Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor James E. McErlane, who has earned the 2010 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Chester County Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Scouting has been a part of Mr. McErlane's life since he joined Troop 7 in Malvern, Pennsylvania as a youth. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and earned his Parvuli Dei Catholic Scouting Award. A man of tremendous character, Mr. McErlane epitomizes the principles of leadership, self-discipline, hard work and a duty to serve his country and community that Scouting instilled in him.

Mr. McErlane has worked to promote the traditions and enhance the experience of Scouting for area youth, serving on the Chester County Council's Executive Board of Directors and as a member on several Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner committees. He also chaired the Eagle Scout Alumni Committee.

In addition to being a Senior Partner at Lamb McErlane Law Offices, Mr. McErlane continues serving as an active member of the Chester County Library Trust and the Chester County Food Bank.

His extremely successful legal career and tireless work in the community have earned Mr. McErlane the respect and admiration of his peers and all who know him.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing James E. McErlane for his valuable contributions to improving the quality of life in his community and his exemplary commitment to the values of Scouting.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the students, parents, teachers, administrators and staff of Spring City Elementary School in Chester County, Pennsylvania as they celebrate the school's 50th anniversary.

During the last half century, Spring City Elementary has been a cornerstone in the community and the starting point for students' educational journeys.

Spring City Elementary was built on the former site of the Spring City Race Track on South Wall Street just a few years after the formal establishment of the Spring-Ford School District. When the school opened in the spring of 1960, 305 students were enrolled.

Spring City Elementary is tremendously proud of the supportive, caring environment for learning and working. That nurturing atmosphere creates a sense of community that is as sturdy as the bricks and steel used to build the school.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating the Spring City Elementary School community as it commemorates this memorable milestone and in offering the students, parents, teachers, administrators and staff best wishes for continued success.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues and to thank my colleagues--Congressman Bachus, Congressman Reichert, Congressman Pitts, Congressman Smith, Congressman Doyle, Congressman Towns. Thank you for joining in support of this resolution to recognize April 2010 as National Autism Awareness Month.

As you may know, last December the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report on the prevalence of autism. This report concluded that autism affects an estimated one out of every 110 children in the United States, including one in 70 boys. This means that autism is more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined. In addition to being one of the most common disorders that affect our children, autism is believed to cost more than $90 billion a year to treat.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare released its Pennsylvania Autism Census, which conducted a county-by- county census on the number of individuals suffering from autism. The total number of individuals with autism in the Commonwealth is estimated to be over 25,000, including 3,500 adults with the disorder.

Despite the prevalence of autism and its impact on individuals, families, and our Nation's health care system, there is still much to be learned about how best to diagnose and treat this disorder. That's why our resolution supports devoting resources toward researching the root causes of autism and identifying the best treatments and programs to help individuals with the disorder.

Because autism affects the entire family, not just the child with the disorder, our resolution also commends the parents and relatives of children with autism for their dedication in providing for their special needs. While there's no single cause known for autism, I believe we should focus our attention on increased awareness and funding for autism research. Our resolution is an important step in achieving our goal of searching for better treatments and hopefully, one day, a cure.

Please join me and my colleagues in supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the citizens of Israel and all Jewish-Americans as they celebrate Israel's 62nd Independence Day.

Israel and its citizens have demonstrated tremendous resilience in the face of constant threats to their personal and national security. The United States has no stronger ally in the Middle East than Israel. The special relationship between the U.S. and Israel is rooted in our common commitment to democratic values and shared vision of establishing and maintaining a lasting peace in the region.

Israel's Independence Day should serve as an occasion to renew our commitment to the long-term security of our cherished ally and reaffirm that a strong Israel is vital to our national interest and the stability of the Middle East.

Daniel Kutner, Consul General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States, will welcome supporters of Israel to the annual Independence Day Ceremony on April 26, 2010 at the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing the citizens of Israel and all Jewish-Americans as they commemorate this extremely special milestone and expressing unwavering support for the security and stability of this shining beacon of democracy in a turbulent Middle East.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Pine Forge Athletic Association as it celebrates 40 years of providing and promoting baseball and softball for the youth in the Boyertown Area School District and neighboring communities.

The Association formed as a result of the vision and leadership of Merle Harner and Robert ``Skip'' Trainer, who wanted to create more opportunities for participating in youth sports. The Association has thrived since its first team began practicing and playing on a single, small field at Pine Forge Elementary School four decades ago. Today, more than 400 boys and girls play on more than 30 teams that have access to as many as 15 fields faithfully maintained by the Association.

While many things have changed since 1970, the Association remains committed to the core principles of teaching the fundamentals of the game, promoting good sportsmanship and helping youth learn the importance of team work, perseverance and hard work. The Association's tremendous success was made possible thanks to dedicated volunteers who generously give countless hours each year to serve as coaches, umpires, league officials and in various other roles.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating the Pine Forge Athletic Association as it commemorates this very special milestone and offering best wishes for continued success in enriching the lives of our youth and strengthening the bonds within our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lionville Youth Association as it celebrates 40 years of providing excellent recreational opportunities and sports programs to boys and girls in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

The Association has come a long way since its inception in 1970 when it developed playing fields on two, pie-shaped parcels along Devon Drive in an era when backstops were made of chicken wire and the snow fences served as outfield walls. Last year, more than 1,600 children participated in sports leagues organized by the Association and competed on well-groomed playing fields with dugouts, electronic scoreboards and press boxes. Countless youth teams have celebrated championships earned while playing on one of the athletic fields faithfully maintained by the Association. More importantly, the Association has afforded boys and girls a chance to learn valuable lessons in team work, hard work and perseverance that will benefit them long after they leave the playing field.

The Association's tremendous success and increased participation in youth sports can be attributed to the 550 volunteers who generously give 180,000 hours each year to serve as coaches, umpires, referees, concession stand workers, league officials and in various other roles.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating the Lionville Youth Association as it commemorates this very special milestone and offering best wishes for continued success in enriching the lives of our youth and strengthening the bonds within our community.

Madam Speaker, as I stand here today, congressional Democrat leadership has yet to finalize or publish the so-called fix-it bill that will ultimately be the basis to gather the 216 votes necessary to pass health care reform, and they certainly haven't said how much it is going to cost; yet Democrat after Democrat has gotten up here today saying that they are for this legislation.

So think about it. How can you be for a bill that is not yet written, not yet finalized, not yet published, and for which no one knows how much it is going to cost? The answer is simple. It is really not about how much it costs or how many people it will cover; it is about control, government control over who is going to make health care decisions in this country. And that is exactly what the American people are rejecting.

Madam Speaker, the swamp isn't being drained through this process; it apparently is just getting deeper and wider.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Gladys Flamer, a Coatesville, Pennsylvania resident whose tremendous dedication to her community and church and participation in local politics have earned her the Fourth Annual Rebecca Lukens Award.

At 103 years old, Gladys maintains an incredible work ethic that she developed at her father's side helping with farm chores and polishing silver with other employees at the estate of Lukens Steel President Robert Wolcott. After holding jobs as a licensed practical nurse and owning her own beauty salon, Gladys retired from her jobs as a sales associate at Strawbridge and Clothier at age 90.

She still bakes homemade pies and serves lunch to the Thursday Retired Men's Club in Coatesville.

Gladys has worked equally hard to help improve the Coatesville community. She is a member of the Coatesville Historical Commission, The Eastern Stars, The Better Community Group, and the Coatesville Senior Center. She also served as a Judge of Elections in Coatesville's Fifth Ward and as President and Treasurer of the Hyacinth Federated Club. As a member of the Historical Hutchinson Memorial UAME Church, Gladys has been a member of the Senior Usher Board for more than 84 years, serving 17 years as President.

The Graystone Society, located in the Lukens National Historic District of Coatesville, will present the Rebeca Lukens award during a reception March 18, 2010 in the Lukens Executive Office Building.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Gladys Flamer for her long-standing civic involvement and tireless work in helping others. She is an inspiration to all.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lewis F. ``Lew'' Gould Jr. for his longstanding selfless and passionate service to Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County.

As a four-term Lower Merion Township Commissioner, Lew has been a leading voice for fiscal responsibility and sound stewardship of community resources. He has earned the respect of his colleagues for his frankness and his willingness to mentor younger community leaders on the duties and responsibilities associated with governing the largest municipality in the 6th Congressional District.

Lew's efforts have earned him the 2010 Service Award from the Republican Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth. The award will be presented during the Committee's annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the Merion Tribute House in Merion Station, Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in extending our deepest appreciation to Lewis F. ``Lew'' Gould Jr. for his exemplary leadership, civic engagement and dedication to making Lower Merion Township a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor George Quier, a Southeastern Pennsylvania resident and dedicated volunteer celebrating his 100th birthday.

George remains an extremely active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge #57 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. His roots in the Odd Fellows organization run deep, as George, and his 103-year-old brother, Calvin, were raised in the Odd Fellows Philadelphia orphanage.

And George, who bravely served our country in the Army for 22 years, has been a member of the Odd Fellows for more than 80 years. To this day, he faithfully fulfills the Odd Fellows pledge to visit the sick and relieve the distressed by volunteering seven hours per day, five days per week at Mercy Suburban Hospital.

Friends and members of the Odd Fellows Lodge #57 who cherish George's companionship and commitment to the organization will celebrate his remarkable personal milestone during a dinner at P.J. Whelihans in Whitpain Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 2010.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring George Quier for his tremendous volunteer spirit and in wishing him a very happy 100th birthday. He is an inspiration to all.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, I missed three recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall 17, ``yea'' on Rollcall 18 and ``yea'' on Rollcall 19.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 981, which supports the continued political and economic development in Ukraine. This important resolution represents another step in our continued efforts to support the Ukrainian people in their efforts to fully integrate into the Euro-Atlantic community of democratic nations.

On January 17th, Ukraine will hold its presidential election with a subsequent run-off held on February 7th. This election represents a critical moment not only for Ukraine, but for the region as a whole. As Ukraine continues along the path of economic and political integration, it is my hope that the presidential election will be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

As a co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, I believe it is important to encourage closer ties between the United States and Ukraine. This relationship must be one that is continually fostered and strengthened, both politically and economically. By expressing our support for free and democratic elections, Congress can assist the Ukrainian people in their efforts to join the larger Euro-Atlantic community of democratic nations.

I would like to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for their continued support of legislation aimed at strengthening the ties of the United States with a key ally in Eastern Europe and encouraging fair and democratic elections. In light of the recent economic struggles of Ukraine, our support and continued friendship is critical.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 981 and in favor of continued friendship and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their efforts to fully integrate into the Euro- Atlantic community of democratic nations.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Monday, December 14, 2009, I missed two recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on rollcall 969 and YEA on rollcall 970.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Honorable Calvin S. Drayer Jr. who is retiring after faithfully serving the people of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, as a Common Pleas Court Judge since 1998.

Before joining the Montgomery County Court, Judge Drayer had a distinguished legal career that spanned nearly 30 years. He was a founding partner in the Norristown-based firm of Wilson, Drayer, Morrow and Broderick where he concentrated on estates and trust law.

Despite his demanding career and heavy caseload, Judge Drayer has always been generous with his time and talent outside the courtroom. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel and a member of both the Supreme Court Orphans' Court Procedural Rules Committee and the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission Advisory Committee on Descedents' Estates. Judge Drayer also was an organizer of the probate and Tax Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association and an adjunct professor in the graduate tax program at the Villanova University School of Law.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing the outstanding service and extraordinary career of the Honorable Calvin S. Drayer Jr. and all who dedicate their careers to the pursuit of justice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Democrats' same-day rule on the underlying bill, H.R. 4173.

There is no doubt that the American people are hurting. Our Nation's unemployment rate is at 10 percent and, in some States, even higher. Our citizens are struggling to make ends meet.

The Democrats' permanent bailout bill, however, will not put Americans back to work. In fact, it will actually cost more Americans their jobs. This bill will make it harder for our families and for our small businesses to get credit in our local communities that they absolutely need to create more jobs. It is certainly going to expand the Federal Government even beyond its current size, and it will empower Washington bureaucrats through the creation of yet another Federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

This is despite the fact that there has already been a multitude of efforts this year to expand Federal power into the auto industry, the housing industry, the energy industry, the health care industry, and now the financial services industry. The effort of seeking more and more power by the Federal Government over more and more aspects of our daily lives is simply breathtaking.

Mr. Speaker, this is the wrong approach to take, and the American people deserve better. Republicans have a better plan to end taxpayer- funded bailouts. I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule and to support our substitute amendment.