H2272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2007 Congress since the National Defense Edu- ious levels of government; public service pro- THE UNITED STATES OF THE 21ST cation Act of 1958, and it was the first broad grams included an academic publishing pro- CENTURY education bill enacted in the post-World War II gram as well as workshops for government of- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under period that was not tied to national defense. ficials. This blend of the academic and the the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- In 1964, Johnson signed the Library Serv- practical remains the distinguishing char- uary 18, 2007, the gentleman from Illi- ices Act (P.L. 88–269) to make high quality acteristic of the LBJ School and this highly ef- nois (Mr. KIRK) is recognized for 60 public libraries more accessible to both urban fective approach to training for public service minutes as the designee of the minor- and rural residents. The funds made available is today an accepted model for public affairs ity leader. under this Act were used to construct as well graduate programs across the country. Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, as we take as operate libraries, and to extend this pro- Mr. Speaker, Lyndon Baines Johnson, who up the agenda of the new Congress in gram to cities as well as rural areas. Later that died January 22, 1973, will be remembered the 110th iteration, we should look to year, President Johnson signed the Civil not only as a great President and Member of new issues which address the needs of Rights Act (P.L. 88–352), which among its Congress, but also as the greatest champion the American people in this century, in landmark provisions authorized federal au- of accessible and affordable quality education this time. thorities to sue for the desegregation of for all. President Johnson truly understood the When we look at what that new agen- schools and to withhold federal funds from importance of leaving no child behind, and he da should include, it should reflect the education institutions that practiced segrega- didn’t. values and lifestyles and locations of tion. For all these reasons, Mr. Speaker, it is Americans where they actually live In 1965, President Johnson signed the Ele- most appropriate that the House voted to re- today, and not the way that we think mentary and Secondary Education Act (P.L. name the headquarters building of the Depart- they lived 50 years ago. When we look at the America of the 89–10) at the former Junction Elementary ment of Education located at 400 Maryland 21st century, we see a country that has School in Stonewall, Texas, where he first at- Avenue Southwest in the District of Columbia changed radically from an old vision of tended school. Sitting beside him as he signed as the ‘‘Lyndon Baines Johnson Department our Nation as one-third rural, one- the bill was his first teacher, Mrs. Kathryn of Education Building.’’ third urban, and one-third suburban. If Deadrich Loney. This legislation was the first Finally, Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to Presi- general aid-to-education program ever adopt- you hold that idea, you are about 40 dent Johnson’s leadership in the area of civil years out of date. The new United ed by Congress, and it provided programs to rights. In response to the civil rights move- help educate disadvantaged children in urban States of the 21st century is a majority ment, Johnson overcame southern resistance part suburban. In fact, in the last Pres- and rural areas. Later that year, he also and achieved passage of the Civil Rights Act signed the Higher Education Act (P.L. 89– idential election, for the first time in of 1964, which effectively outlawed most forms our country’s history, over half of all 329), which was the first program approved by of racial segregation. As he put down his pen, the U.S. Congress for scholarships to under- voters were living in suburban commu- Johnson is alleged to have told an aide: ‘‘We nities. When you ask these voters, graduate students. have lost the South for a generation.’’ In 1965, In 1965, President Johnson launched ‘‘What do you think the Congress he achieved passage of a second civil rights should work on to make sure that it is Project Head Start, as an eight-week summer bill, the Voting Rights Act, that outlawed dis- program, to help break the cycle of poverty by addressing key needs of your family crimination in voting, thus allowing millions of and your community,’’ they over- providing pre-school children from low-income southern blacks to vote for the first time. families with a comprehensive program to whelmingly put forward a list of prior- In other actions on the civil rights front, ities that have been consistent for the meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional, Johnson nominated civil rights attorney and psychological needs. Recruiting children last decade and that is: action on pub- Thurgood Marshall to the positions of Solicitor lic education, on health care, on con- from ages three to school-entry age, Head General and later Associate Justice of the Su- Start was enthusiastically received by edu- servation, and on economic growth. preme Court, making him the first African Responding to these needs, in the cation and child development specialists, com- American to serve in either capacity. After the last Congress we formed the Suburban munity leaders, and parents across the nation. murder of civil rights worker Viola Liuzzo, Agenda Caucus to then develop a polit- Currently, Head Start continues to serve chil- Johnson went on television to announce the ical program here in the Congress to dren and their families each year in urban and arrest of four Ku Klux Klansmen implicated in address those needs; and in this Special rural areas in all 50 States, the District of Co- her death. He angrily denounced the Klan as Order that we are going to have to- lumbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Territories, a ‘‘hooded society of bigots,’’ and warned night, we are going talk about the next as well as many migrant children. them to ‘‘return to a decent society before it’s chapter, the suburban agenda for 2007. In 1966, President Johnson signed the Inter- too late.’’ He turned the themes of Christian By talking about what these key pieces national Education Act (P.L. 89–698), which redemption to push for civil rights, thereby mo- of legislation are, we have gone beyond promoted international studies at U.S. colleges bilizing support from churches North and platitudes or general policy descrip- and universities. tions to describe actual pieces of legis- In 1968, he signed the Elementary and Sec- South. lation that should be adopted in this ondary Education Act Amendments of 1967 On June 4, 1965 at the Howard University Congress addressing the education, (P.L. 90–247), establishing bilingual education commencement address, he said that both the health care, conservation, and eco- programs for non-English speaking children, government and the nation needed to help nomic needs of the American people. and providing more funds for special edu- achieve goals: . . . To shatter forever not only the barriers of law and public practice, but the The suburban agenda is presented cation for disabled children. Later that year, he here in its new 2007 form. It includes also signed the Handicapped Children’s Early walls which bound the condition of many by the color of his skin. To dissolve, as best we the Gang Elimination Act of 2007, legis- Education Assistance Act (P.L. 90–538), which lation by Congressman Dave Reichert authorized experimental programs for disabled can, the antique enmities of the heart which diminish the holder, divide the great democ- that would seek to identify the top children of pre-school age. three major international drug gangs After leaving office, Lyndon Johnson re- racy, and do wrong—great wrong—to the chil- dren of God. in the United States that represent a turned to his native Texas and continued his threat to our country’s security. In involvement in public education. His presi- Lyndon Baines Johnson was a giant of a man and a towering figure in the history and fact, if you added up all of the docu- dential papers are housed at the Lyndon mented gang members in the United Baines Johnson Library and Museum at the life of our nation. We are not going to see his like again. States, it would amount to the fifth- University of Texas, which in 1970 established largest army on the earth and one that the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public f represents a clear and present danger Affairs, The ‘‘LBJ School,’’ as is commonly to the safety and security of many kids The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a known, pioneered what was then regarded as throughout America. a novel approach to training for public service. previous order of the House, the gen- The curriculum combined courses in theory tleman from Texas (Mr. BURGESS) is b 1820 with courses that took students into govern- recognized for 5 minutes. I will just say that in my own con- ment agencies to work and conduct research; (Mr. BURGESS addressed the House. gressional district the average gang- the faculty included academics from various His remarks will appear hereafter in land shooter in North Chicago or Wau- disciplines as well as practitioners from var- the Extensions of Remarks.) kegan, Illinois, is in the eighth grade;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:54 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.022 H07MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC66 with REPORTS March 7, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2273 and this legislation is critical to pro- The Deleting On-Line Predators Act With students already carrying 45 vide Federal backup to suburban law also says to schools and libraries that, percent more debt than they did 10 enforcement to take on the new threat as we upgrade protections for kids on- years ago, I simply don’t think increas- of gangs moving into the suburbs. line in the home, that we also do them ing loan amounts and reducing loan A second piece of the Suburban Agen- in public spaces to, consistently and rates is enough. We have to provide da is the Teacher and Student Safety across the board, deny opportunities to more tools for parents and students to Act, legislation by Congressman GEOFF the estimated 50,000 sexual predators save for college. That is why we have DAVIS. This legislation seeks to make on-line who are on-line at any one introduced H.R. 87, the 401 Kids Family sure that every classroom in America time. Savings Act of 2007. is as safe as possibly can be main- Congressman JIM GERLACH has also This legislation would put American tained, using the judgment of full-time introduced another key piece of the children on the path to an affordable registered teachers who know their Suburban Agenda. That is the Open education and a firm financial future. classrooms and their kids best. Space and Farm Land Preservation Act It allows an individual, including a par- Under this legislation, a full-time to make sure that we improve the tax ent, a grandparent, an aunt or an registered teacher would be allowed to treatment and grant programs to pre- uncle, to set aside a total of $2,000 an- search a book bag or a locker if they serve suburban open space, so that we nually in 401 Kids Savings Accounts for have any colorable suspicion that a do not enter a state of drift in which each child. weapon has come into the classroom. suburban open space disappears across Like that Roth IRA, the money is In my own congressional district, in the country, and we have an unending contributed to the account after taxes, the Winnetka school system, and cer- series of strip malls. but interest accumulates tax free, and tainly we all remember the Columbine And the final piece of the Suburban the balance can be used tax free for the school attacks, we saw troubled kids Agenda for 2007 is the Senior Safety approved purposes in the bill. In the bring weapons into the classroom with and Dignity Act by Representative case of 401 Kids Savings Accounts, the tragic results. GINNY BROWN-WAITE. That Act lays out money could be withdrawn tax free, As a former teacher, I know that I a set of protections for seniors as first of all, for the college education. knew my kids best; and, using that America ages to make sure that their The legislation would extend through judgment, we can make sure that class- health care standards, especially in 2015, the Coverdell Education Savings rooms are safer in America. senior and life-long care, are main- Account tax benefits, and rename these One of the critical opportunities that tained. accounts 401 Kids Savings Accounts. we have in our country is improving When we look at this all, there is one Second, for housing. 401 Kids Savings health care, especially using new tech- bill that stands above all others in the Accounts also can be used when the nology and expanding health insurance concern of suburban families, and that child grows up and they haven’t used for Americans; and there we have the is how to pay for college to make sure the amount, all of the amount, for the Health Insurance for Life Act by Rep- that a child has a guaranteed road map purchase of a first home. resentative CHARLIE DENT. into the middle class. And to talk And third, retirement. When the The Health Insurance for Life Act ad- about that legislation, let me yield to child grows up, he can roll over his 401 dresses a critical problem in America, the author of that bill, my colleague Kids Savings Account into a Roth IRA which is that the average suburban from Illinois, Congresswoman JUDY for use much later during retirement. family will have five different jobs over BIGGERT. By enacting these reforms, we really their life, and they may worry that in Mrs. BIGGERT. Thank you so much, can supply families with a single vehi- between jobs they would lose coverage Mr. KIRK, for organizing this oppor- cle to set aside money for their chil- or be dropped or develop a pre-existing tunity to discuss the Suburban Agenda. dren’s futures. Money contributed at condition which would interfere with As a Member who represents part of birth could grow tax free for 18 years the continuation of health care insur- Cook County, the most populous coun- until needed for college. ance for their family. ty in Illinois, DuPage County, the sec- Parents and relatives also would The Health Insurance for Life Act of ond most populous county in Illinois, have the peace of mind of knowing that 2007 simply says that for every Amer- and Will County, the fastest growing if the child chooses not to go to col- ican already in an insurance pool, who county in Illinois, I certainly share lege, even though they put away the already enjoys COBRA health reinsur- your strong interest in suburban money, or chooses a more affordable ance rights for 18 months, that you can issues. school, any money left over in the ac- continue those, that insurance, for as So I am delighted to be able to talk counts can be used for the child’s first long as you need to. a little about the 401(k) kids. I want to home or retirement. Almost every suburban family in just take a few minutes to explain I would be remiss, as we talk about America has a problem that they have what I think is one of the most impor- financial literacy and talk about sav- heard about, either in their own family tant issues facing my constituents and ings, if I didn’t mention that even or in their neighborhood, regarding constituents all over, particularly in Chairman Bernanke of the Federal Re- predators on-line, people that would be the suburbs, the rising cost of college serve has said that creating savings ac- using, for example, the number one education. counts for children at the time they Web site on the planet, myspace.com, Other than buying a home, the cost are born is a great idea. So I am really to reach out to kids and to attack of a college education is probably one pleased to be with you. them in a way that was simply alien or of the first major expenses that fami- Mr. KIRK. If the gentlelady will impossible in the previous century. lies need to start saving for. The aver- yield. The Deleting On-Line Predators Act, age cost of tuition at an in-state public Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield. which passed in last Congress by a vote school is now at least $13,000; for an Mr. KIRK. When we look at this of 400–15, says that our first line of de- out-of-state public school, it is $19,000; problem, we see that the Congress has fense are parents, moms and dads who and an average tuition at a private taken critical action in the past to know about this danger and are up- school is $28,000 and rising. These num- change our culture in favor of more grading the protections of their kids bers have risen and continue to rise far savings and investment. The 401(k) pro- on-line. For example, in the 21st cen- faster than the rate of inflation. gram was relatively new to our society tury, how the computer should be real- Adding to this problem, let me put on and our culture. ly in the living room and not the bed- my financial literacy hat just a little room, where parents can have routine bit, is that personal savings rates in b 1830 and casual contact with their on-line this country have dropped to a nega- And yet millions of Americans now, habits of their kids; or that every 21st tive 1 percent, one of the lowest sav- when they get their first real job, es- century parent should demand the ings rates since the Great Depression. tablish a 401(k) program, saving on rights of the passwords of their chil- So what I fear here is we have a finan- their own for retirement. dren to make sure that they know cial storm waiting to strike families Last Congress you were leading the where their kids have been. across the country. effort on behalf of extending 529 college

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:52 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.075 H07MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC66 with REPORTS H2274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2007 savings accounts that are chartered Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I want to es- Americans with private group health under each State. We already have $80 pecially thank the gentleman from Illi- insurance are covered through an em- billion saved under investment. That is nois (Mr. KIRK) for his strong leader- ployer, coverage that is generally pro- why I want to applaud you with the po- ship on this suburban agenda. I also vided to active employees and their tential that this 401 Kids account bill want to thank him, too, for arranging families. A change in an individual’s could do. this opportunity for members of the work or family status can result in loss I yield back to the gentlewoman. Suburban Agenda Caucus to come to of coverage. Americans are changing Mrs. BIGGERT. Thank you. Yes, the floor this evening to discuss issues jobs more than ever before, averaging there are several States that have that are important to all Americans nearly seven different careers over the started this process, too. The more and not simply just people who live in course of their working lives. that we can entice people to start that the suburbs. In 1985, Congress enacted legislation saving, to know what is available, the Every congressman or woman has a we refer to as COBRA to give workers more that it is publicized, whether it is unique district with distinct interests, and their families who lose their health a State account or a Federal account, but we can all support an agenda that benefits the right to choose to continue it is very important that this starts. defends our children’s safety, improves coverage provided under their group I know that in all the work that we educational opportunities and expands health plan. Under COBRA, an em- do in the financial literacy and finan- access to affordable health care. ployer with 20 or more employees must cial education that still we have kids When I am at home in my district, provide individuals and their families that don’t understand the difference one of the issues that I discuss with my the option of continuing their coverage between checks, cash or credit cards. constituents is our mutual concern for under the employer’s group health in- Nor do people understand compound in- the safety of our children, both in surance plan in the case of certain terest. Adults don’t understand that. school and on the Internet. Parents events such as a voluntary or involun- Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming have a right to send their children to tary job loss, reduction in the hours my time, that may be the biggest ben- safe, drug-free schools, and we took an worked, transition between jobs, death, efit from this legislation. Not only will important step last Congress when the divorce and other life events. But in we save tens of billions of dollars for House passed legislation, the Student most circumstances, the coverage college education, and I think every- and Teacher Safety Act, that would under COBRA is limited to 18 or 36 body in this Chamber knows George allow States and school districts to months. And because of this 18-month Washington University just crossed the conduct reasonable searches to ensure limitation, during a prolonged job $50,000 a year tuition mark for kids, that our schools remain free of all search, individuals and families have but more importantly, these accounts weapons, dangerous materials and ille- to purchase expensive policies in order are going to have the names of each gal narcotics. Parents need to know to maintain their quality of care or child on them. And so it is an edu- that their children are safe when they they take the risk of becoming unin- cation tool for parents. And I don’t are at school. sured. During times of transition, fami- know if you want to talk about that. As a father of three young children, I lies need the certainty of knowing that When the statement comes into the am particularly concerned about the they will not lose their health cov- home that for a young teenage son or threat of online predators. The Na- erage. daughter, you might be able to talk tional Center for Missing and Exploited Later this week I will be introducing about how the investment has gone. Children reports that over 50,000 preda- a bill, the Health Insurance for Life Mrs. BIGGERT. Not even a teenager, Act, which will remove the 18- or 36- but let’s say a pre-teen, when the tors are online at any given time and one in five children has received an un- month limitation on COBRA coverage, statement comes in and they look at it giving employees the option to con- every month, they see how much inter- wanted online solicitation of a sexual nature. We need to be vigilant as par- tinue their health insurance coverage est, what interest means and what indefinitely. Knowing that they can compound interest means, that they ents by supervising our children while they are browsing the Web at home. We rely on continued coverage will provide are getting more money every month, individuals and families with consist- every year on this account. It isn’t just also must do all we can to protect our children when they are outside our su- ency and security as they face change sitting there static. and uncertainty in their lives. And I pervision by preventing them from ac- We have so many people in this coun- look forward to working with all of my cessing social networking Web sites try that are what we call ‘‘unbanked,’’ colleagues to advance this important and chat rooms like MySpace.com at that don’t even have a bank account or agenda that has been outlined by my schools and in libraries unless they are anything. They don’t get these state- friend and colleague, Representative under adult supervision. The Deleting ments. So this is a tool, you are right, KIRK of Illinois. that kids learn about how to manage Online Predators Act will give parents And, again, I do want to compliment money. And part of that is having the peace of mind by ensuring that a re- you and applaud you on your leader- opportunity that will be gained, being sponsible adult is monitoring their ship. able to go to college because they had children’s Internet use at all times. Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming their parents and their family that put Parents in my district know that a my time, we have seen that several money aside for them. And you could college education will double their hundred thousand Americans each year put aside $2,000 a year, but you can child’s earning potential, as you just exercise their COBRA rights to con- start with $50, $100. Maybe families mentioned, but they worry about how tinue health care insurance for their can’t afford to put that much money they will afford to send their children families after they are laid off or leave in, but every dollar saved is a dollar to- to a higher education institution. It is employment. But, each year, over wards education with the interest that critical that we help families start sav- 200,000 Americans will reach the end of is gained and reaped over the years in ing early to send their children to col- their 18-month COBRA period and then this account. lege. By passing H.R. 87 and perma- be unable to continue their health care Mr. KIRK. I thank the gentlewoman. nently extending the 401 Kids Family insurance. If they have a preexisting I think the Congress needs to pass the Savings Accounts, or college savings condition in their family, they could 401 Kids Family Savings Account Act. accounts, parents will be able to put then be left out of a coverage pool We know that the average college grad- money aside to invest in their chil- later. uate in America earns a million dollars dren’s future. And I want to thank the I think that is why it is so important more than someone who only grad- gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. that, at the discretion of the family, at uated from high school. BIGGERT) for her strong leadership on their own cost, they can continue that One of the other members of the Sub- this issue. health care insurance to have peace of urban Agenda Caucus and an author of Finally, one meaningful step we can mind. one of the key pieces of legislation is take to ensure that individuals and I yield to the gentleman. my colleague from Pennsylvania, Con- families maintain access to affordable Mr. DENT. Yes. The gentleman is ab- gressman CHARLIE DENT, and I yield to health care is to provide greater port- solutely on point. The portability as- him. ability of health care coverage. Most pect of this legislation is absolutely

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:54 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.077 H07MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC66 with REPORTS March 7, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2275 critical. When I served in my State leg- even having their well-child visits or Community health centers provide a islature, in both the State house and other checkups and how do they do wide array of health care, such as pre- the State senate, this was a common that. natal, dental, podiatry, mental health, complaint I would hear from people Health care issues, being a top pri- substance abuse counseling, hearing who suffered a job loss and were at the ority for the Suburban Caucus, in- screening, vision screening, discount end of their COBRA eligibility. cludes my legislation, the Family prescription drugs, case management, Health Care Accessibility Act, which is b 1840 smoking cessation, blood pressure an updated version of a bill I intro- monitoring, blood cholesterol moni- They were very frustrated, just for duced last year to ensure that every toring, weight reduction programs, a the reasons you identified, that there family has a neighborhood doctor. Re- wide array of programs that are avail- was a member of the family who had a gardless of their income, regardless of able there. But the issue is, are there particular illness and that they could whether or not they have insurance, enough of these centers around and are not get coverage elsewhere. So COBRA families will have health care. there enough doctors to staff them? was absolutely critical to them being We oftentimes hear it quoted here, About 70 percent of those who use able to provide for their families. and sometimes misquoted, that there these community health centers have Remember, too, when you pay for are millions of Americans without incomes below or at the poverty level, COBRA insurance, you are basically health insurance, and indeed there are, but there are also many other families paying the full premium. So the port- and we do not want Americans to do who find themselves in a situation ability aspect and dealing with the pre- without that health care. But, in fact, where they are working but are not in- existing condition is absolutely I think many of these folks are covered, per- sured and they can go to these, recog- one of the best selling points and the haps through their employer; and, as nizing they can hold their heads high, most salient points of this legislation. the gentleman from Pennsylvania was because they are getting good quality Mr. KIRK. We also hear from job ex- describing, when they are between jobs health care and they have a health care perts that in America generally it and they have that gap there, that is home. takes one month or $10,000 to find a something that Mr. DENT’s bill would For many folks, these are the only new job, on average, but many families help cover them. health care services available, and will hit that 18-month limit before But there are some who are also cov- while the number of uninsured patients they find new employment. ered by Medicare and Medicaid and at community health centers is grow- Mr. DENT. That is absolutely true. don’t know it. We need to work with ing, the number of physicians available And particularly I would also urge any- them to make sure they are aware of to them is decreasing. There is a crit- body watching us this evening to not that. The census data simply asks who ical shortage of physicians available at only look at their COBRA options, and is covered. community health centers to meet the But the other issue becomes what certainly endorse this legislation, but health care needs of the uninsured and about those Americans, 12, 13, 14 mil- also be aware of the fact that we have underinsured. lion or so, who do not have anything, programs in this country called SCHIP The Journal of the American Medical and those are the ones we need to rec- for children who are uninsured, that if Association reports a 13 percent va- ognize that there are some things we their children need health insurance, cancy rate for family physicians, a 9 can do, and we need to act now. It is they may be eligible for that. percent vacancy rate for internists, a not a matter really of concern about When I was in my State legislature, 20 percent vacancy rate for OB–GYNs, spending vast amounts of money, but we passed an Adult Basic Program pro- and over 20 percent for psychiatrists. we have a solution at hand, a simple viding a low-cost health insurance pro- So what can we do to get more doctors solution, a direct solution, and one gram for adults of working age who, for at the community health centers? that we should embrace quickly to help whatever reasons, were out of work. Well, interestingly enough, physi- So, again, the gentleman is on point, these families. Understand that health care costs for cians and other specialists hired by that when people are unemployed, families in the United States are ris- community health centers are covered there are options for them in health ing. From 2004 to 2005, the medical by the Federal Torts Claim Act for care in many States, either through costs for a four-person household in- medical liability costs. However, those SCHIP or, like my State, Adult Basic; creased by over 9 percent, to $12,200- who want to volunteer are not covered. and I would certainly encourage people plus. This is a growing burden on all They would then have to get their own to contact my office or even their families and often many look at this as insurance. State legislator’s office to seek some they can’t afford health care. We have heard it spoken many times assistance. But, fortunately, there are commu- in this Chamber and other places where Mr. KIRK. I thank the gentleman. nity health centers out there. These the cost of medical liability insurance For suburban families, health care are nonprofit, community supported is so high that many doctors retire issues are second only to safety and se- health care facilities that provide af- early, they limit their practice or they curity and improvement of public edu- fordable primary and preventative leave the States where those prices are cation in their priority list. One of the health care on a sliding fee scale so so high, in the tens of thousands, many key issues is access to care, especially that every patient who walks through times over, dollars per year. For exam- at community health centers, and the door can receive access to health ple, many OB–GYNs will stop deliv- making sure we have enough doctors. care services. This is low-cost, afford- ering babies in order to reduce their No one knows this issue better than able quality. costs. In Pennsylvania alone, there are the author of the Family Health Care So instead of a family saying that about only 4 percent of physicians who Accessibility Act, part of the Suburban they look at a health insurance bill of are under the age of 35, and we are Agenda, my colleague, Congressman several hundred dollars a month, that looking for more shortages in the fu- TIM MURPHY. would not be the issue, because what ture. Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. they could spend was a small, small Well, community health centers have Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Il- fraction of that on a sliding fee scale to limited resources to meet the current linois for yielding. help them cover a doctor’s visit, a den- needs of the uninsured and under- As you said, few things are as impor- tist’s visit or something else. insured, but there are many physicians tant as the health of our families. In fact, community health centers and psychologists and dentists and oth- A lot of times in this Congress we provide this high-quality care to over ers who want to volunteer at commu- talk about issues of health care acces- 15 million families who are the low-in- nity health centers, but the current sibility, and a lot of times that be- come, underinsured and uninsured. laws are a barrier to them. So when comes a discussion of health insurance. They provide a medical home for these they do approach community health But the bottom line is, for families, folks and save even 30 percent for those centers and say they would like to they want to know that when their who are on Medicaid, which is about a offer some time every month, the cen- child or they are sick, can they get to $17 billion annual savings to the Amer- ters oftentimes find themselves in a see a doctor that they can afford, or ican taxpayer. position of turning them down.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:00 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.078 H07MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC66 with REPORTS H2276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2007 This bill simply does this: Whether doctors who are paid are covered under and expanded capabilities for commu- you are working in a community the Federal Torts Claim Act. nity health centers ought to be what health center or you want to give your What happens, if they can’t see the this Congress is about. time at no charge to help those in patient, it is one of those things that Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. I need, you can be covered under the medical care delayed is medical care thank the gentleman for pointing that Federal Tort Claims Act, something denied. What they end up doing is out. I am not clear whether there are that this Congress has done for those sometimes going to emergency rooms, any associations that oppose this part; who are employed by those centers. where the cost is many times over, and maybe there are. But I would hope that Let’s extend that to those who want hospitals by law have to provide that they would reach out and say, these to volunteer. There is then no cost to care. They cannot turn them away. doctors are covered by some liability those centers to hire those folks, and it Again, we are taking children and fam- insurance. It is a lower cost to them. is very limited cost to provide that ilies who should be seeing their physi- But the main thing is, let’s get these health insurance for them. So there is cian for primary care, their immuniza- families and these children to see doc- a huge savings. tions, their flus and colds and earaches, tors now and get the care that they But the main thing is we provide and seeing a physician at a health cen- need. more coverage for families, families ter, and to have legal barriers are Mr. KIRK. I thank the gentleman. have more doctors that they can go to, something that does not make sense to When we look at the suburban agen- we don’t have these shortages, we don’t any family, let alone suburban fami- da, you can see, last year, we had quite have long lines at these centers, and lies. a lot of progress made. people have a health care home. Mr. KIRK. You are an expert on The School Safety Acquiring Excel- It is such a simple task for Congress lence Act not only passed this House as to pass this. This bill is one I hope my health care in this Congress. When we look at the delivery of health care, in part of the suburban agenda, but it was colleagues will help me in co-spon- enacted into law, allowing full national a hospital emergency room, we have soring and help support as it moves criminal background checks for anyone the most expensive setting to care for through the process. We simply cannot coming in contact with kids in a a family. Generally they have waited afford to continue to address health school, especially recognizing the Jes- until a very late moment, and now we care by talking about health insurance sica Lunsford problem. only. That is an important part, but it are in an acute emergency situation. We also passed the Charitable Dona- Had that family gone to a commu- isn’t just financing this system. It is a tions for Open Space Act, enacted into nity health center early in the process, matter of fixing this system in a com- law, and that was with the leadership passionate, quality way. Community we would have dealt with the problem of my colleague from Pennsylvania, without the drama and without a po- health care centers provide that, if we JIM GERLACH, who is now, as part of only open the door for more doctors tential catastrophic result, and at this year’s suburban agenda, is moving and others to provide that care on a much lower cost to the public and the the Open Space and Farmland Preser- volunteer basis. family. That is why this legislation is vation Act, and I yield to my colleague What could be more humanitarian, essential, because it expands these cen- from Pennsylvania. what could be more compassionate, ters and expands care at this level in- Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I want than to remove this government bar- stead of the very expensive place we do to express my gratitude to the gen- rier that stands in the way of people it now, in the hospital emergency tleman from Illinois (Mr. KIRK) for his reaching out their hearts and providing room. terrific leadership in pulling us to- this care at this very low cost? Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. gether for this terrific suburban agenda I would hope that all of my col- Yes, indeed. Hospital emergency rooms that we have been putting forward in leagues would join me in co-sponsoring should be for emergencies and traumas. Congress now for the last couple of this bill and helping to move it Those who have flus and other illnesses years. through. But it is, as part of the Subur- can be seen by other doctors that don’t We made progress in the 109th Con- ban Agenda, one where we recognize overburden the emergency room at a gress, but we want to see a lot more that working families have tremendous very high cost. happen here in this 110th Congress. It is needs. Those, however, who do not have through this caucus that we have We have in this country, reaching those illnesses yet, by a checkup with where I think we are bringing vital out of compassion, have helped those their doctor, adults and children alike, issues to improve the quality of life for with very little income through Med- we can reduce costs because they can our constituents across this country to icaid. We have helped those who are get to see the doctor early, or the the forefront of the national debate. veterans through the VA system. We nurse or the nurse practitioner or the In the 109th Congress, we made great have helped the elderly through Medi- dentist. progress on considering measures to care. Let’s also help those who are in Our focus should be on providing benefit all Americans; and in par- different thresholds, in different cat- quality care, accessible care at low ticular, addressing the challenges fac- egories, who cannot afford health care, cost. Community health centers are a ing working families in fast-growing and let’s do this very low cost, perhaps tremendous asset for our Nation and suburban areas. even a cost offset plan, that can pro- something that we should all be sup- In my congressional district, which is vide this care to them. porting. It is perhaps the most compas- in the suburbs and exburbs of Philadel- Mr. KIRK. Reclaiming my time, I ap- sionate thing we can be doing for the phia, tremendous growth is leading to plaud the gentleman. I am a co-sponsor underinsured and the uninsured. of the Family Health Care Accessi- the dramatic loss of prime open space We will continue the battles in other bility Act. It is part of the Suburban and farmland. This pressure has led the areas, and we will continue to work to Agenda, so many Members are backing Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, many provide all the care that families need. it. counties, and even local municipalities But my understanding on this legis- But this is such an important answer to enact laws to protect farmland from lation is that several trial lawyer asso- that is in communities now and some- development through the purchase of ciations are against this legislation be- thing I think we need to pass now. conservation easements. cause they want to preserve the right Mr. KIRK. If we don’t pass this legis- These voluntary efforts allow farm- to be able to sue any doctor volun- lation, we will have fewer doctors and ers to stay on their land and preserve teering in a community health center fewer examining rooms open in com- it for future generations, as well as im- out of that ability, which then would munity health centers. prove the quality of life environ- mean that there is no doctor present or Ironically, because we did not pro- mentally in our local communities. the community health center closes vide this liability protection for com- To promote and encourage the efforts down. munity health centers, we don’t have of municipalities and private entities any issue of malpractice because there that wish to participate in that effort, b 1850 was no practice of medicine whatsoever we have introduced H.R. 1152, which is Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. in that setting which I think defies the Open Space and Farmland Preser- Well, what happens is, right now, those common sense. A greater access to care vation Act. This bill, which is virtually

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:00 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.080 H07MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC66 with REPORTS March 7, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2277 identical to H.R. 5313, which was Mr. GERLACH. Absolutely. We have market value of the land, with or with- agreed to unanimously by the House in seen a lot of growth in southeastern out his approval. No farmer enters into the 109th Congress, is designed to pro- Pennsylvania in the last 20 years, and a land preservation program or trans- mote the protection of the most it is good-paying jobs and family-sus- action without his approval, in that he threatened farmland and open space, taining jobs. As that continues to hap- volunteers for it. land that a State, county, municipality pen, people at the same time, while It does recognize very important pri- or even a private entity, have all that is where they go to work and earn vate property rights, that everyone is agreed is worthy of preservation. their livelihood, they also want to see entitled to realize the economic value To do so, the bill reserves a small the environmental quality of life also of his land, and so what this program portion of the current Federal Farm- preserved, so they have in their com- tries to do is pay the economic value of land Protection Program to provide munities not only the good-paying jobs that land to the farm owner who wishes matching Federal dollars for preserva- but also the green space, the open to participate on a voluntary basis. So tion efforts that are already receiving space to preserve for their generation it is locally oriented, and it is oriented a county, State and local or private and beyond. to those that want to participate on a dollar in preservation effort. At the same time, that growth is also voluntary basis, realizing the economic The bill creates a challenge grant coming up against the rural commu- value of their land based upon the con- that encourages States and counties nities, those communities that for gen- servation easement they are giving up. and local municipalities or those pri- erations and hundreds and hundreds of That, to me, is the best way to pre- vate entities, such as local conser- years have been agrarian. They were serve local and environmental condi- vancies, to work together to obtain a founded on agricultural activity, and tions, local folks making local deci- Federal 25 percent match. now, as that growth pushes up against sions on a voluntary basis and having I believe this bill will go a long way that, the farmers want to be able to the financial resources to make those towards using existing Federal dollars stay and keep the family farm going good decisions. to encourage more States, counties, for future generations. Mr. KIRK. It also seems to me we are municipalities and private groups to We found in Pennsylvania that the not empowering a large bureaucracy. take action to protect their vital open Farmland Preservation Program is an There is no overhead in administra- space and farmland. tion. The vast percentage of resources It is important to note that the bill excellent way to do two things: keep dedicated for this purpose actually is also fiscally responsible. And in that, the family farm going by providing, goes to the environmental preserva- it does not authorize any new spending; through payment of dollars for con- it simply reserves a portion of existing servation easements to the families, tion. Mr. GERLACH. Absolutely. We have program dollars. It is my hope that if the ability for them to sustain them- in our local counties county preserva- this new program is enacted, it will selves economically and, at the same tion boards that administer the pro- lead to better and more effective Fed- time, sustain that environmental qual- eral efforts to help our local munici- ity of life that is important to what gram. They obtain dollars, both locally palities, counties and States to pre- makes a good community. as well as from the State, and, where serve farmland and open space. We have been very successful using appropriate, the Federal Government, I hope the Democrat majority here in county dollars, some local dollars, and they administer that program. the House truly understands the chal- some very important State dollars, and This legislation that is on our agenda lenges facing suburban communities, even Federal dollars to have that effort does not add to bureaucracy. It will not and realizes that enacting the subur- go forward. But there still needs to be add another person at the Federal level ban agenda legislation is vital to our encouragement for local municipalities or the State level, does not add to our communities. to participate in that process. That is county preservation board staff-wise. Again, I want to express my thanks what this legislation is about and why So it is just additional resources on a to Mr. KIRK for his great efforts and his it is important for us federally to look voluntary basis that would be available staff to pull together this very impor- at the issue. to those that realize that the quality of tant Suburban Agenda Caucus again in Mr. KIRK. Why I think this legisla- life in a community is based not only the 110th Congress, and I am glad we tion is so important, too, is we have on economics but also the environ- are focusing more attention on issues seen in the development of the environ- mental aspects of that community, and that will benefit families in suburban mental law and movement a trend that is why it is an important initia- areas and remain hopeful that we can away from our roots protecting green tive. build on our success from the last ses- and open space and habitat to more Mr. KIRK. I thank the gentleman for sion and have great achievement again regulation, more lawsuits and poten- being a leading part of our Suburban this session. tially ineffective policies. Agenda Caucus and moving this crit- Mr. KIRK. We look back on the tradi- I will just note, the Federal Super- ical environmental piece of legislation. tion of great environmentalists, like fund program, designated to cleaning To recap, last year when we put this Theodore Roosevelt, who started the up the most toxic places in America, together, we passed legislation, en- National Park Service and expanded has spent over half its funds on litiga- acted it, for safer schools, charitable key habitats like Yellowstone National tion and lawsuit costs, not on environ- space, for open space. We led the way Park, and we are all for strengthening mental cleanup. in at least the House passing legisla- and expanding the park system out Your legislation takes us back to the tion promoting fully electronic med- west. original core of what the environ- ical records by passing the Deleting But for my constituents outside the mental movement was first founded to On-Line Predators Act, setting the ex- Chicago suburbs, or yours in the Phila- do, which was to protect green and ample on student and teacher safety. delphia suburbs, that might be only open space and key habitats for all This suburban trend in America is part of a summer vacation. time. not an Eastern trend, and it is not a We need to pass this legislation so Midwestern trend. It is not a Western. there is green and open space near b 1900 It is throughout the country. One of home so we don’t have an unending set Mr. GERLACH. Again, I thank the our suburban leaders is from Texas, my of suburban sprawl, but we don’t have gentleman, because really this effort is colleague from the Texas delegation, the Federal Government take over this about really allowing it to be locally Pete Sessions, and a leader on subur- role; this is a decision made by land- based, based on two very important ban issues. owners and communities throughout factors. Mr. SESSIONS. I appreciate the gen- our local areas making local decisions. Number one, it is voluntary. No one tleman yielding me the time. But in some, create more green and forces a farmer to participate in the Being from Dallas, Texas, does offer open space, new greenways, to preserve program. It is not like an eminent do- me the opportunity to come in and join a quality of life and an ecological am- main action where a taking of land oc- the Suburban Caucus members here to- bience that has become part of subur- curs and that farmer or that landowner night from Illinois and Pennsylvania; ban living. is paid just compensation for the fair and tonight I would like to speak about

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:00 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.081 H07MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC66 with REPORTS H2278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2007 something that I think is very, very thing that was known as the marriage raise taxes, for every dollar in taxes important and that is our economy. penalty, and that is that every single that it raised against the American Just yesterday, there was a brand person would be taxed only at their people, it spent another $1.08 in new new study that was released in Europe own rate, based upon what their own spending. So the record of those years that mostly you will see in Europe, you earnings were. was that, even though we were raising probably will not see in the United Mr. KIRK. What we did is we made taxes, spending here in the Congress States, but talks about how the United sure married couples did not pay a went up even faster, and so our deficit States economy, as it was 20 years ago, higher tax than two single people liv- woes became worse. is now the size, or said another way, ing together. b 1910 Europe is now the size of, their econ- Mr. SESSIONS. That is exactly right. omy, in 2007, what the United States Once again, said another way, a per- Mr. SESSIONS. That is exactly the economy was 20 years ago. It comes as son would be taxed only at their own point. The political debate in Wash- a shock to many people in Europe, even income, as opposed to combining that ington has been that Republicans cut though they have already seen incre- rate, which then would increase the taxes and deficits go up. Well, the fact mentally where their countries fall amount of taxes that a person would of the matter is, since 2001, exactly on out. pay. 9/11/01, when we had a balanced budget But what has happened in Europe is What I am telling the gentleman is at that point, we have seen the deficit they have seen a continuation of high that in around 1,300 days, if the Demo- go up, and that is because we lost 1 taxes, of overregulation, of require- crat majority does not reextend these million jobs on or about that day in ments on single payer or what we tax cuts, that all four of these taxes the months forward. might call single payer system in and more that I have talked about will So what Republicans did is they said, health care, as well as rules and regula- go back to the rate that they were be- we have got to spur our economy. We tions that are given to unions to not fore the Republicans lowered those have got to do the things that will only organize but to put additional re- taxes. bring America back to work. strictions upon employers. Mr. KIRK. If we look at the suburban I am pleased to tell you that the So, tonight, what I would like to say agenda about safe schools, extending budget is virtually balanced and is ex- is, thank goodness we live in America. health care, green and open space, et pected to be balanced by next year as a Thank goodness we live in an America cetera, one of the things that is not result of a strong, strong economy. where the free enterprise system is part of the Suburban Agenda is a tax Just 11⁄2 years ago, we had a deficit of alive and well. increase, especially a tax increase on about $500 billion. This year, it is down Tonight, the Suburban Agenda that working families. to $140 billion. That comes from strong is being talked about by the Repub- One of the things that we have insti- economic growth. That comes from the lican party is a part of trying to make tuted as part of our general tax policy opportunity for people to go to work. sure that we grow our economy, to is to make sure that married families That comes from investment and op- where America has the very best not are not paying a higher tax, because a portunity, but, most of all, we are com- only economy in the world but also a key part of the Suburban Agenda is a petitive with the world, and these are leading-edge and moving-forward econ- family together, raising kids under one the things that Republicans talk about omy. household. that is a part of the Suburban Agenda What I would like to talk about to- I am worried, though, that if there is but that is good for everybody. night is also a part of our Suburban inaction on tax policy by this Con- Mr. KIRK. If I am not mistaken, last Agenda of growing the economy, and gress, many of the inequities in the year was the largest increase in tax re- that relates to making sure that we Tax Code get reimposed and we start ceipts coming into our Treasury, even have the opportunity to have lower tax taxing families at a higher rate than though there was no tax increase by rates that allow investment in oppor- people who are single. the Federal Government, simply be- tunity. Mr. SESSIONS. That is exactly cor- cause of economic growth, that since As we know, in just a few short rect. The gentleman from Illinois is September 11, 2001, we have added over years, I think it is about some 1,381 correct, that as a result of what Repub- 2 million jobs. Maybe that is one of the days from now, the tax cuts that were licans have done, by cutting taxes, is key lessons of the Suburban Agenda: passed by the Republican majority over that we have not only given people There is no Federal program or no so- the past few years will be going away back more of their own money, we have cial welfare act that is more powerful unless the Democrats were to allow a allowed for America to be in a position in improving the life of a suburban vote and we reauthorize those. What to where we are more competitive with family than a job and a growing econ- would be gone away is the marriage the world. omy for small business. penalty, depreciation, capital gains; Is it not interesting that just a few Mr. SESSIONS. The gentleman is and our tax rates would rise, also. short years ago all the talk was about correct, and if I could have the gen- Mr. KIRK. You are telling me that outsourcing and these jobs that were tleman also continue to keep focusing the marriage penalty will be reimposed going to other countries. Ever since we on how we have done this, what has by the American Tax Code unless this passed these tax cuts, the debate and been done is we have turned to the free Congress acts? discussion now is how do we get enough market, the free enterprise system, to Mr. SESSIONS. That is exactly right. workers to do the work that we need Americans, and said, we need you to go What happened was, when Republicans done here in America. work as hard as you can work and came into office 12 years ago, we talked The greatest threat against that bring this country back. That is ex- about how important it was to make would be that we do not have enough actly what has happened. It was not be- sure that every worker in a family, in work that can be done here, and so cause of a government program. this case a husband or a wife, would companies go offshore to have work What we did is, we gave people back have an opportunity to only be taxed done on behalf of corporations and peo- more of their own money, allowed upon their own income. What happened ple here in this country. them to invest that money in places is, after 40 years of Democrat control, Mr. KIRK. We talk about the Subur- like Dallas, Texas, where I live, Chi- we had taxes at this high, high level, ban Agenda, what is in it, which is pro- cago, Illinois. And we have this robust and what happened is that a married school, pro-health care, pro-environ- economy that, since 2001, 5 million new person would be taxed at the highest ment legislation, and what is not, jobs have been added. Tax receipts are rate of the person in that household, which is a tax increase on the Amer- up, 3 years ago, plus 8 percent over the whoever made the most money. That ican people. There is the argument year before; then plus 13 percent in this meant that if a wife worked full time that is made very often here in Wash- last year, plus 15 percent more than we and a husband worked part time, he ington that the only way to cure our fi- had received the year before. would be taxed at her high tax rate. nancial woes is a tax increase. But if I We have more people at work today. So what Republicans did with Presi- remember, looking back at the record More people own their own homes. dent Bush is we came and passed some- of the 1970s, even when Congress did There is more money being made, and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:00 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.083 H07MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC66 with REPORTS March 7, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2279 the government has more money at its flexibility, to save for their child’s col- battle cry is, ‘‘Don’t Tread on Me.’’ The disposal. I hope and believe that next lege education and first time home pur- tracks of my tears and the stains of my year this budget is going to be bal- chase. Health Insurance for Life, to blood can be traced from Boston to anced. make sure that we continue the Baghdad. Mr. KIRK. As the gentleman points COBRA insurance for Americans, for I was there at Lexington when the out, many people here in Washington more than 18 months, the Deleting On- shot heard around the world was fired, will point to the European Union as line Predators Act to make sure we are saw the whites of their eyes, was bat- the economic model, an example that empowering parents to control this tle-tested at Bunker Hill, Valley Forge we should follow, but the record is re- 21st Century danger to their children; and Yorktown, and won my country’s lentlessly negative towards their exam- the Open Space and Farm Land Preser- independence. ple of creating new jobs or economic vation Act to make sure that we have b 1920 growth, where we have seen a reactive more preserved green and open space in decline of the European Union as the green and open suburbs, and fi- I earned worldwide respect during the against China and the United States. nally, the Senior Safety and Dignity Spanish-American War while helping We also recall in the last decade how Act to make sure that as the baby our friends in Cuba gain their inde- we all thought that we would all end up boomers age, we are preserving our pendence. Names like Teddy Roo- working for the Japanese and that long-term health care for our Ameri- sevelt’s Rough Riders and the 9th and Japan, Incorporated, was the big cans. 10th Cavalry became household words. threat. This is the suburban agenda, a vision I saw action at San Juan Hill, Guanta- Now we see an old axiom of politics for the future and a work plan for the namo Bay, and the Philippines. A said by one great politician, never bet Congress. We are looking forward to young Lieutenant John Pershing was against the United States, and also working with both sides of the aisle on heard to have seen ‘‘white and black never bet against freedom. What we this to make sure that we are rep- regiment fighters shoulder to shoulder have seen here is an unbelievable eco- resenting and advancing the needs of unmindful of color in combat.’’ nomic performance by our country, America as it actually is, living in the I was there at the 11th hour of the record tax receipts coming into the suburbs and needing action on all of 11th day of the 11th month, in the year Treasury without a tax increase, and these items to realize the full potential of our Lord 1918. I was crowned in glory the ability then to focus on the future of this Congress and the work ahead. at the conclusion of World War II, the war to end all wars and the birth of of the United States, which is largely f being written in the suburbs, with safe Veterans’ Day. schools, extending health care and WALTER REED MEDICAL CENTER During World War II, in response to making sure that we are planning for The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the attack on Pearl Harbor, the pearl the long term in what will be aging MATHESON). Under the Speaker’s an- of the Pacific, I rallied a nation, shoul- America, with the baby boomers enter- nounced policy of January 18, 2007, the dered the weight of the world, defeat- ing retirement, but hopefully, with gentleman from Texas (Mr. AL GREEN) ing the Axis powers, preserving democ- these policies entering retirement with is recognized for 60 minutes as the des- racy around the world and preventing some safety and security based on pri- ignee of the majority leader. the annihilation of a race of people who vate savings and investment, encour- Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- called Germany home. In this country, age through first the 401(k) program er, I am honored to stand in the well of we call these exceptional citizens Jew- and then we hope through the 401 Kids the House tonight and address condi- ish people, and we know them as the Family Tax Savings Accounts. tions at Walter Reed Medical Center, Jewish community. Mr. SESSIONS. As we close down our as well as other military medical hos- No words can better describe the ef- time here with Republicans being on pitals, and I would also like to, in fects of our entry into World War II the floor, I would like to remind the doing this, talk about why our soldiers than those of Admiral Hirohito when gentleman of something that is heard and our veterans are so important to told by an aide, ‘‘Sir, we have scored a over and over and over again, and that us. great victory,’’ and he replied, ‘‘I’m is how great America is. But I would I want to start by saying if we are afraid we have awakened a sleeping like to ask a rhetorical question. Have truly concerned, if we are truly con- giant.’’ you ever heard of the China dream, the cerned about national security, then Thank you, World War II veterans. Brazilian dream, the French dream, the we have to be concerned about those You are the greatest generation. Never German dream? Probably not, but who secure national security. We have before have so few given so much for so every single person in the United got to be concerned about our soldiers. many. States and billions around the world We have to be concerned about our vet- In support of our friends in South have heard of the American dream, and erans. Because, in fact, they make it Korea, I saw action at Bloody Ridge, the American dream is tied directly to possible for us to have these liberties Pork Chop Hill and Heartbreak Ridge, not only the dream that they have that we have come to know and to while introducing the helicopter and about themselves, but a dream about love. jet aircraft as battlefield tactics, ac- their future. Tonight, as I start this explanation, I tions which changed the course of mili- This is where Republicans, working would like to first use the words of an- tary history. together on the suburban caucus, mak- other, Major General John H. Bailey II, I went to Vietnam to help the people ing sure we have a healthy and strong and I want to bring his words to our at- of South Vietnam maintain the right economy, where investment and oppor- tention, because he has written an ode to choose their own destiny. There I tunity and reduction in taxes happens that really explains why the American fought at Hue Dong Hai and Ham- directly in front of us, and then we can soldier, the American veteran, is so im- burger Hill. I refused to fall at the support this agenda that is so impor- portant to this Nation and to the well- hands of a well-equipped and deter- tant for every one of us. being of this country. His ode is styled mined enemy during the 1968 Tet Offen- Mr. KIRK. I thank my colleague. I from Boston to Baghdad, and his words sive. will close out by simply saying that we capture the essence, the spirit of what During Desert Storm, I engaged Sad- now present to the American people the American soldier is all about, what dam Hussein in his mother of all bat- and the Congress the suburban agenda the American soldier has done for this tles. I destroyed his will to resist. for 2007, Action Against International great country. And then there was 9/11, a day which Drug Gangs, moving into the suburbs His words are: must never be forgotten, a day which where the Federal Government can I am the American veteran. I was must never be repeated. It tested the help; Safe Schools, relying on the judg- born in battle on April 19, 1775. I am soul of our Nation in a way not wit- ment of teachers, full time, using all of the total sum of my country’s ethnic nessed since December 7, 1941. And due their abilities; 401 Kids Tax Deferred and cultural diversity. I am loyal, de- to the atmosphere it created, I was Savings Accounts, to make sure that pendable and patriotic. My motto is, again sent to Iraq as a part of the glob- families have more resources, more ‘‘Duty, Honor and Country,’’ and my al war on terror. I am still there today

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:00 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.085 H07MRPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC66 with REPORTS