Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and applaud Jennifer Friednash for her outstanding service to our community.

Jennifer works full time as a real estate attorney, but always finds time to teach her kids the value of volunteering through leading by example. She has been an active member and fundraiser for Project PRIDE, which constructed an outdoor classroom alongside Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Jennifer's work doesn't stop there. She is an active committee member of the Jefferson Economic Council, chair of a committee that provides junior NAIOP members an opportunity to learn about the real estate industry from seasoned professionals and has been a provisional instructor for the Colorado Association of Realtors.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Jennifer Friednash for her well deserved recognition by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and applaud Barbara Roose-Cramer for her outstanding service to our community.

Barbara has been married 47 years, is the mother of three and grandmother of seven. She is an accomplished athlete, writer, motivational speaker and volunteer. Barbara has been the recipient of numerous awards including California's Outstanding Athlete and Most Inspirational Athlete, the YWCA's Most Courageous Athlete and a two time Olympic Gold Medalist. Since the onset of polio at age eight, Barbara has been in a wheelchair.

In addition to her accomplishments as an athlete, Barbara has served on numerous committees for organizations dedicated to those with disabilities. She is currently writing for major publications on issues concerning those with disabilities. Being a sports enthusiast she has written a book about the history of the Denver Broncos and donated all the profits to a local wheelchair basketball team.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Barbara Roose-Cramer for her well deserved recognition by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Rita Peterson for her outstanding service to our community.

Rita Peterson has been co-owner and Vice president of her family owned appraisal business since 1977. The business has grown from one appraiser and a part time secretary to six full time appraisers and three administrative staff. They began primarily appraising operating farms and ranches throughout the state, and now deal with more complex issues involving eminent domain, conservation easement valuations and federal land exchanges.

While running and expanding her business, Rita still found time to become involved in the community. Most notable has been her involvement with the Senior Resource Center since 1982. Her vision has been the key to the

$8.7 million dollar expansion and renovation project which includes a new 17,000 square foot Adult Day building.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Rita Peterson for being honored by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and applaud Lisa Steven and Amie Walton for their outstanding service to our community.

Lisa and Amie are founders of Hope House. A place that provides a stable, loving home, as well as programs to give young mothers the tools and skills they need to become self sufficient. After working with teen moms they soon found that many lived in fear, some were homeless, others hungry and many abused. They searched for resources for these young women and found none. There began the vision for Hope House.

Hope House is now a place where young mothers and their children play and laugh, heal wounds and learn skills for success in the future. Staff work to help mothers obtain their GED, master life skills and learn effective parenting skills.

Lisa and Amie say that ``We wanted each young mom and child to know that there is no mistake too big, no past too heavy that would make God give up on them''.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Lisa Steven and Amie Walton for their well deserved recognition by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt they will exhibit the same dedication and character in all their future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Michael Robert Kindig for the years of service to his brothers and sisters. Michael passed away on August 9, 2010, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Michael Kindig's achievements are many, particularly his leadership. As a member of the board of the Denver local of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, as a member of the National Board of Directors and President of the Colorado Branch of the Screen Actors Guild, Organizer for the Colorado Chapter of the National Alliance for Retired Americans and Editor of the Colorado Labor Advocate for nearly twenty years, Mike worked diligently to advance the labor community in Colorado.

Michael was an alternate delegate to the National Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1968, and spent the rest of his life dedicated to his political beliefs. He served in the U. S. Marine Reserves for six years. Mike Kindig was a patriotic American.

Michael's father was declared missing in action in Papua New Guinea in 1944, when Michael was three years old. He met his future wife Patricia Gaffney when a search she had initiated for her father, also declared missing in action in Papua New Guinea, yielded the remains of both men. After 55 and 56 years respectively, Major Earl R. Kindig and 2LT George P. Gaffney, Jr., were buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC.

Michael Kindig had a very large group of friends from many walks of life which is a testament to the values he possessed. He will be remembered as a dedicated husband, father and friend committed to making his community a better place for all of us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and applaud Nichol Wood for her outstanding service to our community.

Nichol has always set the bar high for herself. While working full time, raising two young sons, earning a college degree and doing it with Cum Laude Honors many would find that impossible.

Nichol excels not only in her personal goals, but in her professional life as well. As the Branch manager of the Bank of the West she exceeded all of her goals in a regional competition among branches earning first place in customer service and loan production.

In addition to focusing on her children and achieving at work, Nichol takes time to give back to the community. She is involved in numerous charitable events, including the March of Dimes Walk for Babies, Kids Against Hunger Food Drive, Operation Hope, Junior Achievement and Habitat for Humanity to name a few.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Nichol Wood for her well deserved recognition by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and applaud Jeanette Trujillo-Lucero for her outstanding service to our community.

Jeanette has been committed to the preservation of the cultural traditions of the Mexican and Spanish dance and music arts for its community. She has strived to create an understanding and appreciation of the Latino culture through educational programs and professional performance.

Jeanette founded the Colorado Fiesta Dance Company in 1972. Her Lakewood based studio impacts over sixty thousand people through educational outreach and performances. Jeanette's outreach programs include a full array of offerings tailor made for grades K-12 where students discover the Hispanic arts and come to understand the roots of the culture and its traditions.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Jeanette Trujillo-Lucero for her well deserved recognition by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Kitty Pring for her service to our community.

Kitty balances her involvement in the community, her profession and her passions with skill and perfection. Professionally, she is a mediator and facilitator and is a Principal of ReSolutions Resources, which is an alternative dispute resolution practice. Kitty has been the recipient of many awards including Small Claims Mediator of the Year, Victim Offender Mediator of the Year and the Jefferson County Mediation Service Award.

Her dedication to the environment is evident through her work locally and globally. She co-authored the University of Denver Study Book, ``Greening Justice: Creating and Improving Environmental Courts and Tribunals'' which is a step by step guide provided at no cost.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Kitty Pring for being honored by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Micah Springer for her outstanding service to our community.

For Micah, Yoga is the means to express passion, joy, sorrow and all aspects of vitality. Her studio began in 1999 in the basement of her home and has grown to a three facility business.

In her Golden studio, Micah is collaborating with the Colorado School of Mines. She learned of the high suicide rate among college students, and saw an opportunity to provide a meditative, non- competitive activity. She has created a Yoga program that counts for school credit and introduces young people to the benefits of Yoga.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Micah Springer for being honored by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and applaud Hazel Hartbargar for her outstanding service to our community.

As the Director of the Arvada Economic Development Association, Hazel Hartbargar is an advocate for all business in the community and has been recognized regionally and nationally for her work. She has been called the ``heart and soul'' of ADEA. Her ability to help people work together and the compassion she shows is exceptional.

Hazel has been instrumental in implementing many community programs including PropertyLink which is a website local commercial business can use to search for land, as well as retail and industrial space within the city. She also helped to implement JobLink which enables businesses within the city to post open positions.

When Hazel received the Pioneer Award, she was described as a true modern day pioneer; a visionary who ventures into the unknown, creating new opportunities for herself and others and encouraging others to explore new areas of thought.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Hazel Hartbargar for her well deserved recognition by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and applaud Ereka O'Hara for her outstanding service to our community.

Ereka O'Hara became a realtor in 1982 and as a working mother she still found time to be involved in the community. Ereka served on the board of the Jefferson County Association of Realtors early in her career, and later sat on the board of the Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis, Children's Charity and the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

When the entire board of the Children's Charity resigned, their annual Charity Ball was in jeopardy. Ereka stepped in and hit the challenge head on. She gathered a new board, rallied the troops and ran the Charity Ball for three years. She raised over $100,000 for the Arvada Center Accessibility Program and the Arvada Child Advocacy Center.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Ereka O'Hara for her well deserved recognition by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Denise Waddell for her outstanding service to our community.

As the President of First Bank of Wheat Ridge, Denise has developed an exceptional team, built and maintained business relationships and worked tirelessly to promote a positive economic environment in the community.

Denise Waddell supports many programs that promote small business including the Wheat Ridge community as a whole. As the Board President for Wheat Ridge 2020 she actively advocates at City Council meetings, speaks out on the opportunities for investment and constantly champions collaborative efforts.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Denise Waddell for being honored by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, today we have the opportunity to provide tax cuts for 98 percent of all Americans--on earnings up to $250,000. But as you just heard and as you are going to hear throughout the day, the Republicans don't want to have that tax cut for 98 percent of the people, saving them some $2,000. They want them for millionaires and billionaires, those guys who don't need it. That's where they are going to focus their efforts, to block tax cuts for those in the middle income ranges. That's their whole purpose from this point on, is to block any action in this House or in the Senate.

The Republicans want to take care of those people who can already take care of themselves, take care of themselves very well, by giving tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires; while Democrats are going to look out for middle income earners and we are going to fight hard today to make sure there are tax cuts for those earning up to $250,000.

Now, those tax cuts are for everybody, even the super giant wealthy, but only up to their first $250,000 in earnings. We will work hard today to make sure the middle income earners are protected.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1736 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the

customary 30 minutes to my friend from North Carolina, (Dr. Foxx).

General Leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1736.

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

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1736 provides for the consideration of the bill H.R. 4783, the Claims Resolution Act of 2010. It makes in order a motion to concur in the Senate amendment thereon by the chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources. It provides 1 hour of debate, with 50 minutes of debate controlled by the Natural Resources Committee and 10 minutes controlled by the Ways and Means Committee.

The bill contains a number of important provisions, many of which have already passed the House. It approves settlements in the class action lawsuits brought against the United States Department of Agriculture by African American farmers and against the Interior Department by Native Americans.

The bill will fully fund America's obligations in these cases and settles both the Cobell and Pigford class action lawsuits. Both of these have been in the courts and settlement talks for years and years.

In Cobell, the Interior Department was ruled at fault for mismanaging billions of dollars in grazing land, gas, and other royalties owed to thousands of American Indians. This settlement will pay off roughly 500,000 plaintiffs in the case. In Pigford, the Agriculture Department discriminated against thousands of African American farmers who applied for loans and other assistance during the 1980s and 1990s.

The plaintiffs in these cases have waited decades for resolution of this matter. Justice must not be delayed any further. Passing this measure will bring closure for hundreds of thousands of Americans who have been mistreated or had their rights violated by the government.

Passage will also approve four water rights settlements with American Indian tribes, providing the tribes with funding to rehabilitate and build new reservoirs, irrigation and water distribution systems. The House has already approved three out of four of these settlements.

Another critical provision in this bill is the extension of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, also known as TANF. This comes at a time when so many Americans are struggling financially and are due to lose the support of this program if the House does not act. While the Senate amendments we are considering today incur more costs in the short term, over 10 years this bill will actually save money and reduce the deficit.

On November 19, the Senate took up the bill, adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute, and passed the bill, all by unanimous consent. The House must pass these measures without any further delay. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the rule and the underlying bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

In response to my friend from North Carolina, I would say that the Republicans in the United States Senate are the ones who have been holding up legislation just as this until they get what they want. They put all these things together, and send it back to the House.

With that, I yield 3 minutes to my friend from Missouri (Mr. Clay).

I would just say to my friend from Iowa that the settlement now applies to all African American farmers who were discriminated against, not just those that filed their claim by 1997, and as a consequence, it's a much broader class that is being settled with. We just can't have this kind of discrimination going on in this country, and America needs to pay its debts and not allow this kind of discrimination to go forward.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend from Ohio, Congresswoman Fudge.

Madam Speaker, I would remind the body that we're here to discuss Cobell v. Salazar, Pigford v. Glickman, plus the settlement of a number of water right cases.

But even having said that, I would like to respond to my friend from North Carolina that not even the Republican Congress that set forth these tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires thought they would go on forever. They set them so that they would expire at the end of this year so that this Nation would have the revenue that it needs to pay its bills. But the Republicans who have now taken this House want to continue those tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires so that this country can't pay its bills as it's supposed to.

So the tax cuts, prosecuting two wars without paying for them, allowing the bottom to fall out of Wall Street without any regulation sent this country into a huge deficit which has to stop, and it has to stop now.

Now, we've seen, since we've passed the Recovery Act, growth in the economy, not that loss of 6 percent as we saw in the final quarter of the Bush administration. But we've seen five consecutive quarters of growth. We've seen increased employment from the private sector. We have a long way to go, and tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires are not the way to do it.

With that, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to my friend from Texas, Congresswoman Jackson Lee.

Madam Speaker, I guess I have a completely opposite view of my friend from North Carolina as to the importance of this bill. The payment for wrongs against thousands and thousands and thousands of people that were delayed under Republican Congresses, Republican Presidents, it is about time that we settle these cases and pay the bills to people who were either discriminated against or had their trust moneys bungled by the Interior Department.

We actually, through the course of all this, had one Interior Secretary under a Republican President who got herself in trouble. Ultimately, it was all resolved. Now it's time to settle these particular cases. Decades of litigation, decades of settlement talks. It is a red-letter day that the discrimination and the mismanagement that harmed so many people are resolved.

That's the purpose. That's why this has been a bipartisan bill and I hope will be a bipartisan vote later today when we take up the bill.

There are 500,000 Native Americans whose communities were deprived of revenue rightfully and legally owed to them for commercial development of their land. There are thousands of other Native Americans whose communities will benefit by completing long overdue water projects.

There are also 70,000 farmers in the Pigford case who were deprived of their ability to farm because of their race, out and out discrimination. Hundreds of thousands of Americans will receive some help this holiday season because we will extend temporary assistance for needy families.

My Republican friends like to talk about tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, tax cuts that were supposed to expire, have been planned to expire by a Republican Congress from the beginning of the decade. This isn't something new. This isn't some big surprise. But the Republicans in the House and the Republicans in the Senate would like to hole up and do nothing until their friends, the millionaires and billionaires, continue these tax cuts, and at the same time stop payment and satisfaction of claims that have been long overdue to these hundreds of thousands of Native Americans and thousands and thousands of black farmers, as well as millions of people who need assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

This country pays its bills, doesn't just give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans among us. That's what this Democratic Congress is about. That's what the Democratic Senate and this President is about. It is about honoring our commitments and stopping discrimination.

I am pleased we are going to pass this bill today, and I hope that all Members support it and not delay any further these rightful claims that have existed for so long.

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

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

The previous question was ordered.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Enterprise Wheat Ridge under the leadership of President, Loretta DiTirro, for receiving the 2010 Wheat Ridge City Council Partnership Award.

Enterprise Wheat Ridge was started eight years ago and has since grown to over two hundred members. This is an association of dedicated businesses working together to support business and community. By offering networking and business education classes, they have become a valuable asset to many in the city of Wheat Ridge and surrounding areas.

Their community planning efforts are noteworthy and have included the Wheat Ridge

Carnation Festival and the Wheat Ridge Holiday Lighting Program. Their creation of ``Passport to Wheat Ridge'', a program which encourages residents to do their holiday shopping in Wheat Ridge, can be used as an example to other communities with the same goals.

I extend my congratulations to Enterprise Wheat Ridge and President, Loretta DiTirro, on this well deserved honor. I commend them for their substantial commitment to our community in their pursuit of a stronger economy within Wheat Ridge, Colorado.