Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, due to a family medical situation, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

June 14, 2010

Rollcall vote 355, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1368, Supporting the goals of National Dairy Month--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 356, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1409, Expressing support for designation of June 20, 2010, as

``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 357, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass--H.R. 5502, To amend the effective date of the gift card provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009--I would have voted ``aye.''

June 15, 2010

Rollcall vote 358, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1383, Honoring Dr. Larry Case on his retirement as National FFA Advisor--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 359, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1436, Providing for consideration of H.R. 5486, the Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act; and providing for consideration of H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act--I would have voted ``no.''

Rollcall vote 360, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--H.R. 4855, Work-Life Balance Award Act--I would have voted ``no.''

Rollcall vote 361, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1389, Recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on Father's Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 362, On Motion to Recommit with Instructions--H.R. 5486, Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act of 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 363, On Passage--H.R. 5486, Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act of 2010--I would have voted ``no.''

Rollcall vote 364, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1322, Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program and recognizing the significant contributions of Albert Einstein Fellows--I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, on May 7, 2010, we recognized Military Spouse Appreciation Day. On this day, I received a letter from Mrs. Anthony Massey, the wife of a diver in the United States Navy. Her letter is attached, and it very eloquently talks about the

sacrifice, support and dedication provided by military spouses to our men and women in uniform.

Have You Thanked a Military Spouse Today?

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated the Friday

before Mother's Day as Military Spouse Appreciation Day, a

day set aside to recognize the many contributions and

sacrifices military spouses make in support of military

members and our country.

Yesterday, President Obama made this declaration:

When Americans answer the call to serve in our Armed

Forces, a sacred trust is forged. Our men and women in

uniform take on the duty of protecting us all, and their

spouses and families also help shoulder this important

responsibility . . . At the heart of our Armed Forces,

servicemembers' spouses keep our military families on track.

They balance family life, military life, and their careers

all while supporting other military families and giving back

to their communities . . . Today, let us honor the spouses

and families who support our servicemembers and, in doing so,

help defend our Nation and preserve our liberty.

For many military spouses, we have essentially no idea what

it means to be a ``military spouse'' when we say, ``I do''.

We, like many, simply make a pledge that day to support our

loved one through good times and bad. However, it quickly

becomes apparent that military life is unlike anything we

have experienced. When standing at the alter, whether we know

it or not, we are making a commitment to serve our country,

many times forsaking our desires for a greater cause.

Rarely, will you ever see a military spouse seeking the

approval of others for the hat he or she wears. Rarely, will

you ever hear a military spouse ask for ``Thank Yous'' after

he or she has kissed their loved one for the last time for 7

months (or longer). Rarely, will you ever witness a military

spouse demand compensation for raising their children as a

single parent while their loved one deploys for the fourth

time in five years.

In just really is not our style.

When you say, ``I do'' to a Sailor, Marine, Soldier,

Airman, or Coast Guardsman, you are immediately inducted into

a special society of spouses . . . one that is built on a

legacy of those who have sacrificially dedicated their life

to the service of their country. A legacy that only

understood by those who have walked the walk and talked the

talk. From this legacy, we are inspired, encouraged, and

supported. We know many before us and along side of us have

gotten through it, have overcome the challenges, and

persevered when the going gets tough.

We know that there is at least one spouse who has

celebrated an anniversary alone and one spouse who watched

their child graduate from preschool/high school/college

alone. We know there is at least one spouse who moved from

one state to another alone. We know there is at least one

spouse who has given birth to their first, third, or sixth

child alone.

Nevertheless, we are quick to remember that we are never

alone. For me personally, Jesus is always by my side.

However, for all of us, every military spouse, past or

present, is standing side-by-side with us as we continue to

overcome the challenges of daily life.

There is a joy like no other when your Sailor, Marine,

Solider, Airman, or Coast Guardsman comes home from

deployment or training. There is an excitement that wakes you

up at all hours of the night and keeps you from falling back

asleep in the days leading up to their return home. There is

a sense of relief as soon as they are in your arms that you

have defeated the odds.

These moments make it worthwhile. That first eye-to-eye

contact . . . that first embrace . . . that first kiss all

remind you why you fell in love with them the first time. It

is the overwhelming sense of pride you feel when you see them

in uniform as they step off the plane or ship that reminds

you that the hat you wear is worth it. It is that first

morning that you wake up in their arms that gives you the

strength to begin preparing for the next separation.

Military spouses are a breed like no other. While the

United States Military has no official authority over us,

they really do because they tell us when our loved one will

work, when they will stand watch, when they will deploy, and

to where we will move next. Their system can be archaic and

rigid at times . . . but without it, our loved one's life is

at risk. We grow to appreciate this rigidity. We learn to

communicate in a language based on acronyms. Moreover, we

learn to roll with the punches.

Before we got married, Andy told me that military life is

like the tide, frequently changing on a daily basis. There

are no certainties to military life other than constant

change. Frequently, deployment dates move up and return dates

are pushed back. Departure times become earlier and arrival

times get later. To be a successful military spouse, you must

be resilient because without resiliency, you crack. We are

stretched to our limits and then some, with little power to

change the situation.

Military spouses are woven together with the same strand of

thread when we accept this responsibility with a gracious

heart and sacrificial love for our Sailor, Marine, Airman, or

Coast Guardsman. And for the military spouses whose loved one

has paid the ultimate price in service to our country, we, as

a nation, are forever indebted to them for the price they

paid as a military spouse.

I write this out of the pride I have to be ND1 Massey's

wife. Pride in him as a Mighty Man who serves an Awesome God

first and our country second. Pride that reduces me to tears

whenever I think of him.

So if you know one, thank one. While they may react humbly,

chances are it will mean a great deal to them. Our Sailors,

Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen are so

frequently the ones who are thanked . . . and they should be.

They are the ones that leave their families at home to fight

for a cause they may not always support. However, every once

in a while, when we are thanked for wearing this hat, it

reassures us that we are remembered and appreciated and it

encourages us to face the next challenge head on.

Thank you for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the American people get it. They understand Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need to be reformed.

The Federal Government has spent, as you have heard over and over, $145 billion in taxpayer dollars to prop up these two government entities. And through YouCut, the American people have voted to have shrink the portfolios of Fannie and Freddie. And, most importantly, they have demanded transparency, something that has been missing for a long time in the Federal Government relative to spending.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that these changes will save up to 30 billion taxpayer dollars. And it's no secret, we can't keep spending money that we don't have.

The American people know this, and they have gone to YouCut to have cast hundreds of thousands of votes over the last 3 weeks to demand we cut reckless spending out of our budget.

We need to do what we were sent to D.C. to do, and that is to vote for the wishes of the people that we represent back home. And a vote to reform Fannie and Freddie is a vote to save the American people, taxpayers, $30 billion.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote 203, on motion to suspend the rules and agree-- Expressing sympathy to the people of Poland in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash that killed the country's President, First Lady, and 94 others on April 10, 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication and service of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment of the United States Army, also known as the Old Guard.

The oldest active duty infantry unit in the U.S. Army, the Old Guard conducts all memorial affairs honoring fallen soldiers, escorts the President at official events, and has the high honor of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

For 62 years this month, since April 6, 1948, the Old Guard has held watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, rain or shine. When they're not on guard, members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment study the history of the Cemetery, clean weapons and provide assistance to their fellow guardsmen going on or coming off duty, also known as The Changing of the Guard, one of the most sacred and awe-inspiring ceremonies within our military.

Madam Speaker, we owe thanks to all members of our armed services and their families, who daily serve our country with honor and dignity. We especially owe thanks to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, for their dedication and commitment to honoring those servicemembers who are ``Known But To God.''

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote No. 67, on motion to concur in Senate amendments--H. R. 3961, Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote No. 68, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Con. Res. 227, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Urban Crimes Awareness Week--I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I would like to honor and recognize Steele Creek Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. Steele Creek Presbyterian was founded in 1760, and this year, they celebrate their 250th anniversary as a church community.

As one of the oldest churches in our area, Steele Creek Presbyterian Church is a cornerstone in the Charlotte community. Its membership is dedicated to the service of others, whether by providing food to area shelters, manpower to local Habitat for Humanity

projects, or any number of other volunteer efforts in our community. The congregation at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church continually sets an example of living a life of faith by raising our future generations in an atmosphere that fosters love, service and a sense of community.

Madam Speaker, today it is my honor to recognize Steele Creek Presbyterian Church. They have demonstrated a level of commitment to community that is well appreciated, and it serves as an example for us all. It is a privilege to represent the Steele Creek congregation, and I wish them many more years of worship and service.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

December 14, 2009, rollcall vote 969, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 779, Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month--I would have voted aye.

Rollcall vote 970, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 942, Commending the Real Salt Lake soccer club for winning the 2009 Major League Soccer Cup--I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding. I also thank my friends on the other side of the aisle, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Lois Capps in particular. The two of them have been very, very up front and aggressive in leading the charge on these issues, and I'm grateful for it.

As you have already heard, the government's Preventive Services Task Force recently advised that women under 50 don't need mammograms, that those over 50 don't need them every year, and that doctors shouldn't encourage breast self-exams due to false positives. This is really shocking, because what message does that send to women?

We all know mammograms aren't perfect, and we hope that before long we are going to have better technology that will do the job. But cancer is a tricky disease, and breast cancer exams, sure, could lead to some tests that maybe aren't necessary, and the same with mammograms, and some people can say it's all nerve-racking to do it. But as a breast cancer survivor, I know that screening works. It saves lives.

And it's not always easy. I had to go to several doctors before my cancer was detected. If I hadn't been persistent and sought the timely screening which did find mine, I might not be standing here today. The simple truth is that screening does save lives. It makes a difference for many women, whether they are 40 years old, 65 years old, or 70 years old. It doesn't matter. Many women look for excuses anyway. They don't want to get screened for cancer. They really don't like to do it. And some of them say, I don't even want to know. Well, this recommendation certainly doesn't help that problem.

Statistically, maybe mammograms are a bit more likely to save your life if you're over 50, but they save lives for those under 50 every day, and we know that. What if your 45-year-old sister or daughter or your mother doesn't know she has cancer until it's too late? And as I said before, the recommendation even advised doctors to discourage breast self-exams. Come on. What more sensible, simple tool do women have to guard against what can be a very aggressive disease? After all, we don't know what causes cancer. And women need to pay close attention.

Women need to pay close attention to their bodies, because if something is wrong, they need to be aggressive about testing and finding the answers, and it doesn't matter how old you are. As was mentioned, too, so many younger women are getting cancer today, so many more than ever did before, and we need to find out why. But in the meantime, we need to give them the options that they need.

And this resolution is a sense of Congress that these new recommendations shouldn't be used to deny women coverage or screening tests, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 967, On Motion to Recommit with Instructions--H.R. 4173, The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009--I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I would like to honor and recognize the students, teachers and administrators at Waxhaw Elementary School in Waxhaw, North Carolina. During the month of November, Waxhaw Elementary students collected 2,742 food items for the school's 2009 Food Drive.

The food went to provide Thanksgiving meals to twenty-five families in the area. Families were able to come to the school to ``shop'' for Thanksgiving items, and were able to select either a ham or a turkey to complete their meal.

At a time when families across our area struggle to put food on the table, I am so impressed by the compassion and willingness to help others shown by the Waxhaw Elementary family. Students not only contributed to the food drive, but were able to experience the reward that comes with helping others. What better lesson can we teach our young people, especially during the holiday season?

Madam Speaker, I am honored to say that I represent Waxhaw Elementary School. In a day and age where people tend to think only of themselves, here is a shining example of a group of young people who have reached out to make their community a better place by helping the less fortunate. I hope that this wonderful effort will continue at Waxhaw Elementary for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of one of my constituents, Mrs. Sara Bissell, of Charlotte, North Carolina. Mrs. Bissell passed away after a brave 11-year battle with cancer on November 8, 2009 at the age of 71. Born in Charlotte and the granddaughter of former North Carolina Governor Cameron Morrison, Mrs. Bissell attended Charlotte Country Day School and graduated from Bennett Junior College in New York.

Mrs. Bissell took over her mother's fine furnishing store in 1964 and ran it until recently. Her interior design influence can be seen throughout Charlotte's buildings and landmarks. Sara's contributions to her community were many and varied. She worked tirelessly, both out front and behind the scenes, to make Charlotte a better place. She served on the board of directors for Charlotte Country Day School, University of North Carolina--Charlotte, YMCA of Greater Charlotte, and Queens University. The Chancellor's residence at UNCC is named in her honor.

Sara married H.C. ``Smoky'' Bissell, a successful developer, in 1960. Together they had four children and nine grandchildren whom they loved and cherished. She was also the sister of Charlotte businessmen, Johnny and Cameron Harris. Mrs. Bissell will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the Charlotte community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the great work of one of my constituents, R. Lee Myers, mayor of Matthews, North Carolina. Mayor Myers has recently completed his ninth term in office. Lee is a wonderful public servant--he's given over 20 years of his life to serve the citizens of Matthew--as mayor and as a town commissioner. During this time, he's overseen the rapid development of Matthews into one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the Nation.

Born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, in 1951, Mayor Myers graduated from East Mecklenburg High School, received a B.A from East Carolina University in 1973, and received a law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1976. Mayor Myers and his wife Lucinda have two children, Matthew and Amanda. He currently practices law alongside his son, Matthew, at the Myers Law Firm, PLLC.

Mayor Myers' civic activities also include serving on the Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization from 1989 until the present, having served as chairman from 1997 to 2005. He has also been the Matthews representative to the Metropolitan Transit Commission since its formation.

Today, I join the nearly 30,000 residents of Matthews in thanking Mayor Myers for his two decades of outstanding service to them and to Mecklenburg County. His dedication is to be commended, and I wish him and his family all the best.

Mr. Speaker, Americans are struggling with health care costs. We all know that. Too many families can't afford coverage, and small businesses are struggling to find coverage for their employees.

However, this bill does not fix the underlying problem, the cost of health insurance. It is an unprecedented expansion of Federal Government spending that will only dig a deeper hole of debt for generations to come.

Margaret Thatcher once said, ``We want a society in which we are free to make choices, to make mistakes, to be generous and compassionate. Not a society in which the State is responsible for everything, and no one is responsible for the State.''

The majority's bill creates a society that resembles the latter, and it is a mistake. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 858, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 868, honoring and recognizing the service and achievements of current and former female members of the Armed Forces--I would have voted ``yea.''