Floor Statements

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Tonight, by extending the Bush-era tax cuts, the greedy will prevail, and the needy will fail to receive desperately needed social services going forward. Even the so-called middle class Bush-era tax cuts will deliver six times the benefit to the wealthy than to ordinary hardworking families.

How many times do we have to hear Republicans boldly declare, We will starve the beast and deny the least social welfare?

Frankly, this $1 trillion tax cutting and Social Security gutting feeds right into the 75-year Republican sentiment to eliminate entitlements: $1 trillion debt and goodbye Social Security net. Lure them with short-term gain and usher in long-term pain.

Colleagues, beware. Tonight begins the undermining of Social Security and Medicare.

Mr. Speaker, I am as disappointed as anyone that the Middle East Peace talks have stalled despite considerable efforts by the Administration and the international community to help both sides make the tough decisions needed to help advance those talks. I understand that some of my colleagues are frustrated with repeated roadblocks that appear only intent on derailing the peace process. I share that frustration. I believe that all who have a clear stake in the peace process are also frustrated.

I have long advocated and reaffirmed my strong support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with two states living side by side in peace and security. Both parties bear responsibility for the success or failure of the Middle East Peace efforts.

No one pretends that the issues involved here are easy. I think everyone also recognizes the devastating consequences for the region, for our ally Israel, and for U.S. security interests if the right solution is not found.

There are a myriad of issues that have arisen that have complicated talks. Palestinian unilateral declaration of a state is only one, but if you read this resolution you would reach the conclusion that it is the only unilateral action or proposed action that would imperil this process. The House should urge the Administration to take a strong stand with both parties on all unilateral actions that are hindering the peace talks, especially those that were agreed to only a few years ago by the parties in the Roadmap.

Middle East peace requires the active engagement of both parties. The Administration, as well as the House of Representatives, should make the expectations for both parties clear: each party must engage seriously on even the hardest issues--making proposals and counter- proposals--and achieve concrete results.

As I stated in a letter to President Obama earlier this year in support of strong U.S. engagement as an honest broker in renewed Middle East Peace talks, allowing actions by either party that undermine the process to go unchallenged serves to fan animosity and mistrust, which feeds this needless cycle of conflict and violence. This does not serve the interests of the U.S., our ally Israel, or the Palestinians.

This resolution reaches half that goal since it targets only one action by one party. It correctly notes the Administration's opposition to a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state and the potential harm that would do to a comprehensive Middle East Peace Agreement. The same resolution also conveniently skips around other unilateral actions by the parties that may also harm the atmosphere for peace in the region.

The resolution notes one quote from Secretary Clinton's speech a few days ago on December 10. Let's look a little deeper into some of the Secretary's other comments in that lengthy speech. Secretary Clinton made clear that the U.S. remains committed to reaching a comprehensive peace deal between the parties with the U.S. playing a key role. She also stated that a peace agreement between the two parties is the ``only path to achieve the Palestinians' dreams of independence.''

She specifically also noted that ``in the days ahead, our discussion with both sides will be substantive two-way conversations with an eye toward making real progress in the next few months . . . The United States will not be a passive participant. We will push the parties to lay out their position on the core issues without delay and with real specificity . . . We enter this phase with clear expectations of both parties.''

In her speech Secretary Clinton noted that ``the position of the U.S. on settlements has not changed and will not change. Like every American administration for decades, we do not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement activity. We believe their continued expansion is corrosive not only to peace efforts and a two-state solution, but to Israel's future itself.'' The resolution before us today notes support for a negotiated solution but is silent on this issue as if it does not impact achieving that negotiated solution.

Secretary Clinton went on to say that both parties, ``to demonstrate their commitment to peace . . . should avoid actions that prejudge the outcome of negotiations or undermine good faith efforts to resolve final status issues. Unilateral efforts at the United Nations are not helpful and undermine trust. Provocative announcements on East Jerusalem are counterproductive. And the United States will not shy away from saying so.''

Unfortunately, the resolution before us today gets half of the message and only a small fraction of the demands on both parties to help move this process forward, laid out by the Secretary of State last Friday.

As noted by Secretary Clinton, Israeli and Palestinian leaders should stop trying to assign blame for the next failure, and focus instead on what they need to do to make these efforts succeed. I believe the House resolution before us today would have been wise to also heed that advice.

The intent of this resolution is to express concern with an action that will put more obstacles in the way of achieving Middle East Peace. I could not agree with that goal more. But let's make sure that we recognize that both parties have an equal responsibility to refrain from such actions.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Sablan for yielding. I am just so overjoyed to be rising today to celebrate the imminent passage of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, or FVPSA, as well as the passage of CAPTA, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

By taking swift action to pass these bills before the end of the year, we are taking a stand to protect victims of domestic violence as well as children who are victims of abuse. We are also taking landmark steps to help break the cycle of abuse for generations to come.

I want to pause here to personally thank Chairman George Miller of the Education and Labor Committee and Senator Chris Dodd. I have worked so hard to bring attention to these bills, and I have been fortunate enough to have strong allies in these two chairmen, both of whom are extremely committed to these causes. I have had the honor of being the lead sponsor and champion for FVPSA in the House, but I certainly wouldn't be celebrating here today without the good work of Chairman Miller and Senator Dodd.

I also need to acknowledge and thank the many advocates and victim service providers who helped shape this legislation and who rallied support at key moments, particularly the advocates for the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Now, in spite of the fact that we have made great progress towards acknowledging that domestic violence is a crime, a crisis and a threat to public health, we have got such a long way to go. One in four women in this country experiences domestic violence in her life. Every day in this country, an average of three women are killed by a current or former intimate partner. In my State alone, deaths from domestic violence are the highest in a decade, and approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year. In fact, one-half to two-thirds of domestic violence shelter residents are children.

The women and men who are victimized live in each and every one of your congressional districts. They come from all walks of life regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion or partisan affiliation. They are members of our families; they are friends; they are neighbors; they are coworkers. As well, some in this room have been victims and survivors of this violence.

Since the economic downturn started, we have been hearing more and more horror stories from the shelters and service providers. The economy has been making bad situations worse for an increasing number of victims, many of whom have few resources on which to rely in order to flee their abusers.

We have said that FVPSA keeps the lights on for these programs, and it has always done a great job. The beautiful thing about this program is that the reauthorization authorizes more activities to help us better treat children, in particular, who are traumatized by this violence.

Madam Speaker, I rise to discuss one of the most important issues facing our country today: the deficit. We all acknowledge that our current path is unsustainable. Revenue is at its lowest level in 60 years. Continuing with trillion dollar deficits year after year is an untenable position. The interest alone on this debt is over $400 billion for FY2010.

However, I have the privilege of serving in this House for the distinct purpose of looking out for the most vulnerable in our society. I represent Milwaukee, which is the fourth most poverty stricken nation in the country. Looking down the road, it is clear to me that if we make permanent $3 trillion in Bush era tax cuts it will be those families that don't even have enough tax liability to benefit from that policy who will pay the consequences.

Consider this: the annual deficit for 2010 is approximately $1.3 trillion. Simply adding an additional $3.7 trillion over the next decade, which will be the total bill when we enact all of the Bush tax cuts, is completely irresponsible. I know for a certainty that if we continue down this fiscal path we will be forced into a position in which programs such as homelessness prevention, school lunches for the poor, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, unemployment benefits, and even Medicare for the elderly will be slashed. I simply cannot stand by and help advance that agenda.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary.

The Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council was created in July, 1910, in order to represent all working men and women in the trades living in the Greater Milwaukee area. The Council constantly works to assist the local unions it represents, by ensuring justice on the job, achieving the highest wages and fringe benefits possible, and providing quality work for the customer. Milwaukee Building Trades' quality efforts have proven to be effective.

The former presidents listed below have worked tirelessly to fulfill the Milwaukee Building Trades' mission: Peter Schoemann (1932-1952), John Zancanaro (1953-1973), James Elliott (1974-1996), and Lyle Balistreri (1996-present). Under their leadership, the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council truly built Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council helped to make numerous construction initiatives possible. Such community-enhancing projects include: Petit National Ice Center, Bradley Center, Miller Park, Elm Road Generating Station, & the Marquette Interchange.

This organization has provided countless opportunities for members of the Milwaukee community. Promoting apprenticeship programs and training has developed workers capable of addressing the many varied and future labor needs of Milwaukee. Participating in labor-management projects and initiatives has left an excellent example for future building trades leaders. Members of the Milwaukee Building Trades can be proud of the work they do, and have helped shape southeastern Wisconsin.

After one-hundred years of service, the Council deserves praise for its dedication to the labor industry. By exemplifying the balance between collaboration and solidarity, Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council maintains solid working relationships throughout the industry.

Madam Speaker, for these reasons, I am honored to congratulate the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council for one-hundred years of exemplary leadership for local unions and dedication to developing projects in the Fourth Congressional District and the State of Wisconsin.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Lester Cart, recipient of the James Baker Award from the Milwaukee Community Brainstorming Conference (CBC). The CBC was established to inform the community about a range of facts, issues, and solutions that relate to the well-being of the African American community. The forum offers a venue for interaction between policy makers and the community and an opportunity for the community to express their needs and expectations.

Dr. Carter has been the owner and pharmacist of Carter's Drug Store for over 43 years and is located in the heart of the inner city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He provides a holistic approach to his services, distributing a combination of standard pharmaceuticals and natural remedies to his clients. Dr. Carter is an expert on herbology and pharmacognosy which is the study of medicines derived from natural sources. In fact, he has developed special trademarked ointments, solutions and compounds available only at his pharmacy. Individuals from the entire metro Milwaukee area and throughout the country, from all nationalities swear by and purchase his formularies.

Dr. Carter graduated from Creighton University's School of Pharmacy and Allied Health

Professions in 1958; he was the only African American in his graduating class. After graduation, Dr. Carter worked for a pharmacy in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska formulating pills and ointments at the back of the store. There he honed skills he would later use to create his own medicines because the owner was afraid to allow him to serve white customers at the front of the store. In 1967, he moved to Wisconsin and six months later he opened his own pharmacy.

Dr. Carter's interests and impact reaches far beyond just filling prescriptions. He is very much aware of the health disparities facing African Americans and has used his extensive knowledge to help the community with health care problems ranging from healthy eating habits to diabetes. In fact, Dr. Carter is a certified diabetes educator and stocks his pharmacy with books about diet and herbology, old fashioned mouthwash, ointments and soaps.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues of the 111th Congress to join me in congratulating Dr. Lester Carter on receiving the James Baker Award. Dr. Lester Carter continues to provide immeasurable support and care to the African American Community and the Greater Milwaukee Community at large. I am proud that Dr. Carter is a resident of the 4th Congressional District and applaud his lifetime of accomplishments and success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to a dear friend, a mentor, a legislator, a community organizer, a loving husband and father to his family. Dismas Becker was a man of faith and that unshakeable faith remains with us even with his passing.

Dismas Becker was a former activist priest who was in the forefront of the civil rights movement during the tumultuous 1960's. Along with the well-known activist Father James Groppi, Dismas participated in welfare rights demonstrations, open housing marches, and publicly defended Father Groppi's efforts to organize demonstrations in support of these causes. In October 1969, Dismas was beaten by police while occupying the chambers of the State Assembly in Madison, to protest welfare funding cutbacks. Dismas Becker's sermons were filled with anti-war sentiment and the fight for civil rights that brought complaints from some parishioners. The dissent did not sway Dismas from this calling.

In fact, speaking in 1969 Dismas said, ``If you do find yourself in a conflict between you and society and you do not dissent, you are not a Christian.'' He later left the priesthood, but did not leave his activism behind. Dismas Becker went on to serve in other roles, including as a state representative in the Legislature and was eventually chosen as the Majority Leader in the Assembly by his fellow Democrats in 1984.

Dismas Becker married an amazing woman, Fay Anderson, who was active in the local Democratic Party, and was an alderperson in her own right. He adopted her children and they adopted a son of their own. He never stopped working on behalf of those who needed it most. With his own personal ministry never wavering, he reached out to the downtrodden, and to people who were going in the wrong direction, to help them turn a corner.

Madam Speaker, for these many reasons I rise in tribute to Dismas Becker. He reached out to me, then a young woman with 3 children and encouraged me throughout his lifetime. In 1988, he decided to run for the State Senate. Dismas Becker suggested, pushed, and encouraged me with love to run for his Assembly seat. I am here today due in no small part to the incredible commitment of this loving and giving human being. I will miss my beloved friend, Dismas Becker, and he will be missed by the entire community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stephen B. Falek, Associate Director for the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, who will retire in October, 2010, after 38 years of distinguished service.

He has been a tireless advocate to provide affordable housing opportunities to my constituency. Families in my district and throughout the state have benefited from his efforts to create ``green'' facilities, develop homeownership programs, provide resources to serve low-income families, and expand programs to serve our veterans, homeless, elderly and disabled, and mentally challenged.

As Assistant Director, Mr. Falek is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a multitude of public housing units, multi-family market rate rental housing, and a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

His advocacy can be seen on the local and national levels. His particular interest in addressing the needs of often overlooked populations led to the development of a Single Room Occupancy facility for the homeless. Mr. Falek reunited families by securing a number of housing opportunities for homeless or transitional parents who would have otherwise lost custody of their children if they did not have a home. In addition, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he ensured that Milwaukee opened its doors to evacuees. He created a task force with various government agencies to make sure that these evacuees were assisted quickly.

In 2009, he received the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) M. Justin Herman Award for Lifetime Achievement, which honors an exceptional individual who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of life through service in the field of housing or community development. He continued his noteworthy role as a leader by participating on boards and committees. His contributions are well known within NAHRO, the North Central Regional Council of NAHRO, and the State of Wisconsin Association of Housing Authorities (WAHA). Mr. Falek was a key figure in creating the WAHA State Chapter and made Wisconsin one of the strongest chapters.

Madam Speaker, for these reasons, I am honored to pay tribute to Stephen B. Falek who leaves behind a wonderful legacy of leadership and community building in the Fourth Congressional District and State of Wisconsin.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dominique Paul Noth and the Milwaukee Labor Press. The Milwaukee Labor Press provides news, features, commentary, and information on important issues and events. In late August, editor Dom Noth and the Labor Press won the most multiple awards in the history of the International Labor Communications Association. The Milwaukee Labor Press has continued its legacy of excellence by proving successful in the most intense and prestigious North American contest for all labor publications.

As the second largest home-delivered newspaper in Wisconsin, the Labor Press consistently speaks honestly to its readers. The ILCA awarded the Labor Press First Place, General Excellence among all state and central council publications. ILCA praised the Labor Press for ``Quirky and interesting writing, [. . .] makes points without being preachy.''

MilwaukeeLabor.org the website of the Labor Press' publisher, Milwaukee Area Labor Council, received First Place General Excellence Internet. News, Take Action, events, and original content by Dominique Noth are featured on the website. Dominique is an intrepid seeker of newsworthy information, camera at the ready, quotes in context forming in his mind.

Last December's examination of the health care debate in the article, ``Heeding the Human Cost,'' was honored with the First Place Saul Miller Award. Noth attributes this success to diverse opinions of union and community members in a no-holds-barred forum

on health legislation. Judges cited the story as candid and heartfelt writing which ``debunks the opposition's argument attacking the need for health reform.''

Third Place Award for Special Performance (best editorial or column) went to the Labor Press for ``City Should Sink Its Own Breed of Water Pirates'' which highlighted the privatization of public services. The article shed light on a significant issue for labor unions across the country.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to say the Milwaukee Labor Press provides a significant avenue for discussion for the people of the Fourth Congressional District. Thanks in no small part to Dominique Noth; the Labor Press' continual excellence is based on its open-minded, intelligent, and relatable examination of pressing labor issues that impact the whole community. I applaud Dominique Noth and the Milwaukee Labor Press for their success in such a competitive and prestigious contest.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, a dear former colleague and mentor to new legislators and a great stateswoman, Rep. Annette Polly Williams. She is the longest serving woman in the history of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Rep. Williams is retiring from public office after 30 years of outstanding service to her constituents.

Affectionately known as Polly, she was born in the Mississippi Delta region of Belzoni, Mississippi and moved to Milwaukee when she was 10 years old. She is a product of the public school system and fellow graduate of North Division High School. Rep. Williams is committed to ensuring that all children receive access to a good education. Out of her passion to and commitment for education, she became the author/ mother of the nation's first true Educational Parental Choice Legislation.

Rep. Williams has made her mark in other areas. She founded the Black Women's Network, the Milwaukee Parental Assistance Center; the Black Leadership Organization. Further, she was the co-founder of the African American Alliance providing political leadership to Milwaukee's African American community; founding member of the Wisconsin African American Women's Center; and served as the co-host for the ``Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club'' on a local radio station for many years.

Polly is a treasure to our community and will continue her service to those in need. Whether it is someone who has lost a loved one, experienced a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina or local flooding, Polly will be there providing compassion and support.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in a salute to Rep. Annette Polly Williams. We wish her well in a retirement that is full of new challenges.

Madam Speaker, this is a vitally important bill. In my state of Wisconsin alone, it will save the jobs of 2000- 3000 teachers. With the school year right around the corner, it is essential that we keep these teachers in our schools--where our children need them. This legislation will also ensure that some of the most vulnerable in our society continue to receive Medicaid while protecting states from drastic cuts to their budgets. Without this Medicaid assistance, states

would be forced to lay off more workers, cut more services, and raise taxes more than they would otherwise to balance their budgets.

However, I am outraged by a reduction in Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that is used to pay for this measure. Those who receive the meager SNAP benefits are the most poor and the most vulnerable in our society. Currently, 6 million Americans receiving SNAP report that they have no other source of income. In my district, about 20 percent of all people and 38 percent of children are SNAP beneficiaries.

Before this bill was considered, I offered an amendment to the Rules Committee that would have ameliorated the SNAP cut. My amendment would have rescinded $2.972 billion in unspent Race to the Top funds in order to provide an additional year of more adequate SNAP benefits. Race to the Top funds benefit only a few chosen students and schools while on the other hand saving teacher positions benefits the masses of children who would face larger class sizes and cuts to vital programs such as libraries, computers, and gym classes. This is just one example of a more appropriate offset than cutting SNAP.

While I support the bill on the floor today, I abhor this cut and will work to restore it.

Mr. Chair, I want to thank Chairman Rahall for yielding and including in his manager's amendment a provision I authored that would ensure that citizens living in the gulf coast region will be able to have input into the work of the Gulf Coast Restoration Task Force. The Citizens Advisory Board, called for in my amendment, would not be filled with energy industry representatives and scientists but, rather, with individuals, such as the fishermen who have been put out of business, the hotel owner along the beach which now has more tar balls than tourists, and citizens in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida who simply want to have their beaches, wetlands, waters back to support their livelihoods, their health, and their enjoyment.

Restoring the environmental and natural resources in the gulf will be a long and arduous task. My amendment simply makes it clear that the input of those most impacted by this disaster, the residents of the States and the region, should be a priority.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer clarification for my vote in favor of H.R. 5827, the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act of 2010.

I have tremendous respect for our nation's Constitution. In 12 other states around the country, including my own state of Wisconsin, there are already State protections for gun ownership during bankruptcy proceedings. When the Federal Government, and other States, already give basic protections for personal property like jewelry and musical instruments, I believe that it is fundamentally unfair to deny a second amendment protected item from being included in this list.

I do, however, want to be clear that I remain steadfast in my support for the ability of the Federal Government, States, and cities to regulate firearms. There have been too many times that we have seen preventable deaths from guns that end up in the wrong person's hands. Representing the City of Milwaukee, I know first hand how important it is to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and others that cause harm and undermine safety in our communities. Within the last few years, six police officers were shot in my district using guns that were traced back to a single store. How did this one store seemingly sell so many guns to straw buyers--people purchasing the guns not for themselves, but on behalf of other people who are prohibited from buying, like convicted domestic abusers, felons, and people with outstanding warrants? Had Federal gun laws been adequate to properly regulate stores like this, and others around the country, I sincerely believe that much of the gun violence could be prevented.

My record for reducing gun violence in our communities is clear. This year I have sent a letter to the director of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms asking what resources they might need to more efficiently enforce Federal firearm legislation. I have also sent a letter requesting that the Attorney General revitalize and expand upon an existing ``demand letter'' program that can give the BATFE essential information on potential problem Federal Firearm Licensees. Current firearm regulation at the Federal level is simply inefficient and I will continue to work hard with my colleagues to make our streets a safer place.

I thank you, distinguished Chairman Olver.

I rise to bring to your attention a critical infrastructure need in the Fourth Congressional District of Wisconsin. The Hoan Bridge, a vital thoroughfare in my community, connects downtown Milwaukee to the near southside southern suburbs, on to the airport and beyond to the interstate, but it's rapidly deteriorating. Chunks of concrete have been falling off the bridge, and of course, that has created a significant safety hazard.

My constituents really rely on the Hoan Bridge, and it accommodates about 43,000 vehicles per day. I trust, Representative Olver, that you will agree that ensuring the bridge's structural integrity and the safety of my constituents is of urgent importance.

I yield to the chairman.

I thank you, Representative Olver. I look forward to working with you as well to ensure the viability of this important bridge, the Hoan Bridge.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, indeed, this Transportation appropriations bill is a jobs creations bill, and I am totally in support of that.

My amendment here would modestly increase funding for the Department of Transportation's efforts to help small and disadvantaged businesses obtain transportation contracts. It would add funding beyond the $14,000 increase requested by the President for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization within the Secretary's office, and to increase the capacity for the department to reach out to small and disadvantaged businesses.

When I talk about small and disadvantaged businesses, it's not just ethnic minority businesses. It's veteran-owned businesses. It's women- owned businesses. This is an issue that affects every district, both Democrat and Republican.

This amendment is about strengthening these small, but important, programs and the work that they do and sending a strong signal to small businesses and to the Secretary about the level of importance that we as a Congress place on creating opportunities for American businesses that are deserved.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.