Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey.

Madam Speaker, I rise today because, every now and then, we are reminded that there are still people around the world fighting fiercely to secure the same individual liberties and foster the very same democratic traditions that Americans have been blessed with for nearly 238 years.

During the past 3 months, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens have taken to the streets of Kyiv and other cities in peaceful protest of a government that has ignored the will of the people and steered the country away from closer ties to democratic allies and supporters.

The initial response from Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was brutal. Government forces attacked protesters, resulting in at least five reported deaths.

Furthermore, President Yanukovych enacted harsh new laws aimed at snuffing out dissent by making it a crime to peacefully protest against the government.

Thanks to the vigilance of my colleagues in the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and the leadership of Congressman Engel, Chairman Royce, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Keating, the actions of President Yanukovych have not gone unnoticed here in the United States Congress.

Many of us have individually condemned the use of violent, repressive tactics against the protesters. Those of us in the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus have tried to convey to those fighting for democracy in Ukraine that their efforts are not in vain, and that totalitarianism must not be allowed to rise again in any fashion.

Today, all of us in the House have a chance to stand united with our friends in Ukraine who desire greater economic opportunity and individual liberty. So I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution to let the world know the United States will not stand by and allow repression, violence, and political intimidation to prevail in Ukraine.

Let's adopt this resolution for all those in Ukraine who wish for a government that is transparent, honors the fundamental human rights of its citizens, and respects the dignity of all Ukrainians, regardless of political affiliation.

I thank the gentleman from California for introducing this resolution. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for recognizing me.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on February 3, 2014, I missed two recorded

votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 32 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 33.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on January 13, 2014, I missed two recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 12 and ``yea'' on rollcall 13.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on December 5, 2013, my vote on the House floor was not properly registered. Had my vote registered, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 625.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Rotary Club of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

The Rotary Club of Reading was chartered on December 1, 1913 and was the 88th Rotary Club of over 30,000 now to be chartered. Throughout its proud 100 year history, the Reading Rotarians have committed themselves to making a difference in the community by providing meaningful service to those in need. Among the many projects the members of the Rotary Club of Reading have undertaken and completed include: establishing Rotary Park for the enjoyment of the citizens of Reading and Berks County; performing roadside cleanups; and awarding scholarships to Reading High School students.

The distinguished volunteer service by the members of the Rotary Club of Reading over the last 100 years has served to significantly improve the quality of life in the Greater Reading community.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of its 100th anniversary, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing the Rotary Club of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate East Pikeland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania on the occasion of its 175th anniversary.

In 1705, William Penn granted 10,000 acres of Pennsylvania land to his friend and fellow Quaker, Joseph Pike of Kilcreagh farm, County Cork, Ireland. ``Pike's Land'' was the first name given to this acreage. By the end of the 18th century, the character of various portions of Pike's Land had become divergent from each other and so a division into the Townships of East Pikeland and West Pikeland was agreed upon to reflect these differences.

East Pikeland Township's rich history includes playing a key role in the Revolutionary War. During the ``Philadelphia Campaign", East Pikeland's farms, mills and cottage industries were important sources of food and supplies for the Continental Army. The Continental Powder Mill at Rapps Dam on French Creek proved a key element in munitions supply as well.

Today, East Pikeland Township and its citizens continue to make invaluable contributions to the quality of the economic and social life of Chester County while, at the same time, preserving the rich and storied heritage of their past.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of its 175th anniversary, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing East Pikeland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and its long and storied history.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The Clinic of Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania on reaching the incredible milestone of having provided medical care amounting to over 100,000 visits.

Founded in 2001, The Clinic began as the dream of Dr. Lorna B. Stuart and the Reverend Marie Z. Swayze to create a medical center that would provide comprehensive health care to the uninsured. Operating with a donation of $200,000 from an anonymous donor, The Clinic collaborated with St. Peter's Episcopal Church to establish a home for The Clinic in the former Rectory of the Church. Additional money was raised to furnish and complete the medical facility and St. Peter's generously allowed the Rectory to be leased for one dollar a year for The Clinic's first ten years of operation. The daily work and caring dedication of the 11 professional staff members and over 115 volunteers have allowed The Clinic to serve the medical needs of so many individuals throughout its history.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of having provided medical care amounting to over 100,000 visits, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing The Clinic of Phoenixville, Chester

County, Pennsylvania, and its continuing mission to provide comprehensive medical services to the uninsured of Phoenixville and the surrounding communities.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on October 14, 2013, I missed three recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 547, ``yea'' on rollcall 548, and ``nay'' on rollcall 549.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of its 175th anniversary.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, boasting a rich history stretching back to February of 1838, is part of the Phoenixville Historic District and is particularly famous for its 19th Century Gothic Revival architecture. St. Peter's is also well-known for providing a home for The Clinic, a free-service medical facility for the uninsured located in the former rectory next to the Church. The St. Peter's Food Pantry, sponsored by Church volunteers, feeds more than 80 people every other week from its Prospect Street entrance. These are just two programs sponsored by St. Peter's that have had an enduring, positive impact on the Phoenixville community. Since the day the

Church doors opened 175 years ago, St. Peter's has always been a place that the Phoenixville community could look to for support and assistance in times of need.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of its 175th anniversary, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and its long and storied heritage of worship, fellowship, and community service.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on September 17, 2013, I missed three recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall 460, ``yea'' on Rollcall 461, and ``yea'' on Rollcall 462.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sydney Madison Binnington, a true goodwill ambassador who concludes her two-year term as the International Sweetheart of the Sigma Chi Fraternity on June 29th upon the conclusion of the Sigma Chi Fraternity's 79th Grand Chapter here in Washington, DC.

Since 1946, the International Sweetheart of the Sigma Chi Fraternity has been a role model to the Fraternity's undergraduate and alumni members and a liaison to non-members throughout the world. In 2011, Sydney was selected from hundreds of nominees to receive this honor-- and since that time, she has dedicated herself to her role as a leader and ambassador of the Fraternity--having traveled thousands of miles from her hometown of Toronto, Ontario to visit more than thirty undergraduate chapters, attend numerous international alumni events, and raise awareness for the Fraternity and its designated charity, the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

A 2012 graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Sydney was a campus leader during her time there, excelling in academics as a student in the University's Baccalaureate Honors Program and serving her campus community as a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority, a bible study leader, a literacy advocate, and a fundraising volunteer for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

For the past two years, Sydney has dedicated herself to the Fraternity's core values of ``Friendship, Justice and Learning'' and fulfilled her duties with strong character and personality, poise, and grace.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and fellow Sigma Chi brothers serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sydney Madison Binnington for her tireless and dedicated service to the Sigma Chi Fraternity and wishing her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 475) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include vaccines against seasonal influenza within the definition of taxable vaccines.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of the bill under consideration.

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

I rise to urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation that my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal) and I believe will help make the upcoming flu season less miserable for millions of Americans and avoid expensive hospital stays for those suffering with the flu.

Last December, in the midst of a flu season in which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 12,000 people hospitalized with flu complications and 149 deaths among children under the age of 18, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new vaccine developed to fight the four-strain flu virus. But despite this development, it is imperative that we pass this legislation if we want to guarantee the most up-to-date four-strain flu vaccine is available to patients who need it.

That's because under the current law, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program--a no-fault system for compensating injuries or death caused by vaccines--covers flu vaccines that only protect against three viral strains.

This bill would add vaccines that protect against four viral strains to the program and ensure that the most up-to-date and effective flu vaccines are available in time for the start of the flu season this fall. Without the liability protections of the compensation program, civil litigation from the use of this vaccine could explode and disincentivize vaccine producers from making this new medicine available.

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was created in 1986 because at

the time fears of frivolous lawsuits that could wipe out businesses and bankrupt health care providers were causing vaccine manufacturers to leave the market, thereby leaving the general public without access to the best medicines available. So getting this new vaccine on the program list is essential.

One other note: it's important to understand that this bill is not, as some media have inaccurately reported, a ``flu tax.'' This legislation does not create any new taxes. The bill before us does not raise tax rates. And there's absolutely no evidence that flu shots will cost one penny more if this bipartisan bill becomes law.

In fact, the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation analyzed the legislation and concluded there would be no new taxes or windfall to the Federal Government. That's because under the current law, 75 cents goes into the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program every time someone gets a flu shot or any number of other vaccines used to protect the public against all kinds of diseases.

The truth is that every one of the estimated 135 million Americans who received a flu shot during this past flu season paid 75 cents into the fund, and that 75 cents charged today would also apply to this new vaccine. If you think 75 cents is an exorbitant amount to pay, consider that in my home State of Pennsylvania the average cost of a hospital stay ranges from $649 per day to $1,921 per day, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Without this legislation, taxpayers would be picking up the tab for flu-related hospitalizations for seniors and others enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare.

The only way the Federal Government will collect more money next flu season is if a greater number of people voluntarily get flu shots. And most medical professionals will tell you getting a flu shot improves public health and lowers the risk of racking up expensive medical bills, especially for children and seniors.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that flu vaccine reduced the risk of flu-related hospitalization by 71.4 percent among adults of all ages and by 76.8 percent in study participants 50 years of age or older during the 2011-2012 flu season.

In closing, I would ask my colleagues to support this legislation so that our doctors and hospitals can offer the public the very best and latest protection against constantly evolving strains of the flu virus this fall.

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

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

H.R. 475 is a great bipartisan, bicameral bill that will help protect our Nation's children and seniors from flu.

I want to thank my friend from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal) for his cooperation and work on this legislation. I also would like to thank Dave Olander and the Ways and Means staff, Anne Dutton, my chief of staff, and especially Lori Prater, my Ways and Means counsel for their great work on this legislation. I also thank Senator Hatch and Senator Baucus on the Senate side for their work in moving this legislation in that Chamber.

With the 2013 flu season on the horizon, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 475 to ensure that the public has access to the newest four-strain flu vaccine.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kevin Kuhn and Andy Motel for their years of dedicated and distinguished service to Charlestown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Kevin Kuhn, Charlestown Township Supervisor and Member of the Open Space Commission, and Andy Motel, Charlestown Township Planning Commissioner and Member of the Open Space Commission, have each demonstrated exceptional commitment to the concerns of Charlestown Township's residents by working to permanently preserve over 30 percent of Charlestown Township as open space. They have each worked to maintain the historic and rural character of the Township with diligence and unwavering leadership. Additionally, Kevin Kuhn and Andy Motel have helped to enable Charlestown Township to expand the hiking and equestrian trail network, provide additional stream protection, and to slow residential growth.

Kevin Kuhn and Andy Motel have been the principal leaders in open space preservation for Charlestown Township and have spearheaded efforts to negotiate with various entities while keeping the community abreast of all such developments. Through their energies and direction, the Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors has managed the Earned Income Tax and Open Space Fund to ensure all resources are invested wisely.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of their years of service and commitment to the preservation of

open space, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Kevin Kuhn and Andy Motel of Charlestown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, for their many valuable contributions to their community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Charlestown Historical Society on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.

The Charlestown Historical Society was founded in 1973 at the home of Ms. Betty Stonorov to discover and maintain the rich historical heritage of Charlestown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The Society currently boasts over 160 members and is led by President John W. Pittock, who has served in that capacity since 2007. The Society meets

at the historic Wisner-Rapp House, which was built in 1835 by Revolutionary War soldier Jacob Wisner.

The Charlestown Historical Society has supported the preservation, repair and stabilization of the Woolen Mill, which was established in 1725 and acquired by the Township in 2002. In 2011, the Society published a book entitled ``Historical Sketches of Charlestown'' which highlighted the historical roots of the Township. This book contains the original manuscript written in 1943 by resident Harman D. Rees and includes additional sketches and art by Charlestown Historical Society members and Township residents.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of its 40th anniversary, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing the Charlestown Historical Society, Chester County, Pennsylvania, for its contributions to exploring and maintaining the rich historical heritage of Charlestown Township.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the staff, volunteers and Board of Directors of Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Incorporated as the organization celebrates 40 years of providing outstanding services and guidance to seniors and individuals of all ages in need of an array of social services.

Since its opening in 1973, Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Incorporated has been true to its mission of providing resources and services to meet unfulfilled human and community needs in the greater Boyertown area.

The organization has been successful for four decades thanks to a strong partnership between caring neighbors and dedicated staff. In 2012, more than 400 volunteers gave nearly 42,000 hours of their time preparing and serving meals to seniors as part of the Meals on Wheels and the Center at Spring Street programs, providing tax preparation services, driving individuals to medical appointments, coordinating the food pantry and Christmas assistance programs and helping individuals qualify for home heating assistance programs.

Constantly striving to improve and expand the services offered to community members in need, Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Incorporated embarked on an ambitious building project in 2004 and moved into their new home in January 2006. The new building houses the extremely popular Center at Spring Street, providing people 55 and older with opportunities for socialization, recreation, education, and nutrition.

Staff, volunteers, the Board of Directors and the community celebrated the organization's 40th anniversary during an open house on Saturday, May 18, 2013.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating the staff, volunteers, Board of Directors and supporters of Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Incorporated as they commemorate this memorable milestone and in extending best wishes for continued success in providing exemplary service to seniors, families and anyone in need in the greater Boyertown Area.