Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jennifer Kaido and Beezie Madden upon their accomplishments as participants in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. These athletes embody the true spirit of the Olympic games and I am proud to represent them.

Jennifer Kaido grew up in West Leyden, New York and is a 1999 graduate of Adirondack High School. In Beijing, Jennifer competed as a rower in the Women's Quadruple Sculls and her crew finished ranked fifth in the world. Beezie Madden, a resident of Cazenovia, New York competing with her horse, Authentic, brought home two medals as a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team.

Jennifer Kaido began her Olympic participation on August 10, 2008, when her Quadruple Sculls' crew finished third in their initial heat. In the repechage, they finished in second place, which qualified them for the finals. In the finals, the American crew valiantly rowed their way to an impressive fifth place finish.

At one time Jennifer's journey to Beijing seemed unlikely. It is my understanding that Jennifer had never rowed prior to trying out for the crew team her senior year at Cornell. She is proof positive that through hard work and determination anything is truly possible. Her rapid ascension in her sport to the level of Olympian is simply amazing. Moreover, it has been widely accounted that Jennifer competed in China with a level-headed attitude along with a deep love for her family and community.

Beezie Madden returns home from Beijing as one of the world's greatest equestrian jumpers. She followed up on her gold medal performance in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens by again earning gold in the Team jumping competition. Astride her horse, Authentic, she also won a bronze medal in the individual jumping competition. In addition to these accomplishments, Beezie has earned many accolades throughout her career, including being named the U.S. Equestrian Federation Equestrian of the Year in consecutive years; she also has been named the American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year and the U.S. Olympic Committee's Equestrian of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to Jennifer and Beezie upon their accomplishments. They represented our Nation and the residents of central and northern New York extraordinarily well and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation, the Suspension of Federal Income Tax on Unemployment Benefits Act of 2008, which is designed to help unemployed Americans as they face increasing living costs and a sluggish economy. Specifically, the bill would suspend the federal income tax on unemployment compensation benefits for two years.

As of August 2008, 9.4 million Americans were unemployed, an increase of 2.2 million from just a year ago. Similarly, the unemployment rate has risen from 4.7 percent to 6.1 percent. Closer to home, as of the end of July, in New York State 522,000 people were unemployed, including 26,200 in the 23rd Congressional District, which I have the privilege of representing. Additionally, six of the 11 counties I represent had unemployment numbers that exceeded the national rate.

On September 4, 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that initial unemployment insurance claims had increased 15,000 to 444,000 and that approximately 3.44 million Americans are now receiving unemployment compensation benefits, which currently average $294 a week. However, these benefits have been significantly eroded by substantial increases in the prices for consumer goods, perhaps most notably, food and energy.

Many fail to realize that Americans must pay federal income taxes on any unemployment compensation benefits they might receive. However, prior to 1979, those payments were excluded from federal income taxation and it was not until 1986 that Congress made such benefits fully taxable.

Accordingly, someone receiving the average unemployment benefit of $294 a week ($1,176 a month) who elects to have federal income taxes withheld will realize a loss of approximately $117.60 a month--money that might better be used for necessities such as food, housing, health insurance, and gasoline. Moreover, many States also choose to make unemployment compensation subject to state income taxes, which further erodes the assistance these hard-working Americans receive in their time of need.

While I was pleased to join with my colleagues earlier this year to enact legislation to extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks, I firmly believe that we should take the next step of immediately increasing these benefits by exempting them from the federal income tax. Beyond greater assistance to millions of unemployed Americans, this measure would also act to stimulate the economy. In fact, as the Congressional Budget Office has previously estimated, the cessation of income taxes on unemployment benefits would return at least $3.1 billion annually to those taxpayers who are most in need.

Accordingly, as we consider new ways to help unemployed Americans and to boost the economy, I ask my colleagues to join with me to enact the Suspension of Federal Income Tax on Unemployment Benefits Act of 2008.

Madam Speaker, I was on a leave of absence for a family medical situation on July 29, 2008, and I missed several rollcall votes. At this time, I wish to note that had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 534, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 535, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 536.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 1143, which expresses support for the goals and ideals of the Apple Crunch and National Apple Month, which will be celebrated in October. Additionally, this measure promotes the importance of making healthy food choices, which apples certainly are, particularly when choosing snacks. As my constituents know, there is no better snack on a beautiful fall day in Upstate New York than a McIntosh apple.

We have all heard the old adage of `an apple a day keeps the doctor away.' In fact, recent studies have reinforced the nutritional and health benefits of apples. These studies have indicated that eating apples may help to prevent Alzheimer's disease as well as certain types of cancer and heart disease. Additional studies have found that apple consumption may help to reduce coughing and perhaps even childhood asthma.

In addition to promoting good health, this resolution also recognizes the importance of our Nation's apple industry. The apple has long played an integral part in New York State's economy and history, particularly in Clinton County which I have the privilege of representing. Specifically, by 1850, over 500 varieties of apples had already originated in New York State, and of particular pride, the world famous McIntosh apple was first propagated and planted in the Champlain Valley in 1835. Additionally, in 1969 the Acey Mac apple variety, known for being sweet, tart, and juicy, evolved in Peru, New York, which is located in Clinton County.

Today, New York State is home to roughly 694 commercial apple growers and produces about 25 million bushels each year, which makes it our nation's second leading producer. Moreover, Clinton County is one of the State's most productive counties.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the importance of apples to our health and economy. Accordingly, I am proud to be a cosponsor of H. Res. 1143.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation, the Worker Savings Account Act of 2008, which is designed to help Americans should they become unemployed.

American workers today are less likely to spend their careers with a single employer, particularly as United States companies face increasing global competition. These forces--technological advances, increased trade, lower transportation costs, and enhanced communications--have greatly facilitated the movement of jobs offshore, including both services and high-skilled sectors. Corporations have sought to streamline their operations through technological innovations, outsourcing, lay-offs, and moving to lower-cost locations. Not surprisingly, the total number of U.S. manufacturing jobs has fallen by 1.8 million since November 2001, from 15.8 million to 14 million.

The loss of employment is not limited to those impacted by the global economy, but is something virtually every worker could experience. In fact, 19 million Americans were laid off or discharged from their employment in 2006. A 2005 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that 85 percent of American workers born between 1957 and 1964 were unemployed at least once between 1979 and 2002.

There are a variety of benefits that may be available to Americans to help them during times of unemployment. These include those provided through the Unemployment Compensation (UC), Trade Adjustment Act (TAA), Alternative Trade Adjustment Act (ATAA), Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs.

For example, the UC program is the cornerstone of the government's efforts to assist unemployed workers with their continued income needs. Established in 1935, the UC program provides critical support to covered workers who become involuntarily unemployed. In December 2007, approximately 2.7 million unemployed workers received UC benefits in a given week.

The average weekly UC recipient currently gets $281 and monies are usually available for up to 26 weeks, although this Congress recently enacted legislation with my support to temporarily provide an additional 13 weeks. In fiscal year 2007, the average regular UC benefit duration was 15 weeks or almost four months. When one considers rising costs, particularly for gasoline and food, it is not surprising that some estimates indicate that about 42 million Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. It is clear that many of our citizens are not well prepared for periods of unemployment. This is particularly evident when one notes that financial planners often advise people to build up three to six months in emergency savings to cover necessities such as monthly mortgage and car payments, utilities, insurance, food, home maintenance, and health care.

The Worker Savings Account Act is designed to help Americans enhance their personal safety nets. The measure would allow people to establish Worker Savings Accounts (WSAs) to supplement the benefits they might otherwise receive while unemployed including assistance received through the UC, TAA, ATAA, DUA, and WIA programs. Moreover, the Act clearly states that a person's decision to have a WSA shall in no way diminish their entitlement to receive those payments.

Like traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), WSAs would have an annual contribution limit of $5,000, indexed to inflation. However, employers would be able to provide matching contributions of up to $5,000 annually. Contributions to WSAs would be permitted until the account owner actually elects to take Social Security retirement benefits. At that time, a WSA account owner could choose to roll over their WSA funds into a 401(k) or IRA; alternatively, the WSA funds could be withdrawn without penalty but subject to taxation. Prior to a WSA account owner's decision to take Social Security payments, WSA funds could be withdrawn without penalty and tax-free as long as the owner lost their employment through no fault of their own or they had become disabled.

To encourage lower-income Americans to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to WSAs, the Worker Savings Account Act would provide a refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 for eligible individuals. This tax credit would be indexed to inflation and recipients could receive up to $5,000 over the course of their career.

Madam Speaker, while this legislation would help every American build or enhance their personal safety net, it would be particularly helpful to my constituents. To illustrate, in June 2008, five of the 11 counties I represent in Northern and Central New York had unemployment figures that exceeded the national and state rates. Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to join with me as I work to enact the Worker Savings Account Act of 2008.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following:

Requesting Member: Congressman John M. McHugh.

Bill Number: H.R. 6599.

Account: Military Construction, Army.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Congressman John M. McHugh.

Address of Requesting Entity: 2366 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515.

Provide an earmark of $6.9 million for Project Number 57711 to construct a fire station at Fort Drum, New York. The entity to receive funding for this project is Fort Drum, located in Watertown, New York 13601. The funding will be used for military construction to help meet installation health and safety requirements.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

We have heard, I would say to my colleagues repeatedly today, this is not a perfect bill. We also should hear that shouldn't be a surprise. Rarely on the House floor here have perfect bills been delivered. Rather, as I think the Founding Fathers would have intended, we see a work in progress.

This is a bill that started off at a certain place, that came through the committee process, and although I may be somewhat prejudiced, I firmly believe has been far improved from that starting point through that committee process. There have been some seven amendments that I think have upgraded it and have put us on the right path.

I want to say Mr. Chairman, I have enormous respect, enormous affection for both the distinguished chairman from the great State of Texas, my good friend, Silvestre Reyes, as well as the gentleman from Michigan, the distinguished ranking member, who have gone so far in working together to make such a difference. There are far, far fewer bills that reach this House floor that are more important in this day and age for the safety and for the security of the American people.

I have to tell you I share the distinguished ranking member's concerns about the failures of this administration to adequately inform, to adequately brief all the Members on both sides of the aisle, not just so-called leadership, but all the Members, as to the ongoing activities with respect to our intelligence systems throughout this world.

I think that the American people need to be assured that as we go forward in these very dangerous and uncertain times that there are certain individuals in this House that have, as the law intends, the opportunity to be fully informed and make sound judgments about what is appropriate and what is not.

Frankly, as a member of this committee, I am somewhat frustrated by the lack of total input, the lack of total briefing that has occurred from the administration side, and I look forward to a better day.

I think tomorrow can help us to further improve this bill. We have the opportunity now, through the conference process, to continue to improve upon it, to continue to make sure that the end product that we send to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, to the President, is a good bill, a bill that in these very challenging moments of our lives ensures the American people have the best possible, the most well- resourced, and the most responsible intelligence activities we can possibly have.

This is a very appropriate start. It deserves our support, and I urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Blue Mountain Lake Boat Livery. I am proud to represent the Boat Livery and the people of Blue Mountain Lake, which is located in the heart of New York State's majestic Adirondack Park. Likewise, I am pleased to associate myself with the remarks the gentlewoman from New York, Mrs. Maloney, made to honor the Boat Livery.

Widely regarded as the cleanest lake east of the Mississippi River, Blue Mountain Lake has for over a century been a popular destination for tourists, including urban dwellers wishing to escape the city. In addition, thousands of visitors come through Blue Mountain Lake each year as they travel to other areas of the Adirondack Park.

The Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake began operating on August 2, 1908. It has since provided visitors with access to the breathtaking beauty of the Adirondack Mountains and Blue Mountain Lake through the use of an assortment of recreational watercraft. In fact, the Blue Mountain Lake Boat Livery offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a scenic boat tour on one of three authentic 1916 wooden launches. Other activities guests can enjoy include canoeing, fishing, kayaking, paddle boating, tubing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing.

The Boat Livery's development on Blue Mountain Lake over the last 100 years has been integral to the area's culture and economy, which is largely based on tourism. Accordingly, I now extend my deepest congratulations to the Blue Mountain Lake Boat Livery upon its centennial anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Holland, Sr., as they celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. They were married in the Dutch Reformed Church of Kinderhook, New York, on July 13,1968.

Mike and Beverly reside in the Town of Brandon in northern Franklin County, New York, which I have the privilege of representing. Mike and Bev have lived there since 1971 and have long operated a farm, on which they currently have about 50 beef cattle and calves.

Prior to their retirements in 2001, Mike and Bev taught in the Malone Central School System. Bev taught fourth grade at Flanders Elementary School while Mike taught fifth grade at St. Joseph's Elementary School, where he also spent many hours supervising intramural sports during lunch recesses. Mike, who is also known for good reason as ``Coach Holland,'' coached Franklin Academy High School's junior varsity (1968- 1985) and varsity baseball teams (1986-2001), the modified football team at the Malone Middle School, and various Malone Minor Hockey teams, including one New York State Class ``C'' championship team.

In addition to the work involved in raising their three children, Mike, Maya, and Jesse, Bev was very involved with the Franklin County 4-H Horse Club and the Franklin County Trailriders Association. Today, she remains busy as a volunteer for the Franklin County House of History and as a grandmother to Joseph and Maybelle Alvarez. Accordingly, I now extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to Mike and Bev Holland on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional officer in the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Craig Greene, upon his retirement after 20 years of distinguished service. Lieutenant Colonel Greene will retire on September 1, 2008 after having last served as Deputy Chief, Army Senate Liaison Division, Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison.

I had the privilege to work with Lieutenant Colonel Greene during my tenure as the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Military Personnel Subcommittee. At that time, he served as the Legislative Liaison Officer for the Army, responsible for directing the Army's Personnel Policy and the Operations and Readiness Portfolios. Lieutenant Colonel Greene provided Members and staff with forthright assessments important to ensuring a full understanding of the challenges facing America's Army. His candor, integrity, and insights were always valued. Recognizing Lieutenant Colonel Greene's proven skills as a liaison officer and leader, the Army selected him to serve as Deputy Chief of the Senate Liaison Division where he continued his important work.

During his 5 years of service as an Army Congressional Liaison, Lieutenant Colonel Greene flawlessly escorted over 50 Congressional delegations worldwide, 12 of which were delegations to Iraq and Afghanistan, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, respectively. Members of Congress knew they could count on Lieutenant Colonel Greene for his sage counsel, professional advice and unwavering integrity.

Lieutenant Colonel Greene's Senate assignment was the capstone to an outstanding career of service to our Nation. Upon graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Lieutenant Colonel Greene served as an Infantry Officer in command and staff positions in a number of infantry units. Prior to Lieutenant Colonel Greene's assignment to the Office of Chief of Legislative Liaison, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks Hawaii from 2001 to 2003. A soldier's soldier, his awards include the Defense Meritorious Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Accommodation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Expert Infantry

Badge, the Ranger Tab, and Parachutist and Air Assault Badge respectively.

Not only is Lieutenant Colonel Greene an exemplary soldier, he is both husband and father. He is married to the former Michelle Snow of Belchertown, MA, also a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. They have two children, Jackson--14 and Austen--10. In addition to his many responsibilities, Lieutenant Colonel Greene finds time to volunteer in his community, serving as a coach and as a participant in career days at his children's schools.

The demands of military life are such that military families also sacrifice and serve the Nation along with their soldier. Lieutenant Colonel Greene's dedication to duty upholds the highest traditions of military service. He has repeatedly stood for the defense of our Nation and her citizens and their freedom. Devoted to the defense of liberty, he epitomizes what it means to be a soldier and a patriot.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank Lieutenant Colonel Craig Greene, his wife, Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Greene and their sons, Jackson and Austen, for the commitment, sacrifices, and contributions that they have made throughout his honorable military career. Congratulations on completing an exceptional and successful career.

Madam Speaker, I rise to discuss legislation, the Retiree Health Account Act of 2008 (H.R. 6288), that I introduced yesterday, June 17, 2008. This bill is designed to help Americans prepare for the medical costs they will incur in retirement.

When Americans engage in retirement planning, too often they don't contemplate the medical expenses they will incur. If they do, they often make significant underestimates or mistakenly believe that such expenses will be entirely met through Medicare. Often, they fail to recognize that Medicare coverage contains numerous gaps and that beneficiaries must pay deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. For example, the monthly Medicare Part A premium currently ranges from $233 to $423 while Part B and average Part D premiums are $96.40 and $27.93, respectively. In addition, under Part B, beneficiaries must pay an annual deductible of $135 and 20 percent of covered services. At the same time, Part D beneficiaries have a $275 deductible and then must pay a 25 percent coinsurance levy for drug costs up to $2,510, the entire amount for purchases between $2,510 and $5,726, and approximately 5 percent of all drug costs thereafter.

Current estimates indicate that an average American couple both aged 65 could need as much as $295,000 to cover premiums for

health insurance coverage and out-of-pocket expenses during retirement. Moreover, these costs are increasing. For example, between 1985 and 2005, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for medical care rose by 185 percent compared to 82 percent for all other goods and services.

During this time period, families headed by persons aged 55 to 64 saw their real expenditures on health care rise from $2,459 to $3,410 (about 40 percent) while average spending by families headed by persons aged 65 to 74 likewise increased from $2,993 to $4,176. Similarly. families headed by persons above age 75 saw their annual health care spending increase from $3,006 to $4,210.

Through all of the above, the health insurance coverage provided to retirees has been shrinking. From 1993 to 2004, the percentage of employers with 500 workers or more offering health insurance to pre- Medicare eligible retirees fell from 46 percent to 28 percent. At the same time, the number of employers offering retiree health insurance to Medicare eligible retirees also decreased from 40 percent to 20 percent.

In this environment, it is important to note that, while the United States tax code provides incentives for the prefunding of both pension benefits and retirement savings, it does not provide similar incentives for the prefunding of retiree health benefits.

Accordingly, the Retiree Health Account Act would provide Americans with tax incentives to set aside funds for health costs. It would accomplish this by establishing Retiree Health Accounts (RHAs), which would be structured very similarly to 401(k) plans. For example, RHAs would have, the same maximum employee inflation-indexed contribution and annual addition limits. In addition, individuals 50 years or older would be allowed to make annual catch-up deferrals of up to $5,000.

Once a RHA account owner reaches age 55, he or she would be able to withdraw monies tax free, provided the funds are used to purchase qualifying medical care. Prior to age 55, monies could be withdrawn, but would be subject to a 10 percent penalty and ordinary income taxes. This penalty would be suspended, however, if the owner had become disabled or if the monies were used to cover health insurance premiums during periods of unemployment or to defray unreimbursed medical expenses. Similarly, RHA funds could be withdrawn without penalty, but subject to taxation, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order. Finally, upon death, while a spouse could inherit a RHA without paying taxes, RHA funds would otherwise be subject to applicable income or estate taxes.

In addition to Retiree Health Accounts, this legislation would also allow individuals to establish Individual Health Accounts (IHAs). These accounts would be similar to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) in structure and provide for the costs of retiree health care. For example, like IRAs, IHAs would have an annual contribution limit of $5,000, indexed to inflation, with individuals age 50 or older eligible to make annual catch up contributions of $1,000, also indexed for inflation. Unlike IRAs, however, contributions to IHAs would be prohibited once an individual becomes Medicare eligible. In addition, as with RHA funds, IHA funds could be withdrawn tax free if used to purchase medical care by an owner age 55 or older and without penalty if used before age 55 to meet the special circumstances of disability, unemployment, and extraordinary medical expenses. Likewise, IHA funds would not be subject to penalty if distributed pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order and could be inherited tax free only by a spouse.

To encourage lower-income Americans to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to RHAs and IHAs, the Retiree Health Account Act would provide a refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 for eligible individuals. This tax credit would be indexed to inflation and the maximum lifetime credit would be $5,000.

Health care costs continue to increase while employer-sponsored retiree health benefits erode. However, we can help Americans prepare to meet their future health care costs by giving individuals an incentive and mechanism to help themselves. Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to join with me as I work to enact legislation authorizing Retiree Health Accounts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to the fine people of Franklin County, New York, as they celebrate the county's bicentennial. I am proud to represent them and to have the opportunity to take a moment to reflect upon the county's characteristics and rich history, which includes the War of 1812 and the Underground Railroad.

Franklin County was formed on March 11, 1808, from Clinton County, when it became apparent that travel to Plattsburgh to conduct legal business was too burdensome. Franklin County, which encompasses 1,631.49 square miles, was named after Benjamin Franklin. Its neighbors are Quebec, Canada to the north, Clinton County to the east, Essex and Hamilton Counties to the south, and St. Lawrence County to the west. Franklin County's nearly 51,000 residents live in 19 townships: Bangor, Bellmont, Bombay, Brandon, Brighton, Burke, Chateaugay, Constable, Dickinson, Duane, Fort Covington, Franklin, Harrietstown, Malone, Moira, Santa Clara, Tupper Lake, Waverly, and Westville. In addition to the County seat, Malone, Franklin County is home to five other villages: Brushton, Burke, Chateaugay, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake.

Potash production was the earliest industry in the county; other early industries included agriculture, iron ore mining, logging, mills, sanitariums, and tourism. Today, agriculture continues to play a vital part in the county's economy; in 2002, Franklin County's 530 farms produced agricultural products with a market value of about $48 million including dairy, cattle and calves, vegetables, aquaculture, and nursery and greenhouse. Likewise, the world class Trudeau Institute, which was originally founded in 1884 as a tuberculosis sanitarium, is still making breakthrough discoveries to improve human health as the incredible Adirondack Mountains continue to draw tourists who enjoy bird-watching, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, hunting, and other outdoor activities.

Franklin County's residents are known to be generous, independent, proud, resourceful, and resilient. Perhaps its most notable native son is William Almon Wheeler, who was born in Malone on June 30, 1819, and was elected as our nation's Vice President in 1876 after serving as District Attorney, State Assemblyman, State Senator, and U.S. Representative. Other noteworthy former residents include Tom Browning, who pitched a perfect game and won a World Series game for the Cincinnati Reds, and Almanzo Wilder, whose boyhood on a Burke farm later became known to the world through Farmer Boy, which was written by his wife, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Again, it is a great honor to have the opportunity to join with the residents of Franklin County, New York, as they celebrate their bicentennial.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation, the Home Office Deduction Simplification Act of 2008, which is designed to reduce the complexity of the tax code and provide Americans with the ability to take a standard deduction for home office expenses.

The tax code currently allows a deduction for home office expenses for self-employed taxpayers and employees who must use their home for business purposes at their employer's request. However, according to the Internal Revenue Service's Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, only 2.7 million of the nearly 20 million Schedule C filers in tax year 2003 took a deduction for home office expenses, despite the fact that some 8.4 million Americans indicated they had one or more rooms used only for business.

The Office of Taxpayer Advocate reports that the data raises the question as to whether or not eligible taxpayers are taking the deduction to which they are entitled. In addition, the Taxpayer Advocate notes that private industry has indicated that the rules and related forms regarding the home office deduction are too complex.

As is often noted, our Nation's nearly 27 million small businesses are the backbone of our Nation's economy. They provide 51 percent of our Nation's private sector employment and 45 percent of its payroll and produce approximately 50 percent of the Nation's private, nonfarm GDP. Without question, they certainly are vital to the economy of New York's 23rd Congressional District, which I have the privilege of representing.

To ensure that my constituents and those other Americans who are eligible to deduct home office expenses but have been deterred by the complexity of the current tax code actually take a deduction, I now introduce the Home Office Deduction Simplification Act. This bill would provide a standard deduction of $1,500, indexed to inflation, for home office expenses. Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to join with me to enact this important measure.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1343, the Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation, which would reauthorize the community health centers program through fiscal year 2012.

Community health centers are an integral component of our Nation's health care infrastructure. Nationwide, more than 1,500 such centers provide high-quality, cost-effective primary health care to anyone seeking care. In New York State, health centers provide services to 1.1 million people who receive care at over 425 sites.

Of note, community health center fees are based on income and family size and services are provided regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Forty-three percent of New York State health center patients are Medicaid beneficiaries and 28 percent are uninsured. Moreover, over 86 percent of New York State health center patients have incomes at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level, which in 2008 is $42,400 for a family of four.

Access to health care is truly one of the most difficult challenges for Americans living in rural areas like northern and central New York. Community health centers have been a tremendous help in our efforts to improve access to health care. I am thankful that my constituents in New York State's 23rd Congressional District are served by four community health centers: Hudson Headwaters Health Network; Northern Oswego County Health Services; The Smith House; and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country.

I deepy appreciate the dedication and hard work of the staff at those health centers. Indeed, I am hesitant to imagine a scenario in which my constituents did not have the benefit of their excellent services. I also appreciate the efforts of the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Green, and the gentleman from Mississippi, Mr. Pickering, to develop this measure and bring it to the House floor today; I look forward to its enactment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5571, which provides a 5-year extension of the Conrad 30 J Waiver Program. That program is of critical importance to my constituents and to our Nation as a whole because it provides a mechanism whereby doctors can be provided to medically underserved areas.

I have the privilege of representing New York State's 23rd Congressional District, a predominantly rural region which encompasses 14,739 square miles in 11 counties in northern and central New York. It is breathtakingly beautiful and contains national treasures such as Lake Champlain, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, and the Adirondack Mountains. However, it has a 13.5 percent poverty rate and some have characterized it as remote.

One of our greatest challenges is recruiting and retaining physicians. In fact, given its importance to our economy and quality of life, that challenge is almost always raised whenever I meet with the fine men and women who serve as local elected officials, business community leaders, or health professionals.

The Conrad 30 J Waiver Program is an invaluable tool in our effort to meet that challenge. In fact, since 1996, my office has helped secure waivers for 46 doctors, including 7 primary care physicians located in 6 of the 11 counties I represent. While these doctors have helped immensely in our effort to address our physician shortage, I am hesitant to imagine a scenario where we did not have the Conrad 30 J Waiver Program.

Accordingly, I greatly appreciate the work the Gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) and the Gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) have done to bring this measure to the floor and look forward to its enactment.