Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of all veterans of the 10th Congressional District of Ohio--for their service, bravery and dedication on behalf of our country. Most significantly, we stand in tribute and remembrance of those veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice when they answered the call to duty.

I also stand in honor and recognition of the children and educators of Holly Lane Elementary School. By allowing our students the opportunity to meet and know our veterans, we are presenting them living examples of real heroes. We are giving them a true understanding of the meaning of the words conviction, courage and selflessness. We are offering them the understanding of a living lesson that speaks to our American history and to the preservation of our liberty--the brave men and women who have endured great hardship and sacrifice in order to secure freedom for us all.

Every veteran that stands before us today at Holly Lane Elementary School represents the heart and soul of America and reminds us of our quest for justice and peace here at home, and the struggle of those who seek justice and peace around the world. The staff and students of Holly Lane Elementary School reflect the gratitude and respect for our men and women in the armed forces, sentiments that are shared by all Americans. The students of Holly Lane Elementary School also reflect a vision of hope for our future.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor, tribute and gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces, past and present. They reflect the quest and struggle for human rights and freedom from oppression, basic human elements that unify us all. Let us forever remember and honor their honorable service, great sacrifice and unwavering sense of commitment to the preservation of our American democracy.

Mr. Speaker, is the U.S. ready for avian flu? I don't think there is any question that answer is a clear ``no.'' The question is, what are we doing about it? The administration finally released its plan this week under tremendous public pressure. It got underwhelming reviews from experts because it is deficient on several fronts that will be collectively necessary for us to fight this disease. It is especially weak on efforts to stockpile anti-virals.

Our best anti-viral bet will be Roche's Tamiflu. It is well established that it will take Roche years to produce enough to satisfy American stockpile needs. We have enough for less than 1% of the U.S. population. We need at least enough for 25% of the U.S. Even after promised increases in production capacity, Roche's supply is far less than our stockpile needs. The same goes for countries around the world, including those where the outbreak is likely to originate if the virus mutates to pass easily from human to human. And yet there are plenty of production facilities to solve the problem. In fact, over 100 companies have expressed interest in ``helping (Roche) meet production challenges,'' according to one of Roche's own advertisements. So what is the problem?

The problem is that Roche has a monopoly on Tamiflu. We are very familiar with what happens when a company has a monopoly on a product the world needs. They control supply. And that is exactly what Roche is doing.

But choking world supply is not the only consequence of Roche's monopoly. If we need a reminder about the perils of concentrating production in the hands of a few, we only need to look to last year. Chiron was forced to scrap half of the U.S. flu vaccine supply when their manufacturing facility failed to meet safety standards. That was for the conventional flu. Imagine what would happen if we lost half of our Tamiflu supply in the middle of an avian flu outbreak. And yet, at the cusp of a potentially far more devastating avian flu epidemic, we are about to repeat our mistake. But there is a solution. Compulsory licensing.

HHS has the authority to issue a compulsory license to get rid of this dangerous shortage by allowing other companies to make Tamiflu. Roche would get compensation. That authority exists specifically to prevent the most predictable scenario--a pharmaceutical company holding a drug hostage when it is needed to protect public health, in order to increase profits. That is exactly what we're seeing here.

Roche revenues increased 17% last quarter. Tamiflu sales more than doubled to $215 million in three months. They expect to make almost $1 billion from Tamiflu sales this year. Of course they would want to hang on to this monopoly. Their ultimate responsibility is to their shareholders, not to the public.

We have heard a lot of promises from Roche that they are willing to negotiate with other companies to sublicense production, but I have not heard anything about a firm agreement to do so. Roche can keep fees too high in order to make it unprofitable for an outside company to manufacture Tamiflu. They can stipulate, and have indicated their willingness to do so, that any Tamiflu made by a company other than Roche would not be available for sale in the U.S. In other words, they can continue to restrict world supply.

And to top it off, the administration boasts that it wants to throw a billion dollars into buying anti-virals. But the drugs aren't there. There's nothing to buy and, as it stands, there won't be anything to buy in the near future. We may not have that kind of time. But the administration is still sitting on its hands while Roche's profits skyrocket and Tamiflu production does not. This is a clear choice of profits over public health.

As you know, Secretary Leavitt, last month nine of my colleagues and I sent you a letter requesting compulsory licensing. We have given Roche plenty of time to act appropriately and they have failed to do so. In order to protect public health, we must issue a compulsory license for Tamilfu immediately.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the House International Relations Committee will hear a resolution of inquiry into the White House Iraq Group.

A White House task force was organized in August of 2002, 7 months before the invasion of Iraq, with the objective of marketing a war in Iraq to the Congress and the American people. The group consisted of advisers to the President and Vice President, including Rove, Libby, and Rice.

According to the Washington Post, the White House Iraq Group produced white papers that provided ``gripping images and stories,'' and used ``literary license'' with intelligence; I might add, intelligence that was later proved false. These memos served as the basis for talking points for the President and his advisers.

The intelligence used in the White House Iraq Group's white papers included the false claim that Iraq had sought uranium from Niger, as well as the claim that the high-strength aluminum tubes Iraq purchased from China were to be used for the sole purpose of building centrifuges to enrich uranium.

This White House Iraq Group was putting out lies to the American people. The Congress needs to find out what happened. Tomorrow, we can find out in International Relations.

Support House Resolution 505.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of our friend and colleague the distinguished Honorable John Dingell, Jr. for his fifty years of service to the people of the 15th Congressional District of Michigan and our nation, in the United States House of Representatives.

Congressman Dingell's unwavering integrity, strong work ethic, and commitment to the service of others have made him a highly respected and distinguished member of the House. His tenure on Capitol Hill is marked by several achievements including developing legislation to protect our nation's health, environment, and wildlife, pursuing justice for participants in corporate corruption, and working diligently to protect Federal road funds for his home State of Michigan.

Congressman Dingell was born on July 8, 1926, to the distinguished Congressman John Dingell, Sr., who represented the very same 15th district of Michigan Congressman Dingell represents today. At the age of 18, John joined the U.S. Army and later rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant. He finished his military service in the fall of 1946, and then attended Georgetown University where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He then continued his studies at Georgetown Law School, graduating in 1952. Congressman Dingell then worked as a forest ranger and a prosecuting attorney before he began running his own private law office. In 1955, Congressman Dingell's father passed away while he was still a Member of the House of Representatives. Congressman Dingell stepped in to fill his father's position, beginning his career on Capitol Hill at the age of 29.

As anyone who has spent some time on Capitol Hill during the past fifty years already knows, Congressman Dingell has been a leader of not only the Democratic voice in the House, but has been a beacon of light guiding his fellow Members from both sides of the aisle to strive for what is just and in the best interest of the citizens of this nation. During my tenure in Congress we have worked on several bills together and from these experiences, I have learned that Congressman Dingell is a man that leads by example and is always a champion of causes that help those who embody the heart and soul of this nation, the working class.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the most distinguished Honorable John Dingell, Jr., for his fifty- year commitment to serving this nation and improving the lives of Americans all across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the Friendship Foundation of American Vietnamese, as leaders and members of the Foundation unite with the Cleveland community in celebration of the grand opening of the Sai Gon Plaza Community Center.

The Community Center, located at the intersection of West 54th and Detroit Avenue in Cleveland in Ohio's 10th Congressional District, was made possible through the determination, conviction and energy of its founder, Ms. Gia Hoa Ryan, who also serves as the executive director of the Friendship Foundation of American Vietnamese.

The Sai Gon Plaza Community Center promises to exist as a vital source of Vietnamese culture and Asian culture, wherein a strong foundation of cultural preservation and intercultural exchange is established. This Center, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of Cleveland, will unite citizens of Asian heritage and will serve as a cultural gathering place for people from all international backgrounds. Also included as part of the Center will be a dedication to the people and neighborhoods surrounding the Center. The Center will also showcase a museum and exhibition center, which will be home to the Asian- American Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Ms. Gia Hoa Ryan, Executive Director of the Friendship Foundation of American Vietnamese. Ms. Ryan's tireless work and focused vision, supported by the work and efforts of countless members of Cleveland's Vietnamese community and many others, have created a Community Center where bridges of culture will transcend language, time and distance, preserving and promoting the ancient cultural and historical traditions of Vietnamese culture--a culture that spirals back throughout the centuries, connecting the old world to the new, spanning oceans and borders--from Vietnam to America.

One of the attempted false justifications for the war in Iraq was that Iraq was trying to get uranium from Niger to make nuclear weapons. This lie and the attempts to justify it are key to understanding not only the Libby indictments but to understanding why we are in Iraq.

Who forged the Niger documents? What role did Italian intelligence have in the forgeries? What role did the White House Iraq group have in falsely promoting the phony nuclear threat? Who forged the Niger documents? Who took us to war on false pretenses, sending thousands of our beloved soldiers to their deaths?

Sign House Resolution 505. Support that, because that requests the President and directs the Secretary of State to provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to the White House Iraq group.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, there is much in this bill to support, and I rise in support of the rule and the bill. This is a bill which demonstrates America's capacity to be sensitive to the world, America's willingness to feed the hungry, to help those who are depressed and oppressed all around the world.

The heart of America is open to people everywhere. That is why it is such a tragedy that, while we simultaneously will pass this bill today, our country is involved in action in Iraq that is undermining all the goodwill that America creates with this bill. What an irony it is that we are here talking about the needs of people all over the globe and, at the same time, we are alienating people all over the globe by pursuing a war in Iraq, a country that did not attack us, based on false information from an administration that should have known better.

So, yes, we ought to support this rule and we ought to support the bill, because the word that ought to go out, far and wide, about the United States is that we care about suffering people, that we want to find a way of lifting up people everywhere, that we want to try to find a way of making this a better world. But, as we do that, we also need to be consistent. We need to remember that we are simultaneously pursuing a path in Iraq that is wrong. We need to take a new direction there so that we can bring America's aspirations to help the world in line with our policy everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute and recognition of James D. Quisenberry of Lakewood, OH, upon his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2005.

Mr. Quisenberry was one of twenty inductees selected by a 13-member executive committee comprised of veteran leaders from throughout Ohio. He is a highly decorated veteran, and has infused an unwavering sense of integrity, spirit, courage and energy into all personal and professional endeavors.

For the past 18 years, Mr. Quisenberry has been an active volunteer with the March of Dimes, and his vital outreach as a sponsor and counselor with Alcoholics Anonymous has uplifted the lives of countless individuals and families throughout our community. He also served for many years as a Boy Scout Leader. Mr. Quisenberry was instrumental in establishing the ``Greater Cleveland Veterans Memorial,'' and has reflected an ongoing spirit of volunteerism and leadership roles with numerous veterans and civic organizations. He is the current president of the Memorial Day Association of Greater Cleveland, which organizes the placement of flags on graves of veterans at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of James D. Quisenberry, upon his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Mr. Quisenberry's unwavering commitment to his family, community and country, continues to enrich our community and our entire Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute and recognition of Marshall W. Busey of Cleveland, OH, upon his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2005.

Mr. Busey was one of 20 inductees selected by a 13-member executive committee comprised of veteran leaders from throughout Ohio. He served our country as a member of the United States Army with honor, bravery and integrity, qualities he continues to bring to all personal, civic and professional endeavors within his life.

Mr. Busey's unwavering service to the veterans of our community has served to uplift the lives of countless veterans and their families. He led the effort to raise funds to purchase a 32-foot motor home converted for use by VA patients. He is President of the Memorial Day Association of Cuyahoga County and was Past President of the Greater Cleveland Veterans' Council. For 39 years, he served as the Sergeant of the Memorial Day ``Rough Riders Firing Squad'' and as the City of Cleveland Memorial Day Color Guard Sergeant for 14 years. Mr. Busey is an active member of the American Legion and was honored as the Legionnaire of the Year in 1975 and 1976. His service to others extends throughout the community, where he is active in raising funds for many charitable organizations.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Marshall W. Busey, upon his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Mr. Busey's honorable and dedicated service to his family, community and to our Nation serves to strengthen and give hope to the members of our community, thereby strengthening our entire Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute and recognition of John J. Nicastro, Sr., upon his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2005.

Mr. Nicastro was one of twenty inductees selected by a 13-member executive committee comprised of veteran leaders from throughout Ohio. Mr. Nicastro holds the distinction as being one of the youngest Commission Combat Officers in the United States Air Force. By age 19, he had risen up the military ranks to Second Lieutenant. His assignment with the 8th Army Air Force, 303rd Heavy Bomb Group, known as the Hell's Angels, took him to the European Theater of Operations, where his exemplary service included the successful completion of 35 combat missions.

Following his service in WWII, Mr. Nicastro became an installer with the Ohio Bell Telephone Company. Like his service in the military, he ascended the corporate ladder, attaining the position of Account Executive. During his tenure at Ohio Bell, Mr. Nicastro led the effort to upgrade communication systems throughout the county, including the implementation of the 911 emergency calling system. Aside from his professional career, Mr. Nicastro continues to reflect a life-long focus on service to his community. He served as a member of the Independence City Council for sixteen years, served as President of the Independence Board of Education, and has held numerous leadership positions in veterans and civic organizations. Mr. Nicastro was awarded the Legion of Honor Award for his forty-five years of exemplary service with Kiwanis International of Independence, OH.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of John J. Nicastro, Sr., as he is inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Mr. Nicastro's significant contribution to his country, and his focused dedication on family and community, continue to strengthen and uplift our community and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute and recognition of Maynard W. ``Doc'' Unger of Lakewood, OH, upon his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2005.

Mr. Unger is 1 of 20 inductees selected by a 13-member executive committee comprised of veteran leaders from throughout Ohio. Mr. Unger's distinguished service during World War II reflected courage and spirit, and his inner strength and faith guided him through the darkest of times when he was held as a prisoner of war.

Mr. Unger's service to others has continued throughout his life. For 45 years, he volunteered his time to assist and support the youth of our community with the Boy Scouts of America organization. To show their gratitude for his outstanding service, the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America honored him with the International Scouter's Award. Mr. Unger also committed his time as a teacher with the public school program ``Growing Healthy Together.'' For 13 years, he taught students basic health and safety facts, including the significance and long-term impact of healthy eating habits. His lifelong involvement in many civic and veteran organizations includes his tenure as the former State commander of the American Ex-Prisoners of War. He was re-elected to the position of State commander in 2005.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Maynard W. ``Doc'' Unger, upon his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Mr. Unger's lifelong service to his country, community and family enhances the lives of all of us and underscores the true meaning of the words United States citizen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of United States Marine Corporal Robert F. Eckfield of Cleveland, Ohio, who bravely and selflessly heeded the call to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country.

Family, friends and service to others framed Corporal Eckfield's life. He gained personal strength and faith from those who knew him best and loved him most, especially his mother, Virginia Taylor; father, Robert Eckfield; stepfather, Norman Taylor; brothers and sisters, Nathan, Rachael and Norman; niece Makala; grandparents, Gerald and Doris Eckfield and William and Ruth Taylor; and his girlfriend, Beth Dunkle.

Corporal Eckfield's energetic spirit and expansive heart easily drew others to him. His steadfast focus on serving the public and his leadership abilities were evidenced throughout his life. He attended John Marshall High School and graduated from the Cleveland Christian Academy. Family, friends and service to others were the core components of his life. Corporal Eckfield honorably served three tours of duty.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Corporal Robert F. Eckfield. I extend my deepest condolences to his family members and many friends. The ultimate sacrifice, unwavering service and endless heart that framed his young life will be kept alive in the hearts and memories of everyone who knew and loved him best--his family and friends. Corporal Eckfield's courageous life and legacy of service will be forever honored and remembered by the Cleveland community and by our entire nation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit this article from InsideEPA to the Congressional Record.

A novel effort by 150 House Democrats to require that the White House turn over documents showing what it knows about climate change effects on U.S. coastal regions may force key Republican moderates to choose party loyalty over their environmental records, or risk leaving themselves open to attacks from conservative opponents in upcoming primaries, sources say.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has initiated a rare House procedure with the backing of 150 of his Democratic colleagues that seeks information from the executive branch on how climate change has affected U.S. coastal regions. If H.R. 515, a ``resolution of inquiry,'' (ROI) passes with the support of key GOP moderates on the House Science Committee and the full House, it would require the president within 14 days to turn over documents related to climate change impacts on coastal areas. Relevant documents are available on InsideEPA.com.

Kucinich's resolution does not specifically mention hurricanes, but congressional staffers familiar with the effort say Congress is growing more concerned that climate change may have increased hurricane severity in light of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. ``This has been a brutal hurricane season and many think climate change will be the defining problem of our generation. We want to know what [President Bush] knew,'' according to one staffer. The effort comes as Republican environment committee senators are quashing suggestions that increased sea surface temperatures could be linked to the recent spike in hurricane activity.

Observers say the ROI will present House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) with a critical choice between siding with their party in deflecting attention from the president's climate policies and their environmental records, which have won them praise and endorsements from environmental groups. Their decisions on the matter may prove crucial during their 2006 primaries, where at least one is expected to face a tough fight against a more conservative GOP candidate.

Although the ROI measure has no Republican co-sponsors, Boehlert has a track record of backing efforts to address climate change that is adding to Democrats' optimism that the measure may make it to the House floor for a vote, sources say. ``Boehlert's support [for previous efforts to allow more open scientific debate on climate change] makes us hopeful,'' according to one source.

For instance, Boehlert last summer sharply criticized efforts by House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) to investigate the findings and funding sources of three prominent climate scientists. In a July 14 letter, Boehlert characterized Barton's requests as ``pernicious'' and

``chilling.'' Boehlert said, ``The only conceivable explanation for the investigation is to attempt to intimidate a prominent scientist and to have Congress put its thumbs on the scales of a scientific debate.''

But observers say the ROI may pose a thorny problem for the representative because he has recently squared off against competitive primary opponents and is anticipating another close race against a conservative in 2006. In seeking a thirteenth term, Boehlert faces conservative GOP primary challenger Bradford Jones, a former Seneca, NY, mayor who has already launched an election bid. Boehlert narrowly won a primary challenge against conservative Republican David Walruth in 2002 and faced him again in the 2004 primary. Walruth was backed by a number of conservative organizations, including the anti-tax group Club for Growth.

A spokesman for Boehlert did not return calls seeking comment.

And while many environmentalists praise Gilchrest's voting record, they are blasting his recent last-minute change of position on House refinery legislation. The legislation, supporters said, would speed production of refined oil and gasoline by aiding the country's oil refineries in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Republican leadership cajoled members to support the measure in the face of near-unanimous Democratic opposition. Gilchrest's decision to switch his vote and side with most of his GOP colleagues in the end proved crucial as the bill passed 212-210.

Ehlers recently broke party ranks by opposing a House-passed overhaul of the 1973 Endangered Species Act. The overhaul would give property owners new rights and reduce the Federal role in protecting habitats. It passed late last month by a vote of 229 to 193, although Ehlers joined Michigan's Democratic delegation in voting against the measure.

Even if the ROI fails to gather GOP support, the tool may still allow House Democrats to gather executive branch information on climate change, according to congressional researchers.

A 2003 Congressional Research Service report on the procedure finds that ROIs are ``often much more effective in obtaining information from the executive branch than one would expect from committee and floor action. Administrations have often released a substantial amount of information, leading the committee of jurisdiction to conclude that the dispute is moot and it is therefore appropriate to report the resolution adversely and table it on the floor.'' Relevant documents are available on InsideEPA.com.

Mr. Chairman, the question before us today is not really whether we agree or disagree with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the term ``public use,'' but, rather, who we stand with and what we stand for. Do we stand with large private developers or with ordinary private citizens? Do we stand for government assistance for the powerful economic interests, at the expense of ownership of small interests?

Let it be clear, this debate is about condemnation of property. Will we condemn our constituents by allowing their land to be taken without just cause? Will we condemn small business owners by allowing their stores to be removed simply because a big developer has a different idea for what the economy should look like? Or will we stand with our constituents and condemn the idea that their property can be sacrificed for the sake of a big corporate company's development plans?

The Declaration of Independence holds that all people are endowed with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The Supreme Court's Kelo decision would limit the right to the pursuit of happiness to large corporate developers at the expense of small businesses and private citizens.

We must take a stand today and reaffirm the unalienable rights of citizens and stand for our constituents and declare that everyone has the right to pursue happiness, and we cannot and will not take that right away.

I urge my colleagues to join me in standing with our constituents to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Rev. Mr. Bill Merriman, The Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland, Marilyn Cunin and the Pulaski Franciscan Community Development Corporation as they receive the annual Peace and Justice awards from the Commission on Catholic Community Action.

Rev. Mr. Bill Merriman is a deacon at St. Patrick's Parish in Cleveland. He received the Individual Award for his work as an advocate and catalyst for social justice and peace locally and globally for over thirty-five years. Rev. Mr. Merriman aggressively works with transitioning refugees into the city of Cleveland through the Migrant Refugee Office.

The Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland received the Organization Award. The Empowerment Center has worked on numerous cases including getting school supplies to families on welfare. Their nearly forty years of service of advocacy on public policy and practical programs with and for low-income people across greater Cleveland has earned them this recognition.

Marilyn Cunin received the Special ``Church in the City'' Recognition Award. She received this award for her strong support of ``The Church in the City'' Forum series, as well as the West Side Ecumenical Ministry and the East Cleveland Public Library and countless efforts to strengthen the urban core of Northeast Ohio.

The Pulaski Franciscan Community Development Corporation is a not- for-profit CDC. Their collaboration effort with the St. Stanislaus Parish to develop the Cloisters Housing Development in the Warszawa Historic District in Cleveland, Ohio is a major revitalization to the Slavic Village area. For their spearheading efforts the Pulaski Franciscan Community Development Corporation received the Special ``Church in the City'' Recognition Award.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the recipients of the Catholic Community Action Annual Peace and Justice Awards as they are honored today for their work.