Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the Republican majority's callous attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Reform has already made a dramatically positive difference for millions of our constituents and small businesses while tackling our ballooning national debt.

We in Congress must continue doing all that we can to support American families and businesses as we emerge from this recession. Democrats have pledged to measure all legislation by a proposal's success at creating jobs, at strengthening the middle class, and at bringing down the deficit. Unfortunately, the Republican majority's attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act fails on all such counts.

Repeal would hurt small businesses, canceling $40 billion worth of tax credits to help employees afford coverage. Repeal would stall middle class job growth, as one-third of small business owners told the small business majority they were more likely to hire new employees as a result of reform. And of course repeal would deepen our already exploding deficit, increasing it by $230 billion in the next 10 years and by more than $1 trillion in the following decade.

Many of my colleagues across the aisle have rebuffed this analysis from Congress' own budgetary referee, the Congressional Budget Office, because it doesn't fit the Republican narrative or campaign promise to tackle the deficit. However, while they may be entitled to their own opinions, they are not entitled to their own facts.

Health care repeal is the epitome of fiscal irresponsibility, and it counters our most basic American values: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We lose life when insurance companies can freely drop those who are sick from coverage. We lose liberty when our seniors have to choose between medications and groceries. And we lose the pursuit of happiness if we return to the days when only job security guaranteed health security.

Our fiscal decisions, Mr. Speaker, must be a reflection not only of our economic future but of the statement of our most central national values. By ensuring that Americans have vital coverage rather than cruelly denying it to them, we can live up to the dreams of liberty and justice for all.

Madam Speaker, I think it is important to address the notion of job killing versus job creating. We've heard a lot of talk about the title of this bill and the jobs that it supposedly kills. But let's look at the facts here though. Of the 1.1 million private-sector jobs--documented--that were created last year, fully 200,000 of those were in the health care sector, or one-fifth. We've actually had an average of 20,000 jobs per month created in the health care sector alone over the course of the last 2 years.

There have been no job losses in the health care sector. None. And I challenge our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, on the Republican side of the aisle, who are vociferously advocating the repeal of health care reform on the premise that it is a job killer to name one area of health care, one, where there have been job losses. I would suspect that we would hear crickets chirping, because there are none. There isn't a single area of health care that there have been job losses; not before health care reform passed and not since.

Also, I think it is important to address the comments from my colleague the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) who stated that President Obama told the Democratic Caucus that health care reform would supposedly allow us to shrink five tests performed on a patient to one. That is simply not true. That never happened. He never said that. And at the end of the day we need to make sure that we are entitled to our opinions but not to our own facts.

I suspect that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are making up their own facts because their arguments don't stand on the strength of their ideas and aren't strong enough to stand on their own. I thought it was important to clear that up, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I solemnly rise in support of this resolution.

We come together today in tribute to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all of the innocent victims of a deranged gunman's actions in Tucson, Arizona.

This past weekend, our Nation witnessed a horrifying and tragic act of violence that took the lives of six, and left many others wounded, including our friend and colleague, Gabby.

Gabby is one of my closest friends and my thoughts and prayers are with her husband Mark, Gabby's parents, and their family as they struggle to get through this unimaginable tragedy.

I pray for her full recovery and the recovery of the other victims of this horrific act of senseless violence. I also pray for the Tucson community and for our Nation.

While she and the others wounded in this attack struggle to recover, we pause to honor those we have lost.

They were Americans from every walk of life, and from every season in the journey of life. They died exercising freedoms that make this country so special--the freedom to petition their government and speak freely to their elected representatives.

They include:

Christina Taylor Green, a 9-year-old girl just elected to her student council who wanted to see her Congresswoman in action;

A Federal judge--John McCarthy Roll--who stopped by to thank his colleague for working with him on immigration matters;

Gabe Zimmerman, a 30-year-old congressional caseworker who brought compassion to his community outreach work; and

Three additional victims who were vibrant and active retirees like so many in my home district in South Florida--Phyllis Schneck, 79, Dorwan Stoddard, 76, and Dorothy Morris, 76.

Now, anyone who knows Gabby, knows that she is one of the most kind, thoughtful, and optimistic people you will meet. She has the sunniest disposition and sees the good in everyone--even people who most wouldn't. So it is particularly unbelievable that she would be the target of a deranged individual with anti-government views. When I heard the news, I thought, ``Not Gabby?''

She is also deeply committed to the principles of public discourse and vibrant democracy that brought her face to face with her constituents on Saturday. She simply represents the very best of what a public servant should be.

So I would be misleading you if I said I understand why this happened, I do not. Perhaps it is impossible to make sense of a mind so full of hate, so deranged and so broken.

And I cannot tell you with any certainty that the acrimony and political vitriol that are so prevalent in our society today contributed to spurring this madman. But I fear that his deep-seated distrust of our government contributed to his actions.

We must move forward--but how? How do we honor the victims of this tragedy? How do we protect our society from such hatred?

I have looked in my own heart, and what I know is that we need each other right now. Though our hearts are heavy, we must be steadfast in our determination to uphold the American spirit and the principles of our democracy for which Gabby has so vigorously fought.

I believe we should use this moment to remind each other, remind all Americans and remind the world that the strength of our convictions, the strength of our democracy, comes from our unity of purpose.

Yes, as public servants and passionate advocates we have, and we will, disagree on policies of the day, sometimes vigorously. That is as it should be.

But I have no doubt that every person in this chamber loves our country, staunchly defends our Constitution, and brings to this body a desire to see a more perfect union. Let us show the world the truth of these words.

I can say it no better than the words that conclude our Declaration of Independence. In this sacred document, our founding fathers call for us to ``mutually pledge to each other our lives, our Fortunes, our sacred Honor.''

Indeed--if we are not joined in the united effort to strengthen our democracy--then we risk allowing those that hate all that we stand for, rip us asunder.

As Speaker Boehner so eloquently said, ``An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve.'' So we must pledge to come together, to work together, and to be together.

Let us rededicate ourselves to doing so with a new tone of civility in our public discourse. Let us show the world that there is so much more that unites us than divides us.

And when we do disagree, we know that we solve those differences not with violence, but with words and with our vote.

We are united in the pursuit so eloquently put by President Abraham Lincoln, ``that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.''

I finish by noting that Gabby has always exemplified the Jewish ideal of tikkun olam--repairing and healing the world. May we all come together in this beautiful message of healing--for our wounded world, our beloved friend, and all the victims of this tragedy.

May the strength with which Gabby has healed the world, and the spirit of tikkun olam in turn heal her, the other wounded, and the families of those who lost loved ones.

Madam Speaker, it is with a somber heart that I rise to voice my strong support for H. Res. 32.

This resolution condemns the horrific attack that took place in Tucson this past weekend, honors the memory of all those who lost their lives in the attack, and expresses hope for a complete recovery for all those wounded in the attack, including our friend and colleague, Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

Today--we recognize and honor the service of Representative Giffords, a dedicated public servant and truly exceptional Member of Congress.

We also recognize the bravery of those heroes and first responders, who saved lives and prevented the deranged gunman from doing further damage.

The ability to resolve problems and conflicts in a non-violent manner is a bedrock value of our system of government.

Saturday's cowardly attack is an assault on the very principles that we as Americans hold dear.

I urge my colleagues to cast a vote to condemn hatred, and honor those innocent individuals who were impacted by this heinous act of violence.

The thoughts and prayers of Barbara and I go out to the families of those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy, and we continue to pray for a full recovery for Representative Giffords and all other victims.

Madam Speaker, I rise to add some additional remarks to my earlier statement in support of H. Res. 32.

In this time of grieving for all of us, it is important we take this moment to recognize and honor the six individuals who lost their lives in this heinous crime.

Christina Taylor Green was a 9-year-old child, recently elected to the student council at Mesa Verde Elementary School.

Dorothy Morris, 76, was married to her husband George for over 50 years. George was also at the shooting and courageously tried to shield his wife from the attack.

John Roll, 63, had an outstanding legal career, culminating in his service as Chief Judge for the District of Arizona. He and his wife Maureen had three children and five grandchildren.

Phyllis Schneck, 79, a New Jersey native, was spending the winter in Arizona. She was a church volunteer and a proud mother of three, and grandmother of seven.

Dorwan Stoddard, 76, was also a church volunteer and also shielded his wife, Mary, during the attack.

Gabriel Zimmerman, 30, was engaged to be married and was known throughout the community as a man of great character for his work in Representative Giffords' office.

Let us stand together to honor the lives of these individuals, and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones they leave behind.

I urge my colleagues to reaffirm our commitment to a democracy in which all peoples can participate without intimidation or fear of violence, and support today's resolution.

Again, the thoughts and prayers of Barbara and I go out to the victims and families impacted by this tragedy, and we continue to pray for a swift recovery for Representative Giffords and all others wounded in this terrible tragedy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor two brave young men from my District who died recently while serving their country in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Juan L. Rivadeneira of Davie, Florida died November 13th when an insurgent suicide bomber detonated a vest bomb and struck his unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was 27 years old.

Rivadeneira was an Infantryman assigned to Company B., 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Staff Sergeant Rivadeneira served in two wars, first in Iraq and then in Afghanistan. And from the moment he enlisted in 2003, he was hard working, a quick learner, and most importantly, a dependable soldier that you wanted at your side.

Not surprisingly, during his seven years in the Army, Juan Rivadeneira was highly decorated for his bravery and commitment to his mission, receiving sixteen medals and badges. His company commander in Iraq, Army Major Robert Rossi said of him, ``if someone needed help, he was the one to pick them up.''

Corporal Jorge E. Villacis, of Sunrise, Florida died just this past Sunday, December 12th when his unit was attacked by an insurgent with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while serving in Howz E Madad, Afghanistan. He was only 24 years old.

Villacis was an Infantryman, who joined the Army in September 2008. Born in New Jersey, Villacis graduated from American Senior High School in Hialeah.

Also based out of Fort Campbell Kentucky, Villacis' awards and decorations include: Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantry Badge.

Both of these young men called South Florida home. Both of these young men answered their country's call to service.

And both of these young men left proud, but grieving family members behind.

Juan and Jorge met at Fort Campbell Kentucky and they were deployed to Afghanistan together in June.

Maybe it was the fact that Juan's family had roots in Venezuela, and Jorge's family was from Ecuador.

Maybe it was that both of them hailed from South Florida. Or maybe it was that they just hit it off.

But regardless of the reason, Juan and Jorge soon became close friends. In fact, last year, Juan and Jorge and their families joined together to celebrate Thanksgiving at Fort Campbell.

I didn't have the pleasure to know Staff Sgt. Rivadeneira, nor Corporal Villacis. Nor did our families know each other.

Yet, my family, and our nation owes a deep debt of gratitude for the service and ultimately the untimely loss of these two brave young men.

Neither of these men was forced to serve their country in the military.

Indeed, none of America's soldiers serving our country here or abroad, combat or non-combat, was forced to enlist in the military.

Yet they did. Juan and Jorge both answered our nation's call to serve and like thousands upon thousands of men and women before them, they fought for America's freedom, our liberty, and to ensure that our country remains the free and prosperous nation that it is today.

During this holiday season, and as we reflect upon the past year, we need to recognize the service and sacrifice of those who are serving and have served our country, like Juan and Jorge, who died fighting to protect our American way of life.

While I didn't know Staff Sgt. Juan L. Rivadeneira and Corporal Jorge E. Villacis, personally, mere words cannot express the gratitude I feel for them and their families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Russell R. Chard from of the Presidency of the Hollywood Professional Fire Fighters Local 1375 in South Florida.

President Chard has more than 30 years of distinguished service working on behalf of Hollywood, Florida's firefighters, paramedics and local safety community. For the last 20 years, Mr. Chard has served as President of Local 1375, overseeing the welfare of its membership, fighting for the professional standards and ensuring the safe working conditions that are befitting of the service of these men and women.

Known as a coalition builder, President Chard has served a critical role as liaison to all associated areas for the Local, as well as outside groups such as the AFL-CIO, Florida Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics, International Association of Fire Fighters and Paramedics, and Maritime Trade Council.

This commitment to the betterment of the community was second only to his dedication to his brothers and sisters in the Union. He was a powerful role model and mentor for many new recruits over 20 years, always emphasizing the unique bond that all fire fighters share.

In 1980, Mr. Chard was first appointed to the negotiation committee for Hollywood Professional Fire Fighters Local 1375, where he was quickly recognized for his grit and passion. He was quickly elected as a Trustee and has served Local 1375 ever since. His legacy of fierce advocacy, candor and friendship will not soon be forgotten or lost.

I am proud today to honor President Chard's distinguished career and leadership in the South Florida community and wish him and his family well on their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5987, the Seniors Protection Act. 2011 will mark the first time that Social Security retirees and other beneficiaries will receive no automatic cost of living increase for 2 consecutive years. At the same time, seniors must stretch each dollar further as health care and other costs continue to rise. And in these tough economic times, seniors have even fewer assets to help them make ends meet.

The Social Security program is in its 75th year of helping our seniors, and we must stay true to President Roosevelt's vision of economic security for all of our citizens. This legislation will help more than 4 million seniors in my home State of Florida alone, many of whom struggle to meet their everyday living expenses.

As we move forward, let us rededicate ourselves to strengthening, not weakening, this vital program. I want to thank Congressman Earl Pomeroy for sponsoring this much-needed legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kevin Ridley on the occasion of his retirement after more than 40 years of service to our Nation and his community.

While I have no doubt Kevin has many new exciting chapters left to write in his life, I take this moment to commemorate his achievements of the last 4 decades.

Kevin Ridley is the son of an Air Force colonel and learned early in life the meaning of commitment to country and family. Following in his father's footsteps, Kevin enlisted in the Air Force in late 1968, after graduating high school in Tokyo, Japan.

Trained as a weapons loader for A-7 and F-100 jet fighters, Kevin was stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for 2 years before doing a tour of duty during the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam during 1971 and into 1972, he saw time in both Saigon and Da Nang.

Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force later in 1972, Kevin continued to serve our Nation as a member of the National Guard, compiling a remarkable 26 years of military service. In the National Guard, he served as a full-time civilian weapons technician and was stationed for 17 years at Otis Air Force Base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

I know that while Kevin Ridley possesses a fierce determination to excel, he is also a humble man, much like many of our Nation's military personnel. He would never seek to tout his own accomplishments. However, I am proud to tell you tell you that Kevin consistently stood out during his military service, accumulating 15 decorations and awards during the Vietnam War and in his time with the Air Force Reserve and National Guard.

Beginning in 1989, and continuing through his retirement in December of this year, Kevin has worked for the Department of Defense's Defense Contract Administration Services as a plant representative with Raytheon Corporation in Massachusetts. In that capacity, he has continued his service to military defense efforts and his deep commitment to the security of the United States. While with the Defense Contract Administration Services, he has contributed his expertise to over 30 defense programs. He also worked on a program near and dear to the State of Florida--NASA's Space Station modules program.

Most importantly, Kevin is a dedicated family man. He is a loving spouse to Andrea Ridley and father of two wonderful children. Andrea is an 8th grade math teacher at Franklin Middle School, his daughter Alexandra is currently a freshmen at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, and his son Phillip is a sophomore in high school in Medfield, Massachusetts.

I'm sure that his friends and family would agree that his record of excellence, bravery, and dedication is a living testament to a life well lived, and proof that the American dream is alive and well.

I offer my deepest gratitude to Kevin Ridley for his contributions to the fabric of this nation and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Congratulations, Kevin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer House Concurrent Resolution 323, Ensuring that Holocaust Survivors Live with Dignity, Comfort, and Security. This important resolution recognizes the plight of Holocaust survivors, honors their unique needs, and pledges to help survivors attain the utmost comfort and well-being in their remaining years. And I want to thank my colleague from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) for cosponsoring it with me.

At the end of World War II, the Jewish population of Europe had been decimated through brutal, systematic annihilation by the Nazis. The atrocities perpetrated by the Nazi regime against Jews, Roma, the disabled, and other minority populations introduced a level of inhumanity previously unknown to this world. The Holocaust is a stain on our history which our society has pledged to never forget lest we risk repeating the barbarity of the past. The Jewish population around the world is still grieving from the loss of 6 million.

In the wake of this incomparable human destruction, thousands of survivors immigrated to America. Here, they hoped to secure a better future for themselves and their children. Escaping a ravaged Europe, survivors saw our Nation as a global example of freedom, liberty, and justice. They left the wreckage of the Holocaust and sought comfort on our shores. These brave survivors, who faced the terror of concentration camps, the trauma of fleeing Nazi occupation, and the grief of losing so many loved ones, embraced the American dream, raised families, and enriched our Nation and society in fields ranging from academia to medicine, art and government. Our country is stronger for their contributions, and our children have learned so much from the experiences of Holocaust survivors.

Now, more than 70 years later, there is more we can and must do to ensure that those who survived such atrocities live out their remaining years in peace. There are more than 127,000 Holocaust survivors still living in our Nation today, with more than three-quarters of them older than age 75, and a majority in their eighties and nineties. Roughly two-thirds of all survivors in America live alone, and many lack the financial resources for the most basic necessities, including proper housing and health care. In fact, a majority of Holocaust survivors fall below 200 percent of the Federal poverty line, equivalent to $21,660 per year, making this fragile community most at risk for being forced into a group living situation.

It is a little known tragedy that so many survivors of the death camps have aged in poverty and destitution in the United States. As a Nation that so strongly upholds the values of freedom and justice, we have a moral obligation to acknowledge the plight of these survivors and uphold their dignity to ensure their well-being in their remaining years. It is vital that we help this population, as a testament to what they have endured, and to fulfill the promise of justice that they sought in the United States.

As victims of terror and torture, these survivors have special needs that would benefit from the further development of social service programs to allow survivors to age in place in their current residences. Institutionalized settings, while appropriate and even beneficial for many older Americans, have a disproportionately adverse effect on Holocaust survivors, as these environments reintroduce the sights, sounds, and routines reminiscent of experiences during the Holocaust.

It is impossible for us to imagine the traumatic nightmares that survivors still experience. That is why it is so important for us to help this particular population secure alternatives to institutionalization such as aging in place, which may be more appropriate for a Holocaust survivor.

In introducing this legislation, we applaud those organizations that have already dedicated their tireless efforts to honoring and assisting Holocaust survivors in their communities across the country. These organizations strive every day to improve the difficult situations facing survivors in our communities. It is important that in coming years Congress work with the administration and the Department of Health and Human Services to provide Holocaust survivors with needed social services through existing programs, such as at the Administration on Aging.

It is fortuitous that this resolution comes to the floor the same week that we celebrate Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights. This holiday is a time to dedicate ourselves to the ideals of justice. At a time of year when people of all backgrounds are exchanging gifts, we must remember those in our society who have had so much taken from them in their lifetimes. We must share these stories and proclaim these lessons in public, that ours is a Nation of freedom and justice for all.

Our children's generation will be the last to know Holocaust survivors and hear their stories firsthand. We must do all we can to honor their struggles and their lives by granting them the utmost peace in their remaining years.

I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their strong support; 102 Members are cosponsors of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor October as Breast Cancer Awarness Month.

Each year, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a special time to celebrate how far we have come on the path to eliminating breast cancer, reflect on all we have accomplished, and redouble our efforts for the future.

This year is special because it marks the 20th Anniversary of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides breast health services to underserved women. This life-saving program has served more than 3.7 million women over the past two decades.

We have made so much progress in the past year for breast cancer treatment and awareness. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacts meaningful reforms for so many Americans, but it will prove especially beneficial for those facing cancer.

Through health care reform, we guaranteed that no longer will cancer patients face losing their health care at the moment treatment is needed most. No longer will those battling disease face the atrocious burden of lifetime or annual caps on their treatment. And, a provision that is not only life-changing but life-saving for all cancer survivors: no longer will anyone be denied coverage due to a pre- existing condition!

If our health care system does not work for cancer patients, it simply does not work at all; so I am so thrilled to have been able to support these vital reforms for previvors, survivors, and all American families.

Early detection of breast cancer is a key to surviving the disease. We must ensure all women have access to affordable breast health services, and we must maintain our investment in innovative research to develop better screening tools and treatments for breast cancer.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after my 41st birthday, I was shocked to have to deal with the disease--especially as a relatively young woman.

So often, young women are not aware of their risks, but young women can and do get breast cancer.

That's why, as soon as I was cancer-free, I introduced H.R. 1740--the Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or the EARLY Act, to educate young women about their risks, empower them to know their bodies and speak up about their health, and work together to wipe out this deadly disease. And, with the passage of Health Reform we turned the EARLY Act from legislation into the law of the land!

Going forward, there is so much more work to be done. Every 69 seconds, somewhere in the world a woman dies of breast cancer--nearly half a million women this year alone, making it the leading cancer killer of women worldwide. Breast cancer will strike 1.3 million women this year alone and one in eight women will be diagnosed during her lifetime. This is simply not acceptable.

There are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. today. I am one of those women--living proof of the power of education, early detection, and the incredible advances in treatment of the disease.

Today, we honor and recognize all those women who have won their fight against breast cancer, are still fighting the disease, those mothers, sisters, friends and wives we have lost, and those who work tirelessly every day to ensure that one day no one else will die from breast cancer.

I am so grateful to all of the wonderful and inspiring advocacy groups who have stood strong as my partners in the fight against this cancer.

During this special time we stand together in solidarity, wholly committed to increasing early diagnoses, saving more lives, and ultimately, finding a cure to wipe out this deadly disease.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Monroe Udell, a small business owner in Florida's 20th District.

The man, like his restaurant, Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor is an institution in South Florida. Monroe founded the famous restaurant in 1956 and he's been a pillar in the South Florida business community ever since, receiving numerous honors and accolades from industry organizations, civic and charity groups.

Monroe has made numerous philanthropic contributions to the community. His favorite charity is Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. He holds annual events on their behalf and this charity work undoubtedly contributes to the incredible life-saving work done at the hospital.

I was pleased to learn that for all his service to our community, the city of Dania Beach is naming a street after him. The naming of Monroe Udell Street marks the first time in its 100 plus year history that Dania Beach, the oldest city in Broward County, has named a street in honor of a living person.

As a long-time customer and friend, I can attest to Monroe's dedication not only to his customers, but to our community and the charities he supports. He sets a remarkable example for all Floridians.

Congratulations to Monroe Udell and thank you for your service and ongoing efforts to improve the lives of South Floridians.

Thank you, Chairman Clay, for your very kind remarks.

Congressman Chaffetz, thank you very much for taking the lead on your side of the aisle. Let me just express the grief that I know you felt for the loss of your mother. I have shared that grief with so many women since I shared my own personal story, and hopefully the resolution that we have today will raise awareness so that we can continue to catch more cancer earlier so that we can have more survivors in the United States.

Let me also commiserate with you on the pre-50 experience that I had for a colonoscopy, which wasn't any fun, but is absolutely necessary. Thank you for mentioning that too, although we all will spare the gory details for everyone. Suffice it to say that it's not a fun experience, but one that is very necessary.

But I rise today to offer H. Res. 1522, expressing support for designation of the last week of September, this year being the week of September 26, as National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week and the last Wednesday of September as National Previvor Day.

Of all the cancers that affect women, roughly 10 percent of cases are caused by genetic factors. Though this percentage is relatively small, the risk for this group, as you have just heard, is huge.

Women with hereditary risk factors for breast cancer carry an 85 percent lifetime risk of developing the disease. For ovarian cancer, most women have about a 1.5 percent lifetime chance of developing the disease. But for those with hereditary risk factors, that chance can be as high as 50 percent, and as I learned almost 3 years ago, I am one of those women.

Together with my colleagues and inspirational organizations, including Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, or FORCE; Bright Pink; and the Young Survival Coalition, this resolution gives a voice to these women and brings awareness to the risks of hereditary cancer and, as I have said many times and as so many of my colleagues have said on the floor many times, knowledge is power.

Hereditary cancer syndrome describes an inherited gene mutation that increases the risk for one or more types of cancer. The main hereditary breast and ovarian syndromes are caused by mutations in one of two genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2--I am a BRCA2 carrier--which substantially increase the risk for breast and ovarian

cancer and slightly increase the risk for other kinds of cancers.

For women with a hereditary risk of cancer, it often strikes at an earlier age when they are less likely to expect it, but when the cancer is often more aggressive and more deadly. These young women with a heightened genetic risk are known as previvors, individuals who are survivors of a predisposition to cancer, but who haven't yet had the disease.

I was 41 when I discovered that I had breast cancer. Because my cancer was discovered so early, I may have only needed minimal treatment. However, as an Ashkenazi Jewish woman, as a woman of Eastern European Jewish descent, I was at a higher risk of carrying a BRCA mutation, and my early cancer set off warning bells for my doctors.

At the time, I did not know of my increased risk for carrying the BRCA gene mutation, but I was fortunate that once diagnosed with breast cancer, I had access to experts that helped me learn more about what the BRCA gene mutation meant for me. Genetic testing confirmed the worst. Unfortunately, I had hereditary cancer which dramatically increased my chances of a recurrence of breast cancer and getting ovarian cancer as well. Facing my disease, I have become both a survivor and a previvor.

As a mother of three beautiful children, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to make sure that I would be around to see them grow up. I faced tough choices, but seven major surgeries later, I have dramatically reduced the chances that my own cancer will come back.

Fortunately, there are organizations like FORCE, Bright Pink and the Young Survival Coalition that support young women as previvors and as survivors of cancer. These organizations bring essential awareness to these issues and help women at risk by providing the information, support and the voice they need to help survive their hereditary risk. As I said before, knowledge is power.

It is also why, with the help of 377 cosponsors in the House, I filed the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, known as the EARLY Act, to bring this message of knowledge and awareness to the forefront of the story about cancer. I am proud that the EARLY Act is now the law of the land.

With the odds stacked against them, young previvors need to know their risks. It is our responsibility to empower these women to know their bodies, speak up about their health, and work together to wipe out these deadly diseases.

I believe this resolution will help in that effort. National Previvor Day and Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week, which bridges September's Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will bring added public awareness to the risks for genetic cancers. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in support of H. Res. 1522.

Mr. Speaker, let me just add, before I close, that I am thrilled to see that our colleague from Connecticut, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who is an ovarian cancer survivor, has joined us on the floor in support of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to remember Cecelia Steinberg, a woman who spent her extraordinary life as a dedicated mother and grandmother, loving wife and life partner, and selfless activist for her community.

Cecelia--or Ceil to her friends--was born in Philadelphia and later joined the south Florida community in 1951. For many years, Ceil and her late husband, Irving, offered their hearts and their time in service to the Jewish and veteran communities in south Florida.

As the President of the Ladies National Auxiliary of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Ceil worked tirelessly to combat the powers of bigotry and hatred. She honored the service and sacrifice of so many Jewish men and women who pledged their allegiance and their lives to the United States.

Ceil is survived by her two daughters, Debra and Anita, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Our

thoughts and prayers go out to Bill Kling, Ceil's life partner for the past 11 years, as well as all of Ceil's family and loved ones during this trying time. I will personally miss her very much.

Thank you, Chairman Pallone, for your consideration.

Thank you to the Energy and Commerce Committee--Mr. Waxman and Mr. Gingrey--for granting us this time to honor Dr. Robert M. Campbell. Thank you to all of the Members. In the last few days, we have added more than 100 cosponsors to this legislation now, which is really remarkable in only a few days. I had a chance to talk to so many of our colleagues about Dr. Campbell's story, and they wanted to join us in honoring him.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Robert M. Campbell has dedicated his life to providing children with life-saving medical care. I first learned about Dr. Campbell's work when a little boy in my district named Devin Alfonso was given a terminal diagnosis of severe scoliosis. His spine and ribs were so severely bent that there was no room for his lungs and heart to grow.

For some time, the technology had existed to help adult patients with serious skeletal conditions. However, as Devin's family had to learn the hard way, the life-saving medical devices used in adult care are not fit for the small bodies of children. So often, these medical devices are simply far too big for children who are suffering from either scoliosis, Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome, or similar conditions. Even if miniature versions of these devices were created, a growing child's body would mean that the device would quickly become too small and would require more invasive surgery.

For years, physicians trying to treat children like Devin were forced to use less effective treatments, more invasive therapies or jury- rigged makeshift equipment as their only options in providing this vital care. Far too often, these doctors are left with no effective treatment at all, meaning that a diagnosis like Devin's was simply a death sentence.

Dr. Campbell refused to accept these outcomes. He devoted his career to working with children like Devin who

were suffering from congenital scoliosis, fused ribs, small chests, and missing ribs. He made it his mission to change their fates. In such a dire environment, the work of this dedicated physician, Dr. Robert Campbell, has made all the difference. He has waged a decades-long campaign to provide a solution for these children that gives them a fighting chance.

During the 1980s, while at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dr. Campbell teamed up with the late Dr. Melvin Smith on developing a medical device suitable for children. In 1987, Dr. Campbell, along with Dr. Smith, made a major breakthrough with the invention of the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib. This device proved to be easy to implant, and importantly, it could be expanded with minor outpatient surgery as the child grows.

Unfortunately, as these rare rib and spine disorders occur so infrequently in the population, Dr. Campbell was just starting his journey on getting this life-saving device to the children who needed it. Completing the necessary trials for Food and Drug Administration approval proved to be a tremendous challenge. The process stretched out for well over a decade, but Dr. Campbell kept at it, working to develop and complete the needed trials.

In this effort, he received invaluable help from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, or NORD. This organization of medical professionals helps bring attention to the 6,800 known rare diseases that currently have no approved therapies. Through funding and support from NORD, Dr. Campbell was able to continue his work.

Dr. Campbell persevered and he ultimately prevailed. After many years of advocacy, due in large part to his devotion to children, he won approval from the FDA for the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib on September 2, 2004.

Thanks to Dr. Campbell's work, Devin Alfonso was able to enroll in a clinical trial to receive the medical device that saved his life. Hundreds of other children suffering from spinal and skeletal abnormalities have also survived and have even thrived thanks to this enthusiastic doctor and his noteworthy invention.

From his identification of Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome to his persistence in bringing his life-saving device to fruition, Dr. Campbell has been a stalwart for children's health. He is an inspiration to everyone who has worked with him and, most certainly, to the children and families he has helped.

I know the impact he has had on Devin and on his mom, Rixys Alfonso. I know, over the past decade, I have gotten to share in the joy as Devin has grown into a wonderful young man.

So please join me in celebrating Dr. Campbell's achievements and in honoring his unwavering devotion to saving the lives of so many children.

Madam Speaker, Democrats are committed to growing our economy and getting Americans back to work. We want to continue to support America's manufacturing workers by closing tax loopholes that outsource U.S. jobs overseas. These savings will pay for hometown tax credits for small businesses to expand American manufacturing jobs.

The Democrats are boosting incentives to create American clean energy jobs and build state-of-the-art wind turbines, solar panels and other new technologies. We can pay for this by ending subsidies to big oil companies, government giveaways to companies that rake in millions of dollars.

We are strengthening the rules that the U.S. Government and its contractors buy American, especially to build our transportation, energy and communications infrastructure. And we are telling foreign countries like China to honor fair trade principles or lose American business.

In just over 1 year we have turned our economy around, going from losing nearly 800,000 jobs in the last month of the Bush administration to 6 straight months of private sector job growth totaling nearly 600,000 new private sector jobs created just this year.

We are heading in the right direction and Democrats are going to ensure that U.S. manufacturing will continue to lead us into economic recovery. America will make things once again.

Thank you so much.

I do, that's because I bleed orange and blue, and Mr. Ryan knows that, and I appreciate the recognition.

And we're also joined by our good friend who has been a weekly staple of these important message hours where we're trying to communicate to our constituents and to people across the country and to our colleagues about the progress that we've been able to make that has been so significant and evident.

One of the things that I wanted to highlight--Mr. Ryan, I'm not sure if you have gone over any of this--but I think an important chart that we usually begin with when we talk about the private sector that has been made, the private-sector employment increases over the past year and a half.

And if you look December of 2007 all the way through to June of 2010, you can see the dramatic job losses that occurred during the Bush administration. The Bush administration ended right about here in January of 2009, and when President Obama took over, we at this point in the year passed the Recovery Act, the stimulus package that

injected $787 billion into our economy, both in terms of an infusion of spending as well as tax cuts, 98 percent of Americans received a tax cut, mostly focused on tax cuts for small businesses and working families. And then at that point, that's when you see the job growth curve start to shift from almost 800,000 job losses a month in the month before President Bush left office and President Obama was inaugurated, then you begin starting to gain jobs to today where you look in June of 2010 where we have added jobs for six straight months, an average of 100,000 jobs per month, almost 600,000 jobs created this year alone. And if we keep on this pace, by the end of this year we will have created under President Obama's leadership and the Democratic leadership in this Congress more private-sector jobs in this year than the entire Bush presidency. I mean, that's just the facts, and it's an unbelievable fact.

We have turned the economy around, and we've begun to go in the right direction. We have a long way to go but look at the other indicators. Look at the stock market. Look at the three straight quarters of growth in the GDP. Look at the 11 straight months of growth in the manufacturing sector. America has always been about making things. Mr. Tonko and Mr. Ryan are from communities where your constituents, the people that sent you here to represent them, they're used to rolling up their sleeves, doing a hard day's work for a hard day's pay and making stuff, and we want to make sure that we can get America back to work making things again. And that's why we have our Making it in America agenda that we're going to be talking about over the next few weeks as we enter the August recess period.

And we're so pleased to be joined by our good friend Mr. Tonko, a new Member who has been doing a fantastic job.

Mr. Ryan, a couple of years ago, when we would be out here each night with the 30-something Working Group, our symbol was the Republican rubber stamp that was emblematic of the philosophy of our friends on the other side of the aisle.

I think we should take a walk down memory lane. Maybe we want to bring the rubber stamp back because it does appear that they have not shed those tendencies, and that's evidenced in the choice that Americans are going to have over the next few months.

Let's go through some of those choices. You are talking about how important it is that we go back to making things in America, that we revitalize the economies that had manufacturing as the backbone of cities and towns throughout this country, throughout the Northeast and the Rust Belt and even--I don't even like the term ``Rust Belt'' because it implies something that's irretrievable. You know, once something is rusted out, your perception is it's not able to be regained.

I know we don't believe that, and we believe in investing in the concept of making America and that it's more than just a concept, that we are going to put resources into making sure that when we have a choice that we choose to make sure that it's Americans that are doing the manufacturing for the things that we need here, and we are doing that by backing that up with action when it comes to our policy decisions as well.

So are the Republicans. Their actions are vastly different than ours. We propose to close tax loopholes that allow outsourcing U.S. jobs overseas and use the savings to pay for hometown tax credits for small businesses to expand manufacturing jobs. And what do they do? They vote, ``they'' being the Republicans, vote 170-1, 170 Republicans voted ``no,'' to 1 that votes ``yes'' to protecting tax breaks for companies that shipped jobs overseas; 170-1 they voted to keep that tax loophole intact so that we could continue to allow companies to get tax breaks when they ship jobs overseas.

They have said it.

Let's take it one step further. It's not just bad enough, okay, to say they voted to protect the tax break. On top of that, 95 percent of House Republicans have signed a pledge to protect those tax breaks, signed a pledge, put their name on the line and said, I am going to protect tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

It's absolutely mind-boggling. We want to make sure that we protect companies and give tax breaks and incentivize companies that make decisions to create jobs here in the United States, in your district in New York, in your district in Ohio, in districts across this country. And they would rather have those jobs created in China and in other countries and boost up their economy.

Will the gentleman yield on that point?

And your point is very well taken. We had to use a procedural motion just to be able to get around there being an obstacle to the America COMPETES Act coming to the floor and being able to get a straight-up vote. And when it came right down to it, we were for it and most of them were against it.

Absolutely. Thank you very much, Mr. Tonko.

Just to veer a little bit in a different direction towards, again, the choice that Americans are going to be facing, because your facts are stubborn things. You can run away from a lot of different things. Facts are just persistent in chasing you. They've been chasing the Republicans, those stubborn facts, for a long time. One of the facts is that Republicans are consistently on the record of voting against statutory pay-as-you-go legislation.

Now, back in the Clinton administration when PAYGO was first established--and that was a tough, tough vote that Democrats led the way on, made sure happened under President Clinton's leadership--the country finished his Presidency with a record surplus, which was handed to President Bush and he promptly squandered in just a few short years.

If you look at this chart, we will start back in the Reagan administration. And I want to start back in the Reagan administration because--walk with me down memory lane, shall we?

I know it's painful, but I think it's instructive.

As you walk with me down memory lane, let's look at under which Presidents we operated on a deficit and under which Presidents we operated at a surplus. President Reagan, $1.4 trillion deficit. President Bush, didn't get any better, got worse, $3.3 trillion deficit. Go to President Clinton, we went from a record deficit at the time to a record surplus of $5.6 trillion. And then when President Bush finished office after being handed a record surplus, he finished office with an $11.5 trillion deficit, handing that record to President Obama. And, as you said, after having driven our economy off a cliff, now the Republicans are asking for the keys once again.

Facts being stubborn things, as I mentioned, the Republicans consistently voted against statutory PAYGO. In fact, under the Bush administration, they allowed statutory PAYGO to lapse, which is, in large part, why we ended up in a deficit situation. They deficit-spent like drunken sailors--two wars not paid for, the Medicare prescription drug part D program. As good and as pleased as we are that seniors have their prescription drugs paid for, we know that program was deeply flawed, could have been a thousand times better. Ultimately, we were able to fix it in the Affordable Care Act.

But they blindly spent, through tax cuts and spending, and now suddenly seem to have found religion when it comes to spending and deficits.

Sure.

One of the things that is important to note, Mr. Ryan, is that, when we became the majority once again in 2006 and over the last several years, we reestablished statutory PAYGO. First, we established it in rule. Then we passed it in statute. One hundred percent of the Republicans in this body voted ``no.'' They voted against making sure that we made a commitment in the law to not spend more than we take in, to pay for the legislation other than in emergency spending, and obviously, we've been in an emergency. We've been, you know, pretty careful about what we declare as an emergency, making sure that we have covered the legislation with pay-fors. They haven't believed in pay-fors in years and years, if ever.

Let's keep in mind the tax-cutting policy that they had, which was exclusively focused on the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, which also wasn't paid for. I mean tax cuts are spending, and there is nothing wrong with tax cuts. We have to balance tax cuts with our spending policy, but when you don't collect revenue, that is less revenue that we have in the Treasury, which affects the deficit as well. So I mean their total disregard for balancing the books is not something that they're going to be able to run away from, and we are not going to let them run away from it.

Mr. Tonko, I want to bring us back to the choice, to the choice of going in the direction that we have been taking the country, which is a new direction to reinvest in America, to make sure that we can create jobs here and not give tax breaks to companies that send jobs overseas, to reestablish statutory pay-as-you- go rules so that we can make sure we pay for the legislation we pass and so that we don't spend more money than we take in.

Let's walk through some of the other bills that we have passed here to make sure we can focus on our own economy and can compare the record because, again, this is going to be about a choice that Americans are making.

How about the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act? That was legislation that provided loans to small businesses and access to capital for small business start-ups to help support the economic recovery and to create jobs. Ninety-eight percent of Republicans voted against that legislation.

How about the Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act? That was a bill that provided tax incentives to spur investment in small businesses and that granted small businesses some tax penalty relief. Ninety-seven percent of Republicans voted against that legislation.

How about the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act? It is legislation that would help create or save more than 1 million American jobs and prevent corporations from shipping jobs overseas and sticking American taxpayers with the bill. Eighty-three percent of Republicans voted against that legislation.

There is the HIRE Act. That bill would give small businesses tax incentives to hire jobless Americans. Between February and May of 2010, an estimated 4.5 million new workers were hired, making American businesses eligible for up to $8.5 billion in tax exemptions and credits under the HIRE Act. Ninety-seven percent of Republicans voted against that legislation.

I could keep going. I mean, really, this is an unbelievably long list of job-creating legislation that we have passed, that we have put out here on the floor of this House.

Over 95 percent of Republicans voted against it.

So we could continue to move in the direction in which we have been going--job creation, spurring the economy, investing in America--or we could backslide toward the Bush era and go back to the exact same agenda as they have committed to focusing on, but I'm not sure that I've met anybody who wants to go back to that agenda.

Thank you. And I look forward, as we go into the August recess, talking with our constituents about how we've begun to turn this economy around.

I want to close out the last couple of seconds with the focus on tax cuts, remind people that tax bills in 2009 were at their lowest level since 1950, and we look forward to continuing to work on that, striking that balance.

And Mr. Ryan, we'll turn it over to you to close us out.

Mr. Speaker, I am appalled, and my constituents are appalled, at the Republicans' disrespect and coldheartedness when it comes to extending unemployment benefits for out-of-work Americans. Some Republican Members of Congress and candidates in their party have suggested that unemployment insurance makes Americans too lazy to work. One Republican Member of the House even asked, ``Is the government now creating hobos?''

Maybe my Republican colleagues don't understand how unemployment compensation works. You only qualify for unemployment if you were employed. Far from being a handout to someone who doesn't want to work, unemployment benefits are specifically designed for people who want to work but who can't currently find work.

The Bush recession drove our economy off a cliff creating the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression. As a result, millions of Americans lost their jobs. Nearly 800,000 Americans lost their jobs in the last month of the Bush administration alone. Those are the facts.

Now we are beginning to recover from this near economic collapse. We've seen steady economic growth, including six straight months of private sector job growth, but there are still five unemployed Americans looking for work for every one job opening available.

The continued Republican opposition to helping out-of-work Americans is preposterous. It flies in the face of history. Since 1959, Congress has never let extended unemployment benefits expire when unemployment is over 7.2 percent.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim that we can't afford to help unemployed Americans, but where were they when they ran up the deficit by passing tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans? Where were they when, year after year, President Bush's budget did not include the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Mr. Speaker, analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office finds that extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy. Moreover, economists agree that extending these benefits will create jobs and decrease the chances of slipping into a double-dip recession. So not only is it the right thing to do to help people who are temporarily out of work, it is also one of the best ways to stimulate local economies, from the very smallest towns to the very biggest cities.

Let's do the right thing. Let's pass extended unemployment benefits.