Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today applauding the work of a pair of constituents, Marta and Frederic De Wulf, who decided to use their many talents and passion for education and healthy living to create a website--foodnme.com--dedicated to the pursuit of healthy living and interactive nutrition information. Their innovative work earned them a trip to the White House to be honored as a top winner in Michelle Obama's ``Apps for Healthy Kids'' contest.

Marta and Frederic teamed up because of their understanding of the problems associated with poor eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Instead of bemoaning the problem of obesity privately, Marta and Frederic used their knowledge and experience. Marta, a nutritionist by trade, and Frederic, an experienced and successful filmmaker, believed an interactive website encouraging children and their parents to properly scrutinize their eating habits could help in the fight against obesity. Therefore, FoodNMe' was born.

The aspect of the website deemed extraordinary is the `Smash Your Food' tab, which allows users to gain an understanding of the nutritional content of everyday foods--hamburgers, pizza, French fries, and the like. This great tool is a creative way to educate parents and children about what's in their food and encourages them to make healthy dietary choices.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Marta and Frederic for creating a unique tool in the fight against obesity. I'm proud to congratulate them for their good work.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of a constituent whose lifetime of passionate and intensive work on behalf of developmentally disabled children and adults has been recognized at a national level.

Margaret-Lee Thompson, a resident of Redmond, Washington, and the coordinator of the King County Parent Coalition for Development Disabilities, was awarded the ``Advocacy Matters!'' honor by the Arc of the United States because of her efforts and courageous advocacy.

Ms. Thompson's adult son, Dan, has lived with disabilities his entire life. While focusing wholly on the daily needs of her son, Madam Speaker, Ms. Thompson identified a variety of inconsistent and wrong- headed policies and practices at different levels of government and local organizations. In 1990, seizing on a six-month grant opportunity to bring parents of the developmentally disabled and policy makers together, Margaret founded the Parent Coalition. Twenty years later, Ms. Thompson is nationally recognized as a committed, veteran leader of an incredibly worthy movement. Her work and advocacy have changed hearts and minds, Madam Speaker.

The Parent Coalition--with Ms. Thompson as its leader--has three overarching goals: to work for a better future for people with developmental disabilities and their families through systems advocacy, to organize parent training workshops, and to inform families in King County, Washington about the developmental disabilities system at all levels. Under Ms. Thompson's leadership, the Coalition has accomplished its goals--and much more.

Madam Speaker, Margaret-Lee Thompson is a leader, an advocate, and a social entrepreneur. She's helped thousands of developmentally disabled individuals in King County and influenced thousands more policy makers, community leaders, and residents. After 20 years of leadership and advocacy, Ms. Thompson has finally received the type of recognition she so richly deserves. She's a selfless humanitarian, Madam Speaker, and I'm honored to call her a constituent, thank you.

Madam Speaker, last year on the 22nd of October I submitted remarks in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a tradition that started in this House in 1989. Today, Madam Speaker, I'm doing the same. Domestic violence is a debilitating scourge in our society, and our goal in this House and as a nation should be to completely eliminate it.

Before joining this House in 2004, I spent 33 years in law enforcement, Madam Speaker. I witnessed acts of domestic violence, and I watched the debilitating results play out in families and communities for weeks, months, and years afterward. The toll domestic violence takes on people across this country is incalculable. Madam Speaker, domestic violence recognizes no boundaries.

Children who witness abuse and are themselves abused are more than twice as likely to commit acts of domestic violence as adults. Generations of Americans have failed to break this terrible cycle of violence and even more alarmingly, many of those same Americans have not properly identified acts of domestic violence or sought help or protection due to ignorance, fear, or a host of other troubling reasons. In 2006, a survey conducted by Teen Research Unlimited showed that fifteen percent of teens who have been in a relationship reported being hit, slapped, or pushed by their boyfriend or girlfriend. Madam Speaker, we must work harder to raise awareness of this critical issue to ensure people know that help is available, and that they can feel safe in reaching out and taking hold of that help.

I urge members of this House to support organizations committed to stamping out domestic violence, Madam Speaker. I also urge every American to take the time during October--Domestic Violence Awareness Month--to tell their spouse or child how important each is to their lives. Hug your spouse. Hug your children. And should people feel moved to do so, figure out how to extend a helping hand to victims in communities across our country. Every day in October we have the opportunity to work against domestic violence. Americans must stay vigilant; thank you.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an organization headquartered in Tukwila, Washington, celebrating its 30th year of being a place of hope for victims of domestic abuse in King County and speaking loudly, boldly, and clearly on their behalf.

The Domestic Abuse Women's Network (DAWN) in Tukwila is much more than a shelter for victims of domestic violence: it is an invaluable resource of specialized information, domestic abuse awareness, and anti-abuse training modules. The professionals at DAWN provide victims of domestic abuse in King County with the education, care, and support they need to take their individual lives back. According to DAWN, 78 percent of its clients are poor or very poor; and 77 percent have children. At a time when our Nation is struggling mightily against wave after wave of poor economic news, DAWN provides a ray of hope to those who need it most.

DAWN values results; the organization is constantly reevaluating itself to meet the needs of its clientele. DAWN values service; its programs and exceptional staff work tirelessly to serve. Finally, DAWN values its resources; much like individuals and families across our country, DAWN is adept at stretching dollars and helping those in need.

Domestic abuse is an unspeakably horrendous scourge, Madam Speaker. It ruins families and communities, churches and schools, and has no economic measure. More and more, Madam Speaker, resources, programs, and dollars must be available to help fight against domestic abuse. DAWN is an organization doing its absolute best to provide normalcy in the face of travesty, and I thank every individual associated with the organization for working tirelessly on behalf of victims of abuse.

Specifically, Madam Speaker, I want to thank Dawn's Executive Director Cheryl Bozarth, President Debra Fiest, the Board of Directors and the staff and volunteers carrying out a vision and providing services that have saved countless lives over the past 30 years. I urge every Member of this House, Madam Speaker, to support in thought, word, and deed any organization fighting against domestic abuse. It effects us all, and we all must work together to eliminate it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an inspiring group of 11- and 12-year-olds in my District who grabbed the attention of an entire region and were welcomed home as heroes because of their performance in this year's Little League World Series at Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Auburn little leaguers and their coaches, Kai Nahaku and Dale Wilson, won the Northwest Regional Little League Championship en route to their trip to Williamsport. Once there, the team lost their opening game to the Little Leaguers from Fairfield, Connecticut. Madam Speaker, people started talking about Auburn's dream season coming to an end, but the team had other ideas.

The boys won their next three games, staving off elimination each time. Playing in front of as many as 30,000 people, the team stared down fear and played an exhilarating brand of baseball, beating Minnesota and Texas before dispatching Connecticut in a rematch. Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, the team's magical ride ended on August 26, in a loss to Texas.

The community of Auburn supported the team the entire season and some even traveled to Williamsport. The supporters who stayed home cheered wildly at viewing parties around the Auburn area. When the team returned home to Auburn, they were welcomed with a truly special celebration in front of City Hall. It was an honor to participate in the revelry and meet the coaches, players, and their supporters. Not only did the team play well on the diamond, Madam Speaker, but the boys also represented Auburn and Washington State with class at every turn.

Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Hudson, Dylan, Isaiah, Ryan, Casey, Chandler, Ikaika, Dillon, Tyler, Robbie, Dillon, Coach Kai and Coach Dale for their inspiring play and for creating such fantastic memories. I want to thank Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, and the community of Auburn for providing unique and overwhelming support for the team throughout the season and upon their return. I'm excited to see what this special group of boys will accomplish in the future. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I'm always pleased to thank our business leaders for their environmental stewardship and leadership. In Washington State, our two largest ports--the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle--just received recognition from the American Association of Port Authorities for innovative and remarkable environmental stewardship.

The Port of Tacoma won the Environmental Enhancement Award and Honorable Mention in the Environmental Mitigation category. The Port was recognized because of its demolition program that produced 7,071 tons of recycled or reused materials--nearly 90 percent of the total materials used. The Port also converted a former public landfill along the Puyallup River into a wetland habitat for native plants, shore birds, and juvenile salmon.

Not to be outdone, the Port of Seattle earned this year's Comprehensive Environmental Management award for its Environmental Compliance Assessment Program. The program was implemented by the Port in 2009 to evaluate and assist with tenant environmental compliance to better meet high expectations and environmental quality regulations; obviously the program is working well!

The wonderful people of Washington State are very fortunate to have two world-class, busy ports that help drive our region's economy. The newly appointed Port of Tacoma CEO, John Wolfe, is a well-known and well-respected business leader committed to keeping the Port competitive in a global marketplace and making his Port environmentally sound. I can say the same for the Port of Seattle's CEO, Tay Yoshitani. My staff and I have enjoyed working with both Ports in the past and look forward to continuing our working relationship into the future. Madam Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Yoshitani, the executive leadership teams, and the staffs tasked with carrying out a forward-looking, innovative agenda.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 2010 National Scout Jamboree that concluded at Fort A.P. Hill, near Fredericksburg. Thousands upon thousands of Boy Scouts, Troop masters, and other staff and family descended on the greater DC area to join together and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

Madam Speaker, the Boy Scouts of America make positive contributions in every community around the United States. Boy Scouts volunteer many hours to improve their communities, enhance the environment, and help those in need. In their dedication to service to others, Scouts never shy away from a challenge.

I trust the Jamboree that just concluded was a successful and joyous one, Madam Speaker. The Boy Scouts of America, as an organization, has a lot to be proud of and celebrate. Every former and current Scout should be proud of their contributions to humanity and their community. The Jamboree encouraged participants to ``Be Prepared'' as they anticipate the challenges of life and continue to act as leaders at home and school. Ultimately, Madam Speaker, the Jamboree ``Inspire[d] every participant to return to their home, troop, chartered organization, and community telling

the story of the freedom that is ours and the greatness of the United States of America.''

I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Boy Scouts of America on their very special 100-year milestone. Madam Speaker, the Boy Scouts of America prepare our young men for lives of leadership and selflessness. I applaud the organization for its longevity and commitment to service.

Mr. Speaker, Monday we recognized the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It's important to recognize the work this country has done to ensure equality for people with disabilities, to make sure they experience a good quality of life; that their rights are protected; that they have access, resources, and tools to live fulfilled, productive lives.

I am thankful for the leaders who fought for this law 20 years ago because it benefits people I love, family, friends, and coworkers. But Mr. Speaker, this Congress failed our disabled community miserably this year when it passed the health care overhaul, and it did so at a steep cost.

Somehow this Congress thought, let's tax medical devices, tools that people with disabilities depend on every day. Was this the right thing to do? I don't think so. Some thought taxing pacemakers, hearing aids, prosthetics, and wheelchairs was okay, it's acceptable. If that isn't an example of broken government, I don't know what is. It's not okay. It's not acceptable. Taxing our disabled population is flat out wrong.

Mr. Speaker, the American people are sick and tired of broken government. They are sick and tired of business as usual, which means no business at all. No business at all means no jobs.

And why are there no jobs? Business is being taxed to the max. Government borrows like there is no tomorrow. Government spends to the end, the end of American ingenuity, the end of American business.

Here is what we need to do. Don't raise the capital gains tax. Don't increase taxes on families and small businesses. Hey, I know, let's repeal the estate tax. What about make the R&D tax a permanent tax credit? Allow small businesses to deduct the cost of expensive machinery.

I mean, there are ideas after ideas after ideas about what we can do to make this country grow. How about this, Mr. Speaker? Have a little faith in the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I was home again this weekend and, guess what, the American people are still sick and tired of this broken government and business as usual, and so am I.

They said that new government leaders promised them change, and that's what they got. And that's what they still get when they stick their hand in their pocket, a handful of change.

The new government said we will pay for everything we do. They call it ``pay as you go.'' The people I talk to say what we got instead was tax to the max, borrow like there's no tomorrow, and spend to the end. Spend to the end of American ingenuity, spend to the end of American innovation, spend to the end of our children's future, the end of a great American experiment, the end of our freedom.

Instead of building our country on the word ``change,'' let's get America back on track, build it on words like responsibility, accountability, God, family, country. Mr. Speaker, how about faith, a little faith in the American people?

Mr. Speaker, let's get real. The real deal is government is broken.

I'm always thankful to go back to the district and hear from our constituents, but you know what I'm hearing? The government's broken, and the American people are sick and tired of it. So am I. They're tired of partisan games and business as usual. So am I.

Why can't we work together to solve this country's problems? Why can't we get it right? Why are we not listening to the American public? Why? That's the big question the American people are asking. Why can't we, as Members and Representatives of this great country and each and every district that we represent, stand here together on this floor in this House and work together to solve the problems that this Nation is facing? It's about freedom. It's about jobs. It's about our country. It's about our people. It's about our children and our grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, let's listen to the American people. This government is broken.

Madam Speaker, as the representative to this House for the 8th District of Washington, I want to congratulate and recognize a city within the 8th District that is celebrating a milestone anniversary today.

Mercer Island, with a population of 22,890, was incorporated on July 5, 1960. It is an island in Lake Washington, situated a few minutes east of Seattle. The City is breathtaking in many areas, with wonderful parks, open spaces, beautiful neighborhoods, and successful schools. My District Office is located on Mercer Island and the merchants and residents of the community could not be more accommodating or welcoming of my staff and the various guests who visit the office. Mercer Island is a gem of the 8th District.

Every August, Mercer Island has a front row seat to the extraordinary display put on by the Blue Angels and the boats on Lake Washington during the Seafair celebration; honestly, experiencing Seafair from Mercer Island is an experience that will not be forgotten. Additionally, Mercer Island's large multipurpose community center is an exceptionally valuable community asset and its parks provide the natural beauty and open space that is a hallmark of the Pacific Northwest.

Many fine business, civic and community leaders call Mercer Island home. Many fine students attend school on the island and receive first- class educational opportunities. Mercer Island is one-of-a-kind and I'm pleased to recognize its 50th anniversary of existence. To Mayor Jim Pearman, members of the City Council, and residents of Mercer Island, I say congratulations.

Madam Speaker, in 2006, the fundraising campaign for Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) began in earnest and a new performing arts center is set to open in 2013 in my District-- Washington's 8th. The PACE campaign just received a $25 million gift from the Tateuchi Foundation, and a renewed life has been breathed into a campaign for cultural vibrancy, economic vitality, and artistic expression.

Madam Speaker, the generosity of the Tateuchi Foundation to the PACE campaign is nothing short of phenomenal. For its incredible gift, the Foundation received the naming rights of the performing arts center. Therefore, it will now be known as the Tateuchi Center, and I'm extremely pleased to see the campaign receive such a significant boost.

The spirit of giving and philanthropy is alive and well, Madam Speaker. This extraordinary gift has reminded our community that belief in unique and worthwhile entertainment and art is essential to a vibrant community. The realization of a state-of-the-art performing arts center in the 8th District will provide jobs and enhance the quality of life and cultural infrastructure of the entire Puget Sound region. According to recent studies, the Tateuchi Center will have a $470 million impact on King County over the next decade and will generate $70 million in new tax revenues for federal, state, county and city governments. Beyond that, Madam Speaker, a unique, exciting venue like the Tateuchi Center will help businesses in the Puget Sound region--such as Microsoft--continue to recruit top talent and excel in a highly desirable area.

The campaign to bring a one-of-a-kind performing arts center to the 8th District is driven by the desire to transform lives and enrich the community by presenting artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment experiences of the highest quality for everyone. The momentous gift of the Tateuchi Foundation is helping make that desire a reality. The overall fundraising goal will be reached, and that's a testament to civic pride, business leadership, and the public good. Madam Speaker, I thank the leaders of the campaign to bring the arts to the 8th District. And of course, I join my constituents in thanking the Tateuchi Foundation for its generosity. The continued dedication to this cause is remarkable and worthwhile.

Madam Speaker, even in this difficult economic time, the Tateuchi Center campaign demonstrates that the desire for artistic expression is as limitless as the expression itself

and is sending a clear message: the inclusion of arts in a community will make that community a better place to work, live, and create.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for Israel and its right to defend herself and her people against potential terrorist threats.

As the world watched, Israel took action to prevent a flotilla from reaching the Gaza strip because Hamas terrorists could have smuggled in weapons that would be used to take the lives of innocent people.

Israel is a good friend and a true ally to America. We must not turn our back

on Israel at this critical time. We must stand with them. We must support them and their right to protect and defend the safety of their people and the sovereignty of their nation.

The Israeli Government just announced the decision to appoint an independent public commission to review the circumstances surrounding the flotilla raid. This commission will be headed by a retired Israeli judge and will include two Israeli experts in international law and two high-ranking foreign observers. This action demonstrates Israel's commitment to act within the law and to hold itself accountable in good faith to the international community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the recently retired Ken Griffey, Jr. Griffey retired last week from Major League Baseball after hitting 630 home runs, driving in 1,836 runs, and scoring 2,781 times. I won't even attempt to quantify the OOOOHHS and