Mary Bono Mack

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. In closing, I just want to strongly urge the passage of H.R. 5859. It passed unanimously out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Again, I would like to thank Mr. Butterfield for his hard work, and I would like to thank the staff for their hard work and for the bipartisan nature that we all approached this with. I would also like to thank my staff for their hard work. In 1993, this insurance reporting provision probably made sense. But today, after being road tested now for nearly 20 years and with so much information currently available to consumers simply on the Internet, the Kelley Blue Book value on this regulation is just darn near next to nothing. Let's junk it and move on. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly).

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Harper), a terrific member of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Today, we have an opportunity to slam the car door on an obsolete provision in the United States Code requiring motor vehicle insurance cost reporting, which is of little or no use to American consumers. I want to commend Mr. Harper of Mississippi and Mr. Owens of New York for their bipartisan work on H.R. 5859, as well as Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Waxman for their leadership in moving this legislation forward. I also want to thank my good friend and colleague, Mr. Butterfield of North Carolina, our subcommittee's ranking member, for his help with our efforts to repeal this costly and outdated provision of the law. Additionally, just this morning, I received word that the five leading automotive trade associations in the U.S., including the National Automobile Dealers Association, are all supportive of H.R. 5859, and here's why. In 1993, NHTSA issued a final rule requiring new-car dealers to make available to buyers a booklet containing the latest information on insurance costs. The information is updated by NHTSA annually, based on data from the Highway Loss Data Institute. The information required by this regulation is rarely sought by consumers and its value is highly questionable. Insurance premiums are based primarily on factors that are unrelated to the susceptibility of damage to a vehicle, including the driver's age, driving record, location, and miles driven. Additionally, a recent survey of 850 members of the National Automobile Dealers Association reported 96 percent of its dealers have never been asked by a customer--not even once--to see the insurance cost booklet that is at issue here today. Clearly, this is yet another example of where the cost of a Federal regulation outweighs its potential benefit. As a nation, we simply cannot afford to keep doing business that way. And frankly, the current law has more problems than an old, dirty, oil-burning engine. Today, new-car dealers face civil penalties if they do not provide, upon request, the booklet that discloses the relative cost to repair vehicles after a collision, yet the data is completely generic and skewed by averaging the repair costs of everything from fender-benders to vehicle rollovers. How is this useful information to consumers at the point of sale? Even more troubling, this information is not always accurate or up to date. For the most part, it is simply a compilation of historical information and does not take into account new model year changes that can significantly alter how a car performs in a crash. And finally, even the administration suggests this requirement should be eliminated. In technical comments provided earlier this year to Congress, NHTSA describes the data as, and I'm quoting now: rarely used and not useful because the differences in rates due to loss payments are overshadowed by differences in premiums due to driver demographics, geographic location, and the relative prices of the vehicles. In other words, the requirement is simply not working as intended, and it's become a needless cost and burden to automobile dealers nationwide. Today, we have an opportunity to tow this clunker of a regulation to the junkyard where it belongs and to provide America's nearly 20,000 automobile dealers with some important regulatory relief. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous materials into the Record on H.R. 5859.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5859) to repeal an obsolete provision in title 49, United States Code, requiring motor vehicle insurance cost reporting, as amended.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague and friend, Congressman Ken Calvert, to honor and pay tribute to a dear friend, Richard Coleman Kelley. Richard passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2012. A devoted husband, brother, father, and grandfather, he will be deeply missed. Richard was born March 19, 1930 in Corona, California to David and Margaret Kelley, who were beginning to develop their property in Hemet into a citrus grove. He attended schools in Corona, and after graduating from the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California, he served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He spent a semester at the University of California at Davis before returning to work for his father on their family's ranch, only to later develop a citrus ranch of his own. In 1957, Richard married Jeanne Vig and continued to farm in Hemet while raising their three children, where he was partner of Kelley Citrus and owned Circle K Five Citrus. It is hard to imagine that Richard had any free time on his hands, and yet he always found time for his community and family. Richard was active in his church, was vice president of the Riverside County Farm Bureau, president of the Hemet Optimist Club, was active in parent- teacher organizations, and supported every team and club in which his children participated. He also served on the board of Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) beginning in September of 1981, serving on the Legal Committee and as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. Richard also enjoyed inventing, skiing, jogging, and farming. In fact, many of Richard and Jeanne's ``vacations'' were spent helping work on their daughter's and son's farms in Idaho. In response to the high water costs that could have forced small farmers out of business in the early 1980s, Richard once said, ``Agricultural water is my main interest . . . something has to be done.'' And as an EMWD board member and concerned citizen, he worked tirelessly to address this threat to an American way of life. That is just one testament to his can-do spirit and willingness to help solve problems in his home town that made him such a treasure to the Riverside County area for so long, and is what we will remember about him most. On Wednesday, June 27, 2012, a memorial service celebrating Richard's extraordinary life was held. Richard will always be remembered for his legendary work ethic, generosity, contributions to the community, and love of family. His dedication to his work, family, and community are a testament to a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue. I extend my deepest condolences to Richard's family and friends. Although Richard may be gone, the light and goodness he brought to our great State will never be diminished and will never be forgotten. Richard is survived by his children, Janice of Hemet, Kathy of Weiser, Idaho and Ron of Weiser, Idaho; five grandchildren; and his brother, former California State Assemblyman and Senator, David Kelley. Our thoughts and prayers are with Richard's family and the many others he touched.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. I thank the gentleman for this colloquy. I would like to first thank him, my good friend from California, for his leadership and for his hard work in crafting this bill in support of our men and women in the military. Mr. Chairman, as you know, these men and women sacrifice their lives to guarantee our safety. In return, it is our responsibility to provide the best possible care for them. Specifically, I am returning to an issue of growing importance to our country, and that is protecting our military men and women from the detrimental effects of prescription drug misuse. Because of the physical and emotional hardships we place on our troops, they are at an increased risk for using prescription drugs and, therefore, of misusing prescription drugs. I was encouraged to see the recommendations made by the Pain Management Task Force at DOD to mitigate the risk of prescription drug abuses and dependence in pain patients, and I would like to work with you, Mr. Chairman, and the committee to ensure that the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration adopt these recommendations as quickly as possible. Mr. Chairman, I thank you again for your help, and I look forward to working with you as the National Defense Authorization Act moves into conference. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, which is just as I did in 2000 and once again in 2005. It was a critically important bill back then, and it is a critically important bill now. That's why I am urging my colleagues today to stand up for all women in America. I thank my colleague, Sandy Adams, for her very hard work and dedication and also for sharing her personal experiences and turning them into a reason to champion this bill. Yet, Madam Speaker, despite a lot of hard work by advocacy groups, law enforcement, churches, schools, and so many others around our Nation, violence against women continues to be an alarming problem-- murder, sexual violence, domestic violence. More than 1 million women in the U.S. will be victimized this year alone, and it's estimated that one in four women in the U.S. will experience domestic violence at some point in her lifetime. That's one out of every four women. As a society, we can't seem to find a way to stop this terrible sickness, but this legislation gives victims and their families a safe place to turn for help, such as to community violence prevention programs; protections for victims who are evicted from their homes because of events related to domestic violence or stalking; funding for victim assistance services like grief crisis centers and hotlines; and programs to meet the needs of women of different races or ethnicities. A vote for this legislation is a vote to protect women--not some women, but all women. Madam Speaker, I am very proud to represent a facility sheltered from the storm in my congressional district, and I thank them for their hard work and for their dedication in helping victims of domestic violence.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of this bill. This critically needed legislation will help to safeguard America in the future from cyberattacks by unscrupulous and rogue nations, terrorists and cybercriminals. We need to act before a disaster takes place, not after it, and this is our chance. As chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, I have spent the past 16 months holding hearings and thoroughly examining the issue of online privacy. So as a cosponsor of this legislation, I have very carefully reviewed its privacy provisions, and I'm satisfied that it will not negatively impact American consumers. Frankly, the privacy concerns are exaggerated. There is no bogeyman hiding in the closet, and Big Brother is not tapping into your hard drive. This bill provides absolutely no authority to the Federal Government to monitor private networks--none. Additionally, all information-sharing with the government would be completely voluntary. The bill also encourages the private sector to ``anonymize'' the information it shares with the government or other entities, including--and this is very important to remember--the removal of personally identifiable information prior to sharing it. Finally, the bill also requires the intelligence community inspector general to review information-sharing between the private sector and the government and to provide an annual report to the Congress on its findings. These are very strong privacy protection features, and I applaud Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Ruppersberger for working so hard to protect the American consumer and to make this a truly bipartisan effort. Unfortunately, some people and some groups will say anything to try and scuttle this bill--sounding false alarms and raising imaginary red flags--despite the very real and dangerous threat posed by terrorists and our enemies if we do nothing. Madam Chair, I strongly urge the adoption of H.R. 3523.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay respect to a dear friend and great leader who was taken from us far too soon, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Chairman Richard M. Milanovich. For those who knew Richard, and for the countless others who did not but were touched by his impact on our community and nation, his passing leaves an enormous void. We shall greatly miss Richard's warmth, humor, humility, compassion and leadership. But most of all, we will miss the man: a beloved and caring leader whose dedication to his people was unmatched and never wavered. Richard Milanovich's character, and also his vision for a more prosperous future for his people, were shaped by the experiences of his youth and the circumstances confronting the Agua Caliente during an era when the fortunes of the tribe he would come to lead for over a quarter of century were far more challenging and the future far more daunting. In his youth, he was profoundly influenced by the strong leadership of several remarkable women tribal council members, especially Chairman Viola Olinger and Vice Chairman LaVerne Saubel, who helped the Agua Caliente tribe reclaim control of its destiny and establish a model for future tribal land use agreements throughout our nation. Richard always felt a great connection to the Agua Caliente leaders who came before him, and the strength of his will and keen political insight were reflections of their determination and commitment to the tribe. As tribal chairman, Richard Milanovich, earned the respect of not only his tribe but of all those who witnessed his tireless work ethic, sharp mind and gracious nature. He was revered throughout the nation as a tribal leader who achieved historic accomplishments that directly benefitted his people and numerous other tribes. He rose to become a legendary figure within Indian Country, and yet, he never lost his common touch and remained deeply grounded in the traditions and spiritual connection to the ancestral lands and heritage of his people. Richard loved life and lived it to the fullest. Even when fighting his last great battle, he deflected concern for his condition and looked first to the welfare of others. I recall his last visit to my office in Washington on behalf of his tribe, only days after he had undergone one of the grueling treatments he endured to keep the cancer at bay, and how the strength of his spirit willed the body to soldier on. I suspect that his comportment during this painful and exhausting time was a reflection of his distinguished service in the U.S. Army; service that provided him with an opportunity to travel the world and experience other cultures and political institutions, and reinforced his fierce love of country. Of course, one cannot speak of Richard without mentioning his love of family and friends. He was dedicated to his family, his wife Melissa and children Tammy, Travis, Scott, Trista, Sean and Reid, and he made friends wherever he went. Equally comfortable in jeans and boots or black tie, Richard instantly connected with people and was a much in demand guest at any social gathering--not merely due to his stature as a leader in our community but also for the good times that were sure to follow wherever he went. Witty and charming, he could disarm foes and captivate friends with a kind word or clever remark--all delivered with that trademark twinkle in his eye. The legacy Richard leaves will not be measured simply by the number of hotels and casinos the tribe operates or the political battles he won on behalf of his people. Richard Milanovich's legacy will be measured by the impact his indomitable spirit had on the tribe he led, the community in which he lived, and the country he loved so deeply. The Agua Caliente believe that the strength of their people is drawn from the sacred origins of the tribe in the mountains, canyons and desert in which they have resided for millennia. Richard Milanovich's spirit has passed from his physical body to reside with the spirits of the great tribal leaders who went before him. When I walk in the Indian Canyons of the Agua Caliente people, I shall feel strongly the spirit of my dear friend in the breeze on my face and the rustle of the wind in the palm fronds. My deepest condolences go out to Richard's family, the Agua Caliente people and the many others who loved him. Richard will be deeply missed by us all, but he will also remain with us forever in our hearts and memories. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to take a moment and join me in paying tribute to the memory of a truly great American and the late leader of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Chairman Richard Milanovich.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend, Mr. Michael Bozick, a highly respected and honorable community leader in the district which I have the honor of representing in Congress. I am deeply grateful for the contributions Mr. Bozick has made to our desert community, and on behalf of the people I represent, I extend sincere appreciation for all he has done to enhance our local economy and improve the lives of area residents. Mike Bozick has made a difference because of his passion for serving the community, his achievements in industry, and his love of our region. In particular, he has helped countless young people through his support of the Coachella Valley Boys & Girls Club, along with numerous other worthwhile charitable organizations and causes. A generous and devoted family man, Mike Bozick's story is the embodiment of the American dream. Born to a Yugoslavian immigrant family in Masontown, Pennsylvania, he moved to Southern California as a young man. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Southern California, Mike began working in the table grape industry in the mid-1960s, assisting his family with operations at Richard Bagdasarian, Inc., a table grape production company based in California's Coachella Valley. It was during this period that Bozick's passion for the grape industry grew, and he soon developed into an effective and highly regarded leader within the agricultural industry. Mike Bozick recently completed his 39th year of service as a California Table Grape Commission Board Member, an organization which strives to maintain and expand current markets to new and larger markets for fresh California grapes, both domestically and internationally. As Chairman of the Board, Mike has introduced new and innovative ideas, such as promoting table grapes from all of the commission districts, a rarity in the past since many districts have overlapping markets. His ideas certainly paid off. By 2010, national sales of California table grapes grew to a shipment of 98 million boxes per year--a substantial increase from 20 million in the 1960s. As someone who is deeply committed to the growth of our local economy and the creation of jobs in our region, it is very gratifying to see the expansion and growing popularity of one of our most prized and valued industries, due in large part to Mike's perseverance, passion and dedication. While Mike has made many contributions to the table grape industry, it is his hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering generosity that impresses me most. He is the fulfillment of the all-American notion that hard work and dedication pay off, and he has used his success to benefit others and provide an example for young people everywhere. Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Michael Bozick for his exemplary record of service and contributions to the people of the Coachella Valley, the California Table Grape Commission, the greater table grape industry, and in sending best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3801. This critically-needed legislation will provide law enforcement officials with a powerful new tool in the on-going war against illicit drugs. It imposes tough new penalties on smugglers who use ultralight aircraft to illegally bring drugs into America. But just as importantly, it sends a clear signal that we are going to do whatever it takes to protect our borders from the raging narco wars which are plaguing Mexico today. Last year, I was proud to support my close friend and colleague, Gabby Giffords, in her efforts to pass similar legislation, and I'm honored--in her last official act--to do so again today. For many people, this is a bittersweet moment because of Gabby's difficult decision to retire from Congress after more than five years of outstanding public service to the people of Arizona and to America. But I see this more as a celebration of her life--and a celebration of what's still to come in her life--as Gabby continues to make a miraculous recovery which is nothing short of a miracle. So, in some ways, you can view her retirement today as a glass half- full story. Yet when it comes to Gabby Giffords, the glass is always full--and usually overflowing with love, kindness and devotion. She has been such an inspiration for me and for millions of Americans as well. Throughout her life, Gabby has had such a special way of bringing diverse people together and finding solutions that benefit everyone. We will miss her in Congress, but I know deep in my heart that we have not heard or seen the last of this extraordinary woman. God bless you, Gabby, and thank you for your tireless dedication to America and to your fellow human beings. When God created miracles, he certainly had you in mind.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague and fellow Californian, Representative Jerry Lewis, to pay tribute to Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park has been a special and unique place of recreation and refuge in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties for the last 75 years. The park was first conferred National Monument status on August 10, 1936 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Today, 1.3 million visitors a year from throughout the world enjoy this biologically diverse gem encompassing almost 800,000 acres. Located just outside some of the most densely populated parts of our Nation, the park provides numerous recreational opportunities for American families and international visitors. Campgrounds, scenic drives, and hundreds of trails comprise just a few of the multitude of ways to enjoy the spectacular desert landscape. Thriving gateway communities in the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin have prospered in large part from the tourism opportunities created by the park. It is estimated that as an economic engine the park generates over 32 million private-sector dollars and supports over 500 jobs. The park has also created a shared regional identity and provided a common link of interest. A testament to the devotion and passion instilled in the park's supporters, last year alone 1,059 individuals volunteered at the park donating 35,000 hours of work. Joshua Tree National Park is a crown jewel of the National Park Service. It deserves all the support it has received to preserve its ecological, historical and cultural integrity. Congratulations to everyone who has supported the park over the years and here's to ensuring the park continues to flourish and improve for another 75 years.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a truly remarkable woman and dear friend, Mrs. Barbara Sinatra; and to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of her greatest achievements: The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center in Rancho Mirage, California. One of the Coachella Valley's--and indeed the world's--most revered couples, Frank and Barbara Sinatra founded the Children's Center at the Eisenhower Medical Center in 1986, and this year the Center celebrates its 25th anniversary. On behalf of the people of the 45th Congressional District, I extend my most heartfelt congratulations on this momentous occasion. Barbara Sinatra is beloved in our community for her caring and personal nature. Well known as someone who is just as comfortable running errands around town or attending charity galas with celebrity friends, Barbara Sinatra is a community treasure, and I am privileged to have this opportunity to call attention to one of the great women of our time and her signature cause. Dedicated to improving the health and wellness of children who have suffered from child abuse and neglect or who are considered at risk, the Barbara Sinatra Center serves today as a shining example for the rest of the world to follow. The Center exists to benefit children of all walks of life, but the majority of those served are the ones who are most in need due to either their economic or family circumstances. By their own estimates, more than 86% of the children who benefit from the Center's services are below the federal poverty line. Having established the popular ``Bosley the Bear'' method of abuse education for young children, the Center is well regarded for its innovative approach to empowering kids to recognize dangerous situations and learn how to protect themselves. Barbara Sinatra earned respect throughout the world for her commitment to ending abuse of our society's most vulnerable members. As the spouse of one of the world's most famous entertainers, Barbara Sinatra used her considerable talents to help children in need and has literally devoted her life to this critically important mission. Her work has been praised as groundbreaking and effective, and the Center enjoys remarkable support from the community and the families it has assisted over the more than two decades it has been in operation. The list of philanthropists and abuse professionals who sing the praises of the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center is long and illustrious. At the 25th Anniversary Gala being celebrated this month, two such supporters will be recognized for their contributions to the Center--co-founders Helene Galen and Nelda Linsk. Helene Galen is widely recognized as a leader in the philanthropic community, and a driving force behind countless worthwhile and charitable causes. Her support as a co-founder and President of the Children's Center Board of Directors has been invaluable and provides the Center with organizational and fundraising guidance that only someone of Galen's stature and expertise could impart. Well respected in the desert community for her business acumen and commitment to helping others, Nelda Linsk has also been there from the beginning. Ms. Linsk joined Barbara Sinatra in recognizing the need for building self-esteem among victims of abuse, and her passion for helping others by sharing from her personal experience and her generous financial support helped make the difference in the evolution of the center from a local resource to a world-class treatment facility. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the drive, determination and devotion of Barbara Sinatra. Before Barbara Sinatra, Helene Galen and Nelda Linsk established the Children's Center, child abuse was rarely discussed and there was little understanding of the causes and means to prevent this devastating behavior. The lives of countless families, most importantly the children themselves, have been forever altered due to the tireless commitment and generous contributions made by these caring and unselfish women. Under Barbara Sinatra's leadership, the Center has made a difference in our community and throughout the world. No longer is child abuse discussed only in hushed conversations and hidden from the light of day, due largely to their groundbreaking work, new treatments and strategies are being developed that will hopefully reduce this most heinous form of abuse. I am deeply honored not only to call Barbara, Helene and Nelda my friends, but also to serve as their representative in Congress and to have this opportunity to call attention to their great work and the Center's ongoing mission. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in recognizing Barbara Sinatra Children's Center on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, and wishing Mrs. Sinatra and the Center another 25 years of service to these most vulnerable members of our community.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the General Patton Memorial Museum located in the 45th Congressional District and in the center of the historic military landscape--General Patton's World War II Desert Training Center. Through the hard work and dedication of local supporters, volunteers and donors, the museum preserves artifacts from the major conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries and serves an important role educating the public on U.S. military history. In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, this historically significant land will be protected for future generations to enjoy. I want to especially thank Margit Chiriaco Rusche and her family who have given selflessly of their time, energy and finances to preserve the memory of General Patton's presence in our community. Generations of American families have been rewarded with a glimpse of America's military history through this unique facility, and our community has been enriched by the one-of-a-kind historical artifacts preserved at this site. Located in the heart of the Desert Training Center, the General Patton Memorial Museum was established on November 11, 1988, to honor the memory of General George Patton. The museum contains exhibits ranging from World War I through the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and honors the service and sacrifice of America's veterans. In the early days of World War II, the greatest global conflict our world has ever seen, the War Department recognized the need to train troops to withstand the rigors of battle over rough desert terrain. Thus, the Desert Training Center, formally known as the California- Arizona Maneuver Area, was established in 1942. Led by Major General George S. Patton Jr., the training camp trained 1 million troops from 1942-1944. When the direction of the war shifted to the Allies' favor in 1944, the camp was closed, ending the largest simulated theater of operations in the history of military maneuvers. While most of the structures were removed, much of the infrastructure, including rock-lined streets, staging areas, flag circles, and tent areas remain. It is my hope that the General Patton Memorial Museum and the World War II Desert Training Center will serve as a powerful reminder of how our nation's freedom has been preserved by the dedication of our armed forces. While no single tribute can fully honor their sacrifice, this memorial offers a chance for our community to stand together in honoring the men and women who have fought under the Stars and Stripes. I am certain that any patriotic American would benefit from a visit to the General Patton Memorial Museum and I encourage all those traveling to this region to consider visiting. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the General Patton Memorial Museum and the World War II Desert Training Center.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable lady and dear friend, Mrs. Jackie Lee Houston, a pillar of our community in California's Coachella Valley, and an inspiration to countless admirers and friends. Today, our community will come together to celebrate Jackie Lee's life, a life of purpose and accomplishment that truly made our world a better place. I am deeply saddened that the Congressional schedule prevents me from joining in this celebration and I know that the memories of Jackie Lee will bring joy to all those attending; a fitting tribute to this gracious hostess who insisted that any event in which she was involved was done with grace and class--and a large measure of fun! Born Jackie Lee McDonald on June 27, 1935, Jackie Lee grew up in Seattle, Washington, and went on to attend the University of Washington. It was there that she met her husband, Jim, with whom she would spend the rest of her life. Their love story is a classic romance, from their hard-working early days when a holiday was defined by how much gas they could afford for a weekend get away to the pre- eminent role they shared as leading desert philanthropists, they were simply inseparable. Jackie Lee and Jim were blessed with three children, Tamara, Jaimi and Jim, and their family bond was unbreakable. For a time, the Houstons made a life in British Columbia, visiting the Coachella Valley regularly in the 1960s. Although the Houstons maintained an active presence in the Coachella Valley for decades, they didn't move permanently to the Desert until 2001. Once there, they quickly made their commitment to their new home clear by purchasing a local television affiliate and establishing KPSP Channel 2 as a major media presence in our community. It is perhaps the most inspiring testament to her character and strength of will that Jackie Lee made such an enormous impact on her adopted home town in such a short period of time. Proud to be one of the few women in the country who owned a television station, Jackie Lee used her influence at the station to provide additional exposure to causes she deemed worthwhile--regardless of whether she was directly involved in them. One cannot begin to estimate the number of lives that were touched and made better by the tens of millions of dollars Jackie Lee raised for and donated to worthwhile charities and causes over the years, saying once: ``Giving is just a feeling of wanting to be proud of what you do.'' I will always be especially grateful for her work on the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and consider myself truly honored to have called her a dear friend. Jackie Lee had the ability to take your breath away with a flair and creativity that set her parties and events apart from all the rest--and for that reason people flocked to the Houston's home and social gatherings and always returned. She also quietly helped countless other individuals, helping families with furniture, clothes, or even mortgage payments. We were all enriched by her life and devastated by her passing, and the void in our community will never be filled. Mr. Speaker, please join me in commemorating the life and contributions of Mrs. Jackie Lee Houston, who passed away on September 14, 2011. Her legacy will live on through her many achievements, the countless lives she touched, and the enduring admiration and devotion of her loving husband, Jim. May God bless her, and God bless America.

Mrs. BONO MACK

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2715) to provide the Consumer Product Safety Commission with greater authority and discretion in enforcing the consumer product safety laws, and for other purposes.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on the bill.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 2715, a bill that modifies the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, also called CPSIA, and provides relief to address a number of unintended consequences that arose after CPSIA became law. This bill is a win-win. It is good for American consumers and American businesses as well. It is also a bipartisan bill. And I want to thank Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Upton, as well as Ranking Member Waxman and my counterpart, Mr. Butterfield, for all of their hard work in getting this important bill to the floor today. We passed CPSIA almost unanimously in 2008, and many of its features have advanced the cause of children's safety. But there also have been unintended consequences for many businesses, small and large alike. For 3 years now, we have heard the pleas of these businesses, asking for relief from the CPSIA mandates. We have also heard from the CPSC that it lacks the authority and flexibility to grant relief where needed. On August 14, the last deadline looms, the final drop-down to the 0.01 percent lead content limit. Without swift action, we face empty store shelves that have been cleared of perfectly safe products because of what I believe was simply a drafting oversight. The bill makes the August 14 limit prospective in nature, permitting retailers to sell their existing inventory so long as it was made prior to August 14 and is compliant with the current lead limit of 0.03 percent, which was specifically approved by Congress for the last 2 years. In a true spirit of bipartisanship, Ranking Members Waxman and Butterfield agreed to act swiftly to address this situation. While we don't necessarily agree on the best way to address all of the unintended consequences of CPSIA, we move the bill in response to the enormous threat facing stakeholders in the children's product industry in just less than 2 weeks. In addition to addressing the immediate deadline, this bill goes a little farther to address the pain so many of our constituents are facing. ATVs, bikes, books, things that were never intended to be covered by the law but were ensnared by its wide reach nonetheless, will no longer face an uncertain future and are exempted from testing requirements. Used children's products were also banned for sale as a result of the 2008 law. Thrift stores and charity retail outlets such as Goodwill Industries and even the local church bazaars were forced to toss anything made for a child under the age of 12 because it is impossible to tell whether an item was made in compliance with the law without its original packing or a dated sales receipt. As a result, the law essentially made all used children's products contraband. This wasteful result removed perfectly safe products from the reach of individuals who rely on the value and savings such stores provide in order to provide decent clothing for their children. Manufacturers of other products will also see some relief from the most costly mandate of the CPSIA--third-party testing and the continuing compliance testing. This bill directs CPSC to seek comments within 60 days on how the current third-party testing regime can be altered to reduce costs. Small batch manufacturers, who were among the hardest hit by CPSIA, will also find some relief in this bill. These manufacturers are generally stay-at-home moms with an entrepreneurial spirit or mom-and- pop retail outlets that handpick unique toys and other items for sale in their community. Almost universally, these small businesses got into business because they wanted to ensure their own children had safe toys. Almost universally, these small businesses have either closed shop or are on the verge of closing shop because of the onerous requirements of the CPSIA and the costs imposed. The bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to address the special situation of these businesses by finding alternative, more affordable testing methods or by exempting these businesses from testing altogether if no such alternative exists. The bill creates a functional purpose exception process that we hope will give the CPSC more flexibility to exempt products from lead limits where there is no health risk. The exception process created in the original CPSIA has failed to permit a single exception for any children's product from the statutory lead limits established in the CPSIA, even in cases where the CPSC determined that such products pose no risk to children. We have a narrow window of opportunity to address those mandates that threaten the survival of scores of businesses and the livelihoods of the individuals and families those businesses support. And I would like to thank the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Butterfield, as well as the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Waxman, as well as their staffs for working throughout the weekend to find a compromise that we both can support. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg).

Mrs. BONO MACK. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I also just want to echo the sentiments of both my colleagues who just spoke about the importance of this bill and thank them for their cooperation and the hard work that they put into this over the weekend. Again, I would like to thank the staffs of both the minority and the majority side. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.