Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with great joy that my husband, Congressman Max Sandlin, a former Member of this distinguished body, and I introduce to you and to all of our colleagues the newest addition to our family, Zachary Lars Sandlin.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor members of the McCrossan Boys Ranch Hitch Team in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for their participation in the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Parade. The inauguration of President Barack Obama marked a defining moment in history and these young men were excellent ambassadors for South Dakota at an event of such magnitude.

McCrossan Boys Ranch is a unique program, which reaches out to educate troubled youths from across the region. The ranch provides a vital opportunity for young men who face conflict in their lives and who wish to seek a more positive direction. The ranch's purpose is to give students outlets to explore, allowing them to grow as individuals and to serve the community around them. The ranch teaches important skills such as horsemanship, trade skills and agricultural methods that are applied toward community service projects like Habitat for Humanity.

Additionally, McCrossan Boys Ranch youth are members of numerous extracurricular

groups, such as 4-H, the Boy Scouts of America and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The ranch and its students give back to the community in many ways and display the dedication, purity of purpose and selfless service that personified the spirit of the 2009 Inauguration Parade.

The educational and service mission of McCrossan Boys Ranch is an admirable and worthy cause. It is an organization that instills American values in young men and helps them make valuable contributions to the fabric of our society.

Madam Speaker, it is because of its mission, as well as its achievements, that I rise today in recognition of the McCrossan Boys Ranch Hitch Team for their participation in the 2009 Inauguration Parade.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unable to participate in a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday.

The vote was on an amendment offered by Representative Maurice Hinchey of New York to H.R. 384, the TARP Reform and Accountability Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on that question.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unable to participate in a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday.

The vote was H. Res. 40, amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each standing committee to hold periodic hearings on the topic of waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in Government programs which that committee may authorize, and for other purposes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unable to participate in three votes on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday.

The first vote was H. Res. 41, supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The second vote was H. Res. 50, honoring the life of Claiborne Pell, distinguished former Senator from the State of Rhode Island. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The third vote was H. Res. 43, recognizing the efforts of those who serve their communities on Martin Luther Kinig Day and promoting the holiday as a day of national service. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

Madam Speaker, recently, Don Meyer, head men's basketball coach at Northern State University in Aberdeen, from my State of South Dakota, coached his 903rd career victory. This accomplishment sets the national record for wins by a men's collegiate basketball coach.

Mr. Meyer started his coaching career in 1972 at Hamline University in Minnesota, turning an unsuccessful program into a championship contender. Moving to Lipscomb University in Tennessee, Mr. Meyer created a national powerhouse during his 24 years there--winning an NAIA national title in 1986 and averaging more than 32 wins per season over his final 10 years at the school.

Coming to Northern State in 1999, Mr. Meyer built another highly- successful program. His teams have won over 20 games each of the past 7 seasons, and reached the postseason 4 of the past 5 years.

Over this long career, Mr. Meyer has become nationally known as a teacher of both young men and other coaches. Thousands of coaches from all over the Nation have honed their craft at the Don Meyer Coaches Academy. His instructional books and DVDs have been used by college programs such as Duke and NBA teams such as the Utah Jazz. Of Mr. Meyer, Pat Summitt, the legendary University of Tennessee women's basketball coach, recently told Sports Illustrated, ``(Meyer) is one of the most respected clinicians in the country. You can't sit there and not learn and be inspired.''

Another inspiration that Mr. Meyer provides stems from the journey he finds himself on today. On September 5, 2008, while leading his team to a preseason retreat, Mr. Meyer was involved in a life-threatening auto accident. At the accident site, his players' quick thinking and poise saved Mr. Meyer's life. Team captain Kyle Schwan told Sports Illustrated about the accident, ``It's a testament to Coach. In essence, he saved his own life because of the way he taught us.''

His recovery has included eight surgeries, the amputation of part of his left leg, and intense pain. Adding to the medical challenge was the discovery of liver and intestine cancer during his emergency surgeries. But through it all, Mr. Meyer has maintained his drive and character, coaching games from the sidelines in a wheelchair. This season, he again has Northern State in championship contention, and remains a sought-after motivational speaker on basketball, coaching, and life itself.

Madam Speaker, it is with enduring pride and respect that I rise today in recognition of Don Meyer and his record-breaking achievement. This achievement is not only measured in the many victories achieved, but in the lives touched. Don Meyer has proven himself worthy to be counted among the best coaches our Nation has produced.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unable to participate in three votes on the floor of the House of Representatives today.

The first vote was H.R. 12, the Paycheck Fairness Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on that question.

The second vote was H.R. 11, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The third vote was H. Res. 34, recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unable to participate in two votes on the floor of the House of Representatives on January 7, 2009.

The first vote was H.R. 35, to amend chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Presidential Records Act, to establish procedures for the consideration of claims of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure of Presidential records. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on that question.

The second vote was H.R. 36, to amend title 44, United States Code, to require information on contributors to Presidential library fundraising organizations. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on that question.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the heroic and distinguished actions of Fred Stern of Aberdeen, South Dakota, who will be honored with several long-overdue medals, including the Bronze Star Medal, for his service during World War II.

Fred was born near Webster, South Dakota, on October 21, 1908. He was inducted into the U.S. Army at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, on June 10, 1942, and received his basic training at Camp Rucker, Alabama. Fred served in World War II's Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945. He was a member of the 322nd Regiment Combat Team of the 81st Infantry, Wildcats, Division in the battle for the Palau Islands.

The 322nd participated in the famed assault on the small island of Anguar--a hard-fought battle against the island's Japanese occupants. For his dedicated service, Fred received the Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war, he returned to South Dakota where he farmed, worked for the Brown County Implement, and as a painter before retiring.

Madam Speaker, I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my gratitude to Mr. Fred Stern and congratulate his receipt of the Bronze Star Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead, and the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp.

We are all proud and thankful for all that he has done in the service of the United States of America. The lives of countless people have been enormously enhanced by his compassion and service. Fred represents the best of the United States, South Dakota, and the Army. He continues to inspire all those who know him and hear his story of sacrifice. Our Nation and the State of South Dakota are far better places because of his service, and the best way to honor him is to emulate his devotion to our country.

I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my appreciation to Fred. His commitment to and sacrifice for our Nation will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I regret that due to unforeseen circumstances I was unable to participate in one vote on the floor of the House of Representatives on September 24, 2008.

The vote was on H.R. 7005, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide alternative minimum tax, AMT, relief for individuals for 2008. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on that question. AMT relief is certainly necessary, and providing it for more than 25 million families in 2008 is projected to cost more than $60 billion over 10 years. In addition, because the AMT fix in this bill is not paid for under pay-as-you-go rules, the fix can be expected to add tens of billions more in interest costs. In contrast, the fiscally responsible version of AMT relief that the House passed earlier this year with my support would have been revenue neutral, including through the elimination of a tax subsidy that continues to be provided to major oil companies during this time of record profits for the industry. I cannot support H.R. 7005, which would add many tens of billions more to the out-of-control national debt that is approaching $10 trillion, when a fiscally responsible and fair alternative is available.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to take this opportunity to honor the service of Alvina Elizabeth Schwab Pettigrew as a member of the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service, WAVES, during World War II.

Born on a farm in Mina, South Dakota, Pettigrew is a true American hero who greatly contributed in the effort to end the war. In October of 1942, Pettigrew joined more than 600 women from across the United States and enlisted in the WAVES.

The WAVES reported to the Naval Communications Annex in Washington DC at the height of World War II. They were given the top secret operation of cracking the Germans' complex codes that were used to radio instructions from German headquarters to the submarines that were sinking United States ships. This operation was so secretive that the women were warned that they could be shot for treason if they ever revealed their activities. Pettigrew and her fellow WAVES saved the lives of countless sailors by working around the clock to decipher German code until the end of World War II.

To honor the WAVES' service to the United States of America, the Cathedral Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC will include, as part of a public arts project to restore turn-ofthe-century ``call boxes,'' Pettigrew's portrait and a description of the WAVES' secret operation that was conducted less than 200 yards away in the Navy Annex. It will be an everlasting tribute to their effort to end the war.

Our Nation and the State of South Dakota are far better places because of Pettigrew's service and that of all WAVES. I join with all Members of the House of Representatives and South Dakotans in expressing my gratitude for their commitment to serving and protecting our Nation. They will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, the House is considering today the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights. I believe it is critically important to ensure fairness and transparency for consumers engaged in credit card transactions, and I support many of the commonsense provisions included in this bill designed to prevent unfair and deceptive practices.

However, while ensuring basic consumer protections, we should also consider the full implications of potential new regulation for consumers. I have joined with the other members of the South Dakota delegation in expressing our concerns on this subject to the regulatory agencies that are already fully engaged in crafting new credit card regulations addressing many of the same issues addressed in this legislation.

We are concerned that, if enacted, this legislation would prohibit issuers of nonprime credit cards from charging deposits or fees to the card for the issuance of credit. Although well intentioned, this provision could have the unintended consequence of unnecessarily limiting credit for many of the more than 70 million consumers who are considered nonprime, and for whom subprime credit cards may be the only available source of credit. In a time of economic instability and decreasing credit availability, it is essential to consider the full potential impact of limiting access to credit.

Furthermore, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and other agencies with significant expertise in this area are already working to implement new credit card regulations targeting many of the same practices this legislation seeks to address. These regulations are expected to be finalized before the end of this year and will reflect over 50,000 comment letters received by these agencies from consumers and representatives of the financial service industry. It should also be recognized that many issuers of credit cards have already initiated good faith steps to impose greater fairness, transparency and consumer protections in their industry.

For these reasons, while I fully support the goal of ensuring fairness in the credit card industry and protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive practices, I cannot support today's bill, which I believe should be improved before being passed by the House. As the legislative and regulatory processes progress, I will continue to work to ensure Congress fully considers the potential effect of these provisions on millions of consumers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4544, the ``Code Talker Recognition Act.''

As a cosponsor of H.R. 4544, I would like to thank Representative Boren for introducing this important bill to honor our nation's Native American Code Talkers--including code talkers from South Dakota's Sioux tribes--with this long overdue recognition.

South Dakota is home to the last living Lakota code talker--Clarence Wolf Guts. Clarence, who is an 84-year-old Lakota warrior from the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, was the personal code talker for Major General Paul Mueller, commander of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry. He traveled with Gen. Mueller and the 81st as the division moved from island to island during the fight against the Japanese during World War II.

I am privileged to have this opportunity to thank Clarence for his service during World War II and to honor all of our Nation's code talkers--whose efforts prevented the enemy from intercepting vital communications--saving the lives of countless American members of the Armed Forces.

Again, I would like to thank Representtive Boren for his leadership and to thank our Nation's code talkers, who serve as an inspiration for all Americans to emulate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an issue that has reached crisis levels in many Native American communities: the Federal funding shortfalls crippling tribal law enforcement and justice systems.

Native American families, like all families, deserve safe and secure communities. Tragically, there is a pervasive sense of lawlessness in too many areas of Indian country. As the at-large Member of Congress for South Dakota, I am proud to represent nine sovereign native nations.

The Federal Government has a unique relationship with the 562 federally recognized tribes. This government-to-government relationship is established in the U.S. Constitution, is recognized through treaties and is reaffirmed through executive orders, judicial decisions and congressional action.

Law enforcement is one of the Federal Government's trust obligations to tribes. Yet, on many counts, we are failing to meet that obligation. Less than 3,000 law enforcement officers patrol more than 56 million acres of Indian country. Let me repeat: 3,000 officers for 56 million acres. That reflects less than one half of the law enforcement presence in comparable rural communities.

A recent master plan for justice services in Indian country found that crime is increasing. The report notes that drug cartels deliberately base their operations in Indian country because of the lack of law enforcement. Once drug producers gain a foothold in reservations, they can sell drugs throughout the United States. Drug trafficking demonstrates that weak tribal law enforcement systems are not just a problem for Indian country; they affect us all.

In addition to drug activity, the rates of crime against women are staggering. In June 2007, Amnesty International released their report, entitled ``Maze of Injustice,'' which documents what native women have long known before and have fought against. The figures suggest that 34 percent of native women will be raped in their lifetimes. Even more women will be victims of domestic violence. When tribal law enforcement departments are understaffed, there are delays in responding to victims and to collecting evidence.

At a 2007 Natural Resources Committee field hearing, we heard from Georgia Little Shield, director of the Pretty Bird Woman House on the Standing Rock Reservation, which was named in honor of a Lakota woman who was brutally raped and murdered in that community.

Ms. Little Shield told of a woman who was beaten by her partner and who had called her for help in filing a police report. They called the police and were told, when an officer becomes available, he would take her statement. After 2 hours of waiting, they called again. The one officer on duty had been sent to the scene of a traffic accident. After waiting 2 more hours, they called yet again. In the end, the police officer never came to take her statement.

Large land-based reservations are hit especially hard by insufficient funding. For example, the Cheyenne River Sioux tribal chairman has testified that his tribe has only three officers per shift to cover an area almost the size of Connecticut. These situations and statistics show that the extent of these problems far exceed the level of appropriations.

I applaud the interior appropriations subcommittee Chairman Norman Dicks and the entire Appropriations Committee for increasing tribal law enforcement and justice funding by $28.7 million from fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2008. However, we have much more to do.

In 2004, the Interior Department Inspector General reported on the deteriorating conditions of tribal detention facilities. Four years later, not much has changed.

Last month, the BIA jail in Pine Ridge, South Dakota was closed for safety reasons after years of insufficient maintenance by the Federal Government. It's estimated that the tribal detention system alone will require $8.4 billion to address our current deficiencies.

In conclusion, fully funding tribal law enforcement will not fix every problem such as the lack of transparency and accountability at the BIA. That is why I am proud to sponsor the Tribal Law and Order Act. This act was written by Senator Dorgan, chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee in the Senate. I look forward to working with him to ensure the bill becomes law.

The immediate challenge facing tribes is the insufficient Federal funds that leads to too few officers, to jails too unsafe for inmates and staff and to tribal courts nearly overwhelmed with caseloads.

Let me say again: Native American families, like all families, deserve to raise their children and to live their lives with a basic sense of security and safety. Congress must meet our trust responsibilities by fully funding tribal law enforcement and justice systems.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work of employees at three excellent South Dakota organizations, Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections, who have each sent representatives to Washington, DC, this week to take part in the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) 2008 Governmental Activities Seminar.

In my work in Congress, I have made fair and equitable treatment of people with disabilities a priority. Identifying the key issues and areas on which to focus has been the result of a dialogue with those who know the issues best: people like the employees at Black Hills Workshop, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections. These good folks are working in South Dakota right now to provide direct support and services to individuals with disabilities of all ages.

Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections employ nearly 600 direct support professionals (DSPs) who provide a range of supports seven days a week, 24-hours a day to help those with mental and physical disabilities live and work in their community. Together this outstanding, highly trained, highly skilled, and highly committed workforce supports nearly 800 people with disabilities in South Dakota as they strive to live up to their potential and be as independent as they can be. Many of the people receiving supports from DSPs, both at these three agencies and around the country, hold paid and volunteer jobs, contributing a great deal to their communities. But without the dedicated daily work of DSPs, such contributions may not be possible and the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families would be disrupted and unfulfilled.

Without an adequately paid, trained and dedicated workforce, our Nation's individuals with disabilities and their families face a less secure future. Without the necessary workforce, providers cannot help our Nation fulfill the commitment Congress made to people with disabilities in the Americans with Disabilities Act, as the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed in its Olmstead decision.

I applaud the people at Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections for taking a lead on this workforce issue. And, as a member of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, I encourage all of my Colleagues to examine their commitment to providing the best support possible to the people with disabilities in their districts.

There is no better way to recognize the contribution DSPs make to the Nation than to ensure that they are fairly compensated. Direct support professionals make a difference; they should make a living too. I ask that my colleagues join with me in cosponsoring the bipartisan Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 1279) and to urge hearings on this important issue in the coming months.