Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1202, a resolution that supports the goals and ideals of a National Guard Youth Challenge Day.

This measure celebrates the success of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. Implemented by the National Guard in participating states, the program aims to address the growing national epidemic of high school dropouts by improving the education, life skills, and employment potential for ``at risk'' youth through military-based training and supervised work experience. The program is fundamental in giving young people a second chance to obtain their high school diplomas and to become productive citizens within their communities.

The National Guard Youth Challenge Program is results-driven and cost-effective. Since its inception in 1993, nearly 80,000 students have graduated from the program, and more than 90 percent of its graduates earn their high school diploma or GED, go to college, enter the military, or join the workforce.

When I served as Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, I met with program participants and staff on numerous occasions and was impressed by the achievements of its graduates. The National Guard Youth Challenge Program has made a lasting impact on young people

and communities not only in Hawaii but across the Nation.

I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 487, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3195, the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. I would like to thank the chief sponsor of the bill, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, George Miller, for their leadership and work on disability rights.

Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, 18 years ago with overwhelming support from both parties and President George H.W. Bush. The intent of Congress was clear: to make this great Nation's promise of equality and freedom a reality for Americans with disabilities.

Standing together, leaders from both parties described the law as ``historic,'' ``landmark,'' an ``emancipation proclamation for people with disabilities.'' These were not timid or hollow words. The congressional mandate was ambitious: prohibit unfair discrimination and require changes in workplaces, public transportation systems, businesses, and other programs or services.

Through this broad mandate, Congress intended to protect anyone who is treated less favorably because of a current, past, or perceived disability. As with other civil rights laws, Congress wanted to focus on whether an individual could prove that he or she had been treated less favorably because of a physical or mental impairment. Congress never intended for the courts to seize on the definition of ``disability'' as a means of excluding individuals with serious health conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, HIV, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis from protection under the law.

Yet this is exactly what has happened. Through a series of decisions interpreting the definition of ``disability'' narrowly, the U.S. Supreme Court has inappropriately shifted the focus away from an employer's alleged misconduct onto whether an individual can first meet a ``demanding standard for qualifying as disabled.''

Millions of Americans who experience disability-based discrimination have been or will be denied protection under ADA and barred from challenging discriminatory conduct. By passing H.R. 3195, the Congress will be able to correct these decisions made by the courts.

H.R. 3195 would do this by: amending the definition of ``disability'' so that individuals who Congress originally intended to protect from discrimination are covered under the ADA; preventing the courts from considering ``mitigating measures'' when deciding whether an individual qualifies for protection under the law; and keeping the focus in employment cases on the reason for the adverse action. The appropriate question is whether someone can show that he or she was treated less favorably ``on the basis of disability'' and not whether an individual has revealed enough private and highly personal facts about how he or she is limited by an impairment. The bill reminds the courts that--as with any other civil rights law--the ADA must be interpreted fairly, and as Congress intended.

As an original cosponsor of H.R. 3195, I believe that it rightfully will restore protections for disabled Americans under the landmark ADA, one of our Nation's most important civil rights laws.

I would like to share with you just a few examples of how ADA has made a positive impact for individuals with disabilities in my home State of Hawaii:

An 85 year old Honolulu woman, who is both deaf and blind, is able to access the public transportation system to visit her husband who resides in a long-term care facility far from her home.

The first ``chirping'' traffic light on the island of Kauai was installed at a busy intersection thanks to the work of an advocate for the blind.

The annual Maui County Fair has a special day set aside for people with disabilities to participate in the rides and games.

A Kauai bakery installed a blinking light system on their ovens so that a hearing-impaired employee would be notified when her baking was complete, thus allowing her to work independently.

Each year, the Hawaii State Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division of the Department of Human Services recognizes outstanding clients from the districts they serve. I would like to recognize the following 2007 Rehabilitants of the Year: Deanna DeLeon of the Big Island, Rogie Yasay Pagatpatan of Maui, Serafin Palomares of Kauai, and Tauloa ``Mona'' Pouso`o of Oahu. I would like to include in the Congressional Record their stories of success, as each of these individuals leads a life of inspiration.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 3195 so we can continue to build on the successes of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mahalo (thank you).

Hawaii Branch 2007 Rehabilitant of the Year, Nominated by Ellen

Okimoto, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Deanna DeLeon came to VR in March 2006 looking for a way to

change her life. Deanna faced many challenges in her life.

Her past history of abuse led her to the Big Island Drug

Court Program. Through this program and with the support of

the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Deanna set a goal

of becoming successfully employed.

The combination of her past work experience in the hotel

industry and as an administrative assistant qualified her for

a position as a tour receptionist with Wyndham Vacation

Resorts in June 2006. Deanna's supervisor, Patsy Mecca,

stated that Deanna brings positive energy and a bright smile

to the team. Deanna has since been promoted to a Gifting

Supervisor and continues to work in a job that she so loves.

Go Forward To Work. Congratulations, Deanna for a job well

done.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the AbilityOne Program, formerly known as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program, which focuses on job skills and training for more than 48,000 Americans who are blind or who have other severe disabilities.

Last year, I visited the clients and staff of the Arc of Hilo, one of the community partners of the AbilityOne Program in my district. The Arc of Hilo strives to improve the quality of life for people with developmental or other disabilities through educational, recreational, vocational, and skills training as well as employment and residential opportunities. Through these programs, the Arc of Hilo is able to reduce incidents of depression, poor health, isolation, exclusion, discrimination, poverty, and substance abuse among this vulnerable population.

The AbilityOne Program allows individuals, like the clients of the Arc of Hilo, to enjoy full participation in our communities. It is an invaluable program.

I would also like to recognize and thank Michael Gleason, the president and CEO of the Are of Hilo, and his staff, for their dedication to serving the needs of their clients, as well as the clients themselves for their hard work and contribution to our greater society.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from California for yielding me time.

I rise today in support of H. Res. 1153, celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. First, I want to thank the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the 78 cosponsors of the resolution. I hope all the Members of the House will join me in supporting this measure.

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is composed of over 15 million people. AAPIs own 1.1 million businesses, generating an estimated $326 billion for our economy. The community is a crucial element in the cultural fabric of the United States, representing people from East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Pacific islands. We celebrate the month of April as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to not only commemorate the achievements of the AAPI community, but to remind us of the work that is left to do.

In this resolution I highlight four leaders of the AAPI community. One such leader is Yuri Kochiyama, a Japanese American civil rights activist who was involved in attaining reparations for Japanese Americans, and the reformation of the Harlem school system in the 1960s.

Another notable member is Private First Class Herbert Pililaau, a native Hawaiian Medal of Honor recipient who died in combat during the Korean War while courageously volunteering to defend his fellow soldiers as they withdrew from their posts.

Also noteworthy is Dalip Singh Suand, the first Asian American and Sikh American elected to Congress, who advocated for naturalization rights for people of South Asian descent.

Finally, I'd like to commend my predecessor, the late Patsy Takemoto Mink, for becoming not only the first Asian American woman, but also the first woman of color elected to Congress. Her work to increase access to education, particularly through title IX, is an inspiration for my bill, the PRE-K Act, which focuses on our youngest children.

The AAPI community has accomplished much and given much, given their history of discrimination. For example, in 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act barred Chinese laborers from entering the United States, even though prior to this date, Chinese laborers built our transcontinental railroad.

And another example, in 1942, 120,000 Japanese American citizens and legal residents were relocated to internment camps, while many of their sons served in the 442nd regimental combat team, the most decorated unit in U.S. history.

We've repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act and have granted reparations for surviving Japanese Americans. But

there is still much to do to address social and political challenges facing the AAPI community.

One major issue is securing self-determination rights for native Hawaiians. H.R. 505, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, grants native Hawaiians the same rights to manage their affairs currently enjoyed by other indigenous people, the American Indians and the Alaskan Natives. I thank the Members who supported passage of H.R. 505 in the House last year.

Additionally, about 2,000 Filipinos fought alongside American servicemen in World War II. These Filipino veterans were promised full veterans benefits, yet in 1946, President Truman signed the Rescission Act which stripped them of benefits that were accorded to all other soldiers. Compounding this inequity are the immigration quotas that delayed for up to 20 years the issuance of visas to sons and daughters of these Filipino veterans, a major hindrance to the reunification of these families.

We have an opportunity in the House to remedy these situations through two measures that address these issues. S. 1315, which passed the Senate by an overwhelming 96-1 vote, would allow the surviving Filipino World War II veterans to obtain veteran benefits; and my bill, H.R. 1287, the Filipino Veterans' Family Reunification Act, which would exempt the sons and daughters of naturalized Filipino veterans from immigration quotas.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in advancing these legislative priorities for the AAPI community.

In closing, our vast pool of knowledge, talent, and cultural diversity is a source of strength for the United States. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1153 and to participate in events celebrating AAPIs throughout your communities.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1137) supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Works Week, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H. Res. 1137.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1137, supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Works Week. I thank the gentleman from Minnesota, Jim Oberstar, Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, for bringing this measure to the floor and for his strong advocacy in support of our Nation's infrastructure needs.

This week, we honor and recognize the oftentimes unsung heroes of this Nation's public health and economic livelihood, the public works professionals who keep our country running smoothly. The infrastructure facilities and services that these professionals design, maintain and repair are critical to addressing our country's vast needs. Without our rail systems, our airports, our pipelines, our water treatment plants and other such services, our country would be unable to function.

Instituted as a public education campaign in 1960, every third week in May recognizes the quiet dedication of the workers who continue to build and maintain our country's transportation and infrastructure each year. For the hard work that these workers put in to improve each citizen's life on a daily basis, it is only fitting that we designate one week a year to celebrate their efforts. In the past, Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson have sent letters of acknowledgment to this event, and a Presidential Proclamation was signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

While we will continue to formally appreciate this week, I believe it would

also be fitting for us to show our appreciation through our actions. Last August, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, WRDA, by a vote of 381-40. This past November, this body overrode a presidential veto for WRDA 2007 by a vote of 361- 54. The vote showed an ever-present need to continue to invest and improve in our country's vast network of infrastructure. We must continue to remind our President that these projects need funding, and that ignoring our Nation's needs will only cause our current problems to grow and our infrastructure to deteriorate.

I support our public works professionals, our transportation and infrastructure systems and National Public Works Week. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

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

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman for his acknowledgement of the importance of maintaining our infrastructure, rail, water, air, and highways.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 309) authorizing the use of the Capitol

Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 309.

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

House Concurrent Resolution 309 authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the District of Columbia's Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. I thank Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton for bringing this measure to the floor.

The Capitol Police, along with the D.C. Special Olympics, will participate in the torch run to be held on June 6, 2008. The D.C. Special Olympics will work closely with the Capitol Police and the Architect of the Capitol to make sure that the event is in full compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of Capitol grounds. Consistent with all events on Capitol Hill, the event will be free and open to the public.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics is run nationwide by law enforcement officers, leading up to each State's or National Special Olympics summer games. As a matter of fact, I have participated a number of times in Hawaii's Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Each year, nearly 50 local and Federal law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C. participate to show their support of the D.C. Special Olympics. This torch relay event is a traditional part of the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics which will take place at Catholic University in the District of Columbia. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 339) supporting the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks, and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 339.

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

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 339, a resolution that supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and that brings much needed attention to motorcycle safety on our Nation's roadways. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Giffords) for bringing this important issue to the forefront.

As spring arrives, our highways and rural roads will once again see a large increase in motorcycle traffic across the country. Motorcycles make up a valuable component of the transportation network in our Nation, with over 6.2 million registered motorcycles in the United States in 2006. These numbers continue to grow in each year as registrations increase by over 60 percent from 1998 to 2005.

With gas prices approximating $4 per gallon, motorcyclists benefit from the significant advantage they hold in fuel efficiency over drivers. However, this increasingly popular mode of transportation also requires greater attention to the safety concerns associated with riding. Because of their smaller size, motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle's blind spot. Public awareness of motorcycle safety benefits everyone that uses our Nation's roadways, not just motorcyclists, because it can lead to a decrease in car-motorcycle crashes.

Mr. Speaker, the statistics on motorcycle fatalities and injuries each year further illustrate the importance of public awareness and the need for greater education of all roadway users. Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are approximately 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and eight times more likely to be injured. In 2006, motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the ninth straight year.

According to NHTSA, between 1996 and 2006 there were 35,546 motorcyclist fatalities, and 708,000 motorcyclist injuries on U.S. roadways. In 2006, there were 4,810 motorcycle fatalities and 88,000 injuries, up from 2,161 fatalities and 55,000 injuries in 1996.

Throughout Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, riders are encouraged to become educated on the importance of following the rules of the roadway, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing protective gear, such as a helmet. NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,658 motorcyclists' lives in 2006, and that 752 more lives could have been saved if the motorcyclists involved in fatal nonhelmeted crashes had worn helmets.

Mr. Speaker, as these statistics illustrate, increased awareness of motorcycle safety is an important and urgent need in this country. We cannot allow thousands of riders to die each year on our Nation's highways. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month helps to decrease motorcycle crashes through licensing, rider training, education, enforcement, personal responsibility, and increased public awareness.

I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Giffords) for introducing this resolution, and urge my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 305) recognizing the importance of bicycling in transportation and recreation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks, and to include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 305.

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

I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 305, a resolution that recognizes the important role bicycling plays in both recreation and transportation. I thank Representative Earl Blumenauer, an avid cyclist, for bringing this measure to the floor. May has been designated as National Bike Month, making it an appropriate time to consider this measure.

Cycling is a healthy, environmentally friendly activity and mode of transportation. At a time when our Nation is facing a growing obesity epidemic and the challenges of global climate change, we in Congress should be making every effort to encourage and accommodate cyclists.

H. Con. Res. 305 expresses the support of the Congress for a number of commonsense approaches to increase bicycling and to protect cyclists, including setting goals to reduce vehicle miles traveled, or VMT, and to increase the safety of cyclists, spending highway safety funds proportionately to the percentage of cyclist and pedestrian deaths, implementing ``complete streets'' policies that take into account the needs of all users when designing a road, streamlining nonmotorized transportation project delivery while upholding environmental standards, creating bicycle-friendly Federal lands and developing a national bike route system, continuing and strengthening Federal programs that support nonmotorized transportation and increasing intermodalism, building on the Green the Capitol initiative, which includes a bike sharing program and sets an example for employers to be bicycle friendly.

In 1994, the U.S. Department of Transportation, DOT, delivered the National Bicycling and Walking Study to Congress, which created a now- defunct interagency task force to coordinate bicycling and walking safety and mobility efforts across Federal agencies. This resolution encourages DOT to reestablish this task force with representatives from all appropriate Federal agencies.

H. Con. Res. 305 gives us a foundation to use as we consider the role cycling will play in the upcoming surface transportation authorization, and lays out a number of thoughtful approaches to increase bicycling and keep cyclists safe.

I thank, again, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for introducing this resolution, and urge my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 320 and 321, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on No. 320 and ``nay'' on No. 321.

personal explanation

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill authorizing appropriations for the National Tropical Botanical Garden. This is a companion to S. 2220, which was introduced by Senator Daniel K. Akaka and cosponsored by Senators Daniel K. Inouye, Bill Nelson, and Mel Martinez. S. 2220 was approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on April 10, 2008. I am joined in introducing this bill by Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida.

The Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden was chartered by Congress in 1964; it was renamed the National Tropical Botanical Garden in 1988 through an Act of Congress. The purposes of the garden as set forth in the 1964 charter was to: establish, develop, operate and maintain an education and scientific center with libraries, herbaria, laboratories and museums appropriate and necessary for encouraging and conducting research in basic and applied tropical botany; foster and encourage fundamental research with respect to tropical plant life and to encourage research and study of the uses of tropical flora in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, medicine and other sciences; disseminate through publications and other media the knowledge acquired at the gardens relative to basic and applied tropical botany; collect and cultivate tropical flora of every nature and origin and to preserve for the people of the United States species of tropical plant life threatened with extinction; and provide a beneficial facility that will contribute to the education, instruction, and recreation of the people of the United States.

Although its charter does not include authorization of appropriations, the National Tropical Botanical Garden has endeavored, with notable success, to live up to the goals set forth in its charter. Its work has been almost exclusively supported by private donations from individuals and foundations. Operating support of nearly $100 million has been provided through donations in the 43 years of the Garden's existence; assets valued at $50 million, including endowments, trusts, land, buildings, and rare books are owned by the Garden. During its 43 years, the Garden has received less than $5 million in federal grants and contracts. The National Tropical Botanical Garden files an audit report with the Senate each year by an independent auditing firm in accordance with the terms of its Congressional Charter.

The National Tropical Botanical Garden manages five tropical botanical gardens and three preserves, which comprise 1,800 acres. Four of the gardens and the three preserves are in Hawaii's second Congressional District, which I represent. One of the gardens is located in Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen's district in Florida. More than a collection of beautiful and rare plants, the National Tropical Botanical Garden also has important research and educational facilities. These include the Loy McCandless Marks Botanical Library, the largest and most important botanical/horticultural library collection in Hawaii, and a major regional herbarium used by scientists throughout the world.

The Garden conducts world-class, state-of-the-art tropical biodiversity research and conservation, which distinguishes it from display-oriented gardens and parks in the United States and abroad. The Garden has extensive national and international alliances with botanical gardens, universities, and research centers. It has a visiting scientist program and the library is used by a wide array of scientists, including federal researchers. However, these facilities badly need to be updated. The Garden has a plan to construct a new Botanical Research Center. Such a Center would bring the Garden's significant botanical, research, and rare book libraries and its unique and important herbarium collections together under one roof, along with research laboratories, offices, and dedicated space for students and visiting researchers.

The Garden's research focuses on field research, including discovering new species; documenting and conserving ecosystems, endangered species, and cultural knowledge; and addressing invasive species and restoration ecology issues. Its scientists are involved in a number of international science programs focused primarily on the Pacific Islands.

Some 90 percent of all biodiversity exists in the tropics. Hawaii, the only U.S. State in the tropics, is home to more endangered plants and animals than any other State. This is due to the high percentage of unique, endemic species that evolved because of Hawaii's geographic isolation and their susceptibility to the impacts of aggressive nonnative species and diseases. However, over the past 30 years, the National Tropical Botanical Garden has rediscovered some two dozen species that were thought to be extinct and discovered 30 new species previously unknown to science. Many of the species that the Garden is working to preserve and protect hold promise for the future development of drugs to cure diseases. The Garden's research teams conduct ethnobotanical research to study and document how indigenous people used plants. Ethnobotanical fieldwork is augmented by laboratory studies using state-of-the-art technology to determine a plant's molecular composition and medicinal properties. This research has yielded potential new anti-HIV medication and provided clues to the genesis of ALS and Parkinson's disease.

While the National Tropical Botanical Garden has achieved much over the past four decades, there is so much work that is needed. Although the primary support for the Garden will always be private funding, it is fitting that we have an opportunity to appropriate funds to support this institution in achieving its Congressional Charter. Our bill authorizes annual appropriations up to $500,000 for operation and maintenance expenses. The 2008 budget for the Garden is $9 million, 95 percent of which will be provided from private sources.

I invite all of my colleagues to come to Hawaii or Florida to visit the National Tropical Botanical Garden and to observe firsthand the important conservation and research activities taking place. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 246, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Shingles Prevention Act.

Many of us have had shingles or know of others, especially over the age of 60, who have. In 2006 a new vaccine was created that prevents occurrence of shingles or dramatically reduces the symptoms and pain of shingles. Experts agree that adults over the age of 60 should receive this immunization.

Half of us will experience shingles by the time we are 80. Shingles is a painful skin rash often accompanied by fever, headache, chills, and upset stomach. What is more pressing is that one in five shingles patients will endure post-herpetic neuralgia--severe pain lasting much longer than the rash itself. The pain can be so intolerable that patients are housebound, and there have been cases of suicide from the disease. Shingles is most common among seniors because the immune system wanes with age, making Medicare beneficiaries the best candidates for the vaccine.

Since its development in 2006, the shingles vaccine has been recommended for adults 60 years or older by the Centers for Disease Control. However, current Medicare Part D coverage of the vaccine is insufficient. Not all beneficiaries are enrolled in Part D or another drug prescription plan. More important, seniors are facing high out-of- pocket costs due to a lack of coordination among doctors, pharmacies, and Part D plans. For example, there is no established direct billing method between doctors and plans for Part D vaccines. Because of this, beneficiaries typically must pay the full price up front, which results in out-of-pocket costs that limit access to those that need the vaccine the most--our seniors.

The billing problem, the resulting low utilization of the vaccine, and costly storage requirements are enough to keep many doctors from stocking the vaccine. When doctors do not stock, beneficiaries' only alternative is to obtain the vaccine from pharmacists. But many states do not allow pharmacies to administer Part D vaccines, so the beneficiary has to take the vial from the pharmacy back to the physician office. Thus, a senior who is thinking about getting vaccinated would have to go first to the doctor's office for a consult, then to the pharmacist, then back to the doctor for the shot.

Not surprisingly, many seniors are not getting immunized against shingles. This low utilization rate contributes to the half a billion dollars of treatment costs per year and, for hundreds of thousands of seniors, many weeks spent suffering from a disease that could have been prevented.

The Shingles Prevention Act will move shingles vaccine coverage to Part B--thus treating it in the same manner as the flu vaccine under Medicare, simplifying the process for physicians and beneficiaries, and lessening the cost burden for our seniors. This is a common sense and cost effective way to increase access to high quality health care for our seniors, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure its passage.

I thank the gentlelady from Florida for her leadership on issues important to our young people, and for yielding some time to me.

I know that you mentioned mothers and fathers. Well, grandparents, too, because I'm a step-grandparent and I have a wonderful step- daughter who has two young children. So these are issues near and dear to all of us.

As we commemorate the Week of the Young Child, I rise today in strong support of quality early childhood education, and tonight, in particular, for increased funding for Head Start and the Child Care and Development block grants, two Federal programs supporting our youngest children.

Congress got it right when it created Head Start 43 years ago. This is an example of a government program that families depend on every day and that really works, thanks largely to the many talented and dedicated teachers throughout our Nation.

I want to take a moment to commemorate the life of one such teacher,

Mrs. Leona Stevens, who served as the lead teacher at several Maui Head Start centers for over 15 years. She passed away unexpectedly recently and will be deeply missed by all of us.

Mrs. Stevens was known for valuing students' creativity and continually asked them, ``why do you think that'' and ``what do you think will happen?'' She was equally passionate about improving the quality of Head Start by training new early education teachers and furthering her own education. She went back to school to get her associates degree in early childhood education and spent 7 years working in partnership with Maui Community College to train new Head Start teachers.

Last year, while Leona was mentoring new young teachers, Congress worked hard to pass the Head Start Reauthorization bill, which was signed into law. The bill made many improvements to this program, but the single most important thing we did was to increase the amount of money authorized for Head Start.

Of course we all know the difference between authorized levels and appropriated levels. This year, we must put our money where our mouth is. The fact is, only half of all eligible children are served by Head Start, and a measly 3 percent of eligible infants and toddlers are served by early Head Start. This means hundreds of thousands of low- income families are without access to high-quality early education opportunities for their children.

Speaker Pelosi hosted a summit for America's children last year in which we heard from neuroscientists, police chiefs, business leaders, all of whom told us in unequivocal language that it pays to invest in children before they turn six. I chaired a hearing on early education in the full Education and Labor Committee earlier this year, and we heard the same message from State level advocates and policy makers.

I talk to parents, Kindergarten teachers and business leaders in Hawaii every time I go home, and they tell me that we must increase access to high-quality early education and child care opportunities. Why? Because that is the best investment that we can make in our young children and in our country's future.

Certainly this year, like every other year, Congress will face many difficult spending decisions. We will fund our veterans and troops, fund health and alternative energy research, fund our public schools. I will support increases in all of these things, but this is not a zero sum game and we cannot afford to let our youngest children slip through the cracks.

We should increase funding for Head Start by at least $1 billion and increase funding for CCDBG by $874 million. It is a matter of fairness. Every child deserves a shot at success. We know, however, that many children from low-income families start Kindergarten with half the vocabulary of their wealthier peers. High-quality preschool can do much to close this gap.

It is a matter, also, of economic prosperity. Our small business community, our science and technology community all need educated workers. Low-income children who go to a high-quality preschool are more likely to graduate from high school than their peers that did not go to preschool.

Finally, it is a smart investment of Federal dollars. Research shows that every dollar invested in high-quality early education programs returns somewhere between $2 and $17. Even at the very low end of that spectrum, it is a worthwhile investment.

Parents, police officers, business owners and teachers across Hawaii and the rest of the country are asking us to make children a priority. I know that Maui's beloved Mrs. Stevens would join them. I urge my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to provide real increases to these vital programs.

And I close by saying that the working people of Hawaii, we have a much higher percentage of working parents, working single parents than probably any other State in the country, and that is because the cost of living is very high in Hawaii. I've talked to the many mothers and fathers and grandparents who take care of their grandchildren now of how important it is for their kids and their grandchildren to have a good start in life. And certainly one of the best ways for them to get a good start in life is to make sure that we continue to support Head Start and the other grant programs that will give them this chance.

I yield back to my colleague from Florida and thank her for her continuing leadership on these and so many other issues.

Same here. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 148, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''