Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 149, a bill recognizing the 57th Anniversary of the Independence of the State of Israel. Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, marks a day when Theodor Herzl's prophetic words became reality: ``if you will it, it is no dream.''

The State of Israel was established as a sovereign and independent nation 57 years ago, and it continues to be a strong friend of the United States and a beacon of democracy in the Middle East.

On May 14, 1948, Israel was officially established, and the United States was one of the first countries to recognize Israel, doing so within 11 minutes of its creation. Israel has come a long way since those initial minutes. The Israeli people have contributed greatly as scholars, innovators, educators, and more, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize their accomplishments.

Since the very beginning of its existence, Israel has been a vital ally of the United States, enjoying a strategic partnership based on shared democratic values, friendship, and respect. America and Israel shall remain close friends for years to come, particularly as Israel continues to seek peace with her neighbors. On the Jewish Calendar, Israel's Independence Day falls on the 5th of Iyar, corresponding this year with May 12, 2005. This day is a joyous time to reflect with pride on the work of the men and women who knew that one day the dream of the State of Israel would become a reality.

Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in extending warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate this 57th year of Israel's independence. I wish them peace and prosperity in the years to come, kein yehi ratzon.

Madam Speaker, yesterday the President said, ``Those who obstruct reform, no matter what party they are, will pay a political price.'' Ironically, it is the President's insistence on privatization of Social Security that is slowing retirement reform. Privatization of Social Security has become the poison pill of progress.

We need to broaden the debate on privatizing Social Security into a discussion of retirement security. Democrats have ideas and proposals; our Republican friends have ideas and their proposals. We are not all that far apart. But before we can move forward, the privatization of Social Security has brought progress to a standstill.

Here are four ideas I have proposed: automatic enrollment in 401(k)s for all Americans; direct deposits of tax refunds into savings accounts; a government match of the first $2,000 you save, matching it for 50 percent; and the universal 401(k) to simplify and consolidate the 16 different savings vehicles that exist.

Madam Speaker, make no mistake, this is the domestic issue of our time. We can choose to lead, or we can continue to debate the privatization plan the public has already rejected. Let us not allow the President to stand in the way of progress. The American people deserve a secure retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud recognition of Lincoln Park High School, recently selected by Newsweek Magazine as one of America's best high schools.

Lincoln Park High School, formerly named Robert A. Waller High School, has served the students and families of Chicago's North Side for over 100 years. Lincoln Park High School provides its students with exciting opportunities for academic, athletic and artistic growth, while instilling values that will serve its students throughout their lives.

The students at Lincoln Park High School have established an impressive record of academic achievement. Eighty-seven percent ofthe school's 2004 graduates enrolled in a college or university. Lincoln Park High School currently has 8 National Merit Semi-Finalists in 2005, and has had more National Merit Semi-Finalists over the last 15 years than all other Chicago Public Schools combined.

Students at Lincoln Park High School enjoy the support of strong parent and alumni associations which take an active role in over 60 extra curricular activities and clubs. Community partnerships with institutions such as Children's Memorial Hospital, Charlie Trotter's Restaurant and the Lincoln Park Zoo also provide learning opportunities outside of the classroom in a wide range of disciplines.

These activities and experiences teach students the importance of academic achievement while also providing a balanced perspective on life that promotes responsibility, justice and social service.

Mr. Speaker, Lincoln Park High School is a shining example of public education at its best. I am proud of the students, faculty and families of Lincoln Park High School and I wish them continued success in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 266, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Police officers make extraordinary sacrifices in fulfilling their mission to serve and protect, and I am pleased to join my colleagues in saying thank you to Peace Officers Memorial Day. I am privileged to know many fine police officers including my Uncle Les, a dedicated and long time officer with the Chicago Police Department.

The heroism of our nation's police officers can be seen both in their responses to emergencies and in their everyday work serving our neighborhoods. In Chicago, the fine work done by the police department has reduced crime in almost every category in the past year, bringing serious crimes to a 13 year low and homicides to a historic 38 year low.

Police departments across the country continue to play an important role in building and maintaining stable, safe communities. The Chicago Police Department assists with community policing programs and plays an important role in youth counseling and recreation programs to help at- risk teenagers reach their full potential as contributing members of society.

In 2004, 153 peace officers nationwide gave their lives in the protection of our families and communities. The death of any police officer is a tragedy and a loss felt deeply in our communities. I join with my colleagues in honoring the memory and sacrifices of these heroes, and I applaud the continued service of law enforcement officers and all public safety workers who face danger every day while protecting our streets, our schools, and our communities.

Mr. Speaker, we have a responsibility to support our nation's law enforcement officers and supply them with the tools and resources they need to ensure their safety and ours. I am proud to join my colleagues today in honoring the contributions of our nation's peace officers, and I ask that my colleagues join me in working to provide sufficient support to the 87,000 heroes who make up our nation's local law enforcement community.

Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, I rise in strong support of this legislation. H.R. 810 is essential legislation that will expand opportunities for scientists to treat spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and other devastating diseases.

There are ethical concerns over the use of embryonic stem cells in research, and we should not treat stem cells as just another laboratory product. We must strongly prohibit unethical practices, such as human cloning. And we should not allow embryos to be bought and sold.

But it is important to recognize that, as part of the process of in vitro fertilization, many embryos are created that are never used and are slated to be destroyed. With the stringent moral safeguards established by this legislation, including the required written consent of the donors, I believe we should permit the use of stem cells from these embryos. The use of embryos for research that would otherwise be destroyed strikes a responsible balance between the ethical and medical values associated with stem cell research.

The current state of stem cell research suggests that there is significant progress to be made if we move forward in this area. Leading scientists have testified that adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells do not share the ability of embryonic stem cells to replicate all other cells in the human body. If we don't invest in stem cell research, millions of Americans with some of the most debilitating diseases will not be able to avail themselves of the treatments or cures that might result.

In addition, if we fail to invest federal resources in embryonic stem cell research, the U.S. will lose its competitive advantage in this essential area of science. The limited federal support for stem cell research is just one area of science in which the U.S. is falling behind. Last year China produced 160,000 more engineers than we did. Nearly 40 percent of U.S. jobs in science or technology requiring a Ph.D.

are now filled by people born abroad--that's up from 25 percent in 1990. We now rank below 13 other countries--including Japan, Germany, and South Korea--in the percentage of 24-year-olds with a college degree in a science or engineering field--that's down from third in the world 25 years ago.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation will help the U.S. to move forward on our moral imperative to perform stem cell research in an ethically responsible way. I urge all of my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, for millions of Americans their retirement has become less, not more, secure. Part of the problem is that we are not saving enough. Half of all Americans do not participate in employer-sponsored retirement plans, and for 28 million households they have no retirement plans outside of Social Security.

A savings crisis in America, combined with privatizing Social Security, is a recipe for disaster. As the collapse of the United Airlines pension demonstrates, Social Security is a key to retirement security for many Americans. We must preserve Social Security while we encourage Americans to save more for their retirement.

Here are four ideas: Automatic enrollment in 401(k)'s for all Americans; direct deposit of their tax refunds into their savings plans; government match for the first $2,000 they save, matching it by 50 percent; and universal 401(k)'s to simplify and consolidate the 16 different tax savings plans on the tax rolls.

Mr. Speaker, a saving crisis faces America, but we can do something about it. We should act now to encourage more Americans to save for their retirement while strengthening Social Security, not privatizing it.

Madam Speaker, as we continue debating the future of Social Security, it is important to remember for more Americans they cannot save enough for their retirement.

In fact, over half of all Americans do not participate in employer- sponsored retirement plans, and for 28 million households in America they have no other retirement security outside of Social Security.

For America's families retirements are less, not more secure. United Airline employees last week learned that painful lesson.

For that reason it is crucial that we strengthen, not weaken, Social Security, as well as enable more Americans to save for their retirement.

Specifically, step one, we should encourage companies to automatically enroll their employees in their 401(k) plans. At R.R. Donnelley, a Chicago company, auto enrollment dramatically increased 401(k) participation when they did automatic participation, up to 92 percent.

Second, we should make the Saver's Credit fully refundable and permanent. A recent H&R Block study shows, when offered a matching contribution, Americans save more.

Third, we should allow taxpayers to directly deposit their tax refund into a savings account.

And, fourth, finally, we should create universal 401(k)s for all Americans to consolidate the different savings plans that exist.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of the first inauguration of the late Richard J. Daley, former mayor of Chicago and one of America's all-time greatest mayors. His legacy was honored at a symposium last week at the University of Illinois at Chicago, UIC, followed by a gala reception and benefit for that fine school.

This event, attended by the mayor's family, friends and many other Chicagoans was addressed by public servants and members of the media who knew and worked with the mayor. Remembered as a man of strong conviction and dedication to his family, faith and the city, Mayor Daley left an indelible mark as Chicago's longest-serving chief executive.

As many participants made clear at the symposium, evidence of Mayor Daley's stamp on Chicago can be seen clearly today. From its vibrant downtown to its freeways and mass transit to O'Hare International Airport, Mayor Daley forever transformed Chicago into the ``city that works.'' He appreciated the importance of the city's great cultural institutions and core businesses, building strong partnerships that have enabled Chicago to avoid the pitfalls affecting many other industrial cities. His visionary founding of UIC as an urban college for the children of immigrants and working families was perhaps his greatest achievement, making it a most appropriate place for the Daley Library, Archives and student scholarships in the name of the late mayor and his beloved wife, Eleanor.

Through times of great social upheaval and racial tension, the mayor never wavered from his vision of politics and government as ``a people business.'' He maintained his commitment to public education and economic opportunity for all people, working closely with national leaders like Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson toward these goals, which passage of the landmark Civil Rights and Voting Rights laws.

In return for his dedicated service and in recognition of his great love for Chicago, its residents elected and re-elected him an unprecedented six times.

Still, Mayor Daley made the time to be a loving husband and devoted father to seven children. His eldest son, Richard M. Daley, has succeeded him as mayor, and has built his own legacy as a great leader and urban visionary. Together, the two Mayor Daleys have provided the city of Chicago with outstanding leadership and direction and along with the entire Daley family have shown a sense of commitment to public service that is inspiring. I am proud that, 50 years after the first Mayor Daley's inauguration, Chicago is among the world's greatest and most vibrant cities. May it remain so for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, this week we are considering legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security. These are necessary, important pieces of legislation, two bills we are taking up, that will help protect our homeland from terrorist threats and make the type of investments we need to make in areas of our airports, ports, roads, chemical facilities and nuclear facilities. Overall the homeland security bill funding will increase by 4 percent.

But while we are focused on defending ourselves from terrorists here in the United States and fighting terrorists in Iraq, one has to wonder whether we are not missing some other threats that are looming on the horizon that America must protect themselves. Friday in the New York Times, Tom Friedman mentioned that the University of Illinois recently tied for 17th place in the world finals of a major computer competition. That is the university that also helped develop the Internet.

Seventeenth was the best of any U.S. university and the worst we have done in 29 years of the competition. Who was number one? Shanghai, China. Second place and third place were won, respectively, by Moscow State University and St. Petersburg Institute of Fine Mechanics and Optics. The last time an American university won the competition was 1997. I do not think I have to remind anyone here that the modern computer and the field of computer science was invented here in the United States, and yet the best we can do is 17th. But it is not just in computers and the computer competition that America's place in the world has fallen.

Last year, the Chinese produced 160,000 more engineers than we did. Nearly 40 percent of all the U.S. jobs in a science or technology field that require a Ph.D. are filled by foreigners, up from 25 percent in just 15 years. We now rank below 13 other countries, including Japan, South Korea and Germany, in the percentage of 24-year-olds with a college degree in science and engineering. That is down from third place just 25 years ago.

And according to the National Science Teachers Association, just 26 percent of recent high school graduates scored high enough on their ACT science test to have a good chance of completing a first-year college science course.

I say all this because it is about the foundation and this competition and this area that is going to lay the groundwork for whether America keeps its economic and competitive edge with the rest of the world. What would you think if that was the type of threat that you saw coming to the United States? What type of preparation would you do? We know what we are doing on homeland security. We created a new department. We are increasing its funding. What do we do as it relates to this type of falling down and declining percentages of Americans leading in the area of science and technology?

The recent budget we passed here cuts basic research by 13 percent. It cuts applied research by 15 percent. Investments in research facilities and equipment are cut by 68 percent. We have to rely on Russians to service the International Space Station because we are cutting basic research funding at NASA by 7 percent. We are cutting the funding for the Department of Education. State grants for innovative education programs were cut by $100 million. Funding for the improvement of postsecondary education was gutted by $140 million.

These are not the type of priorities that understand the threat to the United States economic future and the type of global economy and global competition this country is facing. We are living on past times and on borrowed time in the area of science and technology, but that is not how the Chinese, Indians, Japanese, Germans and others across Europe are facing this competition.

America did well in 17th place. It can do better. The way it does better is it makes the type of investments in our universities. It allows the people in our high schools and in our colleges to understand the priorities. Unfortunately the budget we voted on did not reflect America's future and investment in its future. What it says is that as we deal with the terrorist threat of homeland security and increasing the funding by 4 percent, increasing our defense budget, making cuts in basic research and basic funding, and I did not add into that area, in the National Institutes of Health for the first time in over 15 years that budget was held without an increase, which basically means a cut.

These are not the type of investments of a major economy, the leader in the global economy, that builds and plans for the future. These are the cuts of an economy and an administration that does not see its vision for America's future as bright and as strong as the past and it is clearly not putting its money toward that investment. It is high time that we understand that as we take up these two pieces of legislation this week on homeland security, we understand there are other threats to the United States, ones that are looming on the horizon and coming to shore, and that is in the area of technology and competing against the Chinese and the Indians and we are not having a budget that reflects the types of investments we need to do.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 142, honoring Rotary International on the occasion of the organization's one hundred year anniversary. I am proud to note that the Rotary Club was founded in 1905 by Paul P. Harris in my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Over the past century, the Rotary Club has grown into one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the world.

Rotary's Membership includes 1.2 million professional and business leaders who belong to 31,000 clubs in over 165 countries. These members adhere to the Rotary's motto, ``Service Above Self,'' through community service projects, high moral conduct, and promotion of international good will.

In 1985, Rotary International launched PolioPlus, an effort to immunize the children of

the world against Polio. Rotary's efforts in conjunction with the WHO, CDC and UNICEF have nearly eradicated the disease, reducing worldwide incidence from 350,000 cases in 1988 to 1,266 cases in 2004. By the end of 2005, PolioPlus will have donated over $500 million to this remarkable effort. Since its inception in 1947, the Rotary Foundation has awarded over $1.1 billion in humanitarian and educational grants, focusing on international humanitarian service programs and educational and cultural exchanges.

The scholarship program established by Rotary International is the largest privately-funded source of international scholarships in the world. Through this program, 8,000 secondary school students have studied abroad, 35,000 students have participated in the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars program, and 46,000 young professionals have explored careers in other countries.

Next month, over 37,000 members representing 150 countries will attend the 2005 Centennial Rotary International Convention in Chicago as apart of the greatest celebration in Rotary's history. On behalf of the people of Chicago, I would like to welcome these members to the birthplace of their organization.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Rotary International and all of its members worldwide for their impressive accomplishments over the past one hundred years in the areas of community service, Polio eradication and international exchange. I look forward to another hundred years of commendable service to the country and the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day. This year, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic events that resulted in the murder of six million Jews and millions of other men and women. Today, we honor their memory and sacrifice.

Yom Hashoah is a sad day, but it also has a message of hope. It evokes memories of the lows of humanity and what can happen when the world turns its back to oppression. It reminds us of the suffering of millions who endured the evils of discrimination and racism. The entire world was impacted by the terrible events of World War II. We remember and honor the many individuals and their loved ones who suffered simply because of their religion or ethnicity.

This occasion is also a time for hope because we honor the memory of the past by passing down the lessons we have learned to future generations so that such tragic history will never repeat itself. Today, many events are taking place around the world to remind us of the events that took place during World War II and to unite all people together against racism, bigotry and hate.

The Days of Remembrance Ceremony was held in the Rotunda of our Nation's Capitol, a fitting place to spread the message of justice and freedom and to remember the heroes who gave their lives in the fight for freedom and democracy only 60 years ago. I am proud to stand here today to honor the memory of the victims in hope that the world will never again witness these atrocities.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important day for all mankind to stand together against racism, hate and intolerance and I urge all my colleagues to take a moment to reflect and remember.

Mr. Speaker, today we are given a stark reminder of what is at stake in this debate about Social Security.

Yesterday, United Airlines unloaded their pension plan for their 100,000-plus employees onto the taxpayer, resulting in benefits being cut up to 40 percent. Now, go ask those United Airlines' employees what they think of Social Security as part of their retirement.

Earlier this year, US Airways unloaded their pension plan on the taxpayers, cutting benefits up to 50 percent. Go ask those U.S. Airways' employees what they think of Social Security.

It may come as a shock to some, but the American people like the security that comes with Social Security. That is what this debate is about. For United Airlines' employees, U.S. Airways' employees, the steel industry before them and probably the auto industry coming next, Social Security is the linchpin to their retirement security. They reject the idea of doing to Social Security what just happened to their private plan, where they put their personal and employer-based savings. It is now on the roulette table, and benefits are being cut by 40 percent.

The fact is, that is what this debate is, for two-thirds of seniors and 40 percent of widows rely on Social Security as their only retirement. Mr. Speaker, this debate is more than about the solvency of Social Security; it is about retirement security for every American.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to give my Special Order at this time.

Mr. Speaker, this week, the Senate finally passed the latest of the Iraq war supplemental funding. The $82 billion package brings the war's total cost to date, both in Iraq and Afghanistan, to $300 billion. This month will be the 2-year anniversary of the President's speech on the U.S.S. Lincoln announcing, ``mission accomplished.''

So what has ``mission accomplished'' and $300 billion got us so far? We have defeated Saddam Hussein's regime, yet we find ourselves marred in an endless occupation. This past January, we witnessed a successful election in Iraq, yet progress on developing a functioning government has been slow at best. Terrorism and insurgency are as strong as ever and continue to be escalating at certain times. Today, we saw that in a very serious way with more than 79 Iraqis killed in a terrorist act. Over the weekend, we lost again a number of our fellow citizens, bringing the total of U.S. soldiers killed to nearly 1,600 and 12,000 wounded. The economy in Iraq is stalled. The civil society cannot form a consensus, and millions of Iraqis remain without the basic services and functions of a civil society and government.

Our brave men and women are fulfilling their obligation and their duty to the United States Armed Forces and continue to fight valiantly, but the battle has taken its toll. As I said, nearly 1,600 fellow citizens have been killed. These are brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles and Little League coaches and members of churches and other parts of their community who will no longer be with us. And more than 12,000 soldiers have been wounded. The strain is so great that recruiters for the Armed Forces cannot meet their enlistment goals. Last month, the Army alone missed its recruitment goal by 42 percent. The Pentagon now says they are stretched so thin, it would be difficult for the Armed Forces to meet other obligations should they need to do so.

Mr. Speaker, Operation Iraqi Freedom was a war of choice, and as President Kennedy once said, to govern is to choose. One can only hope that this choice is the right choice. In fact, while we have been fighting in Iraq, North Korea multiple times over the last 2 years has crossed red lines that have existed through Democratic and Republican administrations and has flaunted those goals. While we have been tied down in Iraq, North Korea's situation has gotten far worse.

Mr. Speaker, every other President in the history of the United States, when this Nation has gone to war, has thought about America after the war: how to build an America on the shoulders of that military victory so that victory overseas is also a victory here at home; how to build a stronger America for tomorrow.

Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War not only envisioned reconstruction but he envisioned a transcontinental railroad, envisioned land-grant colleges. President Roosevelt lead the Nation through the Great Depression in World War II, and he then in the closing days thought of a GI Bill and, 11 months before the close of the war, signed a GI Bill into law, allowing millions to buy a home and receive a college education. President Eisenhower, in the days of the Korean War, envisioned an interstate highway system. President Kennedy, during the struggles of the Cold War and Vietnam, envisioned a man on the moon and saw that America could envision something greater. Every President in every Congress throughout our history during the days of a war has thought about how to bring that victory home and mean a victory for the American people, not just a military victory.

So what do we have in these days of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan? President Eisenhower envisioned an interstate highway system; we have a President who is talking about vetoing our highway bill.

President Roosevelt thought of a GI bill, thought how to build America after the war. This President has eliminated and canceled vocational training programs and cut Pell grants, as well as President Johnson, during the days of the Vietnam signed into law the Medicaid legislation. This President's budget cuts $10 billion from Medicaid. All this because we are sagged down having added in the last 4\1/2\ years a little over $2 trillion to the Nation's debt. Our dreams for America are limited now, and literally weighed down by a Nation, by a debt that has been accumulated over the years that we cannot see an America with not only an interstate highway system, but we should have a broadband system for all of America to move it electronically forward into the future. It is the debt that is weighing us down and this, unlike in past military victories, this country has not seen the victory overseas to bring it home and make sure that all of America is also victorious.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take my special order at this time.