Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, for years, President Bush has prioritized the needs of the wealthiest few while taking us deep into debt and into an economic recession. In the meantime, most Americans have been forgotten. That is, until the Democrats took control of Congress last year.

We were the first to recognize that our economy was headed for a recession and pushed the President to join us in passing the economic stimulus package that provided assistance to middle-income Americans. While that was a good start, we know that more needs to be done to help those who are not prospering under this Bush economy. That is why we extended unemployment insurance for the growing number of Americans looking for work and why we tackled the housing foreclosure crisis, so that millions of Americans can keep their homes. We also support a second economic stimulus plan that invests in America, rather than in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, House Democrats are serious about working in a bipartisan fashion to turn this economy around, and the best way to do that is to prioritize the needs of hardworking, middle-class Americans.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 400, I inadvertently failed to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 977) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that rebate checks would better stimulate the economy if spent on American-made products and services from American-owned companies.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 977, which is sponsored by my friend and colleague, Representative Bruce Braley of the State of Iowa. This important resolution encourages Americans to spend their rebate checks on goods and services produced by American- owned companies.

I would note that Representative Braley cannot speak on behalf of his resolution today because he has returned to his district due to the widespread flooding there in the State of Iowa. I know that my colleagues join me in wishing Representative Braley and his constituents a swift recovery from this disaster.

The economic stimulus package signed into law this past February by the President will put money back into the pockets of many hard-working Americans. If they spend their rebates on American-made goods and services, as this resolution would encourage them to do, they will inject an estimated $10 billion back into the U.S. economy at a time when it needs it the most. Moreover, by spending their money on domestic products, Americans will also help reduce our country's skyrocketing trade deficit.

H. Res. 977, which has the support of more than 100 Members of this body, would augment the Federal economic stimulus package by reminding Americans of the importance of purchasing American-produced goods and services to help our flagging national economy. I urge the House to support passage of this noteworthy resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), who is the longest- serving female currently in this body.

Madam Speaker, it is true that I have no further speakers at this time. I am going to close and bring this to a vote in just a few minutes. But I want to thank not only Mr. Braley for bringing this resolution, but thank Mr. Terry for his support of the resolution and for his willingness to urge his colleagues to support it as well.

Mr. Terry is a very capable member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. We have an excellent relationship with Mr. Terry and thank him for his leadership.

I also want to thank Mr. Terry for his comments regarding energy independence. There is no question that Democrats are committed to energy independence. We are certainly painfully aware of the price that Americans are paying at the pump. The Democratic majority is working very hard to correct the problem and to find solutions for our people.

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

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating an outstanding group of high school student athletes from the first district of North Carolina.

It is with great pride that I recognize the Rocky Mount High School's boys varsity baseball team for capturing the 2008 North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 3-A State baseball championship series. This is the Gryphons' first state title in 28 years, and this means a great deal to a community that loves its baseball.

Rocky Mount High School boasts a rich athletic tradition, which includes five state titles in boy's baseball. Coach Pat Smith's team lived up to its preseason No. 1 ranking by winning the championship after an 8-6 victory over East Rowan last Saturday. Outfielder Brian Goodwin, who scored three runs in the final game, was named the series' most valuable player.

Rocky Mount finished the season at 27-6, which bettered the school record for wins by three. That record was previously held by the 1980 Rocky Mount squad, which was the last Gryphon team to win the championship.

I ask my colleagues to please rise and join with me in applauding a truly great season by an exceptional team--the Rocky Mount High School Gryphons. We congratulate the team and the city of Rocky Mount, and we wish them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor to H.R. 5839.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight with mixed emotion to recognize a young man who has devoted his young career to the House of Representatives.

I am happy to report that my legislative director, Robert Earl Harris, who is also my assistant here on the House floor as a part of the whip operation, is leaving his employment here with the House to accept private sector employment here in Washington.

Robert Earl Harris started off, Mr. Speaker, 4 years ago as an unpaid intern with the office of my predecessor, and he has risen through the ranks and is now the legislative director for my office and part of the whip team with Congressman James Clyburn.

I want to thank Robert Harris for his service to the House of Representatives, and thank him for the great American that he is.

Madam Speaker, it is with great admiration and respect that I recognize a dear friend and one of this nation's most distinguished citizens, Dr. Salter Josiah Cochran Jr. Dr. Cochran was born on February 28, 1922 here in Washington, DC. He attended the public schools for the District of Columbia and graduated from historic Dunbar High School. Thereafter, he attended and graduated from Howard University receiving both a Bachelor's of Science degree and a medical degree from the School of Medicine. I applaud and commend Dr. Cochran and his classmates upon recently celebrating their 60th medical school class reunion.

Dr. Cochran served our country as a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corps. He served as Chief of the Outpatient Clinic and attending physician while stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and Walter Reed Military Hospital. Upon his discharge he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars for his service to our country.

After his military service, Dr. Cochran moved to North Carolina and embarked upon a very successful career as a community physician. He practiced medicine in Weldon, North Carolina for 51 years and retired from the practice in 2001 with thousands of patients who truly appreciate his service. Dr. Cochran also served as physician for the 632nd Air Force Radar Base in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Both of these communities are in my Congressional District.

Even though Dr. Cochran committed many hours of providing dedicated service to his patients, he remained true to his commitment to be active, productive and dedicated to every facet of the community. Dr. Cochran served as the President of the Old North State Medical Society; President of Halifax-Northampton County Medical Society; Member of the School Board in Weldon, North Carolina; Physician for Caledonia Prison System in Halifax County; Chief Medical Examiner in Halifax and Northampton Counties; Weldon High School Sports Physician; Chairman of the Board of Elections in Halifax County; and a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

In December of 2001, Dr. & Mrs. Cochran retired to Suffolk, Virginia and now live in retirement in Smithfield, Virginia.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Cochran is a devoted husband and father. He is married to the former Doris Hill of Denver, Colorado. The Cochran's are the proud parents of four children: Leslie G. Bobbin, Anthony P. Cochran, Christine A. McLarty, and Robin C. Quarles. They also have 7 grandchildren: Amanda M. Bobbitt, Lydia M. Bobbin, Zachary J. Quarles, Jeremiah K. Quarles, Ryan A. Cochran, Lindsey K. Cochran, and Daniel F. McLarty.

I urge my Colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Salter Josiah Cochran, Jr.

I want to thank the gentlelady for yielding the time and thank her for her leadership on this committee, and certainly thank her for her work on this bill. I also would like to thank Chairman Towns, in his absence, for allowing this matter to come to the committee and for his hard work not only on the committee, but here in the Congress.

Mr. Speaker, in short, H.R. 752 codifies Executive Order 12999, making many of the provisions permanent law, but also adds provisions making this much-needed equipment far more accessible to poor and underserved regions of our country.

The FEED Act, as we refer to it, would streamline the process for donating excess and surplus electronic equipment to small cities and towns and counties and school districts and libraries and community- based educational nonprofit organizations.

This legislation gives preference to poorer communities, which often have the greatest needs. This act would direct Federal agencies to transfer excess equipment to the GSA for transfer to the qualifying recipient at little or no cost.

The current system, Mr. Speaker, of acquiring Federal surplus equipment is flawed. It is riddled with governmental redtape. Many times it can take months or even years to receive requested equipment. There was one such case in my district, which was actually the impetus for the introduction of this bill, where GSA only began working on fulfilling the request after direct congressional action. Citizens in need of technology should be able to get it without bureaucratic redtape, which only serves to discourage the applicant from pursuing their goals.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, you and I both represent poor districts. I represent the 15th poorest district in the Nation. If my recollection is correct, you represent the poorest district in the Nation. And so we certainly understand.

My constituents do not have access to the technology afforded to so many. A small county, like Washington County in my district, which is the fifth poorest county in my State, are home to towns like Roper, North Carolina. With the county unemployment rate reaching nearly 8 percent, the visionary leadership of Mayor Estelle ``Bunny'' Sanders has transformed Roper into a technology oasis with job creation and training.

Roper, North Carolina, houses a technology center where citizens are put to work refurbishing and updating and repairing electronic equipment acquired through the process. They also receive training in Web development, server management and computer maintenance. Without the necessary excess and surplus electronic equipment with which to work, the technology center and its trainees stand the risk of losing years of hard work. Mayor Sanders has the patience and determination required to navigate the murky waters of Federal excess and surplus equipment, but most would not be that resilient.

Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government spends an enormous amount of the taxpayers' money on technology. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's budget included about $110 million in annual technology- related costs. Once equipment becomes slightly outdated, it shouldn't just sit idle while there are so many needy small communities and schools and libraries that can still put it to good use.

Throughout the United States, many of our small towns and rural areas lack the very basic technology that many of us take for granted. This important legislation grants underprivileged communities across America access to Federal excess and surplus computers, printers and audio/ visual and other technological equipment.

The bill, Mr. Speaker, is particularly important to communities in my district, and will be an important tool in building the electronic infrastructure for local governments, schools, libraries and nonprofits. Many of the communities that I represent need every bit of help they can get from this government, and hopefully this will free up some resources that can be used to address other pressing needs.

I am proud to have offered this legislation that will directly impact the lives of the underserved in this country. I would particularly like to thank Mayor Sanders for her work and dedication, and Mr. John Rosenthall, who has worked so hard with my staff for nearly 2 years in seeing this bill to fruition.

Mr. Speaker, the current system is hurting the very people that it was set up to help. This is a good bill. It is a good piece of legislation that will help not only the people in Roper or in my district, but help people all across the country, and we will all benefit from it.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on H.R. 752.

I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, in my desire to get through my prepared remarks a moment ago, I failed to recognize and thank the minority side for its work on this bill.

I certainly appreciate you, Mr. Issa, and all that you have done on the committee and particularly your staff. You've been very helpful.

Also, I want to go on record in support of your comments that is not new equipment that's just sitting in a warehouse unused. It's equipment that has outused its lifetime here on Capitol Hill and in other places but certainly can be used by smaller communities. So I want to associate myself with your remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly support the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 and I congratulate the Committee on providing a bill that includes needed and critical reforms that improve access to food and nutrition, provide more equitable access to research funding and renew America's commitment to conservation.

This bill correctly focuses on the people who need the most help. In fact, nearly three-quarters of the bill will be directed to nutrition programs that will assist 38 million American families afford healthy food. It updates that Food Stamp program and increases funding for food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens.

I am particularly encouraged that the bill increases agricultural research funding for Historically Black Colleges. This is important because minority institutions are usually left out when it comes to Federal research funding. As an example, I point to a Government Accountability Office study conducted in 2003 which indicated that 1890 Land Grant institutions received less than 2 percent of the competitive funding available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This bill represents a step in the right direction.

The bill also provides for mandatory funding of the 2501 Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Outreach Program. This should

help to slow the troubling trend of significant land loss by African American and other socially disadvantaged producers.

Additionally, the bill significantly boosts spending for conservation programs to reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water and air quality, increase wildlife habitat and reduce damage caused by floods and other natural disasters.

Of particular interest to my home State of North Carolina, fruit and vegetable producers will have their own place in the Farm Bill for the first time. The bill includes more than $1.3 billion to support research, pest management, trade promotion and nutrition for the industry.

Also of interest to North Carolina, this bill takes another important step in moving biofuels beyond focusing on corn. It reduces the current tax credit for corn-based ethanol by 6 cents per gallon and creates a new tax credit to promote the production of cellulosic biofuels.

While the Farm Bill may not be perfect, the good far outweighs any shortcomings.

Madam Speaker, on October 15, 1986, Christa and Charles Balmer, Sr., were blessed by the birth of their youngest child, Kentwan.

Kentwan grew up in Weldon, a very small town in my congressional district with a population of about 1,375 people. Kentwan attended O.R. Pope Elementary, Weldon Middle and Weldon High School. As a high school junior and senior, he earned All-Area and All-Conference honors. Kentwan was also an impressive bowler and dedicated a good deal of his time as a member of the North Carolina Shrine Bowl Team.

Kentwan earned a full scholarship to play football at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He saw limited action in nine games as right defensive end as a freshman, coming up with one assisted tackle. As a sophomore, he appeared in II games, and started in the final 3 games of the season.

As a junior, Kentwan appeared in 10 games, starting the final 8 games as left defensive tackle. The highlight of his season came against rival Duke when he blocked two extra point kicks in a one-point victory.

As a senior, he shifted to right defensive tackle. He earned second- team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and received the team's James Southerland Award. He ranked second on the team with 59 tackles, including 3.5 sacks.

In 42 games at the University of North Carolina, Kentwan started 23 times. He collected 93 tackles with 7 sacks. He also deflected three passes and blocked a pair of kicks.

On April 26, 2008, the San Francisco 49ers selected Kentwan with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the National Football League draft. He's expected to play either nose tackle or left defensive end. Kentwan is UNC's 17th first-round draft pick in school history.

Kentwan is known for his strength, athleticism, and versatility, and the 49ers expect him to anchor their defense for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, this is a great day for the town of Weldon--the place of Kentwan's roots and a very significant part of the First Congressional District of North Carolina. As friends, family and fans come together to celebrate at Clem's Grand Ballroom in Weldon on May 9, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives and folks all across North Carolina to join me in wishing Kentwan many successful years with the San Francisco 49ers. We applaud Kentwan's commitment, determination and dedication in achieving such a major accomplishment.

Madam Speaker, three members of the Army National Guard's 1132nd Military Police Company based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, were recently killed in support of our Operation Iraqi Freedom after an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.

Twenty-seven-year old Sergeant David B. ``Blake'' Williams, of Tarboro, North Carolina, was from my district. He was serving a second tour of duty in Iraq, and was recently awarded a second Army Commendation Medal for his exceptional service during combat duty.

A few moments ago, Madam Speaker, I spoke to Susan Legett Williams, the mother, and Mary Beth Williams, the sister, to express not only sympathy from the Congress of the United States of America but to express appreciation from a grateful Nation.

May God bless the entire Williams family during this difficult time in their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the FISA Amendments Act. The most controversial element of this legislation is the absence of retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies. As we continue this debate, I urge my colleagues to consider the unique circumstances telecommunications companies faced after the events of 9/ 11. I believe that their cooperation with the government was undertaken in good faith and with an objectively reasonable belief that such assistance was lawful. I applaud this legislation, but urge careful consideration of the issue of retroactive immunity.

Madam Speaker, the American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area on March 18, 2008, will present to Attorney Ralph J. Temple their Annual Alan and Adrienne Barth Award for exemplary volunteer service. Alan Barth was a founder of the ACLU-NCA, and Adrienne Barth was an ACLU activist in her own right, a regular weekly legal intake volunteer for decades.

Legions of friends, fellow lawyers, past clients and others, who have been so inspired, over the years, by the bold, trailblazing and trend- setting efforts of Ralph Temple are expected to gather at the luncheon. His defense in particular of matters involving the first amendment is noteworthy and typified his tenure with the ACLU and in other venues.

In April 2000 in connection with DC police mass arrests of World Trade protesters, Ralph prepared a series of memoranda presenting a strategy for challenging mass arrests, based on ACLU-NCA's 1960s and 1970s victories against the mass arrests of anti-Vietnam war protesters. Those memoranda were supportive of litigation culminating in the unprecedented 2004 settlement in Abbate v. Ramsey, requiring across the board reform in DC police mass demonstration policies and practices. In December 2003 Ralph wrote the ACLU-NCA's report, ``The Policing of Demonstrations in the Nation's Capital: A Misconception of Mission and a Failure of Leadership.'' On December 17, 2003, his report was presented to the District of Columbia Council along with Ralph's 1\1/2\ hours of testimony as a special witness, and significantly contributed to the council's enactment of the Police Standards Act of 2004, the Nation's most profound legislation restricting police conduct during mass demonstrations, legislation that has helped to illuminate the vital importance of free speech to our constitutional Government.

In 1975, he was involved in A Quaker Action Group v. Morton, 7-year litigation, that produced five opinions by the U.S. Court of Appeals and culminated in invalidating restrictions the Government tried to impose on demonstrations at the White House. In 1972, he was involved in Jeannette Rankin Brigade v. Chief of the Capitol Police, wherein the Court invalidated a statute prohibiting demonstrations at the U.S. Capitol, based on the record established by the ACLU in U.S. v. Nicholson. He was involved in Women Strike for Peace v. Morton, a case that forced the Government to allow protest activities and displays in Federal parks on the same basis that civic or religious activities and displays are allowed, and in Sullivan v. Murphy, another of Ralph's cases, the Court enjoined prosecution of 14,517 people arrested during anti-Vietnam war protests during May Week 1971, the largest mass arrests in American history, and ordered expungement of arrest records.

In 1971, he was involved in Dellums v. Powell, McCarthy v. Kleindienst, Knable v. Wilson and Tatum v. Wilson, wherein the ACLU won a class action jury verdict in Dellums, judge verdict in Tatum, and obtained settlements in the other cases, recovering over $5 million in damages for the wrongful arrests in May Week 1971; and in Washington Mobilization v. Cullinane, another of Ralph's cases, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals reversed an injunction against police sweep arrests, indiscriminate violence, and protracted booking procedures.

Madam Speaker, censorship has never been the best answer to bad speech. The best answer is more speech, good speech, free speech. Throughout his illustrious career, Ralph Temple has been a steadfast defender of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and especially our First Amendment Freedoms, even when the causes he defended may not have been popular. It is fitting, therefore, that the ACLU of the National Capital Area recognize Ralph with the Barth Award. There are many wonderful things about America.

Mr. Speaker, this week the House will consider a Democratic budget that will strengthen our economy and make America safer. After years of devastating cuts by the Bush administration, our budget is fiscally responsible, while also ensuring that we invest in the American people's priorities.

At a time of economic uncertainty, the Democratic budget rejects President Bush's cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, while also adding $4.9 billion for veterans health care.

Despite the President's repeated vetoes of our legislation to ensure that 10 million children have access to health care, our budget accommodates the $50 billion that would be needed over the next 5 years to make this goal a reality. We're still hopeful that enough Republicans will join us in overriding the President's ill-advised and noncompassionate veto.

Mr. Speaker, the Democratic budget is able to address all of the health care needs while balancing the budget by 2012 without raising taxes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the H.R. 1424--Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007. This legislation is a great step in ensuring that group health plans are discouraged from charging higher co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, and imposing the maximum out-of-pocket limits on mental health and addiction care than those imposed for medical and surgical benefits.

Although I fully support the intent of this measure, Mr. Speaker, I have slight reservation over one of the offsets used to pay for the legislation, specifically the large increase in the Medical prescription drug rebate.

Innovative drug companies already provide deep discounts to Federal and state governments for prescription drugs covered by the Medicaid program. H.R. 1424 calls for a 33 percent increase in the rebate that brand pharmaceutical companies pay to the Medicaid program at a time when many drug companies are facing big financial challenges.

As a member of the North Carolina delegation, I realize the economic impact that this innovative industry has on my State, employing over 25,000 North Carolinians with many coming from my congressional district. I also understand the threat that this rebate poses to research, development, and access to drugs for the Medicaid beneficiaries of my poverty stricken district. We need these companies to continue investing in the United States, creating good jobs, and developing the new drugs our patients need.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the House will come together and support this progressive piece of legislation. I am pleased that we did not give up on this bill and have moved forward despite the President's veto of the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007. Further, I would also like to encourage my colleagues who will be engaged in the conference negotiations to bring to us a final product that will not deter innovation of new treatments for the diseases and ailments that affect American families.