Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Jamie Kotula Foundation, an organization set forth to enrich the lives of others in Northeastern Pennsylvania through ``random acts of kindness,'' a strong value of Jamie Kotula. The Foundation will also host the third annual Kick-Off Classic on August 31 and September 1, 2013, marking the outset of the fall sports season at Marywood University in Scranton.

Jamie Kotula, who tragically passed in a car accident on the morning of January 14, 2011 at the age of sixteen, lived a life of service towards others. His selfless character was revealed as a student at Holy Cross High School in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, where he served as secretary of the Student Council and a member of the boys' varsity soccer, swim, and track teams. In addition to being a dedicated class leader and a skilled and energetic athlete, Jamie was extremely well- rounded as a member of the National Honor Society, the Pro-Life club, chess club, foreign language club, and the show choir.

In honor of Jamie Kotula, who lived his life in the present each and every day, the Jamie Kotula Foundation was created to support like- minded individuals and groups in Northeast Pennsylvania who enrich lives and communities through acts of kindness and selflessness. Since its creation in 2011, the Foundation has distributed more than $100,000 in both scholarships and donations to charitable causes, such as helping out the victims of the school violence at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.

In recognition of the community contributions of the Jamie Kotula Foundation's largest event, the Kick-Off Classic, I add my congratulations and best wishes for continued success and service.

Mr. Speaker, I note that the gallery is filled with students and their families. Due to this House's failure to produce realistic bipartisan legislation, the interest rate of college loans has doubled from 3.4 to 6.8 percent for more than 7.4 million students.

We know investing in education is an investment in our Nation's future and in our Nation's economic strength. Not acting takes $1,000 per year out of graduates' pockets--$1,000 not going to savings, not going to buying new cars, not going to buying new homes.

And at this time of historically low interest rates, it just doesn't make any sense for us to further burden our youth.

I call on Congress to keep our rates low so today's youth can prosper like their parents and their grandparents did as well.

Madam Speaker, as the House prepares this week to vote for the 38th time to take patient protections away from working families

and to undermine the economic security of the middle class, millions of working Americans are struggling to make ends meet due to this Chamber's inaction.

It has been months since across-the-board sequester cuts were enacted, devastating so many important Federal programs on which Americans rely; and now, as the House leadership refuses to allow votes on alternatives to replace the sequester, 18,132 Defense employees are currently being involuntarily furloughed across Pennsylvania, resulting in a $71 million economic loss for my State. In one place alone, 3,528 middle class Americans are being furloughed at the Tobyhanna Army Depot, which is a facility that provides essential support for our warfighters.

We have to work together to fix this problem and to reduce our deficit by growing the economy.

Thank you, Congressman Cardenas. I want to say tonight that I'm so proud of my fellow men and women, new Members who have spoken in this Special Order hour so far on comprehensive immigration reform.

Madam Speaker, it is obvious from the comments we've heard so far that the economic benefits of immigration reform are irrefutable. Sometimes you do have to follow the money, and the money speaks very loudly and clearly in this case--comprehensive immigration reform cannot be ignored as the correct solution. But I also want to mention that each and every one of the speakers who has been up so far has also said generically it is the right thing to do. I want to touch on that, if I may, this evening.

In my own faith tradition when we think about what the right thing to do is, we look to the Bible. We look to the Good Book. In my mind, one of the most important passages in the Bible describes what happens on the Last Judgment Day. It goes something like this:

When the Son of Man returns in all his glory, escorted by the angels, then he will take his seat on the throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate the people one from another as the shepherd separates the sheep from goats. At his right hand, he will place the sheep, at his left the goats. And to those on his right, he will say, Come, accept as your inheritance the kingdom that has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For when I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me.

This passage could not be more clear on the moral imperative of the day when we talk about comprehensive immigration reform. It isn't just that comprehensive immigration reform will reduce our deficit. It isn't just that comprehensive immigration reform will strengthen our Social Security and our Medicare systems. It isn't just that comprehensive immigration reform will increase our gross domestic product and strengthen our American economy. No, more than that, at the heart of our moral fiber, we know comprehensive immigration reform is the right thing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in strong opposition to this farm bill rule and the underlying bill because it increases hunger in America, and it punishes all of

those who rely on the SNAP program in this country.

Mr. Speaker, the time has come for this House to address comprehensive immigration reform. If the Senate can fashion a bipartisan bill, we can too.

Follow the money. Bringing 11 million people out of the shadows would increase our gross domestic product by $832 billion over 10 years. Follow the money. The CBO calculates that the Senate bill will cut the deficit by $197 billion over 10 years. What is not to like about that?

The plan that passed the Senate would strengthen our borders, crack down on employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers, and let those who want to earn their citizenship do just that.

Mr. Speaker, if the Senate can do it, we can do it too.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

I rise to oppose this amendment, this attempt by the gentleman from Ohio to zero out the regional commissions' budgets. I want to focus particularly on the Appalachian Regional Commission, the

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Scranton's oldest, most respected community service institutions: St. Joseph's Center. On July 1, St. Joseph's will celebrate its 125th anniversary. Since 1888, St. Joseph's Center has provided much-needed services in northeastern Pennsylvania.

From the very beginning, the women of St. Joseph's organized to help the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians--abandoned orphans with nowhere else to turn. There was such a demand for their assistance that St. Joseph's outgrew three buildings before 1900. From sheltering homeless infants, St. Joseph's quickly expanded to assist unwed mothers and provide child placement services.

After World War II, St. Joseph's refocused on another area of pressing, unmet need in the community. The center was quickly transformed from an orphanage into a center for children diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. Today, the center runs thirteen community homes where individuals with even the most serious disabilities can live well, treated with dignity and respect.

St. Joseph's also worked actively to support families caring for children with intellectual disabilities at home. They provide community-based assistance to hundreds of families every year. In 2003, the opening of the Blakely Street Campus for Adult Day Services allowed St. Joseph's to offer year-round services for young people with intellectual disabilities who are not in one of the Center's residential programs.

Today, St. Joseph's still provides shelter and support for pregnant women. They offer not just counseling and adoption services but life- skills training, a mother/infant residence and, most importantly, a steadfast commitment to the values that have guided them since their founding 125 years ago. The Center's service to the community has truly been outstanding, and we look forward to the next 125 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of comprehensive immigration reform.

In the Bible, it couldn't be more clear:

When the Son of Man returns in all his glory, escorted by

the angels, then He will take His seat on the thrown of

glory. All the nations will be assembled before Him, and He

will separate the people one from another, like sheep from

goats. On the right hand, He will place the sheep; on the

left, the goats. And to those on His right, he will say: Come

accept the inheritance that is yours, that has been prepared

for you since the foundation of the world, for when I was

hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me

drink; when I was a stranger, you made me welcome.

My fellow Members of this House, comprehensive immigration reform is not just the right thing to do; it is the righteous thing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John J. Morelli, who received the Tomb Honor Guard Identification Badge and Bronze Star of the United States Army. Mr. Morelli is also being honored by his town of Olyphant, Pennsylvania, and his name will be displayed on a historical marker to be dedicated there tomorrow morning, June 14.

Mr. Morelli, born January 18, 1918 to John and Lucy Morelli, began his distinguished life living in the rear of his family-owned shoe repair shop in Olyphant. During his early years, Mr. Morelli attended Olyphant High School and entered the United States Army at the age of twenty-two.

Mr. Morelli was stationed stateside during World War II where he was honored to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. One of his other duties during this period of service included guarding German prisoners of war in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mr. Morelli's career in the Army continued when he fought in the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea. During Mr. Morelli's first day of combat, the sergeant he was sent to replace was shot by enemy fire, prompting Mr. Morelli to expose himself as a target while trying to save the fallen soldier. This act of bravery earned Mr. Morelli the Bronze Star Medal.

Also highly notable are Mr. Morelli's nine and a half--albeit non- consecutive--years as Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Mr. Morelli held this prestigious assignment, among the rarest in the Army, longer than any other soldier in history. Due to Mr. Morelli's outstanding service, he was awarded the Tomb Honor Guard Identification Badge, the second rarest military badge after the Astronaut Badge.

In recognition of Mr. Morelli's achievements in the Army, the historical marker will be dedicated tomorrow at the site of his father's former shoe repair shop in Olyphant. I add my congratulations and heartfelt thanks for exemplary service to our country on this momentous occasion.

Thank you, Representative Hanabusa.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment and in support of the over 5,000 men and women who work at the Tobyhanna Army Depot who support our warfighters.

The OMB circular A-76 process, which this amendment seeks to reinstate, has been prohibited because it's unfair to Federal employees and wasteful of taxpayer dollars.

The OMB and the Pentagon, who have historically been the biggest boosters of this process, both acknowledge that A-76 is flawed and they oppose its revival.

The DOD acknowledges it's still improving its statutorily required improvements, and it would be rash for us to jump past their internal procedures for improvement.

Lifting the moratorium would eliminate the incentives the Department needs to fix the A-76 process, and we would not be doing our jobs if we rushed to allow a flawed procedure to lay off our dedicated civilian workforce and, in many cases, hurt the taxpayers in the process.

Mr. Speaker, by 2018, 63 percent of all American job openings are going to require some sort of post-high school education. Workers who hold bachelor's degrees make, on average, double the people who don't have bachelor's degrees.

Now, if we fail to take responsible action this month, student loan rates are going to double on 7.4 million American students. At a time when other interest rates are at historic lows, this body passed H.R. 1911, a bill that would make college more expensive.

I urge this body to pass H.R. 1433, to hold interest rates where they are in order to broaden opportunities and allow everybody a piece of the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. for recently celebrating its 48th Anniversary on Monday, May 20, 2013. For nearly half a century, the program has been serving Luzerne County and Wyoming County by providing quality prekindergarten education to children who come from low-income families. Head Start teachers work with children, and

their families, to help them set the foundations for success in school and in later life.

Head Start is unique in its comprehensive approach to the needs of children and families. Currently Luzerne County Head Start provides 1,037 children with early learning education. In addition to creating an environment for early academic development, Head Start also provides an environment for healthy early physical development. Children that attend Head Start receive health checkups, oral screenings and nutritious meals. The Head Start faculty also teaches their students about comprehensive health and nutrition, giving them the knowledge they will need to make the right choices about the food they eat.

Head Start also focuses on the whole family unit, not just the child. One primary goal of the program is to move preschool children and their families toward self-sufficiency. Parents are assisted with a wide range of family needs including housing and employment, as well as adult education. Head Start offers assistance to parents interested in obtaining a high school General Equivalency Diploma or other adult education and employment opportunities.

Head Start works with children at a critical learning age. The children begin to socialize with others, solve problems, and have other experiences that help them to become self-confident. I commend the Luzerne County Head Start program for their continuing service to the community. I thank them for being a valuable educational asset to the community these past 48 years, and I wish them all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1910, the bipartisan Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act, which I've introduced

this term with Representative Mike Turner of Ohio. This is a bill that will help level the playing field for American manufacturers and retailers and protect American consumers.

Current law allows foreign companies selling defective products in the United States to dodge service of process, and they do. When a foreign company does that, it puts all of the burden on American retailers to account for any harm that is caused because of the defective product. That is not fair to American companies, and it's not fair to American citizens.

This bill streamlines service rules so foreign companies selling products here in America can be served with process here in America.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the Members to support H.R. 1910. Let's make sure that everyone benefiting from the American marketplace plays by American rules.

I thank you, Mr. Pocan.

Mr. Speaker, talking about the middle class is something that isn't done enough of here in this Chamber. The middle class is something that makes America what it is.

The middle class is something that speaks to Americans and says: Come join us. We represent opportunity in this country. We represent the ability to achieve more, to realize the American Dream.

It's the middle class that makes America different from so many other nations in this world, and it's the middle class for which we must work overtime to make sure we preserve it, because if we lose the middle class in this country, we lose the sense of opportunity, the sense of hope, the sense of upward mobility. We lose an essential element of what it is to be Americans. We have to do everything we can to preserve the middle class, and one of the biggest, stoutest pillars of the middle class is our education system in this country, including the higher education system.

I rise, Mr. Speaker, in opposition to H.R. 1911, on the floor tomorrow. Nominally, it is called the Smarter Solutions for Students Act. I call it--and many of my colleagues call it--the ``Make College More Expensive Act,'' which is a much more accurate title for this bill.

According to the Congressional Research Service, under H.R. 1911, students who borrow the maximum amount of $27,000 of unsubsidized and subsidized Stafford loans over 5 years would pay $12,374 in interest; or $10,867 in interest under current law if rates are allowed to double to 6.8 percent; or $7,033 if rates stay at 3.4 percent. Keeping the interest rates where they are will save our students nearly $5,000.

For that reason, I cosponsored Representative Joseph Courtney's bill, H.R. 1433, which will extend these low rates for at least 2 more years, and that's the fair thing to do. That's the decent thing to do. It's the American thing to do to protect the middle class. This is the approach that we need now with costs of college rising and student debt expanding at historically high rates. Let's examine the facts:

The total outstanding student loan debt in the United States has surpassed the $1 trillion mark. This is a figure that has outpaced credit card debt, auto debt, and it's second only to mortgage debt in this entire Nation. A recent study shows that student loan debt is the only type of consumer debt in the United States of America that has actually increased during this Great Recession, and the problem only continues to grow worse.

As a result of these debts, millions of Americans cannot buy cars, purchase new homes, start businesses or do the other things that mean realizing the American Dream. It's a terrible time for young people. It's a horrific time for young people.

Let's talk about the unemployment rate for young people. The unemployment rate in April for people between the ages of 16 and 24 was 16.2 percent, more than double the national average that we read about in the newspapers. According to a recent study commissioned by Demos, nearly 45 percent of unemployed Americans are between those ages of 16 and 34. The study also stated that 4.7 million young Americans are underemployed, working part-time, when what they really want to do is get full-time, family-sustaining, good-paying jobs. They don't have them.

As a result, young Americans are either unemployed or are underemployed and will likely lose a combined $20 billion in earnings over the next decade. That's from the Center for American Progress. Raising their college interest rates is going to further impact their ability to purchase homes, cars, to pay for their children to go to school, further dragging down our dragging economy.

This is all on top of the cost of college. The average published tuition and fees for in-State students at public 4-year colleges in this country increased by 66 percent beyond the rate of inflation between the 2002-2003 and the 2012-2013 academic years. For private colleges, the tuition and fees increased by

27 percent beyond the rate of inflation in that comparable time period. Since 1982, the cost of college tuition and fees has gone up 582 percent--twice the rate of medical care, which is also exploding as we all know.

To help provide students and parents greater transparency as to the true cost of what a college education in total will cost, I introduced last week H.R. 2020, the Truth in Tuition Act, which will require schools to either present each incoming class of students with a multiyear tuition and fee schedule or to give each student a nonbinding estimate of what their education will cost them individually.

H.R. 2020, the Truth in Tuition Act, would require schools either to present each incoming class of students with a multiyear tuition and fee schedule or give each student a nonbinding estimate of what their education is going to cost them individually, taking into account tuition fees and that particular student's financial aid package.

In this bill, there are no price caps, and it does not freeze the price of tuition. Schools are free to set tuition rates as they see fit. This legislation will help students and families plan by laying it out in front of them, what they can expect the entire cost of the college education to be, and make sure colleges and universities give every student a clear picture of what their degree will cost.

Responsible colleges and universities are already doing this, and this is already the law in the State of Illinois. This is already happening. But it's the noncompliant, it's the colleges that maybe aren't going the extra mile to inform the students of what kind of fees and costs and tuition that they're facing during the whole course of their university or college career, it's the colleges and universities who are not revealing this that this bill is addressing.

This legislation will help students and families plan for higher education by making sure that they get a clear picture of what the degree is going to cost. It's also going to cut down on excessive tuition and fee fluctuations. It's going to help rein in skyrocketing college costs, and it will encourage colleges to maintain some kind of level, nonfluctuating tuition schedule so that surprises don't happen to the students.

It will also slow college dropout rates in this Nation. Colleges all across the country are experiencing dropouts for the very reason that the students didn't expect the tuition and fees to be raised the way they have been.

The cost of a higher education and the debt carried by our recent graduates have skyrocketed across the last decade. It's the cost of the tuition and it's the interest attached to the debt that are the crippling features of this. Without having a full picture of college costs, students and their families are forced to take on more student loan debt than they originally anticipated. This bill, H.R. 2020, the Truth in Tuition Act, helps stop the uncertainty.

A further advantage of it is in the pricing, colleges will think ahead about costs and have incentives to develop more restrained budget growth plans. Ultimately, advertised long-term pricing may encourage some colleges to limit their tuition growth voluntarily. In the event of severe economic hardship on the part of the college or the university, a dramatic reduction in State aid for higher education or other exceptional circumstances, this bill provides a waiver for the Secretary of Education to be able to issue to make sure that the schools are not detrimentally impacted.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose H.R. 1911 because it allows the costs of college and university education to get out of hand because of interest rates, and I'm introducing H.R. 2020, the Truth in Tuition Act, in order to restrain costs to begin with. Doing both of these things is something we need to be doing in this Chamber because it is buttressing one of the foundations of the American middle class, allowing young people to complete the educations that they hope to complete, to become the people they want to be, to train themselves, to equip them to compete on a global scale and to achieve the American Dream ultimately, a dream that everyone needs to be able to achieve in this country. Once we start letting go of that, we start letting go of what this country is, the United States of America.