Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peace Corps volunteers from my district: Jessica Ayd, Laura Burke, Gwyneth Caverly, Christopher Chapman, Erin Dahan, Aaron Degraffenreidt, Colin Doyle, Craig Edmonds, Jennifer Forster, Mark Gormley, John Gudger, Jonathan Katz, Oluseyi Lawoyin, Anne Lilly, Robi Marbury, William Marbury, Martha Moiforay, Anna Moyer, Hannah Stocks, and Sheena Washington.

I'd like to thank them for their terrific work in countries far and wide, and for helping make America's image abroad stronger at a time when we need it most. Additionally, I'd like to congratulate the Peace Corps on its 47th anniversary. Our country has truly been enriched by the experiences of the Peace Corps volunteers.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the many accomplishments and contributions made by African Americans throughout this country's history. Today, I want to speak about the richness of America's cultures and the role that African Americans have played in making our country great. As a nation we are so diverse and when the gifts and talents of each group are shared and blended together, we are so much stronger. For many years in our history, we largely ignored the strength of our diversity instead of seeking to celebrate it.

We now celebrate Black History Month to reflect upon the struggle for civil rights but also to honor the enormous contributions African Americans have made to our country. These contributions cover every aspect of American life--from business and education to the arts and sciences and, importantly, the sacrifices and heroic efforts of those who serve and have served our country to preserve the freedom and democracy that we hold so dear.

The theme for Black History Month this year is: Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism. This theme embraces the beliefs and teachings of Dr. Woodson, ``The Father of Black History'' and a pioneer of multiculturalism. Through his research, he fostered a movement to educate Americans about the rich heritage that many had to that point ignored. He stressed the need and importance to recognize and celebrate the gifts and talents Black Americans have shared with this country. In so doing, he taught us also to embrace the diverse cultures living here in the United States.

In 1927 Dr. Woodson stated that ``. . . we should emphasize not Negro history, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nation, but the history of the world, void of national bias, race, hate and religious prejudice . . .''

Dr. Woodson along with other noted scholars, such as W.E.B. DuBois, wanted to make sure all Americans were aware of the contributions made by African Americans. Today, because of their efforts, the many contributions of African Americans such as civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks, and historical leaders such as Sojourner Truth are put into context of what they have meant for African Americans, but also the Nation as a whole. Many, such as Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglass, and Harriett Tubman, have roots in my home State of Maryland and have added to our rich history as a state and a nation.

Finally, while there are many who fit this category, I want to mention two African Americans who are currently making an enormous difference through their work in the Third Congressional District of Maryland: Reggie Brody and Karen Ndour. I think they offer terrific examples of what many others are doing across the Third District and the State of Maryland to make our community and our society a better place to live and work.

Reggie is the chief professional officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Highly respected in the Anne Arundel community, he has received various awards including the Organizational Trustee Award and the Community Trustee Award for an extraordinary commitment to his community and his commendable service. He is well known for his stellar communication skills and his unique ability to work with a wide array of community groups and lead them to achieve a common goal.

Karen, an administrator and former attorney, is currently the Principal of the National Academy Foundation High School of Baltimore N.A.F., that opened in 2002 and is located at Baltimore's Digital Harbor. Stressing academic excellence and professionalism, her school has four successful programs that partner with local urban businesses and industry to provide training for young men and women so that they are able to either enter access level positions in their chosen field upon graduation or qualify for the college of their choice.

While teaching law at an East Baltimore High School, Karen was featured in a 2005 article in the Baltimore Sun for implementing the Baltimore City Student Court Project. Karen was approached after teachers and the administration felt the need to lower the suspension rate at the school and help make the young men and women who attended the school accountable for their actions. Much of the discipline was thereby transferred from the ``adult'' administration to the student court. The approach has seen significant results: fewer children are finding themselves in situations that lead to diminished opportunities for their future success.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak about the importance of Black History Month and to acknowledge the work that my constituents and others are doing for their communities and for our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Civic Works' service to Baltimore and to congratulate the organization for earning the Corps Network's Excellence in Corps Operations (ECO) Status.

Civic Works' strong commitment to the local community is defined in its mission to assist Baltimore residents in creating a better future for their city. With the help of approximately 200 AmeriCorps volunteers each year, Civic Works serves Baltimore by performing a variety of tasks such as tutoring and mentoring children, building community parks and gardens, and rehabilitating abandoned houses for low-income families. The volunteers participate in team-based projects and weekly academic enrichment to effect positive change in their lives and their community. Each year, Civic Works also trains and helps 200 Baltimore residents find employment through its Health Care Careers Alliance partnership with five of Baltimore's hospitals and the B'more Green environmental technician training and certification program. Since its creation in 1993, Civic Works has trained and assisted more than 2,500 Baltimore area participants.

The ECO Status is bestowed upon various Service and Conservation Corps that make a commitment to high-quality standards and continuous improvements. Each organization's performance is reviewed in several areas through self-assessment and peer reviews. This year's evaluation revealed that Civic Works ``exhibits a strong commitment to its local community which can be seen throughout all its programs and projects. Community partners and residents clearly benefit from the work Civic Works completes.''

ECO also recognized Civic Works for their ``consistently clean financial record and for Board members and staff that are extremely engaged.'' One reason for such glowing reviews is the leadership of its president and executive director, Delegate Dana Stein. Mr. Stein is one of the original co-founders of Civic Works. He has served as a leader in the Baltimore community in several capacities, most recently being elected to the Maryland House of Delegates from the 11th District. Dana is committed to improving the lives of those who live and work in the Baltimore community and that commitment is replicated by those who have worked with him to help Civic Works achieve this status.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of all those who have benefited directly and indirectly from this commitment, I want to once again congratulate Civic Works on achieving the Excellence in Corps Operations Status.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague Representative Pallone on his work on H.R. 4848 which is important for us to support because it does extend certain mental health coverages. But as we've all been saying here today, it is just as important that we continue to work very hard to enact and pass H.R. 1424, which is the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, and I want to salute Representatives Ramstad and Kennedy for their tremendous work on this bill.

Mental health parity is the right thing to do. Clearly, there are so many individuals and families that are in pain in this country because they are not receiving the mental health counseling services, the substance abuse and addiction treatment services that they deserve and that our society ought to provide to them.

But it is also the smart thing to do. All of the statistics, even if you just wanted to look at this through the cold, calculating lens of what the bottom line represents in terms of cost to our system and our society, all of the studies that have been done show that there are tremendous savings to be had if we focus on these kinds of service.

There have been many statistics that have been cited today. I will cite a few more. Depressed workers lose 5\1/2\ hours per week of productive work time. That adds up to tens of billions of dollars lost a year to employers. Alcohol-related illness and premature death cost over $130 billion in lost productivity in 1998, and the statistics go on and on and on.

Even the most tightfisted insurer will discover very quickly once we have mental health parity in place that the costs are a lot and that, in fact, there are savings to be had as you reallocate dollars to mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment in terms of the savings in related medical treatment.

So it is absolutely the right thing to do, and particularly at this time when we have so many stories of returning veterans who are suffering from traumatic brain injury, from mental health issues and need the support that can come from this, from this larger bill, from the Paul Wellstone Act.

So I urge my colleagues to support this extension through H.R. 4848 of certain mental health coverages, but I join all those who are advocating very strongly that we move forward and enact the larger bill, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Mabrooka Chaudhry, an outstanding educator who has been selected to receive the Milken National Educator Award.

The Milken National Educator Award is given to outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and other education professionals. The recipients must demonstrate exceptional educational talent through their instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and the school. They must also represent themselves as leaders who engage and inspire students, colleagues, and the community.

Ms. Mabrooka Chaudhry, a social studies teacher at Atholton High School in Columbia, Maryland, has proven her ability in all of these areas. She empowers her students to debate and explore ideas in a safe, student-centered environment. Through online discussion groups and extensive writing assignments, she encourages students to articulate their ideas while improving their overall academic performance. Her students consistently perform well on the district's quarterly assessments in U.S. History, and 100 percent of her 2005-06 students earned a three or above on the AP American Government exam. She is currently serving as the U.S. History Curriculum Team Coordinator, and has facilitated the Multicultural Club, the Human Rights Awareness Club and the Muslim Student Association.

Ms. Chaudhry's love of her profession and the students that she teaches is evidenced by the energy she puts into her work and the achievements of her students. As someone who has been active and keenly interested in education policy throughout my professional life, I have the utmost respect for teachers like Ms. Chaudhry; she represents the passion and commitment of so many others across Maryland and the Nation who are working extremely hard to educate our children. As we work to rewrite the No Child Left Behind Act, the Congress ought to be doing all it can to provide these dedicated men and women with a law and the resources to empower this commitment and passion.

Madam Speaker. I want to again offer congratulations to Ms. Mabrooka Chaudhry, who has been recognized as an outstanding educator and will receive the Milken National Educator Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Kiara Delle Hargrove, an outstanding educator who has been selected to receive the Milken National Educator Award.

The Milken National Educator Award is given to outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers, principals. and other education professionals. The recipients must demonstrate exceptional educational talent through their instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and the school. They must also represent themselves as leaders who engage and inspire students, colleagues, and the community.

Ms. Kiara Delle Hargrove, a chemistry teacher at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, makes learning exciting by turning science experiments into competitions. She places importance on making sure her students are well-rounded individuals by integrating reading and writing strategies into her science lessons. She also differentiates instruction in order to teach a variety of academic levels at once. To ensure that students enter high school with the proper skills, Ms. Hargrove teaches remedial math and science study skills to incoming freshmen through the Summer Bridge Program, and serves as the ninth- grade advisor. As co-advisor of the Math Engineering and Science Association (MESA), she helps elevate the study of math and science among girls, especially African-Americans, at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School. Ms. Hargrove was chair of the School Improvement Team, is co- author of the School Improvement Plan, and has influenced many of her fellow teachers to go beyond traditional approaches to teaching.

Ms. Hargrove's love of her profession and the students that she teaches is evidenced by the energy she puts into her work and the achievements of her students. As someone who has been active and keenly interested in education policy throughout my professional life, I have the utmost respect for teachers like Ms. Hargrove; she represents the passion and commitment of so many others across Maryland and the Nation who are working extremely hard to educate our children. As we work to rewrite the No Child Left Behind Act, the Congress ought to be doing all it can to provide these dedicated men and women with a law and the resources to empower this commitment and passion.

Madam Speaker, I want to again offer congratulations to Ms. Kiara Delle Hargrove who has been recognized as an outstanding educator and will receive the Milken National Educator Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate those honored by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation for their outstanding contributions to the provision of legal services and access to justice to the poor.

While every American has a constitutional right to counsel when facing criminal prosecution, when faced with a civil action--including eviction, debt collection and bankruptcy--financial means too often determine access to our courts. The Maryland Legal Services Corporation has fought against this barrier to equal justice, raising funds and distributing grants to nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal assistance to low-income Marylanders.

Established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1982, MLSC has been at the forefront of the civil legal services movement for 25 years, awarding grants totaling over $81 million to help provide services in more than 1.2 million legal matters for Maryland's families.

In 2007, MLSC honored the following five individuals and one organization for their extraordinary efforts to expand access to justice for the poor--

The Robert M. Bell Medal for Access to Justice was presented to Hon. J. Joseph Curran, Jr., former Attorney General for Maryland and now counsel to the Maryland Injured Workers Fund, for his extraordinary commitment to furthering access to justice for the poor throughout his distinguished career. MLSC created this award in 2004 and presented it to Chief Judge Bell, after which the award was named in his honor to be given only when warranted.

The Arthur W. Machen, Jr., Award was presented to Connie Kratovil Lavelle, who has been a legal services attorney, private practitioner and now deputy director of the Department of Family Administration of the Administrative Office of the Courts, for her extraordinary public service by providing legal representation to the poor and improving the delivery of legal services in Maryland.

The Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award was presented to Lauren Young, director of litigation of the Maryland Disability Law Center, for her outstanding work as a public interest lawyer providing civil legal services to the poor and the developmentally disabled.

The William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award was presented to Maureen Larenas, manager of the Tacoma Park Silver Spring, TESS, Community Service Center, for her outstanding advocacy in Maryland on behalf of low-income persons.

The Herbert S. Garten Public Citizen Award was given to The Daily Record, which has provided Maryland's business and legal news since 1888, for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to increase access to justice for the poor in Maryland.

MLSC also presented an Award of Special Recognition to John H. Michener, former director of Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and director of the Department of Human Resources Legal Services and Judicare Programs.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me today in honoring the recipients of the 2007 Maryland Legal Services Corporation Awards for their exceptional dedication and exemplary commitment to public service, equal justice and the welfare of the most vulnerable Marylanders.

Mr. Speaker, I want to join with all the others who have spoken tonight about Dean Aguillen and his service to this Chamber.

Ten years is a long time. It's no surprise that Dean rose through the ranks and was counted on by so many. I got to know him, as you've heard, in those early days. We were elected last November. We came in here, and it was like drinking out of a firehose, trying to absorb everything.

And everywhere we turned, Dean, you were there as a calming influence and continued in that role over time in the Chamber, in the hallways, on the phone, always a resource when we needed it.

So I wish you the very best. I know you go on to great things, whatever you choose to pursue. I know you will be taking with you a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise and skills away from this Chamber. But I also know that you've shared it with so many that the benefits of what you brought to this Chamber will continue for years and years to come. So congratulations on your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the people's House to give voice to the pain and courage of Rebecca Showers, one of my constituents. I do so, believing that we must take every opportunity in this Chamber to tell the stories of the American people.

With Rebecca's permission, I would like to read part of a letter she sent to me earlier this month. Rebecca's husband had every expectation of completing his service in the Army after two tours in Iraq. But recently he received word that he now faces a third deployment, this one for 15 months.

Speaking of her husband, Mrs. Showers writes this: ``I don't want him to miss a year and a half of our lives. Our son is 2, and he will miss the most important times in his life, the forming of sentences, learning new words, learning the alphabet, even two of his birthdays, which, by the way, he already missed him turning 2 on October 17.

``He will also miss two Christmases and two Thanksgivings. Just to let you know, in the last 6 years he has only been home twice for Christmas, and not once for Thanksgiving. I'm sure you hear this a lot from other Army spouses, but I just want my husband to be home with his family, where he belongs. I would like to know what the government is willing to do about getting our guys home sooner, or at least if they are willing to send them over for shorter tours. A year and a half is just too long, and I am not sure they understand that.

``Is there anything you can do for me and my son or know anything else that maybe I could do? Please help me, Mr. Sarbanes. He shouldn't have to go for so long. It's tearing me apart.''

Mr. Speaker, I don't know whether it's possible to accelerate this young man's return, but I have contacted the Department of the Army, asking for its consideration based on these circumstances. In the meantime, my colleague, Ellen Tauscher, has introduced

legislation to require that between these extended tours, our troops would at the very least receive the same amount of time home with their family that they have spent deployed in Iraq.

I again salute Rebecca Showers's courage and her husband's service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge an historic victory that occurred over last weekend, when the United States Naval Academy football team, for the first time in 43 years, upset the University of Notre Dame.

As we recognize the accomplishments of this Midshipmen football team, we also recognize the commitment that each middie has made to our country. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Midshipmen for their historic victory over the Fighting Irish.

It is in this spirit that I submit further remarks for inclusion in the Congressional Record as well as an editorial from the Baltimore Sun recognizing the extraordinary accomplishment of these young men.

And also for the record, I would like to say, Go Navy. Beat Army.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the United States Naval Academy Football Team for Saturday's thrilling victory over the University of Notre Dame.

The Midshipmen defeated the Fighting Irish 46-44 in triple-overtime, marking the first Navy victory in the annual match-up since 1963.

A tradition since 1927, the Navy-Notre Dame series is the longest uninterrupted intersectional series in Division I college football. This year's installment of this great football rivalry was, for the first time, tied at the end of regulation and featured 90 combined points, the most ever in the 80-year-old series.

The Midshipmen victory in the third overtime snapped Notre Dame's 43- year win streak in harrowing fashion. Navy made what appeared to be its last stand against the Fighting Irish Offense, stopping a Notre Dame attempt at a two-point conversion to tie the game. A controversial pass interference call allowed Notre Dame one more chance to force a fourth overtime. It looked as though the streak was destined to continue.

But the Midshipmen again held their ground and defeated Notre Dame. On this Saturday, the disadvantages that a service academy team has to overcome relative to its ``Big Name'' Division I competition did not matter. The Naval Academy does not have an exclusive television contract. Its recruiters cannot promise top-tier high school seniors access to a network of NFL scouts and alumni.

When the United States Naval Academy beat the University of Notre Dame, a team of

young men celebrated an athletic victory that had escaped two generations of Midshipmen--two generations of Academy graduates who led our Navy and our country through the Cold War and into the twenty-first century.

As we recognize the accomplishment of this Midshipmen Football team, we also recognize the commitment that each Middie has made to our country.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Midshipmen for their historic victory over the Fighting Irish. It is in this spirit that I submit for inclusion in the Congressional Record this editorial from the Baltimore Sun recognizing the extraordinary accomplishment of these young men. For the record, ``Go Navy. Beat Army.''

[From the Baltimore Sun, Nov. 6, 2007]

One for the Middies

Please forgive the irrepressible grins, the sunny outlook

and the other outward signs of deep satisfaction displayed

this week by fans of U.S. Naval Academy football. Navy's 46-

44 triple-overtime victory over the Fighting Irish on

Saturday in South Bend, Ind., was bound to have a lasting

effect. Beating a rival once every 43 years will do that.

The Notre Dame-Navy match-up is one of the more lopsided

annual events in college football. One fields a team of high

school all-Americans, the other with future Navy and Marine

Corps officers. Unless Roger Staubach is behind center taking

snaps (as he was for Navy in 1963), the results are generally

predictable.

But the combination of a solid Navy team with a potent

offense and postseason ambitions opposed by a Notre Dame

squad mired in a losing season of record-setting proportions

helped turn the unthinkable into the wonderful--at least from

the Midshipmen's perspective.

No doubt coach Paul Johnson will tell his players that this

was just one victory and Navy needs more wins to get to

another bowl game. And, of course, their fans will expect

them to beat a certain military academy from the Hudson River

Valley next month. No season would be complete without a win

over West Point.

Nevertheless, this is a moment to savor. Even a Notre Dame

fan has to admit it's nice to see an underdog come out on top

once in a while. Navy still needs a 60-year winning streak to

even its career record against the Irish. That's not likely,

but at least it doesn't seem quite as improbable today.

Madam Speaker, once again, we have a vivid, vivid example of this President's misplaced priorities. Earlier this month, the President vetoed the Children's Health Insurance Program, which would have extended private health insurance coverage to 10 million children in this country at a reasonable investment of $35 billion over a 5-year period. It costs too much, the President said. We can't afford it. Yet, last week the President requested additional funding for this misadventure in Iraq to the tune of $189 billion. We can't find money for children and health care in this country, but we can find, apparently, endless supplies of dollars to fund the war in Iraq.

Madam Speaker, this President on this issue and on many other issues is gravely out of touch with the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend my colleagues for passing H. Con. Res. 405, which promotes the United Nations' sponsored efforts to bring about a negotiated reunification of Cyprus. The division of Cyprus has endured for 33 years, far too long by any measure.

Today, I met with Alexis Galanos, the distinguished mayor of Famagusta, Cyprus, which prior to the Turkish invasion was the main town of the second largest district of Cyprus, both in terms of its population and surface area.

A few weeks after the initial invasion on August 14, 1974, Turkish military forces bombarded Famagusta relentlessly. Greek Cypriots were forced to flee their homes in fear and terror, rendering Famagusta a ghost city. Turkish forces then sealed off the area with barbed wire fences; 45,000 inhabitants of Famagusta became refugees in their own country. They lost their land, their properties, their homes and businesses and many of their own people.

The city and the mayor elected by its displaced residents who can't go home have now become a symbol of the injustice that persists in the occupied region. The two waves of the invasion by

the Turkish troops forced nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots, over one- quarter of the Cypriot population at the time, from their homes, making them refugees in their own country. The equivalent in the U.S. would be around 80 million people. For the last 33 years, 36.2 percent of the island continues to be under occupation by 43,000 Turkish forces.

The July 8, 2006, agreements reached under the auspices of the United Nations Under Secretary General Ibrahim Gambari, by President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat establishes a set of negotiating principles that will lead to a unified Cyprus.

The July 8 agreement supports the Greek and Turkish-Cypriot efforts to find common ground for the peaceful reunification of their country within the framework of a federal bi-zonal and bi-communal nation state. These agreements call for the implementation of specific confidence-building measures, starting with the practical steps of establishing bi-communal working groups and technical communities to examine and discuss issues affecting the day-to-day lives of the people of Cyprus.

Mr. Speaker, there is no viable justification for the continued division of Cyprus. The people of Cyprus have every reason to seek out reconciliation. They aspire to a reunified homeland. In the last 4 years, there have been more than 13 million peaceful crossings across the Green Line by Greek and Turkish-Cypriots, a remarkable achievement for an island whose total population is less than 800,000 people. Turkish-Cypriots cross into the Republic of Cyprus to go to work every day. Approximately 35,000 Turkish-Cypriots have applied for and received passports from the Republic of Cyprus. On the ground, there is clear momentum for peace and a desire on both sides to work together.

Today, Cyprus has evolved into a dynamic country, endowed with a robust economy and incredible democratic institutions. Its qualitative capacities are showcased by its recent entry to the European Union and its imminent membership in the Eurozone. Located off the western shores of the Middle East, Cyprus has the capacity to be a vigorous participant in the wider NATO security architecture.

For us in the United States, therefore, there is great purpose in facilitating peace and unification beyond any moral and altruistic imperatives. As expressed by the House last week, the July 8 agreement lays the groundwork for accomplishing this goal.

I commend the House for its passage of H. Con. Res. 405 and implore our government to continue its support for the full and immediate implementation of the July 8, 2006, agreements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter a letter cowritten by my Maryland Attorney General which raises concerns about the impact that the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007 would have on the power of the States to make and enforce their own gambling laws. In my view, the letter raises questions that merit the consideration of my colleagues.

September 28, 2007.

Dear Chairman Frank and Ranking Member Bachus: We, the

Attorneys General of our respective States, have grave

concerns about H.R. 2046, the ``Internet Gambling Regulation

and Enforcement Act of 2007.'' We believe that the bill would

undermine States' traditional powers to make and enforce

their own gambling laws.

On March 21, 2006, 49 NAAG members wrote to the leadership

of Congress:

``We encourage the United States Congress to help combat

the skirting of state gambling regulations by enacting

legislation which would address Internet gambling, while at

the same time ensuring that the authority to set overall

gambling regulations and policy remains where it has

traditionally been most effective: at the state level.''

Congress responded by enacting the Unlawful Internet

Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), which has

effectively driven many illicit gambling operators from the

American marketplace.

But now, less than a year later, H.R. 2046 proposes to do

the opposite, by replacing state regulations with a federal

licensing program that would permit Internet gambling

companies to do business with U.S. customers. The Department

of the Treasury would alone decide who would receive federal

licenses and whether the licensees were complying with their

terms. This would represent the first time in history that

the federal government would be responsible for issuing

gambling licenses.

A federal license would supersede any state enforcement

action, because Sec. 5387 in H.R. 2046 would grant an

affirmative defense against and prosecution or enforcement

action under and Federal or State law to any person who

possesses a valid license and complies with the requirements

of H.R. 2046. This divestment of state gambling enforcement

power is sweeping and unprecedented.

The bill would legalize Internet gambling in each State,

unless the Governor clearly specifies existing state

restrictions barring Internet gambling in whole or in part.

On that basis, a State may ``opt out'' of legalization for

all Internet gambling or certain types of gambling. However,

the opt-out for types of gambling does not clearly preserve

the right of States to place conditions on legal types of

gambling. Thus, for example, if the State permits poker in

licensed card rooms, but only between 10 a.m. and midnight,

and the amount wagered cannot exceed $100 per day and the

participants must be 21 or older, the federal law might

nevertheless allow 18-year-olds in that State to wager much

larger amounts on poker around the clock.

Furthermore, the opt-outs may prove illusory. They will

likely be challenged before the World Trade Organization. The

World Trade Organization has already shown itself to be

hostile to U.S. restrictions on Internet gambling. If it

strikes down state opt-outs as unduly restrictive of trade,

the way will be open to the greatest expansion of legalized

gambling in American history and near total preemption of

State laws restricting Internet gambling.

H.R. 2046 effectively nationalizes America's gambling laws

on the Internet, ``harmonizing'' the law for the benefit of

foreign gambling operations that were defying our laws for

years, at least until UIGEA was enacted. We therefore oppose

this proposal, and any other proposal that hinders the right

of States to prohibit or regulate gambling by their

residents.

Sincerely,

Douglas Gansler,

Attorney General of Maryland.

Bill McCollum,

Attorney General of Florida.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ann Watson, Planned Parenthood of Maryland's Volunteer of the Year and honoree at the first annual William G. Robertson, Jr. Volunteer Award Luncheon, for her 31 years of support for Planned Parenthood and 8 years of volunteer service in the Towson Health Center of Planned Parenthood of Maryland.

The William G. Robertson, Jr. Award is given in honor of the late Bill Robertson's more than 60 years of service as a former board member and the sole board member emeritus of Planned Parenthood of Maryland.

Ms. Watson is truly deserving. She has been involved with Planned Parenthood since she was a 19-year-old junior at the University of Arizona. She served as a volunteer and as assistant clinical director for Planned Parenthood in Tucson, Arizona. She has also served on the boards of directors for Planned Parenthood in San Antonio, Texas as well as Planned Parenthood of Maryland.

Ms. Watson has served actively in the Planned Parenthood of Maryland Speakers Bureau, teaching about contraception in Maryland schools. She is a former chairwoman of the Planned Parenthood of Maryland Education Committee.

Throughout her time as a Board member in Maryland, Ms. Watson has made her position as a volunteer in the Towson Health Center a top priority, advocating on behalf of the Center staff at board meetings. She has worked tirelessly to keep the people who come to Planned Parenthood seeking accurate information and access to preventive care at the center of strategic discussions.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me today in honoring Ann Watson. She has served as an exemplary volunteer and advocate for reproductive rights--demonstrating an

outstanding commitment to the mission and vision of Planned Parenthood.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Anne Arundel Community College and its efforts to assist the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families as they return from combat overseas.

Anne Arundel Community College is now offering free counseling for military families in a four week course entitled ``Reunited: Family Life After Deployment.'' The purpose of this course is to assist the men and women returning from service overseas reintegrate into their family and civilian life. These four, two-hour classes, which will be offered free to all service personnel thanks to the Friends of The Parenting Center scholarship program, will help participants identify the signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It will also help returnees learn how to deal with the emotional responses that arise from separation during service, how to adjust parenting styles, and to balance disciplinary roles within the family.

This course is the most recent example of how Anne Arundel Community College, and its President, Dr. Smith, continually strive to embrace the community that surrounds the campus. Outreach like this does not just happen by itself; it takes the time and energy of concerned individuals who hear of a community need and take the initiative to make a difference. Individuals like Dr. Lou Aymard and his staff at the Parenting Center who made this course a reality, as well as Bruce Turnquist, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist who will be leading the class discussion, are to be commended. To these individuals, and those at Fort Meade and the United States Naval Academy who shared their insight, I offer my sincere gratitude on behalf of all the returning men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Since 2001, over 1.5 million soldiers have been deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. A 2004 Army survey found that nearly 20 percent of soldiers returning home suffered from clinical anxiety, depression, or PTSD. More recent surveys show that 27 percent of those who serve longer deployments or multiple deployments have some form of mental illness or PTSD. I have heard first hand during hearings in the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and meetings with veterans' groups about how these conditions can often lead to alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, and financial and legal problems. It is tragic and wrong that these treatable conditions continue to have such a devastating impact upon the families of these veterans.

The sad fact is that almost 80 percent of these returning veterans who need assistance to deal with these mental illnesses are not referred to treatment. Because of this phenomenon, I have joined as a cosponsor of the Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2007, which would require that all veterans who serve on active duty during a period of war receive mental health screening and, when necessary, mental health treatment and family counseling. We have already passed significant legislation during this Congress to improve the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs health care delivery system and I hope that we will soon be able to take up and pass this legislation as well. This initiative by AACC represents how much can be done if we simply take advantage of the resources and opportunities within our communities to address this problem and to assist a population that has sacrificed so much.

Madam Speaker, I want to again thank all those at Anne Arundel Community College involved in the ``Reunited: Family Life After Deployment'' program. Anne Arundel Community College is a first-class institution and they have truly stepped up to support our Nation's veterans.