Floor Statements

I want to thank my colleagues from Virginia for having this time set aside for all of us to come to the floor today and express our real sadness in losing our friend, Jo Ann Davis.

Mr. Speaker, in many ways Jo Ann was not just my friend, but in some ways my sister here. I came to the Congress in 2001 with Jo Ann; and at the beginning, because our names are the same, we got a little confused. In fact, people confused one particular bill with our names, and it took us awhile to sort that out. We had a good laugh over that because sometimes we didn't always agree on everything.

But I can say that of so many people that I have met and had a chance to spend time with, I really enjoyed my time with Jo Ann. She was just such a strong woman who didn't always have an easy time, particularly as we saw her suffer through cancer.

But she was so desirous, I think, of telling people a little bit about how she was doing and yet at the same time letting us know that she was okay. Well, you know, she wasn't always okay, but she wanted us to know that.

The first experience that I had with Jo Ann is when we had an opportunity to travel to Afghanistan together, and one of the first codels, soon after we had a chance to go in and see how our military was doing there, and what was happening and trying to help develop the new Afghani Army.

We had quite an amazing trip. In spending all that time in the air and on the ground and really having a chance to talk, I felt like I got to know her as a true individual with great values, connected with family, and someone who was so devoted to her community. We both represent a military community, and I think we shared a great deal of that together.

I wanted to just say thank you for what Jo Ann gave me over these last years and helping me to also talk about my values and what is important to me. Family was very important to her. My husband and I reach out to Chuck and the family, and we wish them all the condolences in the world that we can bring to them and thank them for being the wonderful family that they are.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act--a bill to ease the financial burden on our men and women in uniform.

When servicemembers of the Armed Forces are deployed overseas, the last thing they want to worry about is how they will be able to afford their student loan payments when they get back. But that is the reality for thousands of our Nation's servicemembers today.

Although current law grants servicemembers a deferment on paying back their student loans while they are on active duty, the interest on these loans still keeps accruing during their service. When our men and women in uniform return from months and sometimes years of service, many of them come home to student loan debt that has ballooned during their absence and that they will have to struggle to pay back.

The Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act stops student loan interest from accruing as long as a servicemember is on active duty, up to maximum of 5 years. This bill will apply to active duty servicemembers of any branch of the military, including reserve units and the National Guard.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the legislation I am introducing today will save the average servicemember between $1,183 and $1,479 over the course of a 12-15 month activation period, with even more savings realizable for those activated for longer periods.

Military service requires those who serve our country to make tremendous sacrifices--personally, professionally, and financially. Let us give our brave men and women the peace of mind of knowing that after defending us on the front lines, they will not return home to bill collectors and creditors breaking down their doors.

Help me serve our Nation's bravest while they are off serving us. Support the Servicemember Student Loan Interest Rate Relief Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act, H.R. 1188 and to encourage my colleagues to lend their support.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as many as 7.5 million Americans are affected by psoriasis--a chronic, inflammatory, painful, disfiguring and disabling disease for which there is limited treatment and no cure. Ten to thirty percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. On average, there are 17,000 people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in each congressional district.

Cristy Boisvert is one constituent in my district living with psoriasis. Cristy was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was six months old. Growing up with psoriasis was difficult. Her mother spent countless nights applying medication to her scalp, followed by countless mornings washing the greasy mess out of her hair before school.

In junior high, Cristy played on the basketball team. One day she wore shorts to practice, which revealed the flaky psoriasis plaques on her legs. Her friends stood around making fun of her. They called her ``Fungi'' because they said it looked like mushrooms were growing on her legs. You can only imagine how much those words hurt her.

When Cristy was 20, she began to think about whether she wanted to have children. She reflected back on all of the grief that living with psoriasis caused her and questioned whether she wanted to take the risk of passing that down to another human being.

Cristy is now in her 30s, and she is ecstatic about the fact that she can do something positive about psoriasis. As an active member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, she is working to ensure that young people in the future will not have to endure the same ridicule that she did.

The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act will expand psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research and ensure access to care and treatment for these diseases. Despite the serious adverse effects that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have on individuals and families, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are under- recognized and under-funded by our nation's research institutions and public health agencies. On average, the NIH has spent less than one dollar for each person with psoriasis in the last ten years. H.R. 1188 calls on the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to expand and intensify research on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to coordinate those efforts with the NIH. The bill directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a patient registry to collect much-needed longitudinal data on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis so we can begin to understand the long-term impact of these conditions and evaluate the effects of various therapies.

Of serious concern is that people with psoriasis are at elevated risk for a myriad of comorbidities, including, but not limited to, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and mental health conditions. To help address this, H.R. 1188 authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convene a summit of researchers, public health professionals, representatives of patient advocacy organizations and policymakers to review current efforts in research, treatment, and quality-of-life maintenance being conducted by federal agencies whose work involves psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and their related co- morbidities. Lastly, the legislation also directs the Secretary of HHS to commission a study from the Institutes of Medicine to evaluate and make recommendations to address health insurance and prescription drug coverage as they relate to medications and treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

I thank the National Psoriasis Foundation for all of its efforts and leadership over the last four decades, and am grateful to the Foundation and its members and staff for their ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for those with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in my district. I also would like to personally thank my constituent, Cristy Boisvert, for all her work.

I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation encouraging teacher development in the schools the most in need of quality instruction.

Five years ago, we passed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) with the goals of closing the achievement gap and improving academic performance overall. Schools have found some success during those five years, but I believe we need to make a number of changes to NCLB to make it more supportive for educators. We need to invest in our teachers.

Madam Speaker, our teachers are the most important element in our educational system. It is our teachers who connect with our children and inspire them to achieve.

I am introducing the Support Our Schools With Quality Teaching Act of 2007 to provide professional development opportunities for our teachers in struggling or at-risk schools.

Specifically, this legislation authorizes federal grant funding for schools to invite the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to implement its Targeted High Need Initiative (THNI) in schools in need. The NBPTS trains teachers to become professionally certified.

Under the THNI program, teachers at struggling schools undergo a portion of the rigorous curriculum to become a professionally certified teacher. The training comes from certified teachers who provide mentoring and training.

Once the program is over, teachers at the school site have the option of going on to complete professional certification without cost to them when they agree to remain at the high-need school.

The Support Our Schools With Quality Teaching Act targets funding to the schools the most in need of quality teaching, such as those falling into Program Improvement under No Child Left Behind or those with high student populations from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support professional teacher development in the schools that could benefit from the best possible instruction.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act of 2007--a bill to close the knowledge deficit when it comes to our relationship with China.

It is little news to anyone that China is on the rise. With a population of over 1.3 billion people and the second largest economy in the world when measured by domestic purchasing power parity, China is poised to become a world power, economically, diplomatically, and militarily.

Yet at a time when China's influence on the world stage is increasing, our national understanding of the ``Middle Kingdom'' has not kept pace.

While an estimated 200 million Chinese school children are studying our language and culture, less than 50,000 American elementary and secondary students are studying Chinese.

The goal of the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act is to provide our schools with the resources they need to offer Chinese language instruction and cultural studies classes.

This important legislation would instruct the Department of Education to offer competitive grants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to develop and implement innovative Chinese language and cultural studies programs.

LEAs, in collaboration with institutions of higher education, may use grant funds to carry out intensive summer Chinese language instruction, link bilingual Chinese and English speakers with students and conduct virtual cultural exchanges with educational institutions in China. This bill is part of a broader legislative package seeking to improve our competitive edge and relationship with China.

Some may view China's resurgence as a threat. But today, Madam Speaker, I ask you to turn China's rise into an opportunity for United States citizens.

Through careful diplomacy, I believe China can become not only a competitor but also a partner. But we cannot have this dialogue if we cannot understand the Chinese people.

This is why I come before you today: to ask for your help in ensuring that the lines of communication between the United States and China stay open. Please support the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act and help bridge the language barrier and cross the cultural gap between future generations of Americans and the Chinese.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Equal Justice for Our Military Act of 2007--a bill that will give our servicemembers equal access to the United States Supreme Court. We all know that when American men and women decide to serve their nation in the Armed Forces, they make many sacrifices--from lost time with their families to irreplaceable losses of lives and limbs. However, most Americans are not aware that active-duty servicemembers also sacrifice one of the fundamental legal rights that all civilian Americans enjoy.

Under current law, members of the military who are convicted of offenses under the military justice system do not have the legal right to appeal their cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is unjust to deny the members of our Armed Forces access to our system of justice as they fight for our freedom around the world. They deserve better.

As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, a long- time advocate for servicemembers, and a representative of San Diego, one of the largest military communities in the nation, I feel an obligation to fight to ensure that the members of our military are treated fairly. Current law weights the playing field in favor of the government, granting the automatic right to Supreme Court review to the Department of Defense whenever a servicemember wins his or her case, but denying servicemembers that same right when the government wins a conviction against them in almost all situations. This is just unfair. In the 109th Congress, I introduced legislation to grant our men and women in uniform access to the Supreme Court in certain situations.

Today, I am re-introducing this legislation in expanded form, to allow service members in a broader set of circumstances the right to Supreme Court appeal. This approach has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the Military Officers Association of America, and many other advocates. I believe strongly that it is fundamentally unjust to deny those who serve on behalf of our country in the military one of the basic rights afforded to all other Americans. I hope that you will stand with me in support of this legislation to attain equal treatment for those who fight for us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of reducing the cost of higher education and increasing access for all of those who dream of attending college, and that includes, Mr. Speaker, our servicemembers.

Our servicemembers face extraordinary challenges when activated to go to Iraq or Afghanistan while in college.

Under current law, those deciding not to return to school must begin to repay the loan immediately after returning home, and this means, as we all know, that they will receive their student loan bills in the mail within days of returning from a combat zone.

Among the other benefits in this bill, the College Cost Reduction Act includes an amendment to give those activated while in college a 13- month deferment before they must begin repaying a student loan.

This bill is important, and it's important for this reason, because it provides our servicemembers the protections and the rights they deserve when activated while in college.

I urge my colleagues to support the overall legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2007 or the VETS Act to address some of the difficulties our military personnel when they are activated while attending college.

Thousands of military reservists have been activated to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan directly from their college campuses. Unfortunately, students who serve in the military face unique hardships when called upon to defend the United States.

Most colleges and universities refund tuition and fees to students when the activation occurs during the academic calendar. However, instances have occurred when a servicemember has not been reimbursed.

Servicemembers have also been known to face difficulties reregistering for classes after

returning home after activation. In addition, activated military personnel have received collection notices for student loans while serving in combat zones.

The goal of the VETS Act is to provide our servicemembers with certain rights when they must delay their educational pursuits to defend our country.

The legislation requires colleges and universities to refund tuition and fees for unearned credit, and in addition, guarantee our servicemembers a place when they return home.

The bill would also amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to treat student loan debt the same way it treats other forms of debt by capping interest at 6 percent during deployments.

Finally, the legislation would give servicemembers 13 months to begin paying their student loans after an activation should they decide not to return to school immediately.

The deferment will give them time to readjust back to civilian life should they decide they need extra time to go back to school.

Senator Sherrod Brown has introduced the VETS Act in the U.S. Senate and I am proud to introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The VETS Act is centered on the recommendations made by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) based on the experiences of the group's members.

Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation to give rights and protections to the servicemembers activated while attending a college or university.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Mental Health

Care for Our Wounded Warriors Act of 2007. This important legislation will address the significant mental health care issues faced by our brave service men and women.

According to recent reports from the Government Accountability Office, 22 percent of returning OEF/OIF service members were referred for further mental health evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an estimated one in six service members will receive a diagnosis of PTSD.

As a member of the Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, I have been working hard to understand how mental health issues, especially PTSD, are affecting our service men and women. We know that PTSD and TBI are the signature injuries of this war.

Unfortunately, the DoD has neither the facilities nor the personnel to meet the needs of returning service members with mental health care diagnoses. We have no research clearinghouse to study and facilitate mental health services and develop effective mental health care policies.

The Mental Health for Our Wounded Warriors Act, a companion to legislation introduced by Senator Lieberman, will establish Centers of Excellence within the DoD to research strategies to prevent, identify and treat combat related mental health injuries.

Equally as important, each center will seek to develop strategies to counter the stigma that surrounds PTSD and mental health in general in the military.

The bill will also include language on treating mental health professionals who are exposed to combat related stress, as well as study the unique needs of female service members serving in combat situations.

The military needs help dealing with this very complex issue. We cannot expect our service members to go out and do the job they do without providing adequate mental health services we know they will need.

The battle against combat-related mental health injuries will be an ongoing issue. It is our obligation to provide the resources necessary to address the absence of a designated center to study the mental health care needs of service members and to provide a solution to the shortage of DoD mental health professionals.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation strengthening the link between high-quality mentoring and public education in the United States.

The Mentoring America's Children Act of 2007 will improve upon the current efforts to match high-quality and responsible mentors with children in need of a strong role model.

In 2002, the U.S. Department of Education began granting funding directly to community organizations and schools to establish or expand mentoring opportunities. Since then, over $200 million has been allocated contributing to a 20 percent increase in the number of children benefiting from a mentor.

The Mentoring America's Children Act sets out to expand and build upon this success. By increasing the availability and quality of the grants available through the Department of Education, the mentoring program will reach more children in need while enhancing quality.

The bill will also tie mentoring programs funding more closely with the important role mentors can play in improving a young person's academic standing and the learning environment. The legislation would broaden the reach of mentoring to include a number of specific populations of young people who could benefit from a strong role model.

Finally, the legislation also authorizes the Department of Education to conduct high-quality research into successful school-based mentoring programs. Through this research, plus improved data collection and tracking, we will better understand the impact of mentoring and can continue to refine program practices to best meet the needs of children.

Mentoring is a critical element in a child's social, cognitive and emotional development. When it comes to education, a healthy relationship with a mentor plays a key role in improving the learning environment for a young person. Students with a responsible mentor have better attendance and are more connected to their school, schoolwork, and teachers. They perform better in school and are more likely to graduate and go on to higher education.

It is an honor to introduce this legislation with a number of my colleagues on the House Mentoring Caucus and others dedicated to the noble cause of mentoring. It was also an honor to work directly with the MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the National Collaboration for Youth to develop this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I urge consideration of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 152, and I take pride in joining my colleagues to congratulate the citizens of Israel on this important anniversary, as well as commending Jordan and Egypt for making peace with their neighbor.

The anniversary marks the 40th year that the ancient and historic city has been administered as a unified city in which the rights of all faiths have been respected. I have to say, Mr. Speaker, that having worked in Jerusalem in 1965, I experienced that time when in fact people could not travel to all of Jerusalem, and in fact we know that that is very different today.

It is also important that we use this anniversary to highlight the work that still needs to be done. The historic victory by the Israeli military greatly expanded Israel's territory, but with territorial gains came new problems. These unresolved issues have led to ever- increasing tensions that today manifest themselves in the form of Qassam rocket attacks and military insurgents. As we debate this resolution today, the region, as we know, finds itself in dire conflict.

Earlier this year, I introduced a resolution calling on President Bush to dispatch a new special envoy to the Middle East to capitalize on every opportunity for progress.

Mr. Speaker, the United States must be the leader in promoting peace. The current situation is simply unsustainable. So as we look back 40 years today, let us also look 40 years ahead. Let us look 40 years ahead and work toward a future, not fraught with conflict and strife, but coexistence, moderation and understanding.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and continue to push for peace.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Tom Fat, a dedicated civic leader in San Diego. Tom passed away on May 17, 2007 and is survived by his wife Jenny, daughter Monica, sisters Jean Ann Lai and Mable Moffatt of Sacramento, brothers Dr. Kenneth Fat and Jerry Fat of Sacramento, and two grandchildren.

Tom was born in 1940 and grew up working in the family restaurant in Sacramento, California. The Fat City chain is anchored by Frank Fat's, which became a hangout for politicians and lobbyists in our State's capital. At an early age his father, Frank Fat, instilled in him and his siblings a strong work ethic and commitment to civic involvement.

Tom graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in business, attained a law degree from Hastings School of Law and received his master's of law in taxation at New York University. He also served for 3 years as a captain in the U.S. Army.

After practicing law in Los Angeles for a few years, Tom joined his family in Sacramento to help operate their successful restaurant business. In 1976 Tom visited San Diego to research business opportunities and moved there the following year to operate China Camp, which fused Chinese cuisine with Western style cooking, and Frank Fat's, which was renamed Fat City Steakhouse--still a popular place for local government leaders to come together.

The success of Tom's restaurants assisted in the growth and development of downtown San Diego and the revival of the Little Italy community, which helped to link the area between San Diego International Airport and the city center.

Not only was Tom's entrepreneurship inspiring to all those around him, but his civic leadership was truly commendable. As an avid community leader, Tom served as the Chairman of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, President of the San Diego Restaurant Association, Director of the San Diego Film Commission and as a member of the Little Italy Association.

He worked in the Asian Pacific Islander community to mentor youth to encourage their participation in civic affairs and the political process. Tom developed strong relationships with political leaders of both parties and built

a reputation as a consensus builder on many local issues.

Tom is best remembered for his humanitarian efforts and his enthusiasm as a tireless advocate for San Diego. His carefree nature and long white hair made him stand out in a crowd. Although he is gone now, Tom left an inspiring legacy for entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and youth in our community.

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Tom Fat's family and honor his life and contributions to the San Diego community. He was admired by so many people for so many reasons, and the impact he had on San Diego will stay alive in the many positive changes he helped to achieve and the memories of him which we will never forget. He will be greatly missed.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to honor such a remarkable individual.

Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of

Offered By: Mrs. Davis of California

Amendment No. 13: Page 88, line 10, after the first period

insert the following: ``Such foregoing limitations, as

increased pursuant to the preceding sentence, shall for

purposes of section 3703(a)(1) of title 38, United States

Code be considered as the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit

limitation determined under this paragraph with respect to

the applicable areas, mortgages, and property sizes.''