Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Buckhead Coalition of Atlanta, Georgia, for its innovative program to ensure that Atlanta residents are able to access prescription medications in the event of a disaster or power outage. Buckhead Coalition is a nonprofit organization of chief executive officers, business owners and community leaders representing part of the Fifth Congressional District of Georgia. Led by its president and my good friend, former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell, the Buckhead Coalition is advancing a plan to equip pharmacies and drug stores with backup power generators to ensure that people are able to have access to their medications in the event of a disaster, either natural or manmade.

One of the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina's devastation of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast was the necessity for emergency generators in pharmacies. In today's business environment, pharmacies cannot operate without working computers, refrigerators and other electrical equipment. In the Buckhead area, of the twenty-two pharmacies, now only four do not have emergency generators. According to the American Pharmaceutical Association, the

pharmacies of Buckhead provide prescription medications to more than 32,000 of the neighborhood's 70,000 residents. An estimated 6,500 of these medications are dispensed on a daily basis, with many of them being time-sensitive medications for senior citizens.

In order to prevent a potential disaster, the Buckhead Coalition, in conjunction with Home Depot and Georgia Power, has created a subsidy to cover up to seventy-five percent of the cost for purchasing a generator. This subsidy significantly reduces the barriers of cost, making it much easier and more affordable for these pharmacies to be equipped with these possibly life-saving generators.

I commend the Buckhead Coalition, Home Depot and Georgia Power for coming together to provide this opportunity, this safety net, for my community. I encourage other communities to emulate this plan.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the attached resolution that calls for the United States to ratify and implement certain fundamental international conventions.

Today, May 1st is the 201st anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. On this day, we must rededicate ourselves to the human and civil rights movement to provide freedom and equality to all people.

This resolution is very simple; it is very clear; it is very basic. Our country was founded on the principles of civil and human rights. Many, many people--men, women, and even children--have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Countless others work tirelessly to protect these rights. On this historic day, it is important to reiterate our commitment to combat slavery, torture, racism, discrimination, and xenophobia in all forms.

It takes more than words; this effort needs action. Sixty years ago, the United Nations used our Bill of Rights as a reference in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, led the United States delegation and the United Nations (U.N.) in helping to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Since that time, we've seen so many changes--a global movement towards civil and human rights. In our own country, people have sacrificed everything for key civil rights legislation like the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

But Madam Speaker, somehow along the way, we've pulled away from a global movement that requires constant work, constant attention, and constant action. The U.S. must catch up with so many of our global partners.

How can we combat genocide in Darfur, if we ourselves have not ratified the U.N. Conventions that address the rights of women, children, and forced disappearance? How can we ask for our global trading partners to respect international labor standards, when we ourselves have not ratified ILO standards on the right to organize and bargain collectively, or forced child labor, or age discrimination? It is important to not only speak as global leader, but act as a global leader on key human and civil rights issues.

On this little piece of real estate that we call Earth, we all have our duty to make this world a little cleaner, a little better, and a little safer. This resolution, Madam Speaker, is about common sense, and I hope all of my colleagues will join me as cosponsors.

Mr. Speaker, the President wants to blame the Democrats for the economic mess he's made. He is the one who wants to sweep our problems under the rug. He should be ashamed of himself.

When he came into office, the previous administration had created more than 22 million new jobs. The economy was booming. People had the chance to live the American dream. Now gasoline is too high, food is too high, the rent is too high, and nobody can get a raise.

Bush had his hand on the wheel for 7 years. He has been in charge. But he wants to blame the Democrats for the economic mess he made. Well, as they say in the South, that dog won't hunt.

The Republicans got us into the mess, and now it's going to take the Democrats to get us out.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues as a proud original cosponsor of this important resolution.

I congratulate our brothers and sisters in Israel on this important milestone--the 60th anniversary of becoming an independent nation. From the first hour on that first day, Israel and the United States began a relationship based on democratic values, friendship and respect that continues to this day.

Over the years, Israel has developed into a thriving society, a world leader, and an active democracy. Welcoming people from Russia to Ethiopia, Israel has become a refuge for those persecuted for thousands of years.

In fact, many of my constituents have traveled or lived in Israel. In 2005, we made history when Atlanta became the first U.S. city in the Southeast to have non-stop direct flights to Tel Aviv.

I, too, have a personal connection with the people of Israel--like me, they are descended from survivors. The atrocities of the holocaust must never be forgotten. Every day, we must recommit ourselves to never allow this history to be repeated. We have overcome so many trials and hardships, but there is still so much farther to go.

It is my hope that one day, together we will be able to celebrate peaceful relationships and coexistence with all the countries in the Middle East. And I hope that this peace comes long before another 60 years.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest congratulations to the Israeli people on this historic day.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of the 38th celebration of Earth Day, I would like to take this time to reflect on the progress we are making for the health of our planet--and to challenge all Americans--each and every one of us--to re-dedicate ourselves to living in a sustainable manner.

Looking back, we can be proud that the New Direction Congress has made real progress toward a future of cleaner energy and healthier living.

Last year, Congress passed the historic Energy Independence and Security Act.

This legislation takes important steps to increase fuel efficiency, help promote alternative energy sources, and is set to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions over the years to come. However, we can do more. We must do more. The time is now. We cannot wait any longer to address the countless environmental challenges we must confront.

Together, we can leave our planet a little greener and a little more peaceful. It is our duty to help spur the next generation of energy technology--solar, hydrogen, wind, and other sources of energy that create a sustainable environment.

The U.S. has the technology and know-how to lead the world in environmental solutions. I believe we can strengthen America's economy through environmentally sound policy and, in the process, create jobs here at home.

As we commemorate this Earth Day ask yourself, am I doing enough? Can I do more? What kind of planet will we leave for the next generation?

We all must share this planet. We all rely on its resources to survive. We must all do our part to pass along a healthy and sustainable living environment to our children and grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill, H.R. 5719.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1102, I call up the bill (H.R. 5719) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to conform return preparer penalty standards, delay implementation of withholding taxes on government contractors, enhance taxpayer protections, assist low-income taxpayers, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, on Tax Day, it is so important that we bring H.R. 5719 to the floor of the House. Taxpayers must be treated fairly, and they deserve all the help we can give them.

This bill draws, in part, on legislation authored by myself and many members of the Ways and Means Committee. Most of the pieces of this bill enjoy bipartisan support.

This bill will assist victims of identity theft and prevent the misuse of the IRS name in schemes that defraud the public.

The bill helps low-income taxpayers by allowing IRS employees to refer them to low-income taxpayer clinics, expanding earned income tax credit outreach, and authorizing funding for low-income taxpayer programs.

It would, once and for all, repeal the authority of the IRS to enter into private debt collection contracts. This program violates the public trust and must end.

The bill also protects elderly and disabled persons from tax liability on workers provided to them under government programs.

H.R. 5719 enhances the fairness of our tax code and deserves this House's total support.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy), a wonderful friend who is a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional minute.

Madam Speaker, no one on this side of the aisle is suggesting that we all shouldn't pay our fair share.

Madam Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada, my good friend, Congresswoman Berkley, a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

I yield the gentlelady 15 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, my good friend, Mr. Crowley.

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional minute to the gentleman from New York.

I yield to the gentleman an additional minute.

Madam Speaker, I would like to note that the NFIB has endorsed and supported H.R. 5719. Passage of H.R. 5719 will be considered a key vote for the NFIB.

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman), a member of the Appropriations Committee.

(Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman another 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia, a member of the Financial Services Committee, my friend, Mr. Scott.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota, (Mr. Pomeroy), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Madam Speaker, we are ready to close.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York. I enjoyed working with him on this bill. There being no more speakers, I will close, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 5719 is good. It is good. It is good for the taxpayers. And today, when so many people are filing their tax return, we should let them know that we are looking out for them, giving them protections they need and support that they deserve.

This is a good bill. This is a necessary bill.

The private debt collection program is an insult to the American taxpayers and our Federal tax system. It violates the public trust, and this bill will bring it to an end. It must end.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this important bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I object.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2008. This bill would allow home health agencies the flexibility to use the most appropriate skilled rehabilitation professionals to open cases and to conduct the initial assessment for Medicare home health beneficiaries who do not require skilled nursing care.

Currently, occupational therapists cannot conduct the initial assessments for Medicare home health cases even when occupational therapy is included in the physician's order along with one of the other qualifying services, like speech therapy and physical therapy. Under current law, home health agencies are not able to fully utilize all of their professional staff for Medicare rehabilitation clients, which can cause delays in beginning medically necessary care.

The Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act is actively supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association and the National Association of Home Care and Hospice.

I am proud to introduce this important legislation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this legislation so that home health agencies can better manage their staff and better meet the needs of Medicare patients.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friends and my two colleagues for those kind words.

I'm honored to stand here today as the chief sponsor of this legislation to recognize the brave and courageous men and women who paved the way for the historic, and necessary, set of laws we call the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

We would not be standing here today with this bill being considered on the floor, with 313 cosponsors, without the help of my good friend and colleague, Representative Vic Snyder. Representative Snyder was a champion of this bill. I appreciate his support of this bill and the ideas behind it.

I would also like to acknowledge Congresswoman Deborah Pryce for her willingness to cosponsor this bill with me.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks' brave act of defiance, refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, galvanized the modern-day civil rights movement. I remember as a young child, 15 years old, listening to the radio and hearing about Rosa Parks and the voice of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Their work inspired me and so many others to take up the cause of equality and join the movement. We must never forget the sacrifices that so many made.

I am proud, very proud, to be the lead sponsor of this legislation, which celebrates the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and to remember those who fought for its passage.

In 2014, the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, commemorative coins will be minted with the images of the brave men and women who fought, and even died, for these laws. These coins will serve as educational tools for our children and their children, so that the struggle that so many took part in will never, ever be forgotten.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was necessary, and it was right to pass. It greatly expanded civil rights protections. It outlawed segregation and racial discrimination in public places, places of public accommodation, the workplace, and even in federally funded programs. It also pushed to end segregation in our Nation's schools.

It is only right then that we are working with the United Negro College Fund to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic milestone. Discrimination in our education system was real. For many African Americans, their only hope for a college education was through a UNCF school. UNCF institutions were founded to provide an education for African Americans who were banned by law or by custom from seeking a college education in the all-white public and private universities of the South.

Today, UNCF continues their important mission of opening the doors to a college education. Over 60 percent of UNCF-supported students are the first in their families to attend college. By helping to fund the UNCF, these coins will put in reach a college education for first-generation students while also helping to ensure these important institutions of higher education remain open for future and unborn generations.

I'm proud to stand here today as we pay tribute to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and to remember those who made it possible. There is still much work to be done, and we must continue to fight today, tomorrow, and into the future.

I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and my colleague, Chairman Conyers, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is fitting and appropriate that we pause, as a Nation and as a people, to remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who changed America forever.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. He had emerged as a leader, not just for a people, but for a Nation. His leadership and commitment to a truly interracial democracy played a key role in ending legal segregation in America. He led the first major nonviolent campaign in modern America when he emerged as the leader of the Montgomery bus boycott that lasted 381 days.

He inspired thousands and thousands of people to follow the way of nonviolence. In doing so, he inspired other movements and had an effect on so many young people and some not so young.

Just think, a few short years ago, in America, there were signs that said, ``White women, Colored women,'' ``White men, Colored men,'' ``White waiting, Colored waiting.'' There was segregation in public accommodations and transportation. Men and women of color could not even register to vote.

Dr. King created a climate, created an environment that the power of the courts, the power of Congress, and the President of the United States couldn't look the other way; they couldn't say no.

In his short life, he led the American people on a journey that is ongoing even today.

Mr. Speaker, I will never forget coming to Washington with him in early June, 1963. We met with President Kennedy and other leaders in his administration. Dr. King informed the President that there was a crisis in our country and that he had to act.

Later, Dr. King came back to Washington to speak and to march on Washington. This time he was able to bring 250,000 Americans, Black and White, and people of all faiths and backgrounds. On that day, he transformed the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a modern-day pulpit. On that day, he shared his dream of the Beloved Community, a truly interracial democracy.

I can still hear him saying, ``I have a dream today, a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.''

Mr. Speaker, today we encourage all citizens, especially our young people, to take time to reflect on the teachings and the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. Our Nation is a better place, and we are a better people because of him.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Congressional Black Caucus Budget Substitute.

I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick), and all our staff for their hard work on this effort. Our budget reflects the values and priorities of the American people.

The CBC Members represent some of the most conservative and most progressive people in this country. Some of us are from big cities; others come from tiny, little towns and farm lands. And every year we find a way to come together. Every year, we find a way to provide funds for the most important priorities of all our constituents.

If you care about health care; if you care about homelessness; if you care about education; then you will support this substitute. Our amendment includes an additional $20 billion investment in education. And we provide an additional $17 billion for health care.

In Georgia, the mortgage foreclosure crisis is devastating our communities. This budget includes an additional $8 billion to assist with housing and services for families, this disabled, senior citizens, and children. Unlike the President's budget proposal, we increase services and security for our constituents. And we find a way to pay for it.

Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to really look at this legislation. Study our fact sheets; read the dear colleague letters. Then really think about your constituents, and think about how our budget will better all of their lives.

I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Progressive Caucus Budget Substitute.

This week, many of my constituents are visiting Washington, DC. They are here asking for more funding for important Federal programs.

I keep explaining to them, that I will do my best; we all will do our best. We will fight for them; we will fight with them.

But the problem is the war in Iraq. Every penny we spend on this war is another penny that will cost our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren. Every cent we spend on this war in an emergency supplemental is off-budget. But every dollar we invest in health care, unemployment insurance, housing, in child welfare is subject to devastating cuts. This administration believes that we have an endless pot of money for war, but no money for hard-working Americans.

Across the country people are struggling. They are struggling to keep up with their bills. Struggling to pay their mortgages, pay for college, pay for food, pay for gas. They come here and ask us to invest in their needs. They ask us to provide funding not for the war but for their communities.

Mr. Chairman, this budget amendment does just that. We provide nearly $132 billion more than the President to assist struggling Americans. This proposal responds to our constituents. It says we found a way to fund what is important to you.

I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the GIVE Act and I thank my colleague Mrs. Maloney for her leadership on this issue. Volunteers in our National Service Corps are doing the hard work of building what I like to call the Beloved Community--a community at peace with itself based on justice and human dignity.

We all live in one house, the American house, and people are suffering. We need so many more Americans to volunteer, to share their talents, their time and their love. That is how we form the Beloved Community.

So many Americans are giving of themselves through Americorps/VISTA, Summer of Service, and our Senior Volunteer Corps. Many more want to give and volunteer, but they can't find the time. They are stuck at work trying to make ends meet. They sit in traffic. They are helping their kids with homework. Businesses and governments need to encourage and allow people to volunteer.

Young people have been behind all of the great social movements in this Nation. We must tap into the idealism and the talents of our young people, and the young at heart, who can build bridges and ease suffering.

Something is happening in America. In Atlanta, we are embracing the merger between the Points of Light Foundation and the ``Hands On'' Network. I want to mention their good work and their leadership in recruiting and training volunteers.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to find more ways, like competitive grants for nonprofits, to expand our volunteer infrastructure, to push our national service agenda forward.

The GIVE Act is a good bill. It has my support. I thank my colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, Chairman Stark, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my full support to H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Parity Act. I want to thank my colleagues, my very good friends, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Ramstad, for their leadership on this important issue, for having the courage to stand up, to speak up, to speak out to take the leadership and bring this bill before us today.

Today, we win a battle in the ongoing struggle against discrimination. Discrimination against mental illness and addiction is wrong. It is dead wrong. Today, we end that discrimination in health insurance. I believe that health care is a right and not a privilege. Until we can provide real and meaningful health coverage to all Americans, we must take each step as it comes to expand coverage. So, today we take an important step, a necessary step in that direction by requiring parity in insurance coverage.

I have fought long and hard to end discrimination in this Nation, and we have made some real progress. But people suffering from mental illness and addiction have been left out and left behind, and it's time for us to do what is right when they are told that their illness is not covered by their insurance. That discrimination must end, and it must end now.

Mental health parity is a matter of fairness, of equality, and it is the right thing to do. The time is always right to do right.

Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, we should remember that this year is the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man of peace, a man of love, a man of nonviolence. We should pause in thanks for the great contributions he made to make our country a better place. What he did in organizing and leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott more than 50 years ago, liberated not just a people but an entire nation.

Dr. King followed in the tradition of a very long and distinguished list of men and women who made unbelievable contributions to America and the world at large. The life works and contributions of these people continue to inspire us and will inspire generations yet to be born. Whether in education, sports, politics, business, medicine, the arts and sciences, one can turn the pages and see these unbelievable individuals' faces as part of our history. These individuals, whether it's Jackie Robinson, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Ralph Bunche, Rosa Parks, Joe Louis, they are all members of a cadre that must be looked upon as contributors to a better America. At this point, this juncture, we celebrate their lives and their contributions.