Floor Statements

This is my country! Land of my birth!

This is my country! Grandest on Earth!

I pledge thee my allegiance, America, the bold,

For this is my country to have and to hold.

This is my country! Land of my choice!

This is my country! Hear my proud voice!

I pledge thee my allegiance, America, the bold,

For this is my country to have and to hold.

As a youngster in elementary school, I sang this song proudly many times. And nearly a decade ago, 9/11 responders embodied the American spirit proclaimed in this song when they dropped everything to help this country. These Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice and risked their health and lives when our country was attacked. Unfortunately, many have developed health issues as a result of their service.

But my Republican colleagues believe that this treatment is too costly. The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would provide monitoring and specialized treatment for those responders who were exposed to toxins during 9/11 and this bill is completely paid for. No responders questioned whether they should go in.

Those American flag-wearing lapel Senators should vote for the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

Madam Speaker, I, along with many of my Democratic colleagues, continue to fight for economic priorities for middle class Americans and for provisions that will create jobs and grow the economy. However, the tax proposal announced by the President calls for sharp differences in the policies and priorities of the Democratic and Republican parties.

For instance, the Democrats continue to fight to maintain tax cuts on incomes up to $250,000 per couple and $200,000 per individual, while Republicans continue to demand tax cuts for all incomes, including millionaires and billionaires.

The Democrats also strongly support the extension of unemployment benefits to help out-of-work Americans make it through the recession, while the Republicans are willing to hold the middle class and the unemployed hostage to benefit the wealthy.

The Democrats are championing the needs of low-income families by fighting to extend the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit. In addition, we are fighting to continue the college tuition tax credit to help students or working class families afford college.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support a tax cut proposal that will benefit our working class families and grow the economy.

Mr. Speaker, the DREAM Act would not only benefit undocumented students, but it would benefit the country as well. It is estimated that about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school after living in the United States for at least 5 years. Unfortunately, because of current law, only five to 10 percent of these students attend college. The remaining 90 to 95 percent remain unable to find employment appropriate to their level of academic potential, and become victims of the criminal justice and social welfare system.

Earlier this year, my home State of New Jersey passed a State version of this law recognizing that these students deserve to be rewarded for their hard work and allowed opportunity just as their peers. Furthermore, acknowledging the fact that more than 40 percent of the State's scientists and engineers with advanced degrees were foreign born in 2006, the economic benefit was taken into account. It was understood that, beyond this measure being morally just, it is an economic measure as well.

I ask that we support the DREAM Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Res. 1588, which calls attention to the upcoming referenda in Sudan and the need to ensure full implementation of that country's Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA. I want to commend my fellow co-chairs of the Sudan Caucus, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Wolf, and Mr. McCaul, for their bipartisan leadership on this issue. Mr. Capuano, our Republican co-chairs, and I have worked hard to bring this resolution to the floor because time is short. I support this resolution and say we must sound the alarm for what is going on in Sudan. The people of Sudan deserve our support for timely, free and fair referenda on the independence of Southern Sudan and Abyei. The National Congress Party, headed by President Omar el Bashir, must not be allowed to derail the referenda.

The referenda are part of the peace dividend promised to the people of South Sudan and Abyei following the 21-year war civil war between North and South Sudan. During the war, which claimed the lives of 2 million Southerners and displaced 4 million, the Bashir regime used aerial bombings against innocent, defenseless children, women, men, elderly, and disabled. Indeed, the war nearly destroyed an entire region--South Sudan, but it could not destroy the spirit of its people.

On January 9, 2005 members of the U.S. Government, including myself, witnessed the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA, which ended the war and outlined the path to secure lasting peace in Sudan. The signing of the agreement launched a 6-year Interim Period during which Khartoum would have the opportunity to show the people of the South that it was capable of change. At the end of the 6 year period-- on January 9, 2011--the CPA promised an opportunity for the people of the South to determine whether the regime in Khartoum had changed enough that they want to remain a part of Sudan or whether they want to secede. The people in the marginal area of Abyei--the region that holds in its soil Sudan's oil wealth--would decide if they would retain their special administrative status in the North or to become part of the South.

Today, with less than four months until the referenda, Sudan is dismally behind on implementing the CPA. Bashir's regime has refused to cooperate on key measures that must be put in place. Khartoum has repeatedly played games, stalled, held up, and obstructed so many critical steps in the fulfillment of the CPA that as of today, it is unclear whether the referenda in January can actually be held freely and fairly. Sudan also faces a number of challenges as it struggles to emerge as a democracy from decades of civil war. The conflict and violence in Darfur still rage even as the international community hopes for peace.

Indeed, Sudan could erupt into conflict once again if the referenda are not held freely and fairly. We support House Resolution 1588 to call on the Administration and the international community to fully employ all of our diplomatic tools, as well as significant international technical assistance, to ensure that the referenda are timely, free, peaceful, and fair to the people of Sudan. The consequences of failed referenda are too great.

The United States has served as a guarantor of the CPA, helping to negotiate the agreement and facilitate its implementation by both signatories--the National Congress Party, NCP, and Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army, SPLM/A. We have invested considerable time and resources in helping the people of Sudan, and we must ensure that this level of commitment is maintained through this critical time and beyond. Now is the time to refocus attention on Sudan.

H. Res. 1588 sends a clear message to Khartoum that a dismissal of the CPA will not be tolerated. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bipartisan resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to ring the alarm on the current situation in Sudan and underscore our support for a timely, free, and fair referendum on the independence of south Sudan and Abyei in January 2011.

Let me begin by thanking the majority leader for calling this critical, important Special Order and for his continued leadership on this issue, having led codels to Sudan, having had periodic meetings with administration officials, bringing in persons from Sudan, south Sudan, in his continuing push for peace. And so, once again, I commend Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

I was elected to Congress in 1988 and was sworn into office in 1989, the same year that Omar al-Bashir came to power in a coup in Sudan. I have closely followed the situation in Sudan ever since then, and I must say that I'm extremely concerned about what is happening now. The continuing and emboldened intransigence of the Bashir regime threatens to unravel the peace that was won 5 years ago and spark a return to conflict.

On January 9, 2005, members of the United States Government, including myself, witnessed the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi, Kenya. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended the ghastly 21-year civil war between the north and the south of Sudan, a war that claimed the lives of 2 million southerners and displaced more than 4 million; a war in which the Bashir regime used aerial bombings against innocent, defenseless children, women, men, disabled people, and elderly; a war that nearly destroyed the entire region of south Sudan. But what was so great about the people of south Sudan-- they could not destroy the spirit of the people of the south.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement, championed by the late Dr. John Garang, who led the struggle in the south, outlined a path to secure lasting peace, a 6-year interim period, during which Khartoum would have an opportunity to show the people of south Sudan that it was capable of change, that it was capable of including the south into a comprehensive plan to run the Government of Sudan.

However, at the end of the 6-year period, which is on January 9, 2011, about 6 short months from now, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement promised an opportunity for the people of the south to determine whether the regime in Khartoum had changed enough that they wanted to remain a part of Sudan or whether they wanted to secede. Dr. John Garang wanted to see a unified Sudan, but, as you know, his untimely death in a plane crash ended his dream.

The people in the marginalized area of Abyei, the region that holds in the soil of Sudan oil wealth, would decide if they would remain and keep their special administrative status in the north or become a part of the south. That has to be determined. It should have been determined even before January 9 of 2011.

The CPA laid out very clear benchmarks to be met for those referendums to take place and also included detailed instructions for power sharing and oil revenue. Still to date, these details have not been worked out. Now, today, Khartoum threatens to pull out of the agreement as Bashir's regime has refused to cooperate on key measures that must be put into place. Khartoum has repeatedly played games, stalled, held up and obscured so many critical steps in fulfilling the CPA, so much that today it is unclear whether the referendum in January can actually be held freely and fairly.

Must I remind the House that this is the regime that carried out the first genocide to be declared by Congress when it was in progress? Nearly half a million Darfurians have lost their lives as a result, and more than 2 million Darfurians have been displaced.

While Darfur is no longer on the front pages of newspapers, the people still suffer. Last week, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo, was at my Brain Trust at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference and called it a silent genocide that is happening in Darfur. Khartoum has strangled aid, cut off IDP camps, and is watching the people of Darfur slowly starve to death.

This is the regime headed by a President who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and for genocide. Again, as the CPA is supposed to come into full completion in less than four months, there is the threat of massive violence once again against the people of the south. We have seen several reports of armed shipments into the south to arm the Misseriya militias that were such a destabilizing force in the north-south war. This is very serious.

As the administration rolls out a new policy that includes incentive packages to sway Khartoum to do the right

thing, let us remember also that this is the same regime that welcomed with open arms and harbored Osama bin Laden from 1991 to 1995. It was from Khartoum that he planned an assassination attempt against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Is this a regime deserving of a second chance again and again and again? I dare say, no.

So what have we learned? In the words of the late Dr. John Garang, the Bashir regime, as Dr. Garang said, Bashir and his regime is too deformed to be reformed. The U.S. must provide leadership in the international community. I call on President Obama, Secretary Clinton and Special Envoy Gration to provide clear leadership and to not give in to this regime and make sure that they live up to what they have said.

I urge the President to meet with First Vice President of Sudan and President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir, and to make it clear to him that the United States will provide support, that the south needs to ensure that the CPA does not crumble and war does not break out again in the south. The message to Khartoum must be that a dismissal of the CPA in any form will not be tolerated. We demand a free and fair referendum for the people of south Sudan and Abyei. We demand justice and accountability. We demand a real end to genocide in Darfur.

At this time I yield to Mr. Brad Miller, a member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health who has done a tremendous amount during his time on the committee.

Let me thank the gentleman for his statement. I appreciate his work on the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.

At this time I would like to hear from the gentleman who called for the Special Order today, the majority leader from Maryland, Mr. Steny Hoyer.

Let me, once again, thank the majority leader for his passion and leadership on this issue. Your statement here was so thorough. I really appreciate your leadership.

At this time, I would like to recognize the co-chair of the Sudan Caucus, a gentleman who has traveled to Sudan. He has been a fighter on this issue. He has been to meetings with the Chinese and with other persons who had to be convinced that they should change their ways. It is my pleasure to introduce and to yield to him as much time as he may consume, the gentleman from Massachusetts, Representative Capuano.

Let me thank the gentleman again. As I indicated, he cochairs the Sudan Caucus, and he has been very, very involved from day one. We really appreciate his leadership.

At this time, I would like to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlelady from California, a member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, a person who has traveled to Africa, Congresswoman Woolsey.

Let me thank the gentlelady, the cochair of the Progressive Caucus. And let me commend your congressional district in Marin County that had a very interesting forum where we discussed with Darfurian citizens, former citizens of Darfur in the south. Your district is so progressive, and it was my pleasure to be there in the great State of California.

At this time, I would like to ask the gentleman from Virginia who has served in Africa--he has done outstanding work prior to coming to Congress, very knowledgeable, and a delightful advocate for people who are striving for justice--Representative Perriello, I yield to you as much time as you may consume.

Let me certainly once again commend the gentleman from Virginia. The work that he's done speaks for him. And it's a pleasure to have him in our House of Representatives, and we will certainly look forward to your continued leadership in the next Congress.

At this time I'd like to introduce a gentleman from Georgia who has shown interest in many issues as it relates to human rights, the gentleman from the great State, as I mentioned from Georgia, Representative Barrow.

Let me thank the gentleman for the continued good work that you do.

As we conclude, you've heard the words from our leader, Representative Hoyer, you've heard Members of the Congress express themselves. I, too, would like to say that this has been a bipartisan effort. Congressman Wolf, Senator Brownback. The last hearing I had, I invited him to come to the House hearing, and he did an outstanding job.

But many of us say that this issue must be resolved. And it's the historic problem of the region of Egypt and Sudan. Back at the end of the Ottoman Empire back in 1914, the British came in and jointly kind of ruled Egypt and Sudan. And finally during the Suez Canal crisis in the early 1950s, the Egyptian revolution started to move forward, and it was felt that Egypt and Sudan had to separate if Egypt was going to get its independence.

Interestingly enough, Sudan was the first black nation to get independence from any of the colonial powers, back on January 1 of 1956. However, right prior to that independence, the war broke out between the north and the south.

And one of the problems that we have seen today was because the British had two administrations. It had an administration for the north, and it had an administration for the south. And way back during its administration, it created the difference between the north and the south. And those problems just continued to move forward. And some of those issues remain today. The fact that the many groups of Sudan, many diverse--there are about 38 million people in Sudan. It's interesting that 49 percent are black, and 38 percent are Arab, and 11 percent are Nubians.

And the problem in Darfur would surprise many people because the Darfurians were people who worked with the National Congress Party. The Darfurians were persons who were in the armed services of the government of Sudan.

When the Government of Sudan turned on the Darfurian people, bombing them, killing them, then allowing the Janjaweed to come and rape and burn and pilfer, kill animals, throw

them into wells, shocked many people because Darfurians were relatively loyal to the Government of Sudan.

So this is terrible government, a government that has tried to have an Arabization program. And the war between the north and the south is because Dr. John Garang and the people of the south who were Christians and animus did not want to live under sharia law, which was being imposed by al-Bashir.

So we have to continue to push to make sure that the CPA from January 9 is upheld in 2011. We have to remember those--Rebecca Garang, the widow of Dr. John Garang, who still today is raising her children. Those who have fought with the SPLA, SPLM for many, many years will have their opportunity.

Whatever the people of Sudan and the south decide, that is what we should allow to be the word. It should be up to the people of the south, whatever they decide. Whether they decide to remain a part of Sudan or whether they decide to separate, we should ensure that whatever their decision is that we will guarantee that the will of the people be done.

I would like to once again thank our majority leader for his continued interest, Members who have come to participate.

General Leave

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order on Sudan.

I yield back.

Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 9 o'clock and 3 minutes p.m.), the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, September 23, 2010, at 10 a.m.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on July 27, 2010 I was delayed during the vote on the adoption of H. Con. Res. 301, the Pakistan War Powers Resolution.

However, if I had been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on H. Con. Res. 301.

Madam Speaker, I rise to commend Liel Maghen, one of my 2010 summer interns in the New Story Leadership Program. The New Story Leadership Program, hosts interns from Israel and Palestine, to Washington, DC every year. As a requirement of the program a Congressional Forum is held, and in my attendance on July 20, 2010 Liel Maghen gave a remarkable speech. His story is very inspirational and it gives a clear perspective of his culture and obstacles he overcame. At this time, I present to you his speech:

``I am Liel Maghen and I am your Master of Ceremony for

this morning's event.

The Middle East story receives high media coverage and

public attention. It is a story of a conflict between two

people over the same land and it is a story of terror,

occupation, and suffering.

The dimensions of this story combine religion, economy,

cultural differences and racism in a complex history of

hatred, and present reality of mistrust, that seems far from

being solved. However, the small particles of this conflict

are the personal stories of people that live in that region.

And like looking at atoms of a human body, these stories

reveal different perceptions and demonstrate how these

separate particles are connected together in one body that is

called the Middle East.

My story starts with my heritage. But before I will begin,

let me note that today is ``Tisha Beav''. It is a day of

grief for the Jewish people that commemorate the destruction

of both great temples in Jerusalem.

According to the religious scriptures, which refer to these

temples as Houses, these temples were destroyed as god's

punishment for corruption, moral degradation, and false

hatred.

I believe that we, the Jewish people who are gathered here

today, came here in order to prevent the collapse of our

third House the Israeli state.

I was born in the state of Israel to an Italian mother and

Libyan father, who decided, as true Zionists, to leave their

families and home in order to move to the Jewish state. My

mother is a daughter of two Holocaust survivors and my father

himself suffered persecution in his Arab homeland throughout

his childhood. Therefore, my education, which was traditional

Jewish, emphasized the importance of a Jewish state and the

need of the Jewish people to defend themselves in order to

prevent a second Holocaust. My education was also affected by

the political activism of my parents, who were members of the

Halikud right wing party.

When I grew up, especially in the time of the second

Intifada, I adopted my parents' perspective as my own and

believed that the Jewish people are in danger, and that there

is no chance for peace. Thus, I was eager to serve my country

in a combat unit and to be a representative of my people and

history through my army service. This concept of service has

a major role in Israeli society and education. And

eventually, this service would be the reason for a big change

in my perception, a change that occurred because of a friend.

This friend was Johan Zarbib.

I met him in the first week of basic training. We were

together in the same unit and partners in the same squad. He,

as a foreigner who was born in France, decided to immigrate

to Israel for the same reasons as my parents. He told me,

that after suffering modern anti Semitism in his homeland, he

understood the importance of the Jewish country and wanted to

join the army and contribute his share for the sake of the

Jewish people.

I, on the other hand, made a personal and difficult

decision to change units. I decided to complete my military

service by transferring to an education unit, where I could

contribute in a different way.

In the last day of the war of Lebanon, in 2006, after the

cease-fire was signed but before it was fully implemented, I

was shocked to hear that Johan was killed.

The day after, in his funeral, I saw that many other

friends from our unit were injured in the same battle.

Looking at them and thinking about Johan, made me re

examine these values of contribution and service. I have

asked myself if serving in the army is the only way to

contribute to my society or maybe was there another option.

My conclusion was that it is our responsibility, as people

who suffer from the war, to make an effort for achieving

peace. Or as Mahatma Gandhi has said: ``you must be the

change that you wish to see in the world''.

Since then, I have participated in different co-existence

programs. Although these experiences are difficult and

confront sensitive issues, I have come to understand through

them, that both sides suffer from this conflict and that only

personal connection between people can create a bridge beyond

the walls of separation and fear. I have also come to

understand that maybe we don't agree on the details of the

solution, but we can agree on the process of finding one,

process that requires communication, compromise, and

reconciliation.

And Finally, Here in Washington, I have had a great

opportunity to take this understanding one step further.

Thank to Congressman Payne and his inspirational staff I have

learned about the political process and how it can make a

major impact in people's life. Furthermore, being a part of a

group of Israeli and Palestinian activists through the New

Story Leadership Program teaches me that many people from

both sides are basically on the same side, the side that

wants peace.

This future is reachable, and we should join together,

Israelis, Palestinians, and Americans, in order to make this

future closer to the present.''

Thank you very much,

Shalom, Peace and Salam Aleikum

Madam Speaker, I call upon my colleagues in joining me congratulating Liel Maghen and wishing him all the best. He is truly an inspiration to all that know him.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is critical to our economic recovery to extend unemployment benefits for several more months and assist struggling States and local governments so that they can avoid layoffs of teachers, police officers, firefighters, and others.

Right now there are 15 million out-of-work Americans who are waiting on the Senate to extend unemployment benefits, which contribute to paying mortgages, health care, utility bills, and the cost of food. The Democratic unemployment bill would provide unemployment checks averaging about $300 to people whose 26 weeks of State-paid benefits have run out. The benefits would be extended through the end of November.

We know these benefits not only are a much-needed lifeline for jobless Americans and their families. They also provide a proven boost to our struggling economy.

Mr. Speaker, the Democrats are fighting to help middle class Americans while the majority of the Republicans are blocking a commonsense bill at a time of great economic challenge.

I urge the Senate to pass the unemployment extension to those Americans who are seeking employment every day as they go and look at the Web sites and visit companies and are told there is no work. How could the Republicans then say that extending unemployment is going to keep people from looking for work? They want work. We know that the jobs have gone. We need to recreate jobs.

So let's save middle America so that they will be able to provide for the needs of their families.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2865) to reauthorize the Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on S. 2865 into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2865, which reauthorizes the Congressional Award Program. The Congressional Award is a public- private partnership created by Congress in 1979 that works to recognize the initiative, achievement, and service of America's youth, ages 14 to 23. Participants earn recognition and bronze, silver, and gold Congressional Award certificates or medals based on their involvement in four key areas: volunteer service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration.

Participants in the Congressional Award Program set and achieve personally challenging goals based on their individual interests, needs, and abilities. Because these participants set their own goals, the program is open and inclusive of youth of all ability levels.

S. 2865 provides for the reauthorization of the Congressional Award Program until October 2013. It will allow the Congressional Awards Foundation to confer awards to the many youth who have completed their goals and service. We recognize the outstanding contributions of over 27,700 individuals who have participated in the Congressional Award Program since its inception, and over 1,500 youth from 45 States earned certificates or medals at one of the six award levels this current year. We congratulate them on their achievement and thank them for an outstanding 2.5 million hours of combined volunteer service.

In fact, this morning, Members of Congress and community leaders will join together to honor 252 recipients of the Congressional Award Gold Medal. These recipients will represent the best of the best of the young people working to meet their goals. They will be congratulated by NFL star Michael Oher and Deputy Secretary of Education Anthony Miller. We wish these young people continued success in their personal, professional and educational goals.

We also thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who serve on the Congressional Award board of directors. Their contributions to the program are an important part of this Congress' support of the outstanding youth who participate in the Congressional Award Program.

Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for Senate bill 2865 and the reauthorization of the Congressional Award Program. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge the support of Senate bill 2865, the Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act, to the full body.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 285) recognizing the important role that fathers play in the lives of their children and families and supporting the goals and ideals of designating 2010 as the Year of the Father.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 285 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 285, which honors and celebrates the observance of the centennial anniversary of Father's Day this past Sunday, and to recognize the importance of fatherhood. This resolution highlights the long history of Father's Day, first celebrated on June 19, 1910, to honor the love and commitment that fathers give our children and their families.

Every year on the third Sunday in June, families across this Nation stop to thank fathers for the hard work and dedication it takes to be a supportive and involved parent. The tradition of Father's Day began 100 years ago in Spokane, Washington. The day was first recognized nationally by President Coolidge in 1924, who urged States to follow suit. President Nixon signed the proclamation in 1972 permanently observing Father's Day as the third Sunday in June.

Supportive fathers play a significant and influential role in their child's development. Children with loving fathers generally have healthier self-esteem, better peer relationships, more pro-social behavior, and an enjoyment of learning new skills. A positive environment at home also helps children thrive academically and get involved in extracurricular activities.

By commending the hard work and dedication of fathers during the centennial celebration of Father's Day, we encourage responsible fatherhood and happy, successful, and stronger families and communities.

I want to thank Representative McMorris Rodgers for bringing this resolution to the floor and urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of House Concurrent Resolution 285.

As a father of three, grandfather of triplet grandchildren and another--four grandchildren, and one great grandchild, I certainly am here to say that I think that Father's Day is a wonderful day. I was very privileged to have my children take me to a wonderful brunch, as they do every Father's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to vote in favor of this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1034) expressing support for designation of July 2010 as ``Braille Literacy Month'', as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1034 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1034, which recognizes the importance of braille in the lives of blind people. We know that education is the key to success and that every American deserves an equal opportunity to a good education. Literacy, or the ability to read and write, is the key to this education.

Braille has been a recognized reading and writing code for the blind since its invention by Louis Braille in 1821. Braille translates to most written languages, and it is even used in converting figures in the areas of math, science, and music. Braille code has improved the lives of blind people by facilitating quick access to information and technology resources. It has even given blind persons the ability to read and write simultaneously.

Despite the freedom that comes from learning braille, fewer than 10 percent of the 1.3 million people who are legally blind in the United States are braille readers. According to the American Printing House for the Blind, there are approximately 58,000 legally blind children in the United States, but only 10 percent of these children are learning the code. This resolution honors, celebrates, and encourages the learning of braille, but it also recognizes the need for more education in the teaching of braille so that America's blind children can learn this important code.

In 2006, Congress recognized the importance of braille by passing the Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act. This act authorizes the striking of a United States silver dollar, marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, and emphasizes the connection between the learning of braille and the empowerment of blind people everywhere. A portion of the sale of each coin goes towards a braille literacy campaign that will help provide more blind youth and adults with access to this important code.

Mr. Speaker, let us continue to emphasize the importance of learning

braille by supporting House Resolution 1034. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, which celebrates braille and which pays much needed attention to braille literacy in America.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the House move in favor of H. Res. 1034.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1373) expressing support for designation of the week beginning May 2, 2010, as ``National Physical Education and Sport Week''.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1373 into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1373, which recognizes the critical importance of physical education and physical activity for all of our Nation's children and youth by celebrating National Physical Education and Sport Week. Participation in physical education and sports programs not only helps children stay physically fit, but contributes to a range of academic, social, and personal gains. With the observance of this week, coaches, educators, and parents around the country will promote greater youth participation in physical education and help tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity.

Since 1980, the childhood obesity rate in America has more than tripled. The increase in obesity is, in large part, due to a decrease in regular physical exercise. Fewer than one in five adolescents now meet the Center for Disease Control's recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Many children do not have the opportunity to participate in physical education. Only a fraction of the Nation's elementary, middle, and high schools are provided regular physical education classes.

Physical activity reduces the risk of heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Research shows that children who have the opportunity to engage in physical activity regularly are more likely to thrive academically and graduate. In addition to improved academic performance, participation in sports teams and other physical activities can improve behavior, increase self-esteem, develop social skills, and help kids lead a healthy lifestyle as an adult. We are responsible for educating our children about physical education and for providing opportunities for fitness. National Physical Education and Sport Week reaffirms the importance of healthy bodies and healthy minds in our communities and schools.

Mr. Speaker, I once again express my support for House Resolution 1373, the National Physical Education and Sport Week. I thank Congressman Altmire for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support this fine resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of H. Res. 1373, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time but would like to urge that House Resolution 1373 be passed. We also in my district on Saturday will be having a community meeting dealing with obesity, in line with the President and First Lady Obama's initiative to battle obesity. We've been doing this now for the past decade. It's in epidemic proportions in some districts. So we do urge the people to come out to Metropolitan Church on Saturday to participate. But we believe that this is very important. The health of our Nation is at stake. And so I certainly urge support of the National Physical Education and Sport Week, House Resolution 1373, and urge passage.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to pay tribute to the wonderful accomplishments of Gene A. Vincenti as he retires from Rutgers Newark. It is indeed a pleasure for me to add my congratulations to that of his family, friends and colleagues of the Rutgers Newark community as they celebrate in honor of ``Mr. Rutgers Newark.'' For all the contributions he has made over the years, Mr. Vincenti deserves to be feted on this marvelous although melancholy occasion.

Rarely has an individual been such an integral part of a university by having received both undergraduate and graduate degrees and going on to work at the same institution for over 38 years. However, that is exactly what Gene has done. His career at Rutgers Newark can only be described as mutually beneficial. Having worked with three provosts and three presidents, Gene has been instrumental in helping to develop the current landscape of Newark. In addition to his involvement with the Council for Higher Education in Newark, CHEN, alliance, Gene had a hand in determining the locations of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Prudential Arena. He also had input on redeveloping the Broad Street train station and the Broad and Halsey Street areas near the campus.

Gene's involvement in CHEN and his numerous years as a champion of Rutgers Newark helped to create some dynamic improvements and image boosting initiatives for the City of Newark. His sphere of influence in the community and the synergy he helped to create through CHEN will always be remembered by the many students, administrators and residents of the Greater Newark area.

Madam Speaker, I know my fellow members of the House of Representatives agree that Gene Vincenti has been a part of the fabric of Newark Rutgers and that his departure will leave a void that will not easily be filled. We wish him well in this new phase of his life.

Mr. Speaker, the radical reactionary Republicans are at it again; they want to repeal everything. The radical reactionary Republicans want to repeal the fact that children can stay on their parents' health care policy up to age 26. The radical reactionary Republicans want to repeal the fact that there will be no preconditions.

The radical reactionary Republicans are the repeal Republicans. Any step forward, let's repeal them and turn them back. The radical reactionary Republicans are the new repeal Republicans; the no Republicans.

Let's keep the status quo as we move on to meet the foe. Let's move forward with progress.