Floor Statements

I thank the gentlewoman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this bill which prohibits Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content.

I am incredibly disappointed in my Republican colleagues for this needless attempt to cripple NPR and threaten thousands of jobs in the public broadcasting community. Without so much as a single hearing on this subject, this bill dissolves a vital public radio system depended upon by millions of Americans across the country.

Twenty-seven million Americans listen to NPR each week, and back home in Wisconsin nearly 450,000 people listen to Wisconsin Public Radio weekly over three statewide networks. In addition, 2.3 million visitors visited the Wisconsin Public Radio Web site in 2010.

Those who listen to Wisconsin Public Radio know how much there is to love. Wisconsin Public Radio provides over 9 hours each weekday of interactive radio programming, engaging Wisconsin residents and experts from around the world in public policy, culture, arts, and educational discussions. And because Wisconsin is largely a rural State, our citizens rely on over-the-air broadcasting more than almost any other State. This means that Wisconsin audiences significantly rely on public radio.

Not only would this horrible bill, rushed before us today, cripple local radio stations and programming that we enjoy in Wisconsin; it severely harms listeners' access to national shows, like ``Morning Edition,'' ``All Things Considered,'' ``This American Life,'' ``A Prairie Home Companion,'' and one of my personal favorites, ``Whad'ya Know,'' among many others.

Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority is clearly not interested in creating jobs or dealing seriously with this deficit. Despite all of the talk, we are here today considering legislation that attacks public radio. I strongly oppose this bill, and I strongly urge all of my colleagues to do so, too.

Mr. Speaker, March 10 marked the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against the People's Republic of China, during which His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled into exile. On that day, there was a small commemoration on Library Mall in Madison with Wisconsin's Tibetan-American community, which my staff was honored to attend. While the commemoration serves as a painful but important reminder of China's prolonged efforts to outlaw dissent, restrict free expression, and violently occupy Tibet, it also serves as a symbol of our sustained vigilance, continued determination, and enduring hope that Tibetans everywhere will soon be free to live in peace with their land and culture intact.

On this anniversary, I offer support and conviction to the thousands of Tibetans living in exile and the thousands more who have chosen to stand beside them in the struggle. for freedom. I support the Middle- Way Approach proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to honor the dignity of both Tibetan and Chinese people and to promote a respectful solution. I strongly believe that the United States has a responsibility to stand up for human rights and the rule of law, and I support efforts to address the plight of Tibetans.

The Dalai Lama issued a statement on March 10, as he does every year, which represents a ``state of the union'' speech for Tibetans. This year's statement was newsworthy, in that the Dalai Lama announced that he intends to hand over the last vestiges of his governmental responsibilities to the elected leadership of the Tibetan Government in exile, while remaining a committed advocate for the Tibet cause. At a time when despots around the world cling to power as their people yearn for democracy, the Dalai Lama's willful ceding of power is a tribute to his vision to fulfill the aspirations of the Tibetan people and should inspire others around the world.

I insert the Dalai Lama's March 10, 2011, statement into the Record.

Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the 52nd Anniversary of the

Tibetan National Uprising Day, March 9, 2011

Today marks the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan people's

peaceful uprising of 1959 against Communist China's

repression in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, and the third

anniversary of the non-violent demonstrations that took place

across Tibet in 2008. On this occasion, I would like to pay

tribute to and pray for those brave men and women who

sacrificed their lives for the just cause of Tibet. I express

my solidarity with those who continue to suffer repression

and pray for the well-being of all sentient beings.

For more than sixty years, Tibetans, despite being deprived

of freedom and living in fear and insecurity, have been able

to maintain their unique Tibetan identity and cultural

values, More consequentially, successive new generations, who

have no experience of free Tibet, have courageously taken

responsibility in advancing the cause of Tibet. This is

admirable, for they exemplify the strength of Tibetan

resilience.

This Earth belongs to humanity and the People's Republic of

China (PRC) belongs to its 1.3 billion citizens, who have the

right to know the truth about the state of affairs in their

country and the world at large. If citizens are fully

informed, they have the ability to distinguish right from

wrong. Censorship and the restriction of information violate

basic human decency. For instance, China's leaders consider

the communist ideology and its policies to be correct. If

this were so, these policies should be made public with

confidence and open to scrutiny.

China, with the world's largest population, is an emerging

world power and I admire the economic development it has

made. It also has huge potential to contribute to human

progress and world peace. But to do that, China must earn the

international community's respect and trust. In order to earn

such respect China's leaders must develop greater

transparency, their actions corresponding to their words. To

ensure this, freedom of expression and freedom of the press

are essential. Similarly, transparency in governance can help

check corruption. In recent years, China has seen an

increasing number of intellectuals calling for political

reform and greater openness. Premier Wen Jiabao has also

expressed support for these concerns. These are significant

indications and I welcome them.

The PRC is a country comprising many nationalities,

enriched by a diversity of languages and cultures. Protection

of the language and culture of each nationality is a policy

of the PRC, which is clearly spelt out in its constitution.

Tibetan is the only language to preserve the entire range of

the Buddha's teachings, including the texts on logic and

theories of knowledge (epistemology), which we inherited from

India's Nalanda University. This is a system of knowledge

governed by reason and logic that has the potential to

contribute to the peace and happiness of all beings.

Therefore, the policy of undermining such a culture, instead

of protecting and developing it, will in the long run amount

to the destruction of humanity's common heritage.

The Chinese government frequently states that stability and

development in Tibet is the foundation for its long-term

well-being. However, the authorities still station large

numbers of troops all across Tibet, increasing restrictions

on the Tibetan people. Tibetans live in constant fear and

anxiety. More recently, many Tibetan intellectuals, public

figures and environmentalists have been punished for

articulating the Tibetan people's basic aspirations. They

have been imprisoned allegedly for ``subverting state power''

when actually they have been giving voice to the Tibetan

identity and cultural heritage. Such repressive measures

undermine unity and stability. Likewise, in China, lawyers

defending people's rights, independent writers and human

rights activists have been arrested. I strongly urge the

Chinese leaders to review these developments and release

these prisoners of conscience forthwith.

The Chinese government claims there is no problem in Tibet

other than the personal privileges and status of the Dalai

Lama. The reality is that the ongoing oppression of the

Tibetan people has provoked widespread, deep resentment

against current official policies. People from all walks of

life frequently express their discontentment. That there is a

problem in Tibet is reflected in the Chinese authorities'

failure to trust Tibetans or win their loyalty. Instead, the

Tibetan people live under constant suspicion and

surveillance. Chinese and foreign visitors to Tibet

corroborate this grim reality.

Therefore, just as we were able to send fact-finding

delegations to Tibet in the late 1970s and early 1980s from

among Tibetans in exile, we propose similar visits again. At

the

same time we would encourage the sending of representatives

of independent international bodies, including

parliamentarians. If they were to find that Tibetans in Tibet

are happy, we would readily accept it.

The spirit of realism that prevailed under Mao's leadership

in the early 1950s led China to sign the 17-point agreement

with Tibet. A similar spirit of realism prevailed once more

during Hu Yaobang's time in the early 1980s. If there had

been a continuation of such realism the Tibetan issue, as

well as several other problems, could easily have been

solved. Unfortunately, conservative views derailed these

policies. The result is that after, more than six decades,

the problem has become more intractable.

The Tibetan Plateau is the source of the major rivers of

Asia. Because it has the largest concentration of glaciers

apart from the two Poles, it is considered to be the Third

Pole. Environmental degradation in Tibet will have a

detrimental impact on large parts of Asia, particularly on

China and the Indian subcontinent. Both the central and local

governments, as well as the Chinese public, should realise

the degradation of the Tibetan environment and develop

sustainable measures to safeguard it. I appeal to China to

take into account the survival of people affected by what

happens environmentally on the Tibetan Plateau.

In our efforts to solve the issue of Tibet, we have

consistently pursued the mutually beneficial Middle-Way

Approach, which seeks genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people

within the PRC. In our talks with officials of the Chinese

government's United Front Work Department we have clearly

explained in detail the Tibetan people's hopes and

aspirations. The lack of any positive response to our

reasonable proposals makes us wonder whether these were fully

and accurately conveyed to the higher authorities.

Since ancient times, Tibetan and Chinese peoples have lived

as neighbours. It would be a mistake if our unresolved

differences were to affect this age-old friendship. Special

efforts are being made to promote good relations between

Tibetans and Chinese living abroad and I am happy that this

has contributed to better understanding and friendship

between us. Tibetans inside Tibet should also cultivate good

relations with our Chinese brothers and sisters.

In recent weeks we have witnessed remarkable non-violent

struggles for freedom and democracy in various parts of North

Africa and elsewhere. I am a firm believer in non-violence

and people-power and these events have shown once again that

determined non-violent action can indeed bring about positive

change. We must all hope that these inspiring changes lead to

genuine freedom, happiness and prosperity for the peoples in

these countries.

One of the aspirations I have cherished since childhood is

the reform of Tibet's political and social structure, and in

the few years when I held effective power in Tibet, I managed

to make some fundamental changes. Although I was unable to

take this further in Tibet, I have made every effort to do so

since we came into exile. Today, within the framework of the

Charter for Tibetans in Exile, the Kalon Tripa, the political

leadership, and the people's representatives are directly

elected by the people. We have been able to implement

democracy in exile that is in keep with the standards of an

open society.

As early as the 1960s, I have repeatedly stressed that

Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people,

to whom I can devolve power. Now, we have clearly reached the

time to put this into effect. During the forthcoming eleventh

session of the fourteenth Tibetan Parliament in Exile, which

begins on 14th March, I will formally propose that the

necessary amendments be made to the Charter for Tibetans in

Exile, reflecting my decision to devolve my formal authority

to the elected leader.

Since I made my intention clear I have received repeated

and earnest requests both from within Tibet and outside, to

continue to provide political leadership. My desire to

devolve authority has nothing to do with a wish to shirk

responsibility. It is to benefit Tibetans in the long run. It

is not because I feel disheartened. Tibetans have placed such

faith and trust in me that as one among them I am committed

to playing my part in the just cause of Tibet. I trust that

gradually people will come to understand my intention, will

support my decision and accordingly let it take effect.

I would like to take this opportunity to remember the

kindness of the leaders of various nations that cherish

justice, members of parliaments, intellectuals and Tibet

Support Groups, who have been steadfast in their support for

the Tibetan people. In particular, we will always remember

the kindness and consistent support of the people and

Government of India and State Governments for generously

helping Tibetans preserve and promote their religion and

culture and ensuring the welfare of Tibetans in exile. To all

of them I offer my heartfelt gratitude.

With my prayers for the welfare and happiness of all

sentient beings.

10 March 2011

Dharamsala

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 525, the Veterinary Public Health Amendments Act.

Although we may not know it, our health depends, in part, on a small

army of veterinarians working in public health. Their role was never clearer than during the H1N1 virus outbreak. We now see that diseases can travel from animals to humans seemingly overnight.

Public health veterinarians are our frontline of defense against another outbreak. They inspect our slaughterhouses, prevent a foot-and- mouth disease outbreak from devastating our economy and our agriculture industry, and protect our citizens against the threat of bioterrorism.

Unfortunately, our current workforce cannot meet these public health challenges. In the next 20 years, experts predict a shortage of 15,000 veterinarians; and between 2006 and 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for veterinary services will increase by 35 percent. Something must be done to protect our national health by preventing and controlling infectious diseases, ensuring the safety and security of the Nation's food supply, promoting healthy environments, and providing health care for animals.

H.R. 525 will help to ensure that we have a more robust veterinary public health workforce. The bill has two main components: loan repayment for veterinarians who commit to teaching or to working in public health and a new fellowship program for public health veterinarians.

I want to thank the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and the American Veterinary Medical Association for their tireless work on behalf of public health veterinarians.

I would also like to thank Chairman Pitts and Ranking Member Pallone for their support on this important legislation.

This bill is identical to the Veterinary Public Health Amendments Act that passed the House by voice vote in the last Congress. This bill also passed the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously.

I urge my colleagues to support this critical bill to ensure that our veterinary workforce is prepared to meet our public health needs.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment and in opposition to the underlying bill.

I fail to see how Republican efforts to eliminate all funds for health reform will create jobs or help our fragile economy recover. Instead, defunding health reform would leave behind thousands of whom I represent in Wisconsin, thousands of Wisconsin families who have already begun to experience the benefits of health care reform.

Should the Republican efforts succeed, tens of thousands of young adults in Wisconsin would stand to lose their insurance coverage through their parents. Once again, children would be refused insurance, discriminated against because of preexisting conditions. And nearly 50,000 Wisconsin seniors would face higher prescription drug costs. What's more, the efforts to defund the health care reform law come on top of extreme cuts to community health care centers and family planning clinics.

While I agree with my Republican colleagues that we must reduce the deficit and bring the budget into balance, we must be smart about it. And this amendment is not smart about it. This unwise bill jeopardizes our Nation's health, our Nation's recovery, and our Nation's future. And it's particularly troublesome to me this week because it falls on top of efforts by Wisconsin's governor to cut health, education, and public safety services, and to take away the rights of public servants to provide them.

Mr. Chairman, today I stand in solidarity with my fellow Wisconsinites as I fight for a better future for all Wisconsinites and all Americans. I urge my colleagues to oppose Republican efforts to defund the health care reform law and to oppose the underlying bill.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment and in opposition to H.R. 1, the Republican bill to slash services to the American people--a measure that I believe threatens jobs and our fragile economic recovery.

I agree with my Republican colleagues that we must reduce the deficit and bring our budget into balance, but we must be smart about it. This bill harms the people who tend to our health, those who educate our children, and those who patrol our neighborhoods and protect our safety. This bill frustrates our economic recovery by making job training and career training unattainable for many Americans. Meanwhile, it does little to restrain excessive military spending or eliminate government handouts to Big Oil or eliminate tax breaks for multimillionaires.

Today, we spend millions of dollars each day in Afghanistan and Iraq, spending that is protected in the bill that is before us. At the same time, this Republican bill to slash services cuts Community Health Centers to the core. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the work of Community Health Centers, they provide essential health services to children and families who lack insurance and have extremely limited incomes. Community Health Centers provide a big bang for the buck. They tend to the health care needs of more than 17 million uninsured or underinsured men, women, and children in America each year.

The cut in the Republican bill before us is so deep that it will result in the elimination of services to more than half of the current capacity of Community Health Centers today to serve our neighbors. An estimated 127 new health centers in underserved areas will close across the United States. In some communities, patients with diabetes, heart disease, HIV and AIDS, pregnant women, and sick children will have nowhere to turn except perhaps emergency rooms ill-suited to their needs.

Thousands of health care workers in rural and urban underserved communities will lose their jobs. I've already heard from the Director of Community Health Centers in both Beloit and Janesville, Wisconsin. He let me know about the serious impact this slash of funding will have on thousands in just one Wisconsin county.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment restores Community Health Center funding, but I pay for it with a commensurate cut in wasteful defense spending. I said at the outset we need to be smart if we are to cut spending without compromising our jobs, our economic recovery, and our future.

I agree with our President when he said, if we are to ``win the future,'' we must out-educate, out-innovate, and out-build the rest of the world. But we can't do that by cutting Pell Grants for students and slashing the research budgets of the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy.

This unwise bill jeopardizes our Nation's recovery and future. And it's particularly troublesome to me this week because it falls on top of efforts by Wisconsin's Governor to cut health, education, and public safety services and to diminish the rights of the public servants who provide them.

Mr. Chairman, I stand here today in solidarity with my fellow Wisconsinites as I fight for a better future for all Wisconsinites and all Americans. I urge an ``aye'' vote on my amendment and a ``no'' vote on H.R. 1.

I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

I thank the gentleman.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Point of Order

Mr. Chairman, I do rise to be heard on the point of order.

Mr. Chairman, here are the rules of the House for the 112th Congress. Accompanying it, we also have something called H. Res. 92. Oftentimes when we get to the floor, we talk in inside-the-Beltway language that's really hard, I think, for the American public to follow. But I just want to make clear that H. Res. 92 is a document drafted by the Republicans to govern debate on this bill, and this bill only. But our House rules specifically allow an amendment such as the one that I have presented to this body and was just debating a moment ago on the House floor. And I think it's a wise rule because it really helps us pay as we go.

The underlying House rules specifically permit an amendment such as the one I've offered and earlier debated in front of this body because it allows us to cut spending in one area in order to restore services or programs of greater priority in another. In other words, it aids us in our job to pay as we go.

Under the rules of this House, my amendment would be fine. In the House Resolution 92, to which the gentleman referred, which governs simply the debate that we're engaged in this evening, it waives the rule of the House. It waives the rule of the House, the people's House. So I just want to make it clear--I think I know how the Chairman will end up ruling--but that this is the Republicans' will that I cannot advance this amendment and not because of the underlying rules of this House.

Offered By: Ms. Baldwin

Amendment No. 45: At the end of division A, insert the

following:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin families who have already begun to benefit from health care reform. I am mindful of the children, young adults, and seniors who would lose access to affordable health care coverage should the measure Republicans are pushing today to repeal our recently passed health care law come to pass.

Over the years, I have heard thousands of stories from constituents about their struggles to find access to affordable health coverage. This year, my constituents' calls and letters have changed. They have transformed into stories of thanks and gratitude.

I think of Kate of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, whose family has already seen the benefits of this law in the short time its provisions have been in effect. Kate recently shared with me how her 16-year-old daughter, Maggie, had been unable to receive affordable health care coverage because she was born prematurely with a genetic anomaly that requires frequent doctors' visits. However, as a result of health care reform, Maggie is no longer denied health coverage because of her preexisting condition. Kate also has the peace of mind knowing that once her daughter becomes an adult, she can remain on Kate's health insurance until she turns 26.

Additionally, Kate's parents are both on Medicare and have fallen into the prescription drug doughnut hole. As a result of our recently passed health care law, they have already received additional help to pay for their medications.

Unfortunately, Kate's family would no longer enjoy these benefits should this measure we are considering today to repeal the health care reform law succeed. And Kate's family isn't alone. Under repeal, 147,000 young adults in Wisconsin would stand to lose their insurance coverage through their parents' health care plans. And once again, people would be discriminated against because of preexisting conditions. And 46,000 Wisconsin seniors would face higher prescription drug costs. I urge my colleagues to oppose this measure.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise to express my thoughts and offer my prayers and those of my constituents for my friend and colleague, Gabby Giffords, who lies critically wounded; and for her staffer, Gabe Zimmerman; for the precious patriot, Christina Taylor Green;

for Dorothy Morris, Judge John Roll, Phyllis Schneck and Dorwan Stoddard, who lost their lives in this senseless tragedy; and to their families.

Our thoughts and prayers, too, go out to the other innocent victims of this tragedy, including congressional staffers Ron Barber and Pamela Simon and their families, and our heartfelt gratitude to all those brave souls who responded valiantly and quickly, preventing even more death and injury. And to the people of Arizona, who love their State and our democracy, to you we express our solidarity.

Gabby, as we all know, is one of the nicest, most decent, dedicated, concerned, and compassionate Representatives in this body. The fact that she and her staff were gunned down while doing their jobs, doing exactly what is required in a democracy, makes this tragedy even more unfathomable.

And so I am concerned about the impact of this tragedy on our democracy. We cannot have a well-functioning democracy without ample interaction and discourse between members of the public and their elected officials.

Directly or indirectly, this tragedy invites us to examine the way we conduct business on all levels. There is no question that political discourse has become toxic at times, and I hope that out of this tragedy comes a renewed commitment to civility.

I applaud Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi for setting the right tone. We have a moment now to look prospectively at how we debate issues of great import.

I hope we seize this moment to come together as a Congress and ask, How can we bring renewed civility to consequential debate and create a new environment in which people can differ without demonizing others?

People reach different conclusions about the important topics of our time, but each of us, like Gabby, seeks office because we want to make life better for the people we represent. We want a better America.

Gabby, keep fighting the good fight. We need you and America needs you.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team for completing an undefeated season and winning the NCAA Division III National Championship. The victory marks the Warhawks' third national title in the last four years.

UW-Whitewater has achieved tremendous success on the football field-- winning six straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championships and earning six consecutive NCAA Division III playoff berths. During a remarkable run under Coach Lance Leipold, the team has amassed a record of 57 and 3 and won 30 consecutive games. On December 18, 2010, the Warhawks defeated the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders in the 2010 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl to win their second consecutive national title.

UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer and Athletic Director Paul Plinske have fostered a culture of excellence that extends into the classroom. Over the years, 80 Warhawk student-athletes have been named WIAC Scholar Athlete of the Year for their sport. In addition, UW- Whitewater student-athletes have achieved a higher grade point average than the student body at large.

The Warhawks could not have reached the zenith of Division III college football without a steadfast fan base. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local supporters flood Perkins Stadium wearing the purple and white to cheer on their team. Many loyal fans even traveled to Salem, Virginia to watch the Warhawks win the 2010 Stagg Bowl.

I join others in south central Wisconsin in recognizing the achievements of the players, coaches, students, alumni, and staff who were vital in helping the UW-Whitewater Warhawks win another national football championship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1767, a resolution commending the Wisconsin Badger football team for an outstanding season and for their 2011 Rose Bowl bid.

The Wisconsin Badgers completed a terrific regular season and won the Big Ten title. They finished their season 11-1. They are the least penalized team in the country. The Badger offense ranks in the top 20 nationally in scoring, rushing, and total offense. Twenty-two Badger players were selected to the Academic All-Big Ten Team. And even more exciting, our Wisconsin Badgers earned a well-deserved bid to the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2011.

It has been a pleasure for me to watch our Badger football team excel this season. I know I am joined by fans at home in Wisconsin and, indeed, alumni and fans around the country in feeling great pride in the University of Wisconsin-Madison and this stellar accomplishment. It is true that our football team enjoys very loyal and fervent support from fans and alumni. Badger fans sold out Camp Randall Stadium for the entire season. And what a season it was.

My colleagues may remember a warm night in October when the Badgers defeated the number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 31-18. It was really an incredible game. I'll never forget the opening kickoff return by David Gilreath for a touchdown. And after the game, fans rushed to the field in a sea of red. What a game.

The following week, the Badgers barnstormed into Iowa and beat a strong Hawkeyes team in an inspiring comeback. The Badger defense cemented the 1-point win with a key defensive stand.

The Badgers' success on the field is guided by strong guidance from University of Wisconsin leaders. I would like to acknowledge a few key folks who have contributed to this outstanding season. University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has exhibited incredibly strong leadership for the University of Wisconsin. Chancellor Martin displays an unyielding commitment to academic excellence for Wisconsin's student athletes and is assuredly a big reason behind this great season.

I also want to acknowledge Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, a three- time Rose Bowl-winning coach, who had a strong hand in helping lead the Badgers back to Pasadena, California.

And, of course, we are grateful to the strong leadership of Head Coach Bret Bielema, who showed tremendous resolve in guiding the Badgers to an outstanding 11-1 season. Indeed, the Badgers have achieved a stellar 49-15 record overall during Coach Bielema's tenure. In addition to his prowess on the field, Coach Bielema is a leader in his community. He does tremendous work to promote breast cancer awareness and survival.

In addition, our Badger defensive coordinator, Paul Chryst, is a finalist for the Broyles Award as the Nation's top assistant coach.

Football fans watch the game because of the skill and talent of the players. At Wisconsin, we're lucky enough to have the privilege of watching players on the field who also show exceptional leadership off the field.

Senior quarterback Scott Tolzien, the most accurate passer in college football, won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for his on-field performance as well as his character.

Senior defensive end J.J. Watt is an academic All-Big Ten Team selection and winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded nationally to a defensive player, for his athletic, academic, and community achievements.

And senior offensive lineman Gabe Carimi won the Outland Trophy, an honor given to the best interior lineman in college football, in addition to being selected to the Academic All-Big Ten Team as a civil engineering major.

As my colleagues know, the annual Rose Bowl game is the oldest college bowl game and its history and prestige have earned it the title of ``The Granddaddy of Them All.'' This 2011 Rose Bowl bid is exciting for the Wisconsin Badgers as well as TCU, Texas Christian University, who we will meet in Pasadena. Wisconsin looks forward to ``badgering'' the Horned Frogs on New Year's Day.

I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1767, which recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, students, alumni, and staff who were instrumental in helping the Wisconsin Badgers make it to Pasadena, California. Regardless of your political affiliation or football allegiance, there's always an open invitation from the Wisconsin Badgers to ``teach you how to Bucky.''

We'll see you in Pasadena. On Wisconsin!

I rise to urge my colleagues to do the right thing and act to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. After 17 years of this policy, we know that it is unjust, discriminatory, and, in my opinion, un- American. Integrity, after all, is a hallmark of military service. Yet we have, in statute, a policy that requires some in our military to conceal, deceive, or to lie.

Mr. Speaker, since the House voted in May to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Department of Defense released its comprehensive review of the impact of repealing this unjust law. The report confirms that our military personnel are ready to serve alongside American soldiers who are openly gay and lesbian. The time has come to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and move further down the path to LGBT equality for all Americans. In this land of the free and home of the brave, it is long past time for Congress to end this policy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Since 1935, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has provided access to quality reproductive healthcare for women and men across the state. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin plays an essential role in providing both reproductive healthcare for all and comprehensive sexual education. Additionally, they advocate tirelessly for women's reproductive rights statewide.

In 1935, the first birth control health center in Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin, the Maternal Health Center, opened its doors. For the first time, women, men and families statewide had access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare. Nearly 15 years later, the Maternal Health Center affiliated with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, defining their role as one of the lead reproductive healthcare providers in the state of Wisconsin. In 1964, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin opened its first of many new neighborhood health centers, and in 1971 the organization officially became a statewide affiliate with 17 clinics opening throughout Wisconsin in the 1970s. By the mid-1980s, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin had 30 health centers open statewide. Presently, there are 27 health centers, which provide care to over 70,000 patients, and education staff, which provide educational programming to over 14,000 patrons.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin's mission is to empower all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health through patient services, education and advocacy. For 75 years, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin staff, donors and volunteers have helped to provide reproductive healthcare for all who need it, including those who cannot afford care. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin continues to be at the forefront of sexual education and equips women, men and teens across the state with the knowledge they need to promote healthier, safer lifestyles.

For exceptional service to communities across the state, I would like to thank and honor Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and congratulate them on celebrating their 75th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and achievements of Mr. David Newby, President of the Wisconsin State AFL- CIO, as he retires from his esteemed position.

David served as president for sixteen years, but his roots in fighting for social equality run much deeper. He began his dedicated fight against injustice during his time as a teacher at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. From 1965 to 1968, he faced off with racial discrimination in the South, organizing and participating in protests and sit-ins to counter the actions of the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. In 1968, David began work on a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He quickly became involved in the union movement. As Steward of the Teaching Assistants Association, David was able to gain recognition from the administration through union strikes and other actions.

In 1982, David first stepped into a labor leadership role when he was elected President of the Madison Labor Council. He possessed the ability to motivate local members to come together on issues and express their views as one voice to the national AFL-CIO. A supremely principled man, David had no qualms about speaking out against union- backed candidates or policies. In 1986, he won a tough election for Secretary-Treasurer. He continued to ruffle feathers as he expressed his distaste for America's military actions abroad, never backed down from striking against plant closings, and continually pushed to attract new and more committed union members. Finally, in 1994, David easily won the presidency of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.

Over the past sixteen years as president, David has only increased his effort to fight for what he believes is right. As the representative of the Midwest on the national AFL-CIO Executive Council, he helped lead the federation's opposition to the Iraq War. He continued to work tirelessly to build stronger connections between local labor leaders, community leaders, workers, and organizations to support students' rights, civil rights, women's rights, and countless other causes. In a time when so many are suffering because of the economy, David has fought to keep jobs from going abroad and to ensure competitive wages and benefits for union workers.

In a piece reflecting on the election of President Obama, David wrote, ``But no gains are freely given. We have to seize the moment, focus our energies, and assure that the victory will indeed be ours.'' These bold words embody the essence of the American spirit, and it is clear that over the past fifty years, David has come to epitomize this spirit. Although colleagues may disagree with his beliefs or fiery spirit, they always come away with nothing but the utmost respect for David.

May his stalwart dedication, vision, and lifelong commitment to the highest ethical standards continue to serve as an inspiration for us. I join the greater Madison community, the entire state of Wisconsin, and those who continue to fight for their beliefs throughout our great nation in honoring Mr. David Newby's achievements and thanking him for his lifetime of service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Diverse and Resilient, Inc. on their 15 years of success and their critical contributions to the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, LGBT, organizations, citizens, and their allies.

Diverse and Resilient is a nonprofit public benefit organization that has been vital to the development of public health leadership on behalf of LGBT people in Wisconsin communities for 15 years.

Diverse and Resilient has been a pioneer in the development of community health workers who promote participation in healthy activities, dissuade health risk behaviors, and engage all sectors within the LGBT communities across Wisconsin.

Further, Diverse and Resilient projects and activities are dedicated to building capacity of LGBT individuals, organizations, and their allies to meet the public health needs of Wisconsin's LGBT communities in Madison, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Appleton, and La Crosse.

I am particularly grateful to Diverse and Resilient for bringing to light the alarming health disparities that exist for LGBT youth and adults through its tireless advocacy to include important demographic questions in national and State health surveys.

This organization has taken leadership in national, State, and local public health planning and fostered partnerships in public health, secondary and post-secondary education, communities of color, healthcare, and advocacy.

I honor the commitment, leadership, and zestfulness of the founding director, Dr. Gary Hollander, the board of directors, the dedicated staff, youth advisors, and community health workers of Diverse and Resilient as they celebrate 15 years of vital contributions to our community.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I missed a vote on final passage of H.R. 4785, the Rural Energy Savings Program Act.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' in support of the bill.

Stated against: