Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairwoman Slaughter for allowing me to speak today, along with Representative Pingree.

Each month we hear of record profits for insurance companies and their CEOs, while we see health care costs rise for middle class families. One reason for this unjust discrepancy is the antitrust exemption status afforded to big insurance allowing them to create their own market and set their own prices.

A middle class family that has to choose between paying doctor bills and feeding their children is not a Democratic or Republican issue, and neither is extending quality care to those who do not have it.

I have 27 years of experience in the health care industry, and I can tell you there is no rational, legal, or moral reason to grant these companies this status. In Congress, our top priority should be job creation, and taking away insurance companies' legal trust status will improve our system in the right way by lowering insurance costs for small business owners, and encourage them to create quality jobs.

Health care reform is a matter of fiscal responsibility. Without it, our nation is on track to spend 20 cents of every dollar we earn on health care. This current path is unsustainable and unacceptable.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representatives Perriello and Markey for introducing the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act. The bill is an important step toward creating jobs and strengthening our economy, and I urge support for the rule and for the underlying bill.

I have an amendment at the desk.

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

I would first like to thank Chairman Gordon and the committee for their work on this important bipartisan legislation. My amendment would expand the cybersecurity strategic R&D plan, created under H.R. 4061, by adding a component to address information sharing between Federal agencies.

Information technology has advanced rapidly in the last two decades, benefiting nearly every sector of our economy; but our dependence on IT in many ways increased our exposure to unconventional attacks. H.R. 4061 will help address our vulnerabilities by creating an overall vision for the Federal cybersecurity R&D portfolio. Improving the coordination of cybersecurity research and development activities is the first step in preventing a catastrophic attack on our IT infrastructure. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would improve the strategic R&D plan by including a component on technologies to secure sensitive information shared among Federal agencies.

Our Nation's security is at risk without protections in place to safeguard the flow of information within the Federal Government. I believe the amendment I am offering today gets at the heart of addressing this problem, and I urge its adoption.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

In closing, I want to again thank the chairman, the ranking member, and the committee for their work. I urge support for my amendment and for the underlying bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to the soldiers, family members, friends, USO supporters and the entire North Country community as they welcome home the 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Tomorrow the Spartans will celebrate their homecoming among those who tirelessly supported them while in Afghanistan. It is that greater community that I tribute today.

No effort by our service men and women is conducted in a vacuum; behind every soldier departing U.S. soil stands a dedicated team of family, friends and civilian volunteers who tirelessly work behind the scenes. Their efforts are seldom recognized for what they really are-- absolutely vital to the achievements of soldiers in harm's way and essential to ensure a smooth transition when they return home.

The community surrounding Fort Drum has shown an amazing capacity to support our soldiers in every possible way. From providing shipments of care packages to volunteering at USO events and the support of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, the North Country has provided outstanding assistance to the 3rd BCT.

One particular event that wouldn't have happened without the community's support is the ``Spartan Spectacular.'' This celebration of the brigade has been driven by the USO, and funded by generous donations from devotees of the 10th Mountain Division like Mr. Alfred Weissman. To Mr. Weissman, the soldiers and families of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, and the greater Fort Drum community, I express my sincere thank you for all you do in support of the defense of our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding service of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, ``Spartans,'' 10th Mountain Division, as they complete their service in Afghanistan and return to their families and loved ones.

I am tremendously proud of the brave soldiers of the 3rd BCT who have sacrificed so much to keep our Nation safe. The family members of these soldiers must also be recognized, enduring through the Spartans' year- long deployment and providing their unwavering support as they return home.

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team was led during their missions in Afghanistan by COL David B. Haight and CSM Delbert D. Byers. The brigade consists of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 710th Brigade Support Battalion, and the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

The Spartans began their deployment to Afghanistan in December of 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Their assigned area of operations covered Wardak and Logar 1st-32nd Provinces, with the 1st- 32nd detached to operate in Kunar Province. The 3rd BCT guarded the southern approaches to Kabul. If enemy forces sought to attack the city from the south, they had to get through the Spartans first.

The 3rd BCT's deployment to the area was significant in another way as well. Their operations marked the first time during Operation Enduring Freedom that International and Security Assistance Force, ISAF, units conducted counterinsurgency operations in either Wardak or Logar provinces. Before the Spartans arrived in country, only Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police operated in the provinces; these forces were isolated and confined to local areas.

The Brigade's units partnered with Afghan security forces to help develop their capacity and overall professionalism, ultimately playing a pivotal role in returning the security of Afghanistan over to the Afghan people. Aggressive counterinsurgency efforts resulted in low morale among insurgents and surviving leadership fleeing the region.

3rd BCT's operations resulted in 419 detainees, 236 enemy killed, and 120 enemy wounded. At the same time, the Spartans had 311 friendly casualties and 32 brave Soldiers killed in action.

They have truly performed in the best of Fort Drum's traditions and deserve our heartfelt thanks. It is with sincere gratitude that I recognize them before Congress today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dan and Milly Mitchell of Plattsburgh, New York on the celebration of their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Dan and Milly each have been a strong presence in our community, and nearly all of us in Clinton County have learned from them and benefited from their experience at one time or another. Milly has always been a strong presence in Clinton County, and Dan is well known to all of us through his work as a judge and an election commissioner. But, perhaps more than anything else, it is their commitment to one another that is so well known in our community. Dan and Milly's fifty years of marriage are a shining example of what a bond as strong as theirs can achieve, and I commend them on all those special years together.

I know I speak for all of Clinton County in wishing them a happy anniversary on this momentous occasion, and all the best of luck to them and their family in the many years ahead.

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, December 10, 2009, I recorded an incorrect vote on Passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010.

I intended to vote ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 949, in support of the overall bill which contained funding that would go towards an All Weather Marksmanship Facility for Fort Drum in my Congressional District.

Stated against:

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chazy Central's boys' soccer team for their victory in the 2009 New York state soccer championship.

On Sunday the 22nd of November, high school soccer fans were treated to a great soccer match between some of the most skilled players in the state. The Chazy boys entered the state championship ranked as the number one team in their class and they carried that honor to the state championship, defeating Northville Central School in the final match.

I also want to extend my congratulations to Coach Rob McAuliffe, who built upon an impressive legacy to take our team to victory. I understand that since 1953, the Chazy boys' soccer team has had only four regular seasons without a winning record, and the elite status of these athletic young men could not have been reached without the 14 years of dedication from Coach McAuliffe.

I want to congratulate the boys' team of Kyle McCarthy, Brandon Laurin, Kaleb Snide, Tyler Bulriss, Shea Howley, Jordan Berriere, Andrew Rabideau, Nathan Reynolds, Andrew Duprey, Marc Oshier, Nolan Rogers, Dyllan Hack, Ian Anderson, Michael Santor, Matt Gravelle, and Austin Santor for all they have accomplished. Their teamwork sets a strong example for the community and reminds us all what is possible when we come together.

Once again, congratulations to Coach McAuliffe for his continuing efforts and to the Chazy Eagles on their success.

Mr. Speaker, my district needs one thing: jobs.

In Upstate New York small businesses are the jobs engine. Over the past 15 years, they have been responsible for nearly two-thirds of all jobs

created in America. But the cost of health care is grinding the engine down. Over the last decade, small business insurance premiums are up 129 percent. That means much higher expenses, more businesses dropping coverage, a sicker, more financially strapped workforce, and enormous pressure on small business owners from competitors overseas and big businesses at home.

The bill can change that. It creates a competitive marketplace where individuals and small businesses can shop for policies at fair rates. It guarantees free preventative care for a healthier, more productive workforce. And it encourages Americans to start businesses of their own because the cost of health care will no longer tie them to the same job.

The people of my district need jobs. They need me to vote ``yes.'' I came to Congress to move America forward. This will do that.

Thank you. Like all of my speeches, it will be brief.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to be here with you all today and to join in continuing our effort to build a better, stronger America.

This is a proud day for me and my family, but it is also a sad day for our country. The shooting at Fort Hood last night that claimed the lives of 13 fine Americans is a stunning reminder of how quickly the peace we enjoy here at home can turn to violence and how much we rely on our brave men and women to keep us free from harm. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and with our soldiers to whom we owe our safety and our freedom.

I would like to thank my family for being with me and for standing behind me every step of the way.

To my wife, Jane; my three children, Tara, Jenna, and Brendan, and their spouses; and my three grandchildren, Caroline, Tommy, and Tess, I know that I would never have made it without you, and I am grateful for your support and for all the laughs we had along the way.

I most especially want to thank the people of New York's 23rd Congressional District, whose work I begin today. Conscious of the challenges that face us, I am eager to join my colleagues in finding bipartisan solutions to health care, energy, our farm crisis, and getting our economy back up and running.

My family and I came to Plattsburgh when I was transferred to Plattsburgh Air Force Base. When I left the Air Force, we decided to stay and make it our home, which we've done, but I remain committed to serving my country and my community. That's why I have tried throughout my life in upstate New York to do the right thing by my community, and it is the reason that I ran for Congress.

I am proud to begin a new chapter of service to my country and remain hopeful that if we can continue seeking bipartisan solutions to the problems that face us, we can build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. I pledge to work hard every day, and I am honored to serve each of my constituents and to move the country and my district forward.