Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a wonderful man and my constituent, the Reverend James T. Golden of the Ward Temple A.M.E. Church in Bradenton, Florida. He is the guest chaplain of the House of Representatives.

Reverend Golden is a pillar of the Tampa Bay community, with a long record of public service and dedication. In the year 2000, he was elected to the Bradenton City Council, which he continues to represent with distinction.

Reverend Golden is a veteran of the United States Army. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Stetson University in Deland, Florida, and went on to become a master of divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. He returned to Florida to attend the University of Florida and received his juris doctorate. Reverend Golden has shared his great knowledge and insight with students throughout Florida, and he ministers to the congregation of the Ward Temple A.M.E. Church in Bradenton and serves his community through many nonprofit organizations.

He is joined today by his wife Mildred, nephew Kahreem, and niece Lyleigha. I am proud to stand in recognition of his accomplishments and leadership today.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I might consume.

This amendment commissions a GAO study to examine the effect of the new multi-peril coverage option which is established as an option in this bill on State insurers and catastrophe funds like those in my State of Florida. This amendment works very well with the initiative of Chairman Frank and my colleague from Florida, Ms. Brown-Waite, and their very thoughtful initiatives. But it builds upon it.

And the particular problem in my State of Florida is that the State insurance company, Citizens, now holds 1.3 million policies. Citizens is supposed to be an insurer of last resort; but because private insurance companies have left the State, they've withdrawn from the market, Citizens has ballooned to over 40 percent of the property wind insurance market. Citizens, however, does not have the reserves, the sufficient financial reserves, we believe, to pay the level of claims that would result from a catastrophic hurricane. In the event of a serious storm, Citizens may be forced to turn to public funds again.

The new multi-peril option, I know it's in dispute now, but however you feel about it, we need to get to the bottom of the effect it will have on our

State insurers and catastrophic funds. It could offer new fiscally sound choices for those in high-risk areas. It has the potential to help address wind insurance availability so that the public is not on the hook for claims when the next storm hits.

If the new option is successful in making insurance available to areas where private insurers refuse to go, multi-peril and this wind storm option could relieve the pressure on State insurers like Citizens in Florida. But serious questions remain to be answered about how these State and Federal programs will interact.

Will State insurers leave room in the market for an actuarially based Federal program to achieve high enough enrollment to make a difference?

Will State policies change to help their citizens take advantage of the Federal multi-peril program?

How will enrollment rates of State plans change to reflect the new Federal entrant into the market?

These are important questions for both Congress and States to ask. There will also undoubtedly be interaction between State and Federal programs that will affect enrollment in ways that we cannot anticipate.

So, Mr. Chairman, the study commissioned in this bill will provide vital information to help officials at all levels of government work together to better understand and administer the new multi-peril and wind storm option.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the comments of my colleague from Illinois, and there certainly is a prospective, forward-looking request of the GAO, and it builds upon the very thoughtful initiative by my colleague from Florida, Ms. Brown-Waite, and the chairman of the committee, Mr. Frank.

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. Chairman, I will reserve the balance of my time until it is time to close.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the chairman of the committee.

Mr. Chairman, just to close, rather than any attention placed on Mars, I am glad that here in the Congress we are able to place some attention on our coastal areas in this country that are at risk from catastrophic loss.

I urge approval of my amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This amendment will help protect homeowners in coastal areas from windstorms by ensuring that natural wind barriers remain intact. It instructs the Director of FEMA to consider natural protective sand dunes and wetlands when developing criteria for the multi-peril insurance. No matter how you feel about the multi-peril option in this bill, I think everyone will agree that it is in our country's best interest to discourage any investment of public dollars in those areas.

One of the most sensible features of the National Flood Insurance Program is the requirement that in order to remain eligible, communities must enact strong growth management laws, flood mitigation strategies that will help prevent catastrophic losses rather than just responding to them when they occur. The bill we are considering today expands the national flood insurance with an optional wind component. Just like flood policies, wind policies will be contingent on prevention and mitigation activities developed by FEMA.

While it's absolutely imperative that homeowners themselves take the initiative to prepare their properties for windstorms, some of the best mitigation and prevention measures naturally exist along the coast. So no matter what your opinion is of the multi-peril option, if government is going to offer a multi-peril option for windstorm damage, our interest should be in doing all we can do to reduce the risk side of the equation. In the event of a hurricane, wetlands and coastal dunes act as shock absorbers, and these natural environmental features bear the brunt of the monumental pounding of wind so that homes, businesses, and schools don't have to.

I am also going to recognize another colleague, but at this time I urge approval of the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Chairman, the Federal multi-peril option must not be an invitation to develop on our sensitive natural coasts, and we must protect the natural windbreaks like the coastal dune areas. That is why it is important to instruct FEMA, as they develop the eligibility criteria for the multi-peril program, that they must take into account the natural protective features.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment and protect the natural wind barriers that will make damage mitigation efforts more manageable.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I would like to express my support of H.R. 1852, the Expanding American Homeownership Act.

I would like to thank Chairwoman Waters and Chairman Frank for their hard work on behalf of American families. I am proud to support their effort to make the dream of homeownership reachable for hard-working families throughout our country.

H.R. 1852 accomplishes many goals. It will expand the capacity of the FHA to ultimately help more homebuyers receive better loans. Currently subprime borrowers are not eligible to receive FHA loans. Under H.R. 1852, FHA loans will become available to subprime borrowers and help to keep them from becoming victims of predatory lending practices when buying their first homes.

Families who are currently homeowners, but were placed into mortgages that they were unable to afford will be eligible under H.R. 1852 to refinance their mortgages with the FHA. This will help families to recover from the hardship that so many have experienced during this difficult period in the mortgage market.

One of the great provisions of the Expanding American Homeownership Act is that it will authorize up to $300 million per year to be put into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to assist in building more affordable housing for working families. This fund will work alongside of an effort in my home state of Florida by Governor Charlie Crist to increase funding for initiatives to build affordable housing and to provide added assistance to first-time home buyers.

In my district in the Tampa Bay area, 10,173 of my neighbors found that their homes fell into foreclosure within the first six months of this year. The Tampa Bay area is ranked 24th in home foreclosures among the largest 100 metropolitan areas in the country.

On Monday, members of my community gathered to hear the story of Isaline Wyatte. Isaline's lender told her last month that her house was going to be auctioned off. Isaline was facing foreclosure. Fortunately, Isaline was proactive and was able to take the needed steps to finding assistance to restructure her loan and keep her home. Isaline's journey was a struggle, but with the passage of H.R. 1852, homeowners like Isaline will have an added place to turn before foreclosure threatens to leave their families without a home.

Madam Chairman, there are thousands of children, seniors and veterans that are living in fear that soon they will lose their homes. This is a crisis and H.R. 1852 is an excellent step toward helping not only first-time homebuyers, but also to help homeowners in trouble to get back onto their feet. Families will have a greater opportunity to find a home and stay in that home.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and educational career of James Gatlin and to acknowledge his contributions as a mentor and role model to generations of Tampa Bay area students.

Raised in Tampa, Florida, James Gatlin witnessed great changes in education throughout his life. He attended Middleton High, a black segregated high school, and quickly realized the importance of education. Gatlin recounted tales of receiving tattered books in school and being forced to sit in the back of public buses. Public education is the grand equalizer among people in our great country and he witnessed and valued black and white students learning side-by-side in the classroom and cheering together at the school's football games.

James Gatlin attended Florida A&M University where he received his Bachelor's degree and later was awarded a Master's degree in Education from the Tuskegee Institute. He began his 45-year educational career in the Hillsborough County schools in 1963, teaching agricultural courses at Bethune School. In 1972, he served as Dean of Students at Buchanan Junior High School, and six years later, Gatlin was appointed Principal. In 1984, he became the popular Principal of Chamberlain High School and my principal as a high school student. He held this post for ten years until 1994, when he was appointed General Director of Technical and Career Education. In 1989, he became aware that many black students were not graduating and began a mentoring program that included tours of university campuses. Gatlin was also a strong believer in helping students not attending college to find employment. He was promoted to general area director of Area II schools in 1997 until he retired in 2003. His leadership was needed, however, and Gatlin returned to education and served as assistant principal for the Meacham Alternative School in 2004. He accepted his final position as principal of his alma mater, Middleton High School, in August 2005, a great joy for him personally, but a greater benefit to all who experienced his dedication and service there.

``Gat'' as he was called by those who knew him best, lived by the motto that ``education makes life better''. Many students took his motto to heart, and admired him for his strength of character as well as his genial spirit. Students admired his humorous spirit as well. He dressed up as the mascot during pep rallies and danced at homecoming events. Every year, Gatlin held a popular and delicious barbecue for the senior class. A former student remembered Principal Gatlin saying, ``He just made school fun''.

The entire Hillsborough County community honors and remembers the 68 year life of James Gatlin, and we offer condolences to his wife Evelyn as well as his sons James III, Marcus, and Brent. James Gatlin molded the lives of generations of students through his dedication to education and to the community as a whole. His example will continue to live through those that worked with him and those who learned from him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and career of Lt. Henry Bohler, Retired, and to acknowledge his role as a Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

From as early as he could remember, Lt. Henry Bohler wanted to be a pilot. In an attempt to learn as much about flying as he could, he took an airport job at age 17. At the outbreak of World War II, the military was still segregated. Upon reading about the new Tuskegee Airmen, the first black military airmen in the United States who served under the command of the great Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., he enrolled and left for Tuskegee, Alabama for basic flight training. Lt. Bohler learned to fly the P-51 Mustang and served bravely in the military until 1947 when he left with the rank of second lieutenant. After graduation from Hampton University in Virginia, he relocated to Tampa in 1950. In Tampa, Lt. Henry Bohler ran his own business as an electrician for over 30 years until his retirement. He was the first African American licensed electrician in Tampa.

Lt. Bohler was with his wife and children in 1960 when they were turned away from the Lowry Park Zoo. As Zoo employees explained, his family was being turned away for no other reason than the color of their skin. Lt. Bohler took the city of Tampa to court and subsequently faced a lengthy trial. In the two years prior to his court decision, he was often targeted for harassment as he was routinely pulled over by police. On the day of his court decision, he was pulled over by police five times. It truly was a historic day for the City of Tampa when the judge ordered all parks and recreational facilities must be desegregated.

Friends admired his spirit, his work in the community, and his pride in his military service. Lt. Bohler never missed a Tuskegee Airmen convention and would fly his own Piper Archer to several convention locations throughout the country. He was proud of his membership in the group and he still serves as an inspiration to the pilots of today. His walls are adorned with the awards and medals he received from schools and other organizations for his contributions to the community as well as his membership in the Tuskegee Airmen.

The entire Tampa community honors and remembers the life of Lt. Henry Bohler, Retired, and we offer our condolences to his wife, Clifford Marie, his sons, George and Henry Jr., and his daughter, Pamela, as well as his seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Lt. Henry Bohler, Retired, will continue to be remembered as a pioneer in the sky as well as for equality for his fellow citizens.

Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 594 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

This point of order is about whether or not to consider this rule and, ultimately, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act. We will stand up for our children and the hardworking families in America and fight through these delaying tactics trying to put off having our parents be able to take their kids to the doctor's office. They deserve no less.

We're going to fight through all these procedural delays today, as we did yesterday, because these parents and children's health in America simply will not wait. We must consider this rule, and we will consider and vote and pass the CHAMP Act today.

I have the right to close, but, in the end, I will urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to consider the rule.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I understand that I have the right to close, so I will reserve the balance of my time until the gentleman from Texas has yield back his time.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject these dilatory tactics. Health care for America's children cannot be delayed or denied. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the question of consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

general leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 594.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 594 provides for consideration of H.R. 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007.

The rule provides 2 hours of general debate in the House, with 1 hour controlled by the Committee on Ways and Means and 1 hour controlled by the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI.

The rule makes in order the Ways and Means Committee substitute, modified by an amendment printed in the Rules Committee report. That amendment reflects a compromise between the committees of jurisdiction. The rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

Madam Speaker, in our great country today, the wealthiest country in the world, parents still struggle to ensure that their children lead healthy lives.

Is there anything more important, after the birth of your child, than visits to the pediatrician and the care of devoted nurses? And as your baby grows, is there anything more fundamental than regular checkups and physicals?

Many dedicated doctors and nurses are on call at all hours when, God forbid, something goes wrong or your child is sick. Fortunately, in America today, many hardworking families have regular and affordable health care through the State Children's Health Insurance Program, what we called SCHIP; and today the Congress will vote to extend and improve children's health insurance for another 5 years.

Regular, accessible and affordable health care puts children on a path to success in life. A healthy child is a healthy student. A healthy child means more productive parents who do not miss work. Healthy students become productive adults. They succeed in life and eventually make America stronger.

Every parent and grandparent in America today understands the importance of our debate and our fight to ensure that children can see a doctor or a nurse and have access to affordable health care.

Despite all that we understand about the importance of healthy kids and early preventative care, health insurance and those all-important visits to the doctor are all too expensive and out of reach for over 11 million children in America.

Uninsured children are five times less likely than insured kids to have a primary care doctor or to have visited a doctor or a dentist in the past 2 years. This lack of access in medical attention harms that child, the family, the community back home and ultimately this great country.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to stand up and fight for these families and America's children by passing this rule and supporting the House Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization bill, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act, or the CHAMP Act.

I am proud to say that the precursor to SCHIP originated in the 1990s as a novel plan by State leaders in my home State of Florida. These innovators understood the link between healthy kids and success in school. They helped parents with direct information on access to affordable health care for their kids.

President Clinton and the Congress were so impressed by what the State of Florida was doing for children's health care that they took the Florida KidCare blueprint and fashioned a national program. It has enjoyed national success and bipartisan support ever since. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of Governors in this country support the reauthorization of SCHIP.

Madam Speaker, I include for the Record a letter of support from Republican Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist.

State of Florida,

Office of the Governor,

Tallahassee, FL, August 1, 2007.

Hon. Katherine Castor,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congresswoman Castor: Thank you for your continued

leadership on the reauthorization of the State Children's

Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). As you know, renewing this

program is critical to the approximately two million children

and families currently eligible for SCHIP in our State.

As Governor, I too want to ensure that low-income children

have access to quality health insurance, and commend the

Florida Delegation for working so hard over the past several

months to ensure that this important program is reauthorized

before it expires on September 30, 2007.

The proposals of the Senate Finance and House Energy &

Commerce Committees have positive components that I believe

will make this program stronger. However, as Congress

progresses toward a final product, I wanted to bring your

attention to the core principles that I believe are essential

to ensuring SCHIP remains dedicated to its original intent.

Children Should Be the Cornerstone of SCHIP Funding; States

Need the Flexibility to Dispense SCHIP Funding Over Multiple

Years; Federal SCHIP Funding Should Be Based on Projected

Spending and Allow for Population Growth; States Need the

Flexibility and Funding to Conduct Additional Outreach

Activities.

Thank you again for your commitment to the KidCare program

and to Florida's children and families. I look forward to

working together to ensure that the thousands of eligible

children in our state receive the highest quality benefits

through this important healthcare program.

Sincerely,

Charlie Crist,

Governor.

Despite the great success across the country, 11 million children in the United States remain uninsured. Almost 7 million of them are eligible but not enrolled in the State-Federal children's health care program. Two-thirds come from working families in which one or both parents are working but were not offered employer-based health insurance or were unable to afford it. Most of these families are taking home under $40,000 per year. In my home State of Florida alone, over 700,000 children remain uninsured.

A few months ago, I ran into a high school friend of mine, Mia Dorton, and she explained how important the Children's Health Insurance Program had

become to her and her family. You see, Mia's husband lost his job and the family was uninsured for 2 months. Mia said, ``It's awful to have to choose between whether or not to put food on the table or take your child to a doctor.'' Mia said that she and her husband lived in constant fear that one of their children would get sick or injured.

When he got a new job, the health insurance for the family was over $700 a month, so Mia told me that they just couldn't swing it. But when her KidCare application was approved, she said that this revolutionized her life.

So for the many working families in my district that struggle for access to affordable health care and all of these great families across America, this low-cost insurance is the only way to make ends meet.

Access to health care for working families throughout America through this innovative partnership of Federal, State and local communities is a winning proposition. Indeed, for every 29 cents the State provides, Federal SCHIP provides 71 cents. It's the best matching rate in children's health care. This bill will make it easier for parents and kids to get to the doctor's office. It will eliminate that costly, bureaucratic red tape.

Madam Speaker, we will fight through these procedural delays today that have been brought by the other side of the aisle. We will stand on the side of America's children and hard-working parents. The new direction we chart today for healthier children fulfills the promise of America.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the record of the House reflects that the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee

on Health did have at least seven hearings, full-blown hearings, on the matter at hand today, and the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health had over 15 hearings, including four to six seminars for all of the Members involved. So to hear from the other side that there was no hearing whatsoever is not, in fact, the case.

At this time, I would like to yield 6 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), the distinguished chairwoman of the Committee on Rules and a leading advocate for children and seniors in this country, from a State that is renowned for its progressive health care institutions.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin, a true health care reformer, Dr. Kagen.

Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), who

has been tireless in his efforts in standing up for healthier children in Texas and across America.

Madam Speaker, we will stay up day and night to bring better health care to America's children.

At this time, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).

Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton), a voice of clarity and one of the most outspoken advocates for the children of Ohio and all of America's children.

I object.

Madam Speaker, I include for the Record the endorsement letter of our actions today by the AARP.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to submit for the Record a letter received just yesterday from the Catholic Health Association, which states, in part, we believe the most important pro- life thing that Congress can do right now is to ensure that the State Children's Health Insurance Program is reauthorized. Children's lives and the lives of unborn babies depend on a strong SCHIP reauthorization. So we are standing up for these children and for pregnant women.

Madam Speaker, we are not going to divide this country over health care. We are going to bring them together and fight for better health care for our children and our seniors and everyone.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas, the distinguished member of the Health Subcommittee on the Committee on Ways and Means, Mr. Doggett.

I object.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

That is correct, Madam Speaker. I will reserve until Mr. Session closes.

I object.

Madam Speaker, for today we are here on the Children's Health and Medicare Act, the CHAMP Act.

And, Madam Speaker, I hope the American people know there are many champions for America's kids standing up for our hardworking families in the Nation's Capitol today; and we are joining with Republican and Democratic Governors from across the country fighting for a new direction, for a healthier and economically sound America.

It was only 8 months ago when Speaker Nancy Pelosi accepted the gavel as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. She accepted that gavel on behalf of America's children, and we're going to keep our promise to America's kids today.

There's another champion in the Chair of the Rules Committee, Ms. Louise Slaughter, who has helped us fight through these delaying tactics to bring this bill to the floor, and we will vote on it today.

In the Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairman John Dingell continues to be a voice of clarity and advocacy for America's children; and he is joined by the voices, the loud voices, of Congressman Frank Pallone and Congresswoman Diana DeGette and the members of that committee.

In the Ways and Means Committee, where PAYGO means something now in this new Congress, Chairman Charlie Rangel has led our effort to pay for this Act.

And I salute the subcommittee Chair, Mr. Pete Stark, and the members of that committee and many, many more on the floor of this House, who are not just Members of Congress, but we are also parents and we are grandparents.

The real champions, however, are the parents across America working to make ends meet and provide their children with a healthy and successful life. We are on their side today and every day, even in the face of resistance from the White House, where the President suggests that the health care for America's kids can be found in the emergency rooms of local hospitals. That is wrong.

Instead, through the SCHIP program and children's health care and this innovative partnership between communities, States and Federal Government, we will make important investments in our kids and their health today that will pay dividends down the road for our economy. It will reduce the strain on our emergency rooms, our crowded local emergency rooms, and it will reduce the strain on moms and dads.

This is, indeed, a historic day, a day for a new direction, a day full of hope for the health of our children and a better America.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 580 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be allowed 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 580.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 580 will allow the House to consider H.R. 986, the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act.

Additionally, this rule makes a technical correction in the underlying bill by replacing a letter ``a'' with a letter ``b'' in the legislative text.

The rule provides 1 hour of debate in the House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources.

Mr. Speaker, the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act, H.R. 986, was considered under suspension of the rules on

July 11, and received 239 votes, a majority of the House Members voting in favor of the bill. But as you know, Mr. Speaker, two-thirds majority is required for the expedited suspension procedure; and because the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act was supported by well over half the Members of the House, H.R. 986 deserves another opportunity for a floor vote. Therefore, today I urge a favorable vote again for H.R. 986.

Mr. Speaker, with over 150 miles of pristine rivers and streams and 62 square miles of relatively undeveloped countryside in the Connecticut area, the Eightmile Wild River watershed is an exceptional natural and cultural resource. This is being championed by House Member Joe Courtney, a new freshman colleague of mine from Connecticut.

The watershed contains large areas of unfragmented habitat, an array of rare and diverse wildlife, scenic vistas, high water quality, unimpeded stream flow, and significant cultural features. The Eightmile watershed has historic stone walls, churches and homes, and scenic views throughout, and an abundance of rare and diverse species within the watershed, including 155 at-risk plant and animal species.

The overall Eightmile River watershed ecosystem is healthy and intact throughout virtually all of its range. The Eightmile River is an exceptional treasure because it is a rare example of an intact river system. This is especially noteworthy in such a highly populated area so close to the coast and within the New York-to-Boston corridor. We must do all that we can to preserve this exceptional natural and cultural resource. The National Park Service agreed in 2006 in its study of the area.

And again, I'd really like to salute my freshman colleague, new Congressman Joe Courtney. He has championed this effort to designate segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Communities in the area have been working for over 10 years for this designation, so I congratulate them today and salute the leadership of Congressman Joe Courtney, who brought new energy and commitment to this effort.

I also thank Natural Resources Committee Chair Nick Rahall for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, this is a noncontroversial bill. It was reported favorably by the Natural Resources Committee by voice vote in May. It received the strong bipartisan support of the House with a majority vote on July 11. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and support the act.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would inquire of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) if he has any remaining speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I'll reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I will reserve the balance of my time until the gentleman from Texas has made his closing statement.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to return the debate to the matter on the floor.

The Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act sponsored by my colleague, Congressman Joe Courtney of Connecticut, which designates certain segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Mr. Speaker, how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful country; spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountain's majesty, and the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River corridor.

Despite the protestations from the other side of the aisle, it has been the communities and the residents of this area that have worked on this designation for 10 years or more. And so I congratulate them today. And I salute the leadership of Congressman Joe Courtney, who brought a new energy and commitment to this effort, and I thank Natural Resources Committee Chair Nick Rahall for his leadership.

This is a noncontroversial bill. It was reported favorably by the Natural Resources Committee by a voice vote in May. It received the strong bipartisan support of the House, over 235 Members on July 11. Mr. Speaker, the Eightmile River is a national treasure, and we must do all that we can to preserve it.

This bill enjoys bipartisan support. A majority of the Members of this House have voted for it, and we're going to vote for it again. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the important Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

The material previously referred to by Mr. Sessions is as follows

Amendment to H. Res. 580

Offered By Mr. Sessions of Texas

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 3. That immediately upon the adoption of this

resolution the House shall, without intervention of any point

of order, consider the bill (H.R. 3138) to amend the Foreign

Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to update the

definition of electronic surveillance. All points of order

against the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as

read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on

the bill to final passage without intervening motion except:

(1) one hour of debate on the bill equally divided and

controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and (2) one

motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

I thank the distinguished chair of the Rules Committee for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a cosponsor of the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act under this rule, and urge my colleagues to pass it today, because in this summer of 2007, in the fifth year of the Bush-Cheney war in Iraq, it is imperative that we chart a new direction for our national security and be more strategic in the defense of America.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, it is clear to me that the reckless White House policy and now the escalation of the war is undermining our country's readiness and ability to respond to other global

threats to our national security. Indeed, in testimony before our committee, top commanders have testified that America runs a strategic risk by staying on the same course in Iraq.

The generals confirm that because our personnel and equipment are tied up in Iraq, our ability to handle future threats and contingencies is reduced. In my State of Florida, for example, the National Guard does not have all of the equipment it needs to train and deploy soldiers. They are only 28 percent equipped. In effect, President Bush's war in Iraq is impairing our country's ability to prepare for any other threat to our national security.

Florida also feels the pinch of multiple deployments because, time and again, our brave men and women are being asked to go back, to leave their families, leave their jobs, return to the field of battle after inadequate rest at home. Florida currently has the second highest number of troops out of the 50 States deployed in Iraq, over 23,000. And 172 Floridians have been killed and over 1,200 have been wounded since military operations began there over 4 years ago. Hardly a week goes by that my office is not contacted and informed of another sad but heroic death in this cause. In fact, last week, two more Tampa Bay area brave, heroic soldiers were killed by IEDs.

People ask me, why are our young American men and women refereeing the ongoing Shiite-Sunni civil war? American troops cannot resolve the Iraqi sectarian and religious conflict; only Iraqis can find the political resolution required to stabilize Iraq. America has now spent over $450 billion in Iraq. When will the Iraqi government take responsibility for the future of their country?

President Bush's war in Iraq has been very costly. Over $10 billion a month now, costly not just in terms of degradation of our Nation's readiness, the waste and fraud due to the lack of oversight, but President Bush is sacrificing the health care of our children and our seniors and investments in our towns and neighborhoods while continuing this war without end.

So after 4 years of war and over 3,500 American lives, and the Bush- Cheney failure to aggressively pursue a political solution, we demand a new direction and a comprehensive strategy for our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 534 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida, my colleague, Mr. Diaz-Balart. All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

General Leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 534.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 534 provides for consideration of H.R. 1851, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services.

The rule makes in order the Financial Services substitute as an original bill for the purpose of amendment.

The rule also makes in order six amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. Each amendment is debatable for 10 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, many American families are facing a critical housing crunch. The cost of an apartment or home is rising out of sight. But there is good news from a majority of this Congress that keeps fighting for a new direction for America. The reform provided today through H.R. 1851, under this rule, which has bipartisan support, will help families in need of affordable housing.

I would like to thank Housing and Community Development Subcommittee Chair Maxine Waters, and Financial Services Chair Barney Frank for their leadership in housing and commitment to our Nation's families.

Our actions today are needed because, over the past few years, the Bush administration has caused great frustration when it comes to housing. The White House eliminated housing opportunities for approximately 150,000 families under a major section 8 funding formula change.

The White House refused to release about $1.4 billion in unused voucher funds for affordable housing. So, Mr. Speaker, instead of homes for many families in need, thousands of families have been placed on waiting lists.

In my hometown of Tampa, Florida, during a 1-week open enrollment session, more than 10,000 seniors, families and veterans indicated a need for housing. But, instead of receiving housing, they were placed on a waiting list. The waiting list takes up to 4 years, and is so long that the Tampa Housing Authority is unable to help others that need it.

Even with this reform bill, Mr. Speaker, the final fair market value rents are in need of adjustment. It's ridiculous and completely unreasonable for HUD to believe that a 3-bedroom apartment in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is available for just over $1,000. The truth is, those affordable homes and apartments are few and far between, and this must be fixed.

Nevertheless, H.R. 1851 takes positive steps to ensure that more families are able to find a clean, safe, stable and affordable place to live. Through the major reforms contained in the bill, we are going to increase the number of families that can receive housing over the next 5 years.

We will simplify the rules and procedures used to establish rents for section 8 and provide housing. We're going to reduce the bureaucracy and red tape for our public housing authorities so they can concentrate on assisting the elderly, the physically challenged and other struggling families.

We're going to provide incentives for families to become more self- sufficient by obtaining employment, increasing their incomes, pursuing higher education and planning for retirement. These families will also be able to use section 8 vouchers for a down payment on the American dream of home ownership. We will continue to fight to keep families safe and protected in an affordable, clean and safe home.

So, Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to support this bill. And the Congress should be eager to pass this reform.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished chair of the Financial Services Committee, Mr. Frank.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio, Mrs. Tubbs Jones.

Mr. Speaker, the Democrats are going to keep their promise to the American people by fighting for affordable housing.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to thank, on behalf of the folks I represent back home in Florida and all Americans, express my thanks to Chairwoman Maxine Waters and to Chairman Barney Frank for standing up and fighting for America's families and affordable housing.

I urge my colleagues to continue the American tradition of promoting the American Dream and turning that dream into a reality for decent, safe, clean and affordable housing, particularly for the elderly, the disabled, veterans in our community, domestic violence victims and all families.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

I thank my colleague, Ms. Sutton from Ohio, who is a true fighter for education reform for the working families of Ohio and all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the College Cost Reduction Act under this rule, as we are charting an historic new investment in our students and our communities.

All Americans should salute the leadership of Chairman George Miller and Speaker Nancy Pelosi for their leadership in education and this single largest investment in higher education since the 1944 GI Bill.

Chairman Miller, on behalf of the students, colleges and universities in the State of Florida, I thank you for your dedication. And we also thank you in the State of Florida because you worked tirelessly with me and my colleague from the Rules Committee, Mr. Hastings, to ensure that students from States like Florida that have low tuition and low State support have access to additional need-based aid.

Passage of this act will increase access to college by making it more affordable. The cost of higher education in this country has skyrocketed over recent years. Thousands of students are left with overwhelming debt after graduation due to higher student loan rates and declining financial aid. Some may not make it to the college classroom at all because it has become so cost prohibitive.

In Florida, the average debt after college is more than $18,000 per student. But in America, no young person with a desire to learn should be barred from moving on to college due to financial hurdles, and this act removes many of those hurdles today. The College Cost Reduction Act cuts student loan interest rates in half and increases Pell Grants by at least $500 per student over the next 5 years. In the State of Florida alone, Federal loan and Pell Grant aid will increase by $762 million that will benefit over 340,000 students. In my home area, the Tampa Bay area, we have the ninth largest university in the country in the University of South Florida, over 40,000 students in that university. In addition, there is the University of Tampa, the Hillsborough Community College, Manatee Community College and St. Petersburg College. So let the message go forth to those students and those families that help is on the way, that they will not have to struggle with those higher student loan interest rates; they can depend on a little more help when it comes to the Pell Grant.

This bill also acknowledges that some high school students need a little extra help to be college ready, particularly students who may be the first in their family to attend college. We're going to keep these students on track to go to college and stand up for them and protect Federal dollars for their success.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Bobby Scott, because he offered an amendment to this bill to maintain the Upward Bound program. I am proud to support his amendment which is contained in this bill that nationwide will protect the Upward Bound program.

In my hometown of Tampa, this means standing up for those students I met on Monday. I met with students at the great Middleton High School in Tampa. Jasmyn Hendricks and Clifton Tyson are students in the Upward Bound program at the University of South Florida.

Imagine a high school student that takes 20 Saturdays out of their life to learn about what it means to go to college, and then they spend their summers there, too. They are typically the first ones in their family to go to college. And we know that if they achieve their high school diploma, they will have a higher salary; but if they achieve their college degree, they are set up for success in life, and our communities benefit.

Jasmyn said to me, as her eyes welled up with tears, that before Upward Bound, I knew I wanted to pursue higher education, but there was no way. Jasmyn considers her Upward Bound program her second family. She said, There was no money. I just couldn't see a way for me to get to college after high school. Then Upward Bound comes along and introduces us to the fact there are college scholarships, grants and help.

Clifton, who is an athlete, said that he used to see sports as his only avenue to college; but since starting at Upward Bound, he now says sports is his second gateway. He wants to go to college for academics.

It was completely unfortunate that the White House targeted the Upward Bound program for budget cuts. In this day and age when we are spending so much money overseas, up to $10 billion in Iraq, they target monies for folks that need to go to college.

Mr. Speaker, the College Cost Reduction Act is a momentous and historic step in a new direction, the right direction for higher education in America. It opens the door to college to thousands of students where those doors were previously slammed shut.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Florida (Mr. Hastings), who has been an outspoken advocate for environmental justice for this great country and a strong supporter of Everglades restoration. So I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, our natural environment and clean neighborhoods are vital to the health of the folks that we represent back home. This bill, and the rule, contains much to recommend it to the American people. But I rise in support today because my community, the Tampa Bay area, will benefit greatly due to the new investments being made under the leadership of this new Democratic Congress.

See, our communities have suffered over past years while environmental agencies were infiltrated by industry lobbyists. That was a strategy of this White House, unfortunately. And some in past Congresses whittled away at environmental protections.

Well, we're going to begin to turn that around today and repair America's natural environment and the public health so we can breathe easier.

First, we will make new investments in clean air and clean and safe drinking water. We know that the rate of asthma in children is rising in America, and this bill will help our communities get back on track with enforcement of the Clean Air Act.

On clean water, the residents of the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg have benefited greatly over the years due to the Clean Water Act and the State Water Revolving Loan Program because my communities have been able to repair sewers, and in my hometown, clean up Tampa Bay and make it safer for swimming, boating, and fishing. But we have more work to do. The National Estuary Program portion of this bill will help, as the bill provides greater assistance to local communities to improve water quality in our national estuaries like Tampa Bay.

I also hope the committee will look favorably upon an amendment relating to the red tide that is affecting the physical environment of our coastal communities and causing respiratory ailments at a time when folks are trying to enjoy their vacation at the beach.

Urban communities like mine also need assistance in cleaning up toxic waste sites and Superfund sites. As a former county commissioner back home, I understand the value of cleaning up old brownfield sites so they do not remain as blights on the community. Oftentimes these polluted industrial sites are located in communities of modest means. So I salute the committee and Chairman Dicks for his commitment to environmental justice to ensure that environmental decisions do not adversely affect minority populations.

This bill also charts a new direction on global warming as well by increasing climate change scientific research, including attention to coastal communities to help us determine how we can best adapt to a warming planet.

This act and rule also provides long overdue funding for our national parks, including the beautiful Florida Everglades. Thanks to Chairman Dicks and the committee for stepping up our efforts to ensure that these valuable environmental resources are protected.

One final issue: this bill maintains the long-standing moratoria on oil and gas drilling off our beautiful gulf coast beaches. Now, I expect that the oil and gas lobby will take a run at this protection today, and I urge my colleagues to hold firm.

In Florida and in other coastal States, drilling threatens our environment, it threatens our health, and it threatens our economic livelihood. Instead of risking our critical coastline for short-term gain, the new Democratic majority is pursuing a long-term energy strategy by investing in energy conservation and alternative fuels.

Granting oil and gas leases and access to our coastline is not the solution to our energy crisis. The current leases that oil and gas companies exploit far off the coastline exist with the help of taxpayers. Allowing drilling closer to our coastline is simply a way for oil and gas companies to maximize their profits. Such actions will have no effect on either the cost of gas or on the future of our energy needs.

I urge my colleagues to beat back this scheme of the oil and gas lobby today, their attempt to kill a ban on coastal drilling that was enacted in response to a 1969 oil and gas bill that blackened 35 miles of California's coast.

Instead of drilling for limited resources, the country needs an accelerated program for alternative fuels, and Congress needs to investigate the oil companies' unseemly profits.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and the rule. I salute the leadership of Chairman Dicks, and I thank Ranking Member Tiahrt. This legislation will protect our environment and our public health and focus on renewable energy solutions that are vital to the State of Florida and the future of our great Nation.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Peterson amendment and in defense of Florida's economy and natural environment. New, off- shore oil and gas drilling so close to the beautiful Florida coastline and all of our Nation's waters must be voted down today, as it threatens our economy, our natural environment, and our strategy for a new energy policy.

Our economy, in Florida, and many of you know, Mr. Chairman, because so many take the time out of their vacation plans to come down to the State of Florida, enjoy their time away on our beautiful beaches. Our tourism economy in Florida is a multibillion dollar industry. It goes hand in hand with our multibillion dollar fishing industry. And it is absolutely worth protecting here today.

Our beaches, our coastal environment, our marine resources, in addition to our fragile ecosystems, all of this will be put at risk by these amendments here today if they are successful.

I am fortunate in my district to have a wonderful Department of Oceanography located at the University of South Florida. Here is what those researchers have warned:

It would only take 24 hours after a petroleum spill in the eastern Gulf of Mexico for oil to ``sully Florida's Panhandle beaches if the spill was swept up by the gulf's powerful Loop Current. This spill could travel around the Florida Keys and contaminate estuaries and beaches from the Everglades to Cape Canaveral.'' That is from the University of South Florida Department of Oceanography.

In addition to that, one only has to look back a couple of years to know that it is completely unwise to put these types of facilities in hurricane alley. The gulf coast and the east coast, these are the two most coveted offshore areas by the oil and gas industry. That is where the threat of hurricanes is the greatest. It could wreak havoc on what they're trying to do there.

In 2005, in that hurricane season, that was the first year in reported history that we had three category five storms: Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. In 2005 Hurricanes Rita and Katrina caused massive spills of oil and other pollutants that seriously affected production, refinery capacity, and the price of oil in the United States. The storms caused 124 oil spills into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. During Hurricane Katrina alone, 233,000 gallons of oil were spilled. There were 508,000 gallons of oil spilled during Hurricane Rita. And the U.S. Minerals Management Service reports that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed 115 petroleum production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. The storms also damaged 457 pipelines, connecting production facilities in the gulf, and bringing oil and natural gas to shore. A full year after Katrina, BP admitted that a damaged oil well valve in the Gulf of Mexico was still leaking oil. The knee-jerk reaction to throw up more rigs offshore, especially in hurricane-prone waters like Florida's gulf coast and the eastern seaboard is precarious at best and not smart energy policy.

As much as the oil and gas lobby would like us to believe that drilling near our beaches would be a panacea, the experts say that only a couple of weeks of oil and gas are available.

Mr. Chairman, we can be smarter. We can be more strategic. Where is the commitment to conservation in this country?

Just a minute ago, the Senate sent over its new energy bill. Well, it is time for this House to get to work on new alternative energies and not continue to fuel our addiction to oil and gas.

Let's oppose these amendments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to herald the life and philanthropic contributions of James ``Jim'' H. Shimberg, and to acknowledge our pride in the communities he founded in the Tampa Bay area.

A native of Syracuse, New York, Jim Shimberg served as a First Lieutenant in World War II. After he received his degree from the University of Chicago Law School, he practiced law in New York for nearly 10 years. Jim then relocated to the Tampa, Florida area in 1958 to launch a community business. By 1983, his development of over 6,000 homes, several recreation centers, schools, and shopping centers in northwest Hillsborough County laid the foundation of the Town 'N Country community.

Jim's success in community development led him to become President of the Tampa Home Builders Association and the Florida Home Builders Association, as well as Vice President of the National Association of Home Builders. He was co-founder of the National Housing Endowment and was inducted into the National Housing Hall of Fame in 1985. After developing the Town 'N Country community, Jim served as chairman for the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board and was largely responsible for the expansion and development of eastern Hillsborough County.

The philanthropic contributions of Jim Shimberg have unquestionably improved the lives of thousands of Floridians. His dedication to the well-being of Floridians led him to found the University Community Hospital in 1968. He served as the first Chairman of the Board for 9 years, and as chair of the investment committee for the duration of his life. His commitment to providing quality health care services led him to serve as Vice-President of the Judeo Christian Health Clinic for 25 years. In addition, Jim endowed the Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing at the University of Florida in 1991, and funded the philanthropic National Endowment in Washington, DC.

As a result of his immense lifetime philanthropic contributions, Jim Shimberg was honored as Tampa's Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 2007. He and his wife, Amy Shimberg, were also honored as the 2003 Philanthropists of the Year by the Tampa Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The Tampa community honors the life of Jim Shimberg, his wife Amy, daughters Janet and Nancy, sons Jim, Richard, and Robert, and the entire Shimberg family for their outstanding contributions to the Florida community. Jim Shimberg's life serves as an inspiration to all who knew him, and will continue to benevolently impact the lives of Floridians in the future.