Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Voice of America's Ukrainian Service on its 60th Anniversary and to honor this organization for its commitment to broadcasting accurate, balanced, and comprehensive news and information to Ukraine.

Founded in 1949, the Voice of America's Ukrainian Service broadcasts two hours of television programming per week to approximately 4.7 million viewers in Ukraine. This service provides up-to-date information on international and American news, as well as feature stories about American life and social trends.

Voice of America's Ukrainian Service has been a steady source of unbiased information for Ukrainian citizens from the height of the Cold War to the collapse of the Soviet Union. More recently, this service was a vital source of commentary and analysis during the Orange Revolution in 2004, which saw the election of a pro-Western Ukrainian majority.

Thanks to the dedication of its staff, Voice of America's Ukrainian Service has played an important role in promoting United States diplomacy and democratic values to Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians continue to benefit from the service's commitment to journalistic excellence.

Voice of America's Ukrainian Service will celebrate its 60th Anniversary on December 11, 2009 at Voice of America headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing the Voice of America's Ukrainian Service for reaching this milestone and commending the continued efforts of this service to aid in the full integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community of democratic nations.

Madam Speaker, Unfortunately, on Thursday, December 3, 2009, I missed two recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall 923 and ``no'' on rollcall 924.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, I missed three recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 911, ``yea'' on rollcall 912, and ``yea'' on rollcall 913.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, I

missed six recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall 896, ``nay'' on rollcall 897, ``nay'' on rollcall 898, ``yea'' on rollcall 899, ``yea'' on rollcall 900, and ``yea'' rollcall 901.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Monday, November 16, 2009, I missed three recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 889, ``yea'' on rollcall 890, and ``aye'' on rollcall 891.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his support of the resolution and for yielding his time.

A special thank you to my good friend from New York (Mr. Bishop) for his leadership on this issue and also for his words this afternoon in support of this resolution, and also thanks to the chairman, Chairman Oberstar; the ranking member, Mr. Mica; the subcommittee chair, Mr. DeFazio; and subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Duncan, for their support of this resolution as well.

As my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and I have heard at recent hearings, the issue of distracted driving has been gaining a lot of attention recently, and rightfully so. On September 30, 2009, Secretary Ray LaHood announced new research findings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that show nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured.

While the most recognized form of distracted driving is talking or texting on the cell phone, the term ``distracted driving'' actually refers to anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind away from driving--including food and beverages, traffic accidents, adjusting the radio, children and pets in the vehicle, smoking, putting on makeup, shaving and reading--all of these behaviors need highlighting.

As my colleague from Oregon, Chairman DeFazio, said during our committee's hearing on distracted driving, ``More research needs to be done so we can fully understand the extent of this problem, but the research that has been done shows a growing consensus the tasks that require the driver to divert their eyes from the road and/or their hands from the steering wheel pose a serious distraction that undermines driver performance.''

The Department of Transportation's recent distracted driving summit put a spotlight on this issue as well. Most car accidents are caused by drivers not paying attention according to the administration.

Improving roadway safety is a top priority not only for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee but the House of Representatives as well. While we are still in the formative stages of establishing a Federal legislative policy consensus, it is important that we do not delay in deploying important educational and awareness outreach efforts, and this resolution attempts to do just that.

This resolution, which we have called the Drive Safer Sunday resolution, simply designates November 29, the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the busiest highway traffic day of the year, as Drive Safer Sunday and encourages all people in the country to use this as an opportunity to educate themselves and others about the dangers of distracted driving and highway safety. This resolution would encourage schools, trucking firms, clergy, and law enforcement to launch educational campaigns to urge students, members, and citizens to be careful about safety and driving.

Motor vehicle travel is the primary means of travel in the United States, and the administration estimates that 37,315 people--or more than 100 drivers a day--were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008. As we approach the busiest traffic day of the year, everyone traveling on the roads and highways needs to be aware of the risks associated with distracted driving and drive safer to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents.

This resolution is a reminder of the personal responsibility each driver accepts every time they put their key in the ignition, and we can all do little things to make the roads safer and be more considerate of the other motorists.

I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) for his kind support of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Monday, November 2, 2009, I missed three recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Roll Call 832, ``yea'' on Roll Call 833, and ``yea'' on Roll Call 834.

Additionally, I missed three recorded votes on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. I ask that the Record reflect that had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 835, ``yea'' on rollcall 836, and ``yea'' on rollcall 837.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, I missed eleven recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall 841, ``nay'' on rollcall 842, ``yea'' on rollcall 843, ``yea'' on rollcall 844, ``yea'' on rollcall 845, ``yea'' on rollcall 846, ``nay'' on rollcall 847, ``yea'' on rollcall 848, ``nay'' on rollcall 849, ``yea'' on rollcall 850, and ``yea'' on rollcall 851.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Democrats' most recent health care reform proposal. Frankly, it's a bad bill that keeps getting worse and worse. Not only will it cost over $1.2 trillion over 10 years, it continues the typical Democrat model of huge tax increases on individuals and small business owners, and it will devastate our seniors' Medicare Advantage program.

Under the latest bill, it will now begin taxing our medical device manufacturers, of which there are 600 such companies in Pennsylvania employing nearly 20,000 people. That tax will do nothing but cut jobs, increase prices, and stifle new product innovation for an industry who wants to grow and prosper in the face of increasing European competition.

If this bill is the best reform this body can produce, it is a sad commentary, indeed, on the Democrats' professed willingness to achieve a commonsense, bipartisan solution to this most pressing issue.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Monday, October 26, 2009, I missed two recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 814 and ``yea'' on rollcall 815.

Additionally, I missed three recorded votes on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 816, ``yea'' on rollcall 817, and ``yea'' on rollcall 818.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues representing Chester County, Congressmen Joe Pitts and Joe Sestak, to congratulate West Goshen Township Police Chief Michael J. Carroll on his induction as President of the International Association of Police Chiefs in Denver, Colorado on October 7, 2009.

The tremendous honor of being selected by his peers to lead the 106- year-old nonprofit organization that promotes professionalism and global policing is just the latest accomplishment in Chief Carroll's distinguished 43-year law enforcement career. He is a Past President of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and Chester County Police Chiefs Associations and has been inducted into the International Police Association Hall of Fame.

The lengthy list of accolades is a testament to Chief Carroll's outstanding leadership and commitment to the department he runs and the community he protects. He has earned the respect of his fellow officers for his passion for police work, determination to solve even the most difficult cases and drive to provide the highest-quality training and resources for all officers.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Police Chief Michael J. Carroll for earning this prestigious international post and for his exemplary service to the residents of Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, I missed three recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on rollcall 790, ``YEA'' on rollcall 791, and ``YEA'' on rollcall 792.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding cultural organization that has served thousands of young Americans in the Philadelphia area.

On October 24, 2009, the Philadelphia Branch of the Ukrainian American Youth Association will celebrate its 60th anniversary. This organization has encouraged three generations of youth to become productive American citizens. Members of the Ukrainian American Youth Association are proud of their national heritage and support the land of their ancestors in its quest to join Western democracies as an independent state.

Throughout my time as a Member of Congress, I have worked closely with members of the Ukrainian American community, including the Ukrainian Federation of America and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, to strengthen the ties between the United States and Ukraine. It gives me great pleasure today to recognize the Ukrainian American Youth Association for its work toward that same end.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring the Philadelphia Branch of the Ukrainian American Youth Association for its support of and service to thousands of Ukrainian American youth over the past sixty years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 754, a resolution honoring the 56th Brigade Combat Team (Stryker) of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard on its return to the United States from deployment in Iraq.

The 56th Stryker Brigade is composed of approximately 4,000 citizen- soldiers from throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These servicemembers come from various communities, including several communities in the 6th Congressional District.

The Brigade has previously served our country honorably, mobilizing and deploying to Kosovo in 2003. On September 19, 2008 the 56th Stryker Brigade was mobilized a second time, deploying to Iraq on January 15, 2009. The Brigade arrived in Iraq in late January 2009 and accepted responsibility of a roughly 800-square-mile area north of Baghdad from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

During their deployment in Iraq, the 56th Striker Brigade played a critical role in support of military operations in Iraq. Brigade Soldiers performed over 800 combined operations with Iraqi security forces, capturing seven brigade level high value targets and 80 additional targets, including the capture of more than 80 enemy weapon caches.

The Soldiers of the Independence Brigade served side by side with Iraqi soldiers to ensure security. The 56th Stryker Brigade is credited with making $22 million worth of reconstruction improvements in coordination with an embedded U.S. provincial reconstruction team. Following their one year of exceptional service, the Brigade returned to the United States and demobilized in September 2009.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring the brave men and women of the 56th Brigade Combat Team (Stryker) of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. May their service be an inspiration to us all.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Honorable Henry J. ``Chip'' Schireson who is completing his 25th year of dedicated public service as a Magisterial District Judge in Lower Merion, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

While efficiently administering a court that averages 1,000 filings each month, Judge Schireson has made a tremendous commitment to positively impacting the youth in the community. His efforts include establishing an innovative and award-winning public service program at Bryn Mawr Hospital, which allows juvenile offenders to serve others to avoid a criminal record. That is just one example of how Judge Schireson utilizes creative sanctions to change the attitudes of offenders and, in some cases, help turn around lives.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing the Honorable Henry J. ``Chip'' Schireson as he celebrates this memorable milestone and honor his extraordinary dedication to making Lower Merion a great place to live, work and raise a family.