he vetoes this critical piece of legislation.

I can give the President 10 million reasons why he should put down his veto pen once we pass this bill, H.R. 976: the 10 million children who will otherwise go without access to health care if we do not pass this bill. I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 976.

Madam Speaker, let us mourn the loss of an American Hero.

Just a short time ago, Captain Drew Jensen succumbed to wounds he received in Iraq.

Drew was critically wounded in combat on May 7, 2007 in the Diyala Province while serving with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment north of Baghdad.

Captain Jensen was an officer in the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry--it is more commonly known as the ``Stryker Brigade.''

Forty-eight young soldiers left Fort Lewis and never returned to duty. The Strykers were sent into the toughest neighborhood in Iraq. Their mission was to meet Al Qaeda on its ground and take it back.

It is with a heavy heart the Pacific Northwest welcomes home the Brigade: they served honorably; they left Iraq better than they found it, but the cost was high--the losses irreplaceable.

Captain Jensen knew from an early age he wanted to serve his country: he was a soldier that lived and died with courage, integrity, and selflessness.

As a young man he worked hard and secured for himself the opportunity to attend West Point.

After graduation in 2002, Drew approached the Army with absolute commitment.

Captain Jensen served two combat tours in Iraq--knowing that his men depended upon his willingness to lead from the front and fulfill the call of our Nation.

At home, Stacia did her best to soldier on. An Army family knows the risks of combat. She supported Drew on and off the battlefield through some of the toughest circumstances, the harshest moments any family can encounter.

I ask that we take pause: cease the frenzied activities of modernity for just a moment and reflect upon the sacrifices we are asking of young soldiers like Drew Jensen.

Drew was a casualty of war: he served with distinction, gave his last full measure of devotion, and ultimately sacrificed his life--and his family's future--to answer the call of his men in mortal combat.

Leaders are not born, they are not made--leaders such as Drew Jensen choose.

Drew saw a problem and fixed it. He saw that his men needed help, and he helped. He was a good officer that recognized the burdens of command--an American that made a choice to be a part of something larger--to live a life that mattered.

My colleagues: the legacy of Captain Drew Jensen is a lesson for us all.

Drew made a choice to serve his country; Drew made a choice to serve in Iraq; Drew made a choice to make his community a better place.

There are no words that can heal the wounds of our hearts today; Oregon is far dimmer than it was with Drew a part of our community.

Forever changed are the lives of Stacia, the Jensen Family, and the community of Damascus.

We cannot undo any of the choices that brought us to this moment here, today.

But we can recognize the courage and bravery of one of our own.

We can celebrate the life and legacy of Drew Jensen.

And we can keep his spirit alive through remembering all that he was--all that he meant--all that he believed in.

Let us renew our commitment to making this America, this Oregon, this community a place worthy of such sacrifice.

Let us begin today.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from New Jersey who has done a fabulous job of chairing the subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3580. Patients and consumers are the clear winners in this legislation today. This legislation will save lives by promoting the safe and quick approval of lifesaving medications and providing the FDA with vital new authority to protect consumers after a drug is on the market. This bill collects an additional $225 million over 5 years to enhance drug safety reviews and also promotes testing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices to ensure that they are safe for children.

Revisions I crafted with my colleague, Mr. Doyle, the FDA and others require the creation of a unique device identification, or a UDI, system for medical devices that will help take important strides to improve the public health. Medical devices cannot easily be tracked or identified in any systemic fashion with current tools. A UDI system will enable the FDA to detect warning signs of a defective device earlier and quickly respond to recalls. Every person with an artificial knee, hip, pacemaker or any one of the thousands of other medical devices will benefit once this UDI system is in place.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan and comprehensive drug and device safety bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this time.

I first want to thank Chairmen Skelton, Rahall and Filner for their strong support of this resolution and their continued leadership on issues impacting our veterans.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me and the 108 cosponsors of House Resolution 326 in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial on the National Mall in Washington,