Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Armenia's independence from the Soviet Union. For many years, and on many fronts, the people of Armenia have been challenged; for their land, for their distinct heritage and culture and have endured the most atrocious of events, genocide.

On September 21, 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, a lifelong dream of many Armenians was finally within sight. The country achieved its independence after an astounding 94 percent of its voters turned out in support of Armenia's sovereignty. We would like to join with the Republic of Armenia in celebrating its 12th anniversary of independence and welcome the growing ties between our two countries.

Since 1991, relations between our two nations have been prosperous. Our common struggle against communism reflects the shared values between Armenians and Americans alike. We have also developed strong economic relations; the addition of Armenia to the World Trade Organization earlier this year demonstrates its commitment to free enterprise and lower barriers to trade. Armenia has also been a strong advocate of sustained stability in the Transcaucas region; it has made significant contributions to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's peace process for Nagorno-Karabagh.

Lastly, I would like to wish Armenians across the globe well on the day of their independence. I believe that with the continuing support of the United States, Armenia will prosper and continue to be a loyal friend to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Virginia Union University during National Historically Black Colleges and Universities week. Historically Black Colleges and Universities have played an integral role in the higher education of students all across America.

Virginia Union University of Richmond, Virginia has been an institution of higher learning since 1870. Virginia Union University continually works hard to provide its students with a first-class education and stay competitive with larger, public schools.

During the last four years, Virginia Union University has achieved accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, established a campus-wide wireless infrastructure, renovated residence and dining halls, added a forensic-science program, and expanded the school of theology.

America values the legacy and the contributions Historically Black Colleges and University graduates make to our country. The viability of Virginia Union University and all institutions of higher learning is of paramount importance to the future security of America.

I look forward to a strong and continued working relationship with Virginia Union University faculty, staff, students, and alumni in the days ahead. I also want to thank Virginia Union University Provost and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Weldon Hill, for his valued service to the University since 1982. Without his involvement, the completion of the Lombardy Street project would not be possible.

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

Mr. Speaker, as was indicated earlier in the debate, or the colloquy, between the majority leader and the minority whip, this House on June 12 passed a tax relief measure which provided for the extension of the child tax credit. Let us look at the current law and see what we would be extending if that particular measure were to pass the other body and go on to the President for his signature.

Who is getting that child tax credit under current law: any family that pays income tax as long as their income does not exceed certain levels, and even families who do not pay income taxes receive the child tax credit so long as they earn at least $10,500. These families receive a check from the government equal to 10 percent of their income over $10,500.

Military families serving overseas also get the child tax credit subject to the same rules. So-called wealthy families do not get the child tax credit. The child credit is reduced and eventually eliminated for single parents with incomes over $75,000 and for married couples with incomes over $110,000.

Mr. Speaker, this House has acted, and on June 12 of this year passed a bill which calls for the extension of the child tax credit through 2010. It does other things as well. Along with passing the extension of the child tax credit, we eliminated the marriage penalty in the child credit, celebrated the increase in the refundable child credit, provided tax relief and enhanced tax fairness for members of the Armed Forces. We suspended in that same piece of legislation the tax exempt status of designated terrorist organizations, and provided tax relief for astronauts who die on space missions.

Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) that the call for action belongs and should be focused and aimed to the other side of this building. They are in the chairman's seat of the child tax credit conference, and it is they who should act.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, again, I think this is the nineteenth time that we have been through this discussion on a non-binding motion to instruct conferees. And at this time, again, I would reiterate the need to focus the urging of action towards the other side of this Capitol that chair the conference committee on the child tax credit.

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

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. First of all I would like to congratulate the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for producing a bill that addresses an extremely important issue. I know that the gentleman from Alabama has been quoted as saying that this is probably one of the most important economic initiatives that we have got to accomplish this session because it means so much to so many people.

I was reading some figures that say that if we are not going to go forward, if we did not or had not gone forward with reauthorizing the Fair Credit Reporting Act, it would result in a $20 billion loss in the consumer spending area. Actually, as some of the dialogue here has indicated, it would fall really on those that need help, who need access to credit most. I am glad that we are here, and I congratulate the chairman on his work.

I also am here to support the gentleman from California in trying to search for a solution to a provision that is in the bill that would, as has been said earlier, provide a disincentive for retailers to be a part of this nationwide system that we have that affords individuals access to credit. For the reasons stated before, the provision as it stands now, which would force an individual seeking to correct information on a credit report to go to the furnisher rather than the parties currently doing it now in the credit bureaus, would provide inefficiencies on the part of the furnishers; would, as I said earlier, provide a disincentive for those furnishers to even offer the information to the credit bureau; and ultimately, I think, would drive up costs for everybody. As we know, the individuals who end up suffering most are those who we are trying to help by affording the least expensive access to credit.

Again, I congratulate the gentleman from California on his efforts and want to offer help in any way that I can to hopefully resolve this issue.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time.

I rise in opposition to the Sanders amendment. I am listening to the gentlewoman from California's remarks that we should not allow a credit card company or a bank to alter one's interest rate on an extension of credit based on that consumer's performance in the marketplace, but if we look back to the beginning of the transaction to see how the credit was extended to begin with, it was based on the overall credit picture. And we have a nationwide credit access, information access system that affords lenders the ability to know more about their risk. And by tying the hands and essentially asking the credit card issuer and the lender to ignore information that will impact their risk will end up ultimately denying more credit to more people.

Mr. Chairman, we ought to let the marketplace work. We ought not go in and try and micromanage someone's business. We have the laws in place which require disclosure. There is the Maloney amendment that was attached in committee which will ensure adequate notice if there is, for some reason, the increase in the rate. Again, the end of the day is we want to make sure as many people as possible have access to credit.

What this amendment will do, as the chairman has said, will raise rates for everyone and will deny those who really need the credit access to those funds.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Louise ``Bebe'' Canter, who will be installed as President of the nation's largest insurance association--the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA)--later this month in Las Vegas. Bebe is senior vice president of Patterson/Smith Associates in Falls Church, VA.

She has enjoyed a distinguished career as an independent insurance agent which has been highlighted by her tireless service and dedication to her clients, community, IIABA, the Metropolitan Washington Association of

Independent Insurance Agents (MWAIIA), and her colleagues across the country.

Bebe was elected to IIABA's Executive Committee in October 1998 and was honored by her peers when they named her President-elect last fall in New Orleans.

Bebe's service to her peers began with her involvement with the Metropolitan Washington Association. She served as MWAIIA's president and as the organization's representative to IIABA's National Board of State Directors. In recognition of her outstanding service, MWAIIA named her its 1991 Agent of the Year.

In addition to her position on the IIABA Executive Committee, Bebe also serves as a member of the Association's Large Agents & Brokers Roundtable.

Her other industry volunteer work includes service as a member of the D.C. Society of CPCU's Board of Directors and the Standard & Poor's Agent Advisory Council, and chairman of the CNA Branch PACER Agent Panel and the Southern Agents Conference.

Among Bebe's community involvement is service as a member of Howard University's Scholarship Committee.

I am proud of Bebe's professional and community service accomplishments and know she will serve her fellow agents with distinction and strong leadership to further the worthy and noble cause of independent insurance agents and brokers. I bid her a successful year as president of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. I wish her all the best as IIABA President. Congratulations Bebe!

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage in a colloquy with Chairman Istook regarding the Transportation/Treasury appropriation bill about the importance of funding the Richmond Federal courthouse. This courthouse project is very important to my constituents and will be critical to the economic revitalization of downtown Richmond.

The Richmond courthouse project has received a very high ranking from the Administrative Office of the Courts and is number two on its list of courthouse construction projects.

Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to yield, I want to thank him for his continued commitment to addressing the funding of the Federal courthouse in Richmond. The Federal courthouse will revitalize downtown Richmond and provide a critical link between the convention center area and Capital Square.

I have heard from many leaders in the City of Richmond about the necessity for funding this project, and I agree construction of the Federal courthouse is long overdue.

Again, I want to thank the chairman for his leadership and look forward to working with him on this program.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to be here today to salute an individual who has served this House for many years, who is also leaving us today. Kirk Boyle first started his career with this House with the former majority leader, Dick Armey. He served as Dick Armey's page in the House and later returned after schooling to be a floor assistant for Dick Armey. In the last year he has become part of the majority whip's team and has been on the floor with leadership, with the majority whip Roy Blunt.

Anybody who knows Kirk knows he is a source of accurate information. He always knows what is going on. He has been a tremendous asset to all of us.

Lastly, I would just like to note that I think he will be best remembered as the cofounder and creator of the Boyle-Turton precedent which, as you know, contributes to the expeditious proceedings of this House.

Again, I salute Kirk Boyle and wish him well as he continues his life journey and development as an individual as he goes and moves on to Chicago to perform some mission work and to do good for the people of this great land.

Congratulations. We will miss you, Kirk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 294, and I thank Mr. DeLay for scheduling this important resolution this week.

On June 4, 2003, President Bush, Prime Minister Sharon, and Prime Minister Abbas came together to pledge their commitment to the ``Road Map'' to Peace. At this summit, Mr. Abbas promised to reign in the terror groups that have plagued Israel with 3 years of relentless terror. Since this summit, 29 Israelis have been murdered and over 120 have been wounded in terrorist attacks by Palestinian organizations such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Yasser Arafat's own Fatah. In all, the Israeli defense forces have counted 319 separate attacks on soldiers and civilians.

Mr. Speaker, the United States sustained a horrifying terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and responded rightfully by pursuing and attacking those responsible for the cowardly murder of innocent civilians on American soil. Israel has lived with a perpetual September 11 since its inception and must be allowed to pursue those who wish to murder innocent Israeli civilians. The terrorist actions of the last few weeks demonstrate that these organizations are not interested in peace, but rather the complete eradication of the State of Israel. We must condemn those who use terror against civilians as a means to destroy freedom and peace.

Israel, like the United States, was founded on the common values of democracy, freedom, and peace. Today, I reiterate that we

must stand by Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, in its fight against the terrorist organizations that seek to destroy the peace. We must maintain our commitment to Israel's security and the safety of its citizens.

Peace must come with security, not in spite of it. Israel has always made a sincere commitment to peace in the region. Many times its commitment to peace has come at the expense of innocent life. Before the process can move forward, we must compel the Palestinian authority to take immediate and effective steps to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Only then can we come to a peaceful solution of this conflict in which Israel, the Jewish State, can live side by side with a democratic Palestinian State in peace and security.

Mr. Speaker, the breakthroughs in medicine now occurring on a daily basis were unimaginable 40 years ago when Medicare was established. Seniors lead better lives due to these research breakthroughs and new prescription drugs; however, these medical breakthroughs are meaningless if seniors cannot access these lifesaving medications prescribed by their doctor.

Last year a constituent of mine from Bumpass, Virginia wrote me because she could not afford her mother's private assisted living care. She was paying over $550 a month for her mother's prescription drugs, and those huge costs severely limited the care available for her mother. I can only imagine how heartbreaking a decision this must have been for a daughter and her mother--choosing medicine over assisted living care.

That is why I want to recognize the 1,465 Richmond-based employees of Wyeth-Pharmaceuticals, a world-class pharmaceutical research company. These employees participate in charitable company program that offers patients lifesaving medications, free of charge.

The Wyeth Patient Assistant Program has been a very successful way for seniors in Richmond and the Nation to get lifesaving medicines free of charge. Wyeth employees are good community partners for Richmond and a group of people that we need to recognize for their kindness and compassion.

But we as Americans can and must do more to help our seniors afford prescription drugs.

Providing voluntary prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries will ensure that America's seniors will be able to enjoy their golden years while we as their children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy their wisdom and good health. Both a noble and worthy cause.

Mr. Speaker, this week, the House has a chance to help out over 20 million uninsured workers that are employed by small businesses across our Nation. H.R. 660, the Small Business Health Fairness Act, will allow small employers to band together to access more affordable, more efficient health insurance for their companies.

This bill will help small business owners like Kevin Maxwell from my district in Midlothian, Virginia. Earlier this year, Mr. Maxwell wrote to me about the escalating health care costs for his employees. He is a partner in a small petroleum parts sales company, employing about 13 people. Mr. Maxwell told me that the health insurance costs will increase from $1,100 to $1,400 per month, per family. Two or three years of these types of increases will very quickly force Mr. Maxwell to stop offering health care to his employees.

As a small businessman, Kevin pays more because he does not have the insurance purchasing power that large companies have.

According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, small businesses pay 17 percent more for health benefits than large companies. That price disparity forces small companies to make tough choices about the benefits they offer.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud people like Kevin Maxwell. It has not been easy, but help is on the way.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise President Bush and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel for never giving up hope that we can achieve peace in the Middle East. President Bush is a champion of peace and a leader that the world should rally around as he works to bring tranquility to this troubled region. That is why European insistence on negotiating with Yassir Arafat is so troubling. If Europe is committed to peace, now more than ever, they must end their dealings with Yassir Arafat.

Arafat is a terrorist who stalled the peace process to further his personal agenda. No one can doubt that Arafat ordered the murder of thousands of civilians while he stole billions of dollars in humanitarian aid. Arafat has proven he does not support peace, and as a result, Europe should stop dealing with him.

Last week in Aqaba, Jordan, Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas emerged from a joint meeting with President Bush to pledge initial steps toward the goals of ending violence and establishing a Palestinian state.

Abbas promised to end terrorism and the armed uprising against Israel. Sharon said Israel would ease controls on Palestinian areas, dismantle certain outposts and negotiate in good faith toward creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. To worldwide appreciation, Mr. Sharon has already begun dismantling outposts and maintaining his commitment to peace. We will continue to watch and hope that Mr. Abbas keeps his promise to end the terrorism and murder of innocent people.

In light of these agreements by both the Israelis and the Palestinian leadership, there is no choice but to end all dealings with Arafat and his terrorists.

Arafat, who was rightly excluded from the Aqaba summit by the U.S., is expected to try to reassert his influence. Looking at the history of Arafat, one can only suspect he will order and organize another wave of terrorist violence to destroy any hope for peace. European diplomats told the United States last week that they would maintain contact with Arafat.

European leaders are aiding Arafat's illegitimate cause and are directly hurting the peace process by continuing to make this terrorist relevant. I call on the European leaders to follow President Bush's lead and to stop dealing with Arafat, who is and never will be anything more than a terrorist.

I rise today to honor Lt. Colonel Greg Sturdevant, USMC and his career as a Marine Corp helicopter aviator. He has served valiantly during his career and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism in the Battle of Tora Bora in Afghanistan last fall.

His bravery was tested once again in the deserts of Iraq where he was liberating the people of Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Acting on a tip from a local Iraqi citizen, the U.S. military hastily put together a rescue attempt of a captured U.S. soldier, PFC Jessica Lynch, who was known to be held in an Iraqi hospital. During the planning of this midnight mission, for which the Marines were tasked to fly the rescue helicopter, the most experienced pilots were selected to lead each of the helicopters. Sturdevant's many years of service gave him the experience and technical proficiency to command one of these helicopters.

On April 2, 2003, LtCol Sturdevant and his fellow Marines flew the U.S. Army's Rangers

and the U.S. Navy's Seals to the Saddam Hospital in Al Nasiriyah where the soldier was thought to be held. After the Rangers and Seals secured the area, they emerged from the hospital with 19 year-old PFC Lynch, who had been taken prisoner with other members of her unit, the 507th Maintenance Company on March 23, 2003. LtCol Sturdevant's flight of Marines, Army Rangers, Navy Seals, and one former Prisoner of War returned to a coalition-held airfield where PFC Lynch was finally free of her captors.

I join the Janis Family, Bill, Rose Ann, Robert, and Michael, in honoring and recognizing LtCol Sturdevant and say thank you for all of his efforts in the defense of America's freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Police Week. Our police officers are a crucial part of our communities, and without their efforts, we would be devoid of law and order. I am proud to honor those willing to sacrifice themselves to truly protect and serve our neighborhoods.

The role of our police officers has been greatly emphasized in the past year and a half since September 11, as they play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all Americans. These men and women have served our community by safeguarding life and property and by protecting us against violence and disorder.

This week, as the Nation commemorates past and present law enforcement officers for their loyal and dedicated service to their communities, we should remember that many police officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities or have become disabled in the performance of duty. I join the residents of the 7th District of Virginia in honoring and remembering these brave men and women and say thank you to all of America's police officers.

I stand before you today to honor these brave American heroes.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment which strikes section 42011, which would allow the prepayment of premium liability for coal industry health benefits.

It is my belief that this language made good sense and will ultimately improve the financial viability of the Coal Act funds and help ensure health care benefits for coal workers and their dependents. However, there are colleagues of mine in this House who differ with this opinion. In the interest of allowing the energy bill to move forward to passage, I ask that the House support this amendment striking this language.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin).

Mr. Speaker, two days ago, horrifying video broadcast by the Arab satellite station Al Jazeera filtered back to us here showing tortured and murdered American troops.

I want Saddam to know that here in America we are angry, and we want justice.

The brutal treatment of our unarmed troops has produced in America a wave of defiance; Absolute disgust of Saddam; Magnified the determination of our American military; and Hardened our commitment to remove this barbaric regime.

This treatment provides a sharp reminder of the past cruelty American prisoners of war suffered during the Second World War, Korea and Vietnam.

As a nation, we endured these hardships then--we will endure them now. However, we will endure this pain only until we have Saddam and the generals who ordered these killings--then we will seek the justice our murdered servicemen deserve.

Deliberately killing our men will not weaken our resolve or change our goal to free Iraq. The regime of Saddam Hussein will be removed-- the outcome of the conflict is determined and settled. We will win, we will bring our troops back home and we will punish the Iraqi murderers.