Floor Statements

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

I rise in support of H.R. 5148. Not surprisingly, I'm the author of it. I insisted on being the author because it was the right thing to do and because there needed to be a message sent loud and clear. Deceptive advertising is already bad enough in America today. We often receive things that look like your credit card bill when, in fact, they're an offer to buy or to get something or, in fact, to apply for a credit card. We've all received cards that look like you're already getting a card when, in fact, it's John Doe on the card and it's only the opportunity to spend money to get the real card.

But when it comes to the census, there is no separation between Republicans and Democrats and Independents. There is no separation between the House and the Senate. The sanctity of this constitutional responsibility to get it right, to count everyone, cannot be allowed to be interfered with by anyone's attempt to raise money.

When the earlier bill was passed--authored by Carolyn Maloney and cosponsored by many of us--we thought we had ended this. As a matter of fact, for all of us on both sides of the aisle, we believed then that an independent agency, the post office, could have stopped that mail without the law. But we wanted to make the intent of Congress clear. By passing that bill, we made the intent of Congress clear. We all talked about deceptive advertising, about people seeing something, thinking it was from the Census Bureau, thinking that, in fact, it was a census form. We crafted it in a way, as the chairman said, that was intended not to cross over anyone's free speech rights, including that through the mail. We achieved that. But lawyers at the Republican National Committee made a decision that the language of the bill was such that they could continue having a piece of the successful mailing go on.

Let me make something very clear here today: You cannot say we are beyond the letter of the law when you truly are within the intent of the law and tell the American people it's okay. The four squares of the law may or may not have been violated by the

NRCC. Most of us believe, as I said before, the post office could have stopped it before the law and certainly could stop this after the law; and I have sent, along with my ranking subcommittee member, a letter to the Postmaster encouraging him to make that decision, as has Congresswoman Maloney.

Notwithstanding their eventual action, we're making it clear here today that we will plug any perceived loopholes or any questions about whether or not you can or you cannot. The RNC sent out mailings which certainly violated the spirit of H.R. 4621. The mailings contained text visible from outside the envelope--not printed on the envelope, but effectively the same as printed on the envelope.

I would say to people who raise money, whether it's the Republican National Committee, the Democratic National Committee, other political entities, or nonpolitical entities who simply want to have their envelopes opened for an opportunity to raise money or get a message out, don't use the census. Don't even think about using the census, because it's wrong. If something is deceptive, then it is wrong under the law that we already passed. It is wrong under the law that we expect this bill to represent.

So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman, Congresswoman Maloney and Congressman Jason Chaffetz and, more importantly, the leadership of the House, both Mr. Boehner and Mr. Hoyer, because they made it possible for us to come to the floor quickly, get it to the Senate quickly, allow the Senate to deal with it quickly so the President can make a statement for the second time in less than a month. He shouldn't have to do it. He does have to do it. We're going to make sure that while the census is underway, that we not have anyone think that this is a time where they can continue to do fundraising that ultimately links itself to the ongoing census.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I would like to thank the gentlelady from New York. Her words are our words; her thoughts are our thoughts. Perhaps as a proud Republican, I can do more than the thought she made.

Mr. Speaker, I want everyone to be counted in the census. I want everyone to open their envelopes from the census. As a Republican, I am particularly sensitive that I don't want Republicans to be undercounted. So I would advise, as I will do, if I receive anything and it looks like it's from the census, I'm going to open it. When I open it, if it's from the census, I'm going to fill it out. If it's not from the census, I'm going to throw it out because, ultimately, all of us, regardless of our party, should be indignant if we receive a request for money and we open it, believing it's from the census, only to find out that it is a request for money.

The census does not ask us for money. They ask us for sensitive information leading to a correct count of the American population, and from that, Congress does its work to allocate resources and, quite personally, to allocate representation here in the House. So I, for one, will open all the mail and encourage all to open all the mail. And when you open it, do the right thing if it's from the census; do the right thing if it's from somebody trying to fundraise. Let there be no doubt, this is important to us in the House. We speak with one voice. We speak today. I suspect that they will speak by tomorrow in the Senate, and we will make sure that this cannot be allowed.

In closing, I did join with the gentlelady from New York and Mr. Chaffetz, the gentleman from Utah, and the chairman in calling on the Postmaster to assert any jurisdiction he may believe he can, which we believe he has, to stop mailings even if they're going out today. But certainly within a matter of hours or days, we expect there will be new power without any question that would allow for the holding of that mail and its destruction.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I encourage passage of the bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have been here for about 30 minutes listening to both sides talk past each other. Mr. Speaker, the American people, they get it. They get it that in fact cap-and-trade will increase the cost of doing business; that health care, which is already too big a piece of the family budget, is going up, not down; that government is increasing spending at a time in which the revenue is far less than what we're spending. In fact, 40 percent of the budget is being borrowed. And now we're having the hubris to call financial reform of something that in fact is a financial bailout guarantee.

Under President Clinton and a Republican Congress, Glass-Steagall was eliminated. Why in the world wouldn't we be talking about simply recreating the separation between real banks that the FDIC does have a fund for, created by the banks, and investment banks, which you recognize if they fail, they fail, and you are only guaranteed on the underlying stock.

Mr. Speaker, I call for real reform.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a wonderful program operated by New Hope Community Church in Canyon Lake, California, that has set the standard for helping troubled youth by introducing a new concept to learning. Just this past weekend, Menifee Councilman Scott Mann and I had the pleasure to visit the Hope Learning Academy, seeing firsthand how this program's mentors steer at-risk youth onto a positive path and equip them with the tools they need to lead successful lives.

Regrettably, a substantial number of youth in our communities are failing school, struggling with behavioral issues in and out of the home, and many are ``slipping through the cracks.''

That is why Hope Learning Academy, which represents just one of the many ways that New Hope Community Church serves its community, is an outstanding example of providing at-risk youth with opportunities to grow. Their combination of guidance, encouragement and years of experience working with youth has proven successful in helping both students and parents implement a strategy of change in their lives during what are considered a teenager's most challenging years.

There is no question that the staff at Hope Learning Academy is committed to finding ways to help the youth in our community. They have effectively executed a niche program to put youth on a course for success while partnering with parents to give them the tools they need to effectively parent their child.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues please join me in recognizing the success of Hope Learning Academy and I look forward to hearing more about valuable programs such as this that make a positive difference in the lives of our local youth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to a point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order against consideration of the resolution. The resolution violates clause 9 of rule XXI by waiving that rule against consideration of H.R. 4872.

Mr. Speaker, my point of order is quite simple. In the last 2 weeks, both the House Republicans and the House Democrats have passed sweeping anti-earmark resolutions. Moreover, the leadership of the House has said that they will ensure that earmarks are in the past. But, Mr. Speaker, this legislation is filled with earmarks, not the least of which is the Louisiana purchase, not the least of which is the Bismark provision. Mr. Speaker, the amount of earmarks violating both Republican and Democratic House rules against earmarks is beyond the counting of any of us. My

point of order is intended to stop the bill until earmarks can be removed from the bill.

I might note, Mr. Speaker, last night until late at night, for more than 13 hours, Republicans offered 80 amendments, many of which could have fixed portions of this bill. None--I repeat, Mr. Speaker, none-- were ruled in order.

Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order that an earmark is tantamount to a bribe. An earmark to receive a vote is clearly a way to get a vote in return for something of value.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is a vast tax increase and a vast increase in the reach of government. It deserves to be considered on its merits, not based on promises and bribes for financial gain to various Members' districts. Therefore, it is clear we must remove all earmarks before this legislation can move forward.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am flabbergasted. Perhaps the gentlelady from New York could tell me, does that mean that under the rule that the Louisiana purchase, the Cornhusker kickback, the Gator aid, and the Bismark bank job will be somehow removed from the legislation after its passage?

Reclaiming my time, I'm going to simply state for the record that our reading is that all of these will go to the President in the bill. And, of course, if by some miracle a bribe for one becomes a bribe for many States, somehow I don't think the American people will find that particularly a happy day for anyone, except perhaps the few States who receive for a short time a special consideration.

With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. Speaker, the ranking member needs 15 seconds to enter into a colloquy. I would yield the gentleman from California 15 seconds for a question.

I would yield the gentleman an additional 10 seconds.

Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Under the rules of the House, if the House is not in order, as it was not when the gentlelady from New York said she could not hear the question, wouldn't the time not tally until the House is in order, thus allowing for her to get the question and be able to answer, something that we were denied, even though we gave 25 seconds for that process?

Further parliamentary inquiry.

If you recall, Mr. Speaker, I yielded 15 seconds and then an additional 10 seconds, and the gentlelady from New York repeated that she could not hear the question.

In fairness to the tally of the time, how can that time run when she could not hear? And wouldn't we be entitled to at least the time lost in debate because the House was not in order and she could not hear?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

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

Mr. Speaker, can I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner).

Mr. Speaker, point of inquiry.

Did I just hear an allegation of a threat? Would that be a threat against an action on Members of Congress? Is that in fact an allegation that we should consider at this time, since that's what I think I heard, that Members were being threatened?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).

Mr. Speaker, point of parliamentary inquiry.

Is it not against the rules of the House to urge an action in the Senate, such as voting for or assisting in reconciliation?

Mr. Speaker, further parliamentary inquiry.

It is now acceptable to lobby the Senate from the House floor in any and all conduct and questions?

I thank the Speaker, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, could I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining?

Mr. Speaker, I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to inquire as to whether the gentlelady had any additional speakers, other than the right to close.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) to give his view of the Louisiana kickback and purchase.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I have but 15 more seconds to give to my colleague.

Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed health care bill.

Madam Speaker, after so many on both sides of the aisle have spoken, it is perhaps hard to find something new to talk about. I will endeavor to do so.

Madam Speaker, President Obama has said the American people deserve the same high quality health care as Members of Congress have. Michelle Obama said the same thing. Speaker Pelosi said the same thing. Harry Reid said the same thing. As a matter of fact, virtually everybody in the Democratic caucus in leadership has said that.

Then why is it H.R. 3438, a simple, seven-page bill that gives every member of America the opportunity to have the same high quality health care that we have as Congress is being ignored? Why is it it doesn't even exist in the Democrats' comprehensive health care bill? Thousands of pages, and yet it doesn't give you exactly what they say they want to give you.

On top of that, who is beholden to the insurance companies? More than 50 percent of American dollars are insured by the Federal Government already. It is Medicare. It is Medicaid that have, in many cases, been driving up the cost of health care, and yet this bill has no real reform for Federal health care.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a constituent whose efforts have touched thousands of Americans over the last seven decades. Mr. Alex Kapitanski, more commonly known as ``The Flag Man,'' recently passed away on February 17, 2010. Mr. Kapitanski holds a great legacy not only in my district of California, but across the United States.

A fixture at civic events, Mr. Kapitanski embodied love of country with his passion in providing American and state flags for display at thousands of events from school graduations, to parades, to countless military services. A resident of Oceanside since 1950, Mr. Kapitanski once estimated that he provided flags to more than 37,000 events and hung more than 3.5 million flags. He once said, ``I'll probably die with a flag in my hand.''

His unwavering patriotism and commitment to his purpose has been recognized by presidents, generals and even Pope John Paul II. Just recently, Mr. Kapitanski, was honored in a special Presidents Day salute at the Oceanside Public Library and presented a proclamation from Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood with a film tribute and of course, plenty of flags on display.

Born on March 23, 1923, in West Rutland, Vermont, Mr. Kapitanski carried the spirit of the American flag from his early youth. His inspiration to begin collecting flags came from watching the superior conduct and community involvement of the legionnaires. At age 11, he hung his first flags by decorating the American Legion Post in his home town.

Mr. Kapitanski loved his country and served it with distinction at many levels. As a combat photographer during World War II, his primary mission was to go behind enemy lines to photograph enemy positions and gun emplacements. The military newspaper ``Stars & Stripes'' once featured a photo of him bringing in a German soldier he had captured behind the lines while photographing a position in Normandy. The photo was sent by wire service to nearly every newspaper in the United States and beyond. During this time, Mr. Kapitanski received numerous commendations and awards for his heroism including a Silver Star from General Dwight D. Eisenhower and a Bronze Star from General Courtney H. Hodges.

With a passion to teach the meaning and significance of our nation's flags to area youth, Mr. Kapitanski's work truly came from the heart. Although he is no longer with us, his spirit will live on in the youth he determinedly sought to inspire. In a 2007 interview he said, ``My goal is to motivate the younger generation to preserve our freedom.'' He will certainly be remembered for his devotion to his work, his strength of character, and his steadfast efforts to pass on his love of country and patriotism to upcoming generations.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go to the Kapitanski family who will take up their father's cause to honor his memory. He is survived by four sons, Alex of Carlsbad, and Edwin, Albert and Allen of Oceanside; a daughter, Emilyann Ransom of Oceanside, and eight grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues please join me in paying tribute to the Flag Man, Mr. Alex Kapitanski, who will surely live as a symbol of the great work that can be done when we strive to achieve. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the many Americans he inspired over his long and rich life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Tibor ``Ted'' Rubin, a prominent U.S. Army Veteran and POW during the Korean War whose selfless and heroic actions earned him the Medal of Honor. Madame Speaker, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Mr. Rubin and share his story which serves as an inspiration to all Americans.

Having been born in Hungary in 1929, at age 15 Mr. Rubin was sent to Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria where he survived the next 14 brutal months of captivity. Tragically, his father perished in Buchenwald while his mother and sisters faced the gas chambers at Auschwitz. When Mauthausen was liberated by the U.S. Army in 1945, Mr. Rubin immigrated to the United States with a vow to show his appreciation to the country that gave him his freedom, and saved his life.

Mr. Rubin joined the army in 1950 and served as a rifleman with I Company, Eighth Regiment, First Cavalry Division, fighting in the Republic of Korea. Once there, Mr. Rubin hit the ground running and it wasn't long before he was recognized for his bravery and readiness to accept the most dangerous of missions. In one such mission, Rubin secured a route of retreat for his company by single-handedly defending a hill for 24 hours against waves of North Korean soldiers.

In November of 1950, after sustaining shrapnel wounds from a grenade, Mr. Rubin and others in his company were captured by the Chinese, who were fighting with the Korean Communist government. Despite the extreme conditions of low temperatures, shortages of food and medicine, all in the face of capture, this is where Rubin's selfless heroism truly shined. Mr. Rubin continually risked his life as he snuck out nightly to forage food for his fellow prisoners, especially the sick and dying. His fellow prisoners credit him with saving 35 to 40 lives by this brave and daring endeavor.

Mr. Rubin spent a total of two and a half years in the North Korean prisoner of war camp. Yet in the face of these unthinkable circumstances, Mr. Rubin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism time and again. His harrowing acts of bravery and extraordinary devotion to his brothers in arms resulted in numerous recommendations from his Commanders for the Medal of Honor, among other prestigious awards. Regrettably, Mr. Rubin's deserved recognition was met with unwarranted obstruction due to his religious beliefs.

After more than 50 years of waiting, Mr. Rubin was finally given the acknowledgment he rightfully deserved. On September 23, 2005, President Bush awarded Mr. Rubin with the Medal of Honor--the highest military decoration awarded by the United States Government--for his many acts of valor throughout the Korean War.

Even to this day, at the age of 81, Mr. Rubin continues to inspire fellow veterans and service members as an active keynote speaker for military and Jewish communities across the United States. Most recently he has spoken to troops at Fort Hood, First Calvary, the California state military reserve, as well as to the 100 new soldiers enlisting in the five branches of the military service in Century City, California. In May of this year he will be speaking to the Army National Guard in Mississippi.

There is no question that Mr. Rubin has an unshakeable love for his adopted homeland of America. We are truly grateful for his demonstrated courage, compassion, and selfless military service.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to please join me in honoring all those brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces, and the valiant service of Mr. Tibor Rubin.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a special couple from Mendota, Illinois, Lester and Mary Rita Sondgeroth, on the celebration of their sixty-seventh wedding anniversary. The love and dedication required through 67 years of marriage is a shining example of what a bond as strong as theirs can achieve, and I commend them on all those special years together. This is truly a significant milestone and one that only a very few are fortunate enough to celebrate in their lifetime.

Lester and Mary Rita Sondgeroth were united in marriage on February 10, 1943 at the Holy Cross Church in Mendota where the couple has made their home to this day. Throughout the years, the Sondgeroths were blessed with five children--the late Dean Sondgeroth, the late Dianna Neisess, Debra Peters, Dru Sondgeroth, and Denise Burnette. They now have the pleasure of spending time with their five grandchildren--Scott Peters, Adam Peters, Brandon Burnette, Austin Burnette, and lastly Ryan Peters who I am proud to say is an outstanding member of my District Office staff in Vista, California.

A 67th wedding anniversary reminds us that marriage is not an instant achievement but a covenant that requires love, patience, and respect. Lester and Mary Rita Sondgeroth have perfected this commitment to each other and are truly blessed to have a strong marriage, their family, and a lifetime of memories. As they live each day by their wedding vows, they continue to inspire all who are fortunate to know them.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lester and Mary Rita Sondgeroth on this momentous occasion and sending our best wishes for many more years of love and happiness.

Madam Speaker, earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 2392, the ``Government Information Transparency Act,'' to make federal reporting of taxpayer dollars more accessible to the American people. In Committee, Chairman Edolphus Towns and I were able to work on a bipartisan basis to get key provisions of this legislation into S. 303, which is now under consideration by the House.

The Government Information Transparency Act instructs the Office of Management and Budget to designate a single data standard for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of business and financial information required to be reported to the federal government.

The federal government mandates disclosure of large amounts of information: financial filings by public companies, call reports by financial institutions, various disclosures by federal contractors, reports by recipients of taxpayer-funded grant money, and the list goes on. Too often, these disclosures are in formats that don't permit electronic searches and comparisons. Some disclosures, in fact, are still made using paper. Moreover, the formats vary from agency to agency, and even within agencies. Unwieldy and incompatible data formats make reported information much less useful than it could be. Even worse, it creates complex and overlapping layers of reporting that serve as the breeding ground for wasteful government.

Information reported to the federal government needs to become both fully searchable and fully standardized. Modern information technology can bridge these two gaps. An interactive data standard that relies on electronic tags to individually identify each element of information can render every piece of data separately readable by software. This interactivity allows the creation of databases that are far more useful than sequential, plain-text financial reports. And if the same standard were applied to every federal agency's disclosure programs--securities, banking, grants, contracts, and so on--unprecedented searches and comparisons would become possible.

So, the Government Information Transparency Act requires the OMB to set up a single interactive data standard for reported information--a standardized, universal, and machine-readable format that will be made available to the general public. The use of a single data standard will still allow agencies to be flexible in how they require information to be submitted. Sophisticated companies might be asked to submit large data files; small companies and nonprofits could fill in Web-based forms that would automatically encode each element on their reports. The result: every report would be computer-readable, and the underlying data could be more easily extracted, searched, and analyzed.

Financial and business information in a uniform format will be more transparent, and thus more accessible for public critique. Fraudulent transactions and irresponsible risk-taking can be more easily detected, search costs are reduced, and companies will be put under greater pressure to explain the underpinnings of the financial statements they release. Instead of assigning an immense oversight responsibility to a handful of federal employees, we can now enable the public to act as citizen-regulators. And because information reported to different agencies will become compatible, investors, watchdog groups, and analysts will have powerful new searches at their disposal.

The Government Information Transparency Act also requires a single data standard for federal financial information, to bring the same interactivity and compatibility to the disclosures put out by federal agencies. By making this kind of information more accessible to the general public, we are unleashing the very best government watchdogs-- the American people themselves--to expose waste, fraud, and abuse of their tax dollars.

For business and financial information, the sunlight of transparency has always been the best disinfectant. Our Government Information Transparency Act, added to S. 303, will make that sunlight brighter and clearer than ever.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the City of Temecula, on the celebration of its 20th Anniversary as a City on December 1, 2009.

Since its founding, the City of Temecula has quadrupled in population and continues to provide improvements and amenities to its citizens to ensure a high quality of life. Temecula has also prioritized the protection of its citizens, instigating both regional and federal projects like the Murrieta Creek Flood Control Project. Furthermore, the city has partnered regionally to create jobs through economic development, road improvements, and funding to enhance the community's ability to serve its citizens.

As one of California's pioneering communities, the City of Temecula diligently works to preserve its rich historical culture, providing a wealth of cultural opportunities to its citizens through establishments like the Temecula Theater, History Museum, and Children's Museum. The city also values its strong relationship with the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians.

On the occasion of its 20th Anniversary as a City, I encourage the citizens of Temecula to reflect on both the present and historical significance of their community and how it makes the City of Temecula one of America's most livable cities.

Madam Speaker, today the House of Representatives recognizes the service and sacrifice of the members of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Marine Corps who were tragically killed during exercises off the coast of California three weeks ago.

On October 29, 2009, a Coast Guard C-130 plane and a Marine AH-1 Cobra helicopter collided off the coast of Southern California. The Marine pilots were conducting training about 15 miles off San Clemente Island when they collided with the U.S. Coast Guard plane, which was based out of the Coast Guard Air Station in Sacramento, CA.

These brave Marines and Coast Guardsmen dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom and safety. Such tragedies are a reminder of the dangers all men and women of our armed forces face, whether they are stationed in Afghanistan, California, or anywhere else in the world.

H. Res. 891 offers Members of the House of Representatives an appropriate opportunity to express our thoughts and prayers to families and friends of these service members. Our hearts are with them during this difficult period.

Mr. Speaker, today I will vote in strong opposition to H.R. 3962, the ``Affordable Health Care for America Act.''

This government takeover of health care is filled with tax increases, job killing mandates, Medicare cuts, bureaucrat additions, and entitlement expansions. This bill will lead to higher health care premiums and a growth in long-term health care costs.

Despite this bill's many faults, I support the bill's language establishing a market for biosimilars which balances the desire to provide cheaper biologics with the need to continue incentivizing investment in research and development. The bipartisan language approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee earlier this year would create an FDA approval process that allows for the continued development of biosimilar products.

This language appropriately protects intellectual property rights by encouraging the creation of new technologies and helps protect patients from possibly dangerous, insufficiently tested biosimilars. Because biologics are more complex and susceptible to change during formulation, it is of the utmost importance that we only support a process that provides for a safe biosimilar market.

It is critical at this time of 10.2 percent nationwide unemployment that the federal government allow job creating industries, like biotechnology, to continue to invest and create jobs. It is unfortunate that the Majority wrapped up a good biosimilar bill in a bad health care bill, but I hope that we have the opportunity to support the Eshoo-Inslee-Barton biosimilar provisions in a separate legislative vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the United States Marine Corps are exceptional.

Our country has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent to keep this country free and safe. United States Marine Lieutenant General Samuel T. Helland is one of these individuals.

Lt. General Helland earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and holds a Master of Science Degree from Troy State University. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Lt. General Helland started his military career by enlisting in the Army in 1968. He served three years with the U.S. Army Special Forces, leaving after a combat tour of duty in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN), Military Advisory Command (Special Observations Group). Lt. General Helland graduated from Marine Officer Candidate School in 1973, and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1974. He is qualified as a CH-53 pilot.

Lt. General Helland has served in many different capacities over the years; Lt. General Helland served with the Amphibious Units, Aviation Combat Elements, and Joint Task Forces. He has participated in exercises and contingency operations ranging from the Arctic Circle, throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, the Persian Gulf, and the Horn of Africa.

His assignments include Staff Officer for the Logistics Officer for the Marine Aircraft Group 26, Operations Officer for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, MAG 40, Joint Staff Officer in the J-7, Command of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Deputy Commander JTF-Shining Hope, US Joint Forces Command, Norfolk VA, US Marine Corps Forces South, Commanding General Fleet Marine Forces South, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation. In May 2004, Lt. General Helland assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa. From August 2005 to July 2007, Lt. General Helland commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar San Diego, California. In July 2007, he assumed duty as Deputy Commanding General I MEF Camp Pendleton, CA before assuming his present assignment as Commanding General I MEF; Commander, Marine Corps Forces Central Command.

His decorations include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with one star, and various service and unit awards.

Lt. General Helland's tireless passion for service has contributed to the betterment of this country. On the occasion of his retirement and on behalf of the people of the United States whom he has served with courage and honor, we commemorate the service of Lieutenant General Samuel T. Helland.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Many of us have concerns for family and friends impacted by breast cancer. This month we must take those concerns and turn the emotion into action.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in women in California and the United States as a whole. It is the second most common cause of cancer death. The California Cancer Registry estimates that each year, more than 25,000 California women develop breast cancer and over 4,000 die as a result. California represents a large portion of the 192,370 new cases of breast cancer that have been diagnosed in 2009 alone.

This disease is not gender specific; it will develop in approximately almost 2,000 men this year as well. Early detection and treatment for both sexes has resulted in 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

We must continue to encourage all women and men to undergo mammography screening, as it is the most effective test to determine the presence of breast cancer. To do so, I have joined with my colleagues to cosponsor the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. This bill will enhance efforts to increase public awareness regarding the threats posed by breast cancer to young women and men, as well as to enhance campaigns that will further educate the community on the risk factors of breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

I am proud to stand today with my colleagues to recognize the importance of continuing efforts to enhance awareness and preventative actions.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the United States Marine Corps are exceptional. For more than thirty-five years this man has served our nation in the most outstanding and dedicated manner. On the occasion of his retirement, I feel it only right to recognize the magnificent service Major General Michael R. Lehnert has performed for our country.

Major General Lehnert graduated from Central Michigan University in 1973 with an undergraduate degree in History and commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the PLC program. After attending the Marine Officers Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, he was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Assignments at Camp Lejeune included engineer platoon commander and maintenance officer LSU-32 and S-4, H&S Battalion, 2nd FSSG. Assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion in Okinawa Japan, he served as Bn Operations Officer and finished his tour as commander Company A, 9th Engineers.

In 1977, he was ordered to Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines as the Operations Officer. In 1978, he took command of Company A, Marine Barracks, Subic Bay. In 1979, Major General Lehnert attended the U.S. Army Advanced Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After graduation, he served as Executive Officer, USMC Recruiting Station, San Antonio, Texas. He was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California in 1983 and held the following assignments from 1983 to 1986. Company Commander, Company C, 1st Landing Support Battalion Commanding Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment 11 Commanding Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment 16 Executive Officer, MAU Service Support Group 17 Landing Force Support Party Cdr, BSSG 7 MEF Engineer, First Marine Amphibious Force.

In 1987, he was selected for Armed Forces Staff College. After graduation, he was assigned to the United States Southern Command in the J-3 Operations Directorate as Chief, Central American Exercise Branch. During the Panama crisis, he participated in Operation Just Cause and Operation Promote Liberty. Major General Lehnert was reassigned in 1990 as Inspector-Instructor, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Portland, Oregon. He was selected for top level school, completed the Naval War College in 1993 and was awarded a masters degree in International and Strategic Studies.

In 1993, he was assigned to the Joint Warfighting Center in Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the Chief of the Futures Branch, Doctrine Division. In 1995, he reported to 2d MAW and participated in Operation Sea Signal, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as Commander, Joint Task Group Bulkeley, JTF 160, where he commanded the security forces responsible for operation of Cuban and Haitian migrant camps. Major General Lehnert commanded Marine Wing Support Group 27 at Cherry Point, North Carolina from 23 May 1996 to 28 May 1998. He was reassigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 II MEF. In 1999, he deployed to Panama as the Chief of Staff, Joint Task Force Panama to oversee the final turnover of the Canal and the remaining military bases.

His first tour as a general officer was at Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics. He took command of 2d Force Service Support Group in July 2001 and in January 2002, he deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as Commander, Joint Task Force 160. JTF 160's mission was to construct and operate the detention facilities for Taliban and Al Queda detainees. In 2003, he deployed with the 2d FSSG to the CENTCOM theater and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom as Commander, Marine Logistics Command. His most recent assignment was as Chief of Staff, United States Southern Command, Miami, Florida.

Decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Navy Commendation Medal with gold star and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Major General Lehnert has consistently shown genuine concern for those who serve in his command, regularly placing their comfort and support above his own. He and his wife, Denise, are a prototype for general officers who have the honor to follow them in command.

On the occasion of his retirement, and on behalf of the people of the United States whom he has served with courage and honor, we commemorate the exceptional service of Major General Michael R. Lehnert.