Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about two outstanding youths in my district and to highlight, I think, something that we do too rarely here and across America. We talk a lot about our young people in their teens playing video games, not getting involved in their communities, not trying new sports, not enjoying the outdoors.

Today I am very privileged to talk about two such individuals in my district who are breaking the mold and are, I think, achieving at high levels, but they are also doing it by enjoying the great outdoors and also bringing strength to their communities.

First, I would like to recognize Taylor Sias from Weston, West Virginia, for representing our State in the 2007 Bassmaster CastingKids National Semi-Finals Competition in Gadsden, Alabama.

Taylor is a sixth grade student at Robert L. Bland Middle School in Weston and is a three-time State champion. Taylor previously competed in the 2004 semifinals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in the 2005 semifinals in Orlando, Florida. The Bassmaster CastingKids challenge is to flip, pitch and cast a hookless lure into a bull's eye target. Sounds kind of hard to me.

BASS developed the Bassmaster CastingKids program in 1991, open to young people in two age groups, 7-10 and 11-14. The goals of this competition are to involve America's youth in fishing and to foster in each participant an appreciation and a concern for our outdoors. Participants compete in local events conducted by affiliated BASS federation national clubs. Local event winners proceed to their State finals where each State then determines two to represent their State at the national semifinals. From the national semifinals, only 10 contenders advance on to the national championship. Since its inception, over 1.5 million youth have participated in the program, and over $2 million in cash prizes and scholarships have been awarded.

I would again like to congratulate Taylor and thank him for proudly representing West Virginia at the 2007 Bassmaster CastingKids National Semifinals Championship and wish him the best of luck in becoming an accomplished angler.

Madam Speaker, the other youth I would like to talk about today is Kevin Templan of Charlestown, West Virginia. Kevin became the first member of Boy Scout Troop 82 to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. His commitment to family and community and church played an integral part in this achievement. Kevin worked on a beautification project at Saint Peter's Catholic Cemetery for his Eagle Scout project.

He is recognized by the Boy Scout National Honor Society, Order of the Arrows, for adhering to the traditions and values of scouting. A senior at Jefferson County High School, Kevin is a drummer in the Cougar Marching Band. He attends Saint James Greater Catholic Church where he will soon be a member of the Knights of Columbus. Kevin enjoys reading, origami and spending time with his younger brother and sister.

The Templan family recently moved to my district from Bryan, Texas, and we welcome them. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm West Virginia welcome to Kevin and his family. Jefferson County is fortunate to host such an accomplished young leader. It is a pleasure to serve such devoted young citizens like Kevin in West Virginia's Second District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize February as National Heart Month. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America, taking the lives of nearly half a million women a year. That is one per minute.

It claims the lives of more women than the next five causes of death. In my home State of West Virginia, heart disease kills 12 women per day. That is 31 percent of all female deaths between the years of 1999 to 2003.

On February 2, people from across the Nation participated in Go Red for Women Day to support the fight against heart disease. Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association's nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together and fight this disease.

Too few people realize the threat associated with heart disease. The good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented. By learning all of the serious health threats such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, we can work to reduce our risks.

Go Red for Women is an innovative way to raise awareness of heart disease, and 64 percent of women who died of coronary heart disease had no symptoms. We have to take action for our hearts. By joining together across America, we can help support ongoing research and education about women and heart disease. When we wear our red, it reminds us of our responsibility.

I urge my colleagues to join together in celebrating National Heart Health Month.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my great concern with the proposal pending before the Virginia State Corporation Commission to raise the tolls on the Dulles Greenway. Many of my constituents from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia use this roadway to commute into Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The growth of the Washington metropolitan area has extended into the eastern panhandle of West Virginia as many families move into the towns and communities of my district seeking a lower cost of living and the wonderful environment for raising a family we have in West Virginia. Some have chosen to change professions and remain there with their jobs, but many others still commute into Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia every day, and they rely on many forms of transportation, one of which is the Dulles Greenway.

The proposed increase represents a 56 percent increase over the next 5 years. The per-mile rate for the increased toll is drastically higher than other toll roads in the area, costing commuters approximately 34 cents per mile. For many families this will be an undue burden.

Thankfully, there is a hearing today in Northern Virginia so local citizens can express their concern with this proposal. I hope that the Virginia State Corporation Commission will see the shortsightedness of this proposal

and call for a reasonable toll level for the commuters utilizing the Dulles Greenway.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend congratulations to Jeremiah Kent Knavenshue, who recently accomplished the highest rank in boy scouting, becoming an Eagle Scout on October 4, 2006.

Jeremiah achieved a new title at the end of a 7-year career in Boy Scout Troop 88, which is chartered by the Elkins United Methodist Church. He served as an assistant patrol leader and bugler, and was elected patrol leader.

Jeremiah performed many community service projects, including Adopt- a-Highway and other community beautification projects. Boy Scout Troop 88 also organized a ``Scouting For Food'' project at Elkins, which is a national Boy Scout activity where members of the troop collect food donations from their community to allocate to food banks. For his Eagle Scout project, he cleared and finished an area in Riverbend Park for the public to use.

Jeremiah is a student at Elkins High School, where he is president of the Future Farmers of America chapter. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is on the wrestling team and participates in the band.

I am proud to recognize Jeremiah on his accomplishments. Randolph County and the State of West Virginia are fortunate to have him as a leader and a volunteer in his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend congratulations to Elizabeth Elza of Elkins, West Virginia, who was recently awarded the Most Outstanding Junior Trooper Award in the 11th annual West Virginia State Junior Trooper Academy. Elizabeth's hard work, dedication and outstanding performance contributed to her recognition as the top junior trooper.

At the Junior Trooper Academy, junior troopers are trained in law enforcement activities to expose them to the criminal justice and law enforcement career fields during an intensive 5-day period. Candidates are between 14 and 17 years old and must be recommended by a State legislator, school superintendent or uniformed member of the State police.

Elizabeth is truly a leader in her community and among her peers. We need more women in leadership positions, and I am pleased to say that Elizabeth is well on her way to being a role model for future young women in West Virginia. Elizabeth is not only a leader in her community, but an accomplished athlete as a member of, get this, the Elkins High School wrestling team.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to highlight Elizabeth's accomplishments. Congrats on being the most outstanding junior trooper.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by commending my colleague on the page board, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), for his service to the program, long service to the program, and for the bipartisan manner in which he has handled the legislation before him today.

I would also like to thank the Chair and ranking member of the House Administration Committee, and I would like to join my fellow, the ranking member and all of us, really, to say thank you to all the pages who are in the room today, all the pages who are currently serving, and all those pages who have done wonderful service in the past.

I am proud to be the original cosponsor of the House Page Board Revision Act and rise to urge my colleagues to support it. I believe my colleagues will support it.

The House page program has existed for well over a century and provides teenagers with an incredible opportunity to learn about the legislative process, gain leadership and teamwork skills that can be applied to whatever profession they decide to enter. House pages provide a valuable service to the House of Representatives as well. The page program is truly an asset, both to this body and to the Nation.

I guarantee, if you ask any page in this room, present or former, about their experience, there is one word that they always use to describe it when I ask, and that is ``fantastic.'' That is why Members of this House were shocked to learn that a former Congressman's inappropriate interaction with House pages came to light last fall.

As a mother, it was very upsetting to find out that children sent to Washington could possibly be preyed upon. As a Member of this House and a member of the page board, I was disappointed that the information regarding those e-mails was not shared with the full page board.

But since it is impossible to go back and fix, it is important that the House move forward to make the changes to prevent such an incident or other incidents that could endanger the safety of young people. Certainly, we all know that one of the most important rules of this House is for Members, of course, to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects credibility of the House.

But it is imperative that we learn lessons from last year's situation and take the steps necessary to better protect House pages and to ensure that any potential problem is investigated fully.

Mr. Speaker, many of the items in this bill are suggestions that I made to the page board in October, and I will include this letter into the Record listing my reasons for supporting this.

This legislation balances the partisan make-up of the page board by incorporating two pages from each party. I believe this provision is important, not just symbolically but it is also important because it demonstrates that nothing within the page board is ever construed as partisan.

It is important that everyone involved, House Members, staff, employees, pages, dorm supervisors alike feel comfortable approaching the page board with any information about possible threats to the safety of the children in this program. Demonstrating that the board is truly bipartisan should make this easier.

Expanding membership to include a former page and the parent of a current or recent page will improve discussions on policies for the page program and provide that additional perspective, that additional set of eyes and ears for any problems that may arise.

Certainly, regular meetings, I heartily agree, of the page board, will help shed light on any trouble facing our pages, and I am pleased that this provision has been included in the bill.

My hope is that other recommendations that have been put forward, such as a peer counseling program, better communications, will strengthen this program as we move forward into the future.

I commend the leaders of both parties for agreeing to take action to better protect the pages who serve this House; and, again, I thank Mr. Kildee for offering this bill. This is a good bipartisan piece of legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support it.

October 5, 2006.

Hon. John Shimkus,

Hon. Dale Kildee,

Mr. Bill Livingood, Sergeant-at-Arms.

Dear Page Board Member: This week has been difficult for

all Members of Congress, as well as for the institution in

which we serve. Make no mistake, the revelation of Mark

Foley's despicable actions have been difficult on the young

people in our Page Program as well. I am confident that I

speak for the entire Page Board in expressing outrage and

hoping that anyone involved in this tragic sequence of events

be severely punished.

Today, Speaker Hastert called for the Page Program to be

reviewed and strengthened. As the Speaker correctly stated,

times have changed since this great program was created, and

I believe it is incumbent upon us to ensure we address these

changes as they pertain to the Page Program.

As a fellow member of the Page Board, I write to you today

for two reasons: (1) To offer my full support for the

continuation of the Page Program, and (2) Offer my

suggestions on how we can begin to update and strengthen this

program to ensure it continues to offer a safe learning

experience for our nation's young people.

As we move forward, I ask that we consider using the

following items as a starting point for reform to the Page

Program:

(1) Increase the number of Members of Congress on the Page

Board and, like the Committee on Standards & Official

Conduct, establish equal representation from both parties on

the Page Board. I know we all agree that the issue of safety

for the young people in the Page Program is not a partisan

one.

(2) Developing a peer counseling program within the Page

Program. Modeled after peer programs that have been

successful in our educational system, this would provide

pages with an additional outlet to express any problems or

concerns that may be easier than reporting to an adult.

(3) The implementation of monthly meetings with the Page

Board, pages, as well as a representative from the U.S.

Capitol Police. We should create a system in which all

members of the Page Board have more information on any

potential problem facing the pages, including receiving

reports from the Capitol Police on any possible problems with

crime activity on Capitol Hill or in the page dorm

neighborhood.

(4) Establish training and guidelines on educating Members

of Congress and pages on the job description and

responsibilities of those in the Page Program as well as

proper relationships with pages, Members of Congress, or any

employee of the House of the Representatives.

I look forward to working with you to achieve our shared

goal of improving this great program, and more importantly,

ensuring we have put in place the best procedures to protect

the safety and welfare of the young people in the Page

Program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of increasing Pell Grants, which we have done over the past 12 years, contrary to what we heard earlier. This action would have the greatest impact on helping lower-income students afford a college education.

Later today, the House will consider legislation that is intended to increase college access by temporarily reducing subsidized student loan interest rates, a helpful measure. But I suggest to my colleagues that an average 18-year-old student will not base whether they can go to college on whether their percentage of interest rate is 6.8 today or 6.14 for the 2007 year. What would make a difference is the amount of aid, either grants or loans, that is immediately available to help them afford school. To make college accessible, we should focus on what we can do now for students, not when they graduate.

Regardless of how you feel today, we need to work together on a bipartisan basis to increase Pell Grants to ensure that they are sufficient to help students to afford a higher education. This would be a very effective way to help students from low- and middle-income families afford college.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to fully support SAFE TEA-LU funding at its authorized level for fiscal year 2007.

If, as expected, the House passes a joint resolution extending funding for government programs through October 1, it is important that we allow the highway funds to increase from the 2006 level to the authorized 2007 level.

Federal highway funding is very important to all States, and my State of West Virginia is no exception. Significant progress is being made on construction of a new four-lane U.S. 35 and on Corridor H, and transportation improvements are needed across everyone's district.

Keeping highway funding steady at the 2006 level would stop a scheduled $3.4 billion increase that State highway departments, workers and motorists have planned on and expected for this year.

The President's fiscal year 2007 budget, the House-passed transportation appropriation bill and the Senate appropriation bill called for $39.1 billion for highway construction. Failing to allow an increase would cost West Virginia $57.7 million, and 2,740 construction jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for recognizing me.

Today, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4. When I first ran for Congress, this was one of the largest issues, prescription drug plans, for seniors. Sixty percent of the senior women in America are on Medicare right now, and they have available to them a prescription drug plan that they have never had in the past. Congress delivered this plan, and people in my district are pleased. Over 80 percent of the seniors on part D are pleased with this plan, and 91 percent of West Virginia seniors are now participating.

The prescription drug plan is one of the rare government programs that is actually costing less than anticipated, both for the government and for the seniors. One reason is that seniors have access to the drugs and pharmacy of their choice. Yet, today, my colleagues on the other side appear to be willing to sacrifice that access to their drugs and their pharmacies.

Yesterday, the Director of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Diabetes Association wrote and asked that I personally oppose this legislation because of its potential to decrease access to important medications for such diseases as diabetes, one of the most deadly and far-reaching diseases in this country.

I oppose this. I think it will result in higher prices for our seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honor of representing one of the largest congressional districts east of the Mississippi, the West Virginia Second District.

Some of the best-kept secrets in West Virginia, and certainly my district, are the wonderful small towns and the sense of community they provide. Treasures like these are worth celebrating every single day.

Last Sunday, the city of Ripley in Jackson County, West Virginia, celebrated its 175th anniversary, and I had the privilege of attending the celebration with the mayor and many fine citizens of Ripley.

I thought it was very fitting to read the city's motto, ``Ripley: Proud of our past--Excited about our future.''

Much has changed in America since 1832 when Ripley was founded, but the fact is that Ripley remains one of the best small towns in the country.

In fact, when the President was looking for a place to celebrate our Nation's birthday in 2002, he looked no further than Ripley, West Virginia. It was a great decision. Every year, Ripley has the largest Independence Day celebration of any small town in America. We welcomed the President, and he enjoyed his West Virginia visit.

Let us all remember that small towns are truly the heart and soul of America, just as they were in 1832 at Ripley's founding. I am honored to represent them here in Washington.

I want to thank the ranking member for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation to raise the Federal minimum wage to $7.25 per hour. It has been 10 years since Congress passed legislation to increase the minimum wage, and I am pleased that we are going to pass such an increase today.

I have supported an increase in the minimum wage since coming to Congress, and I have voted for it both as part of a package including a permanent solution to the death tax. And I will vote for it as a stand- alone bill. The minimum wage in my home State of West Virginia is $5.85 an hour, with recent increases already scheduled to be $6.55 this June and then $7.25 in June 2008. Twenty-eight other States have enacted minimum wages that are higher than the Federal minimum wage, and I am pleased today that we will vote to increase the minimum wage for workers across the country.

I will vote for H.R. 2 because it will improve the quality of life for low-wage workers in my congressional district and across the Nation. This legislation would be much better, however, if it included the elements of the Republican alternative offered by Ranking Member McKeon and Ranking Member McCrery.

Millions of small business employees across the country lack health insurance. It is probably the largest segment of working Americans who are unable to afford and cannot find health insurance, a vitally important part of leading a good-quality life here in the United States.

We should authorize association health plans, allowing small companies to bind together through trade associations to create the economies of scales necessary to reduce the cost of health care. This is essential. It makes certain that we should act to offer affordable health care coverage for workers at the same time we are increasing the minimum wage.

The Republican substitute, by offering tax relief that would lead to new job creation and by offering affordable health care in addition to increasing the minimum wage, would help millions more Americans than the bill we are considering today, and I regret we are not taking the more comprehensive approach.

Nonetheless, this legislation will help many women and men across the country, and I intend to support it.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Harvey Christie, better known to people across West Virginia as Chef Harv. Chef Harv was tragically killed at age 42 in a car accident near Romney, West Virginia on December 1, 2006. He is survived by his wife Christy and two children.

Chef Harv traveled across West Virginia, as a caterer, as the host of ``West Virginia Cooks'', a Public Broadcasting cooking show, and as a champion for local agriculture products in our state.

Chef Harv never stopped promoting West Virginia's small farmers and food products. Whether it was catering a community dinner or visiting 4-H camp, he inspired a love for our state's agriculture goods to countless people.

Each year Chef Harv made the trip to Washington to remind members of Congress of the importance of supporting our local farmers. On each trip he cooked for ``A Taste of the Virginias'' held in a House office building--providing a meal made entirely from items grown in West Virginia or Virginia.

The amazing food Chef Harv prepared, like his award winning ``Harv's Hot Pepper Jelly'' was matched only by his outgoing, engaging personality that was an inspiration to those around him. West Virginia's agriculture community has suffered a tremendous loss with his passing, and he will be missed by countless friends across our state.

On January 13, Chef Harv's family and friends will gather to remember a life that ended much too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, and all of his friends and family during this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1102 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

(Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1102 waives clause 6(a) of rule XIII, requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee, against certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The resolution applies the waiver to any special rule reported on this legislative day.

The rule also provides that suspensions will be in order at any time on the legislative day. The resolution also provides that the Speaker or his designee shall consult with the minority leader or her designee on any suspension considered under the rule.

Madam Speaker, we have before us this morning a simple rule that will allow for the consideration of important final measures that must be addressed before we adjourn sine die. Most important is the consideration of the continuing resolution, which will continue funding of the government until February of 2007.

Although I am disappointed this Congress was unable to complete its spending bills for fiscal year 2007, we must consider and pass this continuing resolution before we leave tonight. It is my hope that in future Congresses we can work together with the other body to ensure we finish the appropriating process on schedule and in a fiscally responsible manner.

This balanced rule provides the minority with the ability to consult with the Speaker on any suspension that is offered, ensuring that their input and views are duly considered before any legislation considered under this rule is brought to the floor. This rules also allows for consideration of special rules reported on this day.

We are nearing the end of our session, always a chaotic time, and this rule will allow the House to finish its business in a timely fashion. I now ask my colleagues to support this rule so that we may continue the work of the American people in a timely fashion today. Completing consideration of these suspensions and remaining bills ensures that we may accomplish as much as possible in the final days of this Congress, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this balanced rule.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of this rule. As I was listening to the statements that have gone on, I started thinking to myself, you know, it is the Christmas season. It is a time of optimism. It is a time of reflection. It is a time when we look forward to the new year. And as I do that, as a Member of Congress, as a family member, as a member of my community, as an American citizen, I look forward to what is going to happen after this new year. But what we need to concentrate on today is to make sure that the business of the people continues in a responsible way, and that is what this rule does. It continues the government spending.

I have great regrets that we were unable to get our appropriations bills through, and I hold the other side of the aisle, the other side of the big aisle, responsible for a lot of that. But at the same time, I think it is important for people across the Nation who are watching this to realize what we are really talking about today, and that is the continuing services, continuing benefits, continuing the work and the funding of the American government.

I think it is also important to note in this particular piece of legislation, because we are very concerned, as a Congress, about our veterans and about our VA health care, that because there could be some possible issues between now and when this expires in February, that we have allotted for the ability to have the transfer within the VA medical costs so that they won't skip a beat, and our veterans will be cared for in the manner to which we would want them to be cared for, in the manner which they deserve.

So I rise today with a heart filled with Christmas spirit, with a positive outlook, not only on this body, but this Nation. And I wish the other side good luck in the years to come, and I look forward to serving this Congress and the next Congress.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1096 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

(Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1096 waives clause 6(a) of rule XIII requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee against certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The resolution applies the waiver to any special rule reported on this legislative day.

The rule also provides that suspensions will be in order at any time on this legislative day.

The resolution also provides that the Speaker or his designee shall consult with the minority leader or her designee on any suspension considered under this rule.

Mr. Speaker, this Congress has accomplished many things. We have worked on a variety of initiatives that will provide our working men and women with the resources necessary to succeed, expand access to health care, secure our borders, and continue to grow our economy. I would like to just comment on a few of these.

I am proud to say that I was part of the majority of Members that passed a raise in the Federal minimum wage for the first time in 9 years. It is important that we assist those who are struggling with the necessary tools to help them develop as individuals and in the workforce. I tell you that the hardworking men and women of West Virginia deserve this raise.

Another component of helping Americans succeed is making health care more affordable and accessible. This Congress has led the charge in modernizing our entitlement programs, allowing them to better serve the 21st-century senior.

Three years ago, we stood on this floor and passed a monumental enhancement to Medicare, the creation of a prescription drug plan under Medicare. This program has helped to provide prescription drug coverage to 91 percent of the seniors in my home State of West Virginia. The numbers do not lie. This program has been a success, and I look forward to continued work with various groups in West Virginia and throughout the country to help the remaining beneficiaries find a prescription plan that best suits their needs.

Regardless of their district's geographic location, no Member can honestly say that our Nation's immigration problems have not touched their constituents. We are all suffering from an immigration system that is clearly broken. The House passed a strong enforcement first approach last December, but, unfortunately, our friends in the other body could not come to agreement and insisted on a different plan. We must secure our borders and gain control over the flow of immigrants coming into our Nation before we can discuss any way to form a pathway to citizenship.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the pro-growth tax policies put in this place by this Congress have fostered a strong economy. We are seeing some of the lowest unemployment in my State, the lowest unemployment in history; tax receipts have surged from economic growth, and, as a result, the deficit is beginning to fall.

We still have work to do, and that is why we are here today. Despite this record of success, there is much more work to be done. We have several measures left that should garner bipartisan support, and in an attempt to make sure that this important work is finished by the end of the legislative week as well, we are here today to pass a rule to provide for the consideration of bills under rules that would require them to pass by two-thirds majority. This allows us to consider items in a timely manner and ensure that last-minute issues are resolved prior to our adjournment.

This balanced rule provides the minority with the ability to consult with the Speaker on any suspension that is offered, ensuring that their input and views are duly considered before any legislation considered under this rule is brought to the floor.

This rule also allows for consideration of special rules reported on this legislative day. We are obviously nearing the end of our session, and this rule will allow the House to finish its business in a timely fashion.

I am proud of the accomplishments of this House over the past 2 years. I now ask my colleagues to support this rule so that we may continue the work of the American people in a timely fashion today. Completing consideration of these suspensions and remaining bills ensures that we may accomplish as much as possible in the final days in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this balanced rule.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of the Rules Committee, who has led us very ably over the last several years.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as one who cares about responsible legislating, I guess I would like to say that I have been in the legislative process now for 10 years, 4 years in my State House and 6 years now here in Congress. When you reach the end of a legislative session, there is always, rightly or wrongly, a rush to wrap up loose ends, to make sure that you don't leave issues undone, untied, so that you can start afresh in the new Congress.

But I would like to tell the gentleman something he probably already knows, that in the 103rd Congress, which was the last Congress that the Democrats had control, they actually used the same-day rule provisions 22 times, and this Congress, rightly or wrongly, has used the same-day rule 20 times.

So I would like to ask the gentleman, what I am hearing you say, and I know you will be on the Rules Committee and I will be leaving the Rules Committee because of the new majority-minority makeup in the committee, but what I am hearing you say is that you are basically promising that this same-day rule provision that we have used in the 109th Congress will not be a provision or mechanism that you will be using next December when you have control of the Rules Committee.

I would like to hear if that is what you are saying, and I would hope that by the rhetoric that I am hearing from you today that this is the direction that you want to take the committee. You will be part of the leadership of that committee.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I thank the gentleman for his response, and I have enjoyed my 2 years of service with him on the Rules Committee. He is a mighty adversary. And I also want to say congratulations to you and to the new majority. You fought hard for it, you won it, and I look forward to the new open process that you are proposing and particularly in the first 100 hours that you are proposing in the first several days of our legislative session in the 110th Congress.

I would like to just kind of piggyback on one thing you said, and I think it really rings true. It certainly rings true in my State and everywhere.

People are tired of the way we conduct our debate here in Congress. They turn us off. They do not listen to us because we heighten the words that we use, we disrespect each other as individuals. I am not saying that you and I do, but certainly several of our Members do on both sides of the aisle. We use words that are meant to catch the 30- second sound byte, that are meant to inflame one side or the other.

In my service in the Rules Committee, Chairman Dreier asked me to chair a Subcommittee on Civility, and

I began working with that and working with Representative Cleaver on the other side. We joined together in a Special Order where we both debated civilly over the pros and cons of tax relief without throwing the usual big word bantering, disrespecting words at one another that we have a tendency to do in our debate. I would ask my colleagues who are listening, join together in this effort with Representative Cleaver so we can grow the amount of Members, we can have Special Orders where we debate the pros and cons of such hot issues like the war in Iraq or immigration or tax relief, all these things that are so important to the American public, but we do it in a way where we have a little bit more time where we can go back and forth and ask each other questions. It is difficult the way our structured debate is, to actually make a point in one minute and then be able to respond to the other side.

So I would join with my colleague and maybe convince him to join our Subcommittee on Civility and we can have longer, more meaningful, and I think the American public would actually embrace the opportunity to sit down in front of their TV, watch C-SPAN for an hour, become educated on an issue on both sides, and then understand a little bit more about why we are voting one way or the other, where our belief systems are.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague. Again, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this rule to provide that suspensions will be in order anytime the legislative day of December 7, a very historic day in our Nation's history, 2006, and that special rules will be considered on the same day.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.