Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3527) to increase the maximum mortgage amount limitations under the FHA mortgage insurance programs for multifamily housing projects with elevators and for extremely high-cost areas, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass H.R. 3527, the FHA Multifamily Loan Limit

Adjustment Act of 2009. By increasing the FHA loan limits to elevator properties in extremely high-cost areas, H.R. 3527 will allow the FHA to facilitate the construction and rehabilitation of apartments, particularly in urban areas, where financing is not readily available in the current economic environment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

September 14, 2009.

Hon. Nancy Pelosi,

Hon. John Boehner,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Madam Speaker and Minority Leader Boehner: The

undersigned groups are writing to urge the House to pass H.R.

3527, the FHA Multifamily Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2009.

By increasing the FHA loan limits for elevator properties and

in extremely high-cost areas, H.R. 3527 will allow FHA to

facilitate the construction and rehabilitation of apartments,

particularly in urban areas where financing is not readily

available in the current economic environment.

The FHA multifamily loan limits are severely restricting

the ability to use FHA insurance programs to finance rental

housing in many urban areas. HUD data shows that, in fiscal

years 2007 and 2008, only three non-subsidized high-rise

construction/rehabilitation projects--nationwide--have been

endorsed for insurance with FHA. We believe this is largely

due to the maximum loan limits imposed by statute on the FHA

insurance programs, which is being addressed in H.R. 3527.

A recent survey of major lenders shows that there are more

than 11,000 units in elevator structures with a mortgage

amount of more than $3 billion that are on hold and, when

H.R. 3527 is passed, should be able to move forward using the

FHA programs. These properties are in many urban areas across

the country, from Seattle and Los Angeles, to Houston,

Columbus and Chicago, to Boston and New York.

Decent affordable rental housing allows working families to

live in stable environments and within their means and also

allows seniors to live in communities with appropriate

amenities to permit aging in place. Well-maintained and

attractive rental housing in turn contributes to neighborhood

stability.

We urge the House to pass H.R. 3527 to provide FHA with the

tools it needs to facilitate the construction and

rehabilitation of apartments.

Sincerely,

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging;

Enterprise Community Partners; Institute of Real Estate

Management; Mortgage Bankers Association; National

Apartment Association; National Affordable Housing

Management Association; National Association of Home

Builders; National Association of Local Housing Finance

Agencies; National Association of Realtors; National

Housing Conference; National Leased Housing

Association; National Low Income Housing Coalition;

Nation Multi-Housing Council; New York Housing

Conference; Stewards of Affordable Housing for the

Future.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of the bill, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, due to a meeting at the White House on Friday, July 30, 2009, I missed two votes. I would have voted as follows: Motion to recommit on H.R. 2479--``no''; final Passage of H.R. 2479, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009--``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 679 and 680, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on 679 and ``yes'' on 680.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 848, the Performance Rights Act.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 550, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for participating in a colloquy with me about the importance of the joint military base located in New Jersey. It incorporates McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix, and Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station.

I am proud to represent this innovative installation located in New Jersey's Third and Fourth Congressional Districts. I am working with Generals, Colonels, Captains, and our civilian specialists to make the transition to the country's first tri-service joint facility as smooth as possible.

One of the issues people always talk with me about is the discrepancy in locality pay. All three individual installations are logistically close to each other; however, they fall within Burlington County and Ocean County and, therefore, two different locality pay jurisdictions. Currently, civilian employees doing exactly the same job are being paid different wages.

I am working closely with the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Defense to have the entire joint base considered within Ocean County's pay area because people doing identical jobs on different areas of the tri-service base should be paid the same.

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with you on this important issue to assist in the smooth transition to the joint base, McGuire/ Dix/Lakehurst, starting on October 1, 2009.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate an important member of New Jersey's 3rd District, Mr. Bernie Epworth. Mr. Epworth will be installed as the Department Commander for the State of New Jersey Jewish War Veterans at the 78th Annual New Jersey Jewish War Veterans Convention on June 28, 2009. His lifelong activism and dedication has made him one of the most respected members of his community and deserving of this honor.

Mr. Epworth was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of New York University and served as a First Lieutenant in the Armored Cavalry and in the New York National Guard. While serving as Vice President with Temple Beth Sholom in Fair Lawn, NJ, Mr. Epworth earned several awards, including the Centennial Award of Honor from the Jewish Theological Seminary and the Jewish Community Relations Council's `Community Relations Award.'

As the Commander of the Jewish War Veterans Post 126, Mr. Epworth was named `Commander of the Year,' while his post was declared ``Post of the Year.'' His dedication to his community also earned him the `Legion of Honor Award' by the Chapel of Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation in 2006.

Mr. Epworth's career and dedication to his community is a shining example of public service and I sincerely congratulate him on his much deserved installation as Department Commander of the New Jersey Jewish War Veterans.

Madam Speaker, on Friday, June 12th, I was unable to vote on rollcall vote 335 because I was welcoming the New Jersey National Guard home from Iraq.

The pending matter was H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which grants the FDA authority over the advertising and marketing of tobacco products.

This legislation is important to my constituents in New Jersey's Third Congressional District because tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in America.

Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner.

Roll call vote 335 (Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1256) I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Burlington County residents, I rise today to congratulate the Moorestown High School girls' lacrosse team for winning their 10th straight New Jersey State Championship.

As a father of four boys, I understand the importance of having sports and extracurricular activities in a young person's life. It encourages teamwork, a sense of pride and accomplishment, and responsibility. The Moorestown High School girls lacrosse team embodies all those attributes.

Led by senior captains Karli Tobin and Alyssa Ogle, Moorestown High School beat Mountain Lakes High School 11-8. Junior Katrina Martinelli led the team in scoring with four goals and two assists, while Alyssa Ogle scored three goals, including the game winner.

Head coach Deanna Knobloch has been with the team for 18 years. Winning 10 straight championships is no easy task, and I applaud her and her assistants, KC Knobloch, Julie Catrambone, and Courtney Legath. This championship marks the 210th win over New Jersey opponents over a full 10 seasons.

Moorestown moves within one State title of tying the longest State championship winning streak. Again, congratulations to Moorestown High School girls lacrosse team, especially those seniors. I look forward to seeing you break that record.

Go Quakers.

I rise today to bring attention to the many small business owners and employees in New Jersey and across this country who cannot afford health insurance. Small businesses are the backbone of our local communities and economies. The small business owners are struggling to make ends meet under the weight of their health insurance costs, and the price just keeps rising.

I know the struggle personally. My father owned and operated a small business, a dry cleaning business. My dad lost his business after suffering multiple heart attacks without health insurance. He worked hard, supported his family, but the price of insurance was just too high. Over 30 years later, more and more families in New Jersey are still feeling the same pinch.

From the year 2000 to 2007, health insurance premiums in New Jersey increased by 71 percent, while median yearly wages increased only 15 percent. And more than 28 percent of individuals working for small businesses are living without health insurance.

I hear from small business owners in Burlington County and Ocean County almost every day. They want to provide health insurance for themselves, their families, and their employees. They just can't afford it.

That's why I'm proud to join a bipartisan group of legislators supporting the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP Act. The SHOP Act will allow small businesses to pool their resources and find the best options to meet the needs of their employees.

Let's support small business and their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.

Madam Speaker, in honor of Memorial Day, May 25, 2009, I would like to recognize service members from the 3rd Congressional District of New Jersey that have made the ultimate sacrifice in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom:

SPC Ryan Baker, United States Army--Browns Mills, NJ

SSG Robert Chiomento, United States Army--Fort Dix, NJ

CPT Gregory Dalessio, United States Army--Cherry Hill, NJ

PFC Vincent Frassetto, United States Marine Corps

Reserves--Toms River, NJ

SGT Bryan Freeman, United States Army Reserves--Lumberton,

Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the struggles of our seniors and our veterans. These are tough economic times. Many New Jersey families, seniors and veterans are struggling to make ends meet. That's why I'm pleased to know that seniors and disabled veterans are receiving a $250 economic recovery payment this month. We have to make sure our seniors and our veterans receive the benefits and relief they need and so richly deserve.

When I reviewed the first draft of the economic recovery package, I realized that retired seniors and disabled veterans were completely excluded from receiving any tax rebate. I worked quickly to fix this oversight, introducing the Safeguarding America's Seniors and Veterans Act which was included in the final recovery package enacted into law. Fortunately, New Jersey seniors and disabled veterans will now be receiving $250 in tax relief this month.

During these tough economic times, we must ensure that we take care of our seniors and our veterans, those who have made our country so great and kept us safe and free. These $250 checks have already started arriving in homes in Burlington and Ocean Counties and in Cherry Hill and are making a great difference in the lives of our seniors.

I'm happy to be part of this process.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 145, the ``National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009.''

My amendment is critical to improving the health of many different types of water bodies, especially a treasured resource in my own district--Barnegat Bay. My amendment will task the interagency committee, established in this bill, with implementing a plan to develop technologies and practices that would treat eutrophic bodies of water, including estuaries.

The Barnegat Bay estuary covers over 42 miles of shoreline from the Point Pleasant Canal to Little Egg Harbor Inlet in southern New Jersey. The flow of fresh water from rivers, creeks and groundwater into the Barnegat Bay produces the special conditions that are important for the survival of crabs, fish, birds, and other wildlife.

The eutrophication of Barnegat Bay is causing such environmentally detrimental consequences as the decline in fish populations, the decline of shellfish stocks, increased algae blooms, and loss of seagrass habitat. These problems are causing the deterioration of water quality, loss of biodiversity, and the disruption of ecosystem health and function.

The eutrophication of the Barnegat Bay estuary is also negatively impacting one of the most treasured pastimes of the residents of my district--fishing. The continued decline of the health of the bay has resulted in such a sharp decline in the bay's fish population that it has detrimentally affected both recreational and commercial fishermen in my district. Fishing is a treasured family tradition for many residents of Ocean County, New Jersey, and for others, it is a source of their livelihood. Something must be done to improve the health of the bay while at the same time improving the economic and recreational pursuits of the people of my district.

Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes eutrophic, typically as a result of mineral and organic runoff from the surrounding land. The increased growth of plants and algae that accompanies eutrophication depletes the dissolved oxygen content of the water and often causes a die-off of other organisms.

Barnegat Bay is one of 28 congressionally-designated National Estuary Programs in the country, and it is in serious need of help.

While the many estuaries in the country are diverse in their characteristics and the issues that they face, the most critical factor affecting many of them, and especially Barnegat Bay, is eutrophication.

I urge my colleagues to vote for my amendment and H.R. 1145.

Madam Speaker, my predecessor, former Congressman Jim Saxton faithfully represented the 3rd Congressional District of New Jersey for 24 years. His lifelong dedication to public service and integrity made him one of the most respected Members of the House of Representatives.

As a senior member of the House Committee on Armed Services, Congressman Saxton was able to save 17,000 jobs and create 1,500 new ones by pushing through legislation to create the country's first Army- Air Force-Navy megabase by combining Fort Dix, McGuire AFB and Lakehurst Naval Air Station.

Congressman Saxton also left a lasting environmental legacy for New Jersey and for the United States. As a high ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee and co-founder of the bipartisan Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus, the Congressman was dedicated to preserving the county's natural treasures and safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Congressman Jim Saxton's career is a shining example of bipartisanship and public service. I am humbled to represent the district that elected such a worthy and honorable man for over two decades.

In honor of Congressman Saxton's service to the residents of New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District I have sponsored legislation, H.R. 986, which would name the post office in Mount Holly, New Jersey after him. I hope my colleagues will cosponsor this legislation to honor their former colleague.

Madam Speaker, on Christmas Day, 2008, an enemy mortar round struck the living quarters of Major John P. Pryor, MD, in Mosul, Iraq where he was stationed while on his second tour of duty as an Army Reservist. Major Pryor died of his wounds.

Major Pryor was widely recognized as one of our country's finest trauma surgeons. On the battlefield, he fought to save the lives of

countless soldiers and Marines. Here at home, he served just as valiantly in his capacity as the director of the trauma department at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout his life, Major Pryor demonstrated an uncommon commitment to our community and our country. On 9/11, he hitched a ride to New York City in an ambulance so that he could lend a hand in one of our greatest hours of need. Shortly thereafter, when America went to war, he volunteered for military service because he felt a patriotic duty to heal wounded soldiers. Time and again, Major Pryor was there when we needed him most.

Major Pryor's absence has been deeply felt by his family, his fellow soldiers, the HUP community, and by all those whose lives he touched. Across our country, we share their grief.

Soldiers like Major Pryor remind us that the price of war cannot be measured just in dollars, or in territory, or even in the number of our patriots who never return home. It must also be measured with the valor, the potential, and the devotion of those we have lost. Within our military are heroism and courage beyond measure, and while the presence of these heroes makes our Nation stronger, the loss of any servicemember is all the more painful, for when they give their lives, the promise of their lives is lost as well.

We give thanks for the life of John Pryor. We mourn his loss. We offer our prayers to his family.