Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 362) expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of the National School Lunch Program, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 362 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 362, which expresses the House of Representatives' support of the goals and ideals of the National School Lunch Program.

When it comes to education in our country, we traditionally focus on reading, writing, and extracurricular activities. We want to ensure that our students have access to well-trained teachers and to the tools they need to achieve academic success. However, we often forget that an essential tool to any child's academic success can also be found outside the classroom--in the school cafeteria.

Children who are hungry are at a disadvantage to their peers. Studies have shown that children who experience hunger throughout the day have higher likelihoods of receiving lower math scores, of having decreased attentiveness, increased absences and tardiness, and a higher chance of having to repeat a grade. Children who are not well nourished are also more likely to need referrals to special education services.

We know that nearly one-third of our Nation's children today are overweight and obese. Obesity rates have soared over the past four decades among children of all age groups, increasing nearly five-fold among those who are ages 6 through 11. Teaching children to have a healthy relationship with food and nutrition has never been more important.

First Lady Michelle Obama has initiated an exciting new program to help solve this challenge. The ``Let's Move!'' campaign directs attention to four areas: helping parents make healthy family choices; serving healthier food in schools; improving access to healthy, affordable food in communities; and increasing physical activity.

The National School Lunch Program can have a central role in the First Lady's efforts to help children develop healthy behaviors and to achieve their highest potential. For over 60 years, the National School Lunch Program has served as a safeguard for the health and nutritional well-being of our Nation's children. Every day, over 31 million meals are served to schoolchildren across the country.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to take note of the changes we have seen in school food menus over the years. In cafeterias in all of our communities, you might find menus which offer salad bars with fresh fruit, whole wheat pizza, or freshly made chicken wraps. The days of ``mystery meat'' are past. Today, students want to eat in the school cafeteria because the food tastes good and there are many food options.

However, we know from the most recent report from the Institute of Medicine that healthy foods cost more. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported that the full cost to produce a reimbursable lunch generally exceeds that of the Federal reimbursement for free lunches. To help address this concern, the President has requested an additional $1 billion for child nutrition programs to help improve nutrition quality and to make these programs accessible to more children. These funds will go a long way in school cafeterias across the country.

I look forward to working with the President and with my colleagues, particularly with those on the House Education and Labor Committee, on this initiative.

Lastly, Madam Speaker, this week, each of us may be receiving visits from our local school food service directors. I want to acknowledge the fine work of the school food service workers who help to educate our children on nutrition and who work hard every day to serve them safe and healthy meals. They are the front line in these efforts, and they deserve our thanks.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Watson of California for introducing this important resolution, which highlights the need for this program, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, I urge strong support for the resolution. It is a timely measure because, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania knows, today the Education and Labor Committee is holding

a hearing on reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act. The School Lunch Program is really at the center of that effort. Again, I urge support of the resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1111) designating March 2, 2010, as ``Read Across America Day''.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1111 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1111, which recognizes March 2, 2010, as Read Across America Day and which encourages parents to read to their children in support of building a Nation of readers.

Read Across America Day was initiated in May 1998 by the National Education Association as a way to celebrate reading. The NEA provides support to parents and teachers to keep their children reading all year long through activities such as the Cat-A-Van. The Cat-A-Van travels across the country bringing the gift of reading to schoolchildren. The Cat-A-Van donates 20,000 books to children in need.

The NEA celebrates Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss' birthday each year in honor of a man who contributed tremendously to children's literacy. Theodor Geisel, better known as ``Dr. Seuss'' by millions of children and parents around the world, began writing children's books in 1936, and has since inspired millions of children to embrace the joys of readings through such favorites as ``The Cat in the Hat,'' ``Green Eggs and Ham,'' and ``Oh, the Places You'll Go.''

We know from research that children who are exposed to reading before kindergarten become more successful readers. We also know that a child who fails at reading is more likely to drop out of school. Today, nearly 6 million adolescents are struggling readers, and more than 7,000 students drop out of high school every day. This is unacceptable. Engaging children and reading to them when they are young will encourage them to read and to achieve more as adolescents and as adults.

This data demonstrates the importance of literacy and the value of Read Across America. This critical literacy project is supported by a range of partners, including the District of Columbia's the Afterschool Alliance, ASPIRA Association, Incorporated, and First Book. The NEA, along with the Pearson Foundation, has donated $100,000 in funds and books to public school libraries across our country as 45 million children and adults are expected to participate in this year's 2010 program.

I want to particularly thank Representatives Markey and Ehlers for bringing this measure forward, and I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, the gentlewoman from Colorado, Congresswoman Betsy Markey.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate George Crouse for being named the New England High School Coach of the Year by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). This is a fitting title for a man who has served as a tennis coach at Stonington High School for 37 years and has amassed more than 600 wins in the process.

George Crouse is a consummate professional and enthusiastic coach whose achievements continue to amaze his colleagues both in Connecticut and around the country. His commitment to the academic success of his student athletes in the classroom, exceed only his record on the court. Since 1973 he has coached boys and girls teams at Stonington High, with the girls team having achieved a 341-96 record while reaching four consecutive Class S state championships. He was named the Connecticut Coach of the Year for both boys and girls tennis in 1998 and 2008, respectively.

The dedication he shows to his athletes is matched only by his passion for the sport of tennis. He is a member of the USTA Connecticut board of directors and operates the Stonington-Eastern Connecticut Community Tennis Association. In addition to coaching the teams of Stonington High, George coaches squads on the USTA Jr. Teams, leading them to state and sectional championships. George is also a public servant, serving in numerous volunteer roles and also as a member of the Stonington Board of Selectman.

I am grateful for Mr. Crouse's service and dedication to the town of Stonington. I am proud to call him a constituent and a friend. The years of hard work that he has dedicated to improving the lives of countless athletes and members of his community will continue to define his life and his work.

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor

issued its updated numbers regarding inflation, and what it showed was some good news: that in fact prices were flat; they fell 0.1 percent. Producer prices the day before was reported only went up 1.2 percent.

But not every sector of the U.S. economy is so lucky. If you are a self-employed individual, if you are a small business, the Department of Health and Human Services issued another report that showed that health insurance premium costs are going up at a frightening rate: in the State of Connecticut, where I come from, a 21 percent increase; in California, 35 percent.

Across the country we are still seeing a broken health insurance marketplace that lands the hardest on the self-employed and the individuals who are trying to go out and get coverage for themselves and their families.

We need reform which will spread coverage, create large purchasing pools, and give Americans the same benefit that every Member of Congress has who participates in the Federal employee health plan.

This Thursday we have a summit where both parties need to come together and give people the same relief that Members of Congress receive every day through their health insurance plan.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Tolland High School boys soccer team and the boys cross country team for winning the Connecticut Class M Championships, respectively. Their success is a fitting capstone to the determination of a group of young adults who started the season with the shared goal of a state championship.

Winning a championship was significant for the Tolland Soccer team on its own, but even more so after spending the entire season targeted by all opponents as a top ranked team. Playing in the competitive CCC East Conference while matching up against primarily class L and LL schools, Tolland posted a record 13 shutouts. And when it mattered most on November 21st, the team defeated Granby Memorial High School 2-1 to complete the only undefeated season of a Connecticut high school boys soccer team in 2009.

Tolland soccer was not alone in helping the town mark a noteworthy year. For a program boasting numerous historical achievements, the Tolland cross country team have solidified their mark in school history. Led by captains Kyle Sprague, Marcos Rodriguez, and Bryan Fowler the team won their second consecutive Class-M state championship on October 31, 2001. The team finished with an undefeated record of 17 wins and zero losses, with six runners earning all-conference status.

These back to back championship wins are a testament to the teamwork, dedication, and skill of these scholar athletes. I would like to congratulate their coaches, Jim Leahy and Brandon Elliot along with the entire Town of Tolland, the Recreation Department, and the Board of Education for fostering a healthy program of youth and scholastic athletics. To the parents, who for the past ten years have driven to hundreds of games and held pasta parties for young and hungry athletes, their role was also critical to this team's success.

This group of young adults have set the bar high for future Tolland teams, and met their goals through grit and determination. I wish all the players good luck with their future endeavors, and may they always appreciate the lesson that true rewards are achieved through surmounting significant challenges.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the passing of a great educator and true champion for the arts hi eastern Connecticut. Dr. Bruce Bellingham of Coventry,

esteemed professor, consummate musician and beloved husband, passed away on January 3, 2010.

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Dr. Bellingham was deeply dedicated to allowing people of all ages to understand and appreciate music in that same manner that he did. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, the Viola da Gamba Society of Great Britain, an associate member of Early Music America, and President of the Viola da Gamba Society of America. He joined the University of Connecticut faculty in 1974 and was a Professor Emeritus of Music History in UConn's School of Fine Arts.

His passion for the music and culture of the past was matched only by his contributions to the present. In 1976, Dr. Bellingham directed the Storrs Collegium Musicum, where music of the late Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods was performed on original or masterfully recreated instruments of the era. Around this same time, he founded and conducted the Willimantic Orchestra. In 1983, he celebrated the 150th anniversary of Willimantic's incorporation by bringing local talent together to perform Burton Leavitt's operetta The Frogs of Windham.

Dr. Bellingham was also a passionate volunteer who used his great knowledge of culture and history to meaningfully engage members of his community. He was a long-time patron of the Jorgenson Center for the Performing Arts and founding member of its CoStars volunteer organization. He actively participated in youth outreach programs at Jorgenson and taught at UConn's Center for Learning in Retirement as well as the Adult Learning Program in West Harford. Dr. Bellingham and his wife, Deborah Walsh Bellingham, were recipients of the School of Fine Arts Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2009 for their support and service.

Dr. Bellingham will be dearly missed by his students, fellow educators, and the artistic community of eastern Connecticut. The depth of affection for Bruce was visibly on display January 10, 2010 at his memorial service at von der Mehden Recital Hall on the University of Connecticut campus that filled to capacity. I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss and honoring the life of Bruce Bellingham.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Mrs. Jane Elaine Callery of Ashford, Connecticut who was recently honored by President Obama and the National Science Foundation with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Mrs. Callery holds a B.S. in elementary education, an M.S. in general science, and a C.A.S. in administration and supervision from Central Connecticut State University. She also has a C.A.S. as a secondary science specialist from Southern Connecticut State University. In addition, Mrs. Callery is a member of the Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa Society.

Mrs. Callery has taught science at the Capital Region Education Council, CREC, Two Rivers Magnet Middle School since 2002. In the 7 years prior, she taught middle school science, served as science and technology specialist for kindergarten through eighth grade, and taught science, mathematics, and language arts at various schools in the Newington Public Schools system. She taught sixth grade science, which integrates earth, life, and physical sciences, at CREC Two Rivers and is currently the science curriculum and instruction specialist for all 12 CREC magnet schools PK-12. She also serves on the Science Advisory Committee for the Connecticut Mastery Test Program and is a past board member of the Connecticut Science Teachers Association.

Mrs. Callery is an inspiration to her students, teaching them to generate hypotheses and test their ideas using the same methods as actual scientists. It is this approach that has endeared her to students, parents and colleagues alike. Mrs. Callery also encourages her students to practice the lessons they learn in the classroom when they go home. She has even helped to sponsor a ``Super Saturday'' for mathematics and science, during which students led visitors in science discovery experiences.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) for celebrating its 35th anniversary. Several Connecticut town leaders founded COST in 1975 to provide a strong voice for the state's smaller municipalities in both our State's and the Nation's capital.

COST is a grassroots advocacy organization comprised of nearly 120 member municipalities. The organization offers valuable information and training resources to help municipal leaders meet the challenges they face as chief executives of Connecticut's smaller non-metro and suburban areas. It is the only organization dedicated solely to the interests of Connecticut's small suburban and rural municipalities.

Through meetings, conferences, and events, COST brings together the leaders of small towns with legislators to foster discussion about issues that are most important to Connecticut's small communities. The organization provides information to towns regarding public policy and pending legislation, and how they will affect small towns and their citizens.

COST members benefit from connecting with other municipal leaders across the State, sharing ideas, and discussing the similar challenges that they face. Participating municipalities save money by working collectively to advocate for State and Federal aid to towns in Connecticut.

I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in honoring the Connecticut Council of Small Towns in celebrating its anniversary. Many of COST's member towns reside within my district in eastern Connecticut and highly regard the organization for providing a voice for them in all levels of government. We thank COST for its service and look forward to working with the organization in the future to help Connecticut's communities succeed.

Mr. Speaker, the best social program is a job. It provides individuals and families with the means to support themselves. It also provides dignity and confidence to know that they actually have a viable future. That's why in eastern Connecticut we were very pleased a couple of weeks ago that the stimulus bill released money for the incumbent worker training program, a program which will provide 800 new jobs with funds directly sent to small- and medium-sized businesses, which is part of, again, the tried and true program that the stimulus bill expanded.

The president of Willimantic Savings Institute, Rheo A. Brouillard, who's going to have 200 new workers as a result of this program, said, The grants have assisted us in hiring of entry-level employees and enabled us to provide them with new skills needed to more readily advance their banking careers. The Norwich Bulletin, the largest newspaper in New London County, indicated that this is an excellent program, and this is what the stimulus package was intended to do.

Putting people to work is the best way to build a strong and vibrant economy. We need to build on the stimulus bill with these types of programs: first-time homebuyer tax credit, Cash For Clunkers, incumbent worker training programs. Steadily but surely we are turning this economy around, and we need a new jobs package to build on that success.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for his efforts to bring this resolution to the floor today honoring a great American, a great writer and a great human being. As the cosponsorship indicates, there is a Connecticut thread through this resolution because at the time of his passing, Frank lived in Roxbury, Connecticut, where a memorial service was held just a few weeks ago. Congressman Chris Murphy attended that service and would have liked to be here but had some business back in his district, so I want to at least convey his strong support for this resolution because of the strong feeling within northwestern Connecticut where Frank resided and just the love and affection that the people of that State, which was kind of his adopted State, had for Frank.

As the resolution indicates, Frank had an amazing American life. He was born in the U.S. but moved as an infant back to Ireland. He was raised in Limerick which became the subject of ``Angela's Ashes,'' a book that won prizes from all over the world, was translated into 17 languages and was read in over 27 countries. He later moved back to the U.S., served in the U.S. Army, actually through the GI bill got his education, became a teacher, and then, again, an amazing story of becoming an undiscovered pearl as a writer late in life when he published ``Angela's Ashes'' in his sixties, and again became an internationally acclaimed author.

It's a book that's about a very sort of small slice of humanity. It is a story about childhood poverty in Limerick, a relatively small to medium size city in Ireland back in the 1950s. You would think it would have a very small audience. But because of Frank's amazing gifts, he was able to write a story that really touched people from all over the world about the challenges that families face under the most difficult circumstances. And ultimately, although a very harsh account of his life, it is an inspiring book as well about his mother, Angela McCourt.

He then wrote a second book called ``Tis'' which was a story really about immigration coming back to the U.S. really as almost a native Irish citizen at the time and fending his way through America. Again, it is a story which was full of some pretty rough scenes, but at the end of the day, it really is an American story about

someone coming to this country, being able to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and to have the tools and opportunity, again, to become an extremely successful teacher.

And that was the third book, ``Teacher Man,'' which is a story about him going into the public school system of New York City. His story about his first day in the classroom is something that every teacher I have ever talked to has described as one of the most amazingly accurate accounts of the fear that you feel walking into a classroom and trying to figure out a way to connect and in his instance, again, someone with a heavy Irish brogue, a kind of a timid soul going into a tech school to teach creative writing and English composition, it is hilarious. I recommend it to anyone who has the time to read that amazing story.

Frank, again, as someone who had a second career in life as a writer, was somebody who shared that experience. He raised money for charities all over the U.S. He supported people in the community like Chris Murphy and myself out on the campaign trail.

I would just close by saying that one of my most vivid moments as a new Member of Congress is the day we invited Frank to come to the Hill. We set up a little breakfast at the Members' dining room and invited Members to come. He sat there in a room with complete strangers. Obviously, Members of Congress have pretty big egos and like to talk themselves. But you could have heard a pin drop. He told stories, told jokes and charmed people for an hour and a half. And it was just magic.

That really was what Frank was. He was somebody who because of his amazing imagination and his humanity and sense of humor was able to walk into a room full of strangers and just completely charm them and transform them. It's a memory that I think the Congress does well to memorialize and honor today. As we deal with issues like immigration and education, his example, I think, is an inspiring one for all of us who are involved in these challenges. His life really tells us that we are a great country and we can succeed if we give people the opportunities to blossom and show what they are really made of.

With that, I urge support of the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the deployment of 102nd Infantry Battalion and the 250th Engineer Company. On November 15, 2009, Connecticut sent off 700 soldiers from the two Connecticut National Guard units to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The logistical and tactical work that the Connecticut soldiers will do in Iraq and Afghanistan is critical to the Nation's success in the two conflicts. The 102nd Infantry will deploy to Afghanistan to partner with the Afghan security forces to assist, train and mentor the Afghan Army, Police, and Border Police forces in order to strengthen, stabilize and legitimize the Government of Afghanistan. The 250th Engineer Company will work in Iraq to provide bridging support for theater mobility, and to ensure rapid emplacement of bridging assets in the event that routes in their area of operations become impassable.

The Connecticut National Guard currently has nearly 500 Soldiers and Airmen mobilized and deployed to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan in support of counterterrorism missions. This is the largest single deployment of Connecticut Army National Guardsmen since the Korean War and will bring our total number of deployed Soldiers and Airmen to 1,200.

The 250th Engineer Company, commanded by Captain Charles Taylor of Hamden is based in my district out of New London. The unit's motto is ``No Bridge too Far,'' which refers to its primary mission of supporting our combat forces by literally building bridges over otherwise inaccessible terrain and rivers. In Iraq, the 250th will be a part of the drawdown of our forces and equipment there--a massive, historic undertaking in the history of our military.

This will be no easy feat--about 3.1 million pieces of equipment of all sorts, over 100,000 vehicles, military and civilian, 24,000 short tons of ammunition, over 120,000 containers of supplies, and around 120,000 U.S. military personnel that have to be moved out of Iraq, mostly through Kuwait.

This past weekend, I had the honor of joining many of my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, state officials and Adjutant General Thaddeus Martin in a moving and well attended ``send off' ceremony for the 102nd and 250th. The ceremony, of course, was one of mixed emotions. On the one hand, these men and women represent the best of what our State and Nation has to offer. They have trained and worked to be the very best at what they do--and we are so proud of them. However, on the other hand, Connecticut is sending its own to do a hard and dangerous job.

The eyes of Connecticut and the families of these soldiers are on them, eagerly awaiting their safe return. But soon, the eyes of the world will be on them. And all of us in Connecticut will be so proud to watch the work that they do. Their missions in Iraq and Afghanistan are critical to America's mission to secure and keep the peace in the world's most troubled regions, and all of us from Connecticut are proud to say these dedicated men and women are our fellow citizens.''

I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in honoring these men and women who defend our Nation every day. We thank them for their service and look forward to welcoming them home again after a successful deployment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the commissioning of the USS New York, LPD 21. On October 22, 2009, the House passed H.R. 856 to congratulate the captain and commissioning crew for the vessel entering the service of the U.S. Navy. The USS New York honors those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001, and adds to our Navy's capabilities to protect our Nation.

With its hull constructed using steel from the World Trade Center, the ship will serve as a memorial to September 11. The ship's main passageway was dubbed ``Broadway'' and features an insignia with references to the Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers, the New York City Police Department, and the New York City Fire Department. Its galley hosts a pre-September 11 neon outline of New York City. It is the newest entry to the U.S. Navy's fleet of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships and will be deployed to provide amphibious assault capability anywhere in the world. CDR F. Curtis Jones, USN, a New York native, captains the ship.

I also want to take a moment to recognize an important connection between the USS New York and my State. RSL Fiber Systems, LLC of East Hartford, Connecticut was proud to be a part of this project, manufacturing the signal and navigation lights used on board the vessel. The ship contains five RSL lighting systems, which boast the breakthrough technology of fiber optic illumination systems. The Connecticut based company was selected to provide remote source lighting and the lighting control systems to the U.S. Navy for shipboard use on the LPD 17 class, the Navy Experimental Craft Seafighter, and the DDG 1000 class ships.

The ship's motto is, ``Strength Forged Through Sacrifice. Never Forget,'' serving as a powerful symbol of September 11. The vessel pays tribute to those who lost their lives and reaffirms Congress's commitment to fighting terrorism and recognizing those men and women who risk their lives and fight for our freedom every day. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in congratulating those who helped build the ship, and honoring those who defend our Nation every day.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, AARP, an organization of 40 million Americans over the age of 50, announced the results of a poll regarding the Affordable Health Care for America Act. It found that by a two-to-one margin AARP supports this bill. And what's not to support?

This is a bill, for those who care about Medicare, which will close the doughnut hole, the infamous 100 percent deductible for seniors who are paying for the part D benefit that doesn't pay benefits after hitting $2,300 in care. It eliminates copayments for preventive services, cancer screenings. But, most importantly, the actuaries for the Center for Medicare Services found on Friday that it extends the solvency of the Medicare trust fund by 5 years. So instead of going in a negative direction, we are strengthening the Medicare trust fund, which will ensure that Americans will have one of the most successful health programs ever created--Medicare for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren.

AARP, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society all support this bill, and the Senate should do the same and pass this measure and send it to President Obama for his signature.

Madam Speaker, 45 percent of Americans suffer from some form of chronic disease, leaving them exposed to preexisting condition discrimination. The Commonwealth Fund found that 12.6 million non- elderly adults were, in fact, discriminated against by insurance companies because of preexisting conditions in the last 3 years.

This health care reform bill will abolish the barbaric discriminatory practice of denying insurance and charging more for insurance to Americans based on medical underwriting. Like Jim Crow laws, like separate but equal laws, like laws denying women

the right to vote or own property, the practice of denying coverage because of a person's internal biology, high blood pressure, diabetes or cancer will be forever abolished.

Section 211 of this bill ends this practice permanently in 2013; and section 106, which I wrote with Mr. Andrews' help, immediately provides relief by amending existing law to shorten the look-back period for group health plans from 6 months to 30 days and reduces the exclusion of coverage for preexisting conditions from 18 months to 90 days.

This balanced, well-thought-out reform of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 will provide tangible, real change for Americans terrified of losing their coverage because of a layoff or a job change.

What does the Republican plan do? Does it adopt section 106 or 211? No. On page 145 of the Republican bill, they call for--are you ready--a GAO study of the issue of preexisting conditions. The time for delay and dilatory studies is over. It is time to act.

As U.S. President Abraham Lincoln once said, it is time to make a more perfect union, and pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary life of Ronald Aliano of Norwich, Connecticut, who passed away on October 31, 2009.

Ron was an optimist who saw no barriers to achievement and believed that with hard work, anything was possible. He loved the city of Norwich, and pursued his vision to revitalize the city by insisting on quality development and improvements. When Ron became a Norwich resident in 1972, he founded Professional Ambulance Service of Norwich, Inc., now known as American Ambulance Service, Inc., which provided excellent patient care for the residents of eastern Connecticut.

Fourteen years later, Ron formed the American Wharf Development Corporation. This organization was responsible for the development of Hollyhock Island, a parcel of land at the head of the Thames River, which is now a world-class boating facility. In 1996, he formed the American Professional Education Services, which has become the largest American Heart Association training center in New England and a well- respected medical training center.

Ron could have chosen to live comfortably with the revenue he generated from those endeavors. Instead, he committed his life to charitable contributions and civic involvement. Ron served in various capacities on the Norwich Community Development Corporation, Norwich Harbor Management Commission, Integrated Day Charter School Foundation, State of CT Harbor Management Association, Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, and Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Ron has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years including the 1988 Norwich Citizen of the Year, 1988 UCONN Alumni Distinguished Citizen, 2000 Connecticut Business Ethics Awards, and the 2001 Merit Award for Public Education Eastern Connecticut EMS Council. I am honored to pay tribute to Ronald Aliano, whose presence will always be felt in Norwich. His dedication to the community continues to be an inspiration to myself and the residents of eastern Connecticut. I offer my sympathy to his friends and family, and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and service of Ronald Aliano.