Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Cinco de Mayo, a date which is

celebrated by Americans, Mexicans, and many others around the world.

The victory of the Mexican army over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, came to represent unity and patriotism for the Mexican people, which is now celebrated today as Cinco de Mayo. That same spirit of unity and patriotism exists in this country, and sharing it with as many as possible is an honorable and notable goal.

Millions of Hispanic Americans thrive and contribute in our country, with over 18 million residing in the Western United States, 65 percent of them of Mexican descent. These citizens bring their unique culture to communities throughout the United States. This is the epitome of what this Nation is all about--having the freedom to come together and celebrate so many different cultures.

On Cinco de Mayo, we reflect on the contributions of the country of Mexico, the battle for unity and patriotism, and that our freedom to celebrate is not something we can take for granted.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Paul Soreff on receiving the ``Most Significant Work or Work Having the Greatest Impact'' award from the Washington State Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA.

Prospective citizens have to jump through many hoops during their journey to becoming a citizen. I am often contacted by hard-working men and women who want nothing more than to be an American. Their courage, tenacity and new found patriotism is inspiring, much like the help Paul provides so many of them.

As the driving force behind AILA's Citizenship Day, Paul's dedication in helping legal permanent residents apply for naturalization is a wonderful, patriotic thing to do. The work Paul invested in Washington State's newest citizens is now being emulated nationwide. The participation level at Citizenship Day is outstanding and it is no doubt a reflection of Paul's leadership and selfless nature. He also serves as a professor of law at Seattle University and his students are very fortunate to have such an advocate as a teacher.

While navigating the immigration system is not easy, the guidance and service Paul provides alleviates stress and anxiety for many. His selfless work is an example for not only immigration attorneys and professors but also for each of us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Kind motion to instruct conferees and the need for increased conservation funding in the farm bill.

Our farmers are eager to share in the cost of protecting our environment, but currently two out of three farmers are turned away by the USDA due to insufficient funding when they apply to participate in conservation programs. As a result, we continue to lose thousands of acres of valuable farmland, grasslands, wetlands, and private forest lands. We also fall further behind schedule in our efforts to clean up rivers, lakes and streams.

We cannot and should not ask farmers to choose between their bottom line and smart, sensible preservation of the land they protect. The House-passed version of the farm bill contained a landmark increase of $5.7 billion in authorized conservation funding. This money supports programs that protect our most sensitive and ecologically important lands, keeps soil and nutrient pollution out of our rivers, lakes and streams, and safeguards wetlands.

Since the conference committee is weighing various priorities as they try to bring the farm bill process to a close, it is important they know that Members of this House feel that conservation should be at the top of the priority list and that we maintain what the House has already passed.

I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this motion and to support the inclusion of the necessary conservation funding in this farm bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the City of Bellevue, Washington, for being named the best place in the Nation to live and launch a business by Fortune Small Business. Anyone who has visited in the past decade couldn't help but notice the abundance of construction cranes throughout the downtown area. They would also quickly realize that Bellevue embodies the true spirit of American innovation. I'm proud to represent this city that lies within the Eighth Congressional District of Washington.

Bellevue is a worthy recipient of this honor, with its growing downtown and natural beauty thanks to its proximity to the Cascade Mountains and breathtaking Mount Rainier. Citizens can enjoy the 90 city parks or nearby views of Lake Washington. With multiple high-tech corporations in the city, Bellevue draws a talented, high-tech workforce that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that grows our economy and creates jobs.

As we celebrate the achievements of small businesses across the Nation during ``Small Business Week,'' it is my hope that cities across the country follow Bellevue's lead and embrace their entrepreneurial spirit. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and provide the key to our economy's resilience in uncertain economic times. Today, I'm proud to honor the City of Bellevue for its achievements in creating one of the finest places in America to live and work.

I ask for unanimous consent to insert the following article into the record.

The No. 1 Champion: Bellevue, Wash. Abundant Tech Talent. Gorgeous

Views. (But Costly Homes and Taxes.)

(By Mina Kimes, March 26, 2008)

BELLEVUE, WASH. (FORTUNE Small Business)--Earl Overstreet,

Chief Executive Officer of General Microsystems (GMI) in

Bellevue, travels fewer than five times a year for business.

But he visits the Mercer Slough Nature Park, across the

street from his office, every day on his lunch break. He

walks across a wooden bridge, gazes at Bellevue's rising

downtown--and then turns away.

Over the past ten years Overstreet has watched the city

evolve from a bedroom community into an urban center of

skyscrapers and 117,000 inhabitants (the latest population

figures, according to the local chamber of commerce), but

he's more eager to point out blackberry bushes and red-tailed

hawks.

``When you're surrounded by mountains and nature,'' he

says, ``you can't help but be content.''

Overstreet, 60, and his wife, Barb, the firm's CFO, spend

free time hiking, kayaking, and biking around the area. While

new businesses are cropping up quickly, most office buildings

are still enveloped by greenery--the city boasts 90 parks and

50 miles of trail. ``Taxes [including a 0.1496% business tax

on gross receipts] and property costs are high,'' says

Overstreet, ``but it's a premium for the living conditions.''

The median home sale price hovers at $500,000 (the metro

area averages about $400,000), but Bellevue, lying 20 minutes

from Seattle, also boasts low crime rates, great schools, and

excellent health care. Nearly 60% of locals over 25 have at

least a bachelor's degree. The city expects to add 15,500

jobs by 2010, up 11.5% from 2006. Bellevue's strategic

location helps tire growth. GMI, whose revenue rose from $6

million in 2002 to $28 million last year, is based near its

suppliers--Hitachi, Symantec, Sun Microsystems--as well as

customers such as Boeing and Starbucks.

``Many of our employees came from our clients,'' Overstreet

says.

The city is also a font of tech talent, thanks to the

Microsoft campus in nearby Redmond. Many former Microsofties

have launched startups in Bellevue. Current employees pour

wealth into a growing service sector.

Overstreet points out that many small businesses in

Bellevue operate globally--not surprising considering that

40% of the population is nonwhite or foreign-born. ``We do

have a glittering downtown now,'' he says, ``but it's the

diversity that attracts entrepreneurs like me.''

Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate PACCAR, Inc. for earning the 2008 Governor's Trader of the Year Award in Washington State for expanding the State's international trade. PACCAR, headquartered in my congressional district, is a global leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of light-, medium- and heavy- duty trucks. In addition, PACCAR provides financial services and informational technology for the actual truck makers--all while conducting its business with the health and safety of the planet in mind.

With 22,000 employees worldwide and 2,500 in Washington State, PACCAR is a local business with a truly global reach. In 2007, PACCAR had $15.2 billion in net income, selling products and services in more than 100 countries, while setting record industry sales for commercial vehicles above 15 tons in Western and Central Europe.

I also want to recognize PACCAR for its leadership and innovation in energy independence and environmentally friendly business practices. The company truly represents the spirit of the Pacific Northwest region by conducting business within and very often exceeding regulatory environmental standards, harnessing the power and efficiency of solar energy and, perhaps most importantly, conserving energy utilizing breakthrough hybrid technology.

PACCAR is a leader in truck design and manufacture. It is an American company from the Pacific Northwest with a global impact. It is also a wonderful example of American business leading the way in energy independence and environmentally-friendly business practices and I offer its employees my sincere congratulations and appreciation.

Madam Speaker. I want to congratulate Mr. Tracy Krause being recognized as the National Physical Education Teacher of the Year. The award was presented on April 11, 2008, at the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) Hall of Fame Banquet. The NASPE is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport.

Mr. Krause is a Physical Education teacher at Mount Tahoma Senior High School. He has taught Physical Education for 15 years. His contributions to physical education were recognized because of his innovative approach to physical education and wellness. Rather than just focusing on activities students can do on the track and in the gym during that particular school day, Mr. Krause exposed students to a lifetime of physical activity such as biking, hiking and climbing with positive results and ever-increasing interest from students and administrators. Mr. Krause takes responsibility for the lifetime fitness of his students, not just the years they are enrolled in his class.

Apart from his work at Tahoma High, Mr. Krause is a National Board Certified Teacher who has presented numerous workshops and conferences and supervises pre-service teachers at regional universities throughout Washington State. The work he is doing to better the fitness level and overall wellness of young people is a wonderful anecdote for relieving pressure on an increasingly expensive health care system.

I again congratulate Mr. Tracy Krause for the recognition he received from the NASPE, encourage him to continue in his important work and thank him for the lives he has already permanently changed for the better.

Mr. Speaker, last week's unprecedented vote to change the rules and delay considering the Colombia Free Trade Agreement was one of the most disappointing moments I have had as a Member of the House of Representatives.

I was disappointed that the Majority would so blatantly play election-year politics and cater to special interests at the expense of good economic policy.

I was disappointed that my Democratic colleagues in Washington State--the most trade-dependent State in the Nation--rejected my call for a united delegation effort to bring the FTA to the floor, and instead followed the Speaker at the expense of our region's needs. With our economy lagging, and in light of how important this agreement is to large employers in our State like Boeing and Microsoft, I cannot understand the thinking behind their position.

But more than anything, I was disappointed that the House was denied the opportunity to consider a trade measure of critical importance to our economy and to our workers.

I traveled to Colombia two weeks ago to see firsthand the progress the country is making, and it is remarkable. I met with union members who support and union members who oppose it. And let me say a word about that: The unions who oppose the FTA represent workers who are unaffected by it. The

unions who support the agreement are those whose workers will be affected. Let me repeat that: The unions in Colombia that will be affected by this trade agreement support it.

I also met with President Uribe, the Attorney General, and disarmed paramilitary combatants. I saw the broad support from the Colombian people for this agreement and the progress the country has made to protect and promote human rights. I returned even more convinced that we must pass this agreement to grow our economy, create jobs, and support a strategic ally.

The Colombia FTA would grow our economy by opening new markets for American businesses and farmers while bringing fairness to our existing trade relationship. Virtually all of Colombian goods enter America duty-free, while American goods face tariffs. With so many jobs tied to trade in Washington, common sense says we must level the playing field.

The FTA will also support democracy in an unstable region. It's imperative for Americans to view free trade agreements not just as a mutual economic benefit, but also as a core component of our country's diplomacy and security. Colombia stands tall as a beacon of democracy in the face of Hugo Chavez's anti-American policies. And Colombia remains a key ally in efforts to combat the illegal drug trade. What message does it send to our allies around the world if we ask so much of them, then turn our backs on them at a crucial moment? Why do so many Members come down here to talk about working together with other countries in foreign policy, but do not want to do so in trade? Trade is foreign policy.

Delaying the Colombia FTA signals to our allies that America is closed for trade, and encourages our rivals to exploit new markets. It also derails the consideration of other pending trade agreements like one with Korea, Washington State's fourth largest trading partner. This is absolutely the wrong message to send in this time of economic uncertainty.

Regardless of your views of the FTA, the House deserves to debate it under the rules of consideration this chamber agreed to when it approved trade promotion authority. Let's stop playing political games that cater to special interests, and let's start working together, as Democrats and Republicans, to pass the trade measures that are important to our economy and our workers.

Madam Speaker, April 13-19 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week--a week dedicated to public-safety telecommunicators who handle millions of calls every year with great efficiency. The selfless nature with which these public servants do their jobs is truly one of a kind. Since 1991, Congress has recognized their work. It gives me great pleasure to honor and personally say `thank-you,' to the many men and women in my district and across Washington State that provide this valuable service to our communities each and every day.

As the former Sheriff of King County in Washington State, I worked alongside the men and women in our communications center, depending on them daily to provide me with the correct information in order to safely carry out my duties and keep our communities safe. I will never forget the great lengths the men and women at our communications center took to be sure I was okay after a head-on collision in 1991, and the care and compassion they showed me. After the collision, I was able to get out of my car and check on the others involved in the accident. I left my portable radio behind in the patrol car, not knowing that the men and women at the communications center were nearly in tears and beside themselves with worry, wondering if I was safe. It is a difficult and sometimes emotional duty they perform, not always knowing what's happening on the other end of the line because they can't see what's going on but can hear the cries for help and the commotion and confusion of the scene. I cannot adequately express how much it meant to me, knowing they cared so much about my well-being. The men and women at our communications centers are truly heroes to the law enforcement officers and citizens they serve.

A former Chief of Police in Colorado once wrote that dispatchers must possess, among other things, the humor of David Letterman, the endurance of the Energizer Bunny and the patience of Job. It is not often that such traits are found in one person. However, in my experience, to find such a person one need look no further than the telecommunications section of a local police, fire or Sheriff's office. These men and women work tirelessly with the heart of a servant; always ensuring the needs of the callers and the first responders they dispatch are met and placing their security above all else.

I encourage all my friends, colleagues, and neighbors to take a moment during this week to thank a telecommunications dispatcher--let them know their service is appreciated and encourage them to continue providing guidance and help to their fellow citizens when they're most in need.

As a representative from the State of Washington, the most dependent State on trade in the Nation, I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this unprecedented rule and allow the Colombian Free Trade Agreement to come to the floor to a vote. I traveled to Colombia last weekend to see firsthand the progress that country is making. I met with union members who support this agreement. I met with union members who oppose this agreement. I met with President Uribe. I met with the labor minister. I met with the attorney general there. I met with the people who have been disarmed and left the paramilitary organizations. I met with shantytown residents.

You want to talk about human rights? Those people are the poorest people in the world. Those are the people we can help with this agreement.

Not only can we help poor people here in the United States of America, but this is designed to help poor people, struggling people in Colombia. Human rights, ladies and gentlemen, is worldwide. When we give them jobs, we give them hope.

Madam Speaker, in December 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring April 2 as the annual World Autism Awareness Day (WARD). Autism is only the third disorder to be recognized in this manner by the UN, showing the pervasive nature of autism and its ever-increasing effect on millions of people worldwide. As the Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Children's Health Care Caucus, I recognize the destructive force that is autism and I am proud to recognize Worldwide Autism Awareness Day in order to raise awareness of this life-altering and little known disorder.

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that autism now afflicts one in every 150 American children and nearly one in 94 boys. These numbers are extremely disconcerting, especially when coupled with the fact that we know little about the root causes of autism.

By raising public awareness of autism, hopefully more money will be allocated to research and develop cures and treatments. I am leading an effort to increase the funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Increasing NIH funding offers the best hope we have to finding cures and treatments for diseases and disorders like autism. Collectively, we must commit every available resource to all research in order to enhance the quality of life for many, and it is my hope that raising awareness of this disorder will lead to new resources to combat it.

More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer, and AIDS combined and autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world. While currently there is no medical detection or cure for autism, early diagnosis and intervention shows much promise. With increased support for autism awareness, together we will offer hope in an area that desperately needs it. And finally Madam Speaker, I would encourage my colleagues to join us in this fight, to fund NIH medical research and bring hope to children and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong opposition to the decision made by the United States Air Force to choose a foreign company for their new refueling tanker. The recent Air Force decision to give the KC-X tanker contract to Airbus jeopardizes our national security. We should not send a contract that could potentially be worth more than $40 billion to a foreign company when we have a viable American option.

Additionally, Airbus is a company that receives European government subsidies. Boeing, with the support of the government, is currently fighting Airbus at the World Trade Organization on the basis that they have an unfair advantage from these subsidies. What message does this send when our own government is fighting these subsidies on one hand and rewarding them with a $40 billion contract on the other?

The Tacoma News Tribune recently said, ``The Air Force's job was to make a business decision. Now Congress has to make a policy decision, and there's room for legitimate debate.'' Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly agree.

Madam Speaker, on March 24, 1989, the worst oil spill in our Nation's history occurred as the supertanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef and dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound off the scenic Alaskan coast. Five years later, a Federal jury in Anchorage awarded the fishermen, businesses, and affected communities punitive damages. However, to date, Exxon has paid none of the $2.5 billion punitive damages awarded to these fishermen as a result of the environmental devastation caused by ExxonMobil's recklessness.

What has ExxonMobil done? While the company has paid for the value of the lost fish, it has never compensated the families for their other continuing damages including, in the words of one trial judge, the fact that ``the social fabric of Prince William Sound and Lower Cook Inlet was torn apart.'' There are still thousands of fishermen, food processors, and others who are awaiting justice. Tragically, this number is dwindling as many of those affected have passed away while waiting for some form of resolution that has never come. All the while, ExxonMobil employs one primary tactic: delay. I would usually not comment on litigation that is ongoing, but these delay tactics of repeatedly appealing a just verdict all the way to the Supreme Court are irresponsible and indefensible. It has now been over 19 years since one of the worst environmental disasters in our Nation's history and 14 years since the initial jury verdict.

I believe in the free market, and I believe a corporation has the right to earn profits, but they also have a responsibility to their community and their country, especially when they make an awful mistake. ExxonMobil has done the former by earning $36 billion in 2006, a record for a single company. Now it is time for ExxonMobil to face up to its corporate responsibility, close this dark chapter in the company's history, and end this undue burden on the victims and the courts.

March 24, 2008, marked the 19th anniversary of this tragedy--but the question has now turned to: Will our Nation's highest court uphold the judgment that these victims still sadly await?

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements and congratulate Catherine Olsson, Seungsoo Kim, Marguerite Taimi, and Newport High School in Bellevue, Washington, for their outstanding excellence in Advanced Placement, AP, math and science as awarded by the Siemens Foundation.

Catherine, who attends Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington, and Seungsoo, a student who attends Mountain View High School in Vancouver, Washington, were two students from my home State who received a $2,000 scholarship from the Siemens Foundation and the recognition that comes along with such a prestigious award. Ms. Taimi, an 18-year teaching veteran at Kentridge High School in Kent, Washington--located within my congressional district--was recognized by the foundation for her dedication to students in her AP calculus class. Additionally in my district, the entire AP math and science department at Newport High School was recognized for their significant strides and continued excellence in AP courses.

The Siemens Foundation, in partnership with the College Board, a non- profit association committed to connecting students with overall college success, is celebrating its tenth year of presenting awards and significant scholarships to students, teachers, and institutions in all 50 States. This year alone, Siemens and the College Board awarded 97 students, dozens of teachers, and many high schools monetary gifts, bringing their total commitment since 1998 to more than $4.5 million.

One of my constituents, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, appeared before the Committee on Science and Technology on March 12, 2008, and spoke at length of the need for improved math and science education in order to maintain our leadership in technological innovation.

With that message in mind, please join me in congratulating Catherine, Seungsoo, Ms. Taimi, Newport High School, and all the other students, teachers, and high schools who strive for excellence in AP math and science. Moreover, I want to thank the Siemens Foundation and the College Board for their extraordinary commitment to encouraging America's future mathematicians, scientists, and engineers.

Madam Speaker, I would like to submit the following article from Monday, March 10, 2008 into the Record:

A Chance To Stand Up

Congress has a chance to do what the Federal Communications

Commission did not. Protect democracy and serve the public.

The Senate can start by adopting North Dakota Democrat Sen.

Byron Dorgan's ``resolution of disapproval.'' The grumpy-

sounding legislation would scrap a new FCC rule that lifts

the cross-ownership ban, which forbade a company from owning

a newspaper, television station and radio station in the same

market. The FCC adopted a sneaky new rule change in December.

Commission Chairman Kevin Martin portrayed the new rule as

restrained because it would only apply to the nation's top 20

media markets. A closer reading reveals that it is far-

reaching, allowing for exceptions.

Not encouraging, considering the FCC's demonstrated

willingness to hand out exemptions to its rules.

The FCC's troubling rush to appease big media conglomerates

must be checked. The public was overwhelmingly against media

concentration at every FCC hearing in the past couple of

years. The commission not only ignored its public-interest

charge, but also disregarded its own studies that showed the

damage done to local news by consolidation.

This is not the first time the Senate has pushed back

against the FCC. A resolution was broadly supported in 2003

to block an earlier FCC attempt to abolish the cross-

ownership ban. Republican opposition was led by Sen. John

McCain. The vote ended up being symbolic because the

Republican-held House refused to enact its own resolution.

Washington has changed since 2003. Expect the Senate to get

this resolution through, and for the House to follow.

More media consolidation will further gut the news outlets

that are essential to maintaining a vigorous, informed

democracy. Congress has a chance to slap the FCC back into

line, while protecting the public at the same time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 945, a resolution that establishes March 2008 as ``National Criminal Justice Month.''

Prior to joining this body, I worked for 33 years as a member of the King County Sheriff's Office, eventually becoming the elected Sheriff of King County in 1997. I could not agree more with the sentiments of this Resolution and want to personally thank each one of the approximately three million Americans working within our nation's criminal justice system today.

I know a job in the criminal justice system, no matter what it is, can often be thankless and tiring. The pressures of family, life and service can be overwhelming. I also know the physical and mental toughness that is required to perform these duties. However, the excitement of a job well done and the respect given to these heroic men and women outweigh the sometimes unpleasant challenges they face.

Those who serve in our criminal justice system today are tasked not only with protecting our communities and neighborhoods but also with protecting our homeland and serving on the front lines of our war against terrorism. Within this framework, the job these brave public servants are doing is truly remarkable. Although sometimes it is hard to feel and see, the gratitude of the American people and this body for our dedicated public servants will not waver.

I ask--as the Resolution does--that we all look seriously at how we as individuals can prevent and respond to crime to help the public servants we too often take for granted.