Jim Davis

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Fortune ``Tino'' Bosco, of Tampa, Florida, who lost his battle with cancer last month. Fortune described himself to many as ``just a poor Italian immigrant,'' but to all who knew him, he was so much more--a grand story teller, a civil rights advocate, a political powerhouse, a bocce ball enthusiast and a dedicated family man.

Born in Lanciano, Italy, Fortune earned a degree in law and economics from the University of Rome, and went on to serve in the Italian National Police and at Interpol, the Paris based international police agency. Also a professional soccer player, in the 1950s, Fortune played on the Italian Olympic soccer team.

In 1954, Fortune arrived in the United States on the Andrea Doria. Later, when the famed ship collided with another cruise liner, Fortune worked as a translator for the rescued Italian passengers. It was during this time that Fortune met the love of his life, Marjorie Nettleton, who was also helping the accident victims. Marjorie and Fortune would go on to settle in Florida and start a family, which became the focal point of Fortune's life.

Fortune earned his second law degree at University of Miami. Afterwards, he was hired as a civil rights attorney by the U.S. Department of Justice and transferred to Tampa to serve in the Office of Economic Opportunity. His passion for protecting civil rights brought him to Selma, Alabama in 1965 to participate in the historic civil rights march.

Always proud of his Italian heritage, Fortune was also known for his weekly ``La Pagina Italiana'' column in Tampa's trilingual La Gaceta newspaper. Even as Fortune struggled with retinitis pigmentosa, which slowly robbed him of his eyesight, Fortune continued to write his column, play bocce ball and chess games and actively participate in local and state political campaigns.

Fortune was active in a host of local community groups including the Sons of Italy, Mona Lisa Lodge and the Italian Club of Tampa. He served on the Mayor's Alliance for People with Disabilities and was an honorary member of the Board of Directors at the Lion's Club.

In so many ways, Fortune represented the heart and soul of Tampa. On behalf of the entire Tampa Bay community, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Fortune's family.

Mr. Speaker, it is outrageous what this Congress is about to do. This Congress is voting on a sorely needed adjustment to reimbursement rates for physicians that is very important to my home State, Florida, and the entire country.

But as part of that, the Congress is also being forced to vote on opening up 8 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico to drilling, which threatens the environment and the economy in the State of Florida. There has not been a single hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives, in the State of Florida, anywhere in the country, on the implications to the environment, the economy, the Florida beaches, not just a State treasure, a national treasure, opening this area up for drilling.

And what's at stake? What's at stake is this drilling is going to occur in a part of the Gulf of Mexico where the currents, the tides, the wind and the slew of hurricanes that we know all plague this part of the country could bring disaster to Florida in the event of a spill.

Now, reasonable people will disagree on the probability of a spill. But we should at least have an open and honest debate as to those facts and the serious implications to the State of Florida if there is a spill, because there has been evidence I have put in this Record from public hearings in Florida, from experts, that if there is a spill out in the Gulf of Mexico, this current could easily bring this oil spill into the west coast of Florida, my home, the Florida Keys, a national treasure, even to the east coast of Florida.

And why are we doing this? For 60 days of oil for the country and 97 days of natural gas one State, the State of Florida, is being put at risk, also, at a time where there are over 4,000 leases currently in effect for the oil and gas industry that are not being tapped.

As a matter of fact, 80 percent of the known oil and gas reserves on the

Outer Continental Shelf are already available for lease exploration and drilling. And yet, on the last day of this Congress, this Congress forces the American people, the United States Congress, who want relief for physicians and their patients, to be forced to open the Gulf of Mexico up to 8 million acres of drilling.

Now, what should happen instead? This rule should be defeated. This Congress should come back next year and have a comprehensive energy bill.

Should Florida support drilling in the Gulf of Mexico? Of course we should. We should be part of the national solution, but only after an open and honest debate to make sure that Florida's environment and our economy is protected, to make sure that drilling is part of a comprehensive bill that includes stronger, smarter fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, emphasis on renewables and alternative fuel. That is the responsible approach, not just for the State of Florida, but for the country.

So I would urge defeat of this rule, and let's go back and take up this issue in a fair way, not just for the State of Florida, but for the entire country.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of DeMaris Marsh of Brandon, Florida, a tireless advocate for America's seniors. Dee's passing last week is a tremendous loss to our community.

Dee devoted countless hours to helping improve the lives of seniors. She was an extremely dedicated volunteer for the AARP, serving the organization and its members in numerous ways. She volunteered as State Director of the AARP in Arkansas and served on the AARP National Legislative Council and the Florida State AARP Legislative Council.

As a Member of Congress, Dee was an invaluable resource to me because she was a strong voice for Florida's seniors. As a member of my Long Term Care Advisory Board, Dee provided important insight into many of the issues and federal programs affecting seniors. I know she advised numerous other legislative and political officials as well.

Dee was also committed to providing direct assistance to her fellow seniors. She taught AARP Driver Safety courses and volunteered as an AARP Tax-Aide counselor, helping seniors complete their federal tax forms. Jeff Johnson, AARP Florida's Grassroots and Community Outreach Manager said it best, ``Dee Marsh was a wonderful human being, an impassioned advocate for Floridians 50 and older, and a devoted volunteer for AARP. Through her many years of advocacy efforts, she was a part of helping improve the lives of millions of older Americans. We at AARP Florida will miss her kind heart, sharp mind and gracious Southern charm.''

I too will miss Dee and her devotion to helping legislators, like me, better serve the needs of our community. On behalf of the entire Tampa Bay community, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Dee's family.