Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of increasing Medicaid funding for States that is contained in this legislation. I have been leading the effort on this issue, and I am determined to see it through.

During this economic crisis, our States have suffered, which means our citizens have suffered. States are facing severe budget shortfalls, and without Federal help will have to take extreme action. Who would this hurt? It would hurt our most vulnerable: our children, our elders, our sick, and our frail. People who rely on Medicaid benefits would see them slashed. States would be forced to make cuts where we can least afford it.

Not only does Medicaid funding protect citizens, it also promotes them. The Congressional Budget Office found that increased Medicaid assistance creates jobs and increases demand in the economy.

The recovery is underway, but it is slow. Families in Wisconsin and across the Nation are struggling to make ends meet and find good jobs. We in the House have time and again passed legislation to try to address this through additional Medicaid funding and dedicated dollars for teachers in our schools. Finally, today we have the opportunity to send this bill to the President.

In Wisconsin alone, passing this measure will prevent between 2,000 and 3,000 teachers from being laid off, and it will prevent $650 million in Medicaid cuts.

I have heard from students, doctors, and State employees who have known for months what Congress was too slow in realizing, these cuts would be catastrophic and we must prevent them.

I want to thank Chairman Waxman for his steadfast commitment to creating jobs and supporting American families. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and achievements of Mr. Steven Morrison, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Madison, as he retires from his esteemed position after 27 years of service.

From an early age, Steve displayed a passion for service in the Jewish community. Shortly after joining the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization in his hometown of Elgin, Illinois in 1959, he was elected AZA Grand Aleph Godol--International President. This position was only the beginning of a long career dedicated to improving the world and giving back to his community.

When Steve arrived in Madison in 1984, he immediately began working to strengthen Madison's Jewish community and weave it into the larger fabric of this great city. Under his leadership, Camp Shalom grew from a program serving 150 youngsters to one which now serves almost a thousand children of diverse racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds and abilities every summer. Steve helped enrollment in the Hilde L. Mosse Gan HaYeled Preschool and Midrasha Hebrew High School reach record levels. He also assisted in the development of the recreational facilities and programs offered at the Goodman Campus, which are now enjoyed by families throughout the region. Furthermore, as Executive Director of Madison's Jewish Social Services, Steve expanded the agency's outreach to immigrants and refugees in need of support as they adapted to a new home and way of life.

Steve's commitment to the larger Madison community is rooted in the Judaic teachings of education and justice. With humor, tact, keen intellect, compassion, and chutzpah, he brings people to the table and helps guide them toward mutual understanding and growth. Steve is a fierce defender of minority rights, whether speaking against hate crimes or in support of same-sex marriage. As Chair of the Madison Public Schools Human Relations Council for more than two decades, Steve helped teachers and administrators better understand the needs of students who come from a variety of backgrounds. Among the countless awards and honors that Steve received over the years are the Mandelkorn Distinguished Service Award given by the Association of Jewish Community Organization Professionals and Ally of the Year given by OutReach, Madison's LGBT Community Center.

Tikkun olam, or the obligation to repair the world, is a basic tenet of Judaism. Broadly, it is interpreted to suggest that we all have a role to play in giving back and enhancing the world in which we live. There is nobody, in my mind, who personifies this better than Steve. I have no doubt that the impact of his work will continue to benefit individuals in communities here in Wisconsin, across the United States, and far beyond the borders of our great nation. May his unwavering dedication, vision, and lifelong commitment to the highest ethical standards continue to serve as an inspiration for us. I join both the Jewish and greater Madison communities in honoring Mr. Steven Morrison's achievements and thanking him for his lifetime of service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of the Cross Plains Fire Department.

Since 1910, the Cross Plains area has been under the responsive and watchful eye of the Cross Plains Fire Department. Fire departments play an essential role in any community, and the Cross Plains Fire Department is no exception. Their steadfast vigilance of the area is a reflection of the tight-knit community which they safeguard and the outstanding bravery of the men and women of the Cross Plains Fire Department over the last 100 years is praiseworthy.

The establishment of the Cross Plains Fire Department in 1910 actually predates the incorporation of the Village of Cross Plains. Today, Fire Chief Dale Lochner and his staff operate out of a single fire station, protecting over 41 square miles and almost 4,000 residents. In addition to providing service to the Village of Cross Plains, the station also serves the Townships of Cross Plains and Berry. Whether it is fighting fires, search and rescue, or saving lives as first responders, firefighters are essential to our communities.

Volunteer firefighters risk their lives everyday for the people of their communities and

the livelihood of our great Nation. These true heroes provide every citizen with a feeling of security and safety, something that cannot be taken for granted. Every year, in towns all across Wisconsin and the United States, volunteer firefighters like those of the Cross Plains Fire Department provide a vital public service without requiring a single dime in compensation. Their selflessness and willingness to give back to the community is inspirational.

The motto of the Village of Cross Plains is, ``Famous for Friendliness,'' and this ideal is personified by the volunteer staff at the Cross Plains Fire Department. Every day since 1910, the residents of the Cross Plains area have enjoyed the service and protection provided by the department. Today, I join the residents of the Village of Cross Plains and the towns of Cross Plains and Berry, the residents of Wisconsin, and all citizens of the United States in recognizing, honoring, and sincerely thanking the Cross Plains Fire Department for their tireless work and commitment for the past 100 years.

Thank you, Chairman Scott, for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3040, the Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2009.

My own experience as the primary caregiver for my grandmother opened my eyes to some troubling exploitative tactics targeted at America's seniors. Growing up in Wisconsin, I was raised by my maternal grandparents. Though I went east for college, I returned to my hometown, Madison, after graduation to be there for my grandmother, who by then was widowed and who had sacrificed so much of her own time and energy to raise me. Eventually, I became my grandmother's primary caregiver.

Around the time that my grandmother turned 90 years old, she asked me to help her sort through her mail and balance her checkbook. Now, first, I was struck by the sheer volume of solicitations she was getting. I was also shocked by how many were fly-by-night organizations or ``look alike'' charities that were writing her on a monthly basis. Their pleas for donations looked and sounded legitimate, but I had my suspicions, so I started digging a little bit deeper.

I was also disturbed by the amount of money my grandmother had been giving to some of these entities. She believed that those who were able to do so ought to be as generous as possible to those in need, but she had no way of determining the legitimacy of the entities that were contacting her and soliciting her so regularly.

That experience opened my eyes to the very real exploitation of seniors, like my grandmother, through the mail, telephone, and Internet. Millions of Americans become victims of similar financial exploitation each year, but it is not just the isolated and lonely who may fall prey to these scams. One only need read one's local newspaper in order to hear how widespread this really is.

In my home district in Wisconsin, over the years, we have seen all sorts of scams. One reads of ongoing reports about ``notch baby'' schemes in which Social Security beneficiaries born between the years 1917 and 1921 are asked to send money to organizations that promise to change the Federal laws to increase their benefits. These organizations go so far as to ask these seniors whether they would like their Federal money in a lump sum or in monthly payments.

Earlier this year, The Capital Times newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin, reported that an 84-year-old Madison woman was duped out of nearly $3,000 after a phone scammer convinced her that her ``granddaughter's boyfriend'' was in a Canadian jail and needed bail money. Madison police reported that she received a phone call from the man, who called her ``Grandma,'' and he told her he was in a Canadian jail after being picked up for drunk driving. To convince the elderly woman, ``Officer Jacob Harris'' came on the line and convinced her of the need for bail money for her ``granddaughter's boyfriend.'' This elderly woman wired the money, and fell victim to a disturbingly common scam.

I also read that, not days after President Obama signed the historic health care reform bill into law, fraudsters were figuring out how to scam seniors. A cable TV advertisement exhorted viewers to call an 800 number so that they wouldn't miss a limited enrollment period to obtain coverage. We all know that there was no limited enrollment period for any coverage in the health care legislation that we passed.

Though we all have read and heard these anecdotal stories, it is difficult to estimate the prevalence of financial exploitation cases due to severe underreporting. According to a 2009 report by Met Life Mature Market Institute, for every case of abuse reported, there are an estimated four or more that go unreported. We do know some facts, though. This same study found that the annual financial loss by victims of senior financial abuse is estimated to be at least $2.6 billion.

In my home State of Wisconsin, the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups estimates that 35,000 seniors in Wisconsin alone were the victims of financial exploitation last year. The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions reports that half of their cases now being investigated include older victims.

On a national level, postal inspectors investigated almost 3,000 mail fraud cases in the U.S., and they arrested more than 1,200 mail fraud suspects in 2007 alone. Further, the FBI has confirmed that criminals are modifying their targeting techniques to include online scams, such as phishing and email spamming.

Given the prevalence of financial fraud targeting seniors, Congressman Howard Coble and I introduced the Senior Financial Empowerment Act

with a very specific goal in mind--to empower seniors and to end the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of America's elders. The bill builds on the good work already being done by the Federal Trade Commission and by the U.S. Department of Justice, and it seeks to empower these agencies to support local and State efforts to combat financial fraud and to empower our seniors.

I would like to extend a special thanks to my colleague Howard Coble from North Carolina for his leadership on this issue. It has been a pleasure working with him to advance this legislation.

I also want to thank Chairman Scott, Chairman Conyers, and Ranking Members Gohmert and Smith for their longstanding commitment to America's seniors.

Mr. Speaker, when I saw my grandmother go through the last years of her life, and what she went through with these solicitations, I made a pledge to make sure that all older Americans have the tools that they need to protect themselves against financial crimes and fraud. I urge support for the Senior Financial Empowerment Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in paying tribute to a great man much beloved around the country, including in my home state of Wisconsin: I speak of Ron Gettelfinger.

Anyone who has ever needed a friend knows the difference between the fair-weather friend and the friend who stands by you in your time of need. Ron Gettelfinger has stood by his UAW brothers and sisters in their time of need.

When my constituents talk about Ron, they talk about him as a fighter for working men and women. Over the past 8 years, while he served as the president of the United Auto Workers, Ron saw the auto industry challenged as never before. He saw its workers beaten down.

Hundreds of my constituents lost their jobs when the GM plant in Janesville, Wisconsin closed down. Ron and the UAW stood by those workers, providing them with support, assistance and advocacy to bridge the gap to new employment.

But Ron didn't just stand by the workers without jobs--he knew something needed to be done to stop the bleeding and help save the auto industry. So he did the unpopular thing, and helped renegotiate General Motors contract with the auto workers. It was such a difficult decision in a difficult time--but we are beginning to see the positive results from it now. The auto industry seems to be turning around.

As president of the UAW, Ron has been a champion for all American workers. He has worked tirelessly for labor protections in fair trade agreements, accessible and affordable health care for all, and protection of American jobs through investments in advance technology vehicles.

So my gratitude and my admiration go to Ron, on behalf of the thousands of Wisconsinites he represented so bravely and ably for the past 8 years.

Mr. Speaker, since we have passed health care reform into law, I have received a flood of gratitude from my constituents.

Edith of Madison assures me ``the plan will bring real benefits to many people in Wisconsin.''

Beth of Verona also thanked me, saying that, for the first time, she believes someday every woman diagnosed with cancer won't have to worry about being buried by the bills.

Patrick of Madison wrote, ``Don't let negativity and fear-mongering ever lead you to question your decision,'' which was to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, since I entered public service, I have worked to enact comprehensive health care reform. Now, just 2 months after this bill has become law, we are already seeing the expansion of insurance to young adults across the country. In just a few weeks, the Federal high- risk pool will be open to individuals who have been denied medical coverage because of preexisting conditions, and seniors are already getting extra help with their prescription drugs.

With each milestone, I can feel hope grow across America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring the voices of my constituents in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, to the floor of the people's House.

In 2008, homes along the northern shore of Lake Koshkonong and within the surrounding community were absolutely devastated by a record- setting flood. This was a 500-year flood event. It is the same one that ravaged much of the upper Midwest and, in particular, Wisconsin and Iowa.

During that storm, I knew that the damage was going to be devastating and that many of the houses in our community would be beyond repair. What I didn't know was that, almost 2 years after the floods, the agency upon which they relied would be leaving these hardworking Americans behind. You see, in February of this year, FEMA instituted what it calls ``immediate needs funding.'' Basically, they are freezing already approved funds to folks in Wisconsin and in other disaster areas across the country.

A couple of weekends ago, I had the chance to visit with property owners from my district, of whom I have the privilege of representing, who have been affected. They are survivors of the 2008 floods. I wanted to hear their stories. Many brought photos and letters. They brought their own unique stories. They brought their anger and their frustrations.

I met with Gene and Marie Harris at their home on Lamp Road, one of the most extensively damaged neighborhoods in this flood. The damage was so extensive that their house was absolutely uninhabitable and has been since the flood. They showed me photos of before, during, and after, and we talked about the tangle of bureaucratic red tape that they waded through in order to get approved for the FEMA dollars. They were approved for the FEMA money, but they haven't received a penny because of the funding freeze. When I asked Marie to recall what they had gone through back in June of 2008, not surprisingly, she welled up with tears.

Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to the victims of the recent floods and of natural disasters. Yet I fear we suffer from that old adage, ``Out of sight, out of mind.'' Once the cameras are packed away and the news crews leave for the next breaking story, what happens to the victims and survivors of these natural disasters? Will the families in Tennessee or in Arkansas suffer the same fate as Wisconsinites and Iowans? Will they see their funding from FEMA freeze even after it has been approved?

One would hope that the system of emergency response would keep on plugging away, assisting the families in need across this country, but we have seen that system completely break down. This is unacceptable.

It has been 2 years since their homes were devastated, and my neighbors are still living in temporary housing, and they are enduring financial chaos. One man is homeless. Another family is on the verge of bankruptcy because of the situation that FEMA has left them in.

I know this is wrong. My constituents know this is wrong. The Federal Government has to do better.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and career of Dr. James C. Allen of Madison, Wisconsin. There is no more appropriate time than now, as we approach Memorial Day, to recognize Dr. Allen's distinguished service to our country both as a veteran of war and an advocate for his fellow servicemembers. His tireless work as an ophthalmologist extends far beyond direct clinical care to touch the lives of countless veterans across our great Nation.

Dr. Allen began his service to our country during the Korean war. After returning from duty, he started practicing ophthalmology at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital in Madison. During his 35 year career at the VA Hospital, Dr. Allen discovered a significant problem with the VA compensation structure.

Although veterans could receive compensation for service-connected loss of sight in one eye, they were not eligible for increased assistance if subsequent loss of sight occurred in the second eye until complete blindness set in. A service member himself, Dr. Allen recognized the tremendous sacrifices our veterans make and knew that they should not be forced to struggle with related optical issues without any additional assistance and care. For 7 years, Dr. Allen worked with me and Donald May of Lodi, Wisconsin to craft long overdue legislation that would ensure the correction of this inadequacy.

In 2007, Congress unanimously passed and the President signed H.R. 797, the Dr. James C. Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act, allowing disabled veterans to receive greater compensation if they begin to lose sight in the second eye, regardless of whether or not that loss of sight is service-connected. The Dr. James C. Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act will directly impact the lives of those who sacrificed to defend our freedom. Over 13,000 veterans have been blinded in conflict since World War II, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who are incurring eye wounds at the highest rate of a major conflict since World War I.

Over the years, Dr. Allen has received countless awards and honors, including the 2008 Wisconsin Medical Society Physician Citizen of the Year Award and the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award. However, no amount of accolades could accurately reflect how invaluable his work has been and will continue to be to our most courageous citizens. The American spirit embodies the idea that one thoughtful, committed citizen possesses the ability to create meaningful change and Dr. Allen exemplifies this spirit. I join the greater Madison community and veterans everywhere in honoring Dr. Allen for his unwavering commitment and dedication.

Mr. Chairman, today, we have the opportunity to right a wrong.

I rise in strong support of repealing the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Seventeen years after Congress passed Don't Ask, Don't Tell, we know that it is a misguided, unjust, and discriminatory policy. Not only does Don't Ask, Don't Tell damage the lives and livelihoods of military professionals, it deprives our Nation and our Armed Forces of their honorable service and of their needed skills. Under this law, almost 14,000 servicemembers have been discharged, including almost 1,000 mission-critical troops and at least 60 Arabic speakers and 10 Farsi linguists. It is indefensible.

When the House votes to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, we will have taken one more step on the path to full civil rights and equality for LGBT Americans, but we will also change the course of history for all of the courageous Americans who serve our country and for their families.

Mr. Chairman, in the land of the free and the home of the brave, it is long past time for Congress to end this un-American policy.

Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to victims of recent floods and natural disasters, but I also fear that we suffer from the old adage, ``Out of sight, out of mind.'' Once the cameras are packed away and the news crews leave for their next breaking story, what happens to the victims and the survivors of our natural disasters?

You know, one would hope that the system of emergency response would keep on plugging away and assisting the families in need across this country. But sometimes, unfortunately, that system breaks down.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring the voices of my constituents in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, to the floor of the people's House.

In 2008, homes along the northern shore of Lake Koshkonong and the surrounding community were absolutely devastated by a record-setting flood. This was a 500-year flood that ravaged much of the Midwest and, in particular, Wisconsin and Iowa.

During that storm, I knew that the damage was going to be devastating and that many of the houses in our community would be beyond repair. But what I didn't know was that after nearly 2 years after the floods, our government would be leaving those hardworking Americans behind. You see, in February of this year, FEMA instituted what it calls ``immediate-needs funding.'' Basically, they are freezing already approved funds to folks in Wisconsin and in other disaster areas across the country.

A couple of weekends ago I had the chance to visit with the property owners who were affected from the district that I have the privilege of representing. These are survivors of the 2008 floods. I wanted to hear their stories. Many brought photos, letters, and all brought unique stories and anger and frustration.

I met first with Gene and Marie Harris at their home on Lamp Road, one of the most extensively damaged neighborhoods in this flood. The damage was so extensive that their house is absolutely uninhabitable, and has been since the flood. They showed me photos of before and during and after, and we talked about the tangle of bureaucratic red tape that they've waded through in order to get approved for FEMA money.

But they were approved for FEMA money, until the freeze took effect. When I asked Marie to recall what they went through back in June of 2008, not surprisingly, she welled up with tears.

I met with other families affected, a family who had four generations who lived in a property that is also beyond repair. He talked about the generations having put their heart and soul into remodeling.

I met with a young family who had several properties in the area. This young family, with two young sons, decided that, in order to plan for their retirement, rather than investing in a 401(k), they were going to buy a few bungalows along the lake shore and rent them out. After they paid off the mortgage, this would help with their retirement. So they bought five bungalows. Three out of the five were damaged in the flood beyond repair. The remaining two are reparable.

But what's happening, as they wait for those frozen funds, is that this family is having to pull out of their kids' college funds and money that they were saving for their retirement in order to pay mortgages, taxes on properties that are uninhabitable, and for which they are getting no rental income.

They brought when they met with me a letter that asks, and I'm only reading a part: but why freeze the funding now? We've been waiting almost 2 years, and during this time we must still pay taxes, mortgages, and mow what is left

of our lawn. How much longer are we expected to keep paying and waiting with no more source of rental income?

Please, somebody, wake me up from this nightmare and tell me it's all a bad joke. Our government couldn't do something as unfair and cruel as this, could they? Do they think about the people whose lives they are destroying?

I know there are people who are a lot worse than us and suffering even more. But at least, at least we have another home to live in right now.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1259) recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, studies of the prevalence of crime and of victimization show that one in six women and one in 33 men will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in their lifetimes. On average, a person is sexually assaulted in the United States every 2\1/2\ minutes. In my home State of Wisconsin, we have learned that nearly 93 percent of sexual assault survivors are violated by someone they know and trust; tragically, oftentimes as youngsters before they have even reached the age of 15.

Nationwide, we know that children and young adults are most at risk. Forty-four percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18, and 80 percent are under the age of 30. It is estimated that 20-25 percent of women attending college are raped or assaulted over the course of their college career.

These statistics are staggering and unconscionable. Yet, as is often the case, statistics alone can't adequately convey the urgency of a future where no child, no woman, no man is ever sexually violated again.

Last fall I got a chance to hear from a courageous woman from Wisconsin who was sexually assaulted in 1993. I will call her Carrie, although that is not her real name. Carrie was walking from her home to meet her husband at a party in suburban Milwaukee. She was approached by three strangers with guns. Madam Speaker, she was raped for 45 minutes while two guns were held against her. She thought about screaming, but she was afraid she would be shot. After the assault, Carrie said, I lay there and the first thought that came to my head was: I wish they had killed me because this isn't going to go away.

Fifteen years later, the memories of the assault have not gone away. But with incredible personal strength, Carrie has channeled the horrendous experience of victimization and subsequent pain and fear into an incredibly positive way. She has dedicated herself to creating the social change necessary to end sexual violence, and she speaks eloquently about the need to support prevention programming and services for victims of sexual assault and their families. But maybe more importantly, she bravely puts a human face on sexual assault with those less familiar with the issue or its consequences.

Carrie is a neighbor, a daughter, a sister, a wife. And Carrie is a reason to fight as long as it takes to keep other women from experiencing what she has endured. She is a true survivor and an inspiration to me, and should be to all of us.

Although, like Carrie, most victims are younger women, the effects of sexual assault cut across all racial, social, religious, ethnic and economic boundaries. Whether the crime is rape, incest, child sexual abuse, stalking or sexual harassment, sexual assault impacts everywhere: our schools, workplaces, streets and homes. Sexual assault is a threat to both public health and public safety, and it requires a coordinated response in the form of increased support for prevention, education, law enforcement, prosecution, and services provided to survivors.

This year, as our country faces difficult economic times, sexual assault service providers are seeing marked increases in reported sexual violence for a variety of reasons. Yet according to a 2010 survey of rape crisis centers by the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, fully 72 percent of sexual assault prevention programs have experienced a reduction in funding over the past year; 56 percent have experienced a reduction in staffing; 23 percent currently have a waiting list for services; and funding and staffing cuts have resulted in an overall 50 percent reduction in the provision of institutional advocacy services.

We still have far to go in eradicating the harm inflected in our communities by sexual assault. There is a clear and

significant need for more public education and awareness.

The National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month does just this. Recognized each year in April, this dedicated month provides a special opportunity to educate Americans about sexual violence and to encourage the prevention of sexual assault, the improved treatment of its survivors, and the prosecution of its perpetrators. As part of the National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we recognize national and community organizations as well as private sector supporters for their work in promoting awareness about sexual assault, and also applaud public safety, law enforcement, and health professionals for their hard work and innovative strategies to increase the percentage of sexual assault cases that result in the prosecution and incarceration of offenders.

Along with my colleagues, Congressman Ted Poe from Texas and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida, I introduced House Resolution 1259 to recognize April 2010 as the National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. By supporting this resolution, we highlight the efforts of individuals and agencies that provide rape crisis intervention and prevention services. We also call attention to sexual violence as a major public health issue and raise awareness of the need for increased resources for preventing sexual violence.

Madam Speaker, I want to extend my thanks to a number of advocates for their work on sexual assault prevention, and tireless work to help victims cope with the trauma of sexual assault and transition from victim to survivor.

In Wisconsin, we are incredibly lucky to have the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault working to create the social change necessary to end sexual violence. My thanks go to the coalition and their member organizations across the State for the important work that they do.

And finally, I want to extend my sincere thanks to my colleagues, Congressman Ted Poe and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for their strong support as the lead sponsors of this resolution. Thank you for your work and leadership.

Although we have made significant progress, we still have far to go in eradicating the harm inflicted on our communities by sexual assault, and I urge all of my colleagues to fully support this resolution recognizing National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate my cosponsor of this legislation for also putting a name, a story, and a face on this very consequential matter. Lisa and Carrie from our respective States represent many other victims and survivors alike, and it speaks to the importance of this resolution. I commend the gentleman for his advocacy and ask for support of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1208) supporting the goals of World Intellectual Property Day.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1208 supports the goals of World Intellectual Property Day and recognizes the importance of protecting intellectual property. World Intellectual Property Day brings attention to the impact that intellectual property has in our daily lives, educates us on how intellectual property protection promotes creativity and innovation, and celebrates its contributions to society.

The theme for World Intellectual Property Day this year is, ``Innovation: Linking the World.'' The focus is to educate us on how innovation technologies have created an interlinked and global society.

Yesterday, we celebrated the 10th annual World Intellectual Property Day. This day was selected because on April 26, 1970, the United Nations established

the World Intellectual Property Organization, otherwise known as WIPO. WIPO works to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world, and yesterday was WIPO's 40th anniversary. This resolution congratulates the World Intellectual Property Organization for building awareness of the value of intellectual property. This resolution also celebrates the contributions of innovators throughout the world and reminds us of the importance of protecting intellectual property rights.

Protecting intellectual property rights is key to maintaining incentives for the development of innovative solutions to meet today's global challenges, and so we must continue to fight against piracy and counterfeiting of intellectual property. Piracy damages our national economy and the world economy. It results in lost jobs and stifles innovation.

I would like to thank Congressman Adam Smith for introducing this resolution. I would also like to acknowledge the strong bipartisan support of members of the Intellectual Property Caucus.

I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), the author of the resolution before us.

(Mr. SMITH of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3808) to require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 3808, the Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2009, requires all Federal and State courts to recognize documents lawfully notarized in any State of the Union when interstate commerce is involved. An identical version of this bill passed the House in 2007.

A notary public has the professional expertise to verify the identity of the signatory to a document and ensure that it was willingly signed. Notary publics are a critical first line of defense against fraud. Although notarization serves the same purposes in all States, there are differences in State laws governing notarization, and also varying technical formalities. That makes it difficult for a State to recognize an out-of-state notarization.

For example, some States dictate that ink seals must be used, while others require embossers. Some States require very specific language in the acknowledgment certificate, and thus the language used in other States may not be acceptable. Such technical differences between State law hinder the recognition of documents that were lawfully notarized in the State in which the notarization was performed, and this can cause unnecessary delays that impact important legal rights and interstate commerce.

The fact that some States do not recognize documents lawfully notarized in other States also presents a constitutional issue. The U.S. Constitution requires that each State give full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State. The 21st century affords advances in transportation and telecommunications that have expanded the ability of individuals and businesses to conduct their affairs across State boundaries. The laws governing notarization should not be permitted to continue encumbering their ability to do so.

By giving those laws reciprocal recognition, effectively harmonizing them, H.R. 3808 will bring those laws within the spirit of the Constitution's vision and bring much needed relief from antiquated formalities.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 3808, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier) for recognizing me out of order to speak to a previous resolution.

Many years ago Gaylord Nelson, from my home State of Wisconsin, had a vision. He envisioned a world where our pristine oceans and lakes are protected, our air clean to breathe, and our planet preserved for future generations.

Being the wise man that Senator Nelson was, he recognized the environmental degradation that everyone around him was acknowledging, everyone, that is, but the political establishment, which wasn't interested in action.

He knew that if the environment was to have its place on the political agenda, it had to be brought there by the people. So he announced that there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment. He called it Earth Day. At the time it was a gamble, but worth the try.

No one expected the turnout: 20 million people came out to participate. The sheer numbers gathered the attention of the Congress, and it was those voices that led to congressional action on some of our most treasured environmental laws: the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

I commend my colleague from Wisconsin, Mr. Obey, for bringing the resolution to honor the late Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin to the floor. And the resolution also commemorates the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

In the words of Senator Nelson: ``Our goal is an environment of decency, quality, and mutual respect for all human beings and all other living creatures.

I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

announcement by the speaker pro tempore

Madam Speaker, what this all boils down to is, Whose side are you on? Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the 13,500 people in my district who will finally have access to health insurance because of this measure. I rise for the 1,000 families in south central Wisconsin who will be protected from medical bankruptcy this year because of this effort. And I rise today because of the 539,000 constituents who will see their coverage improve because of the work we've done.

Madam Speaker, I rise with pride and hope in the promise of this health care reform bill. There is no doubt that powerful interests have strenuously opposed reform, and they've often resorted to tactics that could make no one proud. But nothing can sully the pride I feel today in taking this critical step to provide health coverage for all Americans. I've worked my entire career to achieve health care for all. Today we stand on the floor of the people's House ready to pass the bill.