Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA) was the personification of America at her best. During his nearly 28 years in office, Tom was a champion for human rights and social justice around the world. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co- founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Tom was dedicated to securing the freedom and liberty he treasured for all people.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Tom was a member of the anti-Nazi resistance movement and escaped Nazi labor camps twice. The war took most of his family and with the help of a brave Hungarian diplomat, he and his wife, Annette, arrived in America penniless with little aside from painful memories of the war, and an unparalleled determination to prevent the repetition of the atrocities he had seen.

After winning election to the House in 1980, Tom quickly showed himself to he an undisputed authority on foreign policy. His eloquence and passion made him a natural leader as he forged alliances where no one else could. In accord with his commitment to human rights, he was one of the first to sound the alarm on the ethnic killings in Dafur. And he was one of five members of Congress arrested for protesting outside the Sudanese Embassy.

Representative Tom Lantos is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, their two daughters and 18 grandchildren. His daughter Annette and her beautiful family are constituents of mine as well as personal friends. My condolences go out to her, Tom's other daughter Katrina and his beautiful wife, Annette. Tom Lantos will he remembered for his courage, inspiration and compassion. Tom, we all loved and respected you. We will continue your ceaseless fight to keep America true to her conscience.

Madam Speaker. I rise to honor the extraordinary life and exceptional accomplishments of United States District Court Judge Phillip S. Figa. This exceptional jurist merits both our recognition and esteem as his impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service has improved the lives of many Coloradoans.

Sadly, Judge Figa was taken from us by a brain tumor at the young age of 56 and he will be greatly missed. His passion for the law and justice and his capacity for community service were beyond measure. He molded a life of genuine accomplishment and served our Nation with distinction. His passing is a great loss to the Federal bench and our entire community.

Judge Figa was born in 1951 in Skokie, Illinois, the son of Holocaust survivors from Poland. He earned a scholarship to Northwestern University and graduated with a degree in economics. While at Northwestern, he met and married Candace Cole Figa. He went on to graduate from Cornell Law School and started his law practice in Colorado at Sherman & Howard in 1976. Four years later, Judge Figa became a founding partner of Burns, Figa & Will, P.C. and became the firm's President. For over 26 years, Judge Figa maintained a broad litigation-oriented practice and established a national reputation as an expert in the field of legal ethics. He was actively involved in the Colorado legal community and served as President of the Colorado Bar Association and as Chair of the Ethics Committee. He served on the Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Committee and on the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline. He served as an instructor at the University of Denver College of Law and the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Judge Figa was also one of the founding members of the Faculty of Federal Advocates and is credited with the development of the very successful Pro Bono Mentoring Program. As a former Chair of the Mountain States Region of the Anti-Defamation League. Judge Figa was deeply committed to fighting bigotry, extremism, anti-Semitism and supporting Holocaust awareness.

President Bush nominated Judge Figa to the United States District Court and he was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 2, 2003. During the confirmation process, Senators of both parties viewed him as highly intelligent and a fair prospective jurist. Many friends, family and associates have praised Judge Figa as ``even handed'' . . . ``smart, caring and authentic'' . . . ``a great jurist'' ``a true humanitarian'' . . .``one who brought passion and integrity to the field of law ``. . . a humble and gracious man who genuinely cared about helping other people.'' I was honored to give the highest recommendation to the Senate Judiciary Committee. On a personal note, Judge Figa was a good friend of both me and my husband. He was loved and respected across the legal community. Judge Figa was a mensch--an upright, honorable and decent human being.

Judge Figa has been recognized with several accolades and honors including nomination to the International Society of Barristers, the American Bar Foundation and the Colorado Bar Foundation. He was honored by the Colorado Supreme Court for ``outstanding leadership of the Coalition for the Independence of the Colorado Judiciary'' and in January of 2006, he was named one of the Leading Judges in America by The Lawdragon. On February 4, 2008, the Anti-Defamation League will present the late Judge Figa with the Distinguished Community Service Award ``for his commitment to human rights and dignity, and his dedicated service to his community, state and nation.'' Judge Figa lived a life that is rich in consequence and our country is a better place because of his labors. Truly. we are all diminished by the all too early passing of this remarkable gentleman and our thoughts are with Candace Figa and their two children, Ben and Elizabeth. Please join me in paying tribute to the life of United States District Court Judge Phillip S. Figa, a distinguished jurist. It is the values, leadership and dedication he exhibited during his life that serves to build a better future for all of us.

Madam Speaker, December is a month of holidays, holidays about families; Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights; Kwanzaa about family traditions. At this time of year I always think about my children when they were little, their beautiful faces staring into the creche at the baby Jesus. But during this special time, the very best present we could give 4 million children in this country is the gift of health care.

Every parent knows that quality health care is the foundation for a happy and successful life. Sadly, at this special time, Congress is denying this gift to 4 million children who are eligible right now under the SCHIP program but are not enrolled. Although the House and Senate passed great legislation that would have expanded the coverage to these children, the President has vetoed it twice. And so, reluctantly, I stand here today in full support of current law.

The current SCHIP program is a great one that has worked for 10 years, one that we should all stand up for and be proud of. It will guarantee that the 6 million kids currently enrolled will not lose their health insurance until March 2009.

As the new year draws close though, Madam Speaker, we must recommit ourselves to ensuring that every child in this country who is eligible for SCHIP is enrolled. And that is why I ask the Speaker and my wonderful committee leadership to recommit ourselves to reauthorizing this program earlier than March 2009 so all these kids may be covered.

In addition, Madam Speaker, this bill contains protections for seniors. But, again, it is only a start. There is much more to be done, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to develop a comprehensive bill that will do more than extend protections to doctors and seniors for only 6 months.

Finally, Madam Speaker, I want to commend my colleagues for including extension of the special diabetes program in this bill. This will ensure cures for millions of Americans.

I want to thank the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Rush, for yielding me this time, and I want to congratulate him and my distinguished chairman, Mr. Dingell, for bringing this strong consumer protection bill to the floor so quickly. I also want to thank Congresswoman DeLauro, whom I have been working with on this legislation for a number of years, and I am so thrilled to see it on the floor.

Madam Speaker, this year we have seen the number of children's product and toy recalls rise dramatically. Many of these recalls were because of the excessive amounts of lead, which is a very dangerous compound for children. As if parents didn't have enough to worry about this season, they're faced with another dilemma. Are the toys that they are buying safe? Today in the House we will act to make sure the answer to that question in the future is a resounding ``yes.''

Back in September, with Congresswoman DeLauro, I introduced a bill to address this issue. I want to commend the good work of the Energy and Commerce Committee for incorporating many of the provisions of our bill, most of the provisions, into H.R. 4040 as it sits before us today.

This bill takes a number of steps to protect kids under 12. For example, it almost doubles the funding for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has been woefully underfunded and staffed. It bans lead in children's products and toys. It requires independent third- party testing. And it bans industry-sponsored travel, which has been a scandal at the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Passing H.R. 4040 today is a crucial first step in making sure that children are safe from dangerous products. As parents like us are rushing to finish their holiday shopping this weekend, they can rest assured that the U.S. House of Representatives is on their side.

I look forward to working with my colleagues early in the next session to make sure that the food parents are putting on their table is also safe.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and exceptional accomplishments of Clayton F. Freiheit. This remarkable gentleman merits both our recognition and esteem as his impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service has improved the lives of our people.

Many people have made contributions to our community, but few have left a legacy as has Mr. Freiheit. He was an extraordinary individual who made significant and lasting contributions to Colorado through his exemplary leadership and guidance of the Denver Zoo for nearly four decades. He commanded the respect of his peers through his singular dedication and was a mentor to practically every zoo and aquarium director in the United States. His was a life of enduring accomplishment and our community has truly been enriched by his presence among us.

Clayton Freiheit was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and as a young boy his fascination with animals led him to draw pictures of the zoo he imagined operating one day. Mr. Freiheit worked as an animal caretaker while attending the University of Buffalo and at the age of twenty-two, he was appointed Curator of the Buffalo Zoological Gardens. To this day, he is the second youngest person ever to serve as the director of an American zoo and under his leadership, the Buffalo Zoo achieved national stature. In 1970, Mr. Freiheit relocated to Denver to become the Executive Director of the Denver Zoological Gardens. Mr. Freiheit is credited with enhancing the stature of the Denver Zoo and it is home to one of the most diverse animal collections of any zoo in the country. Under Mr. Freiheit's thirty-seven year tenure, the Denver Zoo came to be respected both nationally and internationally as a leader in animal care and exhibition, conservation programs, scientific study, environmental education and public service.

It comes as no surprise that Mr. Freiheit achieved unparalleled professional recognition. He served and unprecedented three terms on the board of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). He also served as its president and as a member of and emeritus advisor to its Accreditation Commission. One of Mr. Freiheit's colleagues noted that ``He has spent his entire career advancing and promoting the quality and mission of zoos and aquariums (and) has no equal in knowledge of the North American Zoo profession.'' In 1996, The University of Denver awarded Mr. Freiheit an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of his many contributions to our community. In 2004, Mr. Freiheit became the 16th recipient of the Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence which recognized his dedication to the AZA's mission of

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize today as the Great American Smokeout. For 31 years, the American Cancer Society has designated this day to help smokers quit for just 1 day, in hopes that they will quit forever.

Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Every year, more than 400,000 Americans die from smoking-related illness, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease. One in every five deaths in the United States is smoking related. If current smoking trends continue, tobacco-related deaths worldwide are predicted to double to 10 million per year by 2030.

Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke. Secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, people who quit smoking, regardless of age, live longer than people who continue to smoke. Quitting smoking substantially decreases the risk of lung and other cancers.

Most smokers want to quit. Scientists have developed, and continue to improve, effective ways to help people quit smoking. However, these effective smoking cessation tools are not yet available to all smokers who are motivated to quit.

For years, Congress has been largely silent on the issue of combating smoking. It is time for us to refocus on this issue. I have long been involved in efforts to combat smoking and its consequences, by introducing bills to prevent youth smoking and to support tobacco cessation programs.

This year, we have an opportunity to act. Congressman Henry Waxman has introduced legislation, H.R. 1108, the ``Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,'' to protect the public health by providing the Food and Drug Administration with authority to regulate tobacco products. I hope we will take up this bill soon in the Energy and Commerce Committee, on which I serve.

Please join me in celebrating the Great American Smokeout, and in commending those who make the commitment to quit smoking today.

Madam Chairman, I am a proud cosponsor of the original Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that included gender identity.

I will support final passage of this legislation today because passing this bill is important and extending these protections is the right thing to do.

But I will cast my vote with deep regret the trangendered community has been denied the protections offered to gays and lesbians in this bill.

I did not support its removal from the overall legislation and am extremely disappointed that it will not be included when the House passes H.R. 3685.

I have cosponsored ENDA every session since I was first elected to Congress. I have strongly supported this legislation because it is an important step forward in eliminating discrimination against gay people.

I believe that all citizens should be treated equally in this country, regardless of their sexual orientation. Firing someone from their job, or evicting them from their home simply because of their sexual orientation, is immoral and undemocratic.

All members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community should be protected from employment discrimination, and by not including gender identity we are essentially abandoning Americans who, frankly, are among the most discriminated against individuals in this country.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and exceptional accomplishments of Mayor Olga Wolosyn. This remarkable public servant merits both our recognition and esteem as her impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service has improved the lives of our people.

Sadly, Mayor Wolosyn was taken from us by a series of brain aneurysms at the young age of 54. Olga will be greatly missed. Her passion for civic life and her capacity for community service were boundless. Her indomitable spirit sustained her through many challenges and molded a life of genuine accomplishment. Truly, her passing is a great loss to our entire community. Olga came to us from her native Pennsylvania where she earned her bachelor of arts degree from Seton Hill College. Subsequently, Olga and her husband moved to the Front Range from Grand Junction in 1972. Olga was elected to the Englewood City Council in November 1999 and served as mayor from November 2005.

I always looked forward to visiting with Olga and members of the Englewood City Council because I was so taken by Olga's energy and enthusiasm for Englewood's plans as well as prospects for the future. She was a powerful advocate for her city and inspired conduct beyond the expected. Good leaders set the example and Olga led by doing. Many have pointed out that Olga ``was tireless and seemed to volunteer constantly,'' ``she was going full speed all the time,'' ``she had everyone's best interest at heart'' and ``regardless of the task for which she volunteered, she always got it done and got it done on time.'' Olga was a devoted volunteer with the schools; she served on the water board and the pension board; she served on the Englewood Education Foundation and the Englewood Teenage Drinking Task Force and she served on the board of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce. As mayor, she helped secure a $1 million grant for schools to teach mathematics through art. In addition to her community service, Olga was a businesswoman and operated a pottery establishment--Wolosyn-Doty Pottery--with her husband, Jim Doty. Given Olga's capacity for achievement, it comes as no surprise that the Englewood Chamber chose Olga as Business Woman of the Year in 2004.

Civic institutions depend on people with enormous energy and imagination. Olga was an extraordinary civic leader because she understood there are many ways to define a community. Olga was an artist and she recognized the power of art to inspire creativity, to bring people together and to foster new ways of collaboration. Olga's efforts to expand public art in Englewood added dimension to public spaces and created a deeper interaction between the community and its environs. As one of the founders of Englewood Arts, I believe Olga knew that the vision of a thriving community needed art and culture at its center and that is why Olga worked tirelessly to establish a cultural arts facility and make the arts part of the Englewood experience. Someone once noted that ``a thriving culture is a community alive.'' We are grateful for the life and vitality Olga brought to the arts, culture and the community. Her efforts have enhanced our sense of place and increased our quality of life.

Olga Wolosyn lived a life that is rich in consequence. Englewood is a better place because of her efforts. Her character and her deeds leave a legacy of civic commitment rivaled by few. Truly, we are all diminished by the all too early passing of this remarkable woman. Please join me in paying tribute to the life of Mayor Olga Wolosyn, a distinguished public servant. It is the values, leadership and dedication she exhibited during her life that serves to build a better future for all of us.

Madam Speaker, I stand with the 81 percent of Americans who support this bipartisan compromise bill that gives health care to 10 million poor children in this country. It builds upon the strong foundation of SCHIP and covers almost 4 million additional children.

You can use whatever words you want to talk about this bill, but here's the truth and here are the real facts: the bill does not cover adults, the bill does not cover people who are here illegally, and it does not cover the wealthy. It is fully paid for.

We in Congress should hang our heads in shame if the wealthiest country in the world refuses to provide basic health care to the children of our land. Let us rekindle the bipartisan spirit of the past and join together to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Let us put the working families of this country first. Let us override this veto.

Mr. Chairman, if we really want to achieve energy independence, we need to make a national commitment to a common floor for a renewable portfolio standard. One size does not fit all, and that's why this amendment sets up a flexible, market-based trading system that lets utilities choose whether to develop renewable generation themselves or purchase credits from firms that have lower costs. If everybody does this, natural gas in the south and other places will go down.

The concept of an RPS is not new, but recently it is gaining support like never before. Twenty-three States have passed versions of this. In my State of Colorado, the voters passed this over the objection of industry and the utilities. It was so successful that the legislature and Governor, with the support of industry, utilities and the farm community, increased our RPS by 20 percent by 2020 this year.

It is the right thing to do. It is a good national commitment, and we believe by working together we can all meet this standard.

Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Parliamentary inquiry. To speed this process, Mr. Speaker, are the computers throughout the Chamber on both sides working so Members could check the computers to see how their votes are recorded and how much time is remaining?

Mr. Speaker, further parliamentary inquiry. On this side of the aisle the computers in the Chamber seem to be working, and I am wondering if they are working on the other side of the aisle?

I object.

Mr. Speaker, children who receive well-child care begin their lives healthy and ready to learn in school; and this care is cheaper and more humane than reliance on the emergency room.

Because of SCHIP, 6 million children of the working poor get the care they need for a healthy start to their lives. Despite the success, our work is not complete. Six million uninsured children are still eligible for SCHIP but not currently enrolled. The CHAMP Act will build on the strong bipartisan foundation of SCHIP and insure these remaining children.

Those on the other side of the aisle will put forth a proposal in the motion to recommit that not only fails to cover these 6 million remaining children, but it will result in current beneficiaries losing coverage.

We are halfway to covering the uninsured children in this country, and the Republicans want to pack up and go home. Thank goodness they weren't in charge of the mission to the moon. Neil Armstrong would have gone halfway to the moon and been ordered back to earth. Mission accomplished.

Mr. Speaker, halfway is not mission accomplished. Vote ``yes'' for kids, vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr, Speaker, as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Diabetes Caucus, one of the largest House Caucuses-with over 250 members, I want to highlight the increased investment in diabetes research included in the ``Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act,'' As the single most costly chronic disease in the United States, diabetes places a tremendous economic burden on our country, costing more than $132 billion annually and accounting for one out of every three Medicare dollars.

Diabetes inflicts an enormous personal toll on individuals and their families. Individuals with diabetes have more than twice the prevalence of disability from amputation, loss of vision, and other serious complications such as stroke, kidney failure and heart disease. Even with continuous and vigilant management, patients are still susceptible to developing serious, long-term complications.

Absent a significant federal investment in conquering this disease, the personal and economic toll of diabetes will continue to grow. It is estimated that one out of every three children who are born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes during their lifetime.

Despite this alarming trend, real advances are being made and tremendous research opportunities exist, in large part due to the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research which was originally created as a provision of the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997. This program has produced tangible results that are improving people's lives today as we continue towards our ultimate goal of a cure. However, unless this program is reauthorized, there will be a 35% reduction in federal support for type 1 diabetes research.

Chairman Dingell, I want to thank you for including a one year extension at current funding levels for this program. I know that difficult choices had to be made to accomplish multiple goals within a tight budget, and his support for this critical program is greatly appreciated.

It is important to note, however, that because the program has previously provided continuity of funding over multiple years, the National Institutes of Health has been able to support longer-term, innovative research projects that have led to significant advances. Such efforts would not be continued if the program was not extended for multiple years.

I am committed to continuing my work with Chairman John Dingell and the rest of my colleagues on this issue to ensure that we can adequately fund this program in upcoming years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2956, the ``Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act.''

This legislation mandates that we begin withdrawing our troops from Iraq within 120 days of enactment. This redeployment would have to be completed by April 2008. This is a commonsense measure to bring an end to our military involvement in Iraq. Frankly it is mindboggling that American troops are still fighting there in the first place.

For over 4 years we have worked to establish a secure, safe, and peaceful democracy in Iraq. Our military has done a valiant job in doing everything we asked of it. We have lost over 3,600 soldiers and more than 26,000 have been wounded in this effort. We have spent about $450 billion. Unfortunately, death and destruction still reign in Iraq.

President George W. Bush's plan is not working and the evidence of failure is mounting. President Bush announced his troop

``surge'' 6 months ago. During that time about 600 troops have been killed, 3,000 have been wounded, and $60 billion has been spent. The recently released White House interim report shows there to have been unsatisfactory progress by the Iraqi government in meeting many of the benchmarks laid out by President Bush back in January.

With respect to President Bush's political benchmarks, the Iraqi government has made unsatisfactory progress on all of them. What this Iraqi civil war requires is an Iraqi political compromise, but the available evidence suggests that no one within the government is willing to make the sacrifices needed to make that happen. Why should American soldiers continue to sacrifice under such circumstances? Not one more drop of American blood should be shed in pursuit of President Bush's failed Iraq policy.

The American people agree. Recent polling shows that over 60 percent of the American people now believe sending troops to Iraq was a mistake and 71 percent support withdrawing our forces by April 2008, just as H.R. 2956 would require.

Despite the views of the American public and the clear evidence on the ground that our continued military presence in Iraq is not the solution, President Bush stubbornly refuses to change course and bring our troops home. Congress has the power and obligation to do what is right and force a new policy. Passing H.R. 2956 is the first step on that road, and I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this reasoned legislation.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the remarkable history and invaluable contributions of an extraordinary hospital in the 1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is fitting that we recognize this outstanding institution for its leadership in health care and rehabilitation and for its enduring service to the people of our community and our Nation. It is to commend this distinguished organization that I rise to honor the Craig Hospital on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary, ``Celebrating a Century of Rebuilding Lives.''

The growing importance of innovation in health care to our well being as a society and our quality of life is well documented. Craig Hospital is a powerful community of hope and it provides people with new possibilities. Craig has set the standard for quality patient outcomes. It is an internationally recognized leader in health care and has long been recognized as a premier national center of excellence in the specialties of rehabilitation and research for patients with spinal cord injuries and acquired brain injuries.

From its founding as the ``Tent Colony of Brotherly Love'' in 1907 to the world class facility we know today, Craig Hospital continues to be a beacon of hope and remains committed to the well being of its patients. Rehabilitation is a process very different from traditional medical care. It involves teaching patients and families to care for themselves. It requires setting high expectations and hard work by patients to maximize neurological recovery, restore functional abilities and make the psychological adjustments needed to remain as independent and productive as possible.

Since 1956, Craig Hospital has treated more than 25,500 patients-- more spinal cord injury patients than any other single facility in the world. Last year, Craig treated patients from 48 states and for the past 18 years, it has been ranked among the Top Ten Rehabilitation Hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Its spinal cord and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation programs are designated by the U.S. National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR) as Model Systems Centers. Since 2006, Craig is the NIDRR National Database and Statistical Center (HDSC) for the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems.

Craig Hospital has burnished a reputation of compassion and legacy of care rivaled by very few. Patients have characterized Craig Hospital as ``a miracle (that is) here for patient care, not for health care dollars;'' as ``phenomenal at all they do for patients and families.'' It comes as no surprise that Craig Hospital has been awarded Magnet Designation--a national honor--by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for its excellence in staff collaboration and teamwork and for the spirit of inquiry among bed-side nurses as to what is best for patient care. Truly we, as residents of the 1st Congressional District, are fortunate indeed to have an asset of such magnitude in our community.

Please join me in commending Craig Hospital for its 100 years of leadership in health care and its invaluable service to our community and our Nation. It is the commitment and dedication that Craig Hospital and members of its staff exhibit on a daily basis which continually enhances our lives and builds a better future for all of our people.