Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3.

Construction of the Keystone XL pipeline is a significant element of America's all-of-the-above energy policy that will help lower energy costs, create jobs, and reduce our dependence on dangerous sources of foreign oil. It's supported by business and labor alike.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm very pleased to be able to speak this evening on this important issue.

In my judgment, the Affordable Care Act was a poor piece of legislation and it was not well thought out. In 2009 and 2010, when the leaders of the then-House Democratic majority were rallying support for the President's health care legislation, the American people were told that health insurance premiums for individuals and small businesses would decrease under ObamaCare. That was stated repeatedly. Three years later, we have come to learn that this is just not the case.

Internal documents from the Nation's largest health insurance companies reveal the health care law's policies, mandates, taxes, and fees will cause major premium increases for consumers, the individual, the small group and large group markets; and I

think it might be particularly onerous on young people who are just starting out at a time when the economy is not as strong as any of us would like.

Many small businesses are already feeling the impact of higher monthly premiums. Just this week, I heard from a small business owner in the district I serve, Susan Schwartz of System Builders, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. She is seeing her company rates jump by nearly 40 percent in 1 year, Mr. Speaker.

We must work together to provide much-needed relief to the small and large businesses being crushed under this burdensome law.

I thank you, Chairman Murphy, and certainly I commend you for your efforts and the efforts of the Energy and Commerce Committee, of which I am a proud member under your leadership in that committee as one of the subcommittee chairs, the committee as a whole, under Mr. Upton's leadership, and really all of us in Congress who believe that this law was poorly designed and will lead to massive increases in premium payments for many of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Shirley Tilghman for her distinguished service as the 19th president of Princeton University.

Dr. Tilghman will step down this spring following 12 years of exceptional leadership. As the first woman to serve as president of Princeton, she is a role model for the campus community and young women and men across the country and throughout the world.

During her tenure, Dr. Tilghman, a molecular biologist, set in motion a number of significant initiatives. Princeton increased its financial aid offerings significantly, raising the percentage of students who receive aid and making Princeton's program one of the most generous in the country.

Dr. Tilghman has also worked diligently to bolster the university's academic offerings, overseeing the creation of the Lewis Center for the Arts, the Center for African American Studies, the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment.

As a proud Princeton alumnus, it is an honor to recognize Dr. Tilghman today. May the university continue to be guided by Woodrow Wilson's 1896 words, true also of President Tilghman's labors: ``Princeton in the Nation's service,'' and now expanded to include in the service of all nations.

Our congratulations to Dr. Shirley Tilghman.

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to seek answers to the bombings in Boston and pray for the victims and their families, we are working on important issues here in Washington.

This past tax season, American taxpayers spent billions of hours and enormous amounts of money to complete their tax filings. Roughly nine out of 10 Americans relied on paid professionals or commercial software to prepare their tax returns, and small business owners found themselves spending more resources complying with the Tax Code rather than creating jobs. That's why I am committed to making our Tax Code simpler, fairer, and less expensive for America's working families and businesses.

Mr. Speaker, the time is now to act and to create a Tax Code that is easier to navigate and promotes growth to the benefit of individuals, small and large businesses alike, and the U.S. economy as a whole.

This is the year to reform our Tax Code to benefit all Americans in a bipartisan capacity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the centennial of Miss Ella Haver, a lifelong resident of Franklin Township in Hunterdon County.

Ella Haver, whose 100th birthday was on February 21, has been rightfully recognized many times for her contributions to the local community as educator and civic leader.

Miss Haver's public service includes a long tenure as a schoolteacher and as a community volunteer. Ella Haver began her teaching career in 1935 in a one-room schoolhouse in Hamden, Clinton Township. She then taught in North Branch, Green Brook and North Plainfield. She was a science teacher at Cranford High School from 1945 to 1965, and finished her career with five years at Warren Hills Regional High School.

Ella Haver has also served for many decades as a Sunday school teacher at Clinton United Methodist Church and as a volunteer income- tax preparer.

She also volunteered as Franklin Township's senior citizen coordinator and today remains the active president of the Jennie M. Haver Scholarship Fund. The fund, named in memory of Ella's aunt, has given more than $1.4 million in scholarships to nearly 500 Hunterdon students since 1956.

To commemorate the 100th birthday of Miss Ella Haver, her family's historical artifacts spanning more than 200 years were recently on display at the North County Branch Library in a rare exhibit of the Haver family's rich and distinguished history in Hunterdon County.

A 100th Birthday Gala is planned for Friday evening, March 15, at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. I am proud to be among those joining Miss Ella Haver in celebration of her many years of public service and accomplishments. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in wishing Ella Haver a happy birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Anderson House for two decades of public service. Anderson House has been a resource for women in need in Hunterdon County. It has a record of accomplishment for which the organization should be very proud. It has have selflessly played a role in lives of countless women and I thank Anderson House for its public service.

Anderson House offers the best in comprehensive care that treats all aspects of the disease of addiction. It offers physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual treatment to provide the top care to those who need it most. The outstanding staff and volunteers help those suffering from addiction obtain the tools necessary to become drug-free, to rejoin their awaiting families and to reenter the community.

I thank all members of the Anderson House family for their fine work. They have made a difference in the lives of many women and those who receive their excellent care will forever remember the fine service and dedication of Anderson House.

I also wish to praise the following honorees for their fine work: Janet Schrnidling, Marfy Goodspeed, Dr. Boris Ivovich, and the late Kay Applegate.

I again thank these public servants.

I rise in support of Congressman Frelinghuysen's amendment and thank him, Chairman Rogers, and our leadership for all that they have done to move this issue forward.

I speak today not as a New Jerseyan, not as a Northeasterner, but as an American. This Nation has in times of natural disasters come together as one in support of those in need. Thousands upon thousands of our countrymen and countrywomen are in need from Sandy's devastation, a horrific occurrence in the history of the State I love.

I ask all of my colleagues to join me in support of Mr. Frelinghuysen's amendment, and I thank all of those on the Republican and the Democratic sides of the aisle for their support today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Elizabeth Cox of Summit, New Jersey. Betty gave her life to public service in New Jersey and her contributions will long be remembered.

Betty was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1972 to serve an unexpired term. Betty would continue four decades of public service as a founding member of the Women's Political Caucus, as a master poll worker for the Union County Board of Elections, as a staff member in the Department of Community Affairs and as an officer in the Summit, Union County and New Jersey Republican Committees.

Betty will be remembered as a dedicated public servant, a parliamentarian and a champion of women's issues. I was honored to call Betty a friend and colleague.

It is wonderful to see you in the chair, and I congratulate you on your magnificent service to the people of Missouri and the Nation.

I rise in strong support of S. 1440, to reauthorize the 2006 PREEMIE Act and to provide important continued research, education, and intervention in the national effort to reduce preterm births.

Madam Speaker, our Nation's premature birth rate is one of the highest in the world, and it is the leading cause of newborn death in the United States. Infants born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk for lifelong health and learning disabilities. In addition to its human toll, premature birth costs our economy billions of dollars per year; and while the medical community has made great strides in identifying the risk factors associated with premature births, far too many premature births today have no known causes.

That is why the Members of the House and Senate have worked in a bipartisan and bicameral fashion to reauthorize the 2006 PREEMIE Act so that we may continue to spur innovative solutions that will ultimately lead not just to healthier babies but to lower annual health care costs.

I thank Chairman Upton and Chairman Pitts and Ranking Member Waxman and Ranking Member Pallone for their steadfast leadership on this issue as well as to thank Senators Lamar Alexander and Michael Bennet. Once again, I commend Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of California for working on an important issue to the health and well-being of the American people.

While many complain about the partisan nature of Congress, we have worked in a cooperative fashion on this and other issues, as has the entire Energy and Commerce Committee. It is in that bipartisan spirit that I ask all of my colleagues to join with us in the support of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act so that we as a Nation will be able to continue our focus on premature birth research and prevention.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Wade Martin of Montgomery Township, New Jersey, for being awarded the 2012 Land Trust Alliance's prestigious National Conservation Service Award for his significant contributions to the advancement of land conservation.

Using his position as a financial adviser, Mr. Martin is educating his clients to the benefits of land preservation. He's provided land trusts and landowners across New Jersey with financial advice and estate planning for the benefit of land conservation. Wade Martin has taken his model nationwide to help other financial advisers and their clients explore various options in preserving their land and their families' legacies, increasing the pace of land conservation.

I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring Wade Martin as one of the Nation's land conservation leaders and this year's National Conservation Service Award winner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Union County Vocational-Technical High School of Union County, New Jersey for being named a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.

The Department of Education acknowledges schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals. Union County Vocational- Technical High School is proud example of academic excellence where students have high levels of performance, stellar student achievement, and where educators facilitate a strong learning environment.

This is a prestigious award to receive and Union County Vocational- Technical High School is proud example of academic excellence and worthy of this national distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of James E. Jacobs of Hillsborough, New Jersey. James was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, soldier and friend. Born and raised in Verona, New Jersey, he graduated from Montclair State University and later served in the United States Army. He bravely served his country in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star for his commendable service. Jim was honorably discharged as a Specialist.

Jim lived by the Latin phrase: ``amor vincit omnia'' or ``love conquers all.'' This could not be truer for Jim and the love of his life, Kathleen Geiger, whom he married in 1990. Throughout their twenty two year marriage, nothing brought Jim more happiness than talking about their two greatest accomplishments, their children, Daniel and Katherine. This family will remember him for his everlasting love, support and encouragement.

Jim was a devout New York Giants fan, an expert solver of crossword puzzles, a self-taught guitarist and an aspiring poet. Among his fellow soldiers, friends and family, he was known for standing up for those less fortunate than he.

I join the Jacobs family and friends in remembering Jim for his public service to our Nation and his service to others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. For too long, little attention has been paid to hydrocephalus.

This condition can occur at any age and affects an estimated one million Americans.

In fact, one out of every 500 babies in the United States is born with hydrocephalus, making the condition the leading cause of brain surgery in children. Additionally, an increasing number of our veterans are developing post-traumatic hydrocephalus as a result of brain injuries suffered on the battlefield.

Currently, there is no single known cause of hydrocephalus or ways to prevent or cure the condition.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is currently conducting research related to hydrocephalus prevention and treatment. However, more must be done at the community level to educate the American people about this surprisingly prevalent disorder.

Recognizing the month of September as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month will bring this disease to the public's attention and, I believe, will encourage the discussions necessary to address more effectively the devastating effects of this disease and provide support to families who live with it every day. Today I commend the hard work of the Michael and Kim Illions of Woodbridge, New Jersey for their advocacy on behalf of their son, Cole.

I am certain that with federal support for additional research we can develop a better treatment, and eventually a cure, for those suffering from hydrocephalus and help them live healthier, fuller lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in strong support of this legislation that I have had the honor of cosponsoring with my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of California. The legislation improves the prevention, the diagnosis, and the treatment of cancers with high mortality rates, including pancreatic cancer.

Since President Nixon declared the war on cancer 40 years ago, the overall 5-year survival rate for all a cancers has climbed from approximately 50 percent to 67 percent. There are, however, cancers such as pancreatic cancer that still have high mortality rates and have not seen substantial progress in diagnoses or treatment of the disease. These so-called ``recalcitrant cancers'' are among the deadliest diseases and are the very types of cancers that this bill seeks to address.

This legislation will direct the National Cancer Institute to establish a scientific framework that will guide research efforts on recalcitrant cancers by identifying unanswered medical and scientific questions. This framework seeks to bring together the brightest minds from Federal health agencies, from academia, and from private research fields with the hope of yielding new treatments and cures for recalcitrant cancers.

I thank Chairman Pitts and Ranking Member Pallone of the Health Subcommittee for their steadfast support of the bill; and I thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Upton, and the ranking member, Mr. Waxman, for their essential help.

At a time when so many Americans are concerned about the lack of bipartisanship in Congress, this legislation is an example where members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee work together, as we so often do, on critical health care issues. This legislation will reach the President's desk. This is the way Congress should work.

I give special recognition to Congresswoman Eshoo for her tireless efforts, not only in support of this legislation, her legislation, but for her advocacy throughout her public life in support of cancer research and education.

I also thank Senator Whitehouse for his work on this issue. And I thank Jeff Last, of my staff, for all that he has done on this important legislation.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I thank Lisa Swayze for her advocacy in support of the pancreatic cancer issue, advocacy in memory of her husband, the great actor and dancer, Patrick Swayze.

On a personal note, when my twin brother, Jim, and I were 12 years old, we lost our mother to cancer after a valiant 3-year battle. I dedicate whatever modest work I have done on this issue in her memory.

I urge my colleagues to support the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of William F. Faherty. Bill dedicated his life to his family and often answered the call of public service. Born in Trenton, Bill was raised in New Jersey, graduated from Rutgers University and has more recently lived in Allamuchy.

Bill became a leader in the government of his home city of Trenton and was a banking executive with First National Bank. He was later called to serve in many positions in state government. He was appointed deputy commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance by Governor Richard Hughes. He was named executive director of the New Jersey European Trade Mission to England, France and West Germany by Governor Brendan Byrne. Governor Tom Kean selected him to be executive director of finance for the Governor's Management Improvement Firm. He was involved in planning that continues to bring enjoyment to millions of people being instrumental in the development of the Meadowlands, home of his beloved Giants, and the birth of gaming in Atlantic City. He selflessly served governors of both parties putting service ahead of partisanship.

Bill also was a man of charity. He raised many funds for the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation and the State Council on the Arts and was a trustee of the New Jersey State Police Memorial Association. He was a member of various boards of directors, including those of the Waterloo Foundation, Hackettstown Community Hospital and the Battleship New Jersey Commission and was a member of the board of trustees for Rutgers Business School, the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey and the Drumthwacket Foundation.

Bill was devoted to his loving wife, Saralan, his predeceased son William F. Faherty III, daughters, Faith Faherty Cust and Hope Faherty, son-in-law, Jack Cust, brother, Patrick, and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

I join William Faherty's family and friends in remembering him for his public service to the State of New Jersey, his love of his family and the lives touched by his philanthropic work.