Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the reauthorization of SCHIP, an important piece of legislation that has become even more necessary now than it was when we started working on it 2 years ago. I commend my colleagues, Congressman Pallone, Congressman Waxman, the dean of the House, Congressman John Dingell, Congressman Rangel, Congressman Stark, and many others for their tireless efforts on this bill.

Madam Speaker, by passing this bill today we will provide health care for 11 million children. This is not just a bipartisan achievement, it is the right thing to do.

With the economic downturn and some of the worst unemployment numbers we've seen in decades, rising health insurance costs are making it increasingly difficult for families to afford health care for their children. States faced with the constitutional responsibility of balancing their budgets have been cutting programs that provide children with access to health care. Some states have already cut thousands of children from their CHIP programs and more States are considering drastic action. By reauthorizing SCHIP, we will enable States to prevent the loss in health coverage for many of these children and allow more uninsured families to participate in the program. In Connecticut alone this legislation will mean thousands of our 43,000 uninsured children will now be covered.

One story that has been brought to my attention is the story of the Farr family in Manchester, CT. Joseph and Danielle Farr are in their early thirties. They are hardworking citizens who have a young child soon to turn 1. They have a household income that is just $15 above Medicaid. But they qualify for SCHIP, which they call a ``godsend'' for their family.

The Farrs just learned that Joe is likely to be laid off from his job in March--a story familiar to many Americans. But, thanks to SCHIP, their son will continue to get the health care he needs. By reauthorizing SCHIP we will make sure that families like the Farrs will continue to have health care for their child even if they do fall victim to the economic downturn.

This bill will increase outreach efforts targeted at children currently eligible but not enrolled in the program and also give pregnant women access to health care through SCHIP. While we still have many more miles to travel on the road to fulfilling the promise of health care reform, this, Madam Speaker, is a down-payment on that effort. I am proud to support this legislation and urge my colleagues to stand with us, to stand with our children, and pass this bill.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R. 11), which is the first of two bills the House will consider today focused on ensuring fair and equal pay for women in our workforce.

By now, most of us have heard the heartrending story of Lily Ledbetter. Despite being intentionally paid 20 percent less than her male colleagues for 19 year, Ms. Ledbetter was denied damages by Supreme Court. In its May 27, 2007, the Court, by a narrow majority, ruled that because Ms. Ledbetter failed to file a claim within 180 days of the initial discriminatory action, she had missed her opportunity to challenge her employer.

Thankfully, we have the opportunity today to overturn the Supreme Court's egregious decision by approving the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This legislation clarifies that each discriminatory paycheck represents a new act of discrimination and therefore restarts the 180 day statute of limitation. By restoring the law to as it was prior to the Supreme Court's ruling, we will ensure that women, such as Lily Ledbetter, who are unknowingly discriminated against for years retain the legal right to challenge their employer and obtain compensation for the discrimination that they have endured.

Madam Speaker, the legislation before us today does nothing more than restore common sense to the laws that protect our nation's women from discrimination. I urge all of my colleagues to fully support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Paycheck Fairness Act, H.R. 12, which continues this House's efforts to ensure fair and equal pay for the women of our workforce.

Over four decades ago, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act with the goal of eliminating gender-based wage discrimination and once and for all closing the wage gap between men and women. Unfortunately, loopholes and deficiencies found within the legislative text allowed the wage gap to persist. As a result, women currently make on average only 77 cents for every dollar earned by a male and in my great State of Connecticut, matters are not much better with women making only 82 cents on the dollar.

The Paycheck Fairness Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor, provides a logical and effective means to eliminate gender-based wage discrimination. By strengthening the Equal Pay Act and eliminating loopholes that have for too long been exploited by some employers, this legislation will offer greater protection to women in the workforce, while also substantially increasing penalties on those disreputable employers who continue to disregard our Nation's laws.

Mr. Speaker, during this time of economic uncertainty it is more important than ever that all Americans earn equal pay for equal work. I would like to thank both Chairman George Miller and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for their collective efforts on this important issue and urge all my colleagues to stand up for women workers and vote in favor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 34, a resolution that recognizes Israel's right to defend itself from attacks by Hamas and reaffirms the United States's support of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. I was extremely pleased to join with Speaker Pelosi, Republican Leader Boehner, and other bipartisan leaders of the House in introducing this important legislation.

Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005 in hopes of reducing violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Unfortunately, just the opposite has occurred. Since Israel's withdrawal, Hamas have terrorized Israel by firing more than 6,000 missiles from Gaza into Israel's southern region. Israel, thankfully, has shown a remarkable level of restraint throughout these attacks. It was not until December 2008, when Hamas brazenly refused to continue a ceasefire, instead choosing to ratchet up its attacks, that Israel used military force in response.

The resolution before us today emphasizes the United States's belief that Israel has the right to self-defense. No other country in the world would or could have shown the level of restraint that Israel has over the past years. Moreover, none should ever be required to.

House Resolution 34 also recognizes the burgeoning humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. While Israel has provided humanitarian assistance throughout this conflict, the situation will not be fully addressed until a stable and lasting peace can be achieved between the Israelis and Palestinians. For that reason, the resolution states the United States's full support of a ceasefire that ends rocket attacks by Hamas, prevents additional arms and explosives from entering Gaza, and jumpstarts a diplomatic initiative in the region.

Madam Speaker, passage of this resolution will send the right message at the right time to our friends in Israel and our allies around the world. I urge its quick passage.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Our democracy renews itself every 2 years as Members gather with their family members eager to fulfill the aspirations of our great Nation. While America watches with anticipation, they know that hope and help are on their way. The Democratic Caucus has met and unanimously endorsed Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi for Speaker.

Two years ago, the Speaker took the gavel, historically, on behalf of America's children. She has taken this Congress and the country in a new direction and provided the foundation for change that America yearns for and needs. How fitting, on the birthday of Sam Rayburn, legendary Speaker of the House from Texas, that I, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, have been directed by the unanimous vote of the Caucus, to present for election to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 111th Congress, the name of the Honorable Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi, a Representative-elect from the great State of California.

Madam Speaker, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have selected as majority leader the gentleman from Maryland, master of the procedures of this floor, the Honorable Steny H. Hoyer.

Madam Speaker, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have selected as their majority whip the gentleman from South Carolina, the son of a preacher man, the Honorable James E. Clyburn.

Madam Speaker, I rise to thank Michael Cronin for his three years of dedicated service to the House as Office Director of the Office of the Historian. Michael first came to the House in 1986 as an intern and then upon graduation from college, joined the office of former Rep. Timothy J. Penny of Minnesota. He left Capitol Hill in 1990 but returned in 2005 to serve as Office Director for the reestablished Office of the Historian, under the direction of Dr. Robert Remini and Dr. Fred Beuttler. This month, Michael will continue his service to the People's House as the Administrative Director of the Office of the Inspector General.

Madam Speaker, we, as Members, are indeed fortunate to have the services of talented individuals like Michael Cronin. I know I join the Historian of the House, Dr. Robert V. Remini, and the staff of the Office of the Historian in wishing him my best as he begins this new position.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to share with our colleagues the remarks made by the Italian Ambassador, the Honorable Giovanni Castellaneta, as he awarded you with the Knight's Cross. The Knight's Cross is the supreme decoration of the Order of Merit o the Republic of Italy and, as the highest ranking Italian- American in our Nation's history, it is an honor which you richly deserve. I urge all of our colleagues to join me in congratulating you on the receipt of this high tribute from such an important ally and in thanking the Ambassador for recognizing the historic role you have played in the American story.

Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta's Remarks Villa Firenze, September 16,

2008

``..il vivere libero (...) propone onori e premii mediante

alcune oneste e determinate ragioni, e fuora di quelle non

premia ne onora alcuno''. Those are the words of the great

Italian thinker, Nicolo Machiavelli. Translation: ``living

free (...) offers honors and rewards for certain honest and

specific reasons, and outside of these, honors and rewards

none.'' For Machiavelli rewarding merit, and not noble birth

or riches--is the basis for ``living free.'' It is the very

foundation of democracy, where the merits of individuals are

affirmed unhindered and contributes to the progress of the

Nation.

There are no doubts of the merits of the Honorable Speaker

of the House, Nancy Pelosi, garnered over the years of her

public and political engagement. Years in which she emerged

in the United States as a prominent political figure and a

foremost representative of Italianicity.

The roots of her political inclinations are clear. Speaker

Pelosi was born to a family with a long history in political

life. I recall seeing a picture of Nancy in the arms of her

father, Thomas D'Alessandro, on the campaign trail that would

lead him to the U.S. Congress representing the State of

Maryland.

He handed down his passion for politics to his children:

Thomas D'Alessandro III followed in his footsteps in

Baltimore, serving also as Mayor from 1967 to 1971.

It was then to be Nancy's turn. With such a background, how

could she not heed the call? Her father's bloodline and her

Italian genes could lead nowhere else. This legacy was merged

with the wholly Italian sentiment of building a fine family

(her husband Paul, whom she met at Georgetown University, the

five wonderful children, Nancy Corinne, Christine,

Jacqueline, Paul and Alexandra) always supporting her

decision to go into public service and embark on a career

that would prove stellar. Let me mention two moments in that

process:

(1) Her designation in the Fall of 2002 as House Minority

Leader for the Democrats, the first woman in U.S. history to

hold this post.

(2) Her current position as Speaker of the U.S. House of

Representatives which, according to many, makes her the most

powerful woman in the United States and perhaps in the world.

I think the history of the D'Alessandro-Pelosi family is

especially meaningful, mainly because it exemplifies and

underlines the great contribution that Italians in America

have made to the political edifice of this great country.

It is a contribution that is part of the Italian gene:

political beings ``par excellence'' from the birth of

politics. The Romans took their lessons from the Greeks,

transformed it into an art form, and passed it on genetically

to the Italians of later generations. In the beginning I

cited Machiavelli: Is it any wonder that the founder of

modern political science was an Italian?

Once in America, Italians adapted their calling and

penchant for politics to this country, one they helped build

in the thousand assemblies and congresses of the towns,

cities, and states of this great Nation. A vocation that

generations of Italian-Americans have knowingly and naturally

expressed also in Washington, in Congress, wherever politics

is spelled with a capital P.

The Pelosi family is one example of how millions of Italian

Americans have given their talent and their calling to help

build its democratic conscience.

Mark Twain used to say that ``history never repeats itself

but it does rhyme a lot.'' And history will certainly

continue the rhyme with the D'Alessandro-Pelosi family.

Nancy's father, Thomas, also received the distinction that I

will be bestowing upon her this evening. For two members of

the same family to be awarded the highest decoration of the

Republic of Italy is rare indeed.

And the similarities do not stop there. The D'Alessandro

lived on Albemarle Street in Baltimore. Tonight we find

ourselves on Albemarle Street in Washington, so in a way we

are reconnecting to Nancy Pelosi's childhood.

I would lastly remind of the profound meaning that the

bestowal of this honor holds for my country. It is an

expression of appreciation that Italy extends, tonight in the

person of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to all the Italian-Americans

that continue to feel a strong bond with their country of

origin and whose personal and professional lives are animated

by the ``Italian spirit'' that sets us apart.

Now wherefore, on behalf of the President of the Republic

and of all the people of Italy, I hereby induct Nancy

Patricia D'Alessandro Pelosi into the Order of Merit of the

Republic of Italy (OMRI) with the degree of ``Knight of the

Grand Cross'' that recognizes merits to the Nation in the

sciences, letters, economics and public service and in

activities with social, philanthropic and humanitarian

purposes, as well as far-reaching and distinguished

contributions while in public and military service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7110, the ``Job Creation Unemployment Relief Act of 2008.'' This important legislation will help families struggling in these difficult economic times, provide critical investments in our infrastructure, and create jobs for Americans.

Right now, families in Connecticut and all across the country are facing rising energy costs, rising food prices, rising health care costs and an uncertain economic future. They are working hard but finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

This bill will put Americans back to work and provide needed relief for families. It invests $500 million in job training programs and invests billions to rebuild roads, bridges, schools, and public transportation. To protect our energy future, this bill invests crucial funds in the development of renewable energy sources and energy efficient vehicles.

To address the turbulent economic times, this bill provides key investments to assist families. With 11,000 Connecticut residents facing exhaustion of their unemployment benefits in October, H.R. 7110 will provide an extension of up to 13 weeks to help those workers get back on their feet. Finally, this bill will give crucial funding to increase food assistance and will also provide a substantial increase in Medicaid funding to the states.

At this time of great economic uncertainty, the American people need to know that their representatives are looking out for the interests of Main Street, not Wall Street. This bill is an investment in our greatest resource: the American people. I again want to express my strong support for this legislation and urge its passage.

Madam Speaker, I would like to submit this statement for the Record and regret that I could not be present yesterday, Tuesday, September 23, 2008 to vote on rollcall vote No. 626.

Had I been present, I would have voted: Yea on rollcall vote No. 626 to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 5352, a bill to protect seniors in the United States from elder abuse by establishing specialized elder abuse prosecution and research programs and activities to aid victims of elder abuse, to provide training to prosecutors and other law enforcement related to elder abuse prevention and protection, and for other purposes.

Thank you, Chairman Towns.

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of this important bill that's a

vital piece of our anti-speculation measures we have passed in the House this session.

By elevating the Inspector General of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to the level of a wholly independent office will provide for greater oversight in our commodities markets and, as Mr. Etheridge has said and as Mr. Peterson and the committee acknowledged, was important in terms of us letting all the sunshine we can into what is commonly referred to as the ``dark market.'' And this would provide us a great opportunity to make sure that, on behalf of the American people, that we return the sheriff to the job and bring back much-needed regulation in these areas.

I want to thank Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Goodlatte for their leadership and Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Tom Davis for helping with this legislation. But I must say that the genesis of this legislation comes from individuals from my home State who came to me with concerns about senior citizens having to take their entire Social Security check and put it into home heating oil. And what they had noted is that rampant speculation was driving the costs up in these markets and the laws of supply and demand have been suspended, and what was needed was an antiseptic, a way to open up and look at these markets in terms of allowing the sunshine to come in.

As my grandfather Nolan would say, ``It's a simple case of trust everyone, but cut the cards.'' And in this, not only do we have an opportunity to cut the cards, but shuffle and give a new deal to the American people. That's why this legislation is so important.

I appreciate all of the work and effort the committee has done. Certainly the surge in oil prices this summer has worsened the concerns on behalf of the American people. It's important, especially given all that has happened as we sit here, that this Congress, that this body do everything that it can to restore oversight and review and bring back to the American people the notion that this is the people's House, and we're watching what's happening on Wall Street on their behalf and empowering people with all the appropriate tools to go after those who will break the law or move outside of the law and not act on behalf of the interests of the American people.

Again, I want to thank the chairman. And I want to thank those in the committee for ushering this legislation forward.