Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to an issue very dear to me and very important to our Nation. In this country, we use holidays to remember the heroes of our past. We have among them Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Columbus Day, Martin Luther King Day, and President's Day. These are fitting tributes for worthy heroes, but what of today's living heroes, our brave men and women on the front lines fighting in defense of our freedom?

I believe that they, too, deserve special recognition and praise. Our very ability to assemble here today is a direct result of their actions.

Two years ago, a young constituent of mine, Alexandra McGregor, presented me with the idea of a ``National Support the Troops Day.'' Alexandra had seen a news account of a fallen soldier, and she had the idea that we should set aside a day to honor our great American heroes fighting on the front lines.

I couldn't agree with her more.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today, as I have before, because of Alexandra and others like her who believe we should and we must show our appreciation for the troops.

This resolution calls for Americans to participate in a moment of silence on March 26 to recognize all of our active duty troops. Alexandra chose this date for a very personal reason. It is the birth date of her grandfather, a World War II veteran who helped instill in her such a deep love of country.

I might add, Alexandra was just 16 years old. To this day, I'm moved to think that someone so young could have her priorities so straight.

She put in a considerable amount of time and personal effort to see her idea become a reality. She went as far as to call a high school in each and every State to convince them of the importance of this issue.

Such dedication only serves to underscore the very reason for that resolution. American families strongly support our troops, and while so many of them fight abroad on our behalf, we should do everything we can to show our appreciation and thanks. I hope you will all join with me in support of this resolution and in support of the more than 1.5 million active duty troops who defend our freedoms each and every day.

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

Madam Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a hero, LCpl Gentian Marku of Warren, Michigan. Today, I ask that the House of Representatives honor and remember this exceptional young man who died serving his country.

Gentian Marko immigrated with his family to the United States in 1997, at the height of civil unrest in Albania. Once arriving in the United States, Gentian left behind his troubled childhood, and became the intelligent, diligent, and responsible young man that we know. After graduating from Warren Woods Tower High School in 2001, Gentian had hoped to become a police officer. At the recommendation of his father, a former first captain in the Albanian military police, Gentian joined the Marine Corps to help his chances at acceptance to the police academy.

After enlisting in the Marines in August 2002, Gentian was assigned to the First Battalion, Marine Expeditionary Force. In 2003, Gentian returned to Albania during a 2-week exercise with the Marines and served as a translator during meetings with the Albanian military and civilian leaders. Gentian had said it was one of his proudest moments being able to do something for both of his countries.

On November 25, 2004, Lance Corporal Marku was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq, in the Anbar province. At the time, the Marines had awarded him medals for good conduct, humanitarian service, combat action and other activities.

My thoughts, prayers, and deepest gratitude for their sacrifice go to Gentian's family. There are no words that can relieve their pain and I can only offer to convey my deep respect and highest appreciation.

Madam Speaker, Lance Corporal Marku gave the ultimate sacrifice not only for the freedom and security of his family and our country, but for the people of Iraq. I wish to remember his bravery, conviction, and selflessness as he is honored today.

Madam Speaker, two years ago I met a young high school student who had a brilliant and patriotic idea. Alexandra McGregor, from Waterford, Michigan, set out to establish a ``Support the Troops Day'' and, for the third year in a row, I am introducing a resolution inspired by Alexandra.

Alexandra's extraordinary effort started as a grassroots campaign to encourage people to take a moment and reflect on the service and sacrifice of those currently in our military. What began as a small effort by a local high school student has turned into a nation-wide event honoring our active duty military men and women.

Every year, Americans participate in numerous patriotic celebrations; from past Presidents to our veterans. But never do we honor our active- duty military men and women who are protecting our freedom today. With inspiration from Alexandra, my resolution encourages Americans to participate in a moment of silence on March 26th to reflect on the sacrifice of those who are serving this country both at home and abroad.

Madam Speaker, ``Support the Troops Day'' is a yearly celebration in Oakland County, Michigan and I come to the floor today to reintroduce the resolution marking March 26th as ``Support the Troops Day.'' Both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed similar resolutions two years ago and I hope this Congress will actively show its support for our service members by passing this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a hero from my congressional district, Sergeant Phillip A. Bocks of Troy, Michigan. Today, I ask that the House of Representatives honor and remember this incredible young man who died serving his country.

Phillip Bocks was not one to back down from a challenge. From the time he was five years old, Phillip insisted on skiing adult courses, and at age fourteen, joined a hockey league even though he had never worn a pair of ice skates. While in high school, Phillip was a member of the swim team, acted in plays, and developed a flair for cooking.

After graduating from high school, Phillip joined the Marines in 2000 and was assigned to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California. As an instructor, Phillip trained Marines how to survive and fight in rugged terrain. On November 9, 2007, while on a mission to a village near Aranus, Afghanistan to make sure the residents had medical supplies and food, Sgt. Bocks was killed in an ambush.

My thoughts, prayers, and deepest gratitude for their sacrifice go to Phillip's family. There are no words that can relieve their pain and I can only offer to convey my deep respect and highest appreciation.

Madam Speaker, Sgt. Bocks gave the ultimate sacrifice not only for the freedom and security of his family and our country, but for the people of Afghanistan. I wish to remember his bravery and selflessness as he is honored today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Family Security and Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008. It is impossible to ignore the economic indicators that suggest our economy is slowing down. In my own home State of Michigan, citizens have been faced with a sluggish economy for some time now. We can and should take steps to give the economy a shot in the arm. This is a problem facing all Americans, and it will take a strong, bipartisan effort to solve it.

One important way to address this problem is to reduce the tax burden on families and small businesses. My bill utilizes three ideas to accomplish these goals: a new, permanent 5 percent tax bracket; an instant advance on this tax cut for 2008; and increasing the limit of small business expensing.

The Family Security and Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008 will create a new, permanent 5 percent tax bracket, reducing taxes by either $400 for an individual or $800 for a family per year. This is critical as we try to enable families to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets, allowing them to use it for their ever-increasing expenses. Families would receive this tax cut in the form of an instant advance payment, to be delivered upon 30 days after enactment.

Additionally, my bill will increase the Section 179 small business expensing limit from $125,000 to $375,000 per year for 2 years. Increasing the amount a small business could expense encourages capital purchases. When a small business knows it can expense a new purchase, it is more likely to make the investment. Enabling small businesses to invest in new equipment and expand their operations will promote significant economic growth at a time when job creation is crucial.

We shouldn't stop here. We need to make the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent, and pass other important pro-growth legislation. But this is something we can come together and accomplish quickly.

It is time for us to lift ourselves out of our current economic slowdown and restore our strength in the global economy. That is why I have introduced this legislation. I hope you will help America succeed by joining me on this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration in Troy, Michigan as they dedicate the newest addition to their campus, the Jeffery W. Barry Center on December 14, 2007.

When Walsh College was founded in 1922, it was a specialized accounting institute that taught 150 students in Detroit. However, it wasn't until 1970, when Walsh's third president, Jeffery W. Barry, took over that the school grew into what we see today. Under Mr. Barry's leadership, Walsh College transformed from a small specialized institute into a business college granting bachelors and masters degrees.

When Mr. Barry stepped down in 1991, Walsh had an enrollment of over 3,300 students. However, since his tenure Walsh's enrollment has continued to grow and today has over 4,500 students with campuses in Troy, Novi, and Clinton Township. In addition, Walsh offers over twenty different bachelors and masters degrees, and certifications.

The culmination of Mr. Barry's vision will be the new Jeffery W. Barry Center which will open for classes in the winter of 2008. The 36,000 square foot, environmentally sustainable Barry Center features an expanded, modern library, an auditorium, and additional classrooms. It is designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ratings for water and energy efficiency, pollution control, recycling, and indoor environmental quality.

Mr. Barry passed away on July 8, 2006, but his spirit lives on. The Barry Center embodies his legacy of educational outreach and excellence, as it doubles the size of Walsh's main campus. In addition, this fall Walsh will be offering its first ever doctoral degree, a Doctor of Management in Executive Leadership.

Madam Speaker, today I commend Walsh College for their continued commitment to Jeffery W. Barry's vision. I wish them luck and prosperity as they dedicate this new edition, and hope for many years of success.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize and congratulate Officer Roy David Gilbert, III for being named the 2007 Police Officer of the Year by Parade magazine and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

A resident of Waterford, MI, Officer Gilbert has described the day he was sworn in as an officer of the Detroit Police Department seven years ago as one of the happiest of his life. Last year, however, Officer Gilbert was faced with one of the darkest. On December 30, 2006, while patrolling Detroit's Western District, Officer Gilbert and his partner Officer John McKee spotted a vehicle that had been carjacked earlier that evening. While in pursuit, Officer McKee was shot and wounded in the face and abdomen.

Officer Gilbert courageously moved between his partner and the suspect, and even after being knocked down by a bullet, he returned fire and took down the assailant. As a result of Officer Gilbert's actions, Officer McKee's life was saved, and in October of this year he was able to return to the police force. Officer Gilbert was awarded the Medal of Valor, the Detroit Police Department's highest honor for bravery and was recognized by Parade magazine and the International Association of Chiefs of Police as the Officer of the Year.

For over 40 years, Parade magazine and the International Association of Chiefs of Police have recognized the law enforcement officer whose deeds embody the intrepid spirit and altruism that Officer Gilbert has displayed. Even today as he is honored by Waterford Township, Officer Gilbert still says he was just ``doing what partners are supposed to do.''

Madam Speaker, Officer Gilbert epitomizes the bravery and selflessness that we see in our law enforcement officers everyday. His heroic actions saved the life of a fellow officer and made our streets safer. I commend him for his achievements and wish him continued success in his service.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary today.

The Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council was formed in 1978 to improve the coordination of senior citizen programs and services, and to provide a central source of information and referral in the Birmingham Public Schools community.

Today, the Council has nearly 1,700 members who value independence, lifelong learning, and community involvement. Not only do Council members enjoy the benefits of an active senior center program, but they are also volunteers who deliver services to their aging neighbors. These services are vital to enabling seniors to remain in their own homes, and to live with independence and dignity. Each year, more than 500 senior volunteers provide outreach service to other older adults in the community, evidencing their motto of ``Seniors Serving Seniors.''

The Council offers a variety of educational classes, recreational programs, social activities, and travel opportunities to help older adults stay healthy and happy. In addition, the Council's many outreach services to the elderly are accomplished with a small staff and hundreds of senior volunteers in partnership with many local and state agencies and organizations.

The generosity of the Birmingham Public Schools, the City of Birmingham, the Villages of Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, and Franklin, local service clubs, agencies, foundations, churches, businesses and hundreds of caring individuals to fund this unique delivery of services that have been the staple of the Council for the past 30 years.

Madam Speaker, today I commend the Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council. I am proud to recognize the achievements and service of the Council over the past 30 years, and wish them even more success over the next 30 years.

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

Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Chairman Olver, has already detailed many of the aspects of the fiscal year 2008 conference report. I am pleased to say that I will support the conference report. The conference report has much to commend. I want to thank John Olver; John and Joe I guess is what it amounts to. But we have worked together very hard on this, along with the staffs on both sides, and I commend him for working with us to bring this product forward.

We meet the majority of the transportation funding guarantee as mandated by SAFETEA-LU, plus included some wise legislative provisions such as raising the airline pilot mandatory retirement age to 65 and prohibiting towing on Federal roads in Texas.

We didn't go overboard on funding Amtrak and kept the reforms we put in place 2 years ago in hopes of bringing the railroad into the modern age. One unfortunate point I would like to make is one of the Transit New Starts Project, a project for the Chicago area's commuter rail, Metra, the UP West Line, was inadvertently not included in the bill. It was funded in the House bill, and in the negotiations all sides supported conference funding, and I am very hopeful we can work a little magic to get that included.

In housing, we provided more than $100 million for about 11,000 new incremental vouchers for three of our most vulnerable populations: veterans, including those returning from Iraq who might face homelessness without rental assistance; nonelderly disabled individuals, the so-called Frelinghuysen vouchers; and vouchers to keep families together when facing homelessness rather than forcing the children into foster homes.

Further, the bill insists that these vouchers retain their use and purpose upon turnover when the current individuals and families no longer need them.

The vouchers for veterans are important and will certainly be welcomed throughout Michigan as well as the rest of the country. I want to note the intent here is not just for HUD to administer these vouchers, but for HUD and VA to work together so that the full array of eligible services are coordinated and administered jointly.

Along that same line, I strongly support a new demonstration in the homeless program to avoid forcing children through the trauma of homeless shelters by rapidly rehousing these families in secure rental units and providing the care and training in that setting, rather than through the shelter plus care process. We need to be sure, however, that in doing so we do not end up subsidizing drug or other illegal activity.

I want to also express my appreciation for the provision in the bill that waives the Medicaid cap on income and allows citizens in Michigan to voluntarily pay more and still receive rental assistance. This has made a tremendous difference in my district, and the new statewide provision will apply to all Michigan residents. Obviously, it is available for consideration in other states, too.

As many of my colleagues know, Michigan has been facing a severe credit crunch due to defaults and foreclosures resulting from the subprime lending boom a few years ago. The resets are around the corner and the problem may well get worse for Michigan before it gets better. But no one wants to see foreclosure, not the homeowner, not the banks, and certainly not the Federal Government which has insured many of these loans.

As a result and through extensive collaboration with my colleague, Chairman Olver, and our Senate counterparts, we included a provision that I am sure will go a long way towards stemming if not reversing the trend in the home mortgage market. We have included $200 million in new funds for intensive and extensive loan foreclosure mitigation guidance plus counseling and targeted funds to those areas which are facing the largest threat of foreclosure.

We have ensured that the funds will be in the hands of the expert counselors and State housing finance agencies before the loan resets dates hit homeowners who will find it difficult to meet the higher payments. We have not placed the funds in HUD, or created a financial handout for mortgage companies or homeowners. Instead, we are using the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, which is in itself expert and has a network of expert loan counselors throughout the country. As a federally chartered corporation, they will be able to avoid the many delaying regulatory hurdles that would result if funded through HUD, but still must meet all the requirements to ensure the integrity of the funds provided to expert counseling agencies. I firmly believe that Michigan will benefit greatly from the one-time funding being provided in this bill to help at-risk homeowners get through this difficult period.

Having said that, there are clearly areas in the bill that could and should be reduced in funding or for which funding should be allocated.

All of us have heard about the shortfall that HUD now faces in meeting contracts with longstanding low-income assistance providers under the project-based section 8 program. While better than the Senate bill, let's face it, we did not solve the problem. We only delayed the date at which the crisis will occur. Yet at the same time, the voucher program has $300 million in excess funds based on the new methodology instituted by the majority as part of the 2007 continuing resolution. Apparently the majority does not trust their new methodology that much, yet those funds could have further reduced the shortfall that HUD faces with project owners under the project-based program, or reduced the cost of the bill itself.

Furthermore, the Department continues to receive funds for a long list of small boutique and duplicative programs, all of which could be eliminated as the administration requested without harming any of the program.

Finally, I want to emphasize that there are no new air-dropped earmarks from the House minority.

I want to thank my colleague and chairman, Chairman Olver, for his work on this bill. I have to say he was most fair. This was a very inclusive conference and, because of his cooperation and the highlights of the bill, I will be voting ``yes'' on passage of the conference report.

I reserve the balance of my time

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to yield as much time as he may wish to consume to the gentleman who is the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Lewis from California.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

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

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

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the historic Old Homestead Subdivision at Eleven Mile and Drake Roads in Farmington Hills, Michigan as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary on November 10, 2007.

The Old Homestead Subdivision takes its name from the original 240- acre tract taken out in 1824 by Mr. Edward Steele. The deed, which was signed by President John Quincy Adams, was granted to the first ``homesteader,'' who was required to clear the wilderness and establish a home while paying $1.25 an acre. It was on this land that Mr. Steele built a home, a farm, and a mill for his family.

It was Edward Steele's grandson, Frank Steele, who would leave the largest mark on this community. After a fire destroyed his grandfather's farmhouse, Frank and his wife, the former Bertha Crosby, the daughter of the first soldier to enlist in the Civil War from Michigan, commissioned a stone house to be built on Eleven Mile Road. They were both active members of the community, where Frank served on the Township Board and as a Justice of the Peace, while Bertha was active in all the local women's organizations. The house stayed within the Steele family until 1989 when it was made part of the Farmington Hills Historic District by Frank's nephew, Robert Bohme.

Throughout the years, the farm land originally purchased by Edward Steele has been sold and developed into country homes for folks seeking solace from the busy city life of Detroit. Stores, cider mills, and inns began to dot the pastoral landscape, bringing commerce to the community. Road development allowed more families to settle into suburban life in Farmington Hills, and like many subdivisions that formed after World War II, the homestead was established on November 10, 1957.

Even with all of the new construction and development that came over the years, the Old Homestead kept hold of the unique features that made it what it is. The Old Homestead remains home to historic Elliot Sprague House, which was built in 1880, and the Erie Prince Sawmill, which now is a cider mill. These mainstays keep the Old Homestead as the quaint neighborhood it was when formed.

Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute to the rich history of the Old Homestead Subdivision. Its contribution to the character of the city of Farmington Hills is beyond measure, and I congratulate the residents on the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.

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

Mr. Speaker, my motion is very straightforward. It simply instructs the managers on the part of the House to insist that two important provisions included in the House bill be included in the conference report. The first provision, House section 416, prohibits funds in the bill from being used to provide housing assistance to illegal or otherwise unauthorized immigrants. This provision was offered as an amendment on the House floor and adopted unanimously. The second provision, House section 417, prohibits any funds in the bill from being used to hire illegal aliens. This, too, was an amendment adopted unanimously when the House considered the bill.

The House has clearly spoken on this matter, and I think it is important the conferees uphold the will of the House. I urge the adoption of the motion.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray).

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 want to recognize his Holiness Karekin II, the supreme patriarch and catholicos of all Armenians, as he visits St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI, during his second tour of the United States.

Catholicos Karekin II was born Ktrich Nersessian in Voskehat, Armenia on August 21, 1951. He graduated from the seminary of Holy Echmiadzin with honors in 1971, and was ordained a deacon in 1970 and a monk in 1972. It was then that he received the priestly name ``Karekin.'' In the late 1970s, His Holiness Vasken I encouraged Karekin to continue his theological studies abroad, where he spent time in Vienna, Austria and Zagorsk, Russia; eventually returning to Armenia.

On October 23, 1983, Karekin was consecrated as a bishop in Echmiadzin. After the Spitak Earthquake in 1988, Karekin took an active role in helping the victims overcome the devastation. His leadership is evidenced by the many schools and churches erected after the tragedy. In addition, after the fall of the Soviet Union, Karekin nurtured the usage of modern technology and telecommunications to help bring new life to his churches as well as dealing with the legacies of the Soviet era.

In 1999, Karekin was elected catholicos of Armenia and of all Armenians at Echmiadzin, succeeding His Holiness Karekin I. Since his election, his holiness has fostered relations with religious leaders around the world including Pope John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. Furthermore, on October 10, 2007, he courageously stood on the floor of the House of Representatives and prayed for the victims of the Armenian genocide.

Today his holiness visits Michigan and its over 100,000 citizens of Armenian descent. His message of ``bringing faith home'' is exemplified by Michigan's involvement and contributions to Habitat for Humanity here and abroad. Their willingness to support one another during difficult and troubling times is truly an inspiration to us all.

Madam Speaker, I commend His Holiness Karekin II for all of his work for his faith, followers, and people of Armenia. I am proud of the many accomplishments of those he has inspired in Michigan and around the world.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the 100th anniversary of the birth of a great civic leader, Walter P. Reuther, and the rededication of Reuther Middle School in Rochester Hills, Michigan on October 28, 2007.

Mr. Reuther grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia where he learned the value and practicality of trade unionism. After serving an apprenticeship in tool and die work, he left for Detroit to complete his education and join the automobile industry with both Ford and General Motors. Mr. Reuther became an active member of the United Automobile Workers (UAW), where he eventually became president of the UAW Local 174 and a member of the UAW executive board. In 1946, Mr. Reuther was elected president of the UAW, a position he held until his passing in 1970.

As president of the UAW, Mr. Reuther worked to enhance job security, medical insurance, pensions, and supplemental unemployment benefits for the union members. Mr. Reuther used his position to influence far more than just labor policies. He stood beside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he delivered his historic ``I Have a Dream Speech'' and was a strong supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. For all of his contributions Mr. Reuther was named in TIME magazine's list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

Reuther Middle School, part of the Rochester Community School Community, was named in honor of May and Walter Reuther for their service to the school community. Opened in 1973, Reuther Junior High, as it was then named, taught 750 students in grades seven through nine. In 1986, the Rochester Community Schools changed to a middle school philosophy, serving grades six through eight, and changing the name to Reuther Middle School.

In the 2003-2004 school year, the citizens of Rochester Community School District approved a bond measure to renovate Reuther Middle School. On October 28, 2007, Reuther Middle School will be officially rededicated, celebrating not only their 35th school year, but also the 100th anniversary of Mr. Walter P. Reuthers' birth.

Madam Speaker, today I commend Reuther Middle School for their continued devotion to the community and their record of excellence. Let the school continue to be a tribute to a great civic and social leader, Mr. Walter P. Reuther.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 999, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''