Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman from Washington; I would like to ask him a couple of questions.

It is my understanding that this legislation will save the American people billions of dollars. Will those savings be put into a fund?

Can you explain what the goal of this fund will be?

Mr. Speaker, I think that is great news for America because it is going to change our energy priorities and bring a new direction for this country. It is especially good for Golden, Colorado and Colorado because we have the preeminent research facility in America in the National Renewable Energy Lab.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride and honor that the Democratic National Committee has chosen Denver to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

2008 will mark exactly one century since Colorado last had the opportunity to nominate the Democratic candidate for President.

The Mile High City is a fitting choice, as it offers an opportunity to showcase the Rocky Mountain region as a new frontier on our Nation's political landscape. Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West are known for their independence and pioneering spirit, and will ultimately help shape the national debate to reflect the values of hardworking people all across America.

We embody a community that supports an investment in renewable energy, in fiscal discipline, and the protection of our civil liberties.

I want to thank the many individuals who worked tirelessly on behalf of Denver's bid to host this prestigious event. It is a privilege for the Centennial State to play such an influential role in our Nation's history.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for the opportunity to speak on this bill. I rise in support of H.R. 5.

Mr. Miller, I can tell you that a single mom who talked to me this past weekend also recognizes the value of this bill. This past Saturday, Madam Speaker, I was at one of my daughter's swim-and-dive meets in Arvada, Colorado, and a woman whose kids have gone to school with mine approached me and she thanked me for the action that we are taking reducing interest rates on student loans. She told me that one of her kids is in college now, and she has another one that will be going in a couple of years. She is a single mom, and her kids have done well in school, but the cost of college has become prohibitive for their entire family. She said her kids have been excellent students, but she was fearful they could not get into college and be able to pay for it. She was very happy we were taking these steps to reduce the interest rate on student loans.

She thanked me for the actions we have taken during these first 100 hours of this Congress to change the direction of this Nation and to change the focus and the cost of higher education for the millions of hardworking Americans in this country who want to send their kids to college just as she does.

This is a bill that helps so many Americans that people approach Members at swim-and-dive meets. They appreciate this bill, and I would urge everyone in this Congress to support H.R. 5.

I want to thank Congresswoman DeGette and Congressman Castle for bringing this bill before the House. It is something for me that is personal. I have a child with epilepsy.

Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, this bill holds out promise for millions and millions of people across the country, whether they have Alzheimer's or diabetes or Parkinson's or Huntington's or someone who has epilepsy. It is something that we need to allow science to move forward on. It is this kind of promise, this kind of opportunity, and it is my job, I believe, as a Congressman, and it is this House's job, to improve people's lives. This has been done in so many laboratories, but now is being hampered.

I want to thank Congresswoman DeGette and Congressman Castle for the way they have managed this particular bill. I want to thank the House for the way it has been civil and respectful of both sides of the aisle on both sides of the issue.

This is one where there are firm convictions on either side. But for someone like me, who has a child with epilepsy, where there is hope, there is promise for her, that she can get better from this disease, this is something we need to pass, we must pass.

This is a pro-life bill, as one of my colleagues said earlier, and I urge the passage of this bill. I ask all of our colleagues to support this bill, and I hope that the President, Mr. Speaker, will take a second look at this and will certify and support this bill and not veto it as he has in the past.