Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a superb public servant, Dr. Donna Ottaviano, who has served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Town of North Providence since 1981.

Families in North Providence have benefited greatly from Dr. Ottaviano's experience, dedication and, leadership. The entire school district, including faculty, staff, students, and parents, are sad to see her leave.

Access to a quality public education is a cornerstone of ensuring that our country and my home State of Rhode Island will succeed in the years ahead. Making sure our young people have access to the best education possible is critical.

I know that Dr. Ottaviano's vast experience, extraordinary dedication, and professionalism will serve her well in her new position with the East Bay Educational Collaborative and benefit Rhode Island schools from Newport to Woonsocket.

I congratulate Dr. Ottaviano on her new appointment, wish her well, and thank her for her dedicated service.

Mr. Speaker, on the Legislative Day of June 8, 2012, upon request of a leave of absence after 11:00 a.m., a series of votes were held. Had I been present for these rollcall votes, I would have casted the following votes:

On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment (Roll No. 372)--I vote ``No''; On agreeing to the Scalise amendment (Roll No. 373)--I vote ``No''; On agreeing to the Moran amendment (Roll No. 374)--I vote ``Yes''; On agreeing to the Flake amendment (Roll No. 375)--I vote ``No''; On motion to recommit with instructions (Roll No. 376)--I vote ``Yes''; On passage (Roll No. 377)--I vote ``No''; and On motion that the House instruct conferees (Roll No. 378)--I vote ``No.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the International AIDS Conference that will bring 25,000 men and women to Washington, D.C., next week.

As a country, we've made incredible strides in the three decades since the first cases of HIV/AIDS were identified in the United States.

In the 1980s, after Ryan White, a teenager living in Indiana, acquired the disease through a blood transfusion, his family had to fight their local school board that feared he might infect his classmates simply by showing up for school.

Today, men, women, and children with HIV are living longer, more fulfilling lives due to advances in treatment and a better understanding of the disease. And just this week, the FDA approved the first pill designed to help prevent healthy people from acquiring the virus.

But even today, HIV/AIDS is still an epidemic that primarily afflicts our poorest and most vulnerable citizens across the world and even here in the United States. We must continue to work with advocates like those attending next week's conference so that one day we can finally eradicate HIV/AIDS.

In Rhode Island, EpiVax, under the leadership of Dr. Annie DeGroot, is working to develop a globally accessible vaccine, and I wish them great success in their important work.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the continued appropriation of hundreds of millions of dollars to the Afghanistan infrastructure fund while our national infrastructure is crumbling here in America.

President Obama has laid out a broad vision for completing our work in Afghanistan, turning security responsibilities over to the Afghan people, and bringing our troops home. Now is the time to focus our resources here in the United States, on our own roads, bridges, schools, and infrastructure.

We have already spent billions of dollars toward rebuilding the infrastructure of Afghanistan. As we begin drawing down combat operations in Afghanistan, it's the responsibility of the Afghan people to build, operate, and maintain their own civilian and military institutions, and their own infrastructure.

My amendment, which I offer along with the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda), the gentlelady from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez), and the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch), would strike the funding of the Afghanistan infrastructure fund and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

Established by Congress in the fiscal year 2011 National Defense Authorization, in its first year, the Afghanistan infrastructure fund received an appropriation of $400 million. These funds have been dedicated to projects that are jointly approved by the Department of State and the Department of Defense, and the projects include power generation and transmission, roads, and construction of other large infrastructure projects.

According to the April 2012 report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, from fiscal year 2002 to the end of March, fiscal

year 2012, the United States appropriated approximately $89.4 billion for relief and reconstruction in Afghanistan. Approximately $800 million has been provided thus far for the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund.

As the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service indicates from 2012 to 2010, the U.S. Agency for International Development allocated more than $2 billion towards road construction and more than $1.2 billion towards electric power in Afghanistan. While we've spent billions of dollars on infrastructure in Afghanistan, we have also seen reports from the Government Accountability Office and others that have highlighted the challenges in accounting for how reconstruction funds are spent and the overall impact that these are having on the society there.

Yet according to a 2011 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the cost of our crumbling infrastructure right here in America is real. By the year 2020, our Nation's crumbling surface transportation infrastructure is slated to cost the United States economy more than 876,000 jobs and suppress the country's growth of gross domestic product by $897 billion.

These costs are only going to increase more and more if we don't take the action to make the much-needed and long-deferred investments in our own transportation systems and our own infrastructure. When we look at the bigger picture, including water and wastewater, energy, schools, ports and more, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimated that over the next 5 years we would need an investment of $2.2 trillion just to bring our Nation's infrastructure to a condition they describe as ``good.''

Every year that we wait to take meaningful steps to do this, the cost to taxpayers and to our economy keeps growing and growing and growing. Over the past 18 months, constituents have expressed to me tremendous frustration that we're devoting so many of our resources and so much of our energy to rebuilding the infrastructure in Afghanistan.

They ask why we are dedicating so much to nation-building halfway around the world when there are so many families right here in our own country who are struggling to find work and make ends meet.

We need to do nation-building right here at home in America. This amendment is a strong step in support of reinvesting in our own economy and our own infrastructure right here at home.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Offered By: Mr. Cicilline

Amendment No. 20: Page 130, line 14, after the dollar

amount, insert ``(reduced by $375,000,000)''.

Page 153, line 15, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $375,000,000)''.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Leadership Alliance.

The Leadership Alliance, established by Brown University in 1992, is a national academic consortium of leading research universities and minority-serving institutions with the mission of developing underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, business, and the public sector.

Through an organized program of research, networking, and mentorship at critical transitions along the entire academic training pathway, the Leadership Alliance prepares young scientists and scholars for graduate training and professional apprenticeships.

To date, the consortium has mentored more than 2,600 undergraduates, including 33 Rhode Islanders. Brown University has mentored 386 Leadership Alliance participants, 35 percent of whom have received a graduate-level degree.

I am proud to stand in support of this initiative that identifies, trains, and mentors talented underrepresented and underserved students.

I congratulate and commend the Leadership Alliance, including Brown University, for 20 years of mentoring a diverse and competitive research and scholarly workforce.

Madam Speaker, last week I visited with seniors who live at Wilfred Manor in Central Falls, Rhode Island. They asked me to deliver a message when I returned to Washington: The time for fighting over health care reform has ended. Now our elected officials should work together to make sure this law works effectively for all American families.

Instead, Republicans have chosen to once again spend valuable legislative time trying to score political points.

What concerns me the most is how their actions would impact my constituents, folks like Rita Manley, a senior who lives in Central Falls. Rita was recently diagnosed with cancer, and if Republicans did succeed in repealing health care reform, millions of men and women like Rita could be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions.

I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to refrain from starting this debate all over again and instead focus their energy and attention on getting people back to work by taking up critical jobs legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work being done in my home State of Rhode Island as we host the final leg of the inaugural America's Cup World Series, an incredible boost to our tourism economy and a great moment for our State.

Teams of competitors and spectators from around the world have come to Newport for the America's Cup World Series, which according to some estimates is expected to bring in $70 million for our State's economy.

Although Newport hosted the America's Cup from 1930 to 1983, this marks the first time in history that America's Cup races are actually being held inside Narragansett Bay.

The opportunity to host a leg of this year's America's Cup not only provides a source of real economic benefit for our State, but also an intangible level of pride for all Rhode Islanders.

Thank you to the organizers for their hard work. I wish the competitors good luck, and to all those likely to benefit from the enormous economic impact of these events, much success.

Mr. Speaker, on the Legislative Day of June 8, 2012, upon request of a leave of absence after 11:00 a.m., a series of votes were held. Had I been present for these roll call votes, I would have cast the following votes: On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment (Roll No. 372)--I vote ``No''; On agreeing to the Scalise amendment (Roll No. 373)--I vote ``No''; On agreeing to the Moran amendment (Roll No. 374)--I vote ``Yes''; On agreeing to the Flake amendment (Roll No. 375)--I vote ``No''; On motion to recommit with instructions (Roll No. 376)--I vote ``Yes''; On passage (Roll No. 377)--I vote ``No''; and On motion that the House instruct conferees (Roll No. 378)--I vote ``No.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Devin Beck, a native of Tiverton, in my home State of Rhode Island.

Devin set a goal to raise $2,000 for Executives Without Borders, a nonprofit organization that works to engage business professionals in solving humanitarian challenges across the world.

So on January 11 of this year, Devin left St. Augustine, Florida, with the goal of bicycling to San Diego, California, a destination more than 2,000 miles away. On February 25, 46 days later, Devin arrived in San Diego, completing a journey that spanned 232 hours, 17 minutes, and 44 seconds on his bike.

In the end, Devin exceeded his goals and raised $6,000 for Executives Without Borders to benefit a program that is helping Haiti to build new recycling centers to recover from the devastating hurricane it suffered in 2010.

I congratulate this young man, Devin, as well as his parents, Donald and Kathleen, on his truly impressive accomplishments and wish him continued success.

Mr. Speaker, our most pressing legislative items were nowhere to be seen on the House floor today. We had an opportunity to make headway on critical legislation, but Republicans have not provided action or solutions, only obstruction and delay. Student loan interest rates will double on July 1 if Congress does nothing.

After losing an estimated 28,000 construction jobs last month, Congress still hasn't passed a highway bill. The Republican leadership in the House refuses to bring the bipartisan Senate transportation bill to the floor for a vote, even though it would support 1 million construction jobs right away, including more than 8,000 in the State of Rhode Island.

Our middle class families, our small businesses, and our students and manufacturers deserve greater certainty so they can better plan their lives and companies, grow jobs and strengthen our economy. Yet another day has passed without action to avoid sequestration or address expiring tax provisions or prevent rising costs for higher education. Instead, Republicans plan to waste more time this week with partisan anti-environment messaging bills with little or no hope of passage in the Senate and veto threats that have already been issued by the administration.

We cannot let this become another wasted week. Our constituents deserve more. This Congress has to take action now, not delay until it's too late.

I rise today to honor Anthony Anderson, a rising junior at LaSalle Academy in my home State of Rhode Island.

Earlier this year, Anthony was awarded a Gold Medal from the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for a self-portrait he submitted focused on the issue of bullying. Anthony has been recognized each year by the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards since he was in the seventh grade, and this month, Anthony's painting is on display at an art gallery in New York City.

His family and his art teacher at LaSalle were invited to Carnegie Hall last week for a ceremony honoring his work and the work of other Gold Medal winners from across our Nation.

I congratulate Anthony on his impressive accomplishments and join Rhode Islanders all across our State in wishing him continued success in the years ahead.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of two amendments I am offering in this bloc, both of which seek to ensure Pakistan demonstrates its commitment to counterterrorism operations and the dismantling of improvised explosive device networks.

According to news reports, the majority of IEDs in Afghanistan share a common ingredient, calcium ammonium nitrate, which is illegal in Afghanistan but completely legal in Pakistan. When asked about what the Pentagon is doing to put pressure on Pakistan's distribution network of ammonium nitrate at his Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary Panetta said:

We've urged them, the Pakistanis, to take steps. In some

cases, they have. In some cases, they wind up there too late.

But we're continuing to impress upon them that they have got

to be part of the answer to dealing with this issue.

That's why I have offered amendment 121, which would tie the funding of the Pakistan counterinsurgency fund to a certification requirement by the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, that Pakistan is making significant effort in implementing a strategy to counter improvised explosive devices, IEDs. Too many American soldiers have been killed or wounded as a result of IEDs.

I thank the gentleman.

We are also considering amendment 118 in this bloc. This amendment would require that, before providing reimbursement to Pakistan for its efforts in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Secretary of Defense must certify Pakistan is taking ``demonstrable steps'' to support counterterrorism operations against terrorist organizations, dismantle IED networks, prevent the proliferation of nuclear-related material and expertise, and issue visas in a timely manner for United States Government personnel supporting counterterrorism efforts and assistance programs in Pakistan.

These are commonsense amendments.

Mr. Speaker, today, as our Nation recognizes National Police Week, I rise to honor Sergeant Maxwell Dorley of the Providence Police Department.

Sergeant Dorley is a hero to the city of Providence, a city he gave his life protecting last month. Sergeant Dorley was responding to a call for assistance from a fellow officer when his police cruiser veered into a telephone pole. Sergeant Dorley was later pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital.

He leaves behind a wife and two children who have remained in my thoughts and prayers since the day of his passing and in the thoughts and prayers of our entire community.

At the time of his death, Sergeant Dorley was working to build a new home in Georgia where he planned to one day retire with his family. A 15-year veteran of the Providence Police Department, Sergeant Dorley was known for his popularity with his fellow officers. The department honored his memory by posthumously promoting him to the rank of ``sergeant'' following his death--an honor that he well-deserved.

We keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, this Chamber narrowly passed a bill entitled the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. But although the bill we voted on shared its name with landmark legislation that this Chamber passed in 1994 to deter crimes against women, it failed to advance the important protections that should be afforded to all victims of domestic violence and sexual assaults.

Our colleagues in the Senate, Democrats and Republicans, worked together to pass a strong, bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Yet, rather than carrying on the important tradition of working in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act here in the House, Republicans crafted a partisan bill that failed to include many of the important protections enacted by the Senate. In fact, the Republican legislation would undermine vital protections and services for victims of domestic violence. The House Republican proposal left out improvements that the Senate had passed, including protections for immigrant women, college students, and LGBT Americans.

A bipartisan coalition of 13 women Senators, including Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, signed a letter to Speaker Boehner yesterday urging that he call a vote on the strong, bipartisan Senate-passed bill that would strengthen protections for all victims of domestic and sexual violence saying, ``We should not let politics pick and choose which victims of abuse to help and which to ignore''--a bill, by the way, that every single woman in the Senate, Republicans and Democrats, voted for.

Reauthorizing important provisions that help ensure the safety of all victims of domestic and sexual abuse across our country should be routine--even in Washington, D.C. But once again, House Republicans have allowed a far-right ideology to interfere with the commonsense approach to protecting women and families from violence.

Women's lives are too important for another round of congressional brinksmanship. Last year, in my home State of Rhode Island, more than 13,000 hotline calls were answered by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Republicans in this Chamber are wrong to relegate the safety and well-being of these women behind an extreme political ideology. I urge my colleagues to continue their strong support for the bipartisan Senate legislation that would provide effective protections for all victims of sexual or domestic violence. We must keep the pressure on for passage of the Senate bipartisan bill. America's women and our families deserve no less.