Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the dean of our delegation, Ralph Regula, for bringing this resolution forward to honor the life of Paul Gillmor. We are all deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Paul Gillmor.

I want to tell you one story from when I first got to Congress. Mr. Gillmor, as I referred to him, as many have said, had a gentle spirit and an informal way and a very accepting way. When I referred to him as ``Mr. Gillmor,'' he corrected me and said, You're to call me Paul. You will hear, as almost everyone comes forward today and eulogizes him, as they honor him, they refer to him as he had us refer to him, and that is Paul.

One time we were having dinner and he was talking about some of his accomplishments. Brownfields is an area that is very important to me. When you look across Ohio and see the number of abandoned factory sites and the potential that they represent, Paul told about his work on the Brownfields Remediation Act that changed the laws that made it easier for those sites to be remediated, and provided tax benefits so that capital would be brought to them.

As you go throughout Ohio today and see abandoned factory sites where buildings are being demolished and new buildings and businesses are being built, it is to Paul's credit and one of the things he was most proud of, that he was able to work to change the laws to help make it easier for their sites to be developed.

He talked about the number of jobs that it brought, not just in construction but the jobs that it brought to communities, recognizing the impact on families.

Most recently, Ohio has been plagued by scandals arising from predatory

lending, and Paul was a leader in trying to help families and communities that had been subject to predatory lending, pulling together the Ohio delegation to talk about ways we can impact our neighborhoods and support laws that could impact families that had been subject to predatory lending.

Paul will be remembered as an effective legislator, and as someone who cared deeply for Ohio and for this institution and for his country, and had an impact on the lives of Ohioans.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 717, I am recorded as having noted ``no'', having intended to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment, coauthored by Representative Biggert of Illinois and Mr. Gillmor of Ohio, seeks to help families who are potential victims of lending practices that could lead to foreclosure. The amendment increases the amount of funds available for housing counseling under section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968.

The amendment would increase the program's funding by $6.7 million. The increase is offset by reducing the Office of Inspector General account by $6.7 million. The CBO has scored this amendment as budget- neutral.

Funding for housing counseling has increased by only $2 million since fiscal year 2003.

Mr. Chairman, as a former mayor of the city of Dayton, Ohio, I have seen directly the detrimental impact that predatory lending and the practice of unwarranted subprime loans have had on urban families and communities. In 2001, the University of Dayton released a study of how mortgage foreclosures were affecting urban areas in Ohio. My community of Dayton had 1 foreclosure for every 43 households. Similar findings were seen in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

The problem of home foreclosures isn't limited to Ohio and the Midwest. According to a June 12, 2007, Bloomberg article, national home foreclosure rates in May soared 90 percent from last year. Many of these are tied to the subprime loan industry.

Many foreclosed homes sit vacant and boarded up for long periods of time. These properties go beyond just being an eyesore and become a threat to public health and safety. These properties are a blight to our neighborhoods and result in falling property values and increased crime, lead to an eroded tax base, and impair a city's ability to provide important services to families.

Beyond the individual impact these practices have on our neighborhoods, the subprime foreclosure crisis is resulting in the loss of capital in the financial market, a market that, if not righted, could threaten our growing robust economy.

Today we are seeing headlines from all across the country showing the growing concerns of financial markets regarding predatory and subprime lending practices that have resulted in a record number of foreclosures.

Recently, members of the Ohio delegation, led by Representatives Gillmor, Pryce, LaTourette, and Senator Brown, held a forum on the predatory lending crisis in Ohio. At this forum we heard from a variety of groups, from banks to fair housing groups. All of these groups shared a mutual concern over the issue of

predatory and subprime lending, and many agreed that an increased focus on housing counseling was a key component to fighting this problem.

It is my hope that increased funding possible through this amendment will allow housing counseling agencies the ability to provide vital counseling services to families in need. These services will give families the assistance they need to protect themselves from practices and circumstances that could lead to foreclosure.

Mr. Chairman, I believe that homeownership is a privilege that everyone should enjoy. We must give all American families the tools they need to be successful homeowners.

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

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your commitment to look to work on this issue; however, the housing crisis is enormous. It is impacting a number of families and neighborhoods throughout the country. We're seeing the impacts are grave.

I would like to work with you on where, perhaps, an offset would be acceptable. But at this time we would like the House to be on record in support of this increased funding, so I would desire not to withdraw the amendment. But I appreciate your support of the increased funding and will look forward to working with you.

I certainly appreciate your description of the needs for the Inspector General. And I support, of course, the chairman's description of searching for additional offsets for this in order to find additional monies for housing counseling. And in that, I'm certain that after the amendment passes the House, that there would be a great deal of effort by the chairman in conference to seek, perhaps, an additional offset where the Inspector General amount could be restored.

But as you have heard from so many of the Members that are here, this is an issue that strikes at the very heart of the fabric of our neighborhoods and our families. I have so many families who have come to me to tell me the stories of what they have experienced. There are nonprofit organizations in my community who are every day working with families who have faced this issue of foreclosure, and they want to know that we support the services that are being provided to them and that might be available to them.

Offered By: Mr. Turner of Ohio

Amendment No. 2: Page 82, line 6, after the dollar amount,

insert ``(increased by $6,760,000)''.

Page 82, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $6,760,000)''.

Page 82, line 11, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $6,760,000)''.

Page 100, line 5, after the first dollar amount, insert

``(reduced by $6,760,000)''.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 609, on a motion to suspend the rules and adopt H. Res. 526--Supporting Home Ownership and Responsible Lending, I am recorded as a ``no'' vote. Having intended to vote ``yes,'' I would like the Record to reflect my support for adoption of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Air Force, I want to recognize Colonel Warren Henderson for his 26 years of dedicated service to our country. In his most recent assignment, he serves as the Chief, Weapon Systems Division, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Legislative Liaison. Colonel Warren Henderson is responsible for Congressional liaison and annual authorization of over $50B for all Air Force weapon systems, munitions,

Science/Technology, Research and Development, and Special Access Programs. His Division is responsible for developing and executing strategies to best advocate for Air Force programs, and prepares AF senior leadership for testimony before House and Senate Armed Services Committees and Select Committees on Intelligence.

The colonel entered the Air Force in 1981 after receiving his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He commanded the 23d Fighter Group ``Flying Tigers'' and the 494th Fighter Squadron, which, under his leadership, received the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander's Trophy as the top fighter squadron in the command. He is a command fighter pilot with approximately 4,000 flying hours and has flown combat missions over Iraq, Serbia, and Afghanistan.

I join my colleagues in expressing our sincere appreciation to Colonel Warren Henderson for his outstanding service to both the United States Air Force and our Legislative Branch. We wish him the best as he transitions into a new career. Colonel Henderson is a true professional and a credit to himself and the United States Air Force.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) on the occasion of its 90th anniversary this month. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the army selected

Dayton as the location to increase our Nation's air forces. Three military installations, Wilbur Wright Field, the Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot, and McCook Field, were opened in 1917 to assist the military with aviation development. The use of Wilbur Wright Field as a government installation dates back to May of 1917, 90 years ago this month.

As the birthplace of aviation, Dayton, Ohio is proud to be the home of one of the largest Air Force installations in the world. In fact, in 1924, Dayton citizens purchased over 4,500 acres of land for $425,000 and provided the deeds to President Calvin Coolidge for the construction of a new aviation engineering center that later became part of WPAFB. The excellent and groundbreaking work of air development at WPAFB distinguishes the base as a landmark of tremendous historical importance. Dayton has been involved in flight from the Wright B Flyer to the F-22, the current stealth fighter.

The leadership responsibilities and innovative research currently undertaken at WPAFB are essential to the success and future air superiority of the United States Air Force (USAF). WPAFB serves as the headquarters for the branch's worldwide logistics system and all USAF systems development and procurement; the headquarters for National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), the Department of Defense's primary source for foreign aerospace intelligence; an aeronautical engineering center; a major research laboratory; the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT); the second largest USAF medical center; and is crowned by the National Museum of the USAF, the largest military aviation museum in the world.

Madam Speaker, I trust that my colleagues will join me in honoring the 90th anniversary of WPAFB. The renowned work at WPAFB is considered by many as the backbone of the USAF and essential to our country's national security.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 406, the Bishop of Utah amendment to H.R. 1100, amendment No. 1, I was mistakenly recorded as ``no,'' intending to vote ``aye.''

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Heller of Nevada

Madam Speaker, I wish to acknowledge an outstanding community leader from Ohio's Third Congressional District.

Ms. Barbara King was recently honored as a recipient of the 2006 Community Ambassador Awards, presented by the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau. This prestigious award was given in honor of Ms. King's dedication to her community, and for her efforts in coordinating the Sesquicentennial Conference of the Wilberforce University Alumni Association.

Wilberforce University is the Nation's oldest, private African- American university, and last year this unique institution commemorated its 150th anniversary. Ms. King was recently elected national president of the Wilberforce University Alumni Association, and she chose the city of Dayton as the site for the school's 2006 Alumni Conference.

She was selected for her work in bringing over 400 Wilberforcean alumni and friends to downtown Dayton. Ms. King was selected as a 2006 Community Ambassador by the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau at its 15th Annual Community Ambassador Awards Breakfast.

Ms. King is an active member of the General Daniel ``Chappie'' James American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 776, in Riverside Ohio. She also serves as one of five faculty advisors in the Department of Early Childhood Education, ECE, at Sinclair Community College.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to recognize a remarkable citizen, Ms. Barbara King, for her leadership and dedication to our community, and I congratulate her on receiving this prestigious award.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize and congratulate the members of the Dayton, OH branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, for its positive accomplishments on behalf of our young people.

On Saturday, April 14, 2007, the Dayton NAACP Youth Council, under the guidance of Youth Advisor Barbara Mack, hosted its first annual Youth Leadership Summit 100 at Sinclair Community College. The NAACP Youth Council is an organization involving some

67,000 youth nationwide, whose mission is to educate, motivate, and inspire civic-minded young people to become effective community leaders. The Dayton chapter is the first NAACP Youth Council in the State of Ohio to host an annual youth leadership summit. The theme of this year's event is: ``In It To Win It.'' The summit consisted of a series of panel discussions to inform and educate the community on timely topics ranging from violence and drug activity in the community, to health, political action and finances, faith and the community, and youth with disabilities.

Under the leadership of Barbara Mack, the Dayton NAACP Youth Council has earned recognition from the national organization for its recent accomplishments. The Dayton chapter ranked first among NAACP Youth Councils in the seven-State Midwestern region for signing up the most new members. The recruitment of 122 new members increased the total membership to over 600-strong, giving the council more clout at the national level. As a reward for their efforts, 15 members of the Youth Council attended the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on March 2, 2007 in Los Angeles, which was broadcast live on

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter for including my amendment in this package.

My amendment provides certainty to servicemembers deployed in a contingency operation that their child custody arrangements will be protected.

In some cases, courts are overturning established custody arrangements while the custodial parent is serving our country in a contingency operation, such as Iraq or Afghanistan.

States have become aware of this issue and are looking at what action they can take to support our men and women in uniform. The State of Michigan passed a law in 2005 to provide these protections to military personnel. The amendment offered today is modeled after the established Michigan law.

Much is asked of our servicemembers, and mobilizations can disrupt and strain relationships at home. This additional protection is needed to provide them peace of mind that the courts will not take away their children because they answered the country's call to serve. This amendment protects them and it protects their children.

Again, I thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter for supporting this important amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank Mr. Hunter and I want to thank Chairman Skelton again for this important amendment that will provide peace of mind for those who are serving.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 222, the Chabot amendment No. 1 to H.R. 1361, I am not recorded. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Chabot

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 213, on H. Con. Res. 103, I am not recorded. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, you cannot legislate victory in a military conflict--but you can legislate failure. This legislation abandons our troops and sets an arbitrary timetable for our withdrawal.

Although America's commitment in Iraq is not unlimited, this legislation sends the wrong message to our troops. Also, this bill contains unrelated spending such as subsidies for spinach farmers, and payments to citrus and peanut farmers.

I fully support the funding for BRAC and I was disappointed when the majority stripped $3 billion from the FY07 continuing resolution and replaced it in this legislation.

We have a Commander in Chief, who has replaced the military leadership, from the Secretary of Defense down to the Commanders on the ground. A new military strategy has been developed, based upon a strategy and commitments made by the Iraqi Government. Additional forces are being provided to support the Iraqi forces. This supplemental pulls the rug out from under the feet of our military commanders--and our troops. This legislation does not give the new commanders, the chance to succeed. It imposes restrictions and a deadline for withdrawal.

We've talked about supporting the troops. We need to provide the troops with tools, equipment, and moral support necessary for success. The legislation tells the troops, despite your sacrifices, we will not wait for you to get the job done. It tells our enemies to be patient, you only have to wait until August 2008. It tells our allies that the United States is not committed to peace and stability in the Middle East. I, for one, am opposed to sending that type of message.

Thank you, Mr. Davis.

Yesterday I was on the House floor as part of the discussion concerning the Freedom of Information Act amendments and as we discussed the issue of the dedication of this week of open government.

Open government is an important issue because it is one that we all know that by being dedicated to information being available to the public, we can hold our government accountable. Unfortunately, we have an irony once again happening on the House floor, and that is that today's bill that we are considering is one that went through committee, Government Reform Committee, which I serve on, and the Armed Services Committee, which I serve on, and went through hearings where there were amendments that were provided and Members were able to participate. But this bill today is not the bill that came before those two committees. It has been amended in some backroom deal that we are all decrying here on the House floor, with language that has not been through the committee or the subcommittee. If the public were looking at this bill as it went through those two committees, they would not find that this language matches that which went through the committees. Certainly, as we dedicate ourselves to open government, we should dedicate ourselves to a process where the bills that are here are available and open to the public and the members of these two committees.