Floor Statements

Thank you, Mr. Andrews.

Madam Speaker, for more than 6 months, I've discussed the need for health care reform with my constituents; and time and again I've heard from small business owners who are struggling to afford health care coverage.

Over the last decade, the average health insurance premium has more than doubled for Nevada's small businesses. Without comprehensive reform, Nevada's small business health premiums are projected to again double over the next decade. In this year alone, small businesses across the country are being hit with a 15 percent average increase in premiums. It is clear that the status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable.

I had concerns about earlier versions of this bill, but I am pleased that H.R. 3962 before us today is significantly improved and takes important steps to help make health insurance more affordable.

I worked to raise the income level at which people are assessed a health care surcharge. The new threshold is significantly higher, up from $350,000 for couples to $1 million. This means that 98.8 percent of all small businesses will be exempt from paying any surcharge.

The bill also now exempts small businesses with payrolls below $500,000 from the employer mandate. That means that 86 percent of all employers are exempt, and many small businesses which choose to offer insurance to their employees will be eligible for a tax credit to help offset those costs.

I am especially proud that the provision I championed, which was to expand the health insurance exchange so that more businesses could participate, was included and strengthened in this bill. This will ensure that small businesses have additional options for purchasing health insurance at a lower cost.

All of these improvements combined will strengthen small businesses so they will be critical engines of growth in our communities. It is time small businesses knew who really stood up for them and cared about them and their employees.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to stand up for small business.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.Res. 838. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important resolution which welcomes His Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, to the United States of America.

His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been a tireless advocate for religious freedom, Muslim-Christian dialogue, and international environmental protection. He has been internationally recognized for his work to improve our worldwide community in many ways.

His work in the Muslim world advocating for religious understanding and tolerance and his efforts with victims of soviet oppression have earned him the title of ``Patriarch of Peace.'' In 2008, His Holiness was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.

Madam Speaker, while I am pleased that the House of Representatives is expressing our strong support for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his leadership on many important issues, it is equally as important that I address the fact that the Patriarchate itself operates under numerous unfair restrictions imposed by the Turkish Government, where the Patriarchate is located. Unfortunately, the Patriarchate's property rights, its ability to open religious schools, and other issues of religious freedom must be properly addressed by the Turkish Government. I hope that the United States and the world community will work with the Government of Turkey to end this terrible crime of inhibiting religious freedoms.

I am pleased to welcome His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States and I look forward to joining with our country's leaders to formally welcome His Holiness to Washington. I look forward to learning from him and working with the Greek Orthodox Community in the United States to bring full religious freedom to the Patriarchate. His Holiness has been instrumental in bringing light to those who have lived in darkness and helping those who need it most. We all benefit from his teachings.

I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, for the past 6 months I have talked with my constituents in southern Nevada about the need for health care reform that lowers cost, improves access, increases choice, and strengthens Medicare. I have solicited input from my constituents by sending them health care surveys, encouraging them to share their health care stories, and holding Congress on the Corner.

From roundtable discussions with doctors, providers, and small business owners, to town halls, I have listened to the concerns Nevadans have about our current health care system as well as the proposed reforms. One thing is clear: The status quo just is unacceptable.

The legislation introduced in the House last week requires a comprehensive examination, and I will continue to carefully review all aspects of the bill. But I'm pleased that the legislation includes important provisions that will help Nevada's seniors, young adults, women, and small businesses.

From ending discrimination based on preexisting conditions to strengthening Medicare by reducing waste and closing the doughnut hole, there are a number of very positive aspects of this bill which I strongly support. It's time to give them a serious look.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Nevada on the 145th anniversary of its statehood.

On October 31, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln admitted Nevada into the Union as the 36th State, which is an anniversary that is celebrated today throughout the State as Nevada Day.

Over the past 145 years, Nevadans have exemplified their State motto: ``All for our country.'' Their patriotism and sense of duty have made critical contributions to our Nation's security in times of war and peace. During World War II and the Cold War, Basic Magnesium Mines and the Nevada Test Site played key roles in United States' victories.

Today, Nevada is a premier destination for tourists, business travelers,

family vacationers, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the United States and around the globe. They are attracted by Nevada's many unique features, including the fabulous Las Vegas Strip, the Hoover Dam and beautiful outdoor settings ranging from vibrant desert landscapes to grand ski slopes.

Nevada exemplifies the independence, opportunity and pioneering spirit of the West. So I join my fellow Nevadans in celebrating our 145th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 790, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a national day of remembrance on October 30th, 2009, for American nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miners, millers, and haulers. I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, Congresswoman Berkley, for introducing this important resolution.

The national day of remembrance recognizes the contributions of heroes whose efforts on the front line of the Cold War changed history. Their service to our Nation was instrumental in the effort to create a nuclear deterrent

that helped defeat the forces of Communism. Too often, their efforts are not recognized the way the veterans of other wars have been. But just as our veterans of other battles served with distinction to protect our Nation, so too did the workers at atomic weapons facilities.

More than half a million Americans have worked since 1942 to create and maintain the United States nuclear arsenal. And while they did not face the dangers of conventional warfare, unfortunately, too many of these workers were left with the lasting scars of a battle that was waged in labs and test facilities across the country.

Many former workers suffered from radiation and toxic exposure in their work on our nuclear forces. These workers from around the country deserve our support and are entitled to the care and benefits they have earned from their service during a period of our history when the threat of nuclear war was ever-present. Just as we care for our soldiers returning home from the battlefield, it is our responsibility to care for the workers from our nuclear weapons facilities who have been exposed to dangerous materials that harm their health.

I especially salute the workers at the Nevada Test Site, also known as the National Sacrifice Zone, and thank them for their service. For more than four decades, they tested nuclear weapons that contribute to the safety and security of our Nation.

I have been privileged to work with many of them as a board member of the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation and as a sponsor of State legislation to help facilitate the creation of the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas so their incredible story can be made available for all to see and contemplate.

The UNLV Oral History Program has also amassed hundreds of interviews with test site workers and preserved their experiences and reflections on life in the shadow of the mushroom cloud for scholars, journalists and other people of interest to have access to.

So I thank you again, Mr. Speaker, and the other sponsors of this important resolution. I urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday night, I held a health care forum in my district to hear the thoughts and concerns of my constituents as we continue this critical debate on health care reform. There were strong feelings on all sides of the issue, but the important thing is we were able to come together and have a productive forum on the important factors that are central to reforming health care so that we can reduce costs, increase access, expand choice, and strengthen--yes, strengthen--Medicare.

I want to thank Temple Ner Tamid for hosting the forum; Mitch Fox for moderating with such grace; our panelists, Tom McCoy and Max Richtman; and especially the approximately 500 people who cared enough to come together and get involved in this discussion.

As the health care debate continues over the coming weeks, I look forward to sharing with my colleagues in the House on both sides of the aisle the valuable thoughts and ideas that were discussed at Monday's forum.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Gordon and Ms. Giffords for your leadership on the important issue of energy research, development and deployment in the area of renewables.

My amendment, offered with Mr. Teague of New Mexico and Mr. Cohen of Tennessee, simply requires that the solar energy research, development and demonstration program and the solar technology road map that are authorized in this bill include an emphasis on the development of solar technology that is water-efficient.

We know that some of the sunniest States in the country, like my State of Nevada, are also among the driest. So while I strongly believe we must make significant investments to expand solar energy development across the Southwest, I also believe that we must ensure that investments are made in research and development of new solar technologies that use less water.

This point was brought out rather dramatically in a recent New York Times article entitled ``Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need for Water.'' In fact, depending on the technology, some solar plants can use more than 1 billion gallons of water a year for cooling.

It was quoted in the article, ``When push comes to shove, water could become the real throttle on renewable energy.'' This was a statement made by Michael E. Webber, an assistant professor at the University of Texas in Austin, who studies the relationship between energy and water.

Now, to date, this conflict between energy and water has occurred mostly in the Southwest, where there are dozens of multibillion dollar solar power plants that are planned for thousands of acres in the desert.

While most forms of energy production include some kind of water, water's availability is especially limited in the sunny areas that are otherwise well suited for solar farms. So as we can see, this could possibly lead to a new-age version of a western water war. Long have we heard the saying in the West that whiskey is for drinking and water is worth fighting over. We don't want to see that happen again.

And furthermore, as we see more solar development spread across the country, it's likely that the water efficiency of solar technology will become a key concern, not just in the Southwest, but in areas that haven't historically dealt with water issues up until this point. Investing in research that, as we develop solar technologies, are water efficient is a win-win for the environment. We will use less fossil fuel and less water.

At the same time we do this, we have the potential to remove a major obstacle to the speedy siting of utility scale renewable energy projects. Those are occurring in States like mine where water concerns can slow the permitting process dramatically.

Investments in the development of solar technology products that are water efficient will save water, they will save energy, and they will ultimately bring down the cost of these products so that we can move more quickly to a clean energy economy.

So I thank you again, Mr. Chairman, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, as Daniel Kammen, who is the Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Lab at the University of California at Berkeley, stated, ``As intensive renewable energy development spreads, water issues will follow.'' That's why I believe this amendment is an important addition.

I want to thank Mr. Teague and Mr. Cohen for helping me with the amendment.

At this time, I will yield to the chairman, Mr. Gordon.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 800. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important resolution which expresses sympathy to the people and communities in the Philippines who are still struggling to recover from Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma. I thank my friend, Congresswoman Speier, for introducing this legislation.

I am honored to represent a large and vibrant Filipino community in Southern Nevada, many of whom have families that were impacted by these natural disasters. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Filipino community of Southern Nevada during this time of turmoil.

Today, I am privileged to join with members of the House in solidarity with the people of the Philippines as they begin the process of rebuilding their communities after these horrific events. During these two disasters, Southeast Asia was the victim of some of the worst flooding the world has ever seen. In some areas, 60 percent of the land was completely submerged and entire villages were washed away. As the rebuilding begins, we stand in strength and solidarity with the Philippines.

Unfortunately, these storms have also claimed the lives of hundreds of Filipinos. I send my most sincere condolences to their families. The full effect that these storms have had will not be known for some time, and our prayers for the safety of those affected will continue.

I know that the residents of the Philippines are strong willed and resilient, and will quickly rebuild their communities. I encourage our Department of State to reach out to the Philippine government and offer assistance as needed. I am proud that the United States Armed Forces have been assisting in the recovery and thank them for their vital efforts. It is important that our two nations stand together in efforts to rebuild and stabilize the effected regions.

Today, the United States House of Representatives stands united with the Filipino Community in the Philippines and around the world. I urge adoption of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, writing is a daily practice for millions of Americans, but few people notice how integral writing has become to life in the 21st century. People now write more than ever before for personal, professional, and civic purposes; and writing is increasingly essential for all types of occupations. Newly developing digital technologies expand the possibilities for composing in multiple media and young people are now leading the way in new forms of composition.

Writing has enormous power. It allows people in every walk of life, in every kind of work, and at every age to generate and share ideas with others. Effective communication contributes to building a global economy and a global community. We must find ways to help our students tell their stories--to communicate with their neighbors around the globe, in a world that is getting smaller and smaller. We must help our students put their thoughts into words, and hopefully, into action.

As an educator for more than 30 years, I know the value of a quality education and its importance to our children's future. In order for our Nation's children to get the education they deserve and require to become the leaders of tomorrow, they need the very best teachers and educators. Not only as leaders in education, but also as leaders in the community, English teachers are preparing our next generation.

To draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing we engage in and to help connect writers from all walks of life, the National Council of Teachers of English, NCTE, in conjunction with its many national and local partners, honors the importance of writing by celebrating a National Day on Writing on October 20, 2009. NCTE has developed the National Gallery of Writing, a digital archive of samples, that exhibits how and why Americans are writing every day. The gallery is accessible to all through a free, searchable website that will be launched on the National Day on Writing.

I introduced a resolution to recognize the National Day on Writing to acknowledge the enormous power of writing--how it allows people in every walk of life, in every kind of work, and at every age to generate and share ideas with others. The resolution calls on the House of Representatives to recognize the National Day on Writing and encourages submissions to the National Gallery of Writing. Today my thanks go out to the NCTE and their many national and local partners for facilitating the National Day on Writing. As we celebrate the National Day on Writing, I hope my colleagues will participate and submit entries to the gallery.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church as they mark their 50th anniversary as a congregation during the month of October. I am looking forward to celebrating with my friends at the church in the coming weeks.

Incorporated on April 8, 1959, and named in September of the same year, the Church has long served as a pillar of the Las Vegas community. As the first Greek Orthodox Church in Southern Nevada, St. John's welcomed new Americans of Greek descent to Las Vegas and helped them feel at home in the community. St. John's has also educated thousands of children in the rituals and faith of the Greek Orthodox Church, ensuring the strength and vitality of the doctrine.

Since 1959, the congregation and its leaders have remained true to its core Greek Orthodox principles of faith and family. This large and dynamic community has been a guiding light in Southern Nevada. The Church offers both religious and Greek language classes for children and young adults, as well as a bookstore for all ages. The Church has been home to many happy occasions, including christenings, religious holidays, birthdays, and weddings. Our community has also come together in times of mourning to offer consolation and comfort to the grieving. St. John's has been a valuable part of my life since I moved to Las Vegas more than 30 years ago as I was welcomed with authentic Greek hospitality.

In the past 50 years, the Church has expanded from a small group of patrons to a large community meeting in a beautiful Church located in the heart of District 3, whose design was inspired by St. Euphemia of the Hippodrome in Constantinople. Today, St. John's has a vibrant membership and is host to a community center and educational facilities.

Since 2003, the Hellenic Historical Society has been preserving and chronicling the history of the Greek community of Las Vegas in order to pass on this important record to future generations. Through exhibits and presentations, the Historical Society has been educating and informing the Greek community of its deep roots in the Las Vegas Valley. Their newest educational project is tracing the ancestral roots of the Greek community and their journey to Southern Nevada.

The Church is also active in social justice projects that benefit children, seniors, the sick, and the poor. Through a variety of social action projects, congregation members are constantly contributing and working not only to improve Southern Nevada, but also the worldwide community.

The Church hosts regular events celebrating Greek heritage such as folk dancing, led by award winning dancing teams, and Easter egg hunts. There is also an annual Greek Food festival which is famous throughout the Las Vegas Valley for its wonderful music, camaraderie, and the best Greek food outside of Athens.

I congratulate St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church for its first 50 years of successes and extend my best wishes for the next 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church as they celebrate their 50th anniversary as a congregation during the month of October.

As the first Greek Orthodox Church in southern Nevada, St. John has welcomed new Americans of Greek descent to Las Vegas and helped them feel at home in the community. St. John has educated thousands of children in the rituals and faith of the Greek Orthodox Church, ensuring the strength and vitality of the doctrine. Over the past 50 years, the church has expanded from a small group of patrons to a large community meeting in a beautiful church in the Third District.

Today, the church has a vibrant membership and is host to a community center and educational facility. The church is active in social justice projects that benefit children, seniors, the sick, and the poor. The church hosts regular events celebrating Greek heritage such as folk dancing and Easter egg hunts. And there's an annual Greek food festival in Las Vegas which is famous throughout the valley for its wonderful music, camaraderie, and the best food outside of Athens.

I again congratulate St. John the Baptist Church and the Greek Orthodox community for their 50 years of success, and I wish them 50 more.

I rise in strong support of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. Passage of the Travel Promotion Act is vital to my congressional district in southern Nevada. The current economic recession has hit our area especially hard, and unemployment is at an all-time high because travel and tourism revenue, the driver of our local economy, has declined dramatically.

Travel and tourism generate billions in tax revenue for local, State and Federal governments. Nationally, the travel and tourism industry employs 7.7 million people. In Nevada, more than 450,000 jobs are created by travelers who pumped $34.5 billion into the Nevada economy in 2007.

This act will bring millions of additional travelers to the United States at no cost to our taxpayers; it will create a public-private partnership to promote our Nation as a leading international travel destination; and it will communicate U.S. security and entry policies to people abroad. It's estimated that the program will generate $4 billion in new spending and $321 million in new Federal tax revenue annually.

So I strongly support passage of the Travel Promotion Act. It will help our economy in Nevada and across the Nation.

Thank you so much.

As we begin Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I'm honored to stand here with my colleagues and recognize those women we know who have battled breast cancer. First let me thank Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her leadership on this issue. Her personal courage and subsequent push for education and early detection are both inspiring and encouraging.

Unfortunately, everyone has a story, one of their own experiences or those of a friend or a family member who has battled cancer. Each year we lose mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends to breast cancer. In Nevada, an estimated 1,270 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed among women in 2008, and 430 of those women died of the disease. This is a tragedy, and what makes it even more tragic is that many of those deaths could have been prevented if women knew the risk factors and if researchers had what they needed to make breakthroughs in understanding and curing cancer. I believe we must empower every woman with the tools she needs to fight this deadly disease. Women should have access to the latest health information, undergo frequent health screenings, and receive preventive care.

Sadly, Nevada has one of the lowest mammogram screening rates nationally. Recent estimates are that only 54 percent of women over the age of 40 have had a mammogram in the past year. Nevada is currently ranked 48th in the Nation for percentage of women ages 40 to 69 who obtain mammograms annually. This is just unacceptable.

And unfortunately, too many younger women think that breast cancer is something that happens to older women, yet it's the leading cause of cancer deaths in women under the age of 40. So we must redouble our efforts to reach out to young women, to increase awareness of the threats and the warning signs that lead to early diagnosis. That's why I'm proud to also be a cosponsor of the EARLY Act.

Too often, women who have undergone a difficult surgery, both emotionally and physically, find themselves forced by their insurance companies to leave the hospital before they're ready. This, too, is unacceptable. Women must have the adequate support after breast cancer surgery that they need to get them on the road to recovery.

Indeed, we have all been touched by cancer. It can be a devastating disease, and those who have fought and are fighting it demonstrate a remarkable strength every day. They teach us all the lessons of life and living and the importance of family and friends. I believe they are true heroes who are role models for us when it comes to strength and courage.

While breast cancer has affected too many women in Nevada and across the country, there is also an enduring hope that we can join together to search for a cure. Between the strength and determination of breast cancer survivors and the generous spirit of volunteers, I'm optimistic that we can defeat breast cancer if we stand together in this fight.

Mr. Speaker, Nevada's families have been hard hit during this recession. Since coming to Congress, I've made it a priority to address our economic slump, help create jobs, and put families in their homes for keeps.

In the past week alone, the House has taken important steps to help Nevadans during this challenging time. With the Silver State facing record unemployment, we passed legislation to extend unemployment benefits. For some, this can mean the difference between making that mortgage payment and losing their home.

We have also passed legislation that I was proud to introduce to protect seniors from higher Medicare premiums. With the recession taking a toll on retirement savings, many seniors cannot afford to pay higher Medicare costs that eat away at their Social Security benefits. My bill will protect seniors at a time when they are counting on every dollar to get by.

We didn't get into this recession overnight, and it will take some time to climb out, but I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to take Nevada and this country in a new and more prosperous direction.

Thank you, Chairmen Rangel, Stark, Waxman, Dingell, and Pallone, for your leadership on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, my State of Nevada has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn. In addition to record unemployment and high foreclosure rates, Nevadans have watched as their retirement savings have plummeted in value. This has been especially hard on our senior population, which has been the fastest growing in the country for the last decade.

To make matters worse for our economically strapped seniors, some of whom have had to choose between buying food and buying medicine, it is now projected that Social Security recipients will not receive a cost- of-living increase in their benefits next year for the first time in 35 years. Simultaneously, Medicare part B premiums will continue to rise. So, unless Congress acts quickly and decisively, this could mean a reduction in Social Security benefits at a time when many Nevada seniors count on every dollar to get by.

As the gentleman from Texas pointed out, not all seniors will see a decrease in their Social Security checks caused by part B premium increases, thanks to a hold harmless policy. About 27 percent of enrollees, some 11 million people, however, nationally and thousands in Nevada are excluded from that hold harmless policy. As a result, they will see their Social Security checks shrink if we don't pass this bill.

The Medicare Premium Fairness Act before you today will eliminate this inequity, and it will protect all Medicare enrollees so that no senior will see his or her premium increase or will experience a Social Security check decrease.

Because this bill is fully paid for by using existing funds, including the Medicare Improvement Fund, and because it meets the PAYGO requirements, it's a responsible way to stand up and provide for our seniors during

these tough economic times. So I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this crucial legislation.