Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life of an eminent citizen, Mrs. Sarah Lee Foster. This remarkable woman merits both our recognition and esteem as her impressive record of leadership, volunteerism, activism and invaluable service has moved our community forward and thereby, improved the lives of our people.

Sarah Lee Foster has lived a life of active involvement in neighborhood, community and city organization and activism that has focused on safety and quality of life issues. She was born in Holly Grove, Arkansas, graduated from Holly Grove Vocational High School and attended Shorter and Arkansas Baptist colleges. She is a recipient of the Arkansas Travelers Ambassador Award and the Arkansas Sesquicentennial Medallion.

Sarah Lee Foster was the first woman and only four-term president of the Five Points Business Association in Denver. She coordinated the annual Denver Juneteenth Celebration from the late 1970's through the late 1990's; established the community outreach program to serve youth, homeless, and seniors in the area; and, actively promoted cooperative relations between the association, local residents and citizens, other community and neighborhood organizations, and city and state government offices. She has been honored many times by the organization throughout the years for her outstanding dedication, leadership, and service to the community.

Sarah Lee Foster's accomplishments have also been recognized by many other appreciative persons and community groups, too numerous to name. Her current and past community service records speak for themselves. Her memberships disclose her belief in the universal community. The list of her awards, tributes, certificates, trophies, and honors runs to more than five single-spaced typed pages.

Sarah Lee Foster is the owner of Sarah Lee's Isle of Beauty and Sarah Lee's Modeling Agency. A charter member of the Denver Cosmetology Guild No. 250, she served as the first African American president of the Colorado Cosmetology Association. She was the first African-American nominated to the National Cosmetology Association Board of Directors, and is currently serving her seventh term as Financial Secretary.

Sarah Lee Foster's countless contributions to the Denver and Colorado communities have been recognized by many elected officials and government representatives. Most recently, she was honored by Mayor John W. Hickenlooper with an ``Unsung Hero'' Award on the occasion of the 150th birthday of the City of Denver in 2008. She has made an indelible impact on the Denver and Colorado communities and her service will be remembered and she deserves to be congratulated for her ``good and faithful service''. As she prepares to move to Texas to reside near her family, I know that she will take with her the spirit of community and community service she shared with all of us.

Please join me in paying tribute to the life of Sarah Lee Foster, a prominent community leader, on the occasion of her eightieth birthday. Her service, accomplishments and leadership command our respect and serve to build a better future for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor two distinguished gentlemen and mark a historic occasion for the State of Colorado and our legislature. For the first time in United States history, two African-Americans will hold the top leadership position in both chambers of a State legislature.

The election of Colorado State Representative Terrance Carroll as Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives and Colorado State Senator Peter Groff as President of the Colorado Senate puts our State's past injustices into perspective. It opens our eyes once again to a time only eighty years ago when a majority of the State House members were associated with the Ku Klux Klan members. It reminds us when the 1924 election ushered in numerous KKK-endorsed candidates, including the Governor of Colorado, Clarence Morley. These were the days when legislation was introduced without shame by people who sought to use the law to restrict the rights of African Americans and to remove them from boards and commissions. The struggle for harmony and freedom from inequity continues for all of us, but today Colorado makes progress toward that end.

The story of House Speaker Terrance Carroll began several blocks away from this chamber, where Carroll grew up in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C. He was the only child of a single mother who was the daughter of a sharecropper. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta. He eventually earned a master's degree from the University of Colorado and a law degree from the University of Denver, and he graduated from seminary to become an ordained minister. During his career, he has served as a police officer and a practicing lawyer. In his seven years in the Colorado state legislature, Speaker Carroll has championed issues ranging from educational reform, housing, homeland security, and civil and criminal justice issues.

Senate President Peter Groff, the son of former Colorado lawmaker Regis Groff, is a graduate of Denver's East High School. He started his political career working for former

Governor Roy Romer and former City of Denver Mayor Wellington Webb. He helped found the Center for New Politics and Policy at the University of Denver. He has served as the center's executive director since its founding, in addition to working as an attorney in private practice, college lecturer, and satellite radio talk show host. Peter Groff was first elected to the House in 2000 and later was appointed and reelected to the Colorado Senate. He is the highest-ranking African- American elected official in Colorado history and has been called the ``Conscience of the Senate.''

In a year when America inaugurated its first African-American President, the ascension of Speaker Carroll and President Groff is also a significant tribute to the innumerable individuals who have come before us who strived and sacrificed for civil rights, equal opportunity, and equality for all. It gives me great pleasure as the Senior Member of the Colorado Congressional Delegation to congratulate these two men and recognize their accomplishments, not only in the context of Colorado's history, but the nation's as a whole.

We will pass this bill today. And we will pass this bill for millions of women, like Susan Molina, who are trying to work and support their children and do the right thing for them. Susan is a single mother in my district. Her abusive husband left her, and she has struggled to work and pay for health insurance for her two children as she worked tirelessly to move from a janitor to an apartment manager position.

In 2006, Susan's two children lost their health insurance under SCHIP because her new job paid just slightly more than 200 percent of poverty level. Susan has tried to work her way up to be a responsible member of society. Eventually, she got her children in SCHIP, and they have health care, and she could work. But then after she lost her SCHIP coverage, as she testified to Congress, to our committee, she felt like a failure as a mom.

She was working, she was in school trying to get her GED, but she still had to take her kids to the emergency room when they got an ear infection. Frankly, Madam Speaker, it is about time that the most civilized country in the world give health care coverage to all of its children.

Madam Speaker, 6 million children in this country who are currently eligible for SCHIP and Medicaid do not have health insurance. These children's parents work, but they cannot afford to ensure that their children have well-child care, and they have to resort to the emergency room for even the most basic services, like treatment for an ear infection. This is wrong.

Today's bill will help these families, but with a number of changes that vastly improve the legislation. It allows States to give coverage to pregnant women and people who are here

legally. It preserves simplified outreach and enrollment procedures.

Madam Speaker, in the face of the current economic downturn, it is even more vital that we enact this bill. Sharp increases in unemployment are adding to the ranks of the uninsured, while at the same time State budgets are shrinking, and the safety net is struggling to meet this increased demand.

Because, Madam Speaker, we need to provide this care for our kids because in the most civilized country in the world, no child should go without health care.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 6469) to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize increased Federal funding for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, with a Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill just passed by the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the Senate bill (S. 602) to develop the next generation of parental control technology, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill just passed by the House.

Madam Speaker, after careful review of this package, I rise today to support the ``Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.''

While I am hesitant about putting taxpayers on the hook for the mistakes of Wall Street, doing nothing is simply not an option. No one likes this bill, but without it, credit markets would seize up, more companies would have trouble making payroll, consumers would be unable to get loans for cars and homes and credit cards, their pensions would deteriorate, and the crisis in our financial markets would spread to the entire economy and across the globe.

This bill will not fix our troubled economy on its own, and we have much work ahead of us to reform our financial regulatory system. But our Nation's top economic experts have concluded that without this legislation our economic problems would have gotten much worse.

This bill is a vast improvement from President Bush's initial proposal, which contained no oversight, no protections for taxpayers, and amounted to a blank check to the Treasury Department.

But working in a bipartisan fashion, Congress was able to agree on a compromise that includes rigorous oversight and transparency, provides funding in installments subject to congressional review, and prevents golden parachutes for CEOs that drive their companies into the ground. This legislation will inject liquidity into the credit markets so businesses and consumers can continue to utilize their credit and keep our economy moving.

Madam Speaker, I hope that following passage of this bill, with a new president in office, Congress can begin work on a comprehensive, top- to-bottom review of our Nation's financial laws, and enact meaningful reform that prevents the abuses we have seen in recent years.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the subcommittee chairman for working with us on this bill. And I especially want to thank Mr. Costa and Mr. Camp for all of their hard work and advocacy in helping us bring such an important bill to the House floor.

I stand here in strong support of H.R. 6469, which has been named the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Organ Transplant Act of 2008. We named this bill in honor of our dear departed colleague because Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a committed advocate of organ transplantation and was an organ and tissue donor herself. Upon her passing she was able to continue serving her constituents and the Nation by donating her tissue and organs.

As the chairman said, the National Organ Transplant Act authorized the creation and operation of the Organ Procurement and Transportation Network in 1984. Among other things, the OPTN's responsibilities include facilitating the matching of deceased donor organs with individuals waiting for an organ transplant, developing policies and procedures for organ recovery, distribution and transportation, collecting and managing scientific data about organ donation and transplantation, and maintaining the Nation's organ transplant waiting list.

The National Organ Transplant Act limits Federal support to the OPTN to no more than $2 million annually. But this figure has not been increased since the network was created in 1984. Since then, though, the annual operating costs of OPTN have increased from $5 million to $27 million. The demand for transplantation has increased, and the costs of transplantation have increased, but funding levels have remained stagnant.

The problem is compounded by the fact that OPTN has been asked to take on new responsibilities. For example, Congress recently clarified that paired kidney donation is not a violation of the act and therefore must also be facilitated by the network. But there are no plans available to implement such a national program. The Health Resources and Services Association has also directed the network to assume jurisdiction over living organ donors, a new and very challenging jurisdiction.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, this bill increases the authorized funding by $5 million to $7 million annually. And quite frankly this amount is modest considering there are almost 100,000 patients on the waiting list for an organ transplant.

This bill is supported by numerous groups, Mr. Speaker. It is a vitally important bill. I look forward to passing it tonight and further continuing Stephanie Tubbs Jones' legacy of public service.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the accomplishments and distinguished public service of Shannon Good, my Legislative Director and former Deputy Chief of Staff. Shannon is a trusted advisor and friend. It saddens me to announce that she is leaving my office to pursue her own endeavors. Her tenure has been defined not only by a standard of professionalism that distinguishes exceptional legislative directors, but by a deep and abiding commitment to fairness, high ethical standards and the best interests of the 1st Congressional District of Colorado and this Nation.

Shannon is a Denver native and graduated from East High School and later graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Shannon has been active in politics for years, volunteering on various local and national campaigns, including mine. Prior to joining my staff, she worked in the Washington, DC office of Governmental Relations for Salomon Brothers where she tracked legislation for Wall Street analysts.

Effective and committed legislative staff is essential to democratic governance. Few people recognize the magnitude and consequence of their contributions--- particularly of those intrepid staff members who actually manage the legislative work we do. Shannon's keen intellect, judgment and common sense have been invaluable to me in dealing not only with the issues all of us face, but in guiding my legislative agenda for the past nine years. She has contributed in no small measure to much of the legislation that best serves this Nation. Her work on legislation protecting our Nation's safety net hospitals, simplifying the enrollment process and expanding presumptive eligibility for children in Medicaid, expanding energy efficiency requirements to improve our Nation's energy policy, expanding FDA and USDA authority to ensure food safety and her invaluable work on the ``Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act'' are but a few of her most noteworthy contributions. Shannon has been my point person for moving significant national legislation through committee and the House. Numerous other staff members from many offices have come to rely upon her for information and guidance on a variety of issues. Shannon is one of the staff experts in the House on women's reproductive health. Any time an issue related to reproductive health has arisen, whether in major legislation or buried in a motion to recommit or an amendment, many in Washington have sought out Shannon's counsel. Furthermore, Shannon Good has excelled in recognizing and cultivating the talents and skills of my legislative team, both past and present, and she commands their respect and admiration. My District Office staff admire not only her exceptional capabilities, but her directness and understanding of the issues and challenges local offices face.

Shannon is a valued member of my staff and her competence, discernment and measure will be greatly missed. She has been an abiding source of wisdom and prudent counsel. She has done the people's work without pretension and burnished a reputation for decency and professionalism. Shannon is a public servant in the finest sense and her contributions are rich in consequence. My office and indeed, the United States House of Representatives, are losing a valued resource and friend. Please join me in commending Shannon Good, a distinguished public servant and legislative professional. Her character, leadership and dedication have done much to build a better future for all of us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Gregory M. Diamond, a dear friend and colleague who had served for over 10 distinguished years as my District Director in the First Congressional District of Colorado.

Greg grew up in Denver as the son of Greek and Canadian immigrants. Both of his parents worked extremely hard to establish themselves in the United States instilling within Greg a tireless work ethic, an acumen for equality, an exceptional attention to detail, and a sharp mind for finance, politics, and sympathy for the human condition.

Greg's leadership abilities shined through early when he was elected Head Boy at Denver East High School. Greg moved on to attend the University of Denver earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy during the turbulent 1960's. This era of frustration with the Vietnam War and society's status quo inspired Greg to become involved in the University's anti-war and civil rights movements, imbedding a desire for social justice and fairness and the pursuit of public policies to benefit all people throughout his working life.

Greg earned a Masters of Science in Judicial Administration at the University of Denver College of Law and worked for a few years in the Wayne County Court System in Detroit, Michigan.

When his father became ill, Greg returned to Colorado to work in the family restaurant in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver. In 1988, Greg became greatly inspired by the presidential campaign of Michael Dukakis and joined the Colorado Coordinated Campaign. In addition to sharing Greek heritage with Governor Dukakis, Greg admired his practical yet inclusive style of governing and fiscal policies.

Dukakis' loss was a disappointing blow for Greg, but he had caught the political bug. He moved on to manage a U.S. Senate primary, and worked in senior capacities on various other presidential, congressional, state, local and referenda campaigns, including the bond election to build Denver International Airport, where he met his future wife Faye, to whom he has been married for 16 years.

In 1991, Greg began his career in public policy, serving in former Governor Roy Romer's cabinet in the Office of Energy Conservation, then four years as the Deputy State Treasurer under former Colorado State Treasurer Gail Schoettler. He finished up his years in the Governors Office of Economic Development as a Science and Technology Advisor.

Greg is unique individual and a tower in Denver and Colorado politics in a District with a multitude of strong political personalities. In a city defined by a history of rough-and-tumble politics and a varied electorate, with their own political desires, Greg has managed to fly above the fray gaining the respect, admiration, and trust of the diverse constituencies of the First Congressional District.

Greg has the enviable ability to actively listen to constituents concerns and to frame their arguments and the political realities in ways only a seasoned political mind and public policy analyst could. Greg will long be remembered for his extensive briefings and memos for District meetings which were exhaustively researched and supplied with extensive supporting materials. In any meeting I attended with Greg, I was confident I was well briefed and any issue or argument would be at my fingertips. Greg is also an eloquent writer, penning many of our offices tributes and speeches.

There is also no doubt Greg was extremely popular in Colorado politics and in the broader Denver community. Any meeting or reception I would attend with Greg, constituents, business, and political leaders would joke with Greg and regale me bout some past shared experience. Greg would always return the favor with his hearty infectious laughter filling the room.

Greg is fondly regarded by his District Office staff, many of whom he hired. The high retention rate in my District Office is a great tribute to Greg who treated his employees with respect, compassion, and a sense of humor which often kept the staff on their toes. Greg related well to young and older employee alike, always interested in what everyone had to say, encouraging staff for good deeds done, but also willing to guide staffers back in line when they went astray.

Greg leaves my office in the height of his career, rising with me as a first term Representative to the Dean of the Colorado Congressional Delegation. I am deeply indebted to him for his service, guidance, and enduring commitment to the residents of the First Congressional District of Colorado.

At the end of the day, there is one main reason we come to serve in this body: to help the people we represent and to improve their communities and livelihoods to the best of our abilities. It is with the assistance of such exceptional staff members as Greg Diamond that we are able to achieve these goals. There are thousands of Coloradans and residents of Denver, Englewood, Sheridan, and Cherry Hills Village whose lives have been touched by Greg's dedication and service.

I ask you and our colleagues to join me as I thank Greg for his 10 years of service to the First District, express my gratitude for his long friendship and congratulate him as he enters a new phase of his public service.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank my intrepid chairman, Mr. Dingell, and also Mr. Waxman, for their unfailing commitment to the public health of Americans. This bill is a good bill. When I first came to Congress, now 12 years ago, it seemed to be a bill far outside our reach.

We had a number of hearings in those days, in which the tobacco manufacturers denied even that tobacco was addictive. To come from there to here is truly an extraordinary achievement, and I think we all agree that tobacco should be regulated by the FDA.

One concern I still have in this bill is tobacco is illegal now for people under the age of 21. We all have seen through testimony throughout the years that the people who get addicted to tobacco tend to do so at an early age, and tobacco manufacturers have targeted young people consistently.

I'm afraid that if the manufacturers say that they are targeting only adults, that what will happen will be they in fact will target young people, who will become addicted. That is why I was very pleased to include a provision in this law that directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the public health implications of raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products. This report will be in to us within 5 years and we can see if there's more that we can do to protect our vulnerable young people from becoming the targets of advertising an improper addiction to tobacco.

Madam Speaker, this truly is a great day for the health of Americans. I want to commend my chairman again.