Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to ensure that food served in nursing homes is safe and nutritious. Recently a constituent from my district visited me to discuss food safety and nutrition in nursing homes. He is a Director of Dining Services at a nursing home in Prince William County. Based on his experience, he suggested that requiring Medicare and Medicaid food service facilities, like nursing homes, to have Certified Dietary Managers or qualified dieticians as food service managers would ensure that food served in these facilities is safe and nutritious.

The legislation I have introduced today would require that Medicare and Medicaid food service facilities have either a qualified dietician or Certified Dietary Manager as director of food services. A qualified dietician has four years of training in college, and a Certified Dietary Manager must complete a rigorous food preparation program. This is a commonsense requirement to ensure that senior citizens have safe food, and is particularly important as our population ages.

I would like to emphasize that this proposal came from a local business, and has the support of other companies that operate nursing homes in my district. I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with our partners in the business community to introduce this legislation, which could help protect the health of seniors across the country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that would allow the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue permitting hybrid automobiles with a single occupant to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in the state. Virginia's General Assembly passed legislation allowing hybrids to use HOV lanes in order to encourage

the purchase of these low emission vehicles. This policy has been very successful, as Northern Virginia has achieved rates of hybrid ownership that are among the highest in the country.

Hybrid ownership is important because most families take ten vehicle trips per day; when a family purchases a hybrid they not only reduce emissions during daily commutes but also during errands and other trips. Moreover, the purchase of hybrids helps create greater demand for these vehicles, expediting the rate at which car companies can reach economies of scale in hybrid production.

Data on lane usage of HOV lanes in Northern Virginia show that 60% of the vehicles in HOV lanes have 2 passengers, 20% are violators, and 20% are single occupant hybrids. Before prohibiting hybrids from using HOV lanes, we must enhance law enforcement to discourage cheaters from using these lanes.

Without passage of this legislation, federal law will pre-empt the General Assembly from having the authority to allow hybrids to use HOV lanes. It would be unfortunate if lack of federal action precluded the state from continuing a policy that has been so successful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to authorize extension of Metrorail's Orange, Yellow, Blue, and Purple lines. I appreciate Mr. Jim Moran's co-sponsorship of this legislation. I represent a district with the fourth worst congestion in the country. These traffic conditions diminish the economic productivity of our region while contributing to climate change.

While the local Board of Supervisors has worked to transform land use patterns in order to focus development around Metro stations, we only have five Metro stations in Fairfax County and thus have limited capacity to encourage Transit Oriented Development. In Prince William County, there are no Metrorail stations, and my constituents in Prince William must confront congestion nearly every day on their way to work. Fortunately, both Prince William and Fairfax County are served by the Virginia Railway Express. This commuter rail service is filled to capacity on a daily basis, as is the Metrorail system in Northern Virginia, suggesting a pressing need to expand transit service.

The Metrorail extensions that I have proposed would enhance transit service in the I495, I95, and I66 corridors. Residents of Centreville, Lorton, Woodbridge, and other communities that currently lack Metrorail access would have the option to commute on Metro, which would enhance the quality of life of my constituents while stabilizing housing values and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During the present economic crisis, homes in Northern Virginia that are located near transit have maintained their value relative to homes only served by highways. For the sake of communities that are threatened by extremely high rates of foreclosure, extension of transit service can be a force for economic revitalization.

This proposed extension of transit service is consistent with local government policies. For example, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors supports extension of Metrorail in the I66 corridor and in the I95 corridor. This legislation is crafted to give local governments flexibility in locating the stations and determining what type of rail infrastructure to construct. This flexibility is essential to ensure that these transit extensions reflect the needs of Northern Virginia residents and to ensure that we maximize the economic development potential inherent in these Metrorail extensions.

I am proud to offer this legislation that may create the opportunity for our local, state, and federal levels of government to collaborate on extension of transit service. This legislation is essential for the long term vitality of Northern Virginia's economy, neighborhoods, and environment.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to rise today to recognize a group of outstanding public servants in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Prince William County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It is with great pride that I submit into the Record the names of the recipients of the 2009 Valor Award serving in the Military Police Company at Quantico Marine Corps Base.

Recipients of the Lifesaving Award: Sergeant Adam J. Pieper, Sergeant David A. Eynon

Recipient of the Merit Award: Corporal Kyle Raczkowski

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men and women who serve in the Military Police Company at Quantico Marine Corps Base. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Prince William County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding these remarkable individuals.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to rise today to recognize an outstanding group of public servants in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Prince William County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It is with great pride that I submit into the Record the names of the recipients of the 2009 Valor Awards serving in the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.

Recipients of the Lifesaving Award: Technician Robert McParland, Technician Nicholas Feliciano, Technician Ryan Kirk, Technician Michael Hendrickson, Technician Walter Hunt, Technician Scott Coloe, Technician Brennan Gilligan, Technician Victor Vega.

Recipient of the Silver Valor Award: Technician Michael Anthony.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men and women who serve in the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Prince William County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding these remarkable individuals.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to rise today to recognize two outstanding public servants in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Prince William County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It is with great pride that I submit into the Record the names of the recipients of the 2009 Valor Awards serving in the Prince William- Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center.

Recipient of the Merit Award: Master Jail Officer Brian Daily

Recipient of the Silver Valor Award: Jail Officer Chester Outland

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men and women who serve in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Prince William County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding these remarkable individuals.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to rise today to recognize an outstanding public servant in Northern Virginia. This individual has demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and has been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Prince William County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It is with great pride that I submit into the Record the name of the recipient of the 2009 Valor Award serving in the Occoquan-Woodbridge- Lorton Volunteer Fire Department.

Recipient of the Silver Valor Award: Firefighter Kurt Bolland.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men and women who serve in the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Prince William County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding these remarkable individuals.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to rise today to recognize an outstanding group of public servants in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Prince William County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It is with great pride that I submit into the Record the names of the recipients of the 2009 Valor Awards serving in the Prince William County Police Department.

Recipient of the Lifesaving Award: Officer Stephen Mercer

Recipients of the Merit Award: Officer Cottrell Derrick, Officer Jessica Tacha

Recipients of the Hillary Robinette Award: Detective Liam Burke, Detective Todd Troutner

Recipients of the Bronze Valor Award: Henry DeGeneste, Officer Jeanne West

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men and women who serve in the Prince William County Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Prince William County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding these remarkable individuals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the President's fiscal year 2010 budget proposal. We are in a crucial time in our Nation's history. According to a recent CNN poll, 45 percent of Americans believe that another Great Depression is likely.

The President's budget represents a bold strike to revitalize the economy and provides a path to future economic stability and prosperity. The proposal is a good start.

There are, however, areas that require further refinement. The suggestion to limit itemized deductions will have negative unintended consequences. As charitable donations become scarcer in these trying times, signaling an intent to limit their tax-deductible value may further impair charitable giving at precisely the time we need more.

Capping the mortgage interest deduction will cause unintended discouragement for homeownership at precisely the time we need to stabilize home values. We also must consider increasing the $250,000 income cap for raising tax brackets. In my district, with one of the highest costs of living and one of the highest percentages of dual incomes, the proposed level would be a difficult imposition. Additionally, we must ensure pay parity between civilian and military government employees as we ask more of the civilian workforce.

Overall, I expect the proposed budget to be worked out over the next few weeks in the Budget Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, joined by my colleagues Rep. Frank Wolf and Rep. James Moran, to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.

The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies and their commitment to the community. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line everyday to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. More than 80 awards were presented at this year's ceremony in a variety of categories: The Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, or the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Medal of Valor.

Seventy members of the Fairfax County Police Department earned this high honor. It is with great pride that we submit their names into the Congressional Record:

Recipients of the Lifesaving Award are: Officer Michael W. Greene, Officer Shay V. Nelson, Officer Jonathon W. Ward, Public Safety Communicator II Erin R. Tracy, Police Officer First Class Quang D. Bui, Police Officer First Class Anthony L. Capizzi, Police Officer First Class Christopher L. Coleman, Police Officer First Class Olan J. Faulk IV, Police Officer First Class Stephen P. Foley, Police Officer First Class Matthew E. Griffin, Police Officer First Class Christopher B. Hutchison, Police Officer First Class Jonathon D. Lowery, Police Officer First Class Brett L. Manthe, Police Officer First Class Eric T. Nelson, Master Police Officer Joseph M. Flynn, and Sergeant Todd S. Erlandson.

Recipients of the Certificate of Valor are: Officer Scott P. Bzdak, Officer Amanda K. Leugers, Officer Thomas J. Murphy, Officer Kathleen E. O'Leary, Officer Matthew W. Stanfield, Officer Ruben Velez Jr., Police Officer First Class Bradley W. Capan, Police Officer First Class Richard J. Curro, Police Officer First Class George W. Davenport Jr., Police Officer First Class Theodore M. Dragan, Police Officer First Class David J. Giaccio, Police Officer First Class Matthew A. Guzzetta, Police Officer First Class Jeremy T. Hoffman, Police Officer First Class Jonathan R. Luety, Police Officer First Class Dana L. Robinson, Police Officer First Class Bart S. Rogers, Police Officer First Class Joseph N. Wallace, Police Officer First Class Leanna D. Wilson, Detective Donald R. Bateman, Detective Sean J. Cheetham, Master Police Officer John D. Brocco, Master Police Officer Timothy E. Catir, Sergeant Robert A. Blakley Jr., Sergeant Anthony C. Lampe, 2nd Lieutenant James S. Bradshaw, 2nd Lieutenant John H. Brennan, 2nd Lieutenant Edgar A. Ipina, and 2nd Lieutenant Boyd F. Thompson Jr.

Recipients of the Bronze Medal of Valor are: Officer Todd B. Sweeney, Officer Joseph W. Woloszyn II, Police Officer First Class Matthew J. Bell, Police Officer First Class Brian C. Bowers, Police Officer First Class Timothy W. Brown, Police Officer First Class William L. Coulter IV, Police Officer First Class Thomas J. Gadell Jr., Police Officer First Class Reanna M. Jacobson, Police Officer First Class Jey P. Phillips, Police Officer First Class David M. Popik, Police Officer First Class Charles A. Reinhard, Police Officer First Class Kathryn M. Schroth, Detective John A. DiGiulian, Detective Chad E. Mahoney, Detective Jeffrey C. Reiff, Detective Michael D. Riccio, and 2nd Lieutenant Kevin D. Barrington

Recipients of the Silver Medal of Valor are: Officer Donald W. Amos Jr., Police Officer First Class Eugene D. Bork, Police Officer First Class Brian J. Byerson, Police Officer First Class Kevin S. Mason, Police Officer First Class Jose R. Morillo, Police Officer First Class Shayna V. Nickolas, Police Officer First Class Katherine S. Wright, Sergeant Shawn C. Martin, and 2nd Lieutenant Dwayne F. Machosky.

Madam Speaker, in closing, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. We ask our colleagues to join us in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Women's History Month by bringing my colleagues' attention to some of the remarkable women of the Eleventh Congressional District of the proud Commonwealth of Virginia. These women, like so many in our District and throughout this nation, worked tirelessly for their families and communities at great personal expense, and deserve recognition for their exceptional contributions to our region's more recent history.

One such example is that of Barbara Varon. A native of Germany, Varon immigrated to America as an adult and was devoted to her adopted land. As a world traveler who could speak several languages, she worked as a translator. Joining the Fairfax County General Registrar's Office, she was committed to a voter registration outreach program for high school students. Using her linguistic skills, she wrote brochures and designed pamphlets to inform the voting public. Her dedication led her to the position of chairman of the Fairfax County Electoral Board, a position in which she faithfully continued to serve her goal of seeing every citizen involved in the electoral process. Varon also donated her time to many volunteer organizations and frequently made generous anonymous donations to those in need. Varon fought valiantly for the rights and privileges of all residents to participate in the electoral process, and today, an award is granted annually in her name to a Fairfax County resident whose dedication to improving the community through volunteer service honors her memory.

Phyllis Campbell Newsome, another exemplary woman from Virginia's Eleventh District, devoted her life to bringing together nonprofit organizations in the Greater Washington area. As the Center for Nonprofit Advancement's Director of Advocacy and Community Relations, Newsome understood the power and strength of coalitions. It was frequently the power of her persuasion that brought together those with the strongest of convictions and convinced them to put aside differences, enabling a powerful nonprofit community bent on positive change. Additionally, she was a consistent and reliable source for the media and other community leaders who needed to know how the nonprofit community would be affected by anything from a hot button issue to a broad policy change. Often quoting Tip O'Neill's, ``All politics are local,'' she felt she could be most effective helping those she especially cared about -- the poor and underserved communities--by working with local elected officials rather than at the state or even federal levels. A true community advocate, Phyllis Newsome is also memorialized by an annual award that is granted to an outstanding group of public servants for their dedication to the region's nonprofit community.

While neither of these outstanding women are with us today, their legacy lives on through the recognition of the ongoing contributions of the noble men and women of our District that occur annually in their name. The arrival of Women's History Month serves to remind us that we are fortunate to have such a legacy of service in our rich historical tapestry. I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the contributions of Barbara Varon, Phyllis Campbell Newsome, and the women of the Eleventh Congressional District of the Commonwealth of Virginia, past and present, in honor of Women's History Month.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, joined by my colleagues Rep. Frank Wolf and Rep. James Moran, to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.

The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies and their commitment to the community. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. More than 80 awards were presented at this year's ceremony in a variety of categories: The Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, or the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Medal of Valor.

Two members of the Town of Herndon Police Department have earned this highest honor. It is with great pride that we submit their names into the Congressional Record:

Recipient of the Lifesaving Award: Captain Robert L. Presgrave.

Recipient of the Certificate of Valor: Sergeant Darcy L. Nidell.

Madam Speaker, in closing, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men and women who serve in the Town of Herndon Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. We ask our colleagues to join us in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.