Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which, sadly, was the first genocide of the 20th century, a template for a cycle of genocide that continues to occur to this day.

The Armenian Genocide involved the issue of man's injustice to mankind. It continued to occur throughout the 20th century, as we know, in the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and now in Darfur.

Growing up in Fresno, California, as we proudly say, the land of William Saroyan, I heard many stories as a young man from the grandparents of our neighbors, the Kezerians, the Koligians and the Abramhian families, about being forced to leave their homes and farms, the stories of long marches and systematic murders. They believe it was the first genocide of the 20th century, and ladies and gentlemen of the House, I believe it was too.

Genocide is not something that can simply be swept under the rug and forgotten. The United States cannot continue its policy of denial regarding the Armenian genocide, and I encourage that we once again reconsider the passage of H. Res. 106 to recognize the Armenian genocide.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a significant milestone in the history of Kings County, California; the 90th anniversary of the Kings County Farm Bureau.

My district is fortunate to be represented by three County Farm Bureaus. On April 24, 2008, one of those districts, Kings County Farm Bureau, will celebrate their 90th anniversary during their annual banquet in Hanford, California. It is appropriate at this time to recognize the crucial role that the Farm Bureau has played in Kings County and to underscore their many contributions, not only to agriculture in the region, but also to the greater communities of the county, State, and Nation.

Unlike other parts of the country, agriculture continues to be one of the major economic engines in California, providing the country with California's finest farm products. Kings County, continues to set the pace for the rest of the State by remaining one of the State's largest agricultural producers. Farmland constitutes 84 percent of the County's total land acreage and this acreage supports approximately 350 different crops; many of which are grown nowhere else in the Nation. These crops are generating over $1 billion annually to the economy of Kings County and are shipped throughout the United States as well as foreign markets.

Kings County Farm Bureau has persevered in promoting and protecting the family farm, maintaining the treasured natural resources that are so important to California and this Nation's vitality and lifestyle. Through local determination and active participation in the legislative process, Kings County Farm Bureau is helping local agricultural producers maintain a viable system of production and delivery of abundant, safe supplies of wholesome food and fiber to our local, national and export citizens.

Kings County Farm Bureau has been recognized for its work in partnering with and promoting community service. With approximately 25 percent of the workforce in Kings County either directly or indirectly related to the agricultural industry, Kings County Farm Bureau has been a leader in addressing local issues such as air quality, water supply, water quality, conservation, property rights and animal welfare in the local communities.

More than ever today, the role of the Farm Bureaus must be preserved, honored and strengthened. As agriculture evolves, it is essential that our policies be based on current needs of this vital industry. As a farmer myself, I am proud that my family and I represent two generations of membership in Farm Bureau both in Kings County as well as Tulare and Fresno Counties. I commend Kings County Farm Bureau to my colleagues for its presence, dedication and professionalism in serving as the voice of agriculture in Kings County. Congratulations to the Kings County Farm Bureau on its historic 90th year serving Kings County agriculture.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the distinguished public service of Reverend Walt Parry, of Fresno, California. After nearly 25 years with the non-profit organization Fresno Metro Ministry where Reverend Parry succeeded in serving the needs of the local community, he retired this past January.

During his tenure at the Fresno Metro Ministry, Reverend Parry aided thousands of deserving local residents with his passion for excellence and strong ethical drive. I have had the pleasure of working with him frequently and his dedication to the community is to be commended, especially in the areas of public health, cultural diversity and disadvantaged advocacy.

Reverend Parry was instrumental in the creation of the Community Food Bank, an organization that helps distribute food to people in need throughout California's Central Valley. Healthy nutrition was a paramount concern for the Reverend, who both fought against the obesity epidemic as well as the lack of nourishment in the area. Other notable achievements of Reverend Parry include better access to healthcare, clean air, improved nutrition, and a deep respect for multiculturalism in our Valley communities.

Throughout his career in the area, Reverend Walt Parry has proven to be a highly effective administrator who was always committed to excellence in public service. As he gets ready to spend much more time enjoying retirement as well as supporting the social causes he is passionate about on a more personal level, I wish him continued success and best of luck for the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague from California, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, to honor Joseph Claude Shell, a longtime Bakersfield political and community leader, who passed away on Monday, April 7, 2008, at the age of 89.

Joe was born in La Conner, Washington in 1918 and moved with his family to San Diego at the age of 2. Joe attended the University of Southern California and played 3 years of varsity football, which included two trips to the Rose Bowl, and being the captain of the undefeated 1939 team. While Joe was studying law at USC, he served his country during World War II as a civilian flight instructor (having learned to fly at the age of 14) for the U.S. Army Air Corps at Cal Aero and Lancaster from 1942-1943, and eventually joined the Navy in 1944 serving as a senior pilot in the air transport service.

After the war, Joe lived in Los Angeles and worked in the Kern County oil fields as an independent oil producer and drilled many of the wells around Bakersfield. In 1953, Joe won election to the California State Assembly, representing the 58th District, which covered the Wilshire district of Los Angeles. A major political figure in California politics, he served for a decade in the State legislature, 4 of those years as the Assembly Republican Leader, fighting for free enterprise, low taxes, and limited government. During his time in the Assembly, Joe authored the State Scholarship Act, which gave thousands of young people educational opportunities at public and private universities. While in the Assembly, he met Mary K. Hosking, who he married in 1970. In 1962, Joe ran for governor and though he did not win the Republican nomination, he remained active in State and local politics. Joe and Mary K. returned to the oil business and drilled wells in the Deer Creek area, near Porterville. In 1989, Governor George Deukmejian appointed Joe to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, where he served for several years before stepping down.

Joe's death is a great loss for the Bakersfield community, but he will always be remembered for his years of service in the U.S. Armed Forces and California State Assembly, always leading by principle rather than rhetoric, and for his integrity and interest in seeing government perform honestly and with accountability at all levels. Joe is survived by his wife, of 38 years, Mary K. who currently resides in Bakersfield, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren Barbara, Joe, Jr., David, Harold, Diane, Lynn, Geoffrey, Robert, Steven, Stacey, Brian, Dana, Ryan, Nicole, Emily, Jennifer, Matthew, Mark, Justin, Ellie, and Thomas.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding me the time.

I rise today to introduce House Resolution 1053 with my colleague, Congressman Ted Poe. This supports the mission of the goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and that designated that this week, April 13 to April 19, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Congressman Poe and I introduced this resolution on behalf of Victim Rights Caucus members who have joined this effort over the recent years.

In 1980 President Reagan first called for a national observance to recognize and honor millions of victims of crime in our country, their families and survivors. And with a bipartisan effort in Congress, that took place.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week also pays tribute to thousands of community-based systems for victims service providers, who, in fact, provide support to the criminal justice system and allied professionals, who, in fact, help those victims of crime every week throughout the country.

This year's theme for National Crime Victims' Rights Week is ``Justice for Victims, Justice for All.'' We, as a Nation, must do more to ensure that all victims of crime are afforded their legal rights and provided with assistance as they face financial, physical and oftentimes psychological impacts of crime.

When I first arrived in Washington almost 4 years ago, there was a lack of an advocacy group of behalf of victims' rights and issues. Congressman Ted Poe and I decided, as new Members, that we would put together a Victim Rights Caucus. We're very proud of the effects of this caucus in the first 4 years of its origin.

The goals of our caucus are simple: One, to represent crime victims in the United States in a bipartisan effort by supporting legislation that reflects their interests and their needs.

Two, to provide ongoing forum for proactive discussion between Congress and national victims assistance organizations to enhance mutual education, legislative advocacy and initiatives which promote justice for all, including, most importantly, the victims of crime.

Three, to seek opportunities for education to public education initiatives to help those in the United States to understand the impact on crime on victims and to encourage their involvement in crime prevention, victim assistance and community safety.

And, fourth, to protect the restitution fund that was initiated in the early 1980s. Those restitution funds go to the benefits of victims of crimes. Unfortunately, this administration has tried to redirect those restitution funds, which are not taxpayers dollars, but, in fact, criminal dollars, to the general fund. This Congress and the previous Congress prevented that from occurring.

Our caucus has been very successful. We have authored legislation, and I want to thank Congressman Ted Poe for cochairing the caucus with me, and for all of the Members of the House of Representatives who belong to this caucus.

Crime victims are our sons, our daughters, our brothers and our sisters, or neighbors and our friends. And they are struggling to survive in the aftermath of crime. They deserve our support.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of our Nation's best victim's rights advocates. When you navigate the path of America's victims' rights movement, there is one person whose footprints are impossible to fill, difficult to ignore, and wonderful to follow. He is James Rowland, this year's recipient of the Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy.

And ``outstanding'' he is in so many ways! Most people know Jim as the ``father of the victim impact statement.'' Thirty-two years ago, when he was Chief Probation Officer in Fresno County, Jim saw a void in how courts made their sentencing decisions. In 1976, his revolutionary idea allowed written or oral information to be presented about the impact of the crime on the victim and the victim's family. To honor Jim's work in Fresno County, last year the Fresno County Probation Department renamed their crime victim facility as the James Rowland Crime Victim Assistance Center.

These statements allowed courts to refocus their attention on the human costs of crime, and provide a way for victims to participate and have a true voice in the criminal justice process. Today, all 50 states and the Federal government allow victim impact statements in sentencing hearings.

But Jim didn't stop there. He served as the President of NOVA from 1981 to 1983, when the National Organization for Victim Assistance was helping to actually create a ``victim assistance field.'' This was back in the days when victims'' rights and victim services were almost non- existent.

When Jim Rowland was Director of the California Department of Corrections, he was appointed as the first Chair of the American Correctional Association's Task Force on Victims of Crime in 1987. Its landmark Report and Recommendations for Victim Services in Corrections helped create corrections-based victim assistance programs to provide support and assistance to victims in the post-sentencing phases of their cases. Earlier this year, Hawaii became the 50th state to establish a victim assistance program within its Department of Corrections. Mahalo, Jim!

These accomplishments are amazing, but they pale in comparison to the number of professionals and volunteers who have benefited over the past 40 years from Jim Rowland's guidance, mentoring and support. He is a kind, gentle and thoughtful man who has given so much to so many people, including crime victims and those who serve them.

We wouldn't have a Congressional Victim's Rights Caucus today, were it not for the visionary efforts of Jim Rowland. Decades ago, he promoted victims' rights laws, policies and practices that our Caucus was created to promote in the U.S. Congress.

Jim is described by his colleagues as a ``pioneer,'' a ``hero,'' and an ``outstanding Old Buffalo.'' I am proud to describe him as a constituent from my Congressional District in Fresno, California, and as a colleague who inspires all my efforts on behalf of victims of crime.

Ed Stout, in whose name this award is given, knew and worked with Jim Rowland. Ed would, without a doubt, say ``great choice'' in honoring Jim with this award. He would also likely ask, ``what took you so long?''!

It gives me great pleasure to honor Jim Rowland, one of the true pioneers in victim advocacy, with the 2008 Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, to congratulate the Kern County Fire Fighters Union, Inc. IAFF Local 1301 on the celebration of their 50th anniversary.

The Kern County Fire Fighters Union dates back to 1957, when the first organizing meeting was held. Kern County Fire Fighters Union, Inc. IAFF Local 1301 was officially organized on March 24, 1958 with 44 charter members, including Organizing President Arthur A. Arvizu and First Elected President Lester Cheek.

The first Union office was a cardboard box inside an automobile trunk. IAFF Local 1301 bought their first building located at 230 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield, California in April of 1968. The office on Truxtun Avenue was eventually sold and the Union moved to 3615 Mt Vernon Avenue in August of 1982.

While the Union has kept pace with all phases of Kern County Fire Fighter wages, hours and working conditions, some examples of its biggest accomplishments include establishing an Educational Incentive Plan, reducing the work week from 72 hours to 56 Hours with paid holidays, and playing a major role in the signing implementation of the Joint Powers Agreement between the Kern County Fire Department and the Bakersfield City Fire Department.

In the past 50 years, their membership has grown from 44 to 529 strong while 18 presidents have played a vital role in the Union's success.

The Union continues to make every effort to work with the Board of Supervisors, department heads and staff, as well as the Chief of the Kern County Fire Department and his staff, believing that greater strides can be made with all parties working together. Members have always felt secure knowing that no matter what task lies ahead, it will be met with enthusiasm by dedicated members who believe in and live by the Union motto, ``In Unity There Is Strength.''

The 50th anniversary of the Kern County Fire Fighters Union, Inc. IAFF Local 1301 is a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women who risk their lives every day for the safety of our community. Often, when people are running out of buildings, away from the danger, these brave men and women are the ones running toward the flames. They are our everyday heroes and I, along with all Kern County communities, am eternally grateful for their service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of Mr. Tom Richards, The Community Medical Center Foundation, and their partners throughout the 20th District of California for joining together to launch a capital campaign to fulfill a dream--to establish and build a burn and trauma survivor family home on the campus of Community Regional Medical Center.

Community Regional Medical Center hosts the only Level 1 burn and trauma centers between Los Angeles and Sacramento, making it the primary receiving facility for patients in critical condition throughout the Valley and beyond. More than half of Community Regional's burn patients are children. Without any form of temporary housing available, parents traveling long distances for their children's care often face untenable expenses for lodging during their child's treatment. Thanks to the vision and dedication of Community Medical Center and the Richards family, there will soon be a reprieve for these families.

Inspired by his own family's struggle having a loved one miles away in intensive care, Tom Richards committed to help fill a healthcare void in the Central Valley by building a burn and trauma survivor family facility. This 17,000 square foot, twenty-unit facility will provide housing primarily for the immediate families of trauma patients, as well as a much needed family resource center, supplying information and tools for families caring for burn and trauma victims both during and after treatment.

The facility will be named Terry's House in recognition of Tom Richards' brother, Terry, who sustained serious trauma in a car accident at the age of five. For nearly five months, Richards' mother traveled 80 miles a day to be with her son during his recovery. Over 45 years later, Tom Richards hopes Terry's House will help prevent other families from having to endure the same hardship as his did.

By providing a home away from home for burn and trauma families, Terry's House will undoubtedly provide a much needed respite to ease the burden of care on families. I am proud to have such a worthy project in my district and encouraged by the commitment of those involved in bringing Terry's House to life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thomas J. Graff, senior counsel to the Environmental Defense Fund of California. His more than 35 years as a leader in California's environmental and water communities is to be commended, a service that he has performed with intelligence, passion, and humor.

Tom joined the California bar after receiving graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and Harvard Law School. In 1971, Tom founded the first California office of the Environmental Defense Fund. The modern environmental movement was in its infancy, but Tom Graff learned quickly.

Tom worked hard to reform California water policy, particularly in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Working closely with colleagues, allies and adversaries, Tom contributed to projects such as Mono Lake, Imperial Valley, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, CVPIA, and the 1994 Bay-Delta Accord. His efforts in protecting California water resources led to his service on the Colorado River Board, where he worked with Californians and water advocates from throughout the Colorado River basin. A consistent thread in his environmental and water advocacy was economic solutions to complex environmental problems.

Tom Graff's influence crossed over into other aspects of California's environment and economy as well. In the 1980s, he launched efforts to address acid rains and transportation issues. Governor Pete Wilson appointed Tom to the Commission on Transportation Investment, where Tom participated in infrastructure issues.

While the law is, by nature, adversarial, Tom's gifted advocacy has gained him the respect and admiration of many, even those considered his adversaries. Many testify to Tom's practice of active listening in order to genuinely understand his adversaries' interests. This often resulted in solutions that resolved both sides' concerns. In sometimes tense negotiations, Tom was known to insert humor as well as perspective to smooth the way toward resolving potentially intense conflicts. Tom spoke accurately when he said, ``We cannot repeat the water wars of the past.'' ``We have to find a way to work together, or we will all lose.''

Tom's contributions to California's environmental community have been public and political, as well as private and personal. Tom has served as a lecturer at law schools at the University of California--Berkeley and Harvard. His constant practice of mentoring junior colleagues and law students has been spoken highly of.

In everything that Tom Graff has aspired to do, he has helped broaden Californians' understanding of the challenges of balancing environmental and economic concerns, and the use of California's natural resources. It is that effort that I recognize before you today.

Madam Speaker, today I am proud to be joined by the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Mr. Rahall of West Virginia, in introducing the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2008, which would reauthorize the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, a critically important initiative that was created by the Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, originally sponsored by Chairman Rahall.

The importance of geologic maps to our society is not very well known by the general public, but it is hard to overstate. Geologic maps help us build highways, safeguard drinking water, prepare for disasters, protect wildlife, discover precious minerals, locate the fuels that power our society, and much more.

Geologic maps are particularly essential for my own home State. Californians face more geologic hazards than almost anyone else in the country. Over 25 million people live in the State's tectonically active regions near the coast, where earthquakes are only one of a multitude of geologic threats. Landslides, floods, hazardous minerals, and tsunamis are some of the other dangers that come with living in one of the most seismically active and geologically diverse states in the nation.

The STATEMAP component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program has provided over $2.5 million to California, matched by over $2.6 million from the State, to create highly precise geologic maps that are being used by the California Geological Survey's Seismic Hazard Mapping Program to identify areas that are most prone to liquefaction or landslides during earthquakes. This information allows communities to require stronger building codes in areas that are more susceptible to these hazards, or to avoid them altogether.

In addition, the maps created through STATEMAP provide information about the location of California's abundant supply of oil, natural gas, and valuable minerals, and have also been used to support water management decision-making around Lake Tahoe.

California is, of course, not the only State that benefits from the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. Since the program's inception, 49 States, plus Puerto Rico, have matched nearly $70 million in STATEMAP funds to help produce over 7,500 new geologic maps. Despite this effort, only about 25 percent of the Nation has been mapped at a precision that provides the maximum benefits. And only 2 percent of California has been mapped under the STATEMAP program.

There are two additional components to the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program: the FEDMAP component, which is run by the United States Geological Survey and carries out geologic mapping according to priorities developed by a Federal advisory committee, and the EDMAP component, which has provided millions of dollars to help train over 600 students at 131 universities across the Nation. According to the Department of the Interior, the vast majority of those students receiving EDMAP grants continued in the geosciences, indicating that this program is truly helping to train the next generation of geologists.

A reauthorization of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program is necessary in order to continue to move the goals of the program forward, to build on the momentum of the previous 16 years, and to provide comprehensive geologic mapping of the entire country. The program has been reauthorized with broad bipartisan support in 1997 and 1999, and a similar bill introduced in the 109th Congress received the endorsement of the administration and passed the House on a voice vote. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and moving forward quickly toward reauthorizing this essential program.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Foothill High School Agriculture Team of Bakersfield, California on receiving first place in the Parliamentary Procedure Event at the 80th annual National Future Farmers of America Leadership Conference.

The team defeated competition from groups representing 45 states, receiving the country's top Ag education honors. Abigail ``Abby'' Ryan was also named the national Outstanding Presiding President. Winning the state title earlier this year, the students went on to capture a title at the national competition.

Foothill High team members included Abigail Ryan (President), Amber Sawyer (Secretary), Vern Clark, Amanda Shuminski, Leanne Clark, and Wes Pounds. I would also like to recognize the Foothill High Agriculture Coach Josiah Mayfield.

Undoubtedly, the Parliamentary Procedure skills developed will promise success to students in years to come. Some of these skills included the ability to run orderly meetings on agricultural issues by introducing motions, debating topics and voting, demonstrating their knowledge of the principles of democratic assembly.

It gives me great pride to honor the Foothill High Ag Team and congratulate the Principal, Brenda Lewis, the Coach, Josiah Mayfield and these outstanding Ag students for receiving this distinguished award.

Madam Speaker, I rise to urge the House to defeat the rule as well as the AMT fix bill.

Legislation before us violates the promises we made to American people in January. We knew in January that complying with PAYGO would not be easy, but up until today, we've fulfilled our commitment.

In passing this legislation, we are merely again borrowing from China to pay for a short-term fix that needs a long-term solution. This administration has run up $5.6 trillion in debt over the last 6 years of irresponsible fiscal policy. How much debt passed on to our children is enough? Enough is enough.

PAYGO was to be one of the most important reforms we pledged, and today we are now becoming part of that problem by adding to the already $30,000 in federal debt for every man, woman and child in our country.

For decades, Republicans have preached the gospel of fiscal discipline and balanced budgets. When and how has that notion gotten lost? We should stay here until New Year's if we have to in order to find a way to offset the less revenue that will be going to the Treasury.

I support fixing the AMT problem, both in the short run and long term, but the issue is whether we are responsible or irresponsible legislators.

Madam Speaker, I rise along with my colleague from California, Congressman Dennis Cardoza to pay tribute to the life of Alice Katherine Mattos Sanders of Merced, CA, who recently passed away at 110 years of age. Mrs. Sanders was an outstanding lady filled with energy, love and high spirits. She leaves behind a loving family including a daughter-in-law, six grandchildren, fourteen great- grandchildren and twelve great-great-grandchildren.

A strong matriarch born in 1897, Alice immigrated to America from San Jorge Island in the Azores in 1903 with her mother and brothers to join her father. Samuel Mattos, Alice's father, was already in America working and saving money for the family's travels. The Mattos family first settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Alice and her family experienced the legendary 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Soon after, the Mattos family decided to make their home in California's Central Valley in the lovely communities of Dos Palos and then Gustine in Merced County. It was in Gustine where Mrs. Sanders attended high school and met her future husband Clarence Leonard Sanders. They married in 1913 and moved to the State of Oregon soon after following a job offer made to her husband.

After a few years living in Oregon, the couple and their two children, Isabel and Marvin, returned to the Central Valley and settled in Atwater, California in 1922. The family became entrepreneurs in 1947 when they bought a farm and began operating a dairy and almond orchard. Alice worked as a seamstress for many years for a local company called Passadori's and it was during these times she befriended many people in the community who still remember her today.

A woman described as kindhearted and courageous, Alice took pride in raising her children well and doing what she could to make sure her family's needs were met. In 1963, Alice and her husband Clarence celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A year later, Alice would become a widow and still continue on as a strong, independent woman with many years to live ahead of her. As one of the world's oldest Portuguese women, Alice will be remembered for her formidable spirit and splendid character.

Alice Sanders was part of a generation that endured incredible hardships to get to America and build a life for themselves and their families. Mrs. Sanders will be remembered for her commitment to her family and community and the lives she so graciously touched. She saw three centuries and a world full of change; she is a true inspiration to us all. I am honored and humbled to join her family in celebrating the life of an amazing woman.

Madam Speaker, when the Democratic Congress was elected last November, we pledged to enact measures to protect and support our military troops and veterans. Since taking office, we have honored that promise by passing important legislation.

This year, the House has passed the largest increase for veterans health care in the history of the Veterans Administration, has made major improvements in equipment and training, including protecting the mine resistant ambush protected vehicles that reduce the strain on our servicemen and women and protect them in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today, we continue that commitment by passing the Defense authorization conference report, which includes a much-needed 3.5 percent pay increase for our troops, improves military health care, and requires a report on the current state of readiness for our forces, which are stretched very thin.

Madam Speaker, this Congress has a proud record this year of supporting our troops and veterans. I hope all of our colleagues will join in continuing these efforts by supporting the Department of Defense authorization conference report.

On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, we honor those who have served and given their lives. This vote today honors those who serve us every day. I urge the President to sign this legislation once it has passed the Congress.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza) for yielding me this time to speak in support of this rule.

What we are really talking about this morning is do we choose the easy road of least resistance to provide tax relief with the alternative minimum tax or do we choose the more difficult road that requires fiscal discipline, that requires us to be honest with the American taxpayers as to how we are plotting our fiscal priorities for our Nation today, tomorrow and for future generations.

We are debating the Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2007. It is important tax relief for millions of Americans. I support this legislation as it stands now. It is actually the second time in recent months that the House will send a paid-for alternative minimum tax relief to the Senate. It is important that we do this.

According to Secretary Paulson and the Department of the Treasury, unless we fix the AMT, 25 million taxpayers will be subject to it in 2007. That is 21 million more Americans than in 2006.

However, it is important, I believe, and I think many of those in the Blue Dog Caucus feel as well, that we pay as we go, that we provide the PAYGO provision that has been in every measure that has passed this House since January of this year.

PAYGO was implemented by the Democratic Congress actually back in 1990. It was signed into law by the elder President George Bush, and it was part of the rules of the Congress for 11 years. It was a tool that we put in place to rein in deficits that the Federal Government had experienced since the early 1970s.

This Congress pledged to reenact that pledge to the American people, to bring our House back in fiscal order. We have kept that promise since January of this year. Every single bill that we have voted on has complied with the PAYGO rule.

It is important that we note that our current debt is $9 trillion. Enough is enough. Much of that debt is owed by foreign nations. We can pass today the Alternative Minimum Tax Act by not borrowing money from China because of this PAYGO provision. I want to thank the leadership of this House for sticking with PAYGO. I urge my colleagues to vote for this measure, the rule and the underlying bill.