September 28, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2097 TRIBUTE TO THE SHCC American issue that we must address with all nized the growing importance of technology to of the resources we have at our disposal. health care and to ’s economy, and HON. SCOTT GARRETT The CAN DO bill offers a new strategy in started the Medical Technology Caucus. This OF NEW JERSEY dealing with gun violence. It combines strict caucus has brought much needed attention to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES law enforcement practices, along with new op- the field of medical technology and created a Friday, September 26, 2008 portunities for mental health counseling, job forum for Members and staff to learn more programs, and educational and recreational about these important innovations. Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam services for at-risk youth and their families. His important work in this area also has a Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the This bill is also unique in that it brings to- global reach. I was proud to have Jim as a Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of gether the entire community to deal with the partner in introducing legislation to expand ac- New Jersey (SHCC). To honor this organiza- issue of gun violence by establishing partner- cess to voluntary family planning in developing tion, the State of New Jersey has designated ships between public agencies, businesses, countries. October 13 through October 19 Hispanic Busi- community-based nonprofits, churches, It has been an honor to serve alongside ness Week. schools, and universities. There is an ‘‘all Congressman RAMSTAD in the Minnesota Del- The health of the Hispanic business com- hands on’’ approach in order to get all of the egation for the last 7 years. I have learned a munity is vital to maintaining the strength of stakeholders involved and provide a com- lot from him, and will miss him. However, Min- the New Jersey economy. This year, the prehensive and effective strategy that families nesotans can rest assured that JIM’S public Statewide Hispanic Chamber of New Jersey is and communities can support and get behind. service will continue long after he leaves Con- celebrating 19 years of service and commit- As it is recorded by the Prophet Isaiah, gress. ment on behalf of the growing small business ‘‘They will turn their swords into plows, and Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring community. They have positioned themselves their spears into pruning knives. Nations will the service of Congressman JIM RAMSTAD in as number one out of the top 50 Chambers of not take up the sword against other nations the U.S. House of Representatives. Commerce of the State of New Jersey. and they will never again train for war’’. f I also want to recognize Daniel H. Jara, Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues founding president and CEO of the Statewide to support the CAN DO bill and help end the NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jer- destruction that is tearing apart so many of MONTH sey. Daniel has been listed in the elite group our communities. Americans of conscious of the State’s 2006 Movers and Shakers Most must come together to stop the senseless HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY Influential Business Leaders by NJBiz. death of ‘‘The Daily 45.’’ When will we say OF NEW YORK The Hispanic market represents the fastest ‘‘enough is enough, stop the killing’’. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES growing sector in the United States. In the Garden State, this segment of the population f Friday, September 26, 2008 has experienced an 87-percent growth in less IN HONOR OF CONGRESSMAN JIM Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York. Madam than 10 years. This year, it is estimated that RAMSTAD Speaker, over the past several decades, em- there are over 70,000 Hispanic-owned busi- ployers, human resource professionals, policy- nesses, which support approximately 190,000 HON. BETTY McCOLLUM makers, and everyone who works have come jobs and generate $10.5 billion in sales. Ac- OF MINNESOTA to understand the importance of supporting cording to the last economic census, New Jer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the often competing demands of work, home, sey has the fifth largest concentration of His- and community. Support for the work-life jug- panic-owned businesses in the Nation. Friday, September 26, 2008 gling act has expanded to cover the predict- The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Com- Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam able life events that occur throughout a career. merce of New Jersey will hold it 18th Annual Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and According to recent data and studies, bal- Convention and Expo on October 17, 2008. I colleague, Congressman JIM RAMSTAD, as he ancing work and family is increasingly impor- wish the Chamber success as they continue retires from the U.S. House of Representa- tant to the strength of America’s businesses striving to grow New Jersey’s economy. tives. today; 85 percent of United States wage and f Congressman RAMSTAD is dedicated to pub- salaried workers have immediate, day-to-day INTRODUCTION OF THE CAN DO lic service. He served as a First Lieutenant in family responsibilities outside of their jobs. BILL the U.S. Army Reserve after graduating from According to 2007 report by WorldatWork ti- the University of Minnesota and then as a tled ‘‘Attraction and Retention: The Impact and Criminal Justice attorney before being elected Prevalence of Work-life and Benefit Pro- HON. BOBBY L. RUSH to the in 1981 and to the grams’’, the quality of workers’ jobs and the OF ILLINOIS U.S. House of Representatives in 1990. supportiveness of their workplaces are key IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Today, he is a member of the Board of Direc- predictors of job productivity, job satisfaction, Friday, September 26, 2008 tors of Minnesota D.A.R.E and the Lake Coun- commitment to employers, and retention. Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, today I am in- ty Food Bank. Given the current economic crisis that is troducing the Communities in Action Neighbor- Minnesota has been fortunate to have a squeezing the family budget at a rate unprece- hood and Opportunity bill, also known as the leader like Congressman RAMSTAD rep- dented since the Great Depression, from the CAN DO bill. The Department of Justice re- resenting us in the House of Representatives. escalating price of such basics as gasoline ports that, on average, 45 people are shot and Congressman RAMSTAD is one of a rare class and food, at the same time housing values are killed daily in America. Annually, there are of members who always puts policy above declining, now more than ever it is essential to 16,000–17,000 gun deaths in America. partisanship, and with his focus on law en- give working families some relief. Time is the In contrast, the total number of American forcement and health care, has made a real new currency and has become as valuable a casualties in Iraq, over the entire 5-year span difference for families in Minnesota and across benefit as money. Research shows that work- of the war, is about 4,155 and for Afghanistan, the country. place flexibility is the most highly prized re- it’s at least 500. The combined total of casual- He showed his immense courage and com- sponse that employers can provide to 21st ties for Iraq and Afghanistan is less than 5,000 mitment by speaking about his own challenges century workplace realities. since both wars began. More Americans are with chemical dependency during his work on Workplace flexibility is not a trivial pursuit; it killed in America than American soldiers killed the Mental Health and Addic- is a business imperative today. Corporations in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. tion Equity Act. His dedication to reducing the that engage in these family-supportive prac- Madam Speaker, as elected leaders of this stigma associated with mental health and tices have earned 2–3 times the stock values, country, we must address this critical issue chemical dependency and ensuring fairness in and creating a collegial, flexible work environ- that inflicts so many of our most vulnerable health care has changed the lives of millions ment has been shown empirically to create a communities. This issue of gun violence af- of Americans. minimum of 9 percent of shareholder value. fects all Americans, white, black, Latino, and Congressman RAMSTAD served on the No one is a pioneer; the path to flexibility is Asian. And gun violence pervades in all of our Health Subcommittee of the Ways and Means well-traveled, and best practices abound in all communities: urban, suburban, and rural. Committee and has worked effectively on sectors—public as well as private. Many busi- This issue is not a black or white issue, and issues relating to health care access. As a nesses are doing an exemplary job in this it is not an urban or rural issue. This is an freshman Member of the House, he recog- area already. H. Res. 1440 recognizes that

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:47 Sep 29, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A26SE8.099 E28SEPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS