Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and to strongly urge the United States to do everything in its power to combat global inequalities. This week, as the UN gathers to discuss these important priorities, we must demonstrate our shared commitment to meeting the challenges we face as a global community.

The Millennium Development Goals aim to significantly reduce global injustices including extreme poverty and hunger, inferior education and healthcare systems, and unequal opportunity between the sexes by 2015. Of particular importance is the effort to cut in half the number of people worldwide--nearly one billion--who suffer from undernourishment or malnourishment.

Before the recent global economic and agriculture crises, many developing regions of the world were on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals for hunger. Now, the tremendous progress seen in Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean has been stymied. It is imperative that we address this issue now. Increased food security leads to advances in health, education, and equality in developing nations, all of which are vital to fostering international goodwill and national security.

Rashieda Weaver, president of the African Youth Coalition Against Hunger, Malnutrition, HIV and AIDS, and a constituent of mine, believes the key to solving this crisis lies in a strong local response, particularly through supporting women farmers. Women produce the majority of food in many developing regions, including up to 80 percent in Africa and 60 percent in Asia. However, in many developing nations, inferior education and economic injustice leaves women, and as a result their families and communities, unable to maximize their output. The U.S. should support programs that emphasize empowering women to produce at their full capacity, which studies show can increase yields by up to 20 percent, reducing hunger in the process.

As we approach the deadline, I urge my colleagues to embrace and support the Millennium Development Goals, and take steps to eradicate food insecurity worldwide.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act. It is essential that we get this legislation to the President's desk as soon as possible.

In the wake of the Great Recession, state budgets across the country, faced with historic funding gaps, simply do not have the funds available to respond to the increased demands placed on Medicaid and school budgets. Unless we provide help by passing this bill, they will need to take resources away from other essential services, laying off firefighters and police officers.

H.R. 1586 extends Medicaid assistance for an additional 6 months, and provides Illinois with $545 million, to ensure that women and children, seniors, and people with disabilities do not lose access to their health care. There has been a bi-partisan call for this funding-- sixteen Republican governors have publically expressed their dire need for this money. For the past several month I have heard from physicians, nurses, hospitals, patients, small clinics, all asking that Congress act to extend Medicaid support. Today their call has been heard.

Local school districts, teachers, and parents have also been in touch regarding the need for financial support during these tough economic times. H.R. 1586 provides $10 billion in educator support that will save 5,700 teacher, school counselor, and school support service jobs in my state alone. Because of this legislation, teachers will not be greeted with class sizes of 50 students, or worse, a pink slip, on their first day of school. It will help ensure that our children can continue get the education they need to be productive members of their community and be able to compete in the 21st century global economy.

This bill will save and create an estimated 319,000 jobs. That includes teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses--all critical employees who get a paycheck from the state. It will also save private jobs. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that for every 100 layoffs in the public sector, the private sector sheds 30 jobs. This bill is not a handout provided during tough times--this is smart policy that will stem job loss and get us out of the Great Recession sooner.

Although this legislation is critically needed, I am greatly disappointed that the Senate included as a ``pay-for'' a provision reducing ARRA-enacted increases in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or food stamps, beginning in 2014. SNAP provides vital, short-term support to individuals during their greatest time of need, ensuring that there is food on the table for themselves and their children. While we need to pass this bill today, I am committed to working with my colleagues to find the funding to restore SNAP funding before 2014.

Mr. Speaker, today marks 20 years since the historic Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. It is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation of the last quarter century. Passage of this groundbreaking law came as a result of the efforts of legions of activists. I want to recognize two individuals, in particular, who made ADA possible. The late Justin Dart, a true civil rights leader, was instrumental in the fight to pass the law that made discrimination against people with disabilities illegal. He showed us the path, and we continue to look to his lessons as we chart new ground. His spirit is with us on this anniversary and every day that we fight for justice for all.

I also want to recognize Marca Bristo, who has been an unflagging national leader in the fight for people living with disabilities. I am lucky to call her a friend but Bristo has also been a teacher. She has educated untold numbers of people, including me, by opening our eyes to the barriers standing in the way of people with disabilities. Bristo has been at the helm of Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago for decades. As an organizer in the critical work of disability rights years before the ADA was passed in Congress, she, too, was incredibly influential in creating and shepherding the law to passage.

Since ADA's passage, we have taken many steps to build on its foundation--and we've accomplished many of our goals in recent years. This includes a historic health care bill that will prevent insurance companies from denying coverage, dropping coverage, setting discriminatory annual or lifetime limits on benefits, or charging higher premiums to people with disabilities. We have passed mental health parity legislation. And we are providing more home- and community-based options for care.

Yet, we cannot sit back and become comfortable with what we have achieved with--and since--passage of the ADA. We know we have much more left to do. Every person must be guaranteed full access to safe housing, good jobs, educational opportunities, quality health care, cutting edge technology, and economic prosperity. Our great country can be made even greater by providing every person with the opportunity to contribute and live comfortably in their community.

We must work to enforce the ADA, not reward those who disobey it. There is simply no excuse for anyone who violates the Americans with Disabilities Act; laws that protect the rights those living with disabilities are no less important and no different from any other legal protection.

We have to make sure that the Community Choice Act is passed and implemented, to further expand the infrastructure so individuals can get convenient, quality care in the settings that everyone prefers: at home and in our own communities.

We must expand opportunities for independence. That is why I am the sponsor of H.R. 1408, the Inclusive Home Design Act, to require that new, single-family homes that get federal assistance meet minimum standards so those with disabilities can come and go freely and seniors can age in place. This is a common sense solution that ensures livability as well as sound economics. Building new homes that are accessible from the start cost several hundred dollars, while retrofitting can cost several thousand dollars or more--forcing some people to move into a nursing home.

We must also expand the realms of access for people living with disabilities--especially to new technologies that did not exist at ADA's inception. Therefore, I am also a sponsor of H.R. 4533, the Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind Act, to require that consumer products like home appliances and office equipment are manufactured so that they are fully accessible to blind consumers.

On this 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I wholeheartedly thank the countless individuals who worked tirelessly to lay the groundwork for ADA in the decades that preceded its passage. Without their passion and activism, we would not be celebrating today. I also thank those who continue the fight, and I look forward to helping to build upon the enormous successes of the ADA--in this Congress and in those to come.

One in every four American households relies on Social Security, including 33.5 million retirees, 7.8 million disabled workers, and 4.2 million children. Its benefits are modest. The average retiree benefit is about $14,000 a year, less than $12,000 for women retirees, but essential. One in four retirees depends on Social Security for almost all of their income.

On August 14, Social Security turns 75 years old. It has never missed a check, and is cherished by Americans of all ages. We are able to celebrate its anniversary because in 2005 Democrats beat back President Bush's and congressional Republicans' privatization efforts.

Today there are new Republicans calling for privatization. Once again, Democrats will step forward to protect and strengthen Social Security so we can celebrate this national treasure for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Next week, on July 6, His Holiness will celebrate his 75th birthday, an occasion that will be marked by Tibetans and Tibet supporters across the world.

The Dalai Lama was born as Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in village in northeastern Tibet. At the age of 2, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, the manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. He was later taken to Lhasa to be enthroned as the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people.

Throughout his life, His Holiness has championed nonviolence and peaceful means for resolving conflicts around the world. He has advocated compassion, respect for human dignity, tolerance, and understanding between the world's great faiths, and dialogues between religious leaders and scientists. For these lifelong commitments, he has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Congressional Gold Medal, and many other honors.

Fifty one-years ago, the Dalai Lama was forced into exile. From that moment he has worked tirelessly to achieve a solution for Tibet and to relieve the ongoing suffering of his people. The Dalai Lama has been courageous and patient in pursuing his ``Middle Way Approach'' of a peacefully negotiated resolution to the Tibet issue with China. Tibetans in Tibet continue to risk their lives in calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to his homeland.

The U.S. Congress has been resolute in its support for the Dalai Lama and his pursuit of freedom, democracy and human rights for Tibetans and others around the world. I had the great personal pleasure of meeting His Holiness during his visit to the United States Capitol in October 2009. I look forward to Congress giving him another warm welcome on his next visit to Washington.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 75th birthday of the Dalai Lama and offering our continued appreciation of his life's work of promoting compassion, peace and human rights for all.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Park Ridge Find Arts Society as they celebrate 50 years of providing free summer concerts for the community. The purpose of the Park Ridge Fine Arts Society is to provide a musical showcase and the means for enjoyment of serious music through free community concerts, and to engage in such activities and programs that will foster all of the fine arts. The concerts draw crowds of 1,500 to 3,500 people, with a season total of more than 30,000 concertgoers.

These concerts are a wonderful way not only to bring beautiful, professional music to the community, but also to bring neighbors together and build a sense of community. Summer in Park Ridge is enriched by these wonderful weekly concerts in Hodges Park.

Frank York established the Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony Orchestra and the Park Ridge Fine Arts Society 50 years ago and remained at the helm of the organization, driven by his vision of excellence, until 2005. Throughout the organization's history, it has maintained the highest artistic standards. The Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony Orchestra is produced and coordinated by the Park Ridge Fine Arts Society to perform the summer concerts. It is a fully professional orchestra, made up of superb musicians from throughout the Chicago area, devoted to bringing the excitement and beauty of great classical music to the northwest suburbs.

I want to recognize the great work of the people who make sure that the concerts are of the highest quality and are available to the community each summer: Barbara Schubert, musical director and conductor; Emily Toy Kosaka, president; Daniel Aranda, vice president; Dennis Van Mieghem, treasurer; Dawn Himley-Grandi, secretary; and the board of directors: Ken Boyce, Pam Boyce, Kevin P. Costello, Doug Crawford, Mike Grandi, Mary Jersey, Russ Jersey, Jim Lange, Paul Lundberg, Debbie Maggio, Mike Maggio, Jack Owens, Christel Owens, and Nancy Tordai.

The orchestra and its concert series in Park Ridge is truly one of the great jewels of the northwest suburbs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3993, the Calling Card Consumer Protection Act. I congratulate my colleague Mr. Engel for introducing it.

Today, more than 276 million American households--89 percent of the U.S. population--have cell phones. But prepaid calling cards remain a huge industry--worth $4 billion in 2007.

They are particularly popular among college students, as well as military personnel and immigrant communities--people who frequently make international calls.

My district is one of the most diverse and international in the Nation. Almost one-third, 31.6 percent, of my constituents are foreign- born, first-generation American residents. So calling cards are very important for them.

Unfortunately, the calling card industry is full of deceptive advertising and hidden fees. A card may say it is worth 250 minutes, but you may get 200 or 100 once you actually use it. Too often, calling cards have no information listed about connection fees, varying rates- per-minute, fees charged each week that you do not use the card, or even fees for just hanging up. When those fees aren't fully disclosed to consumers, we have a serious problem.

Earlier this year, in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, I heard from many of my Haitian constituents who were using calling cards to try to reach their loved ones. Because of the high fees placed on the cards and the lack of clarity about fees and terms, they were going through dozens of cards without ever having a call connected.

At the time, I sent letters to a number of calling card companies. I encouraged them to reach out to their local Haitian communities and to give refunds or issue free cards to customers who bought their cards and had the time run out before the call connected.

Mr. Engel's bill would ensure that fees, rates, expiration dates or limitations of calling cards are clearly and fully disclosed to consumers. This is an important consumer protection bill and I encourage all of my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, this week, the first round of provider payments with a 21 percent cut was sent to physicians who treat Medicare beneficiaries.

This drastic reduction in reimbursements is quite simply unacceptable. Doctors in my district who provide life-saving care to seniors and people with disabilities have called me to say they won't be able to see Medicare patients much longer. Patients have called begging that we prevent the cuts.

I am a strong supporter of a permanent fix to the flawed sustainable growth rate that continues to create instability for providers and uncertainty for Medicare beneficiaries.

H.R. 3961, which passed the House in November 2009, would have responsibly fixed the flawed formula--but Senate Republicans have refused to come to the table to negotiate a permanent solution. For that reason, while I will vote for this bill to stop the pay cuts, I think it falls far short of what is needed.

Under the pay-go agreement, we had agreed to fix physician payments without taking money from other parts of Medicare until December 31, 2011. I am disappointed that we have not stuck to this original agreement.

Senate Amendments to H.R. 3962--also known as the physician payment fix--is not perfect legislation. But without action this cut will create a crisis for Medicare beneficiaries and providers. I simply cannot allow that to happen, and will vote in support of this bill.

This bill will ensure that doctors who see Medicare patients over the next six months receive fair payments. It will ensure that senior citizens and persons with disabilities have access to their doctors. And it gives us time to permanently fix the flawed formula. It is not perfect, but it would be irresponsible not to act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference report on H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act.

I would like to thank Chairman Berman for introducing this legislation, of which I am a cosponsor, and for his tireless work in support of halting Iranian aggression.

Iran's nuclear ambitions not only pose a critical threat to the security of our close ally, Israel, but they also threaten the stability of the entire Middle East region and the world. As we saw clearly last summer, the Iranian regime suppresses democracy and violates human rights at home, and they continue to sponsor terrorist organizations abroad. The bottom line is this: Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

This legislation builds on recent multilateral sanctions negotiated by President Obama. After strong leadership by the Obama Administration, the U.N. Security Council recently passed internationally-binding sanctions against Iran's banking, finance, shipping, and energy sectors, as well as against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The bill we are considering today will augment and strengthen those ongoing multilateral efforts.

This bill expands the current U.S. sanctions regime to target entities involved in selling refined petroleum to Iran or in aiding Iran's domestic refining efforts, as well financial institutions doing business with blacklisted Iranian entities. It provides a legal framework under which state and local governments can divest their portfolios of foreign companies involved in Iran's energy sector.

Mr. Speaker, time is not on our side, and Iran continues to progress toward nuclear weapons capabilities. This legislation contains the most comprehensive package of Iran sanctions ever considered by Congress, and it will give us a full range of economic tools to immediately apply strong pressure on the Iranian regime to abandon the pursuit of nuclear weapons.

This legislation sends a clear message to Tehran that the regime's nuclear program, human rights record, and support for terrorists are unacceptable. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1359, a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

I would like to thank Congressman Ackerman for introducing this important resolution, of which I am a cosponsor, and to commend him and Chairman Berman for their leadership on this critical issue.

On Friday, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will have spent 4 years in captivity. Since June 2006, Shalit has been held by Hamas and denied the humane treatment mandated by international law, including regular communication with his family and visits by the International Red Cross. He has been forced to appear in Hamas propaganda, intended to extort the Israeli government. Shalit was 19 years old at the time of his abduction.

Human beings should not be used as bargaining chips. Gilad Shalit must be immediately and unconditionally released, and all prisoners must be afforded the basic protections of international humanitarian law.

I am also proud to support this resolution because it expresses Congressional support for both the Jewish state of Israel, which must have recognized and secure borders, and a democratic, viable, and independent Palestinian state. I strongly believe that a negotiated, two-state solution offers Israelis and Palestinians alike the best prospect for long-term security and stability.

I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Gilad Shalit.

About 80,000 senior citizens and people with disabilities have already fallen into what we call the doughnut hole. What is that? That is a gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage and is a result of--you know, we just heard criticism of so-called ObamaCare--but the Republicans passed a bill called Medicare part D.

But what it says is that Mrs. Jones, after a certain amount of money that has been spent on her prescription drugs stands in line at the drugstore and says, I'm ordering a refill of my prescriptions.

And the druggist says, Well, Mrs. Jones, that will be $100.

She says, What do you mean, I thought I was insured?

They say, Oh, no, you've gone over the amount of money that the government will give you, and now you're going to have to pay $3,000- plus out of pocket in order to get covered again.

Well, we finally have done something about that, and checks are going to start going out this week to people, the 80,000 that have fallen into the doughnut hole, of $250 to try and help them pay for that, and we're going to ease out the prescription drug doughnut hole.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup. After an incredible season, no team is more deserving.

The Blackhawks lightening-fast pace and tremendous skill level delivered the team the second-best league record in the regular season. Coach Joel Quenneville guided his team masterfully through the playoffs, where the Blackhawks defeated the Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, and San Jose Sharks to win the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as Western Conference champions.

Led by captain and Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Toews, who equaled the Blackhawks single-season playoff scoring record with 29 points, the team met the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals. Each player on the team made significant contributions as they battled the Flyers until the overtime period of game six, where Patrick Kane notched the series-winning goal, earning Chicago its first Stanley Cup since 1961.

As a lifelong fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, I take great pride in congratulating the team on an incredibly thrilling season. I thank them for bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Madhouse on Madison.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I am a strong supporter of stabilizing Medicare physicians' payments permanently. Short-term fixes create instability and uncertainty for physicians and patients. But if we don't act now, on June 1 our doctors are going to see their Medicare payments cut by over 20 percent, and I am simply not willing to allow that to happen, which is why I'm voting ``yes.''

This bill will ensure that doctors who see Medicare patients over the next 19 months will receive fair payments. It will ensure that senior citizens and persons with disabilities have access to their doctors. And it gives us time to permanently fix the flawed formula.

It's not a perfect solution, but it is essential for the health and well-being of seniors and disabled persons on Medicare.

I urge a ``yes'' vote.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise in support of this en bloc amendment, which includes my amendment to improve oversight of contractors in Afghanistan. The United States employs over 100,000 contractors in Afghanistan, and we need to ensure that we have adequate oversight. Reckless behavior by contractors can endanger our mission in Afghanistan, and failure to adequately oversee money can leave billions of taxpayer dollars vulnerable to waste, fraud and abuse.

My amendment requires the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction to report to Congress on existing contractor oversight and make recommendations for increasing oversight and preventing contractors with a history of waste, fraud and abuse from getting future contracts.

I would like to thank Chairman Skelton for supporting this amendment, as well as cosponsors Congressmen McGovern, Conyers, Hinchey and Moran.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1391, a resolution congratulating and commending Israel for its accession to membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD.

On May 10th, it was announced that OECD member states had unanimously voted to extend membership to Israel. This landmark vote recognizes Israel's economic strength, and it is a clear victory over efforts to marginalize and delegitimize the country. Israel's accession to the OECD will speed its economic integration into the global community and provide increased opportunities for foreign investment.

Despite living under the constant threat of terror and war, Israel has developed one of the world's most robust economies. Last year, Israel boasted one of few economies in the world to show growth during the economic crisis. OECD has predicted a 3.5 percent increase in Israel's economy in 2010.

I visited Israel in early April and saw a modern, vibrant economy driven by scientific and technological advancement. While international attention remains fixed on the politics of the region, the OECD vote is a critical recognition of Israel's robust economy and ongoing innovation.

Last week, I joined over 30 of my colleagues in signing a letter to President Obama, thanking him for his administration's strong support of Israel's bid, as well as a letter to OECD Secretary-General Angel Guria expressing appreciation for the OECD vote.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support Israel's accession to the OECD, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.