Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to rise today to remember and honor the life of a dear friend, Dr. Claire Colman. Claire was an accomplished physician, a staunch champion of women's rights, and a dedicated Democratic activist.

Since her passing last December, friends from around the Metro- Detroit area and Michigan have remembered Claire in various ways, including a most fitting dedication by the Birmingham-Bloomfield Democratic Club of a park bench in Birmingham's Shain Park. I am honored to add my words today to the growing list of tributes of Claire's life.

Claire embodied progressive values and had an abiding passion for human rights. She was a tireless leader, ably heading key organizations as Michigan NOW and Detroit WAND, even while struggling with serious health issues. Through her leadership and activism, Claire was the essence of advocacy. Even the most minor task warranted her attention-- she was ever on the phone, at meetings, raising money and raising spirits. She remains an example for us all.

Above all, however, Claire was a loving and devoted wife to Michael and mother to Joe and Brian. To both my wife Colleen and I, she was not only a dear friend but a trusted advisor and stalwart advocate.

In so many ways, Claire's passion, energy and enthusiasm for life and goodness lives on in each of us. Her memory inspires us to work toward a world that expresses our shared values. She is missed. She is cherished. And she will always be in our hearts.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor America's First Responders, the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting the lives of our citizens. As we remember those who have fallen in the line of duty, I wish to also recognize the continued dedication of those who serve our communities today.

In particular, I rise to honor and recognize three committed public servants from Michigan's 9th Congressional District: Detective Chad Double of the Farmington Hills Police Department, District Chief Robert Rebtoy of the Farmington Hills Fire Department and Officer Patrick Spelman of the Farmington Public Safety Department. In their respective roles, these men have been shining examples of dedication and public service and have made a real difference in their communities and undoubtedly to the many individuals and families whose lives they have touched.

Detective Chad Double began his career with the Police Department nine years ago as a cadet and through much hard work and determination rose to the rank of Detective in the Department's Investigative Bureau, which he holds today. Detective Double has been honored many times in his young career, receiving multiple citations, commendations and awards.

Like so many of his brethren, District Chief Robert Rebtoy of the Farmington Hills Fire Department brings a lifetime of dedication to protecting public safety. Mr. Rebtoy's 42 years of service with the Department are marked by distinction, having received dozens of awards and citations for his work, including the 1985 Fire Fighter of the Year Award from his Department.

Farmington Public Safety Department Officer Patrick Spelman is yet another fine example of public service. In his short time with the Department Officer Spelman received numerous awards and commendations for his service, including recognition as the Department's 2009 Officer of the Year.

The responsibilities placed on our first responders are often the most significant and demanding, ensuring the safety and continued health of our community. Their lives are on the line every day as they bravely undertake the work of protecting our communities. It is fitting that these men be honored for their dedication on September 11, 2010 when just nine years ago, so many of their brothers and sisters were called upon to meet an unparalleled challenge. Their courage, bravery and determination, like those of these three men, are most valued virtues found in all our first responders.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and honoring these three outstanding public servants. Detective Double, District Chief Rebtoy and Officer Spelman represent the kind of dedication and self-sacrifice emblematic of our nation's first responders whose work is so critical to the continued security and welfare of our communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary of service to the Pontiac community. As a Member of Congress, it is my privilege to honor the Church, its leadership and its congregation on achieving this most impressive milestone.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church began its service to the community as a house of fellowship, joining the community together to affirm the goodness of spirituality under the vision of Reverend Alvin Hawkins, the Church's first Pastor. Under Rev. Hawkins' leadership, the congregation of Friendship flourished, creating a Sunday School, nurses' guild, and a music ministry. Furthermore, to forever enshrine and guide them in their greater service to the community, the congregation adopted a covenant and the Articles of Faith.

After seven years of service to the community through piety, charity and faith, Rev. Hawkins was called to a new journey, and leadership of the Church was entrusted to Rev. Eddie McDonald. Rev. McDonald, another man of vision and action, guided Friendship in its spiritual journey, creating an outreach ministry and a young women's group. During the prosperity of Rev. McDonald's strong stewardship, the Church paid off the mortgage on its first home on Williams Street and expanded its congregation, eventually seeking a larger space on Michigan Street, its current home.

It was with great sadness that the congregation of Friendship Baptist Church said farewell to Rev. McDonald after 32 years, but with hope for the future, they welcomed in Rev. William Dulaney. Rev. Dulaney has continued upon the steadfast and strong leadership of his predecessors and established the Learning Lab and youth department to further expand the service of the Church to the community. Under his leadership, the congregation of Friendship continues to grow strong.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, and the congregation of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in celebrating their 50th Anniversary of fellowship in spirituality and service. I wish the congregants and leadership of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church many more years of prosperity to come.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Thomas Denomme, the 2010 recipient of the Community Service Award given by the Birmingham Community House, located in Birmingham, Michigan. Since it was established in 1923, the Birmingham Community House has been a community institution and hub of civic life in our area.

Mr. Denomme's recognition is well-deserved. His personal and professional accomplishments and contributions have made the Birmingham community, and indeed, Southeast Michigan, a better place to live, raise our children and do business.

Mr. Denomme's career began in southeast Michigan after obtaining his marketing degree from the University of Detroit in 1961. He embarked on a career in the automotive world at Ford Motor Company and spent 20 years there before moving to the Chrysler Corporation in 1980. He was a leader at Chrysler, serving as a Vice-Chairman and the Chief Administrative Officer during the 1990s.

While working in a key industry in Michigan, Tom remained committed to civic activism in a variety of arenas. He served his alma mater, the University of Detroit, as a tireless advocate and by serving on its Board of Trustees for a number of years. He lent his time, energy and expertise to a number of major community efforts and organizations including the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation, the Michigan Gaming Commission, the Detroit Investment Fund, and the Congressional Economic Leadership Initiative.

Currently, Mr. Denomme serves as Chairman of the Board for William Beaumont Hospital, a nationally renowned and respected health institution that is centered in my Congressional District. His service to that institution and the surrounding community was recognized recently when he received the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Keystone Center for Patient Safety and Quality Leadership Award.

Madam Speaker, I am honored today to recognize Thomas Denomme for his years of service to the people and institutions of Birmingham, Michigan and all of Southeast Michigan. We live in a better community due to his selfless commitment to civic service and he serves as an example to us all. I thank the Birmingham Community House for honoring Mr. Tom Denomme this year with its 2010 Community Service Award.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Chair, in the interests of common sense, I rise today to offer an amendment that will save taxpayer dollars by reducing waste in prescription medications at the VA. Currently, whenever patients leave a VA hospital, leftover medications like eye drops and inhalers are just thrown away. Often, veterans would have to go right to the pharmacy to refill what was discarded.

My amendment simply directs the VA to implement a program that would re-label prescription drugs used in VA hospitals to be sent home with discharged patients for outpatient use. My amendment offers a simple, commonsense change that will save taxpayers an estimated $14 million over 10 years, while saving patients both time and effort.

I am proud that this amendment has the support of the American Legion and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and urge its passage here today.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Madam Chair, my amendment is a commonsense change and saves taxpayers money, saves time and effort for veterans. I urge passage.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Madam Chair, while I applaud the progress this Congress has made in ensuring that our Nation's veterans receive the care they deserve, and the efforts of Secretary Shinseki in making the VA a more proactive institution, we must continue to work to improve the responsiveness of the VA both in terms of treatment our veterans receive and the care with which the VA or any agency handles taxpayer money.

It is in this spirit that I am offering my amendment to the MILCON-VA Appropriations Act. My amendment works to both increase the efficiency in which the VA obligates funds, and the speed at which necessary contracts for supplies and services are fulfilled.

The VA Office of Inspector General audited a sample of over 18,000 VA contracts which identified some areas of concern regarding contracts that remain unfulfilled. With little or no oversight for months of these contracts, the OIG projected that $55 million a year, and $261 million over 5 years, could be put to better use.

By conducting a simple review after a period of 90 days in which the contract is inactive in fulfilling the contract, millions of dollars can be de-obligated from contracts that no longer need to be fulfilled or can be fulfilled in a more productive manner.

The American Legion agrees with my amendment as a commonsense change and step in the right direction, and I urge its passage here today.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

My amendment is a commonsense change that frees taxpayer dollars for better use to care for our veterans, and I urge its passage here today.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize American Legion Post 374, in Berkley Michigan on the occasion of its 70th Anniversary of service to the Veterans of our community. As a Member of Congress it is both my privilege and honor to recognize the men and women of this post for their years of service and contributions which have enriched and strengthened our community.

The Berkley American Legion Post 374 has been a cornerstone of the Berkley community for the last 70 years.

Post 374 owes it provenance to a collaboration between the Berkley American Legion, the Berkley Odd Fellows and local vets with a vision. Working together, drawing on each strengths and needs and with a lot of heart, Post 374 was established on July 27, 1940.

Since then, Post 374 has been a welcome doorstep for veterans recently returning as well as those whose years of active duty were long past. The Post is truly an institution in Berkley. Its members have built an institution suffused with friendship, camaraderie and service. It engages young people through scholarship and other programs. It helps veterans who have fallen on hard times get the services and support they deserve. Each year, on Memorial Day, the Post places American flags on the gravesites of roughly 3000 veterans laid to rest in a local cemetery. The Post has been the site of countless fish frys, steak frys, special birthdays and weddings. It is a place where the community gathers and it is much beloved.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor the Berkley American Legion Post 374 on its 70th Anniversary and salute its many active members in their service to our veterans and community.

Mr. Speaker, animal torture videos are heinous, barbaric, and completely unacceptable, and we must stop them once and for all. It's hard to believe that this sort of thing even exists, and that a new law is needed to prevent it. Animal torture is outrageously disturbing, and common decency and morality dictates that those engaged in it should not be profiting from it. They should be in prison.

This is why I have introduced H.R. 5566, along with Representatives Gallegly and Moran, the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010. This legislation will ban the sale or distribution of so-called crush videos, depictions of small animals being tortured and slowly crushed to death, and other videos depicting abhorrent animal torture. Our bill responds to the Supreme Court's recent holding that a 1999 statute banning crush videos was overbroad, and therefore invalid under the First Amendment. H.R. 5566 carefully parses and responds to the Stevens decision, and it is written to survive another round of judicial review if challenged after enactment.

I appreciate the leadership of my colleagues, Representatives Gallegly, Moran, and Blumenauer, on animal protection issues generally, and specifically on animal crush legislation. As cochairs of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, of which I am a member, Representatives Moran and Gallegly are committed to advancing commonsense animal protection legislation.

I would also like to thank the Humane Society for their help throughout the drafting process, and for all of their tireless animal protection efforts. Finally, I would like to thank Chairman Conyers, Chairman Scott, and the members of the Judiciary Committee for their commitment to advancing this necessary, commonsense legislation. I urge its passage.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform bill is an historic piece of legislation that will protect consumers, reduce the risk of future economic failures, and provide for the increased oversight of our entire financial system. However, it also strives to protect job- creating Main Street businesses.

For example, this legislation will, for the first time, bring transparency and oversight to the currently unregulated $600 trillion derivatives market. However, because commercial end users, who are those who use derivatives to hedge legitimate business risks, do not

pose systemic risk and because they solely use these contracts as a way to provide consumers with lower cost goods, they are exempted from clearing and margin requirements.

I offered an amendment that would permanently extend the end user exemptions for clearing and margin to certain captive finance companies that use swaps to hedge their interest rate and foreign currency risks arising from their financing activities. The amendment was narrowly tailored to ensure that a captive finance company can only qualify for the exemption if 90 percent of its business derives from financing the sale or lease of its parent company's manufactured goods.

There is another provision of this bill which provides a 2-year transition period for affiliates.

I would like to yield to Chairman Frank so he can clarify that what these two provisions do is provide a limited exemption from clearing and margin requirements for qualifying captive finance companies and a 2-year transition period for all other captives that would not qualify for the limited exemption created by the Peters amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Beverly Terry, Executive Director of the Oakland County Michigan State University Extension Office, on her retirement from the MSU Extension service. As a Member of Congress it is both my privilege and honor to recognize Ms. Terry for her many years of service and her contributions which have enriched and strengthened our community.

Ms. Terry's career began over 30 years ago when she joined the MSU Extension as the Presque Isle 4-H program assistant. She put her bachelors degree in community development from Central Michigan University and a masters degree in community services from Michigan State University to good use during her tenure with MSU Extension. Through her hard work, ingenuity, and dedication Ms. Terry eventually rose to the position of Executive Director of the Oakland County MSU Extension Office, serving the second largest county in the State of Michigan. As Executive Director, she has worked with her staff to develop and enhance critically important lifestyle and skill development programming.

Michigan State University Extension's mission is to help people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs, and opportunities. Ms. Terry has been a tireless advocate and coordinator of this mission. She has overseen and advanced a variety of critical human services programs in Oakland County including 4-H youth development, the master gardener program, the family nutrition program, and the citizen planner program, just to name a few. Under Ms. Terry's leadership, these programs have prospered in the face of a challenging economy with uncertain funding.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor Ms. Beverly Terry for her many contributions to our community and her leadership at the MSU Extension. I wish her many more years of health and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor Mr. Ron Gettelfinger, a lifelong champion of the American labor movement and President of the United Auto Workers Union, on his retirement after forty-five years of dedicated service. As a Member of Congress it is both my privilege and honor to recognize President Gettelfinger for his many years of service and his contributions which have enriched and strengthened our country, the State of Michigan, and Oakland County.

In his career, President Gettelfinger has been a tireless advocate for working families and workers' rights. In 1964, he was hired at Ford's Louisville Assembly plant as a chassis line repairman and a member of UAW Local 862. As a member of UAW Local 862, he was elected to serve as a committeeperson, bargaining chair and eventually president. In 1992, he was elected as the director of UAW Region 3, representing members in Indiana and Kentucky and served in that role for six years. In 1998, he was elected as a UAW National Vice President under then UAW President Steven Yokich. In 2002, Mr. Gettelfinger was elected as President of the UAW International Union, the position he has held until his retirement.

The American auto industry has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. During this time, President Gettelfinger has provided steadfast, thoughtful, and effective leadership. During his tenure, the American auto companies have faced their greatest challenges since the Great Depression. Following the economic downturn of September 2008, in which irresponsible decisions on Wall Street created an economic crisis for businesses and families across the United States, President Gettelfinger's bold action and leadership was critical in securing the future of the American auto industry. He was instrumental in the forging of a set of sustainable contracts, which have allowed the American automakers to remain globally competitive. President Gettelfinger's leadership has saved hundreds of thousands of American jobs, while upholding the ideals and standards of a hard day's work for a fair day's pay.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor President Ron Gettelfinger for his many contributions to our community and his leadership at the United Auto Workers Union. I wish him many more years of health, happiness, and productive service.

I rise today in support of H.R. 5297. Small businesses create two in every three new jobs in this country. Creating an environment that allows small businesses to innovate and grow is the single most important objective necessary to reduce unemployment and lead our Nation to full economic recovery.

I have held a field hearing and roundtables with small business owners and have traveled door-to-door in downtowns in my district, and the one thing that I hear over and over again is many entrepreneurs are ready to invest and create jobs again, but they cannot secure the capital necessary to start or grow their business. Some, like Karen Teegarden, owner of a small advertising firm in Oakland County, told me that because she could not get a simple line of credit to meet some short-term payroll needs, she was forced to lay off workers.

It is no secret why small businesses are struggling. Wall Street banks have admitted that they have reduced their investments in Michigan as well as other States. And small local lenders don't have enough capital to lend. I have been fighting for the past year for action to help solve this problem, and the bill before us today will create a $30 billion fund to promote small business lending. Small local lenders can leverage this funding into $300 billion in loans for small businesses. But because local lenders will pay the investment back with interest, the nonpartisan CBO says the taxpayers will earn a projected $1 billion.

It's not often that a single action can create a multitude of jobs across this country and reduce the deficit at the same time. Enacting this bill will do just that. In Michigan, our manufacturers are struggling particularly hard to get access to credit. As their assets decline in value, they have less collateral to post, and this makes banks less likely to lend to them, even if they can show that they are thriving.

The Michigan Collateral Support Program helps lenders, small manufacturers and the State pool default risk to help these companies secure the capital they need to create new jobs. Thirty States have similar programs, and a provision of this bill that I wrote would allow States to strengthen their existing programs and allow other States to create them.

Washington's top priority must be to help create an environment that allows our small businesses to succeed and to create jobs. This legislation helps one of the primary obstacles facing our small businesses, and passing this bill is critical.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of its 85th Anniversary. As a Member of Congress it is both my honor and privilege to recognize and congratulate Reverend Keyon Payton and the congregation for reaching this most impressive milestone.

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church was founded on June 21, 1925 as an institution rooted in spiritual fellowship and service to the Pontiac community. From its inception, with 27 founding families and under the leadership of Reverend J.W. Conyers, New Bethel found its first home at 175 Branch Street, and became a beacon on a hill shinning down upon the Pontiac community as a symbol of faith and fellowship. The passion of New Bethel's leaders has forever been a core strength of the Church. According to New Bethel history, Reverend William Bell sold his own car and took the bus to deliver his sermons every week, so that the Church could repair and expand their aging facilities. This selfless act is one example of the deep devotion of New Bethel's congregation and leadership to the Church's mission. New Bethel's community-minded focus, first fully realized under the leadership of Reverend Amos Johnson, drove the Church to become a ``Family Center,'' a pillar of charity and service in the Pontiac community.

Under New Bethel's current leader, Pastor Keyon Payton, the Church has continued to prosper and expand upon its goals to join the Pontiac community in spiritual fellowship and community service. Through execution of Pastor Payton's bold vision, New Bethel reached out to several of its neighboring congregations in collaboration to create Camp Hosanna, a day camp for youth that provides them with a safe and secure environment to explore all realms of education. Pastor Payton has also been the driving force behind many new community-based programs which New Bethel hopes to implement including an emergency shelter for women and children in need, a community development corporation to promote an economically vibrant and financially literate Pontiac community, and a youth development center to guide and nurture Pontiac's future leaders.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church's 85th Anniversary of spiritual guidance and service to the Pontiac community. New Bethel's congregation and leadership have left a profound impact on the Pontiac community and have enriched the lives of many. I wish Pastor Payton, the New Bethel leadership and the entire congregation, many more years of vibrant spiritual fellowship and growth.

Madam Speaker I rise today to recognize the Detroit Area Region chapter of buildOn, on the occasion of its 2010 recognition banquet. buildOn is a national organization dedicated to empowering youth to serve communities locally and globally. As a Member of Congress, it is both my honor and privilege to recognize the Detroit Area Region chapter of buildOn for its laudable contributions to my district, our state, and communities around the world.

The Detroit Area buildOn program, formerly known as ``Building with Books,'' began in 1992 with the establishment of its first chapter at Jackson Lumen Christi High School. This school was chosen for buildOn's first program because it is the alma mater of Jim Ziolkowski, the founder and now President & CEO of buildOn. The region has grown over the years to host 14 programs in high schools across the Detroit metro area, including three chapters in my congressional district, transforming the lives of over two hundred students a year. The students of buildOn make a positive difference in our community and in the lives of people around the world.

This year, buildOn's students in the Detroit Area have committed to over twenty thousand hours of community service and raised over $42,000 to build schools in developing nations. In fact, since the inception of the program in the Detroit Area, buildOn students have volunteered over one hundred and sixteen thousand hours and raised over $147,000 for charitable causes. buildOn students volunteer across the metro area for organizations including the Detroit Veterans Center, the Detroit Zoo, Gleaners Food Bank, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Baldwin Center, and a host of other deserving charities. In addition to local volunteerism, the members of buildOn embark on global trips to places such as Nicaragua, Mali, India, Haiti, Malawi and Senegal to participate in cultural exchanges and live with host families, while they work with the local community to build new schools. Since 2001, over one thousand students have traveled to developing countries to help build over sixty schools. This global perspective and volunteerism exemplifies the values of the buildOn program and its mission of, ``Enhancing education and empowering youth in the U.S. to make a positive difference in their communities while helping people of developing countries increase their self-reliance through education.''

Madam Speaker, in these challenging times, it is the work of dedicated volunteers like the students and staff of buildOn that brings hope to my local community and communities around the world. I look forward to the continued success of the Detroit Area buildOn chapter in all of its future endeavors, as well as many more years of inspiring support for our community and communities around the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Eddie Green on the occasion of his retirement as Director of the Horizons-Upward Bound, HUB, program at Cranbrook Schools, and to celebrate and honor his 10 years of service. As a Member of Congress it is both my honor and privilege to recognize and congratulate Dr. Green on this most auspicious occasion.

Dr. Green's dedication to educating and nurturing our youth long precedes his work with the Horizons-Upward Bound program. Prior to his current work with HUB, Dr. Green served for many years in the Detroit Public Schools. Dr. Green began his career as a teacher in the classroom and through unwavering commitment to his students, fellow educators and the community rose to become the Detroit Public Schools' General Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer. As the Schools' Chief Executive, Dr. Green carried out his vision of engaging all sectors of the Detroit community in the fight to increase student achievement by creating a confident, committed and supportive community.

Horizons-Upward Bound was founded in 1965 with the mission of preparing students of limited opportunity in the Detroit metropolitan region to enter into and excel in post-secondary education opportunities and beyond. When Dr. Green began his work with HUB in May 2000, he brought with him the same passion and zeal which made him such a strong and effective leader for educating our youth. As its Director, Dr. Green implemented several new programs which furthered the mission of HUB, including financial literacy education for high school seniors, a comprehensive mentoring program for all HUB participants, an annual east coast college tour for high school sophomores, and the Weekend Wilderness Experience for summer HUB participants. In each case, the programs that Dr. Green designed furthered the educational enrichment of Detroit area youth, while exposing them to new opportunities and experiences.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Dr. Eddie Green's retirement after 10 years of service as Director of the Horizons-Upward Bound program of Cranbrook Schools and for his lifetime of work in public education. The profound impact of Dr. Green's work is felt in the lives of so many of our youth in the Detroit metropolitan area and I wish him many healthy years in his retirement.

Madam Chair, as a former lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Reserve, I strongly support Representative Murphy's amendment. We must allow our military to recruit and retain any qualified, patriotic, and courageous American who wants to serve our country.

During my service in the United States Navy Reserve, I served with many brave, patriotic, and dedicated men and women who were always ready to serve their country anytime and anywhere. I was never concerned about their sexual orientation, just their ability to serve the United States honorably. I urge passage of the Murphy amendment.