Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is a special day. The story begins several years ago. In 2004, just a few days before its dedication, I put on my tennis shoes and walked outside

the U.S. Capitol Building and beyond the Washington Monument to the newly constructed World War II Memorial on the National Mall. As we know, it was inspiring. At long last, nearly 60 years after the war ended, veterans who did so much to protect our country and liberate the world, were to receive recognition for their service, their sacrifice and the victory through a national monument.

I had my cell phone with me, and I stepped away from the memorial and I called my 90-year-old father back in our hometown of Plainville. He is one of the thousands of Americans who left their families and lives behind in World War II to fight for our country. My father fought in Northern Africa and Sicily and Italy.

Fortunately, when I called, I got the answering machine. It's often difficult for sons and daughters to tell their fathers the things we should tell them. The message I left my dad was, ``Dad, I love you. Dad, I'm proud of you, and Dad, thank you for your service to our country.'' I told my dad what I should have said a long time ago, and what we all should say to our veterans.

It was too bad that many of the veterans of this greatest generation, now in their 80s and 90s, are unable, physically or financially, to visit our Nation's Capitol and see this beautiful tribute to their service and sacrifice and to hear those important words.

Earlier this year, Senator Bob Dole, himself a World War II veteran who led the charge to build the memorial, told me about a grassroots, not-for-profit organization called Honor Flight. Honor Flight enables World War II veterans to travel to our Nation's Capital to see the memorial created in their honor. Staffed by volunteers and funded by donations, Honor Flight used commercial and chartered flights to send veterans on a one-day, expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Earl Morse of Ohio and Jeff Miller of North Carolina created the Honor Flight Network, which now operates in 30 States.

Over the past months I have joined Senator Dole to greet Kansas veterans arriving at the World War II Memorial by means of Honor Flight. It is a very moving experience as veterans recount tales of their time in the service to volunteers who are often local high school students. Tourists stop their sightseeing to shake the veterans' hands, and you see the excitement of the veterans' eyes, and many are moved to tears. It's a special day for that generation of heroes.

Of the 16 million veterans who served in World War II, only 2.5 million are alive today. And we are losing them at a rate of 900 each day. Honor Flight is working against time to say ``thank you'' to these veterans.

Tomorrow, after months of preparation and fundraising by volunteers, an Honor Flight of World War II veterans from Plainville to Stockton, from Hays, Hill City, Ness City, and a lot of other small towns of northwest Kansas will be arriving in Washington, D.C. On that flight will be my father, my dad, and 101 of his fellow Kansas veterans will finally see firsthand the World War II Memorial and experience our Nation's gratitude for their service.

Tonight I want to thank the Honor Flight Network and the thousands of volunteers and donors across the country who make these moving experiences possible. In particular, I thank Pat Hageman of Natoma for organizing tomorrow's Honor Flight, the students from Rooks County high schools who are serving as volunteers, the medical personnel, and especially the local businesses, individuals, and veterans service organizations in northwest Kansas who have financed this Honor Flight.

I doubt my dad or any of the other men and women who will be in Washington, D.C., tomorrow will be able to sleep when they go to bed tonight in the small towns across Kansas. They will lay wide awake with nervous anticipation and excitement. But though they lay awake tonight, the rest of America has been able to sleep because of the sacrifice of the World War II veterans.

Tomorrow, once again we all can say that these men and women of our country and our country's other World War II veterans, ``We love you; we are proud of you, and we thank you for your service to our country.''

Madam Speaker, For years, this country has needed a national energy policy that increases the supply of energy, promotes renewable and alternative fuels, and encourages conservation. Kansans deserve action and they need it now. Instead, we have a Democratic Congress blaming the Republican President and both parties trying to score political points in the November election.

After failing to convince my colleagues to stay and work, rather than take an August recess, I voted against Congress adjourning. Now is the time for Congress to adopt a plan to increase supplies and reduce demand. We should stay in Washington until this work is done. The price of gas at the pump, and the cost businesses and farmers face for fuel and fertilizer, tell me that it should not be business as usual in Washington, DC.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Thomas More Preparatory--Marian and their centennial celebration. Located in my hometown of Hays, Kansas, Thomas More Prep recently concluded a 3 day festival commemorating 100 years of educational service. I stand before you in celebration of this remarkable milestone.

TMP, as it is known in Northwest Kansas, has served as a pillar of faith-based learning for generations. Founded by Capuchin Priests in 1908 as Hays Catholic College, the school featured a combination high school and junior college curriculum and would become a vibrant military academy with an active Junior ROTC program. The school would evolve into St. Joseph's Military Academy.

St. Joseph's Military academy was not alone in forming the foundation of what would become TMP-M. Girl's Catholic High School, the female counterpart to the Academy, was founded in 1918. As was the case with St. Joseph's, the school moved several times before it settled and was renamed Marian High School.

The name Thomas More Prep was coined in 1970. In 1981, Marian High School and Thomas More Preparatory merged to form the school that is being recognized today. Madam Speaker, I emphasize the history of this fine institution in an effort to illustrate the dedication and sacrifice exhibited by those charged with its continuation. To administrate and fund a parochial school on the plains of Kansas for one hundred years is no small feat. Admiration is due to Fathers Henry Kluepfel and Eugene Beckner who founded what would become St. Joseph's Military Academy in 1908 as well as Sister M. Reminga Neder, and Fr. Dominic Schuster who founded what would become Marian High school in 1918. Through their perseverance and leadership, an institution was established that would reach a global student body.

As an institution serving many international boarders through the years, TMP-M has created a worldwide network of faithful alumni committed to the advancement of the school. The alumni of this educational system have much to be proud of. Each individual associated with TMP-M's rich history has contributed to the overall identity that the school enjoys. It is through their generosity that the school continues to provide the services necessary to continue the long tradition of academic excellence.

Admiration and thanks are also due to Ms. Jean Ross, current president of the school, Mr. Denis Coakley, principal and headmaster, and Mr. Gene Flax, assistant principal of student affairs. Through their faithful leadership, TMP-M has a bright future to coincide with their storied past. I ask God to continue to show his grace on this institution and I pray for its ongoing success.

I ask you, Madam Speaker, to join me in congratulating Thomas More Prep.--Marian on 100 years of service to its students, alumni and the greater northwest Kansas community.

I thank the gentleman from Washington for yielding me time. In my short time during my service in Congress, I have been a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and have chaired the Health Care Subcommittee, and I am here in the short amount of time I have been allotted to commend the Appropriations Committee for a couple of provisions included in this bill. One deals with travel.

This bill increases the travel reimbursement for our veterans going to a VA hospital or facility from 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile, while we have been discussing the cost of gasoline that has real effects upon our veterans.

As we work to boost VA health care funding, it's important to be reminded that the exceptional medical service that is offered by the VA can only be enjoyed if the veteran can afford to travel to that facility to see that physician.

For most of the time I have been in Congress, I have offered an amendment to the appropriations process to increase that mileage rate. For 30 years, it was 11 cents a mile. Last year, we were successful in increasing it to 28.5 cents and, today, 41.5 cents. I commend my colleagues for their support for that change.

Today's high gas prices mean that many veterans would not otherwise be able to see and be provided with the health care they need.

The second provision is fee-based care. I am pleased that this subcommittee and the committee has added $200 million in fee-based services to improve access to veterans care. Earlier this week on the suspension calendar we had legislation that I introduced that would allow a pilot project to access our veterans to health care providers outside the VA system for fee-based care. If you live such a long distance between where you live and the hospital, or where you live and the CBOC, the outpatient clinic, you would be entitled to receive that service through a private pay contract from the VA to that care provider. That bill is H.R. 1527. I am still hopeful it will be on the House floor this week. But this bill provides the funding to allow that service to happen.

So, again, as a Member of Congress who cares strongly about our veterans and who represents a district that is rural, this bill is important, and makes significant strides in taking care of our rural veterans.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 6599, The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs FY09 Appropriations bill.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 6599

Account: Army Reserve

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Reserve, 89th Regional Readiness Command

Address of Requesting Entity: 2120 G. Washington Blvd., Wichita, KS 67210

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $8,100,000 to support the Department of Defense's request to construct a U.S. Army Reserve Center at Dodge City, KS. This project will provide land and facilities with adequate administrative, training, assembly, and supply/storage areas to support the assigned units' requirements and operations. A new organizational maintenance shop (OMS) will provide space for training and to conduct vehicle maintenance activities and operations. A military equipment park (MEP) is included to accommodate vehicles and equipment for the assigned units. A privately owned vehicle (POV) parking area is also included to accommodate the drilling population.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1279 to recognize and congratulate Special Olympics for 40 years of extraordinary service to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Beyond giving 2.5 million athletes a chance to compete, it gives their families a way to involve their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. A chance for them to cheer. A chance to coach. A chance to connect in a special way. A chance to see their family member be accepted and respected in their communities.

After 40 years, there are now millions of stories of courage in the Special Olympics, but one athlete who has taken the oath and that embodies this year's theme is LP Esquibel from Dodge City, Kansas. He is more than a fan of courage. He is courageous and because of his courage he was awarded the Most Inspirational Athlete award at the Summer Games this year. Cerebral Palsy kept him from walking until he was 5 years old, but it hasn't kept him from becoming a 13-year veteran of the Special Olympics. It also hasn't kept a smile from his face. From all accounts, LP is more than a great athlete in his events of basketball, shot put, and the 100-yard walk, he is an encouragement to his fellow teammates and helps them on the court.

It is stories like LP's that has sold me on the power and benefits of the Special Olympics. Since 2007, I have served as the Honorary Chairman for the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Torch Run covers hundreds of miles throughout Kansas and raises thousands of dollars in support of Special Olympics programs. This year-round fundraiser and awareness initiative was implemented by former Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon in 1981. It became an international event 3 years later in 1984 when Chief LaMunyon presented it to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is now the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics around the world.

It was an honor to help raise money this past summer to help send Kansas athletes to compete in China at the World Olympics. I enjoyed meeting them and hearing of their success.

Special Olympics does remarkable work, both in the State of Kansas and across the globe. I would like to commend the leaders and volunteers of Special Olympics for 40 years of outstanding service and wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express a serious concern with H.R. 6604. With the demand of rising energy costs, we're bringing to the floor a bill that will, in my opinion, do little to bring down the price of energy. In fact, certain provisions of this bill may lead to an increase in prices and may reduce market transparency and increase market volatility.

I want to be clear. I favor changes at the CFTC and believe we can change the act to improve market transparency, oversight, and enforcement activities. I have been working with CFTC and market participants to create a bill that will enhance those functions while giving regulators the necessary tools to prevent market manipulation and fraud. This bill, however, was put together, in my opinion, too quickly and goes too far.

When changing the Commodity Exchange Act, Congress must proceed in a deliberate manner and take into account the advice of industry users, the CFTC, the President's Working Group, and other experts. This bill should be referred back to the Committee on Agriculture so that we can refine provisions to actually enhance transparency and not exclude legitimate market participants.

One of the problems of this legislation is that it will likely reduce market transparency. This is because of certain provisions like the one dealing with the Foreign Board of Trade that seek direct access to U.S. and provisions that require reporting for certain over-the-counter and exempt commercial markets. That will push traders to foreign markets. Rather than giving the CFTC a better picture of the market, it will reduce the picture that the CFTC has and potentially increase fraud and manipulation. It restricts the CFTC's ability to see the market.

Second, this bill attempts to define a ``bona fide hedging transaction.'' In its current form, section 8 will exclude legitimate commercial market participants from properly hedging risk. This will cause an immediate disruption in the markets as the legitimate market participants are forced out. It will reduce market liquidity and increase price volatility.

I am also concerned with provisions in this bill that require routine reporting and potential use of position limits in over-the-counter transactions that are fungible. ``Fungible'' is not defined and suggests that a significant amount of OTC transactions could be implicated by this section. I am especially concerned about the authority given in section 14 to CFTC to impose position limits on OTC trades.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, not only should this bill be returned to committee because of these provisions so that we can take more time and develop a better product, I also recognize that this bill needs to address the root problem of high energy prices, and this will not do so.

I rise in support of H.R. 6445, as amended, the Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act of 2008, a bill that amends title 38 to the United States Code to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled, and a number of other purposes. H.R. 6445 includes the text of four other bills introduced by Members, both Republican and Democrat, and all provisions have bipartisan support.

Section 2 of the bill would ensure that veterans who have been determined to be catastrophically disabled from nonservice-connected would not be required to pay any copayment for their inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care needs. These veterans, because of their very complex medical needs, depend heavily upon the VA for their health care.

There are currently about 25,000 seriously disabled veterans who would benefit from this provision, and I thank our new colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana, Representative Cazayoux, for introducing this bill.

Section 3 of the bill would eliminate an outdated statutory requirement that a veteran being treated for a nonservice-connected condition be hospitalized in order for the VA to provide counseling services to the family members. In today's delivery of health care, this makes no sense. We must ensure that all families, regardless of the nature of the veteran's condition, are eligible for needed and valuable support services that will aid in the treatment of that veteran patient. I want to thank my friend and colleague from the committee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare) for bringing this provision forward.

Section 4 of the bill would require the VA to maintain current pain management policy and ensure that the policy is both effective and implemented in a consistent manner throughout the VA health care delivery system. The VA has long recognized the importance of providing early and appropriate care for management of pain.

In 1998, the VA developed a strategy of ``Pain Assessment, the Fifth Vital Sign,'' which established procedures for pain assessment, treatment, and outcomes at all VA clinical settings. The VA further enhanced its efforts in 2003, and issued a new directive establishing the National Pain Management Strategy. This legislation would support those VA efforts. I thank the gentleman, Mr. Walz, for introducing this measure to ensure the VA maintains a national standard to reduce the suffering of our veterans experiencing acute and chronic pain associated with a wide range of illnesses.

Section 5 of the bill would improve effectiveness of the VA's process for securing reimbursements from third-party insurance companies. This measure was introduced by our ranking member, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer). Mr. Buyer has long been at the forefront of this issue. Every dollar that goes uncollected is one less additional dollar that can be used to enhance the care of our veterans.

The Government Accounting Office has consistently reported the VA's processes and procedures for billing and collecting third-party payments are ineffective and limit the revenue received from those third-party payers. However, in the latest GAO report, June of 2008, the GAO found that the Mid-Atlantic Consolidated Patient Accounting Center, CPAC, achieved better billing performances and reduced billing time, leading to improved collections. The GAO also noted the VA may be leaving over $1.4 billion in uncollected care.

In 2005, the VA created the Mid-Atlantic CPAC in Asheville, North Carolina, to maximize its collections by using a private sector model tailored to VA billing and collection needs. Last Congress, we directed the VA to establish a Revenue Demonstration Project to improve its collections and develop a systemwide model to improve its performance. In fiscal year 2007, CPAC achieved 110 percent of its expected collections, a $20.3 million increase from its performance in the previous fiscal year.

Approximately $12 million for the fiscal year 2007 in additional collections was generated as a result of the Revenue Improvement Demonstration Project. Expanding this project will

continue to improve the VA's collections. Mr. Buyer's measure would require VA to establish no more than seven CPACs within 5 years, modeled after the successful Asheville, North Carolina project.

Improving collections is a win-win for our Nation's veterans, and I want to commend the ranking member for his continued work in this regard.

Finally, Section 6 of the bill would repeal outdated statutory language that requires the VA to provide separate written informed consent for HIV testing, as well as pre-and post-test counseling. Since the requirements were codified almost 20 years ago, there is a better understanding of HIV and its transmission.

The administration in its FY 2009 budget proposal requested this change in law so that veteran patients receive the same standard of HIV care that is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ensuring veterans receive the best care possible requires effective use of VA authorities and resources for the provision of that medical care. I urge my colleagues to support the Veterans' Health Care Policy Enhancement Act.

I now reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

General Leave

I appreciate the gentleman from California's comments. I appreciate him yielding me time. I am delighted to hear what he has to say. This is an important piece of legislation that affects many veterans across the country and has the strong support of many Members of Congress. I know we are working to see if we can get it on the suspension calendar tomorrow. I appreciate the gentleman's comments and assurances.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

As we all know, our Nation owes its very existence to the brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. The freedoms and liberties that we cherish today were attained and protected through their sacrifice. These patriotic citizens have earned and should be provided the highest quality health care available.

I want to thank the leaders of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Chairman Filner, Ranking Member Buyer, as well as Subcommittee on Health Chairman Michaud and Ranking Member Miller for their bipartisan efforts in developing the bill before us today. I also want to thank Mr. Hodes for introducing this legislation to establish an Office of Ombudsman within Department of Veterans Affairs.

In 2007, following the disclosure of problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the President established a Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes and a Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. My predecessor in Congress, Senator Dole, co-chaired this commission.

The recommendations of this commission compelled the VA to initiative a variety of measures to better assist veteran patients and their families. Such initiatives included appointing patient counselor advocates at each VA medical center, providing coordinators for returning OEF and OIF veterans, providing transition patient advocates and establishing the Joint Federal Recovery Coordinator program to assist seriously wounded servicemembers.

H.R. 2192, as amended, would establish a centralized office to monitor the performance of these employees and provide veterans with a single point of contact for assistance with problems that cannot be resolved at the local level. The office would also track patient issues and complaints throughout the system and provide recommendations for improvements in policies, practices and procedures.

I support H.R. 2192, as amended, to ensure that our veterans receive the highest quality health care available, and I urge my colleagues to support it as well.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6532. I come from a State located in the middle of the country. Transportation to and from one's home to their work, transportation from the State of Kansas in moving manufactured and agricultural commodities to the rest of the world, we depend upon infrastructure. Our highways are important to us if we are going to continue to compete in a global economy.

In the absence of this legislation, the State of Kansas would receive $120 million less, a shortfall which would mean that there is 90 less State and local projects at an estimated loss of 8,250 jobs.

Kansas receives about $370 million from the Federal highway trust fund. That would be reduced to $247 million. This is an important piece of legislation that continues to drive the Kansas economy and makes us competitive in a global economy. It is time for us to fix the system now in this short-term manner, but it is also important for Congress to reach a conclusion on how we fund highway and other transportation needs into the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Special Olympics for 40 years of extraordinary service to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Beyond giving 2.5 million athletes a chance to compete, it gives their families a way to involve their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. A chance for them to cheer. A chance to coach. A chance to connect in a special way. A chance to see their family member be accepted and respected in their communities.

Originally an initiative of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the first Special Olympic Games were held on July 20, 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Participation in Special Olympics develops improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self confidence and a more positive self image. Through competitions like power lifting, cycling, track and field, aquatics, tennis and gymnastics, athletes exhibit endless courage and enthusiasm and enjoy the rewards of friendship.

Last month I had the great privilege of addressing the athletes, fans, and families during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Kansas 2008 Summer Games in Wichita. This year's Summer Games theme was ``Be a Fan of Courage.'' This theme reflects the sentiments of the athlete oath, ``Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.'' These words were uttered by gladiators in ancient Rome, and are equally appropriate for modern-day gladiators overcoming their own adversities.

After 40 years, there are now millions of stories of courage in the Special Olympics, but one athlete who has taken the oath and that embodies this year's theme is LP Esquibel from Dodge City, Kansas. He is more than a fan of courage. He is courageous and because of his courage he was awarded the Most Inspirational Athlete award at the Summer Games this year. Cerebral palsy kept him from walking until he was 5 years old, but it has not kept him from becoming a 13-year veteran of the Special Olympics. It also has not kept a smile from his face. From all accounts, LP is more than a great athlete in his events of basketball, shot put, and the 100-yard walk, he is an encouragement to his fellow teammates and helps them on the court.

It is stories like LP's that has sold me on the power and benefits of the Special Olympics. Since 2007, I have served as the Honorary Chairman for the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Torch Run covers hundreds of miles throughout the State and raises thousands of dollars in support of Special Olympics Kansas programs. This year-round fundraiser and awareness initiative was implemented by Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon in 1981. It became an international event three years later in 1984 when Chief LaMunyon presented it to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is now the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics around the world.

It was an honor to help raise money this past summer to help send Kansas athletes to compete in China at the World Olympics. I enjoyed meeting them and hearing of their success.

Special Olympics does remarkable work, both in the State of Kansas and across the globe. I would like to commend the leaders and volunteers of Special Olympics for 40 years of outstanding service and wish them continued success in the future.

I thank the gentleman from Louisiana.

Madam Speaker, I voted in favor of H.R. 6331 and will vote to override the President's veto today. This is a very important piece of legislation for those of us who care strongly about our communities and their survival. And in rural America the delivery of health care is in jeopardy. The pharmaceutical aspect of this bill is one that perhaps has been understated. But those of us who care about the community pharmacists believe that the direction that this bill provides in requiring a timely payment through prompt payments under part D and the elimination for 1 year of the average manufacturers' price, which will undercut the ability of pharmacists to deliver prescription drugs under Medicaid, and the elimination of bidding for durable medical equipment is awfully important.

Much of the focus is upon the elimination of the 10 percent reduction in reimbursement to our physicians for Medicare. And I want to quote from one of my physicians back home in Kansas in a letter to me dated July 7. ``It is with mixed emotions that I am writing to inform you of my intent to leave my Family Medicine practice in Kansas. I have reached the point where I am no longer willing to expose myself or my family to the risk of having to rely upon an increasingly unreliable (and poor) source of income; specifically Medicare. I do not have the margin to absorb others' incompetence or our government's capricious reimbursement. I am no longer willing to be a pawn in the ideological chess match in Washington and therefore as of today I will no longer accept Medicare patients.

``I am at a point in my career where I must consider my family as well as my retirement. We once again have been threatened with an across-the-board 10 percent cut. Congress and the Medicare system are taking advantage of good-intentioned physicians who are more interested in caring for patients and upholding and honoring the Hippocratic Oath than lining their pockets. I feel a sense of guilt, as though I am betraying my Medicare patients. I have realized, however, that it is not I that has betrayed the elderly, rather Congress.''

I think it's important for us to move forward with this legislation. It's a matter of survival for the delivery of health care to many seniors, particularly those who come from places like I do where the population is Medicare dependent. And I appreciate the gentleman from Louisiana giving me the opportunity to express my position and to indicate once again that I will override President Bush's veto.

Madam Speaker, it is easy to be in Washington, DC, making bold predictions and promises and then ignore the realities right in front of our noses. Congress' failure to meet the July 1 deadline to prevent the scheduled fee reductions for Medicare providers is shameful and our failure to act has real consequences.

Seventeen percent of the people I represent are on Medicare, roughly 114,000 people. Many of these citizens live in communities where there are few doctors and few health care options. If the available doctors stop seeing Medicare patients, the health care access for all Kansans will be severely damaged. We must prevent the scheduled physician fee reductions from going into effect, and I encourage the Senate to take up necessary legislation now.

Just this week, I received a letter from a family physician back home. He, of course, expressed his frustration with our current Medicare system. Here are his words:

``It is with mixed emotion that I am writing to inform you of my intent to leave my family medicine practice. I have reached the point where I am no longer willing to expose myself or my family to the risk of having to rely upon an increasingly unreliable and poor source of income, Medicare. As a small business with 12 employees, I don't have the margin to absorb others' incompetence or our government's capricious reimbursement. I am not willing to be a pawn in an ideological chess match in Washington, and therefore as of today I will no longer accept Medicare patients.

``I am considering a position in an economically booming region in another State that is nearly 95 percent private pay. What physician worth their salt will continue in a system that undervalues the work they do for a patient population that is the most complex and the most time demanding?

``Congress and the Medicare system are taking advantage of good- intentioned physicians who are more interested in caring for patients and upholding and honoring the Hippocratic Oath than lining their pockets. Even now, writing this letter to you, I feel a sense of guilt as though I am betraying my Medicare patients. I have realized, however, that it is not I that have betrayed the elderly, rather Congress.''

When doctors close their practices, it creates a gap that is almost impossible for us in rural communities to fill. Congress must understand that we have a responsibility in making physicians want to continue to practice medicine, to not give them the reason to walk out their clinic or hospital doors and never look back. Congress needs to look closely at our role in these trends and make sure we are not encouraging this situation by playing politics with people's health care and their lives.

I hope that the Senate will pass legislation this week that can keep our vital health care system in place and protect our most vulnerable citizens.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and career of Mr. Basil C. Marhofer, a good friend from my home State of Kansas. Mr. Marhofer will be retiring Monday, June 30, from a successful career as a distinguished lawyer and public servant.

Mr. Marhofer's contribution of service has spanned over six decades. After graduating from Ness City High School in Ness City, Kansas, in 1942, Mr. Marhofer served his nation in the European theater in the Second WorId War. After returning from Europe, Mr. Marhofer enrolled in the University of Kansas Law School and graduated in 1951. He opened his first law office that same year in Ness City.

Soon afterwards, Mr. Marhofer was appointed Ness County Attorney, a position that he held until 1959. After spending a short time in Boulder, Colorado, at the University of Colorado Law School, Mr. Marhofer returned to Ness City and to his position as county attorney, where he remained until 1968. In 1971, Mr. Marhofer was elected Mayor of Ness City where he served for 8 years.

Mr. Marhofer has been actively involved in his community, including the local Masonic Lodge and Rotary International. He has held many offices in Rotary International, including District governor and director. In 1988, Mr. Marhofer was elected vice president and represented Rotary International on five continents.

Mr. Marhofer has spent his life serving his community, State, and country. I am proud to know him and to have this opportunity to recognize him. To him, serving his community is not a burden--it is a calling and a way of life. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit Ness City, Mr. Marhofer is always there, greeting me with the utmost hospitality. He is a just scholar of law and an honest public servant who sets an example for us all. I wish him the best as he enters retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Goodlatte for yielding me time to speak in support of a bill that has been developed in part by the House Agriculture Committee. I am glad to see that this issue, the issue of speculation in the futures industry, is being handled by the committee of jurisdiction, the Committee on Agriculture. I think it is important for us to continue our long-standing effort at oversight at CFTC and the futures industry that the Agriculture Committee has had now for many years.

This is an important issue. In fact, I don't think there is a more important issue that this Congress will face except for energy prices. It is a significant conversation, as we all know, and with dramatic consequences upon our constituents.

An e-mail from one of my constituents in Olpe, Kansas, ``What will it take to get beyond partisan politics and the blame game? Society expects children to get along, work together, but they have lousy role models when it comes to government. Many of us are losing hope of Congress ever getting beyond bickering--and in the meantime, our country's problems get worse and worse. It seems that most of our government officials are insulated from the reality that face middle and lower-income families day after day,'' talking about the cost of energy, the prices that Americans are encountering at the pump.

What concerns me, despite my support for this and a belief that CFTC ought to have every tool to discover manipulation, ought to have every tool to discover whatever ``excessive speculation'' means, and we ought to make certain that their enforcement capabilities are strong and beneficial on behalf of the consumer in this country, what concerns me most is that this issue has become the opportunity to do nothing on the underlying cause of why oil and gas prices are so high. And that is increasing demands at a time when we are doing little to increase supply.

And this Congress, we pass legislation dealing with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, requiring that our government no longer fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Whether or not that's a good idea or bad idea, I think all of us would admit it's not going to solve our energy problem. We debated and passed legislation dealing with antitrust and OPEC, and whether that's a good idea or a bad idea, all of us would agree it's not going to solve the problem with the price of energy and the cost at the pump.

And today we're on the House floor talking about speculation. I agree with the gentleman from Virginia. It is time for this Congress to get to this underlying issue that we face in this country: increasing demand for energy and a lack of increase in the supply. The laws of supply and demand work. As much as we Members of Congress might want to pass a law to overcome supply and demand, it cannot be done. And so this Congress needs to adequately express the laws of supply and demand that this country needs.