Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Children's Mercury Exposure Act of 2007'' along with my colleague, Representative Robert E. Andrews. This necessary and important piece of legislation will establish a program of research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding the risks posed by all levels of exposure of children to mercury from mercury contaminated industrial sites; require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), working in coordination with state departments of health, to conduct a study on the prevalence of the exposure of children to mercury from mercury contaminated industrial sites and present to Congress a preliminary report of the prevalence of such occurrences 1 year from the date of enactment; and provide block grants through CDC to state departments of health to conduct initial and long-term testing of children exposed to mercury from mercury-contaminated industrial sites.

I introduce this legislation today as a direct result of an incident that occurred last summer in my Congressional District. Last July, to my amazement and disbelief, I learned that a day care center in Franklin Township, New Jersey had been opened mistakenly on a site that was previously used by a thermometer manufacturer with a history of mercury contamination and had not been properly cleaned up. As a result of this, children who innocently played on the grounds and slept on the floors of he day care were diagnosed with mercury contamination.

I worked with the CDC and state agencies to ensure that these children received the testing and care they needed and deserved, but there were many questions that could not be answered about the risks to these children and children like them who were exposed to mercury, nor were answers about whether similar incidents of mercury exposure in children were occurring in communities across the country.

The answers I did find out though were alarming. I learned that mercury, a potent neurotoxin that can affect the nervous system, lungs, brain, and kidneys, is present at a number of contaminated industrial sites in the United States. I also learned that children's unique behaviors, such as soil ingestion from normal hand-to-mouth contact, puts them at particular risk of exposure from these mercury contaminated industrial sites, and that the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), has determined this risk has emerged as an important public health issue.

This incident has taught me that children can, and unfortunately will be exposed to mercury from contaminated industrial sites. The ``Children's Mercury Exposure Act of 2007'' attempts to ensure that children and parents have knowledge about the risks posed by this exposure; that the scope of this problem is determined; and that the appropriate level of testing and care is provided. I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in working to help those children who have been, and may be, exposed to mercury and to support the ``Children's Mercury Exposure Act of 2007.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Mrs. Patricia Cassell on her long and distinguished service to her community, and congratulate her on her upcoming retirement after 48 years of teaching.

As a first grader, Mrs. Cassell knew her future lay in the field of education. However, coming from modest means, Mrs. Cassell understood that she would have to work exceptionally hard to achieve her dream. At a very young age, she began saving her money in order to pay for her college education. After graduating sixth in her high school class of 308, she earned two academic scholarships to Millersville State Teachers College, where she earned her degree in elementary education in just 3 years.

Her first job teaching started just over 48 years ago, in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, and she has been teaching since. After moving to Atlantic City, NJ, in 1973 with her husband, Daniel, Mrs. Cassell soon accepted a position at Atlantic Christian School where she has taught for 29 years.

Throughout her 48 years of teaching, Mrs. Cassell has remained a steadfast example of exemplary service, guidance, and dedication to her students. For this, she was awarded the Career Service and Achievement Award from the Association of Christian Schools International. I would like to personally congratulate Mrs. Cassell on behalf of the students she has taught over the years and ask that she thoroughly enjoy her well-deserved retirement.

Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Saxton-LoBiondo-Smith-Andrews amendment which will provide members of the Armed Services and their families living on military bases with more security. It would require a federal background check for unescorted civilians, including contractors and vendors.

The security gap that exists at our Nation's military bases was highlighted by the recent plot against Fort Dix by terrorists. Fortunately due to the intervention of an ordinary citizen and the professionalism of the FBI, this plot to attack was thwarted. Next time, we might not be so fortunate.

It is simply common sense that we should know who is entering our military bases and why they are there. Background checks on all contractors and vendors will help secure these sensitive facilities and ensure an additional layer of security for our servicemen and women who live and work on our military bases.

I strongly urge that all Members vote for this amendment to protect our military bases and our military personnel and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 264, to express support for the goals and ideals of National Correctional Officers and Employees Week--May 6th through 12th. This resolution recognizes the important and under-appreciated dedicated service of the correctional officers and employees who staff prisons across this Nation.

Just this morning, I was at the Fairton Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, with Warden Paul Schultz, to honor the hard work and highest standards of the men and women serving as correctional officers and employees. I had the great pleasure to present awards to these brave individuals.

As a co-chair of the Correctional Officers Caucus, I was pleased to introduce this resolution with Representative Holden, and I am very proud of the correctional officers that it honors. I urge all Members to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail incorporates the very best of what the great State of New Jersey has to offer the rest of the Nation. Established by Congress in 1988, the Trail unifies New Jersey's many scenic points of interest. These points of interest include a wealth of environmental, historic, maritime and recreational sights found along New Jersey's coastline, stretching 300 miles from Perth Amboy in the north, Cape May in the extreme southern tip of the State and Deepwater to the west.

The Trail's area includes three National Wildlife Refuges, four tributaries of a Wild and Scenic River system, a Civil War fort and National cemetery, several lighthouses, historic homes, and other sites tied to southern New Jersey's maritime history. Through a network of themes and destinations, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail connects people with places of historic, recreational, environmental and maritime interest.

One exciting aspect of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route is its focus on maritime history. There is a rich story to be told about the industries once sustained by the Delaware Bay, such as whaling, shipbuilding, oystering and crabbing. While we often define our Nation's history through military or political milestones, the Trail will serve to remind visitors that maritime-dependent commerce was a major factor in the growth of the United States.

``Eco-tourism'' along the Coastal Heritage Trail has proven to be a huge success. There is an abundant variety of natural habitats and species to be found on the Trail. Whale and dolphin watching have become extremely popular, and bird lovers from throughout the country, and in fact around the world, are realizing what Southern New Jersey residents have known all along: our region is unmatched for observing migratory birds, ospreys and bald eagles.

Today, with the support of the entire New Jersey delegation, I am introducing legislation to reauthorize the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. This legislation would extend the authorization of the Trail to provide additional funding over 4 years to continue the work began in 1988.

The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail has helped New Jersey residents develop pride, awareness, experience with, and understanding of our coastal resources and its history. This reauthorization will allow the Trail to continue and flourish.

I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today in support of a resolution honoring and recognizing the work of the Means on Wheels Association of America, its member senior nutrition programs throughout the country, and their annual March for Meals campaigns.

Today, mayors and Meals on Wheels volunteers in all 50 States will join together to deliver meals to seniors. Mayors for Meals Day is part of March for Meals, a national campaign during the month of March to raise awareness of senior hunger and to encourage action on the part of local communities. The month of March was chosen because it was during this month that the law was enacted that included senior meal programs in the Older Americans Act.

This resolution recognizes the important work Meals on Wheels does in preventing senior hunger and improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of our Nation's seniors. It also encourages Members of Congress to support their local senior nutrition programs by participating in their annual March for Meals events and delivering meals to homebound seniors in a community within their district or State.

While, due to our business in Washington, DC, today, I am unable to participate in this year's celebration, I have proudly participated in past Meals on Wheels Association of America's March for Meals events. I have joined volunteers from Meals on Wheels organizations throughout my district in delivering meals and witnessed first hand both the need for these important programs and the incredible dedication of their staff and volunteers. I encourage each of you to get involved with your local programs--whether you help prepare meals, deliver meals, or just join local seniors in enjoying their meals--your support can make a difference.

I also encourage you to join me as a cosponsor of this resolution which will give the Meals on Wheels Association of America and its member programs the honor and recognition they so richly deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present in the House Chamber for votes on February 16, 2007, as I was attending the funeral services of my wife's father, who succumbed to his long battle with cancer. If I were present for votes on this day, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 99, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 100, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 101, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 102.

Mr. Oberstar, thank you very much. The circumstances are difficult.

Mr. Speaker, it is more than 5 years that we are into the global war on terror. Since the horrific attacks to our country on September 11, we are fighting a faceless enemy, an unbelievably ruthless enemy, an enemy who is undeterred in their hatreds for our freedoms and our way of life.

We must remain strong in our resolve to defeat the enemy, and it is no accident that our Nation has not been attacked since September 11. It is not because the enemy and its supporters have not wanted to bring destruction to America, it is because we as Americans have remained committed to the defense of our homeland.

It is because we have remained vigilant in working with our international partners to prevent terrorists from being successful, and it is mostly because of our brave men and women in uniform, who have taken the fight to the enemy. Likewise, our commitment to the troops on the battlefield, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan, or wherever the global war on terror may take our brave young men and women, must run deep. Our commitment must include that our soldiers have all the necessary equipment and armor that they need.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the well, to the podium today very troubled. For 3 days, the majority will have us debating the very critical issue of the war in Iraq, but this debate is really without real substance.

This debate is without an alternative strategy that many of us acknowledge we desperately need to be discussing. This debate will not bring about one positive change for our men and women in harm's way, and will rather likely result in the wrong message to many of our soldiers, our partners and, avoidably, the enemy.

I believe this debate is dividing the Congress. I believe this debate is dividing the American people and sending the wrong message to our soldiers in the field, who may question our unwavering support on their behalf. I continue to be awe struck and proud of the valor of our servicemen and -women of Iraq. However, this debate sends a mixed message to them, their families, and the families of those who were lost in the global war on terror. We could have, and we should have had a debate that sends a strong message to support our troops in their commitment, but the majority has chosen against us.

While I do not support the President's latest strategy, I believe the American military should not serve as a referee in the sectarian conflict that has lasted for centuries. It is the responsibility of the Iraqi Government to take a stronger role to set benchmarks and not let the American military and our forces be caught in the middle. This resolution is silent in its requirements to the elected Iraqi Government and to the Iraqi people, and holding their own destiny in their hands.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I have listened to the generals and military experts, administration officials, tell us that Iraqi forces are ready for greater responsibilities in securing Iraq. However, after being to Iraq five times myself, and talking with a number of soldiers in the field, the reality on the ground is that Iraqi forces are not being used to the extent that they should at this point. I think that needs to change.

I would like to also say that it is with great regret that I will not be here at the conclusion of the debate this week. Unfortunately, my father-in-law passed away after a battle with cancer, and I will be heading out to the funeral with my wife and the family.

I wanted to be on record before leaving as to what this critical motion means. This debate cannot and should not be the end of what we are talking about, and for the reasons stated before all future debates must be substantive on policies. It is clear to me the majority has a strategy that many have talked about that reflects far beyond just the surge in Iraq and what it may mean, but has implications for funding.

Mr. Speaker, let me make it perfectly clear. I support the troops, but on the basis of the message that this is sending to our partners, to the troops, to their families on this nonsubstantive resolution, I cannot support it.

I will close by saying that I received a call from a father, who has two children that are in Iraq. One felt so strongly that he sent a letter to our local newspaper, Specialist Matthew J. Smith of Hopewell Township, and I have just a few excerpts from his letter. ``I personally feel as if I am here

for a great purpose and goal that our Commander in Chief has ordered us to achieve. I have never felt it would be an easy task, nor should those at home living their comfortable lives. Have we forgotten that this great country of ours was not handed to us on a silver platter? I am asking everyone, please don't allow those of us who have died to die in vain. When we have completed the mission and have been successful in defending freedom, we will come home.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Chairman Rogers.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize concerns expressed about the Coast Guard's C4ISR program. This is a critically important program providing a deployable preemptive capability to prevent or stop the movement of terrorists and their weapons before they reach the homeland. I would hope that the Chair would agree that if the C4ISR program is able to adequately address the concerns contained in the conference report that you would look favorably upon this program in the future.

Thank you very much, and thank you for your hard work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the very significant provisions in the SAFE Port Act that will go a long way to make our ports and waterways secure. I thank Chairman Young and Chairman King for their hard work on this legislation.

I am particularly pleased with the inclusion of the Maritime Terminal Security Enhancement Act, legislation I authored in the wake of the Dubai Ports deal to ensure that the security at our ports remains in the hands of American citizens. The Maritime Terminal Security Enhancement Act would require Facility Security Officers to be American citizens. It would also provide for periodic, unannounced inspections of security at our port facilities, as well

as place deadlines on the deployment of the Transportation Worker Identification Card to ensure the identity of our port workers; a long range vessel tracking system that will enable the Coast Guard to further extend our borders and monitor vessels bound for U.S. ports; and requires the Department of Homeland Security to issue regulations to require foreign merchant mariners to carry an enhanced crew member identification credential when calling on U.S. ports.

The SAFE Port Act builds on the unprecedented work we did in the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. I was proud to be an author of that bill and I am proud of the work we did to enhance port security in this bill.

However, I am not proud, nor do I support the decision by the leadership in the other body to attach at the last minute and without consultation, the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act. There is no question that Internet technology has rapidly and substantively changed over the past six years, with new advancements being made every day. It is therefore imperative that our thinking about how best to regulate activities such as Internet gaming also evolve with the times. Unfortunately, this bill does not take into account the significant advancements in the technology, nor does it include language I support to establish a commission to study whether Internet gaming can be properly regulated.

Mr. Speaker, I will be reluctantly supporting the SAFE Port Act, as I am extremely disappointed with the action of the leadership in the other body to attach this non germane issue to an otherwise tremendous piece of legislation that will strengthen and enhance our ability to keep our nation's ports and waterways secure.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5681) to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5681, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the Chair of the full committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

(Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2006 authorizes nearly $9 billion in funding for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2007. This authorization includes funding to support each of the Coast Guard's vitally important missions.

The men and women of the Coast Guard work hard to carry out the service's missions. Each day, they protect the public and help to ensure the safety and security of our great Nation. They are our Nation's maritime first responders.

Consequently, this body must provide these men and women with the assets and resources that they so desperately need. H.R. 5681 will authorize the funding levels required to do just that. For example, the bill authorizes over $1.7 billion for the Coast Guard's integrated Deepwater System, the amount necessary to accelerate the replacement of the Coast Guard's legacy assets from a 25- to 15-year schedule. As the Coast Guard's legacy assets continue to rapidly deteriorate, servicemembers work with the risk that the aircraft or boat they use may fail to operate. This is totally unacceptable. Further, it puts the safety and security of our citizens at risk. We must accelerate the Deepwater Program and make replacement assets available as soon as possible. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the funding levels in this bill.

In addition, H.R. 5681 specifically provides that at least $629 million must be used for search and rescue and at least $502 million must be used for marine safety. While homeland security missions require more resources and personnel than ever, the Coast Guard's other traditional missions are no less important than they have been in the past. Therefore, the bill sets a floor for spending in these critical areas.

The bill also requires the Coast Guard to report to Congress on how they intend to deal with the nearly 20,000-hour annual readiness gap that has developed in the 110-foot patrol boats. This is something that is very disturbing and troubling and must be addressed.

Additionally, the bill includes a provision establishing a civil penalty for individuals who possess personal use quantities of narcotics at maritime facilities or on a vessel. Drug use on vessels can have deadly consequences, and this provision will give the Coast Guard another tool to help keep our waterways safe.

I thank Chairman Young and the ranking members, Mr. Oberstar and Mr. Filner, for working with us so closely to develop this bill. I think it takes a balanced approach to meet the Coast Guard's requirements.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Congresswoman Kelly from New York.

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

I would like to thank all my colleagues again, thank Mr. Young, Mr. Oberstar, and Mr. Filner on the subcommittee for working so closely for such an excellent product.

I would like to remind all of the Members of the sacrifices that the men and women of the Coast Guard make every day on our behalf. Unsung heroes, underrecognized, underappreciated men and women who are putting their lives on the line for our country with extraordinary dedication. This bill will help give them the tools and the equipment necessary for them to carry out their jobs.

It is, I guess, somewhat fitting that within a very short period of time all of America will have an opportunity to have a much better understanding of what the Coast Guard does because of a film that is being released, I believe, tomorrow, that will paint an extraordinary picture, realistic picture, of Coast Guard rescue swimmers and the danger that the men and women put themselves in every day on our behalf.

So I once again would urge all of my colleagues to please vote ``yes.'

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of this minimum- wage package which I think is long overdue. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader John Boehner. A week ago, not many people would have believed that we could have a vote on minimum wage this quickly. You have only to track the articles about it: did not look possible, maybe sometime into the future. And I want to thank Congressman Steve LaTourette and the 48 or 50 other Republicans that stood along together with me in presenting our case to the Speaker and majority leader for why we should do this. We had a very spirited debate in our conference, and we probably will have a record number of Republicans that will be voting for a minimum-wage package tonight.

Some Republicans are not happy about this. If I had my choice, this package would have looked a lot different. But we don't live in the world of the perfect, and we should not sacrifice the good for the perfect. The reality is, this is the minimum-wage vote. This vote actually has a chance of being signed into law. The reality is that probably a straight minimum-wage vote, that I would have preferred, might have been a good political exercise, but it stood no chance of passage in the Senate or a signature by the President. So if we really want to give relief to working men and women who so deserve this change, this 41 percent change, this is the opportunity.

The minority has said that the extenders are fine. So we have one part of the package that you will find a problem with. I submit that because Republicans are doing this, you would have found one part of this package to have a problem with no matter what was in it.

I would urge all of the Republican Labor Caucus members and, in fact, all of the Republican Conference, and the Democrats, to vote against the motion to recommit that will doom the minimum wage. Passage and vote for the bill sends a clear signal that we can find a combination, that we can find a way to come together. The definition of ``perfect'' is probably different for all 435 of us. But that is not what is at stake tonight. That is not what we are all about, finding the perfect. We are about finding something good. This is a good bill. We should vote for it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to enter into a colloquy with the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Chairman Young.

Is it the intent of the conference on H.R. 889, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, that when the National Marine Fisheries Service issues new processor quota shares under section 417, the regional designation for the shares for both the king and c. opilio crab fisheries shall reflect the processing history of the Blue Dutch during the years leading up to the North Pacific Council's adoption of the crab plan?

I yield to the gentleman from Alaska.

I thank the gentleman.

I thank the chairman for yielding, and I would like to thank Chairman Young for his ongoing very strong support for the Coast Guard and their maritime missions.

H.R. 889, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act, authorizes nearly $8.7 billion in funding for the Coast Guard in fiscal year 2006. This authorization includes funding to support each of the Coast Guard's important missions, including many that have been highlighted in response to the tragedy that occurred in the gulf region last year.

The Coast Guard is a unique entity within the Federal Government, as both a military service and a Federal agency with law enforcement abilities and wide regulatory responsibilities. The men and women of the Coast Guard carry out their missions every day to protect the safety and security of our Nation. Whether the mission involves saving thousands of lives, responding to oil spills, keeping our ports and waterways open, or boarding a suspicious vessel, the men and women of the Coast Guard work tirelessly.

However, we cannot allow the commitment that is being shown by the men and women of the Coast Guard to go on without a real commitment by this body to provide the service with the assets and resources necessary to carry out all of these missions that we have asked them to do. H.R. 889 will authorize the funding levels required to do just that.

H.R. 889 authorizes $1.6 billion for the Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater System, a critically important system. Every day our Coast Guard servicemembers must deal with the unfortunate reality that an aircraft or boat they command may lose power, spring a leak, or otherwise fail to operate. This is unacceptable. It puts the safety of our personnel and the success of their mission in real jeopardy. We must accelerate Deepwater to make replacement assets available now. I urge my colleagues to support funding levels in this bill and in the future to make this a reality.

H.R. 889 also includes important oil spill response and liability provisions originally included in the Delaware River Protection Act legislation that I introduced, along with Representatives Saxton, Castle, Andrews, and Schwartz, in the wake of the Athos I oil spill in the Delaware River. These provisions represent the first real effort in 15 years to strengthen our Federal oil spill prevention and response system. This bill will provide the Federal Government with the authorities that will enhance our capability to prevent and respond to future oil spills.

Once again, I would like to thank Chairman Young for his strong support, Ranking Member Oberstar, as well as subcommittee Ranking Member

Filner for working with me to develop a strong bipartisan product. I would also like to thank our dedicated staff on both sides of the aisle for their work: John Rayfield, Eric Nagel, and Liz Megginson on the majority staff, and John Cullather on the minority staff, who did an outstanding job in helping us put this conference report together.

The bill takes a balanced approach to providing the resources and authorities necessary to support each of the Coast Guard's many and varied missions. Although the Coast Guard has received a great deal of attention for its port security mission, we must strive to protect the service's unique multi-mission character. We must maintain a Coast Guard with the ability to successfully accomplish each of its vital missions.

I would like to urge all my colleagues to support this important bill and continue to support the men and women of the Coast Guard who do such an exceptionally good job for the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman for his hard work in building a coalition to put this bill together, and particularly I rise in strong support of the provisions reauthorizing the vital senior nutrition programs. This legislation, like the Stop Senior Hunger Act that I introduced last year, recognizes how important these programs are and how much they help the elderly, the homebound, the disabled, and the frail across America. The senior nutrition programs and these services play a vital role in helping older Americans lead active, independent, healthy lives and avoid unnecessary institutionalization.

The Older Americans Act nutrition programs serve about 250 million congregate and in-home meals to about 6.6 million older adults annually. I have been on some of the deliveries with the volunteers to the Meals on Wheels program. I have had an opportunity to look into the faces of the seniors who are receiving these programs. Very often it is the only contact of the day. It is an extremely cost-effective program, but, more importantly, it is a program that genuinely helps seniors. These meals support quality of life, promote independence, reduce health care costs, decrease nursing home admissions, and help those with long-term illnesses and those who may just need a little short- term assistance after the hospital stay during the time of need. In the words of the Meals on Wheels Association of America, the oldest and largest organization representing senior meal programs, these programs are needed so no senior goes hungry.