Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, if I could just take a moment to have everyone's attention, please. If you look in the gallery, you will notice there are men and women in uniform watching what we do today, and all through the week they have been here watching and listening. But that is not really their purpose in being here this week. This is National Law Enforcement Memorial Week, and I think we should pause for a moment and recognize how fortunate we are to live in a country that has peace and civility and order.

The laws that are enforced here are enforced by the men and women behind me and all across this Nation, and many have fallen this year; one hundred and thirty-three officers have died this past year in the United States protecting us all, as we are all protected here in this House. I would like us all to rise for a moment of silence for those officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

But before we do that, I would like to yield to my colleague, the other sheriff in Congress, Mr. Ellsworth.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, today we are considering legislation to improve the condition of our elementary and secondary schools. I can think of nothing more fundamental to creating an optimal learning environment for our children than ensuring that our schools are safe, secure places for them to learn and grow. Safety is an integral part to fostering a positive learning environment. Students can learn best and teachers can teach best when they don't feel endangered or threatened. Parents also deserve the peace of mind knowing that their children will be safe when they drop them off at school in the mornings.

The rise in school violence in recent years highlights the need for improvements in school safety measures. While the bill provides funds for bringing schools into compliance with fire and health safety codes, the bill does not currently provide funding to help ensure that schools are prepared for other emergencies like, unfortunately, school shootings.

My amendment is simple. It permits funds to be used for upgrading or installing technology to ensure schools are prepared and able to respond to emergencies like campus violence, acts of terrorism, and natural disasters. It is essential that we equip our schools with the tools needed to protect our teachers, our students, and school administrators during times of crisis and violence.

You know, it's sad that we come to understand the need for these funds to be spent on these heartbreaking tragedies like those at Virginia Tech and Columbine, where so many innocent lives were lost and families were torn apart by the loss of a son or daughter, husband or wife. And as a former cop of 33 years, I can stand here today and tell you that communication during emergencies is so critical. They're needed to bring everybody together to communicate to make sure that everyone involved in a tragedy, in an emergency, is safe.

For example, during the Columbine tragedy, first responders knew that students were trapped in the library with the shooters. However, they didn't know where the library was located; so they didn't know where to go. Twelve students and one teacher lost their lives that day while 21 more students were injured.

Incident planning and mapping systems, ``school mapping,'' as it's more commonly known, and notification and alert systems are essential. Cameras and other Web-based emergency preparedness and crisis management systems exist today to improve school security and prevent future tragedies from occurring by enabling schools to prepare for the unthinkable. My amendment would provide the funds so that schools are able to provide the highest level of protection to their students and their teachers.

In my home State of Washington, a tragedy was successfully avoided at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington, using these types of safety measures. In September of 2003, a school shooting at Lewis and Clark High School was successfully resolved without loss of life. A student fired a gun in a classroom, and thanks to the system that they put in place at that school, they were able to respond quickly, know where the rooms were, know where the shooter was, know where the incident was taking place, and evacuate students, 2,000 students, by the way, and resolve this crisis with no injuries and no deaths.

Emergencies come in many forms. We have a responsibility to ensure that our schools are equipped with all the tools necessary to prevent and effectively respond to all emergencies. In addition to building modern schools with minimal environmental impact, we should build schools for the 21st century with technology and modern equipment that create safe environments for teaching and encouraging learning.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment is simple, it's straightforward, and it will ultimately improve school safety and protect our children. It's been endorsed by the National Sheriffs Association, and I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I wish to thank the chairman for his support of this amendment and also the previous amendment I presented last Congress, which goes to reduce class size. So I appreciate the support on both amendments.

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

Madam Speaker, May is World Trade Month, and events around the country will highlight the vital role that trade plays in creating jobs and growing our economy.

World Trade Month is the perfect reminder of the need to pass pending free trade agreements that have languished for far too long. As Americans confront economic uncertainty, Congress must act now to advance our trade agenda. We cannot allow important agreements with Panama, Colombia, and Korea to remain on hold while Europe, China, and others continue to knock down trade barriers and become more competitive in the global economy.

Opening new global markets gives employers incentives to improve their products, produce more goods, and employ more American workers. I have seen these job-creating effects first-hand, with trade accounting for 1 out of every 3 jobs in my State of Washington.

Let's recognize World Trade Month by implementing these trade agreements and pursuing these proven measures of job creation at a time when they are badly needed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the wonderful work being done by Puget Sound Energy. Located in Bellevue, Washington, they continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency through investment and smart ideas. I'm proud to represent this company in Congress.

In late March, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, named Puget Sound Energy one of 89 ``Energy Star'' organizations across the country. Through its Residential New Construction ``Energy Star'' Lighting Program, Puget Sound Energy is working to increase demand for qualified lighting products in new, single-family homes. Beginning in 2008, they doubled investment in partner outreach as part of an ongoing regional fixture program. Serving as the facilitator, 16,000 Energy Star fixtures and 39,000 Energy Star CFLs were installed in new homes, representing a 100 percent increase in energy savings from 2007.

The work Puget Sound Energy is doing in Washington State is not only beneficial to our environment; it is also beneficial to the economy. Customers can take advantage of energy rebates for improving efficiency in their homes through the installation of new windows, doors and improved insulation, among other many other things. In 2008 alone, Puget Sound Energy customers collectively saved $30 million on energy bills and helped support more than 450 new ``green'' jobs.

Utilizing green technology and improvements positively impacts our environment, our communities and--especially important during these tough days--our economy. The work Puget Sound Energy is doing in Washington is exactly the type of forward-thinking, reasonable work that businesses and individual Americans should strive for, and I congratulate them on their new classification as a leader in energy- efficient technologies.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the University of Washington School of Medicine and their incredible standing as one of the best medical schools in the world. According to US News & World Report, the University of Washington tops the list of national primary care medical schools for the 16th consecutive year.

The groundbreaking and life-saving work done at the UW School of Medicine is beyond extraordinary. I feel a sense of pride to know that the best primary care medical school in the nation is located in my home state of Washington.

The School of Medicine was also ranked first in family medicine and rural medicine for the 18th straight year, fourth in women's health medicine, sixth in geriatric and pediatric medicine and eighth in internal medicine. Additionally, six active and retired members of the UW community are among 210 new Fellows named to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences: David Baker, William Gerberding, Andrew Meltzoff, Ed Miles, James Truman and Gunther Uhlmann.

Previously, the University of Washington was ranked the 17th best university in the world by the Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and 22nd among the top 100 global universities by Newsweek. The University of Washington has proven itself to be a world- class institution and it is truly a privilege to represent a region boasting some of the greatest minds in the world. I congratulate them on the honor for the School of Medicine and look forward to continue working together to make sure we provide the best medical care and training possible.

Madam Speaker, the Centers for Disease Control estimate that autism now affects one in every 150 American children and nearly one in 94 boys. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer, and AIDS combined. Autism is the fastest- growing serious developmental disability in the world, and yet we know little about the root causes of autism.

That's why we must do more to support NIH medical research. Earlier this month I introduced a resolution with Representatives Gerlach and Bachus to again designate April as ``National Autism Awareness Month.''

This resolution commends the parents and relatives of children with autism for their dedication in providing for their special needs. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention services. And it supports efforts to devote new resources to medical research on the causes of autism and treatments for it.

With increased support for autism, together we can offer some hope in an area that desperately needs it. I encourage all of my colleagues to help bring renewed awareness of children with autism.

Madam Speaker, almost forty years ago today, what was an idea to spread awareness about our environment has become global recognition and awareness of the importance of protecting the Earth. Earth Day began in 1970, when 20 million people participated across the

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the second annual World Autism Awareness Day. As the Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Children's Health Care Caucus, I recognize the debilitating force that is autism and I am proud to recognize Worldwide Autism Awareness Day in order to bring attention to this life-altering and, too often, unrecognized disorder.

I am proud to consistently support medical research on autism and its causes. I have worked with many members of this body and many other individuals and groups to increase funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in order to more fully understand the root causes and best prevention practices to minimize its debilitating effects.

But we must continue to work. Evidence shows that one in every 150 American children is affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Last year at this time, there was no medical detection or cure for autism. This year, there has been progress to uncover more about the root causes of ASD related disorders and why they may occur more often than expected among people who have certain other medical conditions.

Families need hope, and we must make a commitment to help them find the missing pieces to the puzzle. I urge all of my colleagues to continue supporting NIH funding so that--as groups like Autism Speaks and Families for Early Autism Treatment know--we can continue to fight against the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world.

Let's just talk about common sense. Budgets are about priorities. They're not just blueprints, but plans on how to achieve goals. Just as families sit down at the kitchen table to map out how to make ends meet to save for college education or their retirement, so too must the government put forward a responsible budget.

This budget identifies important priorities--economic recovery, health care, and energy independence--but I'm concerned. This budget spends too much, borrows too much, and taxes too much.

We must offer tax incentives to invest and create jobs, not raise taxes on job creators and small businesses. We must reduce wasteful spending, not increase the debt by $9 trillion.

We must work together to find solutions to the challenges before us, not halt progress with ``politics as usual.''

Despite calls to work together, this budget could permit a government-run health plan to be rammed through Congress without real consideration to protect seniors or the patient-doctor relationship. It's not about big government. It's about families, it's about small businesses, about entrepreneurism.

Let's oppose this budget and advance one that reflects the values found at kitchen tables across our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Municipal Court Judge Thomas Ellington in Washington State who received the annual William Nevins Award from the Washington Judges' Foundation for working tirelessly to educate youth about the judicial branch of government. Judge Ellington has spent the entirety of his judicial career working on behalf of ``We the People,'' a high

school program that competes on the knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and what role students play as citizens.

For more than two decades, dating back to his law school days, Judge Ellington has worked to help students understand how to properly engage in democracy and recognize the Constitution as an incredibly influential historic document.

Not only has Judge Ellington played a `facilitator' role for the ``We the People'' program, but he improved it with innovative ideas: instead of heading into individual classrooms, Judge Ellington brought teachers and students in Washington State to him in the form of voluntary workshops. Whether serving as ``We the People'' advisory board president or simply volunteering his time and knowledge, Judge Ellington employs the heart of a servant.

Such a high and prestigious honor such as the Williams Nevins Award must be awarded to someone in the legal profession who goes above and beyond the call of duty; Judge Thomas Ellington is that person. I want to congratulate for the recognition, thank him for his service to the State of Washington and the Nation and encourage him to continue on his path of leadership and selfless service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of five outstanding individuals who served the citizens of Region X, encompassing the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. These individuals served with the true ``heart of a servant'' at the Federal agencies to which they were appointed. Each of them served the people of the greater Northwest admirably and leave a superb legacy of service.

The citizens of Region X were represented at the Department of Labor, DOL, by W. Walter Liang, the Department of Education, DOE, by Donna Foxley, the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, by James Whitfield, the United States Department of Agriculture for Rural Development, USDA-RD, by Jon DeVaney, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, by John Meyers.

Mr. Liang has spent his entire career serving the American people. Prior to being named the Region X representative at DOL, Mr. Liang served as a congressional appointee, a gubernatorial appointee in California and a Presidential appointee at the Small Business Administration. Liang, who served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, has received various awards for his work in public service and community involvement throughout his wonderful career. Mr. Liang's counterpart at the DOE, Ms. Foxley, joined the Department in April of 2002 immediately helping to implement the No Child Left Behind Act. Ms. Foxley, a native of

Washington State, taught physically and mentally challenged adults at the Christian Day Camp prior to joining the Department and also served as the civilian advisor for the Washington State Patrol's Explorer Program.

Mr. Whitfield was appointed as HHS Region X representative in July of 2005 and focused much of his time on Medicare prescription drug coverage, information technology issues and health disparities within the American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. Previously, he was the senior officer for community relations for the Washington Health Foundation in Seattle, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health of Washington communities. Additionally, Mr. Whitfield is the President of CityClub--an organization committed to civil engagement and non- partisan civil discourse.

Mr. DeVaney joined USDA-RD as the director in Washington State in 2005. Mr. DeVaney was responsible for providing assistance and delivering over 40 loan and grant programs supporting the development of public utilities and infrastructure, affordable housing and job creation in rural areas. Before joining USDA, Mr. DeVaney served as an aide to my colleague from Washington, Congressman Doc Hastings and was also a Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the Northwest Horticultural Council.

Mr. Meyers joined HUD as the Region X Director in 2001 after a prolific career in State and Federal government and politics at all levels. He served during the Reagan administration at HUD, served as the executive director of both the California and Washington State Republican parties and worked alongside my predecessor, former Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn.

As the five dedicated individuals mentioned above transition out of the leadership positions they held at their respective federal agencies, I wish them all the best and offer one final `thank you' for their exemplary service.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in celebration of the inauguration of President Barack Obama and in honor of the dream of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In August of 1963, Dr. King shared dream with the world, ``that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: `We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal.' '' To so many, this inauguration symbolized the realization of this dream.

As the Representative of the Eighth District, I'm proud to stand before you today to recognize the importance of President Obama's place in history, and the fulfillment of the dream of Dr. King. The majority of the Eighth Congressional District of Washington is within the boundaries of King County, and in 1986, King County renamed itself in honor of Dr. King, ``a man whose contributions are well-documented and celebrated by millions throughout this nation and the world, and embody the attributes for which the citizens of King County can be proud, and claim as their own.''

The inauguration of President Barack Obama represented a monumental step forward in fulfilling Dr. King's vision for America. It was also a moment to celebrate our nation's freedom and cherish our democracy as we witnessed the peaceful transition of leadership between two individuals elected by a free people.

In the words of President Obama's inauguration speech: ``. . . we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.'' Just 16 days ago President Obama shared these words with the nation as he took to the oath to become the 44th President of our great nation. He shared these words, I believe, to inspire a nation facing great challenges and opportunities ahead.

I am so proud to know that, as I serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, I am serving in Washington, DC with a man in the White House who is the absolute embodiment of the beautiful words Dr. King spoke. With that in mind, I requested an American flag to be flown over the Capitol on Inauguration Day to present the flag to King County Executive Ron Sims and the entirety of the County Council, in remembrance of this historic day as the nation moves forward and looks to a future filled with hope and lives on in the American spirit.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of a wonderful American, a devoted professional, volunteer and personal friend. Michele Brennan, a constituent, was recently honored by the Seattle- King County Association of Realtors with ``The Realtor Achievement Award'' for an extraordinary body of work improving both the association and real estate industry overall.

Michele, a dedicated wife and mother of two children, has worked in the real estate industry for 25 years. She ensures that my office is aware of the issues important for Realtors, the families they serve, and my constituents in the Eighth District of Washington.

Apart from her professional duties in the real estate industry, Michele is a selfless leader dedicated to the betterment of her community. A long-serving volunteer in the Auburn, Washington School District, Michele has also served as president of the Kent, Washington Swim and Tennis Club and as a member of the Windermere Foundation Board, where she worked hard on behalf of needy families and children. It is difficult to fully explain Michele's dedicated community involvement because, either as a leader or ``behind-the-scenes'' organizer, Michele is interested not in earning praise, but only in making a positive impact.

The mission of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors is to enhance the ability and opportunity of members to operate their businesses successfully and ethically through a strict code of ethics. As a professional member, Michele Brennan could not fulfill that mission more appropriately in her own life, her community and, of course, her profession. I wish her the very best in the future, thank her for her sincere commitment to her community, and congratulate her on receiving such a prestigious award.

Mr. Chairman, just last week the Joint Committee on Taxation could not say whether any jobs would be created by the nearly $1 trillion package before us.

We cannot let calls for swift action overrun common sense, thorough consideration, and healthy debate. The bailout showed us the mistakes that can happen when government rushes to action.

We are united, however, Democrats and Republicans, together in recognizing the need for action. This is a time for smart, accountable, and targeted investments to get our economy back on track, not more of the same shotgun spending that mortgages our children's futures.

There are clearly provisions in this bill that I support and I think every Member in the House has something in this bill they support. But we are here to pass an emergency stimulus package that creates jobs, not another spending bill.

To stimulate the economy and preserve, promote, and create jobs, we must enact proven measures like broad-based tax relief for families and small businesses, opening new markets to trade, and investing wisely in infrastructure. Those are the things that will get our economy moving and create jobs for people in our Nation.

So I urge my colleagues to oppose this measure so that we can work together with President Obama, who has reached out to the Republican side and encouraged us to provide our input, our ideas, and our thoughts to craft effective legislation that gets our economy back on track.

Madam Speaker, I want to salute a company located in the 8th District of Washington, PACE Staffing Network, for earning the 2007 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility for their superiority in providing workplace effectiveness and flexibility.

PACE Staffing represents some of the most prominent companies in the Puget Sound area and provides an invaluable service to employees and employers year after year. Whether looking for a career in health care or manufacturing, the hi-tech sector or customer service, administration or clerical work, PACE is quick to match you to the best fit in the region to help keep our economy compete globally with the most skilled workers in the world. Through changing economies, technologies and staffing levels, PACE clients know to expect innovative partnerships, savvy business acumen and prompt, thorough service.

Without an organization such as PACE Staffing, leading global companies in the Puget Sound region would lack the resources to keep proper staffing levels and compete in the marketplace. Therefore, the recognition of this body goes to founder and president of PACE, Jeanne Knutzen, for providing a wonderful service while maximizing productivity and attracting the highest quality employees available.