Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to observe the death of Staff Sergeant Jesse Williams of Santa Rosa, California. Jesse was a fine man and a fine soldier, and he leaves behind a loving family bowed but not broken by the loss of a father, husband, and son.

Sgt. Williams was serving his second tour with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at the time of his death during combat operations in Baqubah, in eastern Iraq.

Before and during his tours in Iraq, Sgt. Williams had served in the army with distinction, earning numerous accolades and awards. During his first tour in Iraq from 2003-2004 he earned a Purple Heart after being injured in an explosive attack. Then, just three weeks before his death, Sgt. Williams proved his uncommon character and valor when he jumped in to rescue two fellow soldiers who were trapped in a flaming vehicle ignited by an insurgent attack. For his heroism he is currently being considered for a Bronze Star.

Sgt. Williams was known to friends and family for his sense of humor and love of life. As a younger man, he found discipline and his calling when he joined the Boy Scouts. In less than 2 years he had completed all the requirements to become an Eagle Scout, indicating the highest level of achievement. During a leave from the Army, he returned to Santa Rosa and spoke to the City Council in favor of establishing a memorial for Sonoma County's Iraq veterans. At the time, he made a strong impression with his words; now his name will be one of those featured on the memorial.

Sgt. Williams leaves behind his wife Sonya, and an 11-month old daughter Amaya. Amaya was 5 weeks old when Sgt. Williams was deployed to Iraq for his second tour of duty. His father, Herb Williams, resides in Santa Rosa as well.

On Monday the community of Santa Rosa paused to acknowledge their fallen soldier as hundreds of policemen, firefighters and members of the community took to bridges and overpasses with signs and flags while his casket was brought back into the city. Yesterday, almost one thousand people gathered for a memorial service paying tribute to his life.

Madam Speaker, at this time I ask that my colleagues join me in rising to pay tribute to Staff Sergeant Jesse Williams, who gave his life for his country. I know that his family is immensely proud of his service, and we are all in his debt.

Madam Speaker, I rise today together with my colleague Ms. Woolsey to honor the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District located in Northern California. On March 3, the agency received the prestigious County Leadership in Conservation Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Trust for Public Land (TPL).

This award is given annually to counties that showcase the best practices in innovative conservation work. As one of the first public agencies in the nation funded by a sales tax to protect agriculture, the Open Space District has continued to distinguish itself nationally. It has protected almost 70,000 acres, including farms, greenbelts, natural open spaces, and recreational areas.

The District was formed as a result of public concern over urbanization in Sonoma County as subdivisions, malls and parking lots threatened to overwhelm land the famed botanist Luther Burbank once called ``God's chosen spot.'' Responding to the very real threat of sprawl, farmers, environmentalists and community leaders joined together in 1990 to pass a sales tax to fund preservation and open space acquisition. So successful is the District that the tax was renewed with a 75-percent approval vote in 2006. Today the tax provides approximately $13 million a year for the District's land conservation and acquisition programs.

The County Open Space Authority is responsible for levying and distributing the funding, while the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors acts as the Board of Directors. The Supervisors appoint a 17-member Open Space Advisory Committee, representing various stakeholders and interest groups, to recommend acquisitions. Manager Andrea Mackenzie works with all of these groups and other local organizations in identifying and purchasing suitable properties (or conservation easements) and determining the best use for them, from agriculture to resource conservation to public access or recreation.

Madam Speaker, Sonoma County has a beautiful and diverse environment ranging from oak savannah to bay wetlands to coastal redwood forests. Its farmlands are among the richest on the planet and grow grapes for world-class wines, crispy Gravenstein apples and luscious Crane melons and many specialty crops. Its pastures and rangelands support both dairy and meat production. The District ensures that our children's children will always have woodland and hillside trails to hike and homegrown food to enjoy.

These open spaces keep Sonoma County's agricultural economy healthy, provide recreation for visitors and residents, and preserve the very character of the county. I congratulate the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District upon the receipt of the well- deserved County Leadership in Conservation Award and look forward to continuing to work with the District to preserve Sonoma County's natural beauty and agricultural bounty.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize three residents of St. Helena, CA. who were vital to the foundation and success of our Boys and Girls Club of my hometown. These three made vast contributions of time and energy to get the

Boys and Girls Club established with a sound financial backing. Their efforts, as well as the work of many others, have ensured the success of one of the most vital and enduring youth programs in the Napa Valley.

My good friend Monsignor Brenkle is the Pastor of the St. Helena Catholic Church, where he has been for 22 years. During this time he has taken the lead on many projects in the community, and he is widely known throughout the Napa Valley for his activism with farm workers to ensure adequate housing conditions. Monsignor Brenkle, working closely with Ms. Schmidt, provided space for the program in the St. Helena Catholic School's gymnasium during the summer of 1989, from which it subsequently expanded into the Elementary School's cafeteria. In 1992 the program returned to redeveloped facilities at the Catholic School with Monsignor Brenkle's blessing, and has continued to expand ever since.

Ms. Mariatma Schmidt worked together with Monsignor Brenkle to complete the many tasks necessary to open the Boys and Girls Club of St. Helena. She then took on the role of president for 6 years, where she oversaw the establishment of permanent facilities and took the lead in recruiting fundraisers and volunteers to help the young program grow. Her vision left the Boys and Girls Club with a devoted network of supporters and financiers, and her efforts both with this program and other youth education foundations have had a substantial impact on our St. Helena community.

Ms. Helaine Katz chaired the Fundraising Committee during the club's early years, where her creative and exciting events raised countless thousands of dollars to provide the club with the early capital it needed to develop facilities and programs for young people. Her signature event for many years has been the Rotary Club's Winter Ball, which brings together St. Helena residents to benefit children's programs in our area. Her fundraising savvy and taste for a good party makes her an invaluable member of our community, and the money raised over the last 16 years has brought a succession of new facilities to the club, culminating in the new superb facility they share with the St. Helena school district.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize all three of these individuals for the incredible contributions they have made to the Boys and Girls Club of St. Helena, and to the community at large. They are being recognized for their foundational roles in the club, and I join all in our community in thanking them for the work they have done on behalf of St. Helena's youth.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th anniversary of the County of Del Norte, the very northwest corner of the 1st Congressional District and the State of California.

Del Norte County features an extraordinary landscape that includes majestic redwoods and spectacular coastline. It is home to Redwood National and State Parks, the sparkling waters of the wild and scenic Smith River and the Smith River National Recreation Area. The residents are extraordinary and rugged individuals, who work hard and who value the very special place in which they live.

The county was created by the California Legislature in 1857, which transformed a portion of former Klamath County, California, into a new political entity known as Del Norte County.

The Yurok and Tolowa peoples have called the region home for thousands of years and continue to play a vital role in the life of Del Norte County. Their skills in woodworking and basketry were exceptional and form the basis of a thriving cultural and artistic community.

The first timber mill was brought by ship to Del Norte County in 1853, and over the next 100 plus years produced lumber that was used to build the state and realize the dreams of all Californians. The rich ocean environment has created a dynamic fishing industry and the mild climate and fertile fields of the Smith River plain grow the Nation's supply of Easter lilies. The county is blessed with two historic lighthouses, Battery Point and Point St. George. The county seat of Crescent City has the distinction of being the only city in the continental United States to be struck by a tsunami wave, on March 28, 1964. Despite the destruction of over 150 businesses, the hearty character of local residents was on display during the rapid reconstruction of the town, earning the name, ``Comeback Town USA''.

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize the County of Del Norte on the occasion of their 150th anniversary, and congratulate the residents of Del Norte County on all that they have achieved.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my deep sympathies to the family of the honorable Leo T. McCarthy, including his loving wife, Jackie Lee Burke, his four wonderful children, Sharon, Conna, Adam and Niall, and his 11 grandchildren.

Leo McCarthy's passing is a great loss for the state of California. He was a champion of equality and social justice. He was a model of public service, both as a legislator and a citizen.

Leo McCarthy dedicated his life to improving the lives of his fellow Californians.

In the California State Assembly, Leo McCarthy reformed the institution by bringing increased openness and accountability to the legislative process.

As a three-term Lieutenant Governor, Leo McCarthy took on some of our state's most challenging social issues. He implemented programs that empowered our state's impoverished and disenfranchised citizens and aided those who could not stand for themselves. These programs have greatly increased the quality of life in California, and each day numerous Californians benefit from his wisdom and leadership.

Leo McCarthy was also a champion of the environment. He led the enactment of the California Coastal Act, which has helped conserve California's precious coastal resources and further protect our coast from offshore drilling.

Leo McCarthy was also a model politician. I had a great deal of respect for the honesty and fairness he brought to the political process. I admired how he instilled the values of public service and social justice into future generations. The Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco is an example of how his legacy will benefit our state for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, Leo McCarthy's contributions to our state are immeasurable. He was a friend to me and all of California, and his presence will be missed even as his legacy endures.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act.'' This bill permanently extends the current tax treatment of motorsports complexes across the country.

There are five motorsports facilities located in my district alone-- and more than 900 of these facilities nationwide. Each year, these facilities, both large and small, draw millions of racing fans. Spending by these fans contributes to local and regional economies--but the tracks themselves contribute as well, through facility construction and renovation, purchases, and permanent and seasonal employment.

In 2004, Congress codified the seven-year depreciation classification for speedways and racetracks. However, this provision expires at the end of this year. These facilities need tax certainty in order to make their long-term planning decisions and continue contributing to national, regional and local economies.

In order to provide this certainty, I am introducing the Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act. I hope that my colleagues will work with me to enact this legislation, which will support the economic benefits provided by motorsports facilities in my district and nationwide.

Madam Speaker, together with my colleague, Ms. Woolsey from California, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career of Robin Schaef of Petaluma, California. Ms. Schaef is retiring after 21 years of service with the County of Sonoma.

Robin began her career of service in Sonoma County as the Executive Director of Petaluma People Services Center where she increased the budget from $255,000 to $600,000 in less than five years.

She then accepted the position of Director of the Sonoma County Multipurpose Senior Services Program. This newly formed county case management program served a caseload of 200 clients.

Ms. Schaef's strong leadership and management skills were a determining factor in her promotion to Director of the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging in 1987. When the County reorganized eight years later, her vision and skills made her the natural choice to become the Department Head of the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging. In this capacity she oversaw five programs with a staff of 60: the Area Agency on Aging and its 21 member Advisory Council, In-Home Support Services, Adult Protective Services, the Multipurpose Senior Services Program and the Veterans Services Office.

In addition to her work for the County of Sonoma, Ms. Schaef has served in leadership positions in professional organizations at the local, state and national level. These include the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and C4A.

Madam Speaker, Robin has dedicated herself to developing and delivering essential social services to the elders of our county and persons with disabilities. She has set an example of visionary leadership that has been invaluable to Sonoma County. Ms. Woolsey and I wish to thank her for all she has meant to so many, and wish her much happiness and fulfillment as she retires.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I am here today to ask all of my colleagues to support this resolution. Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain, and it affects nearly 1 million Americans. Without treatment, hydrocephalus is fatal, but when treated, most people with this condition can lead full and productive lives.

I became aware of this condition through a constituent and a friend of mine, Cynthia Solomon, who has a family member who suffers from this condition. Cynthia struggled to find information about hydrocephalus and wanted to connect with other affected families. So she cofounded the first patient advocacy organization for this condition, the Hydrocephalus Association.

As anyone who has been affected by this condition can tell you, the symptoms are many and they vary from person to person. Excess fluid in the brain can cause head enlargement, blurred vision, seizures, learning disabilities and impaired physical development. In older adults, symptoms can mimic dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, often leading to a misdiagnosis and a delay in receiving critical and proper treatment.

Doctors do not yet understand the specific causes of hydrocephalus. However, the current treatment was developed back in 1952 and involves surgically inserting a shunt into the brain. This carries serious risk of shunt failure, infection and obstructions. Overdrainage is also a threat. This can trigger a vertical collapse, causing blood vessels to tear and possibly resulting in a subdural hematoma.

Improvement in this treatment is long overdue, and with additional research, we can make it happen.

The National Institutes of Health recognizes this need and recently organized their first ever conference on hydrocephalus. This has resulted in efforts to initiate new collaborative research projects and an expansion of their focus on the development of new treatments.

This resolution commends the NIH for their action and encourages them to continue their collaborative efforts. It also calls for additional research into this serious condition.

However, we cannot depend solely on Federal efforts to expand awareness about hydrocephalus. I commend the Hydrocephalus Association and other groups for their commitment to patient advocacy and public education. Partnerships between these groups, health care providers and the government will bring us closer to our common goal: improved treatment of this condition.

I would like to say a special thanks to Dory Kranz, who is the current director of the Hydrocephalus Association, for her help in putting this resolution together and her ongoing work in this regard.

I ask my colleagues for their support of this resolution so we can further research into this very serious and important condition and we can bring about improved treatment to those individuals who are affected by this very, very serious and debilitating condition.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for recognizing me for time.

Mr. Speaker and Members, as a combat veteran, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you to the brave men and women who have served in Iraq, each with great distinction.

Our troops have done an outstanding job. They have done all that has been asked of them and more. They have performed with the utmost professionalism, making all of us very proud.

Now, I believe it is past time that we start bringing these brave men and

women home. They should be home with their families, not in the middle of Iraq's civil war. Moreover, we shouldn't be sending more troops into Iraq's civil war. Some of our servicemembers have been on two, three, and even four tours of duty in Iraq already.

This escalation would put too much strain on our military and not just our troops. Much of our military's equipment is damaged. It will take years and billions of dollars to repair it and replace it. Nearly every Reserve and National Guard member has been mobilized. The escalation is in no one's best interest.

Two weeks ago I joined with my colleague Patrick Murphy from Pennsylvania, a decorated Army captain who served in Iraq, to introduce binding legislation to begin a phased redeployment of our troops out of Iraq. Our bill, which has already attracted 20 co-authors from both sides of the aisle and has a companion bill in the Senate, provides a practical and comprehensive strategy for ending our military involvement in Iraq. It sets a firm deadline for phased redeployment of our troops beginning May 1 with all combat brigades out by March 31 of 2008. It provides a concrete plan for shifting security responsibilities to where they belong: with the Iraqis.

I have visited with our troops in Iraq, and I have talked to those who have been training the Iraqi security forces. They have told me that the U.S. troops have finished their job and that Iraq needs to step up and start securing their country. Americans cannot continue to do it for them.

Our bill recognizes that the President's escalation plan is a continuation of his failed ``stay the course'' slogan and it would not allow the increase of troop levels without congressional approval.

Mr. Speaker, the United States cannot win the peace in Iraq. The Iraqis must be the ones to do that. Our bill recognizes this reality and creates a surge in diplomacy, not troops, by creating a special U.S. envoy that will help build relationships between Iraq and their neighbors. Our bill is a strategy for success in Iraq and is the best way to bring our brave men and women home as quickly and safely as possible.

While I strongly believe that today we should be debating and passing our binding solution, H.R. 787, I know that this week's debate is the first real debate we have had on Iraq in more than 4 years. In this week alone, we will more than quadruple the amount of time given to debate this war since it began.

Thank you, Speaker Pelosi, for bringing this important matter to the floor. This resolution is a critical step in getting our men and women out of this ugly mess, a full blown civil war in Iraq. I support today's resolution, which joins with the American people in sending the President a loud and clear message that escalation is not the answer. We need to focus on getting our troops out of Iraq as safely and quickly as possible and making sure that the Iraqis step up and assume the security responsibilities for their country.

I also rise to tell those who have served, those who are serving in Iraq today, and their proud families thank you. Your Nation thanks you for your great service to our country.

Well, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to thank all of you who have taken time to come to the floor tonight to talk about this very, very important issue, an issue that impacts all of our districts, and most important the people that live within our districts.

Mr. Speaker, and Members of this House, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act was created to provide critical education and transportation funding for all of the counties that do not receive property tax from lands managed by the National Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

This program was enacted by this Congress to compensate local governments for the tax exempt status of these public lands. The law authorizing these payments, as you have heard tonight, expired at the end of fiscal year 2006.

And all of the counties that are touched by this issue received their last payment on December 2 of 2006. If we do not reauthorize this funding by the 15th of March, county school districts will have to fire teachers, and reduce critical education programs.

Counties will be forced to slash their transportation budgets. My Congressional district is heavily impacted by this issue, because of over 1.2 million acres that are managed by the National Forest Service.

The National Forest Service acreage in my district is twice the size of the State of Rhode Island, and every single acre is exempt from property tax. No county in my district will be hurt more than Del Norte County. I have a map of Del Norte County, not wanting to be outdone by my friends with their visuals, but no county will be hurt more in my district than Del Norte County, where nearly 80 percent of the county, 80 percent of all of the land within the county is owned by our Federal Government.

Jan Moorehouse, the Superintendent of the school district up in Del Norte, and she was I think very, very succinct in pointing out the problem. I will just tell you what she said. I cannot say it any better.

She said, the loss of funding is heart wrenching and carries an enormous impact on our ability to fund critical education programs for our youth. This is our future leaders. These are the people that will serve in Congress, serve in the State legislature, run the businesses, be on the city council, the people that will make the money to generate the greatness that our country is known for.

And we are taking money right out of their education, the things that will benefit them the most. Without this funding, the school district will have to increase their class size and lay off as many as 25 teachers. And that may not seem a lot to big city school districts, but up here it is nearly 10 percent of the entire teaching faculty. With more students and less teachers, this will dramatically reduce the student to teacher ratio and shortchange our kids.

In addition to the loss of faculty, Del Norte County School District will have to close their art and music programs, and some of the smaller schools in our county will have to close completely because they won't have the money to keep the doors open. Now, this is going to require that the school district bus students who live far from town travel over an hour each way to school on seasonably treacherous rural mountain roads.

Other county school districts in my district will also be hit hard and will have to eliminate teachers and staff for early literacy programs, special education and arts education. The Klamath-Trinity School District on the Hoopa Indian Reservation will have to lay off eight teachers, nearly 15 percent of their entire faculty.

And as I mentioned earlier, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act also provides critical funding for county transportation needs. Again, this is because the counties do not receive property tax from land managed by the National Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Humboldt County in my district has over 1,200 miles of county roads. The funding this program provides represents a large portion of that county's road maintenance budgets. Humboldt County has a maintenance backlog of over $150 million. Many other rural counties have similar backlogs, and the loss of this funding is going to be devastating.

Back in Del Norte County, the transportation money from this program represents 20 percent of the county road budget. And to add insult to injury, 40 percent of the county roads in Del Norte County are within the national forest. So the county is responsible for maintaining the roads in the very areas that are exempt from property taxes.

Mr. Speaker and Members, I urge this Congress to reauthorize and to fund this very important program as soon as possible. It is unconscionable for the Federal Government to walk away from our obligation to help these rural counties. Rural counties depend on these funds. They have no other option. We made a commitment, and it is up to us to follow through on that commitment.

Again, I thank you for taking the time to put this Special Order together and help us convince all of our colleagues how necessary and how important this program is and how critically important these funds are to a large area within our great country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in agreement with the wishes of 19,290 voters in Mendocino County, California concerning the United States military engagement in Iraq.

On November 8, 2006, Measure Y: Iraq War Advisory was on the ballot in Mendocino County. The measure asked the following: Should the United States end the military occupation of Iraq and bring the troops home now? It passed by 67.17 percent of the vote.

Madam Speaker, the voters who approved Measure Y know what has been evident for some time--we need to begin redeployment of the United States military forces out of Iraq. As of today, 3,056 brave American servicemen and women have been killed in Iraq and over 23,000 have been wounded. We must redeploy our troops as quickly and safely as possible while putting an emphasis on diplomacy and shifting security responsibilities to the Iraqi people.

The President has already spent close to half a trillion dollars on war spending and he has called for more troops and more money, but the results of our efforts have been to endanger American lives, and worsen living conditions for Iraqis. It is time to bring our troops home. The will of the American people is indisputable. They want a swift end to the U.S. involvement in Iraq.

Madam Speaker, in accordance with the wish of my constituents, I submit this advisory into the Congressional Record.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend Robert Chalk on the occasion of his retirement after 32 years of service as a Sheriff Deputy, Police Officer and Chief of Police in Lake County and Clearlake, California. Mr. Chalk has served his community with distinction. His commitment to running an open, citizen-oriented department will long be remembered.

Mr. Chalk began his career in law enforcement in 1975 as a new hire with the Lake County Sheriff's Department. For the last 25 years he has worked for the Clearlake Police Department, rising from Patrol Officer to Sergeant and then Lieutenant before being appointed Chief of Police in 1993. During this time he has also been immensely involved with local law enforcement groups, including 13 years as President of the Lake County Law Enforcement Chief's Association. During his tenure as Chief, Mr. Chalk has overseen a sharp reduction in crime rates in and around Clearlake. His strength of character and affection for his community has been reflected in the work he has accomplished as Chief of Police.

In addition to his work as Police Chief, Mr. Chalk volunteers in a number of civic and philanthropic organizations, working to strengthen his community. He was actively involved with the Citizens to Restore Clearlake, which was formed to bring about substantial improvements to the environment in Clearlake.

Mr. Chalk has deep roots in Lake County. Mr. Chalk was born in Lakeport, California and has lived and worked in Lake County all his life. He and his wife Marsha are the proud parents of 3 children, Johnnie, Merissa and Ryan and 10 grandchildren.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate at this time that we thank Mr. Robert Chalk for his many years of service to Lake County and the City of Clearlake, and extend our best wishes to him in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus Council 7899, Mary Queen of Peace Parrish, in

Clearlake, California. In Clearlake, throughout Lake County, and across the nation the members of the order, in keeping with their mission, have greatly contributed to the community and welfare of America.

The Mary Queen of Peace Parrish was chartered on December 17, 1981 with the mission to bring the values and benefits of the Knights of Columbus to Clearlake. Since that time, they have been active in numerous community charitable causes and have been model members of the community through their active civic participation. Their members are characterized by their love and charity for all, and their attention to members of the community, such as the elderly who may need companionship and support.

In Lake County, the Knights of Columbus have been the sponsors of many good works and projects. They have given ongoing support to People Service, Inc., an agency created to support members of the community who need assistance in their daily lives. They run an annual Tootsie Roll drive in support of the Knights of Columbus' work to help fund the Special Olympics and lend support to the annual Passion Play each spring.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize the Knights of Columbus Council 7899, Mary Queen of Peace Parrish, in Clearlake, California, in honor of the 25th anniversary of their foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4, and I am not here to claim that it will instantly bring seniors huge discounts on their drugs, but this legislation is an important first step, because it gives the Secretary one more tool to maximize savings for seniors and value for taxpayers.

It is important for another reason, lowering drug prices means that it will take seniors longer to hit the coverage gap, the donut hole, the period during which time they have to pay 100 percent of their drug costs.

Less than 25 percent of the drug plans in my district offer any sort of coverage during this donut hole period, and most of them have premiums of upwards of $100 a month. A lot of northern California seniors can't afford that. When they hit the coverage gap, they foot the entire bill, or they go without their medicine.

Allowing the Secretary to negotiate prices will complement, not replace, the negotiations being conducted by the private plans. It is one more tool that can be used to lower costs and prolong the amount of time it takes before seniors hit their donut hole.

This legislation does not create price controls, which I oppose, and it explicitly prevents the Secretary from setting a national formulary. Our Medicare program offers seniors choice and allows seniors access to the medicines that they need. This legislation will maintain that choice and access, and it is a good first step to bring about lower prices.

I support H.R. 4, and I encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3, legislation to expand Federal research on devastating diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and various cancers.

When President Bush announced in 2001 that Federal funds would be available for research performed using currently existing embryonic stem cell lines, I truly believed we had begun to open the door for life-saving research. Unfortunately for all Americans, less than a quarter of those lines proved suitable for research. As a result, research conducted in the United States has slowed considerably.

Federal restrictions on new lines have dashed the hopes of millions of Americans who are impacted by life-threatening illnesses stem cell research may cure. In addition, America is losing top medical researchers and scientists to other nations without such restrictions.

A handful of States have stepped in where the Federal Government has failed. My home state of California was the first to act, passing a ballot initiative in 2005 that authorized $3 billion in funding for embryonic stem cell research. I strongly supported that ballot initiative, and I would like to acknowledge the other States that have stepped up to the plate in a similar fashion.

Last year, I voted with 237 of my colleagues in the House and 63 Senators to pass Federal legislation to fund stem cell research. Tragically, the President ignored the will of the Congress and the American people by casting the only veto of his administration against this bill.

I am very proud that the Democratic majority has made facilitating this life-saving research a cornerstone of our agenda. Today's

vote signifies a Federal commitment to exploring every possible option available for curing these terrible illnesses.

Today, we cast a vote for hope. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.