Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague and fellow Californian, Representative Jerry Lewis, to pay tribute to Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park has been a special and unique place of recreation and refuge in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties for the last 75 years. The park was first conferred National Monument status on August 10, 1936 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Today, 1.3 million visitors a year from throughout the world enjoy this biologically diverse gem encompassing almost 800,000 acres.

Located just outside some of the most densely populated parts of our Nation, the park provides numerous recreational opportunities for American families and international visitors. Campgrounds, scenic drives, and hundreds of trails comprise just a few of the multitude of ways to enjoy the spectacular desert landscape.

Thriving gateway communities in the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin have prospered in large part from the tourism opportunities created by the park. It is estimated that as an economic engine the park generates over 32 million private-sector dollars and supports over 500 jobs. The park has also created a shared regional identity and provided a common link of interest. A testament to the devotion and passion instilled in the park's supporters, last year alone 1,059 individuals volunteered at the park donating 35,000 hours of work.

Joshua Tree National Park is a crown jewel of the National Park Service. It deserves all the support it has received to preserve its ecological, historical and cultural integrity. Congratulations to everyone who has supported the park over the years and here's to ensuring the park continues to flourish and improve for another 75 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a truly remarkable woman and dear friend, Mrs. Barbara Sinatra; and to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of her greatest achievements: The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center in Rancho Mirage, California.

One of the Coachella Valley's--and indeed the world's--most revered couples, Frank and Barbara Sinatra founded the Children's Center at the Eisenhower Medical Center in 1986, and this year the Center celebrates its 25th anniversary. On behalf of the people of the 45th Congressional District, I extend my most heartfelt congratulations on this momentous occasion.

Barbara Sinatra is beloved in our community for her caring and personal nature. Well known as someone who is just as comfortable running errands around town or attending charity galas with celebrity friends, Barbara Sinatra is a community treasure, and I am privileged to have this opportunity to call attention to one of the great women of our time and her signature cause.

Dedicated to improving the health and wellness of children who have suffered from child abuse and neglect or who are considered at risk, the Barbara Sinatra Center serves today as a shining example for the rest of the world to follow. The Center exists to benefit children of all walks of life, but the majority of those served are the ones who are most in need due to either their economic or family circumstances. By their own estimates, more than 86% of the children who benefit from the Center's services are below the federal poverty line. Having established the popular ``Bosley the Bear'' method of abuse education for young children, the Center is well regarded for its innovative approach to empowering kids to recognize dangerous situations and learn how to protect themselves.

Barbara Sinatra earned respect throughout the world for her commitment to ending abuse of our society's most vulnerable members. As the spouse of one of the world's most famous entertainers, Barbara Sinatra used her considerable talents to help children in need and has literally devoted her life to this critically important mission. Her work has been praised as groundbreaking and effective, and the Center enjoys remarkable support from the community and the families it has assisted over the more than two decades it has been in operation.

The list of philanthropists and abuse professionals who sing the praises of the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center is long and illustrious. At the 25th Anniversary Gala being celebrated this month, two such supporters will be recognized for their contributions to the Center--co-founders Helene Galen and Nelda Linsk.

Helene Galen is widely recognized as a leader in the philanthropic community, and a driving force behind countless worthwhile and charitable causes. Her support as a co-founder and President of the Children's Center Board of Directors has been invaluable and provides the Center with organizational and fundraising guidance that only someone of Galen's stature and expertise could impart.

Well respected in the desert community for her business acumen and commitment to helping others, Nelda Linsk has also been there from the beginning. Ms. Linsk joined Barbara Sinatra in recognizing the need for building self-esteem among victims of abuse, and her passion for helping others by sharing from her personal experience and her generous financial support helped make the difference in the evolution of the center from a local resource to a world-class treatment facility.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the drive, determination and devotion of Barbara Sinatra. Before Barbara Sinatra, Helene Galen and Nelda Linsk established the Children's Center, child abuse was rarely discussed and there was little understanding of the causes and means to prevent this devastating behavior.

The lives of countless families, most importantly the children themselves, have been forever altered due to the tireless commitment and generous contributions made by these caring and unselfish women. Under Barbara Sinatra's leadership, the Center has made a difference in our community and throughout the world. No longer is child abuse discussed only in hushed conversations and hidden from the light of day, due largely to their groundbreaking work, new treatments and strategies are being developed that will hopefully reduce this most heinous form of abuse.

I am deeply honored not only to call Barbara, Helene and Nelda my friends, but also to serve as their representative in Congress and to have this opportunity to call attention to their great work and the Center's ongoing mission.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in recognizing Barbara Sinatra Children's Center on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, and wishing Mrs. Sinatra and the Center another 25 years of service to these most vulnerable members of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the General Patton Memorial Museum located in the 45th Congressional District and in the center of the historic military landscape--General Patton's World War II Desert Training Center.

Through the hard work and dedication of local supporters, volunteers and donors, the museum preserves artifacts from the major conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries and serves an important role educating the public on U.S. military history. In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, this historically significant land will be protected for future generations to enjoy.

I want to especially thank Margit Chiriaco Rusche and her family who have given selflessly of their time, energy and finances to preserve the memory of General Patton's presence in our community. Generations of American families have been rewarded with a glimpse of America's military history through this unique facility, and our community has been enriched by the one-of-a-kind historical artifacts preserved at this site.

Located in the heart of the Desert Training Center, the General Patton Memorial Museum was established on November 11, 1988, to honor the memory of General George Patton. The museum contains exhibits ranging from World War I through the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and honors the service and sacrifice of America's veterans.

In the early days of World War II, the greatest global conflict our world has ever seen, the War Department recognized the need to train troops to withstand the rigors of battle over rough desert terrain. Thus, the Desert Training Center, formally known as the California- Arizona Maneuver Area, was established in 1942. Led by Major General George S. Patton Jr., the training camp trained 1 million troops from 1942-1944.

When the direction of the war shifted to the Allies' favor in 1944, the camp was closed, ending the largest simulated theater of operations in the history of military maneuvers. While most of the structures were removed, much of the infrastructure, including rock-lined streets, staging areas, flag circles, and tent areas remain.

It is my hope that the General Patton Memorial Museum and the World War II Desert Training Center will serve as a powerful reminder of how our nation's freedom has been preserved by the dedication of our armed forces. While no single tribute can fully honor their sacrifice, this memorial offers a chance for our community to stand together in honoring the men and women who have fought under the Stars and Stripes. I am certain that any patriotic American would benefit from a visit to the General Patton Memorial Museum and I encourage all those traveling to this region to consider visiting.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the General Patton Memorial Museum and the World War II Desert Training Center.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable lady and dear friend, Mrs. Jackie Lee Houston, a pillar of our community in California's Coachella Valley, and an inspiration to countless admirers and friends.

Today, our community will come together to celebrate Jackie Lee's life, a life of purpose and accomplishment that truly made our world a better place. I am deeply saddened that the Congressional schedule prevents me from joining in this celebration and I know that the memories of Jackie Lee will bring joy to all those attending; a fitting tribute to this gracious hostess who insisted that any event in which she was involved was done with grace and class--and a large measure of fun!

Born Jackie Lee McDonald on June 27, 1935, Jackie Lee grew up in Seattle, Washington, and went on to attend the University of Washington. It was there that she met her husband, Jim, with whom she would spend the rest of her life. Their love story is a classic romance, from their hard-working early days when a holiday was defined by how much gas they could afford for a weekend get away to the pre- eminent role they shared as leading desert philanthropists, they were simply inseparable.

Jackie Lee and Jim were blessed with three children, Tamara, Jaimi and Jim, and their family bond was unbreakable.

For a time, the Houstons made a life in British Columbia, visiting the Coachella Valley regularly in the 1960s. Although the Houstons maintained an active presence in the Coachella Valley for decades, they didn't move permanently to the Desert until 2001. Once there, they quickly made their commitment to their new home clear by purchasing a local television affiliate and establishing KPSP Channel 2 as a major media presence in our community. It is perhaps the most inspiring testament to her character and strength of will that Jackie Lee made such an enormous impact on her adopted home town in such a short period of time. Proud to be one of the few women in the country who owned a television station, Jackie Lee used her influence at the station to provide additional exposure to causes she deemed worthwhile--regardless of whether she was directly involved in them.

One cannot begin to estimate the number of lives that were touched and made better by the tens of millions of dollars Jackie Lee raised for and donated to worthwhile charities and causes over the years, saying once: ``Giving is just a feeling of wanting to be proud of what you do.'' I will always be especially grateful for her work on the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and consider myself truly honored to have called her a dear friend.

Jackie Lee had the ability to take your breath away with a flair and creativity that set her parties and events apart from all the rest--and for that reason people flocked to the

Houston's home and social gatherings and always returned. She also quietly helped countless other individuals, helping families with furniture, clothes, or even mortgage payments.

We were all enriched by her life and devastated by her passing, and the void in our community will never be filled.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commemorating the life and contributions of Mrs. Jackie Lee Houston, who passed away on September 14, 2011. Her legacy will live on through her many achievements, the countless lives she touched, and the enduring admiration and devotion of her loving husband, Jim. May God bless her, and God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2715) to provide the Consumer Product Safety Commission with greater authority and discretion in enforcing the consumer product safety laws, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on the bill.

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 2715, a bill that modifies the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, also called CPSIA, and provides relief to address a number of unintended consequences that arose after CPSIA became law.

This bill is a win-win. It is good for American consumers and American businesses as well. It is also a bipartisan bill. And I want to thank Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Upton, as well as Ranking Member Waxman and my counterpart, Mr. Butterfield, for all of their hard work in getting this important bill to the floor today.

We passed CPSIA almost unanimously in 2008, and many of its features have advanced the cause of children's safety. But there also have been unintended consequences for many businesses, small and large alike. For 3 years now, we have heard the pleas of these businesses, asking for relief from the CPSIA mandates. We have also heard from the CPSC that it lacks the authority and flexibility to grant relief where needed.

On August 14, the last deadline looms, the final drop-down to the 0.01 percent lead content limit. Without swift action, we face empty store shelves that have been cleared of perfectly safe products because of what I believe was simply a drafting oversight. The bill makes the August 14 limit prospective in nature, permitting retailers to sell their existing inventory so long as it was made prior to August 14 and is compliant with the current lead limit of 0.03 percent, which was specifically approved by Congress for the last 2 years.

In a true spirit of bipartisanship, Ranking Members Waxman and Butterfield agreed to act swiftly to address this situation. While we don't necessarily agree on the best way to address all of the unintended consequences of CPSIA, we move the bill in response to the enormous threat facing stakeholders in the children's product industry in just less than 2 weeks.

In addition to addressing the immediate deadline, this bill goes a little farther to address the pain so many of our constituents are facing. ATVs, bikes, books, things that were never intended to be covered by the law but were ensnared by its wide reach nonetheless, will no longer face an uncertain future and are exempted from testing requirements.

Used children's products were also banned for sale as a result of the 2008 law. Thrift stores and charity retail outlets such as Goodwill Industries and even the local church bazaars were forced to toss anything made for a child under the age of 12 because it is impossible to tell whether an item was made in compliance with the law without its original packing or a dated sales receipt. As a result, the law essentially made all used children's products contraband. This wasteful result removed perfectly safe products from the reach of individuals who rely on the value and savings such stores provide in order to provide decent clothing for their children.

Manufacturers of other products will also see some relief from the most costly mandate of the CPSIA--third-party testing and the continuing compliance testing. This bill directs CPSC to seek comments within 60 days on how the current third-party testing regime can be altered to reduce costs.

Small batch manufacturers, who were among the hardest hit by CPSIA, will also find some relief in this bill. These manufacturers are generally stay-at-home moms with an entrepreneurial spirit or mom-and- pop retail outlets that handpick unique toys and other items for sale in their community. Almost universally, these small businesses got into business because they wanted to ensure their own children had safe toys. Almost universally, these small businesses have either closed shop or are on the verge of closing shop because of the onerous requirements of the CPSIA and the costs imposed.

The bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to address the special situation of these businesses by finding alternative, more affordable testing methods or by exempting these businesses from testing altogether if no such alternative exists.

The bill creates a functional purpose exception process that we hope will give the CPSC more flexibility to exempt products from lead limits where there is no health risk. The exception process created in the original CPSIA has failed to permit a single exception for any children's product from the statutory lead limits established in the CPSIA, even in cases where the CPSC determined that such products pose no risk to children.

We have a narrow window of opportunity to address those mandates that threaten the survival of scores of businesses and the livelihoods of the individuals and families those businesses support. And I would like to thank the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Butterfield, as well as the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Waxman, as well as their staffs for working throughout the weekend to find a compromise that we both can support.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg).

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I also just want to echo the sentiments of both my colleagues who just spoke about the importance of this bill and thank them for their cooperation and the hard work that they put into this over the weekend. Again, I would like to thank the staffs of both the minority and the majority side.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the most influential and transformative First Ladies of our time, Betty Ford.

Born Elizabeth Ann Bloomer on April 8, 1918, Betty grew up in Michigan and studied dance, which ultimately helped lead her to the city of New York where she found work as a model and taught children to support her studies. In 1948, Betty married Gerald R. Ford, the future President of the United States, shortly before he began serving the first of his 13 successful terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mrs. Ford made it clear early on that her first priority was her family, but, it soon became apparent that would not be her only role in public life.

As First Lady during a particularly turbulent time for our Nation, Mrs. Ford spoke plainly and openly about the challenges confronting all Americans; and the people loved her for her candor and common sense. The Ford family reflected the core values of the American people, but, they were also not afraid to let the Nation see that their family was not perfect simply because it resided in the White House. Mrs. Ford spoke openly about the struggles their family faced and became one of the first women in public life to discuss her own battles with breast cancer and prescription drug addiction. Sharing her story raised the level of public consciousness and understanding of these important issues and made it ``OK'' for people to seek treatment and recovery.

Although her actions as First Lady had an immediate and profound impact on American culture, her work after she left the White House may have had the biggest impact on ensuring her lasting legacy as a leader in the recovery movement.

Following their time in the White House, President and Mrs. Ford relocated to Rancho Mirage, California and Vail, Colorado. As full-time residents of Rancho Mirage, they resided in the Congressional District which I would come to have the honor of representing, and I was incredibly proud to call the Fords constituents and dear friends. The Fords were fixtures in our desert community and many local residents counted them as friends. President and Mrs. Ford contributed greatly to countless worthwhile causes and generously shared that most precious of commodities, their time. In 2008, I proudly authored a bill designating their neighborhood post office as the ``Gerald

R. Ford Post Office Building'' in honor of my mentor and friend, and Betty's beloved late husband.

In 1982, The Betty Ford Clinic, now known the world over as the Betty Ford Center, opened its doors on the Eisenhower Medical Center campus to provide those seeking treatment of alcohol and substance abuse addiction with a state of the art program to help them on their journey to recovery. Betty Ford, whose name has become synonymous with recovery and treatment, greeted countless patients and visitors with a simple salutation, ``hello, my name is Betty Ford and I'm an alcoholic and drug addict.'' Nearly 30 years later, over 90,000 people have been treated at the center, including those of humble means to some of the wealthiest and most famous celebrities in the world.

As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, I dedicate my work on the caucus to her memory and will continue to work tirelessly to advance the causes to which Mrs. Ford devoted much of her adult life. As a woman, I am especially grateful for the path she blazed, and consider her a great role model for any generation of women who want to make our Nation and the world a better place.

And as someone whose family, like so many others, has been affected by addiction, I am personally forever indebted to Mrs. Ford and have the utmost respect for her leadership on this important issue. Mrs. Ford was a great First Lady, a remarkable woman and valued friend. Our Nation has lost a national treasure with her passing, and I extend my deepest condolences to her family and all those who loved her.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commemorating the life and contributions of First Lady Betty Ford, who departed this earth on July 8, 2011. Her memory will live on through her many good works and our country is enriched for her life and service. May God Bless her, and God Bless America.

Mr. Speaker, on July 6, 2011, for rollcall Nos. 495 to 501, I was unavoidably absent and unable to vote due to travel delays. Had I been present, I would have voted, ``no'' on 495, ``aye'' on 496, ``no'' on 497, ``no'' on 498, ``no'' on 499, ``aye'' on 500, and ``aye'' on 501.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three Veteran monuments in my hometown of Palm Springs, California--the ``Desert Fliers Command Distinguished Flying Cross Wall of Honor,'' ``On A Wing and A Prayer Missing Man Monument,'' and ``Freedom.''

The ``Desert Fliers Command Distinguished Flying Cross Wall of Honor'' was dedicated on November 11, 2004, and is located at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The Desert Fliers Command is a group of airmen who now live in the Coachella Valley and have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in air combat. This stunning black marble monument stands nearly seventeen feet and has two wings engraved with the name and rank of the Desert Fliers Command members, branch of service and rank. It sits in the center of a twelve-foot round platform named the ``Walk of Honor'' in which there are bricks etched with names of fallen airmen.

The ``On a Wing and a Prayer Missing Man Monument'' was dedicated on November 11, 2006, and is located at the entrance of Gate 1 at the Palm Springs International Airport. This beautiful monument, which is an actual wing of a Navy Aircraft, stands straight up with one side of the wing listing the names of the members of the Desert Fliers Command. The wing tip light is lit at all times and is named the ``Eternal Light.'' It is intended to serve as a beacon for all missing airmen to find their way home.

The ``Freedom'' monument was dedicated on November 11, 2010, and is located at the Palm Springs Air Museum. It is the actual propeller of a World War II B-24 Aircraft standing atop a twenty-four inch base that recognizes each branch of service, as well as Distinguished Flying Cross recipient Joseph Foster, Lieutenant Colonel United States Air Force Retired.

The artists who inspired and created these important monuments are Lee Stanley--Lieutenant Commander United States Naval Reserve Retired, recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses and nine Air Medals--and his loving wife Pita.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope these memorials serve as powerful reminders of how our nation's liberty and justice has been preserved by the dedication of our armed forces. May their patriotic spirit and devotion to our nation continue to inspire Americans for generations to come. While no single tribute can fully honor their sacrifice, these memorials offer a chance for our community to stand together in honoring the men and women who have fought under the Stars and Stripes. It is with great pride that I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing these important Veteran memorials.

Mr. Speaker I rise today to celebrate the life of President Ronald Reagan.

This week, the nation remembers the late President Ronald Reagan as a remarkable President, beloved entertainer and, most importantly, a great American. President Reagan saw America as a beacon of hope and freedom. His strong leadership guided our nation through a challenging and difficult chapter in America's history. He helped restore the hope that inspired the people to once again believe in themselves and carry on to achieve what was once thought the unachievable.

One of my greatest thrills was welcoming President Reagan to our desert community when I served as First Lady of Palm Springs. Considered one of the nation's best Presidents, I saw firsthand his love of country and his ability to connect with people.

Revered for his leadership and tenacity, Ronald Reagan relentlessly fought for freedom throughout the world. A man of humble origins, he became an iconic symbol for democracy and the American way of life as President of the United States.

I am thankful for President Reagan's service to our nation and what he gave this country as an entertainer and as a public servant. I extend my personal appreciation to First Lady Nancy Reagan who supported her husband so steadfastly in his work and carries on his legacy today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity to honor this great American.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, we are going to rightfully hear a lot today during this debate about how excessive government regulations are hurting our economy, but there are other forces at work as well, and they are just as damaging, even, perhaps, more insidious.

Shortly after taking office, President Obama issued an executive order encouraging Federal agencies, which was really sort of a wink and a nod, to require project labor agreements on government construction projects costing more than $25 million.

Mr. Speaker, with unemployment in my California district over 14 percent and unemployment in the construction industry above 20 percent, these so-called ``crony contracts'' are not only wrong; they are immoral. Instead of an executive order, what we really need from the White House is a cease and desist order.

Simply put, project labor agreements mandating ``union labor only'' are anticompetitive. The infamous Big Dig in Boston is clearly the biggest boondoggle of them all. Originally projected to cost about $3 billion, this 3-mile tunnel project turned out to be one of the most expensive Federal highway projects in U.S. history. At last count, the meter was still running: $15 billion in construction costs and another $7 billion in interest alone. Put another way, when it's all said and done, the Big Dig is going to cost us about $1.2 million per foot.

Not only do these PLAs waste taxpayer money, but they are also un- American. Today, less than 15 percent of construction workers in our Nation are unionized. So every time a PLA is mandated by some government bureaucrat, 85 percent of America's construction workers, some 8 million hardworking men and women across the country, are told either tough luck, too bad, or maybe next time. Since 2007, nearly 2 million construction workers across America have lost their jobs.

Enough already. Let's put an end to political favoritism. Let's demand the best deal for the taxpayers. Let's say ``no'' to the ``wink and nod'' culture in Washington.

As the new chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, I am going to do everything to make ``made in America'' matter again. That starts by taking a critical look at what we do here at home to foster competitiveness. Today, with the economy still struggling to recover, it is time to do what is best for all Americans, not what is best simply for a select, favored few.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reject the notion that Big Government Knows Best. Call me old fashioned, but I still believe Father Knows Best. My dad was a physician who cared deeply about his patients. Working together, they decided what treatment options made the most sense--not some bureaucrat who has a degree in political science or philosophy and punches a time clock.

That's the biggest problem with this law: It empowers the federal government . . . but not patients.

Let's start over. Let's take the best ideas from both parties and do it right this time. We agree: patients should not be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions and our kids should be able to keep their family insurance until they're 26. But these kind of commonsense reforms don't require $570 billion in new taxes.

Under the new law, Big Government does--what Big Government Knows Best--raise taxes. There's a Health Insurance Tax, the so-called Cadillac Tax, and a big increase in the Medicare Payroll Tax. There are also hidden taxes and costly mandates for not complying with Big Government Knows Best.

Enough already. Let's kick the bureaucrats out of the waiting room and call the doctor. Let's do what's really best for American patients. Start over.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer a prayer for our Nation. President Abraham Lincoln, during the height of the Civil War and during a very low point in American civility, once told a hushed crowd: ``My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of Earth.''

My friend, all of our friend, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, has believed in that dream for her entire life. Today, she represents a beacon of hope, perhaps ``our'' last best hope, to restore some measure of civility to the important public debates of our day.

This is not a time to be finger pointing. Rather, this is a time, in memory of all those who died or who were injured during this dark day in our history, to start talking again like friends and neighbors.

Right now, we should be praying for Gabby and all of the other victims of this horrible ordeal. We should be searching our soul as a Nation, asking one important question, a question Abraham Lincoln confronted every single day of his Presidency: How have we allowed hateful rhetoric to paralyze our national debates?

Yes, we all have different points of view, but we should discuss them, and we should debate them without resorting to name-calling or questioning each other's motives. Gabby has always stood for civility. She is the most delightful and the kindest Member of Congress, and I think we've all said that. Her never-ending smile and her unfailing willingness to work in our Nation's best interests have earned her the respect of people everywhere.

I, like all of my colleagues, cannot wait for the day when Gabby walks back onto this floor and she joins us. She is a strong woman with a very unbreakable spirit and a passion for life, her family, her friends, and our great Nation.

Let us all pray to give Gabby the strength to carry her through the difficult days ahead. I believe with all of my heart that Gabby was put on Earth by God to make a difference. And she has. I know, because she's made a difference in my life.

So the next time that a debate heats up and threatens to get ugly, let's remember our responsibilities as leaders. Let's remember what Abraham Lincoln said. Let's take a deep breath and ``agree to disagree agreeably.'' Let's do that for Gabby.

Madam Speaker I rise today to honor a very distinguished member of my community, Fire Chief Blake Goetz.

Today I wish to recognize Fire Chief Blake Goetz, who has dedicated 33 years of service to the City of Palm Springs and over 29 years to the Palm Springs Fire Department. He will retire from his position as Fire Chief on December 31, 2010, and I am pleased to rise to make a few remarks on his impressive accomplishments and many contributions to the City of Palm Springs.

Chief Goetz started his career with the Palm Springs Fire Department in 1981. Over the years, Chief Goetz has remained committed to safeguarding our community and has greatly increased the Coachella Valley's preparedness for fires, earthquakes and floods. Goetz initiated the Palm Springs Fire Department's Fire Prevention Safety Program to spread awareness of the dangers of fire and fire-related hazards to local grade schools during Fire Protection Week. His work in developing the Palm Springs Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) brought this critically important program to our area, and has greatly enhanced our local community's ability to respond to disaster. Goetz was appointed Fire Chief in 2004, and has continued to be an outstanding public safety official and well-respected leader in the community.

In addition to his time at the Palm Springs Fire Department, Chief Goetz has committed himself to the safety and well-being of the people of the Coachella Valley in many other areas. As a certified emergency manager with the International Association of Emergency Managers from 1998 to 2008, Chief Goetz played an essential role in bringing the Coachella Valley Emergency Managers Association to our community. Goetz has served as a member of the board of directors of Southern California Emergency Services Association and is currently chair of the board of directors of the Palm Springs Federal Credit Union. Goetz holds a lifetime instructor credential in fire science for California Community Colleges, and I am confident that he will continue his efforts towards promoting safety and protecting others after his retirement.

Today I stand proud to honor the admirable accomplishments of Fire Chief Blake Goetz, and extend my sincere appreciation for his distinguished service to the Palm Springs Fire Department and the Coachella Valley.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Charles L. ``Chuck'' Rogers, a distinguished and honorable man who made many selfless contributions to our nation with his service to country in the United States Army and throughout his remarkable life. Mr. Rogers was the patriarch of a wonderful family and someone I was honored to know and call friend. Sadly, Mr. Rogers passed away on October 29, 2010, at the age of 79 surrounded by his beloved family in Pasadena, California. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me today in saluting this outstanding American.

Mr. Rogers was born in San Diego in October of 1931. He graduated from San Diego High School in 1949, and went on to attend UC Berkeley before transferring to Stanford University where he received his A.B. Degree in 1953. Mr. Rogers went on to serve in the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) of the United States Army for two years, and then went on to attend Stanford Law School earning his Juris Doctorate in 1957.

While serving in the CIC, Mr. Rogers was stationed on the East Coast where he met his beloved wife, Marion Booth, a secondary schoolteacher. In 1955, Charles and Marion married in Hamden, Connecticut where they began their lifelong partnership, and raising their six children.

Mr. Rogers will always be remembered for his love of family, his endless generosity, his ever-present sharp wit and sarcastic humor, and his strength of character and personal integrity. A man of devotion, Mr. Rogers consistently supported the Catholic Church and was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Known for his mastery of impeccable writing, Mr. Rogers became a partner, and practiced with the law firm of Lawler, Felix and Hall

in Los Angeles for most of his career. His most prominent matters related to the telecommunications industry. Mr. Rogers served on or chaired various Bar committees and also valued the camaraderie of his fellow members of the Bar as a member of The Chancery Club of Los Angeles.

The youngest of three brothers, Charles adored his brothers: Joseph W., the late Michael C. and John F. ``Jack''. They stayed close throughout their lives and enjoyed their time together.

Charles is survived by Marion, his wife of nearly 55 years; their six children, Pamela Burton (John), David (Vicky), Albie, Marion Riley Campbell (Robin), Charles (Anne), and Sarah Krappman (Matthew); their 15 grandchildren (Timothy, Nancy, Lisa, Sarah, Renee and Michelle Burton; Ryan and Spencer Rogers; Liam Riley, Marion Riley Campbell and Eileen Riley Campbell; Brian and Thomas Rogers; and Charles and Kevin Krappman); two brothers, Joe and Jack, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Rogers will be remembered by his dear family and friends as a dedicated family man who rendered tireless service to those who had the opportunity to associate with him.

Madam Speaker, I once again pay tribute to this great American and family man. His life was a testament to patriotism and the importance of family, and I am honored to speak on his behalf today. I encourage my colleagues to join me in recognizing and celebrating the life of Mr. Charles Lightwood Rogers.

Madam Speaker, I rise in very strong opposition to this flawed bill that imposes new taxes, increases costs to consumers, and adds to our already massive deficit. This bill and the outrageous abuse of process and all the backroom deals needed to secure passage is simply the wrong approach.

My father was a teaching physician at USC-LA County Medical Center. He would have been appalled that a massive new bureaucracy will now be making the health care decisions for his patients. In my district, thousands of seniors will lose their preferred Medicare Advantage coverage that serves them so well and has saved lives.

This bill is little more than a shell game that shifts costs, picks winners and losers, and does nothing to achieve real reform. The American people have resoundingly rejected this dangerous approach. True reform should be accomplished with bipartisan cooperation, not strong-arm tactics. The only thing that is truly bipartisan tonight is opposition to this deeply flawed bill. We can and must do better. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``no.''