Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation--which I am proud to have co-sponsored--that commits our Nation to changing course in Iraq. This House, and the American people we represent, will not allow our involvement in Iraq's civil war to continue indefinitely.

Today's bill makes it crystal clear that no permanent military bases will be built in Iraq. As such, it is proof that the new Congressional leadership is focused on ending this war. It is evidence of our dedication to the well-being and protection of our troops. And, above all else, it begins to implement a strategy to reassert our country's proper role in the world.

For these reasons, this legislation deserves the unwavering support of each and every Member of this House.

Mr. Speaker, we know that much of the strife taking place in Iraq has deep historical and cultural roots. As a result, any resolution to the conflict will be political in nature and not imposed through force. A central component of such a solution will require us to redeploy our troops from Iraq, and I am proud to have voted in favor of such a strategic shift along with a majority of the new Democratic Congress.

Unfortunately, this rational way forward has been blocked by a President whose insistence on imposing a military solution has cost the lives of thousands of coalition forces and Iraqi civilians. The President's strategy is not working, Madam Speaker. And along with a majority of my colleagues, I will continue to vote to change it.

Passing the bill before us today will help us accomplish this goal. It will send an unmistakable message to our Armed Forces that the American people will not abandon them to a faraway civil war. It will demonstrate to the rest of the world that the United States is not bent on occupying other sovereign nations. It will signal to the Iraqi people that they must assume responsibility for their own government. Finally, it will allow our military the time it needs to re-focus on emerging threats to our allies and to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, this bill validates what the American people have known for a long time: our presence in Iraq must end, for the good of our country and for the sake of those who have laid their lives on the line to fight for it.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today today to express my support for the National Textile Center. Textiles are an important part of our daily life and of our Nation's economy. It is imperative that we remain internationally competitive in this industry. The National Textile Center does exactly that--ensure that the fiber, textile, and apparel industries in our country have the research and innovations needed to continue to be viable and competitive.

The National Textile Center is a consortium of eight coordinated locations across the country. They have come together in a nationwide effort to promote research and education in developing new and innovative fabrics and materials. These are important collaborative centers that develop new fibers, fabrics, and manufacturing methods with broad ranging applications.

I am proud that one of the partners of the National Textile Center is the University of California Davis. Their participation in this national research consortium benefits the education, workforce development, and economy of the Sacramento region and our entire country. A key project at U.C. Davis funded by the National Textile Center is the development of new personal protection clothing to keep our first responders and military safe. We cannot turn our backs on these vital workers, whom we trust with the health and safety of our Nation.

The National Textile Center funds important interdisciplinary collaborations that translate to many other industries. Basic research funded by this important consortium has applications that will reverberate in many fields, such as biomedical applications, electronics, and nanotechnology. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting funding of the National Textile Center. We need to oppose efforts to strike funds from this important program that benefits constituents nationwide.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule we are considering today.

Mr. Speaker, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 is an important bill that outlines the funding for our country's agriculture policy, its conservation approaches and its nutrition programs. These initiatives touch each of us in some way, whether we're from rural, suburban or urban districts. The farm bill impacts all of us.

I want to applaud Chairman Peterson, Ranking Member Goodlatte and Speaker Pelosi for bringing forward this fine bill.

My district is in one of the fastest growing areas in California. Sacramento is also at the bottom of one of the most farm-rich watersheds in the country. We are at the confluence of two great rivers, the American and, our namesake river, the Sacramento.

As our population grows and as our climate continues to change, our natural resources are impacted first. Farmland is often the first to feel the effects of changing weather and climate patterns, and in the Sacramento watershed the farmers are the stewards of the land. I'm ready to work with local landowners to develop voluntary comprehensive conservation plans that address present and future needs.

I want to thank Chairman Peterson for working with me to designate the Sacramento River watershed as a region of national priority in the regional water enhancement program. This designation and the promise of future funding will go a long way toward developing the Sacramento River watershed over the next 40 years.

Building on this designation, I look forward to convening a coordinating committee which will address the preservation of working lands and water management within the watershed.

Our initial focus will be to build a strong consensus on conservation and its value for our region. We have a truly unique opportunity to shape the vision for the watershed from its inception. This will help ensure that we build upon solid local input as we develop this vision.

Above the city of Sacramento, there are 500,000 acres of rice and 500,000 acres of specialty crops. My district is proof that the distance between urban and rural communities gets smaller every single day.

Our communities have different needs, but we share a common goal: to protect, preserve and enhance our way of life. I believe that preserving working lands can do just that. This should be an important priority for our entire region.

Finally, I applaud the chairman's commitment in providing $1.6 billion to specialty crop producers. These funds are critical to the producers' daily operations. They will foster progress in research, conservation, pest and disease programs and nutrition.

I ask my colleagues to support this rule and final passage of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007.

Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition of the Stearns Amendment to the FY 2008 Labor-HHS-Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This amendment would cut vital funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service. I am proud to be a part of those standing up in support of the corporation. I believe strongly that the programs supported by the Corporation embody the spirit of the American people, and it is important for Members of Congress to continue to support these programs.

As a Co-Chair of the National Service Caucus, it is a pleasure to call attention to the tremendous work of those involved at every level and in every program of the corporation. As a part of the corporation, AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service. Since AmeriCorps was established in 1994, AmeriCorps members have performed over 637 million hours of service that help in each of our communities.

Through programs such as AmeriCorps State and National, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), AmeriCorps volunteers address critical needs in our communities.

These generous men and women help supplement opportunities and programs in the areas of education, public safety, disaster response and recovery, and environment preservation.

As a result of the great work of AmeriCorps members, extraordinary things are happening all around America. The Corporation supports such important non-profit organizations as Habitat for Humanity, City Year, Red Cross and Teach for America. AmeriCorps volunteers have built homes, healed wounds, and taught elementary school kids. These volunteers are part of the backbone of America.

With very little funding, AmeriCorps members leverage millions of dollars and perform crucial work in classrooms, in national parks, and in areas of our nation hit by disaster. As a result, I hope that my colleagues will support AmeriCorps programs and vote against this amendment. The spirit of service that is so important to all of our communities is one that should be encouraged, not stripped of federal support.

Madam Chairman, I want to extend my greatest appreciation to those who have served our country through AmeriCorps programs. These volunteers have embraced the American spirit of volunteerism, and they are to be applauded for their service.

I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this misguided amendment.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 547 and ask for its immediate consideration.

For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

General Leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 547 provides for consideration of H.R. 3043, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Act for 2008 under an open rule. Under this rule, all Members of the House are afforded the opportunity to offer any amendment that is germane and otherwise complies with House rules.

Mr. Speaker, the phrase most often associated with this bill has been ``feast or famine.'' For instance, Congress first doubled funding for the National Institutes of Health between 1999 and 2003 and then flat- lined the agency's funds since then. It was actually cut for the first time in history in fiscal year 2006.

In contrast, this year's bill sticks to the principle of sustainable growth in strategic areas: health research, worker safety and education. I would like to applaud Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Walsh for their hard work in crafting this fair and responsible blueprint for our Nation's future.

Nowhere is this broader strategy of sustainable growth more evident than at the NIH. The underlying legislation provides a modest 2.6 percent increase over last year's level. Such an increase is critical to maintaining America's global leadership in biomedical research. This research will expand the boundaries of human knowledge and keep America at the forefront of the field.

Unfortunately, low or frozen funding levels resulted in almost 1,300 fewer grants from 2003 to 2006. But this year's sustainable increase will allow those grants to expand responsibly.

In particular, I would like to thank the committee for its continued support of the National Children's Study. Its budget within the NIH is very modest, but its impact to children and families will be great. The study will examine environmental effects on childhood development, including autism, asthma and premature birth. For several years, I've been working with the committee and other Members to provide the study with proper support. I'm happy to report that the study has now received widespread and bipartisan support.

I'd also like to highlight the full funding of Ryan White AIDS programs within the bill. Cities and towns all across the country rely on these funds to provide vital health services to individuals with HIV or AIDS. With this funding, the victims of HIV and AIDS will have increased access to medications, primary care and home health care.

In addition to ensuring health care access and advancement, this bill also plans for our children's educational future.

We all realize that the cost of a college education is not getting any cheaper. In fact, it's growing by thousands of dollars a year. So I commend the committee's increase in the maximum Pell Grant by $390 to $4,700. It will permit over 5.5 million students to take advantage of this critical assistance, and it does so without having to reduce other student financial assistance programs, as the administration had proposed.

The underlying legislation also acts responsibly to prepare our Nation's students before they get to college by ensuring better performance at the K-12 grade levels.

Title I grants support schools in high-poverty areas, and they are the engine behind No Child Left Behind. Nonetheless, these grants have been flat-funded or even reduced in the past two school years. This has hindered the ability of title I schools to assist low-performing students. I commend the committee for increasing this fund so that nearly 55,000 title I schools can invest in their young people.

Make no mistake, in a world that increasingly depends on highly skilled employees, this legislation is an investment in the future of our students and in the future competitiveness of this Nation.

In conclusion, I urge all Members to support this rule and the underlying bill. It deals responsibly with the needs of our health care sector, our education system, and the labor market.

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

Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to make a few comments before I yield to the next speaker.

I'd like to say that the President's budget would have cut education programs, health care programs, energy assistance for seniors, avian flu by some $7.6 billion below last year after adjusted for inflation. This bill rejects most of those arbitrary cuts. As a result, some Members have criticized it.

But the bill only increases these funds by a modest 3 percent after adjusting for inflation and population growth. This increase puts the bill a full $2.9 billion below its funding level in 2005. It is interesting logic that when you're spending less than you did 2 years ago, it's out-of-control spending.

The subcommittee's ranking member testified to the Rules Committee last night that he would have written a very similar bill as Mr. Obey did had he been in the chairman's seat. And most of the amendments offered in committee were by the minority seeking to increase various funding levels in the bill.

This bill funds our Nation's health care, education and worker protection programs in a responsible, sustainable manner.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 547 is an open rule providing for consideration of the fiscal year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill.

The underlying legislation puts many of this Nation's most critical agencies on a responsible and sustainable funding path. Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Walsh should be commended. As the Rules Committee heard in their testimony yesterday, they worked in a cooperative manner without partisan rancor to balance many competing needs funded through this bill.

This bill strengthens our families and prepares our workforce for the challenges that lay ahead. For instance, in just 7 years, nearly half of all the Nation's job growth will be concentrated in occupations requiring a college degree. This bill helps prepare our young people for this new world by increasing funding for students at K-12 or college level. In particular, it rejects an administration proposal to freeze Pell Grants. Instead, this legislation increases Pell Grants by $390 to $4,700 on top of a $260 increase provided in 2007 continuing appropriations resolution. These efforts will make great strides in making college more affordable.

The legislation also maintains our Nation's leadership in health care research by lifting a 2-year freeze on the average cost of new research grants to NIH, and it provides a responsible increase in employment, training and worker protection programs. These are just some of the ways in which the underlying legislation provides millions of Americans with access to affordable health care, a decent education, and strong worker protection.

I urge all my colleagues to support this open rule and the underlying bill.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding me time and for her leadership on the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying bill. Today presents us with another opportunity to change direction in Iraq, a change that is desperately needed. I have opposed this war from the beginning. I have long supported ways to bring this war to a responsible close. I urge my colleagues to seize this opportunity now before we do further disservice to the brave men and women in Iraq.

The last time I rose in opposition to Iraq policy, I talked about George and Dee Heath from my hometown of Sacramento. All three of their sons served in Iraq. Recently, I learned that one of their sons, David, was hit in an RPG attack on his convoy. Thank goodness he was not wounded gravely, and he will be coming home to recover.

Mr. Speaker, today's vote is about our responsibility to the Heath sons and to the more than 150,000 other men and women in harm's way. They are doing what is being asked of them heroically and patriotically. It fills me with sorrow that more than 3,600 soldiers have paid the ultimate price for their heroism, including 385 from my home State of California.

Our responsibility to them as their elected leaders should be, it must be, to ensure that their mission is clear and achievable. Today, we have the opportunity to fulfill our responsibility as the President has not. Sadly, the President's disastrous leadership is ignoring his duty to the troops. We cannot sit idly by.

The Iraqi Government is not meeting any of its political, economic, or military benchmarks. The President's surge policy has had disastrous results. In fact, 600 troops have been killed and more than 3,000 have been wounded since he announced this policy.

Our troops are stranded on the front lines without clear guidance and without a clear mission. In light of such inept leadership by the President, the American people have lost their patience. Most Americans support removing troops by April. They want us to refocus on terrorism. Yet, still the President refuses to reconsider. It is clear from the President's blind stubbornness that Congress must show the President the way.

Our troops are at the breaking point. We are refereeing a civil war. The solution is a political one, not a military one. But in this late and crucial hour, you have to do more than talk about change. You have to vote for it. You have to fight for it. Chairman Skelton's bill keeps the safety of our troops and our Nation's security at the forefront by changing course in Iraq. I urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008.

This bill is the first step on the long road back to re-investing in our environment after years of neglect. It is a much-needed turnabout from the practice of treating the natural world merely as a source of material, rather than as the human race's one and only home. It is a necessary reversal of past policies which disregarded the value of clean water, clean air, and our public lands.

It represents the commitment of the new Democratic majority to strengthening the long-term viability of our environment. At the same time, it protects public health and demonstrates how important it is for us to act as stewards for our communities.

Treating our wastewater before it is discharged into our oceans and rivers is a crucial part of this process. However, the equipment and infrastructure that we use to clean our wastewater is rapidly aging. It no longer has the capacity to treat the amount of waste produced by our growing population. My constituents in Sacramento have battled this problem for years. When heavy rains come, the specter of sewers overflowing into our streets can become a harsh reality.

That is why I am so pleased that the Appropriations Committee has used this legislation to renew our commitment to clean water infrastructure. H.R. 2643 increases water-related research, restores funding for clean water grants to States, and directs greater resources to cleaning up contaminated groundwater sites. In doing so, this bill recognizes that investing in clean water protects our drinking supply, restores our rivers and lakes, and strengthens public health.

Mr. Chairman, Americans across the country--and in particular the people I represent from Sacramento--will benefit from this legislation's clean water provisions. No longer will we have to worry about untreated wastewater stagnating in our streets and polluting our rivers. No more will raw sewage seep into basements, public parks, and other areas where young children play.

When we pass this bill, the water our constituents drink will be cleaner. The rivers they swim in will house fewer bacteria. The sewers they rely on to transport wastewater will stop overflowing. Every Member of Congress has an interest in solving the problems of overwhelmed wastewater infrastructure, and H.R. 2643 begins to do so.

While this bill is but a beginning, Mr. Chairman, I am confident that the Democratic Congress will use it as a building block to continue restoring past cuts to clean water programs. The tangible benefits of this bill's clean water funding levels are considerable, but they are still just the first step in renewing our country's commitment to that basic building block of life that sustains us all.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2643.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 517 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

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

General Leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 517 provides for consideration of H.R. 2829, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for 2008 under an open rule.

Under this rule, all Members of the House are afforded the opportunity to offer any amendment that is germane and otherwise complies with House rules. In fact, I want to point out to Members that this is the sixth appropriations bill this year to be considered under an open rule.

In November, the American people demanded a change in direction in Washington and a change in priorities. The past 6 months have been an important down payment on our commitment to change. This new Congress must continue to restore our focus on a domestic agenda that helps all Americans.

To that end, today the House takes up the seventh of its annual Appropriation bills where we will continue this progress in taking America in a new direction.

I applaud Chairman Serrano, Ranking Member Regula, and the committee for developing a bill that reflects this needed change in priorities and for doing so through a strong, bipartisan process.

This bill aims to spur job creation and make the economy work for everyone by restoring cuts to small business loans, strengthening consumer protections and rejecting a proposal to reduce capital and financial services to underserved communities through CDFI.

In addition, the funding in the underlying bill will help our citizens to vote through upgrades to voting machines and voter registration databases. It ensures a fair tax system by enforcing the Tax Code for everyone, not just those who play by the rules. By focusing on basic priorities like these, we can help restore the American people's faith in our government again.

The programs funded by this bill demonstrate our commitment to serving all Americans, regardless of economic or social background. The $21.4 billion bill includes: $66.8 million for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect the public from injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products;

$247.7 million for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate sub- prime lending, ID theft, and other deceptive practices;

$908 million for the Securities and Exchange Commission to enhance securities law enforcement;

$313 million for the Federal Communications Commissions to oversee the changing telecom environment, ensure the continued livelihood of Universal Service Fund and prepare for the transition to digital television;

$139.8 million to combat terrorist financing;

$5.9 billion for the Federal Courts, including $830.5 million for defender services, because every American should

have access to quality legal representation.

The bill also includes $582 million for the Small Business Administration to help small businesses prosper. Of this, $100 million is for Small Business Development Centers, or SBDCs, which is the highest ever funding level for this program. These centers provide management assistance to current and prospective small business owners. In addition, they support existing businesses and assist start-ups with high-quality, no-cost counseling and affordable training programs.

This support for our small businesses helps invigorate local economies by helping the very small businesses that are firmly rooted in our communities both succeed and grow. There are now 63 main SBDCs, at least one in every State, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a network of more than 1,100 service locations.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill made in order under this open rule is a well-crafted piece of legislation. I appreciate that the chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee worked together to produce such a product. The bill ensures taxpayer fairness, protects the right to vote, and funds programs critical to supporting our Nation's small businesses.

I urge all Members to support this rule and the underlying bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

Mr. Speaker, I want to make a brief comment regarding the Members' COLA which, as Members know, is provided for not in this bill but directly through the Treasury Department based on a predetermined formula.

When we had a debate last year, Members on our side of the aisle objected to the rule on the grounds that Members should not receive a cost of living increase until average Americans did through an increase in the minimum wage.

I am happy to report that the Democrats kept their promise. No COLA was permitted in the long-term funding that Democrats passed earlier this year to resolve last year's appropriations gridlock. As a result of the new majority's leadership, we passed the first increase in the minimum wage in almost 10 years. It goes into effect on July 24, just less than a month from now.

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

I have no further speakers. Do you have additional speakers?

Mr. Speaker, I will be offering an amendment that adds a new section to the rule that allows the House to consider a current resolution providing for the adjournment of the House and Senate during the month of July.

I wanted to apprise the gentleman from California regarding that.

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

Mr. Speaker, this is necessary because of a technical provision in section 309 of the Congressional Budget Act that prevents the House from considering any adjournment resolution for a period longer than 3 days unless all of the annual appropriations bills have been passed by the House.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to make a comment on the Members' COLA once again, that the Members' COLA was calculated by a predetermined automatic formula. This legislation does not address Members' COLA. Changes to Members' COLA formula should be addressed in authorizing legislation from the Committee on House Administration.

Mr. Speaker, the American people expect and deserve the best services their government can offer and their tax dollars pay for. This $21.4 billion bipartisan bill provides significant support to our small businesses, helps guarantee our citizens' right to vote, and works to close the tax gap. It is a good bill. I believe through simple measures such as these, we can restore our citizens' faith that the government can, and is, working for them again.

Amendment Offered by Ms. Matsui

Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the rule at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, this amendment adds a new section to the rule that allows the House to consider concurrent resolutions providing for the adjournment of the House and Senate during the month of July.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the amendment and on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 481 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for purpose of debate only.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, this rule permits the House to consider the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2008. The bill today is being considered under an open rule. The issues of energy and water are always important, but this year these issues are the very center of our national dialogue.

I applaud Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Hobson for their continued commitment to provide the resources for our water infrastructure. This investment protects communities and saves lives.

I feel I could speak directly to this because in my home, Sacramento, this bill is arguably more important to the everyday life and safety of our population than nearly any bill this Congress will pass. Sacramento is the most at-risk river city for catastrophic flooding in this country.

My district serves as the seat of government for California, the sixth largest economy in the world, as well as the hub of a six-county regional economy that provides 800,000 jobs for 1.5 million people. A major flood along the American and Sacramento rivers would have catastrophic ripple effects regionally and nationally, cause upwards of $35 billion in direct property damage, and likely result in significant loss of life to our families, our friends, and neighbors.

Sacramento needs this bill, but so do countless other communities across the Nation. I remember all too well on New Year's Eve of 2005 when the headline in our local paper said: ``North State braces as rains' onslaught arrives.'' My district and I sat on the edge of our seats and held our breath to see how the storm would unfold.

Flooding did occur, and for those that endured it, it was tragic. But the majority of Sacramento was spared. Our flood system performed as it should, but it was definitely put to the test. Bolstering our system, working through this bill, and with the Army Corps of Engineers made our survival during that storm possible.

Locally, on a daily basis, we are working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the State of California and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, our local partner, to achieve greater flood protection. We have achieved impressive results by integrating an approach that combines flood protection and dam safety with partners that can share resources. But what makes an approach like this possible are strong partnerships between the Federal Government, the States, and local entities.

I am pleased that this bill strengthens and supports this and other similar partnerships. Another key component of this bill is funding for the Army Corps of Engineers operation and maintenance funding account. This important increase will begin to address billions of dollars in Army Corps maintenance backlogs.

This bill takes on the responsibility of not only building but also maintaining our infrastructure and makes an investment in securing our communities, property and, most important, lives.

As our country witnessed in the devastation in New Orleans, maintaining our infrastructure is an important function of the Corps that we cannot afford to overlook.

It is vital that the Federal Government continue to be a strong partner for these ongoing water infrastructure and flood protection investments. This will allow at-risk communities across the country to strengthen their vulnerable points. It will protect jobs and it will protect lives. There are few investments as worthwhile as this.

Just as we must invest in our country's water infrastructure, we must also implement a clean energy economy. This starts with weaning ourselves off of fossil fuels.

Mr. Speaker, the rising price of gas is well documented. In many communities gas prices are monitored more closely than the stock prices. Mr. Speaker, I stood here 1 year ago to manage the rule for last year's Energy and Water appropriations bill. During last year's debate I noted that the average cost of a gallon of gasoline was $2.93. Last year, there appeared to be no end in sight to rising prices.

Unfortunately, we have not seen much improvement at the pump. In fact what has changed has done so for the worst. According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of gas today is $3.06. In my hometown of Sacramento, it's $3.19. Many of us are probably asking, has energy policy improved?

To begin with, Chairman Visclosky has recentered our priorities with this appropriations bill. We are now investing in renewable energy research. We are finally reducing our dependence on foreign oil and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. We are finally protecting our national energy security. Chairman Visclosky and Chairman Obey should be commended for these improvements.

These investments are long overdue, Mr. Speaker. They support our States and cities. For example, in my home State of California, we have plans to create a 20 percent renewable portfolio standard within the next decade.

These increased investments in energy programs contrast greatly with the President's priorities. Incredibly, the President's total request for renewable energy and energy efficiency is the same as it was in 2001.

During this President's entire administration, his goals and priorities have not changed. This is in spite of the everyday reminders of rising gas prices and the constant stream of evidence that our world is warming.

I applaud Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Hobson for their leadership in this area. They have set a responsible and innovative course with these priorities.

Finally, as I mentioned at the outset of this debate, this bill is being made in order under an open rule, which is our tradition. I hope that all Members will give that tradition the respect it deserves.

The American people want action on energy policy, climate change, flood protection and a number of issues that this bill funds. Let's let the process work, and let's support this responsible bill.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this rule and final passage of the underlying Energy and Water appropriations bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Vermont, a member of the Rules Committee, Mr. Welch.

I have no additional speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington. I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill that puts our energy policy on line with the people's priorities by investing. It also raises our investment in our water infrastructure.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, the Department of Homeland Security made significant changes to our homeland security effort. They announced that for the first time areas such as Sacramento, San Diego and Las Vegas were at risk of losing their UASI grant funds.

Since learning of the changes to the UASI program, my colleagues and I have worked tirelessly to ensure that our most at-risk urban areas receive the funding they deserve. As a result, DHS has modified the UASI grant process. DHS's formula now includes more critical infrastructure such as dams and levees, and has also added a tiered system.

While I am glad that my work has ensured that Sacramento and other at-risk urban areas are eligible to apply for UASI funding this year, I believe my work is not done.

I have spent much of my time in the district working closely with local law enforcement and first responders of homeland security. I have seen firsthand the tremendous efforts to protect the millions of people living in the Sacramento area from a terrorist attack.

In Sacramento, I had the honor of attending the opening of the Sacramento Regional Homeland Security and Training Center. The new center was built using a wide range of Federal homeland security funding, including UASI. The center will improve intelligence sharing by housing all levels of law enforcement in one facility. This is just further proof of the truly unparalleled regional cooperation among Sacramento's law enforcement and first responders.

I have long been impressed by the local law enforcement and first responders in my community, and throughout the country. Now we need to make sure that Congress is giving them the necessary resources to do their job.

And so my colleagues, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Fossella, Mr. Mr. Garrett and I have offered an amendment to add $50 million to the UASI grant program.

While I commend the chairman and the ranking member for adding $30 million to the program, I believe an additional $50 million is warranted. Our first responders and law enforcement tackle impossible tasks daily. This increased funding will help in pursuit of their mission, to keep our country safe and secure.

Finally, I would like to add to what the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) has said about the issue of revenue sharing. I, too, don't think this is an appropriate place for semantics. The point is, this grant program and the criteria for receiving funding is predicated on the assessment of risk and a community's vulnerability. I would argue that with the UASI program, the issue is not cost sharing but risk sharing. I think this is an appropriate role for the Federal Government in the post-9/11 world. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Judge David Levi, one of our Nation's respected judges and a true friend. After 17 years of service on the Federal bench Judge Levi is retiring to become the next dean of Duke University's Law School. As his colleagues, friends and family gather to celebrate the next chapter of his life, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in saluting this outstanding public servant.

The son of Edward and Kate Levi, Judge Levi was born into a distinguished family that valued pubic service and the pursuit of knowledge to serve others. His father was the President of the University of Chicago and served as the United States Attorney General under President Gerald Ford, while his mother was equally committed to a variety of worthy pursuits. In 1972, Judge Levi graduated from Harvard, magna cum laude, with a degree in history and literature. Upon graduating from Stanford Law School in 1980, he clerked for Judge Ben Duniway of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and followed that by clerking for Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell.

After his tenure with Justice Powell ended, Judge Levi returned to California and began a renowned career with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento. From 1983 to 1986 he served as Assistant United States Attorney and worked in the office's criminal division. In 1986 Judge Levi was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California. As the U.S. Attorney, Judge Levi led one of the most successful public corruption prosecutions in the state's history.

In 1990 Judge Levi was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to become a U.S. District Judge of the Eastern District of California. Since 2003, he has served as the Chief Judge of the District. After over a decade and half on the federal bench he has earned a reputation as one who still approaches each case, large and small, with a commitment to tirelessly examine all of the facts and treat each case with the utmost of importance.

Judge Levi also is a national leader on legal reform. Recognizing his keen intellect, former Chief Justice William Rehnquist appointed him to the Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in 1994, which Judge Levi chaired from 2000-2003. Four years ago, Justice Rehnquist named Judge Levi as Chairman of the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure. In these roles he has revised and brought a much needed dose of reform to the rules of procedure in federal courts, making the courts more efficient, accurate and fair.

Madam Speaker, as Judge David Levi leaves the bench to become the dean of Duke University's prestigious law school, I am truly honored to pay tribute to a friend and dedicated public servant. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in wishing David, his wife Nancy and their sons William and Joseph continued success and happiness in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 464 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution and to insert extraneous materials into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 464 provides for consideration of S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007. The closed rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The rule waives all points of order against the bill and against its consideration except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. The rule also provides one motion to commit.

Mr. Speaker, today's debate on stem cell research should be about the hope of science. It should be about how our society has always valued ethical medical research.

Many Americans awoke this morning to a news story about a potential new stem cell research technique using skin cells from mice. It was on the front page of many newspapers precisely because our society values hope and scientific advancement when done in an ethical manner.

The bill made in order under this rule maintains that tradition. With the House's approval, expanded Federal embryonic stem cell research again will be one signature away from becoming law.

Mr. Speaker, we already know that embryonic stem cell research has a potential to cure many debilitating conditions like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, spinal cord damage, and maybe even bone marrow failure. These ailments affect the young and the old, the rich and the poor.

Families from all walks of life have had firsthand experiences with these tragedies. Sad but true, disease is one of life's great equalizers. Research and medical ingenuity are our society's tools to fight these diseases.

This shared experience, the hope that stem cell research brings, may be one reason why it enjoys such bipartisan support. Polls indicate that three out of every five Americans support stem cell research, including 54 percent of Republicans.

But there are many other reasons to endorse expanded Federal stem cell research. Earlier this year, Congress and the world heard support from an unexpected source. In testimony before Congress on March 19, the Director of the NIH made a high-profile break with the administration on shortsighted stem cell policy. He said: ``It is clear today that American science would be better served and the Nation would be better served if we let our scientists have access to more cell lines that they can study.''

The United States has always led the effort to push the frontiers of medical research. But as the NIH Director's testimony indicates, Mr. Speaker, on this issue the United States is falling behind for no good scientific or moral reason.

His testimony is in line with the consensus within the wider scientific community as well. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, the UC Davis Medical Center in my hometown of Sacramento, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in my colleague's district, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, all of these and hundreds of others support ethical embryonic stem cell research.

Mr. Speaker, it is abundantly clear that we must update our national stem cell research policy. A bipartisan majority in Congress has tried several times. Last year, both Chambers voted by wide bipartisan margins to expand ethical Federal stem cell research. Unfortunately, the President blocked that progress, that hope, that good science. But his veto only delays the issue temporarily because support for this responsible research continues to grow.

Earlier this year, the new Democratic majority acted swiftly to reconsider the issue. The bill before us is a result of that bipartisan, bicameral leadership; and it passed by a greater margin than in the last Congress.

We should act now to forward that proposal on to the President. We should give him another chance to do what is right by signing this bill into law.

Mr. Speaker, there is little disagreement about the science of stem cell research or what ethical rules should govern it, so let's stop delaying a commonsense proposal. I urge all Members to support this rule and the underlying legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), a member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I want to remind everybody today that we are talking about embryonic stem cell research.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri), a member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, before I yield, I just want to make a point that this bill sets stringent ethical guidelines for an expanded Federal embryonic stem cell research program, and it encourages new alternative sources of stem cell research, like what made the news today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio, a member of the Rules Committee, Ms. Sutton.

Mr. Speaker, before I yield to the next speaker, let me just say that Mrs. Reagan was in favor of stem cell research, embryonic stem cell research. And we know that President Reagan had a very debilitating disease, and I feel that that's the reason why she has supported it.

So with that, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Schwartz).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

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

I include the following statements in support of S. 5:

Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation

Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine

June 7, 2007.

The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation (CRPF)

strongly supports efforts to expand the current, restrictive

policy governing embryonic stem cell research, under strict,

ethical guidelines. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act,

S. 5, will accomplish the expansion, while maintaining strong

ethical standards. Enactment of S. 5 will provide hope to the

estimated 1.5 million men, women and children diagnosed with

cancer each year.

The House and Senate have both passed legislation in the

110th Congress that will expand the current policy by

allowing Federally-funded research to be conducted on embryos

derived after August 9, 2001, on leftover embryos that will

be otherwise destroyed or discarded by fertility clinics. The

legislation ensures that no Federal funds will be used to

create or derive embryos for research purposes, nor will any

individual be compensated for donation of an embryo for

research purposes.

According to a poll recently released by the Coalition for

the Advancement of Medical Research, nearly sixty (60)

percent of Americans want President Bush to sign the Stem

Cell Research Enhancement Act into law. More than 500 disease

advocacy organizations, universities, professional societies

and other organizations have endorsed S. 5 and the Stem cell

Research Enhancement Act.

Embryonic stem cell research may hold great potential to

improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Scientific evidence indicates that stem cells provide

powerful models of the cellular and molecular origins of many

cancer types, helping us better understand the disease and

provide insight into critical aspects of cell growth and

differentiation altered during tumorigenesis. This work may

also improve pre-clinical evaluations of drug toxicity and

efficacy, identify markers for early cancer detection and aid

in the discovery of novel treatment targets.

The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation supports

embryonic stem cell research, as well as other forms of stem

cell research such as bone marrow stem cells, adult stem

cells and stem cells derived from cord blood.

Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to benefit

millions of Americans suffering from cancer, diabetes,

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, spinal cord injury, heart disease

and beyond. In order to realize the full potential of

embryonic stem cell research, the Federal Government must act

quickly to ensure that research is being conducted with the

most scientifically viable stem cell lines available, that

the best and brightest medical researchers and clinicians are

involved in the field, and that the United States and top

research institutions remain leaders in biomedical and

regenerative medicine research.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

I want to thank my good friend from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) for yielding me time.

I also want to thank Chairwoman McCarthy and Ranking Member Platts for their leadership in the committee and their tireless efforts to reauthorize and strengthen the program.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be part of those standing up in support of the first ever AmeriCorps Week. I believe strongly that the AmeriCorps program embodies the spirit of the American people, and it's important for Members of Congress to acknowledge the work accomplished by AmeriCorps members.

As a cochair of the National Service Caucus, it's a pleasure to highlight and honor the tremendous work of those involved at every level and every program of AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service. Since AmeriCorps was established in 1994, AmeriCorps members have performed over 630 million hours of service addressing a critical need in education, housing, public safety, disaster response and recovery and environmental preservation.

The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, popularly known as NCCC, has a campus in my congressional district in Sacramento. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how the experience positively influences the communities served by the team members and how it also enriches the lives of the participants.

Nearly everywhere I go in Sacramento someone stops me and tells me about how amazing and committed the NCCC members are to their mission. Most recently I have heard from AmeriCorps members about their experiences in the gulf coast recovery efforts. These participants all remarked that they are not just rebuilding communities, they are, quite literally, rebuilding people's lives.

It is because of all of the great work of AmeriCorps members that extraordinary things are happening all around America. Just last week, I learned that the Child Abuse Prevention Council, an important program in my district, will receive support from AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps members will serve as home visitors, resource aides and community coordinators.

There is nothing more important than our children, and I appreciate the Corporation for National and Community Service and for providing the program with 96 AmeriCorps members to help them carry out their mission. I know that we will be hearing more about the great work of AmeriCorps as the 110th Congress proceeds, and we consider reauthorization and funding.

AmeriCorps members are a vital part of our communities. With very little funding, they leverage millions of dollars and perform crucial work, whether in a classroom, in a national park, or rebuilding houses on the gulf coast. I truly hope that my colleagues will continue to support AmeriCorps programs.

The spirit of service that is so important in our communities is one that should be encouraged. I want to extend my greatest appreciation to those who have served and continue to serve in the AmeriCorps programs throughout the country.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 382 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 382 provides for consideration of H.R. 1684, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, under a structured rule.

The rule provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security.

The rule waives all points of order against the bill's consideration, except those arising under clauses 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order and provides appropriate waivers for 21 amendments.

I am pleased to stand before you today with a rule to permit the Homeland Security authorization bill to come to the House floor.

First and foremost, I want to thank Chairman Thompson for his continued leadership on an issue of utmost importance for the safety and prosperity of this country and for working so closely with Ranking Member King on this bill.

This bipartisan bill authorizes $39.8 billion to the Homeland Security to carry out its many functions, from securing our borders to providing our local law enforcement with resources to prepare for and prevent terrorist attacks.

The Department of Homeland Security has a wide range of responsibilities. In recognition of this critical mission, I am pleased that the Homeland Security Committee has authorized $2.1 billion more than the President requested in his budget. This authorization bill does far more than simply authorize appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security.

This bill gets at the heart of the management problems within the Department. As we all know, the Department was created by combining the work of 22 separate agencies. This process of integration has had many, many challenges, poor communication between agencies, a lack of qualified management, unusually high turnover of senior personnel.

Congress has not made these challenges any easier, however. We could have addressed some of these problems through the legislative process by passing an authorization bill last year, but the prior majority failed to do so, and so the Department's management problems went uncorrected.

Without addressing the underlying management and operational issues, the Department cannot perform its important functions. In such an environment, how can the American people feel safe?

Thankfully, H.R. 1684 addresses these challenges. It mandates a comprehensive review of the Department at the beginning of each new administration in order to ensure that DHS is structured to meet the security needs of the American people. It sets qualifications for senior managers, increases coordination between agencies, and boosts funds for the Inspector General. And, agency by agency, it puts in place thoughtful personnel policies to attract, train and keep only the most qualified personnel.

These reforms are important, and I'm glad that the committee and the Democratic leadership have moved forward with a well-focused bill to improve the Department's management.

This bill continues the majority's strong record on homeland security. In a few short months, this Congress has passed bills to implement the 9/11 recommendations and to strengthen rail and public transportation security, each with strong bipartisan majorities. Each is a component of a comprehensive approach to protecting our constituents from potential threats.

I applaud the committee and the leadership for their consistent focus on homeland security. I understand that some Members have concerns that this bill does not address every issue, but part of the legislative process is working through these issues through the committees of jurisdiction.

It is important to keep in mind that Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King put forth a bipartisan bill during markup, and Chairman Thompson continues to work with other committees of jurisdiction in order to make sure that every aspect of our Nation's security is supported by Congress.

In particular, I applaud the chairman's record of shepherding 2 major homeland security bills through the House already. I think we should all agree that today's effort, the third homeland security bill in 4 months, makes substantial improvements to long-standing management issues within DHS. The rule and underlying bill shows a commitment of this Congress to working for a safe and secure America.

So I urge all Members to support both the rule and the underlying bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Mr. Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

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

Let me emphasize to all Members that this bill is working its way through the legislative process. It is true that as a fair and responsible chairman, Mr. Thompson worked with several other committees of jurisdiction on this measure. As the manager's amendment clarifies, in some cases, the Homeland Security Committee proceeded with its language, and in others, it permitted other committees to lend their expertise to the issue in the coming months. This is the process of governing.

It is also true that the prior majority chose not to engage in this most basic of functions last year. They didn't bring an authorization bill to the floor, and by not engaging in this hard work, the prior majority let known problems go unresolved.

This bill brings overdue reform and accountability to the Department in its earliest Homeland Security authorization bill ever. That is responsible. That is governing.

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

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

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

Let me emphasize to Members the history on this issue. Unlike the prior majority, this majority is committed to passing a Homeland Security authorization into law.

In 2005, 2 years ago, the House passed an authorization after the appropriations bill passed. Last year, 2006, the House did not bother to bring a bill to the floor. That is irresponsible in light of the Department's many problems.

Democrats are committed to governing responsibly, and this is one step along that path.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I just want to clarify, this bill eliminates the cuts in vital first responders programs, like the 55 percent cuts that the administration asked for in firefighter assistance grants. It preserves the Local Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program that the administration wanted

to close. And on contracting oversight management and personnel policies, it brings overdue reform to a Department in need. This is a good bill, and all Members should support it.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to once again thank Chairman Thompson for his leadership in drafting a well-focused Homeland Security authorization and for working so closely with Ranking Member King on this bill.

I would note for all Members that Chairman Thompson worked with other chairmen and ranking members. The jurisdiction issues were raised by both sides, Republican and Democrat. I would also note that the manager's amendment which deals with these changes will receive separate debate and a vote. This is an open process.

Unlike the prior majority, we work through these issues. Again, last year when these problems were raised, the prior majority chose not to act. In contrast, we are acting despite these difficulties. We are being responsible.

H.R. 1684 will help improve the policy-making at the Department of Homeland Security, will promote long-term planning and will strengthen management. In particular, it sets qualifications for senior managers, increases coordination between agencies, and boosts funds for the Inspector General. These changes will ensure that the Department of Homeland Security can perform its important function of protecting the American people.

I am pleased that the Democratic leadership has moved swiftly and brought a Homeland Security authorization bill to the floor. This is the first time in 2 years such a bill has come to the floor.

It is also the earliest that a Department of Homeland Security authorization bill has come to the floor and the first time it has occurred before appropriators have marked up the Homeland Security appropriations bill. This is truly significant, and I thank the leadership for their commitment to protecting America.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Westminster Presbyterian Church of Sacramento on the 150th anniversary of their congregation's founding. Since Sacramento's earliest days Westminster Presbyterian has been a constant force of spirituality and tolerance in our community. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the church and its congregation on this historic occasion.

Founded on April 27, 1856, the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Sacramento has been a fixture in our community for a century and half. Their first church service was held in a hall at 6th and J Streets, marking the formation of the first Presbyterian congregation in Sacramento.

Westminster Presbyterian held services at a number of downtown locations before they built and moved into its current historic home on N Street, across from California's State capitol building in 1927.

Through their first 150 years, Westminster Presbyterian Church and its members have sought to be a diverse, welcoming, regional congregation that is able to assist individuals in transforming their spiritual insights into positive actions in our community.

For the past few years Westminster Presbyterian has extended a hand of prayer and compassion to many in Sacramento's diverse communities. Under the leadership of Rev. David Thompson, the church has been active on a wide range of issues, from civil rights to global warming. With its location across from the State capitol, the congregation's stance on such issues has played a welcome role in many of California's policy debates.

On a personal note, my family and I will always be grateful to Rev. Thompson and the church's staff for opening their hearts and doors to us after my husband, Bob Matsui, passed away. The church was a gracious host to his funeral and the hundreds of attendees who mourned with us.

Madam Speaker, as the members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento gather to celebrate the 150th anniversary of their church's founding, I am honored to pay tribute to their historic church and enduring faith. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in wishing the congregation and church's leadership continued success in serving all of us in Sacramento.