Rob Andrews

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased at this time to yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from New York, a leader on the Equal Rights Amendment Campaign, Mrs. Maloney.

Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, we have one further speaker, and then we would anticipate closure from the minority, in which case we would then close. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 30 seconds to a new Member, who is already making a very positive mark on this very important issue, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased at this time to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Peters), one of our new Members who is already delivering justice for the hardworking women of his district.

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to a very strong voice for workers' rights in this country, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Assistant Dean Eve Klothen for receiving the 2009 Father Robert Drinan Award. This prestigious award is given by the American Association of Law Schools in recognition of outstanding contributions to pro bono activities and public service. Assistant Dean Klothen's distinguished career has included service as a legal services lawyer in Georgia, director of the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program, and director of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. During Assistant Dean Klothen's service in these positions, she has successfully created programs to help the less fortunate while also mentoring students and young professionals. Assistant Dean Klothen has worked tirelessly over the course of her career to instill the values of public service and expand opportunities for students to participate in pro bono activities. During Assistant Dean Klothen's tenure at Rutgers Law School, she has been central to efforts to create a number of programs, including the Pro Bono Research Project, new pro bono projects in areas such as tax assistance and immigration, and leadership training for students at nearby law schools. Assistant Dean Klothen's record of serving low income clients in south Jersey and Philadelphia is exceptional. This reputation, along with her remarkable leadership in advising the next generation of outstanding legal minds, clearly demonstrates why Assistant Dean Klothen is very deserving of the 2009 Father Robert Drinan award. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Assistant Dean Klothen on this achievement and wish her the best of luck in future endeavors.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Honorable Joel B. Rosen, former United States Magistrate Judge of the New Jersey District, on receiving the 2008 Judge John F. Gerry Award. I consider Joel a close friend and commend him on being honored for his commitment to his profession and his work on behalf of the community. This prestigious award is named in honor of Judge John F. Gerry who was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey by President Gerald Ford in 1974. Judge Gerry became the District Court's Chief Judge in 1987 and served in this position until October 1994. The Camden County Bar Foundation established the John F. Gerry Memorial Scholarship in 2002 as a tribute to the humanitarianism and integrity of this respected public servant. Judge Rosen's auspicious career began when he served as an Assistant United States Attorney, after graduating with honors from Rutgers School of Law in Camden. As the attorney-in-charge of the United States Attorney's office in Camden, he received several commendations from the Department of Justice for prosecuting organized crime and political corruption. Judge Rosen also served as the Chief of the Special Prosecutions Section as a Deputy Attorney General in the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. In 1987, Judge Rosen was sworn in as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey where he served until 2006. Judge Rosen has also played a noteworthy role in educating the next generation of outstanding legal minds. He has been an adjunct faculty member of Rutgers School of Law, Camden, where he has lectured on class actions and complex litigation. Judge Rosen has also taught constitutional principles at Rutgers University, Camden and has lectured at numerous continuing legal education programs. He is a member of the Disciplinary Oversight Committee and the Committee on Minority Concerns of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Judge Rosen is also a member of the Board of the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, over his distinguished career Judge Rosen has been the recipient of many distinguished service awards. In 1999, The Black Law Students Association presented the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Champions for Social Justice and Equality Award to Judge Rosen. Then, in 2004, Judge Rosen was presented with the Honorable Joseph M. Nardi, Jr. Distinguished Service Award, conferred by Rutgers School of Law, Camden. Madam Speaker, I have known Judge Rosen for over a decade and have been repeatedly impressed by his intelligence and compassion. He is an excellent role-model for young Americans considering a career in the legal profession. I commend Judge Rosen for his many years of service and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro' s ``Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2008,'' H.R. 758. On September 25, 2008, I voted in favor of H.R. 758, which passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 421-2. The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act will require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations. The numerous petitions and personal stories issued by Americans prove the need for enactment of Federal legislation to guarantee minimum and adequate benefits for patients with breast cancer. H.R. 758 will prevent hospitals from rushing women out of their facilities after undergoing a mastectomy the same day. I would like to take this opportunity to make my vote in honor of the late Paula Renfroe, who died 6 years ago due to breast cancer. Like many women in the United States, Paula was rushed out of the hospital a few hours after undergoing a mastectomy. Paula and her family were sent home with a few instructions to follow to change her wound and administer the strong medications provided to her. The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act will prevent hospitals from forcing families to complete the medical healing process of a loved one to cut costs and instead, allow family members to provide the emotional support to their loved ones so desperately needed during such times.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 239 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS. I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk.

Mr. ANDREWS. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 405) recognizing the first full week of April as ``National Workplace Wellness Week,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bills considered during the last few minutes here.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 416) commending Barter Theatre on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk.

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1059) congratulating the Adrian College Bulldogs men's hockey team for winning the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association regular season title and postseason tournament and for having the best first year win-loss record in Division III history, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 135) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week should be established, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS. I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1430) expressing support for the goals of the National Step Up For Kids Day by promoting national awareness of the needs of the children, youth, and families of the United States, celebrating children, and expressing the need to make their future and well-being a national priority, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 62) to honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 1413 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the Senate bill (S. 2982) to amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 870, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ANDREWS

Mr. ANDREWS. If the gentleman will yield, that is correct. This bill will not preempt in any way the services and benefits provided to citizens of Pennsylvania Act 106 and similar legislation in other States. Some examples of the types of State laws that are not preempted by this bill include State laws that mandate minimum coverage, State laws that control access to benefits, and State laws that require access to out-of-network providers.

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased at this time to yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller). (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1\1/2\ minutes. Mr. Speaker, the person who is being helped and touched by this bill is someone we all know. He is a person who comes home from work and is confronted with the heartache that his son or daughter is dealing with the ravages of clinical depression. And they are worried about it, but they feel secure because they say at least we are insured. At least we can take care of her. Then they find out that there is a $10,000 deductible before the insurance company will pay for the visits. Or they find out there is a $5,000 limit on how much care can be received. If their daughter had broken her knee, there would be a $100 deductible and no limit on the care. But because she is dealing with clinical depression or a substance abuse problem or another mental illness, they are conscripted and limited. This person is who will be helped by the efforts of Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Ramstad. This bill is long overdue, and it will save the system money. More importantly, it will bring justice and fairness to people like the family I talked about in these remarks here today. I congratulate Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Ramstad on bringing together this broad coalition. I urge both Republicans and Democrats to vote ``yes'' on this worthy legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.