Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4573, the Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery in Haiti Act.

I would like to acknowledge the tremendous leadership of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) and the leadership of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), who is the author of this legislation.

As Representative of the second largest Haitian population in the country, I commend the Obama administration's swift response to the Haitian crisis. Without the President's comprehensive relief campaign, which included food, water, medical, and military assistance, as well as the $100 million in aid, we would not be at the point we are, which is ready to discuss the next step. Thankfully, we are.

We must remember that the January earthquake did not create the troubling conditions in Haiti, although it certainly exacerbated them. Haiti is already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. H.R. 4573, the Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery in Haiti Act, will achieve three distinct goals which will help to keep the focus on humanitarian assistance.

First, the Secretary of the Treasury would instruct the U.S. executive directors of the institutions which lent money to the Haiti Government to immediately cancel all debts owed to Haiti to their respective institutions.

Next, Haiti's debt service payments would be suspended.

Lastly, grants would be provided for additional assistance so that Haiti would not accumulate additional debts.

It is my hope that, as we continue to rebuild, our rebuilding effort will not begin until the relief effort has concluded, and it will be dependent on all allowing Haiti to focus solely on humanitarian aid. To do this, it is imperative that we cancel the debts of the Haitian Government.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to address the floor on my amendment.

Mr. Chairman, today I rise to offer my amendment to H.R. 4061 and request that it be supported along with the underlying legislation.

I first want to commend Chairman Gordon, Ranking Member Hall, and Representative Lipinski, as well as Representative McCaul, for their leadership in bringing this important bipartisan bill to the floor today and for supporting this amendment.

The Federal Government currently relies heavily on contract employees for critical cybersecurity functions. For instance, according to the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General, contractors accounted for 83 percent of the total staff of the Department's Office of the Chief Information Officer.

A July 2009 Booz Allen Hamilton assessment of the cyberworkforce, titled, ``Cyber In-Security: Strengthening the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce,'' concluded the Federal Government needs more employees who can effectively manage the blended cybersecurity workforce of contractors and in-house employees.

Clearly, any assessment of the cybersecurity workforce should include an analysis of contract employees who perform cybersecurity functions for the government. My amendment to H.R. 4061, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009, would do just that, amending section 107 of the bill to include an

analysis of the extent to which Federal agencies rely on contractors to support the Federal cybersecurity workforce as well as each agency's capacity to manage these contractors.

The amendment is not intended to judge whether Federal cybersecurity functions should be performed by government or contractor employees. It simply requires that these considerations be included in the workforce study.

I hope that you will join me in supporting this amendment.

I would just like to add that, as chair of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, I have become intimately aware of the cybersecurity challenges we face in the 21st century. I initially offered several other amendments which address the wide variety of challenges that we face, and I will work to address these issues through my subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

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

Mr. Speaker, let me also thank Congresswoman Fudge for her outstanding work in managing the time of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Special Orders, and for her expertise and talent that she lends to all of the subject matter.

This particular Special Order on aid to Haiti is of great relevance to me. As we all know, on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the Caribbean nation of Haiti, leaving most of the nation in utter devastation. Critical infrastructure was destroyed, and the death toll continues to rise as I speak, with reports estimating over 150,000 people perished.

As one of my local council members, Mr. Jumaane Williams, stated, or phrased it, in Brooklyn, New York, we were victim to a 7.0 emotional aftershock as members of our vibrant Haitian American community come to grips with the utter death, destruction, and devastation faced in their homeland. As a Brooklyn native whose roots are firmly planted in my Caribbean heritage, this tragedy has hit home in more ways than I could ever imagine. New York is home to the second largest population of Haitian immigrants in the United States, most of whom reside in my district.

I would like to take an opportunity to just recognize the Congressional Black Caucus for the leadership that they've taken in Congress in ensuring that we remain focused and committed to assist Haiti and to tend to the injured, orphaned, hungry, and dispossessed as Haiti continues with its recovery efforts.

I would like to thank Chairwoman Barbara Lee of the Congressional Black Caucus for her longtime leadership and commitment to fighting on behalf of Haiti. I also want to applaud her hard work in bringing the resolution to the floor that we just passed expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.

I'd also like to thank Chairman Charles Rangel and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn for working quickly to get H.R. 4462 passed in the House. This legislation would allow all individuals who choose to donate during this time of crisis in Haiti to claim an itemized charitable deduction on this year's--2009, excuse me--tax return.

As Haiti continues to recover, my heart goes out to my Haitian sisters and brothers as they endure this tragedy. I also express my deep sympathy and support for their families.

Through all of the devastation, all of the trauma, the 11th Congressional District of New York, like the rest of this Nation and the global community, has demonstrated a unity of purpose in mobilizing goods, services, and volunteers to help their families and relations in Haiti.

While I will continue to applaud the humanitarian efforts for Haiti, it is important that we do not allow compassion fatigue to set in.

We must continue to uphold our commitment to helping our neighbors in the Caribbean. As a representative with the second-largest population of first- and second-generation Haitian immigrants located in my district, my office has been inundated and overwhelmed with calls from concerned constituents worried about their loved ones and their homeland. While my office has been vigorously working with the State Department to meet the needs of our constituents, there are many concerns that still need to be addressed.

For many Haitian Americans, a major issue is family reunification. Most of their family members have lost everything, many are sick, injured, and living on the streets; babies and the elderly are vulnerable to disease; a majority of them are traumatized by their experiences.

And since my constituents are blessed to live in the United States-- many of them have obtained their citizenship--they have the capacity to take care of their family members, they have the wherewithal to console, comfort, and nurse their families back to health and support their material needs.

The only thing that impedes this reunification is that their family members are not American citizens and-or legal permanent residents and do not rank highly on the immigration priority list.

I would encourage the administration to address this issue and work to reunite family members who are suffering from this devastation.

And in response to this tragedy, on January 15, 2010, the Obama administration--which is to be commended for its quick action and its steadfast commitment--has granted temporary protected status to Haitian nationals currently in the United States. Unfortunately, there are those who try to take advantage and exploit those who seek to change their status, and I am concerned that there are fraudulent entities offering services and inflating the prices of the TPS application process for Haitians seeking it.

It is important that we empower our residents affected by the devastation with the information and resources they need to access this status. That is why just last week I joined my colleagues in the New York City congressional delegation, State delegation, and New York City delegation in the opening of the Haitian Family Resource Center at the Brooklyn armory. The center will be a one-stop resource center for families who have been impacted by the earthquake. It will offer Creole-speaking translation services, immigration assistance, and help with completing immigration applications, child guardianship, and custody services, legal assistance, and help in locating family members, mental health services, coordination of volunteer efforts, and daily accurate briefings on the status of relief efforts.

Know that I will continue to work closely with my colleagues, the Obama administration, and Caribbean officials to help this Nation recover from this natural disaster.

I want to thank you once again, my colleague, for sharing this time where we can share information with the Nation about what is taking place in Haiti and ask that they continue to hold this Nation, our Caribbean neighbors, in their prayers

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2611) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Securing the Cities Initiative of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2611, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 2611, a bill authorizing the Securing of the Cities Initiative, was introduced by Representative Peter King, the ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, on May 21, 2009 and marked up and ordered reported by the committee on November 11, 2009.

The Securing the Cities (STC) Initiative is a unified effort among Federal, State, and local law enforcement in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to defend against the threat of a radiological or nuclear device. DHS, the New York Police Department, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and officials from three States and 91 localities are involved in this partnership.

The concept behind the STC is to build rings around New York City to provide a layered defense against the smuggling of a nuclear weapon. The more law enforcement officials who have the ability to detect and are on the lookout for nuclear and radiological material in and around New York City, the better chance that law enforcement has to prevent a successful nuclear attack.

The STC has procured thousands of basic handheld radiation detectors which have been distributed to police officers throughout the region. Advanced vehicles, including trucks and boats with radiation detectors capable of distinguishing different radioactive materials, are also in use in Manhattan and the surrounding area.

More than 1,400 local officers have received training in radiation detection operations under STC. STC funding is given to the New York Police Department, which acts as the grant distributor for the funds. State and local entities around New York City are eligible to receive STC funding.

Participants in STC conduct periodic aerial screening in addition to the checkpoints that the NYPD sets up twice a day on Manhattan roadways as a defensive, training, and deterrence measure.

Today, STC is limited to jurisdictions in and around New York City. An amendment offered by Mr. Green of Texas and included in the legislation before us today will broaden the scope of the STC program to include at least two additional Urban Area Security Initiative cities in the program. The bill authorizes appropriations of $40 million per city for the first year, with smaller sums available for sustainment in the following years.

The STC is a great example of a successful Federal, State, and local partnership. We are in the early stages, and much work remains to be done. That said, the positive initial results justify the continuation and gradual expansion of the program directed in this bill.

During the second session of the 110th Congress, the House passed a measure similar to the one before us today. I urge my colleagues to again support this important Homeland Security legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, as you have heard, the measure under consideration is important Homeland Security legislation that has previously received and that again deserves the support of the Members of the House of Representatives.

In closing, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on passage of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 730) to strengthen efforts in the Department of Homeland Security to develop nuclear forensics capabilities to permit attribution of the source of nuclear material, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of concurring in the Senate amendment to H.R. 730.

H.R. 730, the Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act, was first introduced in the 110th Congress by the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

To strengthen our Nation's ability to prepare for and to respond to a conventional nuclear or dirty bomb threat, that measure, H.R. 2631, was marked up and adopted unanimously by the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology in October 2007, which is the subcommittee I now chair.

It was unanimously approved by the full Committee on Homeland Security on May 20, 2008, and in the House of Representatives on June 18, 2008. Though the measure was taken up, amended and passed by the Senate in late September, the stars didn't align, and it didn't clear the last hurdle to arrive on the President's desk. In this Congress, we started early and brought the measure directly to the floor where it passed on March 24, 2009. Now the Senate has acted, and it is time to pass this bill into law.

I would like to congratulate Congressman Schiff and my colleagues on the committee for recognizing the need to move quickly.

We know that our enemies, both terrorists and rogue nations, are interested in developing and using nuclear or radiological weapons. In the case of an attempted or, heaven forbid, a successful nuclear or radiological attack, rapid attribution is critical. Our government must have the capacity to quickly determine the source of the nuclear material so that key decision-makers have the information needed to respond.

The deterrent effect of a robust nuclear forensics capability should not be underestimated. Certainly, if terrorists know that we have a nuclear forensics capability that can pinpoint their role in creating a bomb, they are bound to have second thoughts. Unfortunately, today, the U.S. must rely on forensic expertise and technology developed during the Cold War to address both nuclear weapons and the emerging threat of a radiological dirty bomb.

The nuclear weapons workforce is aging just as its mission has shifted from traditional deterrent policy to the more complicated challenge of containing the terrorist threat. Our Nation's capabilities in the scientific fields of radiochemistry and geochemistry must be fostered to meet this new threat. That is the purpose of this bill. H.R. 730 expresses the sense of Congress that the President should pursue international agreements and develop protocols to share sensitive information needed to identify the source of a nuclear detonation.

I am heartened that the Obama administration has indicated its willingness to engage in and to reenergize such activities.

It also tasks the Secretary of Homeland Security with the mission of developing methods to attribute nuclear or radiological material both within the Department's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, DNDO, and in partnership with other Federal agencies.

The legislation emphasizes that the development of a robust nuclear forensics capability depends chiefly on an expertly trained workforce in this area, and it provides support for education programs relevant to nuclear forensics.

H.R. 730 also authorizes the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center, NTNFC, to enhance the centralized planning and integration of Federal nuclear forensics activities. It requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the Federal Government's efforts to enhance its nuclear forensics capabilities, including the status of workforce development programs; and it authorizes $30 million per year for the next 3 fiscal years for this effort.

H.R. 730 continues the Homeland Security Committee's practice of authorizing programs and offices within DHS that are of value to the agency's mission in order to assure that the work can continue and that progress can be achieved in the years to come.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), the author of this bill.

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

In closing, I would encourage my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on the pending question. Doing so will allow this important homeland security legislation to be sent to the President's desk for his signature without delay.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for bringing us together, along with the ranking member, for this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my heartfelt condolences and in support of the Haitian people, the Haitian American community in the United States and the Caribbean island nation of Haiti, and ask my colleagues to support Resolution 1021.

As the representative of the second largest Haitian American population in the United States, this crisis has truly and literally hit home. My office has been inundated and overwhelmed with

constituents calling, earnestly trying to find their loved ones. Many of them are hoping family members are still alive and safe, despite the many images of destruction they see in the media.

The situation on the ground remains unstable. Lives still hang in the balance, and a speedy and coordinated action is needed to maximize the recovery effort and to mitigate the loss of life.

With this resolution, we are sending a unified message to the Haitian people that we stand with them as they mourn the loss of their loved ones and prepare to rebuild their nation. This resolution lets the whole world know that Haiti is as much a part of us as we are a part of them.

Over the last week, the American people have been pouring out their hearts to the nation. I would like to commend our people, the U.S. military, Coast Guard, search and rescue teams, humanitarian NGOs, for all of their work. I would like to recognize the swift response from the Obama administration in providing immediate investment and thank them.

Madam Chair, on rollcall No. 953 for the Frank of Massachusetts Amendment as modified, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, just last week our Nation celebrated Thanksgiving. It was a time for families across this Nation to unite and reflect on the things we are grateful for.

This Thanksgiving I looked around my holiday table and admired the diversity of my family, many of whom are natural born citizens, some naturalized citizens, and some Jamaican immigrants. We are a blended family blessed with the realization of our own American dream. I realized that my story enjoys a certain similarity to the first Thanksgiving celebration. Native Americans breaking bread with Pilgrims. A blending of two different cultures, one immigrant, one native.

Like my family, many families across this Nation are a blend of many cultures and citizen status and are affected by our dysfunctional immigration system.

Mr. Speaker, immigration reform is too important to be delayed. As we prepare to debate immigration reform, I'm working with my colleagues to ensure access to the American Dream. Just like you, I, too, am the face of immigration; all of us coming together representing the diversity of this great Nation, the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I would like to start this evening off in my address by thanking my esteemed colleague, the congresswoman from Ohio, Marcia Fudge, for giving me a moment to comment on women in small business. As the co-Chair of the Women's Caucus Task Force on Women and Education, Congresswoman Fudge has constantly demonstrated her leadership on these crucial issues, and you are to be commended.

I am especially pleased to be speaking on these issues with you here this evening because of the timeliness of this conversation. Women entrepreneurs have come a long way in recent decades, but more must be done to support them, especially in this dire economic environment.

As the sole member of the Congressional Black Caucus on the Small Business Committee in the House--or the Senate, for that matter--I am constantly monitoring developments that affect women-owned small businesses, especially those in underserved areas. The impact of small businesses cannot be stated enough. We know the statistics, but it is worth going over it again.

Small businesses are the key to the health of the U.S. economy. They represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms; they employ about half of all private sector employees; pay nearly 45 percent of the U.S. private payroll; and are responsible for more than half of the non-farming private GDP.

Women-owned businesses are an important factor in this economic story. Recent studies show that there are close to 8 million individual women-owned small firms with a $3 trillion impact on our close to $14 trillion economy employing close to 23 million people. These are great numbers, but I for one believe that more must be done. Not only do I believe it, but the facts bear it out.

A recent study was released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York entitled ``Gender and the Availability of Credit to Privately Held Firms.'' This report relied on data on privately held businesses drawn from the Federal Reserve's Surveys of Small Businesses Finances covering the period of 1987 through 2003. Authors of the report concluded that when compared to male-owned firms, women-owned firms are significantly smaller as measured by sales, assets, and employment; younger, as measured by age of the firm; more likely to be in retail, trade, or business services, and less likely to be in construction, secondary manufacturing, and wholesale trade industries; and are more inclined to have fewer and shorter banking relationships. Women owners are significantly younger and less experienced and tend to have less formal education than their male counterparts.

The report further found that women firms are significantly more likely to be credit-constrained because they are more likely to be discouraged from applying for credit, though not more likely to be denied credit when they do apply.

This report reflects the fact that women-owned businesses have made great strides in recent years but that challenges to growth, business model diversification, technical capabilities, and ability to access capital remain.

The bottom line is that women entrepreneurs need more support. I have long been an advocate for women-owned businesses, and it is vital that we improve existing programs and explore the need for new ones to narrow this achievement gap.

Most recently, I have been hard at work exploring possible solutions for women entrepreneurs. Last month, I introduced H.R. 3771, the Veteran, Minority, and Women-Owned Construction Business Mentorship and Grant Assistance Act of 2009. This legislation would establish grant programs for women-owned small business construction companies to help create the internal business systems that are essential for success. Funds would also be made available to local groups and schools to bolster technical assistance to these firms. This bill would create opportunities in the highly competitive construction sector at a time when there has been a stark decline in construction activity due to the housing downturn. This legislation is really about capacity building for small firms so they can better compete for the many stimulus opportunities that are still being developed and deployed.

Most of the total $787 billion in stimulus funds have yet to go out. Further,

most of the remaining funds are targeted to shovel-ready construction projects--projects that our women-owned businesses should and must participate in.

I'd like to take this opportunity to applaud the women builders in this country. So often, the image of the construction industry is a burly man in a hard hat. Well, I've got news for you, gentlemen. Women builders face great obstacles and challenges, and in my experience, meet and exceed them consistently in a highly competitive environment. Our Nation's extraordinary women builders will benefit from this legislation, and I'd like to thank my colleagues, including Congresswoman Fudge, for supporting this bill. We have, as of today, 23 cosponsors for the legislation. The growing support for this legislation is proof that Washington is waking up to the prominent role that small businesses, including our women-owned businesses, must play in our recovery.

Finally, I have been tirelessly working to find ways to improve access to capital for women-owned businesses. It is no secret that our largest depository institutions are not lending as much as they could but are instead using the excess capital they have to provide capital buffers for their own balance sheet health, retarding any rebounds that could be fueled by small business lending.

I applaud President Obama for announcing that his administration will be seeking low-cost loans to smaller banks and community development financial institutions, known as CDFIs, as a means to address the small business lending gap. I am especially supportive of CDFIs as a means of getting credit to our smaller women-owned firms in underserved and economically distressed areas. For every dollar of CDFI investment, $15 of non-Federal dollars are leveraged to provide lending to deserving borrowers.

I will be studying how to improve programs like CDFIs to leverage government investment to help people help themselves.

Let us make no mistake, the last great frontier for women entrepreneurs--especially in our communities--will be consistent ability for them to access credit. I will fight tirelessly alongside my colleagues to make this a reality.

As I said earlier, these are but a few of the challenges faced by women-owned businesses. I am always paying attention to the issues affecting our women entrepreneurs and I will for as long as I am a Member of Congress. Much work is left to be done, but with the great leadership of people like Congresswoman Fudge; the Chair of our CBC, Congresswoman Barbara Lee; and our Speaker, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, I know we will get to where we need to be and beyond.

I look forward to it.

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey very much.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. As we approach the dawning of the second decade of the new millennium, this evening we will usher in a new assurance of the health and well-being of all Americans. Our children will have the health and peace of mind to exceed the productivity of our generation. Our willingness to do what it takes to transition into the 21st century health care delivery system will guarantee future generations the advancement of a productive civil society.

Every American has a right to adequate physical and mental health care, and I believe that we, as a national government, have a responsibility to assist our citizenry in securing quality health care. It is unfortunate that there are those amongst us who just couldn't care less; those who were satisfied with the status quo of rising premiums, satisfied with individuals being denied coverage because of preexisting conditions, satisfied with ignoring the pain and suffering of the 47 million Americans who are uninsured.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this measure.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 3962, Affordable Healthcare for America Act. This evening, as we approach the dawning of the second decade of the new millennium, we will usher in a new assurance of the health and well being of all Americans. Our children will have the health and peace of mind to exceed the productivity of our generation. Our willingness to do what it takes to transition to a 21st century healthcare delivery system will guarantee future generations the advancement of a productive civil society.

In the United States, one of the richest countries in the world, nearly 47 million Americans lack health insurance, 13.5 percent of whom are New Yorkers. Last year alone, New York City's hospitals spent $1.2 billion in charity costs. Tragically, people who are either uninsured or underinsured often have to go without vital healthcare simply because they cannot afford it.

Every American has a human right to adequate physical and mental healthcare, and I believe that we as a national government have a responsibility to assist our citizens in securing quality healthcare.

Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues don't seem to fully grasp the dire situation our healthcare system is in. Maybe they would have come up with a bill that actually addressed the deficiency in our broken healthcare.

It is unfortunate that there are those amongst us who just could care less--those who are satisfied with the status quo of rising premiums, satisfied with individuals being denied coverage because of pre- existing conditions, satisfied with ignoring the pain and suffering of the 47 million Americans who are uninsured.

Instead of working with us to fix the problem, they capitalize on people's fears and doubts. It is meant to distract, delay, confuse, and engender fear among our citizens. Today we will not allow the voices of fear to dominate the healthcare reform debate.

This bill provides healthcare coverage to 96 percent of Americans and includes a strong public option that will provide the needed competition to lower premium costs. That is why I support H.R. 3962, Affordable Healthcare for America Act.

With preventative care as the cornerstone of the 21st century healthcare delivery system, eliminating the disparate treatment of women, eliminating discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, creates a new health exchange for access to quality affordable health insurance and turns medical visits from a broken volume based system to a 21st century value based system. I will cast my vote this evening in memory of a distinguished New Yorker, Brooklynite and friend Jackie Ward, who died of heart failure as a young woman in her early 50s.

In my district, the 11th Congressional District of Brooklyn, the Affordable Healthcare for America Act will: First, improve employer- based coverage for 367,000 residents. As a result of the insurance reforms in the bill, there will be no co-pays or deductibles for preventative care; no more rate increases or coverage denials for pre- existing conditions, gender, or occupation; and guaranteed oral, vision, and hearing benefits for children. Second, it will provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 160,000 households, if they need to purchase their own coverage. Third, under the bill's insurance reforms, 11,900 individuals in the district who have pre-existing medical conditions will now be able to purchase affordable coverage. Finally, this bill will allow 11,300 small businesses to obtain affordable healthcare coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 11,400 small businesses.

Healthcare is a fundamental human right, rather than a commodity. A year ago, Americans cast a historic vote to change the course of this Nation. Today, we cast this historic vote, to finally manifest the change they demanded: Access to Affordable Healthcare. I am proud to cast my vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in support of this legislation because it eliminates gender rating that allows young women to be charged 45% more than men for identical coverage.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 3962, Affordable Healthcare for America Act. In the United States, one of the richest countries in the world, nearly 47 million Americans lack health insurance, 13.5 percent of which are New Yorkers. Last year alone, New York City's hospitals spent 1.2 billion dollars in charity costs. Tragically, people who are either uninsured or underinsured often have to go without vital healthcare simply because they cannot afford it.

Every American has a human right to adequate physical and mental healthcare, and I believe that government has a responsibility to assist its citizens in securing quality healthcare. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues don't seem to fully grasp the dire situation our healthcare system is in. Maybe they would have come up with a bill that actually addressed the deficiency in our broken healthcare.

It is unfortunate that there are those who just don't care. Those who are satisfied with the status quo of rising premiums, satisfied with individuals being denied coverage because of preexisting conditions, satisfied with ignoring the pain and suffering of the 47 million Americans who are uninsured. Instead of working to fix the problem, they capitalize on people's fears and doubts. It is meant to distract, delay, confuse, and engender fear among our citizens. Today we will not allow the voices of fear to dominate the health care reform debate. This bill provides healthcare coverage to 96 percent of Americans and includes a strong public option that will provide the needed competition to lower premium costs. That is why I support H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act.

In my district, the 11th Congressional District of Brooklyn, the Affordable Health Care for America Act will:

First, improve employer-based coverage for 367,000 residents. As a result of the insurance reforms in the bill, there will be no co-pays or deductibles for preventive care; no more rate increases or coverage denials for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation; and guaranteed oral, vision, and hearing benefits for children.

Second, it will provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 160,000 households, if they need to purchase their own coverage.

Third, under the bill's insurance reforms, 11,900 individuals in the district who have pre-existing medical conditions will now be able to purchase affordable coverage.

Finally, this bill will allow 11,300 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 11,400 small businesses.

Healthcare is a fundamental human right, rather than a commodity. A year ago, Americans cast a historic vote to change the course of this Nation. Today, we cast this historic vote, to finally manifest the change they demanded. Access to Affordable Healthcare. I am proud to cast my vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, will improve health care for all of our constituents. Another significant benefit of this legislation, which has not received as much attention, will be the creation of new high paying jobs, high quality jobs in healthcare delivery, technology and research in the United States.

First, this bill will create enormous demand for healthcare workers, especially in the area of primary care. Insuring that the millions of Americans, who currently have no insurance, will have access to primary care providers so that they can receive the preventive care they have been denied for too long. This influx of new patients will create a need for doctors, nurses and technicians, while reducing overall healthcare costs because of the new focus on preventative medicine. I support channeling resources, that for too long have been used to treat people once they become sick, into jobs and services that will prevent people from getting sick in the first place.

Second, this bill will continue the efforts we began in the stimulus package to deploy new health information technologies that better

manage both the quality of care and the cost of it. New health care exchanges and new demands on the health system to provide high quality and cost-effective health care will create new opportunities and markets for our brightest technological minds. They will be incentivized to develop high quality healthcare products at an affordable price.

Third, this bill will create new research opportunities in this country. The Energy and Commerce Committee enacted a framework for allowing biosimilar competition in this country. This new class of medicines will help lower costs and bring competition to one area that is key to the future of our healthcare system. Biotechnology is on the cutting edge of efforts to reduce costly invasive procedures, thereby allowing our constituents to live healthier and more productive lives. The creation of this new class of medicines comes with requirements for new clinical research and testing. This research will create high quality, high paying jobs. It is imperative that we keep this research, and these jobs in this country. We cannot allow these research opportunities to leave this country, and I intend to work with the Secretary of HHS and the Commissioner of the FDA to ensure they stay in the United States.

I do not look at this bill as a drain on our economy, like so many of its opponents on the other side of the aisle. I see this bill as an exciting opportunity to create the kind of jobs we so desperately need in this country, while at the same time improving the lives of all Americans. This bill will improve health care, create jobs and grow our economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in an Empire State of Mind, to voice my full support of H. Res. 893. I am a lifelong New Yorker and proud to stand with the New York City Congressional Delegation and congratulate the ``Bronx Bombers,'' also known as the New York Yankees on winning their 27th World Championship. Amazingly, the Yankees have won more championships than any other franchise in North American professional sports history. This would not have been possible without the contributions of some of baseball's greatest players. Historic players like Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly, Ricky Henderson, Bernie Williams, Willie Randolph, Paul O'Neill, Mariano Rivera, Coach Joe Girardi, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and my all time favorite, Derek Jeter. These players have all contributed to the fame and legacy of this historic franchise.

Throughout my entire life, the Yankees have been a symbol of great baseball and epitomized the vibrant spirit, unyielding hope and strength of the great city of New York. The city's history has been through much adversity and challenge. Thankfully, the Yankees have helped us get through the best of times and the worst of times. Their winning history has helped lift our spirit and boost our morale through the Great Depression, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and this current economic crisis. Over the years, this great franchise has lit the torch of honor and resilience, showing the nation that no matter what our city, state or country goes through, victory is on the horizon.

I congratulate the franchise owner, George Steinbrenner, as well as manager Joe Girardi, the players, the staff, the millions of fans all over the world and all who contributed to this monumental achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the Movement of Guinean Women in the United States, the Commission for Guinean Forces Vives in the United States and Alliance Guinea for organizing today's demonstration in front of the State Department. These organizations were protesting the atrocities that continue to take place in Guinea West Africa.

I would also like to express my concerns regarding the use of violence against civilian protestors that erupted on September 28 resulting in the killing of at least 157 people and wounding more than 1,200. I strongly believe that all citizens of Guinea should be afforded the right to have their voices heard without the threat of violence. I condemn any actions that resulted in gross and egregious human rights abuses.

Even more appalling are the reports of physical and sexual violence against women. According to the Movement of Guinean Women in the United States, there has been an increase in violence against women since the military junta uprising took place. Women are being randomly raped and kidnapped, without recourse. Madam Speaker, these rapes are absolutely deplorable and those responsible must be brought to justice.

The eruption of violence has taken a mental and physical toll on the people of Guinea and there is a dire need for emergency care and humanitarian assistance. The United States as well as the International community must come together to provide much needed medical assistance.

I strongly support Secretary Clinton and the State Department's position on admonishing those who committed such injustices. I also concur with the Secretary's call to the current leadership of Guinea to control their military troops and allow an international investigation into the matter. The United States has insisted that the National Council for Democracy and Development respect the commitment it has made not to field candidates in Guinea's upcoming elections. This is integral to ensuring a peaceful transition back to a functional democracy.

Guinea West Africa has carried the torch of freedom since its independence from the French in 1958. The country has been an example to the rest of the region throughout its history, as it was the first nation of French West Africa to gain its independence. That said, I am deeply concerned about the rising tensions within the country and its potential to ignite regional instability within the West African region.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and recognize Dr. Marco A. Mason, a distinguished medical sociologist and activist from the great state of New York. Dr. Mason is a living legend in Brooklyn, NY, not only is a professor at Medgar Evers College Department of Social and Behavior Sciences but he is a founding member of the Caribbean Women's Health Association, the Chairman/CEO of the Panamanian Council of New York Inc and the President of the Institute for Pan-American Affairs.

Additionally, Dr. Mason serves on the advisory boards for SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, the Caribbean Research Center and the Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Services. He is recognized in the Global Directory of ``Who's Who in the World'' and the Vice-Chairman of New York City Community Board No. 9.

Dr. Mason is widely acknowledged as a technical expert on U.S. immigration policy and he is an accredited practitioner in immigration law before the Immigration and Naturalization Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. His principal scholarly interests include the United States' immigration policy impact on ethnic communities and patterns of Caribbean immigration in the Western Hemisphere. He was cited by the U.S. Department of Justice for his ``Outstanding services in assisting immigrants with status adjustments.''

He is a seasoned global traveler with extensive professional-related international tours throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. He serves as a United Nations Social and Economic Council delegate and in this capacity has hosted numerous international conferences and field tours to study public health systems.

Dr. Mason is the recipient of more than 150 awards for his ``Dedicated service rendered to the Caribbean-American Community'' and was recognized in the Medical Herald in a special feature entitled ``Marco Mason: A Champion of Ethnicity.''

Dr. Mason's story is a quintessential American Immigrant story. A proud Panamainian-American of Caribbean decent whose life's work is a testiment to the virtues of courage and integrity.

Again, I rise to express the heartfelt appreciation and gratitude of all New Yorkers and the untold numbers of Brooklynites who are the beneficiaries of his outstanding life's work.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer H. Res. 797, my resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, for a vote today. I would like to thank Chairman Bart Gordon for giving me the opportunity to share with him and this committee the virtues of National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

The goal of National Cyber Security Awareness Month is to heighten awareness of everyday Internet users and to explain that by taking some simple steps, we can all safeguard ourselves from the latest online threats and respond to potential cybercrimes against ourselves and our Nation.

Each year, the National Cybersecurity Division (NCSD) of the Department of Homeland Security joins with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and other partners to support National Cyber Security Awareness Month. I thank DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and Assistant Secretary Greg Schaffer as well as Will Pelgrin with MS-ISAC and Michael Kaiser with StaySafeOnline.org for their leadership in promoting National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

This year, the theme of National Cyber Security Awareness Month is ``Our Shared Responsibility.'' Ultimately, our cyberinfrastructure is only as strong as its weakest link. In this digital age, we are all connected. No individual, business, or government entity is solely responsible for cybersecurity. We all must understand how our individual online computing practices have a collective impact on our Nation's cybersecurity. It would be naive to believe, however, that simple steps by end users alone will sufficiently combat the larger threats associated with a growing networked society.

As chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, I have held three hearings this year on our Nation's cybersecurity posture. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities can and have significantly impacted our national and economic security. Through the leadership of the Obama administration, cybersecurity is finally gaining the much-needed attention it deserves, both in the Federal Government and the private sector. The oversight that the Homeland Security Committee is undertaking will help to focus our attention; however, much more work remains to be done.

Last week, I held a roundtable discussion with key cybersecurity stakeholders in Congress, the administration, and the private sector on this extremely complex issue. Everyone agreed that end user awareness and education is an extremely critical component to fortifying our national cybersecurity posture. More and more and with each passing moment, we are awakening to the vulnerabilities and threats that come from our interactions on the World Wide Web. Simply put, we must protect ourselves. That is why this resolution received overwhelming bipartisan support.

I thank my colleagues, especially Chairman Gordon, for cosponsoring H. Res. 797, and I look forward to working with him as well as other committees of cross jurisdiction on this critical issue going forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Fenimore Street United Methodist Church located in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Fenimore Street Methodist Church was incorporated on August 20th 1889 and admitted into the New York East Conference in April 1890 with Rev. James L. Hall as its first pastor.

Over the years, Fenimore has served the people of Brooklyn as not only a house of worship, but as a pillar of the community. As the neighborhood changed, so did church patronage which culminated in 1968 with Rev. William J. Smart becoming Fenimore's first black minister. In the tradition of firsts, in 2002, Rev. Dr. Maxine Nixon was named Fenimore's first female minister.

Fenimore Street Methodist Church has undergone many renovations and weathered many challenges under the steadfast leadership of its pastors. Providing such services as the summer camp for neighborhood children

and remaining a pillar of support for those who have fallen on hard times are just some of the ways in which Fenimore has served Brooklyn over the years.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to acknowledge the very distinguished pastors that have poured their heart and soul into Fenimore Street United Methodist Church. They include: Revs. James L. Hall; C.S. Willisams; J.S. Bell; C.A. Knesai; H.E. Kiley; G.W. Osman; L.H. Caswell; W.G. Griffin; G.L. Thompson; C.C. Coile; E.J. Marvin; H.C. Whitney; Arthur C. Brown; James Link; John S. Smith; Dr. W.C. Sainsbury; Ward J. Kemenway; James Veatch; Maron Cox; William Smartt; Randolph Fisher; Alfred Harper; Lester Baker; Dr. Neville Buchanan; Dr. Ivan J. Roberts and Dr. Maxine Nixon.

Again I'd like to congratulate and thank Fenimore Street United Methodist on 120 years of service to Brooklyn.