Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for Medicare and to once again state my strong opposition to the Republican budget plan introduced by Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin. This plan would end Medicare as we know it.

Medicare is a program that Americans pay into their entire working lives and expect to benefit from when they retire. Unfortunately, House Republicans continue to support a proposal that would strip away the guaranteed benefits under Medicare. Their plan calls for Medicare to be replaced from a program of guaranteed benefits to one in which seniors would be given a voucher to purchase insurance from an insurance company.

As if this were not bad enough, the vouchers this plan proposes to give Medicare enrollees would in no way keep up with the rising costs of health care. Therefore, enrollees would be saddled with more and more out-of-pocket expenses over time.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office Congress's official actuary projected that these vouchers could actually double out-of- pocket costs for the average beneficiary in the short-term and triple them in the long-term. This is something that I am adamantly opposed to and will fight against it taking place.

Now, to be clear, these changes would not affect current enrollees but it would affect the next generation of retirees including many of our children and grandchildren. But the Republican plan would immediately strip away all the benefits seniors stand to gain and perhaps already are enjoying from the health care law enacted last year.

The health care law is already closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap--known as the ``Donut Hole''--providing for free preventive care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and ensuring that America's seniors have access to the care they need.

The health care law also provides free preventive care for Medicare enrollees care that

is often critical to helping you and your doctor diagnose and treat diseases or ailments as soon as possible. But the repeal of the health care law included in the Republican budget plan would change all this under the guise of ``deficit reduction.''

But the reality is that none of the cuts would help pay down the deficit OR balance the budget. These cuts would instead pay for tax cuts to those who need it the least providing subsidies to Big Oil preserving tax loopholes to companies that ship jobs overseas all this while they are making record profits. Tax cuts for Big Oil and the largest corporations should not be paid for on the backs of America's seniors!

And this kind-of thinking does not reflect the needs or priorities of seniors and families in my district. I have heard from scores of Sacramentans about how the changes to Medicare included in the health care law has helped them. One gentleman in particular comes to mind. Gary, who takes 8 different name brand medications, regularly falls into the ``Donut Hole.'' But as a result of the health care law, he will save close to $1,000 per month which means that Gary will be able to continue to take his medication, and make ends meet. And his savings will only grow over time. However, people like Gary would lose out on this benefit, should the Republican proposal be enacted.

As Co-Chair of the Congressional Seniors Task Force, I am working with my colleagues to ensure that proposals that would hurt seniors are not enacted. I believe that if someone works hard all their life and plays by the rules then they deserve high-quality health care and a secure retirement. I am committed to making that dream a reality and I am confident that as more and more people learn about what this plan would do the American people will speak out against it loud and clear.

I thank Representative Tonko for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Greg Bunker and his remarkable leadership as Executive Director of the Francis House, a Sacramento-based homeless services agency. Greg passed away in December, and his contributions to Sacramento are being recognized at this year's Feast for the Streets fundraiser. For 21 years, he was a tireless advocate for Sacramento's homeless population.

Greg was a remarkable leader who inspired an entire community with his unrelenting optimism. He cared deeply about his work and the people around him. He will be sorely missed.

Born in Ohio, Greg moved to California after serving in the Vietnam War. He intended to make a change in the world, and his unrelenting support for the needy allowed him to do so. He soon joined the Francis House and led it as it grew and prospered.

Through the years, the Francis House has offered a wide range of services and resources for Sacramento's homeless population, and, because of Greg, it has become well-known in the Sacramento area and beyond as a non-profit that passionately fights for the needs of the homeless.

Greg initiated a campaign for a safe place for the city's homeless, and he brought the issue of poverty to the forefront of the public's attention. For over two decades, he made sure that the thousands of people who needed help were not overlooked, and Sacramento is a better place because of him.

Around 30,000 people come to the Francis House each year for assistance, and Greg's daily vigor and hunger for change was a blessing for them. Whether it was through transportation vouchers, emergency housing, or simply emotional support, Greg was always there to help.

His sincere and long-term dedication to the homeless cause truly made a difference to many people. He never turned anyone away from the Francis House, and his kindness was a light for people who rarely encountered true compassion.

Sadly, Greg passed away much too early in December. The outpouring of support has been inspiring, as the tens of thousands of people that he helped through the Francis House, as well as the countless others who have been touched by Greg's selflessness, have shown their gratitude to his family.

In addition to Greg's achievements helping the homeless, he was a loving husband and father. I would like to recognize Greg's wife Stephanie and his two sons, Jesse and Simon, and express my sincere condolences for their loss.

Mr. Speaker, I feel honored to join the many Sacramentans who are paying tribute to this incredible man. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in remembering Greg Bunker, and to continue his work by being passionate about helping those less fortunate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mr. Robert Fletcher, Jr. for his commendable service to Sacramento Japanese-American families during World War II and his work in the Sacramento community.

Bob Fletcher was born on July 26, 1911 in San Francisco, California to Robert Fletcher, Sr. and Olive Barkley. Following his upbringing in Redwood, Bob attended the University of California, Davis, where he received a degree in Agriculture Science in 1933.

Following his graduation from UC Davis, Bob worked as a state fruit and vegetable inspector at various locations, including the Florin Train Station, where he became friends with several local Japanese- American farm owners. In 1940, Bob became the director of the Sacramento County Farm Bureau.

After the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent internment of Japanese-Americans, Bob quit his job as a state agriculture inspector and took control of three Japanese-American family farms belonging to the Tsukamotos, Nittas and Okamotos. He farmed the 90 acres of land until they returned home in 1945, when he returned their land to them and split half the profits.

Bob's desire to improve his community continued, and, in 1953, he helped form the Florin Fire Protection District, a local volunteer fire department at which he served as a volunteer Assistant Chief for 20 years, then served as the Chief for an additional 12 years. He retired in November of 1974.

In October of 1959, Bob helped found the Florin County Water District, to protect the water rights of local farmers and provide clean water to the community. After more than 40 years, Bob continues to serve as a board member to this day.

In 1985, Bob helped form the Florin Historical Society, and donated five acres of his land to build the Florin Community History Center and adjacent park, to preserve the history of the Florin community.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mr. Robert Fletcher, Jr. for his meritorious work in the Sacramento community, his ability to look past racial barriers and help save the farms of three Japanese-American families, and his more than 80 years of outstanding civil service. I ask all my colleagues to join me in commending Bob Fletcher for his truly remarkable service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Chi State Organization of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International as they join together to celebrate their 75th year in California. It is a great pleasure to recognize the Chi State Organization of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society's dedication to promoting the professional and personal growth of women educators, and excellence in education. Over 6,000 California members will celebrate this historic milestone at their annual convention this year, themed ``Soar on Wings of Transformation.'' I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring their leadership in our community, our state, and throughout the country.

Delta Gamma Society International was founded in 1929 and the Chi State Organization was established in 1936. The seven purposes of the organization are: to bring women educators of the world together; to honor women who are committed to distinctive service in the field of education; to advance the professional interest of women in education; to initiate, endorse and support legislation and public policy that is in the interests of education and of women educators; to endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators; to stimulate the personal and professional growth of members; and to inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in our society.

Over the last 75 years, the Chi State Organization has funded and participated in a number of literacy projects throughout California, given scholarships to members and grants to non-members to pursue continuing education, and volunteered in classrooms and communities.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Chi State Organization of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International on their 75th anniversary, and their outstanding commitment to California's teachers and students, while promoting excellence in education.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the Republican budget plan.

The federal budget should reflect the priorities and values of our nation, but the Republican plan instead looks out for the likes of big corporations who would get enormous tax breaks. What's more, the Republicans are asking America's seniors to pay for it. In fact, the Republican budget would end Medicare as we know it. And it would devastate Medicaid. Moreover, the Republican budget hurts our economy and in particular investments in innovation.

Mr. Speaker, the Republican budget proposal will severely unravel our nation's gains in the clean energy economy. At the same time, it proposes significant tax subsidies for Big Oil. There is something not right with that picture. In fact, I believe the Republican budget is severely short-sighted. It offers our competitors, China and Germany, a free-pass to dominate an ever-growing clean energy manufacturing economy and job creation.

The Sacramento area has over 220 clean energy companies, and I can tell you that many of those small business CEOs are seeking continued investment and support from this Congress.

Mr. Chair, we should be promoting policies like the Make It in America agenda to boost America's manufacturing industry and make products here this country. In order for America to remain competitive, innovative, and a global leader, we must make responsible choices.

Unfortunately, the Ryan budget does not. I urge my colleagues to vote against this misguided Republican budget plan.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong opposition to the Republican budget plan and its effects on America's seniors. I believe that we must address our national deficit, but I believe we can do it in a responsible manner that does not hinder our fragile economy and does not risk important programs.

I support the Democratic budget proposal, which makes practical cuts to reduce our Nation's deficit but without hurting America's seniors and sacrificing their health and financial security.

Madam Speaker, the Republican plan is irresponsible. It would hurt America's seniors while giving enormous tax breaks to the top 2 percent of the wealthiest Americans. It does nothing to create jobs but gives billions in corporate loopholes and subsidies to Big Oil. Most notably, the Republican plan would literally end Medicare. And while this may be a new plan, these are not new ideas.

The Republicans' 2012 budget attempts to do to Medicare what President Bush wanted to do to Social Security in 2005--privatize it and severely cut benefits. Madam Speaker, can you imagine if we had privatized Social Security in 2005 the way the Republicans wanted to do just before the biggest financial collapse since the Great Depression? Is that what we really want to do with Medicare? We cannot afford to have Wall Street control the fate of our seniors.

The Republican plan would convert Medicare into a voucher program that forces seniors to buy costly private insurance plans. It asks seniors, half of whom have less than $19,000 a year in total income, to pay more and get less. If this plan were put in place, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the average senior would end up paying nearly three times more out-of-pocket expenses.

Meanwhile, the health care law enacted last year is already helping to close the gap in prescription drug coverage known as the doughnut hole and provides annual exams and preventive services. But a repeal of the health care law, as the Republican budget plan calls for, would eliminate these benefits. Madam Speaker, these benefits for Medicare patients are making a real difference in the lives of my constituents.

I recently heard from a 71-year-old woman from Sacramento who requires several expensive drugs to maintain her health. In October of 2010, she was worried about her ability to pay for her medication because she fell into the coverage gap. But she was relieved to learn that she would get $250 in 2010 and that 50 percent of her costs would be reimbursed this year and even more would be reimbursed in the future. But now Republicans want to pull the rug out from under our seniors and their families.

What is astonishing to me is that in addition to privatization of Medicare, the Republican plan also goes after Medicaid. Instead of making real reform to the Medicaid program, the Republican budget calls for converting Medicaid into a block grant program. That would sharply reduce funding for seniors and low-income Americans on Medicaid so that it would not keep up with health care costs.

Medicaid helps keep our seniors in their homes and helps them afford nursing homes if they need them, but the Republican plan would leave seniors on their own and ignores the promise that our country has made from one generation to another.

Madam Speaker, the Federal budget should reflect our American values that have been passed down for generations where seniors earn the benefits

that they have paid into and have been promised and are able to enjoy their retirement after working hard in their careers.

That is why I will continue to fight to protect the dignity of America's seniors and protect them against the devastating effects of the Republican budget proposal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, the enactment of the Affordable Care Act was historic. It made the necessary steps to reform our health care delivery system and put patients first. A full repeal of this law will nullify all of the popular provisions it put in place, and will once again leave Americans at the mercy of insurance companies.

Young adults in their 20s who are looking for jobs in this difficult economic climate, for instance, would suddenly find themselves without insurance and without the option of staying on their parent's plan.

Recently, I heard from Michael, a Sacramento native. Michael has a 23-year-old son who was kicked off of his health plan at the age of 22. A few months later, still unable to obtain affordable coverage, he had to undergo an emergency tonsillectomy--a fairly common procedure that can cost thousands for those without coverage. Because Michael's son was kicked off of his plan his son now has massive medical debt and is still only in his early twenties.

Mr. Speaker, we passed the Affordable Care Act last Congress because our health care system needed to be reformed. We spend $2 trillion a year on health care costs--far more than any other country--and we are by no means a healthier nation; far from it!

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle say they are for reducing spending. Well, Mr. Speaker, repealing the Affordable Care Act will only increase the amount we spend every year on health care, both at the federal level, and on the personal level. It will leave millions without insurance and end up costing all of us more.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this resolution.

Millions of Americans across the country rely on Planned Parenthood as their only source of medical care. More than 90 percent of the care that Planned Parenthood provides in our communities is primary and preventive services. Such care keeps our communities healthier, and keeps health care costs down.

However, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are attempting to misrepresent federal funding for Planned Parenthood as federal subsidization of abortions. Federal law already prohibits federal dollars from funding abortions. And today's resolution would take funds from cancer screenings, birth control, HIV testing, and other life saving care.

It would effectively cripple the largest provider of reproductive health services in our country and it would take funding away from health care that primarily serves low-income Americans. It would take away health care services from women in my hometown. Women like Kari.

Kari shared with me that she did not have health insurance when she went to Planned Parenthood to receive a free cancer screening. The screening showed that Kari had cervical cancer. But Planned Parenthood--in addition to offering the free screening--continued to provide Kari free care through subsequent visits. Today, Kari is a cancer survivor.

Without Planned Parenthood's services Kari's story could have had a very different

ending. And while this Congress should be working to improve access to health care services to help millions of men and women just like Kari, this resolution does just the opposite. Today's resolution is an attack on women, on low-income Americans, on community health centers, and on primary care.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful bill.

I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I am in strong opposition to the rule and the bill before us today.

In 2008, I introduced legislation to create a Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund. Much of what I see in the Prevention and Public Health Fund resembles the goals in my legislation. I introduced the legislation and fought for these preventive care provisions during the Energy and Commerce Committee debate on the health care law. I believe investing in preventive health care is vital to helping Americans access the care they need to stay healthy, reduce their health care costs, and ease the burden on our overcrowded emergency rooms.

Mr. Speaker, we spend more than $2 trillion annually on health care, more than any other nation on Earth. Yet tens of millions of Americans still suffer from preventable and chronic diseases. In fact, approximately 75 percent of the Nation's health care expenditure is spent on treating chronic conditions. These conditions account for seven of 10 deaths in America.

For too long, the health delivery system in our country has been focused on only treating people after they get sick, not before. Prevention has been a luxury, if not an afterthought. Studies have shown that regular access to primary and preventive care can help keep people healthier, help avoid chronic conditions, catch diseases earlier, and therefore help lower costs.

Sacramento resident Tyler, an active teenager, was a picture of model health. One day he noticed that he was having heart problems during football practice. Taking precautions, his parents took him to a doctor to run tests and found that he had a cardiac abnormality. Today, after taking the necessary preventive steps, Tyler is healthy. Thankfully, he sought preventive measures early, which kept his condition from worsening and likely saved his life.

Not every story ends as happily as Tyler's, though. Millions of Americans every year are diagnosed with chronic diseases because they did not have such access to preventive care. That is the focus of this fund, to improve prevention. This funding will reduce individual and taxpayer cost while saving lives. However, that fact is being overlooked by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. This bill before us will have a devastating effect on the future health of America, both in terms of our physical health and for our fiscal responsibility.

In order to truly improve both our health and our health care in this country, we must focus on prevention. I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule and the underlying bill.

I thank the gentlelady for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, ahead of a looming potential government shutdown, it is ironic that we are considering this resolution today that would move towards shutting down a free and open Internet. On the CR, my Republican colleagues are overreaching and have unfortunately demonstrated an unwillingness to negotiate in good faith with congressional Democrats and the President. The resolution before us is an example of the flawed process.

Under the terms of the Congressional Review Act, resolutions of disapproval are not open to amendment even for the most basic consumer protections. During the Energy and Commerce Committee debate, I offered an amendment that would preserve the transparency rule adopted by the FCC as part of the open Internet order, requiring broadband providers to make available their network management practices so that consumers and innovators can make informed choices.

I offered the same amendment to the Rules Committee in hopes that the majority would make it in order and debate its merits.

The transparency rule is the most basic of consumer protections, and it is also the least controversial aspect of the rule supported by broadband providers, high-tech companies and consumers groups, including all six witnesses during a committee hearing on this. Yet this resolution will remove this widely accepted practice to protect consumers and innovators as well.

Mr. Speaker, it is unclear how the FCC will be able to address consumer protection issues with respect to broadband providers if this resolution is enacted. We need to consider these unintended consequences. This resolution is a blunt instrument that risks the future of competition, innovation, and an open Internet.

Mr. Speaker, the FCC's open Internet order brings certainty and clarity to a debate that has consumed this industry for years. It allows Internet service and content providers to focus on what they do best, innovate and create jobs.

I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center's 75th anniversary. It is a great pleasure to recognize the Center's dedication to providing social services to the people of Sacramento. As the staff, supporters and beneficiaries of the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center celebrate this historic milestone, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring their leadership in the Sacramento community.

Over the last 75 years, the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center has provided neighborhood outreach, emergency assistance, children's programs, a teen center, and senior services to all those in need of their help. Their work in the neighborhood helps residents connect to the community by hosting meetings with city officials, publishing a newsletter, and providing a wide range of programs, such as the Free Income Tax Assistance Program. Other programs, like the Emergency Assistance Program helps individuals and families with the immediate emergency assistance, such as food and crisis intervention. The Center's Children's Program consists of after school activities, a summer day camp, as well as supportive services for schools and families.

The Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center has also grown to include the Carl R. Hansen Teen Center, and is geared towards students in middle and high school. The services they provide encourage children to stay in school, build healthy relationships, and achieve their academic goals. The Sister Jeanne Felion Senior Center provides many services to seniors and offers them with a place to socialize and stay active.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center, and their outstanding commitment to providing social services to all people, both young and old. The past 75 years have been tremendously successful and I am sure they will continue to enjoy success in the future. While the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center's staff, supporters, and friends gather together to celebrate the organization's 75th anniversary, I ask all my colleagues to once again join me in honoring their outstanding work throughout Sacramento.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit a letter from a broad array of private sector organizations, in support of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The letter, which expresses opposition to efforts to reduce or eliminate federal funding for the Corporation, outlines the importance of federal funds, which drive private investment through matching programs.

The Corporation for National and Community Service affects communities in all 50 states, and provides opportunities for Americans of all ages.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letter, signed by 212 of America's foremost business leaders, on the importance of funding the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Save Service in America

Dear Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Boehner: We are

writing to urge you to oppose any proposal that would

eliminate or reduce the fiscal year 2011 funding for the

Corporation for National and Community Service and the

programs it funds, including Foster Grandparents, Senior

Companions, RSVP, Learn and Serve America, VISTA, the

National Civilian Community Corps, the Volunteer Generation

Fund, the Social Innovation Fund and AmeriCorps.

Local service programs create meaningful opportunities for

Americans hard-hit by the downturn, teaching marketable

skills and putting workers on a path to economic self-

sufficiency. Elimination of these programs would result in

the loss of nearly 150,000 jobs and nearly 5 million

volunteer positions that provide critical services and

improve the lives of people in communities across America.

Funding for the Corporation for National and Community

Service provides critically needed, and highly leveraged,

support for programs that are making a major difference in

communities across the country, including Big Brothers Big

Sisters, Citizen Schools, City Year, Habitat for Humanity,

Jumpstart, YouthBuild, and Teach for America, as well as

literally thousands of other local shelters, faith-based

organizations, senior homes and schools.

These programs are a model of government investment at its

best--each program re-competes for funding annually, and only

the best are invested in. Local leaders choose which service

programs are needed in their community and secure matching

funds. This is not ``top down'' government, but bottom-up,

community leadership and investment. These programs are

getting results--they are managed like businesses, and are

held accountable to impact goals and results.

As private sector leaders, our companies, and many of us as

private citizens, have been investing matching dollars into

these programs for nearly two decades--in fact this year

alone, the private sector will invest more than $800 million

in private matching funding in local, community based

programs supported by the Corporation for National and

Community Service. That figure represents nearly a one-to-one

match of every dollar the federal government invests. The

private sector also helps to power these community solutions

by providing these worthy programs with millions of volunteer

hours. National service is an extraordinary catalyst and

force-multiplier for community volunteering--one study has

shown that every AmeriCorps member helps to generate more

than 30 additional volunteers.

The private sector, however, cannot do it alone. We require

the investment of the federal government, and we will

continue to do our part. Together, we are tackling the most

pressing problems of our society at the local level: helping

to close the education achievement gap, helping seniors

remain independent, promoting public health to control the

cost of healthcare, moving families out of substandard

housing and saving our precious environmental resources.

All of this is done, with citizens leading the way with a

``can do'' American spirit that we are proud to support.

The elimination or reduction in funding of the Corporation

for National and Community Service and its programs would put

this bi-partisan, public-private achievement in grave

jeopardy.

We know that you are faced with difficult budget decisions,

but we encourage you to keep investing our taxpayer dollars

where the return is so high. We believe cost-effective,

efficient, citizen-centered initiatives will provide common

sense solutions to the challenges facing communities and

citizens across the country.

We cannot turn our back on the enormous contributions and

long record of success of

the Corporation for National and Community Service and its

local programs. At a time when Americans face mounting

challenges, made even more difficult by the struggling

economy, it is vital that Congress stand firm in support of

the programs that bring citizens together and marshal their

ingenuity to address critical problems and create

opportunities for our nation.

Thank you for your leadership and support.

Sincerely,

James Adler, Attorney, AdlerADR; Vijay Advani, Executive

Vice President, Franklin Templeton Investments; Darren

Aitken, Partner, Aitken*Aitken*Cohn; Wylie Aitken, Founding

Partner, Aitken*Aitken*Cohn; Michelle AliDinar, President/

CEO, Educational Television Programs, LLC; Michael Alter,

President, The Alter Group; Anthony H. Anikeeff, Partner,

Williams Mullen PC; Barbara Arnwine, President and Executive

Director, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law;

William S. Ayer, Chairman, President and CEO, Alaska

Airlines; Donald A. Baer, Worldwide Vice Chairman and Chief

Strategy Officer, Burson-Marsteller; Ryan K. Bailer, Owner,

Burson-Marsteller; Ryan K. Bailer, Owner, Ryan Bailer

Support, LLC; Stephen Baker, President, Baker Design Group,

Inc.; John M. Ballengee, President, United Way of Central

West Virginia.

Joe Banner, President, Philadelphia Eagles; Tim Bannister,

President, Bannister and Co., Inc.; Bill Barke, CEO,

Pearson's Higher Ed Arts & Sciences; Edmund Bartlett,

Chairman (Retired), NRS-Express Payment Network; Josh

Bekenstein, Managing Director, Bain Capital, LLC; Karl I.

Bell, Senior Vice President, Invest Detroit; Joel Benoliel,

Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Costco; Tom

Bernstein, President, Chelsea Piers; Fred Blume, Chairman

Emeritus, BlankRomeLLP; William Bonk, CEO, Emerging

Strategies; Carmel Borders, President, Tapestry Foundation;

Berta Borgenicht Kerr, Trustee, The Borgenicht Foundation;

Katherine Bradley, President, CityBridge Foundation; Michael

Brennan, President/CEO, United Way of Southeastern Michigan.

John Bridgeland, President and CEO, Civic Enterprises;

Michael Bronner, Founder, Upromise; Lois Buntz, CEO, United

Way of East Central Iowa; R. William Burgess, Jr., Managing

General Partner, ABS Ventures; Beverly Burns, Partner,

Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, PLC; Chet Burrell,

President and CEO, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Mark A.

Burzynski, Chief Financial Officer, Blue Cross and Blue

Shield of Montana; Tushara Canekeratne, CEO, Nadastra; David

Carmel, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Carmel Asset

Management; Jay Carney, President/COO, T. L. Wallace

Construction, Inc.; Gary Clare, Partner, Bain & Company,

Inc.; Wesley Clark, General (retired), US Army; Lee

Cockerell, Executive Vice President (retired), Walt Disney

World Resort; Rick Cohen, Chairman, President and CEO,

Buchalter Nemer; David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President,

Comcast; Charles H. Collins, Managing Director and Senior

Vice President, The Forestland Group LLC; Chip Conley,

Founder and Executive Chairman, Joie de Vivre Hospitality.

Art Connelly, CEO, Laffey McHugh Foundation; John G.

Davies, President and CEO, Baton Rouge Area Foundation;

Cornell DeClouette, Principle, Decbritt Corporation; Richard

A. Derevan, Partner, Snell & Wilmer LLP; Charles Dickey III,

President, Wyco Inc.; David Dinour, President, Aviatrade;

Shachar Dinour, President, Triumph Property Group; Josh Dorf,

CEO, Stone-Buhr; Tom Dretler, President and CEO, Eduventures,

Inc.; Ed Drilling, President, AT&T Arkansas; David E. Dukes,

Managing Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP;

Dayton Duncan, Director and Producer, Florentine Films; Ed

Eger, GM, North America and Emerging Markets, Paypal; Steve

Ellis, World Wide Managing Director, Bain & Company, Inc.;

Lynn L. Elsenhans, Chairman and CEO, Sunoco, Inc.; Timothy

Ervolina, President, United Way Association of South

Carolina; Gregory Evans, CEO and President, Integer Law

Corporation.

Charles Farmer Jr., President/CEO, CS Farmer Construction,

Inc.; Jon Fee, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP; Kate Fenneman,

Director, The Seinfeld Family Foundation; Jesse Fink, Co-

Founder, Mission Point Capital Partners; Dean Fischer, CEO,

West Monroe Partners; Linda D. Forte, Senior Vice President

and Chief Diversity Officer, Comerica Bank; Jeff Galt,

President and COO, Magi Real Estate Services; Kenny Gamble,

Founder, Universal Companies; Eva Garza Dewaelshe, President

and CEO, SER Metro-Detroit and SERCO, Inc.; Katherine Gehl,

Chairman, Gehl Foods, Inc.; Pamela Gilbert, Partner, Cuneo

Gilbert & LaDuca LLP; Michael Gilligan, Co-Founder/General

Partner, Heritage Partners, Inc.; Ben Goldhirsh, Founder and

Owner, GOOD; Seth Goldman, President and TeaEO, Honest Tea;

Todd E. Gordinier, Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP; John

Gordon, Vice President, Prudential Financial; Ted Granger,

President, United Way of Florida, Inc.

Richard Green, Vice Chairman and CEO, Firstrust Bank; Carl

Guardino, President and CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group;

Bruce G. Hain, President, Insource Services, Inc.; Ted

Harbert, Chairman of NBC Broadcasting, NBC Universal; Andrew

Hauptman, Chairman, Andell Holdings, LLC; Jeremy Hitchcock,

CEO, Dyn Inc.; Jeff Hoffman, President, Jeff Hoffman &

Associates; Gordy Holleman, CEO, Overland Advisors LLC;

Robert D. Huth, President & CEO, David's Bridal; Brandy

Johnson, Director, Michigan College Access Network; David

Johnson, Founder, Act 4 Entertainment; Greg Johnson,

President and CEO, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Michael A.

Jones, President, Columbia Management; Deb Jones, President,

Jones Training Associates, LLC; Peter H. Jost, Attorney,

Dickstein Shapiro LLP; Andrew C. Kassner, Executive Partner,

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; Kenneth C. Keller, President,

Alberto Culver USA.

Andrew Kerin, Executive Vice President and Group President,

Global Food, Hospitality and Facility Services, ARAMARK

Corporation; Judi Ketcik, Partner, CK&D; Bob Kimball,

President & CEO, RealNetworks, Inc.; Tom King, President, US,

National Grid; Darla King, President and CEO, King Business

Interiors; Luther C. Kissam, IV, President, Albemarle

Corporation; Klaus Kleinfelds, Chairman and CEO, Alcoa; John

L. Knott, Jr., President and CEO, The Noisette Company, LLC;

Philip D. Kohn, Partner and Pro Bono Coordinator, Rutan &

Tucker, LLP; Michael Kong, CEO, MAPTI Ventures, former CEO

Modern Luxury Media; Tom Krouse, CEO, Donatos Pizza; James R.

Kruer, Partner, Chevalier Ginn Shirooni & Kruer, P.S.C.;

Sherry Lansing, Founder and CEO, The Sherry Lansing

Foundation; Jonathan Lavine, Chief Investment Officer,

Sankaty Advisors LLC; Marguerite Lee, Corporate Community

Relations Manager, Cisco; Martin V. Lee, Managing Partner,

Famco Investments.

William Lee, Co-Managing Partner, WilmerHale; Jeffrey

Leonard, CEO, Global Environment Fund; William Lew Tan,

President, Tan & Sakiyama; John Lim, Partner, Lim, Ruger &

Kim, LLP; David Lincoln, Managing Partner, Element Partners;

Bruce R. Lindsey, CEO, William J. Clinton Foundation; David

Lissy, CEO, Bright Horizons Family Solutions; Jason Lutz,

President and CEO, Villa, Inc.; Sharon Matthews, CEO, eLynx;

Carlos Mazzorin, Group Vice President, Asia Pacific, South

America and Global Purchasing (Retired), Ford Motor Company;

Josh McCall, Chairman & CEO, Jack Morton Worldwide; Larry

McCracken, Vice President, Talent Acquisition, Golden Key

Group; Bill McDermott, Co-CEO, SAP; Hugh McDonald, President

and CEO, Entergy Arkansas, Inc.; Ron McIntyre, Partner,

Perkins Coie LLP; Thomas F. McLarty III, Chairman, McLarty

Companies.

Joseph P. McMillan, President and CEO, McMillan Bros.,

Inc.; Sharon McWhorter, President, American Resource Training

System, Inc.; Lee Miller, Global Co-CEO, DLA Piper; Michael

J. Miller, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; Mark Minyard,

Partner, Minyard Morris; Tom Monahan, CEO, Corporate

Executive Board; Ben S. Moss, Managing Broker and Principal,

The Campins Company; Will Muggia, CEO, President, and CIO,

Westfield Capital Management; Shea Mullen, President, Give

and Take; Robert Mulroy, President and CEO, Merrimack

Pharmaceuticals; William Neukom, CEO, San Francisco Giants;

Mark Nieker, President, Pearson Foundation; Lisa Paulsen,

President and CEO, Entertainment Industry Foundation; Brian

Payne, President and CEO, Central Indiana Community

Foundation and The Indianapolis Foundation; Robert Perez,

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Cubist

Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Carol Ann Petren, Executive Vice

President and General Counsel, CIGNA Corporation; Julian

Posada, President, Chicago Fire Soccer Club.

Fred Prescott, Vice President and GMM, L.L. Bean-Retail;

Anne Proctor, Pro Bono Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP;

Thomas J. Raffa, President and CEO, RAFFA, P.C.; David B.

Ramsay, retired, Chairman, President & CEO, SunTrust Bank,

Northwest Florida; Michael A. Rashid, President and CEO,

AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies; Rudy Redmond, Manager,

KCP Initiatives; Colleen Regan, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP;

Sean Reilly, CEO, Lamar Advertising; Peter Remington,

President, The Remington Group; Theodore Roosevelt IV,

Managing Director, Barclays Capital; Steve Rosa, CEO,

(add)ventures; Bob Rowe, President and CEO, NorthWestern

Energy; Shirley Sagawa, Co-Founder, Sagawa/Jospin; Matthew

Saiia, CEO, Collective Next, LLC; Ronald L. Sargent, Chairman

and CEO, Staples; Daniel Sasse, Partner, Crowell & Moring;

Jeff Schaffer, Vice President, Enterprise Community Partners.

Cathleen Schmidt, President NH/VT, Citizens Bank; Lesa

Scott, President, Heinemann Publishing Company; Jason Scott,

CEO, EKO Asset Management Partners; Fred Sears, CEO and

President, The Delaware Community Foundation; Bobbi Silten,

President, Gap Foundation; Robert Small, Managing Director,

Berkshire Partners LLC; Logan Smalley, President, Darius Goes

West; Robert Smith, Founding Partner, Castanea Partners;

Marsha Smith, Executive Director, Rotary Charities; Jonah M.

Smith, Owner and Investment Advisor, Smith Pierce, LLC; Erik

Smith, President & CEO, Blue Engine Message & Media; Stacey

Snider, Co-Chairman and CEO, Dreamworks SKG; Karen Sock,

President and CEO, Sock Enterprises, Inc.; Amanda Sodoma

McMahon, Founder and Principal, McMahon Consulting LLC; Gene

Sofer, Founding Partner, The Susquehanna Group.

Javier Soto, President, The Miami Foundation; William M.

Sowers, Principal, The Sandia Group; Fredric J. Spar,

Managing Director, Kekst and Company; Chris Stadler, Managing

Partner, CVC Capital Partners;

Shirley Stancato, President/CEO, New Detroit, Inc.; Sue

Suter, CEO, United Way of South Mississippi; Jeffrey Swartz,

President and CEO, The Timberland Company; Marc Tarpenning,

Co-founder, Tesla Motors; Ron Terwilliger, Chairman Emeritus,

Trammell Crow Residential; Alice G. Thompson, CEO, Black

Family Development, Inc.; Jonathan Tisch, Chairman and CEO,

Loews Hotels; Susan B. Towler, Vice President, Blue Cross and

Blue Shield of Florida Foundation; Rita L. Tuzon, Executive

Vice President and General Counsel, Fox Networks Group; Julia

A. Uihlein, Vice President, David and Julia Uihlein

Charitable Foundation, Inc.; Toni-Marie Van Buren, Senior

Vice President, Partners for Community Change, United Way of

San Antonio & Bexar County; John Van Camp, President/CEO,

Southwest Solutions; David Van Patten, President and CEO,

Dare Mighty Things.

Jim Vella, President, Ford Motor Company Fund; Graeme W.

Bush, Chairman, Zuckerman Spaeder LLP; Robert Waldron, CEO

and President, Curriculum Associates; Mark Walker, Managing

Director, Global Community Affairs, Applied Materials, Inc.;

Jeffrey C. Walker, Chairman, Millennium Promise; Alexander J.

Walker Jr., President, Devine Millimet; Hampton Walt,

President/CEO, Inland Press; Benjamin Walton, Director, The

Walton Family Foundation; Michael J. Ward, Chairman,

President and CEO, CSX Corporation; Gail Warden, President

Emeritus, Henry Ford Health System; Allen P. Waxman, Partner

and Chair of the Life Sciences Group, Kaye Scholer LLP;

Bernard White, President, White Construction; Kane Willyerd,

CEO, Jambok; Steve Woodsum, Founding Managing Director,

Summit Partners; Tae Yoo, Senior Vice President, Corporate

Affairs, Cisco; Mary Lou Young, President and CEO, United Way

of Greater Milwaukee; Keith Zendler, CEO, Peoplemovers.com;

Peter Zeughauser, Chairman, Zeughauser Group.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 839, the HAMP Termination Act, that calls on mortgage lenders to continue to publicly report basic home loan modification information.

Because of an amendment I offered to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which passed the house unanimously last Congress, mortgage lenders and services participating in the Home Affordable Modification Program are required to report basic loan modification information to the Department of the Treasury. Due to the enactment of my amendment, we now know that 2.5 million Americans have applied to participate in the Home Affordable Modification Program, and well over 600,000 of those applicants began permanent modifications.

In the Sacramento region, over 9,000 of the nearly 12,000 homeowners who have applied for permanent modifications have been approved, providing assistance to thousands of homeowners in my district. This information is crucial to accountability and transparency and for this Congress to measure the performance of the mortgage industry.

The amendment I offer today requires the same basic home loan modification reporting to continue, such as the number of applications they receive, the number of applications processed, or the number of modifications they approve or deny.

In its current form, H.R. 839 would eliminate HAMP, and, as a result, financial institutions who received HAMP taxpayer funds would no longer be obligated to continue reporting such basic information to the public.

Mr. Chairman, the foreclosure crisis was the root cause of the dire economic situation. It led to the near collapse of our financial system, increased unemployment, and caused the housing and credit crisis. Sadly, there are still millions of American homeowners facing foreclosure, and my home district of Sacramento, California, has been hit especially hard by this crisis.

During the last few years, I have been to foreclosure workshops in my district where I have met with constituents who are facing losing their home. I was recently contacted by Joan, a constituent of mine who would have lost her house without assistance from HAMP. Joan paid her bills on time and was current on her mortgage when her son was diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder that rendered him unable to work. When her adult son moved in with her shortly after, Joan was no longer able to provide for him and make her mortgage payments at the same time and sought assistance. With proper assistance, Joan received a low interest rate HAMP loan and now is able once again to make her mortgage payments on time.

Joan shared with me that her home was saved due to the HAMP program and that her son would have been homeless without it. She said, ``I have no words to express my feelings of gratitude for my loan modification.''

Mr. Chairman, I've heard a significant number of similar stories in Sacramento. It is essential that we require lenders to continue to report their loan modification activities. We need to know how many Joans are out there struggling but seeking assistance. We need to know whether lenders are doing all they can.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment will ensure a level of transparency and accountability continue. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense transparency amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I just want to say that these basic reporting requirements are not new. It's about HAMP. Every financial institution receiving HAMP funds from the TARP program is currently required to report this information today.

The current industry reporting requirements have played a significant role in providing a sense of transparency and accountability, and that's what we're talking about, transparency and accountability in our efforts to help homeowners and stabilize our housing market. Requiring basic information to be reported will provide this Congress with the information to make future decisions on loan modification programs as well as monitor the performance of the mortgage industry.

Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this important amendment to bring clarity and transparency to the mortgage industry.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Access Sacramento, Sacramento's public access station, as they celebrate the station's 25th anniversary. It is a great pleasure to recognize the station's dedication to giving a voice to individuals, events and opinions that are often not seen on television. As Access Sacramento's supporters gather to celebrate this milestone, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring their leadership in community reporting.

The Sacramento area was one of the last urban areas to be wired for cable television, and it was not until December 1983 that public access television came to Sacramento. Known then as Sacramento Cable, the station developed a system that would provide funding, channel space, and equipment for a wide variety of local programming. These resources were divided among a number of organizations, one of which was Access Sacramento.

Over the last 25 years, Access Sacramento has overcome each challenge it has faced, and has adapted to meet the demand of a growing and ethnically diverse community. The station has earned an international reputation for success and has welcomed visitors from Europe, Africa, and Asia to see how the organization operates. Furthermore, Access Sacramento has been recognized for their quality programs, receiving many awards, including the prestigious ``Best Public Access Television in the Nation'', which it has won twice.

Access Sacramento's success, however, is not simply measured in awards, but in their ability to provide viewers with an opportunity to hear and see important ideas and thoughts that often cannot be found on television. The organization prides itself on the thousands of unique and locally produced programs that are seen and made available through the station each year. As of this year, their annual budget has grown to exceed $650,000 with a staff of ten individuals and over 750 volunteers. The station reaches 265,000 Sacramento residents and distributes more than 5,000 videos annually. It is clear that Access Sacramento is making a difference one voice at a time.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Access Sacramento, and their continuous commitment to providing the Sacramento community with access to information that they would not have received from other media outlets. The past 25 years have been tremendously successful and I am sure they will continue to enjoy success in the future. While Access Sacramento's staff, supporters, and listeners gather together to celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring their outstanding work in providing the community with local television and radio programming.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 1076. I can't believe what I am hearing from the other side of the aisle. It's not a lefty-type organization. This bill would prohibit public radio stations from using Federal funds to buy popular programs like ``Morning Edition,'' ``All Things Considered,'' and ``This American Life.'' Mr. Speaker, this would be a huge disruption to our Nation's public radio system, economy, and most importantly, the intellectual content and news that so many Americans rely upon.

According to a recent study, NPR's overall audience grew last year to over 27 million weekly listeners, up 60 percent overall since 2000. And this is when most other media outlets are struggling.

And as a former board chair of Sacramento's local PBS TV station, I can attest to the value that national public broadcasting programming offers to my constituents. Mr. Speaker, thousands of my constituents rely on local NPR stations to get their news, and this is a very diverse group. In fact, since this bill was introduced, I have received a significant number of calls from them voicing very strong support for NPR and very, very strong opposition to this legislation. One of my constituents told me that listening to NPR makes him a more informed, more engaged citizen.

Moreover, this bill will not produce any savings for the taxpayer and will not reduce the deficit. For my constituents, it's a simple equation of value for money.

And also, this is about jobs. We need to talk about jobs. Public radio stations employ over 9,000 workers across the country, including 40 in Sacramento. Mr. Speaker, these are jobs we cannot lose.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this harmful legislation.