Floor Statements

I thank my colleague from California (Ms. Matsui).

I rise in support of the Matsui amendment.

Madam Chair, all across America, families are doing everything right. They are paying their mortgages. They want to stay in their homes, but loan servicers and the banks have been slow to respond to reasonable requests for modifications.

Like many Democratic Members, I've held a number of foreclosure prevention workshops. What I hear from families is that these banks and the lenders and the servicers will not answer the phones to complete a modification and that, once they get the paperwork, they are not completing these modifications as they should.

Now, while President Obama's Making Home Affordable program has been positive in Florida and while we have over 83,000 modifications underway, we do not have the information necessary to tell where it is working, who it is working for, and which banks and servicers are not helping. So this amendment gets tough on those lenders and servicers.

It says that they have to demonstrate that they are following through with their responsibilities to modify mortgages for qualified families. It will keep the lenders honest by requiring up-to-date information about modifications, and that information will be made public. No more excuses for these lenders and servicers that have not been holding up their end of the bargain for America's families.

Mr. Speaker, because the Democratic bill gives women more opportunities and offers to modernize health care, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in support of the Democratic bill.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats will now deliver on what American families and businesses have been asking for when it comes to their health: one, meaningful, secure and stable insurance; two, improved Medicare for seniors; and, three, vital consumer protections.

For families with health insurance, health reform will provide you with coverage you can count on. Families will no longer have to worry about insurance companies canceling their coverage because someone in their family gets sick. Health insurance companies will no longer be able to bar you from insurance just because you have diabetes or cancer or some other chronic condition.

American families have been doing everything right. They have been paying their copays and paying their premiums, even as those costs have risen dramatically. Our health bill says that in return, that coverage must be meaningful, stable and secure. And for our family members who rely on Medicare, you will see immediate improvements, in your prescriptions, your checkups, and a provision I worked on, to penalize unscrupulous practices of private Medicare insurance sales agents.

The meaningful health reform that will pass the House today builds on the great legacies of Social Security and Medicare, and I am proud to represent Florida families in this historic vote.

I thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis), for yielding me time.

I rise in support of the United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2009. As part of the act, Mr. Speaker, the House will consider Senate bill 1023, the Travel Promotion Act, which is similar to H.R. 2935 by Representative Delahunt of Massachusetts, a bill of which I am pleased to be a cosponsor. I would like to thank Congressman Delahunt, who is on the floor here this morning, for fighting for jobs for Americans because the Travel Promotion Act is a jobs bill. It's a vital economic development initiative to combat the economic downturn that we've been battling since the spring of 2008.

The Travel Promotion Act establishes a nonprofit corporation for travel promotion to promote tourism in the United States and to provide travel information to people around the world. It is very similar to an initiative in my home State of Florida, and we all know that tourism is especially important to the State of Florida.

Florida is a top travel destination from across the globe. The millions and millions of tourists who travel to warm and sunny Florida support a $57 billion tourism industry and our economy. People come from every nation to visit our beautiful beaches, Bush Gardens, Disney World, Universal Studios, the Everglades, and more. The Florida economy thrives, just like many other States across the Nation, and families have good jobs and a clean industry because of tourism.

Having beaches and attractions often is not enough, however. Florida also communicates to the world about Florida vacations through the Visit Florida tourism advertising campaign. We have a Web site and many outreach efforts, but there is no similar initiative for the United States as a whole internationally. So the intent of the Travel Promotion Act is to create new jobs through growing tourism nationwide.

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions that the United States is not a friendly place for international tourists. Other nations actively promote international tourism through advertising campaigns and outreach, but some say that we have allowed our image to become an unwelcome one. Nations that project a welcoming image are reaping economic benefits while we run the risk of being left behind.

Overseas travel in the United States has declined by 10 percent in the first quarter of 2009. But we are going to turn that around through this Travel Promotion Act. Our travel bill would let world travelers know that we want them to visit America's great cities and natural wonders. We want the

world to come and share our culture and experience the richness that is the United States of America. Therefore, I urge adoption of the Travel Promotion Act to get our economy moving and create jobs.

Hats off again to Congressman Delahunt and the other sponsors of this legislation in the Energy and Commerce Committee. This is an important bipartisan effort.

I thank my colleague from California for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to reference the Congressional Record of October 7, 2009. On that date, I entered into a colloquy with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez of the Homeland Security Committee during the House's earlier consideration of S. 1023 as attached to House Resolution 806. That colloquy and its commitments are still valid today as we work again to pass the Tourism Promotion Act.

I would like to enter into the Record the letters that were cross- referenced in that colloquy. I would also like to add for the Record that we intend to work with Congressman Doyle of Pennsylvania regarding nonprofit cultural destinations as part of the bill.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Energy and Commerce,

Washington, DC, October 7, 2009.

Hon. John D. Rockefeller IV,

Chairman, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and

Transportation.

Hon. Amy Klobuchar,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and

Export Promotion.

Hon. Byron L. Dorgan,

U.S. Senator.

Dear Senators Rockefeller, Klobuchar, and Dorgan: As the

House may consider S. 1023, the Travel Promotion Act of 2009,

shortly, we write to clarify your intent with regard to

several provisions in the bill.

creation of the corporation

It is our understanding that the intent of the legislation

is for the Department of Commerce to administer grants to the

newly created nonprofit, ``Corporation for Travel

Promotion.'' It will be left to the judgment of the Secretary

of Commerce to transfer sums necessary for the operations of

the nonprofit and the administration of the grants. We

understand further that the Department of Treasury will hold

the separate ``Travel Promotion Fund,'' but will have no

substantive role with regard to the Corporation. By having

the Department of Commerce issue grants to the Corporation,

we can assure the application of Circular A-110, Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with

Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-

Profit Organizations. A-110 imposes a number of requirements

on non-profit entities spending federal dollars, including

the requirement that contracts target small businesses owned

by women and minorities.

In addition, we appreciate that you share our commitment to

diversity on the Corporation Board of Directors. We want to

stress that the Secretary of Commerce should make every

effort to ensure that the homeland security and small

business communities are adequately represented on the

Corporation's Board, and that the Board has a balance of

gender, ethnicity, and economic status, as well as

representatives from both urban and rural areas.

Also, we understand the importance of a functioning

Corporation and the decision to allow expenditures to be made

when six Board members are present. We would suggest that for

expenditures over $25 million, the Board strive to have more

than four members support approval of such an expenditure.

Moreover, we would expect the Corporation's campaigns to

target travelers from a diverse set of regions of the world

and to advertise a wide range of destinations across the

United States and its territories.

ii. coordination with the federal government

Although the legislation creates a requirement that the

Corporation consult with the Department of Commerce, we

believe that the Corporation should consult regularly with

the Departments of State and Homeland Security which also

have key responsibilities relating to travel and tourism. For

example, it is imperative that the Corporation coordinate on

any information it may disseminate regarding entry

requirements, required documentation, fees, processes, and

information concerning declared public health emergencies and

requirements for entering the United States. This

coordination is necessary in order to avoid the risk that

prospective travelers to the United States could receive

conflicting or confusing information regarding entry

requirements and processes.

iii. travel promotion fund fees

Under the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11

Commission Act of 2007 (P.L. 100-53), the Secretary of

Homeland Security already has authority to charge a fee to

cover the cost of administering the Electronic System for

Travel Authorization (ESTA), but also has discretion to pay

for ESTA with other funds. Similarly, the legislation before

us should maintain the Secretary's discretion to determine

the most appropriate manner to fund ESTA administration.

The legislation does not specify how funds collected in

excess of $100 million or greater than the needs of the

Corporation for Travel Promotion should be used. We believe

that these funds should be transferred to the Department of

Homeland Security to: 1) reinvest in ESTA to support changes

necessary to collect the new fee, and 2) enhance critical

border security programs such as US-VISIT and Global Entry.

Under the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission

Act of 2007, full implementation of the US-VISIT air exit

capability is required for increased flexibility to expand

the Visa Waiver Program, which would help increase tourism to

the United States.

iv. limitations and accountability

Furthermore, we believe it is essential to ensure that the

Corporation's funds are invested only in low risk vehicles

and that none of the funds provided to the Corporation be

used to directly promote or advertise a specific corporation.

Finally, we understand that under this bill, Congress has

full and complete access to the books and records of the

Corporation. We would suggest that the Corporation

proactively send its marketing plan to Congress.

v. summary

While there is strong support in the House for passage of

S. 1023, the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, we remain

concerned about some aspects of the bill. We look forward to

working with you to conduct vigorous oversight of the Travel

Promotion Act once it is law and to make any changes to the

legislation that may become necessary. Thank you in advance

for clarifying your thoughts on the matters discussed in this

letter.

Sincerely,

Henry Waxman,

Chairman.

John D. Dingell,

Chairman Emeritus.

Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives is poised for a very historic milestone this evening. We are on the cusp of beginning debate on the Affordable Healthcare for America Act, and Democrats are going to deliver what American families and businesses have been asking for when it comes to their health: one, meaningful, stable, and secure health insurance; two, improved Medicare for our seniors; and, three, vital consumer protections.

For families with health insurance, health reform will provide coverage you can count on. All Americans will have affordable options, even if they change their jobs or if their employer does not offer health insurance. We are going to get into a few of the important consumer protections tonight with a few of my colleagues.

Under this revised bill, families will not have to worry about insurance companies canceling their coverage because someone in the family gets sick or is diagnosed with cancer or another illness. Health insurance companies will no longer be able to bar you from health insurance just because you have cancer that is in remission or you have had a heart ailment. We are going to ensure that our neighbors are not forced to go bankrupt when a serious illness strikes.

What is insurance for, after all? It must be meaningful for American families. You have to admit, American families have been doing everything right. They have been paying their copayments, they have been paying their premiums, even as the cost has risen astronomically. What our health reform bill says is, in return, these American families must have coverage that is meaningful, stable, and secure.

Now, we reached this historic milestone reflecting back upon other important milestones in American history. It was January, 1935, when President Roosevelt sent his economic security bill to Capitol Hill. At that time, the Congress took that economic security bill and renamed it the Social Security Act; and, after many months of heated debate, in April of 1935 the Congress adopted the Social Security Act. President Roosevelt signed that bill into law at a ceremony in the White House Cabinet Room.

After President Roosevelt, it was President Truman who sought to build upon Social Security and provide that important stability and security to American families by launching the health care initiative. Unfortunately, it stalled under President Truman; and we have been in that stalling pattern for decades after, with the exception of 1965, with the adoption of Medicare.

In 1965, the House took up consideration of the Medicare bill; and President Johnson signed that bill into law at a special ceremony in Independence, Missouri, in 1965. President Johnson at that time, over the objections of some aides, insisted that the ceremony happen in Independence, Missouri, and that President Truman, who launched the national health care debate, be in attendance.

At that signing, President Johnson said, ``No longer will older Americans be denied the healing miracle of modern medicine. No longer will illness crush and destroy savings that they have so carefully put away over a lifetime so that they may enjoy dignity in their later years.''

Mr. Speaker, with our corresponding health reform act that follows upon Social Security and Medicare, no longer will illness crush and destroy American

families. They are entitled to dignity as well.

Now, during those debates, Mr. Speaker, there was a lot of opposition, great opposition from the Republican Party. The Republicans' record on Social Security and Medicare in America is not outstanding. They opposed Medicare from the beginning.

In 1965, the GOP said that Medicare was ``brazen socialism,'' and they have kept up that mantra year after year. They have tried to undermine Medicare. The Republicans have voted against protecting and strengthening Medicare since it was adopted. They have sought to privatize Social Security and Medicare. They have consistently wanted to move seniors into private markets. And, just this spring, House Republicans offered a budget that would eventually lead to the end of Medicare programs as they are presently known. If we had listened to Republicans, American seniors during the economic downturn would have seen their lifetime savings nearly disappear.

So here we stand again on the cusp of an historic milestone, to follow upon the legacy of Social Security and Medicare, the foundational values of the Democratic Party, popular initiatives that provide great security and stability to all American families; and we are going to deliver again for America's families.

We have some outstanding Americans here in the Chamber tonight. I would like to yield time to my good friend from Ohio, Mr. Ryan.

I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson). She has been here for a while and has been listening closely to this debate.

I thank my good friend from California.

I can't blame you, after listening to some of the debate, for having some consternation because here we are, we are poised to take this historic step on behalf of the American people that really is akin to what this great body has done in 1935 for Social Security, again in 1965 for Medicare. The vast majority of Americans would never think of turning back the clock to a time before we had those very important securities, that stability for American families. But that doesn't mean that they came easy. They didn't. And a lot of the arguments that were used then against Social Security and against Medicare have been used over the past year.

But you just have to stand up. You have to stand up and speak out for the families, the seniors, the older Americans that you represent and understand what this reform will mean to those families, finally giving them health insurance that is meaningful.

One of my very good friends that has been so involved in this debate for many years, I've had the privilege of serving with him on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Health Subcommittee, and he's simply an outstanding voice on behalf of the families in Connecticut. So I feel very privileged tonight, as we're poised to take this historic next step, to yield to my good friend, Mr. Murphy from Connecticut.

I thank my good friend from Connecticut. What a great summary.

And I know my good friend from Ohio, just what you were saying when you kicked it off, we simply cannot stand still. We cannot wait a decade more to stand up for American families and provide them with some meaningful and stable insurance that they're paying. I mean, they have been doing everything right; isn't that right? Paying those copays, paying those premiums month after month after month, and then someone in their family gets sick. And the health insurance company oftentimes will say or find a way to say, We're sorry, your policy does not provide what you thought it provided.

I yield to the gentleman.

I think you have summed it up well, Mr. Ryan. We are simply going to stand up for American families against the powerful interests that oftentimes and unfortunately the way health care has developed in America, it is take the money from well people. And the profits of these health insurance companies has been astronomical.

Why is it so difficult when somebody needs to call upon that policy, they have been diagnosed with cancer, they high blood pressure, and it is a fight. It is not a fight when you have to send the premium or the co-payment in, but it is a fight when you need to call upon what you have been paying for month after month.

So our reform is going to give the consumer, these families that we have the privilege to represent, greater bargaining power when it comes to their health.

You have to hand it to President Obama. He has reached out. He reached out early on in a bipartisan way. I know each of us here on the floor tonight have done the same. Early on, I called a bipartisan meeting of the Members from the State of Florida to say, What are our Florida priorities? We came up with a number. We have a terrible doctor shortage. We want to improve Medicare. And I am glad some of those ideas are incorporated in our legislation.

We have been having bipartisan meetings. We have had committee meetings, hundreds of committee meetings over the past couple of years, and hundreds of amendments incorporated. Our families back home, this isn't something where we are only listening to one side of the aisle. I know all of us have been taking the ideas, no matter what your political persuasion, because this is a critical American issue and it demands a unique, American solution.

As we begin the debate, I know there will be a lot of partisan rhetoric, but I want folks at home to know that we are going to stand up for you and fight for your family to ensure that if you have a diagnosis in your family of a serious illness, we are not going to let that insurance company cancel you. And if you have to change your job and your cancer is in remission, our reform will ensure that you will have affordable options. These are our fundamental values.

I yield to Mr. Pallone.

Chairman Pallone, you have hit upon another important underpinning of this bill, and that is personal responsibility. We are, through many initiatives in this bill, calling upon the American people to take personal responsibility for their health.

You are right. It is very expensive, very expensive, and American families know it. They know that one of the reasons that the costs have risen astronomically, and they are in the open enrollment period now, and families I hear from, they can't believe the rate of increase. But they understand, especially in a State like Florida where we have the second highest percentage of uninsured out of the 50 States, that we are paying, the folks with insurance are paying for the uninsured that show up in our emergency rooms, the most expensive place to receive care, and those costs have to be paid for somehow. Most often, it will make its way onto the copayments, premiums, and policies of American families that have taken personal responsibility, and that is just not fair. We can do better, and through our Affordable Health Care for America Act, we try to shift this very expensive way we deliver health care and make a historic investment in wellness and prevention.

Communities all across the country are going to have new incentives to build their communities in a sustainable way. Our hospitals are going to partner with universities and communities and nonprofits all across the country to focus on the most effective way to reduce childhood obesity and encourage folks to refrain from smoking, the way we can really control costs over the long term.

I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Waxman and you, Chairman Pallone. You encouraged me to offer an amendment in the Energy and Commerce Committee to encourage small businesses to do more in wellness initiatives. Big companies encourage employees to exercise and eat right and quit smoking. But, oftentimes, it is the small businesses that are left in the lurch. Certainly in this economy, they do not have the wherewithal to initiate those types of wellness programs. But in our health reform bill, we provide grants to those small businesses that are willing to cut their health care costs through new wellness initiatives. I know that it will pay great dividends for families and those businesses.

I thank you for that. Small businesses clearly are going to be big winners under this initiative.

Just a couple of months ago, I had a roundtable of small businesses from the Tampa Bay area, and there is one great business that has a lot of those retail shops in the airports. They do very well. She told me the story about trying to negotiate with health insurance companies. The problem, unfortunately, has grown over time where there is not much choice. There are so few options. As these small businesses attempt to go out and compete with their small numbers of employees, it is practically like sending a person out alone. It is just astronomical. I don't understand it because the profits of these health insurance companies are so high, but they don't offer affordable options to small businesses.

She told me this terrible story where, because they have a largely female and young workforce, it was very important to them that they have maternity care covered. And so they negotiated and had an agent, and maternity care was covered. The only problem was the health insurance company refused to pay for the baby's delivery of one of her employees.

These kinds of tricks have got to end. It's time that we stand up for families across America, make insurance meaningful, provide some stability, some security, just like Social Security did in 1935 and Medicare in 1965. These are the types of commitments we are trying to make with the American people.

We have great support as we launch the debate. I mean, let's go over a few of these great endorsements from just this week. Coming from the State of Florida, the AARP endorsement will ring out loud and clear because the AARP advocates for older Americans and our seniors. And the American Medical Association, also, doctors across America believe in our health reform initiative.

I will yield to my friend.

And that's highly important because our hospitals oftentimes are taking care of folks who do not have health insurance. So there is a great amount of uncompensated care, and it feeds that vicious cycle in America where someone has to pay that cost. And it is put on to the backs of families with insurance oftentimes having to pick up the tab for some people who have not taken personal responsibility for their health.

As we launch into the debate, it is very heartening that we have groups like the American Medical Association and AARP on our side, along with the American Cancer Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. I mean, these lists go on and on. These are Americans and interest groups from all across the country that have been involved for years in trying to get to this point to provide meaningful health care to American families, to ensure that that insurance, when you pay those premiums and copays, is really something you can count on. It's coverage that you can count on.

And then correspondingly, as we've gotten smarter and realize we need to do more in prevention and wellness, we're going to invest in a great new health care workforce. It means a lot to my home district in Tampa because we have a large research university, the University of South Florida, with a College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, Physical Therapy directly across the street from the busiest VA hospital in the country.

The new loan repayment scholarships that will be provided to young people, or anyone that wants to find a job in the health care workforce, this is a landmark investment in that new workforce. When you look at the unemployment numbers across America right now, the one sector where jobs are being created and there are opportunities is in health care. It might be in IT, in the electronic medical records, but we are going to need a modern health care workforce. Fortunately, that's what our initiative provides.

I yield to my friend.

Well, I think as we begin to close our hour out, we are eagerly looking ahead to the debate. We've had many, many months--many years waiting for real health reform for American families and older Americans, and we are very close. I would really like to thank my colleague, Chairman Pallone, for his years of service on behalf of New Jersey families and Americans when it comes to health care.

The Democratic bill that will soon be on the floor will finally deliver for American families, building upon those fundamental values and early initiatives that came under Social Security in 1935 and Medicare in 1965. It has taken us awhile to get to this point, but I think we will get home.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats are going to deliver on what American families and businesses have been asking for when it comes to their health: one, meaningful, secure, and stable insurance; two, improved Medicare for our seniors; and, three, vital consumer protections.

For families with health insurance, health reform will provide coverage you can count on. All Americans will have affordable options even if you change your job or if your employer does not even offer health insurance. Under the revised health bill, families will not have to worry about insurance companies canceling their coverage because someone in their family gets sick or is diagnosed with cancer or another illness. Health insurance companies will no longer be able to bar you from insurance just because you've had cancer that is in remission or you're recovering from a heart ailment. We will ensure that our neighbors are not forced to go bankrupt after a serious illness strikes. What is insurance for after all? It must be meaningful.

American families have been doing everything right in paying their premiums and copays even as those costs have risen astronomically. Our health care bill says that, in return, families must have coverage that is meaningful, stable, and secure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.

In my home State of Florida and in my community in the Tampa Bay area, Ryan White Services are vital. This critical program helps to preserve the lives of many in our communities living with HIV and AIDS. I have heard from so many of my neighbors in recent weeks, pleading that Congress act to ensure that this lifeline continues--today we answer their plea.

In 2004, Ryan White assisted well over 100,000 patients in Florida and nearly 13,000 family members of people living with HIV/AIDS. Those numbers continue to rise.

My community is very active in the Ryan White program. There are many nonprofit organizations that help to facilitate Ryan White and put the program dollars to good use.

I'd like to thank all of the participating organizations in my home town for their work with Ryan White--Metropolitan Charities in both Tampa and St. Petersburg, Operation Hope of Pinellas and the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas, to name just a few that are changing lives for my neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, the Ryan White Program is the only true safety net for many people living with HIV/AIDS to compensate for the lack of health insurance and care that is often not covered by insurers. I look forward to reporting to my neighbors that they can rest assured that this vital program will not be lost.

Madam Speaker, in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, I rise today to honor Estrella Clement, who dedicates her life to help identify and treat women who have breast and cervical cancer.

Ms. Clement was born in Cuba, moved to New Jersey as a child and has been living in Tampa for 25 years. Ms. Clement always knew she wanted to be a nurse and help improve the health of her community. She obtained a master's degree in nursing from the University of South Florida and has been a nurse for more than 32 years. Ms. Clement works with Meditech Medical Center clinics where free mammogram tests, breast examination, and Pap smears are offered to women who might not be able to afford these services otherwise.

Tirelessly dedicated, Ms. Clement worries that women are unaware of the free screening and treatment options in her neighborhood. Transportation is a major obstacle for many low-income women. Ms. Clement's goal is to have a mobile unit so she can go directly to the community. Unfortunately, too few people know about the free service. Ms. Clement is making it her duty to reach as many women as possible.

Ms. Clement also has been a co-chair of Prime Time Sister Circles, a group that helps African-American women improve their health, and she has served on the Moffitt Cancer Center's Hispanic Advisory Council.

Madam Speaker, Estrella Clement is acutely aware of the toll, both financial and emotional, that breast and cervical cancer can have on women. She devotes her life to improving the health of the Tampa community. I applaud her dedication to the prevention and treatment of breast and cervical cancer.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor CPT Daniel J. Santoro, a member of the Tampa Bay community for receiving the 2008 Cheney award for distinguished service in the United States Air Force.

Captain Santoro is a C-130E instructor pilot, assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Operations Group, 86th Airlift Wing, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Captain Santoro was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 1977; he attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor's of Science in Human Factors Engineering.

After graduation, Captain Santoro continued his pilot training at Whiting Field Naval Air Station, in my home State for Florida. His service to our country has taken him to numerous States: Oklahoma, Arkansas, and North Carolina where he constantly worked to improve his skills to keep our country safe. Often recognized for his leadership and tireless dedication, Captain Santoro was assigned to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he would serve bravely in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, among others.

In 2008, as the Chief Tactics and Instructor Pilot, his squadron completed 29 missions and delivered 211 tons of humanitarian cargo, including food and hygiene kits, to the country of Georgia. It is because of these heroic actions that Captain Santoro is receiving the 2008 Cheney Award; which is given for an ``act of valor, extreme fortitude, or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft, but not necessarily of a military nature, by an Air Force officer or enlisted member.'' The award is named after Lt. William H. Cheney, who was killed in an air collision in Italy in 1918.

Madam Speaker, Captain Santoro is a true testament to the bravery and the sacrifices made by the men and women in the Armed Forces. His accomplishments are significant and an inspiration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Udall Scholarship in Excellence in NEPA Act by Congressman Grijalva. As part of the act, the House will consider Senate bill 1023, the Travel Promotion Act, which is similar to H.R. 2935 by Representative Delahunt of Massachusetts, a bill of which I'm pleased to be an original cosponsor.

The Travel Promotion Act is a jobs bill. It's a vital economic development initiative to combat the economic downturn that we've been battling since the spring of 2008. The Travel Promotion Act establishes a nonprofit corporation for travel promotion to promote tourism in the United States and provide travel information to people around the world.

Tourism is particularly important to my home State of Florida. Florida is a top travel destination from across the globe. The millions and millions of tourists who travel to Florida support a $57 billion tourism industry and our economy. People come from every nation to visit our beautiful beaches, Busch Gardens, Disneyworld and Universal Studios, the Everglades and more, and the Florida economy thrives and families have good jobs in a clean industry because of tourism.

Having the beaches and attractions is not enough, however. Florida also communicates to the world about Florida vacations through the Visit Florida tourism Web site and outreach and advertising campaigns. But, you know, there is no similar initiative for the United States as a whole internationally. So the USA needs to get creative and create new jobs through growing tourism nationwide.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions out there that the United States is not a friendly place for international tourists. Other nations actively promote international tourism through advertising campaigns and outreach, but some say that we've allowed our image to become an unwelcoming one. Nations that project a welcoming image are reaping economic benefits, while we run the risk of being left behind. Overseas travel in the United States has declined by 10 percent in the first quarter of 2009.

Our travel bill would let world travelers know that we want them to visit America's great cities and natural wonders. We want the world to come and share our culture and experience the richness that is the United States of America. Therefore, I urge adoption of the Travel Promotion Act to get our economy moving and create jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I now recognize Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez of the Committee on Homeland Security.

I thank the gentlelady from California for raising this important issue. Yes, it is extremely important that the U.S. has a unified voice abroad, and that all information about Federal travel requirements is properly vetted. I look forward to working with you and the committee to address this issue.

I share your concern about the fee structure, and I will be happy to work with you and the committee to ensure that these matters are addressed.

I would also like to submit for the Record an exchange of letters between the leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee that reflects a shared commitment to work on these very issues as well as other important issues raises by other Members.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Energy and Commerce,

Washington, DC, October 7, 2009.

Hon. John D. Rockefeller IV,

Chairman, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and

Transportation.

Hon. Amy Klobuchar,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and

Export Promotion.

Hon. Byron L. Dorgan,

U.S. Senator.

Dear Senators Rockefeller, Klobuchar, and Dorgan: As the

House may consider S. 1023, the Travel Promotion Act of 2009,

shortly, we write to clarify your intent with regard to

several provisions in the bill.

I. Creation of the Corporation

It is our understanding that the intent of the legislation

is for the Department of Commerce to administer grants to the

newly created nonprofit, ``Corporation for Travel

Promotion.'' It will be left to the judgment of the Secretary

of Commerce to transfer sums necessary for the operations of

the nonprofit and the administration of the grants. We

understand further that the Department of Treasury will hold

the separate ``Travel Promotion Fund,'' but will have no

substantive role with regard to the Corporation. By having

the Department of Commerce issue grants to the Corporation,

we can assure the application of Circular A-110, Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with

Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-

Profit Organizations. A-110 imposes a number of requirements

on non-profit entities spending federal dollars, including

the requirement that contracts target small businesses owned

by women and minorities.

In addition, we appreciate that you share our commitment to

diversity on the Corporation Board of Directors. We want to

stress that the Secretary of Commerce should make every

effort to ensure that the homeland security and small

business communities are adequately represented on the

Corporation's Board, and that the Board has a balance of

gender, ethnicity, and economic status, as well as

representatives from both urban and rural areas.

Also, we understand the importance of a functioning

Corporation and the decision to allow expenditures to be made

when six Board members are present. We would suggest that for

expenditures over $25 million, the Board strive to have more

than four members support approval of such an expenditure.

Moreover, we would expect the Corporation's campaigns to

target travelers from a diverse set of regions of the world

and to advertise a wide range of destinations across the

United States and its territories.

II. Coordination with the Federal Government

Although the legislation creates a requirement that the

Corporation consult with the Department of Commerce, we

believe that the Corporation should consult regularly with

the Departments of State and Homeland Security which also

have key responsibilities relating to travel and tourism. For

example, it is imperative that the Corporation coordinate on

any information it may disseminate regarding entry

requirements, required documentation, fees, processes, and

information concerning declared public health emergencies and

requirements for entering the United States. This

coordination is necessary in order to avoid the risk that

prospective travelers to the United States could receive

conflicting or confusing information regarding entry

requirements and processes.

III. Travel Promotion Fund Fees

Under the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11

Commission Act of 2007 (P.L. 100-53), the Secretary of

Homeland Security already has authority to charge a fee to

cover the cost of administering the Electronic System for

Travel Authorization (ESTA), but also has discretion to pay

for ESTA with other funds. Similarly, the legislation before

us should maintain the Secretary's discretion to determine

the most appropriate manner to fund ESTA administration.

The legislation does not specify how funds collected in

excess of $100 million or greater than the needs of the

Corporation for Travel Promotion should be used. We believe

that these funds should be transferred to the Department of

Homeland Security to: (1) reinvest in ESTA to support changes

necessary to collect the new fee, and (2) enhance critical

border security programs such as US-VISIT and Global Entry.

Under the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission

Act of 2007, full implementation of the US-VISIT air exit

capability is required for increased flexibility to expand

the Visa Waiver Program, which would help increase tourism to

the United States.

IV. Limitations and Accountability

Furthermore, we believe it is essential to ensure that the

Corporation's funds are invested only in low risk vehicles

and that none of the funds provided to the Corporation be

used to directly promote or advertise a specific corporation.

Finally, we understand that under this bill, Congress has

full and complete access to the books and records of the

Corporation. We would suggest that the Corporation

proactively send its marketing plan to Congress.

V. Summary

While there is strong support in the House for passage of

S. 1023, the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, we remain

concerned about some aspects of the bill. We look forward to

working with you to conduct vigorous oversight of the Travel

Promotion Act once it is law and to make any changes to the

legislation that may become necessary. Thank you in advance

for clarifying your thoughts on the matters discussed in this

letter.

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman,

Chairman.

John D. Dingell,

Chairman Emeritus.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to add for the Record that we intend to work with Congressman Doyle of Pennsylvania regarding nonprofit cultural destinations as part of the bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 1 minute to my colleague from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Mrs. Christensen from the Virgin Islands.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the original sponsor of the Travel Promotion Act, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt).

I'll yield the gentleman an additional 1\1/2\ minutes.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is left on both sides.

At this time I am pleased to yield 1 minute to my good friend, the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).

At this time I'm very pleased to yield 1 minute to my good friend, the gentleman from the great State of Florida (Mr. Klein).

At this time I'm very pleased to yield 1 minute to my good friend, the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. Speaker, I am the last speaker on my side, so I will reserve my time. I have the right to close.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Missouri for his support in all of his endeavors to promote travel and tourism in the United States of America.

My hat is also off to Congressman Delahunt from Massachusetts who certainly understands the importance of reviving our economy and bringing good, clean industry jobs in the tourism and travel sector to our great Nation.

We need the Travel Promotion Act now more than ever during this economic downturn. The Travel Promotion Act is a jobs bill. It is a vital economic development initiative to help us combat this horrendous economic downturn.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding the time and commend my colleagues from Pennsylvania and New Jersey for this very thoughtful resolution. I would also like to speak to the previous resolution that just passed the House, establishing National Estuaries Day in recognition of these other beautiful and valued places across our country.

Our Nation's estuaries are essential to our economy, jobs, our hobbies and our culture. Estuaries are the vital links between our coastal ecosystems. They are the unique places where rivers and oceans meet, and their irreplaceable wetlands provide unmatched recreational opportunities and millions of jobs in tourism, fishing and other coastal industries.

This is especially true in my hometown of Tampa, Florida, where Tampa Bay provides the lifeblood and character of my community. A significant share of the Tampa Bay area's economy is dependent on our healthy estuary, and the same is true all across the United States, as 28 million jobs are supported through commercial and recreational fishing, boating, tourism, and other coastal industries. Coastal economies and estuaries contribute more than $800 billion annually in trade and commerce in our great country.

September 26 marked National Estuaries Day, an interagency campaign led by NOAA. Since 1988, NOAA has promoted the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them. So this year was the first time that we introduced a resolution to recognize these important educational and recreational events all across the country. Events occurred in North Carolina, in Florida, in Louisiana, in California. These celebrations ranged from the planting of seed grasses, the protection of marine mammals and other species.

Estuary groups from across the country also met here in the Capitol with representatives from NOAA, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Madam Speaker, Pat Conroy's new novel, ``South of Broad,'' contains elegant descriptions of estuaries that speak to everyone who values their beauty and riches. Conroy writes: ``A freshwater river let mankind drink and be refreshed, but a saltwater river let it return to first things, to moonstruck tides, the rush of spawning fish, the love of language felt in the rhythm of the wasp-waisted swells.''

He says: ``The tide is a poem that only time could create, and I watched its stream and brim and make its steady dash homeward to the ocean.'' It is difficult to capture the beauty and value of many of America's national treasures, so we ask the House today to set aside a day to raise awareness and educate others about estuaries, and getting people excited about the natural beauty to be found there.

I thank my colleagues for voting today in support of these goals and ideals.

I thank the gentleman from Colorado and the Rules Committee for yielding time. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, and this rule, and I rise in support of every student who hopes to attend college but is grappling with rising costs.

For millions of students across America, we are going to make the cost of attending college more affordable. In Florida, my home State, hundreds of thousands of students and families will find the cost of attending college more affordable through significant increases in the Pell Grant and expanded student loans.

I cosponsored this landmark investment in our students and higher education because over the next 10 years we will invest over $2.2 billion in Florida students, including over $100 million for students in the Tampa Bay area, through increases in the Pell Grant. That means direct aid to half a million Florida students, including over 24,000 students in my district alone, at no new cost to taxpayers.

We all understand that in this economy families are being squeezed by the rising cost of tuition and living expenses. And with the price of college steadily increasing, too many students are forced to make tough choices when trying to figure out how to pay for college. But due to our efforts and support from President Obama, a college education in America will be more affordable.

A college education has always been critical. People with college degrees earn more. And a college degree today is even more valuable as the fabric of our workforce changes and we prepare students for 21st century jobs.

Thank you to Chairman George Miller and the great Education and Labor Committee for standing up once again for students, families, and American colleges and universities. Madam Speaker, this bill provide our students with the tools they need to be successful, and I urge support.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the death of former Florida State Senator Jeanne Malchon. The state of Florida suffered a great loss on August 23, 2009, when she passed away.

In 1982, she successfully ran for the Florida Senate. My mother, Betty Castor, was serving also in the Senate at that time and remarked on the dedication and fervor she had for bettering the lives of Floridians. Senator Malchon pledged to strengthen social services for the elderly and poor and promoted concern for environmental causes. She sponsored the 1985 Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, which prevented smoking in shared public areas. Senator Malchon also successfully raised the penalties for driving under the influence, increased funding for teen runaway shelters, and raised standards which required employers to report toxic chemicals that were used in the work place.

Senator Malchon's was known amongst her peers in the Florida Senate as a smart and candid legislator who got things done. She was said to be so effective because she didn't play political games or allow partisan politics to get in her way. She has been called ``a steady hand in a perilous time.'' Those that knew her can agree that she was an extremely knowledgeable and determined woman.

Jeanne Malchon was a very dedicated individual who helped others even before she became involved with politics. Born in Newark,

New Jersey, she was trained to make mechanical drawings as a draftsman. When her country called during World War II, Senator Malchon became a civilian employee for the Army even though it required her to leave home for Hawaii. In 1952, Senator Malchon and her family moved to St. Petersburg where her political interest and involvement started when she became a lobbyist for the League of Women Voters. She was appointed to a seat on the Pinellas County Commission in 1975.

Madam Speaker, Senator Jeanne Malchon will be greatly missed by the state of Florida. My thoughts are with her family in this time of loss.

Mr. Speaker, through health care reform, we're going to ensure that families are healthy and that we put money back into their pockets. And here's a great example:

Yesterday when I was home in Tampa, I paid a visit to Syniverse Technologies, a global communications firm that employs 650 people. We unveiled Syniverse's new onsite health clinic and wellness initiative. The workplace clinic is staffed with a medical assistant and a nurse practitioner, and employees love it.

The Syniverse team explained that they expect to save $1 million over the next 5 years due to the convenient clinic and their wellness initiative that encourages employees to lose weight, stop smoking, and lead healthier lives.

Syniverse employees don't have to miss work for doctor's appointments or to run to the drug store for simple prescriptions. They can bring their families there with no copay. It is smart, it is convenient and less expensive for employees, and it's smart for the companies because the employees will be more productive. Syniverse expects lower health insurance costs because the company's employees will be healthier.

One of the goals of the Democratic health care reform is to encourage these innovative community clinics and wellness initiatives for families and businesses so that health care is more convenient and it's more affordable for others.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 2010 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year, Megan Allen of Tampa Bay. An elementary school teacher, Ms. Allen was selected among finalists from across the state of Florida. Ms.

Allen is a wonderful example of educators who make a positive difference in the lives of their students.

Ms. Allen graduated from Clemson University in 2000 and continued her education at The University of South Florida, graduating in 2003 with a master's degree in elementary education. Until her senior of her undergraduate studies, Ms. Allen planned on pursuing a law degree and eventually a career as a lawyer. However after losing her mother to pancreatic cancer during her senior year of college, Ms. Allen made the decision to pursue a degree in education--just as her mother had done years before.

Ms. Allen, who was named Teacher of the Year for Hillsborough County in February, was chosen from more than 180,000 public school teachers throughout the state. Ms. Allen has taught the fourth grade at Cleveland Elementary School in Tampa for five years.

Ms. Allen's impact is felt throughout the community. A National Board Certified Teacher, Ms. Allen was selected for her energetic, enthusiastic teaching style, and her community service projects outside the classroom. Beloved by her students, Ms. Allen often dresses up for FCAT study sessions, and leads her class in decimal-point rap songs. She says her style involves anything to grab the kids' attention.

Madam Speaker, the selection of Megan Allen is a firm testament to the standards of quality education in the state of Florida. Ms. Allen is one example of the dedication and incredible talent of our teachers, and I am so happy that she chose to follow in her mother's footsteps and am proud to have her teaching the children of my community.