Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Paul William Kohan of New Hartford, NY. Paul was diagnosed with dyslexia in the first grade, and has since then proved what a motivated and intelligent young man he has become despite this obstacle.

While Paul's friends and family feared his future might be impeded because of his disability, he has excelled both academically and beyond, far exceeding expectations for students with dyslexia.

Paul recently graduated from the State University of New York College at Brockport with a Bachelor of Science in sociology degree. Paul's accomplishment is particularly admirable given the fact that a mere 18 percent of persons with dyslexia typically graduate from college. In addition to Paul's impressive graduation, he also plans to pursue a career as a legal disability advocate.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Paul Kohan for his scholastic achievements displayed through his college graduation and inspiring career plans for the future.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Sergeant Craig Berry of Norwich, NY. Sergeant Berry recently retired after 20 years of dedicated service in the Norwich City Police Department.

Sergeant Berry began his career with the Norwich Police Department at the age of 25, on March 17, 1991. Twenty years later, the department honored the retirement of one of its finest officers on April 16, 2011. Berry not only played an important role in the community, but was also especially appreciated for his help with modernizing the department's technology.

Law enforcement officers must be recognized for the true bravery and selflessness that they display on the job every day. Sergeant Berry is yet another example of this, an honorable American, who has dedicated 20 years of his life to the improvement and safety of his community.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in honoring Sergeant Craig Berry for his 20 years of exemplary service on behalf of the Norwich community and Police Department.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall votes 254 and 255. I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote 256.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the amendment offered by my friend from Michigan and of this fiscally responsible FAA bill.

I was proud to help include language in the bill requiring the establishment of at least four test sites to promote the safe integration of remotely piloted aircraft into the national airspace.

Remotely piloted aircraft are an exciting next chapter in aviation. It is time to expand this technology domestically, and this bill directs the FAA to establish four test sites with the appropriate climate, geography, and access to necessary research radars.

Remotely piloted aircraft are not new to American airspace, and they are certainly not new to the area around my district in Central New York.

The topography of Central New York is as varied as the seasons. A diverse climate and varied topography are essential for testing and will inform preparations for the safe integration of remotely piloted aircraft into the national airspace.

Mr. Chair, remotely piloted aircraft are not limited to military uses. They can assist in search and rescue operations, environmental research, forest and fire management, domestic law enforcement activities and perhaps most importantly, monitoring our borders for illegal activities.

I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of the Candice Miller Amendment and the underlying bill.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall votes 205 and 206.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would add a findings section detailing the flaws of the Home Affordable Modification Program, or HAMP. It would also state that terminating HAMP would result in significant savings for the American taxpayers.

I filed this amendment during Sunshine Week, which highlights the importance of open government. In keeping with the spirit of transparency, this amendment would include within the bill the specific reasons why we should end the failed HAMP program.

The HAMP program was designed to assist between 3 and 4 million homeowners. However, as of February, only 607,000 active permanent mortgage modifications were made under HAMP. While $30 billion was obligated by the Treasury to HAMP, only $1.04 billion has been disbursed. Furthermore, the Special Inspector General for TARP reported that HAMP offers many homeowners ``little more than false hope and in certain cases causes more harm than good.'' The program does not fulfill its intended purpose of helping American homeowners. It delays rather than prevents foreclosure.

This program was flawed from the beginning. According to The Wall Street Journal, the number of applications canceled far exceeds those that were approved, and the number of applications continues to slow. I agree with the Journal's assessment, which also pointed out that keeping people in homes they cannot afford is bad policy. Incentivizing mortgage servicers to do just that only exacerbates our housing crisis. Moreover, the private sector is better equipped to deal with the problem, and they have modified nearly double the number of loans themselves without government involvement.

My amendment concludes that ending this ineffective program would save taxpayers $1.4 billion, which is according to the Congressional Budget Office. This is one step toward restoring fiscal discipline to our Federal Government.

Too often, our constituents receive biased or incomplete information on the issues we are discussing in Congress, thus making it difficult for them to make informed assessments of our work. Including additional facts on the intended consequences of legislation is beneficial to the public. That is why I urge support for the Hanna amendment and the underlying bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I pause today to recognize Linda Pasto, R.N., of Ithaca, New York. Linda has been selected as a 2010 Great Comebacks Award recipient for the East Region. This program honors a group of individuals who are living with varied intestinal diseases and/or recovering from ostomy surgery. It seeks to raise awareness of the quality of life issues confronting more than 700,000 men, women and children throughout our country affected by the very conditions that can result in an ostomy.

Every year on the first day of September, Linda throws a party. It's not for her birthday, but for what she considers her rebirth--the day she received her ostomy. After 10 years of flare-ups, hospitalizations and weight gain from medication due to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Linda opted for ostomy surgery. At age 51, Linda's life began again. Now she uses her newfound zest and enjoyment for life to help others who are dealing with intestinal diseases.

Since her surgery, Linda went from struggling with everyday activities, including her duties as a nursing instructor, to playing with her grandchildren, traveling abroad and even going on a 3-hour kayaking trip in the Adirondack Mountains.

The Great Comebacks Program is sponsored by ConvaTec, a leading developer of ostomy and wound care products, in partnership with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. and the Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society. Each year, Great comebacks presents regional awards to 12 individuals through the United States who have struggled with a chronic intestinal condition and have exhibited extraordinary strength and courage for managing to live full and productive lives despite daily struggles.

I urge my colleagues to take time to meet with some of the Great Comebacks award recipients. Their personal stories, like Linda's, are inspiration and will heighten your awareness about some of the huge strides being made by people living with intestinal diseases or recovering from ostomy surgery.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall votes 163 and 164.

Madam Chair, on rollcall vote No. 99, I inadvertently voted ``no.'' I had intended to vote ``aye.''

Amendment No. 83 Offered by Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 118 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Amendment No. 498 Offered by Mr. Johnson of Ohio

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 72 to review regulations and orders from agencies and their effect on jobs and the economy.

One example of an unnecessary proposed rule change is a change in the hours-of-service rule being considered by the Department of Transportation. It would have a detrimental impact on productivity and the economy.

Under the current rule, both the number and rate of fatal and injury- related accidents involving large trucks have declined by more than one-third. These accidents are now at the lowest levels in recorded history. We are successfully balancing safety with productivity, and this current rule works.

The proposed rule change would put additional trucks on the road to deliver the same quantity of goods. This puts more drivers at risk, increases congestion, pollution, and will result in higher final product costs, not to mention the burden this would place on the trucking industry, particularly the small business truckers, some of whom could be forced out of business. Furthermore, the proposed rules are so complex and restrictive, compliance and enforcement would become nearly impossible.

Why would we replace a rule that has served us well, particularly when the proposed change is hardly practical and would negatively impact productivity and our ability to compete?

In the least, this is a redundant and unnecessary process. At worst, it is designed to appease a narrow group of special interests.

On two prior occasions, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimated that this change to the rules would cost the U.S. economy $2.2 billion, and that number includes the safety benefits. Somehow and for some reason, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration then changed its methodology for estimating both the costs and the benefits for this new proposed rule. This led to a statistically positive benefit-cost ratio. Strangely, however, the agency's own analysis still demonstrates the estimated benefits of retaining the current rule exceed the estimated benefits of the proposed change.

Changing this rule is both unnecessary and wasteful on the part of the Federal Government and of small businesses and large businesses everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Tyler Barry of Marathon, NY. Tyler is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Tyler has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. At the age of 6, Tyler began Scouting and over the years, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Tyler has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Tyler designed and constructed a handicap ramp for St. Stephen's Church, of which he is an active member.

Tyler plays three sports at Marathon High School, has a part-time job and also plays in band with some of his peers.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Tyler Barry for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2 so that we may replace the well-intentioned but ill-conceived health care law signed last year with reforms that increase access to care and lower costs.

We know that the current law raises premiums. We know that it cuts Medicare by more than $500 billion. That's unacceptable to the over 120,000 seniors in my district who rely on Medicare benefits. We know it raises taxes, imposes costs on small businesses, and will substantially burden New York taxpayers.

Tomorrow I will vote to instruct committees, including the Education and Workforce Committee, to produce thoughtful and improved legislation. I look forward to supporting reforms that lower premiums through competition; allow folks with preexisting conditions access to affordable health care; reform the medical liability system; preserve a patient's ability to keep their own plan; and expand incentives to encourage personal responsibility for health care coverage and costs.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House join me in recognizing the service of Bonnie Ann Heath, executive director of the Cortland County Chapter of the American Red Cross upon the occasion of her retirement after outstanding leadership in this capacity from May 14, 1984 to December 31, 2010.

We celebrate the collective combined years in which Bonnie Ann Heath began her career as a volunteer with the American Red Cross in 1973, as secretary-bookkeeper from 1977-1979 and worked for the RSVP Program from 1979-1984 before being named the executive director in 1984.

Bonnie Ann Heath inspired, taught, nurtured, encouraged, showed great compassion, direction and organizational skills to countless numbers of youth, members of the Armed Forces and their families, community volunteers with the American Red Cross, in both programming and in the face of disaster.

We remember the active involvement of Bonnie Ann Heath in Red Cross programs such as Blood Services, Disaster Services, Health and Safety Training, Youth Program, First Aid and Babysitter Training, Free Learn to Swim and the Aquatics Program, First Aid Demonstrations, Wellness Days, Health Fairs, Care and Share, Project SHARE, and her work with FEMA and the 2005 Flood Disaster and the outstanding work during the 9/ 11/2001 disaster organizing response volunteers.

In addition to the passion of her career, Bonnie Ann Heath counts the greatest joys in her life as those of her loving husband Malcolm, her children Alene, Mellora, Derron; her four grandsons, Colby Matthew, Noah and Zachary; other family and friends; for they have been steadfast in their support and love during the countless hours of work as a professional woman.

I ask that this House once again join with me in celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of Bonnie Ann Heath. The Cortland community, this country and our world are better places thanks to the great work and dedication of Bonnie.