Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act and to be a part of a Congress that has made this a top priority.

I particularly want to recognize the great work of Congresswoman DeGette, the gentlewoman from Colorado, for her outstanding leadership in this issue, and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) for his leadership as well.

This legislation, Mr. Speaker, has strong bipartisan support in both Chambers of Congress. It enjoys the support of up to 70 percent of the American people, and this legislation, stem cell research, offers hope and the promise of a cure to millions of people around the world who are struggling with some of life's most challenging chronic conditions and diseases and disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, I became paralyzed almost 27 years ago as a young police cadet, standing in a locker room when a police officer's gun accidentally discharged, the bullet going into my neck and severing my spinal cord.

It's been an incredible journey and, at times, a difficult one. I was told

back then that I would never walk again, but I have hope and faith, and I've always believed that somehow, through the miracle of science and research, that some day they would find a cure for spinal cord injuries. That day, that hope of a cure, has never been more real than it is today because of stem cell research.

Now, I recognize, though, this isn't just about Jim Langevin or people suffering from spinal cord injuries. This is also about the millions of other people across America and throughout the world who are suffering from diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, juvenile diabetes, cancer and so many others, that could potentially be helped by stem cell research.

Now, I have to be the first to admit that my understanding of stem cell research has evolved and involved ongoing education, thought and prayer. In fact, unlike many of my colleagues who support the stem cell research bill before us, I'm opposed to abortion. The fact that my life hung by a thread, I'm reminded every day how precious a gift life truly is.

But I'm committed to the protection of life at all stages, and I've not taken my decision to support this legislation lightly.

Over the years, I had the good fortune to learn about stem cell research from some of America's renowned scientists, pro-life leaders like Senator Orrin Hatch and also a dear friend who is certainly on my mind today, Christopher Reeve. So many people have helped me to come to the position to support this research, again because of the hope that it offers.

Now, in addition to all of these reasons, I believe that this legislation is vitally important because it provides appropriate safeguards for those that are in S. 5 so it can be done ethically and responsibly.

This offers great hope, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2560, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act. In recent years, Congress has debated various means of banning human cloning. In an area that can be complex and confusing, I am pleased that this bill, which is exceptionally simple and straightforward, has come to the floor here today. Clearly some of my colleagues on the other side of this issue are among those who find it too complex and are confused. Hopefully we can clarify that before the vote today.

H.R. 2560 would make it illegal to use cloning technology to initiate a pregnancy and thereby create a cloned human being. The bill also includes strict penalties to insure that such an Act is prevented from taking place. Unfortunately, there seems to be some misinformation circulating among my colleagues and outside groups surrounding the implications of this bill.

I want to be very clear, this legislation in no way encourages or endorses therapeutic cloning, otherwise known as somatic cell nuclear transfer or any other type of research. On the contrary, this legislation will simply ensure that as technology advances, ethical safeguards are in place to keep human cloning, something we all agree would be a frightening development, from occurring.

For the record, there are no incentives included in this bill, not even any words of encouragement, for any specific types of research. This bill is a simple ban on human cloning once and for all.

Regardless of my colleagues' feelings on stem cell research or any other type of medical research, I cannot imagine why any of them would oppose a ban on human cloning.

Mr. Speaker, I hope all of my colleagues will take the time to understand what this bill does and what it does not do and why it is important and vote in favor of H.R. 2560.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to the supplemental spending measure before us. Though I originally voted against giving the President authority to invade Iraq in October 2002, I supported every supplemental appropriations bill since then because I believed that, irrespective of how we might feel about our operations in Iraq, we must stand together in support of our troops in the field. Those spending bills provided much-needed body armor, up-armored Humvees and lED jammers and helped our men and women and uniform as they undertook challenging and often unconventional missions.

However, in the last 4 years, the situation on the ground in Iraq has changed, and we must adapt our strategy accordingly. We can no longer allow our military to referee what has become a civil war. The underlying causes of violence are now primarily sectarian in nature and can only be resolved by the Iraqis--a conclusion that nearly all foreign security experts accept. Consequently, we need a new approach that will support the Iraqi political process to end sectarian divisions in Iraq, help rebuild the economy and infrastructure, and promote maximum diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the violence. We can meet these goals by redeploying our troops out of Iraq--allowing a limited U.S. military presence solely for training Iraqi Security Forces, protecting our citizens and interests and hunting down al Qaeda and combating terrorism.

Earlier this year, the Democratic-led Congress passed a supplemental spending bill that would have demanded accountability of the Bush Administration and set the groundwork for bringing our troops home. Despite Americans' strong dissatisfaction with his handling of the war, President Bush vetoed that measure. I am deeply disappointed with that decision and with his subsequent unwillingness to work with congressional leadership on a true compromise that funds the needs of our troops while pursuing a new strategy for success in Iraq. The bill before us today does require that the President certify that Iraq is making progress in attaining certain benchmarks--a provision that will help Congress conduct greater oversight. However, it falls short of the accountability requirements in the earlier House-passed measure and gives the President far too much authority to continue prosecuting a war that has been mismanaged from the start by the civilian leadership. Despite my past support of supplemental spending bills, I simply cannot vote for the measure before us today. If we do not shift our mission in Iraq from a military approach to a comprehensive diplomatic and economic one, we run the serious risk of damaging the readiness of our military, doing long-term harm to our armed forces and endangering our national security. I will vote today to support our troops, and the best way we can do that is by getting them out of a civil war and bringing them home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the COPS Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1700). This critical piece of legislation is needed to revitalize the highly successful COPS program and will allow communities in Rhode Island and across the country to hire additional police officers and improve security.

This important initiative was created in 1994 under the Clinton Administration to help local law enforcement agencies hire thousands of additional police officers nationwide. COPS funding has helped police agencies in Rhode Island to hire 385 police officers, and today's measure will allow us to hire an additional 185 officers.

The COPS program takes an innovative approach to aiding local law enforcement agencies through its commitment to community-oriented policing and has proven successful in reducing crime. Unfortunately, in the past few years the Bush Administration and Republican-led Congress have continued to slash funding for this vital program, and the President's FY 2008 budget proposal would eliminate it altogether. I am proud to support a measure that halts this trend and reinstates funding for this vital program.

The COPS Reauthorization Act will establish the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services as a distinct entity within the U.S. Department of Justice and reauthorize hiring programs for officers to engage in community policing, serve as School Resource Officers, and engage in counterterrorism duties. This bill will also provide additional funding for police agencies to purchase lap top computers for patrol cars, crime mapping software, and interoperable communications equipment. Finally, reauthorizing the COPS program will increase funding for critical community prosecuting programs,

Enhancing and fully funding COPS programs will give our local law enforcement agencies the tools they need to fight crime and keep our communities safe. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule and the underlying bill. I know Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter have worked exceptionally hard on this bipartisan measure, and I thank them for their leadership.

Our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have put great strain on our military, and this bill will reverse the decline in readiness. It adds funds for force protection programs such as mine resistant combat vehicles, IED countermeasures and body armor and a much deserved pay raise for the troops.

I'm also pleased that the measure recognizes the importance of submarines to our national security by adding $588 million to construct a second Virginia-class submarine as early as 2009, 3 years earlier than planned. This is welcome news to the men and woman at Electric Boat in Rhode Island, as well as Groton, Connecticut, as well as our entire submarine industrial base, which is threatened by an insufficient workload. The Navy's current shipbuilding plan would have our submarine fleet drop to dangerously low levels in future years, just as other nations are increasing their naval capabilities.

I've been working exceptionally hard for 6 years to address this important national security issue, and I thank Chairman Skelton and Seapower Chairman Taylor for their commitment to a robust submarine force.

This is a good bill and a good rule and, Madam Speaker, I urge its passage. And I thank my colleague for the time.

The rule before us makes in order an amendment I am offering with the gentleman from Maine, Mr. Michaud, that would require military pharmacies to include emergency contraception in the basic core formulary. Access

to this contraception is important to our servicewomen--particularly those who have been the victims of sexual assault--and I urge my colleagues to support our amendment.

We can show our appreciation for all the men and women who keep our Nation safe by voting for this rule and the defense authorization act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I commend the gentleman from Massachusetts for offering this important piece of legislation.

I voted against the war in Iraq, but I have since voted to give our troops the resources to succeed in their mission. They have done exceptional work. But they are now being asked to take sides in a civil war. This is not what we sent them to do, and it is time to bring our troops home.

Let us be clear. Removing our troops from the midst of a civil war does not mean we are abandoning Iraq. We will continue to train Iraqi security forces, support political reconciliation and economic reconstruction, and engage the international community to promote a lasting peace. Most importantly, we will continue to hunt down al Qaeda wherever they may hide. What we will not do is blindly follow the President's failed strategy, which has damaged our military without improving national security.

The situation on the ground has changed, and our plan should too. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to demand a new direction and end the conflict in Iraq and bring our troops home.

I thank the gentleman for offering this important piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, this measure will allow us to begin redeploying our combat forces in Iraq and pursuing a new strategy for success. I voted against giving the President authority to go to war, but I have since voted to give our troops the resources to succeed in their mission. They have done exceptional work, but they are now being asked to take sides in a civil war--resolving conflicts that stretch back for centuries. That is not what we sent them to do, and it is time to bring them home.

Let us be very clear about what this bill does, because there is a lot of rhetoric clouding this debate. Removing our troops from the middle of a civil war does NOT mean we're abandoning Iraq. We will continue to train the Iraqi Security Forces. We will continue to support political reconciliation and economic reconstruction. We will continue to engage the international community to promote a lasting peace. Most importantly, we will continue to hunt down al Qaeda wherever in the world they may try to hide. What we will not do is blindly follow the President's failed strategy--a strategy that has damaged the readiness of our military without improving our national security. The situation on the ground has changed, and our plan should be adjusted accordingly. Sadly, the President has decided to trust his own judgment over that of our military commanders, millions of Iraqis, and, most importantly, the American people. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to demand a new direction that strengthens our military and ends the conflict in Iraq.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2008. I particularly want to commend Chairman Reyes for his outstanding leadership, vision and work on this bill and getting us to where we are today. Equally important, I want to recognize the staff for their hard work as well.

Madam Chair, I have always believed that good intelligence is the pointy tip of the spear. This bill provides intelligence support for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and strengthens information-sharing among Federal, State and local agencies. Most importantly, it enhances the full range of intelligence collection capabilities, tactical and strategic, near term and long term.

The United States relies heavily on satellites to gather intelligence. Our intelligence agencies, working with industry, have developed extraordinary capabilities that build upon proven technologies. And to ensure that we maintain our technological edge, this bill refocuses the Intelligence Community on evolving satellite technology while ensuring that our industrial base also remains strong.

And because nothing beats having eyes on the ground, this bill strengthens human intelligence collection capabilities by adding funds to both CIA and military collectors to receive training and operational skills in critical foreign languages while providing advanced technological tools that support intelligence collection.

This measure further strengthens intelligence analysis by investing in the people of the Intelligence Community. By establishing challenging career paths for intelligence professionals at FBI and DHS, it rewards good work and encourages America's best and brightest to serve. Many of these Americans, because of their personal backgrounds, possess a wealth of expertise on foreign cultures, societies and languages. But for the Intelligence Community to harness their potential, its staff must reflect the myriad experiences, talents and perspectives of the American people.

This bill takes important steps to enhance diversity in the Intelligence Community. For example, it requires the DNI to implement a multi-level security clearance system to ensure that Americans who are ineligible for the highest clearances because they have

relatives overseas and cannot be investigated, for instance, can still offer expertise in their roles.

It is a good bill, and I urge its passage.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act.

In 4 years Congress has not been able to successfully pass an authorization measure into law. That all changes today, and I want to commend the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership in bringing the bill to the floor today.

Today, the Democratic majority is changing paths by making homeland security and appropriate oversight a priority for Congress, and under the leadership of Chairman Thompson, we will pass the bill this year. This bill provides us that opportunity while authorizing an additional $2.1 billion for the Department. This is truly an historic moment. While I applaud many provisions of this bill, I particularly would like to focus on a few key elements that will significantly improve America's security.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, I am particularly pleased that this bill incorporates legislation I introduced to improve the material threat assessment process under Project BioShield. This language requires the Secretary to effectively group similar threats together in order to move towards a ``one drug, many bugs'' approach to biosecurity that will allow us to combat multiple threats simultaneously.

H.R. 1684 also establishes a National Biosurveillance Integration Center based on a measure that I introduced. Biointelligence and biosurveillance provide the early warning systems necessary to detect the spread of disease, whether natural or intentional. This center will integrate data from biosurveillance systems with other intelligence to provide a comprehensive and timely picture of existing biological threats.

Lastly, this bill recognizes the importance of investing more in cybersecurity, a critical need at this juncture. We authorize an additional $50 million for cybersecurity research and development activities at DHS, critical resources to address one of our most pressing and underfunded needs. We cannot overestimate the importance of biosecurity.

Again, I want to stress the importance of cybersecurity, and we need to do more in this area. And I look forward to working with the chairman on this and other priorities.

I want to thank Chairman Thompson for including these and many other critical provisions. I am proud that we are well on our way to seeing the first ever DHS authorization bill signed into law. And I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

Thank you, Chairman Thompson, for your leadership.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act. In 4 years, Congress has not been able to successfully pass an authorization measure into law. Today the Democratic majority is changing paths by making homeland security and appropriate oversight a priority for Congress, and under the leadership of Chairman Thompson, we will pass a bill this year. This bill provides us that opportunity, while authorizing an additional $2.1 billion for the Department. While I applaud many provisions of this bill, I would like to focus on a few key elements that will significantly improve America's security.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology, I am pleased that this bill incorporates legislation I introduced to improve the material threat assessment process under Project BioShield. This language requires the Secretary to effectively group similar threats together in order to move towards a ``one drug, many bugs'' approach to biosecurity that will allow us to combat multiple threats simultaneously.

H.R. 1684 also establishes a National Biosurveillance Integration Center based on a measure I introduced. Biointelligence and biosurveillance provide the early warning systems necessary to detect the spread of disease, whether natural or intentional. This Center will integrate data from biosurveillance systems with other intelligence to provide a comprehensive and timely picture of existing biological threats.

This legislation also incorporates the SAFETY Reform Act of 2007, a measure I introduced to help ensure that safe and effective anti- terrorism technologies are being deployed by the Department of Homeland Security. The provision will increase personnel trained to apply economic, legal and risk analyses involved in the review of anti- terrorism technologies, which will streamline the application process and encourage participation in this program across all levels of government and the private sector.

Lastly, this bill recognizes the importance of investing more in cybersecurity. We authorize an additional $50 million for cybersecurity research and development activities at DHS, critical resources to address one of our most pressing and under-funded needs.

I thank Chairman Thompson for including these and many other critical provisions. I am proud that we are well on our way to seeing the first- ever DHS Authorization bill signed into law, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I am certainly grateful for the opportunity to offer this amendment, which would simply direct officials at the Department of Homeland Security to work with the National Organization on Disability on their Emergency Preparedness Initiative.

We all know that people with disabilities face unique challenges in their daily lives. They range from mobility

impairment to communications barriers, and they can become substantial obstacles in an emergency.

As we take steps to make our Nation a safer place, it is critical to keep in mind that if we neglect issues of accessibility and inclusion in our planning, the problems that surface later will be more complicated, more expensive and, in some cases, could cost people their lives.

After September 11, the National Organization on Disability, or NOD, as it is known, showed tremendous leadership by launching the Emergency Preparedness Initiative, or EPI, to ensure that emergency managers address disability concerns and that people with disabilities are included at all levels of emergency preparedness, planning, response and recovery. Indeed, this time of planning serves all those with special needs, not just individuals with disabilities but also the elderly and other vulnerable populations.

Now, with support from Congress and many in the disability community, EPI has become firmly established within the emergency management industry and among disability advocate organizations.

In my capacity as cochair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I have worked closely with representatives from EPI to highlight these issues here on Capitol Hill and throughout the Nation. The work they are doing is a critical component to our national security, and I am proud to support their efforts.

As we work to keep all Americans safe and secure, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for his sensitivity and his foresight.

Again, I urge my colleagues to look seriously at this amendment. Again, it is vital that we think ahead of time at what people with special needs may need in an emergency situation. So many people who lost their lives, both on 9/11 and as a result of Hurricane Katrina, were people with disabilities in particular. The tragic loss of life across the board was incredibly sad.

We want to make sure where we can prevent loss of life we do so and made sure that those with special needs are not forgotten and their needs are a forethought rather than an afterthought. That is what EPI is all about. I commend them for their hard work in putting together their emergency preparedness plans and working with emergency management officials to include the needs of people with disabilities. I urge adoption of the amendment.

Having no further speakers, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This legislation will expand the Federal definition of hate crimes to include crimes which a victim was selected because of his or her disability.

So much has been done over the years to ensure inclusion of Americans with disabilities in our communities. Sadly, though, there have been shameful instances where these Americans, who may look or speak differently than others, are victims of abuse, neglect or targeted crimes. Investigating and prosecuting hate violence against someone with a disability involves unique challenges to law enforcement. Many violent crimes against people with disabilities go unreported or unprosecuted. Providing Federal resources to law enforcement is essential to help ensure proper prosecution of these crimes.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. This legislation will expand the Federal definition of hate crimes, allowing for Federal resources for law enforcement in their investigations and prosecutions of hate crimes.

I come to the floor today to draw attention to the inclusion of crimes in which a victim was selected because of his or her disability.

The Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, the ADA and other progressive policies have resulted in increased inclusion of Americans with disabilities in our classrooms, workplaces and communities. As a nation, we are growing in our acceptance of those who are perceived as ``different.'' But this effort has not been without growing pains. Many people with disabilities look or speak differently or struggle with challenges like chronic seizures. We have seen too many shameful instances where these Americans are the victims of abuse, neglect and targeted crimes.

I recently learned the story of Ricky Whistnant, a mentally retarded adult man who was excited to have the opportunity to live independently at the age of 39. With the support of a local social service agency, he moved out of a Connecticut state group home and learned to cook for himself, maintain an apartment and be a part of the community. One evening, after cooking himself a chicken dinner, Ricky went to the corner store to buy some soda. He encountered a group of teenagers who mocked him, followed him back to his apartment, hurled a soda bottle at him. After he fell, striking his head on a windowsill, the boys continued to kick and taunt him. Ricky died a short time later in the hospital.

Ricky's story is extreme, but it is not isolated. It represents the reality of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Investigating and prosecuting hate violence against someone with a disability involves unique challenges to law enforcement, and sadly many violent crimes against people with disabilities go unreported or unprosecuted.

As policymakers, we have a responsibility to address this problem. The inclusion of disability in the Federal hate crimes statute is a meaningful and substantive way to combat violence against Americans with disabilities. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1592.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my profound sorrow over the sudden loss of my colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald who died of cancer on April 22, 2007. Juanita was a trailblazer throughout her life and in the House of Representatives, and it was an honor for me to serve alongside her.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Juanita was a former teacher in the Los Angeles public school system and served on the Carson City Council and in the California State Assembly before running for Congress in December 1995. Since then, she had been elected to Congress with an overwhelming amount of support from her constituents. The 37th district of California should be proud that they had such a strong and determined representative in Juanita Millender-McDonald.

Juanita spoke out against injustices both in our country, especially on voting rights and election reform, and abroad, including genocide in Cambodia and Darfur, women's rights and human trafficking. Her hard work and ability to lead earned Juanita the Chairmanship of the Committee on House Administration for the 110th Congress. This appointment also represented another barrier she broke through: Juanita Millender-McDonald was the first African-American woman to chair a House committee.

Having faced many obstacles in my own life, I can truly appreciate the barriers that Juanita knocked down in her lifetime. I know her memory will live on forever, as will the opportunities she helped create for those who follow in her footsteps.

Juanita is survived by her husband, James McDonald, Jr.; five children; and five grandchildren. May we keep her loved ones in our thoughts and prayers as they endure this difficult period.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Our voices, as well as those of Armenian-Americans across the Nation, are essential in the effort to bring needed attention to such a historic tragedy. The Armenian- American community has made tremendous contributions to our country, and their efforts and passion will help ensure that those who lost their lives will not be forgotten.

Today, we pay tribute to the memory of those who died, reflect on all those who have suffered from such prejudice, and vow to raise awareness so that such an atrocity never occurs again. As a member of the Armenian Caucus and a cosponsor of the genocide resolution, I will keep fighting to ensure that the Armenian Genocide is appropriately recognized.

It is a shame that we have not learned from our mistakes in the past regarding genocide, but it is not too late to heal these wounds and also help end atrocities occurring as we speak. To that end, we must not stand by as the situation deteriorates in Darfur. It is our duty to end this human suffering, and I will continue to work to stop this conflict and promote peace in Sudan. Together, let us make this world a better place.

As an ardent supporter of Rhode Island's Armenian-American community throughout my public service career, I am proud to join my colleagues today in honoring the victims of the genocide by paying tribute to their memory, showing compassion for those who have suffered from such prejudice, and never forgetting the pain that they have endured.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 362, the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act.

As you know, it is a sad truth that American students' performance in science and math is below that of other developed countries. Like many of my colleagues, I am concerned that without increased attention to this issue at the elementary, high school and postsecondary levels, our country's technological leadership could decline and ultimately harm not only today's students but tomorrow's economy as well as our national security.

This legislation provides a framework for improving math and science education by investing heavily in the recruitment and training of teachers.

In recent years, I have had the pleasure of observing several of the ``For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,'' or FIRST Program's competitions. This program is designed to inspire young people to take an interest and participate in science and technology. Through FIRST, teams of students and their mentors work together to solve complex, real-world problems or design actual pieces of technology. They are given the opportunity to compete against their peers, all the while developing self-confidence, good sportsmanship, and critical life skills.

The talent and drive of the students I have observed in the FIRST competitions leaves me encouraged--in fact, awestruck--by the potential of America's high school students. I have seen first hand that with quality resources and instruction, our children can do great things in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Today, our support for H.R. 362 is a tremendous step towards bringing these resources to future generations, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Madam Speaker, it is with profound sorrow that I rise today to express my deepest sympathy to everyone in the Virginia Tech community, and to all of their shocked and grieving loved ones. I know I also join millions around the nation who are at a loss to fully comprehend yesterday's shootings on the Virginia Tech campus that took 33 lives, including the shooter. I also pray for the quick and full recovery of all those who were injured.

I am also profoundly saddened to learn that Daniel O'Neil, of Lincoln, RI, was a victim of yesterday's shootings. I join his family and the people of Rhode Island in mourning this great loss.

Madam Speaker, every life that was lost yesterday was taken too early. Every life taken had a history, a family and dreams for the future. In the coming days, these lives will be identified, and we will hear many terrible stories about what happened in those buildings. We will also hear about heroic acts in the face of unimaginable terror. As a nation, we must find solace in each other and reach out to those that need us the most.

As long as I have been in public service, I have tried to answer the question, ``how can we make our country safer than it is right now?'' Unfortunately, yesterday's events showed us all how much work needs to be done. While many questions remain, we do know that yesterday marked the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. I believe it is our job in Congress to make sure an incident like this never happens again. As we await the findings of the investigation, we must look to our laws and security procedures to make sure that they are protecting our citizens. I also hope we can learn from this tragedy will spur a national discussion on how we can reduce gun violence.

Today, let us reflect on the lives we have so senselessly and tragically lost. May we keep them and their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, and may their memory live on forever.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 99, the Budget Resolution for FY 2008. This measure will provide robust funding for some of the most important programs to the American people, while simultaneously maintaining our commitment to fiscal discipline.

Last year, the Democrats promised to move the country in a new and better direction. The budget before us today restores many of the programs that the President proposed to cut, while allowing us to not only balance our budget but return to surplus by 2012. I am pleased that the Democratic budget meets our commitment to national defense and supports those who have served our country by providing significant increases for military and veterans' health care. We must not leave behind those who have risked their lives in defense of our Nation, and this budget includes $3.5 billion more than the President's to improve care in the areas of mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury--areas of great concern for our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology, I am proud to support a budget that properly invests in our homeland security initiatives. Unlike the President's proposal, we provide considerable funding for programs important to state and local law enforcement in Rhode Island, including the State Homeland Security Grant Program, which awarded approximately $50 million to Rhode Island from 2003 to 2006, and the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, from which Rhode Island received $11.5 million from 2004 to 2006. By passing the Democratic budget, we can give first responders in Rhode Island the tools they need to keep our citizens safe.

In addition, the new Democratic leadership has made implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations a top priority for the 110th Congress. This task was completed in the first 100 hours, and today we underscore our commitment to those recommendations by providing sufficient funding to carry them out.

The Democratic budget also meets our Nation's domestic priorities, notably in the area of health care. While the President proposed to cut children from the State Children's Health Insurance Program, SCHIP, our budget includes a $50 billion reserve fund to expand SCHIP to cover more of the nine million children without health insurance in this country. In Rhode Island's RIte Care program, federal SCHIP funds are leveraged to provide health insurance to many children living in families with at least one working parent or an income below 250 percent of the poverty level. RIte Care also covers certain pregnant women and parents, providing peace of mind for families who would otherwise face uncertainty about health care. Still, despite these relatively generous eligibility policies, there are still 18,680 uninsured children in the state, or 6.6 percent of all Rhode Island children, which is why additional support is needed to protect our most vulnerable. The Democratic budget provides that support.

This budget will also increase funding for education, social services, and job training programs by almost $8 billion over the 2008 program level in the President's budget, important steps that we must take to reverse 6 years of harmful cuts. Pell Grants, which offer so many American students the opportunity to access higher education, have seen a significant decline in purchasing power in recent years. Under this budget, we will raise the maximum Pell Grant to at least $4,600 and take significant steps toward making college a possibility for all of our Nation's young people.

The budget we are considering today also restores critical community development and social services programs that the President proposed to cut. Community and regional development programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) provide vital funding for economic and community development in both urban and rural areas nationwide. This proposal will also restore funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps lower-income families cope with rising heating and cooling costs.

In another effort to lower energy costs and provide a new vision for America's energy policy, the Democratic budget makes a major investment in alternative and renewable energy research, which will move us closer to energy independence and improve our environment. It includes an additional $300 million this year for the Department of Energy, which could be invested in renewable and alternative energy development and energy efficiency initiatives. It also establishes a reserve fund that could provide as much as $14 billion over 10 years to invest in clean and renewable energy resources. Just as our Nation rallied around President Kennedy's call to put a man on the moon, we must similarly harness the creativity and expertise of our citizens and private industry to develop new technologies and work toward energy independence.

The Democratic budget also recognizes the importance of preserving our environment and public lands for future generations by providing an additional $2.6 billion for environmental programs--9 percent more than the President's request. It also blocks the President's proposed cuts to vital environmental programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, EPA clean water grants and our National Wildlife Refuge system. Rhode Islanders have a long history of protecting our natural resources, and I am pleased that this budget reflects those values.

Finally, this budget includes several greatly needed extensions of tax provisions that will continue to help middle class families and small businesses to prosper. The Democratic budget establishes a reserve fund that will continue to provide tax cuts to millions of working families nationwide, and it will reduce the burden of the alternative minimum tax (AMT) that adversely affects thousands of Rhode Islanders each year. Democrats are committed to reducing the increasing tax burdens on middle-class Americans in a way that adheres to the fiscally responsible pay-as-you-go rules adopted by this Congress.

For too long the American people have been forced to choose between losing funding for vital domestic programs and running record deficits that will ultimately be passed along for our children and grandchildren to pay. Today, we finally have the opportunity to support a budget that will fund programs thousands of Rhode Islanders rely upon, while maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting yes on the Democratic budget resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, which will create expedited tax incentives for property owners to install automatic fire sprinkler systems.

Four years ago tragedy struck Rhode Island when a fire tore through the Station nightclub in West Warwick. That fire, which killed 100 people and injured 200 more, could have been prevented if fire sprinklers had been installed throughout the building. We all learned a very hard lesson on the importance of installing fire protection equipment--in our homes, our workplaces, our schools and recreational buildings. But with a renewed focus on installing fire sprinklers and other safety devices, we truly can prevent a tragedy like the one in West Warwick from ever occurring again.

The legislation I am introducing today will amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide an incentive to business owners for retrofitting existing buildings with life-saving sprinklers. Specifically, this legislation will reduce the tax depreciation time for retrofitting sprinklers in nonresidential real property from 39 years to only five.

Since January of this year 157 have died nationwide in fires where three or more people were killed, with over 50 percent of the fatalities being children. This is simply an unacceptable reality that could easily be changed with the installation of simple, lifesaving technology. The National Fire Protection Association has no record of a fire killing more than two people in a public assembly, educational, institutional or residential building with a complete and fully operational automatic fire sprinkler system.

Unfortunately, due to the high cost of installing these safety measures, property owners have faced tremendous financial burdens when considering the addition of sprinkler systems. Some states, including my home state of Rhode Island, have passed stricter fire codes requiring the installation of more sprinklers and alarms. While I applaud these efforts, the unfortunate reality is that many business owners simply cannot afford to comply. That is why my legislation is designed to provide a meaningful financial incentive for property owners, reducing any cost burdens they may incur, while significantly improving public safety throughout our country.

The need for enhanced fire safety incentives is certainly not new. In fact, similar legislation was introduced in both the 108th and 109th Congresses, where it garnered over 140 cosponsors each time. Together, we can make a tremendous impact by providing a financial incentive to install sprinklers in every office, restaurant, and nightclub in the country. It is my strong hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting and quickly passing this important measure, before tragedy strikes another community.