Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I wish to join many of my constituents in Delaware, Ohio in

congratulating Chief Tom Macklin, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service with the City of Delaware Fire Department.

Chief Macklin's work was summed up best recently by a colleague who said that his 30-year commitment to Delaware has been marked by professionalism, loyalty and devotion to duty. Under Tom's leadership, the department has grown with the City of Delaware to meet the community's emerging public safety needs.

Chief Macklin began his career with the city in 1975 as a fire fighter. He steadily progressed, earning the rank of lieutenant in 1986, captain in 1989 and chief in 1991.

The City of Delaware has grown and changed for the better during Tom's tenure. Under his leadership, the fire department has evolved to handle the public safety demands of a city with a population of over 30,000. He has also overseen increases in manpower and the opening of a second fire station in the city. Since he became chief in 1991, fire responses have almost tripled.

I am honored to have this opportunity to thank Tom for all his hard work, and I am glad to join his family, friends, and colleagues in wishing him a long and active retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I always tell constituents back home when they ask me what the most important part of my job is, I tell them it is about helping people. This legislation today is really all about helping people, especially our senior citizens.

This bill renews our commitment to the vital programs our older Americans use every day in our communities, in our neighborhoods, and especially in their homes. The Committee on Education and the Workforce voted unanimously to favorably report out the Senior Independence Act of 2006 to the floor today. It is the product of months of hard work to reauthorize and make meaningful amendments to the Older Americans Act. We have heard from

national, from State, from local stakeholders and advocates, those involved directly in the output of services under this act.

We heard from constituents, seniors themselves, those on the receiving end of services, as the subcommittee went into the field and held field hearings in Edinburg, Texas, in Congressman Ruben Hinojosa's district, and in Westerville, Ohio, in my district.

The vast aging network contributed greatly to the reauthorization process. My gratitude goes out to all of them for their commitment to our seniors and to the mission of the act itself. It has been an open and a bipartisan process from the very beginning, and I believe we have a better product and a better bill because of that process, a bill that all Members of this House can support, and a bill that older Americans can support as well.

I want to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Hinojosa from Texas, and his staff, particularly Ricardo Martinez and Moira Lenehan, for their outstanding contribution to this process. Thank you so much. Mr. Hinojosa has been a devoted partner from the beginning of this process, and I am so grateful for his work on this legislation.

I also want to acknowledge the leadership, the friendship through the entire process that my friend Chairman McKeon has provided as well. Thank you for your tireless work and the tireless work of your staff. Kate Houston, Stephanie Milburn, Lucy House and Angela Klemack have all been great champions in this work that we have before us today.

I sincerely appreciate the support from the cosponsors of the legislation and all the members of the committee who supported the bill. It is a testament to our sincere efforts to have open and bipartisan process.

The Senior Independence Act builds on the successes of the programs authorized by the Older Americans Act by strengthening services to help individuals avoid institutional care and to improve the quality of life for aging Americans. It promotes the development and implementation of comprehensive, coordinated systems at the Federal, State and local levels to streamline access to programs, benefits and help for individuals to avoid institutional care.

It encourages local area agencies on aging to work with city and county officials, State agencies and other community entities to plan for the aging across multiple areas, including land use, housing, transportation, public safety and recreation.

Among other things, Mr. Speaker, it advances the mission of evidence- based programs to assist older Americans and their family caregivers in learning about and making behavioral changes intended to reduce the risk of injury, disease and disability among seniors.

The bill brings health care monitoring into the 21st century, providing grants specifically for the development of new practices and technologies, allowing physicians and other health care professionals to remotely monitor the health and well-being of our seniors either in the home or in community-based settings. It encourages providers to deliver services in a manner responsive to the needs and preferences of older individuals and their family caregivers.

Mr. Speaker, this bill also expands eligibility for the National Family Caregiver Support Program to grandparents and other relatives age 55 years and older who care for a grandchild or an adult child with a disability.

And this bill gives attention to the rising significance of Alzheimer's disease in our society. Current law allows caregivers to receive support only when they are caring for adults over the age of 60. However, it is estimated that about 300,000, about 7 to 8 percent, of the 4 million Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease are cases, are early onset.

This bill allows caregivers who care for individuals at any age with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia or neurological disorders to receive support from the caregiver support program.

The Senior Independence Act also emphasizes the critical link between nutrition and prevention of chronic disease, and supports efforts to reduce the incidence of obesity, which is a growing problem among all segments of our society, and seniors as well.

It strengthens, finally, Mr. Speaker, the Community Service Employment-Based Training Program for older Americans, promoting business sector partnerships, flexibility to grantees, and recognizing seniors as valuable assets to our communities and to our Nation, promoting activities to harness their services for the greater good of our community and our country.

The Education and Workforce Committee has strived to make the necessary reforms to make the most of the Federal investment in programs to assist older Americans, while ensuring that the growing senior population is served by quality programs established by the 1965 law.

I thank Chairman McKeon, I thank Ranking Member Miller and Ranking Member Hinojosa of my subcommittee for their tireless and great work for this product. The Senior Independence Act of 2006 accomplishes all these goals, and I am a proud sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Speaker, and urge all my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter), a member of our subcommittee who was a great asset to the development of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to a contributing member of the Education and Workforce Committee, a veteran member of the committee from Michigan, Mr. Ehlers.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska, another contributing member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Mr. Osborne.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo).

Mr. Speaker, it has been an honor and a privilege to be the sponsor of this legislation, to work with Chairman McKeon, before him Chairman Boehner, the ranking member of

the subcommittee, Mr. Hinojosa, the field hearings that we had, the wonderful staff, the bipartisan vote out of committee. I urge all my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on this great piece of legislation for our aging seniors across our country.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Paul Redman, an ndividual who has contributed his time and effort to the central Ohio community for over a decade. Paul's talent has made the Franklin Park Conservatory one of the signature cultural sites in Columbus.

The Franklin Park Conservatory provides an important service to Ohioans. It provides not only a showcase for the beauty of nature but serves as a vital educational source on botanical and ecological matters. The extensive facilities allow thousands of individuals throughout the region to participate in the study and appreciation of nature and various nature-based art.

Paul's professionalism has drawn the premier artists of our day to display their work at the conservatory. His tireless efforts to provide the best exhiibits and value for the community have served to enhance central Ohio's reputation for quality people and superior work. His contributions to the civic and cultural landscape of central Ohio will continue to impact generations to come. His exemplary leadership and service have added to central Ohio's growing fame as one of the most vibrant areas in America.

I am pleased to recognize Paul's commitment to central Ohio and his outstanding tenure as Executive Director of the Franklin Park Conservatory. I'm proud to echo the sentiments expressed by so many prestigious voices across the country, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Art Trevethan on his long and illustrious career with Nationwide Insurance and to celebrate his accomplishments with him as he embarks upon a new chapter in life.

Art's legendary leadership and service have contributed to central Ohio's business community and its growing fame as one of the most vibrant areas in America. No matter what he has involved himself in, he has always found success. His outstanding record of achievement speaks volumes about his quality as a topflight businessman and civic-minded leader. His commitment to free enterprise and interest in fostering good government have had a tremendous impact across our state and nation.

I appreciate the countless hours and tremendous amount of personal energy he has expended working to bridge the business and public policy worlds. Art understands the decisions made in the halls of our government impact businesses and the lives of employees. Rather than stand on the sidelines and wring his hands over public policy in Columbus or Washington, he has worked to inform policymakers about how their proposals affect companies and encouraged working people and executives to become involved in the process.

Art Trevethan has been a tremendous asset not only to Nationwide, but to the community as well. As he closes the book on one career and begins another as founder of (Re) Insurance Recovery Solutions, I am confident he will continue his good works and find happiness and success in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. George Kaitsa for his dedication to public service as he prepares to return to private life.

Mr. Kaitsa has a record of dedicated public service as a Member of Council and leader for Powell, Ohio. I am certain that his foresight and commitment to building a brighter future for the citizens of Powell will continue to inspire others. Providing Powell with the best representation and leadership possible has always been George's goal, and his service in office and commitment to his constituents over the years ensures his legacy will continue to be felt far into the future.

Thank you, George, for your service. Please allow me to join your friends and family in wishing you good health and prosperity.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the chairman rising to engage me in a colloquy.

I would like to thank both you and Chairman Thomas for your work on this bill. As you remember, back during the committee, I spoke about shutdown benefits and appreciate the work that you and Chairman Thomas have done in the last couple of days to deal with stakeholders in that industry. However, the language contained in the bill does not quite go far enough, I believe, in helping everybody in every industry.

Mr. Chairman, as I have told you before, my father worked in the manufacturing business as an employee for over 20 years. He was a member of the steel workers, and one day when I was in high school, he came home and was out of a job, which is traumatic enough, but he was also out of a pension.

Today, employers and employer groups can work together to provide shutdown benefits to employees and to families, and my hope is that your commitment still stands, as it has, that we will work, particularly with the steel industry as we have done with the auto industry, to make sure that shutdown benefits remain a vital option for employers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the brave Marines of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment who returned home to Columbus, Ohio this morning after deploying for ten months, eight of which they spent in Iraq.

This reserve Marine Corps infantry unit, which is composed of young men from all walks of life, left home, family, career, and college to respond with honor and courage to the call of service issued by our great nation. Lima Company served in western Iraq in Haditha, in al Anbar Province, one of the most dangerous and insurgent-infested areas of the entire country. They pursued their mission to seek out and engage insurgents in their strongholds to reduce the terrorists' ability to disrupt Iraq's new democratically elected government.

Central Ohioans could not be more proud of their service. These brave young Marines participated in operations ``Matador,'' ``New Market'' and ``Quick Strike,'' conducting house to house searches for weapons and terrorists. Lima Company engaged in direct combat with the enemy and performed with great honor and distinction fighting side by side with our active duty troops.

It is often said that freedom is not free. Nobody knows the truth of this statement better than the Marines and their families of Lima Company. In the performance of their duties, Lima Company suffered grievous casualties. 16 Marines lost their lives, and 34 Marines were wounded.

I am grateful to the Marines of Lima Company who put themselves in harm's way to make our country safer, and to make the world a better place. I urge my fellow Americans and this Congress to never forget the debt we owe these young heroes and their families. Now that they have returned, they need our help as much as ever to heal from their wounds, to reconnect with their families and resume their lives. And in the case of those families whose Marine did not return home, they need our support and prayers as they face each new day without the one they loved.

We must all work together to help these Marines and their families as they return to civilian life. To the Department of Veterans Affairs, I say give these heroes the best care possible. I ask employers to give these young Marines a chance to serve in your organizations. I urge the people of Central Ohio to help the families of the fallen. Finally to the brave Marines of Lima Company, I simply say thank you and God bless you for your service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, and in special recognition of Hispanics in central Ohio and throughout our country.

During this designated month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of our friends and neighbors with Hispanic roots. Hispanics are now the largest minority group in the United States. The 2000 Census found that 35.3 million people identified themselves as Hispanic American. That represents a 58 percent increase from the 1990 Census.

Beyond the data, the reality is that Hispanics are an integral part of America's social fabric. I am proud that the State of Ohio is home to more than 217,000 residents of Hispanic/Latino descent. Hispanic Americans continue to make great strides in education, employment, health, homeownership, and economic mobility. This is a result of a set of values that includes a strong work ethic, family values, and service to community.

Hispanic Americans in central Ohio serve the community in numerous capacities. In particular, recent immigrants unfamiliar with the English language are served by Spanish interpreters who help provide them access to health care, education, legal assistance and other vital services. Mi Directorio Hispano, a business directory, and Spanish newspapers in central Ohio, like La Voz Hispana, connect Hispanics with the community and keep them informed. The Ohio Hispanic Coalition, a nonprofit outreach organization, and the Ohio Commission of Hispanic/ Latino Affairs serve as advocates for the needs of Hispanic people and help to promote good relations among the community-at-large.

Mr. Speaker, the Hispanic community is a vital part of central Ohio and our country. As we move forward as a nation, it is important to pursue policies that can further expand opportunities for Hispanic Americans. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in support and in honor of Hispanic Americans, their culture and traditions, and their work and service that contribute to the greatness of this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday July 25, 2005, I was delayed in returning to Washington, DC from Columbus, OH due to inclement weather. As a result, I was unable to record a vote on rollcall No. 41-H.J. Res. 59, No. 418-H. Con. Res. 181, and No. 419-H. Res. 376. I support these measures and had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall Nos. 417, 418 and 419.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with many others in Central Ohio in honoring Dr. Jerry McAfee, who is retiring after nearly four decades of service in the Columbus Public Schools.

As a proud product of the Columbus Public Schools myself and as one of his students, I can attest to the impact Jerry has had on so many lives. Obviously, I learned much from Jerry about music, which he taught with distinction for years. But the lessons he imparted about leadership and service, in word and deed, were far more valuable. They were a major influence in my decision to seek elective office, and they continue to guide me as I do my job in Congress today.

For me and for so many others, Jerry McAfee has been an inspiration. While his days as an educator and administrator in the Columbus Public Schools are coming to an end, I am certain he will continue to play an important role in our community for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, I was not present for rollcall votes 299, 300, 301, 302, and 303.

Had I been present I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall votes 299, 300, 301, and 302, and ``yea'' on rollcall vote 303.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act, and the inclusion of my language that extends hiring preferences for federal jobs to more veterans.

I want to thank armed services Chairman Duncan Hunter for including this language in his manager's amendment. Chairman Hunter's concern for our men and women in uniform is second to none.

Currently, only veterans who have spent 30 consecutive days in a combat area are eligible for federal hiring preference.

Thousands of regular military, reserve and national guard forces who have served in the war on terror, both in this country and abroad, don't qualify because they don't meet the 30 day standard.

That's wrong. They've sacrificed and faced the same hardships. They deserve the same benefits.

My language extends the hiring preference to any honorably discharged vet who has spent 180 days on active duty in the war on terror. This is very similar to language approved by Congress for veterans of the gulf war.

This problem was brought to my attention by reservists in my district. On their behalf, and on behalf of all our veterans, I want to thank Chairman Hunter and my colleagues in the House for accepting my language.

Mr. Speaker, a most distinguished career in journalism is coming to an end with the retirement of Columbus Dispatch statehouse reporter Lee Leonard. The dean of the Ohio Capitol press corps, Lee's career has spanned five decades, with most of that time spent covering state government and politics in Columbus.

Lee began his journalism career with United Press International in Boise, Idaho in 1962 and spent six years with UPI in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania covering state government. He moved to Columbus in 1969 and became manager of UPl's Statehouse bureau. Lee has covered 11 national political conventions, interviewed former presidents Eisenhower and Carter and was voted one of UPI's 20 most respected bylines in a national survey of subscribing newspaper editors. Among his many awards and honors is a first place prize from the Press Club of Cleveland in 2001 for politics and government writing.

For the last 15 years, Lee has reported for the Columbus Dispatch. He is a living Statehouse encyclopedia who is widely respected and admired, both by his journalistic peers and those in state government. It's not surprising that ``Just call Lee'' has become a common refrain at the Dispatch offices whenever a question has arisen about state government.

As a former state legislator who has enjoyed many dealings with Lee over the years, I am glad to join his family, friends and colleagues in wishing him a long and active retirement.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I am often asked in Columbus, Ohio, why it is so partisan here in Washington, D.C., and one wonders why 2 days after we get sworn in.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke with a board of elections official this morning in my district, a Democrat, who said that what we are doing today is, in her opinion, an insult to not only Democrat but Republican board members throughout the State. The bipartisan system that is in place in Ohio, not one board member has objected to the process in Ohio, not one.

Mr. Speaker, were there problems? Certainly, there were problems in Ohio. Were there long lines? Certainly. I stood in a long line in my area. The Columbus Dispatch reported there were long lines everywhere. In fact, in central Ohio, in Columbus, Ohio, the busiest places to vote were not in urban areas. They were in suburban areas.

All electoral votes in Ohio have said what we are doing today is wrong. In fact, the chairman of the Democrat Party in Franklin County, my county, has gone so far as to label the charges as a band of conspiracy theorists. I did not say that; he said that. By the way, Mr. Anthony, the head of the Franklin County Democrat Party, the head of the board of elections in Franklin County is also a union official, an African American and a good man.

Mr. Speaker, what we are doing here today, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer has said, is the election horse is dead. We are beating a dead horse. The election is over. Let us get on with it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment with where we are today and what this process has become. I'd like to start by pointing out just a few facts.

County boards of elections in Ohio are bipartisan--made up of two Republicans and two Democrats. These individuals routinely put in 12-15 hours a day for 3 months to oversee elections in Ohio. I've spoken with Democratic members of the boards of elections in the counties I represent. They too have expressed disappointment. In fact, not one board of elections official has raised complaints.

In fact, Franklin County Board of Elections Chairman William Anthony has gone so far as to label those making these wild charges ``a band of conspiracy theorists.'' By the way, Anthony is also head of the Franklin County Democratic Party. I know him personally, as I do others who serve on the boards of elections in the three counties I represent.

Democrat or Republican, they badly want their candidates to win. But above all else, they want to ensure that everyone eligible to vote has an opportunity to do so, and that each vote is counted accurately.

Were there problems? Certainly. Long lines, not enough voting machines, these are things we can discuss. But, we must also acknowledge that these are problems that occurred across the board-- urban and rural, Republican and Democrat.

The Republicans and Democrats who served on each county board of elections decide on the placement of voting machines jointly. I don't think the Democrats would agree to a plan that would cost their candidates votes by shifting machines away from where their supporters cast ballots.

Second, there were lines everywhere because of unprecedented turnout. As The Columbus Dispatch pointed out after the election, the busiest places to vote were not in the urban areas of Columbus, but in the suburbs.

All editorial boards of the major newspapers in Ohio have said what we are doing today is over the line. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, ``The election horse is dead. You can stop beating it now.''

Everybody talks about how partisan this town has gotten. I wonder why--look at how we're starting the 109th Congress.

In closing, I'd like to say a few words to boards of elections members--and all other elections workers--that they might not have heard recently:

Thanks. Your hard work is appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ney and I wish to join many of our constituents in Licking County, Ohio in congratulating Albert Ashbrook, who is retiring after more than 16 years of service as a county commissioner.

Albert's work was summed up best recently by a former colleague, who noted that Albert never shied away from the tough issues and was always looking out for the best interests of the people and county government. We would add that he did so not only with a plain spoken dedication to duty, but also a tremendous sense of humor.

Licking County has grown and changed for the better during Albert's tenure. He's helped with the creation of a Domestic Relations Court, a one-stop employment service and improved auto licensing and titling facilities, just to name a few of the projects in which he has had a hand. At the same time, he's always made fiscal responsibility a top priority.

Public service has been a way of life for Albert. Prior to his work as a commissioner, he served in various capacities with the Soil and Water Conservation District, and is a member of the District Hall of Fame.

Although he's leaving the commissioners' office, Albert is hoping to continue his community involvement as a member of the Licking County Planning Commission. In any event, we know he'll still be there to offer guidance and advice to anyone with the good sense to seek it.

We are honored to have this opportunity to thank Albert for all his hard work, and wish him and his wife Shirley many more active years together.