Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to lead this Special Order for an hour on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and to have some of my distinguished colleagues join me.

But as we begin the Special Order to call attention to the travesty that the Republican leadership is proposing and the cuts that they will be trying to enact for the balance of this year, I want to say something that begins to put these cuts into a particular perspective.

I'm sure that everyone is aware that today is Valentine's Day, a day in which we supposedly celebrate love. As the Republican leadership begins the onslaught on some very important programs, I want to share with them and all of us something that Dr. Cornel West has been reminding us of as of late, that is, that justice is what love looks like in the public arena.

So on this day when we show those close to us we love them, we should also be showing the American people our commitment to justice. Mr. Speaker, the cuts being proposed with the continuing resolution are anything but just.

With that, I would like to yield first to our distinguished assistant minority leader, Mr. Clyburn, the gentleman from South Carolina, who has been a leader for his State, for this Congress, and for our country, particularly a leader of high morals who leads this country in making sure that we stay true to the values that this country was founded on and continue to operate in that faith.

Thank you, Mr. Clyburn, and we thank you so much for developing that formula that has begun to help communities that have been long distressed with high poverty levels for all that time, and we look forward to the work of your task force. Obviously this is not a Democrat issue or a Republican issue; it's an American issue. And we look forward to supporting that task force and the work that you will be doing.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I'd like to yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), who leads the Congressional Black Caucus budget and has led it for all the years that I have been here. And I must say that in all of the budgets that he has helped us prepare and present to this body, they have been thoughtful, they have provided funding to the important areas that our communities and some of the communities that Mr. Clyburn talked about needed, but still has reduced the deficit in every instance.

Thank you, Mr. Scott. And I remember when the tax cuts were being debated and you led us, because we knew that those tax cuts would be paid for by cuts to the programs that our communities need most and that the American people want. The Pew Foundation did a poll that showed that people don't want cuts in those programs.

It was interesting, Paul Krugman in The New York Times today made a good point. Because the bill doesn't have one of those nice names that are usually attached to Republican bills when they are doing something that would hurt the public, he suggested we call it the Eat the Future bill, because that's what we're doing. We're taking away things now that we need to invest in to build our future.

So thank you, Mr. Scott, and thank you for your leadership on the budget.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to our leader, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Emanuel Cleaver from Missouri.

Thank you, Congressman Cleaver. We are certainly fortunate to having you leading the Congressional Black Caucus at this time. I think we need a pastor as leader.

At church yesterday, my minister spoke about our need as Christians. But this would apply to any faith, that we must be on the side of the dispossessed, the helpless, the hopeless, and the marginalized, and the cuts that the Republicans plan would clearly hurt the least of these and are definitely not on their side.

I want to yield at this time to the gentlewoman from Texas, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.

Thank you, Ms. Johnson, a former chair of the CBC and a leader in science for many years.

I now yield to the other gentlelady from Texas, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee. Thank you for your leadership on so many issues. I'm not sure if you mentioned, but there's also some job training programs that would be cut under the CR at a time when jobs are so badly needed across this country.

At this time I would like to yield to the gentleman from Georgia, Hank Johnson, who joined me the last time we had a Special Order. Thanks for joining us again this evening.

Thank you, Congressman Johnson. Thank you for your passion on behalf of the middle class and the poor.

As Congressman Scott said, throughout this recession, it has been the working people and the poor who have borne the brunt of the recession. Now they're being asked to give more. While those who are wealthier and the corporations did very well, they are being asked to give nothing. So we do need to make sure that our voices are heard and that we do everything we can to make sure that the programs that are so important to this country and to the future of this country, if we are going to win the future, are not lost, beginning with this CR.

I would now like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Donald Payne, also a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. He has been a leader in education as well as in international affairs, and is a senior member of the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Thank you, Congressman Payne, for joining us this evening and for pointing out those very important issues that could be lost if this CR is passed as proposed.

I want to just talk about a few issues.

On the first day of the 112th Congress and this Republican-led House, the leadership took away the vote, in the Committee of the Whole, from the District of Columbia and the Territories. Apparently, that was not enough. Last week, they moved to impose their will and their conservative ideology on the people of our Nation's capital. Now, in the continuing resolution that is proposed, the assault continues, because the Office of Insular Affairs, which would support our Territories moving to more self-sufficiency, is slated to get cut by almost $7 million.

My district had a major flood disaster late last year, something that has not happened in recent or even distant memory. A beloved member of our community drowned, and many lost property and suffered damage to property. The proposed CR would cut funding for flood emergencies. I am sure that places like Tennessee and New Orleans and other places that have had floods recently or that are the potential flood areas of our Nation would not want to have flood disaster funding cut.

My district also has the highest concentration of greenhouse gases per square mile, and we're fully dependent on diesel for our power. The cost of electricity in the Virgin Islands is crushing families, closing businesses, and hurting our elderly. But in the Republican-proposed CR, they are planning to cut almost every EPA program that we need to protect the health and safety of communities like mine and almost every program that supports the development of renewable energy.

After the Bush administration turned a surplus into the deficit we're now trying to close, communities across this country experienced a continuing increase in violent crime because of the economic distress that they faced. And so what do my Republicans want to do? In the CR, they want to cut funding for police programs, for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, as well as many other health programs, for juvenile delinquency prevention, for job training programs, as well as the community block grant and community development programs, programs that our communities need to address the rising gun violence that this economic crisis is exacerbating.

For years, the Republican caucus has been trying to get their hands on the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as the Smithsonian funding. So these important programs, which are probably needed more than ever because there's so much pain and suffering across this country, they're also on the chopping block.

As you've heard, WIC has already been cut twice last year, and yet it is proposed to be cut over $600 million. And if that were not enough, over $200 million is proposed to be cut from maternal and child health programs. Where is the justice and the love for our country's children?

At this time, I'd like to just yield once again for the remaining time to the Congresswoman from Texas, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, to speak on some of the other areas that the CR would cut and hurt our effort to win the future.

I just want to assure you that the Congressional Black Caucus will work with all of our colleagues to craft a budget that's fair and yet reduces the deficit, as we've done every year.

Mr. Speaker, next week President Obama will send his budget to Congress, and news coming from the White House will not be good. But the rumors of a budget war from the Republican leadership promises to make a bad situation much, much worse.

From what we are hearing, all of us can expect the same Republican policies which took an over-$5 trillion surplus that Democrats and President Clinton sacrificed to create and turned it into the dream- crushing deficit that we are faced with today.

They have made cutting spending sound like a good thing, but it is not when you look at where the cuts will come from. They will not come from the tax cuts for the wealthy and not from the wars we need to end, but they will come from programs that communities and families need now more than ever. This is Bush deja vu all over again. And every economist that I have read says that with this economy in such a fragile state, with the country only at the beginning of recovery, and with far too many of our fellow Americans hurting, this is not the time to cut spending.

It is not that I am against making prudent cuts to reduce the deficit, but the cuts I am hearing about so far will hurt those the President said should not be hurt: the most vulnerable, children, the poor, the majority of whom are racial and ethnic minorities, and our disabled and elderly.

We in the Congressional Black Caucus have placed ourselves in the breach on behalf of those who would otherwise remain nameless because no one is willing to name them. They are Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian and Pacific Island Americans, and the poor and rural Americans of every race and ethnicity.

As we do every year, we will develop a budget that treats all Americans fairly, does not leave anyone behind, but gives a helping hand to those who need it, and also reduces the deficit.

We agree with President Obama that his budget must put the country on a firm path to winning the future, and we know that winning the future means creating opportunity for everyone who lives in this country. But the CBC is further committed to making sure that everyone means everyone, to making sure that those who have been most hurt by this recession and those who have long been marginalized even in the good times have the special help they need to be a part of creating that future and benefiting from it.

I cannot believe that there could be one Member of Congress who does not support our country being number one, who does not want to win the future. But we can't win the future without ensuring that every child has access to a quality education and that those schools which have lagged behind because they lack resources and adequate

and well-trained staff are helped to meet the standards that are required to do that. And we cannot win the future if we turn back all of the newly gained benefits and savings in the Affordable Care Act. We will never win the future if we allow the Republicans to pass a budget that causes us to lose those provisions which enable minorities, rural residents, and the poor to achieve better health, to be more productive, and to have a better quality of life. These health equity provisions will begin to end the inequality and injustice in health care that Dr. King called shocking and inhumane.

And we cannot win the future if we don't do all that we can to make sure we address the mortgage crisis and help families keep the homes they need to raise their families in. We cannot win the future without jobs and more jobs. And I'm talking about good jobs.

So we know that there will have to be limits of spending, but we want to make sure that it starts at the most effective time and that the sacrifice is fairly spread, that those who have sacrificed over the last decade while corporations and the rich made off like bandits will not be the ones that continue to bear the brunt of the cuts and continue to suffer while Big Business and the wealthy continue to amass more wealth at their expense. That is an affront to the principles of fairness and equity that this country was founded on.

And so we want a realistic budget, not one that the Republicans are preparing that will cause us to lose more jobs, send more people into dire poverty, that will deny education and health care to those who need it most, that will continue the loss of homes, that will weaken programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security which so many depend on, and one that will decrease the deficit and continue to drive this country into decline, continuing what the Republican policies over the last decade have done.

That is not what we want. That is not what the country needs. That is not the kind of budget that will win the future.

And so we in this Congressional Black Caucus are willing to roll up our sleeves, put on our thinking caps and work with our President and our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to pass a different, a better budget, one that will create jobs, that will give people the tools to lift them and their families out of poverty and keep them in their homes, one that will create an educational system that will put all of our children first, and a health care system that ensures quality health care to all Americans, a budget that will provide the retirement security our seniors deserve and keep our country competitive and strong and number one in the world, a budget that will win the future. We know it can be done because we have shown how it can be done every year with the CBC budget.

Working together, I know we can create a budget worthy of this country, one that lives up to our ideals, one based not on political ideology, but one that responds to the needs of our country and the needs of the people who are waiting and depending on us.

Mr. Speaker, for everyone who has been listening to the dialogue and debate around health care reform, I want to make something crystal clear: regardless of the vote in the House, health care reform was not repealed today; and despite what some might be projecting and promising, all of us on both sides of the aisle know that this is true.

We also know that the next step in the larger plan to repeal health care reform will involve directing committees of jurisdiction to revisit the health care reform law.

Now, if this is going to be a process that includes meaningful hearings and honest dialogue about how to strengthen and bolster--not dismantle and obliterate--health care reform, then I would support that strategy. It would allow us to work together to build upon the many successes that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has already demonstrated: successes for our children, our seniors, the poor, and the already insured. That was the kind of process that led to the development and passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

But, to be honest, that was then; and I do not believe that such a process will occur this time because those calling for repeal don't seem to be interested in socially, fiscally and medically sound public health strategies to solve our Nation's public health problems.

Instead, the supporters of repeal have been steadfast in their efforts to minimize and even downplay the devastating steps backward that H.R. 2 would mean, not only for our Nation's most vulnerable residents--children and our seniors--but also for small businesses, the middle class, rural and low-income populations, and the financial as well as the physical health of our Nation.

So I urge not only my colleagues here, but every American who wants a healthier and stronger tomorrow to be engaged and active and to be alert because the real health care reform repeal efforts begin, not with this vote, but in the months ahead. All of us, everyone in this country--the insured and the uninsured--have too much at stake to sit on the sidelines and remain silent.

We know that there is an appropriations strategy to ensure that the health care freedoms in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are not adequately or appropriately funded, making their implementation an utter impossibility. We can't let that happen.

We also know that efforts are under way that will allow the chairman of the Budget Committee to set spending limits on his own, without committee consensus and clearly without a fair, transparent, and democratic process. This is an assault on our democracy.

Finally, we also know that all of the harsh realities that repeal will mean to millions of Americans and their families will not be highlighted or even mentioned. For example, those calling for repeal won't admit that repeal would mean more uninsured Americans--54 million uninsured by 2019.

Those calling for repeal will never admit that repeal means an increase in the number of American families who will file bankruptcy, lose their homes and suffer other financial hardships because their health care costs are so high.

Those calling for repeal will never admit that repeal means a loss of jobs, increased unemployment and an increase in the deficit, even though they know, as we do, that without health care reform the Federal deficit will explode by $143 billion over the next 10 years and by more than a whopping $1 trillion over the next two decades.

Those calling for repeal will never admit that repeal will mean a drastic increase in the health disparities that we know leave racial and ethnic minorities and low-income and rural Americans in poorer health, who are more likely to die prematurely from preventable causes. A recent Joint Center study found that eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities would have reduced direct medical care expenditures by $229.4 billion in just 4 years.

Finally, those calling for repeal will never admit that repeal, literally, could be a death sentence for thousands of innocent Americans every year. A recent IOM study suggests that more than 15,000 deaths per year could happen just because insurance was taken away.

So repeal did not take place today, but the assault on our rights, our freedoms, our democracy, as well as our very lives are on the line in the planned committee process, the budgetary sleights of hand and a targeted appropriations process. So let's not find ourselves repenting for the silence of good people.

Mr. Speaker, there will be no repeal of the health care reform law, so let's be clear. The agenda that the Republican leadership has set for this week's floor activity and the committee work that follows is nothing more than an opportunity to bad talk and fuel the misinformation about the Affordable Care Act which is a good law that will help over 30 million people be healthier, create millions of jobs, make our country more productive and stronger, and reduce the deficit.

So I am urging all of my colleagues, but especially those on the other side of the aisle, in the name of collegiality and honesty with the public we serve, to drop the charade and let us use the time the people of this country have hired us for to work together to create more jobs and make sure the health care law is implemented properly, to save the homes of families, and to create an educational system that will once again make our children the first in the world.

Mr. Speaker, it's an honor for me to join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for this half hour or so to talk to the American people about the importance of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. For African Americans and other people of color, as well as rural Americans, who make up more than half of the uninsured, we cannot allow the law and the consumer protections to be repealed. Not when we have just gotten one foot in the health care door, some of us for the very first time.

For African Americans, who have higher death rates from all causes than any other population group, the preventive services, the strengthening of the public health force, the diversifying of an expanded health workforce, the community health workers, the community health centers, the Offices of Minority Health, those equity provisions cannot be repealed. It's a matter of life and death for us.

I know that the Republicans and their leadership who are calling for repeal won't ever say that they want to take away those benefits of the law that make sure sick children can be ensured, that allow families to keep their children who can't get jobs right away on their insurance until they are 26, or make sure that your insurance will be there for you when you need it most, when you get sick. They won't tell you that they want to take those away, but that's exactly what would happen if they are allowed to unravel this very carefully put together law.

Moreover, it should cause concern to every freedom-loving and justice-seeking person in this country that two of the very first acts of this 112th Congress have been to take away rights, privileges, or benefits from United States citizens. They took away the vote in the Committee of the Whole from Representatives elected and sent here by over 5 million Americans.

And now the leadership is trying to take away services and benefits that in effect would take away the right that everyone should have to health care. Whatever the leadership tries to take away next, good people must stand and speak and act to prevent them from doing so, as we must not let them repeal the job-creating health care reform law now.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who we remembered yesterday, spoke about the appalling silence of good people.

So, my fellow Americans, what I am saying to you is we cannot be silent. I know it must be difficult for you, our constituents, you, our employers, to know what the Affordable Care Act does and what it doesn't do, because there is so much distortion of the facts. So to help explain what the bill, what the law does, and how devastating the repeal would be, I want to now yield to my colleagues.

I will begin by yielding to the gentleman Georgia (Mr. Johnson).

I want to thank you, Mr. Johnson, for helping to clarify some of the important areas that are provided for in the Affordable Care Act. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not everyone is entitled to creating their own facts. And I think what we're hearing tonight are the facts.

I would like to yield now 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, and thank you for tying in to the constitutional issues, because we're going to be asked to provide constitutional references for every legislation that we introduce and the constitutional issue has been raised over and over again and I thank you for addressing that in your remarks.

I would now like to yield to the gentleman from New York, Congressman Meeks.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consents that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order this evening.

Madam Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in support of this resolution and to offer heartfelt sympathies oil behalf of myself, my family, staff and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands to the people of the Eighth District of Arizona, our colleague Gabrielle Giffords, her staff, their families and all others who were hurt or killed in the tragic and senseless attack in Tucson, Arizona.

Everywhere that I went at home, my constituents responded with outrage, but also prayerfully to this horrendous event. Our churches devoted Sunday services in memory of those who died, offered prayers for speedy and full recovery tor those injured, for the affected families, for the residents of the district and for our nation as well as in grateful tribute to all who responded and continue to respond.

We joined our fellow Americans in the moment of silence on Monday.

I, like all of my colleagues, and all public figures understand and accept the risks of being in public office and we and those charged with the responsibility of protecting us act to mitigate these risks. However we are here to represent the residents of our districts and are committed to doing what is needed to do so to the best of our ability. That means that we must meet, listen and interact with our constituents as much as possible. This incident will not prevent us from doing so,

But just as we continue to carry out our duties, it is the responsibility of everyone, but particularly those who have a public platform, to be responsible in what they communicate to the public and how.

There are many who warned that the increasingly inflammatory rhetoric of the past year, especially as the campaigns got underway, could lead to some kind of violent action.

That being said I do not intend to point fingers or cast blame, but ask only that each and every one of us here and across this country honestly and fully examine our hearts, our consciences and our past words and actions and ensure that going forward all that we do and say reflect respect and unity instead of discord, divisiveness and violence.

As someone who has abhorred violence and worked for peace all of my life, I have had the great privilege and honor of joining my distinguished colleague John Lewis and the Faith and Politics Institute almost every year that they have held it on the civil rights pilgrimage to pay tribute to all who work for justice and equality but also to renew my dedication to non-violence and my commitment to furthering the beloved community envisioned by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is a spiritual, renewing and life enriching--for some, life changing experience--and I would urge as many as can to attend this year.

Our colleague, Gabby Giffords, as many have already said and everyone now knows is a special person. Many of us supported her during what was an extremely difficult and unnecessarily bitter campaign. She may not have always voted as I would have wanted her to, but she is without a doubt fearless and faithful in the representation of her district and all of us respect her highly and love her dearly. We thank God that she is progressing well and we pray for her full and speedy recovery. This body is incomplete without her presence.

As we approach the hard fought for Martin Luther King holiday, let us all rededicate ourselves to the principles he espoused, commit ourselves to continuing his legacy and to being drum majors for justice and peace!

Madam Speaker, I rise with pride to offer my congratulations to Orlando Santos, son of Diane Tutein and Enrique Santos, who was featured on the Food Network on Sunday, December 19th as one of the competitors on the Food Network Challenge Sugar Destinations.

Orlando, the executive pastry chef at the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh, hails from the island of St. Croix and truly represented his artistic and culinary talent with the sugar piece he produced.

Although he did not win, he has made a name for himself and remains a favorite of the judges for his unselfish desire to take his mother to Denmark to connect with her Danish ancestry.

Orlando is a product of the public school system in the Virgin Islands and was raised in a environment of strong, determined women to include his mother Diane, his maternal grandmother Mercedes and his maternal great-grandmother Mariel. He began his training in the culinary arts at St. Croix Vocational Complex. He graduated from Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Florida and attended the French Pastry School in Chicago. Orlando won his first professional competition in Atlanta with our very own local sweetbread, a pastry that is typical in the Virgin Islands around the Christmas season. In 2004, he won first place in the wedding cake category at the Southern Pastry Classic.

During the challenge on Sunday, Orlando displayed his signature technique; local Virgin Islands flowers, which represent his culture and traditions.

So, on behalf of myself, my staff and our Virgin Islands community all over the world, we are very proud of Orlando as he continues to make a name for himself and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the very competitive culinary world.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3973, the reauthorization of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, a successful program that I strongly believe will make a major difference in lowering energy costs for consumers in all territories.

I am pleased that the program includes entities in the smaller territories, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the first time.

While we are not at the level that we need, we pledge to fight for better inclusion in the future and do recognize that this is an important first step for the territories, which rely considerably on fossil fuels, including diesel.

As the country transitions to a clean energy economy, I am sure that we all can agree that it is only fitting that all jurisdictions under the U.S. flag are able to take part in national and state diesel emissions reduction grant and loan programs. Though the Energy Policy Act of 2005 has achieved much in ensuring that states qualify for grant and loan programs, geared towards reducing diesel emissions--today's reauthorization of the DERA will go a long way to ensure that all U.S. citizens are able to tap into the resources necessary to relieve the burdens associated with the combustion of dirty fossil fuels.

Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the U.S. and its territories. Though it is undeniable that diesel engines have proven to be an invaluable resource over the years, it is high time that we reevaluate our over dependence on this fuel source--and look towards more sustainable alternatives.

As we are all aware, these engines emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxins, resulting in serious public health concerns.

Much of our heavy machinery and school buses are operated by diesel engines that do not meet EPA's clean diesel standards. Extension of the diesel emission reduction provisions will not only help to further current commitments to reduce air pollution but will make great strides in protecting our communities' health and that of future generations. Inclusion of all the territories in the DERA reauthorization would provide our jurisdictions with the opportunity to access currently unavailable resources necessary to retrofit existing equipment and implement new emissions control technologies.

At this time I would applaud the authors of this bill and thank Chairman Waxman and Energy and Commerce Committee staff for their leadership in ensuring that the territories are included in this important bill. I would also like to recognize the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa and Puerto Rico delegations for their tireless efforts on this issue as well.

Thank you, Chairman Pallone, for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I, too, rise in strong support of S. 3036, the National Alzheimer's Project Act.

Today, the effects of Alzheimer's disease are devastating-- devastating to the estimated 5.3 million Americans with the disease to their more than 11 million caregivers and to the Nation as a whole, because we all share the tremendous cost of contending with Alzheimer's. By the middle of the century, as many as 60 million Americans could have Alzheimer's disease, putting it on the course of being our country's leading public health crisis and the defining disease of the baby boomer generation.

Building on the recommendations of the Alzheimer's Study Group, the National Alzheimer's Project Act would create a national strategic plan and establish an interagency council to work with the Secretary of HHS to comprehensively assess and address Alzheimer's research, care, institutional services, and home- and community-based programs. It would ensure strategic planning and coordination across the Federal Government as a whole.

Currently, without a coordinated effort, we have no way of evaluating outcomes or developing more effective ways to improve those outcomes. The National Alzheimer's Project Act addresses this critical gap by establishing a national plan which would assess current Federal initiatives, evaluate outcomes from these programs, prioritize future actions, and set national goals.

In addition, this legislation will work to reduce the tremendous costs associated with Alzheimer's disease. The baby boomers are beginning to turn 65. Without the discovery and delivery of effective interventions, 10 million of us will develop Alzheimer's, and the lives of many millions more will be upended by the emotionally, physically, and financially draining toll of caring for us.

According to the Alzheimer's Association's report, we are currently spending $172 billion annually on Alzheimer's and other dementia care in America. $88 billion of that is for Medicare alone, which is 17 percent of the total Medicare budget. Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's or another dementia cost the system three times as much as a person who does not have dementia. For Medicaid, the cost multiplier for someone with dementia is nine times more. The report estimates that in the next 40 years, the cost of Alzheimer's and other dementias will be in the trillions.

The National Alzheimer's Project Act will help to address these costs by establishing an advisory council in which Federal and private representatives will work to reduce costs for Federal programs, as well as for families, while working to improve national health outcomes.

The National Alzheimer's Project Act also aims to decrease health disparities in Alzheimer's. Sixteen percent of women over the age of 70 have

Alzheimer's compared to 11 percent of men, and although under- diagnosed, African Americans are two times more likely and Hispanic Americans 1\1/2\ times more likely to have Alzheimer's or other dementias. The National Alzheimer's Project Act will ensure the inclusion of those at-risk populations in clinical, research, and service efforts.

S. 3036 makes significant strides in addressing one of America's most feared, costly, and deadly diseases.

I congratulate Mr. Markey for his work on this bill and I urge its passage.

I rise in strong support of S. 3036--the National Alzheimer's Project Act, which will provide critical federal support and coordination to overcome the growing Alzheimer's crisis.

Today, the effects of Alzheimer's disease are devastating--to the estimated 5.3 million Americans with the disease, to their more than 11 million caregivers, and to the nation as a whole as we all share the tremendous costs of contending with the Alzheimer crisis. Tomorrow, the devastation of Alzheimer's disease will grow far worse. In fact, it is on course to be our country's leading public health crisis of the 21st century, and the defining disease of the Baby Boom generation. If we don't succeed in changing the trajectory of this disease, by the middle of the century as many as 16 million Americans could have Alzheimer's.

Building on the recommendations of the Alzheimer's Study Group, the National Alzheimer's Project Act, NAPA, would create a national strategic plan for the Alzheimer's disease crisis. It would also establish an inter-agency council to work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to comprehensively assess and address Alzheimer research, care, institutional services, and home and community based programs. NAPA would ensure strategic planning and coordination of the fight against Alzheimer's across the federal government as a whole.

Currently, without a coordinated effort, it is impossible to determine if it has been a good year in the fight against Alzheimer's. There are no benchmarks--we have no way of evaluating outcomes, let alone a way to improve them.

The National Alzheimer's Project Act addresses this critical gap by establishing a national plan. This national plan would assess current federal initiatives, evaluate outcomes from these programs, prioritize future actions, and assert national goals. With an integrated national plan, the government can improve the quality of life and outcomes for the millions of Americans--and their families living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

In addition, this legislation will work to reduce the tremendous costs associated with Alzheimer's disease. In a few weeks, the first Baby Boomer turns 65--Alzheimer cases will begin to mount at an ever- increasing pace. Without the discovery and delivery of effective interventions, 10 million American Baby Boomers will develop Alzheimer's disease. And the lives of many millions more will be upended by the emotionally, physically and financially draining toll of caring for them.

The economic factors of Alzheimer's rival the human devastation of the disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association's report, ``Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer's Disease: A National Imperative,'' we are currently spending $172 billion annually on Alzheimer's and other dementia care in America; $88 billion of that is for Medicare alone, which is 17 percent of the total Medicare budget. Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's or another dementia cost the system three times as much as a person who does not have a dementia. For Medicaid, the cost multiplier for someone with dementia is nine times more. The Trajectory report estimates that during the next 40 years, the cost of Alzheimer's and other dementias will exceed $20 trillion.

Our country is engaged in a collective and very appropriate conversation about what should be done to address our current fiscal situation. When we look at how we can take costs out of the system while improving outcomes, we quickly see that Alzheimer's should be a core part of these discussions.

Fortunately, the National Alzheimer's Project Act will help to address these costs. The legislation establishes an Advisory Council comprised of federal and private representatives; the Council will work to reduce costs for federal programs, as well as families, while working to improve national health outcomes.

The National Alzheimer's Project Act also aims to decrease health disparities within Alzheimer's. Studies have shown certain populations are at greater risk of suffering from this devastating disease. Sixteen percent of women over the age of 70 have Alzheimer's compared to 11 percent of men. African Americans are about two times more likely to have Alzheimer's disease and other dementias; however, they are less likely to have a diagnosis. The legislation will ensure the inclusion of those at risk populations in clinical, research, and service efforts which will play a vital role in changing the future of disease.

The National Alzheimer's Project Act makes significant strides in addressing one of America's most feared, costly, and deadly diseases. I am pleased to support such a critical piece of legislation which will improve the quality of life for the millions of Americans affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of our very own Virgin Islanders, Cyril Adolphus Barnes, as he celebrates his 100th birthday of December 22, 2010.

Mr. Barnes was born on St. Croix on December 22, 1910, to Philip Barnes and Mary Eliza King. He was raised surrounded by strong family members including George Jackson, Headmaster of the then Christiansted School.

Believing that the mainland United States would provide a better opportunity, in 1926 Mr. Barnes traveled by sea aboard the Dominica to New York. He, like many who went to the ``big city,'' soon learned that the streets of New York were not paved in gold and in order to accomplish his goals, he had to work hard.

He did and continued his education. In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served until his honorable discharge in 1946. Returning back to civilian life, he became employed by the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1979.

After spending 53 years on the mainland, Mr. Barnes relocated back to his birthplace of St. Croix, where among other community involvements, he became an active member of American Legion Post No. 85.

In March of 1929, he married Gerda Barnes, also from St. Croix and they became the parents of two children, Leroy and Dorthea Barnes Stevens (both deceased). He had three other children, Maria Barnes (deceased), Harold Barnes and Violet Barnes Hughes. His family also includes six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He has numerous friends and family members that will be celebrating his 100 years of life.

On behalf of myself, my staff, the entire Virgin Islands community and the Congress of the United States, I say ``Mr. Barnes, thank you for your service and we wish you a Happy Birthday and many more years filled with God's richest blessings.''

Mr. Speaker, the national media ignored it, so I want the Nation to know of the devastating floods that occurred in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the last few weeks. First there were the dangerous mudslides, caused by Earl and Otto, that trapped residents and undermined the foundations of homes in St. John. But even worse were last week's rains, remnants of Tomas which caused unprecedented flooding that overcame bridges and storm drainage systems in a matter of hours, shutting down roads, washing away vehicles, stranding residents, flooding offices, schools and homes, and devastating the historic west end of St. Croix.

Police and rescue personnel risked their own lives assisting those trapped in homes and stranded on flooded roadways. The floods claimed the life of one St. Croix woman, Ms. Rita Stinson. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to her family and many friends. Thank you to our police, rescue, the Coast Guard, and all who assisted in the search for Rita, the rescue of our residents, and emergency cleanup.

Today damage assessments begin, but we need a disaster declaration because the cost of repairs and mitigation will be in the millions. Colleagues, as I ask you to join in prayers for Ms. Stinson and those who lost homes and property, I ask for your support to repair the damage and meet the needs of my community in the wake of this disaster.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1378) condemning the theft from the Mojave National Preserve of the national Mojave Cross memorial honoring American soldiers who died in World War I.

Mr. 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 resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1378 was introduced in May by Representative Lewis of California. The resolution condemns the theft of a cross from the Sunrise Rock in the Mojave National Preserve. This cross was first placed on Federal land in 1934 as a memorial to American soldiers who died in the First World War. Legal proceedings regarding constitutional issues raised by the cross are ongoing.

However, the theft of the cross is inexcusable. We support this measure's condemnation of that theft and urge all Federal law enforcement officials to continue their efforts to recover the cross and bring those responsible for the theft to justice.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 714) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, and for other purposes.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 417, legislation that I introduced to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a lease with the owners of Caneel Bay Resort in my congressional district.

I have a longer statement which I will submit for the Record, but I want to begin by thanking Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall and Subcommittee Chairman Raul Grijalva for their strong and steadfast support of this bill. I also want to thank Ranking Member Hastings and Subcommittee Ranking Member Bishop for their support as well.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 714 passed the House in February of 2009 and was approved by the other body, with an amendment, on May 14 of this year. We have been working to secure the enactment of this or a similar bill for more than 4 years, which will mean that the largest employer on the island of St. John in my district will be able to make badly needed upgrades to its facilities and keep operating and save jobs of over 400 employees during these challenging economic times.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Natural Resources Committee Chief of Staff Jim Zoia, Chief Counsel Rick Healy, and National Parks, Forest and Public Land Subcommittee Staff Director David Watkins for all their hard work and assistance on this bill. H.R. 714 is an example of an effective public-private partnership, and I urge my colleagues to support its adoption.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Speaker be authorized to entertain motions to suspend the rules on the legislative day of Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, relating to the following measures:

S. 1674; H.R. 5307; House Resolution 1545; House Resolution 1560; House Resolution 1582; a bill to renew the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve demonstration projects designed to test innovative strategies in state child welfare programs; and a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport improvement program, and for other purposes.