Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6983, the ``Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.'' I would first like to commend Representative Patrick Kennedy and Representative Jim Ramstad on their outstanding efforts and tireless work on this important issue.

For far too long too many individuals and families have struggled with mental health illness and substance abuse disorders and yet have faced a health care system that provided them with unequal access to care. This bill is a step in the right direction for our country as it provides another degree of fairness for our citizens.

In short, it ensures that group health plans can no longer charge people more for seeking treatment for mental health or substance abuse problems. It also provides that out of pocket and visit limits may be no different for mental health and substance abuse care than for other medical care.

According to a report by the Lieutenant Governor's Mental Health Cabinet in Connecticut, of the nearly 600,000 of our state residents who experience symptoms of mental illness, 135,000 suffer from a serious condition and 66,000 suffer from a severe condition. Countless others suffer from debilitating substance abuse disorders. These problems are every bit as serious as other medical conditions and must be treated by our health care system as such.

Again, I want to commend my colleagues who worked so hard on this issue to reach a bipartisan compromise and reiterate my strong support for this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 758: the ``Breast Care Patient Protection Act of 2008.'' I would like to commend my colleague, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro who has fought passionately for issues like these since she entered the Congress.

Put simply, this bill protects the health of women and ensures they have the time they need to recover from difficult medical procedures. With passage of this legislation no longer will women have to feel pushed out the door following breast cancer treatment. There are too many stories of women across the country who ave suffered from not being given the proper time to recover from breast cancer surgery for Congress to stand idle.

According to the Connecticut Department of Health, in 2004, 29 percent of all new diagnosed cases of cancer in Connecticut were breast cancer. This was more than any other type of cancer diagnosed in women in the State.

While we need to continue to be vigilant in the fight against the causes of breast cancer we must also ensure that those seeking treatment are given the protections to allow for them to properly recover. I again commend my colleague Ms. DeLauro and repeat my firm support of this legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I want to commend Chairman Peterson for the extraordinary work that he's done in this area and the sensitive manner in which he's approached a very oftentimes complex issue.

I'm especially pleased that the Ag Committee adopted a provision that addressed the Inspector General and elevating that Inspector General to independent status. I understand why it had to be removed. I'm pleased, though, that Mr. Waxman has indicated that we intend to bring the bill to the floor under suspension because of the bipartisan agreement that, especially in this day and age, the need to make sure that we have referees on the field in lieu of everything that's happening to guarantee that we don't have the foxes guarding the henhouse but that we provide an opportunity for independent overview.

Lastly, I would like to close by saying this. Again, my thanks to the committee and the chairman. But it's voices outside this Chamber; and, specifically, I want to credit John Mitchell, former Republican mayor of South Windsor, Connecticut, for coming to me with the independent petroleum dealers talking about actually what happens to people because of speculation, talking about women turning over their entire Social Security check to pay for their home heating oil and the system being broken and that the issues of supply and demand not working.

These came from main street businesses who aren't in the Beltway, who care deeply about the citizens they serve and represent. I want to commend them and this committee for its sensitivity in passing a comprehensive step--not a silver bullet, not a panacea--but an appropriate step towards restoring what we need in terms of the oversight and review that must go on to restore integrity in the marketplace.

I thank the chairman again for the opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by commending this legislation and, more specifically, commending the work of Collin Peterson and Bob Goodlatte. You are a stellar example of what bipartisan cooperation should be like in this Chamber. Anyone who's witnessed how you have handled the agricultural bill and now this issue begins to deepen your appreciation for the way that you conduct yourself. It's a model for the Congress.

I'd also like to commend my colleagues Rosa DeLauro and Chris Van Hollen for the legislation that they contributed to this piece of legislation, and probably the most comprehensive piece of legislation put forward by Bart Stupak who has been an advocate for this for several years. I want to also add Frank LoBiondo who assisted in a bipartisan way with this legislation.

But essentially, this came from Main Street and from independent oil dealers who recognize that the laws of supply and demand have been suspended and that what we needed to do was address this issue very forthrightly, but with the cautious manner which Mr. Peterson has laid out.

I'm delighted that included in the bill is an effort to make sure that there's an Inspector General----

I thank the chairman.

I'm specifically delighted that there will be an independent Inspector General within the CFTC. This is vitally important to make sure that the kind of oversight that we all desire is going to take place.

I want to further commend John Mitchell, former Republican mayor in South Windsor; his brother, Billy; and Gene Guilford; and the Independent Petroleum Council who came to us with this issue primarily because citizens were coming to them and having to exchange their entire Social Security check in order to get oil for themselves.

Again, I commend the chairman and thank him for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that my vote today on rollcall vote No. 518, on final passage of H.R. 6532, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the Highway Trust Fund balance, was not recorded. I was present on the floor and voting during this voting series, but did not realize that the electronic voting system did not register my support for this specific bill. As a cosponsor of this important legislation my vote should have been recorded as ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 518.

Thank you, Mr. Neal. I commend you for your hard work on this bill and enthusiastically support it, commending Mr. Rangel and, of course, Mr. Frank who, as we all know from New England, has labored tirelessly along with Senator Dodd from my home State of Connecticut to bring this legislation to fruition.

I want to commend our dear friend Mr. McCrery for his remarks, and I have some sympathy with regard to his concerns about procedure. But they pale in comparison to the relief that people in the State of Connecticut, the State of Louisiana, and all across this nation are desiring. I can't emphasize enough the work that Charlie Rangel and Barney Frank have done on this legislation to bring relief where it's greatly needed, as Mr. Levin pointed out, especially in our urban and city areas where the block grants will provide an opportunity and great flexibility for them to do the kind of things and provide the incentives needed to both preserve people in their ability to stay in their homes and expand that opportunity across the State.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend and mentor of mine, Raymond Thayer Donovan, who passed away on May 10, 2008. A World War II vet and engaged civic leader, Ray stood at the center of Connecticut politics. I, along with the entire State, mourn this great loss. It is with great honor that I submit for the Congressional Record remarks made at his funeral by Kevin Brown and myself. Through these words, we remember the life and spirit of a truly great man.

Kevin Brown

First and foremost, I'd like to thank Louise and the family

for the honor of being able to say a few works today in

remembrance of Raymond. Like so many of you, I loved him very

much.

I know that Raymond would have wanted me to be brief. For

his sake, I will try. But it won't be easy. When Shelley

called and asked me to speak today she told me that the

family thought that I might be someone who could best tell

Raymond's story. Try as I might, I couldn't do it. I felt

like I was telling my story.

You see, all of my memories of Raymond are about what he

did for me, how he helped shape my life, what he taught me,

and the example he set. I finally realized that telling

Raymond's story is so hard because it was never about him; it

was always about the people in his life. Raymond was the most

unselfish person I've ever met. For him, it was never about

power, recognition, success or wealth. His greatest source of

satisfaction came from helping others. He was never out front

claiming the credit. He moved through the world without

making any noise but his fingerprints were everywhere. He was

always encouraging. He made us feel appreciated and a part of

something.

More importantly, Raymond had this unique capacity to gaze

at a room full of people and sense who was feeling left out,

who was drifting from the group and who needed to be touched.

Without us ever realizing why, he would suddenly appear as

you turned to leave. And he would ask you to stay, telling

you how smart you were, how much you were needed, and how

proud he was of you. And once he knew you were back in the

fold, he'd disappear just as suddenly and be on his way to

make someone else fell important and wanted. And he did this

without ever asking you to follow him. Quite to the contrary,

he'd try to convince you to lead on the promise that he would

follow. It was his re-assurance that made so many of us

confident to take such bold steps in our lives.

In fact, of one thing I am sure: Raymond never saw himself

as a leader. If the truth be told, he was a shepherd. Someone

who guided so many people through the journey of life,

showing us the way and watching over us, making sure that, if

possible, no harm came to us. And when we stumbled or fell,

he was there to pick us up, dust us off and send us back on

our way.

Whether it was his family or the Lions Club, the fourth

district, the folks at Latimere Point, his co-workers at the

State Capitol, or for that matter, anyone who knew him.

Raymond was their shepherd, that silhouette of a man off on

the hillside watching over us. A man who gave much and asked

for so little; and someone who taught us the power of

humility, integrity, and forgiveness.

Being a shepherd can be lonely. Standing watch can be a

heavy burden. Every shepherd needs a star to guide them, a

point in the distance, ever true, to fix upon, to draw

strength from, and point the way. Raymond had Louise. She was

his North Star and he knew he was her knight in shining

armor. She was his greatest source of strength and her

unconditional love was his greatest reward in life. Together,

they helped us all endure our moments of doubt and enjoy

ourselves along the way.

The last time that Raymond and I spoke was last year at a

wonderful memorial service that my sister held for my mom in

Saybrook. As always, Raymond was smiling and so happy to see

me. He told me how proud he was of me and what a wonderful

person I was. He spoke fondly of how wonderful my mom was and

what a great job she did raising us. This morning, I thought

how ironic it was for that to be the last time I'd see

Raymond. I realized that so many people go through the

journey of life and never have a shepherd to watch over them.

And I had two: Raymond and my mom.

Raymond, I hope that this wasn't too long!! I tried to tell

your story as briefly as I could. And Raymond, I want you to

know I've made the journey this far with your help and

without you, I might surely have lost my way.

John Larson

A great light went out of our lives, and created an

indescribable void and pang that only the warm memory of such

a wonderful man can console us. On behalf of U.S. Senator

Dodd and myself, it was an honor to fly a flag over the

United States Capitol in memory of this Navy Veteran, elected

official, and public servant. Ray Donovan's life defined

civic commitment, love of country, and love of family.

My father will be gone 20 years this October. Ray and he

were great friends. Ray Donovan made sure in my father's

absence that he took time to share with me and my brothers

and sisters the fond memories about my father. As all of my

family can attest, Ray was a man of letters, a great writer,

and conveyor of sentimentality and the human condition. His

letters would always give you pause and make you reflect. In

those letters he never failed to mention some anecdote about

Dad and how proud he would be. He went out of his way to

honor us, by honoring the memory of our father, and his

friend. I am humbled to be asked to remember him today.

I heard of Ray and Louise Donovan long before I ever met

them. Growing up in East Hartford, Democratic politics played

a huge roll. For me, they were lessons learned at my mother's

knee. They were, after all, the generation who elected John

Kennedy. . . . The Donovans were kitchen table conversation

at the Larson's house long before I ever met them in person.

My mother would talk of Ray Donovan in the most respectful

tone. What a gentleman! What a thoughtful, intelligent man!

What a loyal and good friend! What patience, what a calming

force!

Through Mom's eyes and words we learned of a man who seemed

like John Forsythe, Jimmy Stewart, and Ozzie Nelson rolled up

into one. He did not disappoint . . .

Louise and Ray . . . like . . . well . . . Tracey and

Hepburn; Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, or as we say in

East Hartford, Herb and Reggie; Burns and Allen; Ricky and

Lucy; Bill and Hillary, or Nikki and Bill: take your pick . .

. in East Hartford; it was Louise and Ray, the political

power couple of the day! Louise, unafraid to assert her view

and giving new meaning to the word candor, Ray, diplomatic

and ever gracious. They were quite a team. Whether it was

Democratic politics, the Lion's Club, cookouts at Latimer

Point, or serving the clam chowder at Bocce, they were

inseparable.

They were at the epicenter of the Democratic Party in its

hey-day in East Hartford. I still can recall the elegance and

class of the dances on Founder's Plaza, under the moonlight,

overlooking the Connecticut River and the Hartford skyline.

Yet the most coveted invitation in town was the afterglow

party at Walter Place! What a wonderful time it was, what a

wonderful couple they made. If you close your eyes, you can

still see the gala of that night unfold. Jimmy Fitz was at

his zenith, Dick & Terry Blackstone, Timmy & Rosemary

Moynihan, Ann & Toni Fornibi, Larry & Joe Delponte, Dick &

Peg Torpey, Frank & Shirley, John & Ellie Fitzgerald, Gigi &

Tony Roberto, Ray & Pauline, Rita &

Don, Julie & Herb . . . and at the center of it all, Ray and

Louise. I can still hear the music and laughter echoing into

the summer's night.

I always got a kick out of the fact that Paul Landerman's

Orchestra would play at the dance and Paul Maynard, a

Republican Councilman, and good friend of many Democrats, was

playing in the band as the Democrats tore up the pavement to

``In the Mood.'' It was the coming out party of the year.

Shelley, Kevin, Sue Maynard, Paul's daughter, and I were

all classmates in high school when our parents served on the

town council. It's an awkward thing when your parents are in

office in some respects. It was a different time, perhaps

because we Democrats had a 4-1 registration advantage, but it

seemed like Republicans and Democrats just got along better.

I know for Shelley, Susan and myself, we might have given the

eye roll at the mention of their elected office, but we

respected their service and were proud of them.

My Dad and Ray drove back and forth to work at Pratt &

Whitney Aircraft in North Haven for several years. They had a

lot in common; both were Navy Veterans serving on the

aircraft carriers, for my Dad, the Franklin and for Ray, the

Midway. Both were firefighters in the Navy, both worked at

tool and dye shops after the war. Both married well, and

their families were the center of the universe.

They were, however, different. Ray and Raymond, the R&R

Express. Try to imagine riding in that car with Dad and Ray.

It would be like listening to a conversation between Archie

Bunker and Fred McMurray. Ray Donovan, more urbane,

sophisticated and measured; Dad, a little rough around the

edges. Dad preferred baseball caps, flannel shirts and

playing the organ at the Elks to Ray's shirt, tie and

occasional sweater, and service to the Lions. Ray loved the

dialogue, the give and take of politics, while Dad was

skeptical of the whole process. One thing my father wasn't

skeptical of, though, was the honesty and decency of Ray

Donovan. My father loved Ray Donovan, their companionship,

and their camaraderie during those trips back and forth to

North Haven fortified the unique bond they shared. What I

would give for a tape recording of those journeys. It

would be prime material for a Normal Lear comedy.

I have a feeling, though, Dad was one of the first to greet

Ray as they embark on another journey. It's a safe bet they

picked up the conversation where they left off, catching up

on their families.

Much has been written of their generation. Ray epitomized

what has rightfully been called the Greatest Generation, and

represents all that is rich about the lives our parents led.

A child of the Depression, a veteran of the World War, a

builder of a community, who selflessly served the Democratic

Party, as Forth District Chairman, member of the Board of

Education, the Town Council, and the Lion's Club, and the

V.F.W. Proud of his Irish heritage and proud to be called a

Democrat! Ray was a devoted husband, loving father and

enduring friend. I was never around him when he didn't talk

about his family or ask about mine.

Ray Donovan was more than an advisor or mentor. Those well-

meaning words don't do him justice. He led by his example. He

was the listening ear, the sympathetic heart, the person of

firm resolve and conviction, patient and willing to forgive,

the calm, assured inward strength that formed a constant you

know that was there for you.

What he did for me and all who sought his council was lead

by example. No task was beneath him, no person nor cause not

worthy of his effort. He met everyone with a welcoming smile,

an outstretched hand, and always a word of encouragement that

was his trademark.

He never spoke of material possession. What others saw as

life's benchmarks of success, new cars or homes, never

interested him. I never heard him speak ill of anyone, he was

a source of positive energy whose approval you sought and

wanted.

It is said that we stand on the shoulders of other who have

come before us. Ray Donovan's shoulders were broad enough for

all of us to stand upon. Emerson wrote what most men led

lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with a song

still in them. Ray Donovan led a life that was resolute and

content, his song and life was one of quiet inspiration. An

inspiration that was contagious because it came by way of his

own example. I heard him say often of many people but never

with such pride as when he would say of Louise with a broad

smile and quiet satisfaction, ``Isn't that Louise

something.'' We pause today to say, ``Wasn't that Ray

something.'' We miss you. We love you. Say hi to Dad for me.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the participants of the House Fellows Program on the completion of their weeklong program. As an initiative of the Office of the Historian, this program has been a unique opportunity for a select group of secondary education teachers of American history and government to experience firsthand how Congress really works. They were chosen because they were educators with demonstrated excellence in the classroom.

One of the goals of the program is to develop curricular materials on the history and practice of the House for use in schools. Each Fellow will prepare his or her brief lesson plan on a Congressional topic of their choosing, and these plans will become part of a teaching resource database on the House. During the school year following their participation in the House Fellows Program, each Fellow will have the responsibility to present their experiences and lesson plans to at least one in-service institute for teachers of history and government.

With plans to select a teacher from every congressional district over the next 4 years, the House Fellows Program will be able to impact thousands of high school teachers and their students, providing an inside account of how the House of Representatives functions, energizing thousands of students to become informed and active citizens.

I had the honor of meeting the Fellows this week and know that all Members will join me in congratulating the following teachers who have successfully completed the program:

Ms. Gale Carter, East Chicago Central High School, East Chicago, Indiana (INOl, Visclosky); Ms. Jennifer Fine, New Canaan High School, New Canaan, Connecticut (CT04, Shays); Mr. Todd Hodkey, Wellington High School, Wellington, Ohio (OH09, Kaptur); Mrs. Amy Koelsch, Sterling Heights High School, Sterling Heights, Michigan (MIl2); Mrs. Gerry Kohler, Wood County Schools, Wood County, West Virginia (WVOl); Mr. Erik Korling, Willows High School, Willows, California (CA02); Mr. Steven Kwiatkowski, Clay High School, Oregon, Ohio (OH09); Ms. Evelyn Longino, Red River High School, Coushatta, Louisiana (LA04, McCrery); Mr. Jake Miller, Panther Valley High School, Lansford, Pennsylvania (PAll, Kanjorski); Mr. Tony Storch, Caldwell Academy, Greensboro, North Carolina (NC06, Coble); Mr. Jonathan Waldron, Mattawan High School, Mattawan, Michigan (MI06, Upton).

As many of my colleagues already know, the first bill I sponsored upon becoming a Member of Congress in 1999 was the History of the House Awareness and Preservation Act, which directed the Librarian of Congress to oversee the writing of a history of the House of Representatives. Once this bill was signed into law (P.L. 106-99), the Librarian of Congress very wisely chose the eminent historian and author, Dr. Robert V. Remini, to write the history, which was published in 2006 under the title of The House. The project was so well received that the Speaker of the House reestablished the Office of the Historian in 2005 and appointed Dr. Remini as the House Historian.

Madam Speaker, I would like to urge all of my colleagues to join me in thanking the Office of the Historian for sponsoring this program. Under the leadership of Dr. Remini and Dr. Fred Beuttler, along with their staff; Michael Cronin, Anthony Wallis, Andrew Dodge, and Dr. Charles Flanagan; interns George Dise, Parker Williams, and Mike Ferrin; the Office of the Historian is dedicated to fulfilling the goals of the History of the House Awareness and Preservation Act by conserving and presenting the history of the House of Representatives, the ``People's House.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 372, honoring the outstanding contributions that African American singers and musicians have made to the United States. June 2008 marks the 29th year of national recognition of Black Music. It is difficult to imagine American music without the rich and continuing innovations of African Americans. Prompted by Songwriter/producer Kenny Gamble, producer Berry Gordy, and artist Stevie Wonder, President Jimmy Carter designated June as Black Music Month in 1979.

From the African American spirituals created and sung by those who were enslaved or who were striving for equal rights, to the celebration of faith in gospel music, to the trials and struggles of life illuminated in blues, the music throughout the years served as a narrative to the African American experience. The number of actual contributors to the African-American Music Movement is immeasurable, and the impact of these artists on American music and culture has been astounding. African American artists have influenced the development of all branches of American popular culture including rock, country, and popular or ``pop'' music. Artists such as Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson, who lived in my home State of Connecticut, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Duke Ellington, Louie Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye set the tone for American music and have influenced artists and musicians across generations throughout the globe.

And so Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the numerous African American musicians and singers who have enriched and defined the various forms of American Music and urge the passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday which was on June 19th. Yesterday, the House of Representatives

passed H. Res. 1237, recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. I voted in favor of this resolution and I commend my colleague, Representative Danny Davis of Illinois for introducing this legislation. Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 Federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the State and formally free the slaves.

News of the end of slavery did not reach frontier areas of the United States, for more than 2 years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, and months after the conclusion of the Civil War. When word finally reached the enslaved populations in these areas, African Americans celebrated their liberation in towns across Texas and the southwest. These celebrations became a tradition for African Americans in Texas and have since spread across the United States.

Juneteenth is not only a time to commemorate the historical significance of the emancipation of slaves, but also time to recognize and celebrate the vast achievements and progress of African Americans across the Nation. In my home State of Connecticut, Juneteenth is an officially recognized holiday. We make note of fearless Connecticut abolitionists James Mars and J.W.C. Pennington who fought tirelessly to end slavery and petitioned Connecticut's Legislature regarding voting and social rights for African Americans in the 1840s and 50s. We also recognize the significant milestone of the United States Supreme Court decision restoring freedom to the survivors of the Amistad Slave Ship, then living in Connecticut. Through museums and sites such as the Old State House, the Mark Twain House, the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, the Connecticut freedom trails, and the Amistad Center for Arts and Culture at the Old State House, we pay homage to the African American experience throughout the State.

And so Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate a day that represents not only an end to centuries of a great injustice, but the beginning of a new journey for all of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my distinguished colleagues from Kansas and Washington State. I especially want to applaud the efforts of Norm Dicks and the hard work that he's done not only on the Defense appropriations subcommittee but throughout his career protecting American technology and workforce.

This was a great victory today for the American workforce. So many of our jobs here, the critical mass of highly trained, highly skilled workers that reside here in this country don't know what a great favor was done today by GAO. This is a rare occurrence that this happens.

But the case that was made by Boeing, that was carried out by Mr. Dicks

and the committee, was so compelling, and the misdirection and information so badly flawed that Boeing was given, that the GAO overturned that decision.

The Air Force has 60 days to respond, but let us hope that we can come together and follow the leadership of Mr. Dicks and get those tankers built here in this country.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my dear friend and colleague from Connecticut for proposing thoughtful legislation like this.

I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his comments and once again salute our distinguished chairman, Mr. Oberstar, who has such great vision on the importance of utilization of rail.

This is vitally important, not only to Connecticut, but both Connecticut and Massachusetts. The rail line between New Haven and Springfield is a vital cog for commerce. It also impacts the second largest airport in New England; and with the vision of Mr. Oberstar, an airport that we hope to have be one of the first green airports in the country.

So again I want to applaud my colleague, thank him for his vision, and continue to support the visionary programs that Mr. Oberstar and his committee put forward.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House passed H. Res. 1153--Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I honor this important month of May which marks the 30th anniversary of the passage of a joint Congressional Resolution designating the first 10 days in May to celebrate Asian American Heritage. Congress later voted to expand the commemoration to a month-long celebration to truly honor the impact that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have in this great Nation.

Let us join the rest of the country in celebrating this year's theme of ``Building Today for Tomorrow.'' As legislators we must constantly remember that the decisions we make now greatly impact our future. That is why I am proud to say this Democratic Congress has passed legislation to raise the minimum wage, to make college more affordable, to fund nutrition programs, to protect families facing foreclosure, and to lower prices at the pump. We will continue to fight for the needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities by creating legislation to address this country's growing economic and energy needs.

Mr. Speaker, this year during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I urge my colleagues to recognize beyond the month of May the continued struggles that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders face--the health disparities, language barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination they attempt to overcome on a daily basis. I urge us to remember their unyielding contributions to our Nation and honor those who have sacrificed their lives and families to bravely fight for our country. Above all, I urge us to work together to make choices that will move our Nation forward to a better tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington State.

I want to commend Mr. Rangel and Mr. Neal for an outstanding piece of legislation that they have put before us. I am particularly pleased with the extension of credits as it relates to fuel cell and geothermal technology, but wind and solar as well. To extend these credits in a manner that will allow us to become energy independent is something that is long overdue for this Nation. Let us hope that our colleagues on the other side are able to join us in making sure that we take a positive step forward for the future of energy independence.

What seems apparently is the stumbling block on the other side is that we are providing that we pay for this, and that we are doing so by, well, taxing a group of people who otherwise go untaxed and yet reap all the benefits of this great Nation. But those poor hedge fund guys who sequester their funds offshore and are making millions of dollars, to subjugate them to a tax, oh, just the thought of it sends a shudder up the spines of our dear friends on the other side. Imagine the people back home, the people that they talk about, that Mr. Burton said need this relief immediately. But to do so by taxing offshore hedge funds? Well, we can't have a part of that.

It is time for this country to get serious about energy independence. It is time for us to step up to the plate and for Americans to understand that people who are making funds offshore paying no taxes ought to contribute to making sure that we are able to move

this Nation forward in the direction of energy independence.

I commend Chairman Rangel and Richard Neal for this fine proposal.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I could not be present today, Thursday, May 15, 2008, to vote on rollcall votes nos. 323 through 327 due to a funeral. Had I been present, I would have voted:

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 323 on agreeing to the motion ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1197, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008;

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 324 on agreeing to H. Res. 1197, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008;

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 325 on agreeing to the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5614, the Original Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act;

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 326 on agreeing to the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 406, Alice Paul Women's Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act;

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 327 on agreeing to the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5872, the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act.