Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1610 and to mark the ninth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Like Pearl Harbor, and the assassination of President Kennedy, the attacks of 9/11 are seared into the American consciousness. While the attacks shook Americans across the country, the pain and grief of those who lost loved ones in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania remains unimaginable.

Today, we pause to remember the victims of that Tuesday morning, including the firefighters, police officers, and so many others who showed great courage and heroism to save countless lives. A grateful nation offers its complete gratitude for their sacrifice.

We also remember the outpouring of good will and generosity that flooded from around the country, with millions of Americans in all states offering donations, volunteer work, support, and prayers.

While we mark this anniversary with mourning and remembrance, as we must, let us also take this chance to remember the great spirit of America, which on that day rose to prove to all the world that in the darkest of days, our fundamental kindness and hope still shine through.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1251, and in honor of the United States soldiers who lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. Their heroic efforts

on what we remember as D-day marked the turning point in the Allies defeat of the Nazi army during World War II.

On June 6, 1944, more than 31,000 American troops and a total of 100,000 Allied soldiers were carried by more than 5,000 ships across the English Channel. At Normandy, in what has become one of the great symbols of American bravery, they stormed the beaches. The efforts of these ground troops were supported by 31,000 Allied airmen, which made it the largest amphibious invasion in history.

Of these courageous men, more than 6,000 United States soldiers died in battle and close to 9,000 Allied soldiers were injured or killed. It is because of their dedication to the cause of freedom that the Allied forces prevailed. These fallen soldiers were laid to rest in the Colleville-sur-Mer United States cemetery in Northern France. The 9,386 graves face west toward the United States, and serve as a much deserved honor and remembrance of the sacrifice made by our Nation's heroes.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the lives lost in Normandy. We owe these soldiers our deepest gratitude and reverence for playing such a crucial role in ending the tyranny of Nazi-controlled Germany and helping to shape the world we live in today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and salute the 40th Annual Rosy Root Beer Open, a proud Chicago tradition of food, families, and fun. A complete description of this unique and wonderful event is not possible--suffice it to say that it's a melting pot of reunion, carnival, and a small court tennis tournament.

Community leader and diehard Chicago Blackhawks fan Lee ``Rosy'' Rosenberg and his family have been organizing the day of competition, food, games, photos and conversation since 1971. I expect the tradition will continue for generations to come. All are welcome and anyone who wants to get involved in one of its many committees just has to show up--just know that Rosy recommends that you ``wear gym shoes, leave your brain at home, and don't eat for a week prior.''

I am looking forward to attending this year for a memorable summer day filled with, as Rosy promises, ``extreme serious nonsense.'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Rosy Root Beer Open on its milestone, and in wishing the best of luck to this year's Open participants.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Peter Silvestri on his receipt of the Illinois State Crime Commission's award of Municipal Leader of the Year for 2010. The commission chose Silvestri due to his exceptional leadership skills at the county and municipal levels as Cook County Commissioner and the Village of Elmwood Park president.

Elected in 1994 as Cook County Commissioner of the ninth district, Silvestri has played a crucial role in nearly every area of county concern. He chairs the Zoning and Building Committee, the Building Ordinance Commission, the Litigation Subcommittee and the Environmental Control Committee. As Chairman of Environmental Control, he convened a committee of community representatives, engineers and environmentalists to discuss the Forest Preserve's proposed Storm Water Management Plan. Additionally, he sponsored an amendment to the building code to change group homes of 8 or less residents from multi-unit requirements to single family requirements, for which he will receive the President's Award from Oak Leyden Developmental Services. He serves as vice- chairman of more committees than any other commissioner. He also memorialized fallen police officers through the Cook County Peace Officer's Memorial.

As Elmwood Park President since 1989, Silvestri prides himself on an increase in building construction and expansion of village parks. During his tenure, the Village of Elmwood Park has seen a new public safety building, family aquatic center and gymnasium, and public library, as well as expanded open park space now known as Central Park. Additionally, he and the Village Board of Trustees enhanced the education requirements and training for drug and gang prevention and enforcement at the municipal police department.

While Pete Silvestri has received many awards, he sees himself as a caretaker for every person in the village and the county. I have seen firsthand Pete's extensive involvement in the community, and I applaud him on being named Municipal Leader of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Peter Silvestri on the Illinois State Crime Commission's acknowledgement of his positive effects throughout Chicago.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the service and mourn the death of Marine Lance Corporal Frederik E. Vazquez, of Melrose Park, IL. He was killed Saturday in Helmand Province in Afghanistan while supporting combat operations. He was just 20 years old.

Erik to his family and Freddy to his friends, Frederik Vazquez was born in Los Angeles, spent his childhood in Northlake and moved to Melrose Park just a few years ago, where he attended Proviso West High School before graduating from West Leyden in 2008.

Erik had wanted to be a Marine since childhood, and enlisted following graduation. His parents remembered a quiet young man who returned from Marine boot camp more reflective and responsible, with an eye toward college after the Marines. I join with those who knew Erik best in mourning the life he lost, and that which could have been.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to Erik's friends, family, and everyone who will miss this young Marine. On behalf of this Congress and the 5th District of Illinois I thank him for his bravery. His country will never forget his service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today because we can no longer afford to ignore defense spending as our deficit rises.

The unprecedented federal stimulus package and two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have put the FY 2009 federal deficit at 10 percent of GDP, its highest level since 1945.

As the federal deficit grows and we look for places to cut, we must be able to scrutinize every part of the federal budget--including defense spending.

Defense spending has more than doubled since September 11, 2001, and at $719 billion, the current defense budget, is the highest it has been since World War II.

Our discretionary spending has also grown by $583 billion since 2001, and defense spending accounts for 65 percent of that growth.

Accounting for close to 20 percent of the federal budget, defense spending simply cannot be ignored as we look for places to cut.

For too long we have followed policies that assume more spending automatically means more safety and more power.

But new critics of this unquestioned defense spending argue cuts to the defense budget can and should be made; and these cuts can be done without comprising our safety.

A new report by the Sustainable Defense Task Force, comprising security experts from across the country, finds that we could save up to $960 billion over the next ten years, without jeopardizing our national security.

The report outlines a whole menu of reform options ranging from reducing our oversized nuclear stockpiles to cutting our bloated force structure in Europe and Asia--all of which are possible due to the U.S.'s current security posture: We no longer face the traditional opponents we once did.

We still operate as if we are at war with an opponent as powerful as the former Soviet Union; but today the U.S. does not face a threat that even remotely compares to the Soviet Union.

Not even China, which spends barely one-fifth as much on military as the U.S., can compete.

The U.S. spends more on research and development than Russia does on its whole military.

Today, the U.S. spends more than two and half times as much on its military as the group of potential opponents, including Russia and China.

In other words, the U.S. could cut its defense spending in half and we would still be spending more than our current and potential adversaries.

As the Task Force points out in its report, our military strength far out-weighs any threat from our adversaries, and can easily be reduced while still maintaining our military superiority.

However, while we are building up our capacity to fight traditional opponents, such as China, we are failing to build a defense force capable of combating nontraditional opponents such as Al Qaeda.

We have spent $1 trillion and lost 5,500 American lives on large- scale military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan with little progress to show for it.

As Benjamin Friedman, of the Cato Institute, points out, our principal enemy Al Qaeda ``has no army, no air force and no navy.''

And the military assets most useful for counterterrorism are relatively inexpensive such as surveillance technologies, special operations forces and drones.

As the threats to America evolve, so too must our military structure.

But over the years, rather than realigning our military to meet current threats, we have simply added more requirements to our military, growing our defense budget by 9 percent on average every year.

There has never been a better time to reinvent our defense budget.

We are facing a growing deficit, forcing us to make cuts, and we have a defense budget ripe for reform.

Now all we need is the political will to make tough choices.

With limited resources we must choose, because the real ramification of overspending on defense is not simply that we will have too many unnecessary ships, aircrafts or missiles--but that we won't have enough resources to support vital domestic investments such as health care, education, and infrastructure needed to remain a superpower.

Military power is not simply about spending more than our adversaries.

Real military power, argues Kori Schake, a top foreign policy advisor for John McCain, is ``fundamentally premised on the solvency of the American government and the vibrancy of the U.S. economy.''

But in order to maintain that vibrancy we must get our fiscal house in order, and in doing so reexamine our defense spending and make cuts and reforms where necessary.

Secretary Gates said it best while paraphrasing President Eisenhower, ``The United States should spend as much as necessary on national defense, but not one penny more.''

Let's hold him to his word. Let's reinvent the defense budget.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the CLEAR Act, one of the most important measures we will pass this week, and perhaps, this Congress.

It has been said that with great adversity comes great opportunity-- today, we are presented with great opportunity.

We are presented with the opportunity to ensure that what happened in the Gulf never happens again.

We are presented with the opportunity to ensure that we have the tools and the means to clean the Gulf Coast and make whole those whose very livelihoods are threatened by this disaster.

We are presented with the opportunity to ensure that our children are able to enjoy the great lands and waters of our lifetime.

I offered two amendments to the CLEAR Act that sought to shift our OCS policy from a presumption of oil and gas extraction, to focus on protection of the environment as our primary concern.

Additionally, the amendments required the Secretary to consider geographical, geological, and ecological characteristics of OCS areas before drilling, not after.

Ultimately, this bill does move us toward that goal--from an emphasis on the bottom line to a clear focus on our future.

I urge my colleagues to support the CLEAR Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of USA Hockey and their support of disabled hockey programs. USA Hockey has proven that hockey truly is for everyone, and their efforts to share the wonderful game of hockey should be commended.

USA Hockey supports four disciplines of disabled hockey, all serving players both young and old. This includes Standing/Amputee hockey, Deaf/Hard of Hearing hockey, Sled hockey, and Special hockey. These groups provide unique practices that enable the players to reconnect with a sport they love. For example, Deaf/Hard of Hearing hockey incorporates a special lighting system and allows coaches and players to communicate through sign language, lip-reading and interpreters. And Sled hockey provides paraplegics with the opportunity to enjoy the sport by using specially designed sleds on the ice.

USA Hockey also proudly supports the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program, providing wounded United States Military Personnel with therapeutic and recreational opportunities to play hockey. This program focuses on integrating disabled and non-disabled players in order to build self confidence and assist disabled veterans to reconnect with the activities they were involved with prior to their disability. While I can't begin to comprehend all that these brave veterans have experienced and what they've done in service to our nation, I can understand why they still want to play hockey.

I believe that hockey is a tremendous game that teaches its players the value of hard work, discipline, and the benefit of playing as a team. Through the support of USA Hockey,

thousands of disabled participants of all ages are able to learn these important lessons that will help them be successful both on and off the ice.

Madam Speaker, this week Congress will vote on the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act of 2010 under suspension of the rules. This bill permits individuals filing for personal bankruptcy to exempt firearms from the claims of creditors. Really?

Today, there is a House bill sponsored by 109 Members of Congress that would close the gun show loophole and keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, felons, and the mentally ill. Today, there is a bill sponsored by 37 Members of this Congress that would prohibit those on the terrorist watch list from purchasing firearms. Each bill is supported by mainstream America. Each bill would save lives. Have we called either bill to the floor for debate? No.

Yet Congress stands at the ready to enact new policy that would require a bankruptcy judge to sort assets into two piles: one pile for guns, one pile for all other personal belongings. We need to reassess our priorities and regain our common sense. It's a time to stop pandering and start acting responsibly.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1366 and to recognize the vital role that the freight rail industry plays in this country.

When a massive volcano recently erupted in Iceland, ash spewed into the atmosphere cancelling thousands of flights and grounding travelers and goods across Europe.

In the midst of this chaos and confusion, Europe's rail industry answered the call for everyone and everything that simply needed to get from point A to point B.

Here in the United States, we must remember this.

Our railroads are less susceptible to the unpredictable conditions caused by natural disasters, inclement weather, terrorist threats, and more.

Since the 19th Century, American citizens and industry have placed their trust in rail. Its dependability is proven and unparalleled.

I call on my colleagues to join me in recognizing the freight industry as one of our greatest assets and remember we must continue to advance, utilize, and invest in America's railways.

Madam Speaker, as we talk about the need for job creation it is critical that we remember why America needs work.

Jobs are a means to provide for individuals and families, for food and shelter, and for a sense of security and peace of mind.

But work is only half the equation--a paycheck is needed to fulfill the other.

Which is why I stand in full support of the Department of Labor's ``We Can Help Program.''

This public service campaign strives to educate America's workforce about employer abuses and workers' rights.

It will also add 250 investigators to the department's wage and hour division.

Efforts like this will go a long way toward recovering at least some of the $19 billion of wages that are never paid to workers across the country every single year.

In the midst of a tough economy, it is vital that Congress do everything in its power to make sure every American who wants a job can find a job.

But we must remember that there are many already on the clock who need our help, too.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reaffirm my commitment to an immediate repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

I applaud the Department of Defense for initiating a plan, but I remain deeply disappointed that instead of moving forward immediately, we are on hold. We are spending millions on a 32-page survey asking servicemembers how they feel about the repeal when polls show that this is unnecessary.

What's worse, as a country founded on liberty and equality, we are denying basic human rights to some of our brave men and women who are defending those very principles. And, unlike more than 25 of our allies, including every original NATO signatory other than the U.S. and Turkey, we have not ended discrimination.

Experts say what is needed is not a study but, rather, a quick and authoritative top-down repeal. Our military leaders must act now before our pace destroys our mission.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because women's reproductive rights are under attack.

Four months ago we passed a health care bill to ensure that every man, woman and child in this country has access to the medical care they need. But yesterday, a rule was announced that restricts choice coverage in the new high-risk insurance pools--even if the woman pays for that coverage with her own money.

This rule means women with preexisting conditions such as cancer, AIDS, diabetes, who have been denied coverage and are counting on the high-risk pools, won't be able to get reproductive health coverage; not even if they pay for it with their own money.

This incomplete and conditional care is not what our mothers, daughters, sisters and wives need. This is not the status quo.

We must remember the health care bill we passed, protect a woman's right to choose, and stop this harmful provision before it takes effect.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great and respected Chicagoan, Eunice Borovik, who recently passed away at the age of 88. Eunice Borovik was a woman who lived life to the fullest, and the friends and family she had are a testament to the quality of her character and the type of woman she was.

Eunice's top priority was always her family and the love and support they provided her was most important in her life. She married her husband, Jerry, and together the couple raised two sons, George and his wife Jolanta, and Andrew and his wife Catherine. Her family also includes her two grandsons, Jed and Caleb.

Following her 1979 election, Eunice continued her voluntary tenure as Portage Park Chamber of Commerce President for 21 years. As Alderman Levar stated in a City Council resolution, ``Eunice Z. Borovik has created, planned and helped carry out projects beneficial to all those good citizens who have lived, worked, and prospered in Portage Park . . . , heralding an era of uncommon growth and achievement.'' She improved the long overdue streetscape in the early 1980s and worked with what is now known as the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) in the Chicago Police Department to reduce crime.

Eunice and her late husband were owners and managers of the local Bee Drug Store in the Cragin neighborhood and the family business, Borovik Drug Company in Portage Park, for nearly 35 years. Following her retirement as president of the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce in 2000, the City Council of Chicago gave a portion of West Irving Park Road the honorary name ``Eunice Borovik Way.''

Madam Speaker, Eunice Borovik was an inspiration to all who knew her. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating her incredible life and her extraordinary contributions to the Portage Park and Irving Park communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because we cannot be fooled by the Castro regime's announcement to release 52 political prisoners. That would be 52 out of approximately 5,000.

The release of these prisoners, held only because they disagree with the government, would be good news if they were actually being released, but only five to 10 prisoners will be released immediately. The rest will be let go over the next three to four months. Why does it take months to release a group of prisoners when it only took one night to arrest them? We cannot be fooled.

The Castro regime has released prisoners many times before in exchange for lesser sanctions, but these temporary releases never result in permanent reforms.

The regime is unilaterally releasing 52 prisoners, but what is to keep them from simply arresting hundreds more? We cannot be fooled. And above all, we cannot alter our sanctions or policies towards Cuba based on this one superficial gesture.