Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, this morning a jobs report came out. It paints a truly devastating picture for the American economy and for American families.

In September, we had the biggest 1-month job loss in over 5 years. Long-term unemployed rose dramatically, up 167,000, to a total of 2 million; 775,000 people will exhaust the first emergency extension this month alone, over 1 million by the end of the year, unless we act. New claims for unemployment are at a 7-year high. And I point this out finally, the statistics are startling. Let's look beyond the statistics to the people involved. In total, there are now 9.5 million people in our country looking for work, the most since 1992.

I simply would ask those who would vote against this, come down to the floor and explain not only to their district, but the American people, why they would not vote ``yes'' on the extension of unemployment compensation.

Madam Speaker, after half a century of growth and change, Roseville remains a warm, family-oriented community. Roseville has a broad spectrum of residents who have lived here their whole lives and are the history of this city. They have a vibrant school district, a healthy business district, dedicated local elected officials, and active community volunteers.

Roseville has a wonderful history. The roots of this farming community go back to the days before Michigan gained statehood in 1837. A Congressional appropriations in 1828 provided funds for the construction of a military road connecting Fort Detroit and Fort Gratiot (now Port Huron). The completion of the Gratiot turnpike in 1831 brought settlers of Belgian, English, French, German and Irish descent. Orange Township encompassed the present cities of Eastpointe, Fraser, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, and part of Warren.

In 1836, William Rose was appointed the areas first postmaster. He established a permanent office in 1840, called the Roseville Post Office, after his father Denison Rose, a hero of the War of 1812.

In 1846, a wooden plank toll road (now known as Gratiot Avenue or M- 3) was constructed, connecting the community with Detroit and Mount Clemens. One of the tollgates was located at Gratiot Avenue and Utica Road, the intersection known as ``The Junction.'' Along with the tollgate were a toll house, general store, wagon and blacksmith shop, and the Junction Hotel, built in 1836. Roseville was also home to the state's first commercial airport, the Roseville Airport. It was also known as Packard Field and Hartung Airport. The airport originally set on the land now comprising Eastgate Shopping Center, the first shopping center of its kind in Michigan.

The City of Roseville is now a community of nearly 48,000. While the city is almost fully developed, a proactive approach to attracting and retaining businesses over the years has led to reinvestment and expansion of existing properties. Retail is a main attraction with over 60 miscellaneous stores available and over 96 restaurants. From the recreation programs for the very young, to the newly renovated community center for senior citizens, Roseville continues to provide outstanding opportunities for its residents as well as the business community.

As the City of Roseville celebrates this important occasion, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating its citizens as they celebrate the past and focus on the future.

Madam Speaker, on Friday, September 26, 2008, the Sterling Heights' Firefighters Union will host their Annual Dinner-Dance, honoring their 2008 retirees. This yearly event honors Sterling Heights firefighters for their dedication to protecting the public and recognizes their commitment to the community in which they serve. I am pleased to be associated with this fine organization and this wonderful evening when so many friends gather.

I rise today to pay tribute to the careers of three retiring firefighters.

Ronald McClain became a Sterling Heights firefighter on May 21, 1979. In May of the following year, he successfully completed the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) curriculum, becoming one of the department's

first paramedics. On June 24, 1986, he was assigned to acting sergeant position and maintained that post through June 21, 1988. Ronald McClain received several other promotions throughout his career, including promotion to Firefighter on April 18, 1992, Lieutenant on July 5, 1994, Fire Captain on July 31, 1998, Battalion Chief on July 1, 2002 and Chief of Operations on October 21, 2003. In addition to these promotions, he also received the Outstanding Firefighter of the Year Award in 1991 and the Fire Chief's Award in March of 2002. Ronald McClain retired from the Sterling Heights Fire Department on February 29th of this year after nearly 29 years of dedicated service. He has continued his public service by becoming the chief of the South Lyon Fire Department.

George Binno became a Sterling Heights firefighter on January 9, 1978. In 1982 he became certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. In July of 1989, he was named Sterling Heights Fire Department's Employee of the Month. Throughout his career, George Binno was promoted three times: Fire Lieutenant on June 21, 1994, Fire Captain on August 16, 1997, and Battalion Chief on January 18, 2001. He received the Fire Chief's Award for his involvement in the implementation of the ICS and Radio Committee, and received the 5-Year Safe Driver Award in 2003. George Binno retired on February 29th of this year after 30 years of dedicated service.

Fred Golda became a Sterling Heights firefighter on September 5, 1989. Over the years he was an ardent participant in the fire department's Open House. He also assisted with facilitating and coordinating the department's Civilian Fire Academy. Fred Golda received the Fire Chief's Award four times for letters extolling above and beyond responses to several incidents. Throughout his career, Fred Golda was promoted several times: Fire Sergeant on July 27, 2002, Lieutenant on November 10, 2003, and Fire Inspector on January 21, 2005. He was honored with the 5-Year Safe Driver Award and the Meritorious Unit Citation for quick actions in the extrication of a DPW worker from a trench in November of 2003. Fred Golda retired on September 4th of this year after 19 years of dedicated service.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these three heroes who have dedicated their lives to serving the public with valor, commitment, and honor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Southfield Veterans Commission and Southfield Public Library for their outstanding participation in the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress.

The Library of Congress Veterans History Project collects and archives the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans, to honor their service and to share their stories with current and future generations.

The Southfield Veterans Commission and Southfield Public Library have worked together to ensure that veterans from the city of Southfield and surrounding communities have their stories included in and honored by the project. Their efforts have become a model for other organizations and communities.

Under the leadership of chairman Dan Brightwell, the commission has collected the histories of over 70 local veterans. Each week, members of the commission volunteer their own time and skills to interview and record the stories of each veteran and prepare the histories to be archived at the Library of Congress.

These interviews have preserved extraordinary stories of individual service and important moments in our Nation's history. They include the first-hand accounts of a young man at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941; a 21-year-old Army nurse lieutenant treating the wounded on Fiji islands; a Marine fighting on the island of Pelilu and Guadalcanal; a Tuskegee Airman shot down over Germany and captured as a prisoner of war; a 19-year-old Army private storming Normandy beach, and veterans from the most horrific battles of the Vietnam conflict.

The Southfield Public Library was named as a Partner Archive to serve as a local repository for Veterans History Project interviews. The library provides space each week for the collection of veterans' histories and has created an online archive where residents can easily view and enjoy local veterans' stories.

This Veterans Day, November 11, 2008, I am proud to recognize the Southfield Veterans Commission, the Southfield Public Library, and the local veterans who have contributed their stories to the Veterans History Project at a special event, ``Honoring Southfield's Veterans,'' at the Southfield Public Library. This special celebration brings together the Southfield community to honor local veterans for their service to their fellow citizens and country and the work of the local volunteers to preserve their stories so that future generations can learn from their service and sacrifice.

I want to spend these 2 minutes talking about a lot of forgotten people in this country, the people who are looking for work, laid off through no fault of their own.

This bill would address their needs. If we don't act, over a million Americans are going to exhaust their unemployment benefits before the end of the year. The unemployment rate in California has skyrocketed, now 7.7 percent with 1.4 million people looking for jobs. In Florida, the unemployment rate is 6.5 percent; 600,000-plus people looking for work. And in my home State of Michigan, over 400,000 people are out of work through no fault of their own.

The answer to the agony of the unemployed from the minority is stony silence. It is inexcusable. We need to pass this bill and address the needs of the unemployed.

I will read just from one letter, someone from Southfield, Michigan. ``I am 54 years old and finding that there are no jobs available to me. I do not want to be part of the statistics of those who lose a home or worse. The unemployment benefits give me more time to secure a job so that I and others like me are not a burden to the system.''

We should stand up for those people and pass this bill.

Madam Speaker, we are going to pass this legislation. To say we are not going to have legislation regarding these energy provisions or the R&D tax credit or others is really a straw man.

The question is whether or not we are going to exercise our constitutional responsibility and act on a bill that is paid for.

The basic difference between the Senate and the House is not over rural schools. Mr. Rangel has already made that clear. It is not a question of tax relief. You so strangle fiscal responsibility that when we try to pay for something, you say that isn't tax relief. That's a strange logic.

The tax provisions here have essentially passed the Senate before, and the additional one is extension of a provision that the President has already agreed before to allow to go into effect later.

So let me not be personal but very direct. If you want to simply say the Senate shall rule, run for the Senate. If you want to exercise responsibilities as Members of the House, stay here. This is a bill that is solid substantively. It is not political. It involves a basic question of whether we want to try to be fiscally responsible in passing beneficial legislation. We should be fiscally responsible.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act.

I do so because this legislation is necessary to protect 25 million middle class families from a tax that was never intended to apply to them, including more than 53,000 families in my district.

But the bill before us will also increase the Federal deficit by more than $64 billion.

Earlier this year, we passed an AMT patch in a fiscally responsible manner. We paid for it by closing loopholes and improving the fairness of our tax code.

The minority argued that we should just borrow more money, ignoring the ballooning deficit and mounting debt, and the Bush administration's reckless fiscal policies. At no time did we hear the minority oppose our offsets on the merits. At no time did they argue we should not close these loopholes.

They just engaged in absurd ideological arguments and claimed that closing a loophole is a tax increase.

Today we will take this action to protect 25 million taxpayers because it's the necessary thing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I first became involved with mental health services over 50 years ago when my beloved late wife, Vicki, worked in the network of child guidance clinics in Oakland County, Michigan. Those clinics tried to fill huge gaps in mental health services which in most cases were not covered by any insurance.

Since then the battle has ensued to provide mental health services on a parity with all other services in health insurance, private and public, including Medicare.

Twelve years ago, Congress and President Clinton came together to approve legislation that put this country on the road to mental health parity. It was a vital first step.

Today, we take another important step towards genuine mental health parity. Fifteen percent of Americans have no health insurance at all. Even Americans who do have health insurance often find themselves unable to receive care because of discriminatory policies in their health plans that require them to pay more and receive less for mental health care than for

other services. This bill will change that.

This bill is another milestone in the long battle that must continue until everyone has full access to mental health services in our beloved Nation.

Thank you very much, Mr. Scott, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee for bringing this to the floor.

I rise in support of this resolution, marking the 75th anniversary of the man-made famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in 1932 and 1933.

Recognizing this tragedy and remembering its victims are important for all of humanity, including 1.5 Ukrainian-Americans. It has special meaning to the people of Ukraine, who continue to struggle toward a more free, democratic, open society, and indeed to all of us who value freedom.

During the famine-genocide of 1932-33, 7 to 10 million Ukrainians were deliberately and systematically starved to death. We are familiar in this House with the terrible suffering caused by famines that are the result of natural forces, but the famine of 1932-33 is all the more tragic because it resulted from criminal acts and deliberate decisions by Soviet officials. Despite efforts by the Soviet Government at the time and afterward to hide the planned and systematic nature of this famine-genocide, it is clear that the Soviet Union used food as a weapon.

We in this country must persist in standing with those living under oppressive and tyrannical regimes as they struggle for their freedom. During the 109th Congress, we enacted a bill authorizing the Government of Ukraine to establish a memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring the victims of the Ukrainian famine-genocide. The Ukrainian Government and the Ukrainian-American community are working with the appropriate Federal agencies to identify a site for this memorial.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the legislation before the House to grant congressional approval of the Great Lakes Compact.

Passage of this legislation today is essential to the health of the Great Lakes. With the approval of the Compact, at long last we will close the door to bulk diversion of Great Lakes water. The Compact also establishes a comprehensive management framework to protect this shared resource and requires Great Lake states to control their own large- scale water use.

Some will say that the agreement does not go far enough and that Congress should hold off approving the Compact until changes are made. We have to be careful not to let the perfect become the enemy of the good. The agreement before us is the product of years of effort and enjoys broad support from all eight Great Lakes states, the environmental community, conservation groups, and other key stakeholders. The region has come together behind this plan as the best way to protect the Great Lakes. It is now time for Congress to act.

There is no question that we're in a much stronger position to protect the Great Lakes with the Compact than without it. I urge the House to join me in supporting this vital legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Albert L. Lorenzo, as he retires from the presidency of Macomb Community College after nearly 30 years of devoted and talented service. It has been a distinct honor working with Al Lorenzo throughout the years. I have come to know him as an active and passionate advocate for the education system,

economic development, Macomb County and the State of Michigan.

Al Lorenzo became Macomb County Community College president in July 1979. Macomb Community College provides educational services to more than 59,000 students annually and is the largest grantor of associate's degrees in Michigan. MCC is also a leader in workforce training, school-to-work programs and continuing education programs that support the needs of the community. Al Lorenzo helped to create the University Center on Macomb Community College's Center Campus, which facilitates partnerships with institutions of higher education in offering bachelor level course work. He wrote about that experience, ``The University Center: A Collaborative Approach to Baccalaureate Degrees'' in The Community College Baccalaureate; Emerging Trends and Policy Issues.

I have had the pleasure of working with Al Lorenzo on key projects to try and advance educational opportunities for Macomb County residents. In 2006, Al Lorenzo served as a member of Governor Jennifer Granholm's Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth in Macomb County. The Commission held a series of public hearings across the county to better understand the area's higher education needs. Its recommendations include stepped-up involvement of Oakland and Wayne State Universities in meeting the county's immediate need for better access to degree programs and support services and authority for Macomb Community College to award bachelor's degrees in specific technical fields. In its report, the Commission stressed that these and other steps should be consistent with the goal of creating a 4-year university in Macomb County.

Since that Commission report, Al Lorenzo has worked to increase the involvement of Oakland University and Wayne State University. In 2007, Al Lorenzo led the effort, partnering with Federal, State and county officials, to bring a branch of Michigan State University's Osteopathic College to Macomb's campus, the first of its kind in the Metro Detroit area.

In addition to his longtime commitment to Macomb Community College, Al Lorenzo has been an integral member of the community. Active on several corporate boards throughout his career, he currently serves on the boards of the Michigan Education Trust and Citizens State Bank, and chairs the board of Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals. He has been appointed by three Michigan Governors to state policy commissions and asked to serve on numerous national advisory committees. His work has been recognized through 12 major leadership awards and 2 Honorary Doctoral degrees.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of Al Lorenzo, thanking him for his devoted service and wishing him the best in his retirement. I am confident he will continue to play a role in the area of education, in addition to enjoying a bit of retirement with his wife Katherine and large family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the energy legislation before the House.

We need a comprehensive approach that includes responsible development of additional energy resources, greater energy efficiency, tax incentives to spur alternative energy, investment in new technologies, and relief to American consumers. The bill before the House does that.

It is clear that a more-of-the-same approach to energy will not work. If we've learned nothing else from the last eight years, we've learned that we cannot drill our way to energy security. Neither will conservation alone do the job.

The legislation before us provides long-term incentives for renewable energy that will give the solar, wind, and biomass industries the stability they need to make investments in additional production capacity. There are also significant incentives for making our nation and economy more energy efficient.

The offshore drilling provisions of this legislation open up as much as 400 million acres of land off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts that are currently off limits to drilling. Through this compromise, we will expand oil production offshore, while setting a reasonable buffer zone.

The legislation requires electric utilities to produce more of their electricity from renewable energy sources. This is smart energy policy that will create new industries and new American jobs.

The legislation increases the tax credit for alternative refueling property, such as E85 pumps, and extends the credit through 2010. Biofuels are an important component of our nation's energy strategy, and U.S. automakers have made significant investments to bring flex- fuel vehicles to market. To maximize the impact of this progress we need to speed the deployment of E85 pumps.

This legislation also provides incentives for manufacturers to produce washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers that push the boundaries of energy and water efficiency, and to build them in the United States. Reducing the energy and water usage of a washing machine over time and across millions of households will produce remarkable reductions in energy and water usage, saving consumers billions on their utility bills.

In a word, the approach taken by this bill is comprehensive. It addresses both the supply and demand sides of our nation's energy policy. It is a balanced, responsible and long-term approach to addressing the challenges of energy security. I urge all of my colleagues to support this comprehensive package.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on September 8, 9, 10 and 11 during rollcall votes 567 through 588. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 567, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 568, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 569, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 570, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 571, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 572, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 573, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 574, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 575, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 576, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 577, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 578, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 579, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 580, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 581, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 582, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 583, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 584, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 585, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 586, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 587, and ``yea'' on rollcall vote 588.

Madam Speaker, I was also unavoidably absent yesterday during rollcall votes 534, 535 and 536. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 534 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a pilot program using mobile biometric identification tools to identify terrorists and other individuals who pose risks to border security; ``yea'' on rollcall 535 to require each federal agency to include a telephone number in its collection of information in order to assist people with filling out government forms; and ``yea'' on rollcall 536 to establish an ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act.

In 1963, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law in order to promote workplace equality for women. Since then, women have made great gains in workforce participation, compensation, and advancement, but a significant wage gap still exists between women and men. Women working full-time year-round earn on average 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The wage gap is even wider in Michigan: On average, women in Michigan are paid only 67 cents for every dollar earned by a man.

Wage discrimination is not just a women's issue--it is a family issue. With a majority of American households depending on two incomes to make ends meet, the wage gap is more relevant than ever. The current pay disparity may cost a woman anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million in lifetime earnings relative to a man performing equivalent work. The cost is often borne not just by an individual, but by all the members of the household who rely on that income. Congress must respond to this injustice.

The Paycheck Fairness Act updates and strengthens the Equal Pay Act in light of more than 45 years of real-world experience. Courts have interpreted the Equal Pay Act more narrowly than other employment discrimination laws, counter to the intent of Congress. The Paycheck Fairness Act clarifies that the factors used by employers to justify wage disparities must be related to the employee's work or to the business. The bill also redefines the standard for comparing employees' compensation, reducing a frequently prohibitive burden of proof for plaintiffs.

Data collection is key to tracking women's relative compensation in the workplace, but the federal agencies charged with enforcing employment discrimination laws have little information about wage disparities. The Bush administration, furthermore, has halted or tried to halt many efforts to collect data. The Paycheck Fairness Act ensures that the Bureau of Labor Statistics will collect data on wage disparities, and it requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to offer guidance in order to enhance enforcement of federal law. These measures will help shed light on wage discrimination that would otherwise go unseen.

This legislation takes vital steps toward realizing the goals established 45 years ago in the Equal Pay Act. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill.