Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is my privilege and honor today to recognize and welcome my family's pastor, also my wife, Sandy, and my two children. He's been our pastor for the last 8 years. William Hild, since 1997, has served and led as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Sarasota, Florida. Accompanying him here today is his wife, Beverly, of 28 years; William Hild III, who also attends Georgetown Law School; and his sister, Kathy.

Since becoming pastor of First Baptist Church of Sarasota in 1997, Bill has helped to spread the church's ministry throughout our community, the State of Florida, the United States, and even across the world.

Under Pastor Hild's leadership, the church has organized over 20 Holy Land trips to Israel, Jordan and Egypt. These trips provide our members with a greater understanding of the Bible and a deeper appreciation of the work of God.

Here at home, Pastor Hild was a leader in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Under his leadership, First Baptist Church of Sarasota donated cash and pledges in excess of $140,000 to help the victims of Katrina. The church also conducted multiple trips to the gulf coast region, delivering food and personal hygiene kits to those affected by the hurricane.

I want to thank my pastor, Pastor Bill Hild, for more importantly, his close friendship and guidance to me, and also providing today's prayer. Also, I would like to thank his wife, Beverly, and son, Will, for being with us today and his family and his many friends from back home watching here today on this very special day.

Thank you, Pastor Hild.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank the Sarasota National Veterans Cemetery Advisory Committee, which played a valuable role in the recent groundbreaking and dedication ceremony for the Sarasota VA National Cemetery.

I also recognize cemetery director Sandra Beckly and VA Under Secretary William F. Tuerk for their involvement in the planning and celebration of this tremendous event. Furthermore, I want to express my deep appreciation to the estimated 3,000 people who gathered to celebrate this important milestone.

The Sarasota VA National Cemetery is an honor to the sacrifices of the many soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and died on behalf of a grateful nation and to the accomplishments of all veterans whose service has allowed us to enjoy our American way of life.

The people of Florida's 13th District have been closely monitoring the progress we have made to establish a new national cemetery in Sarasota County. The timely completion of this project is a primary concern for area veterans and is one of my highest priorities.

We have 97,000 veterans in my congressional district and nearly 400,000 veterans within the 75-mile radius that will be served by the new cemetery. Currently, the closest available VA cemetery is Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, which is about 110 miles from the City of Sarasota.

I look forward to the day when area veterans and qualified family members can be memorialized with the honor and respect they deserve close to home at the Sarasota VA Cemetery in Sarasota.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Sarasota South Elks Lodge # 2495, which will be recognized at the Florida Elks' State Convention this month for their efforts to improve the quality of life of Sarasota area veterans.

The Elks is one of the leading charitable and service orders in the United States. Since 1917, they have pledged to never forget our nation's veterans.

For the past three years, the men and women of the Sarasota South Elks Lodge have put these words to action by giving generously of their energy and resources to improve the lives of ill, aging, and homeless veterans.

In the last three years, the Sarasota South Elks Lodge has donated $41,590 in money, clothing and personal items, given 1,390 in voluntary man hours and driven over 4,100 miles in an effort to make a difference in the lives of our veterans.

They have provided food, clothing, and employment opportunities to homeless veterans, made monthly visits with veterans hospitalized at Bay Pines, and provided transportation and companionship to more than 10 veterans who are shut-ins without family in the area. They have adopted the families of two soldiers on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have been directly involved with 21 military funerals and five flag-raising ceremonies. Finally, they have sponsored annual barbeques during which they have fed and entertained hundreds of veterans.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 13th District, I thank the members of the Sarasota South Elks for their compassionate service to our veterans. I am honored to represent this caring and hardworking organization.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1237, the Cytology Proficiency Improvement Act of 2007. I am a cosponsor of this important legislation, which enhances women's health by establishing a continuing medical education requirement for pathologists and laboratory professionals who examine Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer.

I recently toured Sarasota Pathology and heard directly from my constituents about the importance of this bill and its potential to help save lives.

This legislation amends the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments of 1988, CLIA, which mandated a cytology proficiency test to be administered by the Federal Government. However, the program lay inactive until 2005, which, because of scientific advancements makes the test obsolete and out of date.

Unlike the current CLIA testing model, H.R. 1237, with its annual continuing medical education requirement, will provide the means to increase the skills necessary to identify potential cervical cancer, and will keep pace with new science.

H.R. 1237 is modeled after the Mammography Quality Standards Act, MQSA, which was passed in 1992. That bill ensured women would have access to quality mammography procedures. This bill requires similar educational testing for pathologists.

The American Medical Association, the College of OBGYNs, the College of American Pathologists, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the College of Nurse Midwifes, and the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation endorse the bill.

Finally, I want to mention that the Congressional Budget Office has determined that it will not cost the Federal Government any additional expenditure.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join with me in support of a bill that will greatly improve the quality of women's health care in America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Women's Club of Sarasota, which is celebrating it 95th anniversary this year.

Since 1913, the members of the Women's Club of Sarasota have been a persuasive voice for political causes, provided educational opportunities for area children, and facilitated several community improvement projects.

Founded by 63 women, the Club's motto of ``Not Self, but Service'' has been evident in its many accomplishments over the years. Their first clubhouse served as the public library for 30 years, providing the community with a place for social and cultural activities. Concerned about the well-being of area children, they helped pass the compulsory school attendance law, introduced medical-dental inspections and inoculations in public schools, organized a local PTA, and helped found the Helen Payne Nursery School.

During World War I, the group supported the war effort by organizing a local chapter of the American Red Cross. They also increased access to health care by helping to establish Sarasota Memorial Hospital--a community owned hospital. They helped with the city census, and were strong proponents of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to vote.

Today, the Sarasota Women's Club continues the same spirit of service with annual educational scholarships, special donations to several charitable organizations.

On their anniversary, I congratulate them for their achievements and have every confidence they will continue to play an important role in the improvement of our community and the lives of others.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Feld Family, who, for forty years have preserved the legacy of the circus and provided Americans with quality family entertainment. On November 11, 1967, Irvin Feld fulfilled a life long dream by purchasing the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, which for years made its winter home in Sarasota, Florida. Quickly, Irvin Feld made changes to modernize the show and ushered in the era of modern American entertainment.

An astute promoter, Irvin Feld designed a new two-year tour system for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. He purchased the Circus Williams and created a second unit of Ringling Bros. equal in size, scope, and quality to the first. The second unit showcased the incredible talents of Gunther Gebel-Williams, who captivated American audiences for 30 years.

Just like the great Barnum, Feld devised national advertising campaigns and creative public relations, to reinstate the Ringling circus as America's living treasure. It is not surprising that Irvin Feld was dubbed ``The Greatest Showman on Earth.''

To save the art of clowning from extinction, Irvin Feld founded the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1968. Originally located in Venice, Florida, then relocated to Baraboo, Wisconsin and finally, Sarasota, Florida it was the world's first and only ``Clown College.''

In 1970, Feld's son, Kenneth, joined the organization and was made a co-producer in 1973. When Irvin Feld suddenly died on September 6,1984, Kenneth Feld immediately assumed control and has surpassed the level of entertainment excellence set by his father and other legendary showmen before him. Expanding the circus, he instituted a third unit that travels all across America.

Today, Kenneth Feld is the largest provider of live action family entertainment in the world. The Feld legacy continues through the third generation with Kenneth Feld's daughters, Nicole and Alana, who work to maintain the high quality, family-focused productions that have been the hallmark of the ``Greatest Show on Earth.''

The Feld's support school curriculum programs and have developed Circus Fit, a national youth fitness program. To help preserve the Asian elephant, Kenneth Feld established the Center for Elephant Conservation (CEC) in central Florida in 1995. This state-of-the-art breeding and retirement facility is dedicated to the conservation, breeding, and study of the Asian elephant.

In each generation, the Feld family has continued to capture children of all ages by preserving the great American circus and led the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Greatest Show on Earth, into the 21st century.

I thank my colleagues for joining me in recognizing the contributions of the Feld Family to American culture and entertainment.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for yielding me the time, and I rise in support of the resolution.

I'd also like to thank my fellow freshman, Congressman Altmire, and I want to thank the chairman of our Small Business Committee, because she has been very bipartisan from day one. She's been very helpful to me, and I think, frankly, this is what the country is looking for. So I want to thank the freshman Congressman. I think this is a very powerful thing.

Also, I just wanted to say that I know there's a Senate compromise, and a number of provisions in that are important to me.

This resolution incorporates legislation I introduced in May and the House passed in June, creating an important program within the Small Business Administration. This will give our veterans not just a chance at success in a small business enterprise, but provide them with the help and assistance a grateful Nation can offer.

My legislation is intended to help veterans through grants, information services and contacts with professionals in their field of endeavor. This Federal support will enhance the ability of veterans to become an entrepreneur in his or her own right.

The measure puts an emphasis on providing veterans with the market research, financial options, and technological training important to becoming a successful small business owner.

This legislation not only expands the number but the scope of Veteran Outreach Centers. It ensures the opening of more doors in terms of that and the opportunity for women veterans. Assisting our women returning from combat has been an area long overlooked, and it's high time we did something about it.

I know in my personal situation, I went in as an 18-year-old in the Air National Guard. At 23, I had a chance to get in business for myself, for a kid that grew up in a blue-collar family, and I've lived that American Dream, being self-employed for 30 years. I want to make sure that our veterans have that same opportunity today for all the sacrifices they are making.

I'm excited today that the House will pass a resolution that will help individuals make an important transition from a veteran to a small business entrepreneur, and we are one step closer to having this important legislation signed into law.

I urge my colleagues to suspend the rules and support the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of renaming the Bradenton Main Post Office at 824 Manatee Avenue West as the ``Dan Miller Post Office Building'' in honor of former Congressman Dan Miller.

I can think of no better way to honor the public service of this former Florida Congressman than to designate the Bradenton Main Post Office in his name.

Dan Miller is a successful Bradenton businessman, educator, and community leader who represented Florida's 13th District in Congress from 1992 to 2003, when he retired from the House.

He is a principled and effective leader who was consistently recognized as one of the top fiscal conservatives in Congress.

Congressman Miller helped balance the Federal budget for the first time in 30 years by using Federal resources wisely--cutting waste, fraud, and abuse while supporting important programs like the National Institutes of Health, where Dan led the effort to double NIH funding.

Dan managed the congressional oversight of the 2000 U.S. Census, the most successful census to date despite many efforts to politicize the process.

Congressman Dan Miller is a statesman who commanded bipartisan respect and befriended lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

He is a man of integrity who kept his word to term-limit himself and serve only five terms in Congress.

Congressman, successful businessman, respected educator--I am honored to call Dan Miller a friend and advisor.

I am also proud to hold the seat he once held and pleased to pay tribute to him by sponsoring this legislation.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4342 in honor of former Congressman Dan Miller.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for yielding me the time, and I rise in support of H.R. 4253. I would also like to thank the Congressman from Pennsylvania, Congressman Altmire. He has worked on a bipartisan basis. I appreciate it. It has been a great partnership. And also Madam Chairman, and the ranking member, you guys have done an incredible job this first year. A lot of people said we couldn't work together, but it has been great leadership this year. I also want to thank you for

the opportunity to include a lot of the provisions in this bill.

H.R. 4253 incorporates legislation I introduced in May and was passed in the House in June creating an important program within the Small Business Administration that will give our veterans a chance to succeed in business enterprises but provides them with all the help and assistance a grateful Nation can offer.

My legislation is intended to help veterans through grants, information services and contacts with professionals in fields of their endeavor. This Federal program will enhance the ability of a veteran to become a successful entrepreneur in his or her chosen field. I know from personal experience, being a veteran of 6 years and an entrepreneur for 30 years, I was able to realize the American Dream, and I think this bill does it.

H.R. 4253 puts an emphasis on providing veterans with the market research, financial options and the technological training important to become a successful small business owner. This legislation not only expands the number and the scope of the Veteran Outreach Centers, it ensures the opening of more doors and an opportunity for our women veterans. Assisting our women returning from combat is something that has long been overlooked and overdue. It is high time that we did something about it.

Today, the House will pass a bill that will help individuals make an important transition from being a veteran to a small business entrepreneur. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4253.

Madam Speaker, I thank the Ranking Member for yielding me the time and rise in support of H.R. 4253.

I would like to thank Congressman Altmire for bringing this bill to the floor today and for including in the bill a number of provisions important to me.

H.R. 4253 incorporates legislation I introduced in May and the House passed in June creating an important program within the Small Business Administration that will give our veterans not just a chance at success in a business enterprise but provide them with all the help and assistance a grateful Nation can offer.

My legislation is intended to help veterans through grants, information services, and contact with professionals in their fields of endeavor.

This federal support will enhance the ability of a veteran to become an entrepreneur in his or her own right.

H.R. 4253 puts an emphasis on providing veterans with the market research, financial options and technological training important to becoming a successful small business owner.

This legislation not only expands the number and scope of Veteran Outreach Centers, it ensures the opening of more doors and opportunities for our women veterans. Assisting our women returning from combat has been an area long overlooked and it's high time we did something about it.

Today, the House will pass a bill that will help individuals make an important transition from veteran to small business entrepreneur.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4253.

Mr. Chairman, there is no larger issue in my home State of Florida than the high cost of homeowners insurance. Like many Floridians, my constituents are finding property insurance more expensive and, many times, impossible to get. Skyrocketing insurance is hurting the middle class and it is damaging our real estate market and our economy. Insurance in the State of Florida has gone up 385 percent in last 5 years, 77 percent a year.

This bill is necessary to encourage insurance companies to write policies that will work for families and small businesses that they can afford. One of our businesses, and I don't want to leave them out either, in our community, their insurance went from $25,000 to $125,000. They called me and asked me what could they do. I said, ``Well, get some other prices.'' He called back and said there was nobody else that will even write it. One insurance company. They had to have it because they had a mortgage.

I am pleased the House will pass a manager's amendment that includes language authorized by my colleague Ginny Brown-Waite. I want to thank her for her leadership on this effort for the last 3 years. She is going to establish a Federal catastrophic fund. This amendment mirrors legislation I introduced with her at the beginning of the year. I also want to thank my Florida colleagues Congressman Tim Mahoney and Congressman Ron Klein for introducing this legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I am proud that we have been able to work on a bipartisan basis in Florida.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce for winning the American Chamber of Commerce Executive's, ACCE, 2007 Chamber of the Year Award, the nation's only award recognizing the expanding role chambers play in strengthening area businesses and their community.

By winning this award, the Manatee chamber has demonstrated its organizational strength and success in community leadership by being the best in the nation in its category for financial and membership growth as well as making a significant impact on important community issues, including economic development, education, transportation, healthcare and cultural activities.

The Manatee chamber was also named the 2007 Florida Chamber of the Year by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals for

the third time--making it the only chamber to have won this prestigious award more than twice.

These awards are a tribute to the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber President Bob Bartz and to the quality of the work done by the organization's staff and the spirit and involvement of its volunteers, including the chamber's officers and Board of Directors.

I congratulate the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and its members for these impressive awards. I recognize their many accomplishments, and I appreciate their successful efforts to help businesses succeed and enhance the lives of Manatee County residents.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Mack- Castor-Buchanan amendment to provide critical funding for red tide research.

Red tide threatens our environment, our health and our economy. But in recent years, the harmful effects of red tide have killed sea life, driven people from our beaches to our emergency rooms, and cost the economy millions of dollars in lost revenues.

This is a problem not just in Florida but in other coastal States.

Red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Scientists differ on whether it is occurring more frequently and for longer periods of time. There is also disagreement on whether we should try to kill, contain, or minimize the impact of red tide.

That's why additional research dollars are needed. And that's why I support the Mack-Castor-Buchanan amendment.

My district is home to Mote Marine Laboratory, one of the Nation's premier private marine research laboratories. Mote conducts on-going red tide research and research related to new methods for early detection of red tide, the role of coastal pollution and studies of ways to mitigate and control blooms.

This amendment would fund additional research at places like Mote Marine to better understand the issue, and these results of these studies can be used to develop better methods to predict and detect red tide, and if a consensus can be developed, control and mitigate red tide.

I want to thank my colleagues Connie Mack and Kathy Castor for working with me on this important issue.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Madam Speaker, on Friday, June 15, I was en route to California to attend the Stanford University graduation ceremonies for my son, Matt. As such, I was absent for rollcall votes 492 through 498.

If I had been present for these votes, I would have voted as indicated below: rollcall No. 492: ``aye''; rollcall No. 493: ``nay''; rollcall No. 494: ``aye''; rollcall No. 495: ``aye''; rollcall No. 496: ``aye''; rollcall No. 497: ``aye''; and rollcall No. 498: ``aye''.

I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Tennessee, for yielding, and also the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).

I would also like to commend Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Chabot for their proving that leadership and bipartisanship is alive and well in the United States Congress. The Madam Chair has worked very hard on this bill, and I appreciate her effort.

Mr. Speaker, my bill, H.R. 2366, would create an important program within the Small Business Administration that gives our veterans not just a chance in a business enterprise but provides them with all the help and assistance a grateful Nation can offer.

This legislation is intended to help veterans through grants, information services and contacts with professionals in their field of endeavor. This Federal program will enhance the ability of a veteran to become an entrepreneur in his or her own right.

My bill puts an emphasis on providing veterans with market research, financial options and technological training important to become a successful small business owner.

H.R. 2366 not only expands the number and the scope of Veteran Outreach Centers, it ensures the opening of more doors and opportunities for our women veterans. Assisting our veterans returning from combat has been an area long overlooked, and it is high time we did something about it.

I am encouraged by the unanimous consent that this bill received in the committee and by the spirit of bipartisanship that is symbolic of its passage. Today, the House will pass a bill that will help individuals make an important transition from a veteran to a small business entrepreneur.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2366.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the fiscal year 2008 military construction and veterans affairs appropriations bill which includes $27.8 million dollars to construct a veterans' cemetery in my District.

The funding was part of the President's budget and will allow us to honor our commitment to provide nearly 400,000 veterans living within 75 miles of Sarasota, Florida with a final resting place that honors their military service.

The VA has purchased 245 acres of land in Sarasota County and construction is planned for May 2008. The first burials are anticipated in October of 2008.

With more than 1,800 veterans dying every day in this country, the timely completion of this project is a primary concern for area veterans and is one of my highest priorities.

This funding will help ensure that our goals are met and the veterans who proudly served this Nation and eligible family members can be placed to rest close to home and with the honor and dignity they deserve.