Michael Arcuri

Mr. ARCURI

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 465.

Mr. ARCURI. Thank you, Madam Speaker. For purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart). All time yielded during consideration of this rule is for debate purposes only. I yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 465 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. ARCURI

Mr. ARCURI. I thank my colleague and good friend, the gentlelady from California, for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong support of this rule and the underlying bill, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I have listened to stories from around my upstate New York district from families affected by life-threatening and debilitating illnesses: children with childhood diabetes, men and women with spinal cord injuries, lupus, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Every day, these brave Americans fight the odds with the hope that stem cell research will one day give them a new lease on life. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act will ensure that our Nation's scientists are able to work towards making that hope a reality. Most importantly, this bill creates an ethical framework, stronger than the President's current policy, which must be followed in conducting this lifesaving research. The bill only authorizes the use of stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics and requires written, informed consent from the donating women. My constituents support this ethically responsible lifesaving research, and I stand with them today to give hope to millions of people around the country. Opponents say they believe life is sacred, and I agree. It is. So let us leave no stone unturned to give as many people the opportunity, the chance to live, people with lupus, with Alzheimer's, with Parkinson's, with diabetes. Let us pass this stem cell bill. The message from the American people is clear. It is time for this administration to do the right thing and sign this critically important law. My colleague talks about bumper sticker policies and pandering to liberal blogs. This is not about pandering to liberal blogs. This is about listening to the American people. It is time this administration listens to the American people and signs a stem cell research bill.

Mr. ARCURI

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I must say I'm a bit confused because the gentleman from Texas is opposing the rule, the rule which is allowing the amendment that he is speaking of. So the Rules Committee has put the amendment in, the Bishop amendment, that he's talking about. It will entitle a full and fair debate on it this afternoon, and we are giving the gentleman everything that he has asked for. And he stands up here and talks about some type of hypocrisy, and frankly, I just don't understand why he is mentioning that, why he is talking about that when, in fact, we are giving the rule that allows for debate on that particular amendment. So we are, in fact, giving the gentleman exactly what he is asking for, and he is opposing the rule. So I guess I just don't understand what his point is, but I would say that we are supporting the rule that, in fact, does allow for full and fair debate on this particular amendment. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 429.

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 429 provides for consideration of H.R. 1100, the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Boundary Revision Act of 2007, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate controlled by the Committee on Natural Resources and makes in order the substitute reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule also allows for consideration of all three amendments that were submitted to the Rules Committee on H.R. 1100. Madam Speaker, let me begin by congratulating my good friend and freshman class colleague Mr. Shuler for working this thoughtful legislation through the legislative process. H.R. 1100 will further preserve the legacy and communicate the stories of internationally recognized author, Pulitzer Prize-winner, and great American historian, Carl Sandburg. Located in the pristine wilderness of North Carolina is the 248-acre Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. Each year, over 150,000 people visit for the purpose of learning about Carl Sandburg's positive influences on writing, or to hike and just enjoy the splendor of this beautiful, pristine site. In recent years it was determined by interested parties at all levels, local, State and Federal, including the National Park Service, that increasing the size would be desirable to carry out the purposes of this historic site. H.R. 1100 addresses the need for more space by authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to acquire up to 115 acres of land from willing sellers by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. Now, for some unknown reason, some my colleagues have labeled this legislation an ``egregious example of landgrabbing'' by the Federal Government. Nothing could be further from the truth. The key point to this legislation is that the land would have to be acquired from ``willing sellers.'' Of the 115 acres, 5 acres would be used to construct a new visitor center and parking lot, and the remaining 110 acres would be used to enhance the overall experience when visiting the site. Visitors will now have an opportunity to sit on the same ridge Carl Sandburg sat to pen some of his greatest works and explore the same beautiful mountainside Carl Sandburg would frequent with his family for picnics. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1100 has strong bipartisan support here in the House, and bicameral support from North Carolina's two Senators, who have introduced companion legislation. Further, H.R. 1100 has the support of the administration, as well as the State of North Carolina and Henderson County, where the site is located. All of that said, with such broad support, one might ask why are we here debating a rule for consideration of this legislation? The reason is that during a subcommittee and later full committee markup, it was discovered that there are a few Members of this body who object to the legislation in its current form. Those Members made several attempts to alter the existing legislation by amendment during the committee process. In addition, those same Members submitted amendments to the Rules Committee which we will consider later today, again seeking to alter this legislation. While one might argue that our debate today is unnecessary, I contend it is yet another example of the majority's efforts to provide our colleagues with opportunities to offer their amendments, voice their views, and make their objections known here in the House Chamber. I look forward to a fruitful discussion of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond by saying that it's important to note on this bill that all this bill really does is to create an environment for people to donate the land or for funds to be donated to actually purchase the land, and we're not talking about a vast tract of land. We're talking about a very small amount of land, 115 acres, 22 acres of which have already been pledged, and basically are waiting for this legislation to be passed so that the conservatory could be created so that the acreage can be donated to it. So I would say in response to my good friend and colleague from Washington that this is not any type of huge land grab. This is really just a very small amount of acreage that is being set up and being donated just to enhance the whole, again, experience of the Carl Sandburg site. So I think it is a very good bill. It is a good rule, and I would urge all of my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 429 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1100 will further preserve the legacy and communicate the stories of internationally recognized author, Pulitzer Prize winner and great American historian, Carl Sandburg. Again, I congratulate my good friend and freshman class colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Shuler) for his efforts to bring this thoughtful legislation to the floor. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and on the rule so that future generations can also enjoy the beauty and splendor of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. ARCURI

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the extraordinary musical career of Al Gallodoro of Oneonta, New York, and take part in the celebration of his 94th birthday on June 23, 2007. A master of the saxophone and clarinet, Mr. Gallodoro has impressed audiences all over the world for decades. Mr. Gallodoro began playing the clarinet at the age of 7 and entered the music business at the young age of 13. He spent the next 40 years of his career performing with a well-known jazz musician, Paul Whiteman, playing alto saxophone, clarinet, and bass clarinet. Mr. Gallodoro was also a soloist for live broadcasts, performing more on- air solos during his career than any other performer. Mr. Gallodoro has traveled all over the world to perform, and holds the world's record for performing the Rhapsody in Blue, playing the piece over 10,000 times throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Additionally, in 2005, Mr. Gallodoro received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Hartwick College, which recognized a lifetime of extraordinary achievement in music performance and teaching. After moving to Oneonta in 1981, he has become an active entertainer in our community. Mr. Gallodoro performs each month at Oneonta's very own live music venue, the Sego Cafe. He is notably one of only thirteen artists who began recording before 1940 that is actively recording today. Mr. Gallodoro has undoubtedly made an unforgettable impact on the music community and will always be remembered for his invaluable contributions to the field of music. I do not doubt that his 94th birthday celebration at the Sego Cafe in Oneonta will be one to remember. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride today that I celebrate the incredible accomplishments of Mr. Gallodoro and wish him a wonderful 94th birthday.

Mr. ARCURI

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to just respond to my colleague from California saying that we can't win the war on 2-month funding intervals. I would submit we have now been at this Iraq war longer than it took us to win World War II when we were fighting both Japan and Germany, and still we are no closer, and, I would submit, further from what they define as ``victory.'' I, like so many Americans, have tried to be patient with this administration in extricating us from the difficulties we find ourselves in in Iraq. They first told us there were weapons of mass destruction. None were found, yet we were still patient. Then they told us we were there to remove a tyrant. We removed Saddam Hussein, yet we are still there, and we continue to be patient. They told us we were there to fight terrorism, and we have been fighting terrorism, and we still remain patient. Now they tell us that we are there to make our families safer. Well, I don't feel that my family is any safer as a result of our being in Iraq. And like the American people, I am losing patience with the hollow promises that this administration has made about getting us out of Iraq. I rise today in support of this rule because I think that it is time that we change the course, we change the direction. How many strategies is this administration going to adopt before they arrive at success? Last night in the Rules Committee I got to thinking as we were discussing this rule about my own children, about my family, and I thought about how would my children look at me later in life, how would my grandchildren look at me later on, in terms of how we tried to stop this conflict in Iraq. Then I thought about a situation that I talked about a lot during my campaign. During my campaign, when I was trying to decide whether or not I would run, my son and my daughter, who are both teenagers, were not supportive of that. One day my son said to me, Dad, what is it that a Congressman does? I started telling my son what a Congressman does. He said, Dad, are you saying that if you get to Congress, you will be able to stop the war in Iraq? I said, Not alone, but certainly with the other Members of Congress. He said then, I really think that you should run for Congress, because the war in Iraq is a bad thing and too many people are dying. My son, then 15 years old, got it. He understood what it was about. He understood that we are in Iraq for the wrong reason. He understood that it was time to change the course and change the direction. That is why I rise today. I rise because I support the rule that will get us out of Iraq, but, more importantly, because my children know that it is the right thing to do.

Mr. ARCURI

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. House Resolution 330 provides for consideration of H.R. 1332, the Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007 under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Small Business. The rule makes in order the substitute reported by the Committee on Small Business as an original bill for purpose of amendment. The rule makes in order all four germane amendments that were submitted to the Rules Committee. And finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Madam Speaker, this bipartisan legislation, crafted under the leadership of my colleague from New York, chairwoman of the Small Business Committee, Ms. Velazquez, maintains support of a wide range of organizations, including the Independent Community Bankers of America, the American Dental Association, the American Veterans, and American College of Physicians. Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. In my home State of New York, 99 percent of all businesses are small businesses, and they employ 52 percent of the nonfarm, private sector workforce. In 2005, an estimated 62,000 new small firms began operations in New York, creating $77 billion in entrepreneurial income for the State of New York. In my district and across this country, Americans depend on small businesses to drive the economy and provide essential everyday services. Sadly, it is a constant struggle for many of these entrepreneurs just to keep the lights on, as larger companies continue to push out the mom and pop businesses in the cities and towns across the country. My constituents in upstate New York have experienced this loss firsthand. I am proud to have the opportunity, as a member of the distinguished Rules Committee, to manage this rule for such an important piece of legislation for our Nation's small businesses. The Small Business Lending Improvements Act will help strengthen our Nation's small businesses by updating and streamlining two of the Small Business Administration's largest financing programs, the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. This bill will make the 7(a) program more affordable for both borrowers and lenders by reducing fees and increasing the SBA guarantee on 7(a) loans. It will also modernize the 504 Certified Development Company Program by improving the ability of CDCs to liquidate defaulted loans and by requiring their local community leaders be included on every CDC board of directors. And it will make permanent the Community Express Program, providing increased access to capital for socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners. This bill also establishes two important new 7(a) loan programs, one to encourage private health care providers to establish practices in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, and one to assist our Nation's veterans in starting or expanding a small business. Despite an abundance of health professionals, New York State has 102 communities designated by the Federal Government as Health Professional Shortage Areas. Only 16 percent of the physicians practicing in New York provide services in these medically underserved areas. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the district I am privileged to represent is short nearly 70 dental, primary care and mental health practitioners. Further, a handful of counties I represent don't even have a resident OB/GYN, forcing thousands of women to travel 40 to 50 miles just to seek routine care. Madam Speaker, this problem is not confined to upstate New York. Over 60 million Americans currently live in medically underserved areas across the country. The Small Business Lending Improvements Act will address this critical shortage by establishing a 7(a) loan program that reduces lender and borrower fees by half and increases the government guarantee to 90 percent of the doctors and dentists serving Health Professional Shortage Areas. These financial incentives are critical to encouraging private health care providers to establish practices in underserved areas and to expand access to quality health care for millions of Americans. Madam Speaker, this legislation will also ensure that our returning servicemen and women are afforded every opportunity to start or expand a small business by establishing a dedicated 7(a) loan program for veterans. An estimated 900 of New York's Reservists currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan are self-employed, and another 100 are considered key employees within small businesses. The absence of these men and women during 12- or 15-month deployments often forces the small businesses they own to operate at greatly reduced levels, at times declining to near startup conditions by the time the owner returns. An absence due to deployment is most detrimental to the smallest towns where many Reserve and Guard members operate businesses essential to the community. The Small Business Lending Improvements Act will help address the obstacles faced by small business owners deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan by eliminating borrower and lender fees and increasing to 90 percent the government guarantee for loans to veterans under the 7(a) program. According to American Veterans National Commander Thomas C. McGriff, ``These lenders fees, which can amount to thousands of dollars, are due up front and can deter entrepreneurs from seeking financial assistance altogether.'' Madam Speaker, by creating a lender structure tailored specifically for veterans, this bill will encourage entrepreneurship and help to repay the enormous debt we owe to our brave men and women in uniform. Madam Speaker, it is our Nation's small businesses that keep our Nation's economy moving full speed ahead. Let's take this opportunity to provide further encouragement for the creation of new small businesses and for our Nation's existing small business owners to expand I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation and encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 330.

Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 330 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. ARCURI

Mr. ARCURI. The rule contains two motions to recommit, one for each bill.

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, this bill is, as I said, about fairness. They are talking about everything but what is important. They are talking about every fact except the important fact, and that is that this bill is about giving the right to vote to citizens of the United States. That is what is important. Nearly 600,000 citizens of Washington, D.C. have waited far too long for equal representation in this Chamber. They have sacrificed their lives defending this great Nation and paid their fair share of taxes. We have an opportunity to correct this grave injustice and provide to the citizens of our Nation's Capital the most important right of all, and that is the full right to vote. I want to commend again the Delegate from Washington (Ms. Norton) for her tireless efforts that have brought us here for this historic day. It is this type of passion and commitment that further strengthens our democracy. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and on the previous question.

Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.

Mr. ARCURI. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.