Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, our Nation, and specifically, the San Francisco Peninsula, lost a true leader and dedicated public servant with the passing of A.C. ``Bud'' Harrison. Bud served his community in many ways. He was an appointed member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and served twelve years on the Burlingame City Council, including three terms as Mayor.

But Bud's greatest influence was as an educator. He was a favorite American Government teacher at both Capuchino and Burlingame High Schools before moving on to teach Political Science at the College of San Mateo. Over his 33-year career in the classroom, he not only taught government, but encouraged his students and fellow faculty to get involved. He even helped run the campaign of fellow Capuchino teacher Leo J. Ryan when he ran for the State Assembly. In fact, I remember then-Congressman Ryan telling the story of how he and Bud were responsible for getting the Capuchino marching band to perform at John F. Kennedy's Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC in 1961. The story went, the two teachers flipped a coin to see who got to accompany the band and Leo won.

Madam Speaker, Bud is a native son of San Francisco, a graduate of the University of San Francisco and a 48-year resident of Burlingame. With his loving wife of 56 years, Dolores, they raised four children-- Chuck, Mary, Terry and Cheri. And anyone who knew Bud was well aware of how proud he was of his six grandchildren and one great-grandson. The entire Harrison family deserves our gratitude for graciously sharing their husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather with so many others who benefited from his wisdom, good humor and generous spirit.

Bud Harrison was no stranger to awards, having been honored by the Burlingame Lions Club as its 1997 Citizen of the Year, awarded the President's Award by the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce, named San Mateo County Citizen of the Year and received the Outstanding Citizen Award from Shinnyo-en USA.

But awards and personal acclaim were never what Bud Harrison was about. First and foremost, he cared about the betterment of his community for his family, his students, and everyone who chose to make the Peninsula their home.

Madam Speaker, not all of us leave an indelible mark on our community when our time on earth is done. There is no doubt that A.C. ``Bud'' Harrison did just that. We are all fortunate that Bud Harrison lived here and chose to give back so much to his community. I was privileged to call him a friend and confidant for nearly 30 years.

Madam Chair, during rollcall vote No. 961 on H.R. 4173, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``aye'' when I should have voted ``no.''

Amendment No. 16 Offered by Mr. Peters

Madam Chair, there are a couple of things I have asked Santa for Christmas. One of them is that our colleagues on the other side might tell the truth once in a while.

The words we have heard tonight, ``overregulation,'' ``government control,'' ``job loss,'' ``government takeover,'' ``bailout funds,'' couldn't be further from the truth. Let's go back in history.

For over 60 years, the Glass-Steagall Act worked in this country. It worked because the banks, the investment banks, the commercial banks, the insurance companies had to be separate. And then the financial institutions came in 1999 and we offered them, on a silver platter, what is called the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which allowed them all to merge, which allowed them to become too big to fail.

So what this particular bill is going to do is reverse that in many respects. It is going to create accountability. That fund that we're talking about is not going to be paid for by the taxpayers; it's going to be paid for by the companies themselves. It means that we are not going to see the kind of job loss we've had over the last few years because that all came under a period of time where there was no regulation, where the SEC was allowed to reduce the number of enforcement actions by 80 percent and disgorgement actions were reduced by some 60 percent.

So, Madam Chair, there's only one other thing I ask Santa for Christmas, and I think we're going to get it, and that is that the Wall Street firms are going to find something new in their Christmas stockings, and it's called accountability.

Madam Speaker, every community should be so fortunate as to have a dynamic and committed public servant like Millbrae Mayor Robert Gottschalk.

Mayor Gottschalk is stepping down after eight years on the City Council, including two stints as Mayor. Bob's tenure on the council has been defined by his steady advocacy for the people of Millbrae, giving special emphasis to youth and senior programs, improving downtown and mitigating the impact of BART on Millbrae residents.

Mayor Gottschalk graduated from San Jose State University and went on to receive an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law. He served our nation with distinction, retiring as a Captain from the U.S. Navy Reserves and worked for 21 years in banking before becoming an attorney.

Mayor Gottschalk represents Millbrae on the Association of Bay Area Governments, Peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance and the Joint Powers Authority for County Emergency Medical Response. He has also served as a member of the Millbrae Community Preservation Commission and was citizen advisor to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.

Madam Speaker, I have worked closely with Mayor Gottschalk and my impression of him can be summed up as ``leadership with a velvet glove.'' Bob has always led with gentility and a sense of decorum and the simple fact is that Millbrae, California is a better place to live because of his work. I know of no better barometer for public service than that.

Madam Speaker, this evening the city of Millbrae, California will say thank you and farewell to a true public resource as City Treasurer Mary Vella Treseler retires from the post she has held for eight years.

Mary Vella Treseler was elected by the voters of Millbrae in 2001 and re-elected four years later. She brought thirty years of experience in the banking industry to her job and helped guide the city through the many challenges that local governments have had to deal with in recent years.

This City Treasurer, however, serves her community in many ways. She has donated her time and talents to the Constitution Bicentennial Planning Committee, Millbrae Beautification Commission and Public Access Television Committee. Ms. Treseler also took an active part as a member of the Mayor's Civic Coordinating Council and Millbrae's Smoking Ordinance and 50th Anniversary Committees. In addition, she represented Millbrae on the San Mateo County Sesquicentennial Committee and was President of Soroptimist International of Millbrae-San Bruno. As if that is not enough, Mary has somehow found the time to serve as President of the Millbrae Historical Society for the past eight years.

As should be expected, Mary is no stranger to civic honors. She was named ``Millbrae Woman of the Year'' in 1999 and is the recipient of the Millbrae Historical Society's ``Living History Award.''

Mary moved to Millbrae in 1977, where she and her husband, Joseph Amoroso, raised their children, Adonna and Joseph Raymond, in Millbrae schools. Sadly, Mary was widowed in 1985. Her response was to get more involved in her community, which began her quarter-century of service to Millbrae. In 1990, Mary married then-Mayor Robert Treseler and her involvement in local government increased. So, too, did her family as Mary embraced the addition of step-children Robert Jr, William, James and Catherine. Sadly, we lost Mayor Treseler two years ago.

Madam Speaker, this is a remarkable woman with boundless energy and a passionate interest in her community. On behalf of my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives, I want to thank City Treasurer Mary Vella Treseler for her longtime service to the people of Millbrae and to our nation.

Madam Speaker, in an era of increased animosity in public life, Redwood City Councilwoman Diane Howard has been a

breath of fresh air. Fans of good government and humble leadership are sorry to see her retire after fifteen years serving the people of Redwood City.

Diane was born in Rockville Center, New York, the first of eight children. In 1981, after graduating from nursing school, she and husband Steve moved west. Upon arriving in Redwood City, Diane jumped into her community, serving on the Housing and Human Concerns Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission and Child Care Advisory Committee. She has also been active on the Economic Development Committee of the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce, the San Mateo County Medical Auxiliary Board, and the Redwood City Housing Advisory Board. Her work with the Redwood Shores Neighborhood Association led to the financing and development of schools, fire stations and a community center.

Diane was elected to the City Council in 1994 and was re-elected three times. Passionate about the issues of concern to her, Councilwoman Howard is nonetheless known for her kindness, warmth and positive attitude. Even those of opposing views will attest that Diane brought a new tone of civility to the City Council and its meetings. She is known for her patient willingness to listen to all points of view and has advocated for increased cooperation between City Hall, local businesses and community groups.

Madam Speaker, I have worked closely with Councilwoman Howard over the years and enjoyed every minute of our interactions. I wish there were more people in public life like her. On behalf of my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives, I thank Diane for her service. I also wish to thank her husband, Steve, and son, Geoffrey, for sharing this remarkable woman with the greater community.

Madam Speaker, Redwood City, California said good-bye to one of its most effective leaders when Councilman Jim Hartnett retired from public service this month.

Jim Hartnett is a story of ``local boy makes good.'' Raised in Redwood City, he attended Mount Carmel School, Sequoia High School and Canada College. The son of a long-time captain in the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, Jim grew up well-versed in local issues and with a passion for public service. He, too, is passing on this tradition to his sons, Josh and Jake, and daughters, Julia and Lydia, all of whom have grown up in the city that Jim loves so much.

Anyone who has attended a Council meeting in Redwood City over the past fifteen years has witnessed Councilman Hartnett's intellect and ability to explain dry, complex issues in accessible language that everyone can understand. Equally important to thinking clearly is a public official's willingness to take the lead on contentious issues. Councilman Hartnett was never timid about speaking his mind and his constituents always knew where he stood. I have had the privilege of working with Jim on numerous thorny topics over the years and found him to be, not only quick to grasp the issues, but equally effective at developing solutions. His leadership will be sorely missed.

Prior to being elected to the City Council, Jim served on the city's Planning Commission and Charter Review Committee. He has also served as chair of the Housing and Human Concerns Committee and the San Mateo County Business Development Commission and was President of the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Hartnett has given much to the community where he was raised. He has dedicated decades of his life to improving Redwood City and San Mateo County and for that, deserves our thanks. While he is retiring from office, I know that Jim Hartnett will not wander far. He will certainly continue his involvement with Redwood City Little League and other youth activities and will very likely be pressed into service in other ways by his wife, current Redwood City Mayor Rosanne Foust.

Madam Speaker, this week the City of San Bruno will see a changing of the guard as Mayor Larry Franzella steps down from the post he has held for a decade.

A native of San Francisco, Mayor Franzella moved to San Bruno as a boy and attended local schools, including Crestmoor High School, Skyline College and the College of San Mateo. He's a classic example of ``local boy makes good.'' He began a successful real estate career in 1975 and over three decades has risen through the ranks of his profession, serving as President of the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of San Bruno and the San Mateo County Association of Realtors, and as Regional Vice-President of the California Association of Realtors. He currently serves as President of Prudential California Realty in San Bruno.

Larry Franzella has served his adopted city of San Bruno in a myriad of ways. Besides his aforementioned community and business associations, Larry served as a member of the Personnel Board and was a founding member of the city's Citizens Crime Prevention Committee. In 1987, the people of San Bruno elected Larry to his first of two terms on the city council. Then in 1999, after a two-year hiatus, voters chose Larry to serve as Mayor--a post he held for five consecutive two- year terms. In this role, he also represented San Bruno as a member of the regional Airport Roundtable.

Madam Speaker, everyone in this chamber knows how important it is to have dedicated, intelligent people serve on local boards, commissions and city councils. The work can be difficult, the hours long and the pay virtually non-existent, yet we ask these selfless public servants to give far more than they receive to assure that the residents and taxpayers under their care are provided for. Mayor Larry Franzella is one of those dedicated and selfless leaders.

Larry has certainly earned his retirement. However, knowing Larry like I do, I am sure that he will never retire from community service. On behalf of my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives, I want to thank Mayor Larry Franzella for his longtime service to the people of San Bruno and the County of San Mateo.

Mr. Speaker, tonight as we prepare to pass a historic health care bill that provides expanded health care coverage to Americans and is more than sixty years in the making, I am concerned that we must first fight to block a direct assault on a woman's right to choose.

America's Affordable Health Choices Act is fair and equitable in its approach to abortion and respects the rights of those who want to purchase a plan that provides abortion coverage and those who do not. It guarantees that no public funds are used to pay for abortion services--codifying the long standing Hyde amendment.

The anti-choice Stupak Amendment seeks to take away a woman's right to pay for her own abortion services, forcing millions of women to retreat to the shadows and an era in which back alley abortions were too often the norm. That is why I will stand up this evening and vote against the Stupak Amendment--ensuring that every woman in this country has the reproductive freedom that she desires and that her mother and mother's mother fought so hard for.

Madam Speaker, for twenty years, the people of Burlingame, California have depended on Rosalie O'Mahony's intelligence, hard work and love for her adopted city. First elected in 1989, Rosalie O'Mahony has served five terms on the City Council, including five separate stints as Burlingame's mayor.

To know Rosalie is to know her passion for her community. For the more than three decades that I have had the immense pleasure of Rosalie's friendship, we have never had a conversation where she did not speak about a person or group in need or an intersection that could be safer. Rosalie lives and breathes community service and our entire region has benefited greatly by her inspired decision to move to Burlingame in 1965.

The reason for her move was so that Rosalie could accept a job on the faculty of the College of San Mateo's mathematics department. For more than forty years she has shared her knowledge with generations of students and continues to do so now as an adjunct instructor. In a region where some of the best jobs are in technological fields, excellent math instruction in our local colleges is vital to our area's economic success and Rosalie O'Mahony certainly has been a big part of that success.

Madam Speaker, one mention in the Congressional Record could not possibly hold all of the accomplishments of this incredible woman. Her community service includes being chair of The American Cancer Society and board member of The Easter Seal Society and The Suicide and Crisis Prevention Center. She also served on the San Mateo County Grand Jury and has been--or continues to be--a member of The Burlingame Newcomers Club, The Irish Literary and Historical Society, the Burlingame Historical Society, Burlingame Beautification Commission, the San Mateo County Transportation Citizens' Advisory Committee and the Burlingame Aquatic Foundation.

As part of her official duties, Rosalie has represented her city on the Airport Roundtable, the County Emergency Services Committee, the San Mateo County Investment Oversight Committee, City and County Association of Governments, Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.

In recognition of her years of service to her community, earlier this year Councilwoman O'Mahony was chosen as Burlingame's Citizen of the Year for 2009.

Madam Speaker, any day that includes a chat with Rosalie O'Mahony is a day where I learn something new. Burlingame won't be quite the same without Rosalie on the City Council but, without a doubt, Burlingame would not be the city it is today had Rosalie not moved here and volunteered to serve.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a special woman who goes above and beyond the call of duty to educate the children of our fine city of San Francisco.

Valerie Ziegler was one of only five teachers--out of the more than 310,000 who serve in California public schools--to be honored as a 2009 Teacher of the Year. She is the first teacher ever from the San Francisco Unified School District to receive this honor. Perhaps most impressive is that she gave up a more lucrative career, as a technology consultant, so that she could teach. In just her sixth year in the profession, Ms. Ziegler carries an impressive load, teaching U.S. History, Economics and Advanced Placement U.S. Government at San Francisco's Lincoln High School. In addition to her course-work, she partnered with other Lincoln teachers to start the ``green academy'' to prepare students for careers in the new clean-energy economy.

Praise for Ms. Ziegler from parents, administrators, fellow teachers and--in particular--her students, is virtually unanimous. Tales abound of her devotion to those she teaches and the extra effort she puts in to not only teach but instill a lifelong love of learning in her students.

But Madam Speaker, Ms. Ziegler will be the first to say that the credit doesn't belong solely to her. Valerie is the daughter of a 30 year public school teacher who worked primarily with hearing-impaired students. Valerie spoke glowingly about the examples her mother set-- how she spent her own money on hearing aid batteries for her students, drove them to appointments, even visited former students in jail.

We hear a lot about family values in our line of work, but the Ziegler family lives it. With the daunting challenges facing public education in San Francisco, California, and indeed the nation, teachers like Valerie Ziegler must be encouraged and rewarded. Society as a whole is benefited by these special people who choose to devote their lives so that our children have every opportunity to achieve all that they set their sights on.

Mr. Speaker, today is indeed an historic day, a day we can all be proud that on behalf of the American people we are doing something.

So what is it the American people are going to get? Well, if you're a senior citizen in America, you're going to have $500 more in your prescription drug benefit. You're going to be able to get your drugs that are brand name for 50 percent less if you're in the doughnut hole. And by 2019, that doughnut hole will be terminated.

What's in it for young people? Well, if you're good to your parents, you can stay on their health insurance until you're 27.

And how about for women? For women, you are no longer going to pay 140 percent more for your health insurance than a man of the same age. And by the way, you don't have to fear getting pregnant, because health insurance will cover your pregnancy.

And for everyone else in America, we are going to be paying $1,400 less a year in uncompensated care.

There is nothing to fear. There is much to be jubilant about.

Mr. Speaker, I am in support of health care reform, as it will guarantee coverage for maternity and well-child care.

Mr. Speaker, today, I look forward to keeping my promise to the voters and taxpayers who sent me to Congress by casting a vote for a historic health care reform bill that has been sixty years in the making.

Still, with any effort as far-reaching as reforming health care, Americans are right to ask: ``What's in it for me?''

Well, I'll tell you.

If you are a woman, this bill has plenty for you. You know, far too well, that our fight for equality is not limited to the board room. We must fight for our rights in every line of fine print in every insurance contract. The fact is that women's health care premiums cost, on average, more than 145 percent of the price of a similar man's policy. Even then, women are more likely to be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition, including for things as common as getting pregnant (or the inability to get pregnant) having a c-section, even being a survivor of domestic violence. With the passage of this health care reform bill, these practices will be tossed on the ash-heap of history atop corsets, chastity belts and other limitation on women's rights and equality. In fact, with this bill, America's mothers, wives and sisters will finally enjoy the same health care coverage that their fathers, sons and brothers have.

If you are an American of retirement age, this health care reform legislation contains provisions that ensure high quality, effective health care throughout your retirement years. We have heard your frustrated calls to end the ill-conceived Medicare Part D donut hole and responded by immediately reducing the hole by $500 and, by 2019, getting rid of it once and for all. The bill also cuts in half the cost of name-brand drugs. No older American should ever have to decide between purchasing food or the life-saving medicine prescribed by their doctor.

When Congress voted for Medicare nearly 45 years ago, this House promised seniors quality, affordable health care in their retirement. They did this despite a future president, Ronald Reagan, decrying Medicare as socialism--sound familiar?

Well, by cutting waste, fraud and abuse, eliminating the out-of- pocket payments for preventative care and banning overpayments, this Congress is making good on that promise and extending the Medicare trust for future generations.

If you are one of the 14,000 Americans who lose their health insurance coverage every day, this bill offers comfort and hope when you are most in need. Just last night during a telephone town hall a constituent told me how, at 55 years old, she lost her job and her health coverage. She wonders if, even after the economy recovers, she will be able to get a job--at her age--that provides health care. Today, when workers like her lose their job and their coverage, they are forced into the snake pit that is the individual insurance market where insurance company practices like denying coverage because of a preexisting condition are common. Fortunately this practice, along with dropping customers once they fall ill, has been outlawed in this bill. Also, while the health care exchange--which will provide access to affordable, quality health care--is being set up, a high-risk insurance pool will be available so that you have coverage in the meantime.

For the majority of Americans who have health insurance through their employer, you get the best news of all. I don't have to tell you that, since 2000, employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have more than doubled. Your employer's real health care costs have risen at a rate that is three times faster than wage increases and business profits. This is, quite simply, unsustainable. If we took a page from the opposition party and did nothing, the cost of employer-sponsored family health insurance plans would reach $24,000 in less than ten years. This same price spike would result in families spending 45% of their income on health insurance. Also, the insurance exchange will allow you or your employer to purchase coverage from health plans that meet guaranteed benefit levels, cap annual out-of-pocket spending and end annual and lifetime benefit limits. There will also be a public option that is completely self-supported by premiums.

This is not a decision that has been made in haste. No issue has been studied, scrutinized and debated more than health care reform. And, like every time in our nation's history when sweeping changes are proposed--

whether it be Social Security, Medicare, civil rights, women's suffrage or the creation of the Veterans Administration--emotions have run high in this debate and there has been no shortage of opinions on every side.

The bill we are set to vote on is a compromise between many different points of view. It is the result of the most exhaustive and transparent review process of any bill in our nation's history, with hundreds of hours of bipartisan committee meetings being devoted to it and the final text being posted on-line more than three days prior to a vote being taken. Compare that to the Republicans Medicare Part D bill in 2003 which was forced to a vote just hours after the bill was printed.

It will be a proud day for this Congresswoman--and for America--when Congress finally sets our nation on a path toward greater access, greater equality and greater accountability and competition in our health care system.

This is what my constituents sent me here to do. And I am happy to oblige.

Madam Speaker, San Francisco's Community Alliance for Special Education (CASE) was formed in 1979 in response to an unmet need to protect the educational rights of children with disabilities. As CASE celebrates its 30th anniversary, we can all celebrate their good and inspired work supporting children with disabilities by ensuring the fair and just implementation of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state special education laws.

Perhaps most impressively, CASE recognizes the financial hardship that can beset a family raising a child with a disability and has never turned away a client based on their ability to pay.

Their excellent work has led to impressive results over the past three decades, including 94% of children served by CASE receiving appropriate educational services and 95% of clients being connected to local parent networks to help them address other family needs.

Over the last thirty years, CASE has provided more than 20,000 consultations to parents and professionals, represented upwards of 3,000 families and trained in excess of 25,000 people. In addition, their handbook, Special Education Rights, is the most widely-used resource guide in California on the special education process.

Madam Speaker, you and I are both blessed to represent what San Francisco legend Herb Caen called ``The city that knows how''. I am happy to report that CASE furthers San Francisco's proud legacy by successfully harnessing the power of collaboration and communication to engage children, parents, educators and the community to advance the admirable goal of improving educational opportunities for children with disabilities so that they, too, can become happy and productive members of the community.

It is with great admiration that I commend the Community Alliance for Special Education for making our world a better place by advocating for those who otherwise might not be heard. I congratulate everyone who has had a part in making CASE the success story it is and look forward to more great work over the next thirty years.