Tammy Baldwin

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. I thank the gentlewoman from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dr. Christensen, for yielding time. And I also thank the chairman of the full committee for reporting out this bill for consideration on the suspension calendar. I rise today in support of the Crane Conservation Act of 2009, legislation to help protect and preserve the world's 15 species of cranes for generations to come. Cranes are the most endangered family of birds in the world, with 11 of the world's 15 crane species at risk of extinction. Their special characteristics and unique ability to bring people together across city, State, and international boundaries place them in a class worthy of our conservation efforts. Cranes are revered throughout the world for their beauty, grace, and long-distance migrations, frequently spanning numerous countries. In fact, their appeal is so vast that they figure prominently in the culture, folklore, and art of many people around the world. They are featured in the silks, sculpture, poetry, and folk tales of many cultures. And because of their long lifespans, they have become symbols of longevity and good fortune. These magnificent birds also have served as ambassadors of harmony and peace in the international arena. Representatives from nations with various political struggles have reached beyond the instability to address the conservation of cranes. In fact, about 2 years ago, representatives from bordering nations, including India, China, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, and others, met in an attempt to overcome strained relations and send a message of goodwill for the sake of protecting this threatened species. Similarly, African nations which share troubled borders also have joined together in recent years to stop the illegal trade of cranes. In North America, the whooping crane is the rarest of the crane species. Back in the year 1941, only 21 whooping cranes existed in the entire world. Today, there are almost 400 birds in existence. The resurgence is attributed to the bird's tenacity for survival and to the efforts of conservationists in the United States and Canada. In fact, since 2001, coordinated efforts have focused on encouraging young whooping cranes to migrate from their breeding grounds in Wisconsin's Necedah National Wildlife Refuge to their destination in Florida. In an effort to reintroduce a migratory flock into their historic range in the eastern United States, the recovery team used ultralight aircraft to train and lead these young cranes on their spectacular journey, stretching from city to city and State to State. Fortunately, these efforts have been successful, and the Crane Conservation Act would complement them, both domestically and internationally. This bill will provide the resources to support initiatives that protect cranes and, importantly, their habitats, which have deteriorated due to industrial development, pollution, and other human disturbances, including wars and other violent conflicts. The bill will also provide the means for the United States to fulfill various international obligations and commitments, thus having a large environmental and cultural impact across the globe. Additionally, the Crane Conservation Act will provide resources for the United States to bring people and governments around the world together to protect ecosystems, develop adequate habitats, and encourage overall goodwill. Specifically, the Crane Conservation Act will authorize up to $5 million per year to be distributed in the form of conservation project grants to protect cranes in the wetlands and grasslands and other ecosystems on which they depend. Congress has passed similar bills in support of globally significant and endangered wildlife species, including tigers, rhinos, elephants, and neotropical migratory birds. And just as these efforts took significant steps in international wildlife conservation, the Crane Conservation Act would play a similar and promising role in improving endangered wildlife and their habitats. This bill, in identical form, passed on the suspension calendar last session. I encourage my colleagues to support the Crane Conservation Act of 2009.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lawrence ``Larry'' King, a California eighth-grader who was shot and killed 1 year ago today by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender identity. Larry's tragic death is a reminder of what we already know, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students continue to face pervasive harassment and victimization in schools. On this anniversary of Larry's death, vigils are being organized across the country in his memory, and young Americans are raising their voices to demand an end to violence and harassment directed at LBGT people in schools. This morning, I raise my voice with them. Every young American deserves an education free from name-calling, bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence regardless of his or her sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. I want to thank my colleague, Lois Capps, for her work in authoring a resolution to honor Larry's memory. I urge my colleagues to join us in calling for an end to all violence and harassment in our schools.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Thank you. I want to start by thanking you for your leadership. It is so important that you bring us together to highlight the issue, and I think it is powerful to hear what our constituents have to say in their own words. We all travel back and forth between Washington, D.C., and our home districts. I represent an extraordinary constituency in south central Wisconsin, and there is nowhere I travel in my district that I don't hear these stories that tug on your heartstrings and tell us in no uncertain terms that we must take action, and we must take action in this session of Congress. I want to share with you a sampling--and we could probably have endless special orders and not get to all of the communications that we receive. Michael in Poynette, Wisconsin, in my district says, ``I am a [Federal employee] and a member of the Wisconsin WI Air National Guard. This past year we were granted a wage increase of roughly 2.3 percent. At the same time, the cost of our FEHBP plan benefit increased by up to 44 percent.'' For he and his coworkers. Michael writes, ``Along with this, many of the co-pays also increased. This has put a tremendous strain on my colleagues in the Air National Guard, many who have been deployed three and four times in support of operations throughout the Middle East region.'' Ed in Monroe, Wisconsin, writes to me, ``My wife and I live in the gap. Between our Social Security and a disability policy she had, we get too much money to qualify for help, but not really enough to get by. With the donut hole in Medicare D, we would only be able to get my wife's meds for 3 months if it were not for the samples provided by one of her doctors.'' ``Four of her 10 meds would take 65 percent of our total income if it were not for the help of that doctor. I live with chronic pain because of a cancer treatment, but as the years go by, it helps less and I have other medical problems that are gradually getting worse.'' Ed continues: ``I have a wife and a son that I have to take care of because neither can do it all for themselves. I am the one who battles with Social Security and the insurance companies. I have to deal with problems that arise with their medications, their finances and many day-to-day things.'' Ed continues: ``Every time I hear a politician talking about cutting Medicare and other programs for the elderly and disabled, it scares me to death because I am just hanging on by a thread.'' Sue in Beloit writes about her situation. Sue writes: ``My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. After treatment began, we found out that the insurance company had a small loophole for the treatment of cancer. Under our insurance, they have a $13,000 limit per year on radiation and chemotherapy. That amount did not even cover the first treatment of either the radiation or chemo. I was not going to have my husband die for lack of treatment, so we started to use our savings and available credit to pay for medical expenses. My husband later died,'' Sue wrote. ``After having completely depleted our savings and facing insurmountable credit card debt, I had no choice but to file bankruptcy last year.'' Greg in Verona, Wisconsin, who owns a small business writes: ``Since 1998, we've been providing health care to our employees. Every year, we've had double digit increases in our costs. This year, the insurance company has informed us we'll be paying 42 percent more next year, which will lead to one of several eventualities: ``One. We'll have to reduce what we cover as a benefit for our employees and hopefully retain them. Reality is, many will leave and we'll have trouble replacing them. ``Two. We'll eat the increase but offer no employee raises for the next 3 years. ``Three. We'll raise our prices and force customers to look elsewhere for the services we currently provide them. ``The very real possibility is we'll end up with some element of all the scenarios and end up not being able to keep the doors open. Very scary thought when one considers that my business has been around for 55 years.'' Michael in Burlington, Wisconsin, writes: ``My late daughter was diagnosed with lymphangiomatosis and Gorham's Vanishing Bone disease in March 2005. We found out how much a child with a terminal illness costs a person. My wife and I used every amount of credit and refinanced our house three times just to take care of her. Since her death, the bills mounted so bad that now we will have to file bankruptcy and we already have been foreclosed on our home. ``Secondly, my wife was born with a hole in her heart. In 1972, the doctors repaired the hole. In doing so, through the blood transfusion they gave her hepatitis C. Now she is preexisting at 37 and can't get life insurance and has been repeatedly denied health care coverage. Her mental breakdown because of the death of our daughter left the insurance companies another reason to not let her have health care. This needs to change.'' Carol from Madison, Wisconsin, writes: ``As someone who has had no health insurance at all for 3 years, I can tell you that it was pretty miserable being one of the millions of people in this country without health insurance. Not long ago, my best friend died at age 42 because of ovarian cancer because she did not have health insurance and waited too long to see what was causing all of her symptoms. Yes, people in America actually die from not having health insurance.'' Susan in Baraboo, Wisconsin, writes: ``I am writing you today regarding health insurance coverage for single people with no children. As of this time, I feel that I am left out of the loop in regards to this topic. I am 42, and last September I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In January of this year, the company that I worked for informed us that they would be closing down. I was laid off in December while I was out due to my cancer treatment. I have been searching for health care everywhere because my COBRA will be going up and I am on unemployment and barely able to pay the $244.76 for the coverage now. I cannot get insurance because of the breast cancer. HIRSP, which is the Wisconsin State High Risk Program, is too expensive for me to get coverage since they want 4 months of premiums up front, and as they only cover some things. ``What are single people supposed to do? We don't qualify for any government assistance because we are single. We cannot go without insurance. There are no programs to help us out. So when you are working on health care in the House of Representatives, please remember that there are single people out there also in my shoes. I am at a crossroad because I have no avenue for assistance when it comes to health care. Come November, I will be unable to get coverage when I need it at this point in my life.'' I hope, Mr. Speaker, that my colleagues will join me, and on behalf of those constituents whose stories I've shared, in recognizing the absolute critical nature of our efforts to enact national health care that covers all Americans. The crisis is only worsening at this particular moment, and I invite my colleagues to join me in working on this most pressing issue. I again thank the gentleman from Connecticut, my friend, Chris Murphy, for bringing us together this evening to give voice to the American people who are suffering so much in the current circumstance.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support today of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. Achieving health care for all in this country is the reason why I got into politics. It is my goal, it is my passion, it is my motivation. And, for the first time during my tenure in Congress, I see real promise that the Obama administration and this Congress will work together to achieve that goal. SCHIP takes an important first step in moving towards achieving this goal. I am proud to support this particular bill because it contains some key provisions. It provides increased Federal funding for States like my own State of Wisconsin that have proven successful in reducing the number of uninsured children. It also provides funding for outreach activities to find the children that are hardest to reach--the most in need of health care. Madam Speaker, this legislation will give 4.1 million uninsured children meaningful access to health care. And now we must move forward to cover the millions more who suffer every day due to lack of health insurance. Today, we must enact SCHIP legislation. Tomorrow, we must move forward to bring health care coverage to every American.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to the Orfordville Journal and Footville News, which ceased publication on August 15, 2008, after nearly a century of chronicling the lives of families in the Orfordville area of Rock County, Wisconsin. Its dedicated owners and publishers, the Stewart family, kept the small weekly newspaper alive for 92 years. Upon its closing, the Journal-News was the second oldest business in Orfordville. The first issue of the Orfordville Journal debuted on December 17, 1908, but it was not until 1916 that the Stewart family became its owners, when Ward A. Stewart purchased the struggling newspaper at age 22. Later that year, a young woman named Rose came to work for the Journal. Rose and Ward soon married on a Wednesday night in Orfordville, but only after the printing of that week's paper was complete. This and countless other Stewart family anecdotes illustrate a behind-the-scenes picture of the Journal-News as a quintessential family business rooted in the community that it served. Early on, the Stewarts relied on the assistance of several local women to create the weekly Orfordville Journal. The labor was painstaking and slow--all of the typesetting was completed by hand, letter by letter, and pages were printed using hand-rollers. When the newspaper added the Footville News section in 1925, the Stewarts upgraded to a linotype typesetting machine to speed production and accommodate the growing territory. Rose Stewart typically ran the linotype with her son, George, by her side, sleeping in a cradle, and as he got older, standing by in a playpen. At age 8, George had already written his first story. When he later entered journalism school at the University of Wisconsin, he found himself firmly upon the path to a career in the newspaper industry. George Stewart and his wife, Betty, eventually succeeded his parents as owners of the Journal-News. George and Betty ushered the Journal- News into the 21st century with modern, computer-aided production processes; even so, the paper never lost its community focus and homegrown appeal. I commend the Stewarts on their service to their community and look forward to their new venture, an online Orfordville area news website.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3406, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act. This vital legislation restores the civil rights protections that Congress intended for people with disabilities in passing the ADA in 1990. In the years since passage of the ADA, courts--including the U.S. Supreme Court--have narrowed the protective reach of this law, undermining Congress' intent. It is flatly unacceptable that Americans who experienced disability-based discrimination have been denied protection of the ADA and barred from challenging discriminatory conduct. This bill is an important and necessary remedy, and I'm grateful to our champions in the House, Mr. Hoyer and Mr. Sensenbrenner, as well as Senator Harkin and others who shepherded the ADA Amendments Act through the Senate. Importantly, the ADA Amendments Act addresses the restrictive interpretation of what it means to have a ``disability'' and therefore be protected against disability discrimination. In Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. v. Williams, the Supreme Court ruled that the definition of disability must be read ``strictly to create a demanding standard for qualifying as disabled'' and, to meet the definition, an individual must have an impairment that ``prevents or severely restricts the individual from doing activities that are of central importance to most people's daily lives.'' Due to that and other narrow court interpretations, people with HIV who have been fired, not hired, or suffered other adverse employment actions have been denied the protections of the ADA. Although the ADA clearly intended to protect people living with HIV from being discriminated against based on having HIV, many have had their lawsuits derailed by disputes over whether they meet a narrowly interpreted definition of the term ``disability.'' For people living with HIV, all too often whether or not they could proceed with their discrimination claim has turned on the court's view of evidence as to their child- bearing ability and intentions: highly personal, intimate matters that are completely unrelated to the discrimination they experienced. The ADA Amendments Act remedies the courts' misinterpretation of the ADA by explicitly stating that the definition of ``disability'' must be interpreted broadly to achieve the ADA's remedial purposes, by clarifying the definition of ``disability'' through examples of ``major life activities,'' and by providing that the determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity must be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures. Of significance for people living with HIV, among the listed examples of ``major life activities'' are ``functions of the immune system,'' as well as ``reproductive functions.'' Under these new provisions, many individuals who were incorrectly denied coverage under the ADA will now be protected from discrimination. Some examples follow: Rubin Cruz Carrillo was fired from his job as a flight attendant 1 day after he told his employer that he had been diagnosed with HIV and asked to speak with his supervisors about this under ``strict confidentiality.'' Because he was fired immediately after disclosing his HIV status, Rubin believed that the airline terminated him because of his disability and filed suit under the ADA. To show that his HIV infection ``substantially limits'' a ``major life activity,'' Rubin explained that he decided not to have children because of the risk of infecting his female partner or their resulting child through unprotected sexual intercourse. The trial judge discounted his testimony, saying that Rubin was ``not an expert in the medical field of immunology or reproduction.'' The court concluded that Rubin had not established that he had a ``disability'' because he failed to introduce medical evidence that HIV substantially limits a man's ability to reproduce. Therefore, the court ruled Rubin was not entitled to the protections of the ADA. In contrast, another judge on the same Federal district court found that a female with HIV was entitled to ADA protection. Yesenia Rodriguez alleged that she was discharged from an assignment because she had HIV. The court found that she was ``disabled'' under the meaning of the ADA, based on her testimony that she decided not to have more children due to the possibility of transmitting HIV to her child if she did. Other courts have granted summary judgment for employers (dismissing discrimination claims) on the grounds that the employee with HIV did not establish that his HIV was a ``disability.'' For example, Fabio Gutwaks'' discrimination claim was dismissed after the court concluded that he had failed to establish that he was substantially limited in the major life activity of reproduction because he testified that he did not currently, or previously, desire to father children. Similarly, Albenjamin Blanks' claim was dismissed after he testified that he and his wife had decided not to have any more children long before the discriminatory conduct occurred and that his wife had undergone a procedure to prevent her from having any more children. The ADA was meant to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities. Yet, many people with HIV have been denied coverage under the ADA and therefore left without any legal recourse against discrimination. Under the ADA Amendments Act, these men and women will all be assured legal protection for discrimination based on their HIV status, irrespective of their child-bearing intentions or lack of expert testimony about HIV's impact on child-bearing. By passing the ADA Amendments Act, we reaffirm the right for American workers--including any American living with HIV--to be judged based upon their skills, talents, loyalty, character, integrity and work ethic. I am pleased to support this bill to ensure that all Americans have a fair opportunity to work.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 30th anniversary of HospiceCare Inc. From its humble beginnings as a small grassroots operation serving a handful of patients in Southern Wisconsin, Dane County Hospice, now HospiceCare, has grown into an organization that serves over 400 patients each day throughout the area in a variety of settings. HospiceCare's Madison and Janesville locations maintain a staff of more than 500 professionals and nearly 1,000 volunteers. The term ``hospice'' originates from the root word ``hospitality.'' It is with this foundation in mind that HospiceCare seeks to carry out its mission of providing quality end-of-life care to patients and families coping with life-limiting illnesses. HospiceCare's comprehensive and collaborative team of professionals combines expert pain and symptom management with compassionate care to ensure that individuals diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses live the end of their lives in comfort and with dignity, whether they are in their own home or in a hospital, community based residential facility, nursing home, or assisted living facility. Since its founding in 1978, HospiceCare has become an essential component of our community's fabric. As an innovator, educator, and above all, a quality care provider, HospiceCare has shown the way to a more peaceful end-of-life experience for a growing number of patients and their loved ones. In 1995, HospiceCare merged with Janesville Team Care to bring HospiceCare's brand of quality and commitment to the Rock County area. In the last decade alone, HospiceCare has planned, built, and opened the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, the only freestanding, inpatient hospice unit in Dane County, and more recently, the Ellen & Peter Johnson HospiceCare Residence to provide care to patients in a residential setting on the HospiceCare campus. These accomplishments have brought HospiceCare closer to achieving its long-term vision of ``building a community in which exceptional end-of-life care is accepted, expected and available to all.'' I am proud to stand with HospiceCare in order to make that vision a reality. For 30 years of continued service and commitment to families across Wisconsin, I congratulate HospiceCare Inc. and wish all those involved many more years of success in the future.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Visiting Nurse Service for its 100-year commitment to the improvement and expansion of patient medical care in southern Wisconsin. Since 1908, when the Attic Angel Association began working with a local nurse to procure in-home care for its residents, the Visiting Nurse Service has grown to become an integral component of the Wisconsin health care industry. As a section of the Home Health United health care agency, the Visiting Nurse Service now continues to facilitate independent living and enhance the quality of life for patients across 23 Wisconsin counties. By offering patients the option to cope with illness and work with medical professionals from the comfort of their own homes, the Visiting Nurse Service has truly enhanced our Nation's health care system. The Visiting Nurse Service that operates in Wisconsin originated in Madison as an innovative, unique approach to health care. It all began when the Attic Angel Association, initially founded as a charitable service group, perceived a void in the health care system. By hiring Maud Reeder, the first visiting nurse in the area, Attic Angel found a way to improve the scope of existing medical services by initiating more convenient, personalized in-home care. The Attic Angel Association helped implement a change in Wisconsin's health care system that would extend far beyond the Madison area. Since its inception, the Visiting Nurse Service has operated with the simple goals of providing more accessible nursing services and offering charitable medical treatment. Over the past century, the Visiting Nurse Service has enriched the lives of countless Wisconsinites. As America's health care practices have evolved and developed during the last hundred years, visiting nurses have continued to provide a dependable service, acting as a valuable constant in an ever-changing system. The enduring legacy speaks to the Visiting Nurse Service's remarkable ability to provide effective, professional health care and to adapt to a growing society. The Visiting Nurse Service has demonstrated a genuine commitment to addressing the specific, individual needs of its patients, and an impressive ability to respond to the needs of its community. For their commitment to the people of Wisconsin and to the enrichment of their community through improved medical care, I congratulate the Visiting Nurse Service. The 100th anniversary of the organization's inception marks a truly extraordinary, well-deserved milestone. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Sauk County Historical Society for 100 years of stewardship of the Man Mound. Built to resemble a human figure and measuring over 200 feet in length, the Man Mound is now believed to be our Nation's only remaining Native American effigy mound in the shape of a human. The Sauk County Historical Society has fought for over a century to protect the Man Mound, and the remarkable survival of this relic can be largely attributed to those efforts. The historical society's work on behalf of the Man Mound serves as an ideal example of its dedication to local communities and to the enrichment of society through historical preservation. The society's fight to preserve the Man Mound began in 1907, only a few years after H.E. Cole founded the organization. While surveying the Man Mound, Cole discovered that the structure would soon be completely demolished and then plowed as farmland, like almost 900 other Native American mounds in the area. Cole and the historical society took immediate action to save the Man Mound by leading a collaborative, community-oriented effort. The Sauk County Historical Society, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Archaeological Society and the Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs, raised enough money to purchase the Man Mound and protect it from cultivation and further destruction. The surrounding park was then dedicated in August of 1908. The Sauk County Historical Society's commitment to the stewardship of this landmark demonstrates an impressive appreciation of the past and of history's value to modern society. The historical society truly recognizes the importance of using resources like the Man Mound to spread knowledge and educate our society. By preserving the Man Mound, the Sauk County Historical Society allows us to connect with the past and provides us with a tangible link to the Native Americans who preceded us as stewards of this land. Even as we take this opportunity to look back in appreciation, the historical society is planning ahead for the future of the Man Mound and Man Mound Park. With support from the Wisconsin Archeological Society, the Wisconsin Archeological Survey, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Ho-Chunk Nation, and the General Federation of Women's Clubs--Wisconsin, the Sauk County Historical Society is initiating a comprehensive study of the structure and working to ensure the future of this invaluable artifact. For their commitment to the people of Wisconsin and to the enrichment of their community through historical conservation and preservation, I congratulate the Sauk County Historical Society. The 100th anniversary of the society's stewardship of the Man Mound marks a truly remarkable, well-deserved milestone.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Urban League for a commitment to social and economic justice in the Madison area that now spans four decades. When the National Urban League's affiliate arrived on the Southside in 1968, Madison and other larger cities had few support services for economically disadvantaged people. Most civil rights groups at the time had focused on legal barriers to equality. After the eventual toppling of de jure segregation and discrimination ``on the books,'' our communities were left void of organizations and advocacy networks focused on the unequal economic conditions African Americans and other people of color still faced. Despite the shift in terrain, the Madison Urban League committed to fulfilling the need for economic programs. Forty years later, the Urban League of Greater Madison has retained and restored the commitment the Madison Urban League made at such a crucial point in the history of our country and our city. Today, the diverse staff at the Urban League of Greater Madison serves thousands of youth, adults, and whole families all over Dane County through a wide range of programs and services. Last year, 2,000 people were reached through various initiatives throughout the county. To bring to the forefront its renewed commitment to economic empowerment for those overlooked and underserved, the Urban League of Greater Madison is on the verge of breaking ground for a new Center for Economic Development along Park Street in front of the Villager. The center will be more than just another building on the Southside of Madison. It will be an investment in the people there. With the capacity to offer a more comprehensive set of programs and services than it can now, the Urban League of Greater Madison will be able to empower more citizens by relocating to and reclaiming an area that is ripe for revitalization. An anniversary celebration will be held this evening to recognize the achievements and legacy of the Urban League in Madison and to commence a new chapter in the history of the organization. For their commitment and service to the people of Dane County, I congratulate both the National Urban League and the Urban League of Greater Madison on this momentous milestone. Thanks to the work they have already done and will continue to do, we can and will achieve better.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act. Two hundred and twenty-two years ago our Nation's Founders enshrined in our Constitution the values and principles upon which our Nation was founded, defining what it meant to be an American. Its first words, ``We the people . . .'' make clear to all that our Government derives its power from the people. Our Nation's Founders recognized that the full definition of what it meant to be an American required a clear statement of the protection of individual liberties. The protections enshrined in the Bill of Rights cannot be waived by the President and are not statutorily amendable by Congress. Those rights belong to the people--they are, in part, what it means to be an American. Since our founding, the world has looked to the United States as a beacon of freedom, a Nation leading by example, a Nation governed by the rule of law. As we act on this legislation the world watches to see whether we as a Nation still have a commitment to the very principles we seek to spread around the world. There are those who see this legislation primarily in the context of granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies, merely transactional legislation. But, in fact, this is about something far more important and fundamental. Today, this House seeks to legislatively amend the fourth amendment. This bill retroactively denies to Americans the protections of the fourth amendment. It retroactively insulates Government from accountability for infringing upon one of the most basic rights of Americans. This infringement is not theoretical. Today there are more than 40 pending lawsuits alleging that our Government illegally and unconstitutionally violated the privacy rights of citizens by conducting a warrantless spying program. Through this bill, Congress now seeks to deny these individuals a remedy. Moreover, if this legislation becomes law, Americans may never learn the full extent of the Bush administration's illegal wiretapping program. Further, the bill establishes a permanent framework for the violation of the civil liberties of our citizens. This legislation permits the Government to conduct mass, untargeted surveillance of communications coming into and out of the United States, without any individualized review, and without any finding of wrongdoing. And it permits only minimal court oversight. Some argue that this legislation is necessary to protect our Nation from terrorists. I reject this argument. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (which this bill seeks to amend), has, since 1978, provided a legal framework for law enforcement to secure a secret warrant to intercept electronic communications related to national security. In emergencies, the Attorney General may authorize emergency employment of electronic surveillance as long as he or she makes the requisite application for approval from the FISA court as soon as practicable within 72 hours. By authorizing a program to conduct illegal surveillance on Americans, the President and his Attorneys General have chosen to ignore the law and the Constitution. Today by passing this legislation, Congress chooses to stand with the President. By voting no, today I will stand with the American people in the defense of their civil liberties and their Constitution.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight one month after our Nation recognized Cover the Uninsured Week to draw attention to a national crisis, and that is the crisis of the uninsured. This crisis affects all Americans, and so for the fifth straight year, I have reserved this hour to highlight the issue of the uninsured. Madam Speaker, I believe that all Americans have a right to affordable and comprehensive health care. But unfortunately, according to the Census Bureau, 47 million Americans are without health insurance. Millions more encounter a health care system that is inadequate in meeting their basic medical needs because they are underinsured. According to a recent Commonwealth Foundation study, there are 16 million Americans who are underinsured, meaning their insurance did not adequately protect them against catastrophic health care expenses. That means that 63 million Americans, or one-in-five Americans, have either no health insurance, have only sporadic coverage, or have health insurance coverage that leaves them exposed to high health care costs. Additionally, even those with health care coverage are faced with rising health care costs. As our economy continues to falter and the price of food and gas rises, high health care costs are straining more and more family budgets. The lack of affordable comprehensive health care affects every congressional district in the Nation. To highlight this issue and the real impact that is being--that being uninsured has on the lives of Americans, I have reserved this time to share some of the letters that I have read in my office from constituents who have had difficulty in obtaining and affording comprehensive health care coverage. Too often here in Congress, we speak of health care issues and the antiseptic jargon of policymakers and lawyers. We talk about Medicare Part D and insurance risk pools, but people across America are hurting. And these letters tell their stories in their own words. I represent a district in south-central Wisconsin, and while the letters I read may be from Wisconsinites, they speak to the difficulties that people all over America face every day. I'm going to start with a few letters about the ever-increasing price of health care. Vickie in Beloit, Wisconsin, writes, ``I am a 51-year-old woman, and was recently in the hospital. I have no insurance and my bill was almost $22,000. I was unconscious when I was taken there by ambulance, so I didn't know they were going to run all of these tests which were going to be the biggest part of my bill. I really have no idea how I'm going to pay this. I inquired about health insurance about 6 months ago, and it was over $700 a month.'' Ross in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, writes to me, ``I am 78 years old. My wife is 82. We have Medicare part A, B, and D and supplemental insurance. There is so much that is not covered that we spend ALL our Social Security on medical costs and stuff that Medicare doesn't cover, like hearing aids and dental bills. If we didn't have some income besides our Social Security, we would both be in a nursing home, but I am not sick.'' Michael in Poynette, Wisconsin, writes that ``I am a Federal employee and a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. This past year we were granted a wage increase of roughly 2.3 percent. At the same time, the cost of our Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan benefit increased by up to 44 percent. Along with this, many of the co-pays also increased. This has put a tremendous strain on my colleagues in the Wisconsin Air National Guard, many who have been deployed three or more times in support of operations throughout the Middle East region.'' Ed in Monroe, Wisconsin, writes, ``My wife and I live in the gap. Between our Social Security and the disability policy she had, we get too much money to qualify for help, but not enough to really get by. With the donut hole in Medicare D, we would only be able to get my wife's meds for three months if it were not for samples provided by her doctors. Four out of her 10 meds would take 65 percent of our total income if it were not for the help of that doctor. I live with chronic pain because of a cancer treatment, but as the years go by, it helps less and I have other medical problems that are gradually getting worse. I have a wife and a son that I have to take care of because neither can do it all for themselves. I am the one who battles with Social Security and the insurance companies. I have to deal with problems that arise with their medications, their finances and many day-to-day things. Every time I hear a politician talk about cutting Medicare and other programs for the elderly and disabled, it scares me to death because I am just hanging on by a thread.'' Glen in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, writes, ``My wife and I are retired and are on Medicare and supplemental insurance with drug coverage through my former employer. Our monthly cost for both is about $1,050 a month. With next year's increase, it will take my whole monthly pension to pay for our health insurance. It's like an adjustable rate mortgage that only increases.'' Sue in Beloit, Wisconsin, writes, ``My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. After treatment began, we found out that the insurance company had a small loophole for the treatment of cancer. Under our insurance, they have a $13,000 limit per year on radiation and chemotherapy. That amount did not even cover the first treatment of either radiation or chemo. I was not going to have my husband die for lack of treatment, so we started to use our savings and available credit to pay for medical expenses. My husband later died. After having completely depleted our savings and facing insurmountable credit card debt, I had no choice but to file bankruptcy last year.'' Michelle in Middleton writes: ``My sister had been diagnosed with a possible brain tumor. She has a job with minimal pay and minimal insurance. It pays for the first $1,000 of medical costs per year and then the patient is to pay the next $5,000 before it kicks in again. She cannot afford this. She has already incurred the $1,000 of cost and bills are piling up. She has no idea how she will ever pay for all of the medical care she has needed and the stress is huge. Medical care should be a right of all. We all pay if prevention and early intervention don't happen.'' Michelle brings up an important point in her letter because people without comprehensive health insurance are often not getting the care that they desperately need. A recent study released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that cost prevented 41.1 percent of uninsured adults from seeing a doctor that they needed to see. Madam Speaker, I'd like to next focus on the connection between employment and health care. Only about 40 percent of businesses who employ low-wage or part-time workers offer health benefits. And at $11,480 per year, the average family's health insurance premium now costs more than a minimum-wage worker makes in a whole year. And as we all know, the costs of health care are rising far faster than inflation. Between 2000 and 2006, health premiums for employer- sponsored insurance jumped 87 percent, far outpacing inflation's 18 percent overall increase over the same period of time. Many of my constituents feel trapped. Either they cannot find jobs that offer good health care benefits, or they do have jobs that offer health insurance but they feel that they can't leave those jobs for fear of losing that health insurance. Lisa in Beloit, Wisconsin, writes me. She says: ``My husband and I have been without insurance on and off for the last 8 months. My husband is diabetic and his insulin can run up to $500 a month, not to mention all the other medications he takes. Thank God for the VA and their assistance. So we are managing with his health issues, but I have not had any well-woman check-ups in a long time because I either had no insurance or the work I was doing, I couldn't get any time off to go to a doctor. I have made quite a few job changes in the last year to find the right fit for me, and I feel that I have finally found one, but my concern is that why do we have to suffer health-wise? Why do I have to rely on employers for benefits and be at their mercy, employment-wise, in order to obtain health care?'' Carolyn from Madison, Wisconsin, writes: ``In 2002, I left my full- time job to pursue my dream of having my own business. Unable to afford COBRA, I looked around for affordable insurance with a high deductible. Imagine my surprise when five companies turned me down because of my controlled hypertension and 30 pounds overweight. I struggled for over a year, paying $150 a month for medication at the pharmacy. I developed extremely painful neuropathy in my feet and was unable to seek medical treatment for the condition because I had no insurance. So I just suffered, and I do mean suffered. After more than a year of endless suffering, I had no choice but to take a part-time job driving a school bus so that I could get health insurance. Eventually I had to give up my business because I no longer had the strength or energy to handle a growing business as well as a part-time job.'' Frank in Madison, Wisconsin, writes: ``I'm a 42-year-old male who has diabetes. I cannot get private health care coverage due to my illness. Two years ago, I stepped out of a corporate job to start my own business to fulfill a dream. I was not prepared for the fact that I would not be able to purchase a private health care policy for myself, due to my preexisting condition of diabetes. After 2 years of self- employment and lack of adequate health care coverage, I have no choice but to let go of my dream to own my own business and go back to working for a corporation so I can again receive health care coverage.'' Bonnie in Janesville, Wisconsin, wrote: ``I have, for years, had to be the one in our household, to maintain health insurance because my husband is self-employed. I could not take just any job I wanted. It was so nice when he turned 65 and was able to get Medicare. I was able to take a job that offered a plan for just singles. Since starting this job, I have had significant health issues. I have tried to keep working because I will be unable to find insurance and I can't afford the COBRA payments. I realize that there are people worse off. But I find it so difficult some days to have to come to work; if I work part-time, I would have no insurance to cover my health expenses.'' Madam Speaker, the high cost of health care affects employers as well as employees. Greg in Verona, who owns a small business, wrote me recently. He writes: ``Since 1998, we've been providing health care to our employees. Every year, we've had double-digit increases in our costs. This year, the insurance company has informed us that we'll be paying 42 percent more next year, which will lead to one of several eventualities: ``1. We'll have to reduce what we cover as a benefit for our employees and hopefully retain them. Reality is, many will leave and we'll have trouble replacing them. ``2. We'll eat the increase but offer no employee raises for the next 3 years. ``3. We'll raise our prices and force customers to look elsewhere for the services that we currently provide them. ``The very real possibility is we'll end up with some element of all of the scenarios and end up not being able to keep the doors open. Very scary thought when one considers that my business has been around for 55 years.'' Madam Speaker, I also get many letters from constituents who are nearing 65 but are not yet eligible for Medicare. I'd like to share some of their stories with you, too. Daniel in Madison, Wisconsin, writes: ``I am close to 57 and the combination of my disability and age are making work more difficult all the time. I have been thinking about retirement, but I found that if I do retire, I would lose my medical assistance that I count on for my medical needs. This is due to the fact that I would receive a small State pension. Pensions are considered unearned income, even though the pension was part of our compensation for working. One cannot have any unearned income and receive medical assistance. This seems very unfair. People with disabilities have a difficult time getting employed if they need benefits. Now I find it's just as hard to stop working and retain the needed medical benefits.'' Marilyn in Oregon, Wisconsin, writes: ``Tammy, I am writing you this e-mail to let you know how frustrated I am with the health insurance coverage in this country, especially for people over 50. I recently lost my job. I did not reach my retirement age. I was only 2 years away. My husband and I have had to use our life savings to pay $700 a month for health insurance. I just received a letter that the premium is going to go up next year $60 a month. My only choice is to cancel, since we have used up almost all of our savings. My husband and I do not know what to do for health insurance anymore.'' Charlotte in Baraboo, Wisconsin, writes: ``I am 54 years old and work 40 hours a week. A lot of jobs in our area have health care but might as well not offer any. It is really bad insurance. I know a lot of people in their 50s that have health problems that make it very hard for them to continue working, but they have to in order to have insurance for their health problems. Many of them would like to retire.'' Madam Speaker, simply put, our health care system is failing and America knows this. Among the thousands of letters regarding health care that I receive, there is a common thread, a common theme that binds them together; and that common theme is an overwhelming frustration with a system they know just is not working and a call for those of us in Congress to take action. Here are some more stories. Michael in Burlington, Wisconsin, writes: ``My late daughter was diagnosed with lymphangiomatosis and Gorham's vanishing bone disease in March 2005. We found out how much a child with a terminal illness costs a person. My wife and I used every amount of credit and refinanced our house three times just to take care of her. Since her death, the bills mounted so bad that now we will have to file bankruptcy and we have already been foreclosed on our home. ``Secondly, my wife was born with a hole in her heart. In 1972, the doctors repaired the hole. In doing so, through the blood transfusion they gave her hepatitis C. Now she is preexisting at 37 and can't get life insurance and has been repeatedly denied health care coverage. Her mental breakdown because of the death of our daughter left the insurance companies another reason not to let her have health care. This needs to change.'' Sherry in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, writes: ``I live in a place where most jobs are low quality and low paying and don't offer health insurance benefits. I have had jobs on occasion that have offered insurance, but they have never lasted due to the fact that this area prefers to believe that you are not entitled to a life if you work here. In 1995, I gave birth to my first and only child. In my quest to find employment that would allow me to afford raising my child and pay enough for me to support her without working 18 hours a day, I met my future husband. I was employed when I sustained a work injury that went through on workman's comp. I was left with an injury that was never addressed and bills that workman's comp refused to pay. This injury has prevented me from even applying for better jobs, as the physical pain prevents me from performing many tasks that I have done in the past. My inability to bring a decent income to our home has created major stress on my husband. My marriage is falling apart daily due to health problems and my inability to support my husband. I tried to apply for Badger Care, Wisconsin's Medicaid program, and was told that we slightly exceeded the limits for a family of three, but if I was willing to leave my marriage and my home, that they would be more than happy to give me everything that was available. This just doesn't make any sense.'' Cindy from Fitchburg, Wisconsin, writes: ``I was in a motorcycle accident in Wyoming in 2004. The driver lost control on a gravel road. I ended up on the bottom of a mountain. I was found unconscious and covered in blood. Unfortunately, the people I was with didn't take me to a hospital. It wasn't until I was driven back to Wisconsin that I was taken to a hospital. When I did go to the hospital, doctors told me I should have died. ``My company where I worked had been sold just prior to this trip to Wyoming. I was supposed to start a new job when I returned. During that transition, I had just a few months without health insurance. I could not afford COBRA at $426 a month along with rent. ``The ER in Wisconsin did a CAT scan and recommended that I follow up with my doctor. At this point, I had problems talking, walking, and was in a great deal of pain. I had to give up my apartment and move in with a friend. I was able to continue my health care with COBRA paying for it with my unemployment. But once my unemployment ended so did my ability to pay for health insurance. My savings and 401(k) are all gone. ``My condition worsened without medical treatment. I had tried to get medical assistance, but was refused because I have no dependents and have not been diagnosed as terminal. I had applied for SSDI, which now takes 2 to 3 years for approval. ``I have been left with no income, unable to work, no insurance, and no home. The doctors told me that it may be possible for me to work again, if I can resume my medical treatments. As of now, I have no chance. ``With private health insurance or universal health care, I may have been taken to the hospital the night of the accident instead of being left to die. I would have gotten the treatment needed to prevent my brain from swelling, which caused further damage I may not have had today. ``If there were a mandatory law that people had to carry vehicle insurance, it might have also helped. If SSDI didn't have a 2 or 3-year waiting list, I may be able to get the health care and finances now for me to get better and return to work. If there were some dollars set aside for people without insurance, would my GP have helped? ``This can happen to anyone at any time. I was a homeowner, I had a professional career, and now I'm left without any help. I thought the United States was the richest Nation in the world. How can a human being be discarded?'' Julie from Beloit, Wisconsin writes, ``I was just notified that my insurance company will be raising my house insurance by nearly $100 per year solely based on my credit report. Eight years ago, I had a sterling credit report; in fact, I was able to get a very low interest loan for the house that I bought because of it. Five years ago, I had a medical emergency which caused me to default on two credit cards and to create medical bills I have no hope of ever repaying. I had the choice between buying bandages and ointments, which are not covered by my insurance, for my legs or making my monthly credit card payments. I chose life. For as my doctors told me, I would have eventually lost my legs, if not my life, if I had not sought treatment. ``I know it's legal for insurance companies to do this just as it is legal for businesses to do a credit report on potential employees, but that doesn't mean it's right. I can see the point, to some extent, if poor credit rating were caused by irresponsibility. What I do not get is why people whose sole financial error was to have a health care crisis should be penalized for it. ``It does not take a rocket scientist to see that this will affect the poor, the elderly, and the disabled the most, who are often already either underinsured or uninsured. As for me, I will have to raise my deductible substantially and seriously consider filing for bankruptcy in the hopes of eventually improving my credit rating.'' Eva from Madison, Wisconsin writes, ``I am contacting you in regards to my desperate need for public health care. I am a grad student. I recently sprained my ankle playing soccer and had to go to the emergency room for x-rays. My bill came out to $1,242.50 because I can only afford a measly insurance that has only catastrophic coverage. This is a ridiculous amount of money for such a visit, and it causes me to consider those less fortunate than me who have even more serious injuries and less familial support. This cost can truly make waves in the lives of people.'' Suzanne from Stoughton, Wisconsin writes, ``It is time to have the government deal with health care. We are covered under COBRA, which will run out in March. The cost is going from $500 per month to $900 per month. We checked with Blue Cross, and they refused us coverage because of a preexisting condition. They will not even offer a waiver for this preexisting condition. We checked with the Wisconsin State Insurance Program, which will cover us for $1,200 a month. Please let people over 60 buy into Medicare. It is impossible to find a job that offers health insurance.'' Silvia from Fitchburg, Wisconsin shared her story with me. Silvia was uninsured when she was hospitalized with the need for an appendectomy. Even after the hospital charity program reduced her bill, she still owed over $11,000 to the hospital. Sometimes bill collectors call her at home five times per day. Silvia chips away at the bills, sending $20 or $50 a month. Roberta from Janesville, Wisconsin writes, ``I think the insurance bills for both medical and dental are horrendous. Both my husband and I work full-time with two small children, living paycheck to paycheck. My insurance costs have caused us many heartaches, with us owing more money than what needs to be paid. As a result, I will not get a needed medical procedure done. ``Something drastically needs to change in the United States of America where hardworking individuals and families can get the treatment they need without going broke.'' Patricia from Madison, Wisconsin writes, ``We need to fix health care. I have to choose between food, heat and medications. I have lost 80 pounds because of this. Please help.'' Heather from Waterloo, Wisconsin writes, ``I am married. And together with my husband I own a home. We live a modest, middle class life, managing to always have what we need, except health care. My husband has excellent health care at his job, but for me to also be covered by his plan we would need to pay nearly $400 per month. That is two-thirds as much as our home mortgage. ``Through school, I have worked less and less in order to maintain health coverage. I have only been able to afford short-term major medical coverage. I am grateful that we can afford this, but it does make a difference. Even now, if I have a sore throat, I will wait a few days to see how I feel. I will wait because if I don't need to go, I certainly need to save the money. This is disturbing to me as a nursing student because I know the importance of early treatment and prevention. And it's upsetting to me as a person because I value my health. It's unacceptable to me as a citizen because I know there are other people just like me who wait and get sicker or can't take the medications that they need.'' Brad from Mount Horeb, Wisconsin writes me, ``I write you today to urge you to take action on a growing crisis in America, health care. I strongly believe that we need a national health care plan to insure all Americans. ``My major concern with the current system is when people attempt to obtain health insurance, insurance companies refuse them because of past health history. Let's face it, insurance companies are in business to make a profit. The best way to make a profit is to ensure the healthy so that you can minimize the claims you pay out, and not insure those who need medical care or who may potentially need medical care. ``I am 38 years old with a family of four. I currently participate in a health savings account. For all practical purposes, I pay for all of my own medical needs, including the recent birth of our daughter. ``I recently attempted to switch insurance providers. The insurance companies will insure me, but they will not insure my daughter for any type of treatment for her asthma for 3 years, along with no drug coverage for life. The policy I was requesting had a $10,000 deductible, yet they still refused coverage.'' Lisa from Madison writes, ``I'm a very healthy person, and my husband and children are very healthy. We cannot get insurance. I think everyone should attempt to get an individual health insurance policy just to see how impossible it is. I'm not a risk, really, I am not. I am terrified right now because we are uninsured.'' Carol from Madison, Wisconsin writes, ``As someone who has had no health insurance at all for 3 years, I can tell you that it was pretty miserable being one of the millions of people in this country without health insurance. Not long ago, my best friend died at age 42 because of ovarian cancer because she did not have health insurance and waited too long to see what was causing all of her symptoms. Yes, people in America actually die from not having health insurance.'' Darla from Fitchburg, Wisconsin wrote, ``I lost my job because of unpredictable attendance due to my health issues. Upon losing my job, I signed up for COBRA. Last week I received a letter indicating my COBRA eligibility ends soon. In order for me to get health coverage, I would have to work at least 20 hours per week. My physicians believe that would do me more harm than good relating to my health issues. ``If I do not get some kind of health insurance, I will need to stop all treatments, and I have no money to pay for doctor services. My prescription drugs will have to stop, as I will not be able to pay for them either. What can I do?'' Kimberly from Madison writes, ``I'm writing today because of my family's frustration and anxiety over health care. Although we hear a lot of rhetoric about making health care more affordable and/or more available for Americans, nothing is happening, at least not soon enough. ``My husband recently started his own business. Obviously it will take some time for his company to see any profits, much less income. In the meantime, we are without health insurance. I am 5 months pregnant, and we have a 2-year-old son. Because of my preexisting condition, we cannot buy affordable health coverage. COBRA would cost us $1,200 per month. I am currently applying for Medicaid and other forms of public assistance as a last resort. This is ridiculous. ``As someone with no insurance, I wonder what could possibly be the problem with implementing a public health care system. Oh, I have heard the horror stories about having fewer choices in doctors, longer waiting lists for procedures, and less incentive among doctors and researchers to develop new techniques. But what's most frightening to me is the chance that my son might get sick or my baby might be born with expensive complications while we are uninsured. ``I am not naive. I know that funding public health care is an issue. But is it wise to sacrifice the health and well-being of American citizens to avoid the challenge of implementing a change? I, for one, would be satisfied to pay more for goods and services if I could rest assured that my family's basic health care needs were being met.'' David from Cross Plains, Wisconsin writes, ``My wife and I have been self-employed for over 18 years and have paid thousands of dollars for health insurance premiums. As of a few months ago, we had to drop out and are now without health insurance. The cost is completely out of reach; in fact, it's nuts. Now that I am 50 years old, it's not a matter of if I will ever have health problems, it's when. Tammy, we will lose everything we have ever worked for. So much for the American Dream. Now we look forward to dying broke and possibly homeless.'' Victor from Stoughton, Wisconsin writes, ``My wife can only work part-time because of her health. Her employer offers a generic policy that costs $3.97 a week and requires no background check. This policy covers basically nothing. Medical supplies, check-ups, doctors visits necessary on a routine basis for my wife to survive are now not covered. My wife is uninsurable because of her health, and we have been turned down for health insurance that we have applied for. We cannot believe that this is happening to us.'' Ronald from Deerfield, Wisconsin writes, ``I was on COBRA insurance for 3 years, which ended this past fall. I spent from March until September trying to get private insurance, but could not because of my neck injury. I was, in effect, looked at and dismissed by 33 private insurance companies because of my preexisting condition with my neck injury. Just imagine how you would feel after being dismissed by this many companies. I was finally insured through disability and Medicare. The sad reality of it is that if I want to try to work full-time again, I cannot, because in doing so, it would cost me the only insurance option I have left. ``The truth is that many other countries can and do provide equitable health insurance to all of their citizens no matter what preexisting conditions they have or their ability to pay or what income level they have. I believe this country does have top-notch medical facilities, but not decent or equitable insurance for poor and middle-income families.'' Susan, from Baraboo, Wisconsin, writes, ``I'm writing you today regarding health insurance coverage for single people with no children. As of this time, I feel that I am left out of the loop in regards to this topic. I am 42, and last September, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In January of this year, the company that I worked for informed us that they would be closing down. I was laid off in December while I was out due to my cancer treatments. I have been searching for health care everywhere because my COBRA will be going up, and I am on unemployment and am barely able to pay the $244.76 for the coverage now. I cannot get insurance because of the breast cancer. The high-risk insurance program in Wisconsin is too expensive for me to get coverage since they want 4 months of premiums up front, and they only cover some things. What are single people supposed to do? We don't qualify for any government assistance because we are single. We cannot go without insurance. There are no programs to help us out. So, when you are working on health care in the House of Representatives, please remember that there are other single people out there also in my shoes. I am at a crossroad because I have no avenue for assistance when it comes to health care. Come November, I will be unable to get coverage when I need it at this point in my life.'' Janet from Portage, Wisconsin writes, ``I have a 53-year-old brother who has psoriasis all over his body and arthritis that is caused by this. Three weeks ago, he fell and needs surgery on his shoulder to repair it. He has no job, no money and no insurance. We started looking for a program to help him. There are none that we can find. There is nothing to help him get his shoulder fixed, but after it heals wrong and he is disabled because of it, then there are programs to help him. They will not help get it fixed so he could find a good job. Instead, they would rather support him for the rest of his life instead of trying to help him now.'' Gail from Janesville writes, ``My husband recently lost his job. He applied for over 100 positions only to be told that he lacked a college degree or he is overqualified or they can only pay $8 an hour. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 1998 and again in 2003. I have gone through breast cancer twice and have undergone a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. COBRA has run out, and without a stable income, we cannot afford to pay the premiums of our own health care policy. My husband is 59 years old, and I am 58, and we have no medical coverage. I have looked at every insurance company and get turned down because of my medical history. All our lives we have paid into these insurance companies only to be turned away when we need coverage the most.'' Lastly, Madam Speaker, I want to relay a story that was shared with me by Laurie, a fourth grade teacher in Madison, Wisconsin. Laurie recently had a student fall during recess and break his foot. Laurie writes me. ``As he was waiting in extreme pain and cold for the school nurse to get to him, he cried to an assistant, waiting with him, `I can't go to the doctor. We don't have insurance.''' That a 9- or 10-year-old child should even think something like this is an atrocity. Madam Speaker, I hope that my colleagues will join me in recognizing that obtaining comprehensive, affordable health care presents a very real challenge for millions and millions of Americans. We can not turn a deaf ear on our constituents' pleas for help. I invite my colleagues to join me in working on this most pressing domestic priority--to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I yield back my remaining time.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. James Thomson, a professor of anatomy in the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine and Public Health, for the most recent accomplishments in his extraordinary scientific career. Dr. Thomson is a world-renowned developmental biologist whose discoveries, in the words of Time Magazine, ``have a potential that could be unlimited.'' Time recently named Dr. Thomson to its Top 100 list of the ``World's Most Influential People.'' The honor is well deserved. A decade ago Dr. Thomson became the first person to isolate human embryonic stem cells and maintain them indefinitely in culture. As recognition for his discovery, he appeared on the cover of Time on August 20, 2001. Last year, in another breakthrough, Dr. Thomson developed a method for converting human skin cells to stem cells that appear to share similar properties to embryonic stem cells. At the same time, a professor at Japan's Kyoto University independently shared in the breakthrough. Over the past decade, Dr. Thomson's work has opened new horizons in medicine and sparked new hopes for curing a vast spectrum of diseases. Dr. Thomson's colleagues honored him last month by electing him a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences--one of America's most prestigious associations--which was founded in 1863 and charged by Abraham Lincoln with advising the country on scientific and technological issues. In this capacity he will continue to serve not only the scientific community, but the country as well. This year, Dr. Thomson accepted an additional appointment as Director of Regenerative Biology at the Morgridge Institute for Research, the nonprofit side of the new Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. He is the first member of the Morgridge Institute's multidisciplinary scientific leadership team and will continue his pioneering research at the Institute. In addition, Dr. Thomson is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Thomson's latest achievements are in a long line of accolades, which include his receipt of the 2003 Frank Annunzio Award from the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, an independent Federal agency that gives the award to individuals who have improved the world through ingenuity and innovation. In 2005, Dr. Thomson was instrumental in the selection of the WiCell Research Institute--a private, nonprofit supporting organization of the University of Wisconsin-Madison--as the first National Stem Cell Bank. I was proud to join him in celebrating the announcement of that selection. As noted by the managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), Dr. Carl Gulbrandsen, Dr. Thomson ``is really the reason why UW-Madison is the center of the universe for stem cell research.'' Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. James Thomson for his extraordinary achievements. With a long career ahead, I wish him years of continued success, and I invite the Congress to join me in applauding him for his enormous contributions to developmental biology, which will shape the world and alleviate human suffering in the years to come.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Becky Young, a former Wisconsin State Representative. Throughout her seven consecutive terms in the Assembly, Young was a tireless advocate for her constituents and their families, and she left a lasting impact on the entire State of Wisconsin that will not be forgotten. Beginning her political career as a Dane County Supervisor in 1970, Becky focused on health care issues that had not been adequately addressed but were especially important to women. Becky's pioneering work did not end there. In 1974, she became the first woman to serve as Wisconsin Highway Commissioner. Later, she became the Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration. While serving on the Madison School Board from 1979 to 1985, Becky demonstrated a unique enthusiasm for education reform. Her determination to ensure that every child realizes the potential of education was indeed rare. Becky's unwavering commitment to children and families began to permeate through the State Legislature in 1984 when she was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. During her tenure in the Assembly, Young served on the Education Committee for several terms and as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Children and Human Services from 1987 to 1995. She also served as the Ranking Democratic Member on the Assembly Committee on Children and Families and chaired the Special Committee on Women Offenders in the Correctional System. Using these avenues, Young was able to enact meaningful solutions to a range of issues facing the people of her district and the State of Wisconsin as a whole. Becky Young gave a voice to those women and children who were not being heard in the halls of the State Capitol at the time. I was honored to serve in the Assembly with Becky from 1993 until 1999. I witnessed firsthand her passion for helping others and improving the lives of those she could reach. It was a privilege to work with as passionate a woman as Becky and her presence will be forever missed at the Capitol in Madison. Becky's love for helping people has been evident throughout her career as she has always maintained strong ties to the community. The YWCA recognized Becky as a Woman of Distinction for her tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for all women, and the Wisconsin Women's Network named her the 1992 Stateswoman of the Year. She has also been recognized by a variety of other organizations that have benefited from her diligence and volunteerism. Undoubtedly, Becky remains dedicated to the people of Wisconsin. For her hard work, pioneering leadership, and service to our communities, I join the entire State of Wisconsin in saluting and thanking Becky Young. She is an inspiration to all women and I carry her legacy and mission with me as I fight for all families in our Nation's capital.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Thank you, Chairwoman Bordallo, for recognizing me today. I rise today in support of the Crane Conservation Act of 2008, legislation to help protect and preserve the world's 15 species of cranes for generations to come. Cranes are the most endangered family of birds in the world, with 11 of the world's 15 crane species at risk of extinction. Their special characteristics and unique ability to bring people together across cities, States, and international boundaries places them in a class worthy of our conservation efforts. Cranes are revered throughout the world for their beauty, grace, and long-distance migrations, frequently spanning numerous countries. In fact, their appeal is so vast that they figure prominently in the culture, folklore, and art of many people around the world. They are featured in the silks, sculpture, poetry, and folk tales of many cultures. And, because of their long life spans, they have become symbols of longevity and good fortune. These magnificent birds have served as ambassadors of harmony and peace in the international arena. Representatives from nations with various political struggles have reached beyond the instability to address the conservation of cranes. In fact, just about a year ago, representatives from bordering nations, including India, China, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and others, met in an attempt to overcome strained relations and send a message of goodwill for the sake of protecting this threatened species. Similarly, African nations which share troubled borders have also joined together in recent years to stop the illegal trade of cranes. In North America, the whooping crane is the rarest of the crane species. Back in 1941, only 21 whooping cranes existed in the entire world. Today, there are almost 400 birds in existence. The resurgence is attributed to the birds' tenacity for survival and to the efforts of conservationists in the United States and Canada. In fact, since 2001, coordinated efforts have focused on encouraging young whooping cranes to migrate from their breeding grounds in Wisconsin's Necedah National Wildlife Refuge to their winter destination in Florida. In an effort to reintroduce migratory flocks into their historic range in the eastern United States, the recovery team used ultralight aircraft to train and lead the young cranes on their spectacular journey stretching from city to city and State to State. Fortunately, these efforts have been successful, and the Crane Conservation Act would complement them, both domestically and internationally. The bill will provide the resources to support initiatives to protect cranes and their habitats, which have deteriorated due to industrial development, pollution, and other human disturbances, including wars. The bill will also provide the means for the United States to fulfill various international obligations and commitments, thus having a large environmental and cultural impact across the globe. Additionally, the Crane Conservation Act will provide resources for the United States to bring people and governments around the world together to protect ecosystems, develop adequate habitats, and encourage overall goodwill. Specifically, the Crane Conservation Act will authorize up to $5 million per year to be distributed in the form of conservation project grants to protect cranes and the wetlands and grassland ecosystems on which they depend. Congress has passed similar bills in support of globally significant and endangered wildlife species, including tigers, rhinos, elephants, and neotropical migratory birds. And just as these efforts took significant steps in international wildlife conservation, the Crane Conservation Act would play a similar and promising role in improving endangered wildlife and their habitats. I encourage my colleagues to support the Crane Conservation Act.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. The scientific advancement that has been made in sequencing the human genome is groundbreaking. We have only just begun to understand how we can harness the vast amount of information that is included in our genetic code to benefit human health and longevity. The ability to predict disease will greatly increase our opportunities for early treatment and prevention efforts and this can have a real impact on people's lives. So I am proud to support the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. This bill will provide strong protections to prevent employers and insurers from denying health coverage or job opportunities on the basis of predictive genetic information. Providing this protection will ensure that Americans are not unfairly penalized, either by health insurers or by employers, for something that is a part of their genetic makeup. In addition, these protections will encourage individuals to participate in genetic research, which will lead to new technologies and new therapies. This important nondiscrimination protection is necessitated by the advancements in science, like the mapping of the human genome. And Congress is responsible for making sure that our laws keep up with these scientific advancements, so that we can fully realize the value of these discoveries. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of it.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 330) supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish to urge my colleagues to support this resolution. As we have heard, this bill supports the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and highlights the need for increased awareness about this major public health issue. I wish to again commend my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), for his heartfelt and strong leadership on this issue, and urge all of my colleagues to support its passage.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time at this moment. I would continue to reserve.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Studies show that 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime and that, on average, a person is sexually assaulted in the United States every 2\1/2\ minutes. In my State of Wisconsin, there were 5,628 sexual assaults reported in the year 2004, the last year statistics are available. This marks a 3.7 percent increase from the previous year. Nationwide, we know that children and young adults are most at risk. Forty-four percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18, and 80 percent are under the age of 30. Although most victims are younger women, the effects of sexual assault cross all racial, social, religious, ethnic, and economic boundaries. Whether the crime is rape, incest, child sexual abuse, stalking, or sexual harassment, sexual assault impacts our schools, our workplaces, our streets, and our homes. Survivors are our sons, our daughters, our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our grandparents. In addition to the physical effects of victimization, the emotional scars felt by sexual assault survivors may persist long after the physical scars have healed. Sexual violence costs an estimated $127 billion per year in medical expenses, lost productivity, treatment of psychological trauma, and pain and suffering. Yet we know that only 41 percent of sexual assault survivors pursue prosecution by reporting their attack to law enforcement officials, and despite the support services offered by the National Sexual Assault Hotline and more than 1,000 crisis centers across the Nation, fewer than 50 percent of survivors ever tell anyone about their experience. These statistics are staggering and unconscionable. Despite the alarming prevalence of sexual assault, there is a clear and significant need for more public education and awareness. National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month does just this. Observed each year in April, this dedicated month provides a special opportunity to educate Americans about sexual violence and to encourage the prevention of sexual assault, the improved treatment of its survivors, and the prosecution of its perpetrators. As part of the National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we recognize national and community organizations, as well as private sector supporters, for their work in promoting awareness about sexual assault. We also applaud public safety, law enforcement, and health professionals for their hard work and innovative strategies to increase the percentage of sexual assault cases that result in the prosecution and incarceration of offenders. Along with my colleague, Congressman Ted Poe from Texas, I introduced House Concurrent Resolution 330 to recognize April 2008 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. By supporting this resolution, we highlight the efforts of individuals and agencies that provide rape crisis intervention and prevention services. We also call attention to sexual violence as a major public health issue and raise awareness of the need for increased resources for preventing sexual violence. Mr. Speaker, I want to quickly extend my thanks to a number of advocates for their work on sexual assault prevention. In Wisconsin, we are incredibly lucky to have the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault working to create the social change necessary to end sexual violence. My thanks to the Coalition and their member organizations across the State for the important work that they do. Since the first national observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in 2001, many Members of Congress have been actively involved in ensuring congressional support for efforts to raise awareness around sexual violence. I wholeheartedly thank all the cosponsors of this bipartisan resolution for once again lending their names to this worthy cause. Finally, I want to extend my sincerest thank you to my colleague, Congressman Ted Poe, for his strong support as the lead sponsor of this resolution. Mr. Poe has been a dedicated advocate for victims and victims' rights in this Congress, and I have very much admired his commitment to ending sexual violence in all forms. Thank for your hard work and leadership on this resolution. Although we have made significant progress, we still have far to go in eradicating the harm inflicted on our community by sexual assault. I urge all of my colleagues to fully support this resolution recognizing the National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Eager Free Public Library, EFPL, for 100 years of service to the people of Evansville, WI. Since the doors first opened a century ago, the Eager Free Public Library has been an invaluable and vital part of the community. During the 1890s, Wisconsinites embarked on a movement to secure free public libraries around the State. However, few were as passionate and dedicated to the cause as Mr. Almeron Eager. Eager's passion for libraries was evident when he passed away in 1902. In his will, Mr. Eager bequeathed $10,000 to the city of Evansville to construct a free public library in his name. The library's cost would end up exceeding $10,000 but his surviving family members contributed money to cover the remaining cost. After several years of searching for the proper site, the first construction shovel finally pierced the ground in May 1907 and the library was dedicated in June 1908. The prairie school style of the building would become a trademark design of Claude and Stark, the architects of the EFPL. One hundred years later, the library still stands tall, in large part thanks to the vision of Almeron Eager. As a communitarian, Mr. Eager knew that free public libraries are the cornerstone of our democracy. A library brings hope and knowledge to our children, fosters intellectual freedom, and makes important information readily available to all citizens. The mission of EFPL, and so many others, to provide equal access to resources makes free public libraries critical to fulfilling the promise of a democratic society. Not only do our free public libraries provide intellectual enrichment but they also serve as an important community gathering place. Through a wide range of programs including discussion groups, computer classes, and family events, EFPL has worked tirelessly to give every citizen the opportunity to fulfill their potential and become an active participant in our democracy. For the past 100 years, these overarching goals have been the foundation of the library's distinguished reputation and unwavering commitment to equality and education. I am proud to join the residents of Evansville in honoring the family of Mr. Almeron Eager and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Eager Free Public Library.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues to honor the hundreds of thousands of American students across the country who will participate in the National Day of Silence this Friday to call attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying, and harassment in their schools. By taking a vow of silence, students from more than 5,000 middle and high schools will call attention to hate-motivated harassment faced by individuals in school and in work, and they will work toward improving their school climate. This year's event will be held in memory of Lawrence King, an 8th- grade student who was shot and killed on February 12 by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. Larry's death is an unnecessary reminder of what we already know: lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students continue to face pervasive harassment and victimization in schools. As students use their silence to demand schools are safe for all students, it is my hope we in Congress use our voices to ensure that it will be so.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of University of Wisconsin-Extension Conference Centers (ECC). Three conference centers, located on the UW-Madison campus, host tens of thousands of visitors each year. The centers provide meeting spaces, distance education, telecommunications technologies, catering, overnight lodging, and conference planning services to the UW System, state agencies, and other governmental and educational organizations. Dedicated on April 11, 1958 as the Wisconsin Center for Adult Education, the building that is now known as the Pyle Center was the first constructed in order to provide a ``roof for the Wisconsin Idea.'' The idea embodies the belief that the benefits of education should not be confined to the halls and classrooms of the university but rather should extend to the boundaries of the state to improve the lives of people across Wisconsin. Early proponents of the Wisconsin Idea, with support from Governor Robert M. La Follette, Sr., assembled faculty experts and state legislators to bring their vision to life and give Wisconsin national notoriety as a place of innovation and progressivism. It was in this tradition of the university's service to the state that the UW Foundation built the first UW-Extension Conference Center. Today, the Pyle Center is part of an extension system that extends the boundaries of the university even further than the boundaries of the state and expresses the central role of universities in a global economy. Visitors perennially hail from all parts of the world and the center continues to be a model for taking technological, academic, and scientific advancements and making them accessible and relevant to people and institutions everywhere. To honor ECC's 50-year legacy as the roof for the Wisconsin Idea, a commemorative program will be held at the Pyle Center for the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. stakeholders, and supporters. For 50 years of dedication and service to communities everywhere, I join Wisconsinites from every corner of the state in recognizing UW- Extension Conference Centers for fulfilling the promise of the Wisconsin Idea. I wish everyone involved many more years of success.