Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1103, a bill originally introduced by Representative Wexler of Florida, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Madam Speaker, first, let me thank Congressman Kanjorski for reserving this Special Order today to honor the life, legacy and service of our friend and colleague John Murtha.

Our Nation has lost a gifted lawmaker, a devoted public servant and a true patriot. In 1974, Jack became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress. His spirit emboldened and his resolve hardened by his service on the battlefield, he became a tireless advocate for the people of Pennsylvania and all Americans.

We all know so well that he never lost his courage and his dedication to our Nation's security, our troops, or their families. Even after his election, he continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves until 1990 as a Colonel, receiving the Navy's Distinguished Service Medal.

From my first day here, Jack was always a mentor and a friend. When I was first appointed as a Cardinal on the Appropriations Committee, Jack was right there with sage advice and a helping hand. His no-nonsense exterior contained a fiery soul and fierce intelligence the equal of which this body has seldom known. Our Nation is surely better for his service to it and a grateful country grieves its loss.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Joyce, their children, and extended family during this time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2843) to provide for the joint appointment of the Architect of the Capitol by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of Congress with jurisdiction over the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on H.R. 2843.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2843, the Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act. I thank the original cosponsors of this bipartisan legislation, including Ranking Member Representative Robert Aderholt of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee; Ranking Member Zach Wamp, who I want to thank especially for initially cosponsoring this legislation with me when he was the ranking member of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee; Representative Tom Latham, who is also a former ranking member of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee--Mr. Speaker, maybe it's me, since I keep losing ranking members on the other side of the aisle. And it has been a pleasure to work with all of these gentlemen--Representative Robert Brady, chairman of the Committee on House Administration, and his ranking member, Representative Dan Lungren, and of course former House Administration Ranking Member Vernon Ehlers.

This legislation effectively removes the appointment role of the Architect of the Capitol from the executive branch, placing it in the rightful hands of the legislative branch where it belongs.

Specifically, this bill provides for the joint appointment of the Architect of the Capitol by House and Senate leadership, both majority and minority, and the chairs and ranking members of each of the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction--including the Committees on Appropriations, House Administration, Senate Rules, and Transportation and Infrastructure.

This is a long overdue change. The Architect of the Capitol serves a legislative branch function and as such, he or she should be chosen by the legislative branch. By making this change, we can simplify a process that has caused unnecessary delays in choosing a permanent Architect.

Because of the delays in this process, we have had an Acting Architect in place since February of 2007. It is now February of 2010. And Mr. Hantman, the immediate past Architect, was appointed following a 2-year vacancy.

The Capitol campus is currently facing over $1 billion in deferred maintenance. We've been working diligently over the last several years to address that backlog, and the Architect has been very helpful in coordinating and addressing that backlog, but we need to make sure that we establish some permanence and some consistency. It's critically important that a permanent Architect is selected so that he or she can face these issues with an eye to the future.

It's our hope that this bipartisan legislation becomes law so that Congress can play a direct role in selecting the right candidates for a legislative branch position of significant importance like this one.

I ask for all Members' support in passing this vital legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Lungren and Mr. Wamp. I couldn't have said it better myself.

It is incredibly important that we be good stewards of the Capitol complex and the facilities that we have the privilege to work in. It still amazes me every day when I walk up to the Capitol or past the Capitol when it's at night when it's all lit up or in the daytime. It's a structure that everyone who sees it marvels at it.

And it's our responsibility as the leaders of the, essentially, administrative committees that have responsibility for taking care of and funding the needs of the legislative branch to make sure that we are the ones that ultimately are held accountable and have the opportunity to coordinate the appointments of the Architect of the Capitol. It no longer makes sense--I am not sure that it ever made sense--to have the President of the United States be involved in what is essentially a legislative branch function, and it will make for a more efficient process and will enable us to preserve these facilities into the future for future generations.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 708, which congratulates Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I was thrilled when I heard the news last year that President Barack Obama had given this highest civilian honor to Ambassador Brinker.

No one could be more deserving of this great honor. For nearly 30 years she has brought a deep passion to the fight against breast cancer. She has built an organization like no other to fight this terrible disease.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the largest and most progressive group of breast cancer activists in the world.

The Race for the Cure, which is now a global effort, has helped raise over a billion dollars for research, health services and educational efforts supporting millions of women in need. All of this because of Nancy, her passion and her vision.

It has been an honor and privilege to work with Nancy over the last year and I cannot think of a more courageous, dedicated, and passionate woman to honor today.

I thank my colleagues and friends Congressman Aaron Schock and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for introducing this fitting and well deserved resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 158, expressing support for the designation of an Early Detection Month to enhance public awareness of cancer screening.

As a young woman, I recently experienced firsthand why early detection is vital. As you may know, nearly two years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

During my year of treatment, I underwent genetic counseling and testing. I met with many specialists. I had seven surgeries. I am pleased to stand before you today cancer-free.

But the fact is, I may not have been around for any of these life saving procedures if I didn't have the knowledge and awareness to catch my lump early.

As a Member of Congress and lifelong advocate for early detection of cancer, I knew the statistics for breast cancer--that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in her lifetime.

I knew the importance of knowing what your breasts are supposed to feel like--that's why I chose to do self-exams.

I knew the importance of early detection--clinical exams every 3 years as of age 20; every year after 40 . . . mammograms every year after 40.

And yet for all that I knew to help me increase my chances of early detection of cancer, I soon realized how much I didn't know.

I didn't know that--even with no immediate family history of breast cancer--as an Ashkenazi Jew I was five times more likely to have the mutation . . . and, if I did, that I'd have up to an 85 percent lifetime chance of getting breast cancer . . . and up to a 60 percent chance of getting ovarian cancer.

I didn't know that, because it's often more aggressive and diagnosed later, younger women--compared to older women--are more likely to die.

But I thank God that I knew enough. I didn't find my tumor through luck. I found it through knowledge and awareness, the fundamental tools for early detection.

These are the reasons why I commend my colleague, Congressman Etheridge, for introducing this critical resolution that will enhance public awareness of screening for breast cancer and all other forms of cancer.

At the end of the day, knowledge is power. And with this resolution, we will give men and women all across America the power to detect cancer early, and we will save lives.

Mr. Speaker, it is beyond devastating that our friend and neighbor, the Republic of Haiti, has been hit with yet another terrible natural disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with both the Haitian people during this time of incredible hardship, and my constituents in South Florida whose family and friends have fallen victim to this tragedy.

As you know, the people of Haiti are now experiencing the death, destruction, and aftermath of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Just 600 miles off the coast of Florida, Haiti stands as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Its nine million people are no strangers to hardship. In its tumultuous recent past, Haiti has experienced violent uprisings and floods that killed thousands of people and wiped out much of their food and infrastructure systems. As a result, they stand at a severe disadvantage and are ill equipped to deal with a tragedy of this scale.

Sadly, many Haitians have been unable to recover from the turmoil of their past, and therefore, remain exceedingly vulnerable to the repercussions of yesterday's powerful earthquake.

Recovery must be our first priority.

I am proud that the United States Government has offered immediate assistance to the people of Haiti.

Both President Obama and Secretary Clinton have pledged America's unwavering support for Haiti during this crisis.

Military officials have said that plans are underway for the hospital ship USNS Comfort to dock off the coast of Haiti to assist the sick and wounded.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is dispatching a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and has activated its partners; the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team and the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue Team.

We must continue to work with the Obama Administration and federal agencies to help marshal necessary humanitarian relief efforts.

In addition, now more than ever, it is clear that Congress must work to enact Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living in the United States.

TPS would allow Haitians to remain in peace and security in the U.S. while the island recovers.

In 1998 the U.S. government set a precedent when it granted TPS to nationals from Central American countries affected by Hurricane Mitch, and I would like to see the same fairness applied to Haiti.

The United States must continue to provide assistance to bring Haiti out of poverty. I strongly support Congress appropriating robust emergency funds to assist Haiti in the wake of this catastrophe. Such funding is vital to providing stability in that fragile country, and is in our own national security interest.

Mr. Speaker, it is our moral responsibility to help our neighbors in Haiti however we can, and the residents of South Florida can be sure that I will continue to use my position as a Member of Congress to advocate policies that will promote stability and security in Haiti during this time of need.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support House Resolution 971, which underscores the importance of access to breast cancer screening for all women.

As many of you know, last month the United States Preventive Services Task Force issued guidelines regarding mammography screening for women. These guidelines reflect a change from USPSTF mammography recommendations that were issued in 2002, in that they recommend against routine screening mammography for women ages 40 to 49. But the new guidelines conflict with many of the well-established recommendations from the American Medical Association, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the American Cancer Society, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

In addition, numerous studies and scientific research over the past 20 years have confirmed that annual mammograms are of value to women ages 40 to 49. In fact, the task force itself concluded that screening women in their forties would reduce their risk of death from breast cancer by 15 percent, while finding that screenings for women in their fifties would reduce their risk of death from breast cancer by 14 percent. As a result, many young women and health care providers have been left feeling uncertain and concerned.

Recommendations like those the task force made are supposed to provide clarity for doctors and their patients. Unfortunately, the guidelines issued by the task force left most women and oncologists baffled. Currently, there is no available breast cancer screening tool that is perfect, but what is clear is that intervention through routine screening for breast cancer using mammography can save the lives of women at a time when medical science is unable to prevent this disease.

At the end of the day, mammography screening saves lives. And I offer this resolution to underscore the House's commitment to expanding access to preventive health care for women. This resolution underscores the sense of the House that the task force recommendations must not be used by insurers who are, at the end of the day, getting in between women and their doctors and getting women the access that they need to preventive services, and that they must not be used by insurers to deny women coverage for routine screenings.

It also urges the National Cancer Institute to invest and provide leadership to provide research to develop more effective research tools and strategies for improving the detection of breast cancer.

While we develop better tools for screening, we cannot leave certain women, particularly young women, with nothing, which is what the task force recommendations essentially did.

To be sure, while we have come a long way in the fight against breast cancer, we still have a long way to go. This year, in the United States alone, over 190,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer; 40,000 of them will not survive. That is why we cannot rest in our efforts to fund research and find a cure for this vicious disease, and it is why we cannot rest in our efforts to provide education and awareness for all women. We must ensure that they have access to screening and treatment, and we must ensure that we do all we can to support the more than 2\1/2\ million survivors that live in our country alone today.

As many of you know, and has been gratefully acknowledged, I recently had my own battle with breast cancer, and I am so grateful and humbled to count myself among this growing group of survivors. I was fortunate to have the access to the treatment and support that I needed to win my own fight. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution to make sure that everyone has that same opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, since the task force issued these guidelines, I have spoken to so many young survivors who have

been left feeling so frustrated and as if their lives somehow mattered less than the lives of older women. And this resolution sends a message to those young women across America today that that is not so, that the House of Representatives, that the United States Government, cares about all women's lives.

And with all due respect to my good friend, Mrs. Blackburn, whom I greatly respect and I appreciate your support for this resolution, what this resolution does not do, and what the task force guidelines do not do, and what our health care reform bill does not do, is it does not ration health care. The gentlelady, if she reads the text of the health care reform legislation more clearly, will see that our language in our health care reform bill is a floor. The gentlelady should know that the Secretary of Health and Human Services can go beyond the task force's recommendations, that they can go further, and that at the very least the health care reform bill that we passed off the floor of this House ensures that women get access, all women get access to the appropriate preventive screening that they need and ensures that that coverage is free. And the Health and Human Services Secretary can go even further than those task force recommendations that are labeled at an A and at a B level.

And with that, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the indulgence of the leadership and the support of my colleagues. And I want to particularly single out the colleague that sits to the left of me for being a leader on issues that are important to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. He has been an incredible advocate for young women survivors, and I greatly appreciate it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember an historic figure in Florida politics, United States Senator Paula Hawkins, who died at the age of 82 on Friday, December 4, 2009.

Senator Hawkins was the first woman from any State elected to a full U.S. Senate term who was not the wife or daughter of a politician.

Senator Hawkins was a champion of children's issues and issues relating to single women.

She was instrumental in passing The Missing Children's Act of 1982, which established a national clearinghouse for information about missing children.

Senator Hawkins fought to help women enter the job market after divorce or widowhood, for equalizing pension benefits for women by taking into account their years spent at home raising children, for day care for the children of Senate employees and for tax breaks on child care expenses.

But probably her most courageous act took place in 1984 when she publicly disclosed that she was sexually molested as a child.

We should all be grateful to Senator Hawkins, Madam Speaker, for opening the door for so many others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Myra Farr for a lifetime of service and volunteerism.

In 1938, when Myra Farr married, the National Council of Jewish Women Miami Chapter gave her a gift of membership. She then served NCJW as its president and honorary national vice president. Throughout the 70 years since, Myra has given of her time and energy to improve our community.

She became one of the original volunteers of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where she continues to serve on the board of directors as a lifetime appointee. Myra has also served on the National Conference of Christian and Jews and in various capacities with Jewish Family Services, American Jewish Committee, and the University of Miami Women's Guild. She was a delegate to the White House Conference on Families and has been awarded the Call to Service Award from the U.S. President's Council on Volunteerism.

Myra Farr has dedicated her life to advocating for the well-being of others. At age 94, Myra continues to mentor generations of women-- including me--and has improved the lives of countless individuals. She sets a remarkable example for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Police Director Robert Parker from the Miami-Dade County Police Department.

Director Parker has 33 years of distinguished service for the eighth largest police department in the country and for the last five years Mr. Parker has served as Director of the force, overseeing more than 4,700 dedicated sworn and non-sworn personnel.

Director Parker joined the Miami-Dade Police Department in 1976 where he was quickly promoted through all the civil service ranks. He has diverse experience in police management and operations, including posts as Assistant Director of Police Services, Division Chief of the North Operations Division and the Special Investigations Division, and Police Bureau Commander. In 2004, he made history when he was appointed as the first African American Director of Police for Miami-Dade County.

Known as a gifted leader in his community and in the Department, Director Parker was appointed by the Governor of Florida to serve as Co-Chair of the Southeast Regional Domestic Security Task Force. He also served as President of the Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police from 2006-2007, presiding over more than 35 municipal police departments as well as other state and federal law enforcement member agencies.

With Director Parker at the helm, the Department became known nationally as a leader in law enforcement. The Miami-Dade County Police Department holds accreditation from two agencies, the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), and the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), documenting its commitment to the highest level of service.

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

Mr. Speaker, being a breast cancer survivor shouldn't disqualify a woman from getting health care coverage. I rise in support of health care reform.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot of discussion in this debate about the uninsured and the uninsurable. Often it is easiest to think about people with preexisting conditions who are uninsurable as the poor, the sick, or the jobless.

Mr. Speaker, the face of the uninsurable stands before this House today in this well. As a breast cancer survivor, the sad reality of today's health care system is if I lost this job tomorrow, I could not buy health insurance coverage because I have a preexisting condition.

This bill will end all that. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will make it possible to rid our country of the angst of facing illness without coverage. Passage will mean that Carol from south Florida won't face the dual tragedy of a cancer diagnosis and the loss of her job and, thus, the loss of her health care coverage. So instead of putting all of her energy into fighting cancer, like I could, Carol had to fight for her health care coverage, too.

It is time to deliver on the American promise not just of liberty, but justice for all.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this essential Resolution, unequivocally opposing any endorsement or further consideration of the Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict.

The United Nations report on the conflict in Gaza is reflective of the original mandate ordering its creation: biased and one-sided. Like all sovereign nations, Israel has not only a right, but moreover, an obligation, to ensure the safety and security of her citizens. Israel's military operation was in response to 8 years during which Hamas terrorists fired more than 10,000 rockets, mortars and missiles at Israeli towns and villages.

Despite these facts, and due to the original mandate that precluded it from drafting an objective report, the Commission concluded that Israel's defensive operation was a war on Gaza's civilian population. This claim is an outright distortion of the truth.

Throughout the Gaza Conflict, Israel went above and beyond--even putting itself at risk--to protect innocent Palestinian civilians. Specifically, Israel dropped leaflets and made phone calls to targeted Palestinian areas to warn citizens they were in danger, even if that meant losing the element of surprise and putting the lives of its own soldiers at risk.

This report ignores evidence that many civilian casualties were a result of Hamas routinely using Palestinian civilians as human shields. Eyewitness testimonies, video and Israeli intelligence reports show that during the operation, Hamas stored weapons in mosques, used hospitals as headquarters, and intentionally endangered Palestinian civilians.

As a member of the Congressional Taskforce on Israel at the United Nations, it troubles me to see yet another biased, unfair attack against the State of Israel. Not only is this report a disgrace to the mission of the United Nations, but it distracts us from the real issue at hand--achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. Israelis, Palestinians and the international community must not lose the focus of this important goal, and must continue working to fight terrorism and support peace.

Well, it's finally here. The long-promised Republican health care bill was rolled out Tuesday night. Republicans controlled Congress from 1994 to 2006, so you could say that we've actually waited 15 years for their bill. But after 15 years of waiting, the Republican bill maintains the status quo and allows insurance companies to continue engaging in unfair practices that boost their profits at the expense of the American consumer.

Indeed, the Republican plan amounts to a ``health insurance company protection act'' and shows once and for all that Republicans don't want real reform and will fight to protect the status quo every step of the way. At least it's consistent with their message of ``no.'' Does it cover 96 percent of the American public? No. Does it end denials because of a preexisting condition? No. Does it emphasize wellness and prevention? No. Does it rein in health care costs? No.

The Republican health insurance company protection act, it says ``no'' to Americans and ``yes'' to insurance company CEOs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor South Florida philanthropist, business leader and prominent attorney, Cliff Schulman.

Mr. Schulman has 37 years of wide-ranging legal experience in the environmental and land use field from both the government and private sectors.

He is well known for his involvement in the community and commitment to charitable causes. He is Chairman of the Board of the Aventura Marketing Council and serves on the Boards of the ``I Have a Dream'' Foundation and the Anchors Away Foundation, a program that provides specially designed sailboats for use by mentally and physically challenged children in the Miami-Dade public school system. He is also a member of the United Way of Miami-Dade Alexis de Tocqueville Society and a founder of Mt. Sinai Medical Center.

In 2004, Mr. Schulman received the Anti-Defamation League's ``Torch of Freedom'' award and was recently named ``Impact Legal Leader'' by South Florida Business Leader Magazine, a distinction for individuals who have contributed significantly to their industry, as well as active participants in civic or philanthropic groups in the community.

This month, the South Florida Shomrim Society Jewish Fraternal Order of Law Enforcement Officers is honoring him as ``Person of the Year''. This distinction is presented to Mr. Schulman for supporting the welfare of the local community and improving the public image of all persons engaged in public safety.

He is listed in Legal 500 US, Best Lawyers in America and Florida Trend Magazine's ``Legal Elite.'' Additionally, Mr. Schulman serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami Law School's Masters Program.

I am proud to have Mr. Schulman as a constituent and honor his distinguished career and leadership in the South Florida community.