Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize New Providence High School of New Providence, 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. New Providence 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.

I commend Mr. Paul Casarico, the faculty, the students, the parents, and the entire community on receiving this prestigious award. New Providence High School is proud example of academic excellence and worthy of this national distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tewksbury Elementary School of Califon, 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. Tewksbury Elementary 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.

I commend Mr. Jim Miller, the faculty, the students, the parents, and the entire community on receiving this prestigious award. Tewksbury Elementary School is proud example of academic excellence and worthy of this national distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 22 as International CML Awareness Day.

The date September 22 symbolizes the genetic mutation of chromosomes 9 and 22 that causes the rare blood cancer chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML.

Not long ago CML, cancer of the white blood cells, resulted in a rapid death after the initial diagnosis. But today, thanks to innovative therapies, CML is more frequently managed as a chronic condition.

Within the past decade, as various drug therapies to treat CML became available, five-year survival rates increased from 50 percent to nearly 90 percent. Although 28,000 Americans currently live with CML, that number is estimated to increase to as many as 250,000 Americans by 2040.

However, as with many rare diseases, progress in the development of treatments for CML brings with it a variety of challenges--for patients, physicians and the government. Treatments are expensive, and before recent changes in the law, some patients who managed the disease as a chronic condition exhausted their lifetime health insurance maximums. And genetic mutations cause patients to find previously effective treatments becoming ineffective.

Earlier this week, the Rare Disease Caucus--of which I am a congressional co-chair--had the opportunity to see the faces of CML up- close and personal.

From Poughkeepsie, New York, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Lincoln, Nebraska, we heard the emotional stories, the extraordinary hardship, the hope and the faith that someday we may find a cure for CML.

The exact cause of the genetic changes behind CML is unknown. Continued research toward a cure and increased awareness remain vital to fighting the disease and improving the quality of life for those already living with it.

I applaud the goals and ideals of CML Awareness Day. I strongly support promoting research and ensuring access to treatment that someday may lead toward a cure.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of Michael Cole, a distinguished New Jersey resident who died over the weekend and whose funeral will be held tomorrow in Morristown, Morris County.

Michael was among New Jersey's distinguished lawyers and public servants. He served as Governor Thomas Kaine's chief counsel in the 1980s and was very active in heading the board of the New Jersey Legal Services Corporation. Michael was a mentor to more than a generation of New Jersey lawyers, including me when I worked under his leadership in Governor Kaine's administration.

Michael leaves his wife, Jaynee LaVecchia, a member of our State's highest tribunal, the New Jersey Supreme Court, as well as a daughter, Elyse, and a son-in-law and granddaughter.

The State of New Jersey has been enriched enormously by the life of Michael Cole. My wife, Heidi, and I mourn his loss, but join countless New Jerseyans in celebrating his wonderful life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1852, legislation to reauthorize the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education program.

Today's legislation will assist pediatric training programs across the country by maintaining and strengthening existing hospital graduate medical education programs for children.

Independent children's hospitals have an indispensable role in the children's health workforce, training 40 percent of all pediatric residents and 43 percent of pediatric specialty fellows, and providing pediatric training for many other residents. Nowhere is this more evident than Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, New Jersey, in the district I have the honor of serving. Under the strong leadership of my friend, Amy Mansue, the staff does an excellent job training and caring for children and making sure that highly

qualified, effective medical personnel exist.

I thank Health Subcommittee Chairman Pitts for his tremendous work in this effort, as well as Ranking Member Pallone. And I thank them for working in a bipartisan capacity to bring this legislation to the floor. I am honored to serve on Chairman Pitts' subcommittee, and I am pleased that the full Energy and Commerce Committee has agreed with what we have tried to accomplish in the subcommittee.

I urge all of my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to support H.R. 1852. It is essential that this program be reauthorized.

Mr. Speaker, the 21st Century began, for all intents and purposes, on September 11, 2001. It did not begin well.

The war against terrorism is among the greatest public policy challenges of our generation. The deceased were casualties of war to the same extent as any person serving on the battlefield. But the terrorists made no distinction between members of the armed forces and civilians. The terrorists made no distinction between small children, infants and adults. They killed their victims at will.

We in New Jersey lost roughly 700 people, second only to the state of New York. I stated on the floor of the New Jersey State Legislature 10 years ago and I repeat here today on the floor of the United States House of Representatives that it will take the genius and the tenacity of a free society to overcome the scourge of terrorism, but overcome it we shall.

We have made much progress in the last 10 years, but Mr. Speaker, more progress needs to be made.

On December 8, 1941, speaking here in the house of the people, the House of Representatives, Franklin Roosevelt said famously that ``No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.''

That is as true today regarding the war against terror. as it was when Franklin Roosevelt spoke it about World War II so many years ago.

In one of the subsequent stanzas of ``America the Beautiful'' the author, Katherine Bates, wrote of ``Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears,'' but of course that is not true. Human tears are still shed based upon what happened on 9/11 and alabaster cities gleam not as brightly based upon the horrific acts of the terrorists.

At the National Cathedral on September 14, 2001, the President of the United States, George W. Bush, said this: ``There are prayers that help us last through the day or endure the night. There are prayers of friends and strangers that give us strength for the journey, and there are prayers that yield our will to a will greater than our own. This world He created is of moral design. Grief and tragedy and hatred are only for a time. Goodness, remembrance and love have no end, and the Lord of life holds all who die and all who mourn.''

The President went on to state at the conclusion of his remarks words that I believe are from the St. Paul's Epistle to Romans. The President said, ``As we have been assured, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor death can separate us from God's love.''

Mr. Speaker, this weekend we honor the memories of those who were lost on 9/11. We also honor the brave first responders to the horrific acts of a decade ago, and recall the tremendous heroism and self- sacrifice of so many in New York, at the Pentagon and on an airplane over Western Pennsylvania.

May God bless all of those who died on 9/11 and their families, those who bravely responded to the tragedy, and those who ever put on the Nation's uniform to serve and protect us from the dangers we have faced and continue to face.

And, Mr. Speaker, may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Dean Janeway, President and Chief Operating Officer of Wakefern Food Corporation. Mr. Janeway is retiring after nearly five decades of service.

Wakefern Food Corporation, headquartered in Woodbridge, New Jersey, is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Members of this cooperative operate supermarkets under the ``Shop-Rite'' banner throughout the Northeast, including several locations in New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. Janeway joined Wakefern in the 1960s as a junior accountant and eventually worked his way to Executive Vice President. He was later named Wakefern's President and Chief Operating Officer in 1995. Under his tenure, Wakefern significantly expanded the corporation serving more localities and employing more people.

Mr. Janeway has been dedicated to giving back to the community. During his tenure, he has directed more than $24 million in donations to regional food banks. Wakefern has also championed numerous local charities in support of medical research and treatment, fighting hunger, and educating young adults. Mr. Janeway has also been honored by the Special Olympics of New Jersey and the Archdiocese of Newark for his support of charitable causes.

I congratulate Mr. Janeway on his tenure with Wakefern Food Corporation and I commend him for his achievements throughout the years.

Thank you very much, Dr. Heck.

Mr. Speaker, the 21st century began, for all intents and purposes, on September 11, 2001. It did not begin well.

The war against terrorism is among the greatest public policy challenges of our generation. The deceased were casualties of war to the same extent as any person serving on the battlefield. The terrorists made no distinction between members of the Armed Forces and civilians. The terrorists made no distinction between small children and infants and adults, and they killed their victims at will.

We in New Jersey lost roughly 700 people, second only to the State of New York.

I stated on the floor of the New Jersey State Legislature 10 years ago--and I repeat here today on the floor of the United States House of Representatives--that it will take the genius and the tenacity of a free society to overcome the scourge of terrorism, but overcome it, we shall. We have made much progress in the last 10 years; but, Mr. Speaker, more progress needs to be made.

On December 8, 1941, speaking here in the House of the people, the House of Representatives, Franklin Roosevelt said famously that, no matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory. That is as true today regarding the war against terrorism as it was when Franklin Roosevelt spoke it about World War II so many years ago.

In one of the subsequent stanzas of ``America the Beautiful,'' Katharine Bates, the author, wrote of thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears. But, of course, that is not true. Human tears are still shed based upon what happened on 9/11, and alabaster cities gleam not as brightly based upon the horrific acts of the terrorists.

At the National Cathedral on September 14, 2001, the President of the United States, George W. Bush, said this: ``There are prayers that help us last through the day or endure the night. There are prayers of friends and strangers that give us strength for the journey, and there are prayers that yield our will to a will greater than our own.

``This world He created is of moral design. Grief and tragedy and hatred are only for a time. Goodness, remembrance and love have no end; and the Lord of life holds all who die and all who mourn.''

The President went on to state at the conclusion of his remarks words that I believe are from St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans. The President said: ``As we have been assured, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth can separate us from God's love.''

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, we honor the memories of those who were lost on 9/11. We also honor the brave first responders to the horrific acts of a decade ago and recall the tremendous heroism and self- sacrifice of so many in New York, at the Pentagon, and on an airplane over western Pennsylvania.

May God bless all of those who died on 9/11 and their families, those who

bravely responded to the tragedy, and those who have ever put on the Nation's uniform to serve and protect us from the dangers we have faced and continue to face.

And, Mr. Speaker, may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Thank you, Chairman Dreier, for your leadership on this extremely important issue.

I rise in support of the rule, and I rise in support the underlying legislation which is, by its nature, bipartisan, bicameral and a compromise that avoids default, adds certainty to our economic recovery, and puts our Nation on a sustainable path towards fiscal responsibility. What we need in America is jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, and this will help that effort forward.

This support is consistent with my longstanding efforts to bring fiscal sanity to New Jersey and to be among those attempting to bring it here to Washington. The main portions of the compromise have been outlined, but for the first time the narrative on Capitol Hill is no longer how much can government spend, but how we can best reduce spending. This new awakening to fiscal prudence is in the best interests of the Nation and, indeed, I believe is the critical issue of our generation.

I commend Speaker Boehner for his superb leadership on this issue, and I shall vote for the rule and the underlying legislation in the belief that it will help move our Nation forward.

Mr. Speaker, as our Nation's debt now approaches its current $14.29 trillion limit, many Americans rightfully ask: How did this happen?

In the past decade alone, Congress has authorized an increase in the debt 10 times. When Republicans had controlled the White House and Congress, it was Republicans who voted for it. When Democrats have controlled the White House and Congress, it has been Democrats who have voted for it.

The Federal Government has only managed to balance its budget five times in the last 50 years, most recently with President Clinton, a Democrat, and Republican control in the House of Representatives. Washington now borrows approximately 40 percent of every dollar it spends. Foreign investors hold half of our Nation's $14 trillion debt-- not only from China, but from Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, and other places as well. Admiral Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has called the national debt ``the single biggest threat to our national security.''

For the first time in modern history, last year's Congress passed no budget, no fundamental blueprint for spending, and no final decision on spending levels through the appropriations process for the entire fiscal year. We've been operating under a series of continuing resolutions, which has led to uncertainty as to Federal levels of spending and as to tax rates, which in turn has led to a lack of hiring in the private sector, with an unemployment rate of 9.2 percent, which in turn has led to less revenues in Federal coffers--a vicious cycle that cannot continue.

Any agreement to President Obama's request to increase our borrowing limit should include a real plan to bring our fiscal house in order and reduce the Nation's unsustainably high levels of Federal spending, debt and deficits. This should include substantial reductions in current spending--at least $100 billion in fiscal year 2012--limiting Federal expenditures to a certain percentage of gross domestic product.

The historic norm has been 20 percent over the last generation. Tragically, we're now at 24 percent--and safeguards that will restrict future spending, such as a balanced budget amendment, which is contained in 49 of our 50 States.

Also, we must put partisanship aside and include reforms to save Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. If we do nothing, for example, regarding Medicare--and the President's budget in the winter did nothing--the program will begin to go bankrupt in 2024, 13 years from now. That is simply unsustainable and unacceptable.

When I was a boy and a young man, the fundamental issue confronting the Nation was the threat of the Soviet Union and international communism, the focus of evil in the modern world, as President Reagan said.

The fundamental issue confronting the Nation in the 21st century is fiscal responsibility. Will our children live in a diminished America? Will the promise of America that each generation will do better than the generation before it continue to exist? Will we continue to lead the world or will leadership pass to China or India or to some other place?

This is the great issue confronting the people of the United States, and it is the great issue confronting us here in Congress as well. Let's get our fiscal house in order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate eight outstanding public high schools in New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District that were recently recognized by Newsweek Magazine as among the top 500 public high schools in America for 2011.

In all, New Jersey claimed 36 high schools of Newsweek's top 500. In the Seventh Congressional District in New Jersey, that I have the honor of representing, I congratulate the Academy For Allied Health Sciences in Scotch Plains; the Union County Magnet High School, also in Scotch Plains; Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren; Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights; Westfield High School in Westfield; the Academy for Information Technology, also in Scotch Plains; Cranford High School in Cranford; and Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield.

Newsweek contacted more than 1,100 high schools across the country and reviewed their graduation and college matriculation rates, SAT and Advanced Placement test scores and other information, as well as the school's ability to turn out college-ready and life-ready students.

I congratulate all of the students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other property taxpayers who help make New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District the home to so many of the top- performing high schools in the Nation. When it comes to the best education in the country, New Jersey's public school system makes the grade.

Mr. Speaker, on July 8, 2011, Temple Emanu-El of Edison will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. I am proud to join the more than 250 families in the congregation, the clergy and temple leaders in celebrating this golden anniversary.

This special event will kick off a year-long celebration of the Temple's history, successes and contributions it has made over the course of five decades to its members and to the Middlesex County and surrounding communities.

Over the last 50 years, Temple Emanu-El has earned a reputation for its open door policy, which is a hallmark of its congregational community. The renowned religious school was the first in the area to offer special education programs. The Temple has sheltered the homeless and welcomes interfaith families with no categorizing of Jewish and non-Jewish members.

A good community partner in Middlesex County, the Temple offers adult education programs. Its members deliver weekend meals-on-wheels to those in need and collects and distributes food and funds to the needy in the community.

At the Temple Emanu-El religious school, children learn Hebrew and the traditions of Judaism. Adults study with renowned Scholars-in- Residence and to take part in an Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program. Interfaith families can learn how to create Jewish homes.

As Temple Emanu-El celebrates this important milestone, I congratulate Rabbi Deborah K. Bravo, Cantor Jacqueline Shuchat-Marx, Rabbi Alfred B. Landsberg--Rabbi Emeritus, Jill Santoni, Educational Director, and the Temple's Board of Trustees for their dedicated efforts.

As the Temple's journey continues and traditions are passed along Dor v' Dor, I wish the Temple all the best in celebrating the next 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Temple Emanu-El in Edison, New Jersey in celebrating 50 years of service to the community. I am proud to share this important milestone with my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives and with the American people.

Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

The language of section 740 is within the jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee, on which I serve, and our committee is the appropriate forum for considering such language. Having said that, the House should know--and the Food and Drug Administration should know--that we agree with the spirit of the language and the goal of the members of the Appropriations Committee, who supported its inclusion in the bill.

After speaking with the sponsors of the language, we know that together we share a concern about what is happening at the FDA. We believe that policy decisions at the FDA should be based on science and not on any irrelevant consideration.

As much as officials at the FDA claim that their decisions are based on sound science, their recent actions give us pause. For example, 2 months ago, Chairman Upton, along with Chairman Lucas and Chairman Graves, sent a letter to the FDA regarding the potential ban of antimicrobial animal drugs and the lack of scientific support for that action. This potential ban has caused significant worry among our Nation's producers, veterinarians, and consumers. The chairmen finally received a response from the FDA last Friday, and the FDA refused to answer the questions about the scientific basis of their action, claiming that the matter is still, quote, under consideration. This response is unacceptable and makes us wonder why the FDA refuses to discuss the scientific basis for its conclusions.

We pledge that the Energy and Commerce Committee will explore whether there are steps that Congress should take to prevent the FDA from pursuing regulatory actions that are not based on sound scientific analysis and fact. Those at the FDA should know that many in Congress are watching and carefully studying whether the FDA's actions are justified.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I raise a point of order. Section 740 constitutes legislating on an appropriations bill because it requires a new determination and, therefore, violates clause 2 of rule XXI of the rules of the House and should be struck from the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Hunterdon Central Regional High School's Softball Team on its outstanding victory this past weekend in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association's Blue Ribbon Awards Group 4 Championship. Hunterdon Central had previously been given the state ranking of fourth by the Newark Star Ledger and earned this title after compiling an astounding 31-2 record for the season. Hunterdon Central had previously won the Group 4 championship in 1999. Hunterdon Central prides itself on fundamentals and execution and the team's skills and experience demonstrate a mastery of the sport. The hard work of the Lady Red Devils shows determination and teamwork.

I also congratulate Hunterdon Central coach Pete Fick who has now achieved a career record of 699-227-1.

I commend the entire team on its hard work and congratulate all of the players on their stellar season and well deserved championship.

I am also pleased to praise the team's accomplishments with my colleagues in the House of Representatives and with the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to announce the passing of William J. ``B.J.'' Giannone III of Mountainside, New Jersey. B.J. was only 18 when he died suddenly following an athletic competition.

B.J. should be remembered for his outstanding academic achievements at Saint Peter's Preparatory High School in Jersey City. He was a commentator for the school football games, a co-founder of the Society of Comedic Appreciation and a member of the baseball and swimming teams. He was also active in Campus Ministry, the Yearbook Committee and Marauder's Nation.

With a love for community service, B.J volunteered his time through his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America and Our Lady of Lourdes Church Youth Organization. And he left behind a strong and growing talent for songwriting.

A cherished son of Maureen and William Giannone and a beloved friend to many, B.J. Giannone will be missed.

I extend to the Giannone family my deepest sympathies and condolences.