Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today the House of Representatives will adjourn for 5 weeks. It is troubling that the Democratic leadership sees no problem in taking a 5-week vacation, having failed to vote on legislation that will lower gas prices and break our dependence on foreign oil.

House Republicans have laid out a plan of exploration, alternative energy innovation, and conservation, a comprehensive strategy that pulls together this Nation's immense natural resources and our rapidly advancing technology to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and build a more prosperous country.

Let's have a vote on a comprehensive energy package. Let's show American families that their interests are important enough for this Congress to stay here and lower gas prices.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th. Godspeed for the future careers to Second District staff members, Chirag Shah and Kori Lorick.

Madam Speaker, last week House Republicans introduced the American Energy Act--an all-of-the-above approach to reduce energy prices for hard-working Americans and their families.

Our Nation is increasingly dependent on foreign oil. This endangers our economy and our national security. The billions we send overseas to buy foreign oil should be spent investing in American-made energy by exploring for our own resources in an environmentally sound way.

We also need to expand our research into alternative, renewable energy sources like biomass, hydrogen, wind, solar, and nuclear power while encouraging American consumers to conserve. Our bill does all of this.

I urge the House Democrat leadership to join with us before adjournment to promote an American energy program. The American people deserve this opportunity to have their voices heard.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity to speak on H.R. 1338.

I want to thank the ranking member of the committee, Representative Buck McKeon of California, for his leadership here today.

I know we can all agree that discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable. That is why employment discrimination, including pay discrimination, based on gender is already prohibited by law. As an attorney myself, I believe there are already considerable legal ramifications for discrimination

in our Federal laws, which makes the legislation we are considering here today unnecessary and redundant.

Additionally, it seems the premise for bringing this bill to the floor today is in response to potential wage gaps between men and women in the workforce. I would remind my colleagues that research into this issue, including a report by the Government Accountability Office, GAO, concluded that the ``wage gap'' was not simply derived from sex discrimination or pay discrimination. In fact, the reasons for such a gap can be numerous.

But to the bill itself, I am concerned that this legislation will not strengthen current laws or improve workplace protections but rather create additional and greater potential for individuals, well-meaning or otherwise, to abuse these protections in our courts.

This bill does two very damaging things to current law. It allows for unlimited compensatory and punitive damages for claims brought under the Equal Pay Act, and it does not require proof of intent to discriminate in those claims. These two components could have unintended consequences for employers and employees, and they make it more attractive for unsubstantiated claims before the courts.

I welcome a healthy debate on employee and employer protections in the workplace. In fact, I would hope that before going forward, the debate on these issues would be more open where both the minority and majority might have greater opportunity to offer amendments to strengthen legislation and address the real concern of America's hardworking families.

I want to thank Ranking Member Buck McKeon for his leadership, and I encourage my colleagues to oppose this legislation. American workers deserve reasonable protections that are enforced. This bill would undermine those efforts in America's workforce.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to congratulate my friend Andrew Kaplan and his wife Danleigh Kaplan of Washington on the birth of their new twin girls. Madelyn Claire Kaplan and Ainsley Elizabeth Kaplan were born on July 27, 2008 weighing 5 pounds 2 ounces and 5 pounds 8 ounces respectively. Madelyn and Ainsley have been born into a loving home where they will be raised by parents who are devoted to their well-being and bright future.

I am so excited for this new addition to the Kaplan family. On behalf of my wife Roxanne,

and our entire family, we want to wish Andrew, Danleigh, Madelyn, and Ainsley all the best.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to congratulate my friend Andrew Kaplan and his wife Danleigh Kaplan of Washington on the birth of their new twin girls. Madelyn Claire Kaplan and Ainsley Elizabeth Kaplan were born on July 27, 2008, weighing 5 pounds 2 ounces and 5 pounds 8 ounces respectively. Madelyn and Ainsley have been born into a loving home where they will be raised by parents who are devoted to their well-being and bright future.

I am so excited for this new addition to the Kaplan family. On behalf of my wife Roxanne and our entire family, we want to wish Andrew, Danleigh, Madelyn, and Ainsley all the best.

Madam Speaker, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Special Olympics--an organization dedicated to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to train and compete in athletic events. Over 2.5 million individuals from across 180 countries participate in events held year-round.

As the world gathers in Beijing, China for this year's Summer Olympic Games, we should remember the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games that were held in Shanghai, China, in October 2007. This was only the second time the games have been held outside the United States and attracted over 7,000 athletes. From my home State of South Carolina, Special Olympics South Carolina sent four athletes--Diana Poiletman of Columbia, Eric Brown of Columbia, Jason Morrow of Spartanburg County, and Darlene Wycuff of Spartanburg County--who brought home an impressive total of 9 medals. These strong individuals embody the best of the human spirit and truly represent the words of the Special Olympics' motto: ``Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.''

I wish to congratulate the millions of individuals who compete and participate in the Special Olympics. In particular, I want to recognize Anne Burke and Eunice Kennedy Shriver who founded the organization in 1968. Their dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of intellectually disabled men, women, and children around the world are truly remarkable. In South Carolina, Barry S. Coats, President and CEO of Special Olympics South Carolina and all his staff and volunteers should be commended for their wonderful work.

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend the world was reminded that we face a global war on terrorism. Terrorists murdered or maimed hundreds of innocent civilians in India, Turkey, and most recently, yesterday in Iraq. These attacks, which numbered well over a dozen, are a stark reminder of the hideous nature of the enemy, who have declared war on modern civilization.

The groups responsible for these attacks are not always the same people. However, their motives in disrupting peace and prosperity and taking the lives of innocent individuals are the same as those who seek to kill American families. That is why we must stand together with our allies against such heinous attacks.

I want to express my deepest sympathies to the people of India, Turkey, and Iraq. If we are to defeat those who will murder innocent civilians and destroy the prosperity of free Nations, then we must work together. Despite their best efforts, our enemy's brazen disregard for innocent life will only strengthen our resolve.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to express my strong support for the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center (NAC) located on the campus of the University of South Carolina and for H.R. 6083, legislation which authorizes funding for NAC to help that organization train State and local prosecutors.

Started by the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) in 1998, for more than a decade the NAC has educated over 20,000 prosecutors--expanding their knowledge of difficult legal matters and skills to better serve their communities. I am grateful that my son Alan is a graduate of the NAC program. I know firsthand that his experience has been an important part of his legal training.

State and local prosecutors are an invaluable component of our nation's justice system. Their service helps protect American families by keeping criminals off our streets and making our neighborhoods safer for our children. I commend the staff of the National Advocacy Center for their hard work, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important program.

Madam Speaker, yesterday India's Parliament held a confidence vote on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's majority coalition. Prime Minister Singh's majority prevailed. This is good news for the U.S.-India civilian nuclear agreement that is currently under consideration by the International Atomic Energy Agency and Nuclear Suppliers Group.

A minority party of the Indian Parliament called for the vote in opposition to Prime Minister Singh's decision to send the nuclear agreement to the IAEA for consideration. Yesterday's victory provides a political mandate for the agreement between the United States and India which will strengthen our partnership as well as further the advancement of nuclear energy, which is good jobs and stable power for the people of India.

As the citizens of my home State of South Carolina know, nuclear energy is a clean and renewable energy source. For over 30 years, over 50 percent of electricity generated in our State has come from nuclear power.

As a long-time supporter of the civilian nuclear agreement, I am grateful that we will continue to step closer to having the agreement implemented.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday July 15th, the House of Representatives passed unanimously by voice vote H. Con. Res. 299, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. As a proud cosponsor of this resolution, I am grateful that the House of Representatives took the time to show our support for those who are fighting for better treatment and a cure for cystic fibrosis.

Our ability to help families and the medical community make headway against this disease is vital. With approximately 30,000 Americans living with this disease--a large percentage of which are children-- raising funding and awareness for research will bring hope and real results.

In an effort to raise money and awareness for cystic fibrosis research, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has held an annual Celebrity Tennis Gala for the past 23 years. Since the beginning of these annual events, the life-expectancy of a child born with cystic fibrosis has more than doubled. This is in no small part due to the money raised at this event and others. Last year alone, the Foundation raised more than $350,000 which is a substantial part of the $2.5 million raised over the years through the gala. I had the privilege of being a part of the 2008 event, where my Chief of Staff Dino Teppara was a key player, and I was encouraged by the dedication of the families I met and the hard- working individuals at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

America has remained a leader in medical research and our scientists continue to lead the way in inching closer to a cure for many diseases. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the American people as we battle together to find a cure for cystic fibrosis and other diseases.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's economic and national security is being threatened by our continued reliance on foreign oil. The pain at the pump is having a terrible impact on the wallets of American families. Simultaneously, we are sending billions of dollars overseas to buy the foreign oil we pay far too much for here at home.

Exploration of American oil and natural gas right here at home means we can rely less on unstable regimes and break the monopoly of foreign oil. The more American-made energy we use means less of our money going to line the pockets of dictators like Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. We have the resources and the technology to get these resources in an environmentally sound way.

We must face the fact there are real consequences to congressional inaction just as there would be substantial benefits to adopting an all-of-the-above energy policy, which I and many of my Republican colleagues support.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Madam Speaker, on July 12th, former White House Press Secretary, writer, commentator, patriot and a true gentleman, Tony Snow, passed away from colon cancer. Throughout his life and his career, Mr. Snow earned a reputation for wit, thoughtfulness, and intellectual prowess that brought him admiration and acclaim from his political allies and opponents.

A graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina, Tony Snow had a diverse career beginning as an editorial writer for a local North Carolina paper. He grew in the field of journalism to become a syndicated columnist and commentator for several well respected news programs. He was a speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush. After leaving the White House for the first time, Mr. Snow took a post at the Fox News Channel--helping to build that network's news programming-- before returning to the White House as press secretary for President George W. Bush.

I am personally grateful that a former member of the staff of South Carolina's Second District, Emily Lawrimore, had the distinct honor to work with Tony Snow in her post as assistant press secretary for President Bush. I know from her experience and the stories of generosity and decency from Mr. Snow's friends and colleagues that we have truly lost an honorable individual who believed in rising above the political rhetoric in this Nation. With his college background at Davidson, the people of the Carolinas especially appreciated his success. At this time of loss, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their three children.

Mr. Speaker, it is a basic rule of economics that when demand goes up, but supply remains stagnant, prices go up. That is the primary cause of the recent rise in gas prices.

Energy costs affect our transportation costs, our food costs and our national security. If there were a silver bullet, an alternative energy source that could replace oil tomorrow, we would all be for it. But there isn't. So while we are working with oil, it makes economic and national security sense to reduce our dependence on foreign imports.

If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to invest in alternative energy, good. So do we. If they want to promote conservation, good. So do we. But if they continue to stand in the way of opening up new areas right here at home for oil and natural gas exploration, then they will stand alone.

House Republicans are ready to act because Americans want an all-of- the-above energy policy. When will House Democrats stand with the American people, rather than in their way?

In conclusion, God bless our troops. We will never forget September the 11th.

Madam Speaker, poet and capitol tour guide Albert C. Caswell has penned a number of heartfelt tributes and recently, he wrote a piece dedicated to Representative Tom Lantos, our friend and colleague, who passed away on February 11, 2008. I was honored to travel with Congressman Lantos and his wife Annette in their native Hungary as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and as a Washington neighbor.

From Out of the Darkness

(By Albert Carey Caswell)

From out of the darkness, as so comes the light!

From out of such evil, as so comes the good into that night .

. . as ever there burning bright . . .

From out of a child, who has so witnessed such injustice . .

. can so come the battle, can so come the fight!

To witness such darkness, to face such an early dark death!

To carry such horrors, so deep down in ones chest . . . as

Satan's warriors aggress . . .

To stand up and fight, to become such a true champion of

right . . . as this our world you so bless!

To forge victory, from all of your most noble deeds . . . to

have the battle won . . .

To leave your homeland, for but a bright new shining future .

. . that you have begun . . .

To witness within your soul, the cost of victory you behold .

. . ever ready to fight, for a new day's dawn . . .

To be a crusader for all which is good, for those most

noblest of causes. Tom you so would . . .

To fight off the darkness and evil hatred with all your might

. . . to bring the light with all that you could!

To be a true champion among men, as is this fine son . . .

who has so brought such hope and such good . . .

For the life of Thomas Lantos, is but a magnificent battle as

won!

As this great warrior has so endeavored, to fight the good

fight . . . when and wherever hatred's begun!

Who as a child, witnessed evil's contempt ever so vile . . .

for our Lord's, most precious daughters and sons . . .

When you look, for hatred . . . in these our most trying of

times . . .

As there too, you shall ever so find . . . a man of action,

who so comes to mind!

To carry that fight, against dark ignorance and hate . . .

for human rights, as is his life's mission so fine . .

.

As a Father, and as a Husband . . . and truly a great Rhyme .

. .

As all throughout his lifetime, Thomas Lantos . . . has took

the greatest of stands!

As a great American Hungarian, as an example for hearts to

carry on . . . so blessing our heartland

Whenever you walk into that the darkest of all nights . . .

Ever remember my child, that out of your faith, courage and

your love . . . but comes the light!

For as long as we have men, who to great heights so ascend .

. . than evil shall never so rule the night!

Mr. Speaker, yesterday President Bush announced that he would be lifting the executive branch moratorium on offshore exploration for oil and natural gas. I applaud the President's actions.

House Republicans have offered a plan to expand offshore and onshore energy supply with conservation. This is part of our comprehensive approach to lowering energy prices and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will join House Republicans and the American people in calling for an immediate lifting of the congressional ban on offshore drilling.

We need to invest in future alternatives to oil, but until we find a viable, affordable alternative energy source that can move our cars and transport American commerce, we need to expand exploration of American- made oil and natural gas, particularly when we have the tools and know how to do it in an environmentally sound way.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.