Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I would like to honor the Meineke Company today and their efforts to employ ex-offenders who have participated in the Second Chance Program.

Meineke is one if not the first national company to actively hire ex- offenders returning from prison while also promoting opportunity within the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Through participation in this program, individuals are ready to not only enter but also contribute to the workforce once they have paid their debt to society. Meineke continues to promote participation in the Second Chance Program at all of its franchise meetings, in newsletters, and through a publication called Second Chance Profiles. This periodical is sent out company wide, and chronicles the personal story of employees who have truly exhibited the meaning of a life- changing experience.

I commend Meineke CEO Ken Walker, Director of National Accounts Dave Holland, and Cordell Riley, President

of Tortal, which serves as Meineke's online trading portal. The tireless efforts of these individuals and the commitment of their ex- offenders has spawned an authentic modern day success story.

Madam Speaker, I would like to honor the career of a man whom I am proud to call both a constituent and a friend.

Ric Flair's professional wrestling career of 36 years, in which he entertained millions of people around the world, recently came to a close. He will be forever known as an innovator, a pioneer, and, perhaps, the greatest that his industry has ever seen. By any standard, Ric Flair is a living legend.

He is recognized all over the world, but he calls Charlotte, North Carolina, home. On his way to being named a record 16-time world champion, he became famous for his bleached blond hair, his designer suits, and his charismatic on-stage persona, while dishing out his trademark chops, and, of course, the dreaded Figure Four Leglock.

On March 29, 2008, Ric Flair became the first active wrestler to be ever inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Often imitated, but never duplicated, his legacy will forever be synonymous with the world of professional wrestling. He is a fixture at Carolina Hurricanes games and Panthers games in our State. The joy and emotion that Ric Flair's very presence evokes will continue on for a very, very long time.

Today I honor the career of Nature Boy and congratulate Charlotte's favorite son, Ric Flair.

Woooo!

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

April 9, 2008: Rollcall vote 175, on motion to instruct the conferees--H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act--I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and also for bringing this resolution forward as a small token of honor for Jo Ann Davis.

All of us in this Chamber loved her because Jo Ann was Jo Ann. She was simply who she was. She made no bones about it. As the gentlewoman from Virginia said, she came from a humble background and achieved very good things in her life. She did care about other people, and I think having this post office named after her lets the people in her district, every time they go by it, because it's on a main road, every time they go in it they will remember Jo Ann.

She was a breast cancer survivor, as was mentioned, and she and I had a special bond not only because of that but because of a lot of similarities in our lives, and we all miss her greatly.

But the thing about Jo Ann was she was here for the right reasons. She was here to do public service, she was here to help her constituents, and she did that, even in trying times. She still came here and did her job. And she served her people well.

Thank you again for this resolution, and I hope everyone will support it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1237, the Cytology Proficiency Improvement Act. I am pleased to see that the House will vote today on revamping a 16-year-old CMS regulation--from 1992--that calls for a Federal program to test the proficiency of individual laboratory professionals who read Pap tests.

I first became aware of the need to revisit this outdated regulation several years ago, in 2005, when CMS first began implementation of the program long after it was first put on the books. Congress knows well that promulgating regulations and implementation can do more harm than good.

The current oversight model that CMS is using is intended to help ensure that Pap tests are being read accurately--to improve public health. However, the approach established more than a decade ago, and being used today, doesn't necessarily protect women, improve quality or further our fight against cervical cancer.

H.R. 1237 provides an alternative. It redirects the current ``testing'' scheme to require pathologists and other lab technicians who read Pap tests to participate in an annual continuing medical education, CME program where their skills would be assessed and where the latest advances in Pap test practice could be shared. It would complement extensive Pap test quality controls that labs must already meet under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act. The Mammography Quality Standards Act includes a similar CME approach.

I've talked to pathologists in my district to better understand what it would take to add value to their profession, rather than just more red tape. Dr. Jared Schwartz was one of those who educated me and lent his expertise. He is now serving as president of the College of American Pathologists and is a strong advocate for ensuring access to Pap tests for all women. The laboratory and medical community support this bill, and I'm pleased to support it.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 111, on motion to adjourn, I would have voted ``nay.''

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

February 14, 2008, Rollcall vote 61, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 966, Honoring African-American inventors, past and present, for their leadership, courage, and significant contributions to our national competitiveness--I would have voted ``aye''.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady, my friend from California, for all of the hard work she has put into this issue for the last several years, not just this year. It has been a real passion with her for a long time, and I thank her for that.

I rise in support of this important resolution because it does raise awareness about heart disease and the effect on women, which doesn't get talked about as much as heart disease in men.

As a breast cancer survivor, I spend a lot of time raising awareness about breast cancer and the importance of preventive screening and effective treatments. Those are vital battles, and as a country we have made great strides towards earlier detection of cancer and less invasive treatments.

But when we are reminded that heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, it is a sobering thought. I remember being surprised to learn that the physical symptoms of heart attacks in women are often different than they are in men. Women are less likely to feel typical chest pains during the attacks. Women's symptoms are often characterized by back pain, nausea, indigestion, dizziness, and fatigue. While typical symptoms are hard to recognize, it is important to be vigilant about heart health.

Many lifesaving treatments like anticlotting drugs and angioplasty work best if given within the first hour of a heart attack, so it is important that we know what is going on with us as women. But before you get to that point, you want to prevent life-threatening heart attacks the easy way, through lifestyle changes that can keep heart disease in check.

The NIH and the FDA have helpful guidelines about steps that all American women and men can take to improve heart health. Some tips are as easy as talking to your doctor about it, and some are as easy as taking a daily stroll.

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this resolution, and I hope women all across the country will take some time to do something good for themselves relative to their heart, and to wear red.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield so much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Ms. Fallin), who is a cosponsor of this resolution, such time as she may consume.

I have no further speakers, and I also I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

I thank my friend for yielding.

Every time a constituent of mine talks about college there is mention about how much it costs, and they tell me about their struggles and the choices they have to make in order to put their kids through college.

Millions of families sit at the kitchen table and try and figure this out every year, how are they going to make ends meet and pay for it. And there have been a lot of high and unpredictable costs over the years, and it's really tough for them, especially if it's tough

economic times. It's tough for them to figure it out because they don't know if it will be 3 percent, 30 percent, what it might end up being. So I feel, and my colleague agrees, that parents need to have some certainty and know the cost of the degree.

And when colleges can set multi-year contracts for their vendors and for their basketball coach and even their presidents and other people, it seems like they can at least give some idea of what the education is going to cost for the parents.

The Truth in Tuition amendment helps the families plan by making sure that the schools give every student a clear picture of what their degrees will cost. It's a reasonable amendment, and it gives schools great flexibility. There aren't any price caps, and it doesn't freeze the price of tuition. They can set their tuition rates however they see fit. But it shows the students and their families what the charges are going to be over the course of their studies.

It's not binding on the schools. It provides the students, though, as I say, with an idea. And there is a provision in there that if the school has some kind of an economic hardship, they can get a waiver from the Secretary of Education. This could include a cut in Federal or State funding, or any number of other economic issues that might disrupt the school's budget.

All the public universities in Illinois, central Michigan, the University of Minnesota, George Washington University, and many more have already implemented this policy.

And so I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) for all his hard work on this bill. I thank both Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon and their staff for all the hard work they put into the underlying bill.

I just urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment because it will help students and families who need relief from the uncertainties of college tuition.

Madam Speaker, I would like to honor CPL Joshua C. Blaney. On December 12, 2007, CPL. Joshua C. Blaney of Matthews, North Carolina, passed away. He was a member of the 173rd Airborne in Vicenza,

Italy, and was serving his country in Afghanistan when his convoy was hit by an IED.

Corporal Blaney paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his life should be remembered. He entered combat in northern Iraq on March 26, 2003, which opened the northern front and led to the ouster of Saddam Hussein from power. He was wounded in Iraq and received the Purple Heart. Corporal Blaney served two tours in Afghanistan and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was a true patriot and is an inspiration to all of us. He fought for our freedom and we owe it to him and his family to keep his memory alive.

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

December 17, 2007: Rollcall vote 1163, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution--H. Res. 856, expressing heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families of the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, December 5, 2007--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 1164, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution--H. Res. 851, honoring local and state first responders, and the citizens of the Pacific Northwest in facing the severe winter storm of December 2 and 3, 2007--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 1165, on ordering the previous question--H. Res. 873, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 1166, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Res. 873, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 1167, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Con. Res. 271, providing for the sine die adjournment of the first session of the 110th Congress--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 1168, on ordering the previous question--H. Res. 878, providing for the consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2764) making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 1169, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Res. 878, providing for the consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2764) making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 1170, on motion to suspend the rules and pass--H.R. 4286, to award a congressional gold medal to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma--I would have voted ``aye.''

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

Rollcall vote 1134, on motion to consider the resolution--H. Res. 846, providing for the consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 6) to reduce our Nation's dependency on foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources, promoting new emerging energy technologies, developing greater efficiency, and creating a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewable Reserve to invest in alternative energy, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 1135, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H.R. 3505, Securities Law Technical Corrections Act--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 1136, on ordering the previous question--H. Res. 846, providing for the consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 6), Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 1137, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Res. 846, providing for the consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 6), Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 1138, on motion to suspend the rules and pass--H.R. 4253, Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2007--I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 1128, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of a great man, and a dedicated member of this body. Henry Hyde was an esteemed colleague, a remarkable orator, and a true statesman. He was uniquely able to graciously disagree with other Members at a fundamental level without disrespect or contempt. In this sense, he was an example to all of us, Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. When he spoke on this Floor, he spoke deliberately and intelligently, crafting numerous policy speeches that will endure well into the future.

Henry was a devoted advocate for the unborn, and he never wavered on this point. For that, I am personally grateful. Much has been said on this point, but no one can say it better than Henry himself.

As he stated during a critical debate on this Floor, ``One of the great errors of modern politics is our foolish attempt to separate our private consciences from our public acts, and it cannot be done. At the end of the 20th century, is the crowning achievement of our democracy to treat the weak, the powerless, the unwanted, as things? To be disposed of? If so, we have not elevated justice; we have disgraced it''.

Henry Hyde was not a perfect man, and like the rest of us, I imagine he was sometimes inclined to become angry and unpleasant when confronted with the frustrating issues that make our days here in Congress so interesting. But I always respected Henry for maintaining an honorable demeanor, even in the midst of emotionally charged disagreements. In the spirit of our country's great orators, he knew that we don't promote a real debate with nastiness and sound bites, but with thoughtful consideration and a deep understanding of the issues at hand.

My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time. Surely they can appreciate the impact that Henry Hyde made on this chamber. I'm honored to have an opportunity to express my gratitude to a man whose public service changed this country for the better.

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

On November 7, 2007, rollcall vote 1059, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 801, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3688) to implement the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement--I would have voted ``aye.''