Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Congressman William Ratchford who passed away on Sunday at the age of 76. He served in this body for three terms from 1979 to 1985 representing Connecticut's fifth congressional district. Bill was born in Danbury, Connecticut in 1934 and led a remarkable life that was most notable for putting public service first. His father was a hat-factory worker and Bill went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut and then to Georgetown University Law School. After graduating from law school, he became a lawyer in Danbury and served in the Connecticut National Guard. He was first elected to office in 1962 as a representative in the Connecticut General Assembly where he served for six terms and rose to the position of Speaker of the House during his last four years. While in the State House, he became involved in the issue of aging, which came to define his legacy. He made a tremendous contribution to the state as chairman of the Governors' Blue Ribbon Committee on Nursing Homes, and in 1977 he was tapped by Governor Ella Grasso to become the state commissioner on aging.

In 1979, Bill won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the Fifth Congressional District in Northwestern Connecticut. During his three terms in Congress, he served on the committees on appropriations, transportation, education and labor, and interior. Bill continued to have an active career after leaving Congress, remaining involved in government and teaching at Georgetown University. He was appointed by President Clinton to be assistant administrator at the General Services Administration where he served until 2001.

Bill Ratchford was an honest public servant who cared deeply about making the world around him a better place and advocating for the issues that he passionately cared about. He will always be remembered for his focus on senior citizens and children and will be missed by all who knew him. I offer my deep condolences to his wife Barbara of 53 years, his three sons, and to his family and friends.

Madam Clerk, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I am directed by the vote of that caucus to present for election to the Office of Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 112th Congress a person who gives me great honor and privilege, who has led with decency and dignity. I submit on behalf of this caucus the name of the Honorable Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi, a Representative-elect from the great State of California.

Congratulations to you, Mr. Speaker, and congratulations to my colleague and chair of the Republican Conference.

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I am directed by that conference to notify the House of Representatives officially that the Democratic Members have selected as minority leader the gentlewoman from California, the Honorable Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi.

Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Democratic Caucus, I am directed by that conference to notify the House of Representatives officially that the Democratic Members have selected as minority whip the gentleman from Maryland, the Honorable Steny Hoyer; and as assistant Democratic leader, the gentleman from South Carolina, the Honorable James Clyburn.

Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the resolution, but before offering the amendment, I request that there be a division of the question on the resolution so that we may have a separate vote on the Chaplain.

Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the remainder of the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to my father and the men and women who he served with on the USS Franklin. The ship that wouldn't die, also known as ``Big Ben,'' is one of the most decorated ships in naval history. I often think of how my dad, then just 19 years of age, 45 miles off the coast of Japan, dealt with the series of events that unfolded on the Essex-class carrier Franklin. Like so many of his generation, he said little about the battle and the loss of life that took place during the crew's effort to keep the Franklin afloat. Al Amos, one of my dad's friends from Connecticut, was also a survivor and recently his daughter sent me a book, ``Inferno: The Epic Life and Death Struggle of the USS Franklin in World War II,'' which chronicled the heroic efforts on board the Franklin on March 19, 1945. In memory of that event, I flew a flag over the United States Capitol to honor Al, my dad, all the surviving crew members, and those who have since passed. History will forever record these deeds and the valor displayed. As the son of Raymond E. Larson, I wanted to pay this small tribute in recognition of the heroic efforts that defined the men and women who have served our country and make us uniquely American. The following is a brief summary.

On March 19, 1945, the Essex-class battle carrier, the USS Franklin, had maneuvered less than 50 miles from the coast of Japan. It was closer than any American ship had been to Japan during the war. The crew had been battle-tested since the summer of 1944 and launched numerous attacks on the enemy in the Pacific from Iwo Jima to the Bonin Islands. It had survived multiple attacks by the enemy from bombers, torpedo assaults, and kamikaze missions. A direct hit from a bomber on October 3rd killed 3 sailors and wounded 22 and a suicide bomber struck the Franklin on October 30th, killing 56 and wounding 60 on board. Following a grueling tour of duty the previous year, the Franklin had been repaired and was stationed near the Japanese mainland in 1945 where it was launching attacks on the mainland island of Honshu and the Kobe Harbor.

On March 19, a Japanese bomber dropped from the clouds and struck the Franklin with two armor-piercing bombs in a devastating hit that penetrated the deck, destroyed the ship's communication system, and caused it to become engulfed in flames. Just off the Japanese coast, the Franklin was dead in the water. There were countless stories of heroics among the 704 survivors who saved the lives of many more who would have otherwise perished. Of the many heroes that day, the ship's chaplain, LCDR Joseph T. O'Callahan, led rescue efforts through twisted metal, burning debris, and suffocating smoke while administering last rites and comforting the wounded.

LT Donald Gray discovered 300 men trapped in a mess compartment and led repeated efforts to evacuate them and rescue them from certain peril. Both men received the Medal of Honor for their bravery. In total, 724 sailors were killed in the attack and 265 were wounded. Through the blistering assault from the enemy, the USS Franklin was the most heavily damaged ship to survive the war and managed to make it back to port.

Many of the survivors went on to lead remarkable lives. Spencer Le Van Kimball went on to become a Rhodes Scholar and the youngest Dean of the University of Utah Law School at the age of 35. Alphonse Goodberlet was a pilot who was wounded while serving on the USS Franklin and went on to have a distinguished career in the Navy, rising to the rank of Commander after 22 years of service. Alvin Gallen, who served as a gunner on the Franklin, was drafted to play baseball for the Cleveland Indians and played in their farm system before leaving the game to have a long career in commercial building. These brave young men from various walks of life came together to patriotically serve their country and hundreds paid the ultimate sacrifice. Sixty-five years later, the ordeal that these sailors went through is a reminder that America has faced enormous challenges before and has been able to overcome them. Although it is hard to imagine a more difficult situation than the assault the USS Franklin faced, that battered ship made it back to port and the survivors went on to be part of the greatest generation. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude and will never forget the sacrifice they made for this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a fellow colleague and a person I have grown to love--our distinguished colleague from the Show Me State.

I was blessed when coming into this Congress that the first committee I was appointed to serve on was the Armed Services Committee and to be there under the guidance and tutelage of Ike Skelton. I was the last person appointed to the committee that year.

In fact, my mother would often say to me, How come I never see you on C-SPAN? That was because I was sitting behind the camera so they couldn't actually see me on C-SPAN.

But Ike Skelton, as he does with everyone, treated the lowest member on the committee, who was me, with the same kind of dignity and respect and solid advice as he does with every Member of this Chamber.

Ike Skelton, as has been said by so many speakers with great eloquence, cares so deeply for his home State, for his community, for his great family, and legacy. Imagine, in this Chamber, sitting and serving with a direct descendent of Daniel Boone and knowing how proud he was of that legacy and how proud, growing up in his great State, he was of his dad, whom I learned about in so many conversations with him, and about Harry Truman and the great history of Missouri.

When you would go there to Lexington, when you would travel and stay at his home--and as Steny mentioned--with his wonderful wife, Susie, who was such a kind, generous and kindred soul mate of Ike's, you would walk around that district and see the respect and the reverence that the people held for Ike Skelton.

I think I was there to talk about ethanol, but I've got to be honest with you. Joanne Morrison probably knows a lot about it, but I didn't know a great deal about ethanol. By golly, by the time I was through, you would have thought I was an expert at it.

To travel with this man abroad, you see the respect at our war colleges, amongst our military leaders, amongst heads of state, but most important to him are the men and women who wear the uniform of this country.

He carries his legacy, his great family name, his State, his community, and his country. He wears that well on his face. He shoulders it well, but he carries in his heart a love and devotion for the men and women who serve this great country of ours, and everything he has done on this great floor has been on their behalf.

All men and women who serve in our Armed Forces owe such a great debt of gratitude to this humble, passionate servant of our country and the proud standard-bearer of his great State of Missouri in the way that he has held forth on behalf of the citizens he has sworn to serve and the men and women who have represented this great country of ours and who have given the full measure of their devotion.

Like so many here, I love Ike Skelton. He is a man of the House, a man for the ages because he led with that big heart of his and cared so deeply about people who serve this Nation.

God bless you, Ike Skelton. We are all better for having served with you.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Horace Wells Club of Connecticut. For over 100 years, this organization has been dedicated to promoting the field of anesthesiology. This remarkable breakthrough in the field of medicine and dentistry has dramatically improved the comfort of patients during surgery and transformed once painful experiences into routine procedures.

The Horace Wells Club of Connecticut was founded in 1894 by a group of dedicated dentists on the 50th anniversary of the discovery of anesthesia. Since then, they have held an annual dinner and given out the Horace Wells Anesthesia Award to an individual who has contributed to the advancement of the field of anesthesiology. The event has been held at the historic Harford Club for the last 75 years. This year's event will be held on December 11th, exactly 166 years to the date of anesthesia's discovery.

The Horace Wells Club of Connecticut is named after the Hartford dentist who discovered that nitrous oxide could be used as anesthesia. Horace Wells pioneered this medical advancement by first experimenting on himself during a tooth extraction. After his own successful use of anesthesia, he worked tirelessly to spread and advance this technology to improve the lives of people everywhere. He is famously quoted as wanting to see anesthesia become ``as free as the air we breathe.'' Horace Wells has been recognized multiple times by the American Dental Association and the American Medical Association. Additionally, the State of Connecticut and the City of Hartford commissioned a bronze statue in 1874, which sits at Bushnell Park in Hartford, CT to this day.

Anesthesia's abundant availability has contributed greatly to the relief of pain and suffering and Horace Wells was instrumental in this important medical breakthrough. I commend the Horace Wells Club of Connecticut for honoring his contribution to medicine and wish that they have a successful gala on December 11th.

Madam Speaker, on November 17, 2010, I missed rollcall vote 572. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' or ``aye.''

I thank the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands, and I thank my colleague from Washington. I can't wait to invite him up to Coltsville so he will see the accessibility and be exposed to what is part of this Nation's industrial revolution and part of our DNA when it comes to manufacturing.

The gentleman points out clearly that the National Park Service has established its national significance. Its national significance, I think, is worth going into in as much as I don't think all of our colleagues here are aware of the great effort of Samuel Colt and actually his wife Elizabeth who managed the company for 39 years after his death. And even though she couldn't vote, managed one of the Nation's top companies that would have been then a Fortune Five company in this Nation. Indeed, its spawned the industrial revolution here. And as a lot of people know from the Colt signature iconic name, it was the gun that won the West. And I hope it wins your hearts today because along with recognizing its national historic significance and its suitability within the park system, it was modeled after what are difficult things for urban areas.

Unlike a lot of people out West who have spacious land, we are limited. This would be Connecticut's only national park because of its historic significance and also because of its economic significance. Hartford is the fourth poorest city in the Nation. Yes, there were obstacles that were put out in front over the last several years and then specifically in testimony. So, along with the committee, we sat down and worked through those issues.

The issues centered mainly around the third criterion, knowing it was nationally significant, that it was suitable within the scheme of things, and that it followed the precedent established in Lowell, established in Rosie the Riveter in California, and then also, most recently, established in 2010 with Patterson Falls. It follows all of those criteria, but it goes beyond that for exactly the points that the gentleman raises. This is why I think it is so important and why I encourage the dialogue.

We were on the phone with the National Park Service. They have no objection to this because this meets all of those criteria and those concerns. What are they?

First and foremost, the gentleman is correct, any time you are in an urban area, you are going to enter into different property rights concerns than you would in an area which is less congested, shall I say. The point is this:

Between all of the participants, including the Governor of the State, our economic development commission, the city of Hartford, their economic development commission, and the more than 88 property owners, everything was individually worked out. All are welcoming this with great pride and with the understanding of what this will mean to their city and with the understanding of what Coltsville and Elizabeth and Sam Colt mean to the State of Connecticut. This is, perhaps, not important to everybody here; but in a small State and in a small city that is economically depressed, it is enormously important.

The gentleman raises the point that there were feasibility questions raised. There were. The developer has been replaced with a major and significant developer who has the feasibility and capability. A cap has been placed on any potential liability and cost for the National Park Service, which is another important hurdle, I dare say, which is not in most pieces of legislation. It is also with the understanding that the Park Service has veto power over this legislation, even though all of the hurdles have been addressed, should it prove not to be economically feasible.

So I would plead with my colleague. I know, perhaps, in terms of the norm of national parks in an urban setting that in a congested and densely populated area like Connecticut, it's not going to meet a lot of those criteria. There are going to be property concerns. Though, you can go bipartisanly within your State, work with all the development authorities, go within the neighborhoods, work with everybody in the neighborhood, and then can look at this historic significance. Henry Ford went there to make sure he studied the assembly line. Pratt & Whitney were both apprentices there. It spawned the typewriter, the bicycle. The automobile we can even take credit for, though we are here to talk about the significance and the importance of this historic landmark.

The urgency is that this structure, the 10,000 square feet that actually the Park Service would be in charge of, is in desperate need, in urgent need. It should have been passed years ago. This is a tough process. We have worked--and I really implore my colleagues, and many of you know this from having gone through this locally--to have every local entity, down to the basic property holder, sign off on this enthusiastically, to experience all of the different hurdles that we have had to overcome and to go forward bipartisanly with the Governor of the State of Connecticut. I think it underscores how important this is to our great State of Connecticut.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would urge its passage.

I understand the concerns that you have raised, but the Park Service has absolute veto power over that, and I think we in good faith have met every single one of those concerns. It is my hope that any disagreement or lack of understanding that has transpired can be overcome. Yet the urgency of this passage, of its importance and significance, I'd say to my good colleague and friend, is truly important to the people of the State of Connecticut.

I yield to the gentleman.

I thank the gentleman for his comments.

The future for the city of Hartford and for Coltsville is now, and the sense of urgency is upon us. My good friend and colleague from Washington State is an honest broker and an independent person.

I appreciate your comments and everything that you attributed to my enthusiasm and zeal. Let me say that that extends to the people of the State of Connecticut, as I indicated in a nonpartisan way, who are very much committed to this.

The gentleman is correct that at the hearing, which I believe was in June, these issues were raised. We then sat down with the Park Service, and we addressed every one of their concerns. Representative Grijalva then introduced an amendment that we felt addressed those concerns as well.

In the push-and-shove of business here in Congress and on the floor, I understand sometimes in the process--and certainly the gentleman is correct in making process points. I just would say that this goes beyond process in terms of what it means.

We are a small State, Connecticut, but a very proud State. This is a project--certainly, everybody recognizes--that has national significance and historic value and deserves to be preserved. The problem is that postponing it yet again doesn't work.

And so I understand your position, but I would implore people on the other side of the aisle. If you were in a similar situation--and understanding all the fiscal responsibility that we have as a Congress, and to say that you have ultimate veto power that you give to the National Park Service that the project cannot go forward unless everything has been met--and the State, its economic development authority, the City of Hartford, its municipality authority, all the property owners all embrace this and have done so enthusiastically. And the National Park Service has signed off on it, they told me.

I respect what the gentleman said, you haven't received that. That's unfortunate and unfair. I know you don't doubt my word, and I certainly don't doubt yours. I can only ask and implore that you support this, what I think is a very important and nationally significant bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank the Master Teachers from last summer's House Fellows Program. The House Fellows Program, run by the Office of the House Historian, is a unique opportunity for a select group of secondary education American history and government teachers to experience firsthand the inner-workings of Congress. These Master Teachers, Ms. Valerie Ziegler from San Francisco, California and Ms. Dodie Kasper from Frisco, Texas, demonstrated their leadership in mentoring and advising the Fellows here in Washington. Both teachers are dedicated to educating our Nation's youth and are truly deserving of our recognition.

One of the goals of the House Fellows Program is to develop curriculum on the history and practice of the House for use in schools. During this summer's program, the Fellows were guided by Ms. Ziegler, Ms. Kasper and the staff of the Office of the Historian, in preparing a brief lesson plan on a Congressional topic of their choosing. These plans will become part of a larger teaching resource database on the history of the House. During the school year following their participation in the House Fellows Program, each Fellow is responsible for presenting his or her experience and lesson plans to at least one in-service institute for teachers of history and government.

The House Fellows Program began in 2006, and today 120 teachers from across the country have participated in this innovative program. The Fellows experience an intensive weeklong seminar, of around fifty-five hours of program activities, centered around the history and practice of the House of Representatives. With plans to select a teacher from every Congressional district over the next several years, the House Fellows Program will impact hundreds of high school teachers and their students and will energize thousands of students to become informed and active citizens.

As a former U.S. history teacher, I believe strongly in the importance of civic education. We must continue our efforts to get our youth involved in the political process in districts across the country. Educating teachers about the ``People's House'' is one of the best ways to do that.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Master Teachers Ms. Valerie Ziegler and Ms. Dodie Kasper for their hard work, dedication, leadership and cooperation with the Office of the Historian in making this past summer's House Fellows Program one of the most successful since its inception.

Madam Speaker, I rise to offer my deepest condolences to the victims of the recent flooding in Pakistan, which is the worst this country has seen in 80 years. A monsoon that began at the end of July has resulted in at least 1,500 lives being lost, countless more missing or trapped, and at least three million people being displaced. It is estimated that up to half of those affected by the disaster are children. Critical infrastructure, crops, and homes have been destroyed and aid to impoverished areas has been disrupted. As the Pakistani people recover from this devastation, they should know that the United States stands with them and is ready to provide assistance.

There are immediate needs that must be addressed, such as supplying food, clean drinking water, basic shelter, disease prevention, and the rebuilding of roads and bridges. I am heartened by the efforts from the Pakistani government, the United States, the United Nations, philanthropic organizations, and charitable donations from private citizens across the world.

The United States has acted swiftly by committing $35 million, as well as humanitarian aid experts and essential supplies, to assist Pakistani citizens affected by the flooding. The United States Army is providing four Chinook

and two Blackhawk helicopters to the Swat Valley, delivering 33 tons of supplies and airlifting 800 people to safety. Additionally, American citizens have been making small donations through their cell phones by texting the word ``SWAT'' to the number 50555. This money goes to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to provide needed supplies like tents, clean water, food, clothing, and medicine.

This is an unspeakable tragedy. Sadly, monsoon rains continue to fall; further endangering populations and making relief efforts even more challenging. Increased international assistance is critical to helping the millions who are in immediate need of food or shelter. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Pakistan as they recover from this disaster.

Madam Speaker, I rise on a very solemn and sad moment to express condolences to families of the victims within my congressional district in the State of Connecticut.

I have always empathized with my fellow colleagues when they address the House about fateful events that occur in their communities. I just never imagined that tragedy would strike so close to home. And it's hard to conceive, I know for everyone here, that bad things happen to good people.

On the morning of August 3, 2010, eight men went to work, some looking forward to vacation, others nearing retirement, none expecting the calamity that would follow. I thank my colleagues for indulging me the time to express the heartfelt condolences of the Nation and this body. Eight men went to work that morning. Some of them followed in the footsteps of their fathers and brothers before them. This is a family business, many of whom had served and worked at this family business for over 20 years. Neither they nor their families and friends could anticipate the senseless, unthinkable actions that occurred on that morning. Yet bad things happen to good people.

So consequently, ordinary people are going through extraordinary circumstances, punctuated by acts of heroism, courage, and camaraderie that unites them. These eight men, Bill Ackerman of East Windsor, Bryan Cirigliano of Newington, Francis Fazio of Bristol, Louis Felder of Stamford, Victor James of Windsor, Edwin Kennison of East Hartford, Craig Pepin of South Windsor, and Douglas Scruton of Manchester, lost their lives that day.

They were Teamsters of Local 1035. But beyond that, they were husbands, fathers, grandfathers, coaches, and friends. They were leaders and stalwarts in their communities where they lived and served. All were part of a family business, which makes this so tragic, a family that's operated a business since 1955. The owner of that business I was with that fateful morning. Stunned and shocked, as everyone was, his thoughts were only about the safety and well-being of his workforce, his concern as to whether or not they would be able to keep their wages. And he talked to the comptroller, making sure that benefits would be extended. And his heart went out to all of the families who were victims of this senseless, tragic slaying.

It's a family business. It was a tragic and horrific thing that took place in Manchester, Connecticut. What the people of Hartford Distributors have, as they went through this, and the several vigils and memorials that have been created, and the funeral services that are still going on, is they understand that they have one another. And they intend, later this week, to lock arms and march back into the warehouse together, and continue to move forward, always remembering those eight men.

I ask that the Members rise and observe a moment of silence in memory of these eight men and their families during this senseless tragedy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the participants of the House Fellows Program. The House Fellows Program, run by the Office of the House Historian, is a unique opportunity for a select group of secondary education American history and government teachers to experience firsthand the inner-workings of Congress. These educators have demonstrated excellence in the classroom, are dedicated to educating our nation's youth and are truly deserving of our recognition.

One of the goals of the House Fellows Program is to develop curriculum on the history and practice of the House for use in schools. During the program, fellows prepare a brief lesson plan on a Congressional topic of their choosing, which is then shared with the other fellows. These plans will become part of a larger teaching resource database on the House. During the school year following their participation in the House Fellows Program, each Fellow is responsible for presenting his or her experience and lesson plans to at least one in-service institute for teachers of history and government.

The House Fellows Program began in 2006, and since then 75 teachers from across the country have participated in this innovative program.

An additional 45 teachers will be taking part in this summer's program. With plans to select a teacher from every Congressional district over the next several years, the House Fellows Program will impact thousands of high school teachers and their students and will energize thousands of students to become informed and active citizens.

As a former U.S. history teacher, I believe strongly in the importance of civic education. We must continue our efforts to get our youth involved in the political process in districts across the country. Educating teachers about the ``People's House'' is one of the best ways to do that. I congratulate the following educators who are participating in the third session of this summer's 2010 House Fellows Program: Ms. Cindy Tatum (Tanner, TN-08), Ms. Betsi Foster (Tanner, TN- 08), Mr. John Tenney (DeLauro, CT-03), Ms. Carol Gale (Larson, CT-01), Mr. Robert Nave (Murphy, CT-05), Mr. Stephen Miller (Van Hollen, MD- 08), Ms. Cristy Lenski (Linder, GA-07), Ms. Judy Walton (Ehlers, MI- 03), Mr. William Reinhart (McKeon, CA-25), Mr. Herrick Smith (Mica, FL- 07), Ms. Shannon Gerlach (Royce, CA-40), Ms. Darla Faden (Smith, NE- 03), Ms. Gayla Reimer (Miller, FL-01), Mr. Kris Vass (Goodlatte, VA-06) and Mr. Tom Beard (Grayson, FL-08).

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in thanking the Office of the Historian for sponsoring this program. Thanks to Dr. Robert Remini and Dr. Fred Beuttler for their outstanding leadership, and Dr. Thomas Rushford, Mr. Anthony Wallis and Mr. Benjamin Hayes for providing the crucial staff support.

Thank you also to the Office of the Historian interns: Ms. Jacqueline Burns, Mr. Michael Karlik, Ms. Madeleine Rosenberg and Ms. Debbie Kobrin.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about Social Security. I rise because our colleagues on the other side of the aisle in this past weekend alone have said they want to return--they want to return to the Bush years. They want to return to privatizing Social Security. They want to do so so that they can help balance the deficit by cutting Social Security.

Can you imagine, had the Bush tax cuts gone through, had the Bush proposal for Social Security gone through, what would happen to so many of our citizens during this great recession? People who rely solely on Social Security would not have anywhere to turn to.

The concept and the idea we often criticize our colleagues saying they have no plan, but in fact they do. They want to privatize Social Security. Yes, they want to privatize Social Security. They want to voucher Medicare. They want to block grant Medicaid, and then they want to turn around and take your health benefits and treat them as ordinary income and tax them.

Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Democratic Caucus stand firmly behind Social Security and its benefits to all the American people.