Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the H.R. 2918, and I commend Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz for crafting a bill that acknowledges the importance of a well-funded legislative branch while at the same time considers the challenging economic environment.

The bill provides a modest increase for the Government Accountability Office, which I would like to see increased, possibly in conference with the Senate. A robust and healthy GAO is vital if Congress is going to be able to execute our mandate of rigorous oversight.

I am also glad that the bill addresses the issue of staff-led tours. I, with my staff, take great pride in hosting constituents when they visit Washington, D.C. In years past constituents have told me and my staff that their staff-led tour of the Capitol was the highlight of their trip to the city. I make sure that staff-led tours are relevant to my constituents, something that Capitol Tour Guides, while very knowledgeable, simply cannot do when conducting tours with people from all over the country.

I am disappointed, however, in the success of the motion to recommit, which would eliminate funding for the Wheels 4 Wellness program. Wheels 4 Wellness was created to give House staff an alternate mode of transportation around the Hill campus during the business day. As we also prepare to debate climate change legislation, programs that lessen our carbon footprint should be encouraged and supported, not eliminated. I agree with the Committee Report and with the Chairwoman's comments, and I hope to see the shortcomings of the program addressed so that staff will have access to a stronger and more viable Wheels 4 Wellness program.

Science tells us we must begin to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in the next 5 to 10 years. But according to an analysis by offsets expert and Stanford law professor Michael Wara, it is possible that we could see no reduction of CO2 emissions until the year 2040 because of offsets and unlimited banking of allowances in the new energy and environment bill.

The bill allows 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide a year, roughly equivalent to 30 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Supporters of the bill point out that coal use will increase by 2020 because electric utilities will continue to use dirty coal, the prime source of pollution.

With 2 billion tons of offsets per year, we are told that electric utilities will reduce carbon emissions at places other than their generating plants so they really don't have to actually decrease their emissions, and coal-fired CO2 emissions will increase through 2025. No wonder there are 26 active coal plant applications. Increased CO2 emissions will be our gift to the next generation? Apparently the planet is not melting. With this bill, it is just getting better--for polluters.

I rise to invite the chairman to engage in a colloquy with me.

Mr. Chairman, I wish to respectfully convey that I have three concerns with some of the practices employed by the Virtual Army Experience, a high-tech traveling exhibit employed by the Army as a recruiting tool. First, children as young as 13 years old are participating in the Virtual Army Experience, which paints an inaccurate picture of war by glorifying it while sanitizing the real effects. More than a mere video game, it includes interactions with real veterans who appear to be in perfect health. It also requires that the user, regardless of age, share personal information as a condition of participation. I think that we can find common ground on these issues. Specifically, I believe we can agree that the Virtual Army Experience video game must be revalidated to ensure that its age- appropriate rating is accurate in the context of how it's being employed, that the Virtual Army Experience content should be reviewed to ensure it accurately reflects the consequences of war, and that there must be increased transparency with regard to how the personal information of the participants collected during participation will be used by the Army.

I want to thank the chairman for working with me on this.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Pan Icarian Brotherhood of America as they come together for their 106th Supreme Convention and in recognition of the significant contributions Americans of Greek Heritage have made to the Greater Cleveland Community and to our Nation.

On this 106th anniversary of the organization's founding, I am honored and pleased that the Convention is being hosted by the Cleveland, Ohio Chapter. As many as fifteen hundred people of Greek descent will travel from

across the nation for this momentous occasion. We are very fortunate to live in a country that is rich with diversity and culture including a thriving Greek-American community. The Pan Icarian Brotherhood has passed down Greek traditions and practices. Greek-Americans have made invaluable contributions to their communities throughout the United States by participating in community service, social groups and sharing their history.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of the Pan Icarian Brotherhood of America on the occasion of their 106th Supreme Convention in Cleveland, Ohio and in recognition of the significant contributions Greek-Americans have made to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Edward Peter Leo McMahon, Jr. who shared his life and talents with the American people through his long and successful career as both a fighter pilot for the United States Marine Corps and an iconic entertainer.

Ed McMahon was born in Detroit, Michigan. After spending his summers as a teen announcing bingo for carnivals, he attended Boston College. An electrical engineering student, McMahon enrolled in the Navy's V-5 training program. In 1944 McMahon earned his wings and served in World War II as an instructor and test pilot. He returned to Catholic University of America and earned a Bachelor's of Art in 1949. After a brief stint in broadcasting McMahon was called to duty during the Korean War and subsequently won six air medals.

Upon completing his military duty, McMahon returned to television as the announcer for the game show Who Do You Trust? Four years later McMahon began his infamous role as the announcer for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. McMahon became a television and entertainment icon during his thirty year tenure with the show and had independently become a star on his own over the decades. He became the host of Star Search in 1983; the advertising voice of countless products and was featured in numerous films and television series.

In addition to his roles as actor, announcer and promoter, McMahon was active in various charities. He made frequent appearances with Jerry Lewis on the Muscular Dystrophy Association annual telethon, served on the board of the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund, and also supported the United Negro College Fund.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring and remembering the long and successful life of Ed McMahon. I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends. He was truly dedicated to the American people; serving them through his service in the military as well as entertaining them for decades. His life and laughter will surely be missed and cherished for years to come.

Madam Speaker, we all want to protect our planet, but will the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 do that? I don't think so.

The pollution targets are inadequate. Regulatory authority is stripped from the EPA. The bill relies on huge numbers of carbon offsets. For example, it says you can have 2 billion tons a year of carbon offsets, which is roughly equivalent to 30 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Recent analysis suggests it might be 2026 until we see the emissions decline below 2005 levels.

The renewable targets are not strong enough. A recent analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists indicates this target provides no new renewable energy over business as usual projections. Dirty-energy options qualify as renewable, including biomass burners and trash incinerators. The bill gives a significant number of pollution permits away free.

It opens up a carbon derivatives market in the U.S., and this bill would help establish one of the largest derivative markets in the world without adequate oversight or regulation. It taxes households to pay for an unproven carbon sequestration of capture and storage technology, and allocations for funding for international obligations are underfunded.

We can do better.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Vegan Earth Day 2009. On June 21, 2009 members of the community will promote and celebrate the healthy and environmentally sound, vegan lifestyle, abstaining from the consumption or use of animals or any animal bi-products.

Studies show that a vegan saves a ton and a half of carbon emissions per year. Vegans also require much less water in the production of their food. With the effects of climate change becoming more evident and water becoming more of a precious commodity, these individuals are leading the way to a cleaner and greener future by promoting the consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and other organic foods. I also stand in recognition of the event's organizer, Bob Linden, as he continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership on conservation, humane treatment of animals, and healthy eating habits. This year's Vegan Earth Day will feature environmental and health experts, live music, animal adoptions and activities for kids that set the stage for other organizations across the country to follow in their footsteps.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of the program coordinator, Bob Linden, Pierce College, and the event volunteers as they celebrate Vegan Earth Day. I stand in recognition of the important contributions such an event will add to the promotion of living environmentally-conscious lifestyles across the country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of George L. Forbes and in

recognition of his deep commitment to country and community. George L. Forbes is being honored today with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). For 17 years, Mr. Forbes has served as President of the NAACP, and helped support their mission of ``ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons'' and eliminating racial discrimination in our country.

George Forbes has committed his life to serving and helping others. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953. He taught social studies in the Cleveland public school system while completing his own education. In 1964, George was elected to the Cleveland City Council and his impressive career in public service included being Majority Leader of Cleveland City Council, Co-Chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, and the longest serving City Council President in the city's history. In 1971 George co-founded Cleveland's first black-owned law firm, Forbes, Fields, & Associates Co. L.P.A.

The NAACP is not the first to bestow high honors on this remarkable man. His vocation for bettering the lives of those around him has earned him recognition from the Black Affairs Council, Cleveland State University Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, the National Association of Securities Professionals, the National Action Network Inc., and Baldwin Wallace College where he taught courses in Political Science. With this outstanding record of service, it's no wonder that the Cleveland Plain Dealer named Mr. Forbes as one of the 50 most influential people in Cleveland's history.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of George L. Forbes as he receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP. Mr. Forbes is the prime candidate for this prestigious recognition. His legacy and unwavering commitment to public service will serve as inspiration to others for decades to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Ellen Psenicka, whose forty-year tenure as reporter, editor and publisher of the award-winning Neighborhood News, continues to enlighten, entertain and unite Cleveland's southeast community every Wednesday, highlighting current events along our city streets--from the neighborhoods of Slavic Village, to the streets of Garfield Heights, to the steps of Cleveland City Hall.

Ellen grew up in Sandusky, Ohio and went on to attend Ohio University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Shortly following graduation, in June, 1969, Ellen was hired as a reporter by Jim Psenicka, publisher of the Neighborhood News. A few years later, Jim and Ellen were married, and they worked in dedication to each other, to the newspaper and to the community until Jim's passing in 2001. At that time, Ellen accepted the torch of leadership passed to her by Jim, and she continues to carry on his legacy of excellence in journalism, and his commitment to the Greater Cleveland Community.

Ellen's spirit of volunteerism and focus on the betterment of the community is evident throughout Southeast Cleveland and its suburbs. Her kind and humble nature draws people to her, and she has garnered the admiration and respect of everyone she knows. She is a longtime member of the Garfield Heights Historical Society and serves as a board member for Cleveland Central Catholic High School. She is currently serving her second term as President of the Kiwanis of Southeast Cleveland. As a member and leader in Kiwanis, Ellen has been instrumental in leading several fundraising efforts aimed at local student scholarship awards, and recently, a fundraiser and recognition dinner honoring Dr. Javier Lopez which raised greatly-needed funds for his medical missions to Central America. Ellen has always reached out with a generous heart wherever and whenever needed. Her efforts in volunteerism also include her tireless dedication in her efforts to save St. Michael's hospital.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Ellen Psenicka, as she celebrates her 40th Anniversary with the Neighborhood News. The Neighborhood News is read by tens of thousands of people weekly, and continues to inform and unite us all. Ellen's commitment to bringing us the news of the neighborhood and her generosity as a community leader and volunteer serves to brighten and strengthen our entire community.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 2847, the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill. The bill provides $18.2 billion, $421 million above FY 2009 levels, for NASA, an agency which is critical to our nation's economy, competitiveness, and environment. It provides protection for the most important reason for NASA's historic and ongoing success: its workers. This bill extends a ban on involuntary layoffs until at least September, 2010, a provision for which I organized support among several Members of the Ohio delegation.

In Ohio, NASA Glenn is an economic anchor and a source of well paying jobs. In FY 07, the year for which we have the most recent data, the economic output of NASA Glenn alone in Ohio was $1.2 billion per year. It was responsible for over 8,000 jobs, and household earnings amounted to $402 million. NASA Glenn's expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies will be critical to Ohio's new green economy.

While the bill provided significantly less than the needed funding for space exploration, the administration is expected to submit a supplemental request for NASA exploration funds when president Obama's blue ribbon panel designed to review U.S. human space flight activities is complete.

The bill also contains a 13 percent increase in funding for the Legal Services Corporation. The American legal system is increasingly inaccessible for low and moderate income citizens. The costs and specialized knowledge associated with pursuing justice have left thousands on the outside looking in, unable to obtain even an opportunity to tell their side of the story. LSC provides funding to organizations that provide free and low-cost legal assistance to individuals and families who otherwise would not have the resources to pursue justice. I also commend the Committee for including language that begins to undo some of the restrictions that have been placed on LSC grantees in previous appropriations bills. This will allow LSC grantees to serve more clients and maximize their resources.

I am proud, therefore, to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1886. Though the bill takes steps in the right direction by providing badly needed assistance to Pakistan, it also includes a dangerous trade provision that undermines the otherwise benevolent parts of the bill. The bill grants duty free treatment for textiles and clothing produced in certain regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan called Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs).

With the existing instability in war-torn Afghanistan and the increasingly unstable conditions in ROZ designated areas of Pakistan, there is little reason to think that labor and environmental protections that are critical in any trade environment can be adequately enforced.

The United States has granted this sort of trade preference before. In 2006, The New York Times reported that U.S. trade preferences in the country of Jordan for textiles and apparel beginning in 1994, followed by a Free Trade Agreement in 2001, had brought about sweatshop conditions for a guest workforce imported from Bangladesh and China. Trade preferences will not benefit local populations in Afghanistan and Pakistan if an imported workforce is employed in factories producing duty-free goods.

This bill imposes a U.S. trade policy with a track record of undermining stability and economic security on nations for which the U.S. purports to provide stability and security. Our foreign policy should promote economic stability worldwide, thereby eliminating the true roots of terrorism: desperation. The bill calls on the Obama Administration to put forth a comprehensive security strategy that will eliminate U.S. concerns about terrorist threats and safe havens in Pakistan and the region. But it includes a trade provision that undermines stated U.S. foreign policy goals in Pakistan. As such, I must oppose H.R. 1886.

We're destroying our Nation's moral and fiscal integrity with the war supplemental. Instead of ending wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan now, by appropriating only enough money to bring our troops home, Congress abdicates its constitutional authority, defers to the President and asks for a report. That's right. All we're asking for is a report on when the President will end the war.

There's money, too, for the IMF, presumably to bail out private European banks, billions for the IMF so they can force low- and middle- income nations to cut jobs, wages, health care and retirement security, just like corporate America does to our constituents.

And there's money to incentivize the purchase of more cars, but not necessarily from the U.S. because a ``Buy America'' mandate was not allowed. Another $106 billion, and all we get is a lousy war. Pretty soon, that's going to be about the only thing made in America: war.

I have a question to my friends, and that is: How do we support the troops by keeping them in a war that's based on lies? How do we support the troops by keeping them in another war which keeps expanding and they're getting shot at from all sides? How do we support the troops by festering a war on the Afghan border with Pakistan and putting them in even more peril because they don't have the support?

How do we support the troops? We support them by bringing them home. That's what we should be appropriating money for, not to keep them there. Beyond that, isn't it interesting--we've got another $80 billion here for war, but we don't have money to keep people in their homes because there are still 13 million Americans who are losing their homes; we don't have money for the 50 million Americans who don't have any health care; we don't have money to save jobs; we don't have money to save our steel mills and our auto plants. What we have is, we have money for war.

Support the troops indeed. America has to start taking care of things here at home, and we can't do it by continuing to support wars that are based on lies. The Democrats took control of the Congress based on an opposition to the war. We should be opposing this

war instead of deferring to the President. We have the constitutional obligation under article I, section 8 of the Constitution to decide whether a war should continue or not. We should end it here. We shouldn't be continuing it.

Mr. Chair, H.R. 2410, the Foreign Affairs Authorization, has several laudable provisions that would improve our national security and our country's standing in the world. But it includes language that grants Congressional endorsement of preemptive war against Iran.

The provision in question says ``It is the sense of Congress that Israel has the inalienable right to defend itself in the face of an imminent nuclear or military threat from Iran . . .'' Among the lessons that should have been learned from the war in Iraq is that preemptive war based on an imminent threat (real or perceived) is a violation of recognized rights under international law and undermines a nation's standing in the international community. Rather than recognizing Israel's right to self defense against an imminent attack, a right recognized by international law, this bill contains language that supports preemptive war against a threat. A war with Iran is not in Israel's best interest, it is not in the United States best interest, and it is not in the world's

best interest. The provision undermines the establishment of peace in the Middle East.

I do not make the decision to oppose the full legislation lightly. It has important provisions. The additional resources authorized by this bill are necessary to make up for a history of drastic underfunding and inattention to diplomacy. This bill highlights our commitment to a new diplomatic strategy as our nation strives to heal the wounds between our country and the world.

It authorizes additional funding to train and deploy 1,500 additional Foreign Service Officers. It commits $1.8 billion for fiscal year 2010, as well as the necessary funds in 2011 to fulfill our assessed contributions to international organizations such as the United Nations. The bill will create an additional 25 positions at the Department of State for arms control and nonproliferation. Creation of the Rotation Program will help to strengthen interagency cooperation toward nuclear abolition.

The bill requires that the State Department investigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the atrocities associated with an occupation that compromises the health and dignity of the Palestinian people. I am hopeful that the report will allow the U.S. to credibly claim a commitment to engage in a more even handed and diplomacy oriented foreign policy.

I do not agree with inclusion of Section 822 of the bill, which reduces the number of Congressional notifications about arms transfers between the U.S. government and the governments of other nations. For example, a Congressional notification is currently required for the transfer of major defense equipment sales valued at $14 million or more. With enactment of this section, the threshold will be raised to $25 million or greater. As such, the trigger for Congressional review will happen less often.

Furthermore, I oppose the increased funding levels for the Merida Initiative and expansion of this flawed program to the Caribbean countries. Time and again, research has demonstrated that illicit drug production in developing countries stems from pervasive rural poverty and lack of sustainable sources of income. More money for guns and other tools of destruction will do nothing to ease the suffering of those struggling with addiction or alleviate the social problems that compel people to produce and/or traffic drugs.

This body must take measurable actions to replace policies of aggression with policies of dialogue, adherence to international law and an unwavering dedication to the protection of human rights. By including the provision that paves the way for preemptive war against Iran, this bill continues the failed policies of the previous administration. Therefore, I could not vote for it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Ellen Psenicka, whose forty-year tenure as reporter, editor and publisher of the award-winning Neighborhood News, continues to enlighten, entertain and unite Cleveland's southeast community every Wednesday, highlighting current events along our city streets--from the neighborhoods of Slavic Village, to the streets of Garfield Heights, to the steps of Cleveland City Hall.

Ellen grew up in Sandusky, Ohio and went on to attend Ohio University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Shortly following graduation, in June, 1969, Ellen was hired as a reporter by Jim Psenicka, publisher of the Neighborhood News. A few years later, Jim and Ellen were married, and they worked in dedication to each other, to the newspaper and to the community until Jim's passing in 2001. At that time, Ellen accepted the torch of leadership passed to her by Jim, and she continues to carry on his legacy of excellence in journalism, and his commitment to the Greater Cleveland Community.

Ellen's spirit of volunteerism and focus on the betterment of the community is evident

throughout Southeast Cleveland and its suburbs. Her kind and humble nature draws people to her, and she has garnered the admiration and respect of everyone she knows. She is a longtime member of the Garfield Heights Historical Society and serves as a board member for Cleveland Central Catholic High School. She is currently serving her second term as President of the Kiwanis of Southeast Cleveland. As a member and leader in Kiwanis, Ellen has been instrumental in leading several fundraising efforts aimed at local student scholarship awards, and recently, a fundraiser and recognition dinner honoring Dr. Javier Lopez which raised greatly-needed funds for his medical missions to Central America. Ellen has always reached out with a generous heart wherever and whenever needed. Her efforts in volunteerism also include her tireless dedication in her efforts to save St. Michael's hospital.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Ellen Psenicka, as she celebrates her 40th Anniversary with the Neighborhood News. The Neighborhood News is read by tens of thousands of people weekly, and continues to inform and unite us all. Ellen's commitment to bringing us the news of the neighborhood and her generosity as a community leader and volunteer serves to brighten and strengthen our entire community.