Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a hero from my district whose story I recently became aware of--Martin Chase.

During the war in Vietnam, Martin was a civilian engineer that responded to his country's call to develop more conventional weapons. Our soldiers frequently were pinned down with no way out. To counter this situation, Martin developed a grenade that detonated on impact, giving U.S. troops a more effective means of protecting themselves and fighting the Viet Cong.

When Martin's grenades were shipped to our troops overseas, Martin traveled with them to oversee the training and distribution of these new weapons. Upon arrival, Martin found himself in the middle of the Tet Offensive, and for the next 3 weeks followed our troops through some of the deadliest battles of the war in Vietnam.

However, upon learning that his grenades were distributed to thousands of soldiers to use without training, Martin approached the American commanders, alerting them the grenades could result in countless deaths to American troops. In fact, Martin pointed out that if these new grenades were used without training, there could be more deaths to U.S. troops than enemy Viet Cong deaths. This heroic act of bravery prevented countless, unnecessary deaths of our soldiers.

I am proud to have Marty as a constituent and have enjoyed getting to know him and his story. Martin believed in the power of truth. By confronting the war's needs for results, he saved countless lives. I wish him all the best and thank him for his service and courage during the war in Vietnam.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome Rabbi Efrem Goldberg to our Nation's Capitol and thank him for delivering such an insightful opening invocation.

Rabbi Goldberg's presence here today is especially significant to me, for I regularly study under his guidance. Since entering public life, I have become all the more grateful to have him as a spiritual mentor. His insights help me serve my constituents and work to better our world in a way that honors our Jewish tradition.

As Senior Rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue, Rabbi Goldberg leads a wonderful congregation of over 700 families and 1,200 children. This February, after an extraordinary first 5 years as Senior Rabbi, it was announced that he will continue to lead the congregation for the next decade.

His energy, vision, and wisdom touch everyone he meets, just as it did for us here this morning when he provided us with his compelling and thoughtful invocation.

I thank the gentlewoman from New York.

I have been listening to this debate about the Constitution. I am proud to serve in a body that has such respect for the Constitution. Yet I couldn't find this provision that was applicable today until just a moment ago. Apparently, my friends on the other side of the aisle are using a special April Fool's edition of the Constitution that has the following provision in it. It says: When a majority party in the House of Representatives is immovably committed to shutting down the government unless the President of the United States and the United States Senate get on board with their plan to destroy 700,000 jobs and cripple the Nation's economic growth, that House majority can simply deem their plan the law without a vote by the Senate or the signature of the President, as they are null and void.

There you have it, Madam Speaker. What we've clearly seen here is that my colleagues are so bent on adding 700,000 Americans to our unemployment lines that they can simply declare the Senate of the United States and the President of the United States null and void. This bill tramples on our Constitution. It is bad political theater. I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Mr. Speaker, the Party of No has officially become the Party of No Plan. Every week under GOP control has been another week with no plan to create jobs. This is not a game.

In Florida, unemployment remains at 12 percent. People want to work. They want Washington to lead with a jobs plan. With construction and housing so integral to Florida's economy, stabilizing this sector is critical to our recovery.

Close to 1 million Florida families and seniors have lost their homes since 2009. Now, through no fault of their own, nearly half of all mortgages in Florida are underwater. But instead of creating jobs, Republicans want to kick middle class families while they're already down. Rather than improve mortgage modification programs by working with Democrats, my Republican friends want to shut them down altogether.

So to families and seniors across America who owe more to the banks than their homes are actually worth, what's the Republican plan? What's the response? Pay up, even if you have no job, no income, no health care. Under today's Republican bills, soon you and your family will have no home.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

I am, in its current form.

Mr. Speaker, I present an amendment to this legislation that will help the seniors who built America from the bottom up. This amendment provides us with an opportunity not to stall this bill, but improve it, right here and right now. The contributions of the men and women who became known as America's greatest generation should humble us all.

As teenagers, Mr. Speaker, they confronted unspeakable evil and endured incredible sacrifices during World War II. In the aftermath of the Great Depression, their love of country and commitment to hard work created the world's most vibrant economy. They were doctors and nurses, teachers and engineers, steelworkers and pipefitters, secretaries and truck drivers. Today, they are seniors who deserve to live their retirement years with dignity and self-sufficiency.

Unfortunately, throughout the financial crisis and this devastating recession, seniors have often gone forgotten. For many, their pensions have dried up or come under attack. Their life savings were decimated by recklessness on Wall Street. They have not received a Social Security cost of living increase for 2 years. Finally, Mr. Speaker, their homes, often their last standing pillar of equity and economic security, have lost their value through no fault of their own.

The community of South Florida I am so privileged to represent is home to one of our Nation's largest populations of retirees. But it is also ground zero for the foreclosure crisis. In 2010, Mr. Speaker, South Florida outpaced the Nation for new foreclosure filings. The counties of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Dade have suffered the majority of these foreclosures in Florida, and my office fields calls from struggling homeowners every day.

Statewide in Florida, nearly 1 million families and seniors have lost their homes since 2009. Today, nearly half of all Florida homeowners are underwater on their mortgages. They owe banks more money than their homes are now worth. Through no fault of their own, thousands of seniors who built this Nation face the tragedy of losing their homes.

Now, America's greatest generation has never been one to ask for handouts, and today is no exception. What we have the opportunity to do here today is to give our seniors a chance--a chance--to rearrange their deal with their lenders, make their payments, and keep their homes. The mortgage program abolished by the bill needs to be fixed. So let's start by fixing it for seniors, as my proposal will do.

Before us is a real opportunity to amend these programs for the future. It will not send this legislation back to committee. It will not stall this bill. It will simply preserve these mortgage

modification programs for seniors and open the door to improving these initiatives.

According to leading economists, high foreclosure rates and our struggling housing sector remain the biggest challenge to our economic recovery. In Florida, with unemployment at 12 percent, the real estate industry is so integral to our economy, we must stem foreclosures in order to grow the private sector and create jobs. We can begin stabilizing the housing market today and do right by Americans who made this country great for every one of us in this Chamber.

Seniors answered the call of Uncle Sam every week of their working lives, paying taxes for America's schools, roads, military and health care. When asked to serve, these Americans always said yes. Now, when these same men and women are asking for a modest amount of time to renegotiate in good faith, to prevent foreclosure, to remain self- sufficient as retirees, what answer will this body give them?

Every day, it seems, mortgage lenders have their day in Washington. Every day, Wall Street executives have their day in Washington. Every day, Mr. Speaker, banks have their day in Washington. Isn't it time to give the seniors who made America great their day in our Nation's capital?

Let's make today a day for the people who rebuilt this country after the Great Depression, who started the businesses small and large so important to our economy, the people who are our parents and our children's grandparents, who served our nation, who made America what it is today, the people who taught us what it means to be Americans. They're not asking for credit or recognition or attention, but we owe it to them to honor their lifetimes of hard work and responsibility and decency by making it possible for them to live out the rest of their lives with four walls around them and a roof over their heads.

Vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Offered By: Mr. Deutch

Amendment No. 10: Page 7, line 11, strike ``or''.

Page 7, line 17, strike the period and insert ``; or''.

Page 7, after line 17, insert the following:

(D) a person who is 62 years of age or older.

Mr. Speaker, a 2-week extension to fund the government may prevent a shutdown, but it will not change the fact that a serious choice lies before this Congress.

Will 2011 be a year in which we continue to grow our economy, a year that builds on the over 1 million private sector jobs created in 2010, or will it be remembered as the year extremists ignored the warnings of world-class economists at Moody's Analytics and Goldman Sachs and allowed our economy to shrink by over 700,000 jobs?

Will 2011 be a year in which we prepare America's children to compete in a global economy, or will it be the year that right-wing extremists and Congress defied common sense, cutting Pell Grants, blaming teachers for the deficit, and punishing struggling school districts across America for a financial crisis they did not cause?

In 2 weeks, these choices will once again come before this Congress. I implore the Republican leadership to seize this opportunity, not for partisan gain but for America's gain. Let's reduce the deficit in a way that does not jeopardize our recovery and make 2011 a year we move forward instead of backwards.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to congratulate Syd Bykofsky on his 95th birthday. Born in New York City, Syd has dedicated his life to helping others, and to being a loud and commanding voice for workers' rights.

Syd began his political activism at the age of 14. When he was just 18 years old, Syd solidified his activism by advocating for a 40 hour work week and picketing on behalf of Laundry Workers, Taxi Drivers, and Millinery Workers, to ensure a better work environment for future generations. In his 20s, Syd joined the Workmen's Circle and served locally and nationally in many leadership positions. Since 1993, Syd has been an active member of the Workmen's Circle Florida Regional Board.

Syd continued his political and social activism and in 1965 he marched on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Syd continued his fight for equal opportunity when he participated in the Selma to Montgomery March for Civil Rights; and, by demonstrating for Memphis Garbage Workers and Nurses in Atlanta, Georgia, Syd's contributions to workers rights expanded over the years.

Even though Syd maintained a busy schedule as a community activist, he always made time to be involved in the life of his family. Having been the President of both the PTA and the Father's Club of his children's public school, he was a proud and dedicated father to his children. His commitment to his children and the community continued as he became the Vice President of the 61st Precinct Community Council Day Camp. Syd helped organize Marlboro Houses Day Camp, served on the local school board of District 21K in Brooklyn and assisted in opening John Dewey High School for Special Education.

Today, Syd continues to be a part of his family's lives not only with his grandchildren, but also with his great-grandchildren. Syd's activism is sustained by serving on the Executive Board of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans and as the Director of Brittany C. Kings Point in Florida. This is a wonderful opportunity to honor Syd for his lifetime of activism, and I join his family and friends in congratulating him on this joyous occasion.

Congratulations to Syd and his entire family on his 95th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of my friend, Marvin Manning, for his 85th birthday. Born in Ohio, Marvin valiantly served his country during World War II in the United States Navy. Upon returning from his service, Marvin used the G.I. Bill to graduate from The Ohio State University.

In 1987, after serving for years as the Chief Financial Officer for a jewelry company, Marvin retired to South Florida. After the move, Marvin quickly became involved in politics and in the community. Marvin chaired the Dade County Community Coalition, was the Chief Community Advisor for Congressman Bill Lehman, and worked for Senator Bill Nelson's 1990 gubernatorial campaign.

In 1997, Marvin moved from Dade County into Florida's 19th Congressional district. Here, he continued his volunteerism where he has served as President of the Century Village Democratic Club, President of the Century of Boca Raton Umbrella Association, COBRUA, as President of the Yarmouth Association, was on the Half Penney Board, and serves on the Executive Board of the West Boca Community Council.

I, along with much of the South Florida community, am most grateful for Marvin's close work and relationships with our local elected officials. When Hurricane Wilma devastated South Florida, Marvin's hard work, along with the help of former Congressman Robert Wexler, Commissioner Burt Aaronson, and other local officials led to a speedy response which guaranteed that Century Village got the assistance it needed in the aftermath of the storm.

It has been an honor to count Marvin as a colleague, an advisor, and most of all a friend. I would like to congratulate Marvin and his family on his 85th birthday, and I look forward to many more years of working together with Marvin to better the South Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, this week my Republican colleagues offered us a glimpse into their vision for America. It is a country where millions of women are turned away from basic health care, where the wealthy can buy access to our courts, and the poor are denied justice, where we abandon our obligation to pass on a cleaner, safer world to the next generation, where the voices of a thousand workers' cries for better treatment fall on a few pairs of deaf ears, where we deny children the arts education that has helped inspire the greatest culture on Earth.

This is not the America envisioned by the constituents I serve, among them thousands of America's Greatest Generation who fought during World War II and built an extraordinary Nation after the Great Depression. This continuing resolution is, quite simply, a disgrace to their vision and to their sacrifice. We can do better. We must do better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Harold Ostrow and his selfless dedication to his community for over a quarter of a century. Appropriately nicknamed ``Mr. Civic,'' Harold has provided leadership, guidance, and true heart to the community through his volunteer work over the years.

Harold's involvements vary in interest from being the Chairman of the Health Care District where he oversaw the management of the trauma program, the school nursing program, and a program to provide health coverage to the working poor. In addition, as a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission, Harold held the responsibility of providing the Governor with names of candidates for judges.

Mr. Civic did not stop there, though. Harold has also held the position of Chairman of the nonpartisan Voter's Coalition and the citizen's Advisory Committee for the Solid Waste Authority, gaining him the respect of government officials on both sides of the aisle. Harold's activism continues today as a member of the advisory board for the Fire-Rescue Agency.

No matter what the needs of his community was, Harold has been there, lending his open hand without asking for anything in return. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the love and support of Harold's wife, Lenore, by his side. His dedication to participating in every area of community life, helping wherever he could, and mentoring members of the community, has made Harold Ostrow a beacon of volunteer involvement, and I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize him.

I would like to congratulate Harold and his family for this tremendous honor. It is truly an honor to have Harold as a part of the South Florida community and as a friend.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chair, I do not believe that the government should interfere with the reproductive rights of a woman, but that is not what is being debated here.

No matter how many times our friends on the other side of the aisle say that this is an amendment meant to prevent Federal dollars from going to fund abortions, it will not make it true; it will not make it so. That's not what this is about. We have heard all of the statistics. We know what this is about.

I would like to spend a moment talking about how this whole debate is viewed around the country. I would like to spend a minute talking about what the country ought to look like for my daughters and for my son.

In this amendment, we can envision a Nation where there might be a place for sex education to be taught in a scientific and comprehensive way, which might actually reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, which might actually reduce teen pregnancies, and which will keep our American children and young women healthy.

We might actually envision a country where we have testing for sexually transmitted diseases and where, if caught, we can help make the Nation healthier.

Madam Chair, we also have an opportunity here tonight to think about a Nation where women have the opportunity to seek the health care they need and deserve--poor women oftentimes who might have no place else to go but who can have an opportunity to get the health care they need and to get the cancer screenings they need, screenings that can save their lives.

We can envision all of these things in this amendment.

Ladies and gentlemen, we know what Planned Parenthood provides in these clinics: 95 percent of what they provide is health care that does exactly what we want done in this country; 95 percent of what Planned Parenthood does helps keep Americans healthy. It helps take care of women, and it helps make sure that they are better mothers. It helps make sure that their families can be taken care of, and it helps identify cancer before it's too late so that kids can grow up with their mothers.

We understand what this amendment is about. This is not an amendment about abortion. This is an amendment about clamping down on a clinic that provides medical services whose politics those on the other side simply do not agree with. This is about the opportunity to move forward with something that can provide those health care services: with clinics that can help save lives.

We can do all of that right here in this House.

Members, I ask, as we go forward today, that we think about the opportunity we have here to cast a vote that supports women, to cast a vote that supports families, and to take what will be the most pro- family vote we will have an opportunity to cast in this CR debate: that is a vote against this amendment.

I urge my colleagues to do so.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered By: Mr. Deutch

Amendment No. 527: Page 357, after line 22, insert the

following:

Sec. 2239. The amounts otherwise provided by this Act are

revised by reducing the amount made available for

``Department of Housing and Urban Development, Management and

Administration, Administration, Operations and Management'',

and increasing the amount made available for ``Department of

Housing and Urban Development, Community Planning and

Development, Community Development Fund'', by $25,000,000:

Provided, That the additional amount made available by this

section for the Community Development Fund shall be only for

activities to mitigate, replace, or otherwise address problem

drywall, to remain available until expended: Provided

further, That such funds shall be treated as if the funds

were made available for purposes under title I of the Housing

and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et

seq.) and the funds shall be allocated by the Secretary of

Housing and Urban Development to States and local governments

evidencing significant numbers of homes and other real

property affected by problem drywall as defined by the

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Provided further, That

the funds made available by this section for the Community

Development Fund shall be exempt from the national objective

and overall low- and moderate-income benefit requirements of

such title I: Provided further, That in administering such

funds, the Secretary may waive or specify alternative

requirements for any provision of any statute or regulation

in connection with the obligation or the use of such funds

except for requirements related to fair housing,

nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment, upon

a finding that such a waiver is necessary to expedite or

facilitate the use of such funds: Provided further, That the

Secretary shall publish any such waiver or alternative

requirement in the Federal Register no later than 30 days

before the effective date of such waiver or alternative

requirement.

In a time of great economic strife, Americans deserve more from their leaders than recycled attacks on their constitutional rights. Let's not deny women access to birth control and wellness care provided by Planned Parenthood, or the Presidential Women's Center in my district, or the many other providers instrumental in reducing unwanted pregnancies in America. Let's not levy special taxes on women who have never had an abortion, but pay for a private health plan that covers these procedures. Let's not subject any citizen to government intrusion in the doctor's office because of their gender.

The retired women in my district who were on the front lines of the fight for equality in reproductive rights know what path these policies will lead us down. Let's not create a crisis in America--a crisis of public health, of back-alley abortions and accidental sterilization, of less education and more sexually transmitted diseases, of fewer routine screenings and more cervical cancer.

We already have a crisis on our hands in this country--a jobs crisis--and in November, Americans voted this Congress to address it.

Madam Speaker, just days ago, our nation was shaken by the brutal act of violence committed against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the constituents waiting in line to speak with her.

The shots fired in Tuscon claimed the lives of several Americans, from a federal judge with decades of service to our country, to a young child participating in our great democracy for the very first time.

Tragedies like this one tear at the fabric of our democracy, which is woven together by the everyday conversations that take place between ordinary people and those they elect to represent them in government.

What started out as a routine morning in American political life--an elected representative listening to the thoughts and concerns of her community--ended in senseless bloodshed.

As we pay tribute to those who fell victim to this violence, and as we pray for the swift recovery of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, we must also reaffirm ourselves to the work being done that morning before those shots rang out.

Congresswoman Giffords enjoys such respect in this body not only because of her intellect and warmth but also because of her commitment to directly engaging with people. She believed--and every day put into action--that with sincere, hard work we can forge common ground, in our communities and as a nation.

In a few days, when this body reconvenes and we resume the business of moving our nation forward, let us honor Congresswoman Giffords by keeping that sense of common purpose in the forefront of our minds as we work to overcome the many challenges faced by our nation.