Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today, 17 Americans awaiting organ transplants will die because a suitable donor was not available. These will be our mothers, fathers, children, and friends--some of the 100,000 of our fellow Americans on the national organ transplant waiting list.

But unlike so many threats that are out of our control, this is something that each of us can change simply by signing up with your state program.

Volunteering to be an organ or tissue donor is a simple, painless, and selfless act of love and generosity, the impact of which cannot be understated. A single organ donation can save up to 8 lives and the donation of one person's tissue can save the lives of up to 50 others. Each year, 28,000 men, women and children are saved through organ donation. Despite the 80 million of us who are enrolled in state donor registries, there is still a need for more.

Sadly, one-third of those on the national transplant waiting list will likely run out of time before a donor is found.

Madam Speaker, in honor of National Donate Life Month, I urge my colleagues, my constituents and my fellow Americans to register as organ and tissue donors.

Mr. Speaker, we are still learning the details of the new influenza outbreak threatening our country. I want to take a moment to praise our colleague, Chairman Obey, who tried to make sure that the Centers for Disease Control were prepared for a possible pandemic by providing funding in the stimulus package for flu vaccines and preparation.

Unfortunately, the politics of ``no'' trumped common sense when, in order to get three Republican votes, the Senate removed $462 million for the Centers for Disease Control and $900 million for pandemic flu preparations.

Mr. Speaker, the choices we make here in Congress are more than just cable news sound bites. Our choices have consequences. Let me remind my colleagues that the 1918 flu epidemic killed more people than all of World War I. We must reconsider and revisit the funding issue for pandemic flu preparation. It could mean the difference between life and death.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday's Washington Post featured a column by Eli Hopson from the Union of Concerned Scientists calling for a technology neutral, low-carbon fuel standard.

The Congress and the administration should not be picking winners and losers when it comes to technology. We did that for ethanol and it led to dire unintended consequences as land once used for growing food was converted to fuel production and the price of corn has skyrocketed so those who need it for survival can no longer afford it.

Meanwhile, innovators across America are achieving remarkable results. On a recent visit to a company in my district called Solazyme in South San Francisco, I drove an unmodified American car that ran on 100 percent fuel from algae oil produced right here in the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, exciting projects like this are going on all across our country, and the only thing that the government needs to do to encourage them is to set a standard for low-carbon fuels that is technology neutral and then let the scientists and the innovators race to the top.

Mr. Speaker, in our budget vote this week we need to do three things: We need to get Americans back to work; we need to get them spending money again; and we need to get them to reduce their dependence on oil. Today, I will introduce a bill to address all three of these concerns.

The Clean Car Rebate Act of 2009 will provide a direct consumer rebate check to anyone buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, beginning at $1,000 for a 2009 car getting 28 miles to the gallon, that is any car, foreign or domestic; and, increasing for more efficient vehicles, topping out at $2,500 for cars getting 33 miles to a gallon.

The Clean Car Rebate Act is good for jobs, it is good for the American car industry, and it is great for our environment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your leadership.

I rise today in support of S. 383 to authorize the Special Inspector General to hire the essential staff needed to follow the money and provide accountability for the billions of dollars taxpayers have invested in financial institutions.

I must say, Madam Speaker, that this particular function is among the most critical in government today. Aggressive and competent oversight is absolutely necessary for any of these government programs to operate effectively.

Last year, when the House voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, I raised concerns about potential problems that could hamper TARP. Among them, conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency were the most serious. I was encouraged that leadership was committed to keep a close watch on taxpayer money. This bill honors that commitment.

Within weeks of the passage of the Stabilization Act I had an opportunity to speak with Gene Dodaro from the Government Accountability Office and Dr. Elizabeth Warren, Chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel. Their reports to Congress have been illuminating in what banks have and have not done with the TARP funds. And both of these individuals have stressed the need for competent and knowledgeable staff to provide proper oversight.

I first met Mr. Neal Barofsky, the Special Inspector General, at a hearing of the Oversight Investigation Subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee, and found his testimony and answers to questions to be frank and extremely well thought out.

Now, he may ruffle some feathers in this city that doesn't like having its feathers ruffled, but he is precisely the kind of person we need to do that job.

I was disappointed to hear that Mr. Barofsky lacked the staff he needed to oversee such a massive outlay of taxpayer money. This bill allows the Special Inspector General to hire 25 retired annuitants. These are people who are retired from Federal service but who have the know-how, who have the ability and who, frankly, will cost us less money because we are not paying for the retirement benefits. These employees are desperately needed, as the article in yesterday's Washington Post provided.

Madam Speaker, I have spoken with our subcommittee Chair, Mr. Moore, about the need to give similar hiring powers to Dr. Warren at the Congressional Oversight Panel, and soon will introduce legislation authorizing that.

We ask the American people to take a huge leap of faith with us when we pass the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. It is imperative that we protect the taxpayers' investment by providing adequate staffing to conduct the vital oversight and accountability functions.

Madam Speaker, I rise in both sadness and awe as I reflect on the passing of George M. Keller who, together with his late wife Adelaide, was a philanthropic titan on the San Francisco peninsula and across our country.

Born in Kansas City and raised in Chicago, Mr. Keller moved to San Francisco with his new bride when he took a job with Standard Oil after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in chemical engineering--a degree delayed by George's service in the United States Army Air Force during World War II.

Settling in San Mateo, George worked for Standard Oil (later Chevron) for half a century, eventually becoming the company's chairman in 1981. As chairman, he led Standard's 1984 bid to acquire Gulf Oil Corporation, at the time, the largest corporate takeover in history. Two years after retiring from Chevron in 1988, George and his wife established the George M. and Adelaide M. Keller Foundation.

Madam Speaker, I am constantly reminded of the generosity of the Keller family. The 12th Congressional District's San Mateo County Health Center is a principle beneficiary of the foundation, having received millions of dollars in recent years. Much of that money went to helping some of the most vulnerable members of our community through the Keller Center for Family Violence Intervention.

George Keller's work in our community touched virtually everyone. He served as Chairman of the Board of Belmont's Notre Dame de Namur University from 1982 to 1994 and as Chair of the Bay Area Council from 1985 to 1988. He and Adelaide's philanthropy has benefited many local institutions, including the Lighthouse for the Blind, the Exploratorium, the Coyote Point Museum and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In addition, the Keller Foundation has supported homeless shelters, firefighters and helped build a playground for special needs children in Burlingame.

Adelaide, the love of George's life, passed away last year. She and George are survived by three sons, Bill, Bob and Barry, and six grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, not all of us leave an indelible mark on our community when our time on earth is done, but George Keller certainly did, and we are all the better because of it.

Madam Speaker, for more than a decade, Gene Marie O'Connell has faithfully served the city we share as CEO of San Francisco General Hospital, the city's primary safety-net hospital. Under her skilled and passionate leadership, San Francisco General achieved designation as a level one trauma center, the only one of its kind serving San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. Additionally, the hospital received the notable distinction of ``certified stroke center'' and has been deemed ``baby friendly'' by the World Health Organization--the only health care facility in the Bay Area with that designation.

Gene Marie's own accomplishments are nearly as impressive as those of the hospital she serves so well. In 2007 she was named chair of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, an organization that represents more than 100 health systems nationwide. Ever cognizant of the needs of public hospitals and those they serve, Gene Marie made it a priority for the organization to improve the quality of patient care and to secure adequate Medicare and Medicaid funding.

Gene Marie has further devoted her time and talents to the medical field as a board member of the National Public Health & Hospital Institute, the branch that handles the national association's research initiatives. Her achievements attest to her steadfast devotion to providing exceptional medical care and treatment while seeking solutions to the field's most pressing issues.

As we both know, Madam Speaker, healthcare is an ever-changing arena. Despite this, Gene Marie's tireless dedication to the field and her genuine desire to positively impact the lives of those in need has remained constant. Such attributes attest to the magnitude of her influence on patients, co-workers, and members of the medical community who have benefited from her devoted care and faithful service.

Bolstering a personal philosophy that emphasizes the importance of compassion and support, Gene Marie has proved indispensible in all the positions she has held. Prior to her post as CEO of San Francisco General, she served as the hospital's chief operating officer, the senior associate administrator for clinical services, the director of emergency services, and the director of staff development, research, quality assurance, and discharge planning. The incredible breadth of her experience in the medical field also includes time spent as the director of patient care services at the Department of Public Health's Community Health Network.

Madam Speaker, the astounding accomplishments of Gene Marie O'Connell make us all proud. Through her leadership, San Francisco General has risen to the top of public hospitals and her initiatives guarantee that it will continue to be an innovative and compassionate member of our community. She has left an indelible mark on the hospital and all those it serves and her efforts ensure its persistent growth and prominence. Our community owes her a debt of gratitude and special thanks go to her supportive husband, Joel Hurwitz, and children, Tanya and Thorin, for sharing this very special woman with all of us.

Madam Speaker, while Democrats in Congress are pushing for a recovery package to put Americans back to work, the recovery is delayed by the same Washington Republicans who helped craft the Bush- onomics that created this recession.

In 1993, Washington Republicans said that the Clinton budget would lead to a job-killing recession. Instead, the Clinton economy created 22 million jobs in just 8 years. Compare that to the 2.6 million jobs lost just last year, in the last year of President Bush's administration.

In 2001, Washington Republicans swore that their tax cuts would lead to the most robust economy we have ever seen. Instead, their theory went bust and drained the surplus that President Clinton had created and left us with a staggering deficit that we are now dealing with.

The American people demanded in November for a change, and for a reason: Republican economic theories don't work and certainly don't put American people back to work.

I urge Washington Republicans to join fellow Republicans like Governor Crist and Governor Schwarzenegger and help us enact President Obama's plan to turn this economy around.

Madam Speaker, on April 18th, 1906, our beloved city of San Francisco experienced an earthquake and fire that devastated all but a handful of buildings and resulted in the deaths of more than 3000. When the temblor struck, at 5:12 a.m. on that spring morning, Herbert Heimie Hamrol was just three years old. When he passed away last week at the age of 106, Mr. Hamrol had outlived all other male survivors.

Madam Speaker, Herb Hamrol was and continues to be a vital part of San Francisco's history. Every year, on the anniversary of the great quake, he would rise early and leave his Daly City home in time to gather at 5:12 a.m. at Lotta's Fountain with other survivors and well- wishers. While he remembered little of the actual quake--being just 3 years old when it happened--Herb was always generous with what memories he had.

``I remember my mother carrying me down the stairs,'' he told a reporter at last year's gathering. He also recalled camping in Golden Gate Park while ominous black smoke filled the skies and rubble lay in the streets.

Herb was not just known to the historic-minded. Many San Franciscans knew him as the kind and helpful clerk at Andronico's Market on Irving Street, not far from his home after the quake, Golden Gate Park.

Defying his advanced age, Herb Hamrol worked up until a week before his death. At 106 years old, he donned an apron and punched a timeclock forty years after many had chosen to retire.

Herb Hamrol was born in San Francisco on January 10, 1903. He left school after the 8th grade for a job delivering meat for a butcher. He later worked as a phone company clerk and owned his own business-- Herbert's Food Shop at 16th and Geary--for forty years. In 1963, he joined Andronico's. Cecilia, the love of his life and wife for forty years, died in 1969. He told the Chronicle in 2003 that he kept a picture of her in his room and, ``Every morning I say 'good morning' to her.''

At last year's remembrance Mayor Gavin Newsom told the crowd of 350, ``There is no greater San Franciscan than Herb.''

Madam Speaker, our city, so many times blessed, was further endowed by the many years we were allowed to call Herb our own. Our condolences go to his large and loving family, including sons Burt and Bil Hamrol; daughter-in-law Carla; grandchildren Michele, Allison, Burt Jr., Jennifer and Cecilia; great-grandchildren Lauren, Dustin, Travis, Ceidric, Nicholas and Pamela; and great-great-grandchildren Alexis and Logan.

During Herb Hamrol's century-plus life, he witnessed two world wars; the invention of television and the computer; the struggle for civil rights, women's suffrage and greater equality for all; advancements in medicine and science that included heart transplants and wonder drugs and putting a man on the Moon. Yet, through it all, Herb kept his life--and his advice--simple. When asked by a reporter to share some of the wisdom gathered in so many years on Earth, he offered a nugget as true today as it was on the day he was born: ``Don't spend every dime you get.''

Madam Speaker, our nation lost a shining light when Mr. Lahori Ram passed away earlier this month.

Mr. Ram was born in 1944 in the village of Lalwan, Punjab, India and came to America in 1972 with $308 in his pocket. He toiled in the fields of the Central Valley, picking almonds and peaches for seventy- five cents an hour while putting himself through school, eventually earning a Master's Degree in Economics and landing a job with the United States Postal Service at San Francisco International Airport.

When Lahori Ram arrived in America, he didn't know a single person. When he left us--far too soon--his friends were legion. Known as Uncle Ji to his extended family of Indian immigrants and their children, Lahori built a real estate empire in the Bay Area by buying and renovating rental properties.

A staunch supporter of his adopted country, Lahori and his beautiful wife, Pritam Kaur, raised three delightful children and saw to it that they received a stellar education and embraced their parents' dual affection for both America and the ``old country'' of India. His two sons, Jagdev (Jack) and Ajaipaul (Paul), are practicing attorneys and daughter Jagdish (Jackie) is on her way to an MBA. In addition, he always had time for his daughters-in-law, Ramitpal and Nelam and doted on his only grandchild, Jasmyne.

Madam Speaker, Lahori Ram was a passionate and progressive leader of the Indo-American community. He founded North America's first Sri Guru Ravidass Temple in Pittsburg, California in 1984. He tirelessly spread his message of equality for all humankind and encouraged education, hard work and love of family, community and country.

Lahori Ram was a mentor for Indians wanting to get involved in the American political process and was the first Indo-American to be appointed to a statewide commission in California. At the time of his passing, he served on California's Economic Development Commission. Previously he served on the state's Technology, Trade and Commerce Committee and the Transportation Commission.

Lahori and Prito Ram bought their first home in San Bruno in 1979. While he built a fortune--eventually owning more than 100 apartment units in the Bay Area--the family remained in their adopted community. His unexpected and sudden passing leaves many mourning the loss, but soon the mention of his name will bring only smiles as his many friends and relatives remember this good man, known worldwide for his grace, hard work and kindness. I am proud to have represented Lahori Ram and prouder still to have been his friend.

Madam Speaker, Rodel Rodis, attorney, author and educator, has been a dedicated member of the Board of Trustees of San Francisco Community College District for eighteen years from 1991-2008. Since his appointment in 1991, Rodel was elected and re-elected by San Francisco voters in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. During his tenure, he was chosen by his peers to serve as President and Vice President of the Board three times.

In addition to his service on the Board, Rodel has volunteered his limited additional time but abundant energy to serve as Chairman of the Association of Community College Trustees, National President of the Association of Asian/Pacific Islander Community College Trustees, founder and Northern California Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations and President of the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California.

A natural leader, Rodel previously served two terms as President of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission where he was instrumental in the decision to transfer fifteen acres of SFPUC property in the South Balboa Reservoir to City College where it will be put to great use for the benefit of the general public, hosting, among other projects, a Joint Use Facility and Performing Arts Center .

Rodel Rodis' achievements are many. While a Trustee, he worked with the Board to advance equality of opportunity through the Latina/Latino Services Network; African American Scholastic Program; Asian Pacific American Student Success; Women's Resource Center and Multicultural Infusion Project. He was also instrumental in passing local bond measures for renovating campus facilities and expanding the use of technology throughout the system.

As we both know, Madam Speaker, San Francisco is a community of diverse neighborhoods. Mr. Rodis recognizes this and has been a strong advocate for the new Mission Campus, the Chinatown/North Beach Campus and the Wellness Center.

Throughout Rodel's career, he has been far more than just an elected representative. His passion for education and his commitment to fairness, equality and the expansion of opportunities for all San Franciscans has made Rodel something of a community touchstone--a person whose wisdom, good humor and professionalism remind us all of what it means to be a citizen.

Madam Speaker, the good work of the San Francisco Community College District makes all of us proud. I am confident that it will continue to provide excellent educational opportunities and career training even without Rodel Rodis' leadership, but his shoes will no doubt be hard to fill and his nearly two decades of public service will long be appreciated.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me in bestowing our sincere thanks to Kendra Kasten, a woman who has devoted thousands of hours of volunteer service to her community and personally helped countless children better their reading skills.

After devoting her professional life to teaching children and her precious free-time to lifting others up and never seeking recognition herself, Kendra is being duly honored by the Town of Hillsborough, California with their ``Community Care Award''.

The Community Care Award ``honors a person in a salaried position with the School District or Town of Hillsborough or other vital community role.'' Ms. Kasten is the embodiment of the criteria set forth for the award, specifically in regard to having ``made a sustained and significant contribution that has broadly touched the lives of our children. These contributions are widely recognized as having lasting impact to our community.''

As both a parent and teacher, Kendra Kasten has given her all to the betterment of her community. A reading specialist, she currently works with Kindergarten to Second Grade students in small groups to help with the development of crucial literacy skills. Kendra also teaches weekly whole-class lessons to 2nd graders in the area of syllabication.

Kendra's lesson plans come from years of teaching experience. She formalized and organized her experience at the urging of her colleagues and used it to benefit all teachers in her school district.

Madam Speaker, in addition to teaching, this vibrant and amazing woman has volunteered in her children's classrooms and the Town Library and served on more committees than any one person could possibly squeeze into a single lifetime. Her husband, Hillsborough Town Councilman Tom Kasten, and children Jeff and Alyssa are fortunate to have such a dynamic partner and role model and also deserve our thanks for loaning their wife and mother to the community.

It is with a great deal of pride that I recognize a true community leader and selfless volunteer--Ms. Kendra Kasten.

Madam Speaker, I have often said that women working together can accomplish great things. I rise this evening to pay tribute to such a group of women, born and raised in the depression in our favorite city, San Francisco, who have helped, consoled, networked, laughed, cried and raised their families together since meeting as schoolchildren some 70 years ago. This special group of ladies is known to themselves and in excess of 100 sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren by the simple name: ``Club.''

The original eight members met as children in the Excelsior District. Marie Regalia (later Kennealy), Anne Desmond (Cordes), Ann Espinosa (Sanchez), Connie Slevin (Voreyer), Mary McBrady (Ghiorso) and Rose Damonte (Larsen) were students at Epiphany Catholic School and Grover Cleveland Elementary but played together at Crocker Amazon Park and remained together through High School and into adulthood.

Along the way, they picked up new members Irene and Janet Loretto, Gena O'Brien, Shirley Kennealy, Jeanne McKevitt, Barbara Dykstra, Elli Morris and Lori Carlin. The group has raised 58 children between them, trading used clothes, toys and baby furniture and providing moral, psychological and baby-sitting help long before modern innovations like the internet, self-help books and Oprah.

Madam Speaker, the women of ``Club'' represent the finest of America. Each has made a profound mark on her community--from serving on boards of charities, presiding over parish women's guilds, coaching and teaching young girls, and unselfishly passing on their hard-earned wisdom to anyone looking for guidance.

After graduating from high school in 1950, the women pledged to meet regularly to compare notes and ideas on how to navigate their rapidly changing world. Most are daughters of immigrants who were raised in the customs and traditions of ``the old country'' and were now charged with charting their own course. For nearly six decades, they have stayed in constant touch, sharing lunches, laughs and the kind of camaraderie that comes only with a lifetime of mutual experiences. Together, they have celebrated births and weddings, grieved at funerals, offered support during divorces and other setbacks and lent a hand whenever any of them needed a lift. In addition, ``Club'' has held more than 100 showers for births, weddings and ordinations to the priesthood.

The families of these confident and outgoing women know all-too-well the far-reaching influence of ``Club''. Indeed, few important decisions are made without running it by the group and woe to the husband who does something foolish or insensitive enough to top the agenda at a monthly get-together.

Madam Speaker, you and I have both said that it is San Franciscans that make San Francisco such a special place. I can think of no greater example to illustrate this point than the vibrant, beautiful and passionate ladies known to all who have made their acquaintance as ``Club.''

Madam Speaker, Mayor Christine Krolik of the Town of Hillsborough, California has served her community well, ever since moving there more than a decade ago. Now, the community is rightly honoring her with the Hillsborough School District Associated Parents Groups' ``Citizen of the Year Award''.

Mayor Krolik is a woman of boundless energy and keen intellect with a limitless can-do attitude. Her cheerful disposition and amazing ability to organize chaos into a cohesive plan are unmatched. To the benefit of her community and our country, Christine has used her awesome powers for good, volunteering for causes great and small, political and charitable, serious and fun.

Since beginning her professional career more than 20 years ago as an actor and director in New York, Ms. Krolik has shared her knowledge and enthusiasm with grateful students and peers in Glenside, Pennsylvania; Greenwich, Connecticut and Gulfstream, Florida as well as her adopted home, northern California.

As Literacy Manager and Special Project Producer for the beloved Magic Theater at San Francisco's Fort Mason, Christine again put her love for theater and impressive performance ability to work for the betterment of the greater community.

Christine's passion for helping others is aptly displayed in the many roles she has filled with the Concours d'Elegance, Hillsborough's principal fund-raising event to benefit its schools. She has also served on the Board of Directors of Hillbarn Theater and the Shelter Network, assuring that every segment of California's 12th Congressional District benefits from her hard work and considerable ability.

It is more than fitting for the Associated Parents' Groups to bestow this honor on Mayor Krolik. Long before she joined the Town Council in 2004, Christine served her community by devoting many hours of volunteer work and she is always the first person anyone calls when they need something done quickly, professionally and cheerfully.

Madam Speaker, I salute Mayor Krolik and thank her husband, Jeff, and sons John and Billy, for sharing Christine with a very appreciative community.

Madam Speaker and Members, it is a remarkable day today because we will vote to insure 11 million American children. But the real question is, do we want to continue to be a third world country because we are the only industrialized Nation in the world that does not provide health care to its children.

Twice our outgoing President has vetoed similar bills. But what is the cost of not providing medical coverage to our children? What is the cost of routine medical conditions clogging our emergency rooms? What is the cost of healthy children sharing classrooms and playgrounds with classmates afflicted with undiagnosed and untreated contagious diseases?

Nearly three-quarters of the uninsured children qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but are not enrolled. And with job losses, multiplying at a record pace, these numbers will only increase.

I urge my colleagues to support this measure because simply put, we cannot afford not to.