Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to the chairman for all of his good work on this bill.

I rise in strong support of this legislation. I am proud to be a cosponsor, and I am pleased that today we finally move forward with meaningful, structural reforms that will have a tremendous impact on the medical liability crisis looming before our country.

Over the past few months I have seen health care providers, doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, all of our care-givers, curtail services to the community and to people in need. Why? They have done so because of the fear of frivolous lawsuits and these lawsuits which have caused insurance costs to skyrocket.

What amazes me is the misinformation that is out there on this issue and that has recklessly entered this debate. In fact, there is so much misinformation that some individuals in this body, I think, have forgotten what it is that we are trying to accomplish here.

Just the other day, I read an article claiming that medical liability reforms that we are going to pass with this bill will make it more difficult for patients to find lawyers. That is right. Is that the crisis that we are facing today? Not enough lawyers? Of course not. That is not what we are here for.

We are here because of patients, because we want to preserve patient access to care. All patients, whether a senior or a newborn baby, deserve the highest quality of care. But at the current rate, we cannot keep this promise.

My family has personally experienced the effects of this liability crisis in New Jersey with the recent birth of our third child. My wife's doctor lost her partner. The other OB whom she practices with had to leave the State because her insurance costs were too high. Our doctor was there for us, but I fear for other moms and dads, fathers and mothers, and loved ones in the future.

Frivolous lawsuits have never healed anyone. I have never met a trial lawyer who was developing a new treatment for AIDS. I have never seen a frivolous lawsuit treat someone with diabetes. I have never heard of a multimillion dollar jackpot reward that served a disabled veteran in a wheelchair. What they have done is driven patients away from their doctors.

Mr. Speaker, these are reasonable reforms. It is time that we ensure that our health care system serves patients and not trial lawyers. Vote ``yes'' on the HEALTH Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States and the many contributions that Korean Americans have made to our great country.

The history of Korean Americans is rich in hard work, perseverance and the overwhelming desire to succeed. When the first Korean immigrants left their homeland in 1903, for a new world and an unknown future, they were unsure of what to expect. Numbering only 56 men, 21 women and 25 children, their journey brought with them the same hopes and dreams of all people seeking the promise of a better life in America.

For the past 100 years, thousands of Koreans have followed the lead of those first pioneers. Over the past century, Korean Americans have made numerous contributions to American society, American culture and our economy.

Today, Korean Americans are a thriving part of the American fabric and are poised to begin a new century of success in the United States. I believe their dedication to this country deserves the highest honor and praise.

I congratulate all Korean Americans on the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States. I offer my blessings for a safe and prosperous future.

I rise today in support of our Nation's Catholic schools and the record of excellence they hold in our children's education.

I believe our most profound responsibility is to ensure that every child has a first-class education, that no child is left behind and that all students share in the pride and promise of educational opportunity--Catholic education provides that opportunity.

As a former student at the University of Notre Dame and a former teacher at Mount Saint Michael's Academy in the Bronx, NY, I know the benefits Catholic schools and universities provide to students in America.

Our children deserve the best schools in the world; they deserve schools that will help them meet the challenges of tomorrow. That is why I'm pleased with the bipartisan support H. Res. 26, ``Honoring our Catholic Schools,'' is receiving from my colleagues in the House today.

America's student dropout rate is increasing at an alarming pace. But our Nation's Catholic schools have given a diverse group of students the inspiration, environment and counsel they need to stay in school. A tribute to the strength and quality of a Catholic school education is the 95 percent graduation rate among Catholic high school seniors.

America's Catholic schools are internationally acclaimed for providing small classrooms averaging 15 students, where each student can have the attention they need to achieve their future goals. America's Catholic schools also graduate a record 83 percent of students who go on to college.

I believe that while we call for higher standards in our Nation's schools, we must also

recognize those schools that are providing the education America's students need to succeed. I am pleased to join with my colleagues in honoring the contributions of Catholic schools. After all, our children are our country's most precious resource.