Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on June 13, 2006, I missed the following rollcall votes:

(1) Rollcall No. 261, Previous Question on H. Res. 865.

(2) Rollcall Vote No. 262, Adoption of H. Res. 865, the Rule for H.R. 5576--Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for FY07.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' to rollcall vote 261, and ``aye'' to rollcall vote 262.

Mr. Chairman, on June 13, 2006, I missed the following rollcall votes:

(1) Rollcall vote No. 263, an amendment to H.R. 5576, the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007--an amendment to increase funding--by offsets--for Amtrak by $214,000,000. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

(2) Rollcall Vote No. 264, an amendment to H.R. 5576, the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007--an amendment to increase funding--by offsets--for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Operations and Research by $6,700,000. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Amendment Offered by Mr. Israel

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your leadership on this legislation and I would like to call attention to an issue of extreme importance to America's public safety providers: The inability of Americans to use 911 on their Voice Over Internet Protocol phones. As a former cop, this certainly ranks high on the list of my concerns.

The Federal Communications Commission attempted to address this issue by requiring Voice Over IP companies to provide enhanced 911 before they could sell their services. I am largely in favor of this bill; however, it does reverse the FCC ruling. It allows Voice Over IP companies to continue to sell telephone service without having to properly route 911 calls for as long as 6 months after entering a new market. Six months is too long to wait, which is why many first responders have not embraced this bill.

There have already been tragedies and near tragedies that have occurred when Voice Over IP consumers have tried to call 911 in an emergency. To call 911 and receive the service is a necessity regardless of the type of phone service a caller is using. Customers expect this capability.

The ability to provide every American full access to 911 is of great concern to me. Our first duty is to protect American citizens. I urge you to address this issue before the legislation is finalized in conference.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for allowing me this opportunity voice my concerns.

I thank the Chairman and look forward to working with you.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, in April of 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a proposal 2 years in the making. The rule requires the Pacific Northwest and other producer-handler operations that produce more than 3 million pounds of milk per month to participate in the milk pool.

To process milk, they must buy from the pool at a set price. This helps ensure dairies small and large are paid the same price for their milk.

But do-it-all operations like Smith Brothers Farms in Kent, Washington, called producer-handlers, have been exempt from the regulations since the Depression. These producer-handlers are dairies that produce milk and process it into final product themselves. The thinking at the time was they were too small to influence prices and could not survive without the exemption.

Smith Brothers is one of only three dairies left in the Pacific Northwest that raise and milk the cows, as well as pasteurize and bottle the milk. The new regulations would devastate their business. The rule change was meant to target a much larger producer-handler that was producing 28 million pounds of milk per month, and this small, family-owned business got caught in the crossfire.

The big change happened when a producer-handler decided to get big. It made big investments and went after the big box stores, and because it had freedom to set its own prices, it took away business from the pool dairies.

This large milk distributor that I just indicated is producing 28 million pounds of milk per month and has 13,000 cows. In comparison, Smith Brothers Farms in Kent, Washington, produces only 6.5 million pounds of milk per month and has only 3,000 cows.

This order, if allowed to stand, would have a devastating effect on dairies like Smith Brothers and would require them to go out of business, sell off parts of their dairy operation, and/or pay $100,000 a month to a pooled penalty or settlement fund which would subsidize their dairy operators. This order would limit competition and ultimately drive milk prices up in the Pacific Northwest.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment states that these USDA regulations should only apply to very large producers, those that produce 9 million pounds of milk per month or more. A 9 million pound hard cap would mean that if a producer-distributor exceeds 9 million pounds of Class 1 route distribution, they cease to be eligible for producer-handler status and become a regulated plant.

Mr. Chairman, I realize that this amendment will not be made in order. However, I hope that we can continue to work on this issue in order to protect small dairy farms that provide a unique and valuable product to our customers.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to respectfully withdraw my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on May 11, 2006, I missed rollcall vote No. 141, an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY07 offered by Congressman Goode (VA). I was unavoidably detained. If I had been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the important and essential role that nurses play in providing quality care. Nurses are intelligent, well-trained and highly skilled professionals who provide quality clinical and supportive care to patients and their families. In short, they are integral to our Nation's healthcare delivery system.

On behalf of the people in Washington's 8th Congressional District, I would like to specifically acknowledge Patricia Buchsel from Issaquah, Washington for her service on the Oncology Nursing Society Board of Directors and her role as a nursing educator at the Seattle University College of Nursing. She received her BSN from Seattle University and her MS from Seattle Pacific University. Patricia has worked tirelessly to develop, plan and implement countless cancer programs in Washington State.

Cancer is a complex, multifaceted and chronic disease and people with cancer are best served by a multidisciplinary health care team specialized in oncology care, including nurses who are certified in that specialty. According to the American Cancer Society, one in three women and one in two men will receive a diagnosis of cancer at some point in their lives, and one out of every four deaths in the United States results from cancer. This year approximately 28,330 people in Washington state will be diagnosed with cancer and another 11,440 will lose their battles with this terrible disease. Every day, oncology nurses see the pain and suffering caused by cancer and understand the physical, emotional and financial challenges that people with cancer face throughout their diagnosis and treatment.

I would like to once again acknowledge and thank Patricia Buchsel for her hard work and leadership on the Oncology Nursing Society Board of Directors. As a nurse and leader in the field, Patricia has made it her life's mission to help others and she should be applauded for all she has done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the tremendous students, teachers and administrators at Newport High School, Interlake High School, Bellevue High School, International High School and Sammamish High School, all located in Bellevue, Washington. These schools were named to Newsweek magazine's list of `` America's Best High Schools.''

For the second year in a row, three high schools in Bellevue were in the top 50--Newport is ranked 37th, Interlake is ranked 44th and Bellevue is ranked 49th. The International School in Bellevue is ranked 57th, up from 160th last year. Sammamish of Bellevue is ranked 186th.

Sincere congratulations to: Newport High School's Principal, Patty Siegwarth and Assistant Principals, James Peterson and Bethany Spinler and the Knights; Interlake High School's Principal, Sharon Collins and Assistant Principals, Eric Cochran and Keith Schacht and the Saints; Bellevue High School's Principal, Mike Bacigalupi and Assistant Principals, Doug Sovde and Johnnie Gregory and the Wolverines; International High School's Principal, Peter Bang-Knudsen, and International's student body; and Sammamish High School's Principal, Spencer Welch and Assistant Principals, Laura Bang-Knudsen, Jennifer Rose and Andrea Pfeifer and the Totems.

Newsweek determines its ranking based on the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests taken by all of the schools' students in 2005. These tests are the best measure of overall college readiness, according to Newsweek.

Newsweek noted the schools for Creating Good Citizens, Celebrating Liberal Arts, Preparing Students for Work, Emphasizing Science and Technology and Reaching Out to Everyone as well.

I am filled with pride for these students and teachers, that their dedication to their educations has distinguished them from others. Their accomplishments are noteworthy, but their drive to get where they are--the countless hours of preparation it entailed--is the real accomplishment. Juma Ikangaa, a Tanzanian marathon runner once said about preparing for marathons, ``The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.''

Teachers and administrators at Newport High School, Interlake High School, Bellevue High School, International High School and Sammamish High School have prepared students not just for college with an outstanding high school education, but for life with a real lesson that will serve them well--real accomplishments take time and sustained effort to achieve. They do not happen overnight. They do not come easy. They are often impeded by unsuccessful attempts. These schools, students, teachers and administrators have demonstrated the philosophy Aristotle spoke of when he said, ``We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.'' Don't break the habit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the nearly 46 million Americans who lack health insurance, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Cover the Uninsured Week (May 1-7, 2006) aims to raise awareness of this National problem and the will to solve it.

One in seven Americans, including more than 8 million children, does not have even basic healthcare coverage. Each day, these men and women hope they do not become sick or are not injured. Parents hope their children remain healthy. As healthcare costs continue to rise, it becomes more difficult for many families to continue healthcare coverage.

During the week of May 1-7, events will be held at hospitals, medical centers, community centers, on campuses and in place of worship worldwide. Volunteers will help to enroll uninsured adults and children in public programs that provide low-cost and free coverage to those who are eligible. Information about local help available will be distributed as well.

Ensuring Americans have access to adequate medical care should be a priority for all of us. Cover the Uninsured Week gives all of us the opportunity to say that we care--and we want this issue to be a national priority.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a problem we're seeing the effects of all over the country, immigration.

As a former cop, I respect and appreciate those who've dedicated their lives to serving others as well as those who appreciate the rule of law and honor it. In my time in Congress, I've seen these two values come together in an interesting way as my office has assisted in immigration casework.

Abdullah Yousify contacted my office because he needed citizenship to continue his work in Iraq with Northwest Medical Teams.

Repeatedly, Yousify would travel at his own expense back to Seattle when CIS requested new fingerprints again and again and he once risked his life in Iraq to have fingerprints taken there. He was sworn in as a citizen last October and is now able to continue serving with the Northwest Medical Teams.

A neurologist from China who specializes in treating patients with multiple sclerosis contacted my office. This young doctor was trying to teach medicine in this country but was having trouble working with CIS. We tracked down her work authorization and it was sent to her and she is now poised to begin teaching medicine at Stanford.

Wade Bain from Trinidad wanted to join American Special Forces but couldn't get the national security check completed in order to do so. We were able to help him and he received his citizenship, allowing him to join Special Forces.

These individuals didn't want to become Americans for personal gain; they wanted to become Americans to serve others. They embody the American ideal of helping others regardless of personal cost.

It is vitally important that we implement immigration reform. We need a bill that strengthens our borders and protects this nation, but that also makes it simpler for good people to become Americans. We need a bill that provides a way for immigrants who are in this country illegally to register and become documented, lawful immigrants. There must be penalties for individuals who've violated American immigration laws. However, we must encourage undocumented individuals to ``get right'' with our government and register.

We must face the reality of immigration in this country. In Washington State, the immigrant population has grown by 42 percent in the five years between 2000 and 2005--which is an increase from 8 percent to 10.6 percent of the overall population--and the jobless rate in the state has hit a 6 year low. Immigration is not just compatible with but is a necessary component of economic growth. Going forward, as we work to strengthen our border in the interests of homeland security, we must also recognize the economic importance of immigration reform. I look forward to voting for a bill that appreciates the importance of both when safeguarding the security and economic future of this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of the 14th annual letter carriers food drive, ``A Family Affair'', which will occur on May 13th 2006. This is the Nation's largest one-day food drive. Last year the food drive raised 750,000 .lbs of food and the letter carriers have set an even bigger goal this year. For the 14th year, they would like to raise 1,000,000 .lbs of food. 60 percent of the food raised goes to children.

The ``Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive'' was organized in 1993 by postal employees, members of the National Association of Letter Carriers and rural carriers to collect food to raise public awareness and combat hunger. Since its inception, over 658 million pounds of food has been collected in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America and delivered to food banks by letter carriers and other Postal Service employees. Their commitment to feeding America's hungry is as unceasing as their other commitments extolled in the Postal Service's unofficial motto: ``Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.'' In this case, postal service employees have included feeding America's hungry in their ``appointed rounds''. God bless them for it.

Working in partnership with Campbell Soup Company and America's Second Harvest, as well as local offices of the United Way and the AFL- CIO, the Postal Service's commitment to fighting hunger is admirable.

Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Chairman, as a member of the Homeland Security Committee and cosponsor of H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act, I am pleased to rise in support of this bipartisan legislation.

My district is home to two of our Nation's most critical seaports, the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Ensuring their security is one of my highest priorities. The SAFE Port Act is a comprehensive approach that strikes a balance between security and commerce. Unlike other approaches to port security, the SAFE Port Act does not impose technically impossible solutions and mandates.

I was pleased that during committee markup of this legislation, the two amendments that I offered were included in this legislation. These amendments, which were drafted with my good friend from New Jersey, Mr. Pascrell, will create a Port Security Exercise and Training Program.

As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, I have repeatedly heard from first responders across our Nation about the importance of conducting exercises and training. The exercise portion of this legislation requires that the Secretary of Homeland Security establish a Port Security Exercise and Training Program for the purpose of testing and evaluating emergency capabilities of personnel at our Nation's ports.

The value of exercises cannot be understated. The success or failure of our response to acts of terrorism or catastrophic natural disasters depends on effective coordination and cooperation. As a former law enforcement officer of 33 years, I know the importance of training. The Port Security Training Program will use multiple mediums to provide validated training at the awareness, performance and planning levels to first responders and commercial seaport personnel and management to ensure that they are able to do those things and more.

I would like to thank Chairman King, Ranking Member Thompson, Chairman Lungren, Representative Harman and Ranking Member Sanchez for their bipartisan work on this important legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition to this amendment even though I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, as the chairman of the Subcommittee of Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology, I rise in support of this amendment.

When I came here to Washington and first participated in one of many hearings on interoperability and operability, I learned from one of witnesses that this has been a struggle that Congress has been mulling over and struggling with more 10 years. And I interrupted the witness and said, this has been a problem that first responders have been struggling with for over 30 years.

As a new police officer in 1972, interoperability and operability was a huge problem for us and still is today. It is intolerable that first responders are still struggling with this issue.

The current language in the bill provides that grants may be used to purchase or upgrade equipment and to establish or enhance mechanisms for sharing terrorism threat information. This amendment supplements that language by providing that all equipment purchased be interoperable with Federal, State, and local agencies. Additionally, this amendment ensures mechanisms for sharing terrorism threat information, that they be interoperable with all Federal, State, and local agencies.

The Department of Homeland Security has already spent $2 billion in moving this country forward to become interoperable. It is time that we make this commitment.

I congratulate Mr. Stupak for bringing this amendment to the floor, and I support it.

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

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I do not oppose it.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentlelady for offering this amendment during committee markup last week on the underlying legislation. The committee added language that would establish a port security training program.

Training is essential to our Nation's success in the war on terror. It is imperative that our Nation's first responders, longshoremen, seaport management and those in the private sector and others learn and master the skills necessary to respond to a terrorist attack in our Nation's ports, especially those involving weapons of mass destruction.

This current amendment will provide for the education and training of persons in neighborhoods surrounding at-risk ports to learn what to be watchful

for in order to be a citizen corps, if necessary.

As a former law enforcement officer for over 33 years and the current Chair of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology, I certainly appreciate the intent of this amendment.

While I generally support this amendment and am willing to accept it, I do have a few reservations. I have concerns that this amendment could potentially divert funds and training away from ports in favor of establishing an ad hoc citizen corps. No determination has been made that developing a citizen corps would be a more effective use of resources. Moreover, unlike the port personnel, a proposed citizen corps would not be a full-time service but only a used-as-necessary service.

The amendment lends no guidance as to the level of training that would be necessary, the function of the citizens corps or the circumstances under which a citizens corps would be necessary.

While I believe port authorities should undoubtedly perform outreach to affected neighborhoods, where appropriate, I am concerned about the amendment that requires the training of citizens at the expense of most crucial training for port personnel.

In addition, local law enforcement are currently responsible for conducting outreach plans and for training and educating local businesses and communities around our Nation's ports. While local law enforcement currently work in coordination with our ports, this amendment would take some authority away, I believe, from the local law enforcement in conducting community outreach.

I therefore ask to work diligently with the gentlelady as we move forward in this process to ensure communities surrounding our ports are adequately involved without taking resources away from the training of port personnel.

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

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with the gentlewoman, and certainly agree we need a seamless operation when it comes to protecting this Nation's borders and ports. I think the training and exercises in and around our port areas, including our communities, is essential to the protection and the safety of the citizens that live there, and again look forward to working with you and appreciate you offering this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on March 1, 2005, I missed roll call vote #17, honoring the contributions of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. I was unavoidably detained chairing a subcommittee hearing on the state of interoperable communications. If I had been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of PACCAR, Inc., a Bellevue, Washington company that recently received the National Medal of Technology from the President of the United States. Today PACCAR celebrates the National Medal of Technology and last year PACCAR celebrated its 100th year. It's not often a company can top the kind of year that 2005 was for PACCAR, but somehow they've managed to, and in only two months.

I was proud to witness our President bestow the highest honor in technology and innovation upon PACCAR, ``For [their] pioneering efforts and industry leadership in the development and commercialization of aerodynamic, lightweight trucks that have dramatically reduced fuel consumption and increased the productivity of U.S. freight transportation.''

Washington's eighth Congressional District is home to many companies that are industry leaders, and I am so pleased to see one recognized at this level. PACCAR makes me proud, the State of Washington proud and the United States of America proud. As it has moved forward in its quest to increase productivity and reduce fuel consumption, PACCAR has embodied the spirit of innovation that has put America on the forefront of science and technology for most of the previous century.

Before the introduction of the Kenworth T600 model in 1985, the term ``aerodynamic truck'' would be considered an oxymoron. Today the legacy and influence of the T600 is apparent in the design of virtually every make of truck on the highway. The benefit to the truck buyer, the consumer, the economy, and the environment has been a dramatic reduction in fuel consumption, reduced CO2 emissions, improved highway safety through reductions in splash and spray, and lower cost of delivery for the goods that help fuel our Nation's economy.

While much of the industry pondered the feasibility of ever breaking the 10-mile-per-gallon barrier with a heavy-duty truck, Kenworth and Peterbilt both achieved that goal with their most aerodynamic and fuel- efficient tractor-trailer combinations in real-world, cross-country tests. Achieving significant improvements in fuel economy was not without market risk and required changing what a heavy-duty ``conventional'' truck was supposed to look like. Initial misgivings about what some perceived as radical styling departures, were soon muted as customers realized the economic benefits of the new designs.

In the last 5 years alone, PACCAR has been widely praised. PACCAR was named one of the Top 50 Companies by Business Week magazine in 1999, 2000 and 2004 and Industry Week magazine named it one of the Top 50 Manufacturing Companies in the U.S.A. in 2005. The Wall Street Journal listed it on its Shareholder Return Honor Roll in both 2003 and 2004. PACCAR was designated the #1 International Company by the Stevie Awards in 2003 and #1 in Enterprise Management by Computerworld in 2004.

I wish PACCAR well as they begin their next hundred years of innovation and invention. PACCAR is a company that knows what it takes to succeed, and also to make this world better. I am honored to stand here today commending their achievements, and I am eager to see what they do next. Congratulations to everyone on the PACCAR team. This medal is an acknowledgment of all that you have done and worked for and a belief that your best work is yet to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Congresswoman Cathy McMorris in honor of Pastor Lonnie Mitchell, Sr. He has shepherded the people of Bethel AME Church in Spokane, Washington, for 14 years, overseeing numerous efforts to love and serve the people of Spokane. His church stands as a beacon in one of Spokane's neediest neighborhoods, truly striving to be a cathedral of love where everybody is somebody in Spokane and Jesus is the center of the attraction.

Under the direction of Pastor Mitchell, Bethel AME is changing the face of its surrounding community through many ministries, including the Richard Allen Youth Academy, the Richard Allen Apartments, Allen Enterprises, the GED education programs, the Neighborhood Networks Program, the Equal Justice Program, and others.

Pastor Mitchell and the Bethel AME family have recently stepped out again on a new mission to help the people of Spokane through the Emmanuel Family Life Center. This project will continue to help families and individuals receive the help they need to succeed and live freely.

In addition to being dedicated to his church family, Lonnie Mitchell is also a man devoted to his wife, Elisha, and his three children, L.J., ChaeAnna, and Camille.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who is leading a church to reach out to those who need it most. I know Congresswoman McMorris is honored to have Pastor Mitchell in her home district and to know that he will always be laboring to help and love others in their community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman and also thank the gentleman from Texas for introducing this resolution.

As has been said already this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue; and I come before this House to talk about this issue because it is a passion that I share with all Americans across this country to eliminate, eventually, domestic violence. As a young person growing up and experiencing domestic violence in my own household, and then also as the sheriff of King County and a law enforcement officer for 33 years, I have a great deal of experience in witnessing the effects and impacts that domestic violence has on our own personal lives and on our communities and our Nation as a whole.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution and recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to be an original cosponsor of the Violence against Women Act of 2005, which will be considered in the full House tomorrow. The Violence Against Women Act has provided Federal resources and protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. It is crucial that Congress reauthorize this program.

I want to take a moment just to share maybe a story or two, to draw a picture for those who may be listening, about what domestic violence really does. It takes lives, it takes families, it takes communities. I have seen it.

Go to a police call, go to a domestic violence call as a police officer and walk into a home and tell me you will not be impacted and affected by children who are hiding and cowering in a corner, and witness two adults screaming and yelling, and maybe one has a knife, maybe one has a gun. Children witnessing violence in their own home, against people who supposedly love them. It is sad. It is not only sad; it is tragic.

Domestic violence can lead to all sorts of other issues that affect and impact our children: alcoholism; drug abuse; emotional, physical abuse; sexual abuse in the family; and it drives children from their homes and on to the streets. I have seen that too. I have seen them driven on to the streets and into the arms of people who want to do them harm.

The month of October is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is good that we have a month where we can think back and look at where we came from. In 1972 when I started out as a police officer and you got a call to a family fight, that is what they called it then, a family fight, you would drive up and meet the people standing in the yard or screaming in their house and the kids in the corner cowering because they are afraid that their mom or dad might be hurt, their mom or dad might go to jail, or they might be hurt.

The police officer back then only would separate the parties and wish them well and they would be on their way; no counseling, nobody went to jail, nobody held accountable, nobody held responsible in 1972 in Seattle. Today, we now have many, many laws in place that hold people accountable who commit these crimes. It is about time.

We need to do this. We need to remember. We need to remember the crimes of domestic violence because it will rip our Nation apart. It rips families apart, it will rip our Nation apart, and I look forward to continuing my work in stomping out domestic violence.