Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of Muhammad Ali on the occasion of his 70th birthday, being celebrated by the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Keep Memory Alive, and the Muhammad Ali Center at the 2012 Power of Love Gala as they all join together to help alleviate memory, brain and movement disorders.

As a boxer, Muhammad Ali is renowned as the first three-time Heavy Weight Champion of the World with 56 wins, 5 losses, and 37 knockouts. Leading up to his world championships, Mr. Ali won an Olympic Gold Medal, Golden Gloves, and an Amateur Athletic Union Championship. Among the hundreds of accolades, Mr. Ali has received over the years, he has been recognized by Sports Illustrated as ``Sportsman of the Century,'' GQ Magazine as ``Athlete of the Century,'' the BBC as ``Sports Personality of the Century,'' and the World Sports Award for ``World Sportsman of the Century.''

More than 50 years after winning the Gold Medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Muhammad Ali remains an endearing figure of both strength and compassion, known and beloved throughout the world.

Internationally, championing the issues of the developing world has become a major focus of Muhammad's life. For this, he has received many awards and accolades, including Messenger of Peace by the United Nations 1998 2008 for his work with developing nations, Amnesty International's Lifetime Achievement Award, Germany's 2005 Otto Hahn Peace Medal for his involvement in the United Nations and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, and he was named International Ambassador of Jubilee 2000, a global organization dedicated to relieving debt in developing nations. Muhammad has also been instrumental in providing over 232 million meals to the world's hungry.

In 2005, Muhammad Ali was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our country's highest civilian award, for his life's work. Along with his charitable work around the globe, Muhammad has been dedicated to helping charities at home as well, including the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, founded by Muhammad and his wife, Lonnie. The Muhammad Ali Center is a cultural and international education center that is inspired by his ideals. The Center serves as the global hub for championing the six prevailing core values of his life: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality. Much more than a place to tell the story of one man's incredible 70-year journey, the Muhammad Ali Center reaches beyond its physical walls to fulfill its mission--in 2012, the Center's activities will ensure that future generations understand and actively adopt Muhammad's core values to create a powerful new movement: Generation Ali.

In addition to his many philanthropic endeavors, Muhammad Ali is also celebrated for the awareness he has brought to Parkinson's disease through his own personal battle with the disease. His aim is to dramatically accelerate the understanding of Parkinson's disease and the pursuit of effective treatments.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional district, it gives me immense pride to celebrate the 70th birthday of Muhammad Ali, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Keep Memory Alive, and the Muhammad Ali Center, as they fight to put memory, brain and movement disorders down for a final 10-count.

Mr. Speaker, with the highest unemployment rate in the Nation, Nevadans are struggling. That's why we in Washington should be focusing on creating good-paying, middle class jobs. Unfortunately, Washington Republicans are focused on a divisive, ideological agenda.

Our jobs crisis cannot be fixed by restricting access to mammograms for women. It's not going to be fixed by killing Medicare, by turning it over to private insurance companies. And it cannot be fixed by protecting taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil companies.

Our jobs crisis can be fixed by getting real about job creation. We can do that right now by passing legislation expanding our Visa Waiver Program, which allows tourists from certain countries up to 90 days of visa-free travel in the U.S.

In 2010, nearly 18 million people visited our country due to this program. What will happen if we expand it? The answer for tourism- dependent States like Nevada is simple: it will put people back to work.

I urge my Republican colleagues in the House and the Senate to drop their ideological agenda and join me in making job creation our top priority.

I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, let's be clear on what's happening here today. While thousands of Nevadans are struggling to make ends meet, House Republicans are trying to sentence this middle class tax cut to death by committee, by conference. Instead of allowing an up-or-down vote, House Republicans are trying to kill this middle class tax relief bill by burying it in one more Washington bureaucracy--death by committee, conference.

The American people have had enough of these cynical Washington games. I know that I certainly have.

If House Republicans don't want a middle class tax cut, they should have the courage to stand up and vote ``no.'' The 1.2 million Nevadans who will see their taxes go up would be grateful to know the truth. The 28,000 unemployed Nevadans who are unemployed through no fault of their own, they would appreciate knowing the truth why their unemployment benefits are going to disappear on January 1.

So why won't the Republicans do this? Why won't they just come clean and express their opposition to middle class tax relief and extension of unemployment benefits?

Washington Republicans had no problem passing taxpayer giveaways to big oil companies making record profits. They had no problem passing tax breaks for corporations that shipped jobs overseas. They had no problem passing a bill to kill Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies. But when it comes to tax cuts for middle class families, they say: No, no, we can't do this. We have to send it back to another committee, conference. Let's kill it.

Mr. Speaker, it's time to stand up for the middle class and the unemployed in this country and the State of Nevada. I urge my colleagues to reject this Republican ploy. Let's not send this middle class tax cut to die in another Washington bureaucratic committee. Let's pass the bipartisan Senate bill and help our fellow citizens when they need our help the most.

I thank the gentlelady from California for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I think expedited screening for military servicemembers is very important. I am glad that we are taking this bill up on a bipartisan basis, but I think there are some other things happening right now that should also be given our complete attention with regard to what we will be talking about.

With the highest unemployment rate in the Nation, far too many Nevadans are worrying about how they're going to make ends meet. Nevada's middle class families who still have jobs cannot afford a massive tax increase in January, but that's exactly the direction we appear to be heading thanks to the Tea Party extremists in the House of Representatives. They're holding middle-income families hostage; they're holding unemployed people hostage; and they're holding senior citizens hostage.

One would ask, Why? It's to protect their special interest buddies-- Wall Street millionaires, Big Oil executives, and corporations that ship American jobs overseas.

Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. It would be a disaster if the House Republicans refused to stand up to Wall Street today and extend the middle class tax cuts. In Nevada, 1.2 million people would see their taxes rise as much as $1,247 in January if this House of Representatives, led by the Republicans, doesn't do the right thing. With families struggling just to pay rent, put food on their tables, and put gas in their cars, that's not acceptable.

It's time for the Tea Party extremists in the Republican Party to let go and get their priorities straight. Middle class families in Nevada and across the country come first, not Wall Street millionaires. The time for political games is over. The clock is ticking. We have to take care of those who are unemployed through no fault of their own. We have to take care of middle-income families who are struggling just to get by and who need that extra $1,000 this year. Rather than have it taken out of their taxes, we also need to ensure that seniors get the medical care they need.

The time is over for game-playing. On behalf of Nevada's struggling families, I demand that this House not allow a massive middle class tax increase. Let us do our business before we go home and not shame ourselves and the American people by leaving them in the lurch during the holiday season.

I applaud Congresswoman Richardson for putting this legislation on, and I hope that we truly address what's important to millions and millions of Americans across the country by doing the right thing later this evening and by making sure that we pass this middle-income tax cut.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 306, urging the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties.

Sadly, this resolution is necessary in order to address the tragic destruction of Christian

religious heritage in Turkey. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which has put Turkey on its ``watch list'' for three straight years, said earlier this year that ``the Turkish government continues to impose serious limitations on freedom of religion or belief, thereby threatening the continued vitality and survival of minority religious communities in Turkey.''

Churches in Turkey have been desecrated and destroyed. Just a century ago, there were over 2,000 Armenian churches in Turkey, but less than 100 remain standing and fully functioning today.

Discriminatory laws in Turkey have led to confiscation of church property. The USCIRF has reported, ``Over the previous five decades, the [Turkish] state has, using convoluted regulations and undemocratic laws to confiscate hundreds of religious minority properties, primarily those belonging to the Greek Orthodox community, as well as Armenian Orthodox, Catholics, and Jews. . . . The state also has closed seminaries, denying these communities the right to train clergy.''

In particular, the Turkish government has closed the Halki Theological School for over three decades, despite repeated protests from the United States and Christians from around the world. The school had been a primary training center for educating future Greek priests and Church leaders, and, as a result, its closure is having terrible effects on those of the Greek Orthodox faith.

As a Nation founded on the principles of religious liberty, we must stand up against desecration of churches in Turkey, the closing of seminaries, the intimidation of religious minorities and the confiscation of the Ecumenical Patriarch's property. I urge support for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Nevada's middle class families. Because of the economic downturn, thousands of Nevadans are struggling to find a job, pay their rent, and put food on their families' tables. They cannot afford a tax increase.

However, Washington gridlock is threatening just that, a massive tax increase on middle class families. Why? Because some Washington Republicans refuse to roll back special tax breaks for Wall Street millionaires in order to pay for a middle class tax cut for 1.2 million Nevadans. That's just not right.

So my message today is this: no holiday vacation for Congress without extending the middle class tax cut. We cannot go home while Nevada families are hurting and desperate for this extension of their payroll tax cuts.

However, that's going to require Washington Republicans to stop protecting Wall Street millionaires and start putting Nevada's families first. The only fair way to achieve this is to roll back special tax breaks for Wall Street millionaires, not slash Medicare benefits, not layoff thousands of people.

It's time to stop putting Wall Street first and before Main Street. Washington ought not go on vacation until we take care of this problem.

Madam Speaker, Nevada's middle-income families have borne the brunt of the economic catastrophe that has devastated our State. We need to create jobs and get our economy moving again. What we don't need is a middle class tax hike. But that's exactly what some of our colleagues in the United States Senate are proposing as they consider whether to extend and expand the payroll tax cut this week.

This should be a no-brainer. Opposition to the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011 is a vote to raise taxes on middle-income families in Nevada and across the country. This would be devastating for a State like Nevada. The Middle Class Tax Cut Act would cut taxes for 1.2 million Nevadans and 50,000 small businesses across the State. What does that mean? It means the average Nevadan keeps $1,600 in their pocket. It

means that a $1,000 tax hike on Nevada families is prevented. And it means that Nevada small businesses have more money to create jobs. But instead of wholesale support for this commonsense measure, we're getting excuses and roadblocks.

It's time for action. Let's pass this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this dangerous balanced budget constitutional amendment. We all agree that we must get America's fiscal house in order by cutting spending and balancing our budget. Nevada families know this. Families across Nevada are doing it by tightening their belts and making great sacrifices. The United States Government should be able to do the same.

However, this balanced budget amendment is wrong for Nevada and it's wrong for the rest of the country. It would force massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and veterans benefits, but big oil companies and corporations that ship jobs overseas aren't asked to sacrifice one penny under this balanced budget amendment. That's just not right. But this is what the American people have come to expect from this Congress.

Washington Republicans supported a radical budget proposal, the Ryan budget, that kills Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies. Now they are supporting a plan that slashes Social Security and Medicare benefits that seniors rely on. It's a question of priorities.

I strongly believe that we need to get our deficit under control, and I believe that a version of the balanced budget amendment could be one way to achieve that. But I cannot and I will not support a balanced budget amendment that doesn't include ironclad protections for Social Security, Medicare, and veterans benefits. We should not be balancing our Nation's budget on the backs of our seniors and our vets.

This balanced budget amendment may be good politics for some, but it is not good policy for America. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``no'' on this attack on our seniors and our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2011.

This legislation will extend unemployment insurance one additional year, preventing 6 million people across our Nation, as well as thousands of Nevadans, from losing their unemployment benefits.

This is especially important in my home State of Nevada, which continues to struggle with the highest unemployment rate in the Nation. Nevada's unemployed need good-paying jobs that can't be shipped overseas. That's why I'm focused like a laser on creating clean energy jobs and cracking down on the Chinese Government's unfair trade practices that are cheating Nevadans out of thousands of good-paying jobs.

But Nevadans also need relief in their job search. What they don't need is name-calling. Unfortunately, that's what they're getting in Washington. In fact, one of our Representatives had the nerve to suggest that unemployment insurance is creating a Nation of hobos. Hobos? Mr. Speaker, no one wants to be unemployed. No one wants to be out of work. No one wants to be called a hobo.

No one has ever come up to me and said, Shelley, Congresswoman, I love being unemployed. Life on unemployment is such a picnic.

No, they're not saying that. They say, Shelley, Congresswoman, I want a job. Find me a job. I want to work so I can take care of my family.

Mr. Speaker, Nevada's unemployed are not hobos. They're unemployed through no fault of their own, and they're desperate--desperate--to find a job. They can't afford not to work, and they can't afford the kind of elitist and insulting attitude representing them in Congress. They need all of us in the House and the Senate working day and night to fix our economy and to put people back to work. They don't have time for ideological battles about killing Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies. They don't have time for vote after vote protecting taxpayer giveaways to big oil companies.

It's time to get serious about creating jobs, and it's time we get serious about extending critical unemployment insurance for families in Nevada

and across our Nation. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this much-needed bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Nevada's unemployed workers who got a glimpse this week of exactly what is wrong with Washington. Too many politicians in Washington have their priorities upside down.

My State is struggling with record unemployment rates. We should be focused every day here in Washington like a laser on job creation. And yet, this week, Washington voted repeatedly to send more jobs overseas.

Just yesterday, the House voted to kill legislation that would have stopped China from cheating Nevada workers out of thousands of jobs. These unfair currency manipulation tactics by China have already cost the Silver State nearly 15,000 jobs; and ironically, at the same time that Washington Republicans rejected efforts to stand up to China, three job-killing trade agreements sailed through the House and the Senate. These trade agreements could cost our Nation another 200,000 jobs.

Mr. Speaker, we need jobs here in America, not in foreign countries. Unemployed workers in Nevada and across our Nation are counting on us to get our priorities straight. Washington must stop protecting China and start fighting to create jobs for American workers right here on American soil.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give special recognition to the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce as it celebrates its 100th anniversary on October 21 and marks a century of success in working to help build and sustain southern Nevada's business community.

I'm a proud member of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. And as someone who grew up in southern Nevada and who represents her hometown of Las Vegas here in Congress, it has been remarkable to see firsthand so many of the outstanding achievements of the chamber and its thousands of members and how they--we--have shaped our community throughout the years.

From designing some of the very first tourism campaigns for Las Vegas, to helping pass major small business legislation in recent years, the chamber has always played a key part in facilitating the growth of Las Vegas and in supporting the business community in southern Nevada--today's economic engine of the great Silver State.

I have had the pleasure to know and work with many of the chamber's leaders and participants from its member businesses who serve the families of my community every day and who serve the nearly 40 million visitors drawn to Las Vegas each year. The Las Vegas Chamber's centennial marks a milestone for an organization that had its humble beginnings a century ago in a dusty railroad town--now known around the globe as the ``entertainment capital of the world.''

Many of the chamber's early leaders were instrumental in getting legislation passed to create the first highways being built to and from Las Vegas, making the city more accessible to northern Nevada, southern California, Arizona and Utah. Chamber leaders advocated for the building of Hoover Dam. This modern marvel still operates today, creating electricity for millions of homes and businesses, drawing millions of tourists for recreational opportunities at Lake Mead, and creating thousands of jobs for the region.

Chamber leaders were early supporters of the aviation industry in Las Vegas, bringing the first airfield to Las Vegas in the 1920s, establishing McCarran Airport's current location. Later, the chamber worked to secure financing for a modern airport built in 1960. These early leaders recognized the need for air travel to keep Las Vegas accessible, competitive, and relevant; and their support led to McCarran Airport growing to become one of the busiest airports in our Nation.

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in creating the modern method of promoting Las Vegas through the initiation of the Live Wire Fund. Created in 1944, the Live Wire Fund eventually led to creative marketing campaigns and the initiation of the Las Vegas News Bureau to promote Las Vegas tourism and hospitality to the Nation and to the world. What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.

The chamber has always been and remains the voice of business in southern Nevada. With over 80 percent of the jobs in the United States created by small businesses, it is my commitment to continue to honor the business people of Nevada by working towards a fairer business environment where ``Made in America''--and especially ``Made and Sold in Nevada''--drive the philosophy of our business mindset.

This will create jobs, put people back to work, and continue to provide the kind of opportunities on which our Nation was founded. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has embodied these business ideals for a century, and I look forward to being a part of the great things they do in their 101st year and beyond.

In recognition of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce's success, and they are here today in number on Capitol Hill, in helping to make Las Vegas a brand recognized around the world, and for their unwavering commitment to local businesses, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce for their 100 years of service and in wishing this organization and its members another century of extraordinary success.

I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding me the time.

I rise today to talk about what should be Congress' top priority-- jobs, jobs, jobs. The economic downturn has hit my State of Nevada particularly hard, and families are still struggling with record unemployment.

Instead, today, we are debating the job-killing Colombia free trade agreement that will result in more good-paying American jobs being shipped overseas. In fact, this trade agreement, taken together with the Panama and the Korean trade agreements, will cost our Nation over 200,000 more jobs.

How much more job loss can Nevadans be expected to absorb before we stand up and say enough is enough?

Congress needs to get our priorities straight. Job creation needs to be our top priority. We must create a level playing field for the American worker. Last night, the Senate took a step in that direction by voting to stand up to the Chinese Government, whose unfair currency manipulation has cost our Nation over 3 million jobs in the last decade, including over 14,000 jobs in the State of Nevada alone. The House should be following suit. Instead of focusing on a trade agreement that will

send more Nevada jobs to foreign countries at a time when we can least afford it, we should reject these job-killing trade agreements and pass the China currency manipulation bill.

Let's get on with the job of Congress, which is to create jobs for the American people, for the American worker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about an issue that should be the top priority for every Member of the House and Senate: jobs, jobs, jobs.

Unfortunately, too many of my colleagues here in Washington just don't get it. Yesterday, the Senate courageously voted to stand up to the Chinese Government on behalf of the working families in Nevada and across the country. The Senate said no to China's unfair currency manipulation that has cost our Nation nearly 3 million jobs in the last 10 years, including over 14,000 in Nevada. However, 19 U.S. Senators voted to protect China's interests instead of the interests of the workers of the State of Nevada.

I have one thing to say to those Senators: Shame on you. Now is not the time to cower to the bullying tactics of the Chinese. We need leadership. We need to be creating jobs here in the United States of America, not in China.

From voting to kill Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies to bowing to Chinese bullying tactics, the American people should start asking themselves: When will Washington Republicans start making job creation their top priority?

I know it is mine.

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas opened their first club in 1961 in a casino basement in North Las Vegas and today serves over 14,000 children in eight dedicated facilities throughout Clark County.

Their mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Several of the Clubs are placed to serve the neighborhoods, where children are most at-risk for educational and financial failure, drug and alcohol abuse, gang involvement, and teen pregnancy.

Many children come home to an empty house while their parents are at work. It is important for those children to know that they have a place to go where people care for them. That is where the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas fills a vital role.

Their programs engage young people in activities with adults, peers, and family members that enable them to grow and flourish. Based on the interests and needs of the boys and girls they serve, clubs offer diverse program activities in five areas: character and leadership development, education and career development, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and health and life skills.

A survey conducted on the Boys & Girls Clubs determined that over half of the adults that participated in Club events as children attributed the Boys & Girls Clubs to saving their lives. Eighty percent said they learned right and wrong from a member of the Club staff.

While many Club alumni have achieved distinction in fields such as entertainment, business, politics, and sports, the average alumnus is not famous. Most have achieved success by getting an education, raising families, serving their country, pursuing careers, and supporting their communities.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas uses a lineup of tested and proven nationally recognized programs that address today's most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life.

Nearly a third of the Clubs' members who participate in the homework assistance and tutoring program are on their schools' honor rolls. Most importantly, those children have a safe place they can stay while their parents are at work.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it gives me immense pride to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Nevada Goes Fall Free Coalition on the occasion of the Nevada Fall Prevention Day.

The Nevada Goes Fall Free Coalition has fostered community partnerships across the aging and disabilities service network to provide education and fall prevention programs to local residents.

Nevada Fall Prevention Day is sponsored by the Nevada Goes Fall Free Coalition; a community based task force supported by the National Council on Aging.

The Coalition was formed to promote collaboration among members, to bring awareness to this issue, to promote the effectiveness of risk factor identification and intervention, and to work toward the implementation of the 36 strategies contained within the National Action Plan.

It is estimated that nearly 12 percent of Nevadans are over the age of 65. Additionally, it is estimated that in the United States one- third of all people over the age of 65 will fall each year. Furthermore, over half of the seniors over the age of 80 will fall each year. This would result in medical costs that would exceed $27 billion annually.

Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among people over the age of 65 and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma.

Falling and the fear of falling, can lead to depression, hopelessness, loss of mobility, and loss of functional independence. However, falls and injuries from falls are largely a preventable community health problem.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it gives me immense pride to recognize the Nevada Goes Fall Free Coalition on the occasion of the Nevada Fall Prevention Day.