Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this important amendment and I thank my friend from New Jersey, Bill Pascrell, for allowing me to work with him on this issue. The Department of Defense and the RAND Corporation have recently estimated that 20 percent of our military personnel who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Because symptoms of TBI often go unnoticed, at least initially, it is difficult to know exactly how many troops are living with this disability. If not diagnosed early on, TBIs can lead to memory loss, severe headache disorders, and alcohol and drug abuse.

Neurocognitive assessment has been proven to be an effective tool in detecting and measuring the severity of TBI. This is why the fiscal year 2008 National Defense Authorization required the Department of Defense to screen ALL military personnel for TBI both before and after deployment. Post-deployment screenings are to be compared with pre- deployment (or baseline) assessments to determine whether or not the servicemember is suffering from a TBI.

Unfortunately, too many of our men and women returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are still not being screened for TBI.

Servicemembers that have been screened post-deployment are currently given a self-assessment checklist, in which the results are not even comparable to their pre-deployment neurocognitive screenings. Not to mention that because the checklist is self-administered, the results are typically inaccurate since these troops either do not realize or do not want to admit that they are living with a TBI.

I am pleased that this year's Defense Authorization includes language requiring the Department of Defense to implement a comprehensive screening and assessment policy by the end of 2011. However, until this policy is fully implemented, thousands of our men and women in uniform are returning from combat without the necessary screenings to ensure that they receive proper treatment.

This amendment, which I am proud to have introduced with Congressmen Pascrell, Andrews, Cole, Ortiz, Coffman and Joe Wilson, will ensure that until the Department of Defense has put in place a comprehensive screening policy, all of our military personnel will receive neurocognitive assessments both before and after deployment. The amendment requires that the same neurocognitive tool used for pre- deployment assessment also be used for post-deployment evaluation. Using the same test allows physicians to compare the baseline screening with the post-deployment results to determine whether a TBI does in fact exist. The current system of using different tools for pre- and post-deployment screenings is like comparing apples to oranges. It is essential that our men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect us every day receive immediate and appropriate care.

There are currently a number of neurocognitive tools available for the Department of Defense to use for screenings. Several of the branches have initiated comparative studies assessing the effectiveness of the various tools, however, most have yet to be completed. The amendment also requires the Department of Defense to oversee the completion of all outstanding studies and conduct an analysis of the options available.

Though TBIs are difficult to detect because no one symptom exists, it is imperative that the Department of Defense take every possible measure to diagnose and treat our troops effected by TBI. This is why I strongly support this amendment and I encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 959, the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act, which provides financial assistance for higher education to the children of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Representative Patrick Murphy and I introduced this legislation so that a child of one of these fallen service men and women would become automatically eligible for the maximum Pell Grant amount. This benefit already exists for the children of military service members who are killed in action.

This legislation is aimed at ensuring we do right by police officers, firefighters and other first responders who put their own lives at risk everyday to keep us safe. Making a college education more accessible to the children of these fallen heroes is an important expression of our Nation's gratitude. This legislation is a justified price for our Nation to pay to ensure that those serving on the front lines in our communities know that a higher education will be within their children's reach should the unthinkable happen. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation and yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 231. I was inadvertently detained and missed said vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

I appreciate the gentleman yielding. I certainly rise in agreement with the maker of the amendment that we need to get the best value for the American taxpayers when it comes to the acquisition of goods and services. In fact, the underlying bill we're discussing here today is about achieving that exact goal--getting that best value.

I do want to express a concern, however, that sometimes getting the best value may mean paying more for a superior product or service, especially when it comes to the complex technological requirements of the equipment of our men and women in the American Armed Forces. There may be legitimate cases where the cost, the price of a good or service, is less important than other factors. Probably a good example of that is pretty recently the acquisition of MRAPs and body armor that certainly have saved the lives of our courageous troops.

A concern that I think we need to weigh here is just that this may be a little premature, this specific amendment, because a similar amendment was included in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. During the conference, a provision was added to that language that requires the Government Accountability Office to do a study to determine how often it occurs that cost is not the overriding factor or the primary factor. That study is due back to us in October of this year. It seems like it would be appropriate to get that knowledge base from GAO before going further with another requirement at this time.

So I don't oppose the intent of the sponsor of the amendment. We are certainly in agreement that we want to get the best value, but just believe it may be helpful to wait for GAO to complete its work.

Mr. Speaker, all members of Congress agree that the status quo in health care is unacceptable and that we must act to make affordable, quality health care accessible for all Americans. The legislation before us today, however, is the wrong solution. Simply put, it is bad public policy.

Throughout the debate on health care reform, I have emphasized that Congress must be certain to adhere to the physician's principle of ``First, do no harm.'' Unfortunately, the Senate-passed health care bill (H.R. 3590) and reconciliation legislation (H.R. 4278) that we are considering today will do significant harm.

A primary focus of health care reform must be on bringing down the rapidly rising cost of health care and health insurance. Instead, the legislation before us today costs over $1 trillion in the first 10 years. When fully implemented, the proposed plan's costs will total more than $200 billion per year. That's $2 trillion in additional health care-related costs over the course of the plan's first full decade of implementation. Once the budgetary gimmicks are stripped away, the legislation before us will increase the overall budget deficit dramatically.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the proposed legislation will do significant additional harm as well. CBO analysis concludes that health insurance premiums in the individual market will increase by 10-13%, Medicare will be cut by more than $500 billion, taxes will increase by $579 billion, and millions of Americans will ultimately be forced off private health insurance plans into government-run plans.

Countless new taxes are included in the proposed health care legislation. For example, new taxes would be imposed on: individuals without health insurance; employers, whether they provide health insurance for their employees or not; certain employer-provided health insurance plans, more and more of them over time; medical devices, like wheelchairs and walkers; investment income; Flexible Spending Accounts; and health insurers and pharmaceutical companies, taxes that are likely to be passed along to their customers.

The proposed legislation's cuts to Medicare will detrimentally impact millions of senior citizens. For example, CBO estimates that, as drafted, the cuts to Medicare Advantage funding will result in approximately 4.8 million seniors losing access to such plans. Plans in which they chose to enroll.

Mr. Speaker, the process by which we are considering these bills is also wrong. Ordinarily, the reconciliation process is used to pass legislation making changes in existing federal programs or taxes. The reconciliation legislation under consideration today will make changes to a health care bill that has yet to even be enacted. Importantly, there is no guarantee that the reconciliation bill will be passed in the Senate. This means that the House would be effectively trusting that the Senate health care bill will be ``fixed'' by the reconciliation process, even as the Senate health care bill is approved by the House and becomes law.

The entire health care reform legislative process has been tainted by proposals offered along the way to gain votes--like the infamous ``Cornhusker Kickback,'' as well as special provisions for other states that have undermined confidence in the final product. Similarly, the House leadership's initial plan of using a ``deem-and-pass'' legislative tactic--enacting the Senate bill into law without a straight up-or-down vote--greatly diminished the American people's trust in this legislation's provisions.

Rather than enacting the legislation before us today, Congress should restart the process and enact common sense health care reforms that have bipartisan support. Reforms such as small business health insurance pools, medical malpractice liability reform, tax credits and deductions for health care expenses, and insurance reforms addressing the issues of pre-existing conditions and wrongful coverage termination will better ensure access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans, while also adhering to the physician's principle of ``First, do no harm.''

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding. And I certainly rise in support today of H.R. 4395, a bill to extend the boundaries of the Gettysburg National Military Park. I am honored to have introduced this legislation and certainly appreciate the support of the chairman and ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee in moving this bill to the floor.

Madam Speaker, Gettysburg is a unique and very special place. When I

travel around the country, I am always proud to talk to fellow citizens about my district in central Pennsylvania, including Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where the United States Army War College is located, and certainly my hometown of York, where the Continental Congress met for 9 months in 1777, and where the Articles of Confederation were adopted. No town, however, that I mentioned gets quite the reaction as Gettysburg. Not only did Gettysburg host the battle that marked the turning point of the Civil War in 1863, but it is also where President Lincoln gave one of the most historic addresses in our Nation's history.

H.R. 4395 would expand the boundaries of the Gettysburg National Military Park to include the historic Lincoln Train Station, as well as a 45-acre plot of land at the southern base of Big Round Top, in order to ensure preservation of these properties for generations to come. Both pieces of land are historically significant.

The Lincoln Train Station served as a hospital during the time of the 1863 battle and was the departure point for many wounded and deceased soldiers as they were returned to their homes. The station is also where President Lincoln arrived when he visited Gettysburg to give his historic Gettysburg Address in November 1863.

The 1858 structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently owned by the Borough of Gettysburg. The Borough uses the station currently as a visitor's center. However, due to the lack of funding and available volunteers, it is unable to keep the center open on a regularly scheduled basis. The Borough of Gettysburg supports this legislation and wishes for the National Park Service to acquire this historic parcel and, as was referenced, be truly restored to its original beauty so it can be an added destination point for so many visitors to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The 45-acre parcel of land at the base of Big Round Top hosted cavalry skirmishes in July 1863 as part of the battle and currently contains critical wetlands and wildlife habitat associated with Plum Run. The Gettysburg Foundation currently owns this piece of land and would like to donate it ``fee title interest'' to the National Park Service once it is added to the park's boundary.

As we all certainly appreciate, the National Park Service is tasked with preserving and maintaining a huge number of very important parks, over 400, I believe.

Like all Federal agencies, the National Park Service works within a constrained budget to allocate resources efficiently and effectively. I am sensitive to the current obligations of the NPS and believe that we should expand these commitments with thoughtfulness and without haste. I strongly believe that these two additions proposed by this legislation are truly historic in nature and would add great value to the park's already impressive resources. With that, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Everyone agrees that the status quo in health care is unacceptable, but the proposed health care reform legislation is also unacceptable. Two of the greatest gifts that my parents gave my four brothers and sisters and I was a solid foundation in the ideals of common sense and right versus wrong. This health care bill fails to pass both of these principles. Common sense tells us that a health care bill that increases health care costs by over a trillion dollars is wrong; that raises taxes by over $500 billion is wrong; that cuts Medicare by $500 billion is wrong; that forces millions of Americans off of private insurance into a government-run health care plan is wrong; and a plan that allows taxpayer funds to be used for abortion services is wrong.

A simple application of the ``right versus wrong'' test tells us that seeking to pass such a monumental piece of legislation by deeming it passed without an up-or-down vote is wrong. Basic principles--common sense, right versus wrong. This proposal fails both of those very important principles. My mom and dad got it right. These matter.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1030--Congratulating Messiah College men's and women's soccer teams on winning the 2009 NCAA Division III national championships.

Messiah College, located in my home district, is a private four-year Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences in Grantham, Pennsylvania. With a population of 2,744 full-time undergraduate students and a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1, each of these students are encouraged to grow through their education, faith and community involvement. Recently, Messiah was distinguished as one of only seven colleges in Pennsylvania to be placed on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its service to disadvantaged youth. Additionally, Messiah received the 2009 Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification for its outreach to the local community.

For the men's and women's soccer teams at Messiah College, 2009 proved to be a remarkable and historic year. On December 5th 2009, both teams won the Division III national soccer championships, remaining the only men's and women's soccer teams at any level in the NCAA to do so in the same year. The women's team garnered their third national title since 2005 and the men's team won their seventh national championship in the last ten seasons.

The Messiah women's team defeated Washington University-St. Louis by a score of 1-0. The lone goal was scored early in the game by senior Amanda Naeher, who was later named the offensive player of the tournament. She was joined on the all-star team by her fellow teammates Katie Hoffsmith, Amy Horst, and Katlyn Musser. Musser was named defensive player of the tournament.

Remaining players on the women's team include: Seniors Emily Cope and Carey Cortese;

Juniors Molly Bletz, Shalisa Brubaker, Joanna Haqq, Erin Hench, Sarah Henningsen, Katie Hoffsmith, Marla Sensi and Meagan Wademan; Sophomores Kelsey Gorman, Rachel Loya, Autumn Reilly, Olivia Scott, Jessica Shirk, Leah Sipe and Lisa Wingard; and Freshmen Stephanie Andrews, Tannia Nieto, Elizabeth Phillips, Anne Trapp and Corinne Wulf. Assistant coaches and athletic trainers include: Todd Balsbaugh, Maggie Futato, Bethany Sauer, Sandy Bush and Jason Besse.

Later that same evening, the men's team defeated Calvin College in a 2-0 victory, making them an unprecedented 7-0 in national championship game appearances. Senior goalkeeper Jared Clugston was named defensive player of the tournament, while junior Geoff Pezon was named the offensive player. Trey Overholt and Derek Black both joined them on the all-star team.

Remaining players on the men's team include: Seniors Brett Faro, Jevon Gondwe, Josh Mull and Calvin Todd; Juniors Jon Burke, Sean Cunningham, Kyle Fulks, Mark Jeschke, Keaton Kasiguran and Nick Thompson; Sophomores Trevor Lee, Kent Ramirez, Tom Renko, Jordan Sands, Danny Thompson and Sam Woodworth; and Freshmen Jake Berry, JP Fulton, Luke Helmuth, Dan Squire, Logan Thompson and Joshua Wood. Assistant coaches, managers and athletic training staff include: Aaron Faro, Troy Sauer, Dustin Shambach, Ken Heck, Gerard Marrone, and Beau Herndon.

It is with great pride that I congratulate these two outstanding teams, led by head coaches Scott Frey and Brad McCarthy. The teams, coaches, faculty and students at Messiah College have much to be proud of with both their commitment to academics and this remarkable display of athletic excellence.

I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1030.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 862 congratulating the staff, students, and faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for winning the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction competition.

Math and science education at all levels is a necessary part of strengthening the future of scientific research in the United States. As a result of the changing nature of the global economy, American economic competitiveness is now at the forefront. Emphasizing math and science education will ensure a competitive 21st century workforce.

Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1001-- Congratulating North Central College on winning the 2009 NCAA Division Ill men's cross country championship.

North Central College is a private 4-year liberal arts college located in Naperville, Illinois. North Central has 2,333 full-time undergraduate students and a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Students at North Central have excelled both academically and athletically. NCC was recently named a ``College of Distinction'' and was named one of ``America's Best Colleges'' by US News and World Report. The NCC Cardinals have won 24 national championships and is the only school in their conference to win four national championships in four different sports.

North Central College athletics are best known for their Men's Track and Field and Cross Country teams. The Cardinals men's cross country team has been excelling for over 40 years. The first Cardinal was named All American in 1964 and the team won their first NCAA Division Ill Championship in 1975.

On November 21, 2009 the North Central College men's cross country team swept the NCAA Division Ill championships for the 13th time. The Cardinals took first place by a 131-point margin of victory, the largest ever in the history of the championship. Each of the team's seven competing players were named All American and Head Coach Al Carius was named National Coach of the year.

The North Central College men's cross country team is one example of collegiate excellence. Congratulations to Head Coach Al Carius, the team members Neal Klein, Michael Spain, Ryan Carrigan, Nathaniel Hird, Kyle Brady, Sean Carlson, and Nathan Rutz, the faculty, staff and North Central students on this victory.

Today, we recognize and commend North Central College for its pursuit and achievement of athletic, academic and collegiate excellence.

I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1001.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, the distinguished gentlelady from Illinois, Judy Biggert.

Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote in support of House Resolution 1001, and yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1002, which promotes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a day of national service and recognizes the efforts of the countless Americans who will volunteer their time and efforts on behalf of many worthy causes.

I am proud to have introduced this resolution with my fellow co- Chairs of the National Service Caucus, Representatives Doris Matsui, Vern Ehlers, and David Price; as well as Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, Representative John Lewis, and numerous other colleagues.

It was in 1994 that Congress designated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal holiday as a national day of service in recognition of Dr. King's selfless and courageous service to his fellow citizens. Since then, we have seen a growing number of individuals embrace this day as a day on, not a day off.

In 2009, millions of Americans spent Martin Luther King, Jr. Day serving in over 13,000 projects all across the country. This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service is again working with the King Center and six other grantees to promote the King Day of Service. In years past, organizations like the Capital Area Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and the Boys and Girls Club all benefited from the volunteer efforts of everyday Americans. I am looking forward to again volunteering myself at the Crispus Attucks Association of York back in my home town.

As January 18 quickly approaches, I encourage my fellow Members of Congress and constituents to take advantage of the countless service opportunities available in your local communities. A list of opportunities can be found at Serve.gov as well as MLKday.gov. In addition to the day's activities, families and individuals will be given resources as to how they can serve their communities throughout the year.

As we reflect on the great gift of compassion and selflessness that Dr. King has given us both in his life and in passing, may we remember his words, ``Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.''

I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren).

Madam Speaker, again, I urge a ``yes'' vote in support of the resolution. I am honored to join with the gentlemen from Michigan and Georgia, and I am certainly delighted and honored to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from California and his work in establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal holiday. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 860, supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.

I want to commend the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Chicago (Mr. Quigley), for his leadership on this issue.

Most of us here today can remember ample time during our childhoods which was spent outdoors. In fact, to this very day, the child in me still enjoys hikes in the woods and tent-camping. In fact, for my wife, Leslie, and our two boys, T.J. and Tom, some of our most wonderful vacations have been tent-camping in our national parks throughout our great Nation.

Unfortunately, however, many children today do not have these same opportunities. Due to a lack of safe outdoor play areas, an abundance of video games and television time and, unfortunately, little encouragement to play outdoors, many children today do not experience the benefits of outdoor activities.

Research indicates that being active outdoors benefits children in countless ways. Active outdoor play has been shown to help children manage stress, to lower their blood pressure, and to help children develop cognitive skills.

The Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights encourages children to participate in outdoor activities and to explore opportunities--to discover the wilderness, to learn to swim, to follow a trail, and to explore other outdoor resources. The Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights highlights the importance of outdoor activities to the development and nourishment of children.

Our Nation boasts some of the world's most beautiful parks and natural monuments, an array of wildlife not found elsewhere, and abundant natural resources. Certainly, children should be encouraged to take advantage of these unique opportunities and resources.

For most of us, outdoor play was a regular part of growing up. Unfortunately, again, this is not true today. By supporting the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights, we highlight the importance of children participating in outdoor activities. In doing so, we will bless not just our Nation's children but our Nation as a whole. Again, I am honored to support this resolution, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, before I conclude, I would just reference that on a family visit to Chicago this past summer, we think of Chicago as an urban center and city, and what a wonderful city it is, but my boys also had the chance to fish in the Chicago River as part of a City of Chicago fishing program, encouraging just what we're talking about in this resolution, getting kids outdoors and enjoying the activities of the outdoors. The fish they caught in the Chicago River may not have been big, but they still caught some; and they remember that visit very well.

Again, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for sponsoring this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's health care bill (H.R. 3962). I plan to vote against this legislation for numerous substantive reasons, including my concerns about its trillion dollar plus cost to taxpayers, its mandates on individuals and employers, its deep cuts to Medicare, and the strong likelihood that H.R. 3962's provisions will cost millions of Americans their jobs. H.R. 3962 is a health care bill that fails to abide by the physician's guiding principle: ``First, do no harm.''

H.R. 3962 consists of approximately 2,000 pages and costs more than $1 trillion over ten years. If adopted, this legislation will destroy millions of jobs by raising taxes on small businesses and other employers. H.R. 3962 also imposes new taxes on certain employer- provided health benefits and on medical devices such as wheelchairs and walkers. In total, H.R. 3962 includes more than $700 billion in new taxes.

Unbelievably, in the name of health care reform, H.R. 3962 cuts Medicare benefits by more than $400 billion and raises Medicare premiums, making access to comprehensive health care more difficult for our Nation's senior citizens. Additionally, over time, H.R. 3962 will move countless Americans involuntarily from private health insurance to government-run health care.

I have long maintained that there is no ``silver bullet'' for health care reform. We should aim to build upon the current health care system in a variety of ways, making health insurance more affordable and more accessible. In other words, Congress should fix what is broken in our nation's health care system and be certain not to break what is not.

Congress should adopt insurance reforms to end the practice of denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions and ensure the portability of one's health insurance. Additionally, Congress should allow small businesses to band together to negotiate insurance coverage for their employees, just as large corporations and labor unions are already allowed to do. Congress should also allow individuals to purchase health insurance across state lines from a competitive, nation-wide market and should enact responsible medical malpractice reform to lower health care costs. I plan to join with my fellow Republicans in voting for an alternative legislative proposal that includes such reforms.

The full Senate has yet to act on a health care bill of its own. Hopefully, when it does so, the Senate will adhere to the principle of: ``First, do no harm.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 878. I am proud to have introduced this resolution that recognizes the benefits of parental involvement in a child's education, and supports the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day.

As we all know, the role of a parent or guardian in a child's life is one that is irreplaceable and lasts far beyond the adolescent years. Today, I stand in recognition of the importance of family literacy in the education of children. While a child's education at school is irrevocably important, we must fully recognize that education begins at home.

National Family Literacy Day occurred on November 1st of this year reminding us of the integral role parents play in their child's pathway to learning. Approximately 8,000 literacy programs and schools held readings, workshops, book drives, and family activities at libraries and community centers across the country in honor of this important day.

Research has shown that a parent's education and income are the two largest indicators of a child's success in school. Given that children spend five times as much time outside of the classroom as in school, we must continue to focus on the importance of family literacy programs. Children who participate in family literacy programs demonstrate significant gains in oral language skills and score higher on standardized tests. The future and prosperity of our great Nation is dependent on the quality of education that our children receive today.

That is why I stand in support of this resolution, recognizing the goals and ideals of Family Literacy Day. I ask for my colleagues' support of House Resolution 878.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 736, which honors the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address as ``Dedication Day'' on November 19, 2009. I am proud to have introduced this resolution as we celebrate the bicentennial of President Lincoln's birthday in 2009 and remember the words of this most remarkable speech.

Arriving by train to Gettysburg on the evening of November 18, 1863, few knew the impact Lincoln's words would have on the future of our Nation and its citizens. The Address' message was one of paying tribute to those who lost their lives while at the same time affirming a belief that democracy may prevail despite the immeasurable losses suffered by both the North and South.

Lincoln's speech was just over two minutes in length, but its meaning has long endured. Nearly 63 years ago, Congress passed a joint resolution designating November 19, 1946, the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, as Dedication Day and declaring the Gettysburg Address to be ``the outstanding classic of the ages.'' The resolution suggested that the Gettysburg Address ``be read on that day in public assemblages throughout the United States and its possessions, on our ships at sea, and wherever the American flag flies.'' Additionally, lines from the Gettysburg Address can be found in Martin Luther King Jr.'s ``I Have a Dream'' speech, and its entirety is marked a short distance from where we stand today, on the south wall of the Lincoln Memorial.

During this bicentennial year of Lincoln's birth, the National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, which have both endorsed this resolution, are holding numerous events celebrating the life and legacy of our sixteenth President. On November 19, 2009 the Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Commission is hosting ``Dedication Day,'' with events occurring at the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the site of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. As we celebrate Lincoln's bicentennial, I urge my fellow Members of Congress and constituents to take time to read the words of this remarkable speech:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth,

upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and

dedicated to the proposition that `all men are created

equal.' Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing

whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so

dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle

field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it,

as a final resting place for those who died here, that the

nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But, in

a larger sense, we can not dedicate--we can not consecrate--

we can not hallow, this ground--The brave men, living and

dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our

poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor

long remember what we say here; while it can never forget

what they did here.

It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to

the great task remaining before us--that, from these honored

dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they

here, gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here

highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that

the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that

government of the people by the people for the people, shall

not perish from the earth.

Two centuries after his birth, the message of the Gettysburg Address is as significant as ever. As such, please join me in paying tribute to one of our Nation's most important speeches and support House Resolution 736.