Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank you for heading up this Special Order, and I thought I better get down here since I had proposed it. And I think it's a great idea because we-- trade is so important right now during this recession. It is more important than ever that we continue to advance freer, fairer global commerce and not regress towards more harmful protectionist trade policies. And free trade agreements are one of the many ways to improve all of the Americans' standard of living and to get our economy back on track.

And you mentioned Caterpillar. Let me just say that there are two plants that are very close to my district, and I have had the opportunity to drive a top loader 10 times.

A 10-ton loader that has a basket.

I can drive it forward and backward, and it is a huge vehicle. I think it holds a million golf balls in its basket, so you can imagine how big this is.

But this is such an important piece of equipment. And Colombia has had so many of these vehicles to go--for trade. And here, as you said, we have the tariff that has to be paid by Colombia at $200,000 per vehicle for an off-road tractor going into Colombia while Colombian exports come into the United States nearly duty free.

So this trade agreement is so right because that $200,000 per vehicle could be used and stay in America with a free trade agreement and supply many more jobs in my district and nationwide. And, in fact, in days since the Colombia Free Trade Agreement was signed here and has not been put into place, U.S. companies have paid over $2 billion in tariffs on goods and services that are exported to Colombia. And the money, you know, could do so much more.

Let's go back for a minute to the Chile Trade Agreement, because I was the Republican whip on that. You put me in that position, and it was really an eye-opener, I think, for so many Members on this floor.

So many of them were skeptical. So many of them thought this was-- that we shouldn't be entering into this, all of these global trade agreements. And the benefits that have been provided by that where American exports to Chile grew from $2.7 billion in 2003 to $12.1 billion in 2008. That's outstanding.

Our exports to Chile grew from $2.7 billion in 2003 to $12.1 billion in 2008, and U.S. imports from Chile grew from $3.7 billion in 2003 to $8.1 billion in 2008.

Now, I love those green grapes that come in from Chile. And, you know, this is a thing where food products and everything that's coming from there is that we send over our products when they're having their winter; they send over their food products when we're having our winter. So it works out.

And then another statistic is that in 2008, the U.S. was Chile's top source of imports and the second largest destination for Chilean exports while Chile was the 25th largest export market for U.S. goods.

So we are doing really well to have that partnership, and that's why we need to move ahead with these other trade agreements.

Let me just say one more thing about the Peru Trade Agreement also that was passed. My home State of Illinois, we exported $198 million in goods to Peru in 2006. So, as seen with Chile and other countries, we have a fair trade agreement with the amount of exports to Peru that will only increase. So we should do everything to encourage the trade agreements that are now on the table.

And the cost, the cost of stalling these free trade agreements, for example, it's not fair that an Illinois company like Caterpillar should have to pay the $200,000 tariff and so many other companies that face the same thing; plus, the national security issue, the fact that we're dealing with countries so that we're not allowing some of the countries that are hostile to us to just have such a foothold there.

With the Colombia agreement, I think a couple of things. And so many of these agreements have gotten into human rights or labor protections, and I think Colombia, in particular, has worked so hard to further reduce the violence and increase labor protections there by improving the labor and human rights in their nation. And we actually used to meet with President Uribe for so long, and it really was a shame then that we could not get this agreement through. And it really was unfair to change the law--I don't think you can change the law, but to have the Speaker not allow this agreement to come up within 45 days.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I think you are absolutely right. That is a much stronger statement, and that is the statement that should be made to abrogate our agreement. And I think that after all that Colombia had done with the labor protections--for example, in 2005 and 2006, Colombia issued new Presidential decrees and regulations that addressed the concerns about the applications of labor laws, cooperatives, and temporary workers.

In 2006, they agreed to the establishment of a permanent representative of the International Labor Organization to be stationed in Colombia to promote the fundamental rights of workers.

In 2007, the Colombian legislature passed laws that significantly expedite proceedings and enhanced Colombia's existing labor courts. All of these changes, and yet we could not get this labor agreement and the trade agreement through after so much negotiation that it really is a shame.

So these significant efforts to improve labor relations in Colombia have led to the Colombian labor unions representing 79,000 Colombian workers to fully support the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. All of these things. It's an embarrassment.

Correct; 79,000 workers in the union support this agreement.

I think there is a disconnect with some of the unions that they don't understand that this is what creates jobs in the United States when we have the products that we're going to export, and the more that we export, the more jobs that we have created, and this is what moves our economy along.

Let me talk about one more issue, and that is that the U.S. trade deficit is shrinking. In May this year, there was a 9.8 decline in the U.S. trade deficit. That means that we are exporting more and more. We have been at a deficit where we have imported more, so we are running a trade surplus.

I think that the surplus has been running $9.3 billion for January through May of 2009.

So I thank the gentleman so much.

I was going to maybe correct what I said. What I meant to say that there were people on the other side of the aisle that had blocked these agreements, and not the trade unions. I know that so many of them really do know how important this is.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2965, a bill to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (STTR).

Too often, I hear from small businesses in my district about what I call the ``valley of death''--that period when a firm has developed a new technology but faces difficulties commercializing it and moving it to the market.

In an economy where credit is scarce, the timing to provide stable resources for small-tech companies is now. There are hundreds of healthcare and energy solutions past discovery and development. They only need that one final push to advance to the marketplace.

H.R. 2965 will help them do just that. Reauthorizing the SBIR-STTR programs through 2011--with an emphasis on commercialization in the last phase--will deploy new technologies that improve the quality of our lives, drive economic growth, and create high paying jobs.

As the largest of the small business research and development programs, the SBIR-STTR awards are an important and successful element of the Federal R&D portfolio.

In fact, Illinois is one of the top ten states benefitting from SBIR research dollars.

Since 1983, over four hundred million dollars of grant awards went to my home state. Illinois small businesses utilizing these resources over the years have received over eight hundred patents for their innovative work and hired nearly five thousand high-tech employees.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and support small business innovation. Doing so

maintains our commitment to science and technology advancements, drives the American economy, creates jobs, and keeps American competitive.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this rule and the bill. I offered five bipartisan, commonsense amendments to the bill with the support of other Members. Not one of these was made in order.

I offered an amendment to strike the section that mandates national building codes. Because my amendment was rejected, if State and local governments don't comply with these new national mandates, homeowners today who are struggling to make ends meet could be charged $100 a day for not being in compliance. A new tax on American homeowners is the wrong direction.

I had another amendment to strike from this bill the new tax on all transactions cleared via any U.S. regulated derivatives clearing organization. This bill then will have very chilling consequences. It will punish those using U.S.-regulated clearing organizations, discourage the use of central clearing organizations, and reduce transparency and liquidity and encourage legitimate business activities to move to unregulated foreign markets.

Another amendment would revise the Nuclear Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative to set a policy for clean, safe nuclear energy. I oppose this rule and the bill.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

In my home State of Illinois, we depend on nuclear, coal, and natural gas for our electricity. Because this bill discriminates against these energy sources, Illinois will be hit especially hard. Gas prices could rise by 77 cents a gallon and diesel by 88 cents a gallon. This is part of an entirely arbitrary penalty on oil and gas that is passed straight on to the consumer.

H.R. 2454 does little to incentivize new nuclear production, despite the fact that nuclear power is safe and emissions free, and what little it does is grossly inadequate concerning the overall goal of this bill.

I am deeply concerned also that there is no framework for an international agreement on climate change in this bill. In the absence of such framework, and in agreement from developing nations, my district can count on losing thousands of jobs to countries like India and China if this legislation is enacted.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2996, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.

Requesting Member: U.S. Representative Judy Biggert

Bill Number: H.R. 2996

Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Naperville Heritage Society

Address of Requesting Entity: 523 S. Webster Street, Naperville, IL 60540

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 to improve drainage and management of storm water at Chicagoland's only nationally accredited outdoor history museum. This request will improve the water quality in the DuPage River watershed by mitigating the impact of storm water on Naper Settlement's grounds and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule. I offered an amendment on Monday to address an injustice against the members of our armed services that were shut out from consideration by this rule.

Briefly, my amendment would have given an across-the-board pay raise of 5 percent to our military personnel. According to estimates made by the Congressional Research Service, the pay gap between military personnel and civilians in comparable positions is 3 percent. Given that the cost of living increase for 2010 is 2.9 percent, my amendment is an important first step to addressing this problem. Particularly during a recession but really at any time it is unacceptable that our men and women in uniform receive less than their civilian counterparts.

Recently I was in Afghanistan and had the opportunity to see firsthand the professionalism and the commitment of our troops, what service they render to us, why are they being treated this way. I received assurances from the House Parliamentarian that my amendment was in order, and the Congressional Budget Office said it complies with all PAYGO requirements. I cannot understand why the majority would deny our troops the right to an up-or-down vote or, at the very least, a debate that would at least bring out the issues. If we have time to debate an amendment that would require a study of the number of subcontractors used by the Department of Defense, we should have time to debate giving our troops a fair wage.

Mr. Speaker, this is the second time that I've offered this amendment to increase the pay of our troops and the second time that it has been denied. I would urge my colleagues to oppose this rule.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.

Requesting Member: U.S. Representative Judy Biggert

Bill Number: H.R. 2847

Account: OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants for Internet Safety Programs

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The Village of Downers Grove

Address of Requesting Entity: 801 Burlington Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $5,000 to fund the implementation of four projects: the Bully Busters Program (4th grade),which focuses on how to handle bullies, including issues related to cyberbullying; the Home Alone Program (5th grade), which is designed for ``latchkey'' children and includes Internet safety; the Cyberbullying Program (7th grade), which was developed specifically for middle school students and focuses on the consequences of cyberbullying; and the Protecting Your Child From Predators Program, which is specifically for parents and includes a segment about keeping children safe from online threats.

Offered By: Mrs. Biggert

Amendment No. 14: Page 13, line 11, insert after the dollar

amount ``(reduced by $25,491,000)''.

Page 32, line 21, insert after the dollar amount

``(increased by $25,491,000)''.

Offered By: Mrs. Biggert

Amendment No. 28: Page 42, line 7, after the dollar amount,

insert ``(increased by $15,000,000)''.

Page 47, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert

``(reduced by $15,000,000)''.

Page 50, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert

``(reduced by $15,000,000)''.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 492 and urge my colleagues to support its passage.

As a member of the Science and Technology Committee and as cochair of the High-Performance Buildings Caucus, I'm delighted to join my colleague and caucus cochair, Congressman Russ Carnahan, to recognize June 15 through June 19 as High-Performance Building Week.

By definition, a high-performance building is one that utilizes the highest design, construction, operation, and maintenance principles to address human, economic, environmental, and societal needs. Based on section 914 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, that definition is a result of significant industry and standards collaboration. Building on that coordinated effort, Representative Carnahan and I formed the High- Performance Buildings Caucus last year. We wanted to heighten awareness and inform policymakers about the major impact buildings have on our health, safety, and environment. Through monthly briefings, we explore the opportunities to design, construct, and operate high-performance buildings that reflect our concern for these impacts.

As the resolution states, the built environment in our country has a tremendous impact on our lives. Buildings consume 40 percent of the energy in the United States while emitting 39 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Perhaps a more surprising statistic is that Americans average 90 percent of their time indoors. With that in mind, new building construction and sustainability of our current building inventory is more important now than ever. As we seek to use energy more efficiently and reduce global emissions, we also have to consider worker productivity in business, enhanced learning environments in schools, and even secure designs to prevent loss of life from catastrophic natural disasters. Research, design, and construction of high-performance buildings include these factors and more. Accessibility, aesthetics, historic integrity and cost-effectiveness must also be considered.

Madam Speaker, we could not honor the goals and ideas of High- Performance Building Week without thanking those groups that have helped us get here today. Dozens of building and standards organizations make up the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition. I know that I speak for myself and my fellow caucus cochair when I say ``thank you'' for their help educating, researching, and advancing the goals of high-performance buildings.

And with that, Madam Speaker, I would submit a list of those organizations to be included in the Record.

High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition

Executive Committee Members

ASHRAE, The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and

Air-Conditioning Engineers (www.ashrae.org).

ACCA, Air Conditioning Contractors of America

(www.acca.org).

AHRI, Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute

(www.ahrinet.org).

AIA, The American Institute of Architects (www.aia.org).

ANSI, American National Standards Institute (www.ansi.org).

BOMA, Building Owners & Managers Association International

(www.boma.org).

GBI, The Green Building Initiative (www.thegbi.org).

ICC, International Code Council (www.iccsafe.org).

NEMA, National Electrical Mfrs Association (www.nema.org).

NFPA, National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org).

NIBS, National Institute of Building Sciences

(www.nibs.org).

SPFA, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (www.sprayfoam.org).

USGBC, U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org).

Coalition Members

ACC, American Chemistry Council

(www.americanchemistry.com).

AF&PA, American Forest & Paper Association

(www.afandpa.org).

AGC, The Associated General Contractors of America

(www.constructionenvironment.org).

ACEC, American Council of Engineering Companies

(www.acec.org).

APWA, American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net).

Arch 2030, Architecture 2030 (www.architecture2030.org).

ARMA, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association

(www.asphaltroofing.org).

ASA, American Supply Association (www.asa.net).

ASCE, American Society of Civil Engineers (www.asce.org).

ASE, Alliance to Save Energy (www.ase.org).

ASERTTI, Association of State Energy Research & Technology

Transfer Institutions (www.asertti.org).

ASID, American Society of Interior Designers

(www.asid.org).

ASLA, American Society of Landscape Architects

(www.asla.org).

ASME, American Society of Mechanical Engineers

(www.asme.org).

ASTM International (www.astm.org).

BHMA, Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association

(www.buildershardware.com).

CEIR, Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing

(www.Roofingcenter.org).

CLMA, Composite Lumber Manufacturers Association

(www.compositelumber.org).

CRI, Carpet and Rug Institute (www.carpet-rug.org).

Ecobuild, EcoBuild America, LLC (www.ecobuildamerica.com).

EESI, Environmental & Energy Study Institute

(www.eesi.org).

FAS, Federation of American Scientists (www.fas.org).

GANA, Glass Association of North America

(www.glasswebsite.com).

GMC, The Green Mechanical Council (www.greenmech.org).

Green Builder Media (www.greenbuildermedia.com).

Green Standard Green Building in Canada

(www.GreenStandard.ca).

HARDI, Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration

Distributors International (www.hardinet.org).

IAPMO, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical

Officials (www.iapmo.org).

IALD, International Association of Lighting Designers

(www.iald.org).

ICSC, International Council of Shopping Centers

(www.icsc.org).

IFMA, International Facility Management Association

(www.ifma.org).

InfoComm, InfoComm International (www.infocomm.org).

MCAA, Mechanical Contractors Association of America

(www.mcaa.org).

MVMA, Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association

(www.masonryveneer.org).

NAED, National Academy of Environmental Design

(www.naedonline.org).

NECA, National Electrical Contractors Association

(www.necanet.org).

NFRC, National Fenestration Rating Council (www.nfrc.org).

NRCA, National Roofing Contractors Association

(www.nrca.net).

NTHP, National Trust for Historic Preservation

(www.nthp.org).

PCA, Portland Cement Association (www.cement.org).

PERSI, Practice, Education and Research for Sustainable

Infrastructure (www.persi.us).

PMI, Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (www.pmihome.org).

PHCC, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National

Association (www.phccweb.org).

RCMA, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association

(www.roofcoatings.org).

RER, The Real Estate Roundtable (www.rer.org).

SBIC, Sustainable Buildings Industry Council

(www.sbicouncil.org).

SMACNA, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors'

National Association (www.smacna.org).

The Vinyl Institute (www.vinylinfo.org).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit my entire statement for the Record. Mr. Speaker, I'm disappointed that, at the last minute, the Rules Committee cancelled its scheduled hearing on this bill, S. 896, preventing Members from filing amendments to improve it.

Let me start by saying that this bill has important provisions that I support. It significantly reforms homeless housing programs, increases funds for housing counseling and to warn consumers about foreclosure rescue scams, provides a safe harbor for servicers and enhances other programs to help qualified homeowners save their homes. The bill creates a database on the root causes of foreclosures and authorizes a mortgage fraud task force. Provisions to increase the FDIC and NCUA's borrowing authority and extend the time needed to restore their insurance funds, for financial institutions, aim to stabilize insurance fees and free up capital so they can lend to consumers and small businesses. In addition, the bill increases Federal Reserve transparency and TARP oversight--two very important items for taxpayers.

Despite these good provisions in the bill, it still falls short. To address these shortcomings, I intended to offer a few bi-partisan amendments but was denied the opportunity. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert the text of these amendments for the Record and say a few words.

First, the bill is too light on housing counseling. Counselors are on the front lines of the foreclosure crisis and often the first place homeowners turn to for help. Three hundred Members voted for this language, as part of H.R. 1728, to bolster HUD's housing counseling programs, enhance program coordination, increase grants and streamline the process, as well as launch a national outreach campaign.

My second amendment, cosponsored by Mr. Neugebauer, would have required HUD and the Fed to coordinate efforts to produce compatible and improved residential mortgage disclosures. Consumers deserve nothing less. Again, earlier this month, 300 Members voted for H.R. 1728, which contained the exact language of this amendment.

Third, recent reports indicated that one in fifty U.S. children is homeless, and during the 2007-2008 school year, there was an 18 percent increase in the number of homeless students. Why? The rise in foreclosures and decline in jobs, but also--something fairly unknown-- some agencies can help all homeless kids, but HUD cannot. Does that make sense?

To help address this mismatch in programs, Ms. McCarthy, Mr. Davis, and I have an amendment to allow HUD to provide homeless housing and services to all homeless children who are already served by programs run by the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice. Homeless kids should be our top priority.

Thanks to concessions made by some of my colleagues here and in the Senate, the underlying bill, S. 896, moves an inch to help these kids, but it should move miles.

Speaking of miles, I would like to take a moment to recognize a courageous, young man who is fighting with us on this issue. On Sunday, USA Today reported that an 11-year old boy from Florida, Zach Bonner, is hiking from Florida to Washington, DC, and collecting letters from homeless kids on the way to deliver to President Obama. Thank you, Zach. Keep hiking. We're with you. I hope that other Members of Congress and this Administration can be so brave and fix the law to help homeless kids.

I hope my colleagues, in particular, Chairman Frank, will commit our Committee to continue work on these very important matters.

Amendment to S. 896. Offered by Mrs. Biggert of Illinois

Page 86, after line 14, insert the following new title:

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 297, recognizing May 25, 2009, as National Missing Children's Day.

On May 25, 1979, 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared somewhere on the two blocks between his SoHo apartment to the West Broadway bus stop. Despite a massive search effort and international media exposure, Etan has never been found. His image has come to represent the anguish of thousands of families who are still searching for their missing children.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared May 25 National Missing Children's Day. Doing so has provided an annual reminder of the disappearance of Etan and countless other children whose whereabouts have yet to be discovered.

Today, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year in the United States and more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day. Children continue to be the most victimized segment of our society and crimes committed against children of all ages are the most underreported of any victim category.

In December 2007, the House of Representatives passed a bill to reauthorize the Missing and Exploited Children's program under the Missing Children's Assistance Act. I would like to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting full funding for the invaluable programs authorized by this legislation. Our efforts here in Congress provide resources, training, and technical assistance that increase the capabilities of State and local law enforcement to locate missing children.

It is a shame that, 30 years after Etan's disappearance, thousands of children continue to be abducted or go missing in our country. While more missing children come home safely today than ever before, the recognition of National Missing Children's Day serves to remind us of the unfinished work we have to do to reunite families and protect the most vulnerable among us. I ask for my colleagues' support of this important resolution.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE -of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 297, ``Recognizing May 25, 2009, as National Missing Children's Day.'' I would like to thank my colleague Representative Judy Biggert for introducing this resolution, as well as the co- sponsors, Representatives Leonard Lance, Ted Poe, Bart Stupak, Zoe Lofgren, Thomas Rooney, and Frank Wolf.

I support this important resolution, because there are few things that are as frightening to a parent as the prospect of the losing, kidnapping, or murder of their child. Far too many Americans see these fears materialize. In the United States nearly 800,000 children are reported missing a year, more than 58,000 children are abducted by non- family members, and more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day.

It is for these families that Congress has in years past--as it does today--recognized National Missing Children's Day. If passed, this would mark the 27th time this Congress has marked a day in May, in honor of our Nation's obligation to locate and recover missing children by prompting parents, guardians, and other trusted-adult role models to make child safety an utmost priority.

National Missing Children's Day first began in 1979, with the disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz. This New York City event served as the impetus for the creation of National Missing Children's Day to be first proclaimed in 1983. Etan's photo was distributed nationwide and appeared in media globally, and the powerful image came to represent the anguish of thousands of families who found themselves searching for their loved ones.

This day brings serious problems to the forefront of our Nation's thoughts. It is from this increased awareness, Congress has put forward efforts--to provide resources, training, and technical assistance-- which have increased the capabilities of State and local law

enforcement to find children and to return them home safely.

For these reasons, I join my colleagues in recognizing National Missing Children's Day. One of the most important tools for law enforcement to use in the case of a missing child is an up-to-date, good quality photograph. I support the resolution, as it urges all parents and guardians to follow this important precaution.

I also join in encouraging all Americans to plan events in communities across America to raise public awareness about the issue of missing children and the need to address this national problem. Commemoration of National Missing Children's Day should remind Americans not to forget the children who are still missing and not to waver in the effort to reunite missing children with their families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate a remarkable young woman from my district, Lauren Zumbach, who was just announced as a 2009 Presidential Scholar. The Presidential Scholar program annually recognizes 141 of the nation's most exemplary high school seniors, students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance, as well as exemplary leadership, citizenship and community service.

Lauren embodies all of these traits. A poised and confident young woman, Lauren is a leader both in and out of the classroom. As a student-athlete at Hinsdale Central High School, Lauren has been a straight ``A'' student while contributing to her state championship cross-country team. Her accomplishments do not end here.

Outside the classroom, Lauren has organized workdays to improve local forest preserves. She assisted in raising $18,000 to help cure parasite-afflicted children in Haiti. She has worked with my office and local law enforcement to instruct area school children about safe online behavior. And just last fall, Lauren was the impetus behind ``Trot for the Troops,'' a 5k race that raised money for the Illinois chapter of Operation Homefront, an organization benefitting our men and women in uniform as well as their families.

In a few weeks, Lauren will graduate from Hinsdale Central High School; this fall she'll attend Princeton, which, I have no doubt, will be better for her being there. I am so proud of Lauren for her achievement and congratulate her on receiving the 2009 Presidential Scholar Award.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this closed rule. I offered an amendment yesterday to address an injustice against the members of our armed services that were shut out by this proposed rule.

Briefly, my amendment would have increased the across-the-board military personnel pay for 2009 from 3.9 percent to 4.4 percent. This pay raise would have been effective retroactively from January 1, 2009.

According to estimates by the Congressional Research Service, the pay gap between military personnel and civilians in comparable positions is 3 percent. Particularly during a recession, it is unacceptable that our men and women in uniform receive less than their civilian counterparts.

I was just in Afghanistan over the weekend and had the opportunity to meet and work with the wonderful committed and professional group of men and women in the military. They've been serving us to keep us safe and to establish the stability in the Middle East. But given this shortfall in pay, I thought it was appropriate to provide for our troops some supplemental income in this supplemental appropriations bill. Unfortunately this rule would not even allow an up or down vote on my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot support this continued abuse of process. I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule.

I yield to the gentleman from California.

I thank you.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate a remarkable young woman from my district, Lauren Zumbach, who was just announced as a 2009 Presidential Scholar.

The Presidential Scholar program annually recognizes 141 of the Nation's most exemplary high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance as well as exemplary leadership, citizenship and community service. Lauren embodies all of these traits.

A poised and confident young woman, Lauren is a leader both in and out of the classroom. As a student athlete at Hinsdale Central High School, Lauren has been a straight A student while contributing to her championship cross-country team.

Her accomplishments do not end there. Outside of the classroom, Lauren has organized work days to improve local forest preserves. She has worked to instruct area children about safe online behavior. And just last fall, Lauren was the impetus behind Trot for the Troops, a 5K race that raised money for the Illinois chapter of Operation Homefront.

In a few weeks, Lauren will graduate from Hinsdale Central High School, and I congratulate her on receiving the 2009 Presidential Scholar award.