Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the Asian Pacific Development Center, a community-based nonprofit organization, which has been serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the State of Colorado for over 35 years. Their commitment to service is truly an inspiration for all Coloradans.

The Asian Pacific Development Center guides itself by its founding mission, which is to advance the well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities of Colorado by providing culturally appropriate and integrated behavioral, medical, and related services. By adhering to such a noble purpose, the Asian Pacific Development Center is able to provide crucial services in native languages with a cultural understanding.

Originally founded in 1980 by Dr. Rudy Lie, and currently headed by Ms. Chris Wanifuchi, I am proud of just how important the Asian Pacific Development Center is to our community. I look forward to working with them in the many more years of service to come.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on roll call No. 62, and ``Yea'' on roll call No. 63.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 84.

If we look back at the origin of this 1947 law in the aftermath of World War II, it was really written to require, I think at that time, 10 years of separation between anybody who had served in the military and then serving as a Secretary of Defense. I think one of the core reasons for that is the fact of would there, in fact, be a bias between that military officer and their branch of service.

I think when we look at General Mattis and this waiver, that is certainly not the case. He was the combat and commander for Joint Forces Command when it was standing. The purpose of Joint Forces Command was to integrate our military together in terms of jointness. He was very successful at that. So that bias is not going to be there.

In the State of Colorado, he came out about a year ago to speak before the University of Colorado Denver to our veterans' association. I will never forget those young marines and soldiers who had served under him in combat, those junior enlisted, and how they looked up to him in a way I have never seen junior enlisted look up, in my time in the Army and Marine Corps, to a flag officer in the same way.

So I think he is going to be such an extraordinary asset to the national security of this country, and I am proud to rise in support of

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize a truly great citizen of Aurora, Colorado, Julian Scadden. Julian selflessly volunteers countless hours in a program known as the `VA's Compassion Corps.' Those in the Compassion Corps spend time with veterans who have no family or friends to come visit them at VA Hospital Community Living Centers.

Julian works as a full time housekeeper at VA Hospital's Community Living Center, and then will often spend 12 or more hours sitting with veterans afterwards. To say that Julian has a strong commitment to our nation's veterans would be a vast understatement.

A veteran himself, Julian enlisted in the Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam. Today, unfortunately, Julian is the last of what were once 20 members of the `VA Compassion Corps' volunteers in the Denver area. It is my hope that his example will inspire others to volunteer for the Compassion Corps which fills such a vital role for those military men and women who have served the United States of America.

Thanks to you Julian Scadden.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the accomplishments of a dear friend of mine, Dr. Barbara Shannon- Bannister, who will be receiving the `Trailblazer Award' at the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Awards.

Dr. Shannon-Bannister has a proven record of dedicated civil service, with a career that has benefitted community relations in Aurora, Colorado since 1987. Dr. Shannon-Bannister's position as Division Chief of Community Relations has given her the opportunity to coordinate social relations throughout Aurora and the great State of Colorado. An advocate for civil rights, Dr. Shannon-Bannister's work has impacted the lives of underserved, minority youth by providing activities in their neighborhoods.

Additionally, she is President and CEO of a non-profit organization, Grand Design INC. This foundation works to preserve African American culture through community outreach, hosting concerts and visual art performances.

In celebrating the legacy and work of Dr. King, I can think of no one better to receive such a prestigious award. Congratulations to Dr. Shannon-Bannister on this excellent achievement.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,120,857,078,035.52. We've added $7,493,980,029,122.44 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,132,368,869,938.98. We've added $7,505,491,821,025.90 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,128,511,342,681.14. We've added $7,501,634,293,768.06 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,124,962,972,729.90. We've added $7,498,085,923,816.62 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,098,502,229,899.75. We've added $7,471,625,180,986.67 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,099,042,237,253.89. We've added $7,472,165,188,340.81 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, today, I join my colleagues as we address one of the challenges within Veterans Affairs--our goal: ensuring our veterans are provided the best possible care to heal from the wounds associated with being a victim of military sexual trauma.

As has been noted by the Veterans Affairs inspector general, obtaining travel authorization to the most appropriate clinics to address the specialized care required of military sexual trauma victims has been an obstacle. This bill, H.R. 642, will take care of that.

The bottom line is that victims of military sexual assault trauma should be able to obtain the specific care necessary to address their individual needs and not be trapped by a bureaucracy that fails to give them access to treatment because it cannot reconcile how to pay for travel to get to and from a treatment facility.

Please join me and my colleagues as we stand up for veterans who are victims of military sexual trauma and enable them to obtain the treatment that they need.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,085,063,837,781.82. We've added $7,455,417,108,597.12 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,085,063,837,781.82. We've added $7,458,186,788,868.74 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $18,087,727,352,703.72. We've added $7,460,850,303,790.64 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $7.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.