Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that will preserve the HOPE VI Main Street Grant program. This program, important to rural communities with very small populations, was created with the passage of the American Dream Act of 2003. Since its inception, the program has helped a small number of rural communities develop affordable housing units in conjunction with larger revitalization efforts.

The creation of the HOPE VI Main Street Grant program in 2003 is important to rural communities because it allows rural communities to compete with larger urban areas for HOPE VI dollars.

Mr. Chairman, for those not familiar with the program, the HOPE VI Main Street grants are funded through a 5 percent set-aside in the HOPE VI annual appropriations and each award is capped at $1 million.

As I noted, this program is extremely important to rural communities such as Moore Haven, Florida. Located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in Glades County and one of the most rural areas of Florida, Moore Haven is one of the oldest cities in South Florida. This beautiful, old, sleepy Florida town is home to one doctor, Dr. Geek, and one restaurant. It is one of the few places left in Florida where the families have lived there for generations and everyone knows their neighbor.

Unfortunately, it is also one of the poorest areas in the State. The population of the city is approximately 1,900 people and the annual tax revenue for all of Glades County is $6 million. The people of Moore Haven have a desire to revitalize their historic downtown area, but they lack the financial resources.

Guided by the vision of Tracy Whirls, the Executive Director of the Glades County Economic Development Council, Moore Haven applied for a HOPE VI Main Street grant last year. The city had hoped to use the money to purchase three historic but dilapidated and vacant buildings, with the intention of attracting businesses to the first floors and 12 affordable housing units on the upper levels. Plans for the first floors included opening Moore Haven's only pharmacy and furniture store.

I regret, Mr. Chairman, that Moore Haven was not successful in its attempt to secure the grant. The good news is that they are game and they are going to apply for it again this year. But I believe it is imperative that we continue to give Moore Haven and small rural cities like Moore Haven across this great Nation this opportunity.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would like to leave you with the words of Larry Luckey, the Glades County property appraiser. ``If we are unable to

save these historic commercial buildings, the downtown historic district will cease to exist. I am saddened at the thought that we may well become a city with no history.''

I would ask for the support of my colleagues to preserve the HOPE VI Main Street Grant program and the economy and history of small towns across America, including Moore Haven. In addition, with the passage of my amendment, we will ensure that rural communities continue to have access to the affordable housing benefits provided by the HOPE VI program.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise to express my concerns with H.R. 3996, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007. Today, the American people were offered a false choice--tax families today or tax their children in the future.

This year the House of Representatives has twice passed alternative minimum tax relief bills intended to provide more than 23 million American's with tax relief. These two previous pieces of legislation were fiscally responsible. By closing tax loopholes, the House of Representatives sought to ensure that we did not pass the cost of this temporary fix along to our children and grandchildren.

Let me be clear. With passage of this bill tonight, President Bush and the Republicans have decided to mortgage our children's future and add to the national debt.

I will reluctantly vote for this legislation because without an AMT fix, more than 46,500 people in the 16th Congressional District of Florida will be burdened with a tax increase. These are hardworking families already struggling with skyrocketing property taxes, staggering homeowners insurance premiums, rising mortgage payments and out of control gas prices. These are seniors already forced to choose between purchasing life saving medications and putting food on the table. Simply stated, my constituents do not need the burden of an additional tax increase.

In closing, I call upon the House of Representatives to return to fiscal responsibility and Pay As You Go rules. Like many of my fellow Blue Dog colleagues, I believe we have a moral obligation not to pass our debt along to future generations.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and welcome home Army SPC Joel Morera. Specialist Morera was wounded in Iraq on July 28, 2007, when an explosive device hit his vehicle.

Specialist Joel Morera received a Purple Heart in August. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy.

Today, SPC Morera and his family will arrive back home in Clewiston, FL, so that he can celebrate the holidays in his hometown. I join the veterans and residents of Highlands County, Hendry County and Glades County in paying our respects to SPC Morera and celebrating his return to the Sunshine State.

I rise today with great pride to honor this brave young man and to thank him for his incredible sacrifice. The courage of SPC Morera and his fallen comrades ensure that all Americans can enjoy liberty.

Madam Speaker, please join me and the communities of the 16th District of Florida in welcoming Army Specialist Joel Morera and his family home for the holidays.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Captain Adam Snyder of Fort Pierce, Florida, who passed away on December 5, 2007, from battle injuries suffered in Iraq.

Adam was 26 years old.

Captain Snyder belonged to the 101st Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was the fourth generation Snyder to proudly serve the United States military. Adam was serving his second tour in Iraq.

Adam was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, where one of his professors, John McVan, described Adam as ``one of the best and brightest I've ever had.''

Adam's brilliance was not limited to his military career. He impressed whomever he encountered in all walks of life. Adam looked forward to returning home and pursuing his dream of acting. His modesty, bravery, and humanity are qualities rarely found in such great measure in one man.

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart but great pride that I stand here today in this sacred hall to honor Adam and his family. I want to thank Adam's family for giving America a hero who went to work every day defending his country so that we can enjoy liberty.

Adam, our Nation for all eternity will be in your debt for the ultimate sacrifice you have made.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the opening of the St. Vincent DePaul Community Health Clinic in Port Charlotte, Florida. This nonprofit organization took on the challenge of addressing the medical needs of the uninsured, underinsured and homeless in Charlotte County. The opening of the clinic was championed by Dr. Mark Asperilla and Dr. David Klein, and I would like to commend their hard work and dedication in seeing the clinic become a reality.

The clinic, which is located at 21450 Gibraltar in Port Charlotte, will open initially on a part time basis but hopes to achieve a goal of operating 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. The clinic will provide a wide range of healthcare services from general health check ups to prescription medication free of charge to needy residents.

St. Vincent DePaul is joined by the Charlotte County community which has come together and is working as a team to save lives and improve the quality of life of the poor and uninsured. Churches, schools, civic groups, fraternal organizations, hospitals, businesses, foundations and individuals have all worked together to ensure that Charlotte County has a health clinic that can effectively serve its residents. This community has dedicated itself to restoring human dignity by reaching out to provide a helping hand.

The blessing of the facility will be coordinated by Father Arthur Schute, spiritual advisor at Peace River Regional Medical Center, and a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony will take place at noon today.

Madam Speaker, please join me in commending the creation of the St. Vincent DePaul Community Health Clinic.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2930) to amend section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for the elderly, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

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

Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives has the ability to improve the lives of thousands of seniors across the country with the passage of H.R. 2930, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2007. As our elderly population grows, the need for affordable housing will also increase. In 2005, there were approximately 37 million Americans over the age of 65. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of seniors is expected to grow rapidly during the next few decades. In addition, today's seniors are facing economic uncertainty. In my home State of Florida, the toxic cocktail of rising gas prices, skyrocketing property taxes and exorbitant homeowners insurance has forced seniors to make difficult choices between paying their mortgage, putting food on the table or purchasing lifesaving medication.

Despite this increase in demand, the number of affordable housing units is shrinking. According to the Joint Center for Housing, for every unit of affordable housing constructed, two are lost either by the conversion of affordable housing to market rate housing or by sponsors of section 202 housing opting out of the program when their contracts expire.

In 2002, Congress created a bipartisan commission to study the need for affordable housing and supportive services for the elderly. In the commission's report to Congress entitled ``A Quiet Crisis in America,'' they stated that ``this Nation, despite competing demands for national resources, must respond to the critical need for affordable housing and home and community-based supportive services, with a substantial financial commitment and effective policies.'' The report also concluded that ``all seniors, no matter what their individual circumstances and resources, should be able to continue to live where they prefer regardless of their income, with the services they need to maintain personal dignity and quality of life.''

One of the most important responsibilities we have as a society is to ensure that our seniors, who have done everything our Nation has asked them to do, have a safe and affordable place to live. The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act is a step in achieving this goal. This important piece of legislation will give the owners of 202 facilities the ability to leverage the property's equity, access much- needed capital and benefit from low interest rates from private lenders. By doing so, this legislation will ensure that these facilities are preserved and improved to meet the changing needs of seniors.

In addition, the bill allows for funding to be used to increase the services that section 202 communities provide for their residents, allowing them to live a more independent life. Finally, this bill will assist seniors living in older section 202 facilities by extending them rental assistance. This provision will allow owners to preserve these properties without the risk of displacing poor residents.

I have seen firsthand how important these facilities are to our communities. I visited Villa Assumpta in Jensen Beach, Florida, a section 202 facility run by Catholic Charities, and Presbyterian Homes of Port Charlotte, Florida, operated by the Presbyterian Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. I have met with the residents and I have heard their life stories, residents like Ruth Justice. Mrs. Justice lived in a mobile home in Stuart, Florida, for almost 40 years until Hurricane Wilma ripped the roof off of her home. Fortunately, Ruth was able to escape from the hurricane with her piano, trumpets and other instruments she and her husband had collected over the years. However, no matter how much she loved her music and her musical instruments, it couldn't ease the financial burden that she faced with a new place which ate up her entire monthly Social Security check. Ruth felt like she had no place to turn. Thank God for Catholic Charities and Villa Assumpta.

Fortunately, Ruth was one of the lucky ones. For seniors in need of low-income housing who qualify for one of Villa Assumpta's 99 units, waits can be more than 2 years. I was moved by stories like Ruth's and how much this housing means to our seniors. After years of working to live the American Dream, many of these seniors find themselves with monthly incomes of $800 or less. Without the section 202 housing, where would Ruth and her friends be? Where are the seniors living tonight that are on Villa Assumpta's 2-year waiting list? On our streets? We have a responsibility to make sure that we provide affordable housing to our seniors and we can start by passing this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act is an example of what this Congress can achieve when it works together in a bipartisan fashion. First, the bill was reported out of the Financial Services Committee by a unanimous vote. Secondly, following the committee's consideration of H.R. 2930, we worked closely with my colleague from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) to ensure that the bill meets the needs of rural communities.

Under current law, HUD is required to reserve 15 percent of program funds for the development of units in non-metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, the small number of units that are reserved do not provide an adequate incentive for developers to undertake such projects. As a result, rural communities often face severe shortages of section 202 units. The new provision added by Mrs. Capito will provide HUD with greater flexibility by allowing the Department to allocate funding for

non-metropolitan units on a regional or national scale. I would like to thank her for her work to further strengthen the bill and to ensure that all of our communities, whether they be urban or rural, have access to the program.

Mr. Speaker, the section 202 program is a great example of how the Federal Government can work with religious institutions to provide needed services to our communities. Many of the section 202 facilities are run by religious organizations. I am proud that this legislation is being supported by more than 30 organizations that provide housing to the elderly, including Catholic Charities, Lutheran Services of America and United Jewish Communities.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to insert into the Record a letter from these groups expressing their strong support for H.R. 2930.

H.R. 2930--Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2007

Endorsement Letter

We, the undersigned organizations, write in strong support

of H.R. 2930, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the

Elderly Act of 2007. Under the current Section 202 law, the

development and preservation of senior housing can be time-

consuming and bureaucratic at a time when demand for

supportive senior housing is exploding and the loss of

affordable housing exceeds new construction. We believe that

this legislation is sorely needed to streamline and simplify

the development and preservation of affordable, supportive,

senior housing for increased participation by not-for-profit

developers, private lenders, investors, and state and local

funding agencies.

The current Section 202 program is a capital advance grant

for the construction of new supportive senior communities

with a project rental assistance contract to subsidize very

low-income elderly renters. Even though the award now comes

in the form of a grant, HUD engages in a protracted

``underwriting'' process that often increases red tape,

delays the development process, and results in escalated

costs, particularly when Section 202 funds are combined with

the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. To promote efficiency and

streamline the processing of new developments, the proposed

legislation will delegate the processing of the Section 202

capital advance grants to state or local entities with

expertise in housing development. We know that this will

ensure that supportive senior housing will be open more

quickly to serve our Nation's most vulnerable seniors,

particularly in combination with tax credits.

Many older Section 202 facilities are in need of repair,

rehabilitation or modernization, but most of them do not have

the funds to retrofit their buildings to accommodate the

present and future needs of their residents. The current

Section 202 statute permits Section 202 providers to

refinance ad use the substantial equity in these projects to

fund the much needed rehabilitation, extend the lives of

these properties, and provide an enhanced supportive

environment for seniors as they age in place. Unfortunately,

these preservation deals have been stymied by illogical

decisions from HUD. Title II of H.R. 2930 would make a number

of technical changes in the statute to enhance the ability of

organizations to recapitalize and preserve existing Section

202 housing and enhance supportive services.

This legislation would require rather than permit HUD to

approve reconfiguration of obsolete efficiencies into 1-

bedroom units where providers are experiencing high vacancy

rates, allow the use of excess proceeds to further the non-

profits' housing and services mission, permit the

subordination of debt and other important tools that would

make preservation easier to achieve. Most importantly, H.R.

2930 will establish a new project based rental assistance

program to allow those Section 202 properties built between

1959 and 1974, the oldest segment of the 202 inventory, that

do not currently have rental assistance to be refinanced and

rehabilitated and receive project based rental assistance.

This will enable sponsors to prevent displacement and

continue serving low-income seniors.

We want to thank Congressman Mahoney for introducing this

important legislation. We believe these reforms are

absolutely necessary to ensure more units are built and

preserved more quickly.

The changes this legislation offers represent a

comprehensive federal policy change to meet the affordable

housing needs of low-income seniors. Without these reforms,

our most vulnerable seniors will face displacement,

homelessness, or premature institutionalization. We encourage

you to support H.R. 2930 and a national commitment to the

development and preservation of supportive, affordable senior

housing.

Sincerely,

Aging Services of California.

Alliance for Retired Americans.

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Association of Jewish Aging Services of North America.

Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies.

B'nai B'rith International.

Catholic Charities.

Elderly Housing Development and Operations Corporation.

Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Indiana Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Iowa Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

Life Services Network of Illinois.

LifeSpan Network.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation.

Lutheran Services in America.

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

National Affordable Housing Management Association.

National Church Residences.

National Council on Aging.

National Housing Trust.

New Jersey Association of Home and Services for the Aging.

National Housing Trust.

National Leased Housing Association.

National Low Income Housing Coalition.

New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Oregon Alliance of Senior and Health Services.

Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future.

United Jewish Communities.

Volunteers of America.

Washington Association of Housing and Services for the

Aging.

In closing, I would like to thank Chairman Frank and Representative Maxine Waters for their leadership in this area of affordable housing. I would also like to thank their staffs, Meredith Connelly, Scott Olson and Jonathan Harwitz, for their hard work and commitment to this legislation. Their efforts will help thousands of seniors live their lives with the dignity that they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to stand up for our seniors by voting ``yes'' for H.R. 2930, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2007.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to my distinguished friend from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to comment the City of Port St. Lucie on becoming the recipient of the 2007 Best Place to Work Award. For five consecutive years, the City has earned the award from the St. Lucie County Human Resources Association, which has said that, the City of Port St. Lucie provides a top-notch work environment for city employees.

The award is given to local employers whose personnel practices are considered to be the best in the County. Employers are evaluated based on the number of employees, and with more than 1,100 workers, Port St. Lucie is considered a leader in establishing a professional working environment. Furthermore, the Best Place to Work Award Program is considered a model on how to get a community interested in workplace issues and practices.

By earning this award, the City of Port St. Lucie demonstrates its commitment to the community it serves. By bringing together exceptional personnel who are dedicated to serving the residents of the City, Port St. Lucie, is ensuring that its citizens are provided with quality services and proves that Port St. Lucie truly is a ``treasure'' nestled on Florida's coast.

I am honored to be able to recognize this exceptional city. I commend the City government of Port St. Lucie for their dedication to people of the City, and I wish the City success as it continues to work to serve its citizens.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the hardworking employees of the City of Port St. Lucie's Finance Department. For the 16th consecutive year, the city's Finance Department has been recognized for excellence and professionalism in the way they account for public money. The Government Finance Officers Association, a professional association of State and local finance officers in the United States and Canada, recognized the department with their Excellence Award because of the high quality of their 2006 comprehensive annual financial report.

The 16,000 member Government Finance Officer's Association said ``the certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.'' It is my honor to commend the city of Port St. Lucie's finance director, Marcia Dedert and her staff for their dedication in assuring that all public funds are accounted for and transparent to the residents of the city.

The Finance Department of Port St. Lucie has truly exemplified their own mission statement to accurately maintain the financial records of the city pursuant to all legal requirements and to safeguard the City's financial assets. After 16 consecutive years of winning such a prestigious award, Port St. Lucie has clearly established themselves as one of the leading finance departments in the Nation, and I am proud to have the opportunity to represent such an outstanding city.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3773, the RESTORE Act.

On my first day, I took an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution. Tonight we will vote to protect our Fourth Amendment rights by passing this bill. Never again will we give any person the ability to conduct surveillance on American citizens without court approval.

America must be vigilant in our fight against terrorism. Congress has a duty to give our intelligence agencies the tools they need to hunt down those who threaten our Nation while protecting the constitutional rights of every American.

The RESTORE Act gives the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence the flexibility they need to pursue the terrorists, while keeping the checks and balances enshrined in our Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, it is critical that our intelligence community have the resources necessary to protect America. It is also critical that Americans are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures. This bill accomplishes both of these objectives.

I urge my colleagues to vote in support of the RESTORE Act.

Mr. Speaker, today is a turning point for how the Federal Government responds to natural catastrophes. Today, the House of Representatives has the ability to ensure that homeowners across the country will have access to affordable property insurance. More importantly, we have the opportunity to protect and preserve the American Dream of home ownership with the passage of H.R. 3355, the Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007.

Before I begin summarizing the national catastrophe insurance crisis affecting the 16th Congressional District of Florida, I want to reiterate that this is a national problem. Let me be clear: Congress has been forced to act because private markets for homeowners insurance have failed. The issue is not the industry's ability to pay claims or write policies. It is the American's ability to purchase affordable homeowners insurance.

This legislation we are considering today, the Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007, is essential, as an individual's home is the single biggest investment an average American has, and it is vital that we protect it.

North America has the greatest occurrence of natural disasters of any continent. And thanks to global warming, science is forecasting that we are going to see the incidence and severity of disasters increase.

I am proud that the legislation we are considering today preserves the private homeowners insurance industry. H.R. 3355 recognizes that no one got into the insurance business to underwrite a catastrophic event, whether it be an act of war or an act of Mother Nature. The bill gives the insurance industry the ability to operate without fear of insolvency due to a mega-catastrophe we all know will happen. However, because no one can predict when the next earthquake, hurricane or tornado will strike, the industry is forced to plan and incur the expense necessary to cover a 1-in-200 year event every year.

The program established by this legislation is voluntary. Each State will have the opportunity to assess its risk of natural catastrophes. After analyzing its exposure to natural catastrophes, a State can choose to participate or not.

H.R. 3355 is fiscally responsible. The legislation sets a historic precedent. No longer will the American taxpayer have to foot the cost of a natural disaster with an expensive government bailout. As I said earlier, we know that these catastrophic events will happen. The Homeowners' Defense Act ensures that we plan for them in a fiscally responsible manner and does not cost the American taxpayer a dime, while ensuring that homeowners take personal responsibility for their choice to live in areas prone to more frequent natural catastrophes.

In 2004 and 2005, natural disasters resulted in approximately $89 billion in privately insured catastrophic losses. Science tells us that these disasters, their severity and frequency, are going to increase and have caused the insurance industry to adjust their models for insuring these events. As a result, insurers are pulling out or reducing their exposure in disaster-prone areas of the country. In some cases, new companies encouraged to enter the market do not have the financial strength to pay claims following a natural disaster because they are undercapitalized. Likewise, larger insurance companies have created smaller State subsidiaries for the purpose of limiting their liability. This problem has concentrated risk in States, further complicating the problem.

In some situations, like in my home State of Florida, the market has deteriorated so drastically homeowners can't get insurance, regardless of price. In an effort to address this growing problem, Florida has had to step up to avert an economic disaster by creating a State-owned insurance company. Today, unfortunately, the citizens of my State are the owners of the biggest homeowners insurance company in Florida with over 30 percent of the market.

Lost insurance capacity is not the only issue confronting homeowners today. Families have seen their insurance premiums skyrocket. The toxic cocktail of rising gas prices, health care costs, and homeowners insurance have created a vicious cycle of terror for our seniors living on fixed incomes and our middle-class families struggling to provide for their children.

Just yesterday, I spoke with a single mother in Stuart, Florida, who is making a good income of approximately $60,000 per year. She told me that, without warning, her monthly payment went up almost $500 per month. She is struggling to save money to put her daughter through college, and she's fearful she won't be able to pay her bills.

The Financial Services Committee has held numerous hearings this year on this issue. During these hearings, several facts became clear. The risk posed by natural catastrophes is not going away. The damage caused by disasters will keep growing, and insurance premiums are likely to remain high.

As Congressman Klein noted, the Homeowners' Defense Act is a two- pronged approach designed to address the property insurance crisis, which I have outlined, and ensures a stable insurance market that will give States impacted by severe natural catastrophes the ability to help their citizens rebuild their homes and their lives.

Title II of the bill, ``The National Homeowners Insurance Stabilization Program,'' extends Federal loans to States impacted by severe natural disasters. These loans, which will be paid back by the States, will allow a State's catastrophe program the ability to cover its liability in the event it is not fully funded at the time of the disaster.

Because the legislation utilizes private capital markets and a loan program that requires repayment in affected States, it eliminates cross-subsidization. Taxpayers will not be asked to subsidize homeowners that choose to live in high-risk communities.

In a letter dated November 6, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners stated that H.R. 3355 provides a viable solution for the State and Federal governments to work together to address this dilemma and address the natural catastrophe threat.

In closing, I would like to thank Chairman Frank, Congressman Kanjorski and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, as well as their staff, for their continued commitment to America's homeowners. Their support and leadership has been essential to making this legislation a reality. I would also like to thank my colleagues from Florida, Representatives Ginny Brown-Waite and Adam Putnam. Their input on this legislation has been invaluable and serves as an example of what Congress can achieve when we work together in a bipartisan manner.

I would ask my colleagues to stand up for the American homeowner and taxpayer by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 3355.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank everybody for having this open debate today and discussing something that is very important to people across this country. This is all about the dream of homeownership. This is about markets working. This is about stabilizing the insurance market so that people who go to work every day can fulfill their dream of homeownership.

What we have today is a situation that is understandable. We have a situation where as a result of an increase in the severity and the frequency of natural disasters, insurance companies are prudently increasing premiums. What they are seeing is, as a result of this, an unfunded liability in the billions that they have no other recourse but to either leave markets or raise rates so high that working families can't afford their homeowners insurance.

Today, we have the ability to help those people; and we have a very special opportunity, because we can do something here in Washington, DC that we can all be proud of when we go back home, and that is we can fix a problem and do it responsibly. We can end the bailout. We can end the cycle of writing checks and expecting nobody to pay them back, which is exactly what has happened over the years with Katrina and Wilma and other major storms across the Nation.

I hope that everybody takes a very close look at this. Many people have described this as a payoff or a bailout for Florida. This is not. This is responsible legislation. It not only expands

the market for private insurance; it makes sure that States have the ability to get money to people after a disaster so they can get in their homes and so they can keep their communities alive. Finally, it is responsible because it encourages mitigation and it encourages building codes. It supports the idea of responsible development.

In conclusion, I want to thank my dear friend Congressman Klein and the journey over the last year to the week when we both got elected to Congress and came here with the hope of trying to solve this problem and being here today.

I want to thank my staff. I want to thank Patrick Givens for all the work that he has done. I want to thank Garrett Donovan, who has done an amazing job, and the complete staff of the Financial Services Committee.

In closing, I want to thank Barney Frank and the leadership for understanding that this is about people. This is not about companies.

National Association

of Insurance Commissioners,

Kansas City, MO, November 6, 2007.

Re H.R. 3355, the Homeowner's Defense Act.

Hon. Ron Klein,

Cannon House Building,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Timothy Mahoney,

Longworth House Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congressmen Klein and Mahoney: The NAIC congratulates

you for putting forth legislation intended to help States

better manage the threat of natural catastrophes. We

appreciate your willingness to consider our perspective

during the bill's development. States have developed a

variety of tools to fill insurance gaps in areas where the

private market is either unwilling to provide property

coverage, or where consumers are unable to afford it. Your

legislation provides another tool for States to consider,

without handing down a federal mandate to participate.

H.R. 3355 provides a strong correlation to guiding

principles the NAIC adopted when evaluating federal

catastrophe proposals. For example, the bill is voluntary; it

does not impede State functions; it encourages availability;

it recognizes the States' important role in insurance

regulation; it forms a State-federal partnership approach to

address availability; it follows actuarial principles; and it

allows States to pool risk and utilizes the capital markets.

The insurance and reinsurance markets have a significant

amount of capacity, and access to that capacity for events

that are small yet frequent is generally affordable. But for

those that live in areas where events can be infrequent yet

catastrophic, access to insurance capacity after a

significant event is either unavailable or unaffordable. This

is the dilemma that regulators and legislators must face

together.

H.R. 3355 provides a viable solution for the State and

federal government to work together to address this dilemma

and address the natural catastrophe threat. We encourage our

members to strongly consider this program for their needs.

We thank you for your leadership on this critical, national

issue, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to

enhance the bill through passage.

Sincerely,

Walter Bell,

Alabama Insurance Commissioner, NAIC President.

Catherine J . Weatherford,

NAIC Executive Vice President and CEO.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I'd like to join in support of my friend here from Florida (Mr. Klein) in opposing this amendment.

The point I'd like to make is very simple, and that is, the whole purpose of the bill is to stabilize the private homeowners insurance marketplace. And the goal of the bill is to work with the industry to continually find ways to expand the market so that the market takes the responsibility.

Right now, the problem that we're facing in the homeowners insurance market is unfunded liability, where we have the opportunity or the specter of a disaster, where the combination of States and the insurance industry do not have the financial wherewithal to pay claims.

The purpose of this bill in the first title is to try to work with States to consolidate risk in order to expand the private market's activity so that it can handle these claims.

So when the gentleman from Illinois proposes to arbitrarily set a 1- in-100-year mark, what it's doing is it's running counter to the goal of the legislation, which is to get the private insurance companies to take on more and more of the responsibility.

So with that, I think that the bill that we have right now recognizes that there needs to be some variability in some cases. One in 100 years, depending on States, might be too little; and in some cases it might be too much.

So, therefore, I would urge that this amendment be defeated.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

I would just like to also point out, too, that after an event of a natural catastrophe, I don't think it's in anybody's best interest in terms of getting people back in their homes and preserving communities to get into an administrative argument as to whether or not a particular loan has been paid or repaid based on what's going on between the State and a particular community that's in need of funding.

So although I appreciate the gentleman's point, I think that the danger here is that there could be a lot of ways that people could look at this issue and determine that there is a conflict between the way a State looks at a particular loan.

And it's not just catastrophe loans, as the gentleman's amendment talks about. It's any loan where there might be a conflict between the State and the Federal Government. And all I can tell you is that I don't think you would want to put your citizens in a bureaucratic mess when they are out of their homes and they need to get back in and that we need to save their communities.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I appreciate the work the gentlelady from Florida has done on helping us do this bill. And I agree with her that I am also concerned, and we are concerned in this legislation about price-gouging.

Again, the issue is what's the role of the Federal Government with regard to this legislation? And the problem that we have with her amendment is that what she is proposing is to define for each State the definition of price-gouging. And while we accept and support the idea of encouraging legislation, the problem is when you take the next step and you start defining what price-gouging is, it's a relative standard that may or may not fit the circumstance; and, so, therefore, it may

be too low or it may be too high. So what we would prefer to do is we would prefer to let the experts who are running the program make the determination and make sure that what we're not doing is we're not putting and dictating to the States what they should or should not be doing with regards to that.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I want to make the comment that I am in full support of my friend from Florida, and as I have had the opportunity to work with him more and more, I always appreciate his wisdom in terms of making things better, and in this particular case the concept of making sure that Federal dollars are not being used to pay back Federal loans is a lot wisdom, and as such, I applaud him. I appreciate his work with us on this piece of legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support his amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut for his amendment. I just want to make a couple of comments.

This is a problem that has been afflicting Americans now for over a decade. This Congress has looked at this problem for over a decade. For over a decade, this Congress has failed to do anything. And right now, as we are sitting here in the comfort of this great Chamber, there is a grandmother in Okeechobee, Florida, who has to sit down and write a check tonight to pay her mortgage, her insurance, and her property taxes. Let me just say this for all of the people, the millions of people right now who are afraid that they cannot make that payment. The idea after a decade of do nothing to continue to recommend to do nothing is unconscionable. It is also unconscionable that when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and Mississippi, of the $110 billion bailout, that the people in the State of Connecticut coughed up $1.39 billion to pay off a disaster. This has to stop.

What the gentleman from Connecticut is trying to do is he is trying to kill this legislation with this amendment. He is trying to hurt the people in Okeechobee right now who are suffering, trying to figure out how to pay their bills. I would urge people to defeat this amendment because this is not the people's business. What we need to do is we need to act responsibly. We need to take care of people who should be able to live in their homes and afford their homes. Having a home and home ownership is the American Dream. It is important that we protect it. The time has long passed, over a decade, the time has long passed for study. Today, this House has the opportunity to take action.

Mr. Chairman, I would encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, as a father, it is unfathomable to me why the President chose to deny health care coverage to children. It's incomprehensible to me that some of my colleagues would play politics with a child's health.

I always tell my daughter that in life you don't get do-overs. Well, apparently here in Congress you do.

The President and my colleagues across the aisle have the opportunity that is very rare, and that is to have a second chance to do it right.

Last week I met with pediatricians at a hospital in Port St. Lucie where doctors painted a stark picture of the challenges faced by children without insurance.

I then went across the street to a daycare center and visited children who rely on Florida's CHIP program, KidCare, for the health care needs, kids like 4-year-old Samantha, and 2-year-old Hannah, 4- year-old Rafael and 2-year-old Julian.

The President opposes SCHIP because he thinks that children from working families that go to work, pay their taxes but can't afford health insurance shouldn't go to the doctor. He says it's too many kids and too expensive, even though the bill is paid for without putting our country further into debt.

Madam Speaker, I would ask the President, which child would you deny health care coverage to, Julian or Hannah? Which child is one too many?

Madam Speaker, today, Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Port Charlotte, Florida is celebrating the first day of school for the second time this year. It is my honor to rise today to congratulate the resilient and determined staff, students, and parents of Neil Armstrong Elementary School as they move into their new permanent school facility.

On August 13, 2004, the school's campus was completely destroyed by Hurricane Charley. Immediately following the Hurricane, the students attended classes on a split shift arrangement at Liberty Elementary School until they moved into a temporary modular school on the grounds of Port Charlotte Middle School.

Today, the students and staff move in to a brand new 112,000 square foot school. The newly completed school has been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, standards, which is a nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

Neil Armstrong Elementary School is named in honor of the first man on the moon, Neil A. Armstrong. A replica of the space suit that he wore on his historic lunar voyage will be displayed in the lobby of the new school.

When Neil Armstrong took that first step on the moon, he understood the importance of his small step and how it represented the determination of mankind. Today, I am pleased to paraphrase Mr. Armstrong in recognizing that the first step on the new campus today represents a giant leap toward recovery from

the ravages of Hurricane Charley in Charlotte County.

On behalf of Florida's 16th Congressional District, I wish the Neil Armstrong Elementary School community our congratulations and our best wishes for a long and successful future in their new home.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 4-H Camp Cloverleaf of Highlands County, Florida, on their 50th anniversary and commend them for all they have done over the past 50 years to educate Florida's children.

Since the camp was dedicated on June 19, 1957, more than 125,000 campers have learned the values of Florida's 4-H Foundation at the camp.

Organized by the Cooperative Extension System under the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, Florida's 4-H program encourages our youth to become active in their communities and teaches them leadership skills.

Campers at Camp Cloverleaf learn these skills and build lifelong friendships through various activities including team building, plant identification, canoeing, crafts, archery and other exercises and activities.

I would also like to honor the many dedicated volunteers, who have mentored Camp Cloverleafs youth over the past 50 years. Their knowledge and guidance helped make the camp a success.

Madam Speaker, please join me in commending the 4-H Camp Cloverleaf on their 50th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Charlotte High School on the completion of their new football stadium and to honor the Charlotte County community for their dedication to the rebuilding of Charlotte High School.

Charlotte County High School has been educating the students of Charlotte County since 1926. In the summer of 2004, Charlotte High School and its stadium were devastated by Hurricane Charley. Since 2004 the Charlotte County community, including the Charlotte County School Board, Superintendent Dave Gayler, Principal Barney Duffy and many students and families have worked diligently to rebuild both their city and their high school.

On October 5, 2007 work on the new Charlotte High School football stadium will be officially complete, marking an important milestone in the rebuilding of both the school and the spirit of the community. On this day, the Charlotte High School football team will play their first game in the new stadium against Manatee High School.

The students, parents and teachers of Charlotte High School have already achieved a huge victory by rebuilding their stadium. As the Charlotte High School Tarpons take the field tomorrow, they will have with them the great fighting spirit of the entire Charlotte High School community.

On behalf of Florida's 16th Congressional District, I wish luck to Coach Binky Waldrop, the Charlotte High School football players and the entire Charlotte High School community as they fight for yet another victory in Charlotte High School Stadium.