Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3386, the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, bipartisan legislation critical to protecting online consumers in Ohio and across the country.

Online shopping is becoming a common and critical part of our Nation's economy. The convenience of shopping and making purchases from home is an exciting revolution in commerce, and one that has broadened the opportunities and access available to American consumers.

As we saw on Cyber Monday, Americans are not hesitating to take advantage.

In particular, for people like my constituents who live in rural areas, online shopping offers an opportunity to avoid lengthy trips, saving both time and the cost of gas.

However, as the number of consumers taking advantage of these new opportunities continues to grow, I fear that the number of pitfalls for consumers is beginning to grow.

In particular, I am concerned about a growing new trend that is putting consumers on the defensive. Companies are using misleading Web sites and offers to sign up unsuspecting consumers for expensive subscription services. These companies are engaging in a new practice called post-transaction marketing, in which they purport to make special offers to consumers who have just completed a transaction.

Before they know it, consumers have unknowingly signed up for services, and their credit card information is on the way to the new company. Oftentimes, these same consumers don't even realize they have signed up for the service until they get their credit card statements.

This practice is egregious, and it is flat wrong.

We must act to bring it to a stop.

While I, like many of my moderate colleagues, fear the consequences of extending the reach of government too far into the economy, I also believe that there is a time when we, as legislators, have a mandate to act. This is one of those occasions.

Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 5707, the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act. This legislation would take initial first steps toward ending what is clearly a deceptive and troubling practice.

Specifically, the legislation would require that companies engaging in post-transaction marketing clearly disclose the terms of any agreement proposed to consumers, ensuring that they have full knowledge of the services for which they are subscribing.

In addition, it would also require that these same companies provide easy ways to opt out of any agreement or subscription service, empowering consumers to control their enrollment.

Recently, the Senate passed companion legislation, S. 3386 by unanimous consent. This bipartisan show of support indicates just how serious the problem is facing American consumers, as well as the common-sense nature of the legislation before us.

Now, the time has come for the House to act in kind.

We have before us a choice today--act on behalf of our constituents who every day use the internet for information and commerce.

Or, we can fail to act, and allow more American consumers to fall victim to a frightening practice that separates from them their hard- earned income.

I would be remiss if I didn't also raise a point that I have raised a number of times during my time in the House. The internet is an exciting and powerful tool. In particular, high-speed internet has brought a wealth of exciting new opportunities to American consumers.

However, not all consumers have access to this basic tool. Too many of my constituents do not have access to reliable and affordable broadband service, taking away their ability to participate in online shopping, distance learning, and all the basic services that many of us take for granted.

I hope that this body will continue to take seriously the plight of those individuals on the other side of the digital divide, and will rise to the occasion to address a major challenge facing rural America.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Ms. DeGette, for your leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I sympathize with the new Member from New York. He and Ms. DeGette and I have something in common. We all have children who suffer from type 1 diabetes. Although it is a family tragedy when it happens--and we all have those stark memories of being told that your child is going to be for the rest of his or her life dependent upon insulin--and although it is life changing, it transcends. The issue of diabetes transcends the personal tragedy that it inflicts on millions of families, and we have heard the numbers by some of my colleagues today.

The ADA, the American Diabetes Association, estimates now that north of $200 billion a year is spent on diabetes in this country. That's ``billion'' with a ``B.'' Those are warlike numbers. The real tragedy is we could avoid that. If we had any kind of foresight envisioned as a Nation, we would invest in a cure. For a fraction of what we spend in this country on diabetes every year, we could cure the disease. It's within reach. This isn't cancer or some complicated disease of the brain. This is an autoimmune disorder that affects the pancreas. We already have the technology for the artificial pancreas. With a very small fraction of what we spend on diabetes every year, we could give every type 1 diabetic in America a closed-loop system--an insulin pump and a glucose monitor--that, through technology, works like a pancreas. We could save, not billions, but trillions of dollars over the next 30 to 40 years.

As parents of diabetics, we know what our children face. By the time my son is my age, for example, he will be facing the prospect of blindness, kidney disease, and amputation, and our government is going to pay for it.

There is an alternative, and I urge this body in the 112th Congress to strongly consider investing here. For every dollar you put in, you will receive hundreds back. You will save lives, and you will advance human life in ways that are difficult to even conceive of right now.

So, again, I want to thank my colleague from Colorado (Ms. DeGette) for her tireless work, and I want to thank my chairman, Mr. Pallone, for this time.

Madam Speaker,

Whereas, Goldie Morrow Long Boerner Harrison was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on October 3, 1910,

Whereas, Goldie joined the SPARS during World War II, where she sang and danced in a show for enlisted personnel in the Coast Guard,

Whereas, Goldie opened a hair salon in Massillon where she styled the hair of the stars who performed at the Canal Fulton Playhouse, including Vivian Vance, Tammy Grimes, Imogene Coco and President Truman's daughter Margaret,

Whereas, Givin now lives in Dover, Ohio, where she will celebrate with close friends and family,

Resolved that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Goldie Harrison on achieving her 100th birthday, and for her contributions to her community and country.

Madam Speaker,

Whereas, Ryan Seitz, a volunteer firefighter in McArthur, Ohio, lost his life while fighting a brush fire,

Whereas, in addition to serving as a volunteer firefighter, Seitz also served as assistant director and technology coordinator for the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library,

Whereas, Seitz risked his life to help others by working as a firefighter,

Resolved, that along with his friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, we remember and honor the life of Ryan Seitz, whose courage was matched only by his selflessness, and whose sacrifice should serve as an example of the highest patriotism and devotion to duty.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following.

Whereas, Luceil Givin was born in Scio, Ohio, on September 22, 1905,

Whereas, Luceil worked with her father on the family farm in Scio, raising chickens, hogs, and calves,

Whereas, Luceil also worked at the Scio Pottery for 42 years,

Whereas, Luceil now lives at the Harrison County Home in Cadiz,

Resolved That along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Luceil Givin on achieving her 105th birthday, and for her contributions to her community and country.

Madam Speaker:

Whereas, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects toys every year for distribution to underprivileged children during the holiday season;

Whereas, since its founding, the Toys for Tots Program has distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million children;

Whereas, the Carroll, Harrison, and Jefferson County Toys for Tots Organization served 2,656 children in 2009 under the leadership of Deborah Oberlin;

Whereas, the Toys for Tots Program considers a number of factors in selecting a National Coordinator of the Year, including the number of children reached relative to the community population and the spirit of teamwork demonstrated by the organization;

Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Deborah Oberlin on being selected as the National Coordinator of the Year for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program for 2009, and for her hard work serving the children of Ohio through this outstanding organization.

Madam Speaker:

Whereas, the American Quarter Horse Youth Association held its World Championship Show July 30 through August 7 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,

Whereas, the show is the world's largest single-breed show for youth,

Whereas, R.J. Jacobs, who is 12, was among the 858 exhibitors,

Whereas, R.J. showed a 2-year-old gelding, Happy Hour,

Whereas, R.J.'s sister, Molli, also won a world championship at the event,

Whereas, the event's organizers said it was so unusual for two siblings to win world championships in the same year that they were unsure if it had ever happened before,

Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th congressional district, I commend R.J. Jacobs on winning a world championship at the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show, and for the hard work and dedication that led to this unique accomplishment.

Madam Speaker:

Whereas, the American Quarter Horse Youth Association held its World Championship Show July 30 through August 7 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,

Whereas, the show is the world's largest single-breed show for youth,

Whereas, Molli Lyn Jacobs, who is 17, was among the 858 exhibitors,

Whereas, Molli showed a 2-year-old bay mare, RTH Style and Grace,

Whereas, Molli's brother R.J. also won a world championship at the event,

Whereas, the event's organizers said it was so unusual for two siblings to win world championships in the same year that they were unsure if it had ever happened before,

Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Molli Lyn Jacobs on winning a world championship at the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show, and for the hard work and dedication that led to this unique accomplishment.

Madam Speaker, 36 years ago today, Turkish forces invaded the sovereign nation of Cyprus, killing 5,000 Greek Cypriots and displacing nearly 200,000. This blatant violation of international law and lack of respect for a country's right to self-determination is made worse by the fact that Turkish occupation of the northern area of Cyprus continues to this day.

This is a dark anniversary to mark, one that represents an entire generation of Cypriots expelled from their homes--their property confiscated, family members missing and religious artifacts vandalized and destroyed. This occupation desecrates the basic freedoms and rights of the Cypriot people. Nearly 37 percent of the island of Cyprus remains under Turkish military control insistent on an illegitimate sovereignty that is unrecognized by any nation but Turkey. This is completely unacceptable.

In the past 36 years, there have been more than 75 resolutions adopted by the U.N. Security Council--a council of which Turkey is a member. These resolutions call for the return of refugees to their homes and withdrawal of troops from Cyprus. President Demetris Christofias has followed through on his election promise to make the solution of this problem his top priority and has had several full- fledged negotiations with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. Yet, the negotiations' success has been consistently thwarted by Ankara, which has not given great freedom to the Turkish Cypriot leaders to negotiate within the agreed-upon framework.

The legitimate, internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus stands firmly for peaceful resolution of the conflict. This path to a resolution calls for a single citizenship, a single sovereignty, and two politically equal communities. The solution to proceed with a bi- zonal, bi-communal federation is, most importantly, Cypriot in design.

Cyprus must be the author of its own path forward. Yet, the United States can and must do more to encourage Turkey to support the process and the reunification of the island. We should use our influence with Turkey to urge it to actively support the reunification of the island and to withdraw its troops from the island. We must provide support and assistance to the process and those working to move it forward.

As a Greek American and as a member of the Hellenic Caucus, I could not feel more strongly about the reunification of Cyprus. Cyprus is a nation that has endured occupation long enough. For us, the issue is straightforward and clear: we must do all we can to aid our ally, the Republic of Cyprus, in righting the wrongs of the past 36 years and in so doing, to promote peace and security in the Mediterranean.

Madam Speaker,

Whereas, Union Hospital has served the people of the Tuscarawas Valley by providing critical health services; and

Whereas, Union Hospital is integral to the health and well-being of the Tuscarawas Valley; and

Whereas, every year, more than 40,000 local residents rely upon Union Hospital for emergency care; and

Whereas, Union Hospital is rated by HealthGrades as among the top five percent of all hospitals in the United States and achieved HealthGrades' top five star rating for emergency medicine; now, therefore, be it

Resolved that on behalf of the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Union Hospital for being named winner of the HealthGrades Emergency Medicine Award for 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1368, Supporting the Goals of National Dairy Month. This resolution recognizes and honors America's dairy farmers who serve as a critical component of our economy--especially throughout my district in Southeastern and East Central Ohio. I commend Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Lucas for their attention to this major and important industry in our country.

In recent years, our dairy farmers have struggled as the result of an economic downturn and price fluctuations in the market, and this is a problem that I have been working to address. To protect our farmers, we absolutely need to do everything we can to bring more stability to this crucial industry. In my District, dairy farmers are a keystone of our economy, and this Resolution highlights the need to recognize them as an industry that needs our assistance.

In rural Ohio--and rural America as a whole--the agricultural industry is a backbone of our culture, our society, and our economy; as such, we need to ensure that our local dairy farms are protected. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this Resolution that honors such an important element of our food supply and our economy.

Again, I wish to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for their work on this legislation. I also want to thank Congressmen Courtney for his introduction of the Resolution.

Madam Speaker,

Whereas, William Melton oversaw the founding of Freeport, Ohio in Tuscarawas County on March 7, 1810; and

Whereas, the earliest settlers included Daniel Easley, John Reed, Jonathan Grewell, Jacob Snyder, Aaron Ruble, Barnabas McNamee, and John Grubb; and

Whereas, Freeport, on the banks of the Stillwater River, served as a friendly port for those brave and adventurous enough to traverse the wilderness; and

Whereas, Freeport was founded on the values of community and service and has remained so for its 200 years; and

Whereas, the town of Freeport has been and will continue to be a shining example of welcoming hospitality for travelers and commitment to community and service for residents; and

Whereas, the official town charter dates back to June 3, 1834; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That along with friends, family, and residents of Freeport, as well as the entire 18th Congressional District, I congratulate the town of Freeport on its 200th Anniversary.

Madam Speaker:

Whereas, Larry and Norma Hinds are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their wedding; and

Whereas, they have served as an example of commitment to each other and to the bonds of marriage for their family, friends, and community; and

Whereas, the couple are appreciated for their dedication and contributions to the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities; and

Whereas, Larry and Norma Hinds have demonstrated the values of service to community through their work in Licking County: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that along with their friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Larry and Norma Hinds for their fifty years of marriage and serving as role models of commitment to love, family, and community.

Madam Speaker,

Whereas, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Komaromy has served forty years in the United States Army and the National Guard; and

Whereas, Sgt. Komaromy answered his country's call of duty and served honorably and bravely in Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

Whereas, Sgt. Komaromy has represented the community of Dover and his country proudly and admirably with forty years of military service; and

Whereas, the community of Dover will honor the distinguished service of Sgt. Komaromy with a celebration on Saturday, May 15 at the Dover Armory, be it

Resolved, that along with his friends, family, the United States Army and National Guard, and residents of the 18th Congressional District of Ohio, I commend and thank Sgt. 1st Class Charles Komaromy for his forty years of exemplary service to his country and his community.

Madam Speaker,

Whereas, WJER 1450 AM was founded and began broadcasting in 1950 and is celebrating its 60th anniversary; and

Whereas, WJER AM has served as ``the Voice of the Valley'' by connecting the citizens of Dover, New Philadelphia, and Tuscarawas County for sixty years; and

Whereas, WJER is committed to continuing their work of bringing news and entertainment to the communities of Tuscarawas County in years to come; now, therefore, be it

Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend WJER for six decades of service to the Tuscarawas Valley through the broadcast of national and local news, sports, and entertainment.