Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Men's Health Week to urge my colleagues to support the fight against one of our Nation's leading causes of death among men--prostate cancer. There are significant racial and ethnic disparities that demand attention: African Americans have prostate cancer mortality rates that are more than double those in the white population. Underserved rural populations have higher rates of mortality compared to their urban counterparts. Additionally, certain veterans' populations may have nearly twice the incidence of prostate cancer than the general population of the United States.

There should be coordination across Federal agencies which are already receiving significant resources focused on prostate cancer programs. This coordination would serve to improve accountability and actively encourage the translation of research into practice. Additionally, this coordination would serve to identify and implement best practices, in order to foster an integrated and monolithic focus on effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

For these reasons, I, along with Rep. Broun, now introduce this bi- partisan piece of legislation. Our bill provides for a time-limited interagency taskforce to ensure that the Federal dollars invested in the fight against this disease are well spent.

In 2010, more than 217,730 new patients were diagnosed with, and more than 32,050 men died from this disease. Furthermore, about 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and roughly 2 million Americans are living with a diagnosis of prostate cancer and its consequences. While prostate cancer generally affects older individuals, younger men are also at risk for the disease. When prostate cancer appears in early middle age it frequently takes on a more aggressive form. Prostate cancer continues to be a serious threat to our Nation's men.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and use this as an opportunity to show America's men that they have your support.

I move to strike the last word.

Let me thank Congresswoman DeLauro and, of course, Congressman Farr, for the work that they're doing.

Here we go again. I rise in strong opposition to the underlying bill. This bill reduces the amount of funds awarded to public nutrition programs such as SNAP, WIC, and many other programs that lend assistance to families in economically disadvantaged communities.

This session of Congress has really been tough on those that are in need. First, our Nation's seniors are threatened with potential cuts to Medicare proposed by the Ryan budget. Now, hunger programs for women and children are being targeted. It is a tough year indeed. But let me tell you, I was not sent to Congress to sit back and watch these crucial programs be cut. I came here to fight for their existence. And I don't plan to stop now. I will not sit idly by as we destroy programs upon which citizens depend on the most to pay for $45 billion in tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. It is a shame and it is a disgrace. For people to try and stand here and justify as to why we're doing it just does not make any sense at all. If we get rid of tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires for 1 week--just 1 week--I'm talking about 7 days--we would pay for the entire WIC program for 365 days.

Mr. Chair, I'm greatly disturbed by the negative impact this bill will have on those individuals who depend on public assistance to feed their families. It is projected that the expected funding cuts will result in 350,000 people losing their WIC benefits. Nearly 50 percent of the babies born in this country each year rely on WIC. On top of that, it is cost-effective, serving nearly 10 million people each year and costing less than $100 per person.

I don't understand why we want to stand around here and try to hustle backwards. That's what they say in my neighborhood. We need to make certain that we do what is right and is going to benefit the children. Let's not forget that we're here to serve and meet the needs of our Nation. Supporting this bill would be a great disservice to those who elected us to Congress. Supporting this bill will significantly cut the funding to programs that feed thousands of families. Supporting this bill will lead to the devastation of many hunger programs. There are many families who depend on government funding to put food on the table every day and every night. Voting in support of this bill will only make their lives more than difficult. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no.'' This bill does not help those that are in need. It protects the millionaires and billionaires with their greed.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 93rd anniversary of Republic Day on May 28th. Later this year, Azerbaijan will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of its freedom from the Soviet Union and the beginning of diplomatic relations with the United States.

Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan was established in 1918 becoming the first democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world before being incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920. The country regained its independence in 1991.

The U.S. and Azerbaijan have developed a strong relationship through the opening of Caspain energy sources for development by American companies, which has also allowed the country to emerge as an essential player in global energy security. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project has become a vital part of delivering Caspian Sea resources to the U.S. and our partners in Europe, and serves as a prime example of the development of the South Caucuses region. Most notably, in 2009 nearly one quarter of all crude oil supplies to Israel were provided by Azerbaijan, and the country emerged as a leading potential natural gas provider for the U.S. supported Nabucco pipeline.

Azerbaijan has continually assisted the United States on matters of international security, supporting and participating in operations in both Kosovo and Iraq as well as being actively engaged in Afghanistan. In addition to recently doubling its military presence in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has regularly facilitated landing and refueling operations for U.S. and NATO forces in the region. Furthermore, Azerbaijan offered strong and immediate aid to the United States directly following the devastating events of 9/11.

Again, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 93rd anniversary of Republic Day, and to recognize the valuable bilateral relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan.

Offered By: Mr. Towns

Amendment No. 4: Page 3, after line 14, insert the

following new paragraph (and redesignate subsequent

paragraphs accordingly):

(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following

new paragraph:

``(3) Priority for school-based health centers.--If the

amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (g) for a fiscal

year are less than the total amounts that would be payable

under this section for qualified teaching health centers for

the fiscal year if paragraph (2) did not apply and if no

funds are made available for such fiscal year to carry out

section 399Z-1, subject to such paragraph (2), payments under

this section shall first be made to qualified teaching health

centers that have submitted an application to receive funds

under section 399Z-1 for such fiscal year to the extent

payable under this section if paragraph (2) did not apply.'';

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou. May 20, 2011 marks the third anniversary of President Ma's inauguration as The Republic of China's (Taiwan) leader.

Not only should we congratulate President Ma, but we should also thank him for his great efforts at maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

Before President Ma took office, there was a great amount of tension between Mainland China and Taiwan. Then candidate Ma ran on a platform of easing tension with China and therefore allowing both nations to live in harmony with one another.

President Ma made good on his campaign promises and has created a better environment between the two countries than has ever been seen before.

The reason we should thank President Ma for reducing military conflict in the Western Pacific is because the United States does not need to engage in any more military fronts right now. We already have military hotspots in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

We appreciate all of President Ma's hard work and look forward to working with him for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, as a long-time friend of Taiwan in the United States Congress, and as a member of the 140-member strong bi-partisan Congressional Taiwan Caucus I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting an issue I and my Taiwanese American constituents care deeply about.

I am a supporter of Taiwan's full membership in international organizations such as the United Nations. Why? Because I believe it is an anomaly that the country of Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, is not represented in the United Nations and its affiliated organizations.

I believe that we, the United States, instead of supporting ``meaningful participation'' for Taiwan in international organizations, should instead actively support and promote full membership for Taiwan in international organizations such as the WHO.

Health knows no boundaries. Diseases do not stop at the borders of countries. Over the years, Taiwan has been affected by the H1N1 flu. In 2003, Taiwan was struck by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. A total of 60 people died.

It is therefore imperative that Taiwan joins the WHO as a full member, so that the 23 million people of Taiwan can and will have access to the highest level of health information and knowledge.

Not only that, but medical professionals in Taiwan will be able to fully contribute their extensive knowledge and expertise to the WHO, to the benefit of the entire global health community.

I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Taiwan's full and equal membership in the United Nations, and in all other international organizations including the World Health Organization.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the achievements of Nitin Doshi.

Nitin Doshi's international roots, professional training and zest for life have all contributed towards his well deserved reputation as an entrepreneur, a philanthropist and a leader. Although born in Africa, Dr. Doshi is of Indian descent and was schooled in India as a foreign student. After graduating from Dental School in Bombay, he came to the United States in 1973 and enrolled in the NYU School of Dentistry, becoming licensed to practice in New York in 1975. He was a pioneer among Indian dentists helping many of them start and expand their practices. He was a very successful dentist and an entrepreneur who established many dental practices of his own. In 1992, due to the growing radiology practice of his wife of 40 years, Dr. Leena Doshi, he sold his dental practices and joined her in expanding the radiology practice.

Today the family is involved in a number of varied investment ventures under the umbrella of Doshi Capital Partners, including a real estate private equity fund formed in 2005, an Indian hedge fund consisting of a long/short equity fund founded in 2008, and a partnership

begun in 2008 with a private equity firm concentrating in investments in chemicals, specialty materials and healthcare.

They believe in a well balanced life and making time for everything in life. They are proud parents of Neely and her husband Todd and Nishat and his wife Fran, but the true joys of their lives are now their grandchildren, Nile, Denali and Escher, and a new granddaughter on the way. They are also part of very tight-knit group of over 30 Indian couples that all immigrated to the United States in the seventies and eighties and have supported each other and embraced the American spirit and contributed to their adopted country with enthusiasm and gratitude.

They are active and athletic and love all sorts of sports, as spectators as well as participants, with tennis and golf being their personal passion. Both have run many half marathons and Leena has also run the Long Island and New York City Marathon.

They are strong believers of social causes and support many charities. Examples of Indian organizations that the Doshi Family Foundation has partnered with include Pratham, which fulfills a mission to ensure the ``Every Child in School and Learning Well'' program; American Indian Foundation, committed to accelerate India's social and economic growth; and Veerayatan, which helps to rehabilitate earthquake victims, especially children, by immediately providing the basic necessities of life. The Foundation has also established two colleges in Kutch, India, one for computer science, the other for business administration, with classes having begun in June 2008.

The Doshi Family Foundation founded and funded since 1998 a New York based high school program called The Doshi Difference geared towards immigrant children's success in math and science. The program guides hand selected-children through high school and has been such a success that its curriculum has recently been offered to all students at every high school in New York.

The Doshis believe in a concentric circle of giving starting from family, to employees, to communities and believe strongly that each one of us has the ability to spread goodwill to those around us and to make a difference if we only have the desire to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the work of Nitin Doshi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sarah Savage Raymond.

Sarah Savage Raymond has been a resident of Brooklyn since 1927, when, at the age of 22, she moved from her home in Baltimore. During her more than 80 years in Brooklyn and the Tenth Congressional district, Mrs. Raymond has been a positive example for all and a valued member of her community.

Mrs. Sarah Savage Raymond has been involved with the First AME Zion Church, originally the Fleet Street Church, since she first moved to New York and remains an active participant. The First AME Zion Church is where Sarah met and married her husband, Mr. Robert Raymond and where she became involved in her adopted community, becoming a member in the lodge and on the committee visiting the sick.

Through more than a century of life, Mrs. Raymond has kept her indomitable spirit and remains alert and energetic. Although Mrs. Raymond has no biological children, she has three very close relatives that are extremely supportive of her who live in the Bronx, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She also has five nieces and nephews that reside in Maryland that also keep in touch with her. Mrs. Sarah Savage Raymond has seen and heard what most of us could only read in history books and she is always willing to share her experiences with those who are interested in listening.

Mrs. Raymond says that she is ``thankful'' to be one hundred six years of age because she did not expect to live this long. She adds, ``I appreciate every year and did the best that I could.'' It is precisely this humble and exemplary attitude that has preserved Mrs. Raymond in health and happiness for so long.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mrs. Raymond for her extraordinary accomplishments and her spirit which reflect the best our nation has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor and tribute to Leslie Lewis, who has been a resident of Brooklyn since 1982 and has served as the President of the 84th Precinct Community Council for nearly two decades.

Mr. Lewis's current duties are to serve as a liaison between his local NYPD Precinct and the Brooklyn community. Every day, Leslie Lewis works tirelessly to communicate the concerns and complaints of my constituents to the district attorney's office and the police. Without his efforts, the people of my district would lack a critical element in the fight against crime and for a better quality of life.

In addition to his recent work in Brooklyn, Mr. Lewis played a behind the scenes role in one of the most iconic events of the Cold War. In the 1950s and 1960s, drawing on his experience in the exposition business, Leslie Lewis set up the famous U.S.-Soviet cultural exchange programs with the assistance of the U.S. Information Agency. This project included the famous ``Kitchen Debate'' between Richard Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev inside a model of a ``typical'' American kitchen.

Leslie Lewis is also responsible for the concept of ``Job Power,'' developed as a way to bring employers and urban minorities together. His plan was pitched to the Department of Labor, and he received the thanks of President Nixon for his ideas. Mr. Lewis's concept evolved into the modern day job fair, a now commonly used method to bring job seekers and employers together.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Leslie Lewis for his extraordinary accomplishments and his commitment.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Leslie Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, public restrooms have been the site of institutional discrimination by race, physical ability and gender. Women are often forced to wait in long lines to use public restrooms, while men rarely have the same problem. It is an inconvenience seen in almost every type of public building; be it a sporting venue, office building, airport or a building designed for recreational activities. Many of these establishments were constructed decades ago, during a time in which many women did not travel, hold the same jobs as men, receive the same level of education or have the same type of social life as they do today.

The issue of inadequate accommodations in women's restrooms may be found in many professional places of employment. Restroom gender parity is an issue of equality and health. In the year 2011, it is unfathomable to think that American women are still being discriminated against by infrastructural disparities in public buildings.

Unfortunately, this is the sad truth exhibited in nearly all public buildings today. A one-to-one ratio of toilets in female restrooms to toilets in male restrooms sounds like a requirement that ought to have existed decades ago; yet there are still fewer female accommodations compared to male accommodations in many public structures.

This is why supporting the bipartisan Restroom Gender Parity in Federal Buildings Act is necessary not only for the advancement of gender parity, but for the general well being and health of women everywhere. This bill will require any Federal building constructed for public use to have a 1 to 1 ratio for toilets, including urinals in women's and men's restrooms. Moreover, the bill will impact future Federal projects by mandating that preference for Federal leasing considerations be given to buildings that already meet this criteria.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this common sense legislation to address the inadequacies in our federal infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important event occurring in my hometown of Brooklyn, New York on April 10, 2011. The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg in conjunction with the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty will be holding their annual Passover Food Distribution for poor Williamsburg families.

For families in need, Passover is one of the most difficult times to get by. Special Kosher for Passover food must be bought and there must be enough of it for all the holiday meals. Many poor Williamsburg families, most of whom have large households, would not be able to have a festive and joyous Passover without the UJO-Met Council Passover food distribution. Thousands and thousands of pounds of fruits, vegetables, chicken and grape juice are distributed to about 3000 families.

I also would like to note the assistance of Health Plus for their support of this special distribution and recognize in particular their CEO Tom Early, Director of Communications Kathryn Soman and Senior Community Relations Coordinator Jonathan Zalisky for their tireless efforts to make the distribution a success for the Brooklyn families that depend on it.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the annual Williamsburg Passover Food Distribution.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 839 ``The HAMP Termination Act of 2011''. This bill would prohibit new mortgage loan modifications under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) which has assisted over 600,000 people. The program works with loan servicers and borrowers to allow hard working people to stay in their homes.

Mr. Chair, my home state of New York has over 140,000 households with at least one member of that household out of work. We must invest in programs that give relief to families that have lost income in this great recession through no fault of their own. HAMP entitles qualified homeowners to reduced mortgage payments at a sustainable debt to income ratio of 31 percent. This program also provides incentives to loan investors and servicers for every permanent loan modification. These incentives allow homeowners in distress the ability to stay in their homes and to continue making payments on time.

I realize that this program is not perfect and that there are still some outstanding issues that must be addressed in order to make HAMP more efficient and effective. However H.R. 839 would simply prevent any future attempt by this congress to address those concerns. Mr. Chair, we were sent to Congress to solve problems. We must deal with the current foreclosure crisis by using every tool in our arsenal to make sure people can afford to stay in their homes.

It is my hope that Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle will work together to make sure the American dream of homeownership is viable in 2011. We must work together to solve the major challenges of our day and we must do so in a bipartisan manner.

H.R. 839 is not the answer to our nation's foreclosure crisis. I urge my colleagues to vote no on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, during our celebration of Women's History Month, I would like to take an opportunity to honor the late Honorable Shirley Anita Chisholm. She was a trailblazer and an inspiration for many people across the country, including myself.

Shirley Anita Chisholm was born on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, NY to immigrant parents. She was an alumna of Girls High School, and earned her B.A. from Brooklyn College in 1946. In 1952, she went on to earn her M.A. from Columbia University in elementary education. During her time in school she became interested in and became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the NAACP.

Prior to her political career, she was an educator--a nursery school teacher from her college graduation in 1946 until 1953. From 1953 to 1959, she served as the director of Hamilton-Madison Child Care Center, and from 1959 to 1964 she was an educational consultant for the Division of Day Care in New York City.

Shirley Chisholm's political career began when she ran for the New York State Legislature in 1964. She proudly served there for four years. In 1968, she won election to the United States House of Representatives, becoming the first African-American woman elected to Congress. Congresswoman Chisholm was re-

elected six times, and retired in 1983. During her tenure, she was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and was an important advocate for women, children, and inner city residents.

Her distinguished career was marked by challenging barriers. Shirley said: ``I want to be remembered as a woman who fought for change in the twentieth century.'' We remember her today as a powerful force for change, an advocate for the most vulnerable in society, and an inspiration for many. On January 25, 1972, she became the first major- party black candidate for President of the United States of America and the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and accomplishments of Shirley Chisholm on the occasion of Women's History Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Yolande Nicholson.

Ms. Nicholson has been a member of the New York State Bar for more than 20 years. She earned her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law in 1989. She began her legal career practicing as a corporate finance attorney in the capital markets group at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, the preeminent international law firm.

As a young lawyer, Ms. Nicholson had the opportunity to work with multinational corporations, international financial institutions, sovereign governments and their agencies, as well as domestic corporations and financial institutions. At Cleary, she developed her craft as a securities lawyer. From 1997 to 2003,

Ms. Nicholson served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at The Chase Manhattan Bank. In 2003, as an Executive on Loan from JPMorgan, she began working with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (BSRC) in Brooklyn to restructure and reposition the corporation's anchor commercial real estate and public housing assets. She subsequently served in the position of Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. In 2006, Ms. Nicholson returned to Wall Street practice and corporate finance as a senior attorney in the financial products group at Clifford Chance, the leading international finance law firm.

On October 1, 2010, Ms. Nicholson launched her private practice, as principal of Yolande I. Nicholson P.C., specializing in foreclosure prevention, litigation and defense. Ms. Nicholson is the author of a White Paper: ``Proposal to Appropriate Funding Available under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (``EESA'') in Keeping with The Troubled Asset Relief Program (``TARP'') to Stabilize Hardest-Hit Communities, Support Selected Homeowner Families and Achieve Quantifiable Returns on Investment for Taxpayers and Main Street Communities'' (copyright July 2010). With the White Paper, she lends her knowledge and voice to the proposals aimed at precluding foreclosure sales against homeowners who are hardest hit by high unemployment, predatory lending and mortgage fraud.

Ms. Nicholson was born in Grenada, W.I., into an extended family of ever-aspiring parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that included notable school principals, teachers, nurses, musicians and entrepreneurs. She credits her father for teaching her and her siblings the value of community activism; her mother for teaching them the value of community service; and both for serving as daily examples of grace and dignity. She aims to continue applying her law license, experience and practice in a manner that is responsible and thoughtful when delivering advice and representation to clients.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Yolande Nicholson.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Sheila A. Durant.

Early on, Sheila Durant discovered her life's passion: educating children. She carried this passion for over 30 years and continues to do so. Sheila was born and raised in New York City, as one of five children. At an early age, her parents instilled the value of discipline, determination, and having a dream. Sheila knew her calling was to be an educator. Sheila's own education began in the New York City's public school system, a diverse and multicultural learning environment. She went on to enter the CUNY system and earned a Master's degree in special education from Hunter College. Sheila later received an Administrative Diploma in School Administration from the City College of New York.

When Sheila Durant became Assistant Principal at P.S. 69, in 2003, the State of New York designated the school, ``a School in Need of Improvement.'' Fortunately, she worked with a principal who was an outstanding educational leader, mentor and collaborative partner. Together, they sought to build a ``learning'' community, dedicated to a climate of open communication, sharing, collaboration, and respect. They began reform at P.S. 69 by implementing conflict resolution platforms for teachers, students, and parents. The school is now constantly improving. Since 2003, Advocates for Children recognized P.S. 69 as both a school of choice and one of the ``top 100 schools'' in New York City. Today, Sheila is the Principal of P.S. 69. Her journey from Assistant Principal to Principal gave her invaluable insight into making P.S. 69 a successful child-centered educational environment.

Growing as a leader and a continual learner, Ms. Durant is involved in a number of other organizations. She is a member of the Greater Central Baptist Church, New York Academy of Public Education, New York Elementary School Principal Association, Schools That Can, Harvard's Wide World, CEI-PEA, North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She is also the Executive Board member for Council School Consortium and serves as a board member of 500 men.

A guiding principle influenced Sheila's career: ``Good teachers move mountains for their students, great teachers show their students how to move mountains for themselves.'' Sheila's goal is to prepare her students with

the skill and desire to achieve their dreams. Sheila welcomes parents as collaborative partners seeking to educate their children's young minds and hearts. Together with her dedicated staff, she will continue to strive to prepare all students for college readiness, as digital learners, to compete in a global society.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sheila A. Durant.